Prompts, Ideas & Headcanons

[raiffeldrakon123]

Danny Phantom x Magus' Bride | Prompt

So, I came up with this crossover idea and couldn’t resist sharing it here.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Danny was a Sleigh Beggy —though neither he nor his family had any idea of what that was. The Fentons were certainly no mages or sorcerers, despite dedicating their lives to proving the existence of ghosts.

As a Sleigh Beggy —able to absorb ambient magical energy and even generate it by burning his own physical energy as a catalyst—Danny had always been a frail child. He fell sick often, his complexion was paler than the rest of his family, and his constant illnesses left him isolated from most other children.

He was also deeply beloved by the Fae because of that, but —fortunately or unfortunately— his parents' work with ghosts kept most of them at bay. Ectoplasm was saturated with a kind of magic that few Fae could stomach, which spared him from many dangerous encounters… though not all of them.

Jazz was the only one in the family —besides Danny himself— who even noticed the few Fae that lingered near him, despite their usual reluctance to draw close. As they would later find out, Jazz was a Mage, which partly explained why she could see them when their parents could not.

The accident that turned Danny into a Halfa solved the problem most Sleigh Beggys face with their shortened lifespan —but it also created a host of new ones. Ghosts are not Fae; in fact, they could be considered their polar opposites. Yet, much like the Fae are drawn to a Sleigh Beggy, ghosts are subtly attracted to Halfas. With Danny being both, he inadvertently became the center of an unusual conflict, as Fae and ghosts vied for his attention and, in doing so, were forced to interact with one another.

Now Danny has to juggle dealing with both ghosts and Fae, hiding his Halfa nature from his parents, learning to control his magic, and avoiding sorcerers eager to harvest his organs. On the bright side, being a Sleigh Beggy accelerates his growth as a Halfa far beyond the norm, and his Halfa nature grants him access to a rare branch of magic —one that few can touch without paying a steep price.

[raiffeldrakon123]

DP X DC | Prompt 1

Everyone knows the Fenton family —As a whole— are anything but normal. Aside from the fact that nearly every member of the Fenton bloodline seemed far more durable than the average human, all of them —whether by blood or marriage— shared a peculiar “obsession” with the supernatural.

For Jack Fenton and his wife, Maddie, this manifested as a passion for hunting and studying ghosts. But for Jack’s parents, it had taken a different form —their obsession was with studying the Fae.

If people thought Jack and Maddie keeping a ghost-hunting lab in their basement —and storing ectoplasm samples in the same fridge as their food— was the height of bad parenting, that’s only because they never met Jack’s parents.

Jack’s parents had been obsessed with the Fae for as long as he could remember—so obsessed, in fact, that they spent most of their lives trying (and failing) to summon one and strike a deal. Until, one day… they succeeded.

They managed to summon Mórrigan —The Great Phantom Queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann; The Celtic Goddess of War, Winter, Fertility, Fate, and Death; and the Patron of Witches, Warriors, and Sorcerers— who, in truth, only answered their call because she was bored and had little else to do in the modern age.

Both of them struck a deal with her —a perilous choice, given she was both a Fae Queen and a Greater Goddess, more than capable of smiting them where they stood. But she was bored, and boredom often softened her wrath, so she allowed them to speak.

They made their request. And in return, they offered her something precious: Their grandchildren —biologically born and rightfully recognized as the children of their firstborn son. The deal was struck, and the Fae goddess vanished soon after —leaving behind the gifts the Fenton grandparents had bargained for.

Neither of them truly believed she would return. Yes, they had a firstborn son —Jack— and while they loved him dearly, they never imagined he would ever find someone to marry, let alone have children with. Besides, they had worded the bargain very carefully, limiting the Mórrigan’s claim only to grandchildren who were biologically his, born within wedlock, and with his full knowledge. It had seemed like a safe bet at the time.

So you can imagine their surprise when Jack did, in fact, fall in love —marrying a woman just as obsessed with ghosts as he was. And together, they had two children. Two children who, as fate would have it, were very interesting to a certain Fae Goddess.

[raiffeldrakon123]

DP X DC X TF │ Prompt 1

The Ghost Investigation Ward —colloquially known as either G.I.W. or "Guys in White" by Amity Parkers— had started to become a serious problem for Danny.

At first, they weren’t anything he couldn’t handle. Just a more trigger-happy version of his parents, except with government funding and more manpower, meaning they caused more collateral damage than even Jack’s driving on a bad day. But then something changed.

It started after the passage of the Anti-Ecto Laws in the United States —Danny still wasn’t sure how the G.I.W. managed to push those through. After that, their numbers grew. Their agents were better trained, better equipped, and their aim had actually improved. It still wasn’t enough to pose a real threat—Danny could dodge and lose them with ease—but it did elevate them from an annoying joke to an actual concern.

Then they started capturing ghosts. Not the sentient ones —at least, not yet— but even that was too much for Danny to ignore. He began breaking into their bases near Amity Park, freeing the captured spirits whenever he could. That, in turn, escalated things even further. Phantom was already Enemy Number One to the G.I.W., but now they were hunting him with even more fervor. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, Jack and Maddie took this as a challenge, upgrading their weapons and stepping up their own ghost-hunting game.

All of this meant Danny was exhausted. It was starting to show —at school, at home. Not that Jack or Maddie noticed; they were too busy obsessing over their tech. But Jazz noticed. So did the ghosts who fought him. And against all odds, they started to worry. Word of Danny’s condition eventually reached Frostbite, who took it upon himself to check in on him.

What he found deeply concerned him. The stress, the constant fighting, the sleepless nights —it was all taking a toll on Danny’s core. If it continued, it could have serious consequences. Frostbite urged him to take a break, to leave Amity Park for a while and recover. But Danny refused. If he left, who would protect the town? Who would stop the G.I.W.? Frostbite assured him that he and his tribe could handle it, but Danny wasn’t convinced.

That is, until everything went wrong.

During one of his break-ins at a G.I.W. facility, an agent managed to land a shot —some kind of specialized ecto-weapon that temporarily disabled his flight and intangibility. He had freed the ghosts, but now he was stranded in enemy territory with armed agents closing in.

Desperate for an escape, Danny ducked into a random room —and found himself staring at a car. A Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II.

It was sleek, elegant, and completely out of place in a government black site. The only unusual detail was a strange, robotic, head-like symbol on the grille guard. But Danny didn’t have time to question it. The doors were unlocked, so he jumped in and immediately started hotwiring it.

It took a few tries —and a lot more ecto-energy than it should have— but finally, the engine roared to life. Then something weird happened.

Before his eyes, the Phantom’s pristine exterior shifted —its paint morphing into a sharp black-and-white color scheme, the interior taking on a black-and-green color and with a faint green glow. And then, to Danny’s complete shock, the car spoke.

It sounded confused. Disoriented. Like it was trying to understand why it was alive, when it had been so sure it was dead.

Danny, however, didn’t have time for an existential crisis —his or the car’s.

“Save the questions for later,” he snapped, slamming his foot on the gas.

The car obeyed, tearing out of the base at breakneck speed.

Once they were clear of pursuit, Danny finally exhaled. He transformed back into his human form, only to realize that, somehow, the car transformed with him. It still spoke. It still moved on its own. And it still had questions.

Danny, meanwhile, had one of his own.

Maybe Frostbite was right. Maybe it was time to leave Amity Park.

But where would he even go?

Then it hit him —Gotham.

Jazz had mentioned thinking of going there to study psychology. Maybe she wouldn’t mind if he tagged along? He remembered his parents saying Gotham had an abnormally high level of ambient ectoplasm, which would make tracking ghosts incredibly difficult the last time they had visited the place with them. That could work to his advantage.

Danny glanced at the car.

“Hey,” he said, “you got anywhere to be?”

The car didn't answer him with words this time. It simply rumbled, almost thoughtful.

Danny smirked.

“Yeah. Me neither.”

Looks like they would probably be heading to Gotham after all.

[raiffeldrakon123]

DP X DC │ Short Story 1.2

This is the first half of a continuation of the previous short story, even though it takes place before that part. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As Danny cradled little Eleanor —Ellie— gently in his arms, the newborn slept soundly, unaware of the chaos that had just unfolded. He’d taken her into his arms after everything had been sorted out at the hospital regarding her custody —Technus had played a key role, ensuring the process went smoothly and keeping everything under wraps; The old ghost had insisted this was repayment for Danny saving him from being ‘ended’.

   Now, with Ellie nestled against him, Danny couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that gnawed at him. Jazz had given him a parenting book, and Technus had promised to keep the ghosts away from Amity Park for the week, claiming that the birth of a ‘ghost child’ was a momentous occasion —never mind the fact that Ellie wasn’t a ghost and Danny had no idea whether she’d inherited any of his powers. It was a small blessing, and he figured he should use the time to get a crash course in fatherhood.

   But after that, what then? The ghosts would return to attacking Amity Park, of that he was certain. But how would he keep the city safe while caring for Ellie? And school —he couldn’t exactly bring her with him. Jazz would help for a while, but he couldn’t expect her to sacrifice her time indefinitely, especially when he wanted her to focus on her own life as well —He couldn’t keep asking her to look after Ellie while he was at school or off fighting ghosts. He needed a solution, and fast. Either he’d have to figure out a way to stop the ghosts from attacking altogether or find someone who could look after Ellie for him.

— Hey, Danny, -Jazz’s voice called, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to see her standing in the doorway, her eyes softening as she looked down at the bundle in his arms.- Is that her?

— Yeah, -Danny replied, his voice quieter than usual.- Want to see her?

   Jazz didn’t need to be asked twice. She quickly stepped toward him, and Danny shifted his arms slightly, just enough for her to get a better view. As she looked down at the tiny sleeping baby, Ellie frowned slightly, wriggling as though trying to snuggle closer to Danny’s chest.

— She’s so cute, -Jazz murmured, a smile tugging at her lips as she gently pulled the blanket aside to get a better look at Ellie.- Hard to believe she’s your daughter.

— Hey! -Danny chuckled quietly, but the tone was playful.- Watch it, Jazz. 

   He kept his voice low enough to avoid waking Ellie, though he couldn't help but grin at his sister's teasing. Jazz only smirked in return, unfazed. 

   She lingered for a moment, cooing at the baby with a warmth in her voice before reluctantly letting go of the blanket. As Danny brought Ellie closer to him, she settled back down, her frown disappearing into a peaceful sleep.

— I take it everything went well back in Gotham? -Jazz asked, and Danny nodded, looking more at ease.

— Yeah, Technus kept his word down to a T, -Danny replied.- The paperwork went smoothly, and he made sure no one would find out Stephanie’s her mom.

— I still don’t get why she wanted to keep that hidden, -Jazz said, her frown deepening.

— She probably just wanted to keep her safe, -Danny said, his tone serious.- With how unhinged the Joker and some of the other rogues of Gotham are, I wouldn’t put it past them to go after Ellie if they ever got their hands on Stephanie.

— Maybe, but something still doesn’t sit right with me, -Jazz replied, her voice laced with concern.- Anyway, have you told her you made it back to Amity safe? I know you still have her number on your phone.

— Not yet, -Danny said, bouncing his arms a little when Ellie started to fuss.- I’m waiting a bit longer—gotta make sure it fits with my cover story of getting Vlad to lend me his private jet.

— You could’ve told her you were a meta with portaling abilities, -Jazz said, a teasing glint in her eyes.- Wouldn’t have been that hard to keep up, right?

   Danny frowned, not sharing her amusement.

— And how would I explain it when no meta records come up when we registered Ellie at the hospital? -He replied, glancing down at his daughter.- Besides, even though I trust Stephanie a lot, I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to find out about my powers. It’s safer for her that way.

   Jazz gave him a skeptical look, but Danny didn’t meet her gaze. She didn’t push the matter further, but the doubt still lingered. Instead, she moved on to another issue.

— Sam and Tucker are downstairs, -Jazz said, watching as Danny’s head snapped up in surprise, his gaze sharp.- I managed to keep them occupied for now, but I think they suspect something’s going on.

   Danny’s frown deepened, and he sighed.

— I knew I’d have to tell them the truth about my weird behavior over the last eight months, -He admitted, rubbing a hand over his face.- But I didn’t think it’d be this soon.

   Jazz placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression sympathetic.

— Better to rip the band-aid off now than let it fester, -She said gently.

   Danny took a deep breath, his resolve firming up.

— I know, -He said, eyes hardening as he squared his shoulders.- You’re coming with me, right?

   Jazz gave him a soft smile and squeezed his shoulder lightly before removing her hand.

— Of course, -She said.- Did you really think I’d let you go through this alone?

— Never, -Danny said with a slight smile, his mood shifting slightly. He took a deep breath and headed for the door, his footsteps steady.- I guess it’s showtime, then.

[raiffeldrakon123]

   As Danny descended the stairs, Jazz trailing close behind, he took a deep breath to steady himself. He was pretty sure he’d read somewhere that babies could pick up on their parents' emotions, and the last thing he needed was for Ellie to start crying right when he was about to drop a bombshell on Sam and Tucker.

   Reaching the living room, he grimaced. Sam sat on the couch, arms and legs crossed, her deep scowl radiating both annoyance and concern. Tucker wasn’t much better, his brows furrowed, fingers tapping restlessly against his arm. Danny swallowed hard. The only things giving him the courage to face them were Jazz’s quiet presence behind him and the weight of Ellie resting peacefully in his arms.

— Hey, guys, -Danny greeted, his voice cautious.- What’s up?

   Both Sam and Tucker snapped their heads toward him, their eyes sharp and unamused.

— Don’t you “What’s up” me, Daniel Jonathan Fenton! -Sam snapped, and Danny physically cringed at the use of his full name. She only pulled that card when she was at her breaking point. She shot up from the couch and marched toward him, her glare cutting through him like a knife.- You’ve been acting weird for eight and a half months. I wanted to figure out what was going on ages ago, but Tucker convinced me to give you space, that you’d tell us when you were ready.

   Danny shot Tucker a grateful look, but his best friend didn’t return it. Instead, Tucker stood, his expression serious as he moved to stand beside Sam. Danny’s heart sank.

— But I’ve reached my limit, -Sam continued, her voice rising.- It’s been almost nine months, and you haven’t told us anything. So, you’re going to explain right now — no excuses, no dodging, no running.

   She jabbed a finger toward his chest, ready to let loose, but froze mid-motion. Her eyes flicked downward, and her breath hitched.

— Danny, -She whispered, her voice quiet but laced with confusion.- Why are you holding a baby?

   Tucker, hearing the shift in her tone, stepped closer to see what she was talking about. When his eyes landed on the small, swaddled figure in Danny’s arms, they nearly popped out of his head.

— Dude… -Tucker breathed, blinking rapidly as if trying to confirm he wasn’t hallucinating.

   Danny adjusted Ellie slightly, her tiny form still miraculously asleep against his chest despite Sam’s yelling. He braced himself, knowing this was just the beginning.

— Okay, -Danny said, voice tight as he met their stunned gazes.- How about we all sit down on the couch, I promise I will explain everything.

   Sam and Tucker reluctantly returned to the couch, while Danny settled into the armchair with Ellie in his arms and Jazz perched beside Sam and Tucker. Danny shifted in his seat, taking a deep breath as he looked at his best friends — the people who’d been by his side through literal life-and-death situations.

— Do you guys remember when my parents dragged me and Jazz to Gotham for that convention? -Danny asked, his voice careful.

   Sam and Tucker both nodded.

— Yeah, -Tucker said, crossing his arms.- And we also remember how they stayed way longer than planned and nearly caused, like, a dozen traffic accidents. I’m still shocked they didn’t get their licenses revoked — or thrown in Gotham’s weird villain prison.

— Yeah, me too, -Danny admitted.- But that’s not the important part. -He licked his lips, voice dipping lower.- While we were in Gotham... I met a girl.

— Oh no, -Sam groaned, already sensing where this was headed. Tucker tensed beside her, sharing the same sinking feeling.

— She was really nice, -Danny continued, voice softening as his gaze grew distant.- Funny, kind, and... well, she was beautiful.

— How beautiful? -Tucker blurted out before he could stop himself.

   Danny carefully freed one hand, fishing his phone from his pocket without jostling Ellie. He unlocked the screen, scrolled through his gallery, and handed the phone to them, showing a selfie of himself with a girl — Steph — laughing together in what looked like a Gotham park.

   Sam raised an eyebrow. Tucker’s jaw dropped.

— Oh, come on! -Tucker threw his hands in the air.- How do you always end up with the hot ones?

   Danny just shrugged, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

— Anyway, -He continued,- I met her after I ran away from Mom and Dad for a breather. She’d just kicked her ex in the nuts after finding out he was only dating her to try and get her in bed.

   Sam let out a vicious grin at that, but it quickly faded as she remembered the baby-shaped elephant in the room.

— We talked for a while, exchanged numbers, and went on a few dates... more than a few, actually. -Danny swallowed hard.- On one of our last dates, we... well, we slept together.

   Sam’s voice dropped into a deadpan monotone.

— And you didn’t use protection, which led to that, -She said, pointing directly at Ellie.

— We did use protection! -Danny snapped, his voice low but sharp.- I used a condom, and she took the morning-after pill.

— That’s not exactly foolproof, -Tucker said cautiously.- Condoms can break, and the pill isn’t 100% effective.

   Danny's eyes flashed green for a second, ’stars’ started to appear floating around his body, his grip on Ellie tightening just enough for Jazz to get up and walk to him to gently place a hand on his shoulder. He sucked in a shaky breath, forcing himself to calm down.

— I know that, -He said through clenched teeth.- That’s why she took the pill right after, and I double-checked — the condom didn’t break.

   Sam crossed her arms, leveling him with a hard stare.

— Then how was she born, huh?

   Danny lowered his head, mumbling something under his breath.

— What was that? -Sam leaned forward, eyes narrowing.- Couldn’t hear you.

   Danny looked up, but his voice was still barely above a whisper.

— Louder, -Tucker said, leaning in.- We don’t have super hearing; we can’t hear you if you speak like that.

   Danny’s patience snapped like a brittle twig.

— I said I think my sperm might’ve phased through the condom, okay? -He burst out, louder and sharper than he intended.

   The room fell into stunned silence. Ellie stirred in his arms but miraculously didn’t wake up. Danny sank deeper into the armchair, looking utterly drained.

— Are you serious? -Tucker finally asked, blinking like he was trying to reboot his brain.

— Ghost sperm. -Sam said flatly, rubbing her temples.- Of course. Of course that would happen to you.

   Danny sighed, slumping even further against the chair.

— Welcome to my life.

— Alright, setting aside the absolutely hilarious concept of Ghost Sperm, -Sam said sarcastically, though Danny was pretty sure she genuinely found it funny.- I guess that explains why you’ve been acting weird these past few months.

— Yeah, -Danny admitted, looking down at Ellie with a small smile.- I was going back and forth between Amity and Gotham to make sure everything was okay with Steph’s pregnancy.

— Okay, that makes sense, -Tucker said, nodding. But then he gestured at Ellie.- But why do you have the baby here with you?

   Danny adjusted his hold on Ellie, lifting her slightly.

— Steph wasn’t sure she’d be a good mom at sixteen, -He explained.- But she still wanted to go through with the pregnancy, but in the end, she decided to put Ellie up for adoption. I… offered to take her instead, and she and her family agreed.

   Sam and Tucker’s eyes widened.

— Danny, what the hell? -Sam blurted.- You’re sixteen too! What possessed you to think this was a good idea?

— Yeah, dude! Did you forget the flour bag baby project? -Tucker added.- You and Val failed that thing spectacularly.

   Jazz rolled her eyes.

— Oh, please. -She crossed her arms.- That experiment was flawed from the start. It doesn’t mean Danny can’t take care of a real baby. She glanced at her brother. Besides, I’m proud of him for stepping up. Even if, personally, I wish he hadn’t gotten Steph pregnant in the first place.

— Thanks for that, Jazz, -Danny said dryly.

   Jazz just shot him a bright smile.

— Anytime, little bro.

   Danny sighed, shifting his weight in the chair.

— Look, I wasn’t thinking when I made the offer, -He admitted.- The moment Steph mentioned adoption, something in me just… didn’t want that. Before I even realized what I was doing, I offered to take Ellie myself. And once I said it, I couldn’t go back on it.

   Sam and Tucker stared at him in stunned silence, while Jazz watched with something close to pride.

— Plus, -Danny added, his voice dropping slightly.- I didn’t know if she’d inherit my ghost powers or not. And the idea of a baby with my abilities in the foster system? That was just... bad.

    The room went quiet as that thought settled over them. Sam exhaled through her nose, closing her eyes as she did so.

— Well, I guess I can understand that, -Sam said, crossing her arms.- I don’t think I would’ve done the same, though.

— You probably wouldn’t have been in this situation to begin with, -Danny muttered.

   Sam nodded without missing a beat. — Fair point.

— Dude, your life is a disaster, -Tucker said, shaking his head.- How exactly are you planning to handle ghost attacks and school now that you’ve got a kid?

— Well, Technus said he’d get the other ghosts to leave me alone for a week, -Danny admitted.- But after that? I have no clue. And as for school…

   Tucker held up a hand.

— Wait, wait, wait. I’m sorry — what does Technus have to do with this?

   Danny froze. 

— Uh... well... -He shifted Ellie in his arms, suddenly feeling the weight of Tucker’s intense, suspicious stare.- I needed someone who could mess with records to hide Steph’s info and still register her as Ellie’s mom. And... since I wasn’t ready to tell you guys yet, I kind of... asked Technus for help?

   Tucker’s eyes widened with the most over-the-top look of betrayal Danny had ever seen.

— You trusted Technus over me? -Tucker gasped, clutching his chest like Danny had stabbed him.

— I didn’t "trust" him, -Danny frowned.- I just bribed him with Wi-Fi and let him use the Fenton Thermos as a Bluetooth speaker. But once I explained why I needed the favor, he did it for basically free. Said it was payback for saving him from getting ‘ended.’

— The betrayal, -Tucker whispered dramatically, though Danny caught the interest creeping into his voice.

   Danny quickly changed the subject before Tucker could launch into a full-blown performance.

— Anyway, -Danny said, grimacing.- I still don’t know what I’m gonna do once the ghost attacks start up again. Or, y'know... what I’m gonna do about school.

— My grandma could watch Ellie while we’re in class, -Sam offered casually.

   Danny blinked.

— Are you sure? I don’t want to impose or–

   Sam waved a hand dismissively.

— Please. You’re practically family. She’d be happy to help — and she’d definitely give you some parenting tips. -Her mouth twisted into a wicked grin.- Of course, that doesn’t mean she won’t scold you for being an idiot and getting a girl pregnant.

   Danny shivered. 

— I appreciate the help, but your grandma is terrifying.

— She’s efficient, -Sam said, grinning wider.

— If “efficient” means she can make you feel like a disappointment with a single look, then yeah, she’s efficient -Danny muttered.- Still, any help is good help.

   He adjusted Ellie again, brushing the edge of the blanket out of her face.

— Honestly, I think taking care of her will be a breeze.

— Danny... -Jazz spoke up cautiously.

   Danny glanced at her, brow furrowing at her serious tone.

— What?

   Jazz pointed upward. Tucker followed suit, mouth slightly open. Sam, meanwhile, looked like Christmas came early.

— Ellie’s floating, -She said, her voice laced with barely restrained amusement.

   Danny’s eyes went wide. He looked down to find his arms cradling nothing but air. When he looked up, he saw Ellie’s tiny, blanket-wrapped form peacefully snoozing several feet above his head, slowly rotating like some kind of ghostly baby planet. Danny let out a long, exhausted sigh before floating up to gently scoop her back into his arms.

— Okay, -He said, settling back onto the couch.- Maybe it will not be a breeze.

[raiffeldrakon123]

DP X DC │ Short Story 1.2

This is the first half of a continuation of the previous short story, even though it takes place before that part. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As Danny cradled little Eleanor —Ellie— gently in his arms, the newborn slept soundly, unaware of the chaos that had just unfolded. He’d taken her into his arms after everything had been sorted out at the hospital regarding her custody —Technus had played a key role, ensuring the process went smoothly and keeping everything under wraps; The old ghost had insisted this was repayment for Danny saving him from being ‘ended’.

   Now, with Ellie nestled against him, Danny couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that gnawed at him. Jazz had given him a parenting book, and Technus had promised to keep the ghosts away from Amity Park for the week, claiming that the birth of a ‘ghost child’ was a momentous occasion —never mind the fact that Ellie wasn’t a ghost and Danny had no idea whether she’d inherited any of his powers. It was a small blessing, and he figured he should use the time to get a crash course in fatherhood.

   But after that, what then? The ghosts would return to attacking Amity Park, of that he was certain. But how would he keep the city safe while caring for Ellie? And school —he couldn’t exactly bring her with him. Jazz would help for a while, but he couldn’t expect her to sacrifice her time indefinitely, especially when he wanted her to focus on her own life as well —He couldn’t keep asking her to look after Ellie while he was at school or off fighting ghosts. He needed a solution, and fast. Either he’d have to figure out a way to stop the ghosts from attacking altogether or find someone who could look after Ellie for him.

— Hey, Danny, -Jazz’s voice called, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to see her standing in the doorway, her eyes softening as she looked down at the bundle in his arms.- Is that her?

— Yeah, -Danny replied, his voice quieter than usual.- Want to see her?

   Jazz didn’t need to be asked twice. She quickly stepped toward him, and Danny shifted his arms slightly, just enough for her to get a better view. As she looked down at the tiny sleeping baby, Ellie frowned slightly, wriggling as though trying to snuggle closer to Danny’s chest.

— She’s so cute, -Jazz murmured, a smile tugging at her lips as she gently pulled the blanket aside to get a better look at Ellie.- Hard to believe she’s your daughter.

— Hey! -Danny chuckled quietly, but the tone was playful.- Watch it, Jazz. 

   He kept his voice low enough to avoid waking Ellie, though he couldn't help but grin at his sister's teasing. Jazz only smirked in return, unfazed. 

   She lingered for a moment, cooing at the baby with a warmth in her voice before reluctantly letting go of the blanket. As Danny brought Ellie closer to him, she settled back down, her frown disappearing into a peaceful sleep.

— I take it everything went well back in Gotham? -Jazz asked, and Danny nodded, looking more at ease.

— Yeah, Technus kept his word down to a T, -Danny replied.- The paperwork went smoothly, and he made sure no one would find out Stephanie’s her mom.

— I still don’t get why she wanted to keep that hidden, -Jazz said, her frown deepening.

— She probably just wanted to keep her safe, -Danny said, his tone serious.- With how unhinged the Joker and some of the other rogues of Gotham are, I wouldn’t put it past them to go after Ellie if they ever got their hands on Stephanie.

— Maybe, but something still doesn’t sit right with me, -Jazz replied, her voice laced with concern.- Anyway, have you told her you made it back to Amity safe? I know you still have her number on your phone.

— Not yet, -Danny said, bouncing his arms a little when Ellie started to fuss.- I’m waiting a bit longer—gotta make sure it fits with my cover story of getting Vlad to lend me his private jet.

— You could’ve told her you were a meta with portaling abilities, -Jazz said, a teasing glint in her eyes.- Wouldn’t have been that hard to keep up, right?

   Danny frowned, not sharing her amusement.

— And how would I explain it when no meta records come up when we registered Ellie at the hospital? -He replied, glancing down at his daughter.- Besides, even though I trust Stephanie a lot, I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to find out about my powers. It’s safer for her that way.

   Jazz gave him a skeptical look, but Danny didn’t meet her gaze. She didn’t push the matter further, but the doubt still lingered. Instead, she moved on to another issue.

— Sam and Tucker are downstairs, -Jazz said, watching as Danny’s head snapped up in surprise, his gaze sharp.- I managed to keep them occupied for now, but I think they suspect something’s going on.

   Danny’s frown deepened, and he sighed.

— I knew I’d have to tell them the truth about my weird behavior over the last eight months, -He admitted, rubbing a hand over his face.- But I didn’t think it’d be this soon.

   Jazz placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression sympathetic.

— Better to rip the band-aid off now than let it fester, -She said gently.

   Danny took a deep breath, his resolve firming up.

— I know, -He said, eyes hardening as he squared his shoulders.- You’re coming with me, right?

   Jazz gave him a soft smile and squeezed his shoulder lightly before removing her hand.

— Of course, -She said.- Did you really think I’d let you go through this alone?

— Never, -Danny said with a slight smile, his mood shifting slightly. He took a deep breath and headed for the door, his footsteps steady.- I guess it’s showtime, then.

[raiffeldrakon123]

DP X DC | Short Story 1

The following story is based on a prompt I've made. The idea is the same, but the execution is different.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

— Alright Steph, we are all here now, how about you start explaining now? -Barbara said softly, her gaze kind. The rest of the Batfamily watched Steph with a mix of curiosity and subtle concern from their seats around the room.

Stephanie lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the floor as her mind raced. She had always known this day would come —it was almost a miracle she’d managed to keep the secret for as long as she had. But now that the moment was here, she had no idea how to begin explaining it all to them. She stayed silent for a few more seconds, letting out a slow breath before raising her head and running a hand through her hair. Her eyes met the faces of the people around her —not her family by blood, but at this point, they might as well have been.

— Alright, but just for the record, I swear I didn’t mean to keep this a secret from you guys, -She said, her voice tinged with guilt. She lifted a hand to scratch the back of her neck, glancing away.- For this long, anyway.

— So, you did mean to keep this a secret from us, -Damian said, narrowing his eyes at her, his frown deepening

Stephanie flinched at Damian’s words but pushed through.

— Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys about this sooner, -She said, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders.- But in my defense, it wasn’t any of your business. It was mine, and I had it under control. -She swept her gaze across the room, meeting each of their eyes in turn —Though her gaze lingered on Tim, Bruce, Barbara, and Dick a bit more than the others.- And be honest — if I’d told you all about it at the very start of my vigilante career, can any of you really say you wouldn’t have meddled?

Bruce, Barbara, Dick, and Tim exchanged uncomfortable glances, their silence louder than any admission. Alfred shook his head in exasperation while Selena shook her head with fondness, and Steph couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at her lips. If she had told them and they’d decided to meddle, she knew he would have quietly taken her side —even if both had wanted to meddle themselves; They were one of the rare voices of reason in the house, both were consumed by paranoia and actually knew when to step in and when to let things be.

— Anyway... how about we get back to your explanation? -Barbara said, gently steering the conversation back on track. She unlocked her phone and opened the gallery, turning the screen toward Stephanie.- When did this happen?

The image on the screen was one Barbara had found during her routine security check, making sure nothing dangerous had slipped into their devices. It showed a grinning Danny holding a baby girl —Ellie— who was beaming as she reached for the phone. The caption read: "Look how much fun I’m having, Mommy!"

— It... it happened back when I first started going out to stop my father, -Stephanie said, thinking back about those times.- I met Danny right after I found out the guy I was sort of dating at school was only with me because I was one of the few girls he hadn’t screwed yet.

The room fell into silence like a guillotine blade. The shift in atmosphere was immediate —muscles tensed, jaws clenched, and eyes darkened with barely restrained fury. Even Alfred, the eternal wellspring of calm of the family, had a cold, dangerous glint in his gaze that reminded everyone that he used to work for the secret services back in England.

— And who, -Dick started, his voice dripping with a sweetness so artificial it was venomous.- would this ‘guy’ be? -His smile was so painfully fake it might as well have been carved into his face.- I think I speak for everyone when I say we just want to... talk.

Around the room, heads nodded in grim unison. Damian, Duke, Bruce, Lucius, Alfred, Barbara, Cassandra, Kate, Harper, Selina, and Jason —each one radiating their own brand of barely contained rage in her steed.

— I’m not telling you his name, -Steph said, rolling her eyes, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.- As much as I don’t like him, I don’t want him mysteriously ending up in the hospital over something that happened years ago. Besides, -she added with a smirk,- I kicked him so hard in the nuts he probably still wakes up screaming, so you guys don’t need to get even for me.

— You went too easy on him, Brown, -Damian growled, voice low and brimming with malice.- Scum like that needs to suffer more. Pain is the only language they understand.

— Have to agree with the demon spawn, -Kate muttered, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.- He clearly needs a better lesson in how to treat women like human beings.

— Preach, -Cassandra, Selena, and Harper said in perfect, almost chilling synchronicity.

Their protectiveness genuinely touched Stephanie, but she had a story to finish.

[raiffeldrakon123]

— Anyway… -She began, shaking off the lingering warmth of their support.- As I was saying, I met Danny after all that happened — and after I kicked that guy’s nuts so hard he didn’t show up at school for a week. -She smirked one more time at the memory, the hint of satisfaction flickering across her face before she pressed on.- I was at the park, kinda beating myself up for not noticing the signs sooner, when Danny walked up and asked if anyone was sitting in the empty spot next to me. I didn’t even look up, just muttered that it was free, and he took that as his cue to sit down. He stayed quiet for maybe five seconds before saying, ‘Rough day?’ -Stephanie let out a small laugh, her expression softening like the memory was wrapping her in a blanket of bittersweet nostalgia.- I told him, ‘You could say that again.’ And he actually did — just repeated it like a total dork. -She shook her head, a fond smile tugging at her lips.- I gave him this deadpan look, but it only lasted a second because, when I finally looked at him, I just... froze. -Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she shook her head as if to clear the lingering flutter of that moment. She gestured toward Barbara’s phone.- That photo doesn’t do him justice. No photo really does, -She said, her voice dipping into something quieter, more reverent.- He’s ridiculously beautiful, even with a skin that is paler than it should be, bags under his eyes like he never sleeps, and this... this huge Lichtenberg-like scar that crawls up his hand and the left side of his neck.

   Her fingers unconsciously traced the outline of where the scar would be on her neck, her gaze distant for a heartbeat. Alfred raised an eyebrow, his posture as composed as ever, though a glimmer of curiosity sharpened his gaze.

— And might I inquire how the young man came to bear such a scar? As I recall, Lichtenberg figures tend to fade with time —unless, of course, the cause was something rather... extraordinary. -The room, already quiet, seemed to grow even stiller as the others subtly leaned in, waiting for an answer.

— I asked him about it once, -Stephanie admitted, her voice quieter.- He told me he got it in an accident with one of his parents' inventions. He didn’t say anything else, and I didn’t press.

— His parents are inventors? -Bruce asked, a glare carving into his face, no doubt piecing together an unflattering picture of Danny’s home life from Steph’s statement alone.

— Yeah... or at least, that’s what he told me, after he apologized for the dorky pun -Stephanie said with a nod.- Apparently, his parents had come to a scientific convention in Gotham for a few weeks and brought him and his older sister along since something had happened at their school —something serious enough that they had to switch to online classes for a while.

   She sighed, noticing the confused stares that answer earned her.

— I never really understood what went down, -She admitted, rubbing the back of her neck.- Danny made it sound... like it was nothing too bad, but we’d only just met, and he didn’t seem keen on talking about it. So, I didn’t push for an explanation.

   Bruce grunted, the frown on his face deepening as he clearly mulled over the idea of investigating the matter more thoroughly than Stephanie ever had.

— What scientific convention did his parents attend? -Tim asked, eyes glued to his phone, his own brow furrowing.- I’m looking through records of every scientific convention Gotham’s hosted, but the last one was four years ago — and I doubt that’s the one you’re talking about.

— No, it’s not, -Stephanie said, nodding.- Their convention wasn’t exactly a... standard scientific convention.

   Tim finally lifted his gaze from the screen, eyebrows arching, and the others followed suit, their attention sharpening like knives. Stephanie scratched her cheek, clearly uncomfortable under their collective scrutiny.

— It was an... occult science convention.

   The room fell dead silent. Every single person stared at her with varying degrees of shock. Even Bruce and Alfred, usually masters of restraint, had their eyebrows raised. But Tim? Tim looked like his entire worldview had just short-circuited.

— Wait. Wait, wait, wait. -Tim leaned forward, laser-focused on her.- Are you saying his parents are occult scientists? Like... they believe in ghosts?

— Yeah, -Stephanie confirmed, rubbing her arm awkwardly.- From what Danny told me, that’s exactly the case. They’ve got a ton of ghost-hunting gear they built themselves — not the fake junk you see in horror movies, either. Real tech. He even said they figured out how to use ectoplasm as a clean energy source, so their house runs completely off the grid.

   Tim’s jaw dropped.

— They run their house on ghost energy? Like, real ectoplasm? 

   Stephanie just shrugged. She understood Tim’s reluctance to believe her —she’d almost doubted Danny’s claims herself. But after seeing one of his parents' inventions, there was no denying the truth, no matter how absurd it sounded.

— Let’s table that for later — I have a feeling that conversation’s going to take a while. And Stephanie hasn’t finished her story yet, -Barbara said, gently steering everyone’s attention back to Steph.

— Right, where was I? -Stephanie tapped her chin, then snapped her fingers.- Oh, yeah. So, after he pulled that dorky stunt, he apologized but said he couldn’t resist. Then he introduced himself, asked for my name, and we just... started talking. He told me he was in town with his parents and sister, and when I asked if his school was already on break — because, you know, it wasn’t even close to summer — he said his school had an accident, so they switched to online classes for a while. -Stephanie smiled, her eyes softening at the memory.- When I told him what happened with the guy at school, he got mad on my behalf. And when I mentioned that I kicked the guy in the nuts, he laughed and said that sounded exactly like something his friend would do — except she’d be wearing steel-plated combat boots.

   All the men in the room —with the exception of Damian— visibly winced at the thought of taking a hit to the groin with steel-plated boots. Damian, on the other hand, looked like he was seriously contemplating the practicality of adding steel plates to his Robin boots. Stephanie swallowed, suddenly worried she might get in trouble later for accidentally giving him the idea.

— Anyway, -Stephanie said, hoping to redirect Bruce and Alfred’s attention — and, by extension, everyone else's — away from Damian’s calculating expression and back to her.- We kept talking for a while after that, and eventually, we exchanged numbers. We stayed in touch while his parents were in town, and even went on a few dates.

   Stephanie drifted into her memories, smiling as she recalled their dates. They'd had so much fun together... even if some outings had to be canceled or cut short because, well, Gotham was Gotham —a city where a peaceful day was practically an anomaly.

— And would I be correct in surmising that it was during one of these outings that the young lady came to be? -Alfred inquired, his voice gentle yet pointed, effortlessly pulling her back to the present.

   Stephanie flushed, her face burning at the memory.

— Yeah, it happened about a month and a half after we met, and…

— Wait, wait, wait. -Jason cut her off, leaning forward with a skeptical look on his face.- Didn’t you say his parents were in Gotham for an occult scientific convention?

— Um… yes? -Stephanie blinked, confused by the interruption.

— Aren’t those things, like, a week long? Maybe two, tops? -Jason turned to Tim, who nodded in agreement.- So what the hell were they still doing here a month and a half later?

— Well, apparently, his parents decided to stick around and hunt ghosts in Gotham and Metropolis after the convention ended, -Stephanie explained.- I’m pretty sure they almost caused a bunch of traffic accidents with their driving. Danny looked ready to walk into the ocean every time we heard a news report about an ‘armored vehicle nearly causing a multi-car pileup.’

— Those were his parents? -Bruce’s frown deepened, clearly recalling the incidents in question and mentally pinning the lead for future investigation.

— Yup. I never actually met them properly since they were always off doing their own thing, but I saw them once. For a second, I honestly thought they were some new rogue scientists trying to start trouble. -Stephanie shook her head.- Anyway, back to the story — the little girl in the photo… she was conceived during one of our last dates. We ended up having sex, though I still don’t know how I got pregnant.

   Jason’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

— Steph, you did get the birds and the bees talk, right? 'Cause, usually, sex is how babies happen.

   Without missing a beat, Stephanie grabbed a cushion and chucked it at his face. Jason yelped, barely dodging it, laughing the whole time.

— I know how babies are born, you asshole. -Steph said, rolling her eyes.- What I didn't understand at the time was how I got pregnant when both of us were using protection and I took a contraception pill right after we were done… with all our rounds.

   A collective groan of disgust rippled through the boys — Jason, Tim, Duke, Damian, and even Dick visibly cringed. Bruce’s jaw clenched slightly, though he schooled his expression with practiced ease. Lucius merely raised an eyebrow, while Alfred remained perfectly neutral. The women, on the other hand, exchanged knowing smirks, their eyes sparkling with the promise of relentless teasing later —Stephanie sighed, already dreading whatever comments were coming her way later.

— Setting aside the unfortunate reality that such precautions are not infallible, -Alfred said, his voice steady and composed as he turned to Stephanie.- How long did it take you to ascertain your condition, Miss Stephanie?

— Not long, -Stephanie admitted, rubbing her arm.- I got pregnant really close to when my period was supposed to start, and when it didn’t, I got suspicious pretty quickly. Sneaking a pregnancy test without my mom finding out was a nightmare, but I managed. When it came back positive… I kind of broke down.

— That’s completely understandable. You were only sixteen at the time, -Bruce said, his voice surprisingly gentle.- What happened next?

— My mom heard me crying and rushed to the bathroom to check on me. She found me sitting there, holding the positive test and sobbing, -Stephanie said, a soft, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips.- She figured out what had happened right away. And yeah, she was disappointed — not in me, exactly, but that I’d ended up in that situation. Even so, she just sat with me on the couch, talked me through it, and helped me calm down enough to tell her everything.

   She chuckled, the sound laced with fondness and exasperation.

— After that, she told me I needed to call Danny and tell him. He was part of this, too, after all. So I did. He was really happy to hear from me, but also kind of confused since our last date hadn’t been that long ago. And when I told him I was pregnant… -Stephanie paused, noticing the spark of anger flicker across the faces of Bruce and her brothers. She quickly raised her hands.- He didn’t hang up or bail, I promise! He just... went dead quiet. Total radio silence. I think he was in shock, -She said.- Then, all of a sudden, the call got staticky, and I swear I heard this weird rush of wind. Not even five seconds later, there’s a knock on the door.

   Her grin grew as she remembered the moment.

— Mom went to check who it was, and to our complete disbelief, it was Danny. A little out of breath, but standing right there. And — still holding his phone, still technically on the call with me — he just gave this sheepish smile and went, ‘So... I think this is a conversation we should have face to face.’ -The others stared at her, completely baffled, and Stephanie couldn’t help but chuckle.- Yeah, I got that same look when he said that, -She admitted.- I tried to ask him how he got to my mom’s house so fast, but he just shrugged and said he’d been ‘nearby’ — which was complete bullshit, by the way. -She shook her head fondly, the memory still vivid.- Anytime I pushed for answers, he just deflected. Slipped into the house, sat down next to me, and steered the conversation right back to my pregnancy, -she continued.- It was a long talk, but honestly, what helped me the most was when he just looked at me and said, ‘Well, what do you want?’

   Stephanie paused, her voice softening.

— I was so shocked that I just stared at him. And Danny, bless him, tried to explain. ‘Look, I might be the father, but you’re the one carrying the baby. I can tell you what I think, but the final decision is yours.’ And that hit me like a truck. -She swallowed, but continue her story with a determined edge.- He was right. It was my body, my choice. So I thought really hard about it. And in the end, I decided I was going to keep the pregnancy — because the idea of abortion just didn’t feel right for me. But... I planned to give the baby up for adoption.

   Her words hung in the air like a bombshell, the room falling into stunned silence. Stephanie could see the confusion on their faces, all of them thinking about the picture of Danny with Ellie.

— Huh, -Dick said, raising a hand like he was in class.- Quick question — if you were planning to give her up for adoption, how did she end up with Danny?

— Oh, he asked to take her, -Stephanie said, completely nonchalant, like she was talking about lending someone a jacket.

— What? -Nearly everyone, sans Alfred and Bruce though they were both surprised, exclaimed in surprise.

— Yeah, it shocked me a little bit too. But apparently, the idea of leaving her in the foster system didn’t sit right with Danny. -It also didn’t sit right with Steph as well, but she couldn’t exactly take care of a baby at sixteen while also playing vigilante. Her brows furrowed as she remembered that conversation.- My mom asked if he was sure, and if his parents would be okay with it. Danny said he wasn’t sure he’d be a perfect parent, but he hated the idea of her growing up in foster care, not knowing what her life would turn out like. In relation to his parents he just said. -She paused, then gave an exaggerated shrug, dropping her voice into a pitch-perfect imitation of Danny.- 'Even if my parents notice there’s suddenly a baby in the house, they’ll probably just assume it’s theirs and they forgot about it.'

   Bruce's frown deepened, the lines on his face etched with quiet disapproval as he mentally added yet another infraction to the ever-growing list against Danny's parents. Meanwhile, Dick, Jason, and Tim exchanged a look —a silent, ironclad agreement passing between them: If Danny wasn’t their brother by the end of this story, they’d volunteer to handle every single Condiment King case for a month. No gadgets. No shortcuts. Just them and the mustard!

— In the end, Mom couldn’t change his mind, and I didn’t have a real reason to deny him, -Steph said, her gaze distant as she recalled the memory.- So, it was decided — Danny would keep her. -She sighed, a small, wistful smile tugging at her lips.- After that, he went back to the hotel where his family was staying, but not before hesitantly calling his sister to tell her what happened. I didn’t catch the conversation since he was already out the door, and Mom was closing it, but judging by the earth-shattering ‘What?!’ I heard through the walls, I’m pretty sure he walked straight into a world of trouble.

   Steph chuckled and shook her head.

— After that came nine months of pregnancy I was completely unprepared for — and had to, somehow, find a way to hide it from school records, social services, and pretty much everyone except Mom, Danny, and the doctor who handled the birth. -She leaned back, crossing her arms.- Thankfully — and bizarrely — Danny said he ‘knew a guy’ in his city who could help with that. At the time, I was just relieved to have the help, but looking back? -She frowned, her voice dripping with curiosity.- How the hell did he know a guy for that? 

   Steph sighed and leaned back in her seat, the weight of old memories settling on her shoulders.

— But in the end, things worked out... maybe not perfectly, but better than I ever expected, -She said, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips.- I had Ellie while screaming curses at Danny and nearly breaking his hand during labor, and he took her home with him afterward. We’ve stayed in contact ever since.

[raiffeldrakon123]

DP X DC | Short Story 1

The following story is based on a prompt I've made. The idea is the same, but the execution is different.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

— Alright Steph, we are all here now, how about you start explaining now? -Barbara said softly, her gaze kind. The rest of the Batfamily watched Steph with a mix of curiosity and subtle concern from their seats around the room.

Stephanie lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the floor as her mind raced. She had always known this day would come —it was almost a miracle she’d managed to keep the secret for as long as she had. But now that the moment was here, she had no idea how to begin explaining it all to them. She stayed silent for a few more seconds, letting out a slow breath before raising her head and running a hand through her hair. Her eyes met the faces of the people around her —not her family by blood, but at this point, they might as well have been.

— Alright, but just for the record, I swear I didn’t mean to keep this a secret from you guys, -She said, her voice tinged with guilt. She lifted a hand to scratch the back of her neck, glancing away.- For this long, anyway.

— So, you did mean to keep this a secret from us, -Damian said, narrowing his eyes at her, his frown deepening

Stephanie flinched at Damian’s words but pushed through.

— Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys about this sooner, -She said, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders.- But in my defense, it wasn’t any of your business. It was mine, and I had it under control. -She swept her gaze across the room, meeting each of their eyes in turn —Though her gaze lingered on Tim, Bruce, Barbara, and Dick a bit more than the others.- And be honest — if I’d told you all about it at the very start of my vigilante career, can any of you really say you wouldn’t have meddled?

Bruce, Barbara, Dick, and Tim exchanged uncomfortable glances, their silence louder than any admission. Alfred shook his head in exasperation while Selena shook her head with fondness, and Steph couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at her lips. If she had told them and they’d decided to meddle, she knew he would have quietly taken her side —even if both had wanted to meddle themselves; They were one of the rare voices of reason in the house, both were consumed by paranoia and actually knew when to step in and when to let things be.

— Anyway... how about we get back to your explanation? -Barbara said, gently steering the conversation back on track. She unlocked her phone and opened the gallery, turning the screen toward Stephanie.- When did this happen?

The image on the screen was one Barbara had found during her routine security check, making sure nothing dangerous had slipped into their devices. It showed a grinning Danny holding a baby girl —Ellie— who was beaming as she reached for the phone. The caption read: "Look how much fun I’m having, Mommy!"

— It... it happened back when I first started going out to stop my father, -Stephanie said, thinking back about those times.- I met Danny right after I found out the guy I was sort of dating at school was only with me because I was one of the few girls he hadn’t screwed yet.

The room fell into silence like a guillotine blade. The shift in atmosphere was immediate —muscles tensed, jaws clenched, and eyes darkened with barely restrained fury. Even Alfred, the eternal wellspring of calm of the family, had a cold, dangerous glint in his gaze that reminded everyone that he used to work for the secret services back in England.

— And who, -Dick started, his voice dripping with a sweetness so artificial it was venomous.- would this ‘guy’ be? -His smile was so painfully fake it might as well have been carved into his face.- I think I speak for everyone when I say we just want to... talk.

Around the room, heads nodded in grim unison. Damian, Duke, Bruce, Lucius, Alfred, Barbara, Cassandra, Kate, Harper, Selina, and Jason —each one radiating their own brand of barely contained rage in her steed.

— I’m not telling you his name, -Steph said, rolling her eyes, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.- As much as I don’t like him, I don’t want him mysteriously ending up in the hospital over something that happened years ago. Besides, -she added with a smirk,- I kicked him so hard in the nuts he probably still wakes up screaming, so you guys don’t need to get even for me.

— You went too easy on him, Brown, -Damian growled, voice low and brimming with malice.- Scum like that needs to suffer more. Pain is the only language they understand.

— Have to agree with the demon spawn, -Kate muttered, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.- He clearly needs a better lesson in how to treat women like human beings.

— Preach, -Cassandra, Selena, and Harper said in perfect, almost chilling synchronicity.

Their protectiveness genuinely touched Stephanie, but she had a story to finish.