Work Text:
“Replacement.” Tim looked up at the soft murmur, taking in the bodysuit and jacket, but lack of signature red helmet, and smiled. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.”
“Lookin’ good, Hood,” Tim grinned, thoroughly enjoying Jason’s discomfort despite the mask that identified him as a Justice League member. Jason’s eyes drew slowly down Tim’s suit.
“Not so bad yourself, Neal,” he responded, and it was enough to make Tim blush and look away. “Daddy B finally agreed to bringing the case to you officially.”
“Finally determined that Cat wasn’t responsible?” Tim asked, amused, and Jason laughed.
“Yeah, he tracked her down. She was not pleased, let me tell you. There wasn’t even anything cat related in the inventory of missing items.”
“Like you didn’t point that out within minutes of getting the list.” Tim snorted.
“Right?”
“So tell me what you’ve come up with so far.”
It was not every day that Peter walked out of his office to find a cape sitting in the bullpen. Even less common was that same cape leaning against a desk chatting amicably with his CI. Even with the concealing mask that the Justice League insisted they allow any League member to keep, he looked fond. And it was definitely time to go stop his CI from letting his mouth and his too clever brain from running away with him and conning the Justice League. No matter how much it would entertain Peter to see the mighty league taken down a peg or two.
The conversation as he approached almost made his heart stop.
“-no no, that wasn’t Barcelona, that was Seville. Barcelona was completely different.”
“Right, right. And you teamed up with Arsenal in Seville, right? He wouldn’t shut up for a week.” Neal shook his head, grinning with what Peter could tell was genuine fondness.
“He didn’t need me. He just needed someone to keep him calm. And he got the evidence he needed.”
“Hey. You know how much you helped him. Don’t downplay it. He told me later he spent the entire time looking for -GA.”
“Yeah.” Neal’s voice was quiet, too serious. “He needed a sober companion. I’m happy I could help.” Red Hood nudged Neal companionably with his shoulder.
“Why do you think I sent him to you? I was neck deep in alligators.”
“Well, Crocs.”
“And hearing that I was helping Croc helped Arsenal too.” There was a moment of silence between them.
“So how’s Li- Speedy?” Hood laughed.
“Driving her dad crazy. She wants to team up with Robin and Superboy.”
“Star getting too small for her already?” Red Hood sighed at Neal’s laughing question.
“She wants to make friends with her peer group. There’s Robin, Superboy, and the speedster twins that are all about her age that we know of. But Flash has managed to keep his offspring contained so far.”
“Hey, it’s great to be on a team. And she loves Robin and Superboy.” Red Hood just hummed consideringly. Peter was warmed by the fondness in Neal’s voice when he spoke of being on a team. It had taken the conman a long time to settle in, but they were working well together now, and it was good to hear that he also found pleasure in their team up. “And it would be good for him.”
“Hm?”
“Robin. Speedy speaks her mind and won't take any shit. You know Superboy would let him get away with murder. Robin needs someone who’ll stand up to him.”
“Especially with you gone for so long, huh?” Neal snorted.
“Unfortunately I'm not much help, because he hates me.”
“He doesn't hate you,” Red Hood rebuffed gently.
“He’s tried to kill me six times since -since I got out of prison.”
“Someone tried to kill you, Neal?” Peter demanded without thinking. Immediately Neal’s face shuttered.
“Don't worry about it, Peter. I'm fine.” Neal turned to him with his usual easy smile, but there was tension around his eyes.
“As long as you're in my custody I'm responsible for your safety.” Slowly Neal’s stance relaxed.
“I'm okay, Peter,” he repeated more normally. “And I'm not going to send a kid to juvie because he feels threatened by me. I can handle it.”
“Neal-”
“No Peter. He's my little brother. It's not his fault his mom raised him to think I'm a threat to him. He's getting better.”
“Six times is better?” Neal just shrugged.
“When he first came to live with us it was twice a week.” Hood was frowning now.
“Did B know?” Neal shrugged carelessly.
“If he didn't then he definitely doesn't deserve his reputation.” This vague statement made Red Hood rumble with dissatisfaction, but he obviously understood what Neal meant, which was more than Peter could honestly say.
“Neal, what-?”
“Can’t tell you that, Peter. Honestly we shouldn’t have let you hear any of this.”
“But-”
“It’s Justice League business. I’ve worked with them before, when they needed a job done that none of them could get into the right places for.”
“If you worked with the League, then why-?”
“Sorry, Peter.”