Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Flatline...

I was too late.
How ironic. The daughter of Apollo's mother just died. I could've saved her. As a demigod, we always blame it on the monsters. Makes sense, right? They try to kill us for existing. This time it's different. I wasn't there. I was helping my father on his quest because he didn't like being a mortal. Sucks for him. It's not like I've been half-mortal my whole life or anything.
I stand there in the hospital staring at my mother. Who was she? The woman that raised me never was really there. She was in her own land curated by the addiction she consumes. Now, it has killed her.

What am I to do?

Time skips forward like a record-player. A song it is trying to skip but I am too poor to pay for Spotify premium. It is like the world wants to move on, while I am stuck. Stuck with my mother's corpse. An empty shell devoid of life. Yet, it's the shell I have always known her to be.

Somehow, I found myself in a car. Driving into a city with little-to-no light. This will suck.
"Oh hey! I didn't know if you were listening to me before, but I just wanted you to know that you are not going into foster care." A social worker was driving. Oh, right - I am a minor. After all this time fighting (fighting for my mum, fighting monsters, fighting for survival), I completely forgotten the fact that the government says they look out for kids.

"How? But I have no one. Mum kicked the bucket; you know that. And Dad... well, he's not around."

"There is no record of your father, so of course you are not going with him. You have another relative. Actually, we are going to him now, in Gotham."

"My grandfather?"

"Yes, indeed. You know him well?"

"I know of him."

Chapter Text

I can't remember how long the car trip lasted. Silence was consuming. Suffocating the air, yet I am not repelling. I search for it for even through my fighting, I seek comfort in the inevitable outcome to all life.

The social worker had to leave in a rush, so she handed me some guardianship paperwork and left.
I stood there for who knows how long. Before I realised, it started raining. The droplets fell onto my face like the tears I never shed. [wow this sounds emo. she's not; just very stoic] I remained frozen. My feet planted into the floor like it was the only thing holding me together.
It was just papers. All I had to do was to get him to sign them and then I can manage on my own. I didn't need the grandfather I have never met.

It wasn't long before I caught someone peeking through the curtain. A small boy with dark features and emerald-green eyes. I probably figure I should go in now. I ring the doorbell. Almost immediately, someone answered. The same boy.
"Why were you standing in the rain like that? Do you need something?" His tone wasn't loud but sounded a little aggressive. Like a detective investigating for answers.

"Uh. I am wondering if Alfred Pennyworth lived here, by chance."

"Alfred? Why do you need him?"

"Just some papers he needs to sign for me. Can you please get him? Tell him... Paris is asking"

"Paris... interesting name. I will get Alfred"

The thought of meeting my grandfather made me tremble. I needed to stay strong. I will not show weakness, especially not to someone I barely know. I fixed my posture and got ready. The door reopened. An elderly man in a suit answered.
"Paris. Good to finally meet you. Come inside"

"I just need you to sign these, if that works well for you." I'd prefer to get this over and done with, even if it is raining.

"Don't be ridiculous. You will catch a cold out there." Before I could say anything, he gently pushes me inside. I am thankful to be out of the rain, but now, I am trapped with him.

We sit down at a small coffee table in the kitchen, and I pass him the documents. His expression shifted into a sad stature.
"Elanore... she?" I nod, "well, I will sign these. Do you need a place to stay? I am sure Bruce wouldn't mind."

"No, I've got it sorted out". I know I sound a little hostile, but his care makes me alarmed. I didn't want him to care. Not for me anyways. He can care for Bruce Wayne, not me. That's who he prefers anyways.

"Where are you staying?"

"Why do you need to know?!" What is this? An interrogation? He shouldn't even care.

"According to these, I am your guardian. Additionally, I am your grandfather."

"You've never acted as one, have you?! Don't even try act like you care. I don't know you!"
This must've caused a bit of commotion because it caught the attention of the infamous Bruce Wayne.
"What is going on? Who are you?"

I look at Alfred, "THAT only proves my point". I look back at Bruce, "Doesn't matter; I am leaving. I got what I came for. Have a good life or not - I don't really care."
The look on Bruce's face is priceless, but I followed my word and didn't stay to see the aftermath of the interaction.

Chapter Text

The rain has stopped. It was over. I am on my own, yet again. I wish I could go back to Camp Half Blood. Too late now. I'm in New Jersey and cabs are expensive. Talking about money, I need to get a job. What jobs would hire a non-local minor with no qualifications?
A burger joint near crime alley does. Very irresponsible of them but I'm not complaining - its income.

How is it already dark? My first shift starts tomorrow. Where am I supposed to stay? I am not going back Alfred and sleep in the Wayne Manor. No just no. That is desperacy and I am not desperate. I find a safe-ish alley nearby. Unfortunately, it is not abandoned.

...

I am not not good at fighting. I fought in three wars! I guess that's not enough for demigods. Ugh. I did defeat the monster. Due to Gotham's lack of sunlight, I wasn't doing the best I could, and somehow managed it get a fang stabbed into my shoulder. Sh-t, this is going to hurt. I ripped it out. I didn't scream. I held it in. In a place called Crime Alley, I wasn't going to sacrifice myself to some dude who heard a helpless girl scream. Who knows what could've happened?
The removal of the hooked fang released a pool of blood. It kept gushing like it was trying to drain me. I didn't even know I had this much blood.

Usually, I can heal myself or have ambrosia and nectar, however I didn't have any and when I tried healing, it didn't work. Curse Gotham's fear of the sun. I am a daughter of Apollo! This is so ironic, I would laugh if I wasn't bleeding out in a dirty, wet alley. I stumble and lean against the wall. I can hear the music from a bar nearby. It reminds me of my mum. I never saw her perform, but her songs that were played are just breathtaking. Guess what quality attracted my father.

Mum's dead. Hopefully I am not soon.

It was as if the gods heard my prayer, I figure jumped down from the roof of a building. He wore black combat gear with a leather jacket, red bat emblem and a red helmet. Red Hood? With a demigod's lack of media, it is hard to be sure.

"I saw you fight that mugger." What? Oh, the mist.
"Look how that turned out", I gestured to my gaping stab wound.
"Want help? I can stitch."
"Can I trust you?" You would think this is a strange question because he is a vigilante, but I don't know him. I knew Luke. That didn't stop him from joining Kronos.
"I don't think you have a choice, unless you want to die." Death is attracted to me (not Thanatos). Everyone around me dies. I should give in, but I don't. For some reason, I am still fighting. The only thing I want killing me is Geras [in pjo book 6, Geras 'Gary' is old age].
"Ugh okay", I sighed.
He started patching me up before asking, "where are your parents?" I'm pretty sure my glare gave it away. "Oh, sorry. What about a guardian or somewhere to stay?"
"I have a grandfather, but I am not staying with him. I have nowhere to go. Don't you dare show pity for me."

"I wasn't going to. If it helps, my mum died when I was your age. I have an adopted father, but I too don't stay him. What's wrong with you grandfather?"

"Nothing, except I don't really know him. Met him today. He prefers his boss over me."

"I'm sure your overexaggerating. Where does he live?"

"Should I really be telling you this?"

"Probably not but if you're not staying with him then what's the harm."

"Okay. F-ck it. He is a live-in butler and lives in Wayne manor."
Red Hood seemed to recognise it, but I couldn't determine his facial expressions, as he was wearing a helmet.

"I've seen him around. I heard he's a good bloke. Maybe you should give him a chance."

"He's the reason my mum is dead."

Chapter Text

I am homeless. I know it. Red Hood knows it. I have options but are they really worth it? I would much rather homelessness than living with a man I don't know in his employer's house. That's just greedy and really awkward. Besides, my impression was not a positive one. It's not like they'll see me again anyways, so it doesn't really matter, does it?

I specifically asked for no pity. That didn't stop him. Before I realised it, Red Hood was taking me somewhere. What is going on?
"Are you kidnapping me?"

"You were passing out from blood loss. The least I can do is give you a place to stay in, so you don't die in the rain."
He wasn't wrong. I think I did fall unconscious for a bit. I wouldn't have died from it though. That is a rather stupid way to die. After all the battles I have fought, there is no way I could possibly die at the hands of tardiness. I am demigod. I have fought in wars against creatures he doesn't even know exist. A fang is nothing but a scar and a sore reminder of how much I hate this city.

I'm pretty sure I pass out again because the next thing I knew is that I was in a portable bed. Similar to the ones at the big house's medical bay. I am familiar with these beds. I am a daughter of Apollo. In dark times, I am healing my loved ones on these beds... or watching them die. Most of my siblings died on beds like these or on the battlefield. The doctors die in their own domain. I remember an attack during the war against the Romans. The strategic manoeuvres. They knew to aim for the medics. That way we could not heal. Unfortunately, we were already the weak link. We had lost so many from the Battle of Manhattan. Some other Apollo kids were on the field helping where they could. At the end, there were so few left. Despite the low numbers, I left soon after. I could blame it on another one of my mum's overdoses, but the fact still remains - I abandoned them. Just like how Alfred abandoned my mum. I am a horrible person.

"Morning kid!" Why is he so cheerful?

"Where am I?"

"Safehouse"

"Why? I don't need your help or pity."

"You looked like you needed it, last night", gesturing to my shoulder.
I roll my eyes and stand up. My jacket had been taken off, revealing my various scars. He doesn't seem surprised. I assume he saw it earlier when tending to my wound. He probably doesn't realise but it's almost healed.

"I appreciate your help, but I really need to go; I have work."
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The person seemed quite impatient because they decided to open the door and waltz right in. Manners am I right?

"Yo, Jaybird! I am visiting Gotham, and it is so boring, so like the good brother I am, I thought I should annoy you."

"Thanks that was so kind of you". The sarcastic tone was amusing and made me infer that they were close. The other dude did call him his brother. "Unfortunately, I can't grace you with my presence, Dickwad. I have company."

The man stepped closer towards us. It turned out to be none other than... Dick Grayson?! I know I live under a rock when it comes to media, but I literally saw his face on a billboard. I think he's Bruce Wayne's adopted son. Great, just great!
Wait... If Dick Grayson called Red Hood his 'brother', does that mean... You know what, that is irrelevant. I do not need to know this. The curiosity of it is tempting but what would I even do with these uncorroborated accusations? It's not my business. My business is to work, find an apartment, and just survive for now. Speaking of which, I should get to. It is literally my first day on the job and I need a decent impression.
"Anyways, thanks for the help. I'm heading off now. Have a good life." That is my new catchphrase. I have said it to multiple Waynes in the span of two days.

"Wait. Are you the girl Damian heard arguing with Alfred yesterday?"

"Why? I don't think it is any of your business." I sound so mean, but like seriously I am in a horrible mood and need to get going.

"Jeese. I didn't mean to push your buttons. I was just wondering. Who are you and why were you at my family's house?"

"I'm Paris. You really don't need to remember my name. And don't worry, I am never going to your house again. I just needed my gra-Alfred to sign some things."

"Paris, like the city? You must be very sophisticated then. Also, what did you need him to sign and why him?

"First of all, do not insult my name. It is not named after the city. It is named after the Trojan warrior. I have already heard all the jokes, so don't bother. Second, this isn't an interrogation. I understand that you may be upset that I was at your house uninvited, but it was kinda urgent."

"What was so urgent?"

"Guardianship papers if you need to know."
Dick's face was hard to read. I wasn't sure if he was confused or his brain just wasn't functioning.

Finally signs of life showed when he asked, "why?"

"He's my grandfather dipsh-t. Now, I need to go to work. As I said before, have a good life."
Then I left.

Chapter Text

Unlike the past few days, the Wayne encounters decreased significantly. Thank the gods.

The world just kept turning. I still have to fight.
It's easier to fight without mum. I don't want to sound heartless but it's true. She was a weight silently pulling me into the depths of Tartarus, and I didn't realise. Camp Half-Blood was my one place to escape her grasp. I was safe there, until I wasn't. After the war with the Romans, when I heard from her again, she clipped the weight back on. It wasn't pressure like the metaphor usually suggests; it was just hardship and struggle like a workout, yet the workout was for survival. Every pound of powder that she ingested, added to the weight. Every day, she was a new person. Yet, every time, it kept dragging me down. I get it; she had abandonment issues. I never knew my grandmother; she died when mum was pregnant. Mum said it was my fault. My mere existence was a dishonour upon both my families. Yes, Apollo is known for sleeping around but it doesn't stop demigods from being deeply revered by most entities. Take monsters for example.

Don't even talk to me about monsters.
I have to live near Alfred in case I need him for guardianship reasons. I do not want any social workers knowing that I am living in a different city than my supposed carer, so for now, I am staying in Gotham. I hate Gotham. Not only is it a monster magnet but it also has other dangers like villains. I don't have time for that. It is a major inconvenience. It hasn't affected me personally, yet. And I want it to stay that way. I have a feeling it won't. Especially because the building next door just got caught human trafficking. Love that.

Despite all these obstacles, I have just been keeping my head down and carrying on. I have been working my butt off. Apparently, the burger joint of which I work at is Batman themed. Due to my new discovery, I was not too thrilled by this. Obviously, I am not wearing a cheap costume like my co-workers. I am just gonna keep wearing the backup uniform no one wears. That's alright with me though. You won't see me dressing up as a Wayne anytime soon- actually ever.

Got an apartment too. I bought it extra cheap with discounted rent due to it not having water, power, or safety regulations. I'm pretty sure they planned to knock it down and redo it. So, not too shabby I reckon. The walls and floor were paper-thin but that's all I need really. It is only a shelter of which I sleep in.

The next thing I needed to do is get supplies. If the monsters get attacking, there is no way I want it to end up like last time. I need to be prepared. Luckily, I was in luck [this sentence makes no sense, but it is something Paris would say]. There is a demigod living in Gotham. Crazy decision to live here, but I'm not in the position to judge.

It's kinda sketchy that I am going to visit him at this hour, but it is the only time I am free. This is because another perk of Gotham is that no one wants to work the night shift. More pay, lucky me.

"Bernard Dowd, open this door. It's Paris. Paris from camp." Someone shifts from inside and the door creaks open. He looks tired. He's a demigod in Gotham so I'm not surprised.

"Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I live here."

"Since when?"

"Since Saturday."

"Ah so you're new. Is there anything I can get you?" His tone made it seem as though he knew why I was here.

"I seem to have come a little unprepared. How are there so many monsters in Gotham?"

"You wanna come inside. I have ambrosia, nectar, and some Celestial Bronze daggers I think you will adore."

"You are a lifesaver, Bernard."
I came inside. He definitely had a better (and cleaner) living space than I. Is Bernard rich? How did I not know about this? Actually, I see why. At camp, everyone came from all different backgrounds and sometimes you wouldn't even know. Except for Rachel. Mainly because I would see the occasional helicopter picking her up, but other than that, everyone was equal. Everyone was fighting their own battles. They were trying to survive. Yet, always in our time of need, we are family (biologically as well which is kinda weird to think about). So, I guess, seeing Bernard as rich was just unexpected.

We ended up chatting, and I got the supplies I came for. Win-win. I really needed the social talk anyways. Considering, the only people I have talked to this week are doctors telling me my mum is dead, social workers, Waynes, and customers, I think a proper, positive interaction was necessary for my sanity.

At around 3am, (wow, I am sleep deprived) someone came inside Bernard's apartment. Did he live with someone? Oh, this will get awkward soon.
The person immediately stopped when he saw me. His eyes were scanning me like lasers at the airport. As if I were an enemy. I kinda was an intruder though. Fair enough, then.
"Who's this?" Even his voice was judging me.

"Paris. She's a friend of mine. We went to this camp together when we were young." Bernard was playing my presence off very calmly. I am so grateful to him right now.
Bernard turned to me. He better not be introducing me to his boyfriend. I am not going to be a third wheel. "Paris, this is Tim." Oh, sh-t. I swear if he is a Wayne, I am going to have an aneurism and purposely not heal myself.

Tim stretched out his hand for a formal greeting. I am in his apartment without him knowing and he is giving me a handshake. Maybe I need to brush up on my manners. "Tim Drake. How are you?"
I jinxed myself, didn't I? How many Waynes are there, and why do I keep running into them all?

I shook his hand, only because he showed me manners and I am in his apartment talking to his boyfriend. I was not in the position to be rude, even though he is a Wayne and I really want to say my snarky catchphrase of 'have a nice life'. Instead, I am going to say it nicely. "Nice to meet you. I was actually just leaving. It is pretty late, and I've got work tomorrow."
I tell Bernard a quick thanks and raced out of there. I am so bad at avoiding Waynes.

Chapter Text

Name: Paris Pennyworth
Age: 15 years old
Mother: Deceased
Father: Unknown
Living Relatives (1): Alfred Pennyworth (grandfather)
Danger level: Unknown

Most of the bats have had close calls with this girl only after a fortnight of her living in Gotham. Coincidence- probably not. The bats needed to find out everything they can about her. Does she pose as a threat? By doing so, they need to launch an investigation.

"Do you know why I called you all today?", Tim announces. The gravity in his voice inflicts the seriousness seeping into conversation ahead.

"Is it the existence of Alfred's undisclosed grandchild that none of us were aware of? Why is that? I appreciate Alfred, yet the lack of background check for such a close position astounds me", Damian enquired in an inquisitive tone, very unlike his usual snarky reaction to these situations.

"We- we didn't know he had family. Alfred has been with us since the start. It's just not something...", Dick sounded at a loss for words. He was right though. Alfred basically raised them and Bruce. No one would have even thought that maybe he could've also had a family.

"Where's Bruce? Why isn't he in the conversation?" Duke didn't get it. Bruce was an unknown. Would he appreciate this investigation or was he too emotionally compromised? But if Bruce were compromised by the situation, wouldn't the rest of them? Alfred was close to all who are in the room.

"Bruce is Bruce. Let's keep him in the dark for now." Barbara explained.

Tim moved on."Let's get started. What do we know and recall all encounters."

"I first spotted her standing in the rain at the manor's doorstep. For some reason, she stood there for a significant amount of time. It was starting to get concerning. When she finally answered the door, she requested the presence of Alfred. They sat down and signed some papers. Alfred's facial expression was indicating grief. This fits into the fact his daughter died that day. Their conversation became strained with tension, ending with Paris raising her voice close to a yell. This is when Bruce got involved and got her to leave. The relationship with her 'grandfather' seemed quite estranged." They all knew why; Alfred was closer to them than his own granddaughter. They hadn't even met the girl.

Jason spoke next, "That night, I was on patrol, and I saw her fighting someone in Crime Alley. I assumed it was a mugger due to their clothing and tactics. She did end up stabbed and lost sh-t ton of blood. This was when I approached, started small talk, you know. Through I found that she is homeless. She also mentioned Alfred being the reason behind her mother's death??? I don't know; she did not elaborate on it. Sad, because now I am invested." Everyone was staring at Jason now. What an odd thing to say. How could Alfred be the reason for his own daughter's death? "She kinda passed out so I took her to one of my safehouses to rest. I was not gonna leave her in that condition. In the morning, she was very restless, especially when Dick arrived and kept blabbering on about needing to work."

Tim filled the gaps on this. "She works at Batburger in Crime Alley. Says here that she works 10 hour shifts each day, yet regularly takes up co-worker's shifts. She must be running on empty or something."

"Sounds like someone I know". Dick stares at Tim accusingly.

"Anyways, I then saw her yet again AT MY HOUSE." This is where the faces were most noticeable. Why was she at Tim's house for God's sakes? Is she some sort of spy? "Turns out, she is VERY close with my boyfriend??? As soon as I walked in, she left in a hurry. Very suspicious."

"Now that that's out of the way, how do we continue?"

"I think the best course of action is monitoring her movements for potentially dangerous activity. We can tell by Jason's experience, that she is trained to some capacity. Let's see how well."

"So, you want us to stalk?"

"No no! Maybe. I can do most of it. I excel in the art of stalking."

"We know, Tim."

"Do you have any other suggestions?" Silence "That's what I thought. This may be our best option of determining if she is a threat in our city."

So, the plan is set. Now, they execute.