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Danyal felt like a fool. A novice. An imbecile. How he had managed to strand the two of them in some miniscule town in the middle-of-nowhere-Kansas was beyond him, and yet it was the reality they had found themselves in.
Danyal gripped his brother’s hand tighter as they approached the unassuming diner’s front door. Being greeted by the door’s bell above their matching heads of hair, Danyal led his younger twin towards the stools at the counter. He kept his eyes forward but knew without even having to look that Damian was discreetly scoping out their surroundings on the off chance one of the diner’s patrons was a trained killer like them.
They’d come so far, they just couldn’t get caught. Not yet.
Danyal let his eyes wander as well, playing up the part of an innocent child. The diner was rather clean, surprising him in the wake of his perception of most American small towns. The booths were spared from any rips or tears while the counter they sat at looked like it had recently been refinished. There was an old-timey jukebox near the entrance and the walls were covered in retro signs and photographs. All in all, if felt homey and welcoming, a safe space for any who resided within its walls.
Danyal and Damian needed a safe space more than anything else at that moment. Danyal just wished the feeling of safety could last.
“Well hello there, darlings! I haven’t seen y’all around town before. Visiting with family?”
Danyal was shocked from his wandering thoughts by the arrival of a young waitress standing on the other side of the counter. Damian’s eyes were still roaming the room slowly, proving to Danyal he’d already deemed the woman harmless and therefore not a threat. However, few people had ever been able to sneak up on Danyal in his lifetime thus far. In this case, he chose to blame his current moment’s ineptitude on the roiling shame keeping his mind thoroughly preoccupied.
“We’re not from around here,” Danyal spoke softly, gripping Damian's hand once more under the counter. “We’re just waiting for our parents to pick us up.”
In actuality, they were looking for a place to avoid the heat for a short respite. Perhaps even a cold glass of water or two. They’d been walking down dirt roads and past corn fields all day, leaving their feet sore, muscles aching, and hearts thoroughly disheartened. The outside world they’d spent years learning about in their lessons was nothing like the reality they’d found themselves in. It was Danyal’s fault, truly. He should have known better. He should have known they’d never be safe.
“Oh, okay.” It did not seem ‘okay’ based on the waitress’ tone, but before he could elaborate on the lie, the woman followed up with another question. “Any idea when they’ll be by for you kiddos?” The woman’s face had been bright and cheery when she’d first approached but it was becoming strained the more time she spent in the twins’ presence.
“No idea. They just told us where to meet. ‘Where’ being here.” Danyal was never one to fidget, his mind and body a temple that must always be under his full control. And yet, in the wake of this stranger’s questioning, he couldn’t help but begin to bounce his leg where it rested under his stool at the counter.
The waitress took a moment to let her gaze sweep over both brothers, clearly less than happy with whatever it was she found. “You kiddos got any money on ‘ya?”
Danyal dropped his eyes discreetly to the waitress’ apron, noting the handwritten name tag that read ‘Bethany’ in pink glitter pen. He squeezed Damian’s hand before releasing to clasp his own hands together atop the counter in front of him. Bethany’s expression grew concerned as she waited the extra second before Danyal finally shook his head ‘no’.
“Here,” Bethany said, grabbing two menus from under the counter before placing them in front of the twins. “Pick out whatever you’d like.”
Danyal’s eyes widened, unsure of what game Bethany was playing at. He knew how capitalism worked, he’d been a good student during his economics courses alongside Damian within the league. Everything cost something; there was no such thing as a free meal. He’d just told her they had no money, why would she say such a thing? To taunt them?
“But we don’t have–”
“It’s okay,” Bethany said, her eyes softening in understanding. She worked quickly to place two glasses of water in front of them before sliding the menus closer to the brothers. “It’s on the house. I can’t in good conscience have you boys waiting however long for your parents to come pick you up without something good in your bellies. Besides, you’re both looking a little pale. It’s a hot one out there today and I don’t need one of y’all passing out, alright?”
“Thank you,” Damian said, making the first move towards the menus on the counter.
Danyal followed his lead, shame burrowing ever further under his skin. Not only had he planned terribly for their escape, but he’d also failed to provide for his brother. His brother who had had such a promising future before Danyal stole him away from it. Before Grandfather had made his true feelings known. His brother who hadn’t wanted to leave in the first place.
“I’ll give you boys a moment to look over the menus. Whatever you’d like, just say the word.” Bethany winked before stepping out from behind the counter to check on an older woman in a booth a few paces away.
Once he was sure Bethany wasn’t going to change her mind, Danyal finally opened his menu. Together, the boys flipped through the pages silently as they read through the different options. Danyal didn’t recognize most of the foods listed within the menu’s pages, having only ever been exposed to the League’s usual delicacies of local cuisine. Sure, he’d heard of ‘pancakes’ and ‘burgers’ before, but what on earth was ‘country fried steak with hash’?
Before long, Bethany returned with a notepad and pen in hand. The twins gave her their orders, Danyal deciding to take the safest route and get a hamburger while Damian ordered a house salad and fries. Bethany took their order to the kitchen window with a promise that it’d be out shortly, finally leaving the two boys to converse on their own.
“I’m sorry,” Danyal whispered, dropping his gaze to the counter where his hands had found themselves clasped together once more.
“Don’t.”
Damian’s voice did not waver when ordering Danyal to not continue his train of thought, but the command was not enough to outweigh the guilt sitting heavily in Danyal’s stomach. Switching to Arabic and keeping his voice low, Danyal continued to push his brother’s patience.
“I should have planned better for the world outside the League. I should have packed better provisions. I should have just–”
“Danyal.”
Danyal whipped his gaze up to his brother’s eyes, hands shaking as Damian wrapped them in his own.
“You did what you had to. You protected us, and that is what matters most. We are in this together.”
Danyal could feel tears begin to surface at the corners of his eyes unbidden. Memories of the night they left swirled in ebullient fervor in Danyal’s mind, forcing his eyes back to the counter at which they sat. It all started when Grandfather invited him to his office after dinner. He told Danyal, with his tenth birthday close on the horizon, he thought he was ready for the next stage of his destiny. He was to be sent away to Gotham to complete his training under Father’s supervision.
When Danyal asked what of Damian, Grandfather simply told him he’d outlived his usefulness. Danyal was the stronger fighter, the wiser of the two heirs. Damian’s heart and empathy for other living creatures made him vulnerable. Danyal would never agree with such a sentiment though. He thought Damian’s heart made him stronger.
But, Grandfather’s word was law.
Damian was to be disposed of by Danyal's own hand.
That night, Danyal roused his brother from sleep, begging him to give up their birthrights and run. Damian had refused outright, clearly insulted by Danyal’s treasonous intentions. It was only after Danyal recounted his talk with Grandfather did Damian understand what would occur should Danyal leave for training. That night they left the only home and destiny they’d ever known. Their only concern was each other’s safety and wellbeing.
“Perhaps we should have tried to make our way towards Gotham and Father. He could provide safety and shelter for us.” Danyal breathed shakily. Trying to still his erratically beating heart, he nearly missed when Damian began gently swiping a thumb over the back of his clasped hands.
“We can’t,” Damian started, voice gentle and reassuring despite the gravity of his words. “If you were meant to finish your training with Father, that means he is in alliance with the League. If we are to fully evade the League, that means we must avoid him as well.”
The logic was sound. Truly, it was. Grandfather had wanted Danyal to endure his final stages of training under the Batman’s supervision, meaning he respects him more than most others in this world. With that in mind, it only made sense that the Batman, Bruce Wayne, Father, was on good terms with the League.
He would not be a safe haven for the twins.
“Then what are we meant to do?” Danyal bemoaned. He never wanted this life. He never wanted to be the heir to the Demon’s Head. He just wanted to live his life by his brother’s side.
“We stay together,” Damian answered, reading Danyal’s mind. He always seemed to know exactly what Danyal needed to hear. “We are strongest together.”
A concept Grandfather never understood.
Danyal took a deep breath, unfolding his hands on the counter and intertwining them properly with Damian’s. They fell into a tentative silence after that, basking in the presence of one another and the safety they knew they’d always find within each other.
Bethany returned shortly after to the counter with plates and silverware in hand. As soon as she stepped away to give the boys space to eat, Damian and Danyal did not hesitate to dig in. The memory of their last meal together days before left them ravenous in the wake of the fresh food in front of them. It wasn’t what Danyal was used to, but it was still far more delicious than he had been expecting. Then again, he was sure anything would have satiated his desperate need for sustenance as long as it was edible.
Just as Danyal was reaching across his brother’s lap to steal a french fry, the bell over the diner’s door chimed as a new patron entered the establishment. Danyal noted out of the corner of his eye that it was a tall, well built man with glasses. He looked normal enough, but his body language showed a demure countenance, which was odd considering how muscular he seemed to be under his business casual attire. His every step seemed far more mindful than the average person’s.
“Clark! Good to see you!” Bethany was quick to greet the man as he chose a booth near the door, walking swiftly over with a glass of water and a menu.
“It’s been a while, Bethany.” The man smiled, accepting the menu before setting it next to him on the table. “How’s your mom? I haven’t heard anything from Ma or Pa about her lately.”
“She’s doing a lot better, Clark. That doctor you recommended in Metropolis has worked miracles for her back.” Bethany smiled brightly, clasping her hands together in front of her chest in expressive gratitude. “Speaking of family, is Connor not with you this weekend?”
“He has a midterm he needs to study for so he decided to stay in the city instead of visiting Ma and Pa. I’m not sure if it’ll break their hearts or fill them with pride from how studious he’s trying to be lately.” The man, Clark, chuckled exasperatedly.
“I’m glad it sounds like he’s settling in a bit more. I’ll give you time to look over the menu though. Just wave me over whenever you’re ready.” Bethany smiled softly before walking towards the counter once more.
Danyal was quick to divert his attention entirely to the burger in front of him. Bethany approached the boys soon after with a pitcher of water, refilling their glasses and asking if they needed any more napkins. Damian thanked her on their behalf, assuring her they were doing fine. Danyal was endlessly grateful for his brother, thankful he didn’t need to rush through his chewing so he could answer the waitress’ question.
Danyal continued to listen in as Bethany returned to the booth by the door a minute later to take Clark’s order. Their chatter remained mundane–if not entirely tedious in his own opinion–but just before Bethany could take his order to the kitchen window, Clark lowered his voice as their topic of conversation shifted.
Danyal had difficulty making out every word but it was clear from the few bits he did manage to catch that Clark was asking about him and Damian. Danyal tensed immediately, ready to grab his brother’s arm at a moment’s notice and bolt for the door. He strained his hearing to try and catch more of their conversation but it was no use. Bethany’s response had been just as softly spoken, leaving Danyal to wonder what her response could have been.
Just as he felt his leg begin to bounce once more, he felt Damian slide a hand over, resting it lightly on his knee. Damian looked at him from the corner of his eye, the tiniest shake of his head from side to side calming Danyal instantly. If Damian wasn’t worried, Danyal wouldn’t be worried. He trusted his brother’s judgment implicitly.
Only seconds later, Bethany stepped away from Clark’s table and towards the kitchen window to put his order in. By then, Danyal and Damian had finished their meals and were just drinking the last of their waters when Bethany came over to check on them again.
“You boys all finished over here?” She asked, gesturing to take their plates.
“Yes, thank you,” Danyal replied, pushing his plate forward so it would be easier for her to grab.
“It was no trouble at all, kiddo. Any word from your folks by chance?” Bethany had stacked their two plates and glasses like a pro in one hand, leaning her hip against the counter nonchalantly. However, Danyal knew she was putting on a false calm front based on the tension between her eyebrows and her finger tapping her elbow where her empty hand clutched her opposite arm.
Perhaps it was time for them to leave. Clearly, they had overstayed their welcome. They were meant to lay low, avoid creating connections with others who could easily remember them and become liabilities should the League find itself close on their heels. They’d been so blinded by exhaustion and hunger though that their reasoning had clearly been clouded in their minds. Danyal had messed up yet again. They needed to get out of there.
“No,” Damian said, unknowingly going against every thought that had just invaded Danyal’s mind in a flurry.
In a moment of blinded panic, Danyal quickly followed up Damian’s response with: “But they should be here soon!”
Damian turned to him at his words, his eyes widening a fraction of the way in response to the slight tremble in his voice. Danyal was embarrassed by it himself, but was far too tired from everything else going on in his mind to let himself linger on the thought for long.
“Oh good,” Bethany said, shifting to lean her other hip against the counter to face the front of the dinner. “You boys see that gentleman in the booth right there?”
Danyal and Damian swiveled on their stools fully to face the man from before. Clark looked up at that moment, almost as if he’d timed it with Bethany ahead of time or had been listening in to their conversation. Clark gave them a small smile and a wave of his right hand, but no other indicator that he knew what they were discussing up at the counter.
“His name’s Clark Kent, an absolute darling of a man. My shift is about to end which means I can’t make sure you boys get picked up safe and sound, so my friend Clark offered to keep you boys company until your parents come by. Is that okay with you two?”
Danyal turned to look at Damian. Damian looked back just as scrupulously, looking to Danyal for him to indicate what he thought of the situation. Warning bells were blaring in Danyal’s mind, but it wasn’t like he could go back on the story they’d already been telling. He could just grab Damian’s hand and run right out that door at a moment’s notice, but the last thing they needed was to cause local concern and wind up with whatever sheriff or county officer trying to track them down as ‘missing’, alongside the League.
No, they’d already dug their grave, they may as well lay in it. Perhaps if they went and sat down with Mr. Kent, they could sneak away when he was distracted or ready to leave himself. They’d find a different out that would at least give them a head start ahead of the local authorities.
Turning his head back towards Bethany, Danyal nodded his head. “That would be fine. We’re sorry to worry you, miss.”
“You go right ahead and hush now, sweetie. No need to apologize for anything. Let me just grab Clark’s food then I’ll introduce you boys.” Bethany winked before whisking away their dirty dishes and heading into the kitchen.
“Danyal?” Damian whispered, reaching out a hand to hold tight to the well worn hoodie that hung loosely from his frame.
They’d been lucky to stumble upon a thrift store’s dumpster a few towns back, making it much easier for them to now blend into the crowds around them. The clothes weren’t in the best shape and definitely needed more washing than the trough bath they’d been able to give them on someone’s farm outside the stables, but they’d do the trick until they could find something more reliable.
Danyal simply shook his head ‘no’, trusting Damian to not push the matter. He didn’t know how long it would be before Bethany returned to lead them over to the man by the door, but he didn’t want to risk her overhearing anything Damian may have to say. He just hoped Damian would understand and drop it. He hoped his brother was still willing to trust him.
Mercifully, Damian did drop it, literally and figuratively. Not only did he not try to stress whatever point he’d hoped to make before Bethany’s return, but he also released Danyal’s sweatshirt. Danyal instantly missed the direct contact from his brother, but was in no place to demand his affection after everything he’d put them through. He would honestly be lucky if his brother did not simply abandon him after failing again and again to protect him as his older twin.
“You boys can follow me.”
Danyal was once again startled from his thoughts by Bethany’s appearance on the other side of the counter. He really needed to get his wandering mind back under control if he wanted any hope of getting him and his brother out of this with as little conflict as possible.
After a moment of neither boy standing to follow her, Bethany followed up with: “It’s okay, Clark’s never been one to bite.” She winked with a small laugh before making her way to Clark’s table.
Damian was the first to stand, reaching his hand towards Danyal and turning his eyes to him expectantly. Danyal’s mind was instantly put at ease, his hand slipping effortlessly into his brother’s hold as they approached the table together. They were one unit, one front. They could do anything as long as they were together.
“Hi,” Danyal said as they stepped up to the table next to Bethany.
Bethany placed a plate of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage in front of Clark before taking a step to the side to open the twins’ line of sight. “Boys, this is Clark Kent, one of the kindest, most trustworthy men I know. He’ll keep a close eye on you until your parents get here.”
“It’s nice to meet you, uh…” Clark looked expectantly between the twins, clearly looking for something.
Thankfully, Damian figured it out before Danyal could even think to work through the social puzzle laid before him. “My name is Damian, and this is my brother, Danny.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Please, have a seat.” Clark gestured to the booth across from him, a warm smile plastered to his cheeks like it was the only expression his face had ever known.
“I’ll leave y’all too it,” Bethany said as the twins filed into the booth. “Feel free to let me know if there’s anything else you need.” And with that, Bethany left the twins in the company of a man they’d never met.
“So,” Clark started, picking up a fork and knife after drenching his plate in syrup. “Did you boys get enough to eat earlier?” He looked up as he chewed his first bite, slowly turning his open gaze to Damian then Danyal.
“Yes,” Danyal replied, reaching out under the table to grab hold of Damian’s hand out of sight.
Damian gave his hand a gentle squeeze before tilting his head towards the bag next to Clark on his booth’s bench. “What’s that?”
“Oh! I work as a journalist in Metropolis. Sometimes I can’t help but bring work home with me when I visit my parents. Have either of you been before?” Clark continued to eat his breakfast slowly, as if trying to take pressure off the boys from needing to stay too engaged in the shared company.
“No,” Damian answered, keeping his eyes fixed to the well worn briefcase on the padded bench in curiosity. “This is our first time away from home.”
Danyal looked at Damian in surprise. Why was he trusting this man with not only their names but sensitive information such as their home lives? Were they not supposed to avoid leaving a trail?
“This must be quite the unusual circumstance for you boys, then,” Clark said, his eyebrows pinching ever so slightly at Damian's words. Damian squeezed Danyal’s hand once more before scooting the tiniest bit closer to him on the bench.
“It is,” Danyal responded, welcoming his brother’s company and trying to assure him through nothing but his thoughts that they would be okay. “We’re not really used to talking to strangers, either.”
“I completely understand. Before graduating High School, I’d never left town before. I went from growing up around people I’d known my entire life to living in a big city full of people I would never know the names of. It can be scary.” Clark paused to take a sip from his water before continuing with his words carefully. “I take it being left alone is new to you two as well?”
Neither Danyal nor Damian deigned to confirm how true his words were. Thankfully, Clark didn’t push. A slightly strained silence fell over the table as Clark continued to eat his breakfast, giving the boys any space they deemed necessary.
Danyal took the silence as an opportunity to take a closer look at the man. His hands were large and well worn, like he was used to hard work and helping others. That last part was more speculation than anything, but what little he’d heard from Bethany and Clark seemed to feed into that idea of Clark’s personality. It was then that Danyal remembered something he’d briefly overheard when Clark had first arrived at the diner.
“Do you have any other family?” Danyal asked, tilting his head to the side in curiosity. He’d heard Clark mention a son earlier, and he figured asking questions for Clark to answer was a much better tactic to take the spotlight off him and his brother than letting them all sit in awkward silence until someone burst.
“I do,” Clark smiled, his gaze peering into the distance past the twins in front of him. He was clearly a very caring man. Danyal wished they’d known such caring adults in their childhood. “I have a son, Connor. He’s only a bit older than you boys, I think. I also have a boyfriend. He has his own children as well, so it’s like we’re all one big family.” Clark looked down at his breakfast as he spoke the last part, a gentle grin painted across his features as if it were a permanent fixture.
What would it be like to be raised in a family? A real one, at least. Not raised to cause pain and destruction but to bring those around them smiles like that? What would it be like to have someone care about them like Clark cared about his family? Danyal knew considering such questions was pointless though; that just wasn’t a life they’d been raised for. Although, hadn’t that been the reason they left the League in the first place? To be safe with each other and to be safe away from the broken family they’d only ever known?
“That sounds nice,” Damian said reverently. When Danyal finally turned his head to look at his brother, he found his eyes shining and glossy, his mind clearly somewhere kinder. Had he been considering the same reality Danyal had?
Was that even something they could ever have?
“It is,” Clark said, continuing to pick away at the pancakes on his plate. “My son, Connor, didn’t have the best upbringing before he came to live with me, but I’m thankful I’ve been able to give him a kinder home. I feel lucky everyday when he tells me he feels safe with me. He’s a good kid, he just needed someone to believe in him.”
Just then, Clark’s phone began to ring on the table where it lay. Danyal looked down at the screen where it rested next to Clark’s hand, but was only able to catch the contact name ‘🖤🦇Boo Bear🦇🖤’ on the screen before Clark was lifting the phone to his face and accepting the call.
“I’ll be right back, boys.” Clark held one finger up in their direction to show them he’d be back shortly, before standing and stepping away from the table towards the bathrooms on the other side of the diner.
This was it. This was their chance. Danyal could grab Damian and they could bolt right out that door only 10 feet away. They’d be halfway out of town before Clark would even be back to the table. Danyal grabbed Damian’s hand and began to stand before being pulled right back down into the booth by his brother.
“Damian?” Danyal questioned, incredulous. What on earth was he doing?
“I don’t want to spend our whole lives running. As long as I am with you, we will be safe. But… perhaps we may need more than just each other to stay safe forever.”
“Damian, I don’t understand.” Danyal looked deep into Damian’s eyes, searching for answers he didn’t yet understand and would most likely still confuse him should he find them.
“Clark. He said he saved his son. He could save us too.”
Oh.
Oh…
“But I can protect us. I can keep you safe. I promise, just trust me–”
“No, Danyal.”
Danyal’s cheeks felt wet. His leg was shaking and his cheeks were getting wetter and wetter and he didn’t understand what else Damian could mean by that other than Danyal had failed. Danyal had failed as the older brother to keep Damian safe and Damian was prepared to find someone better at keeping him safe. That had to be it.
Right?
Damian reached his hands up and began wiping the wet from Danyal’s cheeks, but just as he’d wiped them dry they would be wet once more only seconds after.
“You have done so much already, Danny. You cannot possibly do everything. You did not fail me, I promise. But we both deserve to live without fear, do we not? Not just me, but you as well. I want that for both of us.”
Oh.
“Sorry about that, boys. I wasn’t expecting to hear from him today– oh my goodness, are you alright?” Clark had returned to the table from his phone call. They’d missed their opportunity to leave. He was kneeling on the floor in front of Danyal at the end of the bench, blocking their only exit. The tears filling Danyal’s eyes made his vision blurry but he could still make out the blatant worry and concern marring the man’s kind face.
“Hey, shh, it’s okay. I know it’s scary not knowing what’s going on, but everything’s going to be alright. I promise.” Clark looked so kind in his concern. Like he actually cared about two random kids he’d met less than half an hour before then.
Could Damian be right? Could Clark actually keep them safe? Did Danyal deserve to feel safe alongside his brother?
Danyal looked back to Damian, searching and begging with his eyes to know if what Damian had suggested was truly their best chance at a normal life. They hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the League since leaving. Staying could be feasible. Damian looked back at him assuredly. He looked certain. Perhaps… it was time to rely on his brother’s judgment.
Danyal turned back to Clark then took a deep, steadying breath. “We have no family. No one is coming for us.”
“I see,” Clark said, his face remaining calm. He took only a moment to think before answering. “Then would you both like to come home with me for now? Until we can figure things out at least.”
Damian reached down to hold Danyal’s hand. Both boys nodded, Danyal’s nod quickly followed by more tears cascading down his cheeks.
“Okay,” Clark said, a smile spreading reassuringly across his face as he gazed up at the twins.
Danyal didn’t know for sure if they would be okay, but at least they would still have each other. And perhaps, Clark would be there too.