A small smile graces your lips when you walk into the living room after coming home from work.
There he is, Simon lying on the couch. One arm rests over his eyes and the other one lies under Snowballs (the cat he definitely didnât want) body.
His eyes are closed and a low snore rumbles over his lips.
Your smile grows bigger at the sight and you walk up closer to the black couch.
Your sleeping giant stays still asleep while Snowball raises his head shortly to look at you before the sleep crawls back into his mind and takes him back into his napping session.
Your bag drops to the floor next to the couch table and your body decides to nap with your baby and your boyfriend.
You take Snowball into your arms climbing onto Simonâs body and resting between Simon and the couch.
His arm immediately finds your waist grabbing onto you and pulls you closer to his side (if that is even possible because the couch is that small).
A low grumble leaves Simonâs lips when he hides his face into your hair and takes a deep breath.
having to share a bed with Simon Riley who you've known forever and you sorta have a crush on him and you kinda hope there'll be a bit of a chill or something else out of those cheesy romance books.
and when bed time rolls around, you get into the bed and under the covers and instead of laying next to you, Simon curls up at the foot of the bed like a dog. he bends his large body into a shape that can't be comfortable and shouldn't be possible. his chin rests on one of your knees, deep brown eyes focused on the door.
just as you're beginning to doze off, you can hear and feel him do a big sad dog sigh and you fall asleep with a small smile on your face.
Damian Wayne is the clingiest sleepy boyfriend imaginable. though, he'd never admit that. every night he is practically your body guard.
The manor was quiet in the way only deep nights could be â the kind of silence that made every creak of the old floorboards feel louder than it should. You woke up slowly, blinking against the darkness, your throat dry and your mind fuzzy from a half-remembered dream. The clock on the nightstand read 3:42am. Youâd only been asleep for a few hours, but your body was already demanding water.
You tried to slip out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Damian. He was curled up beside you, one arm draped possessively over your waist even in sleep, his breathing deep and even. His dark hair was messy against the pillow, his face relaxed in a way it rarely was during the day. You smiled softly, brushing a stray strand from his forehead before easing out from under his arm.
The second your feet touched the floor, he stirred.
âMm⊠where are you going?â His voice was thick with sleep, rough and low, but his hand reached out immediately, fingers brushing your wrist.
âJust getting water,â you whispered, squeezing his hand. âGo back to sleep. Iâll be right back.â
He made a small, discontented sound, but his eyes stayed closed. You padded to the bathroom, the cool tile under your feet a relief. You filled a glass from the sink, sipping slowly, listening to the quiet drip of the faucet. When you turned to leave, Damian was standing in the doorway, hair even messier, eyes half-open, wearing his sleeping shorts and an old t-shirt.
You nearly jumped. âDamian? What are you doing up?â
He shrugged, stepping closer. âMaking sure you donât hurt yourself." fall in the toilet.â
You stared at him, trying not to laugh. âIâm not going to hurt myself getting water. Iâm a grown woman.â
He crossed his arms, looking adorably stubborn even half-asleep. âThe floor is slippery at night. And youâre tired. Iâm just⊠being cautious.â
You smiled, setting the glass down and stepping into his space. He immediately wrapped his arms around you, pulling you against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. His chin rested on your head, warm and solid.
âYouâre clingy when youâre sleepy,â you teased softly, fingers tracing patterns on his back.
âI am not clingy,â he muttered, but his arms tightened around you. âIâm⊠protective. Thereâs a difference.â
You laughed quietly, nuzzling into his neck. âSure. Protective of me falling into the toilet or something at 3am.â
He huffed, but didnât let go. Instead, he walked you back to the bed, still holding you close, and pulled you down with him. You ended up curled against his chest, his arm draped over your waist, leg tangled with yours. He pressed a soft kiss to your hair, already drifting back to sleep.
âStay,â he mumbled. âPlease.â
You smiled against his skin. âIâm not going anywhere.â
He made a small, contented sound and held you tighter.
The next night, it happened again.
You woke up around 2am, needing the bathroom. The second your feet hit the floor, once again; Damian stirred beside you. This time he didnât even pretend to be asleep. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, hair sticking up in every direction.
âIâll come with you,â he said, voice gravelly.
You turned, smiling in the dark. âDamian, I can go to the bathroom by myself. Iâve been doing it for years.â
He frowned, already swinging his legs over the side of the bed. âThe hallway is dark. And cold. You might trip.â
You laughed softly, but let him follow you anyway. He walked beside you the whole way, one hand on your lower back like he was ready to catch you if you stumbled. When you reached the bathroom door, he waited outside, leaning against the wall until you came out. Then he took your hand, leading you back to bed without a word.
Once you were both under the covers, he pulled you against his chest again, arms wrapping around you like a shield. His chin rested on your head, breath warm against your hair.
âI'll say it again. you're clingy,â you whispered, smiling.
âI am not,â he muttered, but his hold tightened. âIâm⊠ensuring your safety. Thatâs all.â
You kissed his collarbone. âWell I love your version of safety.â
He made a small, pleased sound and fell back asleep almost immediately, holding you like you might vanish if he let go.
It became a pattern.
Every night, no matter how deeply he slept, the second you moved, Damian was awake. If you got up for water, he followed, standing in the doorway like a silent guardian. If you had a nightmare and sat up gasping, he was there instantly, pulling you into his arms, murmuring soft reassurances in Arabic until you calmed down. If you simply rolled over, heâd reach out, hand finding yours under the covers, lacing your fingers together like he needed the connection to stay asleep.
During the day, he was the same reserved, slightly arrogant Damian Wayne the world knew â blunt, focused, keeping everyone at armâs length. But at night, in the quiet dark of your shared room, he was soft. Clingy. Needy in a way heâd never admit.
One particularly cold night, you woke up shivering. Before you could even reach for the extra blanket, Damian was already moving. He pulled you closer, wrapping his arms and legs around you like a human blanket, his body heat seeping into yours. His face pressed against your neck, breath warm and steady.
âCold?â he mumbled, half-asleep.
âA little,â you whispered, smiling as you snuggled into him. âYouâre warm though.â
He made a small, contented sound, nuzzling closer. âStay close then. Iâve got you.â
You fell back asleep like that â wrapped up in Damian Wayne, his arms around you, his leg thrown over yours, like he couldnât bear even an inch of space between you.
In the morning, heâd wake up first, as always. Heâd slip out of bed quietly, pretending the clingy boy from the night before had never existed. Heâd make coffee, set out your favourite mug, and act like nothing had changed. But youâd catch him watching you with that soft look when he thought you werenât looking. And when youâd smile at him across the table, heâd blush faintly and look away, ears pink.
But at night, heâd reach for you again. Every single time.
Because no matter how much he denied it during the day, Damian Wayne was the clingiest sleepy boyfriend in the world. And you wouldnât have him any other way.
A/N: lil guy so cute I love him sm. sorry for constantly disappearing im lowkey setting up a queue rn
Dick: Did you guys see that someone finally bought and is moving into the Smith's old mansion?
Damian, perking up: Do you mean Mr. Daniel? Yes he seems like a very appropriate man to be our new neighbor.
Steph, knocking him upside the head: You only think that because he has three hellhound lookin dogs that he let you pet when you ran into eachother on your walk with Titus.
Duke, snorting: And he said that if Bruce or Alfred came with you, you could bring Titus to play with them whenever you wanted.
Damian: You-
Tim: Daniel Fenton is weird. I looked into him, he has a seriously massive trust fund that is constantly being added to, but he has only used it four times. To import two of his dogs from an overseas reputable breeder, to pay for the vet bills of the third dog as well as adopt her, and finally, to buy that mansion!
Steph: So what?
Duke: Yeah isn't that a good thing? It means he doesn't go throwing around money for no reason.
Steph: It also means he probably hates whoever set up said trust fund.
Bruce: How would you know that?
Steph, raising an eyebrow: Has Jason ever touched his trust fund?
Bruce: *pouts*
Cass: *pats his back*
Tim: Also! He's a school teacher, author, and a part time engineer, he has no kids, hasn't dated anyone in six year, why does he need or want such a big house?
Damian, scoffing: You have a mansion you never use, a pent house, a boat house, and you haven't dated anyone in 4 years. Are you much better?
Dick: I didn't mean to start anything, I was just going to say hes kinda good-looking and super nice. He helped me-
Tim: That's another thing! No one is that attractive and nice and smart and super buff, thats like, against the laws of nature!
Dick, opening and shutting his mouth: Am I missing something?
Bruce, sighing: Tim is attracted to a civilian and his "bat brain", Steph's words not mine, is telling him that something just has to be wrong with said civilian because he's paranoid.
Duke, muttering: Pot meet kettle.
Bruce: I'm speaking from experience.
Dick: Ah, that makes more sense then.
Jason, walking through the door: You see your new neighbor? *whistels* Not bad.
Tim: Something is definitely wrong with him if Jason is interested in him.
Jason: *flips him off*
Alfred: Excellent, you're all here. I invited our new neighbor for dinner. I've noticed that with moving in, he has mostly been eating take out, and that simply won't do, so he'll be coming over at six, do try to be presentable.
Tim: Aha! A chance to prob him for answers! Alfred you're a genius!
Alfred, sighing: Yes I'm aware. Try not to chase Mr. Daniel away with your libido triggered paranoia please, he has a lovely tea garden hes setting up and I would like to trade, or buy some from him in the future.
Damian, raising his eyebrow, unimpressed: What about them?
Jon: Well, you know a lot about them so...
Damian: Spit it out, dancing around the subject, as you are, is unbecoming!
Jon: Th-Theres a guy I really really like and he loves dogs, and is even looking into adopting one or getting one from a good breeder, and I offered to help him because I just wanted an excuse to talk to him! But I don't know anything about dogs! I mean, there's Krypto but does he even really count as a dog? I guess also Titus and Ace but I'm only around them when I'm with you, and all I ever do I pet them!
Damian: You can not be serious.
Jon: This dog thing is really important Damian! Apprentantly he couldn't have any pets when he lived with his parents, but there was this wild dog that he would play with sometimes. He, like, really loves dogs, he gets so excited when he so much as catches a glimpse of them! His eyes get all soft and his smile is so-so bright! And he is, like, obsessed with Krypto whenever Krypto is around, its so cute!
Damian, less judgemental: You are serious.
Jon: I just want his experience with his first dog to be perfect, yaknow? Sorry, I know I'm being unreasonable.
Damian: What is he looking for?
Jon: Huh?
Damian: This guy, what is he looking for with a dog? Does he have a specific breed in mind? Any allergies? What is his house like? Does he have a yard or live in an appartment? Does he live near a park or forest if he doesn't have a yard? Does he have any physical limitations? How much time can he alot to grooming? If we're going to help him, we need to know this information so we can help him properly.
Jon, tearfully: Damian! You're the bestest friend ever!*hugs him*
Damian, embarrassed: Unhand me!
Bonus
*6 weeks later*
Jon, postmission: Agh what are we going to do with this beast? Danny is going to be here in 5 minutes! He can't see this thing! He'll freak out!
Damian, pouting: If father would just see reason and let me keep him, we wouldn't be in this situation.
Jon: What even is it? It looks kinda dogish? Maybe it already has an owner?
Beast in question: *towering golden colored animal with a wrinkled dog like snout, massive dog like paws, scales going up its limbs, long, slightly curled fangs, a curly lion-like mane, and a long curly furred tail*
Jon: I don't see a collar, do you?
Damian: No. Perhaps-
Beast: *perks up*
Danny: Hey, sorry I'm a bit early, astronomy club let out early because Michael was stupid and did a back flip off the- *stops as he makes eye contact with the "beast"*
Jon: Uhhh Danny, listen this this is-is uh-
Damian: A statue. I had it commissioned and it just arrived-
Danny: How in all the afterlives did you find a Fu Dog puppy in America!*eyes glittering in awe*
Damian: Fu Dog?
Jon: Puppy?!
Danny: Hi baby! Oh you're just the cutest thing aren't you?
Fu Puppy: *wags and shoves his nose in Danny's hand, having decided Danny wasn't an evil spirit*
Danny: So how did you find him? Fu Dog breeders are suuuper touchy about where they send their puppies, they're almost unseen outside of China! *happy petting the massive puppy, ignorant to the bewildered looks he was getting*
Jon: Oh uh we jus-
Damian: Jon told me you were in search of a dog. My father has a friend that pulled some strings. He was supposed to be a surprise, but due to some miscommunication the puppy was delivered early.
Danny, eyes soft: Really? Jon thats the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me.
Jon, blushing: Oh uh it was-it was nothing!
Danny: Oh but this must have cost a fortune! How much do I owe you?
Damian: No need, my father happily payed, it barely made a dent. You can repay us by taking good care of him.
Danny: If you're sure. *laughs as the puppy licks him*
Jon: So, uh, not to be a party pooper but how is he going to fit in your house?
Danny, laughing: Uh, spirit shifting silly! All mythical dogs are able to do it, its how they blend in with their owners when they're masquerading as human or living. Its taught to all puppies as soon as they're old enough to be taught, since its so important to our part of the worlds secrecy. Watch, *clicks his tongue to grab the puppy's attention* PÌžÍÍÍÌŠuÌŽÌÍÌÌ ÌpÌžÍÍÍÍÌĄÍpÌžÍÌÍÌ ÍÌ yÌ”ÍÍÌŸÌ«ÍÍ,ÌŽÍÍÍÌŒÍ mÌžÍ ÍÍÌșÍÌaÌ”ÍÍÍÌ»ÍsÌžÍÍÌÌÍÌ«kÌžÌÍÍÌÌ.ÌŽÌÍÍÌ Í
Fu Puppy: *starts shimmering gold, and shinks down. the light dissipates revealing a tiny apricot colored Shar-Pei puppy*
Danny: See? *happily picks up his new puppy* Its fine!
I head canon that the more liminal people become the more they notice Phantom and Danny are the same person. Ecto works as a natural camouflage for Danny (only his colors and outfit change so why hasn't anyone aside from Wes connected the dots ya know) so only his friends who where there at the time of his accident and Jazz are in the know at first. His parents are in protective gear 24/7 despite their terrible lab habits, so they don't see it.
The rest of the town gradually begins to see it and slowly change how they treat Danny and "Phantom". Nobody says anything, they just change how they behave. Slowly phasing out the bullying, extending due dates on assignments, redo's on tests, discounts when he eats out or extra appetizers on the house.
He is the towns secret hero so they will try to protect him since they already failed him once by letting him die. How else would he be able to turn into a ghost hero if not because he died at least once. He dies every time he does hero business and gets shot at by his parents so the town adults have become very protective.
When the Justice league shows up they give them the runaround because Phantom hid as soon as he registered who the visitors were. They leave after giving some autographs (the towns folks collected them for Danny/Phantom from the alien heroes because they know how much he likes space) but then the Bats come into town and the town is surprised when the Bats immediately identify Phantom as Danny. The natural ecto camouflage doesn't work on them since all of their deaths and/or contact with the pits made them liminal.
"We don't want to fight heroes-"
Batman correcting them mid speech. "Vigilantes."
"-but we will if you want to hurt Phantom." Adults armed with anything and everything from novels to pitchforks.
"This is all a misunderstanding, we came here to check in on him and offer a fellowship for young heroes." Red Robin who has a crush on Phantom for his determination and on Danny for his engineering and would definitely like to see more of him.
Dani brandishing a spear Pandora gave her just for these occasions "The red one wants to marry Phantom! get em!"
Danny blushing because he accidentally saw the face under the mask and Red Robin is very handsome. He would also like to get to hang out with other heroes is what he says when he intercepts the Dani incited mob trying to scare off the Bats
âEridians dislike earth because they abandoned Grace.â *Incorrect Buzzer Sound* ya missed the point of the story buddy! Itâs not about someone being âbadâ itâs about the incredible power of love and that love being worth dying for!
Gimmie Eridians who are absolutely heartbroken to hear that humans where so desperate and so scared that they where willing to part with not just one Grace, there were three of them! Gimmie Eridians touched to find that the humans planned a way for their sacrifices to be as comfortable as possible. Gimmie Eridians who send earth a message saying âWe know it must have hurt to send your heroes to die, but one made it and heâs safe here. We lost 22 good Eridians on the journey we would have lost 23 if not for your Grace.â
Give me humans sitting on Earth slowly coming to the conclusion that when we look up not only are we not alone, someone out there is alive because of one of us. That no matter what we think of ourselves a whole species thinks highly of us because we helped save the galaxy. Give me humans who figure out how to send a probe to Erid filled to the brim with messages for Grace and footage of a monument being raised that reads his name, his crews names, and then âin memory of the 22 Eridians who lost their lives on the journey to save the stars.â
