Chapter 1: Creepy mystery guy..?
Chapter Text
Miles Morales an 18 year old university student studying music technology at the Empire State University in New York sighed heavily when he opened the door to his room. To his surprise his roommate Peter wasn't in his usual space he always sat when Miles came home, which is hunched over his laptop sitting in the most uncomfortable looking poses he could think of.
Miles shrugged it off and closed the door shut. He kicked his red and black Jordan's off of his feet somewhere in a corner and dropped his bag next to them. He almost jumped face first onto his bed and groaned. It had been a long day and he actually dreaded going on patrol this evening.
"Oh fuck you Peter Parker!" A feminine voice yelled through the dorm hallway. He recognized that voice just all too well, Michelle Jones or MJ. Peters girlfriend who was apparently angry with him right now?
The door of his dorm swung open and closed with a loud bang. Peter was now inside their dorm room, he was so quick Miles almost didn't see him come in. Peter hadn't yet noticed Miles was in the room and he wiped the tears that formed with his gray ESU hoodie he wore.
"Pete are you... okay?" Miles asked him, he awkwardly turned to sit on his bed instead of dramatically laying down.
"Oh...I-" Peter muttered surprised. "I'm sorry MJ and I, we just you know.."
"Did you guys break up or something?"
Peter softly nodded and sighed.
"I'm sorry man, it'll be okay-" Miles was cut off by Peter shooting a web to quickly get his comms. "Already going on patrol..?"
Peter nodded again. "It'll take my mind off stuff, I can just be Spider-Man instead of sad little Peter Parker for some time."
Miles felt so bad for his friend, MJ and peter had been going through a rough period and he would be lying if he said he didn't see this coming from a mile away but it's still sad. Miles didn't really know how to fix Peters sadness, should it even be fixed? Sadness was a healthy emotion any way, no, no Peter didn't deserve this. Even when minutes ago he dreaded going on patrol he had to now, and early too. He couldn't let Peter go out alone in the mood he was in, he sometimes tended to do pretty impulsive actions, and that was already in a normal mood. Miles didn't want to find out the stuff emotional Peter would do.
Miles took the webshooters from his night stand and grabbed his suit. "If you're going out so am I Pete." Miles stated. He totally thought Peter would disagree saying it's too early for Miles and he must have some homework like he'd normally probably would. Peter is somewhat like a mentor to him even though they're almost the same age, Peter was just a year older than Miles. Since Miles was bitten by the radioactive spider and figured out he had the same abilities as Spider-Man, even cooler he had more abilities than Spider-Man. Ever since then he's been kind of under Peters wing. Miles was bitten three years ago and peter five, he had a few years of experience already and taught Miles all he knew. Miles sometimes felt like Peter felt he was responsible for Miles' safety. They still don't really know where the spider that bit Miles had come from, Peters story was clear he was at Oscorp with school doing a tour and he got fascinated by something and got left behind by the group unintentionally. An escaped spider from the labs had chosen him as his subject. Miles was painting murals with his uncle Aaron when it happened, Miles doesn't know where the spider came from and why it gave him more powers than Peter, already conspiring it was the same kind of spider. Peter had all kinds of crazy theories on how and what.
Peter responded with a soft "Yeah, sure." Like it didn't really matter whether Miles joined or not.
"Do you want to... uh talk about it..?" Miles tried to ask it in the most comfortable way but instead it came out pretty awkwardly. Miles waited a few moments on a response back, he'd turned around out of respect so they could both get changed into their suits. After a few moments he turned around, no more Peter but he did see a fully opened window and curtains that danced in the wind. Miles muttered a few curse words under his breath before he quickly put on the rest of his suit. He didn't keep in mind that Peter would be done in literal seconds with his Iron-Spider suit.
It didn't take him long to find Peter, he was carelessly swinging from building to building in the ever so busy New York. Miles wasn't out a lot as Spider-Man during the sun light hours he'd normally come out in the evening. Peter was out a lot more during the sun light hours, at one point in their careers Peter was out every single minute of free time he could spare. Miles didn't think it was healthy, he still doesn't.
Miles clicked his little comm on, normally he'd hear Ned Leeds. Peters bestfriend since childhood. He was the first to find out about Peters identity and became his how they call it 'Guy in the chair'. He'd normally give them directions or talked like he was recording a podcast about Lego's and Star Wars, most of the times both combined. Now it was quiet as if he wasn't online until he heard someone scrape his throat.
"Ned hi!" Miles said excitingly. It kept on being quiet for a few moments to the point he was thinking to himself that he must've just hallucinated it.
"Miles hey I need you and Peter as quickly as possible on Washington street. Sightings of a weird guy..? I don't know how to call it dudes. Anyways he's got some kind of magic but not like Wanda level magic, I must hope. more like a less powerful Harry Potter?"
Less powerful Harry Potter
Sounds eh.. interesting?
The closer he followed Peter to Washington street the more his super hearing picked up. He heard cars being swung against buildings, people scream and plead, he heard tornado like sounds? He could see into the street now, a huge half tornado was in the middle of the street with on top a man, a seemingly average looking man. Miles thought it was a normal civilian at first until he saw the awful smile on his face and the look in his eyes. From far he could see it wasn't natural, almost uncanny valley. His face had the idea of being human but hadn't had the proportions just right. His arms were raised and made motions that reminded him of how Wanda casted her magic, his arms were swinging in fluent movements, crossing each other but every time it was an absolutely perfect movement. His spells were lifting up cars and lifting up people, not anything too life threatening he concluded.
Miles looked at Peter and what he did, he stayed back a bit just observing. "Hey Pete, how will we engage?' Miles asked through his comms still looking at him.
"We've beat magic guys before little Spider, piece of cake, follow my lead." Peter shot a web and landed on the side of a building looking directly at our mystery magic man, he was trying to get his attention by waving.
Our Dollar tree Harry Potter spotted him and Peter was met by a car which looked like it had already been hit against the wall multiple times. He stopped it right before it could hit him and dropped it to the floor, where thankfully no civilians were present.
"Did we stop saying hello? Good day?" Peter shouted at him.
The man grunted. "I have no time for you Spider-Man, don't mess with forces you do not understand." The tornado which made him look like a weird botched version of Genie from Aladdin grew a bit larger as if he was trying to intimidate Peter. Peter however wasn't impressed.
"Spider-Man are you hearing this stuff?" Peter laughed through the comm.
Now it was his turn, he spider crawled on the side of a building to not make it obvious he was also there. When he stuck on the other side of the street opposite of Peter he shot a web at the mystery man trying to pull him from his little tornado. He wished he used his full strength because he saw him come loose a bit but before he made any real progress he got slapped off of the building by a mega cloud hand..? Miles lost his balance and fell off of the building, he groaned when he hit the hard nasty New York side walk.
Thanks for nothing Spidey sense....
"So much for being a less powerful Harry Potter Ned, you think Harry Potter had mega cloud arms?" Miles complained through the comms.
Miles didn't get a response back at first. He got up and wiped the dirt from his knees. Put his hands on his hips and looked at the guy, he needs a name. Miles made a mental note. creepy mystery guy oh, or.... failed real life emoji man. No.. no that's stupid..
Spidey sense
He got pulled back to reality when he felt a web yank him from the place he stood and almost got blown away by a massive force of wind. Peter saved him from being crushed by the cloud fist that now rested on the place he just stood. Miles could see the arm more clearly now, it looked like a cloud but like there was a storm going on inside. "Thanks Spidey.." Miles muttered through the comms. "Don't mention in Spidey." Peter replied playfully.
"Ned I do think we've underestimated this guy, if my Spidey sense didn't go crazy there would be no more other Spider-Man. Scale it up to likewise powerful Harry Potter but ugly." Peter laughed at his own joke. "We'll try to defeat him, I think Spider-Man was onto something by trying to yank him out of his little tornado. We'll try that again. Got that spider two?"
Miles nodded, they were both on the same side of the street. Peter webbed to the other side. Our creepy mystery guy, failed emoji man was still trying to get them thankfully his Spidey sense did warn him about an incoming storm now.
With a sign Peter gave Miles they both double webbed the mystery man and pulled him with full force. Peter and Miles both groaned as they pulled with all their might. The man came loose and the second they exposed his knees the tornado slowly disappeared. The man yelled in protest. "You don't know what you're messing with!" He squirmed in the air, the only source of safety he had holding him up was the double webs from both the Spider-Men.
"Tell me who you are!" Miles demanded, he made his voice sound a little more intimidating than it truly was just like he learned from a younger Peter.
Our mystery man made no sound instead he kept on trying to break free from the webs.
"They won't budge little creepy guy." Peter told him.
"Don't you dare!" He held his arm like he was looking at the time on his watch, there was a watch on his wrist. It was one of those old man watches, not really Miles' personal style but he must admit it was pretty cool.
"I think I said something wrong" Peter snorted. "Maybe creepy guy lays sensitive."
"It's not like he didn't deserve it." Ned tuned in. "He tried to kill civilians, no sympathy on my side mans."
Miles didn't really register what Peter and Ned were talking about instead he was keeping an eye on the mystery man and what he was doing. He was twisting the hands on his little clock. Hm Miles thought I've never seen those little watches where you can just turn the hands at the hands instead of the back or side. It looked like the man just twisted the hands like the clock was hours off, it looked a little crazy.
Spidey sense
A light flash erupted from the mans watch. Some kind of crazy portal had opened. It reminded Miles a bit of a portal Doctor Strange would open but not quite it. The portal had a deep purple, almost dark blue black-ish color. It made so much noise Miles thought his ears were going to be blown off.
He knew Peter was yelling something at him but Miles could not make out what it was Peter yelled at him.
Peter let go of his web which was the smarter move because Miles kept holding on. The portal appeared behind the mystery man and he let himself get sucked into it. Because Miles was still connected to him through web he got sucked in with him.
Spidey sense
If his Spidey sense could beat him up this would definitely be one of those moments.
He felt excruciating pain getting sucked up in the portal, he felt like he was going to pass out, or even die. He couldn't see New York anymore, the color of the portal was all around him closing in. Miles was panicking heavily now. He was swung back and forth, right to left.
Until he felt a hand around his wrist, gripping on tightly. Miles looked at the direction the hand was coming from, he saw a futuristic light version of his suit. The Iron-Spider suit, Miles calmed down a little bit knowing he wasn't alone but Peter was right next to him.
He wasn't falling alone anymore.
He wasn't totally fucked alone anymore.
Chapter 2: We're not in New York anymore
Summary:
"The number you have dialed is not in use." An automated woman's voice said over the phone.
"What the fuck..?" Peter cursed under his breath.
Notes:
HI !!!
I was thinking about what did and didn't happen.
the events that happened in Spider-Man no way home never happened. Peter isn't really aware of a multiverse.
Tony Stark did pass away, May also passed away. (sorry..) BUT no one ever forgot about Peters existance. And his identity never got leaked.
Oscorp and Stark Industries both exist in Peter and Miles' universe :)For Miles, the entirety of the into the spiderverse movies didn't happen, he's also unaware of the multiverse.
Chapter Text
Wet.
Peter felt wet. He opened his eyes and there was water all around him. His Spidey sense was going crazy telling him he should get out right this second.
Peter didn't know where he was but he was almost certain they weren't in New York anymore. He had fallen in the New York waters before and those were nasty, no, disgusting. This was even worse than disgusting.
they
Peter remembered what happened. Miles, where is Miles. He lightly panicked.
He turned around and saw him, Miles was like Peter also majorly confused. Peter swam towards Miles and grabbed him. He looked up and saw a few tall buildings, dark gothic like buildings. He flicked a web and pulled the two of them to the surface.
What Peter hadn't noticed yet is that they gathered quite a crowd. There were people looking down at them in the water, no one helped they just watched. Some even filming, it wasn't too weird for Peter he was very used to this happening to them. Those few likes on social media are worth more than a persons life anyway....
"I haven't seen those before..." His super hearing picked up.
"Ya think the bats have new recruits?"
"No man, they seem meta.."
"Signal is meta ain't he eh?"
Peter brushed it off, bats..? They're spiders duhh.. Meta's..? And who would Signal be..?
"Spider-Man, are you okay?" He asked Miles and started checking him for wounds like he was his mother, no wounds he was okay. Thank god.
When Miles still clung onto his web and Peter noticed he got sucked into it. His heart nearly gave out. In a split second he jumped into the portal too, Peter had no idea where this portal would lead to, it could be the next street over but it also could be an alien planet you never know. He couldn't let Miles go in by himself so Peter jumped after him.
Now they were here. Where ever here might be.
"I'm fine, I'm okay. I'm so sorry for not letting go! My Spidey sense was screaming at me but I just froze. I don't know what-"
"There's nothing wrong with you." Peter cut him off.
"Are you friends with Batman..?" A little girl stood right in front of Peter. Her clothes were ragged and her brown hair was all over the place.
"Oh.. Uh.. Bat- who..?" Peter awkwardly laughed.
"You know Batman!" The girl jumped up and down in excitement. "The night-stalking, crime-fighting vigilante!" She did some fighting poses as she said those words.
uh... what..?
"Oh yeah... that one.. But we really got to roll little girl." Miles saved Peter. Did he really know this Batman guy..? Or was he just pretending. Probably the second one.
Miles shot a web and swung more into the unknown city. Peter immediately followed him. When out of sight they landed on top of a building. Peter wondered if they'd maybe skipped a few hours while in the portal because when they left it was before five PM but here the sun was already setting. Or they could just be in another time zone..?
"Ned..?" Peter called through his comm.
......nothing.
damn it.
They must've gotten water damaged in the water.
Wait that makes no sense his suit is supposed to be water proof.
"Miles can you try to reach Ned?"
"Oh yeah. Of course." Miles looked like he got pulled from deep thoughts. "Ned...? Ned Leeds..?"
Nothing, not even the soft hum of a little static.
"That's weird. Well just us then to figure out where the hell we are." Peter said with his hands resting on his hips.
"It's very emo here."
Peter snorted. Sure that was one way to put it.
"Karen..?" Miles tried. They didn't use Karen a lot on patrol, they'd like to keep Ned in business. Karen was mostly there when upgrading suits and she reminded Peter of Tony. "Karen works Peter."
That'll do. "Karen?"
"Good evening Peter, what can I assist you with?" Her voice filled Peter with nostalgia to an easier time, a time when life wasn't so anti Peter Parker. And aunt May was still around, Tony.
"Where are we?"
"New Jersey, I can not make an exact pin point. I do have to mention I can not make a connection with any of the Stark satellites, hence why I can not pin point the exact city."
That's weird..
"Karen, please share this information with Miles."
"Well this is not at all freaking me out.." Miles said sarcastically.
Spidey sense
Peter looked around seeing where his Spidey sense went off of. He felt a presence. It was way too distinct compared to normally for Peters Spidey sense. Maybe they were just pretty far away? Peter decided to ignore it, who would be on the roofs anyway?
Peter got his phone out and decided to just dial Ned this way. Ned was on top in his contacts list, handsome guy. Yes Ned named himself in Peters contacts.
"The number you have dialed is not in use." An automated woman's voice said over the phone.
"What the fuck..?" Peter cursed under his breath.
"What's going on..?" Miles asked slowly. He took a few steps towards Peter and almost fully jumped when he stood next to him. Spidey sense it must be.
Peter felt a sharp feeling of anxiety shoot throughout his entire body. Something was so wrong. The people from earlier saying all sorts of weird stuff, no working Stark Satellites, Neds phone number not in use?
The air was chilly even though it's almost summer. The clouds filled the entire night sky, Peter couldn't see a single star. He groaned, out of all of the things that could've happened this evening why this? After MJ Peter was so not waiting on this.
MJ.
He felt his heart break again, his chest felt heavy and his breathing spiked. MJ broke up with him and he almost forgot, because she broke up with him Peter had the stupid idea to patrol this early. God Miles must've felt bad for him and joined, this was all Peters fault. He shouldn't have let Miles come with him, he must've had homework or something.
"His number doesn't work.. Neds.." Peters voice broke clearly. He felt so embarrassed about it.
good move, Parker.
"We need to find out where we are ourselves. It's not that late yet. First find out what city we're in, then find out how we'll get back to New York." Peter looked around taking in the area. They stood on top of something what looked like an apartment complex. The street was pretty quiet compared to closer to the water where they just where. Peter could hear it was a huge city like New York, what big cities were in New Jersey..? New York wasn't too far away but still Peter would know if there was another multi-million city somewhere in New Jersey.
"We could ask her?" Miles pointed at a woman walking in the street they were now both looming over. The woman had a bit of a fast pace like she was late for something. She wore black heels not too very high and a gray long pencil skirt. A beige coat was covering the rest of her body and her seemingly long blonde hair was tied up with a clip. Peter nodded and took the initiative to jump of the building first and landed in his how Miles called it 'classic pose.' He heard Miles chuckle from up there, he knew he should feel embarrassed by his laugh but instead it made him feel pretty cool. Peter walked up to the woman in a normal your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man way.
"Hiya, good evening ma'am!" Peter said with a big smile plastered on his face, even though you couldn't see it through his mask.
Peter heard the woman's heartrate spike. "Oh I'm not trying to scare you!" Peter quickly bounced back a few steps.
The woman clenched her purse Peter didn't even realize she was also wearing, without looking his way and her pace speeding up more. "I'm not interested leave me the hell alone!"
Peter felt pretty bad now, the woman hadn't seen he was Spider-Man. She must've thought Peter was some kind of creep trying to get something from her. Peter had already kind of gathered they landed in a bad area so he wasn't all too surprised and let the woman speed walk away without a word. Miles landed beside him doing a flip mid air before his feet touched the ground, show-off.
"I'm sorry sir?" Miles lit up when an older gentleman with a nice hat walked on the opposite side of the street. The man looked a bit startled when he saw Miles and Peter approach him. "Could we ask you something?"
The man scoffed. "Well that depends on what.."
"Where are we?" Peter chimed in.
Instead of the earlier scoff the older man was now laughing. "I knew ya guys weren't from 'round here... too nice. Well anyways, welcome in Gotham...?" The man looked at us like he was trying to get our names at first, instead he looked very puzzled at the sight of the two Spider-Men now. "Are ya guys with the bat or some stuff?"
Miles shook his head. "No we are just passing through."
"Hm, well good luck." The man took a deep breath and with a tilt of his hat he continued his walk.
"Have you ever heard of Gotham?" Miles looked at Peter confused, Miles ripped the words right out of Peter mouth because he was just about to ask Miles the same question.
Peter shook his head. Gotham... Gotham... No he had no clue.
"I think it's best we return to New York when it's light tomorrow. I haven't seen any busses or taxi's yet, which I don't know makes sense because we haven't seen a lot of this very large city the both of us have never heard of ever before." He went off topic. "And to be very honest I don't feel like travelling right now, I feel horrible."
"Karen, connect to the local internet network." Miles asked her.
Peter felt so dumb for not just asking Karen to connect to one of the local networks.
"Karen where are the nearby hotels?"
Peter waited a bit for Karen to answer Miles.
"Follow me Spider Senior." Peter knew for a fact he was grinning ear to ear when he debuted his new nickname for Peter. Peter pretended to be annoyed in the groan he let out. He followed Miles as they flung their webs deeper into the city. Peter saw some flickering lights that just spelled 'Hoe' Peter gathered that must not be intentional but he did chuckle.
"Man!" Peter shouted at Miles to get his attention, Miles turned his head to face Peter. "Come here!" Peter landed on a roof and Miles quickly followed. "We can't book a room looking like this, we've been getting weird looks ever since we came here. I don't think they know Spider-Man here." Peter looked down and saw the hotel was situated in a little shopping street. There was a big store with dirty letters he couldn't make out. There were clothes inside and at least it was open. Peter took a few steps back into a dark shadow, he tapped his chest and his suit retreated. From his back pocket he got his wallet, it was red and had a cool Iron-Man sticker on the front. Tony always made him carry a big sum of cash on him. "Just in case you get stranded as Spider-Man- or as Peter Parker and you have no other way out kid." Peter remembered he tried to argue against, he wasn't really too comfortable at fifteen to carry a lot of money with him at all times. But every against argument Peter made Tony had an answer for.
"But what if I get robbed?"
"Kid I'm rich." tony said with a massive grin.
After Tony died Peter always made sure he carried a big sum with him. It actually genuinely helped him out. Like the one time he went to dinner with Ned, Harry Osborn a friend he made in college and Miles. The staff had just failed to mention they could pay cash only. Before Harry could say to just send his father the bill Peter happily stood up and waved his Iron-Man wallet back and forth.
He opened his wallet and took the cash out.
Three $100 bills, a $50 and some $1 bills. This would for sure get them a room and Miles a shirt and some pants.
"Spider M I'll be right back. I'm getting you some clothes so we don't stand out so much." Peter jumped down to the emergency fire stairs before Miles could say anything.
Peter climbed all the way down to the floor and went into the store. The middle aged man behind the counter said nothing when Peter entered instead he didn't move from the newspaper he was reading. Peter skipped through a few of the clothes, he even thought about getting back at Miles for calling him a senior when he saw a shirt that said 'insecurity' on the back, it was obviously a joke on one of those security shirts. He decided not to because he knew Miles was going to get back to him ten times worse. He saw a lot of logo's he didn't recognize, a few looked like bats. Peter picked out a black hoodie with a big logo looking R on the back, and some basic sweat pants. The man behind the counter still barely looked up from his newspaper when Peter wanted to check out. The man sighed heavily and touched the register.
"24,89 please." The man said in the biggest sigh peter had ever heard someone behind the counter make. Peter handed him the fifty dollar bill.
"Here you go." Peter said quietly.
The man almost threw his change over the counter which was just a twenty dollar bill and a five dollar bill. The man withheld ten cents, not that Peter cared a lot he was just happy to get out of there. Sprinting with his new scores to the other side of the street again. He looked if anyone was looking at him before getting back up on the roof using the fire escape stairs.
Peter threw the clothes at Miles who caught them perfectly using his super reflexes.
"Well... It's not horrible." Miles teased him as he put the pants on over his suit and quickly after also the hoodie. Before they went down Miles took off his mask and stuffed it into the front pocket of his new hoodie.
"You also don't look too horrible." Peter grinned back.
They both existed the roof in the same way Peter had just done. The door of the Hotel opened with a load screeching sound. A lady who sat behind the counter looked tense as if she was expecting Peter and Miles to jump her. The inside of the building really reflected the outside. Peter found it have personality, something other than the millennial gray-ed hotels he was used to.
"A room for two please?" Peter asked her. The lady who had her long black hair up in a ponytail behind the counter looked at him weirdly like it wasn't normal to ask for a room while being inside a hotel.
It looked like the lady gathered up her thoughts and shook her head. "Oh well, yes of course. One night or long time stay?" She smiled at the both of them.
"One night." Peter nodded.
"Very well, one bed or two?"
"Two please."
The lady still smiling ear to ear turned around and grabbed a key for them. The key was one of those old looking keys, it had a keychain with a number.
"That'll be 30 dollars please."
Woah, that's incredibly cheap. Maybe they weren't getting a lot of customers..?
Peter handed her the twenty-five dollars he just got as change and five loose one dollar bills.
"Room number 25." The lady said as she handed Peter the key. "Two stairs up on your left hand in the middle of the hallway. If there is anything I'll be here."
Peter and Miles both thanked the nice lady and took the stairs to their room. When Peter closed the door behind them Miles almost collapsed onto the bed. "Oh bed... How I've missed you." Peter ignored him.
"Karen?"
"Yes Peter?"
"Can you search Gotham for me on the internet?"
Peter and Miles waited a bit before Karen came with her answer, when Peter didn't wear the suit but still wanted to talk to Karen everyone in the room could just hear her.
"Gotham City, located on the coast of New Jersey is a large city with around ten million inhabitants. The city is protected by a string of different vigilantes, their leader seems to be the Batman. The city is widely known for it's high crime rates and gothic architecture." Karen summed it up.
"Ten million inhabitants and their own heroes?! Peter how have we never heard of this place?"
"I don't know it's so very strange." Peter thought out loud while stroking his chin. "Karen tell me more about this Batman figure."
"Batman, or The Batman, identity unknown has been Gotham City's longest serving and most well known vigilante. One of the founders of The Justice League. Batman strictly goes out during the evening and night times often companioned by Robin, Spoiler, Red Robin or Batgirl. The vigilante by the name of Signal goes out during the day time."
"Karen is making me more and more confused. What is a Justice League and all those heroes?" Peter rambled.
Miles held up his shoulders while still laying in bed.
"This makes no sense at all.."
Chapter 3: exploring Gotham
Summary:
"Okay would you rather be eaten by a snake cow or a pterodactylus?" Miles held his hands together, the tips of his index fingers touched his lips. When he ended the question he pointed at Peter with his hands still together.
Peter snorted. "honestly I don't know what a snake cow is but I do like dinosaurs so yes I'd rather be eaten by a pterodactylus."
Notes:
hi :)
I hope you enjoy :D
Chapter Text
"No Miles, you won't beat me in Wii tennis ever." Gwen laughed. She sat behind the drums in their High-School music classroom. Gwen was always allowed to use it in between classes and after school. Miles loved listening to her play and admiring her. Her hair what used to be to her shoulders what cut in a bob with one side shaved, the tips of her blonde hair where dyed light pink. Miles noticed she didn't have her cool eyebrow piercing in for some reason. She wore a cool band T-Shirt of a band Miles had honestly never heard of before, he should ask her what it is when she's done talking.. She wore layered necklaces one of them Miles recognized as her sixteenth birthday gift from Miles. She looked younger than she was the last time Miles saw her.
"You know what, we'll just see about that." Miles chuckled. He was sitting on a table pushed to the side of the room. When he got up he heard a loud gasp from Gwen. He wanted to ask her what was wrong but he then he saw it. Under his shoes a small portal was expanding. The portal was a purple, dark blue black-ish color. He felt like time was going in slow motion, the portal quickly expanded and after the portal was large enough for Miles to go through it time sped up and he quickly fell in. The last he heard was Gwen screaming his name.
Miles woke up in a shook.
"Spider M? Are you okay?" Peter asked him looking up from what he was doing. Peter was busy with Karen sitting criss-cross applesauce on his bed. With Peters Iron-Spider suit Karen can project images in blue. He saw some Google results but he couldn't make out what the results were about.
"What? Oh.. yeah I'm fine. Just a dream I guess."
"Want to talk about it?" Peter asked honestly.
"No, I'm okay. What are you doing still up?" Miles got up from laying down and sat on his bed his back resting on the headboard.
"Research." Peter sounded distant. That worried Miles. He still needed to check on Peter like he planned before they went out on patrol.
"About what..?" He asked carefully.
"I was searching more about The Batman and The Justice League. I found nothing about the Avengers or other heroes we know. They are so big that there was no way we could ever never have heard about them before" Peter turned the results around and made them bigger so Miles could see clearly. "I searched the Avengers, nothing no clear results on the Avengers. I searched everyone we're close with see." Peter pointed at the results.
Miles' eyes grew larger. No hero results for anyone except Captain Marvel, but that Captain Marvel wasn't their Captain Marvel. She was a man now with a red, gold suit and a white cape.
"Then I remembered everyone we saw had no clue who we were. I googled us and nothing, just images of spiders and men." Peter paused. "Different heroes, no one knowing us and the biggest superheroes on earth, a multi-million city in New Jersey we've never heard about."
Miles was patiently waiting for Peter to come to his point.
"Do you remember when Ned was just straight up yapping into the comms a few weeks ago?"
"About what Pete? He literally does it almost every time."
"The time he talked about the multi-verse theory."
Then it clicked. They were much further away from their New York than they initially thought. He remembered Ned talking about the possibility of a multi-verse and different dimensions existing. Back then he got a little spooked about it, not that he'd ever admit that.
Miles swallowed before he answered. "I remember."
"Well, I think Ned was right when he said the possibility was high that other universes existed."
Miles was quiet in thought. "So you're meaning to tell me we're in another universe..?" He asked not really believing his own words. "I guess that's kind of cool?" Miles tried to lighten the mood.
Peter chuckled on his last comment. "I guess it is M, but now the question how the hell are we getting back?"
Peter was right, how the hell were they getting back to their own universe. Maybe because Captain Marvel had some kind of counter part maybe Doctor Strange also had one? He was thinking if someone could get them back it would be him?
"Pete?"
Peter looked up at Miles again with a questioning look on his face, his brown hair was all over the place, when he was really into something or really stressed he'd fidget with his hair. Miles could have a better look at him because whatever was blocking the sad lantern light from outside wasn't blocking it anymore and the streak of light through the almost shut curtains was hitting Peters face. His eyes were red and puffy as if he'd just been crying not too long ago.
"Are you okay?"
Peter looked at Miles as if he just said the weirdest thing ever.
"Yeah? Why are you asking."
"Well maybe because your girlfriend broke up with you today and you haven't said a word about it, and the fact that it looks you've just been crying. On top of that we're literally in another universe."
"Oh.." Peter looked down at his legs. "I mean me and MJ weren't going well for a long time already, I know you must've felt it coming. You know how she thought about Spider-Man, and how I think about Spider-Man. It was kind of mutual."
MJ didn't like Peter being Spider-Man at all, at first it was kind of cool she always admitted but the longer Peter was Spider-Man the more dangerous it became. Being Spider-Man had a toll on Peters physical and mental well-being, often he forgot that Peter Parker existed too. And with that everything in Peters life including MJ and university. MJ rather had it he stopped being Spider-Man but Peter would rather die than stop.
"Well it sounded like she was mad at you."
Peter looked up again. "You heard that?"
"Well she was so loud I think everyone heard that." Peter buried his face in his hands and groaned dramatically.
"I was being a bitch about it, I think it's over forever. And you know what, I'm okay with that." Peter sounded very self determined.
"Yeah? Are you sure?"
Peter smiled and nodded. "Time for a new era. Single Parker era."
--------------------------
"Wake up sleepy head." Peter lightly shook Miles awake.
Miles didn't remember falling asleep again after his conversation with Pete at night. Peter was standing next to the bed holding a little supermarket bought breakfast. It was one of those pre-packaged sandwiched and a can of soda. He didn't recognize what kind it was but it must be fine.
"They had no room service?" Miles teased him with a wide grin on his face. He sat up straight against the headboard again and reached for the food. Peter retracted his hands and had a dramatic offended look on his face. With his free hand he held his heart.
"I went out of my way to fetch you a nice nutritious meal oh, so early in the morning. And you have the right to tell me you want room service??! I expected more of you Morales." He ended his dramatic speech in a wide grin as well and threw the food at him. Miles caught it with his super reflexes.
"Thanks Pete." Miles unwrapped his sandwiches from the plastic. "How did the city look in day light?"
"Depressing honestly. My Spidey sense is on alert constantly, like as in more than normally. Here it's pretty okay but walking around in the street?" Peter shook his head.
"What was it... It was like well known for its high crime rates right?"
Peter nodded in response.
Miles took the first bite of the sandwich, it was pretty mid but doable. When Peter saw him eating his sandwich he opened his too, just like he wanted to see if it was actually okay and have Miles test it without asking him.
"I don't know at what time we should check out of the room. I don't want to accidentally stay here too long." Peter begun. Miles nodded, he wanted to say something but he also had his mouth full of the sandwich. It was a basic sandwich with slice of cheese, little lettuce, cucumber and one slice of tomato. "We could do some exploring, and maybe think about contacting Batman? I'm not so very sure about that yet, there is very little information on him online, and besides he works at night."
"I actually had an idea." Miles popped his can of soda open and it made a loud and long fizzy sound. "Maybe since there was a Captain Marvel sort of counter part there could be a Doctor Strange? If there was someone I thought about being maybe able to get us back home it would be him."
Peter nodded his head in agreement. "We could definitely find that out."
When they finished their five star breakfast they went downstairs to the hotel lobby. The same lady still sat behind the counter, Miles felt pity for her because if this had been the same shift that would be ridiculous.
"How was your night?" She sat up more straight on her chair when she saw Miles and Peter coming down.
"It was great thank you." Miles answered her. Peter walked up to the counter and left her the key.
Before they walked out she gave them a little wave and smile.
Miles immediately felt what Peter meant with his Spidey sense being more prominent than usual. His entire body was on high alert as if any second something horrible could happen.
People in Gotham were pretty different than people in New York. Everyone here had a sad aura to them, they looked around suspiciously all the time and ladies clutched their purses tighter than ladies did in New York.
From out of the hotel they went west, Peter said it was for good luck. Spider-Men and luck don't always go greatly together but this time it appeared to be okay.
They passed a few seemingly government buildings with a name on them, 'Wayne'. Wayne children home, Wayne pharmacy, Wayne homeless shelter and a Wayne book store. This Wayne family must be a pretty powerful one having so many important buildings with their name on it, considering it was a family name.
The more west they went the taller the buildings became. Gotham reminded Miles of New York a lot, the busy streets and the sounds in the busy tall building area. The place they arrived in was more quiet, not many cars, not very busy and Miles was even sure he heard a few shoot outs.
Miles looked up and saw the tallest building in the area. It was in the same gothic architecture style as the rest of the buildings in the city. The top side was more round instead of square. A massive W was in the center towards the top. The W was lit up in a blue green neon color. This building would be perfect for leaping off of. The building reminded him of the OG Avengers tower in New York.
"Lets go there!" Miles pointed at the tallest building.
Peter held up his shoulders and shrugged. "Hm.. We might as well."
The front of the building had a big sign on a large stone situated on the floor that said 'Wayne Enterprises'. There was a large crowd assembled before the entrance, filled with protest boards, screaming fangirls and boys, paparazzi and reporters on either side.
"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Wayne! Please look here!" A paparazzi with a big camera yelled at the man. The crowd was being withheld by many security guards, everyone did neatly stay on their place and didn't go close to this Mr. Wayne. Miles was quite surprised by this considering this man must be very famous looking at how many things are named after him? His family?
Miles and Peter went a little closer to take a look at this Mr. Wayne. Mr. Wayne was pretty tall, he looked a little buff under his expensive looking suit. His hair was black and neatly done. He was talking to a reporter, the reporter had more curly black hair and black glasses. He was a bit hunched over. Mr. Wayne wore a charming smile while talking to the reporter.
"Bruce we all know you've made some even bigger donations to the Gotham educational institutes like Gotham academy, Gotham University and Gotham high school. You even donated a big sum to Blüdhaven High School. Why specifically Blüdhaven too?" The reporter asked.
"Well let me tell you Clark." Mr. Wayne, whose name must be Bruce put a hand on the reporters shoulder. It seemed like they already knew each other, friends even maybe. "My son Dick has been living in Blüdhaven for a while now. Last time I visited I also had some visits to schools in the area. This High School was very under funded, I gave them a large sum to invest in extra after school activities and free school lunches." He ended with a friendly smile.
"He seems like a good guy." Miles whispered to Peter, he saw Peter nod in response.
Behind Bruce Wayne was a man from around their age, black hair and tall. He also wore an expensive suit and was talking to another reporter on the other side. Maybe this was this Dick? His son?
Miles and Peter walked further, they went around the building actually in the same direction they were coming from.
"What will we do now." Miles sighed deeply and kicked a rock laying on the sidewalk.
"We could think about what to do today?"
Miles fidgeted with the mask in the pocket of his hoodie. He felt kind of nasty about the fact he slept in basically his suit under his new gifted clothes, and not to mention how ridiculous his shoes looked. He just used the shoes built into his suit as his shoes, he really regretted not grabbing his shoes before patrol like he did more often.
------------------
For hours they just explored Gotham City, Miles actually enjoyed it a lot. Peter was very busy lately and he hadn't had a meaningful conversation with him before they came here. Just exploring a city and talking with Peter made him so happy. Just a few hours with no mention of anything Spider-Man related. They passed a lot of the city it was pretty similar to New York only they didn't have a Spider-Burger unlike the Batman themed restaurant called Bat-Burger they passed. They had lunch from a hotdog stand in a cute little park, you could add your own sauces at the stand and Miles accidentally added way too much.
They passed some very cool street art and murals. Miles wished he had his phone with him so he could sneak a few pictures of them.
"Okay would you rather be eaten by a snake cow or a pterodactylus?" Miles held his hands together, the tips of his index fingers touched his lips. When he ended the question he pointed at Peter with his hands still together.
Peter snorted. "Honestly I don't know what a snake cow is but I do like dinosaurs so yes I'd rather be eaten by a pterodactylus."
------------------
"You think I can just drop this here?" Miles held up his new sweatpants and hoodie. They were on top of a larger apartment building back in the area they came from that morning. He learned the area was called the Bowery and from all of the city they've seen it did seem like the worst neighborhood area.
Peter shrugged, he was already fully suited up. "If you don't forget where you left it it's fine I guess."
Miles folded the clothes up, not very neatly but it did the job. He put them in the corner of the building and just hoped it wouldn't rain this evening. The sun was setting and the sky was breath taking, The sky instead of the sad gray it had been all day turned a pink orange color. He smiled at the sky, pink was his favorite color it reminded him of Gwen.
Miles pulled his mask down. "So just some friendly neighborhood Spidey stuff tonight?"
Peter nodded. "If you see any of those bats I don't think we should engage. I've been thinking about them and I don't really trust them so be careful. But yes just the robberies and stuff like that."
Spidey Sense
Miles heard a woman's scream in the alley behind them. Miles was way closer than Peter who stood on the other side of the roof. He quickly observed from the roof, there was an older lady being held against gun point by a man. The woman held the jewelry that shined on her dark skin. She held a red dog leash with her other hand but there was no dog present.
Miles with jumped off the building and landed without sound behind the man. He quickly turned invisible or rather camouflaged and suddenly stood before the man, grabbed the gun from the mans hand and turned back visible. "Did your mom teach you no respect?!" He bend the gun with no effort and the man looked horrified and stumbled a few words. Miles could only make out the words, 'No Red Hood...' Whatever that might mean.
Peter landed behind him, like the show off he is landed in the typical Spider-Man pose.
Miles did a high kick against the jaw of the man who immediately dropped to the ground. He tied him up with his webs and stalled him up against a lantern on the sidewalk.
Peter was already busy speaking with the older woman. "I lost my puppy and I just saw him run towards the Bowery. I know it's not safe here but I couldn't just let him go!" The woman cried.
"We'll help you find him ma'am, I'm Spider-Man and that's also Spider-Man what's your name and your puppy's?" Peter tried to calm her down.
"Thank you son." She held onto Peters wrist. "I'm Bernadette and my puppy is called Jerry. Are you two with The Batman? I heard he didn't come here a lot."
Peter shook his head. "Nope, we're not with the Bat, but that doesn't mean were not here to help. Now, if you could tell us which way he went." Bernadette pointed in the way Jerry ran off to. "Spider-Man... Can you go more ahead and search for the puppy?"
Miles put his thumb up and shot a web. When he was a bit further than Peter and Bernadette he realized he never asked what breed the dog was. He did remember the leash was red so most likely the collar was red as well. Miles tried really hard to sense the little puppy. After swinging his webs a few miles humming a song Gwen recommended to him the other day. It had been in the back of his mind ever since. That made him wonder if the music in another universe was the same, and if maybe he had a counter part himself, and if Gwen had one, Ganke or Peter?
In another empty alley he heard a faint dog whimper. He immediately turned around and landed in the alley. "Hey..? Jerry boy is that you?" Miles slowly went towards the little dog whimper in the dark. The dog was deep in the shadows and Miles couldn't even make out if it was a puppy or not. When he came a little closer to the shadow Miles crouched down, "Come here boy.." Miles used his talking to puppies and babies voice. The dog slowly came into the faint light. The dog that appeared looked like some kind of Shih Tzu, with a red collar. "Jerry?" The dog became much happier when it heard it's name and jumped against Miles. "Yes!" Miles smiled wide and started petting the little dog. "Jerry it's you!... I hope.."
Miles picked the little dog up and Jerry started to lick his mask. Miles chuckled and put a little more distance between him and the dog. He held Jerry in one arm and quietly apologized to the dog, he took his free hand and started swinging back towards Peter and Bernadette who weren't very far away. When he landed the look on Bernadette was priceless.
"Oh my Jerry!" She cried out and almost ran towards Miles. Miles handed the puppy over to the woman and was just so glad he got the right dog.
While Bernadette still cuddled Jerry Peter stepped up. "Where do you live ma'am? I'd like to make sure you and little Jerry get home safely." Peter asked nicely.
"Oh you're too nice kid, I live in Otisburg close to the Wayne Enterprises tower."
"Oh! We know where that is we could take you there safely ma'am." Miles chimed in.
Bernadette smiled wide at the two Spider-Men.
They took Bernadette home safely and rejected her nice offer of a cup of tea and some cookies as a thank you. They returned back to the Bowery and continued their friendly neighborhood Spider-Man actions. They stopped a few robberies, one hard drugs deal of a drug Miles had never seen before. They stopped one street race and helped with a motor accident.
Miles and Peter sat on the edge of a tall building talking a bit before making plans on what to do next in terms of where to sleep.
Spidey Sense
Miles heard a pair of strong combat boots landing on the building, without looking yet this seemed like a tall and buff man. The stranger slowly took steps in their direction. Peter noticed him as well and slowly turned around, Miles followed him.
The man who was still half in the shadows wore a pair of combat boots Miles already thought he wore, black working pants with many pockets and holsters for guns and knifes. Gray chest armor with something red Miles couldn't make out what it was exactly it was covered by a brown leather jacket. He wore a red helmet with white eyes what reminded Miles of Iron-Man. In his right hand he held up a gun pointed at the two Spider-Men.
"Who the fuck are you two?..."
Chapter 4: A new place
Summary:
"On a lighter notice.." The news lady continued. Peter got distracted by some commotion on the streets. Peter walked over and looked out of one of the windows. He saw a group of around eight men walking and fooling around. They were all dressed in the same way, they reminded Peter of Scarecrow. They wore the same kinds of hoods Scarecrow wore. The same brown color pallet and they had crowbars and Molotov cocktails, when they threw one at a car and it went up in flames Peter was ready to go back out there again. Instead the same man from the roof, Red Hood appeared.
Notes:
HI, HI :D
For the map I'm using the Gotham knights map, just because I find it really easy to use B)
enjoyyyyyy
Chapter Text
Peters Spidey sense went crazy when his super hearing picked up boots landing on the roof behind them.
Peter immediately looked behind him and saw from the corner of his eye that Miles quickly followed. Peter first saw his eyes, white eyes that gave him a little heart attack. They reminded him a lot of Iron-Man but that could never be the case. When the man stepped forward more Peter could see him more clearly, his helmet was fully red like some sort of motorcycle helmet but not. He wore a brown leather jacket with heavy army underneath, his right arm was raised with a gun in hand pointed at Peter and Miles. Which rude? They were just minding their own business.
"Who the fuck are you two?..."
"Woah, woah no need for the gun man. We're just minding our own business." Peter said in response.
The man got another gun out and now had two guns pointed at them. Good fucking job Parker...
"I asked you a question." The man tilted his head to the side and pointed on repeat at Peter with the gun in his left hand.
"We're just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Men..." Miles said slowly and unsure of himself. "I'm Spider-Man and that's OG Spider-Man, Would you please be so nice to not point with your guns. I mean that's because we're not the bad guys unless you're the bad guy..."
"Well it depends on who you ask whether I'm the bad guy or not. And no the guns are staying." He scoffed. "What the fuck are you doing in Gotham Spider freaks?"
"First of all it's not nice-" Peter begun but he got cut of by the man loading the gun he just grabbed. "Okay, second we're just passing through and hell this city needs some Spider-Men."
"Get the hell out of here." The man snarled.
"Not even a thank you for getting an old woman's dog back, or thank you Spider-Men for not ignoring this street race! Or I'm so thankful you caught a few brainless criminals!" Peter continued.
"I didn't ask you to."
"We're clocking out for tonight anyways." Peter held strong eye contact with the man and slowly got up on his feet. "Let's go Spider M." He signed at Miles to also go up. The man didn't shoot at them and let them get up.
Peter shot a web, not breaking eye contact. The mans body language showed that he didn't expect a web, he even lowered his guns because of it. Miles quickly followed Peter.
While they were swinging away Peter heard the man mutter to himself.
"Great fucken job Red Hood.."
oooooh... So this was this mysterious Red Hood man Peter has been hearing about all night. If people didn't ask him and Miles if they were with Batman they asked if they were with Red Hood.
Peter and Miles swung all the way back to the roof of the apartment they started their patrol on. Miles immediately went to the spot he stored his clothes at. Miles muttered a quiet "hell yeah." When he saw his clothes untouched.
"I don't think he liked us being here." Peter started.
"He should be glad we're here for the time being. I didn't see him stopping those robberies or did you?" Miles said while putting on his pants.
"True." The nanites of his suit retracted and his ESU hoodie appeared again. Peter noticed he smelled terribly and was in dire need of a good hot long shower. "Miles we need to think about where to stay next. I don't think we're going home any time soon. We don't even have a single clue where the guy that got us into this bullshit is. And I need a shower and a different set of clothes."
Miles nodded and took off his mask. "Oh I need to get out of this suit so badly. You think hotels still give rooms in the middle of the night?"
Peter looked over the edge of the roof into the street. A closed corner store, a few abandoned businesses and a closed pawnshop. He walked over to the other edge where there was another street. There were more abandoned shops on the other side but also a bar, there was a sign next to the door saying: 'Two rooms still available.'
"Miles, we could see if they're willing to give us a room over there." Peter pointed at the bar.
"It's a bar Pete."
Peter shrugged. "We could always try."
The both of them got off of the roof and walked towards the bar.
The bar wasn't very busy, there was an older man sipping on a beer sitting at the bar. There were two men sitting at one of the table's having a laugh. There was a barman a little younger than middle aged with brown hair done neatly, a full beard and a casual button up behind the bar.
"Welcome, what could I get you?" The barman asked Peter and Miles.
"Oh no, no we don't need anything. We were wondering if you had a room available for us?" Peter put on a smile.
"Oh yeah." The barman dried his hands with a tiny towel. "I think I've got something for you two, I have a room with a full bed and a sofa couch. Twenty a night."
Peter looked at Miles who nodded in agreement. "Sure that'll be fine."
Peter took out his wallet. After the clothes, the hotel room and the food from yesterday they had around $250 left. Peter handed the man a $50 bill and the man gave him a thirty dollar bill back.
"Here you go dude." The barman handed him a key with a wine bottle as a keychain. "Room 2 when you go upstairs you'll immediately see it. I'm Raymond if there is anything I or my colleague Elijah will be right here downstairs."
"Thank you." Peter nodded and him and Miles went upstairs. The bar was in the same old style as the hotel they stayed in the night before.
When Peter opened the door the room was pretty okay. For twenty dollars a night they got a little black leather couch that fit two, one of those thick old tv's Peter remembered they had one like that when he just came to live with uncle Ben and aunt May. There were three windows with dark curtains all still opened. There was a really tiny kitchen on the other side of the room, there was a refrigerator a little larger than a mini fridge. There was a newer looking microwave on the counter and an electric kettle. In the middle of the room there was a full bed pushed with the headboard against the wall. A larger closet was pushed against the wall at the foot end of the bed, but you could still pass to the other side very easily. There was one other door Miles had already opened. There was a bathroom, an okay shower, a sink and a toilet. There were three towels on top of the sink and two of those little shampoo bottles you'd get at a hotel.
Peter went to the couch, the barman downstairs said it was a sofa bed. The under side of the couch you could pull out and it became a bed, he removed the big seating pillows. He pulled open the big closet thinking the bedding must be stored in there and he was right about that.
"I'm showering first Pete give me an hour." Miles smiled at Peter before shutting the bathroom door closed.
"Oh fuck no you're not taking an hour!" Peter yelled at him playfully.
He pulled out the bedding from the closet and started to make the bed. There were two extra blankets he threw one on his bed and another one on the full bed for Miles. Miles was singing under the shower, it sounded pretty okay not great but who was Peter to judge it's not like he could do better himself.
Peter pulled the phone from his pocket. He and Miles always got the newest Stark tech phone, present from Happy. Their phones including cell service worked even in outer space, how? He actually never asked. What he should tell the people making and designing these phones is that they should invent some way to call to and from other universes. Peter still hadn't figured out how his number even worked in another universe. His phone was dead and he had no charger, bummer.
Peter manually turned on the tv and plopped down on the sofa bed. The news was on, the lady was talking about a villain called scarecrow. There was a picture of this Scarecrow next to the lady speaking. Peter got his name he really did look like a Scarecrow but not like a the wizard of Oz scarecrow more like a Creepypasta version of him with a gas mask. This Scarecrow man did an attack a few days ago with something called fear toxin.
"Scarecrow made his attack with fear toxin in Gotham City's Financial District three days ago. Many people we're hospitalized but are all out of critical conditions. Batman and Red Robin tried to catch him three days ago, however they failed to do so. Tonight Scarecrow hit again, If you're in the area of Robinson Park and Bristol you're advised to keep all doors and windows shut and not leave your house."
Fear toxin....
"Hey Karen? What's fear toxin?"
"Goodnight Peter, Fear Toxin used and created by Scarecrow is an anxiogenic drug. The inhalation or injection of the toxin induces intense and irrational fear. It can cause the infected to go temporarily or permanently insane or even result in death in the worst cases."
"Thanks Karen."
"On a lighter notice.." The news lady continued. Peter got distracted by some commotion on the streets. Peter walked over and looked out of one of the windows. He saw a group of around eight men walking and fooling around. They were all dressed in the same way, they reminded Peter of Scarecrow. They wore the same kinds of hoods Scarecrow wore. The same brown color pallet and they had crowbars and Molotov cocktails, when they threw one at a car and it went up in flames Peter was ready to go back out there again. Instead the same man from the roof, Red Hood appeared.
Peter was fascinated by the mans fighting skills. He used a lot of brutality and used his guns too. In the matter of seconds all of the Scarecrow look-a-likes were on the floor except for one. Red hood used the Molotov cocktail the Scarecrow look-a-like held in his hand and hit it over his head, the look-a-like fell to the ground dramatically with a stream of blood coming from his head.
Peter was standing really close to the window and he noticed that when Red Hood was looking around and locked eyes with peter. Peter quickly closed the curtains.
Should he call the firemen or did Red Hood do that himself? Peter and Miles did always call the help services themselves.
Miles came out of the shower not wearing his suit anymore just the sweatpants and hoodie. "What happened outside?" He asked.
"A few bad guys, Red Hood handled them." Peter closed the other two curtains as well. The Iron-Spider suit was stored in nanites in a little box it always made for itself when Peter was not wearing it. He should find a way to charge the suit, he forgot to ask Karen how full the suit was. He remembered it was fully charged when he left on patrol two days prior. He also thought about webs, he and Miles needed new webs they were running out. These are worries for after his well deserved shower.
"Do we have hot water?" Peter asked.
Miles shook his flat hand left to right a few times. "Meh, it's not ice cold but not warm either."
"Honestly even if it was ice cold I'd still take it." Peter hurried to the bathroom before he closed the door he poked his head through. "Big bed is yours Miles." Before Miles could possibly protest Peter shut the door.
Peter looked in the mirror above the sink and turned the sink on, the water coming out of it was ice cold he took some of the water in his hand and splashed his face. It was a tiny welcome back to reality Parker moment. He sighed deeply and took his hoodie off. He forgot what kind of shirt he wore under it, it was a shirt he got from Gwen at her bands last gig. The Mary Jane's, he made a mental note to after he washed it to give it to Miles. He knew he must miss Gwen a ton. For now he threw the black band T-shirt on the ground, kind of nasty he realized but he won't put it on after his shower anyways.
He looked at himself in the mirror he could see just from the middle of his torso. He looked at his top surgery scars, he had gotten top surgery very early when he was sixteen. Even though it had been three years he still stared at them very proudly. He sneaked a quick bicep pose in the mirror but when he got a whiff of his own smell he quickly got fully undressed and hopped under the shower.
When he got out of the shower he made another mental note to get toothbrushes and toothpaste and underwear as well as more clothes.
When on patrol this night he missed Ned and comms all together, another mental note to try and fix their comms. Further more he added to the list to look into the weird guy that brought them here, was he from here? Was he practiced in what he was doing, dimension hopping? What were his intentions? And where the fuck was he?
He found Miles snoring on the sofa bed with the tv still on, Peter cursed under his breath but at the same time did secretly want the bed already. He manually turned the TV off.
He dove into the bed and fell asleep much quicker than the night before.
-----------------
"Wake up sleepyhead!" Miles threw a pillow at him and Peter who had no clue what was going on still caught it with his super reflexes.
Miles was grinning at him. "I have hot water or cold water for breakfast, or we need to go to the store before we eat breakfast."
Peter groaned and rolled to his other side. "Five more minutes."
Peter and Ned went to a store together, when going downstairs they passed another barman. This must've been Elijah, He looked friendly he wore the same casual button up as Raymond wore last night. He had dark hair up in a bun and glasses, when they left he was cleaning the bar.
Peter and Miles walked a bit to a bigger grocery store. Clothes, Underwear, food and dental hygiene, Peter kept repeating in his mind. The store they entered had a little second hand clothes section, perfect. They went there first.
There were unsorted piles of clothes, a sign above just said: '1$ a piece.' Double perfect. Miles picked out a basic gray shirt, a red shirt with a little W logo on the left side. He also got a black zip up, a pair of cargo shorts and another pair of sweats now instead of a gray color a black color. He was so happy when he found a pair of not very used Nike shoes in his size in the pile.
Peter was digging a little longer. He got a pair of sweatpants also black, he already wore a pair of black jeans when he got here so he picked a pair of blue jeans from the pile. Towards the end of the pile he found two shirts and just choose those, one blue shirt with a weird S logo big on the front and a basic beige shirt.
"We need this." Miles pointed at some weird looking cereals.
I squinted my eyes. "You know what we do." I rolled the shopping card I was riding more towards Miles so he could easily throw it in. They got some bread, fruits, cheap off-brand Nutella and more snacks. They passed the hygiene aisle and both picked out a toothbrush, Peter grabbed a blue one and Miles grabbed a pink one. They grabbed some new underwear and socks. Peter smelled a few body washes and when Miles also agreed on the scent he dropped it in the card. Miles and him both picked out a different shampoo and conditioner.
They almost forgot the milk but Miles luckily remembered it before they checked out and quickly grabbed a gallon.
"That'll be $50,08 please." The cashier said with a wide smile on her face.
"Here you go ma'am." Peter handed her one of his hundred dollar bills and gave the cashier a friendly smile back. Miles was already packing their groceries and clothes in bags.
"Would you like the receipt?" The cashier asked when she gave him his change.
Peter shook his head no. "No thank you, have a nice day." Peter smiled.
"Have a nice day too boys." The cashier responded. We left with a little goodbye wave to the her.
While walking back to the bar Peter kept feeling a faint Spidey sense that was telling him they were being followed. Peter looked back and around them on repeat, but nothing. He shrugged it off.
When they arrived at the bar Elijah was not really doing anything. "Hey you must be Elijah right, I'm Peter and that's Miles. We're in room two together."
"Oh hello, nice to meet you two." Elijah held out his hand, he spoke with an accent Peter recognized immediately this man was from Queens as well. Peter shook his hand and after him Miles did the same.
"Are you from Queens?" Miles got ahead of Peter.
Elijah smiled and nodded. "You're too, it's nice hearing something familiar." Elijah pointed at Peter for a second. "Not a lot of New Yorkers here in Gotham City. And you're from Brooklyn?" He asked Miles.
Miles nodded as well.
"What are two young New Yorkers like yourselves doing here in Gotham of all places?" Elijah asked honestly.
"Just passing through, we're not planning on staying here long. But we are planning on staying here for a few more days." Miles and Peter had discussed this was the best option on staying until they found a way back home again.
"That's absolutely perfect, we also have weekly or monthly payments. A week for $110 and a month for $400."
Peter and Miles had $220 left. Peter thought really deeply and decided to go for a week. They had a week to figure out how to get back home...
"We'll do a week." Peter got out his wallet and handed him the money.
"Well Peter and Miles from New York, if there's anything me or Raymond will be right here." He smiled and Peter and Miles waved at him as they went upstairs. Miles who was holding the groceries put them away in the little kitchen immediately.
"I saw a laundromat on our way here, after we eat something I'll take the clothes right to it."
"I'll join you, there is nothing else to do anyways." Miles said and stretched his arms like he just woke up.
"That's alright. If you dare we can also wash your suit."
Miles nodded in response. "How will you do it Pete, with your suit. You have your Iron-Spider suit and not your normal suit, this one will need to be charged. And we're almost out of webs, I mean I could figure something out."
"That's something I haven't figured out yet about charging my suit. But I did think about our webs. They've got schools in Gotham we can break into, maybe just go as civilians and see if we can just enter and get to the science labs. If that doesn't work we just have to break in. We don't have any money left for web materials."
Miles shrugged. "We'll try."
-----------------
In the laundromat they stuffed the first wash they did with Miles' spider suit obviously when no one was looking, not that it was pretty busy they we're the only ones apart from a middle aged woman and an employee around their age. They put in the rest of the darker clothes and they turned it on. One wash costed $0.25, Peter was really not used to everything being so cheap. He wondered if it was this cheap in the rest of the city as well, he also wondered if money had the same value as in his own universe. Maybe twenty-five cents was normal or expensive here.
When the washing machine was done they quickly changed into warm clean clothes so that the clothes they were wearing now.
When they were done at the laundromat they went back to the apartment and dropped the clothes off, Peter decided to put them neatly inside the big closet. He made the right side for Miles' clothes and the left side for himself.
"Karen, where is the Gotham University?"
"Good afternoon Peter, Gotham University is in Gotham Heights. Normally I would advice you to take the bridge to Bristol and pass through Robinson Park but due to the recent safety warnings I'd advice you to pass through Otisburg and West End, you'll have to take a bridge to Gotham Heights there."
"Well Miles, I guess it's time for a little road trip, or a little walking trip." Peter smiled at him.
"Well time for a new area, I don't think we've walked over a bridge yet. I think it's the bridge we saw close to the police building."
Peter grabbed two apples and threw one at Miles who obviously caught it. "Before we leave though. I was wearing a shirt when we arrived maybe you'd like to wear it." Peter opened the closet back up and grabbed the shirt from Gwen's band The Mary Jane's. He unfolded it and held it up high before his face. Peter didn't hear anything for a minute and immediately thought Miles found it lame. He lowered the shirt and was met with Miles' face, he was tearing up and slowly reached for the shirt.
"Thank you Peter." He said not believing what he was seeing. He took the shirt from him and immediately replaced the basic shirt he was wearing underneath his new zip up. He dried his tears and put the zip up back on. "Well university here we come." He smiled the most he had since landing in this universe.
Miles was right when he said he thought it was the bridge close to the police building. A big green traffic sign that said 'Gotham Heights' in white letters and arrows hung high before you entered the bridge. Peter was walking on the side towards the water, he looked down and the water was so nasty, he couldn't believe Miles and him took a bath in this water when they arrived. When they passed the bridge the entire area was different, it was way more clean, people didn't act as suspicious and weren't as on guard as the people back in the Bowery.
He really realized they entered a wealthier area. The street signs really helped him and it just pointed them in the way of the university.
The university was breathtaking, it was in the same cool gothic style as the rest of the city but at the same time it reminded Peter a bit of German architecture. The campus was very busy and Peter was sure they'd blend in perfectly especially with a lot of confidence.
"Well here we go." Peter mumbled to himself.
When they entered he was relieved they didn't need a student card. The inside of the university was way emptier than the outside was, Peter looked at the huge clock they had at the entrance. Half past two, makes sense most people are probably in their classes. Peter just hoped the lab was free, if they even had a lab.
Peter took a gamble and went up the stairs, at Empire State University were Miles and Peter went to the lab was upstairs too. They were walking in a pretty empty hallway, two boys were what looked like having a little argument. He recognized one of them faintly but he forgot where from. He was a white boy, and he looked a little pissed his black hair was done in a messy side part, he wore a Gotham City University hoodie matched with neat pants. The other boy was a tall African-American his hair was cool and he had two shaven lines on either side he wore a long sleeve shirt with another logo Peter didn't recognize.
The boys noticed Miles and Peter coming their way and straight away stopped with their argument. The boy Peter did not recognize waved at them. Peter was quite confused why he would.
"Hey, you guys look pretty lost. You know where you're going?" He asked when they came closer.
"Honestly we need to find the lab but I have no idea where that is." Miles confessed. Peter nudged Miles with his elbow in his side.
"Did you guys just transfer here or something?" The other boy asked in a less enthusiastic tone in comparison to the other guy.
"Yup, from eh, New York." Miles answered again.
"I hear that, the lab is a little further to the right you'll know it when you see it." The boy continued.
"I'm Duke." The happier guy put his hand out in front of Peter, Peter shook it. And Duke's hand shifted to Miles.
"I'm Peter and that's Miles." Peter tried to get away more quickly. Duke begun more conversation, Miles was more interested in socializing than Peter was at this moment, he just really wanted to make new webs and get over with it so he could focus on charging his suit.
"Pete you can go to the lab, I'll hang with these new cool guys until you come back." Miles noticed it.
Peter shoot a thankful look at Miles and speed walked away.
The lab was where the boy who didn't introduce himself said it was. Peter opened the door and just hoped it was empty.
Peter was happy when he saw that there was just one girl, a white girl with long blonde hair done in a ponytail. She wore a long lab coat and some safety glasses.
When he entered the lab there were big rows full of lab coats and buckets of safety glasses under the coats. Peter grabbed a coat in his size and a pair of safety glasses.
He felt that the girl that sat on one of the desks followed his every move which made Peter pretty uncomfortable.
The ingredients Peter needed to make his web weren't stored in the normal cabinets, Peter remembered that from back in High School when he also stole school chemistry supplies to make his webs. The ingredients were in the teachers office and he hoped they were now too. He walked a bit further into the lab, it was huge at least twice the size than the lab they had in Empire State. He couldn't see the girl that was staring at him so in his logic the girl couldn't see him either. He quietly opened the door of the teachers office, he looked around for a bit and.... bingo.
It took Peter a bit to find all of the ingredients but eventually he gathered everything. He even was as lucky as to find a few empty CO2 cans, he could make more web fluid now.
He sat in a bit of a hidden spot and went to work on his and Miles' web fluid.
Chapter 5: a suspicious tour
Summary:
"What the fuck.. It's them." Signal muttered through his comm.
"Hey" Miles waved at him while webbing a goon closer so he could punch him. "Spider-Man don't think we've met yet."
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Miles saw Peter quickly walk over towards the lab. Secretly Miles was happy with a bit of social interaction outside of being Spider-Man.
"You don't need to answer if you don't want to.." Duke said slowly. Miles was a bit lost in thought and he didn't hear what Duke said before.
"What?"
"Why transfer to Gotham?" He exaggerated the 'to'.
"Oh.. I-" Miles awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I like Batman..?" He tried.
The boy behind Duke looked up from his phone and gave him a suspicious side eye. Miles was definitely not trying hard enough.
"Okay.." Duke squinted his eyes. "This man behind me is Tim by the way. Normally he's.. nicer but he's pretty pissed at me right now."
The boy behind him, Tim nudged Duke with his elbow. Duke whispered a faint "Ow.." In response.
"Nice to meet you too Tim."
Tim answered him in a short smile.
"Do you guys have an art room here?" Miles asked to start a more interesting conversation. Instead Duke looked at him weirdly once again.
"Did no one show you guys around?"
"No, was that like a must?" Miles laughed awkwardly.
"I don't know actually but we're happy to give you a tour. Do you live on campus?"
"No, Peter and I have a little apartment in the Bowery." Miles wanted to bury his face in his hands. He doesn't go to this school why did he tell these guys where he temporarily lived.
"The Bowery? That's a little while away.."
Miles shrugged. "It's doable we'll survive."
"Well, let's start that tour. The art area is downstairs would you like to immediately see that or explore the upstairs area more? And what about your friend?"
"Oh Peter? He'll find me when he's done, he'll be there for a little while anyways. He needed to finish a science experiment. The art room is good"
Duke smiled. "Well come on." Miles followed duke in going downstairs again. Tim followed them he was busy texting or something on his phone and not really joining in on the conversation.
The University was like twice the size of Empire State University. They passed the entrance again and went into a large hallway on the left side. There was a piece of art on the side of the wall, it was hand painted. The art depicted kids, all kinds of kids younger and older, it was pretty nice. It looked pretty realistic, impressive.
"In this wing the more creative courses are located like art, music, design, theatre and dance et cetera." Duke explained.
"Yeah, it looks pretty cool around here. the mural on the wall is really neatly done." Miles smiled.
Duke got his phone from his pocket, it was ringing without sound. He stepped a few steps back and showed Tim the caller ID. "Sorry Miles I really need to take this." Duke took more steps back and picked up. Miles really tried not to eavesdrop but he couldn't help it. He heard a faint woman's voice on the other end of the line, she was talking for a minute before Duke responded.
"I was in the middle of something Barb but sure, I'll be right there.."
Duke hung up and walked back to Tim and Miles again. "Sorry Miles, Tim will need to take over the tour he can show you around in the art room. Family emergency." Duke ended with eyeing Tim. Miles got really suspicious on why he would.
"That's alright I hope your family is okay Duke." I smiled and waved as Duke quickly walked away.
Miles turned towards Tim who put his phone in his pocket.
"So... Tim what do you study." Miles begun a conversation.
"Engineering." He answered shortly.
"Cool, cool.. First year?" They started to walk deeper into the hallway until they saw two huge gray doors. Tim walked up front and he pushed the doors open and nodded while he did.
"So what do you need in the art room?" He asked.
"Paper and pencils or pens if you can just get that here." Miles looked around with his mouth wide open. It had been a while since he did some art. Before his uncle died it was their thing graffiti. Miles did it a few times with his dad but his dad is a busy cop and graffiti is not the most legal hobby out there. The art room was huge as well. It had an area full of mannequins dressed in artsy fashion, probably for fashion students. There was a huge wall full of pains in literally every color you could imagine, next to that in the same idea a wall full of every color paper in many different sizes.
"Probably" Tim held his shoulders up. "Besides I don't think they'll say something about it when I do it." He got a look of disgust on his face. "That sounded so cocky sorry. I'm also sorry for acting mean, I've had quite the shity week."
"It's alright man I understand." Miles laughed and reached for a few markers propped up in a mason jar. "So I can take these?"
"I don't care we pay tuition don't we."
Miles laughed awkwardly, maybe Tim pays tuition but Miles didn't even go to school here. "So Miles what do you do?"
"Musical technology." He didn't look up instead he was picking out a few nice colors. Tim looked at him.
"If you study that aren't you in this wing?"
Busted.
"I think so but we haven't started with classes yet." Miles quickly saved himself.
Tim walked to the wall with paper and swung a few high quality white paper sheets back and forth. Miles put up his thumb.
Tim dumped a few of the sheets of paper in his hands and added a pencil and pen. "You're planning a project?"
Miles was planning on using this for a research board, he had inspected the walls of their apartment and found out the wall on the side of the front door was pretty good for pricking thumbtacks in. On his right side there was a stand full of buttons, string, wool and more tiny useable instruments. He grabbed a blue wool and a handful of thumbtacks and stuffed them into the pocket of his zip-up hoodie. Normally he'd wear his zip-up hoodies half way zipped up but now it was loose. Tim pointed at his shirt.
"What band is that?" He asked.
"It's the Mary Jane's!" He smiled brightly, he loved to talk about them. "It's my girlfriends band she plays the drums."
"That's pretty cool, does your girlfriend also go here?"
"Oh no, she studies the same at Empire State." Miles wanted to facepalm once more, he was giving this stranger so much information. What if Empire State didn't exist here or what if New York was a small town?
"Okay." Tim nodded in response. "So you think your friends done with his project now?"
"I don't think so it can sometimes take a while."
"Are you hungry? Because I am." Tim took Miles' arm and lead him to the cafeteria. The cafeteria was once again twice the size as a normal cafeteria.
"Sure but I don't have any money Tim."
"That's no problem, my dad does donations for free school lunches."
"Your dad..?"
"Bruce Wayne."
When they first bumped into Duke and Tim, Tim had looked so very familiar and now it downed on him where he recognized him from. The day before when they passed the Wayne Enterprises tower and saw Bruce Wayne Tim was the man getting interviewed behind him. He was talking to a celebrity right now, sick.
Tim and Miles get into the very short line before they could get their food.
"Good afternoon Timothy." The lunch lady smiled at him. "The usual?"
"Yes please, make it double." He looked at Miles right after. "You like rice, chicken, cucumber and mozzarella sticks right?"
A real meal god he should come here every day for lunch. "I'd love that!"
The lunch lady prepared their trays of food and handed each man their own. Tim grabbed two water bottles standing on the end, those were probably there to grab Miles gathered. They sat down at a round table with red chairs. Miles quickly started his food and ate like he hadn't eaten in days. When he felt Tim staring he out of embarrassment slowed down.
"So, how do you like Gotham City University so far?" Tim asked him with his mouth full.
"It's great honestly, much bigger than what I'm used to. And there is housing as well?" Miles pointed at Tim lightly with one of the mozzarella sticks.
"Yes around back." Tim responded.
"Do you live in the housing or Duke?" Miles tried conversation more to avoid eating in an awkward silence.
"Nah, Duke and I live at Wayne manor. As much as I respect our lunch lady her cooking doesn't compare to Alfred's." Tim chuckled.
"Duke and you live together?"
"Yeah, he's my brother. Bruce fosters him." Tim smiled wide.
"That's pretty cool." Miles smiled back.
"Miles!" Peter came running into the cafeteria. Miles hadn't noticed how long Tim and him had been talking in the cafeteria. "Oh my God Miles I was literally looking for you all over, I almost thought you went home without telling more or worse-" Peter stopped himself when he noticed Tim was sitting opposite of Miles.
"Peter I'm sorry, I got some supplies and food with Tim here." Miles ended in a 'please don't be angry at me Peter' smile.
"It's fine." Peter shrugged off. "I'm done."
Miles got up. "Well that's great, thank you for the food and chat Tim!"
"I'll see you around Miles, don't be shy to come and sit with us when you see us! You too Peter!" Tim waved them off.
When they set foot on the streets again Miles groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I so overshared."
"What did you tell him?" Peter asked carefully.
"Just about our school, what if Empire State doesn't exist?! And about Gwen and they kind of know where we live. At least I stole some supplies so we can make an evidence board."
"Don't worry about it M, it's not like he'll run multiple background checks on us. We don't even go here. I stole some supplies as well, we can swing again." Peter showed him the many little empty CO2 cans filled with webbing in Peters hand.
"And besides you know the rich guy we saw yesterday? That Bruce Wayne, that's Duke and Tim's father. It's kind of cool that the first people we're friendly with are the sons of a celebrity."
"That's pretty cool indeed. Where did you steal the supplies from?"
"Art room." Miles nodded to himself before watching the sidewalk again. "Duke and Tim showed me around a little, Duke did leave before we got in, some family emergency."
Peter turned to look at him with a big smirk Miles saw from the corner on his eye. "Was there perhaps a working place? We have some comms in need of dire fixing."
Miles thought back to the room and there were indeed some working tools. Miles looked back at peter with the same smirk. "I don't think this was the last time we went to this university." Miles swung his arm around Peter to take him in a little side hug while walking. "And besides they have free food."
-------------------
Miles and Peter passed the police building again. Screams were coming from their right running towards them. From out of the GCPD major crimes unit about a dozen police officers ran out towards the place people were running from.
Spidey Sense.
Miles ducked immediately and he was right to because he saw a yellow blur zoom above him and almost crash into the building behind them. "What the fuck.." He muttered.
The yellow blur was a man, he wore a yellow armor suit with black pants and black accents. On his chest was a white symbol which looked oddly like a bat. His helmet or, cowl was the same yellow color with a black design around the eyes. And it had little cat ears? He held two yellow Eskrima sticks with a little sharp looking wing on each end.
Miles stood up straight again, he saw Peter reach for his belt but nothing was there. Normally when he used his Iron-Spider suit more, which wasn't all that often anymore. He had it stored in a little boxed compartment that hooked onto his belt. He now had no belt and the suit was in the compartment at the apartment.
"He'll probably be able to handle himself, come on Miles." Peter whispered in his ear and tried to make him go into the direction everyone was running towards.
Peter looked to his right and his eyes grew a little bigger. A man stood among tens and tens of goons, he was dressed in a neat suit well it looked like two separate suits. One half was a black suit and the other half was a blue suit. When Miles took a better look at this man it became clearer on why his suit was two different colors. The mans face was one half an ordinary looking man but his other side looked heavily scarred. His hair was on one side neatly done it was brown and gelled to the side. His other part on the scarred side was white and wild. He was flicking around a coin, the goons appeared to be his men, they were doing his dirty work by fighting the yellow cat man.
Miles picked up what the man supposedly called 'Signal" said through his comms.
"Oracle come in!"
"Here Signal, everything okay?"
"I need back up and fast. I don't think I can do this myself, they're with too many."
"I don't think he's handling himself very well Pete." Miles whispered back. "We can run home, what would it be two minutes? With our speed? Easy, we swing back in the matter of seconds."
Peter thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "We could make it quickly, he really does need help." Peter immediately started to run in the direction of their apartment. Why did he make almost everything some kind of game?! Miles immediately tried to catch up to him.
At the apartment Miles dumped his stuff on top of the bed and grabbed his suit. Peter had his suit on in the matter of what two seconds, cheater.
"Hey Karen, what percentage is my suit at?" Peter asked her.
"Good afternoon Peter, your suit is currently 45%. I'd advice you to charge it before going into a big fight." She said on speaker.
"Thank you Karen." Peter face palmed "I need to find a way to charge it as soon as possible."
Miles agreed before putting on his mask.
They climbed out of the window, luckily no one saw them and made their way back to the fight in the matter of seconds.
Signal was on the ground fighting around eight of the goons at the same time. Signal was an incredible skilled fighter Miles noticed.
Miles shot a web at one of the goons that tried to hit Signal with a bat from his back. The goon got launched up and fell a couple meter from him with a loud noise and didn't get back up.
"Thank you, who came?" Signal asked through his comm.
"No one yet Signal?" The same woman's voice apparently called Oracle answered.
"I'm almost there Signal!" Another woman's voice said through the comms.
Peter did the same Miles just did to two at the same time. Signal shot a look towards us for a little too long, one of the goons hit him pretty hard in his distraction.
That looked like it hurt. It shook him from his stare and he went on with fighting. Peter dropped down into his usual pose and immediately went towards the goons, he retracted his spider legs from his back to help him with the amount of goons.
The man with the two half faces was yelling all kinds of stuff incoherently even with the use of his super hearing he couldn't make it out.
"What the fuck.. It's them." Signal muttered through his comm.
"Hey" Miles waved at him while webbing a goon closer so he could punch him. "Spider-Man don't think we've met yet." He saw Signal look very confused and give him an awkward wave back.
Miles saw someone appear behind Peter who was busy fighting, Miles' Spidey Sense didn't alert her for some reason and I don't think Peter noticed her either. The woman behind Peter was dressed in all black, she had the same kind of cat ears as Signal had and big white eyes on her mask. Her eyes reminded him of Peter and his Spider-Man eyes. Her face was fully covered like them as well only the fabric around the mouth looked like it was later sown in. She wore a long cool black cape that perfectly complimented the rest of her suit. She also had a yellow utility belt and an outlined bat logo on her chest in the same shade of yellow as the utility belt.
Her moves were perfected and looked calculated. She flew through the air with no trouble. Her cape was flowing very satisfyingly with her moves as she moved her way to the half face man.
Miles was met eye to eye with a goon that looked over two meters tall* his face was covered by a balaclava and he wore a lose cropped looking jacket with no shirt. He was fully muscle and he stood very intimidatingly in front of Miles with both of his arms in some kind of super villain pose. "Well I can assume someone at their vegetables." Miles shrugged awkwardly with an even more awkward laugh.
Miles couldn't see his face but he was convinced he showed his teeth angrily, he couldn't appreciate the joke. He ran towards Miles and Miles turned fully invisible, he did a roll over between his legs. The goon looked around himself confused when he realized he didn't hit Miles. Miles shot a web to the back of his head and pulled back. The goon fell back on his head and was immediately knocked out.
Miles stayed invisible for a little while to take goons down unnoticeably and freak them out. He noticed Signal was following him with his eyes.
How the hell?
Peter took down the last two goons at the same time. Miles looked around for the two faced man and the woman but he couldn't see them anywhere. Miles noticed Signal couldn't either by the slight panic he was having right that moment.
"Batgirl check in?" He said unsurely.
"Went after Two-Face, I can handle this. I don't need back up." The woman whose name was Batgirl responded.
Miles should really stop eavesdropping all the time but to be honest he was pretty nosey.
"Hey." Signal carefully approached Peter and him who stood a few meters away from Signal.
"Good fight." Peter complimented him and the golden spider legs went back into the suit again.
"Yeah thanks.." Signal walked passed a goon and hit him slightly with his foot to make sure he was unconscious. "But who the hell are you two? Don't get me wrong I'm grateful for the help but..?" Miles noticed he talked with his hands a lot just like Gwen.
"I'm Spider-Man and that's Spider-Man too, he's the OG." Miles pointed at Peter who did a little quick wave.
"I'm Signal, nice to meet you I guess, thanks for having my back."
"We're happy to help, come on Spider-Senior we've got tons left to do." Miles chuckled when he called Peter by his 'favorite' nickname again. Peter groaned and quickly shot a web and swung away.
Miles shrugged in front of Signal before he also shot a web and left.
----------------------
Peter was in the shower, again after Miles had one. Even if Peter was home first Miles called dibs immediately. He got the thumbtacks and wool from out of his pockets and laid them on the sofa bed next to the sheets of paper. Miles went over everything he knew about their mystery guy. He still saw his eerily uncanny valley face burned in the back of his mind.
He wrote mystery guy on one half of the A4 paper, he tore the blank side right off. He took the sign and stuck it in the middle on top on the wall. He drew a picture of the guy closest from how he remembered him and stuck it under his temporary name. Miles remembered the watch he wore and probably activated the portal with.
Miles wondered where the guy was now, hoping he still was in Gotham.
Notes:
For the running I literally used the Gotham Knights game to see how far it would be to sprint from the GCPD building to around where I imagine Miles and Peters apartment would be, that was tbh pretty fun to do.
*Over 6'6
Chapter 6: Solo-Spider
Summary:
"Exactly I don't get it." Peter grabbed the charger and used it on his phone, by some mystery the charger fit in the phone and it was charging. "At least the charger works."
"You have your playlists downloaded right?" Miles asked while stretching his back.
"Yeah that's right, why'd you ask?"
"Dude I swear I miss music."
Peter laughed in response. "You know you could ask Karen to play us music right?"
Notes:
heyyyy :)
exciting introductions this chapter! enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Peter saw Miles' improv clue board and stood behind him. He let out an impressed huff. His hands rested on his hips as he studied Miles' art.
"Good job M." Peter traced the wool Miles had hung up with his fingers. From one clue to the next. There weren't many clues yet, just the man and his face, the watch, the tornado and the portal. No name, no background no nothing. "My suit is pretty low, I'm afraid you need to gather some clues by yourself if you can. Do you mind that?"
"No I get it, it's fine." Miles said while still staring at the clue board.
"I could ask, what were their names..?"
"Raymond and Elijah from downstairs?"
"Yeah right! I could ask either of those if they have some tools I could use. It's weird I haven't thought about that yet. Maybe we don't have to return to the school so quickly."
Miles shot him a look but Peter couldn't really make out whether it was a natural expression or a disappointed one. Peter decided to let it slide.
"Okay so let me go downstairs and I'll work on the comms quickly and hopefully I can be your-" Peter wanted to say Ned. It downed onto Peter. Ned was all alone in their universe, well he obviously had his college friends and his Lola but he was on call with them when they disappeared. He must be so stressed, and what about Gwen? He'd never seen Miles and Gwen apart for more than a day. What about Happy? Although Peter kept telling him he was all grown up now and didn't need someone to constantly watch his back. Happy felt some kind of responsibility over Peter ever since he came in contact with Tony, and since May died it has only become worse.
Peter had to shake these thoughts from his mind now to keep sane.
"I'll be right back Miles.." He waved and closed the door behind him.
It was around dinner time and the bar was already full of people. Raymond was behind the bar chatting with a woman sitting on a bar stool sipping some cool looking drink. Raymond slowly turned to look at Peter who was awkwardly standing there. "Oh hey! Familiar face, what can I help you with? Need a drink?"
"No thank you Raymond." Peter spoke with his hands. "I was actually wondering if you have some tiny tools I could use for a.. school project! And maybe a phone charger?"
"Of course..? Let me get them for you.." Raymond walked out to the back of the store. Which made Peter only stand more awkwardly, the woman Raymond was talking to now looked his way. The woman had blonde hair in two ponytails on either side one, the ends were both a different faded color, one side pink and the other side blue. She wore some pretty make up and a roughed up dress. She sat crossed legged and made the stool spin to fully be able to face Peter now.
"A school project eh?" Her voice was pitched and sweet, Peter could hear a Brooklyn accent pretty prominent through the Gotham accent.
Peter carefully nodded. "Yeah I need to fix some tech."
"Do ya go to Gotham City University? Oh who am I kiddin' ya look that smart." She giggled. "I went there too ya know, long time ago. Got a PhD believe it or not." She took a sip of her cool looking drink. "I'm Harley."
Peter shook the hand she offered him immediately. "I'm Peter, nice to meet you miss."
Harley looked at him with a big question mark. She used the straw in her drink to point at him. "You're from Queens."
"Correct, Brooklyn?" Harley stared at him with big eyes, as if she just heard something she never though she would.
"would this be good?" Raymond came back with a normal charger and a toolbox full of screwdrivers and other tools like that.
"That's more than perfect, thank you Raymond." He got the toolbox handed to him. "I'll definitely be able to get to work now! Bye miss and see you around Raymond!"
When he was halfway on the stairs he forgot he closed the door and had no key with him, so he had to knock. Miles took a while to open it but eventually he did.
Peter passed Miles and immediately grabbed the broken comms from the kitchen counter. The comms looked like a mix of wireless earphones and the earpiece a musician wears while doing a concert. "I hope I can fix them." Peter took one of the screwdrivers and screwed Miles' comm apart, the insides looked pretty normal. Miles grabbed Peters comm and did the same as Peter just did. "They look... Normal..?" Miles questioned his own words.
"Exactly I don't get it." Peter grabbed the charger and used it on his phone, by some mystery the charger fit in the phone and it was charging. "At least the charger works."
"You have your playlists downloaded right?" Miles asked while stretching his back.
"Yeah that's right, why'd you ask?"
"Dude I swear I miss music."
Peter laughed in response. "You know you could ask Karen to play us music right?"
Miles face expression did a one eighty. "You're so right Peter, I feel so stupid!" Miles brought the comm closer to his face and in the natural sun light peaking through from the window. He carefully studied it. "Never mind I don't feel stupid anymore because I see what's wrong."
Peter almost flew to Miles to see what was wrong. Peter attentively looked at the comm in Miles' hands. "Look here, you see this wire?" Miles pointed at one of the wires, Peter nodded in response. "Look.." Miles quickly grabbed the other comm. "Both of them they're both burned for some reason.."
"So we'll just need to change the wiring? That's it?"
"Pretty much I think.." Miles shrugged.
Peter grabbed the toolbox and emptied it on the floor. Just like he thought he already saw a glimpse of, new wiring. The universe, or the other universe has been on Spider-Mans side this evening. Peter held the new wire up high and grabbed some pliers used for wire cutting. Peter took one of the comms from Miles and carefully removed the damaged wire out of the comm. He cut the wire on size and carefully replaced it back in connecting it. "If this worked... I'll be so happy.." Peter hoped as he placed the comm in his ear. "Karen?"
"Good afternoon Peter."
Peter almost jumped up and down of happiness. "It works Miles! Come on give me the other quickly!" Miles quickly handed the other comm to Peter who did the same trick on the other comm. It took him a minute and gave it back to Miles with a big smile. Miles quickly put it into his ear.
"Pete..?"
Peter laughed "It works! You're a genius M!"
------------------
"Spider-M come in!" Peter was laying on the sofa bed legs crossed above the sheets with the tv on, on a low volume.
"Here Spider-Man, I'm currently pretty far from home. Very literally. I'm at another police building but this seems to be more of a main building. And you know what's funny they've got a light. A massive bat lit up in the sky, as some kind of calling or fan project..?"
"Interesting, anything special over there? Any run ins with our colleagues?"
"Nope nothing interesting, quite a boring night. No run ins thankfully."
"Alright, well check in with me if somethings up, or if you find something out."
Peter turned up the tv some more, again the news. It wasn't anything interesting thankfully, no surprise scarecrow attack this night.
------------------
Miles was swinging back and forth not really doing anything until his web was cut..? Because of the sudden shock and his Spidey Sense not doing anything he fell towards the ground.
"Ow... What the fuck...?" Miles muttered when he hit the floor. He slowly got up and rubbed his head to try and ease the pain. When he looked back up he saw a figure in front of him. The figure looked like a boy he couldn't really make out his appearance until he came into the faint lantern light.
The boy had dark hair done neatly to the side, his skin had an olive color, he wore a green domino mask to hide his identity and his costume had green high boots covering his calves. It also had green knee pads that were armored on top of a gray-ish black pant. His top was longer and had a red color with yellow accents and the same kind of utility belt Batgirl wore. There was a logo, the same logo Miles had on his first bought hoodie, on his right side on the chest. On top of that he wore a black cape with a yellow inside, the hood on the cave which went to his knees, he wore to add to the mystery.
He pointed a sharp looking knife in a bat shape? At him.
"Woah, did you just cut my web?! You made me fall that's not cool man." Miles wiped the dirt off of his hands by wiping them on his legs. "Well actually those knives need to be extra sharp to cut through our web so that's pretty impressive, besides that aim?"
The boys body language shifted just a tiny amount. "Yes I cut your web, I know my aim is exceptional. What are you doing here?" He said with little emotion or tone.
"Well I was just swinging with no point, slow night I guess." He paused a little while. "I hope I haven't jinxed that now, that would be horrible."
"Why are you in Gotham?" The boy went straight to the point.
"Why not?"
Why did everyone he met make it such a point?
"Don't try jokes with me Spider. Where is your partner?" He sounded as intimidating as a young teen could sound, which secretly still gave Miles tiny goosebumps.
"I'm not playing any jokes. My partner is at home being lazy." Miles answered.
"I should thank you for earlier today."
Miles held his head to the side to show he was confused.
"I should thank you for helping my partners in battle. It was pretty brave and you proved yourselves to be candidates to being allies. This does not mean you can stay here in Gotham City."
Excuse me? "Well I'm sorry but I have no choice."
"You always have a choice, Batman isn't very fond of people acting like the hero. This job is incredibly dangerous."
"As if I don't know that you child."
The boy threw the bat-knife at Miles. Miles caught it without touching the sharp parts thankfully. "What the? What!?" Miles got mad. "If Batman doesn't like me why doesn't he just come himself?!"
"Batman has better things to do than catch stupid teenagers trying to be the hero. You're a meta, you don't belong here." The boy spat out.
Miles got really mad now he shot out a web starting a fight. What Miles would never expect is the kid pulling out a full katana that was stored on his back. The kid started to swing the katana gracefully and calculated.
Spidey Sense
Miles jumped up, The kid tried to get his legs with the katana but instead Miles' Spidey Sense helped him out not to get injured.
Spidey Sense
He ducked down, right on time because he felt a wave of air slash above him.
Spidey Sense
The boy started to swing his katana quickly from other sides. Miles' Spidey Sense was screaming at him, he managed to be fast enough to dodge all of his tries.
Spidey Sense
A man dropped down from the buildings behind the boy. "That's enough Robin!" He yelled at him. The boy, Robin froze and immediately stopped attacking Miles. The man had black hair, a slight tan and a blue domino mask. His suit was black and had a blue logo on the front in the same color as his domino mask. The logo looked more like a bird than the bat he had seen on the other vigilantes. On his back there were two Escrima stick with something electrical on the top.
"Robin we don't attack people out of the blue, you know this!" Robin got scolded. "I'm sorry about this man, I'm Nightwing, this is Robin."
"It's alright, I dodge everything anyways. I'm Spider-Man."
"Well nice to meet you I guess." Miles turned away and was ready to shoot a web and leave but Nightwing continued to talk.
"What are your intentions, on staying here I do mean."
"Oh..? I mean we'll go out here until we go back home I think." Miles turned around again to face Nightwing and Robin. Nightwing stood pretty friendly and Robin had his arms crossed with a pretty grumpy look on his face.
"Home..?" Nightwing looked at him weirdly.
Fuck. come on miles think of something, anything.
Miles pretended to touch his earpiece as if something was coming in. "What? Of course Spider-Man I'll be right there!" Miles shrugged when he made eye contact with Nightwing. "Well Nightwing you know how this goes." He laughed awkwardly, "Duty calls!" Miles waved and quickly shot a web. He looked back once and he just saw Nightwing look in shock and Robin becoming even more pissed than he already was.
"Spider-Man..?" Miles now truly used his comm.
It took Peter a few moments to respond to him.
"Yes? What's going on?" Peter sounded worried.
Miles landed on a building next to a big gargoyle. "Don't worry nothing much but I did meet some more of our so called colleagues. A small child called Robin, I'd say not older than fifteen years old. Another one which Robin listened to called Nightwing."
"Hm, any specialties?"
"Robin has a sword."
"A what?"
"A sword."
"That's honestly so badass."
Notes:
sorry for the short chapter
BUT
next chapter we'll have a completely different surprise POV :)
Chapter Text
Cassandra Cain was the first one to be awake in the manor, it didn't happen often but sometimes. She would lie if she said she didn't like the peace and quiet she most of the time dreaded. Last night it was Saturday, family dinner night. Everyone except Jason was present, so basically everyone who always came was there.
Cassandra hadn't seen Jason as Jason instead of Red Hood in weeks, months it could even be. It had been a while since he and Bruce figured stuff out but he's still finding his place among them. Cassandra was convinced he thought they wouldn't want him present which could be as far off from the truth as possible.
Cass passed the movie room where Dick, Duke and Steph had some kind of gaming tournament last night. They said they'd clean up after themselves but it's still pretty messy. Alfred won't like that she thought and giggled.
She wore her unicorn pajama's, it was a purple oversized shirt with a cool childish looking unicorn on the front. Her pajama pants where black and gray in a checkered pattern. The slippers she wore were frog slippers, every step she would set the mouth of the frogs would open and close. Present from Dick last Christmas.
She walked into the main kitchen and swung open the fridge. There wasn't a lot left over chicken from yesterday she noticed. Normally there would be a lot more left over, Alfred always cooked for more people than he expected to be there. In a family as big and all over the place as theirs you'd never know. She grabbed a cold bottle of milk stored in the door. She moved a step to the left and opened the cabinet.
"Damn it.." She muttered to herself. She forgot she ran out of her cereal yesterday afternoon.
She squinted her eyes to look through the other boxes of cereal. Plain ones for Tim, boring. Some kind of Minecraft themed cereal for Stephanie, even though she didn't live here Alfred would still get her favorite each time. He did the same with Dick, Alfred made sure there were always some frosted flakes if Dick were to have a very simple breakfast over at the manor. Alfred never got any special favorite for Jason, one because he was never there and two Alfred once explained he didn't really have a favorite. When Jason was younger he had to eat anything that came his way to not starve, he didn't have the luxury to pick favorites. That kind of stuck with him for the the rest of his time as Robin. Cassandra was sure his favorite food was some kind of hotdog now. Duke always had a different cereal, he liked to try out stuff. This time he had fancy looking cereal Cass had no idea what it was.
Bingo... Damian's lucky charms.
Bruce never really understood their need for sugary cereals, he would always say that it's unhealthy and they're vigilantes, he would also bring the argument in that some were even banned in Europe because of how horrible the ingredients were. To be very honest no one really cared for all that, they just liked the cereal.
She made her bowl and sat down on a stool at the kitchen island. She scrolled on her phone for a little bit before she heard footsteps, Alfred's.
"Miss Cassandra, Good Morning." He said in his incredible British accent with still a slight sleep in his voice.
Cassandra turned around on the chair. "Good morning Alfred!" She smiled wide.
"I could fix you some more nutritious breakfast Miss Cassandra." He offered, actually immediately went and opened the fridge to get milk and blueberries.
"I'm good Alfie, I have my cereal." She lifted the bowl and showed his enthusiastically.
"Nonsense Miss, besides your brothers will be down any moment I hope. And after patrol when Master Dick, Master Duke and Miss Stephanie played some games in the movie room, God I hope they cleaned after themselves-" Cassandra let out a chuckle. "I was afraid that would be the case already." Alfred sighed heavily. "Anyhow Master Dick and Miss Stephanie spent the night here. And you know how much they love their pancakes."
"That's true!" Cass said with her mouth full of cereal.
"I would appreciate you keep your mouth shut when you talk, Cain." Damian Wayne appeared in his normal clothes full ready for the day.
"Good morning too you too Damian." She smiled.
"Alfred?" Damian stood beside him watching how he made the pancake butter.
"Yes Master Damian?"
"Is my father up already, I am in dire need to discuss patrol last night." Damian's emerald green eyes shot towards Cassandra, or more specifically what she was eating. "Cain is that my cereal?"
Cass tried to hide it by placing her hand on top of the bowl and stayed silent. "You have to be glad I like you." Damian tutted.
"No master Damian I'm afraid your father isn't up yet. How would you like your pancakes?" Alfred was already busy with making the first one, he never asked what Cassandra would like because he knew she wanted blueberry pancakes.
"I'd like some banana pancakes Pennyworth." He walked over next to Cassandra and sat down on the stool next to her.
"Very well, Master Damian." Alfred said while flipping the blueberry pancake.
"How was patrol last night?" Cassandra asked Damian while she rested her elbow on the counter to help holding her head up.
"It was fine, though I had a run in with the Spider. Just one of them, I had it until Grayson ruined it."
Foot steps behind them, coming towards them. Dick.
"Until I ruined what? You mean attacking an innocent with a sword?" Dick came into the kitchen smelling the delicious pancake smell in the air. He wore a black tank top matched with Batman pajama pants. "I don't want to hear any come back Dami, you know we have no proof to state they're not on our side."
Damian tutted again and folded his arms over each other.
"Good morning Cass, good morning Alfie, it smells so good here. This is what I miss about not living at the manor." Dick walked over to Alfred and stood where Damian just did, he rested his hand on the counter and leaned into it.
"Well, you're always welcome here Master Dick." Alfred flipped another pancake.
"I know but you know how it works Alfie." He responded mid yawn while stretching.
--------------------
Cassandra, Dick and Damian were in the main living room. Titus the Great Dane was lazily laying on top of Damian who sat in the corner of one of the couches. Dick was on the opposite couch as Damian with his feet on the coffee table, he was busy texting on his phone. If Cassandra had to guess who he was texting she guessed the Titans' group chat. Cassandra herself was curled up in the big arm chair she often found Bruce in after patrol if he wasn't in the cave.
"Father finally." Damian almost jumped off of the couch when he saw Bruce walk into the living room. "Pennyworth told me not to wake you to debrief last night, after he himself told me to go to bed immediately after I came home."
"Damian you know you're not supposed to talk about that upstairs." Bruce said and walked over to pet Titus.
"But father it's about the Spider." Damian whined.
"Damian I already debriefed with Dick last night."
"Fine." Damian stood up, Titus followed his right that second. "I'll confide in Drake back in the cave." And he headed out.
"Why is Tim in the cave?" Dick asked, removing his feet from the coffee table when he noticed Bruce's death stare.
"The Spider you met last night has been bothering him for the last couple days, together with his partner also named Spider-Man. They showed up a few days ago and have been active ever since. Jason met them first, he divulged in Cassandra and told her the deal with them. They seem to be on our side, not taking the bigger guys but rather the smaller crime. Damian doesn't really trust it, I've told him not to interact with them. I was afraid that what happened yesterday would happen. You did well by stopping it Dick." Bruce sighed deeply and let himself drop in the spot Damian just sat a second ago.
"I followed them." Cassandra chimed in. "They're not really careful with their secret identity or they didn't know they're not alone on the roofs."
Bruce turned his head and had a look of surprise on his face. "You know who they are?"
Cassandra did a weird nod and shake in one. "Yes and no, I know what they look like but not who they are." She began to sit in a more comfortable position. "Two boys, the more modern mechanic looking spider is a short white guy like 170 centimeters* brown hair. He seemed to be a little older than the other boy. The other spider is African American, taller than the other around 180 centimeters*8. They're both skinny and a bit awkward. They really don't feel like the super villain type but they are meta and pretty well trained."
"Alright thank you Cassandra, If you need me I'll be downstairs." Bruce was gone as soon as he said it.
"Meta and pretty well trained?" Dick begun. "They're not in B's meta database or the Justice Leagues?"
Cassandra shrugged. "I don't know I haven't checked."
"That's what B is probably going to do right now." Dick chuckled. "Do you want something to drink?"
"I'm fine Dick." Cassandra smiled in return.
Cassandra had a few minutes of peace until she heard a massive groan coming her way. Tim Drake was coming her way.
"Good morning to you too Timmy." Cassandra greeted him with a smile.
"Oh hey, I can't believe Bruce, with all the attacks lately and now he also just interrupts my research he told me to do on those Spider-Men."
"HA! Told you!" Dick sounded from the hallway.
Tim frowned in confusion towards where the sound of Dicks voice came from. "Sorry Tim that's my fault. I gave him new information, kinda followed them blah blah."
"You know it's alright, Kon is coming over any minute anyways. So it looked better on me that Bruce dragged me from the bat computer instead of him in a couple minutes."
"As if he never has to do that.." Dick came back sipping on some lemonade through a straw chuckling.
"Ha, ha very funny Dick." Tim tried his hardest to not laugh but he failed by smiling.
"Master Tim?" Alfred called him from outside of the living room. "Mr. Kent has arrived." Tim quickly almost ran away to get to his boyfriend as fast as possible. Cassandra locked eyes with Dick who broke down laughing at how ridiculous Tim's almost run looked.
--------------------
"Father you're here." Damian stated, he was working on some of his homework in the Bat-Cave while his father hurriedly walked in.
Tim was busy doing some research on the Bat computer.
"Yes indeed, Cassandra had some new information on the Spider-Men. They're meta humans and very well trained as you already thought." He walked over to the chair Tim was sitting in. "I need to find out their identities, she gave a faint description on how they look. I'm taking a look in our databases to see if we got people that could be our Spider-Men." And with that Damian stood right beside him now watching the Bat computer attentively.
"How does she know their identities?"
"She followed them, they took off their masks and she could see their faces." Bruce said. Tim turned his head around and faced him.
"B I'm busy doing some work on them already."
"I know Tim but I'll just need a minute. This takes priority right now,"
Tim groaned and clicked his work away before aggressively getting up from the chair, pushing it away. He angrily stormed off upstairs.
Bruce yelled a pathetic 'sorry!' After him, but no response back.
"They took off their masks in public?" Damian kept staring at the computer. "If they want to keep their identities private that's incredibly reckless."
Bruce put in the details of the first boy Cassandra mentioned. White, 170 cm, brown hair, spider like powers. First in the Gotham only database, Bruce actually already expected him not to pop up. He kept a close eye out for the meta humans with the level of power he had, and he did not recognize him and the other boy. Especially with the amount of training they had, or at least it looked like they had gotten.
No results.
It was quite hard because he did not exactly know what the powers he had were. Duke told him the other boy turned invisible. Not really something a spider can do. For that boy also no matches.
Over to the Justice League database.
No results again.
"they're both not in the data bases." Bruce looked a tiny bit confused at the Bat computer. "Maybe meta trafficking... Or they've just stayed out of our radars which, possible.."
"So they could still be bad guys."
"That was always still an option.."
Damian walked over to a fighting dummy close to the bat computer. There were several batarangs laying around, he picked up one and threw it perfectly where he aimed it at. "What will we do now? With them I mean."
"They hang around in Jason's area a lot from what I've noticed. So well you know.. Not a lot we are able to do with that." Bruce was deep in thoughts. "I think we should just stay at a distance to not scare them off. Keep an eye out and keep them away from any big villains."
Damian nodded in response
--------------------
Jason checked the clock.
10:39 PM.
The numbers of the digital clock lit up the corner of his safehouse red. The other form of lighting was a pathetic lamp with a faint light bulb in the middle of the room. His armor was spread over his bed, he groaned as he reached for it. There was a bar fight last night and he was in the middle of it. Some fucker shot him and unfortunately the bullet struck him between his armor and landed right in his arm.
Not long after that happened he called it a night and returned to this safehouse. He removed the bullet by himself in the bathroom with his very extensive first aid kit. Before he put on his armor he checked if his stitches, which he also DIY-ed, were still doing okay. He knew for a fact Alfred wouldn't have approved of it neither would Doctor Thompkins. At least the stitches were red so pretty on theme.
After the tiny struggle that was putting on his arm and chest armor he saw his phone light up.
Dickwing: In Gotham rn till tomorrow late afternoon. If ur up to do something im free.
Dick always texted him when he was back in Gotham for a little longer than just those family dinners for whatever reason. And Jason almost always ignored him, not because he genuinely wanted to ignore him but it always came with terrible timing. But other times he did genuinely ignore him. Jason decided to see how he felt after patrol, he hasn't seen Dick in and outside of the suit for a long time and he actually misses him more than he dared to admit.
His brown leather jacket slipped on more easily than his armor. He checked his gun to see if they had enough bullets, he grabbed some extra and stuffed them in his pocket. He expected a quiet night tonight, just like the nights before. He actually kind of hoped to run into those new mystery spiders. The same night of his run in with the mystery spiders he told Cassandra about them. On the one hand he hoped she told Batman about them but on the other hand they were obviously meta and if they weren't on his watch-out list they were definitely being added.
He looked into the full size mirror, there was a bullet hole in it. One time when he hung out with Roy in this safe house and were fucking around with one of Jason's new guns they accidentally made it go off. Fortunately it didn't shatter and he could still see his own reflection pretty okay. His black hair with the white streak in the front was pretty messy like he just came out of bed, which was basically also the case.
He always looked at his reflection from the left side, there was a pretty big 'J' scar on his right cheek. It used to be way more prominent than how it looked now. But still every time he saw it without a small mental preparation he got so disgusted with himself, he was forever reminded of his past by just a glance in a mirror. He tried to slightly fix his hair but eventually gave up, he realized he wore a full helmet and no one would see his hair anyways.
He put on his helmet and gave himself a few quick looks in the mirror to see if he looked cool, he did.
"What the fucking fuck?" Jason landed on a roof and he saw a tiny tornado forming in the middle of a street. Cars were honking all around it and it almost caused multiple accidents. He had comms build into his helmet, the only one he was connected to was Oracle at this moment. He always tried to do it by himself but he was lowkey shocked by this. He took a closer look and there seemed to be a man stuck (?) inside of it, it reminded him a lot of red tornado. It was exactly the same way as red tornado only this man inside of it didn't move, it looked like he wasn't able to move it.
"Oracle?"
"I'm here Red Hood what's the matter?" She immediately responded just like she always did, as if she was just online twenty-four seven.
"Can you connect to Houston Street street camera's because this looks crazy. You don't see this in Gotham every day."
"Give me a second."
Jason tapped his fingers impatiently on the raised edge of the building he was standing on. The tornado only grew larger now.
"Is that Red Tornado?"
"I thought about him too but definitely not Oracle, normal looking civilian... Although.." Jason used his helmet to zoom in on the mans face, his eerie smile, his wide eyes. Could be signs of Joker Toxin... But Joker hasn't had any sightings in months where ever he was Jason really begged the universe to not include the Joker in this tornado mess.
"Joker Toxin? Do you need back up?" Oracle sounded really worried immediately.
"I don't think so, it could very well not be toxin. Besides his face no other signs of the toxin being used, and besides he's the only one that looks like this in the area. I'm checking this out from a ground level."
"I'm watching your back Red Hood." Oracle really didn't need to watch the scene unfold on the street camera's, she had more to tend to, probably. Jason knew Scarecrow was doing shit in the rest of Gotham, if he didn't bother Jason's territory he simply didn't care all too much about stopping him, that was Batman's job. And Oracle was there to help him out not Jason, he instantly regretted calling her.
Jason landed on a car, by pure accident fortunately no one was inside of it. He quickly got off before a lot of people saw him. The tornado with the man above it just like red tornado does, was looking very seriously though the corners of his mouth looked to be permanently turned into a smile. He was looking on a watch and back to the night sky, looking at the watch and back to the night sky again.
"Looking for something emoji man?!" A voice yelled out from behind Jason, the voice was quickly coming towards him.
emoji man..?
It was one of the two spiders, the taller one with the less cool suit. He swung with his weird looking spider web through the buildings and landed next to Jason. He wondered whether those webs were biological or synthetic.
"Hey dude!" He enthusiastically greeted Jason who pulled both of the guns loaded from his holsters.
"You know this tornado?" Jason asked while pointing at it with one of his guns.
"Unfortunately, don't kill him we still need him." The Spider-Man webbed to the other side to get the man his attention.
Notes:
I have to be so honest I hope I did a good job on matching the cereals TT I'm from a country where we don't really have breakfast with cereal so most I have never even had XD
*5'7
**5'11Please tell me if multiple sort of pov's like these are annoying or confusing, I never really mind but I often hear a lot of other people do :)
Chapter 8: A new friend
Summary:
"New York huh?" Jason took a big sip of his beer before placing it back on the bar. "What is a New Yorker like yourself doing in a random bar in Gotham City?"
"Just a really bad day turned into a really bad week, can I get another one Raymond?" The barman nodded at his request and started to prepare a drink for him.
Notes:
Thanks for all the comments and kudos guys!!!!!!!!!! It seriously motivates so much to write more!
Enjoy some more Jason Todd POV :)
I know Peter and Jason haven't really met outside of the suit and interacted all over but I promise soon they will (this chapter guys, they finally meet ( ╥ ᴗ ╥) )
TW: smoking, (American) Underage drinking, alcohol usage in general.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Hey shithead! You still owe me an explanation!" Spider-Man swung back and forth in front of the tornado man.
"Oracle, the spider with the black suit just arrived. He knows the tornado, where from I don't know." Jason spoke through his comm.
"Hm... That's quite interesting."
"You foolish Spider!" The tornado spoke. When he opened his mouth it was even more unsettling. What first seemed like a normal big smile opened in a massive grin almost up until his eyes, completed with teeth. "I had told you not to mess with forces you do not understand!" An enormous cloud hand emerged from the tornado, Jason bounced back and took the sight in. The hand reached for Spider-Man, Jason raised his gun and shot the hand. The bullet went through but stayed inside of it. The normal looking clouds in the hand turned into a mess full of an angry storm. Jason could see the golden bullet bounce up and down through the storm.
The tornado man turned around and faced Jason, he looked angry. The mega cloud arm swooshed his way and hit him. Jason got launched against a building. He wasn't launched with enough speed to pass through it fortunately. A massive pain shot through his back, it felt like slow motion when he fell off of the wall again. It had left a massive dent in the brick wall.
"Hey asshole he had nothing to do with it!" The spider webbed him and what it seemed like tried to pull him out. The tornado grabbed a car that was honking at him, a woman quickly jumped out of it before the car was lifted far from the ground.
"My kid!" The woman screamed, an older kid opened the door. The car was already a bit further from the ground and the kid looked hesitant to jump. Jason gathered his pain and ran towards the car.
"Red hood!" The boy from out of the car didn't look older than ten. Jason now stood under him ready to catch him when he jumped.
"I'll catch you when you fall kid!" Red hood held his arms out, spreading them did sting his wound. The car was slowly only lifted higher. "Kid now!" Red Hood yelled now. Something switched in the kid when Jason yelled at him, the kid quickly looked right and left before throwing himself into Jason's arms.
The second the kid jumped the tornado man threw the car at Spider-Man who dodged it. Jason returned the kid to his mother and they quickly ran away to safety.
Red hood aimed on the man himself instead of his arm now, he shot and hit his actual arm. The man screamed in agony and the storm arm disappeared as he clutched the bullet hole with his other arm. Jason heard a faint "Good one Red Hood!" From Spider-Man. He struck a web from one building to another and stood crouched on it like he was tightrope walking. Spider-Man stood face to face with the tornado man, his head was curiously bend to the side just like a dog would do.
Red hood couldn't clearly make out what Spider-Man was saying to the tornado man, they were up too high.
"Red Hood what's going on?" Oracle came in. "I'm seeing Spider-Man talk to him..?"
"That's right, it seems like they got some unfinished business. Do we know this man already?"
"I just ran his face through the systems, we don't."
Jason got a bit distracted by his own thoughts for a moment. "Are they on this already?"
"If they mean your family, yes they are."
"Of course they are.." Jason muttered quietly to himself. His eyes were fixated on the Spider-Man in the black and red suit, he wore a zip-up hoodie on top of his suit. Jason gathered the Gotham nights must be pretty chilly in just spandex and Kevlar assuming his suit was like Dicks who even with the new and improved heating system could still whine over how cold it was. Well gathered on how long he hadn't seen his brother that system wasn't new anymore. "Yo Spider are you good?" Jason yelled pretty loud so he was sure the Spider could hear him.
Spider-Man looked down at Jason and held up his thumb. When the spider looked away the man in the tornado looked at what seemed like a watch. He twisted the arms of the watch like the time was pretty far off. When Spider-Man looked at the man again there was a pretty big panic in his body language.
A massive portal opened behind the tornado man, like a black hole it seemed to suck the man into it. The tornado he was still connected to went in as if you vacuumed up smoke. Spider-Man lost his balance on the tightrope / spider web situation. Red Hood quickly went for him to catch him because he could feel he was about to fall.
Spider-Man fell off of the web like Jason already predicted would be the case.
"Oh fuck sorry well I mean thanks." The Spider jumped out of Jason's arms and watched how the man got fully sucked into the portal. The portal closed slowly. Spider-Man groaned. "Fucking shit, how I almost fucking had him!" Spider-Man touched the back of his head with both of his hands out of frustration. Spider-Man looked to be touching a comm. "I saw him Spider-Man and I fucking lost him again. He escaped by one of those portals again."
He was communicating with the other Spider-Man, the one with the mechanic looking suit. Jason made a mental note to ask him what the fuck his suit was made of, it looked heavily armored but still skin tight.
"What the fuck just was that Spider-Man?!" Jason asked him putting his guns back in the holsters.
"That was our unnamed mystery man."
"Well that clears absolutely fucking nothing up." Jason sighed. "Is he a big threat? And how are you two Spider-Men connected with him."
"We actually don't know anything about him yet." Spider-Mans body language went quickly from the confident man he just was to someone very insecure.
-------------------
Jason was sitting on the edge of a building on the boarder between The Bowery and Otisburg. After a long night of beating criminals and experiencing a Red Tornado look-a-like he was completely lost with what to do with himself. He stared at the text from Dick.
Me: K. Where?
Short but powerful Jason shrugged. He put his phone back into his pocket when it immediately pinged again.
Dickwing: If that diner we always went to is still there, let's get lunch there.
Back when Jason was Robin Dick sometimes took him to this diner in a quiet part of Gotham. It was pretty much one of those classic fifties inspired diners, from all that Jason knew it was still around, the business was pretty slow but the food was probably still phenomenal.
Me: Ill c you there at 12.
Dick responded with a thumbs up emoji. And now Jason was already stressing. He didn't really feel like calling it a night yet. Just barely 2 AM. He decided to go to a bar just to kill the time and maybe get some inside information that Red Hood wouldn't hear but maybe Jason Todd would.
It had been a while since Jason Todd been to a bar anyways, Red Hood went often, heck he gets shot there. The first bar he came across after changing into civilian clothes he had actually surprisingly never really been to. It was a pretty tiny bar and not as crowded as the bars he was used to. He entered and and a small bell went off signing the owner that someone came in. There were a few tables just two were taken by a group of two men and the other by a group of three men. Jason recognized all of them, they were part of penguins goons, what they were doing drinking here Jason had no idea. On the bar was just one person sitting crouched down sipping a drink. The man his hair was wavy and brown, he looked very tired and... alone?
Jason waved the barman hello and sat at the bar, he kept one chair free between him and the other man. "Welcome, can I get you anything?" The bar man was still shaking a drink before pouring it in a fancy looking glass.
"Yeah just a beer please." Jason sighed heavily after his request, the barman nodded in response.
"Would you like to pay now or open a tab?"
"Can you open a tab with cash?" Jason asked while pulling out his wallet.
"Well I will if I can trust you." The barman smirked and got Jason his beer.
Jason laughed back and grabbed the bar, he popped the cap off with his teeth. The man next to him was glaring at him through his hair, he was a student, or so it looked. He wore a gray university hoodie from a university Jason didn't recognize. Not a university in Gotham. "Where do you go to?" Jason asked him pointing at his hoodie.
The man looked at him confused until he realized what he was wearing. "Empire state in New York." He answered and threw his drink back in once.
"New York huh?" Jason took a big sip of his beer before placing it back on the bar. "What is a New Yorker like yourself doing in a random bar in Gotham City?"
"Just a really bad day turned into a really bad week, can I get another one Raymond?" The barman nodded at his request and started to prepare a drink for him.
Jason laughed slightly at the mans comment. "That is so real, what do you study?" Jason continued the conversation.
"Bio chemistry, do you go to school?" He turned around and sat side ways on his chair to face Jason.
"Me?' Jason laughed a little. "No, no I don't." Jason had thought about going back to school for a while, get his GED and enroll in college or maybe even university. Since he was younger he always wanted to study English literature or creative writing, he still had some long buried ambitions but he had already put his dreams behind him a while ago. "I'm Jason by the way."
"Peter, nice to meet you." He thanked the barman quietly when he got handed his new drink. Jason took some more huge sips of his beer.
"So peter, what started this bad week? Obviously you don't need to answer I'm just nosey."
"So it started with my girlfriend dumping me or me dumping her I'm still not very sure, I..... went somewhere and my roommate followed me out of pity. My roommate gets into shit with me and next thing I know I'm in Gotham with no way home."
"Shit man, are you okay?" Jason repositioned his sitting position.
"Yeah I mean I hate to admit it, it makes it real, you know..? But I don't think I've truly loved her like I should've, I haven't been a great boyfriend because I..." He frowned and stared at Jason's drink. "I don't think I loved her like that anymore after my aunt passed away two years ago. We've been like on-again off-again since then. And also is it bad I don't really feel all that sad?" Peters face expression changed quickly into a panic. "Shit I'm so sorry Jason, I barely know you and I'm already spilling shit I've never said out-loud before."
"It's alright Peter, I get it. But sometimes admitting it, even to a stranger can be the first step of truly getting over it." Jason almost cringed at his own words, it would be something Dick would tell him when he gave him unasked advice. Jason quickly finished his beer to wash away the cringe.
"Thanks, but were not really strangers anymore Jason I know your name." Peter smiled to lighten the mood. "So what do you do in your daily life?"
Fuck, what did he do in his daily life? He couldn't tell the truth.. 'Yup, well I fight crime and shoot people in my daily life.'
"I don't do much. No work, no school I just chill." Woah, fantastic answer Jason he thought for himself.
Jason started to yawn heavily after five other beers. He had been non stop talking with Peter about anything that came across their minds basically. It was nice to just laugh and chat with someone completely new, someone that didn't know Jason Todd yet, someone with no prejudices, someone that didn't know about Jason's other life just someone entirely new. Someone normal that he had a weird understanding with.
Peter told him he lived upstairs in the bar with his roommate Miles in on of the apartments they hired out here. Jason was pretty sure his roommate was rushing down the stairs with a big panic.
"Peter! oh my fucking god come here." Miles' face went from a full fled panic to being relieved but pretty pissed. Peter shot Jason a look with a smile, Peter was pretty Jason wouldn't say drunk but definitely passed tipsy. Jason gave him a quick 'good luck' tap on his shoulder. Jason excused himself to the barman and went for a smoke, he left his wallet with him as a sign of trust, so he'd actually come back and pay his tab off.
He stood in front of the bar with his one leg up resting on the building. He put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it up, he held his hand up to keep wind from blowing out the flame of his cheap gas station lighter. Jason rubbed his eyes and sighed deeply. He checked his phone to see the time, it was almost four now. He had to make a decision, drink more with Peter and become shitfaced only for him to cancel on Dick when he woke up or go home, get to bed and be fresh at lunch.
It was a tough decision as he really didn't want to say goodbye to his newly made friend so soon already but he made it anyways. He wasn't really picking someone he had known for two hours over his brother he hasn't spoken in a long while. Jason finished his cigarette, instead of throwing the cigarette butt on the ground like most people did he went to find a trash can to throw it into. Damian once explained him how long they stay on the ground, Jason pretended to not care about it but in reality he had been listening and throwing them away ever since.
"Hey Peter..?" Jason called him when he returned inside. Instead he was only met by the barman, the other people that were at the bar when he came in at first left some time ago.
"Sorry man, he got dragged upstairs already." The bar man was cleaning the bar. Jason felt pretty upset how he couldn't say goodbye.
"What do I owe you?" Jason asked when the barman returned him his wallet, he shot up a look at the prices behind him and before the barman could answer him he handed him a $50 bill. "Keep the change."
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Jason shot awake by the sound of his alarm, it was one of those standard phone alarms. One of those when you'd hear them in your daily life your heart stops for a second.
11:00 AM
Right on time for lunch and no need to cancel anything.
Jason quickly hopped in the shower to wash the smell of gunpowder and alcohol off of himself. Normally he did that right as he came home from patrol but last night he didn't even remember coming home that is how tired he was. He choose a simple shirt and a nice pair of jeans as his outfit for the day. He placed them neatly folded on top of his bed so when he got out of the shower he could immediately put them on.
11:30 AM
Jason was pretty much ready but really doubting if he should go, what if Dick is just asking him out of pity? He knows they think he has no social life whatsoever. He, not with ease set himself over that thought and put on his trusty brown leather jacket as the jacket option for the day, or pretty much the option for every day. Without his Red Hood armor it was pretty oversized for him which made it quite cozy.
He got his normal motorcycle helmet and put it on before he left the safehouse. Parked in the garage of the building his safehouse was situated at was his trusty motorcycle, he stole it from Bruce when they were still on bad terms, he's going to return it he said to himself but not in the near future.
The diner was empty, there was just one employee, a middle aged woman in a nicely looking diner uniform. Jason remembered her from all those years ago when he came here with Dick more often. She greeted Jason with a big smile and much enthusiasm as if she hadn't seen another person in days. "Good morning! Sweet boy could I get ya anythin' to drink? I gotta fresh pot a coffee!" Her Gotham accent was very thick, one Jason also used have. When he came to live in the manor that naturally died down to a faint one instead of the thick one he used to.
"No thank you yet ma'am, I'm waiting for my brother." Jason politely waved a no to the employee and sat down in one of the booths looking outside. The sun was shining nicely onto his motorcycle. It was already a miracle the sun even came through with all the thick clouds it was surrounded with.
Dick was just slightly late, like always. He entered the diner with his hair a bit weary he probably took Bruce's cabriolet. He had his own car he was proud of, it was one of those older cars but Jason remembered it had always been there. Dick got it as his first big purchase when he went off on his own. It was in Blüdhaven most likely it probably didn't survive bigger trips anymore, although Blüdhaven and Gotham weren't very far from each other. He wore basic sunglasses and a summery button up matched with neat pants. He took his sunglasses off once he got inside and shook his hair out.
It didn't take him long to spot Jason sitting alone and he quickly went for the opposite couch. "Good afternoon Jason." He said with the biggest smile you could possibly have.
"Dick you look ridiculous smiling that wide." Jason laughed. The employee immediately went our way with a notebook and pen.
"Boys? Anything to drink?" She tapped with her pen on the notebook.
"A dark coffee for me please." Dick requested and stretched his legs all the way under the table.
"A tea for me please, earl gray, English whichever is the easiest I'm not pretty picky." The woman stood still to study the the boys for a moment until Jason saw some familiarity struck her.
"I know you two." She smiled again and pointed and them back and forth with her pen. "You're the Wayne boys, you two came here a lot when we were all a few years younger. I must say you should thank your father for his generous donations, I don't think I would be able to keep in business without his help."
"What do you mean donations?' Jason asked the waitress.
"Dad started donating when you went on your self discovery journey in Switzerland." Dick nudged Jason with his foot under the table. After Jason came back Bruce found out a way to tell the public he wasn't dead anymore in case he or any of his other family members would be seen with Jason. Just to be upfront in some kind of scandal. Bruce came up with the story that Jason did some self discovery in Switzerland when he was gone all that time. People just accepted this reason and not even questioned why he faked his dead instead of just coming out with this immediately, people will just blindly believe anything rich people say Jason thought.
"Oh yeah thats right! Just like we asked him to.." Jason hated to be joining in on the lie constantly, he would be better off not being in the public eye as Jason Todd ever again. No more Wayne boys, no more paparazzi and never in the huge shadow of who Bruce Wayne is ever again. He did like that aspect of being dead and coming back.
Notes:
If you see some spelling or grammar mistakes always feel free to notify me ಥ﹏ಥ I read it back myself... well I skim it back myself so I read over quite a lot.
To make the chronology a bit more clear.
Peter and Miles arrived on Wednesday and visited the Uni on Friday.
I went briefly over the weekends in the last chapter Saturday is Wayne family dinner night and Sunday the tornado man happened and that night Jason met Peter.
Dick and Jason's dinner lunch takes place on Monday.This is honestly kind of to keep track myself but I always find these reminders pretty handy ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Chapter 9: jobless?
Summary:
Elijah looked shocked. "Oh fuck no you're not letting a couple barely adults get into something this fucking dangerous. Peter and Miles why the fuck do you think why no one wants this job?!"
"Well someone got to do it right" Miles shrugged. Elijah shot a look at Peter who in response shrugged in the same way as Miles.
Notes:
okay I have no concistency with posting whatsoever
enjoy (≧◡≦)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Miles had never seen Peter under the influence before, mainly because he's under 21 but also because he explained that due to their metabolism they need way more alcohol for them to actually feel it, compared to a normal person. Miles shut their apartment door shut behind them and Peter let himself drop onto the sofa bed.
"Peter what the fuck?!" Miles yelled in a whisper. "I kept calling you on the comms but I couldn't reach you, I come home and I see you just at the bar with some guy?"
Peter looked a bit glassy-eyed back at Miles and gave him a pathetic smile in return. "I'm sorry M." He slurred his word. Miles threw a pillow at him and instead of dodging or catching he let it hit his face. Peter groaned and put the pillow under his head.
Miles had been genuinely worried about his friend when he stopped responding on his comm. He immediately thought about worst case scenario's, maybe he got into a fight, got kidnapped, got sent back to their universe without Miles.. The encounter with the mystery man and the slight conversation they had straight after was the last Miles had heard of Peter all night.
"With what money did you buy those drinks with Peter." Miles grabbed and glass and filled it with tab water. The tab water in Gotham City made his Spider Sense tingle which was a horrible sign because not even for New York tab water did it do that. It smelled pretty chemical and dirty but they had nothing better to drink so he just had to suck it up.
"Raymond said it was on him, don't worry." Peter pulled the sheets over his body and closed his eyes.
"Talking about money how the fuck will we go on, we don't have enough to stay here another week if we don't find like a job or some shit."
"Find a job." Peter answered half asleep already.
"Peter for all we know we don't exist here, maybe even worse we have counterparts and we do exist here. Besides I don't carry ID and I don't think ID's from another universe are valid here."
Peter didn't respond anymore and instead Miles was met with a light snoring.
Of fucking course...
Miles sighed and downed the glass of water down he pinched the bridge of his nose and turned on the tv. Some kind of stupid version of a late night talk show was on. It seemed like an old repeat episode, the guest was a completely bald white man wearing a neat suit. The man looked an awful lot like business version Mr. clean.
Miles shot a look at the kitchen counter. Peter and him went dumpster diving the day prior to find parts for a new charging station for his suit. Peter pulled out some old electronics he said he could do something with, Miles found a jackpot. He found a duffel bag next to a dumpster full of graffiti cans. Miles had made up his own theories on how he got so lucky.
"No Peter, what if they just went for it like they got stopped by the police. A whole entire cool police chase and they just dropped the bag..."
Peter laughed, he got one of the graffiti cans and shook it. "Maybe they're just all empty.." Peter shook it some more, aimed it at the brick wall and sprayed it. He bounced back a bit when the red paint actually came out. "Well I guess they're not all empty" He said and placed the can carefully back into the duffel bag Miles had put over his shoulder.
Miles sat on the ground having a sheet of paper and a few markers around, he channeled on the tv to find a channel that just played music video's for some cool background noise. He was also curious to find out whether the music was the same, kind of the same or totally different. There was a pop song playing, Miles didn't recognize it so he couldn't compare, and it was more Peters taste. He began to sketch some graffiti letters spelling his own name on the paper. The letters were quite bubbly and cloud like. He was coloring them in with his tongue out of his mouth.
First it gave him some peace of mind, something to get his thoughts off. When something really loud, a car or a motorcycle it must've been pulled him out of his distraction. He missed Gwen, her smile when he made his dumb comments, her laugh when he made such an unfunny joke but she always seemed to love them. The look on her face when she saw his art, Miles never loved his art before Gwen, sure he liked a few pieces here and there but since he met Gwen and saw the way she looked at his art he started to love his pieces. He missed the way she always tapped her fingers and hands on any table like she was drumming, he missed her bands recitals especially the one he now missed since they had a recital every Saturday. What must Gwen think right now, does she know they fell into a portal? Does she just think he's ignoring her, or if he ran away or even worse he got taken or died?
Tears streamed over Miles' cheek when images of his parents shot through his mind. They didn't even know he was Spider-Man.
It hadn't been long since Peter and him arrived in Gotham but every day longer they stayed here he felt it was only going to take longer for them to go home. They had no plan, they had no idea to do research over their still unnamed mystery man. Miles had run into him with the Red Hood present, but more information about him he did not get. He could talk to the man for a tiny amount of time but to no avail.
Miles was balancing on the tightrope crouching down, he put his head sideways to study his face a bit more. He could feel the Red Hood staring at him from down below talking into his comm. "So Mr. mystery man, because of you I'm here tell me how to get back home!" He demanded.
"I told you you were foolish Spider-Man. You shouldn't have messed with forces you do not understand. I can not help you nor do I want to." He sneered.
"You I swear-" Miles pinched his nose bridge. "Please tell me how we can get back home, you don't even need to do it we just need instructions!"
"Yo Spider! Are you good?" Red Hood yelled loudly from the ground. Miles put up his thumb before he was caught off guard and fell off his web.
"Forces you do not understand.." Miles mocked him in a whisper while finishing up his coloring.
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Miles didn't remember falling asleep, but he woke up on the floor with his art supplies still scattered on the coffee table. Peter was still lightly snoring and the tv was also still on in the background. Miles groaned as he stood up and stretched his aching back. He went towards the window closest to the kitchen and looked out of it. The streets were quiet and the sun had already been up for some time. He got some of their food that was quickly running out.
He got the graffiti art he made the night before and hung it on the wall next to the evidence board.
After he got out of the shower Peter was up too, he was scrolling on his phone in the bed. He was scrolling through his camera roll, he either was that bored or that homesick. Miles was still lightly pissed at him for his actions the night prior.
"How are you Pete?" He asked while getting a shirt out of the closet, he forgot to bring one with him to the bathroom to get changed immediately after he got our of the shower.
Peter quickly got up and looked him in his eyes, Peter looked very embarrassed and sorry. "Miles I-" He shifted uncomfortably. "Miles I'm sorry I shouldn't have gone downstairs while you were on patrol that was way to irresponsible. I promise you, I swear I won't do that again because what if something would've happened." Peter apologized.
"Pete, man it's okay, I mean yes it was irresponsible but then again I'm an adult you're not responsible for me I can care for myself. And besides you made a friend right? Or did I see that wrong?" Miles smirked at him.
Peter muttered something incoherently. "...Yeah he was nice."
"Hm, okay..." Miles nodded. "I don't know if you remember but money. You know I've spoken with the mystery man I don't think we're home next week. I mean never say never but I think we need income if we want to have a roof above our heads and not starve."
"You're right Miles." Peter got out of bed and walked towards the closet to pull out some clothes. "We need to find a place that doesn't require you needing to use ID. Maybe we could ask our landlords they could know a place. There must be a place like that in this city that isn't all too criminal.."
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"Peter and Miles" Elijah waved them hello with a wide smile on his face. "Where can I help you two with this beautiful Monday afternoon."
"So Elijah.." Peter walked over to the bar and leaned onto it. "We need a job but-"
"We have no ID's so do you know anywhere we can work without them needing proof of who we are?" Miles finished his sentence.
Elijah broke a laugh and placed the glass he was cleaning back to where it belonged. "Boys, this is Gotham City if you don't need a diploma for it they don't care about ID. Just that you show up and do your work."
Miles had never had a job before and he was pretty sure neither did Peter and he was very sure that even for summer jobs you need to identify yourself but you know... He wasn't surprised by it at all there are worse things in Gotham City, worse things to worry about.
"That's awesome, amazing. Do you have places you recommend- like good payment?" Peter asked him.
Elijah thought for a moment but was interrupted by a man sitting with his friend at one of the tables. The man had long hair and a long beard, he wore a leather jacket and sunglasses inside for some reason. "They're cleaning, well trying to clean out the houses that were hit and still infested with both Joker venom and fear toxin from a few months ago. There are no idiots willing to do it, pays amazingly. I could hook you on that gig boys."
They learned about fear toxin already but there was also a joker venom...? Were villains here obsessed with gasses here or something. Miles shot a look at Peter and gave him a small nod, how bad could it be?
"Hey we'd like to be hooked up with that gig man!" Peter accepted the mans offer.
"That's great." The man stood up and walked over to him and Peter. Miles felt Elijah stare at them and he turned to face him.
Elijah looked shocked. "Oh fuck no you're not letting a couple barely adults get into something this fucking dangerous. Peter and Miles why the fuck do you think why no one wants this job?!"
"Well someone got to do it right" Miles shrugged. Elijah shot a look at Peter who in response shrugged in the same way as Miles.
"Well Eli, barely adults are still adults right? Well guys that's perfect, are you two free this evening?" The man smiled wide.
"Yeah we got nothing to do." Miles answered him also starting to lean onto the bar just like Peter was doing.
"So you guys live here right?" Peter nodded in response. "I'll make sure there's a car ready for you two in a few hours, my buddy will drive you to the place." The man looked with a major succession on his face walking back to his table dabbing his buddy he sat with up.
absolutely perfect, truly.
"Well that was easier than we thought." Miles smiled at Peter.
Before Peter could even say something Elijah looked at them, and if looks could kill they were definitely dead. "You two are so stupid and I'll be happy if you two are even sane tomorrow. You two do know what fear toxin and Joker venom is right?!" Miles wanted to answer honestly but Peter already nodded his head yes over and over again.
"Yes, were aware and we can make our own decisions too, thank you for caring truly but we've decided."
Elijah dropped the things he was holding on the bar and showed his hands and backed up in a relaxed way. "Well don't be mad I've warned you."
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Peter opened the door after they heard someone knocking on it. A man in a workers outfit stood in front of him. "You two are the two doing the job this evening?" He had a very deep voice which reminded Miles a bit of his father. Peter nodded and signed Miles to tag along. Peter got the keys from the coffee table which was now randomly in the middle of the room where a coffee table normally wouldn't be. After Miles got out of their apartment Peter shut the door behind him. They quietly followed the man outside. Ignoring Elijah's death stare when passing him to the door.
Before the bar stood a car that stood out massively. If Miles was correct it was a Rolls Royce, it was a white car and when Miles got a little closer he could even see his own reflection in the car. The sky was beautiful right now, the sun was setting and the sky turned an orangey pink.
The man in the workers clothes held the door open for them, Miles got in first and after Peter quickly joined him. The middle piece between the two seats, what normally was the slim third seat was just a raised separator. Miles uncomfortably hopped over it so Peter could get the other seat. The seating's were so nice, quality leather and it was so comfortable. Miles secretly hoped their drive would be pretty long just so he could sit in comfort for a little longer. Miles was incredibly grateful of the apartment they were able to get, the beds weren't the best. He'd even pick his college dorm room bed over his apartment bed, so this was pretty nice.
When the man was driving Miles could only look out of the window. Normally he'd enjoy a nice view but this part of Gotham was not a nice view. They stayed in the Bowery but to a place Peter and him hadn't even been on to on patrol. His Spidey sense went up a level but it was still quietly buzzing on the background.
The buildings kept getting worse and looked from maybe people live here to no way could people live here. Everything looked abandoned and there was a weird fog in the air. The man parked the car and opened his door, Miles took this as his que to open his door. The fog was safe, his Spidey sense did absolutely nothing when he stepped into it. There weren't really any people walking around in this street, the Bowery had its quiet days but Miles hadn't seen a completely empty street yet.
Peter and Miles followed the man to a big house. The house was in the same gothic style as the rest of the City they've seen. The door was a big brown wooden door which reminded Miles a bit of the door at his local church back in Brooklyn, their Brooklyn.
The man turned around and stopped, he faced Peter and Miles and opened the bag he was carrying. "You'll be going at this with just the two of you, make sure you put everything in moving boxes which are inside already." He pulled out sheets of paper with printed on pictures on them. "On these pictures are items I want you to put aside when you find and return them back to me after your shift. You will have to have on these-" He pulled out two modern looking gasmasks. They reminded Miles of just plain facemasks but way cooler and way sturdier, and well a gasmask. "At any and all times. The air is too dangerous to inhale at any cost." He handed them the gasmasks. He also pulled out two flashlights and handed those too. "It can happen that the electricity suddenly goes out or just doesn't work in a room, just a precaution. Any questions?"
Peter looked over at Miles who shook his head. "It's pretty clear sir!" He smiled.
Notes:
Here you have their ages (ᵔᴥᵔ)
Bruce -43
Alfie - who knows
Dick - 28
Jay - 21
Tim - 19
Steph - 19
Cass - 22
Damian - 15
Barbara - 28
Duke - 18Peter - 19
Miles - 18
Ned - 19
Chapter 10: I get the job done
Summary:
Peter felt his cheek.
Shit was he actually crying over this right now?
Spidey Sense
He heard a pair of combats boot landing on the roof behind him, trying to be sneaky. Failed to obviously. Peter immediately turned his head around, it was the Red Hood one of the vigilantes he met in suit.
Notes:
Hey you all sorry for no update this weekend I was quite busy, future teacher here (╥_╥)
TW: smoking, slight mention of suicide
Chapter Text
Miles and Peter put on the gasmasks and waved the man who brought them to the place goodbye as he got back into his car. Peter pushed the door open, it creaked loudly. The house looked better than he had expected it to look. It just looked like time stood still, like the people that used to live here just got up one day left and never came back. If you looked passed the thick layer of dust.
Peter studied the pictures with the stuff they were supposed to look out for, a blue sturdy looking toiletries bag, a pearly necklace with a big red stone in the middle, a brown teddy bear and a letter addressed to 'P'.
Even through the gasmasks the smell in the house reeked badly, Peter thought that was why they wore the gasmasks, the smell was probably so bad that the people that lived here moved out. It was a weird smell, kind of chemical but it also had something else with it. He couldn't really place what it was but it also wasn't really something he recognized. Miles had gone a little further already and was putting boxes together.
"I'll start in the kitchen you start over there in the living room?" He planned. Peter nodded in response. The lay-out was pretty standard, it was a pretty old house so it didn't have the modern open floor lay-out. The Livingroom was to their right, connected was the dining room and connected to that room was the kitchen. There were stairs leading up in the hallway same goes for a nasty looking toilet.
"If there is anything M, just make a scream and I'm there." Peter smiled, the gasmasks were clear and only covered half of their faces so Miles could see his smile.
"Same goes to you Pete!"
Peter flicked on the light switch in the kitchen, the electricity still worked and the light went on. These houses were abandoned for a long time because the fruit in the fruit bowl on the kitchen island was completely rotten and he instantly regretted his choice of doing the kitchen. The kitchen was a rich brown color with golden handles connected to the cupboards. There was a big refrigerator he was scared to open, if the fruit was already rotten to almost nothing he didn't want to know about the food left over in the fridge.
Peter walked a little further into the kitchen and was caught by an old spiderweb he for some reason didn't see, while trying to get it off of his face he saw a modern radio. It was very aesthetic mint green color, Peter tried turning it on and there was a faint static sound. He turned the volume rotary knob up and was twisting the channel knob to find an active radio channel.
He made a little jump when he was finally met with some pop music instead of static, he turned the radio up all the way knowing Miles could also enjoy some music due to their enhanced hearing. He got a few of the boxes and loaded all the stuff he saw into them, pans, pots, cutlery anything. All the left over food he stuffed into black trash backs.
Most of the pop music that blasted he didn't know, it was pretty cool he could listen to this music all day. Until he heard a song that was familiar and he instantly got happy, was that Troye Sivan?
It made him gain a lot of more energy to do his work faster. Peter didn't understand why Elijah had made such a big deal about it, yes it was a little nasty but no where near dangerous. If you ignored the fact that gasmasks were necessary it wasn't really dangerous at all.
"Pete!" Miles yelled from the Livingroom. Peter got up in an immediate panic and rushed over to Miles.
When he arrived in the Livingroom he saw Miles, absolutely fine holding up a pearly necklace with a red stone. One of the items..
"Miles you scared the living shit out of me I thought something happened." Peter said holding his heart.
"Oh shit, sorry didn't think about that Pete."
The living room was messier than the kitchen, Peter was almost done but Miles just looked halfway done. They'd been going at this for a couple hours now and Peter also wondered when they'll be done because it had been dark outside for a while. Did they just come and pick them up after so many hours..? Did they need to finish the job and then they'll be done...?
"Thanks for the music." Miles continued with a smile.
Peter picked up a few items that were spread on the ground to drop them in the box Miles was working on packing. "Yeah there was a radio in the kitchen, long live enhanced hearing hm?"
"Yeah." Miles laughed. In the middle of his laugh Peter heard a heavy male voice yell out their names from outside. He quickly went to the front door, he opened it to see the man that got them the job. When Peter opened the door and revealed himself to him the mans face let go of any tense and looked relived.
"Peter my buddy!" He said happily with his arms midway up as a greet. "You're alive!" He laughed.
"Yeah..." Peter said uncomfortably. He felt Miles' presence behind him.
"Well boys how was it?"
"Pretty easy uh.. sir. We found one of the items on the pictures. We're halfway through the Livingroom." Miles looked at Peter to finish telling the man the progress.
"Few items left in the kitchen."
The man nodded impressively. "Well so if ya'll are okay with finishing for tonight I could pay ya now and you continue tomorrow."
"so we get paid by the day?" Peter asked.
"Pretty much." The man got out an envelope full of cash and started to count. Peter and Miles got out of the house and took off their gasmasks, finally a little fresh air.
The man handed both of them $150. Peter looked at him with his mouth falling open, he knew he said it was good money already but a hundred fifty for a few hours was insane to Peter. He looked at Miles who stared at the cash the exact same way.
"So boys, tomorrow same time?"
Peter thought for a minute, they started quite late. He didn't know what time it was but past Spider-Man time unfortunately, maybe they could start early get more hours in and Peter could still work on a charger for his suit while Miles was out. "How about in the morning?" He asked.
The man got out a cigarette, put the filter between his lips and lit the tip. "Fine by me. Ya need a lift back or?"
"We can walk thanks." Miles answered immediately, Peter could honestly use the lift right now but sure walking's fine too...
-------------------
With the minimal supplies Peter had gathered from the dumpsters and tools he borrowed from Raymond the day before he started to build his charger for his suit. It was actually pretty easy once he asked Karen to help him, she analyzed the materials he was working with and told him how to make a charger box. Miles was already sound asleep in the big bed and Peter had the TV on, on a low volume to listen to the news. As a hero you do need to keep up with the day to day local news. At their university housing room they had one of those police radio's so they got all the important news immediately in real time.
There was no interesting news being said, nothing of particular value, there was an item about a country he was pretty sure of that didn't exist in his own universe. Something a few members of their Avengers, The Justice League did together. Nothing of huge importance.
It still took Peter a few hours to assemble the charger box, once he was done, plugged it in and put the suit inside of it, it was 4 AM. It was really necessary he took some sleep but he couldn't get himself to. Whenever this happened he found the roof, just to get some fresh air and feel the wind blow through his hair, it calmed him a lot always. He was lucky they got an apartment at the highest floor so the roof was right above him and no one had to see a strange man climb outside over their walls to the roof.
Peter went outside and sat on the edge with his feet dangling underneath him.
When he just became Spider-Man and thought the entire world was against him, as you do at fourteen, especially as a fourteen year old trans boy, his aunt May often found him on the roof of their apartment. The first few times she got scared to death, she thought he might do something, and if you looked at the sight of him he did understand that reaction.
He wished with every bone in his body a panicked May Parker would burst through the door that gave access to the rooftop screaming at him how much he scared her with his 'dumb' actions.
But not in a million year would he ever hear her yell at him every again. She was dead all all by his fault, so was uncle Ben if Peter and Ben never fought and if Peter had just caught the guy when he could he'd still be alive. And so was Tony Stark, after he passed Peter and Pepper had a very long conversation. She told him about the ins and outs of what led up to him returning from the blip, Pepper highly believed it was because of Peter that Tony invented time travel. It brought Peter back to a moment he and Tony spend on a rooftop as well.
Peter sat on the raised edge of a tall New York building when Iron-Man flew by levitating behind him "Previously on Peter screws the pooch I tell you stay away from this. Instead you hacked a multimillion dollar suit so you could sneak around behind my back doing the one thing I told you not to do."
"Is everyone okay?" Peter asked without looking at Iron-Man.
"No thanks to you.." Iron-Man answered his question.
Peter turned his head around and gave him an offended look. "No thanks to me?" He swung his legs over the edge and hopped back on the roof top. "Those weapons were out there and I tried to tell you about it but you didn't listen! None of this would've happened if you had just listened to me! If you'd even cared, you'd actually be here.." Tony landed on the roof.
The Iron-Man suit opened up to reveal Tony was indeed in his suit. Peter bounced back a few steps while Tony walked towards him. "I did listen kid. Who do you think called the FBI huh? Do you know that I was the only one who believed in you? Everyone else said I was crazy to recruit a fourteen year old kid-"
"-I'm 15.." Peter cut him off.
"No, this is where you zip it, all right? The adult is talking." Tony raised his voice. "What if somebody had died tonight? Different story, right? Because that's on you. And if you died... I feel like that's on me.."
And Peter did die in some way, he vanished, he got turned into dust right before Tony's eyes. Pepper had told him Tony did blame himself for Peter's 'death' and that the little hope of getting Peter back was what made Tony help the rest of the Avengers in defeating Thanos.
And that is how Tony died, defeating Thanos.
Peter felt his cheek.
Shit was he actually crying over this right now?
Spidey Sense
He heard a pair of combats boot landing on the roof behind him, trying to be sneaky. Failed to obviously. Peter immediately turned his head around, it was the Red Hood one of the vigilantes he met in suit.
"Dude are you okay?" The tone in Red Hoods voice Peter recognized right that instant, it was the same tone Peter would use when he was talking to suicidal people that were about to jump. Did, did Red Hood think he was about to jump?
"Dude?" Red Hood took a few steps forwards, there was still a distance between them but Peter did snap out of his thoughts.
"Oh right, I'm okay."
"You've been crying." Red Hood pointed out.
Well no shit sherlock.
"Oh yeah, it's well, grief is a weird thing you know." Peter told him.
"Yeah it's pretty strange, do you, I mean would you like to talk about it. I'm all ears I don't really have anything else to do.."
"I mean sure." Peter started. He had never really talked to anyone else about this, not even Ned knew this. "My parents died when I was pretty small, I don't really remember them but dealing with grief at such a young age really fucks with you, you know. Then my uncle died by my fault, I lived with my aunt and uncle after my parents passed. If I hadn't fought with him that evening he wouldn't have gotten shot." Peter was full on crying now, he seriously didn't know he could still feel like this it had been years. "Then my mentor died, my aunt also died and as cherry on top my girlfriend and I also broke up which where I'm surprisingly really okay with." Peter felt as if he just told the extra short version in one breath.
"Hey it's okay you can cry." Red Hood comforted him, before Peter face a lollypop with a red wrapping appeared. Peter looked at him in a mix of bewilderedness and amazement on his face. "Perks of being trained by Batman, the big bat man always keeps at least a few on hand, well in his utility belt. They cheer you up, take it."
Peter reluctantly took the lollypop from Red Hoods hand and when he accepted it he felt Red Hood sit next to him as he unwrapped the lollypop. "I feel you, grief will just hit you at the most random of times." He sighed as he also unwrapped a lollypop, a green one.
Red Hood was right lollypops did cheer him up. "Seriously the human brain can be such a bitch sometimes." Peter smiled after he wiped his tears away.
"Sometimes?" Red Hood burst in a laugh. That made Peter laugh, he was right it was definitely not sometimes.
"It's so weird, sometimes I also feel like I grieve my past self or the person I could've become if my life just went a little different." Peter didn't know why he suddenly opened up to this fully masked, crime boss? Vigilante? He felt so familiar like a friend you've had for years, like a warm blanket on a cold winter night or the sense of nostalgia when walking passed a place with good memories.
It was silent, a very painful silence.
"Woah." Red Hood answered after a few minutes of that painful silence.
Yup Peter you did it again, mess it all up by making it mega awkward...
"Thinking about someone you could've been is seriously one of the most hurtful things you can think about dude, I don't think it's smart to think about that kind of stuff."
If anyone else would've come back with that as a comeback Peter would've cringed but instead Peter felt weirdly comforted. "Thanks Red Hood.." Peter looked at him with the most honest expression he had.
Red Hood looked like he wanted to say something but he struggled to find the proper words after a while he slowly began. "If you, you know if your uncle and aunt passed where do you live now?"
"Here, this apartment under us with my friend Miles who has been sound asleep for hours."
Red Hood nodded in response taking his lollypop out of his mouth.
They sat there on the edge of the roof for almost an hour. Red Hood was such a nice person to spend time with if you ignore the fact that he is in fact a murderer. Peter could almost not keep his eyes open and his head kept falling. "Maybe it's time to say goodnight for tonight, you're barely awake and you probably have shit to do tomorrow."
Peter nodded. "Work, I start early tomorrow."
Red Hood tilted his head sideways and looked at Peter. "Where do you work?"
Peter shrugged. "I don't know, me and Miles clean up infected houses somewhere in the area."
Red Hoods glowing eyes widened a bit. "So you two are the idiots I've heard they hired. It's really dangerous are you sure you're fine, not experiencing nightmares or strange laughing?"
"pretty sure I'm very fine." Peter smiled back. "It pays well and we have to live somewhere..."
Chapter 11: they shouldn't be here
Summary:
“All done Master Jason…” Alfred looked satisfied at his work.
“Alfred-“
Bruce
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The Batcave.
Jason disliked coming here a lot, in some way it was worse than the manor. Dick stood around the bat computer and Tim sat on the chair. He walked over to them with his leather jacket in hand, it used to be chilly in here but for reason it was quite warm now. Jason was here to get some physical files for a case he needed. Jason knew his family was working on the two Spider-Man and he got the idea that Tim was in the lead.
Picture's of the two Spider-Men were large on the big screen and some notes next to them, Jason was honestly not bothered enough to read. "Jay hey?" Dick greeted him. "What are you doing here?"
"He came for that." Tim pointed at the file laying on the desk, it was pretty thick but luckily Jason brought a backpack.
Jason reached over for them and grabbed them. "What's that?" Dick pointed at his DIY stitches on his arm.
"Got shot at a bar, no big deal." He shrugged. Dick grabbed his arm and started to inspect his work, he shook his head no on repeat.
"I'm calling Alfred, who did these? They aren't done properly." Dick scolded him.
"It's no big-" Jason stopped himself when he saw Tim changing his tab. Vague picture's of two different man came up on the screen. Made with street camera's. Jason recognized one immediately, the man he met at the bar the other day. "What's that Tim?"
"These.." He turned his chair around to face Jason and Dick. "Are our Spider-Men."
What the fuck?
The nerdy boy from the bar was Spider-Man?
"I know him.." Jason pointed at the brown haired man.
"Huh..." Tim said out of surprise. "I know them both, well I know the other boy. They said they transferred to Gotham U but there are no records of them. however-"
Dick cut him off. "How do you know him Jason?"
It came out on pretty offensive tone, Jason should call him out for that but he decided not to. "From the bar." He answered shortly.
Dick squinted his eyes. "The one you got shot at?" He folded his arms over each other.
"I got shot as Red Hood not as Jason, I met him in another bar."
"Master Jason?"
Alfred.
Jason missed Alfred everyday when he came back. In his good dreams he would wake up by the smell of freshly made pancakes and hear Alfred call for him to come out of bed for breakfast. He didn't see Alfred enough, which wasn't that weird he was Bruce's and everyone who lived at the manors butler. Whenever he can see Alfred there's a chance he'll run into Bruce, which he'd rather not.
"Master Jason, welcome home." Alfred came down the stairs that led down from the grandfather clock. "And did I hear that correctly? You got shot, are you alright?"
“Yeah I’m alright Alfred-“
“His stitches are horrible.” Dick cut him off. Thank you so much Dick Grayson…
Alfred went over to Jason and he saw his stitches immediately, he grabbed his arm and inspected them. “Follow me Master Jason let’s get this fixed up..” He went over to the med room and Jason had no choice but to follow.
“Red Hood shenanigans?” Alfred asked while he got out a stitching supplies.
Jason nodded softly. Alfred started to removed his done stitches, it stung just a little bit but Jason was used to much more.
“I assume you did these yourself, am I right Master Jason?”
Jason softly nodded again. He felt Alfred’s disapproving gaze. “You know you can always come here, injured or not.”
“I’m aware Alfred, thank you.”
Alfred hummed. “Just making sure.” He observed the wound some more. “The bullet is out, I assume. You did well master Jason the wound looks okay.”
Jason gave him a nod.
“Pennyworth? Have you seen my-“ Damian walked into the med room but stopped his question when he saw Jason sitting on top of the table. “Todd, surprised to see you here.”
“Hello to you too Damian, how's it going?” Jason asked while making a face, Alfred just started to re-stitch him up.
“Well I suppose better than you observing your situation.”
Jason smiled at him. “I saw you the other day, as Robin I mean. You did great I mean it. You’ll have to learn me those sword techniques one day or another.”
“I assume we can arrange something.” He looked happy with Jason’s request, which made Jason happy he asked.
“All done Master Jason…” Alfred looked satisfied at his work.
“Alfred-“
Bruce
Bruce walked into the med room not noticing Jason was there just yet. He wore an outfit he often wore, neat pants paired with a dark gray turtle neck sweater.
He looked more tired than usual, which wasn’t that weird Jason gathered. With scarecrow still terrorizing Gotham and with Bruce who hasn’t caught him yet. And with those Spider-Men too… They’re mainly working in the Bowery and Otisburg, the Bowery was Jason’s territory so they should be Jason’s problem. Bruce took them on himself, Jason thought it must be that they were new vigilantes and we didn’t see those everyday.
Bruce looked surprised when he looked up to not only see Alfred but also Jason sitting there.
“Jason..” He said full unbelief. It didn’t happen often that Jason was in the manor, imagine him being in the Bat-Cave. He cleared his throat. "Jason hello."
Jason gave him one of those costumer service quick fake smiles as a greet. Bruce walked over to Alfred and whispered something in his ear.
"Master Bruce you could very well ask Master Jason this himself." Alfred spoke neatly.
"Are you okay Jaybird?" Jason noticed he put on his fake confidence he often used at gala's as Brucie Wayne.
"I'm fine."
awkward.
"Alfred what do we have for dinner?" Bruce asked him.
Great one Bruce try to have a normal family conversation.
"Master Jason will you be joining us?"
Jason shifted uncomfortably. He didn't think he ever joined in for a family dinner with everyone present and it wasn't even, at what day did they have those dinners? But Dickwing was here, Damian, Tim well Duke lived here and Cass did too. They just needed Stephanie and Barb for it to be complete.
Jason wanted to flee and get out of here, Alfred just asked out of kindness. They weren't waiting on him joining and ruining their dinner. Besides he had a portion of left over spaghetti in the refrigerator that would go bad tomorrow. He also planned to call with Roy and clean the guns he wanted to use for patrol this evening.
"No I won't." Jason answered shortly. "Thanks for sowing me back up Alfred and thanks for the offer but I've got a case to work on."
--------------------
"He'll come around dad." Dick stood next to Bruce, his hand resting on his shoulder to show a sign of support. They were watching how Jason sped off on his motorcycle out of the Batcave.
Bruce sighed and held his shoulders low. "I don't know chum.."
"He loves you a lot, he loves all of us a lot but he isn't ready for all this, this happy family thing.. I'll remind him again that he's not a bother at all."
"What the fuck?" Tim said a little too loud while staring at the bat computer screen.
"Language Master Tim!"
Dick let go off Bruce. "I'll take a look at what made him curse with Alfred present." Dick chuckled and speed walked up to Tim.
"What's going on?"
"Look this makes hardly any sense." Tim pointed at the monitor. On there were the two Spider-Men, Parker, Peter Benjamin previously: Parker, Petra Mary and under the other boy Morales, Miles Gonzalo.
There was some personal information under the pictures, which looked like high school school pictures. Next to those files was a live feed, a live feed in New York of the boy named Miles working in a fast food store behind the counter. Tim switched the tabs and it showed the boy called Peter working at the Daily Bugle in New York, he looked to be editing something on a computer.
"Okay this isn't that odd them in New York also considering the Spider-Men weren't active last night. So I did some research and even on the Friday Duke and I met them, they were in New York. Hence my cursing." Tim explained.
"Are you sure it's them?"
"Like 95% sure."
"So what is the deal..? Clones? twins?" Dick asked.
"cloning is possible but still highly unlikely, I thought about identity stealing aliens already."
Dick hummed interested. "And the 5%?"
"The what?" Tim asked him before he realized what Dick meant. "oh.. The 5% not sure is the aliens maybe... no nevermind."
"Spill Tim." Dick nudged his little brother in his side.
"Multiverse theory." He said unsure of himself.
Multiverse theory....
The theory that multiple universes exist, if Dick was honest it scared him quite a lot but at the same time it soothed him. If the theory was true it could be that there was a world in which his parents never died, Bruce never adopted him. Maybe even one in which Batman the Justice League anything didn't even exist.
Maybe even a universe Jason never died in.
"I've decided to not yet tell B." Tim continued and snapped Dick out of his thoughts.
Dick shook his thoughts away. "Oh yeah sure. I can keep secrets, he won't know a thing. So any more information on the two Spiders?"
Tim clicked the live camera footage away again and opened the normal file completely. "Peter Parker, our fancy tech Spider is from Queen New York. His aunt May and uncle Ben Parker have custody over him, his parents died when he was younger, plane crash when they were on their way for a business meeting. He is trans, so born as a girl. His known relationships are his aunt and uncle, his bestfriend Harry Osborn and he goes to Empire state University in New York, studies physics. He lives on campus roommate being our other Spider-Man. He works at the newspaper called the daily bugle." He took a deep breath before he continued. "Miles Morales, the Spider-Man in the black and red suit is from Brooklyn New York. His parents Rio Morales and Jefferson Davis are still alive. Known relationships are his parents and his bestfriends Ganke Lee and Hobie Brown. His girlfriend Gwen Stacy, daughter of the NYPD captain. His father is also a police officer. He studies physics as well and well is roomies with our Peter." Tim leaned back in the chair which rolled a few meters back. "No sign of them being in Gotham and they definitely lied about transferring to Gotham U..."
Notes:
hi hi, after Jason left the Batcave he goes home does what he said he still had to do and go on patrol, after a few hours he spotted Peter on the roof (previous chapter interaction °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° )
Chapter 12: hanging out?
Summary:
“okidoki.” Peter immediately made himself physically cringe.
Jason laughed. “Did you just say ‘okidoki’ to me?”
Peter held his head low and nodded in shame.
“You’re a cool dude Peter.” Jason took a big gulp from his beer.
Notes:
A longer chapter than normal :)
Enjoy some Peter and Jason friendship.
Chapter Text
Peter was finally out and swinging again, the sun was setting and today was a productive day. Peter and Miles had earned another $150 each.
They found all the items they had to put aside except for the letter, they had just one bedroom to go before they were finished. The man, whose name they should really ask told them there are more houses like this all over Gotham. So maybe they had a longer time job and for this high pay they were all there for it.
It was a particularly quiet night though he wouldn't admit that cause once you do it always seems like hell went loose. Instead he went home early also because he didn't get any sleep the night prior, Miles decided he wanted to get more hours of patrol by himself. Peter promised to not go around and do stupid shit again, keeping the comm on.
Their apartment was quite the mess but he didn't feel like cleaning it up. What he could do was return the tools downstairs. Peter quickly changed into something comfortable and put his Iron-Spider suit in the charger pod.
He flew off the stairs downstairs with the box full of tools. Elijah and Raymond were both behind the counter, greeting him with a friendly smile. Peter put down the toolbox on the bar with a big thud, pretending the box was heavy for him. "Thanks for allowing me to again use your tools, much appreciated." Peter thanked them.
"It's no big deal Pete, how's the job going?" Elijah asked.
Raymond turned his head confused. "Job? What job?"
"They're cleaning out the apartments that were in the Scarecrow, Joker attack a few months ago."
Raymond's face twisted. "That's unbelievably dangerous and stupid why the fuck Peter?"
Peter shrugged. "The pay is good and it's not that dangerous everyone is making it out to be."
Someone sitting at the bar cleared his throat. "the houses over at 4th street?"
Peter turned his sight over to the man that invaded their conversation. He recognized his almost pitch black hair with a silver white streak on the front, the brown leather jacket he wore, his piercing blue eyes and the big scar on his cheek, This was Jason. "Jason hey!" Peter greeted him with a bit more enthusiasm he was intending to use.
"Hey Peter." Jason smiled at him in return.
"Yes the houses on 4th." Elijah answered Jason's question.
Jason raised his eyebrow “Are you okay Peter because that air is even toxic with a gas mask, not even Red Hood comes there.”
“Huh? We haven’t noticed anything.” Peter said in return.
"Maybe the air is cleaner now I don't know." Jason shrugged "One more beer please Elijah." He looked over to Peter asking if he too wanted a beer without using any words.
Peter waved 'no' with his flat hand and smiles. He promised Miles to take it slow.
“How’s life?” Jason asked him while popping open his beer bottle.
Peter sat next to him on the bar stool. So much for his plan to get some early sleep.
“pretty okay, how is your life going?” Peter looked at Elijah who put down a glass of water for Peter on the bar with a smile.
“eh it can always go better but I can’t complain.” He shrugged.
“You’re allowed to complain I don’t mind.” Peter said after he took a sip of his water.
“Thanks Pete.” He chuckled. “But if you also don’t mind I’ll leave the venting for a next time.”
“okidoki.” Peter immediately made himself physically cringe.
Jason laughed. “Did you just say ‘okidoki’ to me?”
Peter held his head low and nodded in shame.
“You’re a cool dude Peter.” Jason took a big gulp from his beer.
cool? Me cool?
Peter smiled wide at the compliment he just got, but he tried to be a bit more nonchalant about it.
“Thanks man. You’re pretty awesome yourself.”
Awesome? Awesome Peter?? Everything you could say and you say awesome??
”Do you like books?” Jason asked him.
“Yeah of course, who doesn’t?”
Peter loved to read if he ever figured out some time to actually read, his life was a bit busy lately.
It all started when Uncle Ben got him a few StarWars books for his birthday years ago when he was still a kid.
“How free are you tomorrow?”
Did Jason want to hang out with me??
”uh… I mean work in the morning, I expect to be off pretty early so I’m free in the afternoon to late afternoon?”
“Right. There’s a book fair in a museum in Bristol. I don’t have anyone to go with and to go alone is a bit eh..”
“I get it, I would also rather have someone join me instead of going alone. A book fair is cool.”
"Really?” Jason sounded pretty surprised at Peter’s answer. “That fucking rocks dude, you can also ask your friend to come with I mean, I get it if you don’t want to hang out with a random man from the bar.”
“Oh it’s fine, I’ll survive.” Peter smiled. “So should I just come to you when I’m done with working?”
“Oh that’s fine, I could also come here?” Jason offered.
”No it’s okay. Unless you insist” Peter joked. “Give me your address dude so I can come to you.”
“I know one better, give me your phone.”
Peter reluctantly gave him his phone. He didn’t know at all if phones were the same in this universe and if stark industries was even a thing. Peter made a mental note of figuring that out, maybe Tony was alive in this universe. Maybe he just never became Iron-Man?
“Here you go.” Peter handed Jason his phone.
“Woah.” Jason inspected his phone, he even took a closer look at it. “This phone is crazy I’ve never seen this one before. Where did you get it from?”
“Oh uh.. from Europe.” Peter improvised.
Like a normal phone you could also call a number without unlocking the phone. Jason did that and typed in a number, he clicked on it and it showed an ‘add to contacts’ button.
He tapped on it and added his name to Peter’s contact list.
“I never really give out my number so be careful with it.” Jason said smirking.
“I’ll make sure to give it to everyone that comes my way.”
Jason threw his beer down again. “Elijah I’d like to close my tab.” Elijah nodded and he looked at the screen to see how much he owed them.
“24.90 dollars please Mr. Todd.”
“Oh please it’s Jason.” Jason smiled at him while getting his wallet out of his jacket. It was one of the simple leather male wallets but there was a sticker on it of a dog. If Peter was correct it was a cartoon version of a Great Dane.
Jason pulled out a fifty dollar bill out and laid it in front of Elijah.
“Keep the change, I insist.”
Jason hopped off the bar stool. “So I’ll see you tomorrow Peter. Text me later so I have your number.”
Peter waved him goodbye as he walked out of the bar.
Elijah and Raymond looked at him pretty excited.
“I see you became friends with a Wayne hm?” Raymond teased.
“A Wayne?” Peter asked.
”Tell me you know that was Jason Todd, the second eldest son of Bruce Wayne?” Raymond asked him in unbelief.
Peter furrowed his eyebrows. “He is the son of a billionaire?”
Elijah nodded and laughed. “Go text the guy.”
Peter got out his phone and opened his messages app to open a new text.
Peter: Hey it’s Peter
From the bar
”Done.” He drunk up his glass of water to be polite and waved goodnight to Elijah and Raymond.
Peter was so excited that Jason asked him to do something.
He made an actual friend and he was so cool.
Peter fell down on the sofa bed before he heard Miles in his ear.
"Spider-Man! Spider-Man please respond!"
Peter immediately got op from the bed. "I'm here Miles what's goin on?!"
"I know you want to sleep, but I need some back up.." Miles was out of breath.
Peter got his suit out of the charger pod and quickly got it on. "I'm on my way Miles!" Peter opened the window, looked around to see if anyone was possibly looking at him, which wasn't the case. He shot a web over to the building opposite of him.
"Karen, lead me to Miles."
"Very well Peter, I'll show you the directions."
Peter followed the directions Karen had given him and he quickly saw why Miles asked for back up. Miles was surrounded by at least a few dozen goons, he looked like he was already going at this for a while. Peter wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Peter got his golden spider legs out from behind so he could have a few more hands on hand.
It were different goons than he had seen before. They looked pretty goofy, they all wore a black or gray beanie with an ugly color green shirt. Peter gathered that goons of different bad guys all dressed differently, he wondered how goofy their big boss looked if they already looked like this.
Peter got three in one, he webbed them all up and stuck them on the wall, they had no way to move whatsoever. Peter tried to get as close as Miles as he could, Miles was exhausted though he wouldn't admit that. Peter just wanted to have his back a little better just in case.
Suddenly he saw a girl fighting the goons as well. She wore a purple hood which covered the top of her blonde hair which she wore loose. Her mask was a black face mask, she had a purple cape and a black suit with the same color purple details. On her chest was a pretty clear purple bat symbol. One of the bats... Peter questioned which one she was, but he was glad she was here to help any way.
She was pretty good her style reminded him of the Red Robin, which wasn't that weird considering they were a team all together, at least he assumed that was the case.
It took them under ten minutes to get through everyone of the goons. Miles sought refuge on the roof a nearby building, Peter quickly followed him and landed next to him. Peter's Spidey Sense warned him for the girl that landed behind him, she used a grapple hook to get to the roof of the building.
"You guys were... Awesome!" The girl told Peter and Miles excitingly.
"Thank." Miles rested his hands on his knees and was completely out of breath. "You." He looked up with her.
"Thanks you too, I'm glad you were there." Peter thanked her. "I'm Spider-Man and that's well Spider-Man." Peter pointed at Miles.
"Spoiler very nice to meet you!" She stuck out her hand and Peter shook it. She was smiling very brightly, Peter couldn't see her mouth but he could just see it because of her eyes.
"A little question, was the Riddler here too somewhere or just those assholes?" Spoiler asked them.
Miles stood up straight again and put his hands on his hips. "I assume that's their big bad boss, nope he wasn't there."
Spoilers body language relaxed. "Phew." She wiped off the non existent sweat of her forehead. "I was just a little scared the Riddler broke out of Arkham, we can't really deal with him now."
If Peter was right that with Arkham she meant Arkham Asylum, an insane asylum they locked the big bad guys in but they often broke out of there.
Peter's phone pinged twice and he immediately looked.
Jason: Hey Peter from the bar, it's Jason
From the bar
Peter smiled at the message, Miles noticed him smiling through the mask. Peter and Miles never knew how they did it but they always knew exactly how they were looking under the mask.
“what are you smiling for.” miles laughed. “who’s in your phone?”
“My new friend.” Peter said proudly. “He invited us to a museum book fair tomorrow. If you want to come.”
“hm a book fair you say?” Miles thought for a little while. “I don’t know yet I’ll see then. But does this friend have a name or not?”
“Oh yeah his name is Jason. Same guy I was with the other day. He’s so cool Spider-M”
“Jason…” Spoiler whispered under her breath. If Peter did not have enhanced hearing he wouldn’t have heard her mumble.
Peter brushed it off.
“So Spoiler how has your night been?” Miles asked her.
“It was so boring I swear, B didn’t let us go home he said it was ‘too early’ to go back.” She said ‘too early’ while doing little dog ears with her fingers. “And then I accidentally find you two, I was out with Batgirl and Batman. I honestly don’t know where those two are, besides I’ve turned my comm off because they were just non stop, non stop talking I’m telling you-“ She touched her comm in her ear and Peter heard it turn on.
“Batman come in?” Spoiler carefully said.
”spoiler, where are you. We’ve been worried. Why was your comm not on, you know the rules.” A dark and heavy male voice said on the other side.
”Sorry B I didn’t mean to turn it off for that long..” She took a few steps back, Peter assumed because she thought they wouldn’t be able to hear her anymore. “I helped the Spider-Men-“
“Both of them?” A familiar feminine voice cut her off.
“Yes Oracle, both of them. They were surrounded by Riddler's men, Riddler himself is not present. I assume he did not break out but we should keep a close eye-“
“Good job Spoiler, I expect you back at the cave in a few minutes.” The same male voice ordered her.
Spoiler returned back to Peter and Miles, her body language told them she was disappointed, probably because the man, Peter assumed to be Batman ordered her to go back to the… cave?
”Sorry Spider-Men, I’ve got to return to home basis again.” She got her grapple hook out. “However I’ll definitely be seeing you two around.”
—————————
Peter and Miles were woken up by Raymond knocking on their door. Peter who slept on the sofa bed was the first at the door, still half asleep he opened it.
“You know you two still have work in the morning right? That guy is already here, go get ready. He said he gave you two ten minutes, he is not happy.” Raymond warned them.
”Thanks Raymond. We’re getting ready right now.” Peter told him as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.
Miles quickly got up and changed into his normal clothes when Peter shut the door. Miles grabbed four granola bars and threw one at Peter, two of them went into his pocket and the other one he kept for himself.
“Don’t be late again.” The man who chauffeured them said intimidatingly.
“Right we’re sorry sir.” Peter apologized for the both of them as they got into the back of the car.
They drove to the house for the last time to finish the job. Peter already made a plan to secretly steal the radio, they wouldn’t notice right?
Peter put on the gas mask and followed Miles inside. They had one roof left, the master bedroom. Peter got the radio from the other room they were working in yesterday and turned it on, they were met by a loud pop song.
Miles got a few boxes from downstairs and they immediately started to pack, the chauffeur told them he’d be back in two hours and that they better be done then. So they quickly went to work.
“Miles…? Look at this.” Peter smiled wide and showed Miles the white envelope with the ’p‘ on the cover.
Miles grabbed it from Peter’s hand, mouth wide open.
“I was almost worried we wouldn’t be able to find it..”
“But we did!”
Two hours later they were done, right on time. They brought all the boxes downstairs and they were stored in the hallway. They put white sheets on top of the big furniture. Peter and miles carried the stuff they had to set aside outside, Peter has stuffed the radio in his back pocked, his hoodie cover it a little bit and he just hoped the chauffeur didn’t see it didn’t care.
The chauffeur wasn’t there yet and they had to wait a little bit.
Peter: Done now :)
Peter just put his phone in his pocket when it already pinged.
Jason: Omw. Give me a few.
”So Miles are you or are you not coming with me and Jason to the book fair?” Peter looked at him.
“You know what, what else is there to do?” Miles answered him.
Right that moment a white Rolls Royce parked in front of them. The chauffeur and someone else stepped out, someone they hadn’t seen before.
It was a short and very fat man, he had a black top hat on and wore a monocle. His suit screamed ‘I have money’ and Peter didn’t doubt that at all.
“Ah, my super boys.” The short and fat man smiled at them. His smile was pretty unsettling. “You are done, yes? I see you have a few of my belongings. Come here…” The man didn’t take a step away from the car, as if it was forbidden to get closer to the house. Peter looked reluctantly at Miles, who already stepped forward with a two of the items.
The chauffeur opened the back of the car and signed them to put the stuff in it.
Miles put the stuff in the car first but the man, seemingly a bigger boss stopped Peter with his cane.
“This.” He snatched the envelope from Peter. “This boy is urgent.”
He put his cane back on the floor again and Peter could put the other item in the trunk of the car.
Behind them Peter heard a loud motorcycle.
It was a buff and tall man that drove it. He wore protective pants and a leather jacket. His motorcycle helmet was a fully black mat color.
The man stopped dramatically right before the group.
He took off his helmet to reveal it was Jason.
He was quick.
He must’ve been in the area already. “What the fuck?” Jason looked at Peter and back at the man.
“Cobblepot what are you doing here?” He asked in a very attacking tone.
“What a surprise Mr. Todd. Well I was paying my newest employees. What are you doing in the Bowery? Does daddy let his boys leave Bristol?” The man smiled wide, Peter got the chills of that smile.
Jason looked like he was really holding himself in by just making a grunting sound.
“Well so, speaking about your daddy tell him old Ozzie said hello. Any how boys your final payment on this house will be just $75 each. Here you go.” He handed both of the boys a small amount of bills.
“You’ll be hearing from me.” Before Peter could even say goodbye he watched as the car sped off.
“What the FUCK Peter?! Do you even know who the fuck that is?” Jason went off. “That’s Oswald Cobblepot, the Penguin?” Peter and Miles both still stared at him as if he spoke gibberish. “Oh my god.” He pinched his nose bridge. “Don’t do anymore work for him no matter the fucking pay, alright?”
Peter didn’t dare to ask but Jason read it from his face already.
“Why? Because he is a criminal, and doing criminals dirty work makes you a criminal.” Peter didn’t get why Jason cared that much that he almost exploded. Peter was glad he knew who he was working for now, and didn’t feel bad about stealing the radio. “Anyways…” He sighed. “Ready?”
“Of course I am! Miles decided to join us too, I don’t know how we’ll do that with your vehicle…” Peter thought out loud.
“Subway maybe? There is no working subway station in the Bowery but there is one on the border with Otisburg…” Jason offered.
“Fine by me.” Miles agreed. They both looked at Peter to get confirmation. Peter shrugged.
”Okay I guess, only we don’t have like public transport money right now…”
“Don’t be crazy you two are from New York right? You never jumped the gate?” Jason laughed.
“Okay fair.” Peter answered with a smirk.
Jason walked with his bike on hand, before they were even in Otisburg he told them to wait. He and his motorcycle went into a building and a minute later he came out without his motorcycle.
maybe he lived here..?
”That’s better..” Jason said as he came back to Peter and Miles. “The station is like a few minutes away.”
“So book fair hm?” Miles begun.
Jason nodded in return.
”Yup. I like going through old books to see if there’s a gem among them. Do you like books?”
“I like comic books.” Miles answered in full confidence.
Jason laughed. “There are also comic books there so you won’t get bored.”
—————————
The museum was huge. It was a beautiful old looking building with big white pillars in front of it. It looked like something Ancient Greek or Roman. A big sign with ‘annual book fair’ on it hung high on the building. It was pretty busy all kinds of people were going in and coming out.
Jason went ahead trying to get through the crowd. Peter and Miles quickly followed him inside. The museum was an art museum for modern art and statues, Peter normally didn't really like this kind of art but what hung here was quite pretty. There were many stands, Peter couldn't even see the other end. He quickly went over to a stand with only sci-fi looking books. He still didn't know whether StarWars existed or not.
He picked up a copy of a book that laid there multiple times. He looked at the back, didn't even read it and put it right back. It luckily wasn't that busy in the museum, Peter liked markets but the downside of them always was that it was way too busy to move comfortable and freely. But now he could stop without feeling he needed to rush, he could go to another stand and still find Jason and Miles immediately.
Jason stood at a stand with very, very old looking books. "What are you looking for?" Peter appeared behind him.
"Anything good, anything rare and anything pretty." He replied without looking up from the books.
"What's your favorite book?" Peter kept on making conversation.
Jason laughed a little. "It's basic, pride and prejudice by Jane Austen. It was one of the books that started my book obsession." Jason looked at Peter. "Ever read it?"
"I was supposed to I think, in High School I mean. Due to eh.. stuff I got a completely different reading list for English." With eh.. stuff Peter meant the Blip.
"If you still want to read it, I got multiple copies." Jason said in a bit less confidence.
"That would be nice man." Peter answered. They skipped over to another stand even fuller with all kinds of older books. Peter and Jason sought through them to find some good stuff. Peter picked up a dark book, it was slightly damaged and dirty, Peter wiped off the dust and dirt to reveal the title. 'Dracula'.
"This one is awesome dude." Peter showed him the book.
Jason laughed. "I'm sorry every time I see something with vampire's it just reminds me of that annoying fucking Klarion and he isn't even a vampire."
"The who?" Peter said without thinking, he hoped it wasn't like a big name he should know, like maybe it was this worlds Ariana Grande, everyone would look at you weirdly if you didn't know her in his dimension.
Jason's face looked like he was realizing something. "I'm sorry it's a uh.. Inside joke with my friends."
I hope for him he can normally lie a little better because this was horrible.
They've been walking around the museum for half an hour when they suddenly spot Miles not at the comic book stands anymore but talking to a group of people their age and a teenager.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me." Jason cursed.
"What's up?" Peter asked him.
Jason pinched his nose bridge. "Your little friend is talking to my family." He wanted to turn around and storm off but Peter grabbed his arm when a girl with blonde hair aggressively waved their way.
"Come on Jason a little chat-" Peter saw that boy Tim, they met at the university talking with Miles. "Is that your brother?" Peter pointed at Tim, he noticed a cool guy resting his hand on Tim's shoulder behind him.
"Unfortunately he is, the blonde one is just a girl, Stephanie who's always at the manor, the boy behind him is Kon not my brother I don't know why he's here, the small one is Damian and the other girl is Cass." Jason quickly introduced them to Peter.
The blonde girl, Stephanie stood right before them now smiling brightly. "Jason hey!" She was sipping on a big drink through a straw.
"Why are you here." It was more of a demand for answers than a nice question.
Tim walked towards them too, hearing Jason. "B told us to get out of the manor."
He lied, Peter saw the girl, Cass behind him giving him a death stare of disapproval. Jason turned in one hit massively uncomfortable and defensive. Peter immediately noticed that he might not have the greatest relationship with his siblings. He did wonder how many siblings he had exactly because this, especially for Peter the only child, was a lot. Jason turned around and stormed off, Peter decided to just let him leave. He had no idea what had happened between him and his siblings and he didn't know him well enough to run after him.
"Excuse my brother's behavior he sometimes acts like this." The younger teenager, Damian told them. Tim's phone was ringing, he groaned when he looked who it was.
"Excuse me for a moment." Tim walked to a more private place, Peter hoped somewhere out of clear range for their enhanced hearing.
"What?" Tim picked the phone up.
"What the fuck are you trying hm? Leave me and especially Peter and Miles the fuck alone."
It was Jason.
"Well I'm sorry, I'm trying to keep an eye on them you fucker. Great job on inviting them to some fair but accept the help man!"
"I'm not even- Listen Tim I'm genuinely interested in becoming friends with him, them.. And you guys are ruining it once a- fucking-gain." Peter heard the tone end, Jason hung the phone up.
Peter face physically changed in a confused and slightly hurt way.
What the fuck did he mean with 'keeping an eye on them'? Who the hell were these people?
Tim walked back looking very pissed. He put on a fake smile when he approached them closer. "Anyone hungry?" Tim asked.
"I could eat something.." Cass said very quietly.
Stephanie held het hand up as if she was trying to say something in class. "Oh! Oh! Me too!" She smiled.
"Will you two be joining us in getting some food?" Damian the youngest one asked very politely.
"Oh, eh.." Peter looked at Miles who looked back at him pretty hungrily. "Why not.." He answered hesitatingly, he did not feel very comfortable having a happy lunch with people Jason just angrily stormed off at and the guy that just said to Jason they were 'keeping an eye on them'.
—————————
They went to the museums restaurant, it was pretty empty and quiet. They sat around a big round table with brown chairs, there was a nice white table cloth on the table and a vase full of colorful tulips on the table. Peter sat next to Damian and Kon on his other side.
A waitress came by and gave them each a menu, Damian next to him was inspecting the menu and looked satisfied. "Nice choice Drake, sufficient vegetarian options here."
"You're vegetarian?" Miles asked.
Damian nodded in response. "Yes I am."
Miles hummed. "Nice."
Peter looked at Kon who sat next to Tim, he sneakily saw Kon's hand grab Tim's under the table. Peter couldn't help it but to smile at it, Kon wasn't their brother he must've been Tim's boyfriend. Peter was kind of jealous of his looks, he looked so incredibly cool. He had pitch black short hair with the sides shaved, a pair of trendy sunglasses rested in his hair. He wore punk inspired clothes and a cool leather jacket full of patches.
Peter's phone pinged, he grabbed it from his pocket and looked.
Jason: I'm sorry for walking off.
It's my own fault.
It's ok if you don't want to do shit anymore
Peter felt a little sad that Jason thought he wouldn't want to hang out anymore because that was very far from the truth. Peter texted back right that instance.
Peter: Ur stupid for thinking I don't want to hang out again.
:)
Peter was thrilled for making a new friend, even if it was definitely temporary and in another universe.
Chapter 13: Interviewing
Summary:
"What do you want to be remembered as?"
Shit Damian
Jason thought for a while. He had already died before, he wanted to be remember as anything but 'a good soldier.'
He actually would have more peace if he wasn't remembered at all.
“Not- I mean as a good person in the end I guess.” Jason awkwardly said.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Tim sighed deeply and took off his domino mask. Still fully dressed in his Red Robin uniform he crashed into the chair in front of the Bat-Computer.
Today was a busy day, he went to that book fair and met Peter and Miles again. Went on patrol for extra long, compared to what Steph and Cass told him about the night prior this night was terror. Every goon decided it was time to get out or something? And also the suspicious activity of the Riddler’s goons, he should or make Bruce contact Arkham to strengthen Riddler’s security.
On one side he was glad the Spider-Men kind of stuck to the Bowery and Otisburg but on the other hand he could genuinely use their help once in a while.
I mean have you seen their suits and abilities, tech and meta, it’s awesome.
“Hey handsome..” A familiar voice behind Tim hummed, a voice that sounded just like home.
“Kon hey.” Tim said excitedly. “What are you doing here?”
“Someone did not answer his text, you know it takes me a while to get here.” Kon sarcastically joked. “What’s going on?” He rested his hands on Tim’s tired shoulders.
”Long day..” He gave Kon a small kiss on his lips. “Did some spy work, Jason got mad at me, annoying patrol. I’ll be happy to wake up tomorrow to finally be done with today” Tim complained.
“What did you do to piss him off? Not that anyone needs to do a lot for that.”
“Apparently I need to leave him and our friends the fuck alone. But the thing is-“ Tim sat in another way to face Kon directly who now stood beside him. “The thing is, these two men are the Spider-Men I told you about, they were also the strangers we ate lunch with today”
“I knew there was something with them.” Kon thought out loud. “They were nice I do like them.”
------------
Tim and Kon walked around the premises of Wayne manor, with exceptional allowance of Damian they were allowed to take Titus and Ace on their evening walk.
"Enough about the Spiders, how's catching Scarecrow going?" Kon asked him, he had Ace on a leash walking in front of him, he was pulling on the leash but Kon just let him.
"Horrible really, the attacks are totally random and we have no idea where he's hanging around." Tim said, he was holding Titus who was neatly walking next to him. Damian did raise him very well, not that Tim had a doubt.
"They can be unleashed right?" Kon asked him.
Tim nodded. "You got an old bat-hound and a dog raised by Damian Wayne, they'll listen."
"Because look at that.." Kon pointed to the grass, he spotted a green tennis ball just laying there. He went over to it and grabbed it. He unleashed Ace who playfully hoped around in the grass. Kon took a few steps back to throw the tennis ball, he waited until Tim unleashed Titus and when he did he threw the ball meters into the distance. Titus and Ace both immediately went after it, it took them some time to get to it and find it. Kon's hand grabbed Tim's, his fingers curled lovingly around Tim's.
Every time Kon grabbed Tim's hand it still felt like the very first time he ever did.
After a few more throws with the ball they went back inside.
Tim put his head down on Kon's lap looking up right into his blue eyes. Tim was laying on the big couch in the main family room. Kon was staring at the fireplace, the fire was almost completely out. "You know if you need help with Scarecrow I'm more than available." Kon said, he turned his look back at Tim.
"I know babe, and you're sweet for that but Bruce will not like that. Besides you got your own stuff going on." Tim smiled back at him before snuggling up to him and closing his eyes.
Not long after he fell into a deep sleep.
--------------------
Jason was alone in one of his safehouses, he was still pissed at Tim and the rest of his siblings. He wondered if Bruce knew what they were doing, maybe if he asked them too. The most important question was how the fuck they knew they were going to be at the book fair.
They couldn't have hacked his phone, they didn't text about it, Jason was smarter than to do that.
In a paranoid wave he immediately searched his clothes for a listening or tracking device. There was nothing that pointed to such a thing being there or ever being present.
His phone had been ringing for a while now, the second time it started to ring he thought it may be smart to see who was calling. It was Cassandra, someone he could never stay mad at, probably the only one of his siblings.
"Jay?" Cassandra began when he picked up.
"Cassandra good evening."
She stayed quiet for a bit. "I want to apologize for today."
She stayed quiet for a bit again. "How did you know where I was."
"Spoiler overheard the Spider-Men, Peter talked about you in suit." She paused expecting Jason to respond but he didn't. "We weren't sure if it was you, I tried to stop them from coming but I failed. I came with to try and contain their craziness."
Jason sighed. "It's alright Cass, just tell everyone to stay out of their business. They don't deserve to be sucked up into all the bat shit."
"I will tell them Jay but in cannot promise anything, you know how they are."
"I know, thanks, I'll see you later."
"Bye."
The call screen closed and he went back to his messages, he still had not responded to Peter's sweet text. He was contemplating what to answer him. Should he reschedule something or should he just text an emoji back?
was that lame?
It had been pre-Joker since Jason Todd had friends that did not know about his other side. Sure his old friends from Gotham Academy contacted him when he came back into the public eye. In High School that already did not feel genuine, try in adulthood.
He did not want Peter and Miles to know he was Red Hood, not for a nice while at least. His siblings were pretty much in the way of that, like with genuinely everything.
Jason just decided to fuck it, when you have friend you need to do a lot of shit right? He knows Damian and Jon do see each other more than a lot, he wondered how Jon did it.
Jason: Are u free rn?
It was almost midnight, but it was worth a shot.
And besides Peter was a vigilante.
Jason crashed into his couch, it was a black leather couch that just came with the apartment. There was a red and green plaid blanket, which reminded him of Christmas in the early days before Bruce took him in. A tall standing lamp was next to the couch which he flicked on. On the coffee table in front of him was an opened book, he picked it up and remembered where he left off.
It was a collection of Shakespeare plays he found in a secondhand bookstore in the Southside once. He has read them before but a second time wouldn't hurt, it only hurts his immensely large 'To Be Read' list.
A few pages in his phone started pinging a few times. Jason immediately grabbed it to see who it was, he kind of surprised himself, he never picked his phone up this fast. Normally he never cared much.
God damn it.
Damian: Todd.
I politely ask you for your assistance in my project.
I would've asked Grayson but he is unavailable.
You're the only non-moron in this family except from father.
It is an interview for English.
Please.
Jason groaned, he so hoped it was Peter that answered his text.
At least he said please.
Jason: Cuz u said pls
When
Damian: Tonight at patrol if I could ask you a few questions then that would be excellent.
Jason: 5min tops.
Damian: Thank you very much Todd, your help is appreciated.
Jason hadn't even put his phone down yet when he saw a new text coming in.
Peter: If you're still free long after midnight I'm free too
Sorry you must be sleeping then.
Just like me of course haha.
Jason: I will be so free long after midnight.
If ur not sleeping that is.
Jason smiled at his own joke, and immediately smiled more once he saw Peter's typing bubble pop up.
Peter: Very funny. Shall I text you once I'm available?
Jason: Sure thing. Ill hear from u
Jason never went out as Red Hood this smiley and jumpy, he didn't even feel the need to pull his guns once. The night was quiet anyways, especially since Miles and Peter patrol in his area all nights have been relatively quiet. He went to Old Gotham to meet up with Damian close to the Gotham City Cathedral. He luckily didn't have to wait long for Damian to arrive, he landed right next to Jason who was standing on a roof with his arms crossed.
Damian wore a backpack under his Robin cape, Jason thought it looked quite stupid but he of course wouldn't tell Damian that.
"Good evening Red Hood, I'm glad you could help me." Damian talked in a way as if he was part of a drug deal.
Jason snorted. "Hey Robin."
Damian took off his backpack and pulled a piece of paper out of it as well as his phone. Jason walked over to the edge of the building and sat on it, kicking his feet back and forth slightly over the edge. Damian quickly followed and sat next to him, keeping a little gap between them. He opened the voice memo app on his phone and turned it on before laying it in between them on the roof.
"English Interview with my brother, take one." Damian spoke clearly into the phone. "So, I will ask you a few questions and I would like it for you to answer honestly." Damian stared at him.
"Sure, come on with these questions." Jason mentally prepared himself.
"Question number one: What is the hardest or one of the hardest things you have ever done?" Damian kept on staring at him.
Jason snorted again. "Dude I literally died."
Damian closed the recording and deleted it immediately. "I cannot use that for my school project, make something up then, talk about your public kidnappings or how you've almost died or something Red Hood." Damian scolded. He opened a new recording and continued. "English interview with my brother, take two. So, I will ask you a few questions and I would like it for you to answer honestly." Damian sighed. "Question number one: What was the hardest thing you have ever done."
Jason tried to be serious. "Back when I was alone on the streets as a kid."
"What kept you going?"
Jason thought a bit. "I was a kid, I didn't know anything else but survival. With a father in jail and a mother who was a drug addict it's kind of all you knew." Jason didn't think these questions would be as deep as he thought they would.
"This one is stupid..." Damian quietly mumbled.
Jason caught what he said. "It's not stupid ask me."
Damian hesitated. "It is but Do you think it's okay to show weakness sometimes?"
And Jason understood why he found it a stupid question. Damian was doing way better than he was when he first got to live in the manor, but some things the league had taught him were very hard to get rid off. "I think it is. You'll become miserable if you keep up a mask of fake strength. Weakness is normal, it's human."
"Does strength come from being alone or do you need others around you?"
"You definitely need people around you. I learned that the hard way."
"What do you want to be remembered as?"
Shit Damian
Jason thought for a while. He had already died before, he wanted to be remember as anything but 'a good soldier.'
He actually would have more peace if he wasn't remembered at all.
“Not- I mean as a good person in the end I guess.” Jason awkwardly said.
“Last question. What does it mean to be strong?”
“Damn these questions are really deep dude, all this for just a school project?”
“TT, just answer.”
“Strong means able to reach out I guess, it’s realizing you can’t always do everything by yourself.” Jason said a little quieter than how he was talking before.
“Thank you so much for participating in my interview.” Damian said before he pressed stop recording on his phone. He got up and wiped the dirt off of his uniform.
“I will be returning back to base now.” He turned around and walked off.
“Red Hood. You should listen to yourself more often. And it’s not just an interview it’s an essay and I needed more information.” Damian turned around and told him.
Jason got up, looking confused under his helmet.
“What would the essay be about if you needed my input?”
“It’s about the strongest person you know.” Damian said before shooting his grappling hook and vanishing into the dark.
the strongest person you know…
Jason was not the strongest person he knew. He felt his heart ache, not in a bad way necessarily. He had no idea Damian felt this way about him, it was so.. sweet.
He felt his eyes water and a tear dropping.
Jason must’ve stood there thinking for a while because suddenly his phone rang.
It was Peter, he was calling him.
“Jason hey!” Peter said when he picked up.
“Hey Peter, so you’re available now hm?”
He heard Peter laugh on the other side of the line. “Very funny-“
”Thought I did hear you laugh.” Jason teasingly cut him off.
"Okay sure. Anyways want to go on a late night stroll?"
“Of course, where are you?”
“In the Bowery in my apartment. Where are you? You sound kind of muffled.”
Of course he sounded a little off, he was wearing his helmet. "It's my helmet, I was driving in old Gotham but I'll be on my way."
"Drive safely, I'll see you here."
"Thanks Peter."
Jason went to one of his safehouses first, to change into his normal clothes and get a less Red Hood helmet to go to Peter. It was a quick drive to the bar where Peter lived together with Miles. He parked his bike in front of the bar and walked in with his helmet still on. The barman greeted him with a friendly wave, Jason put the visor of his helmet up so the barman could look him in the eyes, that was a bit more politer.
"I'm looking for Peter?" He asked the barman.
"Right of course Jason." The barman answered him with a wide smile before giving the directions.
Jason took a deep breath before knocking on their door. Miles opened the door looking as sleepy as Tim would look after massively interesting extensive research. "Hey Miles." He greeted him.
"Peter?!" Miles called out for him. Jason saw a door swing open from the inside of the apartment. He saw Peter hopping on one leg trying to put on his shoe as he came out of what Jason suspected was the bathroom. Peter gave him a little wave and almost tripped. Jason couldn't contain himself and let out a little laugh.
"Hey!"
Peter looked exhausted, Jason wondered if it was still a right idea to hang out this late.
"Hey Peter, are you sure it's not too late?" Jason carefully asked.
"Oh yeah-" He bend down to tie his shoelaces. "Yeah of course it's not too late."
"Well, if you say so." Jason shrugged. "You want to come with Miles?"
"There is no way I'm postponing my beauty sleep any longer, sorry but this bed is calling name." Miles said as he let himself fall onto the bed.
Peter grabbed his jacket before stepping out of the apartment. "Okay bye Miles sleep well."
"I'm still sorry for storming off earlier." Jason apologized as they were walking the empty streets of the Bowery.
"And I told you it's fine dude. If you don't mind me asking why were you so upset at seeing your siblings, how many of those do you even have?" Peter asked him.
"No it's alright." Jason began, he left his helmet back at the bar so he didn't have to carry it with him. "I have-" Jason counted on his fingers. " I have five siblings now I think and two people that are basically like siblings but are definitely not. I got pissed because this is like the millionth time they're getting in my business."
"Five siblings you think?" Peter snorted.
"Yeah, our dad has a bit of an adoption problem." Jason laughed. "Dick is adopted, I am, Tim is adopted, Cass is adopted, I think he's just fostering Duke for now. Damian is the only biological child."
"I'm just a boring only child, no siblings to annoy me."
"Was that too before Bruce found me, and with his need to I don't know give me a better life took me in."
Peter looked as if he didn't really know what to say. "So what's your family like?" Jason asked to break any awkwardness, regretting it immediately because Peter told him about his very dead family when he was Red Hood already.
But I mean Peter doesn't know that.
"Dead." Peter looked deathly serious before he realized what he said. "I mean they are dead but for a long time it doesn't matter."
Jason raised his eyebrow. "Doesn't matter?"
Peter shrugged.
"It does matter, doesn't matter how long ago it is."
"I guess you're right, anyways apart from books what else do you like." Peter asked to change the subject.
"Motorcycles, cooking and combat sports." He raised his arm to flex his muscles as a joke. "These guns don't appear out of thin air."
Peter laughed loudly, he almost walked right into a lantern. Right before Jason wanted to pull him to the side so he wouldn't hit it, he miraculously dodged it in the most satisfying maneuver.
"That was close man, watch out." Jason warned him. Peter looked at him with the biggest smirk.
"I always watch out I'm just incredibly skilled."
--------------------
It was a boring day, Jason stayed outside with Peter until the sun almost rose. He woke up in the middle of the afternoon and did absolutely nothing the rest of the day. He didn't even feel like patrol, he was that lazy today. After he finished his dinner, some food Alfred had forced him to take with him and freeze in. It was pretty tasty, some vegetables with chicken and sauce.
His comm kept beeping, it was laying on the coffee table. It was pretty early for patrol so he wasn't sure what the matter was. He stuffed the little comm in his ear.
"Red Hood here."
"Oh shit-" It was Barbara she sounded rushed and worried. "You're the first one to, fuck."
"Oracle what the fuck is going on?"
She didn't answer.
"Oracle what the fuck is going on?!" Jason now yelled through the comm.
"The joker has been sighted."
Jason was so lost in his emotions he flipped the glass coffee table that shattered all over the floor. "Where the fuck is he?!"
"Red Hood no." Barbara tried. "Oh shit.."
"Red Hood you're standing down, you're not going out there." Bruce came through.
"Batman the spiders arrived on scene I want you there asap."
The spiders are there..
Notes:
I will be in another country for the coming two weeks, I don't think I'll be writing a lot due to the lack of time but I do hope I can. So if I don't update for a week or two that's the case (⋟﹏⋞)
Chapter 14: the man who laughs
Summary:
“It’s the fuckin’ bats!” One of them yelled out.
Miles panicked and quickly went back to the spot he was just at.
“That’s not a bat you dim wit.” The green haired leader pointed out. “It’s one of those pathetic new ones. Come on down spiders let’s have a formal introduction.” The man smiled wide.
Notes:
IM BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
I as I expected had barely any time to write T.T (I wrote in the plane)
Enjoy :D
Chapter Text
Miles saw the middle of what just seemed to be an abandoned warehouse. A man, the leader of the goons around seemingly, looked terrifying. His skin was pale, completely white. He had chemical green colored hair and wore a purple suit.
They saw him get into the warehouse and followed him because his terrifying smile. The same kind of smile their mystery guy wore, maybe this guy had something to do with it?
Peter and him were squatting down hidden away from sight on some support bar high up. Sometimes having enhanced hearing was annoying and shit but now it was pretty nice to have.
Big tanks of green liquid were bubbling up around him. A few goons and an odd looking dude were standing around him.
If Miles was correct the odd looking dude was that Scarecrow guy the bat-squad hadn’t caught yet.
The green haired man was laughing, it wasn’t a normal laugh. Miles just got the heebie-jeebies from the sound. The laugh sounded like a scientist gone mad but make it even crazier.
“Whatever’s going on here, it’s not good.” Peter whispered through the comm.
A few more goons walked through a door that swung open. In between the group of goons there were normal civilians. Their hands were tied in the back and they were gagged. It was like half a dozen of them no older than thirty.
“This just got a million times worse.” Miles whispered back through the comm.
“Ah here we have our guinea pigs Crane. They will test our perfected toxin.” The green haired man laughed.
One of the goons filled a little vile with the green toxin, he handed it to another goon dressed in a nurse Halloween costume. The fake nurse took the vile and inserted a needle of a syringe to suck up all the toxin into it.
The green haired man picked one of the kidnapped civilians and got some other goons to restrain her.
It was a woman, Miles thought she couldn't be older than 23. She was dressed in a neat outfit, one of those outfits someone like a secretary would wear. Her big curly hair was tied up in a messy bun and she looked like she had been through hell and back. Miles could hear her muffled screams through the gag.
“Spider-M use your camouflaging to crawl above them, web the syringe out of that ridiculous nurses hands and quickly come back to me.” Peter ordered him.
Miles nodded. He turned to his camouflaging power and started to crawl on the roof without anyone seeing him. It was quite a distance from the roof to the floor, Miles just hoped he could be precise enough to web the syringe out of the hands of the fake nurse. He already made a plan B, if it didn’t work out he’ll just web the entire nurse to the ceiling.
Sticking right above the scene he held out his arm downwards to flick a web.
The web travelled at super speed sticking to the little syringe and getting pulled up. The nurse looked confused at his hand where there suddenly was no syringe anymore. The rest of the goons looked up towards Miles who was visible again.
“It’s the fuckin’ bats!” One of them yelled out.
Miles panicked and quickly went back to the spot he was just at.
“That’s not a bat you dim wit.” The green haired leader pointed out. “It’s one of those pathetic new ones. Come on down spiders let’s have a formal introduction.” The man smiled wide.
Miles didn’t move at all he just stayed where he was, Peter did exactly the same.
The goons had pulled their weapons and still had them raised with blood hungry smiles on their faces, well some had masks on but that’s scary too.
“Don’t be scared most of us don’t bite.” He walked over to the woman they were just about to inject with their poison. He grabbed her cheek and pulled at it like he was her grandma. “Don’t we sweetheart?” He asked her. After he did the laugh that escaped his mouth caused all the hairs on Miles’ arm to stand up straight.
“Thankfully..” He continued while fidgeting in his pocket. “I wear a spare on me.” He pulled out a fully loaded syringe full of the green poison and held it to her neck. She moved, trying to get away from him but the goons wouldn’t budge. She screamed again through her gag.
“Now so, either you guys come on down and have a little, itty bitty tiny chat with me or she gets it.” He threatened.
Miles looked at Peter who was already looking at him.
“Do we go?” Miles asked through the comm.
“We have to.” Peter answered. Peter let himself drop by web slowly but steadily going down until he touched the ground. Miles followed him, doing the exact same.
“Let her go right this instance.” Peter said. He made his voice sound deeper than normal, trying to be intimidating.
The man laughed again now for a short second. “Oh but why, we haven’t even had a proper introduction yet!”
He bowed in front of the two of them taking off an invisible hat. “The joker. Clown prince of Gotham you know me.” He smiled at them looking up from his bow before standing up straight again, putting the invisible hat back on.
Neither of the Spider-Men said anything in response.
The Joker did a little frown before immediately going back to his smile. "Cat got your tongue?" He pressed the syringe closer to the woman, it was touching her skin now almost going through it. "Maybe you'd like to introduce yourselves now?"
"I'm Spider-Man and that's also Spider-Man. We're not here to play games Joker." Peter said confidently.
"So they are not Bats but still trynna be the heroes in Gotham hm?" One of the goons whispered to the goon standing next to him.
"Pretty much." Miles answered it for him. The goon looked back at him shocked, obviously not knowing Peter and Miles can fully hear everything said in the room.
"Fuckin' freaks.." The goon responded.
"Now now, let's keep it friendly for now. Though buzzkills. I always fancy a joke."
Miles got chills from the way he said joke. The way he said it with so much insanity and just pure craziness. He was still putting pressure on the syringe digging into the woman's skin. "What is red and laughing all over??" The joker continued in his laughter.
Peter looked over at Miles who put his shoulders up. "I don't know.."
The joker kept on laughing and put the syringe into the woman's skin. The woman was screaming horribly when the Joker pushed the green venom inside of her. The goons let her go and she turned red before she fell to the ground. She sat on her knees and arms and started to scream, no... To laugh...?
The laughter that came from her was one of the most painful laughter Miles had ever heard. It sounded like every sign of noise hurt so badly.
She put her head up and she had turned red, her eyes were tearing and her mouth was curled into a painful smile. The joker stood besides her with the same eerie smile, he pointed with a gun, a colorful gun at the woman. "Well that would be her.." He laughed. Only the goons and the Scarecrow man were laughing. "Yeah I suppose that one wasn't that funny.. Trust me I've got better ones on my sleeve."
"What the fuck did you put in her?!" Miles asked in unbelief.
"The newest Joker venom with a sprinkle of fear toxin from crowey here." The Joker answered twirling his gun around his finger. Peter webbed the gun and pulled it towards him. Jokers smile immediately turned to a frown, which for some reason was a bit less eerie. He clapped his hands twice and the goons immediately went for an attack on the Spider-Men. In a fast decision Peter threw the gun at Miles who caught it.
Dozens of goons all attacked the boys at the same time and it was hard taking them all on even with Peter's golden spider legs out. Peter was punching a goon when another one grabbed his arm, while in the confusing shock of the one goon grabbing his arm another one grabbed his other arm.
It became oddly quiet when the Joker stood before Peter the only noise present was the screaming laughter of the woman. Miles was confused what was about to happen at first when the goons suddenly stopped too. When Miles realized what was about to happen he pointed Jokers own gun at him.
"Well, well, well..." The Joker slowly turned around with his hands up, a massive syringe was in his hand. At least twice the size of the syringe he stabbed the woman with.
"Drop the syringe because I will shoot." Miles said, he stood strong and had Joker's own gun pointing at him ready to actually shoot.
"Oh boy." The joker screamed a laugh. "Shiver me timbers!"
Because of the Joker's silly response Miles got a bit insecure but tried holding the gun tightly and correctly pointed. The agonizing scream laughter mixed with the awful laughter of the Joker did make Miles' head go crazy.
The Joker turned around again and had the needle touch Peters neck. In a quick response Miles pulled the trigger, he squeezed his eyes shut but instead of a bullet, which he expected a little flag with the word 'bang' written on it. Miles looked at it shocked. While the Joker was laughing even louder now.
Miles stared at the gun, blinking a few times before dropping it on the ground. He heard Peter scream, sure he had heard him scream before but this was so much different. Miles couldn't place it what made it so different.
Joker had stabbed him with the syringe and drugged him with the venom. Before Miles could properly react he saw a black figure drop from the roof. A large cape hid a very buff and tall body. His mask, cowl was black with pointy little ears a big yellow, black bat symbol on his chest and in the same color yellow a utility belt.
Spidey Sense
A goon was about to punch him, Miles was pulled out of all his shock and thought because of his Spidey Sense. He couldn't see Peter, he could hear him but there was no way he could see him. The black figure Miles was almost a hundred percent was The Batman was protecting Miles, getting the rest of the goons who were about to attack him off of his back.
---------------------
In a rage Jason dumped his motorcycle in front of the warehouse he tracked Bruce at. When he opened the door he saw a messy scene. Bruce was fighting a lot of goons and Scarecrow at the same time, no sign of the Joker anywhere. He noticed the black and red spider, Miles fighting along side of Bruce.
No sign of Peter anywhere yet...
"B what's going on?!" Jason asked through the comm. He looked around for a few seconds before he got noticed by a few of the goons. He immediately got his guns and began shooting the goons that got too much in his way. He used rubber bullets instead of actual bullets. Dick had asked him really nicely to use those.
"You see those tanks of Joker venom? It's a new one, again... Two people infected with it, we don't yet have a cure. Civilian and the other spider-" Bruce couldn't finish his report before Jason spoke over him.
"Okay." Jason now got two guns and worked twice as fast as before. He passed the woman, the civilian that got hit who was smiling widely with tears streaming down her face softly laughing. Classic Joker venom. It's not like he didn't want to help the woman but he needed to find Peter before it was too late. He wasn't from Gotham he probably has no idea how serious this is.
He shot every goon in his way and ignored every of Bruce's comments about it, as if he wasn't punching all of them to the hospital himself too....
"Red Hood, B. I sent Robin for back-up. He'll arrive any moment now." Oracle mentioned through the comm.
Bruce had answered her but Jason couldn't really give any fucks right now, he needed to save his friend.
He found Peter curled up behind one of the tanks. Jason sneaked behind there too, no one could see them there only if they'd get too close. Peter sat with his head buried in his knees quietly giggling to himself. Jason hoped so hard that he wasn't too late.
"Hey Spider-Man..?" Jason quietly approached him slowly. Peter flinched and got back, that was most likely the fear toxin mixed with the venom.
"Get the fuck away!" Peter yelled back, his yell sounded like it hurt him a lot.
"Sh.. sh.. Spider-Man it's alright. It's me Red Hood..." Jason explained and slowly walked towards him again.
Peter lifted his head up, on the outside there was no sign he even got hit with the venom but his behavior confirmed Bruce's report. Jason wondered how they even hit him because his suit is so technical. Jason got down and carefully crouched down to his level. It was frustrating to him that he couldn't see Peters facial expression, he had no idea if he was okay.
"Spider-Man are you okay..?"
Peter tried to speak but instead the soft giggles it turned to soft laughter still very oppressed. Peter shook his head no.
"Alright, I need to get you out of here okay? It's not safe. Is it okay if I pick you up or are you able to walk?"
Peter tried to get up, he used the massive spider legs behind him to help him get up but even with that help he couldn't get up. "Let me help you." Jason rushed beside him to catch him, Peter threw his arm around his shoulder and Jason carefully caught onto his waist. He got out his grapplehook and pointed it to one of the beams high up in the ceiling, he shot it and Peter and him got carried to the beam. Jason shot one quick look down and there was still no sight of the Joker. He saw Damian arrived on scene and that they probably don't need any more backup.
While still carefully holding Peter Jason stood up on the beam carefully trying to get the roof window open. After two tries he succeeded and shot his grapplehook to get out again. Jason and Peter landed on the roof of the warehouse and after placing Peter on the roof he got into his own pockets.
"Here..." Jason got out the antidote of both fear toxin and Joker venom, the Joker and scarecrow had combined the two times before but they figured that an antidote for the both of them didn't usually work but the antidote for both of them apart did in rare occasions and that's all the hope Jason needed. The antidote kind of looked like epi-pens and were also used the same way.
"Spider-Man I need to stab you with this where can I?" Jason asked him fully ready. Peter weakly pointed at his neck while trying to really hold in his laughter.
Jason didn't waste any second and stabbed him with the antidote for the fear toxin, seconds later stabbed him with the antidote for Joker venom. Peter gasped heavily trying to catch his breath.
"Red Hood what the fuck is going on?!" Oracle yelled trough the comm.
"Spider-Man got hit, gave him the antidote he's kind of okay now. We're on the roof." Jason answered her.
"Get off of the roof!"
Before Jason could react he knew why Barbara told him to get off of the roof. The laughter he heard in his nightmares appeared behind him, the eerie sight of the Joker gleamed in the corner of his eye. He turned around and faced him.
"B, roof now." Oracle ordered Bruce.
"Woah, the second boy wonder here how special.." The joker smiled widely. His arms were behind his body and it looked like he was holding something like a weapon.
"Joker stand down!" Bruce appeared right in front of Jason kind of using himself as a human shield to Jason and Peter as if Joker was shooting guns.
"Oh batsy you've arrived how boring. I was just starting a conversation with the late Robin here. Much to catch up on, you know?" The Joker said before he pulled the weapon he had behind his body. It was one of those axes that are stored away in those fire safety boxes. He threw it at Bruce who dodged it. It flew straight to Peter, Jason tried to catch it mid air but failed to do so.
Peter caught it and groaned a groan that turned into a giggle.
Jason got the axe from Peter and threw it back at the Joker, unfortunately it just grazed his arm.
"Red Hood take Spider-Man and get the fuck out of here!" Bruce ordered him.
"But-" Jason tried.
"Spider-Man, Red Hood!"
Jason looked at Peter who still looked like there wasn't a lot of life in him, he picked him up on his feet and caught onto his waist again. He shot one look at Bruce who was getting physical with the Joker now.
Jason shot his grabble hook and fled away.
He knew where Peter stayed, correction Jason knew where Peter stayed, Red Hood didn't. He couldn't bring Peter back home because he shouldn't be able to know. The nearest safe house was the only option Jason could think of.
"O, I'm in a safe house with Spider-Man. I'll monitor him." Jason said through the comm. He had muted the comm when he and Peter went to the safe house and just unmuted it.
"Red Hood you know you shouldn't mute. I added the other Spider-Mans comm. He's worried sick." Barbara explained him.
"Is Spider-Man okay?!" The worried voice of the other Spider-Man came through. Jason shot a look at Peter still fully in his suit laying on top of the bed in his safe house. He was breathing, still a soft giggle but he would be okay.
"He's okay. I'll monitor him for the night." Jason answered.
"I can monitor him Red Hood." Miles came through.
Jason groaned, he was sure these two had no idea what the fuck they were dealing with. "I'll monitor him. You can trust me, he'll be back tomorrow." Jason turned his comm off again.
Jason quietly walked over to Peter just to check up on him. "Hey, Spider-Man. It's still me Red Hood. You're in one of my safe houses now. You'll be okay but you got hit with pretty serious shit. Try to get some sleep, hopefully you'll sleep it off." He reassured him.
Peter just nodded his head.
Chapter 15: A Wayne beverage?
Summary:
Peter looked passed Red Hood, he was making something with eggs and it smelled delicious. Red Hood didn't strike Peter as the cooking type, but then again he didn't actually know him all that well.
"How do like your eggs Spidey?"
"Well thanks for the offer but I really need to go back home.." Peter started to walk backwards to the front door he earlier spotted.
Notes:
TW: past suicidal thoughts, anxiety, panic attack, throwing up.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Peter woke up in an unknown room, in an unknown bed but with familiar music blasting from outside of the room.
It was some classic dad rock blasting very loudly.
Something Tony would listen too…
Peter sat up straight in the bed, he was still fully dressed in his suit.
The room was dark and it smelled like strong cologne and cigarette smoke. Through the dark blinds a little peak of sunlight had sneaked through.
Peter suddenly realized the entire situation, he didn’t know where he was nor what happened.
He jumped out of the bed and rushed to the door, he mentally prepared himself for a fight once he opened the door. And without any clear thought, he kicked the door open and shot a web at someone standing in the room. The web caught onto the person and Peter pulled them in.
“What the fuck am I doing here?!” Peter yelled, making his voice sound more intimidating than it normally sounded.
“Spider-Man! Calm down!” The man quickly reacted.
Peter lightened his grip on the web and relaxed when he saw it was Red Hood.
I'm in the Red Hoods house…?
"What the fuck am I doing here?!" Peter continued.
Red Hood was unarmed, Peter relaxed a bit. He wasn't even dressed in his suit, he was wearing normal civilian clothes and an apron but add the red helmet.
"You were hit, by a mixture of fear toxin and Joker venom I mean. I don't know if you even know what that is but what does matter is that you seemingly made it out okay, which is half a miracle." Red Hood explained. "I do think I have to actually make sure you're okay before you get Batman knocking at your front door." Red hood tried to make a joke.
"How will you make sure I'm okay through?" Peter asked skeptically.
Peter heard Red Hood breathe as if he wanted to say something but didn't. "Uh... That's an excellent question. I don't fucking know. First things first.." Red hood wiped his hands on his apron. "I was in the middle of making lunch, hungry?"
Peter looked passed Red Hood, he was making something with eggs and it smelled delicious. Red Hood didn't strike Peter as the cooking type, but then again he didn't actually know him all that well.
"How do like your eggs Spidey?"
"Well thanks for the offer but I really need to go back home.." Peter started to walk backwards to the front door he earlier spotted.
"If it's about the other Spider-Man, he's okay. Oracle combined our comms. You could just reach him now, i've been keeping him updated."
"Who's Oracle?' Peter asked him.
Red Hood chuckled. "You know the concept of like having a man in the chair on the other side of the comms. Oracle is like our, the people involved with Batman's woman in the chair. She's like a tech genius, genius in general to be honest."
"Oh yeah! We've got one too!" Peter said way too fast.
Ned isn't here Peter, for all you know he doesn't even exist here..
"Oh yeah?" Red Hood sounded genuinely interested.
"I mean we, had one."
Great Peter make it sound like he died.
"Oh, I'm so sorry-"
"He's not dead, sorry." Peter cut him off. He walked backwards towards the front door a bit quicker now. "Really, thank you for like caring me and stuff I appreciate it. I really should go." Peter opened the front door. "We should get those eggs through, another day I promise Red Hood!" And Peter escaped through the door. He closed it before Red Hood could say anything.
"Karen?" Peter looked for an emergency escape in the hallway, as he was in an apartment complex.
"Good afternoon Peter, how are you feeling?" Karen answered him.
"Confused to be really honest, what happened?" Peter asked when he found the emergency exit and had a quick route to the roof.
"As Red Hood already told you, you were injected with a chemical poison called Joker Venom and Fear Toxin. These two in combination can be very fatal. Your metabolism and the cure's Red Hood gave you are the reason you don't feel any of the effects anymore and that it's all out of your system." Karen answered his question.
"So if I wasn't me, I would die?"
"That would've been a possibility Peter."
dying.
The last time Peter thought about dying was when aunt May died.
And it was the last time Peter actively thought about ending it all.
He died before and all though he couldn't remember a lot about it it felt peaceful, not that he wasn't deathly afraid of it happening again.
"Peter your anxiety levels are raising at a top speed, should I call your emergency contacts?"
Karen snapped him back to reality, he was gasping for air. Peter didn't realize how much this was bothering it and how much anxiety it brought up.
"No Karen I'm fine."
-----------------
Peter entered their apartment through one of the windows. He was happy to see Miles was there inside.
His eyes grew wide when he saw Peter come in, Miles rushed over to him to catch him. While coming through the window he didn't have enough strength to carefully get in.
"Pete!"
"Good afternoon Miles." Peter said as the nanotech retracted from his face.
"God damn it Peter I was so worried!" Miles put Peter back on the floor and started to walk in circles. "And that fucking Red Hood too just taking you when I could've just perfectly cared for you!"
"Miles it's fine I came out okay!" Peter smiled weakly at Miles.
"That's! Argh!" Miles complained.
Peter weakly walked over to the kitchen and opened the cupboards. "We're running low on just about everything."
"Oh yeah go ahead change the subject, but yes we are."
Peter's suit retracted completely and stored itself into a little box that caught itself onto Peter's belt.
"Miles I'm going to shower and after that we'll go to a grocery store. Okay?"
That didn't make Miles any less pissed but that was okay.
-----------------
"So do we actually need this or is this just for fun?" Peter asked Miles as he was holding up a two foot roll of kinder chocolate bars Miles had just dumped in their cart.
"That's the need everything else is just for fun Petey." Miles joked.
Peter sighed but he actually kind of agreed with him.
Miles was walking backwards so he could look at Peter while they were talking. He bumped into someone, Miles quickly turned around to apologize when he saw it was Tim...?
"Tim? hey?" Miles said.
"Oh hey Miles and Peter, doing some shopping?" He asked.
"Uh, yeah?" Peter answered.
"Oh yeah obviously. Sorry that was stupid. Anyways how are you guys?"
"We're pretty good, how are you?" Miles asked him in return.
"Oh yeah I'm great, you know living life." Tim said as he was getting his backpack and opened it. "It's actually great I bumped into you two, see we're experimenting at Wayne Enterprises with a new beverage." He got two little plastic cups and a can with a label he obviously didn't recognize. "Care to try?"
"Oh for sure dude!" Miles said enthusiastically.
Tim placed his bag on the ground and started to but some of the red-ish colored liquid into one cup and gave it to Miles. He did the same thing for Peter's cup. "Well let me know what you guys think!"
Peter put his mouth at the cup and drank all of the drink in two go's. It was fruity and lightly sparkling, quite refreshing and nice actually.
"It's good Tim, I think this could go really well!" Peter told him.
Miles nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah it's pretty awesome."
Tim held his hands out for the cups, Miles and peter gave them back to him. "Well awesome thanks you guys! I do have to run now, my butlers outside in the car. I was just going in for some snacks, I'll hurry up before he comes to get me!" Tim laughed and speed walked away before Peter or Miles could even say bye.
Peter breath in some air before he started to speak. "That was weird right?"
"Massively. What was he even doing here in this neighborhood his dad is like the richest guy in town right?" Miles answered.
"Yeah he is.."
-----------------
"Are you sure you can go out on patrol again Pete?" Miles asked him while they were eating dinner, some rice, vegetables and meat in a delicious sauce. They finally had money again for actual nutritious food.
"Yeah I'm fine man. Besides what will I do all evening, it's quite boring here." Peter answered him.
"No it's just that you almost died yesterday and now you're seemingly okay I just wanted to check."
"Well thank you for checking but I'm fine."
Peter collected the now empty plates for the dishes, he turned on the water and waited until the water turned warmer.
"Pete where's your suit?"
"Here." Peter reached down to his belt, where it usually always was. Instead of feeling it there was nothing there, he in a panic looked on his other side. He noticed his breathing pattern change and his chest felt heavy. He looked at his back, no suit.
"Sh, shh Peter hey?" Miles stood besides him.
Peter grabbed onto his heart and his breathing pattern kept speeding up, his legs under him started to feel weak. He felt Miles stabilize him by helping him stand up straight.
Miles was talking to him but he didn't catch a word, it was like the world around him was muted and his thought were on the highest sound. But his thoughts didn't even make sense in this moment. He could hear his normally already high heartbeat go higher which made him panic even more. It felt like he was dying all over again.
Peter tried to shift his attention to something else, that helped, kind of. He focused on the window, he saw a woman walking with a toddler quite quickly. He was met with the blinding neon lights of the streets and he focused his hearing on a dog barking in the distance.
Slowly but surely Peter came back to earth, he wiped his teary eyes and realized what just happened and why.
"Pete?"
"I'm okay..." Peter's voice cracked in the middle of his answer. "My suit..."
Miles gave Peter a glass of water and got his comm.
"Karen?"
Peter couldn't hear if Karen answered and if she did what she said. Peter almost stumbled to the bed and sat on top of it still with a major panic resting in his body as if he was going to get sick.
"This is weird..." Miles muttered.
"What is?"
"She doesn't answer, she can't be shut off right?" Miles asked him.
"She can, however I'm the only living person that knows the password for it out of his head."
It stayed silent for a little while.
"Go on patrol alone, I will find my suit again. It's not like someone can get it out of it's box. Maybe my suit just ran out of power." Peter started to make up answers.
Miles looked at him weirdly. "You think I feel comfortable leaving you all alone?"
Peter pulled out his phone. "I don't need to be alone, we have a friend here in Gotham remember." Peter smiled at him, he was still pretty shaky.
"Jason?"
Peter nodded.
Peter: Can you hangout?
"I texted him." Peter touched his head, he got immensely dizzy just now.
"Let me know when and what he answers."
"Of course." Still lightly trembling and dizzy he let himself slowly fall on the bed and closed his eyes. Realistically he just wanted to crawl up in a ball and cry.
How can he lose a multimillion dollar suit made of a technology he wasn't even sure of they had in this universe and made by a dead man. How could an AI just turn off by herself, Peter was sure his suit wasn't empty, or almost empty.
Jason: Sure.
As in now ?
Peter: If you're able.
Jason: omw
"He just texted me and he's on his way now, so you could do an early patrol." Peter said lifting his head from the bed to look at Miles.
"I'll get dressed and I'll leave when Jason arrives." Miles grabbed his suit. "I'll make sure to keep an eye out for your suit, I don't think you need a comm we're connected to those Bat people now. But always call me on the comm when there's something going on."
Peter nodded in response.
Spidey sense
Someone with heavy foot steps was about to knock on their door. Miles looked through the peep hole. "Him." He whispered, he took off the clothes that he put over his suit and waved goodbye to Peter as he put on his mask and exited through the window. When Miles was all out of sight Peter rushed to open the door.
"Sorry I took so long." Peter apologized.
He wore cool combat boots and black cargo jeans topped with a dark green hoodie and his motorcycle helmet in his hand. "That's alright don't worry." His face changed when he looked Peter straight in his eyes. It changed from happy to worry. "Hey are you okay Peter?"
"Yes." He lied.
Jason squinted his eyes. "You're shaking a little are you sure?"
Peter nodded. "Come in.." Peter stepped aside. Miles and him took down all of the information they gathered on the mystery man, Jason didn't need to see all that. "You want something to drink? I have juice, tea or water, sorry for the lack of choice."
"Choice enough." Jason smiled and closed the door behind him. "What kind of juice is it?"
"Like a mango something juice."
"That please." Jason was looking around in his apartment.
"Oh sorry I can lift up the bed, it's a sofa bed.." Peter rushed to the bed and already started to take the pillows and blankets off.
"Oh Peter it's no big deal let me.." Jason offered but Peter had already folded the bed in already.
"Taadaa, a couch." Peter put out his hands and did some jazz-hands showing off the couch.
"Okay, impressive." Jason laughed.
Peter gave Jason his glass of juice and also got one for himself. "So what did you have for dinner?" Peter started a conversation.
"A few left over slices of pizza and some left over pasta. What did you have?"
"Well Jason that's an interesting meal put together, I had rice, veggies and meat." Peter chuckled.
"Well yeah I mean I wanted both pizza and pasta so why not both?" Jason let himself drop onto the couch.
Peter chuckled again. "Okay fair enough." Peter was still feeling so nauseous.
"I don't think I'm believing you, are you sure you're not getting sick?"
"Just a little nauseous and shaky."
Jason looked at him with his eyes squinted again. "hm you liar." He joked.
Peter just gave him a little laugh before taking a sip of his juice. The juice tasted normal but his stomach did not like it at all. Water started running in his mouth and he immediately knew what was up. He put his hand before his mouth and the glass on the table and booked it towards the toilet. Peter had no time to close the door before he reached the toilet and threw up.
Jason got up from the couch and quickly followed Peter, he crouched down to Peter's level holding some toilet paper he could wipe his mouth with. Peter grabbed the paper from Jason and did exactly that before dropping it in the toilet and flushing it all away.
"Yup you're fine I see it." Jason said sarcastically.
"Sorry." Peter said as he got up.
I just threw up, in front of him. Woah Peter Parker....
"Nothing to be sorry for Peteyman, it happens. It's not in the juice right?" He joked.
Peter laughed and shook his head no. "No it's not in the juice."
Notes:
♡( ◡‿◡ )
Chapter 16: Spider DNA
Summary:
“Hello. I’m Karen.” A women’s voice sounded from the computer.
“Uhhh…” Tim squinted his eyes and looked at the screen.
“Are you some kind of AI? Or are you real?”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Tim had collected Miles and Peter's DNA through the non existent Wayne Enterprises drink.
But that's not all Tim gained from their brief interaction.
When he saw Peter he noticed something on his belt, Tim had to chuckle at first because he thought it was one of those phone holders. On a second look it wasn't one of those. It was technology. Tim felt really bad but he snatched it, he stole it from Peter and he just hoped the anti tracker system in the cave worked, just in case this little box of technology had a tracker. Tim also talked as minimal as possible just in case it had a listening device.
He carefully took the DNA samples and ran them through the system.
Running DNA through the system always took quite a while.
Tim wiped some rubbish lying on the desk of the bat computer to the side and place the interesting box on it.
Tim first tried clicking on it to see if it had some kind of button. It did not.
He pulled two screwdrivers from a pot full of pencils and pens.
He tried to wiggle it loose by inserting the screwdrivers in cracks.
And it wouldn’t even budge.
Tim groaned in frustration.
He tried this method for another twenty minutes before he got a better idea.
He held it closer to the bat computer and like he secretly hoped when it came close to some USB ports it fabricated its own USB. Tim smiled, he had no idea how it was possible but he just went with it.
He entered the tech into the bat computer.
The entire screen turned red with a black spider in the middle of it.
“Hello. I’m Karen.” A women’s voice sounded from the computer.
“Uhhh…” Tim squinted his eyes and looked at the screen. “Are you some kind of AI? Or are you real?”
“Well Timothy, I am an AI. I was created by Tony Stark and installed in the second Spider-Man suit. I help the Spider-Men with their questions and duties.”
Tim stared at the screen with wide eyes. “How do you know my name?”
“Well I know a lot.”
“A lot?”
“A lot.”
“How do I get this open?”
“You can’t.” Karen answered calmly.
“Oh come on, what even is this?” Tim asked annoyed.
“It’s a compact version of the Iron-Spider suit. Created by Tony Stark, the suit is made of nanotechnology. It makes itself smaller so Spider-Man is able to carry it more easily.”
Tim grabbed a note book and started to scribble down some words.
Nanotechnology, Tony Stark, Iron-Spider.
Tim looked over at another screen and brought the mouse over. There was a new file with the name of Spider-Man. When Tim clicked on it, it declined.
“I’m sorry Timothy you do not have access to these files.”
Stupid AI.
Tim clicked on it again.
“You do not have access.”
Tim went to another screen, if he doesn’t get access, he’ll just remove her.
After a few minutes of messing around he finally found a way to temporarily shut her down.
Tim clicked on the files again and it opened.
The amount of stuff on it was immensely.
The first few things were Karen and security procedures and protocol.
There was a tracker like Tim already expected but it said that it was unavailable. Thank God for the cave’s anti-tracker system.
Furthermore it was all stuff Tim actually didn’t feel like reading right now. He was going to make a copy of the files anyways.
Until he found a big file with the name ‘Peter Parker 14’ it was really big, so Tim clicked on it.
It was full of just one big video.
When Tim clicked on it a black screen with the words 'A film by Peter Parker.'
It started with a shot of a metal world globe and some nature shot out of the back seats of a car through the window. "New York, Queens.. It's a rough borough but hey it's home.." A softer voice was talking, making their voice sound more intimidating than it actually truly was.
"Who you talking to?" Another male voice sounded from the drivers seat. The camera shot his way and the back of a middle aged white man with dark hair and a suit on appeared.
"No one." The soft voice quickly said on their normal tone. "Just making a little video of the trip."
"You know you can't show it to anyone?"
"Yeah, I know."
"Then why you narrating in that voice?"
"Hm... 'Cause it's fun!"
"Fun.." The driver put on his sunglasses.
"So... Why they call you Happy?'
The driver touched a button on the car roof and the privacy screen in between the two raised up. And a reflection of a young Peter Parker holding a camera appeared.
The video went over to another clip.
The car was parked and they stood behind it with the trunk open, the driver was in sight again getting a bag from the car. "Come on, I'm not carrying your bags, let's go."
The shot changed from the trunk of a car to the outside of a private yet, the driver was walking towards it.
"Hey should I go to the bathroom before?" Peter asked.
"There's a bathroom on it."
The walked up the stairs of the plane inside.
Peter filmed the empty cockpit. "Woah.. No pilot? That's awesome!"
Peter let himself fall in a chair opposite of the grumpy driver supposedly called 'Happy.' "Is that where you're gonna sit?"
"Yeah!"
"Is this your first time on a private plane?"
"This is my first time on any plane!" Peter said enthusiastically.
Happy got up and went to sit in another chair.
The clip changed to a young Peter filming himself with his finger before his mouth making shh noises. He flipped the camera around and showed a sleeping Happy, he got the camera slowly closer into his face until he woke up in a jump scare and Peter rushed back to his chair.
Peter showed some clips of an airport, there were German words everywhere. Until he brought back a shot with his own face. "No one actually told me why I'm in Berlin, or what I'm doing. Something about Captain America going crazy.." Why he was talking he showed clips of him in Berlin.
It shifted over to a the hallway in the hotel. "This is you." Happy pointed at a room.
"Oh, we're neighbors?!" Peter said happily and brought the camera back to Happy.
"We're not roommates, suit up." And he disappeared into his room.
Peter filmed himself in the mirror with a very home made Spider-Man suit. "Okay Peter, you got this, you got this..."
"What the hell are you wearing? " The shot changed to Happy.
"It's my suit."
"Where's the case?"
"What case?"
Happy opened a door behind him and Peter went towards it. "That's not my... What? I thought that was a closet! This is still my room? My room is way bigger than!" Peter walked into a living room, there was a coffee table with a big silver case on top of it. "I found the case!"
Peter showed the top of the case and grabbed a note laying on top of it.
"'A minor upgrade, TS'" Peter read from it. He opened the case and it opened up by itself.
A suit appeared on screen, it looked more like Miles' black and red suit than Peter's suit now. The suit was red with blue accents.
The clip changed to Peter showing himself removing his homemade mask. "This is... This is insane! Look at this thing look!" He flipped the camera and showed the suit up close. "This is the greatest day of my life..."
The scene looked like Peter was at an airport hidden away. There were multiple people standing there while he was filming them.
"Okay there is Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow... Woah... Who's that new guy?"
"Underoos!" A man yelled, it came from the people Peter was filming.
Peter turned the camera back to selfie mode. "That's me! I gotta go, I gotta go!" He dropped the phone and jumped towards the people . With a flip he struck a web and caught onto a shield a man was holding and yanked it from him. The next clips were all in battle clips.
The clip changed from the battle to inside a car again showing a man Tim recognized from somewhere but he couldn't pin point it.
"What are you doing? A little video diary?"
"Yeah." Peter softly answered.
"It's alright, I'd do the same thing." The man comforted his worries.
"I told him not to do it, he was filming everything. I'm gonna wipe the chip." Happy said.
"hey, hey, hey. We should actually, we should make an alibi video for your aunt.." The man removed his glasses. "We rolling? Get into frame."
Peter got into frame as well and it was him and the man. "Hey May!" The man said with a smile. "How are you doing? What are you wearing? Something skimpy, I hope." The man laughed. Peter turned his head around to look at him his facial expression was a mixture of being confused and disgust. "Okay that was inappropriate, let's start over. You can edit it."
"3, 2 , 1. Hey May! My gosh.. Wanted to tell you what an incredible job your nephew did this weekend at the Stark internship retreat. Everyone was impressed." Outside a car started honking pretty loudly what snapped the man out of his focus. "Come on! This is a fucking merge. I'm sorry. This is because you're not on Queens Boulevard."
The car stopped and the man was filming Peter. "Happy can you give us a moment?"
"you want me to leave?"
"Grab Peter's case out of the trunk..."
And with that the video ended.
The video showed him in his first year Tim filled that in, the home made suit the pure excitement.
He heard names of people he never heard about, he saw people, that looked like Super Heroes that he had never seen before.
The computer pinged, the DNA was ready. He quickly put it in the system to see.
Okay so it was definitely not a case of identity theft or aliens because the DNA was…
But it wasn’t a 1 on 1 with the Peter and Miles’ DNA that was already in the New York’s data base.
So it could still be a case of identity theft or aliens.
Tim looked at the DNA and his head shifted sideways. There were anomalies in their DNA. Not quite the same as a metahumans anomalies, also not like a Kryptonian or a Tamaranian.
More like a mutant..?
Tim grabbed Miles’ DNA and put it on the big screen. He started to dissect it. It was clear to see what was human DNA and what was something else.
He ran the something else through the database alone.
The only matches were spiders, poisonous spiders but no direct matches.
“Spider-Man is a spider mutant. Of course..” Tim said loudly to himself.
“What?” Duke walked in right that moment. “What did you just say?”
“The Spider-Men are spider mutants. And their DNA doesn’t match with the identities they’re giving up.”
“Fake identities perhaps?”
“Possible but hm.. And I by change maybe stole Peter’s suit. But hey I found all these files stored on it.”
“You did what?!”
“I maybe stole Peter suit, but in my defense I didn’t know it was his suit!” Tim made an excuse for himself.
Duke just sighed. “I was actually going on patrol myself.” Duke walked over to the suits and disappeared.
Peter looked at the files again another file with an interesting name popped up while scrolling. ‘Miles’ first training’ that one looked quite interesting to Tim.
The video started with Peter putting the camera on a stand. He was dressed in the red and blue suit Tim just saw.
“Spider-Man two, first training!” Peter said enthusiastically a shorter boy behind him stood there awkwardly. He was dressed with black and red Jordan's, jorts, a Spiderman shirt with a zip up hoodie on top of it and ended with a Halloween costume version of Peter’s mask.
“Okay I just gave you the web shooters, try and shoot a web, you know how I-“
Miles put his hand forward in a rock and roll hand sign pointed to the ground. A string of white web weakly shot out.
“Exactly like that!” Peter cheered.
The shot changed. Peter was driving around on a beaten skateboard under a swinging Miles. Miles' swings weren't straight and flowing. They looked more as if he was almost falling each time. "Yeah man! Good job!" Peter yelled at him. They were still at something that looked like some abandoned factory.
In the next clip it showed the skateboard laying on the ground and Peter busy with webbing something from one wall to another, meters apart. It looked like a hammock, Miles was watching it attentively. When Peter was done he got on top of one of the buildings, did a front flip and fell into the hammock which was now heavily swinging side to side.
Tim put the video on a pause, he didn't understand why these video's or even files were in a suit. He knew Bruce would never with how paranoid he gets with secret identities. He also still didn't understand who those people were at the airport previously and also if the Spider-Men were active for this long how did they stay off of Batman or even the justice league's radar.
Tim decided to further look into the spider part of their DNA and compared Miles and Peter. There were differences between the two, Miles' looked more evolved or they were a different spider type. Tim ran it through all of the types of spiders even the ones that were extinct, but still no answer.
He decided to leave it for now, not to say that he was going to leave it alone entirely. He has made it one of his own side quests to find out what kind of possibly spiders they're mutated from.
It was still bothering him that the man that appeared in Peter's vlog was so familiar. He went back to the video and scrolled until he got a good shot of the man. Tim put a screenshot of the man's face in search and the results told him how and from where Tim knew this man.
Anthony Stark, the son of Howard Stark the CEO of Stark industries, a company based in New York. Tim knew him from those fancy CEO parties and gala's, the last time Tim saw him was a few years ago at one of Bruce's galas at the manor. Anthony acted like a typical rich kid, if the Brucie Wayne persona was real they could be great friends. Tim replayed the part of the vlog with him and Peter and wanted to palm face when he heard the name Stark, he looked down at his scribbled notes. Tony Stark, Tony is a nickname for Anthony, of course.
"So Peter did an internship at Stark industries, Stark made his suit most likely provides the money for him." Tim whispered to himself trying to get the story straight. Tim genuinely didn't understand what was happening.
-----------------
Miles was done with patrol, it was around 1 A.M. the evening was slow and he didn't really hear anything from the Bat Squad. Which Miles was pretty okay with, if he was really honest they were badass but pretty terrifying.
Miles peaked through the window of Peter and his apartment. Normally he would just barge in without looking but he was glad he did because Jason was still there. Miles quickly went away from the window and opened his backpack, when he left he stored his clothes in it and left it on the roof . He put the clothes on over his suit on the roof and removed his mask before climbing down with the fire stairs.
Miles waved a goodnight to Elijah before heading up, he quietly opened the front door of their apartment and spotted Jason sitting on one side of the couch and Peter asleep on the other side he was laying on the couch with his lower legs on top of Jason's lap. Jason looked up from his phone.
"Oh hey Jason, you're still here?"
"Peter got sick, couldn't leave him alone here. I got his temperature and stuff but that seems fine, I don't know what's up with him." Jason explained.
"It could be anxiety, the panic attack he had before you arrived." Miles thought out loud.
"He had a panic attack before I came?" Jason sounded genuinely worried.
"He didn't tell you?" Miles pinched his nose bridge. "Of course he didn't..."
Jason softly lifted up Peter's legs from his lap and stood up. Peter was dead asleep, Jason lifted him up like he weighted nothing and carried him over to the bed. "Should I pull the bed out for you?" Jason pointed at the couch and whispered.
"Oh no don't bother I can-" Before Miles could finish his sentence Jason had already pulled the bed out with minimal sound not to wake Peter.
"Taadaa.." Jason said so quietly that a person with normal hearing wouldn't be able to have heard him. So Miles just shook it off.
"Thanks Jason, also thanks for staying with Peter tonight, keeping him company. I hope we didn't bother you with it a whole lot." Miles apologized.
Jason quickly shook his head no. "It was fun Miles, don't worry." Jason put the pillows and blanket back on the sofa bed and covered Peter with a blanket too. Jason walked to the front door and got his motorcycle helmet. "Goodnight Miles, I'll see you around." He smiled and gave him a little wave.
"G'night." Miles shut the door behind him.
Notes:
yes the video Tim plays is the video from Captain America Civil War, I love that video so much (T▽T)
On a more serious note it's May which means it's mental health awareness month.
It's okay to not be okay.
Reach out, speak up, talk if you need help.
You're important, you're loved and most importantly you're enough.
You deserve to be happy.
♡\( ̄▽ ̄)/♡
Chapter 17: Pizza at Wayne Manor.
Summary:
“They could get a ride if they’d ask.” Jason bumped Peter’s shoulder.
“We didn’t get legs for nothing Jason.” Peter gave him his answer.
“Walking all the way back to the Bowery?” Jason asked a bit stunned.
“Yeah, that’s okay right?” Peter joked.
Notes:
Thank you guys for all the kudos and comments !!! They really motivate me to write <3
enjoy some Miles, Peter & Batfam :)
Chapter Text
Peter and Miles were chilling on the bed together watching some shity 90's romcom remake they both had never heard of before. Peter didn't dare to spill it but he was genuinely enjoying himself watching it.
Until some heavy knocking on their apartment door shook Peter from his focus on the show. Peter slowly glanced at Miles who looked confused and went to open the door.
"Peter and Miles?" The guy standing outside of the door asked them. The man was a big guy, at least two meters tall and a heavy muscle weight. He wore a black outfit and a leather jacket topped with sunglasses.
Miles slowly nodded. "That's us..." Miles glanced at Peter who jumped out of bed now to stand behind Miles.
"What the hell did we do.." Peter jokingly whispered really quietly so only Miles could hear him.
Miles shrugged really lightly.
"We need you guys for a new clean up." The man said without any facial expression.
"As in... now..?" Peter asked.
The man folded his arms over each other. "Tomorrow."
"Right... Well we're available. If you just send a car like before that'll be cool." Miles quickly wrapped it up.
The man nodded. "Until then."
Miles quickly closed the door and slowly turned to Peter. "Okay... Not weird at all." He sarcastically joked.
"We're running low on web fluid." Miles said as he was doing the dishes.
"You are." Peter sighed.
Miles turned around, he was drying a plate but stopped. Peter was sitting on the bed skipping through the TV channels. "We'll get it back."
"Sure now say it as if you mean it." It was quiet for a bit. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be pissed at you M. We'll go back to the University this afternoon. I promise." Peter ended with a loud sigh.
------------------------
It went as it was supposed to go. A quick in and out. Miles made the web fluid while Peter looked around for any usable scraps. The university was pretty empty just like last time, they went later in the afternoon.
Peter had a full stuffed backpack full of usable scraps for coming future projects just as a because.
Just as they were almost victorious of an unnoticed break in they saw a shiny red sports car with a familiar man leaning against it.
Jason Todd.
Jason put his sunglasses off and looked closer in their direction.
He waved enthusiastically which looked quite funny.
“Pete?” He called.
Peter gave Miles a short smile and a sigh before they both walked over to Jason.
It’s not that Peter wasn’t happy to see his friend it was just not the right moment.
“What are you doing here Jason?” Peter asked with an awkward smile.
“I’ve got two little brothers who in my other little brother’s words are too incompetent to figure out their own ride, so Todd, you’ll have to pick them up.” Jason put on a little voice.
“Tim and Duke?” Miles’ face lit up.
“Yup, there you have them.” Jason pointed behind them. “‘Sup guys, no Steph today?”
Duke shook his head. “She will be at her mom’s the entire week, she explained why but uh, we forgot.” He explained.
“Hey Miles, Peter.” Tim nodded.
“Are you two also getting a ride?” Duke asked.
“Oh no, no.” Peter laughed. “We just happened to bump into each other.”
“They could get a ride if they’d ask.” Jason bumped Peter’s shoulder.
“We didn’t get legs for nothing Jason.” Peter gave him his answer.
“Walking all the way back to the Bowery?” Jason asked a bit stunned.
“Yeah, that’s okay right?” Peter joked already taking a step backwards.
“Yeah of course but you know just a little far.” Jason explained.
“Do you guys have plans for dinner?” Duke asked them.
Miles shook his head no.
“Neither do we, our butler Alfred isn’t home, neither is Bruce so we’ll probably get delivery. You two should come with, so should you Jay.” Duke invited them.
Miles smiled widely. “I’m down." He turned to look at Peter with puppy eyes. "Petey?”
Peter thought for a second but Miles knew he couldn't say no. “Oh why not..”
Jason looked over to Duke and Tim and he looked pissed. Peter had no idea why he could be pissed at them did they do something? Or shouldn’t they have invited them?
“It’s alright we don’t have to..” Peter whispered to Jason, hoping Duke and Tim couldn’t hear him.
“It’s fine. Hop in you guys.” Jason said and immediately hopped in the drivers seat.
The last time Peter drove in a car like this was with Miles and Tony on their way to something Peter couldn’t even remember. He was very sure Tony had a car just like this one, maybe even the same exact one.
It was quite a while to Bruce Wayne’s house. They passed neighborhoods Peter and Miles hadn’t even seen yet. Fancy neighborhoods if you take the Bowery you wouldn’t expect Gotham to also be able to look like this.
They entered a long while of land, they passed mansions Peter couldn’t even dream living at.
After a few mansions they saw a big gate.
‘Wayne Manor’
That must be it.
The gate opened as Jason approached it. Peter looked behind him and it closed again when they passed it.
The land was so gigantically huge.
Was that a barn?
Jason messily parked the expensive car and got out.
“Welcome to Wayne Manor Miles and Peter!” Duke smiled widely.
“You actually live here? Like for real?” Miles asked.
Tim nodded.
He was being weirdly quiet the entire ride.
Weird.
They walked to the front door, Peter and Jason walked a bit behind the rest.
“You are staying right?” Peter asked him.
“I don’t know Peter..”
“Come on Jay, I can call you that right? I can’t have dinner at Bruce Wayne’s house without my favorite son of his present.”
Jason laughed. “You can call me anything Pete. You know, I’m staying but just because you’re asking.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Smartass, I can still leave.”
Peter smiled widely at him.
They entered the manor and it was as grandiose as the outside suggested.
They were welcomed by a big space, a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling and two massive stairs in a half spiral leading to the first floor.
Peter felt his jaw almost dropping to the floor. Jason closed it for him and laughed. “I know.”
The girl Peter saw at the fair appeared. She was already wearing something what looked like pajamas. She softly but energetically waved at them.
“Hey Cassandra, right?”
She nodded with a big smile. “Nice to see you again Peter, you too Miles! You’re staying over for dinner?”
“Yup so am I.” Jason told her.
“Yay!” She smiled as brightly as she could without it looking weird.
Peter noticed how light she walked. His Spidey sense never even tingled when she passed. He didn’t know how but he does like to know if he can learn it.
Jayson’s little brother Damian walked in, on his side was a huge dark Great Dane neatly walking alongside him.
“Hello you all. I invited Jon. I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah of course!” Cassandra answered. “The more souls the better.”
Tim walked over to Damian and whispered in his ear. “Notice our guests, I think you should tell Jon before, you know…”
Peter swore he didn’t want to eavesdrop but Tim was whispering quite loudly, he had no idea what he even meant with that.
Damian just nodded in response.
“This is the kitchen, normally around this time you’d find Alfred here. He’s unfortunately on a business trip out of state with our dad.” Cassandra explained as she showed them around in the kitchen.
“Peter, Miles. This is my friend Jon Kent.” Damian came in with another boy a little taller than him but around the same age. He had soft features, pitch black hair and black glasses.
How was he here this quickly..?
“Hi, nice to meet you.” Jon waved at them.
Peter waved back at him.
“Hey Jon!” Miles smiled.
“Is Dick coming too?” Jon asked his friend.
Damian looked at the rest with big questioning eyes.
“He was supposed to but I guess he’s stuck in traffic or got held up.” Tim answered him.
Jon nodded.
“So what actually was the plan? I know delivery but what?” Jason asked.
“Pizza…?” Duke asked.
“We had pizza yesterday Duke.” Cassandra answered.
“Well I didn’t. You guys did. And who cares you can eat it today as well.” Duke stated.
“I didn’t either. Pizza it is. Everyone’s regulars? I’ll order Dicks regular as well. They take longer to come up here anyway." He was clicking away on his phone until he looked up. "Peter? Miles?” Jason looked at them.
“What?” Miles questioned.
“What kind of pizza?” Jason looked at him like it was obvious what he meant.
“Both pepperoni.” Peter answered for Miles too.
“Dick Grayson has arrived.” A tall tan man with dark hair entered the living room in which they sat.
That must’ve been dick, Jason’s older brother.
“Dick!” Cassandra jumped up towards him to give him a hug.
After he greeted everyone else he went towards Miles, Jason and him.
“Unexpected company, hey little wing.” Dick greeted Jason. “Peter and Miles right?”
Peter nodded in response.
“Always nice meeting Jason’s friends!” Dick smiled widely at them, he truly had one of those super model smiles.
"They're not just Jay's friends Dick." Duke nudged his brother's shoulder.
"My apologies." Dick sat down next to Miles on one of the three mega couches in the living room. "So where are you guys from? Is it right I'm hearing a New York accent?"
Miles nodded happily.
The doorbell rang, and the doorbell was as fancy as the rest of the house.
"Pizza's, Pete come help me out." Jason jumped up. Peter quickly got up too and followed him.
Jason opened the front door to greet the delivery driver. Peter took the pizza's and saw Jason give the driver a fifty dollar bill as his tip in the corner of his eye.
Rich people.
Peter forgot to pretend that the many pizza's stacked on top of each other were heavy. Jason gave him a questioning side eye. "Well, you're stronger than you look." He sounded genuinely impressed.
Oh you don't even know half of it Jason...
"Yeah.." Peter laughed awkwardly.
Peter placed the pile of pizza's in the dining room. He looked around the room and just took it in. There was a huge fireplace and a large chandelier, the chandelier wasn't as big as the one at the entrance hall but it was still massive. The table was long and there were many chairs. Which was logical with how many family members there are. There was gorgeous art on the walls and one family picture, Peter looked a little closer. He saw a younger Bruce Wayne, their butler Alfred, an annoyed younger Dick and in the middle was the happiest boy Peter had ever seen, smiling widely, radiating happiness.
It was Jason, without his scar, without the white streak and still a child.
Another family picture close to that one was of an older Bruce Wayne now smiling next to a gorgeous woman, she had dark short hair and a beautiful black dress on. Alfred, Dick now smiling widely a hand resting on a pretty young Damian's shoulder, Damian had a look that if looks could kill through a picture Peter would be dead. Next to him a little behind him was Tim and next to Tim was Cassandra. Peter frowned a bit, where was Jason on this picture?
"Hey." He felt a hand touch his shoulder, it was Dick. "Nice pictures hm?
Peter looked at him. "Oh yeah, I always like family pictures."
Dick laughed a bit to himself. "Bruce makes us do one every single year, he swears it's for the public and media but I haven't trusted him with that excuse since I've been a teenager." Dick noticed that Peter noticed the lack of Jason on the second picture. "Jason hasn't been in a picture since he was a teenager himself. It's his own choice." he said the second part a little more silently. "This years picture is somewhere else, if you'd like to see it I can show you after dinner."
Peter sat down on the table without a sound and waited until he got a pizza shoved before him. Normally he was a fast eater and was always the first one done but now he barely touched it when some others were already done. The table was loud and everyone was making conversation but Peter was completely zoned out.
"Right Peter?" Jason was laughing and bumped Peter's shoulder.
Peter snapped out of it and looked confused. "What?"
"On Duke's idea." He turned around to look at Peter. "Wait, are you alright?" He immediately switched to a worried tone.
Peter had no idea why his mood was suddenly like this. "I just need a moment." Peter stood up and left the room.
He was walking around in the manor, he wasn't going to lie but he was a bit lost. This entire manor was pretty overwhelming, it was gorgeous, the old money vintage style was absolutely gorgeous. And it wasn't like this was the first time Peter was in a house this size. Tony Stark was his mentor, Tony's style was a whole lot more modern billionaire than Bruce Wayne's style. Peter sat down on a random chair just placed in one of the hallways.
A few minutes later he noticed footsteps coming his way, Miles' footsteps.
"Are you okay Peter?"
Peter shrugged in response. "I don't know what's wrong, it's probably just the suit, I miss Ned, I miss New York and the fact that we can't seem to deal with the tornado guy."
Miles looked at him, understanding. "I get it Pete, it's okay to feel this way, I get it."
Peter stood up from the chair with his head low.
"Do you want a hug?" Miles asked him.
Peter nodded and the way Miles was hugging him, tightly and finished with a huge squeeze, just like uncle Ben always did, Made him bite away tears.
"You should go back to them Miles, you've made new friends they're important."
Miles looked hesitatingly back at Peter. "You can go, I won't be alone. Do you hear that..?" Peter put his finger up in the air. The sound was the sound of heavy footsteps coming their way. "That's Jason."
"Are you sure?" Miles asked him for reassurance.
"Absolutely positive."
"Come with me Peter, I know a better place." Jason said when he saw Peter. Jason gently took his arm and let him to the big stairs at the entrance. They went up the stairs two time's to the third floor. "A little longer, just out of this window, be careful where you place your feet." Peter looked out of the window and saw what Jason meant.
There was a huge plant clinging onto the manor, it looked liked some ivy. Underneath the plant there was a steel ladder buried and it was being camouflaged by the greenery. Peter saw Jason climb out of the window and clinging onto the ladder before eventually climbing up all the way to the roof.
Peter could just use his sticky abilities, that would be much easier but instead he of course used the ladder. The roof was slanted but Jason looked like he had a lot of experience climbing and walking on the roof.
"I always came here when I still lived at the manor, for some peace and quiet time. The view is incredible." Jason sat down and got his cigarettes from his pocket and put one in his mouth. "And I could smoke without Bruce or Alfred catching me." He laughed and lit the tip.
"You smoke?" Jason offered him holding out the pack of Camel Yellows.
Peter shook his head. "No, thank you." he sat down next to him.
"You can talk about what's bugging you if you want to, or you can just be silent then we'll sit in silence that's okay too." Jason told him.
Peter sighed heavily. "I lost something very dear to me, made for me by someone even more dear to me. He passed away so I can't exactly get a new one. And okay don't get me wrong I've been enjoying Gotham, kind of. I'm just missing New York and I miss my best friend."
Telling someone else other than Miles did lift a weigh off of Peter's shoulders.
He saw Jason's mouth move, he was talking but Peter was still kind of zoning out.
"Huh..?" Peter looked at him questioningly.
"Tell me about your best friend?"
"Oh uh.. Well his name is Ned and I met him when we were kids at school. He's a really good guy." Peter pulled his knees closer to his face and held his legs with his arms. "We've got this awesome handshake and we build LEGO's together. And I have no way to reach him.."
"What do you mean, are you two like fighting?" Jason asked and took a large drag from his cigarette, he looked up towards the stars. The light pollution from the big city wasn't as big as it was in the city, you could see the stars clearly here.
"It's way more complicated than that. Anyways how are you actually doing?"
"Nice go ahead change the subject." Jason chuckled. "I'm happy actually, my siblings can be a bit overwhelming but I do enjoy their company. Don't tell them I said this though." He finished the cigarette and pushed the filter out on the roof and threw it off.
"No need to smoke without Bruce and Alfred knowing anymore?" Peter laughed.
"No." He shook his head with a huge smile. "I do think they knew when I was fourteen, fifteen though, with Bruce it's very hard to have secrets, and with Alfred even more."
"Is everything okay with Tim though?" Peter asked.
Jason shrugged. "I don't know, I guess. Sometimes he's just like this I guess. I'll ask him later to make sure."
------------------------
"Do you guys really have to go already?" Cassandra whined.
"Yes Cass, but I'll promise you I'll see soon." Miles smiled.
"I'm keeping you to that." She smiled.
"Well Morales, Parker let's go I'll take you I live close anyway." Jason said.
"Actually can I come with. We need to discuss something." Dick said looking pretty serious.
Jason groaned. "Okay."
They entered a huge garage with many cars. Modern cars, old timers and a van.
"Which one, have a your pick." Jason smirked.
Miles' eyes grew wide when he saw a sleek sports car. Peter averaged the costs of it on at least a million.
"This one definitely." Miles pointed at it.
"You sure you can store it safely at your apartment?" Dick asked Jason.
Jason laughed. "Ha! No but it's Bruce's car, he can afford anything that can possibly happen to it."
The face DIck made in response just said fair enough.
Jason opened the trunk of the sports car and held out his hand for Miles and Peter's bags. He got Miles bag and just carefully placed it in the trunk. Peter's bag was heavy full of metal and electronic scraps.
"Yo Peter what the fuck is in here?" Jason asked him.
Peter smiled. "Scraps, Metal, electronics, that kind of stuff. I like to just fuck around see what I can make with them."
"Sounds like a lot of fun." Dick took the bag from Jason and put it in the trunk. On a way that Jason wasn't acting fast enough for him.
Arrived at the bar Jason stopped in front.
"What do I owe you?" Peter asked Jason.
Jason burst out laughing. "You know I'm not a taxi right?"
"Yes I know, for the pizza's?"
"Nothing, Bruce's card. He won't miss a cent." Jason smiled. "I'll see you two soon guys."
------------------------
"Red Robin!" Red Hood yelled and ran over a few roofs towards him.
Tim turned around and looked back at Jason. "Are you okay bro?"
Tim burst in a nervous laughter and shook his head. "Why wouldn't I be. I'm a-okay." He said a little defensive and put his hands on his hips.
Jason raised his eyebrow under his helmet, he tilted his head and folded his arms over each other. "Sure..."
"I've got things to do Hood."
"Well our Spidey friend asked me if you were okay so just checking, no need to get all so defensive. Which getting defensive normally means you're lying, also suggested by the obvious nervous laughter."
"Leave this checking in, therapist shit to Nightwing, Hood." Tim lashed out.
Ow... Well fuck this motherfucker.
"If you weren't my brother I'd shoot you now. Fuck you Red Robin."
Chapter 18: grounded
Summary:
“If Dick or Damian were here they’d call this little one Bat lamb or something.” Tim joked.
Kon laughed. “Damian infected Jon with that stuff. Instead of everything bat everything is super. Super cow, super cat but never super Conner can you believe it?!”
Ma Kent chuckled.
“Ma?!” Kon laughed trying to sound offended.
Chapter Text
“I made a mistake.” Tim admitted.
“What mistake?” Kon asked him while he was fidgeting with his hair. They were lying in the grass at the Kent family farm and Kon was putting all kinds of small random flowers in his hair.
“I’ve taken it upon myself to research those Spiders right, because I don’t trust the situation one bit.” Tim explained. “Now I made a mistake.” Tim got a little box from his pocket.
“What’s that?”
“One of the Spiders their suit.”
“What? But how? But why…?” Kon asked in shock.
“I was getting their DNA samples because as I showed you they’re pretending to be those two guys. I researched the identities they gave us and turns out either they got full doublegangers or they stole their identities.” Tim explained. “So I had to know whether they were even human. For all we know they were shape shifting bad guys.”
Kon nodded understandingly. “I do hope no one gets mad when they find out you got their DNA without consent.”
Tim shrugged. “Won’t be the first time but that’s like the least of our problems.” He sighed. “The biggest problem is getting this back to Peter without him being suspicious. Our second problem is convincing others on that it’s a little suspicious. Damian I’ve got on my side… I think.”
“You think..?”
“Well he’s suspicious too, but he’s Damian so I don’t know..”
“Well Darling, I think you made a mistake. I don’t care what you thought behind it but you need to return it.”
“I know..” Tim groaned.
Kon turned towards Tim and gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. “I’m sure they’ll understand if you tell them like this.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine it’s just Jason.”
“Why just Jason, why does he care?”
“I don’t know, they’re friends or something.”
“Hm… okay..” Kon dragged his words.
“Right?!”
“Kon?!” Ma Kent called out to him.
“Yeah ma?” Kon let go off Tim.
“Little help please? With the sheep?”
Kon smiled ear to ear. “Probably a little lamb coming, come with me!” Kon dragged Tim up and together they ran towards the sound of Ma Kent’s voice.
Kon was petting the new little lamb. There was a pregnant sheep about to deliver any moment, and by chance she gave birth while Tim was visiting. Ma Kent never hated an extra pair of hands.
“If Dick or Damian were here they’d call this little one Bat lamb or something.” Tim joked.
Kon laughed. “Damian infected Jon with that stuff. Instead of everything bat everything is super. Super cow, super cat but never super Conner can you believe it?!”
Ma Kent chuckled.
“Ma?!” Kon laughed trying to sound offended.
“Can’t believe that!” Tim snorted.
————————————-
“Tim, we need to talk.” It looked as if Bruce had been waiting by the front door on his return. Which, probably was the case.
“Oh yeah sure of course, I do need to tell you that the Kent’s had a new lamb. Ma told us it was actually Kara’s turn to name it but if Clark’s gonna make you guys do a vote again vote Bat Lamb it’s a million times better than Super Lamb-“
“Tim, please.” Bruce cut him off. “Downstairs now.”
Tim shut up and silently followed Bruce to the bat cave.
“Now Tim tell me, did I specifically ask you to hold your own little investigation?” Bruce sounded pissed off as they stopped on the middle of the stairs on their way down.
“Eh… No..?” He said knowing exactly what he did and also who snitched, Duke.
Bruce held out his hand. “The suit.”
Tim looked at his feet full of embarrassment. “Here…” he placed the compact suit on Bruce’s hand.
“This was highly inappropriate behavior Tim. We don’t steal other people’s super suits.” Bruce pinched his nose bridge. “In all my years of parenting" He paused to think. " Wild kids, this is the first time I had to make this clear.”
“But Bru-“
“Don’t think I’m happy with you just one bit Tim.”
Tim looked up at Bruce.
“What we also don’t go around doing is stealing people’s DNA.” Bruce continued.
“But you also-“
“No you zip it Tim. I’m so mad that I can’t even tell anymore. You know I’m not only mad, I’m very disappointed too.” Bruce sighed. “Punishment. You will return the suit unharmed back to Peter, second no patrolling for a month.”
“But Bruce come on!”
“Wasn’t finished yet, no hanging out with Kon either Timothy.”
“BRUCE?!”
“No arguing.”
“Bruce!! Bru- Dad?!” Tim tried.
“Don’t dad me it won’t work kid.”
“But Bruce I’m an adult you’re not the boss of me?!”
“First, I literally am and I’m your father. If you wanted to be treated as said adult, try behaving a bit more like your age.”
Tim scoffed.
“If I see this kind of reckless, mindless behavior of you again, I won’t be this calm, heard me Timothy Jackson Drake Wayne?” Bruce warned him.
Tim nodded. “I understand dad.”
“Very well.”
Tim turned around on his way deeper into the cave.
“Patrol ban means no Bat cave you know this Tim.” Bruce warned him.
Tim groaned and angrily went back up the stairs past Bruce.
Tim groaned even louder when his face met his pillow.
He immediately got out his phone and called Kon.
“Baby?”
“Hey Kon. I, fucking, Bruce put me on house arrest!”
He heard Kon laugh on the other side of the line.
“Not funny! It means I’m not allowed to see you! And we can’t do it like last time, hanging out in suit because I’m also on a patrol ban.”
“What the fuck! Is this about the spider thing?”
“Yup. He’s pretty pissed off at me, fucking Duke snitched me to him, I know it!”
“Should I make Clark talk some sense into him? At least about the patrol ban?” Kon offered.
“Thanks Kon but we both know Batman only listens to three people sometimes, definitely not Clark and most definitely not me. That would be Selina, Alfred and Dick and most of the times he does what he wants himself either way.” Tim paused. “I do feel bad about stealing from Peter.”
“I know baby, the sooner you return it the better.”
“Bruce has it, a hundred percent he wants me to return at as me. To learn responsibility.” He said the last sentence as if he was Bruce to mock it.
“Honestly baby you know I love you but I’m on Bruce’s side with this one.”
Tim did a fake gasp. “You traitor…” he joked.
Kon gave the same dramatic behavior back.
“I need to hang my love. Farm stuff and Clark just came. I love you!”
“Love you too!”
And Kon hung up.
Tim dropped his phone next to him on the bed and stared to the ceiling. There was a poster close to the ceiling that had been loose since a few months ago, it was of cool car his dad, Jack had owned. Tim actually never knew what happened to the car since one day when he was young his parents were gone and so was the car, a month later his parents were back but not with Tim’s favorite car.
He shot one look at his wall again and stared at a picture of Cassie, Kon, Cissie, Bart and him.
The young justice, though that wasn’t the complete team.
Tim groaned and turned on his side to grab his phone and do what he had been dragging to do.
Text Jason.
Tim: Do you have Peter’s phone number?
Tim now had to wait hours on a response.
————————————-
Peter’s phone pinged with a message. Peter immediately enthusiastically grabbed it because that could only mean one thing, a text from Jason.
Unknown: Hey Peter, I was wondering if we could meet up very soon.
What the shit? Who the fuck was this?
Peter: who tf is this?
Unknown: sorry this is tim drake wayne
Peter immediately put him in his contacts, still not placing why Tim was texting him.
Peter: sure I guess. Why?
Tim: nothing important I’ll tell you then
Peter: I’m at my job now, almost done but maybe around dinner ?
Tim: Sure if you can text your address.
And Peter did as he was asked. He put his phone back on the table and returned to cleaning. They had just two items this time, a diamond ring and another letter. A letter addressed to a penguin, funny.
“Hey Miles?” Peter called him, he was cleaning up in another room.
“Pete?” He answered.
“You never guessed who just texted me.”
“Jason? We don’t have many other friends.” Miles joked.
“Nope his brother, Tim. He wants to hang out with me? I don’t know why, actually I would sooner think he’d ask you to hang out. But you don’t have a phone, we need to maybe fix that.” Peter remembered.
“Oh yes we do, I’m getting bored out of my fucking mind with the tv. I’d rather eat even less nutritious than go another week without a phone.” Miles responded.
“There is like thirty minutes left until we’re done, how many boxes do you think we can fill.” Peter asked him.
“At least five.”
“Five?? I could do eight by myself!” Peter laughed.
“Okay bet, thirty minutes start…. Now!” Miles laughed.
Peter could in fact not do eight boxes in thirty minutes, he did six instead and Miles couldn’t let go of it.
“How did it go actually with your improv web shooters yesterday you big liar?” Miles asked him jokingly calling him a liar.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny M. Good actually, they’re fully functional, who knew a few scraps were good for them. Oh who am I kidding I’m like the DIY with scraps king!” He laughed.
They walked outside and the expensive car pulled up again. Stepping out was the same guy as the last time.
“Hello my boys! Ah it’s great to see that the Wayne boy isn’t here now.” Oswald joked but no one laughed but himself.
“Hello sir, we got the most work done we could. At least two moving boxes to go downstairs and then we’ll begin upstairs. No luck on the items just yet.” Miles explained.
“That’s fine boy, I’m just over the moon you two are still alive doing the job!” He smiled widely.
“Why shouldn’t we be alive?” Peter laughed.
“Well either the gas masks actually do their job or you two are remarkable miracles. The last time I sent one of my men inside they died even with a mask!”
Well… Jason was talking about how dangerous it was.
Oswald finished his nervous laughter. “Well you.” He pointed at his driver. “Pay these boys what they’re owed.”
The driver walked this way and got out a stash of cash. Two one hundred bills.
“Very well, I have no time to take you home. Sorry boys.” Oswald gave them a short smile before getting back into the car and racing off.
“What a nice guy.” Peter muttered sarcastically.
————————————-
The doorbell went, Miles got up to look through the peephole. It was Tim, Miles happily swung the door open.
“Hey Tim!”
“Miles hi.”
“You wanted to.. hang out..?” Peter said still unsurely.
“Actually I came to return something, I found it but I didn’t know it belonged to you.” Tim confessed awkwardly.
Peter looked at him with a questioning side eye.
“Come in Tim.” Miles invited him.
Peter gave Miles a look, the improvised clue board was still up and Peter just hoped that Tim wouldn’t look towards it.
“You’d like something to drink?” Miles offered.
“A glass of water maybe?”
Miles happily nodded and rushed to the kitchen.
“When I found it I was so clueless, I found it when I bumped into you two at the grocery store.” Tim got his backpack and reached in.
Peter’s eyes grew wide when he saw what Tim got out of his bag. “So what is it?” Tim chuckled and held it out for Peter to grab.
Peter was speechless and carefully removed the compact suit from his hand.
“Thank you..” he muttered. “It’s a…” Peter had to make up something quickly. “It’s a belt buckle see..?” Peter attached it to his belt but instead of on the side right on the buckle. It was not a look at all but he made it come across as believable, he thought.
“You found his thing?” Miles stared in unbelief.
Tim nodded and grabbed the glass from Miles.
“I had a question actually Miles.”
“Yeah?”
“Could I get your phone number because Duke and I-“
“I don’t own a phone.” Miles cut him off.
“You don’t own..?”
“Nope I uh… lost my phone and there’s no money for a new one.” Miles answered.
“I’ll fix that for you.”
"What?" Miles looked at him as if he was talking gibberish.
"I'll get you one."
"What? No I can't let you get me a new phone? Do you know what those cost are you insane? We haven't even known each other for a month!" Miles rambled.
"Miles." Tim laughed and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it."
"So eh... Peter?" Tim looked at him looking very guilty.
"Yes?" Peter said while still smiling ear to ear looking at his suit.
"Are we good because I do feel really guilty.."
"Why do you feel guilty, you just found it right?"
"Yeah.. Right I did!" Tim awkwardly laughed. "I'm just sorry I didn't return it any sooner."
"It's okay dude, I'm just over the moon that it's back."
"So... While you're here anyways we can hang out?" Miles asked.
"I am currently grounded but Bruce said to specifically not see my boyfriend, he never said to not hang out with my friends." Tim smiled.
"Peter?" Miles called to him to ask him to join them without asking.
"You two go alone, I'll be fine here." Peter smiled back.
Miles grabbed his zip up hoodie and opened the door. "Let's get a drink Tim, got paid today." He said with a huge smile.
"What are these?" Miles pointed at advertisements of drinks.
Tim laughed. They were walking for a while already if Miles was correct they were heading to West End. "Ads for BatBurger, ever been there?"
"Nah, what is that?"
"It's like McDonald's but with a huge Batman theme, they got a few locations throughout Gotham."
They should make a SpiderBurger back in New York...
"I love that."
"My siblings and I have a full collection of all of the figures you can get there. With the kids meal you get a figure of one of the heroes." Tim explained.
"Is there a location close by?"
"Not really, the closest one is at the financial district or in Gotham Heights. The next time we're going I'll drag you and Peter with." Tim said absolutely seriously.
"Well I'm looking forward to that already." Miles smiled back.
"Well I've spoken about myself enough, tell me something about yourself." Tim asked invested.
"Well my name is Miles, I'm from Brooklyn New York-"
Tim bumped his shoulder and laughed. "No asshole, something I don't yet know."
Miles smirked in return. "You should specify more often." He joked. "Well hm... I study Music Technology but am thinking of switching because it's not where my passion lays you know. I would rather do something with art or... physics... Though my girlfriend and I are now doing the same thing so that would mean I would see her way less."
"Your girlfriend doesn't go to Gotham U right..?" Tim asked him.
"Oh, right no she doesn't, she goes to Empire State still."
"So you guys don't see each other a lot anyways?"
"That's true. But you know we call and stuff...." Miles lied.
"I thought you didn't own a phone?"
Miles nervously laughed. "Nope I don't but, Peter does!"
"ooohh.." Tim realized, Miles heard he wasn't really buying it.
They passed a store which was still open, it was almost eleven and Miles knew Peter must be on patrol alone now. "Look you can get..." Miles looked closer to read the menu that was stuck on the window. "Coffee's, smoothies, everything!"
Tim already walked in. "Then come on let's go." He smiled at him and Miles followed him inside. The small store which looked more like a cafe from the inside was pretty full if you consider the time it was. And considering they were in Gotham city which is even more unsafe than New York City will ever be.
There were a few police officers laughing together in a booth.
They must be on break or something.
Miles was laughing at Tim for saying something stupid until he stopped in his tracks. They passed the police officers and they could see the faces of the officers who were just with their backs in front of them. One of the officers looked a lot like his father, like scary alike, but it wasn't quite him. Nonetheless, he had the same smile and the same sunglasses.
"Miles are you good?" Tim asked him.
"Yeah.. Yeah..." Miles answered without looking away from the officer. "That man just looks like my dad so much who is, funny enough, also a police officer."
"That's coincidental." Tim answered awkwardly.
Miles turned away and looked over at the counter. Trying to shake his emotions which were getting pretty in the way, away. "I'd like a hm... Maybe one of those house special smoothies?" Miles asked the barista behind the counter with minor voice cracks. He looked over at Miles so the barista could get his order too.
"For me, the same please."
Miles got out his makeshift wallet which was a plastic ziplock bag. Tim gave him a side eye. "You're paying?"
"I suggested it Tim, I'm paying. Besides I'm rich now, just got paid." Miles said proudly. "What do I owe you?" He asked the barista.
"Seven dollars please."
Miles was shocked at how cheap it was, back in New York you'd have to pay double for one. Miles gave the barista a ten dollar bill and told him to keep the change.
"See I can afford seven dollars just fine, rich." Miles joked.
Tim laughed. "But you didn't have to, I have Bruce's card." He said a little too loud. A group of sketchy men gave Tim a very obvious side eye which made Miles pretty uncomfortable.
"Drink in or to go?" The barista asked them.
"We'll take them to go please." Miles answered.
A few moments later the barista was done with making their drinks. The drink was in one of those typical plastic cups with their logo on it and a straw. Miles and Tim thanked the barista before heading back on the streets.
"Follow me I've got a nice spot we can sit at." Tim smiled at him and lead the way.
The place was a small little park that was so small you couldn't even call it a park. There were a few benches and three huge trees full in the spring bloom. They sat on a bench with their backs to the road and a view on the largest tree. "Okay, taste test." Tim put his mouth to the straw and Miles quickly followed him. The smoothie was a yellow, orange color so Miles had already suspected something like banana and mango, and that's exactly what it tasted like.
"It's okay, maybe a little boring but it's good." Miles rated it.
Tim nodded. "Yup, it's good but not woah great."
They sat there for a few minutes drinking their smoothies and just talking when Miles felt something cold touch his head from the back.
"Don't move." A dark voice told them. It didn't cost him a lot of time to figure out what the cold thing that was touching them was, it was without a doubt a gun.
"Stand up." A woman's voice told them. Tim slowly got up and Miles just followed everything Tim did. Back when Tony was still alive he made him and Peter get some training how to handle things like this as civilians in case it were to ever happen to them. It never did but Miles was very happy Tony made them take it back then.
When they were slowly getting up Miles felt the gun not touching his head now, but no doubt that it was still pointed at him.
"So this is the Timothy Drake-Wayne in the flesh hm?" Another man said who was slowly walking in front of Miles and Tim. He was tall and skinny, dressed in all black but wore a motorcycle helmet so they couldn't see his face.
If only this man knew he was about to rob Spider-Man now...
Quickly behind the man who was standing in front of them two other people came to join them, their faces not even covered up as if they just cared that less. Miles recognized them as the sketchy people who were looking at Tim back in the cafe.
"This is him yes." Tim said calmly, a bit too calm for Miles' liking.
"Wallets, phone's and valuable jewelry on the ground now!" The man with the motorcycle helmet yelled at them and Miles felt the gun behind him touch his head again. Miles side eyed Tim who was throwing his wallet on the floor, his phone and his expensive looking watch.
"Very well Wayne, now you too or do you want a hole in your head?" The motorcycle helmet guy pulled a gun too and yelled at Miles. Tim softly nodded at Miles who then reluctantly threw his makeshift plastic zip bag wallet on the pile with Tim's stuff. "That's it? I don't believe that." The guy loaded his gun.
"I'm poor I swear this is it!" Miles yelled.
"You're hanging out with this rich little faggot, I don't believe he'd hang out with someone that doesn't at least have a few millions on the bank. Unless you're just one of them disgusting gay little prostitutes he hired." The man laughed too loudly at his own joke. "So empty your pockets little bro." The man slowly stepped closer towards Miles pointed the loaded gun at him.
"Leave him the fuck alone, you got a wallet with an almost limitless card in it what the fuck would you want more?!" Tim yelled.
"Shut your fucking mouth before I shoot it off your annoying face you fucking fag!" The man yelled and pointed at Tim with the loaded gun.
"Empty. Your. Pockets." He turned back at Miles and got very close in his face.
One of the guys behind him laughed. "Watch out Brandon, don't get up so close or the little homo might fall in love!"
"No!" Miles yelled ignoring the man that just made that disgusting comment.
Miles heard the sound of a gun going off, but he didn't feel anything..?
The loud ringing of his ears made him a little out of touch for a few seconds, he checked his body quickly but he wasn't hit.
There was a lot of yelling and panic around him, he shot a look over at Tim who as also seemingly unharmed. He was quickly grabbing his own and Miles' belongings from the floor.
Tim hurried to Miles and quickly pulled him away from the park. Miles shook his head and was fully back to reality. "What the fuck just happened?!"
"Batman did."
Notes:
Jason will have a less calm reaction about the Peter thing than their dad guys just wait T.T
Chapter 19: The Batman
Summary:
“Great work Spider-Man. Spoiler where is RR tonight?”
He heard a chuckle. “Batman benched him from patrol. He didn't tell you?" The girl that was arguing just now answered her.
“Damn Batman can bench you guys from patrol?” Peter asked laughing.
“Yes he can and he will. It’s so annoying.” Spoiler answered.
Notes:
TW: homophobia, F-Slur
Chapter Text
The second Peter heard Miles and Tim leave he put on his suit.
“Karen?”
“Hello Peter, good evening.”
Peter jumped up and down from happiness.
“Karen I literally thought I lost you forever.” Peter told her with tears in his eyes. “Any reported crime?”
“Someone called 911 for a robbery two blocks over.” Karen told him.
“I will be on my way.” Peter opened the window and quickly looked if he saw someone on the streets. It was empty so he could leave out of the window.
“Are the comms connected with those bats?”
“Yes Peter they are, do you wish to turn them on?”
Peter started swinging towards the location where someone called 911. “Hm… Actually yes, turn them on. Just in case I’d need the back up of course.”
“Very well.”
There was heavy chatting on the comms, a girl was talking to a younger boy, they were more like arguing.
“Spider-Man?” Another woman called out.
“‘Ello, present!”
The arguing immediately stopped.
“Spider-Man are you on your way to the robbery?” The woman asked him.
“Yes ma’am.” After a few swings he got confused. “How do you know?”
The line stayed silent. “Just hurry and get there, I’m seeing firearms and a very unpredictable shooter. There are two shooters.”
“Noted, thanks… I guess.”
“And Spider-Man please call me Oracle.” The woman chuckled.
“Noted, again.”
Just as Oracle had told him there were two shooters, Peter clocked four workers and no customers. It was a large store full of stuff you’d find in a corner store. There were two men, one of them more calm and the other one was swinging his gun and yelling at the employees.
Peter walked into the store as if he was just going to do some shopping.
The wild man turned around and pointed the gun at Peter.
“Woah, woah man chill out I’m just trying to do some shopping and I’m in a good mood, so don’t ruin it for me!”
“Shut your mouth you disgusting fucking creature.”
Peter leaned on one of the stands and put his hand over his heart. “Man that really hurt me, you should watch what you say to people.” Peter said sarcastically.
The man shot his gun, Peter with the good help of his Spidey Sense dodged every bullet.
The man was visibly confused as he shot his gun.
“Done?” Peter tilted his head. “My turn!”
Peter webbed the wild man closer and punched him in the face. “This is for shooting me!” He punched him a second time. “And this is for being a dumb criminal.” Peter had punched him so hard that he was already almost unconscious.
Peter webbed him up and threw him to the side.
He turned to the other gun man who looked like he was going to piss his pants any moment now.
“Now we’re scared?” Peter laughed.
The man shook his head and just ran towards Peter, in an attempt to maybe beat Peter this way.
His attempt did not work. He was running straight into Peter’s fist.
It took Peter two big punches to get this man fully knocked out and he just webbed his arms and legs together and put him with the other guy.
Peter turned to the employees who looked terrified.
“I’m sorry you guys, tell the police the webbing will dissolve on their own in like an hour or three.” Peter waved them goodbye. When he looked back he saw one very confused girl slowly wave back at him.
“Hey Oracle? I handled it, piece of cake.” Peter said happily through the comms.
“Great work Spider-Man. Spoiler where is RR tonight?”
He heard a chuckle. “Batman benched him from patrol. He didn't tell you?" The girl that was arguing just now answered her.
“Damn Batman can bench you guys from patrol?” Peter asked laughing.
“Yes he can and he will. It’s so annoying.” Spoiler answered.
“You know I’m listening Spoiler.” A very dark and deep voice joined in.
“Oh I know!”
“You did a great job Spider-Man, close to your location there are a few goons who need dealing with. You’re the closest.”
Peter focused his hearing and he could hear some unusual commotion not that far away. "On my way I can hear them!"
Arrived on the scene a few goons meant a few dozen. Peter looked at them from the top of a building. They were with a car and a small bus, Peter wondered how they even got it into an alleyway. I mean it was a big alley but still.
There was a lot of money on the ground and they were busy with duffel bags.
Peter calculated the best way to handle this, he was sure he could.
He decided that a surprise attack was the best way, he jumped down from the building onto two bigger guys and kicked them to the ground.
Two down already, easy peasy.
Peter went further and was able to punch away all the guys coming his way.
The goons were pretty spread out so he had enough time to still breathe.
He flicked a web from one side of the wall to the other, as some kind of trip wire. Just to see if they’d fall for it, and he didn’t have to wait a long time to see. Four goons came running towards them and all four of them tripped on the web. Peter quickly webbed all four of them so they couldn’t move anymore.
It didn’t take Peter long until he had almost all of the goons.
A girl who had hit him with a bat before but ducked when Peter tried to get her was running off.
Luckily she didn’t stand a chance and Peter was way faster than her.
“Aw.. Where did you think you were going?” Peter said when he got her.
“Get the fuck off of me you… you freak!” She screamed back.
“Woah. First you hit me with a bat and now I’m the freak?”
When Peter was done with her he put all of them close together so the police could all get them easily like this. He also collected the duffels with money and put it all together on a pile.
He left and was just randomly swinging around listening to spoiler talk through the comms.
Spidey sense
He was being followed.
Peter started swinging faster in an attempt to lose who or whatever was following him.
“Spider-Man, not so fast.” The deep and dark voice of Batman said through the comms.
Peter slowed down, it was Batman that was following him.
“The roof in front of you.” He continued.
Peter got what he meant, he jumped down on the roof in front of him and quickly after Batman jumped down on the same roof.
“I was just watching you-“ Batman began.
“That’s uh.. terrifying.” Peter cut him off.
“I knew there must’ve been a lot of goons and I got close just in case you needed back up, you didn’t. I was keeping an eye on you from the roof.”
“Well you saw right.” Peter said awkwardly.
“I wanted to tell you that you did a great job with that son.” Batman complimented him.
“Well, thank you sir.”
“And also-“ Batman suddenly stopped and Peter faintly heard something like an alarm. Batman held out his wrist and a little screen appeared.
His body language turned from normal to nervous in seconds.
“Batman did you see that?” Oracle came through and sounded worried.
“Spider-Man and I are on our way right now.” Batman answered her. “I have no time to explain you need to follow me right now.”
Peter was looking at a robbing scene in a park and once he looked closer he saw who was getting robbed.
Miles and Tim.
They were close enough to hear them but not enough to clearly be seen.
“Shut your fucking mouth before I shoot it off your annoying face you fucking fag!” A gun man wearing a black motorcycle helmet swung the gun In Tim’s way.
Peter noticed Batman getting tensed up right next to him.
The gun man walked closer to miles and pointed the gun close to his face. “Empty. Your. Pockets.”
Miles looked terrified while Tim was just looking naturally? Unbothered?
One of the guys behind the gunman began to laugh. “Watch out Brandon, don’t get up so close or the little homo might fall in love!”
Peter felt disgusting hearing someone say that to Miles. And why to Miles he wasn’t gay.
Miles yelled and Peter saw Batman jump into action, Peter quickly followed him.
Batman stood between Miles and the gunman who was shooting at Miles but Batman got his cape in between them before Miles could get hit.
Not that Miles wasn’t going to dodge them.
Batman took the gun man and was beating him up.
Peter quickly took a look around and saw the man who was jokingly calling Miles a little homo.
He was trying to run away but Peter got his jacket, he pulled him closer and because of the pull the goon fell down on the floor.
“So you think being homophobic is funny huh?” Peter looked at him while he was lying on the floor, looking even more pathetic. Peter pulled his foot up and stomped the mans face. “And I think this is funny!" Peter grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Fucking-“ Peter punched his face. “Hilarious!” He punched him again, after a few seconds he decided that he needed one more punch.
His face was a blurry color of red and purple. Peter let him drop on the floor and kicked him once more before webbing his feet together.
When Peter turned around he saw that all of them had been dealt with by Batman.
“Fucking filth.” Peter muttered under his breath.
“Do you mind eh..” Batman pointed at the other goons their feet.
“Webbing.” Peter answered his questioning tone.
“Do you mind webbing these up too?”
Peter shot out a few webs and the goons were going no where.
“Are you two okay?” Batman shifted to Tim and Miles.
Tim nodded.
“I’m okay sir.” Miles answered his question.
Peter felt Miles looking at him. “There’s blood on your hands Spider-Man.” Miles said and pointed at his hands.
“What?”
“Your hands.”
Peter looked at his own hands and they were bloodier than they normally were. “It’s fine.”
Tim gave him a side eye.
“Are you boys fine or should we follow you home.” Batman asked them.
Neither of them answered.
“Mr Drake-Wayne?” Batman reminded him to answer.
“No I’ll be fine Batman. I’ll escort my friend back to his apartment and drive home myself.” Tim answered.
Batman nodded.
Back on a roof together with Batman, Peter felt pretty uneasy.
“Are you okay Spider-Man?” Batman asked him.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine. I think I’m just going back home. Enough for tonight!”
“Well until soon.” And Batman was gone.
Peter looked around confused for a moment but shrugged it off. With super speed he swung back to his apartment. When he arrived and climbed through the window Miles was not yet home. Peter quickly made the suit retract and looked into the bathroom window to see if he looked presentable. His hair was sweaty, his entire body was sweaty but if you ignore that he looked pretty okay.
Peter crashed down on the pull out sofa and turned the TV on. Not long later he heard a key open the front door.
“Hey miles!” Peter greeted him pretending he knew nothing.
“It’s okay Pete, Tim left downstairs already.”
Peter hurried over to him and started checking him if he was hurt like he was his mother. “Are you okay Miles?!”
Miles laughed. “Are you okay Pete?! I go out every night and get shot at every night here but once it happens in civilian form it’s a problem?”
Peter got a little upset by that comment. “Don’t say that shit. I also care when it happens to Spider-Man.”
“I’m fine, Tims fine.” Miles said shortly.
“I saw how scared you looked Miles. And I heard how that man talked to you.”
“It’s fine Peter and you went a little overboard, it was just a robbery.”
“What?”
“You heard me.” Miles said as he got off his shoes and threw them into a corner.
Peter didn’t really know how to place what Miles just said. “So just.. Threatening.. Homophobia…” Peter tried to form a sentence but he couldn’t find the correct words.
“Yeah I don’t really, you know. Of course homophobia is bad I just didn’t really care he was calling me that, I’m not even gay. I mean the main guy was calling Tim that slur.”
Peter took a breath. “You’re not gay that’s correct, you don’t fucking get it.” It came out rougher than Peter had meant it to go, but Peter couldn’t care less.
“Hey Peter, come on I didn’t mean-“
Peter put his suit back on and hung out of the window. “It’s fine Miles I just need a moment, the last week has been a lot.” He sighed.
Peter was swinging as fast as he could. It was going great until he miscalculated a flick of a web. The web went nowhere and Peter came down crashing onto a roof. Peter groaned loudly.
He walked over to the little roof access building on the roof. He leaned against the concrete wall and punched it harder than he was wanting to. There was a dent in the wall now but Peter couldn’t care any less because he could punch it over and over now.
So he turned to face the wall and he started punching it repetitively.
“Karen?”
“Yes Peter, are you alright?”
“What happened to you when my suit was gone?”
“I got temporarily shut down.”
Peter stopped punching and turned around in confusion.
“But you can’t..? Wait who shut you down?”
“There was a fault in the system. Timothy Drake-Wayne shut me down.” Karen answered him.
Now Peter was even more confused. “What?”
“There was a fault in the system. Timothy Drake-Wayne shut me down.” She repeated herself.
“I’m sorry Karen but I understood you I just don’t get it. How? What? Why?”
“He tried opening the suit. He failed. But he held the suit towards a computer and the nanotechnology did its job to adjust itself to other technology.”
“So it connected to the computer..?” Peter asked her.
“Yes. He was wanting to access files not meant for him. When I tried to stop him he managed to shut me off.”
Peter stared into nothing. “So…” He was walking in circles on the roof. “He knows I’m Spider-Man..?”
“Yes Peter that is correct.”
“Fuck!”
Spidey sense.
Peter turned around and it was Red Hood.
“Fuck what? And did the wall really deserve that Spidey?” He pointed at the wall.
Peter groaned and out of frustration and anger he started to walk even faster in circles.
“Yo, yo, yo man what’s going on?” Red Hood asked.
“I- UGH.” Peter stopped walking. “First my suit gets lost, second my friend and roommate get robbed, third I- you can’t even call it a fight but I’m pissed at my roommate, and fourth I just found out a friend of mine knows my Spider-Man identity.” Peter rambled.
“Hey hey, Spidey calm down!” Red Hood tried to calm him. “I’m sorry to hear this man, I truly am. But please a little more context?”
“In civilian I always carry this suit with me, a friend found it when he saw me but just now gave it back. I guess I just genuinely lost it. That same friend and my roommate get robbed and the robbers were saying incredibly homophobic shit towards the both of them.” Peter took a breath. “Third my roommate doesn’t find the language as severe as I find it so he doesn’t get why I was as mad as I was. And fourth as cherry on the fucking cake I just found out that my friend who found my suit, got robbed with my roommate also knows my identity.”
“That friend sounds like a real asshole.” Red Hood grabbed his gun from his thigh holster, ready to shoot someone.
“No he’s actually pretty nice and a good friend especially to my roommate.” Peter explained.
“And does this friend happen to have a name?”
“Tim.” Peter said before thinking about it.
Red Hood chuckled. “Of course his name is fucking Tim.”
Chapter 20: Jason Todd
Summary:
Jason angrily walked down, he contemplated running to a motorcycle and leaving anyway. But Bruce was right behind him.
Fucking perfect.
Without a word he made Jason sit down and grabbed supplies to treat his wound.
“What happened Jaybird?” He asked.
Chapter Text
“The fuck is wrong with you huh?” Jason said after kicking in Tim’s bedroom door.
“What the fuck Jason!? One my door was literally unlocked and two what the hell did I do?” Tim yelled.
“Oh you know what the fuck you did!” Jason came in pointing his gun at Tim.
Tim jumped up from his bed. “No?! The fuck is wrong with you?!”
“Stealing Peter’s suit?!” Jason gave a warning shot pointed at the ceiling.
Tim flinched. “That’s my fucking ceiling?”
“Be glad I’m not shooting at your fucking face yet! You have two minutes to explain yourself.”
“Jeez Jay calm the fuck down. Yes I stole his suit, did I know it was his suit? No I did not, I thought it was some kind of weird technology.”
“Because of you Peter now knows you know he’s Peter. It won’t take long until he’ll find out you’re Red Robin, and once he finds that out he isn’t fucking stupid.”
“But he doesn’t know I’m Red Robin Jason!” Tim yelled back.
“MASTER JASON.” Alfred came running to the sounds of commotion. “This is unbelievable, the gun?” Alfred put his hand in front of Jason.
Jason kept it pointed at Tim. “He’s ruining fucking everything Alfred. Do you want to know what he did?!”
“I know what master Tim has done.”
“And you’re excusing it?!”
“Who says I am?”
“Your chill fucking behavior around it fucking suggests it Alfred!”
“Master Jason just lower the gun.”
“The motherfucker never learns Alfred.”
“The gun doesn’t even have real bullets Alfred, he promised Dick-“
“You think I give a damn about what I promise Dick?!” Jason pushed Alfred aside. “You need to learn a fucking lesson.”
“From you?! A moral lesson from Jason Todd? Don’t make me laugh!”
Jason pulled the trigger and shot Tim in his leg.
Tim screamed. “WHAT THE FUCK JASON?!” He grabbed his leg to try and stop the bleeding.
“Don’t think this is the fucking end of it because you and I need to talk about this-“ Jason turned around and he saw Damian stand there, ready with his katana.
“Damian?”
“You get a five second head start if I were you I’d start running Todd.” He threatened him.
“What the fuck Damian?!” Jason didn’t question him a bit and went straight to the batcave. He could get a motorcycle there and get the fuck out of here.
When he reached the grandfather clock Damian was already too close. Damian started to swing his sword. Jason grabbed one of the chandeliers to use to block his sword.
“Damian please stop!” Jason demanded him.
“Why would you shoot Drake?!”
“Since when do you even like him?!”
“He’s-“ Damian swung his sword. “My-“ He did it again and Jason blocked him again. “Brother!” Damian swung his sword unexpectedly and sliced Jason’s leg.
“So am I!” Jason pretended his leg didn’t hurt like a bitch.
Jason managed to open the clock mechanism. He stepped backwards into it but misstepped and fell from the stairs. Halfway down he managed to grab railing of the stairs and stop himself from falling.
“Damian stop it! Do you even know what he did?!” Jason yelled at him
“No?!”
Jason got up. “He stole Peter’s suit for fucks sake!”
“The Spider-Man?” Damian raised an eyebrow.
“Yes!”
“Why?” He lowered his katana.
“And on top of that Peter now knows he knows his secret identity!”
“Drake could have his reasons. Todd I think you went a little overboard. I thought you were trying to kill him!”
“A little overboard?! You’re the one who was chasing me with a fucking katana?!” Jason yelled at him.
“Boys what’s the meaning of this?” Bruce walked up the stairs still in his Batman uniform but without the cowl.
“Your son fucking sliced me with his katana!”
“Well your son hit Tim with a bullet.”
“What? Jason?”
“Oh wow so we’re not caring that I’m practically bleeding to death now?” Jason continued to yell. “Not that you would mind.” He whispered to himself.
“Jason downstairs now. Damian see how your brother is doing.”
Jason angrily walked down, he contemplated running to a motorcycle and leaving anyway. But Bruce was right behind him.
Fucking perfect.
Without a word he made Jason sit down and grabbed supplies to treat his wound.
“What happened Jaybird?” He asked.
“You know what happened.” Jason said quickly without emotion.
“No I in fact don’t know, and I’d like to hear it from you. Is Tim alright?”
“Fucking Tim, this isn’t about him alright?! I don’t fucking care, that little ungrateful selfish ass bitch.” He swore.
“I know what he did and it isn’t right. I want to know what happened upstairs and why you’re so upset.” Bruce cleaned around his wound.
“I went to confront him and because of him I shot him and I don’t regret it.”
“Why would you shoot him in the house Jason.” Jason heard Bruce really trying to keep his cool.
“Peter now knows Tim knows who he is. And because of Tim it’s ruining everything.”
“Ruining everything..?”
Jason folded his arms over each other “I finally have a friend who doesn’t know about Red Hood.” He muttered and hissed from the pain.
“And now he knows that Tim knows it him and I will fucking kill him.”
Bruce frowned and looked up at Jason. “No killing.”
“I do what the fuck I want Bruce.”
“You need stitches, do you want me to handle it or should I call Alfred?” Bruce said ignoring Jason's comment.
“Alfred’s busy with a gunshot wound.”
Bruce muttered something inaudible under his breath.
“You don’t need to put in energy in me. I can handle myself, maybe you need to help your pathetic little son.”
“Jaybird please that’s enough.”
Jason looked away.
“Enough? I’m fucking furious Bruce! You have to be glad I didn’t aim for his head!” Jason stood up.
“I said.” Bruce got up too. “It’s fucking enough!” He hit the table loudly with his flat hand. “Please Jay sit down. After I’m done you can leave again.” Bruce told him after in and exhaling loudly.
Jason let himself drop down, which was actually way more comfortable because his leg started to hurt to stand on it. “Fucking fine.”
Bruce stitched him up without any further word.
“All done son.”
Jason mumbled something and stood up. “Call Alfred down here.”
Bruce gave him a look.
“Please?”
Bruce nodded and made Alfred come down to the batcave.
“Master Jason?” Alfred looked confused to still see him here.
Jason took a breath. “I want to apologize for shoving you, I was, well am high in my feelings. You’re not involved I shouldn’t have-“
“It’s alright.”
“What?”
“Thank you master Jason I appreciate your apology. Would you like some food, for you to take with you of course.”
Jason shook his head no. “I don’t think it’s smart I stay in the same place as Tim any longer.” He grabbed a motorcycle helmet.
“Because next time I see him he won’t come off this good.”
Jason was reunited with his bed once again, after the longest night he’s had in ages. He was furious at Tim, and he was mentally preparing himself for Peter to find out about him.
The light of his phone hurt his eyes, it took a few seconds for him to get used to it but when he did he saw ten missed calls from Dick.
“Ignore, ignore and more ignoring.” Jason said to himself as he swiped the calls away.
He couldn’t get Peter out of his head. All he thought about was him. How he was doing and if he was as mad as Jason was.
Jason wanted to text him so badly, he wanted to see him maybe get something to drink together. But he never texted.
————————————
Jason got shocked awake in the middle of the night. He was wide awake. The red numbers of his alarm clock read 03:56.
He jumped out of bed, he fell asleep in his clothes which was basically his Red Hood uniform without the jacket nor the chest armor.
He went over to the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. A sudden wave of nausea waved through him and then his comm started to go crazy.
Jason hurried to grab it and placed it in his ear.
“Hello..?”
“Red Hood I need immediate assistance in the Bowery.” Batman came through.
“Give me ten.”
“Hurry.” Bruce sounded worried, which made Jason worried.
Jason checked his leg wound which looked pretty okay, still hurt like a bitch. He changed his pants because Damian sliced and broke them, he will receive a payment request for that…
Batman was fighting dozens of goons weaponed with bats, guns and fear toxin.
Jason jumped down from a building behind Bruce to help him. They were in the street behind Peter and Miles’ apartment.
Bruce threw him two vials of what he suspected was for if he got hit by the fear toxin. He quickly stuffed them into his pocket at grabbed two guns. With this many goons guns were always more useful than hand on hand combat.
For Bruce’s sake Jason shot them in the legs instead of somewhere way more fatal. He only carried real bullets, none of that rubber trash.
Jason kept an eye on Bruce who was on the other side of the fight now and there were at least thirty goons in between them.
Jason’s guns ran out of ammo and he had no time to reload them so instead he started to beat the goons with his guns.
Jason suddenly felt someone grabbing him under his arms from behind him.
He heard a very deep voice chuckle. “Now the Red Hood isn’t so cool anymore!”
“Oh fuck you! That’s not true!” Jason tried to get the man that was holding him. He was at least half a meter taller than Jason and way bigger.
Goons were all around him surrounding him. One started with blowing fear toxin in his face, which didn’t work because of the air filter system that was installed in his mask.
“Ha! That failed dumbass!” Jason tried to hit him but the man that was holding him was much stronger than him.
“It must be the helmet!” One of them yelled at the man standing in front of Jason.
“Maybe we should do something about that? What do you think Red Hood?” The man smiled at him and held his hand out to another goon who gave him a bat.
Two men that were standing next to Jason one on either side grabbed his hands and stole the guns out of his hands.
One of them was really looking at the guns. “These would probably go hard on the market!” He pointed at the handle which marked RH, Jason always marked his guns with the Red Hood initials.
Jason tried to wiggle himself loose again but it didn’t work. He couldn’t see Batman anywhere.
And before he even realized he felt an immense force hit his helmet.
The man in front of him was hitting him with the bat. The man that was holding him placed him on the ground and with the help of others kept Jason on the ground.
Jason was in shock and the only words he could think of were:
this is going to hurt you a lot more than it does me.
The last sentence he heard before The Joker started to beat him almost to death with a crowbar.
He came back to earth when he felt his helmet shatter. Exposing his hair. Another strike exposed half of his face, he wore a domino mask under his helmet so that didn’t matter that much.
“Such a shame of that pretty face Carl.” One of the goons laughed at the man that beat him up.
Jason could taste the blood that was coming down into his mouth. And all in once he felt the pain, his face felt as if it was on fire.
He felt pressure lift from his legs and arms but he had no strength to get up.
His ears were ringing and he could faintly hear the goons laugh.
He felt an immense wave of fear surrounding him and climbing inside of him. Everything in him told him to stand up and fight every- and anything around him. With a lot of strength he managed to get up. He looked up and saw Batman.
“Stop being so damn pathetic Jason.” Batman said he was standing in the shadow so Jason couldn’t see any facial features.
“I’m.. I’m not pathetic.” He muttered.
“Look at you.” He stepped from the shadow and Jason could see the pure disgust on his face. “You let yourself get taken, you let yourself get beaten and you were going to let yourself get murdered again. I thought I raised my Robins to be better than that.”
“I-… I-..” Jason took a few steps forwards.
“You’re just a pathetic orphan from the streets.” Batman took steps forward. “I wish you never came back. All you is destroy, you’ve destroyed our family, you’ve destroyed friendships.” Batman got something from behind him, it was a crowbar. He held it high and gave it a good swing and hit Jason.
Jason fell to the ground and landed on a whole mountain of bodies.
His breath started to speed up and he was starting to cry. He turned his body around to get up and he saw who he landed on.
The dead body of Roy Harper, next to him a dead Artemis, a dead Bizarro, a dead Alfred, a dead Dick. He saw Cass, Steph, Kate, Tim, Damian..
he looked around him and he was surrounded by the dead bodies of his friends and family.
A hand appeared next to Roy’s body and grabbed Jason’s leg.
Jason tried to get away. He saw that the hand wore a ring he hadn’t seen in years.
It was Willis Todd, his biological father.
“Because of you, everyone is dead son. Because you couldn’t save us.” He said with his head buried in the bodies.
“Not true, you’re lying…” Jason muttered and crawled back. His father let him go, he fell down the mountain of bodies and closed his eyes. When he opened them he was back in the warehouse. His hands were tied above him and he was being held up by a chain.
His tears mixed with blood dripped down on the floor. He held his eyes closed and started to make himself calm down.
A horrible laughter that shot the most horrible fight or flight response in him. He tried wiggling and pulling the chain loose.
Jason looked down at himself, he wasn’t in his Red Hood uniform. He was Robin.
He was dressed in the uniform that reminded him of the worst day of his life.
The uniform that stared at him every time he was in the Batcave.
The laughing became harder, that meant he was coming closer.
Jason nearly hyperventilated trying to get himself loose. And just as he saw the Joker's face right in front of him he got slapped.
“For fucks sake snap out of it!” He heard a very familiar voice scream at him.
He opened his eyes and before him was Spider-Man, Peter’s Spider-Man.
“I gave you this, it worked right?!” Spider-Man showed the now empty vail Batman had just gave him.
Jason nodded.
Everything he just saw was fake. He got hit with fear toxin and he wasn’t even aware of it.
Spider-Man held his hand in front of Jason so he could get up a little easier.
Jason was on top of a roof, down on the street he could hear a fight still going on.
He grabbed Spider-Man’s hand and got into a bit more light coming from the colorful signs hanging on the buildings.
Spider-Man froze with shock when he saw Red Hoods bruised, bloody and swollen face.
“…Jason….?”
Chapter 21: Eggs
Summary:
“Hey?” Peter said sleepily.
“I’m uh.. A little lost?”
“You got hit with fear toxin, I brought you to my apartment. I didn’t remember where yours was in a panic.” Peter explained.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“…Jason….?”
Jason looked away from him.
“You’re… it’s you…?” Peter’s voice sounded soft.
Miles was busy together with Batman fighting the goons. Peter doesn’t think Batman saw what was going on with Red Hood.
“He’s okay Batman.”
“What?”
“Red Hood got hit, he’s fine now.”
Batman took some time to respond. “Where are you?”
“You can keep fighting.” Peter quickly shut him up.
“Pete I’m so sorry..” Jason said weakly almost not able to get the words out.
“You…. You knew..?”
“I’m so sorry.”
Peter took off his mask.
Jason couldn’t stay here any longer, the anti fear toxin was in his system now but the fear hadn’t fully left yet. Peter tried his hardest to remember where Jason’s apartment was but he forgot. Jason was now quickly falling in and out of consciousness so no way he could ask him, and over comms it was not safe.
“I’m taking Hood with me, he can’t stay here.” Peter said through the comms.
“Stay safe we can manage.” Miles responded.
Peter carefully lifted Jason up and carried him in his arms. He just had to jump one roof to be home.
He entered his apartment through the window again. Peter carefully put Jason on the big bed and started to look at him closer.
He had to remove his Helmet so he tried to carefully get it off without hurting him. Peter’s heart broke, Jason’s helmet was strong so the force the goons used must’ve been so strong. The domino mask on his face was already letting go, which meant Peter didn’t need something to dissolve the glue keeping it together with.
Peter got the first aid kit from the bathroom and opened it.
He first cleaned his face, getting all the dried blood and dirt off of it.
Jason woke up again and looked at Peter. He had never seen how green Jason’s eyes were, they were a piercing toxic color, a color Peter could only stare into.
“..Where am I..?” Jason asked weakly.
“My apartment, you got hit with fear toxin. And you’re a little beaten.”
“A little?” Jason faintly laughed. “I can feel my face, on fire..”
“I think it looks worse than it actually is right now. Not that it isn’t bad because you don’t look good.” Peter realized what he said and tried to make it better. “Not that you look bad no, you actually don’t look bad at all but you know you’re a little bruised now.” Peter panicked.
Jason faintly laughed again. “It’s okay Pete, I know what I look like.”
Peter made Jason sit up straight. He helped him take off his jacket and chest armor.
“Do you want me to take you home?”
Jason coughed. “It’s okay.” He fell back down on his back.
Peter walked around and took off his shoes, he noticed a little beginning of a wound since his pants were a little raised.
He put the pants up higher and saw a huge stitched up slit in his leg. Upon further examination that wasn’t the only one like that on his leg, he was full of scars.
Peter placed the shoes next to the bed and got the sheets over Jason.
“Warm enough?”
Jason nodded and gave Peter a smile.
“Your face looks more bruised than cut. Not much I can do for bruises. The cuts don’t seem to need stitches so I’ll leave them like this. You can get some sleep and we’ll talk about this tomorrow.”
Jason woke up in an apartment he’s been at before. He was in Peter’s apartment…
He looked around him and saw Miles sleeping on the pull out sofa and on the other side saw peter asleep on a chair.
His head was pounding. He threw the sheets off of him and stepped out of the bed. The creaking of the floor woke Peter up.
“Hey?” Peter said sleepily.
“I’m uh.. A little lost?”
“You got hit with fear toxin, I brought you to my apartment. I didn’t remember where yours was in a panic.” Peter explained.
All of last night flew back to Jason.
Peter knew it was him…
Peter knew Jason Todd was Red Hood.
“I’m sorry I’ll go.” Jason was quick to grab his jacket that someone put on top of the kitchen counter.
“No don’t go.” Peter stopped him. “I think we need to talk, besides you don’t really look well enough to be able to go home by yourself.”
Peter signed Jason to sit back down. He went to the kitchen and filled up a glass of water for him.
“My first question is if you’re okay. What I saw when I found you was, well you scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry. You’re familiar with the toxin right- Oh I almost, fuck you are I was there.”
“That’s why I wanted to ask you if you were okay. It shows your biggest fear doesn’t it?”
Jason nodded. “It’s not my first time but it felt the most realistic than ever before.”
“My second question.” Peter sat back down on the chair he slept in. “How does your face feel, and your leg? What even happened to your leg?”
“My face feels like someone has beat me up and my leg is caused by a lovely little brother with a katana.”
Jason saw Peter think for a second. “So your little brother is the little dude with the sword… what’s his name..?”
“He’s the current Robin.”
“Current?” Peter tilted his head sideways something Jason noticed was a Spider-Man thing.
“Yeah there been many before him like me.” Jason explained.
“You were Robin?”
“Yup the one and only second one.” Jason awkwardly smiled.
“Wait so the Bat thing is like a family thing?”
Jason laughed. “You could say that. The actual family business.”
“So your dad, Bruce is Batman..?”
Jason smiled at him and nodded.
“Hm alright. Why did your brother even cut you with his sword.”
Jason let himself drop on the bed and was now lying on it with his legs still to the ground. “He thought I was murdering Tim, which I just shot him.”
Peter was doing the head tilt once again and his facial expression was very confused.
“I’ll tell you later.”
Peter looked at him and raised his eyebrow. “Okay sure…”
“My third question is if you’re hungry?” Peter suspiciously smiled at him.
Jason squinted his eyes, the best his bruised face allowed him to. “I always am but…”
“Remember when I’d got hit with the toxin and you brought me home. We owe each other a platonic egg date.” Peter’s smile widened. “If I knew you were Red Hood I would’ve never left.”
Jason sat back up. “Really? Why?”
Peter laughed but stopped when he saw Jason was absolutely serious. “Because you’re my friend man and I like being in your presence. Red Hood isn’t my friend he’s just a colleague." Peter said. "Well he is my friend now though.” Peter added.
“Really?”
Peter nodded. “For reals.”
“I’m pretending you speak like a normal human being instead of a nerd.”
“Now my fourth and for now final question, how long have you known?”
Jason sat up straight on the bed again. “A while.”
Peter got up and awkwardly walked back and forth. “What do you mean a while?” Jason noticed he was trying his hardest to keep his cool.
“My siblings found out, don’t ask me why or how because I don’t know.” Jason explained. “I just..” Jason said quietly, so quiet the normal human ears wouldn’t have been able to catch that.
“What? You just..?” Peter asked him.
Jason looked at him confused. “How did you catch that?”
“Super hearing, super strength, super funny and super handsome.” Peter joked.
Jason laughed. “In your dreams Parker.” He joked back.
“Hey!” Peter walked over to him, let himself drop next to him on the bed and lightly punched his shoulder. “But just what?”
“I just wanted to rather not know you know. The last time Jason Todd made friends was back in middle school. All my friends now are friends with me because of Red Hood.” Jason confessed and sighed. “And in middle to high school I only had people around me because my name happened to be Todd-Wayne.”
“I’m sorry Jay.” Peter sounded so sincere.
“It’s okay I just, nevermind.” He stood up from the bed and put on his jacket. “We got some eggs to get and a boy to not wake up.” He pointed at Miles.
People stared at Jason when him and Peter were walking to somewhere they could get some eggs for breakfast.
Jason was used to stares, if they weren’t because he was a Wayne they were because of his scar. But now instead of disgust or seeing a famous person stares it was the worst type of all, judgmental stares.
You’d think in Gotham they see everything everyday and a bruised and blue man on the streets isn’t a full carnival attraction to look at but not I guess.
Jason was silent on the way there which was in good contrast with Peter who couldn’t stop talking. Jason liked this about him, never an awkward silence.
Though Jason did like his overly awkward self induced awkward silences.
“-And that’s basically how my aunt found out.” Peter finished his story.
If Jason had to be very honest he had no idea what his aunt found out because he had not been paying attention at all.
His head was somewhere else and his body was still in a panicked state.
“Are you sure you’re okay Jason?” Peter asked him, he touched his shoulder but Jason flinched. “I’m so sorry Jay-“
“You haven’t done anything Pete I’m just not really myself yet.” Jason said slowly.
“I thought the toxin was gone?”
“It mostly is I think but that’s just because I’ve had more of those shots in my life. Normally this would linger for a little while longer.”
Peter whispered something Jason couldn’t hear to himself. “How was I okay the next morning?” Peter asked on such a way it made Jason feel suspicious as if he already knew why.
“We don’t know.” Jason confessed.
“It could be my high metabolism.” Peter started to point at a store. “Look there, it serves breakfast which means it has eggs!”
“Woah so good of you to notice!” Jason joked.
Peter softly punched Jason’s shoulder. Well Peter thought it went softly but Jason still lost his balance. “Sorry.” Peter snorted.
“That was so not like you really meant it.”
“Because I don’t. That’s what you get for keeping stuff from me about myself.” Peter smirked back.
“I need to tell you something I don’t want to tell you in the fear you’ll get mad. But it’s the right thing to tell you.” Jason began.
“What? Most of the times when people say don’t get mad, you get mad.”
“It has nothing to do with me.”
Peter gave him a side eye. “That doesn’t necessarily make it better.”
Jason quickly looked left and right and when there wasn’t a car coming their way they walked to the other side of the street.
It was a nice place, the inside was more colorful than he expected. Jason put on his sunglasses and sat down on a booth.
“Aren’t you supposed to wear them outside?”
Jason smiled at him. “Nope.” He grabbed a menu and his head disappeared into it.
“So boys, what can I get you two?” The waiter stood by their table holding a servers book.
“For me the house special omelette please.” Jason said laying the menu back down on the table.
“For me the mirror egg with cheese and bacon. If you could maybe add extra bacon I love you.” Peter ordered.
“I could see what I could do for you.” The waiter noted it in his book and winked at Peter.
“Uh!” Jason began when the waiter left, he pointed at the waiter. “He just winked at you!”
Peter laughed. “What? Jealous?” Peter smirked.
“No!” Jason was quick to answer.
“Hm.. Okay. I mean he is cute though.” Peter half joked.
“Oh my god Pete shut the fuck up he’s coming back.” Jason wanted to bury his head in his jacket.
“Could I interest you in some coffee, or tea?” The waiter asked, just looking at Peter.
“Coffee.” Jason slid the coffee cup towards the waiter who was already holding the coffee.
“Make that two.” Peter smiled at him and did the same as Jason.
“Well I’ll make sure that’s done.” Jason could punch the smile off of the waiters face while he poured the coffee still looking at Peter.
The waiter left again and Jason scoffed. “If he looks at you like that again he’s losing his fucking tip.”
Peter almost spat out his coffee due to laughing. “Looking at me like what!?”
“Like you’re some fucking, protein bar in the middle of a fucking battle.”
“You’re being ridiculous Jay. Anyways the thing I was going to get mad at?”
“I don’t want you to like get mad here..?” Jason said slowly.
“I promise, pinky swear…” Peter said holding out his pink.
“I’m not going to pinky swear you.”
Peter smiled widely. “I don’t think you want me mad huh? Or do you?!”
Jason groaned and hold out his pinky. Peter interlocked his pink with Jason’s. He softly pulled Jason’s arm towards him and kissed the pinky swear.
“What did you just do..?”
“That’s to like seal the deal. To make it real you know. Now it’s your turn.” Peter explained.
Jason looked at him weirdly.
“What you didn’t do this as a kid?”
“I didn’t do a lot as a kid.” Jason went down and kissed their interlocked pinky fingers. “So I sealed the deal?”
Peter smiled and nodded. “So what am I not getting mad at you about?”
Jason sighed. “I’m still furious myself to I’ll try to stay calm.” He said a whole lot quieter know Peter could hear him anyways. “It’s about Tim.”
“What about him?” Peter whispered back.
“He didn’t find your suit.”
Peter answered with looking at him weirdly.
“He stole it.”
Peter needed a moment to register this in his mind. “He… What..?” He sounded hurt.
“He stole your suit.” Jason took his sunglasses off.
“…what?” Peter looked confused. “Why?”
“He told me he didn’t know it was your suit and thought it was some strange technology because he doesn’t trust you one bit.” Jason explained.
“…What?”
“I shot him yesterday but that’s not all the shit he’s going to get because I’m not done with him, trust me.”
Peter stumbled some words. “Excuse me I- I’ll be right back..” and without a clear look of emotion in his eyes he walked towards the toilets.
Once he disappeared into them Jason hit the table with his fist.
“Sir..?” The waiter yelled out for him. “Please don’t hit the tables!”
“Oh yeah?” Jason stood up and pointed at the waiter. “You need to wait until I hit your annoying fucking smile off of your fucking face!”
The waiter rolled his eyes. “Sir please don’t threaten the staff.”
The waiter turned to his colleague. “It’s not my fault his hot boyfriend likes me more.” He whispered with a smile.
“What did you say?” Jason walked closer to him.
The waiter laughed in Jason’s face.
“I dare you to repeat yourself.” Jason’s hand reached for the gun in the pocket of his jacket. He didn’t even care about the possibility of a huge scandal unfolding by him pulling a gun in civilian.
“Boo hoo, I’m so scared of a pathetic beaten up privileged little trust fund fucker. You know..” He came from behind the counter. “I thought I saw your boyfriend tear up running to the bathroom. I think I could cheer him up real good. If ya know what I mean, that is.” He smirked.
“Oh yeah you’re not getting that fucking tip.” Jason got the gun from his pocket, he loaded it and pointed it at the waiter.
“Not so tough anymore huh?” Jason tilted his head and smirked back.
The waiter now looked back scared at him. “Dude I was just messing with you I didn’t-“
“Oh boo hoo.” Jason cut him off, repeating his own words.
Jason saw another waitress come with their food. Jason pointed the gun towards the food. “Pack that up please we’re eating to go. That is if your colleague still wants to get home in one piece.”
The waitress looked back at him and rolled her eyes, slowly going to work and putting their food to go.
“What the fuck Jay?!” Peter yelled at him returning from the bathroom.
“Get the food Peter we’re leaving.” Jason said and gave Peter his wallet with his spare hand. “No tip.”
Peter groaned and paid for the food with Jason was still pointing the gun at the waiter.
“Cops are called Wayne!” One of the people sitting in the restaurant yelled at Jason.
“Does it look like I give a fuck?” Jason shot a bullet into the roof. “And he’s not my fucking boyfriend.” Jason rushed Peter outside and put the gun back in his jacket.
“What the fuck was that?” Peter asked angrily.
“Making sure he’s getting fucking fired. Showing what you get if you mess with Jason fucking Todd.” Jason spit out.
“The fucking gun Jay.”
Jason noticed a tear running down Peter’s cheek.
“Pete are you okay..?”
“Am I okay?! The fuck I’m not!” Peter yelled at him. People passing them were staring. “I find out you are… you! I find out my most priced possession got stolen by my.. friend! And now you’re out here just waving your gun around!?”
“Peter woah, calm down!”
“Calm down?! ME?!” Peter walked faster than before.
“Dude.. slow down!”
“The fucking cops are after us excuse me?” Peter turned around.
“I’m sorry… Okay?!”
“You’re pretty damn shit at apologizing you know.”
Jason stayed silent and just followed wherever Peter was going to.
He knew he was a shit apologist. Jason knew he was a shity friend, for keeping everything from him. And Jason knew that being around Jason wasn’t very easy.
Peter was walking towards a fire escape that was lowered to the ground. With one hand, in the other the bag of food he climbed up all the way to the top with Jason closely following him.
“Finally some peace and fucking quiet.” Peter said sarcastically when another alarm was ringing through the city.
Peter sat on the edge of the building they were on. He unpacked the bag and took a look at his food.
“He didn’t even add the extra bacon.” Peter looked sadly at Jason.
“Yup, he’s getting fucking fired.” Jason sat down next at him.
“And how will you fix that?” Peter gave the back with his food in it at him.
“Do you have any idea how much the name Wayne means here?” Jason smiled at him.
Peter chuckled.
“You know I have a difficult relationship with the name and especially the man who gave it to me, but it comes with its privileges.”
“I can kind of relate, years ago back at like my Stark industries internship time. I was Starks kid and that brought too much power for a fourteen, fifteen year old kid to hold.” Peter smiled.
“Hm.. Stark Industries that sounds so familiar.”
“Really?”
“Hm I don’t know I never paid any attention at Bruce’s gala’s”
Jason stared at Peter who was looking into Gotham, the wind turned into a slight breeze which was running through his hair. The sun, which Gotham never saw a lot was shining right into Peter eyes which made them go from its usual dark brown color to a honey brown.
“How are you feeling?” Jason carefully asked him.
“Twisted, angry and comfortable..?” Peter said as if he got confused by his very own words. “And besides. What did you mean with shooting Tim?”
“I came into his room and shot him. He deserves way more.” Jason said coldly.
“You don’t need to do any more. He’ll see a very angry Spider-Man the next time he comes in my way.”
Jason looked at him proudly. “Good. He gets away with weird shit like this way too much.”
“Wait so, Tim is Red Robin then right?”
Jason nodded and took a bite of his food.
“So that’s why he got benched.”
Jason laughed. “Yup, Bruce didn’t even punish him right. A month without his boyfriend and patrol won’t teach him.”
“He’ll find out.” Peter smiled back at Jason.
Peter brought Jason back to his apartment after their breakfast together. He promised Jason to remember his address the next time something happened.
The first thing Jason did when he came home was take off his shoes and changed into comfortable clothes. A pair of sweats and a Wonder Woman t-shirt were the choice.
Jason was afraid to look into the mirror so he covered them with a towel instead.
He pulled out his phone and saw that Roy had called him.
Jason could ignore Dick but no way he could ignore Roy.
The phone went over twice until he picked up.
“Jason my man! How are we doing?” Jason heard from the other side of the line.
“A little more shity than usual but you know, the usual.” Jason chuckled. “I don’t know how far Dick filled you in. And if you’re calling me on his request fuck you.”
“Not calling on Dicks request I promise."
"Has he told you about the Spider-Men and what Tim did?” Jason said while throwing himself into his own bed.
“Oh yeah Tim like stole the suit and DNA right?”
“Tim also stole the DNA…?”
“Hm mhm. No one told you?”
“I’ll be fucking damned. How the fuck are you Harper?”
“I’m alright.”
“How is little Lian doing?”
“Awesome, she’s doing good. She has been talking about you, you need to come over soon man.”
“And I.. uh I think Jason Todd Fucked up today instead of RH.” Jason was quick to change the subject.
Jason heard Roy laugh a little. “What did Jason Todd do today. It’s not even afternoon yet.”
“Well I pulled a gun on a fucking disrespectful little shit waiter. That’s not even what’s bothering me a lot… Unless thinking about the coming Bruce lecture.”
“What’s bothering you a lot?”
“The waiter called one of the Spider-Men my boyfriend and I…. I didn’t dislike it.” Jason wanted to immediately throw his phone away.
He couldn’t see Roy’s face but he knew exactly how he was looking at his phone right now. “So it’s a nice guy?”
“It’s making me terrified Roy.”
“You deserve this Jaybird. And yes finding out you like someone is pretty fucking damn terrifying.”
Jason groaned. “I don’t even know if I do like him that way.”
“Well you’ll only find that out by spending more time together brother.”
“I know.” He groaned. “Well I’ll talk to you real soon man.”
“Keeping you to that!”
And silence returned back to him.
When Jason let himself drop on the bed he noticed that his white sheets had red spots on them when he lifted his head.
It took him a lot of courage to remove on of the towels draped over one of the mirrors. For the first time after his beating he looked at himself in the mirror. It looked better than he expected. His right eye was definitely really blue and his face was just all over a little red and bruised. A few cuts here and there but he was overall fine. He wiped off the new blood and draped the towel back over the mirror.
That it looked better than he expected didn’t mean that he suddenly liked to be met with his reflection.
Notes:
(°◡°♡)
Chapter 22: New York City
Summary:
"So..." Tim awkwardly began.
"I don't know why the fuck you're here but I don't need rich trash on my doorstep."
Chapter Text
Queens, New York City.
A little over a week after Jason shot Tim.
Tim knocked on an apartment door, third floor of a New York apartment building. He was balancing on crutches and instead of driving used the public transportation.
A man opened the door, Tim guessed he must’ve been well in his 50s maybe even 60s.
“Good afternoon sir, is Peter home?” Tim asked.
“Oh yeah, I think he is let me.” The man turned around. “Peter? Someone’s at the door for you?”
“Who?” Tim heard Peter respond.
“Who are ya son?”
“Tim Drake-Wayne.”
The man looked Tim up and down. “I’ll be damned I thought I knew you from somewhere. May? We have a celebrity at our door!”
A pretty woman of around the same age as the man showed her face at the door.
“I’m Ben Parker this is my wife May. I’m honored to meet you kid. You know when I was younger back in my teen years I used to work for Martha and Thomas. Such a shame what happened to them.” Ben shook Tim’s hand.
“You’re from Gotham?”
“Oh yes I am. But my wife here is from New York so I moved here once it started to get serious.” Ben winked and Tim noticed the slight Gotham accent he had.
“So how do you know our Peter?” May asked him.
“He doesn’t..?” Peter appeared from between them.
Peter looked like Peter but not really. His hair was darker and shorter. This was Peter but not the Peter Tim knew.
“No right, not yet that is.” Tim smiled at him.
Peter's entire vibe was off. He was used to a bright aura but this Peter felt rather cold and dark. "What?"
"You're a genius right?"
"What..? I mean yes I am but why are you asking?" He said while setting up an attitude.
Yup, this was not the Peter he knew.
Still didn't mean Peter wasn't a clone or an alien that has taken Peter's form.
"Would you walk with me?" Tim asked.
Peter looked at him weirdly.
"Well Pete go on. Oh, your father would've loved this!" Ben said excitingly to Peter.
"I don't care what my father would've loved, he isn't here so he can't love Ben." Peter snapped back.
Ben's smile disappeared from his face.
"Come on Peter go with him." May pushed him.
Peter rolled his eyes and stepped out of the apartment, the door closed behind him and he stood with his arms folded over each other judgmentally staring at Tim.
"So..." Tim awkwardly began.
"I don't know why the fuck you're here but I don't need rich trash on my doorstep."
Tim was shocked by his answer. The Peter he knew and this Peter seemed like polar opposites.
"Look, in the last few weeks did anything strange happen that could result in a doppelganger or someone being able to steal your identity. Think about a lost ID or maybe you got hacked."
Peter just stared at him like he said absolute bullshit. "What the fuck do you mean?"
"Nothing just a question.."
Peter laughed. "This is absurd, Harry was right about you weird ass people."
"Harry..?"
"Harry Osborn, I know you know him."
"That kid from Oscorp?" Tim chuckled. He indeed knew Harry Osborn from Bruce's gala's his father was the owner of a successful company called OSCORP in New York.
Peter nodded. "He told me all about those weird gala's."
"You know what, I know enough, I actually had more questions but as I said I know enough." Tim laughed as he walked away.
On his way to Brooklyn, New York City. T
he neighborhood was a little better than the one other Peter, or original Peter lives in. He knocked on the house's front door. Miles opened the door
Tim squinted his eyes and pointed at him. “Miles right..?”
Miles looked at him confused. “That’s right… Who are you?”
“I’m Tim and I want to ask you a semi weird question.”
“Well.. ask?”
This Miles did look like the Miles Tim knew. Only his hair was again shorter, he wore more nerdy clothes and he had glasses.
“Is there any possibility anyone could’ve gotten a hold of your identity. Think about a stolen ID or a lost one, maybe even a hacking?”
Miles thought about what Tim just said. “No… Why is something wrong?”
They clearly know of nothing.
Tim had to think of an excuse to leave immediately.
“You’re Miles.. Jones right?” That’s the best Tim could come up with.
“Oh no, I’m Miles Morales.”
“Ah! So stupid of me. I got the wrong Miles! I’m so sorry for bothering you!” Tim awkwardly laughed and walked backwards.
He got his phone and immediately rang Damian.
“Hey Damian. I’m so lost in the research.”
“Drake. Did you really do what you told me. I promised you I wouldn’t tell father but he will be more than pissed.”
“Bruce can fuck off for all I care. Because how is it that none of y’all even find it a little bit suspicious?” Tim said aggressively.
“I’m not saying it’s not suspicious. You should investigate but…”
Tim groaned.
“But I think it’s a little soon to meet the other Peter and Miles.”
“Well you’re a little late with your unwanted advice Damian. I’m solving this no matter what, I’ve already risked dying and I can’t see my boyfriend even though I’m a grown ass fucking adult.”
“I’m telling father.”
“No you’re not you fucking snitch!”
And he hung up.
Fucking Damian.
———————————-
Luckily Gotham City and New York City aren’t too far from each other. Tim really hoped Damian joked about snitching, he doesn’t need a lecture from Bruce, again.
He was on a bus on his way back to Gotham. Even though in New York City he could actually breathe kind of healthy and he could see the sun constantly he couldn't stay away from Gotham for too long before missing it.
He was writing a short summary of his researching today.
The Peter he knew and the Peter he met were so different from each other. Miles was a little more alike but still definitely not the same person.
Shapeshifters could definitely be the case, that wasn’t necessarily negative. He was friends with M’gann and she is a shapeshifter.
The multiverse theory ran through his mind again. He was so completely lost in the endless possibilities.
The multiverse theory and the theory he has on aliens both make sense.
Two vigilantes who come up at the same time both highly skilled and trained in field. They have people who look, sound and have the same exact name and almost the exact same backstory as them.
And you got to be a little alien for Jason to be friends with you.
They entered the fog on a dark bridge which meant home.
Tim hadn’t seen or heard from Jason at all since he got shot. Tim didn’t think any of his family members heard from him since.
Tim still stands by his stance that it was one big overreaction.
It wasn’t even Jason’s business. What the fuck does he care, if it was Roy, Kori or Artemis he would’ve never reacted this big. Tim didn’t even care anymore now he had all the more reason to prove his suspicions to Jason. It started to rain when they approached the train station. From there he’d need a cab back to the manor. He opened the taxi app on his phone and quickly made a request. It took a little while for him to get one but he eventually did. When he got out of the bus it was pouring rain and the cab was 10 minutes from him.
Was there really not one closer by?
When the cab arrived Tim was absolutely soaking wet.
“A little rain son?” The cab driver joked.
“Very funny, Wayne manor please.” Tim requested before the driver asked him where he needed to be.
“Wayne manor huh? What are you doing there?” The driver asked a little giggly.
“I live there.” He shut the driver up he was silent for the remaining car drive. Tim put his AirPods back in because the music the driver was playing was horrible too.
When he arrived he paid the driver and waved him off before entering the manor. By now it was well in the evening and his little trip had taken the entire day.
He carefully opened the front door and to his relief there was no one there.
Maybe Damian didn’t snitch after all. Maybe Bruce was not home...
Tim’s plan was straight to his room to note his progress. The manor was weirdly quiet, he checked the time but it was yet time for patrol. Normally when he came home he would at least hear something but nothing at all now.
Perfect.
——————————————
Jason was getting ready for patrol. He was expecting a slow night but with scarecrow and Joker still on the loose you never knew.
The bruising was almost gone now, it had turned into a yellow color instead of the purple color it was a few days ago.
“Hood on your left.” Jason heard through the comms. He looked to the left but he didn’t see anything.
“Your other left sorry.”
Jason looked to the right and laughed. “And between us you’re the one with the high school diploma.”
It was Peter as Spider-Man swinging towards him.
“You don’t have a high school diploma?” Peter asked when he landed right beside Jason on the roof he was standing on.
“Oh no I don’t.” Jason said nonchalantly.
“Why?” Peter did his questioning head tilt.
“Oh uh..” Jason was not prepared for this question. “Something came in between finishing High School. So… Seen anything weird yet?” Jason changed the subject.
“Nope not yet. Spider-M is on the other side of town. He wanted to do patrol there.”
“And you didn’t?”
“I’m standing right here right?”
“-and that asshole totally got what he deserved!” Peter laughed.
Red Hood and Spider-Man were walking on the streets of Otisburg. They were heading to a conscience store because Peter was hungry.
“This way Spidey.” Jason let him to a very lit up store. There were a few customers walking around and a cashier that looked like she was about to fall asleep any moment.
Jason laughed at how Peter looked like he was a kid in a candy store while picking out what to eat.
“Hood you don’t need anything?” Peter asked him.
“You know I could get one of those over there.” Jason pointed at the rotating hot dog sausages.
Peter just looked at him. Jason was pretty sure he was judging him but he couldn’t see his face anyway.
At the counter Jason paid, Peter tried to pay but Jason wouldn’t let him. He used the 'whose father here is a multibillionaire' excuse when they walked off, and the cashier couldn’t hear them anymore.
They took their food up to a really high roof where they would be sure no one could see them.
Jason took off his helmet and Peter’s mask retracted.
“Pete I do have to say your suit is sick as fuck.” Jason sat down on the edge and unpacked his hotdog from the paper it was put in.
“Thanks.” He grunted when going to sit down next to Jason. “Your face has been going well.”
“Yeah the bruising is almost gone, thankfully.”
Peter opened the bag of candy he got and offered Jason before he got one himself.
“Someone’s behind us.” Peter said slowly and quietly.
His super hearing was something to get used to, same as the weird danger sense he’s got. He calls it the Spidey Sense, although I’m very sure I’ve heard Miles say Peter Tingle as well which is way funnier.
Jason took the last bite of hotdog and stood up, in the corner of his eye he saw Peter’s mask come up again.
Jason scanned his surroundings, he hardly saw anything until he did.
“It’s fine Pete, Cass you’ve been spot come out come out…” Jason said a little annoyed.
Out of the corner of his eye Jason saw the mask part of Peter’s suit retract again.
Cassandra dressed in het Batgirl suit softly walked from behind a little wall.
“I must say you need to teach me how to walk so lightly. I can never hear you.” Peter said to Cass.
“I can do that too.” Jason quickly added.
Peter responded by giving him a side eye.
“What it’s true. B taught all his Robins how to walk without sound or being noticed. If I use it is another question.” Jason smiled.
Peter still gave him the same reaction before looking at Cass. “I can teach you one day Spider.”
“Yes! Thank you!” He thanked her with his mouth full.
“You’re the first I’ve seen since the Tim incident.” Jason began towards Cass.
“Not true, you mean the night you got beaten up and me and M found out about the family business.” Peter added.
“Yeah…” Cass looked at her feet. “I’m really sorry about that Jay. B has been with the Justice League. You’re ignoring Dick and he doesn’t want to ‘invade your personal space’ again, his words. Well Tim you know… but the rest of us don’t have a valid excuse.”
“It’s okay Cass. I understand and besides as long as Tim, or anyone else whatsoever don’t bother us it’s fine.”
Peter held out his bag of candy. “Fancy one?”
“You don’t have to ask that twice!” She said and removed her mask.
“Do you guys hear that..?” Peter broke up Jason and Cass’ conversation.
“Ah yes. The sweet sounds of Gotham city’s nightlife Peter.”
“No, no not that…” His mask appeared again. “It’s a building, fire.” Peter quickly stood up. “Karen scan the surroundings for any sign of a building on fire.” It took Peter just a few seconds to know exactly where he had to go to.
“Come on follow!” Peter hurriedly webbed off of the roof. Jason grunted when he stood up and put his helmet back on. Cass followed them as well.
It was an office building, not a big one quite a small one. The flames weren’t big yet but Jason could hear the screaming now too. He saw Peter run into the burning building.
“Fuck!” He cursed. He landed on the street in front of the building, firemen had just arrived on scene but Peter was already inside.
“Batgirl I’m going in. Don’t follow me under no circumstance!” He yelled at Cass and ran in too.
The fire looked way more underwhelming from the outside but on the inside everything was on fire.
Jason wished he had Peter’s super hearing and his cool AI which probably had Xray vision.
“Spider-Man?!” Jason yelled from the top of his lungs. His helmet has an air filtration system so he could just breathe normally even though the air was filled with black smoke.
Jason still heard yelling from the floor above him. If he had to guess it were two women and a man.
He looked for the quickest way to get upstairs and ran towards it. It were the normal stairs which were also on fire. Jason just fucked it and went through it anyways. He saw Peter trying to get through a door, the screams were coming from behind there.
“Spider-Man!” Jason rushed towards him.
“Hood! Stay back!”
There was a wooden beam before the door, Peter touched the incredibly hot beam and lifted it up like it was nothing. It reminded Jason a lot of Superman and how he can also do stuff like that.
He just threw the beam aside and tried the doorknob which obviously wouldn’t budge.
Red Hood just stayed back and observed how Spider-Man did it. “Get away from the door!” He yelled to the people trapped. Peter kicked the door and it flung open revealing the three people.
“Come on hurry!”
Jason saw the man was hurt, he had pretty severe burns and inhaled way too much smoke, and so did the women.
Jason hurried inside of the room to the man. “Sir, can you stand on it?”
The man who was just sitting down tried to stand. He used Jason’s arm for support. After a try that took way too much time for Jason’s liking he fell. The man shook his head.
Jason grabbed the man and picked him up, Peter and the women were already long gone. Jason was careful on the stairs and was so glad that they were even still there. He ran towards the door and was immediately met by specialists and he saw Cass helping to treat the women. Before he fully let go of the man he grabbed Jason’s arm and by that pulled him closer again.
“S…on.. son…” He weakly said and pointed inside.
“Son?”
The man nodded and kept pointing.
“Your son is still inside?”
The man nodded with tears streaming down his face.
Jason didn’t waste a second and went back in.
“RH what the fuck!?” He heard Peter over the comms.
After the incident Jason decided that having joined comms with the Spider-Men alone was for the better for a short while.
Jason forgot to answer Peter in his desperate search for the son. He didn’t know how old he was, where he was and what he looked like. All he knew that he was still somewhere.
Jason had the feeling he was also upstairs and ran all the way back, ruining the stairs in the meanwhile.
“Hello..?!” He called out. “Hello?! Anyone here?!”
Jason took a deep breath and closed his eyes to just listen. To anything maybe movement, some faint talking, anything.
And he heard it, very faintly someone calling for help. The sound came from the room next to the one the just saved his father and the two women from.
The knob again didn’t work so Jason had to kick the door open. The boy was in his early teenage years and was hidden under a desk. He was luckily the first thing Jason saw when he looked inside. The roof of the room was heavily on fire and he needed to be gone there now.
Jason rushed to the boy and saw he was barely functioning anymore, his eyes looked far away and his breathing was very slow. Jason didn’t carry anything like a gas mask or something that could provide clean oxygen, and if that boy didn’t receive it now the chance was high he would never breathe again.
Jason closed his eyes and kneeled down to the boy. He took a deep breath in and removed his helmet to then carefully place it on the boys head.
Jason carefully picked him up and now needed a way to bring him and himself back to safety. The heat was making him uncomfortable and without his mask he was now breathing in all of the thick black smoke. He arrived at the stairs, forgetting in a panic that he had just broken them and there was no way he could cross them without lighting on fire himself.
In the sea of fire that was down the stairs Jason saw Peter emerge from the flames.
He saw Jason struggle to find a way to safely get down.
“Come here! I’ll web him from you and take him back outside. In the meanwhile you escape from a window okay?!” Peter yelled at him.
Jason nodded and took a few steps closer to the stairs. Peter flicked a web and grabbed the teen. Jason waited until he couldn’t see Peter anymore and knew they’d get out safely.
Jason turned around and was met by walls covered in flames, the roof covered and thought by himself that it was the highest time to get the fuck out of there.
The smoke made it hard for him to see exactly where he was going.
He was back in the room where he just saved the boy from. The roof had all these beams supported by beautiful pillars who were all on fire now.
Before Jason could reach the window a pillar collapsed and a beam fell, right on top of him. Luckily the beam that fell on him was just burning from one side which was the opposite of the side that fell on top of him.
Jason tried to get the beam off of him but it was way too heavy for him to lift alone.
He tried crawling out of it but he couldn’t, the beam was laying on top of his torso and he was quite stuck.
“Spider-“ He coughed. “Spider-Man!” He tried to yell.
Jason wanted to try his comms but he gave his helmet to the boy, which had his comms inside.
Jason trusted Peter to hear him.
The fire on the beam started to travel towards him, and more of the ceiling started to fall.
Jason was beginning to panic now until he felt the beam lift from his stomach and Peter grunting.
He held the beam with one hand and held his other hand out for Jason to grab.
He grabbed Peter’s hand and pulled himself up. He was coughing repeatedly and couldn’t really process what Peter was saying to him. Until Peter just grabbed his side and jumped out of the window. Jason’s eyes grew large when he saw the building they just came out of, it was almost entirely on fire and it started to spread to the buildings beside it. The firemen could now start with extinguishing since everyone was out of the building now.
Cassandra rushed towards Peter and Jason.
“Red Hood are you okay?”
No response. Peter now hurried him to the paramedics.
“Fuck…” Cass cursed.
Two paramedics came running towards them with a stretcher.
“Spider-Man, we take him to the cave or to dr. Thompkins. No regular doctors, never.”
“Agent A..?” She called through the comms.
“Yes. Make sure you have a bed ready we’re on our way right now!” Cass looked back at Peter. “Can you take him with you? I can lead the way but I need to make sure you can handle it.”
“Yes ma’am!” Peter answered quickly.
——————————————
The cave, the BatCave was the Batman headquarters, Jason had mentioned this to Peter before. But this was the first time Peter came to the BatCave. It was very… cave-y…
With the addition of sick technology, a massive coin… a.. dinosaur…?
The person Cass had referred to as Agent A was their butler. Who was apparently massively skilled in fixing people up. Which not that weird considering he takes care of Batman.
“He’ll be alright, right Alfie?” Cass asked him when he came out of the medical area just finished with examanating Jason.
“You know master Jason, he gets through anything. He inhaled a lot of smoke, but he’ll be fine.”
Peter looked at Alfred. “We forgot his helmet! He didn’t have it, the kid has it.”
“That would be a minor problem. Master Jason does have tracking in them and has more than one.”
Peter was just about to answer Alfred when someone else walked down massive stairs leading to Wayne Manor upstairs.
Tim Drake.
Just the one Peter was in need to have a good conversation with.
“Fucking…” He cursed under his breath and stormed his way. “Hey Tim!” The mask of his suit appeared back on. “What a fucking surprise….”
Chapter 23: Evil Aliens
Summary:
“Basically. It wasn’t on purpose though it was kind of a heat of the moment, moment. We were fighting a big angry purple alien from space.” Miles explained.
“Aliens are from space dumbass.” Peter teased.
Chapter Text
“Master Tim you cannot be here right now.” Alfred stood between the two of them.
“No it’s fine, we need to talk anyways…” Peter said to him, ready to fight.
Tim threw his crutches aside. “Come on you fucking alien!”
“Alien? The fuck? Your insults couldn’t be a little more creative?”
“So you admit it!” Tim said aggressively and was suddenly holding a bo staff.
“What?” Peter dodged Tim’s staff.
“You’re..” Peter dodged him again. “An alien.” Peter dodged once again. “Pretending to be Peter Parker!”
“What the fuck do you mean?!” Peter dodged his bo staff one more time before he got sick of it and webbed the staff towards him. Instead of being in Tim’s hands they were now in Peter’s who threw it to the side.
“It’s enough boys.” Alfred stood between the two.
“Alfred how dare you let this… pretender! In the cave?!” Tim yelled at Alfred.
Alfred just wanted to say something when Peter was just a little quicker than him. “What the fuck do you mean pretender? And what are you rambling on about aliens for?!”
“I know what you are!” Tim pointed at him trying to get closer but Alfred stopped him.
“And come on what am I?” Peter laughed at him.
“You heard me.”
“So I’m an alien… pretending to be… myself..?” Peter was still laughing.
“Tim stop being so ridiculous.” Cass began.
“Cass I have proof. I went to the real Peter Parker today!”
“Well you couldn’t have because I’m right here dumbo!” Peter said.
“You and Miles are both fakers. No one believes me but I know my own truth!” Tim yelled. “So Cass when he stabs you in the back don’t come crying to me because I warned you!”
“Enough of this nonsense master Tim! Up to your room.” Alfred yelled back and pointed up towards the manor. “Right this instance!”
Tim gave a look to Peter, it looks could kill Peter would’ve been dead now.
Peter was so confused, he prepared to fight him but instead he was yelling at him like he was crazy.
Peter was confused until he realized that he could actually have a counter part. Just like captain Marvel, he remembered when he just arrived in Gotham and they were going research. With the search of captain Marvel another hero came up. It did look like a gender swapped version of Carol. Maybe the counter parts here were gender swapped…? So that would mean he was Cis in this universe..?
But instead of thinking Miles and him came from another universe he thought they were aliens…?
“I’m sorry about Tim..” Cass apologized for him.
“You don’t need to apologize Cass.” Peter’s mask disappeared from his face again. “I actually understand him now.”
Cass looked at him weirdly. “Well you’ll have to explain that one because I don’t get it.”
Peter cleared his throat. “I can’t, not right now, not here.”
“Well then, you explain whenever you can.” Cass smiled.
“Excuse me you two. I’m upstairs if either of you or master Jason is in need of my assistance. I’m going after master Tim.” Alfred explained himself and headed to the stairs.
“So…” Peter broke the awkward silence that started. “Where did you say your dad was?”
Cass lit up when she heard his question. “He’s on a mission with the Justice League. He didn’t specify what kind of mission.”
“Okay about that Justice League what exactly is that?” Peter carefully asked.
“You don’t know…?” She looked at him weirdly again.
Peter shook his head. At that moment two motorcycles stormed in.
A cool black one and one very purple one. It was Robin and Spoiler.
“Spider-Man!” Spoiler called out when she removed her helmet which was matching the rest of her outfit.
“Stephanie.. right?” Peter carefully tried.
“Yes that would be me!” She ran up to Cass and Peter. She gave Cass a tight hug.
“I was just explaining what the Justice League was to Peter.” Cass began.
Stephanie removed her mask and looked at Peter weirdly too. “Under what rock did you live?” She laughed.
Peter held up his shoulders.
“Anyways. It’s a group of the biggest superheroes and well, vigilantes. Bruce together with Superman and Wonder Woman set it up. They usually come together to fight world or even universal threats.” Cass explained.
“They have awesome yearly barbecues!” Stephanie added.
“Don’t talk about the Justice League barbecue with non members Brown.” Damian told her.
“What as if you’re a member, Wayne.” She teased.
“Not…. Officially. But I would be on their future member list sooner than you would be.”
Stephanie gasped. “And why would that be?!”
“Batman’s son, Ra’s al Ghul’s grandson. I can go on further if you’d want to?”
“No you can shut up.” Stephanie folded her arms over each other and faced away from Damian who was looking at her satisfied.
“Well, I’ll be looking forward to those barbecues since I’m obviously even higher up than Damian.” Peter jokingly added.
Damian turned around to face Peter and his face was really angry.
“I’ll be immediately going to my bedroom. If you’d need me, or father is home sooner than expected, you know where to find me.” He told Cass. She nodded in return and he headed towards the stairs.
“Alfred’s no suit upstairs rule Damian!” Stephanie reminded him.
Damian responded in the form of a middle finger.
Stephanie reacted with a fake shock.
“I don’t understand how you survive living with him 24/7 Cass.” Stephanie told her.
“You don’t live here?” Peter asked Stephanie.
“Nope, not one of Bruce’s kids. I’m just here a lot.” Stephanie answered him.
“Right got it, I still don’t have your interesting and confusing family dynamics together.”
Cass and Stephanie laughed. “Well they are quite interesting and confusing.” Cass agreed with him.
Peter laughed a little too until he felt twisted again. The entire situation with Tim felt so weird. Before their short conversation Peter was so angry at him but now he understood. He understands wanting to protect your family when something you’re not familiar with and what screams suspicion is suddenly around your family.
Peter wanted to know what he found out. What he knows exactly and what he thinks is the matter.
“Stephanie, you did patrol with Miles right? Or at least seen him?” Peter asked her.
“Oh yes, we had a good night. You did patrol with Cass?”
Peter shook his head. “With Jay. He got hurt that’s why I’m here.”
“Is he okay?”
“Will be okay, he inhaled too much smoke. Burning building.”
“Firefly is locked up right Cass?”
Cass nodded. “Much as I know he is.”
“Hm okay.” Stephanie nodded.
“So Miles went home, and he’s okay?” Peter asked her.
“Yes he went home, he said he was already expecting you to be there though.”
Peter waited a moment before he responded.
“Are you okay Peter?” Cass asked him.
Peter nodded very distantly. “Yeah I was just thinking…”
“About what?” Stephanie was quick to ask.
“You think I…” Peter began awkwardly. “I don’t know… It’ll probably sound stupid.”
“Shoot Pete, trust me whatever you have to say we’ve probably heard worse.” Stephanie giggled.
“Is there any way I can stay with Jay, I don’t want to leave him alone.” Peter admitted.
“Sure, as long as you’re not the evil alien Tim claims you to be. I think it’s fine.” Cass laughed.
“Well Cass I can promise you I’m not an evil alien.”
---------------------------
The first thing Jason noticed when he woke up was his sore throat. He got woken up by his need to cough.
He was not in his apartment. He sat up straight and looked at his surroundings. The medical wing of the cave.
Jason had been spending way more time here lately than he wanted.
He wanted to get out of bed and leave unnoticed since he had the idea it was still very early in the morning. Until he noticed Peter.
He was asleep in the chair next to Jason’s bed, someone put a blanket around him to keep him warm.
The second Jason saw Peter he didn’t want to escape anymore.
It didn’t take long for Peter to also wake up. He still smelled like smoke and wore his Spider-Man suit. Jason couldn’t judge because he was in the exact same situation.
“Good Morning you.” Jason said as Peter was rubbing his eyes.
“Hey!” Peter said while yawning.
“Why did you stay here and whose idea was it to take me here.” Jason said a bit more rough than he meant it.
“Cass, she said not to take you to normal doctors under any circumstance. And I stayed because I didn’t feel good leaving you here.” Peter said honestly.
“I appreciate that Pete. And yes the normal doctor thing is a Bruce thing. He’s paranoid about keeping our identity secret. That’s why he’s not the biggest fan about you and Miles knowing.” Jason explained and coughed right after.
Peter rushed to his nightstand where there was a glass of water which he immediately handed to Jason.
Jason took it and took some sips. “What do I do without you Parker.” He smiled.
“I saw Tim.” Peter began.
“You did? What happened?”
“Nothing. He tried to fight me but he couldn’t even hit me once. That’s not the point, the point is that he thinks I’m an alien and I understand him.”
“An alien? How? What? Peter please more context?”
Peter looked around. “I don’t know if I can safely give you the context right here…”
Jason gave him a confused look.
“I promise I’ll explain.” Peter whispered. He heard that someone was coming, probably Alfred followed by someone else Peter didn’t yet recognize.
“Master Jason, you’re awake I see.” Alfred came into the medical wing with a tray of food. Behind him was Bruce, he looked a little beaten but nothing very bad.
Alfred placed the tray on a table and refilled Jason’s glass of water. “How are you Master Jason?”
“Well I’ve got a sore throat but I’m okay.” Jason answered him.
“You’ve been here an awful lot lately JayLad. Are you sure everything’s okay?” Bruce asked him.
“I just told Alfred that I’m okay Bruce, I don’t need you checking in as well.”
“Jason, it’s okay..” Peter whispered.
“Thank you for staying with him through the night Peter.” Bruce thanked him.
“It’s no big deal, he’d do the same for me.”
“Yes he would. Anyways I want to apologize for my son’s behavior earlier. I have no idea what’s going on with him.”
“Oh no, no it’s all okay. Tell Tim that I understand, and I’m actually not as mad as before.”
Bruce gave him a confused look. “Alright, I will do that..”
“How was your mission Mr. Wayne?” Peter asked him to be nice.
“Oh, it was fine. And please Peter it’s Bruce.”
“Alright… Bruce.” Peter smiled.
---------------------------
“So… You owe me an explanation Parker.” Jason said as they were walking towards the bookshop.
Alfred let Jason go in the afternoon. He had books on pick up at his usual bookstore and needed to pick them up, Peter just joined him.
“Right…” Peter said awkwardly staring at his feet. “Tim’s suspicious… I mean I understand him. I think I would react similarly if I found out what he did…”
“Peter you’re being very vague now.”
“He called me an alien..”
Jason gave him a mad look.
“And I understand because I’m not the only Peter Parker in this universe-“
“What?”
“I’m not the only Peter Parker…” Peter said carefully finally daring to look up at him.
“What do you mean? Are you a clone?” Jason tried to figure it out.
Peter laughed. “Not as complicated as that I think.”
“I need details Parker because I’m afraid I don’t get it.” Jason laughed as a response of Peter’s laughing.
“I said in this universe.”
“Are you saying… There are more universes?” Jason tried.
Peter softly nodded, Jason noticed a tear running down his cheek.
Jason grabbed Peter’s face softly and wiped away his tear. “Peter it’s okay.. Are you implying another you came to this universe..?”
Peter looked away, Jason still had his hands on his cheeks.
“I’m the intruder.”
Jason looked at him for a little bit, speechless.
Peter stepped away from Jason’s hands and cleared his own tears. “It’s okay if you don’t want to see me, if I were you I’d take Tim’s side-“
“Are you insane Peter? I don’t care about none of that! Other universe? I don’t care you’re my… friend!”
Peter looked so incredibly beautiful Jason’s heartbeat skipped a beat and he just knew Peter noticed that too.
“How… How did you come here..?”
“In my universe I’m a well known hero. Miles and I were fighting a new guy until he made a portal. Miles fell into it and without a thought I jumped after him.” Peter sighed. “Since then we’ve been here in Gotham. I understand if you would rather not hang out anymore…”
“Peter!” Jason called after him when Peter turned around to leave. Jason caught onto his hand and pulled him back in.
“Peter I don’t fucking care. I mean it does answer a few unanswered mysteries I had about you.” He laughed.
“It does?” Peter laughed through his tears.
“Definitely..”
“Well what can I say.” Peter shrugged.
“And Pete. You’re not an intruder. It’s not your fault you’re here.” Jason took a deep breath. “I do assume you want to go back home..?”
“Miles more than I. I kind of had nothing to loose, and not many I left behind. I do miss New York, I miss Ned, I miss the Avengers-“
“The who?”
Peter laughed. “The Avengers. You could say they’re my universes Justice League.”
Jason looked at him with his mouth open. “You’re saying you’re part of your universes Justice League?”
Peter proudly nodded.
“I have so many questions man…”
“Well I have nothing much to do. After the bookstore we can go back to my place I can explain a bit better there.”
Jason picked up a bag of books he paid and they were on their way to the Bowery. Instead of walking Jason got them a cab since it was a short while walking.
Peter opened the apartment door and Miles was inside.
“You don’t mind telling me you weren’t coming home?” Miles looked at him angrily.
“Sorry M.” Peter apologized and closed the door behind Jason.
“I did get a package, look!” Miles said excitedly and held up a Wayne Enterprises phone. “I got it from Tim.”
“Well he could get me presents too because you now got the newest phone there is.” Jason smiled at him.
“Look here Jason.” Peter pointed at the wall.
The wall was made into an improvised clue board.
There was one picture of the guy, a semi clear CCTV screenshot.
“What the hell… His face…?”
“Yeah I know it’s unsettling. That Joker guy did remind me of him.”
“Peter what the fuck are you doing?” Miles asked him.
“It’s okay Miles. He knows…”
“He knows…?”
“Yup I know.” Jason added. “Wait… isn’t this the tornado guy?”
Miles nodded. “Well fought him together once remember?”
Jason nodded his eyes still on the board.
“So… Do you guys have any clue how to get back?” Jason carefully asked and turned around.
“Kind of. We need to catch the tornado man and confront him. From there I think we can go back. I mean he brought us here so he can get us out right?” Miles said.
Jason nodded understandingly. “You know you guys don’t have to do this alone right? I mean you guys got a full Bat team on your side. And my siblings aren’t the best detectives for nothing.”
“You think they’d do that..?” Miles asked carefully.
“I don’t think it I know it Miles.”
“So you said you had questions?” Peter smiled at him.
Jason crashed down on the sofa bed.
“Tons of. First one is how did you become a…. What was the name again?” Jason was thinking. “A your earths member of the Justice League?”
“Oh I can explain the moment we became Avengers.” Peter smiled.
“You can even show it.” Miles added.
“That’s right… I can! The Iron-Spider suit records everything I do when I’m in suit. I was wearing it that day. Karen..?”
While Peter was contacting that Karen again Jason kept looking back at the board.
“Jason I got it…” Peter said. The small compact version of his suit was on the coffee table. It shot out a 3D projection of a scene.
It was a familiar looking man with an odd beard talking to another man who also had an odd beard but instead of normal clothes he wore a big red cape.
It looked as if they were arguing. The scene played.
"-I don't think you quite understand what's at stake here." The man with the cape said.
“what? No, It's you who doesn't understand that Thanos has been inside my head for six years. Since he sent an army to New York, and now he's back! And I don’t know what to do!” The shorter man said. “So.. I’m not so sure if it’s a better plan to fight him on our turf or his but you saw what they did, what they can do. At least on his turf he’s not expecting it. So I say we take the fight to him! Doctor. Do you concur?”
The man in the cape sighed. “Alright Stark. We go to him.” He paused. “But you have to understand, if it comes to saving you, or the kids or the time stone. I will not hesitate to let any of you die. I can’t because the universe depends on it.” He said seriously.
Stark patted the Doctors arm. “Good, nice moral compass. We’re straight.” He turned sideways and walked towards Peter and Miles. “Alright Kid.” He spoke to Peter. He stretches his arm forward and puts it briefly on either shoulder as if he’s knighting him. “You’re an Avenger now.” He walked straight past Peter now and towards Miles who he did the exact same for.
The projection flickered out.
“Taadaa..” Peter did jazz hands.
“So you got knighted as an Avenger?”
“Basically. It wasn’t on purpose though it was kind of a heat of the moment, moment. We were fighting a big angry purple alien from space.” Miles explained.
“Aliens are from space dumbass.” Peter teased.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Who the fuck…” Peter muttered, he grabbed the compact suit and stuffed it in his pocket before looking through the peep hole.
“It’s… uh.. Tim?” Peter carefully opened the door.
“The fuck are you doing here?” Jason asked him aggressively.
“I need to apologize.” Tim stated.
“Come on in man.” Miles invited him. Peter opened the door a bit more so he actually could come inside.
“I wanted to begin with to state I’ve been too rude and I’m not against aliens it’s okay. I mean my boyfriend is literally half Kryptonian which I know is not an excuse at all-“
“We’re not aliens.” Peter cut him off.
“Woah, straight forward, love that Pete.” Jason giggled.
“How are there two Peter’s. I went to New York. I met him, he’s so rude by the way totally not like you. Your poor aunt and uncle who need to put up with him-“
“Aunt and uncle…?” Peter cut him off again.
“Yeah, nice people Ben and May right..?”
“Did you say your uncle and aunt are-“ Jason began.
“-dead. Yes.” Peter finished his sentence.
“Oh, I’m sorry…” Tim apologized very confused.
“Okay Tim. See we’re from another universe. Peter and I don’t belong here.” Miles said shortly.
Tim stared at him with his mouth open. He was speechless for a little while which resulted in a quite awkward silence. “You mean to tell me…. The multiverse theory is… true!?” Tim said excitedly.
Miles slowly nodded, surprised by his excitement.
“That explains so much! That explains how there are others like you. That explains your skills, being unnoticed by both Bruce and the Justice League!” Tim started to ramble. “I’m so so sorry for thinking you guys are bad guys, I’m sorry for stalking you, I’m sorry for stealing from you and I’m also sorry for taking your DNA. Oh my god I’ve been so stupid…”
“Well, I can’t talk for Miles but I’m still pissed. I don’t have a tendency to rip you to threads anymore.” Peter said.
“I… Forgive you. I understand your reaction Tim.” Miles said.
Jason looked weirdly at Miles. “Well I’m on Peter for this one.”
Tim looked weirdly at Jason, squinting his eyes as if he knew something.
“Well uh… Miles how’s the phone?” Tim asked him.
“It’s awesome, I’m really grateful. You honestly shouldn’t have.” Miles smiled widely.
---------------------------
“So… Since when do you have powers?” Jason asked him. They were in the middle of patrol on a snack break on top of a roof.
“I was 14 and bitten by a radio active spider on a school trip. So since I was 14.”
Jason nodded impressively. “And what are your powers?”
“Ready for the list?” Peter smiled at him. “I have super strength, super hearing, super smell though I never use it, I can stick to anything walls, roofs you name it and I can do it. I have accelerated healing, awesome reflexes and my spider sense. That basically means I can sense stuff.”
“You’re literally so cool, so Miles has the same?”
Peter shook his head. “He has even more, so he has the same but add his ability to camouflage himself which gives the illusion of invisibility. He can also channel bio electricity to enhance his attacks which is awesome.” Peter smiled. “He got bitten by a Spider around what is it three years ago?”
“So you’ve been just patrolling New York together for the past three years?”
Peter nodded. “We’re your friendly neighbors Spider-Men. Well patrolling and the occasional Avengers stuff. Or a vulture or something, you know those typical big bad guys.”
Jason giggled. “Oh yes I know.”
Peter looked sad.
The type of sad Jason recognized from Bruce, Dick and actually almost all of his siblings.
Grief.
“Who’s on your mind Peter?”
“Huh?” Peter looked at Jason, not processing what he just said.
“Who’s on your mind Peter?” He repeated himself.
“It’s just…” Peter sighed. “You heard what Tim said about the other me right? And how he met my aunt and uncle?”
“It’s your aunt and uncle isn’t it? You said they were dead in your universe?”
Peter nodded. “And I know exactly why they’re still alive in this universe.”
Jason frowned.
“Spider-Man isn’t supposed to exist in this universe. And Spider-Man is the reason why uncle Ben and aunt May died.”
“Peter you can’t say that, you can’t do this to yourself.” Jason protested.
“Were you there Jason? Can you tell me in detail how it was not my fault?” Peter’s mask appeared again and he stood up.
Jason stayed silent.
“That’s what I thought.” Peter said before shooting a web and disappearing from the roof.
“No Spider-Man! That’s not what I meant!” Jason tried.
Chapter 24: Arcane laughter
Summary:
She softly nodded. “Sure we can. Like in my dorm or somewhere else?”
“Somewhere else.” Ned said immediately.
Gwen stepped out of her dorm and shut the door behind her.
“How much do you know about Miles.” He whispered.
Gwen looked at him weirdly.
Notes:
UGH I love Ned and Gwen, enjoy a little bit of them!
Chapter Text
“The caller you’re trying to reach is unavailable… Leave a message after the beep.”
Ned cursed to himself. “Happy I swear, I’m so done with you not answering my calls. You know something fishy is up I know you do. Call me back.” Ned left a voicemail to happy. Ready to throw his phone away.
The fifteenth voicemail of the day.
He was waiting for the bus that would take him to happy’s office. The second he ended the voicemail he saw the bus approaching.
It has been two months since Peter and Miles disappeared. It has been two months since the awful radio silence.
“I don’t know if you’ve been ignoring me or if you’re genuinely busy here.” Ned barged into Happy’s office.
“Ned? How did you pass security?” Happy stood up from his office chair.
Ned looked around the office, it was pretty big and modern. There was a modern captain America shield on a table under the window, pretty abstract. The desk was black and large and in the middle of the room. Behind Happy there was a table against the wall with all kinds of memorabilia.
“So tell me, did you or did you not hear my calls the past two months?!” Ned yelled at him.
“Well yeah, I haven’t had any time to answer you. You know we’re on top of the situation Ned.” Happy answered him calmly.
“My best friends are missing. They vanished in broad daylight and no one even has a clue where they are or where the villain is they were fighting.” Ned pinched his bridge. “I don’t know what to tell Miles’ parents anymore. They filled a missing persons report and they got told it could be a possible runaway. I need to tell them that’s absolutely not the case because those two are drowning in guilt.” Ned was circling around. “And I haven’t even said anything about Peter yet because I was the one filling it because he has no one else. He has no one else caring enough about him to genuinely miss him when he’s gone, Happy.”
“I care that he’s gone Ned.”
“If you’d actually care, he’d be back. You hold that much power.” Ned said with tears in his eyes.
“It’s on a priority list. And I don’t hold that much power, I’m the head of security not the head of the world.”
“Priority list my fucking ass.” Ned cursed. “If Mr. Stark would still be around he would’ve already been back.” Ned ended the conversation by walking right back out.
In the bus ride back he felt totally defeated. Happy Hogan was his only hope at getting some help. The Avengers were dead, gone or not active. The Avenger that would stop the world from turning for Peter was dead.
He had one option left.
Gwen Stacy.
He didn’t know her very well, he wasn’t even sure if she even knew Miles was Spider-Man. He’s seen her plenty around campus, the last two months she has been looking miserable.
And even if she’s not of any help she could lean on Ned for some emotional support.
Dorm room 428.
Gwen Stacy and her roommate Glory, a member of the Mary Jane’s. Betty, Ned’s girlfriend since high school was also an active member of their band. Created by Peter’s ex girlfriend and now awkward friend of Ned’s, MJ.
Ned knocked on the dorm room. Glory opened the door.
“Excuse me is Gwen here?” Ned asked her.
“Gwen? It’s Betty’s boyfriend at the door for you.” She said unsurely.
“Hey Ned, why are you here?” Gwen Stacy came to the door. She was dressed in casual comfortable clothing. Her hair looked freshly dyed, she always dyed the tips of her blonde hair pink.
“Could we talk?” Ned asked her.
She softly nodded. “Sure we can. Like in my dorm or somewhere else?”
“Somewhere else.” Ned said immediately.
Gwen stepped out of her dorm and shut the door behind her.
“How much do you know about Miles.” He whispered.
Gwen looked at him weirdly. “I know enough that I know he didn’t run away, and neither did Peter.”
Ned exhaled in relief. “Good we’re on the same page about this. I thought you knew but I wasn’t sure you know.”
“So it took you two months to come to me?” Gwen looked at him.
Ned glanced back feeling guilty. “I’ve been busy.” He immediately felt stupid because that’s how he just got mad at Happy. “I didn’t mean it like that, I got busy with figuring it out. I’ve watched every CCTV in New York City and you’d think with a city this size, every centimeter of street is covered. Well surprise it’s not.” Ned ranted.
“I could’ve told you that.”
Ned gave her a weird look.
“My father is police captain remember, he complains about it all the fucking time.” She explained.
They went to take a walk around the block in silence until Gwen broke it.
“Do you think… Do you think they’re still you know… there?” She muttered, looking down at her feet.
“As in.. Alive?”
Gwen softly nodded.
“Well they have to be. I mean since they vanished I can’t reach Karen anymore which is pretty weird I must admit. But they’re alive I know it…”
-------------------------
Queens, New York City.
It felt weird to be back home. Not necessarily very strange Peter missed New York a lot, and he was happy to be back. New York looked almost exactly the same.
This universe’s Peter Parker lived in the same apartment Peter lived in before uncle Ben passed away.
Peter and aunt May were forced to move after his passing because May couldn’t afford it anymore alone, the cost of the apartment mixed with the costs of uncle Ben's funeral were all too much.
Peter already felt so much jealousy towards his counterpart.
He was in his Iron-Spider suit crouched down watching through the window from a distance. The blinds were halfway closed, how uncle Ben always did them. Peter could see that the furniture and the decor was almost exactly how he remembered they were in the old apartment.
He had to withhold himself from knocking on the door and explain his aunt and uncle everything. Just to talk to them again.
He couldn’t do that to them, and Tim told him that this Peter wasn’t the nicest in the universe. So that meant he couldn't at all risk meeting his counterpart.
He hadn't seen his aunt or uncle yet but that could happen any moment. He saw the apartment door swing open and his counterpart coming through the door. Peter could recognize the man as himself but he would never voluntarily have his hair like that. Peter saw he was yelling at the second person coming through the door. It was his aunt May.
She looked older than Peter had ever seen her, she was older than what she could ever reach in Peter's home universe. She looked around 50 or 60.
The aunt May he knew passed away when she was 45, she never even reached 50 years old.
A man shut the door behind himself, he was the last coming in. It was uncle Ben, an older uncle Ben but still his uncle.
Peter could feel tears coming up in his eyes and quickly wiped them away.
He couldn't believe his counterpart. That he dared to act this way to aunt May and uncle Ben, if only he knew that in another universe he was all alone.
-------------------------
Old Gotham, Gotham City.
"So how's it going with Peter?" Roy was smiling widely.
Jason and Roy had their monthly, which honestly never happened monthly more like if they were lucky once in a half year. Their monthly lunch in a random restaurant in Gotham, a restaurant Roy always picked out. Jason was just very happy he didn'y choose BatBurger, again...
Jason couldn't hide his blushing. "What do you mean?" He awkwardly laughed
"Exactly this." Roy pointed with his hand.
Jason scoffed. "I don't even know if he's gay Roy, I mean I remember him talking about an ex girlfriend once already.."
"Jaybird you never know if you don't at least try-"
"I can't lose him Roy." Jason cut him off.
“You won’t. I mean I don’t know him but everything you told me about him.” Roy leaned back and folded his leg over his other leg. “I think it’ll be fine.”
Jason leaned back too and rolled his eyes. “Even if he was gay why would he like me.” Jason said quiet enough so that Roy couldn’t hear him.
“You could always call him to hang out right?”
Jason mumbled something incoherently. “I could.”
“So call him, right now.” Roy dared him while smirking.
Jason shot forward his eyes wide open. “No… HA! As if…”
“I know you want to see him JayJay.”
“How do you know.”
“As your oldest friend I know your mannerisms motherfucker.” Roy was still smirking widely.
Jason rolled his eyes. “Whatever..”
Roy took a big sip of his drink. He pointed repeatedly at Jason before swallowing. “If you call him, lunch is on me.”
Jason side eyed him and thought for a moment. “Let me get seconds and we have a deal.”
There was no way Roy would-
“Deal.”
Motherfucker...
“You know what…” Jason laughed nervously half getting up already. He showed his phone which was off. “Dick is calling see!”
Roy grabbed his arm and forced him to sit back down. “Your phone is off, and you never pick up when Dick calls. Come with better excuses Todd-“
“Well never is a big word Harper.” Jason cut him off and sat back down not looking any happy.
Roy snatched his phone from his hands.
“Hey!” Jason tried to reach for it but his arms were too short.
Roy entered Jason's password. “Aw… you never changed your password it’s still the same from when you were fourteen!” Roy laughed.
“Roy I’m serious give it back!” Jason protested.
“If you stick to the deal.” Roy strictly said.
“Sure.” Jason snatched the phone back.
Jason went to his contact list and scrolled down to the P. He clicked on Peter but waiting before pressing the call button. He lowered his phone and looked at Roy, he opened his mouth to say something but Roy was quicker.
“So no seconds?”
“Fuck you.” He pressed the call button and held his phone to his ear.
The phone went over once before Peter picked up.
“Hey Jay!”
“Peter! Hey..” Jason awkwardly laughed. He fidgeted with the ends of the jacket he wore. He was not trying to look at Roy who was staring at him, in fear he'd chicken out.
“Why are you calling?” Peter sounded like he was high up outside.
“I was just wondering something, wait where are you?”
The line fell quiet for a bit. “New York. I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Okay…”
“So you were wondering?”
“Oh yeah right!” Jason continued the awkward laughter. “I was wondering if you’d like to hang out with me…. Today?” Jason immediately looked at Roy for some reassurance. Roy held up both of his thumbs in an attempt to support Jason.
“As in not patrol?”
“Yes as in not patrol.”
“Today?”
“Yes today.”
“I’m terribly sorry I already have this thing with Miles…”
The awkward laugh faded from Jason’s face and with that the laugh from Roy’s face also faded. Roy slowly changed his thumbs up to thumbs down and shrugged.
“Oh no that’s alright. I mean of course that’s okay. What are you two going to do?”
“The blonde girl, Stephanie recommended Miles this place I don’t know exactly what it is. Miles wasn’t really clear on that. I only know that it’s some kind of arcade and there’s a discount night?”
Jason nodded along. “I think I know where you guys are going… I mean have fun…”
“Thanks Jay! I think we will have fun.” Peter paused. “About that hang out, are you free tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?” Jason lit up.
“Yes tomorrow.” He heard Peter chuckle on the other end.
“I’m so free.” Jason said excitedly, he cleared his throat. “I mean, yeah tomorrow’s fine.” He corrected himself and said it nonchalantly.
“Right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Right. Bye Pete.”
And Peter hung up.
“Sooo…?” Roy sat on the edge of his chair.
“Not today, tomorrow.” Jason pointed at him satisfied.
“You deserve this man.” Roy laughed at him.
And that was right the thing Jason doubted.
He didn’t deserve someone like Peter at all.
-------------------------
“This is just like a movie theatre Pete, you know you walk in and it’s light outside and you’re inside and it feels like it’s night outside.” Miles said excitedly when they walked into the arcade.
The walls and roof were black but it had colorful 80s carpet. There were various arcane machines, one of the first ones Peter spotted was a Star Wars pinball game.
He didn’t even know that Star Wars was a thing in this universe but apparently.
Peter could only think about how much Ned would love it here. He missed him so much, he never guessed he would ever miss his never ending yappings over the comms.
Peter nodded in agreement with Miles. He walked up to a classic machine and threw in a coin.
Peter could’ve invited Jason to come with but it had been a while since they did something fun together one on one. MJ or Gwen always tagged along.
Which reminded Peter that he still needed to talk to Miles about how he felt, he knew Miles missed Gwen incredibly but Peter still felt the need to talk to him about it.
Peter looked around at everyone present. Some people were dressed up as some kind of circus people, Peter never got the memo that it was some kind of dress up night as well.
He crashed down on a chair a few meter behind Miles who was competitively playing the game.
“Hiya! I recognize ya!” A familiar woman crashed down next to him. Her hair was blonde and the tips were blue on one side and pink on the other, she wore it down. She had a gorgeous dress one, one of those dresses you’d sooner see in an exclusive club rather than an arcade.
“You’re the woman I met in the bar right?” Peter guessed.
“Absolutely right! What brings ya to the arcade?” She asked nicely.
“My friend loves video games, and with the discount we can afford a night out like this.” Peter answered her question.
“Thirsty?” She smiled at him. Her make up was done in the same vibe as her hair, but on different sides. Her eyeshadow on the blue side was pink and her eyeshadow on the pink side was blue. Peter didn’t know if it was intentional but it looked pretty.
“Kind of but I don’t have enough money for that.” Peter politely declined.
The woman Peter remembered was called Harley had to laugh. “Don’t be silly. It’s on me!” She lightly hit his shoulder while laughing.
“I mean sure I guess…” Peter couldn’t decline that offer.
She smiled widely at Peter and jumped of the chair.
“Hey Peter!” Miles looked behind him from the game. “Care to beat my score?” He smiled at him and pointed to the second best high score. MGM, his initials.
Peter smiled at him and waved him off. “I’m waiting on a drink man.”
“And of course Peter Parker already fixed a drink!” Miles said slightly annoyed but still laughing. "Who was it?"
"Her name is Harley, I met her in the bar the other day. She's from Brooklyn as well." Peter explained him, still yelling to each other from a distance.
Harley came back she was half skipping half running with a big smile on her face and held two glasses.
Peter saw Miles roll his eyes and walk to another game.
“Hey back already?”
“Yup! They know better than to let me wait.” She said with a smile and handed Peter his drink. Peter had no idea what was inside the glass but honestly he needed it.
He downed it in one go. Harley was taking a sip, she lift her eyebrow while looking at him and laughed.
“Something the matter?”
Peter shook his head. “Just life you know.”
Harley groaned. “Tell me all about it! Ya see all those crazy people dressed up?” She leaned backwards until her head hit the wall. “My ex boyfriend’s little goons!”
Peter sat up straight. “Those are… Goons?”
Harley laughed. “What else did ya think they were? Early Halloween enthusiasts?”
Peter shrugged. “What are they doing here?”
Harley shrugged as well. “I dunno. I broke up with that bastard, fuck I care!”
Peter stayed silent for a moment. He leaned on the table in between them and looked at Harley. “And so, who is this ex boyfriend of yours?” He carefully asked.
Harley looked at him weirdly at first, as if Peter should know. “You’re really not from Gotham aren’t ya?”
Peter laughed. “Told you, I’m from Queens.”
Harley sat up straight again and shifted a bit awkwardly. “Woah..” She nervously laughed. “I don’t have to genuinely introduce myself ever!”
She held out her hand.
“Harley Quinn, ex criminal trying to be better for the community ya know… I just know it can be better, Batsy was truly onto something….” She drifted from the subject. “Harley come on stick to the conversation!" She told herself. "I’m unfortunately also the Jokers ex girlfriend.”
Peter looked at her with wide eyes. “The Joker… As in crazy clown guy?!”
“Ugh! I know right! Like ya can be a clown but ya don’t need to be so crazy about it! Like look at me I’m not that crazy! At least not anymore….”
Peter heard the doors shutting. The arcane had big doors that were open the entire time.
No one else heard it and he couldn’t see where Miles was. A door can be shut of course but this just felt suspicious. Peter heard the clicking of guns, magazine being inserted and the big door at the end of the game hall being swung open.
In the grown of tons of people Peter tried to find Miles with his eyes.
From the door a few of the clown goons appeared some with machine guns others holding bats or crowbars.
The good walking in front shot his gun up to the roof scaring everyone inside.
“Harley, oh Harley!” The goon yelled, he talked on a tone as if he was playing hide and seek with her.
From the corner of his eye he saw Harley disappear under the table. Peter shot a look at her and she looked back at him with her finger before her mouth.
Peter looked back to the scene that was unfolding.
The goons were grabbing people, people were being shot but Peter had one mission and that was to find Miles.
He was in civilian and no place to change into Spider-Man. There was nothing he could do.
-------------------------
“Red Hood on a solo patrol for the first time in what… Two weeks?” Barbara giggled on the other side of the comms.
Jason groaned. “Shut.”
“What? I’m just messing with you. If you keep groaning like that you’re going to sound like B, be warned.”
“If you were right in front of me I’d hit you I don’t care if you’re a girl.” Jason said angrily.
“Red Hood.” Barbara did her best Batman impression. It was horrible and she was laughing loudly.
“Yup, okay so there’s a button on my comms that says off…” Jason joked.
Barbara dramatically gasped. “You wouldn’t dare…”
“Don’t talk too soon.”
“See you don’t dare, so for what the solo patrol?”
“Spider-Man had other things to do, civilian business.” Jason answered shortly.
“You still don’t want to be on the same line as the other Bats?”
“Fuck no. I work alone now.”
“You’re starting to sound a lot like B for someone that wants everything but sounding like B.” Barbara joked.
“Seriously Oracle.”
“….Oh my son… You sound so much like me!…” Someone in the background did a way better impression of Batman but make it more… Dramatic.
Jason just knew it was Dick and he chuckled.
“Fuck off Nightwing. Didn’t you and Oracle break up? Why are you with her?” He joked.
“Uh, years ago. Fuck you!” Oracle laughed back.
“Since when is Nightwing here?”
“….Since you don’t want to talk to… anyone….” He heard Dick say in the background again.
"Don't come to my house Nightwing. I'll shoot you."
"....And they say.... Brotherly love is... dead..." He heard Dick laugh in the background.
Patrol went fairly easy. Since he wasn't with Peter now he could check in on how his men were doing. It was one thing Peter knew he was Red Hood, he didn't need to know what Red Hood did. Not even his interferent family knew all about his Red Hood business. Thank God...
It was not even midnight yet when Oracle contacted him again. He was just done talking to the men he made set up a ripoff to catch some particular guys he was unable to reach. They'll make the guys come down and Red Hood could sneak an attack and catch the men.
"Red Hood, I'm getting police reports from inside of the Arcade. Active shooters, I don't know who is shooting. The camera's inside of the Arcade don't work anymore for whatever reason. You're on scene the quickest."
"And just about when I thought it would be a slow night." Jason grumbled.
He grappled his way onto the roofs and on his way to the arcade he remembered something someone told him over the phone earlier.
Peter fucking Parker.
Chapter 25: blood on your hands
Summary:
“So… I’d like to show you how it feels.” Jason began.
The goon looked back at him very confused. “Wha-“
He got cut off by Jason hooking him. The goon lost his balance by the sudden strike and fell down.
“Hood… Come on buddy… What did I deserve this for?!” The goon pathetically whined.
Notes:
TW: violence, murder
(And lots of brotherly love
(ಥ﹏ಥ) )
Chapter Text
The one night Jason doesn’t see Peter, the one night he skips to do patrol he gets himself into trouble anyways.
Was this just coincidental or does he have terrible luck?
Outside of the arcade it was chaos, people running all ways and the GCPD couldn’t keep it in control.
“I’m looking for a way inside, little help with that Oracle?” Jason asked her through the comms.
“On it.”
Jason looked around for a bit before Barbara answered him again.
“On the left side third floor, there is a window with no goon in sight.”
“Thanks Oracle, on it.” Jason looked at the left side and saw the window she meant.
Coming there was easy, getting through it was easy as well. He was now inside of the building and looked around. The floor was a typical 80s carpet, one you’d find in a rollerblade rink or a bowling alley.
It was oddly quiet on the third floor. Jason was crouching going through the hallway he landed in.
The shooting was coming from the main arcade. He never came here but he remembered where it was from the one time Bruce took him when his adoption was finalized, to celebrate.
The main arcade was on the first floor in the back of the building.
Arriving on the first floor he finally saw someone, it had been so oddly quiet upstairs that it became unsettling.
He saw one of the goons with his back towards Jason.
Joker goons.
He was still crouching and slowing going towards him. Jason took him down with minimal sound to prevent other goons of possibly hearing him.
Now that he knew it were Joker goons he had all the more reason to quickly reach Peter, wherever he might be.
And what were they even doing in an arcade..?
Jason got his guns, ready and loaded. He walked up straight and was prepared to shoot any of them that got in his way.
There were suspiciously not many, until he reached the doors of the main arcade. The big black doors were shut and two big guys were standing in front of it.
One was holding a machine gun and the other a bat.
Jason didn’t feel all too talkative and started to shoot them in the leg at the same time.
He must admit that both of the shots were pretty clean and he was proud of himself.
Both of the men fell down to the ground at the same time, screaming in agony and reaching for their leg.
The man with the bat had dropped his bat and it was now rolling away to the other side of the hallway.
“I think that was yours, shouldn’t you go and get it?” Jason laughed at him.
The goon looked back angrily and when he was about to say something he heard the machine gun that the other man was holding shift positions.
Jason quickly turned around and the goon was maneuvering the gun in such a way he could get a clear shot on Red Hood.
“Oh fuck no, you don’t get to do that!” Jason grabbed the gun from him and kicked him in his stomach.
Jason reloaded his own guns and kicked the door to the main arcade open.
The scene was horrific.
People were bleeding on the ground, there were so many bodies of innocent people, kids.
But Jason’s first reaction was to scan for Peter.
He couldn’t find him, the hall was way too big for that.
“Harley come on hunny! You owe us something!” One of the goons who had his gun aimed at the ceiling was yelling.
So they’re here for Harley Quinn. Who recently decided she was done with the criminal life. After her break up with the Joker she spoke with Batman on multiple occasions. Bruce did believe she had it in her to genuinely change.
Jason shot every goon he saw on non fatal spots, they couldn’t do much if they couldn’t walk and could shoot or swing anymore. And with shooting on non fatal spots he still keeps to the rule of no killing.
Jason stood behind an arcade machine looking at the scene, on his right he finally saw Miles. He was helping people who were shot but not dead. He helped them less the bleeding and reassured them. Jason held eye contact with him, Miles signed him to go on. He mouthed something Jason couldn’t understand.
He looked on his left past the machine and saw a big goon with a big metal rod.
“Where is she? You were the one with her boy!” Another goon yelled at a guy who was on his knees with his back towards Jason.
“I told you-“ The goon hit the man in his face and Jason could clearly see who it was.
Peter fucking Parker.
“-I don’t know.” Peter finished his sentence and spit out some blood.
Jason couldn’t let this unfold any further. He couldn’t yet see Peter’s entire face but he knew he was pretty beaten.
Jason was just about to jump from behind the machine and make a head shot in the goon who just hit Peter’s face.
“Boys, boys, boys. Don’t be so dramatic!” Harley climbed from under a table. “All this killing, and for what huh? Hitting a poor boy just to find me? I hope your mommies are very disappointed in you!”
“Harley! You still owe us money!” The big goon yelled out.
“Do I?” She posed with her hand on her hip and rested her finger on her face, showing she was thinking. “I don’t recall that boys!”
“Deliver or I shoot him.” Another goon grabbed a gun from his holster before pointing it right between Peter’s eyes.
Jason grabbed a heavy machine gun from on of the goons he just shot. He put his own guns back in their holsters.
“Fuck no!” Jason yelled as he jumped from behind the machine. He quickly saw that the man who was pointing the gun at Peter did not have his finger rested on the trigger so it was safe to shoot him without accidentally triggering Peter’s death as well.
The man fell on top of Peter. Dead.
The big goon with the metal rod ran towards Jason, he didn’t come far before getting multiple shots in his chests. Falling down with a loud thud. Dead.
Another goon who hadn’t been very vocal from what Jason had seen tried to flee the scene. He didn’t come far before getting shot with a machine gun in his back. Dead.
The goon who just hit Peter slowly raised his hands.
“Mr. Hood! What a… eh… Surprise!” He muttered in fear.
Red Hood tilted his head and looked at him. The longer Jason looked at him the more uncomfortable and scared it made the goon.
“So… I’d like to show you how it feels.” Jason began.
The goon looked back at him very confused. “Wha-“
He got cut off by Jason hooking him. The goon lost his balance by the sudden strike and fell down.
“Hood… Come on buddy… What did I deserve this for?!” The goon pathetically whined.
Jason shrugged. “I told you.” Jason hit him again, crouching down, hovering on top of him. “I want to show you how it feels.” Jason repetitively hit him in his face.
Jason was totally zoned out, how dare he hit Peter, how dare he touch his face, how dare he hurt him. It only fueled his anger.
“Please Mr Hood I’ve… I’ve felt it now!” He pleaded.
“Nope, not yet!” Jason’s hands were bloody, but it wasn’t his own blood.
The goon spit up blood and had teeth knocked out of his mouth. Jason let him spit everything out as the goon rolled a bit to the side.
The goons eyes were puffy and blue his entire face was bruised, swollen and blue. Jason didn’t feel satisfied yet.
He took out his own gun again, it was shiny, a pretty gold. The handle was engraved with his Red Hood initials. He loaded the gun and put the muzzle of his gun right between his eyes.
“So how does this feel hm? Not really funny anymore huh?” Jason laughed.
The goon didn’t say anything, he looked back at Jason in pure shock.
“You know fuck you.” Jason pulled the trigger and blood splattered everywhere. Dead.
Jason wanted to turn around and sprint to Peter, to see if he was okay.
Instead someone grabbed the back of his jacket and pulled him away. With this sudden grab Jason accidentally let go of his gun which fell on the ground.
Jason moved trying to get away from the person that had grabbed him and was dragging him away now.
“Let the fuck go!” Jason yelled. He reached up to grab the persons hand. It was a gloved hand, Jason reached a little higher and felt three spikes coming out.
Batman.
“Let the fuck go B! You have no right!” Jason yelled. He felt they were going up the stairs. He moved every way he could trying to let go. He tried removing his jacket but for some reason he couldn’t squirm out of it.
Batman threw Jason in a corner on the second floor.
“No right? You had no right! We had an agreement Red Hood.” Batman yelled at him.
“You think I give a single fuck?” Jason got up again.
“I thought you did.” Bruce sounded more disappointed than he did angry.
“Well fuck you because they deserved the fuck out of what they got.” Jason cursed.
“We are better than them Red Hood. We don’t do what they do.”
“Pfft!” Jason laughed. “They’re Joker goons.”
“You’re better than this. I’m disappointed in you son.”
“Go home I’m handling it.” Jason said annoyed.
“Your brothers are handling it.”
“What? Oh fuck you and them!” Jason walked past Bruce. He expected Bruce to catch him, lecture him, force him to get help, turn him in with GCPD. Just for him to do anything.
Nothing, Bruce let him go.
Jason ran back down towards the arcade.
There was so much death, the room stank of blood and fear. People were screaming, crying.
All that just because Harley owed those goons money.
Harley was nowhere to find but Peter was. He was with Miles trying to help the people that were hit.
“Peter!” Red Hood yelled out to him.
Peter turned around and said something to Miles before standing up and walking towards him.
“Peter…”
Peter looked back at him with disgust.
“Look, I’m sorry..” Jason continued.
“Just…” Peter sighed. “We’ll talk about this later. Help your siblings or us because the emergency services can’t enter yet. The goons barricaded this place pretty well.” Peter explained.
“Right, right okay.” Jason said out of breath.
“And Jason?” Peter was already walking away but turned around again.
“Huh? What?” Jason looked back at him hopefully.
“This is yours.” Peter handed him the gun he just dropped.
“Oh… Wow eh… Thanks Pete..” He thanked him but he already walked away.
Oh he fucked up big time.
But he didn’t regret a thing, those fucking bastards deserved it. He was only protecting Peter.
“Come help us you motherfucker!” It was Damian yelling at him in his Robin suit. Damian and Dick were trying to get the barricade out of the way so that the emergency services could enter and help everyone.
Red Hood ran towards them and helped Dick remove heavy metal so that Damian could kick the door open.
After a few tries it swung open and the first ambulance personnel could enter. Red Hood was running back into the room with them, he shot one last look at Peter who was helping other people with Miles before getting pulled away by Dick as Nightwing.
“Our job is done let’s go.” He whispered aggressively at him.
------------------------
“I heard what you did from B.” Dick said removing his domino mask as they walked together in the BatCave.
Jason’s motorcycle was still parked here and he came with Dick to pick it up since Bruce wasn’t home yet.
“And what did I do hm?” Jason removed his helmet and domino mask as well.
“You killed four people. I might not care as much as Bruce does but I still care Jay.”
Jason scoffed. “What does it even matter. I know murder is bad, but killing murders is a little different.”
Jason walked towards his motorcycle and stuck his key into it. He sat on the motorcycle and turned it on.
“Hey Jay?” Dick called him before he put on his motor helmet.
“Hm?”
“Take care of yourself, we don’t love you any less after today little brother.” Dick smiled at him.
Jason put on his helmet and put up his hand as a wave before speeding away.
He felt his eyes water as he drove out of the cave.
------------------------
“But what did he do exactly?” Miles asked Peter. Peter was walking around in circles in their apartment. The swelling had downed a lot with thanks to his exhilarated healing.
“He just shot them dead. Right in front of me for the millionth time Miles!” Peter yelled at him.
“That’s messed up man. But..” miles paused. “Didn’t he do it to protect you?”
“I don’t need fucking protection Miles!”
“It’s sounds like you kinda fucking did!”
Peter sighed and calmed down. “I shouldn’t yell at you Miles I’m sorry. You did great tonight.” Peter apologized. “I’m also sorry that your night ended like this.”
Miles sighed as well. “I’m sorry too, it’s kinda the life we signed up for though.” He opened the fridge and grabbed the juice. “Care for some juice?” He looked at Peter and held the juice up high.
Peter shook his head. “No thank you.”
“Look about Jason.” Miles poured his drink. “You should just talk with him. I spoke to Duke and Stephanie with him the other week and they said you were really good for him. He’s apparently not doing the greatest.”
“No I’ve noticed.”
“So please. Talk to him okay?”
Peter nodded. “Never said I wouldn’t.”
Peter woke up with full energy, he almost jumped out of bed. He instead of stumbled almost ran to the bathroom to refresh.
He looked up in the mirror and saw that his face was almost back to normal again.
He went to the kitchen to prepare some breakfast.
Mikes was still in a deep sleep snoring a little bit.
Peter prepared breakfast for two to surprise Miles with a little breakfast in bed.
“This is for not going on patrol with you and instead going with Jay and for being explosive.” Peter apologized.
Miles sat up in bed and yawned dramatically.
“If you get me another piece of bread I’ve accepted your apology Parker.” Miles smiled at him.
Peter jokingly hit him on his shoulder. “Asshole.” He laughed.
“I actually do need to tell you a little something. If you don’t get mad that is.” Peter dropped the extra piece of bread on his plate and went back to the kitchen to get his own plate of breakfast.
“Well okay Mr mystery, tell me.”
“You know how I told you how I went on a little day patrol yesterday?” Peter said carefully.
Miles nodded with his mouth stuffed. “Yeah how did that go by the way? I totally forgot to ask.”
“It went… Alright. But that’s not the thing. I didn’t go patrolling in Gotham. I went to New York…”
“You went to New York?” Miles raised an eyebrow.
“Yes I’m so sorry.”
“But why? I mean I’m not mad.” Miles asked still looking confused.
“You know how my aunt and uncle are both still alive here. I had to see them M.” Peter was on the verge of tears.
“Oh Pete, you didn’t speak to them right?”
Peter shook his head. “They were..” Peter couldn’t hold his tears in anymore. “They were so old…”
Miles jumped out of bed and hurried to hug Peter. “It’s okay bro.” Miles squeezed the hug and Peter just let the tears come. “I know how much you miss them.”
“It’s just… it’s so unfair. The Peter here in this universe is so.. rude! He was rude to Tim, rude to aunt May and even rude to uncle Ben. He has no idea what it’s like to not have them.”
“That’s so shity man.”
“…like yes I can’t judge completely I also wasn’t an angel when uncle Ben was still alive but I was never ungrateful or unappreciative. Those people took me in when I was a small child who just lost both of his parents, they had no experience at all but they still kept this traumatized little kid and loved it like it was their own. And they kept loving me when their little girl was suddenly a little boy. And aunt May kept loving me when she found out I was Spider-Man. And I can never say how much I appreciated their unconditional love because they are dead.” Peter vented quickly before chocking on tears.
Miles didn’t let him go, instead comforted him the best he could.
------------------------
Jason heard knocking on his door. It startled him he didn’t expect anyone, he never does.
He walked to the door and looked through the peep hole. In front of the door was Dick Grayson.
Jason groaned and hesitated to open the door.
“I know you said you’d shoot me if I came to your house but we need to talk.” Dick said as he walked inside past Jason.
“Talk about what?” Jason slowly closed the door.
“Oh nothing much… maybe just why you haven’t talked to any of us, cut your family from your comms and just killed four men.”
“If I wanted to talk about it I would come Dickface.” Jason said aggressively.
“Well you never come. You always say you will but you never do Jason.” Dick sighed as he looked out of the window. “You’re really starting to worry the shit out of me. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
Dick laughed. “Well your behavior suggests otherwise.”
“And what are you? Some behavioral therapist?”
“No I’m not, quit this fucking childish talking. I’m your brother and I worry about you, find a way to live with it.”
Jason didn’t respond to him. He let himself fall into the couch, and started to continue doing what he was doing, cleaning his armor.
“I saw the way you looked at him.”
“What?” Jason looked at Dick who now turned around to face him.
“What I said, I saw it.”
“What?”
“Don’t act dumb I saw the way you looked at Peter.”
“And how was my look special?” Jason acted dumb.
“You know you can tell me right? Look I won’t make it an entire thing you know it. You know I’ve been on and off with Wally for a while now-“
“You’re kind of making it a thing now.”
“So…” Dick walked away from the window and let himself drop onto the couch next to Jason. “I’m not wrong?”
Jason sighed and wanted to hurry himself deep into the ground. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know..?” Dick looked at him confused.
“Yes I don’t know.”
“I think you do.” Dick said slowly.
Jason stopped cleaning and looked Dick dead in the eyes. “You don’t know what I feel.”
“No you’re right I don’t, but I would like to Jay. I would like to know what you think and why you shut us off the minute something is going on.”
Jason looked away. “You didn’t see how he looked at Peter as he was hurting him. You didn’t see how he was enjoying himself. He deserved it.”
Jason would hate to admit it, and he will never say it to his face but he loved Dick. He loved his brother for listening to him, for knowing something was up. And he loved him for showing up.
“Jason, Peter can care for himself.” Dick tried.
“He was in civilian. He couldn’t do anything. And as I said he deserved the fuck out of it.” Jason kept going.
“I’m not here to tell you it was wrong, I’m not here to tell you to quit I’m just here to be there for you because I want to be.”
Jason’s eyes became watery and he quickly stood up to walk to the kitchen.
He rested on the counter facing away from Dick. He sighed heavily, he felt Dicks eyes almost pierce through him, as if a million pair of eyes were all staring at him at the same time.
“I just can’t bear it to see anyone hurt him.”
Jason felt Dick stand behind him but Jason didn’t move an inch.
“…And now he hates me.” Jason continued.
“Don’t be crazy Jay he doesn’t hate you.”
“Have you talked to him? Have you seen how he looked at me when we left the arcade? When you pulled me away?” Jason started to raise his voice and turned around. “Pure fucking disgust Dick, he was fucking disgusted by me!” He pointed at Dick aggressively.
“I’m sure he wasn’t, you haven’t seen him since so you can’t even be sure. Gather your fucking mind Jay, you can’t say shit you don’t know.”
“Well you surely do.” Jason yelled.
Dick noticed the watery layer over his eyes. His face changed from a face he made when they argued to a face he made many times towards Jason. A face of pity, sadness and also the one he made the first time he saw Jason alive again.
“Jay I’m so sorry.”
He meant it.
“Dick I-“
Before Jason could react he felt Dicks arms around him for a big embrace.
And for the first time in a long time he didn’t push him away.
“You don’t need to explain yourself Jason.” He whispered into his ear. "Never to me."
Chapter Text
“Miles!” Duke was walking towards him. Miles was alone walking across the street towards a shop.
He turned around and smiled when he saw Duke was calling him.
“Hey man!” Miles walked towards him.
“Hey dude, how have you been?”
“I’ve been great, how’s your life going?”
“It’s going fine. It’s good I see you because I was wondering if we could do something, as in a hang out?” Duke asked him.
“Actually, that’s exactly what I’d need right now.”
“Where’s Peter?”
Miles shot him a serious look before smiling. “What a man can’t go to the store alone? He’s on his way to Jason, they need to talk.”
“Oh wow yes they do.” Duke nodded.
“Does he do that a lot? You know..” Miles made a finger gun and gestured shooting.
“Not anymore, he hasn’t done it in a while.”
“Hm, interesting.”
“So.. You were going to the store?” Duke asked him to change the subject.
“Yup, but I can go later.”
“Okay. How good are you at Mario kart?” Duke smirked at him.
Miles laughed. “I am a God.”
“Come to my house and we’ll just see about that.”
Wayne Manor was still insane, it was so huge and beautiful. Miles could still not believe this was someone’s house.
“Do you mind some other people playing with us?” Duke asked him.
“Well the more souls I can defeat, the better.” He shrugged.
“Well come on, follow me.”
Miles followed Duke for a long time until they arrived at two big doors.
“Game room.” Duke announced before he opened the door.
“CASS GO THAT WAY!” He heard someone yell.
“WHAT STEPH I AM!”
Miles went into the room. It looked like a mini cinema. It had the red chairs, he spotted a projector in the back but it also had a big flat screen TV, not as big as a cinema screen but still huge.
He saw Stephanie and Cass. Next to them a ginger woman in a wheelchair laughing at them.
“Miles you obviously know those idiots already, and that is Barbara.” He pointed at the unknown woman. “Or how you might know her, Oracle.”
Barbara smiled at him and shrugged. “The one and only.”
“Good to finally have a face to the name.” Miles smiled at her. “Nice to finally meet you in person.”
“Come on Steph.” Duke clapped in his hands. “Time to switch to some good old Mario now.”
Stephanie grinned ear to ear. “Roger that!” She quickly changed the games.
“Tim and Damian won’t play?” Barbara asked.
“Damian is at the Kent’s in Metropolis.” Cass answered.
“Tim didn’t want to I just asked him an hour ago, and Dick is already home but you know that.” Stephanie said.
“So Mr. I’m a God at this game, you and Stephanie first.” Duke threw him a controller.
They were playing on an old Wii which was pretty nostalgic.
Miles caught the controller and grinned back at him.
“It’s cause Steph is the worst out of all of us.” Duke joked.
“Hey!” Stephanie threw a pillow at Duke who dodged it.
“So who will it be?” Barbara asked and pointed at the screen which showed the various characters he could pick to play as.
Miles went over all the characters but eventually landed on baby Mario.
“Out of all the characters…” Duke shook his head.
Stephanie chose Bowser to play with, Miles didn’t expect anything else if he had to be honest.
“Shut up Duke, baby Mario will win!” Miles said back.
The race went pretty okay, Miles scored at first place. And Stephanie almost last, Duke wasn’t kidding when he said she wasn’t all that good.
“So congrats with the win Miles.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “So we can fill in that in your universe they also have Mario Kart-“ Stephanie covered her mouth with her hand the second she realized what she just said.
Miles looked at her confused. “You… you know?”
Stephanie sighed. “Yes I’m sorry Tim told us but we weren’t like really allowed to spill it, and now I’ve spilled it. Bruce doesn’t know for obvious reasons tho..” she explained.
Miles sighed as well. “Well… That out of the way, other universe aside I can still beat each and every one of you!”
And he did as he said.
After Stephanie it was Cassandra’s turn, Miles won. After cass it was Dukes turn, Duke got a nice second place, Miles got first.
“Well winner, I must tell you. No one has ever won a game of Mario kart against me.” Barbara smiled at Miles.
“Oh I’m so scared now!” Miles answered sarcastically joking. “Let me text Peter first, tell him where I am before he starts worrying.”
Miles: I’m at the Waynes, I don’t think you have to expect me home for dinner.
“Ready?” Barbara looked at him next to her.
“I should rather ask you that.”
The game started and Miles sat on the edge of his chair. Miles and Barbara kept changing in between first and second place. The last round Barbara was a steady first place until at the last moment Miles tricked her with one of those turtles and got victory.
“YEAH, WHAT ABOUT THAT!” Miles celebrated.
“You’re actually a God.” Duke gave him a hand to shake.
“Well what can I say..” Miles shrugged.
The door opened and it let in some light, the only light they got in the game room was the TV.
“I had to get you guys for dinner. Alfred’s orders.”
It was Tim, he looked tired and defeated.
“You know you’re having dinner here right?” Cass said on a questioning tone but it was no question.
“If you say so, and if Bruce is okay with that of course.”
“Bruce will have to survive.” Stephanie smiled at him.
“Are you okay Tim?” Miles asked him in a whisper while walking to the dining room. They were walking a few meters behind as the last two.
“What? Oh yeah I’m fine.” He answered.
“Come Miles!” Stephanie came running back for him, grabbed his arm and pulled him away from Tim.
“So we have a guest tonight?” Bruce smiled at Miles.
“Yes sir, If that’s alright that is…”
“It’s Bruce son.” Bruce place a hand on Miles’ shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile.
“What are we having tonight Alfie?” Barbara asked him.
“I prepared a lot. Help me put it on the table please Miss Cassandra.” Alfred looked at Cassandra.
“Where should I sit?” Miles quietly asked Duke.
“Wherever you want, we don’t have a seating plan.” He smiled back at him.
“It’s been a while since I had an actual dinner like this, never so formal for a weekday. Heck an everyday day.” Miles whispered to Duke when they sat down.
------------------
“So we do have a lot of questions Miles.” Stephanie said. She was laying dramatically on the couch. They sat in one of the living rooms, Tim already went up to his own room.
“Shoot.”
“Who’s the president in your universe?” Stephanie asked.
Miles laughed. “Same one.”
Stephanie frowned. “Okay that wasn’t a good one, very anticlimactic.”
“Does Batman exist?” Cassandra asked.
Miles shook his head. “No Batman, no Gotham actually none of the heroes you know here exist back home. We got a whole other collection of heroes.” Miles explained.
“No gotham?” Stephanie muttered under her breath.
“I’m pretty interested about those heroes you got, name a few. If you want to that is.” Barbara asked from him.
“Sure. Well you got the Avengers, kind of like the justice league. Most of them are non active or dead now though… Anyways so you had Black Widow, a powerful combat woman she was so cool, but she died saving the world.” Miles sighed.
Cass put a caring hand on his shoulder.
“Thor, yes as in the Norse God.”
”awesome…” He heard Duke mutter under his breath with his exhilarated hearing.
“He’s fine but no idea where he is nowadays. You got Hawkeye, he’s a guy with a bow and arrow, a little Robin Hood idea-“
“Just like Green Arrow?” Duke asked.
“I don’t know who that is but if he’s also like Robin Hood, yeah probably. You got… Let me see the Hulk. Really big green guy but also a scientist, he’s got like two forms and personalities I don’t know.... You also have Iron-Man which if you want to know about him ask Peter, he was his mentor. Billionaire in a cool ass suit. He died saving the world as well, as the true hero he was.”
“I’m sorry about all that-“ Barbara began.
“Don’t be it’s okay, I mean death is not okay but… you know what I mean.”
"Iron-Man sounds like someone we know.." Stephanie whispered to duke, Miles pretended not to hear her but he knew damn well she meant Bruce.
“No superpowered heroes?” Stephanie asked.
“Hmm yes there are... you have Wanda she’s amazing she can do so much cool shit. If I remember correctly she had a brother who had super speed, you guys have a lot like those right?”
Stephanie nodded. “One of Tim’s bestfriends is one, so is Dick’s on and off boyfriend.”
“And Doctor Strange he’s a wizard guy, he’s pretty cool.” Miles finished.
“They sound pretty awesome.” Duke commented.
“Yes they are.” Miles agreed.
“So… Another question, how exactly are you like… here?” Cass asked.
“Me and Peter were fighting a new bad guy, he opened a portal, I got sucked in and Peter jumped after me. First thing we know we fall into the water and we’re in Gotham.” Miles explained.
“Ew… You swam in the water..?” Stephanie looked disgusted.
Miles nodded.
“And you’re not like actively dying right now?”
Miles looked at her confused. “No…? Should I be?”
“Don’t worry Miles, the water is just very… very dirty here so she’s just joking.” Barbara reassured him.
“Soo… have you caught the man yet?” Duke asked.
Miles shook his head. “We’ve seen him a couple times here but we’re not richer on any information. Only thing we know is that he looks scary and he opens portals to different universes.” Miles explained. “We do have an improv clue board at my apartment. It’s very empty though.”
“I think we could help you.” Barbara said. “If you take the board with you to the cave, or the watchtower. Where I operate from, we could all take a look and help you guys.” She smiled at him.
“I would actually love that, thank you Barbara.”
Miles felt his phone buzz in his back pocket, he grabbed it to reveal a text from Peter.
Peter: Sorry just now reading it, Jay and I are at home, just so you know.
Miles: that’s alright. Have fun
“Any more questions?” Miles asked.
“Maybe, you got a girl back home? Or a boy I don’t judge-“ Stephanie quickly changed her own mistake.
Miles laughed. “Her name is Gwen and she’s awesome.”
“All the more reason to catch this guy hm?” Barbara said.
“So what’s she like?” Cass looked at him with big eyes.
“She’s sweet and kind, she’s caring and she’s so cool. I swear she’s pretty alternative, dyed hair, piercing. And she plays the drums in her band.” Miles felt his cheeks warm up as he was talking about her, until the inevitable sadness came crashing on his shoulders again.
“Are you okay?” Cass asked in a whisper.
He nodded. “I am, thanks.”
------------------
It was getting pretty late, Cass and Stephanie were out on patrol with Bruce. Barbara already went home and now it was just Duke and Miles.
“I must say Duke.”
Duke looked up at him with a questioning look on his face.
“I’m glad I found a friend in this universe, you and your family have just been so incredibly nice to me.”
“That’s what friends do man.” Duke smiled back at him.
“It’s getting pretty late though.”
Duke shot up from the couch. “Should I take you home?” He asked.
“Oh no, I couldn’t ask that of you. I could just call a cab.”
“Nonsense bro, I’m driving you.”
Duke took a cool car, it was a pretty sporty one. It didn’t look as expensive as the rest of the car. Duke assured him it was because he’d be terrified to crash those. Which was understandable.
“I couldn’t thank you enough man. I had a really great day.” Miles stood on the side of the car at the drivers window. His apartment was behind him and he was saying his goodbyes to Duke.
“I had fun too, you finally cracked Barbs ego. Thanks for that!” He laughed.
“Told you… a God!” He walked backwards and waved as the car sped off.
He greeted Elijah who was working behind the bar and went straight upstairs. He quietly opened the door and kicked his shoes off.
The TV was the only source of light, the volume was turned almost all the way down.
He flicked the light on and yawned, ready to jump into bed.
To his surprise he saw Jason on the sofa bed, sitting with his back against the headboard. He was asleep. Peter was next to him, his face was on his lap and his legs on the rest of the bed, also asleep.
Miles gathered they must’ve been talking all evening and simply fell asleep. He turned the TV off and went to get ready for bed.
Chapter 27: pizza at spider manor
Summary:
"Some assholes got what they deserved." Jason answered shortly.
"So they deserved to get murdered?"
Jason nodded slowly.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“Thanks for still wanting to hang out.” Jason said.
Peter had never seen Jason so insecure and small. As if he was afraid of fucking up or getting yelled at, at any given moment.
“Yeah..” Peter said quietly.
“We need to talk-“ Peter and Jason began at the same time.
Peter laughed. “Yes we do need to talk.”
“We can’t really talk about it here…” Jason looked around. There were walking down a pretty busy street.
“Nope we can’t. We can go to my house, or yours. Whatever you want.” Peter offered.
Jason thought about it. “Yours is closer from here.”
“Alright well let’s go there.” Peter smiled, it was a weak smile which worried Jason.
Peter flicked the light on and immediately stood in their kitchen. "Anything to drink?"
Jason shook his head. "No thank you."
Peter opened the fridge and looked annoyed.
"What's up?" Jason carefully asked.
"Miles was supposed to go to the store to get a few groceries but I don't see any." Peter said irritated.
"Maybe he's still at the store?"
Peter shrugged.
Peter turned around and grabbed a glass from the cupboard above him. He let the water run for a second before filling his glass up. "So.. What happened yesterday?"
"Some assholes got what they deserved." Jason answered shortly.
"So they deserved to get murdered?"
Jason nodded slowly. "Yes. You see Bruce has a strict no killing rule but I think that's bullshit. He thinks everyone deserves a second chance. Which in theory I agree with but sometimes-"
"So killing criminals is no big deal for you..?"
"I mean it is a big deal and I know it's wrong. I've gotten enough lectures about that. But some criminals deserve what they get, they were murdering people themselves and they hurt you. The only way to stop those criminals is to stop them, forever"
"I can care for myself Jason."
Jason looked away. "I know you can and.."
"I'm not mad Jay, you know it was wrong and you know there were other options right..?"
Jason shamefully nodded.
Jason wasn’t planning on explaining himself. Peter wouldn’t get it.
“I don’t kill the innocent, but I’ve killed more than you could wrap your head around.”
Peter slowly nodded and opened his mouth to say something, no sound came out as if he couldn’t find the correct words to say.
“See, I won’t get into much detail but I’ve had the full super villain thing going on-“
“The internet said you’re a crime lord.”
Jason chuckled. “So you’ve been googling me huh?”
Peters eyes grew larger. “Oh no not like that I-… you know me and Miles didn’t know anything about here when we first arrived-“
“Pete chill, I’m just messing with you. The internet is right though. Even though I wouldn't refer to myself as that anymore.”
“Why?”
“I’m not going into my past. Reserve that for some other night.”
Peter nodded understandingly. “I’m honestly starving.”
Jason looked at his wrist to his watch to check the time. “It is kind of early still.”
Peter chuckled. “Jay my metabolism is like a million times faster than yours. I’m in need of food.”
“Well right, let’s fix that.” Jason smiled at him awkwardly. “What do you have here in your kitchen?”
Peter groaned. “Nothing because of Miles. He was going to the store but is still not back. I’m sure he’ll text me or something.” He reassured himself.
“How luxe do you want to dine gentleman.” Jason smiled as he pulled out a credit card. “Bruce’s money.”
Peter laughed. “Batburger?”
“Anything but that I swear. Have one of my siblings pull you with but nah ah… not me.”
“Awh…” Peter pretended to be said about his sarcastic suggestion. “Pizza.”
“For real? No five star restaurant?” Jason joked.
Peter grabbed his coat from the coat hanger. “Never saw you for a five star restaurant guy Todd.” He smiled and opened the door.
“Don’t worry I’m not, just trying to impress someone.” Jason winked at him.
“Well hm… Try impressing him with pizza. That’ll work a lot better on his stomach.”
“Welcome to the best pizza of Gotham Pete.” Jason said as the stepped into a pizza shop. It wasn’t fancy or anything, but it definitely looked like the food was good.
“Dick introduced me to it and he was so onto something. Look..” Jason pointed at the wall with a few photos. ‘Wall of fame’ it read above it. “We’re even on here.”
Jason was pointing at the picture of a younger Dick rocking a fashionable mullet and a smiling younger Jason at his side. Under it, it said: ‘Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, richest kids to ever come in here.'
“I’m here with a celebrity I see..” Peter joked.
Jason laughed. “You know how that’s genuinely the truth actually.”
“I hate you for making me wait Jay!” Peter said dramatically as he opened the front door of the apartment.
Jason dropped the two pizza boxes on the coffee table.
“What? You can’t really dine there so we had to take it to go. And wait a few seconds and you can still that hunger of yours.”
Peter crashed into the bed and groaned.
Jason crashed down next to him and grabbed the boxes.
“Miles will murder me if he finds this out.” Peter laughed when he opened the box.
“Hm..? Why?”
“Eating pizza in bed. I hope he doesn’t come home any moment.” Peter laughed.
“I’ll make sure to eat very neatly Pete.” Jason smiled at him.
Peter turned on the TV for some background noise. “You better!” He joked.
“Oh shit!”
Jason looked up at Peter. “What’s going on?”
“Mikes texted me a long time ago. I genuinely didn’t see it.”
Peter held up the text in front of Jason’s face. “Look where he is though.” He smiled at him.
“Poor dude, it’s probably game night. Someone sneakily recruited him I’ve known them for a while now!”
Peter chuckled. “I’ll text him back now.”
Jason grabbed the remote control and zapped between the channels. “Are movies and such actually the same in your universe?” Jason asked him.
Peter shook his head. “Same with music. Back when I still worked.” Peter lied, he was still working but Jason didn’t need to know that. His reaction when he saw who the boss was, was enough. “We had the radio on constantly and it was strange to say the least. A lot of artist we didn’t know, some we do and others songs but sung by totally different people.”
Jason looked at him impressively. “That’s actually so cool though.”
Jason continued zapping through the channels. “What’s your favorite movie? On TV they’re playing the lord of the rings and Star Wars.””
Peter smirked. “I love Star Wars. You don't want to know about me LEGO collection”
“I in fact kind of do want to but Star Wars it is.” Jason smiled as he zapped back a few channels. He crashed down on the pull out sofa and sat against the headboard. “I’ve never seen any of them before.”
Peter gasped and sat next to him. “You’ve never seen Star Wars?!”
Jason shook his head. “Nope.”
Peter grinned widely. “Welcome to the best franchise ever.”
Jason laughed. “Well we’ll see about that.”
“Argh. Not another break!” Peter complained.
“That’s what we get for watching a movie on cable TV.” Jason smiled. He hopped off the bed and saw Peter’s confused face. “I’m just needing a smoke that’s all.” He grabbed his jacket.
“You can access-“
Before Peter could finish his sentence Jason was already halfway through the window.
“Right.” He finished.
Out of the window there was an immediate fire escape with access to the roof.
Jason got a cigarette from out of the pack in his jacket pocket. He groaned loudly after he lit his cigarette. He blew the smoke into the air and walked around the roof. He felt his own heart race.
Jason was so afraid of liking someone, he had always been. The fear of rejection, the fear of commitment and his very low self esteem weren’t working in his favor.
He had gotten so close with Peter over the last months. Closer than he thought he could get with new people.
Jason tried to get his heartbeat down, he knew Peter knew. Peter could hear his heartbeat, or at least Jason was pretty certain about that part.
He felt so stupid for falling for someone like Peter, he was perfect, kind, a good hero and Jason was… Jason.
“Are you okay?” Peter’s head peaked from the edge of the building.
“Huh?” Jason was pulled from his thoughts and looked around where Peter was. “Oh yeah. I’m fine.” He tapped the ash off of his cigarette and took another hit.
“You’ve just been here for a while already.” Peter pulled himself up and onto the roof. “The break is already over, I paused it- or you have to say you don’t like it we can watch something else I literally don’t mind at all.”
“I haven’t been here that long.” Jason said as he looked down at his cigarette that was almost fully burned without him taking that many hits. “Nevermind..”
“So… Do you not like the movie?”
“What no.” Jason dropped the filter onto the ground and stepped on it. “I do like the movie I was just somewhere else with my thoughts.”
“You know you can tell me if you’re not fine right? I mean your heart is pounding.”
Jason nervously laughed. “Well yeah it does that sometimes.”
You fucking loser.
The movie was almost over and Jason was genuinely enjoying himself. It’s the type of movie he’d call out Roy for being a nerd but he shouldn’t have judged Roy because this rocks.
He felt something touch his shoulder softly.
Jason looked at it and saw soft wavy brown hair, Peter fell asleep and was now resting his head on Jason’s shoulder.
Jason’s heart was now pounding even harder. He had to watch his breathing before he stopped breathing all at once.
He turned the volume lower and could only focus on not waking up Peter and making sure he’s comfortable.
Jason’s head carefully and hesitantly touched Peter’s head. Jason didn’t remember the last time he was this comfortable and this stressed at the same time.
His chest felt heavy but not the type that necessary bothered him, it felt kind of good.
Is this what Dick meant with butterflies?
Jason woke up in the middle of the night with his eyes wide open. He looked around, he wasn’t home.
He remembered where he was and looked around. His heart sank when he didn’t feel Peter on his shoulder anymore until he looked down.
He probably slowly fell from Jason’s shoulder to his lap. He looked comfortable, Jason was terrified to move now.
He saw that Miles was also home and asleep with his back towards them.
Jason softly touched Peter’s hair and fidgeted with the waves.
He let out a huge sigh, his back was killing him. Sitting and sleeping against a hard backboard wasn’t very ideal.
Peter’s head turned from facing the tv to facing Jason. His eyes slowly opened and stared up at Jason’s terrified face.
“Morning to you too.” Peter yawned and sat up straight. “I’m sorry for falling asleep on you.”
“It’s fine.” Jason answered nonchalantly.
“Also sorry for keeping you from going home then.”
Jason laughed. “It’s fine Peter I swear.”
It’s even more than fine.
“How long have you two been awake?” Miles asked still mid yawning.
“Since somewhere at night. We couldn’t fall back asleep.” Peter answered. “How was it at the Wayne’s?”
“Wait you were with my siblings?” Jason asked him confused.
Miles nodded. “Game night.”
“Was Barb there?” Jason asked with squinting eyes.
Miles nodded.
“Sorry for your loss-“
“No I won.” Miles smiled widely.
“You… You won from Barbara Gordon?” Jason slowly asked him in unbelief.
Miles nodded. “Wasn’t that hard.”
“You have to have some superpower that gives you advantages cause how..” Jason muttered quietly.
Miles laughed.
“I’ll be going in a minute, the job doesn’t do itself unfortunately.” Jason began.
“Oh shut it you just said you loved your job!” Peter laughed.
“You work..?” Miles asked.
Jason laughed. “Yes I’m a car mechanic, yes I know I don’t need to my dad’s rich but doing nothing in daylight gets boring. So when I’m in Gotham I occasionally go to the garage.”
Miles nodded understandingly.
“You sure you don’t want any food for the go?” Peter asked him nicely.
Jason shook his head. “No, but thank you I appreciate it.” He grabbed his jacket and put it on.
“Well I’ll see you really soon.” Peter smiled at him.
Miles gave Jason a side eye as he heard his heartbeat speed up the second Peter smiled at him.
“Yeah of course well eh…” he opened the door. “Bye!”
Peter waved at him before he closed the door.
“Is he good?” Miles suspiciously asked Peter.
“What? Jay?” Peter looked confused. “Yeah he’s fine, just nervous for the job I guess.”
“Hm.. okay..” Miles didn’t buy his response.
Steph: Miles bring Pete because we’re going to batburger like right now!!!!!
“Steph texted me Pete. She wants us to come with her to batburger.” Miles looked at Peter excitedly.
“Text her back that we’ll definitely be there.”
Miles: we’ll be there
Steph: awesome!! Just wait before your apartment on the street we’ll be there innnnn
15 minutes
“Oh this is so exciting!” Peter said as he changed his sweatshirt into a hoodie.
“Right! I’ve heard so much about it. It must be so good and they’ll be here in 15.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Miles!” Stephanie stood before a big dark blue Land Rover dramatically waving towards Miles and Peter. “Hey Peter! Nice to see you again.” She went for a big hug after she greeted Miles.
“He’s nice to see you too!” Peter awkwardly laughed.
The car was one of those big cars with eight seats.
Peter couldn’t see inside just yet because the windows were heavily tinted.
Someone opened the car door from the inside so Peter and Miles could enter the car.
It was Duke smiling widely at them. Next to him was Damian and next to Damian sat Tim and on the row behind them was just Cass.
Stephanie was driving and Miles took the passengers seat. Peter sat in the back with Cass.
Damian was mumbling his annoyance of Stephanie as she turned on the car and her music started playing.
“I’m your ch- ch- ch- ch- ch- Cherry bomb!” She sang with the lyrics.
Peter tapped Damian’s shoulder who sat almost in front of him. “You don’t like the song?” She jokingly asked him.
Damian folded his arms over each other. “I have tried to teach Brown about good music but she won’t listen.”
“Well I think she has a good taste.” Peter chuckled.
“See Damian! Someone agrees with me!” Stephanie laughed.
“Don’t give her too much of an ego but I agree.” Cass whispered to him.
“Hey Steph, Cass also likes it. She just whispered to Peter.” Miles grinned.
“Miles!” Cass yelled. “Stupid super powers.” She muttered.
“Heard that Cass!” He laughed.
“Welcome to BatBurger what can I get you.” A teenager clearly annoyed in a cheap Batman costume asked behind the counter.
“For me the BatBurger deluxe with night-wings and get me some fries as well.” Duke ordered first.
“Would you like those fries jokerized?” The teen asked even more annoyed.
“Uh.. nope.” Duke smiled and shook his head.
After everyone’s turn it was now Peter’s turn. He had been looking at the menu for all this time and zoned out when Miles ordered.
“Get the kids meal it has a toy.” Cass whispered to him.
“The kids meal please.” Peter ordered.
“Will that be with a ButBurger, Riddle-me-fish or the Robin Nuggets?”
“The nuggets please.”
“Alright that would be 87,59 dollars for all.” The cashier said irritated.
Tim quickly swiped his card and paid, they got their order number and choose a place where they could all sit.
They got a long booth and Peter got a window seat luckily. They were in a better part of Gotham Peter was used to, people looked less weary and sketchy.
Not long after Duke and Cass got the order.
Damian was sitting in front of Peter. “So Damian what did you get?” Peter asked him.
“I got the Ivy salad and some unjokerized fries.” Damian answered shortly.
“Oh right you’re Vegan right?”
“Vegetarian.” Damian nodded.
“Oh right yes.” Peter unpacked his kids meal. It looked a lot like a Happy Meal from McDonald’s. He put his hand in the box and got a smaller box out.
“Okay so Peter this is important. Who did you get.” Stephanie said excitedly.
Peter opened the box and got the action figure out. To his surprise it was Red Hood.
“Aw man, out of all of them! Why him?” Stephanie complained.
Cass kicked her leg under the table and she let out a soft ‘ow’.
Peter was looking at the Red Hood action figure closely. “They’re not all that accurate are they?” He asked.
“Sometimes.” Tim answered with his mouth full. “Sometimes they are more than other times.”
“Guys do you remember when we took B to BatBurger and he started to eat his food with cutlery?” Duke laughed.
Miles laughed. “Well I would see him as the type to do that, with all the respect for your father obviously.”
“Oh yeah not surprised that happened!” Stephanie laughed.
“Hey Tim what do we owe you by the way?” Miles asked him.
“What?” He looked confused.
“For the food what do we owe you?”
“Nothing? Dude it’s Bruce’s money.” He chuckled.
“Hey dude we can’t keep benefiting from your father’s money, we can pay too.” Peter chimed in.
“It’s fine seriously. My father does not mind.” Damian answered.
“If you say so..” Peter continued to eat.
After they were done with eating it was still a nice day in Gotham, no rain, no heavy fog and not many clouds. Peter swore he just saw the sun peak out clearly.
“So do you guys have anything planned for today?” Cass asked Miles and Peter.
“Nope not really-“
“Miles you still need to go to the store.” Peter said.
Miles groaned. “That’s right I forgot!”
Peter laughed. They put their trash on the trays and threw it away. Peter stuffed the Red Hood action figure in his pocket where it would be safe.
He took a picture of it before he did and texted it to Jason.
Peter: [PHOTO] Look who I found ;)
“So do you guys want to hang or does Miles really need to go to the store right now?” Duke said with a dramatic frown directed at Peter.
“We can hang.” He laughed.
Peter felt his phone buzz in his pocket.
Jason: such a handsome guy, you got the best one :)
Peter: really did!
Peter smiled at his phone and when he looked up Stephanie stood right in front of him. “Who was that?” She asked grinning ear to ear.
“Jay.”
She frowned shortly. “Smiling while texting him?”
Peter nodded and hurried his head back into his phone.
“Okay… sure…” she dragged her words suspiciously.
They were all walking down the street until their comms went off.
Notes:
♡\( ̄▽ ̄)/♡
Chapter 28: Pretty empty
Summary:
"Hey big guy!" He heard Spoiler yell at the mystery man.
"If you guys can't beat him try getting a DNA sample." Oracle ordered them.
"RR is good at that." Miles joked. Peter looked around at who had arrived now.
Notes:
I was accidentally yapping way too much about fanfiction with a classmate/friend who’s also into spiderman in Gotham fics. So hey girl heyyy if you came this far, you found it it’s meee 😭
Chapter Text
"The nearest safe house with extra costumes isn't far away." Oracle said through the comms.
Peter hurried into an empty alleyway. He looked around for CCTV but there wasn't any. He changed into his suit and was ready to beat whatever it was. "Oracle where to?"
"I'm giving Karen the directions, be careful don't approach alone." Oracle anwered.
Peter looked confused. "Well guys I'm going already." He said through the comms, he did find it wild that everyone just wore a comm out of suit. He expected it from Duke because he's the daylight hero and all but the rest..?
Peter followed the directions Karen gave him and before he even saw who was causing chaos he got a car coming his way from out of the sky.
The others would take some time, especially Miles who had to go all the way home to get dressed.
Our mystery man.
Peter stopped the car coming his way and carefully put it down on the street again.
“It’s him, the reason why M and I are here.” Peter gave them a heads up through the comms.
“We’re there in 5, don’t approach alone.” He heard Tim through the comms.
”Aren’t you benched?” Peter asked him.
“I don’t see Batman here right here now, do I?”
“fair enough.”
Peter tried getting all the civilians out of here, the ones stuck in cars was his first priority.
his second priority was not getting spotted by the man.
He was in the middle of the busy street on top of a big tornado, his head almost peaking above of the apartments. His large wind arms were throwing cars and pulling out street lanterns. He threw it at buildings and civilians.
"Hey big guy!" He heard Spoiler yell at the mystery man.
"If you guys can't beat him try getting a DNA sample." Oracle ordered them.
"RR is good at that." Miles joked. Peter looked around at who had arrived now.
Red Robin, Signal, Spoiler, Batgirl and Robin.
The tornado man turned around towards Stephanie and he did not look happy. He grew at least a few feet into the air. Robin who climbed onto the nearest apartment building was ready with his katana to jump off onto him.
"Robin! Careful!" Tim yelled at his little brother who Peter didn't think could hear him. Once the man was faced to Stephanie so faced away from Damian who took his change and jumped down onto the mans back.
"You filthy little rat child!" The man yelled at Damian who clung onto to his back like a spider monkey. "Get-" The man tried to get Damian to let go by twisting and turning. "Off-" He turned some more. "Of me!"
Damian held on pretty tightly and managed to slice the man with his sword, with that he was holding on less tight. When the man yelled out in pain and turned again, Damian fell off of his back and fell down. The man was tens of feet up in the air and if Peter didn't catch him he would've broken a lot. Or even worse died.
Peter quickly places Damian back on his feet, Damian didn’t even feel shaken at all. Like he’s used to free-falling a couple of feet every day.
“No thanks.” Peter muttered.
Damian ran the opposite way without saying anything.
“Alright then, running isn’t always the answer Robin!” Peter yelled at him.
Spidey sense
The wind arm was coming his way at super speed, Peter jumped right over it. “You gotta try a little harder weird guy! And besides.” Peter leaned on a damaged car. “How exactly do I get back home? You’re here now anyways!”
“It’s not my fault you fools are here!” He yelled back.
Tim came from the other building and did a high kick landing right in the tornado man’s face. “Who’s the fool now huh?” Tim yelled at him when he grappled away.
There was a clear foot print on the man’s face now. He was clearly angry. The wind hands turned into a storm.
The tornado turned even bigger and it was now destroying parts of the apartments along the street.
The tornado was now a dark gray thunder color.
“Yo man! It wasn’t our fault either! We just want to know how we get home!” Peter yelled at him.
He didn’t think the man heard Peter, he was getting more angry.
“What the fuck…” a rough voice with a Bowery accent said slowly through the comms.
Jason.
“Why is he mad?” Jason asked through the comms.
“Robin sliced the guy’s chest with his sword and RR just high kicked him.” Stephanie answered him.
“Why are y’all not doing anything?” Jason said a little aggressive.
“They’re making him more angry that’s what they’re doing!” Duke answered.
“How do we like unangry him!?” Peter asked.
“The fuck I know!” Jason responded. Peter hadn’t yet seen where he was, he must’ve been here as Red Hood. An almost full Bat sighting in broad daylight must be rare with how the civilians are reacting.
A large portal opened, big enough to swallow an entire building. A few cars fell in already and it had a huge sucking power. Peter stuck a web from one end of a building to the other at the other side of the street. He did this a few times so it would be strong.
It kept things and people from being sucked in as well.
The sky started to become darker and within seconds a terrible rain started.
Peter saw the mystery man mumble something but he couldn’t make out what he said which frustrated him.
The man got sucked up in the portal but this time without his storm. Peter could see he did have legs and if you didn’t see his face he looked pretty normal.
Someone was screaming, while Peter was busy with stopping things and people from being sucked up by the portal. He forgot the other side.
Peter swung a few webs to ensure it was strong enough to not break and he went past his spider line.
Peter was sticking to the building, being extra careful to not be sucked up. He hurried up to the roof of the building to look over at the other side.
Peter didn’t remember the portal being of use both sides but it wasn’t important now.
Peter saw a man with a red helmet holding onto dear life on an already almost broken street lantern. The second Peter wanted to flick a web to save Jason the street lantern broke off and with almost super speed he got sucked faster towards the portal.
Peter quickly flicked a web and it caught Jason. It was pretty weak so he shot another one, and another one.
He put down his feet more strongly and leaned backwards to tow him back in.
“Peter it’s okay..” Jason whispered through the comms.
“Shut-“ He grunted while pulling. “-Up!”
He used all of his strength to pull him back in. The portal fortunately started to become tinier and less powerful.
With one more big pull he managed to pull Jason on the roof.
Jason fell on top of Peter who immediately hugged him.
After a hug that lasted longer than they actually had time for right now Peter and Jason got back up.
Peter punched his shoulder. “Don’t ever give up that easily again you asshole.” Peter scolded him.
Jason went back and forth over his shoulder with his hand. “Ow…”
The tornado was still there it was growing larger and the rain suddenly stopped.
"It's not over yet we need a way to get rid of that thing!" Cassandra almost yelled through the comms.
Peter and Jason got pulled back to reality. If Jason didn't hold onto Peter he would get blown away that's how strong it was.
“I don’t think we can do it alone!” Spoiler yelled through the comms with a clear struggle in her voice.
“A speedster or a super maybe.” Duke added.
“Give me a few seconds.” Tim said, after he said that they waited a few seconds.
Someone got added automatically with their comms.
“Hey guys! Oh shit you really need help…” A man’s voice said really quickly through the comms. “Don’t you worry though. Not my first rodeo! Okay I totally lied this is my first time handling a tornado. But it would be easy right, I mean circle around it and lead it away I guess? Or can you run the other way the wind goes and it’ll just unfold-“
“Do what you think is best, the last option is a good idea and for the love of God, stop talking.” It was Damian again. Peter hadn’t seen him after he got the man good with his sword.
“Oh yes… right!” The fast talking man responded.
Peter saw him, he didn’t only talk fast but boy, he was fast. He must be that speedster, the Flash?
“Okay Red, I’ll run in the opposite direction that’s the right call right?”
Before Tim could even answer him Peter saw a flash of yellow and orange circle around the tornado.
Slowly but surely the tornado unfolded until it was completely gone.
Peter jumped from the apartment building roof onto the ground to get down again.
The speedster was in a white and red suit, he looked way differently from the Flash he had googled weeks before but still kind of alike.
He had brown hair and wore goggles with yellow glass and a red further mask.
“Ah dude! You’re amazing!” Tim came running towards him.
“Pff.. I know right.” He joked.
At that moment Miles finally arrived. “Sorry… Got held up.” He apologized through the comms.
Miles landed near Tim and the fast dude.
“You’re the Spider-Men!” He pointed at Miles and Peter back and forth. Peter came closer to stand next to Miles.
Miles nodded. “Eh.. Yes we are. Who are you..?”
The man looked offended at Tim. “You didn’t even tell them about your friends!” He joked.
“I’m Impulse. We’ll meet outside of the suit for sure. I’ll tell you the real name then, because you know secret identity.”
“Spider-Men.” Oracle called them through the comms. “If you come by my headquarters later today with your evidence we can work on it for sure.”
“That’s alright, right Spider-M?”
Miles looked at Peter and he knew he was smiling under that mask before he said. “For sure Spider-Senior.”
Peter face palmed. He had hoped Miles forgot about that made up nickname but he clearly didn’t.
---------------------
Miles and Peter were inside of the big clocktower in Gotham with a box full of stuff, well half full. They didn’t have that much evidence for a very full evidence board.
“Hey boys! Welcome to my very own BatCave.” Barbara greeted them. She pulled an empty board in the middle of the room. “Some of the others are coming too, they can help brainstorm. You wouldn’t have guessed but they’re damn good at that kind of stuff.”
“So you work from here?” Miles asked her.
“Yup, pretty much. Since I got shot that is.”
“You got shot?” Miles asked curiously.
“Oh you guys don’t know, I’m sorry. I used to be with B, stalking the night and all. But Joker shot me and since then well…”
“Oh.. I’m sorry for asking.” Miles apologized.
“Trust me it’s fine.” Barbara smiled at him and wheeled towards the front of the board. “Time to make it less empty!” She clapped her hands twice.
“Did anyone order drinks and pizza!” Duke almost yelled as he came in, he was carrying a plastic bag with drinks and Tim behind him was carrying a stack of pizza boxes.
Behind Tim was another boy, that must be Impulse from earlier that day.
The boy walked quicker than Tim and Duke and immediately went towards Miles and Peter.
“Hey, okay so my name is Bart Allen it’s so good to meet you guys!” Bart shook Peter and Miles’ hand.
“I’m Miles and this is Peter we’re the Spider-Men, but you of course already knew that..”
“Yes, big fan. Okay what are we dealing with?!” Bart went over to the board and looked at it with his hands on his hips.
The board now looked exactly the same as it had back at their apartment.
“Where’s Dames?” Tim asked Duke.
“He’s still behind. He’s got some blood for you Barb.” Duke smiled widely at her.
“Ooo.. exciting!”
Damian walked in with blood carefully collected. “I have the DNA sample right here.” He handed it to Barbara.
“I will immediately start the process! Hopefully something useful will come out!”
The computer started beeping after a while and Barbara immediately started to wheel towards it. “The results!”
Barbara looked closely at the huge computer screen and scratched her head.
“I think he’s from your universe guys.” Duke looked at the screen and back at Miles and Peter.
“Why? What?” Miles now looked closely too.
“Look he’s from central city!” Bart pointed out.
Name: Walker, David Anthony
Age: 38
Home address: Everett St, 567th. Central City
Spruce: Deceased
Occupation: librarian
“Does the name David Walker ring a bell?” Tim asked them.
Miles shook his head no.
“No I don’t think I’ve heard that name before. But you’re positive he’s from our universe?”
Barbara nodded her head. “Look I can tune in the security footage from the library he works at. And…” she clicked away on the keyboard before a screen of a librarian doing his work popped up. “See how he’s working in central City and he doesn’t have those Joker like scars.”
“Did we already think about how Joker could be involved, I mean do we know anyone else known for causing unsettling smiles?” Damian began.
“Well Bruce’s galas cause a lot of unsettling awkward forced smiles.” Tim joked.
“Haha very funny Drake.” Damian gave him a sarcastic look.
“We actually haven’t thought about that just yet.” Peter answered Damian.
“We could look into that, I mean we don’t have a clear motive either for this man. We know nearly nothing about him.” Barbara was still clicking away on her computer. “Peter and Miles can I keep all this information here so I can work on it alone too?”
Peter nodded. “Sure that’s okay.”
---------------------
Peter got woken up by Miles getting dressed very loudly.
“Dude!” Peter sat up straight in his bed and got the sleep out of his eyes.
“Sorry I almost tripped.” He made an excuse for being loud.
“It’s Seven am?”
“I’m aware Peter. By the way Duke and Tim asked if we wanted to join them for some summer festival at Gotham U. I’m going do you want to?”
Peter groaned. “Today?”
Miles nodded.
“I actually don’t feel like it at all.”
Miles shrugged. “Your loss. It’ll be fun.”
“Well you have fun.” Peter buried his head back into his pillow and tried to get some hours of sleep.
Miles had never seen Gotham University as alive as it was now. Now his excuse for that is that Peter and him always came at slow times.
Stephanie was waiting for him at the entrance.
It was a festival where students are behind all kinds of food stands, have carnival attractions. There were over all a lot of fun activities. There was even an open podium! All that to celebrate an almost end of the school year.
Safe to say Miles didn’t pass the semester back home.
“Miles hey!” Stephanie was aggressively waving at him.
“Steph!” Miles ran up to her and greeted her with a hug.
“Duke and Tim are behind a stand. All the students have a minimum of two hours behind a food stand. The rest of the squad is coming too, well some, Cass, Dick and even Bruce!”
Miles nodded and smiled at her. “This’ll be so much fun!” He said as he looked at a free fall carnival attraction.
“Oh we’re so going in there with Bruce!” She smiled widely.
Duke and Tim both had very irritated faces. They were standing at the apple bopping stand. “Ah my brothers!” Dick almost yelled and laughed while approaching them.
Tim face palmed. “Go somewhere else Dick, there are plenty of stands.”
“Steph, Miles go stand next to them. This is worth a picture.” Dick smiled and pulled out his phone.
Stephanie rushed over and pushed Tim and Duke closer together and placed Miles next to them so that they all fit in the picture.
“All say spoiler is the best!” She laughed.
“Spoiler is the best!” Miles was the only one that said it.
Dick made a few photos, from multiple angles, with and without a flash.
Miles was sure he did it just to annoy his brothers.
“Dick.” Bruce Wayne placed a hand on his shoulder. Miles noticed the whispering around them.
“It’s Brucie Wayne!”
“It’s so cute he makes time for his adoptive sons. Literally adorb!”
“Is Duke even adopted, no right?”
“Ugh I don’t know all I know is that Brucie is so hot up close-“
The last comment made Miles filter the whispering out of his active hearing.
“Dick, care to compete in this Apple game?” Bruce smirked.
Dick lit up and smirked back at his father. “You’re awaiting failure Wayne.”
“Two times please Duke.” Bruce pulled out his wallet and handed him a fifty dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
“It’s literally free.” Stephanie whispered into Miles’ ear.
Miles laughed.
It was strange seeing a full grown man, who he knew was Batman in a neat suit getting down on his knees in front of a big bucket of water and apples. Just to compete against his very grown oldest son.
Stephanie quickly pulled out her phone to make pictures. “Know I’m making it the profile picture of our family group chat.” She giggled.
And like Dick already stated he won from Bruce.
“I told you old man!” Dick did a little victory dance.
Bruce gave him a look that didn’t bother Dick any bit, it looked like a look Batman had used on him often before.
“Okay but next time I’m getting you.” Bruce laughed.
“Hey everyone, took me a while to find you.” Cass walked towards them.
“Cass you just missed dad’s downfall. I won’t in a competition he made up.” Dick smiled at Cass.
Miles noticed Bruce light up each and every time one of his kids called him dad. Which was absolutely cute.
“We’re done in like…” Duke looked down at his watch. “Twenty minutes so how about you guys go do something fun and we’ll join you later.” Duke pushed Steph and Miles almost out of the stand with a big fake smile on his face.
“Ugh I get it. You guys don’t love us!” She said dramatically with a smile.
“Ugh right Steph!” Dick tuned in.
“Okay come on you guys let’s give them a little space.” Bruce got behind them and led them away. Miles looked over his shoulder and saw a really thankful Duke and Tim.
Chapter 29: The haunted house
Summary:
Oh shit, he had ten minutes to fully get ready now.
Peter hurried to the bathroom and had one of the shortest but efficient showers he's had in a while. He had just put his shirt on when he heard knocking on the door.
"Shit!" Peter struggled out of the bathroom towards the front door. He opened the door and saw Jason stand there with two motorcycle helmets in his hands.
"Nice pants." Jason laughed.
Chapter Text
11:36 AM
A much better time in comparison with seven AM.
Peter woke up by his phone heavily buzzing from under his pillow. He sat up straight and stretched his arms. The sunlight peaking through the window was bothering his eyes, it helped him get out of bed immediately instead of turning back around. He grabbed his phone from under his pillow and it were probably a dozen text from Jason all in the span of an hour.
Jason: Yooooooooo
Sorry that was too much was it?
yo
Jason: Are you free today?
Because I'm free and like bored out of my mind.
Steph sent me this it's funny
[TIKTOK LINK]
Jason: There's a summer festival
At the uni you pretended to go to
Could be fun right?
I mean if you don't want to you dont need to.
Peter opened the link and it was a video of someone doing a drag Queen version of Batman. Peter giggled, Steph was right for sending Jason this.
Peter: Batman could learn from that video.
I'm free, pick me up?
Peter didn't have to wait at all before Jason texted back.
Jason: Give me ten minutes
Oh shit, he had ten minutes to fully get ready now.
Peter hurried to the bathroom and had one of the shortest but efficient showers he's had in a while. He had just put his shirt on when he heard knocking on the door.
"Shit!" Peter struggled out of the bathroom towards the front door. He opened the door and saw Jason stand there with two motorcycle helmets in his hands.
"Nice pants." Jason laughed.
Peter looked down and he was still in his underwear. "Right. Give me a second." He hurried back into the bathroom and got his pants on. "Tadaa!" Peter spotted a pose showing off his pants to Jason.
Jason laughed.
Peter put on a hoodie, the one with the Robin logo.
"Nice hoodie too." Jason pointed at it with a helmet.
Peter quickly grabbed a handful of protein bars and stuffed them in the pocket of his hoodie. "I'm ready to go." He grabbed the keys and walked out of the door and shut it behind him.
Jason dumped one of the helmets in his hands. He ruffled his hand through Peters hair. "Nice wet hair Pete."
"Nice wet hair Pete." Peter repeated him mockingly, he tried to hold in his laughter but he failed to do so. He put the helmet on, Jason jokingly immediately slid Peter's face shield down.
"Bye Raymond!" Peter waved as they headed for the door.
"Bye Peter, bye mr. Todd-Wayne!" Raymond waved back to them.
"Still Jason, Raymond!" Jason laughed and waved.
Jason got on his bike and turned it on. "Come on Parker hop on!" He said as he put on his helmet.
Peter sat behind him and held him tightly around his waist. "Okay drive Todd-Wayne!" Peter laughed.
Jason shook his head and drove off.
Jason parked his motorcycle next to the entrance. Peter hopped off. "Are you sure this is a good place for your motor?" He took off his helmet.
Jason nodded. "No one will steal it." Jason took of his helmet as well. "But if they do, I'll make sure they regret it." He whispered with a smirk.
Peter looked at the entrance, it was really pretty and really busy. There were all kinds of activities, carnaval attractions, food stands and more. Peter remembered Miles was supposed to be around here somewhere as well.
"Pete give me your helmet." Jason asked him.
Peter handed him his helmet. “Here you go.”
“Well I’m heading towards the wardrobe to drop these off. I’ll be right back.” Jason told him.
Peter was looking at the carnival attractions like he was a kid in a candy store. It has been a while since he made fun like this. The last time must’ve been when he was fifteen and Bruce and Natasha took him to the fair.
It didn’t take Jason a while before he returned again. “So let’s go?” He held out his arm like a real gentleman.
Peter smiled and took his arm jokingly. “Positive on that Mr Todd-Wayne.”
Jason smiled and shook his head before they headed in.
“I do have to mention that Miles is here too with some of your siblings I think.”
“Well let’s hope we don’t run into them today.”
“Hm.” Peter still had no clue what it was between Jason and his family, why he acts the way he does around them and about them.
But he also wasn’t sure if someone was ever going to tell him.
“Oh look they have an open podium. Any hidden talents?” Peter smiled and pointed at a schedule near the entrance.
Jason shook his head. “But you should perform though.”
Peter looked questionably at him. “With what?”
“You think the walls are thick enough that I wouldn’t hear you sing in the shower?”
Peter felt his cheeks color red. “I- eh..”
Jason chuckled. “Gotham Pete. Cheap rent, thin walls and shit neighborhoods.”
“And shit singing.”
“Nah, wasn’t that bad. You should hear Tim he’s… Well he’s better at most other things.”
“I think you’ve now manifested a Tim.” Peter smiled shortly and pointed ahead of them.
It was Tim hanging out with other students.
“I’m still pissed, the other way thank you.” Jason quickly turned the other way and headed towards the podium.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me-“ Jason cursed.
There was a talent show going on while they were approaching the podium. Dick Grayson was performing. He was upside down in a one hand handstand, holding a microphone to his mouth with the other hand. He was singing, and it wasn’t bad at all, he was great.
Peter smiled widely. “You never told me you have a massively talented brother.”
“That motherfucker-“
“Come on it’s my way by Frank Sinatra. Your brother is good.”
“I know he’s good. He’s just a show off.” Jason said a little too loud.
“Mr Todd-Wayne. Please if you have a moment?”
Reporters, and not a few too. It was one of the biggest events in Gotham of the year. Of course there were a lot of reporters.
“Please sir it’ll just be a moment of your time.”
Jason looked at them uncomfortably. “Uh.. no thank you.” He waved them away.
The reporter kept following them. “Sir you don’t do interviews normally and trust me man, I get it. You’d just do me a huge favor-“
“Ahem?” Someone behind him was clearing his throat very obviously fake. The reporter looked behind him and saw Bruce Wayne standing there.
“Please leave my son alone, he does not do interviews.” Bruce calmly asked the reporter with a fake costumer service smile.
The reporter apologized and quickly hurried away.
“I had that Bruce.” Jason said frustrated.
“Yeah because I saw that you had it.”
“Would you rather have had that I shot him?” Jason aggressively whispered and put his hand on his hip.
Of course he was carrying a weapon in civilian…
“Behave yourself Jay.” Bruce whispered back aggressively.
Jason scoffed. “If now like to have a nice afternoon so if you or any of the rest of you will please not bother me today, thanks.” Jason told Bruce, but before he could answer Jason already walked off.
Peter quickly followed him. “Jay hey! Jason!”
He quickly turned around. “What!”
“Don’t run you’re escaping him way too quickly.”
“We’re going in there.” Jason pointed at a haunted house.
“Okay spooky. But know I don’t get scared easily.”
“Hm? Well we’ll see. Safe to say I don’t trust you.” Jason smirked.
“Hey, I’ve fought aliens and my ex-father-in-law. Don’t think I can be scared of a little haunted house.”
“Father-in-law hm? I will have to hear that story some time.”
Peter laughed and quickly got in line for the haunted house.
“I’ll tell you that story once it’s safe to tell you that story because you know..”
“Yeah in public I know.”
“How much is it?” Jason asked the university student controlling the haunted house.
“A dollar per person.” The student said annoyed.
Peter was quicker than Jason this time and handed the student two one dollar bills. After he handed the student the money he stuck his tongue out to Jason.
Jason rolled his eyes but the second Peter looked away he couldn’t stop smiling at his silly behavior.
It was one of those haunted houses with the carts. Peter got in first and Jason in second, Jason just barely fitted in the cart meant for pre-teens.
There were doors that opened as the kart started to drive. A few jump-scares here and there, nothing really serious. A mummy, a zombie and a witch.
“Once they put in an angry Alfred that’s when I get scared.” Jason joked.
Peter laughed. “Oh I wouldn’t want to ever see him mad.”
“It’s horrible trust me.”
The cart went up, the haunted house had two levels and this meant they were already going to the second level. The haunted house was fully dark for a moment before a horrible laughter sounded.
Peter felt Jason tense next to him. Peter recognized the laughter, it was the same laughter the Joker had or the same laughter you’d get after you were jokerized.
“Are you-“ Peter was in the middle of his sentence when a huge realistic pop up of the Joker jump scared them.
Peter heard Jason’s heart beat raise in fear, his eyes were spread all the way open and he forgot to breathe constantly.
“Shh.. Jason it’s okay it was just a doll. He’s not here. Breathe.” Peter shifted how he sat so he could look Jason right into his eyes.
A tear rolled over Jason’s cheek as he carefully breathed in and out again.
“Yes that’s right Jay. In…” Peter breathed in. “And out again.” Peter breathed out.
Peter did this a few times until Jason’s breathing pattern was a bit more stable and his heartbeat slowly returned to normal.
The card went down again, which meant it was almost over. They quickly approached a door again, it opened and they were met by the sunlight.
Jason was still not talking but once the card came to a stop he was quick to get out.
Once they were a few meters away from the haunted house Jason started to return to normal again.
“Are you okay?” Peter asked with genuine concern.
“Yeah I’m… I’m fine it’s just-“
Peter looked at him with all his attention.
“-I’m sorry. Are you hungry?” Jason tried to change the subject quickly.
“Don’t say sorry it’s okay Jay. If you want to talk about it I’m here, and if you don’t want to talk about it I’m here too. Company is always nice, you don’t need to explain yourself.” Peter smiled at him and wiped the tear off of his cheek. “And for the record I’m always hungry.”
Peter noticed Jason’s heartbeat getting faster again.
“Shit are you good? We can go home?”
“Pete I’m fine, I swear.” He smiled at him.
“I’ll just have to trust your word one this one.” Peter turned around to walk towards the food. “But-“ he turned around again. “If it happens one more time we’re going home, know I can hear your heartbeat.” He warned him.
Jason put his hands into the air. “Yes sir yes.” He joked and followed him towards the food.
“Hotdogs?” Peter smiled and pointed at the hotdog stand.
Jason nodded. “Go for it, order two.”
Peter quickly went over to the stand and waited in line.
“Peter I’m quickly going to the bathroom, I promise I’ll be quick.” Jason told him before quickly finding his way towards the restrooms.
He opened the door of the restrooms. There were three stalls and three sinks with mirrors. It was some sort of container but it didn’t look as heavily as an actual container.
Jason turned the faucet of one of the sinks on and stared into the mirror. It wasn’t even warm but the sweat still dripped from his forehead. He put his hands together and made a little bowl. He let it fill up with water and splashed his face a few times.
The door of the toilet behind him unlocked and Duke, out of everyone, out of all of the hundreds of people present it of course happened to be one of the kids Bruce took in his house.
“Yoo, Jay!” He went straight to the sink next to the one Jason was using. He turned on the water, grabbed some soap and started to wash his hands.
“I didn’t know you came today, nice surprise man.” Duke smiled, he turned his head to look and Jason and his face turned confused. “Are you okay Jason?”
Jason splashed his face one more time and nodded, before taking a lot of paper towels and heading out.
He took a huge inhale once the door of the restrooms fell closed behind him.
He dried his face with the paper towels and tossed them into the trash before walking back to Peter who was now first in line.
“Sauce?” Peter asked him. Jason got confused on how Peter knew he was right behind him again but then he remembered the creepy Spider-Man thing.
“Yeah, just do whatever you’re getting. I’m not difficult at all.”
Peter nodded and ordered.
It didn’t take long until they were on a bench eating their hotdogs.
“Want to ride another ride?” Peter asked him.
Jason nodded. “Maybe that one next.” He pointed at the zillerator coaster.
Peter nodded heavily. “Yes, definitely!”
------------------------
“Thanks for bringing me home too Jay!” Peter stepped off of the motorcycle and gave Jason back the helmet.
“Of course.” He popped his face shield up so Peter could see his face.
“See you around Todd!” Peter smiled and waved.
“Yup, I’ll see you soon Parker!”
He drove off.
Peter sighed with a big smile. He was hugging a plush dog Jason won for him while playing a shooting game.
He went back inside and almost crashed down on a bar stool.
“Hey Peter, everything okay?” Elijah asked him.
“He went out with Jason Todd, again.” Raymond smiled at Elijah.
“Okay Peter..” Elijah said slowly, his smile growing.
Peter felt himself getting red.
“Need something?” Elijah politely asked.
“Something strong maybe.” Peter asked.
“Feelings are stupid.” He said ask he made Peter a shot. “Have you eaten anything yet?”
Peter shook his head. “No dinner yet.”
“Ray, fix Peter some dinner please?”
Raymond put up his thumb and Elijah placed the shot in front of Peter who took it immediately.
“Straight face okay.” Elijah laughed. “Something stronger I guess then?”
Peter nodded and before he knew something stronger was before him.
“So what did you do today?” Raymond asked and placed a nicely filled bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese in front of Peter.
“Went to the festival at the university.”
“Oh! Those are really fun, right Ray?”
Raymond nodded. “I remember them from back in the day, the place to be.”
Peter’s phone buzzed.
Miles: I’m staying the night over at the Wayne’s.
Peter: okay
“Bad news?” Elijah looked at him.
“What?” Peter looked up from his phone confused.
“Well your face changed.” Elijah noticed.
“Oh yeah, Miles is staying the night somewhere else.”
“A girl?” Raymond smiled.
Peter shook his head. “The other Wayne’s.”
Raymond didn’t stop smiling. “You guys really only like the famous ones, do you?”
“I guess.” Peter took a shot.
The door opened and the little bell that always rang when the door opened rang.
“Harley please, I don’t want a blood bad here.” Elijah said to the person that just came in.
“Oh please Eli, yer got to be kiddin’ me!” She whined.
Peter looked behind him and it was Harley, the same woman from the arcade and the same woman he met once before here.
Peter did a little wave to her.
“You! I know ya, sorry for the last time by the way! Couldn’t risk getting killed, sorry ya had to deal with ‘em.” She apologized.
“It’s all good, Red Hood fortunately got it then.” Peter smiled.
“That’s right, he was so good!” She went to sit next to him. “Eli for me and my friend please a round.”
Elijah listened to her and placed two shots on the table.
Peter and Harley grabbed them at the same time, clinking the glasses carefully and drinking it up.
Harley and Peter sat at the bar drinking for at least an hour after that. It was dark outside now, Peter never guessed that it was that late already.
Peter was feeling the alcohol pretty well now.
“Pete, maybe it’s smart you get up and get some sleep.” Raymond suggested.
“Aw come on Ray! Don’t steal my friends!” Harley pouted.
Peter carefully got up from the bar stool. The world was spinning for him and he tried his best to stand up straight.
“Need help Peter?” Elijah asked him.
Peter shook his head. “Nope, I can handle myself!” He headed towards the stairs and carefully began climbing them. “Goodnight Elijah, goodnight Raymond and goodnight Harley!” Peter smiled and waved before disappearing behind a wall and trying to get the key inside of the hole.
When he finally got the door open he crashed onto his bed immediately after pushing the door closed. It was just around ten PM but Peter was quickly fast asleep.
------------------------
Peter got woken up by glass breaking downstairs. It wasn’t like a glass, it sounded more like a window.
“The fuck..?” Peter muttered in his sleep. He looked on his phone to check the time, it was three AM.
Peter quickly got on pants and a hoodie when he heard the sound a second time. It still felt like he was on another world, the world was still slightly spinning for him.
Peter connected his suit to his pants and rubbed his eyes.
Before he could open the door a window broke in his apartment. Peter quickly looked around and saw what landed in the middle of the room, a Molotov cocktail.
Peter had a slight moment of panic before activating the suit.
“Goodnight Peter, the suit is at 20% capability. It cannot keep you safe completely.” Karen sounded in his ear.
Peter ignored her and started to find a way to get rid of the Molotov cocktail.
Behind him he heard another window break, another Molotov cocktail. It landed on Miles’ bed and before Peter could actually think about what just happened the bed was already on fire.
Through the already broken window another one was thrown.
Peter headed downstairs, If there was fire here there must also be fire there.
His door was barricaded by something, it took him two full body pushes to get it open again.
“Hello?!” Peter yelled. The air was almost black of smoke and Peter could hear and smell the fire.
“Hello!?” Peter called again.
Peter heard someone coughing from behind the counter.
Peter rushed over there, he could clearly feel the warmth on his suit. He normally wouldn’t but the lower the percentage the worse the suit would work.
Great, no fire resistance.
He could see both Elijah and Raymond struggle to breathe. He quickly picked both of them up at the same time and sprinted towards the door. He placed Elijah and Raymond on the sidewalk on the other way of the street. “Sirs, are you okay. Are there more people inside?” Peter quickly asked in his best superhero voice.
Elijah nodded and coughed. “Up, Peter.” He pointed at Peter and Miles’ apartment.
Peter nodded. Time to save himself.
Peter ran back in. The flames were almost consuming everything downstairs. Peter could feel his skin burn as he ran inside in a straight line to their apartment.
He could see something on the bathroom floor and immediately took it with him. It was the ‘the Mary Jane’s’ shirt, if he could save anything here right now he would grab that.
Peter had to go through the flames to get to the window to exit the building.
He took a breath in and went through the flames without a second thought.
Peter flung a web towards another building on the other side. He jumped out of the window and with help of the web safely landed on the ground.
“He wasn’t home.” He told Elijah who sighed with relief.
Peter could hear the emergency services come already.
“My job here is done.” Peter said once he saw the firefighters come from around the buildings.
Elijah thanked him once again, Peter got worried about Raymond who was just repeatedly coughing.
Peter webbed away and in a panic of not knowing where to go to he was suddenly in front of a window, not that far away from his apartment.
He carefully opened the window far enough that he could slip through.
Peter went head first and slipped into the apartment.
Peter looked up and saw Jason holding a loaded gun pointed at Peter coming from his bedroom.
Peter coughed. “It’s me..” he said weakly.
Jason immediately put the gun away and rushed over to Peter.
“What happened?!” Jason asked worriedly.
Peter’s mask disappeared and Jason could see his face now. Even though his face was covered by the mask the smoke still had an effect on him and his face was dirty.
“I’m sorry…” Peter slurred his words.
“It’s okay Pete, just what happened?”
“I don’t think I have an apartment anymore, it’s kind of on fire.”
“Are you okay? Is Miles okay? How about the bar men?” Jason quickly asked.
“I’m a-okay, Miles is at Wayne manor and I just rescued Elijah and Raymond.” Peter smiled shortly.
“Pete you’re hurt and you smell like fire.” Jason told him.
The suit fully disappeared into the compact box again.
Peter looked at his arms who were slightly burned and the holes in his hoodie.
“I will be taking a shower.” Peter said as he stumbled towards the bathroom. Jason helped him walk more steadily.
“You also smell like booze Pete.” Jason said in a more strict tone.
“Don’t judge you can’t say anything you’re not my father.” Peter said.
“I’m not that’s right. Wait here a second.” Jason rushed into his bedroom. When he came back he held a fresh outfit neatly folded and placed it onto the bathroom sink. “A new outfit, I think you’d rather have something without holes and that also doesn't smell like smoke.”
Peter handed him the black T-shirt. “This is Miles’” and he closed the door. Jason heard the click of the lock and groaned.
He was in the middle of cleaning his weapons, he couldn’t sleep at all. His entire couch was filled with just cleaned weapons. He went towards the window and closed it again, he carefully locked it.
He looked on his phone to see if he had Miles’ number.
He didn’t.
He wasn’t going to call Tim, he was still pissed.
Dick is in Blüdhaven, Stephanie’s probably at her mom’s house, sleep for Duke is holy.
The next contact was Bruce. He groaned at clicked on call.
The phone went over just once.
“JayLad! Are you okay?” Bruce said with a little too much enthusiasm.
“Miles is there right?”
“Yeah that’s right.”
“His apartment is on fire. Everyone made it out. Peter is at my safe house.”
The line stayed silent for a little bit. “On fire?” Bruce asked.
“Yup, don’t know who did it, don’t know anything for all that matters just give the message to Miles.”
“I will, take care of yourself Jay.”
“Thanks.”
And Jason hung the phone up. He could hear Peter sing very silently in the shower and smiled at it.
It didn’t take Peter long until he opened the bathroom door again. He was wearing a pair of sweatpants that were at least two sizes too big and a red T-shirt with a big yellow lightning bolt.
“Looking a bit more fresh Parker.” Jason smiled a little at him.
“Right!” Peter was still slurring his words.
“Come on let’s go, we’ll talk about this tomorrow. You’re obviously not in the right mind right now.” Jason said as he led Peter to his bedroom.
Jason forgot that his sheets were wonder woman sheets meant for little kids.
“I like your sheets.” Peter weakly laughed. Jason threw the blanket to the side and Peter hopped in. “Thanks Jay…”
“No problem at all.” He whispered back as he placed the blanket on top of Peter again.
Jason looked around at where he could sleep now. He wasn’t bothered to place the weapons somewhere else.
He clicked the light of the living room off and went back into the bedroom, he sat on the floor with his back against the bed.
And he must’ve fell asleep like that.
Chapter 30: Up in flames
Summary:
before Miles could finish his sentence Tims hand flew in front of Miles’ mouth.
Bruce raised his eyebrow. “Into another what? Tim don’t touch our guest.”
Tim’s hand slowly lowered. Miles looked guilty at Tim and mouthed a ‘I’m sorry’.
Notes:
Big chapter, enjoy :D
Chapter Text
“WHAT?” Bruce was sure even Alfred on the other side of the manor could hear Miles’ yell.
“Jason called me with the news last night, I didn’t want to wake you up.” Bruce sounded with full compassion.
“So your apartment burned down?” Duke asked confused.
“That’s what B’s been trying to explain for the past ten minutes you idiot.” Tim said to Duke.
“Like totally not livable anymore?” Miles asked. “Did anyone get hurt?”
“I don’t know if it’s livable or not. And no, no one got seriously hurt.” Bruce answered him.
Miles got silent for a moment as he thought about it. After a few minutes he chuckled.
Tim looked at him confused.
“You know Tim it’s funny, just as I thought it couldn’t get worse my apartment burns down. Imagine falling from the sky into another univer-“ before Miles could finish his sentence Tims hand flew in front of Miles’ mouth.
Bruce raised his eyebrow. “Into another what? Tim don’t touch our guest.”
Tim’s hand slowly lowered. Miles looked guilty at Tim and mouthed a ‘I’m sorry’.
“Another universe.” Miles said and lowered his head.
“Sorry?” Bruce looked confused.
“They’re from another universe father.” Damian came in. “I told you those two were worthy of further investigation. We did and we found out the multiverse theory exists.”
“Damian!” Tim whispered aggressively.
“You’re from another universe?” Bruce asked Miles directly.
“Yes, Peter and I both.”
Bruce looked right past Miles, as if he was heavily thinking. Which probably, he was.
“Actually, can we circle back on how my place of living like, went up in flames?” Miles awkwardly laughed.
“Yes sorry Miles.” Bruce apologized. “Once you’ve finished breakfast I’ll ask Alfred to take us. So we can see what’s left by ourselves.”
Miles nodded. “Where’s Pete?”
“With Jason at his apartment. He escaped the fire and went to him.” Bruce explained.
“You think they’d want to see it too?”
Bruce squinted his eyes. “I don’t know about that. You could always ask though.”
Miles nodded again, he sat back into his chair and played with the spoon in his cereal. His appetite was basically gone now.
Bruce got up and walked away without saying anything. Damian with a bowl of cereal now sat down on Bruce’s chair.
“If you would like to I could call Todd or Parker.” Damian suggested.
Miles looked up at him. Damian was busy with his cereal and didn’t notice Miles was looking at him now. “If you’d like to Damian, that’s would. You know that would actually be nice.” Miles smiled at him.
“Then you’d have to excuse me.” Damian dropped the spoon back into the bowl and excused himself from the table.
He got his phone from his pocket and tapped on it before holding it to his ear and walking to another room.
Even though the walls of the manor were thicker than the walls in your average Gotham apartment or your average New York apartment Miles could still hear him if he focused on it.
Be heard Damian drop down into a chair and tapping his fingers anxiously on the arm rest.
“Todd goodmorning.” Damian began. He was calling Jason, obviously that’s his brother. Miles doubted Damian even had Peter’s number.
“Damian hey, everything okay?” Jason sounded worried.
“With me yes, Morales on the other hand is stressed. Father just broke the news. Alfred, father and Morales are going to visit the apartment in a short while. Morales asked if you and Parker would be interested in joining.” Damian sounded so grown up.
“Let me-“ He heard Jason groan on the other end of the phone call. “Hey Peter, if you want to go you can visit the wreck with Miles.”
Miles couldn’t make out Peter’s response.
“Hello earth to Miles?” Duke waved his hand in front of Miles’ face. He shook Miles from his concentration.
“Huh what?” Miles responded.
“Are you good man?” Duke asked.
Miles shrugged. “I don’t know, shity few past months. I miss my parents, my girlfriend.”
“It’ll be okay I promise.” Cass appeared out of nowhere. It was still so freaky how neither Peter nor him could hear her come in. She gave Miles a short hug from behind.
“Thanks Cass.” Miles said and let out a short lasting smile. Miles’ eyes grew wide. “Fuck!” He yelled and he got up. Cass had already moved away towards the kitchen and Miles got up so quickly that the antique dining chair fell hard in the ground.
“Miles what’s wrong?” Tim asked worried.
“I didn’t go on patrol tonight with you guys, that means my suit was in the apartment and that means that-“ miles was breathing heavily.
“Your suit burned. Or is it flame resistant?” Tim asked.
“It’s not flame resistant. It fucking burned. The one responsible for this will fucking die.” Miles got angry.
The suit made for him, the suit he helped develop. The suit that was part of his identity, gone, his suit was gone.
Miles felt what Peter felt when his suit got stolen by Tim. Rage, fear and panic.
Damian came in, he did some trick by throwing his phone up high and catching it with his other hand. “Todd and Parker will come. Don’t know if it’ll be at the same time though-“ Damian stopped and stared at Miles. “-is he good?” He asked and pointed at Miles.
Cass shook her head. “He just realized he lost his suit in the fire.”
“Oh.” Damian looked at him, the first time Miles saw him give a look of sympathy. Without it being sarcastic.
Miles was quick to calm himself down again.
“Master Miles, are you ready to go?” Alfred came in and asked him.
“Master?” Tim smiled. “I see someone already accepted you into the family.”
Miles awkwardly laughed. “I’m ready Alfred.” He quickly got to the front door where he had kicked off his shoes the day before.
“This way.” Alfred pointed to the garage where the cars were parked.
In the garage Bruce was already standing, ready to go. He was wearing a neat black suit and his hair was neatly done. It was pretty different in contrast with Miles, he hadn’t done his hair yet and he wore the same clothes as yesterday.
“Master Bruce, which car would you like to take?” Alfred asked.
“Miles what do you think?”
Miles shrugged. “I don’t care, any car that works I guess.”
“Let’s take the Bentley Arnage Alfred.”
Alfred nodded and opened a key cabinet. He pulled out keys and walked over to the car Bruce meant. It was a darker green color, it was quite pretty. Miles got why Bruce would pick a car like this.
“Hop in Miles.” Bruce smiled at him while holding the backseat door open. Miles awkwardly walked towards the car and got in. Bruce closed the door behind him and walked to the other side of the car to get in on the other side of the backseat.
Alfred pushed a few buttons and the garage door opened by itself. He got in at the drivers seat.
The area around the bar was cordoned off with police tape. Alfred parked a few meters away, it was the closest spot they could park.
Miles hesitated getting out of the car. The second he heard the click of the car door opening he heard a motorcycle park next to them.
Miles looked through the car window and pushed the door all the way open.
It was Peter, he sat behind Jason on his motorcycle.
Miles almost jumped Peter and hugged him the second he got off of the motor.
“Careful there Miles. Mr Peter is hung over.” Jason laughed at Peter.
Miles ignored Jason’s comment. “Are you okay Peter?!”
Peter nodded. “Are you okay?”
Miles nodded as well, he let go of Peter and carefully walked towards the police tape. He could see the bar from here. The fire was big, if he could read from the damage it did.
“Shit.” Peter crossed the police tape to take a closer look.
Miles spotted Elijah talking to a reporter in front of his burned down bar. Miles opened his ears to secretly listen to the conversation.
“I’m just really happy no one died. God knows the Bowery has seen enough death. My husband Raymond García is still in the hospital but he will be fine. I was with him all night.”
Miles exhaled heavily with the relief that both their landlords made it out safe.
Mikes turned to look at Peter who looked miserable. Miles was just about to comfort him but Jason was quicker than him.
Miles sighed and just looked up at their apartment.
The fire caught the two buildings next to it as well, not as heavily as the bar but still pretty well.
Elijah noticed Miles and Peter looking at the bar and rushed over.
“Miles I’m so glad you two are okay!” He sighed in relief. “I mean when Spider-Man told us you two were fine, you don’t want to know the relief I had.”
“Do you know who did this?” Miles asked in all seriousness.
Elijah looked suspiciously around him. “We don’t, officially but we have suspicions.”
“Care to share those?” Miles asked in the hope Elijah wanted to share them. Miles felt a hand resting on his shoulder, Bruce.
Bruce put his other hand out for Elijah to shake. “Bruce Wayne nice to meet you, I would love to finance everything not covered by insurance, that is if you have insurance.” Bruce smiled at him.
Elijah looked back at him in unbelief. He carefully shook Bruce’s hand. “Elijah García, it’s an honor Mr Wayne really.”
“How is the status of the bar, and the apartments?” Bruce asked.
“The fire department said they’re unlivable for now. Ray and I are just devastated.” Elijah explained.
“I’m so sorry to hear that Mr. García.” Bruce apologized. “Is your husband, Ray I assume. Is he alright?”
Elijah nodded. “He will be, he’s in the hospital as if now.”
Bruce frowned. “I’d also like to pay the hospital bills. I know Gotham hospitals can be insane with pricing.”
Elijah’s mouth fell open. “Mr Wayne I don’t know what we did to deserve this, I doubt we do…”
“You took in two barely adult homeless teenagers, you took them in without a question and you treated them fairly. We don’t have a lot of people like that in the Bowery.” Bruce smiled at him.
Miles looked over his shoulder and saw that Peter now sat on the wet pavement. Jason’s was squatting down next to him. Miles hurried over to them and let himself drop on the floor next to Peter.
“We’re homeless again.” He said with little emotion.
Peter turned his head to the side to look at Miles. “Shit…”
“Yeah… shit.” Miles stared at the building.
“I saved something.” Peter started. He dug in the pocket of his way too big sweatpants and got a T-shirt out. He handed it to Miles.
Miles held the shirt up high revealing its design, it was the ‘the Mary Jane’s’ shirt from their own universe. Miles smiled widely at Peter. “Thanks.” He whispered.
“Ahem.” Bruce cleared his throat behind them and all three of them looked his way. “Do you have a new place to stay?”
Miles shook his hand. “We’re newly homeless.”
“We don’t really have tons of money, you know.” Peter pointed up at the apartment.
“If you want to I can have Alfred prepare rooms.” Bruce carefully offered.
“Really?” Miles smiled widely.
Bruce nodded. “We have plenty of room and you two are both very welcome.”
Peter looked at Jason. “You can also stay with me.” He said quietly.
“But you slept on the ground Jay.” Peter whispered back.
“That’s because I didn’t want to move the guns off of the couch. And the floor isn’t half that bad, I’ve slept in worse places.”
“Well it’s your own decision.” Bruce rested his hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Know you’re always welcome at the manor.” Bruce walked towards Alfred.
“So any idea who or what caused it?” Jason asked Miles.
Miles shook his head. “Elijah did have a suspicion but I never heard it.”
“The fire started because of Molotov cocktails.” Peter started.
Miles looked at him confused. “What? Why?”
Peter shrugged. “That’s for us to find out.”
“It’s the Bowery.” Jason began. “Sometimes this shit happens with no reason, just because. It can be random, maybe targeted attack because it’s a business or the owners are a gay couple.”
"You're acting so normal about it." Miles noticed.
Jason shrugged. "That's Gotham, especially the Bowery. It's not a good part of Gotham, if there are good parts of it." Jason explained.
--------------------
Peter and Miles both went back to Wayne Manor in request of Bruce. Miles was lazily spinning and sitting in Batman's chair. Peter was laying on the cold cave ground. Since they came back from the apartment he hadn't said a word yet. Cassandra and Duke were sparring together a few meters away and Stephanie sat on the floor close to where Peter laid.
"We have to spar together Spider." Stephanie broke the awfully awkward silence.
Miles raised his eyebrow. "You really dare that? I'll destroy you Brown!" He said on the most enthusiastic way he could, which was not with a lot of energy. "I don't have any work out clothes though. I can't really fight well in denim." He looked down at his pants.
"You're like the same size as Duke and Tim right? I can rob their closets." Stephanie got up and walked towards the stairs leading up to the manor. Miles gave her a short smile.
"My suit is gone." Miles told Peter. Peter stopped staring at the ceiling and looked at Miles.
"What?" Peter said quietly.
"My suit was still at the apartment, I didn't feel like going on patrol last night so I didn't go." Miles explained.
Peter got off of the floor and without saying anything he was quick to follow Stephanie upstairs.
"Is he okay?" Cass and Duke returned from sparring.
Miles shrugged. "I don't think so Duke, but if the man doesn't talk about it.."
"It's actually lowkey freaky when Peter doesn't talk, I mean he talks so much and now just not a word." Duke said.
Miles nodded his head in agreement. "It kind of is. He has done it in battle too, it is kind of funny how scared the criminals get then."
Cass chuckled. "I can understand that. Enough about someone who's not even in the room with us right now. Miles you're also not doing fine."
Miles laughed nervously. "What do you mean? I'm fine."
Cass gave him a look, it was the same look his mother could give him whenever he lied about something. A look he couldn't lie to anymore.
"Okay I've been better but you know Peter is doing worse-"
"Shut it Miles. It doesn't matter if you're drowning twenty feet or six feet, in the end you're both fucking dead." Cass scolded him.
"We could hear you and Pete just now." Duke confessed. "We'll make sure you get another suit, a replica or a completely new one."
Miles smiled shortly. "Thanks Duke."
Stephanie returned, she basically flew off of the stairs. She threw Miles a pile of work out clothes.
"Hey those are mine!" Duke pointed at them.
"Are you using them right now?" Stephanie looked at him strictly.
He shook his head. "No, but-"
"Duke all of this man's clothes burned have some sympathy."
Duke sighed, knowing he could not win this little argument with Stephanie. "It's fine, but you got an ugly pair if you asked me I could fix him something cool."
"This is cool! Well Miles, get it on I'll be so fucking ready." She smiled and skipped away to the sparring mat.
Miles chuckled at how silly Stephanie behaved.
Miles came on the mat, he stretched a bit and did a quick handstand effortlessly.
"Oh you're not intimidating me Morales." She smiled. "I've fought and won before against our very own family acrobat, Dick."
"I'm not trying to intimidate, I'm just stretching." Miles smirked. "No webs and I'll try to not use my powers."
"Keeping you to that you little cheater."
Duke and Cass stood around the mat. "Okay Brown on the right-" Cass pointed at Stephanie in the right corner. "are you ready?"
Stephanie aggressively nodded. "Never been more ready in my entire life." She smiled at Miles.
"Morales on the left-" Cass now pointed at Miles in the left corner. "Are you ready?"
Miles looked nonchalantly with his hands folded over each other. "Pfft. Easy peasy." He smirked.
"Okay go!" Cass gave the start notice.
Stephanie started the attack, she ran towards Miles and started with hand on hand combat.
Because Miles couldn’t really turn off or tune out his Spidey Sense he dodged all of them.
He decided to swoop Stephanie’s legs from under her so she’d fall and Miles would win.
“Ugh Miles stop dodging-“ she said annoyed when Miles swooped his leg under Stephanie, taking her down in the meanwhile.
Duke cheered. “And that’s not even a record for how fast someone beat Steph!”
“What’s the record?” Miles asked him with a big smile.
“Before we started she got distracted, we started and it took me a second maybe?”
“Miles that’s not fair.” Peter said, he wore a smile and came towards the mat. “Maybe some spider on spider combat?”
Miles got excited. “Okay come and lose senior spider!”
Peter helped Stephanie get up, she was looking at Miles annoyed.
“Parker in the left and Morales in the right…. This’ll be interesting, may the best spider win!” Cass gave the start sign.
Peter started with a mid kick that Miles stopped with his hands. He grabbed Peter’s feet and pushed it away from himself, a little too hard than he meant to. It sent Peter flying to the other side.
Peter landed on his feet. “You’ll have to throw me a little harder for it to make impact little bro.” He smiled.
Miles laughed, he charged at Peter trying to come in on his side. He jumped up high and tried to punch Peter.
His tactic didn’t work, obviously. Peter got ahold of his fist before it could touch his face. Peter did exactly the same as Miles just did to him, he threw him to the other side. Instead of Peter who could make the perfect Spider-Man landing, Miles landed on his back. “Okay you threw me so much harder than how I threw you!”
Peter just laughed at him. Miles got up and noticed that there was a dent in the hard cave floor where Miles just landed. “Okay Cass tell me this dent already existed?” Miles pointed at the floor.
“It-“
“It didn’t.” Cass got cut off by Bruce who came behind them. “Impressive fight boys.” He complimented them.
“If you saw mine, I swear it was unfair he’s a meta!” Stephanie started.
“I’d like you to try and beat Cass-“ Duke laughed.
Stephanie punched Duke’s shoulder. “Zip it.”
“Miles please, come over here.” Bruce called him up to the Batcomputer. Miles looked confused at Duke who shrugged. Miles quickly followed Bruce.
“I just had a conversation with Peter, he said your suit burned.” Bruce started.
Miles looked at the ground and slightly nodded.
“Come on, cheer up spider bro.” Peter enthusiastically patted Miles’ back.
Miles looked at him confused, confused on where all the sudden positive energy came from. But then again this was Peter, Miles didn’t hope it was him trying to cheer others up more than looking after himself again.
Peter placed the compact suit on a table in the middle of the platform with the huge Batcomputer.
“Karen? Please show me the Spider two suit. Fourth version.” Peter asked her.
“Good afternoon Peter. I will show you them.” Karen said as blue lights shot out of her and created a 3D hologram version of the blueprints.
“See Miles this is- was your suit. Exactly how we designed it. I asked Karen to make sure if it was destroyed and she told me that nothing was salvageable.” Peter explained.
Miles saw Bruce look fascinatingly at the hologram coming from Peter’s suit.
“You think we have the means to recreate this suit?” Peter asked Bruce.
“From what I see- Can you touch this?” Bruce asked pointed at the hologram.
Peter nodded. “Yes.”
Bruce’s hand approached the hologram and turned it upside down and around. “This will be more than doable.”
“We can recreate it, we can also make something entirely new. It’s whatever you want.” Peter smiled at Miles.
Miles awkwardly smiled. “I don’t know.”
“That’s okay, even if you don’t want a new suit at all anymore. All good, think about it bro.” Peter smiled back.
“Alfred has made a bed ready for the both of you. I was thinking we could go to the mall for new clothes tomorrow?” Bruce tried.
Miles nodded. “Thanks Bruce but you don’t have to do all that for us.”
“It’s okay boys, I want to.” Bruce smiled back at Miles.
“No I swear we have a job and everything, we have money. First thing tomorrow I’ll find a new place, I swear.” Peter rambled.
“You have a job?” Bruce raised his eyebrow.
“Yes we clean apartments.” Peter answered.
“Where?”
Because Miles was focused on the conversation and tuned all background noise off he didn’t notice that someone came in.
“At Cobblepots fear toxin invested apartments.” Jason broke in the conversation. “But someone told me he didn’t do that anymore.” He looked angrily at Peter.
“Yes that’s not a good idea you two are not doing that anymore.” Bruce decided for them.
“You’re not my dad you can’t decide what I do and what I don’t do.” Peter angrily muttered.
“No that’s right I’m not but you don’t understand. That man is dangerous and everything he will make you do is for his own benefit.” Bruce explained.
“He pays well, I don’t fucking care how or what he benefits.” Peter replied.
Bruce pinched his nose bridge and sighed. “Okay…” he softly whispered to himself. “Jay what are you doing here, not that you’re not welcome, you’re more than welcome even-“
“Pete let’s go.” Jason turned around to walk back at his motorcycle.
“Wait?” Miles said and stopped Peter half way. “You’re leaving me here?” His voice broke halfway.
“I’m just staying the night with Jay. You’ll survive Miles.” Peter gave him a short smile before walking towards Jason backwards, still looking at Miles.
“What if something happens.” Miles said quietly, forgetting that Peter could in fact still hear him.
“Nothing will happen Miles, seriously grow up you’re an adult, I’m an adult I don’t need to carry you at my hip everywhere.” Peter snapped.
Miles frowned his eyebrows. “But Peter?”
Peter turned around and put on his helmet. “I’m sorry Miles but I’ve decided.” He said before putting the face shield down and taking a seat on the motorcycle behind Jason.
Miles stood in shock with his feet nailed at the floor waving a little pathetic goodbye wave at Peter.
“Are you alright Miles?” Bruce asked him, snapping him out of his stare.
“What? Oh yes, I’m fine.” He turned around towards the stairs leading up to the manor. “I’m so okay.”
Mikes stormed up towards the door he entered the cave from, on the other side it was a grandfather clock which was a pretty cool hiding system. No one would think there would be a complete BatCave behind a grandfather clock.
“Alfred, Bruce said you prepared me a room?” It was consequential that he was just walking past.
“Ah yes, master Bruce asked me to do such. Sleeping another night in master Duke’s bedroom will result in more loss of sleep.” Alfred smiled kindly at him. “Follow me.”
Miles did his best to remember every turn they made, the manor was huge and he was afraid he’d get lost if he didn’t memorize how to get to his room.
“Here you go, the room opposite of yours is Miss Stephanie her room, when she comes to visit the manor and sleeps over.” He explained.
Alfred opened the door and pushed it in, it revealed a huge room probably the size of their recently burned down apartment. Miles walked inside and smiled at the fresh sunlight of the golden hour coming through the windows.
The bed was huge and it looked so comfortable, Miles was sure he’d sleep fine on it. The walls were a crème color and it had two other doors.
Alfred noticed Miles looking at them. “This right here is the walk-in closest.” Alfred opened the door to reveal a huge closet.
“This is- fuck this is huge!”
“Language master Miles. And yes I’d say it’s rather huge.” He smiled.
Miles chuckled. “Language, just like Mr Rogers.” He said to himself.
“Who?” Alfred asked.
“Oh eh… No one doesn’t matter.” Miles walked over to the other door and pointed at it. “So that is?”
“The bathroom well of course.” Alfred twisted the handle and opened the door.
The bathroom was at least the size they had at his parents’ house. And at least three times the size of their dorm bathroom at Empire State.
The tiles were neat and white, it had a bath, shower, toilet and a nice sink. The towels were all embroidered with a golden w.
“This is incredible. You didn’t have to give me a room this big.” Miles said full admiration. He wandered back into the bedroom and looked around some more. He had two nightstands, one on either end with both fancy looking antique lamps on them. In the corner a desk either a chair.
“It’s quite empty now, you’ve seen the others their bedroom. They all started with one of these. All the rooms, except for the master bedroom which is not in use. It’s still Master Wayne and Miss Wayne’s bedroom, master Bruce’s parents.” Alfred explained. “You can decorate it differently, repaint it all you like.”
“Thanks Alfred.” Miles smiled.
“I’ll be coming in a few with some clothes and fresh toiletries.” He exited the room.
Miles crashed onto the bed once he heard the door click shut.
The bed was so comfortable he didn’t want to get off anymore.
He rolled over to his side and stared at the wall, a tear silently escaped his eye.
He got pissed at himself and aggressively wiped it away which only caused more tears to come.
Miles heard a clear knocking pattern on his door.
“Morales it’s me. Damian.”
Miles panicked and quickly got into the bathroom.
“I’m uh-“ Miles looked into the mirror and quickly wiped his tears. He got even more miserable when he looked into the mirror and saw he could clearly use a haircut. “I’m in the bathroom right now.” He yelled.
“Oh, I’ll be back later.” Miles hard footsteps walk away from the door deeper into the hallway.
Miles was listening closely to the hallway now, he heard Alfred approach his room and knocked on it.
Miles checked himself into the mirror and decided it was fine to walk out again.
Miles opened the door and Alfred stood there with one of those open rectangular laundry baskets full of clothes and a bag of toiletries on top.
“Thanks Alfred, I really appreciate it.” Miles smiled.
“Of course master Miles. Dinner is served shortly, you do still have time to take a respective shower.”
Miles nodded and closed the door again.
A shower that’s really what he needed, physically and mentally.
Miles awkwardly walked towards the dining room. Alfred had served mashed potatoes, chicken, roasted carrots and some fish with cauliflower.
Miles took a seat in between Damian and Cass.
“Sorry I didn’t open the door just then.” Miles apologized to Damian.
Damian shrugged. “It’s okay you were in the bathroom.”
Once Alfred got seated right in front of Miles everyone attacked the table and got their food on their plates.
Miles still had a huge loss of appetite.
“Master Miles, do you not like the food?” Alfred asked nicely.
“Oh? No, no that’s not it. I’m just not hungry.” He said quickly.
“You’ll have to eat. Do you feel like eating something else?”
Miles shook his head no. “Thanks though.”
Alfred squinted his eyes and looked at Miles with disapprove.
Miles didn’t think Alfred agreed with what he just said.
“Are you okay?” Cass whispered slightly looking at Miles.
Miles nodded. “Don’t worry.”
“Miles I can read people to a T. Something is up, I don’t know if you want to talk about it, but if you do, my room is not the one right of Duke but the one next to that. The middle one is Dicks old room.”
Miles nodded.
Miles knocked softly on Cass’ door.
“Come in.” She sounded from inside.
She was wearing a unicorn onesie. Or at least Miles thought it was a dark blue unicorn with black mane hairs.
Alfred was right all of the rooms were the same only decorated drastically differently. Cass’ room was colorful. Full with posters of things she loved and pictures of people she loved. Her bed was messy but she sat on it listening to a CD-player or something what looked like it. So it was fine.
Her desk was pushed against the windows and was scattered with all kind of stuff. In the corner where in Miles’ room the desk stood was a standing boxing bag with the gloves lying scattered on the ground.
“Come sit.” She smiled and repeatedly tapped her bed. She removed the wired headphones from her ears and put the player beside her on her nightstand.
“What’s the matter little spider?” She asked sweetly.
“Did you see how Peter just walked away? I mean he’s been acting so strange, first doesn’t say a word, then acts like the nicest guy ever and to finish it he acts so cold and leaves me.” Miles said without breathing in.
“Yes I saw, it wasn’t in character of him, at least from what I’ve seen of him.”
“It wasn’t in character of him at all. I mean he’s had periods where he acted strange. Like when his aunt died or when his mentor died.”
Cass looked out of the window and thought. “Maybe it’s just a natural response to all the recent trauma.”
Miles sighed and fidgeted with his shirt. “I guess that could be it.”
“Still not an excuse to be a douche.”
Mikes chuckled. “Not an excuse at all.”
Another knock was heard on Cassandra’s bedroom door. “It’s me.”
It was Damian again.
Miles hopped off of Cass’ bed and walked towards the door, he opened it and saw Damian with a backpack on his back.
“Are you busy with Cain?” He asked without a change of tone in his voice.
Miles shook his head. “Not really we’re just talking-“
Damian grabbed Miles’ arm and yanked him out of the room. “Cain I will borrow him now.”
Cass put her hands halfway up in the air. “Be my guest little D.”
Miles decided to shut his mouth and follow Damian back to Miles’ own room.
Damian opened the door of Miles his room and placed the backpack in the middle of the room on the floor.
Damian squatted in front of it, zipping the bag open.
“What’s that?” Miles asked.
Damian didn’t respond, instead he got some art supplies from his bag.
Graffiti cans.
“How do you-“
“I know everything Morales.” Damian cut him off and smiled at him. Damian pulled the desk away from the wall and stood on top of it looking at the wall.
“This wall is boring and you’re an artist.” Damian threw the can of paint at Miles without looking where he threw it to.
Miles caught it with the biggest smile he could produce at the moment.
“Are you sure your dad is fine with this?” Miles asked carefully as he shook the can repeatedly.
“Oh yeah, can’t be worse than my first week. Alfred and my father spent a week covering up all the katana and knife marks. A little graffiti inside of the room is nothing.” Damian smiled and hopped off of the desk.
“You are, something Damian Wayne.” Miles laughed.
“So have a design in mind already?” Damian crashed down into the desk chair.
Mikes nodded slowly. “I actually do. Can these windows open?” He pointed at the windows.
Damian nodded and walked towards them to open them all the way.
He started with the red paint and sprayed his Spider-Man logo. Once he was done and was looking at it he quickly turned to Damian. “Or can I not have things to do with our you know, night life?”
Damian laughed. “I have a collection of knives and swords in my room.”
Miles nodded and laughed. “Ah yes.”
Without effort Miles moved the bed with one arm to access the wall behind it.
He grabbed a yellow can and shook it until it was ready to use. He did a rough sketch of his own name.
“It looks like you do this a lot.” Damian noticed.
“I thought you knew everything?” Miles laughed. “Back in my own universe New York City is my canvas.”
“Actually, that’s really cool.”
“What about you? Do you like art?”
“Father says I’m good at it, so does Grayson. And I do enjoy art.”
“I’d like to see your art sometimes Damian. I’m sure you’re awesome at it.”
Miles went over to grab an orange color to do the shadows with. At the same time he already grabbed a white a stuffed it in his pocket, for the highlights.
“I will show you some other day.” Damian looked with full attention at how Miles painted his room.
Miles took a few steps backwards to reveal the end product to himself. It was something he normally just drew on his school papers a lot. His own first name in big cartoony letters. He normally couldn’t actually paint it on the streets because his dad will then definitely know it was him.
The door opened with a slight creak. It was Bruce who first looked confused at the scattered furniture but then saw why it was not in place.
“Miles this looks absolutely perfect.” He stared at it with his mouth open.
“right father. He’s quite talented.” Damian added.
”he indeed is. I love the logo and your name. For all I care this entire room is full of graffiti.” Bruce smiled at Miles.
It was weird Miles felt loved? He felt welcomed? He felt loved and welcomed in a family that wasn’t his, in a whole universe that wasn’t even his. It made him feel guilty, he already had a family he felt loved in he already had a family in his own universe who welcomed him because he was their own.
All while the only one that had made sense, Peter, was acting like a complete douchebag.
Chapter 31: Gotham Mall
Summary:
“You’ve cleaned your apartment.” Peter responded.
Great do the changing the subjects trick, motherfucker.
“And you’re not even listening to me, yes I’ve cleaned the apartment. I don’t know if you remember but it was one big mess yesterday.”
Chapter Text
When you entered Jason’s apartment through the door there was a little table next to it reserved for his keys and helmets. Jason went in first and placed his helmet on the little table and threw his keys next to it. Peter copied him and placed his helmet on the little table before shutting the door behind him.
“You still work there?” Jason asked. It was the first thing either of them said after leaving the cave.
“When they call, we come.” Peter shrugged.
“You’re fucking reckless.” Jason took off his coat and threw it over one of the dining chairs.
“As if you’re not.” Peter replied.
Jason turned around towards Peter, he felt the same kind of anger as he feels when one of his siblings does or says something stupid or annoying. But with it’s more out of love than out of annoyance, he cares about Peter, he cares deeply about his safety. He cares enough that he gets mad when Peter acts this way around it.
“I’m serious Peter. You don’t know this man. It’s dangerous, you can die or Miles can die, you’re in the position to make some real serious enemies-“
“Jason just, stop acting like you don’t do reckless shit.” Peter snapped at him.
Jason was taken it back by this side of Peter, he noticed it earlier when him and Miles were talking in the cave.
Jason sighed and pinched his bridge. He immediately quit when he knew what he was doing, he copied Bruce whenever Jason was like this himself.
“If you need a job I can hook you up.”
Peter rolled his eyes. “Yes because something serious happened at my current job.”
“Peter. Oswald Cobblepot is seriously driven by the desire for control and power. He will do anything, but I mean anything to accomplish his goals. He can even stab his most loyal followers in the back at any given moment, figuratively or literally if it benefits his own means.”
“You’ve cleaned your apartment.” Peter responded.
Great do the changing the subjects trick, motherfucker.
“And you’re not even listening to me, yes I’ve cleaned the apartment. I don’t know if you remember but it was one big mess yesterday.”
“Oh I didn’t notice, only the guns on the couch but they’re gone now.” Peter pointed at the couch.
“You can take the bed again, I could change the sheets if you prefer. Also since those are probably your only clothes and- do you not have shoes?” Jason raised his eyebrow and pointed at Peter’s feet, he was wearing the shoes of his Spider suit.
“Burned.” Peter shrugged.
“Yes we’re getting some new ones tomorrow.” Jason decided.
Jason had some fresh food Alfred had made for him the other day. It was some vegetables, meat and mashed potatoes. A boring but valid dinner, Jason made it last over two plates and put them both on the table.
He wasn’t used to eating from the plate. Normally he’d just pop the container in the microwave, heat it up and eat it from the container.
“Bon appetit.” Jason smiled at his warmed up creation.
Peter looked tired, he stumbled from out of the bedroom. He’s been there since they came in. Peter took his first serious look around in the room in daylight.
“Why is this covered?” Peter pointed at the blanket Jason had draped in front of the mirror. Before Jason responded Peter yanked the blanket away.
It revealed a bullet hole and a hole that looked like as if someone smashed it with his bare hand. Which was what happened.
“It’s broken.” Peter pointed at it.
Well no shit handsome Sherlock.
“Happens, come here eat.”
Peter was still pointing at it and raised his eyebrow. “What happened?”
“Well the bullet was Roy Harper, one of my bestest friends and the second one was a fist. Come sit Pete.”
Peter slowly walked over and sat in front of Jason. He grabbed his fork and started to stab the vegetables with it.
“Do I need to have a little chat with Roy Harper over the bullet hole?” Peter smirked.
Jason almost choked on his food. “Oh for the love of God, please don’t.”
“Well this makes me want to have a little chat with him even more.” Peter laughed.
A silence fell for a moment after that.
“Are you okay Peter?” Jason broke the silence. His green eyes looked directly at Peter’s brown eyes and his heart stupidly skipped a beat.
“Mhm.” Peter nodded. He was just stabbing his food, eating nothing.
“You’re not eating.”
Woah great move Jason, you’re starting to sound more and more like Bruce.
“I am.” Peter lied.
“It’s okay Peter, your appetite I mean, you’ve been through a lot the last months.”
Peter smiled shortly at Jason and returned his vision back at his plate. He sighed and stood up, he grabbed his plate and went over to the trash can where he scraped his food off in.
“I just need a moment, I’ll be back.” At that moment Peter’s suit consumed the whole of him and instead of Peter Parker, Spider-Man now stood in his kitchen.
Before Jason could form a sentence Peter already escaped out of the window.
“God I should quit making my exits like that, damn annoying.” Jason muttered to himself.
When he saw Peter had left the street he exited through the window. Past his window there was a fire escape he could sit on, there were many reasons why this safe house was his favorite.
The memories he’s made here, the location he grew up not many houses from here, it makes him feel at home. And the way he doesn’t need to smoke indoors because he’s too lazy to go downstairs, he could just escape through the window here.
He opened his window all the way, Peter was way tinier than him and fit through just a halfway open window.
He grunted as he sat down with his back against the little wall he still had before the window started outside.
Jason grabbed a cigarette from his back pocket and lit it.
His phone was buzzing with a call in his other pocket, he was quite popular the last few months.
Cassandra.
“Cass.” Jason picked up.
“Are you okay?” She immediately started, she sounded worried.
“Yeah, should I not be?” Jason asked confused and took a big hit of his cigarette.
“Is Peter okay?”
Jason shook his head a blew out smoke. “I don’t think so, I mean definitely not. How’s Miles holding up?”
“The same, though he doesn’t act as weird as Peter does.”
“He wasn’t there.” Jason paused to take another hit. “At the fire I mean, Pete was actually there.”
“That’s true.” Cass answered shortly.
“How’s Miles holding up with B?”
Cass laughed. “What do you mean?”
“Well you know Bruce when he sees a sad teenager with no one that takes active care of them.” Jason laughed.
“He’s not gonna adopt him Jay.”
Jason tutted. “You never know my adoptive sister.”
“Jay stop it.” Cass was still laughing. “I’m going to need to hang up though. I have the feeling Miles is approaching.”
Jason laughed. “A feeling? Okay. Bye Cass.”
“Bye JayJay.”
Jason slowly put his head backwards, careful to not go too far because the window was open. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, while still taking a respectable hit every other few seconds.
----------------------
"No Peter?" Bruce asked Miles the next day.
Miles shook his head. "Well at least he's not answering my calls."
"He'll be fine, and he'll come around." Bruce reassured him. "Did you sleep well? And are you ready for today?"
Miles slowly nodded. "I guess so. That's my answer on both questions." He answered awkwardly.
Today Bruce had planned to get some clothes, since the clothes Miles did have in this universe were burned.
"Father?" Damian walked in, fully dressed already meanwhile everyone else in the room, Bruce and Miles were still in respectable pajama's. "Would you mind it if I went with you?"
Bruce looked at Miles with a question mark. "Oh, I think it's fine. I mean you don't need my permission or something."
Damian nodded. “That is true, he’s my father.”
Miles awkwardly smiled and nodded at his comment.
“It’s Alfred’s big cleaning day so he can’t chauffeur us around-“
“I’ll drive father.” Damian confidently cut him off.
“Damian for the millionth time you’re not allowed to drive son.” Bruce warned him annoyed. As if this was the actual millionth time he had to say no to driving to his son.
Damian tutted. “Yes because Bruce Wayne is known for his awesome driving skills.” Damian muttered under his breath. Bruce didn’t hear him or acted like he didn’t because he gave no reaction.
“There is a mall not very far from here.” Bruce changed the subject.
"that's the one I actually needed to go to." Damian said, scrolling on his phone.
"Yeah I guess it's fine." Miles got his little zip-lock bag made up wallet from his pocket and removed all the money he had left. He started to count it and Bruce raised his eyebrow. "I have 64,70 left, so are there any thrift shops there?"
"Miles I'm a billionaire."
"Yes I'm aware." Miles looked at him cluelessly.
"I'm paying."
"Yup Miles, you can't argue with the I'm paying when Bruce says it." Duke walked in throwing and catching an apple repeatingly. "Been there, tried that but failed every time."
Bruce smiled at Duke with satisfaction.
The mall was huge and not as busy as Miles expected it to be. He saw people stare and point at Bruce and Damian.
“It’s Bruce Wayne!”
“Look at his son, he’s so grown up!”
“Who’s the other boy? Does he have a new son?”
Miles rolled his eyes and decided to just let all the whispers fade from his hearing. A neat trick Peter learned him at the beginning of his training.
“Does it ever bother you, the stares and the whispers?” Miles whispered to Damian.
Damian shrugged. “It’s normal.” Miles frowned his eyebrows. “Father, I was planning to go to the art store and the pet store.”
“Yes Damian, but first we’re here for Miles.” Bruce said with a smile.
Miles noticed that Bruce carried himself way differently in public. If Miles just saw the Bruce he was now he’d immediately believe the dumb playboy persona. A great disguise to be honest.
“So Miles. What store first?” Bruce asked him.
Miles shrugged. “I don’t know…”
“That one.” Damian pointed at a clothing store, it was quite Miles’ taste.
“Sure that one’s fine.”
Damian took the lead towards the store.
“It reminds me of a skateboard shop in New York, but without the boards.” Miles said.
“You do skateboarding?” Bruce asked him with genuine interest.
Miles nodded. “Me and Peter both.”
Bruce looked back at him with a weirdly too happy smile.
“Look at this Miles this looks like something you’d wear.” Damian pulled out a zip up hoodie.
It was true Miles almost never wore an outfit without a zip up hoodie.
Miles nodded in response, without saying anything Damian put the hoodie over his arm to show him they were buying it.
Miles walked through the store and looked at a few graphic tees.
Spidey sense
Bruce right behind him.
“Excuse me?” A woman who worked at the store suddenly stood beside them. “Mr Wayne, could I help you with anything?”
Bruce shook his head. “No, but thank you.”
“Are you finding everything alright?” She asked with a smile.
“He can’t decide so actually if it’s not a lot of trouble could you just throw everything he looks at for a little too long in a basket.” Bruce winked at her.
She smiled back at him and nodded fast. “Of course Mr. Wayne it would be an honor.”
Miles gave him a look of annoyance. Which he was probably used to getting because he found it funny.
“What the fuck, four bags full at one store?!” Miles said in unbelief.
“What?” Bruce looked behind him at miles worriedly. He just paid for everything and Miles couldn’t look at the price without feeling incredibly guilty. “Not enough?”
“Oh no this is enough.” His eyes grew wide. “I’ve just never bought this many clothes at once ever, imagine all at the same store too.”
He heard Damian chuckle next to him. “Father, Morales is in dire need of new shoes as well.”
Bruce’s eyes shot down at Miles’ feet where he wore the thrifted shoes. “What shoes do you want?”
“Oh no, absolutely not.” Miles shook his head.
“Nike? Let’s go.” Bruce took the bags off the counter, shot the employee a flirty look and left towards the Nike store.
The Nike store was huge, they had everything, shoes, active wear, clothes, accessoires. Miles’ eyes skimmed over the store first until his eyes noticed the Jordans.
“Those?” Bruce had followed his eyes and pointed towards the Jordans.
“I had those at home.” Miles accidentally said.
“Let’s get those again.” Bruce smiled and led him closer towards the shoes. “What’s your size?”
“Uh like a 12.”
“Grayson has those too in black and blue.” Damian commented.
“Ah yes, Dick indeed does. He’s had them as a young teen too.” Bruce replied. “So Miles made a choice, or choices?”
“Father he’ll be needing work out clothes as well. I’ll go and choose something for him.”
“Smart of you Dames.” Bruce said looking way too attentive at the shoes.
“Mr Wayne? Can you find what you need sir?” An employee next to them appeared.
“Yes thank you.” Bruce gave them a very fake smile and the employee left. “So which color Miles?”
“Uhm… I mean I had red and white.” He said awkwardly, he got a sudden wave of sadness over him.
Bruce grabbed the shoe, he inspected it and nodded. “Good choice.”
The shoe boxes with the shoes stood stacked behind it, he found Miles’ size and pulled the box out. He opened the box and checked the shoes. “Yes these are nice right?” Bruce looked up at Miles. “Hey what’s wrong?”
Miles sighed with an awkward chuckle. “I just, I miss my dad, I miss my parents and just I don’t know shopping with you like this just made me miss them a little more.” Miles explained.
“Oh, I’m so sorry Miles. I mean if it makes you more comfortable we can go back to the manor?”
“No, no Damian still needs to go to his stores and if I’m sad here I’ll be sad there too, doesn’t matter.”
“Okay but you have to tell me when you want to go home.” Bruce said seriously.
Miles nodded. At that moment Damian came back with work out clothes and some basic work out shoes. “So I can beat you with sparring.” He smirked.
“You wish you could.” Miles smirked back.
“This store Damian?” Bruce pointed at the arts and crafts store.
Damian nodded. “That’s right.”
“You boys go inside, I need to run a very quick errand.” Bruce excused himself and quickly walked the other way.
“So what do you need Damian?” Miles asked him.
“A new sketch book and I thought maybe you wanted your own supplies.”
“Oh that’s really nice of you Damian but no thank you.”
“Excuse me?” A woman with long blonde hair clipped out of her face wearing a long skirt with a blouse and blazer on top. Wearing medium height heels holding a pen and little notebook she just fished out of her purse. “Damian Wayne?”
Damian turned around. “TT. I don’t do interviews.” He turned back around.
“But Damian please I just have a few questions.” The woman continued. “My name is Maddie Jacklyn. It’s really nice to meet you, I just wanted to ask about the boy you and your father came into the mall with.”
Miles raised his eyebrow. She was talking as if he wasn’t standing right beside them. Damian gave him an annoyed side eye. “Miss I do not give interviews, you reporters should know that.” Damian tutted.
The woman noticed Damian giving Miles a look who was just standing a bit clueless next to the two.
“You must be that other boy, please what is your name?”
“Uh..” Miles looked at her weirdly. “Miles.”
Damian hit his arm. “Shut the fuck up.” He turned back to the woman. “If you don’t leave I’m getting security and you will hear from my lawyer.”
Maddie looked him up and down and looked with disgust. “Those fucking spoiled ass teenagers.” She muttered too quietly for Damian to hear under her breath.
“What do you think of this one?” Damian held up a neat sketchbook. Miles immediately recognized it as one of those expensive ones he would never even dare to look at in the store.
He nodded. “That one is nice yes.”
Damian took it in his arm and continued further into the store. “I need a new white marker as well.”
Miles stood on his tippy toes to look further into the store. “Over there.” He pointed into another direction. Damian nodded and went over there.
Pet store.
Miles knew he had some animals but he didn’t know he also had guinea pigs?
“I need some new Guinea pig food.” He stated.
“Since when do you have those?” Miles asked him with a slight chuckle, staring at the fish in the big tanks.
“Since my father received them from a colleague, he gave them to me. It was like a joke gift, I think.” He was talking as he picked out some hay.
“You have a barn right?”
Damian nodded. “Yes for BatCow. Alfred is there a lot too.”
“Wait you have a cow? And Alfred chills with him?” Miles asked confused.
“Yes I have a cow, you have to meet her. And I meant my cat, Alfred.”
Miles nodded as if he clearly understood what was going on.
“Did you have any animals?”
Miles shook his head. “I mean I’ve always wanted a cat but my parents didn’t allow one.”
“Hm..” Damian went up to the counter to pay.
When he paid Bruce looked into the store. “There you guys are!” He smiled widely. He was holding seven bags instead of the five bags he was holding when he left.
“Father what did you buy?”
“That’s for me to know and for you to find out.”
Miles laughed.
”there was a reporter again, could you please make clear again that your minor children should not be interviewed TT.” Damian mentioned annoyed
“Come on let’s go back to the car.” Bruce looked a little pissed after hearing Damian.
“I will make sure Alfred washes your new clothes and that they appear in your closet.” Bruce told him after they came back to the manor.
“Thank you Bruce.” Miles said as he looked at his feet.
Bruce lowered himself to Miles’ level as he still looked at the floor. He grabbed both of his shoulders. “Of course Miles. Anything you need.”
“I’ll be going upstairs.” He excused himself.
When he was halfway on the stairs he turned back around. “Oh Bruce, you’re pretty good at this stuff.”
Bruce chuckled. “Well I must hope with this many kids I now took under my wing that I became a little good at it…”
--------------------
“Peter?” Jason knocked on the bedroom door which just fell open. He’s been in the bedroom for hours now, Jason thought he was asleep but when he saw him he was just above the covers on his side staring at the wall.
“Are you okay?” Jason carefully walked inside and squatted down before the bed to be on eye level with Peter.
Peter sighed. “I don’t know, I don’t know what I feel and I don’t know why.”
“That’s okay Pete, I brought you a little gift though.” He held a shoebox in front of Peter. “I wasn’t sure about your shoe size but your physique is similar to Tim’s and for some reason I know his shoe size.”
Peter made a short smile. “Thanks Jay.”
“I have tomato soup for dinner in a moment, you coming to join me?”
Peter nodded.
Jason smiled at him with his heart aching.
Jason’s soup was already halfway eaten when Peter came from the bedroom. On the other side of the table Jason had put a bowl down for him.
“So…” Peter sat down and grabbed the spoon next to the bowl. “Any plans for this evening?”
Jason frowned because of his sudden normal behavior, he didn’t expect this. “If it’s okay with you I have some Red Hood business.”
“Why wouldn’t it be okay with me?” Peter smiled at him.
“No it’s just you’re not feeling the best and I don’t want to really leave you alone right now.” Jason explained.
“It’s alright, Hoods business is a little more important than me feeling bad.”
Jason wanted to disagree with him, tell him he became his first priority. But he didn’t, he stayed silent.
“What kind of business?” Peter asked him.
“I’ll tell you when I know more.”
“Okay mister mystery.” Peter smirked. He picked his bowl up and instead of scooping the soup out with a spoon he drank it from the bowl. “I’m not going out tonight, so even less worry for you.”
Jason already suspected that but it was in fact one less thing to worry about with him. “Thanks.”
Peter put his bowl back on the table and Jason picked it up together with his empty bowl and put it on the kitchen counter.
“I’ll clean it up, I’ll have something to do when you’re away.” Peter stopped Jason from starting to do the dishes.
“Are you sure?”
“You let me stay in your house, let me do the chores.”
Red Hood entered a club making known he walked in. Faces turned towards the door and people stopped dancing for a second.
Jason saw a few people hurry away and get out and he saw other people become visibly more sweaty.
He came with one goal and that was find who was responsible for the fire at Peter’s apartment.
Jason looked around to see who he could ask, he saw someone that was known for spilling a little much information all the time. Good shot for a first ask.
“Scott hey!” Jason walked towards him with his arms open, coming towards him in a very welcoming and kind manner.
“Mr. Red Hood. An honor!” He smirked. He wore a suit and a fedora which made him look pretty stupid.
“Hey Scott between me and you.” Jason put his arm around his shoulder and took him away from the people he was standing with. “I need information.”
“I’m not free, you know that!”
“What do you want?”
“You see I need information too. And I think you can give me that information.” He explained silently.
Jason’s eyebrow shot up. What information? It was good he wore a helmet so people couldn’t see his honest expressions.
“I can? Well anyways if you give me my information I’ll give you yours.” Jason answered him.
“Deal.” Scott’s smile only grew wider.
“You know the bar that lit on fire?”
Scott nodded. “Yes I’m aware.”
“Who did it?”
Scott looked at Red Hood weirdly and shot in a laugh. “It’s about this?”
Jason reached for his gun. “Yes. Shut that annoying ass laughing.”
Scott immediately shut his laughing up. “I don’t know who exactly. All I know it has something to do with Harley Quinn.”
“Harley hm?”
Scott nodded repeatedly. “Yes it has to do with her and men that she owes money.”
“Any idea where I can find her?” Jason had his hand rested on his gun strapped at his leg.
“Where you find poison Ivy, is where you find our Harley. So for my question. Is it true that Nightwing has-“
Jason let go off Scott’s shoulder and walked the other way.
“Red Hood hey! Come on! We had a deal!” Scott ran after Jason.
“Hm.” He turned around. “Sorry man, I actually don’t want a deal anymore so please let me leave.”
When Jason wanted to turn around again he heard a weak clicking of a gun. Someone that removed the safety.
It was Scott, his hands were trembling and he looked pathetic holding the gun. “A deal is a deal Hood!”
Jason rolled with his eyes, putting his head back dramatically so people could see he was annoyed even with his helmet on.
Jason grabbed the trembling gun and punched Scott in the face with his other hand. He dropped the gun on the ground and walked away.
He’d be stupid to make those deals with criminals.
“Oracle?” Jason switched on his comms when he arrived outside again.
“Red Hood hey.” She answered immediately.
“Any clue on where Ivy has been lately?”
“Yup, she hasn’t been criminally active in a while. She’s just living at her apartment nowadays. You know where that is right?” She asked.
“Yes. Thanks O.” Jason thanked her.
“Why Ivy Red Hood?” It was Bruce.
“None of anyone’s business.” He immediately turned the comms back off.
Pamela’s apartment wasn’t very far from the club. She had a roof top apartment with many plants. It always looked really cozy.
He landed on the roof she had access to from her apartment and he knocked on the glass door.
It took a while until he saw Pamela walking towards the door, looking confused when she saw Red Hood.
“Well, what do I owe the honor of having one of the Wayne boys on my doorstep?” She asked him when she opened the door.
“Is Harley here?” Jason asked already kind of looking inside.
“She is. Why?” Pamela started to become more defensive and folded her arms over each other.
“Who said my name!” Jason heard Harley yell from inside.
Jason went past Pamela and made his way to Harley.
He immediately pulled his gun on her when he saw her. “Who was responsible for the fire?! Who lit it?!”
“Oh, oh!” She jumped up from the couch she was sitting at. “Red Hood! It’s been soooo long!”
Jason was already way too annoyed with her.
“Come on Quinn!”
“Well that must be ugh.” She made a choking noise. “Jokers men. Ya see, I owe ‘em a little bit of money and they jus’ get a lil crazy.” She laughed.
"So they light up a fucking building?!" Jason swung with his gun. Suddenly a green plant grabbed onto the gun and yanked it out of Jason's hand with such force that he fell to the ground.
"For fucks sake Todd, no shooting guns in my fucking house. Especially not at her." Pamela scolded him.
Jason looked at Harley who stood with her arms folded over each other looking at Jason with her tongue out of her mouth.
"You little-" Jason got up ready to do something about Harley's attitude. Instead the plant that just got his gun waved next to him.
"Wouldn't try that if I were you." Pamela smiled at him.
Jason groaned and quietly got up. He took off his helmet to look at Harley more clearly. Pamela has known their identities for years, it could be that she even knew their identities before Jason was Robin but Jason didn't know. Harley knew too, Jason actually has no clue since when but one day she just knew.
"Harley. I care a lot about the people that live there, I need to have revenge. So either you'll point them out or give me names. And for the love of God pay them the fuck off!"
Harley started to stand relaxed again and let herself crash into the couch again. "They're just assholes!" She dramatically whined.
"I don't care whether they're assholes or not."
"And did Red Hood jus' confess to caring a lot about people?" She smirked at him. "The next time I see Nightbutt I'll have to tell him this news-"
"Harley for fucks sake! Can you name or point them out or not?" Jason asked annoyed.
She nodded. "Yeah I can, just so ya know. They are real assholes."
"We're not done talking about this Quinn." Jason put his helmet back on. He held his hand in front of Poison Ivy. "Gun please."
Pamela rolled her eyes. "Sure." Another plant gave the gun back to Jason.
Jason got back home through the window they had left open. To his surprise were the lights still on, it was way past midnight and he expected Peter to be asleep.
"Hey Jay!" Peter looked up from his phone.
Jason removed his helmet and went to the mirror to remove his domino mask. He approached from the left side so he wouldn't see his own massive facial scar. He sprayed some of the glue dissolver onto his face and peeled the mask off of his face. "Hey Pete, didn't expect you to still be awake."
"I couldn't really sleep." Peter confessed.
"Well doesn't matter because I can share my business with you now." He got his brown leather jacket off and his armor. "I went to a club and talked with a guy."
Peter raised his eyebrow. "Okay..?"
"Not done yet." Jason laughed. "He gave me information about the fire. And with that information it led me to Harley Quinn-"
"I know her, strange lady. Awesome to just talk with though."
"You know her?"
Peter nodded. "We met at Raymond and Elijah's bar. Why her though, oh, she's in trouble right?"
"Yes, she is. Anyways, we're getting revenge, well we're if you want to come with me that is."
"Oh, I'm definitely coming with are you kidding me. The one responsible cost me my stuff and a roof over my head!"
Jason smiled at Peter. "You feel okay?"
Peter slowly nodded. "I'm feeling much better than how I did. I'm sorry for being rude though." Peter apologized.
"It's fine Peter, trust me I'm used to something. Maybe also apologize to Miles"
Peter's expression looked uncomfortable. "I should, I have so many missed calls and I feel really bad."
"I can drive you first thing tomorrow?"
Peter smiled. "That's really nice. Thank you Jay." Peter was sitting on the couch and switched his position to a laying one and threw a blanket over himself. He switched the lamp next to the couch off and repositioned his position in something more comfortable.
"What are you doing?" Jason asked confused, pointing weakly towards him.
"How about you sleep in the bed tonight and me tomorrow again and just do it like that?"
Jason shook his head. "No way, go to bed dumbass."
"Whatever you do, you won't get me off anyways I'm sticking." Peter closed his eyes and wore a satisfied smile.
Jason chuckled. "You're unbelievable..."
"Jason?" Peter called him before he went into his bathroom.
Jason turned around and looked back at him with a questioning look on his face.
"Why do you never look at the other side of your face?" Peter sat up straight again.
Jason squinted his eyes and looked confused. "What?"
"I'm sorry if it's too personal please tell me. But you never look at the right side of your face in any mirror."
Jason nervously laughed. No one had ever noticed that before.
"Is it your scar? Bad story?" Peter asked. After he said it he immediately put his hand over his mouth. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked that."
"It's okay Peter." Jason walked towards him and sat down next to him on the couch. "I can tell you the story." He regretted that as soon as it came from his mouth.
But then again, Jason didn't think he could ever say no to his pretty eyes.
"There is a reason Bruce acts a little more paranoid about his kids or anyone for that matter fighting Joker."
Peter looked at him curiously. "He caused the J? So it stands for Joker instead of Jason?"
Jason laughed. "It's however you interpreted it Parker. Anyways when I was fifteen and still Robin the Joker tricked me by using my biological mother. He had taken me away from Bruce and, tortured me."
Jason saw Peter look at him in the corner of his eye, he looked sad and disgusted.
"The joker tricked Bruce too, he made him think that I was already dead while I was just being tortured. The joker held me for a year until one day he got a crowbar." Jason's voice became really shaky, really fast. "He beat me up, so bad that I couldn't physically do anything anymore, and to be really honest I'd mentally already given up by then. Bruce never came for me. He locked me in with a bomb and the bomb exploded."
Peter stared at him with unbelief. "Jesus Jay... I'm so sorry.."
Jason inhaled sharply. "I eh.. I actually died that night."
"You what?"
"I died."
"But? You're very much... alive?" Peter looked really confused.
"Yes, about that-"
"You're a ghost huh?" Peter cut him off sounding as if he cracked the code confidently.
Jason laughed and shook his head. "No, do you know what the league of shadows is?"
Peter shook his head.
"Well, they're a ninja, assassin group led by Ra's Al Ghul. Damian's grandfather. He has something called a Lazarus Pit, well more than one but anyways. These bodies of poisonous green looking waters have the power to instantly heal. Because of Talia, Damian's mother and Ra's I bathed in the Lazarus pit. Typically the pit is used for the living or the barely living and not the death, so when I came back I was... crazy to say the least."
"So you became crime lord crazy?"
Jason laughed again. "Yes and I was so angry at Bruce, he never avenged my death. If the Joker had murdered him I wouldn't have hesitated to kill the Joker. And he had a new Robin, I back then didn't know how Tim was but I was just incredibly upset and that mixed with the madness from the pit."
"I'm so sorry Jay, I don't know what else to say."
"Honestly I don't talk about it a lot and it's just nice to have someone listen you know." Jason confessed. He kind of scared himself by how vulnerable he was right now. "My relationship with Bruce still isn't what it used to be. But I'm past being angry about that, I got to learn that it was actually Superman that stopped B from killing. And the new Robin was Tim's fault and not Bruce's. Although when I'm upset I can still talk to him as if it is his fault."
"And after you regret it hm?" Peter added.
"Yes, yes I do regret it afterwards." Jason felt so understood right now.
"And after, something holds you back from confessing that you regret said action?"
"You're honestly so right.." Just as Jason said that Peter propped his head on Jason's shoulder and Jason was sure his heart straight up stopped beating for a moment.
Notes:
The way Jason died in my fic is kind of a mix between the Arkham Knight storyline, under the red hood and the Death in the family storyline. Just overall a big mix of everything XD T.T
Chapter 32: my apologies
Summary:
“Besides.” Miles grinned at him.
“Okay you’re scaring me what?”
“What’s going on between you and Jason?”
Notes:
I have deadlines Sunday, instead of working on my projects I wrote an entire chapter while I should've just done my work ಥ_ಥ.
I like writing more anyways (︶︹︺)
enjoy!
TW: drugs, hard drugs usage.
Chapter Text
Peter opened his eyes. He noticed he wasn’t resting his head on a pillow but on someone’s hard shoulder. He lifted his head and instantly noticed that his neck didn’t really like sleeping this way. But nevertheless he felt very comfortable.
Jason and him fell asleep after their talk the night prior.
Peter yawned loudly and by that accidentally woke Jason up.
“Woah good morning to you.” Jason smiled at Peter.
Jason was stinky, he was still in his Red Hood outfit without the chest armor and the jacket. He was sweaty and smelled like smoke.
Peter was glad he noticed it himself too.
“Okay first things first let me shower, I can’t believe I fell asleep here.” He awkwardly laughed.
“I mean it was my fault, it was pretty late.” Peter smiled back.
“We’ll go to the manor after I’ve showered. I don’t know if you still want to shower but if not or if yes you can just grab whatever clothing you want from my closet.”
Peter grabbed a nice outfit from Jason’s closet, there wasn’t a lot to choose from but Peter thought he must have all his clothes spread over all his safe houses. He decided on a black pair of sweatpants and a Wonder Woman shirt, they were both a little big but that was okay.
Jason threw the helmet towards Peter who with his reflexes caught the helmet. “Safety first.” Jason smirked. “How are the shoes?”
“They’re nice, thank you.”
They took Jason’s motorcycle to Wayne Manor.
Jason parked the motor right in front of the front door. He opened the door and walked in, Peter following behind him.
“Todd, hello.” The first one they saw was Damian, who was walking down the stairs when Jason and Peter came in.
“Hey Dames, doing okay?” Jason asked his little brother.
Damian nodded and continued to walk down the stairs.
Peter followed Jason towards the kitchen and the dining room.
“I’m hungry.” He said and he opened a cupboard full of all kinds of cereal. “You want some too Pete?”
Peter nodded. “Whatever you’re having.”
“Master Jason, what a nice surprise. Go sit boy I’ll prepare you some breakfast.” Alfred came in and basically pushed Jason away from the kitchen.
“Hey Alfred, Peter wanted the same.”
“Very well, sit, the both of you.” Alfred ordered.
In the dining room were just Damian and Tim. Jason looked annoyed at the presence of Tim.
Peter softly hit his arm. “If you’re still annoyed at Tim let it go please.” He whispered aggressively at him.
Jason sighed and seemingly did let it go a little bit.
“Jay?!” Dick Grayson walked into the dining room as well.
“The fuck are you doing here?” Jason looked weirdly at his older brother.
“Master Jason, language please.”
Alfred’s comment made Peter smile in a sort of nostalgic way, Jason made a mental note to ask Peter later about that because he was curious.
“I could ask you the same, I came early early this morning. A case, B had the file but just physically. I’m starting to question if he does that on purpose to get me back to the manor or not.”
“I’m here with Peter.” Jason answered.
Alfred prepared them both some cereal and put it in front of them on the table.
“I actually am here to see Miles.” Peter started when he put his dirty dishes in the sink and turned the faucet on.
From the corner of his eye he saw Alfred look at him weird.
“Alfred doesn’t like it when you do the dishes yourself. But let him stare and do it anyways if you want to.” Dick winked at Peter.
“Miles is still in his room.” Tim said with his mouth full of food.
“Where is that.” Peter was busy with his own dishes.
“Opposite of Steph’s room.”
“Where is Steph’s room?”
Jason quickly gave him the way he should walk. Peter gave Jason the bowl to dry and winked at him. Peter already expected Jason to just accept his faith as the dish dryer, which he did.
Peter headed to the stairs and once he was upstairs he was met with all kinds of family pictures on the wall. He quickly looked at all of them. Some involved a red haired woman he didn’t know or a very neat man with seemingly his son.
Some involved an entire group of people he didn’t recognize, a tall black haired woman next to Bruce, on his other side a tall black haired man.
He got so curious and he wanted to know who each and every one of them was.
But he also noticed that there were little pictures of Jason and maybe under three pictures of adult Jason in an entire wall full of pictures.
Though his school pictures were printed the biggest among all of his siblings. But they stopped after 9th grade.
After he got taken and murdered. A cold chill ran over Peter’s back.
He decided to not look at the pictures and instead follow the directions Jason had just given him.
“Okay 3th door on the.. right?” Peter mumbled to himself.
He knocked on the door and waited. He did that a couple of times until he just decided to go for it and open the door.
When Peter opened the door he expected something else than what he saw.
It was a boys room seemingly stuck in time. Peter switched on the light and took a better look.
The room was huge and it had a huge unmade bed in the middle against the wall.
There was a red electric guitar in one corner and the floor was a little messy.
The rest of the room was very tidy. He saw a collection of action figures propped up nicely together with a few books in the background.
There were a lot of books Peter noticed, and that all in a house with a library.
Peter went closer into the room and saw a picture frame of two boys. He grabbed it to look more closely at it.
It showed a rebellious looking boy with ginger hair and a cap, looking somewhere around the age of fifteen or sixteen. Next to him was another boy Peter recognized as little Jason.
Peter smiled at the picture, in every picture he’s seen of little Jason he was just so happy.
Peter carefully placed the frame back and grabbed the one next to it. It was a picture of a younger Dick, Jason and Bruce looking like a family.
He put it back and slightly looked out of the window.
“It’s Jason’s old room.” A voice behind him said.
Peter, scared turned around to see who it was. His spidey sense didn’t go off which was probably because he was in deep focus and thought, but still weird.
It was Dick standing in the doorway. “Oh, don’t get scared it’s okay..” he walked towards Peter.
“It’s Jason’s old room. Frozen in time.”
“Jason told me what happened to him last night…. It’s…”
“Terrible.” Dick finished his sentence. “After he passed away I was here a lot, slept in his bed, looked out of his window just to… I don’t know grieve.”
Peter looked at him with sympathy and back at the picture frames.
“Alfred still cleans in here every week at least once, he’s been doing that since Jay went missing. His way to grieve I guess. Not cleaning up the scattered clothes on the floor or propping up the books nicely, nope he’s leaving it right as it was.” Dick saw Peter looking at the pictures.
“Nice picture hm?” Dick asked him, Peter nodded in response. “The ginger kid is Roy-“
“The bullet man!” Peter chuckled.
Dick raised his eyebrow in confusion.
“Oh yeah there is a bullet hole in Jason’s mirror back at the apartment, Roy caused it.”
Dick laughed. “That's Jay and Roy for you.. Well let’s go to Miles. It was the fourth door on the right Pete.” Dick escorted him out, switched off the light and closed the door behind himself.
Peter inhaled and exhaled sharply before knocking on the right door.
“Yeah? Come in.” He heard Miles say from behind the door.
Peter opened the door slowly and looked at the room. “This is cool.” Peter pointed at the graffiti on the walls.
“Thanks, why are you here?” Miles asked.
“I wanted to, needed to apologize to you. How I’ve treated you wasn’t okay, I shouldn’t have snapped I’m just, and I know it’s not an excuse but I’ve just been so overwhelmed with everything that I don’t know how to act.” Peter said in almost one breath.
“I mean I was upset though, but I get it Pete.” Miles confessed.
Peter walked closer towards Miles who was sitting on his bed and Peter went over to sit next to him.
“Doesn’t make it okay though.” Peter added.
“No it doesn’t but I forgive you, what would I even do without your stupid ass. You're the closest thing to a brother I can get.” Miles jokingly punched his shoulder.
“Ow!” Peter couldn’t hold in is laugh.
“Besides.” Miles grinned at him.
“Okay you’re scaring me what?”
“What’s going on between you and Jason?”
“What? There is nothing going on.” Peter nervously laughed.
“You’re laughing.”
“That’s because you’re accusing me of having something going on with a pretty attractive guy Miles!” Peter defended himself.
Miles gave him a look and bursted in laughter. “You don’t need to talk around it Petey, I see how he looks at you man.”
“And how is that, man.”
“I don’t know he just looks at you as if you’re the most precious thing ever and he got the mission to protect it with his life. To the rest of us, he just looks at like you’re a piece of trash.” Miles explained.
Peter lost his smile and shifted uncomfortably. “Stop talking like that Miles. We both know that someone like him would never like someone like me.”
Miles raised his eyebrow. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“He’s cis and for all I know very straight!” Peter said a little louder than he meant to.
“If this is about you being trans you need to shut the fuck up because you’re not worthy of love any less.” Miles scolded him.
“I just- just shut up about this I don’t want to hear it again.” Peter sighed. “How are you holding up here?”
Miles shrugged. “It’s okay, can always be worse than sleeping in your own room in a billionaire’s home.”
Peter laughed. “Oh I relate to that.” Miles was sure he was talking about the times he slept over at Tony Starks house.
“I do miss a roommate that can’t stop talking.”
Peter smiled at him. “Only because you’ve had the best roommate ever for the past year.”
Miles gave him a side eye. “Hmm that far I wouldn’t go-“
“Miles!” Peter laughed.
Spidey sense.
Someone stood in the doorway. It was Damian holding something perfectly wrapped in wrapping paper.
“Hey Damian!” Miles smiled at him.
“I will come back later I did not know Parker was here.” Damian wanted to turn around.
“No come here it’s fine.” Miles called him back.
Damian turned back around and went towards the two. “This is for you.” Damian handed Miles the present.
“A present?”
Damian nodded just once.
Miles unwrapped it and laughed when he saw what it was. He removed it from the wrapper so Peter could see what it was.
It was one of those fancy expensive sketchbooks.
“But this is the one you bought?” Miles looked confused.
“Correct. I needed it for you.”
“I can’t take this Damian, do you know how expensive those are?!” Miles tried to give it back.
“It’s rude to return something you got as a gift.”
Miles laughed. “Thanks Damian.”
“We have training later downstairs, if you want to join.” Damian announced while he walked away.
“Real part of the family hm?” Peter teased Miles.
Miles looked a little more serious now. “No.” He shook his head.
“Oh, it was just a joke Miles.” Peter was taken aback by his response.
“I already have a family I would actually love to see again once.” He snapped. Miles stared at the wall. Once he noticed what he was doing he snapped out of it. “Wait, I’m sorry, that sounded like an attack.”
“Miles were trying our hardest.” Peter tried to reassure him.
“I know.” Miles hopped off of the bed and placed his new sketchbook on his new desk.
“Do you have supplies to draw with?” Peter asked him pointing at the book.
Miles shook his head slowly. “I will get them though, once we’ve worked again.”
“Hold up.” Peter walked out of the room. He saw one room with the door open and he just went for that one, to see if anyone was inside he could ask for some markers or something else.
He looked inside of the room and it was the same size and layout as the other two bedrooms he’s seen. The walls were blue and the blinds were shut.
He spotted a basketball basket and some basketball stuff. A big poster hung up of circus acrobats, ‘the flying Graysons.’
On a shelf close to the poster was a plush of an elephant and some picture at a circus.
He noticed Dick lying on top of the blanket scrolling on his phone.
“Dick?” He called out.
Dick looked up from his phone. “Yeah?”
“Do you maybe have art supplies like markers or pencils?” He asked.
Dick hopped out of his bed and looked around before shaking his head. “I don’t think so man, Dami and Tim definitely do. Text them they can bring it, before you get lost again.” He winked.
“Thanks Dick.” Peter smiled at him and waved his goodbye.
Peter: do you have any markers you can bring to Miles?
Tim texted back immediately.
Tim: be right there.
And he indeed was right there. He came armed with a lot of markers, all kinds of sizes and colors. "Here you go Peter." He handed them too him.
Peter immediately gave them to Miles. "Here you go Miles, that problem is solved too now."
Miles shook his head. "No these are Tim's not mine."
Tim shrugged. "You can have them."
"See." Peter smiled widely and pointed at Tim.
"Pete?" Jason showed his head through the opening of the door that has been open the entire time. "I've been here for way too long, I have to go. Are you coming with me?"
Peter nodded. "Yes that's okay." Peter turned back to look at Miles. "I'll see you soon Miles." He waved goodbye.
"Bye Petey."
Peter and Jason walked through the confusinig hallways of the manor towards the front door. "You react funny when Alfred says language." Jason commented.
"Do I now?" Peter laughed.
"Yes, as if it reminds you of something."
"Well you guess correct. It reminds me of an old teammate. Captain America, he was a bit old school."
"Captain America..?" Jason laughed. "What was his suit? The Americain flag?"
Peter laughed and shook his head, he pulled out his phone and opened his photo's app. "I must have a picture of us together on here." Peter scrolled back by a lot. "Here found one." Peter showed him a picture of Peter in a different Spider-Man suit. A suit that looked a bit like Miles' suit and instead of the majority being black the majority was red. He didnt wear his mask and was about fifteen years old if Jason could guess. Next to Peter was a confused looking man. He was tall and blonde he wore a dark blue suit with a white star in the middle of his chest.
"I like that suit." Jason pointed at the suit Peter was wearing in the picture.
"Oh yeah, that's my usual suit. Normally I actually wear the Iron-Spider suit for alien shit and stuff but because it's so fast to put on I put it on the last day I was in my universe." He explained. "I eh... Left in an emotional hurry."
"Emotional hurry?"
"MJ just broke up with me before I left to go on early patrol. But it's honestly fine I don't even think about her anymore, honest."
"Oh.. She was your girlfriend?” Jason asked.
Peter nodded. “Michelle Jones she was my girlfriend since high school. If I look back at it I think we’d honestly been better off as friends.”
“Why?”
“She was, apart from my best friend Ned and later Miles too almost the only one that didn’t treat me differently back then. She liked me and I guess I liked her too.” Peter shrugged.
“You guess?”
“At the end of our relationship she was more a person I was with instead of a person I was in love with if you get what I mean. I wasn’t in love with her anymore if I ever was, I mean sure I wasn’t upset for a little but I’m chilling now.”
Jason nodded. “I understand. So Mr Parker wasn’t a popular kid in high school?”
Peter laughed. “I got called Penis Parker what do you think?”
“I think kids are creative.”
Peter wanted to look at him really seriously but he just couldn’t hold his laugh in.
“So how was Mr Todd in high school?” Peter asked.
“He was like medium level popularity?” Jason looked unsure at Peter.
“Ah okay totally understand it now.”
“Really?”
“No.”
Jason laughed. “I’ll explain. I think people were just friends with me because a celebrity took me in. You know Bruce Wayne’s new kid, surely I want to be friend with him. Kind of way.”
“Hm, I understand. I had that at Stark Industries. But with adults then.”
“Explain me the whole Stark thing Peter.”
Peters face lit up with Joy. “Tony Stark was the most incredible and intelligent man that ever walked the planet. He was Iron-Man. Wait let me.” Peter pulled his phone back out of his pocket and scrolled down his photos again.
He had pulled up a picture of a seemingly fifteen year old Peter again in the same red Spider-Man suit standing next to someone in some sort of a robot suit without a mask. “That’s Tony.” Peter pointed at the man in the robot suit. “My mentor. He was, well you could compare him to Bruce’s persona to be honest. Billionaire, playboy that has just a little too much money on his hands turned hero. I got an internship at Stark Industries in the lab and there I got treated that way with my colleagues. They seriously thought if they fucked it up with me I’d get them fired. Honestly if I’m looking back at it I think I could’ve.” Peter laughed. “Until…”
Jason raised his eyebrow. “Until what?”
“War with a purple alien. Mr Stark sacrificed himself for the world’s safety.”
“He sounds like a good man.” Jason placed his hand on Peter’s shoulder.
“The best.”
“Before you leave Peter!” Peter heard behind him as they just exited the front door. He turned around him and saw Bruce with a big paper bag. “This is for you.” Bruce gave him the bag.
“For me?” Peter asked confused.
“Just a little something.” He smiled.
“Trying to buy him over to stay at the manor old guy?” Jason asked him, a little passive aggressive.
Peter opened the paper bag and immediately started to smiled when he saw what was inside. “How the hell do you know?!” Peter asked him in unbelief. He grabbed the skateboard that was inside of the bag, it was one of those nicer ones, the trunks and wheels were still off of the board which had just the grip tape. The design of the board was non existent, just a white board which was honestly perfect. Peter loved designing his own designs.
“A little birdy told me…” Bruce smirked.
“This is incredible Bruce, how much do I owe you?”
Bruce looked at him weirdly. “It’s a present.”
Now Peter looked at him back weirdly. “Why.”
“Come on Pete just say thanks and we can go.” Jason hurried him.
“Thank you so much Bruce!” He thanked him.
“Of course, no problem son.”
Jason looked at Bruce as if he just said the weirdest thing ever and shut the front door.
“You have tools?” Peter asked the second they stepped inside of Jason’s apartment.
“What kind?”
“T-tool?”
“Check my tool box over there.” Jason pointed at a big box in a corner over flowing with all kinds of tools.
Peter found a wrench that looked usable to put his new skateboard together so he just used that instead of a skateboard tool.
“So you skate?” Jason started a conversation.
Peter nodded not looking up from his board. “Yup.”
“Know any tricks?”
Peter chuckled. “I’ll show you some later. This is so perfect but I still don’t understand why he got it for me.”
“That’s Bruce for you.” Jason shrugged. “He does that sort of things.”
“What are you doing tonight?” Peter asked him.
Jason looked at him confused. “Not much, I mean Red Hood will be very active tonight but Jason Todd will do absolutely nothing.”
“I’m joining you.” Peter decided.
“Peter, Red Hood business. I’m really close to getting these guys trying to transfer drugs and possibly even kryptonite to Metropolis.”
“What’s kryptonite?”
“Green rock, basically one of the only things to beat a super with.”
“Oh yeah, I’ve read about that.”
“Here.” Peter handed Jason a marker, Jason was busy on his phone and looked up confused.
“What?” He took the marker from Peter.
“I draw on my decks, you get the honor to write something on it first.” Peter showed him the blank board.
Jason chuckled. “This is a hard task man.” Jason took the board, grip tape down on his lap and the blank canvas staring back at him.
“Just an autograph is enough.” Peter lessened his stress. “Will that make it worth more?”
Jason laughed. “Yes it will sell good on eBay I think. But the thing is will I sign it now?”
“You will.” Peter decided again.
“Okay yes.” Jason signed his name not too big in the middle of the board.
“Maybe I should let all my friends sign it.” Peter came up with an idea.
Jason nodded. “I think that could be something cool.”
-------------------
“Mr Hood, we’ve been expecting you!” Steve welcomed him, he was the one that had to greet Jason every time he had business with the mob.
“How ready is the shipment?” Jason asked in monotone.
“It’s almost ready sir, I must say we’ve gotten a great deal. Safe to say this will be one of your greatest money grabs of the year.”
“Hmpf, we’ll see about that.” Jason folded his arms over each other.
Steve escorted Jason over to a door with heavily armed guards guarding it. Steve put in a code which Jason looked at very clearly, 0310. Easy enough to remember.
The door opened and there were even more heavily armed guards guarding the crates a full of kryptonite and others full of cocaine. Steve walked towards a table in the middle, the table was messy. All kinds of papers and just useless shit were scattered.
Steve sat down at one of the cheap chairs around it and started to prepare a line with a little bag of cocaine laying on the table.
“It’s the real quality shit too Hood.” Steve said before going down and snorting the line of cocaine he just quickly prepared. “Have a try there’s more.”
“No, and that better not be from the stash.” Jason said pissed.
“Oh no, no. Of course not.” Steve awkwardly laughed.
“When will it be shipped?”
“Tomorrow 0500.”
“Hm.”
“Oracle?” Jason called her up on his comms the second he was out of the warehouse and out of hearing and sight.
“Red Hood.”
“I need someone to get a shipment of Kryptonite and cocaine headed towards Metropolis tomorrow morning five AM. And contact Superman because it’s Kryptonite heading his way I think he should know about that.”
“Good work Hood. I can get someone to intercept the shipment tomorrow.”
“Thanks O.”
“Of course, stay safe tonight.”
“How do they believe you’re a genuine crime lord?” Jason heard a voice behind him. Out of pure automation he quickly turned around a punched the person behind him.
Instead of his fist hitting someone’s head it hit a hand that held him back.
“Woah aggressive much.”
Spider-Man.
“I told you to not follow me!” Jason whispered aggressively.
“Not the point. How do they genuinely work with you when you openly fight with Batman on his side, and you patrol with me almost every night.”
“They think my vigilante actions are a scheme. To keep Batman on my side, thinking I’m good.” Jason explained.
“That’s actually pretty smart.”
"I am actually, pretty smart."
-------------------
“Spoiler, status?” Batman’s voice sounded over the comms
“I see him on nine o’clock. Just two goons, we can get him.” Stephanie answered him.
Stephanie and Damian were in a warehouse, they got a quick lead on scarecrow and had no time to wait for back up.
“What about Joker?” Batman asked.
“He’s nowhere to be seen, it’s just scarecrow and two of his men.” Damian answered.
“Wait to engage Robin.” Bruce said strictly.
“What the fuck are they talking about?” Damian asked Stephanie in a whisper, she was standing closer, close enough to hear them.
Stephanie tried to focus deeply on what scarecrow and the two men were talking about.
“They’re talking about someone’s wife…?” Stephanie whispered back.
“Fucking useless.” Damian muttered.
“No wait…” Stephanie listened further. “The plans are to make this a new warehouse to keep the fear toxin Joker venom mix in.”
“That’s more like it…” Damian grinned.
“So we’re engaging?” Stephanie asked him.
Damian nodded, he put a very small gas mask looking thing on. Stephanie did have to put one on, her partial face mask worked good enough.
“Spoiler you get the goons leave Scarecrow to me.”
“What? I’m older let me get scarecrow!” Stephanie whispered.
“I’m a trained assassin and you’re not.”
“Good point.” Stephanie gave up.
It took Stephanie not a lot of effort to get the goons. Maximum of a few strikes until they laid on the ground not moving anymore.
She looked over to the left where she saw Damian still fighting Scarecrow. She joined the fight and together they managed to overpower him without being stung with one of his fear toxin needles.
“This is not done yet! You foolish kids have no idea what we’ve already started!” Scarecrow tried to scare them off.
“Robin! Spoiler!” A very angry Batman arrived.
He rushed over to the overpowered scarecrow and pushed Damian and Stephanie away.
“Go back to base, we need to talk when I get back.” He ordered angrily.
“Yes Batman.” Spoiler rushed Damian and herself out of the warehouse. “We’re so fucked Robin.” She couldn’t hold in her laugh when they arrived outside.
“He needs to learn that he can trust us.” Damian said angrily.
“Well obviously. We’ve just managed to do something he’s been struggling to do for how many months now?!”
“I think we can celebrate a little bit don’t you think?” Damian said with a mischievous grin.
“I know exactly what you think.” Stephanie turned on a private server with Oracle. “Oracle…? Who else is active tonight?”
“Hey spoiler. That would be Red Hood and Spider-Man.”
“Thanks love you, see you later!”
“Bye Spoiler love you too.” Oracle said with a tiny hint of annoyance.
Stephanie turned to a private server with Spider-Man cause no way she was going to ask Jason. “Spidey!?”
“What?!” Peter sounded worried.
“Oh no, nothing's wrong just do you and Hood want to eat with us right now?”
“I do.” He paused for a bit. “So does Hood. Where?”
“Sending you the address, see you there!”
“Getting food in costume is like the most embarrassing thing ever.” Stephanie complained. They had their fast food as take out and found a nice roof to sit on.
“Back in New York they didn’t even give me discount, what do you mean Bats get ten precent off?!” Peter complained.
“Maybe we’re better crime fighters?” Damian teased.
“One more word and I’m giving Peter permission to web your mouth shut.” Jason said to Damian.
Instead of Damian being affected by his words he just grinned back at Jason, as in a way to say ‘try me bitch.’
That kid seriously gave Peter the creeps sometimes.
“So what are we actually celebrating?” Jason asked as he took his Red Hood helmet off revealing his domino mask he wore under the helmet.
“We caught Scarecrow and now B’s pissed.” Stephanie smiled she pulled down her face covering and took a bite of her burger.
“Good job ten points for that Brown!” Jason high-fived her.
“What did you two do?” Stephanie asked back.
“Boring… I followed Jay when he said not to follow him stayed outside of a warehouse for an hour and now we’re here.” Peter complained.
“That’s so your own fault. We’re busting an illegal shipment of Coke and Kryptonite tomorrow morning. And then we say thank you Red Hood for being partially responsible for said shipment.”
“That’s so much more interesting.” Stephanie whined.
“What you got to fight I got to wait!” Peter whined back.
“Still your own fault. You could’ve just done your own thing.” Jason laughed at him.
Peter sat really close to Jason again, his thighs were fully against Jason's. His arm could barely move and his head just wanted to rest on his shoulder. The roof was big and there was actually no need to be so close together, Damian and Stephanie were meters apart but neither Jason nor Peter moved an inch.
Is this was Miles meant with 'What's going on between you and Jason?'
Chapter 33: Not again
Summary:
Jason turned the radio up. “Any songs you particularly like?”
Harry carefully shook his head. “No sir, radio is a- all yours!”
“I said relax Harry I’m not all that scary as they say I am.” Jason connected his phone with the Bluetooth of the truck. He was surprised Steve fixed a truck modern enough to be able to connect with bluetooth. He pressed play on his usual playlist which got some Peter influence.
Chapter Text
“I’m almost there Oracle.” Jason communicated through the comms. He was in his Red Hood suit on his way to the site of the shipment.
“Batgirl and RR will be there to intercept the shipment.” Oracle announced.
“Great, I will be keeping my comm on. So please don’t chat much.” Jason asked. “Wait what about B? I thought he was going to be there?”
“Justice league business.”
“Well okay, Oracle I will quit talking now I’m approaching the site.”
“Right, good luck Red Hood.”
Jason rode his motorcycle towards the warehouse he was the previous night. He checked his watch 04:36 A.M. The shipment would leave at five.
He parked his motorcycle and went inside, for it being a site where a multi million dollar shipment would leave from in a short while it was quiet. Too quiet. There was no one there.
He walked towards the door and used the code, 0310 he remembered from seeing Steve push it in the night prior.
When the door opened he saw why it was so quiet. Everyone was chilling and having fun there, the entire table in the middle was full of cocaine and weed.
Jason was sure that none of the criminals were even sober.
“What in the fuck is going on here?!” Jason yelled.
The criminal stopped what they were doing and all eyes pointed towards Red Hood.
“Mr Hood sir, we’re just celebrating!” One of the criminals Jason had never seen before stepped forward.
“Celebrating what? You bunch of fucking disappointments! I want this cleaned and everyone ready!” He demanded.
No one moved an inch.
Jason grabbed his gun from his leg holster, he removed the safety, loaded it and shot a bullet towards the roof. “Have I made myself fucking clear?!”
“Yes sir!” A panicked criminal sounded from the back.
Jason muttered a few curse words before going back outside to smoke a cigarette.
He saw the criminals going to work, getting the trucks and loading the shipments onto the trucks. They used forklifts to carry the crates.
Within time they managed to load everything in, which to Jason surprised fitted.
“Sir?” Steve walked towards him.
“Who was responsible for that idiotic celebration?” Jason asked calmly.
“I don’t know sir but I promise you, I will find out, and the second I do they won’t be coming out alive.” Steve reassured him.
Jason slowly nodded in agreement.
“Sir!” One of the criminals came sprinting towards them.
Steve and Red Hood both turned around to face him. Jason folded his arms over each other and put his head sideways, just like Peter always does.
“We’re done loading, two of the boys will start driving to a location where the buyer is waiting for us. We will receive the payment in cash and the buyer will transport it further towards Metropolis.” He explained.
“Give me a moment.” Jason excused himself. He walked over to a place he was sure none of the criminals could hear him.
“O, we will start transport. RR and Batgirl need to follow us we will handle it once the buyer is in the picture. We’re driving to a point and at that point we’re meeting the buyer.” Red Hood whispered into his comm.
“Noted. Red Robin and Batgirl have eyes on the truck now. You’re hearing that guys, engage when Red Hood says so. Follow the truck once it starts driving.” Oracle ordered.
“Got it Oracle.” Tim responded.
Jason walked back towards Steve and the earlier criminal who were still talking.
“I will be in the truck personally.” Jason announced.
“But sir-“ the criminal began.
“Of course Mr Hood.” Steve cut him off and gave the criminal a disapproving look.
Jason sat beside a driver who had sweat formed on his forehead. They were driving carefully towards Gothams exit.
“Relax dude.” Red Hood touched him with his elbow.
The criminal nervously laughed. “Of- of course. Right.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Harry.” He said quickly with both of his hands on the steering wheel. Harry didn’t look any older than eighteen, he could’ve been even younger.
Jason turned the radio up. “Any songs you particularly like?”
Harry carefully shook his head. “No sir, radio is a- all yours!”
“I said relax Harry I’m not all that scary as they say I am.” Jason connected his phone with the Bluetooth of the truck. He was surprised Steve fixed a truck modern enough to be able to connect with bluetooth. He pressed play on his usual playlist which got some Peter influence.
Instead of only what Peter called it ‘dad rock’ it had some alternative indie rock too.
The longer they drove the more relaxed Harry got.
From Gotham to Metropolis it was around a three hour drive and right in the middle after an hour and a half they were supposed to stop.
It was just a few minutes before they finally arrived Harry finally came loose.
“-in New Orleans. They callll the rising sun!” They both sung with the lyrics of the song passionately.
“And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy!”
bang.
BANG.
BANG.
Harry stopped singing and the truck started to go sideways. Jason quickly looked beside him at Harry.
A headshot.
Harry was dead.
Jason quickly took over the steering wheel and was happy they weren’t going so quickly. Even though he got ahold of the wheel he still crashed into a tree. Jason had a few seconds to decide what to do. His newly made criminal friend was murdered, active shooters, cocaine and kryptonite in the back, he had no idea with who he was dealing.
And the song eerily kept playing.
Jason grabbed two of his guns and exited the truck. He stood on an empty street with no cars in sight.
Suddenly he remembered Cassandra and Tim.
“A code very bad guys, we crashed, active shooter nowhere to be seen situation.” Jason communicated through the comms.
“Where are you?” Cassandra immediately asked.
“What do you mean?! I’m next to the truck, we crashed?”
“Impossible, the truck is driving we’re behind it!” Tim added.
“What the fuck?” Jason cursed.
His dumbass siblings tracked the wrong truck. How the fuck was that even possible?
“You get one mother fucking job…” Jason muttered.
BANG
Jason felt an immense pain enter his right calf. Someone shot him from behind. Because of the sudden force his right leg gave in. Jason still turned around and started shooting the way the shot came from.
“Show yourself motherfucker!” Jason yelled.
More gunshots but now from the side he was just facing. One shot in his left hand which made him drop his gun. Not very late after that another shot in his right arm made him drop his other gun.
Another shot that landed right in between the armor of his stomach area finished the job.
Jason fell face planting into the hard road. Jason felt his helmet shatter on the place of impact.
His entire body stiffened when he heard something he still heard in his nightmares.
An inhumanly crazy sound of laughter.
Jason lifted his head as much as he could and he saw someone coming towards him. He wore a long black trench coat and a fedora covering the eyes. But that smile Jason could still see was unmistakably him.
Behind him were four shooters and behind Jason he could hear more shooters.
“Hello little Robin…” the man’s smile curled up even more.
-----------------
Peter woke up in an empty apartment. He shot a look at the clock, six in the morning.
He tiredly walked towards the kitchen to see if he could get something to eat quickly before diving back into bed.
He saw a piece of paper lying on the kitchen counter.
‘On a mission Pete. Don’t know when I’ll be back, soon though. There’s pizza in the fridge, for grabs :)
Jay.’
Peter shrugged, must be some dangerous Red Hood stuff. He opened the fridge and saw a half eaten pepperoni pizza waiting for Peter to heat him up.
Peter connected his phone to the speakers Jason had hung up in his apartment and pressed play on back in black by AC/DC. He was dressed in his underwear, one of Jason’s shirts and his socks using a wooden spoon as his microphone dancing through the apartment as he waited for his pizza to be warmed up.
It didn’t take the pizza long to be warmed in Jason’s half broken fire hazardous microwave. Peter placed the half of a pizza on a nice plate he found in Jason’s kitchen.
It was probably a nice plate from the manor as there was a very fancy W in gold on top.
He searched for way too long on YouTube for a video he could watch, he eventually landed on a multiple hour long video of someone who was going through and debunking the major accomplishments of the Justice League. Some useful information Peter thought.
6:53 A.M.
Peter’s phone rang.
An unknown number, normally Peter would ignore them and only pick up when he was with Ned to see if it was one of those funny scam phone calls. But this time he decided to just pick up.
“Hello? This is Peter speaking?”
“Peter oh god finally, this is Barbara I tried your comms but didn’t work. Please put them in?” She asked and hung up.
Peter rushed towards his suit and immediately put his comms inside of his ears.
“Spider-Man here.”
“Spider-Man. Around half an hour ago Red Hood called for help, active shooter. Batgirl and Red Robin were tricked and they were supposed to be his back up. Since the call for help we haven’t been able to get ahold of him and his tracker has been at the same place for the entire time. RR and Batgirl just went to check and they just found his tracker, nothing else.”
Peter felt his heart sink deeper through the floor.
He nervously laughed. “…What..?”
“Red Hood has been MIA for the past half hour, the last thing we heard was an active shooting.” Oracle repeated herself in summary.
“Send me the details I’m coming.” Peter put on his suit and immediately left.
-----------------
Jason opened his eyes. He felt his entire body ache with a terrible pain. He was tied up with robe to a chair.
His first response was turning his head down to the side, throwing up because of the pain.
He spit the vomit taste out of his mouth and looked around.
He was in a dark room with just one source of light, a pathetic light bulb hanging from the ceiling. The room smelled like blood, weed and now Jason’s vomit.
He felt something tickling his face his helmet wasn’t there anymore but his domino mask was still in place, something was running from his head towards his mouth. Blood.
He must’ve hit Jason on his head, knocked him unconscious and took him with him.
A door clicked open and a money case rolled in front of Jason as if someone just kicked it hard.
“Money for Mr Hood.” His voice sung, the voice he heard in his nightmares. A voice that was always in the back of his head. “What customer would I be if I would not deliver payment hm? My apologies that it’s a bit on the late side but hey what can we do.” The Joker walked inside of the room shrugging.
Jason tried wiggling himself loose, ignoring all of the pain.
“Oh, oh boy don’t do that. They might’ve treated your wounds.” He put his hand next to his mouth and looked side ways back and forth as if to see if someone was listening. “Between me and you, those guys suck!” He whispered and ended in a chuckle.
“Why am I here?!” Jason spit out some blood right after.
“Oh can’t you see?!” The Joker twirled. “I thought we could do a little catch up little bird!”
“Fuck you!”
The Joker hit Jason right on his scar with his flat hand. The sudden force almost made Jason and the chair fall.
“That was not very nice Robin!” Joker scolded him.
Jason spit out more blood.
“So where were I? Ah right… I actually came to finish what I started!” The Joker disappeared out of the door again and returned seconds later with a card full of supplies.
Surgical, doctor supplies. Jason saw forceps, scalpels, clamps, blades and all other kinds of supplies.
“We’re in an excellent building, one of the very old hospitals you know those right? I do have to apologize for coming infections.” He laughed. “That makes me think of a joke! But I won’t share it because it’ll make you infected with laughter instead!” The Joker laughed loudly.
That was so not funny.
He was putting on surgical gloves and a mask.
Jason was almost shaking with fear, still trying to get out of the restraints.
Normally he could’ve slipped out of these easily but the gunshot wounds in his hand and arms prevented that from happening.
“Robin if you move you will die.” Joker looked at him dead serious before cracking back into laughter. “You should’ve seen your face! I was kidding! No but seriously I can and will slit your throat.”
And that was honest, no creepy laughter after.
“See we have a nicely healed scar here, but it’s not done is it?” The Joker stared at Jason with his poisonous eyes.
“It is.”
“TT, Robin.” He tutted and shook his head. “Far from! J…. It was supposed to be Joker!”
Jason shook his head aggressively, making himself very nauseous. He shook and turned so much that he fell to the right with his chair on the floor.
“You know what? This might be ever better to make you very pretty.” The Joker kneeled down and pushed the chair from its side to on its back. He grabbed Jason’s face steadily and beside the huge J he carefully carved a much smaller O.
Jason screamed, he screamed and he felt like he was screaming all of his inside out of him. He was sure everyone could hear him, until he got an idea.
What if Peter’s hearing worked the same as a Supers hearing.
“SPIDER-MA-“ Jason got cut off by the Joker stuffing something what tasted like fabric in his mouth.
“Stop screaming, you’re keeping me from focus silly.”
The only noise Jason could make was muffled screams.
Tears ran down over his face which made the Joker only more pissed.
“Your tears are ruining my perfect blood drips!” He slapped Jason again but now on his other cheek. “I will just do the O today. You better be on your best behavior or I’ll bring out your friend.” The joker removed his mask and his gloves to reveal a huge smile on his face.
Jason felt sick, he felt dirty and he was scared.
His head was lying on the cold dirty floor and if he looked at one side he saw a puddle of vomit but if he looked over to his other side he saw a puddle of blood.
The fabric in his mouth was stuffed good in there, he physically just couldn’t spit it out.
Jason closed his eyes in the hope this was all just one big messed up nightmare.
Notes:
sorry ಥ_ಥ
Chapter 34: Deja vu
Summary:
Jason felt tears streaming over his face as he almost choked on blood in his mouth.
No one came for him, he was all alone locked up with no way out. Just like he was when he was fifteen years old.
Chapter Text
A ray of sunlight touched Jason’s face. Out of automation he wanted to touch his face, rub his eyes and stretch his arms. Instead when he tried to raise his arms they didn’t move and an almost unbearable pain raged through Jason’s body.
He opened his eyes and remembered where he was. The pile of blood and the pile of vomit both dried now.
His cheek felt like it was on fire and his head felt dizzy. He must’ve lost a lot of blood yesterday.
If he wasn’t injured he could’ve just broken the chair or got out of the restraints immediately but he just couldn’t push through the pain this time.
Bruce wasn’t coming, he wasn’t coming again.
Jason felt tears streaming over his face as he almost choked on blood in his mouth.
No one came for him, he was all alone locked up with no way out. Just like he was when he was fifteen years old.
The door swung open. “Rise and shine little bird!” The Joker had pushed the door open with his butt. Carrying camera supplies with him. He propped the tripod down and attacked a camera to it. “What’s the fun if daddy can’t watch and blame himself again!” The Joker laughed.
He went over to Jason and put the chair back on four legs. “I must say Jason, you’ve gotten a little bigger. Changed your diet?” He smiled, exposing his awfully yellow teeth and releasing his stinky breath onto Jason’s face.
Jason looked down at his lap while the Joker propped the camera in front of Jason and got his attention by squeezing a squeaky duck from behind of the camera. As if he was a kindergarten school photographer.
“3… 2…. 1…. Oh oops!” Joker ran towards Jason and removed the gag from his mouth. “Can’t record with that obviously! Silly bird.” He ran back and pushed start on the camera.
Jason’s eyes shot up towards the lens, he saw the red light blinking in a steady pattern.
“Batsy… Batsy… the big bird left the nest and now the little birds get eaten. AGAIN!” Joker laughed and appeared in front of the camera. “Your little Jason here thought to be slick, betraying his very own men for you.” Joker pouted. “I must certainly hoped you learned the boy a little loyalty.”
“Batman I’m sorry.” Jason muttered silently.
“Speak up boy.” Joker took a step away from the center of the lens, revealing Jason.
Jason refused to do so. He felt Joker slap him again. His cheek stung horribly.
“I’m sorry Batman.” Jason spoke up. Still looking down at his lap.
“You certainly didn’t teach the boy any manners! You look at someone when you talk to them!” The joker went behind Jason and grabbed his jaw with both of his hands, forcing Jason to look up at the camera. “Now please Jason.”
“I’m sorry Batman.” He repeated himself for the third time.
“And why is that so?”
“For getting caught.”
The Joker frowned. “But we had so much fun yesterday. See Batsy under all this dried blood on his cheek I added a letter! Exciting isn’t it.” The Joker laughed.
The Joker dropped Jason’s face again. “If you don’t personally show up tonight I will harm his beautiful face more and make it even more pretty. So I totally understand it if you abandon your son again, just like the last time.”
The last sentence stung Jason’s heart. Deep down Jason knew Bruce never abandoned him, he was convinced Jason was already dead. But it still hurts.
The joker grabbed the camera from the tripod and stuffed it almost inside of Jason’s face.
“So give Batsy more motivation boy!” The Joker laughed.
“Don’t… Don’t come…” Jason said weakly.
“You fool!” He lowered the camera. “You’re supposed to say something else, I know you had PR training use acting skills!” He put the camera back.
“…Please…” was the only thing Jason could still get out of his mouth.
----------------
“We fucking got something?” Tim said in a questioning manner.
“What?!” Peter rushed over to him. Tim was sitting behind the BatComputer in full gear. The rest of the family was all present in the cave as well, except for Bruce who was in outer space with the Justice League and Barbara who was still at the clocktower.
Peter saw Tim opening a video file someone just sent Batman.
Peter gasped when he got a glimpse of a heavily beaten Jason, over half of his face was covered in blood and he was bruised. He looked tied up and held his head low.
The video was painful to watch but he still couldn’t look away. He needed to look for clues on where he was.
“Fuck…” Dick cursed. “He’s finishing what he started…”
“We need to get him right now.” Peter activated his mask.
“We have no idea where he is Pete!” Duke said.
“And we need to tell Bruce.” Cassandra added.
“I already tried father but to no avail.” Damian told them.
Dick put his hands in his hair. “Fuck.” He let out in a huge sigh.
“What do you mean started what he finished I’m so confused with everything.” Miles began.
“We’ll explain later, we just need to find him now.” Stephanie answered.
“Joker removed all his trackers since the beginning. His weapons also have trackers, they’re nowhere to be found. I can’t track him…” Oracle sounded over the computer.
“We have background see, that wall and that cart. Any ideas on where he is?” Peter pointed at the video.
Tim inspected the video a little better. “Not a lot of light… Surely one light bulb source and a little sunlight. Concrete walls, dirty and a metal trolley… With surgical instruments..?”
“We need to get him fast. We all know what happened the last time he was in this situation..” Dick muttered.
----------------
“Food is served Bat brat.” The Joker was dressed in an outfit the ladies who worked at a diner would wear. He was pushing the same cart he used before to hold the doctor’s supplies.
Jason looked up and tried keeping his eyes open.
“We don’t have much but it’s all you deserve… More even! A nice spoiled tomato soup with… Well I don’t really know what’s in there you know, I’m not really part of the cooking men.”
Jason spat towards the Joker. “I don’t want your goddamn soup.”
The Joker tutted in disapproval. “I think I need to get your little friend don’t I?”
Jason looked away, he had no idea what the Joker meant with that.
He left but quickly came back again. He was holding something behind his back and was being very secretive about it.
“This my boy.” His smile revealed too many teeth for it to be any sort of normal. “Is going to hurt you a lot more than it does me.” He cackled an uneasy laugh and revealed what was behind his back.
He hit Jason’s side hard with the crowbar.
And again.
And again.
And again.
The Joker had hit so hard that the wooden chair Jason sat on broke.
Jason coughed. “Please… Please stop!” He muttered.
“What?” Joker bowed down and held his hand behind his ear, signaling he couldn't hear Jason.
“Please…”
“Okidoki!” The Joker grinned widely and started to swing his crowbar higher.
With every hit Jason started to see less, hear less until he didn’t feel anything anymore.
“Oh come on! It’s no fun if you don’t scream Jason!” The Joker pouted and kicked Jason. His restraints were loose and the Joker was sure that if he wasn’t horribly injured right now he could just escape easily.
“Sir I got some news on-“ one of the Joker goons walked inside of the room. He froze for a second when he saw Red Hood without his helmets, in restraints lying beat up and unresponsive on the dirty concrete floor. “That’s Red Hood.”
“Well obviously, what’s red, on the floor and can be a little sassy at times? Him!” Joker pointed at him as if he was a little child pointing at a lollipop.
“Is he dead?”
The Joker shrugged. “I hope not, but you know Batsy can’t do me shit.”
The goon nervously laughed. “Okay sir. Well the news is that the new Joker venom bombs are ready to be used.”
The joker jumped up and down, twirling around. “Wonderful…”
----------------
“Your emergency button got pressed.” Hal Jordan yelled at Batman. Almost the entire Justice League was called for an emergency meeting at the watchtower.
They had a small break in between all the boring meeting stuff.
Hal was behind a computer and pointed at the emergency.
“What?” Bruce walked over to Hal.
“Everything okay?” Clark touched Bruce’s shoulder when he stood in front of the computer.
Bruce shrugged. “I don’t know.” He signed for Hal to leave the chair and so he did. Bruce sat in the chair himself and opened the emergency.
It wasn’t a message just a video call coming from the cave.
“If this is again about who can pick a movie for movie night I’m breaking the no kill rule.” Bruce smirked at Clark who was in his full Superman outfit.
Bruce accepted the call and was met with a more tired looking than usual Tim. His eyes bags almost reached the floor and his eyes themselves looked as if they haven’t seen his eyelids in days.
Clark waved into the camera. “Hi Tim.”
Tim immediately responded. “Thank fucking God.” He freaked.
“Tim what’s wrong?”
“It’s Jason.” Tim almost choked on his words.
“Tim. What’s wrong.” Bruce repeated himself.
“The mission went wrong, the Joker caught him. We have no idea where he is now.” Tim freaked out even more.
Bruce tried his hardest to stay calm. He wanted to stand up leave immediately and go look for his son, his son who got taken by the same lunatic and died.
His beautiful son he couldn’t lose a second time.
Instead Bruce stayed silent until Clark touched his shoulder again. “Bruce…?”
Bruce looked his way. “I will have to excuse myself from this meeting.” He stood up, hung up the video call and headed for his way out.
----------------
Jason opened his eyes. He felt like he was dead already. He was sure he had at least broken a rib. Even strong armor won’t be crowbar proof. He would have to fix that.
He had some more room to move since the chair broke and his restraints weren’t tight.
The hospital was silent, maybe even too silent. There was a little gap in the wall that let in a little sunshine he hadn’t really acknowledged before, golden hour.
He’s been missing for a day, one day and the Joker had already done this much damaged, as if it’s his life mission to make Jason hurt as much as possible.
He closed his eyes and started to focus on his own heartbeat and breathing pattern. To calm himself down a little bit.
It in fact didn’t calm him down even a little bit. Breathing too deeply hurt him almost more than all of the wounds and bruises he had gotten.
----------------
Peter was swinging around in the Southside. Everywhere he turned it seemingly got a little more depressing but in a very different way than it did in the Bowery.
There were people in the Bowery but here in the Southside it seemed empty, abandoned.
Peter decided to check all big buildings that could have concrete insides, which were most to all. He was checking for Jason’s heartbeat.
He had been unsuccessful until he stumbled upon a more abandoned side of the district. A very faint, very quiet off beat but definitely Jason’s heartbeat.
He stopped to listen more clearly.
“I think I have something…” Peter said through the comms.
“You do?!” Oracle’s voice sounded full of hope.
“I’m coming right over.” Batman.
Since when was Batman back?
“Batman since when are you back?” Dick asked.
Thank you Dick Grayson.
“Since Red Robin contacted me. Spider-Man stay put you will not approach this situation alone.”
Normally Peter would simply just not listen when he was told this. Instead something in him told him to just listen to Bruce and stay put.
It didn’t take a long time until he heart the loud sounds of a big futuristic black car.
The BatMobile.
“Lead the way Spider-Man I’m right behind you.” Bruce ordered him.
Peter inhaled and focused on which way the faint sound came from. The right side towards the hospital looking building.
The closer they came to approaching the hospital the more confused and overwhelmed Peter became. There were so many heartbeats present at the abandoned building that he lost Jason’s heartbeat. At least he certainly hoped he just lost it.
“I lost his heartbeat. The chance is high he’s in there, so are about way too many goons.” Peter told him, his voice turned monotone and quiet because of his stress.
The BatMobile came to a stop and Batman came out, heading towards the main entrance. Peter followed him quickly.
Batman kicked the door in and it startled tons of goons who were directly inside.
Batman went in and with some kind of super speed he went through them. Kicking, hitting, punching.
Peter looked for the quickest way to get further into the building. There were two massive sets of stairs that led up to the first floor. He focused on sounds but there was no one on the first floor.
Jason was either on the ground floor or, the basement.
In a split second Peter decided that the basement was his best shot now. He looked around and he saw a door with a sign next to it, on the sign it portrayed a set of stairs and an arrow pointing down.
That must be it.
He used his sticky ability to crawl over the ceiling, to avoid being spotted by any of the goons.
He arrived at the door, he let himself drop down onto the floor. Because the goons were all strictly focused on Bruce Peter could sneak in without anyone batting an eye.
The stairs were dark and there was no light switch.
“Karen, active night vision.” Peter whispered.
“Night vision activated.”
Everything turned green but everything was visible now.
Everything was made out of concrete, the stairs, the walls, the ceiling.
Peter followed the stairs down and once he reached the end he was in a smaller room with doors. He closed his eyes and listened if he could hear something.
He could hear people talk behind one of the doors. He opened the door and was met immediately by three men all armed with guns.
Peter quickly webbed the guns out of the hands of two of them. He only had two hands after all. He quickly did the third one last. He punched one of the men that came charging at him, he punched him with a lot of force and he was knocked out and on the ground immediately.
The other two goons looked at each other in terror, Peter took that moment to web both of the men’s heads and pulled the webs aside so the men’s heads would bump into each other. They both fell on the ground unresponsive.
Peter quickly stepped over them and it revealed to be a big hallway with a few flickering lights to light it all up.
There were around six metal doors in the hallway and Peter pulled all of the doors open.
He started with the first one on the left, the door wasn’t locked and it revealed to just be a few cardboard boxes. He went to the door on the opposite side which was also unlocked. Peter looked at it weirdly. It seemed to be some kind of walk in closet? It wasn’t tidy at all and there were clothes scattered all around, more like different Halloween costumes. Peter shook his head and went to open the door next to it. That room was completely empty. The room opposite of it was another story.
The room was locked.
Peter put his ear to the door and listened. He heard a faint breathing sound. He didn’t hesitate a second and ripped the metal door right out of the wall.
His heart sank when he saw the room. The dirty concrete walls, the tiny peak of sunlight and that one light bulb.
On the ground lay Jason, he looked as if he just took a bath in a bath full of blood.
He was bruised, bloody and barely alive.
Peter kneeled down to remove his restraints.
Jason had his eyes half open and looked at Peter.
“You…. You came…” he raised his arm and touched Peter’s cheek.
Peter saw Jason’s hand, it was bandaged but the bandage was soaked in blood. Peter choked back tears.
“Of course I came you asshole.” Peter laughed in relief. “I’m going to pick you up now okay?”
Peter grabbed Jason and carried him out of the room towards the exit again.
When he came up he prepared to see a full battle instead he saw all of the goons heavily injured or unconscious on the floor and no Batman.
“I have him.” Peter said through the comms.
“Take the BatMobile I need to deal with Joker.” Batman’s voice broke halfway.
Peter sprinted outside towards the car. He carefully put Jason in the passenger's seat, who winced out of pain. “Sorry Jay.”
He hurried to the drivers seat.
“Okay I have no idea how to drive.” Peter muttered to himself.
“Master Peter, the BatMobile has an autopilot function. I will turn it on and it’ll bring you straight to the cave.” Alfred’s voice sounded through the car.
“Thank you Alfred but Jason’s way too injured, he will die if we don’t go to the hospital.”
“I will push in another address.”
The car drove out of itself which was terrifying.
The car stopped at some kind of hidden medical clinic.
An older woman stood outside signing them to come in. Peter hurried out of the car to get Jason who winced again when Peter carefully got him out.
“Hurry up boy.” She opened the door and Peter hurried inside. Inside he had to go up a flight of stairs and laid Jason on top of an exam table.
The older woman hooked Jason to all sorts of machines.
Peter finally got his heart to rest a little bit when the machine showed Jason’s slow but steady heartbeat.
“You can unmask young hero, I’m an ally. One of Batman’s oldest friends.” She smiled at Peter.
Peter’s mask retracted. Revealing his tears mixed with sweaty face. “Will he be okay?” He muttered.
“He’s lost too much blood, we need to do a blood transfusion.” The woman said seriously, not answering his question. She pulled out a file and started to open it. After she did she went to another room and quickly came back with a sack of blood which she hung up.
She prepared a needle and carefully removed Jason’s clothes around his arm. She cleaned the skin where she was going to put the needle in and injected him. Peter saw the blood immediately flow into Jason’s body.
“Do you have medical experience?”
“A little.”
“Help me remove his bandages and see the damage clearly.”
Peter stood on the other side of Jason and removed the bandages from his hand.
The woman gave Jason some medicine. Peter looked up at her. “So he won’t feel all the pain, sedatives.” She explained.
“Someone treated his wounds but they seriously suck.” Peter choked on his words.
The woman nodded.
“I’m Peter.”
The woman looked up from what she was doing. “I’m doctor Leslie Thompkins.”
Peter nodded. Doctor Thompkins gave him a bucket of water and something to use to wipe Jason’s body of the blood.
Peter started with Jason’s face. It was beat so heavily that Peter was afraid he might make it even worse.
Peter was full on crying when he saw what that monster did to his face. The carved ‘o’ was deeper than Peter had thought it was.
Jason was cleaned up, changed into a hospital gown and being prepped for a surgery. Jason had broken multiple ribs, the surgery would just take a couple of hours and Peter had to assist her.
After a bit over three hours doctor Thompkins succeeded in successfully operating Jason. Peter didn’t know her at all but he already looked at her with so much admiration. It’s definitely not an easy task.
Peter sat down on a chair outside of the room Jason was in. He put his hands in his hair and just burst in tears. He was so happy Jason pushed through the surgery but Peter was so exhausted.
At that moment Nightwing burst in the clinic, the first thing Dick saw was Peter crying and Dick put a hand before his own mouth.
He shook his head and Peter saw tears coming from his eyes. “No…” he said softly.
“He made it.” Peter quickly reassured Dick.
Dick removed his mask, which looked like it hurt but he didn’t seem to care. He pinched his eye bridge and laughed a nervous laugh. “Fuck… you scared me for a second Peter. Are you okay?”
“Just really shaken but fine. How are you?”
Dick looked through the little window at an unconscious Jason. “I’m alright now.”
Batman came up the stairs now removing his cowl looking beaten, bloody and worried, Peter noticed his leg was hurt as he didn't walk so great anymore. He didn’t really acknowledge Dick and Peter and immediately headed to the door, to Jason. Peter stepped up and followed him inside.
Bruce sat down on a chair next to Jason’s bed. He carefully brushed through Jason’s hair. “Oh my boy…. My beautiful boy.” He cried.
Notes:
sorry I forgot the TW, crowbar (ಥ﹏ಥ)
Chapter 35: in the cave
Summary:
Miles came over and looked at the computer screen. It was a design for a spider suit.
His spider suit.
Miles smiled widely. “It’s cool, it’s almost a one on one replica.”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“How long has he been there?” Dick asked in a whisper to Doctor Thompkins.
He was looking through the window at the room Jason has been laying in for the past two days. He hasn’t woken up yet.
“The full two days, he barely shut an eye.” Doctor Thompkins responded.
Dick frowned.
“He cares deeply about him, Jason deserved someone like him.”
Dick nodded in agreement. “He really did. I’m going to talk to him about getting a little sleep.” Dick winked and went towards the door.
“Peter?” He softly called out to him.
Peter looked rough, huge eye bags and a sad look in his eyes. “Yeah..?”
“You need to get some sleep man. It’s not healthy staying up.”
“I’m getting sleep right here.”
“You know what I mean Pete. But you also need some real food instead of things like protein bars and man you need a shower too.”
Peter still sat in his Spider-man suit. He has refused to leave Jason’s side for even a minute.
“If I leave he wakes up while I’m not there.” Peter didn’t move his eyes from Jason.
“We’ll transfer him to the cave tonight. Doctor Thompkins can’t use her clinic while he’s still here.” Dick explained.
“How.”
“He won’t die Peter I promise. He’s steady.”
Peter scoffed.
---------------
“Come take a look here Miles.” Tim waved him over. He was sitting in front of the BatComputer working on something. “Look how do you like this?” He asked with a big grin.
Miles came over and looked at the computer screen. It was a design for a spider suit.
His spider suit.
Miles smiled widely. “It’s cool, it’s almost a one on one replica.”
“I did make another version where I added some things.” Tim switched taps and Miles saw his suit but Tim added a utility belt with a new and cool spider/bat logo. His wrists had better improvements and looked a bit like Peter’s iron spider wrists.
“Is your webbing organic, no right?” Tim asked to be sure.
“Nope we make it ourselves. That’s kind of how we met you, we were at the university to use the lab to make web fluid.” Miles explained.
Tim chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about breaking into a university anymore because we have a lab in the cave.”
“So which one you think?” Tim asked.
“Honestly… The second one is a whole lot cooler.”
“I’ll send the second one to Lucius.”
“Who’s Lucius?”
“Lucius Fox is the manager of Wayne Enterprises. He supplies equipment. You might’ve heard of his son Luke before, he’s Batwing. Not as active as he used to be but he’s cool.” Tim explained.
“I thought I’ve met all of the Batfamily already?”
Tim laughed. “Nope we’re with a lot, especially for having a head of the family that keeps swearing he works alone. You have Kate, Batwoman she’s Bruce’s cousin. You have Harper, bluebird but she’s kind of retired now. Jean-Paul or Azrael. Helena is huntress and I think that must be- oh! Have you met Selina? She’s Bruce’s girlfriend and she’s also Catwoman.”
“Okay that was so much information.” Miles laughed.
“Sorry.”
“No are you kidding it’s cool. And these are just all protectors of Gotham?”
“Sorta. I mean we all kind of have our side hustles. Like I have my friends we do stuff together. Jason has his little team, Dick does too. Kind of goes its own way, and Dicks city is Blüdhaven of course.”
“Oh yeah I do know that.”
“Anyways.” Tim typed away on the BatComputer. “I sent it over to Lucius I will update you when I get an update.”
“I appreciate this a lot Tim I swear.” Miles thanked him.
“It’s fine Miles, it’s the least we can do to thank you keeping Gotham safe.”
---------------
Jason got transferred to the cave under constant supervision of Bruce and Alfred. Peter was sitting on a chair next to Jason, he was supposed to just rest his elbow on the bed to support his face with but instead he fell asleep. Still sitting in the chair but his arms and head were comfortably on Jason’s bed.
Alfred got a blanket from one of the closets and draped it over Peter to keep him warm.
“I knew they were close but I didn’t know they were this close.” Tim said quietly in a chuckle.
“Heard that Tim, and me too. I didn’t know either.” Bruce answered standing with his arms folded over each other.
“Are you doing okay?” Tim asked him.
Bruce looked at his son and slowly nodded. “Now I am.”
“You know it’s not your fault and neither is it Jason’s fault.” Tim tried to reassure him.
Before Jason opened his eyes he was already met by the almost unbearable pain. Before expected to see moldy concrete when he opened his eyes, he expected just another swing of a crowbar when he opened his eyes. Instead he felt comfortable despite the pain, he was in a bed and he felt a slight pressure on his stomach, as if something was on top of it.
He opened his eyes and saw that he was in the cave.
They really did rescue him.
He was almost fully bandaged and felt everything. Once Alfred was coming back he was sure to ask for something way stronger at a double dose.
He looked down at his stomach and found the cause of the pressure.
Peter was sleeping, well the first part of Peter was sleeping on top of him. His other half was in a chair and it looked a little uncomfortable.
Jason immediately grinned from ear to ear. He did his best to slightly raise his hand and succeeded to softly land it on Peter’s head. His fingers combed through his weary and greasy hair, but Jason didn’t care about all that. He was just glad he wasn’t alone and still alive.
After about a quarter of just looking at Peter and combing with his fingers through his hair he heard footsteps coming towards him.
They weren’t Bruce’s or Alfred’s. He surely memorized those footsteps as a kid. When the steps came closer it was revealed to be Damian.
He was holding a book in one hand and a bag of chips in the other. He looked pretty shocked when he saw Jason looking back at him.
“…You know what Alfie says about eating in the cave…” after Jason softly said that his entire throat felt like it was on fire.
“Todd you’re awake.” Damian said in a serious voice but Jason could hear the excitement he was trying to suppress in his voice.
“Well good job Sherlock.” Jason’s voice sounded painful.
“There is water on the nightstand for you.” Damian pointed.
“Can’t… reach..” Jason tried pointing at Peter.
“That’s just Parker, he hasn't left your side.”
Jason gave him a look.
“TT.” Damian rolled his eyes and brought the glass of water, which coincidentally already had a straw in it.
Damian put the book at the chips on the table and carefully brought the water in mouths reach for Jason.
Jason took a few big sips before Damian placed the water back in the nightstand.
“Pride and prejudice hm? So you do listen to me when I tell you what I like…” Jason gave him a teasing smirk.
“It’s all you talk about when we’re in the library Todd. And I thought I could pretend to have read it to you when you start about it, but I could also read it while reading it to you.” Damian explained as he grabbed his stuff back.
“..what are you doing?”
“..leaving..?”
“Please read it to me Dami.” Jason asked in all seriousness.
Damian looked at him confused before he grabbed a chair and pulled it closer.
He sat down comfortably before he opened the old book. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
And that was the first sentence of Jason’s favorite book.
---------------
“Ah.” Peter groaned and stretched his arms. Sleeping on top of an unconscious Jason wasn’t the best place to fall asleep after all.
“So how’d you sleep?” Someone in a thick Gotham accent asked him.
“Not the best to be honest-“ Peter opened his eyes to see who asked him the question. “You’re awake!” Peter jumped up and hugged him out of excitement.
“Ow… ow yes indeed Pete, happy to see you too.” Jason groaned.
“Oh sorry!” Peter quickly backed off of Jason to give him more space.
“Nope, you’re good.” Jason repositioned himself slightly.
“How do you feel?” Peter quickly asked.
“I’m fine, if you ignore the fact I relived my biggest nightmare. I’m good.”
Peter stayed silent and just looked at Jason.
“Sorry didn’t mean to dump that all in one go.” He apologized and coughed.
Peter saw his face in pain when he did.
“No I’m sorry. It’s okay you can talk to me.”
“We’ll talk some other time it’s good.” Jason said and pointed his eyes towards the place next to Peter.
Peter looked around and saw a slightly irritated Damian sitting in the chair next to him.
“I was reading a book to him.” He stated.
“Oh.. I’m sorry Damian. You can continue if you want to.” Peter apologized.
“Get yourself some food.” Jason whispered to him.
Peter gave him a look and didn’t actually want to get food, his stomach on the other hand would love some actual food.
Jason carefully grabbed Peter wrist. “It’s okay.” He mouthed.
Peter hesitated but he eventually stood up and walked towards the exit of the cave.
From now on, since Jason was awake. He wasn’t his first priority anymore, finding the man who did this to Jason was.
“Peter finally decided to come up?” Duke asked him with a big smile on his face.
Peter nodded. “Now Jay’s awake and Damian’s with him, and I’m very hungry-“
“He’s awake?” Bruce cut him off.
“Yes. Damian’s with him.”
Without saying something in return Bruce hurried to go to the cave.
“No we were not aware of the fact that master Jason had awakened.” Alfred said in his usual posh voice. “I will make sure I prepare the young masters favorite food. Although it’s a disgrace to my normal fine cuisine.”
“Alfred?”
Alfred turned to Peter. “Yes master Peter?”
“Could I maybe get.. it’s okay if not, totally fine even. Some food?” Peter shyly asked.
Alfred smiled at him. “Oh well of course. Especially with your metabolism it surprised me you didn’t appear in a bed next to master Jason with living on protein bars only.” He joked.
Peter nervously laughed.
“What’s your favorite food?”
“Well my aunt May’s wheat cake or pizza.”
“Well you’ll just have to teach me how to make your aunts cake. But pizza can be prepared right now.”
“Alfred there are frozen pizza’s in the freezer and we have enough money to call delivery. Please don’t make it all yourself from scratch again.” Tim laughed.
Alfred gave him an angry look.
“No I swear Peter. If you ask for pizza be specific. He hates not cooking himself because it’ll be an insult to his skills. But he will be preparing it from scratch which lasts hours. I mean it’s way better than any pizza ever but you’re hungry get a frozen pizza.” Duke added
---------------
Bruce first watched his two sons from a distance. He knew their body language very well. Jason was in a lot of pain but he didn’t want to show Damian.
But Damian knew very well, instead of saying something about it he continued reading the book.
Bruce recognized the book as one from Jason’s old room, his first copy of Pride and prejudice he got at his first Christmas at the manor. Bruce could still see his little happy face before his eyes. In that first year Bruce did the entire Santa thing. Jason was already old enough to know that Santa wasn’t real but he played along. And that moment was the first moment Jason knew it was okay to still be a kid.
Now his little boy, who wasn’t all that little anymore was lying heavily injured in his cave.
Bruce wiped away the tears that slid over his cheeks before going towards them.
Bruce’s heart ached a bit when he saw Jason’s expression change when he saw Bruce.
“Should I leave father?” Damian immediately got up, ready to leave.
Bruce shook his head and signed Damian to sit back down.
“You feel okay?” He asked him.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll have Alfred prepare chilli dogs.”
Jason gave a short smile in return.
“I’ll… I’ll go back up.” Bruce awkwardly mumbled.
“Bruce, did you get him?” Jason asked.
“Get who?”
“Joker.”
After Peter took him to doctor Thompkins, Bruce spent at least two full days looking for the Joker with barely any breaks. But he’s going to have to disappoint his son. He didn’t find the Joker anywhere. He knew he was at the warehouse that day they found Jason, but he didn’t catch him.
“I’m sorry-“
“I knew it, it’s fine.” Jason said.
“What?”
“I know that you wouldn’t actually deal with him. Although I don’t know how you couldn’t see what he did to me, what he did to Barbara. That man shouldn’t have been able to get me for a second time.”
Bruce held his head low. “You’re right.”
---------------
It’s been a few days since Jason came to the cave. He was doing a lot better, he had less pain, the bullet wounds were healing pretty neatly.
“You know.” Miles begun towards Duke and Stephanie. “It’s actually been so nice to have Peter back at the same place I live at. Like don’t get me wrong I love you guys and I love it here but I’ve been missing some familiarity.”
“Aw! You hear that Duke he loves us!” Stephanie said in a joking manner.
“We love you too man. But I get it. With coming from a different universe and all. He’s the only thing you have from that universe. If I were you I’d keep that close.”
“Miles!” Tim barged in holding a package. “I got something for you!”
“What is it?” Miles replied confused.
“Your suit!”
Miles got up. “Give me that!”
Tim threw it towards him and Miles caught it with a perfect catch.
He tore the box open and it revealed a spider-man mask lying on top.
He carefully grabbed it from the box and inspected it. The material was different from his previous suit, it felt more like the Bats their suits.
Under the mask Miles saw a utility belt. He smiled as he grabbed it from the box. The middle of the belt had the cool spider logo Tim designed. It had pockets, even special pockets to store web fluid in. Miles had no idea how Tim knew but he didn’t care.
“This is actually perfect.” Miles couldn’t stop smiling.
“So you better join patrol tonight.” Stephanie said.
“Oh you bet!”
Notes:
♡( ◡‿◡ )
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