Chapter Text
Everything was going well. That is as well as things could go for Gotham. Hunter sadly looked at the water, things had started looking up for him recently. With the dalmatians welcoming him into their family and being welcomed into the North side newsies. It was Gotham however and he knew deep down that this good luck wasn’t going to last. Eventually his aunt would be released from jail and he knew he wouldn’t survive long when she was.
“What are you doing mopping round here for? Did your aunt get out of Blackgate? Cause you know I got an uncle who could take care of that really quick,” Issac said sitting down next to Hunter causing him to yelp.
“No, I just wanted to be alone for a while,” Hunter said quietly.
“I get it. Have the others been making fun of you again. If so, I need to have a chat with them,” Issac noticed Hunter’s nervousness.
“You don’t have to do that. There right I am a freak,” Hunter said sadly.
“You're not, I know you think so but you're wrong. You are smart, tough, and you have a family that loves you. Your lucky man. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m going easy though so don’t say anything about this to anyone,” Issac said glaring at Hunter.
“I won’t,” Hunter said smiling.
“That’s right. Me and Jet are going down to the boardwalk tonight, want to come,” Issac asked smiling.
“Sure,” Hunter asked shyly.
“Just be there by 5 okay,” Issac said walking away.
The boardwalk was packed when he got there. It normally was, considering it was seen as one of the safest places to be in Gotham. Eventually he saw Issac and Jet walking towards him wearing their newsie caps and trying to look serious.
“You brought Domino with you,” Jet said exasperated.
“Hey don’t worry about it, we’ll still be able to get in. The people here aren’t paid enough to care, we'll just slip anyone who complains a hundred and where good. Ain’t that right Hunter,” Issac said trying to calm Jet down.
“Yeah, let's go,” Hunter said nervously as he headed down the boardwalk with Domino following him.
“Me and Jet are going on the Riptide. You coming,” Issac said after a while.
“I don’t really like roller coasters that much. You two go without me. I'm going to go play some skeeball in the arcade,” Hunter said quietly.
“Okay, holler if anyone gives you any trouble,” Isaac said as Hunter headed into the arcade.
The arcade he went into was one with tons of older arcade cabinets and as they looked around both Hunter and Domino’s eyes landed on the Dance Dance Revolution cabinet that surprisingly had no one playing it. Quickly rushing over to it Hunter put his money in the machine selected Speed Over Beethoven and he and Domino started to play. After they finished Hunter noticed that a small crowd had gathered. As he shyly walked away he recognized on person in the crowd Damian Wayne, who despite being 12 the same age as him Hunter was terrified of.
“Can I pet your dog,” asked the skinny kid standing next to him.
“Jon, please stop asking everyone if you can pet their dogs. I understand it but how many times do I have to tell you not everyone here's used to your excitement,” Damian said, slightly exasperated.
“That’s alright,” Hunter said trying to hide the slight trembling in his voice looking at Domino then as Domino nodded “You can pet him.”
Luckily Jon didn’t pet Domino too long and they both were out of the arcade rather quickly.
“Are you alright,” Domino asked, trying to be quiet but failing.
“I am,” Hunter said clearly not, “Also what did I say about talking to me in public.”
“Sorry, you want to go home,” Domino asked.
“Yes,” Hunter said walking towards the end of the boardwalk.
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As Jon and Damien took turns playing Dragon’s Lair, Issac and Jet came into the arcade.
“What did you say to Hunter,” Jet said angrily.
“My friend Jon here was a little more enthusiastic then he should of been in asking if he could pet Hunter’s dog. He isn’t from Gotham so such slips are unavoidable but I hope he takes it as a lesson and tones it down next time,” Damien said as Jon stood there embarrassed.
“No worries. A lot has happened with his family recently and well we just want to help him out. You know how that is,” Issac said.
“Yeah, he just joined the North Side newsies last week. He moved up from the Fashion District. He was a little jumpy at first but he’s relaxed a little since then. He’s been staying with his grandmother since all his family stuff went down,” Jet said nervously lying about who exactly Hunter was staying with.
“Sorry to bother you. I’m excited for the gala next week. Honestly the gala’s your family holds are the only ones I feel are actually worth going to. Well bye then,” Jet said
“No worries. I’ll have your friend but on the guest list if you think he’ll enjoy it,” Damien said, slightly curious about Hunter.
“I believe he might if dogs are allowed at the gala that is. He tends to get nervous around most people. He's usually okay if he has one of his dogs with him though. His full name is Hunter Dalmatian by the way,” Issac said semi-nervously.
“I’m sure that will be alright,” Damien said.
“Alright then bye,” Issac said as both him and Jet left the arcade.
“I’m sorry,” Jon said softly after they left.
“It’s fine. Remember what Grayson told you. Despite much of what he says being overly hopeful drivel I will admit what he said to you is correct in this instance. Light is rare in this city and as much as so many might need some, no one here is really used to it. I am well aware you’re not used to dimming your enthusiasm but in this city you should at least a little bit,” Damian said a little exasperated.
“Okay, do you want to ride that roller coaster over by the entrance,” Jon said cheerfully.
“The Riptide, sure it’s the one of the rides that’s the least rusted in this whole place,” Damien said as they left the arcade.