Chapter Text
Raven had been alone for much of her life. Being separated from society because of the power she held was something she learned to cope with. She had grown used to it by the time she joined the Titans. It was odd but it was with them that she found a family. It was with Damian that she found love, and then one night, he left her. She never knew why but he returned to the League of Assassins. Five years later, Raven found herself with twins to take care of in Gotham City.
Hearing the pitter-patter of her children, Raven reminded herself that she wasn't alone now. Her children were whispering to each other. Raven was happy that they would always have each other even if they didn't have a father. Arella took after the man who should not be named. She had piercing green eyes and rich dark hair. Thomas also looked like his father except for having indigo eyes.
"It's time for bed, Arella, Thomas," Raven called out to her young children. They came running up to her with big toothy grins on their faces.
"Okay, mama. Can you read us a story?" Arella asked while Thomas handed Raven a book. This was how the duo normally worked. Arella was the voice but that wasn't to say she was the leader. Thomas just happened to be quieter.
Raven put her children in their shared room of her apartment. The room was neatly divided in half. Grabbing 'The Cat in The Hat', Raven began to tell the classic story. The weather of Gotham decided to take a turn for the worse. The lights of the apartment flickered before the powerfully went out. Luckily, the children had already begun to sleep before the power went out. The thunder of the storm shook the windows of the apartment and Raven sighed as she searched for a flashlight.
Lightning flashed across the sky and Raven noticed something in her living room. Whispering a small incantation, she summoned fire and loudly gasped. The lights flickered back on and she realized who was in her living room.
"It's been a long time, beloved," Damian spoke softly. His accent was slightly stronger than when he left. He was taller and more muscular. He was also fully dressed in the League's attire. His boots sounded heavy as he stepped toward Raven. In his eyes, Raven had changed very little. Her hair went past her shoulders and her hips were fuller. She still had the same indigo eyes and the same pale skin.
"Stay the fuck away from me," Raven said, backing up slowly. She stared at the man that she once knew. He looked different but his presence felt the same.
"That is fair. I have missed you, beloved," Damian took one step back from Raven to show understanding. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her.
"No, you don't get to call me that. Not anymore, "Raven held herself. She looked down, trying to find any reason to make him leave but she couldn't. Part of her hated him for everything he had done but there would always be part of her that loved him.
"Oh, I see. You are upset with me," Damian made himself comfortable by sitting on the gray sofa in Raven's living room. The fireplace provided a warmth and comfort that Damian had not felt in years.
"Yes, I'm upset with you! You said you loved me, you had sex with me and then you vanished into thin air! It was months before I found out where you were and not to mentio-" Raven hadn't realized how loud she was being. It wasn't in her nature to yell but Damian always brought out the rawest emotions in her.
"Mama, who are you talking to?" Arella asked while holding Thomas' hand. Arella must have dragged Thomas out of bed because he was squinting and rubbing his eye from sleep.
"Just an old friend. Go back to bed, sweetie. I'll be back in a second." Raven didn't want Damian to know about their children, especially if he still had ties to the League of Assassins.
"How old are they?" Damian asked, looking between Raven and the small children.
"That's not important," Raven harshly spoke. Thomas peeked his head out from behind Raven's thigh. He was holding tightly on to her but for some reason, he trusted the stranger his mother was so clearly trying to hide him from. Only slightly releasing the grip from his mother, he made a four with his fingers and held it up to the stranger.
"They are four?" Damian asked, looking at the little boy. Little Thomas only nodded while Arella smiled at him. Damian was in disbelief. If the appearances were not convincing enough, the timeline proved that these were his children. He had children and he missed the first four years of their lives. He may not have known much about children but he does know those first few years are crucial. He missed the first steps, first words, and first holidays.
"Yes," Raven sighed. She stopped trying to hide them from him. Arella still hid behind her mother while Thomas slowly walked away from her.
"Hello," Damian gulped, "What are your names?" He figured he would start with something small. He couldn't just rush in and say he was their dad. That would be confusing and awkward for Damian more than the children.
"I'm Arella and that's Thomas. He doesn't talk much. Your clothes are fancy. Are you a prince?" Arella asked, pointing to his outfit. His clothes may have been traditional in Nanda Parbat but in Gotham, they were a bit over the top. Arella didn't seem to mind as long as she was in the presence of a prince.
"I'm something like a prince," Damian responded carefully. He looked over to Raven to get approval on the information he was sharing. She simply nodded along with the story he was telling.
"That's so cool. Can you bring me a tiara?" Arella asked before Thomas whispered in her ear," Thomas wants a cape," Arella stated looking Damian in the eye.
"I will get you all the capes and tiaras you desire if you listen to your mother and go to bed," Damian negotiated with the small children. The twins scurried off to bed and left Raven and Damian alone once more.
Neither of them knew where to start their conversation. There was so much time that had passed between them. Raven had grown to be a mother while Damian had grown to be a killer. Neither of their circumstances could have been foreseen. Neither of them could have predicted that they would be right here with their feelings being strong, even with the time that had passed.
"They are my children?" Damian asked, already knowing the answer. It was obvious that they were his children. Yet, for some reason, he found himself longing for Raven's confirmation.
"Yes. I didn't know I was pregnant until three months after you had left. By then, I knew you were back with the League so I didn't tell you. I thought it would be best," Raven's reasoning wasn't faulty. The man she loved had rejoined an organization whose sole purpose was to kill. What mother would want that for her children's lives?
"I understand. However, had I known about Arella and Thomas, I would've left the League. I would have cared for and provided for them. I would have been there for them. I would've been there for you. I wouldn't have made that deal with my mother," Damian exclaimed rather loudly. He wanted his kids to have a better life than he did.
"What does Talia have to do with any of this?" Raven asked, her tone full of confusion. What could Talia al Ghul possibly want with Damian? She had already agreed to leave him to his father.
"She is the reason I left."