Chapter 31
“No, Peter.” Bruce sighed, no longer finding his coffee as welcoming so early in the morning. Somehow Peter had gotten in his head to demand another patrol night and has made it a mission to convince him during breakfast. After Bruce had spent his night tracking Killer Croc in the sewers. He was not prepared for Peter's ambush and felt worse already with the injuries from finding Waylon.
“But I can help. I can protect you!” Peter tried, his hands pressed into the table where he leaned over. “I already have a suit!”
“He can join me, Bruce.” Dick tried, joining his brother’s side.
Ordinarily, Bruce would love seeing his kids backing each other up. Ordinarily it’s over something that won’t cause their youngest member an early death or terrible injuries. Trauma and nightmares. The list of things that could be inflicted on his son grew with every second he imagined that suit back on the streets of Gotham. No, this is not something he wants the others involving themselves in. Not this time.
“No.”
He knew he was hurting Peter. It was clear in the watery eyes that blinked up at him. In Peter’s attempt to keep from crying at his refusal. Selina had been right that Peter took after him a little too much.
Bruce loves that Peter is like him but he is also so scared of it. Peter shouldn’t have to want to be a vigilante. He should be safe and have the opportunity to grow up away from the absolute worst things Gotham has to offer. Peter should be begging for another sleepover, not another night of patrol. He should be studying his favorite subjects, not trying to learn various fighting techniques.
He had hoped that Peter could be the safe one in their family. That out of all his children, Peter never has to go to bed nursing injuries and fending off nightmares.
“I HATE you!” Peter yelled, the tears no longer held back as his youngest ran from the room. The others were quick to drop their feigned conversations, focusing their glares on him.
Bruce sucked in a breath, forcing himself to remain absolutely still. Peter wasn’t the first of his children to scream that at him. He wasn’t the first son to hate him or his methods. This shouldn’t hurt as much as it does.
“You kinda deserved that.” Dick added on unhelpfully before he left the room after Peter.
He could handle being hated if it meant Peter was safe.
This was just the first time Peter said it. That’s the only reason it hurts. He doesn’t understand what Bruce is trying to protect him from. His son doesn’t have to feel like he has to protect his dad, it isn’t his job.
“My son is crying. Care to tell me what happened?” Selina leaned on the doorway, her eyes focused solely on him.
“Bruce told Peter he can’t join us on patrol.” Steph waved her fork in the air casually, the hard set of her jaw betraying the light tone.
“Training room, Bats.” Selina scowled, turning on her heels to leave.
“Master Bruce.” Alfred dismisses him clearly, his coffee disappearing in the butler’s hands as he leaves the room as well.
Bruce left quickly after that, it was clear everyone was against his decision. He could safely assume Selina will demand they spar, and that it was in his best interest to just let her have her way in the fight. There was no stopping an angry Catwoman and he just made their son cry.
Peter might be hurt now for this but someday he’ll understand. He’ll see that the life of a vigilante isn’t as great as he thinks it is. He’ll be thankful that he got to grow up normal and safe. Bruce just has to be patient. Peter won’t hate him forever for this, it’s just something kids say.
A tactic. Manipulative but without meaning to be.
Bruce pushed his own pain at those words down as he entered the batcave, spotting Selina pacing on the mats.
“Peter is our son, isn’t he?” Selina started, her leg swinging high as Bruce dropped into a roll to avoid it.
“Yes.” He grunted at the bo staff she procured from the wall before he could even stand back up. Feinting left, Bruce put some distance between them as she circled him.
“So the decisions on his life and care are a shared thing. Right?” Bruce just barely managed to avoid the end of the staff at her sharp swing, he had to remind himself that he won’t engage in this fight. This is for Selina’s benefit.
Maybe he should have spoken with her first.
But she would have let him. She lets Peter get away with too much, she doesn’t see the dangers as he does. Selina believes that Batman could keep him safe but doesn't understand that he can't. That one day, he will be forced to make a call that even he would hate. He could not allow Peter to fall for his own choices. Peter was safe from those decisions within the manor, far from Rogues and criminals.
“Right.”
A grapple line shot out, tangling his right leg as Bruce surges to the side to avoid a full hit to his legs. The line recedes, nearly dropping him to the ground if he didn’t dance forward to follow the pull. Selina ducks his kick, dropping the grapple gun in favor of twisting around to stay behind him.
“So tell me, Bats, why did you tell him no without asking me?” Bruce felt it before he could move as the bo staff he’s been avoiding hits the back of his knee, a hand grabbing his hair to hold him in place. Selina’s hair tickles his ear as she leans into him. “He’s your son as much as he is mine. He will go out there no matter what. I would rather he join you than be on his own. If you won’t do it, I’ll ask Jason.”
Bruce stayed on his knees as she walked away, her heels clacked across the ground once she's left the mats.
Peter takes after him a little too much. He left the manor to train against Alfred’s wishes. Peter would just do the same, wouldn’t he?
–
“I think it’s a hallucination. Probably Scarecrow’s newest batch.” Gwen scoffs, dropping onto the grass.
“No way! My dad says that Spiderkid’s real. Batman always has some new kid following him.” Nate rolls his eyes, joining her on the ground.
Peter glances around the park first, eyeing the people that milled around. More kids were out today since it was a rare sunny day. The clouds hung at the horizon, threatening to return soon as the sun filtered through the smaller ones above them. “I thought he’s called Spider-man.”
Gwen giggles, sitting up to grin at him. “Spider-man? Pete, the rumors are practically calling him a baby!”
Spider-man wasn’t a baby. Peter scowled, crossing his arms as Nate joined her in theorizing Spider-man’s age. They were so off it hurt but Peter couldn’t say anything. He wasn’t that small!
If he got to go out again he could show them. Spider-man wasn’t a baby but a hero.
“Gwen!” A teenager called, smiling as he jogged over. His hair reminded Peter of Tim's with the brown hair parted slightly off center, little parts reached down to his eyebrows.
Gwen turned, grinning at the boy. “Skip! Whatcha doin’ out here?”
“It’s sunny out. I’m not gonna miss that.” Skip laughed, crouching beside her. Peter glanced back at Sabrina and his mom, they were talking about stubborn husbands. He wrinkled his nose as Sabrina suggested ways to get back at his dad.
“I heard about you, Einstein, right?” Skip smiled, holding out a hand towards Peter. He blinked, refocusing on the group in front of him as he took Skip’s hand.
“Einstein?”
“Gwen says you’re smart as shit. So, Einstein. You don’t mind, right?” Skip asked, frowning a little. Peter shook his head, the nickname didn’t sound bad. He was smart. Tim says so and his teacher's have complained about it.
Peter sits back as Nate and Gwen argue over Spider-man’s age with Skip. He was the only one who agreed that the possible new vigilante wasn’t a baby. “Babies are little, Spider-man has to be older than that!”
“See? If Einstein says it, it has to be true.” Skip nods as Gwen groans in defeat.
They sat there for another hour, enjoying the rare sunny day in Gotham. Peter learned that Skip was Gwen’s neighbor and occasionally watched her when Sabrina was busy. He liked soccer and never saw Star Wars. Peter didn’t really mind him joining in despite never being invited to stay, he seems nice.
–
Red Robin stood on a rooftop, finally freed from bedrest. He was still not too sure that that night wasn’t a hallucination. Red Hood, Jason, apologized. He comforted him. Yeah, that had to have been some weird dream. Nightmare? Shaking his head, Red Robin focused at the cars that passed below him.
Of course he was back on patrol when the only significant problem was Killer Croc wandering Gotham. Batman and Robin were sniffing around to find him, leaving the rest of them to watch over the city. Spoiler was in the Diamond District tonight and Orphan had been stationed in Old Gotham.
Red Robin was stuck with Gotham Heights, a relatively slow area for crime.
Which only gave him more time to think about that night.
Jason saved him. Peter wasn’t there to make him nor was Batman ordering him to do it. Maybe Oracle told Hood to get him out of there but she claimed otherwise. Tim wasn’t sure what to believe but he couldn’t imagine the Red Hood leaving Crime Alley to save him out of all people.
He would love to claim it was some trick. A psychological way to distress Tim and maybe lull him into a sense of security. It could make sense if Jason hadn’t changed so much since Peter dragged him to the cave.
The Red Hood didn’t kill anymore. At least as far as any of them were aware. He wore the Bat’s symbol and joined them when they needed back up.
There was no reason for him to think Jason was still out for blood. There was no reason for him to be so paranoid. Jason has been helping Peter. He’s helped Alfred with grocery runs on occasion. Hell, Jason had Batman’s back in a few fights without letting any hits slip through as he does with Nightwing sometimes.
Selina told him to talk to ‘him’. Maybe he should talk to Jason himself rather than Peter? Would he be safe talking to Hood alone? Should he bring back up?
“O, I’m heading to CA.” Red Robin decided. He would back out and over plan otherwise. He’d make a script or two that would end up in the bin anyways. Better to get this out of the way, get actual answers from the source. And if he gets hurt, well, he’ll at least have his answer.
“Are you sure?” Oracle questions, her worry clear in her voice.
“Yeah.”
Hopping off the roof before he could really think anymore on it, Red Robin swung his way towards the Eastside. All he had to do was ask his questions. It wouldn’t be an interrogation and he would not press if Hood sent him away.
The city below him was fairly quiet as he soared. The streets weren’t empty but no one seemed in any danger and there were no sounds indicating it either. Dick had mentioned Peter’s argument with Bruce that morning. This night would have been perfectly safe to bring him out. Maybe he could swing back to the cave and sneak Peter out for a few hours while Batman was underground.
Crime Alley came into view quickly. His heart raced as he dropped onto the roof of a laundromat, the windows below partly illuminating the street. He couldn’t hear any gunshots but Hood would find him eventually. He took the moment of peace to breathe. He didn’t need to be comforted by Jason again. That was just too weird.
“Little far from your area, Replacement.” The heavy thud of Red Hood’s landing drew him out of the short meditation. Tim turned to face the red mask, his hands twitching for the bo staff at his back.
Red Hood stood, arms crossed before him. He didn’t reach for his guns nor rushed forward for an attack. Red Robin noted his stiff stance, defensive rather than offensive. He was wary but not preparing to attack.
“You saved me.” Not a question but he’ll roll with it. “Why did you want to kill me?”
“Really? Here?” Red Hood scoffed, his boots thudding heavily as he walked forward. Tim shifted, his right hand grasping onto the staff where his thumb found the hidden button on instinct. Hood froze, hands raising in surrender. “Thought you’d wanna take a seat, kid. I won’t hurt you.”
He would rather talk from across the street if it was at all possible.
Slowly, Tim sat on the ledge. He let his hands drop to his lap as Jason sat a few feet from him. They sat there for a few minutes, the silence only breaking at the occasional siren echoing down the empty streets.
Maybe he should have brought back up. Nightwing had gone back to Bludhaven for tonight but he would have come if Tim just asked. He really should have asked. What would Jason say? Why did he hate him so much?
“I was angry, still am. But I was never angry at you, not really.” Hood sighed, the voice modulator crackling at the rush of air. “I hated B and seeing a new Robin pissed me off. He replaced me after I died. He brought in more kids after me.” Hood’s hands clenched at his side, his voice deepening the more he spoke. “One kid died and the fucker decided to buy out an orphanage of kids to dress up at night. I thought he- Whatever, look, I was mad and pissed at B. I shouldn’t have gone for you but I thought I could scare you off.”
“I was already Red Robin. I wasn’t Robin anymore.” Tim was almost breathless as he spoke. Everyone knew Jason hated Bruce. Red Hood targeted him the moment he showed up in Gotham after all. But he went after Tim, too. Somewhere he was supposed to be safe and he tried to kill him. He was alive but not because Jason wanted to scare him off. No, Batman made it to the Tower and Hood slipped out while he rushed to follow the trail of blood.
“I know.” Hood broke through his thoughts, his voice impossibly defeated. “I know. I… you were the next Robin. I just… it felt right. It wasn’t, I know that but at the time…”
“You fucked up.” He should have just sewn his mouth shut. Or had Kon at his side for this.
He shouldn’t be allowed to talk because at some point Hood will snap and he probably couldn’t survive a second attack.
Red Hood laughed, his head flying back as his shoulders shook. “Yeah, yeah God I fucked up.”
“Still not an apology.”
“Jesus fuck, Replacement. I’m sorry, okay? We both know that won’t do shit. I nearly killed you and there’s nothing I can do to fix that.”
“As cute as this is, there’s a robbery four blocks from you guys.” Oracle cut in, startling both of them. “Also for the record, Hood, an apology can still go a long way. It’s a start.”
“Eavesdrop again and I’m throwing this in the river.” Hood scoffed before leaping off the roof. “You coming, Replacement?”
Tim scoffed, dropping to follow him. Maybe Hood won’t be coming for his throat anymore now. Jason was fucked up on that Pit Rage with those… eyes. Tim had seen it again a few times since he’s returned to the bats but he hasn’t gotten close to killing anyone since.
He might not feel safe around him for a while but… in a very weird and very messed up way, Jason wanted him to be safe. Definitely not the way to go about it but frankly it was better than Bruce and Peter’s dilemma.
Thank god he was too old to be grounded. Somehow he could see Jason trying to ground him if he had been around the manor years ago.
–
Bruce hovered over the kitchen, trying in vain to reach the fridge before Alfred would inevitably appear and send him out. He wasn’t stressed over the cake. He just wanted to make sure Sabrina Stacy wouldn’t poison it in some revenge attempt. That’s all.
“Bruce, the cake is the exact same as it was since Alfred put it in there.” Selina smirked, raising her glass of wine to her lips. Sabrina laughed at her side, a matching smirk finding its way to her face.
He didn’t understand their friendship. Selina had said she would never forgive the woman for kidnapping Peter yet she had received an invitation for Peter’s birthday.
“I know.”
“Perhaps, Master Bruce, you may greet the other guests as is the duty of the host. The Kent's have just arrived.” Alfred dismissed him with a cool look, clearly he was still mad about his fight with Peter.
Right, Peter’s party. His son is eight now and his son hates him. It's been a week and Peter still hasn't forgiven him. Maybe Clark would have some advice on the matter. Though both his sons are heroes now so maybe not… But Jon did only join at ten. There was some hope.
“There’s somethin’ refreshing to see a rich guy bein’ cowed by their butler.” Sabrina laughed followed by Selina’s own cackle.
Bruce decided it was probably best for him to leave now. Their friendship was too strange for him to parse out beyond Selina faking it to keep an eye on her. Knowing his wife… she really did befriend their son’s kidnapper.
He followed the sound of the party to the garden for a second time. It was generally smart to host the birthday parties at the manor when most guests tend to be in the know of the vigilante and Justice League identities. With Peter’s two friends present, all guests were warned to not use any of their powers in view of the civilians.
His home was the safest place to host. Gordon was aware of the party and had promised to drop in later for a bit as well. No one would try to attempt any attack here and with all the heroes on the ground, if they did there was nothing they could possibly do.
Sweeping over the garden, Bruce caught sight of his son first. Peter led Gwen and Nate towards the barn, Damian and Jon tailed them from a distance. Peter was still refusing to talk to him and Selina and Alfred have refused to help him with this.
His one possible consultant was Clark, who he found standing by the refreshment table with Diana. Hmm.
“Bruce.” Clark smiled in greeting. “Alfred’s mad at you?”
“What have you done now?” Diana quirked an eyebrow, glancing between them. Of course Clark would have heard Alfred’s earlier comment. Or perhaps Selina told Lois.
“Peter wants to join us in the family business. I told him no.” His son was eight. He only allowed Dick to join him because it was the only way to keep him safe… No, he refused to see Selina’s perspective. She had a point, Peter would go out on his own just as he had feared Dick would all those years ago.
But his son didn’t have to. He had no one to avenge.
“I see. Has he had any training?” Diana asked.
“He’s had inconsistent lessons from various siblings but nothing serious.”
“Why don’t you train him?” Clark foolishly asked.
The answer should really be obvious. Peter didn’t need to learn beyond the basic self defense. Someone would show up to protect him if he was ever in danger. “He doesn’t need it.”
Diana and Clark glanced at each other, something passing between them that Bruce couldn’t quite decipher. Clearly they were on Selina’s side.
“Better to know it and not need it than need it and not know it.” Diana hummed, leaning back against the table. “A true warrior does not have to merely fight in physical combat but to fight for what is good.”
“Right.” Bruce scowls. That does nothing for his problem. “He hates me.”
“Maybe train him? It’s a good bonding opportunity too. Jon and Kon love it. Lois says they just like getting to team up against me, though.” Clark shrugs sheepishly.
Training Peter isn’t what’s best. No one seems to agree with him, they don’t see the problems of bringing him into the fold. Peter wouldn’t have the chance to just hang up the suit if he wore it again. He wouldn’t be able to freely run with his friends when he’s constantly looking over his shoulder. Would he even still remain friends with them? Or would he withdraw and begin planning contingencies for them like Bruce does?
Peter was too much like him already. Would Peter reach the same level of paranoia? Never feeling safe even inside his own home?
“No.” He could hear Peter laugh as Damian chased him out of the barn, their friends following after. “He doesn’t have to fight.”
He should remain a kid. A child who can laugh so freely. Smiling brightly at his family, even if he would hate Bruce. He’ll bear that hatred like a medal if Peter can grow up safe and whole.
–
“Thanks Alfie.” Jason grins, taking the bag from the older man. Alfred nods once before slipping back into the kitchen.
Selina had called a few hours earlier with a birthday present for Peter and now it rested on Jason’s shoulders to ensure he received it. It also hung in the balance of Jason’s second life. He spotted Selina watching him from down the hall, her piercing eyes meeting his.
“He gets hurt, kitten, no one will save you.” She disappears behind the door to her and B’s room swiftly after that.
Jason could only sigh before heading to Peter’s room. Just because the old man was being stubborn, now he had to take out their escape artist.
Their escape artist...
Jason lengthened his stride before swinging the door to Peter’s room open. He scrambled for the lights before the room was illuminated. Peter’s bed was rumbled but still made. He’d been here but not for long. Nothing was out of place and his shoes were by his bed. His phone was left on the bedside nightstand, a blue light flickered to signify unread messages.
“Fuck.”
Jason walked farther into the room, cataloging everything he could see. Peter wasn’t kidnapped, obviously no one could manage that against the defenses of Wayne Manor. No, based off the stories he's heard and frankly, seen, it was clear Peter ran. He must have been impatient with Bruce which Jason could relate too.
Selina didn’t know otherwise she would have been here. Alfred never sounded the alarm so he wasn’t aware either. Jason eyed the bag again, the Spider suit was inside so he couldn’t have stolen that…
Was it too hopeful to think he just went for a walk? Peter would have told Alfred at the very least if that was the case.
“Selina!?” Jason leaned out of Peter’s room, a hand grasping the doorway to keep himself upright. The door down the hall opened as she stepped out, her brows furrowed. “Where’s Peter?”
He stepped back to avoid being bowled over as Selina rushed into the room, her eyes darting over everything inside.
“Jason… Call Bruce.”
Right. Yeah. Peter had to just be on the grounds but it was still a large land. The garden connected to the woods and if he wandered in there, they would need extra hands. Jason spotted Alfred behind him as he turned to leave Selina to investigate Peter’s room for clues.
“I will call Master Bruce. Perhaps look for his usual hiding spots as we wait.” Jason nods, slipping past the elderly man to head for the attic. Dick had mentioned how Peter had made that place his little hideaway.
He hoped Peter just fell asleep in the attic. Or the garage. Anywhere as long as he was inside.
Peter couldn't have gone out alone, without protection, to be a vigilante. He had to know better. Right?