Chapter Text
Two weeks.
For two fucking weeks Barbara found herself waiting patiently for Peter to show up at her library. She hadn’t even called off. Too worried she might miss him if he miraculously showed up the one day she could have chosen to go out.
The first few days she wasn’t too worried. As far as she knew Peter didn’t show up too often, only when he had things he needed to print out. She hummed as he checked on his library card usage.
He’d only ever checked out one book too…
Pride and Prejudice huh? She relayed this information to Jason. She could almost see the dreamy sigh and longing gaze he’d been making every time Barbara gave him any new information about Peter. It was cute.
What she really needed was for Peter to show up so Jason's hounding would cease and she can go back to living in peace.
By the end of the first week there was still no sign of Peter. Nothing new on his Instagram either. Where the hell was this guy when you needed him? Wasn’t he also smitten with Jason? She had half a mind originally to think Peter was going to be back the next day!
Barbara felt like she was going to have to start tearing out her hair. Until the group chat received a photo from Clark. She clicked on it for the sake of her hair.
….
She took off her glasses, giving them a quick wipe.
What the fuck?
Why was Peter hanging out in Metropolis with Clark fucking Kent?
Bat-Casual-Chat
Clark: [An image of Clark with his arm around a pink cheeked, shyly smiling Peter. He's holding up his hand to make a peace sign and Clark is beaming at the camera.]
Clark: I have the sweetest new photographer helping me at work! His name is Peter and he is phenomenal. I think I might steal him from Gotham!
Babs scoffs. Steal Peter? The only one that was going to be stealing Peter was her! She was about to angrily text as such before her phone dinged again.
Bruce: Is he transferring to the Daily Planet? Why would a Gotham photographer be out in Metropolis?
Thank goodness for Bruce's constant thirst for knowledge. It was always ready to get answers.
Clark: Nope.
Clark: The Daily Planet just signed a contract to allow us to have worker exchanges every two weeks. Peter has been here for about a week now and he's by far the sweetest worker from Gotham. He is very intelligent too.
Clark: And he's a magnificent photographer! Our photographers were starting to become a bit hostile towards the fellow, but I politely sent them to HR. :)
Bruce: I’m glad to hear it. So he’ll be returning in one week?
Clark: Don’t remind me. :(
Another week?
Another week of kicked puppy Jason?
She had half a mind to demand Clark bring Peter back to Gotham on the double so her suffering can end. Especially when the clock strikes 2pm and Jason is walking into the library.
She slams her head into the desk.
Superman, bring Peter Parker back to Gotham and Barbara's life is yours.
Please.
“Did Peter come in today?” Jason asks. Like he hasn’t asked every other day in person and every day over text.
Superman, Please.
_____________
Peter found himself in Metropolis these last few days. The Gotham Gazette was working with the Daily Planet to create some camaraderie between the two cities. And secretly, so the two newspapers can come to a partnership with one another.
It would be a huge benefit for the Gotham Gazette to learn more about writing…peaceful citylife. And a huge benefit for the Daily Planet reporters to get their hands on the dirty and frankly deeply disturbing things Peter and his coworkers often saw. The stories Peter could tell…
The Gotham Gazette could, truthfully, treat it like a field trip or a mental health trip. Truly, Peter wasn’t sure who was winning in this proposed deal more.
Definitely the Gazette but shush now. No one had to worry about that. Certainly not Peter. He was just here to reap the benefits and enjoy the city of Metropolis.
The two agencies had exchanged a team of five each. Three reporters and two photographers. Ms. Garth, his boss, had recommended Peter for his masterful photos. Peter had flushed at the compliments. Even after two years of working with her Peter still felt like she would flip and turn into Jameson someday. Or worse, that the compliments would stop.
Sue him, Peter wasn’t just fond of pretty sights. He loved pretty words.
And gosh. Speaking of pretty sights, those beautiful green eyes and handsome face come back to Peter and he melts into the park bench he’s sitting on. God. Peter hadn’t stopped thinking about the guy. Every time there was a moment of silence or a lull while Peter and his colleagues waited for instructions, Peter found his mind drifting to that pretty green eyed boy.
He was a dreamboat, a hottie–a steamboat? He did have that really hot lip piercing and leather jacket. Then Peter remembered how soft the guy's gaze was and yeah, dreamboat was just right for him.
Peter really wished he had taken the agency to get his name, his number, something, but Peter was so melty in front of the guy his brain had turned into nothing more than some mush. Fricking pretty people. He's still surprised he had even been able to form friendships in the past when all of them were models! Mary Jane, Gwen, and Harry had all been dreamy. Peter could hardly form conversation with them back when they'd all first met Peter.
Why were pretty people so-so! So damn difficult to speak to. Peter is a well educated man for fucks sake! He can build machines this universe hasn't even thought of yet!
And then- some gorgeous, he melts again at the thought of the dreamy guy, man stands in front of him and he's suddenly forgotten how to introduce his damn self!
Ugh! Peter ran a hand through his hair in frustration gnawing at his bottom lip. He sighed and let his hand fall back to the camera in his lap.
Hopefully when he got back to Gotham he could actually try to get his number and name? If he doesn't look at the guy theoretically he could manage enough brain power to introduce himself. Righy?
Peter dragged a hand down his face. He didn't think he could even manage that!
Maybe Peter could try his best to find him at the library. Maybe he could write a small introduction on a piece of paper in the event of a brain moosh situation?
"Hey, you are seriously so pretty that I truly can not function in front of you.
My name is Peter! Can I please get your number?"
Well…It…Uh…okay. Not his best idea turns out, but a good back up plan nonetheless.
Maybe the day after he got back he’d run to the library and wait for him and hope for the best? Peter did work pretty good in high stress situations. Spider-Manning Gotham without being detected and avoiding every camera at all times was certainly not fucking stress free.
Wait. Wait for the guy?
What if the guy thinks he’s a weirdo though? Sitting at the library doing nothing? Crap. Crap crap. Peter didn’t want to mess it up when it hadn't even started yet. Whatever it was.
Peter…Peter really hoped that it was a relationship. His heart fluttered at the thought. Gosh. He’d love to be that guy's boyfriend. Peter kicked out his legs.
A boyfriend…what kind of boyfriend would that pretty green eyed guy be like? He seemed really sweet. He’d probably be the type to quote sonnets or poems about love. He had the kind of eyes Peter thought poets would have.
They were so…soft and almost searching?
Peter smiled at the memory.
He seemed like he’d give the best hugs too. The kind you could feel yourself melt right into. If Peter did get the pleasure of getting to go out with the guy, he’d be hard pressed to ever let him go.
Gosh.. Peter allowed himself to get lost in his thoughts about the guy.
Peter jumped to his feet again. He had to get rid of this energy. He turned to walk back in the direction of the Daily Planet when he smacked into a brick wall.
Who puts a wall in the middle of a park?
Rubbing his nose and groaning Peter looked up and saw, what the fuck? That wasn't a wall?
With a blink Peter realized he’d just ran straight into one of the reporters for the Daily Planet. Clark Kant? Argh what was his last name… Karrot..Kakarot…Kent…Kent!
Peter didn't know a whole lot about this guy but he knew this now.
This guy absolutely ate cement or something because ow. Running into him was exactly what it felt like to run into a wall.
Add it to his list of facts about this guy.
Clark Kent:
-
Tall as FUCK
-
Handsome :D
-
Built as FUCK
-
Supervisor and excellent investigative journalist at the Daily Planet, second only to Louis Lane
-
Eats cement for breakfast
Peter had only been here for about three days now and hadn’t spoken much to any of his new colleagues. Hell, he had barely started opening up, for real anyway, to the ones he's been working with for the past two years now.
Aunt May often fondly compared Peter to an oyster. Difficult to open up, but worth it when you lay your eyes upon the pearl hidden away inside. She loved being dramatic like that Peter recounted fondly.
“Oh! Hey, Peter, right?” Clark smiles at him. Wow, he's really handsome.
“Uhm. Yeah thats me.” Peter offered him a small smile. Gosh this guy was tall. And ridiculously buff. “You’re Clark right? Sorry for running into you.” Even though he should apologize. His nose was throbbing!
"No worries! I didn't get hurt-" Peter did! "so its no worries. You did though. I'm so sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings."
"Ah. It's alright."
"Here let me get you some lunch to make up for it." Clark gave him such a genuinely apologetic face, argh handsomeness, Peters biggest weakness, and Peter reluctantly agreed to go with him.
Peter and him got along quickly after that. Peter was almost sad about having to go to Gotham, he was genuinly having such a great time with the guy. He had even introduced Peter to Louis Lane and Peter helped her by taking some photos. She was seriously incredible about digging up information and Peter took mental and physical notes about all of it.
Peter had gotten so close to them so fast Peter had even let them take a selfie with him! He never does stuff like that. Not since, well everything.
Regardless, Peter was genuinely sad to leave the Daily Planet after those awesome two weeks.
He even asked Clark for a hug before he left. And to Peters relief, his hugs didn't feel like he smacked into cement. He melted into him and bid his goodbyes, promising to visit and text often.
Peter's next turn to head over to Metropolis could not come fast enough.
With two new contacts in his phone, Peter got onto the work truck for the Gotham Gazette and headed home.
When Peter finally arrived back in Gotham he headed straight into his apartment, took a shower, put the most comfortable pajamas he owned on and threw himself into bed. His plushies flying into the air with the force of his throw.
When he finally woke up again he blinked blearily.
He took a deep breath and took a big stretch. The kind that makes you shake just a little bit.
Gosh he missed his bedroom. And not having to wake up to his coworker busting back into their shared room at 3 in the morning because he thought drinking was the most important aspect of this work trip.
And one of his coworkers had been strongly attempting to ask Peter out the whole time. Blissfully the guy was way too shy to actually get out the words. Peter too busy dreamily sighing about the pretty green eyed boy to even worry about his coworker.
It was around 5pm by the time Peter finished eating, relaxing and unwinding. Gosh he loved stretching out onto his couch and relaxing. These last two weeks had been downright difficult for Peter’s alone time.
He..did kind of want to leave his nice comfortable apartment and head to the library though.
He could absolutely head to the library now… couldn’t he?
It was getting late though and Peter had met the guy in the morning. Or well early evening. If Peter's luck was on his side, and it never was, he'd have to try to match the time he had met the guy when he next returned to the library.
As impatient as Peter felt he knew he'd have to wait to see pretty boy again.
Hah…tomorrow first thing in the morning he’d head to the library.
He’d have to print out a couple of photos too so it didn't seem like he was only going to see that guy.
He absolutely was though.
Peter fell asleep dreaming about the color green and the soft scent of lavender tickling his nose.
The next morning he dressed up a little nicer than he usually would.
He had a nice deep blue button up shirt. He pulled on one of his loose fluffy white sweaters over that, Aunt May always told him it made him look lovely, he put on some nice jeans. He spayed on a cologne Harry told him about back home. He put on a nicer pair of black shoes.
Forgive him, Peter’s beat up converse. When Peter finally gets this guy's number he’ll be quick to throw them right back on.
He even added a small strawberry clip to his unruly hair to keep a little bit of it out of his face.
A quick check to the weather app revealed…as usual some light rain. He threw on his raincoat and grabbed his umbrella. He slipped his backpack, and placed his camera into the bag. And his heart pounding quickly, he left his apartment.
_______________
Barbara had given up. Genuinely.
Clark had lamented about his new pal Peter having left in the group chat. By Barbaras estimation that meant he arrived two days ago. And still, still was not at the damn library.
She huffed to Kathy to watch the front desk and wheeled into her office. She might as well help Duke with daytime patrol.
Peter had been in the library for three hours.
Normally he'd be so engrossed in his work that the time would pass on by quick, but he kept glancing towards the entrance whenever he'd hear the door open.
After three hours of meerkating at the door Peter pouted and pulled his headphones on and camera out.
He might as well do actual work now.
Peter flushed slightly when he saw he hadn't even turned on the computer.
Barbara has stretched her arms far above her head and sighed.
Five hours of patrol slipped her by so fast. She was honestly really happy with the distraction, she hadn't the disappointment of waiting all day for Peter to show up, she pressed the door open button, and for him to not show up at al— holy fuck Peter's here.
She pulled out her phone so quickly it nearly launched into the wall. Blissfully she caught it before it could.
She pulled up Jason's contact info quickly.
Babs: Get your ass down here! Come get your Romeo!
Barbara saw Jason had seen the message in an instant.
Peter hummed and took a quick glance at the entranceway and drooped when it wasn't his pretty boy that had entered.
It'd been five hours now and Peter had finished his printing thirty minutes ago…It was time to call it quits.
With a sad look plastered on his face and a droop to his shoulders, Peter begain slowly putting everything away.
Maybe..tomorrow he'd come back and hope for the best.
Jason had never ran faster in his fucking life.
He was a mile from the library when he'd gotten the text from Babs.
God.
He was going to see Peter.
His heart beat was impossibly fast, but it wasn't because of the running.
Try as Jason might to fool himself.
Jason arrives with more than enough time for Peter to finish his printing and to head over to the counter.
He looked as gorgeous as the last time Jason had seen him.
He leaned against the counter when his knees grew weak. He was so- so. Jason found himself at a loss for words, electing to just take him all in.
He looked so lovely. His hair all messy, his lip between his teeth as he took the stack of photos from the printer. He looked like he was going out, he looked so put together and fluffy. That white sweater looked absolutely riveting. God.
And he must've felt eyes on him because he was looking up, a frown etched on his handsome features, and Jason's breath caught when he looked Jason right in the eye.
His heart thrummed painfully in his chest.
Badum Badum Badum Badum.
It felt like the air in the room was sucked out of it because Peter, Peter, he still couldn't get over knowing his name, was smiling at him. No- beaming at him.
Jason’s ears flush a deep red and he feels as he tries to fight the huge smile forming on his own face, as he hesitantly looks right back at Peter's beaming smile. A complete 180 to the frowning anxious look he'd had earlier.
Peter pulls his pictures close to his chest before he's walking right towards Jason and fuck—fuck. Okay calm down, this is finally happening.
Kathleen McGowan was right.
Reunion was so fucking sweet.
Barbara watches with baited breathe as Romeo and…other Romeo get lost in their own world again. She has half a mind to turn around and wheel out of dodge. Barbara shivers and considers moving away to pretend to do work, truly she does, but it’s like second hand embarrassment. Sometimes you just need to push through, kick your feet, squeeze a pillow and force your way through it.
She squeezes her imaginary pillow as Peter walks straight up to Jason, a beaming smile on his face.
She has half a mind to think he was hoping to see Jason as much as Jason was hoping to see Peter.
Peter stops a couple feet away from Jason, before he takes a few more steps closer to Jason’s space, almost absentmindedly. He takes his headphones off in that practiced motion he always does.
“Hi.” Peter waves at Jason. He has a stupidly bashful look on his face.
Jason doesn’t even respond. Barbara has to awkwardly cough to catch his brain up to speed.
“Pretty.” Jason mutters waving back, before his eyes go wide and his ears are turning fire hydrant red. Nay. Barbara thinks Red Hood's helmet red. “Er! I mean, you’re— hi. Hello.” Jason coughs into his elbow.
Barbara mentally facepalms. For someone so well red he was certainly at a loss for words. Barbara had half a mind to smack the back of his head to reboot his damn brain, Her commission was at stake!
Luckily for Barbara’s dreams of a commission with her favorite photographer, don’t tell Tim, and Jason’s dreams of a date might be answered because the cutest sounding giggle echoes around them in the nearly empty library. The rain must've kept them away.
Peter shyly covers his laugh up with his hand and his eyes twinkle behind the nerdy glasses he’s wearing today. His cheeks are slightly flushed.
Jason melts before her eyes.
“Right. Hi again. I’m Peter. Peter Parker.” He smiles at Jason and offers his hand to shake. The two are close enough that their hands don’t even need to extend fully.
Regardless, Jason takes his hand so quickly, The Flash himself would balk, and the two stop to stare at each other. Seemingly lost in one another's eyes.
God…She felt like she should look away…Oh well. She pulls out her phone and snaps a selfie with the two of them behind her, neither the wiser. They still don't snap out of their staring.
Once again Barbara coughs.
The two have the courtesy to look a bit bashful. Although they do seem flustered by their actions. If the two of them rushing to break eye contact is anything to go by.
“What’s your name? I’ve just been calling you Pretty green eyes in my head.” Peter smiles at him. Before his eyes widen and his face flushes when he realizes exactly what he just said. Barbara could squeel. Her chances of getting commission access seemed to be coming to fruition. Peter makes no moves to take back what he said but his eyes do leave Jason’s.
Not for long though.
“My names Jason. Jason Todd.” Jason has an incredibly pleased look plastered in his face. It reminds Barbara of the lovesick look Charlie Brown makes.
"Jason." Peter smiles at him with a slight tilt to his head. He laughs softly. "It's very nice to meet you Jason." Jasons breath hitches softly before he speaks again.
"And it's very nice to meet you Peter." Jason adds after a moment.
Honestly? Seeing Jason so happy is making her genuinely happy.
"I..If its not too presumptuous of me, could I please ask for your number, Jason?" Peter squeezes their still joined hands. He must be nervous.
"I—yeah. Yeah. Let me just grab my phone." Jason and Peter reluctantly let go of one another's hands. Peter and Jason both stretch their hands.
Jason's hand trembles slightly when he hands Peter his phone, contact list open.
Peter smiles and enters his phone number easily.
Jason sends a message and they hear a small ding go off. Peter pulls out his phone and saves it under Jason's contact info.
They put their phones away and now, there's this comfortable silence that falls over them. Jason offers to drop Peter off wherever he’s headed. Peter shyly tells him yes. And the two leave her library.
Barbara laughs when Peter runs back in a moment later red faced, with a dopily smiling Jason as he pays for his printed pictures.
She really hopes these two are happy together. For as long as possible.