The diner wasn't very busy today, a couple of my coworkers even went home. James wiped down the counter next to me, and I set a cup of coffee down in front of a waiting customer.

"I think the girl in the corner booth has a crush." James teased.

"Oh?" I caught the girl's eye and winked. She blushed, ducking her head out of sight.

Cutie.

"I don't know how you do it. Men and women come from all over to see the magnificent Eren John. The girl with two first names." He bowed dramatically, the water from his rag flinging every which way.

I rolled my eyes. "This is why I get the big tips James. Just be playfully flirty with everyone and they eat it up."

"Me? Flirt with men? No way." James tried and failed to hold a straight face, a grin overtaking it soon after.

"Right right." I spotted another customer at the end of the counter.

"Mhm, well if you ever want to share your stash of men's numbers, I wouldn't mind." James winked and backed into the kitchen dramatically.

I'll never know where that special type of confidence I have comes from, but James seems to be the only one who can manage to bring it out.

"Long day?"

"Clark!" I grinned, moving to stand in front of him. How had I not recognized him? "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see how you're settling in, maybe get a bite to eat too." He smiled back. "James seems fun."

"Yeah." Grabbing him a cup, I poured him some coffee. "It's been kind of an adjustment, but I like it here. Also yes, James has been helping me kind of find things I missed out on, like I think that maybe I like boys and girls."

"I'm happy that you're figuring that out." His eyes twinkled, he then sent a glance at where James had disappeared. "On a more serious note, as a heads up, Barry is going to be in the city soon with an assist."

I leaned against the countertop. "I'm not really worried about Barry Allen recognizing me, especially because I don't exactly look like I used to."

A customer was waving me down.

"I'm just saying, maybe it'd be wise to go to Gotham for a few days. Barry wouldn't dare go into B's territory."

He just wants me to be safe.

It sort of made me uncomfortable. To have someone else care for my safety. Dick was only three years out of the twenty four I'd been taking care of myself.

"If I go, will you stop pestering me about it?"

"Is this guy bothering you, Eren?" James appeared at my side.

"Scouts honor." Clark ignored him, blue eyes trained on me.

"Fine. I'll text Tim about it." Then I turned to my coworker. "Everything's okay. Just a concerned friend is all."

"I'll hold you to it." Clark warned lightly before throwing a few bills down on the counter and exiting the diner.

"Who was he?"

Sighing, I ducked into the kitchen, getting my phone out of my bag and sending a quick text to the only teenaged CEO I knew. It took me a moment to notice I'd been followed by James.

No one here really knew anything about me, just my new name.

"James, leave it alone." I pinched the bridge of my nose. He was just concerned. Just like Clark.

"Was he a boyfriend?"

Gross. "He's so much older than me." He was Bruce's age, wasn't he?

"Hey, I'm not one to judge."

I sighed, I felt like I couldn't think. "Clark is just a friend that's looking out for me. I'm probably going to need to be in Gotham for the next little while, would you cover my shifts?"

James rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess? Did you clear it with Isaac?"

Right. Isaac, our boss.

The cooks were busy, clearly pretending they weren't hearing anything. They were probably wanting to know what was going on, but were wisely staying out of it.

I texted Isaac, requesting the next few weeks off work and citing a family emergency.

He gave me the go ahead, along with a plea to not only be safe but that he hoped everything would be okay. He was a good man.

Hopefully I wouldn't lose this job.

My phone buzzed, notifying me of Tim's response. 'Just in time for family game night'. Inwardly I groaned. That was code for patrol and now I was being roped into it.

Barry Allen could suck it.

I hated that I had to leave my life for my safety. Then again, it would be rather unfortunate if I had to put a bullet in his brain for trying to attack me.

Us meeting again could have some rather violent repercussions.

o[]xxxx[]:::::::::::::> • <::::::::::::[]xxxx[]o

After my shift, dodging more questions and absolutely exhausted, I trudged into my apartment. I still needed to pack and Tim was going to be stalker level for the next few hours. I also wouldn't be surprised if Superman was keeping an eye on me.

Someone tutted in the darkness, making me jump. Then I realized who it was and flipped on the lights.

Damian sat on my counter top, twirling a dagger between his fingers. "I could have killed you several times over."

"Why are you here?" I set my stuff on the table, settling heavily in one of my seats. "Aren't you supposed to have a babysitter?"

"Drake is in a meeting with Father at Wayne Enterprises and Todd's taking care of his business."

"So, why are you here?" I repeated. "I thought you despised me."

"I despise everyone." He lifted his chin proudly.

"You're avoiding my question."

"And you couldn't tell there was a stranger in your home."

I took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose and reminding myself that he was just twelve and annoying. "Damian, don't make me call Alfred."

He stared at me. "Fine. I demand you return to Gotham."

"Why?"

"Must you be so insufferable?" Damian huffed.

"Must you be a miniature pain in my ass?" I shot back, getting up and retreating to my room where I got my go bag. "But really, why do you want me in Gotham?"

"Todd has been intolerable, fix it."

I spun around in shock. Did the gremlin just ask for my help? With Jason? "Wouldn't Alfred be a more capable candidate? Jason hates me."

"He does, but you spent the most time with Grayson. I thought perhaps his annoying optimism had rubbed off on you." Damian crossed his arms, looking entirely uncomfortable and more his age than I'd ever seen him.

He had an adorable pout.

Sighing dramatically, I ruffled his hair. It got me a knife pointed at my throat, but at least he wasn't threatening me like last time. "I suppose I could help. I'll even give you a ride back to the manor."