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Tim sighs as he closes shut his laptop, and takes another sip from his energy drink that he took from a hidden stash somewhere since Alfred is making sure he drinks no more caffeine and has been trying to get him to go to bed.
It is currently 7AM the last thing he remembers is Alfred giving him some tea and going to bed after Bruce came back from his patrol.
It’s been two weeks since he was benched by Bruce due to an injury but that was not what Tim wanted to focus on, two weeks ago a weird thing happened.
Weird is the best thing that Tim could describe the situation.
Two weeks ago Tim was on his usual patrol route and ran into a fight between two metas? He wasn’t so sure actually? What WERE those flying things, guys??? He didn’t know.
He jumped onto a closer roof and stood at the edge.
He pressed his com but before he could report-
By getting closer to the fight to get a better look and report he didn’t notice the bigger flying person(?) be thrown at him and he was knocked right off the edge with a loud oomph from Tim.
He could hear the voices on his coms asking what’s going on in his ear but he couldn’t do anything but fumble for his grapple.
He was so shocked that he hadn’t noticed the closing in figure infront of him.
The lack of sleep catching up to him.
“I got you!!!” A new voice got him out of his frantic panic trying to reach for what would save him, instead he was in the arms of his saviour, one of the figures that were fighting earlier.
The figure is male that much he could tell from the voice that called out to him but also from being able to see the figure closely now.
The Lazarus green eyes is something to worry about but-
“Red Robin, Report” he hears in his ear, Batman may have said that sternly but Tim knows when his adoptive father is concerned.
“I’m fine! Fine! No need to worry” he gave the boy? Creature? An apologetic look and turns off the com.
The guy, Tim decides to call him puts him down back onto the roof he fell from and goes to fly away but Tim grabs his wrist.
“Wait! Can I…know your name?” Tim mentally slaps himself wow nice going one of the world’s greatest detectives he will forever blame the lack of sleep triggering his social anxiety yes it’s definitely that.
The guy smiles wide showing a long rows of sharp teeth if Tim wasn’t sure if this was a creature or not he’s sure now.
He wonders if he’s actually an alien instead.
“Phantom…and you are?” The guy answered but that made Tim do a double take everyone in Gotham knows the vigilantes? So is he really not from here?
“I’m…- you really don’t know?” Tim looks at him like he’s weird, even outsiders knew them.
“Should I know? Also hey ya know where I am? Skulker led me here while we were fighting and my urghhhh god father is looking for me” Phantom answers it does shock Tim but he answers anyway.
He assumes Phantom is from out of earth and there’s endless possibilities. Better safe than sorry.
“You are on earth, a city called Gotham”
Phantom looks at him strangely and then realisation hits him.
“Oh I understand why this-“ he points at himself “will make you believe I’m not from earth, where IS Gotham?”
“New Jersey?”
“Whoa we flew far!” The guy opens up a portal which almost made Tim stop the guy again so he can investigate him more.
“Sorry for the disturbance I’ll make sure we won’t show up here again, skulker will respect not going into other people’s haunt” phantom says quickly and leaves.
When Tim activates his coms again he is notified of Spoiler and Black bat coming his way since he didn’t report.
When the girls arrived Tim said he only really thinks his ribs are a bit bruised from a huge bulky guy that had metal all over him being thrown onto him.
Turns out this Phantom dude is stronger than he looks and managed to get Tim a new set of broken bones, that is two of his lower ribs. Thanks guy.
The second he got home Alfred treated him and he spent every day and night looking into the entity that was Phantom, nothing could really be found about him except a few articles and even that had no past digital foot print as to wherever he is from.
After a few days he managed to crack it, the location these articles are from.
He gotta give it to them whoever “they” were.
Amity park, the most haunted city in America or even all of earth.
Tim never heard of this city which means they have been off the radar for quite some time that is also a reason for concern.
From what he can see this Phantom character showed up a few years ago in the same time his supposed rivals started showing up which again, weird.
The best thing he could describe all of this.
He takes his phone and messages Barbara asking if she can help him for a second a reply only came a few hours later but she agreed to check on it.
.
Fast forward to now and Tim is awoken from his semi half asleep state from his phone vibrating, he pressed answer and says.
“Girl it’s seven in the morning”
“Well you want the info I have or not? I can simply report this to Bruce!” Barbara says even though Tim can tell there’s no actual malice in there and she sounds excited actually.
He sighs “what did you find???”
“Well it took a bit whoever worked on that is pretty good but I cracked it, Phantom is a ghost” barbs says calmly.
“a GHOST???? Like you mean one of those transparent flying things in horror movies”
“I’m being 100 percent serious that’s what he is, showed up around 5 years ago that’s the earliest sighting of him along side the ghosts that he fights. They are fully real and physical there’s an interview with students from this high school this…Danny kid specifically is the kid of two scientists who are actually making ectoweapons-“
“Ecto weapons are???” Tim cuts her off.
“Do not cut me off! These are weapons able to hurt ecto entities or ghosts, the opinion of the citizens is very different to the opinion of these guys in white or the ghost investigation ward, they seem to think ghosts are not sentient or capable of non fake emotions EVEN though Phantom seems to show great amounts of empathy by not letting bystanders get hurt and there’s barely any cultural damage”
This sounds so weird, Tim chugs the last bit of the energy drink he’s gonna need it heaven knows.
“That’s not even the last of it there’s a report here, and this is where the city started being off the radar 5 years ago the city was in a different dimension all together it’s not known to this ms…Martinez who did the report in their local police how and why this happened they only know they managed to bring the city back. But listen! This is the exact same day we fought darkseid, could there have been a connection between amity’s situation to the purple light we saw?” Barbara theorizes but this was too much for Tim to take in he only wanted to understand who and what his saviour was.
“Thanks Barb! Think you should report some of that to B…” he yawns and turns off the call.
Well ain’t that insane, so Phantom is just a local hero to a haunted town that gets deleted off the radar by god knows who.
He thinks for a second and comes to a decision.
.
“Master Tim I really don’t think this is smart” Alfred says calmly as per usual but Tim is still packing a bag.
Tim decided that he wants to go check this town out maybe he might be able to find said entity to thank him personally and to investigate him further especially about the being in a whole different dimension thing.
He managed to get into the college there and apparently has a roommate to meet, Alfred helped him pack his bags but never failed to mention this is not smart neither is it smart to not let Bruce know.
And what is he studying? Well computer engineering, it’s never bad to get a degree one could say. The one being Timothy fucking Drake Wayne.
“I said I’ll be back in a bit, I’m sure Bruce will figure it out by himself anyway in like a few days max!” Tim explains and Duke was also listening to the conversation while eating some chips.
“I don’t know man… isn’t it a bit much to go all the way there AND go to college??? again??? You dropped out last time you are lucky you are rich! Couldn’t you just I don’t know??? Contact him???” As much as Duke is right sadly amity is really that off the radar, finding any sort of social media print of any resident there is like fighting tooth and nail.
He could only really find an old YouTube channel of this girl that promoted veganism, Damian would eat that shit up he’s not gonna lie and another girl doing make up tutorials but that’s really it.
He kinda didn’t expect a girl who haven’t posted a video in years to actually reply so going to amity it is.
“Master Tim I must encourage against this”
“You are encouraging against this but still packed my bags for me” Tim reminds Alfred.
“Only because I don’t trust that you will pack everything you need”
Duke just watches the conversation go back and forth and while he is happy Tim seemed to have found a new muse and seems a bit more busy with something that actually makes him happy it’s still seems a bit much to go to a city that is quite literally off the radar just to find his supposed saviour.
There is something he is not telling them.
Well duke is busy with his own school work to care, Tim is a big boy he can take care of himself.
“Remember if Bruce asks I’m just taking some time to myself” Tim says as he gets in his car.
“But what if master Bruce asks about the college? What then?” Alfred did not get an answer and he shakes his head, great all of his family are a bunch of dumbasses.
He’ll do what he can when it comes to it, time to call Dick.
.
“Hello new roomie!-“ the guy pauses.
“Timothy Drake Wayne??? What are you doing here???” Tim turns around he really didn’t think someone in amity that is so cut off from the rest of the world would recognize him so he turns around.
He sees a familiar face, how could he forget that Vladco is from Amity park? To be fair he could give less of a damn about that nasty creep Vlad Masters…
“Daniel?” Tim smiles and hopes he remembered the name right, if he’s not wrong this is the same Danny he is looking for so everything is going extremely well so far.
“Danny, Vlad had never let me introduce myself a few years ago huh? I’m Danny Fenton Masters nice to see you again” Danny says and grins, his grin is so familiar but he doesn’t remember where he saw it.
Also Tim is highly aware of the height difference and it’s making him feel things, sure Danny is not super handsome necessarily. Not when you know guys like Dick or Jason.
Tim offers his hand for a handshake which Danny takes.
Tim notes how unnaturally cold Danny’s hand is.
“Tim, as you already know. As to what I’m doing here? Would you believe if I just said I’m bored???”
“No I don’t believe it but you’re rich so I’m not questioning it any further” Danny says half heartedly.
Tim grimaced a little. Why would he say that? Vlad is definitely not as rich as Bruce but he’s up there somewhere, Danny being his heir should have as higher a worth as Tim does? He shrugs it off.
“I see you found the empty room, this used to be Tuck’s he actually finished early and found an apartment down the road.” Danny smiles at the memory and then continues “I hope you get to meet my pals but currently you only have me, basic rules are…you do your own laundry, cleaning duties ya know the likes…” as Danny lists off the basic rules that no Tim indeed does not know but he listens fullheartedly anyway.
For some reason Tim can’t seem to break off the eye contact but the one who does is Danny.
Danny gives an awkward smile.
“Hey listen I’m meeting up with some friends later they also go to college here well… except for Tuck!” Danny laughs but continues “feel like seeing more of Amity after putting away your stuff?”
Tim considers the giant for a bit and then nods his head with a smile, why not? It could help him get used to the area as well as learn more about Phantom.
Tim is not gonna lie he’s kinda starting to regret this, Danny is like FULLY adoption bait looking heaven forbid Bruce will see this man.
.
Two hours later and Danny opened the door while Tim was finishing up his hair.
“Man you ain’t gotta look so fancy my friends ain’t rich assholes no impression to make” Danny laughs but it’s not like he is not appreciating the tight shirt his new roomie decided to wear for the meeting, his new roomie works out? Heh nothing that he shouldn’t just laugh about.
“Dude a lil blush will do you wonders too” Tim says half jokingly.
“You wear makeup?” Danny asks.
“Not a full face I usually put on some mascara, I wasn’t blessed with long beautiful lashes like Dami and I wasn’t blessed with a natural sculpted Jaw like Dick, definitely not Jason’s height…” as Tim lists off everything that he is jealous his siblings were just born with, Danny puts his hand on the table and picked up the eyeliner.
Tim tries to stop him or offer to help but Danny puts it on perfectly as well as add the blush too. Perfectly.
At the noise of confusion from the other man Danny says.
“We actually use the same blush shade” Danny feels his cheeks actually get a bit hotter and continues “I have a friend who used to do my makeup and nails she’s one of the friends you will meet today, Paulina actually made some makeup tutorials back in the day and since she was my crush back then ya know…I watched all of them, I learned a lot from her”
Tim is actually freaking out on the inside, mostly due to Danny looking GORGEOUS but also because Danny knows of Paulina! the girl who made the makeup tutorials! That’s one step in the right direction!
He doesn’t know how to raise the topic of that school interview but he’ll find a way.
Tim puts on his oversized hoodie that he proudly stole from Jason and laughs when Danny lets out a disappointed sound.
As they put on their shoes to leave and Danny grabs his car keys Danny asks.
“So you work out Timothy?” Tim ignores the full name and laughs.
“We all do, gotta stay in shape when you get put on covers of magazines!” He gives an excuse though it is not that much of a lie, they do get offers and sometimes even accept them. Bruce knows people in vogue and other magazines it’s good for the family’s image and to protect their hero identities.
“Yeah you guys do look good on the magazine covers, think one of my sisters still has her 2016 mag with Dick on it” Danny says and they get into Danny’s car, Danny pulls out another key and gives it to Tim.
“The second keys to our apartment, third one is under the carpet for emergencies!” Danny starts the car and puts his seatbelt on, Tim does the same.
“I’ve been meaning to ask…” Tim says and Danny hums.
“Why are you in a small local college, isn’t Vlad your dad? Shouldn’t he be able to get you into a good college?”
“Whoaaaa I’ll stop you there! Vlad isn’t my biological dad, why do you think it’s FENTON Masters? No Vlad got custody of me and my siblings when CPS decided that my parents are not capable of taking care of us like 4 years ago? Not that he was any better that fruitloop…” Danny explains.
“Oh so that’s why you and your sisters showed up to galas around that time, that don’t answer my question though you’re basically rich why are you not going to Harvard or something?” Tim asks again.
Danny gives Tim a side grin and shakes his head in disbelief.
“I guess the same reason you do Mr ‘I’m bored’” Danny says and focuses on the road.
“Touché Danny…” Tim laughs, to be fair he didn’t have such a nice normal time since he was in young justice he kinda misses being able to just be a normal person…as much as a young CEO can be.
His phone rings and he says a quick ‘sorry’ to Danny and answers it.
“You went to a different STATE without telling any of us?!” Comes in his oldest brother’s dramatics.
Danny coughs to hide a laugh.
“Duke and Alfred know…-“
“NO I don’t want to hear your excuses, were you planing to tell your favorite brother?! I could have went with you to help you get situated you didn’t tell me you wanna complete college?!” Dick yells and Tim shakes his head ‘so dramatic…’
“First off who said you are my favorite brother? Second of I’m 20 I can take care of my self I already made friends with my roomie who happens to be the Vladco heir by the way” that actually made Danny laugh but he coughs again.
“Wait I’m not your favorite brother?! No do not change the subject!!! Why are you in a place I never heard of?! And who is your favorite brother?!” Dick almost crashes out Tim can swear it and Danny is full on laughing now.
“Dami obviously”
“That’s a cold lie!!!”
Tim sighs and just ends the call while Danny continues to laugh.
“Some brothers huh? Don’t worry we reached the cafe, the iced coffee here is top tier come on Timothy” Danny shuts off the car and gets out, Tim leaves right after kinda blushing.
There’s no reason to feel bad if he made a bad impression Tim is filthy rich and Danny is…well he is wow…
No time for gay panic Tim.
They enter the cafe and an energetic guy waves at them so Danny leads them both to that table, there sits three other girls heck one of them looks like she could be Danny’s twin.
“Is that one of your sisters? I didn’t know she goes here?” Tim whispers to Danny a bit.
“Nah she was just in the area, she’s a more travel the world type out of all of us Dan and Dani are really the only ones willing to use the money the creep offers us, Dan mostly because he’s running the company right now and Dani I guess is too free spirited to say no?” Danny explains and they sit down, Tim ignores how similar the names are, lazy naming much?
“Soooo introductions are in order the woman to the left is Sam Manson” the girl gives a little smile.
“Good to see you again Tim, how’s Damian? I loved my conversations with him” she says calmly and Tim smiles back.
“Ah yes Sam, so nice to see you too! I didn’t know the Mansons are from Amity. Sorry, but yes Dami is doing ok, busy with his high school studies” Tim remembers that Sam is the same girl who made the vegan promotion videos, this is yet again going in a good direction.
Danny introduced Valerie and Tucker who just wave at him with different levels of enthusiasm.
“This is Danielle, my younger sister” Danny smiles softly at her it was obvious he cares deeply for her.
She waves very enthusiastically, gets up and dashes to give Tim a hug. She lets go and says
“Hello! I’m Dani! I’m here to visit my big bro, it’s nice to meet his new roomie!” She takes Tim’s hand and shakes it again, very enthusiastically.
She’s a nice contrast to Danny’s more chill enthusiasm Tim notes, like wind and ice.
“Any way sit down Tim I’ll order for you, anything you like in the menu?” Danny sets his stuff next to his sister who went back to talking with Valerie and drinking her hot chocolate.
Tim looks at the menu and just shakes his head, those names are weird.
“I’ll go for an iced americano if they have it, those names do not make sense” Tim says which causes the rest to laugh he hears Tucker say ‘not as bad as nasty burger’ in the back.
Danny nods “anything to eat or are you just as addicted to caffeine as we are?”
“You don’t know the half of it”
“Great! anyone has a few coins that I can give Eliza for tip?” Danny asks and Tim gives him a 20$ which Danny shakes his head muttering something about rich people.
He comes back with two large iced americanos, two sandwiches that he gives one to Dani saying ‘he knows she only got the hot chocolate and she can’t lie to him’ threatening to call Dan if she don’t eat it and he sits down to eat his own.
Danny slips Tim a piece of paper with a number on it, “Liz appreciates the tip, give her a text if you wanna”
“These rich people for real…” Tuck sighs and Sam elbows him.
“I’m rich too, you know this right?”
“Ow! Yeah I know, it’s just unfair being handsome AND rich! The universe might love you too much Mr Drake” Tuck says jokingly, Tim looks at him and straight up laughs.
“Please call me Tim and You are plenty handsome dude, as a matter of fact all of you look way too pretty to be real” and while Tim was laughing the rest were blushing and Sam smirked proudly as if mentally saying ‘of course we are’.
Tim took a huge gulp from his americano it’s bitter but it did make him feel better, Danny and his friends are good people maybe it wouldn’t be too much to ask them about Phantom right? He was a local hero it wouldn’t seem too strange…right?
He’ll ask when they get back to the apartment he decides.
For the next two hours they sat there and talked it was very lively, they told him stories about amity and more. About their school days and how they met apparently Valerie used to hate Danny’s guts and then they dated, funny story. Tim can relate.
Sam, Danny and Tuck did try to date at one point but it didn’t work. Good thing they gave Danny the bravery to come out to his parents before the whole legally being unable to see them anymore.
Tim knows to listen well and especially to read between the lines. Something happened that they are not telling him not that he has the right to ask anyway.
They tell him about how rough it was back then, Tim decided to ask on a more deeper level when it’s just the two of them since it seems like a very sensitive topic.
They left the cafe with goodbyes and Dani promising Danny she’d give him a call later.
The drive back was silent too.
When they got back to the apartment Tim was taking off his shoes and wanted to ask Danny but by the look on his face he decided against it. He said goodnight and went back to his room to call Dick again and to note everything so far.
.
Text chat: we are some rich bitches (9pm)
Timbit: I arrived and met my roomie, I’m safe.
Acrobatic king: I still can’t believe I’m not ur fav brother, my whole life is a lie!🥺
Blondie: bro…ur literally only Dami’s fav…
Acrobatic king: how dare-!
B: “roomie”??? You went back to college???
Silent queen: 😯
Timbit: not really? Working on a case I guess?
B: ???
Death is beyond me: wonder what it is…
Al: don’t question it master Bruce.
B: you knew???
Al: of course I did, I packed his bags.
B: where did he go? Tim you know we are rich I can help you get into anywhere you want?
Timbit: Amity Park, it actually wasn’t too hard to get in.
The light: well yea if it’s a small local university it’s usually not hard to get into them, did you meet any new friends?
Timbit: I did, one of them is called Tucker and he kinda reminds me of you not gonna lie.
The light: no one is as amazing as I am!~
B: are we not gonna talk about Tim being in a city I never heard about?
Al: again don’t question it Tim is a man now and can take care of himself, do you need us to buy you food?
Timbit: I’m fine! Fridge was fully stocked when I arrived, my roomie is actually Danny Fenton Masters!
B: one of Vlad’s adopted kids? Why is he in a local university, I hear he’s filthy smart though…
Babs: yeah his own sister is in Harvard?
Timbit: well I said I’m there cause I’m bored so he pulled the same card.
Death is beyond me: HAHAHAHAHA
Blondie: Tim got outsmarted!
Timbit: not really, he said that in a joking way but he didn’t push when I didn’t wanna explain myself.
B: well when I talked to him last he was a very sweet kid, or at least to me.
Al: no he is very sweet, he managed to find the kitchen in that gala we got to have a very nice conversation before he had to go back.
B: Alfred you never tell me these things? You let a stranger wander?
Al: that skinny little boy could barely be a threat!
Timbit: skinny might fit but little? Gosh how small was he 4 years ago? He easily towers Jason now.
Death is beyond me: huh.
Timbit: oh yeah @dami Samantha Manson is saying hello!
Dami: oh, the girl with good tastes I remember her.
B: just…let us know if you need help. Good luck on your new muse and degree.
Timbit: I will I promise!
Timbit: wait muse???
.
Tim was working on the notes when he hears a loud bang he almost ignores it since he lives in Gotham nothing new here-
Wait he’s in Amity right now.
He dashes to the roof.
There lays a guy who looks a bit…not human.
Tim approaches him and asks “you ok?”
“Johnny!” A woman calls out and floats down to sit next to the guy, she looks just as alien as him.
“I’m ok” he sits up and shakes his head “Nice fight his highness!” He stands up and a bike comes out of nowhere both the guy and woman get on it and leave while laughing.
“His highness…?” Tim asks himself and then jumps when a cold hand places itself on his shoulder.
“Whoa, didn’t mean to scare ya!” The guy puts his hands up.
Tim turns around and there stands Phantom the guy he’s looking for, it may be a smaller town but this is still lucky.
Phantom looked a little different for starters he had a crown floating on top of his head and a flowing cape that are slowly disappearing.
“Phantom…”
“That is me, what are you doing outside at this hour?” Phantom stops floating and stands on the roof giving Tim the same grin he gave him the last time they spoke.
Tim can’t explain the excitement he has Phantom all to himself right now. how does he want to go about it? He doesn’t know and frankly most options are a bit… off.
“I- well I heard that…dude crash I guess? So I came to check” Tim smiles and decides to sit down on the floor of the roof the ghost boy decides to sit down as well his outfit changed to some jeans and an oversized hoodie still in black and white.
“I’m new to town I didn’t know there’s rouges here like Gotham?” Tim explains and Phantom hums.
“They are not really evil per say, ghosts way of greeting is fighting some of us have our own way, Clocky and Dora don’t really fight at all and I just vibe with them mostly” Phantom explains and god dang Tim is fucked he now understands what his family meant by ‘muse’ he took notice of how animated Phantom was even when he wasn’t idly floating.
“Got it, what was up with the crown? You some sort of king?” Tim laughs but he didn’t expect Phantom to just smirk at him.
“I am, actually” Phantom answers.
Tim decides he doesn’t want to comment on that maybe if they vibe for a bit Phantom wouldn’t mind talking about more things.
“Aren’t you like rich or something? Why are you here?” Phantom plays with his fingers and gives a little awkward laugh.
“I wasn’t aware ghosts know of modern celebrities?” Tim jokes and Phantom gives him an insulted look.
“Ok rude! How old do you think I am?” Phantom asks jokingly? Tim is not sure but he gives him an answer anyway.
“For all I know? You can be in your thousands! Do ghosts even have an age Phantom?” To that Phantom hums, he seems to enjoy the ‘curiosity’ Tim is displaying and hell Tim could be the only person being nice to Phantom other than this ‘Phan site’ people but Tim will get back to that later.
“Well we kinda have two depends on the ghosts…ghosts that were people have physical age and death age, talking and or asking about a ghosts death is very disrespectful so don’t do that if you see a ghost Timmy! But no my physical age is 19, yes I keep up with you and the Wayne’s.”
Tim takes everything in with great ease and even takes note of what’s disrespectful in ghosts culture.
“Speaking of that are you aware of liminals? You are not one but two of your brothers are actually…” the ghosts says.
Tim thinks that only Damian and Jason can fit the description and lets out a little ‘huh’.
Maybe Phantom is aware of Jason since he is the king, Tim does not actually know what this entails but he assumes his brothers just fall under his jurisdiction.
Tim checks his phone and sees that it’s actually 3am and he has his first class in a few hours so he should seriously head back, he gets up.
“Sorry man my first class is literally in 5 hours and I need to still put some things away” Phantom grabs his wrist to stop him.
“Hey uh…I really enjoyed talking to you and um- would you be willing to talk more?” Phantom asks shyly and oh gods the green blush is adorable Tim cannot help but give.
“Yeah sure! Wanna meet up here on occasion I should be free tomorrow night too” Tim asks and Phantom nods, before closing the roof door Tim gives the ghost a small smile and leaves.
.
Danny won’t lie it’s not that he trusted Tim but he felt like he could relate? And if Tim is only here to run away from his overbearing adoptive father as the media likes to call it then who is he to judge?
Danny knows all about these rich men types, considering both have some sort of adoption problem? He can’t really judge when he talked to Bruce he seemed like a nice guy, was it weird that the spirit of Batman was attached to him? Maybe, does he care? Absolutely fucking not.
Batman’s scary.
When he first was at Gotham he first got to interact with lady Gotham who likes to take on the form of a lady in her late 40s covered in black from head to toe, she warned him about her knights as well as welcome the prince as he was back then.
He tries to avoid being there as welcoming as she was to him and it did feel genuine he could not truly believe she likes other ghosts in her haunt, he’s the king and therefore it could always be out of courtesy.
What he didn’t know was that he’d get to know the spirit of Batman and! The spirit of Robin, the same time on the same day, in the same gala. Danny doesn’t remember what it was about some hospital being opened under WE he couldn’t care less.
His interactions with Timothy were minimal to none, he knows Tim is one year older than him and he knows that when they were 15 and 16 respectfully Tim was training to become CEO.
So he might not actually care what the young CEO is doing in amity, heck Tim fit right in with the group they talked for hours and almost didn’t wanna leave. It’s rare for someone new to fit in this town let alone their lil group of ghost hunters.
Danny later got a text from Tucker that said Tim’s smarts could be useful and to keep in mind the idea of letting him join but Sam isn’t fully trusting of him yet.
Seeing as Johnny and Kitty asked for a nice quick battle he agreed but only because so far they are the only ones who ask nicely and send a royal request before hand.
Some of these ghosts have manners.
He did not expect to see Tim check out what the noise was, for a guy that lives in the city that has the highest crime rate in the whole world he sure as heck doesn’t know how to mind his own business that shit would get you killed.
Bravery is a virtue but still.
Danny also did not expect to enjoy the talk with him neither.
Sitting down on a rooftop with Tim but as Phantom he never thought he’d like that, Danny doesn’t get to have a normal life in that form…well a normal unlife hah.
When Tim offered to continue meeting up and talk, Danny felt happy… ancients know how busy his king life is and he never gets to feel normal lately.
Not in this form.
When he gets back home to check his phone he is disappointed to find that Vlad needs him to join alongside Dan since he is the CEO of VladCo now to a gala and Dan doesn’t have a plus one this time around.
Dan would mostly either take one of their sisters or a girlfriend at the time or even Vlad himself since Danny would be too busy with his kingly duties on top of his uni work.
Gosh why him?
No time to debate life right now, he opens the apartment door and sees only the small kitchen light open, Tim’s door is not fully closed but the lights are not on so Danny assumes he’s sleeping, Danny sends a quick text in the group chat and enters his room.
.
The next day after finishing his first class Tim really starts to like it here, they were apparently understaffed so the University’s counselor had to show him around she was a nice older lady in her late 50s named Amanda.
Who is very welcoming and offered to always give Tim a listening ear when he sees fit.
He got to meet some new people and figure out where all the important things are such as the cafe right outside of campus and the library to get his study books.
The library is even bigger than the one Babs works in, Jason would live in here if he could Tim even decided to pick up some of the books Jason recommended years ago, why now? Cause he only has classes 3 days a week and since he’s not broke he’s able to do anything he wants instead of getting a part time job.
Nighttime came faster than he expected and he decided to sit on the roof and start reading one of the books he got.
“Nice I love this book!” He hears from behind and Phantom just flops next to him this time it looks like he’s wearing sweatpants and an oversized Tee, scars covered his arms and bit of his neck that was a bit more visible now, Tim holds back on asking since it could be related to Phantom’s death.
“What page are you on” the ghost asks while munching on a snack bar, so ghosts are capable of eating?
“Just started, it’s a book Jason recommended years ago but I really never had the time” Tim says simply and Phantom nods with a smile.
They sat there in silence mostly cause Tim decided to read the book but Phantom will yap about something every now and again and Tim will stop reading to give a comment or listen, Phantom yaps about his king life and how much he hates it, he loves being king and helping his people he just doesn’t like when it consumes most of his unlife.
Tim can relate since he’s a young CEO and the expectations are rough when you are expected to be Red Robin on top of a young CEO on top of just being Tim.
“Yeah I get it, ya know my life is not as perfect as the media makes it seem.” Tim simply adds.
They talked for a bit and after a few hours of Tim reading and Phantom being weirdly silent, Tim decided to look over and lets out a small gasp.
Phantom is asleep! Oh gods he’s adorable!
And is that a ghost dog curled up on his chest letting out small sounds as he breathes?!
Tim takes out his phone to take a picture but his phone wouldn’t stop glitching.
Huh.
Well not today then.
He puts down his book and phone which made the tiny dog start to wake up.
The small dog gives a tiny yip and jumps off Phantom to jump into Tim’s lap.
“Oh hello little guy” Tim says and the dog curls up on his lap, immediately Tim put his hand on his tiny head and starts petting him.
Phantom lets out a lil noise probably noticing that he is no longer holding the pup on his chest and then he moves.
Tim freezes scared that he was too loud.
…
But then Phantom just lays his head on Tim’s thigh where the pup is also curled into a ball.
Tim is freaking out does he wake him up? Does he let him continue to sleep?!
Tim didn’t even notice that he was freaking out about what to do with the two snuggle bugs until his phone rang…loudly.
Phantom jumped, the dog also jumped both disappearing.
“Wait no I’m sorry!” Tim yelps out and then answers the phone “what is it?!”
“Damnnnn Tim what’s got your panties in a twist?” He hears Steph say on the phone.
“I was…reading that one book Jason recommended! Is all”
“It was definitely the Phantom boy!” Someone says in the back which causes Tim to stutter and blush.
“Ah yes his muse~~~” Dick adds.
“No it wasn’t! Anyway what do you want?!” Tim blushes, and the rest explains how there’s a gala in a few days that he needs to attend since Bruce is off earth.
Amazing! Why him…
.
Danny and Cujo just went invisible they didn’t completely leave, they just got scared.
Danny listened to Tim’s call and he’s kinda happy to know Tim will be at the gala too! Means he won’t have to stick near Dan at all times to keep appearances.
He feels bad for listening without permission so he turns back to his human form and opens the roof door.
Faking being sleepy and rubbing his eyes.
“Tim, what are you doing up here it’s cold?” Danny fake shivers and walks up to Tim.
Tim puts his phone in his pocket.
“Just family stuff, there’s a gala next week and Bruce can’t go so I have to go” he adds angrily.
“If it helps you feel any better I’m forced to go with my brother cause he doesn’t have anyone else that can go…” Danny gives him a tired smile and then looked over to Tim’s shoulder “and Cujo get off Tim’s shoulder”
Tim jumps when the dog that he thought disappeared jumped down from his shoulder and into Danny’s arms.
“There we go, better. I’ll take the lil guy back to our apartment” Danny holds the ghost dog to his chest tightly almost the same way Phantom held the dog “come back inside ok?” Danny says and leaves.
“Wait!” Tim lets out confused that Danny was able to see the dog when Tim couldn’t nor feel him on his shoulder.
He picks up his book and goes inside.
Back in the apartment Danny is sitting on the couch with Cujo curled into a ball on his lap.
Tim sits next to him as Danny pets the tiny dog, did he? Change his size again? Amazing.
“Want to hold Cujo and I’ll make us something warm to drink, don’t worry I plan to explain!” Danny holds the pup up and the dog doesn’t even awakens just being held up with his head flopping to the side.
Tim took the offered pup and put him on his belly where the dog still asleep continues to snuggle.
after a few minutes Danny comes back with two mugs that smell strongly of chocolate so it’s safe to guess it’s hot chocolate.
He puts them on the small table infront of the couch.
“Due to how liminal we are we see ghosts, it’s a normal occurrence. This lil guy” Danny pets the pup on his head “just likes to stick around Phantom, I saw how weird you looked at me when I called him out” Danny giggles and grins again.
Tim picks up the small pup and cuddles him to his chest like how Phantom did, it felt cold like Phantom’s head on his thigh. It’s like having a piece of the ghost boy with him even though he left so abruptly.
Tim is not noticing that he’s getting attached to the ghost boy but what he also not noticed is the soft smile Danny sent their way. Bond already starting to form.
.
It’s been a few days of just going to classes or staying at home working on phantom and the cases his family sent his way.
Seriously can they not handle one day without his help?
The work is tenfold with Bruce out of earth and Tim not being able the use the bat computer directly only his laptop.
Let alone the gala tonight, Tim thinks as he fixes his hair.
“We will send the private helicopter to pick you up master Tim.” Alfred says on the phone call as gently as ever but Tim lets out a sigh.
“No it’s ok Al, I’m joining Mr Dan Masters with his younger brother on his private jet but I appreciate it” Tim explains and fixes his makeup as well.
“Stay safe young master” the call ends and Tim lets out another sigh, what wouldn’t he do for his family?
His door opens and in comes the most perfect man on earth but following him is another older guy.
“Timothy we need to leave like stat, are you ready?” Danny laughs his longish black hair pulled back, the guy next to him a tiny bit taller with fully white gray hair also pulled back in a man bun stylish sunglasses on his head and an evil grin.
“Ah yes Timothy Drake Wayne” Dan takes Tim’s hand and kisses it which causes Danny to give an insulted gasp and pull his brother away.
Dan smirks.
“So horribly territorial… I like it” Dan says “I’m Dan Masters, this hobos big Brother it’s nice to officially meet the son Brucie talks so nicely about” Dan smiles but it just looks uncanny now when the evil smirk fits him so well.
“You too… hey!” Tim tries to say but stops when Danny grabs his hair spray and starts to do Tim’s hair.
“This is not gonna do…Dan care to grab me the comb over there?” Danny asks and Dan smirks again throwing the comb to Danny who catches it without looking like he’s used to it.
“Oh hell yeah Danny is doing someone’s hair again, Timber you don’t even know how gifted my little brother is with his hands!” Tim ignores the nickname and smiles gently, it seems Daniel is gifted in many ways and not just in smarts.
After a few minutes Tim looks at himself in the mirror.
“Danny you do witchcraft or something?” Tim touches the mirror, he can barely believe that’s him in there. Eye bags gone and the tiny scars…everything.
Seriously the power of makeup.
“Nope, just strengthened what’s already super attractive in your appearance!” Danny says then looks at his wristwatch “ok up up, we need to go or we will be late super late!!!” Danny leaves which leaves Tim and Dan who was just vibing there.
Dan puts his hand on Tim’s upper back and then leaves.
Deep breath in and out, after this is over he can see Phantom again and they can talk about space and just be normal boys.
Tim stands up and follows them.
After a silent 25 minutes of just Dan tapping at his phone while on the jet, Dan groans.
“Ok brat let it out already!”
Danny looks shocked but notices the pings from his phone were the team Phantom group chat, Tim looks at Danny worried.
“I…Tim?” Danny asks softly.
“What is it?…” Tim answered.
“I have something to tell you…or more like ask of you when we come back home”
.
Tim has been thinking about what Danny has said he could focus on the random dude in front of him talking business plans.
He glanced to the side to see Danny fake smiling at the person talking with Dan but it’s obvious he couldn’t care less about anything they were saying.
Tim so far has drank 3 cocktails just trying to calm down but exactly when he found a moment to be alone and relax his coms went off.
“Enemies of unknown origin coming your way, sending Nightwing and hood!” He hears Oracle say but he was too late to react the glass ceiling breaks in top of him, he barely manages to jump out of the way.
Guys in paint and weird outfits show up, Jokers henchman? Why…?
Tim gets back up and standing, he has to do something but how will he stall without his gear? He doesn’t have anything to protect him under the suit.
“NW and RH arrival estimation in 5 minutes!” Oracle says in panic but Tim can’t hear her all the stress came falling down, he can feel the pain in his chest the early sign of a panic attack he can’t breathe.
Couldn’t see the gun being held to his head.
His eyes shut, he still can’t breathe and it hurts.
“TIM!!!” He hears Danny scream and suddenly he’s not being held by big strong rough hands but cold ones but the cold never felt so safe. Until they were his.
He opens his eyes and tries to even out his breathing but can’t, his eyes are starting to tear up.
“Ok breathe with me Timmy…take one in like this, hold-…let it out slowly” the cold hand of Danny rubs his back and he does as instructed.
Slowly but surely he can breathe again and when he opens his eyes to thank Danny he’s surprised to see Phantom? What?
And then his brain clicks, the pieces being put together Phantom and Danny sound the same…they have the same grin even ones is a bit more monstrous…how did he not see that?
Phantom picks Tim up bridal style and takes him back to the other three.
Tim notices that all the henchmen are already beaten and tied but that’s way harsher than even Jason’s beatings so who?
“Kiddo! I didn’t think you’d get that spooked!” The tall guy that looks like an evil version of Phantom says with an evil smirk.
“Dan?!” Tim gasps out, Dan and Danny…they are ghosts?! Danny is Tim’s savior? Two times now seriously…
“Well we are finished here, Phantom can make sure Timothy is alright right?” Nightwing says with a knowing smile and Red hood laughs.
“See ya losers!” They grapple out of there before the police arrives.
Dan and Danny take Tim to the back and transform back.
“Is this what you had to tell me Danny?” Tim just can’t help but laugh at all this stupidity of the situation, he was living with the person he was trying to investigate for all those days and he didn’t know.
After a few laughs and Danny forcing a group hug.
“Actually that’s not what I was gonna tell you, revealing that I am Phantom was supposed to come after…”
.
Text chat: team Phantom (8:39pm)
Gothic queen: Tim do you have the location yet?
Shiver me timbers: working on it!
Ghostly king: ancients! Stop bugging him he just joined us ask Tuck!
The guy in the chair: yeah since when am I not the tech guy?!
White haired bro: man…I miss the days it was quiet in here.
Uncool dad: Dan!
White haired bro:
Sunshine: TIMMY you promised to hang out with me and Cujo btw!🥺
Ghostly king: how dare you Dani!
The actual cool sister: Dani, you don’t let Danny’s bf be with him! I’ll play with you when I get back ok?
Sunshine: JAZZ PLAY TIME WOOOOO!
Red: I hate it here….
wisteria_vines Mon 22 Sep 2025 03:14AM UTC
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SakuraVale Fri 26 Sep 2025 04:19AM UTC
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A_simpfor_Ghostie Fri 26 Sep 2025 03:47PM UTC
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