Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When Percy first decided to go back home-to his uncles house, he knew there were two ways he could go about this.

He could do the responsible thing, for once in his life, and call ahead. Let his fa- unc- Bruce know he was coming. Give the man time to prepare the interrogation that would undoubtedly happen.

The other way he could go about this was a lot more his style. He’d call ahead and let Alfred know, he wasn’t a monster, but apart from that? Nothing. No letter, no call, nothing to let Bruce know he was coming. The man would have no time to prepare, no warning. Percy would have the upper hand, put Bruce on the defensive.

Look. One part of him thought that he was being harsh. He was going back to Gotham, not planning a battle. The other part, the part that had kept him alive this long said that anything could be a battle, especially if Bruce was involved.

Percy sighed, staring at the packed duffle bag on the bed in front of him. One way or another, he had to make a decision. He couldn’t stay at his mothers anymore.

Don’t get him wrong, Percy loved his mother, more than he could ever say, but he couldn’t jeopardise her chance at a normal, happy life. Not after everything she’s been through. Her and Paul were so happy, especially with the baby on the way. She shouldn’t have to deal with waking up in the middle of the night to tend to her baby, then have to deal with Percy’s nightmares as well.

Plus, his presence alone put them in danger.

He had to do this.

It’s not like his uncle had a normal happy life for him to ruin anyway.

Percy picked up his faded blue duffel and slung it over his shoulder. He hadn’t had a lot to pack, after all he hadn’t had a life since he was fifteen.

The duffel was filled with clothes, some notebooks, and the various demigod essentials, Ambrosia, Nectar, a couple of spare daggers, both mortal and not. He included a few photos, him and his mom, him his mom and Paul, him and annabeth, and the one photo he took from Wayne manner when he left, the photo of him and Jason.

And Jason was alive, wasn’t that something. Percy hadn’t really processed that yet. He came back after, well after everything to find that his previously dead older brother was alive and just kind of blue screened, no pun intended. If he was being honest with himself, he didn't think he’d be able to believe it until he saw Jason, and even then, he would be waiting for the other shoe to drop. He wasn’t that lucky. The people he lost didn’t come back.

Percy lingered in the doorway of his room for a minute, taking everything in. He expected to feel… something. The cracked blue paint on the walls and the fish patterned pillow were bought to make him feel at home but Percy had never spent much time in it up until the last six months, and he hadn’t really been taking in the decor.

The sad fact was, it wasn’t home. Not really.

He turned away and headed to the kitchen. His mom was already there, a sad smile on her face.

“Hey sweetheart,” she said, opening her arms for a hug. Percy walked into them, leaning in close and just breathing for a second.

“I’m going to miss you kid,” she said as she buried her face into his hair.

“I’m going to call every day. Maybe even twice a day, you'll get sick of me,” he reassured her.

“Never.”

They stood there for a second before Percy pulled away, trying to ignore the tear tracks on his mums face.

He had to do this.

“Have you decided what you're going to do?”

Percy grimaced.

“I think I’m going to call, and whoever picks up, picks up.”

He was putting it in the hands of the fates, like that had gone so well for him in the past.

Sally laughed wetly.

“Well, don’t let me stop you.”

She handed him the phone.

Percy willed his hands not to shake as he dialed the familiar number and brought the phone to his ear.

It rang once, twice, and then there was the click of a call connecting.

“Wayne Manor, you are speaking to the butler. May I ask who’s calling?”

Percy let out a sigh of relief at hearing the sound of Alfred’s voice.

“Hey Alfie.”

Alfred didn't gasp, but there was a sharp intake of breath.

“Master Percy?

Alfred sounded… rattled. Percy had never heard him like that before.

“Yeah. Um, it's been a while?”

“I dare say it has. Are you alright?”

Percy didn’t know how to answer that. He hadn’t spoken to that part of his family since just after the battle of manhattan, when he’d called Alfred to let him know he was okay, and ended up in a screaming match with Bruce over why he couldn’t come home.

Gods, it felt like a life time ago.

As far as his mortal family knew, he’d gone missing in December, and not found until September. Apparently Bruce had tried to contact him, back when he’d first gotten back, but Percy hadn’t been ready to face him. He was barely able to get out of bed those days, let alone deal with the mess he’d left behind.

His mom had stepped in, told Bruce that he was recovering from what he went through and wasn’t up to seeing anyone. He knew they got into a big fight over it, but hadn’t been able to feel guilty about it at the time.

Not that Alfred really was his mortal family.

“I'm not dead?” Percy said.

Alfred hummed disprovingly.

“Despite your best efforts to the contrary.”

“Hey! I haven't done anything stupid in at least a week.” Well, if you didn't count his whole coming home thing as something stupid. Jury was still out on that one.

“Uh Alfie?” Percy asked before he could lose his nerve.

“Yes Master Percy?”

“Is it alright if I come stay for a little while?”

There was a beat of silence before Alfred answered.

“Of course,” he said, voice sounding strained.

“This will always be your home.”

Percy choked back a sob. He hadn’t even noticed he’d started crying.

Alfred seemed to sense he needed further prompting, as he spoke.

“When can we expect you?”

“Um now?”

Percy didn't think he’d be able to cope sitting and waiting.

“Are you already outside?” Alfred asked, sounding skeptical.

“No um, I’m going to take Mrs O’Leary.”

“Ah.”

Alfred had only met Mrs O'Leary once, and it hadn’t been the best experience for either party. Alfred’s rose bushes never had been quite the same afterwards.

“Don’t worry, she’s not staying, just giving me a lift.”

“Very Well. I shall let you go so you can depart then, I will see you soon.”

“Wait-” Percy said before he could hang up.

“Can you not tell Bruce I’m coming?”

“Very well.” Percy could practically hear the raised eyebrow in his voice.

“See you soon Alfie.”

Percy hung up.

“Ready to go?”

Percy turned back to his mom. He didn't think he could speak past the lump in his throat, so he just nodded.

“I love you Percy,”

“I love you too mom.”

The second Percy hung up, Alfred had to fight the urge to sit down. There had been many times when he had thought that Percy would never come home, and after he heard news that his grandson had fallen into Tartarus, he’d given up hoping.

It seemed, despite everything, Percy Jackson was coming home.

He picked the phone back up, dialing the number of another grandson he thought he’d lost to soon.

“Alfie? Is everything okay?” Jason asked.

“Master Jason, you have to come to dinner tonight.”

Jason groaned.

“If Bruce and I are in the same room together, I cannot be held responsible for what I do. I can’t deal with his holier than thou-”

“Master Jason.”

Jason paused his tirade. Alfred was aware he’d let more emotion slip than he usually allow, but couldn’t bring himself to care.

“What's wrong?”

Alfred forced himself to take a deep breath in.

“Master Percy is coming home.”

Jason was silent as rustling filled the phone. The sound of an engine starting came through.

“I’m on my way. Don’t tell Bruce.”

Alfred bit back a smile.

“Funny. That’s what your brother said too.”

Jason laughed before disconnecting the phone.

Alfred took another second to breathe before he moved. Percy would be arriving literally any minute.

He headed to the entryway, arriving just as there was a knock on the door.

Alfred went to it right away, almost throwing it open. Standing there, in a faded blue hoodie and an old pair of jeans, was. Percy. Older and far more tired than when he last saw him, but undeniably his grandson.

“My dear boy,” Alfred said, placing a hand on Percy’s back and leading him inside.

“Long time no see,” Percy said, smiling drily.

Alfred scoffed. That was certainly one way of putting it.

“I imagine you’ll want to go to your room and settle in before dinner. It is exactly how you left it.”

Percy winced.

“I hope it isn’t exactly how I left it.”

Indeed, Percy’s room had been filled with dirty clothes and old food, a result of his adhd. After he left, Alfred had gone through and cleaned up the hygiene hazards, but left all of Percy’s items where they were.

“Perhaps a bit cleaner.”

“Thank the gods.”

There were many things to thank for Percy’s homecoming, but the gods weren’t one of them, in Alfred’s opinion.

Alfred and Percy walked in companionable silence to the family wing of the house. The other residents of the manner were all out, at either work or school, or whatever Jason did in his spare time.

It was probably for the best, Alfred didn’t think Percy could handle running into anyone. Not with the way his hands were shaking.

Alfred didn't mention it, just like Percy didnt mention the fact that Alfred hadn’t removed his hand from his back, afraid that if he were to let go, Percy would disappear again.

He had to get it all out now, before Dick came and saw Percy.

They reached Percy’s room altogether too quickly for Alfred’s tastes. Soon he would have to leave him again to go about his duties.

Percy hesitated in the doorway of his room.

“I have some notes for you from Will, the head healer at camp.”

Alfred didn’t react outwardly, but inside felt his heart stutter. He had no doubt that whatever he would find in those notes, he wouldn't like it.

“Are you alright master Percy?”

Percy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Just some leftovers from, well you know.”

Alfred did indeed know. That cursed pit.

“Let me know if there's anything you need.”

“Thanks Alfie. I’m going to IM Annabeth to let her know I’ve arrived safe. Can you let me know when dinners ready?”

Recognising the dismissal for what it was, Alfred nodded, accepting the folded piece of paper that Percy pulled out of his pocket and gave to him.

“Of course Master Percy. Tell young Miss Annabeth I say hello.”

Percy smiled thinly, then closed the door to his bedroom.

Unfortunately, Alfred couldn't linger as he wanted to. He had a dinner to prepare.

Hopefully he still had some blue food dye in the pantry.

Percy dropped his duffel on the blue sheets of his bed, dragging a hand down his face. The sheets weren’t faded like he’d expected them to be, probably due to Alfred. But then again, it had only been two years, even if it felt like a lifetime.

Alfred was right. His room was pretty much exactly how he left it, sans empty cups and plates. His bed was made, albeit messily. There were shirts and socks strewn in a pile near his dresser with draws that were still half open from when he’d packed to leave for his mothers.

The desk in the corner was covered in ink stains from the time he’d had a pen explode on him. It happened not long after Bruce took him in, and Percy had been terrified he’d get mad. He’d ruined an antique after all, and Gabe had lost it when he spilled juice on his couch, despite the fact that it was covered in beer stains. But Bruce had just shaken his head, a faint smile on his lips, and told him that it wasn’t his fault.

Percy shook his head, dismissing the memory. His relationship with Bruce was very different now, there was no point dwelling on the past.

Instead, he walked over and picked up some of the scrunched up pieces of paper that were on his desk. Most were old school worksheets that he never turned itn. There were a couple of things he was meant to have Bruce sign but forgot, and those dated back years before he left. There were even the remnants of the disastrous afternoon where Annabeth tried to teach him geometry over Iris message.

Speaking of, he had to message her to let her know he’d arrived.

Pushing the duffel bag to make room on his bed, Percy sat, trying not to think too hard about his dirty jeans being in Alfred’s clean sheets.

He pulled the prism out of the side pocket of his bag, and a Golden Drachma from his pocket, setting it up and tossing the coin in.

“Oh Iris Goddess of the Rainbow, show me Annabeth Chase, San Francisco.”

It was 4 in Gotham, so she would still be in school at this time ordinarily, but her school let seniors leave at lunch on fridays, so she should’ve just gotten home.

The rainbow shimmered, and Annabeth appeared before him. She was sitting at her desk, hunched over some papers, ink smeared on her cheek. The light of her lamp streaked through her hair, turning it golden.

She was beautiful when she focused, Percy took a minute to admire her before speaking.

“Hey Wise Girl.”

She looked up, hand reaching for her knife, before her expression softened.

“I though you knew not to startle me when I’m working seaweed brain,” she said with a smile, emphasising the nickname to show she wasn’t actually upset.

Percy raised his hands up in defence, laughing slightly.

“Hey, you told me to call you when I arrived. I’m just following instructions.”

Her eyes sharpened as she remembered what was happening—had happened—today.

“How is it?”

He appreciated that she didn’t ask how he was feeling, because Gods know he has no idea.

“It’s strange. The house is exactly the same—remind me to bring you here sometime, you’d love the architecture.”

She snorted.

“I'm sure Bruce would love that.”

Percy shrugged. He didn’t really care what Bruce did and didn’t like.

“Alfred would overrule him. He loves you.”

“As he should. Tell him I say hello.”

“Somedays I think he likes you better than me.”

Annabeth rolled her eyes.

“As if. From what you've told me, he wouldn’t use food colouring for just anyone.”

Percy smiled sadly, before changing topics to how Annabeths day was. She told him about her classes and current assignments, going on a ten minute tangent about the intelligence of her physics teacher. By the end of it, Percy felt a lot lighter.

“So. Are you ready to see everyone?”

Until Annabeth asked that.

Percy sighed, burying his head in his heads.

“I guess? It’s going to be so weird seeing Jason again. A good weird, but weird.”

Annabeth hummed.

“If I had a nickel for every person I know who had a brother called Jason who was presumed dead and then reappeared years later, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.”

Percy burst out laughing at the shear absurdity of both the situation and the fact that Annabeth was quoting Phineas and Ferb.

“Thanks, I really needed that.”

Her eyes softened.

“It's going to be fine Percy. Dealing with your mortal family can not be worse than dealing with the godly side.”

Percy wasn’t so sure about that, but he knew he’d find out.

Chapter Text

Jason was pretty sure he was in shock. The entire ride to Wayne Manor passed in a blur, Gotham landmarks fading into each other in various shades of grey. It seemed like only a minute had passed since Alfred had told him Percy was coming home, but there he was standing in front of the Manors front door.

God, he was about to see Percy again. He hadn’t seen him since, well, since he died. By the time he had come back to Gotham, Percy had left Bruce to stay with his mother again. Jason had desperately wanted to see his baby brother, Percy had been the only member of the family apart from Alfred that Talia hadn’t been able to twist him against, but he knew he should keep his distance, for Percy’s own sake.

And then he’d gone missing for ten months.

Jason had still been refusing to talk with everyone when Alfred had hunted him down and told him.

Jason had immediately set aside his vendettas to join the search, but they hadn’t been able to find him, and then Bruce died, and then wasn’t dead, and Percy was still missing.

Finally they got the news that he was back, but they weren’t allowed to see him. Sally had put her foot down against Bruce, which was honestly impressive, claiming that Percy “wasn’t up to receiving visitors.”

Jason had spent many nights lying awake wondering what could’ve happened to his brother to make him shut out his family for six months.

But now he was home.

Jason finally worked up the nerve to push open the doors.

Alfred was waiting for him in the entryway, Jason never figured out how he was always able to tell when someone approached the manor. He didn’t comment on Jason’s almost certainly messy appearance, merely taking his helmet and jacket.

“He’s in his bedroom.”

Jason nodded, before practically sprinting to the family wing. Percy’s room was right next to his, a fact that they had abused when they were younger, but had made coming home all the more difficult ever since.

The deep blue paint on the door was exactly the same, and if it weren’t for the light shining out from under the door, and the muffled sound of a voice on the other side, Jason would think it was still empty like it had been ever since Jason rejoined the family.

Before he could talk himself out of it, he knocked. The sounds on the other side of the door ceased, and it seemed like Percy was holding his breath.

“It’s Jason.” Jason spoke for the first time since he had talked with Alfred, and was incredibly surprised that it came out steady.

There was a soft thump from the other side of the room, and Jason could faintly here Percy say “I’ve gotta go, I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

A few seconds later, the door swung open, revealing his baby brother, who he thought he’d never see again. He took a minute just to look at Percy, and it was clear he was doing the same.

He was still shorter than Jason, even though he had grown a fair amount. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he was paler than could possibly be healthy. There were five years of differences, but it was undeniably Percy.

Jason wanted to reach out and touch him, but wasn’t sure if that would be okay, so instead, he just said the first thing that came to mind.

“You look like shit.”

Percy snorted, rolling his eyes and stepping back.

“Well we can’t all be built like a brick house. Gods Jason, have you been taking steroids?”

Yep, it was definetly Percy.

He wished he could say his growth spurt was all natural, but it really wasn’t.

“Drank some bad Mountain Dew. Wouldn’t recommend.”

Perry gestured for him to come inside, then sat on the bad.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’m more of a Coke person anyway.”

Seems like some things never changed. Jason went to sit beside Percy, sitting just close enough that Percy could reach out and initiate physical contact if he wanted to.

They sat in awkward silence for a while before Percy breathed out through his nose.

“So. Been a while.”

Jason snorted. The funny thing was, he knew this was Percy trying to be tactful.

“Yeah. It definitely has.” He knew it was only a matter of time before his brother would decide that subtlety was overrated, and started being blunt.

“You were dead.” And there it was.

“Yep. We thought you were dead.”

“I almost was a few times. I’m not though.”

Jason had suspected that Percy was in serious danger while he was missing, but to have it confirmed hurt.

“Where were you Percy? Not even Bruce was able to find you.”

Percy sighed heavily, bending over to bury his head in his hands, which were shaking slightly, but he seemed more frustrated than upset.

“Jason, can we not?” He asked, sounding so defeated in a way he never had as a kid. But they weren’t kids anymore. God knows Jason wasn’t.

“Okay, I’ll drop it.”

“Really?”

Percy shifted his head so that he was looking skeptically at him through one eye.

“Really. Although I can garuntee Bruce won’t.”

Percy groaned, flopping backwards onto the bed, just like he did when they were kids and Jason was helping him with his English assignments.

“Don’t remind me. Think we can just gaslight him into thinking I was here the whole time?”

Jason chuckled lowly, leaning backwards on his elbows so he was next to Percy.

“Demon brat tried that a few months back with a litter of kittens. Didn't quite work out the way he planned.”

The face Alfred made when he opened a kitchen cabinet to find two kittens amongst the china was glorious. Almost indistinguishable from his regular face, but glorious.

Percy snorted.

“Demon brat?”

“Damian. Bruce’s spawn.”

“Ah yes, I heard he finally figured out how to get a kid the regular way. What’s he like?”

God what a loaded question. How much could he say without scaring Percy off.

“You remember his mother Talia right? From what I’ve heard you would’ve been around when that fling was going down.”

It would’ve been in Percy’s first year or so at the manner, so Jason wasn’t sure if Bruce would’ve let Percy meet her. The last thing a traumatised child would need was dealing with Talia of all people. Literally all of Bruce’s children could attest to that.

“Talia? I don’t- oh gods I repressed that.”

Percy groaned, scrunching his nose.

“That’s the kids mother? Poor kid.”

Jason laughed at the look of disgust and judgement on Percy’s face.

“Poor kid? Poor us! Imagine a mini Bruce mixed with a mini Talia running around with a katana.”

Okay, that was a bit harsh. Damian had grown a lot since he was introduced to the family. At least he wasn’t likely to try and kill Percy like he had Tim, although Jason wasn’t sure whether the blood relation would help or hinder Percy’s standing in Damian’s eyes.

But at this moment Jason would say anything to keep Percy laughing, not staring off into space with a hollow look in his eyes.

“Emo kid with a sword huh? I have a cousin like that.”

That didn’t make any sense. Jason knew all of Percy’s cousins, he was one, technically.

“Damian? Yeah he’s your cousin. Weird way of phrasing that.”

Percy blinked, looking as confused as Jason felt.

“What? Yeah of course he’s my cousin- Oh! No I was talking about my cousin on my dad’s side. Nico. He and Damian would either get along great or kill each other. Maybe both. I’m honestly surprised Nico hasn’t tried to kill me before. Well, properly tried.”

Percy was rambling. He tended to do that when he’d said something he shouldn’t and he was hoping if he said enough stuff whoever he was speaking to would look past it.

That strategy had never worked on Jason. It was kind of funny that he thought it would.

“Back up. I thought you didn’t know about your fathers side of the family.”

Percy muttered something under his breath in a language Jason didn't know, but he was ninety percent sure was some form of curse.

“Any chance you’ll drop that too?” He asked sheepishly.

This kid- Jason couldn’t decide if he wanted to laugh or tear his hair out.

Percy certainly hadn’t changed much.

Jason reached over and rustled Percy’s hair, rolling his eyes at the stuck out tongue he got in return.

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you 48 hours to settle in, no questions, and i’ll do my best to keep Bruce off your back, but when those 48 hours are up? You’re toast.”

Of course, Jason would try and keep Bruce off of Percy’s back anyway, not that it would do a lot of good. No one deserved the full force of Bruce’s disappointed interrogation.

“Gee I don’t know. It’s gonna take me a while to fully settle in. Could we extend that to maybe 48 days? Or months! Or years even, i’m not picky.”

Jason rolled his eyes.

“You’re lucky you’re getting 48 hours squirt. Don’t push it.”

“You wound me Jason.”

“And yet somehow I think you’ll live.”