"How often do you get those thoughts?" Bruce asked, leaning across from Danny in the kitchen. Dick was hanging out at a friend's house and Alfred was out buying groceries.
Danny shrugged. "It depends on the day. Sometimes I don't have them at all and others... It's all I ever think about. They're really bad when I'm at night, alone. It's the one place I can't hide from my own screaming thoughts. It's almost as bad as the nightmares or the anxiety I felt when I first met you... And, at night, when I try to think of other things, everything just seems so... Tainted. And I don't mean to have these thoughts and I'm not sure when it first started but they just..." He trailed and shrugged.
"Have you talked to anyone else about them?" Bruce asked.
"I tried with Sam, Kaldur, Canary, and Megan but they just don't get it. They tell me to live in the present, I have a long ways to go, that kind of thing. I see where they're coming from and I understand what they say but... It seems to make the thoughts worse. I don't know why. It just does. They're telling me what to do to make it better but they don't bring any reassurance. The world just feels... Dark." Danny explained, resting his head in his hands with a defeated look.
"Alfred told me the same things. And the world does seem a lot darker. The anxiety you feel is unbearable." Bruce mumbled in understanding. Danny nodded.
"How bad is the physical aspect of this?" Bruce asked.
"I feel tired. I stay up later. I don't want to eat. My stomach churns constantly. My chest feels like someone's standing on it. I wanna burst out crying every minute. There just seems to be no end." Danny explained.
"Words never truly relieve you of anxiety." Bruce said.
"Which sucks..." Danny mumbled, resting his head on the counter and hands over his head.
Bruce snorted. "It does suck. And I'd tell you not to worry about it, but I know that'll make it worse. Did for me. To help relieve your anxiety, I suggest talking it out with someone who will listen. Just listen. Words make everything worse. Or find something to laugh about."
"When the world seems hopeless and dark, what's there to laugh at?" Danny asked.
"I don't know. Laugh at the fact Dick pointed out I ask a lot of direct questions but leave before anyone answers." Bruce suggested.
Danny snorted, a small smile gracing his lips. He looked at his mentor. "Thanks Bruce." He whispered.
"You're welcome." Bruce said, walking around the counter, and placing a small kiss on the teen's head.
The story felt in-complete so I made closure for myself... Danny feels what I feel so... I wish I had a Bruce...