Chapter 16
After Peter’s first kidnapping experience, he was even more smothered than before. Dick joined Alfred in picking him up from school before they picked up Damian too. He still had his trackers, which was how they found him before and he was given lessons on how to behave when in a hostage situation/ when he’s next kidnapped if they can’t prevent it.
Tim had called and demanded to hear everything. And Peter’s mom stayed at the Manor for the rest of the week even while ignoring his dad the entire time. He was pretty sure that wasn’t healthy to watch but Peter was just glad they were both back home. They had a fight but Peter was stubborn enough to keep them at least in the same building for now. It probably helped that he was kidnapped while they were at odds with each other.
Duke still doesn’t know what to do with him, more so now that he’s saved Peter to the tune of Spongebob’s theme song.
So, Peter pushed on. Dick calmed down after a week. Damian started walking to his school so he could wait with Peter for Alfred since their schools weren’t far apart. Steph and Cass didn’t change much, other than Cass’ secret lessons in escaping. She taught him how to escape ropes and handcuffs already. So far his dad hasn’t said anything about it.
And then Tim came home.
Peter didn’t get to see him but Steph texted him that Tim came home while he was at school. The moment Alfred stopped the car, Peter was out. He raced through the house to reach Tim’s room. After he left when his dad came back, Peter had been driven crazy with concern and fear. His dad tried to console him but Peter only calmed down when he got to talk to Tim. Phone calls just weren’t enough.
“Tim!” Peter flung the bedroom door open, bursting into the room.
He froze when he saw Tim on the bed, wrapped like a mummy. The cast from Damian’s attack had been long gone by the time he left and now he has new ones on both arms. His legs were wrapped and so was his stomach and chest, reaching up to his neck. Dick sat in the chair near the bed, his chin resting on his fist.
“Peter…” Dick started before Peter rushed to the bed. He stopped next to it, scared he’d hurt Tim if he tried to touch him.
“What happened?”
“Tim’s okay, puisor. He’s gonna be okay.” Dick picked Peter up, resting him on his lap with his arms wrapped around him. “He’s safe now.”
“But he’s hurt! Who did it? What happened?” Peter tried to stop the tears from falling. Tim couldn’t be hurt. Who did this to him? Who would do something like this?
Useless, Damian had called him. You can’t protect them. Look at him, look at your brother. It'll happen again. You'll lose everyone.
“I’m okay, Pete.” Tim rasped, trying for a smile as his lip split open again and fresh blood pooled around it. “It looks worse than it is.”
“Like hell!” Peter snapped, ignoring the ‘language’ from both brothers. “Who did it?”
Dick stood up, lifting Peter with him. “I’ll talk to him. Get some rest, Tim.”
Peter could only wish him a good night before being whisked out of the room. He couldn’t stop seeing the bandages even after being out of the room. Someone tried to kill Tim. Why? Was it when he was Robin? Or Red Robin, now? Who could do that to his brother? Tim was trained by his dad, he'd been a vigilante for years. He should have been safe in the Towers...
“Hey Peter. Look at me, puisor.” Dick patted his cheek, drawing Peter out of his mind. He looked at his blue walls, his bed, Zitka sat on the desk. When had he gotten to his room? “Peter, look at me. Tim is going to be okay. Alfred and Dr. Thompkins looked him over and everyone is gonna stick close. He’s safe here.”
“Who hurt him?”
“You don’t need to worry about that, Pete. Batman will take care of it.”
“Then why can’t you tell me?” If his dad plans to go after this person… What if he ends up like Tim? What if he doesn’t make it home again? He can't see his dad like that too. He can't let this person hurt more of his family. There had to be something he could do. He had to help them somehow.
“You have a tendency to run, kiddo. It’s best if you don’t know.” Dick sighed, taking his hand into his own. “You can help Tim by staying close, tell him about school. Okay?”
Peter pouted at the reasoning. He doesn’t always run. Not like he can with all the trackers on him. Dick pulled him in for another hug, Peter accepted it eagerly. Every blink gave him another image of Tim’s injuries. Of Mr. Stark and of funerals. Of failing and mistakes. Peter Parker failed once before.
He couldn’t not do something.
–
Peter couldn’t do this alone. If he wanted to run again, he had to have more information. Tim and Dick won’t help and he knows Babs will just tell on him if he tries to ask her. Cass and Steph might help him… but then they’ll want to join him and if one person did that to Tim then he didn’t want to put his sisters in their path. He didn’t even consider Duke since his newest brother’s still antsy around him. His dad definitely warned him against training Peter already.
Damian might share information with him if only to get Peter to stop pestering him. He would also be suspicious immediately but he’s Peter’s best chance at learning anything.
With that not so great plan, Peter waited till after dinner to chase him down. Damian hid in his room until patrol so it wasn’t long before Peter was there.
“Damian?” Peter ducked as he opened the door, expecting a ninja star or knife to fly at him. Damian sat in his bed, book open on his lap without any visible weapons. “I need help.”
“Tsk. When do you not?”
Choosing to take that non-answer as permission, Peter entered the room fully. He closed the door behind him once ensuring no one saw him go to Damian. They would definitely be suspicious if Peter sought out Damian away from prying eyes. Especially after seeing Tim.
“I wanna find the person who hurt Tim. Can you help me?”
“What will you do with them?” Damian closed his book, the only sign he was interested in what Peter had to say.
“I don’t know. I need to find them. And get there without dad knowing.”
“Tsk. I will not help you kill yourself.” Damian scoffed before grabbing his book in hand. “I will not be a part of this plan.”
Risking it, Peter climbed onto Damian’s bed. He ignored the glare directed at him. Damian would be scarier with his sword but since he wouldn’t raise it against Peter, he wasn’t scared. Once settled on the bed, Peter turned to focus entirely on his brother.
“Someone hurt Tim. He’s family. What if they hurt Steph? Or Cass? Or you? They could hurt dad!” Peter could feel the tears coming back. He was frustrated enough and he still can’t stop crying. He couldn't lose this family. He's already lost them enough times and they might not come back a second time.
“They cannot kill me. I am far better trained than the likes of Drake.” Damian flipped through his book, the clear sign he lost all interest in Peter’s plan and conversation.
Too bad Peter was used to fighting for attention. Before, anyway. Penis Parker usually shied from it and Spider-man was a bright target to draw fire from civilians. He knew how to pester the best of them and he certainly learned not to give up when things were rough.
“How do you know? Do you know who did it? They could be better than you and then you’ll die.” Peter snapped, pushing the book from Damian’s lap.
He didn’t draw back when Damian glowered. Sitting up, Peter tried to stare down his nose at his older brother.
“His name is Red Hood. I will not help you anymore than that. Should you try and go after him, I would like to remind you that he is dangerous and I will ensure Father is aware of it.”
“Thank you!” Peter slid off the bed, rushing out before Damian could really try to kill him. His dad wouldn't find out and neither will Damian. Not if he's careful.
Red Hood. He hadn’t heard of the name before but that wasn’t new. Peter barely knew anything about Poison Ivy and he fought a tree because of her! Dr. Isley had laughed when he told her about it, though he was pretty sure it was just the idea of Peter fighting a tree. Everyone thought that was funny.
Peter had a tablet in his room layered in child locks. He just had to fiddle with the controls to hopefully remember all the coding he knew Before. Thanks to Tim’s earlier lessons in hacking, he already knew where to start. Peter made sure to pull up some cartoons first before getting into the codes. If his dad or anyone else, really, came in he couldn’t be caught hacking his tablet or searching up information on Red Hood.
His family might like supporting his ‘genius’ mind but they will become overbearing if he shows them that he can hack their own codes at 7 years old. Thankfully he had been left to his own devices for now, so he focused on breaking into his tablet and rewiring the coding.
Babs had a few basic codes in his tablet, mostly ensuring he didn’t look up anything unsuitable for a kid to see, a few key words that would trigger a warning on her phone, and compiling a list of his activities and hours spent on the tablet. Apparently he had a time limit he wasn’t even aware of.
This is as bad as the Baby Monitor Protocol.
Peter tried to rewrite the codes, hiding them behind her set codes. Once he triggers them it should freeze his screen on the cartoon and she won’t see anything he does after that. The code would also override her safety lock so he could search up anything he wanted while the rest of it was frozen. He had to switch back to the cartoon when his mom came to check on him but she left him to Spongebob shortly after.
Once the codes were triggered, Peter searched up Red Hood.
Articles of the new criminal filtered out, the most recent being a duffle bag of heads left in front of the police station. Peter scrunched his nose at the article. Red Hood is clearly overly confident. Or not, even the police in Queens couldn’t do much when the Sinister Six sat right outside their doors. Held hostage in their own station. He recognized another article of the copycat Joker. Red Hood was Joker’s old alias…
Peter changed his search, choosing to filter locations of Red Hood sightings. He was mostly in Crime Alley though he went into the Bowery too. It helped a little but last time Peter was in Crime Alley he needed Cass to save him. Now though, he had a little more training with Damian. He might not be able to fight off the Red Hood, but common criminals shouldn’t be too hard.
He probably wouldn’t be able to even reach Red Hood before being caught. He would also need to find a mask, maybe he could steal one of the domino masks his dad has. Peter saw a lot of them in the batcave.
There was no way for Peter to look over the entire Crime Alley area on foot. Especially if he had to do so without his family finding out. If he missed school, they would definitely call his dad and he would be caught before he could even make it on the bus. But there was one other way...
–
“Daddy, can I go to Nate’s house?” Peter peeked over the desk in his dad’s study. He spent the day scheming with Nate and now has an accomplice. Nate will cover for him while he takes a cab through Crime Alley to look for the Red Hood. If he can convince his dad for a sleep over he could cover even more ground.
“Nate Williams?” Of course his dad knew all of his classmates. “Why don’t you invite Nate here?”
“Damian might kill him.” Peter pouted, knowing for a fact Damian would just terrify his friend and then he might lose him. His plan wouldn’t work if Nate came over and thankfully his brother was just scary enough for Peter to use as an excuse.
“Hm.” His dad was aware enough about his other son’s behavior. Peter stifled his grin as his plan seemed to work. “Alright. Are they expecting you?”
“Yup! At 5.” Peter and Nate had talked over the phone after he got home and with the plan in place, Peter just needed to get a ride there.
“Alfred will drive you. He will pick you up at 8 sharp.” Peter cheered, rushing out before his dad could change his mind or add some rules for him.
Alfred didn’t say anything so Peter could only hope he didn’t suspect his plan. If anyone would, it would be Alfred. Damian might be suspicious but it wasn't like he could camp out in front of Nate's house all night without drawing suspicion from his family. If his dad found out Damian told Peter anything about Red Hood then he would also be in trouble. Peter grinned as he stared out the window, the plan was working.
Peter raced ahead of Alfred after pulling up to the house a few hours later. Nate lives in Robbinsville which would only be a half hour walk to Crime Alley. Nate’s dad opened the door, letting Peter in before talking to Alfred. He didn’t bother waiting for them to finish and chose to follow Nate upstairs.
“You remember the plan?” Peter whispered as they reached Nate’s room.
“Yeah. Are you gonna be okay going there?”
“Mhm. My brother lives just outside of it so I won’t really be in Crime Alley.” Peter told him Jason had run away and lives near Crime Alley. It was the only lie that Nate couldn’t google to see through it. It hurt, using his brother in this way but… but he couldn’t protect Tim without it. The Wayne's were famous and any piece of information Peter gave could be checked by a quick search.
They played for ten minutes before sneaking around back. Peter left his shoes in Nate’s room before borrowing a pair of his. He shoved his necklace into his shoe too, the tracker would alert Babs or his dad if his shoes went a different direction. Nate split north, heading to his cousin while Peter went south to Crime Alley. The sun was already setting, reminding him that winter was fast approaching.
Peter chose to run if only to shorten the time to get into Crime Alley. He would have to be careful to leave earlier too if he wanted to make it back in time for Alfred to pick him up.
Crime Alley looked as bad as before. With the sun setting most people turned in early. No one wants to be caught out after dark here. Peter stuck to the shadows this time, using the lessons from Cass to go unnoticed past alleys and skirting around people. As long as he wasn’t noticed by anyone he was safe. He hadn’t managed to sneak into the Batcave, now with so many siblings in the house it was impossible to break in. Not to mention after the last time he was brought there, his dad warned the others from bringing him back in.
It’s not like they didn’t fix the screen. Besides, if Tim hadn’t distracted him the batarang wouldn’t have even gotten close!
Without a mask though, Peter had to be extra careful to hide from both people and possible vigilantes above the buildings. Ten minutes heading down the same street didn’t unveil any new information. The gangsters he passed talked about shipments which had nothing to do with Red Hood so he moved on. Peter hadn’t even seen his dad fly above, though that could be that it was too early despite the sun having set.
Peter turned down a different street, mentally mapping out his path to backtrack later. He slowed down as a group of people left an alley in front of him. He tucked himself closer to the wall, holding his breath as they passed him. Peering into the alley, Peter froze at the crumpled figure inside.
When the group turned a corner, Peter darted into the alley. The man was beaten badly. Peter winced at the weird shape of his arm. He pressed two fingers to the man’s neck, counting the pulse before relaxing a little. The man was still alive, if only unconscious.
Peter couldn’t call anyone since he left his phone at Nate’s house. He doubted anyone on the streets now would let him borrow theirs. Thankfully the guy wasn’t bleeding outwardly. He tried to see if there were signs of internal bleeding but he couldn’t really tell. Peter hoped he wasn’t.
He should have learned some first aid after watching his family every morning after rough patrols. Peter had always been consoled and soothed whenever he fussed over them but still, they rarely explained the aid needed for those injuries. He could only faintly remember from Before and even that felt strangely fuzzy, mostly due to the enhanced healing he was sure took care of most of those types of injuries. In the end, nothing he could think of could be helpful for this man. He’d have to find help from someone else, maybe find a way to call 9-1-1.
Slipping back into the shadows, Peter crept towards the mouth of the alley. People walked by without looking into the alley despite the man left right in the middle of it. Everyone looked dangerous and without the sixth sense from Before, Peter couldn’t really trust anyone.
Chewing his lip, Peter calculated the time it would take to run back to Nate’s house. The guy might survive but he didn’t want to leave the man unconscious and alone.
“What’re you doin here, kid?” A man stopped a few feet from the alley, staring straight at Peter. He ducked back into the alley and hoped the guy was asking someone else. “I can see ya, shortstack.”
Cass said Peter was great at sneaking around! He even stumped Damian a few times, how did this guy see him?
“Why do you care?” Peter straightened up, attempting to stand like Damian. He always looked scary when he stood like this. The man only laughed when he saw Peter’s stance.
“Probably cuz you don’t look like ya belong around ‘ere. Where’re your parents?” The guy was pretty tall, probably taller than his dad. Peter had to lean back despite the distance to see his face. Dark hair hidden under a cap and blue eyes. This genetic pool in Gotham was really small if most people he met had blue eyes. He could faintly make out a scar on the lower part of his cheek.
“Do ya have your phone?”
The man raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment. “I do, why?”
“He’s hurt.” Peter pointed down the alley where the man was still laid out in. The guy hummed, fishing his phone out as he entered the alley. Peter stepped away from him, going back into the shadows if only to put space between them.
Last time a guy came close to him in an alley he had a knife to his neck. His mom had promised murder before his dad managed to stop her and he doubted his dad could stop her a second time.
“Do ya know him?” He crouched by the body, cataloging his injuries.
“No, I just found him like that.” Peter edged closer as the guy flashed his phone’s light over the man’s face.
“Leave him.”
“He’s hurt!”
“He’s no good. Better to die here.” The guy snapped back.
“No one deserves to die!” Aunt May wanted to save the other Green Goblin. She wanted to save all the criminals that came to their world even if they didn’t deserve it. Everyone deserves a chance and who were they to take away that option?
The guy walked past him back to the street. He stopped at the mouth of it before turning to face Peter. “This one does. Come on, I’ll walk ya out. You’ll end up like him if you stay here.”
Peter scowled, eyeing the phone still in the guy’s hand. He didn’t want to steal a phone. Maybe he could find a store still open.
“No thank you. I’m staying.”
The man sighed, pocketing his phone. He looked around the alley and rooftops before walking towards Peter. Peter bolted at the first step, racing deeper into the alley and past the unconscious guy. He should’ve known not to trust the man.
Footsteps pounded behind him, the guy’s boots making more noise in the otherwise silent alley. Peter yelled when arms caught him and a hand clamped over his mouth. He wiggled, trying to kick the guy but his feet didn’t deter the guy at all. “Quit it, kid. I’m tryna help ya.”
Peter licked the guy’s palm, ignoring the metallic taste of it. Unlike with Dick, this guy wasn’t grossed out by the action. “Enough.”
He couldn’t do anything more after that. Peter kept trying to kick him as the man carried him away but nothing deterred him. The farther they walked, the more they left Crime Alley. No one spared a second glance at the pair as they walked, giving them a wide berth at the sight of his height and bulk. Peter watched as they entered Old Gotham before the guy dropped Peter onto the sidewalk.
“Wait for Batman to take ya home.” The man huffed as he started to walk away. “I’ll be watching. Stay outta Crime Alley, kid.”
Peter groaned. He was farther from Nate’s house than before now! He tried to memorize the map of Gotham before going to Nate’s and he knows Old Gotham is below Crime Alley while Robbinsville is above it. There is no way he’ll make it back if he’s got a stalker keeping him from crossing the street.
Diving into the shadows, Peter glanced around for any cameras. Hopefully Barbara wouldn’t notice if he randomly showed up in Old Gotham…
Peter hadn’t seen the creepy guy after he left but he didn’t want to get spotted by him again. He was the only one who saw Peter from the shadows and he believed him when he promised to keep an eye on Peter. But he couldn’t be caught running around Gotham a second time. His dad might ground him again and he’s still grounded as is. Could he even get grounded again if he technically still was already?
Choosing between the two adults, Peter decided to risk it with the stalker. He didn’t kidnap Peter so he probably won’t hurt him. Maybe.
Creeping back into Crime Alley, Peter kept an eye out for the Stalker. The man was faster than Peter and would probably catch him if Peter tried to run. If the guy shows up again, he’ll just have to tell him to carry him to Robbinsville if he doesn't want kids in Crime Alley.
Peter still had to worry about getting the police to the alley, if only to ensure the guy was taken care of. Five minutes into the walk was enough for Peter to recognize the area more. The alley wouldn’t be far from here. He picked up his pace when the Stalker didn’t show up, racing towards the alley.
A gunshot echoed from the direction he was heading to. Peter ducked behind a building, peering out carefully. The echo was pretty loud but… it sounded close. Did someone…
Picking up his pace, Peter raced towards the alley.
Please be okay. Please be okay.
Peter reached the front of the alley before strong arms scooped him into the air. He sucked in a breath as they flew away from the man before landing on a roof. “Dad! You gotta check-”
A red mask stared back at him. Peter froze when he saw the full face mask, still in the man’s arms. He squirmed until he was released and fell to the ground. He rolled away before hopping to his feet. Peter stepped backwards, watching the Red Hood in front of him.
“Stay away from the ledge.” The heavily modulated voice came through the mask, startling Peter. He glanced behind him, realizing how far up they were. He will be in sooo much trouble.
“What do you want?” Peter turned, taking the stance Damian taught him. He couldn’t really fight but maybe the guy wouldn’t bother with a kid anyway? The articles never mentioned any dead kids.
The red mask tilted to the side silently. Peter wasn’t sure what he was looking for but he didn’t seem to find it. He turned his back to Peter, looking across the street to the alley.
“Nothing you can give me.” Red Hood finally spoke. His hand rested over one of his guns as if he might shoot Peter if he said the wrong thing.
“Then why kidnap me?” Peter wasn’t exactly worried about it. He’s been kidnapped before and hadn’t been shot. Red Hood might not be like Sabrina and Patrick but Peter doesn’t exactly have any trackers for his family to chase after this time. Not like they know where he is anyway.
Maybe he should have made a better plan than just finding him. He didn’t really think about what to do when he actually did meet him.
“You hurt someone I know.” There, it didn’t oust Tim or Red Robin. “I wanna know why.”
“You gonna make me talk, squirt?” Red Hood turned back to him now, his shoulders drawn tight. Peter took another step back. “Maybe he deserved it.”
“No one deserves that! You gotta go to jail cuz..cuz you hurt someone…” Trailing off, Peter realized he really couldn’t just demand that. Was he expecting Red Hood to realize the error of his ways and turn himself in? He should have thought this through more before going on with this plan. He just... he couldn't do nothing while Tim laid in bed like that.
Peter screamed when a hand grabbed his arm. Red Hood pulled him close with the bruising grip. His mask came close to Peter’s face, he could practically feel the fury burning under it. “He deserved it! He asked for it! You don’ get ta tell me shit!”
Red Hood let go after Peter whimpered, his hand going to his arm as the newest rogue stumbled away. Peter could hear his labored breathing from under the mask.
“I…shit. Fuck. Fucking shit.” Red Hood paced, his hands sliding over his mask.
Peter’s arm throbbed, a reminder the guy was bad. He couldn’t call for help without his phone… will anyone find him if he really was kidnapped by the Red Hood? Said man was still pacing, his footsteps were heavy as he stomped into the roof.
He reminded Peter of… the Winter Soldier. Frustrated and beating himself up over something he didn’t mean to do. Over an emotional break with unintended actions. Peter watched him pace, seeing Mr. Barnes in the man. Maybe there was more going on here than just a new rogue.
“Are you okay, Mr. Red Hood?” Peter piped up, flinching back when the red mask turned to him sharply. They both froze, staring at one another.
“I…” Red Hood growled, his gloved hand sliding over his mask before he sighed. “I didn’t mean to hurt ya. I’m sorry.”
“Okay.” Peter nodded. It made sense as he thought about it. Mr. Barnes was the same when he would accidentally attack Mr. Stark or Captain Rogers, or just about anyone who startled him. “I forgive you.”
You can’t hate someone for doing what they can to survive. If people can rationalize an injured dog’s behavior for biting then the same rationale transfers to people too. Peter could disapprove of Red Hood. Hate him for hurting Tim. But he didn’t mean to hurt Peter. At least, Peter thinks that the Red Hood didn’t mean to.
“What?”
“You didn’t mean to hurt me. I forgive you for that. But I still don’t like you because you hurt my bro- my friend. He didn’t deserve it either.” Peter explained, rocking in place as the wind blew past them.
“Call yer dad kid. You don’t belong here.” Red Hood ordered, stomping away from him. Peter hummed, he couldn’t even if he wanted to. And he really didn’t want to.
“I can’t.” Peter started when the Red Hood turned to him, rambling out the story. He kept out everything about trackers and vigilantes but he stressed that he was supposed to be at a friend’s house and he wanted to find him. By the end of his story, the Red Hood had sat on the ledge.
Peter inched forward, joining him slowly. He hadn’t been shot so he was sure the ledge was safe next to the Hood.
“You’ll get yourself killed some day, Peter. Stop tryna go out alone.” Red Hood sighed, his shoulders falling now. Peter frowned, leaning into the man for the warmth. He ignored the subtle flinch as the man tensed at the touch. Red Hood relaxed a second later as he took Peter’s weight by his side. “Yeah… you really don’ belong here, kiddo.”
“Maybe. But I’m here now.” Peter stared at the skyline ahead of them, imagining it to be Queens. He imagined the Avengers Tower in place of Wayne Enterprises. Maybe Peter Parker wouldn’t have belonged here, but he’s Peter Wayne-Kyle. “He’s alive, ya know. I like him. Please don’t hurt him again, Mr. Hood.”
Red Hood was quiet beside him, staring out at the skyline too. Peter couldn’t even see into the mask from underneath. “I promise.”
–
“How was your playdate, Master Peter?” Alfred asked as he took Peter’s backpack. Peter could only grin, he saved Tim after all.
“It was great!” Peter rushed into the car waiting by the curb. Alfred followed along calmly, humming in response.
Red Hood dropped him off in Robbinsville after their talk, Peter didn’t want to share Nate’s address just in case. It didn’t matter, really, since the Red Hood said he only went after bad guys. Peter didn’t understand why he tried to kill Tim if he only wanted to stop the bad guys but Hood promised to leave him alone. Peter planned to give him the chance to prove his word. He didn’t know what to do if he broke it but Peter would figure something out.
Of course, the Red Hood made Peter promise to never go back to Crime Alley too. Peter couldn’t wiggle out of the promise but he hoped he wouldn’t have a reason to go back. Maybe he can visit Old Gotham to try and talk to him again.
Red Hood probably needs a friend. Maybe he could apologize to Tim if they just talked about it. Peter figured there was something else there, he just had to be careful approaching that topic again.
“We’re home, Master Peter.” Alfred called, opening the side door for him. Peter glanced up, seeing the Manor behind him. How long did he space out for?
Peter hopped out of the car, following Alfred to the door. He raised his chin as they passed the threshold. He was able to protect Tim, even after the fact. The Red Hood won’t go after him again and that was because of Peter.
Other bad guys won’t be as nice as the Red Hood, but Peter has a feeling that under the mask, the guy really is like Bucky Barnes. He just needs a friend.
–
“How’re you feeling?” Peter crawled onto Tim’s bed, careful of the casts and bandages as he settled beside his brother with a book.
“Better.” Tim cleared his throat, slowly turning his head to keep an eye on Peter. “Heard you went to a friend’s house. Sounds like you’re not grounded anymore.”
“Yeah. I thought he was gonna say no.”
“Would you have gone anyways?”
“No comment.”
Tim chuckled, nodding slowly at his non-answer. Peter doesn’t regret it. Nate wasn’t allowed to see his cousin and Peter wasn’t really allowed out at all. This works out for the both of them. And now, Tim can recover without worry.
Peter just wished he could tell him that. There were no words he could use to explain what happened that wouldn’t end in him being grounded again.
“I can read to you if you want. It’s gotta be boring doing nothin’ all day.” Peter grinned, raising the book to show off the title. He hoped that after a few years, Peter would forget his time as a baby and while he forgot most of it… he can still remember some things. Sometimes it feels like he remembers so much while knowing nothing at all.
“Sure, it’s about time you read to me now.” Tim teased.
“‘When they were gone, Elizabeth, as if in-ten-ding to… axe-sper-ate herself as much as possible against Mr. Darcy…’” Peter began, stumbling over the longer words as he tried to recall those specific memories. He could read them just fine, but saying them? God help him with that.
Peter slid further into the bed, curling close to his brother as he read. Tim occasionally repeated the words to help him. Slowly, words blurred together as exhaustion pulled on Peter's mind. The events of his day took dragged yawns as he continued to read. Peter’s head lolled to the side with each break between words, resting on Tim’s shoulder.
“Good night, Pete.” Tim whispered as Peter fell asleep.