Chapter Text
Danny sighs at the full cafe, when he moved to Gotham changed his name and never went ghost for the last two years.
He was lost, that was for sure. His friends and family did not exist in this universe and therefore the people chasing him didn’t neither.
His only saving grace was his reformed arch nemesis and his kinda sorta siblings.
He is not aware of what happened to his friends and family for the last 3 years but seeing as his parents want him gone, his sister moved out way before the drama and his friends sacrificed everything. Risked their own lives to help Danny escape.
He rather busy himself with work.
That’s how he have come to meet the nice elderly woman running moon cafe, her name is Matilda but prefers to be called by her last name since it’s what she had left of her late husband, who used to work the night shift in the cafe.
From what she told him, he was shot and ever since then cafe hasn’t been open at nights due to her age, and not finding a suitable worker.
Matilda found Danny unconscious outside her back door and basically adopted him, so it was only her, him and their two cats named Lunar and Solar. And you better believe they are also named accordingly, Solar is the black cat and Lunar is the orange cat. Danny still sometimes giggles at the fact.
When Danny got situated after a few days, with Matilda’s amazing care of course. He told her he had no where to go and she offered her free bedroom and for him to work the night shift.
Word got around about the cafe opening nights again after 10 years and the response was…good.
Moon cafe was a famous cafe in general and was always full of people, Matilda’s baking is to die for (heh) and now with Danny who apparently knows his way with the drinks even more people came.
…not to Danny’s awareness that a lot of the costumers are there solely to feast their eyes on the cute barista.
Matilda with her years of experience is aware of said fact, heck it brings her back to when they first opened the place as a diner mind you! And most gals came to see her handsome husband more than lads came to see her, and she was by no means an ugly lady!
She’s a true Gothamite at heart though, and used Danny to her advantage.
Of course there’s always danger lurking in Gotham which Danny learned soon enough, nothing he can’t handle as an already dead man walking.
And of course as king of the realms.
Not that he used his powers ever since opening the portal to this universe but he digresses.
Danny thinks this place ain’t all that bad, other than being in Jersey of all places, he shudders. He can confirm Jersey is disgusting in all universes apparently…this one takes the cherry though just for the existence of Gotham.
‘No offence, my lady…’ he sends out a lil sorry to the ancient who sends a calm ‘it is fine, my king’ to him.
Danny finds that being busy with work made him happy, he also appeals to his obsession by technically being Matilda’s and the cats protector so everything seems to fall into place perfectly!
He sets down another clean glass he finished drying at the sound of gentle footsteps heading his way.
Ah yes, his favorite butler. The only one he knows.
“Mr Pennyworth! What a nice surprise to see you at these hours!” Danny greets and then looks at the cafe slowly getting less full, it is almost 3am!
“Daniel… I have asked multiple times for you to simply call me Alfred. I am of no importance!” The butler smiles at the young adult who is getting his order ready, the butler will sometimes come in very late at night to get some baked goods for his family.
From what he told Danny, Alfred gets Matilda’s baked goods whenever there’s something to celebrate or when he just feels like treating the family. His boss Brucie Wayne apparently grew up on her baking so the rest of the family was forced to as well.
Can’t let go of the past? Danny knows all about it.
“And I have told you to call me Danny! So no can do Mr Pennyworth!” After warming up the sweets to the perfect warmth and getting a tea container for Alfred’s favorite tea. He sets up everything in a nice bag that he only saves for their favorite costumers.
“I cannot ever convince you of anything can I? Mr nightingale, May I ask how Matilda is doing?” The butler smiles at him yet again, it is their favorite boy and muse as of late.
“She took her meds and is sleeping…I hope. The cats have eaten but I think lunar is still awake and being a menace” Danny chuckles at the thought and then goes back to cleaning. Most costumers turned in for the night while Alfred and Danny were having their lil formalities.
Nothing to worry about.
It is a known fact that you are the safest here. First off the bats frequent this cafe as well as the cops since it’s one of the only places open at night but…
Danny was no small feat neither!
The first time Alfred met him was 2 years ago.
Alfred got word of the cafe opening at night from Matilda herself, they were close friends after all!
And decided that, why not? He wanted to see who was so suitable for the job, Matilda is strict and very picky! No normal person will stand up to those standards.
When he arrived he did not expect to see adoption bait as the kids like to call it. The young adult looked like a young Wayne in the best way, Dark black hair and sky blue eyes that did not fit the rain gray blue the family usually sports. But makes him the perfect ward.
He stands tall, Alfred thinks even taller than their tallest. Who is probably Jason even though Damian has yet to stop growing and they don’t actually know Bruce’s height.
He smells clean but carries around another smell that Alfred can’t place in his mind.
In the same way Jason always smells like gunpowder and blood with that tiny hint of acidity…wait that’s what the smell was! But before he jumps to conclusions he would like to introduce himself to the young promising man.
The bell rings as the door closes.
He takes a step in.
“Welcome-….wow” the young adult stops, it’s his first shift in day time since Matilda is not feeling well and he thought for a second that he probably stayed awake for too long?
Do butlers still exist and work in this universe at a time like this? It’s 2018 for fucks sake??? He knows there’s rich people here but he’d assume people working in their house wouldn’t care to put on suits.
He shakes his head, never judge a book by its cover. He reminds himself heck he fought Vlad for so long knowing no one knew who he was under that “kind charitable rich man” mask.
“I apologize! Welcome to Moon cafe! What can I get you sir?” Danny put on his best smile but what he won’t succeed in his physical appearance he could always send out through his core.
He found that most if not everyone in this god forsaken city is death touched and therefore can feel whatever he sends out, even if they are not aware of it.
So he also lets out a calming call through his core.
The shift in the cafe was something to behold that’s for sure, Alfred wasn’t actually able to tell why he suddenly felt so calm.
He smiles at the young man.
“Good morning, may I ask for a Darjeeling?” Alfred asks, he knows it’s not fair to test the young man but, the way the man holds himself makes Alfred believe he is mighty capable if not very willing to learn till perfection.
The type of man that doesn’t give up? Reminds him of someone. The butler sighs at the thought.
“Yes, may I have a name for the order and is it to take or stay” the barista asked and wrote it down on the note pad.
‘I see that Matilda still won’t use a machine’ Alfred smiles at that, keeps the place like a time capsule.
Alfred also notices that Danny uses a pad and pen of his own, they seem to be ghost themed with a very cute ghost looking mascot printed on them.
Very him, Alfred thinks so. He can tell the boy enjoys working here.
“The name is Alfred and yes I’d like to stay. If you don’t mind me asking where is Matilda?” the smiling Butler asks as he sits down and Danny’s eyes widen as he writes it all down.
“You’re Matilda’s Alfred?!- I mean! She’s ok, resting I believe… she didn’t feel great today so I took over” the young man continues to go make the tea and take more orders.
After a good ten minutes, no one will ever judge since there’s always only one worker in this cafe and the worker usually being an elderly woman the regulars got used to long serving times.
Alfred looks up from the book he is reading at the man putting down his tea.
“I have called for you but it seems you are very immersed in the book” the man sets down a cup of black tea as well as a plate with a slice of pie on it.
“Your tea, also pie on the house. Matilda said you are a very important person to her and I made sure it’s the one you like!״ he smiled and then went back to other orders before Alfred even managed to say thank you.
He took a sip and absolutely melted. He was sorry for ever doubting Danny, the barista knew his stuff and did it well.
Maybe this should become a normal occurrence?
But before he can even enjoy his second sip, the familiar wear of goons which Alfred recognizes as the penguin’s showed up at the door stomping towards the barista.
In broad daylight mind you!
Alfred was ready to call in Duke if needed.
“Where is she?” The goon asks, albeit a lil gentle than expected.
Danny looks at him for a second, but then looks even more! Not interested in this whole conversation.
Seems like this happened before.
“Matilda is not here, she is resting in the safety of our home. Whatever it is you have a problem with means you have a problem with me” the barista replies calmly.
The goon at least has the shame to look scared. Who of? Alfred doesn’t know.
“We told you this is our territor-“ the goon couldn’t even finish before the barista pulled out a gun and shooting the gun at the goons hand.
I didn’t even see the goon pull it out?! How fast are Danny’s reactions?
“And I told you it wasn’t in your territory! We are under Red Hood’s jurisdiction!” The barista points the gun at the goons head.
Alfred checked for wounds but sees the goon only clenching his hand in pain.
Rubber bullets.
“Get out.” Danny says firmly.
More merciful than I would be that’s for sure, Alfred thinks.
The goon does listen and leave quietly and that was how Alfred met the boy.
.
Back in present day, the butler takes the bag from Danny and smiles at him.
He may not be his, adopted or part of his family in anyway but Alfred knows Danny is family.
He is part of them now. Especially if the rest have any say in it.
He puts way too much money in the tip jar and says “send Matilda my regards ok my boy?”
The barista gives him a big toothy grin and waves as the butler leaves.