Summary:Punny Peter and Heavenly Helena meet Odd Todd for shawarma. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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But by bit, Peter has been exposed to Helena's extensive adoptive family. Or some of them have been notified that he exists, which…is probably not better for him?
But of all of them, there's really one (aside from Dad) who needs some special handling. That's not true - they all need special handling. There's just one that needs special handling and is also especially close with Helena. And that's Jason.
So now that Peter has survived about half of the family, Helena sent a text to Jason, saying that there was someone she wanted him to meet and was he free for some shawarma? Peter got slightly more warning. In that she came and picked him up before driving to the little hole in the wall restaurant and searching out a cluster of seats.
"You must feel like I never run out of people to introduce you to," she smiles ruefully to Peter as she takes a seat where she can see the door.
Peter smiles. Helena is something else. Grounded in her attitude, thoughtful, brilliant in many ways. And she had had a crush on HIM. Who saw THAT coming?
So, when Helena asks Peter to meet others connected to her, what can he do but say yes?
"Hel-on-wheels, the people you introduce me to are…interesting, in different ways. I'm just glad you shook your silent bodyguard. I was planning some serious instances of PDA, and I like my limbs un-dislocated."
It might only be pushing eighty degrees tonight, but it's almost 90 percent humidity in New York tonight, and Jason is in a mood because of it. His car can be heard a moment or two before it pulls up in front of the establishment, which Jason had taken Helena to a few times before…everything happened. He still remembers it rather fondly…most of the time.
The '68 Mustang hardtop roars up outside and pulls to a stop against the curb outside. It idles for a moment before the engine dies out. Jason climbs out of the car dressed for the miserable weather. Tight black jeans with battered combat boots. A faded shirt for the band Bush, likely dating back to the 90's. The sleeves have been cut-off, and his usual leather jacket has been left in the car. A knife is, of course, hidden in his boot. He slips on his faded and slightly scuffed Padres baseball cap and takes one last, long drag on his cigarette before flicking the butt into the gutter. This guy certainly doesn't look like the rest of Helena's kin.
He makes his way through the door and glances about, spending a few seconds taking in the customers, staff, tables and likely exits or threats.
"Cass is…" Helena shakes her head, smile wry. "Cass is definitely different. She means well, though. Also, I'm pretty sure Dad's got her watching me more for her sake, to keep her out of trouble and give her something to do, than for mine."
She props her chin up on one hand, letting out a breath. "You know how when you watch Dog Whisperer, he comes in with his own dogs sometimes, to show the dogs that don't know how to be good dogs how to behave? I kind of feel like that's been most of my life." And just on cue, there's the pit bull.
As Jason walks inside, Helena whistles over at the door, raising a hand to wave with a broad, genuine smile. "There he is."
Peter smiles wryly to her, then looks up as the young tough arrives. Wow. Someone must have given him the Juvenile Delinquent List, 'cause he's checking off every entry. Right down to the tingle of his Spider-Sense. He has some kind of weapon on him.
Still, he is Helena's family. So, he smiles and stands, waiting for the guy to come over to shake his hand.
Jason's gaze lands on Helena, and he raises a hand to wave. Peter's right about the List, certainly. Hell, he even has a bit of a brash swagger to his movements, and his knuckles look rather freshly scuffed. Perhaps from a rough fight or punching a wall the night before. He raises a hand to the man behind the counter, briefly, and he is acknowledged back. Seems they know him.
He makes his way over towards the occupied table and leans down to give his siter a hug, wrapping a thick arm about her. He's more heavily built then her other siblings, certainly. "Hey. Taking care of yourself?," he asks. He glances aside, taking in Peter, next. He obviously saw him when he walked in, but he makes an expression as if just noticing him for the first time.
"Who's this?"
"Not dead yet," Helena chuckles to Jason, returning the hug tightly before she turns back to Peter. "This is Peter," she answers Jason. "We're dating. Peter, this is Jason, yet another of my various brothers. Don't let him scare you, he's squishier than he looks." That much, at least, seems unlikely.
"I've been introducing Peter to the family bit by bit, as we're able to catch people. He met Cass, and-" She pauses then, wincing a bit as she looks to Jason. "Anyone tell you about the latest addition to the family yet?"
Peter looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He knew what being disrespected looked like. He was a battle-scarred veteran of THAT tactic.
Stupid Mouth put together a finely-crafted response: "I'm the guy who will ALWAYS be smarter than you, you shaved ape. And I'm quite willing to squeeze your head until MANNERS COME OUT." He sent it up the line, but it was intercepted by his QA department before it could get shipped out through his mouth.
"I'm sure," Peter says politely, raising his hand to shake Jason's hand. "Pleased to meet you, Jason. Helena hasn't mentioned you before on our frequent dates."
"Cass? Oh, she one of the new ones? I think I saw her during that boat trip we took the other month," Jason grunts. "I swear…they shoulda stopped with me. Why keep pushing once you've hit perfection?" He offers a practiced lopsided grin to his sister before he turns his full attention towards Peter.
"Which addition would that be?," he asks her, while he is looking at Peter. He reaches out to take Peter's hand and shake it. He gives a firm handshake, but it's clear he isn't trying the Alpha Male Crush Handshake(tm). Just a firm one. Of course, Peter is abnormally strong, anyways. However, it is likely because of that that he -might- notice that the grip is…certainly stronger then a man of even his size should have. Weirdly stronger. "Ease back on the clutch, Pete. I'm not dad. If you make her happy, we're good. If you ever make her unhappy, we're not. But I'm not here to measure man-parts. Also, she likely didn't mention me because I was away for a good while. Only got back recently."
Helena might not have expected that response.
"Jason takes the presssure off me by being our black sheep," Helena says with a smirk at her brother, though it's clear there's affection in it as well. "Dick's the most likely to go for petty revenge. Tim will just erase your existence and then move on. Cass…is still working on things like appropriate responses, so you should let me warn her first if things go south," she winks at Peter.
The humor fades for a moment, though, at Jason's question. "Let's get food first though. What do you guys want?" she says as she stands, backing toward the counter. "My treat!"
Peter smiles wryly. At least she had been okay with him not paying for the fancy places. "I've never tried it, but I'll try anything at least once." He sat down next to Helena, then said to Jason, "Well, I've found Helena's family to be a little…eclectic. I just hope it won't be a problem when I start classes in the fall at ESU.'
Jason nods a bit at Helena's explanation of the family as he eases down into a seat at the table. "Usual, if you remember it," he calls out to her. He turns his full attention to Peter as he plucks his baseball cap off. This reveals the streak of white hair in his otherwise black hair. "We're a kooky bunch, sure. One crawling hand away from being the Addams'."
It doesn't take long for Helena to hit up the counter, exchanging a few words with the men behind it while the food is prepared. When she's done, she's back to the table with a gyro, a steak kebab, a plate of chicken schawarma on a bed of rice, some hummus with grilled pita, a plate of fries with spices and goat cheese on top, and a couple of falafel in various paper boats, along with a trio of paper soda cups for the fountain.
"I figure that should hold us," she says as she lays it all out. "Or we can go back for more if it doesn't," she shrugs, smile easy. "How've things been with you, Jason?" she asks as she steps over to the soda machine to fill up her cup.
Peter asks Helena, "Can you get me a Pepsi? Figured I'd chat with the latest member of your family." He looks back to Jason. "I guess bigger families have special hurdles to jump. It must be nice, though, a big family like that. Weird isn't exactly a deal-breaker. I always thought Gomex would be this dynamic, energetic guy, in spite of the weird."
Helena's older brother whistles when she returns with the feast. He reaches out to seize a piece of pita and tears off a piece before dipping it in the hummus. "How've things been with me?," he asks. She's known him long enough to know that when he repeats a question he is hesitating on answering it, or searching for a lie. "Fine. No trouble. Just the usual," he says.
"Water for me," he calls out to Helena. He chuckles softly as he listens to Peter, nodding a bit as he puts the pita away. "We…had hurdles, sure. Still have them. We're a family full of a lot of, uh, dynamic personalities. It can lead to friction, you know?"
Helena snorts softly at Jason's evasion, giving him a look that says she's caught him but he gets a reprieve for now. For being nice to Peter. "One Pepsi, one water, coming up," she says with a crooked smile, filling up the drinks at the fountain and bringing them back before settling in herself.
"What Jason means is that I made his life a living hell," she winks at Peter as she reaches for a fry. "For the first little bit, at least. In my defense, Dick had recently moved out and Dick had been with us as long as I could remember, so Jason seemed like a usurper." That's mostly the truth, at least. "Though if it makes you feel any better, Jason, the ones who came after you got it worse for not being you, so."
She leans over in her chair enough that her shoulder rests against Peter's in tacit support as she points out each dish in turn. "Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of it, it's all great here."
Peter nods, then puts a little bit of everything on his plate. "Taking your word for it, honey. It does smell very good." He looks at Jason. "So, what are you doing these days?"
"She was a typical little sister," he explains with a soft chuckle. He idly works at the food while they talk, glancing between the two. "That does make me feel a bit better," he tells her with a lopsided grin. He considers Peter's question. "What am I doing these days?"
He scoops up some more food, chewing and washing it down with the water. "In between jobs at the moment. Doing some gigs repairing vintage arcade machines, though. Even picked up a few for myself."
Helena reaches for a pita triangle, smearing it with hummus before loading it up with some of the chicken and a french frie, rolling it into a little tube and taking a bite. "Jason taught me the first few things I learned about cars," she notes to Peter. "He's pretty handy."
She chews for a moment, then clears her throat. "So, uh, yeah. About the family. So it turns out that Dad apparently has another kid. A son. From back in his playboy days, with some girl he doesn't even remember getting with. Talia, I think it was?"
Her voice is relatively even, but she give Jason a brief, pointed look when she says it. Be on the lookout. "His name's Damian. Apparently she raised him more or less on her own, but he heard about Dad eventually and came to find out for himself."
Peter raised an eyebrow. He picked up a fork, eyeing the shawarma. He took a bite's worth, but paused as the memory struck him. He was about to ask when he remembered the kid. "Ah. Mini-Bruce? I remember now."
He realized what he said a moment later and shoved a forkful of shawarma into his mouth to stop himself from talking.
Jason glances over at Helena, and his expression freezes when she says that, his food halfway to his mouth.
"What?"
He's quiet for a long moment before he takes the food in. His entire demeanor has shifted slightly, however.
"Yeeeeeep," Helena nods to Jason, taking another bite of her own food. "He's working up the press release, of course. But Damian's at the house now. Full run of things." Including the cave. "Speaking of Dog Whisperer and socializing, I'm pretty sure he could use a little bit of it too. I'm starting to think that maybe I should think a little harder about where I'm going in the fall."
Peter looked to her. She had talked about planes that didn't involve college, at least not yet. But this oddly fraternal instinct could change things. He didn't know the dynamics of a large family, considering where he lived in Queens. But this was something he did understand, family changing where you had planned to go.
What was the old saying? "If you want to see God laugh, tell Him your plans…?"
"Where are you thinking of going now?" he asked Helena politely.
Please say ESU. Please say ESU. PLEASE SAY ESU…
Yes, it was selfish
"I should…stop by and say hi," he says after a few moments. "Sometime soon." Jason works on more of the food as he glances between the two. The older brother goes quiet at this point. This isn't his place, and he is at LEAST stable enough to understand that.
Helena smiles faintly over at Peter at the question, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I was thinking ESU," she admits. "I mean, it's a great school, great programs, it'd make Mom and Dad happy, I know you'll be there. But if I'm being honest with myself, I'm not sure it's where I really want to be."
She looks between Jason and Peter, lips pursing in thought. "Can you guys keep a secret?"
Don't react. Don't react. Don't react like you want to, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ABOVE.
Peter smiles slightly, then says in a remarkably calm voice, "Well, that's great. They have some very good science programs for being a state college."
YES! YES! YESSSSSSS!!!
"he nods again. "Very good programs." He takes a deep breath, then says, "I can. I'm pretty good at keeping a secret."
Yeah? And tell Helena about Spidey?
That was a SPECIAL CASE, DAMMIT!
Jason's only response to that question from her is an arched eyebrow. Like a 'really?' He still doesn't comment on the talk about college. He doesn't really understand a normal dating life, and he never went to college. He was dead during that period of his life. Really.
Helena pushes a hand through her hair, staring at the spread of food in front of them. "I've kind of been thinking about the SHIELD academy," she admits, quiet for a moment before she dares a look at either of the others. She knows Peter will be disappointed to think she won't be at ESU. But there are other questions there. And Jason…Well, Jason's a whole different story.
And now, the pendulum as swung the other way. Jeez, this night has been an emotional roller-coaster. Of the Six Flags variety.
"Ohhh…well, that is a very prestigious place. They deal with some cutting-edge programs as well."
Don't sound disappointed…don't sound like some ugly InCel with no sense of proportion.
"I just hope you'll be able to visit ESU often…?" he says with a wry smile.
"Oh, come on. You don't want to be a fascist, Helena. You're better then that," Jason grunts softly to her. He hesitates for a moment, and then adds, "But…uh. If that's what you want. I bet you'd kick ass at it." He clears his throat, glancing over at Peter and gauging his reaction to it all.
Helena snorts back a laugh at Jason's comment, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, thanks, Jace. I feel the love." She takes another bite of her food, mulling it over. "It's just, they do have amazing programs there. And with a chance to do something for the rest of the world when you're done, you know? Not just…being another corporate shill." Says the heir to one of the biggest corporations in the world.
"But then on the other side, it's not like you can double-major in business or finance there. Great science programs. Less great…corporate programs. On account of the not another corporate shill thing." She leans over to set a hand over Peter's reassuring with a wry smile. "No matter where I go, I'll be visiting ESU often, that's for sure."
Peter is unable to keep from looking SUPREMELY relieved as she says this. "Well, Steve Rogers works for SHIELD, and he's no fascist."
Says the guy who is, right now, wearing blue boxer-briefs with the emblematic shield of Captain America protecting his…Y-fronts.
"Well, if you want to learn that, I'm sure you can get lessons from your dad…or, failing that, the ones who run the companies."
"Told dad, yet?" He figures a certain pointy-eared nocturnal mammal might have something to say about her attenting the SHIELD Academy. He mulls it over as he works on some more food. He leans back in his seat, Jason glancing between the two. He sideglances at Peter when he mentions his sort of family friend, Steve. He doesn't comment, though.
"Uh, hell no," Helena shakes her head to Jason. "In fact, I feel like the entrance exam for SHIELD academy should be making it to my first day without him finding out." Honestly, that's more of a graduation exercise.
"I want to talk to Steve first. Maybe Bucky. Nat, if I can catch her. And Kate, because I figure it's not so different from the military and she's probably got a good perspective on that. I'm not making any decisions yet," she adds with a flicker of a smile for Peter. "It's just something that…caught my mind. Something worth checking out, at least."
Peter nods, and is silent. Maybe because he is eating. He really is huingry, and the food is better than he expected. The rest, though…
He took a deep breath after swallowing before saying, "Uhm. Well, Helena…look. I just want you to be happy. If you think this is where you want to go…you've got my support, one hundred percent."
Jason chuckles at her response, and he nods a bit. He lets his sister mull it over for a moment while he picks up his cup of water and takes a long sip. At that point he switches up gears a bit.
"Hey, you seen that cute friend of yours around? The hottie with the eyepatch? I'd love to spend some time with her, sometime."
He nods slowly at Peter's response, leaning back.
"And that, among other reasons, is why you're a great guy, Peter," Helena says, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek as she squeezes his hand. "Who is even worth the commute into the city," she teases, winking.
Jason, on the other hand gets a smirk and a roll of her eyes. "I already told you Rose is too hot for you anyhow. Also, I'm genuinely not sure which of you to be more concerned for in that relationship."
Peter paused. He only knew one "hottie" with an eyepatch, and she was someone who knew how to handle a firearm. Maybe too well. And she was one of the Young Avengers, too.
Nahh, couldn't be…
"Well, you're too smart to settle for less. And I'm not going to be the guy who's going to hold you back."
Jason smirks at his sister at that and winks. "Oh, on that note…I met this cute girl in that wasteland in the city the other day. You know, that bit stretch of rubble that's like…post apocalyptic? I was there for work and ran into this girl lounging by this old pool. Cute. Nice, too. Gabrielle, I think?"
He shrugs after a moment. "But, seriously. Tell Rose to look me up."
"Well, you've found a girl that I don't know, so I guess that's an improvement," Helena smirks at Jason, digging into the food again. "What were you doing in the disaster zone anyhow?" she asks, more because it's the normal response than because she really needs to know what he was getting up to. "Looking for parts or something?"
Most of the time, Helena does an impressive job at playing at being normal. Nothing to see here. Nothing to wonder about. Just a girl who happens to have a lot of friends.
Peter looks from Helena to Jason, and seems a little curious about Jason's forays into what some call the "Brooklyn Blitz." He has his own forays, but he's wearing different clothes when he ventures into the area.
He squeezes Helena's hand gently, his cheek nuzzling hers.
"Looking for parts or something? Yeah. There was a junkyard out there and I was wondering if it had this piece I really needed. Came upon her instead." Jason brushes his fingers back through his hair.
"Should be careful out there," Helena says to Jason, leaning comfortable against Peter. "Could be way weirder things out there than girls that don't run away when they see you." Having so many pseudo-siblings has made her strong in the ways of the bratty little sister.
"When do classes start at ESU anyhow?" she asks Peter, looking over. "It's got to be getting close, yeah?"
Peter chuckled. "Two weeks is Orientation, to get all the admin stuff taken care of like school iDs, email accounts, server access. Week after that is when classes begin. I already have textbooks on my tablet - I avoided the enormous cost of the textbooks by finding online versions." He took a deep breath. "At least I don't have to worry about on-campus housing, with all the headaches THAT entails."
Jason Todd chuckles softly at Helena and nods. He hears his phone buzz and he slowly stands. "Speaking of work, sis…" Didn't he say he is in between jobs? Either way he picks up his cap and puts it on, stretching. "This was nice."
He looks down at Peter and simply says, "We're cool as long as you don't end up being a jerk. If you're cool, we're cool." There's no threat in his voice, really. Just saying a statement. He steps back from the table.
"By which he means, nice to meet you." Helena grins, standing up to catch Jason for one more hug. "Don't be such a stranger. We've got stuff to catch up on." Like her new actual brother.
After that, it's back to her chair, for picking at the food. "The best part about not being in on-campus housing is that your roommate has her own room and cooks," she chuckles to Peter.
Peter smiles wryly to Jason. "Nice meeting you. Hope you have a good night. Take care of yourself." He waves to Jason as he steps away from the table.
He looks to Helena, then says softly, "I just wish Uncle Ben was here to see all of this. I know he would like you."
Jason returns the hug and chuckles. "Right, what she said. Don't take it personally. I'm shit when it comes to social skills." He nods to Peter and turns to make his way on out. He slides into his Mustang, and the engine starts with a roar. He pulls away, pondering new information.
Helena watches Jason drive off, leaning back against Peter's shoulder with a small smile. "Well, that went pretty smoothly, all things considered," she says approvingly. "A minimum of threats, even. I think that just leaves Tim, Stephanie, and Harper for you to meet," she muses, squinting up at the ceiling. "Then you should be mostly caught up. Until Dad manages to pick up another one, at least."
Peter tilted his head. "I hope he's not trying to collect the full set. Some people just colect baseball cards. What does your dad collect, Helena?"
"What doesn't he collect?" Helena snorts a soft laugh, shaking her head. "He's got a soft spot for kids who don't have anything, though. He remembers what it was like for him when he lost his parents. So when he sees someone in a similar position…he tries to help."
Peter nods. "I read about it. After I met you. I wanted to get a read on the guy. JJJ called for the guy's head the day after that in the Bugle."
Helena reaches for his hands, twining her fingers with his in a comfortable hold. "It sounds dumb to say it was hard for him, growing up. I mean, he had Alfred. And he had anything he could want, really. Except for his parents. He's always blamed himself, too," she adds, looking back up at him with a wry twist of her lips. "Like someone else I know."
"Yeah…but he only thinks he's at fault." Peter's face is solemn. "I know, beyond any doubt, that letting Carradine go that day caused my uncle's death. If I had done something he would have been in RIKER'S, not Queens. He was helpless. I was thoughtless."
"Peter." Helena reaches up to hook her index finger under his chin and draw him down for a kiss. "You know, this is probably just encouraging you to have those thoughts if I keep rewarding you for it," she murmurs, smile wry.
Peter smiles, but it is a sad smile. "What do you do, when you are faced with something like that? Either you turn away, you close yourself off. Or you go the other way. You resolve never to make that mistake again. You know what I chose, Helena. I wouldn't be surprised if your father had similar thoughts."
"Well, it's certainly behind a lot of his philanthropy," Helena admits, scooping up the last of the hummus on a triangle of pita. "I'm just glad the madness of the family hasn't scared you off. We can definitely be a lot to handle."
Peter smirks. "I have calmed down psychotic aliens, taught an Asgardian how to skate, gotten blindsided by a laconic lavender lioness, met my clone from another universe. I get crazier things than your family free in my breakfast cereal."
"And now we come upon another reason I like you." Helena winks, sitting up straighter. "All right. Well, you've braved the brother and we've eaten. Let's go for a walk and see how long it takes you to need to do something important," she teases, starting to stack up the plates.