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Chapter Text

Danny has looked 14 for 26 years. It's literally the worst case of baby face in the world. He's not 14 emotionally or mentally, and when he's in human form, his scars and joints ACHE. He FEELS his whole 40 years of his fucked up life, even if he's stuck looking like a child. Thank Gods for Gotham's loosey goosey-ness with child labor and Crime Alley Apartment background checks. Otherwise, he would have been homeless. He bounces between several jobs every 5 years, legal job or not, doesn't matter to him, so long as he's not outted to the flying furries.

He doesn't fuck with weirdos that have child soldiers that he replaces like tissues. He doesn't even seem to care about them. He was here when the Bat kicked out the first Robin. And while he seemed genuinely distraught over the 2nd's death, he didn't go to therapy. Instead, a 3rd Robin had to come and correct his shit, like a goddamn security blanket instead of a child. Danny seriously thinks the Bat should be in Arkham with the rest of the crazies, but since he's the only one willing and able to stop the Rouges, Danny won't fuck with it for now. Let the crazies fight themselves.

Or at least that was Danny's plan. All it took was phasing through one wall to change his stance.

He admits to noticing Batman and Batgirl frantically searching the city for something. It was easy to piece together that Robin #3 got kidnapped. And they haven't found him in nearly 3 weeks. So any "positive vibes" he might have had for Mr. Doom-and-gloom die a cold death.

Anyways, Danny decided to break into a warehouse. He likes to explore what weird shit is in them. It's an entertaining break from his day to day and he occasionally gets to sabotage Rouges' shit.

Danny instantly turns invisible when he steps through the wall of what he assumed was an abandoned warehouse, only to find it isn't as abandoned as it looked. The occupants don't notice him. Mostly because two of them are Joker and Harley, who are occupied with each other. Joker is beating the shit out of Harley, and Harley is fawning. The last occupant is a suspiciously Robin #3 sized child being electrocuted and isn't aware of the world outside of the pain he's currently experiencing.

Danny sees enough. He figured out how to transform without a light show years ago, and if he's about to out himself as a meta, then he's going to do it while looking the part. Once in ghost form, he floats behind the Joker, phases a hand into his chest, absorbing any ectoplasum in the guy's blood before he crushes his heart. The last thing he needs is this fucker becoming a ghost. He drops his invisibility so Joker can see his pissed off face as he dies.

"Wha-?"

"Shut up, you clown school reject. Die knowing no one thought you were funny and no one will mourn you." Danny growls at him. Danny completely ignores Harley screaming her head off and grabbing "her puddin'" as he falls. Danny instead destroys the machine shocking Robin #3 with extreme prejudice.

Robin #3 starts giggling deliriously between sobs. The kid mumbles, "D'n't wan' be Joke Jun'r"

"Then don't be." Danny tells him, unstrapping the kid from the dolly tilt table he's obviously been tortured on for weeks. Danny has to catch him when he flops bonelessly off. "Whoa, there."

"WHO ARE YOU??" Harley shrieks, but makes no move to leave the Joker's body.

"Someone who will be your worst fucking nightmare if you don't shape up, Dr. Harleen Quinzel." Danny growls at her, letting his eyes glow in a way he knows scares the unaccustomed. "But you may call me Phantom. I'll be taking the kid."

And with that, he zooms home with the kid in toe. The kid is barely conscious, but Danny needs to look over his injuries. He sets him on his ratty couch and quickly grabs his med-kit.

"Hey, kid, I need you to stay awake a little longer. I need to check you over to make sure you're not about to kill over." The kid mumbles something and shifts to sit up straight. He helps Danny remove the blood and mystery fluid stained clothes. Joker must have forced the kid into them at some point because they're thin bullshit that no one would be caught dead in in Gotham. "What's your name, birdie?"

"Birdie?" The kid slow blinks. Danny is mildly concerned about a concussion on top of the electrocution after effects.

"Yeah. You're the 3rd Robin, right?" Danny ignores the kid jolting, more focused on cleaning and stitching a shallow stab wound.

"I can't go back.." The kid whispers.

"Hm?" Danny pauses and looks at his face. The kid is staring off.

"I became Robin to fix Batman. I'm too broken now." Danny has to swallow his anger.

"Kid, he's a grown ass man. It's not your fucking job to "fix" him. You're what? 10?" That gets the kid to react. He twitches at the first part, probably to protest, but ends up pouting at the end.

"I'm 13. And Batman would have died if I didn't step in."

"Maybe he should have if he can't help himself without a child soldier security blanket." Danny tells him and cuts off the kid's protest. "I understand he does a lot of good for this shit hole. At least if it isn't Crime Alley. But the dynamic I've seen between him and you Robin's isn't right. You deserve a mentor or whatever that actually cares about you and not just what you can do for him."

"Batman needs a Robin!" The shout triggers a giggle fit. Danny pauses his stitching, waiting it out.

It takes a minute, but the giggles subside. Danny continues the first aid. "Okay. But do the Robins need Batman?"

"What?"

"The first Robin seemed to be fine without the giant furry breathing down his neck, it wasn't until the second Robin died that Nightwing seemed to spiral." Danny prods a bruised area on his ribs, checking for a break. "How many times have they called you his name?"

"I... How do you know they do that?"

"An educated guess." The ribs are only bruised. "I can smell the guilty consciouses wafting off them, especially when I see them interacting with you in Gotham proper. They need therapy."

"They won't agree... and I don't know if I can because of Mama Harley.." The kid grimaces. "I mean Harley Quinn."

"That's fair. Would you be willing to do zoom meetings with my sister? She's a therapist, but is chill. She specializes in childhood trauma and veterans." Danny wraps bandages around a swollen ankle. "I'm Danny, by the way."

"...Tim.."

"Nice to meet you, Tim." Danny cleans and slap bandaids on some scrapes. "My sister's name is Jasmine Kronoskori. Think about looking her up when you're up for it."

"..okay.."

"Do you have family outside of the flying furries that I can drop you off with?" Danny asks gently.

"My parents won't be home for another month.." Tim giggles nervously. Time will tell if that particular conditioning will stick.

"Would you be okay with me taking care of you? I can't just leave you alone with the shit you've been through the last, what, month?" Danny quickly grabs a clean shirt and pajama pants from his room. "I can't in good conscious leave you alone."

Tim lets Danny dress him. The clothes absolutely drowned the kid since he's practically skeletal.

"Can.." Tim swallows more giggles, looking sad and guilty. "Can I stay here? I... I can't face Batman... Not yet.."

"Kid, I know barely anything about you and I'm fully willing to fist fight the furry and adopt you." Danny informs him. He adopted his murderous clone when he was actually 14. He'll adopt this tiny child with a savior complex.

"You Can't Do That!" Tim's eyes are wide and a little wild. "You're the same age as me!"

"I'm 40. I died and stopped aging at 14." Tim chokes on his own saliva. "And I adopted the kid that tried to kill me when I was actually 14. No one can tell me not to at least emotionally adopt you."

"Uh! I have so many questions!" Tim flails. Danny finds it adorable.

"I might answer." Danny says while heading towards his kitchen. On the plus side of being broke, he has plenty of foods that should be easy on Tim's stomach. He'll skip adding all the seasonings he usually adds for flavour. Even if Tim can handle the flavour, his stomach wouldn't be able to. "Any food allergies?"

"Um, coconut? I'm also mildly fructose and lactose intolerant?" Tim admits curiously. He twists to look over the back of the couch, watching Danny putter around the kitchen.

A quick internet search later, and Danny has a simple potato soup made up. Tim doesn't speak the whole time, but Danny explains what he's making and why. Danny hands Tim a bowl and sits with his own. "Eat slowly. You'll throw up if you don't, and that's the worst."

"You've thrown up because of eating too quickly when suffering starvation?" Tim asks.

"Yeah, I was in a dark place... I think it was 15 years ago. Tried to starve myself to death, didn't work obviously, but the recovery period was the worst." Danny shrugs, "Means I know how to help with that at least. Don't even have to give you the "you deserve to eat" speech Jazz gave me."

Tim shoots him more curious looks while following the advice of pacing. Once they're done eating, Danny takes and cleans the dishes. After that, he picks the kid up and tucks him into his bed. It's not the best, but it's clean and beats the couch.

"Get some sleep, kiddo. We can continue talking after you get some real rest." Danny smiles sadly, "I'll be checking on you periodically to make sure you don't take a turn for the worse."

Tim konks out near instantly, between being fed, bandaged up, and made to feel safe, kid never stood a chance. Danny can only accept his obsession isn't going to let him leave this kid alone.

Chapter Text

Tim has known Danny a month, and he can say it has had a positive effect on his life. He's super understanding and accepting of all Tim's weird quirks. And when he ran away back to the Bats (which was a train wreck. B and Dick seemed relieved for 2 seconds, then tried to throw him in Arkham. Between him not selling out "Phantom" and still having JJ traits, they found him unacceptable.), Danny let him go, understanding, before accepting Tim back as easy as breathing when he came crawling back. He helps Tim break into Drake Manor directly after, revealing the invisibility and intangibility Tim thought he hallucinated to get clothes, toiletries, his phone (there's 20 missed calls, 5 are Dick, 2 are Bruce, 2 are Barbara, 1 is his parents, and the rest are his school.), his photographs, camera, and the card linked to the allowance his parents send every 2 weeks. Tim took the last thing because he doesn't want Danny to suffer for taking him in and help with expenses, Danny frowns before giving him a lecture about that not being Tim's responsibility when he finds out. Tim still buys groceries and gets them both new laptops when Danny isn't looking.

Danny modifies any electronics to be untraceable, showing Tim the whole process, so that Tim can contact his school with a fake doctor's note, a fake kidnapping story (some thugs heard what Joker tried to do with Robin and tried their own hand at it. Harley squawked about the JJ thing and how a new meta called Phantom killed Mista J, so it's all over the news. (A fake police report magically appears in the GCPD)), and how Tim won't be able to physically be at school for a while and if they could please send his schoolwork over. Tim holds off on contacting his parents, curious to see if they notice anything, and can't find it in himself to be disappointed that they don't (not even when they stopped by the manor a few days ago, they texted him exactly 1 time to scold him about the lack of food in Drake Manor).

When Tim's physical injuries are mostly healed, Danny moves them from the shitty 1 bedroom apartment to an equally shitty 2 bedroom apartment, still in Crime Alley. Tim feels slightly guilty about Danny refusing to let him sleep anywhere other than the bed, taking the floor or couch before he moves a second bed into the new apartment. Tim isn't sure what to do with the level of care Danny showers him with, but he loves it.

Danny, while disapproving and disliking Tim wanting to continue being a vigilante, doesn't actually stop him (something about being a hypocrite if he says no?). Tim designs a new costume since he can't be Robin, and Danny helps create it! Tim isn't sure how Danny got the nearly indestructible materials that need specialized cutting and sewing materials, but it's awesome!

The costume's base is black. Black cargo pants, an armored turtleneck, black domino mask. But he decides that since he unfortunately can't get rid of all his JJ traits (the laughing fits, the scars, his hair is growing green??, the (bipolar depressive/) manic episodes, etc.) and the Bats won't accept him anyways, so why not lean in. Over the black base, he adds a gothic tailcoat vest. It's very dark purple with bright Kelly green lapels and buttons. The lenses on his mask and his combat boots are the same shade of green. He feels like the green ties his new vigilante look to Danny's ghost form. He also finds the whole fit awesome and a giant fuck you to both Papa J and the Bats.

This does lead to his current dilemma. He needs a new name before he debuts his new vigilante identity.

"I refuse to be Joker Junior!" Tim huffs at Danny, who's calmly making dinner.

"Like I've said before, then don't be."

"But what should I call myself? I can't use a bird or bat name either. I've never had to think of a name for if I was an independent before!" Tim flops on the floor. The kitchen and frontroom is basically one room, so Danny can still see him being dramatic without Tim getting underfoot.

"Name yourself a ghostly name."

"Huh?" Tim sits up to look at the slightly blushing man trapped in a child's body.

"I mean, you're already connected to my ghost form, since everyone is going to connect you to your old vigilante identity, so why not pick something ghostly or supernatural." Danny turns to do something Tim can't see, but Tim knows he's just trying to hide how embarrassed he is about sharing the suggestion. "You don't have to. You could pick something more personal, like Shutterbug or Mania or something."

"Huh... That would work. It'd really rub in the Bats' faces that they basically killed 2 Robins." Tim mutters before twisting himself into a pretzel. "Any suggestions?"

"Depends. What do you want people to get from your name? And what annoyed do you want people who know both your IDs to be? Phantom was a literal pun off my lastname."

"How is Phantom a pun off of Kronokori?"

"Kronokori is Jazz's last name, mine's Kronoyios."

"Huh??"

"And those are our lastnames because Clockwork, or I guess Kronos, adopted us. Our original lastname was Fenton."

"You got adopted by a god?"

"Basically, yeah. Don't worry about it. It's probably one of the least weird things to happen during that time, but that's for a different time. What do you want from your name?"

"Uhhh..." Tim takes a moment to really think about it. "It should be something loud and chaotic, but not necessarily good or evil? I don't really care if it would make people eye roll or groan if I share my ID. Maybe something that is angry? I definitely feel angry."

"As you should." Danny affirms and thinks a second. "Wraith? It's a vengeful spirit seen shortly before or after death."

"Mmm... No."

"Sprite? It's a-"

"No way!" Tim pauses and thinks on his violent reaction. "... Sorry.. It just feels childish and like I'm a 2 dimensional game sprite. Not something that can grow with me or demand respect."

"It's fine, Tim." Danny flashes a reassuring smile. "How about Bashee? They scream to warn someone death is near."

"Aren't they all women?"

"Not necessarily. Kinda like selkies, there's more myth about the women, but there's men too." Danny starts plating the food he made. "Apparition? They're closer to an after imagine of the dead."

"But are they loud?"

"Not usually...hmmmm" Danny hands Tim his plate while scrunching his face in thought. "Let's see, Dullahan, Kelpie, Sphinx, Shade- Oh! Oh! I know! Poltergeist! They're loud, chaotic, usually malicious, they bite and scratch and slam things! It also doesn't sound childish, so you can keep it for as long as you need."

Tim munches on his dinner while thinking it over. "I think that would work. Hehe! A Poltergeist under the care of a Phantom."

Danny smiles, "Glad to help, kiddo."

Tim sets his mostly empty plate down and launches himself at Danny. Danny used to the behavior, quickly gets his own plate out of the way and catches him in a hug.

"Thank you, Danny." His tone indicates he's thanking him for more than just the name.

"No problem." Danny kisses the top of Tim's head. They stay like that for a moment before Tim pushes himself up.

"I think I should talk to your sister." He grabs his plate and sits near Danny on the couch. "I don't want someone to trigger me with a dumb comment or something."

"I'll tell her tonight." Danny says, "She's been wanting to meet you. Mostly because she wants to know her new nephew, but also because she likes to psychoanalize hero types. She finds us fascinating, but is still usually chill about it. Unlike when we were teens."

"What happened when you were teens?" Tim asks curiously.

"So Jazz has always wanted to be a therapist, and unfortunately, that means she knew a lot on the topic, but had none of the tact in implementing the knowledge." Danny looks absolutely fond. "She'd corner me to try and force me to talk about my feelings. "You can't keep it all bottled up, Danny." "You're hurting yourself and others by not talking." It was very annoying for an angsty teen to hear. She was right, but her methods needed work. And she's definitely put in the work since then."

"Any chance she's going to be anything like Harley?"

"Not a chance. She hates clowns and isn't one for jokes that aren't well thought out. You have to be really clever to even get a chuckle at a pun." Danny explains, taking their empty plates to wash them. "She isn't opposed to dark humor, but only if she knows the reason for it and knows it's not your only coping skill."

"So you got in trouble with her a lot, didn't you?" Tim teases, knowing Danny still uses dark humor as his main coping mechanism.

"All the time, but I started listening to her advice when I was.. 30? 32? Somewhere in my early 30s." Danny admits. "I got really tired of wanting to die all the time. And her advice has definitely helped minimize the want, unfortunately, mental illness doesn't truly go away."

Tim thinks about that. He knows you can't cure the types of mental illness he has, and Danny has been very open about his own issues, but he can't help his disappointment.

"Hey, on the plus side," Danny speaks up as if sensing Tim's thoughts, sometimes Tim is positive the man can. The man isn't facing him currently, so it's definitely not because Tim was making a face or something. "You're legally a person, so Jazz can get you meds. At least for your bipolar. I know you've been struggling with the whiplash between your extreme emotions."

"That's good..." Tim stares at the back of Danny's head. "You're not legally a person?"

"Nah. In the eyes of the government, I'm dead. It's why I've been hiding out in Gotham. The government has no place here, and as much as I hate the guy, Bats keeps the people hunting me down away." Danny pauses. "You know, I wonder if they think I faded? I haven't made an appearance in nearly 20 years. Then again, Harley snitched to everyone in existence, so I might have to start dodging ghost hunters again. At least the Anti-Ecto Control Acts got repealed, so I won't be taken to a secret government lab to be experimented on again. Shout out to Amity Parkers for clawing their way into office."

"The dad lore of your life is extensive." Tim jokes.

Danny chuckles. "Being a lab accident made ghost child vigilante with a portal to the infinite realms in his basement and ghost hunter parents and the government after you and the other ghosts visiting your town will do that. You'll have your own out of pocket stories to tell your kids one day, well, if you want kids. Otherwise, shocking friends is just as fun. Just imagine telling someone about the last 2 months. "Yeah, hi! My name's Tim! I was the 3rd Robin because a furry couldn't get his act together and then the Joker kidnapped me and I got adopted by the dead guy who showed up and killed him!""

Tim giggles. "I don't sound like that!"

"Maybe, maybe not, but it's still something you could say." Danny grins at him, drying his hands. "Do you need any help with your homework?"

"Yeah, there's a chemistry problem I don't understand-"

Tim loves living with Danny. It's everything a Tim pre-Batman would daydream about. Just a dad taking interest in his life and interests and taking care of him.

Chapter Text

Jason had absolutely no idea what he was looking at. Talia's information was apparently out of date when she sent him back here. There's a tiny vigilante version of Joker talking to the air on a rooftop in Crime Alley that wasn't in any of her reports. The whispers on the street call the kid Poltergeist, and he's apparently a chaotic good character and used to be Robin #3 before a run-in with the Joker turned him into the loony he sees before him. Jason is pissed Bruce let a second kid fall into that monster's hands.

And despite Jason searching, he hasn't found anything on the guy that supposedly saved the kid from Joker. Harley is still fucked up from seeing this Phantom guy kill her "Puddin'", but considering she helped fuck this kid up, Jason has no sympathy.

"Shit!" Jason ducks for cover when the kid suddenly snaps his head over to him. When Jason looks back, the kid isn't there anymore. "Double shit."

"Why have you been watching me?" Is asked from behind him. Jason will deny the yelp and jolt if anyone asks, but he totally did as he whips around, finding the kid perched on the building's roof access. There should be no way he got there that fast (is the kid a meta?). He has his head tilted like a curious puppy, the dark purple lipstick smeared over his lips and facial scars not hiding his little little frown. "Who are you, anyways, Mr. Tank?"

"I just wanted to check out the new player." Jason is glad his helmet disguises his voice, it masks some of his awkwardness.

The kid pouts, "I've been around 3 years if you count my year as Robin, that's not very new. If anything, you're the new player, Mr. Hood."

So the kid does know who he is? "Yeah, well, I've been outside of Gotham for those 3 years. You're new to me."

"Hmm, you couldn't have been Red Hood before you left." A second teenager's voice says from just to the left of Poltergeist, startling Jason. An unearthly looking 14(?) year old fades into view. The kid(?) is floating, answering the question of how Poltergeist got to where he is without Jason noticing. "Your ectoplasum is funky, my guy. How long have you been an Revenant?"

"A what?" The helmet can't mask how baffled he is.

"Yeah! Yeah! What's a Revenant, Dad!?" Poltergeist excitedly asks the other kid(?). The (not)kid's obviously not human, so Jason is obviously an idiot for assuming. Guy looks like a kid, but doesn't have the vibe of a kid. And he gets the vibe Poltergeist is calling this guy "Dad" in a 100% "this is my father" way and not the weird "I call my sexual partner Daddy" thing that cropped up while Jason was without internet access.

"A Revenant is an undead that had a violent death and had a need to avenge themselves so desperate they rebound their soul to their body." The unknown explains, then seems to stare into Jason's soul. "Something is off about your ectoplasm, though. You should really get that looked at."

"Looked at by who?" Jason asks warily, "Who even are you?"

"Ah, I'm Phantom. Friendly neighborhood dead guy." Phantom fucking finger guns, what even is Jason's life? "And if you're asking that, I can only assume you've never been to the Infinite Realms."

"The where??"

"A dimension that runs parallel to this one. It's the dimension of the dead, undead, and neverbornes. It's very green." Phantom explains. "They'd have more knowledge on how to fix you the best, but I currently don't have easy access to it and don't know where you could. Good news! I'm pretty sure if I give you my own ectoplasm while slowly removing the fucked up bits of yours, it'd straight itself out. The unfortunately side effect is you'd be considered my kid in the eyes of the Realms and I'd want to know who the fuck you are before either of us commit to that."

"It'd fix the pit rage?" Jason asks in a daze. He's killed more people than he ever wanted because of the blackout rage he gets sent into.

""Pit rage"?" Phantom is staring into his soul again.

"I get so angry I blackout and can't truly tell you what I did during the, usually, hours I'm lost to it." Jason explains, "It's how I got on B's radar before I meant to."

Poltergeist is now creepily staring at him. Kid really is mimicking his dad.

"Yeah, no, that's not normal." Phantom scrunches his face in thought. "Rage is normal for a Revenant, it comes with the territory, but blackout rage isn't..."

Phantom looks over to Poltergeist, "How do you feel about a sibling?"

Poltergeist hasn't stopped his staring. It's freaking Jason out. Even more so when the kid starts cackling in delight. It sounds Joker-like. Which is fair given what Jason heard about how the kid became this way.

"I know who You Are Revenant ~!" Poltergeist sings. Making Jason freeze, because seriously??? The Bats haven't figured it out, but this kid in one meeting did???

"Oh?" Phantom asks fondly.

"He's the second Robin!" Poltergeist crows. "You definitely have my permission! How could I refuse the best Robin being my brother??"

"Wha-how-what the fuck, kid?" Jason sputters.

"You thought I wouldn't recognize you?" Poltergeist grins manically. "I stalked you and the B-man every chance I got before you died! I know you! Batsy was a fool to let you go!"

"You what now?" Jason doesn't know how many existential crisises he can handle in one conversation.

"I had a baby stalker phase!" Poltergeist admits happily before turning to Phantom, "Does being a vigilante mean I'm still a stalker?"

Phantom seems to genuinely think about it before answering, "I think you have to be to be a Gotham vigilante. Just try not to let it branch out to other areas in life. Normal people, and probably normal heroes and vigilantes, would probably get scared off."

"Jazz already told me." Poltergeist whines and flops over. Jason can now only see his feet. "Normal people are boring anyways."

Phantom just shakes his head fondly before looking back at Jason. "I'll let you think on it. We'll be around."

And with that, Phantom scoops up Poltergeist and turns them both invisible. Poltergeist's shriek of "Ta Ta!" and happy cackles echo in a way that means Phantom is flying them away.

Jason doesn't need to think on it, but he appreciates the thought.

He heads to his nearest safe house and starts researching up a storm on the supernatural to at least have a baseline on what he (and Phantom possibly) are. He takes a lot of the info with a grain of salt, though. He'll have lots to ask when he meets up with his potential new family. Who needs the Bats anyways? B told him he wasn't his father before he died, why should that change now that he died and came back? Nah, B will just be mad he's a crimelord. Phantom and Poltergeist don't seem to mind at all.

Yeah, he's joining their weirdass family. Maybe he should add a symbol or something green to his vigilante get up to declare it? He'll decide after he talks to them. Phantom might have a family crest or something.

Chapter Text

Tim is annoyed. Bruce and Dick have kicked their stalking up a notch since Jason joined his little family of ghosts. He can sort of understand, Jason is a serial killing crimelord, but he and Danny have been helping with that. Kind of. They all have weird morals and don't see the point of B's iron rules, BUT Tim and Danny have been curbing Jason's Blind Rage murder and plans while Danny helps fix Jason's ecto. The blood soaked shenanigans have gone down significantly.

Not that the Bats appreciate it.

"Go away." Tim is out as Poltergeist when Dick as Nightwing crawls onto the roof he chose for a break. Phantom hands Tim a snack before standing between the three vigilantes. Batman is trying to sneak towards them on the far right side of roof.

"Why are you here, Nightwing?"

"Can't I come see my little brother and his friend?" The ghosts both blink at Danny being called Tim's friend. Tim is positive he's called Danny Dad in public. Tim shakes off Dick's stupidity to glare to him.

"I'm not your brother. Not anymore, betrayer."

"Aww! Baby bird, you don't-"

"Stop." Danny cuts off Dick, moving to Dick can't see Tim. "You won't be gaslighting him into second guessing his feelings."

"Gaslighting!?" Dick sounds stunned.

"Yes. Gaslighting." Danny crosses his arms while staring Dick down. "So leave. Take your shithead of a father with you."

Tim giggles at the surprised noises the Bats make. He peeks around Danny to see their faces with perfect timing. The sound of a gun cocking makes the Bats tense and announcing Jason's arrival on the scene. Tim shoves the rest of his snack in his mouth to finish it as fast as possible.

"What are you fuckers doing in Crime Alley?" The Revenant growls.

"Hoodie!!" Tim cheers and launches himself at him. Jason adjusts himself instantly to catch him.

"Heya, Ghosty! The Bats harassing you again?"

"Always!" Tim beams at him, ignoring whatever the Bats and Danny are talking about to check Jason over for injuries. "Everything go well with your gang?"

"Of course." Jason shrugs before tensing. Tim barely has to wonder why for a second, then Dick yelping in pain draws his attention back to Danny and the Bats. He gets to see Danny throw Dick directly at Bruce with more force than necessary, sending them both to the ground.

"Don't touch me. I'm not one of your flock and will never be." Danny sneers. "Now leave before I let Red Hood shoot you."

"Okay, okay." Dick tries to say soothingly. Tim can see Dick's mind trying to figure out to get Danny to change his mind and become his newest "little brother". Which is hilarious. Danny is 7 years older than Bruce. "We'll leave."

Bruce looks like he wants argue as they climb to their feet, but Dick elbows him, subtly glancing towards the pissed off teens (and "teen") glaring threatening them. "Fine. We'll be back."

They watch the Bats leave before Danny turns a bright smile to his sons. "How is your gang?"

"They're doing well." Jason fidgets. "They've noticed my aggression is going down, but still know not to cross me."

"That's great." Danny floats up to be more eye level with Jason. "I know you're very proud of your growing empire, just remember a healthy balance of fear and generosity will keep them loyal to you."

"I know, I know." Jason huffs. "I've already started setting up benefits and bonuses for my guys and their families."

"Good." Danny hugs him before scooping Tim up like a toddler. Tim soaks up all the physical contact his Dad and Jason offer him, even if he should probably find it embarrassing at his age. He's pretty sure it's because he was completely starved of affection and human touch until he became Robin. "Any more plans for tonight?"

"Not anything I can't do from home." Jason admits.

"Me too!" Tim wiggles happily.

"I thought you were planning a break in." Jason tilts his head curiously.

"I can do it tomorrow!" Tim grins. "I want to watch more of our show and cuddle!"

Danny kisses the top of Tim's head. "The Bats throw you that off balance?"

"...They're trying to adopt you." Tim sighs, going limp in Danny's hold. "They're so stupid."

Jason starts cackling, it sound creepy through his helmet's voice changer and has gotten a bit more unhinged sounding as Tim's new laugh rubs off on him. "They're trying to adopt Dad?? He's older than B!"

"They don't know that." Danny chuckles. "I don't have a legal identity for them to find that out from."

"Still!" Jason wheezes.

"I don't understand how they've missed that Hoodie and I call you Dad, though." Tim grumps. "That should have tipped them off that there's more going on here and that you aren't actually a random 14 year old we've pack bonded with."

"They requires them to understand both emotions and us more than they do." Danny hums. "They have built up who you "should" be in their minds and made 2 dimensional cut outs of me and your brother, and are unwilling to look at the whole picture. They've decided what should be without taking into account what is."

"Sounds about right." Jason sighs, still amused as he ruffles Tim's STILL GREEN hair. Tim is still unsure HOW Joker changed the genetic make up of his hair, but he wears a black wig when going out as a civilian now because of it. Too many people would put 2 and 2 together if he didn't.

"I can't be who they want." Tim says sadly, "And I don't want to be now that I have you guys. I can just be who I am and be accepted and even loved for it. I never had that before."

Danny kisses the top of his head again. "You're the sweetest kid I've ever met. How could I ask for more? I will never regret taking you or Red Hood in. You're my sons."

"Ugh! You're so sappy!" Jason complains, sounding like the 17 year old he is. He still leans in and hugs them, though.

Tim giggles and clings to them both. "I love you."

"Yeah, yeah, love you too, brat."

"I love you both." Danny is literally glowing with his happy emotions. "Let go home. I'll fly us!"

Jason huffs, but agrees to be carried so long as they stay invisible. Danny easily agrees and gets them all home. The teens shower and change into pajamas while Danny makes dinner. Once everyone is fed, watered and clean, they relax in the front room, making a puppy pile and getting nothing else done that night. Tim LOVES his new family so freaking much.

Chapter Text

Jason scowls at the baffling scene in front of him. Tim is hanging by his ankle from a light pole. Nightwing has a hold of Danny's wrist and is clearly trying to lecture both Tim and Danny.

"What the fuck?" Jason's right hand man, John, says in disbelief. John is a rough 43 year old man and basically Jason's Danny approved babysitter. Danny doesn't care that Jason's 18 now, he takes his sons safety very seriously, and has traumatized several of Jason's gang members to make sure they will also take Jason (and Tim)'s health and safety just as seriously.

"Fuck if I know, but we're interrupting." Jason informs him. "Get Poltergeist down."

"On it, boss."

Jason has never been so happy that Danny made sure John could grapple. It makes it so they can swing down easily. John lands near Tim, running over and having Tim put his weight on his shoulder while he works on untying the batwire from Tim's ankle. Meanwhile, Jason swings and throws himself boot first at Dick. The asshole barely lets Danny go and dodges in time.

"The fuck do you think you're doing, Dickwing?" Jason growls.

"I was just trying to talk to the kids, Hood." John snorts, mostly amused at Danny being called a kid. A good chunk of Jason's gang knows Danny, or rather Phantom, is MUCH older than he looks. "I don't know what you said to them to make them so against the Bats. We all want to help Gotham. I'm sure we can work something out. You've made it no secret you know who me and B are, so you know we can take care of them."

"I didn't have to say or do shit to turn them against you fuckers." Jason levels a gun at Dick and waves a hand towards where Tim was strung up. Danny went over and phases Tim's ankle out of the wire and is now icing the bruising. "Your own fucked up behavior did that. How many times have you personally hurt Poltergeist now?"

"I was just trying to get them to stay and listen." Dick pouts, trying to justify himself.

"How many times, Dickhead?" Jason shoots the ground inches from Dick's left foot. "Because I've seen and heard of at least 2 dozen instances at this point."

"That's not-"

"Shut up. I'm done with you using my little brother as a substitute for a dead boy. Jason would be so fucking disappointed in you." Dick flinches at Jason mentioning his own name before getting angry.

"Don't you talk about him! What would you know!? You didn't even know him!"

"Yes, I fucking did!" Jason shouts back, and it's a testament to Danny's healing and Tim's efforts on anger management that Jason hasn't dropping into a blind rage like he would have a year ago. "I knew him better than you ever did!"

"I think I would know if my kid brother was hanging out with a murderous man." Dick grits his teeth.

"I'm 18, fucker." Jason admits just to see Dick choke. Jason is amused to watch Dick clearly do the math that Jason is the same age as, well, Jason. It's too funny.

"Wha-? He squeaks, "But that means-!"

"That you've been fist fighting a minor?" Jason cocks his head to the size. "My birthday was last month."

"Oh! Wow!" Dick looks like he's revaluating everything he knows.

"Hood?" Danny calls.

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Are you done playing with the Bat?" Jason looks over to Danny. John is holding Tim in a princess carry.

"Sure."

"What?? No!" Dick protests.

"Good. Stay with your brother while I dump him in the Gotham Bay like I promised I would if I saw him in Crime Alley again. I'm a man of my word after all."

Jason looks back at a sputtering Nightwing. "I guess I won't shoot you. Don't want you to die just yet."

"Now wait a min-" Dick is cut off by Danny flying over and grabbing him none too gently.

"I gave you plenty of warnings." Is the last thing Jason hears from them as Danny flies away.

Jason stows away his gun and turns to Tim. "You good, Ghosty?"

"My ankle is sprained." Tim pouts. "Dad isn't going to let me patrol for a week at least."

"He's quite the mother hen." John chuckles. "It's nice to see a decent dad for once."

"He's the best dad either of us has had." Jason agrees and adds. "Third times the charm, I guess."

"Fourth, if I count Joker!" Tim giggles.

"Third? Fourth? What?" John looks confused.

"Our bio-dads were bad and shouldn't have reproduced." Tim pokes John's cheek. "Then we both got adopted by Batsy! That went poorly! Then I got remade by Joker and Harls! And now Phantom is our Dad!"

"That." Jason agrees. "Batbitch just wants child soldiers. I literally died from it."

"Then Batsy used Hoodie as a "cautionary tale" on what not to do as Robin, as if he wasn't the best Robin!" Tim hisses. It's touching how pissed off on his behalf his little brother is.

"That's sucks." John says sympathetically. "At least you have Phantom now."

"He's the best!" Tim grins. John has to quickly adjust to Tim's happy wiggling.

"What are you talking about?" Danny asks, floating over.

"How much we love you!!" Tim makes grabby hands.

"Oh?" Danny asks, picking Tim up like a toddler. It looks hilarious. Tim is taller and slightly broader than Danny is now, but neither care. Jason knows both were extremely touch starved before they adopted each other and now indulge in hugs and cuddles whenever they can.

"You're a wonderful father to these boys." John smiles and Danny blushes bright green.

"They're my sons. I would do anything for them."

"We know, dad. We know." Jason feels too fucking sappy, so he changes the subject. "I guess patrol is over for tonight?"

"You're correct." Danny is still a bit flushed. "I don't want you out by yourself. Not with the Bats being on our asses. Ah, no offense, John."

"None taken." John waves him off. "I know I ain't gonna be able to fight a pissed off Bat and win. I'm good, but I ain't that good."

"And he's gonna be pissed." Tim giggles.

"We'll see you tomorrow, John." Jason chuckles.

"Of course, kid."

"Goodnight, John" Danny smiles kindly at the man and gently picks up Jason.

"Bye-bye!!" Tim grins and waves as they fly off. Danny turns them invisible so no one can track them home.

The rest of the night goes like so many he's had over the past year. Showers, dinner, and cuddles and relaxation before Danny sends them to bed. It's nice and cozy. Jason love it. He has never felt safer than living with Danny and Tim in their shitty little apartment. Danny gave Jason his room when Jason came to live with them and they haven't found a suitable 3 bedroom apartment yet, but it's fine. They cohabitate swimmingly. Sure, it's not perfect, but Jason doesn't want to change anything yet. He loves living with his ghostly father and annoying little brother. They've helped him so much for seemingly no reason. The Bats can pry his crazy family from his cold dead hands.

Chapter Text

Now this was not how Jazz pictured this trip going. She came to Gotham to finally see her adorable nephews in person and check up on Danny, just to make sure he isn't hiding relapses. He magnificently isn't and is thriving now that he has people his protection obsession can latch onto. So, yes, the trip, while cramped, is going well.

But it now looks like she has a daughter.

Jazz decided to stretch her legs. As much as she loves her brother and his sons, she needed a breather from their chaos and she isn't scared of wondering around Gotham by herself. It's too early for the Bats to be out and she's 7'2 and built like an Amazon thanks to her bi-weekly spars with Pandora to keep in shape. So no, there isn't much she fears in Gotham nor is she scared of bringing the Bats to her brother's doorstep.

That being said, she wasn't looking for a fight when she saw a small slip of a girl about to be attacked and Jazz was not going to let that happen. The girl stance looks like she'd be able to take her attackers down no problem, but Danny's protection obsession rubbed off on Sam, Tucker, and her a long time ago. So while they don't NEED to help like Danny, they will without thought. Jazz doesn't even think before she's incapacitated the men. She uses one of their own phones to call the police to pick them up, wiping her finger prints off, before she realizes the girl is still there. She looks to be about Tim's age and clearly homeless. She's staring up at Jazz with a starry eyed fascination.

"Hello." Jazz leans down to be eye level with the girl. "Are you alright?"

The girl seems to panic at being spoken to and a deep confusion wafts off of her. Jazz might not have a core, but she's contaminated enough to sense emotions at close proximity.

"Do you understand english?" More confusion. "Hablas español?"

Unfortunately, those are the only languages she can speak. She can understand more, just not speak it. Danny has an awful habit of speaking in the language of the dead without noticing, usually when he's tired or hurt. She's been teaching her nephews to understand it just in case.

That being said, Jazz is getting the sense it doesn't matter what language she uses. She keeps her body language open and concerned, pantomiming her to ask if she's hungry or hurt. She isn't hurt, but she is hungry. She accepts the hand Jazz offers and easily follows her back to Danny's apartment. Once outside the door she does her best to warn the girl that there's 3 more people inside, she seems to understand.

"Danny! I'm following your lead!" Jazz announces jokingly as she opens the door.

"Wha-?" Danny asks as he steps out of the kitchen. Tim and Jason are sitting near each other in the frontroom and look up from their devices curiously. They all look surprised as Jazz gently pulls the girl inside.

"I don't think she understands spoken language." Jazz says as she sits the girl down at the little breakfast table Danny owns. "Is lunch ready? She's hungry."

"Oh, uh, I'm making stir fry. It'll be ready in a few." Danny tells her, waving at the girl in bewildered acceptance. "Does she have a name?"

"I am unsure. One way to find out!" She points to each person as she names them for the girl. "Jazz. Danny. Tim. Jason."

Jazz then points toward the girl, tilting her head in question. The girl just sadly shakes her head.

"Do you think sign language will have better results?" Tim asks, shuffling over. He does what Jazz did, but with name signs. That also gets a sad head shake, but she seems very intrigued by the prospect of sign language. Tim catches on to that too and takes the time to teach her, slowly, how to do each of the name signs.

"Tim?" Danny calls lightly, plating the food that is now done.

"Yeah?"

"After dinner, would you be willing to loan her some clothes? She's closest to your size." Danny asks, handing Tim and the girl the first plates.

"Of course!" Tim grins. "Thanks for the food, Dad!"

Danny floats up to kiss the top of Tim's head before going back to the kitchen to plate more food. It's amusing to see the size difference between Danny and his sons. Danny is 5'2 and a beanpole. Tim is about 5'7 and an inch or two wider, which is funny, but it's even funnier to see Danny cuddle up to Jason, who's 6'2 and 225 pounds. Jazz imagines that her nephews feel the same amusement when they see the size difference between her and Danny.

Danny hands her and Jason larger portions of food, both needing to eat more than the average person. Both because they're both larger than average and because their ecto needs something to feed on. Jason's core is underdeveloped and she just doesn't have one, so neither can process Gotham's ectoplasm. Luckily, Jason's core should be developed enough to in the next year.

Danny just smiles at her thanks and kisses the top of Jason's head, like he did Tim, when he thanks him for the food. Danny sits at the table with his own plate, it has less than Tim and the girl's. Danny's halfa status makes him need less food than most people, but he still needs some to maintain his human body and has needed even more food than usual because of healing Jason.

"We really need to figure out a name for her." Danny says lightly, glancing sadly the girl.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out. I plan to take her to Pandora, she'll have plenty of names." Jazz adds. "She's a fighter and should get a say."

"You'll have to tell me about how you met her tomorrow." Danny looks over at his boys, they're play arguing. "I don't want her to feel left out while we talk and the boys will want to leave on patrol soon."

"Thanks for rolling with this."

"I'd be a hypocrite if I judged you for impulse adopting a kid." Danny frowns at his food. "Besides, I know how much you wanted kids.."

"Yeah..." Jazz in basically infertile. The repeated exposure to ectoplasm while growing up has made it so her uterus would only accept sperm that's equally as fucked as her eggs. The likelihood of her finding a partner that meets all the requirements is slim to none. So unless she gets access to cloning technology to impregnate herself, or someone as obsessive and creepy as Vlad decides to clone her, she gave up on the idea of biological kids. She just hadn't started the process of adopting anyone yet either before now.

It's funny for Jazz to think about how their parents' neglect of lab safety has ended the Fenton bloodline.

"I'll pick up clothes for her with Tim while we're out." Danny informs Jazz while gathering up his and the girl's empty plates to start cleaning the dishes.

"I appreciate it." Danny waves her off.

Jazz notices Tim scarfs down the rest of his meal when he notices Danny has started the dishes. She's not sure why Tim does that, but it's something she's seen him do every night. Each night, as soon as Danny starts doing dishes, Tim tries to get his dish in the sink as fast as possible. She hasn't asked yet, since it doesn't seem to be hurting him and she doesn't sense any panic over it, just a light disappointment in himself if he doesn't get his dishes in the sink before Danny finishes.

Tim does his nightly routine before going to his room and returning with some pajamas for his new cousin. It's fun to watch Tim use his over the top and bubbly body language to get the girl to follow him to the bathroom. He helps her turn the shower on before trotting back into the frontroom and flinging himself at Jason, who quickly moves his plate out of the way and grumbles at his little brother.

"We have a cousin now!" Tim cheers.

"Yeah, yeah, I noticed."

"I've never met a cousin before!" Tim settles down after the confession. "I don't remember meeting any family outside my parent before.."

"Well, you're doing great, Tim." Jazz praises. "Danny and I haven't had the pleasure to meet our cousins yet either now that I think about it."

Danny pauses. "Huh.. I forgot we are technically cousins to demigods because of CW."

"I'm sure we'll be meeting them soon, with you adopting vigilantes and such." Jazz shrugs.

"Oops?" Danny does not sound sorry at all. "Speaking of, Boys! You should get changed!"

"Yes, Dad!" Jason finishes his own plate a few bites quicker than Jazz. They both put their dishes in the sink.

The apartment is a buzz with energy. Jazz finds the fact both her nephews have added a green outlined DP symbol to their costumes to be adorable. Her cute little nephews are so proud of their father and Danny was an absolute mess when they revealed the additions.

The mystery girl is amused and confused when she sees them heading out, only panics a little to see Danny transform. They all wave her goodbye before Danny turns them invisible and flies off. Leaving Jazz alone with the girl. She starts coming up with ways to communicate with her before setting the girl up for sleep. Jazz is going to have to figure it out before they leave in 2 days and she's determined.

Chapter Text

Tim pokes his dad and tilts his head towards the new, very purple, vigilante hanging out with Batgirl. She's the newest Bat, and word on the street is she calls herself Spoiler and has personal beef with Cluemaster of all people. Tim is very curious about her, but hasn't gone out of his way to figure her out just yet. He has more important fish to fry before he can dig his little stalkery fingers into who she is.

"Want to say hi?" Danny asks with a light smile.

"Yeah!" Tim grins and darts stealthily across the rooftops. He knows his dad turned himself invisible and is floating silently behind him as he sneaks up on the fem-Bats.

"And that's all you should need to know about our current patrol." Barbara says, "Any questions?"

"Oo! Oo! What about the other vigilante group? What should we do if we run into them?" The blonde sounds like she's Tim's age.

"Um-" Barbara seems to be trying to think of something or maybe how to word something?

Tim gets to relish in how the women startle and tense as he starts cackling from a shadow not 5ft away from them. "Yeah! Babs! What ARE you going to do if you see me or my family!?"

"Ti-" Barbara starts, but Tim cuts her off in a sing-song voice.

"Ah-ah! Names in the field, Girly-Bat!"

"Right.." She frowns, melancholy in her body language. "Well, Poltergeist, I honestly didn't think you would want to talk. Your group has been very apparent in your Bat-hate, so my plan was to just not engage, just observe, unless intervention is needed."

"What would YOU count as needing intervention?" Tim tilts his head. His family says he looks like a confused puppy when he does that, but everyone else finds it creepy.

"If you're attacked and no one is around to help, or if you're doing a crime." Barbara answers, "Things like that."

"Define crime? Last I checked everything Gotham vigilantes do is considered a crime." Tim points out, making Spoiler giggle. Tim flashes her a toothy grin and her eyes cringle in a way that tells him she's smiling back.

"Crime as in the Rouges' version of crime." Barbara is exasperated.

"So, to clarify, you don't plan to drag me back to the assholes who want me to be thrown in Arkham?" Tim asks.

"No." She suddenly seems very sad. "I think you seem to be doing fine despite what the Joker did. I doubt you'd be happy or healing if I forced you back."

Tim turns to the cold spot to his right and gestures a hand at Barbara. "And that's why she's my favourite Bat."

"She does seem much more level-headed than her male counterparts." Danny concurs while returning to the visible spectrum. The women startle, clearly having no idea Danny was there. As if Danny would let Tim go anywhere alone. "I shall be more lenient of your presence near my family for now, but know, if you abuse my tolerance, there won't be a second chance and you WILL be treated as your associates."

Danny stares both women down to make sure that message is clear. Don't fuck with his kids. Spoiler loudly gulps and stammers, "Gotcha, my dude. Don't fuck around and you won't find out, message received."

"You are much more reasonable than Nightwing and Batman claimed." Barbara states.

"That's because B and Wing are stupid!" Tim pipes up, rage starting to leak into his voice as he starts to rant. "All they do is harass us! "Phantom, be our new Robin!" Nevermind, Dad's older than B! "Hoody! Stop killing people and being a crimelord! Maybe join us or just rot in Arkham!" Despite the fact crime is down a whole 2% and because of how Hoody became Hoody can't be helped with normal medicine! Dad and Auntie are helping him not be so unstable, so he's already not killing as many people! "Polter! you're our family! But we're going to throw you in Arkham to "fix you"!" I don't NEED fixing! I'm already going to therapy and medicated for my fun disorders! But do B and Wing care? Nooo! We aren't what they want us to be, so we deserve to have no autonomy!"

The women seem to blink at the out burst, before Barbara frowns harshly, but not at Tim or Danny. "I think the boys may need a talking to. I'll tell Agent A."

"I can't stop you if you want to discuss the situation with the chronic enabler." Danny says casually, "I doubt he'll do anything if he hasn't already."

"Agent A might be able to talk to him." Tim is still fond of the elder man, but he gets why Danny doesn't share those feelings. Danny has voiced quite a bit of his distaste with the Bats in the past, so he's dislike of Alfred, the only grown adult B listens to, but "does nothing to help the children in his care" isn't a surprise to him. It is to the two Bats in front of them though. They wisely move on.

"What are your plans for tonight?" Barbara asks, conversationally.

"Why would we tell you that?" Tim asks, "We don't trust you not to sell us out. You're Bats. Push comes to shove, we both know who you'd side with."

Barbara looks a little heartbroken at that, "I thought I told you I would always listen to your side before picking a side."

"And you ALWAYS sided with Dick." Tim points out. "No matter how in the right I was. I have no reason to trust you or the Purple Power Ranger."

"Purple Power Ranger!" Spoiler giggles, clearly not offended.

"I believe it's time for us to split way." Danny cuts in. "Tensions are rising and I believe you don't want to say anything to remove my good will."

"Right.." Barbara concedes, "I look forward to seeing you again, Tim."

"Names!" Tim whines and huffs, "B surely taught you better! He sure beat it into me while I was Robin."

"What?" Barbara and Spoiler ask in shock.

"Oh! Did you think MOI got the loving mentor/father version of B?" Tim mockingly asks and continues bitterly. "No. I'm sure the Batcave cameras of my start as Robin can clear that up. B was never any of that for me. I refuse to play happy family with him now that I know what love actually feels like."

"That's valid." Spoiler says, shrugging. "None of this is my business though. I'm only a Bat by technicality. I work with Bat Girl and use B-man's credit card, but I don't know identities nor work with the guys."

"Thanks, I guess." Tim frowns a little. He doesn't find Spoiler's situation completely fair.

"I meant it when I said I want to see you around, Polter." Barbara sighs, "I'll see if I can't talk sense into the others."

"You do that." Danny says and starts leading Tim away. "Remember my warning, Batgirl, Spoiler. I am not merciful when crossed, especially if my family is involved."

"See Ya Around!" Spoiler waves wildly.

"I will." Barbara says and gently pulls Spoiler along with her in a separate direction.

"Spoiler seems fun." Tim giggles once both parties are out of ear shot. "She could be fun to play with."

"We'll see." Danny says, "If she doesn't disappoint, and/or leaves the Bats, I'll let you have playdates."

"I'm not 5" Tim pouts.

"I know, sweetheart, I just don't want you to get hurt." Danny gives Tim a hug. "I just want to make sure she won't betray you first, then you can create all the chaos you want. I heard she likes to throw around glitter."

"Ooooh! Hoody is going to HATE that!" Tim cackles.

Chapter Text

Jason has never hated the Bats more in this moment. He's currently holding his little brother as he sobs his heart out. Jason may have found Spoiler annoying, but she was Tim's friend. Key word being WAS. Jason can't help but fully believe the Robin Mantle to be cursed at this point. Spoiler was only supposed to be Robin temporarily before going back to Babs, but she can't now. Because she's dead. And now all Jason can do is help Tim grieve.

Jason and Tim violently murdered everyone responsible. Jason expects there to be an uptick in Bats sticking their nose into their business as a result, but he can't bring himself to care. The girl will hopefully rest in peace with her murderers gone.

"It's Not FAIR!" Tim sobs.

"I know, Ghosty, I know." Jason says softly. "Let it out."

"I -hic- was going to tell her I knew -hic- who she was." Tim presses into Jason as if he can phase into him. Jason just hugs him tighter. "I was going -hic- to help her get her mom in re -hic- rehab."

"We can still do that." Jason's heart ACHES at that. Jason didn't listen to Tim ramble about his chaotic friend as often as he should have, he thought he'd be able to just talk to her if he need the information or something, so he had no idea what her home life was like. "I'm sure she'd appreciate the gesture even from the grave."

"I'll see if Crystal is willing to talk." Danny says, setting a water bottle, 3 mugs of hot chocolate, and a plate of freshly made chocolate cookies. "Adults can be very stubborn when it comes to getting help and I imagine she's going to be twice as bad now that her only child is gone."

"Yeah.." Jason says softly, he feels like sobbing himself now.

"Oh, babies." Danny wraps them both into a loving hug. "Steph isn't in the Realms if it that helps."

"How -hic- do you know?" Tim latches onto their dad.

"I can sense ghosts I personally know wherever they are. Perks if being King, I guess."

"Being what now?" Both Tim and Jason blink up at their dad, grief on pause with the newest bombshell of dad lore.

"Have I never mentioned that?" Danny looks just as surprised as them when they shake their heads before blushing in embarrassment. "I fist fought the previous King of the Infinite Realms when he pulled my hometown into the Realms to destroy it. I won and gained the title by right of conquest. You're both considered Princes and Heirs to the throne, while Jazz and Cass are considered Princesses."

"Huh." Jason has no idea what to make of that.

"I have so many questions." Tim wipes his sleeve over his eyes and sniffles, clearly grabbing onto the distract with both hands. The poor kid has been sobbing off and on since he found out about Steph's death. She was truly his best friend, even if it was only in cape.

"I can probably answer them, but I'm not going to lie, I haven't been to the Realms in nearly a decade so there might be outdated information." Danny sheepishly admits.

"Who's ruling while you're away?" Jason asks.

"I set up my court when I was 26 and actively trying to kill myself." Danny waves a hand as if to shoo away bad thoughts, "I set everything up to run smoothly without me. They'll summon me if they truly need me."

"Tell us about them?" Tim's watery bloodshot eyes are even more powerful than his normal puppydog eyes.

"I can do that." He says, kissing both of their heads before grabbing one of the mugs of hot chocolate and sitting on the air in front of them. "Let's see. I think I'll start with Pandora since I know Jazz has mentioned her."

"Auntie Jazzy spars with her, right?" Tim passes Jason a mug while grabbing his own.

"Yup." Danny beams, making Tim blush. His little brother is still sensitive to praise from family and friends, which both amuses Jason and makes him want to strangle everyone who let this sweet kid suffer. "She's one of the few ghosts that didn't instantly try to kill me on sight too. She has a strong sense of justice and is Wonder Woman's great-great-add like 20 more greats- grandmother or something like that. She's super badass and nice, even if she does have a temper. So of course I made her part of my court, plus she updates Jazz who updates me on Realms shit."

"That doesn't seem fair to Jazz." Jason points out.

"It's not." Danny agrees, "But was for the best at the time. Jazz could make decisions in my stead while I was in my death spiral. Having you boys to take care of has really leveled me out. I plan to start building a portal soon so she doesn't have to be the middle man anyone. I'll see if I can't get lessons on how to make personal portals so I don't have to build one everytime I move or something."

"You can make portals?" Tim asks, half of his hot chocolate is gone despite Jason not seeing him take a sip. Jason isn't sure how the kid does that. Sometimes his drinks seem to just disappear as if a speedster drank it. The bit of chocolate on the side of his mouth disproves that "theory" though.

"My parents' life work was to make a portal to the "Ghost Zone", that's what they call the Infinite Realms, they succeeded when I was 14." Danny has a far away look on his face and is absently opening and closing his left hand, the one that's covered in scars from his death, and that says it all. They succeeded, but Danny died for it to happen. Tim isn't surprised by this information, so they must have talked about it without Jason around, maybe even before he joined the family. "I know how to build that type of portal, I even modified the blue prints so no accidents can happen when Jazz asked for them, but I can't tear a whole in reality with just my powers like some of the ghosts I know. I can theoretically do the same, but I never learned. Once I build something I'll ask Frostbite, Wulf, or Clockwork to teach me how."

"Clockwork's our grandpa, right!?" Tim wiggles in excitement.

"Yup!" Danny cheerfully says as he shakes off the funk of speaking about his parents and their portal. Jason gets an ugly picture each time Danny or Jazz talk about their parents. It's little wonder they disowned them and let themselves be adopted by a dead God, sorry, Ancient instead. "He's pretty cool and definitely dying to meet you!"

A green post-it note spawns into existence. "I shall have tea and cookies ready when you come visit." is written on it in elegant script. Tim and Jason stare at it wide-eyed.

"See! He's totally going to dote on y'all!" Danny grins, picking up the note and before seeming to absorb it. Noticing his kids look, Danny just shrugs. "Ecto is ecto, his notes self destruct anyways. I could use the boost of pure shit."

Another note lands on Danny's head, this time saying. "I'll have Jasmine send you ecto. Gotham's isn't very good for you to live off of. Young Jason would do well to have some as well."

Danny rolls his eyes fondly, "Worrywart. Once I have a portal working, Jazz won't have to send us ecto."

"Well, at least we know you come by in naturally?" Jason teases. Danny is actually so much worse of a worrywart. Jason and Tim never saw signs of Clockwork before now, but the Ancient is a ghost, so maybe that's why they never noticed.

"Eh, hardly." Danny absorbs this note too. "Your grandpa actively tried to kill me when we first met. Something something I'm an abomination something something the Observants want you dead. I don't really remember much beyond fighting several overpowered ghosts and my future evil self."

"What even is your life?" Jason is flabbergasted, "And now he's your dad?"

"Yup! He's pretty cool and a great parent when he isn't trying to kill you." Danny is a bit too happy when he says that, "A real upgrade from parents who killed me by accident several times."

"Is he part of your court?" Tim asks curiously.

"Nah, he's got enough on his plate. He can advise the court when need be though." Danny says as he sets down his mostly empty mug and snags a cookie. "Pandora, Frostbite, Dora, Sam, Kitty, and Johnny are who I picked out. They're pretty rounded out, but Jazz and I have vetoing power if they decide something crazy."

"Those are some names." Jason has no idea who any of these people are, but he thinks Sam is one of his dad's childhood best friends?

Danny snickers, "Yeah, so Frostbite is the Leader of the Far Frozen. He's pretty much my doctor and is the most level headed of the group, which is why I picked him. He won't let a war break out for no reason. He's also a Yeti."

"A Yeti?" Jason blinks hard, but figures there's no way Danny is fucking with him.

"Mhm." Danny hums around his mouthful of cookie, swallowing before he continues. "Kitty is the other one that I trust to keep calm. She's been super happy and relaxed since she and Johnny started going to couples therapy. The two of them are bikers from the .. I want to say 80s, but I never asked. But they're kind of my honorary siblings? It's complicated, but bring a different prospective to my court that the older more inhuman of my court wouldn't think of. Just, if you meet them, never trust Johnny's dating advice. I'm not sure what Kitty saw in him before we ripped him a new asshole for being an insensitive dick. The therapy helped him A LOT."

"So ignore Uncle Johnny's advice, got it." Tim nods.

"Probably for the best most of the time." Danny snickers.

"Why have him on your court then?" Jason is so confused.

"For his unique prospective and he sometimes has excellent ideas, you just have to listen to 20 bad ones first." Danny explains.

"Sam was your best friend, right? Who's Dora?" Tim stares at Danny as if trying to telepathically absorb the information from their dad's mind.

"Yeah, she is. She was murdered while at a protest, but was ecto-contaminated enough to form a ghost. She's young enough to still remember being human and all she wanted to fight for in life, so she's prefect for her role in the court. She's also not scared to yell at an Ancient." Danny explains, there's a sadness in his eyes. Jason wonders how old Sam was when she died, she had to have been young if she was dead by the time Danny was 26. "Dora is a dragon princess. She's pretty kind and gentle most of the time, but turns into a literal dragon when she's pissed off. I helped her overthrow her asshole brother...huh, I guess that means she should be called Queen Dorathea actually. Everyone still calls her Princess, I should ask about that when I introduce you to them all."

"She might have wanted the title? You said ghosts run off emotions, so maybe the title Princess is engraved on her core and she can't change it for Queen even if that's what she technically is." Tim suggests. Danny ruffles Tim's fluffy green hair.

"You're so smart. That's probably exactly it, but I'll still ask just to make sure."

"So, Dad?" Jason tilts his head, a mannerism he definitely gained from his wet cat of a brother. "What do you need to build your portal? And where do you plan to build it? I've got a couple warehouses you could use."

"I'll draw out blue prints and we can discuss which building would be best for it later." Danny sighs, drifting down to stand on the floor and grabbing everyone's empty or almost empty mugs to take to the kitchen. "We can plan it all out tomorrow, but why don't we stay in tonight? I think we all need a cuddle pile."

"I'll message my gang."

"Can we watch Barbie Swan Lake?" Tim looks like he's going to melt into a puddle of sad if they say no.

"Of course, sweetheart. I think it's a cartoon night anyways." It isn't, it's actually Jason's day to pick something for them to watch before bed, but Jason isn't going to say anything. Danny definitely knows it's supposed to be Jason's turn by the apologetic look he sends him, but Tim clearly needs comfort more than Jason wants to watch something not animated.

"We should make a fort." Jason suggests. Tim's excited squeal over the idea isn't as over the top as usual, but he clearly approves of the idea. Danny smiles at them, fond and proud, before heading to the kitchen, probably to refill their mugs. It's a fitting comfort drink.

Tim and Jason makes a messy fort with a comfortable nest inside before Danny gets back from the kitchen. He does indeed have more hot chocolate, but also more junk food. Yeah, it's definitely one of those nights. They all need this.

Chapter Text

The last 4 years have been a riot. Danny has 2 wonderful and slightly unhinged boys that he stole from the Bats. They've gotten in so many shenanigans, between normal vigilante shit, the Bats and/or ghost/supernatural hunters trying to bag them, and them just fucking around.

It's the most fun he's had in a while. They're good kids, but they, of course, have started branching out. They're 19 (Jason) and 17(Tim) now and don't necessarily want their dad following them around. So Danny gave them his personal summons just in case and made them promise to stay close together, the two of them are good at covering for the other's weaknesses. Like how Tim only being Liminal, he can take more hits from the ghost hunters that will clock Jason as a Revenant or Jason's supernatural strength taking out the bigger assholes that target Tim for his small size or Joker mannerisms.

So he tries not to worry, simply going to work and trusting them to either deal with any trouble themselves or summon him. And for 3 months they don't need to summon him once. But at the end of month 3, he feels it.

"Hey, Eddy! I got to go! My kids are in trouble!" Danny calls to his boss, already moving to somewhere there's less witnesses to see him poof.

"Okay! See ya! ...Wait, you have kids?" Danny doesn't answer, letting the summons take ahold and pull him through the fabric of reality.

A fun side effect of being summoned is that he always ends up in his High King form. The form is humanoid in the vaguest of sense. It's also just stars and the void of space. His eyes are giant stars and his mouth is too wide and full of rows and rows of needle-like teeth. A crown of ice smokes like dry ice on his head and the ring of rage is simple stripe of neon green on his right hand's middle finger (he thought it'd be funny to flip people off with it). All in all, he's terrifying for mortals to see unprepared.

And the cussing around him tells the people hassling his sons are NOT prepared.

"HOW THE FUCK DID YOU SUMMON THE GHOST KING???" A very distraught British man shrieks. Danny would feel bad, but this idiot is standing near the Bat and Nightwing AND Danny's sons are tied up in front of them.

"DAaaaAD!" Tim whines, flopping over to look at him. "They're trying to exorcise Hoodie!"

"Are they now?" Danny hisses. His voice sounds like glaciers crashing together.

"Bats! What the fuck??? You didn't tell me THAT WAS THEIR DAD!" British man sounds on the brink of a mental breakdown.

"We've never seen this entity." Batman frowns.

"Yeah! They've been calling a ghost kid dad this whole time!" Nightwing defends. "How were we supposed to know they could summon this guy??"

"What...what did you say the "kid"'s name was?" British dude asks faintly.

"We didn't." Batman says.

"Weeell, Johnny-boy!" Jason sounds like he has a shit eating grin. "What they didn't tell you is our sweet ol' adoptive father is called Phantom~!"

"Oh goodie! We're so dead..." "Johnny" says and starts chugging his flask of probably alcohol. It suddenly clicks that this is the fabled John Constantine.

"You should know better than to take a job half-assed, John Constantine." Danny grins with teeth.

"Oh good, he knows my name.." Constantine mumbles to himself.

"Give me one good reason to not kill you all for trying to kill my son and kidnap the other." Danny waves a hand and slices his sons' bindings. "I have only been so patient with you bats because my sons are fond of you, but my patience is running out."

"Tim belongs with us! He needs help and healing!" Nightwing proclaims.

"I talk to a licensed therapist twice a week and take my meds every day! Try again, Big Birdie!!" Tim snarls. "Just because I'm not what you want me to be doesn't mean I'm a broken doll in need of saving!"

"Besides, don't you have a new bird to destroy?" Jason asks with a head tilt. "The second birdie died, the third got mentally fucked, the four died... I think we can count birdie #1 as mentally fucked up, meaning if we follow the pattern, birdie #5 will be mentally fucked by the time he flies the nest."

"How do you know so much about us, Red Hood?" Batman demands with a scowl.

"He doesn't have to tell you anything!" Tim steps in front of Jason and glares.

"I'm still waiting on a reason to not kill you." Danny reminds them. The bats look towards Constantine.

"Don't look at me, mates. That's head bitch of all head bitches. The fact he's letting you plead your case after threatening what he deems as his is a step up huge from most overpowered dead guys. From what I heard, the last guy would have just killed us the moment he was summoned and then destroyed the whole dimension afterwards. This guy beat that guy in single combat." Constantine pulls out a cigarette before addressing Danny, "Your Majesty, I had no idea these were your kids. I was just told a Revenant had kidnapped and "brainwashed" the ex-Robin. Clearly, I wasn't told accurate information."

Nightwing sputters, "What Do You Mean?? Clearly Tim has been brainwashed or something!!"

Constantine whips around to Nightwing, "Oh shut up, you big blue twit! King Phantom DESPISES mind control! Which means your ex-bird is with these two completely willingly."

"There's n-" Nightwing tries, but Constantine bulldozes on.

"I don't know what you did to the kid, nor do I care. But he's considered ROYALTY to the dead and undead now. He doesn't have to have ANYTHING to do with you. If you take him away from his new and apparently accepting family, that's considered an interdimensional crime, and no magician or supernatural or even god-like being will help you." Constantine takes a long drag of his cigarette. "I suggest you apologize, make your excuses, then leave them the fuck alone. Besides, crime has been at a record low in Gotham from what I hear. Let them do what they want. "

"That's because Red Hood keeps killing the Rouges!" Nightwing protests. "Who gives him the right to be judge, jury, and executioner???"

Constantine points to Danny and says flatly. "The ruler of basically everything, that's who."

Danny grins at him, his ghost half is very pleased with the man. "I shall spare you, magic man."

Constantine looks like he's going to faint from relief, moving to park himself by the door. "Just fucking apologize and leave them be, Bats."

"But!" Nightwing looks like he's going to cry. He turns his teary eyes to Tim. "Why can't you just come home, Timmy?"

"What home?" Tim stares down his nose at Nightwing, anger clear in his voice. "The Manor was Never my home. I was simply the stand in for your and B's grief for a boy you both pushed to his death. Phantom showed me what family really was. And that was AFTER I was too broken for you to accept. I was NOT Joker Junior then or now. I'm my own fucking person and I'm staying with the family that accepts me for ALL my oddities."

"You tried to put him in Arkham when he tried to go to you." Red Hood growls. "He wanted your support and help and you were going to lock him up and throw away the key."

"We were n-"

"YOU WERE!" Tim starts to trembling in hurt and rage. "You couldn't even look at me! I wanted you so badly to help me and you were going to put me in there right next to Harley! I wanted you to be my family, but I've only ever been a tool to you!"

"You weren't-" Danny doesn't like how the Bats seem ready to jump at his kids, so he freezes the Bats' feet to the floor.

"Shut up, Dickwing." Jason snarls, pulling Tim into a hug. "You lost your chance to be his brother 4 years ago. Go pretend to care about the new cannon fodder. We don't want to hear it."

"Hood." Batman finally speaks. "Who are you?"

"Who do you think, old man?" Jason takes his hood off for the first time ever in front of the Bats. They visibly startle, recognizing him despite all the changes.

"Ja-" The Bat starts.

"Shut up." Jason glares. "You were a shit dad and brother to me in life. I found the BEST family in death."

Danny picks up his boys, deciding to let them decide on the severity of the Bats' punishment. "Maiming or death?"

"... I say maim, but only because I know the newest bird and want him to stay out of the death cult his mother's in." Jason says softly. The Bats squawk as they Just realize Danny froze their feet to the floor. Mortal tools and fire can't break/melt his ice, but it's amusing to watch the bats try.

Tim is quiet for nearly 3 whole minutes, locked in some sort of internal battle, before he answers. "Maim in a, at least mostly, healable way. Gotham needs Batman, even if we don't."

"Hmm." Danny ignores the Bats' protests to think about what he should do. "Ah! I know exactly what to do!"

He unfreezes their feet and gently forces both to the ground and processes to break both of Nightwing's legs and both of Batman's arms. He pulls one of their coms off and hands it to Tim, he's the only one that sounds normal on normal tech. Jason hasn't been able to use normal tech since Danny fixed his ecto, so Danny modifies anything he or Jason use.

"Hi, Agent A! Batgirl!" Tim's cheerful tone barely hides his seething rage. "You should send a pick up for Dickiebird and B-man! They need medical attention! Ba-bye~!"

Danny can hear the shouting over the com, but Tim simply yeets it towards the Bats instead of listening to whatever they have to say.

"I have a reason for the injuries I picked." Danny informs the room. Jason and Tim look intrigued, Constantine looks exhausted and slightly guilty about the Bats getting hurt on his watch, and the Bats themselves look dazed and in pain, so who knows if they'll remember his reasonings. "Nightwing is an acrobat and truly a bird, so grounding him is cruel, but hopefully he feels as small and helpless as you both did. Grounding him will give him time to think on his actions and their consequences."

Danny's sons look curiously at the grounded Nightwing before looking back to him.

"I broke Batman's arms so that he's forced to ask for help and communicate. He's far too old for his shitty behavior." Danny frowns. "They both need therapy, but I doubt the flying furries will actually get the help they need."

Tim suddenly cackles in delight. "Maybe THEY should check THEMSELVES into Arkham! Ya know! Since they think I, the one ACTUALLY getting help, should be in there!"

Jason starts cackling alongside his brother while Danny chuckles.

"I shall take my children home now, good day." Danny says while wrapping his sons in his invisibility and intangibility and takes them home. A cozy 3 bedroom apartment on the top floor of a building Jason owns as Red Hood.

Chapter Text

Damian only got glimpses of the second group of vigilantes in Gotham over the year and a half he's been with his father. He realized how fallible his Father is shortly into his stay and feels woefully misinformed by his Mother, who only sang the man's praises.

At first, Father and Richard didn't want him to meet the other vigilantes because the Bats didn't trust him not to use deathly force as well as the last two Robins' being a fresh wound for Father and Richard. And it stung to hear them make plans to convince a meta child to join them so that the crazed lunatics that loyally follow him will follow suit. Sure, it was because one of the lunatics was the second to last Robin who went crazy and refused their help, but it felt like his Father and supposed big brother simply found him unacceptable and burdensome.

Eventually, he decides to break into their files to learn everything they have on the non-Bat Gotham vigilantes, only to discover that the Bat version of events that he was told was incomplete. Horrendously incomplete.

He found camera footage of how terribly they treated Timothy Drake from the moment he entered the Waynes' lives to the moment he ran away. Damian would stay far away from them, too, if he endured half of what Timothy did. Damian already wasn't planning to help his Father and Richard to bring him back into the fold, but now the reason for why is completely different. Damian shall aid him if the moment arises.

The second "lunatic" Damian could recognize anywhere. It's his Akhi from the league! Mother must have sent Jason to Gotham ahead of him. He's using the name Red Hood and became significantly less violent since being adopted by Timothy and the Meta. Damian didn't know pit madness was curable, but the reports prove they did something and helped his Akhi. He wonders if he could ask at some point. Healing others with the affliction before they have to be put down would be amazing! Damian had been terrified of the day Akhi would be next, but now he doesn't have to worry.

Obviously, he's not going to help the Bats arrest his Akhi.

The last person of the group, the meta called Phantom is a complete unknown to him, and the Bats apparently. They estimate him to be 13, or a small 14, year old, but he's the clear leader of the group if the trio has to make a decision together. They've seen him use superstrength, fly, turn himself invisible, and turn himself intangible. He can transfer the last 3 abilities to other people or things so long as he's touching them. He seems to have a rigid moral code, but it isn't the same as Father's. Phantom is perfectly fine with murdering those he deems unacceptable, like the now deceased Joker or Black Mask (both were killed after a Robin was harmed. Which makes him feel a little safer.) or the random serial killer or rapist they find.

Father believes he can sway Phantom to his way of thinking, but Damian is not so sure. Phantom has made his hatred for Father and Richard well-known. And anytime they attempt to corner Phantom, or Timothy, or Akhi, the other two come in swinging.

Damian isn't sure what tonight's plans had been, but he had a bad feeling when he saw them taking John Constantine with them. He already figured out Phantom was a supernatural. He hasn't aged a day since he was first documented, and he's fairly sure Akhi counts too. He's just not sure what Akhi is. Damian is going to be pissed if Father and Richard have Constantine kill Phantom and Akhi just so they can get Timothy back. He'll personally break Timothy out of wherever they decide to lock him away and get them both out of Gotham if the hypocritical Waynes hurt the odd group.

He was forced to take the day off of patrol because of a sprained ankle. Which is ridiculous, he's done more with worse injuries, but decides not to argue so he can watch through their mask cameras. Damian seethes at the lies and half truths his family feeds to Constantine to get him to comply.

The trap they set works perfectly, unfortunately, and just as Constantine is about to try to exorcize Jason, the teens breakout into their own chant. The video feed becomes nearly completely static and voices cut in and out, but he can understand what's happening. Damian feels hysterical as he realizes what kind of fire these idiots were playing with and can barely scrape together sadness and guilt for them. He stares at the screens long after Phantom and his adopted children leave, only getting up to prep the med bay after Constantine moved Bruce and Richard to the batmoble. Gordon already called for the doctor, so there's nothing else he can do.

This stunt has broken any trust or safety Damian may have felt in the men he's supposed to view as family. He thinks about his options. He refuses to go back to his Mother or Grandfather, but he's not sure he wants to stay with the Waynes either. It feels like being stuck in a rock and a hard place.

Then he remembers how Timothy got adopted by "The Ghost King" after he tried to go to the Bats.

As much as he hates to leaving behind what feels like his responsibilities, he can't live here. He found plenty of recordings, from different Bats eavesdropping, of usually Phantom telling his sons that just because you can do something doesn't mean you have to. So just because he can help Bruce and Richard, doesn't mean he has to or should. Phantom was very clear on what he wanted THEM to do. Damian isn't part of the equation, and honestly doesn't want to be, he already was walking on egg shells when they weren't going to be belligerent.

When the batmoble barreling in, Damian decides his last act of service to the Waynes will be to help Constantine and Pennyworth get them to the med bay. He doesn't leave the cave until everyone is settled or left, and Pennyworth ushers him to bed. He glances at the peacefully sleeping Bruce and Richard (they were drugged to make setting their bones easier) one last time before complying with Alfred's order, sort of. He goes to his room.

While in his room, he pulls out the bag he arrived at the manor with. He packs 2 changes of clothes, his sketchbook, his pencil case, and his "allowance". He doesn't take more than that. He doesn't want to be indebted to the Bats anymore than he already feels he is. He feels like this will be an unforgivable betrayal in their eyes, but he finds he doesn't mind as much as he feared he would.

He decides to leave them all notes.

[Dear Pennyworth,

Thank you for your hospitality. I shall remember your lessons and think of you fondly, but I can no longer be in Father's care. His dealings with Poltergeist, Red Hood, and Phantom have been unacceptable. He rather kill an undead than reassess his ways. An undead that is my Akhi. I won't be returning until I feel they've actually changed.

Warmest Regards,

Damian Wayne Al Gul]

[Richard,

You preach of brotherhood, but I found the recordings of how you treated Timothy and Jason. I don't see why I would be treated differently. I suggest you figure yourself out and apologize to both of them before trying to "big brother" any other strays Father attempts to bring into the fold.

Damian Wayne Al Gul]

[Father,

I can no longer stay under your care. You have proven to be just as unsafe as Mother and Grandfather. I shall be staying with my Akhi until you are less of a danger to mine and others' safety. Hopefully, this is a wake-up call, but I don't see it being anything more than another excuse for you to punish and push everyone who cares about you away. Your track record is telling.

Damian Wayne Al Gul]

They're not much, but he feels better for writing them.

Damian has outgrown the LoA gear he came in, so he dresses in black jeans, combat boots, a dark green, almost black (Richard said he needed more colour in his wardrobe) hoody, and a surgical mask. He knows Alfred shall be retiring soon and that all the windows and doors leading outside are alarmed. He'll have to sneak out of the cave and use Bruce's codes to get out without an alarm immediately going off. Richard's codes sets an alarm off, so Bruce and Alfred know he's been there, and Damian's are so he can't leave without a Bat with him.

It took him two weeks to see enough to piece it together and was infuriated when he realized it was Jason's death date. It's completely disrespectful to Jason and clearly just another form of self flagellation, plus it's like using a birthday as a code, someone IS going to guess it eventually. It killed a lot of whatever respect Damian may have held before he found out.

When the time comes, he doesn't hesitate. It feels surreal to him as he escapes the Manor for probably the last time. He doesn't linger on the fond memories that seem to dig their fingers in as he sneaks away and makes his way to Crime Alley. He swallows the bitterness of realizing his blood relatives have never made him feel safe, only his Akhi. A man who willingly lives in the worst part of Gotham when he deserves the best.

But Damian knows how Jason's heart works. Crime Alley has always been his home, and he'll guard its people till his dying breath.

He climbs down a building and tries to not spook the pair of sex workers, "Excuse me?"

Mission failed, they both startle. The one with mostly straight hair and colourful makeup yells. "JESUS, KID! Ya tryin' ta scare me inta an early grave!?"

"Sorry." Damian mumbles apologetically, "I was wondering if you could call Red Hood to pick me up?"

"Sure, kid, but why? Someone try ta sell something to ya?" The other one, with dredlocks and white and black makeup, asks.

"He's my brother, actually... I, um," Damian decides to lay it on thick, wobbling his voice and forcing himself teary-eyed. "I ran away from our relatives. They kept me trapped, and I haven't been able to contact him to tell him I wasn't as safe as we thought I'd be. I ran away, but don't know where he or Poltergeist live..."

"Shush, kid, alright," Black and white sighs, pulling out her(?) phone and hitting call on a contact. "Don't make me regret this!"

Damian nods and stays silent during the phone call, only speaking once she(?) hangs up. "Uh, where should I wait? I don't want to disrupt your business more than I have."

"Ya a doll! Just like our Hoody!" Colourful coons.

"Ya know how to get to the roofs?"

"Yeah?"

"Then wait up there. A kid hangin' about is definitely bad fo' business and Hood will be comin' from the roofs anyway."

"Okay. Thank you for all your assistance." Damian bows slightly towards her with a fist pressed to his palm before climbing up to the roof to wait. He can't be sure how long he waits, it feels both like hours and mere minutes have past when he hears Jason's familiar footsteps.

"Dami?" Jason sounds confused, which is valid. Last time they spoke Damian was willing to do anything to prove himself to his Grandfather and Bruce. "What are you doing here?"

"I have found both sides of my blood relations to be lacking." Damian admits. "I feel unsafe and wish to stay with you. If your new family would be amenable to it."

"Uh, dad?" Jason asks, tilting his head to the side. A voice coming from open air is very odd to witness in person.

"I don't see why not, but we'll have to ask your brother first." Phantom fades into view and drifts closer to Damian. It feels like the (APPARENTLY) Ghost King (??? Damian is still processing that detail to be honest.) can see Damian's soul. Who knows, maybe he can? Will he find Damian lacking?

"Right, okay, one second." Jason pulls out an odd looking phone and dials a number. "Don't get me wrong, Dami. I would love to have you, but it's a family decision to let you live with us. I cou- Oh! Yeah, so funny situation! How do you feel about adopting another bird?... Yeah...pfft yeah, okay, you have a point...And it'd be funny! .. Sweet! See you soon!"

"He said yes?" Phantom sounds amused and looks fond and unsurprised.

"Yup!" Damian can hear Jason's grin. "You're bunking with me until we upgrade our apartment again!"

"Very well." Damian easily accepts. Phantom tilts his head, eyeing Damian as if trying to get a read on him about something.

"Do you plan to continue being a vigilante?" Was not the question Damian thought he was going to be asked.

"I would like to. I left the Robin costume in the cave, though, so I'd need a new one." Phantom nods in acceptance. Damian doesn't know what he'd do if Phantom said no.

"I will allow it and help you make a new identity IF you promise to stay with me or your brothers when you go out. I won't have any of you dying before you're old and gray." Phantom looks like he will burn the city to the ground at the thought of his children dying. It's comforting. Damian can see why his thoroughly traumatized predecessors were drawn to him.

"I accept these terms so long as I have more independents as an adult."

"Hm.. we shall revisit the issue when you're 19." Phantom concedes, which is good enough for Damian. "I shall fly us home now. It's getting late and it's faster than parkour."

Damian barely has time to process that before they're rocketing through the Alley. Phantom's strange powers protecting him from wind resistance and gravity. It's the oddest thing he's ever felt, but not bad. Phantom simply phases them through the wall when they get to their apartment.

The front room is colourful. Furniture is random, but not clashing, colours. There's pillows and throw blankets of every colour folded to the side or scattered like someone pulled it off in a hurry. Books, games, and puzzles are crammed on multiple bookshelves. It's bright and chaotic, but also lived in and cozy.

Timothy skips in from the kitchen with a tray of 4 steaming mugs of hot cocoa, somehow not spilling a drop. "Hi!"

"Hello, Timothy. Thank you for letting me stay." Damian bows at about a 45 degree angle to show his respect.

"Oh! Um, no problem." Timothy's wide, but calculating eyes show he understands the significance of Damian's bow. "I made everyone hot chocolate. I wasn't sure how you liked yours, so I made it how Jason likes his. Yours and his are the navy and red cups. Dad's is the Nasa one, and this one is mine!"

Timothy says, holding up a rainbow cup with unicorn impaling someone on it.

"Thanks, Tim." Phantom says with a fond smile before something unexpected happens. Phantom turns into a human as he reaches for his cup. After a sip or two, he notices Damian's confusion. "I'm a halfa, kid. My name's Danny Kronoyios in this form. Still legally a dead guy and a ghost. I can just digest things easier in this form and access my powers better in the other, can still do both in both, though."

"It's weird, but you get used to it." Jason says while ducking into a hallway. Damian awkwardly grabs the blue cup and sips at it. There's a lovely mix of spices in the cocoa, making it slightly spicy. Jason returns in pajama pants and a band t-shirt Damian doesn't recognize and plops on the couch Timothy has curled up on. "It's been one hell of a day!"

"Indeed." Phantom (because what kind of name is "Danny" for an undead king?) hums, "Want to watch an episode of something before bed?"

And that's how Damian's surreal night ends. He and his possibly new family, drinking cocoa while watching an episode of some show Damian doesn't really understand, but found amusing anyways. Timothy gives him some of his pajamas when they realize Damian didn't bring any. And Jason using him as a teddy bear when they all go to bed. It's nice. It's the safest he's felt since arriving in Gotham. He is positive he made the right choice.

Chapter Text

Jason finds his little brothers to be hilarious to watch. Neither of them know how to be normal people, not even just Gotham "normal", and it means they both do odd shit and confuse each other. Which can lead to some friction, since Damian usually covers his confusion with anger and Tim is a little shit anytime he's annoyed or in a mood or... actually he's just a little shit most hours of the day. So Danny and Jason have to intervene fairly often to deescalate, but the severity has been going steadily down each day and the little heathens have been bonding over their shitty blood relations and expensive tastes in things like clothes and equipment. Nepo babies the both of them, but they're both very familiar with going without and took to living in the worse part of Gotham incredibly so Jason can't be too disgruntled. Jason is sure they're going to be closer than most natural siblings by the end of the month at the rate they're going, so Jason makes sure to praise both of them at the end of each day.

The family moved apartments once again, this time to a 5 bedroom, 2 and a half bath apartment. The fifth room is being set up a guest room, but considering the fact Danny has adopted 3 kids in 4 years, it's more of a "just in case we find another one" room. It's in the same building as the last one, just on the opposite side. Jason is technically the landlord and has been moving his more trust worth of his people slowly into the rest of the renovated apartments. That's been Jason and Tim (and recently Damian)'s day project while Danny works. Danny insists on pay most of the living expenses despite making/having the least amount of money, minus Damian who technically only has the couple thousand he ran away with, but none of them are going to make an 11, almost 12, year old pay for shit.

Which is why, today while shopping for clothes and things for Damian, Jason and Tim insisted on being the ones to pay for everything. Danny clearly doesn't like it, but accepts that he doesn't have enough money to buy the things Damian wants. No one wants to deny the kid that willingly ran away to them the creature comforts he wants.

Jason and Danny can both only laugh as Damian and Tim agree on items and their quality, but argue about the colours.

"What's wrong with this colour? It's just pjs?" Tim asks, holding the most eye watering orange silk satin weaved pajama set.

"Timothy, I rather gouge out my own eyes than wear such an eye watering colour." Damian scowls, grabbing a muted burnt orange set near where Tim picked up the neon ones to hold up in Tim's view. "I don't mind you adding colours to my wardrobe, but keep in mind I don't care to wear bright colours."

"Oh! Right! Sorry, Dami!" Tim puts the pajamas he grabbed back, blushing lightly. Jason noticed fairly early on that Tim gets easily drawn to bright colours and shiny things, and the poor kid forgets the rest of them don't necessarily like the same things as him.

"It's fine." Damian sighs, setting the dark orange pajamas into the 2/3s full cart Jason has been pushing around the store before frowning in consideration at Tim. "Lean down."

Tim blinks in confusion, but complies. Damian straightens Tim's wig. It's a fancy black wig of natural hair, cut in a short style, and had moved slightly out of place at some point. Luckily none of Tim's bright green hair has slipped out from under it yet. Tim beams when Damian steps back, "Thanks!"

"Of course." Damian is a bit flustered.

"They're adorable." Danny mumbles just loud enough for Jason to hear, making Jason focus on him while his brothers move to the next clothing item.

"It's definitely something." Jason says fondly. He waves a hand at the kids discussing.. thread? Jason isn't sure. "Any idea what they're talking about?"

"Not a clue." Danny grins, "I'm from a buck-fuck middle of no-where town. Rich city shit is beyond me, but they seem to be having fun."

Jason glances at how relaxed and happy his brothers are. "Yeah, it's nice."

The peace is shattered by Barbara's voice. "Well, this is awkward."

The small family all tensely turn to look at the awkwardly fidgeting woman. "What are you doing here?"

"I was trying to find a gala appropriate dress." Barbara's smile is more of a grimace, but it seems honest. "My dad wants me to go with him to the one next week and I've out grown the ones I wore when I would go as Dick's plus one."

"Dad? Would it be okay if I got a dress too?" Tim asks Danny. Jason is positive this is a test in multiple ways.

The first reason is Tim want's to interrogate Barbara about how the Bats are fairing. Everyone is hoping they finally went to therapy, but no one is holding their breath.

The second; Tim has recently told Jason he hasn't really been "getting" gender, male or female, but hasn't wanted to say anything since he doesn't know Danny's stance. Jason isn't worried about that, he knows Danny will be super chill when Tim is ready to admit he's more a they than he. Jason hasn't switched pronouns yet because Tim wants to stick with he/him for the time being. Jason doesn't personally get it, but he's seen too much to dismiss his brother/possibly sibling's feelings on the topic. This situation is obviously Tim testing the waters.

"I don't see why not?" Danny looks confused why Tim is even asking him, but instead of asking Tim about it, he looks at Damian. "Do you mind if we take a detour?"

Damian looks even more confused by the situation than Danny. Jason highly doubts the LoA or Bats taught the preteen shit about things like gender identities, but is taking Danny and Jason's lack of reaction towards Tim wanting a dress as a basis for his own reaction. "The only thing left on our list of necessities for me is socks, so I don't see why we couldn't."

Tim looks like he could melt into a puddle of relief and happiness over their reactions. He does glare a little when Jason flashes him a smug smile, because Jason told him that it'd be fine.

"Guess that means we can accompany you, if you want us to." Danny tell a mildly stunned Barbara. Whether it's because of Tim or because she just pieced together that this black haired blue eyed kid is Phantom as a human is a toss up, but Jason isn't scared to hip check her into oblivion if she makes Tim feel bad.

"Oh, uh, sure?"

"The dresses are over here!" Tim cheerfully says and leads them a bit farther back in the store. Damian follows Tim like a tiny guard dog as the teen flits from dress to dress, clearly trying to find his favourite. The two chat and compare things that go right over Jason's head. They end up pulling Barbara into it, both helping her find the perfect dress and get information. It seems to be working so Jason instead turns his attention to Danny. He's looking at a rack that has blue dresses that someone had tossed a red beanie on top of for some reason.

"My little sister would have been so much more help when it came to shopping."

"We have another aunt?" Jason can't help asking. Jazz and Danny have never brought up having another sister as far as he knows.

"Not anymore." Danny says sadly and decides to explain. "She was made when an absolute fruitloop tried to clone me when I was 14, but this is before everyone and their mother was trying there hand at it so there wasn't much data on it. Plus I'm not an easy person to clone. She was the only one of 2 dozen to survive, but she wasn't stable. We bought her several years, trying our best to restabilize her every time she began to melt, but it was never enough... She would have loved all of you and made so much fun of me for stealing all of Batman's kids the second I actually interacted with any of you."

"Can you tell us about her sometime?" Jason asks, "I think all three of us would love to hear about her."

"It'd be nice to reminisce." Danny smiles softly, "Maybe next time we video call Jazz? She'd have her own details and stories to add."

"I think that'd be awesome." Jason grins. A glance at the other half of their group reveals Tim shoving a light blue mermaid dress with pale gold and purple beading into Barbara's hands, clearly demanding she get that particular dress. She looks highly amused and accepting of her fate. Damian is standing a couple feet behind Tim, delicately holding what must be Tim's chosen dress. All Jason can see is black and red, an unusually dark combination for the rainbow bright child, so Damian definitely helped pick it. It doesn't look like it'll clash with Tim's coloration, which is an accomplishment, his pale complexion paired with pale, almost white, blue eyes and neon hair is hard to coordinate with.

Barbara waves goodbye at Danny and Jason and heads to the front, but the younger pair stays near a skirt rack talking. Damian looks a bit flustered and Tim is smiling fondly, so Jason guesses he finally asked about why Tim wants a dress. The biggest surprise is after a minute Tim holds a plain black pleated ankle length skirt to Damian's waist and Damian seems to be contemplating it before sending Jason a worried look. Jason just smile encouragingly. If the kid wants a skirt, then good for him.

"Do you think we should get skirts or something in solidary?" Danny asks, clearly worried as he looks up at Jason, reminding Jason of the 14 year old kid his dad died as. "I personally don't see the appeal, but it's not the first time I've worn one. I could do it again if your brothers want me to."

"Dad," Jason chuckles, "I think they care more if you care about them wearing skirts than your willingness to wear a dress. Wear something you'd be comfortable in if you want to wear something in solidarity."

Jason can see a light bulb go off in his dad's brain. The man in a child's body turns to his two younger children with a grin, "Boys! Put those in the cart! We're grabbing Damian's socks before getting accessories and make up at that store we passed on the way into the mall!"

Tim and Damian has identical looks of confusion and acceptance at that. This isn't the first time Danny got an idea and dragged them along for the ride.

They end up getting a rainbow of bright and dark nail polish colours, vegan makeup that matches every single one of their aesthetics (even if Tim is the only one likely to wear it all with any sort of regularity (he already wears lipstick every time he's in costume)), and nearly 3 dozen hair accessories for Tim and Danny, because while Danny isn't comfortable wearing a skirt, he's willing to do other traditionally feminine things. And Jason's masculinity isn't fragile enough to be hurt by trying out things that make his little brothers happy.

All and all, a good day in Jason's books.

Chapter Text

"AKHI!" Damian's slightly panicked voice pulls Tim out of sleep. "I don't know what I did wrong! I used the proper ingredients!"

Tim realizes he can't breath through his nose and his head is stuffy as Jason's amused voice asked, "What measurements did you use?"

"Measurements?"

"Oh no.." Tim's giggles at Jason's despair and gets sent into a coughing fit. Tim is scared he's going to throw up with how hard he's hacking.

"Oh, sweetie.." Danny's voice and a cold hand touching his forehead cuts through the haze. "You're definitely sick, kiddo."

"Dad?" Jason sounds worried from the doorway.

"Do you think we have the ingredients for chicken noodle or something else easy to eat and nutritious?" Danny asks, petting Tim sweaty hair. "Tim is running a fever."

"I'll see what I can scrounge up." Jason easily accepts the task.

"I shall help." Damian demands and follows Jason back to the kitchen. Danny and Tim share an amused look.

"I wish Jay so much luck." Danny snickers.

"Me too" Tim's voice is ROUGH, he coughs between giggles. "What was he making earlier?"

"Hot chocolate."

"Wha-?"

"He was trying to recreate how you make Jason's hot chocolate." Danny smiles, clearly amused by the situation. Tim has made everyone's so many time he doesn't need to measure anything out anymore. Poor Damian must have been confused on why it doesn't taste the same. "He says he knows what hell fire must taste like now and Jason looked like he was punched in the face when he took a curious sip."

"Huh.." Tim thinks he'd probably just die if he tries the mystery potion Damian made. He likes spicy food just fine, but he's not crazy. If Jason reacted, it's got to be bad. Man eats ghost pepper salsa for fun.

"How are you feeling?" Danny finally asks, settling Tim back into his nest of pillows, blankets, and plushies.

"Bad." Tim admits. "My head hurts, breathing is hard, achy, nauseous, and I ate gravel."

"Oof, that sucks, kiddo." Danny hums sympathetically. He pets Tim's hair a little longer, his icy hands feel amazing to his overheated brain, before standing. "I'll be right back with some medication and some tea. I'll wake you if you doze off, okay?"

"Okay." Tim mumbles, not really wanting Danny to leave, but knows his dad will be back. Danny gets broody in a hen kind of way any time any of their family gets sick or injured in some way. There's no fighting it when Danny decides something. His chaotic dad is usually right too.

Thoughts of how good a dad Danny is to him and his brothers makes Tim think of Jack, Janet, and Bruce. His parents still haven't noticed he's flown the coop, just scold him over the lack of food in Drake Manor when they stay in town. They don't even ask where he is. Tim isn't really sure WHAT they think he's doing, or if they even spare the time to think of it at all. Tim doesn't feel anything towards them anymore. No love, no pain, just quiet acceptance that they're strangers who share blood and nothing more. Jazz and Danny helped him a lot to not feel guilty over it, they had a similar relationship with their own parents at his age. He doesn't think he'll need to cut them out of his life completely like Auntie Jazz and Dad had to with their parents, but it's nice to know they'll support him no matter how he decides to deal with his parents at the end of the day.

Bruce was never Tim's dad, but there was a long stretch of time Tim really wished he was. It was awful and saddening and frankly embarrassing how much he wanted to be part of the family. But it doesn't matter anymore. He has a way better family now. Even if 3/4s of it was stolen out from under Batman's nose. Danny is better than Bruce in every way when it comes to being a dad. It makes Tim sad for Dick. Dick is still trapped at the Wayne Manor with Bruce, their limbs still healing from what Danny did to them. He doesn't feel bad enough to visit though. Dick almost rekilled Jason and apparently hasn't been going to therapy like Danny told them to. Babs is happy to keep Tim updated when they run into each other. Batgirl and Batwoman have been picking up the slack while B and Dick heal. It's nice to not need to be overly cautious, neither women are interested in hunting the small family down. Even with the newest little birdy being absorbed into the family.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Danny asks as he sets down a tall glass of mint tea, a bowl full of water and a hand towel, and a roll of toilet paper (none of them see the point in buying tissue paper, it seems like such an unnecessary purchase) before fiddling with a bottle of medicine. He pours out the proper dosage into the cheap plastic measuring cup that came with the bottle.

"Family." Tim mumbles sleepily, "And how you keep stealing Batman's birds. Dick must be sad, he lost all his little siblings due to his and B's incompetence."

"Well." Danny starts, sitting Tim up so that he can take the medicine. "They should get good."

Tim's laughter makes him cough. Danny hands him the tea once he calms his breathing enough. It feels great on his sore throat. Once he has some fluid in him, Danny has him lay back down again and the moistened hand towel is set on Tim's forehead. It feels like bliss. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you read to me?" Tim can't help how vulnerable he feels when he asks, but his brain is still trying to overthink through the fog and... he never had a parent read to him when he was sick or even just as a bedtime story. He wants that though. He doesn't care if he's creeping closer and closer to being 18 and legally an adult, he deserves to be childish after everything he suffered as an actual child.

"Of course." Danny smiles, "Let me grab one of my books. I know the exact one."

The book ends up being some sort of fantasy story with low plot. Danny definitely chose it because it would only just keep his attention while not making him feel like he HAS to stay awake for the whole thing. He vaguely remember eating soup and his brothers visiting with him, but Tim falls asleep after a while. He feels safe and loved. It's a nice sensation to have while feeling awful. Hopefully his illness clears up soon, he plans to give his family so many hugs and cuddles when he doesn't feel like he'd made of lead.