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britcision · 1 year

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CHAPTER 4, PART 2!

May this brick all of our apps less and stop being a little fucking bitch about the page breaks. It takes me longer just to scroll to copy this section than it does to do my laundry one handed

Ask me how I know.

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Previous part:

First chapter:

————-/

Frustration prickling across his skin, Damian ducked quickly away from another group of high society women, making for a quiet spot behind a large plant in an urn.

Galas were intolerable at the best of times, and this one was proving to be even worse. Todd’s new acquaintances were deeply suspicious but Drake and Brown already seemed enamoured.

Even Grayson seemed willing to trust them far, far too easily. It was… disappointing.

For all that Damian did trust their words when they said Masters was a danger, that certainly did not make them allies. He did not trust them.

They were all suspicious, from Foley being able to detect his presence to Fenton himself.

No matter what the others said, Damian knew that he hadn’t slipped. He’d not made a sound, not ruffled the tablecloth, and still he knew.

There was something off about all three Amity Parkers, and Fenton’s admitted pit exposure was only the start.

Normal people did not have access to a Lazarus pit. He couldn’t have named a single one not under the League’s control, not even a rumour. Whoever he was, however he had come to be exposed, he was not a civilian.

That he had died did not give him some sort of blanket acceptance. It did not solve the question of how, even if his other siblings did admonish him.

If Fenton had been exposed to the pit, knew its rage enough to help Todd, who’d been burdened with the worst rage Damian had ever witnessed, he was a dangerous threat indeed.

More dangerous because he was personable, and chatty, and friendly. He made them overlook him! It was crystal clear! Being charming to prevent them from growing suspicious.

It would not work on Damian. He had no use for charm or friendly chatter. He would remain focused, remain on guard even as Todd and the others failed.

He may have lost Father for now (intentionally; Damian had no wish to witness his painful flirtations with the Kyle woman), but he would stay focused.

He finally slipped into the solace of the plant’s shadow, and nearly bumped directly into the youngest Manson. He’d had no idea she was there.

Brows drawing down, Damian realized that Todd and Fenton were just a little further beyond, their backs to the wall but still close enough to be unnoticed. Both were watching Todd, who seemed pained by something.

“Were you not to be making a spectacle?” He hissed sharply, making both Amity Parkers jump.

Jason cracked an eye open and glared down at him, then at his two companions. Perhaps he was finally wising up to these new “friends”.

“They’re bothering me about fucking pixie boots. I didn’t want to do it in view of the whole crowd,” he grumbled and Damian’s brows drew further in.

Disappointing. Mere annoyance, not the suspicion they deserved. Whatever these “pixie boots” were, it was inconsequential.

He focused his attention on Manson instead.

“If you wish to antagonize your parents, you will need a much more public scene,” he reminded her, irritated that he needed to.

He may not trust the mission, but at least he could stay focused.

Manson rolled her eyes and waved a hand at him.

“Dude, being caught snuggled in a corner will get their hopes up just fine. He does have a point though,” she added to the other two with a reluctant sigh.

As if there was any doubt.

Todd frowned down at him.

“Why aren’t you with Bruce anyway? Wasn’t that your job?” He asked, when he should have been thanking Damian from distracting the other two from whatever this pixie nonsense was.

Ungrateful. This was why he preferred Grayson.

“He is pursuing Selina Kyle,” Damian explained, not feeling the need to go into detail. He didn’t need to as Todd’s face morphed into immediate understanding.

“Yeah, fair, not something for young eyes,” he agreed with a soft chuckle and Damian nodded curtly. He couldn’t imagine whose eyes or ears would enjoy such a display at any age.

Fenton was grinning again, prodding Todd’s shoulder.

“The voice of experience?” He asked in clear glee, and Todd grimaced.

“Unfortunately. So, Sam, want to hit the refreshments so I can offer you a drink?” He asked, waggling his eyebrows.

Manson rolled her eyes again but offered her hand, her other hand firmly tucked into Fenton’s elbow.

“I feel like I’ve come in half way through a movie and missed all the good bits,” she grumbled, and Damian was surprised to find he sympathized.

There was far too much going on here that he did not understand, and too many secrets. He would have his answers though.

Most importantly of all, the reason Jason was keeping so many secrets and letting strangers so close. But that would wait for another time.

Watching the three move towards the room, he checked his own internal clock.

Fifteen minutes. Father would likely not be done with Kyle yet.

He could stand to observe some more of these strangers. And perhaps their shenanigans.

From a distance, of course.

Vlad was having a wonderful evening.

Oh, most of the attendees at this event were simply sheep waiting to be shorn, the wealthy and well connected who liked pretending that meant they mattered.

But he’d already made some promising connections with Mr Wayne before he’d had to hurry away, and he’d given the Mansons a subtle reminder that Daniel was his.

Better that they do remember that, even if their relationship was a little… fractious. Daniel would see the light soon, student loans were an awful thing and Vlad could make them disappear.

It would be… nice.

He’d half expected the impulse to control, to train and raise the boy would end once he’d reached adulthood, but no. Daniel was 21 now, legally a full adult, and Vlad still craved that closeness.

Age was such an immaterial thing, though he was hoping that leaving his teenage years might also dull the boy’s rebellious tendencies. He and Daniel would have the rest of eternity together.

There would be all the time in the world for Vlad to teach his godson everything he knew, prove his value as an advisor.

He had once hoped that Madeline might one day become a ghost herself, but he’d begun to suspect it’d never happen.

Oh, she had the passion, the drive, but she wanted answers too much. She was determined to know what came after death, and when the time came to learn she wouldn’t balk.

She would leave him behind.

One day he may even wish to follow.

But not while her son lived (as much as either of them still lived) and needed guidance. Needed training, even if it did have to be disguised as combat.

Daniel could be something truly special if only he applied himself. Vlad would see himself Fade before he let that potential go to waste.

And ah, there was young Tucker Foley, tucked as usual up to Daniel’s side. Likely filling him in on what had happened with the Mansons.

Smiling to himself, Vlad adjusted his vest and headed over to say hello.

Tim was honestly surprised by how much he was enjoying the gala. He’d expected it to be work, spending the time gathering data and assessing Jason’s new boyfriend.

Recon.

It’d beat the usual drudgery on that alone, but he was actually having fun. The most important thing he’d learned about Danny so far was definitely his own connections to the pit, but…

Well, he hadn’t expected to like the guy. To bully Jason about him, obviously, 1000% that was just going to happen, but liking him on his own merits?

Apparently Jason had good taste. Who knew?

Tucker Foley though, Tucker was way more Tim’s speed. He’d come to drop the knowledge that Selina Kyle was floating around and then stuck around, cheerfully chatting tech.

Tim would be much easier to mistake for Danny hanging out with Danny’s friend. It didn’t even need to be said.

And Tucker was just… so easy to talk to. They drifted around the room, chatting and greeting various business partners of Tim’s, talking like they’d known each other for years.

Tim was 1000% checking if they had an internship for Tuck. Hell, if they didn’t? He was the CEO, he could damn well make a space in R&D.

Tucker hadn’t given him the full download on his PDA yet, but he was more than happy to talk about some of his simpler modifications, and Tim already wanted the rest.

The guy might enjoy a retro aesthetic over Tim’s futuristic designs, but who fucking cared? His tech ran on old mods as fast as Tim’s newest of new wrist computer.

And, yeah, maybe they were currently engaged in a hack-the-pentagon race rather than socializing like Bruce always begged them to, but it was fun.

Tim’d come to another gala if he got to bring Tucker. For sure.

As he had the thought, Tucker glanced up from his PDA for a moment and Tim took advantage. He’d been tracking Tuck’s progress (knew Tucker was tracking his, and fuck that was exciting), and delicately tripped the firewall ahead of him.

Tuck’s PDA blanked out and Tim sailed through the last levels of security, grinning broadly in victory. He wouldn’t try and get a worm in, Tucker would notice for sure, but getting him locked out?

Yeah, that was a win.

Tucker barely seemed to notice though, leaning in with a wicked grin.

“Vlad, 5 o’clock, moving in. Ready?” He asked quietly, and only then glanced back at his PDA. His face fell and Tim snickered.

“Totally ready. And in, by the way,” he added, showing the other guy his screen.

Tucker let out a truly heartfelt groan, shoving at his shoulder and Tim swayed with it, laughing.

“Hey, you know the game. You blink, you lose!”

“It’s called spatial awareness,” Tucker shot back, half his attention now focused on bringing the PDA back up. And probably stopping a couple Secret Service alarms.

Tim would have helped, but a deceptively strong hand had just clapped onto his shoulder. It felt possessive even without seeing the expression that came with it, and Tim shivered, grin sharpening.

Oh, yeah. That wasn’t gonna go well for someone.

“Daniel. Imagine my surprise at finding you here,” Masters all but purred behind him.

The urge to twist away from the hand, break the grip, or possibly just throw the asshole were all very strong, but something in that grip made Tim think it wouldn’t be that easy.

And he was here as a civilian.

He marshalled his expression into one of Brucie’s best, cool politeness and greeting, and turned to look over his shoulder.

“Imagine mine at such an informal introduction,” he said with just a hint of teasing, cocking a brow as Vlad snatched his hand back like he’d been burned, “have we met?”

And fuck the guy was tall too, because of course he was. Not quite as tall as Bruce, but… definitely close to Jason’s height if not his size.

And currently glaring at Tucker, who was hiding giggles behind his hand.

“My apologies,” Vlad ground out like he was chewing glass, gaze finally sliding back onto Tim with a calculating curiosity that was more than familiar. “And you are?”

Tim put on his best smile, turning and offering his hand to shake because he was pretty sure that’d annoy the man more than anything else.

“Tim Drake, CEO of Wayne Enterprises. And you are?”

And yeah, he didn’t like the smile that spread across Masters’ face as he took the hand, his grip firm and strong.

“Vladimir Masters,” he all but purred, actually giving a slight bow as he pulled back. Fucking weirdo. “Founder of DALV. CO and mayor of Amity Park.”

Tim blinked, the name suddenly clicking.

“You named your company after your own first name spelled backwards?” He asked, actual amusement sneaking into his voice.

Vlad raised a brow.

“Not an unusual practice, CEO of Wayne Enterprises,” he remarked coolly.

Tim grinned and spread his hands.

“Hey, I didn’t name it. You’re not wrong though, and I guess “Masters” has already been taken several times over,” Tim joked and Vlad’s eyes narrowed just a little.

“It is one of the unfortunate side effects of being a self made man,” he said with a convincing false humility… or at least it would have been convincing if Tucker hadn’t laughed.

Vlad’s eyes shot back around to the younger man like he’d forgotten he was there, narrowed again, and then his face smoothed into a shoddily sincere smile.

“And of course, Tucker Foley. We know each other through my dear godson, Daniel. I was quite surprised to hear that Daniel would be joining us this evening, Mister Foley. I don’t suppose you’d know where he is?”

It was the barest layering of civility and politeness, but since Tucker looked shocked by that, Tim had a couple guesses about their usual relationship. It did not endear Vlad to him.

Tucker didn’t stay off balance for long though, just shrugging and grinning. Tim finally got to see his utterly blatant lies up close and in person.

“Oh, is Danny here? I hadn’t heard. I dunno Vlad, I’m sure if he’s around he’d say hi. He’s really changed a lot though, not sure I’d recognise him.” All the same confidence he’d used to tell Dick his name was Danny.

Tim was maybe just a little bit in love with his sense of humour. Shifting until they were almost arm in arm, he grinned up at Vlad too.

“I do hope you find him, Mr Masters. Though I’m afraid if you think he looks like me, there’s plenty of us floating around. You know how Brucie collects the boys with dark hair and blue eyes.”

Vlad visibly flinched at the jibe, maybe not noticeably to anyone but a bat, but Tim wasn’t Red Robin for nothing. Still, he managed a decent answering smile and another weird little bow.

“Of course. Perhaps we shall speak again later, Mr Drake. There is a lot our companies can do for each other.”

Tim wouldn’t have let the opportunity go for a lifetime supply of espresso.

“Of course, don’t be afraid to reach out if you want to get in touch,” he said innocently, keeping his expression completely open in the face of a sudden and steely glare.

Quite sure he was being made fun of but unable to prove it, Vlad nodded stiffly and turned, walking away.

Tucker and Tim turned back to each other, grins suddenly broad and out of control. They had to suck them down quickly, one of the other boring businessmen approaching to “check if they were okay”, “so shocked someone would dare manhandle him”, blah blah blah.

No one who’d approached when Masters was actually around, of course. Just sucking up and enjoying the chance to smear dirt on someone with a little more wealth.

Tim would be very happy to smear a swamp on Vlad Masters, so he pretended his shoulder had been sorely wounded, rolling it and rubbing carefully.

Tucker actually looked concerned, hurrying him away to the refreshments table to grab him some ice. Tim let him fuss until they were away from direct witnesses, then tipped him a wink.

And the guy caught on fast, Tim had to give him that. They’d carried on to the table a little more loudly, Tucker keeping up a running commentary of “are you sure you’re okay?” While Tim did his very best Civilian Brave Face, But Not Actually Brave.

They even got him some ice, which Tucker held to his shoulder even though it felt fine. Just the visual was going to do a lot of work for them.

Distracted on his way to the back rooms, Bruce was alarmed to hear a couple talking about one of his sons being injured at the party.

His mind flashed immediately to Jason, though whether as the cause or the victim didn’t follow. When he heard it was Tim, worry shot through him and he forced himself to breathe.

Jason hadn’t done anything to hurt Tim in two years. He was actually more gentle with him than with any of the others, and Bruce didn’t imagine he’d faked all the regret.

It didn’t mean he couldn’t or wouldn’t slip again, hoodlum stranger monitoring the pit for him or not, but he wouldn’t make the accusation. It would hit too close if incorrect.

Changing course, he made his way across the room to find Tim instead. Best to get the information directly.

Tim looked well enough, though he’d draped his jacket over one arm while a young Black man - Tucker Foley, Jason’s mysterious plus one that he’d implied should be Danny - applied a makeshift ice pack to his shoulder.

Eyes narrowing, Bruce made his way gently closer, drifting through the nearby groups to pick up the local gossip. Though some lips closed when they spotted him, others opened faster.

There’d been some miscommunication between Tim and Vlad Masters, Vlad actually grabbing Tim and apparently mistaking him for someone else.

Their following exchange seemed to have been pleasant enough, but now Tim was “discreetly” seeking medical attention. Just how hard had the man grabbed Tim?

Masters had a firm grip, certainly, but he’d seen Tim slammed face first into concrete and walk away without flinching, broken nose and all.

He wouldn’t fuss about a real injury, not if he didn’t want an immediate assessment in the med bay when they returned home. He had to be faking, and Bruce knew why.

A message, likely to him and his siblings about Masters. Tim didn’t trust him, had found something about the man that warranted suspicion.

Masters had been very complimentary to Jason’s “Danny”, though even he’d admitted the boy had problems with authority. Was Tim telling him it was a lie?

But no, the boy tending Tim was Danny’s best friend, Tucker Foley. Tim could certainly fool a civilian into a fake medical emergency, but why would he involve Tucker if Danny was suspect?

Unless Tucker was potentially dangerous too, and Tim wanted him out of circulation. Away from Danny. Away from Jason.

Jason, who’d been so pleased to see the other young man only an hour ago. Now nowhere to be seen while Tucker tended to Tim’s arm.

Eyes narrowing, Bruce turned and made his way firmly towards the back rooms once more, eyes now sweeping the crowd for Masters.

It was possible Jason was no longer there, but he’d at least pick up the boy’s trail. He had to get Jason away from these people, at least until Tim could give a full report.

As he moved, he caught sight of Vlad Masters now approaching Dick and Cass, and nearly changed course again.

But no, Dick was a solid lad, he could handle himself and Bruce very much doubted a single person in the building could get anything past Cass.

They would be fine, whatever Masters was up to. They weren’t as unreliable vulnerable as Jason.

He had to get to Jason.

He couldn’t be too late again.

Cass did not like galas. To be fair, she didn’t know anyone who did.

She usually didn’t have to go; much less than her brothers. Bruce respected her desires for privacy, but she’d volunteered to go once.

It was a rite of passage Dick said, and he was usually right. It had been… well. She was one of Bruce’s later adoptees, long after it had become a running joke.

She had very nearly broken a man’s kneecaps for what he said about her brothers, but Cass was good at keeping quiet. Unobserved. Undetected.

Broken kneecaps were detectable.

Honestly, Cass was also the one who got into the least trouble at galas. She was used to sitting quietly while being verbally abused.

It was probably why no one ever tried to make her go. She’d gotten a little… lost in her own head the first time. It took days to find her words again.

Now if she went to a gala it was because she’d decided to, and someone stayed with her for most of the evening. Both so she didn’t have to talk to people and because that was usually why she chose to go.

Usually one of her siblings had planned something interesting, or needed her help. That was always fun, and they could chat in sign language about the assholes around them.

Today’s gala was double fun, because Tim and Dick had asked for her help with Danny (once they knew she was coming), and because Jason was fucking with Tim and Dick.

Cass didn’t choose sides.

She did like Jason’s new friend Tucker though. He was open and undamaged in a way very few vigilantes were. Perhaps he took a support role.

She’d known what he was since he spotted Damian, and the Amity Parkers even having their own evil billionaire was basically confirmation. Civilians just didn’t have those kinds of problems.

She hadn’t decided about Danny or Sam yet, but she did know that Jason already cared very deeply, which had surprised her. And probably Jason himself.

He needed more friends.

Cass would like more friends. Maybe someone for backup when she went overseas.

She hoped Jason’s new friends would be able to stay. They made him so happy, and tonight so very interesting.

It was easy to ignore the half-whispered comments as she and Dick moved through the crowd. Dick was a great performer, easily turning on the charm and making people smile.

All Cass had to do was smile at appropriate moments and keep an eye out, ready to alert him when it was their turn.

An older lady in a long blue gown was just telling them that Tim had been caught up in a scene when she caught sight of Vlad Masters making his way towards them.

Luckily Dick was already facing the right way, doing all the right expressions of wide eyed fascination. Sliding her hand from his elbow to bare wrist, she tapped out a message in morse code.

‘Behind.’

She didn’t need to look at Dick to know he’d received it as he shifted just a little, hand ready to pull from hers just in case. Apparently Masters already had a bad habit of grabbing.

Cass watched him from the corner of her eye, hidden behind her bangs as he stalked up.

Apparently he’d already learned his lesson; while he looked confident, he was moving more slowly, scanning the group. She let her hand drop from Dick’s before his gaze tracked down, shifting her position to “politely interested stranger”.

Dick gave a rather convincing laugh as their “informant” cut herself off quickly, spreading his hands and shrugging.

“Hey, Amity Park’s an informal scene. Not a big city like Gotham, right?” He said cheerfully, slipping easily into Danny’s tones.

It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t like he had to fool a voice recording. Cass switched to watching the older woman’s eyes widen as Vlad approached, and she held down a smile of her own.

Now if Vlad made a grab for Dick… but no, he’d learned well apparently, stepping in just a little too close to be casual at Dick’s left shoulder.

“Not downplaying our fair city, are we,” he began in a confident drawl, which faltered when Dick turned that wide, friendly smile his way.

“Oh, I’d never! Gotham’s got its troubles but it’s been my home for most of my life, Mister…” he let it trail into an obvious question.

Cass made eye contact with the older woman, whose eyes were still at that “deer in the headlights” strain. Seeing she had Cass’s attention she tried to discretely point with her fan to Masters.

And mouthed “that’s him” so obviously Masters couldn’t have missed it if he tried, her gaze snapping back to Dick. Civilians were so funny.

Eyes narrowed, Masters cleared his throat pointedly and stepped back, extending his hand to shake.

“My apologies… I thought you were my godson. He’s recently joined your university here, and I would hate to think he’s been letting the side down.” He sounded much more formal too, colder than the almost insinuating tones before.

This was a man who liked people to believe he knew everything, all the time. Didn’t like admitting a mistake. But still vain enough to make bold guesses.

Cass gave him a gentle, empty smile as she shifted up alongside Dick, ready to offer support.

Dick, meanwhile, was having fun.

“I know that feeling. Of course I was just a kid when I came here, but Gotham’s just so big and all enveloping. Why, I almost forgot about my home town completely!” He added with a light laugh.

Master’s expression tightened.

“Quite. And you are?” He asked, though he still hadn’t given his name.

Dick fake startled like he hadn’t noticed, catching the man’s hand to shake just after he’d started lowering it.

“Oh, I’m sorry! Dick Grayson, first of old Brucie’s wards. And this is my little sister Cass,” he added, other arm looping around Cass’s shoulder and pulling her in.

She held out her hand too, watching Masters’ eyes as Dick released him and he took hers, shaking like a perfect gentleman.

Not a flinch. Either he hadn’t decided she was lesser yet, or he thought they both were and there wasn’t much difference.

Less likely to underestimate her. Ah well.

She shook back firmly, not her strongest grip but enough that a moment of surprise showed as she released him, giving him her Gala Smile.

A polite, welcoming brick wall with nothing behind it.

Masters held his hand out for just a heartbeat longer after she let go, then tucked both hands behind him and pulled up a smile of his own.

Not real. But not fully forced.

“Ah, of course! I was told quite a few of you have come out to celebrate your dear brother’s return,” Masters said, a glint that Cass definitely didn’t trust in his eyes as he looked from her to Dick. “I am Vlad Masters, I was just speaking to your… guardian?”

“Our dad,” Dick corrected genially, and that was definitely jealousy that shot through Masters’ eyes, there and gone in an instant.

Interesting. He really did want Danny’s acceptance.

And he knew how to keep a public face.

“Of course, my apologies. I suppose you both knew long before we did that poor Jason had been found?” Masters asked, almost sounding sincere for the first time.

Dick clocked it too, his arm tightening around her for a moment before releasing.

“Yes. It was so terrible when we heard that he’d…” his voice trailed off for a moment, putting just enough into the grief to be convincing when he forced himself back a moment later, “but he’s okay after all!”

Masters stepped closer, honing in on perceived weakness like a shark.

“Of course, of course… it must have been such a relief,” he agreed, his voice almost oily as he lowered it, “and I certainly hope it’s not too much to ask, but I had heard that you had even buried him?”

Which, in the spirit of fairness, was a question Cass had been hearing in their periphery for most of the evening. But no one had actually dared say it directly.

Dick’s eyes went comically wide, like the thought had never even occurred to him.

“Oh no, you’re right… I wonder who we put in that coffin,” he gasped with fake horror, stopping just shy of clapping both hands to his cheeks.

Cass pressed her lips closed on a smile. Now no one would.

Even Masters looked surprised, leaning away but not backing down.

“So you know that it wasn’t…” he began, and Dick cut him off with a hearty gasp, swaying like the thought sucked all the strength out of him.

“No, of course not! I saw his grave last week, it was perfectly undisturbed,” Dick said breathily, leaning heavily into Cass and beginning to shake in suppressed sobs.

She pretended to stumble, steadying him and wrapping her arms around him. Masters was beginning to look a little alarmed, but underneath she was sure there was a hint of satisfaction.

Whatever he was pushing for (probably the pit contamination Jason had mentioned), he thought Dick had confirmed it.

Which was… odd. For his body to have been put in the pit, it couldn’t also be in an undisturbed grave? Oh, the grave could have been replaced, but he wouldn’t know that just watching Dick.

He’d have had to look in person, but there was no air of impatience. No hint of an intent to leave, to check something out.

He looked like he had everything that he could possibly want in this moment, except maybe for Dick to be less dramatic.

He took a step closer, directing his focus more to her as she “consoled” her brother.

“I am so sorry to have said anything,” he said quietly, his voice respectful and contrite even if his eyes weren’t, “I can see I’ve caused a great upset. Perhaps we should bring him somewhere to calm down?”

Before Cass could respond, the lady from before (who’d been hovering in abject glee for a second dose of Wayne gossip) butted in.

“Oh, young Cassandra can’t speak, Mr Masters. You know,” she added coyly, doing one of her special discrete fan gestures and whispered “a mute.”

Cass didn’t quite roll her eyes, shifting Dick more across her shoulders and guiding him off to one side. Masters hovered for a moment, clearly still considering assisting, but let the lady draw him into conversation instead.

Never mind that Dick was nearly half a foot taller than her and outweighed her too.

Nothing she couldn’t handle, obviously, or hadn’t handled before, but she couldn’t decide if it was annoying or suspicious.

Annoying from the woman. She was beginning to lean towards suspicious from Masters, though.

He was used to people being stronger than they looked. Or wanted to see if she’d fail. Either way, she added both to her notes on Danny too.

And, frankly, if Masters thought Danny might be Dick’s height when he was a little closer to hers? They hadn’t seen each other in a while.

She’d been sceptical when Tucker suggested the idea and she’d seen it on her brothers too, but apparently he’d still been fooled.

For all that he may want to be close to Danny… For all that he seemed exactly the sort to try and spy and maintain that air of omnipotence… he hadn’t gotten close in a while.

Good.

Danny was too happy to be put under that oppressive thumb. It was why Cass kept putting on her mask, and she’d happily do so again for the boy’s sake.

Nobody should have to see the worst the shadows offered.

Danny was having fun being dragged around the room by Sam while Jason flirted with her.

Jay knew just how to toe the line to stay on the “charming” side rather than “obnoxious”, introducing her to people and always listening when she opened her mouth.

Which was usually to reiterate stubbornly that she was here with Danny, or grudgingly answer some question about her life. He’d made her laugh more than once, and Danny figured it was aaaalmost time for them to stop pushing him so hard.

Frankly Danny was mostly just watching them both and enjoying not having to talk himself. Something about Jason turned on the charm sucked most of his snappy retorts right out of him.

Probably cuz he didn’t wanna accidentally hit the nail on the head and upset his new friend. No way to tell what would be a hot button, right?

It definitely wasn’t because watching Jason’s eyes shine when he laughed made Danny think of the stars. It’d been a while since he’d gone up past Gotham’s smog to stargaze.

Besides, he wasn’t the star of this show, so it was fine if he was mostly just exchanged grins with Jason while he and Sam talked.

Sam was having way more fun than she’d ever had at a party too, and Danny reeeeally hoped that her parents knew her well enough to tell.

She’d pull out Manson Party Voice whenever they bumped into another group, but when the three of them were making their way from one spot to the next? That was Sam’s real smile.

It wasn’t as bright and shiny and perfect as the fake one, but honestly, they weren’t comparable. Sam’s real smiles were small and much rarer than her plotting grins, but that made them special.

Val knew too, and Danny made sure he snuck a couple of candids of Sam laughing in her getup just for her. Sam Manson, happy in frills and bows?

Yeah, he also took a couple of her diabolical grins. And a couple of Jason in his suit, which looked waaaay better than Danny’s.

Jason had a lot more to fill it out, and maybe one day Danny would ask about his fitness routine. Fighting ghosts had stopped him from being a stick, but he was still ridiculously wiry.

This just in, fighting for your life with the bare minimum of training and mentorship? Did not make you a beefcake. Well, not if you also had laser eyes.

Danny’s eye muscles were probably better.

At least until he got Jason on his halfa training.

They’d all heard the latest Hot Party Gossip, about the mayor of some little town actually grabbing young Timothy Drake! The scandal!

There’d been another flash of protective rage from Jason at that, but this time Danny was expecting it and ready to soothe with some calm-reassurance-safe.

Seeing Tucker delicately fussing with an ice pack in a “discrete” corner had settled Jason down ironically, and Danny had to wonder how hard Vlad had grabbed him.

Yeah, he’d given Danny bruises plenty of times, but usually mostly after the fighting started. Or when Danny was being a little asshole.

Which, to be fair, was most of the time.

They were just watching Cass drag a sobbing, shuddering Dick past them towards the back rooms (and considering going to help) when Jason stiffened.

About to open his mouth to ask, Danny’s eyes snapped suddenly past the larger man and suddenly he didn’t have to.

Vlad. Behind and between Danny and Jason, looking… ruffled, almost, but very satisfied. Just the look sent a shiver down Danny’s spine before he even opened his mouth.

“Ah, Daniel. And you’ve been making a new friend, I see?“ he asked smugly as Sam and Jason wheeled to face him.

Danny came closer, moving in between them and stepping carefully in front of Jason.

Who growled softly, caught Danny around the shoulders, and stepped in front of him instead, close enough that Vlad had to take a step back or stand chest to chest with him.

And yeah, okay, maybe Danny wasn’t expecting that and it threw him for a loop. What of it.

“Yeah, he has,” Jason said, his voice suddenly cold and menacing in a way Danny had never heard before.

Even Vlad looked surprised, eyebrows rising at the tone.

“And you’ve been teaching him your attitude issues as well, how charming,” he noted to Danny directly, then gave Jason a sly smile. “Vladimir Masters. I assume Danny’s been telling you all sorts of stories?”

“He doesn’t need to dude, your vibes are rancid,” Sam snapped, rolling her eyes when Vlad shot her a glare.

Which, yeah, helped snap Danny out if it and he tried a step to the side to get back into view. And stifled a snicker when Jason moved with him, resting a hand on the taller halfa’s hip.

Calm-breathe-don’t give the game away

It was difficult to keep it local, since he was currently bathing the whole room in his energy. Although, since Vlad had already successfully found him…

Danny winched it back in, letting his aura go from overwhelming back down to conversational, shoulders settling as the pressure dropped.

Felt Jason stiffen for a moment under his hand, then relax, and yeah now Danny felt a little bad about that part of the plan. He hadn’t gone as big as Frostbite, but Jason didn’t react well to big auras.

Maybe it’d help him settle down.

He did at least shift aside enough to let Vlad see him again, and Danny gave him a cheeky wave just to see his face pinch.

“What’s the matter Vlad, worried about what I’d say?” He asked innocently, and enjoyed the way Vlad’s eyes narrowed.

Right up until Jason cleared his throat pointedly and Vlad’s eyes shot to him, widened, and the man stepped back. Which was… wild.

Vlad might be just a little taller, he didn’t have even half of Jason’s bulk but he’d never backed down from Jack Fenton before.

Then again, Jack loved Vlad and would never stare at him with such open threat in his face. Even for a baby halfa, Jason could exude an aura of menace.

Danny was maybe just a tiny huge bit loving it.

Vlad glanced his way again, teeth gritted, and stopped. His expression shifted enough that Danny had to actually look at him again, rather than vaguely watching while enjoying Jason.

Was that… actual conflict? On Vlad “I Know Best I Made The Universe From Scratch” Masters?

And then Vlad gave him a careful, polite smile that he usually saved for cops and adults and that was just too weird.

“Daniel, I understand that we’ve had our differences and I will admit my own part in that. But do I not even deserve a chance to make my own first impressions?” He asked, turning the same smile to Jason.

Who glared back.

“You’ve been running around and accosting my brothers, I think that’s a pretty clear first impression,” he pointed out, muscles flexing as he folded his arms.

Danny wasn’t gonna look. Nope. Focus on Vlad, focus on Vlad, you’d think it wouldn’t be hard with his actual nemesis in front of him but ooooh the fabric of Jason’s jacket was straining in a very interesting way.

Definitely stealing his training routine.

Vlad seemed to have deflated proportionately too, inclining his head in a sharp nod.

“Yes, well. I certainly didn’t intend to be so upsetting. Perhaps we can turn over a new leaf together, Jason? Daniel?” He offered with a slightly more strained smile.

Poor guy never did cope well when one of his plans went wrong. It was Danny’s favourite thing about him.

So he gave Vlad his very best shit eating grin and nodded, leaning against Jason’s side and crossing his legs at the ankles.

“Yeah, why not? We can get all buddy buddy together while I tell Jason all about that camping trip you took me and my mom on,” he said cheerfully, waving a hand. “Maybe I should send you on one some time.”

Vlad’s eyes narrowed, then his expression resolved into a snakelike smile as he pointedly looked at Jason instead.

“Certainly. And perhaps I can also show you some of Daniel’s baby pictures, Jason?” He hummed, voice suddenly silken.

Danny fucking stumbled as he rushed to regain his footing.

“What no fuck you you do not,” he stammered at the same time as Jason raised a mildly interested brow.

“Baby pictures?”

And Vlad had that stupid, annoying, self satisfied asshole smile on his face again. Like he’d fucking won something. He continued to ignore Danny and Sam, smiling up at Jason.

“Oh yes. His parents kept a very clear documentation of his early years, his first tooth, his first Halloween costume, all of it,” he said smugly, entirely confident.

Which just was not fucking fair. What the fuck was Danny supposed to say to that?

“There is no way his parents gave you those photos,” Sam snapped, folding her arms too and glaring.

Hero goth queen.

Vlad gave her a smug smile too.

“And yet I have them. Jack was delighted to bring me through all of the family albums, so I also have stories,” he added, shooting Danny a look that had usually accompanied an ectoblast.

Ectoblasts were better. Ectoblasts only hurt in the moment.

Danny groaned, closing his eyes and scrubbing his hands across his face.

“Alright never mind I liked it better when we were fighting,” he grumbled under his breath, startling a chuckle from Jason.

Vlad finally found a way to beat him.

At least until Danny could call his dad for college stories.

—————

#danny fenton dead and loving it #dpxdc #dp x dc #danny fenton x jason todd #dead on main shipping #also dead me #why u like this tumblr #why

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