I own nothing, everything belongs to Allen Moore.


"I'm not mad, Daniel. The world is." Daniel always been emotional. Never self destructive though. That my role. Hand still bleeding. Must fix. Don't want to let go. Hurm. Difficult choice. Finally let Daniel go, getting bandages. Return to hallway. Daniel gone. Short search. Drops of blood easily followed. Daniel's bedroom. Sleeping. Tired Daniel. Wrap hand best as possible, removing glass. Does not wake. Sit and watch him sleep. Cute. Move strand of hair from face. Notice puffiness under eyes. Hungover. No more drinking. No more punching glass.

Child to think of, after all. Where is child? Perhaps should check up on.

Easy to find Child's room. Up on 4th floor. Not sure what to think. Not like Daniel's home anymore. Clearly boy's domain. Different. Not as different as owl den. Messy. Not disaster, but lacking Daniel's OCD cleanliness. Cluttered. Newspaper clippings, paraphernalia of heroes. Daniel's "Nite Owl" featured prominently. Not surprising. Daniel considered "Dad". Am with Daniel. Make me "Mom"? Chuckle, careful not to wake boy. Ha. Not mother material. Bad father, too. Never had good examples. Watch child for long time, pondering parentship. Startled by abrupt voice.

"Pervert. Watching a minor sleep. Shame on you."

Boy's lips barely move, eyelids not fluttered. He's good.

".... Apologies. Not pervert. Thinking."

Boy sits up. Stretches. Flexible, strong. Will make good hero.

"Thinkin' 'bout what?"

"Daniel. You." Tense now, but honest. "Veidt."

"Hmm. Busy head you've got, Mr. Kovacs. Real busy like."

"...." Long pause, eying boy carefully. "Name's Walter. Use it."

"Not Rorschach? I thought... huh."

"Rorschach by night, when working. City knows Rorschach, fears and respects him. No one knows Walter."

"Huh....you're coming with us, right? On patrol? As Rorschach? "

Slow smile. Nod. "Yes. Rorschach and Nite Owl....oh. And... your name?"

"Nite Hawk." He grins. "I just stay in Archie though." Smile falls. " I wanna help, dammit!"

I frown. "Language."

"Sorry Mister Ko-...Walter."

Nod. Hmmm. Daniel limiting boy's potential. "Will speak with Daniel on this matter. Now sleep."

"Aw, I can't just force myself to shut down.... tell me a story!"

Frown. "Don't know bedtime stories."

"Aw, please? You must know at least one!"

Deeper frown. Wish to put child to sleep. Sigh. "Once upon a time." Pause. Haven't heard this since before mother started taking clients. Remember it as if experiencing it right now though. "There was girl. Goldilocks. Lost in woods, hungry and tired, sca-"

Boy starts laughing.

FROWN. "What?"

"Not that kind of story. Thats for little kids. Those ones are lame, and have mixed morals. Tell me about when you and Dad took down the underboss in the sewers!" Boy grins. Like this child.

"Scum though wrong, betting on filth of sewer to save them. Wrong, very wrong. Army of rats gave little warming, evading cloud of tear gas..."

Hours pass. Boy enthused. No sleep. Will be tired later. Simply need to give sugar, then. Daniel due to wake up in fifteen minutes. Stop stories, going downstairs, making coffee. Much sugar. Push mug at Rory.

"Drink."

"I get coffee now? You're awesome, Walter!"

"Don't tell Daniel. Our secret."

Grin bright, too large for boys face. Downs contents of mug quickily, then checks 24 hour clock. "Imma go suit up. See ya later!" He hops downstairs, happy.

Take responsibility of waking Daniel, taking him mug of coffee. Push open door.

"Daniel, up now. Child almost ready."

"mph."

"Daniel. Up."

"Mph."

Pull blankets off him.

"DANIEL. UP."

"Alrigh, alrigh....Jebus..." Sits up. Push coffee at him. He seems touched. "You made coffee? Thank you Walter....that's very considerate." Takes sip and struggles to remain 'touched'. Am aware that my coffee is...interesting. Dark and sweet. Thick.

Hurm. Child enjoyed it, at least.