(Un)Dead Beat Dad

by Naked_Bongos

Summary:

Danny finally escaped his parents, and in his muddled thought process, went to see his mentor, clockwork. Clockwork, however, had no clue what to do and took Danny to his dear old friend, Gotham. Going along with this game of halfa telephone, Gotham took the now six-year-old boy to her most trustworthy knight.

Chapter 1: reverse birthday

Danny spits blood onto the floor of the tower he was in, his hand pressed against the cuts in his chest, barely holding himself together. He cursed as he felt the ice melting around his chest and dripping to the floor. With a shaky breath, he froze it up again, not as thick this time though. Damn. Danny stood, using the wall to stabilize himself. Smearing his glowing green blood all over the wall. He stumbled up the stairs, spilling puddles of green throughout his walk. He got to the top and fell into the door, black impeding his vision as the large blue-skinned figure floated towards him. “Heya clocky,” Danny whispered with a wet chuckle as he lost consciousness fully, slumping to the floor in a pile of green blood as the white rings encompassed his body.

---

“Fuck” clockwork said out loud. Somehow, some way, he had not seen this reality. I mean, of course, he had seen the realities where the Fentons had reacted… badly… to say the least. And of course, he had seen the realities where Danny ventured into the ghost zone to find help, hell he had seen every single one and ancients did his heart ache at those. But this? Clockwork hadn’t seen a reality where Danny came to him. How had he not seen that? How had he glossed over that reality? Maybe if he went back through all of those again and tried another time, maybe he could see what he was supposed to do to stop this, maybe he could see what direction he was supposed to go, maybe he could see what he's supposed to do now-

A cough cut him out of his thinking. For once, time is the thing he didn’t have. He thought quickly, what was he supposed to do? He can’t take care of Danny himself, and Danny wont last much longer if he just stays here thinking but ancients what is he supposed to do…. Clockwork snaps his fingers and carefully picks Danny up in a bridal carry, careful not to upset the angry-looking Y-shaped wound on his chest bleeding through his torn medical scrubs. Clockwork waved his staff the best he could while holding Danny, making a portal, and floating through.

---

Gotham had been having a wonderful night. Her knights had taken down more than a few of her least favorite assholes, and, as a reward, she made the sky a bit more clear. She loved when those stars shone through her sky. Well, her night had been going well, until she felt a familiar portal open up behind her. 

“Ahhhh, my favorite stuck-up bastard. How's it going clockwork? Time treating you well?” She said in her sweet new-jersey accent; snickering and smiling at her pun, taking a drag of her cigarette. Holding the opera-length cigarette holder just past her lips, she blew out the smoke. She rested her other hand on her hip, her sparkling sangria-colored dress flowing over her plump hips. She turned around, her gorgeous crown of black corkscrew curls coming together in a beautiful afro, bouncing as she looked at clockwork. She took a moment to assess the bleeding boy in his arms before looking clockwork in his ruby eyes. “Clockwork, love, what the fuck.”

Clockwork sighed and floated toward Gotham. “This boy… This is the king. He was attacked in his own home by his guardians. He came to me but… but I've never seen this timeline. I wasn’t sure what to do with the boy, but I knew you had knights that could protect him.” Clockwork stared down at the boy in his arms. Gotham took a moment to digest the new information.

“The king, his majesty phantom, is this boy?” Gotham asked, disbelief clear in her voice, Clockwork only nodded and held out the boy to Gotham. 

“Yes, he is. I don’t have anyone else to bring him to. I’ll make this easier on you, as thanks.” Clockwork said, handing Danny to Gotham. Gotham flicked the cigarette and its holder out of existence, her feathered boa tickling the boy now in her arms.

“A bit scrawny, is he not?” She smiled lovingly down at the boy king. Clockwork smiled at the two and brought his hand to Dannys' head, a deep blue glow found its way between his hand and the boy king. Gotham stared in wonder as Danny shrunk in her arms. She looked at Clockwork in disbelief for a moment. “Clockwork, I usually do not question your ways, but what are you doing this for?”

“All as it should be. Good luck Danny.” Clockwork smiled and patted the small boys black hair, though it was caked in blood.

Gotham looked down at the boy in her arms, “Daniel. A name fit for a king. Now, I know exactly which of my knights to bring you to. No need to worry your highness, He will take care of you as none else have.” She turned her head to where clockwork was with a thank you on her lips, seeing he already left. She huffed in annoyance and turned towards the streets of her city, she knows exactly where her knight is.

---

Jason was having one hell of a night. I mean, the muggings, a robbery, and the Riddler? A great night, really. Well, his patrol was finally over, so he crawled through the fire escape to his house and stilled at the chill in the air. Someone else was in his apartment. Jason swung his arm around, pistol cocked and ready to fire, pointing at…. Nothing? A huff of laughter came from the too-dark shadows in the corners of his living room. A tall woman with deep ebony skin sashayed her way from the shadows, a gorgeous dress hugging her thick curves in all the best ways. She smiled at Jason and held the boy in her arms higher, so Jason could see him.

“My knight. I have a request of you, a friend of mine has placed this boy in my care, but I know nothing of raising children.” Jason tried to cut her off with a ‘you think I know jack-shit about kids either???’ but she shushed him with a wave of her hand as she laid the small boy on his beat-up couch. “Of all of my knights, I have deemed you to be the most well-suited to take on this task. This is Daniel, High King of the Infinite Realms. Though he looks younger than he truly is, do not underestimate him. He needs medical attention and someplace to call home. You, Jason, are the best and only option for this task.” Jason stood there dumbfounded. Who the fuck does this lady think she is? Coming out of nowhere giving him a kid and talking to him as if she knew him? And she knows his secret identity! 

Jason went to say something but found no words on his tongue as the woman before him dissolved into smoke before his eyes, leaving a bloody kid on his couch. Jason sighed and took off his mask, leaving only his domino. “Well, fuck me I guess” He ran his fingers through his sweaty hair and took off his jacket. Who on earth was that? And how did she disappear like that? How on earth did she get into his apartment? Why did she leave a bloody kid- oh fuck the kid-

Jason stopped what he was doing and stared at the bloody kid on his couch. The kid looked bout six, if he had to guess, but was far too skinny for a healthy six-year-old. Jason paced over silently and let his eyes wander over the small boy. Jason breathed out a small ‘fuck’ and bent down to where the kid's eyes were and tapped his shoulder… nothing. He tapped again and a small groan escaped the boy, huh. Jason gently shook the boy and watched as the small boy's eyes fluttered open to reveal an icy blue. The kid took a moment to adjust, as he glanced around the room, his eyes landing on Jason. Immediately, the boy jumped up, falling over the backside of the couch with a loud thump, scooting to the wall behind him. Well… that wasn’t, exactly what Jason was expecting. Loud heaving breaths were heard behind the couch and Jason crawled around, to peak at the boy. As soon as his eyes found the kid, his breath hitched in his throat. That's a lot of blood.

“Hey bud,” Jason started softly, “your names Danny, right?” He asked. Jason tried to scoot closer but when the bleeding boy in front of him moved he stopped. The boy Danny glanced over Jason, taking a minute to observe him before deeming Jason safe, nodding his head yes.

“Well, I’m Red Hood, nice to meet you. A friend of yours dropped you off with me, said you're a king or something?” Jason said slowly, lowering himself to sitting criss-cross on the floor. Danny blushed heavily in front of Jason. 

“They… they said that?” Danny said, his voice squeaking out. Danny looked confused for a second and quickly glanced down at his body, ‘he's so small’ Jason thought. Apparently, Danny thought the same as he looked at his body in confusion flipping his hands over in front of his eyes. Jason moved again snapping the boys’ attention back to him.

“So, Danny, Your friend said that you needed some help and that I could help you out. If you trust this friend, I’ll trust them too. You don’t have to trust me right away, but know I’ll help you out the best I can, okay? Sound good?” Jason said, turning his palms flat up to show he wasn’t a threat. Danny took a second to think about it and nodded his head again, slowly, but hey a yes is a yes.

“Alright, kid, we need to get you patched up, I have a friend who can get you fixed right up-” Jason was cut off by the boy frantically shaking his head

“oookay, uh, no hospitals?” Jason guessed. 

A slow nod. 

“My friend’s clinic?” 

A shake.

“Well, I can't do it myself…” Jason smiled in realization “What about my grandpa? He patches me up when I’m out on patrol, that sound good kid?”

There was a moment of silence. Jason was thinking he might have to just call Alfred at this point when the kid hesitantly nodded. Jason let out a sigh. “Alright kid, I’m gonna have to carry you there, okay? “ another nod. Jason scooted over, carefully scooped Danny up in his arms, walked over to his still-open window, and crawled out.

“I’ll be as careful as I can, alright? Let me know if anything hurts.” Danny nodded again and Jason carefully hopped off his fire escape, he wasn’t getting any sleep tonight.

Chapter 2: Basement Medics

Summary:

Jason takes Danny to get the medical care he needs.

Notes:

GUYS
PAY ATTENTION: THERE ARE TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THIS CHAPTER, INCLUDING:
INJURY, MENTIONS OF TORTURE/MEDICAL OPERATIONS, CRYING, SEWING, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, PANIC ATTACKS, AND THIS CHAPTER IS JUST OVERALL SAD

also sorry for the late chapter my grandma died three hours ago :/

Alfred feels his personal phone vibrate in his pocket, he stopped dusting the already-clean dresser, lifting the phone to his face knowing that only a select few had his contact information. He stared at the number he had long since memorized for a second before opening the message.

XXX-XXX-XXXX: Alfie, I need help

XXX-XXX-XXXX: Is anyone else home right now

No, Master Jason, I’m afraid everyone is on patrol at the moment. :You

May I ask why? :You

XXX-XXX-XXXX: perfect

XXX-XXX-XXXX: could you grab some med supplies and meet me in the Batcave?

Alfred stared at the phone and sighed. Setting down the feather duster he was holding, he walks towards the grandfather clock and enters the Batcave. He feels another vibration in his pocket and reaches for his phone.

XXX-XXX-XXXX: could you not tell B? Or anyone else?

XXX-XXX-XXXX: please?

Of course, Master Jason. I Will have everything ready for you when you get here. :You

XXX-XXX-XXXX: your a lifesaver, Alfie

Unfortunately, I am well aware. :You

Alfred chuckled as he slipped the phone back into his pocket, continuing to gather more medical supplies for Jason. Alfred had finally finished setting up quite literally everything he could, when he heard Jason's bike come into the cave. It turned off and he could hear quick running footsteps toward himself. Alfred turned and walked until he could spot Jason, seeing him in his full red hood regalia sans the mask. What really caught his attention, though, was the child in his arms, looking to be seven at the oldest. 

“Oh? You failed to mention we were having a guest.” Alfred said, quickly leading Jason toward the medical supplies. Once he turned the corner into the faux medical room though, he heard the sounds of struggle behind him. Alfred turned around, seeing the small boy thrashing in Jason's arms, trying to get away from the room. Jason immediately turned his back to the door and placed the child on the floor, softly talking to the child, words Alfred could not hear. The room clearly upset the child, so Alfred nearly closed the door, keeping it just barely open, but closed enough that the boy couldn’t see inside. 

Jason turned around and motioned to Alfred, “This, Danny, Is my grandfather I mentioned. His name is Alfred, he patches me up whenever I get hurt a little too bad.” The small boy had tear tracks on his eyes and darted them towards Alfred, scanning him, threat assessing . The boy was scared. Alfred put on his nicest smile and lowered himself to his knees like his grandson.

“Indeed. I have had to patch up the young master quite a few times. I have patched up others as well. I assume The young master brought you to me for medical attention?” Alfred said in a soft voice, he didn’t wish to scare the child after all. The boy simply nodded his head and scanned the rest of the cave. The boy looked at Jason and pursed his lips. “You clearly need attention but are unwilling to go into the medical bay. Would you prefer I tend to your wounds out here in the main cave instead?”

The boy looked to Jason, searching Jason's eyes. After seemingly finding what he was searching for, he turned his head back towards Alfred. Still gripping tightly onto Jason's shirt, the boy nodded his head. Jason turned his head slightly towards Alfred and smiled. Jason looked back down at the boy and smiled, talking to him softly again.

“Alfreds going to have to assess your injuries if that's okay with you? So he knows what to grab and what to leave?” Jason said in a soft voice. The boy stared at Alfred again for a moment, Alfred felt like something was staring at him. Judging him. Deciding whether he should live or die. Deciding whether he would spend eternity suffering or in paradise. Then suddenly, as if it was never there in the first place, the feeling was gone. Alfred simply smiled and got to his feet once again, slowly walking towards the two in front of him under the gaze of the young boy. Alfred stopped just beside Jason and lowered himself to the floor again.

“Now, could I get a name, young sir?” Alfred said with a smile, internally frowning at the ever-growing stain of blood on the boy's shirt that was several sizes too big. The boy looked at the ground for a moment, glancing back at Jason for a moment once more before muttering under his breath, his voice so scratchy and quiet you can't hear him. “What was that? I couldn’t quite hear you,” Alfred said to the young boy.

The boy thought for a second, then lifted one of his hands and shakily signed out some letters. ‘D. A. N. N. Y.’ It was clear the boy hadn’t used sign much but knew enough to communicate. The other hand still tightly wound inside Jason's jacket.

Alfred smiled at him, “Alright then Master Danny, would it be alright if I removed your shirt and assessed your wounds?” The boy took a careful step back and looked at Jason again, tightening his hold on the masked man. Jason placed a careful hand on the kid's back and smiled. 

“I’ll be right here Danny, okay? And if you want to take a minute then we can stop and wait. We just want to make sure that you’re okay.” Jason said in a soft voice again. The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He nodded and laid down on the ground on his back, tugging on Jason’s jacket and clenching his other hand tightly. Danny let out a small pained breath and stuck his empty arm up above his head. Alfred carefully lifted the boy's shirt from him, letting out a gasp as he saw what was causing all the blood, Jason's eyes flashing a violent green. The boy underneath him flinched at the gasp and opened his eyes, scanning the two adults above him in panic, letting go of Jason and using his legs to scoot himself back, one of his arms pushing him faster backward, the other holding his organs in. Danny’s breathing picked up as his pupils dilated, the temperature in the cave decreasing rapidly as frost formed underneath him.

Alfred was the one to recover first, lowering himself further and turning his hands up, showing he wasn’t a threat. He let a small smile on his face, speaking softly to the child in front of him, “It’s perfectly alright Master Danny. I apologize for reacting as I did, I was a little shocked. I mean no harm and simply want to help you,” Alfred said with a smile. 

Jason recovered next, seeing the scared child in front of him. Jason had closed his eyes while Alfred was talking to calm himself down. Jason looked at the kid in front of him, “It’s okay Danny, I promise you we won't hurt you,” Jason said with a smile. The boy in front of him was still rapidly breathing, and Jason thought about what he had learned from Batman during his work as Robin and looked at the boy again. “Okay, Danny, You’re having a panic attack and we’re gonna need you to calm down, right? Can you tell me five things you can see?” 

Danny looked like he was barely registering the words, Jason thought the boy wasn’t able to hear him until the boy’s eyes flipped around the cave, focusing on each thing for a second before flipping to the next. Jason. Alfred. Shirt. Bat. Floor. Jason smiled at the boy.

“Alright Danny, next, four things you can feel.” Jason said with a smile, scooting closer to Danny.

Danny had moved one of his arms, feeling around him. Floor. Pants. Hair. Blood.

“You’re doing amazing Danny, next, three things you can hear.” Jason scooted closer again.

Danny closed his eyes, focusing. Bats. Jasons Heartbeat. Computer beeping.

“Fantastic Danny, Two things you can smell.” Jason closed the distance but sat just to the side of Danny.

Danny kept his eyes closed but took a shaky breath, still recovering from the heavy breathing. Wet cave. Sweat.

“Good job Danny, now finally, one thing you can taste.” Jason carefully placed a hand on Danny’s shoulder. Danny flinched but it wasn’t as hard as it had been.

Danny took a second and bit down. Blood.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Jason, nodding his shaking head. Jason smiled down at him.

“It’s okay Danny. We don’t judge you and we won’t hurt you, I promise.” Jason told Danny. The small boy, however, still looked nervous, ready to bolt at the nearest sign of a threat. Jason glanced at Alfred and sighed. Jason reached down and pulled up his shirt, staring at Danny, “you know how I said Alfred helps me? He really does patch me up.” Jason lied, motioning to the large Y-shaped scar on his chest. Danny visibly relaxed, he was still definitely on edge, but hey, progress. Jason looked at the boy in front of him. “Would it be alright if we patched you up now?”

Danny looked at Alfred and nervously nodded his head.

“Master Danny, It seems I’ll have to sew you up. Do you know your tolerance for anesthesia?” Alfred calmly asked the boy. 

Danny nodded his head ‘yes’, but stopped for a moment. He shook his head ‘no’ and slowly signed with his free hand, ‘doesn’t work.’

“They don’t work on you?” Alfred asked Danny, who only shook his head again, “Do you know why, Master Danny?” Danny seemed to open his mouth for a moment, then nodded his head, glancing at the floor.

Jason took a moment to feel the temperature of the room around him. He straightened with a realization. The temperature drops. The green-red mixed blood. The stranger in his apartment. The boy agreeing to being a king. The vivisection dissection scar “Go on and get the stuff Alfie, I’ll hang back,” Jason smiled.

Alfred seemed to think for a split second, then stood up with a grunt and nodded his head. “As you wish, Master Jason.” Alfred said, walking towards the medical room.

Jason turned towards the small boy next to him, gently pushing the boy back onto the floor, taking off his jacket and folding it, placing it behind the kid's head. “You're a meta, aren’t you kid,” Jason said with a smile. Danny immediately stiffened and looked at Jason, his eyes flashing into slits for a moment, lip curling to show off the boy's sharp fangs.

Jason smiled sadly and flipped his hands up, showing he had no weapon, “I don’t have anything against meta’s okay? My brother’s a meta himself, and I’ve been on some great teams with them. I promise you Alfie doesn’t care either, and it won’t make us treat you any differently. You need help, that’s the focus here.” the boy visibly relaxed, still tense but not as much. At that moment Alfred walked out and towards them again.

“Alright Master Danny, First I must clean the wound and around it so I may see what I am doing.” Alfred said, clearly saying what he is doing before doing it so Danny would be less freaked out. 

Above him, Jason grabbed Danny's hand, squeezing it lightly once. Danny squeezed back. 

Alfred crouched down again, taking a wet rag from the bowl of water previously in his hands. He wrung out the towel and looked at Danny’s eyes for confirmation before carefully wiping Danny's chest. Alfred and Jason’s anger grew with every injury hidden by the blood, though Alfred was better at hiding it. Whenever Alfred got especially close to the bleeding dripping skin flaps, Danny squeezed his eyes tight and gripped Jason’s hand tighter. Alfred had to change the water in the bowl a few times, a horrible brown from the mixing of the green and red covering Danny.

Eventually, it was time for the stitches, but before he could get to that, he needed to staple the wound shut.

“Young master Danny, You are a meta, yes?” Alfred asked in a soft voice. Danny nervously nodded his head ‘yes’. “Alright then. Some meta’s cant use anesthetics, are you one of them?” Danny nodded again, “So I’m afraid I’ll have to stitch you up as-is, though first I will have to staple the wound shut.” another (albeit shaky) nod.

Alfred stood and grabbed a weird white tool from the medical room. He sat down on his knees once more and pinched Danny's skin together, glancing at Danny, “This will hurt, but I will take it it out once I get to stitches.” Alfred lowered the machine and squeezed the handle, a medical staple sliding through Danny’s skin and pulling it closed. Danny whimpered, squeezing his eyes shut and gabbing Jason's hand tighter. Jason placed his free hand on Danny’s shoulder in a comforting motion.Alfred lifted the machine once more and placed it at another section of the large messy cut on Danny’s chest, squeezing again. And again. And again, going up and pulling the skin together. Finally, when he was finished, Salty tears had formed On Danny’s face, rolling down into little puddles on the floor of the Batcave. Alfred sighed and placed the machine on a tray he grabbed earlier from the medical room. Alfred lifted a small white package and ripped it open, pulling the sutures from the small bag. Alfred pulled open another package containing a needle and started to thread the needle then stopped when Danny tugged on Alfred's sleeve, gaining the man's attention.

“Yes, young master Danny?” Alfred asked, stalling in his movements.

Danny lifted his hand and pointed to the thread, signing ‘Won’t work’. Alfred looked at him questioningly, Danny slowly pulled his hand away from Jason and reached into the pocket too far down his leg, and pulled out a spool of… Fishing line. 

“Fishing line?” Jason asked, confused.

Danny flushed, his hand's stilling as he thought up an excuse ‘will work’ Danny gestured to the line and pushed it towards Alfred, who took it happily.

“Ah, I see. Well then, I’ll get started right away, please alert me if anything is wrong.” Alfred smiled and sat himself down more comfortably on the floor of the Batcave. He laced the thread through the needle and placed it above the cuts, starting at Danny’s left collarbone. He looked up at Danny and caught his eyes.

Jason seemed to catch on, and nudged Danny slightly with his hand, silently holding it palm-up, Danny quickly grabbed it and lightly squeezed. Jason squeezed back. Alfred placed another machine in Jason’s free hand. “Use this to remove the staples as I stitch Danny’s chest closed.” Jason gulped, nodding. Jason carefully removed the first staple and the boy on the ground squeezed Jason's hand again, whimpering once more. Jason's heart lurches and the grip on his hand tightened. Jason looked away from the boy's face again and saw the needle in Danny’s chest. Jason dropped the used staple onto a small metal platter and brought the machine back up to Danny's chest, preparing to take out the next staple. Danny squeezed Jason's hand tight again with every staple removed, and with every stitch added. Really tight. Fuck. Jason might need to wrap his hand. This kid is definitely a meta. Alfred got down to the intersection of the three large cuts, he glanced up at Danny to check if he was okay, and Alfred's heart squeezed at the sight. The boy had his eyes screwed tightly shut and tears leaking out of them, whimpering at the pain. Alfred had to go faster. He started stitching from the start of the cut at the bottom of Danny's sternum, barely above his belly button, Jason taking out staples as they went up. This part seemed to be especially sensitive, Danny squeezing Jason's hand a bit tighter, and Jason swears he can feel his bones grinding but he won’t say anything. No, he can’t, not when the kid needs someone to be strong.

Alfred gets back to the top and lets out a sigh, tying off the suture. “Young Danny, I need to move to your other side in order to finish your stitches. If I may, Master Hood?” Alfred asked, looking at Jason. Jason needed a moment to think, before he stumbled, standing up and walking to Danny's other side. Danny was still holding Jason's hand tightly, and only let go when Jason grabbed Danny’s free one. Jason and Alfred sat down once more. 

“Only one more set of stitches, okay kid?” Jason said in a soft voice, smiling down at the kid next to him. The kid nodded his head shakily. Alfred inserted the needle again and Danny let out a shaky breath, more salty glowing tears silently flowing down his face. The silence was thick as ever, only the occasional breath sucked in from Danny when the stitches hit an overly sensitive spot. Alfred finally finished, tying off the last of the stitches, when Jason got an idea.

“You said that everyone else was on patrol, right?” Jason asked, looking up towards Alfred again. 

“Yes, master Hood. Everyone else is gone at the moment. Why do you ask?” Alfred questioned.

“I have an idea. Tell Dam- uh, Robin I’ll pay him back. Hey kid, will you be okay with Alfie if I run upstairs for a minute and grab something?” Jason looked to the child.

Danny glanced at Alfred and nodded. Jason moved to get up but Danny tugged him back down gently.

“I’ll be back right away, Danny, okay?” Jason asked. Danny looked nervous. Jason squeezed Danny’s hand slightly. Danny squeezed back. Jason flashed Danny a small smile and stood again, walking towards the entrance to the mansion, glancing back at Danny every few seconds. 

“Well, master Danny, I have two more things to do to help speed up the healing process. I need to add a drain for the excess fluid your body produces and a vacuum pump to help your wound heal faster, the pump will also prevent you from picking at your wound.” Alfred smiled, “First, I will add the drain sponge,” Alfred spoke as he worked, clearly saying what he was doing as to not alarm the boy while Jason was gone. “Then, I will add surgical tape on top and connect the tube. This will run to a small vacuum to suction up any of the excess fluids your body doesn't need.”

Danny clutched tightly onto his pants, counting in his head, happy that Alfred was saying everything aloud. Danny could feel the devices being added to him as Alfred spoke, so Danny didn’t need to worry much. Alfred finished with that and sat back.

“Okay master Danny, one last thing, a drain. This will remove some blood and other fluids from the inside. All I need to do is make a small incision-” Alfred was cut off by Danny’s eyes snapping open, wide and glowing Lazarus green. Danny started to sit up in a panic, groaning at the pain but nonetheless pushing himself backward again. “Master Danny, it is nothing to worry about, I assure you everything will be okay-” Alfred was cut off once again, this time by the sound of something hitting the floor. Jason was standing there, small-sized clothes at his feet as he stared at the Lazarus green eyes of the kid in front of him. A small “fuck” Made it’s way out of Jason as he stood there. Danny saw the look at started scrambling to get further back, knocking over various tools and materials as he did so, nearing the edge. 

“Kid- Danny, hey, it’s okay. Everything going to be fine.” Jason soothed, crouching down.

The boy sat his weight on his elbows as he looked furiously between the two adults in front of him. He tried to speak but only a wheezed cough of air came out, making him curl in on himself. Jason thought for a moment, then had an idea. A stupid, idiotic, dumbassed Idea, but an idea nonetheless. Jason furrowed his eyebrows together and thought about Batman. About the joker. About the rogues. About his mother. About who hurt the boy. About who hurt Danny and left him to rot .  Jason’s eyes flashed a violent green while the boy was looking his way. Danny visibly relaxed at the sight of the familiar green.

“What’s got you so worked up, kid?” Jason asked with an eerie calm in his voice, the green fading slowly. Danny looked nervous, scared even, directing his attention back at Alfred.

“The young master panicked when I mentioned adding a drainage tube to his wound. Specifically the,” Alfred lowered his voice and faced Jason, “Specifically the cutting part of the insertion.”

Jason made an ‘o’ shape with his mouth and grabbed the clothes at his feet.

“Well, Danny, I’ll be right here with you while you get the tube. And, you’ll get to see the clothes I brought once we’re finished with the tube.” Jason sat down next to Alfred.

‘Hurt? Again?’ Danny signed with wide eyes

Jason let out a soft sigh, “Yeah, it's gonna hurt, but if we don’t do this you could get hurt more in the long term. I promise you, Danny, I’ll be here with you the entire time.” Jason smiled at the boy. 

Danny looked between Jason and Alfred for a moment before slowly nodding and starting to scoot closer to the two. Jason stands up and carefully picks up Danny, walking him back to Alfred. Alfred let out a small exasperated sigh and smiled at the small boy.

“This will be fast, master Danny, no need to worry. The incision is barely 5 mm wide, very small,” Alfred said with a smile. He grabbed an anti-septic wipe and started wiping down a small portion of Danny’s abdomen, as Danny lifted an open palm towards Jason again. Jason happily took Danny’s hand. 

Alfred placed a piece of the tube into Jason's free hand and picked up a scalpel and held it above Danny’s stomach, clanging up to see Danny staring hard at Jason, squeezing his hand tightly. Alfred placed his hand on Danny's stomach to prepare him and lowered the scalpel into Danny's skin. Danny let out a deep drawn-out wine from his core and clenched his eyes tightly, squeezing Jason's hand again. Alfred let out a sad sigh and dragged the scalpel, just barely, and then lifted it away from the small cut. He set the scalpel back down on the tray, grabbing the tubing from Jason’s hand. Alfred inserted the tubing and slid it through until it was at the right spot, then grabbed a new needle and added more of the fishing line to it. He sewed the tubing into Danny's skin and attached a small bulb-looking plastic piece to the end. He sighed and looked up toward Danny to find more glowing tears running down Danny’s face, his lip tainted with red, Danny must have bit his lip when Alfred was inserting the tube.

“That is all, master Danny. I just need to wrap your chest in gauze, and then you will be finished.” Alfred said with a small smile. Danny sharply nodded his head, eyes still screwed shut. Alfred sighed, turning to Jason, “Could you lift up master Danny while I wrap his chest? I don’t wish to strain him.” 

Jason nodded his head, scooting around behind Danny and placing his hands below Danny's back, slowly lifting him up and placing the young boy’s torso on his lap. Jason looked down at the small boy, really looking at him. Jason motioned for Alfred to hand him one of the cleansing wipes from the tray Alfred had brought out earlier. Alfred handed it to him, and Jason started wiping away the dirt and blood on Danny’s face. The boy beneath him visibly relaxed when he realized it was Jason who was wiping his face. Jason carefully wiped down Danny’s face, noticing when Danny had flinched and to be careful around the boy's eyes and mouth. It took Jason three wipes when he finally got Danny’s face fully cleaned off. Jason had stilled once he finished. The boy looked just like a younger version of himself. The boy had slightly sunken-in cheeks, cuts and scrapes all over his face, and that look of pure desperation that etched itself into Jason’s bones years ago. It was right then, no definitely not earlier when the boy searched jason's soul with his eyes and deemed Jason safe Jason realized this boy couldn’t, wouldn’t, go back to where he was before.

“Master Jason,” Alfred gained Jason's attention and that's when Jason realized that Alfred had somehow finished the gauze wrap around Danny’s chest. Danny opened his eyes, showing Jason the icy blue Jason saw in his own eyes. Jason sucked in a breath and looked up at Alfred, “A word, if I may?” Jason looked down at Danny for approval, and then slowly stood up, making sure Danny was comfortable on the ground. Jason walked around the corner out of sight of Danny and looked at Alfred.

“What's up, Alfie?” Jason asked.

“I don’t know where you found the boy, master Jason, but he cannot go back.” Alfred said in a stern voice Jason only heard when one of the family came home with an especially bad wound. Jason was angered at that comment, though.

“I know that Alfred. Obviously, no matter where he came from he isn’t going back.” Jason said in a huff of anger. He ran his hand through his hair and looked to the floor, each of them standing there in silence, until Alfred brought forth an idea.

“Maybe, master Bruce can take care of master Danny until further notice?” Alfred asked. 

Jason's head snapped up, “Absolutely not,” Jason snapped, “I will be taking care of Danny.”

“Master Jason,” Alfred started

“No, Alfred. I found the boy, I brought him here,” Jason said quickly, Alfred stood there looking as if Jason had cut him off. He had. Yet Jason continued, “I’m the one that sat by him while you stitched him up, I’m the one that held his hand while he cried, and I will be the one to take care of him.” Jason finished.

Alfred waited for a moment while Jason calmed down, “I was hoping you would say that master Jason. I fully support this decision, as it seems he has decided to trust you and you have already formed an attachment to him.”

“Oh…” Jason stood there for a moment, face flushed red with embarrassment, “I’m sorry for snapping at you like that Alfie,”

“No need to apologize master Jason. Protecting yourself and your child is what makes a good parent.” Jason bluescreened at the word parent, “Now, master Jason, I suggest you get your son into his new clothes and get him home. Shall we?” Alfred smiled as he turned Jason around and pushed him back to where the child was.

Key word: was.

Alfred and Jason immediately rushed forward, frantically looking around for where to find the boy, where could he have gone in such a short amount of time? They both rushed around, desperately trying to find the boy that was in the middle of the floor just moments ago. They each took off in different directions, searching for him. Jason was the one to find him, though. He was sitting against the display case of Jason's former robin costume. Jason walked closer to get a better look and saw the boy was falling asleep, fading in and out of consciousness. Jason walked closer to the boy and sat down in front of Danny, and in front of his old Robin costume. Jason cleared his throat, and said the boy's name, waking Danny.

“Hey Danny, what are you doing here? At this case?” Jason asked, nervous.

Danny looked at Jason sleepily, and opened his mouth to speak, but croaked out empty words instead. He furrowed his brows and lifted up his hands to sign, ‘familiar’.

Jason chuckled, “Yeah, pretty familiar to me too.” Danny smiled “Do you mind if I pick you up and bring you back to where we were before? I have some clothes more your size,” Jason said, Danny sleepily nodded his head and held his arms out. Jason chuckled and kneeled down, picking up Danny beneath his knees and shoulders in a bridal carry. 

Jason make his way back to where they were, seeing Alfred on his way, blushing when Alfred smiled sweetly at him. He wasn’t a dad! He just found a kid in need, and is taking care of him! There's nothing else going on, the kid is just under Jason's supervision until Jason can find a better place for him! No adoption going on here, no sir.

“Hey Danny, I grabbed these, they’ll still be a bit big on you but they’ll be better than the clothes you're wearing right now,” Jason said, bending down to grab the clothes with one of his hands, walking towards the bathroom Bruce built in the Batcave for when he went on one of his ‘staying down in the cave for three days straight’ escapades. Jason walked in and closed the door behind them, placing Danny down on the clean floors. 

“Hey kid I'm gonna change your clothes real fast, okay?” Jason asked, the kid sleepily nodded at Jason, still seconds away from falling asleep. Jason huffed out a laugh and unfolded the clothes the grabbed from Damian's room, the smallest he could find. Jason quickly switched out Danny’s clothes, careful to not disturb the bandages and other tubes sticking out of Danny’s chest and stomach. Jason grabbed Danny's old bloody clothes and tossed them into the trash, walking out of the bathroom with Danny carefully placed on his hip. Alfred approached Jason and Danny.

“Ready to go so soon, master Jason?” Alfred said with a smile.

“Yeah, I think we are. By the way Alfred,” Jason stared at Alfred with an intense shine in his eye, “Not a word , of this to B.” 

Alfred chuckled, “Yes, of course, master Jason. Young master Danny is a secret safe with me. However, If master Bruce figures it out on his own, I will not lie to him.”

“I wouldn’t ask that of you Alfred,” Jason said with a smile, then he thought for a second, “Well I would, but I would never expect you to uphold it.”

Alfred chuckled, “Of course. And, remember to change master Danny’s bandages daily, clean the tubes for his drainers, and massage his legs about every hour or so to make sure he doesn't lose circulation. Master Danny should make a full recovery in about 8 weeks. I am positive you will be able to care for him in that time.” Alfred said with a smile.

Jason smiled back at Alfred, walking over to his motorcycle. He stepped over the back and sat Danny in front of him, tucked tightly into his chest as he started his bike. Jason turned around and smiled at Alfred once more, and started the slow, careful ride back to his apartment.

Chapter 3: Homecoming

Summary:

Jason finally gets lil Danny home.

Notes:

some neutral ground, not angst or fluff. as a treat.

TW mention of wounds and medical equipment

Jason left his bike in an alley next to his house and started climbing the fire escape, careful not to jostle the sleeping Danny in his arms. He silently slides the window open and climbs into his apartment, keeping the lights off and walking towards his room. He opened the door and sat Danny down on his bed, he’ll just sleep on the couch tonight instead. Danny stirred while he was being laid down on the bed, looking up at Jason with sleepy eyes, those same eyes widening and frantically darting around the room.

“Hey Danny, we’re back at my apartment right now, you’re in my bed.” Jason soothed Danny, who took only a moment before relaxing almost immediately. Jason stilled for a moment, thinking. Once he came to a conclusion, he stared at Danny again, “I’ll bring you some warm tea for your throat and I’ll be back in here every once in a while to check on you. I have to massage your legs every hour or so for circulation, okay?” Danny nodded nervously. Jason smiled and grabbed a small machine from a pocket in his jacket and held it up, showing it to the younger boy, “This, is a wound vac. It won't hurt you, I promise, I just need to plug it into one of the tubes and stick it onto your waistband. Sound okay?” Jason waited for a nod of approval and cautiously lifted up Danny’s shirt, taking a minute to attach one of the tubes to the machine and clipped it to Danny’s slightly oversized waistband. Jason clicked a small button and a soft whirring sounded as the machine started. Danny scrunched his nose and squirmed in the bed, looking down at his chest and the little white machine, bringing his hand up to poke at the tube. Jason pulled down the boy's hand, “Feel weird?” Danny looked up and nodded, Jason huffed a laugh and smiled a small smile. He sat there for a minute to watch and make sure the machine was working the way it needed to.

Jason pulled Danny’s shirt back down and pulled the sheets up, looking back at him, “Alright, I’ll be back in a bit with the tea, then you try and get some sleep, yeah?” Jason said with a soft smile, Danny showed off a small closed-mouth smile and laid his head down, peaking his eyes open, scanning the room.

Jason stood up, walked towards the door, and glanced back before leaving, leaving the door open just a bit so light could still spill through. Does he even have any tea in his apartment?

---

Danny stared at the door for a moment, listening to Jason's steps retreat, then threw the blankets off and immediately stood up, wincing at the pain. It definitely hurt less than it did before, and took less effort now that he didn't need to hold his organs in, but he had to actually asses his surroundings now. He stood up straight, holding himself up against the wall, and looked himself over. Fuck. He saw it before, but now he could really see it. He was young. Small. Tiny, even. How old was he? Based on his hands and height, maybe, seven? He felt younger but he needed to keep some dignity and he had no clue who he was with, well obviously it was Red Hood, but how does he know he can trust him? Okay yes, Red Hood was his favorite hero and a lot of the other ghosts in this area loved Red Hood for the revenge he got on their killers, but how could Danny be sure Red Hood wouldn’t turn him in to the government the moment he finds out Danny isn’t actually a meta? Danny needs to get out of here. But how? Hood kept the door just barely open and Danny can hear Hood in the kitchen struggling through cabinets and all that, ancients he just… the window! Danny can get out through the window, though it might hurt his new stitches, and, tubes, or whatever is in him right now, but a way out is a way out! 

Danny made his way to the window and turned the top of it intangible, feeling a strong ache in his core, pushing it up till the lock won't work, then realizing just how short he was he floated up. Er, he did, but it was far too painful to even try. Falling back to his feet he stood there for a moment, listening to see if Red Hood heard him… Nothing, okay, good. He slid a chair over to the window and started slowly sliding the window open just enough to slip out. He smiled at himself and stuck a leg out, when his ghost sense went off. Thick and heavy, weighing down his throat, kind of like the way it does when he gets a note from clockwork, or when he fought undergrowth, but not as full and thick. Not exactly ancient, but old, weathered, worn. He heard shuffling behind him and spun his head around, heart pounding, ancients he can’t protect himself like this he could barely fly how was he supposed to attack someone- when the feeling of Calm/Safe/ItsOkay/Familiar/IKnowYou rushed over his senses. He looked to where the feeling came from and saw a woman in a beautiful dress standing in front of the door. She kneeled down and placed a hand over where her heart would be, and lowered her head.

“Your Majesty,” The woman said

Danny looked at her confused, hands shaking, ancients was he really that weak? sending out a wave of Confused/WhoAreYou/Uncomfortable/NotAKing/GetAway as he positioned himself more comfortably sitting on the window sill, ready to jump out at a moment's notice. The woman looked up at him and smiled, standing again.

“My name, is Gotham. You are currently in my haunt." Danny's blood ran cold at that, "No need to worry though, Clockwork brought you to me after you appeared at his haunt. I am aware your body is significantly younger than your mind, as I was there when Clockwork reversed your age. I am not aware of why he would do so, but Clockwork said that everything was 'as it needed to be', so I suppose we’ll find out eventually.” she said, a smile on her lips.

Danny assessed her for a few moments while she stood, before raising his hands to sign, ‘you know clockwork?’ Gotham huffed a laugh at that.

“I did, we had a past together, but as he says, ‘time will go on’ and we went our separate ways.” She said with a fond smile.

Danny scrunched his nose, signing ‘Gross’

Gotham laughed and walked closer. “Now, I know that you are weary of the Red Hood,” Danny nodded “Well, know that not only do I trust him with my afterlife, but he is my first and only pick for caring for you whilst you are injured and recovering.” 

Danny thought over what Gotham had said. He hadn’t heard of her yet but he knew she was being honest about everything she had said. He stared at her nervously and brought up his hands to sign ‘Safe?’ Gotham smiled and walked over to the kid before her. She motioned to him and the bed and he nodded, she picked up Danny and brought him back to Red Hood's strangely comfortable bed. She laid him down and walked back to the window, closing things and fixing the room with a smile as she spoke.

“Yes, your majesty. It is very safe here. Not only does Red Hood wish to keep you safe, but I can tell he has already grown attached to you. I cannot see timelines, or into the future like Clockwork can, but know that I have watched Red Hood grow from a babe to the man he is now, and Red Hood will do absolutely everything in his power to keep you safe. I know that for certain. Now,” she smiled at him as she finished placing the room the way it was before Danny tried to leave, “I best leave before he sees me again. Farewell, your Majesty.” She said with another kneel and bow of her head. The tall woman melted into the shadows, disappearing as footsteps approached the room Danny lay in. The door pushed open and the tall man walked in with a batman mug in hand, a sweet smell wafting from it as he walked over. 

“Hey kiddo, I made you some tea.” Danny looked at it and brought one of his hands out of the blanket, ‘green?’ Jason smiled back at the boy and helped him sit up. “Yup, got it to a comfortable temperature too, not hot or cold enough to hurt you. Just take small sips, okay?” Danny nodded and grabbed the mug, bringing it to his nose with the help of Jason and sniffing, smells like normal green tea, no other strong scents and doesn't look like anything else has been put in it, Danny took a small sip and glanced at the masked man next to him. “I added a bit of honey too, just to make it sweeter.” Jason carefully took the mug from Danny and placed it on the bedside table, still within reach of the bed. He helped Danny lay back down on the bed and brought the blankets up to cover the boy. Jason stood up and walked to the door. “I’ll be back in a little while to massage your legs like I said, goodnight, Danny.” Jason smiled softly as he softly shut the door.

---

Jason stood at the kitchen counter. He hung his head and let out a sigh. His comm rang in his ear, Oracle sounding off “Red Hood, you haven’t checked in in a while, is everything okay?” Jason huffed a laugh and opened his comm with a smirk. How in the hell was he supposed to play this off?

“Everythings fine. I originally left to get off early but forgot to comm in, then I was with Agent A getting medical assistance. I’m turning in.” Jason cut off the people on the other side asking about what the hell happened for him to have to go to ALFRED for medical help???? Jason sighed, thinking about the boy in his room. The very injured, stitched up, bloody boy, who needed Alfred to help him so he wouldn't die, because of some jackass- Jason sighed. He took a deep breath and counted in his head, the green tinge flowing from his eyes. He thought back on his night so far. He had some fights, decided to go home early, found some strange lady in his house that just, fucking dropped a child on his couch, and left. Said child then needed stitches and needs to stay with Jason to get the medical help he very desperately needs. Jason pulled his domino mask off his face and rubbed his eyes, letting out a soft heartfelt “Fuck.” Jason looked down at his clothes, covered in the small boy's blood. Jason sighed again and pushed off the counter, walking towards his bathroom and stripping off his body armor once he got there. Starting up a hot shower to really think about what the fuck just happened. He really did just find a kid and offer up his home. He’s turning into Bruce, isn’t he? Nope. not at all. He just saw a kid in need and helped him. Jason stilled with his hot pink loofah against his chest. How was he supposed to clean the kid off? He’s gonna have to call Alfred. Jason quickly got out of the shower and dried himself off, grabbing a set of clean clothes that he always kept in his bathroom (what, he can't be prepared? Sue him.) and left going into his living room and laid down on the couch. Maybe some kinda wet wipes? Danny definitely can't take a shower or take a bath so those are probably his best bet, though he can just wash Danny’s hair in his sink. Jason plugged his phone in and set a timer for an hour, tossing it to the floor. He closed his eyes and laid his head back on the hard pillow, readjusting a few times before he just threw it off the couch. Whatever, might as well try and get some sleep.

Notes:

Thanks for all the well wishes last chapter, and I love reading everyone's comments about Gotham, no need to worry, she will return!!

Chapter 4: Bonding Time

Summary:

Some lovely Bonding fluff between Jason and Danny.

Notes:

Warning for some medical care and fluff >8]

Sitting up with a start, Danny readied an ectoblast in his hand, lurching forward in pain at using his powers. He clenched his burning palm to his chest, his core ached but his hand felt as if someone had shot a blast and he had caught it with his bare palm. Danny sucked in a deep painful breath and counted in his head until the pain was more bearable. He listened closer and heard a string of curses from what sounded like the kitchen, and huffed a small laugh at that. Danny carefully shifted the blankets off him and walked to the door, stuffing his hand in his pocket. He reached up and pulled the door open silently, walking toward where the cinnamon smell came from. He turned the corner and saw Red Hood in the kitchen in normal clothes, making something good smelling at the stove. Danny thought for a moment and padded his way over to the tall man, and tugged on his grey sweatpants. The man jumped and turned, looking down at the small kid in front of him. Danny saw Red Hoods bare face with a deep J scar he couldn’t see before, makeup, maybe? and let out a chirp from his core, throwing his hands to his eyes and spinning around. 

The man huffed a laugh, smiling, “It’s okay, kid. I know your name and face so it’s only fair, right?”

The man crouched down and carefully tugged Danny’s shoulder, turning him around and pulling his hands down slowly, “My name’s Jason, Jason Todd. I’m 20 years old and I'm also Red Hood. Nice to meet you.” 

The man, er, Jason stuck his hand out for him to shake. Danny stuck his small hand into Jason's, his fangs pushing through his close-lipped smile. Jason shook his hand and stood back up, turning to what he was making on the stove. 

“All I’ve got right now for food you can eat is oatmeal, that okay?” Jason turned to Danny as he nodded his head. Danny spun around and walked over to one of the tall counter chairs, grunting trying to pull himself up, one leg on a peg on the chair, Can’t fly up, fuck, what am I supposed to do? He felt two hands grab him and slowly lift him up to the chair. He turned and saw Jason standing there, two bowls of cinnamon oatmeal on the counter. 

He slid one over to Danny with a small spoon in it, “remember to blow on it, it’s hot.” Danny looked down at the oatmeal confused, thinking about what had happened with Jason since yesterday. Danny tilted his head in confusion and looked up to Jason, lifting his hands up.

‘Why are you helping me?’ Danny signed. Jason paused for a moment, a spoon hanging from his mouth. He pulled it out and set the spoon back in the bowl.

“Well, I saw you were hurt and needed help that I was able to give you, so I’m gonna help you however I can,” Jason stared into his bowl for a moment, glancing up at the boy in front of him, “Do you… hm. Danny, do you have somewhere to go? Someone I can call?” 

Danny looked down at his lap, wringing his hands together. He thought of his paren- Jack and Maddie, thought of Jazz, thought of Sam and Tucker. Jazz was off at college and likely didn’t even know he was gone. Best not to bother her, she got out. Jazz got a normal life, that's all Danny could have wanted, he can’t drag her back into his ghostly shit just because he needs help. Sam and Tuck though, he doesn't know what happened with them. The day he told Jack and Maddie he texted them, telling them to come over so they could celebrate because his parents took it well! All they did was go down to their lab after giving him a kiss on his forehead, that deserved a little celebration! But, Sam and Tuck never came. Not that day, not when Jack and Maddie drugged and dragged him down to the basement, no, lab, and not when he was screaming, crying, begging for them to stop please stop-

A single glowing tear fell down Danny’s cheek. He lifted a shaking hand and signed out a ‘no’ Jason bit his lip and sighed, reaching forward and ruffling Danny’s hair, pulling him away from his thoughts before he could spiral anymore. Jason had been there before, that kid didn’t need to. He looked up through his messy bangs at Jason's soft smile.

“Well, if you’d like, I have a spare room you can stay in for now, only as long as you want, of course,” Jason said softly, bringing his arms back to fold them against the table. Danny stilled for a moment, thinking about what Gotham had said the night before. She said Jason was safe, and she trusted him. Hmm. Well, Danny could always use his powers against Jason if he really needed to, he really hopes he doesn't so, he guesses he’ll be okay. Danny nods and smirks at Jason's clear smile. Jason nods and nudges the oatmeal at Danny again, “Eat up kid, before it gets cold.”

Danny looks down at it and sniffs it, trying to smell for anything out of the ordinary. Smelling nothing, Danny lifts the slightly-too-big spoon to his mouth and tastes it- oh, it’s good. Danny freezes and looks up towards Jason in shock, his face making Jason duck his head in laughter

‘How?’ Danny signs, confused 

Jason laughs again, “Pretty good, huh?” Danny nods and swallows the bit in his mouth, greedily scooping for more. “Yeah, Alfie taught me everything I know about cooking. He and I made a lot together- oh hey, Danny, slow down” Jason stared at Danny’s puffed cheeks full of food. Danny winced as he swallowed, sheepishly smiling at Jason. He lifted his hands with a blush, ‘my favorite, how did you know?’ Jason smiled “Don’t worry about that kid.” They continued eating in silence.

Jason looked at Danny's hair again, it was matted and bloody, far overdue for a wash. He thought for a moment, “Is it alright if we wash your hair up after this?” 

Danny thought for a moment, pulling his hair down to see, and ew, he looked towards Jason and nodded, scooping the last bit of oatmeal into his mouth. Jason grabbed the empty bowls and brought them to the sink, rinsing them off and tossing them into the dishwasher. He turned around and walked over to Danny, “Mind if I pick you up? You really shouldn’t be moving around too much, with your injuries.” Danny nodded and Jason reached down, carefully pulling Danny onto his hip and walking towards the bathroom, pulling a chair with his free hand.

Once they got to the bathroom, Jason carefully placed Danny on the chair, leaning it back against the sink and using his foot as a stopper so it didn't fall. He looked down at Danny, sitting there pulling on his fingers.

“Got any temp preference?” He asked. Danny looked up and shook his head no, so Jason just nodded and turned the water on, struggling with the handles for a moment before he found the right temperature. He sat Danny a bit higher on the chair and laid a washcloth on the edge of the sink so it wouldn't hurt his neck. Jason leaned Danny’s head back and started scooping water onto his hair, using his fingers to gently comb through it and pull out large chunks of blood and… something else out as he went. Jason had ended up using shampoo three times to wash out Danny’s hair, and ending with a little conditioner to keep his hair soft (Jason's not an animal, okay? Properly separating shampoo and conditioner is very important) and, finally, used a towel to pat Danny’s head softly. He looked down at the boy in front of him, who had fallen asleep at some point. Jason smiled softly and huffed a small laugh, gently tapping his shoulder to wake him up. His eyes flung open and he stared at Jason for a moment, before relaxing again.

“All finished in here. What do you say about heading out to the living room and watching a movie? I’ll make some hot cocoa?” Jason offered up. Danny seemed to think about it for a bit before nodding at him, a nervous smile on his face. Jason's smile widened a bit as he picked up the boy and carefully brought him to his couch with a towel, setting Danny down and picking up the remote. “So, what do you wanna watch?” 

Danny perked up, lifting his hands signing ‘Dead Teacher 4’ excitedly.

“Oh? And what's that movie about?” Jason asked, but he felt stupid since it was in the name

‘Zombies’ Danny signed with a smile on his face.

“Well, I’m not exactly the first person I would ask, but personally, I don't think a zombie horror movie about school teachers is appropriate for a six-year-old.” Jason sighed out. Danny pouted.

‘But I’ve already seen it, and I know about your work as Red Hood. And!’ He signed with purpose, ‘if it gets too scary you can turn it off, right?’  he stuck out his bottom lip and gave his best puppy eyes as he tried to plead to the crime lord who once dropped several severed heads in a duffle bag on a table as an intimidation tactic, who got training to become a professional assassin, who has acquired a very high confirmed kill count, who has ended lives without a second thought and who is running a large portion of Crime Alley as they speak. The very same crime lord who seemed to be breaking by the second.

Jason sighed after a moment and held up the remote to point at Danny, “Fine. But no games, alright? You said it yourself, if I think It’s too scary for you to be watching them its getting turned off immediately.” Danny gave a toothy smile as Jason turned to get the movie started with a sarcastic huff. Hell yeah! His parents never would’ve let him watch that, not even Jazz and he always had to go with Sam and Tucker and he had to- oh. Right. Danny's face fell as he stared at the ground. He wearily pulled one of his legs up to his chest as he thought about his family. Well, what was left of it, if there even was anything. A hand laid itself softly on his shoulder.

“How are you, kid?” Jason asked, the movie ready on the tv behind him, huh, he’d been lost in his head longer than he thought. Danny looked down at the floor again, trying to clear the thoughts from his head. Jason seemed to notice and stood, grabbing a blanket before draping it over Danny, the warmth encompassing him. It took another minute or two of Jason’s grounding hand on his shoulder and his own fingers running over the soft blanket over him before he looked back up at Jason and smiled, ‘better now’

“That's good to know. You ready for the movie?” he nodded and Jason smiled in response, pacing towards the kitchen. “So, kid, how do you like your hot chocolate? Water, milk, sweet, bitter, with peppermint, what’cha thinkin'?” He looked back towards Danny over the counter, who was looking at him like he just offered him a lifetime supply of candy.

‘It can have all that?’ Danny signed with wide eyes. Okay, they’re definitely trying every single one. There's no way he could possibly live with the Jason Todd without knowing his favorite hot cocoa recipe, especially without knowing you could make so many different kinds? Alfred would simply die if he heard of it. Jason only smiled though and winked at Danny.

“You bet kid, I’ll make my personal recipe and you tell me what you think, yeah?” Jason looked up from where he was grabbing a cutting board and saw Danny eagerly nodding his head. Well, He can’t just leave a kid like that, so he got to work. Throwing a pot of milk on the stove to boil, throwing a bit of chopped up chocolate, sprinkling in some cinnamon, When it was done melting together, he laid down a small piece of homemade fudge-leftover from his last visit to the manor- into each mug before pouring in the chocolatey mix and letting it melt the fudge for a few minutes. He then added a bit more milk to cool it down, and topped it with some mini marshmallows. He waited until the hot chocolate was at a safe temperature for Danny before bringing them over, it seemed like the movie hadn’t even started yet. “What, not interested anymore?” He joked as he handed the warm mug to the small kid. He shook his head and brought up a hand, ‘waiting for you’. Jason stilled at that. If his heart felt like it grew a few sizes, well that was for him to know. Jason set his cup down on the table next to the couch and started the movie, walking around to behind Danny.

“I’m gonna try and dry off some of your hair, though it seems pretty good now.” Jason stared for a moment and thought. Danny’s hair was long, Before when it was messy and matted with blood, it had looked short.  But once clean it was clear how long it really was, down to his shoulders in some spots. He didn’t think anything of it but now that he could really watch Danny, he saw that he was constantly pushing it out of his eyes and glaring at it, huffing and moving it and... yeah, Danny didn’t like it. He thought for a moment. “Hey, kid, I know I'm not exactly a hair stylist or anything, but would you like me to cut your hair?” Danny spun around, confusion on his face. “If you don’t want me to it’s fine, no big deal okay-” He was cut off by Danny waving his hands around in front of him, stopping for a moment to think before signing, ‘I don’t like it long.’ his hands stilled a moment in thought, ‘please, cut it’ And even if Jason knew he would butcher it, he couldn’t say no to that face. Jason smiled and walked into his kitchen, grabbing a pair of scissors and returning with the smile still on his face.

“How short do you want it kid?” He asked. Danny thought for a moment and held his fingers up, pinched not too far apart from each other. Jason nodded to him completely serious, “I’ll see what I can do for ya.” Jason said mocking a hairstylist. Truth be told he was nervous, he had never cut someone else's hair before, but he was a strong hard-working vigilante who had taken down insanely strong criminals before, how hard could a haircut be? 

Hard, apparently, as he was cutting off pieces here and there, doing what he could to keep it even and at the length Danny asked, he got to the side of Danny’s head when he barely missed the kids ear. His pointed ear. His breath hitched and Danny’s ear twitched. Looking up at him in confusion, tilting his head like a confused puppy at Jason, who just smiled and patted his head. “Almost done, kid.” He had to be careful not to clip the kids ear, but god there’s gonna be so much hair on his couch for weeks after this. Jason finished it up and stood back, he thinks he did alright! Okay fine, he did okay, but Danny won’t mind all too much, right? Jason stepped around to look at Danny in front of him, smiling when Danny let out small noises of complaint when he couldn’t see the movie. Danny's messy-wavy hair definitely made the hairstyle look better. Jason smiled and ruffled his hair, walking back to the kitchen to grab a lint roller from his bullshit-drawer and walking back over to Danny, using a few sheets to clean up the boy and his couch, god his couch.

Jason tossed the sticky wrappers and checked the time, seeing that it was about when he should play doctor and check on Danny. He walked into his room where he's been holding everything while he cares for Danny throughout the hours, grabbing the materials and bringing them into the room with the small boy. He stepped in front of Danny and sat on his knees, looking up at the boy.

“I gotta and clean you up a bit, sound good?” He asked Danny. Danny looked down and pulled his shirt up, leaning back into the couch. “Alright, I’ll try and be careful but you tell me if anything hurts, okay?” Danny nodded.

Jason pulled the small bulb at the end of the tube and drained it into a red solo cup, squeezing it and attaching it back to the tube. He pulled off the old gauze and grabbed some new pieces, using a wet washcloth to dab around the insertion of the tubes before taping new gauze on again. Using this time to really see Danny’s skin up close without him panicking, he could see all the small bruises and cuts deep in his skin. Jason huffed and tugged Danny’s shirt back down. Standing up and grabbing everything he brought over, he took it to the trash and washed his hands. He walked back over and sat next to Danny, warning the boy before massaging his legs for him, both groaning at bad parts in the movie and talking about how the movie is really just so bad it’s good.

The movie finally finished and Jason and Danny sat on the couch, pissed by the cliffhanger the movie left them on.

“Oh come on, you can’t just tease us like that!” Jason yelled at the TV.

‘Exactly! And we aren’t even sure if there’s going to be another one! It’s bullshit!’ Danny huffed as he signed.

“Language, kid. But yeah, you’re right it’s bullshit.” Jason leaned back into the couch, worn down from all the times his friends and family came over, from the times he crashed on the couch instead of his bed, of being used for so long that it creaked at the slightest movement. He needs a new couch. With a huff he leaned forward and grabbed the remote, going to turn the TV off, when Danny tapped his arm to get his attention, signing to him.

‘What’s your favorite movie?’ 

Huh. He really didn’t watch a lot of movies. Books, yeah he could talk about them for hours but movies? He never really watched them. Hmm. Well, when he was robin he dragged Dick into watching The Princess Bride together when Dick was on about “brotherly bonding”. Why would Danny ask? 

“Well, I like The Princess Bride. Why?” Jason asked, confused.

Danny looked at his lap and squirmed for a second, and Jason had thought he had said something wrong until the boy raised his hands again, ‘Let’s watch it, so we know each other's favorite movies.’ Jason smiled at that.

“Sure thing, kiddo.” He opened up Dicks Disney+ account he stole the password to and started the movie, pretending not to notice when Danny started nodding off next to him. Once Danny had slumped his head, Jason reached over and softly tucked Danny’s head into his side, rubbing small circles into his back. And if Danny started making rumbling noises from his chest and curling his small body into Jason's side? Well, Jason wouldn’t ask or tell.

Chapter 5: Settling In

Summary:

Jason and Danny spend time together and get closer

Notes:

I have covid so hopefully I can churn out some more chapters soon!
key for the texting bit
Dickie=Dick
Replacement=Tim
Bitch=Bruce
Mini Bitch=Damian

The movie had ended quite a while ago, and Jason had turned the tv to regular cable and the volume low so as to not disturb Danny. The boy had been tucked into his side, making noises that could only be described as a cat's purring, for hours. It was quite cute, actually. Jason was, is, confused at the rumbling coming from the small child. Yet, Danny had a soft smile on his face and remnants of chocolate on his mouth from the hot chocolate that he gulped down the moment he held it. Jason had been thinking- about how the child got here, who, what, brought him into Jason's personal apartment, the odd healing and the weird way he hesitated when telling Jason he was a meta- and figured human was probably… not, what the child was. However, Jason really doesn’t give a fuck. As long as he’s okay and isn't a danger to himself or others, Jason really doesn’t care if Danny falls in the human category. Now, first and foremost, Danny needs to sleep somewhere, and by god if Jason’s gonna keep sleeping on his couch. Don’t get him wrong, the couch is comfy, but sleeping on a worn-down couch isn’t the most… well, confidence-boosting. So. Jason knows there's another room in his apartment, it’s being used for weapons storage, but there's gotta be some empty closets littered throughout the apartment he can put his weapons in, right? Whatever.

Jason slid his hands underneath Danny's small legs, far too small for a kid his age, and lifted him slowly. The small boy stirred in his arms, and Jason whispered to him that he was just taking him to bed, he’s okay, and the boy's eyes fluttered closed again. Jason shimmied his elbow against the doorknob until it finally twisted open, pushing the door open with his back and walking into the Dark room. When Danny had woken up earlier, it was actually near midday, not the morning like he had thought. The boy had slept for hours the night before, god knew he needed it with those wounds. Jason paced over to the bed and slowly laid Danny down on it, tucking him in before quietly leaving the room again and heading towards his spare room. 

He opened the door and walked in, sighing at the amount of weapons in the room. Usually he would be fine with having so many weapons in his house, but Danny needing a place to stay was far more important than some bullshit organizational system. Jason started picking up weapons and categorizing them into firearms, mele, explosives, chemicals, and smoke bombs. God he has too many weapons. Jason picked up weapons and brought them to different areas in the house, some of each in every room just in case he needed to grab it and run. 

Jason sighed at the sight of the- mostly- clean room and hung his head. He definitely didn’t get enough sleep last night. He walked towards the bed and tugged the sheets off, grabbing the pillowcases and throwing them into the washing machine. He walked towards the closet in the hallway and pulled spare bedsheets out, struggling with the fitted sheet for a few minutes but eventually getting them all on. No more dusty sheets. 

Jason sat down on the couch and hung his head on the back. It was around 17:47 now, and he knew he would have to take care of Danny again soon. He closed his eyes and was drifting off to sleep when a buzzing noise rang out through the apartment. Jason pulled his hands up and scrubbed his face before standing up and slumping up to the door. He pressed a small button on the wall and spoke into it, “Hello?”

“Package for uhh… Mr.Spanky?”

“Yeah that’s me… Who’s it from?”

“One Alfred Pennyworth.”

“Ahh, okay. Bring it up.” Jason pressed a button next to the other one he previously pressed and a beeping noise sounded. A minute passed before a knock rapped through the door. Jason looked through the peephole, waiting for the man to leave before pulling it wide open and grabbing the box, bringing it back to the table in the living room, setting it in front of Danny on the couch.

“What are you doing up? You should be resting right now Danny.” Jason said with a scowl.

‘Mr.Spanky?’ Danny signed with a smirk.

“Hey, kid, I can’t let just anyone know I’m living here.” Jason said as his face softened, gesturing to the large package in his arms as he set it down on the table, “This is a package from Alfred and we don’t get stuff from him, well, ever, really. Wanna help me open it up?” Danny nodded and walked toward the table with the box, but he was too short to reach.

Danny huffed and looked up to Jason, motioning to the box, who picked up the box and set it on the ground for Danny to see the top of. Jason pulled his hoodie up and grabbed a knife from his waistband and slid it through the tape, ripping it open and then pulling the flaps on the box open for them to see. There were two notes, one with Jasons name on top and one with Danny’s. They each reached for their respective one and opened it, reading silently next to each other.

‘Dear Master Jason,

After seeing you in the cave with Young Master Danny, it has come to my attention that he will likely be staying with us for an extended period of time. I have taken the liberty of collecting a few items that will start Young Master Danny’s recovery and incorporation into the family much smoother. I have plenty of experience with children and if you require any assistance at all, feel free to call me on the personal phone I have. No matter the circumstances, I will answer.

In the package, I have included more medical equipment, clothes that should be more suited to Young Master Danny’s comfortability, blankets that should make sleeping easier on his healing body, and toys and games to pass the time whilst he heals. If you require anything else, please contact me or order it yourself for your new ward.

Good luck with Young Master Danny,

Here's to hoping he’s easier than Master Bruce,

With love, Alfred Pennyworth.’

Jason sat bluescreening at the phrase “new ward” when Danny tapped his shoulder with a concerned look on his face. Jason took a second to collect himself again and set the paper note on the table next to Danny’s, that he assumed he had finished reading not long ago. He opened the box and pulled out the medical equipment on the top and placed it next to the two cards from Alfred. He looked down at Danny, who was sitting there with his hands in his lap, staring back at Jason.

“Go ahead, Not sure what Alfie’s card said but as far as I’m aware, this entire box is yours,” Jason said, motioning to the box, “Go ahead and open it up.”

Danny smiled and sat up onto his knees, peering into the large box in front of him. He reached his arm in and pulled out some clothes, just regular striped shirts, jeans, some shorts, winter gear, etc. Danny continued pulling things out of the box, like some toys and card games (he was going to kick Jason’s ass at Uno) and finally at the bottom were the blankets Alfred mentioned in his note to Jason. Danny reached his hand in and pulled out a blanket, then another, and another smaller blanket. He looked up at Jason in confusion, who only shrugged. He only reached in and pulled out another blanket. Apparently, according to Alfred, Jason didn’t own enough blankets. He smiled and draped the blanket over Danny’s shoulders. The last blanket, old and worn out with a few permanent stains and sewn-in patches showing off its true age. This was the blanket that Jason had chosen the first time he went shopping with Bruce. This was his first purchase that he made without wondering if he’d have enough money for food because his mother had spent it on drugs. This blanket was the first thing that showed Jason he had truly started a new life, a new beginning, and now it was Danny’s. Danny’s new life. Danny’s new beginning. 

Jason picked up the box and brought it to the door, he’d take it out later. He turned to Danny and smiled, “Do you like what you have so far?” Danny nodded his head and pulled the warm blanket around himself tighter, “Let’s bring it to your room, yeah?”

Danny froze and looked at Jason confused, ‘My room?’ he signed.

Jason smiled and picked up some of the clothes off of the floor, “Yup. While you were out cold I cleaned up my spare room for you, if you’d like to have it?” Danny smiled and picked up a blanket in his arms, the old one on his back still, nodding his head. They both walked down to the end of the hall and entered what used to be a weapons room.

“I know it’s not the coolest-looking room, and I’m sure you’ve seen better but it’s all I have right now. Maybe later we could try to-” Jason was cut off by a tugging on his pant leg.

‘Perfect’ Danny signed, walking into the room and tossing the blankets onto the bed. He turned around and walked back into the living room to grab more things, as Jason dropped off the clothes onto Danny’s bed. It took a few trips to grab everything before they could finally start finding places for everything. Danny wrapped himself in a blanket nest and sat on his new bed while Jason put away all the clothes, making sure to stay in clear view of the boy's eyesight the whole time. Jason finally finished and stood, smiling and motioning for Danny to stay on the bed and running out of the room.

Jason finally came back with a computer in his arms and sat down on the end of the bed so Danny and him were facing each other, and placed the computer in between them with a store's website open.

“You know how to shop online?” with a questioning nod from the younger boy, he continued, “Alright. Whatever you want to get, go ahead and add it to the cart.” Jason said with a small smile on his face. He remembered when he got to do this with Bruce, it was a good bonding experience and showed that Bruce trusted him, most importantly, though, was that it was fun. 

‘Anything?’ Danny signed

“Anything. There’s no limit to what you want to buy. Er, as long as it can fit inside this room, of course.” Jason smiled at the small boy as his face lit up. Danny pulled the computer closer to him and thought for a moment before typing rapidly into the search bar. Danny went between typing excitedly and scrolling. Occasionally, Jason would peek over the computer screen and see what Danny was looking at, sometimes clothes, sometimes toys, sometimes decorations and other things throughout the cart. Eventually, Danny sat up and looked at Jason, nodding and sliding the computer back over.

“All done?” Jason asked. Danny nodded with a smile, “Okay, well. Very serious and big question here so pay attention.” Danny’s smile falls a bit and he looks worried, a crease in his brow as Jason feigns seriousness. Of course, Jason can't hold it for long and breaks, “Have you ever played Uno before?”

Danny's smile came back in the form of a mischievous smirk as he nodded his head.

“Okay then. Since Alfie threw it in that box somewhere, and I know you probably aren't sleeping any time soon, go ahead and set it up in the living room and I’ll be out there in a second.” Danny nodded and carefully slid off of the bed, walking to the living room.

Jason spun the computer around and scanned the items in the cart. Hmm. He definitely likes space and… that’s definitely a plush he got. Meh. Jason searched up a few things and added them to the cart as well before placing the order to his alias of Mr.Spanky. Jason closed the computer and stood up, walking into the living room to play uno with Danny.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason sat at the table with a hand on his face, staring at the cards in his hand. How the fuck was he losing? To a child????

“Okay, you’ve gotta teach me how you’re doing this, kid,” Danny smiled and his shoulders shook in a mock giggle as he held his cards higher up towards his face so Jason couldn’t see them, “I mean, honestly, I was going to let you win because I’m nice like that, but you’re kicking my ass right now, and I can’t even tell if you’re cheating!” Jason said exasperated. He tossed his cards down and stood up reaching for his phone, seeing Danny’s shoulders shake again as he laid down his own overpowered hand of cards which was bullshit, thank you very much.

Jason tugged his phone out of his pocket and opened up the family groupchat labeled with a single bat emoji. He typed out a message and watched as messages rolled in immediately afterward.

You:

My patrol route is going to be constricted for a while, I’m not sure for exactly how long but it’s going to be tighter and for shorter periods of time. I’ll need someone to cover for me in the areas I can’t reach. 

Dickie: JAY

Dickie: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN

Dickie: WE’VE BEEN SO WORRIED

Replacement: what did you do to have to go to ALFRED for help????

Not important. Just cover for me. :You

Bitch: Jason. What happened.

Mini Bitch: Todd. What have you done to get yourself injured in a way you not only needed Pennyworth’s help, but also do not wish to tell us? 

Cover. Me. :You

Dickie: Whats the magic word Jay?

You: Fuck you

Replacement: Eh close enough, we’ll cover you.

Jason clicked the off button and slid his phone back into his pocket, grabbing Jenga from the box Alfred had sent them and turned around, seeing Danny setting up a Sorry game board while kicking his feet beneath the table. Jason walked back over and sat down again in front of him, setting the box on the ground and grabbing the blue pawns as Danny had already chosen the green ones.

Long after Jason had lost multiple times to Danny, he stood up and stretched, cracking his back. He turned towards Danny and started packing up the game. “So, Danny. I have to go out for patrol tonight. I would stay if I could, but I can’t. So, first things first, ground rules.” Jason lifted a finger and stared at Danny, who was looking at him confused, as if he had never heard the word ‘rules’ in his life. “First, you have to go to bed at the absolute most at 20 hundred. Second, if you’re hungry, go ahead and eat what you can reach, but, don't eat too much ‘cause you’ll get sick. Third, clean up any messes you make.” Danny was nodding during the whole thing, all the rules sounded good so far.

“And one more thing,” Jason said as he reached into his pocket before pulling out a small burner phone, “Use this in case of an emergency. It has my contact and Alfreds, call us if you need to, okay?” Danny nodded as he took the phone from Jason's hand and sat back in his chair. Jason smiled and patted Danny’s shoulder softly before walking off towards his room to change into his vigilante gear. Danny sat in his seat for a while, flipping the small phone between his hands until Jason walked out in his Red good regalia, sans the actual red helmet part of it. 

Danny looked up at Jason and smiled softly at him, signing, ‘be safe,” to which Jason smiled back and ruffled Danny’s hair.

“Of course, kiddo. When am I not?” He asked as he walked over to his window and slid it open, climbing out and shutting it quietly. He stared at Danny for a moment again before jumping up, climbing off to his patrol routes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Danny sat on the couch in the main room of the apartment, occasionally tuning his ears into Jason's heartbeat. I mean, he’s been around the man for almost three whole days, it was incredibly easy to listen in to this specific heartbeat, not to mention the ecto-contamination that was significantly higher than the rest of Gothamites and easy to take note of.

Danny’s ear twitches as Jason's heart rate dips for a mere second as Danny sits up straighter and tenses, straining his ears to listen closer only to hear… Jason is going stealth? In a warehouse? Oh. Danny’s ears tipped back as he laid against the couch again, sighing against the blanket draped over him. His eyes tugged themselves closer together, hoping to fall asleep. With a sigh Danny slowly brought himself up off the couch and walked toward his new room, dragging a torn-up blanket with him. 

While the nice old man- Alfred, had said that Danny would need, what, eight weeks? To recover, all he really needed was a few days with the right ectoplasm and nutrition. While Gotham was definitely ecto-contaminated, it wasn’t nearly as bad as Amity was, though, he was definitely getting better nutrition than he was back home so that was picking up the slack. Not to mention, Danny was getting copious amounts of sleep, after all this he might actually have a sleep schedule again. He wasn’t sure how he was going to hide his advanced healing from Jason, but the man already knew Danny was a meta, er, something along those lines, so maybe he would give Danny some leeway when it came to fast healing?

Danny huffed and climbed up the side of the tall bed that was gifted to him, he was focused on both Jason's heartbeat and thinking about himself. He sighed and let his heavy eyes close while he lifted the covers high above his head and squirmed down into the soft worn-down sheets.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason had finally finished his patrol -muggings, some drug dealers he needed to beat down, just some small fry closer to his apartment- so he could finally get back to his the kid. He narrowly escaped Dicks relentless questioning, not to mention how many times he had to shut his comms off after Oracle kept reopening and reopening them after he told everyone to fuck off. He landed softly on his fire escape and pulled himself inside only to hear crying throughout the apartment, followed by a weak choked out scream, as if the one screaming couldn't physically cry out- not to mention the incredibly cold temperature, even for it being late fall. He quickly pulled off his helmet and ripped his boots off to be quiet, pulling his guns from their holsters and cocking them, running towards Danny's room; he needed to see him, make sure he was okay, make sure nobody was in his room, make sure that-

He slammed the door open and saw an empty bed.

Chapter 6: The mini-meeting

Notes:

sorry for such a late update! The good news is my SAT's got canceled! the bad news is its cause there was a virus outbreak in my highschool that killed three teachers :/ anyways enjoy the chapter and ill get the next one out soon!

Jason stared into Danny's room as his heart skipped a beat, his bed is empty. Jason ran through the room and tore blankets off, ripped doors open and another garbled cry sounded out, from a different place in the apartment, his own room, he ran to his door and pulled it open, gun drawn and cocked, ready to fire at whoever was inside, stopping to see Danny curled into a shaking ball in his bed, just like he did when he had nightmares when he was with Bruce. He surveyed the room before lowering his guns and setting them on his table, walking over to Danny and sitting down on his knees next to the bed. Jason took a breath and carefully placed his hand on the boy's shaking shoulder, his eyes flying open as he sat up and let out another strained shout, immediately flinching at the pain it caused; tugging his stitches. He scooted back on the bed, an ecto-blast in his previously burnt hand, frying it more beneath the bandages. 

Jason lifted both his hands up to show he didn’t have anything to hurt Danny with, easing forward and placing one of his empty palms on the blanket next to Danny. After a few minutes of calming breathing exercises and Danny’s hand clenched tight around Jason's Jacket, Danny only had salty tears and shuddering shoulders.

“Danny, hey, Danny, look at me,” Jason pleaded in a small voice, “Take another deep breath for me.”

Danny looked across the room with glazed eyes, signing ‘don’t need to’ as more glowing tears fell on Jason's comforter. Not that he minds, of course.

“Humor me. Just, say, five more deep breaths, okay?” Danny nodded and did as Jason asked, his shoulders slowing with their shivering each time. A silence filled the air, only interrupted with a shaky breath from the small boy, “Do you want to talk about the nightmare?” Danny vigorously shook his head ‘no’, and Jason immediately reassured him it was okay, he won’t push.

Jason saw Danny’s eyes unfocused, staring into the corner of the room. He turned and looked as hard as he could, nothing. Not even that strange feeling he had in the back of his throat when that lady came to drop Danny off. Jason let out a hopeful breath of air and whispered Danny’s name again, he got a slow blink in response. Seeing Danny could still hear him, he carefully laid his palm on Dannys shoulder, who leaned into his touch seemingly unknowingly. Jason thought for a moment and put his free hand on Dannys other shoulder. The boy leaned over into his arms, Jason physically feeling the room's temperature rise back to normal levels. He led the small boy's head to his chest and with a lot of shifting and squirming eventually sat on his bed with Danny’s head tucked tightly into his chest, the rest of the boy curled into a shivering ball in his lap. Jason rubbed circles into Dannys back and whispered small words of comfort to him as the room temperature rose more and the shaking died down.

Not long after, Jason felt the shivers stop and the room float at a normal temperature. The boy in his arms still felt cold to the touch but that seemed to be his normal state, at least now it didn’t hurt to touch with is bare hand.  Jason sighed and felt the soft muted rumble of the boy under his hand as his comm beeped in his ear, Oracles voice flooding in.

“Sooooo… hot toddy, you gonna explain that cutie that's on your lap doing- what is that, purring?” Barbara asked with a tease.

Jason froze. Fuck. The rumbling abruptly stopped and the boy squirmed under his hand with a whine from his chest?

“Oh, Danny, are you okay? Are you in pain?” he tilted his head down to get a better look at the boy, who twisted up and opened his glassy eyes, nodding his head.

“Do you want tea? Hot chocolate?” Jason rubbed his hand up and down Danny's back in circular motions, as the boy nodded and leaned into his chest. Jason sat up and tucked the boy into his side, walking towards the kitchen. 

“So his name’s Danny?” Babs said, a smile in her voice. The boy pulled his head back and his ears twisted and flicked, his face contorting in confusion at Jason's mask.

Jason huffed and reached a hand up, clicking the comm and camera off so babs couldn't hear or see, “Just my sister, she usually helps during my patrol but right now she’s just being nosey.”

Danny’s ears flicked again and he brought his hand up to sign where Jason could see it, ‘she’s gone?’ 

Jason sighed and sat the small boy down on the counter and turned the lights on, dimming them immediately after Danny flinched, and smiled at him. “For now, yeah. How are you feeling?”

‘Tired, my throats dry and my chest hurts’ Danny lifted his hand and rubbed his red puffy eyes.

“Then let's fix that, how do you feel about some chamomile with a bit of soy?” Danny nodded and smiled.

A chirp filled Jason's ear and Barbara's voice filtered into his ear via the mask, “He’s so darn cute!”

Danny’s eyes darted to the floor, his face and ears flushing green, squirming in his seat on the counter.

“Oh my god Jason, he’s adorable!!” 

Jason huffed a laugh and shook his head, placing a kettle on the stove and turning it on, spinning around to a cabinet and opening it, “He can hear you babs.”

“Really?! Oh hi Danny! You are so stinkin’ cute! You look so much like Jason did when Bru-” her voice cut off with a click as Jason took off his domino and tossed it on the table.

“Okay, enough of the overbearing sister,” Jason said with a chuckle, grabbing a chamomile and a green tea bag and tossing them into their respective cups, spinning around and leaning against the counter, facing Danny, “Did you not like your room?”

Danny shook his head side to side, ‘I like the room, it was just…’  He sat there with a nervous look on his face and rubbed his neck, a nervous tick clearly.

“The nightmare?” Danny nodded his head with his eyes glued to the floor. Jason hummed and reached forward, ruffling the small boy's fluffy hair. “Don’t sweat it, kid. Happens to the best of us, even batman.”

‘Even,’ Danny stopped for a second and looked at Jason nervously, ‘Even you?’ 

“Yeah Danny, even me.”

The small boy got a smile on his face and looked further, tilting his head towards the kettle on the stove, pointing at it.

“Done?” a nod, “Alrighty, lets get some tea and head to bed.” Jason poured the teas and added soy milk and honey to their [respective] mugs, stirring them and handing a batman themed mug to Danny.

Danny took a cautious sip and smiled, not too hot, just the right amount of sweet, he thought. He looked up and nodded. Jason sipped his own tea for a bit before grabbing both mugs in one hand and Danny with the other, holding the boy on his hip. 

He walked into Danny's room and set the mugs down, carefully tucking him into his bedsheets hoping the boy didn't see the mess he made looking for him and clicking the light off next to the bed. He smiled and stood up before a soft tugging on his jacket pulled him back. He spun around and saw Danny lift his hands in the light drifting in from the hall.

‘Can you, stay? Please?’ 

“‘Course I can, kid. You go ahead and try to fall asleep, I’ll be here,” Jason sat down on the foot of the bed and put a hand on Danny’s shoulder, “Goodnight, kiddo. Sweet dreams.” 

Danny smiled and curled in on himself, the soft purring erupting from his chest after a few minutes, lulling Jason into a sleep of his own at the foot of Danny’s bed.

••••••

Danny woke up with a start, scanning the room for a second before remembering where he was. Jason's apartment. His own new bed. He felt a weight in his hand and saw a larger hand holding his own. He followed it down and saw Jason's face, calm and asleep. Danny pulled his legs out of the covers and crawled over to Jason's sleeping body, and curled into his side. For some unknown reason, Jason felt familiar, Danny could feel the ectoplasm inside of him calling out to Jason, telling Danny to stay with him. Jason felt sick. Danny wasn’t exactly sure why, but Jason needed help, he felt like he had ectoplasm inside of him, and not the good kind either. 

Danny was broken from his thoughts by a shifting from the large body next to him, Jason groggily wrapped his arm around Danny and pulled him closer, a small nearly indistinct rumble coming from his chest. Danny smiled and let his body make its own accompanying rumble and closed his eyes again, letting sleep wash over him in Jasons arms.

••••••

Danny woke up again to the feeling of something moving beneath him and opened his eyes, seeing Jason standing up and draping a throw blanket on top of him.

“Just heading to take a shower, I’ll be right back Danny, go back to sleep.” Jason said with a smile. Danny nodded and closed his eyes again, hearing Jason start the shower a few rooms over and drifting back into a calm sleep.

••••••

A window lock flipped and the window slid open, three girls quietly sliding inside, one in a green suit jacket and pants, one in black pants and a black shirt with a cat on it, and another in short shorts and a baggy gray shirt with a red duck on it. The one in green slipped and knocked an empty mug off of a side table, stilling when it hit the floor and staring at the blond girl who dramatically shushed her with a well manicured finger,the one in black on the fire escape rolling her eyes and whispering “amatures” under her breath. The one in black climbed with a practiced ease in and slid the window closed, walking over to the counter, seeing the sink and counter with dishes in sets of two. The one in the gray shirt pointed to two empty hot chocolate cups on the living room table, she runs over to the one in green and gasps, grabbing her hands and shaking them, squealing and jumping up and down.

“Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! I knew it! That’s why he wasn’t at gi-” the girl was cut off by the feeling of cold metal on her temple, before a loud sigh from where the gun was held and it lowered.

“Damn it Harley, I thought you were trying to rob me or somethin’, text me next time you wanna break into my apartment.” Jason said with a huff, uncocking the pistol and laying it on the counter.

“We were worried Jason! What were we supposed to think when you missed girls night and didn’t say anything! No text, no call, no pigeon-”

“Okay okay I get it, I’ll text you next time. Now get out. I have a shower to finish.” Jason said in fond annoyance, the three girls just now looking him over and seeing him in just a sloppily thrown on towel, water still dripping from his soapy hair as he turned around and walked back into the bathroom with a heavy sigh.

Harley turned to Ivy and started laughing, ivy joining in and leaning against the counter for support.

Ivy calmed down after a minute and laid down on the couch, which was, kinda scratchy? For some reason? But ignored it when Harley jumped in the air and landed on her with a loud ‘oof’, Salena dropping into a lazyboy chair.

Harley grabbed the remote and scrolled around different apps, turning on a show about some devil in california solving crimes, whatever. All of them watched the show for a while until they heard the squeak of a door- not the bathroom either-, freezing and turning to look at the door.

They looked lower as a small body came out of the room, an old and used blanket hanging off of a small child in worn down striped blue pajamas. The kid yawned and rubbed their eyes, walking forward a few steps before opening their eyes and seeing all three girls in the living room. Seeing them all the kid’s eyes flew open and started watering, they spun around fast and ran back into the room they were in, accidentally dropping the blanket and slamming the door closed behind them.

Selina turned around to the two girls on the couch with a shocked expression on her face, “Did Jason skip out on us because he has a kid?!”

Ivy sat herself and Harley up, confused. “Yeah, yeah I think so, and we just-”

“We just scared the shit out of that kid, who is now crying.” Harley said, jumping off of the couch and running towards the kids room, sitting down at the closed door. Selina and ivy ran behind her, Selina slowing down to grab the blanket . 

“Hey, kiddo, My names Harley Quinn and the other girl’s are my friends, Pamela Ivy, my wife, and Selina Kyle, we’re both really good friends of Jason. We were worried about your, uhm,” she turned to look at Ivy who shrugged and mouthed ‘dad?’ before spinning back to the door, “your dad, so we came to see if he was okay because he didn’t visit us yesterday.'' All three of them went quiet, only the sounds of the tv in the living room and Jason's shower in the apartment, as well as the quiet sniffling and hiccups of the boy on the other side of the door. There was no answer.

Selina stepped forward, smiling at harley before she spoke, “Hey, kitten, when you were going back to your room, you dropped your blanket,” Selina pulled up a corner to look at the poorly sewn in initials, “J.T-W.’ and smiled, “this blanket, it was your dad’s before, right?” 

A soft sniffle was heard. Selina sat down next to Harley, “Do you want it back? I swear I’ll just hand it to you, no tricks or anything.”

There was a moment's pause before the door creaked open just enough for the boy to look through with watery eyes. His hand signed through, ‘Promise?’ 

“Absolutely, yes, I promise. Here, see?” Selina held up the blanket to the boy, who quickly grabbed it and pulled it through the door. Selina smiled and pulled her hands to her lap, “nice to meet you, kitten. How are you?”

The boy wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and leaned against the doorframe, opening it a little more, ‘tired’ 

“Me too, I didn’t get much sleep last night.” the girls behind her giggled and she glared at them, the boy lifting his hand up.

‘Me too” the boy yawned.

“Did you stay up too late watching movies?” Harley asked with a smile.

He shook his head no, ‘Nightmares. But Jason helped.’ 

“Oh, he helped? What did the little mother cat do to help?” Selina said with a smile, leaning on her hand.

‘He made me tea, and held my hand, fell asleep with me.’ He wrapped his blanket around him tighter.

“Awe he’s so good at this! Jay has come so far! And, what’s your name, little nestling?” Harley asked with a smile, slowly reaching her hand forward to push the door open, waiting in case the boy pushed the door back shut. But he didn’t. He let her push the door open, and he sat down, the blanket wrapped tighter around his shoulders as if it was a shield from the girls. 

Ivy smiled and leaned against the wall, looking at the kid in the door, “It’s okay, I promise you. We’re just here, passing by.”

The boy looked up, scanning all three of them to see if they’re lying to him, but didn’t see anything, so he lifted his hands up ‘D. A. N. N. Y.”

“Lovely to meet you Danny. Are you hungry?” Ivy asked, smiling to Danny, who nodded at the floor.

“Well then pumpkin, let’s get you somethin’ to eat!” Harley said, jumping up, smiling, slowly reaching a hand down to Danny to hold. He looked at her and smiled, nodding, grabbing her hand and being pulled up, wincing at the stretch on his nearly healed stitches.

“Are you okay there, kitten? Are you hurt?” Danny looked up at her and nodded, rubbing his chest before quickly lifting his hand up to sign, his ears flipping down and his eyes going wide, ‘not Jason's fault! Jason helped’

The three girls looked at each other and smiled, “Of course he wouldn’t honeybunch, Jason is the sweetest happiest guy I know, I'm glad he helped you out!” Harley smiled and squeezed Danny's hand twice, Danny smiled in recognition and squeezed her hand twice.

They walked into the kitchen and Harley glanced down to Danny for permission before picking him up by the armpits, sitting him down on the kitchen counter and spinning around to the fridge, where Ivy was already looking through. Selina leaned against the counter and smiled at him, running her fingers through his hair.

“Kinda choppy, yeah? Did Jay cut it?” Danny nodded, smiling, “oh I can tell, it kinda sucks doesn’t it?” Danny's shoulders shook in a silent faux laughter, his fangs showing off in a not-so-human grin, Selina laughed alongside him.

“So, sweetums, what are ya hungry for?” Harley said, giving him some buttered toast to hold him over until the breakfast was done. 

Danny held the toast out to Selina, ‘Can’t have a lot of solid food, throat’s hurt too’ 

Ivy smiled and looked towards Danny, “So what are you thinking then?”

Danny looked off in the distance for a minute before he smiled ‘Eggs! And… yogurt.’ He kicked his legs.

“Sure thing cupcake!” Harley ruffled his hair and spun around to the stove, cracking some eggs and adding just a little cheese, not to hurt his throat. Ivy opened the fridge and grabbed a milk carton, pouring a small glass for Danny, who drank it greedily- must have been really thirsty crying from the nightmares. Ivy spun around from the fridge with a small cup of yogurt and a small spoon that Jason definitely did not have last time they came.

The sound of a man chuckling tore them all from their little trance they were in, and Danny spun around to look at Jason, smiling cheekily up at him with yogurt around his mouth. Jason brought his hand up and wiped Danny's mouth with his hand, wiping it on his pants and walking around to the other side of the counter where he jumped up to sit on the other side of Danny.

“So, why is there a new show on my Tv and you guys in my kitchen, making breakfast?” Jason asked, smiling fondly down at Danny.

“Well I don’t know ragamuffin, why do we come here to check on you and find you have a kitten of your own?” Selina said teasingly, running her fingers through Danny’s hair.

Jason sighed and hung his head, chuckling again and looking up, “that’s a long story, now how did you get Danny to trust you so fast?”

Harley spun around fast with a small plate of cheesy scrambled eggs in her hands, walking over to Danny and placing it in his lap, “We actually scared him first, but we were able to explain how we know you and all that jazz and he trusted us!” She said with an overly cheery smile.

Jason smirked and turned to Danny, “and what’s the real reason you trusted them?”

Danny smiled and lifted his hand, ‘they’re in your apartment, they’re comfortable, and they haven’t been shot, so you definitely like them.’ He nodded, reached his hand down, grabbed the small fork and started eating the eggs, a little hot but they felt nice in his throat.

“Well A for analysis, kid.” Jason said with a puff of laughter 

Selina chuckled and used her nails to scratch Danny’s head, a smile making its way to his face, “he’s definitely yours, ragamuffin.”

Ivy stilled where she stood in front of the stove, spinning around to face the others, “Wait, is he? Is he, yours, yours?” 

Jason paled at his spot on the counter, “No no no! At least I don’t think so, er, not that I know of no.” He blushed and looked off to the corner of the room, the girls (and Danny, the traitor) giggling at him.

Harley spun around in a buff Santa apron- where did she even get that?- hands full of plates, “alrighty then loves! Time for breakfast, where should we sit?”

They eventually all decided on the living room to keep watching that new show Harley put on.

“So, kitten, what do you like most?” Selina asked, smiling down at the boy in between her and Jason on the loveseat.

He looked up at her questioningly, she chuckled and set her plate down on the small table in front of the couch, “like your interests, stuff like that.” 

Danny made an o shape with his mouth and lifted his hand ‘Space! I really like space. I think zombies are cool, too,’ which made Ivy have to stifle a laugh that Jason playfully flipped her off for, ‘and aliens, I really want to meet an alien.”

“That’s pretty cool Danny. I’m, personally, into plants and all of that type of stuff. Harls loves binging shows, like this one. Have you seen it before?” Ivy said, smiling and leaning back in the single lazy-boy she and Harley were sharing. 

‘Nope, not yet. Is it good?’ Danny signed.

“I sure hope so!” Harley cheered. They all sat in silence for a while, both Selina and Jason slapping their hands over Danny’s eyes during specific.. scenes. Not that he minded, it was sweet they wanted to contribute to his proper consumption of media, even if he was completely ruined already. They were all broken from their trance by a knock at the door.

“Expecting someone?” Selina asked. Jason looked over and shook his head no. He looked down at danny and made a shushing motion with his hand, reaching underneath a side table for a pistol taped to the bottom, lifting the other to sign, ‘whatever you do, stay quiet and out of sight, if you need to leave with the girls do that and I’ll meet up with you later, okay?’

Danny nodded back and put his finger to his lips imitating what Jason did earlier. Jason cocked the gun and stalked to the door, staying low to the ground and near silent. He stood up to look through the peephole, letting out a soft grunt as he couldn’t see who was on the other side, he slowly unlocked the door before flinging it open and immediately pressing the gun to the forehead of a man at the door holding a package.

“Damn it Dick, why didn’t you tell me you were coming over?” Jason sighed, lowering the gun from his older brother's head and dropping it on a small table he kept at the front of the house. “Fuck are you even here for?”

“Is it too much to say I was worried about my little bro?” Dick said with a smile, completely unphased by Jasons gun.

“Yes, piss off.” Jason said with a sigh.

“I just wanted to check on you, you’ve been acting weird and I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Dick said in a concerned tone. 

Harley chose that moment to jump over the couch and jog over to the two, “I know right? First Jay says he's making his little patrol circle smaller, then, he goes and skips out on girls night!” Harley puffed air from her mouth and a strand of hair flew up dramatically, “Don’t you worry about it Dickie, the girls and I are checking up on him though, and you!” Harley poked a nail to Dicks chest, “are interrupting our mani-pedis! So,” she reached out and pulled the large box from Dick and held it in her arms, “I’m gonna take this, and I’m gonna make sure big bird here is doing alright, alrighty?”

Jason just sighed and hung his head, “you satisfied yet, Dickie-bird?” Jason asked, tilting his head up and showing off a small smile to his older brother.

Dick, bit his lip and looked him over for a second before nodding, “yeah, yeah alright you’re good. Just make sure to call me if you need anything, okay?”

“Yeah, I will.” Jason said, slowly closing the door on Dick until his hand stuck in the door.

“You promise Little wing?” 

“Yeah, I promise Dickie.” Jason huffed and finished closing the door after Dicks lingering hand slipped from the door, his footsteps receding in the hall. Jason spun around and walked back into the living room, seeing everyone staring at him. “... What?”

The girls and Danny started giggling, all four of them laid out in a circle on the floor, different nail polishes set up while the TV played a movie that recently came out. Jason rolled his eyes and sat down with them, picking up a black and shaking it hard before lifting it up to see the color in the light better. Selina pulled it from his hands and smiled, “Oh no Ragamuffin, we’ve got a plan for you, you just watch the movie.”

“Yeah! We’ll take care of your nails and you just sit there!” Harley said giggling.

“Well what am I supposed to do?” Jason asked, Danny just tapped him and thrusted his hands forward with a blue/green shimmer nail polish in his hands, a small clip pinching his sensitive nose closed. Jason smiled and picked up the polish, “alrighty then kiddo, let’s get these nails done.”

It took about an hour and a half for everyone's nails to get done, Jason struggling between using his left and right hands to paint Danny's fingernails while the girls did his. In the end, Danny smiled big- a little too big- at his nails, holding them up to Jason's heavily decorated nails. The girls went all out on Jason's nails, all black with his pointer and middle finger red, the black nails with silver skull and flower decals and his red nails with lines and numbers painted on them to look like bullets. Jason held them up next to Danny's and posed for a picture with him.

Danny carefully signed to Jason, ‘is this what happens every girls night?’ 

“Yes of course! But this big dummy here,” Harley leaned on Jason's shoulder, “always messes them up during patrol!” she finished with a giggle, before realizing what she said and stilling in place, the two other girls also going ridgid. 

Danny just smiled, ‘it’s okay, I know He’s Red Hood.’ each of the girls let out a puff of breath.

“Wait, did he tell you who we are? Or, anyone else?” Ivy asked, concerned.

Danny shook his head side-to-side, ‘nope. Well, it's obvious you’re Poison Ivy and, obviously,  Harley Quinn, but I'm not sure who Selina is.’

“Oh, well I'm Catwoman, but you can just call me Selina.” She said with a smile.

Danny beamed and leaned forward, ‘you’re catwoman?! The burglar?!’ 

“Cat-burglar, but yes that’s me.” Selina said, happy to see such a small kid so excited to meet her.

‘That’s so cool! What's the prettiest thing you’ve stolen?’ Danny said, starting up a game of 20 questions with Selina, while Ivy tugged on Jason’s arm to talk to him in the other room. Danny could most definitely hear them, but it was the thought that counted- not to mention that Danny was too interested in the story about Bruce Wayne’s mother’s pearl necklace that Selina still has to this day- than eavesdropping on Jason and Ivy.

“So,” Ivy tucked herself inside the kitchen and faced Jason with worry, “He’s cold. Really cold. He has long pointed ears and his eyes can become slits, his chest vibrates and- He’s just… He’s not…“

“Your business.” Jason said with certainty, “I’m taking care of him, I’ve worked with Danny on trust and keeping him healthy and feeling good. Ivy I love you and I love hanging out with you, thank you for your concern but I’m taking care of him. When he first got here he was…” Jason furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his fist, “Not in a good condition. I don’t mean to be rude and I’m sorry if I’m coming off that way but whether or not he’s human is neither of our businesses, just so long as I can take care of him and give him someplace he doesn’t have to be scared-” Jason got cut off with a hand on his shoulder.

“Jason. I may not understand how exactly you feel like that when it comes to human- or nonhuman- children, but I know the idea. Don’t worry Jay, I just want to make sure my friends are okay. Tell us if you need anything when it comes to Danny, you know we have your back.” 

Jason let out a breath and hung his head, “I’m sorry I got defensive.”

Harley, who apparently came into the kitchen when Jason wasn’t watching, let out a huff, “Well of course you did! Someone else was butting in on the way you’re parenting your kid and not in a nice way- sorry Ives- and you wanted to defend your kid!” Harley leaned to her tippy toes and patted Jason's head, ignoring his very flushed face and walking back into the living room, jumping back into the conversation with Selina and Danny.

Ivy smiled softly, “I’m happy you found someone to make you happy. I used to think you needed to settle down with Roy or Artemis, but finding a kid and giving him your home is what really made you happy. Huh. Don’t worry, you’re nothing like Bruce was, you’re better already.”

Notes:

I’m not sure how the notifications for AO3 chapters work, but if you got a few new ones form this one just ignore them! I realized I *deep sigh* forgot to write in Jason’s J brand and that’s a bit important later on ;) anyways, that’s all that changed so no need to worry or panic-reread the whole story. See y’all in the next update :p

Chapter 7: A Scratch on the CD

Summary:

More domestic fluff

Notes:

TW for a panic attack!

Danny stood in front of Jason's legs, waving at the three girls leaving, using the actual door this time. Danny had a big smile on his face, his arm stretched up and waving wildly back and forth.

Jason sighed a deep breath and closed the door, looking down at the small boy beneath him. “So, how are you feeling?”

Danny looked up with the same big smile, his fangs proudly displayed. ‘I had lots of fun; I like them!’ 

“Well that’s good, I’m happy you got to meet them, then.” Jason waved Danny along with him and walked into the living room and made a wait here motion with his hands, grabbing the box that Dick had left at the door, waving Danny along and bringing it into his new room. 

“So,” Jason started, ripping the tape off the box and folding it open, placing it on the floor, “This should be everything we bought yesterday. If there’s something missing, go ahead and tell me and I’ll get that fixed.” 

Danny nodded and smiled at the box that was pushed in front of him, kneeling down again and looking inside, his eyes brightening excitedly as he pulled out three packages of differently-sized glow in the dark sticky stars. Jason smiled at the small boy and prompted him to keep going with a wave of his arm. Danny ripped through the box in seconds; pulling out Lego sets, spacecraft models, new space-themed bed sheets and pajamas, a weird looking gray plush with wings that prompted a ‘Mothman!’ and a joyous squeak from Danny’s chest. Stacking up coloring books (mostly space and superhero themed) along with a little red hood Lego figure and a red hood jacket that made Jason blush, a small weighted blanket- courtesy of Jason, with an assortment of other small space things he thought Danny might like- among other small things for a child’s room. How that could all fit in a singular box was absolutely baffling to both Danny and Jason.

Danny sat in the middle of his room in absolute glee, a huge cheek-splitting smile on his face as he pulled the Red Hood jacket on, Jason looking in the corner of the room with a large blush on his face. Danny stood up and grabbed the packages of stars, walking up to Jason and holding them out in front of him, signing ‘help me?’ and pointing to the ceiling.

Jason smiled and nodded. “Of course, kiddo. I’ll grab a stool, you tell me where and I’ll put them there, okay?” Danny nodded in response, shoving everything back in the box it came in and leaving it on the his bed, faux giggling as he cleaned up the mess Jason made looking for him the night before. He seemed embarrassed, but Danny felt a sweet warmth in his core that the man cared so much. 

Jason walked back into the room and dropped the stool onto the floor, climbing up with the first package of stars, looking down whenever Danny tugged on his pants to let him know when he messed up. It took them a while, but once they were finished, Danny couldn’t stop smiling at his ceiling. It was midday, so he’d have to wait to see if the stars actually glowed.

“Alrighty kiddo, what next?” Jason asked, motioning to the box with a smile. “We need to set up your room.”

Danny’s smile grew and he pulled the box down again, tugging at the boring gray bed sheets, looking to Jason with a hopeful smile.

“Want help?” Danny nodded. “Oki doki, let's get you some cool sheets,” Jason said, pulling the sheets off and tossing them into the washing machine, before walking back to Danny's room to see him smothered in the comforter, trying to fight his way out. Jason let out a snort and the flailing abruptly stopped, the small body inside putting its arms out and trying to maneuver towards Jason, only to trip over the blanket and fall down with a soft cushioned thud.

Jason stood up straight and quickly crouched down, ruffling through the sheets until he pulled a corner up and Danny's fluffy hair popped up, a smile on his face turning into silent laughter that Jason quickly shared. “Did you fall on purpose?” The kid simply smiled back.

Jason scoffed. “Ohhh, you little hobbit, c’mere.” He grabbed the blanket surrounding the boy and lifted him high in the air, swinging him around gently before dropping Danny on the bed, a soft wheezy giggling coming from his mouth and a large smile accompanying it. 

Both boys froze at the laugh and Danny reached for his throat, rubbing it up and down while Jason stared at him. “Are you okay Danny?” 

Danny rubbed his throat more and tried to hum, a small rumbling coming out, his face lighting up. ‘It doesn’t hurt really bad!’ he signed happily, making Jason smile. 

“That's great!” he said, ruffling the kid’s hair. “Let’s set up your bed and then we can go have some celebratory hot chocolate. You up for that?” 

Danny nodded his head excitedly, squirming out of the blankets and pulling them to fix up the bed. The overall picture on the sheets showed the Milky Way with Mars in the foreground. Danny smiled at his bed and reached into the large box of new things, grabbing a spaceship model and his mothman plush, tugging on Jason's hand to pull him into the kitchen with him.

“Okay, okay, I’m on my way,” Jason said with a chuckle, grabbing under Danny’s armpits and setting him down on the counter before he turned back towards the kitchen to work on the hot chocolate. Danny smiled at the smell and used his sharp fingernails to cut the tape off the box and started pulling things out.

“Woah woah, not in the kitchen. We’ll do that in the living room, okay?” Jason said, slowly placing things back in the box, doing his best not to relent against Danny’s expertise pouting. 

Jason quickly finished making the hot chocolate and grabbed Danny on his hip, maneuvering them both to the living room and dropping down in front of the small table, setting everything down and getting Danny comfy again. “Okay, now, we can get started on the spaceship.”

‘Rocket!’ Danny signed with a pout.

“Right, rocket, sorry. Let’s get started?” Danny nodded and lifted the box upside down, letting everything dump out onto the table. A fond smile found its way to Jason's face. “Alright, show me how this works.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

It took about two hours to finish the entire model, but the big toothy grin on Danny’s face made it all worth it in the end. Jason stood with a groan and stretched his arms above his head, his back popping loud all the way down his spine. Danny snickered, looking up at the tall man.

“It’s your fault for making me sit hunched over for two hours!” Jason teased. 

Danny just let out a small, nearly silent giggle and stood up, grabbing the large model in his hands and running towards his room. Jason shook his head and grabbed the long-empty mugs and walked them into the kitchen. Danny came bounding in a couple seconds later with a smile still plastered on his face.

“So,” Jason said without turning from the sink, grabbing the worn-out sponge and washing all the dishes, “any thoughts on what to eat for dinner? We really should’ve eaten lunch too, but you wouldn't let me get up from the nails and then you dragged me in to do the stars, and then the rocketship, and then the—” Jason was cut off by a puff of air and a roll of the small boy's eyes. “Okay, okay, fine. Now what are you hungry for?” 

A big smile lit up Danny’s face. ‘Grilled cheese!’ 

“Danny, you can’t eat that yet, it’s too rough on your throat— why am I telling you this, you just explained that to Harley?” Jason huffed in faux annoyance and flicked his wet fingers at Danny, flinging water all over the small boy. Jason smiled and went back to washing the dishes from the past few days, only stopping when he felt a tug on his pants.

‘Waffles?’ Danny said with a cute pout.

Jason inwardly grimaced, he was really happy his siblings didn’t see how easily that pout worked on him. “Sure! You wanna try and grab some fruit from the fridge?” Jason said, tilting his head just enough so he could see the boy behind him, staring at him for a second before poking him with his foot. “Go on, Danny, grab whatever fruit you think will go well on them.”

Danny didn’t realize he was staring into space, lost in his own head until he felt the poke. Danny spun around with a blush covering his cheeks and tugged the fridge open, dragging the brand new stool from its place wedged in between the counter and the fridge where Jason had left it, pushing it open and dropping it on the floor. He stood up and yanked the well-stocked fridge open, pulled open a drawer with fruit in it and grabbed a few packages, stacking them on top of one another in his arms. He grabbed a small bundle of grapes to eat while Jason was cooking and placed them on top of the other fruits, the stack rising just above his head. Danny pushed the drawers closed and looked towards the doors of the fridge. He tried to take a step back to close the door but his foot was unable to find a place, touching the very edge of the stool and slipping past. Danny let out a small yelp and reached a hand out, trying to grab at the fridge, the counter— anything— and in his panic he shot out a large beam of ice alongside a shriek of pain and fear.

A sharp main shot through Danny’s hands as he felt himself falling backwards. It wasn’t quite as painful as it was before, but it hurt nonetheless. He could feel the nothingness below his feet, knowing he had no ability to catch himself, even if he wanted to. 

A wetness filled his eyes as fear radiated through his core. What would happen to him? To his wounds? What would Jason do when he spilled all this food on the floor? What would happen if he tried to fly? Would it be painful like before? Would he rip his stitches open?

The fear slowed to a near halt at the feeling of warm arms wrapped around him, his brain just now registering the whispers of “It’s okay, Danny.” A deep painful breath. “You’re going to be okay.” Another. “How's your hand?”

Danny pushed the fog to the back of his mind and focused on the hand pressed softly against his sternum, fingers spread wide to reach across his entire chest. Danny heard counting and breathed in sync with it for a moment, moving his breathing at the same pace as the heartbeat he memorized through hand on his chest. He wrenched his eyes open, unaware of when they had closed. Staring up at Jason, the blur in his vision faded as glowing green tears flowed down his cheeks again.

“Remember, deep breaths, right? Even if you don’t need them?” Jason asked, a calm expression on his face. Danny nodded and took more soundless, deep breaths, the tears around his eyes coming to a halt. 

“Better?” Jason said softly.

Danny nodded and hesitated for a moment, taking a few seconds to think about his next actions. Jason noticed this and started to move away when Danny pushed his hand off of his chest and leaned forward, taking a deep, steadying breath and tucking his head into Jason's chest. 

Danny remembered. Remembered when he was a little kid and he loved curling up in his mom and dad’s laps when he got nightmares. Remembered them shushing him and telling him everything would be okay. Then he remembered as time passed and they started pushing him off in favor of their inventions, telling him he was too old to be having nightmares, telling him they loved him but they have more important things to do. Danny remembered Jazz taking his hand and telling him nothing bad would ever happen to him, telling him he would always be safe. Danny remembered her tucking him deep into her chest and telling him she would fight off the nightmares herself. 

Jason grabbed the rest of Danny’s tiny body and pulled him into his lap on the floor, rubbing circles into Danny’s back and holding him close to his chest. Jason hesitated a second, thinking about what he was about to do, and decided that Danny needed the comfort. He placed a kiss to the top of the small boy’s head, whispering to him that he’s going to be fine. Jason will take care of him. Everything will turn out okay.

Danny held shaking breaths in his throat, doing his best to calm down and focus on the beating heart next to his ear. He heard a distant, “Breath, Danny,” from Jason and let out a reluctant breath, frost forming on the front of Jason's shirt in front of Danny's mouth.

After a long moment of calm words and a tight embrace, Danny was left with just sniffles and hiccups in Jason's lap. Jason pulled Danny away from him and pondered for a moment, picking him up and placing him on the counter. 

“Stay here for a sec, okay?” Jason said, turning around for a instant only to feel the small tug of Danny's hand on his shirt. Jason spun around and smiled. “I’ll be just a second, just going to your room.” 

At Danny's confirming nod he swiftly walked to the small room at the end of the hall, returning moments later with Danny's weighted blanket, wrapping it comfortably around the small boy and pulling him into his arms, hanging off of his hip. Danny sniffled and tucked his head in Jason's shoulder, listening to the calming, near-silent thrum of his core, pushing out feelings of Calm/It’sOkay/Don’tCry/Son/I’veGotYou/You’reSafe.

Danny basked in the feelings washing over him and let his eyelids slip, letting his body be shifted around as Jason needed, slipping into a sweet sleep on his shoulder.

~~~~~~

Jason carefully maneuvered around the kitchen, cleaning up the fruit Danny had dropped and carefully trying to scrape the ice from the wall and his shirt to no avail. He mixed together the batter using the recipe Alfred had made sure he memorized, adding mini chocolate chips to half the batter and blueberries to the other, before pouring into a waffle maker Dick had gotten him when he first moved into the apartment. Of course he tried to say no and eventually landed on “Well what about all my safehouses, are you gonna get them waffle irons too?” which was the wrong thing to say, knowing Dick. Because he did. Dick bought so. Many. Waffle irons. Jason of course kept some— you can never have too many waffles— but gave the others to some of his alley kids who smiled like it was a prize-winning diamond. 

Jason smiled at the smell of the sweet waffles behind him and plated them, perfectly cooked, just like Alfred taught him. He washed and cut the fruit, placing the pieces on top after a little spread of whipped cream. Jason held both plates in his hand and held Danny steady on his hip with the other. Jason definitely had a newfound respect for his alley girls that were mothers too, this was hard. Not that he was considering himself a dad, not at all. Jason placed the plates on the counter and sat Danny down on one of the chairs beside it, rubbing Danny’s back and waking him up. The kid slept a lot, but he was healing! Jason was just happy Danny was able to trust him enough to fall asleep in his arms. 

Danny’s eyes fluttered open and he blinked the sleep from his eyes, rubbing them with little fists still curled tightly in the weighted blanket. He let out an adorable yawn and a small hum in question. 

“Dinners done, Danny. Thought you might like this,” Jason said with a smile. Danny nodded, eyes widening when he looked to the plate. 

‘For me?’ he signed swiftly.

“Yup, and there's more cooking now.” Jason placed a small fork on Danny’s plate and grabbed one for himself, cutting into the waffles and taking large bites. He glanced up to see Danny with tears in his eyes, nearly spilling down his cheeks. He placed the edges of the blanket on the chair behind him and pulled the Red Hood jacket off. A quick blush colored his cheeks and he signed, ‘Don’t want to get it dirty,’ when Jason sent him a questioning look. Danny pulled the blanket back on, a small smile on his equally small face as he reached forward and grabbed the fork, eating tiny squares of the waffles piece by piece. 

‘Thank you for taking care of me,’ Danny signed with one hand. ‘You’re very nice to me, Jason.’ 

Jason smiled back at him. “I do my best.”

They devoured the waffles and tried many different combinations, but Danny especially liked the Nutella and blueberries.

‘Do you eat like this every night?’ Danny signed with his left hand, the other carefully pushing his near-empty plate across the counter, making a small ‘full’ sign at Jason's quirked eyebrow.

“No, I usually eat much healthier, but since you’re here and healing— among other things— I decided we can eat some junk-foods for a bit. How does your throat feel?” Jason blabbed on, mindlessly washing the dishes and placing them on a well-used drying rack rusting at the edges. 

Danny tilted his head in thought for a moment. ‘Much better, still hurts though,’ he eventually decided. Jason nodded and dried his hands on the towel hanging by the cabinet door, spinning around and picking up Danny with his blanket before walking them both to the couch and sitting down. He reached forward and put on Danny's favorite movie, remembering easily from the first night they watched it together. Danny pulled his legs close to his chest and tightly hugged the small plush he forgot to grab earlier, eyes glued to the screen as if this had been the first time he’d seen the movie. (In no sense of the word was this his first time watching.)

Jason let the boy watch for some time before sighing softly and turning his body to him, pausing the movie. Danny looked at him questioningly. Jason took a deep breath and prepared himself for anything that could happen; he wasn’t incredibly close to the boy— though he tried— and was worried this might strain the trust he had so meticulously worked for. 

“Danny, I wanted to ask you about something. You don’t have to tell me everything, of course, but I was wondering what all your metagene powers were?” 

Danny froze— literally; a small sheet of frost quickly covered him— and stared at Jason in worry. Jason immediately felt a pang of guilt and hurt in his heart. He never meant to upset the boy! He was just tired of getting scared by him all the time!

“I was just wondering. You don't have to tell me anything at all, though. Just enough so I can know what to prepare for and make sure I don't accidentally hurt you at all— like, you know the meta brother I told you about?” Danny stiffly nodded, seeming on edge, “His meta-gene allows him to control shadows and light. He can see peoples’, uh, auras is what he calls it, and when he sees someone that has too bright of an aura, it can hurt his eyes and give him a major migraine. Anyways, the reason I’m saying this is because I just wanted to make sure I knew how to prepare and if I needed to make any adjustments to the apartment or—”

Jason’s long-winded rant was cut off by a soft tugging of his long-sleeved shirt, the boy back to his normal temperature and a small smile on his face. It seemed Jason was rambling again, but it worked! Danny had gotten comfortable again. 

‘I can make ice and snow,’ Danny covered his hand in a small layer of frost to showcase the power, melting it a moment after— not a single drop of water spilling onto himself— ‘and fly, turn invisible, go through things, and have faster healing,’ he signed, obviously nervous. Jason could tell he wasn’t saying everything, but even small amounts of trust were still trust he could hold on to.

“Could you show me? Maybe?” He asked nervously. Danny shook his head.

‘Hurts too much,’ he signed sadly. 

Jason perked up at that. “It hurts? Can you explain to me how?”

Danny thought for a moment, cocking his head. ‘Like… like a water balloon.’

“Like a water balloon.” Jason stared deadpan at Danny, who only nodded in agreement.

‘Like it's going to pop if you hold it wrong, and when I use my powers, it feels like I’m stretching it.’

Jason hummed in thought and smiled. “Thank you for telling me, I’ll try my best to help. You tell me if you need anything, okay?” At the nod from Danny he stuck his hand in the small boy's hair and ruffled it, turning the movie back on and throwing his arm over the couch cushions. Jason laid himself back to get more comfortable, only to startle for a moment at the cool body nudging itself into his side. Jason glanced down to see Danny nervously scooting into his side, wanting to hug him but unsure. Jason may be a rash crime lord, but he wasn’t stupid, and he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. If this kid wanted to snuggle with him, well he wasn't about to throw away the opportunity to bond with him. Jason smiled and used his arm to gently pull Danny closer into his side. Danny smiled and laid an arm on Jason's stomach in a wide hug, the tall man in question smiling right back down at the happy child.

~~~~~~~

Jason startled awake at the sound of his alarm, carefully yet swiftly grabbing his phone so as to not wake the purring boy curled into his side. He checked the time to see it was right when he should be getting ready for patrol. He picked up Danny and held him close to his chest, a weighted blanket wrapped around the boy and a small gray plush still wrapped tight in his little hands. Jason quietly stalked to Danny's room and tucked him into bed, writing on a small notepad on the bedside table for Danny to read if he had woken up to not find Jason there: “If you wake up and I’m not here, I’m out on patrol. I’ll wake you up when I get home. If there's an emergency, use the burner in the top drawer to call me. Goodnight, Danny. -Jason”

Jason smiled at the note and looked at the small boy with hesitancy for a moment before placing a light kiss to the top of his head.

Jason stood and walked out of the room, closing the door but a crack. He spun around to face his own room and froze for a second in a fighting stance at the new figure before recognition set in and he sighed a silent breath of relief. In front of him stood the same beautiful black woman that had given him Danny a few nights prior.

“Evening, Jason,” she said in a hushed whisper. Jason groaned and walked closer to her, still weary.

“What do you want— actually, first off who even are you? Coming in and out of my apartment as you please and dropping off a child as if it’s your right at all!” Jason whisper-shouted at her. He had some choice words to say to her, but was stopped by a wave of her gloved hand.

“My name is Gotham.” A smile adorned her lips as Jason stood there dumbfounded.

“Like… like the city? The city we’re in?”

“Yes, exactly like the city. Now. I wanted to check in on you and His Highness, see how y’all were doing,” she said, leaning over and laying her wispy, smoke-like body against the wall.

“I’m… fine— why am I even telling you this? I have to get ready for patrol; get out of my apartment.” Jason scowled at the woman in front of him, trying to shoo her away like some cat.

“He is healing, yes? I can feel him strengthening, not to mention the bond between you growing with every day. You make His Highness happy, safe. You are a wonderful father.” Jason had been trying to push her away with his arms simply sliding through her smoke-like body when he stilled at the word father. “Now, I’m sure you have questions, Jason. I’ll answer what I can but the boy's privacy takes precedence.”

Jason took a deep breath and stood back, pinching his eyes. “I can’t believe I'm even doing this— Okay. First off, Gotham, or whoever you are, why can’t I touch you?” Jason waved his arm through her smokey body with an expectant look on his face.

Gotham laughed. “I told you already, boy, I am Gotham. I am the spirit of the city, the controller of the shadows and the one who protects you all, cloaking you in darkness and shedding light on those who deserve to be found. I am your protector and helper in every sense of the word. Now. Next question.” Her red lips frozen in a permanent smile on her smooth face.

Jason sat in thought for a moment. “When you first came, you told me he— Danny— was older than he looked… How,” Jason hesitated, worrying his lip in thought, “How old is he, really?”

Gotham got a pitying look on her face and stepped forward, placing her hand on Jason's face. “Oh honey… No need to fret, his true age is younger than even Timothy’s. His mental age seems to have regressed too as a trauma response, but just barely. He may be acting this way as a means of fear that you may abandon him. I have no doubt you wouldn’t, but make sure he knows that, yes?”

Jason bowed his head nervously and nodded, “But how do I know if I’m good for Danny. He deserves better.” 

Gotham simply patted his cheek and smiled at him, her sweet scent of gun polish and gasoline filling Jason senses.

“You are a perfect father for the boy, my son. Know that above all else, I chose you. I would have nobody else in your place to take care of him,” Gotham said, smiling at Jason's shocked face. “I need to go. I will be unable to talk for some time, but I will protect both of you from a distance. I believe in you, Jason Todd. You should too.” 

Without another word, Gotham sank into the shadows of the apartment like the night not too long ago.
Jason stood in the hall a moment more, taking another deep breath to process what all had just happened. He spun around and peeked into Danny's room to check on the boy. Seeing him sound asleep, Jason moved back and ran a hand through his hair. This was a lot more complicated than he first thought.

Chapter 8: Settling Out (with a motorcycle)

Summary:

Danny discovers a Gotham bookstore.

Notes:

Hey all!! so sorry for the (very) late update, Ao3 Author Curse got me again in the form of family death, cousins getting lost in the forest, a new kitten, mayhaps cancer, and god throwing me on the Z axis at all times! anyway, hopefully more chaps should be out soon, enjoy the fluff! (also I got into nursing class so the chaps might be a bit more few and far between, sorry!)

Danny sat on his bed, staring up at the stars on his ceiling, smiling happily at them. They were just right, perfectly placed, down to the centimeter. He was admiring the handiwork he and Jason did together when he flinched, a warm finger tugging slightly at the still-healing skin on his chest. A soft yet tired breath was let out as Jason pulled his deep navy blue Nasa shirt down. 

“I think…” Jason worried his lip as he mulled over a thought in his head, “I think, as long as we are slow and careful , we can maybe, maybe , go out today.” Jason said, patting Danny's shoulder softly as a smile broke out on the younger boy's face.

‘We can leave? We can go somewhere?’ Danny signed excitedly, squirming on his bed as Jason himself started to smile.

“Yes, I already have a place in mind, I think you’ll like it. But, you have to promise you’ll be careful. No running, no climbing on things, no- excessive anything. You’re healing just fine, but I don’t want anything to happen to push your healing back, alright?” Jason said with a stern tone, smiling at Danny nodding. He stood up, carefully grabbing the boy and placing him on his hip, walking into the bathroom. “I just need to cover up my scar and then we can go.”

‘Why?’   Danny signed confused, ‘ are we supposed to hide our scars?’

“No, Danny, we can’t be ashamed of our scars. They show who we are, what we’ve accomplished in life. Never be ashamed.” Jason said earnestly.

‘ Why do you hide yours then?’   Danny tilted his head as he ran his fingers over the J scar on Jason's cheek.

“Well, hmm… how do I put this…” Jason hummed in thought, opening drawers and grabbing gauze as he spoke. “When I was… given , this scar, it made me easily identifiable,” 

‘As red hood?’   Danny gazed at the scar, the flesh dimpling under his small fingers.

“Exactly, It’s well known that Hood has a scar on his face from Joker, and if too many people see me in public with the same scar-”  Danny face lit up as he grabbed the medical tape from Jason's hand and pulled some off, helping to tape the gauze over the scar.

‘They’ll know it’s you!’   he signed with a gasp. Jason nodded as Danny finished taping the gauze, ‘ So this is how you hide.’

Jason nodded and readjusted Danny on his hip, “Ready to go, kid?” At Danny's nod Jason smiled before stopping at the door, opening a closet Danny had yet to explore while Jason was patrolling and grabbing something from behind cleaning supplies. He pulled the object into the light to show off a small black motorcycle helmet with a bright blue NASA logo on the side, small constellations littering the entirety of the helmet, and a sticker covering the visor to show it was brand new.

A smile split Danny's face in two, too big for his small head, ‘ for me?’

Jason smiled and nodded, “Picked it up on patrol last night, they didn't even see me. You ready to try it on?” At Danny's nod Jason grabbed his own helmet and left his apartment, locking the door behind him before taking the elevator down. Jason approached his civilian motorcycle, Danny's eyes going wide at it.

‘ What is it? What kind?’   Danny signed excitedly as he stared at the blood-red bike with a smile, squirming in Jason's arms.

“ This,” Jason said as he slowly lowered Danny onto the seat, “Is a Kawasaki Ninja. I’ve had her for a while now, a couple years at least.” Danny sat on the bike happily, his hands petting the gas tank in front of him. Jason lifted the helmet above Danny's head for a second before grimacing. He pulled the helmet back and used a pocket knife to cut the inside padding around the ears. He nodded and placed some earplugs into Danny's ears and slid the helmet onto his head. “How’s that feel? Does it bother your ears?” Jason asked, maneuvering Danny's head around, looking at the boy's squished face.

‘ It's okay’ he nodded, a toothy smile beneath his helmet. Jason nodded and slowly pulled the sticker off of the visor, snapping it shut before pulling his own helmet on and sliding behind Danny on the bike.

“Usually, you would sit on the back of the bike and hug me, but… I would rather have you seated in front of me for now.” Danny nodded as Jason spoke, looking up at him. Jason smiled through his helmet and snapped his own visor down. “Tell me if the bike hurts your ears and we can get you some better earplugs, sounds good?” Danny nodded as Jason lifted the bike off the kickstand and started it, looking down to Danny who had balled up the fabric of his sweatpants in his fists nervously. Jason winced for him and rubbed Danny's back in a comforting motion, shifting into gear and driving off.

~~~~~

Jason slowly stopped his bike in a parking spot in front of a small store- a local little store Jason frequented quite often- turning the bike off and dropping the kickstand. He scooped Danny comfortably into his arms and stood up- grabbing his keys from the bike- resting Danny on his hip again, taking off Danny's helmet carefully as the little boy pulled the earplugs out. “How are your ears feeling, kiddo?” Jason asked with a grimace.

Danny smiled and nodded, ‘ It hurt for a while, but my ears got used to it, so it’s not too bad,’  he signed up to Jason, who sighed in relief.

“That’s good, I’m happy it didn’t hurt too bad.” Jason said happily, taking his own helmet off and holding them both in his hand, pushing the door open with his back as he walked in smoothly, smiling happily at the barista who waved with a smile. Jason set Danny down and ruffled his hair, “This is a combo library and cafe, I’ll grab you a hot chocolate and something soft to eat, you go grab a couple of books you want.” 

Danny's face broke into an excited smile, ‘ Any book?’   He signed quickly, at Jason's happy nod Danny ran off into the library section. Jason only shook his head with a fond smile as he walked over to the Cafe section, some soft sweet music he didn’t recognize playing off the speakers as he waited in line. He tensed as someone walked up next to him, standing there. Jason turned slightly to see Tim, looking up at the menu. As it turns out, this was also Tim's favorite place to buy coffee during an extensive case.

“What are you doing here, Jason?” Tim asked, not even looking away from the menu, even though he got the same exact satanic concoction of espresso shots and marshmallow flavoring every time.

“... I’m getting drinks… and reading books? Like I do every time I come here?” Jason said, confused. Tim only hummed, swaying back and forth, clearly beyond tired. “How long has it been since you last slept?” He asked, concerned for his little brother.

Tim hummed again, “Couples days. Maybe a week. Who knows.”  He said, blinking sleep away.

Jason wrapped his free arm around Tims shoulders, just to make sure he didn’t fall over, “You need to get more sleep, this can’t be good for you.” Jason said with a frown on his face.

“What are you, my dad?” Tim scoffed, ordering first as soon as it was their turn, glaring softly at Jason as he walked around to pick up his drink before leaving quickly. Jason frowned and pulled his phone from his pocket, sending a quick text to Conner about making his boyfriend sleep.

Jason slipped his phone back in his pocket and stepped forward with a smile, ordering a sweet coffee, a hot chocolate, and a soft croissant. He quickly paid for them and stood to the side, waiting for his order to be called before grabbing all three things and walking into the library section. He wandered around for a bit before he found Danny struggling to pick up a small stack of books. He watched for a second before he heard a soft grunt of annoyance from the small boy.

“You okay down there?” Jason asked with a smile, Danny jumped in surprise and spun around, a sheepish smile on his face.

‘ Too many? ’ He asked, gesturing to the books on the ground.

Jason simply shook his head, “Not enough, I’m a big reader too” He said with a smile, handing the hot chocolate and croissant to the small boy, grabbing the stack of books easily, “Do you want to grab any more while we’re here?” He asked, to which he got a shake of the small boy's head. Nodding with a smile, Jason led Danny to the front where a sweet librarian sat down.

Jason walked up and tapped the counter softly, getting the librarians attention as they waved happily and stood up, smiling. Jason waved and placed the books on the counter before picking his hands up, easily signing to them, “Hey Jasper, how are you?’’

“Jason! I’m good, how are you?” They fluently signed back as they started scanning the books.

Jason was about to respond when Danny tugged on his pant leg, ‘ are they signing? I can’t see’ he signed, to which Jason smiled and picked him up in one hand, setting the helmets and coffee down on the counter so he could sign to Jasper again. 

Jasper looked up to Jason and froze, mouth opening and closing for a second, “You have a kid?!” They blurted out, signing as they spoke.

Jason and Danny both blushed deeply, Danny hiding his head in Jason's neck. He smiled and signed again, knowing Jasper's hearing aids were on but he didn’t want Danny to know, “I… maybe… If I’m really lucky” He said with a fond smile. Jasper smiled excitedly and nodded.

Danny brought his head out of Jason's neck and looked at Jasper, ‘ My name is Danny, what is your name?’  He signed nervously, a mix of Makaton and regular ASL.

Jasper smiled and signed slowly to Danny, “My name is Jasper, I know your… Jason , very well. I am hard of hearing, are you deaf?”

Danny smiled as he recognized the signs, excited to talk to someone so fluently (other than Jason) and practice! ‘ No, I am hearing, but I am mute. I like your blue hair’

Jason smiled down at Danny lovingly as he excitedly signed to Jasper, each of them signing back and forth in a conversation, before an annoyed scoff was heard from behind them. Jason turned slightly and looked behind him, seeing an elderly blond woman who glared at Jasper. Danny scrunched his eyebrows in confusion at the woman, who clearly just walked up behind them. Jason glared at her and started grabbing his things, hugging Danny closer to him.

“A boy so young shouldn’t have to see things like that.” She said, venom in her voice as she glared viscously at Jasper, who tried to busy themselves at the counter. Danny tilted his head in confusion, what was this weird lady talking about?

“Just ignore her, she says shit like this all the time” Jason spat, glaring back at the woman, who scoffed.

“I am just trying to keep his young mind safe from- from things like that.” She scoffed. “Repent and you will be saved, god made you a woman, and you should stay like that.” 

Danny’s mouth fell agape, what the FUCK was that???? He took the lid off of his hot chocolate and threw the half-full cup at her, flipping her off and sticking his tongue out at her. 

The woman gasped loudly and looked toward Jason furiously, “Get that boy under control!” She yelled, trying to wipe the still-hot drink off of her disgustingly yellow (now brown) blouse.

Jason simply rolled his eyes at her, “Eat a bag of dicks.” He said, trying to hide a grin as Jasper snickered behind them. The lady stormed off and Jason turned to Danny, ready to chastise the boy. “You can't throw things at people like that Danny, I get she was being rude but that doesn't mean you get to retaliate that way. However, we can’t change the past. That being said, nice one.” Jason said with a smile, high-fiving the small boy and pressing a kiss to his head. 

Jasper smiled behind them. Jason looked back and signed a quick “You okay?” to which Jasper nodded with a laugh, handing Jason his books and Danny the helmets as they walked towards the entrance again, Jason thanking someone as they held the door for him. Seating Danny on the bike and carefully setting the books in his lap, he handed the earplugs back to the boy and strapped the space-themed helmet to Danny’s head, patting it softly before sitting behind him and putting his own helmet on. Jason started the bike and made sure to tuck Danny comfortably in front of him, slowly driving off back towards his apartment.

~~~~~

Jason turned the bike off and stood up, grabbing Danny in his arms and balancing the books in his other arm, about to let Danny open the door when they heard a soft sound coming from the alley they parked the bike in. Danny stilled and squirmed in Jason's arms, trying to push off and get down. He easily got the hint and set the small boy down. 

Danny ran into the alley as Jason chased after him quickly, turning the corner to see Danny crouched down, curled in over himself. Jason ran over worriedly and sat down next to him, “Are you okay? What's wrong?” He asked quickly, a small sniffle coming from the boy. Jason's body itched with worry before Danny turned around, a small orange kitten in his arms.

‘Can we keep her? ’ He signed, tears on his face beneath the helmet. Jason sighed heavily, relaxing. The way Danny was curled up on the floor, Jason thought he was hurt, was crying, was- it’s fine. Danny’s fine, the, the cat is fine

“No, Danny. It’s already hard enough to take care of you and go out at night for… work , and I don’t know how the cat's fur will affect your wounds-” Jason started with his long-winded explanation that no, they cannot adopt a kitten . When Danny flipped the visor up, his eyes glowing a soft green, doing his best to make puppy dog eyes in a begging motion, holding up the small kitten as they meowed with their big adorable eyes and-  

Jason let out a deep, long, sigh as he hung his head. He groaned loudly and rubbed the sides of his helmet, internally debating something. He looked back up to argue and Danny whimpered, he whimpered! Jason groaned and reluctantly nodded, “Okay. Fine. We can keep the cat for a bit. But -” Jason said swiftly, pulling his finger up and gesturing at Danny, “We’re shopping online, I don’t want you to strain yourself by going out again.” He said decisively. Danny giggled and hugged the kitten close to his chest, nodding happily, ‘ Thank you Dad!’ he signed quickly with one hand, holding the kitten close to his chest. Too fast to even think about what he had said to Jason, Danny stood up and ran back over to the door, entering their code and giggling wildly as he skipped into the apartment complex. Jason sat there for a moment, a deep blush underneath his helmet, he smiled a deep, sappy smile- Danny called him dad - and stood up with the books again, walking back over to the main door and putting in his apartment code.

Notes:

Y'ALL OMG WE GOT FANART ILY SO MUCH T^T
https://www.tumblr.com/silicon-puppy-pudding/723682466454487040/lady-gotham-as-i-saw-her-in