Epilogue
Peter straightened, turning to look at the apartment door at the sound of footsteps. A knock rang through the space, and he started to push himself to his feet, only for Jason to lightly push him back down onto the couch with a raised eyebrow. Peter rolled his eyes and huffed, settling back onto the couch with a woosh. Jason opened the door as Tim, Steph, Cass, and Duke walked in. The four teens settled around Peter on the couch in their normal positions. Tim gave Peter a shit-eating grin and set his backpack on the floor, opening it and pulling out a large pile of homework that he deposited onto Peter’s lap. Peter groaned pathetically, resting his head on the cushions as he looked at the ceiling before turning back to Tim. “Do I have to?”
“Yep. Professor Macpherson said to send you her love though, for what it’s worth,” Tim chirped.
Peter sighed, skimming the material. Two essays, several chemistry worksheets, blank lab reports that Peter would surely have to fit in during homeroom, and a welding project. All in all, a fair amount of work, but nothing Peter couldn’t handle. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t make a scene about it though.
“Woe is me,” Peter said, dramatically placing the back of his hand on his forehead and closing his eyes, opening them again to find the four teens staring at him with raised eyebrows.
“Just don’t get kidnapped next time,” Duke supplied helpfully.
“I save the world and this is my payment?” Peter asked, shaking his head. “For shame.”
“You big baby,” Tim teased. “Come on, I’ve already got several sources for you with their proper citations for both essays. Plus, we’ve got all that you need at the Batcave for that welding project and the chem and bio labs.”
Peter squinted at him. “Won’t they find it suspicious that we just happen to have access to everything we would need for professional lab work?”
“Dude, we’re rich,” Steph reminded him. “Plus, Bruce has gone on record several times saying how much he supports his adopted children’s varying hobbies and interests.”
“The press eat that shit up,” Duke said, nodding. “It’s a good look, and a convenient excuse for Bruce knowing incredibly niche topics.”
Peter shrugged and started to get to his feet. “Might as well get going on those essays then.”
Several pairs of hands pushed him down, each sending him reprimanding glares.
“Jesus, dude, you’re as bad as Dick!” Steph exclaimed. “What were you going to get?”
“Laptop.”
Steph got to her feet. “In your room?”
Peter nodded and she was back a moment later, setting the device on Peter’s lap before plopping back down beside him. Peter opened it and logged on, pulling up his email to see that Tim had already sent him the links.
“Oh,” Tim added, “we started reading Macbeth in English, I think cause the school’s going to do a play on it soon?”
“That’s a good one,” Jason commented, pulling up a chair close to the couch. “Corruption of power is always a fun topic.”
“Dude, Lady Macbeth is so fucking hot,” Steph gushed.
“Two types of people,” Duke said.
Cass and Peter giggled quietly while Tim rolled his eyes.
Peter closed his locker, trying to ignore all the stares he was getting from his new fancy scars.
“Yo, Parker!”
Peter turned to Eddie Bright, an eyebrow raised. Tim grabbed Peter’s hand. “You don’t have to engage, you know.”
“I wanna see what he has to say,” Peter said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Besides, I have a plan.”
“Oh, do you?” Steph asked, a huge grin on her face and the same sparkle in her eyes.
Peter nodded. “Watch and learn, plebs.”
Peter sauntered over to the bullies, smiling cheerfully. “What’s up?”
“What happened to your skin?” Eddie sneered. “Earth light finally get to be too much for you?”
“Psh,” Peter waved a hand. “Nah, I’m just molting.”
The color drained from Eddie’s face. “You’re what?”
Peter nodded. “Yeah, it’s actually pretty painful, and what I shed is actually pretty harmful to humans. Wanna see?”
Eddie stumbled back, stepping on one of his croney’s feet. “Jesus, dude, get the fuck away from me!”
“You invited me over here, but okay.” Peter shrugged and headed back to his group, snickering like the gremlin he was.
“What’d you say?” Duke asked.
“I told them I’m molting and that the skin I’m shedding off is toxic to humans.”
Steph cackled and held up her hand for a high five, which Peter readily gave. They laughed and headed to their first class, Peter trying to ignore the stares and whispers that accompanied them down the hall. Whatever, it wasn’t anything new, and as long as they didn’t know his secret identity, he was fine. Tim kissed his cheek, and Peter shot him a grateful smile, taking a deep breath and letting it out. Yeah, he was fine.