Damian had become accustomed to surprises.

His father had an unfortunate habit of bringing home strays.

Former circus acrobats.

Street kids.

Wayward vigilantes.

At this point, Wayne Manor collected children almost as frequently as it collected antique furniture.

So when Bruce asked everyone to meet in the sitting room, Damian expected another mission briefing.

Perhaps another family announcement.

What he didn’t expect—

was a little girl standing quietly beside his father.

She couldn’t have been older than eight.

She looked around Wayne Manor with cautious curiosity, one hand clutching the sleeve of an oversized jacket as though letting go might make all of this disappear.

Bruce rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

The room was unusually quiet.

Dick smiled first.

Jason looked between Bruce and the child before muttering something under his breath.

Tim removed his headphones.

Cass’s expression softened almost instantly.

Even Alfred looked suspiciously pleased.

Bruce cleared his throat.

“I finalized the adoption this morning.”

Silence.

Then—

“I’d like you all to meet your sister.”

Damian blinked.

Once.

Twice.

“…Our what?”

“Our sister,” Dick repeated, sounding entirely too delighted.

Bruce nodded.

“She’s a Wayne now.”

The words settled over the room.

Not temporary.

Not a foster placement.

Not someone passing through.

Permanent.

Family.

Damian looked at the little girl again.

She hadn’t said a word.

She simply stood there, clearly trying to make herself as small as possible in a room full of strangers.

His chest tightened.

He knew that look.

He remembered being the newest child in Wayne Manor.

Wondering where he belonged.

Wondering if he belonged at all.

Without thinking, Damian stepped forward.

The others watched him carefully.

He stopped a respectful distance away.

His expression remained composed, as always.

But when he looked at her, there was none of his usual sharpness.

Only quiet understanding.

Because she wasn’t walking into a mansion.

She was walking into a family.

A loud, chaotic, hopelessly unconventional family.

And whether she realized it yet or not—

she would never have to face the world alone again.

Not anymore.

Not now that she was a Wayne.