Chapter 25
Patrol wouldn’t start for another few hours and with everything going on at home, Dick decided to move back in. Driving back to Gotham nearly every other day was exhausting enough and then adding in whatever chaos his younger siblings created, Dick needed a break somewhere.
So he moved back into the manor much to the delight of Alfred and Bruce though neither would say it outright.
Dick was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Jason was alive. He never allowed himself to believe it despite Peter’s insistence. The facts were all there that he hadn’t survived and somehow, against all odds, Jason did.
“Good, we need to talk.” Selina slipped into his room, the door shutting silently behind her. Dick nodded, worry festering already at what could have happened now.
“Is Peter okay?” He followed Selina’s motion, seating himself on his bed as she perched on his desk across the room.
“He’s fine, Dick. I’ve planned for his lessons with Jason to continue and I want you to take him. Bruce can’t know otherwise he will intervene and we both know how stubborn he can be.” Selina sighed, her fingers dancing on the table. Dick watched them, listening to her and her nails tapping an unfamiliar rhythm. “I plan to keep him busy while Peter spends time with Jason but that means you will have to take him. I do not want my baby on his own in Crime Alley. Understand?”
Lessons from Jason? Dick wouldn’t say it hurt that he wasn’t teaching Peter but he also knew he couldn’t handle it either. Teaching him gymnastics was one thing and something that already stressed him out with how excited Peter was to get the moves right. He probably would coddle him too much.
But was Jason the better option? He loves his brother and is unendingly happy that he’s back but Jason was different. He would argue against anyone who would say it out loud but he could accept it quietly in his mind.
Jason wasn’t the same 15 year old who left for Ethiopia all those years ago. He’s hardened and cruel, rage simmering somewhere deep with the acid green pits climbing in his eyes alongside his anger. Dick had seen it when Jason and Damian argued but he also saw how it faded when Peter walked in.
Maybe Jason was better for this, at least between the two of them.
“I understand. Tonight?” Dick watched Selina move towards the door, a sharp nod was all he was given before she slipped back out. Sighing, he dropped back onto his bed and stared at the ceiling above.
Peter was learning to fight already.
This will backfire spectacularly soon enough. Dick could only hope to be close enough to save him from whatever trouble his baby brother stumbles into.
–
Peter paced his room, every day made the manor feel more like a cage. He was still taken out by whichever sibling drew the short straw in watching him and Peter found more ways to entertain himself with each one. Still, he didn’t want to stay in the manor every day.
Talia would be waiting for him tomorrow. Peter had some plans and had already managed to remove the trackers from one pair of his shoes. Hopefully, if he was lucky, Peter could slip out without anyone asking too many questions.
Peter had dreams of fighting criminals alone, of learning to fight while swinging through the streets of Queens. He wondered if he could do that again. If he could learn on the fly. Gotham needed vigilantes and he had powers to help him too.
Maybe if he learned by himself, he wouldn’t have to trust Talia. He wouldn’t need her to teach him if he managed it himself. She said he would be sloppy but Peter thought that couldn’t be too much of a problem. As long as he helped people, as long as his family was safe, what did it matter?
Staring at the domino mask shaped like a bat in his hand, Peter considered how best to leave the manor without the cavalry being called in. Damian kept extra masks in his room, something Peter was sure his dad didn’t know about if only for the security risk. It did make the theft easier for Peter as opposed to sneaking into the cave.
“Mr. Stark, can you disable the cameras and sensors outside?” Peter asked, hoping the new codes he and Tim had added to Stark would give him the power to help him escape. He could slip out before everyone leaves for patrol, avoiding being seen while they took their pre-patrol naps or handled other business.
“Are you sure about this, kiddo?” Stark questioned, the A.I imitating the real Mr. Stark a little too well.
Peter pulled his window open. “I’m sure.” His room was on the second floor but with his stickiness, he could get down a lot faster.
He just had to make sure to avoid being seen from anyone inside.
Sticking his leg out, Peter pulled himself farther out of the window. Once he makes it to the ground he could run to the trees. The increased stamina should help him get to Gotham from here… Then.. then he’d figure something out.
“Hey Peter, your mom and I…” Dick paused from the doorway, staring at Peter. “Get back inside, Pete.”
Dick sighed tiredly, the door closing behind him as he entered further. Peter eyed him, glancing back out the window. “Please, puisor. I’m not jumping out after you.”
Releasing a breath, Peter climbed back inside. At least Dick wasn’t calling for his dad. He followed his brother, jumping onto his bed beside him.
“Like I was saying, we thought you might like to continue your lessons. Do you want to keep learning from Jason?” Dick smiled, wrapping an arm around Peter. He buried closer into his brother as the words sank in.
“Really?” They were letting him keep on with his lessons? Does his dad know?
Dick grinned down at him, ruffling his hair with his other hand. “Really. So no climbing out of windows, got it? And Stark, enable the security measures around the manor again.”
Both brothers grinned, Peter giggling as Mr. Stark confirms that they were up and running.
–
Peter whooped, clinging to Dick’s back as they swung through the city. The clouds hid the sunset as shadows crawled farther outward. The streets steadily emptying with civilians rushing home after another long day.
He held on as they glided right, flying farther into the city. Listening in on the conversations below as some laughed and some talked. The people below were safe tonight as Nightwing soared above them. Peter in his borrowed domino mask grinned, a spider watching over the bird.
“It’s over there!” He pointed past Dick’s head towards a building farther south of them. Dick nodded, shooting off the grapple gun as the movement from the previous swing pushed them farther.
The air felt cool and crisp as they approached the old gym. Peter spotted the motorcycle, hidden under a tarp to the left of the building. Jason was already waiting.
Peter pulled himself a little higher on his brother’s back, watching as they swung low behind the gym. He dropped quickly as Dick’s feet touched the ground, running for the back door. “Jason!!”
As if he was already waiting, Jason opened the door, only a domino mask to hide his identity. Peter jumped into his arms, laughing brightly as Jason staggered back with a laugh of his own. He heard Dick follow them inside, the lighting from the gym illuminating their path farther in.
“What’re we doing today?” Peter grinned, holding onto Jason’s shoulders to look him in the eye. He watched as Jason removed the domino mask, staring back at him with his bright eyes.
“Punching. Go and warm up.” Jason dropped him on the mats, urging him towards the center to get ready. Peter frowned for a moment, he already learned how to throw a punch and how to dodge. A quick glance offered a sly wink from his brother as Dick joined his side.
Peter grinned, running for the mats towards the left.
–
“Peter’s known how to throw a punch since he was three.” Dick glanced at Jason, keeping one eye over at the baby bat on the mats.
“What? Why?” Jason frowned.
Dick looked at his younger brother, a sad smile on his face. “He wanted to find you. You know… he hated Tim when Bruce first brought him home. Said he couldn’t replace you.”
Jason stayed silent beside him, staring across the mats to Peter. The youngest never lost his headstrong stubbornness. Something all the siblings agreed came from Bruce. Peter searched for Jason for years, breaking out to find him whenever he could. Whenever the household turned their back for a second too long.
Somehow, in the end, Peter did find him.
“I’m glad he found you. And that he never gave up.” Dick placed his hand on Jason’s shoulder, watching him. “We’ve missed you, Little Wing.”
“I’m ready!!” Peter hopped up, waving his hands as he ran forward.
Jason started, lost in his own world for a moment before stepping away from Dick. “Great, let’s get started.”
Dick settled on the bench press to watch. Jason might not want to talk right now but just being in the same room was enough. Maybe he will come home, back to the manor, soon enough. For now, Dick just watched them. Jason’s eyes softened as he crouched by Peter’s side, showing him his fist and miming a punch. He watched how Jason guided Peter’s hand, the lines of Jason’s back relaxing as they went over the move together.
The Red Hood was terrifying and bloody. An angel of death that haunted Gotham for a long time. Trailing bodies and fire where he went and taunting the Dark Knight himself each night he was free. Nightwing and the other vigilantes of the city were warned away from facing him, the training the Hood had was deadly. Nearly killing Red Robin already with knowledge they hadn’t expected him to know.
Of course, it made sense after learning the Red Hood was actually Jason.
Both criminals and civilians feared him. Dick understood, at first. The Red Hood swooped in the city and delivered eight heads straight to the station before disappearing. He nearly burned down the cathedral to take out a few gang leaders. Red Hood was wild and merciless.
Until he met Peter.
Or rather, until Peter chased him down himself.
Peter laughed, drawing Dick from his thoughts. Jason held him up, swinging him onto his back as Peter’s giggles echoed around the gym walls. Jason grinned back at him as Peter grappled at his neck, their training turning into a light hearted wrestling match.
The Red Hood with his blood red mask. With corpses and shadows lining his path. Green eyes filled with rage and a vengeance to counter Batman’s.
All he could see is Jason who plays with Peter even now. No line of murder or anger contorting his face, no green seeping in his eyes. No, Jason may have been the Red Hood that terrorized Gotham and her vigilantes but he isn’t the same anymore. He couldn’t be, with how he interacts with Peter.
Leaning back, Dick smiled. Glad his little brothers were back together.
–
She never had brothers or sisters. Stephanie Brown was an only child with a criminal father. Then she met Robin and Batman while chasing after her dad, tearing through his games to save the innocents harmed by him. She met Peter and Dick and learned for the first time what it was like to have a chaotic little gremlin of a brother. Of having a responsible, caring older brother watching out for her.
Spending time with Peter usually led to one of two things. Either simple trouble and fun or something chaotic that would lead them both into trouble.
Peter wasn’t even here to enjoy the chaos either. She figured he’d love to hear all about it later, though.
“I’m really sorry, Batman.” She kicked at the tires of the batmobile, steering clear from the smoke rising from beneath its hood. She wondered what Selina did to it considering it stopped working a mile out of the woods.
Neither of them could swing their way across the river into the city from here.
“Hmm.” Batman eyed the car from the other side, his hands crossed over his chest. Steph watched him, her eyes flicking back to the batmobile as another plume pushed out into the air above.
“So… what now?” She glanced back into the woods, the path back towards the cave with trepidation. “Walk back to the cave for our bikes? Maybe Agent A could drive us to the city.”
The image nearly broke her facade; Alfred dropping them off into the city for a night of vigilantism before waiting to be picked up again when they were done. It was just too good of a possibility, she hoped he’d go for it.
“We get our bikes.” Batman turned from her, beginning the trek back towards the cave. This would take a good chunk of their time to grab their bikes.
Steph grinned, following after him. Maybe Bruce will finally add that fancy call button for the bikes now.
“Whatchya gonna do about the car now?” Steph questioned, speeding up to walk beside Batman. The interference was funny at first but she was beginning to regret it after the past few minutes of walking was carried out in silence.
She should’ve stuck Tim with him instead.
–
Curled on the couch, Tim eyed the empty apartment. He hoped he’d get used to the silence by now but still, he hasn’t. Selina’s words kept rattling in his mind as flashes of that night in the Tower nearly forced him to run. Run from Gotham and away from the Red Hood.
It wasn't like being outside of Gotham would make any place safer. Red Hood found him in the Tower. That should have been the safest place just below the Watchtower.
Selina and Dick, even Alfred kept checking in on him. Asking the same damn question.
How are you?
Tim’s fine. Tim’s great. What’s not fine about the entirely fucked up situation? Peter’s long lost brother, the fallen Robin, turns out to be Red Hood who tried to kill him and he’s fine.
You’re his brother, too.
He thought of all the lab time he spent with Peter. Where Peter stared up at him as if he created the formulas and codes all on his own. He thought of those earlier years, after Peter stopped hating him so much. All those times where Peter curled up next to him demanding he read science books in the library. Of Peter trying to cuddle with him after he came back from the Towers, the seriousness in his eyes when he promised to fix it.
Tim snorted, Peter did fix it. In a way. The Red Hood, Jason, didn’t go after him again. Maybe he should be glad but… it wasn’t enough.
Peter was so happy to have his brother back that he forgot- no, he didn’t realize that Tim wasn’t ready to be so close to Jason. He wasn’t sure he ever would be. Not when seeing the red mask was enough for Tim to see bloody walls, his blood painting the room as the Red Hood walked after him. Hearing slow footsteps as he tried to crawl and push himself away, call for help and find a place to hide. He could still feel the knife, the fists raining down on him. He could still hear those words spewing vitriol as green light bled through the mask.
For Peter, he could pretend. For Peter, he’ll be fine.
Even if he isn’t.
Tim sighed, tossing the book onto the coffee table in front of him. Reading won’t distract him from his problems. Not this time. He just needed a change. Maybe he should visit Metropolis. That’s far enough from Gotham and Red Hood for Tim to relax. Besides, he offered to help plan Peter’s birthday party.
Less than a month away before he’s eight. God help them when he’s a teenager.
Peter will be impossible.
–
“Whatchya doin out here, ankle-biter?”
Peter’s head shot up from where he rested it on his knee. Uncurling from his spot as the smile grew on his face. “Ms. Quinn!”
“That’s Aunt Harley to you, chickadee!” Harley grinned, her bat resting over her shoulder.
Climbing back onto his feet, Peter bounced closer to her. He eyed the bat, stained red from some poor guy that crossed her. Harley Quinn dressed in her most casual attire today. Jeans and a white sweater that Peter recognized his mom had.
“Sorry, Aunt Harley.” He grinned, taking her free hand. “Are you here to watch me?”
His dad had been called to an emergency meeting at WE so he was instructed to wait in the library for someone to pick him up. Babs didn’t want him scaring any more visitors so Peter chose to wait on the stairs.
“Hmm. Well no… but whoever is shouldn't've been late! You’re with me now, chickadee.” Harley laughed, pulling him down the street as they went. “Let’s go bust some heads!”
Peter snorted, watching as people gave them a wide berth where they walked. “I don’t wanna kill anyone, Aunt Harley.”
“Eh, you’re still young.”
They walked for a while, growing the distance from the library to wherever Harley led him. Peter wondered how her hyenas were doing.
Slowly the buildings shortened on either side. Low rise buildings lining the streets. Peter glanced over each one; little shops with sketchy owners, groups of people crowding the corners, and rats that scurried underfoot. He moved closer to his Aunt as they walked farther into the Narrows.
“Where are we going?” Peter eyed the building they walked towards. A smiling donkey eating a burrito stared down at them as they approached. People ducked where they sat inside, eyes peering through fringe and from under hats as they entered.
“Getting tacos! What else?” Harley marched straight to the register, rattling off her order before urging him to do the same.
Peter let her drag him towards a booth near the back, watching the people over his shoulder. His mom said he wasn’t allowed in Crime Alley without someone with him. He’s not in Crime Alley and he isn’t alone either. He smiled as Aunt Harley as she told him a story about Bruce the hyena.
It wasn’t long before a woman brought over their food as she cooed over Peter in spanish. He beamed up at her as she spoke. When she went back to the register, Harley pushed the quesadillas closer to him. “Come on cupcake, eat up. Can’t let Brucie think I’d starve my favorite nephew.”
Peter could hear the hearts of everyone inside, they raced the moment Harley entered the place. Slowly their beats were nothing but a background rhythm, fading from mind. It was only when Harely stopped talking, her eyes reaching behind him and hearts picked up again that he tuned in to the world around them.
Three men entered, faces full of makeup and green ties tucked into their suits. Peter eyed them over his shoulder, his hand taking his aunt’s as they approached.
“Well, if it ain’t Harley Quinn!” The first man jeered, stopping in front of their table. “And who’s this?”
“No one you need ta know. Now fuck off before I make ya.” Harley stood, her hand slipping from his. Peter rose too, eyeing the three men warily.
They were Joker’s men. He should still be in Arkham, so why are they here now? The people from the other booths slowly slipped out. He could hear the couple from the register shuffling to the back as a door clicked shut.
“Oooh, you’re not so scary without da Joker, Harley.” The man sneered, leaning towards her. “Whatcha gonna do, bitch?”
Peter snarled, stepping between them. “Leave her alone!”
The men laughed as Harley placed a hand on his shoulder, lightly pulling him back towards her. Peter kept his eyes on them. Jason said to never take your eyes off your opponent but also never let yourself focus too much that others could crawl in his peripherals.
There were only three men.
Guns hidden in their jackets.
Only three men.
Peter took a step forward, raising his chin to meet their eyes. One crookedly grinned back at him, his nose twisted from being broken too many times. The other two laughed. “Go away.”
“Go away? Nah, little man. This just got fun .” The leader laughed again, poking his nose. “Say, ain’t you Wayne’s brat?”
No, Peter thought, he was the son of Batman and Catwoman. They just happened to be a Wayne and a Kyle.
Darting forward, Peter ducked from the raising arms of the startled man. Peter broke into his space, thrusting a fist straight for the man’s diaphragm. Harley took his que, swinging her bat over his head and flinging one man flat on his back.
The man in front of him grunted, coughing as he caught his breath. Peter could almost hear Jason’s words in his mind, reminding him not to give them time to recover.
He swung again, aiming for just above the ear as he knocked the man to the ground.
At his feet the Joker’s henchman laid, white face paint with closed eyes facing under the table. His heart beat continued, a slower rhythm in tune to the unwanted sleep he now had. Peter looked back up as Harley cursed.
One man laid behind her, his face painted red now with blood. His crooked nose twisted more than before. Peter stepped forward to help her with the third man but before he could step closer, Harley handled it.
The last man fell. His head cracking loudly in the now silent restaurant, thudding heavily against the blood stained tiles. Both victors stood over them as they caught their breath. Peter stared at the blood, listening to the heartbeats as he reminded himself that they weren’t dead.
“Well that was boring. Say, Petey-pie, let’s go to the zoo. I think it’s time I get myself another baby.” Harley grinned, holding out a hand for Peter.
Stealing is wrong. Stealing and being a thief are the same thing but he really wanted to see the hyenas again. And a new one would be fun… They were too fluffy to say no to. Peter took her hand.
“I wanna see the lions too!”
“Sure! We can even get you a lil cub!”
–
Bruce eyed the pair sitting on the curb just outside the zoo. He expected Alfred to take Peter home and instead got a call from Barbara that Harley had kidnapped his son for the next few hours. It had to be wishful thinking that she would take him to her and Pamela’s apartment while they waited for his meeting to be over.
Everyone always said his paranoia was extreme.
This is why he’s paranoid.
“You tried to steal a lion cub.” He raised an eyebrow at the pair, unsure if Gordon was being dramatic for once.
“We was just adopting, Brucie! Petey wants a cat! There’s no better cat than a lion!” Harley whined.
Peter nodded along beside her, his hands petting the hyena the police haven’t managed to tranq or take from the pair quite yet. Bruce had to close his eyes when the animal’s maw opened, its tongue lolling out at his son’s ministrations.
Couldn’t he have one child who wanted to stay home and read books, maybe go to college. Hell, he’d be happy for a frat boy college kid who drank all day as long as they steered clear from this .
“We have a cat. And a dog, cow, turkey.” Bruce frowned at his son, Damian’s habit of bringing animals home seems to be spreading.
“Maybe when you’re older, kitten.” Selina walked towards them with her calm smile. Alfred stood behind her by the car, no doubt here to watch whether they were bringing home a new animal. “Harley, why is my son’s clothes bloodied?”
Bruce scrutinized Peter’s clothes. The red spots on his sleeve and the smears by the hem were clear against the white shirt. “Harley.”
“Oh don’t look at me like that! It was Joka’s bitches. Petey here helped me fight ‘em.” Harley waved a hand before dropping it to pet the hyena. The animal rolled more onto Peter’s lap, its large head resting just over his little knee.
Bruce held onto Selina’s hand, the only physical thing that could keep him from pulling his son away from the teeth and claws.
“I hope you didn’t let him get hurt, Harley.” Selina mused, eyeing Peter from beside him. It seemed even the courageous Catwoman was wary of the hyena on their son’s lap.
“Course not! Whatcha take me for?” Harley scoffed, nudging Peter lightly. “He took care of ‘imself, didn’tcha?”
Peter grinned, leaning forward over the hyena’s face to tell them all about the thugs. Bruce tried to listen but his eyes fell back to the hyena with each breath it took. He should have called in Tim to go after them.
Though now he knows how he will spend his night. The Joker’s men being active while he was stuck in Arkham did not mean anything good. If this was just them going out on their own it would be easy to crack down on. But, if this was some larger scheme than it was best that Batman intervened as soon as possible.
But first he has to free his son from under the hyena.