Chapter Text
“Are we seriously going to drive the whole way?” Matt asked. He knew that there weren’t many ways they could logically get to Gotham, but he wasn’t sure if he could stand this car for much longer.
He occasionally heard something metal clink underneath the driver’s seat. He couldn’t tell exactly what type of weapon it was, the car was too distracting to hear it clearly, but it was definitely sharp and dangerous.
Bruce Wayne chuckled, “Of course not, we’re only using the car to get to the airport. Then we’ll get on a jet home.”
“Home?” Matt repeated, incredulously.
“I know it might take some getting used to, but you’ll fit right in.” His heart was steady but Matt couldn’t find himself believing that.
Matt shrugged, “What’s the difference between a plane and a jet?”
“A jet is a type of plane.” Bruce explained.
“Are they as loud as regular planes?” Matt raised an eyebrow. He’d heard planes go overhead before and it was horrible, even from so far away, they were extremely loud. Close up would be hell.
Bruce thought about the question, “Uh, I think it depends on the model. We can buy some ear plugs at the airport if it’s too loud for you?” He suggested.
Matt already had a bad feeling about this.
He’d never even been out of New York before and now he had to go on a jet to Gotham of all places.
Matt had already formed an opinion on the airport by the time they were ten miles away from it. Normally, his senses stretched to around five miles if he wasn’t actively concentrating (he wasn’t sure how far it could reach if he did try hard), but the airport was so overwhelmingly annoying that he could hear it from ten.
By the time they had actually arrived at the airport, he was struggling with the noise. He used to get overwhelmed like this when he was younger, but this was the first time in a while.
He ended up choosing to focus on Bruce’s, probably expensive, watch. The consistent and reliable tick that came every second allowed him to shut the most intrusive noises out.
When he finally got a hold of his surroundings, he realised that his door was open and Bruce had been talking to him.
“-you can grab onto my hand, if that’s easier. I’m at your nine o’clock.” Bruce’s words finally entered his head.
“Right.” Matt murmured, accepting his hand. Bruce helped him out the vehicle.
One of the men who were carrying cases from the car approached them and asked for Matt’s trunk to carry for him.
Matt immediately backed up a bit and tightened his grip on his trunk. “It’s mine. I’m carrying it.”
“They’re just going to take it inside so it can be loaded onto the jet.” Bruce said in a soothing voice.
“I don’t care. It’s mine and I’m carrying it.” Matt repeated, slightly sharper this time.
Bruce gave in and sighed, “I suppose there’s no harm in letting you take it inside the cabin.”
Matt huffed triumphantly in response.
The man who tried to take Matt’s trunk, grabbed the bag with the sharp weapons instead. “May I ask what’s in this, sir?” He sounded mildly concerned.
Now that the car’s engine was off and the metal was clinking more as it was picked up, he could totally make out what was in the bag.
Two thin swords, similar to the ones Stick liked to train him with. After the amount of times he’s been cut and beat by one, he could never forget what a katana sounded like.
“Ah that, that’s just a present for my youngest.” Bruce murmured indifferently as he was searching for something in the car.
Great.
A psychotic younger brother.
Either that or a strange collector type.
He hoped it was second one, he really didn’t need to be beaten up with Katanas again, Stick was enough.
Bruce found what he was searching for, emerging from the car with a beanie and a pair of sunglasses.
“What are you doing?” Matt asked blankly.
“I’m just covering myself up. I don’t want to have to overwhelm you with paparazzi if I’m recognised.” Bruce said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Matt was more than a bit disbelieving, “Paparazzi?”
“Yes.” Bruce responded, deadpan.
Matt was slightly surprised by that but just shrugged and went with it.
Bruce gave Matt’s hand a small squeeze, “You ready to go, then?”
Matt nodded and Bruce began to lead the way, “It’s going to be busy in here and I don’t want to lose you in the crowds, so stay close to me.” Bruce instructed.
Little did he know that Matt already knew it was going to be busy in there because he could already hear it.
He forced himself to listen to the repeating tick of the watch.
They entered the main building of airport and Matt was immediately regretting his life decisions. The mixture of jet fuel and perfume made him feel sick and the sound was going to give him a migraine that he knew would last hours.
“Where are we going?” Matt was quieter than before and sounded absolutely miserable… because he was.
Bruce seemed to notice this change immediately, “We’re just going to get changed and head to the jet. Too loud for you?”
Matt nodded but didn’t say a word.
Bruce slowed to a stop before looking in the direction of a large shop with a bunch of random stuff in it.
“I know something that might help.” Matt could hear a slight smile in his voice.
Bruce led them both into the shop and towards a section that buzzed with the quiet hum of electronics. The older man reached for a pair of what Matt could assume were headphones and carefully handed them to Matt.
“Why are you giving me these?” Matt tilted his head.
“They’re ear defenders, it should help with the noise levels.” Bruce explained.
Matt used his hands to feel them over and he eventually slipped them onto his head. Instantly the world quietened. Maybe for a normal person it’d make everything completely quiet, but for him, it only helped a little bit.
But it made it more manageable… they were better than nothing.
“I like these.” He put it simply.
Bruce squeezed his hand again, presumably acting as an affirmative since he was probably under the assumption that the ear defenders were blocking everything out.
He led Matt towards the counter and purposefully gave too much money for the ear defenders, “Keep the change.” He offered to the cashier before walking away with Matt.
Tick, tick, tick
Calm down.
It took Matt a while to get a hold of himself but he finally managed to relax, “Would you like any lunch before we leave the airport or would you rather eat on the jet?” Bruce asked, lowering Matt’s ears defenders.
As much as he wanted to deny the offer of food, he had missed his usual lunch time and was now quite hungry, “Sure.”
“Any preferences?”
“…Something simple.” Matt decided.
Bruce paused for a moment, examining the options, “How about a salad?”
Matt nodded, it was hard to mess one of those up. It was just a bunch of vegetables after all, “No sauce.” He added. Sometimes an over processed sauce ruined a tolerable meal.
“No sauce?” Bruce parroted.
“No sauce.” He confirmed.
That’s how they ended up walking to the gate as they ate two salads. It was Matt’s idea to eat while walking, the less amount of time he had to spend in the airport, the better.
Bruce had muttered something about etiquette then gave in when he saw Matt’s frown.
With stomach’s satisfied, they finally arrived on the tarmac.
The ground rumbled with the power of all the planes. Matt was sure nobody else felt it, because it wasn’t mentioned at all. But it was seriously weird.
“There’s a stair just in front of you.” Bruce guided him forward to it.
Matt began ascending the steps to the small but fancy private jet that definitely cost way too much money. The wind was loud and cold, Matt hurried so he could get some shelter from it.
He was immediately hit with warm air as he entered the jet, there was definitely some noise muffling going on in here so he took the ear defenders off. They worked well but felt too tight on his ears and would rather not bother with them if he didn’t have to.
The next thing he noticed was the sheer amount of weapons hidden in the jet. It definitely made him feel uneasy, but he didn’t know what rich people did in their planes.
This was probably totally normal.
Bruce helped him find a seat which was… surprisingly comfortable actually.
“We’re going to take off soon, can you manage the seatbelt?”
Matt sneered, “I can handle a seatbelt.” There was some bite to his words.
“Of course.” Bruce agreed and moved to a different seat to belt in himself.
Matt placed his trunk underneath his seat and then began doing up his seatbelt. He did it extra fast to prove a point.
The jet began to move.
Matt felt the vibrations through the seat before he heard the engines properly kick in. A deep mechanical rumble spread through the floor and into his bones.
This was going to be awful, wasn’t it?
The engines grew louder as they approached the runway, Matt held the armrests tight. The plane began to accelerate as it went down the runway.
The sudden force pushed him back in his seat slightly. He could hear the wheels rattling against the Tarmac, faster and faster until they finally pulled away from the ground.
Shortly after they had taken off, Matt detected a sudden change in the pressure around him.
A sudden, sharp pain shot through his head as both ears popped, dizziness overwhelmed him and ringing got louder. His hands latched over both ears protectively.
Beneath all the ringing, he distantly heard someone tell him to swallow. Matt did just that, and eventually heard a loud pop in both of his ears. The weird symptoms disappeared instantly.
“I’m sorry, I should’ve warned you.” Bruce said softly, genuinely regretful, “That can happen on flights.”
Matt murmured something unhappily and Bruce sighed before walking away.
He eventually returned with a remarkably soft blanket, “it’s been a long day, why don’t you try get some rest on the way to Gotham?”
Matt didn’t want to fall asleep, but the blanket paired with the surprising silence made that an impossible task. The noise of the engine was bad sure, but the fact that they were so high up meant that he couldn’t hear anything other than the jet, so it balanced out and made it feel quiet.
He ended up dreaming of nothing as he slept, the occasional turbulence waking him up before he went straight back to sleep.
The flight wasn’t too long, and he woke up in the middle of descent, right when the noise of the city kicked in again. But this time, it was Gotham, not New York.
He noticed the difference immediately, everything was blanketed with a thick tense atmosphere. The smell of gunpowder and unknown chemicals was simply ridiculous. Murmurs about: vigilantes, villains, bats and birds, filled the air.
The landing wasn’t as bad as the takeoff, and the airport wasn’t a large one. But he was still slightly dreading leaving the plane.
“Welcome to Gotham. My hand is at your three o’clock.” Bruce said calmly. Matt nodded and accepted the hand, he briefly wondered if he had researched guiding techniques or if the orphanage told him.
Matt accepted it and grabbed his trunk with his free hand. He wished he could use his cane but he couldn’t without letting go of his trunk and that just wasn’t happening.
The walk through the airport was shorter and silent this time around, as soon as they reached outside, he noticed how nearly everyone walking by was holding some sort of weapon on their person.
So maybe the whole katana thing was a Gothamite thing and not a rich person thing? …Maybe it was both.
“Master Bruce, Sir.” A British accent spoke up from nearby, Matt tilted his head in the direction of the voice.
“Alfred,” Bruce smiled, “It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you back in Gotham, Sir. I presume this is Master Matthew?” The British man, which Matt now knows as Alfred, asked politely.
“It’s Matt.” Matt corrected him.
“Of course, Master Matt.”
“Don’t call me Master, it’s weird.” Matt complained.
“Right, Matt then.” Alfred finally gets it right, “Would you like any assistance with your luggage?”
“No.” Matt says immediately.
“As you wish, Sir.” Alfred complied with Matt’s wish and didn’t touch the trunk.
He was definitely more than a bit weirded out by this guy. He was calm, orderly and carrying a small handgun on him. He was like Bruce in the way that he held himself like a soldier, all mannerisms matching up except for the fact he was obviously a butler of sorts.
Bruce introduced him as the butler of Wayne Manor, Alfred Pennyworth. He didn’t say anything that Matt hadn’t already deduced.
“It’s a pleasure to be of service, Young Sir.”
“Uhhhuh.” Matt said, totally suspicious.
This was the second car ride he’d had today, and this one was definitely weirder than the first.
Alfred and Bruce talked casually while Matt ignored them and any attempt at inviting him into their conversation.
He was starting to get why this place was called Gotham, all the building were old as hell, some even had gargoyles perched on top of them.
“Are all the children home? I want to introduce them to their new brother.”
Brother. That was a weird thought.
“The boys are in, but Cassandra is having a ‘girls night’ and won’t be back until tomorrow.” Alfred shook his head slightly.
“Well then, you’ll just have to meet her tomorrow, Matt.” Bruce tried to look on the bright side.
“Yup.” Matt said, disinterested.
Bruce sighed and continued to speak to Alfred.
After a long car ride, they eventually stop outside of a literal mansion, Matt has to hold a shocked expression back as he takes in how massive the place is.
Either way, he acts clueless when Bruce announces their arrival.
He’s helped out the car and has to explain again that, no, he doesn’t need help carrying his trunk. Then he’s being guided again. The walk up to the manor is surprisingly long, but it is a manor after all so is he really that surprised?
He noticed three boys watching him from different windows. His new brothers.
They stepped inside and Bruce let go of his hand before shouting a command to summon the boys.
The first boy to enter was similar to his age and didn’t seem too bothered by Matt’s presence. The second was a younger boy who was carrying far too many knives, he must be the katana kid. The third was an older boy whose stance was tense and heart raced, definitely angry.
Matt stood there, unsure of what to do.
“Why don’t you introduce yourself, Matt?” Bruce suggested.
“…Matthew Murdock, call me Matt.” He chose not to add anymore to the introduction than that.
He didn’t need to see to know that he was getting glared at. None of them had responded to his introduction either.
Despite how awkward he felt, he kept his stance steady and confident.
The middle child decided to introduce himself, “Tim Drake.” Tim stated, “What age are you Matt?”
Matt tilted his head, “Nearly fifteen.”
“Cool, I’m nearly sixteen. Guess that means I’m your older brother.” Tim said with a grin on his face.
Katana kid scoffed and murmured something about Tim being childish.
“You’re blind.” Katana kid decided to start off by stating the obvious.
“So they tell me.” Matt replied dryly.
“Father, what is the meaning of this?” The kid turned his glare towards Bruce, “You bring home a blind orphan to replace me? Can he even fight?”
“Damian” Bruce said with a warning tone, “He’s not here to replace anyone. He’s family now and I expect each of you to treat him as such.”
Matt had heard the horror stories at the orphanage. The original kids that felt overshadowed and jealous when a new child entered the home.
The kata- Damian must be one of those types. He wasn’t sure what fighting had to do with it but from the whole thing this city had going on, it didn’t come as too much of a surprise.
The oldest one also turned his bitch glare from Matt to Bruce, he was slightly relieved that not everyone was staring at him anymore.
Matt wasn’t sure but he was pretty sure the guy just rolled his eyes. “Cut the crap, Bruce. We all know who you’re trying to replace, especially this close to the anniversary.” There was a bite behind his words. His heartbeat was fast and his stance made it obvious he was ready for a fight.
They were all quite insistent on him being a replacement, he wondered if that’s why Bruce chose him.
Bruce’s heart skyrocketed when he heard what the other boy said, “I understand this is a hard time for everyo-“
“-If you understood, you would’ve never done this. You don’t just adopt a child out of grief so you can forget about your mistakes.” The older kid interrupted, his tone rising.
Bruce gritted his teeth and didn’t fight back against his son, every attempt at a de-escalation made him more angry.
Eventually, the older kid stormed away. He grabbed some weird batons that hummed with electricity and announced that he was going out.
“Someone’s mad.” Tim sighed.
Damian walked up to Matt, the youngest was significantly shorter than him and seemed to growl as he spoke, “You won’t be taking my job.”
“I wasn’t planning on it?” Matt was mostly trying to figure out why this kid had a job, he couldn’t be older than ten.
Katana kid continued his weird growling thing as he left the room.
“So much for first impressions.” Tim laughed.
Bruce let out a long, pained sigh, “That was Richard and Damian, I apologise for their behaviour. It might take a while for them to get used to a new brother in the house.”
“It’s not a problem.” Matt shrugged.
“I’ll have them introduce themselves properly later.” Bruce shook his head, “Alfred, can you please show Matt to his new room?”
“Of course Master Bruce.”
Alfred and Matt walked through empty and echoing halls, the only conversation between them was an occasional direction from Alfred. Matt had chosen to walk with his stick this time, he couldn’t handle anymore dragging today.
“Left here.”
“there’s a slight incline ahead.”
Matt nodded appreciatively for each warning. He did find it strange how big this house was, there weren’t many people living here. Another rich person thing.
“Stop here, your room is the one four paces to your right.” Alfred informed him.
Matt tapped his way to the door, quickly finding the doorknob and entering his new bedroom. It was massive, way bigger than any bedroom needed to be.
He took a few more steps inside and felt his bed sheets, the silk sheets that lined the bed were a far cry from the itchy cotton that the orphanage used.
“If you would like a different material, we have cotton sheets as well. Some of the others prefer that.”
Matt looked in Alfred’s general direction, “It feels nice.”
“Very well then. I shall leave so you can explore your room. If you need anything, please press the buzzer that’s located just to the left of the door.” Alfred moved to leave.
“Thank you for your help, Alfred.”
“It’s no problem, young sir.”
Matt wasn’t a fan of the fancy names but he had a feeling it wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.
As soon as he was left alone, he collapsed onto his new bed. He lay there for a long while listening to the sounds of the manor.
The Richard guy from earlier had jumped out a window and ran into town while wearing some weird outfit. Probably going to the gym or something.
He was still wearing his scrappy clothes when he began to drift off.
A knock on the door jolted him awake, “Come in?” Matt called out groggily. His mind worked overtime to make sense of the noise and shape his surroundings.
The door opened with a quiet creak. Matt sat up and reached for his glasses, earlier he had had enough mind to take them off before he fell asleep.
He fiddled to get them on as someone walked into the room, footsteps light and unhurried. Matt managed to get his glasses on before he heard a light switch flipping on. He was sure that the room must be bright and visible now.
“Oh, sorry, were you sleeping?” Tim asked.
Matt nodded and gave a dismissive wave of his hand, “Just getting some rest.”
“Well, at least you think the beds are comfortable. When I came here, it took me awhile to get used to all the silk and shit.” He said through a smile, “Dinner’s ready, by the way. I can help you to the dining room.” Tim offered.
He wasn’t sure if it was the feeling of being somewhere unfamiliar, but he wasn’t interested in food at all right now. Food was something he ate when he was in a good mood. If he was feeling horrid, it was likely he’d just puke it up or something.
He definitely wasn’t in a good mood right now, not particularly a horrible one yet but not good enough to eat.
“Sorry, I’m not that hungry right now.” Matt shook his head. He wasn’t sure if that excuse would be accepted or not, the nuns never accepted it.
Tim’s heart rate sped up ever so slightly, probably in worry if he had to guess, “Are you sure? Alfred made some fancy meal for your arrival.”
Matt sighed and moved to get up, “Alright, let’s go then.” He murmured, trying and failing to reach for his stick. He was too tired for this.
“I didn’t mean it like that- if you don’t want to, don’t let me pressure you!”
Matt raised an eyebrow, “I’m getting mixed signals here.” He was slowly retreating back into bed.
Tim was obviously getting the message that Matt didn’t want to come, “How about I bring your food to your room after? Unless you’re sleeping- then I’ll just leave it quietly.”
“That works.” Matt agreed.
Tim seemed to forget that Matt was blind because he only nodded in response, he didn’t seem to catch his own blunder either.
“It’s good having you here, Matt.” Tim was telling the truth, “I’m sure the others will warm up to you, I’m also sure that Cass and the girls will love when they get back tomorrow.”
“At least I have one brother that isn’t plotting my murder.” Matt tried to ease the tension a bit, “Unless you have something to tell me that is.”
Tim laughed, “I’m not up to anything nearly as interesting.”
Huh, that was a lie. Surprisingly enough.
He didn’t confront it as Tim started to leave, flipping the switch as he did.
Once he was alone, Matt sighed and grabbed the cross around his neck, “Just what have I gotten myself into…”
He began whispering a prayer, his hand gripping the cross tighter as he did. Tonight he prayed for answers and mercy.
…
Timmy: New kid doesn’t want to eat anything, good job @Nightwing @DamianWayne.
Nightwing: literally how is that my fault?
Timmy: Oh I don’t know, maybe because you were literallysuchadick.
Nightwing: Haha very funny
Nightwing: 🙄
Timmy: Nobody uses emojis like that. :/
DamianWayne: What was the point in adopting him if he can’t fight?
Timmy: Not everything is about fighting, Damian.
DamianWayne: Ironic coming from you, Drake.
Babs: When did the new kid arrive?
Timmy: Around three hours ago, where were guys? You missed the introductions
Steph: Only a girl can know the secrets of girls night 🫶
Nightwing: not like they missed much anyways.
Timmy: And whose fault is that?
Timmy: Are you seriously looking into the cameras to watch what happened? @Babs
Steph: She totally is lol
Timmy: Whatever, make sure you introduce yourself tomorrow @Babs @Steph @Cass
Cass: Don’t tag me
Babs: We will have to talk about this later, bank robbery in process. Financial district.
Nightwing: On my way!
Steph: Why so much enthusiasm?
Nightwing: My phone does it automatically who cares
TheBrucieWayne: Focus.
Nightwing: Oh look who finally decides to join in.
Babs: Phones down, comms in.
Babs: All of you.