#meanwhile lady Gotham is grinning in the background because both her boys are back in town and she is playing matchmaker

[improbably-luminescent]

Oh I have SO MANY THOUGHTS about that package, and about Danny accidentally losing Jason’s number during the exact wrong handful of weeks. About how feeling like he’d lost his friend, too, and having no idea why, would have made everything worse for Jason at that time.

I’m thinking about Danny reading about Jason’s death in the news, while knowing that he was Robin, and having some inkling what actually happened and what kind of fight might have brought his friend to an exploding warehouse halfway around the world. About the knowledge of his friend’s death hanging over Danny as he came to terms with his own. About Danny thinking specifically of Jason as he crafted his Phantom persona into a quick, quippy teen hero.

Having some thoughts about Danny always keeping an eye out for the ghost of his childhood friend, in and out of the Ghost Zone. About Danny always keeping a stash of candy on hand, just hoping he might need it again some day. About Danny getting to know and explore the Zone better and better, and how it gets less and less likely that Jason is around and they haven’t met again yet. I’m imagining the hope of seeing his friend fading further and further into the realm of impossible dreams, over time, but Danny still carrying sweets around constantly, anyway, because by now it’s a habit. And a bit of a tribute, too.

Thinking about Jason finally reconciling with the batfamily enough to visit his old room, and finding this old package dated just weeks before he left. About Jason pulling out this brittle, expired old pack of skittles and getting hit by just a wave of memories of the kid who moved away when they were 12, and who he realizes he had, until now, counted among the people who weren’t there for him a couple years later. The candies are a bit hardened and faded with age by now, but he eats them anyway as he reads the letter. He reads what little bit his 14 year old friend had written about the lab accident that fried his phone, and about the “weird stuff happening since then. I’ll tell you more when you call.”

Obviously, Jason hadn’t called.

I’m thinking about Jason looking Danny up, and finding that Daniel Fenton disappeared a year or two ago, just after graduating high school. About Jason wondering how things might have been different for them both if he’d gotten this package sooner; if they’d stayed in touch; if he’d been able to talk to Danny before running off; if Danny had had someone else outside that tiny town in Illinois to talk to about what definitely sounds like a meta power activation story if Jason’s ever heard one.

So Jason adds Danny Fenton to both his list of missing persons cases, and his list of Reasons to Brood, but beyond that there’s not much he can do but experience Feelings about it. Even if Danny didn’t seem to have just completely disappeared from this dimension, Jason’s not sure he’d want to meet again anyway.

And THEN, Danny comes to Gotham to help Lady Gotham with some problem, and Jason and Danny both ping each others’ “another dead guy” radars. They proceed to play an insane game of rooftop tag/cat-and-mouse for a full couple of hours that evening, until Danny finally decides to just ghost up behind Jason and go “boo”. Just to try and get The Red Hood to startle.

He succeeded.

But the thing is, Danny’s only ever known one person besides Mr. Lancer who swears in literary references. The helmet may have a voice modulator, but that’s a pretty distinctive turn of phrase. So, instead of cackling over the way he made Hood jump almost a foot in the air, Phantom just hovers there, staring a moment before muttering, “Jason?”

This is, of course, when Jason actually gets a good look at Phantom’s face. No bat is gonna be as easily fooled by a simple color change as Amity was. Jason’s “Danny?” is confirmation enough, in itself, that Danny is immediately reaching into his impossible pocket space. Jason is just bracing for… something, when he gets a family sized pack of skittles chucked directly at his chest.

“Asshole,” Danny growls at him, trying desperately to maintain a glare through the grin that’s slowly overtaking his face. “You will be buying the Pop Tarts for this, boy menace, it’s your turn.”

DPXDC prompt: Dead on main. No trick only treat.

~~Сhildhood friends and deals~~

The Justice League has to summon a ghost from another dimension to address the threat. They don’t know what price the Ghost King will take but there’s little time to bargain. Another spirit threatening them has already seized all the computers on their base. John doesn’t know what else to offer. A summoned ghost starts to look bored. Gold, jewelry? A favor from a member of the League? Like the Ruler of All Dead needs it. No one dares to make another offer, and the King is in no hurry to set out his demands. Maybe try to pull off a soul sale scam?

Suddenly, Red Hood breaks into the hall, walks up to Phantom and shakes his shoulder vigorously. Red Hood: You, get Technus out of here right now. I need access to the files and fast. Phantom: That’s rude, dude. Where did you grow up? in the cave? No "hello, no how are you, Danny", really? Red Hood: I’ll pay the usual price. Phantom: Deal.

What is the price? John sees Batman and gets in his way. The usual price, his guy said. Means Jay was already out of the deal alive and well. This hyperprotective bat would only piss off the ruler if he interfered.

The King quickly deals with his subordinate using a thermos and remains to watch working Hood. Red Hood: What do you want? I’m busy. Danny: You and I have a contract~ Red Hood: All right, all right. Jay throws M&Ms right in the face of the ghost. But king doesn’t look angry. He opens the package and starts sorting the candies by color. Phantom quickly eats up all the green ones and passes the red ones to Hood. Jason takes them without any questions.

Strange. John has never seen a summoned creature share its reward with a human. And the son of a bat looks too comfortable with it. Wait, since when do super-powered beings think that candy is a decent wage?John makes one of the most likely deductions using his experience. Constantine: Batsy, how long has your son been sleeping with the King of Ghosts? Batman: He…what?!

~~~~~~~

Dick *knocking at the door*: Little Wing, you hate ectoplasm and everything what is neon green, so why? He’s dangerous! Jason who turned on the music to not listen to his crazy family: ~He’s poison but tasty~

Dick: NoOOoo

~~~~~~

Jason: And now everyone thinks that I sold my virginity to you for a bargain or something, because interdimensional creatures like you aren’t supposed to help for nothing. Like you’re playing favorites. I’m gonna fucking kill John. Danny: Well, I wouldn’t say no to that. Jason: What? Danny: I mean, to k-kill John, yeah. How dare he.. Jason: Omg, you’re still so terrible liar, Fenton.

Danny: Sorry :(

Jason: No. Say it again.

~~~~Twelve years ago~~~~ Maddie wasn’t thrilled to learn that Danny was trying to make friends with Todd’s son. Their neighbor was terrible. And his son was definitely a street rat and probably a juvenile delinquent. Maddie: Danny, honey, there’s got to be a reason this boy is talking to you. Even kids from the crime alley are always looking for a bargain they can make or a fool they can fool. Danny: But Jason is so cool! He knows so much about books and alleys and.. Maddie: But you don’t want to be a fool, do you? Danny: Okay, Mom, I get it.

So, if Danny wants a cool friend, he’s got to offer a bargain.

He didn’t have a lot of pocket money for every month but Jason needed it more anyway. And his lunch that Jack was picking for him was big enough for two and only bitten on Tuesdays. Nice. Jason: Do I understand correctly? You will pay me and give me food, and I, what? Protect you from bullies? Danny: No! I’m not weak, I don’t need to be protected. Just..maybe we could sit together at lunch and walk each other home sometimes? Jason: Nay Danny: But why? You want something else? Jason: Money’s fine but your homemade food is…strange. Danny: I can bring sweets if you want. Jason: Deal. 3 pop tarts for a joint lunch, a party size bag of M&Ms if you waste my time out of school.

~~~~

Sometimes they share sweets when they hang out but more often Jayson takes them home to save in case his parents have money problems. Sweets have a long shelf life stored and he may not be afraid to poison himself. Over time, candy becomes their currency and a secret language for all occasions. Need help without unnecessary questions? M&Ms. Problems with learning? Skittles. The question is about family? Snickers. There will be a serious conversation? Pop Tarts.

Jason: One snickers and a pack of gum. Danny: Yeah, Jason? What do you want? Jason: My mom wants to meet my friend. Come to lunch on Sunday. Danny: Okay, you managed to pay for my expensive services. Jason:…and you just lost the gum from the deal.

~~~~~~

Jason threw a package at Danny: Three pop tarts. We need to talk. Danny: All right? Jason: Why are you avoiding me all week?! Danny: Well, it’s just..you’re Wayne now. Jason. Still Todd. And what about that? Danny: You can hang out with the cooler guys now, I didn’t want to embarrass you. Jason: Bullshit! I’m still the street rat, and you’re trying to avoid our contract. me. And I don’t even need money from you anymore. What the hell? I thought you are my friend. Danny: And I am!

~~~~~~

Robin: What’s a schoolboy doing in an alley at night? Danny: Um, I…nothing? Don’t tell my parents, Mr. Robin sir. Robin: It will cost you so many Chunky Bars, you have no idea. Danny:...Jason? Jason: N-no. Danny: Damn yes. What are you doing in green shorts on the street at night?! Jason: Cosplay. Danny: Oh yeah? Then I’m just your hallucination. Don’t hesitate to ghost me. I’m going home, Disgrace In Pixie Boots, bye. Jason: fu%&c$#u