heartstring
Ever since Cass had started living with them at the manor, she would often avoid coming into contact, or conversing with any of the boys.
Alfred has had experience with dealing with difficult children himself, but his expertise in handling those with emotional baggage. Over time, he's met characters of varying emotional ranges.
Bruce was one of the children he's had to help back up on his own feet.
Cass found it peaceful around Alfred, who didn't ask him too many questions, or didn't talk much. Just like her. And when he did, he would only ask for Cass' opinions or preferences. He was patient with her, and she appreciated it greatly.
Especially the treats he would give her whenever he would bake.
Bruce Wayne too, the Batman himself, was doing his best to communicate with her. He gave her picture books which Cass loved so much, and would flip through them before bed.
Cass has shown improvement with her words and vocabulary aftervall those times the boys would alternately drop by to check up on the family, and sometimes they would give her candy, or a picture book, as per Bruce's suggestion.
The boys —though with the exception of Damian— would read to, and with her, pointing to pictures and telling her what they were. She loved spending time with her brothers.
That's why it truly pulled at their heartstrings when on Valentine's evening, the family had gathered for dinner. Jason has graced their presence, and Cass is glad they were a complete family tonight.
It was endearing and sweet when Cass comes back from the kitchen with her arms full of small bags of chocolate, which turns out she made with Alfred for dessert.
It fits the mood and the holiday, too.
She hands one to each man, along with a kiss on the cheek as she did so.
She doesn't forget to give one to Alfred, and then Dick initiates a group hug.
That was the first hug Cass had been enveloped in that gave her a warm feeling in her heart, instead of giving her dread, and a knife to the back.
All in all, Cass' first Valentine's Day had been lovely, and it was the start of her favourite family tradition.