Chapter Text
Percy had been alone for exactly 5 months, in a few days it would be her 10th birthday and she just wanted to know where she was going to sleep that night. The Gotham at night was not good for little girls alone on the street…
You might wonder why she was in Gotham and not NY, the answer is that in New York she was still hunted by social workers and they were the dark haired girl's worst nightmare.
-Hey, little one, what's a little girl doing alone at this time around here? -a man asked and by the smell known to Percy, he was also drunk.
- My father asked me to wait here, he should come back quickly. - The lie came out easy, the presence of a man, who can be a father, brother or boyfriend, tends to intimidate possible aggressors so it was what Percy used to use at times like this.
But the man was drunk enough not to care.
- Glad I won't be long, little one. - He held her arm tightly, which earned an elbow in his stomach given by the girl. -YOUR…
-Hey, fighter, how are you? -a boy asked addressing Percy, he must have been a year or two older than her but he looked older, the streets did that to people.
-Do you know her? -The casualness with which the boy spoke to her seemed to remind the drunk that she was "waiting for her father".
- She's my little sister. - The boy's sharp gaze went to the man's hand holding tightly on Percy's arm, the drunk let go and walked away a little.-The father is waiting for us.
-Oh, I thought I had to wait here. - Percy got into acting. The boy had hair the same color as hers and his eyes were a slightly similar shade so the man had no reason to be suspicious. - My bad.
-Okay, fighter, we're used to you being forgotten- He took her hand when he realized she was starting to shake. -Let's go.
He kept holding her hand until they reached the next corner, away from the drunk and anyone else.
-Are you all right?
Percy sighed deeply and watched him.
-Thank you, I… - She shuddered thinking about what could have happened - Thank you.
-Okay, I would never let anyone go through that without doing anything. - He smiled minimally - I'm Jason, Jason Todd.
- Percy. - He raised his eyebrow - Ok, my name is Perseus Jackson but call me that and you die.
Jason just laughed, the two talked about why they were on the streets, More to calm Percy than any other reason, and after that moment the two knew they were going to be together.
One was going to take care of the other, because now they were partners.
Jason was a year and a half older than Percy, so he thought it was his job to protect them both, and he really managed to do that.
For example, street fights. They only accepted boys aged 13 and over , and Jason was only 11 and a half but he was big for his age so with Percy's help they managed to trick the organizer into getting Jason in.
That's how they started to have money to eat for real, without needing to beg from anyone, and that's how Percy learned first aid and how to care for nasty injuries with little or no medical supplies.
-I hate to see you hurt. - She commented while trying, keyword: trying, to clean a cut on her brother's shoulder.
-And I hate to see you starve so here we are. - he responds holding a grimace of pain while she took care of the wound.
Percy sighed deeply and looked into his brother's eyes.
- I'm going back to New York.
They had been together for over six months and the two were already very close but Jason would be better off if he could use all the money he could get with just one person instead of two.
-What? NOT! - stood up seriously - You would go back to an orphanage and hated every second there.
-I'm sure it won't be so bad, Jay... - she lied. It was terrible - And you'll get better if you just need to keep one person.
- I do not mind about it. I care about you.
- I know, Jay- hugged her older brother tightly - I take a test, come back and stay there for a while... if I'm adopted it's great and I try to live with this family.. if I go and everything was terrible I can always run away again. I know where to find you.
Jason opened the backpack where they kept money and pulled out enough for a one-way bus ticket to New York.
-Just... take care of yourself, fighter.
-Only if you take care of yourself, killer. -she hugged him - I love you.
- I love you too, Percy.
So she got up, took her backpack with the things she still had and went to the bus station.
Jason watched his Sister walk away and silently prayed, to every possible god even though he didn't believe in any, for Percy to arrive in New York well and to find a family that deserved someone as incredible as she was.
Percy was adopted by a family after 2 months back in the orphanage. The woman was beautiful, had light brown hair and gray eyes that resembled a storm cloud and was a teacher, her name was Claire.
She was very understanding of Percy, even with Dyslexia and ADHD, as Claire had this too.
The man was totally normal and very much in love with Claire, his name was James and he was as close to a father as Percy had ever had in his entire life.
After a few months, Claire started talking about sending Percy to summer camp but as she still didn't feel ready to leave her new family they decided to wait a little longer. Percy had a bad school record, had already been kicked out of several and always had problems with excursions but Claire never blamed her. The two were almost as close as She and Sally had once been but Percy's adoptive mother never wanted to replace her biological one, so she never asked to be called a mother or anything like that.
Then one day, Percy was 12 years old And he was at Yancy Academy for Troubled Kids, his best was Grover and they would have an outing.
-Claire, I can't go on an excursion… - she freaked out when she got home -James, I need a medical certificate!
James was a doctor so whenever Percy or Claire REALLY needed a certificate, he was quick to concede.
-Percy, you're going on this tour and everything will be fine. - her adoptive father said smiling but Claire looked tense.
-Claire?
- Yes, my dear?
In the blink of an eye her tension disappeared and teacher calmed Percy saying that everything would be all right.
It didn't work out, Percy was attacked by her math teacher who had turned a fury, the girl knew what it was because Claire had several mythology books at home, most of them in Greek.
Everyone said he had never had a Miss Dotts but Grover had hesitated when she asked and that was enough for Percy not to think she was crazy.
She , however , did not tell Claire or James for fear they would think she had some mental problem …Percy knew they loved her….but they could still regret it, right?
Then it all happened. The ladies knitting and cutting a thread, Claire directing her and Grover to a camp in a hurry after that, an attack by a Minotaur, Claire pulling two bronze daggers and trying to face the monster to save her, Claire disappearing into golden sand.
Her mother disappearing into golden sand. Because Claire was her mother and now maybe she would never get the chance to call her that…
How was she going to tell James?
Would he still want her after Percy had been blamed for his wife's death?
Then she arrived at camp half blood and found that her mother Claire was a daughter of Athena and that the Greek gods were real, she befriended Annabeth because she reminded her so much of Claire, was claimed by Poseidon and they went on a quest along with Grover and Annie.
They returned the Master bolt and Hades' helmet.
Luke, who once reminded her of Jason, turned out to be the traitor.
Claire was back and Percy had a chance to call her Mom. Everything was going well.
As far as possible since Percy now had a maximum lifespan. Supposedly a blade would reap her soul at 16 years old.
And she just wanted to say goodbye to Jason.
But then, as much as she searched for him, AND she searched A LOT, he was nowhere to be found.
The only hope she could have was that he'd found a family or something and hadn't died in some ditch with no one to identify him.
Life has gone its course after all.
At age 17, Percy met another Jason. This one was blonde and was also her cousin, Thalia's brother.
His nickname was blonde superman and that's all Percy called him.
Because calling him Jason or Jay hurt so much when she had no idea where her brother was.
One day she freaked out at everyone on Argo II because they kept repeating that name over and over again. Everyone was shocked by that reaction but Annabeth, not when she knew how upset her best friend was not knowing anything about her mortal brother.
That same night, Percy returned to talk to the entire crew and explain.
-I'm sorry for the outbreak. I just…
Hazel squeezed her cousin's hand affectionately.
- I had a totally mortal brother. - she explained simply - He wasn't my blood brother or anything, but we survived the streets together and then I went back to the orphanage, Claire adopted me and everything…
She sighed deeply.
- When I found out I was supposed to die at the age of 16, all I wanted was to find him to fire me but he had totally disappeared. - Everyone looked at her, understanding hitting them - I still don't know what happened, if he's alive or died in the middle of the street without anyone knowing who he was. Listening to his name, Jason, your name, and his nickname hurts.
Tears began to fall. Damn it. Percy hated crying in public.
-It hurts a lot because I can't call him that anymore.
Hazel and Annabeth hugged her, the others joining later.
-Okay, Percy, if we knew we would avoid this. - Leo said seriously, the most serious she had seen him since they met. - Is it okay if we call you Grace, superman?
J. Grace laughed and hugged his cousin.
- All right. - he kissed her forehead - and when this is over, I swear we'll find your brother.
-Oaths are dangerous, Grace.-Annabeth warned.
- I swear on the River Styx that we'll find out what happened to your brother. - He swore softly - If only to give a decent burial for him.
Percy just nodded, if she said anything she would start crying again.
-Right, back to focus. Save Nico and close the doors of Death. - Percy said decidedly. -Annie, will you be okay? Athena's mark… my mom refused to go after it when she was younger because of the risks.
-It could be the best solution for the fight between Greeks and Romans so…
So Annabeth completed her mission, the two best friends fell into tartar, they survived it, the Romans and Greeks stopped fighting, Octavian died, Gaia was defeated.
Leo totally disappeared despite not being dead according to Nico.
And Percy started looking for his brother along with Grace.
(No ToA in this shit because my baby won't die)
Gods!! They went to Hades and Anubis (thanks to Sadie and Carter Kane) to see if Jason hadn't gone into their afterlife.
Anubis stated that he did not while Hades stated that he was confused. A Jason Todd had died, but had been brought back to life.
When Percy asked more, he ended up telling her about his death as Robin (so he'd end up going to Elisios eventually) but that Jason had been brought back to life with one of the most hateful things in the world:Lazarus Pit.
Poseidon learned of the quest and blessed Percy with something like the shadow journey of the children of Hades, but with water molecules. Vapor traveling.
And Athena told Claire, who obviously told her daughter, that Bruce Wayne was Batman and If she was after Jason then she would go back to Gotham.
Jason in turn had last seen Percy when he was 13 years old and a few months later, she had appeared in Gotham after two years, looking for him but Jason was already Robin and would never involve his sister in this.
Then she left along with the woman who was with her, the motherly way she treated Percy he assumed she was the one who had adopted the girl.
It made him happy, because Percy deserved someone to love her and take care of her in a way he never could.
And he had Bruce, Dick and Alfred. Both were fine and safe.
Except neither of them were that safe.
It all happened sometime later. The Joker, the Pit, The League of Assassins, Back to Gotham, Red Hood...
And here he was, from the top of a building seeing Percy again. She had grown up well, looked beautiful and looked better than the last time he had seen her.
A blond boy with a small scar above his lip was with her, but he didn't look like a boyfriend. Perhaps an adoptive brother?
He told himself he just wanted to make sure she was okay and that's why he started following the two of them but the truth is he was curious as to why she was back there.
At one point, Percy took off the coat he was wearing and Red Hood's stomach lurched. It wasn't like he had never seen scars, he had seen and caused some far worse than the ones in her arms but the idea of Percy having those scars made him want to punch someone.
He didn't have time to think about it when he noticed where the pair were headed: Wayne Manor.
She couldn't be after him, right?
It had been years. Percy must have forgotten about him...
But even he didn't believe it since he hadn't forgotten her either.
So he just continued from the shadows watching.
Percy Jackson looked at the Garden gates of the Wayne mansion, she really couldn't imagine Jason living there. He must have made fun of the rich guys so much.
She must have been staring at the gate for a long time because she felt her cousin's hand on her shoulder.
- Percy, you've come this far. - He encouraged her - You are the savior of Olympus, manage to press an intercom.
Then he turned her to face him.
- You survived Tartarus. - He ruffled the white streak in her hair. Artemis had returned it after her fight with Gaea because she knew it had sentimental value to her and Annabeth ,as well as being acquired on the quest to save HER - You held the sky, for the love of the gods. It's just an intercom.
With one hand holding his white lock, Percy pressed the intercom decisively.
-Wayne Mansion, what do you want? a voice with a British accent replied.
"I… would like to ask you something about Jason Todd…" she said uncertainly.
-What would you like to ask?
- I... - What would she like to ask? She knew they knew Jason was alive, and had the big chance that he was Red Hood so what in Hades wanted to ask?
-We wanted to know where he was buried. - Grace answered for her.
- Why?
- Because he was my brother...
That said, the door opened.
-Follow the path to the door of the mansion and we can talk about it.
Then she shook hands with her cousin and entered through the gates.
Percy wanted to know where he had been buried.
Percy knew of his connection to the Waynes and knew he was dead.
Percy wanted to know where her brother had been buried.
Jason followed his path to the hidden entrance to the Batcave, planning to see the cameras inside the house to see what was going on.
When he entered, he had the pleasure of finding Damian training along with Tim.
-Who is alive always appears. - The substitute commented.
-Focus on the fight, Drake. - Damian caught his brother's attention by hitting the katana on his side.
Jason ignored them both and sat in front of the computer opening the mansion's cameras.
-Who is this? - Tim asked joining him and looking at the image of the black haired girl talking to Alfred. - Why is she here?
-It's my sister - he said looking at Percy. She had a white streak just like his, he hoped she hadn't gotten hers the same way. -Because she wants to know where I was buried.
- Do you have a sister?
- Yes.
-Why did you never mention her to us? - Damian appeared too.
- I told Dick about her. - replied only increasing the sound was audio.
-So, Miss Todd?
-Actually, it's Jackson. - Percy smiled minimally - But you can call me Percy.
-So, Miss Percy, Jason never said anything about having a sister.
Percy was unfazed by this.
-Can I just call you Alfred or do you have to have something first? - Asked a little lost before shrugging, an attitude equal to Jason - Anyway, I don't really care if he commented or not. I went to an orphanage and was adopted while Jay stayed on the streets because it was easier to keep one kid than two…
Alfred looked at her with a raised eyebrow and then someone came through the door :Dick.
-Alfred, I… -then his gaze fell on Percy and the blond boy who remained without saying anything -Sorry, do I know you?
-You're Dick Grayson, right? - Percy commented laughing and the blonde followed her as if it was an inside joke. - I'm Percy, Jason's sister, I just wanted to know where he was buried ...
Dick's eyes widened.
-He talked a lot about you in the beginning! - He said smiling -Fighter, right?
The nickname seemed to destabilize Percy so Dick seemed to remember that, to her, Jason had died some time ago.
- I'm very sorry…
A tear ran down her cheek.
- NO, it's okay… it's just that I don't heard that nickname for a long time. - She waved her hands dismissing the apology and the older man's eyes fell on the white streak in her hair. Percy noticed the look and got a little tense, it didn't go unnoticed by the detective - My hair, right? I've had it forever… something genetic I think.
Jason frowned at the lie. He'd already braided Percy's hair and was pretty sure it didn't exist until she was 10 and a half.
-Sure. -Dick smiled.- Why just ask now?
-We've been looking for him for a while but just touching us that Jason Todd from Percy and Jason who was adopted by Bruce Wayne were the same a short time ago. - the blonde replied - and that he had died even less time ago.
-And you are?
- I'm her cousin, call me Grace.
- Grace is your name? - Dick asked holding a laugh
- Said the guy who chooses to be called Dick. - Percy commented laughing. She could very well be Jason's twin that way.
-No, my name is Jason Grace but as Percy had no idea where her Jason was it was bothersome to hear his name often so they just call me by my last name or nickname - he explained smiling a little - anyway, we just want to know where her brother was buried.
Dick seemed to ponder whether or not to tell her that Jason was alive but as he thought, Jason had already made up his mind.
He took off Red Hood's clothes at the speed of Light and appeared in the room. Percy didn't look surprised to see him alive but it was clear how much she'd missed him when she practically jumped on her brother.
-If you die again I'll go to the underworld hunting you. - She said in the midst of crying.
- I'm the Killer here, fighter - joked until realizing that He really was a killer.
-Did you know my favorite HERO is Red Hood - she said softly so that only he could hear. Jason looked at Percy in surprise and she just smiled. - I have so much to tell you.
And he was ready to listen.
Percy told her whole story and Jason told his. The two were worried but understood that he was fine now, or nearly so.
-And now? - The eldest asked not knowing what to do.
-Now we're going to go on with our lives just like before, but this time we're going to be present in each other's lives.
-I like this plan. - he smiling lightly. - I missed you, Fighter.
-Me too and I don't intend to leave, Killer. - and Jason thought that when it was Percy who called him that, the nickname sounded perfectly endearing.
BONUS :
- On vacation in New Rome Percy would visit Jason in Gotham and patrol with him in a costume made especially for her.
- She helped people see Red Hood as the hero she knew he was and Jason went back to acting more like himself.
- Bruce wanted to adopt Percy but Claire scared him too much for that.
- James and Claire loved when Jason went to New York to visit them, even when Percy was in California.
- Jason won $100 in a bet with Tim because of a fight between Damian and Percy, Percy won and Damian started treating her like his sister.
- At times it seemed that the batfam liked Percy more than her Jason, and that made him jealous of his sister but he understood the feeling. He would also like percy better.
- Bruce freaked out when he found out Diana was Percy's cousin, not to mention the shock of knowing she was a demigod.
- They were fine in the end and that was the most important thing.
- PS: Damian loved Nico emerging from the shadows, Bruce adopted Percy's cousin shortly after they met.