Chapter Text
The DNA test resulted two days after Vlad tried to steal Danyal’s crown.
Those two days had been full of activity. Both the Justice League and Justice League Dark had sued the US Government for what was essentially a government-sanctioned genocide of an entire other species. The government tried to do damage control once it became public that they had allowed the capture and torture of ectoplasmic beings, especially since some of the denizens of the Realms had once been human.
Lois Lane had written a piece stating that the government had allowed the departed loved ones to be hunted down like animals, riling up the masses.
“She always has a way with words,” Pennyworth had said as he poured a cup of tea for Damian. Damian had protested; he didn’t want his dead grandfather to serve them, but the older man had ignored all their protests and continued serving them as if having him around after his death wasn’t a miracle.
“That she does,” Damian said. He picked up his cup of tea and felt warmth spread through his body as he took his first sip. He sighed. He felt content to have his pseudo-grandfather around once more, even though he was in a new form.
Damian watched his other siblings smile tiredly at Alfred as they raised their cups for tea to be poured. All of his siblings had been sleeping two to three hours, trying to help the Justice League find evidence to support their claims about the US government’s misdeeds against the dead. They were all exhausted.
The easiest part was getting Vlad arrested. Danyal had gathered evidence that Vlad had misused mind control not only to steal other people’s fortunes but also to rig Amity’s mayoral election so he could win.
Amanda Waller had wanted to sink her grubby little hands into the man, but with the chaos unfolding, the US government had allowed the Justice League to hold Vlad down. Probably in the hope that the Justice League would go easy on them for their foolishness in allowing the hunting of ectoplasmic beings. Amanda had tried to argue that she was the only one who could keep Masters under control in Belle Reve. Thankfully, the Fentons had made a belt that could nullify Masters’ powers. Plus, JL Dark had added a few spells to Masters’ cell.
The man had woken up raving and furious that he had been captured. He was mostly ignored. Mostly. After all, they still needed to interrogate the man every once in a while, and Wonder
Woman did so love using her lasso.
Damian looked up from his cup as his father entered, papers in hand. His father’s brows were furrowed, and he frowned as he read them. Damian straightened, knowing exactly what they contained. The rest of his siblings were aware of it, too, by the way they watched their father.
“The results are in. Danny’s my son.”
Damian scoffed.
“Was there ever any doubt, father?”
“No, but I don’t know how Danny will take this news, or the Fentons. I think a part of him still hoped it wouldn’t show any relation between us.”
Damian frowned.
“He’s a Wayne and Al Ghul; it’s best that comes to light sooner rather than later.”
“Baby bat, I don’t think Danny would appreciate it coming to light or it being public,” Richard said.
Damian glared at Richard.
“Of course not, I doubt Danyal would like to be in the spotlight. However, his family should know where he comes from.”
His father sighed.
“It’s time to give the Fentons a call.”
____
The past two days had been the most peaceful Danny had had in a long time. The Justice League was taking care of Vlad and the town's destruction. Bruce and his broods had more or less left them alone, and, most importantly, his parents had been around to show how much they cared for Danny.
Danny basked in peace because he knew it wouldn’t last.
Danny got up a little late. After the last ghost ‘invasion’, the school had been closed for the remainder of the week. He lay in bed, listening to his parents talk downstairs. He could hear pots and pans banging. Well, he might as well go eat.
Danny sat by Jazz and watched as his family ate and joked around. Life was good.
The phone rang.
Danny felt a chill go down his spine; it wasn’t his ghost sense.
His mom got up and picked up the phone.
“Hello, Fenton’s residence.”
Danny sighed miserably as he heard the other person’s voice. It was Bruce.
“Hello, Mrs. Fenton. This is Bruce. I received the DNA test results: Danny is my biological son.”
“I see,” his mom said.
“I know this is a shock and probably not what you wanted to hear. I want to reiterate that I don’t want to take Danny away from you. He’s your son, but I would love to be part of Danny’s life if he allows it. I’ll give you and your family some time. Call me when you’re ready to talk.”
“Thank you,” his mom said stiffly and hung up.
“Maddie, is that who I think it was?”
His mom didn’t answer his dad; she turned toward Danny.
“He’s your father,” she said.
“No, he’s not. I don’t care what a blood test says. You and dad are my parents. He’s nothing more than a sperm donor.”
“Dann-o, we would understand if you want to have a relationship with your biological family,” dad whispered.
Danny shook his head.
“That’s the thing, though, I don’t care about them or fostering a relationship. I want nothing to do with them. You guys are my family.”
Besides, how can he leave his family behind for some other people he barely knows? It wouldn’t be fair to his parents and Jazz.
“Danny,” Jazz called to him and took his hand, “If you have a relationship with them, it doesn’t mean we won’t be family. We’ll always be here.”
Danny let silence reign while he thought.
Did he want a relationship with his biological family? He didn’t think he’d ever be able to cultivate a relationship with Damian. Despite fighting together against Vlad, they didn’t have anything in common. There was too much bad blood.
And Bruce, his biological father? Well, he didn’t care much about the man or his other children.
“I don’t know,” he said.
His dad put a hand on Danny’s shoulders.
“You don’t have to have an answer right now. We’ll be there for you no matter what you decide.”
Danny smiled.
He got up and hugged his dad.
“Thanks. I’m lucky to have parents like you.”
“No, sweetie, we’re the lucky ones,” his mom said before kissing his cheek.
He gave a quick smile.
“There is one thing I want to tell Bruce and Damian.”
____
Both Damian and Bruce stood in front of the Fentons’ door. They had been surprised that Danyal had wanted to meet with them. Damian quickly squashed the blossoming hope that his brother had changed his mind and wanted to go with them.
Father rang the doorbell, and they waited. A few seconds later, Mrs. Fenton was allowing them inside.
“Danny wants to talk to you two alone. We’ll be downstairs and give you a bit of privacy.”
She led them to the living room, where Danyal was already waiting. She gave Danyal a smile.
“Your father and I will be in the basement, in case you need anything.”
“Thanks mom.”
Mrs. Fenton gave one last smile and left.
The silence that followed was awkward.
“Sit, please,” Danyal said.
“Thank you,” Father said and sat across from Danyal. Damian sat by his father, not wanting to crowd his twin.
“I want to start by thanking you. I’m grateful you helped me take care of Vlad. I was at a bit of a loss about what to do with him. Technically, being challenged for the crown isn’t a crime in the Infinite Realms. I’m glad he’ll be able to pay for his earthly crimes, at least.”
“Of course,” Damian answered, “It’s our job as heroes to help and make sure justice is served.”
“Either way, I want to thank you properly.”
Danyal picked up a box resting on a small table beside him. He opened the box to show a glowing, green necklace. It was Lazarus green.
“What is it, Danny?”
He smiled.
“It’s a necklace that was made into solidified ectoplasm. I saw an elderly man around you guys, and I imagine he’s important to you. Being in Amity’s ambient ectoplasm has allowed him to grow stronger and take on a physical form. Still, if he leaves Amity, I don’t know how long he’ll be able to show up. That’s why I made this necklace. It’s a continuous source of ectoplasm that will allow him to have a physical form to interact with you.”
Father got up and took the necklace. He looked at Danyal with gratitude.
“Thank you so much, Danny. You have no idea how much this means to us. Alfred has been a part of my life since the beginning and a cornerstone of our family. We appreciate this gift.”
“Yeah, well, no problem,” Danyal said while rubbing the back of his neck.
Father put the necklace away. The rest of Damian’s siblings will no doubt be overjoyed at the news that Alfred will be around to stay.
“There’s another reason I called you. I know what the results say, but I don’t care. I won’t be leaving my family.” He said resolutely.
Damian clenched his fists before relaxing. He knew this was going to happen, but it seems he hadn’t been able to squash his hope completely.
“We understand,” Father said in a soft voice.
Danyal looked at Damian.
“Do you?”
Damian took a deep breath and answered.
“Yes, we do. I don’t like it and wish you would come back with us or at least acknowledge our relationship, but I understand. I haven’t been the best brother, and you don’t father or my siblings. You’ve been with the Fentons a long time, and they have been there for you.”
Damian looked up, “I will not give you another reason to hate me by making you leave them behind.”
Danyal smiled; his eyes glowed green.
“Oh, Damian, you wouldn’t be able to make me if you wanted to.”
Damian gave an answering smile. He got up and took out a piece of paper.
“My number. Call me if you ever need me.”
Damian was a little surprised Danyal took the paper. A part of him still thought his brother would refuse.
“Remember, Danny, we’re here if you ever need us.”
Danyal nodded and escorted them outside. Damian turned toward his twin.
“For what it is worth, I am sorry for the way our family and I treated you. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to cultivate a connection.”
“Maybe. I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Danyal nodded once and closed the door. Both Damian and his father walked back to the car. Alfred was waiting in the driver’s seat.
“I have something for you, Alfred. Courtesy of Danny.”
Alfred raised an eyebrow.
“A present?”
Father gave Alfred the necklace and explained what it did.
“What a kind and thoughtful young man. I hope in the future I will have the chance to talk to Master Danny.”
Damian turned to look at the Fentons’ home as it shrank into the distance. Damian had hopes that this wouldn’t be the last time he saw his twin. He closed his eyes and let himself think about the future.