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When Kon agreed to move to Gotham he knew it would be different from Metropolis. And probably not in a good way. Metropolis was hardly perfect, Lex lived there after all, but Gotham was infamous. Even if Kon didn’t believe every rumor some of them were bound to be true. It was a city of monsters and lunatics guarded over by a billionaire who dressed like a bat and a traffic light colored teenager. And while yes, Kon loved that traffic light very much it didn’t make Gotham seem any more normal. But he hadn’t really worried about what the city was like because he didn’t expect his stay to last a week.
Gotham however, was full of surprises of every variety.
It started the first morning with someone knocking on the bedroom door. Kon didn’t need to sleep but he certainly liked it. Being woken up at seven in the morning was not how he ever wanted to start his day. But he was in a new place and ignoring it would have been rude. Kon was still new to a lot of the little social niceties that people rarely had to think about. That meant people thought he was often rude. When he knew how he was expected to respond to something he always tried to do that.
When he opened the door Roy was standing on the other side. He looked only half awake himself. Kon felt pretty much the same way.
“Jason’s making breakfast. It’ll be ready in a little bit.”
“Are you guys usually up this early?” Kon asked hoping they weren’t. It was almost like being on the farm again.
“God, no,” Roy groaned. “Most days we’re barely in bed by now. We tend to keep vigilante with no day job hours around here. But Jason didn’t go out last night so we get breakfast bright and early. Don’t worry doesn’t happen often.”
Roy turned and headed for the stairs, waving for Kon to follow him. Closing the door behind him Kon followed. At the top of the stairs the smell of hot breakfast hit him. It made being awake so early slightly bearable.
Down in the kitchen Jason was cutting up fruit while sausage cooked on the stove. There was also a kettle close to boiling. Kon reigned his hearing in to brace for the sound. He hated shrill noises.
“We’ve got coffee, tea, water, and slightly questionable orange juice,” Jason said as Kon and Roy walked in.
To Kon’s surprise Jason seemed almost cheerful. Jason didn’t strike him as a morning person or any time of day person. But Kon could go along with it. He moved into the kitchen further.
“I can do juice,” Kon offered. “I don’t have to worry about food poisoning or anything.”
Jason nodded. “Good to know. Speaking of food what’s your metabolism like? Are we talking speedster level or what?”
Kon hesitated to respond because there were actually two answers. Thanks to his kryptonian half he didn’t need to eat but because of his human half he would slow down if he didn’t eat often. To feel full he needed to eat more than the average human. A little over three thousand calories a day according to the scientists at Cadmus.
“I can live off of whatever,” Kon said casually not wanting to be inconvenience.
That clearly wasn’t the right answer because Jason stopped what his doing and turned to Kon. His face looked far too serious. Kon raised his hands in fake surrender and grinned. “I’m serious. Alien clone remember. I don’t have to eat.”
“Is it better for you if you do or don’t eat?” Jason pressed.
“I mean I like food,” Kon shrugged not understanding what the big deal was.
For whatever reason that seemed to be a better response. The expression on Jason’s face shifted to something more neutral. With a nod he turned back to the counter. Confused Kon sat at the counter and didn’t try to make conversation. Roy finished getting plates and stuff before he put on music. The mood became more enjoyable and Kon decided to let Jason’s weirdness go. An easy task when Kon realized Jason was a great cook. Not a talent he would have expected but a nice surprise.
Kon spent most of the day inside. He didn’t know Gotham well and was more than a little worried about being recognized. Most of his clothes were his suites that had the House of El symbol on them. Since he wore those when he was out as Superboy they didn’t make good street clothes. The few other other shirts he owned all screamed farm boy and weren’t his style. For that day he wore the sweater Lois had given him. It was what he had worn the night before but figured it would be fine. It was his favorite aside from his leather jacket.
For the most part he played video games in the living room while Jason and Roy were in the work shop. Neither of them hovered which was nice. He didn’t have to worry about getting angry or making anyone angry. Jason came up to make burgers for lunch. They might have been the best thing Kon had ever eaten
“These are awesome!” He told Jason after a few bites.
Jason just hummed in response but Kon caught him smiling down at his plate. After lunch Kon texted Tim to say he got Jason to smile. Tim refused to believe it.
Tim: Pics or it didn’t happen!
Kon: not all of us are stalkers
Tim: Never should have told you about that.
After lunch Kon went back to playing video games. Roy joined him while Jason went upstairs to sleep. Jason was going out that night. To do what, Kon didn’t exactly know. But not knowing was probably for the best. So he just played games with Roy who was more fun to play with than Jason.
That night Jason woke up to make dinner. When the sound of things clanging around carried down the hall Roy smirked with amusement.
“What?” Kon asked not understanding.
That just made Roy laugh. “Jason never cooks this much in one day.”
“Oh,” was all Kon could say still confused.
“It’s his way of trying to welcome you and probably apologize for last night. He’s an actions over words kind of person. Foods a big way he tries to communicate with people.”
Kon considered the new information. “Is that why he got upset this morning?”
“I’m sure that was part of it. He has hang ups about a lot of things. Food in one of them. The whys are his business though.”
That made sense and Kon could respect it. Roy and Jason had said they would ask prying questions and Kon figured he would do the same. He does make a mental note to thank Jason at dinner and compliment the food again. If Jason of all people was putting in effort to be nice Kon would too.
Later that night after Jason had left to go be Red Hood, Kon laid stretched out on the bed he’d been given. He could have found some emergency somewhere to deal with, outside of Gotham of course, but chose not to. It has rare to be able to just exist as Kon. For a whole day no one had mentioned Superboy or Lex or Clark. Usually he only got that in stolen moments with Tim.
He couldn’t help grin spitefully thinking about Lex and Clark. For very different reasons they would both hate that he was staying in Gotham. More so that he was staying with a criminal like the Red Hood. That alone was enough of a reason to stick around, for a while at least.
On the third day clothes became an issue. When Kon asked to do laundry Jason and Roy noticed how little clothing he had. Which was how Kon ended up at his first thrift store. He had been shopping before but it had always been in well lit, organized and decorated stores. The shop Jason took him to had broken and flickering lights, smelled kind of musty, and the only organization Kon could see was by color. A wild variety of styles were just thrown together and he had to hunt through everything to find clothes he liked. It was the best store Kon had ever seen.
For whatever reason Jason told him he had to pick out at least a weeks worth of outfits. That was hardly an issue. He found clothes that fit his personal style but would also blend in better in Gotham. Along with a few options for when he visited Tim at the manor. He had been there once before and felt awkward in just a flannel and jeans.
Once Kon had tried everything on he hauled it all up to the front of the store.
Jason was there talking with a older woman at the register. When Kon approached she gave him a once over.
“You take in one of the corner boys now?” she asked Jason.
Jason made a noise like he was choking. “Shit, Helen. No, he’s a friend of my brother’s that needed a place to stay.”
“Both can be true. Also you have family? I thought Roy just fished you out of the gutter and hosed you off,” She gave Kon a wink he thought was meant to say she was just joking around.
“Both can be true,” Jason shot back. “Can you ring all this up so we can get out of your hair?”
“Sure, sure,” she started to add up their total but kept glancing at Kon. “Pete here treating you alright?”
It took Kon a second to realize she was talking to him and then a few more to figure out she was referring to Jason. “Oh, um... yeah.”
“What confidence,” she laughed.
Kon left the shop more than a little confused. He wasn’t the most observant person in the world but it as hard to miss Jason calling Tim his brother. The word choice had grabbed his attention but it seemed like a risky subject to talk about. Instead, he asked another question that was on his mind.
“What are corner boys?”
“Ah, don’t worry about it. Helen just likes to give people shit,” Jason scratched at his neck and sighed. “Also I forgot to tell you. Legally I’m Peter Todd right now. Since, ya know, Jason Todd is still dead and all. Not too many people know me around here so it shouldn’t come up much but you should know just in case.”
“Okay, that makes sense. Is Roy, Roy?”
“Yeah, he is. He’s never died so I’m the only one floating around with fake paper work.”
At least Jason had paperwork. In the eyes of any government Kon didn’t actually exist. That was all supposed to get taken care of but had fallen through with a bunch of other promises. None of that was Jason’s fault so Kon took a breath to push away the growing knot of frustration.
“Thanks for all the clothes.”
Jason smiled just a little. “No problem. If there’s anything you need just let us know.”
Kon just nodded as they continued to walk back the house.
Five days was how long it took for Kon to have his first run in with a Gotham rouge.
After a few days of settling in Roy decided Kon needed to see the city. Neither Roy or Kon liked just sitting around so it worked out. Having to go everywhere on foot or public transport was a new experience. Jason owned a motorcycle and a car but parking too expensive. A giant racket, according to Jason.
When they went out Kon and Roy mostly stuck to the north and central islands. The only places Kon was told he shouldn’t go were Old Gotham and the Dimond District. Both were on the south island and where Wayne Enterprises and Oracle’s base were located. Even though the odds were low that he would run into any of them Kon decided to just leave that part of Gotham alone. He was also told by Jason not to end up in Arkham. Kon had gotten the feeling that was one of Jason’s jokes only he found funny.
Kon liked getting to just exist in the city. When he’d lived in Metropolis anytime he was let out of the lab or the penthouse it was to patrol or for a mission. Even then he spent most of his time above the city. In Gotham he was down in the thick of it at all times. The constant hum of life around him was soothing. Exterior noise always helped chase away the internal noise.
It was during their second outing that Kon got to see his first of the city’s rouges. Even then it wasn’t anyone interesting. He and Roy were at the botanical gardens when Crazy Quilt attacked. It was weird to just have to stand by while it happened but there wasn’t much else they could do since they were there a civilians.
Thankfully no one got hurt. Batman showed up and dealt with the situation quickly. Kon wasn’t familiar with many of the Gotham rouges and their weaknesses but this one could be defeated by mirrors of all things. The truly tragic part was that Tim was still in school for the day so Kon didn’t get to just sit back and watch him fight. As he and Roy left Kon texted Tim to let him know how disappointed he was not to see Robin.
“Could have been worse,” Roy said as they got on the bus, “Condiment King is also on the loose right now.”
Kon rolled his eyes. “You’re kidding me? There’s a Crazy Quilt and a Condiment King.”
“Sure is. Welcome to Gotham. You’ll need to brush up on your rouges gallery.”
“I know some of them. You’d think with in being the gardens we would’ve seen Poison Ivy.”
“Be glad we didn’t. I would hate to see what would happen if she worked her mind control on you,” Roy shuddered dramatically and Kon laughed.
They decided one criminal run in was enough and headed back for the day. About the time they walked through the door Tim texted back.
Tim: Maybe you’ll get to see him tonight.
Living Jason and Roy was defiantly not normal. Jason was an undead crime lord and Roy, apparently, was a small time arms dealer for heroes. Mostly heroes at least. He build all kinds of weapons and gadgets out of the basement. The the two of them were practically nocturnal and ate like garbage any time Jason wasn’t cooking. They also acted like Kon had always been there and that nothing was odd about him being at the house. Definitely not normal.
Which was probably for the best. Kon had no idea what to do with most people’s idea of normal. The Kents had wanted him to live a normal life, in Kansas. Clark had sent him to live on the farm in Smallville with his parents. Kon’s grandparents, at least in his eyes. Ma and Pa were great people. They didn’t bat an eye when a clone grandson appeared on their doorstep and welcomed him with open arms. But their increasing confusion with the way he was had gotten unbearable until he stopped going back. It hadn’t helped that the one person who could understand him the best had only maintained contact that was best described as sporadic before going radio silent. Kon had never felt more alone than when he lived on the farm before joining the Titans.
Another perk of living with Jason and Roy was that they didn’t care if a boy crawled though Kon’s window at two in the morning.
“Oh, you even kept the costume on,” Kon teased.
“Shut up, I wasn’t going all the way out to Bristol just to change and come back.”
Tim collapsed face first into Kon’s bed. He let out a low, slightly pained groan. Kon reached over to carefully run his fingers through Tim’s black hair. Partly out of affection but also checking for any head injuries.
“Rough night?”
“Yeah, the Bertinelli Crime Family is trying to expand. We got quiet a few of them tonight so that should slow them down.”
“Are they the ones that grabbed you a few weeks ago?”
“No that was the Sullivans.”
“Roy was right, I do need to study up on the criminals here. I can’t keep this straight.”
A small chuckle worked its way out of Tim. “Well you don’t have to remember the Sullivans. They’ve been have a hard time lately and have gone to ground. Pretty sure that was Jason’s doing, not sure. Haven’t had time to look into it.”
“Novel idea, Mr. Detective, you could always just ask him.”
The only response from Tim was a noncommittal hum. They stayed like that for a while. Tim flopped out on the bed with Kon sitting next to him playing with his hair. It was hardly most physical they had been with each other but it felt amazing to Kon. Unlike at the manor or the tower he didn’t have to keep an ear out for anyone approaching. Jason and Roy had never come in his room without knocking and even if they did it wouldn’t matter. Kon had walked in on the two of them making out in the kitchen twice in just the first few days. They were getting better about being more discreet at least.
Eventually Kon heard the heavy fall of boots on the old wood floor. Jason was back from his patrol. An idea struck Kon and he was up at the bedroom door before Tim could notice. Kon opened the door and stuck his head out.
“Hey Jason,” Kon called, he heard Tim say his name as Jason turned to look at him, “have you been taking out the Sullivan Crime Family?”
“What, who told you about that?” Jason asked looking a little shocked.
Kon didn’t answer but turn back to Tim with a wicked grin. “Look at that, I’m a amazing detective too.”
Tim had rolled over far enough to glare at him without getting up. Jason stomped down the hallway and stood behind Kon. “You been spying on me, Timmy?”
“I don’t need to spy on you. You’re hardly subtle about things.”
“Sure. You two keep whatever you get up to down. I need sleep and would prefer not adding any new nightmares to my roster.”
Jason left with a dismissive wave. Laughing Kon closed the door and moved back to the bed. Instead of being annoyed like Kon expected Tim smiled at him.
“Things are going alright here?” Tim asked.
“I have to confess something truly awful,” Kon said dramatically falling on the bed, “you may have been right for once.”
Tim’s arm quickly wound their way around Kon’s chest. Kon smiled as Tim’s warmth bled into him. He held Tim close feeling a little desperate for the contact.
“‘I’m glad,” Tim murmured into Kon’s shoulder.
“It’s only been a few day so we’ll see. Good timing at least, since things have been quite with the Titans.”
“Yeah, but that never lasts.”
The conversation proved prophetic. The next day Kon got a call. The Titans were in New York fighting a small robot army. Hardly a challenge but Kon always felt good fighting along with his friends. Later after the team returned to the tower Roy texted him.
Roy: You were awesome! Jay and I watched the whole fight. Those bots didn’t stand a chance against you!
There was even an attached picture of Kon taking out several robots by swinging a the pole of a street light. It was a really good picture and Kon couldn’t stop grinning at the message. Not knowing what else to say he just shot back a thanks and let them know he was spending the night at the tower.
Roy: Enjoy the after party they’re the best. See you when you get home.
Kon had been planning on spending a few days with the Titans. But late the next morning he flew back to Gotham. To his surprise Jason was the only one at the house and was cooking lunch when Kon got there. With barley a greeting Jason made him a plate and the two sat eating in the kitchen.
“Your hair’s growing out,” Jason said poking Kon in the side of the head.
Kon ran his fingers through his under cut. It was getting kind of shaggy. “I’ll have to have someone cut next time I’m at the tower.”
“We have clippers here.” Was that an offer or just a statement? Kon gave him a skeptical look. “I’m saying I can give you a trim... if you want.”
“Sure,” Kon said because why not.
Ten minutes later Kon was sitting on the edge of the bathtub while Jason worked on his hair. To his surprise Jason was gentle and careful. They didn’t say much. Jason just tilted Kon’s head this way and that to get the angles he needed. After some initial nerves Kon let himself relax under the touch.
“There see what you think,” Jason said when he finished.
Checking in the mirror Kon saw that he had done a pretty good job. What he also notice was that the top was getting pretty long too. “Don’t suppose you can do anything with this.”
“Course I can. I’m the only one standing between Roy and a mullet.”
“Nobel work,” Kon managed to say seriously before he busted out laughing.
To his surprised Jason laughed too, a deep happy noise. A pair of scissors was dug out from somewhere and fifteen minutes later Kon had one of the best haircuts of his brief existence.
“Thanks, it looks great,” Kon said admiring himself in the mirror.
Jason only grunted in response but Kon saw the notably proud look in his eyes. But then his eyes dropped to the floor. “We watched the battle yesterday.”
“Yeah, Roy told me.”
“You, uh did really well but your form when you punch needs work. The way you were doing it was costing you a lot of power.”
“Oh,” was all Kon could say.
“I can show you some forms that would work better for you.”
“Sure,” Kon wasn’t sure why he smiled but he did.
Two hours later when Roy returned Kon had a bit of bruised ego as Jason found other weaknesses in his fighting abilities. But his punches were noticeably stronger.
“You two aren’t breaking things are you?” Roy asked when he found them in the basement gym.
Jason just shook his head. “Nah, Kon’s got pretty good control. We’re going to have to get something he can go all out on. He’d improve even faster then.”
Kon was glad he had his back to as he threw another jab at the training dummy. That way they couldn’t see how he was smiling.
Later that night after dinner Tim climbed in through Kon’s bedroom window. It was an unannounced visit but Kon had heard him coming. What did surprise him was that Tim wasn’t wearing the Robin costume.
“It’s Saturday, don’t you have patrol?”
Tim help up his right hand which was in a brace. “Benched, one week, Alfred’s orders.”
“Alfred might be my new favorite. Does that mean I get you all to myself?”
“Just for tonight. I still have curfew on school nights.”
A little disappointing but Kon had worked with less. “We’ll just have to make the most of our time.”
“Actually, I figured we could celebrate.” Tim opened up the backpack he had brought and pulled out a plastic container.
That threw Kon for a loop. He tried to think of what they could be celebrating. They had agreed not to do anything until their six month anniversary, it wasn’t Tim’s, and Kon didn’t have a birthday. There was nothing else he could think of. “Sorry, but celebrate what?”
“You survived your first week in Gotham,” Tim said excitedly. “That’s no small feat. Even for someone with your powers. I brought Alfred’s chocolate chip cookies. They might actually be the best food on the planet.”
He took the lid off of the container and a delicious scent filled the room. “Oh, those do smell great.”
“They are. I realized the other day I hadn’t brought you any yet. Figured I fix that and stop being a terrible boyfriend.”
Kon rolled his eyes as he took one of the cookies. As if Tim could ever be a terrible boyfriend. Not that Kon had a whole lot of experience with dating, dating but he was pretty confident in saying that Tim might be one of the best boyfriends possible. Kon was going to tell him so but got distracted by the first bite of cookie.
“Fuck, these are good!” Kon said with his mouth full.
Tim laughed hard enough that tears started to fill his eyes. Kon finished the first cookie and grabbed another. He was only faintly aware of footsteps approaching his door. Then there was heavy knocking.
“You better of brought enough to share!” Jason nearly yelled.
Still giggling a little Tim took another container out of his backpack. He opened the door and handed out it over. Jason nodded approvingly. “Good man.”
“You have to share with Roy, though.”
Jason scoffed. “Of course I will. I’m not that much of a monster. You two behave yourself.”
“I really don’t get him,” Kon muttered once Jason had left and the door was closed again. “Like how is that the same guy that hurt you?”
Tim crossed the room and sat next to Kon on the bed. He didn’t look up only played with the cuff of he shirt sleeve. “I don’t think the guy who attacked me was really Jason. Or maybe I have to believe that to move on. Who knows. But he’s been treating you okay, right?”
They hadn’t spent a lot of time talking about what had been going on. When they had been together usually other people were around who couldn’t know. Either that or they just got wrapped up in just being together. That happened a lot when they had rare chances to be alone. Kon struggled to find the words to explain.
“Yeah, he has,” Kon found himself smiling again and told Tim about everything Jason and Roy had done for him. “It’s been weird but not in a bad way, just different I guess. Not like living with the Kents and nothing like being with Lex. I think I might even like it more than being at the Tower.”
Arms wrapped around Kon before he even realized Tim was moving. After a moment of surprise Kon leaned into the embrace. He sighed. “You can say I told you so.”
“All I said was that staying here would be better than being essentially homeless. That’s not that high of a bar. I didn’t imagine they would actually take care of you like you were their kid or little brother.”
“Oh,” Kon muttered blinking with surprise.
He hadn’t noticed. Or, well he had because he knew something was different but he hadn’t thought of it like that. Were Jason and Roy treating him like their kid or sibling? Kon had no way of knowing. He had never been those things to anyone before. Lex had called him son a few times but had learned a biological relation didn’t mean shit. He wasn’t Lex’s son and Lex had never really thought of Kon that way. To him Kon was just a weapon. And Clark...
A lump formed in Kon’s throat. When he learned that Superman was alive Kon had been so happy. There had finally been someone like him, that wasn’t a cyborg or the visor asshole. Then they had met and Clark took him away from Lex, protected him.
Clark had promised to help Kon learn about his powers and teach him to be a better hero. There had been other smaller promises too. Not that it matter because after Clark left Kon in Smallville he had faded and then vanished. Except he hadn’t actually vanished. He had just gone back to his life, back to being a hero, and to his job. Clark had gone back to his real son.
Kon had to close his eyes against the sudden sting of tears. Muttering under his breath wiped his eyes quickly. With moved to see what was wrong without releasing his hug.
“What’s wrong?” Tim asked gently.
“I just...,” Kon forced a deep breath trying to ground himself. “I like it here. I didn’t think I would so I wasn’t worried if things fell through but now...”
Tim just nodded and hugged Kon a little tighter. Things were always better when Tim was holding him. The world seemed smaller and any problems more distant. Kon shifted so that he could return the embrace. “Talk, please,” Kon said as he buried his face in Tim’s shoulder.
“I love you, Kon-El. And no matter what happens here or anywhere else you have me.” Tim pressed his cheek against the side of Kon’s head. “If you need to cry go right ahead. I’ve got you.”
There were still tears flowing but Kon didn’t feel like he needed to cry. It was just sort of happening in the moment. When he didn’t say anything Tim continued.
“Try to let yourself be happy here. If things don’t work there’s no reason for you to worry. I have multiple backup plans.”
Kon had to smile a little at that. “Of course you do.”
“I can explain them all in detail if you want me to.”
“No,” Kon whined mockingly, “spare me please.”
One of Tim’s hands came up and stroked Kon’s hair. Like always he melted under the tender touch. “I will. But I just want you to know you aren’t alone anymore. You have me and all your friends on the team. It isn’t like before. Your circle might even be growing. I know it hasn’t been very long but have to talked to Jason or Roy about what happened with Clark?”
“I can’t. No one will believe me.”
Who would trust a science experiment if he tried to claim that Superman had abandoned him? Even if people did he knew there were those that would tell him to be grateful he was even allowed to walk around free.
“I believed you didn’t I?” Tim asked.
“Yeah, but you had basically figured things out by the time I told you.”
The arms around Kon loosened suddenly. Then Tim’s hands were on his shoulders pushing Kon back until the two were looking eye to eye. Tim didn’t look angry exactly, which was good because Kon wouldn’t have been able to handle upsetting him. Instead his boyfriend looked like he was trying to convey seriousness.
“Okay, first off, I would have trusted your word with or without evidence. Second Jason and Roy are both smart, it their own ways, and I’m sure have fit some of the pieces together.”
Jason had mentioned that if Kon needed to vent about ‘daddy issues’ that he and Roy would listen. Kon had dismissed the offer though. No one was ever supposed to know about what happened with Clark. Tim wasn’t even supposed to find out but he was smart and to damn nosy.
“I’ll think about it,” Kon finally said. “Maybe see how things go for a little bit longer.”
Tim nodded giving him a sad smile. Kon smiled back even though his felt shaky at best. Nothing was fixed but he felt a little better. He leaned into Tim slowly pressing a soft kiss to his lips. It was impossible not to grin when he heard Tim’s heart quicken.
“You’re really amazing, you know that?” Kon asked.
A quiet chuckle shook the other boy. Tim draped his arms over Kon’s shoulders before kissing back. Kon never got an answer to his question but he was easily distracted sometimes.