Welcome Home, Master Damian."
time skip to the bat plane
The Batplane touched down quietly on the Manor's hidden landing pad.
Raven and Zatanna had both wanted to follow, but Batman shut that down with an exhausted,
"One night. Let me have one night with my son."
Back to the present
Alfred Meets Damian for the FIRST Time — and Immediately Understands Everything
The Manor was quiet when the hidden elevator opened and Bruce led Damian inside.
Damian kept his hood down, calm but wary. He'd faced assassins, monsters, entire courts of killers—
but walking into Bruce Wayne's home felt strangely heavier.
Not dangerous…
just unfamiliar.
As they stepped into the main hall, a voice echoed gently:
"Master Bruce, you've returned earlier than—"
Alfred Pennyworth stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes landed on Damian.
There was no gasp.
No dramatic reaction.
No emotional collapse.
Just a sharp, piercing gaze that absorbed everything in a second—
the stance, the scars, the tension, the controlled breathing, the too-old eyes in a too-young face.
Then Alfred spoke, calm as ever.
"So," he murmured,
"you must be the boy."
Damian blinked.
He'd prepared for hostility… pity… fear.
But Alfred simply stepped forward with the composure of a man who had seen everything.
"Alfred Pennyworth," he said, offering his hand.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Master Damian."
Damian hesitated—
then shook the hand.
"Bruce told you about me," Damian said flatly.
"Of course he did," Alfred replied, voice subtly warm.
"No man should face the existence of a child alone. Especially not your father."
Bruce stiffened.
"Alfred—"
But Alfred continued, unbothered.
"You resemble him," Alfred said. "Not in the face—your mother has the stronger features.
But in the eyes.
Both of you carry the weight of the world far too young."
Damian swallowed.
Alfred had never met him—
yet somehow understood him better than half the League ever did.
Then Alfred surprised both of them.
He bowed his head slightly.
"Welcome to Wayne Manor.
You may come and go as you please.
This house will respect your privacy—
and offer you safety should you ever need it."
Damian didn't show emotion.
He rarely did.
But something shifted in his chest—
not affection,
not weakness…
Just a quiet understanding.
Bruce watched carefully, almost anxious.
Damian finally answered:
"…Thank you."
Alfred smiled faintly.
"Dinner is prepared.
I wasn't certain of your tastes, so I made several options.
Please, join us."
Bruce muttered under his breath:
"You made six dishes."
Damian's eyebrow twitched.
"…Because of me?"
"No," Alfred said smoothly.
"Because both of you refuse to eat properly unless supervised."
Bruce looked offended.
Damian looked away.
Alfred was already walking toward the dining room.
Dinner Tests, Family Tension, and a Life Restored"
Alfred secretly evaluates Damian… and Damian gives Barbara Gordon her future back.
For the first time in his life, Damian Wayne sat at the Wayne Manor dining table.
He wasn't nervous.
He wasn't intimidated.
But he was… watching.
And so was Alfred.
THE BAT-FAMILY AT THE TABLE
Present tonight:
Bruce Wayne
Nightwing (Dick Grayson)
Tim Drake
Cassandra Cain
Barbara Gordon (Oracle)
Stephanie Brown
Alfred Pennyworth
No Jason Todd — still believed dead.
Nightwing kept glancing at Damian with a mix of curiosity and quiet pride.
Bruce was stiff, almost awkward, trying to act natural around his newly revealed son.
Tim was cautious, studying every movement.
Cassandra was silent but interested.
Stephanie stared like Damian was a shiny new gadget.
Barbara was polite… but guarded.
And Alfred?
Alfred was in full examination mode.
ALFRED'S FIRST TEST — MANNERS
As Alfred set a plate down, Damian's eyes scanned the utensils.
Alfred waited… then said casually:
"Master Damian, the appetizers are meant to be eaten with the small fork."
Damian picked it up correctly in one smooth motion.
No hesitation.
No insecurity.
"Of course."
Alfred nodded discreetly.
Test passed.
ALFRED'S SECOND TEST — TEMPER
Stephanie leaned in cheerfully.
"So, Damian, what do YOU do for fun?
Play games? Watch movies? Go roller skating?"
"…I train," Damian replied flatly.
Stephanie blinked.
Tim snorted under his breath.
Dick muttered, "He definitely takes after Bruce."
Damian exhaled softly.
Not annoyed.
Not angry.
Just patient.
Alfred's eyes flicked to Bruce.
"He controls his emotions better than you did at that age, sir."
Bruce frowned.
Dick erupted in silent laughter.
Test passed.
ALFRED'S THIRD TEST — COMPASSION
Barbara finally spoke.
"So… Damian.
Bruce told us what you've done.
About the Court.
About saving people."
Her tone was gentle… but cautious.
Damian's eyes softened slightly.
"I do not save people for gratitude," he said.
"I save them because it is right."
Barbara stared at him, surprised.
He meant it.
Alfred nodded to himself.
Test passed.
THE MOMENT DAMIAN DECIDES
Damian reached into his cloak.
The Bat-Family tensed instantly.
Cassandra pivoted slightly.
Tim's posture shifted.
Stephanie held her breath.
Bruce prepared to intervene—
Damian placed a small green bean wrapped in cloth on the table.
He slid it toward Barbara.
"For you."
Barbara blinked.
"…What is this?"
Nightwing leaned in.
Bruce answered calmly,
"It's what he used earlier… on me."
Stephanie gasped.
"Wait—Bruce—you used one?!"
Barbara looked between the bean and Damian.
"It heals," Damian explained.
"All injuries.
As long as your body is intact."
Barbara froze.
Her hand trembled.
"My spine… Damian, I can't—"
"You can," Damian said simply.
"No tricks.
No manipulation.
Just healing."
The room went silent.
Tim whispered,
"…He's serious."
Cassandra stepped back, respectfully giving Barbara space.
Alfred placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
"Miss Gordon…
if Master Damian says it will heal you… I believe him."
Barbara swallowed.
Then she ate the Senzu Bean.
THE TRANSFORMATION
It hit instantly.
Barbara grabbed the table.
Her spine lit up like electricity.
Her legs twitched violently.
Dick lunged forward.
"Babs! Are you okay?!"
"I—I can feel…"
She gasped.
"…my legs."
Stephanie burst into tears.
Tim covered his mouth.
Cassandra's eyes widened.
Bruce stepped closer, breath held tight.
Then—
Barbara pushed herself up.
Slow.
Shaking.
Painful.
But she stood.
Three steps.
One.
Two.
Three.
The entire family froze.
Then her energy collapsed.
Bruce caught her gently.
"She's asleep."
Damian nodded.
"She will be healed by morning."
THE FAMILY'S REACTION (CORRECTED)
Dick (Nightwing)
He turned to Damian, eyes bright with emotion.
"Thank you…
You gave my sister back her life."
Tim Drake
"You're not like Ra's…
not like the League…
You're better."
Stephanie Brown
"You're family now.
Officially.
No take-backs!"
Cassandra Cain
She stepped in front of Damian and bowed her head—
a gesture she had never given anyone but Bruce.
Damian bowed back slightly.
Alfred
The butler breathed out softly.
"Welcome home, Master Damian."
And for the first time, Damian felt…
accepted.
END OF CHAPTER
Alfred's tests end.
Barbara is healed.
The Bat-Family embraces Damian.
Bruce realizes his son may be the best thing ever to happen to them.