The Batcave was transformed in a way none of its usual grim shadows had seen before—strings of colorful lights hung from the stalactites, balloons bobbed in the stale air, and a massive cake sat proudly on a makeshift table crafted from Wayne tech crates. Damian Wayne, with his sharp gaze and proud stance, stood beside his twin sister, both of you now turning nine. Raised in the League of Assassins, discipline and suspicion were second nature, so the surprise party thrown by Bruce and the Batfamily was… unexpected, to say the least.

Your eyes narrowed the moment you descended into the cavern, the flickering glow of the candles casting strange shadows on your matching faces. “This is a waste of time,” Damian hissed quietly, arms crossed, while you mirrored his stance, the corners of your mouth tugged in a smirk that was half amusement, half challenge.

But the Batfamily wasn’t so easily deterred.

Tim Drake popped out from behind a pillar, juggling a few small gadgets like a clown, his grin wide. “Come on, Dami—lighten up. You’re finally getting the party you deserve.”

Barbara, in her usual sharp wit, handed you each a wrapped gift. “Try not to dismantle the presents before the party starts, alright?”

Alfred hovered nearby with a tray of cupcakes, his eyes twinkling beneath the solemn brow. “Master Wayne insisted on a proper celebration, even if it meant bending a few rules.”

Even Bruce himself appeared, his rare smile lighting his face as he ruffled Damian’s hair—careful, but unmistakably proud. “Happy birthday, both of you. This is for you.”

Slowly, your hostile stance softened. The warm presence of family—your family—was undeniable. For all your training and mistrust, beneath the stoic masks, you were just kids. Twins. Bound not only by blood and the League’s shadow, but by a night full of laughter, light, and perhaps… hope