Chapter Text
When Danny had to leave Amity Park for collage it posed a lot of problems for him, mainly that it was extremely hard for him to fit in anywhere. Every city he went to for collage open days just seemed to end with him having campus security called on him on a good day anyway. One time he ended up in the Metropolis police cell after someone saw his eyes glow and reported him as a biohazard.
There was a whole drama; first with him being tackled by guys in hazmat suits, being thrown into a gaudy beige tent and being forced to strip and undergo a decontamination procedure he’d rather not relive. They ended up taking him into police custody because something just felt ‘off’ about him at the end of it. That was probably the worst thing in the recent months to happen.
So, in the end he landed on Gotham U. There were plenty of reasons for this decision. Firstly, the people of Gotham were so used to feeling offput by someone that the moment they realised he wasn’t a known rouge they ignored him. Secondly there was so much death in this city and not to mention Lady Gotham’s presence meant that there was an abundance of ambient ectoplasm for him to filter. Lastly, the mass number of vigilantes meant that Danny could sit back and be a civilian.
He had enough on his plate between starting classes for aero engineering, being high king of the infinite realms and starting his new gig as a barista. The last one was purely because he needed a way to pay for his living expenses, he might live on campus for now but even the half-dead needed to eat. Well, kind of anyway. He could probably live without that.
Said barista job played well into his whole generally creepy off-putting nature. It was a 24/7 café called Graveyard Coffee where you dressed in white like a ghost, irony that Danny loved. Especially since he worked the night shift, 11pm to 6am. Giving him enough time beforehand to do boring kingly stuff and just enough after to get to class. He didn’t need to sleep unless he wanted to so for the last two months he’s been here in Gotham he just hasn’t slept.
Right now, Danny was the only employee working and there were no customers. He didn’t expect much else at 2am though, usually only students pulling all nighters, couples wanting dates to last longer, vigilantes and villains came in on his shift. There was a strict neutral ground rule in the café, and over Danny’s two months of working there everyone new that rule was enforced on the night shift.
No body deserved to have their caffeine or sugar fix messed with after all.
No one quite new how he did it, but the kid with the creepy aura and too wide smile just ran a tight ship. Which is why Danny was currently on his laptop doing class work completely unworried an issue might come up, just waiting for customers to wander on in.
The small paint chipped bell above the door chimed and as Danny looked up, he saw one of his regular customers walk in with a scowl on his dark tanned face. His green eyes held a raging storm, and his jeans had dirt and other nature based bits all over them. His hair looked like a bird’s nest to match his ‘I just fell out of a tree’ look.
“Hello Dami, did you sneak out again? What happened this time because you look like you’re going to blow a fuse?” Danny asked as he started making Damian his regular Chai Tea.
Damian approached the counter, grabbing a high bar stool on his way. He swung it so he would be sat at the empty end of the counter. Danny walked over with an empty mug, a small pitcher of milk and the small pot of tea all on a crisp white serving tray offsetting the purple china set he used. He poured Damian’s tea and milk and mixed, skipping sugar knowing the youngers preference already.
Damian picked up the drink and took a long sip with a contented sigh. He locked eyes with Danny and like always seemed to contemplate just how much he was going to share. His cheeks held the red flush they often did when he came here, whether it be from frustration or something else.
“…I am mad at father again; he will not allow me out even though most my siblings are. It is ridiculous, I am far superior in skill and knowledge than they are.” He grumbled clearly displeased.
“Well ignoring the fact that you’re all allowed out at all hours of the night in this dangerous city, aren’t all your siblings older than you?” Danny would have to be the voice of reason. He hated trying to sound wise at 19 years old but being a king does force one to become wise.
“tt- yes but they are useless and I would be a far better choice for father to…” he seemed to be struggling with how much to say.
It always amused Danny when Damian came in, especially since he figured him out as robin straight after he met him in both the mask and without it. It wasn’t hard and since then based on what he would say about his family and their close family friends he’s pretty sure he has them all figured out.
“What could he possibly need his children’s help for in the middle of the night?” he kind of had to mess with Damian, he acted far to grown up for 17.
“…Family business, you know us rich people and our odd eccentricities.” He seemed to finally settle on, eyes not meeting Danny’s intense gaze.
“Hmmm, sure. So why would he be specifically not allowing you to help? From what you’ve told me during our past chats I can only assume that you must be sick or injured. That’s usually why someone isn’t allowed to do something in your family right? So, what happened?” Danny knew he hit the nail on the head if the way Damian dropped his head was any indication.
“I… may have…” he mumbled.
“What was that last bit, I couldn’t hear you?” Danny said cupping his ear dramatically and smiling. Damian looked and scowled at him his cheeks darkening a brighter red.
“I may have been lightly stabbed in the stomach, ok. It was a stupid incident that never should have happened. I was distracted because I thought, well it doesn’t matter.” He was clearly mad and embarrassed. He always seemed to get embarrassed so easily in Danny’s presence.
“How exactly did you get stabbed?” Danny knew realistically there were lots of reasons and that it probably happened when he was out as robin. But he was interested to see what reason he would be provided.
“Have you heard about the cult running around Gotham at current?” Well, he wasn’t expecting that, luckily, he had more than heard of them.
“Yeah, they’ve been warning us about it the last three weeks at school but I’m sure they’ve been around longer. Why? Did they do this to you?” Now Danny was trying very hard to stop himself from freezing the entire room. If those cultist assholes had done something to his robin… to his friend, he means than there would be hell to pay.
“I may have been the victim of an attempted kidnapping of theirs. Luckily, I was rescued by Batman before anything could happen, but they did get away.” He was grumbling and started sipping at his tea again.
Well, that would explain it, he got sent home early then had to sneak out so he could have a late-night tea session with Danny.
“Wow, you got stabbed and instead of staying home in bed like your father wants. You know for medical reasons, you came here to see me, the little old creepy barista. I’m touched.” He touched his chest where he’s sure his heart would be beating a million miles a minute if it beat at all.
“tt- I think at this point you and I both consider the other a friend. I imagine you don’t get much company on your ‘graveyard shift’ and I am pleased to come and keep you awake for your shift.” He said putting his now empty cup down to refill from the white teapot.
“I mean I get all sorts, get this my Favorite vigilante came in yesterday.” Danny knew this would cheer him up. He could see Damian preening already.
“Really? And did anything happen while robin was in then?” He was attempting to act so nonchalant but as stoic as he could be Danny could always read that face. See the emotions Damian tried to keep hidden beneath the surface bubbling and waiting to burst out.
“Yeah, he had just helped put Riddler back in Arkham, so we played a game of riddles with each other while he drank his English tea. It was fun. You and he have similar tastes, actually.” That last little tid-bit might have robin changing his order, he couldn’t wait to see.
Damian chocked on his tea that he had hidden his face in. He quickly wiped at his face and blushed, this time clearly from embarrassment. A small, pleased smile quirked at the corner of his lips.
“Well, I’m glad the vigilantes don’t disrupt your shift. That would be an unacceptable inconvenience.” Damian said with a clear determination to ensure none of the bats or birds of Gotham impede his ability to work.
“Theres a pretty well-known neutrality rule here. No one is to draw weapons or use their powers unless they want to suffer the consequences.” Danny could feel his grin splitting up just a bit too high if the sharp look in Damian’s eye is any indicator. He dialled it back real quick.
“Anyway, what had you distracted enough to that you got stabbed? You’re a smart kid after all you’re not easy to get the drop on.” Danny said softly, Damian’s expression blanked as he debated internally telling Danny anything.
“I am not a kid… and… I thought I heard them say your name. I was about three blocks from here earlier this evening and was concerned for your safety. I was mistaken of course. They have no reason to know you by name.” He looked so thoughtful.
“Well, I’m ok, and no one but you and a few late-night working girls have come through so far. I’m only three hours in so we’ll see but I promise I can handle myself.” He offered a reassuring smile, but the room temperature dropped five degrees and the shiver that went down Damian’s back was from Danny’s grin yet again not looking quite right.
Despite Danny’s generally off-putting aura and Damian’s occasional physical reactions, he never once stopped approaching Danny.
“…Perhaps I would be more reassured if we exchanged phone numbers? Just in case of course. Plus, as a college student and not a Gotham native it would be beneficial for you to have someone to contact in an emgerncy.” His cheeks burned so brightly as he fumbled to get his phone out.
“I mean I have people at schools’ numbers but yes Dami, I would be happy to exchange numbers. Wanna do socials to?” Danny asked getting his own phone out.
“My social media is all run by my family, none of it is mine.” Damian almost seemed sad that he would have less ways to communicate with Danny.
Just as Danny was handing the phone back the bell chimed again, and the sound of panting filled the room. Both boys turned and looked in the direction of a man with silky black hair keeled over. His skintight black suit gripping to his body tightly. He looked up and his mask covered eyes instantly found Damian.
“There you are baby b- baby child. Your father found me on a patrol requested I find you.” Nightwing moved closely to Damian to examine his condition, no doubt to see if his stab wound was bleeding.
Damian flinched away from the other vigilante, whom if Danny’s suspicions were correct, was Dick Grayson. The older was looking between the two, his gaze extremely weary of Danny. Not a surprise really, especially since this was their first time meeting. The more people interacted with him the better acclimated to his inherently weird nature they got, like Damian had.
“Well, I guess you should let the vigilante escort you back then Dami.” Danny encouraged him to go, not wanting to get on the vigilante radar more than necessary.
“tt- I guess. Goodbye then Danny, I shall see you next time. Remember be safe.” His tone was so serious Danny almost wanted to take him seriously. Afterall what are a couple of cultists to the power of the ghost king. Damian had reached into his pants to pull out a wallet when Danny tapped back his hand gently.
“You’ve had a, let’s call it a fun night. Don’t worry it’s on me.” Danny smiled; Damian blushed at the hand contact and Nightwing’s eyes followed the action. If the way his face lit up was a sign, then he too was reading Damian like a book.
Damian slid himself off the high bar stool and allowed himself to be escorted out. He threw Danny a wave over his shoulder and Danny could swear he could hear the beginning mocking of an older sibling. They walked past the stores glass windows and Danny could see the older grabbing at Damian’s shirt to really access his wound, good.
Later that morning, close to the end of Danny’s shift he got a text notification. Looking at his phone he felt his grin split his face and the windows frost over around him. The message was a simple ‘This is Damian’ but the joy he felt made his core sing.