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.”

Chapter Text

Normally, Percy was relatively excited for dinner time. At camp it meant that campfire time and nightly activities were starting soon, and at his moms it was one of the few times he felt semi normal, sharing a meal with what passed as a normal family to observers.

Dinner at Wayne manner however? Well, let’s just say that there’s several things he would rather do than sit at the same table with Bruce for a minimum of an hour with no escape. He’d rather have dinner with a hydra.

Unfortunately, he had made the decision to come back to Wayne manor, that meant dealing with Bruce. He resolutely ignored the voice in the back of his mind that reminded him that Bruce wasn’t always so bad.

“So how are you planning on approaching dinner?” Jason asked, brushing off his hands and pushing himself off the bed.

Percy threw his arm over his eyes, refusing to get up yet.

“Walk down to the dining room and walk towards the table, the same way I approach all my dinners.”

Percy felt a soft thump on his side, which he assumed was from Jason hitting him with a pillow. The violence in this household.

“You know that’s not what I meant dumbass. How are you planning to deal with Bruce.”

Percy sighed, allowing Jason to pull him up into a sitting position by his arm.

“Honestly I was planning on just sitting at the table and waiting to see how long it takes him to notice.”

With Bruce’s adoption tendencies he’d certainly fit in.

Jason snorted, finally fully pulling Percy to his feet.

“Well then you had better get down there before he does.

Gods dammit, Jason had a point.

Percy made a show of dragging his feet, but let Jason pull him through the halls of Wayne manor.

They were the first to reach the table, which wasn’t surprising considering Alfred hadn’t even been up to get them yet. Percy had no idea why Jason had dragged him down so early, but he supposed it was working in his favour.

He stood in the entryway as he examined the dining room, feeling out of place. Where was he meant to sit? Was his seat the same as it used to be, or had someone claimed it since then.

Jason turned to him, raising his eyebrow.

“What are you waiting for?”

Percy shrugged, unsure how to voice his dilemma. Jason seemed to understand, as his face twisted with an emotion Percy couldn’t quite place.

“Your seats the same. Bruce is too much of a sentimental bastard to let someone else sit in it.”

A wave of emotions hit Percy as he stiffly moved to his seat, the one immediately left of the head of the table. He couldn’t name every emotion, but anger, grief, guilt, and confusion were pretty prominent.

“Bruce wouldn’t like being called sentimental,” he said, instead of dealing with his emotions like a healthy human being.

“Then Bruce should reevaluate literally all of his life choices.”

Percy chuckled thinly, slowly sitting down.

The dining room was exactly the same. The table still had the little chip from when he’d missed his plate with his steak knife the first time Cass came to dinner and scared the shit out of him.

Jason took his seat beside Percy, resting his head on one hand and tapping the fingers one the other on the table.

“The others should be down soon. Bruce is normally the last.”

Percy nodded, taking a deep breath to try and prepare himself.

“Who’s gonna be at dinner?”

It wasn’t a Sunday so it wouldn’t be a scheduled family dinner, so hopefully he could start small. Only the people in the manner should be coming, in theory anyway.

“Tim and Cass definitely, they both live here most of the time, and Alfred forces Tim to come to dinner unless he’s actually dying so he can make sure he’s eating something that he didn’t microwave.”

That sounded about right for Tim.

“Damian and Duke both live at the manner full time, they’ll be here. Duke is B’s foster kid, about a year younger than you. You’ll love him. He acts like he’s the sensible one, but don’t believe him, he’s unhinged, he’s just better at hiding it then the rest of us.”

That certainly sounded promising. Percy had lots of experience with people who seemed normal in the context of their family, and then you realise that no, they’re also insane. Annabeth being the main person to come to mind.

“Dicks about fifty fifty. He spends half his time here and the rest over in blüd. I haven’t spoken to him in, like, a week, so I’m not sure where he is currently.”

Ah yes, Dick. That was going to be… interesting. Their relationship had never really been consistent, one minute Dick was trying to be the ultimate big brother, the next he was so pissed with Bruce he practically ignored Percy’s existence. Then Jason died and he’d become almost as overbearing as Bruce, trying to butt in on Percy’s business and treating him like an infant.

“Babs only comes on sundays or special events. Or when Tim has a new plan to give Bruce a migraine and she wants to watch. Steph comes and goes as she pleases, it's anyone's guess as to when she’ll show up.”

Percy blinked. Steph as in Tim’s girlfriend who died? Percy had only met her a handful of times, but he vividly remembered Tim showing up at his moms apartment in tears in the middle of the night after she died. He’d stayed up all night trying to comfort his best friend/sort of brother as he grieved.

“Did Steph come back to life as well?” He asked.

Jason winced.

“Not exactly. She died, but only for a few seconds before her heart restarted. Apparently, Leslie helped her fake her death.”

Now, Percy had accidentally let people think he was dead a few times before. He’d even walked in on his own funeral. But despite the slight hypocrisy, he couldn't quite stop the flood of rage that surged through him. A part of Tim had been broken when she died, and to find out his brother didn’t need to go through that? Percy wasn’t thrilled.

Jason must have noticed his anger, probably from the way his fist was clenched and whatever look was undoubtedly on his face, as he rushed to speak.

“It wasn’t her fault. From what I’ve been told she wasn’t even conscious for the first week or two, and certainly wasn’t up to making decisions for a while after that. Leslie didn't think it was safe for her in Gotham, and let’s face it she wasn’t wrong.”

Percy took a deep breath. He wasn’t really angry at Steph, not after what Jason said. He’d heard what happened to her from Tim, he can’t imagine the recovery, both physical and mental, that something like that would take.

“Someone should’ve told Tim.”

Jason let out a slow breath.

“Yeah, probably.”

The silence that followed probably would’ve quickly become awkward if it was left to sit, but instead was interrupted by someone entering the dining room.

Cass practically glided into the room, steps only faltering slightly as she laid eyes on Percy.

“Little brother?” Her expression was mostly blank, but her eyes were slightly wider than normal.

Percy forced a small, but genuine smile.

“Hey Cass.”

Cass’ face lit up in a grin. She flew over to him, pausing right in front of him with her arms open, head tilted to the side, asking permission to hug him.

He nodded, he’d never turn down a hug from Cass.

Her arms enveloped him, which physically shouldn’t be possible based on their length, but Percy had long since learnt not to question Cass. At one point, one of her hands got a little too close to the small of his back, and he tensed. Cass would’ve noticed, even if she wasn’t hugging him, but she didn’t say anything, merely moved her arms higher. Just as the hug would’ve become too much, Cass pulled away.

She studied him for a moment, practically staring into his soul. It was incredibly unnerving, but not as bad as dealing with the mummy oracle, so Percy sucked it up.

For the first thirty seconds or so anyway. Then it started to get a bit uncomfortable.

“Um. Do I have something on my face?” He asked, nervously glancing at Jason.

Cass just narrowed her eyes.

“Cass. Chill, you're freaking him out,” Jason said, although the effect was ruined by his laughter.

Cass glared at Jason, but backed off to sit in her seat.

“I’m glad you’re home, brother.”

Percy’s smile faltered slightly as a lump formed in his throat. He wasn’t so sure about the home part. Or the happy part.

But he was pretty sure he would always be Cass’ brother. Whether he wanted to or not. So he nodded, smiling thinly.

He was saved from having to reply verbally by the sound of voices coming from the hallway.

“-I’m telling you Duke, a straw doesn’t have any holes at all. Its a flat surface that’s then curved inward. If you cut it down the middle and fold it out there’s no more hole, because it didn't exist in the first place!”

“Tim. Please tell me you don’t actually believe that.”

“Of course I believe it, it’s the truth!”

Percy bit his lip against the genuine smile he felt coming. Sound like Tim was still exactly the same. Unconsciously, Percy stood from his seat, walking towards the doorway.

“Come on man, they teach 3D shapes in grade 1! I know you dropped out, but I didn’t think it was that early…” Two figures rounded the corner, Tim and a taller kid who Percy assumed was Duke. The second Tim saw Percy he froze, face carefully blank. Probably Duke stopped walking a second after, glancing between Tim and Percy warily.

“Tell me something only you would know,” Tim said lowly after a moment of silence.

A normal person probably would’ve been offended by that, but while Percy had never been a bat, he had been a Demigod, and a monster impersonating a long dead or missing friend was sadly a possibility.

“You set fire to the carpet in the third floor media room trying to remove a zesti stain before Alfred noticed.”

The steel left Tim’s eyes immediately, replaced by a grin.

“Percy! Where the fuck were you!” He ran forward. Just as Percy was about to mentally prepare himself for another hug, Tim kicked him in the shins.

“Six months and not even a phone call. I would’ve broken into your apartment if I wasn’t slightly scared of Sally.”

Percy rolled his eyes as Tim finally hugged him.

“Good to see you too Tim.”

“Wish I could say the same. You look like shit.”

Why does everyone keep saying that. Sure he’d never gotten all of his colour back after Tartarus, and sure he hadn’t washed or cut his hair in a potentially concerning length of time, and yeah, he had some eye bags so deep that they could almost carry his trauma, but it's not like Tim could talk in that regard.

“Damn Tim, I thought you missed me.”

Tim pulled away from him to give Percy an irritated look.

Out of the corner of his eye, Percy saw Duke walk over to Jason.

“So who is this guy again?” He stage whispered.

“Little Brother,” Cass said, at the same time Jason replied, not even bothering to hide his amusement.

“Our Cousin slash Brother. Its complicated.”

Duke snorted.

“Sounds about right for this family.”

Percy turned to face them, crossing his arms.

“I can hear you you know.”

“Oh I know,” Jason replied, completely unrepentant.

“Dicks gonna be pissed he missed this. He’s on a case with the Titans all week.”

Something inside Percy wilted in relief, even if he didn’t outwardly show it. While facing Dick would be significantly easier than facing Bruce— as low of a bar that that was— it would be easier to not have to deal with both of them at once.

“I’m surprised he didn’t ditch the mission to come home, Bruce must’ve told him, surely he’s learnt his lesson by now,” Tim mused.”

“Oh Bruce doesn’t know. I didn’t tell him I was coming.”

About five different emotions cycled through Tim’s face, including, but not limited to, surprise, exasperation, and finally settling on amusement.

“Oh this will be good. Bruce does so well with surprises.”

Percy rolled his eyes, a small smirk on his lips.

“Bruce will survive.”

If the man hadn’t had a paranoia induced heart attack by now, Percy’s appearance wasn’t going to do it. Sure he’ll sulk for a week or two, but that would be barely distinguishable from his regular mood.

Tim shook his head, still smiling.

“True. At least you haven’t decapitated anyone.”

Jason rolled his eyes, throwing his hands up, although he was smiling.

“Those people had it coming.”

Percy was almost certainly missing some context. He hadn’t really kept up with events in Gotham before the past three months or so, but he knew that Jason had done a brief stint as a rogue. That was probably all he really wanted to know about the situation, even if he was morbidly curious.

Also Percy had definitely decapitated a few monsters, but Tim didn’t need to know that.

“I’m not nearly that dramatic.”

Cass shot him a skeptical look, but no one called him out on it.

“And what are you planning to do?” Tim asked.

“Eat dinner and wait until Bruce notices he’s got an extra kid at the table.” He was sticking to the plan he told Jason, even if he was half joking when he said it.

Tim snorted, before his eyes widened.

“Did someone warn Damian?”

Jason’s eyes also widened.

“Oh shi-”

“Warn me about what?” A kid who was almost certainly Damian said as he entered the dining room.

He caught sight of Percy immediately, narrowing his eyes. To the untrained eye his posture didn’t change, but Percy could see the subtle shift into a fighting stance and the way his right hand twitched for a weapon.

“Tt. I see father has brought home another stray. I’ll admit, I thought his self control would last longer, but I can’t say i’m surprised.”

Oh gods the kid was a mini Bruce. A mini Bruce that just insulted Bruce (and Percy but that was pretty par for the course for Percy’s life.)

It was honestly pretty funny, not that Percy would admit that. Tim clearly agreed, as he attempted to turn his laugh into a cough. Jason, keeping with his pattern for the afternoon, made no attempt to disguise his amusement as he spoke.

“Not quite. This is your cousin, Percy.”

Damians stance relaxed slightly, still ready for a fight, but no longer about to initiate one. Small wins.

He studied Percy, mouth curling into a sneer.

“Ah, Perseus, Father has mentioned you occasionally. I always got the impression that you weren’t welcome here.”

Now, logically Percy knew that laughing would only enrage the kid, and angering the emo child with access to blades probably be a bad move. However, he truly couldn’t help it.

“Yeah,” he said between bursts of laughter, “that’s one way to put it.”

He knew for a fact that Bruce had called his mom three times a day for a month after he’d come home, practically begging for Percy to recover in Wayne manor.

Bruce wasn’t the one who didn’t want Percy at Wayne manor. That was all him.

Damian glared at Percy.

“Do not laugh at me, or you will regret it.”

Gods this really was Nico all over again. Percy could vividly picture Damian saying he was the ghost king. That mental image almost made him laugh harder.

“I’m not laughing at you, I promise,” Percy said, still laughing.

Damian did not look convinced. Fair enough. Percy wouldn't be either.

“It’s just a funny situation. It’s been a long day.”

“He’s not the most mentally stable,” Tim chimed in, putting a hand in front of the mouth like he was whispering.

“I can tell.”

“Hey!”

“Children, what’s going on?” A deep voice called out from the hall, immediately extinguishing Percy’s amusement.

Percy and Jason made panicked eye contact, but were unable to move before Bruce entered the dining room. He walked in without any hurry, holding a glass of water in one hand, and rubbing his face tiredly before he paused in the entryway, taking in all of the dining rooms inhabitants.

Bruce’s eyes scanned the room, before locking on Percy. He paled from eggshell white to ivory, and the glass fell from his hand, spilling water across the floor.

“Percy?”

Percy waved stiffly.

“Hey Bruce. Long time no see.”