Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Danny woke up that morning curled around his boyfriend, he sat up slightly and looked down at him, pushing the other man's hair out of his eyes so he could kiss between them. Tim groaned and turned to try and bury his face into the pillow.

“Noooo.” He whined, still half asleep.

Danny laughed at him and leaned down again with a farel smirk, without a second thought he blew a raspberry into Tim’s cheek causing the smaller man to jump. Danny howled in laughter and before Tim could tackle Danny back into the bed the halfa turned intangible and fell through the bed completely.

“Danny!” Tim exclaimed as he stared at where Danny just was.

The halfa popped his head back up through the bed like a rabbit peeking out of his hole and smirked, “thats my name,” he cooed. Tim sighs before falling head first back into the pillow making Danny laugh.

A knock on the door made Danny look behind him, he floated up and stood, solid, on the hardwood floor and walked forward.

He opened the door and saw Damian standing there with a stern glare, the 19 year old looked at him with a raised brow, “Danny, Tim, Alfred has asked me to fetch you two for breakfast.”

Danny smiled, “Thank you, Dami, we will be down in a moment,” he says, “Merry Christmas.”

“You as well, Danny.” Damian says with a nod and a small smile before he turns to walk back down the hall.

It hasn't always been like this, he never thought he would have something this amazing.

Danny shut the door and flopped back down on the bed causing Tim’s body to fly up and back down, the tired man to groaned.

Danny turned his head to look at the annoyed glare of his boyfriend; He never thought in all his wildest dreams that he would have a smart amazing boyfriend, a family that knows every part of him, and an actually ok December.

“That's what you get for staying up so late.” Danny mused.

Tim looked up at him and gave him a deadpan look causing Danny to laugh harder.

Danny met his boyfriend when he moved here to Gotham at 18. Danny was just going through the motions after his parents kicked him out. He didn't know what he was going to do, he met Tim and everything just fell into place. Now, 6 years later at age 24 Danny thought life was pretty great.

Tim sighed as he sat up, “I don't get paid enough for this…” he mumbled.

“You don't get paid,'' Danny smiled as he pulled Tim up out of the bed.

“Exactly,” Tim says as he leans forward and buried his head into Danny's shoulder.

Danny laughed, “and I thought I was the one who doesn't like this holiday?” He asked jokingly.

Tim groaned, causing Danny to laugh once more before placing a kiss onto the top of Tim’s head. Danny pulled back and grabbed Tim by the hand out of their shared room. They walked in silence as they navigated the halls of the manor, pictures and memories lining the halls, a few of them even had Danny in them. But, as they walked, Danny couldn't shake this feeling in his gut that something bad was going to happen. Tim started to become more awake and soon caught on to Danny’s silence.

When they reached the stairs Tim stopped at the top of the stairs, Danny looked back at him, “is something on your mind?” Tim asked.

Danny sighed and smiled bittersweetly, “you can always read me so well,” Danny says trailing off.

“Of course I can, I'm amazing,” he says with a nonchalant shrug before looking back at Danny, “what's up?” Tim asks again.

“Well, you know how I don't like Christmas, because every year it just goes bad.” Tim nods and Danny continues, “it's been 10 years since I traveled to the future and met my evil self, I'm almost a year older than him now.”

“And?” Tim asked, as he pulled his boyfriend down to sit on the steps with him.

“And, with how I'm a bad luck magnet I’m just worried that—” danny starts before Tim cut him off.

“You're not a bad luck magnet.” Tim says, “and like you said, you're almost a year older than him, so there is no way you can even turn into him.”

“I know but—”

“But nothing, you are strong, amazing, and there is no way anything will go wrong today.” Tim exclaimed as he pulled Danny into his arms. Danny sighs and accepts the hug and revels in the warmth. Tim pulls away and cups Danny’s face with both his hands. “I promise you!” He says warmly.

Danny just smiled like the dope he is, his core purring loudly. Tim just laughed and pulled Danny forward to plant a kiss on the other man's lips.

The two continued their descent down the stairs, hand in hand, it was like that when they entered the dining room. Most of everyone sat at the table already; Barbara at one end as she enthusiastically talked about something with Dick. Kori floating above the table holding little Mar’i who cooed happily in her arms as she reached for the chandelier. Duke, Jazz and Ellie watched the two tamaranean’s happily while the three of them chatted. Cas and Stephanie signed to each other at a fast pace, Damian adding his own two cents every once in a while. Bruce sat at the head of the table, talking with Salina as Alfred, now a ghost, and Jason brought breakfast to the table.

Jason looks over at the two as he puts down a platter of French toast on the table, he lets out a snort of laughter, “get a room!” He taunts lightheartedly. Danny couldn't help but laugh as Tim glared at his older brother and pulled Danny down to kiss him just in spite, making Danny’s core purr again. Jason laughed at the scene and went back to the kitchen for something else. Danny and Tim parted and made their way to their seats.

Jason came back after washing his hands again and sat down next to Jazz, grabbing her hand and joining into the conversation. When Alfred declared that breakfast was served, everyone began to dig in. Dick stood on his chair and held out his arms for Mar’i, calling her name. Kori redirected the child’s attention to Dick and the baby squealed happily and floated down to her father. Dick cheered when Mar’i floated safely down by herself. The rest of the family clapped to show their enthusiasm for the little girl. Dick plopped back down in his seat and placed the baby on his lap as Kori floated down and sat in her own seat next to him.

The family chatted amongst themselves as they ate and once everyone was finished they left the dining room and made their way to the main sitting rooms in the manor. Ellie ran forward and punched Danny in the arm while saying, “Tag!” And flying forward and going through the wall, happily Danny chased after his little sister using his own powers to follow after her.

Danny and Ellie settled their game quickly and touched down in the sitting room where everyone else waited for them. Dick was buzzing with excitement as he began handing out gifts to people. Danny plopped down next to Tim and the other man leaned into him. Danny let out a hum and rested his head onto Tim’s.

One minute, Danny was watching Tim hand a gift to the excited toddler and the next he felt a cold breath escaping his mouth. At first he thought it may be one of his ghost friends trying to crash the party for some fun, but as he stood to try and look for whoever it was the warmth faded from the room. The air suddenly felt thick and suffocating. In an instant the building shook Danny turned and reached out to Tim who looked up at him, worry in his eyes. But before he could reach him, Danny could feel the weight of the building fall onto him and the people he cared about. Danny could feel all of the air leave his lungs as rubble fell on top of them.

Danny, using all of his strength pushed lumber and drywall off of himself and he looked around for the cause only to freeze and look down at the rubble and bodies of his fraid all around him, the only thing Danny could bring himself to think was how much he hated Christmas. Danny felt cold and his core crackled as a whimper escaped his throat that eventually turned into a pained yell as he dug frantically for his lover. Danny caught a glimpse of Alfred floating through the rubble and Ellie peaking up looking disoriented. Danny continued to dig and froze when he found Tim’s hand laying limp and blood seeping out from under where his body was still buried. Danny let out a gurgled sob as he fell to his knees and held onto the man's hand, not feeling a pulse.

Danny looked up to the sky and saw the massive swirling portal of green that was taking up half the sky, there in the middle of it was a figure that he had only seen in Justice League files, Darkseid, King of Apokolyps. However, something felt wrong about him and Danny could feel Ice crackle out from under him when he realized exactly what was wrong. Danny noticed the familiar energy of Pariah Dark, an energy he only slightly remembered. The last time he felt it was back 10 years ago, when the Ex Ghost King invaded amity park. Pariah Dark as Darkseid held a glowing orb in their hand, it was purple with little flecks of green and when Danny focused on it he could hear the constant ticking that followed his Grandfather clock of a mentor, Clockwork. Danny felt his stomach turn when he realized that that was the ghost of time’s core.

An indescribable rage filled Danny's chest, he grit his teeth, only now realizing his frost had taken over the surrounding area. With a loud roar, giant spears of ice shot up from the ground at the floating figure.

Darkseid dodged his attack and cursed in two voices layered on top of eachother. In neck breaking speed, Danny transformed into his ghost form, a lot different from when he was a child, now with extra padding for protection, primarily black, the most notable difference was the white bat symbol that took up half his chest with his own crest in the middle. He shot forward fist clenched with green flames and he charged forward to punch the old ghost king possessing the new god. Danny decked them in the face hard enough to send the king flying back, frost clung to his cheek, jaw broken. The new god looked back at Danny and in seconds his jaw cracked back into place.

The ghost that possessed Darkseid growled, “you have grown strong, welp.”

Danny flew forward, uninterested in conversation. Darkseid, using his free hand, grabs Danny's head tightly, trying to crush his skull. Thinking quickly, Danny swung his body forward and wrapped his legs around the New Gods wrist and using his own strength broke the gods bone causing the hand to go limp. Darkseid then kicked out his foot, sending Danny flying across the sky, miles away from the possessed god.

Danny crashed to the earth, into concrete and metal. The halfa forced himself to stand, eyes full of fury as he shot back.

Pariah Dark using Darkseid's face smirked, in an instant his arm heals itself as he clenches his fist closed. He brought his arms up to block Danny's frontal assault.

“You are nothing against I,” the old pariah boasted with a dark chuckle, “this vessel freed me from my slumber, demanding I tell him the Anti-life equation. The fool,” Pariah Dark laughs as he throws down Danny again, causing the halfa to roll. “But now, with our combined strengths I tore out Clockwork’s core and with it, I shall go back in time to go where I will be uncontested!” He shouts as he stomps down his foot onto Danny, pinning the half ghost to the ground. Danny turned intangible and seeped into the ground to get out from under the ex-ghost king, and came back out of the ground and punched the ghost back again.

“Then why come here!?” Danny finally shouted as he watched the larger creature tumble into the ground.

the being growled holding the ticking core in his fist but smirked at the halfa’s anger. “Why to cause bloodshed, of course.”

Pariah Dark stood, Darkseids bones cracking back into shape as he went. “I sensed you here and felt your joy, I couldn't let that stand. I couldn't leave the Ghostling that locked me away, happy before I return back before your blasted death day,” he growls, “now if you well excuse me,” He trails off as he looks down at the orb in his hand and holds it above his head. The ticking grew louder and made time stand still and suddenly start ticking backwards at light speed.

Danny's glare hardened, he rushed forward and before they could get too far back in time Danny snatched Clockwork’s core from Darkseid’s hand. The possessed new god stared up at him in shock when time froze around them once more. Danny was happy to see the manor standing again but ignored that joy for now as he held on to Clockwork’s core, protectively.

”what!” Pariah Dark shouts, “how?”

Danny smirked, glad that he hadn't removed the time medallion from his chest since the day Dan put it in there, “that's what happens when your Time’s favorite,” Danny taunts, his anger fueling his snark, “come get me, Frootloop!” Danny shouts before he begins flying up and up, away from the Manor. Not willing to put the people inside in danger again.

The New God growled and followed after Danny, chasing him out into the atmosphere. Danny flew the larger ghost in circles, every once in a while landing a quick hit to the new god.

After one particular blow Danny could see the outline of Pariah Dark be pushed from Darkseid, however the former king held on to his possession tight and snapped back into the mortal's body. The look on his face told Danny the ghost was getting exhausted.

Pariah Dark growled and glared up at Danny before saying, “you have not won, Halfa, I will end you like I have ended the others like you!” He shouts.

”Yeah, I'd like to see you try!”

Pariah Dark growled but smirked, “you underestimate me, and the tools this vessel has at its disposal.”

Danny didn't like the sound of that.

“I will return.” Pariah Dark states before he disappeared. Danny felt his eyebrows raise to his hairline and he rushed forward as if that could stop the tyrant king from getting away.

When Danny couldn't find any trace of the ghost he cursed to himself and looked down at the core that still ticked in his hands. “CW, what am I going to do?” He asked, there was no response, Danny didn't expect one. If Clockwork had retreated into his core that would mean Pariah Dark had done a number on him and it would take time for him to heal. So for now, to keep clockwork safe he phased the Time ghost's core into his chest next to his own in a protective gesture, hoping Clockwork didn’t mind the company as he heals up.

Danny's thought shifted to Tim, he looked back down at the earth knowing his lover was down there. He didn't know how far he went back but it couldn't have been too far; and until he caught Pariah Dark again and Clockwork healed up properly he couldn't go back to where he came from or at least moments before the damn Manor fell on top of their heads. But he had to look, make sure he was ok, and maybe hug the other man and tell him how glad he was to see him. A small smile formed on his face. As he flew down back to earth, he had to find his boyfriend.

Invisibly he made his way back to the manor, the sky darker than it was before, signifying that it was night. He floated through the manor down to the cave, knowing that usually at this time of night Tim would either be in the cave or on patrol. When he reached the cave however, he could feel a chill go down his spine.

There the younger versions of the vigilanties stood, all the bats and birds, being debriefed for the night. Internally, Danny began to panic, glad he was still invisible. In his panic the temperature of the room dipped down lower, even for the cave. Danny didn't think he and the old tyrant traveled that far back, but from the look of it, everyone looked a hell of a lot younger, danny couldn't guess just by looking at them but Tim stood just under Bruce’s shoulders, and last time he checked he was at least past the man's jaw.

The vigilantes in the room tensed up, feeling the shift in temperature as the energy in the room began to buzz with anxiety. Danny had to run, he had to get out of there, he couldn't let them see him right now. Just as quickly as he came, Danny flew away, leaving the vigilanties confused.

Danny flew around for a bit until he decided he needed to detransform and find a way he could check the approximate date. As touched down in a random alley, he looked down and saw a crumpled piece of paper by the dumpster. Quickly he picked it up and scanned the top of the page to find the date. October, 15, 2016.

“Ancients,” Danny cursed, his grip on the paper tightening as frost started to crawl out from under him, freezing the dark dank alleyway. Danny recrumpled the paper and threw it into the dumpster next to him. Danny looked away for a moment before a growl ripped its way from his throat. He turned back to the dumpster and punched it as hard as he could causing the metal to dint and leave behind an imprint of his fist. “Damn it!” He cursed again.

The sight of Tim’s lifeless corpse filled his memories and made a sob to catch in his throat. Danny fell to his knees and weeped, even though he was alive here and now in this time Danny couldn't even go to him and ask for his comfort like he thought he could. This Tim didnt know him and wouldn't know him for another year or so. Dannys shoulders drooped and he felt his head hit the floor, now frozen over with his ice. Danny felt his transformation drop, the light from his form disappearing with it. Danny breathed deeply, focusing on the cold all around him as he steadied his breathing, trying to numb the ache in his chest.

After a while, Danny's sobs became silent whimpers. Slowly he stood from the frozen ground, his eyes hazed over filled with grief. He felt helpless, just like he did before he met his boyfriend. He knew he couldn't stay in this alley forever and he needed to figure out a way to stop Pariah Dark.

Danny began to walk, where? He didn't know. But as he did the numbness began to recede and was replaced by determination. Danny felt the rage he felt while fighting the ghost and the only thing he could think of was how he was going to crush Pariah Dark’s core between his teeth.

Chapter Text

The night was cold, colder than it usually was this time of year in gotham. But just like every other night, the city's vigilantes hopped from roof to roof, dealing with what the city had to offer. That night Tim was paired with Stephanie, the two running through the night as they shot banter back and forth happily. Tim took a step on the ledge of a building, ready to jump across the alley when he nearly slipped but caught himself before he could fall.

”You getting tired, RR?” Stephanie joked as she slowed down and walked up behind him.

Tim looked over his shoulder and glared at her before looking back down at the ledge, noticing the frost. “No, it was icy.” He says as he knelt down to get a better look at the ice.

Stephanie knelt down next to him to examine it too, “in October?” She asked, looking kinda bewildered.

The ice had a weird sheen to it which told the two that it wasn't normal. They peaked over the ledge and saw that the ice originated from down there, ice fractals branching out from one point next to a dumpster.

The two shared a look, Stephanie tapping her com to life, “RR and I found some weird ice in the alley near Paradise Club in Otisburg.” Steph says as Tim grapples down into the alley to get a better look at the starting point of the ice, Stephanie follows after him.

Tim touched down and looked at the ice, he knelt down again to touch the center of it all, noticing it looked like two footprints that the ice radiated from.

”hmm,” Tim hummed in thought as he reached up to touch the side of his mask to take a picture with the camera in his domino mask.

“Hey, Red, look at this?” Stephanie says, causing Tim to look up at what she was looking at. Stephanie was crouched in front of the dumpster and there in the side was a deep imprint that looked like the shape of a fist. Tim walked forward and stood next to her as they both examined the punch. “I don't think it was Mr.Freeze,” Stephanie mumbled, “unless he started taking some of Bain’s Venom.”

“You're right, and the ice has a weird glint to it. Freeze’s ice doesn't have that type of sheen to it.” Tim says, sharing his input.

Tim tapped his own com, “Orical? Can you pull up any cameras from SW10th and Sandy street?” Tim asked as he took a picture of the crater in the dumpster.

“On it,” Barbara says, tapping could be heard on the other end, “what the hell?” She mumbled, presumably finding something.

“What is it?” Stephanie asked.

”I only have a slight glimpse of the alley, but I can't see anyone enter it all night. However an hour ago the cameras began to glitch and a green light kind of moved through the static around the alley for a few minutes before the screen went back to normal and the ice was just there.”

”what the fuck?” Steph mumbles as she tilts her head to look around, finally taking in how far the ice climbed up the sides of the two buildings and frosting the windows there.

“Whoever did this must have been angry.” Tim notes.

”Why do you say that?” Steph asked, looking back at Tim.

”I mean, look at that punch!” He exclaimed as he threw his arms forward gesturing animatedly at the dint in the dumpster, “or at the very least really upset.

“You think it's a random meta that just came into town?” Stephanie asked.

”I mean, it would make sense, but I can't say for sure.” Tim responds. Tim could hear Bruce grunt on the other end of the coms, not sounding pleased at the idea. Tim had to suppress a groan, of course he was listening in.

”we’re gonna look around the area, see if we can find anything else related to the ice.” Tim says into the coms as he pulls a vile and tweezers, scraping some of the ice into the tube to examine back at the cave, “already got a sample, we will head back to the cave after we analyze the area some more.” he adds before bruce could tell him to get a sample.

”Roger that, keep me posted, Orical out”

The two vigilanties circled the area, in search of anyone or thing that could possibly be linked to the ice only to come up empty handed. After another hour of searching the two headed back to the cave for the night, already being out for five hours before their initial search.

Upon returning to the Batcave, Tim and Stephanie were met with the familiar sounds of the cave, actual bats occasionally making noises as they slept on the cave’s ceiling.

Tim sat down in front of the Batcomputer and began logging the events of the night while Stephanie went back to the locker rooms for a quick shower.

Tim put the ice into an analyzer connected to the computer, he was surprised that the ice had not melted yet. Barbara’s voice cut through the silence, “welcome back, find anything in your search?” She asked through the com.

“Nothing,” Tim groans as he leans back in the chair, “running the sample now, the weird thing is that the ice hasn't shown any signs of melting yet.” He explains.

”this will sound stupid, but are you sure it's ice?” Barbara asked as she began remoting in to watch the analysis.

”It was cold and slippery like ice, but we will see what the report says once it’s done,” Tim says as he leans forward, “I'm going to write my report then go take a shower.”

“Then go to sleep, right.” Barbara says more than asked, she knew Tim’s habits too well.

Tim groans, “yeah, yeah.” He says, rolling his eyes knowing Barbara couldn't see him.

”I mean it, Tim, I’ll call Alfred on you.” She says warningly.

”Fine, sure, whatever!” He exclaimed as he leaned forward to start typing his report.

Barbara sighed, “Tim, you know we are just worried about you, you can't keep burning the candle at both ends. You have been this way since Bernard—”

“I get it!” Tim snaps. He sighs, “I get it… sorry. Just can you drop it for now.” Tim says.

”Alright,” Barbara says, “get some sleep, Tim. See you tomorrow.”

“Night Barb.” He says, going back to type his report.

The reminder of Bernard really made the teens chest ache; Bernard and him had broken up a few months back and the topic was still sore. He knew what he was doing wasn't healthy but it was the only thing that could keep Tim from remembering how much it hurt. One too many times being late, not having an explanation, having unexplainable bruises that he couldn't explain away. It was hard and in the end Bernard couldn't take it anymore. Tim understood, so he took a step back and let Bernard go. Didn't make the pain hurt any less.

Tim shook his head to dislodge the thoughts and looked back up at the computer screen, looking like the analysis on the ice would take some time. With a sigh he began typing his report about the night, logging the few mugging he stopped and the alley of ice. He uploaded the footage from his domino cams as well as the pictures he shot of the scene. He then pulled up the video footage that Barbara had looked at, confirming for himself what she saw. He watched the footage, the timestamp set to 3:44am. The footage quality was already not great, becoming worse when the footage hit 3:45am. A green blur floated onto the screen and stayed there for a few moments, there was no audio recorded but he wouldn't have doubted that it would be just as garbled as the footage was. There was a flash of light and the grain lessened, the image still indistinguishable. The green light flickered like a flame, like it was breathing, before it floated a few inches up and disappeared from view. After a few more minutes the footage returned to normal, with the ice visible from the alley.

Tim sighed and added that to the report, for good measure he checked any other cameras in the area, no other anomalies could be spotted in their feeds. Stephanie walked up behind him, hair damp and a towel draped over her neck to keep her pajamas from getting wet.

“Find something?” She asked, looking up at the screen herself.

”Nothing, it's like the cause of it just got up and disappeared, I was just checking other cameras in the area to see if they had any similar glitches and all of it was clean.” Tim says without looking away from the screen as he watches yet another camera around that time.

“Speaking of clean, you stink,” she says to Tim, bumping her hip into his shoulder as a way of telling him to get up, “hit the showers, it's my turn to add my report.”

Tim laughed a bit at her antics as he slipped off the seat to let her take his place, “fine, meet you upstairs when you're done?” He asked.

”hell yeah, don't eat all of Alfies cookies before I get up there!” She demanded as she watched him walk towards the locker rooms.

”No promises.” Tim shouts back as he disappears from view.

Chapter Text

At the watchtower the founding members of the Justice league held a meeting to discuss upcoming missions and other things on their agendas. J’onn talked about a strange energy reading that came up a day prior, as he showed off a hologram to all in attendance.

“Where was this disturbance?” Dianna asked, examining the readings in front of her.

J’onn looked up and locked eyes with Bruce for a second, knowing the human wouldn't like what he was going to say, “in gotham,” he says, Causing the dark knight to tense up.

”Any idea what it is?” Superman asked, hearing Bruce’s heart rate pick up just the smallest bit at the mention of his city.

”a form of slight radiation, not harmful, but still strong enough to be picked up on our sensors.” He explained.

Bruce hummed, “A few days back, Red Robin and Batgirl found an alley coated in an unmeltable ice, we ran some tests on it back in the cave and found it was a compound of water from the alley and a mysterious substance that we could not identify.” Bruce finally spoke up.

”Do you think it's not from earth?” John asked as he leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the table.

Bruce grunts and was about to answer when the doors to the meeting room flew open, revealing a man in his early twenties, with stark white hair and green eyes that looked too similar to Jason’s when the boy was mad. A black suit made of kevlar and spandex, and a familiar white bat symbol across his chest.

Everyone at the table stands, tense and ready to defend themselves against the stranger.

“Hey, Bats, is he one of yours?” Berry asked, noticing the symbol on the man's chest.

Bruce growled, going into full batman mode as he stepped in front of everyone else, “who are you?” He demands in an intimidating tone.

“Foxtrot, Delta, Uniform, Echo, Quebec.” Danny says, reciting the code that Batman had put in place for events such as this. Danny was glad he was able to remember this specific NATO code.

Danny watched as the tension left Bruce but his brows knit together in contemplation, “I see.” He says, “how did you get here?” He asked, causing the other heroes in the room to look at him in confusion at Bruce’s complete one-eighty.

”what did any of that mean?” Superman asked.

”It's a code that he made every member of the family learn.” Danny says, pushing his hand through his white hair.

”a code that no one else but my family should know,” Bruce says without looking away from the stranger.

”and what did that code mean?” Flash asked, the others hummed thinking the same thing.

“Time travel,” Bruce states simply, “from the future.”

”Wait, you made a code for that?” John asked with a lift of a brow.

Danny smirks, “it worked didn't it?” Danny says with a shrug.

”what happened?” Bruce asked.

Danny sighs, seriousness taking over, “an old enemy of mine that I thought was gone came back. He… crushed the manor… along with everyone else inside…" Danny explained, making the room freeze. “He is here somewhere, in this time, I followed him back here to stop him… I didnt think we went back too far and yet…” he paused and looked back up at Bruce, “you don't know who I am yet….” He explains, looking hurt, bruce notes. Danny inhales, holds his breath and releases it, he holds out his hand to Bruce and smiles, “Snowbat, you gave me the name.” He introduced.

Reluctantly, Bruce takes the young man’s hand, “it's nice to meet you.” He says.

Danny’s smile fades and returns to that stoic expression, “now, onto business. I came here to warn you all.”

“What about?” Diana asked.

“Darkseid is planning something.” Danny says, causing the room to go still.

“Wait, you said an old enemy of yours? Have you fought Darkseid before?” Superman asked, tension evident in his shoulders.

“No, but the ghost that is possessing him, I have.”

“Ghost?” Flash asked skeptically.

“I know it sounds crazy, ancients, I used to not believe in ghosts. But after ten years of having to deal with them you kind of became a believer.”

”What is the name of this ghost?” J’onn asked, danny could feel the Martian trying to prod his mind telepathically. Danny let him, with limited access.

”Pariah Dark, ex Ghost King. From what I know, Darkseid freed him from his Sarcophagus in search of the anti-life equation. It would make sense that the old tyrant would know it, but rather than telling him he just possessed him. Now with a physical body he was powerful enough to get this,” Danny says as he reaches into his chest, much to the shock of the people at the table, and pulls out Clockwork’s core, a loud ticking fills the room.

“What is that?” John Stewart asked as he tried to get a closer look.

“There is a consciousness inside of it.” J’onn states looking up at danny.

Diana slammed her hands on the table, “that is an artifact of Cronus!” She exclaimed.

Danny couldn't help to smirk at Diana’s reaction, “close,” he says, this is Clockwork, guardian of time, or what's left of him,” Danny explains as he places Clockwork back into his chest with his own core, “Pariah Dark ripped out his core so that he couldn’t interfere and used him to come back in time. I managed to get it away from him.”

“How did you know to follow him?” Bruce asked.

”This isn't the first time I have time traveled, back ten years ago—or three years ago now?” Danny says, sounding unsure, he shook his head and got back on track, “whatever, time is confusing, back then I met a parallel version of myself that lodged something in my body that I haven't been able to find….” He says looking away awkwardly, Danny brought his hand up and rubbed the back of his neck. “It was a Time Medallion, a magic artifact that nullifies the effects of time manipulation. Keeps me aware of time anomalies and things like that, you know?” He added a little unsure shrug as he spoke.

Everyone at the table turned to Martian Man-Hunter, knowing that if anyone knew that the stranger was lying, he would. J’onn nodded, confirming Danny’s claims, “he appears to be telling the truth, or at least believes he is. Though there is a block in his mind that I can't seem to get past.”

”that's intentional,” danny states, “can't have you learn about the future,” danny says with a slight smirk and a shrug.

“How did you get to the watchtower?” Diana finally asked, “even if you are apart of the justice league in the future, your dna wouldn't be in our systems now.”

“Oh, I'm not in the justice league in the future, I just fill in for anyone when they don't feel well or if there is a particularly nasty situation,” danny explained, “and I'm a ghost.”

Berry, ever the skeptic, snorts, “if you're a ghost, how did you die?” He asked, not believing Danny in the slightest.

The noise of screeching metal made the Leaguers snap their head to Danny, claws just having grown from his hands, digging into the metal of the table as he tensed up. The room became cold and frost radiated from his fingers that were embedded into the table. Danny shut his eyes and took a deep breath before he willed the claws and ice away, “I'm sorry,” he says when he opens his eyes and sees various reactions all around him. “But that's a sensitive topic,” he explains looking away, “that's a taboo, to ask a ghost how they died.” His brows furrowed.

Barry looked at him, eyes full of guilt, “sorry about that….” He apologized.

Danny softly smiled, “it's ok, you didn't know.” Brows still knitted together.

”That ice,” Bruce says, Danny looked back at him, causing the older man to tense up slightly. “You were in Gotham a few days ago, weren't you?” He states more than asked, yet there was the subtle lull to his words that Bruce would reserve for talking to children or victims. Danny sighed, he hated being treated like a victim, yet he was in a way.

“how did you know?” he asked.

“Red Robin and Batgirl stumbled upon your ice in an alley and a dented dumpster.” Bruce explains.

Danny tensed at the mention of Tim, how he wanted to go and hold him tight. Not now, he reminded himself, “I guess that is a pretty big identifier, yeah….” He laughed halfheartedly, “I’ll fix that later.” He mumbled

Either bruce didn't catch the tension in Danny’s shoulders or he chose to ignore it—which was more likely. “What happened?” Bruce asked.

“I… I had just fought off Pariah and after he retreated I went home to check on everyone…” Danny’s voice cracked when he mentioned home, making Bruce’s heart go out to the young man, “but when I got there you all were…”

“not the same?” Bruce supplied.

Danny nodded, trying to find his words, the league letting him. After a few more breaths, danny continued, frost forming on his clothes and he grabbed onto his arms to minimize anymore damage to his surroundings, “I mean don't get me wrong,” danny says with a slight smile, “it was good to see everyone alive…” he says before his smile dropped immediately. “But I had also just seen you guys be crushed to death and it… I was really hoping to talk to you all. But you all dont know me….” He says, looking up past the hero’s at the table and out the window at the space all around them.

“Why didn't you come to us sooner?” Bruce asked.

”I… I just had to get my emotions out so I kinda just floated in space for a few days.” He explained

”you can just do that?” Clark asked with a tilt of his head.

”I don't need to breathe.” Danny supplied, not looking away from the stars outside.

“You have been through a lot, we all can see that,” Diana starts, “thank you for coming to us and telling us what to expect.”

Danny nods, “Course,” he says looking back at the table.

John looked to Bruce, “what now?” He asked, his green eyes looking for confirmation. the rest of the group looked to bruce, the resident coordinator.

Bruce hummed then stayed silent for a moment before speaking up, “Green Lantern, I need you to check with the lantern core to see if they have caught any wind from Apokolypse, take Flash with you for backup and check on New Genesis. Superman, Man-Hunter, you two will take shifts watching out for any parademons or anything from Apokolypse heading towards earth. Wonder Woman and I will stay back and prepare our ground defenses just in case Darkseid tries to bring the fight to us. We will also reach out to Justice League Dark for any info, perhaps bring in Doctor Fate for assistance.”

“What about me?” Danny asked, noticing a distinct lack of himself in the plan.

”you will be our ace in the hole, you will tell me everything you know about this enemy, understand?” Bruce says sternly.

Danny sighs, he knew he could do more yet he came to Bruce for a reason. “Alright.” He says with a nod.

“Meeting adjourned, you all know your missions.” Bruce says curtly.

Everyone stood from the table, as they walked out of the room they didn't tear their eyes away from the halfa; either out of pity or distrust he couldn't tell, but he ignored it and just looked at Bruce who continued to sit in his spot looking at danny.

Once everyone left the room, even Diana after Bruce insisted he would be alright and wanted to talk to Danny alone, he spoke up, “I'm assuming you know who I am?” Bruce asked.

Danny couldn't help but smile, “yes, Bruce,” he says with a nod, “thurow as always.” He comments.

”And do you have a secret identity outside of Snowbat?”

”yeah, but I can't tell you, I'm trying to correct the timeline, not change it. If you know who I am then you will look into me.” Danny explained.

Bruce grunted, not likening that answer but accepted it nonetheless. Bruce looked at him, scrutinizing Danny, trying to figure something out.

”Are you… one of my children?” He asked hesitantly.

Danny let out a snort of laughter, “no, you didn't adopt me, not officially anyway, kinda planned to marry into the family, not gonna lie. But you did adopt my little sister so she could have a home.”

The comment caught Bruce off guard, but once again he tried not to question it. The thought that one of his children would date this man made something in Bruce become extremely protective, yet he had to remind himself that this man is from the future and not the age he is now. “Do you… have anywhere to go?” Bruce finally asked.

it was Danny's turn to be caught off guard, he looked away nervously, “no, not really, I was gonna go bother Constantine, see if he could help me make a portal to the infinite realms so I could return Clockworks core to his Clocktower so he could heal faster.” Danny explained.

”would—“ Bruce cut himself off, pausing to think through his next words, “would you like to stay at the manor then?” He finally asked.

“Yes,” Danny says without hesitation, before he could think any better of it. He wanted to see them again, even if they aren’t yet the people he missed the most.

So, after Bruce wrote down and catologged the meeting's events, the two walked in silence to the Zeta tubes. Bruce couldn't help but feel pity toward the man. Bruce wasn't the most observant when it came to emotions, but even he could see the hurt behind the ghost's eyes. Which begged the question, did he die with everyone else when the manor crushed them. But he couldn't ask him that; due to his reaction earlier it wouldn't go well if he asked. He would have to be tactical about that if he wanted to know, but did he really want to know? Did he want to know how his family died?

Danny floated next to Bruce, looking at him. “You're overthinking something.” The young man states, drawing Bruce out of his thoughts.

Bruce looks at him, another thought coming to his mind as they walk, “how can I see you?” He asked, pushing down the urge to ask the other question, “I can't see Deadman without a spell.” Bruce adds.

Danny smiled, “cuz I’m special.” Danny states as he batted his lashes. Bruce gave him a deadpan look causing Danny to lean back with a cackle, “it true! Well, kinda. It's more because I have been in and out of the infinite realms than he has. I have absorbed more of that energy making me stronger.”

Bruce sighed, he felt out of his element. This man has the same sense of humor as his other kids. Bruce wouldn't doubt that he will be a good addition to the family when they actually meet him from this timeline.

They entered into the zeta tube and in a flash of bright light the scenery around them changed. A feminine voice announced their entrance to the batcave. “Welcome, Batman and guest.” from their vantage point they could both see a figure sitting at the batcomputer, engrossed into whatever it is they are looking at. At the sound of the voice the figure turned and Danny had to force himself from flinching at the sight of young Tim looking at him—scrutinizing him.

Danny noticed Tim looked absolutely tired, the sight made Danny’s chest ache. Bruce sighed and began walking towards the exhausted looking teen. Once he was right in front of him he ordered, “Red Robin, you taking a day off today doesn’t give you permission to be in the cave all day.” He scolded.

“Who’s that?” Tim deflected with a lift of his brow at Danny.

Danny couldn’t help it, he reached out his hand and held it out to Tim, anything to just feel his pulse. “Foxtrot, Delta, Uniform, Echo, Quebec. The name is Snowbat, nice to meet you, again….” Danny says adding the last part awkwardly.

Tim starred at him for a moment before groaning and looking back at Bruce, without taking Danny’s hand. “When you made that code I thought you were just being paranoid.” Tim exclaimed, throwing his head back with another even more frustrated groan.

Reluctantly, Danny put his hand down when he realized that Tim wasn’t going to take his hand.

Bruce grunts, “what are you doing here, you were given the day off to rest. Not work.” Bruce says.

Tim groaned and turned back to the computer, “I'm trying to figure out what that chemical in that ice is and why it isn't melting.” Tim exclaimed.

Danny walked up behind Tim, placing his hand on the chair—all he was gonna get for now, looking up at the screen. “You mean this ice?” Danny asked as he brought his hand forward and made a thin octahedron that floated harmlessly in his hand for the teen to see. Tim looked at it with wide eyes then up at Danny with the same wide eyes, he grabbed the ice crystal and brought it closer to look at.

“It’s ectoplasm,” Danny says, making Tim look back up at him.

“You—!” Tim starts but is cut off by Danny.

“Now that you know you can go take a nap.” Danny says with a smirk making the teen glare at him. It wasn’t the same glaring pout he was used to, but it was still Tim.

“But what’s—?” Tim says, standing up from his chair looking up at Danny.

“I’ll tell you after you take a nap.” Danny says, giving no room to argue. Tim glared at him, not budging. Danny sighed before picking Tim up by the scruff of his Red Robin costume too quickly for the teen to react.

Danny turned to Bruce with a smile, “he never changes.” He says lightheartedly. Bruce sighs, already feeling the gray hairs coming in.

Tim’s face lights up in embarrassment. He reaches up and grabs Danny’s wrist and swings his body forward trying to break Danny's hold. Danny allows it, letting Tim land on his feet. Danny had to stop himself from catching Tim when he stumbled slightly. Tim glares up at danny, “did you come back in time to fuck with me or something?”

Danny looked taken aback by the comment, “woah, hey, no. I—" Danny starts and looks over at Bruce with furrowed brows then back at Tim, “I’m sorry, it is just so good to see you.” He said, shoulders slumping.

Tim raised a brow and looked at Bruce, “Snowbat came back in time. Following a threat that had destroyed the manor.” Bruce didn't say it but Tim could gather that from the look on his face that it meant some of them if not all of them were in it when it happened.

Tim sighed, “alright, and do we know this threat?”

Bruce glared down at him, “go to sleep, we will talk more about this after dinner.” He declares. Tim groans before agreeing and walking off, looking back occasionally before reaching the elevator.

When the doors slid shut behind Tim danny spoke up, “that's the most exhausted I have ever seen him.”

Bruce sighed, “I suppose you never heard of Bernard?”

Danny looked at him, “Wait, did they just break up?” Danny asked.

Bruce let out a hum, “a few months ago,” He corrected.

Danny glared down at the floor, “I never knew he was that bad….” Danny mumbles.

“It's been challenging for Tim,” Bruce remarked.

“He told me how hard the breakup was for him,” Danny says thinking of his words carefully, “it's just hard to witness how he handled it first hand.” Danny admits.

Bruce hummed, acknowledging what Danny was saying. The sound of the elevator doors sliding open caught the two’s attention. Looking back Danny saw the familiar form of Alfred, though he was a lot more alive than he last saw him. The old man walked forward and neared them with a quizzical look in his eyes.

“Master Tim told me we had a guest in the cave and I came down to investigate, who is this?” He asked, looking to Bruce for confirmation.

”This is Snowbat,” Bruce introduced, explaining that Danny was from the future and came back in time to catch a mutual enemy.

“Ah I see,” Alfred says, examining Danny up and down, “is there something I can call you other than Snowbat?” He asked.

Danny paused and thought about it for a second, he let white rings form around his waist. But when they parted, rather than turning him human, his clothes transformed from his costume to regular civilian clothes. The two men stared at him with widened eyes, Danny could only laugh at their expressions, the amount of times he had to alter his ghost form to appease the old man if he even wanted to be Phantom out of costume. His costume was replaced with casual wear. Danny didn't really put in the effort to disguise his more inhuman features but he still looked more casual than before. His hair was still white and now without the domino mask he opened his green eyes to look at the shocked faces of the two men in front of him. “James, it's not the name I usually use but it will have to be good for now,” Danny says with a shrug, “don't want you all to meet me too early.” Danny smile grew wider, “sorry ‘bout that, I forgot you guys aren't used to that.”

“What was that?” Bruce questioned.

“Since my form is entirely composed of ectoplasm, yes, including my clothes, I can change what I look like but only slightly.”

Bruce let out a grunt sounding both frustrated and intrigued, Alfred nods not needing any further explanation.

Alfred nods and bows his head to Danny, “well mister James, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

Danny smiled at Alfred, “it's good to see you again.” Danny nods.

“Alfred, would you please show, James to one of the guest rooms, he will be staying with us for the time being.”

The older man turns to look at Bruce, “and what about you?” he asked.

”I'm going to finish writing a report about all that James has told me and send it to the children so they are in the loop.” Bruce explained. Alfred lifted a brow at the man causing Bruce to sigh, “then I will change and be up for dinner.” Danny covered his smile behind a cough.

“Very well,” Alfred turns to look at Danny, “if you will follow me.” He says before turning on his heels and walking back to the elevator, Danny following after him.

Danny and Alfred stood in the elevator in silence, if Danny just focused on the noise of the elevator, he could almost believe everything was just how it was before all of this chaos. Then again it technically was before it all but it wasn't the same as he knew, for starters he could hear Alfred’s heartbeat. The sound both calmed Danny and made him anxious. He had gotten used to the soft thrum of Alfred’s core, that made him feel safe and at home, like sitting in front of a warm fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate.

“Mister James,” Alfred says, drawing Danny out of his head, “I'm sorry to ask, but are you alright?”

Danny tensed before a bitter sweet smile took over his face, “you alway can tell when someone is upset, can’t you?” He asked

“As the Wayne family battler it is my job to know how the people in my care are feeling,” he states, turning to face Danny fully, “especially when they don't tend to share how they are feeling willingly.” Danny let out a snort of laughter.

”Tell me about it!” Danny agreed.

“You do not have to tell me everything, however I am here to listen if you need to say something.” Alfred offered.

Danny sighed, the elevator door opened and the two walked out into Bruce’s study, “it's just… this is hard,” he starts following the man as he walked out of the room into the hall, “you all are my family, I love you guys but you don't know me yet,” Danny explained, “I just want to hold you all close and keep you all safe, but I can't, not here, not how I want to.”

Alfred hummed, letting Danny know he was listening as they turned the hall towards the family wing.

Danny faltered, “Wait, the guest rooms are the other way, right?” He asked.

Alfred smiled, “The fact that you are able to tell where the guest rooms are versus where everyone else sleeps is proof enough that you are family.” Alfred states as he continues walking.

Danny couldn't help but feel touched by the old man’s words, Danny followed after Alfred, purring as they went and if Alfred heard his core humming, he didn't mention it.

The two came up to a room, unclaimed yet fully stocked just in case. Alfred opened the door and stepped in, allowing Danny to follow after him. The room was just as big as the room he was sharing with Tim this morning. Abruptly his purrs stopped, Alfred looked at him, “does this room not suit you?” He asked.

Danny shook his head, “no, no, the room is fine, it's just… so big for…just me….” He stated without explaining what he ment. Though the way he said it helped Alfred catch onto his meaning.

Alfred placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head, “im sorry,” he says letting the words sink in for danny.

Without much fanfare Danny started crying, not an angry sob like he had the moment the manor fell, nor the violent cry’s he had when he floated in space for those few days after, but rather he took quite shaky breaths as tears fell past his eyes without his permission. The type of tears that one experiences when they have no more fight left in them, is silent weeping that one uses when they don't want to be heard. Yet, Alfred didn't need to hear him, he saw him right there in that moment. Hesitantly Alfred walked forward and when he was about a foot in front of Danny, he opened his arms. Danny without hesitation reached forward and sobbed into the man's shoulder. Danny couldn't feel the cracking of fire he usually associated with Alfred, but his heart beat was a steady thump that grounded Danny in the moment. The people he loved were alive here and now, not the same but just as alive as ever.

He will fix this, he will save them, and he will go home and enjoy the disposed holiday that his beloved family enjoys.

Chapter Text

After a few more moments Danny pulled away and thanked Alfred for the comfort. Alfred had led Danny to the bed to sit, the butler smiled softly and with a nod, “I must be going down stairs to prepare supper, if you need anything you can come get me,” the butler states.

but Danny stood up quickly, “May I help?” He blurted out.

Alfred paused, “there is no need to help,” Alfred replied.

”I know, I just don't want to be alone right now….” Danny admits, looking away from the older man.

Alfred smiled softly, “I understand,” he nods before giving Danny a serious look, “though I have to ask you, and be truthful, in the future are you a part of the ban?” He asked sternly.

Danny couldn't help but laugh, the kitchen ban, “surprisingly, no. Though I don't do much cooking on my own, I am at least good at chopping vegetables and stuff.” Danny says with a shrug.

Just as quickly as the stern look took over, it melted away from Alfred’s features, replaced with a smile, “very good, then you may join me if you are so inclined.”

Danny felt his smile grow, his feet hovering just slightly off the ground like he did when he was excited. He followed the butler back out of the too large room into the hall. Danny began to purr once more, feeling content and happy at the idea of helping Alfred.

Once in the kitchen, Alfred got to work taking things out for meal prep. He directed Danny to cut the vegetables and bread while Alfred got to work making some pasta dough. Once it was made, Alfred had brought a pot to boil on the stove as Danny prepped a salad and some vegetables with seasoning that Alfred was going to bake. The pasta was set aside and Alfred placed the vegetables into the oven to bake as he mixed two pots of sauce, one with meat and the other without. Danny was floating above the counter, his legs fading from view turning translucent and wispy, buttering the bread for garlic bread. Alfred hummed to himself in sync with Danny's soft purrs that reminded him of Alfred the cat.

Speaking of the cat, the owner of the cat had arrived home from school. Alfred usually would go pick him up from school, however the boy insisted that he could walk home that morning because he wanted to stay for the art club. Damian entered the kitchen, most likely looking around for his cat with how loud Danny had been purring. The purring stopped abruptly and Danny disappeared from his spot, fading from the visible spectrum.

Damian looked confused when the purring suddenly stopped, Alfred turned from the stove and showed no reaction to Danny’s disappearance; too used to Cassandra’s quiet feet. “Pennyworth, have you seen Alfred the cat, I thought I heard him in here?” He asked.

the older man chuckled slightly, “I haven’t, Master Damian, all though that purring you heard wasnt from Alfred the cat.”

“Then what was it from?” The younger boy asked, looking suspiciously at Alfred.

the old butler looked over to where Danny had been, spotting the butter knife floating there, he smiled softly, “Mister James, you needn’t hide from Master Damian.”

Damian looked at where Alfred was looking and tensed at the sight of the floating butter knife. He crouched down into a fighting stance, ready to defend himself.

Danny faded back into the visual realm and sighed, “sorry, I forget I make that noise sometimes,” he mumbled, looking embarrassed with a green flush across his face.

”Pennyworth, who is this?” Damian demanded, still not dropping his guard, Danny looked down at the butter knife in his hand and back to Damian before he slowly placed it back onto the kitchen island and showed Damian the palms of his hands. His left hand showith off the slightly glowing green electrical scar, starting from the palm, crawling down his arm. Damian dropped his stance, only slightly, still wary of the stranger.

“Mister James shall be staying with us for the time being.” Alfred explained.

“Tt,” Damian tisked, “I suppose father has taken in a new family member without alerting the rest of us?” Damian asked, looking far too fed up for an eleven year old.

Danny couldn't help but let out a cackle causing the preteen to look at him with a glare, “not yet,” Danny corrects before reciting the NATO code once more.

Damian glares, recognizing the code immediately causing him to tisk again, “then I will go ask father for the information, I don't want to break your rules of no business outside of the cave.” Damian states, looking back at Alfred. Though Damian paused and looked at Danny before walking back the way he came.

Danny didn't miss how Damian refused to turn his back on Danny and couldnt find it in himself to blame the kid. He had heard about young Damian’s misdoings and his upbringing and couldn’t blame him. Especially with all the trauma Damian had when he met him at age twelve. Danny sighs, didn't make it any harder having to re-earn their trust.

“Do not fret, Mister James,” Alfred says, turning back to the stove, “Damian will come around.”

Danny floats over to peek around Alfred’s shoulder at the pots of sauce in front of him, Danny smiles softly before asking, “Who will be here tonight?” He asked.

”Master’s Richard, Duke, Tim, and Damian. Lady Cassandra as well as Miss Barbara, and Miss Stephanie. Hopefully so will Master Jason, though I am unsure,” He listed.

Danny smiled, “a full house,” he notes as he floats back towards the dish cabinet to collect the necessary dishes and cutlery to set the table.

”Indeed, will you be joining us? You say you are a ghost, does that mean you can't eat?” Alfred asked.

Danny pulled his head back to look at the butler in slight shock, “you want me to be there too?” He asked.

”Of course, only if you want to, though.” He said with a nod, finding the ghost's expression comical.

“Yeah,” Danny says, beaming, “and I don't have to eat, but I can.” Danny explained as he flew off through the walls with plates in his arms to go and set the table.

Alfred couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the young man.

Danny was arranging the plates and silverware at the table, floating above and admiring his work. He floated back down to the ground looking at the table, Danny turned to ask Alfred if there was anything else he could do to help. However when he turned he jumped at the sight of a familiar yet younger form of Cassandra. She was looking up at him with large eyes that he couldn’t quite read, she tilted her head to the side, her hair cascading over to one side.

Danny slowly floated back down to the ground and smiled, “uh, hi,” he says nervously.

Cassandra smiled, “new brother?” She asked, her hands signing as she spoke.

Danny couldn't help but let out a startled laugh, ”no, sorry, not officially anyway,” Danny says with a shrug.

Cassandra smiled and nodded her head, ‘it's ok,’ she signs, ‘what are you doing?’

“I’m setting the table for dinner, Alfred asked me to,” He explained.

‘Need help?’ Casandra signed.

“I’m just about done, although I think Alfred may be done with the food if you want to help us bring out the food,” Danny offered.

Cassandra nodded happily, ‘what is your name?’ She smiles.

“People have been calling me James for the time being.”

‘Nice to meet you!’ Cassandra signs before she grabs onto Danny’s arm and pulls him into the kitchen with her like a kid holding a balloon.

Alfred had just finished plating the pasta when he turned around and smiled at the sight, “Lady Cassandra, I see you have met Mister James.”

The girl smiled happily with an enthusiastic nod before reaching out to take the plate of noodles.

Alfred chuckled, “here you go, young lady,” he says, handing her the plate.

“Mister James, could you go and get Masters Bruce and Damian from the cave?” He asked, turning to pick up the plate of baked vegetables.

“Sure thing, Alfy,” he cheered before sinking down through the ground.

Alfred sighed, that was going to take some getting used to. But he smiled despite himself and followed Cassandra into the dinning room.

Danny sunk down the levels of dirt and soil into the cave, he took a moment to float with the bats around the cave before making his way invisibly to Bruce talking to Damian.

Bruce and Damian were engaged in a conversation, Danny was about to make himself known when he spotted Dick and Duke entering the cave. Duke just finished his day as Spoiler and Dick arrived for dinner. Bruce and Damian turn to look Dick and Duke, their faces as serious as ever.

“Hey, B, hey Dami, what are you doing in the cave so early?” Dick asked as he walked up behind the two.

Duke made his way over and leaned against the railing, “isn't it a little too early for you guys to be going out?”

Damian turns to face his brothers, “Richard, Thomas, we are talking about an unknown that had shown up recently that father had invited into our home without letting anyone know beforehand.” Damian deadpanned as he looked back at Bruce with a glare.

”Damian,” Bruce said, “he knew the code, which means he had to have learned it from the batcomputer.”

“How can you be so sure that he didn't just break in here and learned it?” Damian demands back.

Duke and Dick shared a look before looking back at their father figure and brother, “uh, who?” Duke asked with a lift of his brow.

Just before either could answer Danny touched down and turned visible again making the two new commeres jump. Damian stiffened at the sudden appearance, while Bruce let out a sigh. “Sorry to interrupt, Alfred asked me to come get you guys…” he says trailing off looking awkward.

Bruce looked from his boys to Danny, “boy’s this is James, alias Snowbat, he came back from the future to aid in a mission,” Bruce explains, “I have a report written to hand out after dinner.”

At the introduction Danny’s shoulders rose up to his ears, feeling everyone looking at him. Feeling the intensity of the people around him dick put on a smile, “well James, it's nice to meet you.” dick reaches out to shake Danny's hands. Danny looks at the man and smiles, grateful for the gesture.

“You a meta, too?” Duke asked, unable to resist the urge to ask questions.

Danny looked over Dick’s shoulder at Duke, “naw, this is a medical condition,” he states remembered the conversation he had with the family when he first showed off his ghost side as well as the impending conversation about Jason's resurrection.

Dick lifted a brow, “a medical condition?” He echoed.

“Yeah, I'm dead, I'm a ghost.” Danny explained, causing the room to go silent. Bruce let out another sigh. “Sorry, I made it awkward…” Danny mumbled, taking a step back. “I'm gonna go back up stares,” Danny says quickly before turning invisible and floating up and out of the cave, now having finished his mission of telling the people in the cave that dinner was ready.

Danny found himself back in the kitchen, Jason stood at the counter talking to Cassandra. Cassandra peeked past Jason and smiled and waved at danny.

Danny smiled despite himself, Jason turned and flinched at the sight of Danny but tried to play it off like he was unbothered. “Who are you supposed to be?” He asked as he turned to face danny.

Danny smiled, “Casper, the friendly ghost.” He comments.

Jason let out a snort, “yeah sounds about right. Alfie did say we were having another guest tonight…” Alfred says trailing off.

Danny was about to say something back when footsteps were heard from behind him, he looked and saw Stephanie there with a smile and Barbara rolling up behind her. “Yo! Who’s the new guy?” She asked, with a raised brow.

”apparently Casper.” Jason remarked, causing the blonde to cackle while Cass snickered behind jason.

”James,” Cass says before signing, ‘our, not, not new brother.’

Danny blushed green, “can't talk about it yet, Bruce says he has a report about it after dinner.” he explained.

Jason lifted a brow, unamused at the prospect of a new family member, “so how’d the old man find you?” He asked with a frustrated sigh.

“Technically he didn't, I found my way here and he offered me a place to stay until stuff gets figured out…” Danny says trailing off, he really isn’t looking forward to re-earning everyone’s trust.

“Give the abridged version,” Jason demands.

Danny tensed, swapping one tense atmosphere for another, Danny forces himself to recite the NATO code once more hoping for Alfred to come back soon.

Jason glares at him for a second before throwing his head back with a groan, all ready not wanting to deal with this situation. Barbara rolled past Stephanie and glared up at danny.

”future, huh?” She asked with a lift in her brow.

“Yeah, this has been the longest day since coming back in time,” Danny mutters, causing the red head to smile in sympathy, “almost as bad as when I realized I came so far back none of you know me yet…” Danny adds mindlessly, his brows furrowed with a slight downturn of his lips that everyone in the kitchen seems to notice.

Hesitantly Barbara reached out and touched Danny’s hand causing the ghost to jump, “it must be disorienting,”

Danny smiled, “yeah, but it's ok, when this is all over I’ll go home and hopefully everything will be ok.”

Alfred entered the room, “is everything alright in here?” He asked, noticing the stiff atmosphere.

Jason walked across the room towards the doorway that led to the dining room, “yeah, Casper here was just telling us about how he made his way to our time.” He explains as he walks past the butler to go take his seat.

Danny smiled gratefully at Jason as he walked out, he was not ready to talk about everything again so soon. After dinner, he will, right now, have a home cooked meal. Danny followed after Jason and entered into the dinning room but froze at the sight of Tim sitting at the table already, looking like he hardly slept since Danny sent him up stairs to go take a nap. Danny couldn't help but stare at him, he really wanted to hold him and force him to sleep. But he couldn't, not now, not like this.

Alfred looked between the two, things started to click into place in his mind and he couldn't help but give the ghost a sad look of understanding. Danny sighed and stepped out of the way of the door to make room for Barbara to wheel out. Barbara gave Danny an inquisitive look, she didn't have all the pieces yet she tried to piece them together the best she could.

Stephanie didn't bother to stop and question things, rather she ran past Danny and sat down next to Tim, giving the tiered teen a look, “why do you look so tired?” She asked, “You had the day off.”

Tim shrugged as he reached forward to grab the energy drink that he had brought down with him.

Danny took a breath before floating forward and ruffling Tim’s hair much the the exhausted teens confusion, “because someone doesn't know when to take a nap,” he answered Stephanie.

The blonde cackled at Tim, spluttering out his drink in shock at the sudden contact. Tim turned to look at Danny, froze as his head caught up with him, “wait you were real?” He asked with furrowed brows.

Danny couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry spark in his core, his smile faltering a bit. Danny was about to ask if Tim was ok when Tim slammed his hand on the table as if remembering something.

Tim points at Danny, “you still need to tell me what Ectoplasm is and how you made that ice!” He exclaimed.

Danny couldn't help but sigh, he did promise that after all.

”ectoplasm? Like ghost goo?” Stephanie asked.

Tim whipped his head back to look at Stephanie, “what?” He asked.

“Careful, you're gonna get dizzy.” Danny said to Tim without really thinking.

“Yeah, it's like made up stuff in ghost movies and junk.” Stephanie shrugged at Tim’s question, “like the stuff Slimer gooed all over Eddie Murphy!”

Tim glared at Stephanie then back at Danny, Jason sitting across from them leaned forward, “what about Eddie Murphy?” He asked.

“We're talking about how Slimer sneezes boogers all over Eddie Murphy,” Stephanie states.

”No,” tim says, “were talking about what ectoplasm is and why it is the unknown chemical in the ice we found the other day.”

Someone cleared their throat causing the four to look up, there Bruce stood with Damian, Duke, and Dick. “This is a conversation for after dinner.” He states as he walks further into the room to the head of the table. Jason glared up at Bruce but was quickly distracted by Dick pulling Jason into a hug.

Danny sighed and looked back at Tim, worried in his eyes; the teen looked just confused. Danny floats over the table as sits next to Cassandra who was patting the spot next to her. Danny gladly took it, if he sat next to Tim he felt like his head would explode.