Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“New Friends, Old Friends, Bat-fams!”

Danny woke up to the sound of her roommates fancy rich people coffee machine. Turning over she saw Damian standing over at his desk attempting to make espresso. The only reason she says attempting is because she wasn’t so sure that there was supposed to be that much steam.” If you’re not careful you just might turn this place into a sauna.” She joked gaining her roommates attention.” Did I wake you?” He asked apologetically as he twisted a nob on the machine.

“Yeah, ya did.” She admitted with a yawn. Stretching out on her bed Danny sat up and looked at the clock. Ten am on the dot, and just in time to turn off her alarm. Looking back at Damian she noticed him fiddling with the coffee machine again and bit her lip.” Do you know how to work that?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.” I read the instruction manual.” He responded with and grabbed a cup from the shelves in front of him.” That’s not what I asked.” She said simply and he sighed.

“I have seen my brother make coffee with a similar model. It can’t be that hard.” He tells her just in time for a stream of dark brown liquid to start pouring out. Making Damian rush to place his cup where the coffee was coming from. Pushing her comforter back Danny sat at the edge of her bed and grabbed her phone. Checking the weather before clicking on the Daily Planet app to read some of what was going on in the world. A habit she picked up after the blackout around her hometown went down and more information was accessible to them.

Clicking on the headline page Danny read through to see if she found anything interesting. A volcano eruption in Iceland, an allegation of malpractice at Star Labs, Superman stopping a missile strike, nothing unusual. Spotting something in her peripheral Danny looked up to see Damian holding two cups, one of which he held out patiently waiting for her to take it. Huh, when did he even get there? She didn’t even hear him. Mentally shrugging it off Danny excepted the cup and turned her phone off before setting it out of the way.

Bringing the cup up to her face Danny slowly inhaled to take in the smell of the fresh brew nestled lovingly in a ceramic cup between her hands. It smelled like the way it should and there was only one way to find out if it tasted as it should. However before she could even bring the cup to her mouth Danny caught sight of Damian watching her from over the brim of her mug.” What?” She asked as she slowly lowered the cup.

“Nothing.” He told her as he brought up his own mug to take a sip he never took. Raising a brow she brought the cup back up to her mouth watching as Damian kept staring at her from over the brim. She was confused as to what was going on. Was it the coffee? That’s when it clicked. He handed her a coffee from the same batch he just made from a coffee machine he has never used before. A batch of coffee that he himself has yet to take a sip of.” You’re using me as a Guinea Pig.” She accused. Setting down her cup on the nightstand before crossing her arms.

“I am not.” He said affronted. Bringing his own mug down away from his mouth to show her the frown on his face.” If that’s the case, then why don’t you take a sip?” Danny suggested, leaning forward a bit to take a peek at the brown liquid in his cup.” I was trying to be polite and let you drink first.” He lied, it was a very good lie to; but one Danny saw through.” Oh well then, if that’s the case. I insist you have the first sip.” She said in a polite tone. Gesturing to the mug in his hands as she rested her chin on her fist to watch him do it.

Damian looked from her to his mug and then back. Raising an eyebrow he brought the cup back to his mouth and put his lips on the rim, all without breaking eye contact. Maintaining said eye contact even when he quickly put the mug back down and set it to the side next to hers.” So you might have been the Guinea Pig.” He admitted and Danny happily called out in victory.” I knew it!” She cried out triumphantly, Damian sighed.” Why didn’t you just ask me to be your taste tester? I would’ve done it.” She told him, scooting back so that she could sit cross-legged on her mattress.

“I honestly didn’t think you would have. You saw me fiddling with that infernal contraption. I figured that you would not want to try it if you thought I didn’t know what I was doing.” He answered honestly, crossing his arms and frowning. Danny laughed,” Oh trust me, my parents cooking is way worse than anything you could personally conger up with that fancy smancy coffee machine.” She ment it to. With all the times her parents accidentally preformed food necromancy you would think that they would eventually take the hint and stay out of the kitchen, but no.

“Ok, how about this. We both take a sip at the same time. That way we’re both the Guinea Pig, deal?” “Deal.” Damian agreed after only a moments thought. Picking up his mug from the nightstand with Danny doing the same. Cups in hand they look back at one another and nod.” One.” Danny started counting down with a smile.” Two.” Damian said mirroring his roommates smile with a nod. Taking a deep breath Danny finish the countdown with a final say of ‘three' and both of them took a sip, and oh. My. God!

It was something, to say the least. From the moment the drink touched her tongue she wanted to spit it out. Only refraining to do so by her own stubborn nature and her desire to be friends with the boy across from her. But holy Infinite this was terrible. It tasted like ashes mixed with hot motor oil, and had an after taste of charcoal on chimney brick. But she couldn’t tell Damian that. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

Not after he was nice enough to make her a cup of coffee in the first place. So she swallowed the gritty liquid ignoring the acidic taste it left behind and forced a smile back on her face.” Well this is really earthy, and bold.” She tried to complement the best she could. Thinking that if she stayed as close to the truth then maybe she can play off how-” It’s terrible.” Damian finally said as a disgusted look spread across his face when he looked down to scowl at the contents of his mug.

“Oh thank the Ancients you said it!” Danny sighed in relief before setting her cup back onto the nightstand and jumping up. Practically running over to the mini fridge to grab two bottles of water. Opening hers first to chug half of it before handing the other to her roommate.” Yes, I do not know where I went wrong.” Damian admitted after inspecting the unopened water.” Not sure but maybe you should watch some YouTube tutorials and take it step by step.” Danny suggested sitting back down on her bed.

Damian just grunted in confirmation. To busy chugging his own water down to wash away the flavor of burnt soil. Leave it to Tim to give a complicated price of machinery as a gift to someone who has never used it before. Just then a loud bang was heard somewhere in the hall. The two college freshman stopped what they were doing and listened as heavy, and very familiar; stomping followed down the hallway to their door. Or so Danny thought.

As in the next moment another loud bang followed by a feminine screech could be heard over a incensed yell of,” YOU FUCKING JINX!”. Jumping up Danny made a run for the door only for Damian to seemingly have the same idea as her, but much quicker, reaching the door before she could. Flinging the door open the two were greeted by the sight of a very irate Sam standing in the doorway of Tuckers dorm room with said tech geek cowering on the floor still in his Star Wars pajamas with his hands covering his head.

“Sam?!” Danny called out to her friend only to either be ignored or unheard in the other girls anger.” You just had to say it, didn’t you?! You just had to let that idea out into the universe for it to go and mess with me!” The goth ranted,” what are you talking about?! I didn’t do anything. I’ve been asleep this whole time, I couldn’t have!” Tucker tried to defend himself but Sam wasn’t having it. Continuing to scowl murderously at the poor boy as she pointed an accusatory finger at him” Yesterday you mentioned how much of a good thing it was that I wasn’t rooming with Paulina. Well, guess who walked into my room this morning, AND SAID THAT THIS WAS HER ROOM!!!”

Danny blinked, wait what? Stepping just outside her room Danny peeked around the doorframe and down where she knew Sam’s room was. Sure enough, there stood one Paulina Sanchez. Looking just as she did the last time she saw her. Pink crop top, gray yoga pants, annoyed expression and all. What was she doing here? Last anyone checked Paulina was supposed to go to California to study fashion.” Paulina, I thought you were going to the Beverly Hills Designe Institute?” Danny asked the Latina girl who huffed in displeasure.

“What, a girl can’t change her mind? How would you know about that anyway?” She practically sneered. Before she could answer however Sam stomped back out into the hall and stared Paulina down.” She knows about that because you kept boasting about it non stop for weeks before graduation you Bi-" before Sam could finish Danny quickly intervened. Looking to deescalate the situation before things devolved into a slaughter, verbal or otherwise.” Hey! Now let’s try to and calm down for just a second.” Danny said and moved forward to put her hand on her friends shoulder.

“Take a breath Sam.” She suggested and the other girl complied.” Now why don’t you talk us threw it.” Danny said as she took all of Sam’s attention. Even going as far as to put herself between the two girls, just in case.” Gladly, I was in my room unpacking while listening to a true crime podcast and sipping some tea. When she opens the door and throws down her stuff in a fit when she saw me.” At Sam’s words Paulina balked and stammered in a vexed manner.” I didn’t throw them down, I dropped them; and I didn’t pitch a fit I was just surprised is all.” Paulina huffed crossing her arms.

“Alright, alright; so you guys are roommates and you’re shocked about it. Your tempers flared and you remembered Tucker mentioned this scenario happening yesterday, and came to confront him because in your anger. You for some reason think he had something to do with this.” Danny summarized with a frown.” Well when you put it like that it sounds more like a coincidence.” Sam said, the scowl on her face lessening just a bit as her friend talked.” It more than likely is.” Danny pointed out.

“What I want to know is, why are you guys so surprised? Sam, didn’t you say you read through the information GU sent you?” Danny asked Sam who slightly blushed and looked away muttering.” What was that?” Danny frowned as she crossed her arms expectantly. To which Sam only answered with half legible grumbling.” Sam?!” Danny called exasperated and the goth girl rolled her violent eyes repeating what she said again, this time so that they all could here it.” So I might not of checked.” She admitted.

Danny looked over at Tucker who at some point had gotten off the floor and was now standing just outside his own room. Their eyes met and the tech geek looked away sheepishly making Danny’s jaw drop.” You were one of the ones getting on to me for doing the same thing!” Danny sputtered in indignation and Sam groans.” I know! I just forgot. There was so much to plan and my parents were making things difficult, as always. It just, sort of; slipped my mind.” Sam explained finally looking her friend in the eye.

Said friend then turned her attention to the A-lister who also had her arms crossed and was looking anywhere but them till Danny cleared her throat.” Well?” Danny asked expectantly and Paulina huffed and rolled her eyes.” Alright fine, I didn’t really read mine either.” She admitted to the group.” I decided to go here so last minute that I just made sure I got excepted and never really went to read it.” Paulina huffed again. Danny herself didn’t really know what to think at this point. Oh wait, yes she did.

Turning around to face Damian she asked him,” Does nobody read the info packets?” to which he shrugged and gave her a long suffering look that spoke volumes. This was going to become a theme wasn’t it? Pinching the bridge of her nose Danny turned her attention to her other best friend.” Tucker, if there is something you need to fess up to. Now would be-" “ I skimmed mine and shoved it into a desk drawer.” He said with a wince making Danny let out a long drawn-out groan.” Seriously you guys? After the chastising you all gave me for doing the same thing.”

“Hey now, I didn’t think this was going to happen.” Sam tried to defend herself.” Sure I should have checked but I was so focused on my parents and the move that it just became a second thought. I wasn’t worried about it as much as I was about my parents trying to be vicious dictators.” She said trying hard to hold back the venom she wanted to spit about the subject. The irritation she felt towards her parents still fresh even after moving four states away. Nearly a thousand miles and it still didn’t feel like it was enough distance. Danny just sighed and turned her attention to Tucker.

”Please, for the love of- could you just check your Email for a copy of your student information and find your roommates name so we don’t have to go through anymore ‘surprise we’re roommates’ scenarios?!” she begged in frustration, because she was frustrated. In font of her were two of the people who gave her a dressing down the day before, and it turns out that they are guilty of the same thing she had done. Though with less extreme results but with admittedly more extreme reactions.

Wordlessly Tucker went back into his room and grabbed his phone.” I’m sure it’s not that bad.” He said optimistically as he came back out and sorted through his emails to find what he was looking for.” Well until we can confirm you never know. So until then why don’t we just help Paulina bring up some of her things.” Danny suggested as she made her way back towards her and Damian’s room, pausing briefly when she heard Paulina huff.” I don’t need your help.” She boldly told them with her hands on her hips.

Sam scowled at the other girl,” What, so you don’t mind braking a nail bringing up all those heavy weavy boxes by yourself.” She practically mocked with a frown that barely hid her confusion. Paulina just rolled her eyes ignoring Sam’s tone and choosing not to raise to her bait.” No, I’m just saying that I already have enough help already.” She announced raising a perfectly groomed eyebrow at them and Danny took that opportunity to respond with a question before Sam could attempt to antagonize the Latina girl again.” Who’s helping you?” She inquired.

As if on queue the sound of the elevator doors opening was heard in the quiet hallway and the five of them all looked to see who was getting off. Stepping off the machine the person hid themselves behind two boxes before peeking around the cardboard to see where they were going. Seeing the familiar face of the boy in front of them Danny smiled and waved at him.” Hey Kwan, how’s it hanging?” She greeted making Damian frown. Kwan himself blinked at them before his face brightened as he smiled at all the familiar faces.

“Hi you guys!” Kwan greeted them back walking over and setting his heavy load down beside where they were all gathered.” I knew you all were going to Gotham but I didn’t think we would be in the same dorm, this is awesome.” The Asian teen said brightly.” Totally.” Sam answered back in a deadpan, sarcastic voice that Kwan was too excited to notice.” How long have you guys been here? Have you been around campus at all?” He asked them happily with a bright smile.

“ I’ve been here for the past three days but both Sam and Tucker got here yesterday.” Danny answered back with her own smile.” Paulina huffed and muttered something but stopped when Sam turned her gaze on her and both quickly fell into a staring match that the halfa quickly became aware of.” With that said we haven’t really gone exploring much. We were thinking about walking around campus after lunch though.” Danny continued as she kept a close eye on the two other girls in the hall. Kwan of course was smart enough to understand what was going on and quietly grimaced.

As one of Paulina’s closest friends he knew better than most how much these two didn’t get along. With a history of animosity that stretched back years pretty much everyone knew not to leave the two of them in a room alone together, ever! So the fact that they now had to share a room together now was just a cruel joke fate just had to pull on the both of them now. Thankfully Kwan knew exactly what to do to help distract Paulina in this situation. At least for the time being.

“Well let me know if you find anything interesting. Me and Paulina have so much unpacking to do we might not get the chance to explore till after classes start.” The Jock joked making Paulina roll her eyes and Sam scoff.” What? Did she pack enough clothes to dress the entire student body?” the goth sassed and Paulina scowled at her.” Hey! I did not pack that much clothing.” She told Sam in indignation before turning her gaze to her friend.

“ And I will not feel bad about potentially over packing. I wasn’t completely sure what I’d need and this is Gotham, so you never know.” She told him, crossing her arms and all but pouting till Kwan held up his hands in surrender. Danny and Tucker shared a glance and shrugged,” Sounds about right.” Tucker said and went back to his phone making a small victorious sound when he found what he was looking for. Looking through the email he frowned looking back up and turned to Kwan.” You in room 608?”

“Yeah man, how’d you know?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. Great, so he didn’t read his information either; Danny thought with an annoyed grumble. Tucker just smiled turning his phone to show the football player his phone screen.” I just pulled it up. Looks like we’re roommates man.” He announced to the group making Kwan smile.” Awesome!” He shouted giving Tucker a high five that made the tech geek wince and shake his hand to get rid of the sting. Looking back over at Sam, Danny noticed her friends combat boot clad foot tapping away and winced herself.

She needed to move this along before another blow up happened and considering how tense the other girls body language was it was likely to be soon if she didn’t intervene.” Well it looks like you have all the muscle you need Paulina. How about we leave you to it.” Danny said as she grabbed Sam’s hand and dragged her into her and Damian’s room with only a ‘hey' in protest. Once inside Damian quickly closed the door behind them and locked it. The boy himself noticing the goths body language and deciding that the others shouldn’t disturb them.

Away from the other girl in the hallway Sam stomped over to the bed she knew to be Danny’s and grabbed the pillow. Fisting it into both hands she then proceeded to throw her face into it and scream as loud and as long a possible. Even throwing in a long strain of curses and stomping her foot till she threw herself backwards into Danny’s mattress and just laid there with the pillow over her face. Possibly to hide her face. Possibly to smother herself. Maybe even a bit of both. Danny wasn’t sure which.

Damian sent a concerned look towards Danny. Though if he was concerned about Sam’s actions or if he wasn’t sure how to proceed in calming her down she wasn’t sure. Gesturing for him let her take care of this Danny moved forward and sat next to her friends still form. Moving the pillow out of Sam’s face Danny looked down at the other raven-haired girl and raised an eyebrow.” You want to talk about it?” She asks in a neutral tone. Only to receive a glare before she closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands.

Letting out a long groan Sam sat up and turned herself towards her friend.” Alright, I’m sorry for basically acting like a hypocrite and getting on to you for doing what seems like everyone else was doing to.” Sam apologized sincerely. Danny blinked at the other girl for a moment after being taken off guard.” Um ok, that’s not what I ment but I except your apology anyway.” She finally says and tosses her pillow back to the headboard.

Sighing again Sam put her head in her hands in frustration.” It’s just not fair!” the goth girl started. Danny moving on the bed to sit next to her and Damian having finally deeming it safe enough now, sat on his own bed. Watching the two of them interact and silently giving his encouragement while he sat across from them.” I worked my ass off to be able to get away from the people like her back home. Only for her to literally just follow us simply because she changed her mind. It’s bullshit!” Sam said in frustration.

“I know Sam.” Danny said in a calm voice she learned from Jazz. Leaning her head on the other girls shoulder and wrapping her arms around her in a louse hug.” But there are people like Paulina wherever you go. Doesn’t matter if you run states away to get away from them. You’re still going to run into them regardless. Besides, it’s not like you two will be sharing a room forever. It’s only for ten months.” Danny told her trying her best to be comforting and supportive for the goth girl.

“Yeah, ten months of making my life hell.” Sam snarked miserably and Danny released her so that they could talk face to face.” You don’t know that.” The halfa said with a smile making Sam raise an black brow.” Okay, I’m not saying that it’ll be a walk in the park, but look around us. We’re not in Amity Park anymore and Paulina has to realize that. This isn’t Casper High and there are no A-listers. There is no status quo anymore and given she was smart enough to get into college in the first place she has to realize that too.”

Sam blinked at Danny and nodded her head.” Yeah ok, I’ll give you that one. She was a big fish in her own little pond back home but here she’s just another minnow.” She surmises and Danny smiled.” Right! Now I think the best thing you both should do is take a page out of Jazz’s psychology books and try and talk it out.” She told her friend holding up a hand when Sam went to argue.” I’m not saying the both of you bury the hatchet or anything. That can come later. For now why not just talk to her and just try to agree to be adults about this.” She suggested.

Looking over at Damian who had been quite throughout this entire ordeal Danny got an idea and smirked. It was a good idea to. After all if there was one thing that people should know about Sam, it was that she never backed down from a challenge.” It’s basically the same thing Damian and I agreed to and it's working well for us so far. Are you saying you can’t do the same?” Danny said in a teasing tone that just said ‘I double dog dare you' making Sam roll her eyes for about the dozenth time that morning.

“Yeah, yeah! I’ll talk to the pampered princess about being amicable.” She relented getting up from Danny’s bed and walking to the door only to pause.” Hey Danny?” Sam called over her shoulder.” Yeah?” the halfa asked from her spot on her bed across the room.” How would you feel if I asked you-" Sam started to ask only to be cut off by Danny’s statement of,” I am not mitigating your discussion, Sam. This is something that the two of you need to work out yourselves.” She said bluntly.” Darn it!” the other girl exclaimed in disappointment.

“I can’t believe that you of all people are telling me to be mature about something.” She grouched as she unlocked the door before she turned the doorknob.” Yeah, it’s a little weird being on the giving side of this lecture.” Danny jokes and receives a tung stuck out at her for it by the goth as she opens the door and steps out into the hall. With a sigh Danny looks over at Damian giving the boy an apologetic look.” I’m sorry you had to witness that.” She admitted with a grimace. Out of all the days this week this had to happen it had to be on the day she was introducing her friends to Damian.

Said boy just ‘TT' and got up from his bed picking up the now lukewarm coffee mugs before making his way to their shared bathroom.” It is alright. I have had worst first impressions before.” Damian said admittedly. The first time Dick had met him being the first thing to come to mind and he mentally cringed at his past actions. Opening the door Damian proceeded to wash out both cups in the sink. Drying both off before returning to continue the conversation.” I don’t really believe you, but I’m just going to take your word for it on this and move on.” She told him.

Jumping up Danny made her way over to the closet. Quickly grabbing her clothes she spun around watching as her roommate put their mugs back on their original shelf.” I’m going to both the college and public libraries to get my accounts set up. Do you need me to pick anything up for you while I’m out?” Danny asked to which Damian shook his head.” I have no need for anything at this moment but thank you for your consideration.” He says giving her a small barley noticeable upturn of his mouth after answering.

“Sure thing.” She stated simply and entered the bathroom. As she got dressed she mentally went through all she had planned for that day. Shrugged when she realized that it only seemed like a lot when she thought about them individually. After brushing her teeth to wash away the aftertaste of whatever Damian had concocted that morning. Danny stepped out of the bathroom only to blink when she saw Damian fully dressed and texting on his phone.” Oh, You got plans before lunch?” She assumed quizzically.

Looking up from his device Damian shook his head yes and turned off his phone before putting it into his pocket.” I’ll be running a few errands before I see you all for lunch.” He said nonchalantly making his way to the door.” At what time are we meeting at the café?” He asked.” I would say around one o’clock.” Danny answered and with a nod Damian made his exit leaving Danny in their room to finish getting ready to go out on her own for the first time since entering the city.

Which was fine. She was a big girl. She could handle it. Even so it didn’t stop her from shooting off a quick text telling her friends where she was going before leaving. Receiving a confirmation she was out the door and in the elevator. She wondered briefly if leaving Sam and Paulina alone to work things out themselves was a good call. After all, the last time they saw each other the other girl had accused them of crashing Dash’s last day of school/graduation/college acceptance extravaganza. When they were actually invited, surprisingly.

Sure they left early cause Tucker couldn’t hold his drink but they still had a good time. Shaking her head to get rid of the negative thoughts she was having Danny got off the elevator and made her way outside. Heading in the direction of the campus library. She had to give her friend more credit than that. She was trying, or well she was going to try to get along. Really that’s all they could realistically hope for and her being a total pessimist about it was not going to help anybody. So with a sigh she walked on. Making her brain think of more positive thoughts. Like how she can get an actual cup of coffee at the café later and it not taste like burnt toast covered in activated charcoal boiled in lighter fluid. That thought made her smile.

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Damian sighed as he pressed the red disconnect button on his phone. Ending the call so he could slid the device back into his pocket. The conversation he just had with Jon had gone well. He had texted him back at the dorms and asked if he was free to converse in person and unfortunately Jon was not. He was over at the Kent farm helping fix some of their equipment and was not allowed to leave till the work was done for the day. He understood and had to settle for having this discussion on the phone while he went browsing through shelves of the many bookstores close to campus.

Yes his friend was surprised and concerned, but he also was incredibly supportive and willing to lend an ear, as well as his two cents. At one point even asking if he would like his Dad to get involved and maybe expose what had happened. Reminding Damian why he was so grateful to have the half Kryptonian as his best friend. He had also asked to meet Danny, which was to be expected. Stating that as his best friend both in and out of the cowl it was his duty to vet the newcomer.

He also stated that as a Midwesterner himself it was his geographical obligation to test his best friends roommate in regards to her overall Midwesternerness. Which Damian didn’t think was really a thing but then again the term ‘ killing them with kindness’ was in fact a thing. So he settled for simply asking him to be himself when the time came and that was that. Looking at the time he contemplated weather or not he had time to drop off his new purchases or not before going to the café to meet up with Danny and her friends.

He had taken Danny’s advice and looked up what it was he had done wrong when brewing the espresso that morning. To his surprise he had done more than one thing incorrectly and his search results yielded many solutions to the problem. So he went out and bought a book that was recommended. One that not only gave you information on the machine and coffee, but also step by step instructions and recipes ranging from simple to extravagant. The book itself was very helpful and suggested that he may need additional supplies. So he bought them.

Hopefully they would help but it also made him wonder why the infernal contraption did not come with a coffee grinder included with it. Perhaps it did and Timothy simply misplaced it the same way he misplaced the bag of coffee he bought to go with it. If that were the case then he most certainly can keep that too, because Damian did not care to know just where he had misplaced that. He was also very hesitant to ask. Nonetheless he now had one in his possession among other things that will help him make a better cup of coffee than the sludge he had somehow conjured up that morning.

How had he even made it taste like that? Well, it was no matter now. Soon he’ll be making a better brew, a better batch and he and Danny can forget about his past blunder when producing the beverage. Though why he was so intent on showing Danny that he could make a better coffee than what he made that morning, he couldn’t tell you; and he chose not to think on that any further. Choosing instead to put his car into drive and merge with early afternoon traffic. Deciding that he can grab a table and read his new book while waiting for his roommate and her friends to show up.

Parking his car Damian walked to the café, ordered a chai latte, and sat at a back table with little fan fair. Looking at his watch he sees that he had about an hour to kill before opening his new book and wait. Occasionally glancing up from the pages whenever he heard the door chime. Only getting up once to retrieve his order when the barista called out his name. At about five minutes till one the bell above the door rang and Damian looked up to see an African American teen around his age walk in and scan the tables around the establishment.

Damian’s eyes narrowed in suspicion till he remembered seeing said teen in the hallway that morning after he cowered in fear at having his dorm rooms door kicked in. No longer trembling in syfy themed bed wear Damian almost mistook him for another person instead of Danny’s friend. He was tall, though not as tall as Damian himself; lanky and wore comfortable looking clothes along with bulky glasses and a red beret. Putting his book down Damian made himself more noticeable and made eye contact with the other young man.

With a smile and a short wave the other boy made his way over to Damian’s table. Damian stood up holding his hand out to introduce himself.” Hello, you are one of Danny’s friends. I recognize you from this morning.” He said as he held his hand out for him to shake. Taking the hand that was offered to him the other boy shook his hand and smiled in slight embarrassment.” Yeah, I’m Tucker. I’d just like to say that Sam’s not normally like that. She’s stressed and the whole Paulina thing just tipped her over the edge a bit.” He said sheepishly.

The other hand not grasped in Damian’s going up to rub the back of his neck in a show of discomfiture. A learned habit from Danny more than likely, and a nonverbal example as to how close the two likely were. As well as how long they may have known each other. Letting go of Tuckers hand Damian waved in a swatting gesture and sat back down in his seat.” There is no need to apologize for Samantha’s actions this morning. Danny has already done so and even then it was unnecessary. She felt overwhelmed and lashed out when she felt there was no other way to show how the situation made her feel.” Damian summarized.

If anyone were to understand how that felt it would be Damian. It took him and his family years to train him how to channel those feelings productively, but in the end it was well worth the time, effort, and trouble they all went through to get him to the point in progress he was at now. Tucker just shrugged,” I mean sure, that sounds accurate enough. Still though. It couldn’t have been the best first impression.” He commented and Damian chuckled as he picked up his now mostly gone chai latte and took a sip.

”Danny said much the same about Samantha’s actions this morning and I still feel that what I said to her then is still true now. It was not the worst first impression I have ever had of someone. Far from it really.” And Tucker snorted a laugh,” Yeah with the amount of people you probably meet on a weekly basis there are probably hundreds of people you’ve met who have done worse than kick a door in.” Tucker joked making Damian smile at the unintentional double meaning of that statement. Not that the other boy knew that there was a double meaning.” No truer words.” He said simply as he set his drink back down.

“By the way. You might want to save yourself the trouble and stop calling Sam by Samantha. She hates it.” The techno geek warned. His face turning serious as he met Damian’s eyes.” The only people who can really get away with it are her parents and that’s only because she got tired of correcting them. Everyone else gets an ear full and a death glare. Even our teachers back home knew better.” He winced and Damian nods.” Alright, Sam and not Samantha.”

Tucker nods back and smiles again,” Glad we can clear that up now before you officially meet her. I’m surprised Danny didn’t tell you before you came. I would’ve thought she’d of mentioned it what with her own name preference.” He tells him as he pulled out his phone and started texting someone. Damian’s brow furrowed in confusion at the other teens comment.” She told me her name was Danny when we first met.” Damian stated but said like a question. Part of the reason they were even in this situation that they were in was because of Danny’s name.

Or at least that was what that imbecile of an office worker had told them. Though Damian doubted that was the full reason. There was more to it than just a unisex name and an unchecked box on a form giving them confusion. If that were the case then why hadn’t they looked for her gender on the admission forms. It would have been on the same page for goodness sakes. Maybe he should have let his family look into this? If only so they could get some proper answers and not whatever drabble came out of that one woman’s mouth. Was it to late to send a text message to Barbara? Tim was no doubt knee deep in whatever case he was working on at the moment. So she was his best bet for right now.

Tucker just shrugged,” It is, it’s just Danny. Says so on her birth certificate and everything. Other people don’t know that though or they don’t care. Her godfather definitely doesn’t care. Won’t call her anything else other than this silly little nickname he has for her.” The geek smiled mischievously. Quietly thinking if he should tell him Vlad’s pet name for Danny or if that was going to far, for now anyways. Damian’s confusion dissipated at Tuckers explanation,” I see now. Everyone believes that just because she goes by Danny then her parents must have named her Danielle.”

“Correct.” Tucker simply states as he sets his phone down on the table.” By the way the girls say that they’re on their way. Danny got held up at the library and Sam had to rearrange some things to accommodate Paulina. So she’s not very happy, just to warn you.” The geek told the other boy and Damian just smirk.” Is it the same not so happy demeanor she displayed this morning?” He half joked to which Tucker groans and admitted that he hoped not. No doubt having the memory of being scared half to death play out in his mind.

They sat and talked for a bit longer before both getting up to order something to eat and in Damian’s case get another hot cup of Earl Gray after finishing off his chai latte. They had just gotten their drinks when the bell above the door rang and in walked one Sam Manson in all her sunny disposition. Making her way over to their table the goth quickly took the open seat next to Tucker and sighed a tired sigh that both boys felt in their souls.” That bad, huh?” Tucker asked before taking a sip of his Protein Espresso. Making Sam sigh again,” I don’t really want to talk about it. The worst is over now and that’s all you need to worry about. And so long as she doesn’t touch my plants, we won’t have any issues.”

Both boys shared a look and Tucker shook his head lightly to signal to Damian to just let it go and don’t ask her anymore questions about this. Taking the hint the ex-assassin sat back and let the tech geek lead the conversation.” They got gluten-free blueberry muffins.” Tucker says in an attempt to lighten the others mood.” I’m not hungry.” Sam grumbles and leans back in her chair.” Anyways, how’s Kwan?” she asked in an attempt to steer the conversation away from her for a bit. Tucker just sighed and started rubbing his forehead as if to stave off a headache.

“That bad, huh?” Sam threw back with a start of a smile. A good sign that her mood was improving already.” No, no, he’s fine. I could have lived without Dash showing up though.” That got Sam’s attention and the goth girl quickly sat up with interest.” Dash? What the heck was he doing here?” she asked in slight annoyance. Tucker just grumbles, holding back another sigh as he gives his friend all his attention. Leaving Damian to briefly wonder and speculate as to who Dash was and why they seemed so agitated by him being here.

“He said he wanted to stop by on his way to Metropolis to check in on Kwan and Paulina.” Tucker huffed and Sam returned it.” Well that’s a load of bull. Dash came by just to mess with Danny and we all know it.” That peeked Damian’s interest. This other boy that they are talking about seemed to be a very irksome presence in all of their lives, and from what little that he’s heard it would seem that Danny and her friends were his favorite targets.” Who is Dash?” Damian asked simply with a raised eyebrow. Now a picture is worth a thousand words, but to Damian the looks on both of their faces paints a picture that says a lot more.

Still, he sat back and listened as Sam started to explain.” Dash Baxter is one of the most infuriating, insufferable people you would ever have the displeasure of meeting.” Damian sincerely doubted that but nevertheless allowed her to continue with her explanation.” In high school he was the stereotypical star quarterback bully archetype. He was the worst and that’s putting it mildly. He would make everyone’s lives a living hell on a whim and Danny was his favorite target, and worst of all was that not only would other people allow it to happen. They would pretend that it never happened to begin with. You know why?” Sam asked Damian rhetorically.

“I can hazard a guess.” He hummed as he took a sip of his tea. Sam huffed and crossed her arm on the table top.” Yeah well, anyway around our Junior year his bullying tendencies started to slow down and he started acting weird around Danny.” Tucker huffed a short laugh,” I think you mean that you thought he was acting weird around Danny.” He said with a teasing smirk.” Sure he pretty much toned it down a bit but other than that he would still come around to verbally harass us, but things were pretty much the same till Senior year.” Taking this as an opportunity to sip his own drink Damian took that as his opening to ask the obvious question that the techno geek wanted him to ask.

“What happened your Senior year?” He asked the other boy to which he smiled, making Sam groan under her breath in fond exasperation. Clearing his throat in a rather dramatic manner Tucker took a deep breath in threw his nose, stared Damian right in the eyes and shrugged.” Nothing.” The Nubian teen stated simply making Damian frown in confusion.” Nothing? “ the ex-assassin asked and Tucker nodded in confirmation,” Nothing. The entire school year he barely said anything to us. I mean sure, he would occasionally tease us. Sometimes there would even be the occasional prank but for the most part he just stopped.”

Damian frowned more in thought. From what they were telling him Dash was not a very good person. A selfish, self-centered jock stereotype with definite anger issues and a possible personality disorder. People like that don’t just change. They normally have some sort of event or catalyst that make them want to change. An accident, near death experience, some other form of life changing event that would make them take a cold hard look at themselves and make them want to be better. By the sound of it this Dash Baxter may or may not have had one of those. The question is, what?

“So you’re saying he had a change of heart? Good for him.” Damian pretended to dismiss. Sam scoffed and glared half heartedly at her friend.” Aren’t you forgetting. He would also try and talk to Danny whenever she was alone. He would pop out of nowhere and just drum up a conversation like he didn’t try and force her to eat mud our freshman year. Or sprayed her with who knows what when we were at the Waterpark. Then there’s all the times he pushed her into objects, shoved her aside, and blatantly chased her without any other reason other then he needed to blow off some steam.”

The more Samantha- no Sam, said the more Damian felt his anger bristle. This boy, this Dash did all of that to Danny and possibly more and not one person, even an adult; thought to step in and stop it. Even more he obviously held affections for her that he felt compelled to express in the most toxically aggressive, and physically abusive ways his little brain could think of. Hearing this he did not blame Sam for her less than stellar opinion on his obviously lacking character.

“So not a change of heart then.” Damian said,” More like a change in tactics.” He corrected himself.” Definitely,” Sam agreed, sitting up from her slouched position.” He has big fee fees or whatever, for Danny and instead of processing them like a normal person he decided that resorting to a six year olds playground ponytail pulling was the way to go.” She finished with a roll of her eyes. Damian felt an unidentified feeling creep up inside of him then. He wasn’t sure whether or not it was jealousy or something more protective but with the way he felt it crawl up his spine he decided to ignore it and simply say it was his protective instincts instead.

A more reasonable reaction in his opinion, and one he fully grasped hold of as he scowled and scoffed at Sam’s emblematic metaphor.” Sounds like someone I myself wouldn’t agree with.” Damian stated as he took another sip of his tea to try and calm his sudden anger towards a person he has never met, and hopefully never would. Though if what Sam has said is anything to go by then there is a good chance that he may end up encountering the annoying jock stereotype sooner or later. Secretly he was on the fence on whether or not he wanted to run into him or not.

On one hand he wanted more intel on the other man as well as to assess if he was going to be a source not future problems. On the other hand he wanted to make him disappear. To make him pay for ever saying the things he said. For ever laying a hand on Danny to begin with. Inability to convey affectionate emotions in a healthy manner aside. It did not give him the right to put his hands on her like that. Consequences be damned. A small part of Damian wonders if such a reaction was warranted for a girl he barely knows, but he quickly rethinks that. Just because he barely knows Danny doesn’t mean that can’t feel angry for what she went through on her behalf.

Mentally Damian put down Dash’s name as someone to look into. Such behavior in the past could mean more violent actions or even reckless actions in the future, and Damian decided to keep tabs on the other man. Just in case. After all, how willing would such a person as Dash Baxter be to let go of his favorite victim.” In any case,” Sam continued,” Danny doesn’t feel the same. I know that for a fact, and Dash doesn’t stand a chance in hell.” The goth smirked.” Yeah, don’t worry Damian.” Tucker said with a playfully look in his eye.” Guys like Dash aren’t Danny’s type.” He told the other boy with a smirk.

Receiving an elbow to the ribs and a grouched ‘knock it off!’ by his goth friend sitting next to him.” Good to know.” Damian stated simply. Reaching into his coat pocket to pull out his phone just long enough to check the time. Only just missing the smug face the tech geek sent Sam before Damian’s attention was back on them again.” Speaking of Danny, I believe she is running late.” The ex-assassin said putting his phone away again. Sam just sighed in a light hearted way.” Yup, that’s Danny for you. Knowing her she probably lost track of time.”

“She did say that she was going to both the Gotham University Library and the Gotham Public Library to set up her accounts there. Perhaps she got held up with them printing out her library card or student ID.” Tucker supposed.” I can believe it.” Damian admitted,” My sister in-law works at the public library and she has gone on tangents regarding the copying machines before.” An under exaggeration to be sure. Her anger towards the piece of office equipment has gotten so bad that his father and Timothy were contemplating holding a benefit to raise money to help fund the Library’s and other educational programs of the city.

Hopefully they can get started on that soon. If what Barbara said the last time the copying machines went down was anything to go by. If they weren’t replaced soon they might just start a fire the next time someone set them to print, and if they don’t Barbara herself might just be the one setting the fires.” If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Don’t worry man, I’m sure she’s on her way now.” Tucker said reassuringly before taking a sip from his cup. Choosing to take the word of one of the two people at the table who have known his roommate longer than him Damian just nodes and tries to ignore Sam’s sarcastic response of,” Yeah, if she’s not being held up at gunpoint.”

Chapter Text

Danny looked down the barrel of the gun currently pointed directly at her and cursed her Fenton luck, because up until that point she was having a great day. Besides the coffee and the Paulina situation she means. Really though, those two situations pale in comparison to her currently getting mugged at gun point. And during her first outing by herself to. Come on Gotham, she’s trying to adult here! Things were going great too. She set up both her accounts at the Library’s, she got her student ID and her library card.

As well as had a pleasant conversation with the red haired librarian that sat behind the counter at the public library. Now Danny was not planning on meeting anyone from Damian’s family so soon but she’ll call it a happy coincidence that she met Barbara before she met a whole gaggle of Wayne’s. She was so nice. Recognizing her name instantly, and asking her if she was ‘That Danny Fenton?’. She confirmed it and she formally introduced herself as Damian’s sister in-law. They chatted for about an hour before she sent Danny on her way with her card and a warning.

“Our family can be a bit much, but they mean well.” She had told Danny.” You seem like a nice girl so you don’t really have anything to worry about. I just thought I’d warn you before things get out of hand.” “ What do you mean?” Danny asked the red head as she watched her cut out her card from the laminate it was now encased in.” What I mean is, is that they’re all over protective and Damian is the youngest.” Barbara said,” I’m not trying to scare you or anything. I just thought I’d give you a heads up just in case. I mean you mentioned that you had siblings. Wouldn’t they act somewhat similar given the circumstances?” She asked the brunette.

Thinking back to when she told everyone by group chat just yesterday Danny just nodded.” Yeah, actually they would. My older sister would probably try to intimidate him by psychoanalyzing him and my little sister, not gonna lie; she’d probably stalk him if she were here.” Now that Danny thought about it she might have to send the both of them quick messages asking them not to do that. The situation is stressful enough that they have to worry about the Wayne’s brand of protectiveness. Add in the Fenton’s and Danny thinks that Gotham won’t last a week, and that was just with her siblings.

There was a reason she hadn’t told her parents yet, or Vlad. The crazy fruitloop that he is Danny’s not quite sure what he’d do. Probably try black mail. That is, if he can even find anything. From what Sam and even a little bit of Jazz has told her the Wayne’s are all pretty squeaky clean. So she’s pretty confident that it wouldn’t go as Vlad would hope it would. She was getting a bit ahead of herself though. Danny had already decided to deal with the people in arms reach first and foremost.

So her friends first today at lunch, then Jazz and then the Wayne’s. Yes, she knows that she basically told Damian that the idea of meeting them all at once completely terrified her last night. However, the thought of going ahead and getting introductions out of the way was appealing for a few reasons. Factor in what Barbara was telling her now only made it seem that much more like the right call. She’ll have to talk to Damian about it. For right now she just had to keep reminding herself to take it one step at a time. One day at a time. Did she just quote a Jordan Sparks song?

“Well if it makes you feel better Damian already told everyone to back off a bit. Not sure how long that’s going to last but it’s the thought that counts, right?” Barbara says as she hands over Danny’s new library card. Completely brushing off the stalking comment with barley a second thought to give a reassuring smile to the other girl that Danny quickly returned.” You’re right. I can’t really blame them though either.” She admitted with a sigh.” Well at least you met me before you met the rambunctious bunch.” The red head joked and chuckled to herself making Danny laugh too.

“Suppose I got lucky.” She said with a smile. Not realizing just how bad she jinxed herself. Now here she was in a surprisingly dark alleyway for the middle of the day with some scruffy guy dressed as a middle-aged Brooklyn thug wannabe. Over greased slick back and all, and a sneer that made him look like he gargled gravel every morning since childhood. Pointing a gun at her in a very ‘this is a stick up!’ kind of way that was almost laughable if she wasn’t so annoyed right then. Sure, regular weapons don’t really affect her much in terms of finishing the job; so to speak, but that didn’t mean that it still doesn’t hurt. Both physically and emotionally.” Hand over the bag girly and we can send you off like nothing ever happened.” He demanded in a gruff chain smoker voice.

Yeah no, she doesn’t think she’ll be doing that. For one thing she was carrying a couple of her parents’ weapons with her in her purse and Danny wasn’t to keen on handing them over to this creep. What he would do with a lipstick blaster and a pair of Fenton Phones Danny wasn’t sure, but that doesn’t mean she was going to just hand them over all peacefully like he wanted. For another, she may deal with ghost related problems primarily but that doesn’t mean that she was totally clueless on how to handle humans. Her Mom was a black belt in at least three different martial arts and her Dad was an amateur boxer who often times forgot how strong he really was.

When Danny finally sat them down and told them her secret, they wasted no time in beginning a training regimen to teach her how to fight a array of opponents. Ghost or human. Well, after they basically tore the entire house down trying to dismantle the security system and any weapons they could find. That was the day her parents nearly blew up the house in a attempt to protect her from their past mistakes. It was one of her fondest memories.

But now was not the time to reminisce. Quickly stealing a glance to both ends of the alley, much to the annoyance of the mugger who hissed at her to not try anything and just hand over the bag. To bad for him that Danny had absolutely no intention of doing that. As it turned out she had conveniently forgotten another idem that was stowed away in her purse right that second. A prototype collapsible Fenton Baton. Made with ecto infused stainless steel strong enough that even Dora in her dragon form couldn’t bend it. As well as made with an optional taser function that could shock even Vortex.

All she had to do was grab it from her purse and sock the guy in the head before he knew what hit him. Ha, lol! Anyway, holding her hands up Danny placed one hand on the strap of her bag and started moving her other hand into a position to where she could swiftly grab her baton. Purposefully making it look like she was going to hand over her things to the creep with the gun.” Yeah, that’s right sweetheart.” The mugger grunted as he looked Danny up and down in a way that made her skin crawl in disgust.” Just hand over the bag. Nice and slow like.” He said using the hand not holding the gun to make a grabby motion simulator to a toddler.

Right when she got her hand into position Danny spotted a bit of movement from above and before she knew what happened the mugger before her had his gun nocked out of his hands by a mass of black and yellow. No wait, it was a person? No wait, it was one of the vigilantes! The next thing Danny knew the mugger was slumped up against the wall unconscious with said vigilante standing between the both of them. An unneeded measure, but ok. She wasn’t going to complain if it saved her the trouble of beating the crap out of the would be mugger. Especially not when this was her first interaction with one of Gotham’s heroes.

Putting his Eskrima Stick back in its holster the black and yellow clad vigilante turned to Danny and asked her,” Are you okay, miss.” Danny blinked and relaxed her posture now that she didn’t have to worry about fighting off a mugger.” Yeah, thanks for that. He was starting to act all insistent about getting his hands on my bag.” She chuckled and for a moment he just looked at her like he was assessing her before what she could see of his face broke into a smile.” It’s no problem. The police will be here in a few minutes. Why don’t you get somewhere safe.” He told her kindly.

A bit confused Danny asked the vigilante,” Shouldn’t I wait for the cops to get here to give them a statement?” she asked unsure of the protocol, to which he just shook his head and pointed up to a camera that Danny herself hadn’t noticed.” Nah, we caught it all on camera. All we have to do to cuff this guy up and send them the evidence after they pick him up.” He told her with a smile. Nodding Danny adjusted her bag in front of her and moved to exit the alleyway and get back to where there was foot traffic.” If you’re sure, thanks again!” she said with a thoughtful smile towards him.

“No worries, miss. You just stay safe, and welcome to Gotham.” He said to her as she left causing her to halt in her getaway.” Wait a second. How did you know that I was-" before she could finish her sentence there was a sound of a whirling cable making Danny turn just in time to see her savior grapple away into the Gotham afternoon. Looking back at the alley Danny made the decision not to linger and started walking down the street. Walking just a bit faster when she glanced at the time on her phone screen and saw that it was 1:35 pm. It probably wasn’t important how he knew she wasn’t a local. More than likely it was just her accent.

Going a brisk pace Danny made it to the café fifteen minutes later without even breaking a sweat. Opening the door Danny is greeted by the sound of the bell above the door. Looking around she instantly spots her friends sitting at a table in the back with Damian. The boy in question meeting Danny’s eyes from across the room and smiled at her causing her stomach do a wired flutter that she quickly ignored. Making her way over to their table she sees Damian say something to Tucker and Sam and they both turned their heads in her direction.

“There you are.” Sam said in lieu of a greeting.” Here I am.” Danny replied back as she finally reached them. Damian then stood up quickly and moved aside to make it easier for Danny to take a seat by the back window.” Thank you.” She said as she passed him to which he answered with a nod.” So what was the hold up? I was about to shoot you another text when you walked in.” Tucker said as he placed his phone back into his pocket.” I got held up alright, literally, at gun point.” Danny said as she sat down.

Damian’s gaze shot straight to her in worry, looking her up and down in search of any injuries as he sat back down. While her friends looked at her with their jaws slack.” You got mugged!” they both practically screeched.” No, I almost got mugged.” She admitted as she took off her purse and set it beside her.” What happened?” Damian inquired with barley noticeable irritation. Making a mental note to go find that particular low life later.” I was coming to meet up with you guys and this guy with a gun pulls me into some dark alleyway.”

“I was going to pull out the baton my parents gave me and give him a good swack on the head, but before I could one of the cities vigilantes jumped him.” She explained excitedly making Tucker laugh.” Your first mugging and your first run in with one of Gotham’s heroes. All on our first week here.” Sam just rolled her eyes.” Honestly, if it was going to be any of us it was going to be you.” The goth sighed.” So which one was it?” Tucker asked in excitement.” Not sure exactly. He was dressed kind of like a bumblebee.” Danny answered making Damian chuckle in amusement. Their attention grabbed Damian explained.

“That was Signal. He’s otherwise known as the only bat that patrols during the day.” The ex-assassin said.” Out of all of the bats and he’s the only one out and about during the day?” Danny questioned.” Afraid so.” He says simply before taking a sip of his drink.” You will sometimes see the other bats around, though you may only see them during an emergency.” Feeling his phone buzzing in his jacket pocket Damian took it out to see that the family group chat was alive with chatter.

Duke: Guess who was the first one to meet Dami's new roomy!!!😜

Dick: What! You’re joking!!!

Tim: Aw, is somebody upset they weren’t the first one? Lol

Dick: How???

Duke: Saved her from getting mugged this afternoon.

Stephanie: You lie.

Duke: I do no such thing!

Duke: She even thanked me.😏

Dick: OMG!!!!! Is she ok???!!!

Duke: She was fine. Walked it off like a champ without a scratch.

Duke: All in all a job well done.

Barbara: Hate to break it to you Duke, but I met her earlier in the day when she came in to get a library card.

Duke: What!?!?!?

Dick: Oh Come On!!!

Tim: lol

Cass:🤭

Stephanie: I’m dying! OMG! I’m dead!!! ROTF!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😵

Smirking at his family’s antics Damian put his phone away again and turned back to the conversation.” So, you met Barbara this morning.” He started. Raising an eyebrow Danny just smirked,” How’d you guess?” She asked.” They’re discussing it over the family group chat. Dick is apparently very upset about it.” He told them with a smirk of his own.” Why would he be upset?” asked Tucker curiously.” Dick is my eldest brother, and Barbara's husband. He’s upset that she met Danny first by pure coincidence before he could meet her by either going threw me or by feigning serendipitous."

Taking his last words as a joke instead of the fact that Damian knew it to be Danny just laughed.” So it’s basically just the older sibling mentality where he thinks he’s entitled to meet every new person in his siblings lives just because he’s the oldest.”” Honestly yes.” Damian answered with a nod. Glad that he would not have to explain his brother’s eccentricities further. The last thing he wants to do is have to tell them about the stalking and scare them away. His family did want him to make more friends.

“Yet another reason I’m glad to be an only child.” Sam snorted making Tucker agree with a jovial ‘same'. They hung out at the café for another hour just conversing and eating their respective meals before heading out to explore. With the group of young adults taking note of all the places they found interesting or wanted to check out later. Danny and Tucker took note of all the electronic and computer stores they saw. When asked they explained how often good parts get thrown out and how dumpster diving was a good way to gather needed components cheaply.

“Isn’t that seen as stealing?” Damian asked knowing full well what New Jersey law said on the matter.” Not really, no. So long as the local law says its ok; which it does, and the dumpster isn’t marked as private property. Which most of them weren’t; then we’ll be fine. Tuckers even keeping a spreadsheet on which locations would be best.” Danny answered her roommate. Pointing behind them to the darker skinned boy currently typing away on his phone next to Sam.” I’ve already got eight different locations down. Half of which I saw also sold high-end appliances and of those two had machine parts.”

“Impressive.” Damian commented making Sam roll her eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that day.” Very.” She said sarcastically, not very interested in the tech stores but showed more regard for every tattoo parlor and botanical shop they walked past. Sparking a conversation about the ink Sam wished to get. With her even showing Damian the same reference picture that she showed Tucker and Danny the night before. All in all it was a pretty good day. Danny pointed out the grocery store she and Damian shopped at yesterday. Damian introduced them to a killer kosher bakery where they got cupcakes.

They even took notice of little places they could all hang out at in the future. Ax throwing, a large park just off campus, an arcade with a bowling alley. “No Tucker, we are not going to a karaoke bar. Remember what happened last time?” Sam chastised.” Oh come on, I said I was sorry. I even paid for the damages. It won’t happen again, promise.” The tech nerd pleaded, hands clasped in front of him in a begging manner as they paused just outside of said karaoke bar. The tune of a poorly sung version of ‘Cowboy Casanova’ becoming the background noise of his imploring.

At Damian’s raised eyebrow Danny explained,” The karaoke place back home was mostly decked out in glass. Including the booths, that were advertised as being sound proof.”” Were they not sound proof?” Damian asked with a confused frown.” They were, actually.” Danny answered with a wince and getting the hint Damian dropped the topic of discussion. Moving on they made their way back towards campus and settled down at one of the picnic tables on the quad. Where Damian being a Gotham native pulled up a map of the city and quickly gave them the ins and outs of every neighborhood.

“We’ve done our research ya know.” Sam snarked but Danny quickly interjected,” But we never really bothered to go too in depth, Sam. This could really save our lives later.” She conceded to that and let the other rich kid in the group finish presenting. Tucker himself feeling the beginnings of a great idea forming in his head paid rapt attention and even took his phone out to take notes.” What are doing?” asked his halfa friend when she noticed his rapid typing.” Just had an idea. Had to type it out before I lost it.” He answered.

“What kind of idea?” Damian asked the other boy from the opposite end of the table making the tech geek excited.” As you were talking about the city and the different neighborhoods and the rouges. I got the idea to make a sort of attack warning system for civilians. Kind of like a weather radar, but instead of warning people about the weather it’ll warn people about ongoing fights.” Damian blinked and sat up with interest.” That’s a great idea Tuck.” Sam said excitedly violet eyes wide with delight at the thought of helping the people of their new city. Less than twenty-four hours in, and she was already so gung-ho about potential ways to improve the livelihood for the people of Gotham. Old habits die hard.

“Yeah Tucker, Oh oh, you can even add a chat function so people can get updated by people who are close to the action.” Danny suggested as she waved her hands briefly in her excitement.” Perhaps even add in a alert function that gives people suggestions on how to evacuate based on what, or who is attacking and where. Like a notification telling people to put on their gas masks and head in a specific direction away from the vapors.” Damian proposed thinking how, if Tucker could get this idea of his off the ground his family could use it to aid civilians quicker and help minimize injuries or casualties to the surrounding populace.

“Dude you could make this your programing project and present it at the end of the year for an easy A.” Danny suggested giving her friend an easy smile.” I totally could. I’ll need some time to get it started and to work out a few things, though. It’s doable and has promise at least. Do you guys feel up to possibly helping test run the prototype?” the techno geek asked to which Danny and Sam readily agreed without hesitation, eager to help their friend with anything he might need.” Does that include me?” Damian asked all but sure if the other boy ment to include him in this project or not.

“Of course man. You seem like the kind of guy that gives honest feedback. I’m gonna need that if I’m going to make this thing work like a dream.” Tucker smiled and nodded as he accepted Damian’s help. They stayed like that until the sun started to set and they all decided to head back to the dorm. Stopping by what Danny affectionately called her ‘metal death trap of a car’, a moniker Damian instantly agreed with solely based on looks and nothing else. He didn’t believe he needed any more information on the sorry excuse for a vehicle. To pick up a few things of Tucker and Sam's that Danny had brought over for them from four states away.

“Why didn’t your parents want you to bring your sewing machine with you?” asked Danny while they were in the elevator. Her arms holding two boxes, one of which was Sam’s aforementioned sowing machine.” I don’t know, you know how my parents are. If it brings me joy they automatically have to try and ruin it for me.” She sighed and Danny rolled her eyes. Getting off the elevator they stopped by Tuckers room to drop off his stuff, say a quick hi to Kwan, before both girls proceeded to Sam’s room. Damian having decided to head back to their room to answer his Dad’s call.

Right as the goth girl opens the door to her room both girls are greeted to the sound of a very loud “Ow!” followed by a metal clang. Stepping into the room both girls are presented with the sight of a very exasperated looking Paulina as she sat on the floor next to a metal rod while rubbing her head.” What happened?” Danny asked the Latina girl as she stepped forward to help her only to stop at the short glare Paulina gave her.” Not long after you left the clothing rod in the closet fell down and made a mess of everything.” She explained and kicked the rod away from her before moving to get up.” I tried to fix it but it just wouldn’t stay up. No matter what I try it keeps falling down.”

Looking around both Danny and Sam notice both Sam’s and Paulina’s clothes were now neatly stacked on either girls bed with various small containers stacked next to them.” Isn’t there a maintenance guy we could call?” Danny asked and Paulina sighed.” I already called them. They said that they wouldn’t be by till next week.” She says in exasperation.” It’s move in week. What could they possibly be so busy with?” Sam almost screeched in annoyance.” No idea, but what I do know is that Dash punched a hole in Kwan’s dorm room. So it might be other things like that.”

Sam and Danny shared a concerned look then turned back to Paulina.” Why?” Sam asked in worry. Wondering if Kwan was ok and if she should go check on him. It would seem that Danny had the same idea as in the next moment she had her phone out and was sending a quick text to Tucker.” Dash stopped by on his way to Metropolis University and things got a bit out of hand while they were roughhousing. Nothing bad I swear.” Paulina told them honestly at the same time Danny got an answer from Tucker.

TooFine: Kwan’s fine. They were just being bros. Lol

With a sigh of relief Danny showed Sam her phone then put it away.” Alright then. Why don’t you let us take a crack at fixing the clothing rod. Danny, do you have anything that could help with this?” Sam asked the halfa.” Sure thing. I’ll go get my tool bag and a couple closet things I didn’t use.” Walking out Danny went back to her room, seeing Damian still on the phone she gathered what she needed as quickly and quietly as she could. With just a wave bye as she closed the door behind her and went back to room 613.

In less than five minutes the three girls were stepping back to admire their work. Not only had Danny fixed the old clothing rod but Sam and Paulina installed a second one in the form of a shower curtain rod that they jimmied into place. The rest of the previous storage bins and cubbies were put back in along with all the clothing previously removed. Now however they had a second rod to hang clothes from to take some of the weight. Paulina really had brought a lot of clothing. Not as much as Sam may have accused her of that morning but still more than necessary.

“And with that I am officially moved in.” Paulina said as she sat down in her desk chair.” Amen.” Sam said dryly, flopping down on her bed with a bounce. Danny just rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Paulina.” Do you need any help with anything else while I’m here?” Swiveling around in her chair Paulina looked around and then shook her head.” No, not at the moment. Everything is plugged in, my computer is set up, everything is in it’s place. I’m good!” she practically cheers. Thrusting both of her arms up in a show of victory as she twirled around while seated.

“Great.” Danny said happily and went about cleaning up her tools.” So have you met your roommate yet Danny?” the Latina girl asked.” With all that you said this morning about surprise roommate scenarios I would assume you have.” She says using jazz hands around the word surprise. Looking awkwardly in Sam’s direction they share a look before Sam just shrugged at Danny, as if saying ‘it’s up to you'. So thinking that there might not be any good outcome by trying to deflect and change the subject Danny sighed.” Well you see Paulina.”

Paulina just looked at Danny expectantly as she waited for an answer.” There was a bit of a mix up at the housing office and some such. As a result I was assigned a roommate- what I mean is that they- we didn’t read our information so now- which is- I mean-.” Danny stammered nervously not being able to find the right words. Telling her friends was one thing but she never thought she’d see Paulina again let alone have to explain her roommate situation to her. Finally though Sam had enough with her best friend verbally stumbling around trying to find the right thing to say and blurted out.” Her roommates a dude.” She said flatly.

For a moment nobody said anything, nobody moved, nobody blinked. There was no sound but even then there was no need. The silence was deafening enough. Paulina stared at Danny with a blank stare that made the halfa wonder if they made the right call in just telling her instead of just easing her into it. Danny had never seen Paulina like this before. Braking eye contact long enough to look at Sam the goth had quickly sat up again and watched the ex-A-lister with narrowed eyes and tilted head. She had never seen her like this either. Sure they were never friends but the goth still had more experience when dealing with Paulina then she did.

All of a sudden, the Latina girl in front of her lunged forward and grabbed hold of Danny’s shoulders.” Is she joking?” Paulina asked quickly with a look in her eyes that Danny would describe as close to manic.” Um… no.” She answered not knowing what else to say other than the truth. Making the other girls face morph in confusion.” What! Danny are you okay? Do you need help? I know our room is small, but if you need a place a get away you can stay here. I can go out and get an air mattress. Sure it’ll be a little cramped in here, but it’s you so I don’t think Sam will mind.” She ranted making Danny confused.

Right before her was one of the people who just a few short months ago made Danny’s high school experience hell. Now here she was holding onto her shoulders in a vice like grip while she rants about making room for her in their room.” Hold it, hold it, hold it.” Danny said cutting off Paulina’s rant about possible storage options.” As thankful as I am for you trying to keep me safe from possible danger. It's not really needed Paulina.” Danny told her gently. Taking hold of her wrists in a loose grip making Paulina realize just how hard she had the other girl in her grip.

Retracting her perfectly manicured nails from Danny’s person. Paulina let Danny gently guide her hands to her lap as she sat down in a kneeling position on the floor.” My roommate and I, his name is Damian by the way; are going to try and tuff it out till the end of the year.” She explained gently and patted Paulina’s hands before retracting her own.” What?!” was all she said as she continued to look at Danny like she grew a second head.” You’re just okay with this?” the other girl asked baffled, looking between Danny and Sam as she tried to make sense of this.

“Well yes, he and I talked it over and decided that this was probably our best option. We already went through the housing office and they were barely any help at all. The lady basically tried to spin it on us so we both just filled out a rehousing request and decided to just be roommates till something gets done.” Danny explained partly in exasperation towards that one office worker. Looking back on it now Danny thinks that she might have been acting a bit too passive aggressive towards them. But right now was not the time to contemplate past conversations.

“Wha- but you don’t even know him. He could be some psycho for all you know. He could have just orchestrated this whole thing just to make you his play thing. You’re putting a lot of faith in a stranger.” Paulina chastised and Danny sighted.” I know it’s crazy Paulina, we both do; Hell, we all do." She said as she gestured in a general motion.” But like it or not there’s no easy way to fix this and not any place for either one of us to go. According to the housing office all of the dorm rooms are taken and raising a big stink about it isn’t going to help us either.”

“The best thing we can do right now is to just deal with it. It helps that Damian isn’t a total stranger. Sam has met him on multiple occasions and can testify that he’s not a psycho.”” Actually I never said that. All I said was that I found him tolerable during galas if a bit eccentric.” Sam pointed out unhelpfully with a playfully smile. A smile that widened at the short glare Danny shot her from over her shoulder.” Well I don’t think he’s a phyco. He and I have been sharing a room for three days now and Damian’s been nothing but the perfect gentleman. Don’t you think I would’ve noticed something strange in that time?”

Paulina just narrowed her eyes.” Psychopaths often display a superficial charm in an attempt to manipulate those around them to get what they want.” The Latina girl lectured matter-of-factly, making both Sam and Danny stare at her.” That’s a very knowledgeable response.” Sam stated stunned, never having expected such a sentence to come out of the former A-listers mouth.” My Papa is a Judge.” Paulina shrugged rolling her shoulders and taking a breath to calm herself.” Well,” Danny started, dragging out the last syllable before making her point.

“I know what manipulation looks like, and Damian hasn’t tried once to manipulate me into something” Danny said thinking of the way Vlad was years ago before he got help. Even though Vlad was a Narcissist and not a Psychopath, the connection was still there.” As for charm, he hasn’t really tried to charm me or make me like him. He’s just been nice and trying to be friendly.” She defended then turned to her friend who comfortably watched the conversation from her bed.” Just ask Sam. We’ve spent the better part of the day with him so she totally would have said something if he were doing those things, right?”

“Right.” Sam answered and turned her attention back to Paulina." I get where you’re coming from Paulina, I really do; but in all honesty, I think Damian is a decent guy. If a bit stuffy. They both just got dealt a shitty hand and now they’re both trying to deal with what options they have. Which is not many.” She stated flatly.” Tucker and I, as well as Jazz have all talked to her about it and have opened our doors for her in case something happens. You also have to keep in mind that Danny has been trained to fight. True, she was trained to fight ghosts but the potential is still there. If something goes wrong I’m sure Danny can handle it.”

Sam’s words seemed to help settle Paulina’s worries a bit as her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly as she sat on her spot on the floor in front of Danny. Paulina gnawed at her bottom lip and turned her attention back to the space nerd sitting before her.” Has he displayed any impulsiveness or recklessness behavior? Any signs of pathological lying or a lack of empathy?” She asked with furrowed brows. Danny shook her head and gave Paulina her best comforting smile.” Damian is perhaps the most cautious person I have ever met in all honesty.” Danny stated.

“Honestly, I don’t really blame him. He grew up here in the city so he’s probably seen a lot. He might even be more responsible than Jazz, always trying to plan ahead. He might also be the most bluntly honest person I’ve ever met. You might even say he can be too honest.” Danny said as she remembered asking why she should stay away from a particular furniture store. Telling her that not only was it a place full of stolen high-end goods but also a front for the Russian mob.’ People have been known to go in and never come out.’ He told her a bit ominously.

“As for the empathy. He’s a Wayne! From what I’ve seen, heard and read online; they all care just a bit too much. Damian himself has participated in countless charity events and fundraisers for various non-profits. He’s even a big animal rights activist who volunteers for multiple shelters across Gotham City. Including the ones owned and ran by his step mom. Damian has even taken the time to give us information that the pamphlets they gave us didn’t have. I mean, did you even know that each dorm room comes with gas masks that we get to keep?” Danny asked at the end of her explanation.

Paulina had finally started to loosen up by the middle of Danny’s expound only to sit up at the end when she was asked about the mask.” We do?” She asked in astonishment. Watching as Danny got up and walk over to Paulina’s desk to pull out a Wayne Enterprises standard issue gas mask from the drawer.” See, we probably would have never of known that had he not told us. In fact, it was one of the charities that the Wayne’s run that donated them to the school.” Paulina’s shoulders slumped as she excepted the mask the other girl handed to her.

Examining the gas mask in her hand the Latina girl sat and thought for a moment or two before looking back up at Danny from her spot at the floor.” Okay, so he might not be a Psycho, but I still don’t like it.” She stated with a fiery determination in her eyes.” He could still be crazy in some other way, ya know. This is Gotham after all, and you never know what skeletons somebody could be hiding in his closet.” She said as she got up from her position on the floor and walked over to her purse. Placing the mask in the front pocket for convenience.

“I’m not asking you to like it, Paulina. I’m asking you to respect our decision.” Danny said before picking up her tool bag. Huffing Paulina sat down on her bed and crossed her arms.” Regardless, the offer still stands. Amity Parkers stick together, after all.” She practically grumbles in a serious mood. Nodding back Danny echoed the same statement and reiterated her promise that if things go bad, she’d come to them before leaving. Once Danny was gone Paulina shot up from her seat for the second time in the last ten minutes and turned on her computer.

Watching her roommate from across the room Sam lifted a well-kept brow at the ex-A-lister.” What are you doing?” She asked calmly.” Just a bit of cyber stalking. Don’t mind me.” Paulina said nonchalantly as she typed away on her keyboard.” You’re not going to find anything.” Sam told her, and she knew she was right. Tucker had already dug up everything he possibly could on Damian Wayne while they were still on their way to the city. It’s why she mostly let it go, mostly.” Well even if I don’t find anything the least I can do is fact check everything Danny told us.” She said as she began scrolling through links and articles on the screen. Making Sam sigh.

Back in the hallway Danny stopped by Tucker and Kwan’s room to quickly remind Tucker to put his complementary gas mask in his laptop bag. Being pleasantly surprised when Kwan spoke up and said that he already had his in his book bag already.” One of the people down at the housing office already told me about them before I even came up here earlier.” He explained with a smile.” Well at least they’re helpful in some ways.” Danny grumbles and frowned.” What was that?” Kwan asked confused from his side of the room.” Nothing.” She said quickly retreating out the door before he could ask anymore questions.

Walking back into her own room quietly Danny made quick eye contact with Damian who nodded in silent greeting before going back to his phone call.” Alright father, thank you for notifying us. Yes, you will be seeing me Sunday, goodbye.” Damian said and hung up the phone sighing once he was sure his father wouldn’t be able to hear him on the other line.” Rough conversation?” Danny asked after putting away her tools back under her desk.” I’m afraid so. Seems my father saw fit to do one of the things that I asked him not to.” Damian said in exasperation.

“What did he do?” Danny queries as she sat down in her own desk chair. Turning around to face Damian properly as they talked.” He went and spoke with the Dean today.” He admits in annoyance, Danny stared at him in panic.” They had a very long discussion and apparently the Dean was horrified both by the mistake and how it was handled afterwards.” He explained and Danny motioned for him to continue nervously. Choosing to ignore her racing heart till after her roommate was done telling her about the meeting.” There was a short investigation. The woman who we talked to at the housing office apparently resigned the day after we spoke to her.”

“They searched her computer and ended up finding some rather questionable Things that they couldn’t tell me about.” Not that it mattered much right now. He could always just read about it later before his next patrol.” Questionable things?” Danny asked incredulously. What could have possibly been on that computer that they couldn’t tell them about. The fact that they couldn’t at all definitely told Danny how horrible it could be. ‘Maybe she should ask Tucker to take a look later.’ she thought to herself trepidatiously.

“It sounded very serious. The police are now involved and that was as much as my father could tell me over the phone. The Dean apologized sincerely but couldn’t really do much for us at the moment. Apparently that woman was right when she admitted that there was nowhere else to put us.” Damian told her leaving out the part where his father ranted about the dormitory fundraiser funds partially going towards the demolition of one of the old dorms. His father was livid at the school and told the Dean such, but still agreed to help fundraise more money to replace the partly demolished building. In exchange they agreed to be more forthcoming to him about where the funds were going, and to renovate some of the older dormitory buildings instead of tearing them down.

Some of them were as old as the institution itself and as his father put it,’ It would be a shame to let such history disappear.’ Danny rubbed the sleeve of her hoodie and bit her lip.” Okay, so it doesn’t sound like we’re in any trouble.” She said nervously.” Tt hardly, if anything that office worker is going to get slapped with the book harder now based solely on the files they found.”” Still, now that they’re aware won’t there be any partial consequences for us? I know that we didn’t do anything wrong, but don’t colleges usually do stuff like that?” Danny asked worriedly as she continued to bite at her bottom lip.

Damian briefly balled his hands into fists, not out of anger but in an attempt to fight off the urge to reach out and rub Danny’s bottom lip in an effort to make her stop biting them so harshly. Unclenching his fists he chose to cross them instead when he started feeling his nails start cutting into the palms of his hands.” My father made them promise that there would not be any repercussions for us. We did nothing wrong, as I said before; it was that woman’s fault as well as the schools. He even managed to get documentation saying as such for our own protection should they try to say otherwise.” He explained further and gave Danny his best attempt at a reassuring face.

“We’re fine Danny. We’re not in trouble and we will not be their scapegoats. Everything will be fine, trust me" he said as gently as he could and Danny sighed. Letting go of a breath that she had been holding for what felt like the entirety of the conversation.” It’s not that I don’t trust you, Damian. I just can’t help but worry.” The halfa admitted with a slump of her shoulders.” I understand, but it will be okay, you’ll see.” Damian says giving her a small smile which she returned with a small upturn of her lips.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” Danny asked in an attempt to change the topic to something else.” I was thinking about trying out some of the recipes I found for the espresso machine but it might be too late for that.” Damian said as he held up the book he bought earlier in the day. Danny winced,” Yeah I’m not so sure I am quite ready to try anything from your coffee machine for a while.” She awkwardly laughed bringing her hand up to rub at the back of her neck. Scoffing Damian held the book up between them.” Was it not you who suggested that I get such reading material to help make a better cup?” He asked in mock outrage.

Danny let out a short chuckle at his play outburst.” You’re right, I did. Still doesn’t mean that I feel up to a repeat of this morning, every morning.” She sassed, slowly gaining back her good mood from earlier.” You said you trusted me.” He said with a playful grin.” I do trust you. I just don’t trust whatever comes out of that machine.” Danny shot back equally as playful. They went back and forth like that for a while unaware of the darkly dressed figure who watched them threw a pair of binoculars.

Looking up from his spying the black and blue clad man reached into a hidden pocket of his suit and pulled out his cellphone. Turning on the device briefly to check a few message notifications before putting it away and turning back to watch his target. Across the way in his dorm room Damian felt his phone vibrate incessantly over and over again. Taking his phone out of his coat pocket to see what everyone was going on about in the group chat this time. Scrolling up to the last messages he read Damian began to scroll down till he got to what had everyone so excited all of a sudden. There, a message from his eldest brother read,” IT IS ON…” it said simply. It, what did he mean by that? Scrolling back up Damian reread the text exchange that prompted that message.

Stephanie: So two Bats down. Who do you think will be next?😏

Tim: Who knows, probably B.

Dick: It’ll be me.

Stephanie: Says who?!

Dick: Says me, who else.

Duke: Seriously man can’t you just let it happen if it happens?

Dick: So says the guy who met her already.

Barbara: Technically Signal was the one to meet Danny this afternoon, not Duke. There’s really no way for her to know that he was really one of the Wayne’s when he saved her.

Barbara: And Dick, you’re making this a bigger deal than it has to be. Who cares that Duke and I were the first ones to interact with her.

Dick: I CARE!!!

Tim: He thinks it’s his birth right.

Stephanie: lol, taking a card out of Damian’s book much.

Cass: Me next.

Tim: Please don’t encourage him.

Barbara: Please don’t.

Duke: Dude seriously needs to chill out.

Dick: I’ll relax when I’m the next one to meet Dami’s new roomy.

Stephanie: And future wifey.😘

Duke: Guys come on, they only just met.

Stephanie: And I can already hear wedding bells.

Tim: Knowing you, you probably already started planning their wedding as a joke.

Stephanie: Like Damian would ever let me be his wedding planner.

Barbara: Getting a little bit ahead of yourselves, guys.

Dick: Yeah, I still have to meet her and give her the old Grayson seal of approval.

Tim: And we’re back to this.

Dick: Also, I’m pretty sure he would prefer me as his wedding planner too.

Stephanie: OH NO HE DIDN’T!!!

Cass:😮

Tim: Don’t take it personally Steph. It’s what he wants. He’s just upset he wasn’t first to meet Dami’s new girlfriend.

Duke: Not his girlfriend.

Stephanie: YET!!!

The chat continued like that for close to an hour till he finally got to what set off Dick. Earlier in the afternoon Stephanie took a selfie and posted it to the chat. It showed her in a purple cropped hoodie standing a distance away from the picnic table that Damian, Danny and her two friends were seated talking. Oh why must she provoke him like this? Just once could she not stir the pot, just once.

Stephanie: Look who I found hanging out at the quad!😋😏

Dick: Stephanie, don’t you dare!!! I mean it! Don’t you do it!!!

Stephanie: Do what, Dick? You mean go over there and say hello? Why, it would only be the polite thing to do.

Jason: You’re playing with fire Brown.

Dick: Darn right she is. I’m coming over there.

Barbara: Dick no. You’re acting erratically and you’ll only scare her away. Let them have some space to build a proper foundation for a friendship.

Dick: Tell her that, not me! I’m all the way across town and she’s taking selfies with them none the wiser.

Tim: It looks like Damian is giving them the run down.

Jason: He totally is. Look you can tell by the way he’s pointing at his phone screen.

Stephanie: Aw they’re getting up.

Tim: Damian properly saw you.

Dick: I swear to God Stephanie, back off!

Stephanie: You back off! Just because you were the first with everything before the rest of us came along doesn’t give you the right to be the first for everything else, disco dick.

Jason: Oh snap.

Tim: Now you’ve done it.

Duke: brace yourselves!

Dick: IT IS ON…

Damian looked at his screen with a growing sense of impending unease. What was Dick up to? Where was he now? The last response to the chat was over fifteen minutes ago. With his phone vibrating after that with texts from his other siblings. Each of them trying to worn him of whatever convoluted competition Stephanie and Dick have decided to compete in.” Hey, are you alright Damian?” Danny asked as she gave him a concerned look from where she was propped up against her bed’s headboard.” I’m fine. It’s just that my older brother is throwing a hissy fit, so to speak; and the rest of my family is trying to warn me. In an attempt to foil whatever he is planning on doing.” Damian answered honestly.

He didn’t think lying to Danny in this instance would help her with these turn of events. Not a couple hours ago he had hoped to shield her from his family's crazy antics. Now however Damian has come to realized that simply not telling her may put her into some sort of predicament. He couldn’t be everywhere with her at all times and if anything these texts proved that he couldn’t hold them back for much longer. So perhaps he should give Danny a little for warning.

“Foil whatever he is planning, huh? You make it sound like he’s some dramatic TV villain trying to rule the world.” Danny said with a chuckle.” What’s he even trying to do?” She asked and set her phone down on her lap.” He’s currently upset that his own wife was the first out of all of them to meet you when he apparently had unspoken dibs on the matter.” He admits, purposefully leaving out how she technically became acquainted with Duke as Signal earlier in the day.” Seriously, he’s upset about that? How old is he?” Danny asked with a raised eyebrow.

“He is nearing his mid-thirties, but that is not important right now.” He said making Danny sputter.” He’s in his thirties and he’s upset because he wasn’t the first one in his family to casually run into me while I was out and about.” Danny says as she sat up from her relaxed position on her bed.“ Welcome to the preposterous nature that is my eldest brother.” Damian said dryly.” But speaking of running into you. I believe that is what he intends to do.” He told her making Danny confused.” So what, he wants to orchestrate a spontaneous meeting between me and him just so he can say that he wasn’t the last?”

“He said something about giving you his stamp of approval but I and my siblings believe that to just be an excuse for his pettier reasons.” Damian told her honestly. Delighted that his roommate caught on so quickly as to what he was trying to tell her. Danny just smiled giving a short chuckle as she shook her head in slight mirth." Sounds like a crazier version of what my sister Jazz would do.” She admitted lightheartedly.” So what do we do? He sounds pretty determined so simply avoiding him doesn’t seem like it’ll work long term.”

“Well I definitely do not want to give him what he wants now. With the way he’s been acting he doesn’t deserve it.” Damian said with a sigh. Taking his phone in his hands he typed out a quick message thanking his siblings for the warning which they quickly replied to with various degrees of ‘you’re welcome’. All except for Jason who sent Damian a private text telling him he’s on the lookout for Dick’s crazy ass. Across from him Danny thought about it for a moment. Running through the possibilities of what they could do and smiled mischievously when she had a sudden idea of what they could do.

“I’ve got an idea.” Danny announced once Damian looked at his roommate’s face he knew that this was going to be good.” I’m all ears.” Damian answered with a raised brow.” Your brother wants to meet me, that’s fine. He won’t be the first one to do so.” She said smugly.” Are you saying you want to meet my other siblings first? When just yesterday you told me you felt that interacting with them one at a time would be the best call.” Damian pointed out and paused when he suddenly got the feeling that they were being watched.

Looking around the room with his eyes Damian could find no evidence of any cameras. Everything was still in its place from when they both left that morning.” Yeah, I know I said that. That doesn’t mean your brother is going to except that though, and while the idea of meeting them all at once kind of terrifies me it might just be our best option. Saving both of us the paranoia and you the inevitable migraine.” Danny explained as she watched her roommate get up from his bed and stepped over to the window, moving their already opened curtains further out of his way as he looked out.

Dick was out there, he could feel it. He could feel him watching them, but where- there. Right across the campus on the roof of another dormitory, was none other than Dick Grayson clad in his Nightwing suit spying on them with the help of a pair of high-tech binoculars. Really, could he have been any less subtle?” Everything alright there roomy?” Danny queries silently wondering if maybe the paranoia she just briefly mentioned was already setting in. Damian mentally kicked himself. Not only was he worrying Danny but he was also drawing attention to Dick's erratic behavior. In his vigilante gear no less.

“It’s nothing." He lied as he closes the curtains and turned back to his roommate.” I just thought that it was getting a little too bright in here. Better to close the curtains now then to get blasted later.” Damian excused while he sat back down and took out his phone again.” So you’re thinking of just getting it over with?” He asked in an attempt to deflect any more questions about his current actions. He could see that she had wanted to ask but quickly let it go in favor of continuing with the current topic.

“Yes, Barbara and I got to talking while I was at the library and she suggested it might be for the best. Current goings on make me think that she’s right.” Danny admitted and frowned when Damian gave a short ‘Tt'.” That’s Barbara for you. She’s usually right about most things. Even when she is wrong she is still somehow right.” Damian said as he pressed the send button and sent off his message to its recipient.” Sounds a bit annoying.” Danny commented with a chuckle.’ And again, just a bit like how my sister can be.’ She thought to herself. Message sent Damian placed his phone on their nightstand Damian shrugged one shoulder and gave his roommate a playfully exasperated look.” It can be,” He confirmed,” you get used to it.”

Not to far away, on the rooftop of another dormitory Dick, or rather Nightwing grumbles to himself as he tried to observe the silhouettes of the people he’s stalki- watching from afar. Its not stalking if one of them is family, and it was that thought he used to justify why he currently had them under observation. Surveillance, if you will. Because it is surveillance if the girl currently with his sweet little brother has yet to be determined as a hostile or not. I mean, she more than likely isn’t but that’s not the point.

The point is that she has yet to be vetted by all of them, especially him. So it was up to him to make sure this Danny Fenton was not a League of assassin’s plant put there by Damian’s own mother for some nefarious purposes. Or some attempt by Slade to lure Damian out so he can get one over on Ra's. Or some plot by Lord Death Man to… do something? Okay so, the truth was that Stephanie may have triggered his protective instincts and sent them into overdrive on accident and caused him to go overboard. With what Tim said yesterday at lunch about her being up to no good also contributing but there was no turning back now. He was invested. He needed to see this through and stick it to Steph while he’s at it.

Now back to his surveillance, why would Damian close the drapes? What were they doing? Was he making a move and didn’t want Dick to see? That didn’t sound like Damian. The ‘making a move part’, not the ‘not wanting anyone to see part’. Switching his binoculars sight to a different setting Dick continued to watch as the distorted shapes that were two teens sat on their respective beds opposite to the other. Presumably talking then, so he’s not making any moves. On Danny that is. Good, good, good; young padawan has learned from the masters’ mistakes.

So then, why close the curtains? With the way that he looked out of them a minute ago it’s probably safe to say that Damian knew he was there. He more than likely didn’t want Danny girl getting too curious about what he was looking at and decided to take the temptation away entirely. Then turned her attention away with conversation, sneaky. It also may or may not work. So what insurance does he have that she won’t look out the window and spot him anyway? Why take the risk that she might do the exact opposite of what he wants her to and take a peek? What could they possibly be talking about that could distract her that much? Dami mentioned that she liked space, was it space?

Just then, before Dicks mind could wonder to other possible engaging topics of discussion; Dick felt two hands grab both his shoulders and throw him onto his back faster than he could react. He got distracted, woops! Snatching the binoculars from out of his hand the figure quickly tossed them over his shoulder before looking down at him with a scolding gaze. At least Dick guessed that it was scolding. It was kind of hard to tell when he wore that helmet.” Hey ya Dicky bird! Have you been spying on Demon spawn? Don’t even try to deny it either after I’ve caught you red handed.” Jason accused as he stared down at Nightwing.

Or maybe Damian called in reinforcements while he was fully engrossed in what he was doing. “Hood? What are you doing here?” Dick asks anyways from his sprawled-out position on the rooftop. Jason, or rather Red Hood just crossed his arms as he stared down at the grown ass man before him looking all confused as if he had the right to be. Rolling his eyes under his red helmet Jason chuffed humorlessly,” I’m here because our little brother texted me. Told me you were watching them. Even said how much of a creep you were being about it too.” He said and took a step back when Nightwing spun on his back into a windmill in order to stop and sit properly cross-legged in front of Jason.

“I’m not being a creep! I’m being diligent in my role as an older brother, the eldest brother.” Dick defended dramatically, placing a hand on his chest and lifting his nose in the air a mock superior manner.” What you’re being is smothering.” Jason commented dryly from his standing position. Dick scoffed loudly in a dismissive way and swiped his hand as if to shoo away a fly.” Smothering? Please, I don’t smother.”” Yes, you do.” Jason said not having any of Dick’s antics.” You’re smothering him right now. You just don’t want to own up to it because you don’t want to admit that our little bat is flying from the cave.” Jason said as gently as the voice modifier on his helmet would allow.

Nightwing's shoulders slumped but still he tried to hold onto his denial.” I still don’t know what you’re-" he started only to stop when Hood crouched down in front of him and held up his phone screen for the other man to see. Looking at the screen Dick saw a zoomed in picture of Damian with his roommate and two other teens. Though Dick could tell just by looking at it that the zoomed in image wasn’t from the one Stephanie took that afternoon. This one was more than likely from a security camera. They were sitting somewhere else, somewhere indoors and the all had coffee cups. A café, or a bakery?” You see that Dickwing? Our little bird is grown up.” He told him.

Bringing his hand up Jason swiped his finger on the screen to another photo. This time it was them walking down the street window shopping. Another swipe and there they were in a bakery. Again another swipe and they were standing on the sidewalk. Both girls had their hands covering their ears, faces contorted in a mix of annoyance and pain while Damian’s was twisted in an obvious grimace. The reason for their suffering clear to see as the African American boy they were with was singing his heart out in what looked like a boisterous manner. That picture made Dick smile.

“You’re not upset because Danny hasn’t been checked yet. We both know that, Dick. So why don’t you just admit that what’s really upsetting you is that you think that he won’t need you anymore.” Jason said allowing his brother to take his phone so he could look through more of the snapshots from various security cameras as well as a few Dick suspected came from Danny’s social media. When the older man was occupied swiping through his gallery Jason decided to take off his red helmet and set it aside. Revealing the red domino mask he wore underneath.” He's always going to need you, Dick. He’s always going to need all of us.”

Reaching out Jason put a hand on his brother’s shoulder in reassurance using his other hand to gently lower the phone down to gain Dick’s attention back properly.” We’re his family. No amount of people coming and going from his life is ever going to change that. No matter how old he gets.” Jason told him reassuringly and Dick looked back down at the phone still in his hands before giving his brother a small nod.” That doesn’t make it suck any less. I’m just going to miss having him around.” He mumbles, turning off the screen before giving the device back to Jason.” Yeah, I know buddy." Jason said putting his phone securely in his leather jacket and standing back up from his crouch. Offering a hand to Nightwing to help him stand up while he was at it.

“But it’s not like you’re not going to see him. He still lives in the city and he’s still going to be patrolling as Robin. So it’s not like he won’t have time for us.” Once standing Dick took a deep breath in before sighing.” You’re right, it’s just hard you know. To let go, but I suppose he does need his space. To find out more about who he is away from us. Who knows maybe despite all the drama all of this could actually be good for him.” ‘Maybe this Danny girl is actually good for him’. he thought to himself. So far Tim hasn’t been able to find anything to prove the contrary. ‘Yet’ a secretly pessimistic voice in his head said.

Because knowing their luck there was bound to be something. Even if it was just a speeding ticket, there was always something. For now however Dick chose to ignore that incredibly annoying negative thought and just try to be the best supportive older brother he could be.” That’s the spirit!” Jason says encouragingly slapping his hand hard onto Dicks shoulder. The two Bat brothers shared a meaningful smile with one another, only for Jason to use the hand still on Dicks shoulder to swiftly drag him into a head lock.” Ah, Jason!?” Dick cried as his brother’s fist started digging into his head in a back in forth motion.” What’s this for?!”

“What, this? Why it’s the consequences of your actions Dickhead. What, did you think you were going to get off scot free?” Jason laughed teasingly as he continued giving the man currently trapped under his forearm a noogie.” Trust me this is the least of your worries. Wait till you get home. Everyone is a bit ticked off by what you did. Don’t get me wrong they’re a bit upset at Steph to, but not as much as they are at you. Barbara herself has a few choice words to give you. Even mentioned something about making you sleep on the couch.” Jason told him making Dick groan in frustration with himself.

What mess had he gotten himself into.” And what the hell do you think you were doing coming out during daylight hours when it wasn’t an emergency.” Jason continued with his chastising.” You know for a fact that this goes against the old man’s protocol. You’re in for one hell of a lecture when we get home, and I ain’t just talking from B either.” He chuckled at his brother’s misfortune. Getting a lecture from Bruce was one thing, getting a lecture from everyone was another. Even Alfred had seemed annoyed by his adoptive grandsons’ antics he had called Jason to ask him to deescalate things right before he got Damian’s text with Dicks location. Boy he kind of felt sorry for him. Not enough to stop noogieing him till he grew balder than Lex Luther, though. Who knew, maybe he’ll learn his lesson.

Chapter Text

Tim sat back and looked at the screen of the Batcomputer with raised eyebrows as he processed all of what he had found. The initial search for information on Damian’s roommate had started out normal enough. He began with what information he was given and what he found yesterday when Damian was at the manner and started digging a little bit deeper. Finding nothing really out of the ordinary other than her lab accident, her grades taking a nose dive for a couple years, and a lot of incidents on her school file about her many detentions for skipping classes or for just skipping school entirely. Not very out of the ordinary. She was fourteen at the time. Teenagers do what teenagers do. Even he was guilty of the same thing on a much more extreme level. So who is he to judge.

Then he saw the accounts of alleged vandalism and destruction of school property and even a note in her school file stating that under no circumstances was she to ever handle any glassware or other such fragile objects. Weird, but those incidents happened shortly after Danny had her accident so maybe they were a result of her circulatory issues. Clumsiness was often a system of such problems. Taking note of that he moved on and made note of a magazine article that essentially gave Danny credit for saving an entire species of critically endangered gorilla. Oh Damian is going to love that. Making a note of that Tim moved on to her athletic career.

As Damian said, she started off swimming on her high school team and was very good at it, but decided to quit to focus on her ice skating. Debatably a good move for her but seeing all of the competitions she's won, as well seeing that she managed to score a scholarship for it out of about a hundred applicants, he was willing to let it slide. Over all things looked pretty normal on the surface. That was until he took a closer look at her parents. Jack and Maddie Fenton were scientists, more specifically they were something called Ecto-biologists. Which just sounded made up, but with a little bit of searching it became apparent that it was in fact an actual field of study. Which, okay!

They evidently study the existence/ behavior of ghosts on an academic level. Though that didn’t always seem to be the case after a quick look at their old site. A thorough read of their old website, and his eyes still sting a little bit when he blinks from the hours he spent scouring that monstrosity of a web page; showed that they use to believe in a catch, experimentation, and dissection method to their study. Hunting the so-called ghosts with various weapons that they designed and built themselves and that Tim was all to glad to take note of. However around the time that they launched the new website the Doctors Fenton seemed to have experienced a shift in their beliefs on ghosts, as it shows in their more current work. The question is, what?

Reading through their pervious publications told Tim that they previously believed ghosts cold, unfeeling, evil manifestations of post human consciousness that form after death by essentially latching onto and imprinted on a semi gelatinous substance called ectoplasm. Which upon further reading sounded way too much like the Jell-O version of Lazarus Water for it to be a coincidence much to Tim's dismay. Opening up another file on the computer Tim made several bullet points about the Fenton’s research. Including a compare and contrast on the differences between their old research and the new. Which they unknowingly helped him with by providing a written publication by themselves that admitted how wrong they were and why.

From there he felt like he fell down a rabbit hole. While reading both the old and the new website Tim learned about other ghost hunters. From there he learned about a supposed, and defunct; branch of the government known as the Ghost Investigation Ward or GIW for short. Though sometimes they were referred to simply as the Guys In White. Looking through other sources Tim found that they had been a legitimate and government funded organization up until over a decade ago when they were defunded and were set to fade into obscurity. The Fenton’s website told a different story.

The GIW had put a blackout over the whole town of Amity Park for two years. For two years!!! For two years an entire town basically disappeared off the face of the earth and no one, not even the Justice League, noticed! These people were isolated, indoctrinated, and bullied into complacency by a bunch of goons masquerading as a government approved organization for who knows what reason. And the League was never notified! Or they were notified and they went completely ignored. It definitely depended on who was on monitor duty that day. The Flash especially has been known to hang up on a call when the caller mentions something supernatural in the past and has been subsequently yelled at for it multiple times in the past. By both the founding members and by Justice League Dark but that was a matter to be addressed later. For now he went back to digging.

Jack and Maddie Fenton stated that when the town had banded together and stormed the GIW base some important documents were destroyed and deleted completely. They were still able to retrieve most of what was on their drives and thankfully it was enough to charge those white clad menaces with a variety of crimes. Which was good for them, but it still didn’t explain a few things. Firstly, just who were the Guys In White working for. The Fenton’s stated that an outside party took an interest in the agency and made it what it was when it was taken down, but they never state who or for what reason. Secondly, what happened to the husband-and-wife duo to shift their views on what is essential their life’s work. Thirdly, on the old website the Fenton’s mentioned a quote, “spectral menace” that they called Phantom. Who was that and why could he not find any other mention of them anywhere else?

Seriously, Tim looked everywhere for even the tiniest of clues as to who Phantom could be and found nothing. From old news reports to social media posts, public archives to a poorly secured server in the mayor’s office. There was nothing, nada. The closest he felt he got to a clue was a conspiracy theory blog ran by a local that claimed that Phantom had hacked into his computer in the days after the GIW take down and deleted everything pertaining to her that he had ever posted on his page. He even went so far as to blame Phantom for editing herself out of public records and full on deleting social media posts pertaining to, or mentioning her. Which was a lot according to him and gave Tim his next clue. ‘Her', so Phantom was supposedly a woman.

Was she a hacker, and one who was amateur enough to leave behind a footprint, a rather large footprint at that; before deciding to scrub all evidence of herself and her actions years later before vanishing? Then what about the Fenton’s old website and change in research tactics Why stop making weapons to supposedly eradicate ghosts in favor of defensive gear for defending themselves against them when necessary. It can still hurt them too but at a much less lethal level. Can you even call it lethal if what they’re using the gear on can be classified as deceased?

Moving on Tim debated hacking into the Fenton Works servers before deciding to save that for later in favor of doing a bit more digging on the GIW. He had read a line on the Fenton’s page that stated that the fraudulent federal organization had nearly taken over by utilizing something called the Anti-Ecto Acts to their advantage. Tim himself had never even heard of it before but after just a minute of reading what the federal law in tells he was positively horrified. So not only could the US government arrest what is essentially a dead person, but they can also experiment, torture and exterminate them with extreme prejudice because they were classified as non-sentient, non-sapient, and possibly subhuman.

That was just the tip of the iceberg though. The law also stated that Ecto-adjacent individuals also fell under the act. So beings that were dead or once dead at some point. Beings such as Zombies, Revenants, Vampires all qualified. Even something called a Liminal qualified. Which after cross referencing with the Fenton’s research, was a Ecto-contaminated individual that was exposed to the point that some aspects of their being, Physically, instinctually, or both; have changed over the course of constant or repeated exposure. Either by being in close proximity to a source of abundant ectoplasm, consuming quantities of ectoplasm or ecto contaminated foods, or by dying and subsequently resurrected at some point in time. Like flat-lining and having to be resuscitated. Which filled Tim with even more unease.

Because not only was there an entire subspecies of human that are not protected by the Meta Protection Acts and laws that punishes those who are associated with them, but it also explained Jason in a way that previously they could never understand. Dying really did change him. It changed him more than they could possibly understand on a human level before now. Then again after reading what he did and looking back on the families own collective experiences with death, could he really say that? How many of them are ecto-contaminated? How many of them could be classified as liminal? Not only that, but what about the Justice League? More than half the League as a whole have died and been resuscitated at some point? What about them? What about their families? Can ecto-contamination be passed down from parent to child? If so then they have a even bigger problem on their hands then they previously thought.

He needed to talk to Bruce about this. Then they needed to tell the whole family and possibly spread the word fast. Because something like this, if left alone; could have the potential to cause catastrophe. Taking a breath Tim looked at his notes and started typing his findings in a report. Hours later Tim sat back and just stared off into space while he looked at the screen. All the while one continuous thought circulated in his head. They failed, they failed so bad and so hard that an entire town more than likely lost faith in the Justice League and who could blame them. They were essentially left to fend for themselves against what could only be described as a ghost hunting extremist group.

Hearing the security lock for the caves clock entrance click open Tim listened to the familiar footfalls as they made their way down into the cave.” Find anything interesting?” Bruce asked as he made his way over to the Batcomputer. Pulling the crimson red tie he wore loose as he went.” Too much I would say.” Tim answered solemnly, pausing briefly in his brooding to glance back at his mentor/father figure.” How did the meeting with the Dean go?” he asked in an attempt to get his own mind off the ginormous bombshell that just went off, in his own opinion.

“Gotham University has looked into the issue to the point that now the police are involved and are conducting their own investigation into the office worker responsible for Damian and Miss. Fenton’s current predicament.” The Wayne patriarch said as he made his way over to Tim.” Really, what did they find?” Tim asked curiously as he turned to face the other man.” From what I saw and overheard, that office worker had downloaded and sent off every blueprint of the college campus in an encrypted email from a secured file to an account that was quickly deleted shortly after she put in her resignation.” Bruce responded as he came to stand next to his son. “We’ll know more later. I have Barbara on it right now.”

“What did they say about them? Are Damian and Danny going to be alright?” the former Robin asked in concern making the older of the two sigh.” In light of current events the Dean has agreed that their rooming placement was not either of their fault and will not hold them responsible for something that should’ve never happened to begin with. I told him how they were being very adult about it and how they agreed to tuff if out. He agreed that it might be the best course of action given the dormitory situation the college was currently in.” Bruce trailed off in irritation and making Tim sigh irritably as well.

They had worked so hard to raise the money needed for the college to build more adequate housing for their students. Only for them to build one new dormitory, coincidentally the one Damian was living in now; and then use the rest to tear down another. Sure the Walker building was basically coming down on its own anyway but they never told them or anyone else what they were going to use part of the funds for. So all in all, they were rightfully miffed at the institution right now. Especially since they agreed to raise more money for them. Thankfully though Bruce managed to come to a compromise with the Dean regarding the funds situation by convincing him that it would be money better spent to renovate the already existing dormitories.

If he hadn’t, Tim thinks he would have started banging his head against the wall if a similar situation happens the next time they give them a check.” Did you get that in writing? You know how those types of institutions like to throw people under the bus when things go wrong.” Tim said with a big stretch that popped all the way up his back and neck. Man, how long has he been sitting here? Glancing at the bottom right-hand corner of the humongous screen Tim took note of the time and date and mentally shrugged. Only twenty-two hours, not bad.” Yes Tim, I got it in writing and sent a copy of it to Damian. Now I’m certain that I’ve covered all of our bases with this.” Bruce announced confidently before turning his attention towards the Batcomputer.

“Your turn to answer my question. Did you find anything interesting?” the billionaire asked again to which Tim just sighed. Mentally preparing himself for what was to come. Deciding to start with the easiest part first Tim brought up everything he found on Danny Fenton on the screen.” As far as I can tell Damian’s roommate is a pretty normal person at first glance. Was an A and B plus student till her accident in her parents’ lab her freshman year. Her grades took a nose dive after that but she did manage to get them up to a C average before she eventually got her bearings again and she went back up to A's and B's.”

“Around the time after her accident I notice some things on her school file.” Tim said and brought a few of the documents from her records up so Bruce could see them.” The vandalism and destruction of school property was concerning to me. Up until I read a note stating that she was band from handling any and all breakable items on school property that was dated months after her accident.” “So you think that those incidents were just accidents caused by the medical conditions she sustained after her lab accident.” Bruce deducted as he quickly read through the documents on screen.

“Yes, more than likely the school didn’t know about the injuries yet and wrote the incidents off as simple destructive behavior, rather than the result of actual medical issues.” Tim stated as Bruce continued to read.” That doesn’t quite explain the skipping school or the incident involving escaped frogs." The older man pointed out to which Tim just shrugged.” I just chalked those up to classic teenage rebellion.” The younger man dismissed.” Moving on, she swam on her high school swim team and even helped them go to state before quitting to focus primarily on ice skating. She’s pretty good to. Winning multiple competitions before being the one to win a skating scholarship against dozens of other applicants.”

Tim continues as he pulled up a video he found of Danny skating a routine at a competition back in her home state of Illinois.” She’s very talented.” Bruce commented as he watched Danny preform a quadruple axle. Tim nodded in agreement,” I agree and apparently so does her old coach as well as several professional judges. Some even think that she might have what it takes to go Olympic despite her medical conditions.” He said as he clicked on another link leading to the “Genius Magazine" article. Which Bruce stared at in alarm as he read through the two full pages front to back.” She spent the night at a zoo and went into a gorilla enclosure unsupervised?!”

“Risking life and limb just to interact with the great beast, sound familiar?” Tim asked jokingly making Bruce silently groaned.” Let’s hope Damian never finds that out.” The dark knight grumbles as he remembered all the times he had to explain to his youngest child why he could not just brake into various zoo exhibits to pet the animals. Whether he knew what he was doing or not.” Now you said that she seemed normal at first glance. What did you find on her when you looked deeper?” Bruce asked his son and trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his head that said how much trouble Damian will inevitably be getting into with Danny around. With a sigh Tim clicked off some of the things he pulled up on Danny and brought up everything he found on her parents.

“That’s where I fell down a rabbit hole.” He began and so Tim proceeded to explain to his father figure everything that he had found. Starting with the Doctors Fenton and their previous research. Before going into their newest research and explaining his theories as to what caused the drastic changes in their study. Coming swiftly to the GIW and the incidents that the Fenton’s stated happened on their website as well as the proof that such events indeed occurred. Evidence that was corroborated by various other credible sources including the mayor’s office, local police departments and both the city and state archives. Bruce having gone pale when the subject of the Anti-Ecto Acts came up. His heart racing as he came to the very same conclusion that Tim had just hours ago. They screwed up.

They screwed up bad!

“The law is still in effect?” Bruce asked in a low voice, feeling very out of breath as the shock and fear coursed through his veins. How, just how did this escape the Leagues notice? How did this escape his notice? Tim’s shoulders slumped his face morphing from all business to intense regret.” Unfortunately yes, after the town of Amity Park collectively took down the GIW. They appealed to their state legislation to have the law contested and removed. They were ignored, and even when they did get somebody to listen it was only to tell them to essentially buzz off and quit wasting their time. From the sources I checked and hacked into, as well as cross referencing the info on the Fenton’s page; it’s safe to say that the government doesn’t believe the law exists. Let alone understand the events that it was used to justify.”

“Hn.” Bruce hummed unhappily and crossed his arms. So either the government was completely ignorant to the Anti-Ecto Acts existence, unlikely; or they did know and were turning a blind eye because they don’t want it to make them look bad. There was also the chance that someone else was telling them to ignore an entire town for someone else’s benefit. But who’s, and what would they have to gain from committing such atrocities towards an entire species who lived in an alternate dimension.” I’ll look into who was on monitor duty the days they called before the GIW’s blackout. I’ll also call in a mandatory emergency meeting with the Justice League to debrief them on the current situation.” The dark knight said with a glare that promised punishment.

“Almost feel bad for whoever dropped those calls, almost.” Tim said sarcastically as he held up his long cold coffee to his lips and took a sip. Grimacing at the taste but still choosing to take a second sip. No sense in wasting good coffee.” There will definitely be severe repercussions for this. This should have never happened. The fact that the league itself damaged the trust of an entire zip code speaks of a level of incompetence that should not and will not be tolerated.” Bruce said in annoyed anger. Grabbing his pad, or Batpad as his kids call it; Bruce brought up the call logs for the Watchtower.” A whole town taking on a shady organization with unknown motives angry mob style. What next?”

“You probably shouldn’t ask that.” Said Tim as he pulled up the Fenton’s website again. Highlighting several passages that mentioned Phantom by name. Looking up from his pad Bruce read and then reread the text that was pulled up on the jumbo computer screen in front of him.” Any other sources?” the taller man asked his son.” Just a blog run by a local conspiracy theorist by the name of Westley Weston. He also made a claim saying that there was a fan page ran by a couple of local teens who also ran a fan club dedicated to Phantom. However I have not found any evidence to support his claim, but he’s pretty adamant that it happened.”

Bruce was silent for a moment before letting out a tired long-drawn-out sigh. Pinching the bridge of his nose Bruce addressed his son.” So we have an unknown operating in a remote location in the northern part of the Midwest with unknown cause and with unknown motives. An unknown that appeared out of nowhere and was active for almost half a decade before disappearing nearly as abruptly. With barley any evidence to show that they were even there to begin with.” The dark knight summarized and glared at the screen in front of him.” Pretty much the gist of it, yeah Bruce.” The younger man confirmed flippantly as he picked up his mug again. Chugging the last cold remnants of his life’s elixir.

With another tired sigh the older Wayne got back to work. Stepping back into his detective mindset he decided on a course of action.” What do we know about Phantom from the sources we have?” he asked in a very business-like way, serious and to to the point.” Phantom is a woman based on the wording of both sources. And other than the anonymity she made for herself after the events of the GIW base, it would seem that she was a well-known, well-established figure in the town. If the Fenton’s account of the sequence of events is as accurate as they appear to be then Phantom is known as a helpful individual. Someone who shows up at the first sign of trouble to help in whatever way she can. Whether that be helping get civilians to safety, rallying the surrounding populace against a common enemy, or outright fighting them herself.”

“You think she might be a vigilante.” It was not said like it was a question but with the way the Bat patriarch raised his brows it might as well have been. It was Tim’s turn to sigh as he quickly stood from the well cushioned chair to quickly stretch before answering.” I think it’s a possibility. A very good possibility.” Tim told the older man. Grabbing his empty coffee mug and walking over to the machine to make himself another cup.” Hn.” Bruce said simply as he reread the information on the screen again. So many questions running around in his head that only stopped when the sounds of two motorcycles entering the cave reached his ears.

Sounds like his two eldest sons were back and by the sounds of their bickering Jason had already started chastising Dick for his actions today. Though a light reprimand from Jason was the least of what Dick will be receiving if what he read in the family group chat was any indication. He himself planned to give him a scalding for his actions. As well as for going back on his word to Damian. However if the sounds of the rest of the clan descending into the cave were any indication than Bruce would not be alone in having words with Dick for his little gallivant in the daylight. Turning the screen of the Batcomputer on sleep mode Bruce quickly made his way over to where his two oldest children were bickering the way only siblings could do.

He and Tim will notify the rest of the family soon. Once Bruce has punished whoever ignored those cries for help for their negligence and once Tim hopefully gathered more intel on Phantom. For now Bruce focused on the present matter of disciplining Nightwing. Standing off to the side arms crossed Bruce put on his most disappointed Dad face and waited for his turn to have words with his son. Hopefully when everything is said and done Damian will still allow the family to meet his new friend. As much as the information Tim found on her points to her being a bit of a trouble maker he still believes that Danny could still be a positive influence on his youngest child. Only time could tell if that assumption was true. Bruce was happy to wait and see however long it would take. For his kids he would do anything, even be patient. He could be patient for Damian. After all he waited how long for him to show this much progress. What was a bit longer.