Talk to Me
Author's Notes: My fifth of ten Parker Family fics for marveldrabbles at LJ. For the "Distrust" challenge. This takes place in the Spider-Girl 'verse, and has Clone Saga characters, but it shouldn't be too hard for non-SG fans to follow. (I hope!)
The demon had his pale, tattooed back turned to the old clone. "I. Don't. Care."
Kaine took a step forward. "They won't believe you. You know this. Not when you're-"
"And whose fault is that?!"
Kaine pulled his hand away, took a step back. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I only wanted to save you, Reilly... and Daredevil. Do you think I don't regret it, knowing that I failed your father aga-"
"Don't talk to me about my father! Don't- don't you dare come here and apologize to me when you're worse than Parker could ever be. When you abandoned me the moment I became a monster. Yet when she shows up you'll come waltzing back into town to kill and ravage and rampage just for the chance to see her."
"I was sending a message to Fisk. Remember, the man who killed your hero? Or is it just coincidence you're dressing up as a knockoff of Daredevil, despite what Parker calls you for it? Monster. Disgrace. Freak. That's what he thinks of you. And how much worse do you think it will be when he finds out it's not just Murdock's legacy you've tarnished?"
He took a deep breath, then, and his form changed. It was no comfort to Kaine to see his brother's features on that face. To see Ben's eyes holding back that pain. Ben's grimace. "Maybe you're right."
It was what Kaine wanted to hear, and yet...
"And maybe you're wrong. I'll find out when I do tell him - which I will. On my own terms. Someday. And no, I don't care what objections you have. I'm not my father. I won't let you destroy my life."
"I'm just trying to protect you!"
"And you've done an amazing job so far." It was more twisted than he'd ever seen it, but it was unmistakably Ben's grin. Then it changed back to a demon's visage. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go check on the one person that doesn't treat me like a monster. I'll tell her you said hi."
