Solangelo in Gotham

i don't know how but this story hit over 300 views so celebratory cookies 🍪🍪🍪

(and also over 5000 words 😎)

Will POV:

There was a moment where the only sound in the room was the guy in the hoodie— now introduced as Tim — clicking on his keyboard, before he spoke up

"Well, he's half right, I can't find anything on the horror-movie looking kid, but that's not so true for blondie over there"

Will swore his breathing paused for a second, and he could see Nico glaring at him from the corner of his eyes.

He cleared his throat slightly, the awkward silence had been making the whole situation even more uncomfortable. So instead he just turned to Nico

"Uh- my bad"

Jason however, didn't seem to be feeling the same discomfort.

"So what's it say about sunshine over there?" Jason asked smugly, trying to read over Tim's shoulder. Though Tim just pushed him backwards as he began reading it aloud

"William Andrew Solace, 16 years old, born in Austin Texas, mothers a country singer, no listed father"

Dick spoke up,

"Texas huh? explains the accent, doesn't explain how he got to Gotham with someone who apparently doesn't legally exist"

Will looked as composed as a tightrope walker with no balance. his accent giving his lack of composure as it was now a lot more obvious

"Uh- we travel a lot for my ma's work and uh- Nico he-"

Nico cut him off, dragging his palm down his face

"William, I love you, but shut up"

"I- okay shutting up"

Jason, who was still reading over Tim's shoulder, spoke up confused

"wait that's not right, why doesn't sunshine over there have any records past middle school?"

Much to Will's relief, Nico took over the talking, though probably not in the way most sane people would have handled it

"Look, I don't care who you claim you are, we didn't do anything wrong, we got into a fight while we were passing through the city is all, that's not a crime"

Will couldn't help but let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding as Nico spoke up, his voice dripping with irritation and frustration. Will silently thanked the gods that Nico was taking charge of this situation—he was better at handling these kinds of confrontations, even if he was slightly scary when he was in one of those moods; and Will had a strong feeling that if he tried to speak after Jason said that, that he might accidentally say something he would regret later.

Jason seemed to falter for a second, unsure whether to push further or back off, but of course, it was Dick who spoke next, ever the peacekeeper. He raised an eyebrow, trying to lighten the mood a little.

"Okay, okay. We get it. You didn't break any laws. But that doesn't explain how you're in Gotham and why you two seem so... off."

Nico's glare was sharp, but his tone was cool, calculating. "We don't have to explain ourselves to you. This isn't your problem. We've had a rough few days, and we're just looking to get back to where we belong."

Tim, who'd been quiet for a while, typed furiously, eyes narrowed in thought as if putting pieces of a puzzle together. He was too sharp, Will realized, far sharper than Will had initially given him credit for. "You're right. It's not our problem... yet," Tim muttered, almost to himself. Then he looked up at the two of them, his face carefully neutral. "But something tells me this city has a way of turning everything into a problem."

There was a slight hesitation in the room. Will wanted to defend himself, but Nico shot him a look that shut him down before he could even open his mouth. Instead, Nico took a step closer to Tim, eyes locking with his as if daring him to say another word.

"Well, I'm glad we're all on the same page then. Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll just—"

Will raised his hands, his voice a little too panicked as he quickly added, "We weren't trying to sneak around or anything, we just... it's been a long day." He wanted to tell them the whole truth, that they didn't belong in Gotham, that they were far from home, and that a long history of battle, blood, and monsters was trailing right behind them. But there was something about the way the Batfamily was watching them, like wolves circling prey, that kept him from saying anything more.

Dick and Jason shared an unreadable glance, but Tim continued typing, seemingly uninterested in their tension. Will tried to maintain some level of calm, but it was obvious that whatever answer they gave would only be the beginning of more questions, and he had no idea how much longer they could keep this up.

Bruce finally spoke again

"fine, let's say we believe you for now, you're friend over there is still injured, so why don't you stay for a few nights, of course that is if you have nothing to hide."

Jason smirked slightly

"what's it gonna be blondie?"