Chapter Text

Chapter Two

Tim Drake wasn’t an idiot. In fact, Tim was a genius. Several doctors had said so, which had led to Tim skipping several grades. He was so smart that his parents knew they could leave him alone while they went on archaeological trips around the world. 

His parents hadn’t taken so many trips before the Blip. They spent a lot of time with their company and going to dinners and galas. But then the Blip had happened and Tim had died.

“It was heartbreaking,” his mother lamented.

“A tragedy, truly,” his father agreed.

They couldn’t bear to stay in the empty Drake Manor without their heir and only son. So they picked up their archeology again, something they hadn’t done since Janet got pregnant with Tim. It had given their life purpose again after the loss of their son.

“A direction,” Tim’s mother explained, “a reason to live.”

“We can’t just give that up,” his father added.

And so, the Drakes continued their archaeological digs after Tim returned. It was good. It was great even. Tim was capable enough to take care of himself – especially with Mrs. Mac around twice a week to keep things in order – and the Drakes got to continue their newfound purpose.

The only problem was that it meant that no one was looking after Drake Industries and the board. If there was one thing about Gotham’s elite that would forever be true, it was that they were easily corrupted. So, it was without any real surprise that Batman revealed Drake Industries had illegal ties to Penguin’s gun running ring. 

Tim sat at the head of the dining room table, all alone in the big empty manor as he had a glass of milk and dry toast for breakfast. The newspaper was open to the latest news about the Drake scandal. Spider-Man was mentioned, since a part of the information discovered had taken place when the hero nabbed Penguin in Queens. 

Tim shook his head and tsked the way his father did when he read the Finance section. Something had to be done about it. Most likely, something would be. His parents were in Gotham again. Tim had hacked their flight details to figure it out. They hadn’t come home. Their bags had been dropped off by their usual driver in the front hall, but no one had come home. Or called. It was fine. They were busy. Busy dealing with the scandal.

Tim turned back to the headline of the paper. It was the first article that was written in days about anything other than Drake's association with Penguin. Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Orphan Boy saves Toddlers from Fire. The photo showed a teenager carrying a child in each arm. The foster home burned brightly in the background with fire coming out of the windows and smoke billowing into the air. 

It was a great shot. Tim sort of wished he’d gotten it himself. But the fire had happened during the day. Tim didn’t go out with his camera during daylight hours. There wasn’t much of a point when Batman and Robin didn’t patrol until night.

The front door opened.

Tim jumped. He dropped the paper and rushed from the dining room into the main hallway.

“-and call Lisa,” Janet ordered as she shrugged off her jacket. “I want this all handled swiftly. She’s much better about the press than that Sally girl.”

“We should just get rid of that Sally girl. We don’t deal with mess ups.”

Janet rolled her eyes. “She’s Jonathan’s daughter. We have to tolerate her. He’s one of the only ones on the board I don’t hate.”

Jack rolled his eyes as well. “Fine. Let’s move her to a different department. Somewhere she won’t bother us.”

Janet smirked. “Agreed.” She turned and came up short at the sight of Tim. “Timothy.”

Tim tensed.

“What on earth are you wearing?”

He looked down at his brightly colored pajamas. They were a gift from Mrs. Mac when she went to visit her son in New York. 

“My Spider-Man pjs,” he responded simply.

Janet pursed her lips and Tim knew he had said the wrong thing. She snapped her fingers twice and pointed to the grand staircase. “Get dressed. We are leaving soon. You’re supposed to be ready.”

“I didn’t know we were going anywhere.”

Jack sent Tim a look of disappointment. “It’s nine in the morning, Timothy. You should be dressed for the day already, not lounging about in bed in your pajamas. Now, do as your mother said. Wear a blue tie. The one that matches your mother’s dress.”

Tim nodded quickly before turning and racing barefoot up the marble stairs.

“The doctors said he was a genius,” Jack griped lowly, but not low enough that Tim didn’t hear.

His cheeks burned. He hurried to his room and grabbed a black suit and the blue tie his dad mentioned. He changed quickly. Used some gel to part his hair neatly and then brushed his teeth.

“Timothy!” his father shouted.

Tim spat his toothpaste out, grabbed a book and raced back down to his parents. They were already heading out the door. Tim just managed to slip out before they left him behind. He got into the car and buckled himself in. Technically, he should still have a booster seat, but his parents hated them. Once his parents were sitting on either side of him, the driver took off. Tim watched out the window as they drove past Wayne Manor.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“The hospital,” Jack explained, eyes on his phone.

“Why?”

Jack looked up from his phone with a loud sigh. “We’re picking someone up.”

Tim frowned. His parents didn’t have any relatives. Not that Tim knew of, at least. 

Janet laughed. “Oh, Jack, don’t be so cruel. He’s curious.” She turned to Tim. “Your father and I have decided to expand our family.”

Tim’s eyes widened. “You’re having a baby?”

His parents burst into laughter.

“God no,” Jack stated at the same time Janet said, “Never again.”

“No, dear,” Janet continued. “We’re adopting. You’re about to meet your new brother.”

Tim blinked widely. A brother. A brother. It took everything in him to bite back his wide smile at the thought. A brother. Tim had never dared to hope for something so special. 

“What’s his name?”

“Peter. Peter Benjamin Drake.”

Tim hugged his book to his chest, too excited now to read it. He was going to have a brother. It didn’t even matter if it was a big one or a little one. Tim was going to have a brother! 

They arrived at the hospital, and there were press people outside, which was unusual. They snapped photos of Janet and Jack as they exited the town car. Tim hurried after them. He tucked his hand into his mother’s and pressed close to her side like he was trained.

“Mr. Drake! Mr. Drake, sir, is it true that you’re taking in the Parker boy?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. We are certainly trying to look out for him,” Jack stated with a charismatic charm that Tim was certain he would never have. “It’s so rare to see heroes like him in a city like ours. That sort of person should be looked after.”

“Does this have anything to do with Drake Industries’ recent connection to the Penguin? Is the boy involved?”

“Oh, I should think not. And really, this is a hospital, certainly not a place for such questions.” Jack turned to Janet. “Go on ahead, dear. I’ll handle this.”

Janet smiled sweetly and pressed a kiss to the air by her husband’s cheek. She and Tim entered the hospital while Jack continued to answer questions outside. A nurse was waiting and readily led them to a private room. Inside was a teenage boy that Tim immediately recognised. It was the boy from the paper. The one who’d saved the children. 

Oh, Tim thought as the pieces fell into place. His parents were adopting the boy to save face. They wanted to take the heat off Drake Industries and they were using this teenager’s heroics to do it.

Sometimes, Tim wished he was less smart. Seeing the coldly manipulative actions of his parents like this always left him feeling sad and lonely.

“Wait here, Timothy. I’m going to speak with the doctor.”

Janet left without waiting for a response.

Tim went around the bed to the chair on the other side and sat down with his book in his lap. He stared at the teenager in the bed – Peter. He wasn’t very big. Slim and pale with freckles on his nose and curly brown hair on the top of his head. He looked like he might be a nice person. He probably was nice if he risked his life saving those twins. The article had said he went into the house and got everyone out. Tim couldn’t imagine doing anything so heroic. Batman and the Robins? Easily. Not Tim. 

“Who are you?” a voice asked.

Tim jolted and his head shot up. “You’re awake!”

Tim stared at Peter. Peter stared back. The teenager’s brows drew together and he looked around in confusion.

“Where- what?”

“You were in a fire. Are you having memory loss issues? Can you remember your name? Or the date? It’s 2024. Which might be confusing. Do you remember the Blip? Your name is Peter.”

Peter’s lips twitched. “I- I remember,” he responded roughly. He reached over for a cup on the side table and poured himself some water. 

Tim patiently waited while the older boy hydrated himself.

“What’s your name?”

“Timothy Drake.” He stuck out his hand.

Peter’s lips twitched into a grin. He shook Tim’s hand. “Good to meet you, Timothy. I’m Peter. But you seemed to know that already.”

“Everyone knows your name. You saved those boys from the fire. I read about it in the paper.”

Peter’s eyes flickered across Tim. “How old are you?”

Tim sat up straight and drew his shoulders back. “Seven.” After a moment, Tim added, “But I’m supposed to be eleven. I was Snapped.”

“Me too.” Peter frowned suddenly. “Why are you in my room?”

“My parents are here.”

Peter nodded. “Shouldn’t you… be with them?”

Tim frowned and shook his head. “No. Mom told me to wait here while she speaks with your doctor. Dad’s out front.”

Peter blinked. Tim blinked back at him.

“With my doctor? Why would-”

The door opened before Peter could finish his question. Janet and Jack strolled into the room.

“Oh! You’re awake, thank goodness.” Janet smiled beautifully and took the chair at Peter's bedside opposite Tim.

“Who’re you?” Peter asked, eyeing the Drakes up and down.

“I’m Janet Drake and this is my husband, Jack. How’re you feeling, Peter? You did such a brave thing with that fire.”

“A real hero, aren’t you, son?” Jack added with a charming smile that always won people over.

Today was the first time that Tim had ever seen his father's smile not charm someone. Peter scowled at them. “I’m not your son,” the teenager immediately responded.

“Oh, but you are now, dear," Janet replied with a smile. "We adopted you.”

Peter's heart rate monitor spiked. Tim glanced over at it warily. “Wh- what? You can't adopt me!”

“Of course we can. You're a part of the Gotham foster care, Peter," Janet explained in a condescending voice. "You're an orphan. Tragically orphaned at four and then heroically saving those twin boys. It's quite the story.”

“I have an aunt.”

“Yes…" Janet agreed slowly. "The one in a coma. I'm terribly sorry about that. No one knows. We don't want undue attention on her. Do we?” Janet raised a perfectly manicured black eyebrow. Tim knew that move. His mother used her eyebrows and eyes to express both control and displeasure. She was a master of manipulation. Tim glanced back at Peter to see his response.

Peter narrowed his eyes. “What do you want?” he bit out.

“Want? Oh, Peter. Don't be so paranoid." Janet laughed richly like they were at a gala and not a hospital. "We want to help you. We don't like the thought of a hero like you going without protection.”

“I don't like liars," Peter snapped. "Why did you adopt me?”

Janet sat down in the chair opposite Tim. She crossed her ankles neatly and pinned Peter with a piercing stare that Tim knew all too well. Despite what the media thought, Janet Drake was the real mastermind of Drake Industries. She was a shark, and she had an uncanny scent for blood in the water.

“We want a son. A good, heroic boy that will be polite and charming. Who will come to galas and dinners with us. A son who will shine a positive light on our family… and our company.”

Peter stayed silent, body tense as he glared at Janet.

“Of course, we looked into your aunt and how to get her the best care, but she already seems to have it.” Janet raised an eyebrow at Peter.

The teenager swallowed visibly. “She's- I worked for Stark Industries. We still have insurance with them.”

Jack hummed. “Impressive. We'll have to see about getting you working at Drake Industries.”

“No,” Peter snapped. He blinked then explained more gently, “I have a noncompete.” 

“Unfortunate,” Jack sighed.

“Perhaps we can help in another way?” Janet suggested. “Working for SI? And you attended a STEM school with a full scholarship. You’re clearly very intelligent, Peter. We could get you into Gotham Academy Prep. It's a feeder school to Harvard, Yale, Oxford, MIT and more. And then you could pursue any degree you want. A masters. A PhD.”

“Perhaps two!” Jack encouraged.

Peter's eyes flickered back and forth between the two adults. “And you would be willing to pay for that because…”

“Any achievements our sons have are achievements we have, as your parents.” Janet reached out for Jack's hand. They were the perfect picture of an upper class supportive family unit. 

“I don't really have a choice here, do I?”

Janet smiled. “I'm so glad you're on board, Peter, dear. Now, the doctor is going to come ask you a few questions and then we get to take you home. Your father and I will go sort out the bill. You might have been with SI before, but you're a Drake now and we take care of our own. Isn't that right, Timothy?”

Tim nodded once. “Yes, mother.”

Jack and Janet left.

Tim turned to Peter. The teenager looked shell-shocked and more than a little sick.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered.

Peter looked up.

“About your aunt. And your parents.”

“Thanks, Timothy.”

“You can call me Tim. I know you don't want to be a Drake, but I'm really excited to have a big brother.”

Peter's lips twitched. “I guess there is a silver lining, huh?” 

Tim smiled brightly. 

.

Peter eyed the mansion as they pulled up the drive. The place was obnoxiously huge. It was disgustingly huge. He needed to take a picture and send it to MJ.

MJ and Ned. They were going to freak out when he told them. He wasn't even sure how he was going to do it. Peter was all over the news, but Happy, Ned, and MJ hadn't contacted him yet. Granted, they were calling him Peter Drake. 

The town car came to a stop. Peter slowly got out. He looked up, up, up. The mansion looked to be four levels, easy. That didn't include a potential basement and attic. The front doors were a story and a half high. 

Tim grabbed Peter's hand. “Come on!” 

The little boy pulled Peter towards the monster of a house and eagerly entered after his parents. Inside was as opulent as he was expecting. Marble floors and a matching grand staircase. There were massive paintings in golden frames and antiques from all over the world.

“Welcome home, Peter,” Janet said in that silky smooth voice that made Peter's skin crawl.

He did not like the Drakes. Peter glanced down at Tim. He didn't like most of the Drakes. 

“Can we pick Peter's room?” Tim asked.

Janet waved them away.

Peter allowed himself to be led upstairs to the next floor.

“Mom and dad have their bedroom in the west wing on the second floor.” Tim gestured up another flight and to the left. “My room- our rooms are on the third floor in the east wing.”

Tim led Peter right down the hall and further into the house.

“What are all these rooms?”

“Guest rooms. Studies. There's a music room and a library. Mostly they're decorative for guests, but guests don't come upstairs.”

That made no sense. “...okay.”

“Here! You can pick any room.” Tim hurried to one door that looked the same as all the others. “This one is mine.” He pointed to the doors across the hall. “Those ones face out north, to the street. This side faces the back lawn, the forest and Way- uh… the neighbors lawn.”

“The other mansion we passed five minutes ago?” Peter asked/

“Yeah, that's… Wayne Manor.” Tim shuffled on his feet.

Peter slowly shook his head. “Okay. Uhm. I guess I'll take this one.” 

Peter opened the door to the room beside Tim's. He stepped inside and found a pristine double bed with four posters. There was an old Chinese tapestry on the wall and matching vases around the room.

“We can move these to a different room. You can decorate. Do you like Batman? I have an extra Batman poster.”

Peter nodded. “Yeah, Batman’s cool.”

“Great! I'll go get it.”

While Tim was gone, Peter set his backpack on the bed. All his possessions were inside, nothing had gotten lost during his short stint in the hospital. He stepped around the bed and peered through the bay window to the grounds beyond. The lawn stretched for ages before meeting a tall stone fence. Beyond the fence and further in the distance was an equally massive and imposing home.

Peter released a soft sigh. He needed to call Happy sooner rather than later.

Tim burst back into the room with a rolled up poster.

“Here you go!”

“Thanks, Timmy.”

Tim smiled, cheeks pink. 

Janet entered the room, phone out. She glanced up. “Oh, you're all settled? Perfect." She looked back down at her phone. "We're going to take a little trip to get you some things. You don't have anything presentable to wear and you'll need a collection of suits. We were invited to the Wayne Gala next weekend.”

Peter blinked quickly. He wasn't sure what to say in response. He didn't think Janet was even looking for a response from him.

“Can I change before we go, mom?” Tim asked.

Janet blinked and turned to him, as if noticing him for the first time. “You haven't changed out of that suit yet?” She snapped her fingers and pointed to his room. “Quickly, Timothy.”

Peter's brows drew together. This lady was the worst. He swallowed down his annoyance and allowed himself to be taken out shopping. He tried not to flinch every time he heard the click of a paparazzi camera. He hoped the hype around this whole thing would die down soon. He still had most of the year to go before he turned eighteen and he could leave Gotham. Peter was pretty sure he'd never look back again.

.

They returned from their awful shopping trip and Jack handed him a brand new Stark phone and a laptop. He clapped Peter on the shoulder and said “good work” and then dismissed him with a wave.

Peter stared down at the tech. Was this some weird form of payment?

Peter bit back a scowl and headed up to his room. He closed the door behind him and tossed the laptop onto the bed. The ancient Chinese artwork and vases were gone. The room looked pretty generic except for the Batman poster above his dresser. 

Peter opened the walk-in closet and found most of the things they’d purchased already neatly tucked away. Some assistant was the one who took all their bags, so Peter assumed she was the one who put everything away before they got home. There were several uniforms with some emblem on the breast and Latin writing. A school, he guessed. Or perhaps a secret rich people organisation that he would enjoy taking down. 

Peter sighed. He opened the new phone and grabbed the cracked face of his old one. It took him no time at all to transfer his phone ID from the old one to the new one. 

He opened Happy’s contact and called. 

Happy immediately picked up. “Peter, hey. How are you?”

Peter stared at his closet of expensive clothes. There were a dozen shoes along the bottom of the closet. All of them were various styles of dress shoes that he genuinely couldn't name the differences between. There was an entire drawer filled with silk ties.

“Peter?”

“I got adopted.”

“What?” Happy exclaimed.

Peter ran a hand over his face. “Don't make me say it again.” He turned away from his closet and headed for the window. He opened it and climbed straight out and up onto the roof with one hand.

“How? Can't you say no?”

Peter sighed and shook his head. “Not in Gotham.” He turned and sat down on the roof. He stared out across the massive lawn and to the stone fence in the distance, beyond which was another massive lawn and then Wayne Manor. “The only thing people listen to is money. I got adopted by this rich couple that needed good clout after a public scandal.”

“Wait- the Drakes? You got adopted by the Drakes? That kid that saved those orphans- Peter, I told you to lay low!” Happy hissed.

“I did. I didn't use the suit.”

“And yet you made the news. Jesus, kid. This is- I don't know if I can fix this.”

Peter was unsurprised. “I didn't think you could. But I figured I should inform you.”

“No, yeah. Thanks. I mean, you could run? Would they look for you?”

Peter tilted his head. “That's… not a bad idea. We'll have to wait for the hype to die down and then I'm pretty sure they won't care. Give it a few weeks and then I'll catch a train to New York.”

“Alright. I'll keep an eye on things from here.”

“Just take care of May. Start scheduling her transfer. I want her out of this city as soon as possible.”

“I’ll handle it. And now that's taken care of, mind telling me what the hell you think you're doing taking photos of Batman?”

Peter stared at Wayne Manor in the distance. “Uh… can I plead the fifth?”

“No. You can't. You're so damn lucky that they are calling you the new Drake kid in the media. If people found out that you were Peter Parker, it would make international news. You get that, right?”

Peter swallowed. “Well, I've been sequestered to a mansion outside the city, so I doubt I'll be getting many more Batman pics.”

“That's it? That's all you have to say?”

Peter gestured with his hand. “What do you want from me, Happy? I'm trying to keep the heat off Spider-Man and everyone was blaming Batman and it just… it made sense.”

“Yeah, well, Batman came back to New York. Did you see that news?”

Peter blinked widely. “No? Why would he do that?”

“He's looking for you.”

Peter frowned in thought. “Jameson called me after I sold some pictures. He said that Daredevil and Deadpool were spotted doing the same thing?”

“Yeah. Captain America called me. I told Wilson you're fine, but then he started asking about your identity.”

Peter made a face. That was less than ideal. “What'd you say?”

“I told him it was need-to-know and I'll let him know as soon as he needs to.”

Peter raised his eyebrows. “Alright, go off, Happy.”

The man growled in annoyance. “They want something from you, kid. I don't know what.”

“Is Mr. Stark okay?”

“Yeah,” Happy breathed. “He's uh… doing better than ever.”

“What do you mean? Is he… you think he's going to wake up soon?”

“Yeah, we do.”

Peter's eyes teared. He released a shuddering breath. “That's amazing news.”

“I'd really like you to be here when he does, kid.”

“Yeah, well, take that up with Ms. Potts. We both know how she feels about me.”

Happy didn't reply. “Let's just focus on you and getting you home.”

“I can take care of myself. Focus on May. Let me know when you're coming to get her. You'll come, right?”

“Yeah, kid. I'll keep you updated. Stay safe.”

“I will.”

Peter stared at his phone for a long moment. Tony was going to wake up. He pulled his legs into his chest and rested his forehead on his knees. 

It was good news. It was really good news. 

Peter had never felt so alone.

.

After Peter called Michelle and Ned to have the same conversation with them, he pulled out his old laptop. He ignored the new one, deciding that he needed to keep his Spidey stuff on something that he owned. It was a lot smarter than transferring it to a gift that could easily be taken away. He was no stranger to the way rich people treated gifts they gave people. 

He did some research into what was happening in Queens while he was gone. Rhino and Electro were causing issues, so that was frustrating. Daredevil and Deadpool were spotted in Queens. 

Peter ran a hand over his mouth. He had to let Daredevil know he was okay. He didn't much care about the scattered remains of the Avengers, he only really knew Tony, Rhodey, and Dr. Strange. 

Peter tensed. “Oh, god.” He fumbled for his phone. 

“Oh, look who decided to call," Stephen Strange drawled, annoyed.

“I didn't think about it! I'm fine. I'm totally fine.”

“You disappeared, kid! I have Hawkeye breathing down my neck. A little warning.”

“Sorry! I'm sorry." Peter dropped his forehead into his hand. He sighed. "I've been busy.”

“Yeah, in Gotham? I almost came to ask, but Batman would have probably killed me on sight.”

“Probably,” Peter agreed. “My aunt's in a coma here. Happy is getting her transferred.”

“God, kid. Call me next time. You do recall that I'm a doctor?”

Peter frowned. “I thought that was just your fake name?”

“Oh my god. I will call Hogan.”

“Hey, uh, is it true? About Mr. Stark?”

Stephen paused and then sighed. “Yeah, kid. He's gonna be okay.”

“That's uh- that's good.” Peter ran a hand through his hair. Tears filled his eyes as the relief swept over him. He took a deep breath. “I guess you know others are looking for me too?”

“I'm aware.”

“Can you talk to Daredevil for me? He'll spread the word that I'm fine.”

“I don't know if he'll trust me.”

“He will, just don't lie.”

“Huh, okay. I'll handle it.”

“Hey, Dr. Strange," Peter scuffed his shoe against the wooden floor, "you totally could have called me too.”

There was a pause and then Stephen admitted, “That's fair. You're right. I'm glad you're doing okay. You are doing okay, right?”

“Yeah, totally,” he lied. “I'm great.”

“I don't need to be Daredevil to know that's a lie," the older man drawled.

Peter winced. “I'd be better if May was in New York. Happy is working on it.”

“I'll help him. Talk to you soon, kid.”

Peter set his phone aside with a sigh. That took care of Daredevil, at least. 

.

As it turned out, the blazers he'd been fitted for were for a school and not a secret underground rich people society. Gotham Prep Academy, the best school in all of Gotham. The Drakes drove Peter and Tim to school, dropping Tim off at an elementary school a few blocks away, before taking Peter to get enrolled at Gotham Prep. 

They’d spent long enough in the office that Peter missed his first period, and then was given a schedule and a map and sent off.

“Have fun, Pete,” Jack said with a clap to Peter’s back.

Peter levelled a flat look at the man.

“We will be kept apprised of your grades and your behaviour,” Janet stated with a sharp look. “Remember that.”

“How could I forget?” Peter responded.

Janet raised her eyebrows, clearly unimpressed. The Drakes headed out of the school. It was a huge building that looked more like a mansion than an actual school. Peter wondered if it had been someone’s home at some point. 

With a sigh, Peter looked down at his schedule and the map. He headed off to his second period class. There was no teacher in the classroom yet and only a few available seats. Peter, not one to sit in the back, took an available seat in the middle of the second row. 

The teenager beside him was objectively huge. He was broad shouldered and clearly muscled even under the Gotham Prep uniform. He had curly black hair and bright blue eyes. His skin was tanned. 

“Hey,” Peter greeted as he sat down. He set his things on the table and put away the map and class schedule. 

The kid raised his eyebrows. “Hey. Uh, fair warning, I'm no one’s favourite. You might want to make other friends.”

Peter frowned. The teenager’s voice was distinctly different from the Drakes’ polished accent. He recognised the roughness easily. It was familiar to a few of the kids that went to his old Gotham school – Crime Alley kids. A scholarship student, Peter guessed.

“Well, I probably won't be either,” Peter responded with a thick Queens accent.

The other teen raised his eyebrows. “You're that new kid.”

“Peter.”

“Jason,” he greeted with a considering look on his face. “You're transferring in pretty late. Let me know if you need any study notes.”

Peter blinked and shrugged. “Oh, uh thanks. I'll be fine. I'm not sticking around.”

“No?”

He shook his head. “My aunt is in the hospital. Once she's transferred to New York, I'm gone.”

“Who are you staying with?”

Peter rolled his eyes. “I'm the Drake's PR stunt.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Fucking rich people,” he grouched.

Peter turned to the front of the classroom as the teacher entered. “Amen.”

After English class with Jason, the bell rang for lunch. Jason led him to a huge cafeteria with an open lunch. 

“Meals are comped,” Jason explained and Peter nodded.

“What I wouldn’t have given to have that when I was younger.”

Jason grunted in agreement. “Come on.” They each grabbed a tray and Jason cut in the line to sidle up next to another teenager.

“‘Sup, Dickface.”

“Eat me, Jason,” the boy snapped back. He looked up and his blue eyes widened when he spotted Peter. “Oh! Sorry. Hi, I'm Dick.” He shot Peter a sunny smile.

“Peter.” 

Dick was clearly Jason’s brother. They looked crazy similar with the same black curls and bright blue eyes. Dick had a darker skin tone and wasn’t anywhere near the height or broadness of Jason, but otherwise, they were undeniably brothers. He did, however, lack Jason’s accent. 

“He's our new neighbour,” Jason explained as they moved up the line and collected their dishes.

Peter frowned as he placed a bowl full of rice and vegetables onto his tray. “Neighbour?” The Drakes only had one neighbour. “Wait, you're Bruce Wayne's kids?”

Dick looked up with a pleased sigh. “I love meeting non-Gothamites,” he said and turned to Jason. “We basically don't exist to them.”

Jason smirked. The look was decidedly sharp. “Yeah, because everyone is too scared to look in Gotham’s direction for too long. The disease might be contagious.”

“No, only Ivy’s black fungus.”

They shared a wicked grin. Peter made a face. He hadn’t heard of Ivy’s black fungus and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

They grabbed their sides and a drink and then headed over to an available table.

“What is this?”

“Buddha bowl,” Dick replied simply and picked up his fork. “It’s all organic. The parent committee for Gotham Prep is on a health kick. Blame Bruce.”

“Right,” Peter responded slowly. “My school served mac and cheese. But I couldn’t afford that.” He stabbed a cherry tomato. “This is crazy. Some Gotham schools don’t even have a cafeteria.”

Jason leaned forward. “Say it louder for the rich assholes in the back.”

Peter grinned.

Dick looked up from his meal with an unexpectedly piercing gaze. “So, you’re the kid the Drakes adopted?”

Peter shrugged.

“How are they?”

He shrugged again. “They’re rich. They’re like cyborgs. Rich people don’t feel real.”

“Agreed,” Jason said.

“You get used to it," Dick countered.

Jason made a face. “Been six years. Still not used to it.”

Dick shrugged. “I was adopted younger. Maybe that’s the difference.”

“Nah, you’re just freakishly agreeable.”

Peter stared at Dick. “Were you dusted too?”

Dick’s eyes shot to Peter. He nodded. “I’d probably be done with university by now otherwise.”

“What d’you wanna study?”

Dick shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe I’ll go into law enforcement and piss off B.”

Jason laughed. “Holy shit, please do.” He turned to Peter. “What about you? Since you’re not sticking around Gotham, what’re you gonna do?”

“You’re leaving?” Dick asked.

Peter nodded. “My aunt is in the hospital. I have family friends who can take me in New York. Technically, I’m pretty sure the Drakes weren’t allowed to adopt me, but try telling rich people what they can and can’t do?” Peter rolled his eyes while Dick and Jason nodded their heads in agreement. “I’m just waiting for shit to die down and then I’ll dip.”

“But you do have people to take care of you?” Dick pressed.

“Yeah, totally. I’ll be fine.”

And of that, Peter was sure. He had Happy and Dr. Strange, MJ and Ned, and probably Rhodey too. Soon, he'd have Mr. Stark back too. Peter was a lot of things, but without support was not one of them. It was hard to remember that in Gotham and surrounded by strangers.

.

After school ended, Peter headed over to the elementary school two blocks east. He texted with Ned and Michelle while he waited.

MJ 3.45 PM

picking up your little brother

fucking adorable 

im gonna throw up

Ned 3.46 PM

send pics

Peter 3.46 PM

dude

no

thats creepy

ill get arrested for sure

MJ 3.46 PM 

i dare you 

Ned 3.47 PM

🙊

.

Peter rolled his eyes and looked up as the kids started coming out of the school.

“Tim!”

Tim whirled around. He frowned at Peter. “What’re you doing here?”

Peter frowned and shrugged. “Picking you up.”

“Why?”

“Because school is done? We need to go home?”

Tim continued to frown at him. “I can take the bus, Peter. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Uh, okay? Well, let’s go?”

Tim wrinkled his nose. He led the way to the bus stop and they waited. 

Peter checked his phone. “Dude, this is gonna take us over an hour. Let me just get us a cab.”

“That’s a surefire way to get kidnapped and our kidneys sold on the black market.”

Peter looked up. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“He’s not kidding,” a random guy also waiting for the bus said.

“How about Uber?” Peter suggested.

Tim’s nose scrunched up. “How would we pay for that?”

“Your parents gave me a credit card. I ordered one. Come on.” He put a hand on Tim’s shoulder and steered him away from the bus stop.

“I don’t have a credit card,” Tim complained.

“You’re seven. I’m not sure that’s even allowed.”

“I’m responsible!” Tim protested.

Peter raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t say you weren’t, Timmy.”

Tim crossed his arms over his chest and pouted towards the street.

“So, people are just taking people’s kidneys when they get in taxis?” Peter asked.

“It happens frequently enough that most people just take the bus. The subway is also a problem, because the rats are infected with Bane’s venom so they’re kind of big and super mean.”

Peter stared out across the street. “This place is fucking insane.”

Tim shrugged. “You get used to it.”

Peter shook his head. “My friends want a picture. You cool?”

“Uh… sure?”

Peter bent down and they took a selfie together. Peter sent it off to the group chat.

The Uber pulled up and they headed home.

.

Ned 4.13 PM 

OHMYGOD LOOK AT HIM HES SO CUTE AND SQUISHY

MJ 4.15 PM 

that is 10/10 a cute kid

Ned 4.15 PM 

PETER BRING HIM BACK WITH YOU IM BEGGING YOU

.

When they got home, the Drakes were nowhere to be found. Tim hurried up the stairs and disappeared into the mansion. Peter went to the kitchen to find a snack. His phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up, expecting to see Happy's name and frowned when he saw the Daily Bugle was calling him. He picked up. 

“Parker!” Jameson yelled into the phone.

“Hi, sir.”

“Are you alright?”

Peter blinked. “What?”

“O’Brien contacted me about the adoption. Are you okay?”

Peter was oddly touched. “Uh, yes. Yeah, I'm good. Thanks.”

“Are you sure? What about your aunt?”

“Still in a coma. She should be moved out to New York in the next week or so. I don’t want her here in Gotham, even if I’m still here.”

Jonah was quiet for a moment. “I saw your pictures on the news. Good work, kid.”

Peter grinned. “Thanks, sir. I’m still hunting down a picture of Batman.”

“If anyone can do it.”

Peter’s eyes widened. That was the highest compliment in the world coming from a man like Jonah Jameson. Peter’s chest warmed. “I’m really okay, sir, I promise. Honestly, I’m probably better off here, even if they’re just using me for PR. I would tell you in a heartbeat if there was anything shady happening. We’d write the story and leave them in ruins.”

“Ha! Damn straight. See ya, Parker.”

The call immediately ended. Peter grinned at his phone for a moment longer. He video called Ned that night while he worked on repairing his uncle’s camera.

.

As it turned out, Jason was exceptionally passionate about English. Each morning, Jason was ready and prepared for the class like he was heading into battle. Peter, a good student but certainly not passionate about literature, mostly sat back and enjoyed the show. He didn’t have any classes with Dick, but he wasn’t overly surprised by that. Peter’s three other classes for the semester were all advanced STEM classes, carried over from his Midtown transcripts.

At lunch, the brothers dragged him outside and they kicked a soccer ball around for a bit. Both Wayne boys were incredibly athletic and huge show offs. Peter fought hard not to show off as well. He had a cover to maintain though, and eventually sat down and laid back in the grass to stare up at the gray sky above.

“Looking like acid rain,” Dick commented lightly.

“Please tell me you're joking.”

“He's not,” Jason confirmed.

“Ugh. Gotham sucks.”

They laughed at him. 

Dick sat up. “Hey, why aren't you in gym class with us?”

“I have asthma,” Peter replied, conditioned to say it from the years he actually did have asthma.

Jason also sat up. “Seriously? And you ran into a fire?”

“I wasn't gonna leave the twins in there. They would have died.”

“That's very brave, Peter,” Dick said softly.

Peter made a face and shrugged. “Anyone would have done the same.”

“I think you know that's not true.”

Peter sat up. “Anyways, I have advanced chemistry.”

“Whoa, shit, seriously?” Jason scrambled to his feet.

“Uh, yeah. I'm on the MIT track here. Pulled over from my classes at Midtown Tech. It's a STEM school.”

"You're on the Villain Track?" Jason demanded, laughter in his voice.

“The what now?” Peter exclaimed.

“Advanced sciences,” Dick explained with a wave of his hand. “Usually, biology, chemistry, and engineering.”

“The Villain Track,” Jason agreed with a nod.

“I am not a villain!”

"That's what they all say."

Dick nodded wisely. "They always start so sweet."

"It's the quiet ones."

Peter rolled his eyes and got up. Jason and Dick hopped up and headed back towards the school with him

“Keeping on track for when you ditch the Drakes?” Jason asked.

“Yeah, I don’t want to fall behind. We’re thinking the press will die down in the next week or two. May’s still in the hospital here. But I have a friend taking care of her and her transfer to New York.”

“You think they’ll just let you go?” Jason asked.

“What about when you’re in New York?” Dick wondered. “You said you have someone who will take care of you, right?”

“Happy said he’d take over guardianship of me. Friend of the family.” Peter shrugged. “I’ll be totally fine.”

“If you’re sure?” Dick responded slowly.

Jason smacked his brother’s chest. “Leave ‘em alone, Dickface. He’s got it covered.”

Dick shrugged. “I'm just used to kids going missing in Gotham. I don't want you to be another statistic.”

Peter felt oddly touched by that. “Thanks but, I was dusted. I'll always be a statistic.”

“Same.”

“Ugh!" Jason exclaimed. "Debbie Downers, the both of you. Come on. You can be all maudlin on the way to your advanced science stuff.”

“Advanced science stuff,” Peter repeated.

Jason shrugged and Peter shook his head.

"Stay on his good side, Jason," Dick teased. "You don't want to be on his list."

“Yeah, maybe we gotta keep an eye on you, Parker.”

Peter shook his head. “Nah, that’ll mess with my world domination plans.”