Avoiding Past And Future

(50) Intermediate

CW: mentions of Zatara's opinions about Danny, no specifics 

October 17, evening

Danny rushed forward, launching himself against Bruce's torso as he smushed his face into the man's chest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He repeated between mushy sobs like a mantra.

Bruce stood frozen, perplexed at the sudden distressed child attached to him. Looking around, he spotted Dick, Selina, Alfred and the pets on the floor by the Batcomputer. Dick, too, looked ready to launch himself the moment he snapped out of his frozen shock. Judging off the still frame illuminating the screen, it didn't take a genius to figure out they got into the security feed again.

He wrapped his arms around Danny, trying to hide his worry as the boy flickered in and out of view for a moment between each shuddering breath. It was for both their comfort, but also so Bruce would be able to tell the boy was still there. The heavy sobs wracked his body, making Bruce painfully aware of the bones still protruding from his perpetually too skinny frame. "It's okay." Patting his head with one hand while softly whispering words of comfort under his breath.

Danny looked up bleary eyed, tears rolling down his cheek where they didn't soak into the Batsuit. "What do you mean it's okay? You got hurt." His voice trembled barely above a whisper. Cautiously Danny reached up a hand, brushing his fingertips against the swollen skin. The softest dusting of frost covered Bruce's temple as Danny's ice core instinctively reached out.

Bruce flinched back and immediately regretted every second of. Danny's eyes filled with fear as he stepped away from the man, flickering aggressively in and out of visibility. Clutching his hands to his chest, Danny's breath quickened. Fearing the boy might pull a disappearing act any second, Bruce cautiously reached out. "Danny, it's okay. It just surprised me."

Danny stopped stepping back, eying the man as he gingerly grabbed his hand. Sensing the boy wasn't fully convinced yet, Bruce kept talking in a calm tone, not breaking eye contact even once. "You didn't hurt me, Danny. I know you wouldn't do it on purpose even if you did." He assured as he slowly guided Danny's hand back up to his eye.

Letting the boy decide what to do for himself, he felt relief when Danny carefully touched the bruise again. Once more, a light dusting of frost spread out and this time Bruce didn't pull away. Knowing the feeling was coming, he remarked how it felt like an ice pack without the effort of actually needing to get one. "See? It doesn't hurt. If anything, you're making it hurt less." He smiled as Danny visibly relaxed again.

Right on time too as Dick finally snapped out of his shock. Bruce had only a split second to open his arms before his little bird crashed into him, nearly tackled them both to the ground. It surprised him even more when Dick also started an apology mantra. "You have nothing to apologize for. Neither of you do." Just like with Danny, he wrapped his arms around the boy. Leaning back slightly so Dick would be prompted to look up, Bruce smiled softly as he pushed Dick's bangs out of his eyes.

Danny looked over doubtfully, somewhat distracted by Alfred bandaging up his arm so he wouldn't bleed everywhere. "But...The simulation, your eye, and the League..." And Mr. Zatara went unsaid, trying to forget hearing the choice words the man had used to refer to Danny. He had hoped for a better response considering how Zatanna reacted to him, but that was mostly hopes and prayers.

Bruce pulled up a piece of his cape to dab at the snot and tears on Dick's face. The entire suit would need to get cleaned anyway since there was no doubt some of Danny's blood already got on him earlier. What's a bit more tears and some snot compared to that. "The League responded accordingly to a situation involving our most precious."