They stared at me, their eyes widened in shock. Both of them recovered quickly, making their surprise with a mask of amusement and disbelief.

Bruce chuckled. "I'm honestly flattered. I mean, sure, I have a gym, but how often do I use it? I never have time to, so how would I have time to run my company and fight crime?"

Dick mumbled something about wishing to be that good of a gymnast. I laughed and shook my head.

"My cousins might call me an idiot, but I'm not oblivious. You," I said, pointing at Bruce. "You have the money to finance all of Batman's gadgets, along with a company which has the tech to develop them. Your parents murder gives you plenty of reason to start fighting crime." I looked at Dick. "As for you, I'm pretty sure you grew up in the circus. There's a Flying Grayson poster in your room and I remember the news story about them. You also made a joke about your room being a bird nest. And I'm guessing Wally is Flash Kid?"

"Kid Flash." Dick corrected. Bruce flinched before glaring at him.

Another laugh broke past my lips. "Relax, I'm not going to tell. I can keep a secret." If I couldn't I would have been killed a long time ago.

"How'd you know who he was?"

"I've heard that he's a flirt, has an appetite, and that he's a ginger. All three together, plus knowing him and Robin are close made it hard to get the thought out of my mind."

Dick slid his gaze to Bruce. "I told you that would get him into trouble one of these days."

"And I told you to talk to him about it." Bruce sighed. "Honestly, Percy, I'm surprised you're this calm about this."

I chuckled and shook my head, offering nothing in way of explanation. If we wanted to go there, Wonder Woman is my cousin. Diana's the daughter of Zeus, lucky enough to be born an Amazon and before the prophecy. She was never in danger because by the time the prophecy came around, she was past sixteen. It seems like avoiding the prophecy is what Zeus's kids do best.

I wonder what would have happen if I had died instead of Bianca? Would Thalia have become a Hunter? Would she have embraced her fate like I chose to do it would she unknowingly leave it to Nico?

The gods probably would have killed her if she didn't join the Hunt. Though the possibility stands that Zeus wouldn't have let them kill his chance at controlling the prophecy.

"Percy."

Snapping out of my thoughts, I shook my head slightly and look at Bruce. "Hm?"

"I asked what you were thinking about."

"Oh, nothing much. Just stuff."

"Okay... So-" The doorbell rang. Bruce stood up. "I'll get-"

We could hear the front door open. Bruce sighed and sank back into his seat. He mumbled something I couldn't quite catch, but I think it was something about Alfred being a ninja.

"I have a delivery for Bruce Wayne."

My eyes widened, and I turned. A small smile appeared on my lips. It didn't reach my eyes. Seeing one of them just made everything that much more real. "Hey, what's up?"

Hermes sat the package on the floor. He lifted a hand and ruffled my hair. "A drama king." Thunder rumbled.

"I think you meant a drama queen." My smile didn't waver, but it didn't spread either.

He frowned and shook his head. He pulled me into a quick hug. "Don't try to fake being okay. We all saw it. You're not okay. There's no way you're okay." Hermes kept his voice to a whisper.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll be fine. How are George and Martha?"

He pulled away. "They're good."

"Do the two of you know each other?" Alfred asked as he gathered up dirt dishes.

"Yeah. He's my older cousin," I said.

We stood in awkward silence until Dick blurted out, "Does he have the gene thing?"

Hermes glanced at me with an eyebrow raised. What? His voice echoed in my mind.

Just say no. I had no idea on if he would be able to hear my response, but his answer to Dick's question answered mine.

"No, I don't. Now,  if you could just sign for the package, please, I'll be on my way." He held out the signer.

Hello dear!

Hey Perssssy. Got any ratsss?

Bruce quickly signed for the package and handed the singer back. "Thank you."

"I'll see you later, Percy." Hermes pulled me into a quick hug. "Don't be surprised if some of the stuff is big," he mumbled in my ear.

He didn't give me time to say goodbye before he made his way out.

"His dad's my uncle," I said, looking at Bruce, who no doubt wanted an explanation. "A result of one of his many, many, many affairs."

Bruce nodded. "Okay, do you need help getting that to your room?

Bending down, I picked up the package. "It's only clothes. Not like it's that heavy."

I carried it up to my room. I bumped the door open with my hip and dropped the box onto the floor. Pulling Riptide out of my pocket, I uncapped it. The blade sliced through the tape easier than a monster. As soon as I had the box open I capped my sword. I don't want Bruce, Dick, and Alfred to get caught up in my world. Their lives are already dangerous enough, they don't need anything added onto it from me.

I shook my head, clearing my mind. I looked into the box. Underwear and bras, I don't want to know how Bruce got my size, pajamas, sweats, jeans, leggings, and shorts. All types of pants I deemed acceptable. I can wear shorts and for nearly anything where I might have to fight. Leggings are good for days without much risk of attacks, while jeans are versatile.

There were shirts too, you kinda need those for an outfit. Tank tops shared space with t-shirts, button-ups, flannels, and long'sleeved. A few Hawaiian shirts were tucked in as well and they looked too big for me.

I lifted one up. The scent wafting from it and the sand that fell to the floor left little doubt in my mind. Dad gave me some of his shirts. That's sweet, I think. I don't know the first thing about what mortals do for their kids, so this could be extremely weird by mortal standards.

Then again, what isn't in this family?

It didn't really matter to me, I was just happy I could change. I grabbed sweats, underwear, and one of Dad's shirts. If Bruce questions it, well, tok bad. He won't be getting an answer.

The moment I was dressed, I looked in the mirror. Upon deciding I didn't look like crap, I took a deep breath. I'm not going downstairs right away. I'm going to do something underhanded and it might destroy any trust they have in me, but it's something I need to do. If I don't, I don't know what will happen. All I know is that it won't be anything good.

I've never tried to do anything like this in my life, I don't know if I can do this, but if Nico could make it to China while learning I can do this.

I opened my senses to the vapor around me, allowing me to map out an alarming amount of detail. I grimaced and grabbed my head. Not yet, I can't give up- There.

Focusing took a moment, since I had to block out the water vapor and gather myself. My body felt as if it were being pulled apart, but it didn't hurt. I crossed my fingers in my mind, praying that this would work. My body reformed out of vapor. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and a smile spread across my face.

Found the Bat-Cave.

Originally published Dec 25,  2017

1,019

Edited March 5, 2020

1,336

I'm tiiiiiiiired. And I have stuff to do tomorrow. Yay.

See yah