The Gala
“Tim, we’re taking Peter shopping and there’s nothing you can do about it!” Steph shouted at the top of her lungs. Peter laughed, letting himself be dragged by Duke and Cass to the car in the Wayne Manor parking lot. The four piled in and Steph drove off, carefully avoiding the multiple icy spots on the road as they headed to the large Gotham mall. They parked and got out, lightly tugging a reluctant Peter along. Somehow, they pulled Peter to an Armani shop, where he turned and stared at the three teens.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, but we are!” Steph cackled madly. “We’ve got money to spend, and take from three other people who grew up dirt poor, this will be fun for you!”
“Will it?”
“Have some faith, Peter,” Duke crooned, giving him a shit-eating grin. “I was a little hesitant the first time they took me shopping too, but it’s actually pretty fun. Especially with Steph in charge.”
“Aww,” Steph cooed, clasping her hands together. “That’s so sweet, Duke!”
“Just get me a $200 suit, I don’t need anything fancy,” Peter protested. “Even that’s expensive to me!”
“And let the rich people sneer at you all night long? I don’t think so,” Steph said, throwing open the doors and walking inside. “Besides, Duke needs a new suit too.”
Duke already knew what he wanted (apparently) and so snagged Cass, taking her to one corner of the store while Steph dragged Peter to another. After Steph threw the first suit into Peter’s arms and Peter nearly did a spit-take at the price, Peter stopped looking. Peter soon had five suits to try on, which he took into the changing room with him. The first four were rejected ( Steph took pictures of him regardless), but the fifth was just right. They got an attendant to fit the suit to Peter, making adjustments here and there, and soon they were on their way.
Next up was dresses for Steph and Cass. Steph was determined to find purple, and Cass wasn’t too picky either way. ‘If I can fight, I don’t care,’ she signed. They went into a D&D Clothing store, which sounded badass to Peter, until he realized that they did not, in fact, sell D&D themed clothing.
“Seriously?” Peter asked Duke. “It’s called D&D Clothing! What the fuck?!”
“I know,” Duke commiserated. “It’s a shame.”
“It really is.”
Regardless, Steph and Cass started trying on different dresses, and Peter couldn’t help but notice Steph was turning a little more red with every dress Cass tried on. “You uh, you good, Steph?” Peter asked, grinning like the menace he is.
She scowled at him and shoved a dress in his arms. “Go try this on, I need something to distract me.”
Peter shrugged and did as he was told, walking out and hoping that he didn’t tear it because his shoulders were too broad. Steph was recording, of course.
“Go on,” Steph urged, “give us a turn.”
Laughing, Peter did so, letting her take as many photos of him as she wanted before Peter changed back into his normal clothes, sighing in relief at the feeling of no longer wondering if his breathing would cost him thousands of dollars.
Before long, Cass and Steph got their dress of choice, and they ended up buying Peter another suit, again ignoring his protests. Some pocket squares, dress shoes, non-dress shoes, and various other articles of clothing later, the four teenagers were finally leaving the mall. Peter had gotten loaded with the bags (benefits of being the friend with super-strength) and they headed out to the car. Instead of getting in and going back to the Manor, like Peter thought they were going to do, they instead just dropped off the clothes and headed back into the mall, dragging a mentally screaming Peter with them.
“Now,” Steph announced, “food! Then Christmas shopping.”
So, they got food. They ate at Gordon Ramsay’s Gotham location, thoroughly enjoying the famous Beef Wellington, and then they were shopping again. Peter was handed one of Steph’s credit cards and told to go nuts.
It was nearly dark when they finally got back to the Manor. Being stubborn, they managed to get all the bags inside on one trip. Exhausted, Peter dug around in Tim’s room for pajamas. He pulled them on and stumbled downstairs. He collapsed onto the couch next to Steph, Duke, and Cass where they played a sleepy round of Smash Bros before having dinner.
Dinner was amazing (as always, thanks Alfred), and Peter was so exhausted, he was not patrolling that night. That was alright by Steph, Cass, and Duke, who were also pretty damn worn out. Peter wasn’t sure what time he fell asleep, only knowing the warmth of his friends around him as he did so.
Peter groaned, stretching his sore muscles as he rubbed the crust from his eyes. He found himself in a big cuddle pile on the couch, with Duke, Steph, and Cass’ limbs all entangled around one another. Tim walked in, holding a cup of coffee and smiling at the scene. He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture before whispering, “Long day yesterday?”
Peter nodded. “Shopping.”
“So I heard. Gala stuff, right?”
Peter nodded and Tim set his mug on the coffee table before joining in the pile. “Let’s sleep a little longer, yeah?”
Peter nodded and closed his eyes, his breath evening out in less than a minute.
“And you’re sure you won’t come?” Peter asked, holding the phone to his face as he sipped his peppermint mocha.
“Absolutely,” Jason replied. “I hated them before I died, and I’m sure as hell going to hate them now. Sorry, Pete, this is one adventure I won’t join you on. Hey, you’ve got the mischievous trio though, haven’t you?”
“Is that what you call them?” Peter asked, amused.
“With you, it’s the Fearful Four,” Jason teased.
Peter chuckled. “Alright. I’ll tell Alfred you said hi.”
“Sweet. See ya, Pete.” Jason hung up, and Peter was met with loud knocking being the only warning before his door flew open. In strutted Steph in her gorgeous (and bloody expensive) dress, her makeup flawless. Her dress was a light purple that faded to a champagne color towards the end. It was decked out in sparkles and sequins, complementing the lightly ruffled fabric that adorned the neckline. Behind her was Cass, wearing a cornflower blue dress. The sleeves were long, but were slightly poofy from the elbow up. She gave Peter a little spin, giggling at how it spun around her. Peter gave her two thumbs up as she came in, sitting beside Steph and Peter on the bed. Duke strolled in behind them, wearing a white suit shirt with two layered vests on top, and a tie tucked in. The top vest layer was black, and a small chain held it together in front. The vest underneath was gray and buttoned neatly, and the tie underneath that was an elegant stripe pattern that matched well with the pocket square and accented sleeve ends.
“Alright, Peter,” Steph declared. “We are going to look so good that everyone else is going to look at their outfits and vomit.”
Duke grinned at Peter. “You aren’t changed yet?”
Peter sighed and carefully took the suit out of his closet before going into the bathroom. “I’m going, I’m going.”
Peter’s suit was a dark forest green, the top having three layers: the white suit shirt, adorned with a thin tie that matched the fancily folded pocket square, the vest over top of that, and the jacket piece that was worn over everything else. Peter gave himself a once-over in the mirror, nodding approvingly before walking back out. “Alright, Steph, now what?”
“Now, we add a touch of eyeshadow, a bit of lip color, and we head downstairs and steal. The. Show.”
Peter patiently sat through the process, finding the brush strokes actually rather soothing, which surprised him. With her expertise, the process was over relatively quickly. Selfies and other photos were taken and saved on each of the teens’ phones, and they walked downstairs, to where Tim was already waiting for them. Tim’s jaw was on the floor, and Peter wasn’t faring much better. Tim’s suit was a deep navy blue, the material looking like satin or silk. He wore a black suit shirt, a navy tie tucked into the vest, which had an intricate feathery design overtop. A jacket was worn on top of that, the lapels of which continued the intricate design. Peter and Tim were both too flustered to do anything for a moment, making Steph look like the cat that got the cream. Well, when she wasn’t staring at Cass with stars in her eyes, that is. Peter was filing this away for later use, and he was sure Tim was doing the same. Smirking, Peter kissed Tim’s cheek, leaving a definite print that had Tim’s smile growing even wider. He looked at Peter, an eyebrow raised.
“Just so everyone knows that you’ve got a partner,” Peter explained, shrugging.
“Remember, everyone,” Steph called, “no one knows Peter’s name yet. Let’s keep it that way!”
Laughing, they entered the ballroom as the group. Peter tried to look as confident as he could, walking with a sashay that he had once seen Tony do. The camera flashes were almost too much, and Peter could hear everyone talking all at once, and Peter was having a weird time trying to breathe. Tim squeezed his hand, and Peter focused on his heartbeat, and everything was fine. Everything was just fine.
Tim and Peter made their way over to the refreshment table, enjoying Alfred’s cookies while they listened to Bruce’s speech. Then, they took to the dance floor, and Peter was pleased to see that Cass had asked Steph to dance, which flustered the blonde significantly. “How the turntables,” Peter muttered to a quietly chuckling Tim.
“May I cut in, Tobey?” Duke asked.
Peter laughed and nodded. “Of course. Thank you ever so much for getting my name right, it seems like no one knows what it is! Can’t imagine why that’s the case, can you?”
Duke bit his lip to keep from bursting into laughter. “Not at all, Tobey, it’s certainly strange to me.”
They danced comfortably, idly chatting in faked snobby voices just to fuck with the people around them. The song ended, and they bowed to each other, and Peter went on to grab a dance with Steph.
“Why hello, Andrew,” Steph greeted pleasantly. “How wonderful to see you here! Hopefully you’re not still shaken up by the events a couple weeks ago, right?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” Peter said, giggling silently. “Do you think Kryptonians have memory powers?”
“I can’t say one way or the other, why do you ask?”
“It’s just, no one seems to be able to get my name right, which is why I ever so appreciate you. Thank you so very much for remembering it,” Peter gushed, spinning the girl.
“How is it, dating Tim?” she asked teasingly.
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” Peter replied. “He’s ever so kind to me and we get along splendidly.”
Using her regular voice, Steph snorted and mumbled, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that word, like, ever.”
“Hey, I know words. Like hippopotamus, and indubitably, and—”
“Alright, alright,” Steph cut him off. “I got the picture.”
“Are all these parties like this?” Peter asked.
Steph shrugged. “For the most part. If anything, they’re normally worse than this, actually. Bruce is a really good host, and Alfred’s cookies will make anything tolerable.”
“I don’t mind the dancing,” Peter admitted. “I think I just need Cass to teach me some moves.”
“She’d love that,” Steph commented, a soft smile on her face.
Peter raised an eyebrow. “Speaking of Cass, I couldn’t help but notice you turning a little red the other day when we were shopping, what was all that about?” he teased.
“Oh shut up,” Steph said without any heat. “Yeah, I think I like her something fierce.”
“Huh, I hadn’t noticed.”
“Shut your whore mouth.”
Peter laughed, then grew quiet. “I think she likes you back, if it’s of any comfort.”
Steph perked up, eyes bright. “What makes you say that?”
Peter rolled his eyes. “Oh, I don’t know, the fact that she asked you to dance just now? Or that she was getting flustered when you were trying on dresses?”
Steph stared at Peter, her jaw slack. “What? How do you know?”
“She has little tells. I’m a bit better at reading them cause, you know, but they were definitely there.”
“Interesting.”
The song ended, and the two teens bowed to each other. “Until next time, Miss Steph,” Peter bowed, giggling.
“Oh, of course, Mr. Andrew.” Steph spun on her heel and marched over to where Tim was lurking in a corner, observing. Peter glanced to his left, seeing Cass beside him, and the two watched Steph pull Tim back onto the dance floor. Cass offered her hand to Peter, who took it, bowing slightly before they headed onto the dance floor.
“So,” Peter said conspiratorially, “Steph, huh?”
Cass blushed the tiniest amount, rolling her eyes. She shrugged at Peter, who nodded. “Alright, that’s fair. It’s not my place to say, but I don’t think she’d mind if you went for it.”
Cass took the lead, spinning Peter gracefully. Peter laughed and they danced in comfortable silence until the song was done. They bowed to each other, and Peter met Tim at his little corner. Tim tugged Peter close, kissing him soundly before pointing back into the dancing people. Peter briefly caught a glimpse of Steph and Cass dancing together, laughing at something. “Ah, young love,” Tim joked, making Peter giggle.
“I remember when we were like that,” Peter said, fake wistfulness in his voice. The two laughed and fell quiet, just watching the throng of people.
“There you are, Tim,” a high-pitched voice that was already on Peter’s nerves said.
Tim pulled the most disgusted look Peter had ever seen before smoothing it effortlessly and turning around. “Ah, Veronica Vreeland, it has been a while, hasn’t it?”
“And who’s this you’ve brought with you?” she asked, gesturing at Peter.
“This is my partner, Tom.”
Peter held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She took it and shook, giving Peter only a thinly veiled disgusted look. “I’m sure. So, Tim, you want to dance at all?”
“I would love to,” Tim said, dead behind the eyes.
“Wonderful.” Veronica pulled him to the throng of dancing people, and Peter cringed sympathetically.
“Yeah, she’s the worst,” Duke commented, appearing out of nowhere next to Peter.
“Eesh, poor Tim.”
“Such is the life of rich people, schmoozing and hating yourself every second of it.”
“Do you ever get used to it?”
“The racism and classism? Unfortunately, yes.”
“Ick.”
“Right? Met anyone else beside her tonight?”
Peter shook his head. “You?”
Duke rolled his eyes so far Peter was half-way convinced they were going to disappear into his skull. “Yes, unfortunately. So many people were just tripping over themselves to meet the latest of the Wayne adoptees, all saying something like ‘oh, how fortunate you are’ and ‘I can’t believe how generous he is’ as if saying this to me is going to make me like them.”
Peter snorted. “Oof.”
They both took a sip of their cranberry punch, watching people watching them. Soon, Tim was beelining his way back to them, sighing in relief once he caught up.
“If I ever have to see that bitch again, it would be too soon,” he hissed, just loud enough for Peter and Duke to hear. “Bet you we can have a better view of the party from the ceiling.”
Duke pumped his fist. “Steph owes me $20.”
Peter looked at him in confusion. “What?”
“She bet Tim would only last an hour without going stir crazy. I bet 45 minutes.”
Tim rolled his eyes as Peter snickered. “You coming or what?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Duke agreed. “Tim has had this fort in the ceiling for fucking years. While Alfred definitely knows about it, he just hasn’t brought it up, like ever, and we help clean after every event to continue to be in his good graces.”
“Hell yeah,” Peter exclaimed quietly. “Let’s get out of here. The perfume and cologne everyone is wearing is giving me a migraine anyway.”
Tim caught Cass’ eye from where she was dancing with Steph and signed ‘secret room. Meet you there.’
She nodded and away Duke, Peter, and Tim went.
It was a very small space, but that made Peter’s little spider brain very fucking happy. Add the fact that it was high up? Heaven. The area was lit by some battery powered fairy lights that Tim turned on, bathing the area in a soft, yellow light. The space was lined with comforters of all shapes and sizes and textures, except velvet, of course, cause as much as they joked, Tim wasn’t that psychotic. Throw pillows were strewn about the space, and a small stack of card games completed the setup.
Peter sighed in contentment, leaning into one corner and peering down at the people in the ballroom who seemed so small now. Peter made grabby motions at Duke and Tim, who curled up beside Peter. Addressing the more instinctive part of Peter’s mind, Peter found this very pleasing. Two of his people were cuddling with him, and the other two would soon be joining. Sure enough, Cass and Steph came up a couple minutes later, and the four of them were curled together while Tim put on a random podcast in the background. Peter’s eyelids soon fluttered closed, and he was out.