The doors to the guest hall opened quietly, but what waited beyond them was anything but quiet.

Arthur stepped in first, and stopped, the room stretched wide and open, what was meant to be a "guest room" had, at some point, crossed the line into something far grander, closer to a ballroom than anything else. Conversations flowed, glasses clinked, low laughter echoed... a gathering far larger than he had anticipated.

Arthur raised a brow slowly.

He had deliberately avoided using his enhanced senses on the way here, choosing, for once not to know everything in advance.

Now he almost regretted it.

"...That’s a lot of people."

Raven stepped in beside him, her eyes sweeping the room with curiosity before she leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice just enough for only him to hear.

"Wow... Bruce with a random woman... Clark with Lois... Diana... Constantine... Zee..." her gaze shifted again, softer this time, "your mom and Adam..."

Arthur’s expression didn’t change much, but something flickered there surprise, maybe irritation. "...Who even invited Bruce?"

As if summoned by the question, George appeared at Arthur’s side with impeccable timing, expression composed.

"Well," he said smoothly, hands clasped behind his back, "we did not even extend invitations to the majority of our guests, sir."

Arthur glanced sideways at him,

George continued, unfazed. "However, Master Wayne arrived first... bearing what he described as a ’special vintage’ and proceeded to let himself in."

Arthur exhaled slowly.

"...Of course he did."

Kara, standing on Arthur’s other side, barely held back a laugh.

"That sounds about right."

And then, the room noticed them.

Conversations softened. Heads turned.

The energy shifted.

Three figures standing at the entrance, Arthur in black, composed and sharp; Raven beside him, equally elegant in darker tones; Kara, bright and warm in contrast, almost glowing under the soft light.

Clark was the first to move, his face broke into a wide, genuine smile as he crossed the room without hesitation.

"Arthur! Raven,Kara! You finally decided to greet us?"

Before Arthur could even react, Clark had already reached them, and immediately pulled Kara into a hug.

Not just a hug.

A lift.

Kara’s feet left the ground.

"Whoa.. Kal!"

"You look just great! Finally embracing earth customs.." Clark said, laughing, spinning her slightly before setting her back down.

Kara smoothed her dress, shooting him a look that was only half annoyed.

"...Kal."

Clark raised both hands in surrender, still smiling.

"Sorry... sorry."

Arthur watched the exchange with a faint smirk.

"...You’re lucky she didn’t punch you."

"She thought about it," Kara muttered.

Nearby, Lois Lane stepped forward, arms crossed loosely but her eyes sharp were observing Arthur with open curiosity. "So," she said, tilting her head slightly, "you’re the guy."

Arthur looked at her.

"...That depends. What guy?"

"The one who showed up with an army of shadows in Metropolis long time ago, and now here in Gotham, even though you appeared quite often, your identity to the people is still a mystery, it was so strange.."

Arthur shrugged faintly.

"I wonder why.. Besides, they exaggerate my deeds."

Lois smiled.

"Uh-huh."

There was a small moment of silence then she extended a hand.

"Lois Lane."

Arthur took it without hesitation, "Arthur Blackwynd, and welcome to my humble estate."

She studied him for just a second longer before letting go.

"...You’re not what I expected."

"I get that a lot."

A calm presence approached next.

Diana Prince. "Arthur," she said, inclining her head slightly. "Your return was... timely, the world needed you and you delivered."

Arthur nodded once.

"Glad I didn’t miss the party, I saw how you fought as well, as usual you are someone I can count on."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"You are the symbol of hope as much as Kal El is."

Arthur didn’t respond to that, not directly and from the side, Bruce Wayne stood with a glass in hand, watching.

"...You cleaned up well," Bruce remarked casually.

Arthur glanced at him.

"This is pretty much breaking into my house."

Bruce took a sip.

"Well you left the door open."

"I didn’t."

"You did tonight."

Arthur stared at him for a second.

"Damn it, Bruce.. Fine I guess."

Across the room, John Constantine leaned against a pillar, swirling his drink.

"Gotta say," he muttered, smirking, "hell of an entrance you made earlier."

Beside him, Zatanna Zatara smiled faintly.

"You’ve made quite the impression."

Arthur gave them both a brief nod.

"Not the kind I usually go for... but where the hell have you been? I didn’t see you in that battle."

"We had other orders from Brucy... a different kind of fight, some sort of magical barrier we had to put in case things went horribly wrong." John replied.

Arthur gave Bruce a look and said "I see... how many plans did he have..."

Meanwhile, Kara had been intercepted.

Mrs. Blackwynd approached her with a warm smile and immediately pulled her into a gentle embrace.

"My dear..."

Kara blinked, surprised, but returned it.

"Hi.."

Then, softly, right against her ear.

"Congratulations."

Kara froze.

"...What?"

Her face flushed instantly as she pulled back slightly, eyes wide.

"You told her?" she whispered, glancing toward Arthur.

Mrs. Blackwynd smiled knowingly.

"No," she whispered back. "Call it a mother’s instinct."

Kara’s face turned even redder.

"...Oh."

She didn’t know where to look anymore.

From across the room, Arthur definitely noticed.

And was absolutely enjoying it.

George moved gracefully through the gathering, offering drinks with perfect timing and quiet precision.

"Refreshments, if you please."

Glasses were taken, murmured thanks exchanged, the atmosphere was warm and so alive.

Arthur finally stepped forward, drawing everyone’s attention without needing to raise his voice.

The room quieted naturally.

He glanced around once, at all of them.

Unexpected guests, and allies.

Friends... in their own way.

"...Thank you all for being here," he began, his tone calm and sincere.

A few nods. A few smiles.

Then he paused, just slightly.

"For once," he continued, a faint smile forming, "this isn’t about a battle... or a warning... or some world-ending threat."

A soft ripple of amusement passed through the room.

Arthur turned his head slightly, looking at Kara.

She immediately looked away, cheeks still faintly flushed, but her hand found his, fingers lacing with his.

He squeezed gently.

"There’s something I want to say," he added, his voice lowering just a fraction. "Something that is surprisingly not easy to say, I was surprised when I first realized it myself."

That got their attention. Even though both Bruce and Clark knew already.

Arthur exhaled once.

Then smiled, not the usual confident, unbothered expression.

"...And I figured," he said, glancing around the room one last time, "if I’m going to say it... it might as well be in front of everyone who’s made this place worth coming back to, to the few people I call friends."

Kara’s grip tightened slightly.

Everyone was watching him now, some curious, others already suspicious from the way Kara refused to look anyone directly in the eye. Which, by itself, was enough to make several people in the room realize something unusual was happening.

Because Kara being quiet, that was unnatural.

Arthur stood there with one hand loosely holding hers, his thumb brushing lightly against the back of it as he glanced around the room again.

For the first time in a long while, he actually looked unsure how to phrase something.

That alone caught Bruce’s attention, Clark noticed it too and immediately started smiling into his drink before Arthur even spoke.

Arthur sighed softly through his nose.

"...Right," he muttered. "I’ll just say it directly."

Kara visibly stiffened beside him.

Arthur looked at her once, the corner of his mouth lifting faintly.

Then back at the others.

"Kara’s pregnant."

There was complete silence.

A very brief one, then the entire room exploded.

"What?!"

"Oh my god."

"Seriously?!"

"Well, it was only a matter of time for baby destruction." John said casually.

Kara’s face turned completely red instantly.

She looked like she wanted the floor itself to open beneath her.

Arthur, traitor that he was, looked entirely too amused by it.

Clark burst out laughing first, already walking forward again.

"I knew it!"

"Kal!" Kara groaned immediately.

He ignored her completely and wrapped both arms around her again, though thankfully this time he kept her feet on the ground.

"That’s amazing news!"

Kara buried her face in one hand.

"Stop acting like you didn’t know... besides you are loud.."

"You’re having a kid!" Clark shot back, grinning like an idiot. "I’m allowed to be loud."

Arthur watched the scene with folded arms, visibly entertained now.

Nearby, Bruce took a slow sip from his glass.

"...Told you," he said calmly toward Diana.

Diana raised an eyebrow.

"You knew as well?"

Bruce looked at her like it was obvious.

"It wasn’t that hard to tell, that’s why I was so stressed during the battle, she was my top priority to protect, if anything happened to her..."

Mrs. Blackwynd approached next, far gentler than Clark’s overwhelming excitement. She cupped Kara’s cheek softly, smiling with a warm smile that immediately softened the younger woman’s embarrassment.

"My dear," she said quietly, "that is wonderful news."

Kara looked almost helpless under that affection.

"...Thanks..."

Her usual confidence was nowhere to be found now. No teasing, no loud remarks, none of her usual fiery attitude

She looked shy, and everyone noticed, especially Arthur.

Raven crossed her arms nearby, watching Kara with amusement.

"This is fascinating."

Kara shot her a look.

"Don’t start."

"You punched a monarch through six buildings," Raven replied calmly. "But this embarrasses you?"

"That’s different!"

"How?"

"It just is!"

John Constantine nearly choked on his drink laughing.

"Oh this is gold."

Zatanna elbowed him lightly, though she was smiling too.

"Leave her alone."

"No, no," John said, wiping his mouth dramatically. "I’m just shocked the apocalypse couple actually settled down enough to have a baby."

Arthur glanced at him.

"You say that like it was an accident."

John immediately raised both hands.

"Never mind. Don’t answer that."

Lois stepped closer then, genuine warmth in her expression now.

"Congratulations," she said sincerely.

Kara smiled shyly.

"Thank you."

Lois looked between her and Arthur before smirking slightly.

"You know... this explains a lot."

Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly.

"...What does that mean?"

"You appeared when those monarchs touched her, and then you did what you did."

Clark coughed into his fist.

Arthur looked at Clark then back at Lois. "You saw that or did Clark tell you?"

Lois just smiled.

Diana stepped forward next, resting a hand lightly over her heart.

"A child born into such strength," she said warmly. "May they inherit your courage... and hopefully less of your recklessness."

Arthur nodded solemnly.

"That last part was uhh... thank you Diana."

Kara actually laughed softly at that, though she still refused to meet anyone’s eyes for too long.

From the side, Arthur’s brother looked genuinely stunned.

"...Wait," he said slowly. "So I’m going to be an uncle?"

Arthur looked at him.

"That is generally how it works."

"...Holy shit."

Mrs. Blackwynd sighed softly.

"Language."

George appeared precisely at that moment carrying a silver tray of drinks as if the timing had been rehearsed.

"Champagne for the honored guests," he announced smoothly.

He paused near Kara.

"...And a non-alcoholic alternative for Miss Kara, naturally."

Kara blinked.

"...You already prepared for that?"

George gave a dignified nod.

"I had my suspicions, miss, trust me it was not hard to tell."

Arthur snorted quietly.

George remained perfectly composed. "A competent caretaker anticipates developments before they are spoken aloud, sir."

Bruce lifted his glass slightly toward George.

"You should lend him to me."

George looked mildly horrified.

"Perish the thought."

Even Arthur laughed at that one.

/-\

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