There's not much to say, really. This is simply chapter 2 of Epilogue: Uncut. I hope you like it!
Also, as a warning, there's more cursing in this. Well, what do you expect? It's the mind of a 25-year-old who was stuck with the perfect big bro who just so happened to skip out on him one-too-many times.
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Chapter 2: The Doppelganger
I hate, that, don't you? When you're walking with you twip of an older brother, and some other twip walks up to you, going on and on about how much we look so much alike, we could be, like, brothers. It's really this whole big pile of shit.
I hate how everybody thinks that we look exactly alike. We don't. Maybe when I was a kid, I guess we sorta looked similar, but, c'mon, I'm freakin' 25 years old now! And my brother is almost 34! There's no longer any similarities!
And we don't even have similar mindsets. He barely passed high school, and I managed achieve salutatorian in my entire class. Sure, it's number 2, but that's sure as hell better than what Terry pulled off.
And he hasn't even gotten married yet! Dude, even I have a fiancé! True, he's still dating Dana- but, dude, she's not gonna wait around forever! Either take her or leave her… Otherwise, he won't be the one to make the decision, she will. And the answer? Here's a hint: it sure as hell won't be the former.
What about Max? She's had a crush on him since they were, like, my age! But does he notice? Nope. He's too wrapped up in that idiotic excuse for a job.
I know some people might think, 'But, Matt, didn't you practically worship Batman a few years ago?' Well, you are right, but not anymore. I used to like the Bat… That is, until I found out what he did to my family…
Or, rather, should I say, my mother, brother, and adopted father? Yeah, that's right, old man. I figured out your secret. Me and Terry? We don't just look exactly alike because we're brothers, no, we look alike because we both have him in us.
Shoulda known that old Bat-crony would try something to keep that stupid "mantle" alive forever. I thought he would do something like that Ghul psycho. Y'know, make a serum so he stays alive forever, or something equally ridiculous like that. I'd have never guessed he'd try something so… diabolical out.
I mean, it's not like it's bad enough my dad died even before I had the chance to know him, nope, but the fact that not only is my real dad alive, but I never even thought to think of him as a grandfather, let alone… y'know, a dad.
Especially considering not only is he a dad, but he's my dad! Like Terry and I weren't fucked up enough, nope, this idiot has to make it worse!
Terry doesn't know that I know. He shouldn't, after all. My own fiancé doesn't know. And if Kate doesn't know, no one will. Ever.
But I bet you're thinking now, 'How could this kid have figured it out? Even if he is, y'know, the Great Detective's "son"?' Well, it's pretty simple. A few years back, in college, I started noticing how not only did Terry and I not look like my dad (or, really, my mom, 'cept I have her brown eyes) and how Terry sorta acts like the jerk he works for. When I was a kid, I had noticed, even then, but blew it off as they worked too much together.
Then I took Advanced Biology. My dad and I had almost no matching epithelials, and the same with Terry. Then that flashing red light of a "D'uh" began to rear its ugly head. Terry had the same eyes and disposition as Wayne, and I had the hair… Well, I added it all up. Bruce Wayne was mine and Terry's… father. I still can't think about it without gagging. I mean, I hate the dude as it is, how am I supposed to deal with him now that I know the cold, hard, ugly truth?
Well, honestly, so far, all I've done is avoid him. Seriously. Whenever I can, I get as far away from Daddy Deathbed as soon as possible. I know Wayne knows. I can see it in his eyes. He doesn't want me to tell Terry, but, at this point, I know if he doesn't tell my brother soon, I'll do the deed for him…
Then, to my surprise, I find out not only has my big bro figured it out on his own, but he's just as pissed as Wayne as I was. I mean, am. I still hate the guy, don't get me wrong, but now that I've heard the facts, well, I'm not sure I can entirely blame him. I mean, Batman is important, but, c'mon, is he really as important as to ruin another family all over again?
Just don't tell Terry. Dude, if he found out I knew before him, he might just have that coronary I always used to joke about before he's even hit the mid-thirties…
Shit!
"Matt, we need to talk…"
Dude, I don't care what those pompous-ass villains say, my bro is scary when he sneaks up on you through the window. Freak.
"Oh, yeah? What about?"
"It's about… It's about dad…"
Aw, dammit. Well, Kate, babe, as you say, looks like it's time to face the music…
"I know, Ter. I know."
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Y'know, for what it's worth, I think I liked speaking through Matt's point of view than Max's. Not that it wasn't totally cool to vent about hero/damsel stereotypes, but this was my chance to talk about how it sucks when you're lied to and can't tell your brother or sister about it for fear of them getting hurt. Plus, I just wanted to have fun talking like the opposite sex. Thank God I have two great brothers to help that one out, no? Hey, this is me. Considering when and how long it took for me to write this, I didn't totally suck, right? ;-P
Next up: Mommy dearest. I should have some fun with this one.