Chapter Text
Danny’s back arched with a pop. He’d certainly not been one to complain about furniture in the past but damn, finally getting more than 2 hours of sleep really makes a guy miss having a decent bed. On one hand, free mattress lacking blood stains for a change, on the other, he’d be happy to splurge a month's worth if it meant waking up without crinks in his neck. ‘Positive framing’ be damned.
With one good stretch and tired hum, he was off.
Shower, outfit, breakfast depending on the day, and a solid half hour of phone time before he had to head out.
Water heating busted the first night he’d moved in but it was hardly a bother, chilled core purring at the frigid temps. Jazz was less pleased with the arrangement but thankfully hadn't taken any moves to confront his landlord, yet.
It was thanks to Jazz Danny had managed to snag this location to begin with. ‘Fully’ furnished one bed one bath flat, snug comfortably on the edge of East End. The prior tenants were an acquaintance of Jazz's, helping in scoring Danny a guaranteed first pick when it came time for them to move out. Various abandoned belongings and a well-stocked fridge didn't exactly make Danny confident that they had left on good terms but hey, he didn't have many options.
Quickly dried he sorted through the closet, slight grimace crept at the neatly pressed uniform. A dull navy blue dress shirt with even darker pants. The outfit wasn't restrictive by any means, the shirt fit pleasantly enough and he’d never turn down more pockets. However, In comparison to his preferred style of oversized hoodies and sweats, it came up short.
“Danny, you up?”
Polite knocks at the door stirred him while finishing the last of the shirt button-ups, haphazardly grabbing the matching jacket on his way out. Three separate locks later (yes it was excessive, no Jazz would not let him take them down) and he was greeted by the chipper face of Jazz Fenton.
A comfortable gray overcoat hung on her shoulders alongside a cyan purse, Arkham intern Id badge clipped snuggly to the black blouse beneath. Her ginger hair curled slightly at the trimmed ends as it rested neatly at the start of her back. He could still remember how upset she’d gotten once forced to cut it, the sheer length was considered a hazard in the volatile workplace. It was a wonder they even allowed it as long as it currently was.
“Morning Danny!” She sing songed, steaming paper coffee outreached towards him. “Thought you’d need this since we won't have time to stop on the way there”.
“Morning and thanks”
He grasped onto the cup like a lifeline, warmth quickly seeped away with each second spent holding it. Not that he minded, it was really only the caffeine he was after.
“What's the rush, thought we didn't have to catch the bus til like 9.”
“It's almost 8:50” She deadpanned, hands at her hips with an unamused glare. “You didn't set an alarm, did you.”
Ah right, his latest alarm had been thoroughly smashed after one of the more unpleasant nights. Fourth in a month and they were only 2 weeks in. Maybe he could rig up one of those moving alarms he’d seen ads for. Although he might end up shooting at it, not sure how he’d explain a hole straight through the fl-
“Danny?” Jazz frowned, slight concern slipping into her motherly scolding.
“Sorry, zoned out for a sec there. Must've forgotten to set it, was out pretty late so I crashed once I got home”
“And here I thought someone promised to get to bed at a reasonable time. Lucky I came to grab you instead of waiting at the bus, although, you really don't have to come along today if you’re not up for it.”
Danny tiredly grinned, he had at least another minute or so before the caffeine hit.
“Nope, can't get rid of me that easily. Plus I'd rather not try rescheduling my introductions again. Think the recruiter’s onto me after the sick cat excuse last time”.
The two fell into comfortable small talk on their way out. Jazz skimmed through her many safety checklists as the bus approached Westward bridge, even pulling out small custom cards with her number and info in case he somehow lost contact. Danny knew her number from memory but relented and snuck a card into a pocket anyway.
Pulling to a stop the doors chimed, a crowd of passengers hopped out. Jazz rose to exit, hands nervously fiddling with her purse straps before turning to Danny with a confident huff.
“Well, wish me luck!” She squinted at him, finger pointed dramatically. “Call if anything happens, you’ll never hear the end of it if you get into trouble and don't check in.”
Danny flapped his hands in a shooing motion “Yeah yeah I know, good luck, you’ll do great”
Jazz departed with a smirk as she quickly strode towards the Arkham bus line stationed down the street, various other interns waved before launching into conversation. Danny watched her disappear into the crowds, pulling out his phone and accompanying earbuds.
His stop waited for him on the other side of Old Gotham. There were more direct buses, of course, he was pretty sure the nearby subway had a line straight there. But, who would he be if he didn't support his big sis on her first day?
Despite the hell they’d gone through back at home, Jazz traversed through schooling with honors. She always seemed destined for a field in psychology, she certainly had enough practice on Danny.
When ghosts and obsessions and the whole lot had entered the equation, her interest had only skyrocketed. Beings with compelling problems and issues that they struggled with to a painful extent. While still interested in general psychology, it became clear quickly where her targeted field would lie.
The Gotham University’s acceptance letter was entirely expected, still, the thought of Jazz anywhere near Arkham or its inhabitants unnerved him. No matter ‘how similar they were to ghosts’.
Yet he wouldn't stop her, he knew it was something she wholeheartedly believed in. The people of Gotham struggled desperately, to a city-destroying level, and she genuinely wanted to help.
The bus skidded to a stop on the outskirts of Paris Island, shaking him free of his own thoughts. One bridge away stood the far less iconic BlackGate Penitentiary.
Swapping buses, Danny sat alert as the darkened building rose.
Becoming an Arkham security guard was surprisingly both harder and easier than expected. They needed a scarce amount in terms of information, and seemingly did little more than a cursory glance at the paperwork provided. One over-the-phone interview (plus several reschedulings) and Danny was lined up to become an official trainee. A quick fitness test was required but aside from that, it wasn't hard to see how breakouts and corrupt officers were so common.
The one catch? He’d be stuck stationed at BlackGate til promoted to full-time officer. Only then could he trial at Arkham, getting to enjoy the process again.
BlackGates' own personal employee bus wasted little time, stopping short of the main entrance before dropping them off. Men and women milled around, most sporting clipped id cards. The few who didn't ranged from nervous to outwardly impatient, other applicants he’d wager. As instructed by his oh-so-patient recruiter he approached the side entrance, personal id plus printed contract in hand. A larger middle-aged man sat stationed behind the glass barrier, seemingly indifferent or completely unaware of him.
Danny stood there a solid thirty seconds before knocking gently on the glass, startling the man (‘Ford’ he supplied from the dangling tag) from his daze.
“Excuse me” Danny half waved. “Sorry to interrupt, but I'm scheduled to meet with ‘Officer Jacobs’ for a fitness exam?”
The officer seemed off-putt for a moment before nodding, a gruff cough between wheezed curses. “You got a name, son?”
Danny slid his id toward him, coarse fingers reached down as he held it to the dim booth lamp.
“Danyal Nightingale?” Ford murmured. Shooting a curious gaze toward the younger man.
Danny flashed a grin before quickly settling into a calm smile. If Ford took note of his curiously sharp teeth, he didn't mention it.
“In the flesh, Looking forward to working with you, officer.”