Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In official reports Red X is just a thief. A criminal with the means to a cause, and that cause was money. Excellent physical condition, smart enough, and with a suit filled with tools and gadgets that only facilitated this.

“I’m a thief. I’m not threatening your precious city.”

-

“I thought you didn't like to play the hero?”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t know how.”

-

“I’m not such a bad guy… once you get to know me.”

Extra-officially, he was also a jerk.

“That’s another win for me, Boy Wonder! But I mean, who’s counting, right?”

“I am. That’s 13 for you… And 20 for me. But I mean, who’s counting, right?”

(Red X couldn’t help but laugh at the young hero’s snark. Robin really was something else…)

“We’ll talk when you catch me- if you can, that is!”

“Good for you on looking cool exactly once. Kinda ruined it going all heart eyes at Robin, though, good thing you had the mask on,” Sam said as soon as Danny entered the room, putting the gym bag that contained the suit on the floor and away, without lookiing away from the videogame in front of her.

“Wha- I didn’t go ‘heart eyes’ at anyone, much less Robin…!”

Tucker snorted. “Dude, c’mon. It’s not like we’re judging you.”

"I wasn’t! Look, I just get it, ok? I get what it's like trying to be a young hero, and he’s doing… great. He’s great at it, and I admire that of him, that’s all- doesn’t mean I have a fucking crush or something!” With that the halfa left the room.

“...And there he goes, heart eyes again.”

“I think it happened when Robin tried to kick his ass. He’s got a thing for that- remember Valerie?”

“Yeah. He was a lot more aware then, tho.”

“I can hear you talking about me!”

“We know.”

The blue-eyed teen came back then with a dramatic huff, offended and with a few bags of snacks in his possession. He felt no regrets when he laid on top of his best friends then, momentarily disrrupting their game (Sam was kicking Tucker's ass anyways).

This all started because Danny needed a damn break, or else he was going to break something.

It’s not like he woke up and said “I’m bored, think I’ll commit crimes for fun now,”  really, no matter how much Walker would believe otherwise.

He was actually on a little journey around the world with Dani, on vacations his friends and sister practically forced him to go.

They were still floating around in the states, when they stopped for a moment at Jump City.
There they saw what happened with the suit, while being invisible. Dani had bet him he couldn’t, wouldn’t take it. And well, he had won the bet.

Then there were the Teen Titans.

Messing with some young heroes like him wasn’t something he had planned, but he would be a liar on top of being dead if he said it wasn’t fun. (Both were technically true, but not completely, and he'd stick with that.)

If he were out of the mask, say, as Phantom? Ancients, would he be on their side in a second, if they wanted him. He was, in a sense. Maybe he will be, someday.
For now, though? Oh, was it fun to mess with them…
He had to be careful of Raven, sure that she could tell there was something off with him- and Cyborg, too. He didn’t know what he could see or do with the machines he had. Starfire, he was really excited to meet, because c’mon, she was an alien! How cool was that! Not to mention Beast Boy, he had a feeling if they met without any role to play, their jokes would be legendary.
And then there was Robin.

For all he teased the shorter one, he was a damn good opponent. He knew what he was doing, strong and clever- Danny could barely keep up with him without using his powers. It was… fun. Exciting. There was something about it and he couldn’t put his finger on it, but he really liked-

He liked to be Red X.

He didn’t do it too often, though.

He still had Amity Park, and school, even if it had gotten easier with less and less ghosts messing with him. Having grown to expect it didn’t hurt, he’s gotten stronger, too.
Even Vlad, even if he still was a Fruitloop, left him mostly alone, except for the occasional sparring session or proposing to be his son. He’s been taking him to galas, as boring as they are, as his godson. Who would’ve thought he’d had fun at those things with Vlad, when they critiqued stuck up ssholes, like he does with Sam?

Then the jobs asking for his skills as a supposed thief started coming- he didn’t accept many, but what can he say? Dani liked to go off on her own without accepting shit from Vld, and that included money, and Jazz could do with some cash while in college. And he wouldn’t just let Sam pay for everything the three of them needed if he could do something to help, at least a little.

But what he really looked forward to was the freedom the mask brought him. Who cared if he was annoying or did a few illegal things? Who cared if he was dead or alive? Who could stop him? He could do almost anything he wanted!

He could just... be.

Chapter Text

Danny was fine.

Okay, so maybe he was a little bit stressed, what with trying to maintain a good relationship between ghosts and humans- the Guys In White were certainly not helping. And the ghosts they targeted were not happy, he really didn’t blame them, but attacking other humans was not the solution.

He was starting to feel like he was 14 again.

At least his parents were more understanding, now that they knew about his… condition. Sure, they still had a lot to learn, and sometimes having to answer their questions -about things he himself was still figuring out- well, it had been kinda tiring.

He had done better at school, though… even if it was only towards the end.

And then… then a ghost, trying to help, told him that this- the whole diplomacy thing-, would all get better. In a few centuries, with enough practice.

He didn’t want centuries, he wasn’t even sure he had centuries to do so!

Frostbite, ever the helping and reassuring yeti he was, informed Danny that his ghost core and form were in great shape. Of course he could continue doing this, for all eternity, if he wanted to…

And that, well, that got him thinking.

Most people think about their death (Danny already had a death, he didn’t need another to think about, late at night when everything is quiet enough that only he can hear the subtle, electric hum of the portal in the basement), but this was different.

He wasn’t sure he wanted to do this for the rest of his half-life. Much less what was left of eternity; but the more he thought about it, it was inevitable.

He didn’t hate it. It was his life, this was, as much as everything before the accident, part of him.

But… there was so much he hadn't done, so much he could do or be.

Where did all the potential go? All his chances? His fun or freedom?

…

Maybe all he needed was a break.

Yeah, that was it.

Vacations.

As he got the suit and the rest of equipment into his bag, he started making plans -he didn’t have much time, only however long the lul between sides gave him this time, and then he’d have to get back as soon as something happened- where should he go? Maybe Jump City, for the old times? Pick a job that took him as far away as he could without leaving the planet?

He didn’t know, but he didn’t have to choose yet. He could just take his time.

His first stop ended up being, surprisingly or not, Gotham City. He wanted to visit Jazz before his travel truly started.

In his defense, it’s not like he was looking for Nightwing.

He didn’t. He knew where the other was, because Nightwing was a hero and people love to talk about heroes- but he really just wanted to visit Jazz. He swears.

He wasn’t even thinking about going out as Red X yet- why would he?
In Batman’s own haunt turf? Yeah, no, he was half dead already, no need to finish the job so quickly.

But he heard that late at night, you could see the vigilantes run around, leaping from roof to roof like shadows taken from the very corners of the city and given life to help protect it. Inspiring fear in some, awe in others, and in Danny- well, he really wanted to see it, now.
Sue him, he was curious- he’s heard so many things about the Bat’s children, so who wouldn’t be? Apparently this little Robin had a sword! How cool was that? He already liked the little guy.

Just a little peek, that’s all, he said, like a liar. They won’t even notice he was there.

So he took the suit with him, and told Jazz he was going out for a walk. And if she only told him to be careful, but didn’t ask where he was going, eyes knowing and amused? Well, he ignored it. What does she know, anyways. (Probably more than he’s comfortable with.)

It was a relatively calm night. The kind of nights that were deceptively so, bringing a false sense of calm, and the feeling that every hiding place had eyes.

It was Cass who found them first, of course, though she wasn’t the only one. Someone was following them.

Whoever they were, they were good, as the bats could only get glimpses from them. Dark clothes here, what looked like a gray mask there, there was a dash of red whenever they stepped into the light for long enough.

“Do you know who it is or not?” Spoiler asked the next time Nightwing asked for more detail.

“Maybe. I’m almost there, just wait for me.”

Their stalker didn’t wait, though, and maybe he should’ve seen that coming. Nightwing could hear them talking over the comms.

“I don’t want to fight, don’t get your feathers all ruffled.”

“Then why are you following us?”

“I could be just taking a walk around in the same direction, ever thought of that?”

“In Gotham, in the middle of the night, dressed like that?”

“Hm, touche. I’m really  not here to fight, though.”

And that’s how Nightwing found them. How he found him. The bastard in person.

Red X.

Trying and failing to make small talk, asking about Robin’s sword, while the others looked like they were debating letting Damian show him just how sharp the blade was. The other noticed him before he could entertain the idea himself.

“Look just who showed up! Nice of you to drop in, Nightwing.”

“Red X. What are you doing here, huh?”

"Was around, y’know, important business, and thought of seeing my favorite bird. Is that illegal?"

Nightwing tries to ignore his siblings’ stares as he looks at the other, lips going up almost without thinking as he prepared to fight. "It should be."

The thief put a hand over his heart then, as if he had been terribly hurt. "You wound me, birdie!"

"I would if you stayed still!" But he was smiling all the same, as they both hit and dodged. It felt familiar, in a way Nightwing would never admit.

Of course, Batman didn’t take too long to appear, having heard everything too. That’s when Red X decided to take his leave.
By jumping from the roof.

They tried to catch up with him, but it’s like he just disappeared on them, until finally they didn’t find him again. It was like chasing after a goddamn ghost.

It was late and it didn’t look like they were any closer to finding him when they decided to go back. They were wrapping up patrol when their stalker found them, anyway. The whole way back was as annoying as he thought it would be.

“Ok, I know I’m not the only one who wants to know who that was, Dick.”

“Friend of yours?”

“You two practiced that whole show before or what?”

Dick didn’t know if it was better or worse that they had already looked Red X’s file up by the time they arrived, but he expected as much.
He tried to take advantage this small lapse in his siblings’ teasing to make his grand escape-

“Even if what he said it’s true and he’s not interested in harming anyone,” Bruce said, like a traitor, bringing the attention back to Dick. “He did imply he was here on a job. Investigate.”

Oh, this is just great…

Danny stopped just a few blocks away from Jazz’s home, half sure he finally shook them off. Was the stubbornness something acquired while working with Batman? Or was it a prerequisite?

He took his mask off, panting. That was… nice, actually. Sure, he almost got caught, but he couldn’t deny this had been fun.
The more alive he’s felt since- well, since his death, maybe.

This was supposed to be a quick visit, but… maybe he could stay for a little while.

Chapter Text

Despite what one might assume of one Daniel Fenton, he was perfectly capable of realizing when his ideas were not the best. Unfortunately, it just so happens that most of the time he realizes after he did the thing.
Like say, running after the bats and birds at night. Maybe if it was just one or two of them, but not a bunch. That was just stupid, even for him. At least he got a bit of fun out of it, and they didn’t seem too angry. He could swear Nightwing was, at least, almost happy to see him.

Danny entered the kitchen, trying not to act in any way different to how he would on any other morning, going for his breakfast.
It’s not that he was hiding it from Jazz- really, he wasn’t. He just didn’t want to talk about it if he could help it.

Of course, he couldn’t get away with that. Because why should he, right?

“So, Danny,” Jazz said, cup of tea still in hand while she read a newspaper- which just had to be for the act, because who reads newspapers now? Though, knowing his sister, he wouldn’t put it past her. “Did you know the news mentioned Red X being seen in Gotham?”

No, he did not know that.

“What? It’s in the news already??”

She calmly sipped her tea again before answering. “No, but you just confirmed it”

“You… Tricked me. You bamboozled me-”

“Danny.”

“-my own flesh and blood, I feel betrayed.”

Needless to say, Jazz is not amused by her baby brother’s antics. Well, maybe just a little; there was no way she could fully hide her smile, no matter how much she rolled her eyes at him. “I assume you had fun?”

“Yeah… they chased me for a while.”

“Well, you did get in Batman’s territory.”

They continued talking, and Danny mentioned wanting to extend his visit. Jazz didn’t mind, and even expected it. Unfortunately their talk -aka Jazz’s teasing- had to be cut short when the time for her to leave for work came.

“Don’t forget to close the doors if you leave. This is Gotham.”

He started washing the few dishes left to clean. Then he moved to sweep the floor. It was the least he could do. When he ran out of things to clean or put in their place, as Jazz seemed to already do a good job on it, he took out his suit.

He didn’t leave with it. Instead he just wanted to work on a few things, fix what could be fixed, upgrade what he could upgrade. Give Danny something he could tinker his boredom away with, and he was a happy ghost.

The Red X suit, despite its simple design, was something he would never tire to mess with. He had put so much of him into it by now that it was less the original, and more his. A source of pride, if he admitted it. It no longer used Zynothium as its main power source, even if that had been a fun fight with Robin… No, in its place he found something else.

Ecto-radium.

An unique element, powerful for its anti-ghost qualities. So, why would Danny want to use it in something like a suit? Ecto-radium, in its purest form, was a glowing green not unlike the color of his own ectoplasm; it affected ghosts by limiting their energy and power, even going so far as being able to hurt if it was turned into a weapon, one that you could not phase away from.

Green ecto-radium, was pure, lethal, and otherworldly in that it didn’t form naturally on Earth. The ecto-radium that did form on Earth, though, was the less pure: Red ecto-radium.
Since it didn’t completely “turn off” his powers, it had… more benefits than its greener counterpart. This one usually didn’t do much, but the fun happened when it reacted to ectoplasm. Something he had, and the more energy the ectoplasm had, the more it reacted with its own energy. He could basically use his own ecto-signature as a battery for the suit, as long as he used this. No need to steal something that would decay faster than he could get to use, and less unstable.
That’s the bad boy he used instead of the original compound.

And it also had the added bonus of masking his ecto-signature. Frankly, as long as it wasn’t used to hurt him while he was in ghost form, it was a win-win, and Danny was sure no one else had tried it yet because they didn’t have the amount of ectoplasm to figure out it actually could do something, or the human part to stop it from becoming too dangerous. Vlad agreed, as much as he tried to ignore that.

He had managed to replicate most of the suit’s original tricks with it, he just had some things to improve-

“...You’re still here,” Jazz said, having gotten back home at some point while he was still tinkering away.

Danny looked around, a little lost. Where else was he supposed to be? Did she tell him to go for groceries and he forgot, or something?
“Of course I’m here, Jazz. What, brought someone home? You could’ve told me and I’d-”

“I just assumed, with it getting dark, that you’d be… Out. Maybe taking another walk .”

“You’re not subtle, Jazz, you’re really not.”

So no, Danny didn’t go out that night.

…He went out the next one. So ha.

It’s not that he couldn’t control himself- It’s just that he was bored as hell, and if he had to hear his sweet sister mutter about her patients while doing her reports, he was pretty sure he would end up as crazy as the Fruitloop.

He didn’t need to justify himself, either, but he was staying with Jazz and it just happened. Subconsciously, maybe? He wouldn’t know, Jazz was the psychologist, not him.

It always felt different, going out as Red X, than going out as Phantom.
As a ghost he felt lighter than air, untouchable by the things that surrounded him, except for other ghosts. As Red X… everything he just felt it. He could still fly, but right now he just felt every step he made, every breath he took, everything that he could feel even with the suit dampening some stuff.

It was different, and yet he was the same.

But this time, in this beautifully cloudy night hiding him away, he was going to be smarter about his escapade. Look, he wasn’t even going for the precious new exhibition of jewelry he’s heard about, as tempting as they were.

He would go for them later, anyways. He went to see them once, and both Jazz and him had felt something about them. Something green and unresting. It wouldn’t be the first time (and most likely not the last) that Red X stole an artifact of the Infinite Realms to return it home, but no one had to know that.

“-I still think we should check the museum.”

“No. I know what I’m talking about, if he wanted to go for that exhibit, he would've gone for it already.”

“I think you’re right,” a voice suddenly added, making them turn. How did that saying go again? ‘Speak of the devil and he shall appear’? There their devil was, sitting on the same roof they had stopped to talk on, amusement evident even under the mask.
”But don’t mind me, keep going, I always liked seeing the detective work you guys do.”

“Still abusing teleportation, huh?”

(The spook in Dany didn’t like the implication that he wouldn’t be able to startle them without it just being thanks to the suit. Danny was a ghost! Fearsome was practically in the job description- but right now he was playing thief. Normal, human thief. He should let that slip.)

“That’s an old trick, don’t you think? The sneaking around, though, that’s pure skill. Thief, remember?”

“Speaking of, why are you here, X? There’s got to be something you’re after-”

“Nightwing, NIghtwing, Nightwing… here I thought you’d changed, maybe lightened up, but you’re still the same. Not everything’s work, you know?”

“Really?, Because you mentioned business here.”

“First of all, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear. Second of all, me time is very important business, thank you very much. You should try it sometime, birdie.”

A snort caught the other’s attention from Nightwing back to his companions then.
“Red Robin and Red Hood… I’ve heard so much about you.”
He almost sounded excited. Happy. Totally not concerning at all…

“Only good things, mhm?”

The black and blue-clad hero saw Red X watching them, contemplating.
“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t-”

“I’m keeping them.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am. It’s not like you could stop me, anyways, if they wanted to.”

“I could,” said Robin, hand slowly making its way back to his sharp tool.

“Look at him, kid’s ready to take over the world… you know, he reminds me of you in your emo phase.”

That piqued Red Hood’s interest. “You know about that?”

“Know about it? Boy, he was still a little emo bird when we first met.”

“Oh, we have to hear this-”

“No, nuh-huh, you won’t. That’s not even-”

“Sorry, Nighty, this is a reds’ exclusive party.”

“What about Robin?”

“...He can stay. He’s an honorary Red.”

“How?”

“Well, he’s wearing more red than you.”

“You heard the man, no joining the party unless you dust off your red suit.”

“The.. oh, I remember that one, actually! …Almost forgot how good you look in red...”
There was something else there that Nightwing couldn’t hear, but his brothers could given their reactions, since they were closer.
“Sorry, kids, blame Nightwing.”

“Why me!” He didn’t even hear what they were talking about!

“Because you’re distracting me .”

“How about I show you how distracting I can be-”

“Please, leave that shit for when you’re alone, okay? I don’t need to hear this.”

Now, that was entirely their fault for having followed. Who cares what it sounded like? He was just interrogating a criminal.

“Maybe they’re right,” Red X said, making his way to the edge of the roof.“I’m a thief and all, but I already stole enough of your time- it was nice to meet you, though!” And with that and a little mocking salute, he disappeared before he even started falling.

“Well, that was fun.”

The night didn’t stop there though.

“..They’ve got the bad guys on the run.. They never stop ‘til the job gets done…”

As he softly sang under his breath, he could hear a pair of footsteps following close. Another vigilante, maybe, with how silent they were being. If he wasn’t paying attention, he would have missed it completely.

“Not bad. That’s the kinda music you like?” His follower finally broke the silence, apparently getting tired of going in circles after him. Good, he was growing bored, too.

“Actually, I’m a fan of the Hex Girls. I’ll even let you borrow some of my CDs if you wanna,” he answered to Spoiler. And Black Bat… Huh. He didn’t even notice her.

She’s good.

“Dude, you know the Hex Girls?? Forget Nightwing, you’re one of us now. Please tell me you’ve heard of Ember McLain. She played with them and she’s awesome .”

Oh, he liked this one.

“Hello? ‘Remember’ is iconic, and I’ll fight whoever says otherwise.” Even if it was used to mind control, it was still a really good song, okay?

“The CD offer is still up, right?”

“Poor Damian…”

“What are you talking about now?”

“Well, you’re the one interested in following Batman’s legacy”

“And?”

“Bruce has his thing with Selina, and apparently Dickamin’s got Red X. So, you’ll be getting a thief buddy too or..?”

“Shut up. Just, shut up.”

Dick just tried to ignore that. It looked like Red X had left a good impression on most of his family, but God, the teasing material he left after him…

He froze when he heard someone humming a strangely familiar tune, looking at Cass as she was, in fact, the one it was coming from.

“Cass? Where’d you hear that?”

She didn’t answer him, except for smiling sweetly at him.

Damn it, X...

Chapter Text

The Signal was a good kid, Danny decided. Even if his abilities made him feel the same kind of way he felt around Raven, once upon a time.

When he had first heard of the young meta, he had his suspicions. He had heard rumors.
After all, everyone’s heard of Batman’s “no metas in Gotham” rule. It never stopped Danny… if he could even be classified as an actual meta.

But he seems to be doing just fine, and Danny’s glad for that.

If the rumors had been anything close to true, though, Danny had been ready to Tall, Dark and Brooding a talk . Politeness and laying low with his powers be damned.

“But no Poison Ivy?”

The question brought Red X back to the chat he was having with the diurnal vigilante, after telling him of how he met Harley recently, a good, chaotic friendship forming.
…And Catwoman, too, but if the bats didn’t know about that yet, he wasn’t about to go telling them everything.

“Look, I admire her dedication to her ideals, and I’d love to go to a protest with her someday, but…” If there’s anyone who could bring Blood Blossoms from their blissful extinction, it’d be her. “I have allergies.”
Despite it not being an actual lie, The Signal still didn’t look like he completely believed Red X.
“Any other questions, kid?”

“So, uh, what does the X stand for? Or is it like an aesthetic thing..?”

This was one of his favorite questions yet.

All of the Bats and Birds had questions for him, it seemed; sometimes they were the subtle, highly trained interrogators that they were, other times they were bold.

It reminded him of his own team searching for answers, for anything that could give them the upper hand on a fight. Reminded him of every single word written in a document he and the others made, safely kept in Tucker’s possession. A well encrypted document with every friend, every enemy, every fight won and lost… everything about the Infinite Realms that should be known and kept and remembered. His parents had taught him when he was little to always write his discoveries down, like a true scientist, and what could he say? It stuck.
He’s pretty sure every answer he’s given them is going to end up in a similar file under the name of “Red X” -or under his civilian name, if the Big Bat had figured him out by now, like Danny feared.

He wondered what Nightwing would have added about him…

“It stands for 10 in roman numbers. I’m the tenth Red thief, it’s a title passed down from master to student.” There was a pause, Red X trying his best not to laugh at the poor vigilante clearly trying to see past his bullshit, until he lost that battle. “ Gotcha . Actually, the name and theme were already like this when I stole it, ha.”

Signal pulled a face, but didn’t immediately say anything. Instead he took his time to ask. “You stole it?”

Oh, so maybe Nightwing hadn’t shared much. Or maybe the kids just wanted to find out for themselves.
(They did, in fact, want to know by themselves. They had made a bet about who could get more information without asking Dick.)

“I did, yeah… It’s a funny story, actually, you should totally ask-”

“Tell me about it.”

“I would, kid, but I really gotta get going… Before that though, there’s something I wanna ask you.”
The vigilante looked suspiciously at him. Good.
“I always wondered what you would see in me, magic eyes and all…”

Nightwing has grown used to “keeping an eye” on Red X now. Really, since the other doesn’t seem to be doing anything illegal -an incident with some jewels and Catwoman aside- it’s more like just hanging out with a friend. Sort of.

Now if only that didn’t come with the funny guy being relaxed enough to mess with Dick at every turn.
He could feel X laugh against himself from where the other was sitting back to back with Nightwing, occasionally leaning with more weight just to be a little shit. He didn’t miss it when he got up suddenly, making the thief fall backwards, laughing as he did so.

"Y'know," Red X casually commented from his place on the roof after his chuckles stopped, still laying there as if it was the most comfortable place he could be. "I would let you take the suit back- you'd just have to take it off yourself..."

"That doesn't sound half bad.." Nightwing murmured, low enough that the other shouldn't be able to listen. And it was true, really, it sounded too easy-

" But " Ah, there it is... "I don't trust those wandering hands of yours, pretty bird. You'll try to take the mask off too, and I can't let you do that..."

"Not even if I said please..?" He turned, convincing words in the tip of his tongue, stopping when he saw the other closer than he had been a second ago.
He hadn't even heard his steps.

He watches as a hand slowly makes its way to cup his face, and with a gentleness he wouldn’t use to describe the criminal-turned-friend, uses a finger to lift his face up to him. He’s unable to drag his gaze away, and he couldn’t even bring himself to blame the soft pressure making him do so.

"I'm shy, you know?"

And suddenly he’s gone yet again, having jumped from the roof. Again.
At this rate he was going to give Nightwing a fucking heart attack.

So, in Danny’s defense, he wasn’t even looking for trouble.
That doesn’t mean trouble didn’t come calling for him, though.

And by trouble, he meant Vlad. Those two had been synonymous ever since he was fourteen.

But he goes anyway, because less-of-a-Fruitloop or not, Vlad still had a tendency to throw fits. The job’s easy enough, though, he’ll be done and back to Gotham in a second.

…Maybe too easy. 

“Alright, so… what’s this about?”

“I fail to see what you’re talking about, my boy-”

“C’mon, you could’ve sent a blob to do this and it would’ve done okay, so what gives.”

The other halfa sighs, and waits dramatically before answering. “Alright, you got me, Little Badger. Maybe I just wanted to spend some time with my godson… Haven’t seen you since your parents’ retirement.”
It hasn’t been that long anyways, just a few weeks ago. It's been only a month or so since they had left for the Infinite Realms, tops. Dramatic vampire cosplayer-
“I’ve heard around that you’re spending a lot of time in Gotham City… Chasing a little hero around. What was his name again? Nightbird?”

Nightwing . 

Danny didn’t correct him, it’d only make it worse for him, giving Vlad’s suspicions more weight. So instead he tried to look disinterested, but apparently he didn’t get it.

“Calm down, Daniel, I’ve no intention of hurting the boy.”

‘I call bullshit’ Danny thought. “I sense a but,” he said instead.

“Look how defensive you got, after only just mentioning him. Ah, young love…”

“That’s not it! It’s not like-” They only play. That’s all.

“That’s not what I heard, Little Badger.” Danny knows this was equal parts Vlad trying to fish for valuable information, and also an actual attempt of the man to connect with him. Both were terrifying in their own way. “Ah, I recall how it was when I was your age. I saw dear Maddie and nothing else mattered.”

That’s one of the last things Danny wanted to hear.
He really should change the topic right now, before Vlad said anything else that made Danny want to do something that could set this truce they’ve worked so hard for on fire .

“Sounds to me like you just wanna visit Gotham. You used to be stronger than me, I’m sure you’ll do fine on your own,” Danny casually said.

“‘Used to be’, you say?”

“What?” the youngest grinned, letting his eyes shine pure green in challenge. “Wanna fight, old man?”

Vlad’s eyes glowed red in response, ready for an impromptu sparring.
But the rich man’s phone went off, no doubt with a reminder that he had a fancy little event to attend.
He sighed, letting the glow die down.

“I’m afraid it’ll have to be in another moment, Little Badger.”

“Aw, boring!”

“Behave.”

“...Have you ever met me?”

As soon as Vlad was out of sight (at least, he thought he was gone, you never knew with Vlad, creepy guy that he was), Danny’s sharp little grin faded away.

Chapter Text

When Dick enters the batcave, it’s with a glass of juice in one hand, and a bag of donuts on the other for Red Robin, who was up till late. Again.
Tim whistles from his place in front of the batcomputer, various pictures and videos showing their more recent friendly thief. “Damn, your guy’s good at what he does, huh?”

The research didn’t surprise Dick in the slightest, his family seemingly fixed on it. He was pretty sure Jason had gone to Babs for information/blackmail. Or maybe Starfire. With his luck? Probably both.
“He is,” he said, watching the display. Red X seemed to be able to get almost in any place, undetected, and then get out just as fine, appearing on camera only when he wanted to do so.

It’s been years and Dick still hasn’t figured out how he stole the suit in the first place…

“So…” Tim started again, sending him a sidelong glance. “Why does Red X call you his pretty bird?”

A beat or two passed.

“...How about we stop talking for a while?”

“So he does call you that! What, do you have any other pet names? …Do I even want to know?”

“No idea what you’re talking about, Timmy..”

“Uh-huh.. So, if I unmuted any of these videos and listened-”

Dick would’ve answered, but something else caught his attention. “Hey, what’s that?”

“Really? That’s the best-”

“No, really.. Is that B?” he asked, pointing to a particular video among the rest of them. “When did that happen?”

Tim looked at it, and answered. “...Right now.”

“What?”

“That one’s not a recording, Dick, it’s happening right now.”

Danny had a problem. A really fucking big one.

Said problem? A crush on Nightwing..

Well, he kind of already knew, in a way. Sam and Tucker had teased him mercilessly back when they found out…
But that had been it: just a silly crush that was supposed to be over - at least, he thought it was. Except it wasn’t as dead as he thought.. (Story of his afterlife. Should’ve seen it coming, really.)

Nightwing probably knew… How could he not? He was a fucking detective, and- Ancients, Danny had been anything but subtle, hadn’t he? Had he come off as creepy as the Fuitloop implied?
And for Vlad to be the one to point it out. Vlad, of all people…

Now he was… Not exactly avoiding the hero, but he hadn’t seen him since before he met Vlad, a few days ago.

“Come out.”

And now… Red X could add another problem to the list, seeing as he was being noticed by Gotham’s knight. He had been careful to keep to the shadows while Batman had been fighting some goons; but, well, it was Batman.

Maybe if he kept quiet…?

“ Red X .”

Well, damn it. So much for not messing with the hero’s business while in Gotham, like he promised his friends and sister. Then again, wasn’t that what he had been doing here since day one?

“How did you know I was here?” he asked, coming from his hiding place. Had the bat just seen him or had known he was there the whole time?

Batman pointed to a few unconscious thugs that tried to attack him from behind. “The trajectory and numbers of the batarangs didn’t match any of the ones I used,” he picked one, clearly bird-themed instead of his own, narrowing his eyes.

Doesn’t really explain how he figured it was him specifically. Bat-senses, maybe.  “Don’t tell anyone I helped you.” This only got him a raised brow, or what he assumed was one, with the way the cowl moved. “Batman, please . It’s bad for business, it makes things much less fun, and if Nightwing finds out- Ancients, if he finds out he won’t let me live it down.”
To which Batman only grunted- and he wasn’t very well-versed in bat-nese, but he was going to go by vibes here. “Of course I know, he’s done that before, so don’t tell him ”

“If that’s how much you risk, why did you help?”

“‘Why did you do it?’, ‘Do you have any witnesses?’” Maybe mocking the detective wasn’t the wisest idea, but never let it be said that Danny wasn’t always up for annoying people he probably shouldn’t be. “Why do detectives ask so many questions??”

“I know, it’s like it’s our job.”

Red X turned to the Dark Knight at neck-breaking speed. Was Batman… joking with him just now?
“Oh, so now I know where he got the sass from.”

“One last question-”

“I’m pretty sure you’re stalling until the cops get here but sure, go on, Big Bat!”

“…Who gave you the batarangs?”

“These? They’re so damn easy to get it’s almost funny, you guys leave them everywhere . That being said, bye-bye!”

It was in a dark alley like so many others that two figures met, one calm as a sleeping cat, and the other frantic, all undying anxiety moving from one place to another.
“ Don’t worry , you said,” he mocked as he paced. “ He won’t even notice you , you said- it’s fucking Batman! Of course he noticed me!”

“My bad,” Catwoman responded, as sorry as a rock.

“..I really don’t know who’s worse here, if you for telling me to go, or me because I did.”

“He’s not so bad when you get to know him, kitten.”

“Dude probably wants my head on a spike for messing with his son and you tell me it’s ‘not so bad’? I’m a dead man, Cat!” Well, deader than usual, but who cares right? Clearly not his fellow thief, as she only watched amusedly as he ranted.

Traitor.

Danny had many problems, as one could see.

Chapter Text

“Fine, you know what? I’ll see what I can find, see if you stop sulking then.”

It’s not that Jason didn’t believe his brother, he did. Last time he saw him and Red X together they were so into each other it was frankly surprising they hadn’t done something about it yet. So for Dick to say the other was apparently avoiding him? Something must have happened.
He really hoped it was nothing; he’d grown fond of Red X too, like most of them had, and it would be a real damn shame having to deal with him if he tried anything funny…

The first thing Danny notices, even before opening the door of the apartament, were the laughs.
That’s not to say Jazz doesn’t laugh, but as far as he knew she was alone (and not really in the best mood, if the frowns she’s been sporting lately were any indication), but here he was listening to one, two, three voices chattering and laughing. Jazz’s sounded amused enough not to be forced, though, and that calmed him.

Next thing he noticed was the smell, something flowery enough that for a moment he thought Sam’s “surprise” visit happened earlier than expected. But he couldn’t feel the bit of green in his friend that used to call the green in his own veins- the only ecto-contamination he could feel from inside was coming from his sister. Whoever was inside, he decided after deliberating for a few seconds, couldn’t be that bad if Jazz’s giggles were turning into snorts already.

After opening the door though, with a greeting dying in his lips, he doesn’t know what to point out first. If the two criminals (though that feels a little hypocritical, all things considered) or Jazz’s new… haircut. Just this morning when she left for work it was long, like he’s always been used to seeing it, and now it was a pixie cut. She looks good, if he’s being honest.

“Cute haircut.”

She beams at Danny, and honestly? He’s glad for her.

Now, onto the other two. Harley Queen and Poison Ivy, just sitting on the small living room’s cozy sofa, without a care in the world.
Danny, of course, chooses to act dumb.

“So, uh, what’s exactly-?”

“Officially speaking,” Jazz says, putting her cup of coffee down. “This is a form of socialization that’s part of their rehabilitation.”

He nods slowly. “...And extra-officially?”

This time Harley answers. “Girls night!”

Danny hasn’t moved from his place by the door yet, waiting for his sister’s confirmation before doing anything. Once she nods, he’s on his way to the kitchen for a drink of his own. This might as well happen.

“Alright.”

“Alright?”

“Alright. Now, if you could make room… Also, what’s with the change of look-”

Turns out Jazzy’s new haircut was as much of a shock for her as it was for him, having impulsively cut it on a whim. Not happy with the result, she told him, she let the two women even it out. Only his sister, he swears.

So he joins, and he sits right next to Jazz, just in case.
It isn’t long until they make him regret that decision.

“And you’ve known this guy for how long?”

“Years. He’s been telling us about how cool he is for years.”

“Jazz!”

“Danny.”

“And you just noticed??”

“You girls are mean together. I feel attacked.”

At least he managed to get Poison Ivy’s autograph. The redhead had seemed surprised at first, but accepted after much encouragement from her wife. Good thing, because if Sam ever found out he had met the two and didn’t get her something from Ivy, she would manage to kill him all the way.

He tries not to feel disappointed when the time for them to leave comes, because even if they laughed at his romantic life and called him an idiot, he felt much better talking it out with somebody…
And the advice wasn’t bad either, but what was he supposed to do with a punch on his shoulder and a “Don’t be dumb, be honest”? But maybe they were right…
If he continued to keep the hero at a distance it would only look suspicious of him. Knowing the detective, he wouldn’t just leave it alone.

No, his best choice was to stop that, like Harley told him to, and pretend nothing was wrong. Sure, that last part wasn’t exactly what the clown recommended, but he considered this a necessary change.

He’s faced worse things, how difficult could it be seeing Nightwing again?

Dick didn’t really plan to have Red X against a wall next time he found him. (That was a lie…  maybe he had. Several times..) But here he was. After days of practically chasing a shadow, they had ended up in a little, dark corner, hidden away. In his defense, it started like any other of their fights.

When the black-and-red menace tried to struggle out of there he kept him with his arms against his chest- not hard enough to hurt the other, but firm enough to keep him there, effectively pinned against a hard place and a vigilante.

There was something bugging Nightwing, though.
Red X was strong enough that he could probably get out, keep on fighting him, and he knew that… Then, why was he so quiet? The fact the sneaky bastard hasn’t managed to pull a Houdini on him yet is equally appreciated as it is concerning. The guy wasn’t even cracking a joke, for all he knew, X was barely even breathing. Was he hurt? He hadn’t landed enough hits to justify that, but would Red X really fight Nightwing while already hurt- Yes, of course he would. Fuck .

“You’ve gotten… Stronger,” the other finally said, sounding kind of breathless.

And if the blue and black hero leaned forward, even more into the rogue's space, well, he just wanted a closer look, that’s all. Check for anything he could’ve possibly missed. “Aw, is that fear I hear, Red?”

A chuckle.

“S’not exactly fear, pretty boy.”

Oh.

That… That was definitely something to think about.

Not like he has much time to do so, when his comms flared to life to alert him of a robbery nearby, him being the one closest to the scene. He groans, resting his forehead against the other’s shoulder, feeling more than hearing him chuckle. A soft, quiet thing trapped in the space between them.

“C’mon, pretty bird, they need you,” he said, tapping Nightwing’s back lightly. When had he let go of him?

But if he left, who said Red X wouldn’t be gone by the time he came back? Disappearing in a blink like he’s been doing for days now?

He raised his head slightly, whispering right next to X’s ear. “Wait for me.”
He didn’t get an answer other than a gasp, but it’ll have to do. For now.

By the time Nightwing was back in the alley it seemed… empty.
At least, until you looked up, to see somebody sitting on the roof, the moonlight not doing much to show the figure, as if the night sky itself wanted to keep him hidden from prying eyes.

“How come I always find you on a roof or something, huh?” the vigilante asked, sitting right next to the thief, watching as he fiddled with something.

“I just like it, I guess…” a shrug, looking quickly at Nightwing and then turning back to what he was doing. “And I like the view.”

He hummed. “What’s that?”

“Fidget toy,” he said, continuing to mess with a learning lock. Or a toy, as he called it.

“Red X.”

“Yeah?”

“Is everything alright?”

Another shrug. “Yeah, just- y’know, just thinking. What about? Who fucking knows, not me that’s for sure.”

He was nervous.

“That doesn’t sound like my Red X…”

“Fuck you, man,” Nightwing tensed at the reaction. Maybe he really misinterpreted the thief after all- “thought we settled that already. Red X ain’t your thing anymore, I stole the suit fair and square!” He finished his little rant, the hand waving around the lock slowly settling down again.

A second passed, then two, then three, and the bird sighed. “I didn’t mean the suit, Red.”

Oh.

Oh .

“What’s the matter, X? Bird got your tongue?”

He had no right sounding so smug. Not when it made something inside Danny flutter in a way he was almost worried his ghost sense had picked something up, if it weren’t for the warmth making itself home instead of his very own coldness.

He looked down at the toy in his hands. It was open by now.

Be honest , they told him. But what could he even say?

“You know, I always thought.. I thought at the end, I would join you- you guys, the Teen Titans. It was only a matter of when, or if you would even want it, and then it just… I never did.”

“Why not?”

Red X shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Yeah, somehow he doesn’t think this was Dr. Quinn had in mind. Still, it felt good to say it.

“X, why are you here? Right now?”

"You wanna know what really brought me here?" Nightwing nodded; he almost didn't want to know, but he needed to- "Okay, fine. In my... other life, under the mask and all that, it's gotten- it's just too much, sometimes. I almost snapped ." The thief turned suddenly to the vigilante then, and even with the layers between them, it felt like he stared right through him. "And believe me, Nightwing, no one wants that to happen."

"So, this?" the first Robin asked, doing an excellent job at sounding casual. Maybe he should've considered acting.

"So this, I guess, yeah. I had to get away, at least for a while..."

"I understand that..." And he did, god, did he. How many times he felt like he had to step back or else the world would collapse on him. That's the reason they met in the first place, isn't it?

"I know you do. It's why I came- I came here" to you , he didn't say, but Nightwing wished - "I mean, there's a lot of other things you could judge me for, but not this. Right?"

“Dickolas.”

“Hey, Little Wing! What’s-!”

“I found something, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

Chapter Text

Amity Park, Illinois.
A nice place to live.

Or not live, but, well, it’s the sentiment that matters.

It’s difficult to access even when you’re looking for it, sometimes to protect itself, sometimes because the place likes to play pranks. It has a weird sense of humor, like the ghost boy that used to haunt it. Sometimes it’ll pull lost people in, too.

Danielle, though? She could feel Amity before she could see it, as if the haunt welcomed her every time she so much as visited. The ectoplasm in the surroundings had lowered ever since the portal had been closed and dismantled, but you could still feel it, natural portals forming around the town from time to time.

The town itself hardly looked a day older than when she was born; same old homes, same old roads that needed to be repaired, same old shades and blobs in hidden little nooks, same old people. Same old way to change, and didn’t that make sense for a place that balanced life and death like it was merely night and day?

Still that little town in the middle of nowhere that he found so worth fighting for when he was still only a child.
Same old town that had, when GIW tried to take the place after Phantom left and the portal closed, showed them there was no place for them anymore, if there ever had been. After all, there weren’t ghosts in Amity Park anymore, so there was no reason for the Ghost Investigation Ward to stay . Danny had been among the sea of glowing eyes, proudly watching the liminals tired and standing up.

But the memories weren’t the (main) reason for her visit. Not this time.

Today she was here to pick up a friend.

Parking her RV in front of Valerie’s home, she could walk to the door, knock, and maybe go inside to help Val with her stuff if she wasn’t already done (which she really doubted). Instead she put all her weight on the horn, letting her friend know in the most obnoxious way she was waiting outside.

It didn’t take much for the door to open, Valerie looked less than amused. “Alright, Goopy, leave the damn thing alone..”

Ellie opened the door of the vehicle then, grinning at her friend with teeth that were slightly sharper than they should be. That’s how happy she was. “Missed you too!”

The other rolled her eyes, focusing on putting most of her bags away inside the trunk, only keeping a backpack with her, but trying to hide her smile and fondness for the youngest was a battle already lost.
“Ready for the best road trip you’ll have in your life? Put on the music!”

She saw that one of Ellie’s mixtapes was already there, so she assumed that was the one she had to play.

“Wait, not that one-!”

But the music was starting anyway. Valerie turned to look at Ellie, visible judgment in her lifted brow.

“Ellie.”

“Yeah?”

“What is this?”

“...One of my tapes?”

“No, what am I listening to right now.”

“Ohhh, that,” Danielle stalled, fingers tapping rhythmically against the wheel, almost in time with the music. “...Dumpty Humpty’s metal cover of the Ghostbusters theme song.”

“Why.”

“Uh, because it rocks? You wouldn’t get it, Val.”

The rest of the drive leaving Amity Park is spent in not-silence, as Ellie goes through each song in the tape, and eventually convinces Valerie to sing along with her.

“You seemed ... Calmer than I expected, Vals.”

“Alright?”

“It’s just- you and Danny are the same sometimes, when it comes to the whole hero stuff. I was surprised you even accepted to come. I wasn’t sure you wouldn’t cancel on me again for Red Huntress,” Danielle didn’t blame her, not really. Like she said, Danny and Val were kind of the same when it came to their duties. That one of them could be convinced to take a break had been a victory, but both? It was a damn miracle.

“It made me think,” the Red Huntress started. “him leaving, I mean. I won’t say I won’t come back to it as soon as we’re back, but Amity is not what it used to be… We are not what we used to be.”

It was hard for her to leave the haunt, Danielle knew. It was hard for her family to look at where they’ve always belonged and want something else. She knew exactly what it felt like, looking for yourself somewhere else, had been how she’s lived all these years until she found it.
So she kept a hand on the wheel and held the other open for Valerie to take, squeezing lightly in support.

“Besides, the liminal kids are picking a thing or two about vigilantism. They’ll do fine while I’m gone.”

“Right, the newbies,” Liminals, like Jazz, Sam and Tucker, had become- not normal, but an Amity Park thing. “Anyone good?”

“There’s one that can breathe fire, if that’s your thing. Makes horrible puns, just like your brother.”

“Speaking of Spooky himself,” Ellie smirked. “Have you heard about-”

“The boyfriend? Yeah. We all know about it, Goopy, that’s why we’re gonna stop by Gotham when we get there.”

Ellie pouted. “Can’t you let me be dramatic for a bit?”

“Aren’t you always, though?”

“Bullied! By my own best friend!” she poked said best friend as she spoke, and maybe it didn’t help with the accusation, but she never denied it. “Also, that’s not the only reason to visit Gotham, ain’t it?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Aww, what? You don’t wanna see my dear, sweet sister Jazz?” and maybe she didn’t need to see her to know Valerie’s cheeks were getting flushed, but she turned anyway, raising her eyebrows repeatedly to tease her.

“Keep your eyes on the road while driving, damn it!”

Danielle cackled.

“It’s not like I’m worried. It’s Arkham Asylum, but let’s be real here, between Scarecrow and Jazz, the Scarecrow would end with nightmares.”

“Then what’s got you all shy now?”

“..Well, what if she doesn’t really want to see me?”

She was the one rolling her eyes now. “Don’t you two, like, talk all the time?”

“That’s different, Ellie.”

A pause.

“Jazz told me she wanted to see you. ‘M not supposed to tell you, but she was really happy when I told her we’d be visiting.” And nervous, too, but she had said enough.Or maybe not. “And I refuse to lose to Tuck. Said Danny and Nightwing would get together first, and I’m rooting for ya.”

“Aaand you ruined the moment. Good job, Goopy.”

“I half-live to disappoint, babe.”

Chapter Text

“You have to promise to behave.”  There was a chuckle, and she- she didn't pout. She didn't, but it could, to someone else, look exactly like that. “No, listen, this is important for Danny, okay? Not too much violence, no antagonizing Nightwing… too much. Just try to-”

“Behave. Got it.”

“I’m sure Danny will appreciate it.”

“Let’s be honest, what he’ll appreciate more is me warding off the fruitloop.”

“That, too. Oh, and no overshadowing-”

“Alright, you rotten sister, your nagging is crushing me. Gotta go.”

“…Was that a Lilo & Stitch reference?”

“No. Bye, Jazz.”

“-and, y’know, it looks like the little Robin really likes animals, too. Seems to like it when we talk about them, and pays attention when I tell him about the extinct ones. Maybe I could bring Cujo someday…” Or an actual ghost thylacine, though the poor things were so shy… Maybe he should stick with Cujo or some little blob.

“That’s actually sweet,” Sam said from her seat in front of Danny in the little cafe they found themselves in that day- a cozy place Jazz found when she first moved to the city, Tucker seated next to her. She leaned forward  with interest. “But I wanna know more about last night.”

“Oh, that…” He sipped his coffee, some black and potentially hazardous beverage that the barista that made it probably was worried was going to turn them into a killer. “Well, apparently Nighty’s found there’s a bounty out there for me or something.”

-

“So, the bounties…”

“Well, word about me hanging ‘round bats got out and some people, mostly some clients, don’ like that very much. So, y’know…”

“This is because of us, then-”

“This is because of me . Shady people thinking I’m gonna sell them out or something. Don’t know, don’t care.”

-

How’d he know, though? Who knows, detective stuff probably, but Nightwing definitely didn’t like what he found. “Look,” he waved off. “It's nothing new for us, I can handle it.”

“Yeah, but it’s not like he knows that.”

“I still know how to not get caught.. I only managed to slip out from him for, what? Years now?”
It felt nice, knowing Nightwing cared. At the same time, it annoyed him that he thought he couldn’t deal with some petty assholes on his own. That was basically how he (half)survived high school.

Though the distraction would’ve played in Danny’s favor, busy as he was trying to convince Vlad that he wasn’t needed here in Gotham..

“Enough ‘bout that, how’s your new collection going, Sam?”

“Everything’s almost ready. You guys will be there for the fashion show,” it wasn’t even a question, at this point. They were always there, from the first time she made her own designs, to her first fashion show. Had even modeled some of her designs from time to time, the first few times.

Tucker smiled at her. “Your Poison Ivy collection will be to die for-”

“It’s called the Hemlock Collection. You know that, I was bouncing ideas with you two!”

“Sam, baby, it’s inspired by poisonous plants…”

Sam only sniffed once and looked away, stubborn in her own answer as she was with everything else. “That doesn’t mean anything.”
But she still held the autograph Danny got her firmly in her hands, to the amusement of her best friends.

“Sure…”

“Been making some calls. Might get Grayson as one of my models.”

“Dick?”

“The one and only.”

“That man is handsome…”

“We know, Danny.”

“You’ve only said that, what, every single gala we’ve seen him at?”

“Look, I’m just stating facts.”

Whatever else he was going to add about the model was cut off by Tucker’s PDA’s alert. The man looked at it briefly, and grimaced.
“My break is gonna be up soon, guys…”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy you’re doing great at WE..”

“But?”

Danny dramatically laid his head down on the table, making some other clients of the cafe look at him for a second and then go back to their own things. “I’m gonna be all alone back in VladCo.”

“…Do you want me at Vlad’s?”

Danny sat straight then. “Fuck no. Escape while you can, save yourself.”

“Vlad still insists on you being his heir, huh?”

“That’s not what bothers me,” really, he already accepted that a while ago. He’s never going to be an astronaut, so why not? “It’s just he won’t stop bothering me about it! Thinks that now that I ‘have time off’ and ‘stopped playing hero’, I should consider a place in the company, take some responsabilities.” And also get his nose into his relationship with the bats once he put a fancy shoed-foot in Gotham. He wasn’t even subtle about it… “It’s like he doesn’t get the concept of vacations- or that I took the time off for a fucking reason .”

“That’s rough, buddy.”

“And hear this- he thinks me going off as Red X is taking after him.” “That being a thief is sorta like when he started making his business.” His ghostly, less-than-legal-or-ethical businesses, that is.
He had taken Danny saying he could go to Gotham if he wanted to, and now there wasn’t a way to make him change his mind about it.
Danny and his big mouth. It’s a miracle it didn’t kill him the first time, and now it looks like it’s trying to finish the job

“I’d just like-” Not wish. Never wish . “-that he’d let me the fuck alone, y’know? Go off to do Fruitloop stuff away from my alone time.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, he’ll be gone for a while…” Jazz spoke as she came back from getting another cup for herself, but without taking her place at the table again. It looked like this cup was to go. “Already got taken care of, little brother.” She didn’t let him say whatever he was about to, either in thanks or in confusion. “Don’t thank me yet, just let me tell you that this wasn’t my idea…”

“…Why does that feel like you’re trying to excuse yourself beforehand? Jazz-?”

The red head smiled at him, and it made him  feel like there was something, something important, he wasn’t getting just yet. Something she knew, but wouldn’t tell him yet- he was familiar with the feeling, knowing Clockwork like he does, running errands for them when he has the, heh, the time.
“Look how late it is! I have somewhere to be- Sam, Tucker, you should visit more often. See you!”

Next thing they knew, the Arkham doctor was gone.

“..I did not imagine that, right? She was acting weird?”

“Nope, perfectly normal Jazz for me..”

“Now you’re kidding me.”

“Yeah.”

“What are you doing tonight then?”

“I think I’m just gonna go X, have a nice run..”

Both his friends groaned, like when he made a pun he was particularly proud of.
“It wasn’t funny when it was the ghost thing, and it isn’t funny now.”

It wasn’t unusual to feel eyes on you late at night. It was normal, expected even. But for some reason, Nightwing felt it even stronger tonight.

Chapter Text

There are only two people in the world who could probably keep the Fruitloop far away. One of them conveniently has a motorhome that she could use to come to Gotham without telling him and cause mischief.

Jazz wasn’t of much help beyond telling him someone was “visiting” soon, but add to that that his ghost sense went off repeatedly in town? Ellie’s probably around.

But as much as she was a little gremlin, she would’ve said something by now. Shown herself and then proceed to tease the half life out of Danny. Maybe pull some annoying but harmless prank. The radio silence was disconcerting.

It could also be a particularly strong shade messing with his ghost sense, after all Gotham is full of spirits that couldn’t move on- there was something deep within the city that just called for the dead, the ambient ectoplasm strong, its Spirit not what it used to be. It was like being back home sometimes, but not really.

So call him paranoid, but he’s been searching around for whoever’s been setting him off.

No luck so far- it’s like the ghost was just playing with him. Making him follow a trace only for it to lead nowhere. This repeated for almost three nights.

He did find something, though: there was something in Crime Alley that didn’t want him there. Not strong enough to be what or whoever he’s been chasing, but something .

So, obviously, that meant he’ll have to come back to check later. Maybe ask Hood, since this was supposed to be his territory.

For now though, he put on the Red X suit and welcomed the fresh air.

He needed some action.

When Nightwing found Red X that night, he was sitting under the moonlight, petting a fat orange cat that he’s seen following him around. 

“It’s the third time you yawn, X, you need to sleep.”

The thief scoffed, eyes dramatically rolling under the mask if his movements were anything to go by. “What I need is a big, steaming cup of coffee , thank you very much.”

But it was obvious to Nightwing that he was losing the fight to keep his head up.

…

I’m not tired , he said. Really, I’m not , he said.

God, he was ridiculous.

Nightwing couldn’t help but smile fondly at the sleeping thief currently using his shoulder as a pillow. The cat on Red X’s lap made a noise when the petting stopped, and he tried to shush him so as to not wake him up.

He could practically feel B’s stare, but considering the compromised situations they’ve found him with Selina, he had no right to judge.

Leaving now felt like a challenge- not that Dick wanted or planned to. Thankfully it was a quiet night…

Of course, it was when that thought went through his mind that he heard the warning coming from his comms, then a bout of static that almost hurt his ears. And finally a voice, a shadow looming from behind them.

“That’s so sickeningly sweet I almost threw up…”