Ch 4

[Will Pov]

The next day Will woke up in his shitty apartment, how did I get back here damn. We went way too hard last night, damn, he thought to himself. He got up and hobbled straight into his bathroom and puked in his toilet.

"Ugh." Will exclaimed.

Then he proceeded to go get himself ready for school, once he was cleaned up and looking fresh. He grabbed his backpack and crutches then hobbled his way out the door and through the same old route down Gotham's streets that he always takes.

He actually made it to school on time this time which was out of the ordinary, maybe even slightly early.

He quickly made his way to Mrs. Fultz's first period class, and said, "Morning Mrs. Fultz."

Before he could make his way back to his seat she walked up to him and gave him a huge hug.

"Oh my gosh Will, don't ever scare me like that again, do you know how worried I was for you."

Will sort of just flashed an embarrassed smile and said,

"Really? I guess I didn't think much of it. I do stuff like that all the time."

Mrs. Fultz looked at him sadly, "Will, you have to stop otherwise you really will wind up dead sooner or later."

Will scratched his head and responded, "I know Mrs. Fultz, it's just I really don't know what else to do. I'm good at what I do, I could be better, but I know I'm not invincible."

Mrs Fultz said, "Will, jumping out of a 50 story building with one of the most dangerous men on the planet is not okay. Also think of the man you did it for anyways, the Penguin doesn't deserve to have you risking your life for him."

"Well first off, I only fell 30 feet because of Batman, and I understand I'll try to be more careful from now on." Will said

"That's all I can ask, William, you are a good kid. I just hate to see you having to do crazy things to make money. Nobody should have to do that." Mrs. Fultz said

"I suppose, Thank you for looking out for me Mrs. Fultz. Do you have any of the homework I missed?" Will said

She walked over to her desk and handed him all the papers he missed. "Thanks again Mrs. Fultz."

He walked back to his seat and quickly Barbara came in. "Hey Will, it's good to see you back." She said shortly.

Dang she seems angry about something, I don't think I did anything to her recently, must be someone else. Will thought to himself.

"Yo what's up." Will said

Barbara looked at him coldly, and said "Tim wants to speak with you after class. I think he wants you to come hang out with all of us after school."

"Alright, I got nothing important going on later anyways." Will said.

The two of them just sat there in silence until the lecture ended. When class let out, Tim was already waiting for him outside the door. Barbara walked up next to him and sort of just stood there waiting for Tim to finish so they could go to their next class together.

"So, a Batgirl stripper huh?" Tim said with a wry smile on his face.

Will cracked a smile at that, "Yeah man she's my celebrity crush fool. That long flowing red hair is beautiful my friend. Plus, she's fierce as hell as a true woman should be. I caught a glimpse of her one time and told the guys about it. They really like to clown me for it, but that's a woman right there. Whoo boy!"

Tim laughed and Barbara's face flushed red.

"Alright, alright, anyways you trynna come over tonight my father wants to speak with you, and I figured we could kick it too." Tim said.

Will raised an eyebrow at that, "He's not going to make me do anything weird right?"

Tim's smile dropped when he said that, "No way man, Bruce isn't like that. I think he just wants to see how you are doing. He took a liking to you the other day."

Will looked thoughtful for a moment, "Ehh sure I'm in, I got nothing better to do anyways."

The rest of the day passed by normally aside from all the stares from his classmates.

"People were acting really weird," Will thought.

Though it made him uncomfortable being so visible, he just tried to ignore it and catch up on what he missed while he was in the hospital. Finally, the school bell rang and Will went out front to meet up with Tim. He spotted Tims's clean-cut black hair among the crowd, and Barbara's red hair really stood out among the crowd. He can usually find Barbara if he can find Tim, and vice versa. He walked up and said, "Alright Let's get it, brother, what y'all want to do?"

Tim said, "The usual, probably. Me, Steph, and Barbara generally go do homework then just chill after school and sometimes we train a bit."

Will raised an eyebrow, "Alright I'm down, I got a ton of work I got to finish anyways. I got to keep my GPA up. I've been missing too much school recently."

Barbara said, "Yeah well you keep getting beaten within an inch of your life."

Will said, "Ouch Barbara, that hurt. It's not my fault I had to deal with Killer Croc and Deathstroke back-to-back."

Tim looked surprised, "Killer Croc, you fought that beast?"

Will said, "Yeah I did a few weeks ago, I managed to escape with my life, but if he sees me, it's on-site, I managed to stab out one of his eyes."

Tim laughed nervously, "Dang man that's pretty impressive."

Will said, "Not really I couldn't break through any of his hide. It didn't matter what I did, and I wasn't strong enough to cause internal injuries so I just attacked the only thing that I could. It bought enough time for the boys to get away, so it worked out, I guess. I didn't make shit for doing it though barely enough to pay my tuition and rent."

Tim said, "You know, for a criminal, you're surprisingly honest."

He looked over and saw Stephanie walking over with her beautiful blond hair, she looked beautiful today.

He looked back at Tim and said, "We got enough liars out here man. In the end, all you have is your word."

Stephanie walked up and kissed Tim.

Will said, "Aight, I see you bro." and started laughing.

Soon after a large black Town Car with the back windows tinted pulled up to the school.

"Alright, that's our ride," Tim said.

They all followed him into the nice town car.

Will scanned the car and noticed the driver. An older man with gray hair, a black tux and white gloves.

"Welcome Masters, how was your day?" he said in a British accent

"It was good Alfred." Said Stephanie, Tim, and Barbara in unison.

Will looked around, "uh it was good sir, a little strange being back after the gala everybody was looking at me funny. I'd much rather fly under the radar sir."

The driver looked back and flashed a bright smile

"I understand Master William, it must have been quite strange after the gala." Alfred said.

The ride passed quickly and the four of them just chatted, laughed, and had a good time in the back of the town car. Soon they Pulled up into the driveway of the most massive mansion will had ever seen.

"Dang Tim, you live here. It almost makes me feel embarrassed of my apartment." Will said

Tim shot an embarrassed look at Stephanie and smiled wryly, "Yeah, man."

"You're actually going to let me go inside huh, you must be crazy fool." Will laughed heartily and clapped Tim on the shoulder.

Barbara looked sad when he said that, but Will noticed and decided to say something.

"Look, Barbara, you gotta stop flashing me looks of pity, I notice you know. Look, I really care about you, but I don't need that from anyone. As long as I stay down, I still got a chance, so until I'm dead I don't need anyone's pity."

Barbara looked embarrassed, "Sorry Will, its just it breaks my heart watching you struggle like you do."

Will sighed, "Ah, it's cool. Thanks for caring."

Will flashed a bright smile, "Anyways it's really nice having someone that's not Dembe to hang out with after school."

Alfred parked the car out front, hopped out, and opened the door for them.

The four of them all hopped out of the car. Tim, Stephanie, and Barbara began walking to the front door.

Will stayed behind and looked right at Alfred.

"Thank you very much sir, am I supposed to pay you? I've got 20 dollars on me I can give you."

"Master William, I appreciate the concept, but I wouldn't dream of taking your money. Please do not ask again." said a smiling Alfred

"Oh, sorry sir, my apologies I am not used to this kind of treatment, it actually makes me a little uncomfortable. I hope I can adjust to it quickly if I am to continue being friends with Tim." Will said

"I understand, Master William, I appreciate your politeness." Alfred said

"Either way it's a pleasure to meet you, sir, I can tell you work hard around here." Will said.

They both reached out and shook hands

Will shot a surprised look at Alfred and frowned.

"How did I not notice when we were in the car, you've got moves man. What are you, Ex-Millitary or some sort of hidden expert?"

Alfred laughed, "You really are as perceptive as Master Bruce said, I was a member of the Royal Marines in my youth."

Will smiled, "Man, those guys are seriously badass, sir. Though with so many people able to fight around here it makes me wonder what kind of operation Mr. Wayne is running, it honestly makes me a little nervous. In my current state, I'd be hard-pressed to escape with my life."

Alfred merely stated, "Nobody will harm you here Master William, you are safe here I assure you."

Will didn't necessarily believe him but he trusted Barbara enough to have his best intention in mind.

"I believe you sir." Will said and hobbled into the massive building on his crutches to join the group. As he hobbled around, he took in the sight of the old manor. It was beautiful, inside, way better decorated than anything Penguin had shown him. There were tons of beautiful paintings. He stopped in front of one that stood out to him. It was a portrait of Martha and Thomas Wayne with their arms around a young Bruce. It caused Will to miss his mother, she was the only one who cared for him back then and she made the hell his father put him through just a little bit more bearable. It made him remember how alone he really was. The heavens and the earth truly were ruthless, and he was merely a straw dog.

"I wish my mother was still alive." he muttered under his breath.

Will hardened his heart and began to hobble off to where Tim and them were, no longer taking in the sights.

He walked into a majestic-looking living room, there was a coffee table with two couches facing each other on either side and an antique circular table in the corner where Tim, Stephanie, and Barbara were sitting around chatting with their computers out.

"Glad you could finally join the party." Tim said.

"Yeah, sorry man I was talking to Alfred and then I sort of got swept up in the beauty of your home man it really is something." Will said.

Will looked around the room and saw the strange, but handsome young boy he met the other day at the Gala sitting alone on the couch working on something on his computer.

So, Will approached him. "What's going on, killer, how you been."

The boy glared at him angrily, "I am not a killer."

Will chuckled when said that, "I didn't mean literally young buck, it's a term of endearment."

The boy looked down, "Oh, okay."

Will reached out his hand and said, "What's your name, playboy."

The boy reached out and shook it, "Damian, Damian Wayne."

Will clamped down on the boy's hand so he couldn't pull it back. No matter how much Damian struggled, he wouldn't let go.

"INSOLENCE!" He screamed.

Will just chuckled and looked at him, "Oh dear, oh dear, what do we have here? A swordsman, huh? You should know a true man uses knives."

Will let go and flashed a cocky smile. By this point, Tim and everyone had gotten up to see what Damian was screaming about.

"I can feel the calluses on your hands kid, you don't fool me. You should show me what You're made of sometime. I can tell you're very skilled."

Damian frowned and looked puzzled for a moment. Will just laughed at him. "You're alright, kid. You remind me of myself at your age. However, you're a bit more well-spoken than me. Polly smarter too, just as angry though."

Will chuckled slyly and then turned around because he felt three men enter the room.

Then Bruce and another man who stood at around 5'10" or 5'11" walked in. He was incredibly handsome and had a very toned and strong body. Robust would be the word Will would have used to describe it.

"Ah it's a pleasure to meet you again Mr. Wayne. I appreciate you for inviting me into your home, Tim said there's something you wish to discuss with me."

Bruce glared and began releasing a serious amount of pressure, it made Will start to sweat.

Will was beginning to panic, "Alfred you said this wasn't a trap and Barbara, I thought you were better than this."

Will picked up his crutch and pointed it at Bruce in a Defensive manner.

Barbara sputtered out in a flustered manner, "Will it really isn't like that I promise."

Bruce just said, "What's your relationship to Deathstroke and Ravager."

Will looked confused, "Oh, um, is that what you want to know?"

The man next to Bruce gazed at him intensely as if ready to fight at any second.

Bruce said, "Yes."

"Well, I suppose it's not really a secret, but Deathstroke is my master. Well, he was my master anyways. He practically raised me up until I came to Gotham. I was his favorite. I did anything he asked without question. Without hesitation. After a while, Ravager joined us. Me and her eventually fell in love in secret. Slade wouldn't have liked feelings getting mixed into the conversation. During this time I started to realize what Slade was making me do was wrong. Eventually, we got caught and Slade asked me to do something I knew I wouldn't be able to do, kill Rose as a test of my loyalty."

Everyone looked slightly surprised when he said that.

"Well, I wouldn't do it, but Rose didn't hesitate. It was her chance to make her dad proud, and she never could make him happy like I did. So, she stabbed me, but I managed to escape. Over the next few years, our relationship consisted of her trying to kill me, then loving me, then trying to kill me, and honestly, I finally had enough of it, so I threw her out the window. Man, she's awful. She'd get me to sleep with her then try to execute me in my sleep or some other BS, always dragging me into something stupid. Her dad had forbidden her to be with me anyway, but I guess we still had something. I'm upset about how it ended, but I'm glad to be away from them. It gives me the opportunity to be better than both of them, and I will sir." Will said with a resolute expression on his face.

Bruce looked thoughtful for a moment, "If someone gave you an opportunity to do something more, would you take it."

Will simply said, "If they took care of me, without hesitation."

"Good, come with me. I want to show you something." Bruce said.

Will looked surprised, "Okay, but if you want to test my abilities, I'm afraid you won't get much out of me. I heal very quickly, but if my bones get unset, I will have to rebreak them."

Bruce began walking away, and everyone followed.

They walked through the halls until he stopped in front of a wall. Bruce pressed a button, and a keypad turned outward, he typed something in, and the wall opened up to reveal a massive elevator.

Will's eyes widened, "Dang, that's cool it's like a spy movie."

Everyone chuckled and stepped into the elevator. Soon, the elevator began moving downwards quickly, and Will was getting more and more nervous.

"So, uh what's going on?" he asked

The handsome man from earlier said, "Shh, I don't want to spoil the surprise."

Will looked at him unimpressed, "What's your name anyways, brother?"

"Oh my bad, I'm Dick, Dick Grayson."

"Nice to meet you, Dick. I'm Will, just Will." he replied

"You don't have a last name?" Dick said

"Well, I do, I just never earned the right to use it. So, I don't use it." Will said

Everyone looked confused when he said that.

"I suppose I'll explain later. I want to see where this is going." Will said

Soon the elevator stopped and opened to reveal one of the most insane things Will had ever seen in his life.

Will's mouth dropped to the floor as they all walked out.

"What is this place, this is so cool I've never seen anything like it."

Barbara clasped him on the shoulder and said, "I said the same thing the first time I saw it too."

Will looked around and saw what looked like a giant penny, and a huge playing card that said, Joker on it.

Will looked back at Tim and said, "Your family is much less normal than I originally thought."

Tim laughed, "Dude you have no idea."

As they walked, they eventually ended up on this platform with a large computer and a bunch of glass cases that had the lights turned off.

Bruce walked up to the cases and turned on the lights, all the Batfamily's suits were illuminated.

Will's eyes went wide, "Whelp, shit. Really was not expecting that, actually, I don't know why the signs were all there. Jeez, I'm such a fucking idiot."

Will looked back at Barbara and Tim awkwardly, "Remember all that shit I said about Batgirl this morning. I didn't mean it; I take it back."

Barbara put her hands on her waist and said, "Oh really, who was your celebrity crush again."

Tim immediately started laughing, "Yeah dude, it's way too late. I saved that picture. I'll cherish it always.

Dick walked up and said, "What picture? Let me see."

"Do not show him that picture or I swear when I get better, I'll kick your ass dude. I'm not playing, don't you freaking do it."

Tim pulled out his phone and showed Dick something on it. Dick began howling with laughter, "He did not."

Tim said, "Oh yes, he did."

"What's that say under it? Hahahahahaha, Arrest Me. Oh my god, I'm dying, man." Howled Dick.

Will's face went beet red, "Ugh, damnit."

Barbara walked up and looked and her eyes narrowed. She looked pissed.

Next thing Will knew, she was punching him in the arm, "You're lucky you are injured; otherwise I'd be kicking your ass right now."

"He'd probably enjoy that, Barb." Dick said.

Will just rolled his eyes, hobbled over to Bruce and said, "So, I take it you want me to join up with you huh."

"Indeed, though there will be some rules you must follow." Bruce looked at him seriously.

"Alright, whatever it is, I can handle it as long as I have enough money to stay in school and keep a roof over my head, I don't have a problem with it. Damn near anything is better than what I do now."

"Good, first off no killing under any circumstances we have a code we follow, second if your grades drop you will be forced off of patrol, third no guns, fourth you follow my every instruction any deviation will result in you being grounded for a period of time. Fifth you will no longer associate with Cobblepot or commit crimes of any kind. I don't care how lucrative it is. No more Iceberg Lounge unless I specifically instruct it. Lastly, until I fully trust you, you will not live in your apartment any longer, you will be staying here with me in the manor." Bruce said.

Will looked surprised, "Are you sure you want me to live here with you man, I'm kinda crazy, and I scream in my sleep. I hope the walls are soundproof."

"Yes, I am certain, that shouldn't be a problem." Bruce said sternly

"Yeah, I can do all that no problem man. It's been a long time since I've had anybody around this is sort of exciting no?"

Will laughed heartily, "I've hit the fucking jackpot, no rent, no killing, no crime. I was unaware this was even an option."

Will looked back at everyone and gave the thumbs up.