Son of Wonder Woman

A Heart-to-Heart

The morning after the confrontation was thick with tension. Percy sat at the edge of his bed, staring blankly at the wall, his mind replaying the events of the previous night. The argument with Diana had left a mark on him that he couldn't shake. He hadn't meant to disappoint her, but in the heat of his emotions, he had done just that. Now, the weight of his mistakes hung heavily over him, and the guilt gnawed at him with every passing second.

Diana, too, was struggling. She had gone to work early, leaving the house quiet and empty, but her mind was far from at ease. She was angry, yes, but underneath it all was an ocean of sadness. She had tried so hard to protect Percy, to show him a better way, but the last few days had revealed a rift between them that couldn't be ignored. She understood why he did what he did, and yet, seeing him choose that path—especially when he had promised her he would stay away from Black Mask—hurt more than she could have anticipated.

By mid-afternoon, Diana returned home, her office work having wrapped up earlier than expected. She had hoped that the quiet of the house would provide a moment of clarity, but as she entered the front door, the silence between her and Percy felt heavier than before. She found him in the living room, his eyes downcast as he pretended to focus on something trivial, trying to avoid her gaze.

"Percy," Diana's voice was soft but filled with quiet authority, "we need to talk."

Percy shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flicking toward her before looking back down. He didn't want to face her, didn't want to hear the disappointment in her voice again. But there was nowhere else to go. "I don't really feel like talking right now," he muttered, not looking up.

Diana's heart ached, but she didn't back down. She knew this wasn't just about the punishment, this wasn't about the money or the lie. This was about him—her brother, her family—choosing a path that was more dangerous than he understood. She sat down beside him, her expression softening, yet firm.

"I'm not mad at you because of the money, Percy," Diana began gently, her voice filled with emotion. "I'm not angry that you wanted to handle things on your own. I get that. I've always respected your independence. But what I'm afraid of is what will happen to you if you keep going down this road. You're better than that, Percy. I know you are. And that's why I'm upset." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, her eyes reflecting a vulnerability he hadn't seen in her before. "I've walked a similar path—feeling like I had to prove myself, pushing away the people who cared about me, thinking I could do it all alone. But the truth is, Percy, I almost lost everything that way. I couldn't stand to see you make the same mistakes."

Percy's heart twisted at the pain in her voice, but the resentment he'd been holding onto flared up again. "You don't get it, Diana. You've always had everything. You've always had control over your life. But me? I've been just trying to survive."

Diana's hand gently touched his arm, a silent plea for him to hear her out. "I understand that more than you know Percy. . I had to fight for everything I have. I've faced betrayal, loss, and doubts. I know what it's like to feel like the world is pushing you down. But that's exactly why I want you to see that there's more to life than just surviving. You deserve so much more than what Black Mask offers. I can help you get there, but only if you let me."

Percy stayed silent, the bitterness and confusion inside him clashing with the tenderness Diana showed. For a long moment, there was nothing but the soft ticking of the clock and the quiet hum of the house around them.

Finally, Diana spoke again, her voice more resolute this time. "You've disappointed me, Percy. I won't lie to you about that. But I'm not doing this to punish you; I'm doing this because I love you. And because you deserve to have a chance to make things right. So, until you show me you can make better choices, I'm going to be stricter. No more Black Mask. You're grounded. I'm not letting you go out, not until you prove to me you're ready to do this the right way."

Percy's face flushed, the weight of her words settling over him like a thick cloud. "That's unfair, Diana," he snapped, the resentment in his tone undeniable. "I thought we were past all of this. We talked it out, and I promised. But you're treating me like a little kid again."

Diana's eyes softened, but her resolve remained firm. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Percy. But if grounding you is what it takes to make you realize how much I care, then that's what I'll do. You'll have time to think about your actions."

Percy crossed his arms tightly, staring out the window, the weight of his emotions battling inside him. He didn't want to admit it, but deep down, he knew she was right. His choices had been reckless, and now he was paying the price. But that didn't make it easier to swallow.

The weekend passed in a tense silence. Percy spent most of the time holed up in his room, wrestling with his feelings. Diana respected his need for space but kept a watchful eye, understanding that it wasn't easy for him to confront the truth.

By Monday, Artemis had heard from a few sources about the incident at Wayne Tech. It had been leaked that a child had broken into the highly secure facility, and whispers about a young man connected to Diana had circulated. She wasn't entirely sure of the details, but Diana had asked her to keep an eye on Percy—just to make sure he was okay.

At school, Artemis walked into the cafeteria, scanning the room for Percy. When she spotted him sitting alone, his head down as he picked at his food, she made her way over. She slid into the seat across from him and gave him a warm, almost teasing smile. "So, what did you get up to this weekend? You seem... different."

Percy looked up, offering a weak smile but not meeting her gaze. "I got into trouble," he admitted quietly, shrugging as if the words didn't mean much. "I guess it was more than I could handle."

Artemis raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to it. "Trouble, huh? What kind of trouble?"

Percy sighed deeply, leaning back in his seat, his eyes distant. "I... made some bad decisions. Diana's punishing me for it. She's treating me like I'm still a kid. Grounded, no going out... She's really pissed at me."

Artemis, who had expected something lighter, looked at him with a mixture of concern and understanding. "Well, I get why you're upset, but it's not like Diana's trying to hurt you. She's just trying to help you make better choices, Percy."

"I don't need her to treat me like a little kid," he snapped, frustration creeping into his voice. "I thought we worked this out. I told her I'd stop. But now she's acting like I've done something unforgivable."

Artemis looked at him, her expression firm but kind. "She's not acting out of spite, Percy. She's doing this because she loves you, and she's afraid for you. You've been through a lot, I know, but Diana's been there. She's been where you are—feeling like you have to make it all on your own, pushing people away. She knows that path, and she doesn't want you to go down it any further."

Percy looked away, his anger deflating as Artemis' words sank in. He hated admitting it, but she was right. Diana had always been there for him, even when he didn't understand why. "I get it, I guess. I just hate how unfair it feels, you know?"

Artemis nodded, her voice softening. "I know. But you've gotta understand: she's trying to protect you, Percy. She doesn't want to see you go down a path that could destroy you. She's doing the hard part because you won't let her do the easy part—helping you when you ask for it."

Percy swallowed, the anger slowly giving way to the uncomfortable realization that he had been wrong. "I... I don't know how to make it right. I don't even know where to start."

Artemis gave him a reassuring smile. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. But start with this: trust her. Let her in. Let her help you. I know she's not perfect, but she's doing the best she can. And, in the end, that's all any of us can do."

Percy nodded slowly, the weight of Artemis' words settling in. He didn't have all the answers, but maybe he didn't have to. Maybe he could start by being honest with Diana, by letting her know that he understood, and by accepting the help she was offering, even when it felt hard to swallow.