Avoiding Past And Future

(48) Intermediate

CONTENT WARNING: implied racism/speciesism (Zatara @ Danny, it's one line and very much ignored until later chapters in this arc but will be a reoccuring thing throughout multiple arcs as teased before during Zatanna meeting Danny. Warnings will be given every time it is brought up💜)

October 17, noon

It wasn't until noon that they finally decided to give up on their broken sleep pattern. Doing the absolute bare minimum to freshen up, it didn't take long before they were walking downstairs.

Danny was still heavily leaning on Cujo. The stabbing pain in his chest had come and gone in waves throughout the night. The only thing keeping him sane enough to not scream out was the fact he had Cujo and his brother right there with him. Though still there, it had notably lessened enough for him to power through it.

Dick walked along the other side of the hound, using him more as a guide than support. Though they had managed some good sleep in the end, it was still far from what they needed to feel even half decent enough to function.

Dick had fully expected to see Alfred in the kitchen, used to the man's routine and perfect timing. What he didn't expect was all too familiar dual yowling and an even more familiar woman sitting at the counter with them. He stared in confusion as Shiro and Nanaki made their loud complaints known. Neither feline caring much about the hound between the boys as they clawed their way up until eventually being scooped into their respective targets' arms.

"When did you get here?" The how's of managing to get both Nanaki and Shiro all the way over to the manor was a story for later as he knew it had to have been quite a struggle. As his hearing was being assaulted by the cats, Selina waved them over, pulling out a chair on either side of her.

Danny was the first of them to start moving, slightly struggling as he only had one arm to hold onto Nanaki as Cujo helped him walk over. "Last night." He answered absentmindedly before Selina could. He winced slightly as he had to adjust his supporting arm from Cujo's back to the table, already missing the comfort his friend gave him. The moment Danny was safely transferred over to Selina's guiding hand, Cujo looped back around to nudge Dick towards his seat.

Dick kept staring at Danny, only now realizing just how bad his brother looked. Did he also look as miserable? He surely hoped not. Looking over to Alfred, he motioned for his pseudo-grandpa to check over Danny. Maybe he was feeling the effects of being sick all night worse than a normal person would. Considering his rapid metabolism, he wouldn't be surprised. Feeling Cujo push on his lower back, he finally looked back over to Selina as he made his way to her other side.

With Dick finally settled as well, the cats switched sides, getting comfortable in their favorite boys' laps. Selina smiled apologetically as she helped Danny scoot closer to the table. "I'm sorry, darling. Did I wake you up?" She brushed his bangs out of his face, eyes softening as she looked into Danny's dazed eyes.

He tried smiling back but quickly gave up as he knew it wasn't believable at all. Instead, he leaned into her touch. The warmth of her hand caressing his cheek bringing more comfort than he thought it would. "No, we were already up. You guys are just really loud when you're fighting."

There was an ever so slight pause in Selina's movements, but it said enough for Danny. He pulled back, pulling Shiro closer instead as he sat straight in his chair. Maybe he shouldn't have said that, especially with how startled she seemed at the fact he could hear them the whole time. He didn't like upsetting her, not after he was so sure he'd lost somebody he grew to care for over only such a short time. Any happiness he felt at seeing her, physically, alive and well was squandered by his own stupid comment.