Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Danny was over the moon. He had from a close source (Star) that Sam was going to propose soon. Ever since high school, before they were even dating, Sam had this thing about wanting to be the one to propose. As a stick it to the man sort of way. He was more than happy to let her have that. He had been willing to marry her since his senior year of high school. Now they were in their senior year of college. She was planning on going into law school, the plan to get justice for those who couldn’t afford it.

He was more than happy to be the provider while she did so, he was even willing to relocate for her. He would be willing to do a lot of things for her. He smiled at the ring he had as well. A silver band that had a black sapphire with smaller diamonds surrounding it. He was going to leave the proposal to her, but he wanted her to know that he also was committed enough for a ring.

She has been there for him nearly every step of the way. From when he died, to when he became Prince of the Ghost Zone to actually making to it high school graduation. From telling his parents and their surprisingly positive reaction. While he had also wanted to move in together, she had always said no. Hopefully, when they relocated to whichever state the law school was in, they would finally be able to live together.

He sighed contently as he saw her standing outside of the restaurant. He tucked the ring into his suit pocket and waved. “Sam!” He smiled wide at her as she gave him a nervous smile back. He wondered for a moment if she thought that he might say no. He supposed that it was normal for that, even if there was no way he would.

“Danny, you look great. Always good to see you in black, a proper black.”

He snorted, gesturing to her gothic dress that she styled to have a more modern look to it. Her hair was pulled up into a braided bun and her makeup was slightly heavier and her heels made her taller than him, but he didn’t care. “You look amazing as always.” He offers her his arm. “Shall we head in then?”

Her nervous energy faded as they talked, which he is glad for. He fiddled with his own ring box, wondering what she had planned. When she turns to face him after denying dessert, he makes sure he gives her his full attention.

“Well, from the look you are giving me, I think what I am about to say next isn’t a surprise which thank god.” She takes a deep breath, and he can feel his heart rate quicken. “We have known each other for years and have always said that we would give the dating thing a go to see if it was right for us. It has been great, but I need something more than just staying near Amity Park my whole life. Something more than being near and connecting to the place I grew up. Danny. You are fantastic and hell, a prince, but from what Clockwork said, you are going to stop aging once you become King. I know it’s my fault that you are a halfa, if I hadn’t pressured you into going in the portal- “

“Don’t. We both know that it was my choice. I could have said no or worse, made you go in.” He reaches his hand across the table to hold hers, but frowns when she jerks her hand away. Something uncomfortable stirs in his guts as she sighs, looking away. Something was wrong, the romantic mood was gone, replaced with worry for her. “Sam? Are you feeling okay?”

“You are making this hard.”

His eyebrows knit together as he pulls his hand back. “What are you talking about.”

“Danny, we- I am breaking up with you.”

Danny stops, the hand on the ring box freezing. He stares at her in shock, and she takes that as a spur to continue.

“You are kind, but you are stagnant. You don’t have any drive to change, if I didn’t have a plan to go to higher education, you would be content to live in Amity forever. We said we would give the dating thing a go and we did, but I need to focus on the future, something you can’t do. You live in the moment too much, that is also why you are Prince and not King. I am sure you will bring happiness to someone else, but someone who is willing for less in life.” With that, she stands to leave.

He moves, stopping her. He blocks her way, his eyes desperate. “Sam, please, wait. We can talk this through. I clearly read the room wrong, I thought you were proposing tonight.” He pulls out his little black box, setting it on the table. He sees her eyes go wide. “Which, I was clearly wrong about. But this is out of left field, please let me explain- “

“No.”

“What?”

“You don’t get to explain why you are pathetic! You have had four years to at least say you wanted more to life than me!”

“I know better than to hope for something more. You are one of the best things in my life, I didn’t need anything else!”

“That is the problem! I should not be the only thing good in your life! Plus, my parents don’t approve.”

“Since when have you cared about what they think?”

“If you had been paying attention to what was going on outside of your own little world, you would know. I asked them and they showed me how little drive you have. You aren’t serious about life!”

“Kinda hard to be serious about life when I know I already have one foot in the grave, but I am seriously in love with you!” He reaches to grab her arm, and she shoves past him.

“Goodbye Daniel.”

She makes her way out, leaving him staring in the direction that she left. He sits down in her seat, glancing over at the box. He picks it up and opens it. The way the sapphire caught the light made his heart ache. He wondered how jewelers felt when customers returned rings. He sat there for longer than he should have, not really feeling anything but pain. He pays for their food and makes his way back to his apartment.

It was true that he didn’t really do anything else but school, ghosts and hanging out with Sam and Tuck, but she should understand! He has had too much excitement in his life to literally last a lifetime. He changes out of his suit, not bothering to hang it up nicely, he doubts he will ever wear it again. He slumps on the floor of his bathroom, trying to use the coolness of the tile to sooth his aching heart. He is torn from his thoughts as Tuckers ringtone starts. He answers, putting Tuck on speaker so he can stay in his position on the floor.

“Hey dude! How did it go? I tried calling Sam, but she didn’t answer me, so I assume you two went back to your place!”

“She broke up with me Tuck.”

Silence rings for a few seconds while Tucker takes in the news. “Why?”

“Her parents don’t approve, and I am not serious enough.”

“That is bullshit. Since when has she cared about what they think? Plus, you are plenty serious, you are literally a ghost prince, does she think you can be stupid with a job like that?”

“She also said I didn’t care about anything else other than her.”

“Which is also false. Dude, I am so sorry. I will have to give her a piece of my mind when I see her next.”

“She is probably already gone. She wanted to move sooner than later, and I am sure now that her last tie to Amity Park is gone, she is also gone.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Thanks for checking in, but I am just going to bed. I will talk to you later, okay?”

“If you need anything dude, reach out.”

Danny hangs up and wipes his tears. He needed to get his anger out and what was better than fighting a couple of his subjects. He lets his transformation wash over him as he floats through the floor.

After sharing blows with Ember, she had forced him to spill why the normally chill and violent allergic Phantom suddenly needed to go a couple rounds. He placed his head in his hands as he recounted his last week to her. She cringes when he tells her about how Sam broke it off with him. She pats his shoulder before speaking up.

“You know, the Danny that I know wouldn’t give up so easily. So, she is serious about law school, and you are serious about her. Just follow her and prove that you can be driven.”

“But I don’t want to study for law.”

“Then get into another major, but if you are at least on the same campus and base classes then. You can prove that one, you can get into an Ivy league, and don’t you dare say you can’t. The only reason you didn’t do well in High School was because of us. Second, you can show her how hot it is to be in higher education.”

“Ember, I don’t know. If I am not studying law, then how am I going to interact with her. She will just ignore me…” He tapers off before his eyes light up. “Wait! Just because I don’t want to be a lawyer doesn’t mean I can’t study it! I can use it in the zone instead of my human life, plus once I win her back, we will have more to talk about.” He stands and hugs Ember tightly. “Thank you for the talk and the fight Ember.”

“No prob baby pop, just let me DJ your wedding and we’ll call it even.”

Danny laughs, shaking his head before waving and flying off. When he gets home, he set to work. How hard can getting into an Ivy League be?

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Tim smiled as he entered the classroom. He looked over the students sitting there. So many of them are bright and bushy tailed. Oh, Callahan was going to break that out of them very quickly. He did spot a couple of students that did look like they had gotten that happy look out of them, it was always the older kids. He noted that 2 students in particular seemed more on edge. A goth woman in all black who was glaring at a short handsome man wearing a NASA t-shirt. He seemed the most relaxed out of everyone and was looking at Tim as if he was a puzzle to solve.

“Welcome to the first day of class! I know how hard you have all worked to be here, believe it or not, I was in your shoes about two years ago. Now, I am sure that you have all heard the rumors of how tough Callahan is, that he will watch you sink and not offer a hand. However, the real thing you need to know is- “

“You have the right to remain silent, everything you say or do, will be used against you.” Callahan swept into the room, sending a glare to all the new students. “Now when you choose a law as a career, many will say you are a shark. That is a simple way of putting it, but only about a quarter of you will become sharks, the rest will flounder. And I say that as an owner of a very successful law firm, I have been a teacher here for over ten years. I have seen many hopefuls walk through these classroom doors, but just a fraction graduate.” His gaze settles on the man with the t-shirt and sneers slightly. “Law is hard and only those with a real drive will flourish in it. If you think that this is not for you, leave now.” He pauses and no one moves. “Good, now let us get started.”

Just like most of Callahan’s first classes, he went hard, especially on those that didn’t impress him right away. Tim noticed that he was specifically picking on the man with the NASA t-shirt. However, the man was quick with his answers and Tim could see how impressed Callahan was. By the time class had ended, the dark-haired man was looking quite proud of himself. Tim bee-lined for the man, holding his hand out.

“It takes a lot to impress Callahan, especially the first day of class. I’m Tim.”

The man takes it, and Tim can see just how handsome the man is. Windswept dark hair that looked like it had some white coming in. Bright blue eyes that seemed to see into his soul. Now that he was closer, the man was lean, but there was some serious muscle there.

“I’m Danny. Had to make sure he liked me. I have been on the rough end of the stick with teachers disliking me, wanted to make a good impression,” He takes his hand back “Are you still in school or just his assistant?”

“Just his assistant as well as working to get a higher position in his firm. We all have to start at the bottom, don’t we?”

“That is the circle of life…” He cranes his neck before giving Tim a small smile. “I’m sure we will talk later, but I have to talk with someone. Nice meeting you!”

Tim watches as he takes off in the direction of the goth woman. Danny, huh? Maybe this year won’t be so bad after all.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

“Sam! Hey, wait up!” Danny ran up to her, ignoring the girl next to her. He grinned brightly at her. Oh, how he had missed her face and that glare, oh so cold. “Are you free at the moment? We should grab coffee to catch up!”

Sam hardened her glare. “No, Danny. Why the hell did you follow me here?”

“We just happened to be heading in the same direction-“

“You know I meant to school! I don’t know who you bribed, or God forbid had a ghost overshadow to be on the list, but you need to leave. Only those who got in the correct way should be here. I’ve seen your past grades; you didn’t have the credits or skill to be here.” She sharply turns away from him, grabbing the girl next to her hand.

Danny ignores the dig and grabs her other wrist to stop her. She rips her arm back, full on gritting her teeth and almost hissing.

“We are DONE Daniel! Stop trying to talk to me, stop trying to see me. I have moved on!” She glances over at the blonde girl next to her. “This is Vivian, my girlfriend. Please leave me alone or I will have to get a restraining order on you.” With that, she pulls Vivian after her.

Danny stares at their backs, a numb feeling coming over him. Sam… She had moved past their almost seven-year relationship in less than four months. It’s true that he had gotten the feeling that she had moved on before she broke up with him, but still. He checked the time; he didn’t have class until the afternoon. He spins and stalks towards his dorm. If he couldn’t win Sam back by impressing her with his smarts, he would get revenge by being better than her in every class they shared. He would prove to her that he was serious, one way or another.

Chapter Text

At first, it was easy to fly underneath the radar. Danny started to keep his grades in the middle of the pack. Not enough to have Callahan and other teachers dislike him or push him to try harder or expect him to be the best at everything. He did keep watching Sam, curious at her sudden change.

Her girlfriend, Vivian, seemed like a cool person. However, Sam must have been feeding the same lies to her as she had accused him of, since Vivan seemed to have a very strong dislike for him.

He was able to keep a low profile for about a month until a certain man got in his way. Tim Drake-Wayne. While Tim was known to keep distance from his family, it was well known enough that he insisted that his father pay others tuition while Tim earned his own.

It started small, with simple hello and goodbyes every class. Tim seemed to light up whenever Danny even looked his direction. Danny was getting sick of it, not sure what the man wanted from him. After class mid-October Danny cornered him.

“Hey, it’s Tim, right?” Danny didn’t know how to read the other mans face, but it might have been glee. “We met the first day of class but haven’t talked since.”

“That’s me! And let me say that I have been trying to talk to you, you are just an elusive one.”

Danny always booked it out of class and Tim didn’t share any time else with him. Danny didn’t participate in other social circles, so he wasn’t aware if Tim was social or not. “Can’t pass the classes without putting the work into them. I’ve noticed your interest, what are you after?”

“I just want to be your friend, but I am not that great at starting the conversation when the one I want to talk to is always gone the moment I look for him.”

“Sure. And let’s say I believe you, what would you gain from it?”

Tim tilts his head to the side. “Gain? Your friendship, which from what I have just observed from afar is not freely given and I would like that honor of it.”

Danny narrowed his eyes for a moment before he stepped back, giving Tim an opening to leave if he wanted to. “Okay, why not? We can talk over coffee. You can show me your favorite spot.”

Tim smiled widely “With pleasure,” he said as he led the way out of the building.

Danny had to take a moment to stare after the man. That smile had disarmed him for a moment. He shook his head and followed. He didn’t have time to get giddy over a friend.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Tim felt pride blooming in his chest as Callahan praised Danny for his top score on the test. Danny was blushing from embarrassment but looked proud. As the class ended, Tim beelined for him “Pretty impressive to get called out like that. Want to join me for some coffee in celebration?”

Danny shrugged, hoisting his bag onto his shoulder. “Sure, anything to get me out of this classroom and the stares.”

Tim laughed, leading them out. He and Danny have been hanging out more since Danny cornered him a couple weeks ago. Most of it was crashing Danny’s study sessions in his dorm and then dragging the man out for a coffee break. Danny made him visit different shops across both campus and surrounding area. He was brought from his reminiscing as someone shouldered Danny hard enough to make him stumble. Tim glared at the girl. Sam Mason, she had grades that you couldn’t sneeze at, but she had a terrible personality. Danny had mentioned she was part of the reason he tried to leave class as soon as it ended, but didn’t really go further into it.

“Oh, sorry, should’ve watched where I was going”

Tim stared as Danny apologized for being run into. Mason just scoffed in his direction and kept walking. “That was clearly her fault, why did you apologize?” Tim asked

Danny sighed as they turned into the small café that they both liked. “I’m learning to pick my battles.”

He didn’t elaborate and Tim let it go. He insisted they sit outside, the weather was cold, but Danny looked great in his deep blue cardigan that he was sure the man would have taken off in the warm indoors. Danny rubbed his shoulder and Tim leaned forward.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just was a harder bump than I had anticipated is all.”

Tim frowned, reaching his hand across the table and opened his mouth to speak before a voice full of venom interrupted him.

“Wow, getting cozy there aren’t we, Daniel? Is this how you plan to keep your cheating under wraps?”

Both men looked up and Samantha and Vivian were standing hand in hand. Vivian seemed slightly uncomfortable, but Samantha sneered down at them. “I thought better of you Timothy, thought you wouldn’t lower your standards and help someone cheat. Does Callahan know you are getting cozy with a student?”

Tim stared at her in shock, pulling his arm back and starting to stand. However, a cold hand gripped his wrist to stop him. Danny wasn’t looking at him, but his grip was firm. He glared at Samantha. “Sam. Do not speak of what you know isn’t true. I am able to have friends that aren’t Tucker and people who I am not romantically interested in.”

(Tim tried hard to ignore the pang in his chest at the slight friendzone that Danny had just put him in.)

“You keep harping on me cheating, but you have no proof because I am not cheating.”

Tim felt a chill run up his spine and watched as both girls shuddered.

“If you would just own up to it, then I would stop bothering you about it!” Samantha defended before towering over Danny. “I know you! I know that you aren’t good enough to get anyone’s praise, much less Callahan’s! You don’t belong here Daniel, so just do us all a favor and withdrawal.” She growls out before turning away. Tim frowned as she stormed away and sent Danny a side-along glance. “What the hell was that about?”

Danny shrugged. “She has got it into her head that since I had middle grades at my last school that there is no way a ‘mediocre’ man like me could’ve gotten into Harvard without bribing or cheating my way in,” He spoke in a bored tone as he returned to his coffee.

“You seem to know each other pretty well, was she a past friend?”

Danny sighed deeply, taking a moment before he spoke “She is my ex, broke it off after seven years and it seems almost immediately started dating someone else. I was hurt at first, but when she first accused me of not using my own merits to get in… Well let’s just say that the more she accuses me, the more my love has fizzled. Honestly, I am glad she broke it off. She isn’t who I thought she was.”

Despite his tone, Tim could tell that Danny felt betrayed by this girl. He didn’t know a lot about Danny, something he was trying to fix. She was a fool to have let him go, but Tim couldn’t help but feel grateful for her. Without her mistake, he would have never had the chance with the man. He knew he had a crush on Danny, but from watching the interaction and what Danny had just told him… Tim would be better off keeping the crush to himself.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Danny had gotten too comfortable. Tim was a great friend; he was doing well in class and Sam seemed to be avoiding him. It all came to a head in February when Sam crossed his path and forced him to stop in his tracks.

“This needs to stop.”

Danny sighs, glancing back at Tim then back toward her. Her arms were crossed, and she was glaring at him. He motioned for Tim to keep walking. “I think this take a while, save our usual seat, okay?”

“Let me know if you need back up,” He sends an equal glare to Sam before leaving the two of them.

Danny moves to a more secluded part of the outside campus and raises an eyebrow. “What is it this time? Of the many things you have had to complain about the past couple of months. I thought you had finally got it through your head that I haven’t done anything.”

“You are so petty Daniel, you blocked my access to the Zone, just so you can keep up this charade.”

Danny raised a single eyebrow. “Again, with the cheating idea. Isn’t it starting to sound old to you? Why were you trying to go to the Zone anyway?”

“That is my own business. I tried to use the Fenton travel portal and the one time it worked; all the ghosts were nasty to me. The rest of the time it didn’t work. I know you are doing something about it. I have as much privilege to the Zone as you do, it’s not fair!”

He can’t help it; he burst into laughter. He held his sides and wiped his eyes. “You think, you really think that you have the right to exploring and being in the Zone? Especially how you treated me? To add to that, you aren’t dead Sam.”

“But I was there for every adventure- “

“That doesn’t matter. You were there because I let you in, because I wanted you to be there. The moment that you made it clear that you didn’t want to do anything with me, I took that away. If you had wanted to salvage our friendship, I wouldn’t have taken that away- “

He is cut off as she slaps him across the face, her own expression murderous. “You do not have the RIGHT! You are not the King, just a Prince!”

He takes deep breaths, raising his hand to his stinging cheek. He needed to calm down his anger. “This is the third time you have brought that up. What is the reason you think I haven’t become King yet?”

“Because the Zone knows they don’t want a cheating scum like you! You aren’t worth the crown,” She grinded out in anger. “The moment you overshadowed to get into the school and have been cheating to stay at the top of the class. I know you aren’t this smart, in high school you had an excuse, but you never had as good grades all through college. You are cheating and I don’t have proof yet, but once I do, it’s over. It will all come crashing down on you. And I cannot wait for that, you monster.” Her smirk faded as she realized how cold it was.

Danny was breathing deeply, but his eyes were glowing as he glared at her. “I am glad you broke up with me,” He didn’t realize how true his words were until he stated them. “I cannot believe how much you have changed. Let me remind you of the last time I cheated, Dan came to destroy the world. You would be dead if Clockwork wasn’t able to fix the timeline. I do not even let the thought of cheating cross my mind,” He stepped closer, towering over her. “You want to know why I am not King yet? I am one of the most powerful ghosts in the zone, that is not me being egotistical. That is just the truth. Once I become King, no one, and I mean no being, will be able to overpower me. I am worried that if I lose control, there will not be a timeline that Clockwork can save,” He steps away, trying to gather himself. “I am not King yet, not because the Zone or my people don’t want me. I do not believe that I am ready. I will not be silent if you accuse me of cheating again Samantha. Please leave me alone.”

With that, he leaves her standing there in shock. He should have ended things with her that way sooner.

When he enters the café, Tim stands from their corner, his eyes lingering no doubt on the face print Sam left on his cheek. He hands Danny his coffee as they both sit down. Danny drinks deeply before letting out a long sigh. “I think I finally got through her head. She was angry since I removed her access to one of my parent’s cooler vacation spots and she thought that she could still have access to it.”

“Really?” Tim asked in disgust. “After everything she has done to you behind the scenes, she expected that she could still have the benefits?”

Danny shrugs, nursing his coffee. “She is digging her own grave at this point. I am just going to sit on the sidelines and watch her crash and burn.”

“I didn’t talk to Callahan about it since you asked me not too and she seemed to have backed off but are you sure you don’t want to report her to any admin about her behavior?”

“I’m sure. It’s all interpersonal anyway. She hasn’t done anything of harm yet.”

“Except very clearly hitting you and has been harassing you since the start of term.”

Danny rolls his eyes. “It’s nothing I am not used too, really Tim, I am okay.” He knew Tim well enough now that he knew he didn’t like it one bit, but he was a good enough friend that he kept his mouth shut.

“Fine, but if she physically harms you again, I will report it.”

“Deal, now let’s stop talking about her, any new details on Callahan’s internship?”

“Yes, actually. Callahan got a big case that he needs help on; he chose his interns already but wanted me to review before he made it official. What do you think?” Tim hands over a sheet of paper to him.

Danny focused on the sheet in front of him.  On his name and the clear lack of Sam’s. “Wow… I knew I was doing well in class, but to be the first to be picked…”

“I’ve told you how he sings your praises after class, you really shouldn’t be surprised. Thought you would also get satisfaction that despite Ms. Mason wanting to be Callahan’s favorite, she clearly didn’t make the cut. Read the top more, it explains who we are defending. It doesn’t go in depth yet, for obvious reasons.”

As Danny read just who Harvard needed to defend, his blood turned to ice. In bold letters he read something he thought he would never have to deal with again. The Ghost Investigation Ward: In defense of how ghosts need to be better researched to protect citizens. His mouth is dry, and he starts to shake. No, there was no way in any hell that Danny would help the Guys in White go against his people. His head jerks up when he feels Tim’s hand over his own.

“Are you okay? Do you know who we are defending?” Tim’s worried gaze bares into him, and Danny shook himself. Tim doesn’t know just how BAD this is, and Danny wasn’t sure if he could explain it either.

“I am aware of them. Their base is in my hometown. I need to talk to Callahan; I cannot participate in this. I will not defend them,” Danny stands. “Sorry to cut this outing short, I should see him sooner than later.”

“Let me come with you, please. I don’t want you running into Mason again,” Tim stands as well. “There is clearly more to this. You already have heightened emotions, and I want to make sure that you are calm by the time you talk to Callahan.”

Danny looked at Tim for a long moment before slipping Tim’s hand into his own. He squeezed it before letting go. “Thank you,” he spoke softly before they left the shop together.