Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Just played FFVII intermission, nice enough but for the price in AU, it’s a rip off. For AU$30 I expect more than 4hrs for a game. And since it’s digital no trade in to get some of that money back sadly.

Chapter 1

Tim carefully made his way across the rooftop, camera resting against his chest. There were a few holes, it had obviously been abandoned for a while, but it was the best way to get to a good spot to photograph the fight. Robin was patrolling solo! It was exciting. Jason was so different as Robin to Dick; he was his Robin.

He carefully made his way along a beam, glancing down to see Robin dancing between three thugs. Tim very slowly lifted his camera to begin shooting. He snapped several shots and then began moving again, figuring lingering too long on the beam wasn’t smart.

And then all there was, was air. He scrambled for something to grab, hand catching on something and he gasped. Tim blinked to find himself hanging by one hand from another beam. He looked down to see debris and Robin staring up at him, whiteouts wide.

“Hang on kid!” Robin yelled, lunging at the last remaining thug.

He was trying! But he didn’t have gloves like Robin and it hurt. “Help,” he whispered, struggling to not panic. He just had to hold on.

And then a gloved hand grabbed his, holding on tight. “Easy kid, I’ve got you.” And then Jason slipped off the roof to grab him around the waist. “It’s okay, let go.”

Tim took a shaky breath, struggling to let go, finally his fingers unclenched and he gasped as they dropped but it was slow. And then they landed on the ground, Tim’s legs buckling. But Jason just scooped him up and carried him away from the building. He…he was being carried by Robin! He curled further into his arms, sighing softly. It felt…weird, being held. No one ever held him or even really touched him unless it was Dad digging his fingers into his arm hard enough to bruise when he wasn’t quick enough. Mom was better, she liked his mind and how much like her he could be, she loved him. They were Drake’s.

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Jason was surprised when the kid curled into his arms, sighing softly. He was tiny and bat-adoption bait with soft black hair and he was sure he had seen wide blue eyes before he’d dropped over the edge on his grapple to grab the kid. He was surprised the boy was able to force himself to let go of the beam, most people froze up and couldn’t. Did the boy trust Robin that much? He glanced down, he didn’t think he’d saved him before but there were a lot of people in Gotham after all.

“Robin, report.”

“Thugs handled. I’ve got a kid who nearly fell to his death, he’s out cold.”

“Take him to the clinic.”

“Sure thing.”

Leslie would look after him, make sure he got home or to a shelter. He had the feeling it’d be a home though; his clothes were plain and simple but not worn enough for a street kid unless he’d only just ended up there. His hands were going to need some care, the skin torn from his desperate attempt to save his own life. Jason doubted the kid could have held on much longer. He had long, delicate fingers, some callouses but not the kind gained from rough living on the street. And those fingers were now clinging to his suit.

“It’s okay kid, you’ll be okay,” he murmured.

He made it to his bike and set the kid on the seat, getting on behind him so he could make sure the kid didn’t fall. He was conscious, mostly, eyelashes fluttering against thin cheeks to reveal slivers of blue, but he was totally limp. Shock? He wouldn’t be surprised after that near miss. He took off as fast as he dared with his passenger, relieved when he spotted the clinic.

“Doc Leslie!” he called and she appeared from a backroom, spotting the limp form in his arms.

“In here,” she ordered.

Jason gently lowered the boy onto the bed and a weak hand gripped at his suit again. “Hey, it’s okay kid. You’re safe now,” he promised. “Doctor Leslie’s one of the good ones.” He hesitantly lifted a gloved hand to run through messy black hair, feeling the kid press into his touch, blue eyes now wide. There was something…almost familiar about the kid but it was probably just his colouring or something, right?

He carefully disentangled the kid’s hold on him and stepped back, wide blue eyes watching him. He hated the soft whimper that followed him from the room but there was nothing more he could do.

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Leslie watched Robin leave and then turned to her young patient. He was small so she would normally guess his age to be around eight but something told her he wasn’t that young. Stunted growth or a late bloomer?

“Hi,” she smiled at the boy, relieved to get a tiny, shy smile back. “Can you show me where you’re hurt?”

In answer he held out his hands.

“Those look painful, let’s get you cleaned up, alright? Are you hurt anywhere else?” she asked gently. She was worried that he hadn’t said a word but if he was new to the streets, he probably had no clue who he could trust. Then again…that strap around his neck, that belonged to a pricey camera. The only thing he had left?

He moved his arm and winced.

“Robin said you fell and were holding on so I’m going to take an x-ray, okay? We need to check you haven’t dislocated anything.”

The boy hesitantly nodded but refused to let the camera out of his sight so she made sure to place it where he could see but where it wouldn’t be affected by the machines. Thankfully, nothing was broken or dislocated. So, she cleaned and bandaged his hands, talking gently the whole time. She stepped away for not even five minutes only to return to an empty exam room.

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Tim collapsed on his bed, giddy, exhausted, and scared. That had been…the best and the worst! He’d nearly died sure, but Robin! Okay, ouch his hands hurt. There was no way he could download the nights’ photos so he carefully hid the whole camera away. Not that anyone ever came to his bedroom even when his parents were home. He staggered into his bathroom to clean up the best he could and take the antibiotic the nice doctor gave him. The anaesthetic was wearing off, his hands hurting more, but he ignored it and went to bed.

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Bruce ruffled Jason’s hair. “The kid alright?” he asked.

Jason nodded. “She didn’t seem worried about his hands. Can we call?”

“Sure thing, Jaylad.” He dialled the clinic, hoping the nightly rush was over.

“Dr Thompkins.”

“Robin brought a boy into the clinic tonight, he wanted to check on him.”

“Some pulled muscles and his hands, but otherwise unharmed,” she answered. “Unfortunately, he vanished the second I turned my back. He’s good, got out a window as far as I can tell and it was before I could grab any of the cards for the good shelters or aid agencies. If he’s a street kid then he’s new to it. He had a camera, an expensive one, and he was very protective of it. If he’s on the streets then he hasn’t gotten desperate enough to try and sell it yet.”

“Understood, thank you doctor.” They said their goodbyes and he looked at his son, seeing his expression. He put a hand on his shoulder. “Jason.”

“I should have stayed, B. He didn’t want me to leave.”

“This isn’t your fault, Jason. We’ll keep an eye out for him, alright? If he is on the streets then we’ll help him. If he has a family and is out at night alone then we’ll look into it.”

Jason nodded and headed upstairs to get some sleep before school.

Bruce loaded up Jason’s mask footage and frowned at the child clinging to his son. There was something familiar…

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Jason was going to go crazy but he could swear he kept spotting the kid and his camera. But that was insane, wasn’t it? B would have noticed if they had a baby sized stalker, right? He slipped around a corner, doubling back and around and... there he was, he had the hood of his sweater up but Jason was sure it was the same kid as the one he saved.

“Hey stalker,” he called gently, wincing when the kid jumped a mile, spinning to face him, hood falling back. Yep, he’d been right. “How’re your hands?”

The kid lowered his camera and held them up, the hand that he’d held on with had scar on the palm but not too bad. He stayed silent though and Jason was wondering if the kid was mute.

Jason moved closer, keeping his body language calm, open. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “Can you…can you talk?”

Big blue eyes blinked at him before the boy nodded slightly.

“Okay, that’s good,” he smiled, relieved. His ASL kind of sucked still. “Got a name?” Would he answer and even if he did, would it be real?

The kid looked around nervously and then back to him.

“Batman’s not here, it’s just me,” he promised.

“Alvin,” the kid whispered, barely audible. Well…it sounded weird enough to be a fancy name. He was really doubting he was a street kid.

Jason finally got close enough to reach out and take a smaller hand in his own gloved one. “Nice to meet you Al, I’m Robin,” he introduced himself seriously, getting a giggle, good! “What are you doing out here alone? It’s not safe.”

“You’re here,” Al answered, voice stronger now.

Well…yeah. “Alvin, Gotham at night is very dangerous. How often are you out here?”

The kid shrugged slightly. And then they both flinched low as a gun sounded nearby.

“Okay,” Jason paused as a bullet hit the bricks nearby. “I’m picking you up,” he warned, scooping Alvin up, relieved when the kid clung on like a koala, smart. “Jumping,” he called and then they were airborne.

The grapples could carry Bruce and a passenger so there was no problem with the kids extra weight. He felt the arms and legs tighten their grip as they were in freefall and then the line pulled tight, arching them up to the next roof. He made three jumps before carefully setting Alvin down, hidden by a small structure on the roof.

“You hit?” he asked, running his hands over trembling limbs. He looked up in bright, wide blue eyes. “Alvin?”

The kid wheezed and then he was grinning. Okay, so mini adrenaline junkie, figured since he was out at night.

“I gotta go deal with that, you stay here and I’ll be back, okay?”

Alvin nodded and Jason gently pushed him to sit down so he’d be even more out of sight.

“Okay, promise?”

“Promise.”

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Tim sat on the roof, heart racing. He’d…he’d lied to Robin! But then they’d flown! It was…it was amazing!! He wanted to see but he’d promised and anyway, he didn’t think he could stand if he tried, his legs were shaking too much. Maybe, when, if Robin came back, he’d let him take a photo with him? Tim leant his head back against cold bricks, trying to breath like a normal person.

There was a soft thud and he tensed but there was Robin and Tim smiled, feeling tired.

“Hey kiddo, told you I’d be right back,” Jason murmured, and Tim nodded.

He pulled his camera up and Robin cocked his head to the side. “Can…together?”

“You want a photo with me?” Jason sounded surprised, and Tim nodded. “Wouldn’t you prefer Batman or Nightwing?” he asked, and Tim shook his head.

“You’re my Robin,” he whispered, feeling his cheeks get hot.

“Oh,” Robin whispered, looking shocked even with the mask on. “I, uh, sure, why not.” He sat down beside Tim, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, and Tim shivered at the touch but couldn’t help leaning into it.

It wouldn’t be a great photo but he quickly adjusted the settings and held the camera out before frowning.

“Here, my arms are longer, what do I press?”

Tim showed him and Jason held the camera out.

“Smile Al,” he warned and then the camera flashed.

Tim grinned and hugged the camera, feeling utter bliss when a gloved hand ruffled his hair.

“So, I don’t think you’re homeless, is home close?” and he sounded worried so Tim couldn’t help shaking his head. “Is there a bus that goes close?”

Tim hesitated but nodded.

“Okay then, I’m gonna but you on the bus home and Alvin, you need to stay home. It’s too dangerous. Especially carrying something so expensive.”

And then he was standing, pulling Tim up again so Tim clung on as Jason got them down to the street and they headed for the bus stop.

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Jason watched the bus vanish and hoped the kid went home and stayed but something told him that he’d been seeing him again. He activated his comm. “Hey B, I’m done here, anything new or do I head in?”

“Head in Robin, you have that test in the morning.”

He sighed but nodded. “Understood, heading home.”

He went to where he’d hidden his bike and began the long ride back to the Batcave, unable to help smiling as he remembered Alvin’s joy at getting to grapple, even if they were being shot at. Then there was the way the kid had shivered when he put his arm over his shoulders before basically melting into him…he really didn’t like the clues he was seeing. He knew even rich kids could have sucky lives, you didn’t have to live on the streets to be beaten or worse. But he also knew he couldn’t push, Al might like Robin but he was still wary. If he pushed the kid would retreat. But for him to be out in Gotham at night…where were his parents?

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Tim slipped in his window, unable to stop smiling. He should go straight to bed but he couldn’t, he had to download the photos. He missed his old film camera but data was a lot easier to hide than even film canisters and those eventually degraded while data could last forever. Plus, Dad had needed his darkroom for…something.

He stared at the photo of the two of them together and then he dug out an old photo, one of a young Dick Grayson and his parents, with Tim on his knee. Jason had let him take a photo so now he had one of him with both Robins! Even if Dick hadn’t been Robin yet it still counted. And Jason had wasted time making sure he was safe before going back to handle the shooter.

So, Tim should do something nice in return. He couldn’t give him the photo of the two of them, too dangerous. Batman would see it and then they could work out who he was. But he had so many pictures…he dug out the hard drive and hooked it up, putting in the massive password designed to keep it from being hacked. He began going through the photos, picking out the best, the clearest, and began printing.

Once done he sealed them in a heavy-duty envelope big enough to hold them without folding so they wouldn’t be damaged. Once that was done, he hid the hard drive again and went to bed, he had to be up for school in a few hours but that was what coffee was for.

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Jason paused, seeing something out of place. He approached his favourite gargoyle slowly only to see an expensive document envelope tucked almost fully out of sight. He checked for traps and then carefully lifted it to find ROBIN printed in blocky letters on it. Okay…he hesitated, should he…B could yell at him later.

He opened the envelope only to stare in shock at the contents. Alvin. So much for staying home at night. He carefully went through the photos. There were ones of him when he first started out, tucked into B’s side, others of him and Nightwing. Then more recent ones of him on his own, even one impressive one where it looked like he was flying, his line hidden in shadows. How long had Alvin been shadowing them?! They were really good too, the kid was gifted, if only he’d pick a safer topic!

He knew he should show the photos to Bruce, it was dangerous for a kid to be following them. And if someone else found out…the kid could end up dead, beaten or worse to try and get info on them. He could be forced to try and find out their id’s…anything. He should tell, for everyone’s safety, so why didn’t he want to?

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Tim kept his head down, obediently following his parents around the party. He hated galas, hated being forced into a suit and paraded around like a prize rather than a person. He plastered the gala smile on his face and made sure to do everything his parents wanted, feeling his Dad’s fingers dig into his shoulder.

Across the room he spotted ‘Brucie’ Wayne, seemingly having the time of his life and…there, there was Jason who looked as happy to be there as Tim was. He wanted to say hi, to introduce himself, but he couldn’t. He’d barely spoken to him and had done the best to disguise his accent. He also always made his hair really messy, did everything he could to alter his appearance so no one would recognise him if he was spotted on the street. But Jason was Robin! Surely, he’d be able to tell.

He really hoped he’d gotten the photos and liked them. Tim hadn’t been out since the night he’d hidden them for Robin since his parents had arrived home the next morning. Sneaking out when they were home was risky but he longed to. He hated Drake manor, it was so cold and lonely, even when they were home. If it was just him and mother then it was better, but Dad… he fought down a shudder. He hated his grandparents for trapping them both, they hadn’t realised how bad Jack would be, right? It was stupid, Jack had married into the Drake’s, but his grandparents had made it impossible for mother to leave him, not without losing everything…including Tim. It had been a way of controlling her and she hadn’t cared, not till he was born. By the time things had gotten bad, she’d had him and she wouldn’t leave him.

And it wasn’t like dad hit him or anything. He just took mother away from him for most of the year, would say mean things, and a few times things had been bad because no one could get in contact with them quickly on a dig site. But so many kids had it worse than him. He knew his mother loved him, he had a roof over his head and food, a good school. He had no right to complain.

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Jason was bored out of his mind, people watching from the sidelines to keep from being dragged into a conversation. How much longer did they have to stay? He grimaced in understanding as he saw a kid having to follow his parents around, at least B didn’t do that to him. He looked a bit like Alvin but then so did a lot of upper-class kids. How badly interbred were the families that black hair and blue eyes were so common? Creepy.

Finally, Bruce motioned for him and he could leave. It was too late to patrol but it was the weekend and he had his homework done already. And Dick was coming tomorrow too. He…he hadn’t liked Jason at first but he thought Dick was warming up to him. He hoped he was.

TBC….

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 2

Jason landed by the gargoyle and once again there was an envelope waiting for him. He couldn’t help smiling as he retrieved it, finding some photos, evidence, and a small, typed message. Despite his telling Alvin to stay home, the kid kept shadowing them or at least him. He’d gotten harder to spot, but occasional he’d catch sight of a shadow in the distance.

He read the note and smiled again. It felt amazing that someone looked up to him so much. He always felt like he was trying to compete with Dick’s Robin but this kid…he thought that Jason was the best Robin. It was nice to have a fan.

He slipped his own note into the envelope and put it back, slipping the things from Alvin away safely. He hoped the kid would be okay but B had finally agreed to him working with the Titans. He was really nervous about it since Dick was one of the founders and things with the eldest were…still a bit tense though they’d gotten a lot better over the last six months. So, Jason figured it was perfectly normal to be nervous about how the team he founded would react to the newer Robin.

He forced himself to focus back on his patrol, leaping and firing his grapple.

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A small form slipped from the shadows and opened the envelope, pulling the note out before vanishing again.

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Bruce watched as Jason lay on the couch, book in hand and totally absorbed in it. Something…something had shifted in his son the last few months but he couldn’t work it out. But it seemed to be a good thing, Jason seemed happier, maybe he’d made a friend? He’d really struggled with fitting in at school so it would be good if he’d made a friend or friends. But why not tell them? Tell him? Did he need to investigate Jason’s classmates?

No, that would be overstepping, right? He wanted to be a better dad to Jason, not as restrictive, but it was hard.

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Tim checked over his photos carefully, compiling the ones for Gordon along with the printed off notes. He always did the printing at school so it couldn’t be tracked back to him, the school systems were so easy to crack and use however he wanted to. Handy for ensuring no one noticed when he missed a day here or there. He sealed it all and then prepared the packet for Jason, the last one for a while since he was leaving for the Titans.

He’d miss their game on the rooftops, Jason always trying to spot him while he stayed out of sight. Batman alone wasn’t as fun but he did blend into things more, making him a bit more difficult to get great shots of. They hadn’t talked again since that night but they passed messages at Jason’s gargoyle. It was safer that way, less chance that Jason would recognise him. 

Maybe it was good that Jason was leaving, his parents were due back after all. He could still sneak out when they were home, their bedroom was across the house from his, but there was still risk, especially of his dad checking on him in the night. It used to feel nice when he did that but it hadn’t in a few years, not when he was always looking for something to criticise or punish him for.

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Janet sat at her makeup table, Tim sitting so patiently beside her, watching carefully. Sometimes, she wished she had a daughter as well. Another child would have been company for Timothy and someone to teach everything to. But…despite Jack wanting a son like himself, Tim was far more like her. And so, she taught him the things normally taught to the daughter of their family as well. He was always an eager yet patient student and she wished she could be home more often for him.

She picked his hand up, studying his nails, a little short and cracked but not bad for a young boy. She went to work neatening them up, showing him how before beginning with a base coat to protect them. “What colour do you think would go with the dress I wore to the last gala?” she asked.

He frowned slightly, studying the bottles intently, before pointing to a deep burgundy. “That one,” he stated, and she smiled.

“Very good,” her praise had him beaming a smile he would never dare around Jack.

She hated her parents for forcing the marriage on her, keeping her from leaving Jack. But she wouldn’t give her dear Timothy up to change it. She knew he knew that he was the reason she remained with Jack. Janet had no doubt that she could rebuild her finances, find a more advantageous marriage, but she wouldn’t, not until Timothy was of age.

Once his nails were painted, they moved on to makeup and discussing his ‘studies’. She was well aware of his school grades and that many days he chose not to attend. No, the studies she was interested in was his learning about the other families, how they interacted, their secrets.

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“What is a little seedling like you doing out here?” She asked, leaning over to see the child who jumped, clutching something to their chest.

Their nails were painted a pretty burgundy, though it had begun to chip, a hood pulled up to hide their face. The clothing was dirty and worn but very well made too. Interesting. And the object…was a camera?

The child looked up at her, the hood falling back to reveal short black hair, pale skin and big icy blue eyes. There was nervousness but not real far which was interesting. “Hello Dr Ivy,” the child spoke softly.

“Are you lost?” she asked. She didn’t target children, even male ones, children still had the chance to learn to be better.

“No ma’am,” he answered, holding something out to her, a photo?

She took it and stared at the beautiful flowers, definitely not native to America. In fact, she was pretty sure it was meant to be extinct. “Where?”

“Cambodia,” he answered. “My family was there, I thought you’d like to see them.”

“Thank you, little seedling,” she actually smiled at the boy, who smiled back shyly.

“Alvin,” he told her and then he was darting away.

She looked at the photo again, perhaps she should go on a trip.

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Jason slipped onto the rooftop and then stopped as he saw the shadow clinging to the gargoyle. He hesitated but then slowly moved closer. “Alvin?” he whispered, and the shadow moved. “Hey kid,” he kept his voice in victim mode, not liking how huddled the kid was.

Finally, he was close enough to get a look and he bit back the words he wanted to snarl. “It’s okay, you’re safe, I’m here, I’ll protect you,” he promised, reaching out a hand to the younger boy. And then arms were clinging tightly to him, Alvin’s head resting on his chest. Jason wrapped his arms around the kid, being careful not to hold on too tightly just in case there were more injuries hidden by his clothing.

“Robin,” the boy whimpered. Jason carefully picked him up and got them to a flatter section of the roof, sitting down with Alvin resting in his lap.

He pulled out the small first aid kit he carried and began cleaning the split lip and already forming black eye. “It’s okay, any other injuries? Do you need to go to the clinic?” he asked, very worried about the kid…his friend.

Thankfully Alvin shook his head.

“Al…did your family do this to you?”

“What?” large blue eyes stared at him and then he was shaking his head rapidly. “No! They’d never…” he took a deep breath. “School,” he muttered, and Jason winced.

“Oh, bullies huh?” he asked, and the kid nodded. “That sucks.” He was lucky, the Wayne name had ensured that no one dared bully him even if no one wanted to be his friend. Pity they didn’t go to the same school, he’d be Alvin’s friend and protect him. Though with their age gap, the kid was probably in middle school still.

“Guessing the school won’t step in?” he asked, and the look on Al’s face was clear enough even in the dark. “Yeah, dumb question.”

“Did you have fun with the Titans?”

“It was…different.” Not quite what he’d been expecting but also not as bad as it could have been. He thought Roy at least was being genuinely friendly.

“Oh,” Alvin whispered.

“It was just getting to know each other really, nothing excited happened, not even team training.” That should be safe enough to say, it was standard team stuff even for non-heroes. He offered a few small stories that wouldn’t give too much away, Alvin smiling at some of them. But eventually he had to get back to patrol and Al slipped away.

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“Something on your mind Little Wing?” Dick asked as he drove them into the city.

He finally had a day free and he was doing his best to be a better big brother. He knew he’d messed up at the beginning, taken his anger at Bruce out on an innocent kid. He regretted it and was going to do everything he could to make it up to him.

“Nothing big,” Jason denied, watching the city pass by.

“Jay?” and now Dick was getting concerned.

Jason groaned, rolling his eyes. “Just a kid I ran into, school bullies roughed him up a bit.”

“Ah. He okay?” Bullies were something normal at least. He’d been worried it had to do with Jason joining the Titans.

“Split lip and black eye but otherwise okay. Don’t even know what school he goes to or anything, pretty sure he gave me a fake name. Not that I blame him, it is Gotham after all.”

Dick winced but nodded, turning towards the shopping centre. Even a helpful stranger in Gotham could be dangerous so many wouldn’t use their real name. Even Batman and co were usually given fake names by people they saved. It was safer that way no matter how annoying having to hack records or wait for facial recognition software to run could be.

He parked and they got out, heading into the mall and towards the cinema, chatting about more causal things. The movie was one Jason had been wanting to see for a while so Dick hoped he’d have a good time.

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Janet made sure the transfer went through, sending along a message. They had missed too many of his birthdays and would likely miss many more to come. It was hard to believe her darling boy was twelve now. Six more years and they could be free of Jack.

She was thankful her parents hadn’t completely lost their minds; Tim’s inheritance was safely locked in a trust that Jack couldn’t trust and he didn’t have full control of the company. And there was one out clause in their marriage that would leave her with everything and him nothing…but he had never laid a hand on either of them in anger. Jack had a temper, especially when alcohol was added but he was also aware of what it would cost him. Sometimes, she wished he would hit her just so they could be free. She could then run the company from home and be there for her son as well.

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“Hey there kiddo!”

Tim spun and froze at the sight of Harley Quinn herself, taking a half step back in fear.

“Easy! Don’t fall, that’s a long way down,” she warned. “Not gonna hurt you kid. You’re Alvin, right? You gave Ivy that flower picture.” She rocked on her heels, and Tim stopped backing away as he realised, she was right, he was too close to the edge and unlike the Bats he didn’t carry a grapple.

“I’m Alvin,” he answered, no point in denying it.

“Well it’s nice ta meet ya, Alvin,” she grinned at him. “You should get home or to a shelter, Mista J’s on the prowl,” she warned, and Tim stiffened. “You’ve gotta safe place?”

He nodded, grabbing his backpack, quickly putting his camera away and moving for the fire escape. He squeaked when she lifted him up and down onto the landing.

“Run home kiddo.”

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Harley watched the kid vanish from her sigh, impressed. He was as good as Robin or even the Bat at vanishing. She hadn’t been looking for the kid or anything, but she’d been curious after seeing the picture Ivy’d been given. The kid was way too at ease on rooftops and fire escapes for a normal kid. But he definitely wasn’t Robin. The accent and attitude were all wrong for the second Robin. A kid like that out on the streets… well, her good deed for the year would be keeping an eye and ear out. Ivy liked him after all and that was very rare.

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Jason really hoped Alvin was home safe as he threw a birdarangs at a creepy clown goon. Dealing with the Joker and his idiots had done nothing to improve his dislike of clowns. The circus overall was okay, but not clowns. Dick had taken him last year and it’d been neat enough, it explained a lot about his brother. But not even Dick could see anything positive about the Joker.

If there was one Rogue that had him chafing at the no killing rule, it was the Joker. But B refused to break it or let them break it. It wasn’t like he wanted to be a killer but Arkham couldn’t hold the monster and somehow, no cop had yet to get a lucky fatal shot on him. Most cops were so scared they ran instead of just standing their ground and opening fire, even when they had him outnumbered, it was crazy. Nice to see Harley wasn’t there, maybe she’d left him for good this time? It’d explain his mood.

He grimaced as a hard blow landed, thankfully not breaking bone but that was going to be a nasty bruise.

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Alfred watched, relieved, as they both arrived safe and sound. Injured surely, but mobile and with not much visible blood. Always a blessing when dealing with that monster. If only Master Dick was home too, then all of the family would be under the one roof, well, all but one.

Young Jason was good at hiding things but not perfect, Alfred was well aware of his friendship behind the mask with a boy named Alvin. He had glimpsed the photo of Jason and the boy but it wasn’t enough for facial recognition, not with the child’s face shadowed the way it was. And black-haired blue-eyed children were all too common in Gotham. If the child was on the streets, then Wayne Manor had more than enough rooms to spare. It would be nice to have a younger child there but it might take some time.

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After two run ins, Tim wasn’t really all that surprised to turn and see one of Batman’s Rogues…or his girlfriend?

“Hello kitten,” she purred.

“Hello Catwoman,” he offered in return. “I don’t have any jewels.”

She laughed, prowling towards him, surprising him when she reached out to ruffle his hair. “Silly kitten,” she murmured.

Tim just blinked at her in confusion.

“I’m a curious cat and you’re a little kitten wandering far from home.”

“Harley and Ivy mentioned me, didn’t they?” he asked, sighing softly.

“Maybe,” she smirked. “A little kitten who wanders Gotham at night with a camera. A very nice camera, Timothy.”

He froze, not good! “I’m Alvin.”

“It’s alright Tim, I won’t tell anyone. I won’t even ask for easy access to your home,” she smirked at the last bit. “Took a while to work out who you are, you’re good kid, but you could be better.”

“Better, Ms Kyle?” he asked, she’d brought in real names first.

She blinked and then laughed. “Such a clever kitten.” She crouched in front of him, gently cupping his cheek, careful of her claws. “Gotham is dangerous when alone. Will you let us teach you to survive it?”

“Us?” he asked hesitantly.

“The three of us. I get the feeling you’ll enjoy our spa nights,” she tapped his painted fingernail, this time a nice purple to match mother’s last gala dress. “No crime,” she promised. “Girl talk, training, good food…”

“Do they know my name?”

“No,” she shook her head. “You looked familiar so I checked.”

“The Elliot’s gala, you were there,” he murmured, and she nodded. “Okay, as long as I get to be Alvin.”

Catwoman was not a killer, most of her crimes were non-violent too. She’d fight sure, but there was always a reason for it. Ivy and Harley didn’t tend to target kids either, well, at least when Harley wasn’t with the Joker.

“Let’s take the fun way, Alvin,” she smirked and then they were running across the roofs, Ms Kyle carrying her when she used her whip, Tim holding on securely.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley grinned when Selina showed up with Al at her side, his blue eyes wide. They were going to have so much fun! They’d need to be a bit careful; they didn’t want to hurt the kid or anything and accidents were too easy. They soon had the kid settled at the table for a card game, laughing her head off when he won. And then he kept winning, the mini card shark.

There was plenty of junk food, no meat or anything for Ivy’s sake and the kid loosened up, smiling happily as they talked. He even sat there and let them give him a makeover, happily talking colours and the like. And then she dragged out the gaming system and he lit up, bouncing slightly.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jason headed back to Gotham, feeling good. He wasn’t fully settled into the team but it was getting better. Roy had really taken him under his wing, despite being older than him and Dick’s friend. But Dick was doing better so hopefully it wouldn’t cause issues.

“Little Wing!” Dick called as Jason stepped into the Cave.

“Hey Dick. You’re in Gotham?”

“Well, it’s the summer holidays. I was wondering if you’d like to come stay with me for a few days?”

“Really?” he asked, and Dick nodded. “Okay, I’ll need to pack a fresh bag.” He couldn’t help looking forward to it.

“Your birthday’s coming up, the big one-five. Got any plans?” Dick asked once they were on the road.

“No?”

He didn’t have any friends at school or anything to have a party with. And it wasn’t like the Titans knew who he was beyond being Robin. To him, it’d just been another day for years, ever since Catherine’s addiction got really bad. Last year with Bruce and Alfred had been strange but nice, Dick hadn’t come around for it though. Bruce had gone way overboard on the gifts but not as bad as Christmas so Jason hadn’t freaked like he had then.

“Is there anything you’d like to do for it? Seriously Jay, anything at all?”

He hesitated, it was dumb, he was turning fifteen not ten. But… “Disney,” he mumbled.

“Come on Little Wing, speak up.”

“Disney,” he answered, loud enough for Dick to hear.

Dick glanced at him and then grinned. “Disney it is then.”

“What?! Dick, no, that’s…”

“What you want so what you’ll get. We can do Disneyland for this year and Disneyworld next. And if you like them, we can even do the overseas parks at some point.”

“You’re gonna talk B into going to Disney?” he smirked, and then saw the grin on Dick’s face.

He felt bad for their Dad…almost.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce stared at the castle and all the mouse ears in dread. The happiest place on earth? What had he done to deserve this? But then he looked at his children, seeing Dick’s energy and excitement and the effort Jason was putting into not smiling. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t that bad.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 3

Jason practically bounced his way through his weekend with the Titans, still happy from his birthday trip. It had been everything he could have dreamed of. The three of them at a park with no crime, no ‘Brucie’ and Bruce and Dick hadn’t fought once! He loved the picture of them on Splash Mountain, especially Bruce’s expression as they got splashed. He kind of wished he could show Al, the kid would love it, but that would give their identities away so was a big no. Still, a lot of people went to Disney so one day he could mention it, when it couldn’t be linked to Jason Todd’s visit. Not that his visit had been well published, the Wayne’s weren’t as well known away from Gotham as they were in it.

He thought he was getting a bit closer to his teammates too; they were getting used to the fact that he wasn’t Dick. He was a different kind of Robin but that was fine, he didn’t want to be the same as his brother.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Selina smiled as Tim landed nimbly, clapping her hands. “Well done kitten,” she praised, seeing him glow under any sign of appreciation. If it wouldn’t lead to trouble for the boy, she would be robbing the Drakes’ blind for how they treated their son.

He was a joy to teach, such a brilliant mind and nimble body. He could have been like her if he hadn’t become so attached to the dear bats and their morals. It wasn’t like he had anyone at home to teach him right and wrong after all. But no, if Tim ever donned a mask, it would be as a vigilante and hero, not one of them, but that was fine. She could see steering him Bruce’s way once Jason graduated to his own id, Batman did much better when he had a Robin to look after. But she wasn’t sure they’d be a good fit, Tim had enough moral greyness and willingness to overlook things that she wasn’t sure Bruce would accept. Then again, the boy was adaptable, a natural chameleon, and he would simply change to be what was needed. But would that be good for Tim?

He'd has some basic karate lessons a few years ago but the three of them were working to teach him how to fight, it was a miracle he hadn’t gotten into a fight yet and one day his luck would run out, in everyday life or at night.

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Tim sighed, slumping in the very uncomfortable metal chair a bit. He’d been kidnapped, again. He’d been very little last time, back when he had a nanny, so it had been resolved quickly. But unless Jason missed him on the roofs or Selina and the others realised…he was going to have to rescue himself. Not like his parents were going to pick up when called for ransom and it was DI policy to not pay anyway. Harley was teaching him to get free of ropes but he was only at the basics of lockpicking when he could see said lock, his arms were currently cuffed behind the chair. Still, if he could get free of the chair, he might be able to wriggle his body around enough to get his hands round in front of him. But it was a very sturdy chair and the ropes were thick and tight. He just had to be kidnapped by people with brains and likely experience.

And then he heard the sound of shattering glass…gunfire…silence.

He tensed, ready to move if given the chance, and the door opened. His eyes widened in shocked relief. “Batman!”

“Are you hurt?” the man asked, and Tim shook his head. “Do you know what they wanted?”

“Ransom sir,” he sighed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce bit back a chuckle at how put out the boy sounded; he knew that feeling all to well. He quickly got the cuffs off the child and then went to work on the ropes, seeing the signs that the kid had been slowly working on them himself, smart. He helped the pre-teen to his feet, steadying him as he swayed, legs likely numb from hours in that chair.

“I’ll drop you off at the police station. One of your classmates saw the men grab you so the alert went out very quickly.”

Timothy Drake nodded, not seeming all that bothered, shock or true? Wealthy children in Gotham were prime kidnap bait after all. He kept a hand on a small shoulder, guiding him out of the warehouse, the kidnappers all unconscious and restrained. It meant they could use the door rather than risk traumatising him with a flight on the grapple up to the roof.

He had been surprised by the identity of the kidnapped child, the Drakes’ were out of the country and he had assumed their son was with them. He’d never noticed activity at their Manor but apparently, they had left him behind and yet the police couldn’t find any contact details for a nanny, just the housekeeper who came twice a week. Bruce knew Jim had reached out to the company only to be informed that they did not pay ransoms.

He wasn’t surprised as blue eyes went wide at the sight of the Batmobile and he helped Timothy get settled and secure before they were off.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim fought the urge to bounce or ask all of the questions spinning around his head as he looked around the Batmobile. So cool!!! He’d seen it so many times, taken photos…but he’d never imaged getting to be inside it. He could tell Selina at least; she wouldn’t laugh at him but she’d probably rob his kidnappers blind in retaliation.

He couldn’t wait to get home and have a hot shower, change into clean clothes. But…they weren’t heading to Bristol. “Mr Batman, sir?”

“Yes Timothy?”

“It’s Tim sir, but where are we going?”

“To the police station, Commissioner Gordon is waiting for you.”

“Oh.” That…wasn’t good.

“He has been unable to contact your caretaker.”

“Mrs McIlvaine had a family emergency but my parents are meant to be home tomorrow. I’m thirteen sir, old enough to be home alone for one night.” He knew once they could reach her, she’d agree with what Tim had said. His Dad had made it clear to her that there would be consequences if she didn’t.

His Dad was very careful to do nothing that Mother would be able to divorce him over without losing custody. He’d accept being hit if it would free them of the man. Tim could probably fabricate the evidence but well enough to stand up in court? He wasn’t sure and wasn’t willing to risk it, yet.

He’d be starting high school this year; he’d gotten to skip a grade and he’d finally be in a public school rather than boarding. He was nervous but it would give him more time for trailing the heroes. He’d had to fiddle the records in the last school so he could come home over the weekends to take photos. Before that, he’d only been able to wander Gotham during the holidays, the ones he could come back for anyway. Some of them, his parents contacted the school directly to say he was staying so he had no choice. It seemed it was a good thing he’d still been in school uniform at the drop off point for the coach since it meant he’d been easier to spot for whichever classmate had seen him, great way to end the school year.

He'd never really driven through Gotham at night, sure, he took the bus in to a point but then he took to the alleys and rooftops. Despite the massive crime rates and danger…the city was alive. Then again, it was barley 9pm. That meant he’d been kidnapped for all of five and a half hours, it felt longer to him but he supposed that was normal.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jim was relieved when Batman called to say he had the Drake boy, kidnappings for ransom did not end well when the family weren’t willing to even pretend to pay. He waited just out of sight of the station and soon the Batmobile appeared, batman exiting to help the pre-teen out. He looked dirty but unharmed, thankfully. “Hello Timothy,” he greeted.

“Hello Commissioner, please, call me Tim.”

“Alright then, Tim. I’ll take you inside and we’ll talk about what happened and try to reach your parents.”

“That’s fine Sir, they don’t get back till tomorrow. I’m old enough to stay alone for one night.”

“Well, we’ll see.” He did not like that idea at all, maybe have one of his trusted officers stay with the kid? He was very calm for someone who’d been kidnapped but his file did say it had happened before. “Thank you for finding him Batman.”

Batman nodded. “Stay safe Tim.”

“Thank you again, Batman.” Tim smiled at him and waved, and then Jim led him away and into the station.

He watched as the paramedic checked Tim over, finding the bruises from restraints but thankfully nothing bad. They’d had him long enough to have done anything they wanted but it seemed they had simply wanted a pay day. He was a bit roughed up and once changed into a jumpsuit he looked utterly tiny. But they needed his clothing for evidence, at least it was just a school uniform and today was the last day of the year for most schools.

The way the kid looked in the jumpsuit got a few chuckles, the kids cheeks going red in embarrassment.

“What did you have on you that is now missing?” Jim asked once they were sitting.

“My phone and wallet, everything else was in my bag and I hadn’t gotten it from the luggage compartment yet. Everything else was shipped back since I won’t be going back to that school.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I will be attending public school next year,” Tim smiled at that.

“We’ll see if they’re in with anything found at the scene,” he promised.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim was relieved to get home, accepting his bag from an officer, it was intact. He dug out the house keys and went inside, ignoring the man following him. Tim was well aware of which officers could be trusted and Blake was on the list, Gordon obviously agreed. “You might want to order something if you get hungry, Mrs Mac was meant to bring groceries today.”

He checked the kitchen to find some instant noodles, getting them out to heat.

“You don’t want more than that kid?” Blake asked in concern, and Tim shook his head.

He was too tired to bother with anything more, eating them quickly. “I can how you to a guest room.”

“I’ll be camping down here, but thanks. You should get cleaned up.”

“Goodnight officer,” he headed upstairs and fought the urge to collapse on his bed. He grabbed clean pyjamas and went to shower first. He fell asleep immediately, never noticing the shadow outside his window, checking on him.

The next morning, he worked to get the officer to leave, thankful when the man finally did. He logged on, finding a message from his parents, as he expected they were on their way to another dig. But Mrs Mac would be by tomorrow so it was fine, he’d spotted some left-over frozen meals last night.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jason grinned as he spotted a familiar shadow dart across an open space, changing the direction of his swing to land on the opposite roof, racing Al. he heard a soft giggle as they ran parallel to each other. The kid had gotten even better the last few months and was showing up more frequently. Rich kid could mean boarding school…it’d explain the periods when he only came out on weekends but…how the heck did his family not know? But Alvin didn’t have a grapple so their race came to an end sooner than racing Dick would have.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley grinned as she painted Al’s nails for him, the kid chewing on some snack that Ivy had made. She wasn’t sure what they were, but they tasted good. Kid was scary smart, like Bats level smart or more, but he was kind of clueless about the weirdest things. So, they were doing their best to fill in those gaps, like how to do his own washing. Selina had hinted he came from money and the times he wasn’t around hinted at a school outside the city. But he wasn’t like most rich people, didn’t look down at them or anything. He was just a good kid who was somehow allowed to run wild around Gotham.

“So how old are ya turning this year and when? Tell me we haven’t missed it,” she told him, and Al shook his head.

“July and I’ll be fourteen, I start high school in September.”

“Our little genius!” she cheered, pinching his cheeks, getting a laugh. Every laugh was hard earned, he was too serious, too lonely. Hopefully starting a new school would fix that but he’d be the youngest there which could cause problems.

She finished his nails and then giggled, pulling out a skirt and top, waving it at him, and Al went to change. It was girls night and he should fit in! Dressing in skirts didn’t seem to bother the kid at all.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Janet smiled at her son, putting the report card aside. “Well done,” she praised and he was so happy with it.

She was glad they had convinced Jack to allow Tim to attend a local school. Gotham Academy had an excellent record and it would be good for him to have a stable school for high school, it would look better on college applications too. She knew Jack wanted him to study business but that Tim didn’t want to. Too bad for Jack that while Tim would graduate while seventeen, there was no way to force him to attend university that year.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“You shouldn’t have allowed yourself to be forced into a corner like that. Next time, I might not see where you went,” he warned. “What brought you in here?”

“A woman’s scream,” Jason answered, still panting a bit from his close call. “I think it came from the bedroom.” He moved towards the door and opened it before Bruce could stop him. And then Jason froze and Bruce rushed to his side.

“Please…please…don’t hurt me!” a woman’s voice called.

Bruce saw the woman on the bed and took Jason’s shoulders, turning him away. “Call the police, Robin,” he ordered.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“I want this guy, B,” he growled, hands curled into fists as he watched the monster leave the precinct without even being booked let alone charged.

“You can’t have him…at least not for what he did to her,” Bruce answered, and Jason looked over at him in confusion. “But that doesn’t mean we’re done with the little creep.”

“What do you have in mind?” he asked, eager for anything to put the man away, somehow. What kind of crimes overcame diplomatic immunity?

“Our country and Felipe’s currently have a well-publicised anti-drug operation taking place in Bogatago. We’ve sent Federal Marshals to help Bogatago eradicate the coca fields that grow everywhere out in the countryside and jungle.”

“But what does that have to do with Felipe?” he demanded as they moved to head back to the Batmobile.

“You’ve become too emotionally involved with this case, Jason. Otherwise, you would have noticed Felipe’s hyper-activity, shaky hands and pinpoint pupils.”

“You mean…” Seriously? Wouldn’t it ruin his father if caught?

“Felipe was stoned when we brought him in. Cocaine most likely,” he offered as they leapt from the roof. “If we can catch him with drugs, the State Department will request Felipe’s recall to Bogatago,” B explained as they walked to the Batmobile. “He’ll have to return home in disgrace, with no hope of ever following his father into the diplomatic corps.”

“That’s not much of a punishment,” he growled as B began to drive back to the Batcave.

“It’s the best we can do under the circumstances.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim followed Jason, confused by where he was going. He still began snapping away as Robin confronted a man on a balcony, eyes going wide as the man stepped back from Jason slipping, Jason lunging to grab him but not quick enough. He flinched as the man’s scream echoed for a few seconds. He didn’t look down. He was relieved when Batman appeared, Jason would need the comfort.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Breakfast was tense and Alfred wished he could fix that, but how? Master Jason was a kind boy at his core, yes, he had anger issues, but that was normal for someone of his age and background. Perhaps making him Robin had not been the best way to deal with it, for Master Dick it had been to help him not kill, to show him there was another way to make the man who killed his parents pay.

Master Bruce seemed torn over whether or not Jason had pushed the man or told the truth that he had slipped, had spent the rest of the night searching for evidence to acquit his son.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim was surprised to see no sign of Jason, was Bruce keeping him away because he saw that man die? Nightwing showed up and he carefully moved closer to listen, shocked by Batman’s words. He…he didn’t really think Jason could have killed that man…did he?

He slipped away and back home to develop the photos. He’d leave them for Jason at their gargoyle then he could give then to Batman to prove his innocence.

Tim nearly fell as a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Oops, sorry kiddo!”

“Aunt Harley!” he yelped, trying to get his heart rate back down.

“In a hurry?”

“Yeah…Batman thinks Robin killed a guy, but he didn’t, I got it on camera! I have to get the proof to Robin.”

She winced. “Not tonight Al, Arkham breakout.”

“Who?” he asked, though he had a good idea.

“Joker,” she answered.

“Then I have to do this, Batman will need Robin’s help and he has to trust him to do the right thing.”

“Be quick,” she warned, and he nodded, taking off.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley frowned and then called Selina, she knew the cat knew where Al lived, she could shadow the kid and keep him clear of Mista J. She understood the kid keeping his life separate to them, it kept them all safe but she hoped he knew that if he ever needed help then he could come to them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce stared at the letter. Jason…Jason was gone. He wanted to be out there, looking for him but the Joker… and Dick had just left, heading off world. Bad timing all around. If the alert on Joker had come out even twenty minutes earlier then Dick would have turned down the mission to help. But if Joker had a cruise missile…he had to stop him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“This is a great plane, Joker. We got the whole cruise missile packed into it with room to spare.”

“Yes, it’s very roomy,” he agreed, enjoying flying it. “And the U.S. Navy shouldn’t realise it until sometime tomorrow. By then, we’ll be settled and doing business in Lebanon.” He laughed, and no Bat to stop him this time!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“How about a Rum and Coke?” he asked, the air hostess smiling at him.

“First class or not, you don’t look old enough for Rum. How about a straight Coke instead?”

“Sure,” he agreed. Besides, alcohol was a dangerous crutch. He’d just kind of been curious if he could get away with ordering it.

He stared out the window, unable to see anything in the darkness. A few more hours and he’d be in Israel, then he’d find out if Sharmin Rosen was his mother or not. Was he crazy for just up and leaving Gotham to hunt down his real mother? Maybe. But he had to know. Why had she given him up? Why had they hidden that Catherine wasn’t his mother? He had so many questions.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim frowned, the envelope hadn’t been touched and there was no sign of any of the Bats out and about. He couldn’t just show up at Wayne Manor but maybe…maybe Selina knew?

TBC….

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Upcoming canon character death

Chapter 4

“Think I’ll leave you two alone, to get to know each other,” Bruce smiled at the sight of Jason reunited with his mother. He was glad of the three, it was the doctor who turned out to be his mother. “I'll stop back in a couple of hours to find out what your plans are, Jason.”  He smiled at his son and then left the tent, heading out.

He got in the Jeep and drove away. Would Jason choose to remain in Ethiopia with his mother? Would he lose another partner…his son? His best hope would be that Jason would continue his schooling in Gotham and spend summer breaks with Shelia. It would be the best for Jason to get a proper education after all, she was a doctor, surely she would agree.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim frowned, another night without Batman or Robin. He was worried so he headed for Selina’s, disabling the security on the window she had marked for his entry and exit, slipping inside. He smiled as he was instantly met with meows and demands for attention.

“Good evening kitten,” Selina walked into the room and smiled at him. “Though you were out tonight?”

“I was,” he answered, frowning, even as he picked Shadow up, the kitten clinging on tight to him. Shadow was his favourite and vice versa. “Have you heard anything? There’s still no sign of either Batman or Robin, it’s been a week.”

Selina frowned. “No, I haven’t.” she picked up her phone and pressed a finger to her lips so he nodded, sitting on the couch. “Alfred, how nice to speak with you,” she purred. Of course she had the number for Wayne Manor. “I was trying to reach Bruce, there’s this gala coming up…oh, I see. Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked, and Tim tensed. “I have contacts in the region, I’ll reach out. Of course, Alfred, you too.”

She hung up and sat beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, and Tim leant into her.

“Something happened,” he whispered, and she nodded.

“They’re overseas at the moment. The Joker has a stolen cruise missile and is trying to sell it since most of his funds were confiscated the last time he was caught.”

“Does Bruce know Jason didn’t kill that man?”

“I don’t know kitten,” she murmured. “As soon as they’re back, I’ll make sure your photos get to him. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

“Sure?” he asked, and she nodded. So, he followed her to her guest room, seeing some of his photos on the walls. Shadow leapt down and curled up on the second pillow.

Selina opened a drawer and pulled out pyjamas in his size, making him smile. She really did want him around. She gave them to him and then kissed his forehead. “Sleep well.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jason stared in shock as the Joker went into his mom’s tent and then the terror had him moving. No, he’d just found her! he crept around the back of the tent, it was an invasion of privacy yes, but it was the Joker!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley was concerned, there’d been no sign of Mista J since shortly after his escape. That wasn’t good, he had to have something big in the works. But what? She’d been out with Ivy and they hadn’t been able to find anything. Then Selina called and Harley was shocked. A cruise missile?!!!

Well…at least it was as safe as ever for Al to be out and about. And with the summer holidays in full swing, he had no school. And worryingly…it seemed he had little to no parental observation and that was concerning. Despite how much she loved having the kid around.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Mom,” he called as he approached. He knew Bruce said to wait, but he couldn’t and she was outside now, he could grab her and run.

“Jason?” She turned to him, cigarette in hand.

“You’ve got big trouble, Mom. I know all about it…the Joker…everything,” he quickly told her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she denied.

“Come on Mom, play straight with me! I can help you.”

“Sure, tell me about it,” she scoffed, turning away.

Jason hesitated but then unzipped his jacket. “Mother, there’s a lot about me you don’t know.”

She glanced back and her eyes widened at the red and yellow of the Robin suit. “Huh?” she gasped. “That outfit…you’re… come with me!” she turned to the warehouse and Jason quickly ditched his civilian clothes.

“Wait! The Joker…”

“Is long gone. There’s nothing to worry about. But I’ve something you should see,” she explained as she walked inside and he followed, curious.

“What? What’s going on?” he asked.

“Just step over here and you’ll understand everything…Robin.”

Jason froze as he found himself at gunpoint. “WHAT! But you said…” No…she…she was his Mom… he turned and she was holding a gun on him too.

“I lied,” she told him. “You see, I can’t afford to have you stirring up trouble. I’ve been dipping into the medical funds myself. If you blow the whistle on the Joker, the ensuing investigation would certainly uncover my embezzling.”

Jason stared at her, not wanting to believe it. She was just saying that for the Joker…wasn’t she? His Mom was meant to love him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim picked up the photo of him and Jason…Robin. He had this…feeling, in his gut. Like…like he’d never see him again. They were still gone and there was no sign of Nightwing either. Aunt Selina and Harley had increased his training to keep his mind off things, to keep him busy.

He wanted to help but there was nothing he could do all the way in Gotham when they were somewhere overseas hunting the Joker.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Jason!” She stared in shock and horror as the teen dragged himself semi-upright. “You’re alive…” how? That kind of beating… “The bomb Jason, you need to deactivate it,” she told him, not sure if he could understand or her not given the number of head blows that he’d taken.

“In…” he coughed, blood on his lips which wasn’t a good sign. “no…shape…to…” he groaned, dragging himself across the concrete. “Gotta…you…Mom…” he coughed more blood. Then he grabbed the support she was tied to, dragging himself up it. He was such a mess, how was he even moving? She could feel him fumbling at the ropes and then her hands were free. “Run….”

She turned, catching him as he slumped towards the ground. “Come on,” she whispered, getting her shoulder under his arm, and hauling him to his feet. “We’re both getting out of here.” He was heavy, solidly built with muscle, but she was not going to leave him. It was all her fault…she’d been so stupid. She didn’t know him but he was her son, that was all that had mattered to him. That she was his mother, he could have dragged himself towards the door but he’d moved to save her.

“You’re going home Jason, to Bruce…Batman,” she told him, trying to keep him conscious. “We’re almost there.” She gently set him down against some boxes near the door. “Stay here while I get the door.”

“Wha’s…wrong…” he slurred as she pulled at the door.

“The door,” she sobbed, leaning against it. “It’s locked…the Joker locked us in.”

She looked back at the bomb, terrified, and then she was falling back, looking into the beaten face of her son. “Jason…I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” she whispered even as his head dropped to her shoulder.

“Mo…m…”

And then the timer hit zero.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim moved to the window, looking aside. He could swear…he heard a woman scream but there was no one out there. He nearly flinched as there was a crack of thunder, the storm that had been threatening for the last day finally breaking. And he just…he knew…something had gone very wrong.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce slammed on the breaks, spinning the wheel, the jeep skidding to a stop even as he covered himself with his cape, burning debris slamming into the vehicle. No…please no. As soon as the rain of debris stopped, he was rushing from the Jeep and across the sand.

“JASON!” he yelled as he entered what had been a warehouse. “Where are you son?!” he pushed some burnt supports aside, looking around wildly, unable to stop and consider anything…he just…he had to find his son.

He found himself no longer caring what had happened to Garzonas. Nothing mattered but finding his son. He’d take him home and they’d go to that play Jason had been wanting to see. He’d sign Jason up for theatre classes too. Anything…just let him be alive.

He froze as he heard something, glancing around…there! It was Dr Haywood, she was alive! He rushed over, carefully rolling her over so she wouldn’t be breathing in the debris, seeing the extent of her injuries…he was too late for her.

“Sheila…what happened here?” he asked her.

“Joker…tied…beat him…set a bomb…Jason…he tried…he was…badly beaten, we almost…made it…doors locked,” she explained brokenly.

Bruce closed his eyes, horrified at the thought of Joker beating Jason.

“Such a…good kid…all his problems….and he…still…turned out…good…much better…than I…deserve…covered me…took the brunt…of…” she went limp in his arms, and he knew she was gone.

He gently set her back on the ground. Jason had tried to protect her. If she hadn’t caught the brunt of the blast…no, Jason’s suit had armour… he stood up and looked around…there! A bit of bright green cloth. He rushed towards it, scrambling over debris. “JASON!” he screamed as he saw him. No…please no. He fell to his knees beside the boy, reaching to check for a pulse…there!

“Jason? Jaylad, can you hear me?” he called, reaching out to gently stroke his hair from his face but Jason didn’t react. “Please,” he begged, hearing the faint, ragged breaths…then silence. “No. Jason please,” he gathered his son in his arms, his body too limp, limbs broken. He checked desperately but there was no pulse now. He cradled his son to his chest, rocking him, but Jason couldn’t feel it or the tears that fell onto his still face.

“I’m sorry son…I’m so sorry,” he whispered, standing, and carrying him away from where he’d died. He lay him gently on the ground and went to work stripping off the Robin suit to hide his identity. He found the torn remains of Jason’s civilian clothing and redressed him in that before calling the authorities.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alfred collapsed into the chair before the computer, closing his eyes in grief. Master Jason… dear boy. He…he would need to begin preparations for when Master Bruce brought him home. And Master Dick was currently unreachable…somewhere in space. The two boys had only recently begun to bond as brothers, finding out Jason was dead…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He hid out of sight, watching through tears as his friend was lowered into the cold ground. It couldn’t be real….it couldn’t…Jason… Jason Todd was dead but it didn’t feel real. The funeral was small just Bruce Wayne, Mr Pennyworth, Miss Gordon, and the Commissioner. Where was Dick? Or the Titans? And of the League members? It wasn’t right!

Finally, they had all left and Tim was able to approach the new graves. He carefully laid the small bunch of flowers on Jason’s and then dug a hole in the dirt, placing a new copy of their photo in it since he couldn’t dig all the way down to give it to Jason.

He curled up, staring at the headstone, until eventually familiar arms lifted him up and he curled into Aunt Ivy’s chest, sobbing. The hand petting his hair was Harley’s… they’d come looking for him.

“It’ll be okay kiddo,” Harley whispered.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ivy cradled the boy in her arms as he sobbed for his friend. Jason Todd-Wayne…she didn’t care about the Bats identities; she knew Harley didn’t either and Selina likely already knew. That Alvin knew wasn’t very surprising either, he was such a smart little sapling. None of them doubted the Joker was involved which meant things would likely be getting bad in Gotham. If not for the boy in her arms, she’d be getting Harley and herself out of town until things settled, but they couldn’t leave Al.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim had tracked Batman to New York, but why was he there? He checked the news channels for anything…and stared in horror. No…how could that be? What idiot would ever do that? He scrambled for his laptop and went to work. He had to find out what was going on and stop it. The Joker couldn’t get away with everything, he couldn’t. Was he could enough to hack a foreign government?

He hesitated but then packed his backpack and slipped from the house, if he was tracked then it was better to lead them somewhere ‘safe’…like Penguins latest operation and not Drake Manor.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce stormed from the meeting. Diplomatic immunity? Were they really such fools? There was no way the Joker wasn’t up to something. His son was dead! He had to find some way to stay close, to keep an eye on him. he made it to the hotel after removing the cowl and putting on clothing over the suit. And to his surprise he had an email, an unknown source reaching out to Batman…well, that was interesting. If it was real. He had no time to look into it himself and the focus was stopping the Joker, the UN could deal with the governments involved.  

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Clark felt for Bruce, he had liked Jason, he’d been a good kid. But now Batman was heading down a dangerous path. Still, he didn’t trust the Joker as far as Jimmy Olsen could throw him. So, he went to the UN in disguise, waiting for the man to show his true colours. He would not allow him to kill the delegates.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Not this time! Bruce climbed into the helicopter, Joker scrambling back and then there was a sharp pain in his arm. The idiot! He ducked to the side as the gunman fired without aiming…the pilot jerking before going limp, dead. As the chopper began to fall from the sky, Bruce leapt clear, diving into the water, struggling to swim up with his arm. And then a hand grabbed his, pulling him up, and it was Clark.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Selina stroked Tim’s hair as they watched the news, feeling him shudder against her side as the bodies were removed from the building. The madman should never have been allowed back into the country! Diplomatic immunity did not mean he had to be allowed in when he had a past full of crimes against American citizens. She tensed as the helicopter went down, seeing a familiar form dive free.

“Batman,” Tim whispered.

“He’ll be okay,” she whispered, he better be!

“There!” he pointed, and she smiled, Superman.

Sure enough, seconds later he reappeared with Batman.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce collapsed before the Batcomputer, staring up at the image of Jason. He forced his fingers to move over the keyboard, changing his status, unable to look at the word Deceased as he typed it. He then locked the file and archived it. He pulled up the reports from New York, as he’d suspected, no sign of the Joker’s body.

He took a deep breath and got up, going to the storage room, and staring at the scraps of the Robin suit that Jason had worn that day, running his fingers over the torn and burnt cloth. He hoped his son hadn’t felt the blast. He’d read the autopsy report Leslie had made…there had been so much head trauma that he didn’t know how Jason had come around, how he had still recognised his mother and untied her. Even without the bomb…his chances of living and having any quality of life had been so low…was it fair to Jason to wish he had lived?

He looked at the display cases, seeing the intact suit and he moved over to them, removing the Robin suit. There would never be another Robin, he was better off alone. He put the suit into storage and then carefully set up Jason’s as a reminder of why he would work alone.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim crouched in the shadows, clutching his camera tight, eyes wide. That was…what was he doing?! This…this wasn’t what Batman was meant to do. Shakily, he raised his camera and began taking photos. And once Batman was gone, he climbed down to check on the mugger, fumbling for his phone to call 911.

He kept a greater distance from Batman, feeling scared of him for the first time since that night at the circus.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick stared at the headstone, kneeling in the grass. Jason… oh kid… he’d read the reports, seen the footage from the UN. He agreed with B, no way the Joker was dead. If only he had been here, the three of them together…he could have stayed with Jason while Bruce chased the trucks. That would have meant two of them against the Joker to save Jason’s Mom. They could have taken him together and then gotten to know his Mom though…Alfred had looked further into the woman and it seemed she wasn’t exactly innocent.

Hearing that Bruce had accused Jason of killing that man had hurt. Yeah, Jason was an angry kid but he wasn’t cruel or anything. And then that envelope had appeared with photos, proving Jason hadn’t done it. There was no postmark, no fingerprints, nothing. But someone had seen and sent the photos to Batman. It had just been too late to change anything.

He finally stood and left, heading back to his apartment where he called the Tower, letting them know he was leaving. He just…he couldn’t do it, not now, he needed time to think and grieve.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ivy nodded as Alvin glanced at her. He was doing very well; he was a very smart child and a quick learner. She may have been a botanist but she’d had to pass general science classes in both high school and university, as much as she did not enjoy those memories. Still, fostering a brilliant young mind was something she was finding surprisingly enjoyable. And young Al was always so careful of her plants, he’d even watered them all for her during her last stint in Arkham.

Alvin had already skipped a grade; he could skip more but that wouldn’t be good for his emotional health. Which was shaky enough at the moment with the death of Robin. Not that anyone was meant to know Robin was dead, they only knew because of Al. To think, Brucie Wayne was behind the cowl. Of all the massive businesses…Wayne Enterprises was one of the few she had little against. They gave a lot of money to the environment and worked to protect endangered species. But he still protected those who destroyed the environment in the cowl and so she would fight him when needed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley paused and then glanced into the alley. Al? She moved into the little lane and sure enough there was Alvin, his hands covered in blood as he pressed hard on a wound, talking…ah, he had his phone lying beside him in speaker, rattling off injury info. She moved to his side and he looked up with wide eyes. She looked the man over, wincing in sympathy but she moved to help Alvin. The kid was good but there was no way he’d done this to someone three times his size.

Once he’d hung up the phone, the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance.

“Sticking around?” She asked, and he shook his head. Making sure the guy could hold the dressing down he stood up so she boosted him onto the fire escape and they made their way to the roof as the ambulance arrived. “What happened?” she checked him over for any injuries but couldn’t see any.

“Batman,” Alvin answered quietly. “All he did was mug a guy, no weapon involved, and Batman…did that.” He shivered and she tugged him into her side.

“Oh Al,” She hugged him tight. “Right, we need to get you cleaned up!” wouldn’t do for him to be seen with blood all up his arms, especially by a bat on a rampage. “Then it’s girls night.” She quickly texted Ivy and Selina, they needed to cheer the kid up and get his mind off what he’d seen, fast. And they’d need to plan more to keep him off the streets if the Bat was losing it.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 5

Tim could only watch as Batman got worse, not better, but what else could he do? He’d stocked up on a first aid kit, his Aunts reluctantly teaching him more of what they knew about it. They didn’t like him following Batman when he was out of control. He knew Aunt Selina had tried getting through to the man but it hadn’t worked. So, Tim kept calling ambulances, taking pictures, and sending information to the commissioner. But something more needed to be done.

Batman…Batman needed Robin but Jason was dead…which left the original Robin.

He got on the computer and used his emergency card to book a ticket, glad that school hadn’t started yet.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alfred stared at the man in the bed, not at all impressed. “In the past two weeks, you have been shot twice, stabbed twice, you have been bloodied and bludgeoned by foes you once would have danced around without thinking. I distinctly remember when you first instructed Master Dick in combat, you said, ‘we’re not brutalisers, we’ve got to think with our heads, not with our fists.’ Since Master Jason’s death, you’ve changed. It seems, Sir, that you now do all of your thinking with those sadly bruised and battered knuckles. Yesterday, you collapsed from your wounds. I cannot be certain that next time you will survive them. Sir, as loath as you might be to hear this, I do not intend to spend the rest of my life playing nurse,” he fell silent and yet the man he had raised for so long remained quiet. “Sir?”

But Bruce said nothing, not even meeting his eyes. Alfred sighed and turned, leaving the bedroom. He was too old for this; he had buried too many loved ones. He felt utterly defeated when he realised the Batmobile left not half an hour later. Killing himself or someone else would not bring Master Jason back, nothing could do that.

Maybe Master Dick could help but he did not blame the boy for their fight and the way he had left. He had known that not telling him would backfire. Yes, things had not been good between him and Jason at first, but they had been getting better, and even if they hadn’t, he had deserved the chance to properly say goodbye to his little brother.

He just didn’t know what else he could do.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim felt…overwhelmed, forcing himself to not clutch his backpack. He’d never left Gotham alone before and maybe this hadn’t been the best idea. It was a very distinct building, you’d think he would be able to find it easily, but it seemed to take forever until he spotted the very obvious T-shaped building across the water. He found a nice tree to settle under with a book, just another tourist or student, making sure he had a good view of the building. Sooner or later, the Titans would leave…right?

He sat there for almost two hours before he spotted Troia and Changeling so their day had to be done, right? And there…Starfire. But where was Dick? They lived together so shouldn’t he leave with her? An object floated over the water and he recognised Cyborg and Jericho, still no sign of Dick. He waited another twenty minutes and nothing. Where was he? Was he okay? Had something gone wrong?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jim sighed as he turned to find Batman was gone. He had found the two men that Batman had left for his people. Two-Face… wonderful. He was worried, he knew Jason…Robin, was dead but there was nothing he could do. He was too busy helping Barbara with her recovery. And he suspected that the same monster had killed Jason that had hurt his baby girl so badly. If he ever had the Joker in his sights…he would pull the trigger, no matter the consequences. How many people would that maniac kill?

He just hoped that Batman calmed down soon before he did something that Jim would have to go after him over.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She was surprised to hear a knock on the door but went to it. Dick wouldn’t knock, she didn’t even know where he was. She cracked the door open. “Yes?” She blinked at the sight of a teenage boy…one of those Dick tutored at the gym maybe?

“Kory Anders? Starfire? You’re one of the Titans,” the boy stated, putting her on guard. “I’d like to ask you something.”

“I’m sorry, but I really can’t,” she told him, going to close the door.

“I’m looking for Di…Nightwing. I’ve got to find him. It’s urgent,” he pleaded.

How did he know where they lived? “Nighting? Why do you…”

He cut her off, shifting in place, eyes wide. “Is he here? Do you know where he is? He wasn’t at your meeting today,” the boy was practically babbling.

“I’m sorry, I can’t give you that information.” How did he know any of that? Was someone spying on the Titans? Using a child to target Dick? She stared at the boy…desperate but no, not dangerous. There was something about him, pleading…he looked like Dick and Jason, though his eyes were a different shade of blue to theirs. “Nightwing left the Titans several weeks ago. But if you need our help,” she began, moving to open the door more, it would be better to speak inside.

“No…I need him. Nobody else.” The teen turned and dashed down the hall.

“WAIT! How did you know where I live? Who are you?”

But the boy hit the stairs and vanished. She frowned and retreated inside. Why was he so desperate to find Dick? Wait…his accent! He was from Gotham, had something happened there?

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Tim knew what he was doing was crazy, the last thing he needed was to get caught but…it was his last lead. He had to thank Aunt Selina as the locks gave way, letting him into the apartment. Thankfully, Dick hadn’t given it up despite moving in with Kori. But it seemed luck was finally with him; Dick had definitely been there sometime recently.

He found a home office covered in papers. Right, time to put the detective skills to work. He had to find out where he had gone.

End of America in Sight?

Local Circus to Close after Sixty Years

He knew that circus…he could never forget it. He couldn’t believe it; Haly’s Circus was closing down? But…at least now he knew where he had to go.

Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to leave the city since the Circus was in New York at the moment, well, just outside of the city. He honestly did not like New York, he wanted to go back to Gotham but he couldn’t, not yet.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Wayne Residence,” Alfred answered the house phone. “Oh yes, of course I remember you sir. Didn’t I once polish your armour?” he asked, curious as to why young Mr Stone was calling the Manor. Had something happened to Master Dick? “No…no I haven’t seen Master Richard since he left a few days ago. Yes, after the Zucco fiasco.”

He listened as Mr Stone explained that the Titans needed to find him, that someone had tracked him and Miss Anders to the apartment they shared, that was not good.

“Alas, no, Master Bruce is also gone. Something to do with the return of Harvey Dent, I believe.”

“Okay, thanks. Take it easy Alfred.”

“You as well Mr Stone. Please let me know when you find him.” he was now rather worried.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick lost himself in gently washing Elinore down, shocked that she remembered him after so long. What had happened to his home? So much had changed and it made him sad. But what was he expecting when the article said they were going to close?

“Hey you! What are you doin’ here?” a voice called, and Dick turned, finding his past staring back at him, older, but still recognisable.

“Jacques? Is that you?” he asked hopefully.

It hurt a little that he didn’t recognise him immediately, he looked a lot like his parents after all. But all it took was a flip over his head to have him hugging Dick tight.

The three of them wandered through the tents, Dick listening as they explained why they were still there when they were meant to have gone to another circus just after Dick…left. And then seeing Harry…old and drunk, it hurt. Maybe coming back hadn’t been a good idea but he didn’t want Haly’s to close. So, he headed for the office, looking at Mr Haly behind the desk.

“Some things never change,” he offered and the man looked up at him in confusion before his eyes slowly widened.

“Dick?” he asked, and Dick grinned. “I don’t believe it! Come in, sit down…what brings you here?”

“I read about your closing down, but I couldn’t figure out why. Now that I’m here, I’m beginning to understand.”

Mr Haly chuckled sadly. “Not quite the Greatest Show on Earth, is it, Dick?” he sighed.

“Where did it go wrong?” he asked, wanting to understand and hoping it was something he could act on.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Where’s Al?” Harley asked and the three women exchanged looks as they realised none of them knew.

Selina pulled out her phone and called Drake Manor but there was no answer. “He’s not at home.”

“He wouldn’t confront the Bat, would he?” Harley asked, but Ivy shook her head.

“No, not alone. Perhaps with Selina but he’s too smart to confront the man without help. Once, we could be sure Batman would not harm the sapling if he did, but not know and Alvin knows that.”

“Well, he’s missing a great movie,” Harley pouted, obviously worried as well.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim lifted his camera and began shooting. Dick had to be there somewhere, he just knew it, but where exactly? And…he was an idiot, this was Dick’s circus and he was a master of disguise, he could literally be anyone! Ugh, that made this a million times harder. Okay, so if he was Dick Grayson, where would he be?

He didn’t look up, he couldn’t, too many memories of that night and no one was up there at the moment anyway. He’d never been to a circus since that night but nothing would go wrong this…no…he stared in horror as the lion pounced on its trainer. No! He looked around wildly, Dick, where was Dick?

And then he looked up, seeing a clown up on the trapeze, armed with a net. That jump…it had to be him; it was Dick! He grinned as Dick flew through the air, dropping the net over the lion before landing on it and then rolling aside as the other people moved to pin the net down. He did…no…those expressions. Tim felt sick as it became obvious, the trainer was dead.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick stood and watched as Mr Haly discussed what was happening. He hated that he was giving up, but he understood. With no insurance now and a dead trainer…no one would want to buy now.

“At least you were here Dick. If Gurbel had gotten to the audience… oh well, it’s over. We knew it had to happen someday.”

“I’m just going to look around a bit. There are people I want to say goodbye to,” Dick told him before leaving the office.

He wandered through the grounds, feeling the dread and grief in the silence. This was not how anyone would want Haly’s to end.

Something was wrong though, there’d been way too many ‘accidents’, they had to be planned.

“Eh? Hey you! You don’t belong here. Get out of there!”

Dick looked up at the shouts.

“Sorry, I can’t leave. I’ve got things to do,” a young voice responded and then a figure was leaping over them running.

Dick moved to intercept. “Whoa there. I don’t know who you are kid…” he grabbed the kid and then found himself airborne.

“You’re not going to find out either!” the kid answered as Dick hit the ground.

He’d used his own momentum to flip him! He was good…but so was Dick. He twisted his hand to grab the kids’ wrist, turning his own trick on him. He then pulled him up, keeping a good grip on his jacket. “Okay kid…I think we should talk,” he snapped, and was surprised when the kid suddenly relaced.

“Oh, thank goodness, it’s you. Dick, I’ve been digging up proof,” the kid was grinning at him and…there was something familiar about him. His accent was Gothamite…Bristol. That would explain him recognising him, had they met at a gala at some point?

“Who are you?”

“Dick, no time for that. We know who the killer is so go get him. Then you’ve got to get back, Batman needs you.” The kid rushed the words out, and Dick was shocked by his last words.

“What are you talking about? Who are you?” he demanded.

“I was listening and heard someone say the cat was drugged. So, I searched the garbage and found something!” He pushed a paper bag at him and Dick took it, seeing a familiar flask inside.

Dick rushed off; he had something to do. He didn’t believe for a second that the old clown had done it, no, he was being set up.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim grinned as Dick took them down and then the second one rushed from the tent. Tim glanced around, spotting the big stand thing, perfect. He picked it up and pounced, glad the guy was even short than him.

“Hey!” a muffled cry came as Tim sat on the top to weigh it down.

“You? What happened?” someone yelled as the rest rushed from the tent, Dick in the clowns’ clothes.

Tim smirked. “He was trying to get away. I stopped him,” Tim shrugged.

“You and I have got to talk,” Dick told him.

The police soon arrived and Tim slipped into the background, not wanting to be seen in case someone wanted his parents. And then he saw Dick speaking with the owner, heart sinking at their happy chatter, was Dick…staying? No, Batman needed him! But then they eventually came back out of the office, shaking hands.

“You too Dick. I hope you’ll come around more often now.”

What? So, Dick wasn’t joining them? “Dick, you didn’t rejoin the circus?” he asked as Dick walked towards him, backpack on one shoulder.

“Better. I’m becoming its co-owner,” he smirked, and Tim slumped in relief. “Now, who the hell are you?” he demanded.

“That doesn’t matter now. Dick, look at this, please.” He held out the envelope of proof to him.

“Kid, I don’t like games.”

“Neither do I. It’s important. I need you…Batman needs you,” Tim pleaded.

Thankfully, Dick opened the envelope, his eyes widening as he took in the photos. “My god…how did you get these?”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Who was this kid? Who had sent him? Whoever had dragged a kid into this, he’d be giving them a ‘talk’. The kid was what, eleven at most? “Okay, what’s going on?” he asked more gently.

“You know as well as I do that he hasn’t been acting right since Jason died,” the boy answered.

“You know?” It was one thing to connect him possibly, somehow, but to mention Jason…did he know Bruce’s id as well? Who had told him?

“Look, I know you’re Nightwing. You used to be Robin. Then Jason Todd became Robin, and when he died, Bruce Wayne went to pieces.”

So, he did know all of their identities. Who the hell was this kid?

“Dick, don’t you see…he needs Robin. He needs him to remember what he used to be. Before his parents died.”

“These pictures, Two-Face is back in town, isn’t he?” he asked.

“You can tell just from them? Wow! You’re better than I ever thought,” the kid was smiling at him in awe…just like Jason had.

“I don’t know how you learned everything…”

“I can explain later, on the way to Gotham.” The boy was almost bouncing now. “I’m not sure what went down between you and Bruce, but you do owe him something, don’t you? Here’s your chance to pay him back for raising you all those years,” he was so earnest. “Well?”

Dick sighed, he couldn’t just let the kid find his own way back to Gotham and he needed to know how he knew about them. So, he put a hand on his shoulder and led him to where he’d left his car.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim leant back in the seat, heart racing. He’d done it, Dick was coming back to Gotham. Things would be better now, they had to be. They made it out of the city, heading for Gotham. He leant against the window, looking at the scenery, so much better than from the train. Soon, his head was slumped against the glass as he fell asleep, utterly exhausted from stress and excitement.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick glanced at his passenger, ready to get answers, only to see the boy was asleep. He looked so young…whatever he was messed up in, Dick would get him out. He’d failed Jason, he wouldn’t fail this kid too.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce waited patiently, everything was in place, he just had to wait for Harvey to show up and he would. He wouldn’t be able to resits. Capturing him was his first priority. Twenty two million was too much for Harvey to pass up but when would he come?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alfred was surprised when he opened the door to find Master Dick and a teen…

“Hey Alfred. Sorry for just stopping by but I’d like you to meet…” Master Dick trailed off, did he not know the boy’s name.

“Timothy Drake,” he finished for Master Dick. He recognised the boy now; he saw him occasionally heading down the road on his bicycle and he’d come to galas at the Manor with his parents.

“Hi Mr Pennyworth,” Timothy Drake smiled shyly at him.

He allowed them in, curious as to why they were together, as far as he knew they had never formally met.

“I bet you’ve got loads of stories about Batman,” the boy told him.

“I…what did you say?” he asked in shock.

“Forget it, Alfred. Don’t ask me how, but he knows,” Dick shrugged slightly.

“It looks so different in the day and not done up for a gala,” Mr Drake murmured, looking around. “Is that an Erte? Oh, I love his stuff. My dad bought an Erte litho last year…”

“Master Richard, what is going on?”

“You know almost as much as I do, Alfred. He tracked me down to Haly’s Circus and said Bruce needed me here. I couldn’t let an eleven-year-old kid wander around alone, so I brought him with me.”

“I’m thirteen, not elven,” the boy answered, and they exchanged a concerned look. “And I don’t want to cause trouble,” he looked down. “Dick please, once you help Batman, I’m out of here. I promise.”

“I don’t know what game you’re playing Mr Drake, but we are not enjoying it. If you are here for a purpose, state your case. If not, I shall call your parents to come collect you.”

“They’re off visiting someplace or another on business,” was the answer. “Dad’s always travelling, and Mom goes with him.”

“And you?” Master Dick asked in concern which Alfred shared, had they left their son behind?

“They put me in boarding schools, but it’s the summer break still. And I get to attend public school from now on since I’m starting high school.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick felt bad for the kid, Alfred had recognised him so he was right about the Bristol accent. Drake…Janet and Jack had a son…so this was him? But being left in boarding school so his parents could travel had to suck. And wait, didn’t they live next door? Was that how he knew? Had he seen something?

Timothy took a deep breath and Dick realised the kid was nervous…scared. He forced his posture to relax, not wanting to scare a kid, even if he was older than he’d first thought. “Look…I’m sorry, but ever since Jason died, Batman’s been acting crazy, he needs help…and I think he needs you!”

“How do you know about Jason?” he asked more gently than he had before. “How do you know any of this Timothy?”

“Tim,” he corrected, shifting in place, fiddling with the cuffs of his jacket. “Okay,” he whispered. “You won’t take me seriously till I tell you everything.” Tim met his eyes, pain clear, and Dick pulled a chair behind him so the kid could sit, crouching in front of him. “Dick…I don’t want to hurt you and I’m really afraid I might,” he whispered.

“it’s okay Tim, just tell me.”

“You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked, and Dick blinked. Remember him?

“From a gala?” he asked, and Tim shook his head.

“Here.” He pulled out another photo, this one from a pocket, and Dick froze as he saw it. “This was taken on my first trip to the circus…on the day I saw Batman for the first time…on the day your parents were killed.”

Dick shakily took the photo. It was his parents, two strangers, him…and a toddler on his knee.

“I know that photo,” Alfred whispered. “That’s you Mr Drake?”

“Uh huh. After Bruce made you his ward, my parents sent a copy to you. They thought you’d want it. I was only a kid, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget what happened. I had nightmares about it for years…first about your patents, then about Batman. I kept seeing this dark black thing that swooped out of the sky…” he shuddered slightly. “I don’t remember the clowns or animals or anything else. I just remember waiting for you to go on, you promised to do a quadruple for me. And then when you did, I just sat there and watched.”

Dick pushed to his feet, walking towards the window.

“I’m sorry Dick, I’m sorry,” the kid whispered. “I told you I didn’t want to hurt you.” And then the kid was beside him, blue eyes wide with worry.

“It’s all right Tim,” he told him, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder gently.

Poor kid seeing that…so young…and now he’d seen another person die at the circus. He’d probably never go again. Maybe Alfred would let him stay tonight, just in case it brought back old nightmares. Dick was pretty sure he’d be having his own.

“But how does that tie in to you knowing?”

“Batman swooped down and I thought he was going to hurt you, but he didn’t. And that was when he went from a dark monster to a dark Knight. My parents sent you that photo and then forgot about but I…I couldn’t. For years I had nightmares about it. Robin joined Batman, Gotham’s Dynamic Duo. Then there was a news program, they had actual footage, and Robin did a flip but not any flip…a quadruple. And I remembered only a handful of people could do that move and you were one of them, the only one the right age for Robin.”

Dick stared at him. He’d…from one flip he’d seen when he was three? How was that possible?

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 6

Alfred was stunned, the child had put their identities together from a single flip? It appeared Timothy Drake was highly intelligent. And a glance at Master Dick showed he was utterly shocked by the revelation that it had been his actions to give them away…or the fact that a toddler remembered that night? Then again, it was likely his first traumatic memory depending on how much he’d truly seen of the Grayson’s fall.

With such a traumatic event tied to his first sighting of Batman, it wasn’t surprising that Timothy had latched onto him. He was sad that the event had left the boy with years of nightmares though. But it explained why it was still clear in his mind when he saw Robin on the tv.

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Tim shifted nervously, he’d hated having to remind Dick of that time, it must hurt so much even now. But then a steady hand clasped his shoulder and Tim looked up, meeting sad but kind eyes.

“I’m sorry kid, you shouldn’t have seen that. I never really considered…what that night would have done to the kids in the audience,” Dick murmured.

“It was worse for you,” Tim stated. He still had his parents, what were nightmares compared to watching his parents die?

Dick gave a slight smile and motioned for him to continue.

“Well, then you left and Robin disappeared. But then Bruce Wayne took in Jason Todd and a few months later there was a new Robin. I’ve read everything about Batman, both Robins, Nightwing… You’ve all been so important to me in so many ways,” but that didn’t mean he was going to tell them about his photography or being Jason’s friend. “And when I see the without Robin, Batman is going off the deep end, I know there’s serious trouble.”

“If this is all true, then what do you want from me?” Dick asked warily.

“He needs you Dick, but he doesn’t need Nightwing, he needs you as Robin.”

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Dick stared at the earnest expression and wide blue eyes, for a second seeing an older teen who had been so desperate for his attention. Jason…he’d wasted so much time with his little brother, his Little Wing. And he hated to disappoint another child who looked at him with so much hope. “You want me to go back to being Robin?” he asked just to be sure, and the kid nodded. “I can’t. I can’t just go back to being thirteen again,” he explained gently.

He loved B, he did, but he could never go back to that. Stuck somewhere between a partner and child. Jason had needed it but had already been chafing under Batman’s rules. Dick had had Robin taken from him but he’d moved on and become his own vigilante separate to Batman. Jason would have too if given time and the chance. Batman didn’t need Robin. He just needed someone willing to challenge him when he was being too focused.

“But you’re right,” he offered Tim a smile. “Batman needs me. And maybe instead of arguing with him, I should try to help him. If he’ll accept my help,” he finished with a mutter, heading into Bruce’s office and the clock, hearing Tim following curiously. He glanced back and smirked before moving the hands. “Guess you’ve earned the right to see this.”

He led the way down the stairs, hearing the soft gasp of awed shock. “It’s called the Batcave.”

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Bruce scowled, not that anyone was around to see it. He’d saved the twins but that wasn’t the end. What was Harvey’s endgame? Something didn’t add up right. But what? Part of him screamed to call Dick but he ignored it, if he got the message then he got it, if not then Bruce was on his own. Even if he kept glancing down to the side out of habit. But that space was empty and always would be, his son was dead. Robin was dead.

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Tim sat at the kitchen table, listen as Alfred talked to Dick, fiddling with the sandwich he’d been given, too worried to be hungry. “Alfred?” he asked, and the butler turned to him. “Did Dick and Bruce always act like that? I mean, I’ve seen them at galas together but that’s never real. But I never expected Batman and Nightwing to fight like they were in a competition.”

And yet…he’d seen it, sort of. Looking back at Dick’s last days as Robin, the few times he’d seen him with Bruce before Jason had been taken in… but then the new Robin debuted and Nightwing had mostly been seen with him when in Gotham.

“You ask too many personal questions.”

He fought the urge to flinch, Drakes didn’t flinch. And his Aunts would tell him to stand tall too.

“I care about them Alfred, I really do.” Even if he couldn’t tell him everything about why.

Alfred sighed, turning to the sink to work on the dishes. “I’m certain you do,” he finally said, and Tim relaxed a little. “And no, they were more like father and son than rivals,” he explained as he worked. “I've long felt that when Master Dick moved to New York, Master Bruce took on Jason not only to replace his partner… but his surrogate son as well.”

Tim stood and moved to dry the dishes, surprising Alfred but then the man offered a tiny smile as they worked together.

“It’s armchair psychology at best lad, but as much as he would probably deny it, I believe that Master Bruce is almost as obsessive about family as he is about preventing crime.”

That…actually made a lot of sense.

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Dick grimaced as he looked around the basement, he didn’t like this, they shouldn’t have split up…and it seemed Tim was right about B spiralling. But who could blame him after what had happened. But he should have stepped back, benched himself, until he could get his head back in the game. But when did Bruce ever do the smart thing when it came to emotions?

He felt bad for yelling at Tim, he was just a kid, he didn’t understand everything. He’d be safe under Alfred’s watchful eyes for the night, though how would Bruce react when they went back to find Tim in the Manor? He did not like people knowing his id and finding out Tim had known for four years? They wouldn’t let him overreact though. Tim had kept their secret and Dick knew the kid wouldn’t tell…except no one, especially an untrained kid, could hold out under torture and if anyone realised that he knew… Then again, the way Tim had moved at the circus, he obviously had some level of training. But how much and why?

And then his comm cut out, a sound, and he spun, Two-Face! He immediately activated his tracker, knowing they’d walked into the trap even as the coin spun. He drew a birdarang, throwing, but he wasn’t going to be in time…and then there was Batman, lunging towards him as everything went up around them.

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Alfred rushed down to the Batcomputer, young Timothy right on his heals.

“Please tell me!” the boy called, knowing something was wrong.

“Danger, I fear lad. Master Richard has turned on his beacon,” he explained quickly as he sat before the computer.

“What’s wrong with that? Now we know where he is,” the boy sounded confused.

“We do…but only because the computer keeps track of all incoming signals. Look Timothy, the signal was cut off without an end command.” He motioned to the record.

“The cut-off was abrupt. There must have been an accident. What do we do?” The boy was obviously distressed but he had interpreted the computer readout swiftly. “We can’t just leave him there! We’ve got to do something!”

But what? Call the Commissioner? “For now, we wait,” he murmured.

But time passed with no further word, nothing but the sound of young Timothy pacing behind him.

“Alfred, it’s almost two in the morning, we should have heard from them by now. Something’s happened. What do we do?”

“Master Timothy, we wait here as I always do. Patiently,” he answered, standing to face the child. If he didn’t think he would sneak out, he would have put him in a guest room to sleep already.

Timothy looked confused as he stared at Alfred even as he picked up the spare of Master Jason’s uniform to return it to storage.

“But you know he and Dick’ve gone after Two-Face. You know the danger. How can you just put it out of your mind?” he asked, sounding scared and desperate.

“It’s never out of my thoughts. Never. It consumes me,” he admitted, back to the boy. “I spend each evening fearing the worst.” And it had already come true once, would it again tonight? He slowly sat, staring at the uniform in his hands. “And praying for that feeling of relief I get when Master Bruce returns. No matter his condition. “Timothy, if you dwell on the worst-case scenarios, you can worry yourself to an early grave,” he cautioned.

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry,” Timothy whispered, placing a hesitant hand on his shoulder.

He seemed a kind-hearted lad, eager to help others. A lot like…

“Maybe someday I can figure out how to do what you do…but right now we know where he and Dick are. And I keep thinking that they’re in trouble. I’ve got to do something.” And then a slender hand reached out and took the uniform.

Alfred stood in alarm. “Tim, don’t. You know what happened to Jason,” he warned, he couldn’t watch another child die.

“Of course I do. But it’s like I said to Dick – Batman needs help. Batman needs Robin.” He held the suit up and Alfred swallowed at the determination in blue eyes.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce struggled against the beams pinning them down, hearing Harvey muttering to himself. “Wake up,” he called to Dick who lay nearby but out of reach. Was he alive? No, he had to be alive, he couldn’t bury another son. “I need you,” he whispered as he pushed futilely against the beam pinning him but there was too much rubble on top of it.

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“I never wanted this for myself,” he whispered, holding the green domino, remembering Jason grinning at him from under it. “But if Dick won’t go back…then someone has to be Robin.” He carefully pressed it over his eyes.

He took slow, steady breaths, preparing as best he could. Harvey was unpredictable but he was used to that, Aunt Harley was even more unpredictable than Two-Face. He’d trained with all three women, but enough to take on a Rogue? He’d need the speed and agility they’d focused on, don’t let the man land a hit, look for an opening to exploit.

As Alfred pulled the car over, Tim stripped out of his jacket, revealing Robin’s suit even as he dove out the car door, running for the house right as it went up, hearing Two-Face laughing.

“No,” he whispered and then pushed himself faster. “Two-Face, if Batman and Nightwing are dead… Robin is going to make you pay!” he called as he lunged for the now shocked man. After all, Robin hadn’t been seen for months now. With surprise on his side, his fist slammed into the man’s face.

“I was wondering when the brat would show his little cherubic face. You’ve been hiding for months now. Get detention? Have to stay in after school?” he taunted, and Tim hid a grin, good, he didn’t realise he wasn’t the old Robin.

Tim dodged out of reach, seeing him reaching for a brick. 

“You know there were rumour about you. Rumours that you had bought the farm.” He swung but missed Tim by a mile, seeming surprised that he had already moved back.

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Alfred watched, surprised by how agile and fast the boy was, how good he was at keeping out of reach. There was something familiar…almost…catlike.

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“But I knew better. If you were to die, I’d be your killer,” Two-Face snarled. “Just as I’m the one who finally murdered Batman.”

Tim glared and then sprung to the side to avoid a blow from the rebar Two-Face had armed himself with. He really needed a way to hit without getting close. But he had no training on birdarangs or anything so he was left with hand to hand, wonderful.

“Lithe as ever, but there’s something different about you! Where’s the quips kids?” his swings were becoming wilder and Tim watched carefully. “You’re always spouting those awful jokes! Lost your sense of humour?”

Tim twisted to the side, driving his fist into the man’s ribs. “No, you’re just not worth the effort,” he snarled, mimicking Jason’s voice and accent as best as he could. As Two-Face wheezed, Tim spun, lashing out with a foot, taking him in the chest and then as he doubled over, Tim’s knee met his face and he dropped.

“Are you alright?” Alfred called as he stepped into view, looking him over.

Tim panted, feeling the adrenaline surging through him. “I’ve practiced half my life… studied martial arts…but I still wasn’t sure if I could actually hold my own,” he admitted.

Alfred gripped his shoulder. “But you did, you did very well.”

Tim fought down a blush, looking aside, something catching his eye.

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Bruce came around slowly, feeling the press of the beams and fought down a cough. Another explosion? They… they were buried, he couldn’t see Dick.

“Batman! Nightwing! Can you hear me?” the voice was muffled, young, above them?

He coughed, but got his throat clear. “Here!” he called out. “We’re here!” he didn’t know who it was, had Alfred called in the Titans?

“Batman where?” the voice called, so he’d heard him.

“Under…crossbeams!” Bruce called back.

“Are you both okay?”

“Pinned…can’t move…”

Some of the rubble shifted, the sound of movement. “I can’t move beams without the rocks falling on you. Just hold on! I have to clear the rocks and then move the beams.”

“Two-Face,” he called out in warning.

“Alfred’s got him, police are on their way,” the voice answered.

It had to be one of the Titans, right? But they sounded too young for Dick’s teammates…but they knew Alfred. “Who…are you?”

“Robin…just call me Robin for now.”

Robin…no. Jason was dead; it couldn’t be him…to young.

The voice was still speaking but Bruce wasn’t listening. “BATMAN!” the voice yelling snapped him out of his thoughts and the beam began to shift.

And there…Robin. But it wasn’t Jason, too small. But he moved to push more rubble aside. “Are you alright?” the boy asked, worry clear.

Dick moaned, and Bruce got an arm under him, pulling him free, the boy reaching to help. “Kid?” Dick mumbled.

Did Dick know the boy?

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Dick stirred to find Robin and Batman and for a second…no, Jason was gone… so who…no way… “Tim?” he asked, and the boy looked at him, moving to his side.

“Are you okay?”

“Two-Face?” he asked in alarm as he remembered what happened.

“Alfred’s guarding him, I, uh…think I broke his nose?”

Dick choked on a laugh. “Can’t make him look any worse,” he joked, pushing himself up, Tim hovering. Bruce stood silent, but there was anger in his stance. “You hurt?”

“He was really obvious with his swings,” the boy critiqued.

“Nightwing…”

“He’s the reason I came to Gotham, B. No names in the field,” he reminded him, that included letting Bruce know who was behind Robin’s domino. “Come on, I’m betting you’ve at least got some bruises kid, and I need a hundred ice packs.” He stumbled and then Bruce was there, supporting him.

They found Alfred standing over an unconscious Two-Face, his expression softening in relief at the sight of them. “I believe it’s time to go home sir’s.”

Sirens were moving closer so they moved to the car.

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Bruce stalked from the car, moving to the medical bay, half carrying Dick, the boy following them. He set Dick on the bed and then spun, ripping the domino from his face, taking in wide blue eyes and black hair. “I don’t know who you are but you aren’t Robin,” he growled.

“I just wanted to help… neither of you came back, and Nightwing set off his beacon and it was cut off. Someone had to do something. I care about you. I care about Robin. Bruce please, listen to me.”

“What did you say?” he snapped. He knew their identities…of course, he’d been with Alfred. He glanced at Alfred to see him watching, a warning in his eyes. He looked back to the boy, something about him tugging at his memory… a boy tied to a chair. “Tim Drake,” he murmured.

The boy nodded.

“Bruce…he tracked me down at Haly’s,” Dick spoke up. “He’s got incredible instincts for detective work.”

“You should have seen him against Two-Face, sir. You would have been proud. His acrobatic ability is quite remarkable, I didn’t see Two-Face land one sure hit on him. He’s almost as good as Master Dick at his age.”

Tim’s eyes were wide as he looked from Dick to Alfred, seeming shocked by their praise.

“What are you trying to do?” Bruce demanded of them both. “One boy died wearing that uniform. I’m not taking that risk a third time,” he snarled.

Alfred moved past him to begin tending to Dick’s injuries.

“I never even thought of being Robin,” the boy told him, surprising him. He’d assumed… “But someone needed to help and letting Tw-Face see me wouldn’t have been smart. He said there’s rumours that Robin is dead because he hasn’t been seen in months. But Batman needs a Robin.”

“Where is that written in stone?” he snapped. “There’s no more need for there to be a Robin.”

“Then there is for a Batman?” Alfred asked, stopping Bruce in his tracks.

Timothy met his eyes even though he had the cowl on still. “It’s hard for me to say this,” he murmured but then straightened up and that look was pure Janet Drake. There seemed to be little of Jack Drake in the boy beyond hair colour. “But since Jason…died, everyone’s noticed how you’ve changed.”

Bruce was stunned into silence by his nerve.

“You need someone to make you slow down just a bit and wonder what could happen. I mean, how many times have you been hurt these past months?”

“So, for my sake, I should put some child in danger?”

“No, that’s not it,” he started, and Bruce cut him off.

“This isn’t a discussion.”

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“Then if not for you, what about all the petty thieves you’ve put in the hospital?” he asked, and Bruce stared at him. “Do you know how many ambulances I’ve had to call in the last few months?” it seemed he had to admit to some level of following Batman around to make him see. “How many people I’ve had to keep breathing till help can get there? Batman doesn’t kill but you’ve come so close, too close.”

Bruce seemed shocked by his words.

“Tim, what are you saying?” Dick asked.

“I’ve been following you for months, someone had to make sure the people you’ve been beating half to death survived. You’re out of control.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The photos…Tim had taken them himself…brave kid…or crazy. How long had he followed Bruce for? His determination to protect Robin…had he maybe, known Jason or at least Robin.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“The boy with the camera,” Bruce realised, watching as Tim’s face went red. He reached out, taking Tim’s hands, pulling the gloves off to see the scar on one hand. “You’re the boy Jason saved.”

Tim nodded slowly. “He…he was my friend,” the boy whispered. And then he glared. “I sent you the photos of what happened on the balcony.”

Bruce didn’t know what to think. How long had he followed them? He knew how Jason had died, had been his friend, and still put that suit on. “Get changed,” he ordered, he needed to think. “Alfred, show him to a room for the night.”

“Of course, Sir.”

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 7

Bruce paced his room. He knew what they were trying to do but it wasn’t going to happen. There would be no more Robins, he would never let another child die like that. Jason…his son was dead. Finding out that it had been Tim Drake who Jason had saved…had the boy been following them all that time? Why? Had someone put him up to it, to all of this?

He would need to do more research into the Drake’s, see what they were up to. He doubted they had put their son up to it, but there was something about Jack Drake that had always felt a bit slimy, even for a Gothamite. He had never thought they made a good couple. It was possible someone else had realised Tim’s hobby or skill at being unnoticed and decided to use him.

No matter how skilled the boy was, he would not take him on as Robin.

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Tim lay in the bed of the room Mr Penny…Alfred had shown him to. He’d never imaged he’d get to spend the night in Wayne Manor! Aunt Selina would find it very amusing; she’d want him to pocket something, but he’d never! How would Bruce react if he found out that Harley and Ivy knew his id…because they’d come for ‘Alvin’ at Jason’s grave?

He bit back a groan, dreading how that would go. But his Aunts cared about him, they wouldn’t spill. And…they had no clue where he was. Oops? Telling them what he’d bene doing the last few days was not going to be fun, not when they’d wanted him well away from Batman while he was off the rails. But technically, he’d gone to Nightwing, not Batman. Though, he doubted they’d like that he’d acted as Robin…that Dick and even Alfred seemed to be advocating for him to take on the role in a more permanent manner. He wasn’t Robin material though and he knew it. He wasn’t like Jason or Dick; he wasn’t good like them.

Still, getting to wear the suit even once…he stifled a happy giggle. It had been everything he’d ever imagined…except he hadn’t gotten to fly. Maybe Aunt Selina could teach him? She sometimes used the whip between jumps after all. Or maybe…maybe Dick would agree to take him before saying goodbye? He still remembered the one time Jason had grabbed him and jumped, it had been so amazing… Jason had been so amazing.

A soft knock sounded on the door and Tim tensed. “Yes?” he called.

The door opened and Dick stuck his head in. “Hey kiddo, you okay?” he asked.

“Me? You’re the one that got a building dropped on you!” Tim hissed in an effort to keep quiet.

“Can I come in?” Dick asked, and Tim nodded, so he walked in and sat on the desk chair after moving it closer to the bed.

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Dick wasn’t all that surprised Tim was still awake; he’d had a rather eventful day and night. Though, an adrenaline crash should be heading his way. Tim looked a little nervous so he reached out to gently ruffle black hair, concerned by how easily Tim leant into the brief contact. He vaguely remembered the kid from back then, maybe, and possibly some galas? But black hair was common among the Gotham elite so it might not have been him.

“You did really great tonight, Tim, not matter what B says, okay?”

He nodded slowly, cheeks slightly pink.

“Who taught you how to fight?”

“Took some classes, and for martial arts too. Gotham’s dangerous so knowing how to fight seemed smart.”

“As long as you know when to stand and fight and when to run,” Dick agreed, and Tim nodded. “I meant what I said to Bruce, Tim, you have great detective instincts. And…I think you’re right; he does need someone to help him hold back but his reasons for not wanting another Robin are good. If he could see me as a proper partner, I’d consider coming back but he doesn’t.”

Tim would make an excellent Robin and he got the feeling Bruce wouldn’t be able to bully the kid around. He wouldn’t be at boarding school this year either but surely, he’d have some kind of caretaker? That would make sneaking around harder. But should he really encourage another kid into their lifestyle…but Tim already was sort of in it, wasn’t he? Following them around with a camera, if any of the Rogues or goons ever caught him… he’d be safer as one of them, able to fight and evade.

“Tim, would you like to be Robin?” It was crazy but listening to Alfred talk about his fight with Two-Face…a pity there was no footage but he’d been wearing a fabric domino since Jason’s spare would have been too big and they hadn’t had time to reset the security measures on it either.

“Me?” Tim stared at him in what seemed to be disbelief. “But I’m nothing like you and Jason.”

“I don’t know, kid. You’ve been helping people, just like Robin. Stood up to Batman which is an important Robin skill. You even worked out our id’s. You don’t have to decide now, just think about it.”

“Okay,” Tim agreed.

Dick smiled and stood up. “Try and get some sleep Timmy.”

“Good night, Dick.”

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Alfred picked up the note on top of the neatly made bed. He really was a resourceful young man. It wasn’t often someone could get past him, then again, it appeared Tim had avoided that by going out the window! A pity, he had hoped to talk more with him about his photography.

He left the bedroom and found Master Dick leaving his own room.

“Morning Alfie, Tim up yet?”

“It appears young Tim did not wish to impose,” he offered the note, and Dick sighed.

“I talked with him about Robin last night, guess it was a bit much.”

“Indeed. Breakfast is ready Sir.”

“Thanks, B up?”

“And already brooding.”

“Great.” He headed downstairs, and Alfred followed him.

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Bruce looked up from the paper. “Where’s is Tim?” he asked. Though, the boy had had a rather intense night, perhaps he was still asleep. Dick handed him a piece of paper and Bruce read it. It was a note from young Tim, thanking them for the room and promising to stay out of the way. He had more questions for him about what he knew and who he might have talked to about it.

“How did he leave without us noticing?” he asked, seeing Alfred’s moustache twitch slightly, smothering a smile.

“Via the window,” Dick answered, seeming to drop into his chair but Bruce noticed the stiffness from his injuries. “Didn’t set off a single alarm or anything.”

“Hn.”

“Bruce, he’s been following us for years, of course he’d be good at sneaking around and free climbing up and down buildings.”

And how had a child remained undetected? It didn’t add up at all.

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Selina was relieved as her secure phone began to ring, setting it on the counter and putting it on speaker. She had procured a pair of them so only one person could be calling her. they only used them when necessary, to ensure no one picked up on their usage. Perhaps it was overly cautious but better safe than sorry. “Hello Kitten,” she greeted softly.

“Hi Aunt Selina,” Tim answered. “Sorry if I worried you.”

“As long as you’re safe and alright,” she assured him, picking up the moment of low self-esteem. They had become less often the more time he spent with the three of them thankfully but would likely take years to truly become rare, they may never vanish totally, according to Harley.

“I’m fine,” Tim promised but then hesitated. “Don’t be mad?”

“Never at you Kitten.”

He took a deep breath, audible over the phone. “I, uh…went after Dick, found him at Haly’s and helped him find out who was sabotaging the circus. I showed him my evidence on Bruce’s actions…and he came back to Gotham! But he didn’t understand and went to find Batman as Nightwing. Then later, he set of his tracker but it shut down. So…I took the spare Robin suit?”

Her heart skipped a beat. Tim had…yes, they had trained him, but not like Bruce trained his birds. Tim was trained to escape, to distract, or hit from a distance. He was too small to go up against Bruce’s rogues! Who had been acting late…

“Two-Face?” she demanded in fear.

“I think I broke his nose,” Tim answered, and she hid her face in her hands.

“Oh Kitten.”

“It’s okay! He thought I was Jason. And Bruce and Dick were trapped in the rubble of a building he blew up so I dug them out. Dick was hurt but he’s okay. I even got to see the Batcave but…I don’t think Bruce likes me much.”

“Tim, do they know who you are?” she asked gently.

“Yeah.”

She listened as he explained Bruce’s anger and Dick’s offer. And she knew…she knew Tim would take up the cape in Jason’s memory. Jason was the only friend he had after all.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Hello Timothy.”

“Hello Mother,” he answered, unable to help smiling. He loved it when she got the free time to call him, it didn’t happen very often.

They talked for almost fifteen minutes this time before she was called away but they’d be home for his first day of high school! He was giddy enough to dance a jig! Sure, it meant Jack as well, but he could deal with it. He didn’t even think of the man as family anymore. Five more years and they could be rid of him forever. Just five years, it wasn’t that long, not really.

He got changed and slipped away from the property, heading into Gotham and right to a familiar window, slipping inside easily.

“Al!” Harley called happily and…was that relief?

Then he was being passed around for hugs before they got settled in for a night of relaxation and fun.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick kept a close eye out but there was no sign of Tim trailing them. That was for the best, Bruce had been distracted from looking into the Drakes more by an Arkham breakout, but his attention would return to the family soon. It had been a week since Tim had snuck out the window and he hadn’t noticed anything odd about the Drake estate when he passed, it looked as still and silent as ever. Was Tim even there? He’d honestly not realised anyone lived there very often…how frequently was he left home alone when not off at boarding school? He had to have some kind of babysitter or something.

After a week of observing Bruce, he could understand Tim’s worry more. Bruce was…reckless, taking far more injuries than he should be in fights. Was it his fault? He was the first Robin, if he hadn’t been so set on revenge…Bruce never would have taken on a Robin, Jason would still be alive… and Bruce wouldn’t be spiralling out of control. There wasn’t much Dick could do; they butted heads too much. He could try and get Clark or Diana to intervene? But Bruce would hate that so much.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Good afternoon, Ms Kyle,” Alfred greeted the woman when she answered the phone.

“Alfred, what a wonderful surprise. What can I do for you today?”

“I was wondering if you had taken on a kitten recently? Black hair, blue eyes, strikes me as quite lonely.”

“Oh?” Nothing in her voice changed but there was something…

“Personal curiosity only Ms Kyle. I admit, I noticed some similarities and am curious.” He would not tell Master Bruce. If Master Dick was right and the boy agreed to become Robin then every bit of training would help and his body type matched hers more than Master Bruce or Dick.

“Well then, I wouldn’t say he’s mine, quite the independent thing. But he comes around from time to time,” she explained.

“That explains what I saw,” Alfred murmured. “Perhaps you could come for tea sometime soon?”

“That would be wonderful.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim shifted on his seat, seeing the support in Aunt Selina’s expression, the others looking between them.

“Alright, what’s going on?” Ivy asked.

“I, um…I was asked to be Robin,” he blurted out.

“What?” Aunt Harley stared at him, her eyes wide.

Tim took a deep breath and told them what had happened, without giving names. “Nightwing offered me Robin. Batman needs Robin to give him a reason to hold back but also give him a reason to fight to come home.” He paused to gather his thoughts. “I’m the best candidate at the moment – I already know their ideas, I have some training, and I lack the parental oversight that most would have to deal with.”

“But do you want to be Robin, you know the risks Alvin,” Aunt Ivy leant forward. “You know how he died, the kinds of injuries…they won’t take it easy on you because you are a child and we can’t do anything to stop them.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She was concerned for their sapling. It was a dangerous role to take up and would Batman train and protect him properly given his deteriorating mental state? She was sure that Nightwing would do his best, but he did not live in Gotham. She knew that Alvin had been devastated by Robin’s death, his hero worship clear but it was more than that. He’d talked to them about Robin, how they would trade things using a hidden envelope, race on the rooftops…Robin had been his only friend.

But there had to be more to his actions than just honouring the previous Robin’s life or trying to pull Batman back, otherwise he would lose himself to the mask and likely either give up or die.

“I want to help people, more than just calling ambulances. As Robin I can do that. Maybe I won’t be as good at it as the last two but I want to do this.”

“Then we will support you,” she promised.

They couldn’t be too obvious in protecting him when he wore the cape, it would raise too many questions and they walked a thin enough line as it was now. Few of the Rogues would mess with them, their reputations protected them, but if they began actively protecting even Robin then they would end up fighting on too many fronts. They weren’t heroes or even really reformed, they just worked more carefully now, especially inside of Gotham. But they could still offer him extra training and support from the shadows.

The bright grin on Alvin’s face was wonderful to see, she just hoped they weren’t making a mistake.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce frowned as he pulled up his research on the Drake’s, he hadn’t had the time to do much. It was just one thing after another ever since the boy had vanished from the guest room. From what he could tell, Jack and Janet weren’t even in the US. Tim was starting high school in September, Gotham Heights, his first non-boarding school. That would likely be quite the shock.

He hadn’t detected the boy following him but he hadn’t for years. Could he really be that stealthy naturally? He had found evidence of gymnastic and martial arts classes and he did well at school in gym class. But no matter how he dug in his free time, he couldn’t find any links to any organisations or Rogues. Could the boy really be just who he seemed?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick opened the door to his apartment and blinked at the boy on the doorstep. “Tim?” he wasn’t even going to ask how he’d known Dick was spending the weekend in Blüdhaven. He stepped back to let him inside, watching him glance around.

“If the offer’s still open then…I’d like to be Robin,” Tim stated, the tiniest shake to his voice but his expression was firm, blue eyes bright.

Dick nodded. “Alright, it’s not going to be easy though,” he warned, and Tim nodded.

“I know. I want to do this, for Jason and for Robin.”

“Then let’s get started,” he smirked, seeing Tim bounce slightly in excitement. He’d be hating Dick soon enough; he needed to know what level Tim was at which meant putting him through his paces.

He wasn’t going to take Tim to Bruce, not yet. He wanted to get Tim started on Robin training first, make it harder for him to try and argue against it. He was going to do better with Tim. He had so many regrets when it came to Jason and as much as the idea of another kid in his family colours…he would do better by Tim. He wouldn’t treat him coldly because of his own grief. Tim wasn’t Jason, no one could take his place, but there was no limit on friends and family.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim collapsed on the mat, panting for air. He was exhausted, soaked with sweat, but he also felt…good.

“Alright there?” Dick asked, leaning over him, and Tim nodded tiredly. “Come on, you need to cool down or you’ll regret it later.”

Tim sighed but rolled slowly to his feet, he knew he was right though. He began stretching to make sure he wouldn’t cramp up. “Did I do okay?” he asked once he had enough air to speak again.

“You did good Tim,” Dick tossed him a towel and Tim did his best to dry his hair. “You’re fast on your feet and a quick thinker.”

“But?” He asked, yes, his Aunts would complement him without a negative but no one else ever did.

“But nothing,” Dick answered, offering a smile. “There’re areas for improvement but everyone has those. Hit the shower,” he said, and Tim nodded.

He headed for the shower, grimacing when he pulled his clothing off. Yuk! He scrubbed himself thoroughly, not wanting to smell more. Staying with Dick felt weird but also kind of nice. Dick seemed a bit lost over what to do with him outside of training but that was fine, no one ever really seemed to know what to do with him. He was almost dreading heading back to Gotham on Monday. Dick would have to go back to work, he’d used up all of his time off between the mission to space, Haly’s, and then trying to work with Bruce. And it would look very strange if Tim was seen coming and going from his apartment given that they weren’t related or anything with a five-year age gap between them. Besides, with Dick gone it would be better if Tim was there to call ambulances if needed. Though, Batman did seem to be a bit more controlled since Tim had confronted him, hopefully that would last.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alfred was unsurprised to receive Master Dick’s message, young Timothy had shown up on his doorstep. A new Robin would fly soon. Seeing that would hurt but having another child around would hopefully help them with moving on from their grief.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 8

Bruce stared into the cell at the monster who had killed his son. Once again, he was back where he belonged, behind bars. He was a mess after the helicopter crash, still hooked up to machines, but in a cell in Arkham. And there was evidence that he was behind Harvey’s scheme that had brought a building down on Batman and Nightwing. Thankfully, no one had spotted Robin that night.

He still wanted the monster dead but he knew, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t cross that line, he couldn’t.

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Tim stared at the screen, hesitating. It wasn’t something that Batman would do or agree with but…he’d killed Jason, brutally. This was different to hanging around or even training with his Aunts, this…this was cold-blooded murder. Hiring Deathstroke was insane…so why was he staring at the data to send the man? Robin couldn’t do this but Tim wasn’t Robin yet.

How many people had Joker killed, maimed, or left mentally damaged for life? He was a monster and he would never change. Harley had, she’d taken a chance when it was offered and worked to make herself better. But Joker… he shuddered.

Tim took a deep breath and pressed the button. It was done, if the man accepted the offer. Getting the money for the hit hadn’t been too hard. He and Mother both squirrelled funds away for the time when they could get away from Jack, but it wasn’t enough to pay for someone of Deathstroke’s calibre. So, he’d done something very illegal and hacked some rather illegal businesses to get the rest.

He got up and forced himself to go about his day rather than sit and wait for either confirmation, a request to negotiate, or a denial. Honestly, he didn’t think the man would outright deny the offer, then again, surely others had tried to hire him to kill such a monster?

Three hours later he was staring at a confirmation message, so he sent the first payment. The final would be sent once there was confirmation of a kill. He felt…fine? Because of him a man was going to die, be executed. But how many lives would that one death spare? Shouldn’t he feel worse about paying for the Joker to die? It was simple math.

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He carefully took aim at the figure tied up in the plaza. He understood why it had been detailed to be done in public. There would be no covering his death up. Honestly, it was a surprise no one had hired him for this job years ago. And with a single bullet to the chest, the Joker was dead. He’d take a headshot but the corpse needed to be easily identifiable. He ignored the screaming people and left his sniper’s position. Breaking the man out of Arkham, sedated, then setting up the scene overnight had been simple. No one had even realised the Joker was missing till he was seen tied up and waiting. Which gave him time until a certain Bat arrived.

By the time they did, he was long gone. And two hours later, the final payment had arrived.

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Dick stared at the body in shock. It…it was really him. There was no hint at who had done it, they were good, very good. A hired hit seemed the most likely and with how many people wanted the Joker dead, it would be hard to trace. Honestly…so long as no one else died, Dick didn’t want to try to trace it. The biggest threat to Robin, to all of them, was gone now. He’d been terrified of Tim going out as Robin and running into him.

Jason…Jason could rest in peace now. He took a deep, steadying breath, and then looked at where B was still staring at the body. Tests would need to be done to be positive but everything pointed to it being the Joker so far. How would Bruce take it? He had tried to kill him in New York but hadn’t made a move against him since, even since he was found and dumped back in Arkham. Instead, he just beat people and tried to get himself killed.

Now that Joker was dead, Bruce might be more accepting of a new Robin though.

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Selina lounged back as Harley danced about the room. Who could blame her though with her tormentor dead now. It was official, all the tests said the body was really the Joker. She’d heard the whispers, that Deathstroke had been spotted in town, which meant someone had paid him for the job. It could be one of a thousand people and yet… she glanced at where Tim was working on something with Ivy.

Something about the Kitten’s reaction to it all…and that was why it was better for him to be under the Bat’s wing, to keep him firmly on the capes side. And she knew it was likely their fault that he had worked out how to reach out to Deathstroke. But he had only hired him for one kill so that was good. If Tim was going to have anyone killed, it would be the Joker. The boy might not see it…but she had seen his crush on Jason. To have the boy he liked, whether he realised it or not, his hero, killed like that… she wouldn’t mention her suspicions to anyone.

He might be training as Robin but he had been theirs first and they would protect him as much as they could. But she wouldn’t forget either, she would watch and make sure he didn’t find such actions too easy in the future. She hoped Bruce never found out, who knew what he would do if he did.

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Tim hesitantly let Dick into the Manor, it made sense to do some training there, it had a lot more space than Dick’s apartment or even his tiny work base in Blüdhaven. They’d have to be careful though, if anything was damaged…

“So, you’ve got this place to yourself?”

“Mrs Mac comes by with food and does the cleaning. I’m thirteen Dick, I don’t need a babysitter. And my parents will be home for when school starts.”

“It’s…roomy.”

Tim snorted, unable to help it. “It’s a museum,” or a mausoleum. Sometimes it felt like that more than a home. He hated it but it was his home so what could he do? Was it surprising he spent so much time at his Aunt’s or on the streets when this was what he had to come home too?

“Well, let’s get to work,” Dick grinned at him and Tim showed him a guest room so he could get changed.

The priceless artifacts actually came in handy; they were very good incentive for getting blocks and dodges right. How many times did Gotham museums get raided, and not just be Selina? It would be bad to fight in one and destroy everything.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Janet smiled at the sight of Timothy waiting for them, dressed in slacks and a shirt, his hair neatly combed though a little longer than Jack preferred.

“Welcome home Father, Mother,” he greeted.

“Get the bags,” Jack ordered.

She met Tim’s eyes and he shot her a small smile even as he moved to obey. He was growing up so quickly now. Soon the luggage was inside and she sat back in a chair with a glass of wine to relax.

“When did you last cut your hair?” Jack demanded.

“I have an appointment tomorrow, Father. I wanted it to look its best for the first day of school.”

Jack grunted, accepting the answer.

“Have you got everything for when school begins?” she asked, and Tim nodded.

“Yes Mother.”

“We should have signed him up for the Academy if he’s not going to a boarding school,” Jack grumbled.

“The commute is simply too far and Heights has excellent programs as well, Jack.”

She looked at her son who nodded, good, he had already worked out the necessary bus route. If he was to attend Gotham Academy, they would either have to hire a driver, which Jack would not agree to, or Tim would be leaving home at half past five in the morning which she did not agree to. Children needed to be well rested to remain in good health and to grow…though it seemed he hadn’t inherited either of their height, unless he was going to be a late bloomer. No, Tim appeared to take after her own mother more, and she had never been overly tall.

It was good to be home for a few days, she didn’t miss Gotham but she missed her son. Janet was glad that she’d convinced Jack to come back for Tim’s start to high school. It was an important event, especially since he’d skipped a grade. He shared all of the recent gossip with her as they headed into the city for his haircut. He looked a little sad at losing all the length so she spoke to the stylist, happy when Tim’s eyes widened slightly at the end.

“You’re old enough now for it to be allowable,” she told him as they left.

It wasn’t long enough to get Jack on his back about it either. A child should be allowed to show some of their personality through how they dressed and their hair after all. And longer hair seemed to be popular among boys his age, even among the wealthy.

Their talk moved from gossip to his photography and even skateboarding. She was not fond of the hobby but it did keep him active which was good. And it gave him another method of getting around too.

But she was no fool, her son had changed since the last time she had seen him and she knew why. Even overseas she had heard the news of Jason Todd-Wayne’s death. She was aware of her son’s fascination with the Wayne family and honestly, there were far worse families for Tim to admire. People Tim knew had died before, it was Gotham after all, but none had been so close to him in age. She felt sorry for Bruce, to lose a son so young. If it had been Timothy…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

It was nice, not having to rush for a bus on his first day. He kept his distance from his father though, the man had not been happy with his new haircut. He was pretty sure he’d heard them yelling after he went to bed. His phone vibrated and he carefully pulled it out to check, smiling at the messages from Dick and Selina, wishing him luck for his first day. The made it to the school and Tim took a deep breath, this was it.

“We’ve got a one o’clock fight kiddo, we’ll see you in a few months,” Jack stated, and Tim froze, what?

He saw Mother’s surprise, quickly hidden, so she hadn’t known either. He fought back the hate towards his own father for doing this. “Yes sir. Have a good trip. Goodbye Mother.”

“Goodbye Timothy; do well in class,” she smiled.

Then he was out of the car, watching it drive away.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Bruce?” Dick asked as he walked into the cave.

“You’ve been training the boy.”

“I offered him Robin, he took time to think it over, and then said yes. He’s already got a lot of the basics down from sneaking around the city, plus some classes over the years.”

“How can you even consider it?” Bruce growled.

“Because he’s right!” Dick snapped. “I hate it, but he’s right. Batman needs Robin. And I think…Tim needs us too. Yesterday was his first day of high school…his parents had a 1pm flight out of the country. He’s scary smart Bruce, probably smarter than even you and he has the instincts for this. Imagine if someone else got their hands on him? If Luthor notices him at a gala or something?”

That was Dick’s worse nightmare honestly. What Tim could be made into by someone like Luthor or worse, Ra’s. It wasn’t why he had given the kid Robin, that wouldn’t be fair to Tim. But it would give Tim something to keep him on the right side, as much as a vigilante could be on the side of the law given how many laws they tended to break in a night.

“He still needs a lot of training but he’s ready for computer case work, he could even handle comms. Give him a chance Bruce. He’s not looking to replace Jason, no one can do that. But he can be the new partner you need.”

“Bring him on Saturday,” Bruce grunted, turning away.

Dick sighed in relief, step one was done. He knew that once Bruce saw how brilliant Tim was, he’d be drawn to the kid. He got his phone out, sending the message to Tim.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley smirked and ruffled messy black hair, it’d been cut since school had started up, shorter than it had been but still long enough to mess with. Al whined at her but then relaxed as she began gently scratching his scalp. “Poor little sapling,” she cooed.

Robin training plus school and now apparently, he was being presented to Batman tomorrow for an assessment. No wonder he was exhausted. Ivy picked up one of his hands and began working on his nails.

“You must look your best to meet the Bat,” she told Alvin, who just blinked sleepily.

He was doing better at least, the training and school forcing him to move forward rather than dwelling on his Robin’s death. And sometimes she wondered…who had hired Deathstroke? They all knew Alvin came from money, but enough for that? Then again, he could probably get his hands on it from other sources if needed. But she would never ask because what she didn’t know, she couldn’t tell.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce watched as Dick led young Timothy Drake into the Batcave, taking the time to truly study the boy in the way he had been too emotional to do the last time. He was short and slender but there was muscle hidden under the loose-fitting clothing. And…his nails were painted green. Interesting but not really relevant. He moved lightly on his feet, proving he did have some level of gymnastic training since Dick moved similarly. Dick was talking to him, Tim leaning in and Bruce threw the batarang, testing. The kid dropped even as Dick caught it.

“Seriously Bruce?” Dick demanded.

“Passable,” he grunted. The boy had detected the attack despite his attention being on Dick. That kind of awareness took years to learn, then again, he’d been following them for how long?

“Tim?” Dick looked to the boy who was now standing upright again.

“I’m fine.” He brushed himself down and then looked at Bruce. “What’s next?”

“Bruce not being an ass,” Dick muttered, leading Tim towards the training area.

For the start, Bruce watched as Dick put the boy through his paces and…he hated to admit it but Dick was right, the boy was good.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alfred didn’t know what to think of young Mister Tim…and he was young, only thirteen. And yet that made him older than both Master Richard and dear Jason. It was hard to think of that because he was smaller than they had been at his age. Too small…it seemed the boarding schools he had attended needed some teaching on the proper feeding of children. The Drake’s, while not the tallest of families, were also not considered short.

He could see Miss Kyle’s style in the way the child moved but also hints of other styles…even some of Master Bruce’s. That suggested an ability to observe and learn that was quite incredible. One that would be very useful for Robin.

He hated the thought of another child out there in Robin’s colours but Master Bruce needed someone to hold him back. It shouldn’t be needed; he should have better control. Had he failed him in some way? He should have been raised by a loving family, not a man held back by their positions. Maybe then, he wouldn’t have taken up the crusade.

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Tim knelt at the grave, laying some flowers. “Hi Jason,” he murmured. “I miss you,” he whispered. He traced the letters on the stone gently. “Bruce is still fighting taking me on but Dick’s on board. I think Alfred is too. I…I don’t want to be Robin, you’re Robin. But you’re gone now and B needs someone. Batman and Robin are a symbol now,” he explained softly. “I wish…I wish that I’d been brave enough to tell you the truth. And I’m sorry, I should have dug more, found your plane ticket…something.”

He could have saved Jason, he could have.

“I’ll keep B alive, until he finds a real Robin. No one suspects…but I know, I might not have pulled the trigger but I paid for it. I have no right to be Robin after that, but there’s no one else yet.” He stood, brushing the grass from his pants. “Goodbye.”

He left the grave and headed home. Tomorrow would be his first training session with Bruce. He was nervous but also a little excited to learn from Batman himself. He made it home and stuck a pre-prepared meal in the microwave before doing his homework and heading to bed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ivy watched as Batman beat up some thugs, nodding to herself. It appeared Alvin was already having an effect on the man, even when he wasn’t patrolling yet. They had barely seen the boy since he began training, but they had Selina’s secure phone to keep updated on his life. She slipped away and headed home but ended up stepping in to stop an assault on a young woman. Men. Alvin was different to most though, a bright child who respected the environment and just wanted to help people.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce watched as Tim flipped around the bar, not as technically perfect as Dick obviously but his movements were sure and fluid. How had they never noticed him following them? How many times had Tim nearly died in doing so before he got this good. Because Tim’s movements showed the kind of practice found in real life and not in a gym. J…Jason had saved him when he’d been hanging from a beam…how many times had the boy saved himself? Reckless.

He didn’t want a Robin, didn’t want to bring another child into the life but…Timothy knew their identities, knew where the Cave was. Better to keep him close. Though training him was not easy, brought up too many memories. Perhaps a training trip to those Bruce had studied under? They would know better how to train someone so small. It was very obvious that Tim had a different build to both of his predecessors. Though, that would mean waiting until next summer or having him miss school. His parents might be travelling but surely, they would notice if he was out of school for that long.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 9

School was…yeah, it was school. Not too different to boarding school except he went home every day or to Wayne Manor since Dick’s apartment was too far on a school night. And Batman…Bruce let them train in the Cave or the Manor gym that had been made for Dick when he was a kid. The test he’d put Tim through had been exhausting, brutal, but he was sure he’d seen a flicker of surprise in his expression when he’d finished, staggering but still on his feet. He wasn’t ready for the streets, not yet, but Dick had admitted that he was a lot closer than either of them had expected.

Some of the other kids seemed nice enough at least, there was Ives and Bernard, they were interesting. But would he have time for them once he was fully Robin? He liked people mostly, he’d gotten along with pretty much everyone at his other schools but he’d never had close friends, never felt really connected to them. Not till Jason.

“Bye Tim!” Ives called, and Tim waved before getting into the car.

So far, no one had questioned the times when Alfred or Dick, even Babs one time, had picked him up. They probably assumed it was a favour while in town since they lived next door. Not that ‘next door’ was exactly close in Bristol.

“Hi Alfred.”

“A good day, Master Tim?”

It was still weird to have someone call him that, but it was what Alfred preferred, at least he wasn’t calling him Timothy.

“Not bad,” he answered. “Pretty sure I got an A on the history test. English…” he shrugged slightly. It wasn’t his best subject, he was better at science, math, those kinds of subjects.

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Alfred glanced back at his passenger, fighting to remain as normal as he drove back to the Manor. How would the child take the news? He was just grateful that they had learned of what was happening before someone thought to reach out to young Timothy. It was not something so young should be forced to deal with, he had shielded Master Bruce from as much as he could after his parents deaths, but they had found no evidence of who should act for Tim until he was of age should anything happen. Given how often they travelled that was preposterous.

But they weren’t dead yet and hopefully they would remain alive. Master Bruce had been in contact with Drake Industries and when they stated firmly that they did not pay ransoms, as they had learnt when Batman rescued Tim previously, he had sent the ransom money himself. Batman and Nightwing were preparing for the trip to Haiti, to ensure the couple was returned safely, but there were no guarantees. Paying a ransom did not ensure survival, only raise the chances depending on the captor.

Alfred had prepared all of the comfort foods that Master Dick and Miss Barbara could tell him of, but Master Tim still held so much of himself from them. He did not blame the boy; they had not given him a warm welcome after all. But given the circumstances, could anyone blame them? He missed his grandson and always would, no one could replace him. But Tim had been his friend, as much of a friend as Jason could have behind the mask. Had he ever spoken of Alvin to anyone? If he had, would they react well to meeting him? Master Tim would likely need all of the support he could get in the coming days if things ended badly.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick left his mask off for now, waiting to hear the grandfather clock opening, hoping they’d make it before they were ready to leave. He took a deep breath, glancing over at where Bruce was prepping the Batplane. They had to make it in time, they had to. Tim might not think much of his Dad, but it was obvious he adored his Mom. He hated the idea of leaving Tim behind with only Alfred, not that Alfred wasn’t amazing, but he had the whole butler stiff upper lip thing… huh, maybe?

“Hey Wally?”

“Dick! Hey, what’s up?”

“Did Ja...did he ever mention a friend, Alvin?” he asked.

“Um…maybe…a kid and camera or something? Is something wrong? Areyouokay?”

“About to leave on a rescue mission, for the kid’s parents. He could use someone here other than Alfred, someone closer in age. You know? And with you here, he can train if he feels like it, you’re fast enough to stop any accidents. But he’s really good. He…he’s going to be Robin.”

“Oh…did B chose him? Are you okay with that?”

“I chose him. Well, he kind of chose us. He’s known who we are for years and never told anyone. But after Jay…he reached out, ended up saving us from Two-Face. He beat him in a fight, broke his nose…he’s a good kid but Jason was about his only friend and…I’m worried about him.”

“On my way!” Wally answered.

Dick hung up the call and looked over at Bruce. “Wally’s coming to keep Tim company. He can watch him if he needs to burn energy training.”

Bruce grunted; it was the annoyed but accepting grunt. Wally was Dick’s best friend, Bruce had plenty of years of exposure to the speedster to accept his presence.

And then Wally was there and Dick grabbed him in a hug, his best friend hugging back just as tightly. “You okay?”

“B paid the ransom for them, but there’s been nothing since, we’re going to Haiti to bring them back. Jay knew their son as Alvin, if he wants to tell you his real name then it’s his choice. Just…be here for him?”

“Does he know?”

“Alfred went to pick him up from school.” And the grandfather clock began to open. “They’re here.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Wally kind of remembered Jason mentioning a kid once, something about photos and rooftops but he hadn’t really been paying attention. Which he regretted now, outside of Roy, Jason hadn’t really bonded with much of the team. It was on them and they all knew it, but the age gap held part of the blame too. And now Jason’s friend was training as Robin, had Jason suggested it to the kid maybe? He blinked and then bit back a laugh as the small boy who was walking down the stairs. Bruce really had a type…though this one still had parents?

“Hey Al,” Dick ruffled black hair, and the boy blinked at him.

“Dick?”

“Got someone here for you to meet.” He nudged the boy into Wally’s view.

Wally watched blue eyes go wide. “You’re Wally West!” he almost squealed, and Wally looked to Dick who shook his head.

“I didn’t tell the little genius. He’s worked out a lot of heroes id’s apparently.”

“Sorry,” the kid winced, and Wally shrugged.

“Bat in training, right? You’d have figured it out eventually.” He grinned at the boy who stared at him before offering his hand. Such a mini-adult!

“Tim Drake,” he introduced himself formally, but Wally could tell he was nervous, seeing Dick’s surprise.

“Nice to meet you, Tim! Hey…you ever wanted to go really fast?” he opened his arms and Tim looked at Dick who nodded with his own grin. Wally made sure he had a good grip on the kid and then they were zipping around, not at top speed, but way faster than a normal person could run.

When he put Tim down the kid stumbled a little before straightening, a large smile on his face, making him look more his age. How old was he anyway?”

“Tim…” Dick hesitated.

“Something’s happened.”

“We intercepted a ransom demand in Haiti.”

Tim blinked and then swallowed. “My parents?”

“B paid the ransom and we’re going to go get them.”

Tim nodded and Dick pulled him into a hug, the kid kind of…still.

“Wally and Alfred are going to stay with you. You can grill Wally for stories all you want or you can train and he’ll watch you. We’ll be back as soon as we can,” Dick promised, but he didn’t promise he’d have the kids parents, smart.

Wally looked at Dick, maybe he should go instead? He had the speed to get them out and to medical after all. “Dick stay, I’ll go with the Bat, if they need anything fast, I’m the best.”

Dick looked between them. “Yeah, okay. Be careful.”

“Thank you, Mr West.”

“Call me Wally, Tim,” he ruffled black hair and then dashed to join Batman.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Wally going made sense, he could run Janet to any needed medical aid. Jack could wait as far as Dick was concerned. He pulled Tim into his side, holding him close as the Batplane took off. He felt steady breathing hitch and then Tim began to tremble. Dick shifted closer to the computer, lowering himself into the chair and taking Tim with him. He was small for his age but not so small that holding him in his lap was entirely comfortable, especially with the muscle he was beginning to build.

“They’ll do everything they can Timmy,” he promised. He wished he could promise they would succeed but they both knew he couldn’t. He rocked him gently, nodding when Alfred appeared with a plate of cookies and some mugs, a blanket settling over Tim’s back to fight the Cave’s natural chill. And despite everything…he didn’t make a sound. Because he’d been taught not to or because there’d never been an answer? Dick didn’t like either option.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“How can I help you, Alfred?” Selina purred.

“I am afraid a certain kitten may be about to receive bad news. Master Bruce is doing what he can but…the child may need you.”

“Alfred?” had he been hurt?

“His parents were taken. The ransom was paid but there was no word of release. The younger Flash is with him in case speed is needed. Master Dick is with the ki…with Tim,” he murmured, giving up on the basic code.

“I see…” she closed her eyes. Should she go to the Manor? It risked exposing his link to them. But a child alone on the roofs of Gotham…it wasn’t impossible that she would run into him. “I’m on my way.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick tightened his hold on Tim as he heard a bike approaching. Who? It parked and he blinked. “B’s not here.”

“I know,” she answered, eyes locking onto the smaller form in his arms.

He tensed, ready to defend Tim, but Selina didn’t hurt kids, she generally didn’t physically hurt anyone.

She approached slowly and then dropped into a crouch, hand gently stroking Tim’s hair. “Kitten?” she called, and Tim stirred.

Kitten?! What? But…it kind of made sense. Tim had spent years following them…what were the odds no one at all had ever spotted him? And Selina out of them all was the most likely given her occupation.

“Aunty?” Tim mumbled, twisting, and Dick shifted to pass the teen into her embrace, Selina settling on the floor to hold the teen.

Even in her arms, he looked small. He was barely five foot two, Tim would add and a half in there. Still, that was shorter than the average for his age. The Drakes weren’t overly tall, he might make the same height as Dick, if he was lucky, but Dick doubted it.

He doubted Selina was actually his aunt…then again, it was Gotham, crazier things had happened. Tim needed all the family and friends he could get from what Dick had seen since meeting him. No wonder he’d been following them for years; his parents were rarely ever in the country let alone the city. But if Tim saw her as his Aunt, then that was great, though he did wonder how she ignored the temptation of everything in Drake Manor.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“So where are we going? Wouldn’t it be quicker for me to run?” Wally asked.

Bruce wasn’t happy to be stuck in the Batplane with him, but that wasn’t fair, and Dick had been right to swap with him. His speed might be needed to keep the Drakes alive. Should he have called Clark? No, he was away on a mission at the moment. “The ransom demand was made from somewhere in Haiti, we haven’t been able to get an exact location. And they may have been moved since the ransom was paid,” he explained.

Wally grimaced but nodded. “Once we land, I can search the island. Got a photo?”

He brought up their company profiles for the photos there.

“Got it.”

Would they find them in time? Dick had mentioned a few times when he spoke of Tim and Bruce had done his own research. He did not think the boy would miss his father much, they would do their best but if it came down to a choice, he would do everything he could to save Janet.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim stood in the hospital room, barely feeling Selina’s hand on his shoulder as the doctors talked. He kept his face blank, just like Mother had taught him. Mother… he felt weird, like it wasn’t real. Maybe it was all a bad dream? He…he didn’t know what to do.

And then they were in Selina’s car and his face felt wet.

“Oh Tim,” she whispered, pulling him into a hug.

“Why…why her and not…” he sobbed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Selina held Tim tightly, heart breaking for him. It had always been obvious that he loved his mother, but that they were trapped by a seemingly iron clad contract. Well, not anymore. And should Jack Drake wake, she would not allow that man to harm her kitten. If it came down to it, she was sure the three of them could deal with the man…without killing even to keep Bruce happy. But while he was in a coma, there was work to do, Tim would need a legal guardian and Bruce was not ready to take on another child. Tim’s training was proof enough of that, he could be Robin, but not Bruce’s ward.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Selina was the only one who could stand with their sapling as his mother was buried. But they watched from a distance as she comforter their boy and so did Richard Grayson. Right age for the first Robin and Nightwing. The Wayne’s were definitely the Bats, but they wouldn’t tell, not when their boy was the new Robin. Or would be. He hadn’t hit the streets yet but the big bad Bat had been improving which was good.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick rested a hand on Tim’s shoulder, Bab’s beside him, and Selina on Tim’s other side. He felt horrible for what had happened. If they had left as soon as they heard…if one of the supers’ had been on planet… Tim was wearing a dark suit but his nails were a deep burgundy colour, his mother’s favourite. They used to paint their nails together so Selina and Babs had done them for him, he’d started crying as soon as he picked up the nail polish.

They’d talked and while he didn’t like it, it made sense. So, they had gotten together the needed paperwork and Selina was now Tim’s legal guardian. Dick would have loved to take the kid himself but given his age, that would have gotten too much attention. Selina had been to enough galas that the Drake’s had attended that it wasn’t impossible for her to be a friend of Janet’s. They’d all agreed Bruce was nowhere near the right mental or emotional place to take on another kid. He was doing better but still not good. He’d come to the funeral though, even though it would have been understandable given how soon after Jason’s it was.

He spotted the two women hidden in the distance. So much for their secret id’s, but there were far worse rogues to have work it out. Then again, if Tim was close to them, they’d probably seen him at Jason’s grave at some point. Two deaths so close together…no wonder Timmy looked a bit like a ghost.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley looked in the bedroom where Tim was asleep, some of Selina’s cats curled around him. Poor kid. She went back into the main room of the apartment and flopped on the couch. “Poor kid.”

“Is he still determined to become Robin?” Pam asked, and Selina nodded.

“Batman wants to send him overseas, to train under those that trained him. With his mother’s death, withdrawing from school for a time would be accepted by the authorities, or the records could be hacked.”

“Are you going to let him?” Harley asked.

Selina sighed, pouring herself a glass of wine. “I’m not sure. The extra training would help ensure his safety in the field, but Europe…”

“Catwoman could always go to London,” she teased, and Selina chuckled.

“Perhaps.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim stood before the grave and then knelt, removing some dead flowers. “Hey Jason,” he murmured. “Sorry…it’s been…could you…look out for my Mother?” he whispered, fighting tears. “It’s not fair. Why her?” he shuddered, leaning against the cold stone. “I miss you but we barely knew each other. You…you were my hero.”

Tim stared out across the silent graveyard, spotting the Drake family crypt in the distance. Jason was buried beside his mother, Tim hoped that their reunion had been happy before the Joker had messed everything up. They were close to the Wayne family plot, he hoped Jason would like that, he was listed as Jason Todd-Wayne on the stone, nothing linking him to his birth mother beside the fact they were next to each other.

“Aunt Selina finally agreed to the training trip so I’m heading overseas soon. Finaly get to use my passport again,” he explained. “I’m scared.” It was hard to admit but telling Jason was better than telling anyone else. “These people trained B after all; what will they think of me?”

Tim was very aware of the differences between him and Bruce. He’d seen pictures of Bruce at his age, the man had been a lot taller and more muscular even as a teen. And he hadn’t trained with them till he was nineteen or so. Compared to that…Tim was a shrimp and he knew it, no matter the muscle he’d gained over the last few months of training.

“I’ll come see you when I get back,” he promised. “Got to go say bye to Mother now.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick grinned as Selina fussed over Tim as they waited for his flight to be called. He could have flown privately, but that would call more attention to him so it was better to go commercial and blend into the crowds. Alfred stood nearby, keeping an eye on things. He’d gone over Tim’s luggage thoroughly to ensure the kid had everything he could possibly need packed into the smallest space manageable.

“Remember to have some fun too, Kitten,” Selina was telling him, and Tim nodded. “Keep me updated on where you are and I’ll see you next month.”

“You don’t have,”

“I want to,” she told him, and Tim nodded.

Who knew Selina could be so protective of a person and not just cats? Then again, he’d run into Ivy and Harley on patrol, thankfully it had been non-violent, but they’d made some things very clear. Tim had to have the weirdest collection of ‘family’ on the planet.

Dick straightened as the flight to London was called. “Ready kiddo?”

“Ready,” Tim nodded, standing straight.

“Call whenever you want to, day or night,” Dick murmured.

“I will.”

Dick pulled him into a hug, then Selina hugged him and Tim surprised them all by darting in to hug Alfred.

“Safe travels dear boy.”

They stayed, watching the window, until the plane took off into the gloomy Gotham skies.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce stared at the damage in shock. Who…who could have done this? Why? “Cameras?” he demanded.

“Were out ‘cause of the storm, Mister Wayne,” the groundskeeper answered nervously.

“But this damage isn’t from the storm.”

“No sir.”

“Have it fixed immediately,” he ordered. He would be placing some security of his own. The Joker was dead, who else would want to vandalise Jason’s grave?

TBC….

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 10

Babs watched the people flowing out of the arrivals area, searching for the face she’d seen in photos, Dick leaning against the wall beside her. Selina had been caught up with something so they had come to pick him up. It’d been eight months since Tim had left, only Selina had seen him since then, heading overseas three times to meet up with him. This would be her first time meeting the kid, she’d been in rehab since before Jason’s death.

“Hi.”

She started and looked up, blinking. “Tim?”

He smiled at her in response. 

“Timmy!” Dick grabbed him in a hug, spinning around, and Tim laughed.

He looked so different to the photo! He’d grown his hair out and shot up several inches in height. He’d even…yep, that was a slight tan. Much better than the sickly Victorian child look he’d been going for when he left, or had that been the lighting in the image? Dick put him down and Tim glanced at her so she opened her arms and he leant down for a hug.

“Almost didn’t recognise you kiddo,” Dick told him. “You grew!”

Tim blushed slightly. “They made me eat a lot and barely had any coffee,” he grumbled, making them both laugh. He glanced around. “Aunt Selina?”

“Got caught up, she’ll see you at home.”

Tim nodded, shifting his backpack. Dick grabbed his bag and they headed for her van.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Selina smiled as Tim curled into her side, though he didn’t fit so easily now. She smiled as slowly; Tim was half buried in cats as they realised their second favourite human was home. “I missed you, Kitten.”

“Missed you too,” he mumbled, half asleep. Even in first class, international travel was exhausting.

“Okay, let’s get you to bed.”

He whined, but got to his feet and she made sure he made it safely to his room. Once he was changed and in bed, she opened his door so the cats could come and go.

She was glad to have him home, she just wished she had been able to meet him at the airport. He’d grown up so much in a few short months but he was still her Kitten and always would be.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Alvin!” Harley grinned, grabbing him up in a hug and spinning around. Sure, they knew his real name now thanks to what happened to his parents, but for his safety they still called him Alvin. “Look at you! You grew! And is that a tan?”

He laughed, ducking his head. “I might have spent the last week on Santorini. There’s a new dig at Akrotiri, the man in charge was…was a friend of Mother’s. He let me help out a bit and there was also a very nice beach. It’s so different to Gotham Harbour.”

Harley squealed. “Tell us everything! Is it as pretty as the pictures?”

He grinned and sat between her and Pammy. “Well, I stayed at the Santorini Kastelli Resort in a swim up suite. The pool literally goes right to the sliding door. The bed was so comfy! And the food…”

She smiled and they settled to listen to him talk about the civilian parts of his travels. They wouldn’t ask what he’d gotten up to for training.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce stared at the boy standing on the training mat. He’d been right to arrange the trip then, it had obviously done Tim a world of good. He looked far healthier and his actual age now. It seemed he was just slow in catching up to his agemate when it came to growth, though maybe Gotham had influenced that as well. Sunshine and fresh air had likely helped along with the regimented meals and training.

And he’d apparently picked up fighting with a bō while away. It was a good choice in weapon for him, it gave him the extra reach that a younger teen lacked, it meant he wouldn’t have to get as close to much larger opponents. He could put considerable force into the swings, block other weapons with it, and if injured he’d have something to lean on while walking.

Bruce moved to stand opposite, Tim meeting his gaze. The trip had done his confidence good as well it seemed. Or was that Selina’s influence? At least he wasn’t following in her footsteps but he still didn’t really want the boy to become Robin…he doubted he could stop him now though. He knew Alfred was working on a new suit for Tim, just waiting for the boy’s input before sending the designs to Lucius for production. The one thing Bruce had demanded was heavier armour. If Tim was insisting on fighting, then he would as protected from weapons and fists as possible.

“Ready?” he asked, and Tim nodded, shifting his stance slightly. Well balanced, easy to move to either defend or attack…good.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick watched as Bruce sparred with Tim, they were going to be partners in the field so they needed to be able to work seamlessly together. They weren’t there but the way Tim was able to adapt around Bruce was impressive. He’d come on in leaps and bounds while overseas. Had Bruce improved as much? Though he’d been older, was it Tim’s youth that had led to such improvement?

He'd been quite acrobatic from the start, not to Dick’s level, but far more than a civilian child outside of someone who regularly did gymnastics. Then again, he’d been following them around for years so it made sense. But then there was Selina, neither had said when or how they had met and he had to wonder if she had been training Tim. It made sense given how protective she was of him and would explain how good he was at remaining unseen.

Tim was thriving, he’d become a lot brighter. He still had quiet moments, grieving his Mother, but overall, he was a lot happier and healthier now than when he’d come looking for Dick. He was ready, he’d been solving cold cases in the Cave since coming back and he had gone over suit design with Alfred and Lucius a few weeks ago. B was pushing for Tim to not start patrols till he was settled back into school but Dick thought he should start before so he had time to get used to the lack of sleep again plus it would be less memorable if Robin and Tim didn’t reappear in public too closely together. Tim was doing school online at the moment, he’d be going back after Christmas since there was no point sending him back for a few weeks before the holidays. It would be their second Christmas without Jason…but Tim and Selina would be over, hopefully that would help Bruce.

Babs would be dropping by too which was good…no matter how hard it was to see her in that chair. Whoever had paid for the Joker’s death really had done the world a favour. Sometimes, he wondered if Selina had put the money forward, she could afford it and to keep Tim safe…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim took a deep breath and then picked up the first piece, this was it. His Robin suit. It was pretty different to Dick and Jason’s…would Dick be upset? He pulled on the green tight-like pants, shifting around to make sure they felt comfortable. After that was the armoured red tunic with the green short sleeves built into it. The less pieces to the suit the better and easier it was to change in and out of quickly. He pulled on the black boot, liking the fit and how they supported his ankles, so much better than the pixie boots…no offence to Dick and Jason. He picked his came up and then swung it over his shoulders, attaching it to the steel gorget that was built into the tunic, hiding it from sight. Bruce had really gone overboard with the body armour; his suit was the heaviest of the Robins and not just because he wasn’t wearing tiny shorts.

“Come on Timmy!” Dick called, and he took a deep breath before leaving the changing rooms.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alfred watched with pride as Master Dick cheered Tim on. He looked quite grown up and distinguished in the new design. How had they ever let Master Dick out in those shorts? This suit offered so much more protection and was nowhere near as bright, the black outside of the cape could be draped to help hide him. Yes, Dick’s first suit had been an homage to his roots…but it had also been dangerous. There had been far too little protection in it and, as others had pointed out, made him as noticeable as a traffic light. Tim might be wearing the same colours, but the shades were darker and the cape made to hide him.

And with young Timothy receiving a redesigned suit, Master Dick had agreed on a redesign as well…thankfully. Alfred had not been involved in the first Nightwing suit, he would never have agreed to it. This new one was far more acceptable, even if it lacked the amount of colours Master Dick preferred.

Alfred stepped forward with a serving tray, Tim’s own black domino lying on it. He was happy when Master Bruce actually stepped up to attach it, as he had Jason’s and before him Dick’s first domino.

He nodded at them as they left for the night. “Good luck and be careful.”

“We will Alfie!” Master Dick called, starting his bike, even as Tim got into the passenger side of the Batmobile.

He moved to the computer and watched as three trackers went live: Batman, Nightwing, and Robin. The active trackers had been Tim’s idea, implemented with Miss Barbara’s help, it meant incidents like his first time out as Robin should happen less often since Alfred would have more of an idea of what was happening.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She smiled softly as Harley practically bounced on the spot. They knew Batman’s route would bring the duo by and all of them were waiting to see Robin’s debut while being careful to stay out of sight.

And then Batman appeared on the rooftop across from them, as silent as ever. But at his side was a smaller shadow in the night, moving fluidly and just as quietly.

Selina looked at them and they nodded so she took off across the rooftops, making sure the Bat saw her. He took off after her and Robin paused, glancing around. Harley jumped up and waved and they heard him laugh before taking off after the other two.

“Maybe he shouldn’t follow?”

“Oh?” She asked.

“Well…shouldn’t we be protecting his innocence?” Harley smirked.

“I doubt Robin needs it and if he does, then he’s very capable of breaking up anything inappropriate.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick set down the last load, smiling as he saw Tim on the floor, wiring things in place at Babs direction. He was glad they were getting along so well; he’d thought they would. Though he did worry for his phone and computer if he ever angered one of them now. He looked around, seeing how her new command centre was taking shape. He didn’t like how isolated it would make her but they could always drop by when on patrol. And she’d have the best security in the world. She also wasn’t going to be living in the Clocktower, it was just for work purposes.

It felt strange in a way, almost like being back in time when they used to be Robin and Batgirl. He felt horrible for barely being around after the attack on her, he’d been busy with the Titans, Kori, Jason…but that didn’t excuse him and he knew it.

“So, what am I grabbing for dinner?” not like they could order delivery to a top-secret base.

“Pizza good?” she asked.

“Souds goosh,” Tim agreed, a tool in his mouth.

“Right, Timmy don’t electrocute yourself while I’m gone. Usual?” that got nods so he headed out. Tim’s usual was weird but that was why they all got their own pizzas, leftovers were fine, even if Alfred would frown.

Tim needed all the normal teenage stuff he could get, like the occasional junk food. And friends, he needed more friends. Friends in the community would be great since he wouldn’t have to hide but there was even more of an age gap between him and the Titans then there’d been with Jason. Did anyone have a younger side kick anymore? He’d have to ask around. The kid deserved to be on a team one day, have the kind of crazy experiences Dick had. Jason hadn’t gotten that chance, not really.

Dick wondered if he should go back to the Titans. Him and Kori had split while Tim was overseas. Dick was just being pulled in too many directions, grieving, and it wasn’t fair to her. But it was coming up on a year since he left soon and he felt bad about that.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim stared at the news article. That wasn’t Superman. Way too young for starters. So who was he and where did he come from? Yes, Clark Kent had a son, but the kid was a toddler or something. Tim had checked Clark’s old school records to be sure but Kryptonians didn’t grow that quickly. Another survivor? But how? So, he started digging. And what he found made him feel sick. Did the Justice League know? Did Ms Lane?

He made sure he saved all of his research and then handed it to Bruce.

“Tim?”

“The new super, he…they cloned Superman. It’s not his fault, obviously, he didn’t ask to be made…born? But this has to be shut down. What if they make an army of Kryptonian clones or something?”

“I’ll look it over and take it to the League,” Bruce told him, turning away, but then he paused. “Good work.”

Tim grinned and ducked his head. Things with Bruce were still weird and Tim was very glad he didn’t live at the Manor, though he did sometimes stay over after patrol, but they had improved since he’d gotten back from his trip. Bruce was more accepting of having Tim as his Robin. He was still really awkward about it and sometimes he messed up, called him by the wrong name but that was fine.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The entire League stared as Batman swept into the meeting room and at his side…a child in cape and domino. Robin…a new Robin. Very few outside of their circle knew that the second Robin had been killed by the Joker and most had thought he would be the last but it seemed they were wrong. This Robin was older than most seemed when they started out. Had he been in training this whole time? Or was this something very new?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He paused in flight as he spotted a figure on a rooftop. Was it a jumper? He moved closer to observe and blinked. They had a cape and domino mask, that meant a vigilante? But he didn’t recognise them from anything he’d been taught. The colours…were close to the one from Gotham…Robin? What would a vigilante be doing in Metropolis?

What was he meant to do? And then the figure waved at him, he’d been spotted. Odds were good that this person couldn’t harm him anyway, so he approached.

“Hi,” the stranger greeted once he was within human hearing range.

“Hello, do you need help getting down?”

“No, I’m good. I’m Robin so rooftops are kind of what I do.”

“I thought Robin wore shorts and bright colours?” he asked, and Robin grinned at him.

“Change of uniform. And come on, those shorts in a Gotham winter? I have no plans to freeze, thanks anyway.”

He found himself smiling back at the vigilante.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Diana hung back with Bruce, letting Robin make first contact with the young clone. She shared Bruce’s anger at their friend being cloned. So far, this Robin seemed rather different to his predecessors, quieter. But he seemed to be handling first contact well, so far.

“You said there would be no more Robins,” she murmured, feeling Bruce glance at her.

“It was not my decision,” he finally answered.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim sat on the edge of the roof, letting his feet swing, as he talked with the clone. He could fly, did he have all of Superman’s powers? Personally, Tim didn’t think he was a full, true clone, not when he was made from two peoples DNA. He kept his body language relaxed and open; he thought the super was nervous. That was just weird since Tim was baseline human and the only kryptonite that he had on him was in a lead lined pouch, so it couldn’t be seen or felt. He didn’t think it would be needed but better safe than sorry.

He still couldn’t believe he’d been chosen to reach out, though the closeness of their age, at least physically did make sense. Better to be faced with a fellow teen than an adult like Bruce.

By the time he jumped, hearing a yell of shock from ‘Superman’, he felt better about him. He fired his grapple, swinging away, feeling a little bad for freaking him out. He didn’t think the title of Superman would stick with the other teen; some papers were already starting to call him Superboy. But to not have a name…that made Tim angry. It would have taken them two seconds to give him a human name and the scientists hadn’t even bothered.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

It seemed that with the appearance of a new Robin, teenaged heroes suddenly began popping up. A new speedster appeared from nowhere, except apparently, he’d been sent back from the future and was Barry’s grandson. And then Wonder Girl made her debut, a demi-god rather than an Amazon. A few weeks later Arrowette appeared as well. It seemed like there might be a new generation of Titans after all.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 11

“Hey,” Tim whispered, sitting down beside the grave. “Sorry I haven’t been by…seems I keep having to say that.” He hugged his knees to his chest. “This got bad for a bit. Bruce…I think Selina was ready to feed him to one of Aunt Pam’s plants. One of those claw marks is probably scarred by now. I wouldn’t know, I’ve been with YJ the last few months which is why I haven’t been by.”

He sighed, looking up at the smog filled sky. “It’s been hard, but I really thought we’d found our rhythm, you know? We worked out a balance with my splitting my time between Gotham and Young Justice. And then B actually had me at the Manor for my birthday – cake, presents, everything. It was all a stupid test and I…I threatened to quit, to go solo. If I didn’t work with Babs so much, I might have missed the clues since I don’t do as much computer work anymore. It hurts Jay. I thought we had a real partnership growing and Bruce just…he decided I needed to learn to be more paranoid, to trust no one, even teammates.”

“He tries to not show it, but he misses you so much,” he whispered. “I snuck Kon into the Cave and got rid of that stupid plaque though. He’s so…ugh. I really don’t see what Selina does in him. Honestly…I don’t think she’s interested in him like that anymore. Not with everything that’s happened since you died. This was the final straw.”

Tim stood to stretch, running his fingers over the stone. “I became Robin to protect your legacy. Because Gotham needs Batman and Batman needs Robin. Having Robin retire wouldn’t be traumatic, not like your death. It’s tempting to move to Happy Harbour permanently to just lead the team. Except that would mean leaving my family too. It’s not really the kind of place where they’d fit in and they love Gotham. I love Gotham, I do.”

He looked around, sensing he wasn’t alone. He stiffened slightly when he saw Alfred, not sure how to react. He liked him, had thought he was kind of a friend, a listening ear…but he’d gone along with Bruce’s test.

The man walked sedately across the graveyard and then knelt down to place his flowers on the grave. “I am sorry dear boy,” he murmured, and Tim stood frozen in place. Which of them was he talking to?

Alfred looked at him, looking older than ever. “I am sorry Timothy. I should not have allowed this to happen. You are a wonderful boy, with a kindness in your heart that many are missing. Master Bruce,”

“Is as good as your son,” Tim interrupted softly. “So, you side with him and always have. I get it.” He mustered a smile and turned to go.

“Will you be at the Manor this evening?”

“I don’t know.” He may not have quit, but Robin hadn’t been seen since the week after Tim’s birthday.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Selina smiled softly as she found Tim curled up on the couch. Since he’d moved in with her, she’d gotten a new apartment, a larger one since a teenage boy needed his space. The décor was different, yes there were still lots of cats, but there were also a lot of photos, even some movie posters that rotated depending on what held Tim’s interest at the moment. There was also a very nice gaming system and enough food to feed a speedster given one was often camped on the couch with a Kryptonian and demigoddess. She’d never thought she would have children and now she legally had one and he had come with three more. But she couldn’t complain.

She was worried about him continuing as Robin though after Bruce’s last stunt. She honestly couldn’t believe he’d done it. In the early days of Tim’s tenure sure, but now? She’d really thought they had a good partnership, that Bruce liked having Tim as Robin now. So why? She’d been too angry when she faced him to press for his reasoning. Tim was spending his nights in the Clocktower, working with Barbara. It had been because of her that Tim had even realised something was off about the so-called future message.

Selina sat beside him and Tim looked up from his tablet, smiling at her.

“Hey,” he greeted. “Good night?”

“Very good,” she purred to get a laugh from him.

Bruce’s test hadn’t broken Tim, he was stronger and smarter than Bruce in so many ways. She couldn’t wait to see how he would grow. Part of her wished he would step back, take on a role like Barbara’s if he wanted to stay in the life. But she knew he wouldn’t, even if he left Robin, he would remain active on the streets.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cassie laughed as Kon tackled Tim, the two boys rolling across the floor in a tangle. Bart zipped into the room, stared at them and then he pounced, Tim shrieking and Kon yelping as the speedster landed on them. There was no way she was getting in the middle of that!

This team…it was everything she could have ever dreamed of. She’d never thought she would have such wonderful friends. They were all a mess in their own ways but they were messes that clicked together like a puzzle. She just wished Tim would step away from Gotham, he could be their full-time leader rather than splitting his time between the team and city.

What Batman had done…she’d wanted to go to Gotham and punch his lights out, the boys had been with her. But Tim had said no. Apparently his guardian had beaten them to it. The bastard deserved whatever she did to him. She’d thought Batman was a good mentor and partner, now she had her doubts. But Tim refused to leave Gotham, he had chosen family there, some sort of school friends, and he did good work.

She watched the boys played, seeing the way that Kon looked at Tim. His feelings were very obvious to her…but she wasn’t so sure on Tim’s side. He liked Kon a lot, they were best friends, Tim had been the first one in the cape community to reach out to him after all, but she didn’t know if there was more. The last thing Cassie wanted was for Kon to get his heart broken.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim knew he had to make a decision, did he remain Robin or take on a new identity in the mask? Dick had said it was up to him, that he would support him either way. But how was he meant to choose? He knew Selina, his Aunts, and team wanted him to leave Batman and take up a new id or retire from the field. But…he had taken up the mantle in Jason’s memory. Could he just toss it aside? Would Bruce backslide into dangerous behaviour? Though Dick was keeping a closer eye on him now. He’d been so angry when he got back and found out about the birthday test.

He just felt so confused. And then the phone called, the hospital…Jack Drake was awake.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce knew he was brooding, something Jason had teased him about. Tim would bully him into doing something…but Tim wasn’t there. He hadn’t seen the teen since he threatened to quit and stormed off. From Selina’s actions, he assumed the boy had gone home to her.

Didn’t they understand? He had to ensure Tim was prepared for anything and everything. Tim was far too trusting and that would come back to bite him one day. He was proud of Tim, of everything he had learnt and done, but he was still a child. It was why he had been against Young Justice; they were too small a team without enough supervision. He had been against the Teen Titans when Dick formed it, but they were a steadier team, better supervised.

Alfred had helped with the test and yet now seemed upset with him. Tim had realised very quickly the message was false, which was good, but he hadn’t even seemed to consider that it could be real, that someone could have betrayed him which wasn’t so good. Selina had made her view clear and from the way he’d been tripped up by various plants on patrol he assumed Ivy and Harley felt the same. Dick had screamed at him and said if Tim quit, he would back him on that choice.

Maybe it would be for the best, he had never wanted another Robin after all.

And then he stared as Diana and Clark appeared in the Cave, neither looking happy.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Selina stalked from her lawyers office, not happy. Jack Drake was awake and she could do nothing to bar his access to Tim. She had no evidence of how horrible a father man was, beyond their absences from the country. That should be enough! But apparently if she tried, he could argue that she was using Tim to get access to the Drake family inheritance. Which wasn’t true, she had trusted lawyers handling it all in Tim’s interests and any big decisions were run by him first. But with Jack awake…much of that power would revert to him once he was declared fit.

If Jack tried to get custody back, he’d find out just how sharp her claws were. She might not do a lot of jobs anymore, but she still had a lot of contacts and favours owed. She would not let Jack get his hands on Tim ever again, no matter what. The contract had protected Tim and his mother before, but now? Tim would be at his mercy.

Jack couldn’t touch everything, Janet had protected everything that she could for Tim’s future, but Jack could still do a lot of damage to the company especially.

When she got home, Tim was in his room curled with several cats.

“Custody?” he whispered.

“Still with me kitten. There won’t be any changes there until and if your father is discharged.”

Tim nodded dejectedly.

“I won’t let him hurt you,” she swore. “He’s been in a coma for years; rehabilitation will take months at least.” Hopefully, he would never recover enough.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim stared at the man in the bed, he’d only ever come when the doctors asked for him. Jack was smaller than he remembered, then again, Tim was sixteen now. He wasn’t the same child who had waited for word in the Batcave. And after so long in hospital, Jack had lost a lot of weight and muscle. Selina was right, it would take a long time for him to get it all back. Would he even listen to the doctors?

And then Jack stirred, blinking at him in confusion.

“Jack,” Tim said, refusing to call him father anymore.

He tried to speak but it was a rasp. Between being intubated and the time since he’d last spoken, that wasn’t a surprise.

“Mother is dead,” he told him and yeah, Jack wasn’t going to mourn her at all. Bastard. “I want nothing to do with you.”

He turned and left the room, shaking. He headed down to Selina’s waiting car and they went to an ice cream parlour. He wasn’t surprised when his Aunts showed up that evening, Aunt Harley sitting beside him.

The next night, Robin was seen in Gotham for the first time in well over a month but not with Batman, instead he patrolled beside Nightwing.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“You okay?” Kon sat beside Tim on edge of the roof.

He really was a bird, loving to sit somewhere high when upset or needing to think. It did make him easier to find at least, even if it always kicked his heartrate up seeing Tim sitting on a ledge since he couldn’t fly.

Tim shrugged slightly. “Is it wrong…that I wanted him to never wake up?”

“From what you’ve shared, no.” And he was tempted to offer to fix it for him, a little TTK and no one would ever know. But surely Tim wouldn’t agree, he was a Bat and they didn’t kill. “You’ve got us, the team,” he promised softly.

“Thanks.” Tim gave him a tired smile.

They sat in silence for a while, taking in the night sky and the sound of the waves in the distance.

“Tim?” he asked nervously. Maybe this wasn’t the best time? But there never seemed to be a ‘right’ time.

“Yeah?”

“I,” he paused and took a deep breath. “I like you. I think,” fingers pressed to his lips silenced him.

“Kon…you’re my best friend and I love you, but only as a friend, a brother,” Tim told him gently, eyes sad. “I’m sorry.”

Kon shook his head. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” He mustered a smile. It hurt but he’d always known it was a possibility. There was never a guarantee, right? “We’re still best friends, right?”

“Always,” Tim’s smile was brighter this time. “I will always be here for you.”

“Same,” he promised. It hurt, but the hurt would fade with time. And one day, if he was lucky, he would find someone who felt the same. And Tim would be at his side, his best friend.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

So much had changed, it was hard to believe he’d been in a coma for so long. Janet was dead which meant the Drake legacy was his. After all, the boy was too young to inherit anything or take over. Being told that Selina Kyle was his guardian was confusing. He’d seen the woman at some galas but they didn’t know her, if she was close to anyone, it was Wayne. So why the hell did she have his son? The sooner he could get out of the blasted hospital, the better.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Hey Timmy,” Dick greeted, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

“Hey Dick.” Tim smiled at him, leaning into his side.

“What’s going on in there,” he tapped Tim’s forehead, wrapping an arm around Tim’s shoulders. They might not be related by blood or law but Tim was his little brother in every way that counted.

“Everything’s…a mess,” was the soft answer.

“Jack?” Dick asked, wishing he could deal with the man, beat him back into a coma.

Tim nodded, chewing at his lip. “And…Kon confessed to me,” he admitted softly.

Dick blinked. “And it’s not welcome?” he asked carefully.

“He’s my best friend Dick, my brother. I don’t see him that way.”

“Because of Jason?”

Tim looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Timmy, I’ve seen a lot of your photos since you came to see me, their focus is very obvious. You’ve had a crush on Jason since he became Robin and his dying didn’t end it. Everyone grieves and moves on at their own pace. If you’re not ready to think of anyone else in that way, then that’s that. And if anyone pushes, you tell me and Selina, okay?”

“Okay. But…isn’t it weird? He knew me as Alvin, didn’t know I knew who he was. We talked more through notes than actual face to face…”

“The heart wants what the heart wants,” Dick quoted from…somewhere. He was pretty sure it was a quote anyway.

Tim rolled his eyes but settled against him so he turned on the movie, grabbing a slice of pizza.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim spun, slamming his bō into the stomach of a goon and then swept back behind the knees of another. A batarang flew by, taking out another. Getting back into the flow with Bruce wasn’t easy but he’d decided after keeping an eye on the man. He would remain as Robin, for now. It wasn’t about Bruce; it was about Gotham. And Gotham needed Robin as much as Batman did. He just worried about what would happen when he chose to move on. Would Bruce take on another Robin? Would he treat them as badly as Tim had been at various times?

He wished he could go back to before his birthday, to when life was easy. Bruce had seemed to have warmed up to him, he even stayed at the Manor some nights. He’d been happy at school and living with Selina. Then his birthday…Jack waking up…Kon’s admission. It had been a horrible sixteenth year so far.

Kon hadn’t pulled away even when Tim turned him down, thankfully, but things had been a bit awkward for a while. But they were getting back to normal which was a relief. Jack was…being difficult, hating the rehabilitation and trying to take over the company from the lawyers that Selina had set up. And it was obvious that he wanted custody of Tim; with access to the Drake accounts, he could pay off a judge. Selina had money but not that kind of money. The thought of being stuck with Jack…it made him feel sick. And made it tempting to contact a certain mercenary again, but that was a very slippery slope and…Jack was still his family, his blood. Killing him in cold blood, paying for it, he couldn’t do it. But if Jack thought he was safe now that mother was dead and tried to raise a hand against him, Tim would fight back. He had records of classes in self-defence after all so it was explainable without linking him to Robin.

Things with Bruce were almost back to how they’d been at the beginning. They were co-workers, nothing more. It hurt given that Bruce had become someone he could talk to about things not strictly linked to their work. He wanted things to go back to how they’d been but he just…he wasn’t sure he could ever fully trust Bruce again, even though he wanted to.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim stood beside Selina, watching as Jack was wheeled into the ambulance. He was being released, with a nurse coming to care for him at home. Selina’s hand on his shoulder was all that kept him steady. While there had been nothing on the custody front…he knew it was coming. The thought of moving back to the cold Drake Manor was something he couldn’t deal with. He was sixteen, surely the judge would take his opinion under consideration? If Jake didn’t pay them off.

“I hate him,” he whispered.

“I know kitten. We’ll deal with this.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harley paced the room. Jack Drake was threatening their kid! Well, he hadn’t said anything but Selina had called, he’d been released home from the hospital. They all knew the custody paperwork would be coming soon. “We have to stop him.”

“I’m sure he’d make passable fertiliser,” Pam offered, tending to one of her plants.

She groaned. “Selina wants it done within the law,” she pouted.

“Well then, have him declared psychologically unsound to care for a child. Surely there must be evidence of how unsuitable a parent he is?”

“And if there isn’t…” Harley smirked. He deserved anything they did to him for how he’d treated Alvin and his Mom.

They would protect their kid from that man.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce was very aware of how things had become cold between him and Tim. And everyone said it was his fault. But he’d also seen the growing disquiet in the boy as his Father’s recovery continued. He was watching Jack Drake closely; he would make sure the man didn’t buy off a judge. But even without paying for a verdict, many would insist on sending Tim back to his biological family, unless a very good reason not to was given.

Watching Tim, a concern began to grow. Was Tim, the brave kid who stood up to Batman and any Rogue…was he afraid of his own father?

TBC….

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 12

Tim stared out the window at the city, he was tired but he still had another meeting left. He’d never planned to be a teenaged CEO but it had been the only way. He was glad that Selina and Bruce had done their best to shield him during the whole process of fighting for his freedom from Jack. Once Tim had been emancipated, Jack had little left and it had been made very clear to him that staying in Gotham would not be good for his health. Tim had purposely ignored whatever his Aunts had said or done to him to make him leave. He’d heard from Jack last birthday and probably would in a few months for his eighteenth.

“Hey Tim, you’ve got ten,” Tam called over the intercom.

“Almost ready,” he promised her.

B had introduced him to Lucius Fox which had been amazing. The man pretty much ran Wayne Enterprises and had taught Tim what he didn’t yet know. His daughter Tam had come to DI and was a wonderful PA. It didn’t hurt that she knew about their night work and so was able to cover for him when necessary.

Things with B were better than they had been, more like they had been before his sixteenth. He thought some of that was because of Selina, she had really whipped him into shape…and Tim really didn’t want any details.

He couldn’t believe that he’d be eighteen in a few months. Where had the years gone? Sometimes it felt like just yesterday that he’d stood at Jason’s funeral…had watched Bruce spiral and had taken up Robin’s name. Sometimes he wondered…what could have changed if he had realised what Jason was doing and followed him overseas? Could he have helped him? Saved him? Those thoughts always plagued him when Jason’s anniversary approached. Tim’s birthday had been only days before Jason had died.

He took a deep breath, grabbed his coffee and headed to the meeting room. Time to get to work.

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Bruce nodded as Tim joined him, the teen quickly suiting up. The Robin suit had changed a bit over the years; the first thing Tim had done was add pants. But he had made other changes over the years, the colours darker, his domino shape changing a bit, and more recently he’d changed the cape lining from yellow to green. He didn’t think Tim would remain Robin for much longer. He’d never wanted a third Robin but now it was sad to think of Tim moving on from the roll, but everyone had to grow and change.

“There’s suspicious activity around Park Row,” he told Tim.

“I’ll check it out.” Tim carefully affixed his domino, checking his equipment.

“Be careful,” he warned, and Tim threw him a cheeky grin.

“Always am B.” He got on his bike and headed out.

Bruce shook his head but got into the Batmobile and headed out to check out what appeared to be a Mad Hatter sighting near the Diamond District.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The Alley was a place that Robin where Robin was well known and accepted, unlike Batman. The second Robin had been theirs, one of them, and they had known it. Some had known about the shadow who followed the Bats and when the third Robin moved the same way…he had never tried to pretend to be the second, had never looked down on them, and so they accepted him too.

Tim landed lightly in the dirty alleyway, pulling a package from under his cape and then he was swarmed by kids, handing out the food. “Everything alright?” he asked.

The kids nodded as they ate, but one of the older boys looked a little unsure. He ate his food and then shifted closer.

“What is it?” Tim asked softly.

“There’s someone new,” the kid, Evan, whispered.

“Dangerous?” he asked, and Evan nodded.

“He has guns and a red helmet. He’s going after the gangs, especially the ones running drugs.”

Tim nodded and slipped him a fifty. Evan grinned and ran off. He always carried cash to give informants. That could get the kid a week of food if he was careful or feed the whole group for a day. Sadly, just flooding the place with money wouldn’t do a thing. DI was moving very carefully into the Alley, working to clean it up. Tim was buying up all the property he could, tearing down or renovating the old buildings for cheap but safe housing. He’d given funds to Leslie’s clinic so she could expand it and take on more staff, B had matched him when he realised. Even Selina was giving funds to the rehabilitation of the area.

Not that it was easy, the gangs did not appreciate his work at all. But that was what Robin was for.

He took to the rooftops, patrolling, searching for a red helmet but he didn’t spot them that night. Still, he had a starting point with the vague description. He returned to the Cave to report and then headed home. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to live in Drake Manor, not after everything.

Tim had bought a building halfway between the office and the Alley and renovated it to fit his needs. Others rented apartments in the building but Tim had the penthouse and the underground levels. B knew about it; it gave them a second base in the city outside of the Wayne Penthouse basement. Sure, there was the tiny storage areas at both WE and DI for emergencies but they just stored gear for quick changes. Babs had the Clocktower with more of their gear as backups as well.

Bruce had also had to learn to deal with more Meta’s in Gotham since Tim’s team would stop by to visit. He’d had to pull back a bit after stepping up with the company, he was busier than when he was at school. It was easier for them to come to Gotham to see him than for him to get out to San Francisco. It was good for Bruce to have to face his own semi-bigotry. Sure, Superman was his best friend and he’d never hurt a Meta for being a Meta…but there was always some wariness there. But his rule was stupid, Meta’s had every right to be in Gotham, it wasn’t up to Batman to decide that. Though Tim got it when it came to heroes, they didn’t understand Gotham. But his team came as his friends, not to work

He stripped out of his gear and got a program to run, searching for this red helmeted figure. Not even Babs knew the extent of the new, hidden camera system that he’d slowly set up in Crime Alley. It had always had spotty coverage but with the street kids on Robin’s side it was easier to keep the network intact. Plus, Tim had gotten good at disguising them or even hiding them in plain sight. Hopefully when he got home from work he’d have something he could work with to look into this new figure.

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Dick grinned at Tam who nodded and waved him through. He opened the door to Tim’s office, seeing the kid at his desk on the phone, typing away…and not speaking English. He moved to the side of the room where there was a coffee table and comfy chairs. He put the takeout bags and coffee on the table and took a seat, not trying to eavesdrop.

There’d been talk about Tim’s closeness to them when running a company that sometimes competed with WE, but they also sometimes collaborated. So, the family was careful to not seem like they were influencing Tim’s choices or controlling DI through Timmy. They weren’t, but Tim had been barely seventeen when he took on the CEO role and people were always going to talk.

“Hey Dick,” Tim greeted once he’d hung up. He stood and stretched before heading over.

“Hey Timmy. Looking smart today,” he smirked, and Tim groaned.

“Stupid cover shoot,” he grumbled, taking his coffee eagerly.

“You’re famous Tim,” he teased, and Tim tossed a pillow at him.

“Thanks for this,” Tim offered, motioning to the food.

“Figured you could use a break, kiddo.” He opened his own bag and dug out his sushi.

“Hmm. So why are you in Gotham?” Tim asked, grinning as he emptied out his bag and found the small lava cake.

“B called, said there might be a new player?”

“Maybe, whispers in the Alley.” Tim shrugged. “I’ve got some things running to try and get a look. There’s been some activity with the gangs in the area so that might be them.”

Dick nodded. “So how goes planning the big birthday bash?” he asked, changing the subject. He laughed when Tim groaned.

“I hate milestone birthdays,” he grumbled. “Selina and Alfred are handling it, thankfully. B offered the Manor but we’re going to hire the ballroom of the Orchard.”

“Fancy but appropriate.”

“Maybe, but the place gives me the creeps. It always feels like someone’s watching.”

“Poor paranoid Timmy,” he teased, and Tim stuck his tongue out at him.

B might not have adopted him, but Tim was Robin. That made them brothers no matter what. And it was his duty as the older to tease his baby brother. He knew the reason Tim dreaded his birthday every year, it was only days out from the anniversary. But Tim Drake was not a known friend of Jason Todd-Wayne so his grief would seem strange and suspicious. The kid was always careful when visiting Jay’s grave because of that.

Sadly, Tim had meetings so lunch was fairly short. He was proud of the kid; how many teens could take control of a company and do such a good job? DI was doing better than ever under his control, Jack Drake must be seething

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim went over the data again and again. But it couldn’t be… He played the footage again, taking in the form, the way he moved, everything he said. Even with the modulator in the helmet, his accent came through to a degree. It was obvious this ‘Red Hood’ had training from the League of Assassins, it was clear in the way he moved and while they didn’t favour guns, they did have members who used them.

Tim had worked with Pru and Owens after all, he knew the LoA didn’t limit weapons. That had been a very weird month but at least it had been the least dangerous run in that he’d had with the League since becoming Robin. He’d never found out why Ra’s had been so interested in that bit of alien tech and since he’d managed to grab it, it didn’t matter too much. But he’d liked Z, Owens, and Pru despite them being assassins. They’d even held back on lethal action while working together. But he didn’t trust the League as far as he could throw them. He knew Talia didn’t like him at all, they’d only met once when she’d dropped in on Bruce and he’d been in the Cave. Dick said she didn’t like him either. And it made sense; she wanted Bruce and they as Robin kept him tied to the life that she wanted him to leave. But Bruce wouldn’t, even without them, he wasn’t a killer.

But under the signs of League training was something else, something that Tim would recognise anywhere…Bat training…Robin… but that wasn’t possible. The only living people with that kind of training were him and Dick. Jason was dead. Not even the Lazarus Pit could have brought him back, he’d researched it once he had access to the Batcomputer. To bring someone back to life, there was only a short window of opportunity. Bruce would have had to take Jason to a Pit as soon as he found him. Jason’s body had been in the Cave and then at the mortuary before the funeral. By then it was too late.

The same with Steph and she’d never had the same level of training as them. She’d taken Tim’s place only very briefly when the team had been off world and trapped. It had taken them months to escape and make it back and Bruce had needed backup. She’d gone back to Spoiler once Tim was recovered. His absence from school and society had been excused by a very bad case of glandular fever. He missed her. They hadn’t worked well as a couple, they’d been better as friends, had been getting to a good place and then she was gone.

And yeah, they all trained their teams but no one was missing. And why would they come to Gotham, specifically Crime Alley. Was this Ra’s or Talia trying to mess with them?

And yet…there was something familiar about the man. The name he was using had to be intentional but why? A taunt? The Joker had used that alias before after all. He hadn’t done anything big enough to truly be on Batman’s radar but Tim knew it was coming. His theory was crazy, insane, and yet…

He sat back in his chair with a groan. “Hey Kon, you busy?” he asked since he didn’t have the soundproofing engaged. Two minutes later his best friend joined him.

“So this is what has you drinking a country’s annual supply of coffee.”

“Ha ha.” Tim glared at him. “I need you to do something crazy and not be detected by B.”

“I’m not going to like this am I?”

“I need you to check out Jason Todd’s grave.”

“Tim…that’s insane!”

“I know,” Tim sighed. “But the evidence…and when I was training in Europe, Jason’s grave was vandalised. What if it wasn’t just vandalism?”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon grimaced. Had someone dug up the second Robin? That was just…

“Please Kon,” Tim whispered, and he nodded.

There was little he wouldn’t do if Tim asked. He was his best friend and yeah, if Tim ever indicated he felt more than Kon would be very happy but…Tim didn’t seem interested in anyone. No, he wasn’t interested in anyone alive. Was this theory some desperate hope? Better he confirm either way and fast then. Better to give him the truth before he could build up hope. It sounded insane but…it was Tim, insane ideas and plans were his thing.

He left the Nest and took off, flying high. He knew the grave, he’d been once with Tim, so had Cassie and Bart. He stared down at the graves and then his eyes widened in shock. It was…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim turned as Kon returned, keeping his heart steady. Kon looked…shocked. “Kon?”

“it’s empty,” he admitted softly. “Tim…the coffin it…”

Tim swallowed. “Was broken open from the inside?” he asked, and Kon nodded.

It made sense, Bruce would have recognised a grave that had been dug up, but one that had been disturbed from the coffin upwards?

“There were…he clawed at the coffin with his bare hands. I don’t know how but he dug out. Was he buried with a knife?”

“No…but he had a solid metal belt buckle. We’re trained to use anything at hand.”

And he was putting in his instructions to be buried with something he could break through a coffin with, like a blade, just in case. The thought of waking in a coffin, he must have been so scared and confused. How aware had he been? How had he come back? Jason didn’t have a meta gene and he’d been dead too long anyway. Had all the damage been healed?

“I’m going out.”

“Tim, wait.”

“Not as Robin,” Tim told him, going to the changing room.

He had a suit there yes, but also other clothing. He dressed quickly, putting on the lightweight armour that he wore as Tim Drake under his suits, it’d stop a bullet but not as well as the Robin suit. He’d likely end up with a broken rib or two and tons of bruises.

Alvin stepped out of the changing rooms. His hair was styled differently, his clothing well-made but not rich looking. Tim checked his backpack and got out his camera.

“Tim…”

“Alvin’s known and accepted in the Alley and…if it is him, he knows Alvin, or he did.” Who knew what his memory was like?

“This is crazy,” Kon muttered. “I’m staying, first sign of trouble.”

“I’ll shout,” he promised.

He got on the bike registered to Alvin Jones. He’d wanted to use Kyle, Quinn, or Isley but it was too risky. So, he’d ended up using the boring Jones. He headed for Crime Alley and where he always left the bike. And then he took to the rooftops, careful to move differently to how he did as Robin, it was okay to move a bit like Selina though.

How had Jason ended up with the LoA? He wouldn’t have gone to them, surely, he would have gone home. Which suggested they had found him and taken him. But why?

He stopped to take some photos; he wasn’t Tim or Robin. He was Alvin, the kid who ran around on roofs and took photos. He crouched as he heard shots, creeping to the ledge and there he was, the Red Hood. The helmet gleamed under the streetlights, his shots excellently aimed. And his targets…Black Masks men? Dangerous. He watched as Hood took them down, fast but also without causing unnecessary suffering. Quick and clean.

And then he looked right at where Tim was hiding. He hesitated, stay or go? But he didn’t want him to think he was running and shoot at him, so he stayed. Hood fired a grapple, landing on the roof opposite, one gun in hand but not raised.

Tim took a breath and slowly stood, camera clear around his neck, his hood up. He was taller than he’d been back then, but the clothing was almost identical. Would Jason remember, recognise him?

And then he leapt across the gap, staring down at Tim. He’d…he’d gotten tall and very well built. Wow.

“What are you doing here kid?” he asked, the distorter hiding his identity but the accent was there.

“Robin?” he asked, and Hood jerked slightly. “Is it you? My Robin?”

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 13

He had noticed the changes in the Alley from the moment he arrived. He wasn’t sure what to think of it, especially once he found out it was being backed by Drake Industries…now under the control of a teenager. He would dig into that later; he didn’t want the Bats to interfere yet and they would if he went after someone that well connected. The Alley didn’t need rich kid publicity stunts doing more harm than any real good.

He worked in the shadows, starting with the worst of the worse. The people who cut drugs with dangerous things, who dealt to kids. He wanted to thin the herd before going after Black Mask. And if he was going to control the Alley then he’d need his own men too, well, people. He wasn’t going to discriminate.

Keeping focused was hard, the raging green madness demanded blood…the Joker’s…Batman…the new Robin. He’d found out on his own that Dick had been off world till after the funeral so his emotions there weren’t as strong. The new Robin though…what was B thinking?! Stuffing some random kid into his suit within weeks of his funeral?! No more Robins, why hadn’t he learnt? He hadn’t even avenged his death!

And then he found the old headline of the Joker’s death, a professional hit. Someone had finally ended the monster, but who? It was too long after his death to be linked to it. So what had the Joker done, who had he hurt, that had been connected to someone with the kind of money needed to buy someone that good?

And then one night, he felt eyes on him, someone watching as he took out some of Black Mask’s men. Not what he wanted but they’d found him. He got the last one down and looked up, catching the glint. A scope? He tensed but no, it wasn’t a scope. He fired his grapple gun, landing on the roof and then a figure slipped out of hiding, camera hanging around their neck. He was dressed in non-descript clothes, a hood pulled up, and something niggled at the back of his mind.

He leapt across the gap, landing easily, and the other didn’t flinch, just watching him. Brave. “What are you doing here kid?” he asked, and it was a kid. Lanky, not fully filled out to their adult weight yet.

“Robin?” a soft voice asked, and he jerked in shock, what? “Is it you? My Robin?”

The kid pushed their hood back, revealing wide blue eyes and pitch-black hair framing a slender face…older…but… “You,” he whispered. The boy…he’d…he’d almost forgotten him. Alvin, the boy with the camera who took photos and raced with him across the roofs of Gotham. “Alvin?”

The kid nodded, a shaky smile spreading across his lips. “It’s really you?”

He hesitated but then unsealed his helmet, pulling it off to reveal the red domino mask under it. Would Al recognise him? He was different, older, his hair a lot shorter and now with a white streak. And then he rocked back as the younger boy slammed into him. He couldn’t help tensing but it was a hug. When was the last time he’d been hugged? Hesitantly, he lifted his arms to wrap around Alvin. Surely it was uncomfortable hugging someone in body armour but the kid didn’t seem to care.

“You were dead,” Alvin whispered.

“Yeah,” he agreed gruffly.

Alvin let go, stepping back to look up at him. “I can’t believe it,” he whispered. “I missed you so much.”

Jason swallowed, someone had cared, someone had missed him….and he hadn’t remembered him. Too consumed by anger and vengeance to remember his friend. “I’m not Robin anymore, I’m not the same…”

Alvin shot him a look. “You died, of course you’re not the same.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Can we…can we go somewhere safe to talk? There’s a lot I need to tell you, about what you’ve missed.”

Jason eyed Alvin, he’d changed, how much had Alvin? It had been years since they’d raced each other, since the wide-eyed kid had taken photos…could he still trust him?

“Please Jason,” Alvin whispered, and he froze.

“How?” he demanded warily.

“I’ve always known,” was the answer. “I…I was there, the night Nightwing’s parents…saw Robin do a quadruple on the news a few years later. It was easy after that.”

Jason stared in shock. Alvin knew who they all were? He took a deep breath; they really did need to talk. If Alvin knew then he could go to Bruce, tell him Jason was alive… “Come on.” He put the helmet back on. “Safehouse is two blocks north.”

Alvin nodded and then they were off and it felt so much like years ago except this time they were side by side.

Tim didn’t hesitate to follow Jason through Crime Alley, running beside him. it felt amazing, he’d dreamed of this when he used to shadow Robin. And he was terrified to tell Jason everything. What if he liked Alvin and not Tim?

He followed Jason into the safehouse, an apartment that looked rundown but inside was much better. He slipped his shoes off and set his camera down, moving to sit on the couch. He watched as Jason removed his helmet, hesitating, but then took off his domino as well. He slipped out of armoured boots and jacket before sitting in the armchair across from the couch. Tim let him look him over.

“You’re wearing body armour.”

“So are you,” Tim pointed out. he shifted, drawing his leg up and wrapping his arms around it, chin on his knee.

Jason had taken his jacket off but Tim could see the shirt was armoured as well, his pants too. It was very different to any version of the Robin suit but that was probably the point.

“So you knew who I was the whole time back then?” Jason asked, and Tim nodded.

“I started following Batman and Robin when Dick was still Robin. You’re the only one who ever saw me because I slipped. Then that man fell and you weren’t on the streets anymore.”

“You saw that?” Jason asked in surprise.

“Yeah, I know it wasn’t your fault. When you weren’t out and Batman seemed angry, I printed the photos, left them at our gargoyle but they never got picked up. I guess you were already headed overseas. I…I went to your funeral, made sure no one saw me. Batman went after the Joker and that was a mess.”

“Wait, what?”

Tim looked up at him. “The monster killed his son, of course he went after him. Nearly killed him too, but Superman intervened. He somehow survived a helicopter crash into the ocean after trying to kill the UN. You…you didn’t know?”

Jason shook his head, looking stunned.

“Jason…losing you nearly destroyed him.”

“Yeah right,” he scoffed.

Tim pulled out his phone, accessing the secure server, and then handed it over with the photos displayed.

“What are these?” Jason asked in confusion as he skimmed through them.

“Batman’s victims,” Tim answered.

“What?”

“After you died…he lost it. Pety thieves were ending up in the ICU. I started carrying a medical kit over the camera, called 911… he was losing the support of the Commissioner and the police. Gotham was scared of its protector and no one was doing anything. So…I tracked Dick down, tried to get him come back and be Robin again. Which…not my brightest idea,” he admitted.

Jason snorted and Tim flashed him a grin. “Dick trying to get back in the scaly panties?”

“Yeah, didn’t work. But it got him back in Gotham.”

Jason’s head was spinning. Those photos…once he never would have believed Bruce would do that, now he wasn’t so sure. And Alvin had seen it all, photographed it, helped people. He had guts, that was obvious. But if he was still following them… “The new Robin, do you know who it is?”

Alvin stared at him before nodding. He looked away and then shifted on the couch. “Batman needs a Robin, someone to ground him and pull him back when he goes too far. Dick wouldn’t and honestly, he couldn’t go back. They went up against Two-Face and nearly died, he dropped a building on them.”

Jason couldn’t help tensing at that. It was too close to what had happened to him.

“Dick triggered his alarm, they needed help…so I took the Robin costume. The third Robin…is me. My name is Tim Drake and I used to live next door to Wayne Manor.”

Jason saw green, hands gripping the armrests of the armchair. “What?” he managed to say.

“Bruce was destroying what Batman and Robin were. I didn’t want to be Robin but there was no one else. Dick offered it to me that night once we were back. I took time to consider it, to talk it over with my Aunts… and in the end I told Dick yes. He was the one to start my training because Bruce didn’t want me as Robin. Eventually he got involved. They even sent me overseas for more training, though I don’t think they meant for me to end up training with Lady Shiva.”

With who?! Some of the green faded as he listened to Al…Tim. Tim Drake…Drake Industries. He was the one building clinics and housing in the Alley.

“I did it for you,” Tim whispered. “You were my Robin, the way you helped people… I was only ever meant to be a temporary measure, until Bruce found someone he actually wanted to work with.”

“So you kept the Drake name even after Bruce adopted you?”

“What?’ Tim stared at him in confusion. “Bruce never adopted me. After Mother died and Jack was in a coma, Aunt Selina took custody of me after we got creative with the paperwork. But Jack eventually woke up and tried to take me back. Bruce helped with evidence in getting me emancipated. Jack left Gotham since it was made very clear to him that he’s not welcome.”

Tim wasn’t a Wayne? But the files…she said the new Robin was another street kid, adopted…had everything he’d been told been a lie? He took a shaky breath; hands pressed to his eyes. And then a hand rested on his knee, touch light.

“No one could ever replace you, Jason. You’ve been back a while, haven’t you? I’m guessing when I was in Europe. Bruce found your grave a mess, everyone assumed it was vandalism but…I asked Kon, Superboy, to take a look and he said your coffin…you dug yourself out.”

He nodded, lowering his hands to find Tim kneeling in front of him. “I was a zombie,” he told him. “Eventually I was found and taken overseas.”

“The League of Assassins?” Tim asked and he stared at him in surprise. He shrugged. “The white patch in your hair, your eyes are more teal than they were before, and a Lazarus Pit would explain your healing.”

“Yeah. Talia…she told me there was a new Robin, some kid taken off the streets and adopted. I don’t think she knew about Alvin.”

“And she doesn’t like me or Dick so it makes sense she’d aim you at me.”

And that made Jason feel sick. If he’d found Tim in the suit…what would he have done to him? Tim…Alvin had been the closest person to a friend he had back then, if he’d hurt him or worse…

“What are you going to do now?” he asked, not wanting to think about what could have happened anymore.

Tim tilted his head. “What do you mean? If you want Robin back then it’s yours.”

That shocked Jason. Robin had been everything to him, how could Tim just give it up like that? Did he? Could he ever go back to that? As much as part of him wanted it...he couldn’t. He wasn’t the same boy he’d been. Tim wasn’t the same either, they were both older, and he was Robbin now, no longer the wide-eyed civilian kid he’d once been.

“I can’t go back to that Tim, I’m not that boy anymore.”

Tim nodded and Jason nudged him back over to the couch.

“Are you going to go home?”

“I am home Tim, Gotham’s my home. But I can’t go back to the Manor.”

“Why? Because you’ve killed some people? Jason, they love you. Your bedroom is still there, just how you left it. Dick and I go to your grave, Alfred too. It’s too painful for Bruce. The Joker’s not a threat. Bruce would have done it at the UN but once he was stopped…he couldn’t do it.”

“So some random assassin did,” Jason sneered.

He was confused when Tim’s face started going blank before he seemed to catch himself. No…there was no way…he was Robin! Robin didn’t kill.

“Tim?” he stared at the kid.

Tim grimaced but took a deep breath. “It was Deathstroke who killed the Joker. I...” he paused and then looked Jason dead in the eye. “I hired him before I became Robin but after Dick started training me.”

Jason stared at him in shock. Tim! Alvin, his little shadow…. Had the Joker killed? “Why?” he whispered.

“He killed you,” Tim answered. “And right after that he tried to kill the UN…Arkham’s a joke, it can’t hold the really dangerous inmates. He was never going to stop and no one else was going to stop him for good.”

Jason swallowed. Tim had…sure, there had been other reasons, but one of them had been him. he’d always thought of Alvin as this innocent, wide eyed kid who hero worshipped them but…he’d been on the streets of Gotham at night, had watched them deal with criminals of all sorts. He’d watched the Grayson’s fall to their deaths when he was three. Poor kid hadn’t been innocent since he was a toddler.

“Do they know?” he asked, surely Bruce didn’t. If he did…he’d never have taken Tim on as Robin.

“No. They couldn’t figure out who took the hit let alone who hired the assassin.”

“Good.”

Kon paced, listening to their conversation. Jason Todd was alive. And Tim…Tim had killed the Joker. Sure, not personally, but he’d hired the killer. That…kind of explained a few things he’d noticed over the years. Should he still be listening? Maybe, maybe not. But he wasn’t sure he trusted Jason not to hurt Tim.

Tim watched Jason, glad the green glow of his eyes had faded again. It was a risk, telling him the truth about the Joker, but it was one he had taken because he thought of all the Bats, Jason would be the one to get it. And he figured, if Jason was okay with killing now then he’d probably planned to handle the monster himself before he found out he was already dead. He honestly didn’t know what Bruce would do if he ever found out, he thought Alfred would accept what he’d done, but B and Dick? He doubted Jason would tell them though.

“So what are you doing?” he asked. “You seem to be targeting drug dealers but you know they’ll just be replaced.”

“I know, there’s no way to stop the drug trade totally. But I can stop them dealing to kids, cutting with dangerous chemicals…”

“You’re going to control the drug trade?”

“Well, you seem to have housing and healthcare covered.” Jason smirked at him and Tim fought the urge to blush. Did Jason know what he looked like when smirking? Tim made sure to keep breathing slowly, calming his heartbeat. “Seriously, knowing it’s you behind all of that makes me feel better about it. I thought it was just some rich kid looking for good PR.”

“You looked out for the Alley, with you gone…they knew I wasn’t you but I guess I did something right, they accept Robin here. And Alvin they think is a weird kid but I give out food packs and stuff to the street kids and they’ll slip me information. Tim Drake would never be allowed somewhere so dangerous. Alvin and Tim dress nothing alike, different hairstyles too. You didn’t recognise me.”

Jason winced. “To be fair…I hadn’t actually looked into Tim Drake yet, so I didn’t know what you looked like.”

“Ah, so I was worried for nothing.” He leant back into the couch, relaxing.

Jason might be bigger and older, deadlier…but he was still Tim’s Robin.

“So you run a company during the day and fight crime at night, what about school?” Jason asked, turning the topic away from the more sensitive topics.

“Graduated early. I skipped a grade here and there, did some homeschooling, things like that. I’d offer you an invite to my eighteenth at the Grand Orchid next month but Bruce and Dick will be there.”

Eighteen? Tim was a lot older than he’d realised. He’d honestly thought he was at least four years younger than him, not two. Though he did look closer to his age now than he had before Jason died. And he had grown up very nicely, he had to be fending off the girls and boys with a stick. Money and good looks were a powerful combination, brains too to run a company and graduate early. He’d worked out Batman and Robin before he even hit double digits after all.

“So you’re not going to tell them who’s behind the Red Hood?”

“Only if you want me to. But I think you should tell them yourself. All of them were really hit by your death and finding out you’re back…it would mean everything to them.”

He didn’t believe it, he couldn’t. He was a killer now, they’d never accept that. Well…maybe Alfie, he’d been a soldier or secret agent once after all so surely, he had some kind of body count himself. Not to mention he kept his trusty shotgun around even with Bruce’s hatred of firearms.

“Well, I never was a fancy party kind of guy,” he told Tim.

“How about you go in my place?” Tim asked.

“Not a fan?”

“I hate galas and parties. They’re always so fake and the food is terrible.”

Jason laughed. “I always figured the rich kids actually liked them,” he admitted. “I hated them because it always seemed like they were looking down on me.”

“I wanted to approach you,” Tim told him. “But my parents kept me pretty close during the ones you attended. They thought you’d be a bad influence, more Jack than Mother.”

The way Tim talked about his parents, using his dad’s name…. the fact that he was emancipated. Add to that Tim following them around for years and it didn’t paint a pretty picture. He didn’t remember seeing Tim at galas, but he’d never really paid attention to the kids at those things.

He’d had so many plans when he came to Gotham but it seemed like he had a lot of bad intel. Which meant Talia had some other plan since the League of Assassins didn’t do bad intel. But what was she up to? Destabilising Gotham? Hurting Bruce? If he’d hurt Tim, hurt Robin, then Bruce would be off his game. The photos of what Batman had done after his death proved that.

“I should go,” Tim murmured. “You’ve had a lot of info dumped on you.”

“You don’t have to,” Jason answered.

Yes, he’d had a lot of new information but…it was also nice to not be alone like he had since leaving Talia…who had lied to him. Tim had lied to him as a child but…the name Alvin. He’d thought it was an alias, hadn’t he? Some things were fuzzy thanks to all the head trauma and Pit.

Tim pulled out his wallet and took out a card, holding it out to him. “A secure number, you can call or message me whenever you want. If you need backup or to talk or anything.”

“That’s a pretty broad offer Timmy,” he warned, and Tim shrugged.

“I trust you, Jason. Robin’s stick together.”

“Not Robin anymore,” he warned, and Tim smiled.

“You’ll always be my Robin.”

And then Jason was alone in the apartment. He got up, made some tea and then he got to work. He had a lot of digging to do, his own research into what had been happening in Gotham since his death.

“You heard?”

Kon nodded. “You had the Joker killed before even putting on the cape.”

“Technically, I’d worn it in one fight,” Tim corrected, sitting opposite him.

“You’re sure it can’t be tracked back to you?” he pressed, seeming to surprise Tim.

“No one’s worked it out yet and believe me, B was obsessed with solving it for almost a year.”

Okay, if Batman himself couldn’t find a link in that long then it had to be safe.

“Okay, that’s good. I’ve got chores so try not to do anything crazy for the rest of the night?”

“No promises.” Tim’s smile was shaky and Kon yanked him up into a hug.

“Just be careful, okay? He was your Robin but it’s been years. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Thanks Kon, for everything.”

He made himself leave, heading for the farm. He was pretty sure he knew why Tim had turned him down back then. He wasn’t jealous, but he was worried that Tim would get his heartbroken or worse.

TBC…