Loss

Danny sits at the kitchen table, head in his hands, " this is so stupid."

" It's not stupid," Jazz counters, flipping through a textbook.

" Yes, it is," Danny says, pushing away his English homework. " Who cares if I can or can't write a perfect paragraph? Grammarly exists for a reason!" 

" It's not that hard," Sam says, working on her math homework, " Just put your thoughts together and go from there." 

" No," Tucker corrects, " he needs to outline. Topic sentence, hook, details, conclusion." 

" If it's so easy, one of you do it," Danny scowls, crossing his arms. 

Tucker shakes his head, trying to stop himself from laughing, " I've got enough work of my own, thanks." 

" I'll do your math," Danny offers quickly, " and your science too." 

" Not in a million years," Tucker refuses. 

" Sam–" 

" No." 

" Stupid English three languages in a trench coat post lobotomy piece of– " Danny trails off, muttering in Arabic. Unlike Sam and Tucker, he's stuck in ESL English. They get fun books and assignments, while he gets grammar, essays, and parts of speech.

Jazz raises an eyebrow, " something you wanna share?" 

" If I ever leave this English-forsaken infused country, I will never utter another word of it," Danny replies. Knowing Jazz has no trouble telling Jack and Maddie he's cursing, even if he's not. It takes forever to get the taste of soap out of your mouth. 

" Right," Jazz says, not believing that for a second. She scoots her chair over anyway and helps Danny figure out the assignments. They're just about done when Jazz quiets them, "Do you hear that?" They all pause and listen. There's ringing coming from the other room. " Who's phone is that?" 

Sam picks hers off the table while Tucker checks his pockets, pulling out multiple devices. Danny pats his pockets down, "Wait a sec," and rushes to the other room. He pulls his phone out of his backpack and answers without looking: " Hello?" 

" Danyal," Damian greets, " may I have a moment of your time?" 

Danny walks back to the kitchen and puts it on speaker, "Sure, what's up?" 

" Who's that?" Sam asks, knowing Danny wouldn't answer the Fentons like that, and his only friends, no offense, are in the room. 

" It's my brother. Say ' hi,' Dami," Danny chirps. 

" Hi?" Damian says, hesitant. " Am I on speaker, Danyal?" 

" Yeah, I hope that's okay. It's just my friends, Sam and Tucker, we're doing homework," Danny says, sitting back down. " Jazz is supervising– that's the Fenton's kid." 

" I am aware," Damian sighs. It's been a few months since Damian got sent to the States and got in contact with Danyal. He is well aware of how ' impressive' Jasmine Fenton is in Danyal's eyes. " May we speak without the entourage?" 

" Nope," Jazz answers. " If he gets up now, he'll never finish his homework." 

" Danyal was always meticulous about his work. I doubt a conversation could derail his concentration to such an extent," Damian says, defending him. 

" It's not that. I did everything else when they handed it out yesterday. It's just English left. A small essay." 

" My condolences," Damian replies. 

" Oh, come on, not you, too," Jazz complains. 

" They are abhorrent," Danny says, looking at his papers with disdain. 

" Reading is one skill. Writing is another," Damian says, understanding his twins' dislike. 

" History is just as bad! Half of Grandfather's books contradict," Danny goes on an animated tirade. 

" Yes! When I corrected the textbook, the teacher was stern with me," Damian agrees, remembering the dressing down he received. It's not the twins' fault their knowledge is seen as wrong. Ra's, being how old he is, has seen a lot, and he owns a lot of redacted publications. The victors rewrite history. Their lessons aren't going to add up to what the general public knows. Especially when they know true accounts instead of the cover-ups. 

" While it's great to meet you, Damian," Jazz says, " is there a reason you called? He really does have to finish this." 

" I can give a summary," Damian relents, upset. 

Danny nods, "Yeah, that works, and I can call you back later. There's some stuff I wanted to run by you, too." 

" Very well… Father went on an outing with some of his affiliates and has yet to return. The current consensus is that he's lost. Rescue efforts have commenced. However, efforts seem futile." 

A stunned silence goes over the table, " where?" Danny chokes out. 

" I do not have his exact coordinates," Damian explains. " He and the others were taking care of a… work issue—the one I mentioned recently." 

" Oh," Danny says, feeling helpless about the situation. Danny knew something was off. The infinite Realms, miss labeled the ' Ghost Zone' by the Dr. Fentons, has been tense. The realm is home to more than lingering spirits: personified concepts, cosmic level entities– from all over the multiverse. Beings way above his pay grade. Damians' trickles of information help cover the gaps. 

" What's going to happen to you?" Jazz asks concerned. " With your Dad being gone, how's that gonna hold up with CPS?" 

" Grayson has completed the required paperwork," Damian replies. " Until Father is found, I will remain in his care." 

" I don't mean to be cruel, but what if they don't find him, or worse? Will it be safe to stay?" Jazz worries. " I can talk to Mom and Dad. I don't know if Danny remembered to tell you, but if you need somewhere to go, you have a place here." 

" Danyal has informed me," Damian says, " however, Jasmine, relocation is unnecessary." 

" Just Jazz, please," she says, " but remember to keep the option in mind." 

" Your name is Jasmine. I shall continue to refer to you as such," Damian replies, sounding aggravated. " Just as I shall continue calling ahki, Danyal." 

" That's not right," Danny frowns. " She introduced herself as Jazz because that's her preference." 

" However, it is disrespectful to shorten names or mock. Nor are we familiar enough for terms of endearment. With there being multiple Fenton's, given names are a necessity, but further familiarity would be a faux pas," Damian says, reciting their etiquette lessons. 

" That's only for strangers, elders, teachers, or beings of importance," Danny says. Peers speak with familiarity. So, nicknames are appropriate. Some take the place of given names. Jazz, for example, goes by Jazz by everyone. The only time anyone calls her Jasmine is for legal purposes." 

" And this is common?" Damian asks, unsure, only used to the League's rigid social structure. 

" Very," Sam replies. " I go by Sam, but my birth certificate has me as Samantha. Most people use nicknames." 

"It's like…" Danny tries to figure out how to word it. " Grandfather goes by many names. Some show position, power, and origin, but they all are him—an extension of self." 

" I see," Damian ponders their words. " Is using a ' nickname' a necessity?" 

" I don't believe so," Danny says, looking at his friends for guidance. " Not everyone uses them. Tucker doesn't usually. Sometimes, we may shorten his name to Tuck, but that is only due to close familiarity." 

" Is that your preference as well? I heard them refer to you as ' Danny' rather than Danyal. Would you prefer I stop?" Damian asks, trying to understand the rules of nicknames. 

" No," Danny is quick to say. " My name is my own. I prefer it. It's just here; there is a name similar to my own, and most people mess it up. So, I use Danny as my English name. While Danyal works okay for that, I can't stand the way Americans pronounce it. Daniel is just, ew. My friends and the Fentons learned to say it right, but no one else really makes the effort." 

" If they speak correctly, why use the English name?" Damian asks. 

" Familiarity," Danny shrugs, " to them it's an actual nickname. You should hear Sam when she's mad at me. I swear you can hear her hollering ' Danyal Al Ghul' a kilometer away." He then has a lightbulb moment. " Hey, you haven't been calling Father's other kids by their last names, have you?" 

"It is effective!" Damian defends, obviously embarrassed.

" Oh my– ahki, no," Danny facepalms.

" It is too late to change this now. Regardless. It would feel improper." 

" Due to former teachings or lack of familiarity?" Danny asks, knowing he has similar issues. 

" Both, I assume," Damian sighs. " It is difficult, being somewhere new, filled with unknowns." 

"That's something you could bond with Dick about. Isn't he European?" Danny asks. 

" His official origins are unknown. The circus was on the move," Damian says. 

" I recall Mother saying he's Romani and from somewhere on the European continent. His parents were on tour there at the time," Danny says, thinking back. " He'd know what it's like," he intentionally ignores the sad and sorry looks Jazz and his friends are giving him. " You've gotta make an effort, ahki. Try to find similarities. Growing up overseas like Dick, we've met Jason before– he used to read to us. Go to a bookstore. Tim… I'm not too sure about that. I know Grandfather thinks highly of him– ask for homework help. Get to the point where you can call them by name. Baby steps." 

" I refuse to call Grayson a phallic object." 

" Then don't," Danny says. " In this case, the name connotation is enough reason to refute." 

" Then why do you call him that?" Damian asks, confused.

" Knowing the look Grandfather would give for lack of decorum if he ever heard me," Danny says, smirking.

Damian huffs, "Must you be the cause of my gray hair?"

Danny laughs. 

 *****

Later that night, once the Fentons are asleep, Danny video-calls his brother. Damian answers, popping into view on his bed, "It took you long enough." 

" Sorry. Maddies has been working on fixing the blast doors on the portal. They keep shorting out and letting ghosts out– it's really frustrating her– and Jack started stress baking," Danny explains, " It's a whole thing– right, never mind– tell me what's going on with Father?" 

" He is dead." 

" What?! You– you said he was missing! What happened?" Danny asks, taken aback, unsure how to feel. His father is dead. He never got to meet him. 

" Father, along with his team members, were working against an invasion from Apokolips, Darkseid's home. This did not go to plan… outside of those directly involved, the memory of the event is…wonky? Civilians do not recall the fighting, and destruction righted itself overnight. The kill count went down exponentially… but Father remains among the fallen," Damian says, frowning.

" Has anyone figured out how things re-set?" Danny asks. Things don't fix themselves for no cost. The Lazarus pits taught them that. 

" Too much radiation to find anything conclusive. Flash, Allen, was looking into the specifics, along with Drake," Damian informs, " they will continue their tests, but our main concern is covering up Father's passing. Gotham can only go so long without Batman. Father and the Dark Knight can not be lost at the same time. It puts the rest at risk… We are holding a small service for Father at the Manor on Friday. Family and those in the know only. In a few months, an accident or sickness can be released about him, make it public." 

Danny leans forward, puts his face in his hands, and fights back tears for a man he never got to know but should have. " This isn't fair. Things were finally looking up," his voice cracks. " I thought… If he was good, he could take me too. I thought I'd have a home with you." Danny rubs his eyes. " I'm sorry. I'm making this about me when it's Father who died– I didn't get to know him, but I would have liked to. I'm sorry, ahki. Are you okay?" 

Damian looks thoughtful, " I am… hollow. I did not have much time with the man, but he was kind, though he had difficulty expressing himself…I did not know him well enough to call my affections love, but I think… if given time, I could have loved him." After a moment of silence, he clears his throat, trying to get the focus off himself. "Our sister will be returning stateside for the service. She has been in Hong Kong. I will be able to give you my risk assessment of her soon." 

" That's nice… it sounds like he had a lot of people that cared for him," Danny replies, regaining composure. " I could look for him in the realms. Violent enough death, there's a possibility he's there."

" Would that be wise?" Damian asks, conflicted. " You are an abnormality. Would normal, fully deceased beings like reminders of their lives before?" 

" I think it's a case-by-case basis," Danny says, " Some ghosts take on completely new identities, while others stay the same." 

" Could you keep an ear out for any spirits matching his description?" Damian asks.

" Not all ghosts look the same in life as they do in death," Danny shakes his head. Others have multiple forms. It's more complicated than that. 

" In that case, forget about it for now, but if you happen across him, let me know?" Damian asks, his grief evident. " It would ease my mind."

" Of course," Danny agrees. He couldn't hide that from him. He then asks, "With Father gone, who's gonna replace him as the bat?" 

Damian huffs, "I have not a clue. I am obviously out of the running. No one is speaking about it for now. It is too soon. However, with that said, most likely Grayson or Todd. The goal is to hide the fact that Father is gone. While I can not speak for Cain, as we have yet to meet, they are the only ones close enough in build to pull it off."

" I don't see how either of them would work well. Dick sticks to another city, Blüdhaven, right? He can't be in two places at once. Jason, I don't see sticking to Father's methods– he really likes those guns. I've kept up with Red Hood sightings since Mother let it slip that it's him– Father was shown opposing him a lot in the beginning, and even recently, things have been rocky. He's a crime lord; the power vacuum would be crazy if he just stopped all of a sudden." 

" I agree, but it is not my call. However, I am hopeful Father's passing will allow me to be in the field. They are used to another set of hands," Damian says, trying to think positively.

" That's true," Danny says, sitting up straighter. " What's your vigilante name going to be?" 

" Robin?" Damian says, like it's obvious, "It is our legacy. Being Robin is an honor. Something to be earned–" 

" But Tim's still Robin," Danny points out; " there can't be two; it would be confusing." 

" But–"

" You do know you don't have to be Robin, right? You can create your own persona." 

" It is not that simple," Damian argues. " They do not trust me. Still. If we are to work together, there has to be mutual trust." 

" Have you given them a reason to trust you in the field?" Danny asks, raising an eyebrow. 

" We train together… they worry about my restraint," Damian reveals, avoiding eye contact. " All injuries have been superficial, but in the heat of battle, they worry I will go too far." 

" Then prove it," Danny says, surprising him. " Go out there on your own. Start small, alley crime– muggings, purse snatching, lost people, then work your way up. No one has to give you permission to do the right thing. Show them what you bring to the table. They can't refute you then. It's not like killing everyone fixes everything." 

" Danyal, besides Todd, they are all against killing," Damian stresses. 

Danny blue screens, "But that's stupid! Not ending a serial killer just gives them more chances to strike again. That's not fixing a problem; it's just adding to it." 

Damian nods, " Todd believes the same. That was one of Father's biggest issues with his work. He did not believe in having the final say." 

" I can understand that– being the hand to cut someone down isn't easy. I don't particularly like doing it, but I think at times it's needed. The Joker, for example, is not going to stop. It's ceaseless violence," Danny says before asking, "Do you think you'll be able to abstain from killing people like that?" 

" I… am not sure, but I am willing to try," Damian replies. 

" You're not gonna turn into one of those ' all life is sacred' people, are you?" Danny jokes. 

" No," Damian replies playfully, " but you shall be shamed." 

" Oh no, not shame. How can I go on," Danny laughs. 

Once things settle, Damian says, " You said earlier that you have something to go over as well?" 

" Yeah," Danny sighs and repositions himself so he's lying on the bed, " So, Jack and Maddie had a class reunion, and the guy hosting it was a friend of theirs, Vladimir Masters. He offered to let us stay the weekend. We ended up driving to Wisconsin, of all places, and arriving at a castle-like one you'd see in Europe. He put me on edge immediately. He was giving Maddie looks, looks no one should be sending a married woman. Jack was oblivious to it all, thinking he was an old friend. Jack got sick from dinner the first night, no one else, and his symptoms went beyond food poisoning. I brushed it off until the reunion the next day. Turns out, I'm not the first one to die via Ghost Portal." 

" What?" Damian asks, "But the Fentons are the first…"

" They are, but the one in the basement is mark 2. The first one was small and made during their college years. It serged, throwing ectoplasm in Masters' face. It broke his face out and made him really sick for a few years. Because of the radiation, he had to stay isolated. It took a while, but he gained powers too," Danny explains, upset. 

" That makes him like you, yes? A halfa? There is, possibly, another of your kind. Why do you sound upset? He may be a creep, but this is a good thing," Damian says, confused.

" He is NOT a halfa," Danny says, eyes flashing green, " he's a poser. He didn't die. He's fully alive. He feels weird, like an imitation of a ghost– but he's definitely not one– yet he claims to be the same as me– can you believe that?!" 

" I can see you are upset–" 

" Of course I am! I had a man preach to me, monologue. About how he knows what it's like and wants to teach me. He's never had to smell his skin charring and falling away as ectoplasm recreates the remains. He wakes up with a still beating heart, not having to remind it that it's supposed to beat," Danny says, full of anguish, " to shake off rigor mortis. I hate him. He's a mockery; being near him…it was horrible." 

" It sounds like it," Damian says softly, not knowing what else to say.

" I haven't even told you everything yet. Part of his monologue included, ' Forsake your Father, join me.' He thought I was the Fenton's kid– shows how little he knows," Danny rolls his eyes. " He has a broader range of abilities than me, able to make duplicates. He got one to overshadow Jack–"

" Overshadow?" Damian asks, wanting clarification. 

" Kinda like possession, but doesn't hurt the body or soul. It's like… putting someone to sleep and wearing them. It's uncomfortable, in my opinion, but I can see how it's useful. He had the duplicate in Jack try to make a fool of himself and cause chaos– anything to make him look bad and get him hurt in the process. It didn't work. Obviously, we fought, but it was a standstill. While I have better technique, he beats me in experience with the powers. He only stopped the fight to save face. Heeded up threatening to tell the Fentons about me, and I threw the threat back in his face. We ended up agreeing neither of us would tell anyone." 

" Would that necessarily be a bad thing? While yes, it compromises your identity, it would also be a boon. A one-person crusade is limiting, not to mention dangerous. Something could happen. You may need help," Damian replies, not seeing this as a bad thing. 

" They don't just study ghosts, Dami," Danny says, somewhat muffled as he puts his face into the mattress, " they modified their van into a barely legal tank and nicknamed it the G.A.V, or the Ghost Assault Vehicle. They're ghost hunters. Maddie's an okay shot, but Jack couldn't hit a wall if he tried. They've been doing it since the first ghost attack, and they're getting better. They've threatened to tear Phantom, the name I go by in my other form, apart. Molecule by molecule. They've even started talking about their plans over dinner. They won't take it well." 

" And yet, you decided to stay for the foreseeable future, even after Mother gives an okay, because Father's family may not be safe?" Damian seethes. "While they are not either!" 

" Better the enemy you know than the one you don't," Danny says, going up onto his elbows. 

" You are unbelievable," Damian throws his hands in the air. " Regular check-ins– our normal chats do not count. Full patrol write-ups. Saturday evenings, times are negotiable." 

" Fine," Danny says, eyes narrowing. " But once you start going out on patrols, you have to do check-ins too." 

" Fine." 

" Fine," Danny parrots, then sighs, " I'd also like to advise looking into Masters. He's the owner and CEO of DALV CO. He may try to get involved with Wayne Enterprises. While he's totally crazy, he's one fruit loop away from Rogue status. I'd imagine Father's equipment is better suited for a full investigation than what's on the market." 

" I will look into him and report back," Damian says, then yawns, " It's getting late." 

" I'll let you get some sleep," Danny says, sitting up, then hesitates. " Before I go, one last thing. It might be nothing, but it's giving off red flags. Outside of Amity's limits, both leaving and re-entering, there were some weird guys, all in white. They stopped us and showed Jack a badge. They took it back too fast for any of us to figure out what they were a part of. They wouldn't let us go until they checked the G.A.V. over. The ghosts, they've– we've caught someone's attention, and I don't think it's anybody good." 

 *****

" Timothy," Damian says, announcing himself, " I require your assistance." 

Tim looks around the Batcave, finding them to be alone, " you're talking to me?"

" That is your name, correct, Timothy?" Damian asks, dragging a chair to sit next to him at the computer.

" You've been calling me Drake since you got here," Tim says warily. " This isn't some kind of convoluted plan to take me out, I hope?" 

Damian scoffs, " If I meant to kill you, you would already be dead. An… acquaintance of mine informed me we may have ' gotten off on the wrong foot.' I would like to rectify this. I was unaware of the intricate nature of nicknames and preferred ones." 

" What on earth are you talking about?" Tim asks, not knowing what all this is about. 

Damian continues, "Surnames are the preferred term of address within the league. Given names are personal. Unless there are multiples, given names are not used sparingly. They are used only by those who have created a bond. We," He gestures between them, " Have not known each other long. The immediate use of given names felt improper. I have been corrected that this is not how it is here. It was not my intention to be disrespectful towards anyone. I hope you can forgive me for this… while also understanding I am uncomfortable using and being given nicknames. For now, if you are amendable, I will refer to you as Timothy." 

 "So you're not trying to be a pretentious asshole?" Tim asks, kind of seeing how this could be a genuine misunderstanding. Being called Drake brings up complicated emotions he'd rather not tackle, and Damian calling him that all the time wasn't helping matters. 

" That was not my intention," Damian confirms. " Many things are different here than with Mother. It had not occurred to me that this may be another of those differences." 

" Definitely a difference," Tim says, leaning back in his chair, considering Damians' words. " I'm okay with being called Timothy. It's better than Drake. Was that all you wanted?" 

Damian shakes his head, "No. I really do need your assistance. However," he looks away, a bit embarrassed, "Before that, I have one more thing to apologize for." 

"Really? What, another one of those differences?" Tim asks, curious.

" Yes, actually. My acquaintance referred to this as a cultural difference," Damian says. 

" Who's this ' acquaintance' you're talking about?" Tim asks. There's not a lot of options. Damian hasn't made any friends at school yet, and besides them, the only people outside of the family he knows are League affiliated." Do I know them?" 

" You have yet to meet," Damian replies, " perhaps in the future that will change… anyways, they informed me that duels are no longer commonplace in this country… or legal, since around the American Civil War–" 

" Duels? What?" Tim asks, wishing the kid would give context before rambling on. 

" Our fight– my attacking you. To be Robin," Damian sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "I intended to win the position, the honor. Not to kill you. To show my worth." 

That takes Tim aback, " Earn your worth? Why would you need to do that? You're Bruce's kid. He doesn't– didn't," his voice breaks. " He didn't make us go out and be a hero. This life, putting our lives on the line, it's a choice. One we've all made, not because it was a condition of him taking us in, loving us, but because of our own reasons. I can't speak for the others, but I became Robin because it was the right thing to do. B. went kind of crazy after what happened to Jason. Dick created Nightwing and moved on. I was a stranger. I interjected myself into their lives. I fully expected my tenure as Robin to be temporary, especially once Jason came back. It didn't go that way, obviously. I went from a stranger to a person they cared for and family. I thought at first, the same as you, I needed to earn my keep," Tim says, looking at Damien, really looking at him. He's just a kid, younger than Jason and him when they started. " They rectified that quickly. Bruce kept trying to adopt me. I even hired a guy to pretend to be my uncle when he figured out stuff wasn't right at home. Dick tried to be a good big brother.. he had a lot of regrets about Jason. He made sure I knew I wasn't a replacement for Jay but another brother. Cass and Jason came about later, and while Jason and I have our issues, we got over them, someone, and became family, too. You don't have to prove yourself to any of us. You became family as soon as we met you." 

" But why… Why keep me if I have nothing to contribute? Father allowed me to train but kept me from the field. Was that not for me to prove myself? Why else would he let me? I am a waste of resources." 

" No, Damian, no," Tim says softly, realizing he's completely misunderstood him. " At first, sure, it was to know you could hold back and do the job– holding back is a lot harder than it looks, but after… Damian, training, it's all you focus on. Going out isn't an expectation. Bruce wasn't going to stop you from training. It's obvious you enjoy it, but he wasn't going to let you out when you don't know who you're fighting for. You've got to do it for yourself, not because of expectations. You have the drive but no direction. That's what's stopping you from suiting up." 

" I-I see," Damian says, taking in the words of advice. " Thank you. I have much to consider." Damian sits there for a moment before getting up to put away the chair and turns to leave. 

Tim calls out before he goes, "Wait, didn't you want my help with something?" 

Damian stops and comes back, looking off-kilter from their conversation. He gulps a little and asks, "Would you look into someone on my behalf?"

" Sure," Tim says, not expecting that request. " Who is it?" 

" Vladimir Masters," Damian replies, " my acquaintance came across him. They have concerns regarding his character. I wish to provide a risk assessment." 

" I'll see what I can do," Tim says, mind going a mile a minute. A risk assessment about an unknown, for an unknown. That can only go two ways. " I'll let you know when it's done." 

" You have my thanks, Timothy," Damian says, nodding his head at him. " I will warn you, due to you taking over WE in Father's absence, that Masters is head of DALV CO. My acquaintance has warned me he may have interest in the family business and has closeted meta abilities–" 

" Abilities? What kind?" Tim asks, eyes narrowing. 

" They named nothing specific," Damian says, lying, " but they alluded to him being able to control others." 

Tim sees right through that but doesn't point it out, "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." He watches Damian leave the cave, and starts a new file. " Okay, let's see what you're hiding," and falls down the rabbit hole. 

 *****

" Hey Maddie, can I go to Tuckers?" Danny asks, yelling into the lab. 

Maddie leans away from her work, placing her goggles on her head. " I thought you said you're not feeling well?" She looks at the clock. It's only 11 a.m. " He should still be in school. If you're feeling so much better, I can always drop you off." 

" No," Danny quickly replies, " I meant, could I go later. I'm about to take a nap," he fake yawns, " I'm hoping to sleep it off first." 

Maddie looks back at her work and sighs, "Just make sure to be back before the street lights come on." 

" Thanks, I'm gonna go take my nap now," Danny says, going upstairs and shutting his bedroom door firmly behind him. He goes through his closet and puts on his one button-down, black pants, and good shoes. He then transforms and flies off at a leisurely pace. It's a little after noon when he arrives and hides from view. 

In the middle of the yard are rows upon rows of people, all facing a casket. Off to the side is a TV on a stand showing a slideshow, and in the middle, a speaker, " – all lost someone irreplaceable. A friend, mentor, father, son– there won't be a day we all don't miss Bruce–" Danny settles in for the rest of the service. It lasts for over an hour. A few stick around to talk, but one by one, they leave. Some have other commitments, and others join the family inside for refreshments. Damian, however, remains in the seat. 

Danny sneaks up invisibly, in human form, and pops into view next to him. " Is this seat taken?"

Damian jumps a bit, " Danyal? What– how are you here?"

" You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?" Danny asks, sliding into the chair next to him. 

" How did you get here so fast?" Damian asks, avoiding the subject. " Mother will be cross when she learns you left Amity." 

" How'd ya know I didn't get permission?" Danny asks, tone questioning. 

" For one, she would be here if aware," Damian deadpans.

" Wait, are you saying Mother doesn't know?" Danny asks, surprised.

"She would take me away. I—I am not ready to leave. I do not think I want to. The only thing that has been missing here is you." 

 Danny hugs Damian, " I'm sorry… you should have had more time."

 Damian returns it, "Thank you, and you should have had the opportunity." 

"The service was nice," Danny says, looking at the TV, still flipping through pictures. " It was nice to see him outside of the press and surveillance photos." 

" Would you–" Damian cuts off as footsteps approach; Danny goes invisible. 

" Young Master Damian," Alfred calls, getting closer. " Come on, dear boy, It's time. The diggers will be arriving soon." 

" Of course, I apologize for the inconvenience," Damian stands, using all his self-control not to look over at his brother. 

Alfred puts his arm around Damian and walks him to the house. " I must ask, Young Master, who was that out there with you? I didn't mean to make him run off. He was more than welcome to join us inside." 

" An Acquaintance."