Dcxdp #22

Tim, 18 and bored out of his mind in his big CEO office, is interrupted by a scrawny teenager.

"Hey, I heard Wayne Enterprises gives out like, grants and stuff," the teen starts, clearly awkward and blushing green. "I need money to hire lawyers to put away my creepy GodFather for misuse of a mind-controlling Meta Ability and also stalking."

Tim shelves that.

Takes a look at the teen, probably Damian's age or thereabouts, that just floated through his wall of windows at over 30 stories.

White hair, floating, green eyes (lazarus green what the fuck), jumpsuit (he's never seen that logo and is already memorizing it), fidgeting.

Tim takes what the teen just said off the shelf.

"And your godfather is...?"

"Can't say without giving away who I am."

"Okay. How is he 'creepy'?"

"Keeps trying to brainwash me into being his son, or tries to clone me, keeps sending goons after me, keeps trying to win over my mom, won't stop cosplaying as dracula, and I don't really know off the top of my head. I made a list, but it's like...somewhere."

Tim took a deep breath.

Held it.

Let it go.

That reminded him way too much of Ra's.

Held out his black Amex.

"Go crazy."

"HOW DID HE FIND OUT?!" Bruce asked, calmly. (Batfamily Chronicles Microseries)

Young Tim getting the job as Robin in the best (confirmed canon) way possible. I honestly love that this happened in the comics, but as you can see, this is my headcanon and embellished. I did a rewrite of the original version of this.

Tim (13 at the time) chewed on a Pop-Tart he brought to Wayne Manor, along with a briefcase.

Alfred: Timothy Drake, Master Wayne and Grayson will be here in a second.

Tim ate his whole Pop-Tart and turned to see Dick and Bruce, mentally reminding himself to not freak out... That didn't work. 

Tim: OH MY GOD, YOU'RE DICK GRAYSON!

Tim rushes and hugs Dick, burying his head in the man’s stomach. 

Bruce: Um, why did you— 

Tim: Give me a few seconds, other guy.

Bruce: Other guy? Ouch.

Dick patted the kid on the head, confused but enjoying the appreciation.

Tim (elated): This is the greatest day of my life, and I haven’t even gotten to my proposal.

Dick (confused): Which is? 

Tim (clinging to the man’s body): That you, Dick Grayson, son of the Flying Graysons, are Nightwing, that you were the first, yes, first Robin, and that I’m hugging you! You smell like citrus fruit! 

Tim smiles.

Dick: Thanks, I use a special body wash— What the hell did you just say?

Bruce shook with rage as Alfred took a seat with a plate of cookies, ready to watch the spectacle. Tim stopped hugging his hero and bounced eagerly.

Tim: You’re Nightwing, who was also the first Robin, before Jason was brought in, and my hero, Dick Grayson of the Flying Graysons! This is awesome!

Dick (noticing Bruce glaring at him): Good joke, kid. I have no idea what you are talking about. 

Tim: Oh, don’t worry about Bruce; I know he's Batman too. 

Alfred: I'm elated to be witnessing this.

Alfred ate a cookie as Bruce’s expression turned from rage towards his oldest son to shock. 

Bruce: Hypothetically speaking, because you're not correct, what evidence would you have... child.

Bruce glared at Dick with the last word because of the fact there’s a young child who might have figured out their identities.

Tim: You want to see my evidence? Oh my God, I never thought I'd see this day coming! I've been holding onto this information for years!

Alfred chucklef.

Bruce (gritted teeth): For years?!

Tim (not noticing the obvious tension): Look at me; I gotta control myself. Fanboying like this. I’m so sorry! Let me get my proof ready. 

Tim opened his briefcase. Dick felt an intense glare from Bruce.

Tim: You know the first suit you had was gaudy, but it worked for you. You are so cool, Nightwing. 

Dick: I will tell Nightwing that, because he is not here… Bruce, please stop looking at me like that.

Bruce (whispering angrily): I will slap you like a pimp if we can't dispute the proof.

Dick (whispering): It could’ve been because of you.

Alfred (overhearing the two): No, it's not; he discussed what he found out before I got you two.

Dick took a few steps away from Bruce.

Dick: Hey, Tim, show us this disputable proof. 

Tim: You remembered my name! This is going well so far. Okay, let me get my first piece of evidence. To start, I have this picture I got at the circus, the one with the mother-flipping Dick Grayson! I’ve had it for a time, but kept it in pristine condition. This wasn't what clicked in my mind; I was young at the time. I wanted you to sign it.

Tim passed Dick the picture and a Sharpie pen. Dick signed it with his exact signature that he would use for a Nightwing autograph causing Bruce to throw his hands up angry, already seeing what's about to happen.

Tim: I’m a big fan of the Flying Graysons, which Dick Grayson was in. Then he got adopted by Bruce Wayne after his parents died— so sad. For a few years, I couldn’t connect it since I was so young and naive. 

Dick: How old are you now? 

Tim (excited): Thirteen! 

Bruce (in disbelief): You're… Thirteen? 

Bruce slowly turned to Dick.

Bruce: Thirteen?! 

Dick: He hasn’t proven anything yet.

Alfred kept chuckling as Bruce talked to Tim.

Bruce: Let’s pretend that I am Batman and... my soon-to-be-yelled-at son is Nightwing. How did you figure that out, young man? 

Tim: Oh my God, I love this part. Four years ago, I was in town, and Nightwing stopped a criminal, and while being his usual awesome self, he did this really cool, stupendous trick that I’d only ever seen when Dick Grayson was in the circus. I kind of put two and two together after that. And I'm not even kidding about that! I was able to figure out that you had two different Robins, that you are Batman, and that Jason Todd—may he rest in peace—also was adopted by Bruce Wayne, who had adopted Dick Grayson who moved to bludhaven where Nightwing, stay with me now, lives!

Tim drank his ginger tea from his thermos, parched after unveiling all the information he learned.

Bruce (deadpan): That was a lot to process. 

Dick (nervous): You said four years ago… Wow, is it time for my appointment—

Dick attempted to escape, but Bruce yanked him back by his ear. 

Bruce: No, no, no, you need to hear how this fan of yours figured it out. The fan that four years ago—meaning that he was freaking 9 years old—figured out how you are Nightwing and also were Robin, and about to be smacked!

Dick: I could stay a few minutes because that’s circumstantial. That doesn’t mean anything. Tons of kids know that move.

Tim and Alfred: No, they don’t.

Bruce: I’m actually going to beat your ass. That’s for later though; continue your theory, 13-year-old boy!

Alfred (intrigued): Keep going, child; you’re doing great.

Bruce growled at Alfred to stop talking, but Alfred shrugged with a smile.

Alfred: The young man shouldn't be afraid to tell you how he figured it out. Go easy on him; he's not the one that’s about to be in trouble. 

Tim (unaware of the tension): Thank you, Mr. Pennyworth.

Dick: Oh Lord, he’s so sweet too. Um, I mean this is circumstantial evidence, debatable if we could even call it evidence… such a coincidence! No way would I be that awesome and attractive! Look at me; I’m wearing khakis. I can’t be Nightwing. I am not that strapping Casanova with amazing hair who rocked that first suit. Thank you for that compliment, by the way… Nightwing will like to hear that.

Tim (hugging Dick again): Aw, Nightwing, you don’t have to be embarrassed. I was a fan of both of you, and learning you’re the same person… I just love it!

Bruce (chuckling dryly): That’s going to benefit him in the next 5 minutes when I’m screaming in his ear.

Dick: I doubt he has any other proof. 

Tim: Wait, I’m not done yet. That’s how this picture returns to the play. When I met up with you as Nightwing two days after you stopped that criminal, I pretended to put myself in danger so you could save me. Then, when you did, I had you sign a page in my autograph book. You signed that and —I'll get to the picture itself.

Tim took out a small notebook from his briefcase and placed the photo on the table. Dick, Bruce, and Alfred examined the autographs. Dick futally attempted to sneak away but Bruce grabbed him by his arm and brought him back over.

Tim: It’s an exact match! Hm, last thing.

Tim removed the cap on the marker and scribbled a mask over young Dick Grayson’s eyes in the picture.

Tim: If you cover your eyes like this, it’s the exact same guy. That’s all. 

Alfred clapped like a man at the opera. Tim's smile beamed at the appreciation. Meanwhile, Bruce and Dick's eyes widened, but Bruce became incredibly angry.

Tim: I sat on this info for a few years after that. Then Jason Todd—may he rest in peace—died. So here I am at Wayne Manor, ready to be Robin. Do I have to tell my parents about this? I don’t mind—they travel a lot; they’re the best! That’s why I was just wondering if it’s okay to tell them. 

Bruce (chuckling, but in a manner hiding his rage): He’s not an orphan and doesn’t have a terrible home life. This is just great! A 13-year-old boy figured out YOU, not ME, are Nightwing! I told you… I told you!

Tim: You believe me? Please, believe me. I’ve done a lot of research. 

Bruce shook from the cuteness intelligence of the child.

Bruce: You are right!

Dick: God damn it, yeah, you’re right.

Tim: Yes! I did it! I cracked my first case! I can be the new Robin! I can be your brother! I’ve never had a brother! 

Tim hugged Dick Grayson, sobbing happily. Dick patted him on the head again, feeling Bruce’s glare.

Tim (blissfully ignorant about the tension): I have new designs and everything too. Because... I’m wearing pants in this. I need to stress that. I WILL be wearing pants.

Bruce: I hate to burn down this parade, but I’m still… adjusting to the fact my son is dead and not interested in any new Robins. 

Tim: Yeah, but please, Mr. Wayne. I can be a great sidekick.

Bruce: How come I get Mr. Wayne when you call him Nightwing at every turn?

Tim (looking at Nightwing with a smile): He’s my hero.

Dick (sniffling): I... can’t be here.

Dick runs off; Bruce chased after him then walked back to his office, gripping the man’s ear.

Dick: Ow, Bruce! I’m sorry! Ow! I’m sorry! I thought it was foolproof! Let me talk to— Ow!

Bruce Wayne shoved his son into the office, then slammed the door shut behind them.

Bruce: In all my years as a hero, you’ve talked to me about telling a woman I’m Batman, yet you, Mr. Let me wear an eye mask and do acrobatics, got I.D. by a child! I'm livid, but also amazed at how you did not LISTEN TO ME!

Dick pouted, holding his head down, but it wasn’t because of Jason’s death.

Bruce: Don't you do it. Don't you cry!

Dick bursted into tears, sobbing like a child.

Bruce: Nope, nope, not falling for it! This is your fault! You had to do the stupid circus tricks, which I told you not to do.

Dick (between sobs): The kid seems really... smart, and my costume… was a good design! 

Bruce: He figured out who you were when he was 9! He was in third or fourth grade when he figured out who you were! At least I only got Jason as Robin because he was stealing my tires!

Dick: Why are you yelling at me?! 

Bruce: I'm not yellin—

Bruce took a breath.

Bruce: I’m not yelling; I’m talking sternly because… I'm angry, and it happens to sound loud! 

Dick (whimpering): That's yelling!

Dick sobbed, covering his face. Bruce rolled his eyes. Alfred opened the door without knocking or asking to come in.

Alfred: You should look at his designs; they're pretty good and have pants. 

Dick: Mine was a cute design!

Bruce: No, it wasn't. Alfred, just feed the child or something while I deal with my idiot. 

Dick: Rude... Alfred, don’t leave.

Alfred closed the door, heading back to give Tim something to eat.

Bruce: I have to figure out something because I can't deal with another kid sidekick. It's not happening.

Dick (wiping his eyes): Because you miss Jason? 

Bruce didn't respond, deciding to leave the office and tell Tim to leave.

Dick: Wait, Bruce, don't talk to him!

Dick tackled Bruce to the ground and tossed him back into his office, slamming the door shut, leaving Dick in the hallway.

Dick: I will handle this. Especially I missed Jason's funeral after finding out he died.

Bruce (behind the closed door): I had to carry his dead body!

Dick: It's not a contest!

Dick headed to the kitchen, where Tim was coloring his suit design with a red colored pencil.

Dick: Hey… Tim, want to get... ice cream together and chat about possibly becoming Robin?

Tim (trying to remain calm): I would... I would like that very much. 

Tim dumped all his materials back into the leather briefcase, jumped out of his seat, and headed to the door. Dick sighed, pulling his car keys out of his pocket.

Dick: I'm never living this down. 

Alfred: Not at all. Be nice to the child though.

Dick groaned, then forced a smile and took Tim out for ice cream. Bruce was going to be cold towards Tim, but Dick saw the vigor in that kid's eyes. Plus, he was a fan of his, and he needed that kindness at the moment.

It took some convincing and Tim saving Bruce's life, but the caped crusader reluctantly took Tim Drake in as his third Robin. At the time he was doubtful where things would go. Tim saw the pain the Batman was burying, he saw the man was at a breaking point and would either break his kill rule or kill himself and Tim didn't want that to happen.

He may have been a huge fan of Nightwing, but he respected Batman enough to aid him not only as a sidekick, but a son/friend.

And the rest... is history.

How about a fic where the Fenton portal was opened in like the 90s and so Phantom was the literal First Known Hero. Which is why he was hunted and there wasn’t any law to stop the Anti-ecto acts. And when Phantom Planet happened, he just disappeared, or retired. He went to Gotham U for uni and meets Bruce Wayne there and they hit it off as good friends and later wild romance partners who slept around. And when they graduated they separated to do their own thing but Danny returns once in awhile to visit Bruce.

They also meet randomly when Bruce goes on work trips in random countries and cities. They never mention the kids and Danny doesn’t know about Batman. Bruce doesn’t know about Phantom. He just thinks Danny is an engineer that travels for work. Which he is, but he’s also mainly the Ling of the Infinite Realms and appears in other countries and cities bc that’s conveniently where natural portals are spawning.

What Danny doesn’t know is that since he’s taken up the mantle of king, the zone has changed to match him. So it’s much more welcoming and natural portals spawn where Bruce is bc he lowkey is in love with him and just doesn’t realize it. And vice versa, Bruce is lowkey in love with Danny and they fawn over each other when they meet up without realizing that’s what’s happening. But Alfred knows, he’s known for awhile. And so does Jazz.

So when one day, Alfred brings up that Danny is in town in Gotham and Bruce says to set a time for them to meet, one of the kids hear this and they wonder who this Danny is, bc they’ve never heard his name. It becomes a Wayne Mystery when that week, Bruce is out most nights and portions of the day and comes back looking happy and soft. Which freaks everyone out and they stalk Danny and realize they’re meeting each other and this man is someone Bruce cares about a lot. So they bring him up at dinner one day and Bruce is like, oh yea he’s an old friend of mine. And when pressed on why they haven’t heard or met him, Bruce just says that they’ve never brought it up and since Danny isn’t around a lot, and Bruce is a little self aware of himself at this point, doesn’t want this relationship to affect the kids since they aren’t exclusive or together really.

So the kids plot and get Danny to come to the Manor for dinner. They then realize during dinner, watching Bruce and Danny interact, that holy shit, this is their other dad. They’re so in sync that they don’t realize it and he’s so good with the kids too and Bruce is so happy when he’s around…

Cue the batfamily kids Parent Trapping the two, with the help of Alfred who is all for it bc he likes Danny.

In the end, Danny decides to stay at the Manor and the kids can now call him other dad, or pops, or some variation. But they all collectively don’t mention the vigilante side they have, since they all figured it out themselves. Their new dad can do so too. Which then spirals when all of the kids Omar’s out on Patrol, Alfred is on Vacay, and Danny is alone in the house when Talia comes a knocking, bc she knows that Danny has always had Bruce’s heart and wants him gone. She’s always been jealous of their relationship so she tries to kill him. The family realize what’s happened when Damian sees some League members watching them on patrol and they race back home to see Danny decimating the assassins and Talia. He sees the family in their costumes and thinks, oh wow this makes all the sense now.

And they see Danny as a ghost, which Bruce recognizes as Phantom, the first hero!!!! And they all sit down and talk about it.

There’s probs more too but that’s all I have rn.

Spawn

Tim went mad scientist during the search for Batman and he cloned himself just in case he died. The objective was to retain all knowledge even if the original was dead, so he wore a chip that would feed knowledge to the clone that was in stasis.

All of this was a contingency for Ra's interest and the LOA's meddling. However, it so happened that Phantom was launched across universes and he landed by complete coincidence inside the gestating clone. The overshadowing was so shocking that it put Phantom to sleep for a couple of weeks. When he woke up, the pod sprang open and Danny fell down to the ground face first. Turns out Tim's heart flatlined for a couple of seconds while he was trapped with the LOA, and that was enough for the clone to be released and the chip connection to be cut.

Now Danny, naked and completely bewildered, is having contrasting information in his head about himself. He's Danny Fenton, half-ghost screw up, and he is at the same time Tim Drake, genius superhero that just died at the hands of Ra's. He has to investigate how to go back to his own world and he has to look into Bruce's disappearance to bring him back.

The whole thing is a literal headache, and Danny settles for using the gadgets and clothes Tim had left for him.

At least he knew that Tim Drake had left him a mission.

DPXDC prompt. Granny al Ghul

Ra's al Ghul believed that there were no former members of the League of Assassins. Maddie understood that perfectly, but it didn’t make her any more prepared when she saw her father.

"Hey, are you my favorite sweet grandpa?" Danny, who noticed his mother freezing in fear after opening the door, immediately stood in front of her. "Want to hug?"

"It was you again! I know for sure." The head of the league hissed in anger. ''Get out!"

"But this is my house." Her son shrugged his shoulders and smiled in a strange snide way. "Do you want me to show you my room or do you want me to chew a cookie for you? You look totally senile. Even your feet can’t hold you."

Ra's Al Ghul was shaking with rage. "Don’t play dumb, I know you’ve been tinkering with water in my Lazarus pits." "They are part of the nature reserve of the Ghost Zone." Danny was rightly outraged. "Write your name on them even a hundred times, they will not be yours."

"But you’ll get a fine for vandalism. You’re lucky I didn’t report you to the authorities." Danny threatens grandpa with his finger. "But it’s only because we’re family, you know?" Ra's frowns but stops arguing. "Would you like a cup of tea?" Danny’s offering a truce. Ra's sighs. "Well, I wouldn't say no."

~~~~~

"Do you like your drink?" Danny asks, pouring grandpa more green tea with milk. "Disgusting." The head of the League of Assassins answers sincerely. "Good." Danny’s smiling like a gremlin. "Hey, do you want to see an album with photos of baby Danny, Ra's?" asks Jack, who doesn’t notice the tension around. "No." Maddie was sitting there with her eye twitching for the last 40 minutes. "I would like to see a family photo album, Madeline." Ra's, who saw an opportunity to embarrass his insolent grandson, did not want to lose it.

~~~~~

"For the last time, why should I participate in this abomination?" Ra's stared angrily at his grandson pushing him into the classroom.

"Come on, grandpa, you saw my photo from kindergarten with a piss on my pants." Danny looked at him, batting his eyelashes.

Ra's rolled his eyes."And why does it mean I have to join this circus?"

"We’re definitely family now! And I promised Mr. Lancer I will take on Career Day this year anyone but not mom or dad. I’m definitely not gonna call Vlad. So that leaves you." Danny pushed him again.

The guard at the Demon's Head got nervous, but Ra’s hand stopped him. "I did not agree."Grandpa moved one of the swords to Danny’s neck.

Fenton just brushed it off with a frown. "Come on, tell everyone a little bit about your plans for immortality and world domination. Maybe I’ll be interested in being your heir then. I promise to listen carefully!"

~~~~

"The most important thing in educating your minions is control. They must feel an absolute fear of your authority." The inspired Ra's continued his speech after the bell. Lancer was taking notes. Tucker looked at it.

"I don’t like it, guys. I stick to the good old-fashioned disciplinary measures, you know?" Techno geek whispered.

"Well, I’m totally fine with it." Danny, who had noticed that after a fascinating lecture about the most effective tortures Dash was sitting two desks further away from him, showed his grandfather fist with the thumb up.

~~~~

"I changed my mind, I’ll kill him." Danny roared, running around the stadium after his thirtieth lap. What idiot from the school board took his crazy grandfather’s advice about organizing extra fitness classes? Next to him Wes fell to the ground. "Do it, Phantom. Avenge us." The boy wheezed at the last breath. "No distractions, five more laps!" Ra's stood on the field with the hand fan. "This bastar-r-rd." Danny roared furiously. "What? My favorite grandson wants to run another ten? Well, I can’t say no, right, coach?" Demon's Head yelled.

~~~~

"You know, it is really nice to take a vacation sometimes. I feel an unprecedented surge of strength." Ra’s reached out to Mr. Lancer standing next to him. "Would you like to meet for coffee sometime?"

"How about Friday, around 7:00 p.m.?" Mr Lancer looked at his schedule. "No, I’m busy at this time." Ra's sighed with regret. "We have a ritual sacrifice scheduled for six p.m." "You have a great sense of humor, my friend." Mr. Lancer laughed. "Who knew Mr. Fenton had such an intriguing and well-read grandfather. You’re full of surprises, Mr al Ghul." ~~~~ Damian, sitting on the roof of Casper High, lays down his binoculars and sighs. "Yes, mother is right, grandfather finally lost his mind." "Well, I’m glad you noticed too." A voice filled with relief rang very close. "Who’s here?" Damian took out the katana. "Um, boo?" Void’s voice answered.

We’re Adopted?!?

When Bruce’s kids end up on the Watchtower due to a set of unforeseen circumstances, Jason first tries to get the League to believe that they’re all biologically related to Bruce. He tries to avoid having Jason give everyone a sex talk by reminding him that he’s adopted. This leads to all his kids pretending that this is the first time they’ve heard of it, much to the horror of the League and the exasperation of Bruce.

Based on this post.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: none

~~~~

It finally happened. After years of successfully keeping the League from finding out about all the kids he has, they’ve finally met. And in the most dramatic way too. In a way it’s very suited for their family, but that is a detail Bruce had hoped to keep from the League.

However, it happens anyway and now his two teams have met.

They’re sitting in the common area of the Watchtower when the Zeta-Tube suddenly whirs to life and the Batmobile comes crashing into the area. It spins to a stop as if it had been in the middle of a chase, before the teleporter snatched them off the streets.

Bruce gets out of his chair and makes his way over. He isn’t too worried about them, since they’re here and while that might have meant danger before, they are safe with him now. If one of them had been terribly injured or left behind, they would be screaming and yelling already and that isn’t happening yet.

His eyes meet Tim’s, who is standing next to the car, his costume a little singed, hair askew and looking a little worse for wear. Apologetically he greets: “Hi, Justice League, promise we have a good reason to be here.”

For Bruce, this is quite normal chaos and these are his kids, but he notices that the Justice League has formed a defensive barrier around the Batmobile. They perceive his kids as a threat. It’s so absurd that he is quiet for a moment.

In that moment, Superman steps forward and demands to know: “Who are you and how did you get up here?”

“With a car no less,” Hal adds, sounding a little impressed, which doesn’t make Bruce smug in the slightest, no sir.

He is about to tell everyone to stand down when the doors of the car open and his kids come spilling out. It’s a bit of a car clown moment with how many vigilantes fit inside.

Dick nearly falls out of the side, with Damian following after him. Both of them have soot in their hair and scratches on their faces.

A singed Jason stumbling out on the other side as he loudly complains: “This is the last time we’re letting Spoiler drive.”

Steph’s costume is a little flame tattered too as she swings open the driving side and says: “I’d like to see you do better, asshole. At least it wasn’t like Signal’s first driving attempt.”

“Hey,” Duke exclaims, coming out of the car after Jason, looking a little banged up. “Just because I didn’t know where the missiles were, doesn’t mean it was terrible.”

“I didn’t eject anyone,” Steph pouts.

“Yes, you did!” Duke exclaims. “You very much did.”

“Well, not by accident,” Steph argues. “It was part of the plan.”

The other front door is now open and Cass is next to him. He puts an arm around her and pulls her into his cape. Then he decides to step in, because it seems the League doesn’t know what to do when they’re not viewed as an authority.

“What happened?” he asks.

Six heads snap his way, as if his kids had forgotten where they were. It wouldn’t be the first time, so he doesn’t even bother rolling his eyes.

Tim reports: “The Riddler broke out of Arkham, along with like a bunch of b-rate villains. They caused havoc, but we rounded them all up. Riddler took the time it took us to round them up to set up his trap. He went with a fire theme.”

“Is he contained now?” Bruce asks, a little concerned.

“Yeah, no problem, B, we got ‘em,” Steph assures him casually with a thumbs up.

“Sorry, uhm, excuse me, Batman, do you know these people?” Clark asks in that awkward, polite way of his.

Bruce contemplates for a second what he should answer. Then decides that he wants to know what happened and doesn’t want to deal with questions. So he just says: “My associates. Now report, how did you end up here?”

“Associates,” Jason snorts.

However, he is ignored by his siblings as Damian reports: “We have caught the Riddler, however we did so without solving the last of his riddles. So, he sprang his trap after we took him down and we became the target of some missiles.”

“Oh my god, are you okay?” one of the League members exclaims under their breath.

“Tt, of course we’re okay,” Damian spits back. “Unlike you, we have been trained.”

“And we learned our lesson; always solve all of Riddler’s riddles,” Steph grins, giving them all a thumbs up.

“I already said that, but who listens to Red Robin? Nobody,” Tim complains.

Before it can turn into a squabble fest again, Bruce clears his throat and Dick jumps in to get them back on track, explaining: “We tried to get away in the Batmobile, but we couldn’t outrun it forever. So we decided the best way to escape was to use the Zeta-Tube connection.”

“It was great, Spoiler sent replacement flying so he could put in the code,” Jason laughs.

“I wanted to beam us to the Cave, but with the amount of time we had, just taking us to the most recently used coordinates was smarter,” Tim explains. He checks his arm computer then says: “The chatter on the police coms is that the missile made impact where we disappeared. No one was in the area when it went off, but there is property damage. And a few of the new recruits are convinced we’re supernatural, since none of our remains are being found.”

That last bit gets a few laughs from the assembled vigilantes. Most of Gotham PD have resigned themselves to the fact that the protectors of Gotham are humans, who seemingly pull of the impossible from time to time.

However, there are always newer members, who come up with great conspiracies about how they aren’t human and that’s why they pull it off. Bruce knows that it’s a bit of a game between his kids to see who can get them to believe the weirdest shit about them.

So, he just lets them have the moment of amusement after what must have been a highly tense moment.

Then he asks: “Where is Bluebird?” since he hasn’t seen Harper among the crowd, which is weird, because she’s on the night shift, while Duke is on the day shift.

“She the one, who figured out where Riddler was and caught him,” Dick says proudly. “She was escorting him to Arkham when she noticed he was being off. Without her we would’ve never made it to the Batmobile on time.”

Bruce makes a mental note to thank her for saving his other kids when he sees her.

“We also let Oracle know we’re okay, so she can inform her and Batwoman when she gets back from her mission, just in case she saw the news,” Dick goes on.

“Wait,” they get interrupted by Hal. “How many more heroes are you going to pull out of your sleeve? What happened to Mr. I Work alone? Am I being crazy here? Why are you all just standing there?”

Clark says: “Well, it’s obvious Batman knows these people and they do not seem like a threat to us, so I was going to wait until they’d given a report before demanding answers.”

“And we will demand answers, Batman,” Diana adds, making Bruce swallow a little. “We are your friends, we hoped there would be some trust there. You seem to have a whole different team of warriors. That is something you share.”

“Don’t mind, B, he just comes with permanently built in paranoia, it’s nothing against you,” Dick tells them.

In the background, Jason snorts: “Did you hear that guys? We’re his team of warriors. His associates.”

Damian huffs at that: “These imbeciles obviously do not know what they are on about and I refuse to be referred to as such, when I am the blood son.”

“I don’t know, Robin,” Steph laughs. “It almost starts to feel like he cares. I mean, he obviously has been bragging about us.”

“He has not spoken a word about us,” Damian exclaims.

In the background, Bruce can feel a headache coming. He has tried to keep his kids away from the League for their own safety. They can’t use his kids against him, should they become compromised, if they don’t know they exist.

However, they do know now and not only that, it seems like his kids are here to cause trouble on purpose now that they finally get to meet, who they refer to as, ‘his work friends AKA the only friends he has’. Delightful.

Indeed, the League has picked up on the words Jason set Damian up for, because Hal repeats: “Blood son?”

And Clark frowns: “They do seem quite young.”

“Batman, are you employing babes to protect Gotham with you?” Diana exclaims in horror.

“I am highly trained, who dares to call me a baby,” Damian protests immediately and while his siblings would usually laugh at him, they now also feel offended.

All of them have had to defend their age to people, including Bruce. They don’t like being questioned. So all of them are falling over themselves to defend their position as protectors of Gotham.

Bruce decides to help them, explaining: “There are more teen heroes, most of you have or had a sidekick. These vigilantes keep each other safe, they have the safety of back up and I also provide good gear. They’re not running around without a clue of what to do.”

“Ahww, I knew you cared, old man,” Steph coos, while Cass taps a genuine thank you in Morse code on his arm.

“Batman, I appreciate that you look out of them, but most sidekicks have had superpowers that are related to one of the heroes and sought out a mentor to help,” Clark says gently. “You have no powers, where did you get these kids?”

And in hindsight, he should have known better than to hesitate. However, at the times, he does, because the circus, the streets, the neighbor’s and some villains, are not really good answers to that question, no matter how true. And he doesn’t know if he wants to explain.

Still, he has to admit that he melts slightly when Cass speaks up to say: “His kids.”

Plus, it’s kind of funny how most League member jump out of their skin at the sudden voice, since none of them had spotted Cass before. Not even those with superhuman senses. His daughter is so talented.

Arguably the funniest reaction is Hal, who shrieks: “Where the fuck did you get these kids, Spooky!” as he violently startles backwards.

However, Jason jumps on the opportunity, sending Bruce a shit eating grin before he does (he might still be wearing the helmet, but Bruce knows him). He says: “Well, when two people love each other very much, they-”

No, just no. Absolutely not.

The League already thinks him to be a bit of a weirdo, who is steeped in paranoia. They respect him, but they’re always a little wary of him too (which is good in a way, he doesn’t want them close to his secret identity with the threat they could pose). Still, he doesn’t want them to think he practically bred an army of shadow-y vigilantes to protect Gotham. He’d never live it down.

“Hood,” he quickly cuts Jason off, before he can continue with his nonsense. Then he tiredly reminds him: “You’re adopted.”

“WHAT!” Jason shrieks, ripping his helmet off to reveal a shocked and betrayed face even with his domino mask. “How could you keep that from me?”

It seems like everyone needs a second to recover and process after the outburst. However, Jason is gaining steam and dramatically barrels on: “For years. Years! I lived with you, you fed me, you cared for me. You are my dad. At least you were. Was that all a lie? Some ruse? How- Why- I deserved to know.”

Bruce is shocked, unable to form words. His relationship with Jason has been rough, though getting better. It’s still tentative, though, so to hear Jason refer to him as dad throws him off in one of the best ways. Until he realizes Jason is fucking with him.

Even then, it is kind of nice that Jason is messing with him. When he looks, he sees that Jason is having fun under the mask of betrayal. It doesn’t have a bitter undertone, like it would have a few months ago. Instead, it feels a little like all the times Jason messed with him in front of Commissioner Gordon, back when he was Robin.

So, later Bruce will cut himself some slack for basking in that feeling for long enough that the others catch on and join in.

It starts with Steph, who has never claimed him as her father a day in his life, but will always be committed to a bit. She sniffles: “I can’t believe you’d lie to our brother like that. Soon you’ll tell us we’re all adopted.”

“Spoiler,” Bruce warns, hoping to deter anyone else from joining in.

That doesn’t happen, instead, Dick pulls Duke into a hug and exclaims: “Yeah, next you’ll tell us Signal here isn’t our half brother, like you didn’t leave his mother at the altar.” He narrows his eyes and adds: “I was the flower boy too, I can’t believe you did that to her.”

He sees Duke’s calculating gaze, flitting between Dick and himself and knows it’s only a matter of time before he picks a side, so he grunts: “Signal, don’t-”

“She talked about it until her death. Don’t tell me she made it up,” Duke suddenly says, picking the side of his siblings. Bruce would be more glad about him getting along with them, if it weren’t for the fact that in joining him, he left Bruce.

“You monster,” Jason butts back in again, not having had the spotlight in too long. “Look what you’ve done. You can’t just drop something like that on us. You can’t just pull the rug out from under us. Adopted. Or am I the only one? Huh? Is that it? Are all of them your real kids except for me?”

It’s a little too close to home, so Bruce stumbles: “No, of course, you’re always my kid. But this isn’t news to you. To any of you.”

“So we are all adopted?” Tim shrieks, stumbling forwards to clutch Bruce’s arm. “Those people you took me away from, were they my real parents? Did you lie to me?”

And this is just unfair. They’re not allowed to gang up on him like this and be dramatic. They know he doesn’t know what to do when they get like this. He gave them a home, he kept them as safe as he could, he loves them. What has he done to deserve this?

Dick and Duke are still embracing each other and Bruce is pretty sure Dick is weeping. Steph is definitely fake crying, while Jason is consoling her. Tim is still clutching his one arm, babbling about being taken from his parents.

Cass is his favorite right now, because she isn’t playing along with her sibling, just quietly huddling into his side. Damian would share the spot, but Bruce knows that the only reason he isn’t playing along, is because he doesn’t know what their game is and how he can use it to his advantage.

Indeed, he joins in – though not entirely purposefully – because he asks: “Father, I am your true son right? I am the blood son, not these imbeciles.”

Jason is definitely hiding a snort as a sob and in that moment, Bruce is tempted to disown Damian, just so he doesn’t have to deal with all this.

He can see how shocked the Justice League is, their eyes wide with horror, none of them having truly recovered at the sudden appearance at a gaggle of kids, who are now seemingly breaking down over the surprise news of being adopted.

He should’ve just let Jason give the League a sex talk.

So, he is tempted to not recognize Damian as his own, however, he knows how much Damian values his heritage and how insecure he is about his spot in the family. And he does look genuinely worried about what’s happening. So, Bruce has to sigh and reward the vulnerability that he shows with compassion, saying: “Yes, Robin.”

Jason lets out a pained groan and says: “So it is true? We really are adopted?” then breaks down crying. It’s almost impressive how well he can sob on demand. How well all of them can, Bruce wonders when they learned that and who taught them that.

The League, meanwhile has also apparently reached their limits and Hal suddenly explodes: “Fucking hell, Bats. Is that how you’re telling them that? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Around him all the others start to nod in agreement and Bruce knows that some of those shaking shoulders of his kids aren’t sobs but laughter at this point. He wonders if it’s wrong to return any of them, despite knowing that he would never give any of them up, even with all the gray hairs they’re giving him.

He does think about it though, especially when Clark cautiously says: “It seems unnecessarily cruel, Batman. They’ve just been chased through the streets by missiles. You could have waited.”

“Yes, it is very cruel,” Diana agrees. “And I do not know you to be cruel.”

Usually, Bruce has an image to maintain, but that image includes him working alone and having no sense of humor or humanity, so obviously it’s incorrect. Besides, any reputation he might have had has just been ruined by his kids. He doesn’t have to take this judgment from his friends.

So, he throws his hands up and, bordering on a whine, says: “I’m not cruel. They all know they’re adopted. All of them were over nine when it happened. Hell, not even all of them are adopted. Not all of them wanted to be. They know! They’re just messing with me.”

It’s quiet after his outburst.

Both the League and his kids blink for a few times. It’s clear that the League doesn’t know what to believe, but his kids are luckily done with the chaos. Though, Bruce doesn’t know if he’s happy with that when he sees some of their faces morph into grins.

Dick decides to put him out of his misery first, letting go of Duke to skip forwards and sling an arm around Bruce, which he grudgingly allows. He never says no to hugs from his kids, no matter what stunt they’ve just pulled.

“He’s right,” Dick smiles at everyone. Then he jokingly tugs on one of the ears on his cowl – something he has done since his early days as Robin – as he teases: “He didn’t mind. Right, B? You are a softie under there.”

“Who cares if he minds,” Jason says loudly. “That was hilarious, did you see everyone’s faces when replacement told them he’d stolen him out of his home. Golden. I’m gonna ask O for that footage the second we get back.”

Now the League is looking at them with even more confusion. Unsure of what to do now.

Bruce wants to let them suffer, but he also doesn’t want to give his kids room to do something else to embarrass him. So, he takes the reigns saying: “Just to clear it all up; this is Nightwing, my oldest.”

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Dick gives the League a bright smile.

“My second or third oldest – we’re not sure – Red Hood,” Bruce continues on, gesturing to Jason, who just gives them a salute. “And, again, the second or third oldest, Black Bat.” She waves at them, startling some again, since they’d forgotten she was there. Hm, they might have to do another stealth and awareness training day.

“This is Spoiler, she is not one of mine technically,” he continues on introducing everyone there.

Steph grins at all of them and says: “I eat his food and steal his money, but I’m not having him sign shit. All of the perks, none of the accountability.”

“And how you remind me of that,” Bruce sighs, before gesturing to Tim and saying: “This is Red Robin, my fourth kid. He is adopted, but also emancipated. And I did not steal him away from his parents.”

“Technically, he did, because they were kinda shitty, but only legally when they died,” Tim corrects, which is not necessary and Bruce will be answering questions about that for months. Judging by the smug look on his face, Tim knows.

Deciding not to engage for now, he moves on to Duke. “This is Signal, he is my ward. He normally works the day shift.”

“Hello,” Duke squeaks awkwardly.

“And this is Robin, he is the youngest,” Bruce finishes his introductions.

“I am the blood son of the Bat and the one true heir,” Damian exclaims proudly.

“Yeah, yeah, we know, brat,” Jason rolls his eyes. “You were once B’s sperm. Whoop-die-doo.”

Multiple faces contort at that, with Tim and Steph both exclaiming how gross that is and how he didn’t have to phrase it like that and how they never want to hear about Bruce’s sex life ever again in any way, shape, or form.

Hal comments: “Wait, you actually have a kid?”

Bruce fights the urge to facepalm as he deadpans: “Just a second ago, you were willing to believe I had seven or more, why do you seem surprised?”

That renders Hal speechless, which is good, because Bruce doesn’t want to be here anymore. He wants to check up properly on his kids, check up on Gotham, and be as far away from the League and their questions as he can.

So, he uses the silence to says: “Now, as interesting as this has all been, we are going home. I have a city to check on and kids to ground.”

All around him protests start up about how he either has no power over them and can’t ground them or that they’re too mature and well trained fro childish things such as grounding. But Bruce is great at tuning them out when needs must, so he types in the last of the Batcave coordinates and lets the Zeta-Tube take them home.

~~

A/N:

I love coming up with convoluted reasons of why the batfam would be in the Watchtower lmao

Also Alfred totally taught them to cry on command, knowing they would use it for evil <3

What if vlad was jokers guardian and he is why the joker is crazy.

So

He was given a second guardianship AKA:Jason

Guardian Angels are actually Guardian Ghosts, and it's sort of mandatory military service.

Vlad managed to dodge his, by way of proving he had no morals and therefore no ability to guard. He doesn't know this yet, but it's a huge mark against him in terms of reputation.

At the moment, this doesn't really apply to or bother him.

When he fully dies, though, and reputation is all he has? It'll be very important.

But going through a Guardianship is important to ghosts for many reasons; it instills a sense of responsibility, gives them a connection to a world they left behind, and helps them increase their powers.

LunchLady? Successful Guardianship.

Walker? Ultra successful Guardianship.

Skulker? Technically successful Guardianship.

Now it's Danny's turn. The Observants held off on assigning him because a ghost needs to legally be an adult in Ghost terms, and Danny's half human.

So, when he graduates High School, a letter appears on his bed.

On top of that letter is a green sticky note that just reads;

"Yes, they're serious. Yes, you have to do this."

The letter outlines his duties and responsibilities to keep his charge alive, and the exception to the rule they're making with him due to his mortality.

He is being assigned this person for four years, instead of that person's lifetime. Long enough to make an impression, short enough to enable Danny to live his life.

Danny's new charge?

Bart fucking Allen.

Danny: Robin, don’t do this!

Damian: How dare you tell me what to do. You are not my father!

~Danny’s last brain cell twitches~

~~~

Danny gets down on a knee with the ring box.

Bruce: Do I understand correctly? You need this performance so that in a dispute with my son you have the last word.

Danny: Absolutely. Our short-lived relationship will be as platonic as you want.

Bruce:

Danny: Please bear in mind I will fly to Thalia if you say no. Her father will obviously not mind having me as a relative. But what will Damian say if I give him a younger brother?

~~~

Danny: Damian, put your sword down.

Damian: I already told you are not m..

Bcuce: Show your father some respect, son.

Damian *sees The Ring of Rage on Bruce’s finger* 

Dick *falls off the chandelier and wheezes with nervous laughter*

Danny *in a panick*: Are you okay?

Dick: i’m sorry.so-so..dad.i mean Danny..dad hAghAha

~~~

Damian: Pennyworth, call the place where you ordered Jason’s memorial. I want to order a gravestone to remember the day I buried all respect for this family.

~~~

Jason: Alfred, Alfred, I can..

Alfred: Ask your father, my dear boy.

Jason is on his way to ask Bruce about expanding the family library.

Danny in the chair: Hey, Jason!

The route is automatically rebuilt.

Jason: Hey, daddy, can I kill the Joker? Danny: S-Sure?

~~~

Red Hood to Reporter: Daddy said it’s OK.

~~~

Danny: Don’t look at me like that! You know I can’t refuse children! Dani looks at me with puppy dog eyes and I’m ready to give her the moon. Bruce: We’re getting a divorce.

Tim  *is eavesdropping outside the door* , *was ready to ask Danny if Conner could move into his room*: Happiness was so close.

Not So Normal Masterpost

Prologue

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

There are so many fics out there where Danny is either adopted by or the biological son of Bruce. In many of these he might have an existential crisis but other wise he is fine and happy to be part of the BatFam. Where are the ones where he fights against this just doesn't want to connect with Bruce of the rest of the family.

One: Bruce is a billionaire and Danny has had some bad experience with Vlad trying to adopt/get him as a son. So even if Bruce is one of "the good ones" Danny does't like billionaires.

Two: Danny for the most part grew up in a mostly normal family and home, with two Parents and a sibling. Most of the BatFam were only children and parents are dead or came from dysfunctional homes. I think Duke is the only one who really had a normal childhood.

Three: The Fenton family is pretty openly affectionate with each other and are pretty normal emotionally. Danny has a great relationship with all of them (Danny went evil in the timeline where they all died). Most of the Batfam is emotionally constipated.

Four: Danny is used to his boundaries being respected. I don't think that the Batfam is great at that. With Bruce needing to know everything, Tim's stalking tendencies, Barbra's hacking, just to name the obvious.

Danny knew that he was adopted into the Fentons. His parents had never hidden it from him, but they never treated him as anything besides their child.

He had come into their lives one day when one of Maddie's old high school friends had called, bawling that she had gotten pregnant and that her husband wasn't the father. He had discovered the truth and thrown her out, leaving her pregnant and alone on the streets of Gotham.

Maddie had been furious at the affair- she hated disloyalty- but had decided to help her only for the baby's sake.

She had driven over multiple state lines back to her home city to pick up the friend only to find out she had taken her life and left her newborn son to Maddie. While Maddie had been able to escape the hellhole that was Gotham, Rebecca never got the chance, not with her average intelligence.

In high school, the two were as close as sisters until Rebecca fell into the whisky bottles her father carelessly left around. She blossomed into a beautiful woman upon their graduation- more so than Maddie-, turning from a sweet homebody into someone who got into exclusive parties and powerful men.

Maddie had slowly drifted away from her, so far away at college, and Rebecca fell further and further into the party scene. It was a surprise that she settled down for marriage and Maddie truly believed that she had been happy with her husband.

That's why Danny was such a surprise. Maddie did not know who Danny's biological father was, but she did not care. Not after they placed the sobbing infant into her arms, and she realized that she was his mother now.

She immediately phoned Jack to tell him what had happened, and he told Jazz she was a big sister before the call ended. They told him the story about when he started to learn his colors. Not with her taking her life, of course; that was when Danny turned fourteen. This was only a few days before Danny revealed he was Phantom to them.

They were first shocked, but then they became supportive. Phantom now had two proud ghost hunters following him, shooting photos instead of guns.

It was embarrassing, but it was also nice of them.

And that was that. Danny is a Fenton, adopted, but a child of Maddie and Jack Fenton all the same.

He never gave his biological parents a thought. In fact, he all but forgot about them until Sam convinced him to take an ancestry test. He had allowed her to swipe his mouth, package his DNA, and send it off to see where his people came from, completely forgetting that he would not match with Jazz, who had done the same thing a month prior.

His results were shocking, to say the least.

Somehow, someway, Rebecca Silver had been in the system of DNA samples, and they had matched him to her alongside his biological father.

Bruce Wayne. Rebecca had an affair with Bruce Wayne, arguably one of the wealthiest men in the country, and they had sent him a message to let him know he matched with his son.

An eccentric billionaire has just been told that Danny was his. He knew that song and dance well, and it was never fun to dance to. Danny could only stare at the results with dread as Sam apologized profoundly.

"Maybe he won't see it." Tucker tried. "I mean, Wayne is probably so busy with rich people stuff he doesn't have time to even look at his emails. Especially ones that will come in spam since it's comersolized."

"Yeah, Maybe" Danny doesn't think he's that lucky.

A month later, the Fenton's home phone rings. His parents are working on a new invention on the dinning room table, Danny is stretched out in front of the TV watching a mindless cartoon and Jazz is crocheting in the love chair.

It's a typical Tuesday night where everyone is doing their own thing but close enough to each other that they can call it family time. Jazz is the closest to the house phone so she picks it up with a cheerful "Fenton house, this is Jasmine."

Her smile slowly slips away as all the blood drains from her face. Alarmed by her reaction, Danny sits up. "Jazz? What's wrong?"

His words have his parents' heads snapping up, zoning in on their daughter's rapidly growing destress. Yes, they get distracted often with their work, but the Fentons have always been loving parents.

They quickly spring into action.

"Jazzy-pants?" His dad says, walking up to her and taking the phone from her slack hand. He covers the speaking end of it, not paying attention to the call as his mom hugs his sister. "What's the matter?"

"It's... Bruce Wayne's lawyer," Jazz says faintly. "He's calling about Danny. He said that Mr. Wayne has been attempting to take Danny back and that they are going to take us to court soon."

The room goes dead quiet, and Danny snorts. "He can't do that without a letter or something. Come on Jazz, it's obviously a prank."

Someone at school likely found out and thought it would be funny to make "the biggest loser of Casper High" Danny Fenton, think a billionaire wanted him as a son. Honestly, he wouldn't put it past the A-listers.

He laughs to show how stupid this prank is, but neither of his parents joins him. Instead, his mother closes her eyes and whispers, "We received his court papers weeks ago. We've been trying to get a lawyer."

What.

She pushes Jazz into his dad's arms, where his sister is slowly panicking. His dad tries to soothe her as his mom opens the drawer under the TV, pulling out three orange envelopes. She looks remorseful as she hands them to Danny. "We didn't want you to worry. I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner. Vlad said he would help, but he wasn't sure what he could do against such a powerful man"

And there, in overly complicated terms, is clear as day. Bruce Wayne wanted full custody of Danny Fenton and was willing to take the Fentons to court to get it done.

The man- who has never so much as met Danny, much less have a right to say what happens to him- was accusing his parents of child abuse and child neglect! He not only was trying to take Danny away but Jazz as well!

Where did this man get the audacity!?

"I don't want to go with him!" He shouts rage, making his eyes glow green. "I don't even know him!"

"I know, sweetie. I won't let him take you" His mom says, yanking him into a protective hug, and he realizes that her shirt is getting wet with his tears. Tears that fall just like the woman who raised him. "Everything will be alright."

It won't be, he knows, but he won't tell her that. He just lets his mother hold him, and when his sister and father crash into the hug a second later, he holds them just as tight.

He's not sure how they will win against Bruce Wayne, but Danny will fight his biological father every step of the way. He will not be his son.

______________________________________________________________

Bruce stares at the photo of Danny Fenton- his son. His boy, whom he wasn't aware was alive until a month ago- and the reports from concerned teachers and whatever information Barbra could pull from his classmate's social media.

Dramatically dropping grades.

Clear signs of sleepless nights.

Flinches whenever his parents pull out "ghost hunting" gear.

Strange bruises and cuts along his arms and legs.

His small stature is no longer growing properly like his peers.

It all pointed to one thing. The Fentons were abusing his son and Bruce would bet the sister was suffering from the same treatment if her own grade dropping, sleepless eyes, and desperate race to adulthood were any indication.

Bruce laces his hands, resting his chin on them as the Batcomputer slowly flips through various reports being quickly dismissed by incompetent social workers who all claim it was Ghost Hunter related and not a cause for concern.

Those same social workers all seemed to have gotten quite generous donations from one Vlad Masters, a well-known family friend of the Fentons.

He hates corruption that allows children to be hurt, more so when it;'s his own children.

"When do we go retrieve Brother?" Damian asks, green eyes narrowing in rage as the reports scroll slowly. Ever since he found out Danny is a blood sibling, all Damian has been talking about is getting his elder brother home. "I am displeased with how long it's been, Father."

"Soon," Bruce promises, aware the rest of his children gather around him. They don't speak, but he feels their protective rage at what Danny has gone through, and he knows they will use every last bit of their training to get Danny home. "Either through the courts or in person. Danny will be with us come summer."

"Good," grunts Jason. "I'll have a little chat with his adoptive scumbags when we get him."

"I'll help," Dick tacks on.

"I'll make it look like an accident," Tim says, voice leveled but eyes blazing as the reports get to the neglect section. He has personal issues about that.

Bruce has never been so proud. "Court date is set for three weeks. They can't weasel their way out of it this time."

Don't worry son, he thinks to Danny, I'm going to save you.