We're in the Middle of It
Red Robin slowed to a stop as he saw the pair, and he cautiously crept along the rooftops, following.
“—an’t believe Luthor is trying to do this again. Thought he would have learned after the last one,” Clayface grumbled to a nodding Scarecrow.
“Or the one before that, or the one before that,” the thin man hissed.
“But, I guess we do owe him. And maybe it’ll work out this time? I mean, if anyone is smart enough to build it, it’s him.”
The two stopped in front of an abandoned building, and Tim watched as a small metal panel in the door slid to the side. “Tricky sticks,” the villains said, almost in unison, and thinking quickly, Tim fired a small listening device at Scarecrow. Neither villain noticed, and Tim let out a breath of relief as the door opened, letting the rogues in.
Tim opened up the channel to the listening device, trying to make sense of the idle chatter of the influx of voices. Suddenly, they all quieted to a murmur as another voice took the metaphorical (literal?) stage. “Thank you all for joining me tonight. I know it is a risk for all of us, but I promise you it will be worth it. This is what we’re working on, and once it is up and running, we won’t have to worry about any Justice League member ever again.”
Tim’s eyes were wide, and while he was certain trying to sneak into a room full of villains would have gotten him killed at best, he would still have risked it to see whatever it was that they were talking about. Whatever it was Luthor was talking about. Fuck, Tim had to call a meeting, and fast.
“It’s not just Gotham, I’ve looked into it, and Belle Reve and Iron Heights have had massive breakouts, but nothing to show for it,” Tim ranted, pacing back and forth in front of his family. “No villains are doing anything once they’re out, and it has to be Luthor, we all heard that voice.”
The Bats were silent, mulling over what Tim was saying.
“Ok,” Batman (and it was Batman, not Bruce) said. “No one patrols alone anymore, you understand? While most of you are no longer children, if I find that any of you have patrolled by yourself, you will be benched.”
Everyone nodded, even Jason who was loath to be there at all. “I’ll see what I can find with Starfire in Blüdhaven,” Dick said over video call. “I’m sure there’ll be stirrings over there as well. Nightwing out.”
The call ended, and the cave was silent once more.
“Tim, you mentioned that they used a password to get in. Did you catch the password they plan on using next time?” Jason asked.
Tim nodded. “It’s ‘lane's end.’ You’re not thinking of infiltrating, are you?”
“Until we have visual confirmation that it is Luthor in charge of this, we don’t want to try anything,” Jason explained. “I’m still technically a crime lord, I could get in.”
“You’re associated with the Bats too much by now, and if you’re caught…” Barbara trailed off, not needing to finish the sentence.
“Do we have any other choice?” Jason asked rhetorically. “We need to know what they’re building and we need to know now.”
“No one does anything by themselves. We can’t—” Bruce sucked in a breath. “I can’t lose you again, Jaylad.”
Jason stiffened at the term of endearment, and Tim warily watched as the green in Jason’s eyes seemed to glow slightly. Peter grabbed Jason’s hand and squeezed, and Jason forced an even breathing pattern. “Fine, but we have to know what’s going on. So, who’s coming with me?”
Cass raised her hand and stepped forward. “I can. Small ninja already. Lethal, makes sense.”
“Hey,” Peter interrupted, “Aunt Harley and Aunt Pam might be able to get on the inside for us. I’ll have to ask them and make sure they know it’s okay if they want to stay out of it, but it’s an option.”
Bruce hummed thoughtfully. “See if you can contact them tomorrow, Peter. That’s a good idea.”
Peter’s back straightened under the praise, a small smile forming on his face for the first time that night (at least, the first one Tim had seen).
“Alright,” Bruce agreed. “We’ll create disguises for the two of you. Tim, when is the next meeting going to take place?”
“A week from today at 9 pm at the old abandoned mall.”
“Oracle, is Joker still in Arkham?”
“Yes. One of us should go and check though, just to make sure.”
“I will,” B said, the Batman gravel back with a vengeance. “Dismissed. Tim, Jason, Peter, I’d prefer it if you stayed in the Manor tonight.”
Jason snorted. “Yeah, pass. Peter, do what you want.”
“I’m staying with Jason.”
Tim didn’t need to look to see Jason’s relief, or Bruce’s for that matter. Bruce didn’t want anyone by themselves at the moment, and Peter was strong and good for Jason. God, Tim was grateful for his boyfriend. Jason had actually come to the Cave for Peter, and had done so again without going into Pit Rage.
“Alright,” Bruce said. “Stay safe, you two. Don’t hesitate to call for backup, even if it feels like something small. I’m… we’re here for the both of you, okay?”
Jason didn’t answer, turning his back and getting on his motorcycle. Peter quickly joined him, and the two drove out of the cave and into the night.
“Are you okay?” Peter asked, closing the apartment door behind him.
“Peachy,” Jason grunted.
Peter rolled his eyes and stepped in front of Jason, eyebrows raised. “I can hear your heart, remember?”
Jason sighed. “Yeah, kid, I’m fine. It’s not easy being in that cave. Too many memories.”
“And with everything else?”
“Joker is still in Arkham. We can handle anything that comes our way, so long as you never have to face that clown.”
Peter wrapped Jason in a hug. “You really are just a big softie, huh?”
Jason huffed in a pseudo laugh, practically engulfing the smaller hero with his mass as he returned the hug. “Don’t say it too loud, squirt. I’ve got a reputation and shit.”
“Aunt Harley, Aunt Pam?” Peter called, moving into the living area. He didn’t even have to ask the plants anymore, they just automatically moved for him. “I’ve got a favor to ask.”
“What’s up, sugar plum?” Harley asked, holding a mixing bowl and whisk. Peter grinned at the sight of a smear of batter on her cheek, giggling a bit before shaking his head. Right, focusing.
“Tim caught wind of this supervillain meet up, and we need to know what’s going on. I know it’s a lot to ask and you absolutely don’t have to do it, but we could really use someone on the inside.”
Ivy came around the corner, a gardening trowel in her gloved hands. She exchanged glances with Harley, whose eyebrows were raised meaningfully. “When is the meeting?” Ivy asked.
“Next Friday, at seven.”
“Give us a bit of time to discuss it, okay?”
“Okay. Do either of you want any help with what you’re doing? I haven’t spent as much time with you guys lately and I…” Peter trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck as his face heated up. “I miss you,” he mumbled.
“Awww,” Harley crooned, setting down the bowl and wrapping him in a big hug. “We miss you too, Petey-pie! And sure, I could use some help. I’m making some brownies, you wanna help me clean up and then we can go help Ivy with her garden?”
“Yeah, sure!”
Peter got his answer on Sunday.
“We’ll do it kiddo,” Harley promised. “Especially if it means keeping Jason out of danger just one more time.”
“Aunt Harley, you couldn’t have known,” Peter said. “You were a victim too, and it’s not like you helped.”
“I know, kiddo. God, you really are a little ray of sunshine, aren’t ya?”
Peter laughed. “I try.”
Tim held Peter close, trying his best to soothe him through another onslaught of Spider-Sense. “Whatever is coming,” Peter said through the waves of terror, “it’s not good. And we’re… fuck, we’re right in the middle of it.”