Encountering A Similar Past
As the two ran and swung along Gothem’s alleyways and looming buildings Peter took notice of Jayson’s constant fidgeting, his need to be behind Peter at all times while staring into the dark abyss behind them. It made Peter feel… unnerved to say the least. Clearly something had spooked the boy but Peter couldn’t tell what, or see what to be exact. Peter had also felt the slight tingle of eyes but had simply decided that moving away and not drawing attention to it was the best option. Peter decided that perhaps stopping and waiting for Jayson to calm down on a nearby roof would be the best option. So Peter slowed down and landed on a large corporate building. The building was this fancy, almost modern looking infrastructure that still managed to keep the old gothic vibe the city had going on.
The buildings around them were much nicer, less cracks, less litter. It was almost like a whole other city but the dark bricks and chilly vibes made sure to remind Peter that it was in fact the same desolate and decrepit city from before. Jayson eventually landed on the roof, looking around at the buildings that surrounded them. Peter crouched down and began stretching, it had been a long time since he last felt this… free. A slight yawn fell from Peters lips and then he was staring at the ground. A slight confused yelp left the boy was the ground suddenly began disappearing at rapid speeds. It took a second for Peter to realise that Jayson had simply picked him up and began carrying him to the abandoned building where there resided. Reaching the building, Jayson let go of Peter, allowing Peter to clamber inside through the window. Upon entering Peter began to remove his suite and put on his civilian clothes. They’d have to find new ones soon… and a way to wash them. Jayson, now also in civilian clothes, peered at Peter and waited patiently for the boy.
“Hmm what should we do now?” Peter turned to Jayson waiting for the boys response. In return Jayson simply shrugged, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, an unbothered expression plastered on his face. “Hmm, well first we should probably head to the bank to get our card, then get food and then some clothes. What do you think?” Jayson nodded, shrugging as he peered out the window, perhaps still a little on edge. “How about we go on the roof for a bit, you know to come down from all that… excitement?” Peter asked, expecting a sigh from the other boy. Instead Jayson simply turned to Peter before making his way to the roof, Peter following closely behind. The two hauled themselves onto the roof, splaying out as they looked to the clouded sky. The whirling sounds of sirens and faint echos of crime filled the air around them. The sky was grim and bleak, it was so different from home that it felt almost unnatural but this would just have to become Peters new natural. A sigh fell from Peters lips as he continued gazing up to the sky. “Tomorrow is another day.” Peter sighed out as a faint hmm was all that left Jayson’s mouth as he began to stretch and arch his way up into a sitting position before looking down at Peter and motioning to go back inside. Peter nodded, groaning a little as he stretch out the kinks in his back Ashe stood up. The two went back inside, each taking their respective corners. A faint ‘night’ fell from Peters lips as darkness slowly consumed him. Before the dark had fully claimed his vision Peter saw and heard the faint shuffling of Jayson’s feet approaching.
Yawning Peter awoke to not only the warmth of a makeshift blanket but the smell of three batburgers resting on his lap, Jayson no where to be seen. The smell of the burgers were irresistible and Peters stomach growled in anticipation. A creak from the window alerted Peter to Jayson’s arrival, a clump of damp clothes in his hand. Peter tilted his head a his friends arrival, curious of where exactly he had been. “Woke up. Found cheap laundry-mat. Got burgers on way back.” Jayson tilted his head to the damp clothes then to Peters burgers, waiting for Peter to eat his meal. Peter let out a huge grin and began scarfing down his burgers. Jayson recoiled a little, worried he hadn’t bought enough for Peter to be full. A happy squeak left Peters mouth, a slight blush spreading across his wide eyed face. A slight chuckle left Jayson as Peter suddenly sprung up and wiped down his clothes
“Right, bank. Let’s go!” Peter exclaimed pointing his hand towards the window before scooting over and climbing out. Jayson followed behind, jumping down to meet Peter on the ground, a small smirk still present on his features. The two began walking to the only bank they had found while ‘exploring’ Gothem. It was located in the richer area of Gothem, away from the Crime Alley the two were staying in. The walk was far and tedious but eventually they made it to the bank in all it’s gothic, intimidating glory. A small gulp left Peter, a little intimidated by the building. Peter turned to Jayson, whose expression had morphed into discomfort. Peter had kinda guessed Jayson wasn’t the biggest fan nor comfortable with prolonged social interaction so today wasn’t going to be fun for either of them. Walking to the door, Peter began pushing the heavy door and wondering how any civilian managed to push open these behemoth sized doors. Entering the dark building, the two took note of the unwelcoming vibe. Walking towards the accountant Peter began a conversation from the sharp gazed brunette in front of him. “Hello, we’re here to collect our card? It should be under Peter Parker.” The brunette woman looked at the two with a cold gaze, her expression icy and full of disgust. A small hmm left the woman’s mouth as she peered down at her computer.
“You? Want a card? You sure you even have money to put in it?” A condescending smirk formed on the woman’s face. Peter shrunk back a little while Jayson leaned forward. “I think you’re a little confused of how cards work, you need money. M-o-n-e-y.” The woman drawled out, condescension lacing her every word as she looked at the two and scoffed. Peter couldn’t quite figure out if he was upset or mad at the assumption he didn’t know how a card worked, but he opted to try again. However, before he could get a single word out the woman spoke again. “I know someone of your… intellect can’t understand the words I’m saying but please you’re embarrassing yourselves. So do yourselves a favour and leave. Ugh I can smell the poverty on you two from here.” The woman hurled out, the sound of a gag filling the still air around them. Peter simply stared wide eyed at the woman as the woman had a cruel and disgusted look etched on her malicious features.
“Hmm?” From beside Peter, he heard the faint growl of Jayson’s as the boys face hardened into a cold expression. A slight gulp left Peters throat. “Since someone of your… ‘intellect’ struggles to understand, I’ll be amicable and patient. Give us the card that’s under our name.” Jayson growled out, his mouth twitching into a mean smile. The woman looked up in disbelief, her face showing how appalled she was at Jayson’s words. “Sorry, do I have to teach you how to do your job now too?” Jayson bated his eyes and smiled at the woman, though his smile didn’t truly reach his eyes. The woman simply scoffed before typing on her computer and leaving before coming back with the card for the two. Jayson snatched the card from the woman’s hand, a cold glare was all she got for a thank you before Jayson was marching out the bank, Peter not too far behind. “You okay?” Jayson paused to look at Peter, a subtle concerned expression on his face. Peter simply nodded his head and gave a soft smile. They had the card, that’s all that mattered for now. A grumble left the two’s stomach as they began walking back to Crime Alley. On the way a faint scent of soup and vegetables filled the air around them, it had Peter slightly salivating.
Jayson simply looked at Peter before walking towards the smell. The two came across a makeshift tent with people in dirtied aprons serving out soup to what looked to be homeless and struggling individuals. They had found a soup kitchen it would seem. Peter despite being hungry hesitated for a second, the two now had money… sure it wasn’t a lot but was it truly fair to eat from a place where the less fortunate relied on. Before Peter could turn to leave a tall dark haired boy began striding up to them, a smile gracing his handsome features with a look that was a little too excited to see them.
“Hi there! I’m Richard, Richard Grayson but you can call me Dick! I haven’t seen you two befo…re. Holy cheese sticks you’re huge!” The man whose name the two now knew was Dick stared wide eyed up at Jayson who in return stared down at the guy gawking at him. Before Dick could stutter another word out Peters stomach made a loud grumble diverting the two’s attention back onto him. Peter blushed in embarrassment and looked down at the ground. Jayson began striding over to the two ladies serving soup and grabbed a bowl for him and Peter before pushing the bowl into Peters chest. Peter took the bowl confused and a little distracted. Before Peter could complain Jayson shoved a spoon full of soup in Peters mouth, daring him to refuse the food in front of him. Peter reluctantly swallowed the soup in his mouth, temporarily forgetting about the man in front of them. “Huh.” The man whispered out softly as Peters attention returned back to the man. Right how could he forget about the person literally in front of him. “Oh right where are my manners, you two must be hungry. Why don’t you go and sit over there?” The man pointed to a relatively empty area with plastic tables and chairs for them to sit at. Before Peter could refuse and insist that they were fine the man spoke up again, pushing the two towards an empty table the furthest away from the crowd.
“Come on, you two look exhausted. You should sit and enjoy the meal!” The muscular and handsome man beamed out, his smile wide and his eyes closed with creases that mimicked his beaming smile. Jayson looked at Peter, his eyes screaming at him to do something. So Peter simply gestured for Jayson to go and sit at the table, Jayson gave Peter a strange look before worming his way out of Dick’s grasp and sitting down at the table, making sure to keep a close eye on Peter and Dick. “Huh, guess he doesn’t like touch. That’s my bad didn’t mean to make you two uncomfortable!” The large man beckoned out, a faint shift of guilt crossing over his expression. It seemed the man truly didn’t intend to make them uncomfortable he was just unusually… touchy, at least from what Peter had seen from the civilians in Gothem. Peter sat next to Jayson as Dick moved to sit opposite of Peter, seems like this Dick fellow planned to hang around.
Before Dick could get another word out a voice came from their side. “Grayson the fuck are you… oh?” The voice, rough and aggressive with an almost snarky pitch to it came from a tall figure. The man was tall, not as tall as Jayson, not that anyone could reasonably be, but still tall and muscular. He had a unique hair style with a patch of white going from his roots to the tip of a couple of strands of hair. His eyes glowed, no like literally glowed, a neon green before seemingly fading to a more paled green. The man must of caught Peter staring cause he turned to look at the boy, an unreadable expression on his face. Jayson looked between the two of them before shuffling closer to Peter and getting in-between the two, staring at the man. The man simply scoffed at the defensive display, rolling his eyes before his expressions seemingly softened. Jayson continued to glare at the man an uneasy expression plastered on his face. Peter chose to deescalate the situation by spoon feeding Jayson some soup like he had done for him. The man looked at the action in slight confusion an amused expression on his face when he saw Jayson face contort into a mixture of embarrassment, confusion, shock and eventually acceptance as he simply swallowed the soup in his mouth and stared forward with an exhausted and bored expression.
“Jason, what took you so long!” The man opposite Peter bursted out, a large grin etched on his soft features. The other man, now known as Jason, simply huffed out in exasperation. Rolling his eyes the man sat beside Dick and opposite Jayson, a cunning and mischievous look in his eyes as he stared at the two teens. “I was just about to go get you, look it’s some new arrivals.” There was a slight shift in Dicks tone, a shift both Peter and Jayson picked up on as both their features hardened for a second. Peter and Jayson looked at each other both paying close attention to the men in front of them. “Oh right, sorry this is my brother Jason. Jason these two are… sorry I never got your names?” Dick smiled at the two with a gentle expression but the two had both locked on to the underlining tone beneath Dicks words. Jason scoffed a little at their wary expressions. Peter steeled himself and began to act composed, best not to let them have anymore suspicion placed on them then they already had.
“Peter, Peter Parker. That’s Jayson.” Peter smiled at the two men in front of them, it wouldn’t do them any good to lie about their names in case the lie was ever caught. Jayson continued to stare at the two men, something about them was familiar in an off putting, avoid at all cost kinda way. Dick and Jason glanced at each other, communicating without words, it made Peter and Jayson feel uneasy. A faint twitch in Dickson demeanour occurred when he looked closer at the two teens, even Jasons eyes narrowed at something. Peter continued to eat as the two men stared at him and Jayson. The quiet atmosphere around them was a little uncomfortable so Peter chimed in to fill the void of silence. “Do you umm… know any places we could get clothes?” At that Dicks face lit up like a Christmas tree, eyes wide with excitement and glee. Nodding Dick began to drag both Peter and Jayson away from Crime Alley and into the richer part of town, the whole time Jason following behind with an amused smirk.
Peter was a bit hesitant t be dragged to potentially the middle of nowhere, meanwhile Jayson just stared at the hand holding him, slightly stiffening in discomfort. Noticing this Peter reached for Jayson’s unoccupied hand and slowly grabbed it, circling his palm with his thumb in an attempt to comfort his friend. Jayson’s eyes practically pleaded to get his hand away from Dicks but before Peter could ask Dick to let go, or force him to, Jason strode over to Dicks hand holding Jayson’s and firmly tugged it off. Dick looked back in confusion at his brothers action before taking note of Jayson’s expression, remembering the boys discomfort the last time Dick had touched him. A horror filled expression painted Dicks features as guilt particularly emanated around him. A soft apology left Dicks mouth, not wanting to make the boy more uncomfortable. Jayson simply glanced at Dick before shuffling closer to Peter, partially for comfort and reassurance and partly to put himself between Peter and the two men. This action did not go unnoticed by the two older men, a knowing look being passed between the two. The group continued in silence as they made there way into a neat and clean store, clothes neatly presented on pristine white mannequins. Peters eyes widened as he looked at the numbers on the tags, each going into the triple digits some even in the thousands price range. Peter gulped as he looked around at the designer clothes, suits, gowns littered the store, the only clothes that seemed plain were the clothes labelled under sports wear. Hoodies, jackets and slightly baggy trousers were pushed away in a small corner, clearly the cheapest clothes the store hade yet even they were in the hundred dollar price range. “These are way to expensive for us, isn’t there any like charity clothes stores around?” Peter whispered out, taking note that Jayson was also a little overwhelmed by the store. Dick simply turned around to face Peter, letting go of his hand in the process, a slight tilt to Dicks head as he looked at the two boys.
“What do you mean? You guys aren’t paying for the clothes I am.” Dick spoke with a small smile on his face. Peter just looked at Dick with a gob smacked look. Peter began spluttering out incoherent words as his brain tried to process what was happening. Before he could get a word out Dick was gently nudging the two boys towards the changing room and handing a handful of clothes for the two to try on. Hours went by of trying, changing, trying, changing clothes over and over till the outside world seemed to dim with the passage of time. Peter and Jayson were more exhausted by the end of the clothes shopping then they were when they patrolled last night. The two had each two bags filled to the brim with new clothes and shoes, both honestly a little concerned with how much this had cost the man, Jayson’s face contorting and paling at a realisation, glancing at Peter with a worried expression. Dick, completely oblivious the shock the two were experiencing, began to lead them in a familiar direction. The two realised they were heading towards the library they were at when they first arrived in Gothem, Peter could feel a cold sweat drip down his back.
As the group entered, Dick gave a slight wave towards Barbara and Jason just glanced at her before walking ahead. Dick lead them towards the computers before sitting down, gesturing for the two to do the same. Reluctantly the two sat down on the chairs provided, a little on edge. “I’ve noticed you two don’t seem to be at school?” A cold shiver ran down Peters back, did 18 year olds still have to attend school in this world? This was a major over-site on Peters part. “Well, since you two don’t seem to be attending anywhere… why not try and apply for Gothem Academy Prep School, they have a scholarship and let individuals who are less well off attend by passing a test.” A strange undertone laced Dicks almost desperate voice. Odd. Peter looked at Jayson who just seemed to warily stare at the two men, eyes narrowed in deep thought. Peter reluctantly nodded to Dicks proposal in which Dick seemed to light up at the agreement, a bit too enthusiastically in Peters opinion but maybe the man was just a little eccentric. Dick typed away on the computer, pulling up Gothem Academy Prep School’s application forms and gesturing for Peter and Jayson to fill out the forms. Peter did so making note of how the two men watched him with unwavering attention, Jayson on the other hand was more hesitant constantly looking back at Peter with an unsure expression, Peter simply nodded to reassure the boy who, reluctantly might Peter add, sighed and filled out the form. After which Dick sent off the form, a bright smile on his face. “There done! How about we walk you guys home? Gothem City can be a little troublesome at night.” The man gestured towards the dimming street.
“No thank you, we umm actually don’t live in that area, we live in Crime Alley.” At those words the two mens faces paled, a dark expression painted on there face. Peter and Jayson both got up, Peter bowing and thanking the two for today while Jayson just stared at them. The two jogged off with bags in hand towards the direction of the abounded building, taking a slightly longer route then usual just incase they were followed. The two were unaware of the exchange the two men gave each other when they left. The two scampered up the building tossing the bags in through the window. Peter began to organise the bags in a neat pile once inside, Jayson pacing around in the background. “Everything… okay?” Peter turned to his pacing friend, worry encroaching on his soft features. Jayson stilled, staring at Peter before fidgeting about with his hands and looking out the window.
“Do you… remember the rich guy you ‘borrowed’ from? Bruce Wayne?” Jayson softly spoke, eyes still full of concern. Peter slowly nodded, unsure where the conversation was going. “I believe the two men we encountered were two of his adopted sons… Richard Grayson and Jason Todd.” Jayson’s voice hardened, his features morphing into one of suspicion. A look of horror etched on Peters face. Shit, they had just not only talked to the richest man’s kids but even applied to a school that they suggested, meaning that they could keep tabs on the two. A sigh fell from Peters lips as he ran his hand over his face. “At least we are safe… well as safe as you can be in a radioactive site.” Jayson pitched in, Peters mouth curly up in a smile at Jayson’s attempt at deescalating the situation and calming Peter down. The two would have to be extra cautious whenever going out in the streets from now on. But for now the two could enjoy the prospect of clean new clothes, at least.
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{In a certain Group-chat}
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘Guess who me and baby bird Jason just bummed in to? :)’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘Annoying news reporters? Foaming at the mouth fangirls? A therapist? Lord knows you need it.’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘Nooo, try again. :)’
~Dead Girl Walking~ ‘I see you changed your name, Replacement.’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘Fixed. I fixed my name. No thanks to you.’
~Dead Girl Walking~ ‘Whatever you say… replacement.’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘Why you…’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘Guys… :(‘
~Shine Your Light~ ‘Come on guys, let’s just play Dicks guessing game.’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘:)’
~Mini Shadow~ ‘The two vigilantes Father is looking for?’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘Nope’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘The will to live?’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘…’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘Cause if you have do you mind sharing J’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘No… and therapy.’
~Shine Your Light~ ‘Don’t know… so what is it? Also, dude you really need help’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘I don’t.’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘Right… sure. Anyway me and Jason saw Peter and Jayson!’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘Oh?’
~Dead Girl Walking~ ‘Oh? He says. So… enthusiastic, you sure your not crushing on one of them? Replacement.’
~Coffee Addict~ ‘I’m not!’
~Dead Girl Walking~ ‘Good cause I’d kill you’
~Definition Of Trauma~ ‘Oh… did you now? Where were they?’
~Mini Shadow~ ‘Father.’
~Definition Of Trauma~ ‘Son.’
~Chandelier Swinger~ ‘At a homeless soup kitchen.’
~Definition Of Trauma~ ‘Hmmm’
~Dead Girl Walking~ ‘Back off. Bruce.’
~Sound Of Silence~ ‘*Sips Tea*’