Danny is an engineer at the watchtower, and it is everything he ever dreamts of
sure he's not on the moon, but he's in space! he meets and talks to aliens on a daily basis! he can just go out of the station, fly around and come back in! he is very happy with his job.
so when danny went back in the watchtower after fixing a panel outside, finding out that everyone was being mindcontrolled, and danny is the only one who was not affected because he was outside-
well, the only thing he could really do is put the watchtower on a lockdown, and hope someone from the outside notices something before it's too late.(no matter how slim the chances of that are, afterall, almost everyone in the justice league was present in the tower, some kind of urgent meeting)
they don't want a mindcontrolled superheros flying around afterall.
-
or: extremely depuffed engineer danny fenton is stuck alone in the watchtower with mindcontrolled superheros, he needs to save the heroes before it's too late, with only his invisiblity, minor ice powers, flight, and night vision in his arsenal, anything else would be too draining and risky, he doesn't have any ectoplasm here to support him afterall.
-
the first person danny tries to break free from the mind control is the red robin
"why me? why not batman, or superman?"
"you're the only one who I realisticly could pin down long enough to break the mind control..."
"....."
"oh uh-and of course because you're the smartest-"
I fucking love “The Price of Peace,” and I’ve read a ton of similar fics, but it just hit me that it’s always one of the Bats (preferably Tim) who ends up being the sacrificial “bride.”
But consider this instead: Danny.
Danny leads the rebellion. Danny topples the evil king. Danny wins the war. And after all that, the very last thing he wants is to rule a kingdom. So he sets up a council—shared power, equal voices, no more crowns—and immediately clocks out of “Supreme Leader” mode forever.
The problem is that the neighboring kingdoms are still nervous because, shockingly, wars leave scars, so Danny volunteers to act as an ambassador to help stabilize things. Just some light diplomacy. A few meetings. Nothing serious.
And then—whoops. One treaty leads to another, politics do what politics do, and suddenly Danny is engaged to Tim Drake as part of a peace agreement.
From Danny’s POV? He’s basically a hostage in a fancy palace and he is like: You mean I live in a secure palace, don’t have to make executive decisions anymore, and my only job is to exist politely and attend dinners?
Early. Fucking. Retirement.
From the Bat side, they think they’ve gained leverage—an important political figure placed conveniently close, possibly a spy, definitely dangerous.
Danny is just sleeping eight hours a night for the first time in years and discovering hobbies.
Everyone thinks they’re playing a high-stakes political game.
DCxDP Dead Tired AU: Gold digger? More like someone struck gold
So this idea came to my head. Danny and Tim are dating, but they try to hide it as best as they can because who knows what the press will do to both of them if it ever gets public.
If Tim is alone, he'll get photo ops occasionally and everyone minds their own business as to not impose. However, when Tim is seen casually talking to someone alone, social media blows up and makes headlines of Tim's new lover or something. Tim's PR team is often seen cleaning up the fake news every time something like this happens.
So there they are. Putting in shady disguises for their public dates. Lots of oversized hoodies to hide, and countless masks and contacts to further fool the public. The public doesn't know yet that Tim is dating someone.
That is until someone spotted Tim with someone ,clearly on a date. Lucky for Danny, the press still don't know who he is, yet.
Speculations rise and people start to think about who is the rich, lucky person who snagged Tim. I mean, it can't be a poor person right? Almost all of Tim's social circles are all upper class and or elites in society, even before he got adopted by Bruce.
Then on one fateful day, they mess up again with Tim calling Danny by his name, and the public hears it. Both try to scram away to prevent further leaking. Danny is lucky his ghost powers deter any pictures taken near his vicinity, and he hides his face with a mask and an oversized hoodie (I have a headcanon that the whole glitchy pictures thing that Danny's ghost powers do is only on phone cameras and low resolution cameras with small image sensors. It doesn't work really well against SLRs and TV cameras)
The public leads an online witch hunt to find Danny's pictures as they can't see his face in pictures taken recently and the press (due to his ghost powers and all).
Eventually they find some of the pictures before the glow up phase of every teen and it's literally the kind of pics you never want to be posted in public because you're so ugly at the time, but your parents post it for memories. Danny's face in his younger years was in the conventionally unattractive side.
More digging comes in and they find that Danny's family isn't one of the elites, and not as rich as the elites Tim's social circle has.
Now headlines blow up and the common one is calling Danny a gold digger by dating Tim. Tim's PR team is a disaster trying to control it. This lasts for days until Tim decides enough is enough. Both of them talk it out and decide it would be the best to be public.
Tim holds a small press conference to clear up all of the rumors. Yes they confirm that the Fentons are not with the elites and are just a happy family that gets by. Tim also tells the public that they're both dating because they love each other. Tim also reveals that he was the one who pursued Danny in the first place and had a hard time winning Danny's heart.
Then, without further ado, Danny is revealed to the public.
Tim: Let me introduce to you, my boyfriend, Danny Fenton.
Danny: *slowly walks near Tim*
Danny: Hi everyone. I'm Danny.
Reporters:
Tim's fans:
Bashers:
Everyone else:
Everyone is stunned, silenced, and surprised at the reveal. Who would've thought that Danny was a really a beautiful, handsome, and hot guy that managed to snag Tim of all people. Everyone at the press conference was enchanted by Danny, so much that the media had a hard time asking questions because they're too distracted looking at Danny the whole time as if they're in a trance.
Danny suddenly becomes an internet sensation. The narrative suddenly shifts. Countless articles are now in favor of Danny. There are articles that say "Is Tim really the best elite for Danny?" , "How did Danny easily accept Tim?" , "5 other popular icons that are a better match up for Danny than Tim."
Danny's social media accounts and its followers from different platforms soar through the sky. Now every time Danny posts something, it's flooded with notifications and all.
Everyone is obsessed. A new fandom is born. Ship wars ensue. Tim's PR team office is on fire. Social media activity soars through the roof. Among all the posts, the most popular is:
"Tim is more of a gold digger than Danny for me. I mean look at Danny. Tim struck gold with this one."
I just want to think of a Danny wearing his faded NASA hoodie and visiting Jazz in Gotham, cause she’s doing a program there for her masters degree or something. But I imagine just Danny, just stepping out to buy a bag of scones for his sister, cause say what you will, he’s got the treats and I imagine he was going back when Joker crashed and wrecked havoc. All the shouts and chaos, very normal yeah.
Joker was like huh which to choose for the star of my show? Oh look a tourist and then was going his annoying joke and punchlines and aiming a weapon at Danny, all up in his face. And Danny just. pick the lunatic by the collar and just threw him through the biscuit display or something, might accidentally did some light maiming by accident because Danny’s still trying to adjust his strength from ghost play-fighting.
But I wanna imagine maybe a civilian Tim Drake who was just being a tired person with his nth cup of motor oil till the joker was gonna cause a situation in the shop and well Tim was already subtly pressing that alert button for the other batfam to go to their location when he just stared blankly at where Joker once stood then back at the ruined display of pastries and a hole in the wall or something- looks like some injuries that could take months to heal… neat. The joker is stuck in the box.
Then Tim stare back at this civilian with the NASA hoodie, the hood fell and this unassuming man did that- and he just picked up his scone from where he dropped them, and Tim doesn’t remember ever moving his feet towards the scone man and just stared at the entire scene.
Danny stared back at this tired dude very sheepishly like oh yeah so, do I have to call my lawyer? Because I have documented trauma and clowns triggered my instinct and the reflex just happened. And Tim was about to open his mouth before he got serve with a surprisingly laminated medial permit from the government state of Illinois, filed and sealed that states that “Daniel Jonathan Fenton” is not liable for any damages caused by PTSD reflex. Scone man pointing at his legal name on the document, like ah you can call me Danny, my sister filed this for me years ago.
Tim is already flipping through the whole thing and finding no signs of forgery or fraud at all, and he can spot them pretty good and he is just gobsmacked while scone man, sorry Danny- is eating a scone and offering the second one as compensation to Tim.
And Tim just took it.
“Huh, is it blueberry?”
“Oh yeah, I mean my sister, Jazz really likes the flavour and we were betting if any here is edib— oh no—I… I need to tell Jazz, wait I’ll call her then my lawyer and you said you’ll call the police.”
“I already did, don’t worry they’ll be here in a minute. And uh I’m Tim, not sure if I mentioned it—“
“Oh nice to meet you, Tim! Honestly, I just got here three days ago, actually just visiting my sister so this is really bad luck, besides who waves a weapon like that, no manners.”
“Oh? Say… Danny, do you have any plans after meeting your lawyer?”
“Huh— I mean, I guess get this over with, and deal with Jazz giving me a look.”
“Mhm, what do you say about meeting my lawyer about this fascinating permit you got?”
Okay listen Danny is NOT a college student but do you know what he is? A UNIVERSITY STUDENT WHICH IS SOMEHOW EVEN MORE FULL OF BS don't get him wrong he loves his classes although why do some of them have to be on 7:00 a.m.
Worst part? Metropolis is expensive AF so he's just in Gotham having to take the bus and in case it gets delayed has to get the previous one which unfortunately is on 4:00 a.m. and the amount of assignments he has... so you can only imagine his addiction to coffee and his fantasies about sleeping
So here he is in the middle of a rogue attack at the bus stop sending the most professional email he can on 4:00 a.m. to his professor with a guy that looks more dead than he is beside him clutching his coffee as if it's the only thing keeping him standing which to be fair so is Danny. You know Damian just walk to the other bus stop sure it might take a bit of running and powers but what's the worst I could happen I mean it's not like he's a center of the attack after all.
....
Great he and the could be caffeinated corpse beside him are stuck in a room together and honestly both of them are struggling to even keep awake so much so that the goons have to encourage them to stay awake not even tying them up.
The guy looks at him and he looks back they come to a silent agreement.
Both of them use each other as blankets while they sleep if they die they die at this point they're going to die either out of a heart attack caused by caffeine or exhaust themselves to death and Danny would rather die in his sleep then any other option
... Oh wow that was actually the best sleep he had in years and he woke up with said guy in his arms... He fits perfectly in there and guy is snuggling him on his chest? He also fits perfectly in guys arms? Could this be the miracle he needs for good sleep?! Vigilantes are separating them NO HE NEEDS TO ASK THIS MAN TO BECOME HIS PERSONAL PLUSHIE HE NEEDS A SLEEPING BUDDY SCREW IT PUT ALL HIS SHYNESS AND EMBARRASSMENT IN THE CLOSET THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH TO HIM HE IS GETTING A VERY HUMAN PLUSH (with consent of course)
.....
Tim would very much love to talk about the day he found the miracle the human embodiment of it that comes in the form of Daniel Aether Graves. His sleep deprived the other half, his favorite pillow and blanket
That miracle of a man straight up asked him to be a sleeping buddy because he recognized how sleep deprived they both were and how somehow someway they're the perfect pillows for each other so they went on this arrangement where they would go either to one of their apartments and do something while cuddling to fall asleep.
This is the best freaking arrange in Tim's life
Why and how is it so easy to fall asleep and wake up energized with this man he will never know but he is not sharing
.....
The bat family are convinced Tim is dating and if he's not dating he's definitely seeing someone when they first heard of Tim's "sleeping buddy" they immediately shut their mouths not wanting to walk into that but something is clearly happening Tim is more energized what are they doing together that's their question...
Will they have the nightmare and risk of possibly walking in something they don't want to see yes but also they might get the secrets to Tim's now energized self
Only to see Tim and some random guy cuddling on the couch with a bunch of blankets covering them in his apartment and the Barbie movie from 2023 playing in the background with a pillow fort at the side was a huge sign saying "EXTREME EMERGENCY SLEEPY TIME"
The Wayne's pressuring Tim to get out more, maybe go on a date with a civilian or something, just get out of the Batcave and RR costume and do something .
In a moment of brilliance, and sleep deprivation, Tim pays a civilian to date him for a few months and then they'll break up, and then maybe his family will live him alone.(they won't, but Tims in denial).
He approaches Danny, someone hes acquaintances with from a coffee shop, and proposes the deal. Honestly Tim feels kinda bad for targeting Danny, because he knows Danny is working like 5 jobs because hes trying to put his older sister through collage, paying for their food and housing and whatever tuition her partial scholarship didn't cover, and Tim feels like its kind of predatory of him considering he knows Danny needs the money.
Danny is hesitant, mostly because of the break up at the end of a few months. He really doesn't want the Wayne's, the most rich people in the city, to target him for breaking up with Tim. He could loose his jobs, and Jazz might loose her partial scholarship and it would be all Danny's fault!(Danny had no way of knowing that would never happen unless Danny were to actually hurt or ab*se Tim) But to reassure Danny, Tim promised to be a sh*tty boyfriend so that when Danny "Broke up" with him everyone would just think "Good, its about time." With that reassurance, Danny agrees.
----------
Note: What I mean by "Tim acts like a sh*tty Boyfriend" is that hes just really inconsiderate, not like hes abusive or something. Like he skips out on dates at the last second, complains about his work constantly but never really listens to Danny, just that sort of thing.
Ending 1: Predictable Dead Tired/Brain Dead falling in love despite it being fake but by now Jazz/all Danny's friends hate Tim's guts because Tim was pretending to be a sh*tty boyfriend, and Danny never told anyone of the deal because he didn't want them to worry and didn't expect to actually like Tim romantically.
Ending 2: Plan goes according to plan and they break up after a few months- But by this point the Wayne's absolutely adore Danny. Danny's now that ex thats invited to everything, family holidays, Sunday brunches, spur of the moment shopping trips ect. And sure its a little awkward but Danny also really likes the Waynes and Tim and Danny become best friends.
Ending 3: Jason(only cause hes the closest in age to Tim, at least I think so but change this i guess) had actually been crushing on Danny from afar, having met him through one of Danny's other jobs. They only ever talked professionally whenever Jason needed something from there so there's no "leading on" or flirting behavior between them. When Tim introduces Danny to the family, Jason is bummed, obviously the guy he has a crush on dating his brother sucks, but Danny and him are basically nothing, it makes sense Danny would date someone. Still kinda sucks that its his brother, but Jason has no right to get all huffy or anything of the sort. Except then Jason sees how Tim treats Danny and hes fuming! Danny is the sweetest guy and Tim so so rude to him!
The midnight darkness wrapped around Gotham like a blanket, giving Tim a sheet of cover while he’s perched on the edge of a roof. He lifted his forearm, glancing down at the screen embedded into his suit.
The humidity of the nearby pier laid a thin sheen of moisture over top of him, causing his hair to cling to his forehead. He huffed, looking back towards the building in front of him.
Of course it’s a warehouse by the pier. Why can’t creepy cults ever operate in a well air-conditioned hotel, or a restaurant. Where’s the buffet cult? Why can’t he ever investigate a buffet cult?
His stomach let out a growl.
That explains that train of thought.
He glanced back down at his arm. 1:59. With another sigh, he stood up. He stretched his arm over his head, letting out a breath after a satisfying ‘pop’ echoed around the roof.
He’d caught wind of a new cult operating in Gotham, welcoming people down on their luck to join in on their weekly ‘communal feasts’. Jason had reported a week ago that some of Crime Alley’s homeless population were turning up missing; the older man had wanted to join his investigation — he’s territorial when it comes to Crime Alley — but two nights ago Black Mask had made a move on Hood’s territory, apparently trying to test the waters. So, Tim was on his own tonight.
He technically wasn’t supposed to be here tonight. Jason and the rest of the bats had told him to wait until next week, but they had honestly been grating his nerves lately. Bruce and Dick have been breathing down his neck the last few nights; ‘Tim, start coming to more family brunches’ ‘Tim, stop overworking yourself’ ‘Tim, you need to take a vacation’. As if he wasn’t integral to keeping WE in business and keeping investigations connected and organized. As if he wasn’t needed. As if he wasn’t important. And the rest of the family had just been weird around him lately. It’s like everyone knew something that he didn’t.
So, tonight was for him. It had nothing to do with ‘proving himself’ or ‘being spiteful’. And since it was for him, he took out his comm and called out for the night. If they wanted him to go on vacation, he would. Taking down human trafficking cults was his vacation.
He checked his screen again. 2:01. Show time.
He grabbed his grapple and dropped down without a sound. He shot it outwards, the end hooking onto the edge of the warehouse’s roof.
He pulled it in, a small grin pulling at his lips as the refreshing wind pushed the damp hair out of his face.
With a tucked roll, he landed softly on top of the warehouse. He pocketed his grapple and crouched down, moving quietly towards the roof access door. He had been up here last night to check the lock, it had been an easy pick but opening the door made a loud scrapping sound against the patch of raised ground. He let out a relieved sigh when he saw the brick he had placed still their, letting him quietly open the door and close it behind him.
The stairs went straight down to the floor, the only barrier between him and the cult members being wooden panels along the open side of the staircase.
He stepped down a few steps, glancing out of the gap between the wood to look at the cult’s communal dinner.
The cult had definitely fixed the place up; he’d give them that. The grime and dust on the floor and reachable walls had been scrubbed away, three long tables covered in food sat towards the front door and stretched almost wall to wall. People were chatting idlily, no food had been touched yet. Probably waiting for a leader or something to initiate the dinner. Everyone was dressed in black and green robes except for a handful who wore white and green. His eyes drifted beside the ones in white towards what looked to be a summoning circle with an alter surrounded by flowers, candy, and other items. Yup, cult shit.
He made his way down the rest of the stairs, testing each one for creaks before stepping all the way down.
Towards the last few steps, he heard a repeated ‘clink’ of a glass, signaling everyone to quiet. The chatter quickly slowed to a stop, and Tim peaked between the wood towards one of the white robed figures.
“Hello everyone!” A chipper voice greeted from atop a raised platform, “I don’t see any new faces today, but that’s alright, we’ll get ‘em next time!” The room chuckled lightly; Tim’s eyes narrowed.
“Now, I want to thank you all for coming out, as always. 2 AM dinner isn’t the most ideal, especially for those of use with children, and we always understand when some can’t make it. As always if you need any support, be sure to come to one of our leaders and we’ll find any way we can to support you; be it food, water filters, gas masks, you name it.” The cloaked figure breathed in, putting on a smile.
“Alright, I think I’ve talked long enough,” The room laughed again, “Who’s to say we get on with the summoning and eat?”
Cheers erupted from the tables, a few ‘woo’s thrown out.
Tim set his jaw, reaching behind his back to take out his collapsed staff. The figures in white moved towards the summoning circle. Go time.
“Am I late?” He called, finally moving off the stairs.
Every head in the room turned towards him.
“Ah, got any strawberries left, they’re my favorite.” He teases, making his way towards the front group. The room’s eyes follow him; they definitely outnumber him. Best to try talking first.
“Red Robin,” The figure who had been speaking before smiles warmly, “I’m glad you could make it!”
Tim blinks, pausing in front of the group. “Uh. That— Definitely isn’t the usual response.”
The man chuckles, “I imagine not. I’m not naive enough to think you came for the food, but you’re welcome to it. If you don’t beat us bloody of course,” he jokes. Jokes.
“Thank you? Though that really depends on whether you step away from that circle or not. I’m not sure what you’re trying to summon, but I’ve learned that magic usually means bad news. Especially when what you’re worshipping is called ‘The King’. You’re practically begging for world destruction.”
The man finally frowns, face still soft however, “Ah, yes. We had been wanting destruction and domination originally, but our King showed us the beauty in life and helping others. If you’ll just hear us out, I’m sure you especially would understand. You may even want to join.” Tim glanced behind the man, eyeing the others in white starting the ritual. His face hardens.
“Sorry, I’m not in the market for new hippy cults to join.” His bo extends in his hand as he enters a defensive stance. “I really don’t want to hurt you, man, but I can’t let you summon whatever you’re about to summon.”
The man sighs, looking at him sadly, “Then I apologize profusely for this. We really do look up to you, Red Robin.” He looks up, “Hold him!” The man shouts to the people seated at the table.
“Shit,” Tim hisses, rushing towards the summoning circle in hopes to reach them before the distraction. He smacks the man’s face, throwing him to the floor and giving Tim a path to the other figures in white.
Before he reaches them, his arms are grabbed. He shifts in the hold, throwing the person grabbing him over his shoulder. Just as fast, two more hands replace them. He pivots his feet, swinging his bo behind himself as he turns around.
Every time he fights off one offender, two more replace them, all attempting to hold him down. Eventually a hand pulls his bo staff out of his hands; his fists, however, are just as effective.
A flash erupts from behind him and some of the hands slow down.
Fuck him and this stupid ass plan to raid a cult’s base alone.
In his moment of distraction, the hands finally manage to get hold of him. He’s grappled chest down onto the floor, multiple people pinning him down. It is — unfortunately — very effective.
“Oh— This is, uh— Not what I was expecting to walk in on.” A new voice states, somehow sounding both reversed and normal.
