Work Text:
Danny woke up somewhere that wasn’t the warehouse. He barely had any strength left, but he managed to look around. He was in what looked like a hospital room. He had only just started to panic when the door was flung open and Sam and Tucker rushed in.
“Danny!” they called together.
He smiled weakly. “Hey, guys.”
He grunted as they both wrapped their arms around him. “Can’t breathe.” he wheezed.
“Not like you need to.” Sam muttered, but they both eased off.
“It’s still nice to do.” Danny responded.
Sam scowled at him. “How dare you scare us like that. Daniel James Nightingale.”
Danny’s expression softened. “Sorry.”
“We’re just glad you’re alright Danny.” Tucker said, giving Sam a pointed look. She sighed, looking at the ground.
“Glad you’re not dead.”
“Well, deader at least.” Tucker said, smirking.
It was quiet for a moment, then Danny sighed, closing his eyes.
“How much do they know?”
“We told them you were liminal.” Sam said.
“Though we’re pretty sure the sad trenchcoat man and the bat furry don’t fully believe us.” Tucker said.
“It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to tell them anything, Danny.” Sam said.
Danny opened his eyes, glancing down at the bandages over his chest. “Do you know what he… what he carved into…”
Sam laid her hand over his. “It was a runic sequence. They sewed the wounds closed and bandaged you up, but we should probably still go see Frostbite. He used blood blossoms.”
“I know.”
They were quiet another moment.
“Maybe we should tell them.” Danny said. “They’re going to notice when my wounds don’t heal properly, and you both know that blood blossoms cause necrosis if not treated properly.”
They winced, and Tucker bit his lip while Sam scowled.
“This is your secret, Danny, whatever you decide we’ll be here for you.” Tucker said, and Sam nodded.
“Yes. And if they do anything wrong we’ve got plenty of blackmail material to keep them quiet. Tucker already hacked their systems, and I’ve got several ghosts on call.” Sam said.
Danny started to laugh before wincing in pain. “Yeah. I think we need to tell them something, before we go to Frostbite. I’m stable right now, but it would be best to get to the Far Frozen soon.” He paused. “What about the Anti-Ecto Act?” he whispered.
“They’re working on them.” Sam said.
“They are.” Tucker said. “I’ve been keeping track of their progress. They’ve got the GIW on hold for now, and it’s only a matter of time before they’re dissolved completely. There’s already drafts for laws that will go toward protecting ghosts. And…” Tucker glanced at Danny, “it would probably help if they had someone who could explain things better. Especially considering you’re going to be in charge one day.”
Danny rolled his eyes. “That’s a long time away. It’s not going to happen till I reach my natural death and then I’ll still have one hundred years to learn and train before taking the position.”
“We know. But you’ve still got connections that could help make the process of drafting the new laws easier. It would also help to establish relations early on.” Sam said.
Danny nodded reluctantly. “Alright, but we aren’t going to tell them about my status or anything.”
“Agreed.” Sam and Tucker said.
“Alright then,” Danny sighed again, “let the Bat in. I’m sure he’s the most curious.”
—
Batman walked into the room a half hour later.
“Hello, Mr. Nightingale. I am glad you appear to be recuperating.”
“Yeah. Thanks for helping out with my rescue.”
Batman inclined his head slightly.
“I assume you have questions.” Danny said not quite meeting Batman’s eyes.
“Yes.”
Danny sighed. “First of all, were you able to capture the cultist?”
“Yes. After you were rescued we were able to use a spell to locate where you had come from. Alfrus Bane is now in custody and the artifact he used has been locked up by Constantine.” Batman paused before continuing. “We are also making good progress on taking down the Anti-Ecto Acts. Rest assured the government will no longer be able to touch you… or anyone else who may be like you.”
Danny nodded. “Thank you.” He sighed. “My friends told you I was liminal, death touched.” Danny paused before deciding to just charge forward quickly. “That’s true but also not. I’m a bit more liminal than most. That’s why the artifact was able to control me. It happened once before and I was able to destroy that particular artifact. I would like this one to be destroyed as well. To keep others safe.”
“I will talk to Constantine about it, but I do not guarantee anything.”
Danny nodded. “Do you know of the Infinite Realms?”
“No.”
“It’s a place between dimensions, between realms. Imagine it like a sandwich. The bread is the dimensions and the stuff inside the sandwich is the Infinite Realms, except that the Realms connects all dimensions. There are creatures that live there, often called ghosts though not all of them are the consciousnesses of dead people.”
“And the GIW were after all the residents of this Realm?”
“Yes. You can see how the Acts could be catastrophic. If enough people from the Realms suffered at the hands of the GIW, they could have decided to attack.”
Batman stiffened. “I see. We shall make sure to dismantle the Acts and the GIW quickly and be sure they face the consequences for their actions. Is there someone… from the Realms who we could seek out to make amends with and possibly create a treaty?”
Danny suppressed a grimace. “There is. I can help get you in contact with them once I get better.”
Batman nodded. “Is there anything else you wish to tell me?”
Danny nodded. “There is, but I need to seek medical help first.”
“Is there anything else we can provide?”
“No.” Danny said, shaking his head. “The nature of my injuries means I need to seek help in the Infinite Realms. I will go there, and when I get better I can come back and explain things more thoroughly as well as get you in contact with someone from the Realms.”
“That would be greatly appreciated.” Batman inclined his head towards him. “I wish you a speedy recovery, Mr. Nightingale.”
“Thanks.”
“Contact me when you are better.”
“I will.”
Danny sighed as Batman left. That went okay, but he still wasn’t looking forward to having to explain things more. And he was dreading having to approach Batman as an ambassador or something of the Infinite Realms.
Oh well. He was free. He closed his eyes and let himself feel it for the first time since he woke up. He was free. Everything else could wait till he was better.