Chapter 33
Peter hadn’t wanted to be carried upstairs. No one wanted to fight him on it and leave him alone in his room. So while the family gathered around the table to talk, Peter was cradled in Bruce’s arms, fast asleep. Jason felt the edges of the Pit Rage cool at the sight, his baby brother was safe and sound within the batcave.
Seeing the usually lively and energetic kid be so scared and panicked absolutely terrified him. Peter shook like a leaf in the middle of a storm, his entire body vibrating with fear as he sobbed in front of Wylan. Jason had been ready to kill the Rogue if Dickie hadn’t pointed out the lack of blood and injuries first.
“What did Killer Croc have to say?” Bruce started the discussion, his voice soft to avoid waking Peter. He had changed a little earlier to a soft black turtleneck so that Peter wasn’t resting against body armor and kevlar. Everyone else dressed in pajamas, all ready to sleep once they have a plan of action.
“He doesn’t know what set him off. Apparently Peter showed up demanding to arrest him.” Jason snorted at his own words. Of course Peter would just try and demand it rather than fighting first. Any of them would have dropped in swinging, Croc wasn’t known for peaceful conversation. Not usually, anyway. “Wylan insinuated he was another Robin which is when Peter seemed to shut down.”
Red Hood had been ready to beat the crocodile when he had been left alone in the sewers. Jason would have just shot him if the rage hadn’t called for a little more of a prolonged session for causing Peter so much distress. He had been moving forward to attack when Wylan sat down . The lack of a fight had confused him enough that the Rage only simmered, ready but contained. He hadn’t expected the giant meta to just sit. Not when Hood had been radiating bloodthirst and rage.
Jason had joined him if only to get the answers the Rogue seemed all too willing to share.
“ He’s a feisty lil tyke. Thought he was another one of the birds.”
“What happened, Jones?” Hood growled, palming the gun as he considered just how much bullets would harm the scaled meta from point blank range.
“Mentioned he was one o’ the birds flocking after Batman and kid just started tearin’ up. Don’ know what set ‘im off. He not a Robin, I take it?”
“Not exactly.”
Jason explained all that Wylan had shared with him from the confrontation. Tim had his laptop ready, typing everything down. The soft clicking from the keyboard was background noise to Jason’s retelling. The words easily fell from his lips while he focused on Peter’s sleeping form.
Peter had panicked when he was compared to Batman. The connection to Robin more specifically.
What exactly scared Peter from the comparison? He thought Peter would have been happy with that, especially with how hard he worked to try and join the family business.
“So Peter was scared of… being called Robin?” Steph frowned, leaning over Tim’s shoulder to see what he was typing. “Also that is so not English, dude.”
“It’s shorthand.” Tim shoved her back before focusing up on the collective group. “Peter wants to be a vigilante. Why would being called Robin affect him like that?”
“He does prefer being Spider-man.” Damian commented. It had taken some coaxing from Selena to draw him away from guarding Peter’s back, now he sat at Bruce’s right. Closest to Peter’s head.
The name couldn’t be the reason. Jason knew Peter wouldn’t have cared about the name itself. A moniker was important, sure, but it would hardly elicit that kind of a reaction. He had heard the words Peter managed to choke out when Dickiebird had plucked him from the walkway. He was begging them not to be alone.
Begging so brokenly that Jason just couldn’t figure out what started it. He doubted any of them would without talking to Peter first. No one would ever willingly leave Peter alone, especially if he asks them otherwise.
“Regardless, we won’t have any answers until Peter wakes up.” B cut in before Steph and Tim could break into an argument over shorthand and English. “He mentioned a woman sending him towards Killer Croc. What do we know of that?”
“Peter’s been asking Stark to freeze the cameras every three days from eleven to three or four in the morning. Considering he’s not out hunting Rogues like tonight, he could be meeting this woman.” Tim frowned, pulling up camera footage of the backyard.
The timestamp shows 11:15 and the obvious loop. Stark had performed loops before when O was busy and they were always perfect. This was so clearly amateur work that Stark had to have been doing it on purpose.
For them to notice.
“What do you know, Stark?” Jason bit out, shifting in his seat. The A.I had been trying to get them to notice but with no alarms blaring, they hadn’t. Not until now.
“The Bambino forbade me from saying anything. Obviously I can’t tell you to check the audio from camera 4E which was frozen as requested. No camera footage but he never mentioned audio...” Stark’s tone conveys both frustration and smugness in a way that Jason was sure shouldn’t be possible from a few lines of computer code.
Tim immediately set to work, pulling a frozen loop of feed just outside the forest. Camera 4E was set at an angle to see the entirety of the backyard and the audio was specifically for a three meter range surrounding it. Peter had to have been in that vicinity for audio to be picked up, meaning he either passed it within the backyard or went into the woods.
“ Alfred’s gonna notice the blood… Ugh, no Tooney, I’m not really a spider. I can’t just web it up.” Peter’s voice groaned from the audio recording, he sounded out of breath as he spoke. Potentially to a spider in the gardens, he's taken to talking to them whenever he was outside.
Since the field trip incident, Peter rarely was out of breath. The enhanced stamina meant that the entire family could take turns playing games and Peter would still be bouncing around with energy to spare. It would take a lot of work to tire him out.
Why was he tired?
“What blood?” Bruce’s eyes widened, his left hand skimming over Peter as if to check for any hidden injuries. As if they haven’t checked Peter the moment he calmed down enough for them to look him over.
“Worrying. But why was Peter in the woods?” Tim frowned, bringing up another concern. Peter being hurt was bad already, but coming from the forest beside Wayne Manor was another big one. There were no neighbors in the area to hurt him and there weren't any black bears in these woods at least. Despite that, coyotes were definitely out there. Not close enough to the manor but Peter could still stumble across them, there was a reason they usually join him whenever he tries to wander into them.
Peter wasn’t even surprised about the blood, just about hiding it. He had to have been injured before, then. Something he’s come to expect if his only complaint was about avoiding suspicion.
“ Woman .” Cass signed, her face set in an empty expression.
But who was she? Peter was meeting some mystery woman in the woods consistently enough and returning with enough injuries that he isn’t bothered by. So something he was purposely going towards. Peter was definitely smart enough to avoid or confront an abusive friendship.
It couldn’t be Gwen, she was a kid and Peter would definitely have said something. Sabrina was in the same boat. Sabrina also wouldn’t be hiding in the woods, she kidnapped him from school and very publicly at that. Peter knows he can go to them if anyone hurts him. Right? He wouldn’t keep going to meetings like that unless he wanted to.
What other woman could it be then? Who else does Peter know that they don’t?
“What women do we know who don’t care about hurting kids?” Duke questioned, his head rolling over his arms to look up at them. The poor kid had been woken up from his sleep when everyone was called to look for Peter. He obviously needs his sleep for daytime patrol but clearly wasn’t willing to leave just yet.
“Talia. Shiva. Enchantress. Cheetah.” Tim listed casually, waving his hand with each name. “Honestly the list goes on.”
“Oh good, here I thought we would have a simple answer.” Steph moped, slumping into her seat. “Would it be too hopeful to assume Peter’ll just tell us?”
Yes. Jason tapped on the table in thought at only the start of the list. Peter wouldn’t share if he thought everyone would be mad at him. And if he’s right, and he’s so sure he is, then Peter would never tell them if he could help it.
Peter had stared at Red Hood, after seeing the broken body of his brother, and demanded lessons. Training so that he could someday join Batman and co. out in Gotham. Jason had noticed Peter improving quickly but he had thought it was just the gymnastics and dance lessons he also took.
Those eyes though. He had seen Peter’s eyes so serious and focused. Something that started around the time the camera’s have apparently began their loops.
“Peter’s getting lessons from them.” Jason added, growling out the words. Peter had found another teacher who didn’t share the same limitations that Jason had. He never wanted to hurt Peter so he was always careful to hold back, to go slower. Peter was learning in a bloody way where he came back bruised.
And no one noticed.
He knew something was wrong. He knew but he couldn’t have guessed. Peter never had any bruises but why would he? He’s got enhanced healing that no doubt healed them before anyone could question it.
Whenever Jason did train him, Peter had been a lot quicker when protecting his face. He never would have followed through to hit Peter, especially in the face but Peter was good at blocking those shots.
Because he had to, to avoid suspicion.
“Alright, well we can shorten the list of who knows Batman’s identity…” Tim frowned at his screen. The batcomputer showed the new list with Talia and Shiva tied for first.
“What would Mother want with Peter?” Damian scowled, straightening in his seat.
Does Talia need a reason? It was no doubt something terrible, something Peter should stay far away from. Jason could also definitely imagine Talia trying to lure Peter away. She had practically raised him after he came back to life. She raised Damian before dropping him off with B.
Did she know of Peter’s abilities? That would be something she would be interested in.
“What would the League want with Peter? He isn’t a killer and they wouldn’t be able to make him kill either.” Dick questioned, concern heavy in his voice. The League definitely could force Peter’s hand. They wouldn’t take no for an answer and as stubborn as Peter was, he was still susceptible to manipulations or pressure. Peter might be stubborn but the League knows how to break people. To shatter them completely and build them back up in their own beliefs.
“If Talia hurt Peter… Bruce, I’ll kill her.” Selena promised as she stared at Bruce. The promise, no, the oath hung heavy in the air.
She would kill Talia if Peter had been hurt by her. No one in the room could doubt it nor interfere if that was the truth. Damian’s impassive face broke just enough to see the fury flicker in his eyes. Jason assumed it wasn’t for the promise of bloodshed towards his mother, but in favor of protecting Peter from her.
Damian and Jason spent enough time around Talia to know that her training methods were not something either of them wanted Peter to be introduced to. Jason had been so careful when training Peter to avoid any of the League’s teachings.
They taught through blood and pain, where even a stumble was punished harshly so that they would never dare to be imperfect again. The heavy handed lessons were won through pain and burned into their bones. Their shadows carried each lesson, curling like smoke whilst weighing them down. The darkness carried whips, lashing out in their minds whenever they were unfortunate enough to stagger.
Neither Jason or Damian would ever feel comfortable making mistakes. A stumble on a rooftop won’t be punished by Batman or the others but the lessons have left their mark on them. Jason refuses to allow himself to fall for feints, having learned in the League to always stay alert and prepared.
He will always be haunted by those lessons. They made him who he is now but they were still a living nightmare to have faced. He was trained and capable in ways the others weren’t but if he had a choice, he would have picked a different fate. He will never go back to the League and neither would Damian. Never willingly, anyway.
To think that Peter could be meeting someone like Talia for lessons was terrifying. Jason had been 15 when he died and came back to life. Damian had been raised in that place. And neither wanted Peter to face what they had.
“When would Peter be seeing her next?” Bruce asked, his voice cold and detached. He held onto Peter just a little more tighter, holding him closer as Peter breathed into his shirt.
“Following the pattern? Tomorrow.” Tim predicted, glancing over the screen to meet Batman’s eyes.
–
Peter basked in the heart beats drumming around him. He leant further against his mom where he sat, his dad just to her left. They were both so close, close enough to touch. They were both alive and here and they were safe. He hadn’t failed. He didn’t stop Killer Croc but they were still here and he wasn’t run out and-
“Peter, we need to talk about last night.” His dad started, cutting off the euphoric feeling of them being here . Peter was unintentionally purring as his mom stroked his hair, her perfume wafting like a shield around them.
He shrunk a little, ducking into his mom at the words. He knew this was coming after waking up in his parents’ room. His siblings had slept around them or on the chair or chaise in the room. Jason and Tim had spent the night, on either side of the room but still there. They were all home and they were safe and close.
“I’m sorry.” Peter whispered, knowing it wouldn’t help. He’d be grounded again and Peter wouldn’t be able to see Nate and Gwen till school started.
“Kitten, can you tell us why you went out looking for Croc?” His mom asked, her hand gliding over his cheek to pull his head up.
How could he explain that? How could he even begin to start to explain any of it? He went to keep them safe but then needed to be saved . He couldn’t even fight once Croc mentioned Batman. Talia said he was ready and he failed. She would be so disappointed in him. He could imagine that she would make him train even harder from now on and maybe he should. He clearly couldn’t handle it just yet.
“I… I didn’t want him to hurt anyone else.” Peter chewed on his lip as he thought about Talia’s face. Her cold eyes and even colder words. He failed .
“Oh baby… No, that is not your job.” His mom whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Peter’s eyes shut at the gentle touch, melting in her hold. “Batman and the others can stop him themselves. Their job is dangerous but even they won’t face him alone.”
“You mentioned a woman.” His dad started, holding onto his hand. Peter wrapped his own, holding onto the connection. Basking in the closeness. He didn’t seem mad, maybe Peter wasn’t in as much trouble as he thought?
“Woman?” Peter froze, had he said something about Talia? She never said he couldn’t tell them about her but Peter knew they would try and stop him. He would never get the training he needs if he wants to make sure he could protect them.
His dad would never let him train, never let him wear the suit again. He had made it clear to Peter before that the one night was just that, one night . He couldn’t keep everyone safe if Peter was trapped inside. They’d lock him up forever if they found out about Talia. If his dad heard about Jason’s lessons too, he’d never get to learn anything again.
No, Peter couldn’t tell them anything. If he mentioned it last night then they would have tried to figure it out. His dad asking about her now meant they don’t know who she is yet. Peter could still save this.
“What your dad means is you mentioned someone sent you after Croc, kitten.” His mom spoke softly, but Peter saw the glare she sent to his dad. “Can you tell us who it was? Do you know?”
Of course he knows who she is. Talia Al Ghul never outright lies to him. She might spin tales sometimes, Peter could tell she has other agendas besides just training him. He’s well aware of the danger but he’s learning and that’s all that matters. He’s in Gotham, so she can’t kidnap him without his family noticing his disappearance. As long as he stays here, she can only train him. Furthering his own agenda.
“Natasha.” The name slipped easily off the tongue. The name felt safe, wrapped in danger and care. It was a mix of red and warmth and cold steel. Peter knew the name, felt it held a title worth of awe and admiration.
She was someone important. He couldn’t remember exactly but she was warmer than Talia. Still just as dangerous as his current teacher, but fitting to keep Talia secret.
“Natasha?” His dad frowned. “Was she lying?”
Peter had called out lies once he adjusted to his enhanced hearing. The little raise in consistent heartbeats were tells that were more obvious to him than the outward signs. Cass had shown him various other ways to notice when others lie and Peter had picked up on it easily.
His parents knew this, too.
If Talia had lied to Peter, he would notice no matter how skilled she was at lying. Unfortunately, while he knows when she has lied to him, he won’t tell them that. Not if they would try to interfere.
“No. She didn’t lie.” Peter considered his words. His dad was smart, he would look into anything Peter tells him. Tim always said that when you want to throw someone off your trail, you redirect it. “She calls herself Black Widow. Like Spider-man.” Peter grinned a little at the comparison. Yeah, the name fit.
The moniker brought images of the redheaded woman. Tall and strong, power hidden beneath the thin woman in heels and a fancy dress. She was dangerous but good. She was not Talia and never would be but he needed to redirect them somehow.
“Hm.” His dad grunted, leaning back on the couch. Peter could tell he was forcing himself to stay put. He would no doubt rush to the cave as soon as he could to look into the Black Widow. Idly, Peter wondered if he would find her.
Was Natasha here? Somewhere in the world?
Did she know him too?
“Is she training you, Peter?” His mom asked carefully, her thumb stroking along his cheek.
Talia was training him. Jason gave him lessons once a week. Peter just couldn’t say anything.
What could he say to that? If he denied it, they would just know it’s a lie and he’d be in trouble. If he confirmed it then they would know he was being trained against his dad’s wishes. Any answer he gave would get him in trouble and Peter couldn’t think about some other way to redirect it. At least they would be looking for Natasha instead of Talia.
–
“Really, though. Bruce? When has Bruce ever been able to have a decent emotional conversation?” Tim snorted, leaning against the couch. Bruce and Selena have taken Peter to their room for a private talk, no doubt going over the previous night’s events. Tim had raised the valid point of Bruce probably not being best suited for Peter’s reaction to Croc’s words.
Of course, Selena was there too. She would at least be emotionally aware enough when talking to Peter and no doubt keeping Bruce from screwing things up.
“Obviously I should save him then.” Dick shrugged, flipping over the same couch to reach the door. “He’ll tell his favorite brother, after all.”
“Then perhaps I should be the one to retrieve him.” Damian smirked, moving to stand from his chair by the fireplace. Dick beamed at the joke, Damian had really improved a lot since he came to the manor.
Jason rolled his eyes, passing all of them to head for the stairs. “How about we save him from the old man’s interrogation first before fighting over the best brother title.”
Dick grinned, chasing after him towards Bruce’s bedroom. Peter’s fears were concerning and reliving it so soon was not a good idea. If Peter was ready to share it should be on his terms no matter how necessary it was for them to know now.
Tonight would be the meeting between Peter and Talia, well, if it is in fact, Talia. They can confirm her identity after following Peter when he leaves again. Maybe, a fool’s hope, Peter might not even go anymore because of his reaction with Croc.
Not really waiting for the others, Dick ducked around Jason to throw the door open. Bruce and Selena were both sitting on the bed with Peter on Selena’s lap, tucked under her chin. Three sets of eyes shot towards them, Peter’s eyes brightening as the rest of the group nearly bowled him over.
“Come on Puisor! We’re going to the zoo!” Deciding that the manor was probably about to feel suffocating for his poor baby brother, he figured a trip outside would be perfect. Peter would be outside and with family. Plus, Dick could easily cheer him up with everything the zoo has to offer when he will eventually have to bring up the Event.
Peter perked up, flying out from his parents’ side to fall into his own arms. Dick happily caught him, lifting him to his hip like he’s done for so many years with Pete. His baby brother seemed fine right now but Bruce’s hard set expression told a somewhat different story.
Whatever Peter had shared before Dick had rallied his siblings together was enough to set Bruce on some sort of a trail. Dick promised himself to check in on the Batcave after their trip, if only to gather everything Bruce will find with his free time.
With the barest of nods from Selena as permission, Dick swept Peter out of the room. Steph cheered, taking the lead down the stairs as Duke begged off for a nap. The poor meta had been up all night with them and had slept uncomfortably on the bed where everyone had piled together. Peter hadn’t wanted to be separated from anyone that night which resulted in the entire family merging together in Bruce’s bedroom. Alfred was the lucky one who got to sleep in a bed of his own. Of course, Alfred ended up sleeping in Peter’s room by the youngest’s command but he at least had an entire bed for himself.
Dick mused over it as everyone climbed into the car. Peter would definitely have convinced Alfred to sleep with all of them if he really tried. Alfred was smart in mentioning the discomfort and lack of space, something Tim couldn’t escape from. Jason barely even put up a fight as Peter dragged all of them after Bruce and Selena. He sleepily demanded to not be left alone and, well, after the night no one wanted to deny him.
“Peter.” Damian started as Dick drove the car out of the manor grounds. He tried not to tense up at Damian’s tone, they just drove out. “What did you plan to do with Killer Croc?”
“Arrest him.” Peter shrugged from his seat. The car was just big enough for everyone to have a seat, leaving Peter sandwiched between Steph and Cass in the farthest back. Jason and Tim sat in the two middle seats and Damian was beside him in the passenger seat. Dick glanced over at Damian’s frown, his body half turned to face Peter.
“Which you did not do.” Damian shook his head, the question clear to Dick though he doubted Peter caught it.
A glance into the mirror was enough for him to see Steph wrap an arm around Peter’s slumped shoulders. Cass leaning into him from his other side. “No…”
“How bout a game! I spy! Tim, wanna start?” Dick chuckled, cutting off whatever comment Damian would make next.
–
The rest of the car ride had been filled with Dick’s frantic games, anything that he could think of to redirect Peter’s attention from Damian’s attempts at rerouting the conversation. Damian seemed to be dead set on getting answers and Dick was thankful his other brothers were just as quick in intervening.
“We need answers, Richard.” Damian scowled, glaring up on the path. Peter was sitting on Jason’s shoulders in front of the giraffe exhibit. Both brothers were smiling at the animals while Tim took pictures. Steph and Cass stood a few feet behind them, munching on peanuts as they watched Tim maneuver around the crowd for different angles.
“Yes but this isn’t the way to get them.” Dick sighed. “Peter won’t tell us if he doesn’t want to.”
“He was crying. Peter may be a child but he did not cry in the face of Joker or Two Face.” Damian nearly growled, Dick’s hand on his shoulder being the only thing to keep him from marching up to interrogate their little brother.
Dick held his breath for a moment. Of course he knew Damian was just worried. Everyone was. Peter only ever cried when they had to break the news of someone’s death. He only ever broke when he lost his brother or sister or dad. Sometimes it was hard to remember that there are other things that could hurt Peter.
He was a kid . He faced down Two-Face and practically gave permission to being shot! He stood next to the Joker without shedding a single tear. Yet somehow, alone in the sewers as he faced Killer Croc, Peter broke .
He shook and sobbed, begging to not be left alone.
It startled everyone when they saw him. Dick had nearly burst into tears himself when he had first caught sight of Peter. He was so small . In front of Croc himself, Peter was practically a doll in comparison.
“We’ll get answers soon enough, Dami.” Dick could only hope his promise would be kept. They had plans. He would make sure of it.
Together, they joined the group once more. Jason bounced Peter as they walked, purposefully stumbling left and right as Peter giggled from above. Dick couldn’t help but smile up at the baby bat. Or rather, their baby spider. He was a lot better today, despite the timer in Dick’s mind counting down to tonight.
Will Peter really go to the secret meetings he’s had? Will Talia be waiting on the other end? Lady Shiva?
Peter didn’t talk about the night for most of the trip. He sat on Jason’s shoulders as they walked around, accepting a giant pretzel that Steph handed for him. Damian had thankfully held back from trying to pry anymore answers from him and even Tim focused on the moment as he took candid shots of everyone.
It was good . A reprieve and reminder that last night hadn’t completely broken Peter. Dick knew it would be seared in their minds forever, but at least Peter was smiling now.
“You’re not gonna ask?” Peter brought up at the picnic table. They settled in the little garden within the zoo for lunch, Tim and Dick pulling out sandwiches Alfred had prepared for their trip like the omniscient god he had to be.
“No.” Dick cut in before anyone could leap onto the opening. “You can tell us when you’re ready, okay? We won’t push.”
Peter stared up at him, eyes wide. Had he thought that they would push? Peter knew them, so maybe it was a pretty fair conclusion but Dick refused to allow that. Peter was already a flight risk without giving him more reason to try and run off. Any one of them would run to lick their wounds if they were caught breaking down in front of a Rogue. Any of them would have left Gotham if that meant peace from pity and questions.
Dick wanted Peter to want to share. Bruce would push and prod, something he has done before with all of them. It was that need for answers that they all had after everything they have seen and faced. Answers and knowledge kept you safe and it helped protect those around them too. It helped to prepare for the worst. But it also grated and chased off those same relationships.
There was a reason none of them had managed to maintain civilian relationships. The lies were hard to maintain but also their need to know everything. Tim ran background checks on all his potential friends. Damian chased them off with his own demeanor. Jason might have had friends once, but only within the school building.
It was hard .
They had to know. Know who would betray them. What they know. They had to be on top of it if someone would turn and try to sell them to the highest bidder or twist gossip in their favor.
Knowledge was a shield for them. Peter would wrap his own shield around himself some day, but he doesn’t need to be burned by their own need for answers today.
“I…” Peter stared back down to the table, a finger tracing along the ridges. “I thought he’d know me. That he’ll find out. I can’t lose you. I don’t wanna watch mom die.”
“She won’t. And you’ll never lose us.” Jason promised, pulling Peter into his side. He wrapped himself around the youngest, Jason’s eyes glowed green from over his head.
Steph smiled awkwardly, shuffling closer to Cass spotting his glowing eyes. “Yeah Pete. We’ll always be here.”
“No you won’t.” Peter frowned, leaning back into Jason. Dick’s heart broke at the faith Peter has in his own words. He didn’t even hesitate, as if he knew they would just drop dead at any moment.
“Peter, why do you think you’d lose us?” It was a stupid question. Dick knew that Peter had to face more funerals than any 8 year old should ever face. He watched his family be lowered six feet under in empty or closed caskets only for them to reappear months or years later.
Maybe he should get Dinah to talk with Peter.
“I always do.” Peter shrugged.
He should put Dinah on his speed dial.
“Not anymore you do.” Jason growled. “You’ve got me and I ain’t gonna be dying again. Got it? You are never fuc-fudging alone. Ya never will be.”
“You have said, despite my own desires before, that we are family. Peter, does family not mean that they will be involved in your life?” Damian frowned down at his sandwich. “Are you afraid of being alone? The thought is absurd, foolish really. Are we not here now? Should you not be happy to have us now ? Cry when we are gone, until then, we are here and we are here for you .”
“Uh-huh. What Demon brat means is that we are here right now, Pete..” Tim glanced at Damian before focusing on Peter across the table. “You aren’t alone now. You never have been. Not really.”
“ O-H-A-N-A. ” Cass signed, a small and sad smile on her lips.
“But… but everyone always dies.” Peter cried, burrowing into Jason’s chest as he pulled Peter close. “I know it! I know because it always happens! Everyone dies and then- and then I’m alone and everyone hates me and I-I … I can’t -”
Dick nudged Jason over as he sat close, running his fingers through Peter’s hair. “Peter, hey, come on Puisor. We’re here. You hear that? Jason’s heart is beating. My heart is beating. We are here and we’re alive .”
“You speak of experience?” Damian raised an eyebrow, eyes calculating.
“I…” Peter frowned, rubbing at his eyes. Dick grabbed a napkin, gently wiping away the tears. “I don’t know. Dad died . Mommy too. I know it happened.”
“Selena never died, baby.” Dick frowned, wiping another stray tear.
Peter’s brows furrowed in confusion. “She did. With daddy.”
Dick glanced at Tim who was no doubt texting Selena. If she died, they would have heard about it. They would have known because someone would have been by Peter’s side for it. They never left Peter in the manor entirely alone. If they had off world missions, there were always at least two siblings who were around for Peter.
He could never handle any of them leaving Gotham for very long. They had made a system to ensure Peter always had contact with them when they did and if he couldn’t reach them, Peter was never left alone to overthink.
“Peter…” Jason frowned, catching Dick’s eyes. He shook his head, denying Peter’s claims. Selena hasn’t died, nor will she. Not when she means so much to Peter. She was smart enough not to get into situations as dangerous as the rest of them run straight for. She had her own Birds to watch her back and even they know she has a reason to make it home by the end of the night.
“Do you wanna go back and see her, Pete?” Tim asked softly, dropping his phone back onto the table. He shook his head, indicating Selena had confirmed that she never died.
Why was Peter convinced of it?
Maybe a nightmare that felt too real?
After today, Dick knew he’d have to call Dinah to meet with Peter. Bruce might try to just be there for Peter but he would obviously not be suited for the emotional needs Peter requires right now. He needs to talk to a professional and while Harley would happily do it, Dinah has been there for plenty of heroes.
Peter wasn’t an official vigilante yet but he has seen enough of their problems that it’s affecting his dreams now, too. Dinah would know how to handle it a little better, hopefully. They just had to get through tonight first.