Chapter Text
Montana is thankful that he had thought to double reinforce his couch when Ox had first started working with him. It really helped him accommodate Rhino whenever O’Hirn joined for movie nights. Tonight they would be watching Terminator 1 and 2 and his couch is already making soft protests as they are setting up. Quentin is making much louder protests about watching an action flick but Montana had gotten him to settle down a little bit by promising him that they would definitely watch Beetlejuice the Musical next week together; given that neither of them were in prison.
Montana mournfully stares at his quickly emptying cabinets. He would have to go out and buy more food soon. At least Flint, Fancy Dan, and Ox had brought some snacks and drinks with them, like polite guests. Montana pointedly does not think about his irritation with Quentin. At least O’Hirn had an excuse. Like not being able to get out of costume and being very recognized everywhere. He still is not entirely sure how the man managed to get in and out of the apartment building with no calls to the cops. Maybe no one cared. Maybe folks were too scared to call. Whatever the reason, O’Hirn is here sitting on the couch chatting animatedly with Flint.
Anyone with a brain could see that they were close. Long-term robbery partners that were offered their strange powers in similar ways. They normally stuck close together at these events but were not unwilling to interact with the others at the meet-up. Quentin is in the kitchen helping to get snacks into bowls. Ox is quietly sitting in the living room while Dan sets up the DVD and tv. Everything seems to be going smoothly. He starts moving snacks from the kitchen to the living room when someone knocks at the door. Who the heck could be? No one seems to be expecting anyone else given how everyone tenses up. Flint is closest to the door and reaches it first as Montana moves towards it.
“Er… Hi? I… uh…”
That is Peter’s voice. Montana reaches the door and opens it wider. He could handle this.
“Peter! Good to see you kid.”
“How do you know this kid Montana?”
Flint asks, eyebrow-raising slowly.
“This is my nephew. Peter.”
The lie comes quickly and easily. It honestly is the best way to explain their relationship.
“Uh… Hello. I'm here to give back your stuff… Uncle Montana.”
The kid sounds nervous, but that could be explained away by having to interact with a new person. Montana gently takes the clothes and shoes back from the kid, and notices the burn peaking out at his wrist.
“Kid, what happened to your arm?”
Montana asks pointedly.
“It's nothing. Really. I should…”
“No way. Burns are serious stuff. It could get blustery or infected.”
Flint butts in and drops an arm over Peter’s shoulder. The kid looks at Montana, maybe wanting some help. Montana’s not going to provide it.
“Come on. I got aloe in the bathroom. Any other bumps or bruises?”
Peter pauses and then sighs a little.
“Some ice would be nice. If that's possible?”
Montana nods leading the way into the apartment. He notices Peter’s slight limp and feels for the kid. Flint corrals him to the bathroom. He can feel eyes on them from everyone else in the apartment. Fine. He could handle that after helping the kid. Peter still looks small and soft, nothing like a superhero. He has the kid pull his sleeve up to better assess the damage and hears a soft whistle from Flint. Montana shoots him a look.
“If you ain't gonna be helpful, scoot.”
Flint puts his hands up and exits the bathroom slowly. Peter immediately relaxes as the door closes. He then hisses as Montana applies the aloe.
“Hey!”
“What, you need more of a warning?”
“I didn't think you were actually going to…”
“Treat your wounds?”
Peter shrugs.
“Kid. I'm not going to drive you off when you’re hurt. Bit of a shame you came on movie night, when everyone’s here. But I don't mind patching you up. I never see you work with anyone. Do you even have somebody to look after you? Patch you up?”
The kid slumps slightly and looks away. Montana feels a chill enter his stomach. Not only had he almost killed this kid several times, no one had helped him recover afterward. Physically or emotionally. At least Montana had teams to watch his back if he needed it.
“Kid?”
“No.”
Peter whispers. Montana sighs having expected the answer. Peter sharpens and speaks up.
“I don't want to worry anyone. Or put them in danger!”
Montana gently places a hand on the kid’s shoulder, slowly giving a squeeze.
“I get that kid. How about you show me your knee?”
Peter rolls up his pant leg and Montana checks for swelling. Luckily, it just seems badly bruised.
“Elevation and ice. Want to stay for the movies? We’re watching Terminator 1 and 2.”
The kid looks a little torn so Montana decides to give him all the facts and make a decision based on that.
“Flint, O’Hirn, Ox, Dan, and Quentin are here. They'll probably ask about you. But a nephew whose side of the family dislikes my line of work is reasonable enough for a cover story.”
Peter nods along.
“I like Terminator.”
“Good. Maybe you can help me with Quentin’s complaints. Convince him it's a decent enough movie to watch.”
Peter slowly nods, a smile cracking across his face. Montana helps him stand up and gets him to the recliner he normally occupies on movie nights. The kid needs it more. The others, to their credit, hold off on questions till Montana has Peter settled with ice on his knee and his leg propted up with pillows.
“So this is your nephew?”
Fancy Dan says with a raised eyebrow. The man had known him almost as long as both of them had known Ox. A random nephew would stick the most out to those two.
“Yep. His folks never liked my folks or my line of work. But Peter’s a good kid. So treat him right.”
He gives a pointed look at everyone in the room and gets nods in return. He then finishes setting up, with Quentin shooting him a raised eyebrow. He gives a shrug in return and sets up a camp chair beside the kid. He did not have enough living room seating for everyone, so a few people had to sit in whatever chairs they could find around the apartment. Quentin sits on the other side of Peter, trying once again to sway someone to his side about watching something else. Peter relaxes into the half-whispered argument, pointing out the heavy emotion that is the backbone of the Terminator series. Montana raises an eyebrow at this, but it seems to be getting through to Quentin who settles down a little.
During the movie, the bowls of snacks are carefully passed around. Peter does not take any till Montana gives him a small poke and points at the bowl. Quentin offers one of his hoarded moon pies and Peter carefully takes it and eats it. There is a low murmur of chatter throughout the movie, which is pretty commonplace for these nights. It is one of the main reasons that having subtitles on is a requirement. Peter ends up falling asleep halfway into the second movie. Montana half wonders if he is always tired.