Chapter Text
Dick had imagined a million different ways Peter found out Dick was his biological father. Not in one of those scenarios did he ever think that a nosy reporter would spill the beans.
Dick had woke up later than usual that morning. The gala had taken him out of it and he would’ve slept for another six hours if it wasn’t for the buzzing on his phone. A new article about a secret Wayne kid.
Scares like that were always going around but Dick had a very bad feeling clicking on the article this time. His heart fell when he saw the picture of him and Peter side by side. He really did look like his son.
That’s how Dick found out about the article. A week later he also knew Peter knew about the report as he avoided them like the plague. Babs has been checking the cameras and no sign of him, he’s been ignoring not just his texts but Harley’s, Selina’s and Jason’s as well. He just sent one text to each saying he was fine and that was it. The message had included a smiley face so he wasn’t too pressed about him feeling bitter….Dick was feeling horrific as the week went on and soon went to visit Bees everyday.
Bee, as lovely as always, told him to scram and ‘if that boy wanted ta talk, he would’ve already. Take a hint Wayne.’
He keeps coming back though. He knows Peter is in there. Then on a fateful Friday he knew it was going to be different, he could feel it in the air. There was no exasperated huff from Bee as she walked out the back or the sound of slippers scuffing the floor.
No, Peter answered this time. He knew by the look on his face he had read the article. The fake, awkward smile, the phone excuse and the avoidance. Then a blood test result came back, negative. Negative. Somehow Peter had sent his blood to WE without any member being notified.
Tim had looked over the results as so had everyone else, they had been faked. By Peter or someone else they didn’t know. Peter persistently denied that he wasn’t related to Dick and wouldn’t be persuaded.
So Dick pretended to leave and then spotted, honest to god, the ugliest hat he’s ever seen. He tired it on to defuse some of the tension. As soon as he got Peter to let out a little laugh he didn’t stop, Peter even joining in trying the clothing.
He promised Peter he would stop in as soon as he could but he knew he needed to give him space, a week of space should be enough and now Dicks not going in blind. He’s got a plan.
Dicks Super Amazing Flawless Plan.
1.) Visit Bees with Jason. Peter felt most comfortable with Jason, he probably won’t ignore him with Jason there. Jason is quite hard to ignore.
2.) Enquire more about these supposed parents. Why do they let Peter out late at night. Do they even care about him?
3.) Tell him that the blood test that was sent to WE was fake and say it’s mandatory to get this situation under control as soo as possible. He’s going to phrase it like that as Peter seems eager to get this whole situation over with, which worries Dick a lot.
What if Peter doesn’t want to have him as a dad. They’ve scoured the internet for Peters past but there’s nothing. It’s like he just poofed into this world. No birth cert, no school records, no records of his parents or foster care. It’s freaking them all out. Is something going on…if there is would he even tell them?
How traumatised will Peter be when he finds out his father who he thought had died is actually alive. He might not want anything to do with Dick.
He’s been talking with Babs for a solid hour now. They’ve gone over the plan and it’s the only one Dicks satisfied with. It’s like ripping off a band aid. Yeah. Just like that. If he keeps telling himself that maybe it will become easier when he actually has to do it.
He’s sitting on top of the library. It’s where he goes to get fresh air and think ever since he was a little kid. Babs is long gone but Dicks not ready to go back to the manor. He’ll need to go back to Bludhaven soon but not right now. Not when his kid is in his reach. He stands up and stretches his back when he hears a voice.
“Are you ok sir?”
Dick had never really come face to face with Spider-Man but he was curious about him. Really curious. I mean Bruce and Tim can’t get anything on him. Babs can’t see him on any camera, he’s like a shadow. A shadow that wears a brightly coloured suit and never stops taking…maybe they need to up their game.
Dicks surprised he hadn’t heard him come up. He must’ve been more distracted than he thought.
Spider-Man’s stance is casual, a little too casual. From his height he’s must be at the start of college, pretty young then. When he spoke he tired to make his voice sound deeper. It kinda worked if not for the voice crack.
“Yeah I’m fine Spider-Man, this is a bit far out of your ‘territory’.”
Spider-Man’s stance goes from a bit rigid to slumped once he’s sees Dick walk away from the edge.
Oh.
“Oh I was just on a way to visit a friend and I saw you and thought ‘he looks friendly…’.”
Spider-man trailed off awkwardly, rubbing his kneck.
“Oh thanks. So, what brought you into Gotham. Aren’t you scared the Bats going to get you?”
Dick asks curiously. Sue him. This guy had nerve and Dick respected that.
“Oh…I didn’t know about that rule before I moved here.”
Bit suspicious but plausible depending on where he’s from originally. Now Dick can tell it’s cold and does that Spider-guy look like he’s shivering. He doesn’t want to keep him but something tells him he won’t leave until he knows Dicks safe.
“Hey man I’ve kinda got to go, got a family dinner you know how it is.”
“Yeah. I do.”
Spider-Man sounded so small in that moment that Dick couldn’t help it. He nodded before shaking his head, sitting back on the ledge and patting the spot beside him. Spider-Man hesitantly took the spot.
“I thought you were in a rush.”
“Nah, they can wait. I wanted to ask you something.”
Was it just Dick or did Spider-Man somehow look nervous. “Y-yeah ok.”
“So I’ve got this friend and he’s having a hard time with his son right now.”
“Oh. Sorry to hear.”
Dick waves him off, he doesn’t know why he’s telling a random college student this but he just needs an outsiders perspective.
“It’s fine but he’s struggling. You see his ex never told his son his Dad wasn’t his real Dad and now my friends scared to tell his son that he’s actually the dad and not her douche of a boyfriend. It’s complicated. He can’t find a way to say it without scaring the kid off.”
“That sounds like a shit show.”
“Yeah, yeah it is.” Replies Dick humorously.
They both sit in silence, Spider-Man swinging his legs back and forth. The lively hum of the city filling in the space. Spider-Man clears his throat and Dick turns to look at him but he’s firmly looking at the city.
“I’d tell him. I personally would prefer to be told. Make sure to give him space if he takes it badly.”
For some reason hearing that this illegal meta would like to be told in that situation puts hope in Dicks chest.
“You really think.”
He then looks at Dick before nodding.
“Yeah man I would.”
He then gets up and stretches his back with several satisfying pops.
“I hoped I helped a little.”
Dick clambers to his feet and sticks out his hand.
“Yeah you did. Dick Grayson.”
Spider-Man looked a bit apprehensive before grabbing onto Dicks hand. He then promptly runs of the edge, does a backflip and swings away. He would be lying if he said his heart wasn’t in his mouth.
Dam dude.
That was awesome.
Maybe he and Nightwing could have a friendly conversation.
Dick makes his way back down the stairs with newfound hope. He’ll tell Peter, he owes him that much. He owes him so much more but for now this was a start.
“And then Miss let us do art and I made the solar system look!”
It was a Wednesday and he was currently walking back Charlie to his apartment. Bee didn’t mind him bringing Charlie to and from school. She thought it was actually quite nice. Charlie was a good kid. There was only one slight problem, well not really a problem. Just another someone who he’ll eventually leave hanging when he has to go.
Peter had also gained another kid. He now walked home a little girl with glasses. Charlie and his new friend Lindy who lived a block down, just moved in last week. They got on like a house on fire. It was quite cute. It also meant that Lindy’s Mum and him took turns walking the kids to and from school.
“That’s really cool Charlie, I love Jupiter, best planet out there.”
Charlie beamed up at him and looked very pleased. Lindy was quiet and only spoke up when she felt like it. Peter liked her, Mj and her would get on well.
“Peterrrr.”
“Yes Lindy?”
“Can we get ice cream?”
Peter would love to get ice cream if he had money on him. All his money was currently being saved to buy some expensive parts. The parts from the prestigious school was a bust. These new pieces could be the key to getting Karen up and running again and then he could contact someone. Preferably Mister Stark.
They were very expensive so Peter has only been eating lunch, no dinner these past few days. He was already very skinny, he doubts anyone will notice.
“Maybe next time Lin, besides I bet your mums will have dinner on for you when you get back. You don’t want to loose your appetite.”
She nods before smiling.
“Ok Peter.”
She then starts to skip, Charlie tries to mimic the movement with untied laces which he claims are cool. He drops Charlie off first and gets an excited greeting from Mr Crackers. Peter had found him on patrol one evening digging through a trash can.
Mr Cracker was a pudgy corgi that Charlie adored. The day he delivered him back to Charlie he was ecstatic and wouldn’t stop thanking Spider-Man.
On the way home he was non-stop talking about how the Spider had found it. He then promptly told Peter that the Spider was his favourite Superhero and no, Peter did not shed a tear.
Lins off next and he promises next Friday he’ll get her ice cream. He gets home late enough. Not late enough to not go on patrol though.
Spider-Man is easy enough that night. Nothing too bad going on. When he gets home he just can’t seem to sleep. A buzzing is almost floating around his head. Duchess is laid flat across his chest and is purring slightly.
Maybe he should get up but then he’d wake up Duchess, who is really cute right now. She also hates being woken unless Peter has food for her. Duchess also seems to be getting a bit…chunky. He’s not fat shaming his poor cat. It’s just that Duchess is getting enough food from him, more than he’s feeding himself. She is also a hunter and will leave for prolonged periods of time.
However, no amount of hunting will lead to poor Duchess getting a bit of a tummy. She must have another owner but even saying that makes Peter’s gut turn with betrayal and abandonment issues.
Duchess, for her cold demeanour hates people. She is also loyal to Peter and will warm up to everyone eventually. She doesn’t even eat the food Bee gives her much to her chagrin so the chances of someone else feeding her are slim.
Maybe she’s just the best hunter on this side of Gotham. Yeah. That has to be it. Peter finally falls asleep with the buzzing louder than ever.
Peters crabby. Why? There’s a few reasons. The first is that a montage of all Peter’s most horrific moments played out in slow motion last night.
Thanks brain for that.
Peter had woke up in a cold sweat and covered in…blood? Turns out Duchess was not on the chunky side. No, she was pregnant. Five small kittens. All who were quite adorable. Huh, at least one mystery solved. Problem is Peter can’t take care of himself and Duchess, never mind five little kittens. He didn’t even realise she was seeing another cat.
He had no choice but to leave poor Duchess. She wasn’t too happy about the situation but she’ll thank him in time when he has food for her.
He’ll make sure he picks up treats for her on the way home.
The last reason to why he’s crabby is because of the buzzing. The never ending buzzing that has been going on in his head all day. On top of that he’s gone deathly pale and one of the customers had gasped upon seeing him. His confidence was through the roof if you couldn’t tell.
Maybe God had seen Peter be so crabby and thought ‘why not add another thing?’
Bee had told him she had to go pick up rare silk. A rich customer wanted a full length gown with the fabric. The delivery guys refused to go into Gotham City Centre.
“Those bastards wouldn’t even deliver it. Well when I see them I’ll%$*~.”
It’s safe to say he wasn’t the only one crabby. She told him she’d be back by three and then he will go straight home. No ifs or buts as he ‘looks shit’ in Bees exact words.
Uh oh.
Uh oh is right Spider senses. A man had entered the shop. A dodgy guy. Big coat, menacing face, looks like the type to say “not on my watch”. You know the type.
Anyway, he’s not very pleasant either. He’s got that type of vibe. He walks up to the counter and huffs something out at Peter. If his super, warped hearing can’t hear something you say, you need to speak up.
“Sorry sir, what did you say?”
Just because they make your spider senses scream doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be polite.
When he pulls out a gun he thinks he should have skipped the niceties.
“I said give me the money. Twerp.”
Well there’s no need for the name calling.
If Bee was here she’d probably bite the bullet if it meant not giving him her money. Peter however is not as brave as Bee and hands him over the cash. Peter will find the guy on patrol later.
“This is it?”
“Yeah, we’re not doing too hot now.”
The thief looks at Peter as if he understands. He does if he’s stealing he supposes.
LOOK OUT!!!!
In Peters defence he’s been held at gunpoint so many times and not been shot it’s kinda humbling for this guy to get the hit. Pain spreads up his side and Peter lets out a yelp. Peter blindly reaches for something on and lands on a pen.
Is it morally wrong to chuck a pen at a crook if he shot you. Yes, as long as the pen did damage. Since the pen landed with the tip going into this guys left eye and was thrown with enough force that it exploded and probably blinded him…yeah Peter may be in the wrong.
Since Peter is beginning to see a pink giraffe in his peripheral vision he’s staring to think the crook got what he deserved. What the fuck was in that bullet. Why is there green stuff leaking out.
“YOU FUCKER! WHAT DID YOU DO?!?” He screeched.
“YOU SHOT ME, YOU DESERVED IT YOU SCUMBAG.”
The thief runs out the shop but not without a mumbled “the boss is going to kill me” before horsing himself out the door.
Peter needs to get home and he’ll fix himself up there. The bullet is lodged in and he needs help. Since when was Bees painted bright blue?
“Don’t look at me.” Says the pink giraffe.
Peter shrugs before somehow sluggishly closing up the shop at a snails pace.
He manages to hobble outside and begins to walk. Where? He doesn’t know. He walks and he walks and he walks. He meets a blue elephant, a really tall man, four Luke Skywalkers and two Darth Vaders. He’s humming a song, one his mum always used to sing. He’s humming and humming and his cats! Duchess…poor Duchess….
Whats that pain. He presses a hand to his side and it comes away slick with blood. How did that happen.
He swears he hears someone calling his name. Eh, probably that grouchy penguin who he pushed past. Peter needs to get back home and which way is home again.
He hears giggling. He’s giggling uncontrollably. He feels like someone is shouting his name but he doesn’t care. What was he trying to do? Oh right get food for the cats.
The sky is currently green so that means he’s got exactly 145 minutes before all the shops close down and go on strike. He breaks out in a sprint. Now there’s definitely someone calling his name.
Sup dude.
Peters now being tackled to the ground…by Uncle Ben? What’s that silly goose doing.
“Ow Peter, what the fuck.”
“You’re supposed to be dead.” Peter spat out.
Oh, since when was he angry?
Ben’s eyes go wide and he breathes out—“How do you know?”
“Duh I was there Ben.”
Bens eye go wide and then narrow.
“I’m not Ben?”
Peter snorts. “Sure. If you’re not Ben then I’m Superman.”
“You’re not Superman Peter.”
“No you’re right. That’s Clark Kent’s job.”
He doesn’t know why Ben’s so surprised. If Ben was watching over him he should know these things. Guardian Angle style. Wait Peter’s not Catholic? Does that mean he has no guardian angle? Bummer.
“Peter you need to come with me so I can sort out your wound.”
“What wound?”
“The wound that’s currently bleeding at a pretty alarming rate.”
He looks down to where Bens hand is pressing down, staunching the bleeding.
“Woopsie Daisy! How did that get here. Maybe the giraffe did it?”
“Peter what giraffe are you on about?”
Peter lets out a frustrated breath. He doesn’t know why he’s close to crying but he is. He can feel the tears pool in his eyes before gently flowing down his cheeks.
“The one over there Uncle Ben.”
Peter then wraps both his arms round Ben and holds him tightly. He begins to sob and can’t stop himself from relishing in Bens warmth. Everything he’s been meaning to say for years slips out his mouth.
“I’m so sorry Ben. I never meant for you to get shot. You know I love. I know you weren’t my real dad but I still loved you like one even though I was too shit to say it. I’m so sorry about the way you died. I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry. I wish the robber had shot me that night. I’m so sorry. Please don’t leave.”
Peter was in hysterics now and Ben had wrapped him up tightly in a hug.
“Shh, shh you’re ok Peter. I’m not going anywhere. Bruce is coming and you’ll be fine. You’ll be fine.”
Peter then seizes up. Parker Luck. He’ll kill him again.
“I can’t go with you.”
“Why not.”
“I’ll just kill you again. I’m nothing but bad luck. Parker luck.”
He tries to play it off and make a run for it but all it does is make him cry harder and he sags against Ben. Ben is the only thing holding him upright. It’s getting hard to breathe right now. Really hard.
The buzzing won’t go. The buzzing won’t go. The buzzing won’t go. He wants it to stop. He needs it to stop.
So Peters breaks free and cracks his head against the concrete. He’s out like a light.
Peter wakes up with a clear head. He has to try and fight the smile off his face. Finally the buzzing is gone. He then groans. What the fuck was that bullet coated in. His head is also killing him. Where is he. Oh god is he finally dead. Who’s gonna take care of Duchess? Who will repay back Bee?
Fellow Sister
”Kid I was beginning to think you’d never show.”
Peter whips his head around to come face to face with none other than the Black Widow, Miss Natasha Romanoff. He can’t believe it. Peter runs up to her and she hold him with content.
“Miss Romanoff, how are you here?!”
She abruptly pulls back from the hug. “Kid you don’t know?”
Peter looks at her confusedly. “Know what?”
Her face looks crestfallen before she puts on a cracked smile.
“Oh kid we better sit down.”
He doesn’t know how long has passed when they’ve both caught up with what’s been going on.
“You’re dead…”
Natasha and him are sitting side by side with her head on top of his.
“No kid not exactly. It’s…weird Peter. It’s like I’m attached to this place.”
She spread her arm out in a wide arc referring to the barren waste land around them.
“ I can’t believe I was dead for five years.”
She pats his back sympathetically.
“It will take a while to get used if it but…you’re back now and that’s all that matter мой друг-паук.”
”Yeah…I guess so.” He says shakily.
He wants to ask about Mister Stark, Morgan, everyone. He wants to know was he missed. But he can’t. Natasha’s eyes then begin to glow orange. She wraps both arms around him.
“I have to go now. I promise you I’ll be waiting for you Peter. Come find me soon, I’ll be waiting.”
“I promise I will.”
Natasha starts to drift away, not into dust just kinda of disappeared.
“Until we meet again. Stay strong.”
Peter knows the run by now. The floating lady will come, say her ominous shit and then poof he’s back, but not this time.
Being on your own in this place is eery. He always get summoned at the same spot. From as far as he can tell, water stretches out in every direction. The orange fog is not as thick as it usually is. It’s actually quite clear today. So clear he can see a high mountain like structure in the distance. Peter doesn’t know what compels him but something is calling him to it.
He has been in the soul stone for a while. He’s feels like he’s trapped, but not by the floating lady…more like a third party. Someone doesn’t want him to leave. He presses his palm to the base of the structure and flinches backwards. It’s freezing cold. He looks up at the very top. He really has nothing better to be doing.
Da…
”Peter?”
He whirls around and his heart drops. Mister Stark looks old. He’s got more wrinkles now, more smile lines. His hair has gotten greyer and his eyes shine with tears. Peter is no better and soon he’s rushing over to him and the water works begin flow.
“It’s ok Peter. I’ve got you now. You’re ok.”
”I’m so sorry Mister Stark.”
”Kid, kid.”
He steps away and looks Peter dead in the eye.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing your hear me. Nothing.”
Peter can only mutely nod. This doesn’t feel real. Peter wants to say a gazillion things but he lands on—“I’ve met Morgan.”
Tony raises his eyebrows. “Yeah? What did you think.”
”She looks just like you.”
Peter wants to say so much more. He wants to never let go of him. He wants to know how he’s in here. Mister Stark isn’t dead like Natasha is he? He wants to leave. He wants and he wants and he wants.
Tony opens his mouth and then he freezes and fades away. Peter screams loudly and falls back.
”That was precious.”
Peter stares at the floating lady.
She’s got a blue dress on this time and her hair is tied up. He doesn’t know if she said that with a condescending tone or not. Something is wrong with her.
“Mr Parker it’s always a pleasure.”
Peter gulps. “Where’s Mister Stark?”
“Is that his name? Well, I didn’t invite him here. He simply worked his way in here. I’m not mad about that, quite impressed actually but my…soul decided he overstayed his welcome.”
Her soul? It was actually quite weird. She was talking quite normally than how she usually speaks.
”Your soul?”
She gives him tight lipped smile before grasping him by the shoulders with a pained look.
“You must go now child. Your purpose will come soon. Be ready.”
She reached in and Peter was paralysed. She pressed her lips to the top of his head. They were far too cold to be human, to be alive. Her eyes were now back to that slowly state and her voice sounded merged.
The buzzing returned tenfold. His eyelids closed shut and he fell back into the murky water with a splash.
{She could only watch the boy with aganoy. He will soon meet his end. It was a shame. She quite liked him. Tony Stark. She supposes she can’t hold a grudge. While her mind is now her own she grabs a sharp rock and lets her blood drop into the water. She begins to hum and her blood turns gold. She sits down beside the boy and watches him disappear. The buzzing begins yet again and her mind is not her own. Hello my Dear}
Peter woke up with heavy eyes. His head hurt slightly and his side was stinging. He cracks one eye open and looks around. The room is dim with only a lamp in the corner. He’s in a hospital of some sorts. That’s not good. His heart plummets.
Holy Fuck.
That’s really not good, like so not good. They’ll need a medical file. What are they going to do when they realise Peter Parker pretty much doesn’t exist.
He tries to wiggle around a bit but a heavy weight on his legs stop him. He looks down and sees a big hulk hunched over him.
“Jason…?”
He whispers slightly. Jason doesn’t move, just latches onto Peter more tightly.
Hmmm
The door is fiddled with before it opens with a creak. A woman walks in the room, same age around Bee if he had to give a guess. She has silver hair styled into a bob and those glasses with beads attached to them. She’s also carrying a clipboard with pages stacked on it. She has a warm smile that does nothing to calm Peter’s nerves.
“Hello Peter. My name is Dr Leslie Thompskin, you were brought here by my good friend Mr Todd. Do you know why?”
His throat is parched. He hates doctors, no matter how nice they may be.
“Eh yeah, I kinda got shot?”
She nods before scribbling something down on her clipboard. He wants to snatch it out of her hands and analyse every word. He feels like he’s going to get sick.
“Now may you explain to me who you are currently in care of.”
Peter then promptly pukes everywhere. He looks up at Dr Thompkins helplessly.
“Can I go change please?”
Peter is then led to a bathroom with a spare change of clothes. Dr Thompkins helping him lift off Jason. She somehow murmurs him to go back to bed and he surprisingly does. She hands him a change of clothes and tells him to take his time.
He locks the door and he spirals. They’ll take him away. Mister Stark. Five years he was dead. What if he can never go back. Natasha. She’s dead. Jason. The shit he said to Jason. He can’t take that back. He never can. Duchess. Her poor kittens. Bee. Her poor shop. He evens out his breathing the best he can before changing into his spare clothes. There’s a small enough window in the bathroom. Small enough that most would not be able to fit through. Peter can if he’s desperate enough. Spoiler alert, he is.
Does he feel bad that he left. Yes. Has he any fight in him to really care…no. He swings and grits through the pain in his side. He makes his way home in one piece.
Quiet mewls fill the air and Duchess looks glad to finally see Peter. He lies gently down and closes his eyes, not stopping the tears from flowing. He curls in on himself.
He doesn’t even have any food.
He promises himself a few things that night.
He will find Mister Stark, he will get back, he will get Karen back and running and he’ll go back home. He needs to leave the Wayne’s alone. The last thing he needs is to spread his Parker luck some more. He needs to move. But where?
That reporter, aka Clark Kent, aka Superman had promised him a job. Metropolis. He promised him he’d get him a position on the team.
So Peter makes a plan. He takes out his cracked phone and powers it on. The signal is shocking but he’s high enough to pick up some WiFi. A bus is leaving in two weeks to Metropolis, that’s the one he’ll take. He’ll get his affairs in order.
Two weeks and he’ll leave Gotham behind. Two weeks and it will be like Peter Parker was never here.