Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 4

Damian made his way back into the apartment building, bags in hand. It had not taken overly long to deliver the bag to Wayne Enterprises and then pick up the food. It was strange but he found he felt somewhat nervous. Would he open the door? He would not be surprised if the other teen doubted his promise to return with food. He knocked on the door firmly.

"Danny? It is Damian, I have returned with lunch," he called out, listening intently for any movement.

It would take time to move around the apartment in a wheelchair, was it manual or electric? And he might be in his room or even the bathroom and need to transfer first. Damian was very patient when he needed to be and sure enough, a few minutes later he heard the locks on the door. It opened a crack and he held the bag out for Danny to take.

"I purchased a selection as I was unsure what your preferences are," he explained, plus he didn't know if he had any food restrictions or allergies.

Slowly, a pale hand slipped through the gap to take the back, Damian ensuring he had a good grip before releasing it. "Thanks," was whispered to him. Shyness? Or something worse?

"I hope you enjoy the food," Damian answered, sitting on the floor. "I will remain out here and we can have lunch together."

,

Danny felt rather bewildered. He'd come back which was shocking enough but then Danny looked in the bag to find a crazy number of different foods. And then he sat on the floor outside of the door and Danny could hear another bag rustling. He was going to sit and eat out there? Damian Wayne, the most formal of the Wayne kids eating on the floor?! He knew he should invite him in but…he couldn't. Part of him really wanted to but he was too scared.

So, he pulled out some of the food and listened as Damian Wayne talked as they ate. It was strange but…nice.

"Would you like to do this again? There are many good restaurants around that we can try."

Danny bit his lip, thinking.

"You do not need to speak or open the door to me; I do not wish to make you uncomfortable."

It was so tempting but also very, very risky. Damian Wayne was a public figure, especially now that he was almost an adult. Soon the press would have no restrictions when it came to the youngest Wayne. If he came over then someone could get curious and begin looking into who he was visiting…would their id's hold up to that kind of scrutiny? Even if they did, his Dad was rather distinctive, if a photo was printed…if they found them… but to have someone willing to visit…

,

Damian finished his lunch, waiting for any response to his offer. It was strange, despite his childhood training as an assassin, he had lacked patience when he had come to Gotham. Years of stakeouts and waiting for results though had tempered that impatience. He was much better at waiting now, no matter the reason.

And then a pale hand appeared once more, holding an older style phone with a phone number displayed on it. Damian smirked, taking the phone to copy the number to his own phone before adding his number to Danny's.

"Is this the best day for you or would another be better? I am unavailable on Monday and Thursday though."

"It's good," was the soft answer, and Damian detected a rasp to his voice.

"Then I shall add it to my calendar," he promised, handing back Danny's phone.

A second later his own chimed with a text alert. The text was a single word, why?

"Because…I know what it is to be isolated. The first ten years of my life was spent with my Mother. She loved me, in her way, but it was very lonely. There were no other children and I spent all my time in study. It was not until I came to Gotham that I was allowed to be a child, to have a real family and friends. Though it did take me many years to adjust. Many would say I still have not."

His phone chimed again – you want to be my friend? You don't know me.

"I know you are an inventor smart enough to gain praise from Timothy and Father, I know that you have suffered greatly as well. I know that your Father tried to protect me that day in the elevator as well. I would like to get to know you."

And a final message chimed – next week.

,

Jack watched Danny move shakily across the room, gripping tightly to the bars. Any day when his son could get out of the chair was a good day and they were too few and far between. He wasn't paralysed, there was no spinal damage which he might have actually been able to heal. The damage they had done though…if they could lessen the scars, it would at least help Danny's self-confidence, maybe help convince him to leave the apartment even if just to come to the office with Jack.

He was glad that the youngest Wayne's visit had gone so well. He understood Danny's hesitance but the thought of him making a connection with someone gave Jack hope. The Wayne's had decades of experience avoiding the press and ensuring they had privacy. Mr Drake-Wayne was dating and yet his partner was only ever in the press when they attended events together, very little was known of the young man. So, it wasn't as big a concern as it would be with most other well-known families.

The Wayne's seemed too good to be true, he knew his wages had gone up, as had his health coverage, once they knew about Danny. And this building suddenly being refitted when they found out that the one they'd been living in was inaccessible? Why? Why them?

"Dad?" Danny asked, and Jack smiled at him.

"What do you think of pizza tonight?" he asked, and Danny nodded, mouth pulling up in a half smile.

,

Bruce was surprised when the family calendar updated for Damian, blocking out two hours every Wednesday for a luncheon. Right after he'd met Danny Nightingale on a Wednesday…was it possible? Well, if he was spending time with a new friend, that was something to be encouraged. He didn't really have any civilian friends; it would be good if he could make one. And Bruce would make sure none of the family pushed about Danny's condition. Yes, they were curious, but it was none of their business.

,

Damian found himself looking forward to his weekly lunches with Danny, despite the lack of true conversation. The whispering seemed to be his voice which suggested an injury from the accident. He didn't mind that Danny mostly communicated via text; he was at least willing to communicate. Given everything that he had been through, many would simply pull away entirely and cut themselves off from the world.

While he hoped that, one day, Danny would open the door, he did not expect it to happen. He was not waiting expectantly to be the first to see Danny Nightingale. He was not looking to get anything out of his visits, he just wanted to help.

Father owned the building so perhaps…would a pet help? Many people with disabilities found comfort in having an animal companion for company and even help. Dogs could be trained to pick objects up and retrieve things for those in wheelchairs. He would do some more research and present it to Jack Nightingale first.

,

Bernard stretched out on the couch, exhausted. He loved his job, he did, but sometimes, the things he saw… Tim had been on the streets since he was a kid, sometimes he wondered how he had handled it all, especially before he became Robin. He wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, pressing a soft kiss to the side of his head. "I love you," he whispered, and Tim twisted enough to look up at him, a soft smile on his lips.

"I love you too."

He loved Tim like this, soft and open in a way so few ever saw him. This was the real Tim; awkward and sometimes a bit shy, affection starved for so long, no masks. He brushed some hair back from Tim's face before kissing him tenderly. He then reached around Tim for the coffee table drawer where he'd hidden something a while back. He'd been waiting, nervous, for the right time and right now…just felt right. His hand closed around the box and he pulled it back, opening the box before putting it where Tim could see. He smiled at blue eyes went wide.

"Ber?"

"Marry me?" he asked, heart in his throat.

Tim stared at the subtle silver band in the box, a ruby set flush into the band, the stone a close match in colour to his suit. No one outside of hero circles would know why Bernard had chosen a Ruby but no one would really question it. After all, non-diamond engagement rings had become more and more popular over the last decade. And he wasn't worried about Tim's silence, yes, his boyfriend could be very spontaneous and do things without thinking. But something like this? He was definitely thinking hard.

"You're sure?" Tim whispered.

Bernard moved, sitting up and then getting off the couch to kneel in front of Tim. "I'm sure," he promised. "I want to be with you, forever."

Tim smiled and held his hand out, letting Bernard slip the ring on. "It's perfect."

"Three stores with Dick and Jason. Not sure if I was scared or excited," he admitted, and Tim laughed. "And Damian was texting suggestions. He's the one that snuck to size your finger."

"That actually explains a lot," Tim laughed.

,

Jason set a plate down on the table, smirking as Steph and Cass pulled Tim's hand around to get a better look at his ring. It was simple and understated, perfect for Timmy. The kid might dress smart in those business suits but away from the office he was a very casual kind of guy. Little Timmy…all grown up and engaged. He still remembered the tiny kid who had stared into his helmet and refused to back down, even knowing Red Hood's reputation and the threats he'd made against Robin.

Tim eventually got free of the girls and surprised Jason with a hug which he returned. "Ber said you helped with the ring. Thanks Jay."

"It was a lot of fun." He smirked and then wrapped his arm around Tim's shoulders. "Congratulations baby bird."

"Thanks."

,

He didn't flaunt his ring but the whispers spread through the building quickly despite that. Jack was happy for him when he heard the news. The times he'd met the young Drake-Wayne, he'd like him. He'd given Danny something to do, to get proper experience and even pay. He was the kind of young man who would make any parent proud.

Jack had always thought one day, maybe Danny and Sam, but that was impossible. He might even shoot her himself if he ever saw her again. And with Danny's condition…. Maddie had been the love of his life, he'd been blind to how obsessed she had become, how unthinkingly blind to evidence against their research… and it had cost him almost everything.

He had no plans of ever looking for another relationship but it hurt that with how Danny had cut himself off from everyone, that he would never have that. Although Danny was communicating with Damian Wayne, the youngest Wayne was going to the apartment every week and bringing Danny lunch. It must be so strange to eat through a barely cracked open door but it had been three months now and he wasn't showing any signs of stopping.

,

Damian carried the bag of Mediterranean food up to the apartment, looking forward to another quiet lunch. He knocked on the door like he always did, Danny was usually waiting…but the door remained shut. "Danny?" he pulled out his phone and texted him but there was no response.

"Danny!" He called more urgently. He knocked louder but there was nothing. He tapped the first name in his phone, listening to it ring. "Father," he said as soon as it was answered.

"What is it, Damian?" he asked, able to tell from his tone that something was wrong.

"I am at the Nightingale apartment; Danny is not answering the door or his phone. I am unsure how I am meant to proceed. Should I use the override code?" All the apartments had a code lock rather than the traditional key, one that had a Bat override in case of emergency.

"Hold on, I'll call his Father. He might be at a doctor's appointment or something and forgot to tell you."

"Very well." He didn't like waiting, something felt…off.

"Jack said he should be inside."

"I'm going in." he hung up and entered the code, unlocking the door. "Danny?" he put the bag of food on the nearby counter. The open plan main room and kitchen were empty, the apartment silent.

And then he saw the fallen wheelchair…a sock covered foot. He moved closer and saw the teen sprawled on the floor, breathing but seemingly unconscious. Damian knelt down and carefully began searching for injuries…. new injuries.

TBC…

Been stuck on this chapter so here's what I have.