Chapter Text
Peter groaned, forcibly unsticking his eyelids from each other- ears ringing from the baby’s shrill cries. A toddler jumped up and down on his bed, shaking him “Peter! Peter! I’m hungry!”
“Okay, okay I’m gettin up- go get dressed,” He kissed her on the forehead and stumbled to the crib, cradling the still screaming infant in his arms, shushing him and walking to the kitchen. Glancing at the clock he sighed and started pouring some discount sugary cereal in a bowl for Eve, beginning to make a bottle- 05:14 AM. Not bad, they might actually make it without sprinting out the door to the train on time.
The microwave beeped and he took the bottle out, testing the temperature on his bottom lip and awkwardly manoeuvring himself to feed Ben and sit on an old rickety stool.
Little footsteps pounded to the kitchen- “Look!! Ta-daa!!” She was wearing a bright tutu over some sickeningly patterned leggings which matched an equally stylish shirt, tiara on her head to complete the look.
Peter stifled a laugh, smiling, “You look great honey, Now eat your breakfast.”
He ruffled her hair and went to change Ben and himself into passable clothing- brushing his teeth and calling out a muffled, “Eve, let's brush your teeth!”
They finished up, Peter double checking everyone’s bags, sparing a glance at the time- 06:12, shit . Rushing and quickly taking the tiara off Eve's head- chucking it somewhere behind him and smiling sweetly as Eve looked at him confused- he locked the door and held Eve’s hand to run across the road to the Train station, other arm preoccupied with holding Ben to his chest.
God he wished he had a pushchair, it would be such a lifesaver . He held them both close as they stepped onto the train- 06:15- thank fuck the train was running late.
They hopped off and made the short walk to the daycare centre- he praised whatever god there was for Wayne Enterprises sponsoring a ton, idly wondering why they had. He handed Ben to the daycare assistant, smiling and thanking them- 06:21- 9 minutes .
Eve tugged on his trousers- “Peter, where’s dad this time?” Peter sucked in a breath, kneeling to her level, mentally suppressing how painful it was to lie to a toddler about how much their alcoholic father was working, “He had the night shift again last night, sorry honey.” He pecked her cheek and waved her goodbye, promising to make chicken nuggets for dinner.
Turning around, he blinked away the tears that filled his eyes, Eve knew he was lying, no one could physically work that much. He sprinted to work and pulled on his vest, ignoring the exhaustion dragging down on him, pummelling him into the earth's core (and also ignoring the burns on his torso from the firefly fight last night.) He downed 20 coffees during the morning briefing and slumped in his chair.
Mhm, a pushchair would save his life.
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Jason buried his head into his pillow as his alarm blared in the background, he lazily threw his arm around to shut it off and glanced at the time; 05:00 AM. The job he applied for wasn’t something he usually went for but with Bruce being so excited about his want to be included in the family again he didn’t want to risk anything predictable. Knowing Bruce he’d probably show up just to apologise over and over- he was like an over eager puppy (something Jason never thought he’d say about The Batman .)
He slowly woke himself up, languidly showering and going through his morning routine, revving his motorbike and making his way to work for 06:30. God he was starting to regret his decision to live outside the manor- who cares if it would be tense and awkward and that he was 22 and definitely old enough to fend for himself- it would be amazing to still be asleep right now.
Making his way to the break room and chucking his jacket on the coat rack he sat himself down next to- the name tag read ‘Caleb’ and he mentally filed that name away, the kid looked next to death- was he even old enough to work? Forcibly turning his detective brain off he tuned into the meeting, only just catching his que to introduce himself, “Uh hey, I’m Jason….” Glenn looked at him expectantly and he continued in the deadest voice he could muster, “And I’m really excited to work with you all.” The kid- Caleb - snickered, at least someone appreciates his comedic genius. He sat back down and exchanged a brief smile with the kid, maybe he wouldn't completely regret his decision.