Chapter Text
Gotham was a shitty place to live. Shitty water, shitty apartments, shitty parents, shitty lives, and a couple months ago, you had decided to hell with it, you were going to do something. But what could one homeless seventeen year old do about Gotham's crime problem all by themselves? Not much, but eleven homeless teenagers? Now that's something. So, to make a long story short, the eleven of you now dwelled in an abandoned subway tunnel, stole food from the whole boxes of stuff stores just threw away, and patrolled nightly. Tonight was a night like any other, and just an hour after everyone else went off in their pairs and, as the oldest, you went off on your own, you were hidden behind a dumpster in an alleyway that had frequent drug deals.
The air was cold, an autumn chill running through the breeze, and the night was young, the moon only halfway through the sky. You hadn't seen anyone in a while, which was good but undeniably suspicious. You didn't hear any footsteps, any breathing, but suddenly there was a voice coming from a few feet behind you.
"You've been doing well lately." You whip around, and there he is, dark and imposing and shockingly not currently hostile, Batman. “I’m not here to fight.”
You try to look calm, but a slight tremble in your hands and the way you widen your stance ever so slightly reveals to him that you are, in fact, scared shitless. “Hello there,” what the fuck, did I just quote Obi-Wan Kenobi at BATMAN?! Nevertheless, he doesn’t seem amused or offended, so you suppose that’s a net positive.
“I would like to discuss your operation,” He says, and you sigh mentally at the talk about responsibility that must be coming. “It is dangerous, and you need support.”
“I’m not going to sto- huh?” Your eyes widen as you realize that no, he did not call you stupid and an idiot. “What do you mean ‘support’?” You ask cautiously, keeping a ready stance but loosening slightly.
“If you are going to actually make a difference, you need a more consistent food source at the very least, if not better medical supplies and equipment,” He continues, as if having a completely normal conversation. “Currently, your… ‘base’ is structurally unstable and unsanitary, your reliance on companies throwing away anything that doesn’t sell leaves you not knowing what will be available to eat, and your equipment, medical and tactical, leaves much to be desired.”
You sigh at the obvious but still sad to hear commentary, “Well it’s not like we have the funding for better stuff, so we can and currently make it work.”
He sighs in turn at that, “That’s the problem. You need help, and I mean to offer it. I can supply food supplies, medical supplies, and anything else you need.”
“But?” You ask, tilting your head.
“But in turn I ask that you work with me and my associates, not just alongside,” Your eyes narrow at that, and he explains “Of course you wouldn’t be doing anything you’re not comfortable with, just using patrol routes that don’t overlap with ours in order to cover more of the city and such.”
You think for a moment before cautiously asking “So you want to help us… and in exchange you just want us to keep doing what we’re doing? No… no turning us in?”
He almost seems to soften at that, but it’s such a small change that you must’ve imagined it. “No, it is.. unfortunate that you and your friends must live this life, but I understand that the foster system is not a kind one, and if you choose to survive on your own then I will respect that decision.”
You nod slowly, “Ok, ok. How are we going to do this? Like, logistics and stuff right?”
He nods before taking a sleek phone out of his belt, “Here. I’ll contact you about logistics tomorrow, for now you should call your friends back to your base and talk to them about this. Make sure it’s a group discussion so that they’re all ok with it.” He turns around and starts walking out of the alleyway, “No hard feelings if you decide not to accept my offer, just know that I do truly want to help.”
With that he was gone, and you were left in an alleyway with a new phone in your hand and quite a bit to think about. After a short while you headed back home, descending the stairs into the abandoned station quickly and two patrol pairs back, the two older teens from each of the pairs talking near the food stash and the two younger ones setting up their respective blankets and sleeping bags in the abandoned subway car. You first approached the two older teens, Maya and Finn, both sixteen years old and basically your second hands.
Maya noticed you first and nodded, “You’re usually the last one back, what happened?” She asked bluntly as Finn turned towards you with a smile.
“Hey! Decide to take it easy on yourself for once?” He asked with a grin.
You walk closer to the two and lower your voice so that the younger kids don’t hear you, “Batman knows about us. He- he wants to help us.”
Maya’s eyes widen slightly and Finn straightens, “Already? I thought we at least had a year before he noticed us… and what do you mean he wants to help us?” Finn whispers, trying not to alert the younger kids.
“What kind of help? Does he mean helping us work or helping us by giving us up to the system?” Maya asks, her mind clearly going a million miles a minute.
“I don’t know how, but yes, he found out about us. And he said he understands that we want to stay as we are, and he wants to help with food and supplies and stuff. I'm not sure how much I trust him, but he seemed like he was being honest?” You answer honestly.
They exchange a look before Finn speaks again “I’m not sure, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of law enforcement that’s actually willing to let us help them.”
Maya nods, “I understand he’s not exactly the police, but he’s still an adult who probably thinks we’re just kids who don’t know what we’re doing,” she explains, frowning.
You sigh, “I know, I know, but he seemed genuine, and I’ll be honest, we need the help. Think about Eva and Lola, they’re both only 12 and 13, they need stability and even if their parents couldn’t give that to them doesn’t mean they deserve to grow up like we did. I think… I think we should accept the help for now, see where it goes, and cut off ties if it gets uncomfortable,” You look at both of them, your eyes pleading, “Please, I trust both of you with my life and if you think it’s a bad idea I’ll say no, but just consider it.”
Finn nods slowly, “Yeah, I get it, we should take all the help we can get. I guess, if you think it’s a good idea, then I’m ok with it.”
“I don’t know,” Maya sighs, looking from the subway car back to you, “At the end of the day, it’s your choice, but I just think we should stay cautious. We’ve survived by staying away from adults and people who think they know better, and I don’t want what we’ve got to crumble because of misplaced trust.”
You nod, “I completely agree, and they’ll have to earn our trust. For now, I think we accept their help but stay distant.”
After a while all of the patrol pairs come back, and everyone takes something to eat from the stock pile. You choose that moment to announce the change, clearing your throat. Everyone turns their heads and you speak. “Ok, small but big announcement guys, Batman and I talked tonight,” there are a few gasps, but you continue, “He offered to help supply us. Not report us, not put us back where we were before, but just give us food and medical supplies, stuff we really need. I’m not saying we put all of our trust into him, but I think he can help. Anyone object?” A silence follows, and you nod, “Alright then, I’ll follow up with him and keep you guys informed. Goodnight.”
With that, they all disperse, except for one 14 year old, Will, who walks up to you. “Hey… um, I was wondering, uh, could you maybe ask for more lanterns? I don’t know if that’s how that works… I just um, I’m kind of scared of the dark and we uh, we don’t really have enough lanterns for me to sleep with one y’know?” he asks cautiously, fiddling with the ripped hem of his shirt.
You smile and nod, “Of course. I’ll make sure I ask for lanterns and more batteries, thank you for talking to me.”
Will smiles, “Thanks! Goodnight!”
You say goodnight and he runs off to tell one of the others. Gradually, everyone heads to sleep as the sun rises, and as you check on each of them before bed, you are filled with a sense that this is indeed your home, these kids are your family, and you have hope for the potential help that could come from this.