JustHere

Pronouns - idek atp 18

[jkottke]

The Color Game. “Humans can’t reliably recall colors. This is a simple game to see how good (or bad) you are at it. We’ll show you five colors, then you’ll try and recreate them.” I scored 39/50 but got a perfect score on one color.

[gunsandfireandshit]

[dumpsterbassist]

[kidgokart]

i’m on your dipshit tumblr

[not-so-local-aroace]

No idea how yall got the percentage instead of the number outta number thing

[hoeforfics]

[j4ckme]

Two years?! I’m in!

[kentishviking]

why not

[texas-bi-lover-deactivated20181]

I’ll try it

[blog-of-what-comes-to-mind]

Eh

[eliyora]

Double your nana, double your yum

[fuckyahumor]

give me luck double banana

[possiblityforjoy-deactivated202]

No fucking joke, I was offered 4 days of film-set marshalling and I told him I was unavailable for one of the days but I could cancel. And he told me he’d potentially found someone else.

I reblogged this.

And not 20 mins later, he came back to me and said if I really want it, let him know now. So fuck. Wow.

[brucewaynehater101]

Just time travel, tim is bruce's dad AU.

There's so many ways this could go.

Whatever got tim in the past. wether killed the Drakes or they ended in the future.

Tim with 20, kinda lookin like his grandfathee took his persona. And adopted little bruce wayne recently orphaned. Tim stayed a month or a year, make your take.

The bats manage to get tim back, and little Bruce ends alone again.

Older bruce only have vague memories from that time.

Tim remembers everything and it only reinforces his thinking about seeing Bruce as his son.

Oh!

Tim, who's used to taking care of Bruce anyways and kind of seeing this older adult as his son, ends up in the past. He finds a depressed, angry, and bitter child who's lost his parents and ultimate alone.

Alfred doesn't trust Tim at first, but eventually, Tim manages to become a staple older figure in the household. He talks to Alfred about emotional bonding, where he should involve himself in Bruce's life more (instead of being on the outskirts like an employee), and overall Bruce hacks (Tim is and isn't surprised that the hacks he's built up for adult Bruce work for child Bruce as well with minor adjustments).

Overall, Bruce starts to come out of his grief of losing his parents.

He even considers calling Alfred or Tim "dad."

Then Tim disappears.

[wisteriavines]

What if it was an alternate timeline/universe Tim was sent to? Would that make it better or worse?

At this point of time, it’s likely the world doesn’t even know aliens exist or aren’t a widely known/accepted fact— so the technology to get home is also lacking and any magic users that could help are either deeply hidden or too young to be of help.

Also considering he ends up in the past— compared to his timeline’s present— we could say that the two worlds run at different speeds, but as an “outsider” Tim could anchor his timeline/universe to a stop or slow crawl until he returns where he belongs.

Similarly, he either doesn’t age or ages very slowly. This doesn’t make him immortal, since him dying would snap the anchor and everything starts working as it was meant to and his body would still be in the alternate timeline/universe.

So basically, Tim could spend a lifetime actually raising Bruce and helping him; become a integral part of his family/support system and the (eventual) hero community— making his return home all the more sad on this side

While on the other side, it’s probably only been like a few days since Tim disappeared— not too big of a deal! He hasn’t aged!

But Tim is undoubtedly changed in some way, right?

And it could probably be seen in the way he interacts with everyone— going to say or do something, only to pause and backtrack.

I’m trying to put my thoughts in order but I’m not too sure I’m succeeding…I’m very tired but this au wouldn’t leave me alone

[brucewaynehater101]

Ooh! So, twenty something Tim Drake has probably at least two decades' worth of experience raising Bruce, helping Bruce raise Dick, raise Jason, raise Cass, etc., and then pops back into his universe afterwards.

The family he is used to is more openly affectionate, emotional, and honest with each other. He's also seen as a sort of grandfather figure even though he ends up looking younger than some of them after quite a few years. He's used to being respected, listened to, and shown obvious care.

Then he gets back to a family where Bruce never received Tim's guidance. Where Bruce kept fucking up with his kids causing distrust, lying, and manipulation to be present in their dynamics.

He also constantly finds himself giving advice, guidance, and casual affection to his loved ones on accident as it's not well received by them

[wisteriavines]

I just realized!!!

This means that Tim spent more time with the Alternate Batfamily — more time raising, loving, and being loved in return knowingly and unconditionally — than he ever did with his original bat family

Would he ever wish to return to them? Stay up late contemplating what it would take to return to them after a bad day, a day of too many reminders of how different everything- he is? Does he ever need to spend several minutes convincing himself of why he can’t-shouldn’t return? Does it get harder every time he does?

Most of these questions are asked on the assumption that Tim’s mental health and view of his placement in the family improved positively— he had to set up a good example right?

[brucewaynehater101]

Tim, at first, tries to make it back. He'll help out with Bruce, but he really really needs to get back to his own universe....

The technology doesn't quite support that yet. There's no Flash, no papers on quantum theory time traveling that's been proven true, antique-like technology, and overall lack of support from heroes. Tim's only option is... magic.

Magic is unpredictable, and most magicians are hidden at this point. How can Tim find someone he can trust? Especially one experienced with dimension travel?

So... Tim's stuck. If his calculations are correct, with the shoddy equipment he has (Gods does he miss his Nest setup and wrist computer), the time being spent in his own universe is infinitesimal. If it took him a century to return, and Tim sincerely hopes it doesn't take nearly that long, that would be equivalent to a week in his home dimension.

It, at the very least, affords Tim time. He won't miss anything.

His second concern, after returning home in a timely fashion, was aging. Luckily, for some confound reasons, his telomerse were not reacting as they should. He is essentially immortal.

Tim has time.

With this time, he slowly earns both Bruce and Alfred's trust. He came from nowhere, has no history to find, and nobody to vouch for him. He was a mystery, and he was dangerous to the unstable position of Bruce's teen years. If the two of them put their trust in the wrong person, Bruce didn't have the same power and authority an adult would. Alfred had power of attorney, but his decisions can be contested. They need to be careful.

Tim takes his time. He cultivates a relationship with the two of them, introduces healthy and open discussions of boundaries, and slowly becomes integral to the Wayne Manor dynamics.

It is weird watching Alfred stumble over the responsibilities of parenthood while trying to maintain an employee professionalism. Tim carefully influences Alfred to show more affection towards his ward. After seeing the positive outcomes of such actions, Alfred, when within Wayne Manor, offers Bruce hugs and ample praise.

It is a weird change, but a welcome one in Tim's eyes.

Bruce... it's strange. Tim has never seen the man he considers his son so young. He's never been older than him either. He has to teach Bruce so much it's wild. The child is smart, but he hasn't built up the decades of knowledge Tim is used to him having.

He's also so angry. So so angry at the world, at his peers, at Alfred and Tim, and at the man who killed his parents. He's lonely, grieving, and lashing out. He despises being treated as a child, as naive and dumb. He's not trusted to make his own decisions about his future, his family's company, or his parents' property. He's a child, and it feels so limiting.

Tim is patient as he explains everything to Bruce. He allows the kid to make important decisions, to know what's going on at Wayne Enterprises, and teaches him any legal information he wants to know. There's certain non-debatable restrictions (like Bruce going to school), but Tim will explain why to the kid as many times as he needs to.

Alfred makes all final decisions, but he concedes some of the parental responsibilities to Tim.

They become friends who are like family to each other as they share the honored burden of raising Bruce and the Wayne legacy.

Tim, for ease sake (and with Bruce's permission), creates his identity as Timothy Wayne: the bastard child of Patrick Wayne. Bruce's biological uncle.

He assumes a role at W.E. until he can become CEO. It'll be a while before Bruce or Lucius can step up to the role.

As the vigilante he grew into, Tim couldn't stop himself from helping people.

He initially tries to curb this desire with Wayne Enterprises. After confirming with both Bruce and Alfred, Tim sets up charities and organizations to help Gotham. His policies for W.E. workers were a hot controversy, but the rapid increase in productivity quickly quieted most dissenters.

Despite this, Tim couldn't help but long to do more. He itched to fly Gotham's skies again.

He didn't want to drag Alfred or Bruce into his mess or mission. If Tim wants to be an idiot who fights people at night, that's on him.

Alfred finds him one morning stitching up his side in a guest bathroom.

The man refused to speak to him for a week.

Eventually, they come to an agreement. Alfred can't stand to watch Tim put himself in danger, but he can't stop him either.

When Bruce finds out, he begs to help Tim. The older man, knowing how saying "no" resulted in Robin, came up with compromises and conditions. Bruce can help Tim, but he can't be in the field until he's at least 16, finishes training, and beats Tim one time in a spar. In the meantime, he can help with cases, out of field research, coming up with strategies, etc.

Bruce doesn't sneak out because Tim has already established a communicative relationship with him. If the kid feels frustrated or as if he's not doing enough, they'll chat. Tim will be frank with how much Bruce helps and other avenues the teen can do to help while still being safe. Tim will explain his rules, his reasonings, and will listen to Bruce's counterarguments. They'll bring Alfred into it and hear his concerns, input, and beliefs.

They discuss important matters as a family.

The first time Bruce calls Tim "Dad," the man is stumbling into the cave with a heavy wound. Tim is so shocked and ecstatic that he promptly bursts into tears.

Years and years later, Alfred and Tim are sitting on the porch in the backyard. They are both watching their grandchildren they all try to tackle their father into the mud pit. It's a mess, mud is being flung everywhere, but they are happy. They can't hear them from this distance, but the grandfathers cherish the sight.

Alfred continues to watch the shenanigans as he addresses Tim.

"When you first came to us, Master Tim, you claimed you were looking for a way home."

The seemingly forever twenty year old hums. A fond smile is on his face as Cass manages to plop a giant pile of mud on Dick's head.

"I was. The first few years were rough. I ached every single night to see my family."

Jason trips Steph as Duke uses his powers to distract Damian.

Tim turns towards the oldest member of the Wayne family. His eyes crinkle with the pure content and joy in his expression. "I stopped searching years ago, Alf. This is home."

Alfred clears his throat as he struggles to keep the tears at bay. "I love you too, old friend."

Like some cruel twist of fate, it's not too long after that when Tim gets chucked back into his old universe. When he lays his eyes upon familiar but cold faces, the now aging twenty year old nearly collapses under the weight of his grief.

He wants his kids back. He wants to go home.

He wants Jason's gruff tone as he fondly calls Tim "gramps."

The rare moments, when it's just Bruce and Tim, that his son son calls him "Dad."

Cass's affectionate head bumps and the way she lays on top of all her family members.

The surplus of drawings Damian gave to him.

Dick to have his smile lines.

The blueprints he started with Duke.

Babs hanging around the Manor.

Steph dragging the other kids into annoying Bruce.

Tea with Crystal and a glass of whiskey with Jim.

He wants his old friend, Alfred, to share a fond look with as they thank the gods for their family.

Meanwhile, Tim's family, the one he's spent decades with, is pissed. Someone took Grandpa Tim, and they're willing to tear their universe apart to get him back.

[wisteriavines]

YESSS!!!! This exactly!!!

I absolutely love that the Alt-Batfam is basically going “Fuck the Laws of the Universe, Tim is Ours! You can’t have him!”

Tim would not fight them on returning— he’s so happy to see them (he missed them so much) and the absolute lengths they have gone to get him back make him a little teary but mostly fondly exasperated and he seamlessly falls into scolding them for anything reckless and starts fussing about their health

Tim knows what he wants. Alt-Batfam knows what they want. The only possible obstacle is OG-Batfam— but are they really?

I can’t speak for most of the OG-Batfam’s reactions to all of this; but I’m fascinated by what OG-Bruce’s reaction would be because even though he doesn’t know or acknowledge it, Tim is a big part of his support system/someone he relies on a lot (like he would a parent [considering the au the original ask was about]) so I can see him being possibly the only real obstacle

Does he become territorial? Retreat into himself and brood, overthinking everything? Would he fight Tim and Alt-Batfam on it or does he do some very deep thinking and reflection and let him go?

Do Alt-Batfam entirely forgo any possible obstacles by completely avoiding OG-Batfam and associated heroes, and after meeting up with Tim decide to fake his death or do they all just leave without letting anyone know? (is this a universe in which OG-Batfam would even notice he’s not there?)

[brucewaynehater101]

The best part about all of this is that, to the OG Batfam's perspective, Tim's been gone a few days.

He comes back, but he has changed so much. He's healthier, more well fed, has new scars, and the bags under his eyes are lighter. He isn't as tense or as guarded. He's kinder, more openly emotional, and loving.

Yet, the distance hasn't changed. He's just as distant from them as he was before. It's the type of distance that's changed. Instead of avoiding them, he treats them like strangers or weird apparitions. A ton of his habits and mannerisms have shifted. The Bats are almost concerned that they didn't get the right Tim back.

He doesn't remember recent events (since it's been a few decades for him). He doesn't act towards family members the same.

Tim's been gone a few days. Just what did he experience?

[hoeforfics]

What if Tim decided to subtly hint to the OG-Batfam that they got the wrong Tim? Just intentionally letting out hints that might as well be a highlighted and bold sign saying "I'm not you Tim, please get me back!" Like saying contingency codes but a letter or a number off OR saying he's a new vigilante in the scene/a different vigilante name. Seeing as Tim was initially supposedly distant to the OG-Batfam, would they believe Tim? The differences in personality and characteristic is jarring enough for the OG-Batfam, what more if Tim doubled down on the fact that he's not their Tim?

What would happen then?

[yjcorefourenjoyer]

Been seeing a lot of de-aged Tim posts now you will be burdened with this small little thought I had.

I feel like Tim believes that he got away with the way he used to make sure Bruce behaved bc he was young and cute, yk? Bc Bruce’s weakness is young boys with black hair and big blue eyes.

So in Tim’s mind when he sees Bruce slipping back into ✨ violence ✨ he wishes that he was still young bc then Bruce would listen to him instead of ignoring all of Tim’s attempts to help and it’s not like anyone else is going to do anything.

A favor to Zatanna called in later and suddenly Tim is physically 12 yrs old but he’s mentally 17 yrs old. Not that anyone knows that second part though.

Cue the reign of tiny Tim once again hounding on Bruce to take care of himself, armed with a chloroform bottle and a dream. And Bruce let’s him bc he wants to do better by Tim but again, no one knows Tim still has all of his memories.

And while Tim is whipping Bruce back into shape he ofc is being a menace to everyone else. As a treat. He deserves some stress relief too.

.

[bianca-hooks123]

A bottle of chloroform and a dream.

[hoeforfics]

𝓐 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓵𝓲𝔃𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷.

[lilacwriter07]

gonna say it

Tim dressed as Coraline in a dom mommy outfit, while holding Jason and Dick on a leash . Jason tied up with a muzzle, and Dick being a happy bitch while wagging his "tail" 😏

[sputniks-taboo-thoughts]

NEED.

dom mommy tim, bratty Jason and good boy Dick??

ugh, so perfect. ur mind is a masterpiece machine, u just keep cranking out bangers \(^~^)/

[lilacwriter07]

You make me blush 🤭

I am not so good with dom/sub but I really wanna try writing it 👉🏻👈🏻👀

[hoeforfics]

you guys would have loved @mellosdrawings art of caroline hill.

[arrowheadedbitch]

Jason: I swear to God, if you cross me, they'll never find your body

Tim: And if you cross me, they'll never STOP finding your body.

[no-nope-not-today-satan]

Better yet they’ll continuously find your body for the next 9 and a half weeks

[hoeforfics]

Even better, you'll be alive for the first 5 weeks

[jackandjanetdefender]

Tim: once again the masses have misunderstood my willingness to kill. No, I do not intend to ever become a murderer. However, that doesn't mean I don't think about it or have a 20-step plan to take out my rogues gallery should the need arise.

Bruce: that is not as comforting as you want it to be.

Tim: God forbid men have a hobby.

[articpheonix]

Tim: you have MULTIPLE plans to take out your ALLIES if the need ever comes.

Tim: I would not be calling the kettle black pot.

[hoeforfics]

Tim: Also, it's not meant to make you feel better, B.

[woodland-gremlin]

Black Out AU

Tim meets Danny when he leaves the Wayne family after seeing that they didn’t see him as family, only a stand in. He gets stuck in Amity Park with its lock down and information black out. Whether Tim ended up in the city by accident or he went looking for it when he noticed that a city just suddenly stopped existing a few years prior is up to debate. Either way Tim does what he did years ago, bully the resident vigilante into letting him help. This time though he promises not to make the same mistake of trying to be anything more than teammates, not wanting to set himself up to more disappointment. Unfortunately for him Danny is very intrigued by this fellow vigilante, and thinks he would be a good Living friend. Ancients knows he needs more of those after the fallout with Sam and Tucker.

[hdgnj]

Meanwhile in Gotham the Batclan are having a collective freak out. What do you MEAN Tim left?!? Where the Fuck is he? He's somehow more off the map than during fucking BruceQuest!!!

Danny is so very friend shaped. And he definitely is trying his best to befriend his fellow vigilante. They get on great! And his team mate has his own house with a lab they can tinker in! Danny can be in a lab that's not dangerous to his existence! Danny's new person is so clever! And mean! He's fantastic! Danny is determined to friend him. Or marry him. He's not sure yet. But he will be his person dammit!

Tim does NOT know how to deal with this. Danny is just so happy(?!?) To have him around? At all times? He doesn't get mad at Tim? He doesn't test Tim? There are no mind fucky shenanigans. From Danny anyway. Danny just, tells him what he needs to know? Open communication? Affection? What is going on?!?!

[catflowerqueen]

#Tim leaves Gotham

#For Amity Park

#Look. There was a city that vanished from all public record

#He had to know what was going on

#He's probably going to have to contact the Justice League

#At some point

#But for now? Amity is his hidey hole

It would be funny if he found out Danny's identity as Phantom via Wes, and was literally the only one who believes Wes...

But keeps up the facade of not knowing when around Wes because he respects the sanctity of the secret identity and knows how dangerous it could be for Danny's to get exposed--whether around his parents or with the whole GiW and "legally non-sentient" deal.

He is more okay with Danny exposing Valerie's identity to her dad because he is a pure civilian family member who is actually a good dad and would never hurt her, in addition to the fact that Danny only exposed her identity in the first place because it was a genuine emergency situation and he was trying to save her life (by preventing her from going after Pariah in the ecto-skeleton--which was proven to be dangerous for humans to wear, and was also detrimental to Danny).

[bianca-hooks123]

Danny just loves him a dark haired base level human who is mean to him. That’s his type.

[thatrandomsarahchick]

After a good Fenton family reveal:

Jack: You live alone? That won't do! Here, let us build an extension on to the House for you to live in! Oh? You have a specialised diet? So do our kids! We've been having to feed them ecto- contaminated food since they were toddlers. What do you need to eat to make up for missing a spleen?

Tim: I'm ok by myself, I don't need anybody. I can do this alone.

Danny: you don't want to do permanent sleepovers? We could mad science together whenever the mood strikes! We could have matching bed sheets!

Tim: I... could come over occasionally. I need my own lab though, I can't just leave this one!

Jazz: Oh, I get it. You need to have your own space to retreat to. That's cool. Dad's still building you a bedroom, though. I'll make sure there's exterior access, so you don't have to worry about bumping into anyone when you need to leave.

Maddy: So here's a bunch of research I've just done in the last 4 hours. We can definitely replace your spleen for you, I'll just need to steal Vlad's cloning tech for a little bit. How are you with anaesthetic?

[hdgnj]

Tim DOES NOT know how to deal with this. What is this unconditional love and affection? What the fuck is happening?!?!? Wait, The Dr's Fenton just happily adopted Danny's clone? And his redeemed evil alt? Sharing custody with their creator? What is this?!?! Why are they being nice to him!!!!!

Jazz is doing her best to help him through it. And definitely wants to meet the Batclan to chew them out. She is not best pleased with how they treated Tim. That's her new little bro/potential brother-in-law. Look, she's seen how Danny looks at him. If this isn't the person Danny will marry? She would be shocked.

[thatrandomsarahchick]

If Jazz wasn't worried that it would lead the Waynes to Tim, she for sure would have already taken the Speeder straight there to chew them out.

Tim might not have said much about his life before them, but from the snippets they've gotten, she knows that they're never giving him back.

Whether by adoption or marriage, Tim is going to become a Fenton.

[hdgnj]

Jazz definitely has a plan hidden away about getting payback. She adds to it every time she hears something new about them. It's getting scary detailed and cruel. When Tim finds it he's going to have big feelings. The Fenton's are just too nice! He doesn't deserve this!

They slowly convince Tim to move more stuff over to the Fenton home. He's being coaxed over like a feral cat. They'll convince him eventually. For Tim this is wild. Love, care and affection? In this economy? While being a vigilante? Feels illegal. They also help him upgrade the security at his own house. His security was good, and now? Now it's better secured than the Batcave. Tim is impressed. He ever so slightly wants to see what would happen if they met the Bats. But he also very much never wants them to meet. He's seen Jazz's plans. Heard Jack and Maddie angrily talking about them. Danny and Ellie? Have a list of pranks for of they ever meet his old co workers. Jordan just showed something about them not needing all their limbs. So yeah, Gotham needs the Bats. Best to keep the Fenton's away from Gotham.

[woodland-gremlin]

And when they learn about Kon? They automatically decide new brother. And add Superman to the List.

[thatrandomsarahchick]

Jazz and Danny take a trip or of Amity in the speeder, and Tim starts panicking, thinking that they've finally cracked and gone after the bats. Unfortunately for him, he's about 6 hours behind because they waited until he fell asleep before making their move.

He's just about to enact his own counter-contingencies about them when he sees that the trackers he placed in the speeder are showing them only half an hour away from home. Unfortunately, they found most of his bugs, so he didn't have any audio or visual in there. All Tim can tell is that there's slight damage to the exterior and that the first aid kit was opened - though he only knows that because his final audio bug was crushed two hours ago.

Imagine his surprise when they step out of the speeder with a trussed up Kon between them. Oh no. 5 seconds later, Bart zips to a stop outside his the Fenton's house.

[woodland-gremlin]

“Tim?!” Bart screeched, “You’re alive!”

Tim blinked.

“Yes?”

Bart grabbed Tim in a hug before spinning him around.

“We thought we lost you!” Bart exclaimed.

Danny squinted at the display, still standing in the speeder with Jazz and his new brother.

“Wait, I know you! You’re the reason I had to deal with a dinosaur in ancient China last week!” Danny yelled.

[thatrandomsarahchick]

Bart: And your 'brother' over there is the reason I grew up in a post-apocalyptic world. The Dominators could only take over because he'd killed off anyone who could have fought back when they invaded!

[woodland-gremlin]

“And he is improving! You guys on the other hand keep messing with the time stream on the regular. The amount of chaos you Butter Biscuits have caused that I had to clean up far exceeds his!” Danny argues.

“So that excuses everything!?” Bart hissed back.

Danny replied incredulously, “Of course not. I am just pointing out that while Jordan is having a redemption arc, you guys don’t seem to have learned the dangers of messing with the time stream. This dimension would have ended dozens of times over because of your shenanigans if Peepaw didn’t have me fix it.”

Danny than folded on himself, sighing, “Look, I am not going to say what he did was okay. It was wrong on so many levels. I just. . .”

[hoeforfics]

"While what Dan did was inexcusable at the least he is improving!"

"While you guys seem to be continuously unable to learn your lesson of messing with Time! Who knows how many people you've killed and made to cease to exist with every careless action you took while time travelling!"

"That's not to say the precarious and fragile relationship with Speedster and Clockwork! Tension is at an all time high whenever those two are in the same room!"

(the two were trolling/it was sexual tension lmao)

"So yeah, what's you're excuse? Whatever you are doing may even be at the same level, or worse than what Dan did now!"

"Sure he caused the apocalypse but do you even know the many many consequences of the actions you take, that if me and clockwork aren't there to stop there wouldn't even be Earth in current times? Hell, do you even know how many apocalypse YOU started?!"

[dissociativehyperfixating]

DPxDC Prompt

Amity parkers thrive in Gotham better then Gothamites. After years of ghost attacks, rogue attacks are nothing out of the ordinary for them, heck Gotham is a little calm if anything! Ghost attacks were a daily occurance, in gotham you'd be lucky if a big rogue attack happened more then twice a week and even then it is usually due to the rogue not getting caught immediately or an Arkham breakout.

"Small" scale crime isn't even on their radar, muggings and getting held at gun point are far less intimidating then being caught in explosions and mind controlled. Not a single mugger has yet to successfully mug an Amity parker, they are either subdued or some how talked down from continuing. (one mugger tells about how he had the best therapy session ever trying to mug a red head passing through)

Add to the fact they are all immune to bribery and blackmail somehow!

It is as if they are immune to what makes Gotham, Gotham! When one Amity parker is questioned after it came to light that all the outliers came from the same town they simply said "when you've faced gods and lived, humans just aren't all that scary anymore"

[lmtyl]

Picturing sleep-deprived college student Danny Fenton wandering into an active crime scene without realizing it, pushing detectives aside to get at a device they hadn't even REALIZED was a bomb yet and disarming it (have you SEEN the things his parents build?!?), and then he just. Walks away.

[fandombrainrots]

@stealingyourbones this has your name on it (/pos)

[stealingyourbones]

The college student somehow manages to have his hoodie up at the perfect angles not to be seen on the polices body cams all the way up until one of the officers moves to stop him from touching a piece of evidence.

The guy head whips around, still holding and fiddling with whatever he grabbed and looked the officer dead in the eye. The kids eyebags had eyebags that contrasted greatly with his ‘I beg of you buy him some brown contacts’ blue eyes. Without breaking eye contact he opens his backpack and grabs a strange bright green and white device and starts to pry open the metal shell of whatever contraption the evidence was.

The only he thing he said during the entire interaction, “can I help you?!” That was it. He continued nonchalantly opening the device that was filled to the brim with- oh god. That’s an explosive.

A few officers shout to the unknown to stop handing the explosive but he never stopped. His hands flew over the device, continuing to pull strange contraptions out of his bag as he not only deactivated, but disassembled the device.

All personell were conferring about what to do with this kid and if they should take him to the station to grill him on what strange tech he used, when they turned around and the haggard college student was gone. All that was left was meticulously organized wires, scrap metal, explosives, detonators, and a pile of miscellaneous bits of plastic and rubber.

[spacedace]

The thing about staying up for eighty hours straight to work on his finals project for his engineering class is that it sucks.

Like, Danny is no stranger to sleepless nights. He spent most of his teenage years sleep deprived thanks to ghosts not respecting his clearly posted office hours for nonsense. At this point he's a master of the power nap and figuring out just how many energy drinks he can throw back to stay awake before he starts shaking hard enough that he doesn't need his ghost powers to phase through things.

That doesn't mean he likes it though. And it absolutely doesn't mean he's any good at functioning without sleep. His shoddy grades in freshman year when the nightly ghost shenanigans were at their worst was a testament to that.

But Danny had a project due at the end of the week that's worth 40% of his grade and he actually had started it early and was going to have plenty of time to work on it...right up to the point he got the call from Ellie.

She and her friends on that superhero team she'd joined up with last year - young teens? justice titans? one of those combinations of words - got into a touch of trouble with some asshole demon. She and her team were in over their heads and her friends were adamant that they couldn't call their mentors for various reasons that all boiled down to that same familiar sinking feeling of fear that Danny remembered when he was a gangly teenage hero hiding his secret from his parents. It was heart warming to know that Ellie didn't have those problems calling him, even if it did mean he spent the time he should have been working on his project helping to sniff out some wannabe demon lord that had been tormenting the teens.

At least he got to teach the asshole exactly why Pariah Dark wasn't an issue anymore. Jazz went to a rage room once a week. Elle would sneak into grimy bars on alien planets and join in on the inevitable fights that started. Danny took his frustrations out on super powered bastards that tried to pick on his baby sister. They all had their ways of unwinding.

(Dan did embroidery. He said it was therapeutic. Danny was pretty sure it was just getting to repeatedly stab something without getting in trouble for murder, but who knew. Dan was pretty chill these days.)

Anyway, all his time for the project had been spent with that demon and then hanging out with Ellie and her friends. By the time he got back to Gotham, all he had left was frantic crunch time and a dream. Or maybe hallucinations. Hard to tell. Things had started getting wibbly at the edges around hour 52 without sleep.

Point was, by the time he realized he was out of a part he needed to finish the last little bit of his build his brain was little more than overcooked spaghetti soaked in legally suspect energy drinks you could only ever find in Gotham.

He vaguely recalled pulling his hooding on before he left his shoebox apartment, was mostly sure he had his shoes on, and probably hadn't broken anything when that car had hit him. He got back up on his feet and kept heading towards where he knew that pop-up electronics shop in Crime Alley was that should hopefully have the part he needed for cheap.

Things got...blurrier after that. Some annoying yellow tape blocking off his path, some flashing lights that made his already pounding head scream and then out of the corner of his eye he'd seen a miracle.

He still wasn't sure if that dude was real or just his fried egg of a brain was making things up. He tried to be more or less polite anyway, in case it was a real person, but the fact that they just stood there and stared with wide eyes put the entire interaction in the sleep deprived hallucination category in his mind.

A few tools from his bag and a couple minutes of diligent work later and he found the part he needed. A little damage from where whoever it was did a crap job with their soldering - the reason the time it was meant to connect to wasn't working, probably, whole thing was shoddily built, the nails and pieces of metal were packed badly and the metal casing around the explosives too thick to allow it to properly blow at full force, just a shitty job all around - but the part was still in good enough shape for Danny's purposes.

He finished breaking the device down in case there was anything else useful he could snag from it, setting everything out neatly like his engineering professor had drilled into him and the rest of his class. He slipped the needed part into a secure pocket of his bag, brushed his hands together to get the grit off them and turned back to head home.

He was barely three blocks from his apartment, find that had saved him so much time - and money! Man, if he was lucky he might just be able to get everything done by morning and be able to get a whole hour and a half of sleep before his first class of the day.

He did not, in fact, get a whole hour and a half of sleep. He got about twenty minutes of sleep before he was waking up to blurring, looming shadow of a vigilante standing above him.

[yastaghr]

I feel like the most hilarious choice for his surprise visitor is whichever one is on Ellie's team. There's another one in the room for backup, but Tim (or whoever, but Tim would sympathize the most) picked the short straw. Once he recognized Danny, though, incredulity took over.

Danny disarmed a bomb for GCPD, and the Bats are mad about it? Danny wasn't going to go rogue anytime soon. He had a healthy (by vigilante and ghost standards, anyway) coping strategy! His sisters would soup him! Danny was helping out.

He looked pretty sleep deprived, though. That was a familiar look, but he'd left the hang out a few days ago! Had he slept at all since-

"I had an hour and a half until my first class when I went to sleep. If you value your sanity, get off my bed and come back later. I will sick my sisters on any vigilantes stupid enough to wake me before my 8 am Advanced Applied Thermodynamics class. Jazz will therapy you to tears!"

Making the smartest decision available to him, Tim (or other vigilante of your choice) scrambled off the bed. Danny passed out immediately. Dragging the other vigilante out by the arm, he whispered into the cons, "He's an Engineering student at Gotham U. It's finals season. I think we can let him sleep now, don't you?"

[starry-bi-sky]

i've mentioned in a few past posts about an au where Danny is a variant of Jason Todd. I haven't made a post about it yet because I need a good rhythm flowing however i've been listening to Gladiator by Jann and I have been having thoughts.

but first, let me set the au:

Danny Fenton is Jason Todd, or at least, a variant of him. A him from a universe separate to the major Batman timeline - but still Jason Todd, down to the structure of his face and his name itself. The only thing that changes, is who picks him up - and, that he follows old Batman canon, and was an orphan. Jason Todd steals the tires off the batmobile and wallops Batman with his tirejack, and then runs off. Shortly after, he gets picked up by the Fentons.

(Customary line break,,,,)

And his name changes from Jason Todd to Danny Fenton. He doesn't care much for the new name change, it stems from his mute refusal to share his name to the people that picked him up; an attempt to make him untraceable should he get away from them, and to keep something of his to himself. So they name him something new. He grows to like it enough as he acclimates to his new family.

(He hangs onto the name Jason Todd like a secret - he may be 'Danny Fenton' now, but he'll never forget his time on Gotham's streets. He'll always be Jason Todd.)

(Jazz is the only one who he tells his name to in the family - she affectionately calls him Jay whenever she wants.)

He becomes friends with Sam and Tucker and deals with Dash and his bullying. And when Danny steps in during a fight between Dash and another student, Dash gives him a bleeding nose and mockingly says, "Do you think you're Robin just because you're from Gotham, Fenton?"

Jason looks him in the eyes and he bares his teeth, "Why not?" he asks, spitting blood, "being Robin gives me magic."

The nickname sticks. It's supposed to be an insult; Daniel Fenton is not Robin, he'll never be Robin. Not now, not in a million years. Jason Todd has always wanted to be Robin, so he takes the insult and wears it proudly. He buys a school varsity jacket and painstakingly undos the stitching of all the school's motif on it. On the breast of it, he embroiders in a black circle with the Boy Wonder "R" on it instead. It's not good stitching, but the next day Danny wears it down to breakfast and into school.

In normal au canon, Daniel Jason Todd-Fenton (its a mouthful, just call him Danny) only meets the Waynes after he becomes Phantom - an event that leans more towards Daniel Fenton's accident than Jason Todd's death, but traumatizes him all the same. (Is it too much to want to be mourned? His best friends like to deny that he died - and Danny - Jason? - wishes they wouldn't, even if he did come back.)

(The accident embitters him, even more when his parents don't seem to pick up on it. He stops calling himself Danny Fenton - he's always been Jason Todd. It shows itself in his ghostly form. He doesn't want to wear the thing he died in, not in something that belongs to the Fentons, and his suit reflects that.)

In this timeline, Daniel Jason Todd-Fenton, aged 13, meets Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne after a mishap with magic on the other end of the reality sends the three of them careening through time and space, and spat back out on the other end, in a world not their own. And together.

Danny is paired with a very confused Bruce Wayne and Richard Grayson. Luckily, there's a few heroes there to help them. Danny can hardly comprehend the idea that he's in another universe - he doesn't know why Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne are seemingly handling it well.

On their way to a secondary base with the heroes, Danny turns to Bruce Wayne and asks, "So, is it part of rich-person training that you're just totally chill with being sent into another universe, or are you just weird?"

Bruce Wayne huffs at him, rather than get offended, and he smiles that dumb lopsided billionaire smile that Danny's seen on every vogue magazine he's been in. "I'm not so worried with these skilled heroes here to help us get home."

Danny silently concludes that he's just weird. At least Dick Grayson is biting back a smile behind him. "Riiiight..." He says, dragging the vowel out dryly.

When they get to that secondary location -- a safehouse that one of the heroes had set up -- the three of them are sat in a living room-like room while one hero, Zatanna, goes and calls someone from the Justice League. The other two heroes stay with the three of them.

Within a few hours, Danny is face to face with Batman - someone who he hasn't seen since he whacked him in the stomach with a tire iron - and Nightwing. For a moment, Danny swears that the both of them look almost spooked by him.

Batman stares at him for a moment when he enters, and then he goes to speak with Bruce Wayne. Danny doesn't care enough to hear what they're talking about, he pulls out his phone as Nightwing goes to speak with Dick Grayson.

"Are you a fan of Robin, little man?" Someone says, and when Danny looks up he locks eyes with Dick Grayson -- who is leaning around Nightwing to talk to him, the both of them are smiling. And considering who Nightwing was, Danny finds himself turning pink to the ears.

But he will not hide his jacket. He forces a grin through his embarrassment, "Hell yeah, man, Robin's cool." He says, and pushes his arms down to pull out the hem of his letterman, showing off the emblem. "I made it m'self out of a school varsity after the A-Listers started callin' me Robin."

"A-Listers?"

"Popular kids," Danny corrects, loosing his hold on the hem and brushing invisible wrinkles out of the embroidery. "They didn't like that I kept stepping in when they were bullying. Dash asked me if i thought I was Robin because I was from Gotham."

Dick Grayson looks intrigued -- and concerned, and he leans forward onto his knees and raises an eyebrow. "What did you say?"

And Danny grins a shark-like thing, straightening back his shoulders with a burning sort of smug pride and all the sharpness of broken glass left in Crime Alley. "I told him being Robin gave me magic, and then I punched him."

Dick Grayson's smile widens, splitting into showing teeth as he leans back into his seat. Danny isn't sure why he's so delighted - but Nightwing looks incredibly amused, and he suddenly remembers that the Robin himself was there in front of him.

Danny's face burns anew and his arms fold themselves in front of him once again.

"I don't think I ever caught your name, Robin." Dick Grayson goes, his voice thick with laughter, and Nightwing steps off to the side as Batman and Bruce Wayne walk over to join them both. They're just close enough that Danny can see Bruce Wayne raise an eyebrow at them both.

"It's Jason." Danny says before he can think about it, and barely stops himself from frowning at himself for the slip. He amends himself, glancing over at Batman and Bruce as they get closer. "But everyone calls me Danny."

Dick Grayson's head recoils slightly, and he looks a little surprised. "Why Danny?" He asks.

"Why Dick?" He shoots back, and Bruce and Dick both smile at him, with Dick Grayson shrugging with an expression that looks like 'you've got a point.'

In the end, the three of them - yes, three - get sent to this world's Wayne Manor, and Danny is bewildered by that decision to include himself -- he's not a Wayne. Why not just send him to the Fentons?

Batman tells him that the Fentons don't exist in this world, and Danny falls silent. "Oh." He says quietly, a pit growing in his stomach with an ill-kind of dread. He can't keep Batman's gaze, looking away with unease.

No Fentons in this world. No Fentons. Where was he then, in the grand scheme of things? Where was he in this world? What happened to Jason Todd? Was he even alive? He can't keep the worry off his face, and he jumps when a hand lands on his shoulder. When he looks up, Dick Grayson squeezes him gently.

Dick Grayson is steadily beginning to remind him of his sister.

-

They end up driving back in the Batmobile. It's such a shock to Danny that he momentarily forgets the lack of Fentons. He makes a laugh sound, actually, and immediately he covers his hand with his mouth and stares at the car -- tank? with his teeth sunk into his lower lip.

"Jason?" Dick says, and hearing his name being spoken feels like someone touched him with a livewire. It's weird, it's foreign - he hates, in some way, that it's foreign - and it's so nice. Yes, that's me.

He drops his hand immediately. "Sorry." He says, realizing he'd stopped in his tracks, "I -uh, was just surprised."

"It's not every day someone sees the Batmobile." Dick agrees. Nightwing has his back to them but Danny swears he sees his shoulders shaking a little.

"Yeah," Danny nods slowly, dragging his eyes over the batmobile as Batman opens the driver's side and gets in. He thinks for a moment, of what he should say next - whether to admit that he's seen it before, or to pretend that he's seeing it for the first time. Snd as Nightwing opens the door for him, Bruce, and Dick, he chooses the funnier option; "The last time I saw it, I was stealing its tires."

To his surprise and unsurprise, Danny only gets two pairs of eyes on him. Nightwing gets into the passenger seat as both Bruce and Dick turn their gaze onto him; Dick's eyes big like they were going to bulge out of his head.

"You what!?"

So Danny tells an amazed Dick Grayson that he hit Batman with a tire iron after he stole his tires - something he is very proud about and also incredibly embarrassed about when he retells what happened in the backseat of the batmobile, with Batman and Nightwing listening in from the front seat.

(Bruce Wayne doesn't ever tell Dick shit, he's going to lord this over Bruce's head the moment they are alone.)

"Please tell me this didn't happen in this world." Danny groans behind his palms as he sinks into his seat. Dick Grayson is killing himself laughing on his left, and he saw Bruce Wayne stifling a smile before he obscured his vision with his hands.

Much to his luck, its Batman himself who speaks next, (Danny was being mostly rhetorical). "It did." He says, and his voice sounds like the rumble of the earth before a stampede. It will never not throw Danny off every time he hears it. "It takes quite a lot of spunk to steal the tires off the batmobile."

He can't believe it. Batman is making fun of him. Fucking, Batman.

He wants to die with embarrassment. He groans even louder as Dick Grayson's laughter crescendoes. Danny risks a peak through his fingers, he doesn't know whether to regret it or not because he can just barely see Batman smirk very faintly from his position in the middle.

(His world axis tilts five degree leftways seeing it; like someone dunked a bucket of ice water on him.)

"He ended up being adopted by the Bruce Wayne of this world."

Danny's hands drop with his jaw into his lap. Dick Grayson on his left chokes on his laughter and careens into a coughing fit. Bruce Wayne on his right chokes on air, and quickly recovers himself with a cough behind a closed fist.

"What?" Danny croaks.

-

Apparently, Bruce Wayne's family is much larger in this world than it is in his. Danny can barely wrap his head around the idea that he ends up adopted by the man, but now he has to learn that Wayne had several children in this world?

He's still not wrapped his head around it when the three of them wind up at Wayne Manor, finally, or even when he's standing in front of him himself. For his effort, Bruce Wayne does a good job at looking unruffled by it.

God, he's weird. Danny's starting to quite like it, actually. How human of him.

He still can't wrap his head around it when he meets the rest of Bruce Wayne's children, all of whom are already aware of the three of them. Danny thinks that someone from the Justice League might've alerted them before they got here.

It makes sense, he supposes.

It helps that they are just as weirded out as he is. A boy named Tim Drake sees him for the first time and blurts out; "Oh wow, you're tiny." In a tone like he's just seen a two-headed snake burst out of the ground.

Danny is still offended. He's still growing. It's not his fault he spent twelve years of his life malnourished. "I'm gonna be taller than you," he tells him seriously, "and when I do I'm gonna kick your ass."

Tim snorts at him.

The other Bruce Wayne -- Mr. Wayne's -- youngest looks at him up and down with a face of carefully controlled judgement. His name is Damian, he's Bruce Wayne's only biological son. Danny can't believe that there's only one.

If anything, Bruce Wayne himself looks surprised too.

"Todd, yes?" Damian says, his green eyes narrowed at him.

Danny feels like the specimen under his parents' microscope, he feels like he's standing on a platform that's being slowly spun by scientists. He looks over at Bruce Wayne in confusion, and then back at Damian. "I- yes?"

Damian Wayne nods, and then leaves.

Danny does not once see himself. That is unsettling in and of itself - surely Jason Todd would have been told about another version of himself in this world, wouldn't he? How old is he here? An adult, probably. Danny doesn't know if he wants to see him. What does he look like when he's grown up? He pulls his Robin jacket around him a little tighter, like a cocoon, like a shield.

"It's weird to hear them call me Jason Todd." He says aloud to himself, and it leaves a weight behind in his chest that shouldn't hurt the way it does. It shouldn't be weird to be called your name. It shouldn't cobweb up your throat to hear your name being said. It was his name. It was his.

-

Danny acclimates to the manor slowly. The house is big, massive. He's never been in a house so large before, he feels like a stray cat being taken in for the first time, again. He and Bruce and Dick Grayson are all given their own separate rooms - one of many inside this mansion - and the sheer size of his bedroom is bigger than his living room and kitchen combined.

it's daunting. Danny sits outside on the balcony and stares at the stars he can see - Wayne Manor is far enough away from Gotham that its light pollution doesn't obscure the sky here like it did in the heart of it.

Danny finds the constellations he can find and wishes he had his books with him. He finds the library the next day and buries himself in the back, curling up into a comfy armchair next and inhaling each book he can get his hands on.

Tim Drake wanders past him at some point, Danny would have missed him if it weren't for the fact that Drake stared at him strangely when he saw him. He walks away when he realizes Danny was staring back.

It's a rinse and repeat for the next few days. Danny doesn't go to meals, he sneaks food from the kitchen afterwards, and then buries himself in hundreds of books in the library.

Dick Grayson, the one from his world, goes and finds him three days later. Danny's eyes hurt with strain by then, but he is furiously halfway through a Jane Austen novel when Dick sits down across from him.

"Have you been here all day?" Dick asks, he drapes himself across the side of his chair, contorting himself into a position that Danny doesn't think is comfortable when he looks up at him.

Not that he looks up at him long - he hums absently and goes back to reading. Frowning when he realizes he lost his place on the page.

Dick Grayson raises an eyebrow, "Have you at least eaten anything?"

Danny hums. No, he hasn't, and he hadn't thought about eating all day. Until now that is, his frown ever deepening as his stomach pangs with a deep hunger.

"That's not healthy."

"Mhm."

"Are you going to eat something?"

"Mhhh."

And this gets Dick to frown. He straightens himself up, propping onto his elbows to stare at Danny. "Jason." He says strongly. And it's that that gets Danny to finally look up from his page, jumping like he'd again been poked with a live wire as he stares at Dick with wide eyes.

"Yes?"

"Put the book down." Dick orders, gesturing towards the side table next to Danny with a nod. "And come eat something." There's very little room for argument in his voice, he sounds like Jazz when she's trying to parent him, but instead he actually sounds authoritative. Not bossy.

Danny still frowns at him. "You're not the boss of me." He says, sinking back into his chair with a thumb bookmarking his page.

Dick gives him a look and makes a decisive noise, swaggling his head side to side while he does. "I'm pretty sure that for as long as we're here, me and B actually are the boss of you."

He's never really liked authority figures, not ones that tried to boss him around, that is. Danny doubles down, his lips curling into a shadow of a scowl. "Just because you're my brother in another world doesn't mean you can act like it."

"That's not what I mean and you know it."

"I don't want to go eat."

"It's not good for you to skip meals."

"Quit talking like Jazz."

"Danny."

Danny sinks his teeth into his lip and scowls darkly at him, shrinking into the back of his armchair in hopes that it'll swallow him whole. The idea of going into that large fucking dining room fills him with a dread that makes him completely forget his appetite.

"Your fucking- dining room is- it's too big." He grits out, finally closing his book and hugging it tightly to his chest.

Dick blinks at him. "What?"

"You heard me! It's too big. This whole place is too big. It's- what do you even do with this much space? I don't know how this- other me ever lived here."

Dick Grayson surprises him, and his expression softens. "Oh," he says, "I get it."

"You do?" The tension bleeds slowly out of Danny's shoulders

"Yeah, I felt the same way when I first moved in with Bruce. I lived with the circus for most of my life, but I slept in a trailer." He says. And he talks more.

The end result of their conversation ends with Dick Grayson offering to let Danny sit across or next to him during mealtimes, and that he can talk to him if he starts getting uneasy. But he can't keep skipping meals - it was making them all worried.

Danny agrees, and Dick takes him down to the kitchens for food.

"They look at me weirdly too." He grumbles as they leave the library, Danny's book returned to the shelf where it belonged. When Dick looks at him curiously, he scrunches his nose up. "The - your other siblings. They look at me like I'm- I'm someone else. S'weird."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Dick asks, "You are someone else."

Dany shrugs, staring at the ground with a heavy frown. "I don't know."

-

Danny seeks out Dick more after that. And vice versa. Dick reminds Danny of Jazz, and he latches onto the familiarity like a leech. If Dick is bothered by it, he doesn't show it, whether he's talking to his other world's self, to the Bruce's, or to one of the other Wayne kids.

Damian Wayne seems particularly keen to seek him out, Danny finds. He thinks it means that they're close in this world, and that Damian wants to see more of what a young Dick is like. That's what he would do, at least.

He takes up on Dick's offer of seating near him during dinner, and finds an open spot across from him. Unless he has something to show him, then he sits next to him.

("You can call me Jason." He tells him one day when they're in the Wayne's massive, fuck-off gym and they're both climbing over the jungle gym. Dick's showing him how to be more flexible. It's the most Danny's worked out ever, he likes the burn it gives him.

Dick looks at him in surprise, "Really?" he's doing a handstand on the bars and Danny's more than a little jealous at his balance.

"Yeah, dipshit," he says, rolling his eyes, "I'll even let you call me Jay, it's my nickname."

Dick happily takes him up on that offer, and much to Danny's embarrassment, starts calling him Jaybird. All because of his stupid Robin jacket.)

Danny has yet to meet his other self still, it's scaring him a little. Where was he? And matter of fact, how long until he could go back to his home dimension? The three of them hadn't gotten any updates since they arrived.

Speaking of, he was starting to talk to Bruce more, it was just... strange. Even stranger than talking to Dick. Bruce Wayne in another life would have been his adoptive father, Danny can't wrap his head around it for the life of him.

Whatever did Bruce Wayne see in Jason Todd that made him worth adopting? He's too afraid of the answer to ask. They start talking more after they run into each other late at night. Danny had been hit with a bout of insomnia and was going to the library.

He ran into Bruce on the way. He was just.. staring, out the window, with a faraway look in his eye. He didn't even look startled to see Danny standing there.

Danny asks him if he wants to go to the library with him. It was out of panic. He isn't expecting Bruce Wayne to agree, and they walk there in suffocating silence. Danny keeps looking at him from the corner of his eye.

("You're staring?" Bruce doesn't sound upset, Danny jumps anyway.

"Yeah, sorry." his voice sounds stilted, "it's just..." his jaw wires itself shut for a spell, "...you looked like you were about to disappear."

"Ah.")

When they reach the library, Danny leads Bruce Wayne into the science section and takes out books upon books about stars. He leads him over to the armchair and fire and they both sit down on the ground.

"When I lived in Gotham I would stargaze." Danny says, it's the first thing he can think of. Bruce Wayne looks at him quizzically. "Well, I would try to. The sky's too polluted for that. Mostly I would just watch the skyline and try and spot Batman and Robin, was the same thing."

That cracks a smile out of Bruce. It's a small one, barely there. "I hardly think the two are comparable."

Danny is still serious. "Not to me."

He goes on, talking about how after he was adopted he got his hands on every star book he could find. He loves english and he loves to read, but something about the stars drew him in like a song. He rambles about every star fact he knows with Bruce Wayne.

Bruce Wayne surprises him by telling him facts he didn't know. Danny soaks it up like a sponge, listening intently to him speak. And when they run out of star books to talk about, Danny tells Bruce that it was his turn to find something for them to talk about.

Bruce Wayne smiles again at him, a sly little thing like Danny's challenged him, and gets up. He comes back with a stack of film books, and they spend the next few hours going through them. Bruce Wayne rattles off every single movie fun fact he knows, and there is so much that he knows.

Danny is in awe, and moves to press against Bruce's side to see the stuff he points at in his books.

"You're smarter than people give you credit for." He says at some point, when his eyes hurt from being open for too long and his head leans against Bruce's arm for support. It follows with a jaw-cracking yawn that he tries and fails to stifle.

"Thank you, Danny." Bruce says, his voice soft and soothing and not helping with Danny's weighing exhaustion. His eyes drift, and then jerk open. "Do you want to go back to your room? You look tired, chum."

He bites back a smile at the nickname, and fails to keep it bitten. "No, no, I'm awake." He mumbles, shaking his head slowly. "I wanna hear-" he yawns again, "-hear you talking."

Danny swears he can hear the smile in Bruce's voice as he speaks; "Alright. Now, where was I?"

In the end, Danny falls asleep on the floor of the library next to Bruce Wayne. He doesn't even realize it until he wakes up the next morning. But it's not to worry, Bruce Wayne fell asleep too, an arm thrown around Danny protectively like he was his own kid.

This becomes a thing for them soon enough. When neither of them can sleep, they go to the library and talk and talk about whatever comes to mind.

There comes the dreaded night after they've finished whatever book they were looking at when Bruce, the little shit, turns to Danny and goes; "You never mentioned what happened after you hit Batman with a tire iron."

Danny groans, big and dramatic, burying his head in his arms, and ignores the low chuckle. "I thought he was gonna chase me down for sure." He complains, his voice muffled by his arms.

"Why did you hit him with a tire iron?"

The look Bruce gets is one of pure disbelief. "If Mothman suddenly showed up behind you while you were taking the wheels off his ride, you'd hit him too!"

"Last time I checked, Mothman isn't real." Bruce told him amusedly, and Danny flops over onto his back to stare him down. His arms sprawl out like a starfish, intentionally hitting Bruce in the shoulder.

"You don't know that, Batman's a cryptid and he's real."

Bruce roars with laughter, and Danny preens like a bird.

That next morning when Bruce passes by him for breakfast, he reaches over and ruffles his hair. It's the same thing he does for Dick every morning. It's the first of many, and it gets many stares from the surrounding family.

Bruce has a newspaper tucked under his arm, and when he sits down Danny stands up and skedaddles over to him, leaning over the side of his chair to peer at the paper.

"Any cryptids spotted, Buzz?" He asks, getting a startled laugh out of Bruce, who looks up at him.

"Buzz?"

"Well, yeah," and Danny states it as matter-of-fact. He gestures his head at Dick Grayson. "Dick calls you 'B', and B is for bees, and I can't just call you Bees, that's dumb. So; Buzz."

He grins triumphantly when Bruce laughs quietly, his shoulders shaking imperceptibly. "I know," he tilts his head up proudly, "I'm a genius."

Now he's actually laughing, dropping his head into one of his hands and trying to quiet himself as much as possible. Danny is positively beaming, ignoring the stares of the other Waynes as he flounces back to his seat just as the other Mister Wayne enters the room.

-

When Jason Daniel Fenton Todd meets Jason Todd for the first time, they both just stare at each other.

Danny recognizes himself immediately in the library, and he freezes up. His tongue ties to the roof of his mouth, and he's unsure of what to say.

He doesn't need to say anything at all, because when Jason Todd looks up and they lock eyes, they both just stare. And stare. Jason Todd is a large, hulk of a man, built like a brick shithouse, with a tired, traumatized look in his eyes and a white streak in his black curls. The same black curls that Danny himself has.

He has no idea what to say. Or if he should turn back around and leave.

Jason Todd sighs at him, "I know they told me you and another world's Bruce and Dickie were here," he says, but it sounds like he's talking to himself. Even moreso when he mutters half-heartedly, "-but I was hoping I wouldn't run into you."

Danny feels small next to him. He doesn't know why. "Sorry." He says lamely, his one foot skips back, "I can leave if you want." It's unlike him to be meek, he thinks. Not after years of Gotham living and dealing with the likes of Dash and his Jerk Jocks.

But this also isn't the streets, and this isn't other kids being dicks. Jason Todd shakes his head, and gestures with one large arm for Danny to come over. "You don't need to do that, you were coming to read, right?"

He nods, and tentatively makes his way over. When Jason looks at him, he sees him cast his eyes over his Robin jacket - he wears it everyday. Danny sees him narrow his eyes, just slightly. But he says nothing.

It's... a strange conversation. Interaction. Jason Todd doesn't talk to him much, and if he does it's stilted and awkward, like he doesn't know how to treat him. Like he's holding him at arm's length.

Jason's getting tired of being treated like a ghost.

They talk about their books. They compare lives. Jason Todd was picked up a few days after he stole the wheels of the batmobile. He wasn't an orphan, he lived with his mom and his stepdad before he lived with Bruce. They both like to read, only Danny has an interest in the stars.

("What do your adoptive parents do?" Jason Todd asks him, one arm slung over the back of the armchair, he looks relaxed. He looks tense. Danny feels like he's back in Crime Alley again.

"They're 'ectologists'." He says, making air quotes over the word. He rolls his eyes, "Ghost hunters. They study the dead and all things afterlife."

Jason Todd makes a dry laugh huff, a sarcastic half-smile on his face. He doesn't explain why he does, Danny doesn't ask why. It doesn't seem like his business.)

Danny wants to ask him where he got that white streak in his hair. It doesn't feel right. It feels like his parents' lab, and that isn't right. Nothing ever feels like his parents' lab.

Jason Todd leaves first after giving him a few book recommendations. Danny isn't sure how to rate the experience. Being in Jason Todd's presence was like standing in a liminal space. An empty parking lot at night. When he leaves it feels like much the same thing.

He struggles to read his books afterwards, unable to shake the feeling of being haunted.

[emdeerm]

While I completely sympathise with you about no friends being in the same fandom, I can't say I'm not happy with it. Your writing is so cool q(T▽T)

[mkarchin713]

Meeting Danny was strange.

When Jason heard that a younger and alternate dimensional Dick, Bruce and himself appeared he had been … well… he wasn’t sure what words to use to describe the emotions, but he knew he wanted a younger Bruce to see what his crusade had turned him into. He hoped seeing him would someone save his younger self.

Then he learned how different the alternate dimension was. A world where ideas that only crossed his mind when he was at his lowest, was a reality.

A world where Jason Todd was never adopted by Bruce Wayne.

This younger version of him, Danny, was so different from him.

Danny had never set foot in Wayne Manor.

Danny had never been Robin.

Danny had never experienced the things that broke him.

Danny was practically the embodiment of all the what ifs he thought of when the pits kept him up at night. Jason had imagined what living the life Danny lived so many times.

He …

He couldn’t meet Danny.

Not yet.

Reality was never as good as fantasy.

A part of Jason was afraid of what he would find.

Was Danny the happy, well adjusted kid Jason always imagined he could be?

Or was Danny just like him.

Jason didn’t want to know the answer.

….

Jason hadn’t really planned on meeting Danny this way. Just randomly running into each other in one of the various libraries that littered stately Wayne Manor. Perhaps Jason should have expected to see Danny in this particular section, probably for the same reason he was.

Danny looked just like him at age thirteen and sported Robin varsity jacket of all things. The irony almost made him laugh, even in a world where Jason wasn’t Robin, he still carried the symbol.

Danny seemed almost afraid of him, Jason probably would have been too if he was faced with his future self.

Jason admits he hoped he wouldn’t run into Danny.

Danny offers to leave. Danny has the same meek look on his face Jason had whenever his dad came home after a job gone wrong. The idea that Jason could be the cause of such a look made him throw up a little. The only reason Danny couldn’t tell how badly Jason was affected was his expertly crafted poker face.

Jason tells Danny he doesn’t need to do that, they both came here to read.

…

Jason isn’t quite sure which one of them started the conversation but soon they are lounging in the library comparing lives, sans the secret identity of course. Everything was basically the same till they stole the batmobiles tires, that’s when their lives really split.

Shortly after the botched heist Danny was picked up by the Fenton family, or rather, Danny was adopted by the Fentons daughter, Jazz, who convinced them to take Danny in.

Jason had always wanted an older sister.

The Fenton’s were ectobiologists who studied the dead, Jason couldn’t contain a dry chuckle of irony at that discovery. A zombie in one world and the son of ghost hunters in the other. It was like the universe was mocking him.

Jason could feel Danny staring at the white locke that marred his hair. He could practically taste the questions on the tip of Danny’s tongue. He was glad to see their shared street smarts didn’t fail Danny as he held his tongue., asking the wrong person about their appearance could get you killed on the streets.

Jason himself was a guilty of staring as well so he couldn’t hold it against Danny. Jason could barely take his eyes on the lightning like scars that traveled from Danny’s left hand, all the way up to his face.

Jason didn’t know why but the scar made him feel uneasy. Perhaps it was because the idea of a child having a scar like that simply raised his heckles. Perhaps it was the suspicion that Danny’s parents could have been the cause. Perhaps it was the fact that for a split second the scar seemed glow a hauntingly familiar shade of green when their hands brushed against each other earlier.

Meeting Danny had been strange. It left Jason with more questions than answers and a feeling that the pits would always haunt him in some form or another, no matter what world he was in.

[hoeforfics]

I'm confused on whether Danny had already died or not, cuz the other implies he hadn't and the other add-on did.

But tbh, I think it would be better if he did die earlier. Cuz we can add so much angst on that.

Like, I can just imagine.

Their stay had gone on for a few months already, the way home still not clear and far away.

A few more meeting with this world's Jason, and some trust had been built between him and Danny.

One moment, both of them in a library, discussing their shared interests (Jane Austen), and once their discussion turned into null.

Danny just asks.

"You're like me aren't you?"

And Jason, confused, asks.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Hmm. You've died before haven't you?"

And everything stops.

Danny kept looking down at the book on his shaking hands, while Jason just looks at Danny.

Danny can't see Jason's expression.

Can't see the utter despair, utter anguish, the crushed look in his eyes as feels his hope of finally living a stable and better life shatter and drain like it did on that abandoned warehouse.

The sound of breathing went null in that library.

Still Danny kept looking down on his hands, his vision shaky with his hands trembling even more as the sound of silence continued on.

"Yes."

The answer sounded more like a choked sob that went out Jason's mouth screaming and kicking.

And silence descended upon that library once again.

Danny didn't ask anymore questions.

Jason didn't press for more information.

Cuz that's what gets you killed in the streets. In crime alley. Sticking your nose where it doesn't belong.

Nobody talked for the rest of the time they stayed in the library. Until time for dinner, where they both left the library at the same time, silence still continuing on to be unbroken.

Both unaware of the presence they've left in the library. Having the most heartbreaking expression on their face.

That's all I've got.

The other person on the library can be Cass cuz op (i think) said they ment to include her but hand't been able to. But, personally, I wanted it to be someone who's personally and largely involved with Jason's death in an emotional way.

We can have Batman, realizing that no matter the universe, he couldn't protect his 2nd robin, his light that burns from a candle that went out to quickly. Before turning into a torch burning so bright, uncontrolled and scorching others. But it's fine, because Jason still provides him light, no matter how much it hurts.

We can have Nightwing, the original murder robin. Whose anger has been reignited and turned higher, whose despair boiled and bubbled over like an overflowing pot. Who realizes that no matter the universe, HE has failed in protecting another brother. That B has failed in keeping a single child alive in his mission. That Jason was really meant to die no matter the universe.

We can have Bruce and/or Dick. I'm getting the idea/feeling/impression that both of them are either before adopting Jason, or after and just started getting along esp. with the transfer of the robin mantle. Have them feel utter sorrow over the fact that this bright and cheerful child had his life taken. That such a child had already experienced horrors kept untold and can only be seen in the bright lazarus green light that flares form his scars.

Finally, we can have Tim, the stalker child. Whose idol is the 2nd robin, who states that being robin gives him magic. The utter sadness that no matter the universe, no matter the place or time, his idol, his magical robin, was always meant to die. That his position, of being robin at first, and now red robin is being driven to the point that he was and will still be a replacement. For a position that needed to be filled but not wanted.

---------

That's all I've really got. My brain juices are squeezed to the max.

[magickizu]

Phantom Contingency Plan

Crossover dp x dc, with hinted dead on main. So I've got this little time line I have in mind for my own crossover AU and this is a snippet of it. Will post more of it; might make a master post too at some point. For now, the prompt:

After something happened and the Phantom-Squad (Danny, Ellie, Dan and Jazz) had to reveal themselves to the batfam, Bruce calls up Danny and tells him, now that he thought about it and in the least offensive way possible: how likely is it for the Phan-Squad to "go rogue". Danny is silent, a thought filled, contemplating silence. "... I'll come by the cave tomorrow eve at 8pm."

P.s.: sorry if the batfam becomes too much ooc, I grew up a marvel-child and just recently became invested into dc. pwq

"This is absolutely ridiculous, B!" Jason, in full Red Hood get up, was leaning against a support beam. He just can't sit right now. This idiot really just straight up decided to go and ask Danny for their weak points! Instead of going the normal route of collecting information, to expand the contingency plan alone- like it was supposed to be!

"As if any of them, who's very core is actively making them protect, save and help- literally!!- would just go against it and harm themselves with it." Why Hood was this adamant, about the Nightingales? Okay, yeah, maybe it does have something to do with him crushing on Danny, the moment he made the pits fall silent for the first time... But why the hell would he ever say that out loud!?

"It may be in their instinct, but you can never be sure what happens when that person breaks." Nightwing, who leaned on a nearby table. He talks calmly, but stern. His expression shows the hint of unease even he feels; the Nightingales have come to Gotham in an attempt to flee from someone. Someone who's set on hunting them down and hurting them, they're basically refugees. It doesn't seem 100% right, definitely. But the "what if"s are too big of a risk, none of them got any idea of what they're truly capable of.

"Bullshit..." Hood crosses his arms, looking away. His helmet is off, just the domino, so his muttering comes out as just that.

"Hood, please. Nightwing is right. As much as they want to help, you know it's for the best. Not even Constantine could think of something." Barbara sat next to Batman, as she turned to face the boys.

"Wait, what?? You can't be serious! Even Gandalf the Blond didn't know??" Nightwing looks at her incredulous. The redhead shook her head, but a slim smirk formed on her lips from the nickname.

"That doesn't excuse anything-" Hood got cut off by the notification that someone was coming in through the tunnel.

For the first time since the others came in, Batman moved from his seat at the batcomputer. He turned towards the tunnel entrance, where the roaring of a motorcycle can be heard. While Barbara and Nightwing seemed surprised, Hood could somehow, probably through his now healing core, sense it was Danny- which in turn just sent his head reeling a bit and his heart fluttering a little. Batman just checked the clock; the moment Danny brought his bike to a halt, next to Jason's, it was exactly 8:00pm, as promised. The ghost king really does keep his word, that's good to know.

Danny wasn't wearing any padding: no sturdy jeans, no leather jacket, just his usual get up and the black helmet with neon green accents. Crazy dangerous for a normal living person, but what could possibly happen? He's already dead, plus more sturdy anyway and untouchable when he wants to. Plus he's got the heightened reflexes, to use his abilities timely. ...which honestly just made his entrance, like- Wham!

Nightwing whistled impressed, "Damn dude, you're making little wing real competition, looking all cool and serious like that." He smiles, still impressed. Barbara just gave him a look that said, to keep his mind focused. In turn Nightwing answered with a look that asked, why it's only him and to look at Hood. Who in all fairness just was completely entranced by his crush looking extremely awesome, which made him incredibly hot. Well, at least until-

"Jay, stand back." Danny said, well... more like softly commanded, right as he took his helmet off, hanging it onto the handlebars. Said vigilanty did as he was told, without questioning. If it could harm Danny, it will harm him.

"Thank you, for not only your understanding, but your quick response, as well as trust to not misuse this. We really appreciate it." The Bat said in his low, serious tone. Danny nodded, giving him a similar facial expression.

"And thank you, for appreciating the afford." He grabbed two silver suitcases: one was flatter and the other looked more like a box. The moment he stepped closer to the table Nightwing was sitting on and where Hood was still standing, albeit a little off now, Hood became a little paler and suddenly feeling a bit weaker and uncomfortable. As if something underneath his skin began itching, somewhere inside. Danny's gaze shot towards him immediately, after setting them both down.

"You okay?" He asked, the concern visible in his eyes. The man's feet took him over towards Hood, the moment he was approximately 2 meters away, Danny shook and rubbed his arm. Probably to stop the same feeling Hood felt.

"I'm- ...yeah. I can handle, just uncomfortable." He chose to be honest, knowing, hearing and feeling the concern emanating from his core. But he nods, then stands himself next to the taller man.

Meanwhile Batman, Barbara and Nightwing stood themselves around the table in a half circle around the suitcases.

"The thicker case is filled with blood blossoms. Do not open that one, unless it's happening. These flowers have anti-spectral properties, they not only harm us, can occasionally break haunts and ghostly curses, they can and will kill ghosts and ghost-adjacent beings through exposure alone. Especially in that quantity." He begins to explain and Jason shifts slightly, shuffling one step away, trying not to make it obvious. Nightwing and Barbara look on in shock, even Batman has to take a deep breath.

"But aren't they just a fairytale? Constantine had mentioned them, but also said that they come from old folklore. Medieval times, when Christianity wasn't even that known. And aren't they supposed to have anti-supernatural properties?" Barbara questioned and it's true. John told Batman about them, but added that he didn't exactly know if it wasn't just some old folklore and not to put his bets on it. He knew of the infinite realms, sure. But Ghosts explicitly? Not that much..

Danny nodded. "They are as old as humanity and they have been used in countless traps and banishment rituals. It's just that..." He grabs his neck, thinking of which words to use and letting his usual self finally slip through. He's been practicing explaining things, this definitely put it to the test. "Hmmm... Okay, uhm... It was said that they have anti-supernatural properties, because quite a few ghosts were mistaken as other supernatural creatures. For example... Yetis!" He snapped his fingers, smiling proudly to himself, that he came up with it that fast.

"Yetis...?" Nightwing asked completely flabbergasted. "Pfff... Bigfoot also a ghost? Ow-" He couldn't help himself, but got a slap on his arm from Barbs, who glarred daggers at him.

"Yes and no, Bigfoot is actually a spirit of sorts, but not really. He just wants to be left alone, man. And yes, Yetis. They are ghosts of the far frozen and spirits of ice, the cold and healing. Because they're technically ghosts, they'd be affected, but they don't exactly look like your conventional, stereotypical ghost. So people just forgot about them due to monotheistic religions, because instead of blaming vengeful, violent and malevolent spirits, they became demons. Which lasted not that long after exorcisms and prayers became a thing." Danny explained.

"I see... So that's why Constantine didn't know for sure." Batman nodded. Hood got a stool and sat down a little further away- was this what kryptonite felt like to the supers? He made a mental note to never tease them about it again... In the back of his mind and in his chest, he can hear- no... Sense a chirping. It's Danny sensing Hood's tense unease. The smaller ones core calling out, //it's okay//will protect//save//. It did help a bit though and Hood's grateful for that.

"And this one?" Nightwing pointed at the slimmer suitcase, intrigued now.

"Those are regular ecto-blasters. They just shoot ecto infused lasers- completely harmless to anything living. The only thing it does is to inconvenience or harm a ghost, but they're mostly non-lethal." Batman nodded again, opening the case and inspecting the guns. "If you need more, just say so. I used to use them constantly, so I still got quite a few on the shelf." He crosses his arms, for comfort. But Hood's attention was drawn more to the 'used to use them'. Danny wheelded harmful 'mostly non-lethal' weapons for a while, so that also implies that he knows how to turn them lethal... Why?

"If that is possible, I would be most grateful." Batman said, holding eye contact with Danny, who in turn nodded.

"I'll drop them off tomorrow, then. You'll need to recharge them with both electricity and ectoplasm. Don't ever let them run low, tho or it will back fire on you. Not pretty. When you aim to stun: hit wherever besides the chest, it regenerates. But when you aim to harm and injure: aim for the core. It's, you guessed it, in the middle of the chest. Even if ghosts can regenerate, just empty the thing and keep firing; the amount of ecto we lose, is too much to heal against. Especially because we need said ecto to heal in the first place. And don't be surprised: ghosts melt. We don't turn to ashes, get sucked away to who knows. We melt into ecto." Danny answered almost immediately, stunning the birds and Oracle. But the bat only nodded, containing his own curiosity, as he closed the case and readied them to carry away.

- - - - -

"Danny! Talk?" He turns his head towards Hood; both sit on their bikes, standing next to each other. The traffic light glowing red, when the taller man calls. Then after a few seconds of silence, Danny looks around and motions for Hood to follow.

After some more explanations in the cave, on how to most effectively use each weapon and tool against his very own life and leaving the two birds as well as Oracle stunned silent, Hood decided to ride along. Since he has to go in that direction anyway, might as well ride with Danny and spend more time. As the light turns green, Danny nods and leads the way. After another 10-15 minutes of silent driving they get to a quiet viewpoint in a more abandoned area of the neighborhood. They come to a halt and the taller is the first to speak,

"Just... Just out of curiosity. How come or well, why were you so, I wouldn't say eager but, so... fast to respond? Not even the League members reacted this... How to put it, ready? Collected? Hell knows, they didn't nerd out about their weaknesses. So-"

"Jay, tell me: how much do you trust yourself?" The smaller man takes off his helmet and hangs it up on the handlebars again. Hood sighs and does similar, leaving only his domino mask on, as he leans against the railing, next to his king. He shrugs.

"I guess... talking about confidence in my skills and how to use them? Yes. Yes, I do." But the electric blues only look over the city skylines, he nods.

"No, I mean in yourself." So naturally Jayson's breath hitches, when these eyes suddenly stared into his. "Your ability to control your emotions, when the worst happens and push comes to shove." He takes a deep breath, his gaze flicking from the other up to the sky. Surprisingly it's a clear view of the stars. And again Jason decides that a) this man has so many more secrets, than he already thought and b) it just adds to his enchanting mystique and liminal beauty. Oh damn, he fell hard and deep.

"I mean... The pit-rages stopped, when we began training, but..." That's when realisation hit him. "...I don't know. No."

"...and I do know, that I won't." Jason looks at Danny almost immediately. His small, growing and healing core rumbling with //confused//what?//. Danny sighs heavily: "the last time it happened, I developed new powers again and apparently declared war to the conspiratorial wing of the government, leaving nothing but death, destruction and a crater the size of Wayne Manor's property line behind. I wasn't even at full health. I've also seen what happens, when I let my anger win and that was from a point where I was about 10 years weaker than I am today. It was a wasteland of a world, didn't even see the justice league there, so..." Danny's hands slip from the railing to hug himself, Jason just stares stunned and in shock, trying to buffer the words and sounds the other one makes. Said one smiles weakly his gaze never leaves the stars, as if they're giving him some form of comfort or answers only he can read. "...emotions are more than natural for ghosts, we're literally made by them. The will to survive, the need to protect and help or ... The boiling rage to avenge." He finally gave Jason a small glance and encouraging smile. "Really it's only natural. But that's also why I'm so hellbend on teaching you to control yourself. The more your core heals,..." He reaches out touching Jason's chest and his heart skips a beat. Gods he hopes the other doesn't notice, but he doesn't react so that's good? "The more you will feel and the harder it becomes to regulate. But... I got the feeling, you'll manage." He smiles and pats Jason's chest, then he turns back to the stars. His smile slowly fading. "...but if things happen, that'll make me lose it for good? I'd prefer to be taken out clean before another 'reign of terror' Happens."

They're silent, Jason has to process what he just heard. Danny more so as it still looks like he's listening to the stars sing, however that's possible. But hey, that's the Nightingale's ever since they showed up: anything but normal. The bigger one finally huffs, "So... You're really a big f*cking fish, huh... Your siblings that powerful too?" The other shrugs, yes and no. "Damn... Well, I definitely hope that it'll never happen. ...would absolutely suck to lose you." He glances at the other, just barely to try and get a sneak peak at him. But Danny just smiles softly, eyes closed. That's when Jason can sense the chirping from Danny's core again, //appreciate//you too//love//.

...wait. Wait, hold on!-

"Welp, was nice but I gotta go now. Jazz is probably done with dinner by now and they're waiting for me." The smaller turns to walk towards his bike, patting Jason on the shoulder and back again. "I'll see around, Red Guy. You know where to find me." He winks cheeky and puts on his helmet and like a phantom into the night, is gone. Jason still stands there...

Did he... Did he really just understand... Love? No, wait again! Danny and his siblings too always say, that ghosts are very sensitive to emotions and can read them off of- ...

...did Danny knew from the very beginning...?

[terrestrialnoob]

"Hey, Bats, can I have a word?" John asked as everyone started filling out of the meeting room.

Batman gave him the side eye. "You don't usually come to meetings."

John raised his hands in surrender. "Caught me, I'm really here to ask you a favor."

Batman looked over by the door, where it looked like Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash were there waiting for him. But, he turned back to John and asked "What do you want?"

John tried not to cringe at the tone in his voice, telling himself that's just what a tired after meeting Batman sounded like. "I need help with a puzzle box."

John pulled said box out of his coat pocket and held it up for Batman to take, but the man examined it closely without touching it. "What's in it?"

"A world-ending weapon, probably. There's like, a 10% chance it's a world-ending monster." John helpfully provided.

"And you want to open it..."

"Yeah..." John sighed then explained, "It's part of a pair, with this-" John pulled a gear shaped dial puzzle out of his pocket. "But, since I solved this one, that one wont work for me."

"Why do you want to open it?"

"Because, whoever solves the puzzles control it."

"But you've been magically locked out of solving this one." Batman pointed at the box still in John's hand.

"Yeah, so I need someone good at solving puzzles -you- and who's dabbled enough in magic to effect the box -you again- and who I trust not to use whatever's in it to destroy the world."

Batman gave him the patented bat-interrogation glare. "You still haven't explained why you want to release this weapon."

"It's a fail safe. Like the two keys thing governments put in front of their nuclear bombs. According to the texts I read, this isn't the only way to release the whatever-it-is, but once we solve both these puzzles, you and I will have control of it and absolutely no one else can get it." John wiggled the box at Batman. "We do this now, we don't have to pray I can track down all the alternate methods, and neither of us can use it without the other's permission."

Batman closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're certain this is the best method to ensure the safety of as many people as possible?"

"Yep."

"And you're certain I'm the right person you want as the other half of your fail safe? Not another magic user?"

"I feel the degree of separation will be useful in determining what situations call for using a world-ending weapon."

Batman let another deep sigh and took the puzzle box.

"You two staying late?" Superman asked as John and Batman sat back down at the table. Him, Wonder Woman, and the Flash came over to check on them.

"Sorry, we can get dinner together another time." Batman said without taking his eyes off the box. Each side had nine squares, each with a rune on them that glowed when pressed. There was a pattern, John was sure, but after he'd solved the dial puzzle, the runes where blurred and the squares didn't light up when he pressed them.

"How long do you think your puzzle thing will take?" Flash asked, looking over Batman's shoulder as he seemed to solve the puzzle quickly. Or so John hoped, again, he couldn't actually see what kind of progress Bats was having.

"Ten minutes, tops." Nightwing interrupted. Batman did glance at him, but then went right back to work on the box. "We still have plenty of time to go to Bobby's before closing."

"I thought you had better things to do?" Superman asked.

"And pass up on burgers with you? Never." Nightwing said with a wink. "Is John joining us when this is done?"

"I'll have to take whatever comes out of the box back to the house of Mystery." John said, though burgers did sound good at the moment.

Silence lapsed into the room as they watched Batman work. And ten minutes later, it was done. The puzzle box glowed and one of it's faces folded into itself, leaving a hole shaped just like the gear puzzle. Batman held it out and John dropped the gear into it. The room filled with a bright flash, and once it faded, sitting on the conference table between John and Batman was a toddler. He had black hair and bright blue eyes and freckles scattered across his face. He reached out a little hand towards them and started babbling.

"Fuck."

[evilminji]

I need you to know. With all the sincerity in my heart.

That I GENUINELY? Thought Danny Baby said? In his wittle, itty bitty, high pitched so it carries like hell, lil toddler voice?

"Fuck~☆!"

Into history's most LOADED and heavy silence. Before beginning to babble away like a normal toddler.

And I need you TO KNOW? Not ONLY do I believe it? But so does Bruce. Who blames John. Because WHO had the puzzle until now? John. WHO curses like a [REDACTED]? JOHN.

.......not Constantine's finest moment. But I mean... fuck, he's done worse.

@the-witchhunter @babbling-babull @hdgnj

[hdgnj]

Bruce, staring into John's soul, demanding answers right the fuck now.

Bruce: Where did you get this John?!

John: .... Stole it off an end of the world type warlock. Figured they didn't need more tools. So... You're adoptin' the sprog right? Doubt you want me ta be his Dad as such. Good talk! Ok...

Bruce: If you even think about leaving before giving me all the information on this situation. I will contact every debt collection agency and buy up your debt. Do you really want me to own all your debts John?

Danny: Fuck 😍

John: Kid said it. Fine.