Chapter Text
“Metropolis people need to learn to mind their own business. This is all Mr. Burns' fault,” Tim loudly complained for the fifth time.
“For the last time, Tim, it is not the bus driver’s fault that you are grounded,” Bruce says once again. “This is entirely the consequence of your own choices. You are not supposed to run off on your own. And especially not supposed to break into a secret lab.”
“But Kon needed help. So I helped him.”
“I know that, Tim, but you should have come to me, an adult. Not done this yourself.”
“But I did it myself. Why would I need you?”
And there was the crux of the matter that the two had been debating for multiple hours. Tim truly saw nothing wrong with his little mission, thought himself completely capable. And to be fair, he was. Tim had planned and executed his rescue mission near perfectly, ending up with minimal injuries and only being thwarted by a concerned bus driver. That didn’t mean what he had done was ok or safe. Tim disagreed.
He had spent the majority of the car ride back to the manor explaining what he had done and why it was perfectly reasonable. Bruce learned that he really needs to invest in some better parental control locks, although he doubts it will stop Tim for long if he is already hacking Lex Luthor. Tim walked Bruce through every plan he had made, along with all the contingencies he had. Bruce had to stop himself from showing how impressed he was with the level of planning; it wouldn’t do to encourage it. Even if the plans were impressive, they were still incredibly dangerous. He wondered if this was how Alfred felt when Bruce first took on the Batman role.
It really didn’t help that for the majority of his life, Tim had been on his own. Being self-sufficient was all he had ever known. If he needed something, he had to get it himself. Spending not even two whole months under Bruce’s care wasn’t going to change that.
Of course, Tim wasn’t the only person who saw nothing wrong with the plan.
“Yeah, Tim saved me himself; he doesn’t need you,” the newest child said.
The boy who had been dubbed Conner, a split-second decision made by Tim when asked by Mr. Burns for their names, and later shortened to Kon in the car ride home, seems pretty attached to Tim.
Neither has left the other's side yet. Sitting next to each other in the car (nearly causing a fight as the rest of the kids had to adjust the seating arrangement). Picking out clothes for Kon from Jason’s wardrobe. Claiming the room next to Tim’s as Kon’s room, not even bothering to ask Bruce for permission. And now the two boys sit glued to each other on the counter, stealing from each other’s ice cream bowls. Why they aren’t just eating from their own bowls Bruce has no idea, each kid got three scoops just as he had told Steph. And yes, Steph was also grounded for not sharing what Tim was planning and for deliberately aiding Tim in his mission. But bribes don’t work if you don’t follow through, hence the ice cream.
“As I’ve said, Kon, just because Tim was able to do it doesn’t mean that he should have done it or that he should do it alone,” Bruce sighs, feeling the argument circling once again.
“But he did, and he’s the coolest, and now we are best friends.”
“And that is great. But still not safe, which is why he is now grounded.”
“We were safe. I punched the bad guy,s and he saved me. He shouldn’t get in trouble for that.”
“I know you don’t see it that way, but it really wasn’t ok you don’t…”
“No,” Kon interrupts, visibly agitated. “It’s not fair. Tim is great. And you are mean and nasty and you you you…”
A shattering sound rings through the air.
The bowl of ice cream previously in Kon’s hands now lies in pieces on the boy and the floor, broken by a strength no human child would possess. For a moment, there is silence. Bruce and the rest of his children just stare, some in shock, some in awe. A cry breaks it.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Kon rushes out. “I didn’t mean to. I know I should control it. Please, I’m sorry.”
Bruce hasn’t had a chance yet to look at the files Tim hacked from Luthor on Kon’s training, but he can’t imagine it was pleasant. What little Tim had said on the car ride back was enough to make his stomach turn. He had to fight the urge to sweep both boys, Kon, who had experienced it, and Tim, who had watched countless hours, into his arms and never let them go. He shouldn’t be surprised that the boy has such reactions, as saddened as he is by them.
As subtly as he can, he motions for Jason to take the others out of the room. Luckily, the boy catches on and quickly sweeps his sisters out to the family room. Tim refuses to budge, arm clinging to Kon.
“Hey, bud,” Bruce says softly, making sure to stay still. “It’s ok, it was an accident.”
“I shouldn’t cause accidents, I should be better, I know. I need to be perfect, that’s why I’m here. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Kon stuttered wide-eyed.
Bruce wants to strangle Luthor. He knows that Luthor is Clark’s problem, and the man has first dibs on dealing with him, but Clark is just going to have to deal.
He’s no stranger to having to comfort his children over massive panic at accidents; the responses influenced by their past. A broken chandelier had Dick spiraling about being sent to Juvie. Jason had spent months worrying that any little misstep would get him sent back to the streets. Not even a couple of weeks ago, Tim thought he would be left alone due to accidentally hurting Steph. No matter how many times he had to deal with it, though, it didn’t get any easier.
“No, no, accidents happen. No one is perfect bud and that’s ok.”
“Need to be perfect. Superman is perfect.” Kon mutters as if repeating a prayer.
“Oh, bud,” Bruce slowly reaches out, placing a hand on Kon’s shoulder. “You don’t need to be perfect. And trust me, Superman is not perfect. He has broken his fair share of bowls, trust me. I can show you many, many videos of him making mistakes if you like.”
Bruce’s favorite video, both to watch and torment Clark with, involves the breaking of some of Alfred’s finest china plates. Clark had been hit with some magic by the sorcerer of the week that heightened his emotions and dulled his brain. Upon learning that Superman was Bruce’s best friend, Clark had become angry (apparently having forgotten he himself was Superman) and had snapped the plate he was holding. The look of dismay and sadness on the man’s face at the broken plate had been absolutely adorable, like a sad little puppy.
“Really?” Kon asks, hopeful but not quite believing.
“Really,” Bruce responds with a smile. “We can even make a movie night out of it if you want.”
The tension finally releases from the boy. Bruce can’t help but rejoice, but there is still another matter that needs attention.
“And boys,” He says, looking between both Kon and Tim. “I am not trying to be mean or doubting of Tim’s abilities by grounding him. I want to keep you all safe, and while I know you are very capable, I still want to be there for you. It's a parent’s job to worry about his kids, and I wouldn’t be a very good job if I didn’t.”
The boys seem to consider this for a moment. After a moment, they both nod seriously. Bruce holds back from letting a sigh of relief out. All for the best because Tim perks up and unhelpfully adds.
“And if Bruce is ever mean to us, we’ll run away.”
“No,” Bruce says a little too quickly, but is desperate to cut off any plans of running. Tim has already shown he can’t be trusted to stay where he is supposed to.
Tim looks at him, considering. Bruce doesn’t like that look.
“Sure, B, sure,” Tim eventually says, not even trying to hide the crossed fingers he holds out to Kon. Kon giggles while Bruce makes a note to increase security measures.
“Now, why don’t you go get the others and let them know we are going to watch Clark’s greatest blunders in the family room. I’ll make some new ice cream bowls for everyone,” Bruce says, hoping to get all thoughts off running away.
The two boys cheer before racing out of the room to presumably get the rest of the kids. Bruce can’t help but smile as he watches them go.
Bruce knows logically that Clark should have first rights to Kon as one of his biological contributors. But he also found Kon first. Or well, Tim did, but Tim was his so Kon should be his as well. Maybe he could work out a custody arrangement with Clark. Clark and Lois have been splitting custody of Jon for nearly a year at this point, he’s sure Clark and him can do the same. Kon would obviously live most of the time at the manor, here he would have the majority of his siblings and Clark can more easily travel than Bruce.
As well, should Luthor ever discover who Kon is, a small possibility but one nonetheless, Bruce has better resources to fend him off in any legal matters. With a reporter's salary Clark would have no chance against Luthor in a court of law, the man would easily bribe his way to custody. Bruce, though, he could go toe to toe with Luthor. Bruce Wayne was also a known contributor to the Justice League so it wouldn’t be too far-fetched that he would take in a young super in need. Especially not with all his new child acquisitions.
Yes, Kon was his. Now he just needed to get Clark onboard with the plan.