Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You never think about the rain. 

Sure, you learn in school about the water cycle and the stage that results in rain. You hear the old ladies at the corner store talk about the forecast and whether or not they'll be out driving in it. You hear middle aged men grumbling about how they need to cut the lawn before the next rain. Mothers will fret over if it'll escalate into a storm and for their kids to not track in mud. Old men will be thankful because the plants need the rain.

But you don't think about it.

You don't think about the distinct smell in the air just before, a tell tale sign of what's to come.  You don't think about the feeling of the water hitting your skin, the moisture in the air. The rhythmic sounds, and how it lulls you into a sleepy sense of self.  How you crave warmth and comfort, any desire of productivity flowing out like a storm drain. The heavy feelings taking over your heart and mind. You enter a stage of twilight. How the rain will happen no matter what you or anyone else does, it will come.

You don't think about it.

Death is like the rain. 

It comes no matter what, and no one really thinks about it. Or, at least, no one ever wants to.

Danny's death was something he had no choice but to think about. 

Having a portal to the afterlife open on top of you at age 14, both killing you and bringing you back to life was hard to ignore. At first though, he didn't see it like that. Being dumb teens, He and his friends thought the portal just gave him superpowers, helping him fight the ghost that the Fenton parent's portal was letting loose into the world.  After a while though, how Danny viewed that day differently in his mind. He'd never tell Sam and Tucker, but he knows. He knows that he didn't just 'wake up with powers' . He remembers the quick and yet drawn-out pain of the electricity going through him, his body burning both internal and external tissue, the clutching feeling of organ damage, the jerking muscle spasms. He remembers super-high-pitched ringing and seeing black that faded slowly to a light gray, and then nothing. He remembers coming back from that nothing. The stretching and pulling of being knit back together. He remembers his vision coming back. It was slow, like when an old TV is turned on. Everything started dim and staticky, then the world got brighter and more defined. He remembers gaining movement back. The pain of death extracting itself. His whole body started sore and fuzzy, then suddenly he started to gain a more normal feeling in his hands and feet. The feeling then grew towards the center of his body. His heart. 'His Core' . He heard a scream that wasn’t his own. With a gasp, he was right back to the land of the living. Awake, alive, alert. Walking out of the portal. He was back in the lab. Back with Sam and Tucker. They hadn't even seen him get hurt, due to the bright flashing of light when the portal came on. Everything had gone back to normal, except for a pounding headache and an ache in his chest. They had no idea. 

It was a 'blink-and-you-miss-it' moment. For Danny, it felt like a lifetime. 

He never tells them. He never tells Jazz either.

He knows that he should have said something to his sister. She would probably agree and help him deconstruct his feelings while something along the lines of how him bottling his emotions and hiding his true feelings behind humor being unhealthy. But he just. Couldn’t.

What could he even say? How could he even start? How do you explain what dying felt like? What it’s like to come back? What it’s like to come back WRONG?

They would never understand.

It was better for everyone if they just thought the ectoplasm bonded with his DNA and hadn't ripped him apart and put him back together. He was a Halfa, but no one needed to think too deeply into what that really meant. His friend could still goof around and focus on school, local drama and dating. His sister could plan for college and online classes. The team could fight the ghost that came into town, even though most befriended him after a while. They could live their lives and not think about how Danny actually died. They didn’t need to know about how the sensation of getting pulled apart and shoved back together still haunted him. How he sat up at night wondering if he would outlive them. If they would become ghosts like Danny. If Danny could grow old. If he could fully die. If one day he’d snap, and become something like Dan? How close was he to going over the edge? He would keep it all to himself. They would never know all his fears and pain. But Danny would know.

Danny would know as he woke up from a nightmare 6 months into being Phantom, dreaming about digging out of a grave he knew he’d never have.

Danny would know as he defeated Pariah Dark and later was crowned the new Ghost King on his 18th birthday.

Danny would know as he watched helplessly as Ellie, his clone, his sister, ' his daughter' , destabilized in his arms the middle of his last year of high school. 

Danny would know as Vlad lost his mind as he grieved himself and a life he believed was his. Lashing out at everyone both living and dead.

Danny would know as his parents got lucky one night and got the drop on him as Phantom.

Danny would know as his parents the Fenton's strapped him to a table and cut him open.

Danny would know as his sister and friends found him before his parents the Fenton's turned him over to the GIW.

Danny would know as they hastily sew him back up to the best of their ability. 

Danny would know as they destroyed the portal and all his parents the Fenton’s research and life’s work.

Danny would know as he was shoved on a bus with an emergency bag, a fake ID, and tearful eyes.

Danny would know as he rode that bus to Gotham never to return home and see his friends and sister again.

And Danny would know as the city came into view along with his unknown future and old life in the wind.

Danny would know.

And Jason would feel him coming.

Chapter Text

There's something special about the early twilight of dawn.

The time of day that is saved for the early commuters setting off and the night shift embarking back home. It holds tired eyes and hazy minds navigating the morning traffic. The smell of coffee and morning dew fill the air with moisture and aroma. 

Science specifies dawn as a particular moment defined by the solar elevation angle, which is the position of the Sun in relation to the horizon. When the Sun passes the elevation angle of -18 degrees as it ascends towards the horizon before sunrise, a very small portion of its rays begin to permeate the firmament. The Earth's upper atmosphere begins to scatter and reflect the sunlight, illuminating the lower atmosphere.

In astrology, the term “dawn” is considered to be a powerful time for setting intentions and starting new projects. Astrologers believe that the energy of dawn is associated with new beginnings, fresh starts, and the birth of new ideas. A moment which is considered to be a sign of a new chapter in one's life.

It has grabbed the attention of writers and poets alike. Many call it a song that greets the morning while lamenting the end of the night. Often relating it as the parting of lovers. While some see it as the greeting of a lover. It can be a medieval watchman’s cry announcing the end of night and return of day. The glow and promise of a new day. 

As a night vigilante in Gotham, dawn means one thing. End of patrol. 

End of patrol meant you were tired.

And God, was Jason tired.

It was an aching tired. A familiar tired. A deep in his bones, up his spine, tight in his shoulders, headache inducing tired. It was the kind of tiredness that filled his head with fog and caused a throbbing behind his eyes. It made food seem inedible and his hunger a stabbing pain, nausea usually following. A tiredness that caused the pits to act up more, and his mood to sour. A tired that no one in the Bat family wanted to deal with. The only ones willing to brave the waters were Dick and Babs. He had been rougher that night with the goons, but no one dared call him out. Rubber bullets still hurt after all. 

He hadn't been sleeping well for a few days. Not for lack of trying.

It was clear something had upset the pits, causing him detailed nightmares of being strapped down, helpless, and the burning hot pain of being cut open sticking to his skin and haunting his mind. Hearing hoars, pleading, begging screams that did not belong to him. Waking with tears in his eyes and being filled with the threat of dread. The pits were warning him. 

Something was heading to Gotham.

Something hurt.

Something dangerous.

The first few nights it had happened Jason had brushed it off as the usual pit induced nightmares. He was definitely still haunted by his own demons after all, no matter how much time he'd spend trying to convince everyone else otherwise.

But after the third or fourth night of waking up gasping in a cold sweat, Jason decided he should get a second opinion on things. Much to his distaste. He brought it up in a roundabout way with Dick, who of course told Babs, who instantly got Tim involved, who asked Cass and Steph for help, who invited Duke, who then deranged Damien into the fray, who complained to Alfred, who told Bruce, who freaked out. And just like that, in a blink of an eye, the whole family was invested.

Jason knew this would happen. A family of vigilantes becomes a family of stalkers depending on the contexts. He loved and cared for his family, he really did, but they really could be way too much at times. 

Dick had taken up the role of helicopter parent, asking him how he’s doing, if he needs any help, if he could pick him up anything. Babs, Tim, Cass, and Steph were doing the aforementioned stalking thing, getting any and all information they could. Duke, bless him, had the day shift of hero work and was more giving moral support from the group chat. Damien was showing concern the best he could, always sitting in the same room as Jason like a cat that wants to seem uninvested but also wanting to be able to see you.  Alfred was his usual wonderful self. Then there was Bruce. Oh god Bruce.

After going off for who knows how long doing gods know what and clearing that whatever was happening didn’t involve the League of Assassins, Bruce had asked for help from every magician they knew, Justice League or otherwise. Unfortunately, for Jason and the rest of them, everyone was either on mission, preoccupied, or unable to help. Even Constantine was off and wouldn’t be back for a week or so.

So dead end for now.

All Jason could do is muscle through it the best he could, business as usual, till either it went away, got worse, or whatever was going to happen happens.

That’s what brings him here.

Looking out from a roof as the light of dawn takes over the city, tired and angry, craving sleep.

He was angrier tonight for a reason.

Whatever had spooked the pits.

Whatever was coming this way.

It was here.

Jason could feel its anger, its hurt, its sorrow, its hope.

It called to him, he could feel it in his chest, he could feel it in the pits.

It called to him as his bone deep tired made his legs give out.

It called to him as he collapsed on a roof, the dawn’s light wrapping around him.

It called to him as Dick ran to him, concerned questions lost in the muffled throbbing in his ears.

It called to him and he felt fear.

It called to him and he was 15 again, dying.

It called to him and he was digging out of his grave again.

It called to him and it felt familiar.

It called to him.

And Jason cried.

Chapter Text

Buses aren’t known for being the most comfortable or efficient way of travel, but given the circumstances around everything, Danny couldn't really complain.

Danny didn’t really know what he was getting into when he was shoved onto the bus with a one way ticket to Gotham, but anywhere was safer than going back home. No way he could look his Mom and Dad the Fenton’s in the eye and not feel the nausea take over. Even thinking about what had happened would bring about his racing heart, intense sweating, uncomfortable chills, trembling, or a difficulty in breathing despite not needing to as a ghost. So he chose to not dwell on it. At least for now.

For now, Danny needed to focus on a game plan. 

First thing first was getting a relatively safe or at least discreet location to hide out in and heal for a while. Gotham was infamous in the Infinity Realms for having a ton of natural ectoplasm in the air, making it home to many weaker ghosts and shades, which Danny was feeling a lot like right now. Having a healing factor helped, but right now it was working overtime just to keep Danny from melting into his core. If that happened he would have no way to protect himself or run if he needed to. So that was out. Now that he wasn’t running on adrenaline, he had time to investigate his bag, his only life line at the moment. Sam had provided money and some spare clothes in his emergency bag. It was enough money to get an apartment, but not enough to keep a place for very long, so he would need a job. The fake ID and new phone Tucker made him would help him in that endeavor, as long as he got a job somewhere that wouldn’t dig too deep and notice the cracks in his story. Thankfully, Gotham was known for being on the sketchier side of things, if not a little dangerous. So, as long as he didn’t apply to Wayne Tech or something crazy like that, he was good. Hopefully.

During the long drive to the terrifying city, Danny had used the new phone Tucker had made him in case of needing to go off the grid to look into cheap housing. He needed it to be ready for him before he got there so he could crash and sleep for a week. He will always be thankful for both his friends, he didn’t know what he’d do if they hadn't helped get him started in the right direction to look. He knew money and Wi-fi were a must. So looking he did. After research and a few snacks of protein bars Jazz snuck him, he found something. Apparently, the cheapest places were located in an area of Gotham called Parks Row. Looking further into it, the reason why it was so cheap probably had something to do with how it was locally referred to. Crime Alley. Great.

Looking into employment was also fascinating to Danny. A majority of the job listings for the immediate area all seemed to have the same few contacts. Also great. Definitely not sketchy. Danny wasn't up to date with all the Gotham vigilantes, but he definitely would recognize one called Red Hood, so probably a crime boss or something given the context around everything. But seriously? Even a soup kitchen had him down as a contact. Guess it was just a Gotham thing Danny was going to have to work with. Hopefully this Red Hood guy wasn't too bad of a boss, or his assistant either for that matter. Some Jason dude. Danny couldn't remember. As long as they didn’t get into too much trouble with the local Bats and Birds. Danny could manage. 

Speaking of Vigilantes, Danny really needed to do his best to avoid them if he could help it. He didn’t know that much about all of them, but he knew of Batman. Batman was a founding member of the Justice League. The Justice League that never answered any of the calls from Amity Park for help, not when the ghost first showed up, not when they got pulled into another dimension, not when it got too much for Danny and he just needed a break or even a little help. The Justice League that didn’t stop the Anti-Ecto Acts. The Justice League that worked for the government. The government that had the GIW under tier payroll. The GIW that had escalated things with the ghost even after most had mellowed out and only really crossed over to see Phantom. The GIW that didn’t mind hurting civilians to get to what they want. The GIW that his parents the Fenton’s were going to hand him over to. His parents The Fenton’s that—

Breathe Danny.

Remember.

Breathe.

Just like Jazz taught him.

Breath in for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds.

Breathe Danny.

Breathe.

He was going to be ok.

As long as there was no contact with Batman.

No matter what.

When the city came into view, Danny had 3 months rent on his new apartment, job applications sent in to several openings, and a pulling in his core.

The pulling.

It felt familiar.

Terrifying.

Comforting.

‘HIS’.

The warm swelling of hope over took the bleeding pain in his chest from his injuries. 

It felt like fire and lightning.

His core called out on its own.

It CRIED out.

It cried out with all the the pain and hurt he had been avoiding.

It cried out in fear.

It cried out in hope.

It cried out, craving comfort for something familiar. 

It cried out.

And something cried back.

Chapter Text

Jason was hungover, he was sure of it.

He doesn't remember drinking, doesn't know why he'd be drinking, but he probably blacked out really fast.

Bruce must have really pissed him off or something.

There wasn't any other way to explain what was happening.

This was a hangover.

Nausea, the desire to vomit and stomach pain coiling inside him was another good indicator of hangover. His mouth was uncomfortably dry, and an excessive thirst took him over as he slowly woke up and attempted to sit up a little. He didn’t get very far, only shifting a little higher on the bed. His muscle ached in a throbbing synced with his rapid heartbeat that covered his whole body and a shakiness in his joints that could only result in fatigue from drinking and a weakness due to the poor sleep he'd been having. A strange sensation akin to pulling or maybe reaching lightly swirled in his chest. It was weird, but didn’t feel wrong or out of place. When nothing else happened, Jason decided it wasn’t a concern for right now. He blinked slowly as the world formed out of the fog of his still half-awake state. The headache that had formed over the past few days had amplified irritability making him dizzy and sensitive to the light and sounds of his safe house... Or rather, the Bat-cave.

The Bat-cave?

No way he'd be in the Bat cave if he'd been drinking.

No.

Was he drugged during last night's patrol?

Maybe?

But when?

It was probably connected to everything going on with the pits.

Maybe he was being targeted.

That would explain a lot, but he just couldn't remember why he blacked out. His head was pounding, making it hard to sort out his thoughts. The pulling in his chest seemed to sink at the thought of it. Jason let out a groan as he sat himself all the way up.  Or at least, attempted to. The movement caused him to sway, and hands came from somewhere to support him.

"Easy Jay, you've been out for a few hours, we still don't know what happened." The low familiar voice filled the space as Jason turned to see who had caught him.

Dick. 

Dick was here, standing next to him having rushed over from where he had been sitting to support Jason. His shoulders were tense, and he was wearing that fake smile he did when he didn't want to show how worried he actually was. Most people wouldn't even be able to tell that he was a ball of nerves, but Jason had learned to read his brother after all these years, no matter how good Dicky got at hiding his feelings. He could read all of his family's tells, but Dick was the easiest for him. Right now though, the way Dick’s eyes were slightly wider as Jason steadied himself on the bed would be easy for anyone to see through. Safe to say he was out a lot longer than a few hours.

That's right. It had just been morning and he was on the roof with Dick after patrol. He'd been asking if Jason was going to come to the manor for breakfast. It was his latest attempt to lighten Jason’s mood while the tiredness growing in him only seemed to sour it. Dick not knowing what had happened given that he was right there with him wasn’t good. Looking around, Jason could see he was in the cave's med bay. He couldn't see the others, but the hushed tones of talking and the distinct Tap-Tap-Tapping of keys that belonged to the Bat-computer told him they were around. Looking past Dick, the screen on the nearest monitor indicated that his vitals were fine, and that it was late into the evening. He definitely was out longer than a few hours, and the Bat-fam were obviously anxious. The pulling fluttered at the sentiment. Jason let out an exhausted sigh.

“So other than me being passed out for too fucking long, everything else is fine?” This whole ordeal was already so draining. Jason really didn’t want to add suddenly becoming narcoleptic on top of everything.

“We ran all the usual tests, then the more lucrative ones when those came back clean. Normal across the board. B thinks it was magic.” Dick gestured out to the rest of the cave at the mention of Bruce. “He’s fully convinced it's tied to your ‘sleep problem’, he and Tim have been trying to get into contact with Constantine all day.” He huffed out a laugh when Jason rolled his eyes at this. “Personally, I think he’s avoiding B on purpose. Can’t blame him, but now’s really not the time to be petty.” Dick snarked as walked over to the entrance of the med bay. “Everyone has been trying to figure out what’s going on. Dami has been going on about ‘death days’ or something, Talia apparently was looking into their importance a while ago, but it’s been a dead end so far.”

“Hey B! Jaice is up! Tims can you go get Alfie? Thanks!” Dick shouted out to the cave louder than necessary, then turned back to Jason. “Those two haven’t moved from the Bat-computer all day. I think Alfie was two seconds away from pulling the plug so they would eat.” He shook his head. This wasn’t anything new. Everyone knew Tim got his bad work habits from B.

Speak of the devil.

Bruce was basically running into the med bay, stopping at the door and straightening himself out before he spoke. “Jay-lad.”The breathy way he spoke as tired eyes met his almost had Jason flinching. After all this time, no matter how much everyone avoided bringing it up, they all knew Bruce was still and would be forever haunted by Jason’s death. It was a big part of him coming back to the Bat-fam, even if he’d never get the revenge he wanted. Jason knew his dad regretted everything involving his death and coming back as Red Hood, he just didn’t know how to express it. It took a while to come to that conclusion, anger still clouding his feelings on the matters at times. Things weren’t perfect, and they still fought more often than not, but in moments like now… It was very clear. 

Bruce was haunted, and Jason was his ghost.

Jason was the first to break eye contact.

“I’m not planning on going back in the ground anytime soon, old man. Just feel like I’m having the hangovers of all Fucking hangovers! On the bright side, I finally got some god damn sleep!” He huffed out, feigning annoyance to try and move past the awkward air between them. Bruce’s worn out eyes softened, and he walked over to sit next to Jason’s bed.

“I’m FINE.”

“Hn.” 

“And as soon as the room starts spinning, I’m going back to my place!”

“Hmn.”

“And! And!”

“Hmp.”

“Ahhh! FINE! I’ll stay here for the night. But! Only because Alfie said that he’d be making Beef Stew!”

“Jason?”

“WHAT?”

“I’m glad you’re alright.”

A foreign yet familiar sensation stirred in Jason’s chest. The pulling in him felt almost like a purr.

“Yeah. Love you too and whatever.”

Chapter Text

In hindsight sleeping on the floor while being on the brink of bleeding out maybe wasn’t the best, but Danny didn’t have another option. 

Getting to the apartment was a hassle in itself, the pulling and crying of his core mudded his sense of direction. He wandered the dangerous streets for far too long, at one point he found himself standing in front of a random abandoned warehouse, core humming away. It threw a fit when he finally was able to pull himself away from the dilapidated looking building.

Eventually, he got to his apartment and was able to crash.

He slept for three days.

When he finally woke up, His back was yelling at him for choosing the bed of wood floor boards. He stretched it out the best he could, and grabbed some clean clothes from his bag before heading to the shower. While in there, he assessed the damage done to him. Thankfully, his wounds were almost all the way healed, but they’d definitely scar. Yay for ghost super healing. His core was no longer crying and pulling, just contently pooling in his center. Good. The last thing he needed was to consistently be getting lost in Gotham of all places.

He turned the shower on cold, and just let the water wash over him. His core purred under the cool comfort.

He was so tired. 

Three days of sleep and he was still tired.

The bus ride was draining, leaving him sore and crabby. He really needed proper sleep and real food. Also coffee. The apartment had no furniture yet, he’d need to fix that as soon as possible. He had some money left, thank you Sam, so he at least could get the basics. Danny knew he needed to get at least basic groceries, a bed, and bedding. And a coffee pot. Definitely a coffee pot.

Finishing his shower, Danny pulled himself together and got dressed. Quickly going through his bag to grab everything he needs and putting it in his pockets, he leaves his apartment and sets off.

First, he's got to get some coffee. No sense dropping his furniture on a random civilian because he dozed off.

Danny didn’t need to go far, a little café sat just at the end of the block. Clockwork really must be cutting Danny a break after everything that happened. Little victories. As he approached, the aroma of coffee, flowers, and baked goods overtook the sour Gotham air. Danny’s core was practically vibrating with delight, his stomach growled in hunger. 

The doorbell chimed a little melody as Danny entered the shop. Looking around, there were only two other consumers inside, and the barista at the counter. Danny hunched into himself as he made his way to her, not sparing the other two a glance.

“ Hiya hun, what can I get ya?” The lady said in a thick Brooklyn accent. Getting a proper look at her, Danny could see she was an averaged height blond, tips dyed pink and blue. Her blue eyes held mischief as well as pain, and her smile was unsettlingly wide.  Something in his core hummed with a friendly familiarity, like when he sees Ember after not seeing her for a while. Danny decided he liked her, and smiled back, though not too wide. He knew that his ghost traits bleed into his human form, mainly his sharp teeth. Batman did have a no metas rule after all.

“Hey. Um, can I have a Blueberry muffin and a vanilla latte, and…” Danny trailed off for a second, “ and can you put in as many shots as you’re legally aloud?” He asked in a quiet tone.

At that moment, one of the two other customers started coughing like he inhaled his drink. Danny can only assume that they heard him, but he kept staring ahead, face heating up as he tried to remain calm, his core coiled awkwardly in his stomach. Why are social interactions so hard?

Bless the lady as she just smiled at him. “Sure thing sweety. You’re not the first caffeine addict to come around here. One order of Death-Wish coming right up! Name?”

“Danny.” His voice stayed level and thankfully not cracking. Tucker allowed him to keep his first name on his fake ID, because Ancients knows he’d reply with it out of habit. Danny was a smart guy, but sometimes he could be an idiot.  

“Pleasure. Ain’t seen you around here before. Names Harley.” Her grin held something deeper in it. Danny swears the name rings a bell, but he can’t put his finger on it, he’s too tired. 

“Nice to meet you! Yeah I just moved. Honestly, running into your shop has been the highlight of my week.” Danny answered honestly, giving her a tired smile. His week had been shit, and he really needed coffee.

Harley gave him a strange look over, then let her face relax into something gentle. “Ain't you a doll. Here, my number. If anyone gives you trouble, you call. Gotham ain't a kind place for newcomers, ain't kind to locals either. We do what we can.” Leaning closer, she added. “Us freaks gotta stick together.” She ruffled his hair and handed him his muffin. “Here, first one’s on the house. I’ll go get your coffee.” Harley sent him a wink and was on her way to the back. 

After a pause, Danny made his way to the farthest booth in the back, Harley’s number on his napkin. 

That was weird right? He should lose the number… Right?

Looking at the napkin, his core vibrated happily when he read the note she wrote.

‘Xxx-xxx-xxxx: You’re a good kid. Me and my girlfriend’s door is open if you ever get yourself in trouble. Don’t let the Bats scare you, they’re all bark. - H.Q.’

Danny added the number to his phone.

Who said Danny had self preservation?

Not him.

Danny munched on his muffin as he thought about his life choices. 

As Danny attempted to avoid his existential spiral, he failed to see the other two customers move over to his booth until they interrupted his train of thought.

“Hi there!” Danny startled with a flinch, slowly looking over to see who approached him. Two young men, maybe close to his age. Both had raven black hair and were very fit. One was almost concerningly pale, taller than the other, with tired blue eyes and a wiry smile. The other was shorter, quite a bit tanner, and who’s sharp green eyes seemed to judge him with a scowl. Their faces looked so familiar, like trying to remember a dream you forgot. Danny’s core was chirping and fluttering in greeting, similar to how it reacted to Jazz, not that she ever heard it. These two couldn't either, though, the shorter one’s eyes did widen slightly. Definitely weird.

“Can I help you?”

“Yeah! I couldn’t help notice your order earlier. It’s my usual, and I guess I just wanted to meet a fellow insomniac. I’m Tim.” The taller, Tim, greeted Danny with a smile and his hand out for a handshake. 

Against better judgment, Danny took it. Tim shivered at the touch, RIP  Danny’ last bit of self preservation. “Danny.”

“Nice to meet you! This is my brother, Damien. He doesn’t talk much.” Tim teased his brother as he let go of Danny’s hand. He didn’t acknowledge the cold of Danny’s hand.

“Tch. That’s because most people are idiots, Timothy.” Damien defended with a scoff. Danny wanted to coo, something about the guy made Danny’s core react like he was a baby ghost. But Damien was clearly a living breathing person, and Danny’s ghost sense hadn’t gone off. Gotham was so weird.

“That’s rude Dami.” Tim tried to scold.

“No. That’s fair. I might be an idiot, You don’t know.” Danny offered with a shrug.

“See Timothy? Danyal understands.” Damien said taking the win, puffing up a little under Danny's weird acknowledgement and round about reinforcement.

“It’s just Danny.” 

“...I understand… See Timothy? Danny understands.” Damien corrects himself without much fuss.

“Omg… you can’t be serious…” Tim muttered to himself, apparently this is not the norm.

They got into the flow of conversation quite easily after that. Tim was a riot and Damien had a sharp way of sarcasm, it reminded Danny of Sam and Tucker. Harley bringing out his drink shortly after, joining them at the booth and adding in her own two cents when needed. Danny felt his core purr contently as they talked, it had been a while since he felt this relaxed. Every now and then, Damien would shift slightly closer to Danny if the purring ever picked up, an almost proud look in his poster as he’d sit up a little more when it happened, but he never said anything. They all seemed to relax as the conversation carried on. So relaxed that everyone was startled when Tim’s phone went off.

“Hello? Oh hey, B! Mhm. Wait. What time is it? At Harl and Ive’s. Dami’s with me. No. No. He is? Ok. Yeah. See you. Bye.”

Danny notices Tim getting stiffer and stiffer as the call went on, and Damien curled into himself a little. He glances over at the younger for some kind of answer.

“Our Father.” Damien clarified curtly. “We lost track of time. We’ll probably be leaving soon.”

Danny just nodded, like that wasn’t a big red flag, like it didn’t make him sick at the thought of a parental figure. He opted to say nothing on the matter, sliding his phone over to the two after Tim hung up.

“I’m usually always awake, so if either of you just want to chat, or if you need to blow off some steam. I had fun today. And I'll be around the area for a while. We can text?” Ancients, why was socializing so hard?

The brothers looked at his phone, both their eyes widened, then looked at each other. They seemed to have some kind of silent argument before Damien picked up the phone and added his number. Tim hesitantly added his as well, Damien elbowing him immediately after, causing him to frantically hand it back to Danny.

 “Me and Timothy had fun as well. Feel free to text us whenever. It was wonderful meeting you Danny.” Damien said as he stood to leave.

“Yeah! I had a great time, sucks B’s gotta crash the party. Definitely text us. And if it’s ok with you, the next time we meet up do you mind if I look over your phone? The tech is fascinating an— Ack!” Tim was interrupted by a jab to the ribs from his brother.

“Don’t mind him. See you later. Have a good afternoon.” Damien said his farewell as he dragged Tim out.

And with that the café was quiet again.

Danny left a little while later, after Harley sent him off with a sandwich. He was now three friends richer, and feeling a little better than rock bottom.

Now…

Where to find a bed?

Chapter Text

Jason was having a day.

The pits had finally let him rest, no nightmares at all.

After three days of being cooped up in the manor, he finally was able to convince Bruce to let him go back to his own place. It was an uphill battle, and Dick was no help, with his constant worrying.

When Jason finally got back to the safe house, something had offset the pits again, but more in the new weird warm way instead of the usual angry pools that they had always been.

Checking the security cameras, Jason felt his stomach flip as he watched the feed. All the recording showed was that on the first day he was gone, a bit of glitching happened as a figure stood in front of the main entrance. Nothing showed through the shadows of the ally beside glowing green eyes. The same green as the Lazarus waters, Jason felt his grip tighten on his desk, chest feeling on fire if he looked into the eyes too long. The figure didn't seem to do anything but stand there for a bit before walking away. Jason tripled checked everything in his safe house, just in case. 

After rearranging his whole safehouse, Jason headed over to Harley and Ivy's place. The café was one of his favorite places in town and it helped that the Bats used it to run information through. Another nice thing about it there was because only the Bats and some of his guys ever went in, so they could go in both civies and in consume and not have any trouble. Jason was convinced the café was almost solely funded by Tim's coffee addiction.

When he got there, Harl almost knocked him over hugging him as she talked his ear off, apparently the day was quite eventful for the little café. Someone new came in. Someone who just moved to Gotham. Someone who was probably a meta.

"Danny is just the sweetest thing Jay! I ain't never seen Dami warm up to someone so fast. It was incredible! You'll have to ask Timmy about it!" She would repeat in the midst of her ramblings. 

Jason opted to ask in the group chat, choosing chaos, which just opened the floodgates. He then chose to ignore how the bat-fam had reacted for now and let Tim suffer at the hands of Dick and Steph. They were just a family of over glorified stalkers after all.

Harley and Ivy held him captive for another hour or so, eating, chatting, and filling him in on what he missed on his three days of house arrest. 

When he finally left, Jason decided to patrol a little to get his nerves to settle. The warm buzzing in the pits had only increased as he made his way around Crime Alley. Some areas it would be quiet, then he'd land on a roof or grapple over a road, and it would rise up again. It was starting to piss him off, maybe he should have taken today off too. He opted to rest on the roof of the old library for a bit. He looked out over the old buildings of the surrounding area, letting out a sigh. Maybe he could take it easy, for now anyway.

After sitting up there for a while he got a text from Dick.

Apparently, he ran into the infamous 'Danny" Harley was talking about, and Jason was again reminded of how the family seriously had a stalking problem. God forbid Tim and Dami make a friend and the lot of them don’t get involved. This is why Jason never tells them anything, he already broke that rule with this whole ordeal with the pits. 

Dicky then sent a photo in the group chat that also had Harley and Ivy, causing Jason's phone to once again blow up.

The photo was a selfie of Dick in his civies, behind him stood someone who Jason only could assume was ‘Danny’. If Jason was drinking water he would have spit it out upon looking closer at the pic. Danny was casually holding a full-size mattress over his shoulder like it was nothing, sending a peace sign to the camera with his free hand. Danny's smile was wide, showing the hints of sharp teeth poking out, and his bright tired blue eyes almost seemed to glow. If there was any doubt that he was a meta, it was gone with that alone.

Jason thought Danny was beautiful.

Red Hood knew he'd be trouble.

He had adoption bait written all over him.

That was trouble just waiting to happen.

Letting out a sigh, he ignored the group chat and went back to patrolling after hearing gunfire. It seemed the local gangs must have gotten antsy while he was gone. It took him a while but he found the source of the commotion, running across a deal gone wrong.

Somehow, he found himself in the crossfire, guess he was still pretty out of it.

It wasn't until this calmed down, both sides fleeing, that Jason noticed he got hit. The bullet was in his shoulder, causing him to bleed quite a bit. Jason knew could make it to the safe house, he wasn't far, he’d had worse. The pits coiled uncomfortably. Pausing a moment to think it over a little more, Jason radioed O, just in case, letting her know what's up. He then turned in the direction of his safe house and was off. 

The gunshot wound made roof jumping difficult.

The roof jumping made the blood loss worse.

He made it to the apartment building a block away.

He was tired.

So tired.

Pits felt like they were reaching out.

His head was getting fuzzy.

Jason wavered, sitting himself down where he stood.

Maybe he could rest here for a bit, Dicky knew where he was, he’d come help.

His eyes were getting heavy.

Where was Dick?

A cool comforting humming glow came into view.

A figure floated into view, sending him concerned words and strange chirps his brain couldn't understand.

The pits, on the other hand, seemed to purr, as a feeling of ‘ MINE’ filled his chest.

As the figure came closer, pale blue skin, white wispy hair, a black hoodie with a white space cat, and glowing green eyes greeted him.

An Angel? In a dorky hoodie?

Sure? Why not?

The angel then seemed to talk again, hands glowing as it reached out to touch his wound. He could feel the bullet hole heal up under the cool touch. The pits felt calm in the eye of a raging storm. Like the world was fire and lightning, and the angel was a peaceful snow in the middle of the night. It was the best Jason felt since he’d come back to life.

The world then began to blur as the angel removed its hand.

And Jason blacked out.

Again.

Chapter Text

Danny would say that his day was going pretty well.

Everywhere he went, people clocked him as new because of his midwestern accent. 

He got his coffee. Somehow also getting some new friends in the process.

He did some grocery shopping, found a coffee pot.

Found a thrift store that had a mattress.

Apparently ran into Tim and Damien's older brother. Who willingly goes by Dick.

They took a selfie, pure Dick's request.

Dick helped him find more cheap furniture and move in as little more.

Danny vaguely hears Jazz's old warnings on stranger danger, with Sam's voice reminding him to stay off the radar.

Still chose to ignore those warnings, letting Dick have the run of the place.

The two of them grabbed something called a bat-burger. 

Dick talked him into buying a space cat hoodie he was eyeballing from the window. 

The day ended with him getting Dick's number as well.

So, a pretty good day.

The night, however, was another story.

Danny blames his Fenton luck, or Clockwork. The pulling feeling in his core that had lightly been humming all day suddenly became a sharp burning screech. It was so agonizing that his core forced him to transform, flying off blindly to find the cause. Danny had no idea where he was going or what he would find when he got there, but he had to get there. Something made his core pull him with aching cries of 'HURT. HELP. HURT.' 

He flew till he found it. Or rather. Found him.

It didn't take him long.

His core sent out a 'Here. Safe. Help. Protect. Alright.' And got what could be a "Hurt. Alone. Tired." right back, but something felt weird about it. His core buzzed within him of a fierce protective whisper of 'MINEMINEMINE ' rolling around his chest. It was familiar. It was foreign. It led Danny right to the cause.

Danny's eyes locked onto his location.

Bleeding out on a roof, not too far from his apartment, was a man. The man was built, like built built, like built like a brick house built. He was clad in leather, a red helmet adorned his head, and guns littered his sides. Using the context clues, Danny could only assume that this was the Red Hood, his probably future boss. The sight of him bleeding sent a jolt of ice and lightning through Danny, like everything before was a dream, and he had finally woken up. It was sobering. It was terrifying . It was something Danny would deal with later. Slowly, he floated closer to the man who was causing his core such turmoil. 

Danny called out to Red Hood, first in English, then after getting no response, in Ghost Speak. 

Hood stirred, lazily looking over in his direction. He gave Danny a head tilt as he apparently looked him over.

"Dorky Angel." He slurred out in English with a giggle.

The sound caused Danny's core to involuntarily purr. Hood's... Core? Not quite a core? His whatever seemed to purr back. In its own, weird, kind of off way. It was almost warm, like a gentle fireplace after the ambers died down in a cool afternoon. It wasn't a core, but it was close. There was something wrong with Hood, and it wasn't just the bullet in his shoulder. 

"Ok Big Guy," Danny let out with a sigh, " Let's take a look at ya."

He floated closer to the armed man to assess what he had just gotten himself into, unafraid as the human tank let out another giggle fit. " 'm not big, 'our jus’ tiny. Tiny pretty lil dorky Angel."

"Ok, Big Guy. Whatever you say."

The blood loss was already pretty bad, Hood must have been moving around a lot. Danny placed his hand where the bleeding seemed to be coming from and Hood let out a little, hardly audible, breathtaking gasp at the contact. 

"You doing ok, Big Guy?"

" 'm. Cold."

"Sorry about that, can't turn that off. You on the other hand are burning up."

"Aw, 'ou 'ink 'm hot."

Hood's not-core purred and cooed with its almost-warmth as Danny's rolled in chilled embarrassment. Why was the bleeding man flirting with him? What made him do that? Cursed blood loss, Danny can hardly socialize with fully cognitive people, what was he supposed to do here? Danny shook his head with a sigh. The other man's not-core had all but made it clear to Danny it was basically the ghost version of touch starved. It made Danny want to cry, made Danny angry, made Danny feel responsible for this man. Ghost King or not. He was 'HIS' now. 'HIS' Responsibility. Hood's not-core almost preened as Danny's healing finally started kicking in. Focus Danny. Living problems first, ghost problems later.

"Ok, Big Guy. Shoulders looking better. You got somewhere I can drop you off?"

"Warehouse. 'ou been 'ere b'fore."

"Ahh. I think I know the place. Make a little more sense now."

"Pft. 'alker."

"Not a stalker, you just got a LOT going on, Big Guy."

" 'ell me 'bout it."

"Ok. I'm going to take my hand back, you're probably going to pass out, is that ok?"

" 'on't be the 'irst 'ime."

"Ok, Big Guy. Here we go."

Danny lifted Hood up in his arms and flew off.

He easily found the place, now that he met the owner, it felt just like Hood. His haunt.

He phases them through the walls and propped Hood up on the couch, making sure that he was comfortable, leaving a glass of water from the kitchenette by his side.  Danny then turned to hunt down a med kit. He knew his powers were still weak, and he knew he couldn't heal Hood all the way, even if his core desperately wanted to. After finally acquiring the Med kit, he came back and phased out the bullet from Hood's shoulder, placing it on the counter. He then wrapped Hood's wound the best he knew how, just like Jazz showed him. After making sure everything was secured , Danny fussed a bit more to make Hood more comfortable. His core whispered nest. He promptly shoved that thought away. Danny found a blanket and some pillows in the other room's closet.

Pulling the blanket over Hood's legs after his work with the pillows, Danny lightly shook Hood, who had slept through all of it. His core sinking with ice at what was to come next now that his work was done.

"Mmn. Angel?"

"Hey, Big Guy. I'm about to head out, you got anyone you can call to come check on you?"

" 'ig 'irds 'eady on 'is 'ay."

"Good. Get some rest."

" 'mkay, Angel." Hood said as he drifted back to sleep, his not-core letting out one final content purr before falling silent with sleep.

Danny slowly floated up to the skylight, pausing to look back at the sleeping figure.

His core yearned to stay.

His head knew he couldn't.

With a heavy sigh, Danny left.

So much for low radar. 

Chapter Text

The first thing Jason noticed when he woke up was that he was comfy and warm. The second was that he really didn’t want to get up. He was on the couch, that much he could tell, but the way he was cocooned in the blanket and sandwiched up with pillows made it feel like a luxury bed. The pits were quiet, if not for a strange feeling they were giving off, Jason’s half awake brain would almost call it a purr. He felt content… Until a crash came from the kitchen. The light swearing that followed made it clear that it was Dick.

After debating amongst himself for a moment, Jason decided to get up so his house doesn't burn down. Dick meant well, but the man was lucky to be able to make toast on a good day. Jason stretched with his shoulder popping, letting out a groan, bullet wound almost forgotten. Dicky seemed to have done a bang-up job on him, and must have given him some sweet sweet painkillers. Jason honestly wouldn’t be able to get through half of what he does if it wasn’t for pain killers. Was it a problem? Maybe. Was Jason going to do anything about it? Probably not.

“Jay! You’re up!” Dick called from where he was. “I was hoping you’d be up soon! I made some toast! I was also trying to make scrambled eggs, but I think I did them wrong.” Jason let out a breath as he came into the kitchen. Dick was sending him a genuine grin, clearly happy he's up. Thankfully the toast was not burnt, but the eggs were another story. To say they were burnt would be an understatement. Dick made charcoal. 

“Dicky, those aren’t eggs anymore. There’s no saving them.” Jason teased as he sat down at the counter. “Toast and coffee will be fine. Along with whatever painkillers you gave me when patching me up. They worked like a charm.”

“Yeah… About that…” Dick shifted uncomfortably as he handed over the requested food, Jason’s skin began to crawl. “What do you remember about last night?”

“I… I don’t remember anything after calling Babs. Think I started heading back here, but that’s about it.” Jason really doesn't remember, but the pits feel happy thinking about it. That mixed with how Dick was acting, Jason was starting to get nervous. “Why?”

“Jay, the way you woke up is how I found you… I thought you handled it yourself. Especially since you looked so comfy.” Dick’s voice trailed off, eyes drifting to the couch where the almost nest-like pile of pillows still lay.  

Jason let out a sigh while rubbing his shoulder, the pits making almost butterflies at the touch. This was getting weird. 

 “I definitely didn’t do any of this. If anything, I would have passed out in the tub. It’s what usually happens after I get hurt. Bandage. Booze. Bath. This was a premium treatment experience.” Jason tried to ignore Dick’s increasingly worried expression. Jason took care of himself, just not really how others would like. It was fine. 

“Ok, ok. Let’s check security, you got here somehow.” Dick spoke a bit too chipper. Fake. He was nervous. This definitely was upsetting him. The sooner they figured this out the better. Jason Sighed a swear, and brought out the laptop to check the only indoor camera. B had fought with him to at least have the one, Jason thought indoor cameras were creepy, so they settled on one. Jason made sure B had no access to it, with Tim’s help. Thankfully, it was in the living room, a room Jason hardly used. But it was the room where the couch was. So, he’d be able to see how he got there.

Dick came around the counter to see the feed as Jason booted it up. Neither of them were ready for what they saw.

They watch as a distorted glowing figure with snow white hair flies in with Jason through the wall. Though it was hard to see the footage clearly, Jason would say  it was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid his eyes on. The sight of the green glowing eyes that showed made the pits flutter in a familiar warmth. Jason held his breath as they watched the being gently put Jason on the couch and look around the apartment for a bit. Apparently looking for the med kit, as they eventually found it and took it over to where Jason slept. Light muttering and chirping seemed to come from the being as it worked. Each sound made only caused the pits to vibrate excitedly. Jason couldn’t take his eyes off the feed.

The being placed the med kit on the ground next to Jason as it chittered at his sleeping form. Carefully, they knelt down to look at Jason’s bullet wound. Dick Inhaled sharply as the two watched the glowing figure reach directly into his shoulder, pulling out the bullet. The wound somehow was looking better after they had done that, no evidence that it had just been jabbed directly with a hand. After placing the bullet on the counter, the figure returned to Jason and the med kit. Jason and Dick watched on in shock as the visitor  slowly prepped and wrapped Jason’s shoulder with almost medical precision and practice that could only be explained by experience.  

After making sure Jason was secure, his house guest began to chitter and chirp again, going back to rummage around the apartment. A beat passed, then they returned with the blanket and pillows that still littered the couch. They set to work making the nest like construction around Jason, tucking him up with the blanket like a burrito. They worked and chirped and hummed, and as he and Dick watched, Jason felt the pits roll with contentment, warmth, and a feeling akin to possessiveness. Something about what was happening on the screen in front of them felt intimate, a small whisper of irritation in the back of his mind that Dick was also seeing this. He didn’t know why.

Seeming content with their work, his visitor gently woke Jason with a little shake and a trill. Recording Jason stirred, shifting to get a better angle. Current Jason cringed at the sound of his own voice. 

"Mmn. Angel?"

"Hey, Big Guy. I'm about to head out, you got anyone you can call to come check on you?"

Hearing the distorted voice actually speak sent a rush of ice over Jason as it crackled over the speaker. It was so chilling and unworldly, and yet somehow so familiar.

" 'ig 'irds 'eady on 'is 'ay."

"Good. Get some rest."

" 'mkay, Angel."

Jason felt his face warm up as Dick let out a snort. He seemed high in the footage, likely due to the blood loss, but it was still embarrassing.  

The figure tucked recording Jason in a little bit more before floating up to the skylight. About two-thirds of the way up, they stop and look back at the Jason burrito. Their face held a longing, almost torn expression, seemingly debating whether or not to actually leave. Jason held his breath as he watched on, studying the distorted face on his screen. After what felt like forever, they finally turn and phase through the skylight, gone. The pits coiled in a hot pain, like it was grieving the loss of his visitor.  Dick stops the recording when he sees himself come down from that very skylight.

“Well shit.” Jason huffed out in an almost laugh. “Guess I was saved by an angel… an honest to god angel! Just when things couldn’t get weirder.” He took a bite of his toast. “Constantine is going to have a field day whenever he gets around to showing his shady mug!”

“I don’t know, Little Wing. I feel like the safehouse has been compromised. Maybe you should come back to the manor?” Dick says as he awkwardly moves back to his abandoned toast. “At least till you’re healed?” 

“And deal with B more than I have to? Hell no.” Jason states before downing his coffee. “I've already been cooped up there enough this week. Not planning on being benched again any time soon. ‘Sides, I bet my favorite gun that my angel isn’t planning on doing me any harm. The room that had the med kit also has thousands of dollars worth in weapons. If they were going to do something, they would have.”

“But–”

“Drop it, Dick. It’s not happening.”

A chime let out from Dick’s pocket, presumably his phone. Dick cleared his throat and pulled it out to check it. After a moment he let out a laugh, turning his phone to show Jason. Dick had gotten a text in a group chat that had him, Tim, Damien, and Danny. “Oh my god, Jase look.”

Glancing at the screen, Jason sees a picture, apparently from Danny. It was a selfie of him, Tim and Dami chilling on a gargoyle with to-go cups from Harley's. Tim looks genuinely relaxed, Dami actually has a little smile. And Danny, Danny has a sharp stunning grin on his beautiful face. Jason feels fuzzy just looking at the young meta. Dick had mentioned the guy’s lack of self-preservation, and how he definitely is running from something. Jason could tell the guy was trouble.

 Dick let off a chuckle. “I’m so happy that Dami has warmed up to him so fast. Danny is genuinely a great guy to hang out with. Helped the guy move in yesterday, the place was bare as can be. Guy needs more friends.” He shook his head. “Tim’s a big fan of the guy. Apparently he’s stupid smart too! The two went on a text tangent last night about nerd nonsense. Can keep up with the sass and dish it out too. Who'd have guessed?”

As Dick went on about how everyone’s been bonding, Jason feels the ugly heat of jealousy. He lies to himself that he doesn't know why.

“If he’s so great, why haven’t I met him yet?”

“Jay! That’s a great idea! Oh! I’ll text them now! Toast only fills a guy up so much.”

After a moment to text the group chat with Danny, Dick’s phone started to blow up. Glancing over Dick’s shoulder, Jason sees what the commotion was about. Tim and Dami are protesting, going on about how this is THEIR friend, they don't want Jason to scare him off.

Jason rolls his eyes.

“Tell them to plan to go to the Bat-Burger by my place in twenty. No complaining. We’ll see just how great this Danny guy is.” Jason gruffed out.

The pits are excited.

Jason is worried.

This will be troublesome.

Chapter Text

Danny was sore from the night before. 

Having a bed helped, but healing someone else while he himself needed healing wasn't the smartest. Neither was claiming another maybe-ghost as a bond. Not that he really knew what that meant. Not that he really had a say in the matter either. His core had all but hijacked his brain and body, but in the end it was fine. Red Hood, whatever and whoever he is, is stable and safe. So, mission accomplished. He was bonded now, whatever that meant, and he did transform. So that might be a problem for future Danny.  

Present Danny was sore and hungry. 

He had managed to make himself some coffee, but only had enough left over to scowl at the toaster oven Dick had made him buy. He had expressed to the older boy that he HATED toast, but Dick just laughed and said that a toaster oven could be used for so much more than toast. Danny was skeptical, but Dick apparently had magic powers of persuasion, because he walked out of that store one toaster oven richer.  

But that didn’t mean that he was in the mood to figure it out now. 

He decided to go to Harley's for breakfast after he finished the coffee made himself. He shot her a text to give her a heads up, and was met with spam from her excitement. Apparently, the café didn’t get much traffic, and Danny wondered how it even managed to stay open.  

The walk to the café would have gone smoothly, but Danny’s luck had to kick in. About halfway to his destination, Danny heard a scuffle. Looking down one of the alleys, he saw a burly guy and a woman. The guy was holding his hand over her mouth with one hand, and a knife to her throat in the other. Her eyes met Danny’s and an almost cold snap filled the air. Before he knew what had happened, Danny was pressing one foot into the guy’s chest as he laid on the ground. Danny felt his eyes burn and the cold words of warning leave his mouth. 

“GET LOST.” 

The guy scampered off without a fight. Perks of being the Ghost King he guesses. Danny turned to the lady, handing her the knife he’d apparently taken from the guy.  

“You ok?” 

The lady slowly nodded as she took the knife from him. 

“Good. Be careful out there.” 

And with that, Danny turned and left, not even waiting for a reaction or thank you. He’d never gotten one back home, he wasn’t expecting one now. 

Finally, Danny could smell the comforting aroma of baked goods fill the air, the comforting sight of the café in front of him. The gentle bell on the door greeted him as he entered, along with Harley. 

“Heyya Danny! Wha’chya hav’n?” 

“Mornin. How about a muffin and a Death Wish?” 

“Sounds good, hon. I’ll have that right out!” 

“Thanks.” 

Danny claimed the booth from the day before and settled in. Not a moment later, Tim and Damien bound through the door. Tim looked tousled and red in the face, as if he had been running. Damien looked a little more pulled together, but he too was red in the face. Danny’s core hummed with the comfortable familiarity.  

“Hey guys! Where’s the fire?” Danny called out in a teasing tone. Both their heads snapped to him in a weird synchronized energy.  

“Danny!” Tim breathed out his name, gasping for air. His voice felt like it held something more, but Danny was too tired to think. The brothers walked over to the booth and sat, Tim across from Danny and Damien next to him. “How’s it going? You get here alright?” Tim asked while offering a fist-bump. Danny didn’t leave him hanging. 

That was a weird question. 

“Yeah. The walk was a walk alright. Aside from the insomnia, I’m doing fine.” Danny lied. “Hey Damien.” Danny greeted as he ruffled Damien’s hair, scratching the back of the scalp a little before letting go, just like he always did to Ellie. The thought made his core sink. Tim stared at them, as if he was seeing a horror show. 

Damien preened under Danny's hair ruffle. 

“Danny.” He greeted back with a tone of acting like he didn't care, but was clearly pleased. Damien wasn't a ghost. He wasn’t even a halfa.  He wasn’t even that much younger than Danny, but Danny knew he was something, and decided that he’d kill for the boy. The maybe liminal boy had a familiar younger sibling vibe that Danny’s core clung to. It was just like how Ellie acted. She’d pretend that she didn’t care about his affection, how he’d support her no matter what, but her core would always betray her real feelings. He missed his daughter.  

“Anyway, you didn’t answer my question.” Danny’s voice breaks Tim from his horrified trance. “Why’d you two run in here like the hounds of hell were at your tail?” He let his voice lean on the more teasing side of things. 

The two brothers shared a look of embarrassment that smoothed out to agreement after a moment. “Honestly? Harl texted us that you were coming in and we were in the area.” Tim sheepishly replied. 

“Really?!” Danny was taken aback from this. He’d only known four people who ever really cared enough about where he was. Three  now . 

“We did not wish to miss you.” Damien supplied earnestly. Danny wanted to coo and squeeze him so badly; he was just so cute. Instead, Danny let out a chuckle. 

“That’s really sweet of you guys. But what were you doing in the area? It’s still a little too early for most places to be open.” Danny also knew just by how they both dressed that neither of them lived in the area. Damien Spoke up before Tim could get a word out. 

“Reconnaissance.” 

Huh. 

Not what Danny was expecting. 

“For our father! He’s thinking of adding a new railway in the area.” Tim quickly added. 

“Interesting.” Danny figured they were well off; he just didn’t realize it was ‘plan a new railway’ well off. “So, what does he have you both do? Take overhead shots of the area or something?'' He didn't know what all went into that kind of thing, and was intrigued. Tim’s eyes lit up with excitement. 

Somehow that got them on the roof of a church taking photos of the surrounding architecture.  

Thankfully, Harley had to-go cups ready for them and a paper bag full of muffins. She was starting to become Danny’s favorite person. At least the gargoyle they chose to sit by was cool. The whole thing reminded him of the shenanigans that he, Sam, and Tucker would get into. His core fluttered at the thought of one day all his friends meeting. He needed to remember everything so he could share this part of his life eventually with those back home.  

Danny took a selfie. 

It was a simple start, but he wanted proof that the beginning of his new life wasn’t all bad. It was a cute photo of the group, Tim was holding his camera in the back as he looked relaxed in his stance, Damien stood close to Danny with a simple but honest smile, and Danny didn’t look as half dead as he was. After looking it over, he sends it in chat that also has Dick in it. He figured the other two would never show it to their pun loving brother otherwise. 

They eventually settle on the roof. Damien sits as close to Danny as he can without touching. Tim just across from Danny, Danny’s legs slightly tangled with his. It was nice. Tim and he start to talk about nerd stuff as Damien pulls out a sketchbook to draw. As they talk, Danny’s hands find their way into Damien's hair, lightly combing through it and giving a little scratch every now and again. Damien doesn’t stop what he’s doing or say anything, and aside from Tim’s eye’s going wide as dinner plates for a moment, neither does he. Danny’s Core purrs with the comfort of it all, and Damien leans more into the touch. 

In the middle of Tim and Danny discussing the logistics as well as the pros and cons of an armored mini-van, Dick sent a text saying Danny needed to meet their other brother. The two with him begin to protest in chat, saying that they didn’t need ‘Jason’ to scare off their new friend. ‘Jason’ must be the brother’s name. Great. More brothers. 

Danny makes a joke about how big their family was. All he got in response was a mumbled ‘You have no idea’ from Tim as the two typed away. Apparently, this ‘Jason’ had the final say, demanding that they meet at that weird burger place Dick took him to in twenty minutes. 

So, they go to the weird burger place. 

Food is food, and Dick is paying. 

Exactly twenty minutes after Dick had texted, the other two men arrived. Much to the distress of Danny’s core. 

Danny freezes as Dick and their brother come in. 

It's him. 

That's Red Hood. 

Danny was happy that other ghosts couldn't sense him or his core in human form, because all it was doing now was fretting! Why was Hood up and about already? How dare he! How dare he leave the comfy nest bed he made him? He should still be sleeping! Was he still bandaged? Was he healed? Why was he not dressed in comfy clothes instead of this macho leather thing that apparently crossed over to his civilian life?! Why is he hot? What? No. Now’s not the time. He needs to make sure Hood is ok, while not letting on that it was him that patched him up. Why couldn’t his friend’s brother just be some guy? 

Wait. 

Do Tim and them know that their brother is a probable crime boss? 

Probably Dick, Jazz figured Danny out after all. 

It's most likely an older sibling thing. 

Damien would definitely know. 

Tim... maybe. But Dick probably told him or something. 

Damn. All rich people are fruit-loops, aren’t they? 

Danny tries not to stare as he spirals.

He feels Hood freeze as his eyes land on Danny, locking onto his. It feels like lightning through his body. The eye contact makes His skin vibrate with something unknown. Danny’s core feels like it’s going to freeze the whole building as it rumbles its hello to the man in front of him, even if Hood’s not-core didn’t call back. Thank Clockwork that no one but him can hear it, but Damien does step in front of Danny defensively when he sees his brother’s intense stare on he friend. Damien gets started on a defensive rant backed by Tim, but Hood relaxes and teases them back. He hears the nickname Demon Brat from Hood and raises a sassy eyebrow at the newcomer. Dick joins in with his two cents as well.

“So Tim, Damien, mind telling me who the walking fridge who came in with Dick is?” Danny says after a few minutes of letting the four hash it out, looking over Hood again. Damn, he really was built like a tank, and yet he didn’t strike Danny as a meathead jock. It probably comes with the nightlife of being a crime boss. Damien was the first to respond.

“Yes. Sorry Danny. Forgive us for being so rude. This oaf you see here is my father’s second oldest son, Jason.” Damien’s voice held an unnoticeable bitterness that held history. Danny could tell he cared for his brother, but something kept his guard up. Probably the crime boss thing, Danny’s brain supplied.

“Thanks for that Demon Brat.” Hood, no, Jason replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He then properly turned to address Danny, putting on a more friendly expression. “Fridge huh?” He chuckled. “Name’s Jason Todd, at your disservice.” The taller man almost purred as he held out his hand. As he took his hand to shake it, Danny was reminded how Hood/Jason had flirted with him while bleeding out. The tone of voice was almost the exact same as it is now. Was he being flirted with? No. Probably not. Why would anyone be flirting right now? Why with him? Probably trying to intimidate him. Maybe. He was a crime boss. Why were social interactions so hard? Danny could feel his face heating up. He wanted to go back to sleep. “Danny.” He managed to get out as his gaze was trapped by beautiful blue-green eyes and a devilish smirk. Those eyes held something undefined, something feral, something familiar. But he wasn’t afraid. And Jason could tell. He gave Danny’s hand a little squeeze before letting go.

“How about we order some food? Dicky’s buying.” Jason spoke in amusement with a hint of something else dripped in his voice. 

Tim and Damien were right. 

This was a mistake.

Chapter Text

Jason wanted to be on time.

He wanted to walk through those doors in exactly twenty minutes.

Normally, he wouldn’t give a fuck about punctuality, especially when he’s hurt, but first impressions were important. It didn’t matter how pretty this Danny guy was, Jason wanted the guy to know he wasn’t to be messed with. Being a Bat meant their lives were dangerous, and having friends was risky. Being a Wayne meant people tried to take advantage of you. There was a reason most of their friends were supers themselves.  

So, here he was, dragging Dick along, because somehow, they all forgot that fact and befriended some out-of-town rando meta. Even if he was, very, very, pretty.

At exactly twenty minutes, they came through the front door of Bat-Burger. Immediately there was a chill sent down Jason’s spine, the pits murmured with an unknown sensation. Jason squared his shoulders and looked around. The place wasn’t busy, since it wasn’t yet time for the lunch rush, and he easily spotted his brothers. His gaze barely made it to their friend before he froze.  

The moment he sees Danny the world stops.

He knew from the photos that Danny was beautiful, but they really didn’t do the young man justice. He was almost ethereal. Wild raven black hair with a mind of its own framed his pale face like it was painted on by a renaissance artist trying to capture a depiction of an angel. Sharp teeth that poked out of a lopsided grin at something one of his brothers said. He had an energy about him that radiated safety and comfort, despite being barely taller than Damein. The pits gave of an almost purring feeling, settling in a strange warmth. Danny seemed to sooth the anxious energy of his brothers. Even Damein seemed relaxed around their new friend. Dick called out a greeting as Jason collected himself and put on his “Hood” face as Tim called it. The group in front of them all turned towards them, and Jason’s eyes met Danny’s.

Tired ice eyes bore into his soul.

Jason feels as if the whole room is filled with that ice as the pits are quiet and still. Lightning and fire fill his blood. It’s terrifying. It’s familiar.  It's hypnotic. And Jason’s not sure he even wants to look away. His face hardened at this fact, fearing the pits rising at a challenge, but Danny didn’t look away. Danny wasn’t afraid. But Danny didn’t know. 

Damien steps in front of Danny and says something vaguely threatening along with Tim, and the trance is broken. Jason replies with something smart, pulling out the “Hood” persona, and next thing he knows, he’s verbally going at it with all three of his brother’s. Jason can’t help but keep glancing at Danny every now and then as he watches the brothers argue with a cocked eyebrow. He seems amused, but something in his eyes holds an emotion close to worry mixed with stress. Jason is definitely leaving an impression alright. Just not the one he was aiming for.

Eventually, Danny speaks up. Jason finally gets to hear his voice, and it is a beautiful blend full of sass, sarcasm, and a mid-western drawl.

“So Tim, Damien, mind telling me who the walking fridge who came in with Dick is?” Danny says as he looks Jason over, Danny’s attention on him is sharp and full of an odd mix of emotions. 

“Yes. Sorry Danny. Forgive us for being so rude. This oaf you see here is my father’s second oldest son, Jason.” Damien spat out in his usual way of talking, though he was gentler when referring to Danny. 

“Thanks for that Demon Brat.” Jason sharply replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes. God the kid needed to get that stick out of his ass. Problems for another day. He properly turned to address Danny, putting on a more friendly expression. “Fridge huh?” He chuckled, doing more of his Red Hood voice than his brothers would probably like. “Name’s Jason Todd, at your disservice.” The taller man knowingly purred as he held out his hand. He could see the dissatisfied faces on both his younger brothers and broke into a grin. Danny hesitantly took it. He was worried, but clearly not for himself. 

Danny's hands were like ice, and the bone deep chill that went through Jason felt like a drug.

Jason suddenly doesn't want to let go. His insides are basically on fire, but he is not in any pain aside from his shoulder. The pit rumbles with a chorus of ‘Mine. Mine. Mine’ at the touch that Jason was thankful no one could hear. The emotions throw him off. Just like the week before. Was this going to affect his judgment? Jason knows he doesn’t know this guy. Doesn’t know if he’s safe for his family. Definitely isn’t remotely close enough to him to claim him as ‘his’. The pits were going to get him killed again at this rate. Jason schools himself. He came here to be the scary older brother, and the pits wont stop him. They locked eyes as Jason towered over Danny. Despite Jason’s efforts, Danny doesn't look intimidated, he looks concerned. 

“Danny.” His name comes out in an almost chirping sound. The back of his mind tells him that he’s heard that noise before, but he can't quite place it. Jason unconsciously gives Danny's hand a little squeeze before letting go. The pits are annoyed at the loss of contact, and let him know. It’s weird how the pits are acting around Danny, and he wonders if it really has anything to do with his meta powers. Maybe he was the problem. The pits had been acting weird for over two weeks now, and Danny was the first new

person he had interacted within that time. So it definitely was his fault he was feeling this way. Jason’s not sure how long he’ll be able to handle this meeting if that’s the case. Not the best look if he gets a spike of pit madness.

“How about we order some food? Dicky’s buying.” Jason spoke in amusement with a hint of intrigue. He wants to run away. He wants to know everything.

They get in line to order their food. Damien and Danny are discussing the vegan nuggets and if Danny should try them. Danny says he’s already had the classic burger when he was here with Dick and that he wants to make sure the vegan nuggets are good before he recommends them to people later. Damien nods along agreeingly.  

After Dick pays for the food, they grab a corner booth in the back. Danny is snugly between Tim and Damien as he and Tim talk about the idea of a Justice League themed restaurant and if the actual Justice League would ever eat there. They continue to talk as they wait for their food. After a minute or two, one of Danny’s hands makes its way to Damien's hair, giving little scratches here or there. Jason watches in shock as Damien leans into the touch without breaking from his conversation with him and Dick. The contact brings out an ugly hot feeling in Jason’s stomach, it feels like the pits are on fire with a level of possessiveness that is not earned. Damn those pits. He doesn’t know Danny. He has no right to feel this way. Yet here he is. Dick for his part doesn't say anything, but he shoots Jason a weirdly smug look. It pisses Jason off.

To offset this, Jason brings it upon himself to grill Danny. Danny surprisingly or not answers with easy comfort and sass, shooting back his own question about Jason. Somewhere along the line the grilling became flirting on Jason’s part, to the annoyance of his brothers. Danny doesn’t seem to notice the change, responding with the same sass and wit as before, aside from some of Jason’s more direct comments earning a pretty little blush before one of his brothers takes over the conversation for a bit. He takes those as a victory and backs down for a while.

Tim decides he’s going to apparently kill the mood, and makes a joke, sarcasm dripping in his voice.  “You're losing your title of biggest pun maker in the family Dick.” Earning groans from him and brother’s all around. Jason lets out a snort. “No way in hell B is  meeting adoption bait over here.”

Danny makes a face like Jason said something horrific. “Who’s B?”

Damien made a face as he spoke. “Our father. He’s adopted everyone but myself, and it’s an inside joke with my brothers that Father has … a type.”

Danny’s face goes through a roulette of emotions before settling on disgust. “No thank you. Already had one rich fruit-loop try to adopt me, I don't need another. Thanks.” Danny barks out before realizing what he said and shrinking into himself. “I mean...”  

That was slightly concerning.  

“Nah. I get it. It sounds weird to say outside the family. And rich people all got a few screws loose. But we're not offended, we get it.” Jason smoothed over with a laugh easily enough. “B’s not like that, we just like giving him a hard time.” He had almost forgotten that Dick had told him that Danny seemed to be running from something. Apparently, that something had to do with weird rich creeps. A meta coming to Gotham to get away was normal. A meta with someone looking for them was trouble. And Danny seemed to be nothing but trouble.

“B’s got a good heart, his head probably needs checking though.” Jason chuckled as his brothers nodded along. Danny looked skeptical, but didn’t push it further. 

“Sure thing, Big Guy.” 

The conversation flowed normally after that, along with the pits behaving itself, and when they finished eating after that, Jason remembered to give Danny his number. Damien was furious and Tim was mortified, but Jason didn't care. 

“You're not too bad, Short Stack!” Jason teased as he gave a friendly slap to Danny’s back, wincing a little at forgetting not to use his bad arm. Danny side eyed him, eyebrow cocked in worry, with a tad of annoyance. He looked like he remembered something. 

“Yeah, yeah. Yuck it up Big Guy.” 

After Danny left, all his brothers teamed up to complain about his behavior towards Danny. Jason blew them off and said he was going to patrol. Dick gave him a pitiful look, but he ignored him. He didn't care if he was hurt, he had steam to blow off after the pits acting weird all lunch.

Unfortunately, it was a quiet day, and nothing of note happened. He called it a day after a few hours and went home.

When he got to the safehouse, he was greeted with a surprise. On the counter of his kitchenette was a care basket. It was full of bandages, painkillers, tea, breakfast bars, fruit, bath salts, and an odd candle. 

With it came a note. 

'Even big scary bosses need rest, please take it easy Big Guy. - Angel'

Jason chuckled.

See Dicky.

 His angel wasn't going to cause trouble.

Chapter Text

Danny took a deep breath as he approached the address he was given. 

He wasn’t expecting to hear back from one of his job applications so soon, let alone one of the more paperwork focused jobs. His fake ID only said he had an online High School education and no job experience. The guy on the phone said his name was Bill, and that his boss saw his application and wanted the interview the next day. The guy made it sound like he already had the job. So that was sketchy. But this was Gotham, everything was sketchy. 

The address was a warehouse that was a few blocks away, just past where Danny knew Jason lived. As he got closer to the front of the building, his core started to hum more and more, and Danny was starting to connect some dots.  Just as he knocked on the door, Red Hood yanked the door open, pointing a gun right at Danny’s head. Danny wasn’t sure what Jason was trying to do here, it wasn’t like the gun would do anything to him, but maybe it was just part of his whole crime boss thing. Danny, for his part, just blinked before he spoke. “I’m, uh, here for an interview? A dude named Bill gave me this address?” This would be so embarrassing if this was the wrong place, he wouldn’t be able to look Jason in the eye the next time he saw him. “I’m Danny.” 

Red Hood seemed to be amused by Danny’s lack of reaction, lowering his gun. “You got balls, kid. Yeah, Bill said you were coming. Come on in, I’ll give you a tour.” Danny knew now for sure that that was Jason under there now, even with the voice distorter. Hood opened the door wider and gesture for Danny to enter. Danny does as he’s told, Hood locking the door behind him. The inside of the warehouse held a full-on operation. Workers busied themselves with unloading trucks and boxes of assorted items, some held clothes, some food, and even a few contained guns. Danny took in everything, memorizing all the faces and all the souls that resided here. “Follow me.” Hood’s voice distorter cracked as he walked past Danny towards a side room that must be used as an office. Danny nodded and followed Hood into the room. 

Hood closed the office door and made his way to what looked like a gun display turned into a desk. “I’m just going to get started here. Feel free to have a seat.” Hood spoke as he made himself comfortable behind his gun-desk. Danny sat on the folding chair that was provided. “So, Danny, what made you apply for this job?” Hood begins while he looks over a folder that Danny assumes has his information in it.  

“Well, I just moved. And I needed a job. I honestly didn’t think I’d hear back from this one.” Danny answered honestly, he knew he was going to need to lie on some things, but adding truths made it easier. Hood nodded along as he spoke. “What brought you to Gotham?” 

Now was time for those lies. “I’m taking a gap year. Didn’t really have a set idea, didn’t have anywhere to go, so I got on a bus and wound up here.” Hood seemed to take in the words he was being told. It’s the same story he told Jason when he was being grilled over lunch. Consistency was important. After a moment, Hood continued. “Says here you're good at math. We had some inventory stolen from a rival gang, but we don’t know an exact amount, and the guys suck at bookkeeping. I need someone to keep up and organize things a little.” Hood’s voice seemed both amused and annoyed. “Think you can handle that?” 

Danny felt his core purred with pride at being told he was good at math. He wasn’t just good at math, math was almost a second language for Danny. On top of his dreams to go to space, he’s been keeping inventory for his-- THEM for forever. He and Jazz used to organize the stash of inventions and patents all the time, mostly so there was room in the house for them to live, but a small part of him always found it fun. “That shouldn’t be a problem.” 

“Perfect! You’re Hired. We pay every week in cash.” Hood stood and leaped over to the door, opening it and giving a shout. “BILL! COME SHOW DANNY AROUND!!!”  He turned back to Danny. “Bill will show you the ropes and get you all set up.” 

After a moment, an older man that looked like the first thing your brain would think of when you say retired thug. “ ‘ere Boss! Don’t worry. Kid’s in good hands. I won’t let the boys chew him up.” Bill joked as he nodded to Danny. “Come on, kid. I don’t bite.” 

“I Do.” Danny replied automatically with a toothy grin, before dropping it immediately. Danny cured himself. It was an inside joke he had with people back home, that Danny, both as Danny and Phantom, did in fact bite. He just responded without thinking. He cringed as both Bill and Hood froze. Damn him and his big fat mouth. 

Bill looked Danny over for a second before giving a chuckle. “ ‘ight Fangs, thanks for the heads up. I’ll tell the boys to watch themselves.” He spoke in an amused and almost proud tone. Hood relaxed after turning away and clearing his throat a little. Bill ushered Danny out and they headed toward the main area. He walked Danny around the base, introducing him to the guys, jokingly calling him ‘Fangs’ every now and again. Danny had a feeling the nickname wasn’t going to go away anytime soon. The other guys seemed to take a liking to Danny and his sassy remarks and his very not-Gotham way about him, for a bunch of hardened thugs. They too teased him with the nickname, though some definitely were nervous of Danny’s sharp teeth when he smiled.

Bill finally showed him the storage area and gave him a more in-depth rundown of what had gone down with the other gang and what Danny would be doing and setting up his payment. He gave Danny a hair ruffle when they were all done and left Danny to get started.  Danny gave a sigh and went to work. It was kind of relaxing, the busy work and the sound of the others in the background was soothing. A few hours went by before he noticed. His core hummed, and every now and again it would reach out to Hood’s not-core just to check if he’s ok. Danny didn’t know what Hood’s healing was like, Hood obviously could get hurt by human weapons, but he was at lunch the next day. Danny could regrow his leg back in a few minutes, so he really didn’t know how Jason was actually doing. Danny shook his head and went back to what he was doing. 

When Danny got a better grasp of what was in the back, he made his way to the main area to start getting a rough idea of how much was coming in. He just needed to have a starting point since it was just the first day. He'd come up with a plan later to divide and conquer.  

 While  Danny worked, the guys began to strike up some small talk. The usual stuff, nothing too deep since he was the new guy and they didn’t trust him yet, but it was pleasant. As Danny watched them interact with one another, he noticed something. Everyone there had their own way of showing that they cared for each other, and even though he didn’t know them that well, it made Danny respect Hood’s men. This wasn’t just a gang, it was a weird big family. Something about it made his core ache. 

 After an hour or so, Hood joined the rest of them in the main room. He did the rounds, stopping and seeing how each station was doing, before making his way to Danny. He gave Danny a nod and leaned against the wall next to him to watch everyone work as Danny wrote in his book. 

“How’s the book keeping going?” Hood awkwardly asked after a few minutes of standing there.  

“I think I have a rough draft plan on how to go about organizing and stocking, as well as a way to factor in replenishments, if you plan on doing a raid to get back the stolen inventory. I also assume that this isn't the only building you run operations through. I can simulate an assignment, but it won’t be exact. If you let me inspect those as well, I can streamline the process for future inventory.” Danny explained, more mumbling to himself, focused on his work, core humming happily.

“Seems like I’ll be in good hands from now on.” Hood chuckled, unbothered by Danny’s small ramble.

“Don’t worry, Big Guy, I'll take good care of you.” Danny replied, still engrossed in his work.

Hood froze for a moment, clearing his throat before he responded. “Seems like you have a plan. How about you call it a night? You did only come here for an interview. You’ve already done more than expected today.” Hood pushed off the wall and walked closer to Danny, who finally was broken from his trance. “ I’ll take you to the other bases tomorrow.” Hood spoke lightly as he stuck out his hand. “ Here. Let me see your phone. Call me if you need anything. You're one of mine now. And I look out for my people.” Danny’s core vibrated like it was going to burst. ‘Mine. Mine. Mine. His. His. His.’ It screamed to nothing.   Danny felt like he was moments away from freezing the whole building. Accents he wishes he could talk to Frostbite right about now! Thankfully Danny’s face didn’t react to his overstimulating core, and gave a nod.

Danny handed over his phone curious. He already had Jason’s number. Did he have a burner number for his Hood stuff? Probably. That seemed like a crime boss thing to do.

Sure enough, he was handed back his phone with a totally different contact in it. Hood walked Danny out, the occasional ‘Bye Fangs’ floating in the air as they made their way to the front. 

“I’m never getting rid of that nickname, am I?” Danny asked in defeat.

“Stick around long enough, and they won't remember what your real name even is. That’s how it works out here. Welcome to Crime Alley!” Hood joked lightly.

“Yeah, yeah. Yuck it up, Big Guy. See ya!” Danny replied as he turned out the door to leave, missing Hood’s reaction already blocked by the now locked door.

Danny stopped by a store to get a few more things to drop off at Jason’s, leaving it at its destination with another note, before making his way back to his apartment.

He still had a lot he needed to figure out, but at least he wouldn’t be broke anymore.

Chapter Text

Jason took a deep breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

He was still healing from getting shot, but it was surprisingly taking a lot less time than it normally would. He still felt exhausted though, and thought back to “Angel’s” note about him getting some rest. It would be nice, taking a few days off and having nothing to worry about, but that wasn’t how things worked. He needed to overlook his crew, patrol the alley, plan a raid to get their stuff back, and a bunch of other little things that always seem to add up. He just didn’t have time to rest. 

That brought him here. 

Bill had called him, saying that someone actually applied for the bookkeeping job they had posted a few weeks ago. He sent over the application for Jason to read and approve for an interview. It was just his luck that Danny was the one to apply. On one hand, this was great! Jason could keep an eye on the new meta and keep him out of fights and such. On the other hand, both Tim and Damien were going to be pissed that he let their new friend join his gang.  

So that was the first dilemma. The second was the weird application Danny had sent in. It was suspicious, but he checked, and either Danny knows someone with some of the best hacking skills he’s ever seen, or it was clean. In that case, it was just kind of sad. Danny Nightingale's record was sparse, everything lined up with Danny’s “cover story”. Smart kid, questionable parents, lots of late starts and absences, teacher's concern of abuse, nothing really driving him in any direction, finished High School and just drifted. Jason would bet money that Danny’s meta powers developed around when the absences picked up. Danny clearly needed help, but his old home let him down, so he left.  

So, despite knowing that his brothers wouldn’t be happy, he approved the application. Giving Bill a call to set everything up.

Now he just had to wait. 

As it got closer to the time Danny was supposed to show up, Jason began to get fidgety. The pits started a low rumble that grew to a full roll as it got closer and closer to the time. He felt like he was on pins and needles. This would be the first impression Danny would have of Red Hood, and Jason wanted to leave an impact. He didn’t really know why it felt important, but he knew it was. A small part of Jason whispered that Danny would never be intimidated, but he pushed that down.  

After deciding what he was going to do, Jason waited by the main door.

Just as he heard a knock on the door, Jason yanked the door open, pointing a gun right at Danny’s head. It was an attempt to show that ‘Red Hood’ meant business. He had a reputation to uphold after all.

Danny just blinked before he spoke. “I’m, uh, here for an interview? A dude named Bill gave me this address?” Danny began to rub the back of his neck. It took everything in Jason not to laugh at Danny’s clear confusion at the situation. “I’m Danny?” Danny ended, tilting his head slightly. Jason’s heart almost burst at the cute expression, very thankful for his hidden face.

Jason was highly amused by Danny’s lack of reaction and lowering his gun. “You got balls, kid. Yeah, Bill said you were coming. Come on in, I’ll give you a tour.” Jason opened the door wider and gestured for Danny to enter. Danny does as he’s told, Jason locking the door behind him. Danny seemed to be taking it all in. The inside of the warehouse held a full-on operation. Workers busied themselves with unloading trucks and boxes of assorted supplies. Danny was taking in everything, memorizing all the faces and all that resided here. “Follow me.” Jason’s voice distorter cracked as he walked past Danny towards a side room that must be used as an office. Danny nodded and followed Jason into the room. Jason led Danny further into his office, trying his best to ignore how the pits were acting.

Jason closed the office door and made his way to what looked like a gun display turned into a desk. “I’m just going to get started here. Feel free to have a seat.” Jason spoke as he made himself comfortable behind his gun-desk. Danny sat on the folding chair that was provided. “So, Danny, what made you apply for this job?” 

“Well, I just moved. And I needed a job. I honestly didn’t think I’d hear back from this one.” Danny answered honestly, or as honest as he could seem. Jason nodded along as he spoke. “What brought you to Gotham?” 

“I’m taking a gap year. Didn’t really have a set idea, didn’t have anywhere to go, so I got on a bus and wound up here.” It’s the same story he told Jason when he was being grilled over lunch. Jason’s heart sank, having done the background check, he knew Danny’s life really had been rough. Jason moved on to the next question.

“Says here you're good at math. We had some inventory stolen from a rival gang, but we don’t know an exact amount, and the guys suck at bookkeeping. I need someone to keep up and organize things a little.” Jason’s voice held both an amused and annoyed tone. The situation with this new gang was getting under his nerves.  “Think you can handle that?” 

“That shouldn’t be a problem.” 

“Perfect! You’re Hired. We pay every week in cash.” Jason stood and leaped over to the door, opening it and giving a shout. “BILL! COME SHOW DANNY AROUND!!!”  He turned back to Danny. “Bill will show you the ropes and get you all set up.” 

After a moment, Bill made his way up to the office. “ ‘ere Boss! Don’t worry. Kid’s in good hands. I won’t let the boys chew him up.” Bill joked as he nodded to Danny. “Come on, kid. I don’t bite.” 

“I Do.” Danny replied, voice dripping with a toothy grin, before dropping it immediately. 

 Jason froze.

Something in the way Danny had said those words set Jason's brain on fire. The pits flared up in this chest.

Bill looked Danny over for a second before giving a chuckle. “ ‘ight Fangs, thanks for the heads up. I’ll tell the boys to watch themselves.” He spoke in an amused and almost proud tone. Jason made himself relax, turning away and clearing his throat a few times, face thankfully hidden by his helmet. Bill ushered Danny out and they headed toward the main area.

After Bill and Danny left, Jason let go of a deep sigh.

He tried to get some work done, he really did, but his brain kept going back to Danny’s fangs. He’d be writing up the plans for the raid and his mind would wander to the lopsided smile; rerunning the glimpses of the sharp teeth poking out as Danny had chewed his lip while answering questions. Between making calls, his mind wandered deeper, wondering if Danny really did bite. It wondered if he bit anyone in self-defense, in jest, or for other reasons.  It wondered how Danny looked with someone else’s blood on his fangs. It wondered how those fangs would feel on him. All distracting thoughts that the added cloud of the pits was not helping.

He needed to get out of his office.  

After what felt like forever, Jason joined the rest of them in the main room. He did the rounds, stopping and seeing how each station was doing, before making his way to Danny. He gave Danny a nod and leaned against the wall next to him to watch everyone work as Danny wrote in his book. It was relaxing standing next to Danny while keeping an eye on the guys working. The pits weren't as fussy at the moment and Jason felt the tension in his shoulders lesson, almost forgetting that he’d been distracted recently.

“How’s the book keeping going?” Jason asked after a while.

“I think I have a rough draft plan on how to go about organizing and stocking, as well as a way to factor in replenishments, if you plan on doing a raid to get back the stolen inventory. I also assume that this isn't the only building you run operations through. I can simulate an assignment, but it won’t be exact. If you let me inspect those as well, I can streamline the process for future inventory.” Danny explained, more mumbling to himself, focused on his work. Chewing on the bottom of his lip, a clear nervous tick Jason couldn’t help but watch.

“Seems like I’ll be in good hands from now on.” Jason playfully chuckled, unbothered by Danny’s cute ramble.

“Don’t worry, Big Guy, I'll take good care of you.” Danny replied, still engrossed in his work.

Jason froze for a moment. Aside from the explicit indications that sense could hold, something about Danny saying that nickname to him as Hood clicked in his brain. Jason rained himself in, clearing his throat before he responded. “Seems like you have a plan. How about you call it a night? You did only come here for an interview. You’ve already done more than expected today.” Jason pushed off the wall and walked closer to Danny, who finally was broken from his trance. It could be a coincidence, but Jason knew somewhere he was probably right. “I’ll take you to the other bases tomorrow.” Jason spoke lightly as he stuck out his hand. It was a simple plan, but he had to be sure. “ Here. Let me see your phone. Call me if you need anything. You're one of mine now. And I look out for my people.” Taking Danny's phone, Jason made sure to put a tracker on it. He was a Bat after all. Danny took back his phone, and upon seeing the ‘Red Hood’ contact, had an amused look on his face. More proof of Jason’s theory. Jason held together as he began to guide Danny to the front. 

Jason walked Danny out, the occasional ‘Bye Fangs’ floating in the air as they made their way to the front. 

“I’m never getting rid of that nickname, am I?” Danny asked in adorable defeat.

“Stick around long enough, and they won't remember what your real name even is. That’s how it works out here. Welcome to Crime Alley!” Jason joked lightly.

“Yeah, yeah. Yuck it up, Big Guy. See ya!” Danny replied with a knowing grin. As he turned out the door to leave he missed Jason’s obvious  reaction, already blocked by the now locked door.

Something about the way Danny kept saying that nickname made Jason realize something. Danny was doing it on purpose. Jason waited a little while, then checked the tracker. Nail in the coffin. Danny was at the safehouse. 

Jason now had to accept three things. 

Danny knew Jason was Red Hood.

Danny was Angel. 

And Danny didn’t care if Jason knew.

Now he just needed to know what Danny really wanted. 

Chapter Text

Danny woke up with a pop in his shoulder and something soft in his arms. After blinking a few times to kickstart his brain, he looked down to see what he was coddling. In his lap was a large black hoodie. A hoodie that was not his. A hoodie that smelt of iron, gunpowder, and cinnamon. A hoodie that Danny suddenly remembers grabbing on his way out the last time he left a gift basket for Jason. He hadn’t  meant to take it. His body just moved on its own, and Danny was too tired at the time to think about or fight it.

Now though… Now Danny could feel the heat of embarrassment wash over him.

There was no way he could return it. Even though he knows he hasn't been subtle about anything to Jason, there was no way he could explain this. He’d never been able to get the words out before freezing himself over. Not that Danny really had any idea what was going on. Heaving out a sigh, Danny got up to make something for breakfast.

Scrambled eggs are the only thing he can get his brain to do, but it's better than toast. As he worked, he heard his phone ping, receiving a text. Checking, he sees that Tim had sent a message in the ground chat.

-Chat-

Tim: Hey Danny! We’re having a movie night tonight. Wanna come?

Danny: Sure! What time? I got that job I was interviewing for yesterday, and I need to make sure my hours are good.

Damien: 7pm. It should not interfere. Congratulations on being hired.

Tim: Yah! Congrats! 

Dick: Happy for you Danny! We’ll see you then!

Danny: Awesome! See you guys later!

After pausing for a moment, Danny sends a private message to Jason.

Danny: You coming to movie night?

Not holding his breath, Danny finished his eggs as he waited for the reply. He almost dropped his plate in the sink when he heard the chime go off.

Jason: You mean the same movie night Dick keeps nagging my ear off about?

Danny: I believe so, since they're the ones that invited me.

Jason: Yeah. I thought so.

Jason: 7 right?

Danny: Yep! :) 

Jason: Alright. Guess I'm going.

Danny: Yay! See you soon Big Guy! :D

Jason: See you Angel.

Danny reread the message a few times and sighed. It was technically his own fault, he really wasn't subtle with Jason, obviously Jason would figure it out pretty fast. Still, it would be best to keep things separate.

Going to the “Hood” contact, Danny sent a text asking about what time he needed to come in. He got his answer within a short time, and went into his bathroom to get ready. Everything with Jason was so weird, weirder than the normal ghost stuff he dealt with. Danny wanted to talk to Frostbite about this, it felt important. Core stuff was serious, and Jason was doing something to him. But Danny couldn't. He had to stay on the down low. Portals to the afterlife were not. So for now Danny was in the dark.

The walk to the warehouse was basically a blur to Danny. His mind was racing and his body was on autopilot. He might have stopped a mugging, but it did not register. Danny was too worried about how awkward he was going to be around Jason. His core was almost pulling him to the location, desperate to be near Jason and his not-core. The whole thing was getting out of hand, in Danny’s humble opinion. 

When Danny finally entered the front of the warehouse, he was greeted by calls of “Hey Fangs!” from the gang members working, which gave a flutter of comfort to his core that he’d never admit to. Danny waved to the group as he made his way to “Hood’s” office. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

“Come in.” Hood’s voice cracked with electricity when he called out. Danny swallowed hard and opened the door. 

“Hey Big Guy! How ya doing?” Danny let his voice drawl a little extra, bringing in a friendly tone. His grin widening as the image of Red Hood hunched over what looks to be blueprints, several coffee cups from Harley’s empty all around him. Danny’s core couldn't help but send out a hum of comfort. Hood’s shoulders seemed to relax a little.

“Danny. I'll be doing better once we get everything sorted out more.”  Hood let out a sigh that held his tired tone. 

“I'll do my best to help, but you gotta take care of yourself too, Big Guy.” Danny spoke with a softness in his voice. He really was worried about how Jason was healing. Sleep was the best way, and Hood clearly hadn't slept.

At that, Hood stood up fully, turning to properly face Danny. Danny could FEEL the heat of Jason’s not-core, his own ice itching for the surface as Hood assessed him.

Slowly, Hood walked over to Danny, reaching past him to close the door behind him, his height looming over Danny. “You really worried about me, aren't you, Angel?” his voice was low and held something dangerous. The room felt like it was on fire.

 It was too much.

Danny’s ice took over, his core vibrating, and he gently transformed. His ghost form apparently had chosen to wear the stolen oversized hoodie, thankfully inverted. “Busted, huh?” Danny lightly spoke, rubbing the back of his neck.

Hood didn't move, still looming over him, seemingly taking Danny in. His not-core racing out and blending with Danny’s own.  After a pause that felt like a lifetime, Hood finally spoke. “Why me?” his voice felt like it was at a breaking point, his not-core baring raw emotion, it almost shared Danny’s core. “Why Gotham?”

Danny couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Gotham is the best place for me to hide. I was dying. I needed to lay low.”  Hood seemed to tense up at Danny’s words, the pain raw from the memories rushed the bond that had happened. After Hood made no indication he was going to interrupt, Danny continued. “I don't fully know what's happening to us, but that night on the roof… your soul… it called to me. I couldn't help but help. And afterwards… my powers bonded to you. I'm sorry.”  It wasn't a full lie, but Danny needed to be careful. He knew everyone thought he was a meta, best to lean into that. His core rolled comfort over to Jason. “I won't tell anyone about your identity, I know how important a secret like that is.'' Finally Danny raised his head in determination. He needed Jason to know he wasn't a threat.

Hood seemed to feel the full weight of Danny’s words, shoulders dropping in defeat. The bond's grip lessened, and Danny felt like he could breathe again.

“Ok.” 

Such a simple word, but it held so much.

Hood backed up, allowing Danny to transform back comfortably. 

“It's ok. We’ll take this one step at a time.” Hood’s voice was more relaxed now, seemingly having confirmed whatever he had set out to find. His not-core just a gentle warmth now. “I keep your secret, you keep mine.”

Danny nodded, sending a grateful smile to Jason.

The larger man let out a sigh.

“Now that we got that settled, how about I take you to the other warehouses. We have a lot of work ahead of us.” Hood still sounded exhausted. Danny couldn't help but laugh.

“Sure thing, Big Guy. But afterwards, you are going home and grabbing a nap. Don't need you passing out during movie night!” Danny lightly teased.

“Ugh! Don't remind me! You're as bad as Dick!”

“Keep up what you're doing and you'll be matching Tim!”

“Now that's a horror I never want to see!”

As they went, Danny felt his core purr.

He smiled as Jason’s not-core hummed back.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Danny felt hopeful.

This might actually not be so bad.

Chapter Text

Jason didn't know how this morning was going to go.

He hadn't slept that night, trying to make up for lost time. All it wound up doing was giving his brain time to spiral about Danny. About the way Danny kept saying that nickname, how his mind would wander to the lopsided smile, the glimpses of his sharp teeth poking out as Danny chewed his lip. How Danny even knew Jason was Red Hood, how Danny somehow was ‘Angel’, and how Danny apparently didn’t care if Jason knew. About how he didn’t know anything about Danny despite the research. All the what if's and what now's were drowning Jason alive. He wound up going to Harl and Ivy's, he needed an outside opinion. What he wound up with several cups of coffee and iffy advice.

Jason pushed through the hours, getting a little nightly visit from Dicky. He was going on about some movie night tomorrow or something. Jason tuned him out or tried to anyway, muttering an excuse about how much work he needed to get done. Dick, despite Jason’s protest, stayed and helped the best he could till the sun started to peak out. Leaving with one more reminder about the movie.

After that, everything was a blur till he got a text from Danny on his personal.

He took a risk, calling him Angel. If anything, Jason can play it off as flirting.

Danny had also texted him as ‘Hood’ about work.

Danny was coming in.

Jason was going to confront him.

It had not gone the way Jason expected.

Danny caved immediately, changing into his apparently other form. Danny's other form was breathtaking. The video footage didn’t even come close to capturing its beauty.  Porcelain skin was now a cool crystal blue, highlighting all of Danny's sharp feathers while glowing toxic green eyes hid behind snow white hair that seemed to float on its own. The room temperature had dropped dramatically when Danny had changed, but Jason was unbothered. The pits felt bigger than his body, almost as if they reached out and wrapped themselves around Danny. Their emotions felt blended together, it was overwhelming.

Even as they had talked, a small part of the pits felt wrapped up in all that was Danny. It had only grown as Danny spoke his truth.

The thought that Danny had been dying when they had first met makes something ugly in Jason's chest boil. 

Jason knew the emotion well.

It was hate.

Hate towards whoever it was that had hurt and chased Danny out of his hometown.

Hate towards the government for not doing better to protect Metas.

And hate towards himself for getting hurt, for needing help.

It made him want to go on a killing spree, it made him want to wrap Danny in soft blankets and hide him from the world. The pits rolled around and through the two of them. 

Danny said his powers bonded them. Jason could tell by the way the pits were acting that he was probably telling the truth. Danny didn’t deserve to be connected to the curse that was the pits. They were nothing but dangerous, and Danny didn’t need that right now. Jason was worried that them being bonded would affect Danny's healing, but he really didn't know anything about Danny's powers. There was nothing Jason could do about any of this right now, and Constantine was still ghosting them. They were bonded now he guesses, and the pits liked that.

He would just have to play it by ear for now.

Problems for the future and all that. 

For now, Danny was his responsibility to protect.

And they had work to do.

After stopping by the other warehouses and introducing Danny to the rest of the gang, the two decide to go for lunch. Danny’s stomach has growled mid rambling about a base plan, causing him to stop, face red in embarrassment. Jason couldn't help the chuckle that escaped as he suggested they take a break. 

Jason took Danny to a small hole in the wall Chinese restaurant for lunch after changing to civies. 

Jason knew the owners outside of the Hood persona. He had helped them back in his robin days, and always checked in every now and again to make sure they were doing alright. When they walked in, Jason greeted the wife at the counter in mandarin, and she excitedly greeted back, teasing him about looking thin and not coming by more. He promised to come around after his ‘work’ lightened up. She just rolled her eyes and said that he has enough free time to go on a date, he has time to stop by and say hi. Jason defends that it’s not a date and he’s just showing Danny the best places to eat. They joked a little more before sitting down to order. Jason ordered in mandarin as well, afterwards turning to Danny to get his order.

Danny ordered in mandarin too, tips of his ears red, having overheard and understood Jason’s conversation with the owner.

“You seemed close… I didn’t want to interfere.” Danny’s voice sounded stuck in his throat. 

Jason was both embarrassed and impressed. “Didn’t know you spoke?”

“ah..” Danny said hesitantly. “I basically have a built-in translator.” Pointing to his head to emphasize the fact. 

“We’ll come back to that another time. Right now I’m starving.” Jason tried to sound casual, but Danny just seemed to be full of more unanswered questions. Jason was too tired for mysteries right now.

They get into a comfortable conversation after that, and despite denying the teasing from earlier, Jason thinks this feels more like a date than he expected. The pits hummed and buzzed at the thought. Jason spent the rest of the meal trying to rein them in. 

They leave with only a little bit more teasing from the owners, this time with Danny joining in at Jason’s expense. They walked away with a comfortable warm buzz between them that Jason was now understanding was the bond. It was nice to not have the pits boil with anger just under his skin. Jason wonders more about just what Danny’s powers are, the train of thought distracting him from the world around him.

In moments, chaos breaks out.

People are running and screaming, pushing this way and that on the busy walkway. Jason loses Danny in the crowd despite trying to keep hold of his arm. He looks around to assess the threat. Up ahead he sees the distinct cloud of fear toxin. Jason curses himself. He's still in civies. Thankfully, he has a filter mask in his pocket for emergencies. Fear gas is seeping faster through the streets as Jason shoots a text in the Bat’s group chat. Tim and Damien are in the area doing crowd control, and Dick and Duke are on their way. 

Still looking for Danny, Jason’s head snaps up as he hears an unnatural sound coming from the cause of the gas. Jason’s heart drops. The pits started to pull and scream at the sound, making Jason’s body move on its own. His brain jumped to the only conclusion. Danny was in there. He picked up his pace, swearing, as the noise got louder. Then, it suddenly stopped and was replaced by Scarecrow’s scream. It gets cut short as Jason rounds the corner. Skidding to a stop as he can barely make out two figures ahead, the pits still screaming and boiling. He waits, despite himself.

After a minute the gas dissipates, and Jason sees Danny standing over Scarecrow.

Danny’s form stands over Scarecrow as the injured villain looks up at him crippled in fear. Danny looks viscous, blood in his fangs, sharp teeth showing in a feral grin a little too wide for his face. He looks imposing, eyes glowing in that toxic green that's burned into Jason's mind. Jason thinks this image of Danny will haunt him forever.

It's beautiful.

Chapter Text

Danny's body feels like he's about to burst.  

He’s not sure what happened.

One moment, he’s enjoying the walk back with Jason. The next thing he knows, he’s hit with this feeling like a brick wall.

He feels...

Euphoric.

The thrill and sense of excitement flow through his body like a river of power. One hot spot spreads to another before it takes him over. His core is vibrating with the increased energy. His scenes are on overdrive.  It's as if he can feel the whole city's emotions. And Danny recognizes the taste.

Fear.

He's feeling the fear around him, and his weak core is feeding off it.

Time felt like it was slowing down, and Danny was moving too fast. He feels floaty, he might be floating. He’s not too sure anymore. He’s never fed off this much fear before. All ghosts have the ability to feed off strong emotions when Ectoplasm isn’t available, fear being the most common.  Danny himself has done it before when in a tight pinch. But this was different. It felt... artificial. His core was having issues filtering it, and it was making Danny feel fuzzy.

He stopped walking when he began to hear screaming. The sudden sound was both far away and way too loud at the same time. People were running and pushing past him, panic feeding into the fear like a tidal wave, but he just fazed through them and stayed where he was. There was a sensation itching him just under the skin. It was hard to hear over the noise and chaos, but there was something else that was catching Danny’s attention.

A ringing high pitch electrical buzz was filling the air.

And it was annoying Danny.

Danny tilted his head, trying to focus through the fuzzy feeling taking over his body, closing his eyes to find the source of his annoyance. It took a moment, Danny’s core distracted by feeling the stress rolling off of Jason. Danny smiled and patted his bond-mates arm, trying his best to send soothing and comfort. He’d go and deal with this for Jason. Jason was his to take care of after all. Jason was good. Jason didn’t need more stress. His core rolled in the need to take care of and protect the taller man. After finally pinpointing where the buzzing was, Danny took off.  

It didn’t take long to find the source. It was an ugly machine. It was a clunky and poorly constructed Frankenstein of a thing. Safe to say He wasn’t impressed. Danny scrunched up his nose at the nasty smells and fumes coming from it. Smoke that tasted like that artificial fear covered the area he found the monstrosity. It made his skin tingle.  

Breaking the machine was easy enough, and there's a satisfying crunch under Danny's hand when he does so. The buzzing is cut off, and Danny smiles with a sigh. Now there was no annoying noise to bother anyone. So, nothing left for Jason to stress over. Good. Jason needs to be happy. He’s still hurt and needs sleep. Danny should make him another pillow nest. A nap sounds really good actually.  Maybe he’ll join.

Danny was too distracted to see the figure come up behind him. He didn’t notice till he was looking down at his already healing stab wound. Someone has attracted him. Looking up, Danny’s face Shifts to an unimpressed expression. His fuzzy brain supplied that this must be one of the rogues. The man before him is dressed up like a sad excuse for a Scarecrow. He's cursing and yelling at Danny, but Danny doesn’t hear. He was more focused on the fact he could feel Jason heading there way. He really didn’t want Jason to worry. Jason was good. Jason didn’t need that.  

Danny turned back to the wizard of oz knock-off, his mind made up. This guy needs to be dealt with.  

A sharp smile grows on his face as he suddenly grabs onto the rouge with both his hands. Tilting his head in an owl-like way, Danny stares at the man, startled with his unnatural movements. Burning eyes see through the cheap mask, Danny’s core tasting real fear. It growls with satisfaction. He lets his features bleed as he leans into the other man’s space. Danny bites into the other's shoulder, the rogue screaming in pain till Danny hears the sound of bone crunching in his mouth.

Satisfied, Danny releases the injured man, grinning down at him and he slumps over in pain. He keeps his grin as his form solidifies back into his more human form. The terror coming from the other is intoxicating.  

He turns as his core hums at Jason’s arrival, wrapping itself around Jason’s not-core. The taller man shutters, heart rate picking up.

Jason is … stressed?

Why is Jason stressed?

No be stressed.  

Danny worked so hard to deal with the guy so Jason could relax.  

Danny makes his way over to the older man, nervously sending soothing through the bond. He pauses a moment to stand in front of Jason, taking in the other, letting his ice meld with Jason’s heat. Then, cautiously, Danny gently wraps his arms around his bond-mate.  

The tension leaves Jason's shoulders immediately.

Shaking his head, Jason brings one arm around Danny, using the other to make a phone call. Danny only really hears half of what is being said. Something about someone getting picked up and Jason taking Danny home to sleep off ‘Fear gas’. Danny couldn’t really pay attention, He just let himself cling to Jason, core humming away contently.  

After Jason ended his call, he said something to Danny, who couldn’t help but giggle. He knew he replied, but his brain was so out of focus now.

Jason just sighs.

Somehow, he manages to pick Danny up while he was still clinging to him. Danny cuddles into the crook of Jason's neck, core humming even louder. Jason’s not-core replies in similar fashion and Danny lets himself drift from the land of the waking.  

Danny falls asleep warm and content.

Chapter Text

Jason was in a predicament.  

He was currently trapped on his couch by a clingy sleepy meta. It wouldn't be so bad, aside from the fact that his arm fell asleep about thirty minutes ago. That particular meta seemed content not moving from his spot laying on top of the larger man, nuzzled into his neck. Jason wasn't sure how he got in this situation. He had brought Danny to his safehouse to give him the fear gas antidote and sleep it off. Nowhere in that plan was the possibility of Danny overpowering him factored in. Danny had his own plans apparently.  Dragging him onto the couch where some of the pillow nest was still not cleaned up for cuddles. Worse, Jason hadn't gotten the chance to give Danny the antidote before getting trapped. Thankfully he still had his phone and was able to text Dicky to ask him to stop by and help. Now he just had to sit and wait.

It wasn't that Jason minded the cuddling, he needed the rest, but Danny talked in his sleep.

Jason was kept awake fighting with the pits to not go kill something, because Danny's sleep talk was revealing something the background check never could. It felt like Jason was dying again. The broken whimpered begging and crying for his mom and dad to stop. That he was really their son. That he was still human. That he was still alive. That he could still feel. It filled Jason with a hatred that he thought was only saved for the joker.  Soft tears lightly soaked the shoulder of Jason's shirt as Danny clung to the distressed crime lord. Jason knew he wasn't supposed to hear any of this. That he shouldn’t meddle. That Danny was doing his best to bury how much he was hurting. Trying so hard to be strong and hide behind the mask of a smile. He was a bit like Dicky in a sense, maybe that's why they both clicked right away. Jason's chest ached at the thought. His older brother had gone through a lot. They all had. Some wounds were still slowly trying to heal. Jason shifted to hold Danny better, the ladder still mumbling sound asleep. Jason closed his eyes with a sigh. Guess they'll all just have to heal together.    

That's how Dick found them when he came through the front door. The older man froze for a moment at the scene before him, not saying a word till he saw Jason glaring at him, then shaking it off with a large smile.  

"Don't you two look comfortable! And here Tim was worried you hated Danny." Dick teased in a lighthearted tone.

Jason opted to just roll his eyes at his brother's comment. "Har. Har. Can you please just get the antidote from the med kit? Danny has one hell of a death grip and I need to move my arm before I lose it." Jason grumbled.  

Dick just laughed as he went to hunt down the med kit in the other room.

"If Danny's feeling up to it after, maybe we should move the movie night here!" Dick suggested when he reappeared with the kit.  

"No! I'm not going to have Timmy and Demon Brat snooping around my place. It's bad enough you show up whenever you feel like." Jason protested.

"Please. You know you love it. Besides, snooping is a love language in this family!" Dick sang out while he prepped the antidote.  

"Speaking of snooping..." Jason hesitated for a moment. "I might need you and Tim to dig a little deeper into Danny."

Dick froze.

"What happened."  

Dick's face held concern masked with a neutral expression. Jason let out a deep sigh. He really didn't want to get the others involved, but they were better at hacking than he was.  

"Danny talked in his sleep... let's just say it's a lot worse than we speculated." Jason had to stop to take a deep breath. "I think his parents were torturing him."

Dick didn't say anything for a moment before resuming to prep the antidote, but his eyes held a fire that Jason recognized.  

"I'll ask Babs to do it. Danny is Timmy's friend. He won't take it well." He finally said when he finished up. "I want us to get all the information before we do anything, let alone if B gets involved."

"I'd like to avoid that. Something tells me that if he does, Danny will run." Jason huffed out in defeat.  

"Ok, Jay. We'll do what we can."

Neither said anything as Dick gave Danny the antidote. Danny frowned and shifted a little, but he did eventually let go enough for Jason to get out of the pillow nest, staying asleep all the while. Jason stood and stretched, rolling out his bad shoulder with a few pops, ignoring Dick’s sad puppy face. The pits protested at the lack of contact with Danny, but Jason pushed past it. He walked himself over to the kitchenette to get the kettle going and to make himself and Dick a snack. He was still really tired, running on coffee and spite only got you so far. He really didn’t know how Tim did it every day. PB & J crackers was going to have to do for now, not that Dick would complain. Jason still wasn't sure how the older man lived given his eating habits. Honestly, they all needed to do a better job taking care of themselves. His brother joined him once the food was finished, happily taking his mug of tea Jason handed him. The two snacked and talked about whatever till they heard Danny stir from his nest.  

"Ugh. Anyone get the number of the bus that hit me?" Danny grumbled to no one in particular, slowly sitting up, clearly not registering his surroundings. His hair sticking out of every direction in a cute bed head, eyes still closed. Jason felt the pits swelling in a comfortable warmth at the sight.  

" 'Morning sleeping beauty!" Jason teased in a flirtier tone than he meant.  

Danny let out a squawk as he fell from the couch. Jason chuckled as Danny scrambled to right himself, Dick just smiled gently. Danny sputtered out an attempt to defend himself, clearly embarrassed. Jason just shook his head.  

"Get over here Angel. Fear gas can be a rough come down, and I make a mean hangover cure."  Jason spoke with a warm smile as he turned on the stove, very much ignoring the look Dick was shooting him.

Danny mumbled something to himself, but he did as he was told, plopping down on the bar stool wrapped in Jason's blanket. Dick just sent him a soft smile as he handed Danny his own mug. Danny sipped slowly, watching Jason's back intently as he cooked. Jason felt nervous energy through the bond coming from Danny. Jason paused to focus, doing his best to project a comforting feeling back, sending Danny a smile over his shoulder. He was still not sure how all that worked, but he could feel Danny relax, the pits matching in energy. So, Jason counts that as a win. Dick got Danny to open up and join in some small talk, letting Jason cook without worry. Soon, food was in front of them, and Danny inhaled it greedily.    

As Danny ate, Dick stepped out to make a few calls. Jason assumed one would be to Babs, another to Tim, and maybe B if Dicky was feeling nice. He’d caved to letting the movie night happen here, but only if Danny was feeling up to it. He really didn’t want Danny to deal with more than he could handle. The meta had already gone through so much, now it was their job to lift the burden as much as they could. They’d take care of him. Jason would take care of him.

The pits swelled in pride as Jason watched Danny eat, looking like he’d never eaten anything better in his life.

Jason revealed in the feeling.

Yeah.

He could do this.

Chapter Text

The dream always started the same. 

He was back in the lab, standing in the dark cavern of the off portal. He knows what's about to happen, tries to fight it,

 but his body doesn't listen. And he steps forward.  

Bright light and pain soon follow. 

The screams of agony transition into cries of desperation as he's transported onto the cold operating table. 

He's begging. Pleading. He knows they don't hear. Don't care. 

He's going to die for real. 

This time is different though.  

Everything is suddenly engulfed in fire and smoke, but he's not afraid. 

It's familiar. 

It's comfortable. 

The pain fades. 

- 

Danny's eyes slowly blink open as he returns to the waking world. 

His bed was a lot more comfortable than he remembered, but maybe it's just that he finally didn't wake up from his nightmare. This was honestly the best sleep he's had in weeks. His body ached with his still healing core, and his head was pounding, but he felt rested. Danny snuggled more into the pillow with a sigh, inhaling the scent of cinnamon and gunpowder. 

He let out a low growl. 

He still had that damn hoodie. 

Sitting up a little, Danny mumbled out to his empty apartment. "Ugh. Anyone get the number of the bus that hit me?" He never was a morning person. It always took his brain a second to catch up. 

He blinked some more. 

Why was his apartment so warm? 

" 'Morning sleeping beauty!"  

The deep voice startled Danny to full attention as he let out a squawk and fell to the floor. The low chuckling from above sobered Danny right up, though his memories are still foggy. His brain piecing the broken glimpses together.  

He had been with Jason. 

Something happened. 

He bit someone. 

He's at Jason's place. 

He's still covered in blood. 

Danny scrambled to right himself, sputtering out failed attempts to defend himself, ears pink iced in embarrassment. Danny gave the room a quick scan and froze. Dick was here too. 

The older brother just gave him a soft smile as Jason shook his head. 

"Get over here Angel. Fear gas can be a rough come down, and I make a mean hangover cure." Jason spoke with such warmth that Danny almost forgot Dick was there. The thought threw Danny for a moment. 

Did Jason realize what he said? 

Does it mean anything to Dick? 

How much did Dick know? 

It was enough to irritate Danny’s headache. 

Danny mumbled some swears as he did what he was told, though slowly, still a little annoyed at his bond-mate. 

He wrapped himself up with the blanket he was using and plopped down on the bar stool, glaring at Jason's back. He needed to be ready. Any sign of trouble, and he'd be gone. His core was buzzing on high alert. His face only softened a little when Dick handed him a mug of something warm. Danny sipped it slowly, never taking his eyes off the broad shoulders in front of him. He was focused. Waiting. Watching. It wasn't until he felt a warm feeling of comfort through the bond from Jason's not-core that Danny relaxed.  Jason shot him a reassuring smile over his shoulder as he cooked. That's when it clicked for Danny. He was safe with these people. Jason's family. He needed to trust Jason. 

Dick finally got him to open up a little more, easy small talk and puns. Danny let himself get distracted and calm down. Soon after, the food was ready before Danny knew it. 

Danny inhaled everything Jason put in front of him. It was the best food Danny had ever eaten in his whole life! Not even the overpriced shit Vlad used to get was anywhere close to this! Danny was so busy eating that he almost missed Dick excusing himself to go make a few calls. Danny was in his own world when he ate, headache slowly fading. He needed this cooking in his life every day! He just needed a reason good enough to convince Jason.  

Danny plotted away as he finished the rest of his food, looking over at his bond-mate across the table. 

Contentment rolled off of Jason in waves as the two sat in silence. 

Danny's core felt comfort in the soothing warmth, purring and chirping as he finished what was in front of him. A small part of Danny worried about what Jason thought about the odd noises coming from him. Jazz never could hear his core, nor could his friends, so it was hard to gauge how non-ghost/halfas felt about it. But the crime boss remained silent as he ate his own meal. His not-core did vibrate a little back, so Danny took it as a win. 

When they both finished, Jason took their dishes to the sink and began to wash them. Danny, not wanting to be rude, got up and began to dry.  As he took his place next to Jason, the larger man lightly bumped their shoulders together, once again sending Danny a gentle smile. Danny let his core expand and wrap around Jason. His core and Jason's not-core synced in rhythm as they worked. It was nice. The repetitive motions took Danny's mind out of the spiral it was beginning to unravel into. All the new things he had to worry about. Their relationship was weird. Jason was his boss. Danny technically was his king. They were basically strangers. They were bond-mates. They both were keeping secrets. Danny was basically putting his life and his freedom in Jason's hands. Jason trusted Danny with his identity. It was a headache. Jason was the cause. Jason was the cure. Dishes were easier. 

Danny needed the distraction. 

Jason was the one to break the silence. 

"So," Jason started as he cleared his throat, a little nervous, "If you're feeling up to it, and only if you're up to it, the boys wanted to move movie night over here." 

Danny hummed an acknowledgement as he thought over the words.  

"I guess. I mean, I'm doing alright. All things considered." Danny admitted after a moment with a shrug. "I've gone to school missing a bone or two before, so a movie night after what was basically a bad high is nothing." He froze after the words left his mouth. Damn it. He didn't mean to say that. Jason just had a way of removing his brain to mouth filter.  

Jason froze too. 

The older man's eyes glowed green for a moment, Sharp and on fire, the room filling with his not-core's overwhelming rage. Danny held his breath. This rage. He'd never felt something so raw and twisted. It brought a strange feeling forward for Danny through the bond. It was crushing him inside out. He didn't know its name. Then, Jason blinked a few times, and the glowing and rage disappeared like it was never there. A new emotion took over. 

"Danny, I..." Jason choked on his words before fighting through it. "I want you to know you're safe here. No matter what. And I don't care if you have a damn cold. If you're not feeling up to anything, then you don't have to do a damn fucking thing. Got it?" There was still some anger in his eyes, but it was drowned out in all the worry it was swimming in. The sight broke Danny a

 little. 

"Yeah... Ok, Big Guy. I'll take it easy if I need to." Danny spoke softly, he almost couldn’t hear himself over his heartbeat. "But you gotta take it easy too, ok?" 

Jason just gave a curt nod.  

It was a start. 

Chapter Text

Calm was a stranger to Jason.

For years, his head has been filled with the noise of the pits. The toxic rage, always boiling and buzzing under the surface, making him feel way too hot. His insides always a raging flame, burning him till there was nothing left. It had taken months of blood, tears, and yelling just to keep that inferno from burning his family as well. Dick and Bruce still held on despite the scars. And Tim, oh god, Tim. Jason had almost engulfed the boy whole. Everyone pushed through, taming the flames, but there was never peace.

Sitting here. 

Listening to Danny excitedly telling Dick about the latest satellite that’s been launched into orbit, waving his arms around as he spoke. The pits quietly humming, nothing but comfortable embers of what they once were.

This must be what peace is.

Jason rested his face on his hand as he watched Danny go, not taking his eyes off him for very long if he looked away. One of these rare times, his eyes met Dick’s. The older boy raised his eyebrow, sending a look towards Jason that clearly read that he knew something was up. Jason just shot one back that indicated that they would talk about it later. Dick just smiled and returned his attention to Danny, who thankfully didn’t notice. Sometimes Dicky was too smart for his own good, even if it was technically Jason’s fault for letting the nickname slip. Whatever. He’d deal with it. He wouldn’t let Dick cause Danny any trouble. But having a second opinion on this ‘bond’ stuff wasn’t a bad idea.

Right before Jason can come up with any semblance of a game plan, Tim and Damien burst through the door.

“Danny!” They yell in unison, both wearing their own looks of concern, eyes locking on to where the boy was. Their expressions brought forth an ugly hissing jealousy in the pits that Jason forced down. He didn’t have the right to those feelings. Danny was their friend first. He was just Jason’s… something. It wasn’t right. Danny, for his part, was frozen mid arm-swing, clearly not expecting the sudden yelling.

“H-hey guys!” Danny choked out. “Where’s the fire?” He then weakly chuckled out.

Neither of the boys took that response well, both rushing to either side of him.

“Danny. You’ve been compromised. It is unwise for you to downplay such things.” Damien huffed out, leaning into Danny as a hand found its way to his hair. Jason suppressed a growl. Dami was more relaxed when Danny did that, he didn’t need to butt in.

“I’m ok.” Danny hummed. “Trust me. I’ve been worse.”

“But you have blood all over you!” Tim spoke through strangled words. He looked frazzled, like he often did when he put off sleeping for too long. That wasn’t a good sign. Timmy was very unhinged if he was too tired. Jason held his breath. He’d forgotten about the blood.

Danny just looked down at his shirt like it betrayed him. “Oh yeah. I forgot about that.” Danny then seemed to realize something, smacking his hand to face, rubbing it down his face dramatically.  “This is going to be a pain to wash.” He said in a groan, then tacked on a rather pained, “I just bought this.” The pits rumbled in amusement, and Jason let out his breath. Danny didn’t think about the blood either.

Jason chuckled as he shook his head, grabbing the attention of his younger brothers. Tim turned on a dime towards him, eyes a little crazed.

“And You!”

“Me?”

“Yes you! What are you thinking?”

“I beg your fucking pardon?”

“Then beg!”

“Fuck you!”

“Do you not care at all?”

“I’m the reason he got here safe!”

“But you didn’t think to check him over? Get him cleaned up?? A clean shirt at least?!? How do you not know it’s not his blood????He could be dying!! Idiot!!!” 

Tim lectured Jason as he stormed around the safehouse hunting Danny a new shirt. Damien shifted, putting himself between Jason and Danny, eyes locked on his older brother. Dick watched them all with a neutral pose, ready for anything. Jason felt the fire of the pits rise. How dare they? Danny is his to protect! Does Tim think he can do better than him?! That he might hurt Danny?!? Not a fucking chance!!! Jason saw green.

All at once, a strange feeling overflooded him. Was it his or Danny’s? Jason couldn’t remember.

Danny spoke before Jason would say something he might regret.

“ Stop .” His voice sounded weird, Jason’s head felt fuzzy.

Everyone froze, the air cold, thick with the sudden silence.

Danny held all their gazes, he looked both so small, and so much bigger at the same time. It was haunting. It was calming. It was Danny. 

“It’s not my blood, it’s the wrong color.” Danny said, then after a pause just shrugged. “It’s not green.”

All at once, the spell was broken.

Danny seemed to close into himself, hugging his arms and making himself smaller. He looked like a child that thought he was about to be scolded. Nervous energy returning through the bond.

“Danny…” Jason trailed off, not really knowing what to say.

Tim picked up the slack with a sigh, now no longer on a warpath.

“Ok. It’s ok. You’re ok. We’re ok.” Tim rambled. “I’m sorry for getting wound up. I was just really worried and Alfred cut off my coffee for the day. But that’s no excuse. I overstepped. It’s not your fault Jason. Either of yours. But Danny, please put on this clean shirt.” Tim simply asked, holding up a black T-shirt. Jason was impressed with how fast Tim calmed down. Usually it would have gotten a lot uglier, only stopping when Dick would pull them apart. Jason’s own heat died on contact when Danny spoke. Jason now just felt tired. That was some power he had.

“I’m sorry too.” All three of his bothered heads snapped towards him, Jason just kept his focus on Danny. “I should have done a better job. I guess I just got stuck in my head for a while. I lost control for a second. I’m sorry. I also should have asked If you needed anything. And Timmy’s right about the shirt.”

“Jay…” Dick softly let out, Jason didn’t hear, eyes only on Danny.

Danny gave him a gentle smile, walking past Damien to take Jason’s hands, not an ounce of fear towards him. The pits felt wrapped in a soothing cold as Danny spoke. “It’s ok. I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to cause such stress.” He turned to the rest, “I don’t want to cause you all to fight.” The guilt was so clear and raw on his face, tears threatening to fall. “I can leave if that would be best.”

“Hey. No. Danny. Look at me.” Dick soothed, gently taking Danny’s hands from Jason as he kneeled down. “This was not your fault. We’re brothers, we butt heads, that’s life. Don’t you for a second think you’re causing us problems! We all just care about you. You are always welcome with us.”

Danny just nodded eyes a little glazed, letting go of Dick to lean against Damien, who was back at his side. Jason couldn't feel anything from the bond, and that worried him. Dick nodded back and stood, stretching and popping his back a little.

“Why don’t you go change and we set up the movie?”

Another nod.

“Is pizza good?”

Danny blinked back into himself.

“Y-yeah. Pizza’s good.” his voice cracked out. Jason felt his heart break a little, and by the tight smile on Dick’s face, he was too.

“Alright, Dami will be outside the bathroom if you need anything.”

“Ok.”

Jason watches as His little brother guides Danny to the other room. Jason focused on sending feelings of comfort and apologies through to Danny. He got a faint humming in return, so Danny seemed to have stabled out a little. After a beat or two of the boys leaving, Dick let out a sigh and turned to focus on Tim.

“Tim. How many days?”

It was a simple but telling question. One their brother understood clearly.

“Not since Jason first passed out.” Tim didn't make eye contact. 

“Tim…”

“I know. I know. But a lot has been happening!” Tim did his best to defend, it was no use.

“You’re sleeping tonight.”

“But–”

“That's final. This is now a sleepover!”

“Hey! Do I get any say in this?” Jason protested.

“Nope!” Dick sang out in a more positive tone. “Now! You two set up the movie while I call in our pizza!”

So, with only a few grumbles, they set up the movie on Jason's tv. Danny and Damien coming back shortly after. The food arrived soon after, and they all ate in peace. The earlier fight is all but forgotten. After they finished, Danny went ahead and plopped himself down on the couch. Without missing a beat, Tim and Damien are on either side of Danny on the couch. Jason wanted to complain, seeing that Dick claimed the armchair as well. But He was just so tired.

Jason reluctantly sits on the floor in front of Danny.

It’s a Thriller movie that Tim picked out, but Jason isn't paying attention. Because shortly after they started watching, Danny started to play with Jason's hair. Danny really didn't seem to have a problem with the open affection towards others, and if no one else was going to mention it, neither was he. It isn’t until he hears the light snoring of Tim and Dani that Jason unfreezes from shock.

Jason slowly leans more back into the touch, resting the back of his head on Danny’s knees. The pits hum as Danny combs through Jason's hair. It’s the best feeling he’s ever felt, and Jason drinks it up like it’s his only lifeline. Everyone else has drifted to sleep, Dick’s snore is now added from the armchair. Guess they all were a lot more tired than they thought. Or maybe this was all Danny. Jason was going to have to ask Danny what his powers were, once he feels comfortable and won’t run. For now, Jason is just eyes closed, basking in the pits warm rumbling.

Danny hums back through the bond, and Jason can just feel the smile.

Jason feels relaxed.

Then he hears it.

A little chirp.

Jason knows it’s Danny. He had been making a similar noise earlier, but Jason didn’t bring any attention to it. But now, Jason’s half-awake mind prompts his vocal cords to respond. He gives a lower kinda chirp back.

Danny freezes, but only for a moment before the bond is flooded with so much comfort and mixed emotions. Jason just lets the pits match in sync, the feelings wrapping around him as he drifts off.

Jason finally falls asleep.

Chapter Text

It took Danny a lot longer than he'd like to admit remembering where he was.

It was still dark, and the soft snoring of four other people could be heard. He was warm, having two bodies next to him on either side, and a blanket someone had draped over him making him feel snug and secure.

 He was at Jason's, and they had a movie night. 

Danny fell asleep at some point.

 It was a dreamless sleep, the first probably ever since he came into his powers. His core felt the most healed than it had since getting to Gotham, and he knew it had something to do with the people in the room with him. Ghosts were emotional beings, and positive family bonds were some of the strongest. Normally, whenever he got seriously hurt, he'd go to Jazz to get patched up, then later cling to her side attempting to get what little sleep he could. Now though, all he can really do is piggyback off of Jason's bonds through theirs. It wasn't intentional, he really didn't know what he was doing, but it still comforted him.

Carefully and with the assistance of his powers, Danny got out between the two brothers, doing his best to prop them up with leftover pillows so they wouldn't knock into each other. After a pause to make sure they didn't wake, Danny floated to the bathroom, phasing through the door and locking it, doing his best to keep quiet. Washing his face in the sink, he looks at his reflection, grimacing back at himself. He knew he never was the best looking, certain people always made sure he knew, but Danny could confidently say that this was probably the worst he's looked. His skin was sickly pale, eyes sunken and tired, his hair was all over, and he was basically drowning in Jason's spare shirt. The word Danny would describe himself is 'rough'. Gently leaning against the mirror, he let out a sigh. Baby steps Danny. Baby steps.

Turning invisible and intangible, Danny pokes his head through the wall, curious to see who's awake. 

Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.

In the kitchen Dick was having a stare down with the one and only Batman.

"I'll ask again, and maybe you'll give me a real answer this time. Why. Are. You. Here?" Dicks voice was low and calm, quiet enough that Danny knew it wouldn't wake the others. Danny didn't dare breathe. Dick's face held no fear, if anything, he seemed annoyed. 

"Almost five hours of radio silence is a real answer." Batman's rough voice grumbled out. 

"No, that's called sleep." Dick rolled his eyes as he spoke. "You know Jay won't be happy you're here. So, try again."

"... Jason is compromised." Batman says after a long pause.

"You can just say you're worried you know?"

"Hn."

Dick sighs out while shaking his head. "Unbelievable." 

Danny is currently spiraling. Dick is talking so casually to Batman. BATMAN. The one person in the whole damn city Danny was trying to avoid! He was so screwed. How did Dick know BATMAN?! Was he going to rat on Danny? Tell him Danny was a meta? Was he going to get kicked out? Why was Batman worried about Jason? Did he know he was the Red Hood? Danny's head was spinning as he watched the exchange.  

"You know smothering him is just going to annoy him more. Maybe respect the boundaries your kids put in place and mind your own damn business." Dicks voice sounded so much older, tired, like he was a parent talking to a kid. Danny didn't know what to make of the whole thing.

"Dick..."

"No, B. I won't let you undo all the progress we've all done because you don't know how to stop." Dicks face held an emotion that Danny couldn't place but caused him to flinch all the same. "Go. Home."

"..."

"..."

"... Alight."

"Good."

"Call me when everyone heads out."

"Fine."

"Alfred is planning on making lunch, will you be there?"

"We'll see."

"Ok."

And with that, the Dark Knight takes his leave.

Dick and Danny seem to relax at the same time.

Danny then remembers he's supposed to be 'in the bathroom' and floats back to his hiding spot before returning to the physical world and opening the door.

Dick clocks the movement and takes a much more casual stance, keeping his body language open. Danny should leave. He's not supposed to be anywhere near heroes or Batman, he's supposed to be flying under the radar. But he doesn't.  No, instead he approaches the older man with the carefully crafted smile, one he knows he himself has worn before. And it makes sense. Dick is another hero; he is a symbol of hope. Something Danny never seemed to figure out how to be for the living, and barely for the dead. He's not sure which of the birds Dick is, but if he had to put money on it, Danny would guess Nightwing. Danny made up his mind in that moment. He couldn't let them know he knew about their night life.

"Hey." Danny's voice almost comes out and a whisper, like he's crossing into a territory he knows he shouldn't be, but still is all the same. Dicks face softens.

"Hey. Guess you heard some of that, huh?" His voice was much kinder than how he had talked to Batman.

"Just the last little bit." Danny hesitates. "Was that your dad? He sounded stressed. What's wrong with Jason?"

Dick let out a sigh.

"Yeah, that was B. He's a bit of a 'worst case scenario' kinda guy. As for Jason..." Dick seemed to think over his words, not wanting to reveal too much. "Jay has been sick for a long time now, most of the time he's fine, but it acts up every now and again. B was worried because Jason found you in a heavily stressful environment after the fear gas, that it might have triggered a spike."

Well now Danny knew what story Jason fed his family. Danny guesses that Jason doesn't want his superhero brothers to know their new friend works for him as Red Hood. Danny has no doubt that they'll find out eventually. It was weird that Diack said he was sick though. Do they not know what really is going on with Jason, or do they just not want Danny to know? Heroes man.

"Oh. I didn't know. I'm sorry." Danny did his best to look as uncomfortable as possible. Two can play at this game. If they won't share, then neither will he.

"It's ok. We all are just worried about him. But he's a fighter and won't let us forget it!" Dick is trying his best to cheer up the mood, Danny gives him a pity smile.

"Yeah."

There's a lull for a moment before Danny speaks again.

"Dick, can I ask you something?" It doesn't come out as confident as Danny would like, but Dick gives him his full attention all the same. A nod signaling him to continue. "Do ... Do you think Batman really hates Metas?" 

Danny didn't even fake the fear in his voice, that was 100% him. It hurt to say, but he needed to know, and Dick would probably be the only one of the brothers he would get the least biased answer from. Dick himself seemed like he'd been smacked. All color draining from his face before he can put his carefully crafted mask back on. It was impressive how he was both an open book and totally unreadable at the same time. 

"No. I don't believe he does." It comes out like it's the holy truth, but Danny has never been one of strong faith.

"You sure? How do you know he won't kill me on sight?" How did he know he wasn't like THEM.

"Batman doesn't kill."

"Ok. But what if..."

"Danny, you're safe. I promise."

Danny stops mid rant and pulls himself in.

Safe?

Is he?

They're heroes.

He promises. 

But what good are those?

Danny doesn't know anymore.

"Ok."

Dick sighs, sensing Danny's disbelief. "Honestly? The no meta rule is really just a rumor that Batman doesn't bother disproving. Because he's stubborn and weird. The heroes in Gotham do their best to make up for the fact he's not the most forthcoming." And Danny can hear the weight of all that's not being said. Having Batman as a dad can't be easy.

Dick then tries his best to reassure Danny that he's safe and to trust him, his brothers, and the heroes of Gotham. Danny nods along, and after Dick seems to calm down, he speaks. " It's brave of them to be heroes, even if not everyone likes them, and they can get hurt. It's not an easy life they live. you can't help but admire them a little."

Dick gives him a weird look.

Danny is too tired to unpack it.

They both go back to sleep a little while later.

Danny just wishes his life wasn't so complicated.

Chapter Text

Jason's first thought when he woke was that his back was killing him.

His second was that Danny's hand was against his neck.

The cool chill they gave off caused Jason to freeze in place. The pits buzzed with excitement at the contact, it filled Jason with something he couldn't describe but the claim of ‘Mine. Mine Mine ’. It felt bigger than himself, and he hesitated to break the contact. He focused, doing his best to prod through the bond. After no real response back from Danny but a sleepy purr back, Jason got up off the floor. He didn't really know what he was going to do about the bond. Danny was a bunch of unanswered questions, but Jason knew better than to push. He wasn't Bruce. If He asked too much, too soon, Danny would run. And if he ran, Jason was sure it would destroy them both. This was a long game type of deal, Jason's specialty. He had spent months planning his appearance back into Gotham's nightlife, theatrics and all. Even if he'll never get his revenge. He can wait. Danny's safety was first and foremost.

After popping his back, keeping mindful of his bad arm, Jason headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. Four full time vigilantes and one superpowered meta definitely were going to eat a lot. He set up all that he needed and got to work. Pancakes and sausage, along with a vegan version for Dami, sounded pretty good.  He'd start with the pan cake mix, homemade not box, just like Alfie taught him. 

For a starting severing he'd do 135 grams of plain flour,1 teaspoon of baking powder, a ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 130 milliliters of milk, 1 egg lightly beaten, a teaspoon of vanilla, and finally 2 tablespoons of melted butter that's been allowed to cool slightly, a little plus extra for cooking. The milk and butter were substituted with non-dairy and the egg with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for Dami's portion. Jason hummed softly as he worked. 

Jason was so focused on what he was doing, he almost missed Dick slink in. But he was a bat through and through, and he knew his brother well.

"Dickey-bird, if you touch a single crumb before I'm done, I'm bringing back the duffle bag." Jason grunted out.

Dick was frozen mid-heist, reaching for one of the pan cakes left cooling. Snapping back his hand, Dick collected himself, putting on a grin Jason knew spelled trouble. "Aww... Baby-bird! Not even gonna break the rules for your favorite big brother?"

"No."

"Tsk. Shame. And I was going to share with you a fun little theory I had..."

"Now that's a cause for concern."

"Nothing crazy! Just a little tidbit from our newly acquired friend."

Now that got Jason's attention. He turned fully towards Dick as he finished the last batch.

"What."

"Like I said! Nothing crazy! Danny and I had a little heart to heart is all!"

The pit coiled in a jealous green.

"And what is this theory that you gleamed, dear big brother of mine?" Jason harshly snarked. 

"That you're Angel was a teen hero at some point." Dick's eyes held firm into Jason's. 

Jason felt the world stop.

While he'd dropped the nickname on purpose in front of Dick to communicate that Danny and Angel were the same, he didn't really account for the fact that Dick would then prod a little further. But he knew better. His family was a group of stalkers after all. Dick had been at it almost as long as Bruce. If he had a hunch, nine times out of ten he was right.

"Explain."

"Ah! Well like I said, me and Danny had a little heart to heart. We got to talking about heroes, his main concern was he believes that Batman will kill him on sight."

Jason inhaled sharply, but allowed his brother to continue.

"I of course did my best to dissuade those thoughts, without giving myself away obviously" Oh, if only Dick knew. 

"So, we got to talking about the other heroes. And then he said something interesting, and Jay." Dick's usually chipper mask was showing its cracks as he stared into his brother's eyes. "His voice and face showed pain and understanding. Like he knew what this life entails. What it cost."

Jason didn't know what to say. He felt sick. The thought of just how similar they were was making him dizzy.  Danny was a teen hero, just like Jason had been. A hero that seemingly tortured and forced on the run. By his own parents no less. The memory of his own DNA donor as well as his murderer came to mind. The pits filled with that unmistakable HATE he felt before. How dare they? Danny was different from Jason. Danny was GOOD. NO ONE deserves what's happened to him. The thought that Danny was out saving people, getting hurt, only to come home and get hurt some more... It made Jason MURDEROUS.

 It took all of his strength to keep the green at bay. Jason swallowed hard as he forced his voice to sound level.

"How much has Babs found out?"

Dick seemed to relax, seeing that Jason wasn't about to lash out. 

"She's still working on it. Whoever did Danny's paper did a clean job. But even the fake story brings cause for concern. If that's what they're willing to show, whatever is deemed worth hiding must be far worse." Dick's own eyes seemed to barely hide the true rage he was feeling. Jason was happy to have him in his corner.

"Let me know the second she finds anything."

"Of course."

And with that, Jason returned to breakfast while Dick chatted about random thoughts and topics that popped into his head. No one would have guessed that a high emotions conversation even happened. And Jason was happy for it. 

The smell of food summoned his brothers, both bed-headed and squinty eyed. Jason directed them to their respective spots and began serving them. Tim hummed into his coffee as Damien finished his first glass of juice as they waited. Shortly after, Danny follows suit. Jason struggled not to choke on his food.

 Danny was a vision. Jason's shirt hung low on his shoulder, revealing the gleaning freckled skin of his collar bone. His wild hair framed his face perfectly, even though it was ruffled from sleep. His shimmering eyes met Jason's, and Danny shot him a grateful smile with his milk white fangs. Danny was beautiful. The pits were basically screaming, rising up to meet Danny through the bond. His chest flooded with the all too familiar feeling of 'Mine. Mine. Mine'.

Jason was screwed. 

Chapter Text

Danny was sure of one thing.

Some way.

Somehow.

He needed to move in with Jason.

He hadn't even taken a bite out of the picturesque pancakes yet; he was still in shock on how perfect they looked. Now, Danny knew how to cook, but it was in that college student kinda way where it might not be the prettiest but was edible. Jason's food seemed to be pulled straight from a cooking magazine. These pancakes were just the latest offender. Each one was a perfect circle, just the right amount of fluffy, and not a spot of burn on them. Danny's own stack was buttered to perfection and garnished with maple syrup and ripe strawberries. Danny had to down his coffee just to make sure he still wasn't half asleep, much to the amusement and concern of the brothers.

Danny couldn't help the trill his core made when he finally took a bite, it was heavenly.

Jason preened with pride as Danny inhaled the plate of food.

There was a melancholic sweetness in having breakfast with the brothers. It was like watching a funhouse mirror of his friend group. Tim and Damien acted so much like Sam and Tucker it made his core ache. Let alone how Dick tried to reign them all in similar to Jazz. Jason sassy remarks thrown in here or there reminded Danny of his own smart mouth. Danny had to push down those feelings with each bite of pancake. Now was not the time to spiral. Especially now that he knew Jason could feel the quiver in his core. It was incredible how fast Jason was taking to the soul-bond. There was just something about Jason's not-core that made Danny feel a tad off. Like an itch you can't scratch. It kind of made Danny a little scared for Jason's health. Especially after what he overheard last night. Gosh does he wish he could talk to Frostbite right now.

After about his third cup of coffee, Danny noticed that Dick was a little off. Dick kept glancing at Jason, then to Tim, next Damien, then to Danny, then back to Jason. He seemed like he was debating something internally, but you couldn't quite read his face to tell what it was. It was unnerving. 

"So, B checked in last night..." Dick finally awkwardly put out with a nervous chuckle. The cozy atmosphere was instantly sucked out, mood souring the air around them. It made Danny's skin itch. 

"HE. DID. WHAT." Jason's tone was dark and dangerous, sending a chill down Danny's spine.  It took everything in Danny's body to not go hold his bond-mates hand. The room began to feel like the heater had been turned on too high. Danny shifted uncomfortably at the heat. 

"Easy! Easy! No worries! I told him to piss off. He just wants us all to check in later." Dick quickly amended. 

"Tch. Father could have simply called. It's not like he didn't know we were all here." Damien added in annoyance, even though his body language read as nervous, hand white-knuckling the butterknife.

"You know B likes to over complicate things when he's stuck in his head." Tim said with a sigh. "So focused on one thing he can't see the world around him." As he spoke, Tim's body clearly got more tense as he was tapping away on his phone.

"Still! He should know better to show up here" Jason growled, very much having the worst reaction to this news. 

"He's just worried is all. You know he sucks at showing his real feelings." Dick soothed.

Jason's feelings suddenly flooded the bond, and it was almost overwhelming for Danny. It was a scolding fire of hurt and anger, it choked Danny like smoke. Danny's ice surged to meet it subconsciously, causing Jason to flinch. Danny straightened up in his seat, earning an apologetic glance from Jason as Damien leaned closer to Danny with a nervous shift of protectiveness. Tim looked ready for anything. Dick took a more casual approach. 

After seeing what he saw last night, Danny wasn't too sure how to feel about the situation. It was clear that they all had complicated feelings about their dad. Danny picked up on that when he first met the brothers.  But Jason clearly had a lot more anger towards him than the rest. Now, with the added information that B is BATMAN made it a lot messier. Dick was fighting to keep things on the passive side.

"He promised lunch with Alfie!" Dick sang out, reeling his brothers in, directing it mostly at Jason.

There was a long silence before anyone else spoke.

"... Fine. But I'm leaving as soon as lunch is over." Jason gritted out, and the rest seemed to relax.

The way the family acted towards Jason only seemed to make Danny worry even more. It was clear they were all on edge whenever he got worked up. Was Jason really sick? What triggers did he need to look out for? What caused it? What did it make Jason do? Danny had noticed right away the not-core and its toxic anger. Maybe that was what was making him sick. Maybe Danny could help. He felt the heat die down through the bond, and Danny couldn't help but send soothing to Jason. He replied with nervous comfort. Danny made sure to show he wasn't scared. Only then did Jason seem to truly calm down. At that, Danny made up his mind. Once Danny was fully healed and for sure safe, he was taking Jason to the Far Frozen.

They all ate their food in silence for a while after that before Danny spoke up after a cough. 

"Um… Could one of you guys take me home before you go see your dad? I have no idea what part of town we're in." It was a lie, but it definitely lightened the mood.

"Oh. My. God. We are so stupid. So sorry Danny! We totally forgot you're still new to Gotham." Tim groaned out with a facepalm. 

"I'll take you. I want to put off seeing B as long as possible." Jason mused, trying his best to hide the tinge of true annoyance Danny could feel of his not-core.

“Happy to be your scapegoat!” Danny beamed at the larger man, feeling a purring warmth come off him as he spoke.

“It’s settled. I’ll take you home.”

The words and tone made Danny’s face heat up.

Stop it Danny.

He doesn’t mean it like that.

They all wrapped up eating shortly after. And after some serious convincing that they all didn’t need to drop Danny off, the two groups parted ways. The motorcycle drive to Danny’s apartment was short and quiet, the two young men seeming to fail at finding anything to say in their allotted time. Before Danny could pull himself out of his mental spiral and ask any questions, they were at his building.

“Ok Angel. We’re here. Don’t think the others will let me stall too much longer.” Jason joked as he removed the biker helmet he had on.

“You sure?” Danny asked, blinking as he looked up into Jason’s eyes. He didn’t mean to sound so disappointed, but he core hurt at the idea of Jason leaving. He didn’t want to admit to how lonely he truly was in this big city. It was nothing like home. That was a good thing.

Jason let out a harsh cough as he broke their eye contact, cheeks dusted pink. Not that Danny noticed.

“I– Er–Um… I WANT to stay! T-trust me, Angel. I Do. But the old man is demanding, and we finally stopped fighting first and asking questions later. He’s actually being mindful now. Can’t fuck it up. It would break Dicky’s heart.” Jason relented. 

“I get it. Family is complicated.” Danny responded in a sad tone. He knew all too much about complicated families.

“Yeah…”

Jason seemed to space out for a second before snapping back, seeming to make his mind up about something..

“How about I stop by later with dinner? You need to stay in and rest more anyway. How’s that sound?” His tone was warm, if not a little awkward. 

Danny was not going to pass up on free food. He couldn’t stop the smile growing on his face.

“I’d like that, Big Guy.”

Jason gave a short nod and put his bike helmet back on. They said their goodbyes and Jason was off.

Danny felt his core purr with a chill as he watched Jason drive off.

Dinner.

Yeah.

He’d like that.

Chapter Text

Jason let out a whoop as he drove through the city, weaving in and out of traffic with practiced ease. He knew every road, every ally, every short cut. The road was as alive as Jason felt, popping a wheelie along a long straight stretch of road. He was buzzing with energy, happy that none of his brother’s were with him. 

Something about Danny agreeing to dinner gave the pits a rush. It was like a high. Jason was on cloud nine. A small part of him, the bat part, realized he was being reckless, that he really shouldn’t spend too much time around Danny until he had more information. But the other part, the rapidly growing relationship with the meta was a breath of fresh air. Like he’d been drawing ever since he came back wrong, and his head had finally broken above the water. He knew once he got to the manor he’d have to reign it in, but for right now, he would indulge with his impulsive side. 

The rest of the drive was filled with tricks that he couldn’t get away with while on patrol. He arrives in the Bat-cave with a skid, earning a whistle from Dick, and something akin to an eye-roll from the rest of his siblings, aside from Cass. B just had his usual bitch face, reminding Jason that he’s supposed to be in a bad mood. Jason steals his face before taking his helmet off. Rolling his shoulders with a pop, he parks and gets off his bike.

“Let’s get this shit over with.” Jason remarks with a healthy level of snark, in his opinion.

“Now, now. Not before you share what’s got you in a good mood!” Dick teases him as he slings an arm over Jason’s shoulder. Jason just rolls his eyes and shoves off his older brother.

“Wouldn’t you like to know Bird-Boy.”

Dick gasped dramatically, feigning hurt. Tim looked over at them puzzled, but Damien was glaring daggers at him. Jason paid him no minded, turning to B, who was giving him an appraising look. 

“I’m not saying shit to you either.” Jason huffed. “Now, why the HELL did you come to my safehouse?”

“Mmn.”

“Don’t give me that! Answers first, then I’ll hear what you called us all in for.” Jason didn’t miss that Steph and Duke were also present.

“Scarecrow had obtained an irregular injury before he was detained. An unknown was present around your area. That can lead to unnecessary damages. That, mixed with you being compromised from earlier, warranted a check in.” B spoke out in a gruff tone.

Jason stiffens as his eyes wander to Dick, who meets his gaze. The two of them knew what this ‘unknown’ really was. It was crystal eyes, a sharp grin, and messy hair.

“What kind of ‘irregular’ are we talking about here?” Duke asked from his spot on the stairway.

B didn’t say anything for a moment before pulling up an image on the display.  There was a collective silence as they all took in what they saw. The photo was gnarly, the bite looked like it was made with too many teeth, along some bone that was poking out, clearly shattered. Jason's mind wandered back to the thought of fangs and glowing eyes. Danny really was something else. Dick let out a cough. Jason must have zoned out, blinking away green, he notices everyone looking at him.

“I’m fine.”

B clearly wants to ask.

He doesn’t.

“I just want you all to be careful.  We know nothing, and have no leads. You see something, say something. Do not engage with whatever this thing is alone. Understood?”

A collective variety of agreement filled the room, and they moved on.

“Constantine has finally contacted us back. After filling him in with what we know, he has agreed to come do an evaluation. Both of Gotham and Jason.”

“What's his ETA?” Tim asked carefully, not taking his eyes off Jason. He tried not to let it get to him. Tim had every right to be on edge. They all did.

“He should be here some time tonight. Tomorrow at the latest.” B responded with a tiered huff.

Jason feels conflicted. 

He wants to say he feels fine.

That it wasn’t a big deal.

That he was better.

But he thought back to Danny.

To the bond.

If something was wrong with him, how would it affect Danny?

He can’t put him through that, won’t put him through that.

Danny is already going through so much, Jason refuses to add to it.

Jason made up his mind.

“Alright. I’ll be here.” Jason spoke in an absolute.

Like letting out a breath, everyone in the room seemed to relax.

It doesn't bother him.

Really.

“Excellent! Now that that’s done. I’ve prepared lunch” Alfred said from the main entrance. As he turned to leave he tacked on. “Don’t forget. No capes at the table”. And took his leave.

Those who were suited up rushed to the showers, while the rest who came in civies followed Alfie. The main floor was full of the aromas of Alfie’s delicious cooking. Jason may know his way around the kitchen, but Alfie was the pro. This gave Jason an idea.

Before making his way to the dining hall, he took a detour to the kitchen, where he knew Alfred was greeting the food ready to serve. Jason was the only member that hadn't been banned from the kitchen, but it was still Alfie’s domain. He gave the doorway a little knock as he entered. 

“Need any help?”

Alfred turned to him and gave him a warm smile. It broke Jason every time. Alfred was one of the main reasons he could never cut off the family. For as angry as he got at B sometimes, he knew he could never get mad at Alfie. After all, at least he knew his grandfather loved him. No matter how much he messed up. To him, Jason was still that curious littles boy that had attached himself to his hip, wanting to learn anything and everything. The little boy who loved to read and bake. Alfie always saw him, even if Jason didn’t.

“No, my boy. I’m just about finished. The rest is already out on the table.”

“Still, I’ll carry the rest.”

“I can manage, Master Jason.”

“But I want to.”

“Wouldn’t you much rather ask me what’s on your mind?”

Busted.

“You could tell, huh?”

“My boy, Master Bruce may not know how to read his children's emotions, but I can assure you he did not get that from me.” There’s a knowing twinkle in his eyes, but he waits for Jason, for him to say it at his own pace.

“You can’t tell the others.”

“You may have grown, but nothing has changed from when you were first brought into this family. What’s said in this kitchen stays in this kitchen.” His voice is so gentle, Jason feels his shoulders relax. It doesn't keep his face from getting hot.

“So…”

Alfred raises an eyebrow. 

“...There’s this guy. Impish and Beautiful. He’s dorky and odd. He’s wild and hilarious. He’s stunning and brilliant. He’s an idiot with a big heart. He’s so strong but so gentle. He’s amazing.”

“Oh?”

“...And I promised him dinner tonight.”

“Ah. I suppose you want me to help make something to win over this young man?” There’s a teasing tone in his voice, Jason is reminded of Dick.

“Shh! No! Not exactly! Maybe! It’s… complicated.”

“How so?”

“He’s… got a lot going on. And I’m… Me.”

“And what’s wrong with you?”

Jason gives Alfie a sad look.

“I’m a monster, Al. I’ve died. I didn’t die right. I came back wrong. I’ve fucked up so many people I care about. And he’s… Al. He’s GOOD. He has no idea what I am. I don’t know if I could tell him. He’s all alone, and if I scare him and he runs… I can’t do that to him. I…”

“Are you sure that’s how he would react?”

Jason thought about how Danny would react. Danny, who glows brightly, grins wide and sharp, and laughs loud. Danny, who gets high on fear gas and bites bad guys. Danny, who is on the run but gets a job with a crime boss. Danny, who found him bleeding out and helped him out, even if it bonded them. Danny, who while in the midst of Jason's pit rage, rises to meet it. Danny, who sends cool soothing through the bond when he thinks Jason is upset. HIS Danny. God, he was definitely going crazy.

“No. He wouldn’t.” Jason chuckles sadly. “He really isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met.” He shakes his head. “He really is something special, something good.”

“You don’t think you deserve something good?” Alfred’s eyes hold sorrow, sorrow only someone from this world can have. Sorrow that Jason sees in his own reflection everyday. He can’t answer his grandfather, instead looking down at his hands.

“You know what I think?”

Jason meets his eyes.

“I think you’ve come a long way, and are nowhere near the monster you think you are. You’ve made mistakes, but so has everyone in this family. You all are healing, but if you don’t think you deserve to get better, you never will. Pain left alone will grow and fester, it’s up to you to move past it. But everyone in this house will be there alongside you. We’re all proud of how far you’ve come.”

“...Thanks, Al.”

“I also think this boy needs someone to be alongside him. Life is about ups and downs. We all have wounds that need to be healed, and no one should do it alone. If you really like this boy, even if it’s just as friends, you should be that support.”

“But… what if I hurt him?”

“Will you?”

“I…” Jason is fighting back the swell of emotions the pit is filling him with. He could never hurt Danny. Danny is HIS. Danny is HIS to protect. It’s almost overwhelming. “... Not if I have any say in it. But… I’m scared Alfie.”

“My boy, courage is not the absence of fear, but acting despite of it. You have a lot of heart, if not, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. YOU are good too.”

Jason can only nod.

“Now, let’s take these over to the rest. I’m sure we're already being missed.” Alfred says with warmth as he pats Jason's arm.

They make their way with the rest of the food, entering the full dining hall. It’s erupting with talking and laughter, and despite himself, he smiles. Alfie’s words knocking in his head. Dick waves them over as Duke makes a joke that Steph and Tim lose it to. Dami rolls his eyes but has a smirk as Cass smiles contently. B looks tired, but relaxed. Jason takes his place without missing a beat.

This was his family.

He’d do anything for them.

 And they took him back, despite everything.

They were his good.

He can use the good they gave him.

He can help Danny.

He can be better.

For all of them.

Chapter Text

Danny was exhausted.

There was no fighting it.

Despite going right back to sleep after Jason dropped him off, he still felt just as tired as he had been even before the fear gas incident.  Pains ached throughout his body, leaving him feeling heavier than usual. His vision was never truly focused, blinking more than normal just to read the text he received from the brothers. Danny knew he was healing slower than he normally would have before his great escape, but something about how his core felt made him nervous. He'll never truly know all that The Fenton's did to him, nor did he want to, but Danny could admit it scared him a little. The incident with the fear gas only brought his attention to it. He could keep up the laid-back act when others were around, but when it was just him, Danny felt on the verge of a breakdown. Not even a freezing shower seemed to help. Danny needed to get out of his apartment and do something.

Looking around his apartment, there was little to be desired. 

It was a small studio with a "kitchen" space and one bathroom, the rest was just open space. Dick had helped him fill up the place a little more, but it was still fairly empty. The "kitchen" that was in the back space had the most, with the toaster oven, coffee pot, stove that came with the place, microwave, and a mini fridge they had managed to acquire. The "living space" had his bed shoved in one corner along with a dresser, and an old loveseat they found was in the middle of the room facing the front wall where a TV WOULD be, if he had one, and the front door. The bathroom was over to the side, just before the "kitchen".

It was just then that Danny realized that he didn't really have a table, or chairs.

And Jason seemed set on them staying HERE for dinner.

Sighing with relief at something to go do, Danny pulled himself together and headed out the door.

He still had some time before Jason would arrive, but he knew he shouldn't take too long.

Danny walked around for a while, still not fully used to the layout of the area.

It wasn't until Danny felt the familiar cold of his breath that he really started to focus on where he was going. A right turn here and a left turn there, and Danny found himself standing in front of an old consignment store. The paint on the sign and wall is faded and chipped, the widows are tinted yellow with age. Without a second thought he enters. 

The inside smelt of dust and old wood. The shop gave off a nostalgic feeling, like a memory that you can't quite place but is scratching at the back of your mind. An illusion of memory. A cold scene of Déjà vu. Feeling like you've been there before even though you know you haven't. 

Danny knew the ghost was in here.

It was a larger warehouse looking building, all the items organized in rows with the smaller items on various tables and shelves. The only employee seemed to be the cashier at the front. Danny gave them a nod as he walked by, moving deeper into the store, letting his ghost sense lead the way. He waved in and out of the displayed Items, till he made his way all the way to a back table. There was nothing notable about any of the items on it, with the exception of an old vintage desk clock. A small part of Danny thinks it's ironic, the larger part feels his core curl with sadness.  A ghost of an elderly man that is just barely visible floats above it with a distant look in his eye. 

That was something Danny passively noticed the few times he left Amity Park before; most ghosts were different than the ones back home. Almost all living humans couldn't see them, only the ones closest to breaking could interact with anything, and they all had a foggy look to their eyes. Like they were looking or waiting for something, but they didn't know what. It had made Danny feel things he wasn't ready to confront at the time, then he had to when he was crowned Ghost King. This one was the first he'd gotten this close to since then. He knew what he had to do. 

Danny picked up the clock, making eye contact with the old ghost, and let his voice flow in a duet of English and ghost-speak.

" Have mercy, O Realms, if it is possible, on the soul of Your child, alive once but nevermore, departed to eternal life in separation from The Waking River! Unsearchable are Your judgments. Account not this my prayer as singular but of the Realms; and may Thy King send His blessing and be heard!"

A flash of green from his eyes, bleeding the little power needed to finish and Danny was done.

"Thank You."

The old man said with a smile, seeming fully there for the first time, before fading away.

Danny knew that his soul would go to where it belongs, whatever afterlife is in store for him. letting out a sigh of relief, Danny takes the clock with him as he returns to his hunt for a table.

He’d settled on a well-used coffee table, deciding that he and Jason can just squeeze onto the loveseat, or if all else fails, Danny can sit on the floor. Clock in one hand and coffee table tucked under the other arm, he makes his way back to the front. It's a bit difficult, since he wasn't really paying attention when he came back there, but he eventually caught sight of the employee at the counter. Just as he rounded the corner to get in line, a new customer came in, bumping into Danny at an alarming speed. Thankfully, Danny caught himself, preventing any harm to come to his new finds. The other person was not so lucky and had fallen back on his ass. 

"You ok?" Danny hesitantly asked the stranger, unable to help them up without a free hand.

"Peachy." They grunted out in a low British accent, standing to their feet and brushing themselves off, mumbling things under their breath Danny couldn't quite catch. 

They weren't really paying attention to him, so Danny took this time to look them over. The person who bumped into him was a man, maybe late thirties, with short blonde hair, pale skin, tired eyes, and a strong five o'clock shadow. He was taller than Danny, and most likely built, but it was hard to tell with the large trench-coat he wore. There was something else Danny noticed.

 The man smelt of magic. 

Oh.

Fuck.

Chapter Text

John Constantine needed a drink.

He'd been in New Mexico busting up a cult the first few times the Bat called.

It went ignored. 

He was in Illinois following a lead the second time the second wave of calls came in.

Again. 

Ignored.

Finally, Tim had called Raven after her, Deadman, and he wrangled a rogue hellhound that was looking for his owner.

Annoyed, John called the Bat back.

“We have a situation with Red Hood."

John went pale.

If there was one bat he never wanted to deal with, it was Hood.  John avoided Gotham most of the time for many reasons, Magical and Personal. Hood was near the top of both lists. All the Bats were touched by death, the new Robin especially, anyone with a drop of magic could tell, but Hood had an aura tainted with death magic. He was different. He wasn't HUMAN.  John noticed it the first time he'd seen Hood, the alliance still new to the Bats, at a meeting in the Watchtower. The air in the room was oppressive and hot, not demonic, but definitely OTHER. John stayed clear after that.

Batman gave him the run-down of everything they've been dealing with, and it made his stomach drop.  Turned out that Hood's more in tune with the dead than he first thought if even he was sensing what was happening.  The Realms have been unbalanced for weeks, and John had a good hunch as to why. This was just further proof that things were getting bad.  Red Hood had begun to have dreams lined up with a report John had gotten from Deadman before he'd left to deal with the cult. 

The Ghost King's core has been cracked.

And he was on the move.

Hearing that Hood passed out and was unable to wake up for hours turned John's blood cold. It could only mean one thing. The Ghost King had made his way to Gotham.

John needed to get there NOW.

Zeta-tubes were useful for a reason.

John went out of his way to make sure he'd gotten there well before the time he told Bats. He wanted to do a fast case of the city on his own before he got one of them assigned as a babysitter. Batman used the word escort, but it was basically the same thing. John hated it. He worked a hell a lot better without someone breathing down his neck, and this was important!  Every magic user in the league had been all hands-on deck for weeks because of the missing Ghost King. John deeded to find him and return him to the Realms as soon as possible. That wasn't going to happen if he had a nosy bird asking him loads of irritating questions the whole time. Don't get him wrong, the Bats and Birds are great at what they do. It's just what they do most of the time is trying to know a little too much about things that are other people's business. It just rubbed John the wrong way. So, a little head start wouldn't hurt. 

He spent the first few hours hitting the local occult hot spots. This consisted of an old church, a few 'hobby' shops, a pub, and a local tea spot. Those in the know had definitely felt a presence arrive within the assumed timeframe, but no one had noticed anything since.  It was infuriating to say the least. 

John decided to widen his net to the spirits of Gotham. aka. Wander around till he felt anything.

Honestly, the walk was more to clear his head than anything else. This whole thing felt like waiting for the other shoe to drop. There was so much build up, so many connecting threads. But to what? John had no clue.

 John had been working this case long before Batman knew anything was up, and having Hood connected, even if just barely, made it more messy. It was all kicked off by whatever happened to the Ghost King. John had a vivid dream the night it had apparently happened. It was nothing but pain and colors, ending with a chilling voice, "You don't know the wasp nest you're poking, Hellblazer. Leave it be." John couldn’t. The next day he followed a lead about the Cult in New Mexico that had been going on about the vengeance of a new death god. Then, a whole town had apparently been whipped out of existence and reality along with a connected government agency, Nothing left but a cryptic letter from someone named Jazz. Then finally the rogue hell hound they had banished as the cherry on top. It all pointed to something big. John had to find out what, and hopefully stop it before it went more tits up than it already had.

John had made his way to a rougher part of town when he felt it.

Death magic.

Gotham always had a tang of the stuff, but this was more pungent. Pure. Focused.

It was sharp and sudden, then nothing.

It snapped John to attention.

He ran to where the source was already fading from. If he hadn’t felt the initial wave he’d have never picked up on the barley noticeable traces around him. He had a small window before he lost it forever. He needed to run.

Faster.

Faster.

Faster!

Fa—

John fell ass first to the ground.

He groaned. It felt like he hit a wall, with how blindly he was running, he might just have. The trail was cold. He was back to square one. John muttered some choice words under his breath from his spot on the floor before he heard a voice.

“You ok?”

It was male, young, midwestern with a  drawl, and sounded nervous. John paid it no mind from his wallowing on the floor.

“Peachy.”

More choice muttering followed as he got himself up. Stupid wall.

He lost his one lead.

What was he going to do?

No telling when the next spike would come.

Or if he’d be able to feel it.

And he was running out of time before he had to meet the bats.

The month had been nothing but dead ends.

Guess he had one more to add to the list.

“Um…”

The voice was still here.

John finally looked at the lad.

He was a scrawny thing, about a head shorter than John himself. Black wild hair made him seem like he could be mistaken as one of Bruce’s boys. His hands were full, a table in one and an old clock in the other. Pale sickly skin made his vibrant blue eyes almost shine as they darted all about John, taking him in, assessing… something. If he was ok? If he was a threat? If he was drunk? John couldn’t tell. In Gotham, all were valid.

The last thing he noticed was small fangs as the kid worried his bottom lip. Meta.

John shook his head with a sigh.

“Look. I’m alright. Know I seem mental right now, but I promise I’m sober enough to be out.” He did grab a drink when he stopped by the old pub, but that was neither here nor there. “Just got a little distracted in my own head.”

“You sure?” The kids grip on the clock tightened. “You ran in here pretty fast. I almost dropped my stuff before paying!”

John chewed on those words. Wait.

“It was you I hit?”

“Yes?”

Right. Meta.

John left out another sign.

“Sorry about that. You need help carrying any of that? It looks uncomfortable?” He had nothing better to do, he’s had enough disappointment for one night.

“N-No! I’m quite alright!” The kid backed away towards the counter. He seemed on edge, eyes darting around once more, like he was ready for John to attack. John understood. The world was unkind, especially for Metas. Even with the laws in place. It didn’t stop some people. John put his hands up in surrender.

“Easy lad. Was just offering.”

The kid gave a short nod, crossing the rest of the way to the counter. He quickly paid, gave John another glance over, and took off.

Not a minute after there was another spike.

This time, there was no trail.

Just a puddle of green liquid.

Lazarus water.

Great.

Chapter Text

Danny’s world was flooded with green.

His body pulling itself back together.

In hindsight, he should have just turned invisible and flown away, but his core was screaming at him to get out. That It wasn’t safe.

To get away.

The man’s magic smelled of sulfur.

It made Danny’s skin itch.

Unlike the ice when a ghost was near, Danny’s throat burned.

Demons.

Danny hadn’t really needed to deal with demons yet, thanks to Pandora, and he’d like to put that off a little bit more.

He was still weak.

He didn’t think he’d walk away from that fight.

He needed to run.

Before the man found out what he was.

Who he was.

Human form or not.

No one could know.

Or THEY would find him.

He can go back.

He can’t.

He can’t.

He can’t.

He has to run.

To get away.

Looking back.

Teleporting was not the best decision.

But no one makes good decisions mid panic.

It was a cruel wakeup call as Danny felt his still healing core tear as he landed in his apartment, the burning pain shooting through his chest. He was back, but everything was wrong. Black spots clouded his eyes as he fell to the floor after a few steps, letting go of the table and clock before letting out a growl. It was soon overtaken by a fit of coughs, green staining his hands as he tried to cover his mouth. He couldn’t stop the blood. Fuck. That was bad.

His head was spinning as he crawled to sit himself against the wall, coughing all the while, a trail of green following. It was like his first night here all over again.

Fuck!

He was such an idiot.

He should know better.

He did know better.

He wasn't at full power yet.

And he knew that.

But he hasn’t been all there lately.

He was a glorified blob ghost at this point.

He’d been running off instincts since he got to this city, and look where it got him.

Bound to some poor soul.

Someone got bit.

Tangled with the Bats.

Possibly internal bleeding on his apartment floor.

Definitely normal bleeding on his apartment floor.

Basically back to square one.

At least he got a clock and table out of it.

Stupid.

Stupid.

Stupid.

Jazz would be so mad at him. 

He was shivering, body aching all over as he adjusted how he sat. He couldn’t focus on anything, chills running through him as his vision blurred, head pounding. His heartbeat was skipping and running faster and faster by the second. He wanted to cry. Danny wondered, not for the first time, if he was paying for a past version of him sin’s. Or if it was just his own dumb luck?

The thought brought forth a weak laugh, followed by more coughing. And more blood.

Damn.

His head hurts.

Everything hurts.

His core felt heavy.

Danny slowly blinked.

Then blinked some more. 

Maybe he should rest a while.

Just a short nap.

And he’ll be healed in no time.

Yeah.

A nap sounds good.

Just a few minutes. 

Just a few.

A loud pounding noise woke Danny from his drifting.

What?

Who??

Heat of another being was felt through the door.

It was familiar.

Safe.

Warm. 

His core let out a desperate cry.

The apartment door was kicked open a moment later.

Oh.

Jason.

Danny’s core cried again.

Jason was at his side in seconds, his non-core rumbling in response.

“Angel! Danny! What’s wrong? What happened?” The words were low, dangerous, but filled with panic. He was radiating warmth, and Danny would be more than happy to sink in it. But  Danny could only slowly blink up at him. Why was Jason here? Oh. The dinner. The table. The man. THE MAN! Danny needed to make sure he wasn’t followed! His heart raced faster and faster as he tried to get up. Why was it so hard to breathe? Jason’s large hand came up to comfort Danny’s face as he let out a shushing sound, calming Danny’s spiral.

Danny let out a whimper.

“You’re burning up.” Jason’s voice sounded like it was going to break.

Danny couldn’t help the weak laugh he let out, words finally finding him. “Aw. You think I’m hot.”

Jason let out a sign, stroking Danny’s cheek with his thumb.

Non-core rumbling, a grounding noise. Danny couldn’t help but chirp back.

“Danny, please, tell me what happened. I don’t know where you’re hurt or how to help.” Pain laced his voice, Danny let his core cling to Jason. It was ok. He was ok.

“Needed a table. Ran into a man that smelt of demons. Had to get away.”

His brain wasn’t fully online, so he let the memories of the feelings rush the bond. It was more of a blur anyway, Danny didn’t even remember the man’s face, just the smell, the feeling of sulfur burning his throat. It wasn’t a nice heat like Jason’s, it was uncomfortable, and itched his core. The panic and need to get away. Jason tensed for a second, then returned to comforting Danny. He was so warm.

“You’re safe now. Don’t worry. I got you. I’ll patch you up.” 

Danny shook his head, pointing to his chest.

“Can’t patch this up. It has to fix itself.”

Jason looked Danny over again. Really looked him over. And froze.

“Danny. Why are you bleeding Lazarus Water?” The words made the bond taste like acid. Danny didn’t like it.

“I don’t know what that is.”

“Your blood. It’s green.” It was taking everything in Danny to focus. 

“Oh… Yeah.”

Danny was starting to nod off again.

“That’s Mom and Dad’s fault. It was an accident.”

He could rest.

“I wish they didn’t hate me.”

Jason was here now.

“Jazz did her best.”

He was safe.

“I just wanted to fix things.”

He could heal.

“Danny? Danny!”

He was just so tired.

Just a little nap.

“Damn it!”

The world faded away in a few blinks.

And then Danny was asleep.

Chapter Text

Damn it!

Damn it!

Damn it!

Jason didn’t know what he should do!

This wasn’t how the night was supposed to go.

Jason had left The manor in high spirits and a handful of wonderful food that Alfie helped him make. He had spent the afternoon cooking and chasing off his siblings and Bruce from sneaking a bite. Jason was surprised by the fast surrender and retreat from B. Dick on the other hand had been extra pouty when Jason told them none of it was for them.

“That’s not fair! How come?” He had whined as he slumped over the counter.

“Because they're for Angel.” Jason had bluntly stated, doing his best to stay level and not look at his older brother. “Not you heathens.” 

That statement had only fueled the flames.

“Who’s Angel?” Steph butted in, appearing out of nowhere.

“No one you need to worry about.” Jason dismissed as he swatted Dick’s hand way from the dessert he had on a cooling rack  before he iced it. “What are you, five?”

“But Little-wing! You never make anything this special for us!” Dick moaned. “Surely they won't mind?”

“I literally made breakfast for you, Timms, and Demon Brat this morning. What are you on?”

“It’s Different!”

“Exactly! So, not for you.”

“Angel is great! Love them! Definitely need to eat more! But a little bite won’t be missed!”

“No.”

“Pleeeeease??”

“No.”

“Master Dick, your brother is trying to do a good deed to someone in need. All while still recovering. Please refrain from adding to his stress.” Alfred chimed in with a stern tone as he walked by the doorway.

Dick slunk away from the room with a shy smile. “Sure thing, Alfie. Sorry, Jay. Let me know how it goes! Tell them I said Hi!” 

A breath of silence filled where his brother was, but not for long.

“Seriously. Who is Angel?” Steph held a confused look that was matched by Tim and Duke. Damien just glared while Cass held a very pleased look in the back.

‘Tell me later?’ She signed out of view of the others and slipped away. Jason sighed. Busted again.

“Angel is a new friend, just moved to Crime Alley. I’m trying to make them feel welcome.” Jason relented.

“Tch. I didn’t know you could make friends without stealing them.” Damien bit out, glare hardening. Damn. The brat figured it out. Thankfully, Tim hadn’t put the pieces together yet. Only time Jason was happy about his bad sleeping habits. 

“Did you and Dick meet them at the same time?” Tim tilted his head confused.

“Something like that.” Jason mumbled as he finished the food and started packing it up. “They’re scary thin, so, food. Dicky is just dramatic.”

“Tch. Well, I suppose you providing them with food is sufficient. Just try not to be a brute.” And with that, Damien was gone as well.

Jason turned to the remaining three. “What? Do I need to get permission to go out from you lot too?” He snarked.

“Are you sure it’s safe to be around new variables so soon?” Tim asked seriously. 

“I’m fine.”

“But–”

“I AM FINE.”  Jason had to take a deep breath. “I’ll call Dick if there’s a flare up. Ok?”

“... Ok. Come on Steph.” Tim conceded. 

“But I have more questions!” She whined, but followed nonetheless.

God, Jason loved his family, but they were too much at times.

Duke was all that was left, which was… awkward. The two weren’t that close. Duke being the newest addition, had the least history with him. And the least baggage. Having joined their ragtag family after Jason got his sanity mostly back and began to heal. So, him being the last to leave made Jason antsy. 

“You got something to say Narrows?”

Duke hesitated before he spoke. “Is Angel a literal Angel?”

That made Jason freeze.

“Pardon?”

“It's just… Your aura… It’s always been weird.”

“Thanks.” Jason snarked.

“Sorry. But I’m serious. It’s always been a weird greenish-black and amber color, most people are shades of yellow and orange. Now though…”

Jason stiffened up. “What? What do you see?”

“There’s white swirled in with it all. It reminds me of ice and smoke at the same time. And it is BRIGHT!” Duke cringed as if he was looking at the sun. “It almost hurts.”

Jason sighed.

He and Danny needed to have a long, detailed, chat. Jason had been putting it out too long. It was time to be a Bat. 

“Angel is a special case. I’m looking into it. Dick is helping, but we're keeping it on the down-low. You know B’s rep with Metas.”

Duke’s eye’s filled with a painful understanding. He too hadn’t been spared the pains this life brings. Jason had a quiet respect for the guy.  Duke had it extra hard being a Vigilante Meta, and one working with the Bats. He knew what Jason was implying.

“I hope it goes well for you. That white… It doesn’t look stable. Good luck.” Duke patted Jason’s shoulder as he left Jason alone in the kitchen.

After a moment. Jason let out a sigh, followed by a laugh. God. His family was something else.

“Whelp. Now or Never.” He chuckled to himself, face warming a little.

Alfred met him at his bike.

“Good Luck. Master Jason, may this young man enjoy the food and company.” A twinkle in his eyes and a supportive smile on his face.

Jason ducked his head, hiding the red of his cheeks. “Thanks Alfie.”

“Hopefully I’ll get the pleasure to meet this young man soon?”

“Heh. Hopefully. You have a good night Alfie. See you when I get back.”

“Till then Master Jason.”

Jason took off with butterflies in his stomach and determination in his eyes. He could not have been ready for what met him at Danny’s.

Jason had just locked his bike when he felt it. The feeling of his whole being ripped in half broke his stride to the stairs, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Falling to his knees and gasping for air, Jason frantically searched for the bullet wound that must have caused this pain.  He needed to stop the blood. But there was no blood. No wound.  Finding nothing kicked his brain into overdrive. 

Danny.

Something happened to Danny.

The pain was gone, replaced with the fire of the pit and the adrenaline rushing his senses. Engulfing him. He doesn’t even remember climbing the stairs, the way his lungs filled with fire and smoke , or breaking down the door. He just remembers the cry, and how desperate it sounded. The image of Danny slumped against the wall, covered in his own blood will be burned into his brain forever. The smell of iron and chemicals in the air.

Danny let out that cry again.

Jason was at his side in seconds, his chest rumbling in response to the bond.

“Angel! Danny! What’s wrong? What happened?” He spoke low, not able to hide the panic in his voice. Danny himself was starting to panic, Jason needed to get them both to calm down. Jason’s large hand came up to comfort Danny’s face as he let out a shushing sound. For the first time since meeting him, Danny was warm to the touch.

Danny let out a whimper.

“You’re burning up.” Jason’s voice sounded like it was going to break. He felt like he might break as well.

Danny let out a  weak laugh, words finally finding him. “Aw. You think I’m hot.”

Damn it.

Jason let out a sign, stroking Danny’s cheek with his thumb.

Focusing he let out a  rumbling through the bond, trying to be a grounding noise. Danny let out a weak and pained  chirp back.

“Danny, please, tell me what happened. I don’t know where you’re hurt or how to help.” Pain laced his voice, this was going to kill him, he knew it. Danny’s cool was weakly clinging to Jason. He can fix this. Ok. He was going to be ok. He had to be. Jason needed him to be.

“Needed a table. Ran into a man that smelt of demons. Had to get away.”

Demons?

Hadn’t Constantine mentioned something about them to B before? Damn it. He can’t remember. Was that part of what was going on with him? Was he… Was he the reason this happened to Danny? Could they tell Danny was bonded to him? What did they want?

Feelings rush the bond. It was more of a blur if anything, nothing about the man’s face, just the smell, the feeling of sulfur burning his throat. It wasn’t a nice heat, it was uncomfortable, and it itched, making his skin crawl. The panic and need to get away. Jason tensed for a second, then returned to comforting Danny. He was still too warm.

“You’re safe now. Don’t worry. I got you. I’ll patch you up.” Danny helped him, now it was Jason’s turn. He just needed to see where the blood was coming from.

But Danny just shook his head, pointing to his chest. Voice barely audible. 

“Can’t patch this up. It has to fix itself.”

 Fuck.

Jason was screwed. 

Jason looked Danny over again. Really looked him over. Trying to find something he could do to help. And froze.

Green.

“Danny. Why are you bleeding Lazarus Water?” The words tasted like acid.

So much green.

Jason wanted to vomit.

“I don’t know what that is.” It was weak, but it was honest, the bond made that clear.

Fuck.

Fuck. 

Fuck.

“Your blood. It’s green.” This was a nightmare. But it made sense! The healing. The bond. It was literally in Danny's blood!

And Danny.

Poor Danny. The victim of all this bullshit. It was taking everything in Danny just to focus. 

“Oh… Yeah.”

Danny was starting to nod off. Shit.

“That’s Mom and Dad’s fault. It was an accident.”

Of course those abusive shits are behind this, they must have truly been mad scientists, on the brink of villainy. And Danny was their first victim. Accident his ass.

“I wish they didn’t hate me.”

Jason’s heart broke. 

He was going to find them.

And he was going to kill them.

But that’s for later.

He needs to help the Danny of the now before avenging the Danny of the past.

“Jazz did her best.”

The sister.

Was she alive?

Where is she?

Later.

That can be dealt with later.

“I just wanted to fix things.”

Now Jason's heart was shattered.

Danny really was too good.

He didn’t deserve this.

Jason was so stuck in his head, he noticed too late how far Danny was drifting. That his eyes stopped opening, and his breath was shallow. Jason was just Stuck. Too stuck in his head, frozen in place. He broke out of it at the realization.

“Danny? Danny!” It was desperate, but a little too late. “Damn it!”

He needed to fix this. Make sure Danny could heal. Danny had said he would heal himself, and Jason had to work off that logic. He had to do what he could.

First thing first, Clean the blood, make sure that there really was no external bleeding. After a fast raid, Jason found a first aid kit and some cleaner, along with a fresh pair of clothes for Danny.

Jason braced himself, switching fully into bat-mode, and began to work. First cleaning what he could off of Danny before removing his clothes. First was the sweatpants, the boxers staying on obviously, Jason was fast and respectful. Next was the shirt. This however, brought Jason to a halt. 

What greeted him was a Y-shaped scar.

It almost mirrored Jason’s own.

Quickly he put the new shirt on Danny to cover it.

But it was too late.

Jason felt his lungs fill with fire. His eyes burned.

The Green that was riming his vision this whole time had now engulfed this vision.

It was blocking out his mind.

He felt nothing but the Blaze.

He fell in the pool of the abyss. 

And it was just green and black.

When Jason came to, he found himself in the middle of a makeshift nest on Danny’s floor, which was now spotless. Not a sight of Green or the cleaner in sight. The food he brought was on the counter. Danny lay next to him, cuddling his side, in clean clothes he had dressed him in and a hoodie that definitely belonged to Jason, and that Jason had definitely thought Dick stole. His hair looked as if it had been washed and brushed, still having some dampness to it. Danny was still asleep, and Jason's attempt to wake him proved unsuccessful, but his breathing was a lot more even. So that was a good sign. Jason himself was also clean, but definitely still wearing what he arrived in. Jason opted to lay back down with a weak laugh.

“Heh. First fit of pit madness that I ever power cleaned… Damn.”

He checked the time.

Two hours passed.

Shit.

He hadn’t blacked out like that in a while.

At least he hadn’t killed anyone.

And after going through his messages, it was safe to say he hadn't said anything stupid in that time frame either.

He just… cleaned Danny’s apartment.

And made this nest thing…

Danny shifted closer to Jason, letting out a chirp in his sleep.

Jason signed as he began to run his hand through Danny's hair, scrolling down to find who he was looking for.

He watched Danny’s eyelashes flutter in his sleep, solidifying his decision.

He dialed the number.

“Hey, Raven. It’s Hood. I need all that you know on how to kill a demon. Permanently.”

Chapter Text

...

‘We’ll await your return. Now. Time to wake little king. He needs you star child.’

-

Danny was warm.

Not an unpleasant heat, with sweat and the sticky grossness of a fever. But more like the feeling of hot chocolate after playing in the snow all day as a kid. Snuggled in a blanket and clean PJs on the couch, wet snow gear long discarded. It was comforting and soft. Like a hazy, incomplete transition from dreaming to wakefulness. But he has no memory of the dream. Filled with a slight lingering sensation of something being there, something he forgot, a voice in the back of his head.  Leaving  him with a sense of vagueness and a little disoriented.  His mind still caught in the dream without access to its secrets. 

Danny shifted closer to the source of the heat.

A new sensation met him.

The start of light touch gently scratching his scalp and fingers slowly running through his hair in a lazy pattern began. It was hypnotic, lulling Danny away from waking,  bringing out a sigh from Danny. The gentle fingers brushed his cheek as Danny let himself drown in the soft warmth, snuggling into something firm but comfortable. His core purred as his senses filled with the smell of cinnamon. 

He was met with a strong rumble and a quiet chuckle.

“You’re going to be the death of me Angel. What am I going to do with you?”

Danny blinks.

And blinks again.

Slowly, Danny turns up from his warm pillow to see Jason’s worried but smiling face. 

It took his still sleepy mind longer than Danny would like to admit to realize that Jason WAS his pillow.

But as soon as the dots connected Danny let out a squawk, flinging himself to sit up and give some space. Only, for some reason, his body refused to work. Jason’s quick action to catch him is the only reason he didn’t hurt himself more.

But… 

Why WAS he hurt?

Yes he was still healing.

But this felt like the first day he got to this city.

He remembers agreeing to dinner with Jason.

And taking a nap to sleep off the rest of the fear gas.

But…

Then what? 

When did Jason get here?

And… 

They’re... on the floor?

In a … oh.

Oh no.

“Sorry.” Danny squeaked out. He can’t believe this is happening. His ghost nature has bleed over to Jason now. And it had the poor guy make a NEST! Jason has no idea what it means to make someone a nest! Danny barely knows!! And he’s still embarrassed of the one HE made for Jason. If it wasn’t for the weird bond, it would not have happened.  It’s only for family and those close to one’s core. Not people you have known for less than a month. Damn ghost instincts. 

Danny felt himself spiraling.

“Shh.” Jason’s voice was grounding, as was his hold on Danny. “It’s ok.”

Slowly, he helps Danny sit up more, grabbing a round and propping Danny up with a pillow. After making sure Danny was secure and not going to fall over, Jason gets up and heads to the kitchenette. Some clanking around and a microwave beep later, Jason returns with some food. Slowly, he hands Danny his plate, and the sudden reminder that he doesn’t have a table fills Danny with embarrassment. He takes the food, looking anywhere but Jason, scanning the room like he’s never seen it before.

“T-Thanks! Sorry I don’t… have… a table…”

There, as if mocking him, was a coffee table adorned with an old standing clock.

The clock said it was later than even Danny thought.

Danny just stares at it.

What.

The.

Hell.

He KNOWS that wasn’t there before.

Danny was missing something.

“We need to have a talk.” Jason’s sudden serious and almost harsh tone felt like a bucket of ice water.

Danny finally met his eyes, and FUCK, they’re full of so much rage and pain.

Danny is DEFINITELY missing something.

“I–”

“You eat. I'll talk.”

That shup Danny right up. He needed to know what was going on, or he’d just look like more of a fool than he was feeling like right now. He nodded and took a bite of the food. Shit. how was he supposed to pay attention when the food was this good? Whatever Jason was worried about, Danny will fix it all if he can have this food forever.

A long pause is followed, only ending with a sigh from Jason.

“First, you don’t remember anything about the time between when I dropped you off and when you woke up, do you?” He was watching Danny like a hawk, reading every little movement, looking for what? Danny didn’t know. But the words he spoke left him in shock. He just took a nap, didn’t he? Jason arrived and moved him to a nest. Right?

His silence seemed to be the answer Jason was expecting.

“I talked with a friend, don’t worry, I didn't share anything personal. Just getting a second opinion.” His voice was steady, and Danny believed him. “She’s a sort of… expert. She warned me memory loss was common when someone has a surprise visit from a Demon.”

Danny stopped eating.

A Demon?!

A Demon found him??!

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Pandora had warned him that Demons were a tricky bunch of bastards.

But she had ensured that their magic could not steal his memory.

Was he really in such poor condition?

Or had something else happened?

Danny’s head hurt.

He knew he was missing something.

But he can’t tell Jason that.

Whatever happened, it clearly shook him. Jason wore his emotions on his sleeve, even if they didn’t have the bond, Danny can see it all on his face. A deep, overwhelming sadness swam in his eyes, but was masked with that toxic green rage that felt like boiling oil. The bond was filled with a feeling of physical aches and fire, as if his heart was literally being ripped apart.  The bond itself felt like a rubber band being stretched to the point right before snapping. Heat melting a weak cold. It was also clear Jason was fighting himself about whatever was going on. Closing his eyes before he spoke again.

“There are a lot of things unknown right now. You were hurt. Badly. And I couldn’t do anything. I was too late. It’s like I’m blind walking in the dark when it comes to you. Your powers, the bond, your history. You’ve just been giving half truths. I want to help. I care about you, we all do. I’ll do whatever I can and then some, but you have to stop being the biggest of those unknowns.” Jason opened his eyes again. They burned him down to his core. “Please Danny.”

Danny’s stomach drops, losing all appetite he had.

He shouldn’t.

He can’t.

He can’t show his whole hand.

He has to have an out.

He should run.

But…

His core feels like it’s about to shatter, and Jason is the only reason it’s holding together. It's engulfing him in all the words unspoken, the raw emotions. Like an open wound that was dunked in salt and acid.

Putting his food to the side, Danny slowly reaches out his hand.

Jason doesn’t hesitate to take it.

Danny puts  his other hand on top.

He has to trust Jason.

He can’t stop himself.

This man was going to destroy him.

Danny can’t find it in him to care.

His voice comes out on its own.

“I’m not fully human, not anymore. I wasn’t born this way. I’m running from my parents and the government who don’t see me as sentient. They wont stop till there’s not a particle left of me. My friends and sister helped me get out. I can't go back for them for their own safety. I miss them so much it hurts. My power source is severely damaged and I could disappear if it gets worse. I’m half dead and getting closer to fully dead than I’d like. I’m so scared. I don’t remember anything from today. I just… I just don’t know what to do.”

The word vomit came out without a pause once he got started. As did the tears. Danny was so tired. Tired of being tired. Jason said he’d help. Shit. Danny doesn’t think he can. But the thought was nice. And it was enough to get him to open up. Eventually the words stopped and it was just tears.

It took a while for Danny to realize that Jason had come down to the floor and was holding Danny in a fierce hug as Danny let out all the pain and grief that had been building inside him. All the things, new and old, that he’d hidden behind a lazy smile and sass. He cried till he couldn’t anymore. 

And Jason held him the whole time, with firm arms and soft words.

The hand came back to his hair. 

 Danny hiccups.

Out of tears. 

“I’m so sorry, Angel. I swore I wouldn’t be like him. I swore it. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for it to go like this. I’m so sorry.” Jason sounded so small, holding Danny like he’d disappear if he loosened his grip even just a little. “I’ll take care of you. I’ll protect you. I’ll do whatever I can to fix this. I’m so sorry.”

Danny could only nod into his chest, clinging to Jason just as desperately. 

They sat there in silence, just the bond reattaching and rewrapping them over and over again. 

They’d figure it out.

They were going to be ok.

Jason’s phone began to blow up, shaking them from their moment.

Jason skimmed the screen before letting out a sigh.

“I have a family meeting to go to, but when I get back, I’m taking care of you.” Jason breathes into Danny’s hair. “Got that?”

Danny just nods, but makes no move to let go. 

He’s just… so tired.

Jason lets out a weak laugh.

Prying himself from Danny, Jason gets up and collects himself to leave, returning to Danny to say goodbye.

“I’ll be back before you know it.”

Danny nods again.

Jason shakes his head before he turns to leave, stopping for a moment before turning back again.

Before Danny can react, Jason leans down and kisses his forehead.

Danny feels the blush immediately.

“It’s a promise.” Jason says with a proud smirk.

“Ok.” Danny replies still in shock.

Jason ruffles Danny’s hair with a laugh, a smile still on his face when he leaves.

Danny just stares at the now closed door, face burning in an icy heat.

“Ok.”

Chapter Text

Jason was mad.

 A small part of him, that ever present bat part, realized how reckless he was driving as he approached the cave. His head was in a fog, filled with green fire, brain looping the broken look trapped behind ice colored eyes. Jason wanted blood, but he needed to fix whatever magic bullshit he dragged Danny into before he could properly hunt down those who dared hurt him and deal with them permanently. Hopefully getting his sister and friends out of whatever situation this was as well. But first, it appeared the dead and demonic needed to be handled. 

Like before, Jason skid to a stop. However, this time had no joy in it, only determination.

Everyone was on edge.

The air was thick. Filled with a feeling of strained nervousness, uncomfortable for his family of onlookers. The air was the worst around the Hellblazer. It felt like a fire as he nervously paced, mumbling into a flash before deciding against drinking. The glare B had sent probably had something to do with that. 

That fire always felt familiar.

It was in the smell, a haunting feeling burning his throat, it itched, it burned, forced his skin to crawl. He always felt it in the back of his throat around the man.

Jason rarely dealt with Constantine, preferring to get any magic advice from Raven. But, the con-man was B’s connection for a reason. So Jason endured. 

Today though.

Today Jason was relying on a fishing bowie to stay above water.

Having a physically violent response as a reflex was nothing new to Jason. Nor to anyone in his family. So, forgive him if no one thought to stop him as he strutted up to John and full on decked him. It sent the man to the ground easily, given he wasn’t expecting it. He’s not sure why he did it. Something deep in him told him it was the right thing. Deep, twisted in the bond, and Jason felt some of the green subsided. 

“Now I feel a bit better.”

“HOOD!”

“HOOD STAND DOWN!”

Everyone was standing in a half circle, watching him, prepped to pounce. Dick nervously looked between him and B, who was now locked in on Jason. Jason for his part tried not to take it personally. He was in one of his moods, not even he could promise how he’d react to anything. Still, he forced a relaxed stance, both hands up in surrender. Taking a page from Dickie and going for lighthearted.

“Relax. I just got the one in me.”

“OW!!! Shit! Bollocks! Are you pissed out yer Fockin Mind?”

“Maybe. But you can't say it wasn’t deserved. I almost Died. Again.”

Jason shrugged nonchalantly at Bruce when a surprised noise came from him. It was almost impossible to hear, but some things about his Da- Bruce Jason learned since he was little. Guess he should have mentioned the bullet wound beforehand. But no one was honest in this family when they got hurt. Oh well, stones and glasshouses. 

Constantine stood and decided to take that drink after all. After a few gulps and a heavy sigh, turned to Jason. His face was already purpling.

“Not Fockin possible mate.”

Everyone froze.

The grunt to his side made it obvious that B was clearly not happy.

“Explain.”

Another deep sigh left the British man before he spoke.

“I’ve been staying out of it, since it wasn’t my business. But, since you clearly don’t know, I don’t have a choice.”

Reluctantly, John turned to B, as if trying to make a last ditch effort to not have to say anything. The pause was defining. But Bruce didn’t give the man an out, so he finished his thought.

“Hood is a Revenant. And a special one on that.”

The world stopped.

What?

“What?”

 It came out more like a whisper than a question.

Constantine looked at him with so much pity, like he was seeing into his soul. Jason hated it.

“Revenants are said to rise from the dead to avenge some terrible crime that was committed against them, if it’s to be taken at face value, most likely a murder. Nasty stuff, and not really small-talk material.” He said, answering the unasked question. “Didn’t think it was my place to bring it up. Now though, we’re in a situation where we need to.”

“What do you mean?” Thank god Tim spoke up. The words in Jason's brain just couldn’t connect. Constantine was right on the money. Jason had come back with only one thing on his mind, what left of it he had. It was a war to get to where he was now.

“Everyone has a core dormant in their soul. When they die, whether or not they stay dead, their core activates. Most are weak and don’t affect them if resurrected. However, Revenants have extreme emotions that empower their core in the production of Spirit Force. Revenants are one of the only types of undead that can keep their soul together purely on their own. Jason here got a few boost to boat. One from the Lazarus Pit, the other from being a Death Knight. Though his powers are dormant at the moment, I'm unclear as to why.”

“Whoah, Whoah, Whoah! A what now? Jason seems pretty alive to me!” Steph blurted out in confusion. Jason couldn’t help but echo the sentiment. He knew he came back wrong. But he still came back. This was a lot of ‘death’ getting dumped on him. And that’s really what this all felt like, like it was all getting dumped on him.

“You can still be alive and counted as the ‘undead’. Angels and Demons also fall under ‘undead’ even if they have never died. It’s just the best term we have.” John explained. “ I too count under that term.”  Exhaustion in his voice, he clearly just wanted to get this over with. 

“A Death Knight is a mighty undead warrior created or chosen by a god of death.” His gaze steeled. “They are chosen to be leaders of undead forces, True Knights are destined to serve as the second-in-command of the death god. This is what I believe why Hood is so affected by what has been happening with the Ghost King. I can tell now that I’m seeing it in person.”

This can’t be happening.

No.

No.

No.

“He is the Ghost King's True Knight.”

He can be anyone’s anything.

The pit’s scream.

He’s Danny’s.

No one else's. 

No one’s.

No.

No.

No.

“I can’t.” Was all Jason could get out with strangle air. Dick was now next to him, not touching, but there for support if it was needed. Jason appreciated his big brother so much at that moment. He felt so lost. He doesn’t know what to feel.

The pity was back in the Hellblazer’s eyes. Jason should punch him again.

“This is all distressing information.” B, ever tactful, interjected. “But what good does it do? What’s really going on?”

John took another swig. Humming to himself before answering.

“The Ghost King is a Deathwalker turned god.”

“That clears up nothing.” Damien bit out. Jason was glad he wasn’t the only one at the end of his rope.

“Let me clarify.  A Deathwalker, or Halfa, is the rarest of undead, but the most powerful. Only three have ever been seen, and only one true Halfa has ever been recorded, and you can guess who that is. It is believed that in the moment of their death they had enough power to fight off the reaper. They bond with the afterlife and reclaimed their body and life in the process. A balance between life and death. His core being cracked destroys that balance, and the beings of the afterlife will bleed into the land of the living. Likewise, whole towns can be sucked into the land of the dead.”

Tim’s eyes lit up like he just connected a dot. “That’s why you and Raven were in the Midwest. Right? That town that up and vanished along with a whole government organization?”

“Correct.”

Jason’s brain finally found some footing.

“Demons are in Gotham.”

For once, John seemed to be caught off guard. Eyes wide in a panic. Jason knew the man had history with them, it was just always interesting to see how far it went.

“How do you know?” The British man was hesitant in his question, like he really didn’t want to add another thing to his plate. Whelp. Too bad fuckface. This is what he gets for the info dump.

“How do you think I know?”

His breath felt like it was filling with smoke. It was all too much. The ghost king, the weak barrier, the demons. He’s just so angry. So tired. He just wants it to stop. Just a moment. Just so he can lay down next to Danny. To listen to him talk about space  and weird inventions and weird swears that Jason would never have chosen. But, when did Jason ever get what he wanted. He didn’t get to graduate. To live out his teens. Didn’t get avenged. Doesn’t get to have peace. At the least, he can fight to protect what was important to him. so , out with the smoke he breathes.

John got the memo.

“Demons are in Gotham.”

A final swig.

“Damn it.”

Tim chimed in with some brevity. 

“Raven will be there in three days. She’s wrapping stuff up in the Midwest. But afterwards, we’ll have her full attention. And we can formulate a plan after we all recon and regroup.”

Everyone agreed in their own way, and with that, they began to break apart. Those who had night shift bid the rest adieu. John stayed to talk more with Bruce.

On their way out, Dick and Jason share a look.

Jason quietly leaned over as he got on his bike.

“Danny is in trouble. We’ll have to move him.”

“You sure, Jay? This has been a lot...”

“Dickie. I haven’t been more sure in my life.”

“Ok. Little wing. I trust you. I’ll be there. Just let me know when.”

“Thanks, Big bird.”

He had to protect Danny.

He had to.

Chapter Text

“I can’t let you remember, Little King. The stress will shatter your core.”

“We will handle the humans in the Realm, you must heal and awaken your knight.”

“The demons will not lay claim to the world.”

“Good luck. He awaits you.”

-

Danny’s nose filled with the scent of cinnamon as he woke from a sudden weight on his chest.

Danny knew from the warmth it was Jason.

He wasn’t sure when he fell asleep again, but if he could hazard a guess, he’d say it was right after he ate all the food that Jason brought. Along with the rest of the food in his apartment. Frostbite had warned him once that his metabolism would kick up as well as the need to sleep if his healing didn’t have enough Ecto to feed on. Danny just never was in that situation before all this. He really should have paid more attention. The hunger was still present. 

Blinking the sleep away once again, Danny directed his focus to the weight on his chest.

A low warm rumble soothed his core with the rise and fall of settled breathing from the larger body cuddling him. He could tell Jason wasn't asleep, and judging by the light under-scent of gasoline, had probably not been here long. A head of black hair with white greeted Danny's vision, tickling his chin. Danny reached his hand up to smooth the hair down a little. The movement stirred his makeshift weighted blanket, causing the larger man to shift, letting out a sigh, before readjusting his hold on Danny and tucking more into his chest. The warmth flooding the bond once more in a happy purr.

The response from Jason’s not-core eased the hunger.

Only a little.

‘We are so fucked.’ Danny thought with a light humorless chuckle, carding his hand through Jason’s hair.

And he meant it.

He was unstable, Core re-damaged and bleeding internally, fueling the bottomless hunger he had been feeling since his memory loss. He had to keep healing. If unchecked, Danny could devour the whole east coast in an instance. It was the cost of his parents' sins. Clockwork had explained to Danny a few times that he was different, even for a Halfa, even before becoming the Ghost King. He was THE balance.  A new aged death god. A young god, sure, but a god nonetheless. And no amount of denial or  vivisection could change that. But he was still hurt. He needed Ecto, and while Gotham had plenty in the air to sustain him, it would not be enough to heal him. Not really. 

He could eat.

But the amount of food it would take was way out of budget for him.

He could feed off of emotions, but they would have to be strong.

And not any of that artificial stuff.

He could filter cycle his own Ecto through the bond, but who knows what that would do to Jason.

It was too risky with his not core.

That toxic rage could kill them both.

And going to the Realms was still out of the question.

So, yeah.

They we’re fucked.

And Jason didn’t even know.

Jason. 

Who, along with his brothers, had taken him into their folds and taken care of him. He would forever be grateful.

Jason.

Who he had bonded to.

Who was now HIS.

Jason.

Who he just couldn’t get a read on what their relationship was. Danny would say Friends, but that wasn’t quite right. Not with the other man holding Danny currently like he was the only place the man found peace. Like he alone made the world quiet, if just for a moment. A month ago, strangers. And Danny, still playing with his hair. No. Friends wasn’t right.

This was deeper.

Deep in his core.

And way before they met on the roof that night.

It itches at the back of his mind.

A forgotten lesson.

A passing memory.

Gone with no way to recover.

Danny was getting irritated.

Jason must have felt Danny’s mood shift through the bond, because he slowly sat up, breaking Danny from his thoughts.

“Hey Angel.” He spoke gently, tenderness in his voice.

“Hey.” Danny sat up as well, leaning onto Jason’s shoulder for support. “How did the meeting with your family go?”

Jason just let out a sigh. “Not the best. Shits getting messy. We’re both in the dark and on an unknown time limit.” He let out a dry laugh. “All in the joys of ‘hero work’ right?”

Danny shifted nervously. 

“Do… Do you want me to help?” It came out a lot weaker than Danny would have liked.

“What?”

“Do you want me to help? Or, rather, do you need me to help?”

“Danny… No… you don’t have to… no. You’re hurt. And this is something we can handle. I…” Jason seemed to think for a moment. “I was just bitching. I don’t really approve of who we’re teaming up with.”

He fully turned to look Danny in the eye.

“You don’t need to feel like you need to help. Just focus on getting better.”

“But-”

“No ‘buts’, even if we needed the help, you really think Timmy or Dami would let you go into danger with the condition you’re in?” Jason spoke with a hint of smugness. A small part Danny wanted to do it just to show him! But even he knew that would only head to more disaster. He can only afford oh so many bad ideas in a row.

“Alright.” He surrenders, climbing more into Jason’s space, till he’s comfortably sitting between his legs. Jason shifts a little, but doesn’t protest. “So, what’s the plan now?” Danny muses, finally resting his face in Jason’s neck. It dulls the hunger just a bit more.

Jason clears his throat before speaking.

“Well, I need to move safe houses. I’ve been ‘placed on intel and strategics’, which is B for ‘I don’t want you by the action but know i can’t bench you’. He means well, but some times I wanna…” Jason doesn’t finish the thought, shaking it away and moving on. “Anyway, it’s basically Hero deskwork at this point. That being said, I can work on my own focuses as well during this time. Let’s not forget my men are planning a raid soon.”

Danny’s attention snapped to attention at that.

“Now that, that I could use some help in planning. Think you could handle it?” Jason’s question had a playful tone to it, much like how it was when they first met. Danny was realizing it meant he was asking more as Hood then as Jason. The hunger dulled more.

“Sure thing Big Guy.”

“Now, we’d have to stay at my new place, since B will want to be able to contact me. Think you can handle a roommate?” Danny could feel the muscles on Jason’s face pulling into a smirk.

“As long as you cook, I think I’ll manage.” Danny matched his smirk, leaning away from Jason so he could look him in the eye.

“Good.” Jason said, a weight seemingly lifting. “Good.” He pulled Danny into a hug.

They stayed like that for a while.

Danny wished it was longer.

Eventually, Jason had to get up.

“I’ll text Dick to come help me move you into the new place. Hopefully he’ll be free.”

Danny just nodded.

Jason let out a sigh.

Gently, he helped Danny up on the couch. Once he was secure, Jason got to putting the ‘nest’ away.Danny would not admit it made his core a little sad, he refused.

By the time Jason was done, Dick had called back saying he was on his way.

“We’ll get through this Angel.” Jason said as he pressed a kiss onto Danny’s head.

“I hope so, Big Guy.” Danny said with pink cheeks and ears. “ I hope so.”

Chapter Text

Getting Dick to help them move was a mistake.

Jason had wanted to subtly move Danny into the new place, just grabbing what Danny was comfortable with taking, and maybe then getting the rest at a later date.

But nooooo.

Dick had other plans.

He was very enthusiastic, making sure that they grabbed EVERYTHING from Danny’s place in one go. He was always asking where Danny wanted it all to go. Despite Danny saying that he didn’t want to take over Jason’s new living space. Little did he know that Dick and Jason had picked out a place specifically for there to be more than enough room for what little Danny actually owned AND all the shit Jason had there already as well as room for new stuff. Jason just felt that the stress may be too much on Danny’s body.

So, Dick called in back up.

Now, Dick, Harley, and Jason are fighting about what new home decorations they should get as they move Danny’s mattress into his new room. Dick had offered to buy him a new one, but Danny refused to part with anything he had actually bought. Jason was actually surprised how hard Danny fought to keep the toaster oven, even though Jason distinctly remembers a rant about how toast is the work of an evil god by the shorter man. 

Dick learned quickly to just grab everything not nailed down.

Harley happily followed suit.

Between them all, they somehow got it all to the new place in one trip. Danny had worried about breaking the lease, but Jason told him he’d taken care of that. And he had! It was now in the process of becoming a safehouse for the future. Somewhere Danny would be familiar with if he needed to run from the new place for any reason. Jason already owned the building, now it was just a matter of getting the room under his name and on the screening list for Babs to secure. Besides, calming Danny’s anxiety made the move go smoother in the long run.

And it was needed.

Since Danny was still hurt, all the heavy lifting went to the rest of them. 

Danny had brought in all his clothes, and was putting them in the closet he now had, delegating his dresser to side table status. The loveseat, coffee table, and clock had joined a lone recliner that was in the living room, leftover from the one time Jason had stayed here before. The minifridge, coffee maker, and toaster oven were in the kitchen, by the island it had. Out of the way of the three fighting to angle the mattress so it could fit down the hall into the room. Ivy watched on, idly chatting with Danny as he put his clothes away. At some point, the mattress was set down, Dick and Harl aggressively jestering at each other. Jason felt a headache coming on, but this was better than the alternative. Quietly spiralling about everything he’d learned from Constantine. 

He didn’t want to think about any of it.

What it meant for him.

What it meant for DANNY.

None of it.

No.

This was better.

“I will not let my lil muffin take anymore interior design advice from the man who made DISCOWING!”

“There was nothing wrong with Disco Wing! It was a STATEMENT.”

“Ya, STATIN’ you have nunin’ in the taste department!”

Jason let out a snort. Earning both of their heads to snap to him.

“Jaybird~”

“JellyBean~”

That always spelled trouble.

“Nope! If I had a say, we wouldn’t do any of it. Keep me out of it.”

Jason put his hands up, deciding to lean against a wall and wait for them to finish. They pick up where they left off easy enough. It’s about this time, does Jason tune into Danny and Ivy’s convo. He was just catching the end of it apparently. 

Danny had mentioned before that his friend Sam was a big fan.

Save the Ecosystem.

All that jazz.

So, he knew his stuff well enough.

Clearly, at least from where Jason was standing, Ivy took a liking to him.

“Recognizing environmental problems is the first step to solving them.” Danny said with a shrug. “That’s what Sam always said.”

Ivy hummed along in an approving way.

“One moment, Little Sprout, I’d like you to have something.”

That grabbed Jason’s full attention from his brother and Harl. Turning, he see’s Ivy digging around in her bag before presenting it to Danny. Jason felt himself make a face. A cold shock was felt through the bond, not quite panic but not quite sadness. He was still getting used to reading the feelings connected to the sensations. Jason walks over to Danny’s side to get a better look, gently bumping the shorter man in greeting. The bond rumbles from him, letting Danny relax a little. 

Ivy had handed Danny a small tree-like plant with little plump leaves and a stem that looked like wood. Danny looked shocked, he had just frozen up as he carefully held his gift.

Jason wasn’t going to ask where it came from. He knew better.

“I love the Jade plant. It’s almost like a cute little good-luck charm.” Ivy spoke warmly. “It’s also a great low maintenance plant for beginners. It can tolerate a wide range of conditions. In particular, it's known for its tolerance to the cold.”

A knowing look was shot Danny’s way, Jason rolled his eyes, but he was ignored.

“ You just need to water it  when the top of the soil is dry to the touch.”

“I think I can handle that.” Danny’s soft voice held something that Jason couldn’t place. Tears threatened to spill from his glassy eyes.

Ivy’s face softens, gently patting Danny on the head. Jason’s blood boils, he can’t help it, he knew it didn’t mean anything. But he still felt the jealousy burn in him.

Jason speaks up, cutting off whatever Ivy was going to say. “Ives, if that thing mutates and it eats Danny, I’m uninviting you two and Salena from thanksgiving. And you’d be the one to explain it to her.”

“NOOOOOOO!!!!! Danny is my lil Muffin!! Also! Also! Also! Ives! Not thanksgiving!!!! Babe!! I can’t handle an upset Salena!!! She gets nasty! Like no otha’!! I can’t” Harley had abandoned Dick to drape herself over Ivy, saving her from Jason’s, admittedly, weak bluff. 

“Relax, Harl. Bird boy is barking up the wrong tree. That’s a 100% safe plant for Danny to have. It won't hurt him. I promise.” Ivy confidently assured them all.

Danny seemed to compose himself.

“Thank you.” he said with a little nod. “ I Will Treasure It. ”

Jason snapped his spine straight to attention. No one else seems to have as direct of a response to Danny's voice, but Ivy held her head high and Harley looked as though Christmas came early. Jason chanced a glance at Dick. He held that tight fake smile, like he saw thinking, but didn’t want anyone to know yet. A subtle thing that only he and Alfred could ever see. So, Jason would let it go for now.

“Alright. Alright. Enough mushy stuff. We got shit to do.” Jason let out a huff.

“Sure thing, Big Guy.”

The sad smile Danny gave him as he cradled the plant made Jason break a little bit more on the inside.

He’d free them from the Ghost King.

He’d keep Danny safe.

That was a promise.

Chapter Text

A full soul-bond is the purest way one being can know another.

Most never are bonded in such ways.

Friends and kin will never leave a true Full-bond.

To have one since the development of your core… 

I do believe you will find yours soon.

-

-

-

Danny blinks away the fleeting call of sleep as the stronger call of the smell of coffee and French toast summon him from his bed. A hint of cinnamon filling the air all around him. Danny’s head felt floaty, and his core wanted to cry out. But interested, it swirled inward, like a sickening hunger pain. Danny felt his teeth elongate as his mouth watered.

He.

Was.

Just.

So.

Hungry.

The food smelt good.

But…

It was the smell of something else that had Danny’s attention.

Iron.

Cinnamon.

Jason.

A cold shock suddenly went up his spine, and instantly Danny was sober. 

Quickly, Danny ducks into the bathroom to pull himself together. Splashing his face, Danny assesses himself.  

Danny was exhausted. Pains ached throughout his body, leaving him feeling heavier than usual. His vision was never truly focused, blinking more than normal. His skin was more sickly pale than he’d ever been, eyes dark, sunken and tired. His hair was all over, unkept and sticking to his neck. The word Danny once described himself as 'rough' now felt too weak of a word. He was falling apart. He knew it. Gently leaning his head against the mirror to ground himself, he let out a sigh. He can’t let Jason worry more. He’d find a way to fix this. He had to. Baby steps Danny. Baby steps. He’s the Ghost King Phantom. He can handle a little core crack. No problem. Baby steps.

Shower first.

Danny finished cleaning himself up and braced himself to be strong.

The kitchen was drowning in the aroma of breakfast and the earthy smell of fresh coffee. The table looked as though it was ripped right out of a commercial with how perfectly it looked. Jason was picturesque as well. Freshly washed hair slicked back with water, T-shirt slightly clinging to his body. A soft look in his eyes as he hummed to himself while cutting fruit. Danny felt how relaxed he was through the bond, and he wanted to melt in it.

Without noticing or really knowing what he was doing, Danny just walked up behind Jason and rested his head between his shoulders, using the larger man to support his weight. He didn’t even notice that Jason froze for a moment before sending a greeting through the bond and continued on with his task.

Danny just drank it all up.

The hunger didn’t hurt as much. 

And Danny was completely content in Jason’s warmth.

Sadly it couldn’t last forever.

Jason had finished with the fruit, and Danny had to move to the table like a normal human being who didn’t need to be held together with a soul-bond with a not-ghost.

Jason just chuckled and ruffled Danny’s hair before plaiting his food.

Danny for his part devoured everything, ensuring that there wouldn’t even be the notion of leftovers. Danny let himself drift in his own world when he ate, the headache that had begun to form now slowly fading. Jason ate his fill, then just contently drank his coffee as he watched Danny finish a meal for six. Though, Jason seemed to be expecting Danny’s appetite to be extravagant. The contentment just rolled off of Jason in waves as the two sat in silence. Almost preening by the time Danny was done.

Even if the hunger was still there.

Danny didn’t feel as Hungry.

So he took it as a win.

They both helped in the clean up, though Jason didn’t let Danny do anything too strenuous. Normally Danny would complain and retaliate, but they both knew that he was in no position or condition for that. As he took his place next to Jason, the larger man lightly bumped their shoulders together, a staple of the larger man, once again sending Danny that gentle smile he seems to always have for him. Danny let his core expand and wrap around Jason. His core and Jason's not-core synced in rhythm as they worked. Danny's core felt comfort in the soothing warmth, purring and chirping as he cleaned what was in front of him. Jason’s own rumbles and chirps calling back made Danny feel fuzzy all in his core. He never had this with anyone. Not Jazz, not Sam or Tucker. Nor any of the other ghosts, and especially after he became the Ghost King. It was a closeness he didn’t have words for. It thrilled him. It scared him even more.

Danny didn’t realize he’d zoned out until Jason broke him from his trance.

"So," Jason started as he cleared his throat, a little nervous, "If you're feeling up to it, and only if you're up to it, maybe we can start to look over the plans for the raids?”

“I’ll be ok, Big Guy. I'll take it easy if I need to." Danny spoke softly, with a reassuring smile. Jason didn't need to know how bad Danny was truly doing right now. He didn’t need more to worry about. “I’m not going to keel over from a little strategic work.” He finished with a chuckle.

Jason just let out a sigh, but made no move to hide his smile.

“I know. I know. But I’m allowed to worry all things considered. Ya know?”

“I know.” Danny smiles as he pats Jason’s arm. “And I’ll let you know when I need a break or need to stop.”

“Or if anything gets worse.” Jason spoke softly as he rested his hand onto Danny’s. There was still something hidden in his eyes, but it was drowned out with all the worry it was swimming in. It was going to drown Danny.  “Promise?”

Don’t do it.

Don’t do it.

Don’t do it.

Don’t do it.

Don’t do it.

“Promise.”

Idiot. 

Danny truly was an idiot.

A hopeless.

Hapless.

Idiot.

Chapter Text

Jason really did love the rain once.

When he was younger, before Bruce, before Robin, he would watch the rain drip down the fire escape of his guardian's shitty apartment for hours. Head filled with daydreaming and escape from his home life. Blocking out the screaming with thoughts of knights and magic. The soft pitter patter a soothing lullaby. 

Then he met Bruce.

And rain meant a short patrol followed by hot cocoa and the best cookies of his life. A sweater that was way too big for his younger body, a gift from a then distant Dick. It was a fireplace and a soft blanket lazily laid over his legs as he was deep in a book. Unaware of the gentle expression that graced his new father’s face, glancing over his own reading at Jason.

Then Jason died.

And then came back.

And rain was mud and raw fingernails, splinters in his hand. Mind on survival mode. Aimlessly wondering as the rain poured down from above.

Then came the league.

And the desert.

It rarely rained. 

Not that he noticed.

The pain.

The blood.

The madness.

He never noticed the rain.

Then he was the Red Hood.

And rain ment that big fight.

It was anger.

At Joker.

At his father.

At himself.

Many more fights happened after that.

Many in the rain.

But here.

Watching the cold expression that haunted Danny’s face, giving him an older, more contemplative look as he watched the rain drip down the glass of the window of their living room, it was making Jason feel like he could like the rain again. It sent chills down his spine. A nostalgic feeling that didn’t seem to belong to him. Danny had shared a lot about himself in his distress earlier, but it didn’t help paint a pleasant picture. Danny clearly hid a lot of himself behind his humor and more laidback attitude. But in moments like this, when he thought it was just him, it was clear he carried on lot behind his eyes. They were sharper, but far off, as if he was looking at something out of sight for answers to an unasked question. It wasn’t the same glare that graced Jason’s family’s eyes. There was no threat. No need to amplify anger or authority. They were just… other. Like they were seeing the world differently than the rest, and if he looked just right, he’d have his solution.

Jason as well as Dick realize that Danny had been on his own for the most part of his “hero career”. Sure he had his sister and the odd friend or two, but it was Danny who had to run to the hellscape that was Gotham City just for a chance at survival. And it was apparent that whatever was happening with him, whatever it was that needed healing, Jason would have to be tactical in order to get through to Danny and get more answers.

Slow and steady.

For now.

Jason would provide good food and a believable distraction.

And Jason had plenty of both.

It took everything in Jason to not get whiplash from Danny’s change of expression when he called over to him to say that the food was ready. Danny was basically beaming as he approached the table. Looking more like the cat that caught the canary than a healing meta that was on the brink of dying.

Ok. 

Jason knows that Danny never said it was that bad. But Jason felt it through the bond when it was all going down, and Jason knows a thing or two about what dying feels like. And that was pretty damn close.

It made him nervous.

So, he’d have Danny eat, encouraging him to ramble on about whatever came to mind. Asking just enough questions to keep Danny going deeper into thought. So what if it was about a satellite that could help change the weather and he could only keep up with the pace Danny was going oh so much. 

Danny looked happy.

More comfortable.

More color in his cheeks.

More light in his eyes.

It made the pits warm and comfortable, like he could grab a blanket and lay down in it.

Jason tried not to think about it.

Tried to just live in the moment, only for a while.

Pretend that his whole family hasn’t thrown themselves face first into the Ghost King situation. That now that Constantine has realized that what he was trying to accomplish was part of what was going on with Gotham, he was reaching out to the magic community as a whole. And all those magic users in B’s city made him nervous. And when B was nervous, he planned.

And his plans were infamous.

For better or worse.

Jason had to keep all that away from Danny as long as possible.

For both their sakes.

So.

An unrelated gang raid would be the perfect out.

And what an out it was.

It had consumed their entire day.

The papers were all over the apartment, because apparently, Danny worked best if everything started out as a mess, and he works inward to organize it. Needless to say, Jason was impressed. From what he followed as Danny talked it out over the last bit of food, Danny was actually really good at attack strategies and tactics. Like scary good.

He had pointed out places that flaws were made that could lead to it all going to shit. And this was the drafted plan that Tim and Dick had helped cook up. Danny just seemed to have a different perspective on it. Like he was reliving memories from another life. He’d go over a bit, stare off and mutter a bit, then make an edit while explaining why it was necessary.

Jason was more than just impressed.

He was terrified.

If Danny could do this, how did he get hurt so badly?

He desperately wanted to ask, but Jason knew that was a wildly inappropriate question for him to ask. But, surprisingly… or perhaps not, Danny had sent a cool sadness through the bond. As if he himself thought the same question. An honest to god zap of anger came from Danny only moments after. It startled Jason so much that he froze. Waiting. Watching.

Danny immediately became apologetic, sending the soft snow of sorry.

Jason was not going to have it.

“No. You’re aloud to be angry about people hurting you.” Jason insisted. “Pretending that you’re not won’t help.”

“But…” Danny trailed off for a moment. “Things never go well for me when I’m angry.”

“Me neither.” Jason said with an understanding smile. “But doesn’t make it any less real.”

“I don’t know…”

“You don’t have to do anything about it. Just, tell me about it. If you feel up to it that is.” Jason moved to the couch. They had spent the whole day working out the current draft, and Jason was confident about where they were.

Danny sat next down next to him after a beat.

Danny had that look again, eyes trailing a particular droplet, like it would answer for him. Like he wasn’t in the room at that moment. Like he was somewhere else.

He blinked a few times and was back again.

“I… I had a clone.” Danny hesitantly started. After seeing Jason wasn’t going to stop him, he continued. 

“She wasn’t made with the best intentions. The man who made her was OBSESSED. With my … well. And that led to him being OBSESSED with me. She wasn’t made to be stable, just made to get to me. She was the only one out of the batch that hadn’t melted upon creation.”

Jason felt a pit in his stomach, but didn’t dare interrupt.

“She was more than a clone though. She was her own person. She had her own wants and dreams. She wanted to see the world! But…”

Danny’s voice caught in his throat, Jason took his hand, rubbing small circles with his thumb.

“She wasn’t made with love. Wasn’t made to LIVE.”

The pause after that was devastating. Jason didn’t have the heart to break the silence. Danny wasn’t there again, so Jason waited. He just scooted closer to Danny till their shoulders touched. Never letting go of his hand.

After a minute or two Danny returned to himself again. Tears threaded down his face.

“They used a recording of her voice to trick me. I had thought… I thought maybe… so many fantastical things happen in our world… I thought maybe… I don’t know…”

Jason felt shattered.

Danny thought his clone had come back from the dead.

Like Jason had.

Shit.

Jason could never tell Danny what he was.

Not just an undead.

But a knight of a death god.

It would drive him insane to see if he could bring her back.

And Jason couldn’t live with that on his soul.

“Heh. We used to call each other cousins. But… she was more of a daughter. And… she was just so ALIVE!”

Danny lost all his composure after that.

Jason just pulled him into his arms and sat there.

The plans can wait.

The world can wait.