Jazz crouched down to be eye level with her little brother, now officially son. Danny was de-aged last year and with the help of Vlad they were finally able to live as a family without worry of being found out.
Danny was standing there, staring at the ground. His fluffy hair covering his face as he twisted the ball of his foot, nervously on the concrete. His hand clenched tight around his backpack strap and wearing a red and white shirt, similar to the ones he wore as a teen.
Jazz smiled sympathetically, as she reached out to brush her fingers through his hair. He was so small, and adorable. Today was his first day back at school, but this time at the age of six again. So he was repeating elementary, though to the government it be his first time.
Danny never liked school so to go back to first grade, Danny was laughing and cutting up moments earlier that it would be a breeze. Jazz new it was out of nerves.
He always joked about things that made him nervous or uncomfortable. It wasn't about the grades that scared him, he was always good in school until high school when he gained his powers, now dimmed by the gun that turned him young again. Jazz knew it was the people, the teachers, the students, that bothered him.
Most of all, today solidifies that Danny was stuck growing up again. Perhaps it was her fault for holding out his hopes that they could fix this, but even with access to the ghost zone again, Clockwork and the others made it clear.
Only time could heal him. It was hard to hear for Danny.
"It won't be so bad Danny." Jazz tried to comfort, giving a warm smile, as her hand fell down to trace Danny's chubby cheeks. They had faint freckles over them.
"Easy for you to say. I got another-" Danny waited a moment to count on his fingers, hissing that he has to stop and think about it.
That been another odd thing, Jazz had noted. Danny didn't just look like a six year old, at times he truly acted like one. Where his brain couldn't process some memories or knowledge and it took him a while to pinpoint things. It scared her at first that her parents-JAck and Maddie had invented something that was just as damaging as the portal to Danny. But, it turns out through her research and thanks to the Yetis that Danny would be fine once he reached his age again.
"Ugh, I'm so stupid only twelve grades and I'm starting first-" Danny smacking his hand to his forehead.
"Danny you are not stupid."
"I messed around machines that got me killed and this.. I say that's pretty stupid."
Jazz frowned, crossing her arms as she looked at him. "No, that wasn't a wise decision on ANYONE'S part. You shouldn't have had even access to the thing. Danny.. You can fly a rocket ship, you can dissect a ray gun, and even fixed the broken tv we found in the dumpster."
"Last one you got upset about."
"You kept forgetting to unplug it when you were finished testing it." Jazz pointed out.
Danny just rubbed his neck, turning his head to the side. Jazz sighed, reaching to put a hand on his shoulder.
"If you're anything, that's reckless. And who knows, maybe this time will be easier for you."
"Tuck won't be there."
"No, but other kids will and if it does get bad, you can always leave it Danny. I looked up homeschooling and I know you could get a scholarship into better school if you wanted too. There are options."
Danny stared at her for a moment, a sad but thinking look. He sighed, shaking his head. He looked so defeated, it broke her heart. So she leaned forward to give him a big hug. He didn't even pretend he didn't want it this time as he just accepted the hug. Not moving to hug back, but not pushing away either.
"I love you Danny. We'll get through this, and it will get better. I promise."
"Love you too Jazz." Danny whispered back, with a sigh, then quickly pushed away from her running towards the school entrance.
Jazz blinked stunned, before chuckling, with a hand over her mouth. She stood and gave a wave. "Have a good day at school!"
"No promises!" He waved his hand back towards her, as he kept facing the building entrance.
She sighed once he was out of sight, hugging herself. This wasn't going to be easy, raising her little brother again, but at least she has hope that this time Danny would be safe. Well, safe was relative considering where they live. But for a half-dead kid, it was.
