Fic: the only son
Jul. 26th, 2010 10:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
munninTitle: The Only Son
Author: Munnin
Rating: R for implications
Characters: Dick, Tim, Bruce and Jason
Verse: Mended Wings. Previous chapters: Mended Wings, Fly and Fall, Clipped, and Corners and Turning Points.
Disclaimer: No ownership, no profit and no offence meant. Everyone is of the age of consent in their country and period of history
Author’s notes: 100% organic. May contain minor flaws and imperfections that beta-treated slash wouldn’t.
Bingo card: H/C. Cages. Masterlist here.
Summary: written on![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
alexiel_neesan’s prompt - More of the Mended Wings 'verse! Mostly I want to know if there's a Jason in this 'verse and what he's doing. I really need to write a lot of bridging before this but...
A/N for Alexiel: I almost want to go back and make the interaction between Jason and Tim more wrong but I can do that with the violence square later too...let me know if you have any particular thoughts in that direction.
Tim crouched, the knees of his suit scrapping the concrete floor. “R to N. N come in.” please! The low roof of the cage kept him hemmed him, bending his neck so he wouldn’t brain himself. “Back up required urgently.” The warehouse was a dark labyrinth of rooms and nothing around him looked familiar. “Location unknown.”
The mission had gone wrong and Tim got caught. He and Dick had been assigned to track a new player on the scene, some sort of gang kingpin who controlled a large chunk of the Gotham drug trade. Tim was meant to be following the guy, using the skills as a stalker that first brought him to Batman’s attention but...it turned out the guy was also tracking them.
Batman’s voice cut across his comms. I have your location Robin. On route. There was something comforting about the way he said it, something that reminded Tim that Bruce cared deeply about their safety even if he couldn’t show it the same as Batman. Batman couldn’t hold Nightwing the way Bruce hugged Dick. He couldn’t support his partner, taking his weight when Dick grew too weary to stand or affectionately ruffle Tim’s hair after they sparred. Batman had to be cold and strong and distant.
“He’s coming isn’t he?” The villain asked, hanging in the shadows just beyond Tim’s field of vision. “The big man.”
Tim remained silent and chewed his lip. Had he just called Batman into a trap?
He and Dick had been working hard on this project, hoping to be able to present Batman with their findings. He wanted so very much to impress Bruce with how much he had learn since accepting the role of Robin but here he was, in a cage, waiting to be rescued.
In hindsight, they really didn’t know nearly enough about the guy they were dealing with – he wasn’t that much older than Tim and yet he was rising as a major figure in Gotham’s underground. Dick had a theory that the kid had worked his way up through the ranks as a runner, an errand boy...maybe even as a rent boy...
The brief view Robin caught before the guy knocked him out and locked him into this cage was one of a handsome face, blue eyes and hair so dark red that it was almost black. He could be Dick’s brother...or his own...
“Tell me kid? Does he take good care of ya?” The guy called, “Or is he still a stone cold asshole.” It was meant as a goad but there was something almost longing in the man’s tone. “Bet he loves having a pretty little titbit like you around.”
Tim didn’t answer, couldn’t answer so he stayed quiet, listening for the sound of the Batmobile.
There’s whispering in his ear, Dick’s voice, soft and gently. “I can’t get to you but B’s on his way. Just hang tight little brother. It’s going to be ok.” There’s an edge panic in Dick’s tone but one he’s fighting to dampen down. Dick’s injuries still hampered his effectiveness in the field and Tim knew how helpless it made him feel. “B’s coming for you. It’s going to be ok.”
He was so focused on Dick, on listening to the whispered promise that he didn’t hear the drug dealer stalk closer. The man’s face was still half hidden in darkness but Tim could still make out the broad slant of his shoulders, the jutting set of his jaw, the almost cruel curve of his lip.
“What’s up kid?” The guy asked, his voice a dark purr. “Worried I’m gunna kill your sugar daddy.” He slid a gloved hand between the bars, brushing his fingers over Tim’s chin.
There isn’t room to shift away but Tim still tried, knocking his head on the steel.
“S’alright kid.” The guy snorted, gripping Robin’s jaw tighter. “If I rough him up that bad he can’t ride your pretty little ass tonight, I’ll do it for him.” The leather clad tips of his finger dug into Tim’s skin, bruises blooming under his touch.
There was a thump and the sound of glass breaking and the guy disappeared from view. The sounds of combat floated back to Tim from the maze of rooms beyond and he pushed against the bars, hoping to find some weakness in the cage he’s thus far missed. He growled with frustration, embarrassed at having to be being rescued so soon into his time as Robin.
There were voices, raised and angry mingled with the fighting now but Tim could only make out fragments.
“...what gives you the right!”
“...doesn’t have to be this way...”
“...help? Is that what you thought you were doing?...”
“...Jason don’t! I don’t want to have to hurt...”
“...hardly matters now...”
“...if you’ve hurt him in any way...”
There was a solid crash and then silence. Batman stalked back into view, blood smeared in his cheek. “Are you hurt?” he demanded as he lifted Tim out of the cage, his voice dark and hard.
“No sir.” Robin answered timidly.
“Did he hurt you, Robin?” Batman’s grip on his arms tightened.
“No sir.” More definite this time.
The some tiny portion of the tension seemed to bleed out of Batman and he loosened his hold. “Good. Go back to the cave. Nightwing will be waiting for you.”
Batman turned his back and started to walk away but Tim called after him. “Should I...”
“Go.” Batman’s voice was cold, devoid of any trace of Bruce’s kindness.
***
Dick was waiting for him, leaning against one of the cars as Tim pulled up his bike in the cave. “Are you ok?” he demanded, more worried than angry as he beckoned Tim over, running his hands over the youth to check for injuries.
“Possible mild concussion.” Tim admitted as Dick tilted his head up to the caves dim lights, examining the bump in his skull where the bad guy hit him.
“And B let you ride?” Dick demanded, nudging Tim towards the medical bay.
“He was...preoccupied.” Tim conceded, hopping up onto the bench as Dick followed, his sticks clacking against the stone floor.
Dick flashed a light in Tim’s eyes, checking his response. “Busy beating the crap out of the guy for hurting you?” He asked with a smile.
Tim ducked his head. “It wasn’t about me.”
“Hey?” Dick brushed his fingers over the underside of Tim’s chin, drawing the younger man up to look at him but Tim flinched “Are you ok?”
“I’m fine. Minor concussion but-”
Dick cut him off. “That’s not what I asked. Are you OK?”
Tim slid down off the bench and unclipped his cape. “I don’t...I don’t think I’m good enough to do this job. I’m not as smart or as brave as you. I’m just not good enough to be Robin.”
“What? Because you got blindsided this one time?” There was almost a laugh in Dick’s voice. “You don’t I had to have my ass rescued more than once when I wore the R over my heart?” He wrapped his arms around Tim in a warm if smothering hug. “It happen little brother, over and over. The trick is to learn and never get caught off guard the same way twice.” He kissed the top of Tim’s head.
“He seemed...very angry.” Tim admitted, facing his greatest fear – disappointing Batman.
“Probably more at himself than at you.” Dick assured. “He’ll lecture you over it when he gets back but just remember he’s only doing it to keep you safe and ‘cause the thought of you getting hurt freaks him out. It’s just his way of showing he cares.”
“But it was more than that.” Tim continued as he sat down to shed his boot. “There is something else. I think...I think B knew the mark. I heard part of an argument. I think B called him Jason.”
Dick went white then red then very, very still. “Oh.”
“Is that bad?” Tim asked curiously.
“If it’s the same Jason I’m thinking of – very possibly.” He closed his eyes with the same frustrated sigh he gave when his legs were playing up. “Go have a shower and get cleaned up.” He muttered tiredly. “We’ll talk through what happened later.”
Tim seriously considered arguing but Dick leant heavily on his shoulder, steering him towards the showers.
***
Dick was up to his elbows in research when Tim crawled out of the shower, pulling a sweater on against the cave’s chill. “Feel better?” Dick called, not looking up from the dozen or so screens he had open.
Tim answered with a yawn he couldn’t have suppressed if he tried.
Dick nodded to the stairs. “Go and get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
“I need to be here when,” *yawn* “B gets back.”
“No you don’t.” Dick said flatly, still not looking up. “If you’re right about Jason, he’s not going to be in a good mood when he gets back.”
“I need to give my report.” Tim insisted.
Dick gave a long sigh. “He isn’t angry with you Tim. You don’t need to do this to prove yourself to him.”
Tim’s eyes widened, almost hating how easily Dick read him sometimes.
“But as I know you’re not going to listen to me,” Dick continued. “Go grab the mattress off the cot in the medical bay and drag it over here where it’s warmer.” The constant hum of the Batcave’s supercomputer made it just a little cosier there. “I’ve already called Mrs Mac and told her you’d be staying over tonight so you might as well get a nap in while you’re waiting for him.”
As soon as he lay down, Tim was asleep.
***
He woke to the sound of Dick and Bruce arguing.
“B, it’s not your fault.” Dick sounded exasperated and flustered. “Jason’s a bad seed, there’s nothing you can do about that.”
“He captured Tim; he could have done far worse.”
“Look! I’m as freaked as you that Tim got caught in the middle of this but... you can’t hold yourself accountable for Jason’s actions.”
“No.” Bruce growled, more Batman than Bruce. “But I can be held accountable from my own.”
“You were trying to help him.”
Bruce turned around with a snap, his lip curling with rage. “Proof positive that no good deed goes unpunished.” His cape hissed around him as he stormed into the depths of the cave. “Get Tim to bed.”
Tim sniffed quietly as Dick sat down next to him on the mattress, his eyes wide and worried. “Dick, should I...?”
“Shhh.” Dick soothed, ruffling Tim’s hair. “Upstairs now and bed. It’s a long story that’ll have to wait till morning.”
Tim considered protesting but Dick looked even more shattered than he felt. He gathered his things and held an arm out, steadying Dick as he got his sticks under him. “Is there anything I can do?”
“’Fraid not little brother.” Dick breathed, leaning heavily on Tim as they climbed the stairs to the manor. “This is one Bruce needs time to work through alone.”
***
Tim slept restlessly that night, plagued by nightmares of Bruce turning him out and taking back his costume. He rolled over, his chest heaving as he shook himself free of the dream.
“Tim?” Bruce was sitting at his bedside, watching with dark and guarded eyes. “Are you alright?”
“Just a dream.” Tim took three deep breaths, calming himself down. “Are you...”
“I’m fine.” Bruce leant in, brushing Tim’s hair back from his face to ghost his thumb over the lump on Tim’s forehead. “I shouldn’t have let you ride.”
“I was ok.” Tim answered, sitting up slowly, a little surprised by the tenderness of Bruce’s touch. “If I couldn’t ride, I would have said.”
“No you wouldn’t.” Bruce answered without malice, rubbing his fingers gently over Tim’s brow. “I’m sorry Tim. I should have done the research myself. I should never have allowed you and Dick to cross paths with Jason.”
Tim folded his knees up under him, looking up at Bruce with watchful eyes. “Who is he?”
“He...” Bruce breathed out slowly. “He was my son.”
Tim’s breath caught in his throat. “I don’t understand.”
Bruce leant back in the chair, his face vanishing into the shadows. “When Dick was twelve, he spent a year in Switzerland with our family doctor for a series of operations.
“Leslie Thompkins.” Tim answered. “She was the doctor who performed the operation that allowed Dick to walk again?”
“The same.” Bruce gave him a tight smile. “There were... specialists there, access to equipment she felt would help.” He sighed. “I should have gone with him but he convinced me to stay, keep an eye on the city.”
“Gotham needs Batman.” Tim said quietly.
The corner of Bruce’s lip curled. “You sound like Dick.” But the smile passed. “I missed him when he was away, so very much.” He sighed again. “I found Jason trying to steal the wheels off the Maserati after a charity gig. He was just a street kid, hungry and dirty. Dick always wanted a younger brother and I thought...” He ducked his head, “I thought I could help him.”
“What happened?” Tim asked in an awed whisper.
“I made mistakes, let loneliness and my pride for what I’d done for Dick cloud my judgement. I never...I never let Jason into parts of my life, the Batman parts.”
“He found out?”
“Not at first.” Bruce admitted slowly. “Jason had been living on the streets from years. It had given him...instincts, habits of behaviour that may have kept him alive but...didn’t translate well into life here.”
“He stole from you?”
“Among other things.” Bruce shrugged dismissively although Tim didn’t believe it. There was a forced casualness about Bruce’s tone that Tim recognised, the one he usually reserved for hiding injuries from Dick. “I also found out he was dealing drugs at the private school I sent him to.” Bruce leant forward, rubbing his hands over his face. “I tried to help him, tried to talk some sense in to him but....when he found out about Batman...” Bruce let his eyes slip closed. “I set him up an apartment down by the docks but he disappeared a day later with everything I given him. That was six years ago.”
“And now he’s...”
“The sort of person Batman exists to stop.” Bruce said gravely. “I’m sorry, Tim. It was never my intent to endanger you. I’m just very grateful he didn’t...hurt you.”
There was something significant in the pause and Tim found himself rubbing the slightly bruising on his chin.
Bruce leant forward urgently “Tim? He didn’t-”
“No!” Tim answered, a little startled. “He didn’t. He grabbed my jaw, that’s all.” He ducked his head. “But he implied you and I...”
Bruce held out a hand to stop him and leant back. “I’m sorry Tim, I’m sure that made you uncomfortable. Jason has a very... skewed view of interpersonal relationship. With the life he’s lead, it’s difficult for him to differentiate between acceptable levels of physical intimacy.” There was flinch in Bruce’s voice, a deep lingering guilt that worried Tim deeply.
“What do we do from here?” Tim asked, eager to change the subject.
“We protect the city, we follow leads and find ways to stop the flow of drugs into Gotham. And you and Dick stay as far away from Jason as possible. His issue with me. I couldn’t forgive myself if the pair of you got caught in the crossfire.”
“We protect each other.” Tim said solemnly, remembering the words of the oath he’d taken when accepting the uniform of Robin.
“As best we can.” Bruce leant in to squeeze Tim’s shoulder gently. “Rest now. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”
Tim smiled and snuggled back down, aware that Bruce would make no move to leave his side till he was soundly asleep, and maybe not even then. There would be no more nightmares tonight.
Author: Munnin
Rating: R for implications
Characters: Dick, Tim, Bruce and Jason
Verse: Mended Wings. Previous chapters: Mended Wings, Fly and Fall, Clipped, and Corners and Turning Points.
Disclaimer: No ownership, no profit and no offence meant. Everyone is of the age of consent in their country and period of history
Author’s notes: 100% organic. May contain minor flaws and imperfections that beta-treated slash wouldn’t.
Bingo card: H/C. Cages. Masterlist here.
Summary: written on
alexiel_neesan’s prompt - More of the Mended Wings 'verse! Mostly I want to know if there's a Jason in this 'verse and what he's doing. I really need to write a lot of bridging before this but...A/N for Alexiel: I almost want to go back and make the interaction between Jason and Tim more wrong but I can do that with the violence square later too...let me know if you have any particular thoughts in that direction.
Tim crouched, the knees of his suit scrapping the concrete floor. “R to N. N come in.” please! The low roof of the cage kept him hemmed him, bending his neck so he wouldn’t brain himself. “Back up required urgently.” The warehouse was a dark labyrinth of rooms and nothing around him looked familiar. “Location unknown.”
The mission had gone wrong and Tim got caught. He and Dick had been assigned to track a new player on the scene, some sort of gang kingpin who controlled a large chunk of the Gotham drug trade. Tim was meant to be following the guy, using the skills as a stalker that first brought him to Batman’s attention but...it turned out the guy was also tracking them.
Batman’s voice cut across his comms. I have your location Robin. On route. There was something comforting about the way he said it, something that reminded Tim that Bruce cared deeply about their safety even if he couldn’t show it the same as Batman. Batman couldn’t hold Nightwing the way Bruce hugged Dick. He couldn’t support his partner, taking his weight when Dick grew too weary to stand or affectionately ruffle Tim’s hair after they sparred. Batman had to be cold and strong and distant.
“He’s coming isn’t he?” The villain asked, hanging in the shadows just beyond Tim’s field of vision. “The big man.”
Tim remained silent and chewed his lip. Had he just called Batman into a trap?
He and Dick had been working hard on this project, hoping to be able to present Batman with their findings. He wanted so very much to impress Bruce with how much he had learn since accepting the role of Robin but here he was, in a cage, waiting to be rescued.
In hindsight, they really didn’t know nearly enough about the guy they were dealing with – he wasn’t that much older than Tim and yet he was rising as a major figure in Gotham’s underground. Dick had a theory that the kid had worked his way up through the ranks as a runner, an errand boy...maybe even as a rent boy...
The brief view Robin caught before the guy knocked him out and locked him into this cage was one of a handsome face, blue eyes and hair so dark red that it was almost black. He could be Dick’s brother...or his own...
“Tell me kid? Does he take good care of ya?” The guy called, “Or is he still a stone cold asshole.” It was meant as a goad but there was something almost longing in the man’s tone. “Bet he loves having a pretty little titbit like you around.”
Tim didn’t answer, couldn’t answer so he stayed quiet, listening for the sound of the Batmobile.
There’s whispering in his ear, Dick’s voice, soft and gently. “I can’t get to you but B’s on his way. Just hang tight little brother. It’s going to be ok.” There’s an edge panic in Dick’s tone but one he’s fighting to dampen down. Dick’s injuries still hampered his effectiveness in the field and Tim knew how helpless it made him feel. “B’s coming for you. It’s going to be ok.”
He was so focused on Dick, on listening to the whispered promise that he didn’t hear the drug dealer stalk closer. The man’s face was still half hidden in darkness but Tim could still make out the broad slant of his shoulders, the jutting set of his jaw, the almost cruel curve of his lip.
“What’s up kid?” The guy asked, his voice a dark purr. “Worried I’m gunna kill your sugar daddy.” He slid a gloved hand between the bars, brushing his fingers over Tim’s chin.
There isn’t room to shift away but Tim still tried, knocking his head on the steel.
“S’alright kid.” The guy snorted, gripping Robin’s jaw tighter. “If I rough him up that bad he can’t ride your pretty little ass tonight, I’ll do it for him.” The leather clad tips of his finger dug into Tim’s skin, bruises blooming under his touch.
There was a thump and the sound of glass breaking and the guy disappeared from view. The sounds of combat floated back to Tim from the maze of rooms beyond and he pushed against the bars, hoping to find some weakness in the cage he’s thus far missed. He growled with frustration, embarrassed at having to be being rescued so soon into his time as Robin.
There were voices, raised and angry mingled with the fighting now but Tim could only make out fragments.
“...what gives you the right!”
“...doesn’t have to be this way...”
“...help? Is that what you thought you were doing?...”
“...Jason don’t! I don’t want to have to hurt...”
“...hardly matters now...”
“...if you’ve hurt him in any way...”
There was a solid crash and then silence. Batman stalked back into view, blood smeared in his cheek. “Are you hurt?” he demanded as he lifted Tim out of the cage, his voice dark and hard.
“No sir.” Robin answered timidly.
“Did he hurt you, Robin?” Batman’s grip on his arms tightened.
“No sir.” More definite this time.
The some tiny portion of the tension seemed to bleed out of Batman and he loosened his hold. “Good. Go back to the cave. Nightwing will be waiting for you.”
Batman turned his back and started to walk away but Tim called after him. “Should I...”
“Go.” Batman’s voice was cold, devoid of any trace of Bruce’s kindness.
***
Dick was waiting for him, leaning against one of the cars as Tim pulled up his bike in the cave. “Are you ok?” he demanded, more worried than angry as he beckoned Tim over, running his hands over the youth to check for injuries.
“Possible mild concussion.” Tim admitted as Dick tilted his head up to the caves dim lights, examining the bump in his skull where the bad guy hit him.
“And B let you ride?” Dick demanded, nudging Tim towards the medical bay.
“He was...preoccupied.” Tim conceded, hopping up onto the bench as Dick followed, his sticks clacking against the stone floor.
Dick flashed a light in Tim’s eyes, checking his response. “Busy beating the crap out of the guy for hurting you?” He asked with a smile.
Tim ducked his head. “It wasn’t about me.”
“Hey?” Dick brushed his fingers over the underside of Tim’s chin, drawing the younger man up to look at him but Tim flinched “Are you ok?”
“I’m fine. Minor concussion but-”
Dick cut him off. “That’s not what I asked. Are you OK?”
Tim slid down off the bench and unclipped his cape. “I don’t...I don’t think I’m good enough to do this job. I’m not as smart or as brave as you. I’m just not good enough to be Robin.”
“What? Because you got blindsided this one time?” There was almost a laugh in Dick’s voice. “You don’t I had to have my ass rescued more than once when I wore the R over my heart?” He wrapped his arms around Tim in a warm if smothering hug. “It happen little brother, over and over. The trick is to learn and never get caught off guard the same way twice.” He kissed the top of Tim’s head.
“He seemed...very angry.” Tim admitted, facing his greatest fear – disappointing Batman.
“Probably more at himself than at you.” Dick assured. “He’ll lecture you over it when he gets back but just remember he’s only doing it to keep you safe and ‘cause the thought of you getting hurt freaks him out. It’s just his way of showing he cares.”
“But it was more than that.” Tim continued as he sat down to shed his boot. “There is something else. I think...I think B knew the mark. I heard part of an argument. I think B called him Jason.”
Dick went white then red then very, very still. “Oh.”
“Is that bad?” Tim asked curiously.
“If it’s the same Jason I’m thinking of – very possibly.” He closed his eyes with the same frustrated sigh he gave when his legs were playing up. “Go have a shower and get cleaned up.” He muttered tiredly. “We’ll talk through what happened later.”
Tim seriously considered arguing but Dick leant heavily on his shoulder, steering him towards the showers.
***
Dick was up to his elbows in research when Tim crawled out of the shower, pulling a sweater on against the cave’s chill. “Feel better?” Dick called, not looking up from the dozen or so screens he had open.
Tim answered with a yawn he couldn’t have suppressed if he tried.
Dick nodded to the stairs. “Go and get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
“I need to be here when,” *yawn* “B gets back.”
“No you don’t.” Dick said flatly, still not looking up. “If you’re right about Jason, he’s not going to be in a good mood when he gets back.”
“I need to give my report.” Tim insisted.
Dick gave a long sigh. “He isn’t angry with you Tim. You don’t need to do this to prove yourself to him.”
Tim’s eyes widened, almost hating how easily Dick read him sometimes.
“But as I know you’re not going to listen to me,” Dick continued. “Go grab the mattress off the cot in the medical bay and drag it over here where it’s warmer.” The constant hum of the Batcave’s supercomputer made it just a little cosier there. “I’ve already called Mrs Mac and told her you’d be staying over tonight so you might as well get a nap in while you’re waiting for him.”
As soon as he lay down, Tim was asleep.
***
He woke to the sound of Dick and Bruce arguing.
“B, it’s not your fault.” Dick sounded exasperated and flustered. “Jason’s a bad seed, there’s nothing you can do about that.”
“He captured Tim; he could have done far worse.”
“Look! I’m as freaked as you that Tim got caught in the middle of this but... you can’t hold yourself accountable for Jason’s actions.”
“No.” Bruce growled, more Batman than Bruce. “But I can be held accountable from my own.”
“You were trying to help him.”
Bruce turned around with a snap, his lip curling with rage. “Proof positive that no good deed goes unpunished.” His cape hissed around him as he stormed into the depths of the cave. “Get Tim to bed.”
Tim sniffed quietly as Dick sat down next to him on the mattress, his eyes wide and worried. “Dick, should I...?”
“Shhh.” Dick soothed, ruffling Tim’s hair. “Upstairs now and bed. It’s a long story that’ll have to wait till morning.”
Tim considered protesting but Dick looked even more shattered than he felt. He gathered his things and held an arm out, steadying Dick as he got his sticks under him. “Is there anything I can do?”
“’Fraid not little brother.” Dick breathed, leaning heavily on Tim as they climbed the stairs to the manor. “This is one Bruce needs time to work through alone.”
***
Tim slept restlessly that night, plagued by nightmares of Bruce turning him out and taking back his costume. He rolled over, his chest heaving as he shook himself free of the dream.
“Tim?” Bruce was sitting at his bedside, watching with dark and guarded eyes. “Are you alright?”
“Just a dream.” Tim took three deep breaths, calming himself down. “Are you...”
“I’m fine.” Bruce leant in, brushing Tim’s hair back from his face to ghost his thumb over the lump on Tim’s forehead. “I shouldn’t have let you ride.”
“I was ok.” Tim answered, sitting up slowly, a little surprised by the tenderness of Bruce’s touch. “If I couldn’t ride, I would have said.”
“No you wouldn’t.” Bruce answered without malice, rubbing his fingers gently over Tim’s brow. “I’m sorry Tim. I should have done the research myself. I should never have allowed you and Dick to cross paths with Jason.”
Tim folded his knees up under him, looking up at Bruce with watchful eyes. “Who is he?”
“He...” Bruce breathed out slowly. “He was my son.”
Tim’s breath caught in his throat. “I don’t understand.”
Bruce leant back in the chair, his face vanishing into the shadows. “When Dick was twelve, he spent a year in Switzerland with our family doctor for a series of operations.
“Leslie Thompkins.” Tim answered. “She was the doctor who performed the operation that allowed Dick to walk again?”
“The same.” Bruce gave him a tight smile. “There were... specialists there, access to equipment she felt would help.” He sighed. “I should have gone with him but he convinced me to stay, keep an eye on the city.”
“Gotham needs Batman.” Tim said quietly.
The corner of Bruce’s lip curled. “You sound like Dick.” But the smile passed. “I missed him when he was away, so very much.” He sighed again. “I found Jason trying to steal the wheels off the Maserati after a charity gig. He was just a street kid, hungry and dirty. Dick always wanted a younger brother and I thought...” He ducked his head, “I thought I could help him.”
“What happened?” Tim asked in an awed whisper.
“I made mistakes, let loneliness and my pride for what I’d done for Dick cloud my judgement. I never...I never let Jason into parts of my life, the Batman parts.”
“He found out?”
“Not at first.” Bruce admitted slowly. “Jason had been living on the streets from years. It had given him...instincts, habits of behaviour that may have kept him alive but...didn’t translate well into life here.”
“He stole from you?”
“Among other things.” Bruce shrugged dismissively although Tim didn’t believe it. There was a forced casualness about Bruce’s tone that Tim recognised, the one he usually reserved for hiding injuries from Dick. “I also found out he was dealing drugs at the private school I sent him to.” Bruce leant forward, rubbing his hands over his face. “I tried to help him, tried to talk some sense in to him but....when he found out about Batman...” Bruce let his eyes slip closed. “I set him up an apartment down by the docks but he disappeared a day later with everything I given him. That was six years ago.”
“And now he’s...”
“The sort of person Batman exists to stop.” Bruce said gravely. “I’m sorry, Tim. It was never my intent to endanger you. I’m just very grateful he didn’t...hurt you.”
There was something significant in the pause and Tim found himself rubbing the slightly bruising on his chin.
Bruce leant forward urgently “Tim? He didn’t-”
“No!” Tim answered, a little startled. “He didn’t. He grabbed my jaw, that’s all.” He ducked his head. “But he implied you and I...”
Bruce held out a hand to stop him and leant back. “I’m sorry Tim, I’m sure that made you uncomfortable. Jason has a very... skewed view of interpersonal relationship. With the life he’s lead, it’s difficult for him to differentiate between acceptable levels of physical intimacy.” There was flinch in Bruce’s voice, a deep lingering guilt that worried Tim deeply.
“What do we do from here?” Tim asked, eager to change the subject.
“We protect the city, we follow leads and find ways to stop the flow of drugs into Gotham. And you and Dick stay as far away from Jason as possible. His issue with me. I couldn’t forgive myself if the pair of you got caught in the crossfire.”
“We protect each other.” Tim said solemnly, remembering the words of the oath he’d taken when accepting the uniform of Robin.
“As best we can.” Bruce leant in to squeeze Tim’s shoulder gently. “Rest now. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”
Tim smiled and snuggled back down, aware that Bruce would make no move to leave his side till he was soundly asleep, and maybe not even then. There would be no more nightmares tonight.