Chapter Text
News about the Joker’s death gets around. Quick.
Joker’s radio silence gathers the attention of Gotham citizens. There’s a tension in the air before Gotham’s police department releases an official statement regarding his passing. The details are obscured and people make up their own assumptions to fill in the blanks. The majority of the citizens think it's the result of one of the vigilantes but since Batman didn’t do anything after Robin’s death, they dismiss the thought. Why would he get revenge now? Gothamites conclude that a territory feud broke out but when no crime boss boasts about it, they are left confused.
It didn't take long before they decided not to dwell on it. In the end, no one cares enough to dig into it. Gothamites are just relieved that the Joker finally kicked the bucket. Even if it's overdue.
The Wayne family has decided not to release the details of Joker's death. They will take this information to the grave. Batman reported the death of Joker to commissioner Gordon but that’s the most they are willing to share. They do not want to paint a target on their chauffeur, especially with how much Alfred favors him and they found themselves growing fond of his eccentrics. The Waynes have monitored Peter after the incident, and believe that he hasn’t noticed he eliminated the Joker. Not that it’d change anything. If Bruce fired him, Jason would immediately scout him.
Not much has changed after confirming Joker’s death. Except for the Wayne's unhealthy fear of Peter. Overnight, Peter gains leverage in the Wayne household. His words are absolute. He runs the household like it's the military, all the children respond to his every word with ‘yes sir!’ Or a variation of the sort. Peter had smiled at their sudden influx of manners. He was initially confused when the Wayne children started to salute him. It had started with Duke, then Stephanie, Tim and Cassandra. Somehow, even Damian was convinced, though his friend Jon probably influenced him. Even Bruce Wayne took his orders as seriously as he did with Alfred. Peter decided not to press the matter.
Peter ignores Jon and Damian claiming his bad driving is good endurance training. He also tries to pay no mind to their prepared puke bags.
Well, besides Peter’s increase in authority, he has gained a secret-not-so-secret admirer. It would be more of a secret if his admirer wasn’t hiding behind a pillar or lingering around the corner peeking at his reaction. It is hard to miss the broad figure trying to conceal himself behind a lamppost. He’s had to stop Damian from escalating the situation way too many times to count. Duke had assured Peter that it is not just any random weirdo and to ignore him, but that was after he laughed til he cried.
Peter already knew he was going to gain the Red Hood’s interest at one point just from being associated with the Waynes. Sure, he gave him a ride one time and maybe they did a mukbang together. But that shouldn’t have led to this! He didn’t even know what he did to warrant his affection. He thought that the Red Hood would just be curious and do a background check at most. He didn’t expect the bouquets and the very vague and concerning letters. He has a very vague idea as to why, its the only plausible reason but well, his senses are overwhelmed in Gotham that it could be he missed something. And well, he had the right of way.
He can’t deny that he doesn’t look forward to the frequent gifts. This is Jason Todd we are talking about. Ned’s man crush Monday for ten executive years straight. He has to say, Ned knows what's up.
Peter has just handed in the keys to Alfred after dropping Tim off. He’s descending from the front stairs when he spots Jason.
Jason leans against his motorcycle. Clad is a dark leather jacket, his hand, adorned with rings, runs through his hair, trying to soothe the helmet hair. His eyes brighten when he spots Peter. The corner of his mouth twitches upward for a brief second.
It seems he has decided to ditch his Red Hood vigilante persona for the night. Aside from the DC comics, Peter has heard of Jason from the other Waynes, usually from their complaints. He recently made a public appearance after having been declared deceased. With all the weird shit in Gotham, nobody batted an eye after the first week.
“Peter.” He calls out, “Would you care to go for a drive?” His words are hopeful. Jason’s eyes are drawn to one of Bruce’s vintage cars, suggesting that they aren’t taking his motorcycle. He rests his helmet on his motorcycle before grabbing an arranged bouquet.
Peter accepts the bouquet, his heart flutters. A soft pink hue dusts his cheeks as he grins. “It’s a date.”
Jason’s jaw drops and the tips of his ears are tinted a pink color. “A daTE?” His voice increases a few pitches at the end of his words. He quickly collects his composure, cursing Peter’s amused expression because it made his heart skip a beat. He clears his throat. “Yes, a date.” He confirms. He had intended for it to be a date anyways but for it to be thrown at his face so bluntly caught him off guard.
Peter laughs and Jason is swept off his feet. Peter’s laugh could draw anyone’s attention. It’s alluring. Jason hopes to hear it til the end of his days. The way Peter’s dimple makes an appearance and his eyes turn into crescents will live eternally in Jason’s poetry.
Just as Jason offers his hand for Peter to take, they hear muffled screaming. They turn their attention to the window where Damian is clinging to the window stool while Tim is trying to pry him away by the waist.
A startled laugh escapes Jason as they watch Alfred approach, his expression is disappointed. Alfred shakes his head. Damian, alerted of Alfred’s presence, goes limp in Tim’s hold. Damian slides his thumb across his neck, mimicking a slit throat. Peter’s spider senses leads him to assume its not for him, considering it didn’t alert him.
Jason raises an eyebrow, considering. “About that date…” He guides Peter to Bruce’s car. He makes sure Peter is in the passenger seat. Best not to recreate Joker’s death with a random civilian.
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Jason’s eye twitches violently. Jason sits in the passenger seat with Tim seated directly behind him. Tim has been kicking his seat repeatedly the whole car ride, jostling Jason.
Jason has endured it for the last ten minutes because it is well deserved.
When Jason found out Peter had killed Joker, something even Batman couldn’t do, he was intrigued. That’s it. Though when he realized it was the Waynes chauffeur Peter, he was sold. The very same man that became his last minute getaway driver, who he shot up a neighborhood for and did a mukbang with. There was already some history brewing. It was only a matter of time.
Jason’s romantic pursuit didn’t go over well for the rest of the Waynes.
Duke had called him at the crack of dawn to laugh in his face. When Jason hung up and went back asleep, he woke up to his voicemail inbox full of Duke’s laughing. Damian made several murder attempts on Jason. It’s no surprise since Peter quickly became someone he tolerated due to Peter gifting good quality art supplies. Peter claimed to once have an artist friend though no one dares to pry more because his words are laced with longing. Dick had tried to give him dating advice but it was a bit questionable and only he could pull it off with his charisma and appearance.
Cassandra has spied on way too many of their dates than Jason would like. Whatever it was she was looking for, she found it.
Stephanie has cringed, her face contorting in disgust. She eventually got over it quickly after realizing there’s not much to do when Jason is set on something. That didn’t stop Jason from getting a surprise visit in the middle of patrol. She threatened that if he ever harmed Peter physically or emotionally, she would hunt him down.
Tim has been the most against Jason courting Peter. Jason believes it's due to his little crush that's forming. Peter is smart, naturally charismatic and has a boy next door charm to him. He cares so much, and it is refreshing to see in Gotham, though it leaves Jason bewildered sometimes. Peter is also seen helping the elderly with their groceries and saving cats out of the trees.
What is there not to like?
Tim had broken into Jason’s safe house in the middle of the night just to rant about how it is weird that he's dating their chauffeur. Jason assumes Tim is bitter that Jason is breaking whatever weird imaginary off limits restriction Tim has put on Peter because they are his boss technically.
“Timothy.” Peter says, his glare through the rear view mirror sends shivers down Tim’s spine. “Stop kicking Jason’s seat.”
A chorus of ”Yes sir!” fills the vehicle. Stephanie and Duke who were not being scolded had straightened their posture as if they were.
There's a moment of silence. Jason is surprised they know how to be quiet.
After they hit a particularly rough speed bump, Stephanie asks Peter, “Can you teach me how to drive?” She leans forward, in between Jason and Peter. Her gaze burns into the side of Peter’s head.
”Steph.” Duke warns, because Peter is the last person that should be teaching anyone how to drive.
”C’mon everyone is doing it.” Stephanie reassures, grinning a bit too wide to be innocent. Of course she is doing this on purpose, Duke sighs.
”And who is everyone?” Tim frown, his eyebrows furrowed.
The girl with blonde hair shrugs, ”Oh, y’know people at school?” She doesn’t even seem sure of herself.
Peter brakes, hard. If Peter wasn’t so insistent on them wearing their seatbelts, one of them would have gone flying out of the window. He throws a few aggressive hand signs to another car who tried to merge out of nowhere. “Ah? I’ll teach you, how does Friday sound?”
There’s going to be two of them. Stay off the roads. Duke needs to renew his bus pass.
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Peter stretches lazily under the comfort of his blankets. A yawn escapes his lips. The sunlight filtering through the blinds casts a golden hue. It’ll be cloudy in the next thirty minutes.
He doesn’t have to be up for another couple of hours to pick Damian up from his friend's place. Jon and him held a sleepover during the weekend. School is finally out but that doesn’t mean Peter is any less busy. The Wayne's schedule consists more of Galas and interviews than school. Also hanging out at the mall or their friends.
”Sleep well?” Jason asks, nuzzling his face into Peter’s neck. His voice is thick with drowsiness. Peter grins when Jason’s eyelashes brush against his neck, feeling ticklish. Jason’s chest is pressed against Peter’s back. One arm is slung around Peter’s waist while the other Peter uses as a pillow.
Peter hums, “Someone kept waking me up from their snoring.” He teases light heartedly, they both know that Peter wakes himself up from his own snoring. Peter squirms when Jason prods under his ribcage. “I was joking!” He explains to try to save himself from the relentless attack. “Mercy!”
”Sure you were.” Jason laughs, propping himself up in a sitting position. The blankets pool around his waist. “I’m going to make breakfast.” He told Peter, kissing his cheek, a lovesick grin on his face.
Peter watches him leave. The contour of his back is insane. The scars just add to the hotness factor. Peter closes his eyes, Jason will wake him up when breakfast is ready.
Ned, you’re the best wingman ever.