Chapter 37
School began in a few days, so what better than to take his two youngest camping? Bruce knew how to survive in the wilderness thanks to his unorthodox choice of childhood, but that doesn’t mean he’s completely helpless with civilian camping. Damian and Peter would get to enjoy a more traditional trip and he could have a short vacation from research.
Maybe it was Selena’s influence, kicking him out of his own house to halt his investigation on every person Peter had ever interacted with as a baby.
Still, it was a vacation. If forced.
“Where should we set up the tents?” Clark carried the bags, Jon and Damian tugging along the rest of them.
“Wherever.” Bruce waved a hand to the clearing. The tents would be good for the kids though Bruce could survive on the ground just fine. He didn’t need Clark to babysit their trip.
Lois and Selena were hard to argue with even on the best of days.
Clark set to work with Bruce going through their rations for the trip. Peter had run ahead to the lake and for once, Bruce wasn’t rushing after him. Clark and Jon would hear him if he ran into trouble and both Jon and Damian had left their bags to hunt down his youngest. He was still worried Talia would make an appearance, but again, Clark was there.
Bruce was a hard enough target to sneak up on but Clark was an entirely different ballpark. Talia’s training could never trick the Kryptonian.
“You know, this is supposed to be relaxing. You look ready to go to war. What’s wrong?” Clark started, setting up the ground tarp for the first tent.
“Nothing.” Talia was after his son. Peter might still try to run off once school starts. Peter was blessed by an unknown. Peter has unaccounted time missing from all his trips to Crime Alley that Bruce could never find any footage or trails after. Jason still hates him. Tim was somehow on his side, though Bruce was glad the two were getting along somewhat.
Clark thankfully didn’t prod, focusing on the poles now, he expertly placed them into the grommets. Bruce watched for the time being. They should have enough rations, accounting for the dietary requirements for everyone present.
He knew how tents were set up but Clark set them somewhat differently. Bruce had set up a tent once or twice, mostly relying on short naps when it was required for outdoor missions or previous training. It was different watching Clark do it, handling the tools and pieces far more lax than Bruce ever would.
Flies flew by as Bruce waved them off. He hoped Alfred packed enough bug spray. Even after all his training he could never be as comfortable as the Kansas farm boy when out in the wilderness. He would never admit that he missed the AC and comforts of civilization already.
Time passed in silence as Clark set up three tents. Bruce finally joins to help with the last one before they set to work stuffing sleeping bags and blankets into the respective tents. They worked in silence mostly, Clark making a few comments or sharing camping stories only a few times.
When they finished unpacking, everything set up and a small campfire prepared in the center, Bruce got himself comfortable on a log placed by Clark. The man carried a final one to the other side of the pit before laying on top of it.
“Father.” Damian called as the three trekked back into the clearing. His hair was messy, twigs and a leaf clinging to it. The same could be said for the rest of his clothes, causing Bruce to stand immediately. He didn't sound anxious or concerned but that didn't mean he wasn't.
Jon looked similarly mussed up. Both boys looked as if they ran through bushes, something he couldn’t see Damian do unless strictly required for a mission. Peter wasn’t behind them either. Where was he? Damian would never leave his little brother behind, especially after leaving to corral him back.
“What happened? Damian, report.”
Clark’s hand came to rest on his shoulder, signaling him to calm down. He couldn’t anymore, not until he knows what’s going on.
“Peter has found a kitten. I demand we bring him home to give him the proper care he would not find out here.” Damian raised his chin defiantly. Bruce could already tell he wouldn’t win this fight.
“Where is he?” Bruce almost didn’t want to ask. He knew his son, both his sons well enough. Put them together and they will bring back more animals to add to the little zoo in their backyard.
The bushes rustled, followed by a higher pitched growl. Peter stepped out backwards, waving a stick with string tied to it. The end was tied to three sticks, rattling against the ground where a mountain lion cub stalked after it. The cub was small, maybe four to five months old. Small in comparison to an adult but it was definitely bigger than Alfred the cat. Bruce clocked the missing paw on his left leg, the stump was furry and seemed either an old injury or was never there at birth.
Peter finally turned, claw marks already healing across his cheek with a bright smile. “His name’s Bucky!”
Clark burst out laughing, deep and loud as he folded over beside him. Bruce couldn’t even look at the man, eyeing the cub that startled at the sudden sound. Peter had stooped low, cooing at the cub before shaking the makeshift cat toy to once again distract him.
“Damian… Peter…” Alfred would be mad. Selena… she would love Bucky. “Alfred won’t be happy.”
“Peter and I will care for Bucky. Alfred will have no need to worry.” Damian waved off the concern similarly to when Bruce had tried to reason that cows weren’t pets. “We will construct a pen to keep him separate from the others until he is properly trained.”
They were meant to camp for two days. How have his sons already adopted the local wildlife? They only just arrived to the clearing, surely they hadn’t spent so long setting up the tents?
“His mother?” A cub has to have a mom somewhere. Mountain lions, like any other predatory creature, hunted and often left the young behind. Bucky seemed old enough to take care of itself but would still be close to his mom. He really didn’t want to have to fight an angry mountain lion on their first day.
“We found her but… Dami thinks she left Bucky behind because of his leg.” Peter pouted, his eyes growing wide and begging. “Please, daddy?”
“Yes, please Father. Bucky will surely die if left alone here.” Damian nodded along.
Jon joined in, hands clasped under his chin as he pouted. "Please, Mr. Wayne? Bucky'll die on his own."
Alfred will kill him. If he doesn’t end up mauled by the end of this trip. Maybe Lois and Selena would lay off the outdoor activity they seemed to push on him. First was the hike, which ended well with his sons despite Peter’s stunt. And now both his sons were begging for the mountain lion…
“If he can behave himself for the duration of our trip I will consider it.”
Sorry, Alfred.
–
Camping with Mr. Kent and Jon and Damian had been fun. His dad even helped make s’mores for them, after Mr. Kent and Jon showed them how it was done. Peter loves s’mores. Still, the best part was finding Bucky. They had managed to convince dad to bring him home and with a call ahead, Alfred made sure to have a large enough caged pen for him to live in for now. And hopefully Bucky could soon live inside, too!
Peter couldn’t wait to show Gwen and Nate!
“Come on!” Peter pulled both friends through the halls towards the kitchen. Alfred was making sandwiches by the counter, smiling at the trio as they rushed past. He had waited all day since school began to drag them home. He ducked as Gwen hit his arm in retaliation to rushing them through the house.
“We’re coming. God, your place is big as shit!” Gwen huffed.
They chose to ignore Alfred’s call for ‘Language’ as the door swung shut behind them. Bucky would love them, he just knows it. Bucky always loved kids, he just doesn’t know how to show it.
Damian had asked him why Bucky and Peter tried explaining the man with a metal arm. The man, like Jason, was once violent and terrifying but in actuality, they were both gentle giants who cared a lot. Peter couldn’t remember his face but he does remember the arm. Maybe after finishing with Bab’s legs he could make a new paw for Bucky?
“Only rich boys get mountain lions as pets.” Nate snorted, the trio finally slowing to a walk as they left the door.
Peter rolled his eyes at their teasing, having grown used to it from Nate early on. It was a running joke ever since they found out Damian had brought a cow home. “Do you wanna meet him or not?”
“Duh! Is he friendly?” Nate grinned, trekking towards the pen they could see.
Bucky’s pen was close enough to the barn for Damian and Peter to move between but far enough to not unsettle either residences. The mesh cage was clearly visible where a few trees and a small pond still gave Bucky plenty of space to move around and climb. A large beach ball and a stuffed polar bear were noticeable too. Peter had spent hours with Damian when searching for toys to bring to Bucky’s pen so he wouldn’t get bored. There were more that he couldn’t see just yet from this far.
Peter had spent the first three days after their camping trip trying to befriend Bucky. The cub had been friendly enough after their initial meeting while they were in the woods and now Peter was just trying to feed that bond. Bucky was hesitant but curious, having met everyone without biting so Peter was hopeful he could convince his dad to bring Bucky indoors soon.
“Bucky!” Peter called, stopping just outside the chain linked door. Damian says he can’t just bring civilians into the pen with Bucky until they were sure Bucky wouldn’t bite. He doubted the kitten would hurt anyone, he was just like the metal armed guy!
The cub came padding out of the cluster of trees, tail flicking this way and that. He let out a tiny roar followed by chirping. Peter crouched by the mesh, his fingers peeking through the small openings to rub against Bucky’s cheek.
“Oh he’s so cute!” Gwen grinned, holding her hand just outside of the mesh. Bucky sniffed and huffed at it, blowing hot air towards them.
Peter grinned as Nate knelt on his other side, poking his finger through to stroke along Bucky’s leg. Bucky might be missing his front paw but it didn’t stop him from anything. He couldn’t run properly but Bucky didn’t seem to mind it. Not like he had to hunt other than the batdrones Dami and Peter would put in there to play with him.
“Isn’t there a law about having big cats as pets?” Nate asked.
“Probably, dad said he’d figure it out.” Peter shrugged, his dad couldn’t argue when both Damian and him begged for Bucky to come home with them.
He was already pretty close to finishing up with Bab’s braces. After the confusing phone call to get her leg measurements, he just has to run a few trials before he could bring her in. Once that was done, Peter was positive he could make a new paw for Bucky.
“Ooooh big stretch!” Gwen giggled as Bucky stretched out, his tail rising high in the air with a big yawn that showed off his fangs. Peter cooed, wiggling his fingers to draw Bucky’s attention back to them.
“Does he go inside?” Nate studied the cub as Peter rubbed his finger along Bucky’s cheeks.
“Not yet. Dad and Alfred are worried about bringing him inside right now.”
“Well… what they don’t know…” Gwen grinned, eyes lit up with an idea. Nate and Peter grinned at each other before they got to work.
Bucky was a part of the family. Damian had once brought Batcow into the manor so it was only fair that Bucky got to see it. With a plan in place, Nate ran ahead to keep anyone inside distracted and to run interference. Peter and Gwen got into the pen, Bucky behaving like the good little baby he was.
Peter managed to get the harness on him, feeding a few chunks of chicken to Bucky as he praised him. Gwen tentatively petted Bucky’s head, giggling again as the cub pushed into the hand for more.
“Let’s go.” Peter grinned, leading Bucky out of the pen.
The two managed to drag Bucky a few feet before the mountain lion decided he didn’t want to go any farther. Peter groaned as the cub laid out on the grass, tail swaying in the air. They were far enough from the kitchen door that Alfred wouldn’t see what they were doing and with Nate running interference, they could slip in from the side door. If they could get Bucky up.
“Buckyyyy.” Gwen sang, rattling the little bag of chicken to get his attention. Peter grinned, lightly tugging on the leash as the big cat sat up to watch the bag.
“Want some chicken, kitten?” Peter grinned, voice going high and teasing as he cooed over Bucky. “Let’s get some chicken, huh?”
Together, Gwen and Peter led Bucky towards the side door with chicken being waved just under his nose. Gwen slipped behind him to hold it open and Peter led Bucky inside. Slowly, they managed to lead the cub farther into the manor. Peter could hear Alfred and Damian in the kitchen with Nate. Damian was silent but Peter knew he couldn’t just leave with Alfred there to intervene with any potential impropriety.
Bucky huffed, heavily purring as he snatched another chunk of chicken from the carpet. A small stain left behind from his tongue licking up any taste left on the ground. Hopefully that wild dry before Alfred notices, otherwise Peter would have to help deep clean the hallway and take Bucky back outside.
Gwen held out another chicken, leading Bucky towards the stairs. Peter kept an ear out for Alfred and Damian, still back in the kitchen with Nate. His dad would be at work with Tim. Jason had left by now to live in Crime Alley again though he visits a little more than before now. Duke should still be on patrol right now and Spoiler had joined him on a case. Cass, if Peter remembers, had recital practice today so she wouldn’t be around either. His mom, to Peter’s surprise, had an actual business to go to.
He always thought she was just a thief and only recently really discovered his mom owned a company. Well, Damian had told him some story about Randolf Industries and how she had stolen it out from the mafia and taken it as her own.
Somehow he wasn’t too surprised. Peter felt more proud of his mom, removing the bad business Randolf Industries worked in and making something better from it.
This only meant that she had to go to work when Peter had assumed she spent all her time with Aunt Harley and Aunt Pamela.
“Almost there.” Gwen whispered when they reached the second floor. Peter nodded, walking just behind Bucky towards his door. No one else was on this floor.
Peter motioned towards his bedroom door as Gwen opened it. He let go of the leash so Bucky could wander around and explore the new space. His huffs and sniffing filled the room as Gwen texted Nate, sending the all clear.
“Skip asked about ya.” Gwen dropped onto his bed, rolling to her stomach to watch Bucky investigate Peter’s leather jacket. “Said he found something you’d like.”
“What is it?” Peter tilted his head, wondering what Skip found. He didn’t think they'd talked all that much for him to know Peter’s likes yet.
Gwen only shrugged. “How should I know? He didn’t say anything else. He’s back to school too now so he's busy.”
He hadn’t had time to tell his family about Skip just yet. His mom saw him that day at the park but he wasn’t sure if she knew they were friends now. Peter was worried that his brothers might scare him off. They would run background checks which Peter doubted would be a problem but if they tried to act tough in front of him then Skip definitely would be uncomfortable.
“Can I come over Friday?” If Peter was just spending time with Gwen, his mom or brother might follow but they would spend it with Sabrina. He could sneak out the window to meet with Skip and see what he found.
Gwen’s grin was all the answer he needed. Peter jumped onto the bed to join her as Bucky nosed his closet open. They watched while they waited for Nate as the cub slipped into the small space. He hoped this would convince his parents that Bucky was housebroken.
“Hey Kitten.” A knock on the door drew their attention, snapping to face his mom and Nate. Nate smiled sheepishly, eyes darting around in confusion.
“Hi mom!” Peter shot from the bed. He moved to get closer to her, hoping to distract her before Bucky came out of the closet. “You’re back already? How was work?”
She smiled, crouching down to be eye level to him. “It was fine, I heard you were showing them Bucky. I hope you weren’t planning on bringing them into the pen, right?”
“Nope. We stayed outside it the whole time.” Peter nodded, hearing Bucky chuff from the closet. Gwen hissed at the cub to go back inside as Peter followed his mom’s eyes over his shoulder. Bucky had left his hiding spot and was now making his way to Peter. “Bucky wanted to come out, too.”
Peter rubbed Bucky’s ear as the cat’s big head pushed against him. He purred heavily, Peter biting his lip to hold back his own softer purr.
“Well…” His mom smiled, rubbing Bucky’s nose. “I see this kitten has made himself comfortable here. Does Alfred- hmm well I guess he wouldn’t. Let me talk to Alfred and dad, okay? Bucky still needs to be acclimated to people before he can live here. We don’t want any accidents because we rushed things. Now, take Bucky back to his pen before dad’s home.”
Peter pouted. She has a point and Duke said he had to be patient. “Fine…”
–
Clark worried about Peter and Bruce. He heard enough from Batman about Peter’s tendencies to run off to know that Peter was taking after his old man a little too well. It might only be thanks to their friendship that Clark could even draw the comparisons. Knowing that Bruce had run off to travel the world and train before picking up the cowl makes Peter’s attempts to do the same not seem too far-fetched. It was still something to be concerned about.
Peter is now only eight years old.
He is definitely too young to become a vigilante though he could see where training might be a good step for Peter. Jon had wanted to join himself and Kon with their patrols but thankfully was kept at bay with training and play fights until he was old enough for Clark to feel less guilty passing on a suit. He couldn’t be too happy with his sons going out to fight so young but he was thankful they waited at least until Clark himself was ready for it.
No parent would ever be ready for their kids to fight crime at any age. Clark certainly wasn’t and still could hardly claim to be ready each time he sees them in their suits and flying after the sounds of crime. Bruce was a different man, having so many kids he couldn’t stop from that fate and giving them tools to protect themselves.
Bruce had Dick dressed as Robin when he was only nine, supposedly spending a year prior just training and learning all he could. Batman had confided in him about how he only allowed it because otherwise Dick would have snuck out himself to hunt his parents’ murderers. It didn't mean Batman hadn't felt guilty about exposing Dick to everything he had. Clark could understand that creating the Robin call sign was a better direction, giving Robin the protection of being Batman’s partner. Peter is still just a year shy from Dick’s own debut and has already had enough runaway moments that Clark would have begun training him already.
If only to curb Peter potentially learning to outsmart him. The kid was already a genius and it wouldn’t take long before he could outsmart Batman. It would be better for Bruce to meet him halfway, Peter was too stubborn to take anything less. At least training could keep him occupied.
Constantine’s revelations might have helped a little. Maybe.
Clark had seen how Batman wasn’t too pleased even knowing Peter was only blessed rather than cursed. His friend would no doubt bury himself in research and investigating anyone who could have done it.
There was one thing that bothered him from the interaction.
John Constantine never lied to Batman, but he was worried. Anxious before he teleported himself out of the cave. It took a few days before Superman could finally talk to him as the Hellblazer could escape to places even he couldn’t find a safe way to.
“John.” Superman called after the British man. It was a happy surprise when he heard the man’s heartbeat in the Watchtower. He spent days after the camping trip listening out for his return to Earth and might have left an irritated Lois behind when he finally did. He’ll bring her some flowers… maybe gift her a free pass to interview any JL member that he could convince? She would like that.
“Superman.” The blonde con artist groaned. “What do you want?”
“What else did you see with Peter?” Batman could intimidate anyone, Clark wasn’t so unaware to know he could rarely do the same. Still, he knew how to badger them until he learned what he wanted. “You were nervous and left in a rush.”
John’s eyebrow rose, arms crossing in defense as the two stood beside the floor to ceiling windows that opened up to the stars outside. The man was not amused by this ambush. “I don't recall you saying anything either, mate.”
“No. Batman has enough on his plate right now. I’ll tell him if he needs to know.” Bruce would be busy and Clark couldn’t just throw another manhunt at him.
John would run to ground if Batman tried to call him back, the two are like oil and water when in the same room. That won’t stop Batman if he knew Constantine hadn’t shared everything he learned though.
“Oh right, you planning on telling ‘im, Boyscout?” John laughed, a little hysterical and a little deadpanned. “Look mate, I don’t even know what I know. The kid isn’t in any danger and he’s not cursed either.”
“John…” He knew something. Even if Peter wasn’t cursed, Clark couldn’t just leave it. He’s seen Peter grow up, not as closely as Bruce himself but he likes the kid. Peter has been good for Bruce.
Batman, even with all his kids, had always been all hard edges. Since Peter had been born there had been a shift in the man. It was like he was truly realizing what was at stake now. He had grown softer, much to the terrified members of the League. Hal had nearly fainted when Batman had told him to get some sleep once.
It was a good change and Clark couldn’t see it all go away. He wants to keep Peter safe and Clark will offer his assistance where he could.
“Look, the cheeky tyke is fine. The blessing? As old as the day he was born probably.” John shrugged, his hands sliding into his pockets. “There was somethin’ about him… like the kid wasn’t or isn’t that old? I thought he coulda been a shapeshifter but if Bats’ wife had ‘im then maybe not. Kid could be reincarnated but that’s not so important, is it? Not exactly abnormal I’d say.”
Selena had spent thirteen hours in labor to have Peter. Clark had gotten a few frantic calls from Bruce when he thought she had been in pain for longer than he thought was normal. Peter could not have been a shapeshifter after all that, no.
Reincarnation though… that… well it is possible. Isn’t it? Clark had seen enough articles about it to not find anything strange or concerning when it was mentioned. If Peter had been reincarnated then it hardly changed anything at all. Peter never seemed to act strange.
Though Bruce was his father, the man himself defied the norm.
“Thank you.” He sighed in relief. This wasn’t something pressing then. Bruce might like to know that but it wasn’t anything life threatening or dangerous. He would have to tell him just so Bruce could make use of that information however his mind worked it out but it wouldn’t change anything. Maybe after Bruce's little manhunt is over...
John rolled his eyes before stomping off.