Chapter Text
Tim is just about to open the door he feels a big hand falling in one pf his shoulders. He turns to see a visibly confused and a little concerned Bruce. Tim raises an eyebrow at him.
“Tim, you need to get checked out at the clinic, why are you leaving?”
“To go?” Tim answers. Is Bruce feeling all right?
Bruce expression turns to one of realization. “Oh- No, sweetheart. I’m sorry for not explaining this better. We both are going. Parents go with their children to these things, and even if you’re emancipated and completely capable of taking care of yourself, I’d still like to go with you.”
Is Tim’s time to be confused now. “But- I can go alone. I’ve always gone alone, its fine. There’s no need for you to go with me.”
“That’s another form of neglect, son.” Bruce says, his eyes turning a bit sad. “It’s my job as your parent to make sure you are okay and healthy, and the whole responsibility of that should never fall on your shoulders until you are older. And I’m aware you can and have done it before, but that doesn’t make it okay.”
“Oh. That’s nice.” Tim smiles at Bruce, and he ruffles his hair affectionally.
Leslie tells him to keep up the antibiotics and disinfecting his wounds carefully. She’s pleasantly surprised at how well he had been taking care of it on his own. She also tells them that, because he is sixteen, his immune system will pretty much fix itself when he reaches adulthood.
When they get home, Bruce goes to inform Alfred of everything she told them and Tim goes straight to his room.
He slumps in his bed, looking at the ceiling.
The skateboarding thing his school is organizing is next week.
And Bruce apologized to him. So, he’s not mad anymore. He would like to go, right?
Tim decides he felt emotions for today and grabs his computer. He manages to solve seven low-profile cases before passing out.
Best method against insomnia, if you ask him.
When he wakes up, he finds Cass and Steph passed out in his bed as well. Which, not a rare occurrence at all. They must’ve crashed there after patrol.
He gets up and goes to the kitchen. He feels a lot better than yesterday, with only a minor headache and a sore throat to bother him.
Duke is eating pre-patrol breakfast when he gets there.
“Morning, Duke.” Greets Tim. “Good morning, Tim!” Duke says back, much more energetically. “How are you holding up?”
“A lot better than yesterday.” Tim replies, sending him a soft smile as he goes straight to the coffee maker without any over-protective asshole big brothers to stop him.
Duke raises an eyebrow in silent judgment, but doesn’t verbalize his disapproval of his breakfast choices. Tim mentally adds that to the list of ‘Duke is the best brother ever’.
His unusual good morning mood comes to an end as he notices that there is a password to activate the coffee maker.
Really, Bruce? A fucking password?
Duke chuckles quietly at him, and promptly laughs way harder when Tim walks over to the table with his coffee and a rightfully offended expression.
“I have the pleasure to tell you that Bruce did in fact put effort into doing that.” Duke tells him, still struggling to catch his breath. Tim snorts into his coffee.
The thing here is that, even if Barbara is better than everyone -because she is genuinely a fucking goddess- at hacking, Tim is still more skilled than the rest of the family, and by a considerable amount.
So, yeah. Bruce should’ve called Oracle if he wanted to give Tim a real challenge.
Duke turns back to eating his breakfast and Tim scrolls in his phone while sipping his coffee.
“Tim.” Duke starts, eyes unsure. “Are you feeling better like, emotionally?”
Tim shrugs. “I don’t know. Yes, kind of. I’m still a bit confused but, getting there.”
Duke smiles at him, but there’s a hint of worry in his eyes. “Well, I’m here if you need anything. You sure have been every time I needed you.”
Something warm settles in his heart, and Tim smiles at him in a silent thanks before turning back to his phone.
Tim pockets his phone again and takes a long, relaxing sip of his coffee. It almost instantly vibrates with a new message.
Tim sighs with relief and opens the Gotham’s Public Transport app on his phone. He really didn’t want to stay in the manor this weekend, but he sold the apartment he bought on his Bruce quest after everything ended. And besides, he wants to spend time with Dick.
It’s not like- Bruce is great, really. But Tim just doesn’t know how he feels about the whole thing, and his big brother is great at helping him figure out these kinds of things.
He buys a ticket for the bus and chatters with Duke about their high school gossip until he leaves for patrol.
Tim gets out of the bus and messages Dick he’s arrived. The sun is setting and, to no one’s surprise, the sky is grey enough to advert a storm. The bus station is pretty crowded, but Tim expected that of a Sunday’s evening.
A couple minutes later, because his brother was already on his way when Tim’s bus got to the station, Tim sees Dick’s car park in front of him.
He wraps Tim in a comforting hug and they both sit in the car. Tim tells him about the latest case he’s solved, and Dick talks about the gossip in his apartment building. Apparently, his neighbour is reforming his apartment and the noises of it were really stressing Haley out, so the puppy is in Kory’s house for now. It also doubles up as an excuse for his brother to visit his girlfriend more often.
When they get to the apartment, Dick asks him what he wants to order for dinner and looks judgingly at him when he answers ‘whatever you want’ until Tim says ‘Bat-Burger?’ in a really unsure voice.
Dick ruffles his hair and tells him to get comfortable while he calls the restaurant.
Tim is munching his Robin nuggets, pressed to his brother’s side with Dick’s arm tugging him close, his bat-burger long since demolished. A Netflix film Tim doesn’t know the name of is playing in the background.
“Dick?” Tim asks, hesitantly.
“Yes, Baby bird?” His brother prompts, all kindness and affection in his voice. Tim presses closer to him.
“I-“ He wets his lips before continuing. “What if- What if I don’t, like, know how to. Uhm. Abord the Bruce situation?”
Dick’s face smiles fondly at him. “That’s completely normal, Tim. How did the situation make you feel before he apologized?” He questions.
Tim scrunches his nose. “I don’t know.”
His brother doesn’t seem annoyed at all about his response. “Okay, try to compare it with a hypothetical situation, where you’d feel similarly.”
“When we go to…Infiltrating missions where we disguise as someone and like- the feeling of being in, like, dangerous territory?” Tim adventures to say.
Dick nods, his thumb drawing calming patterns in his back. “It made you feel anxious and scared that any bad move would end up badly?”
Tim nods.
“So, you felt like you had to act perfectly or he’d get mad, which made you feel unwanted and unsafe.” His brother says softly.
Tim nods more eagerly this time, and his face turns slightly guilty.
“Hey- No. Tim, that’s something absolutely right and understandable to feel. Even if he didn’t mean to, he did something he knew you had issues with that hurt you.” Dick rushes to reassure him.
Tim isn’t that convinced. “He didn’t actually know.”
“He knew enough.” Retorts Dick, but his voice doesn’t get harsh in the slightest. “And he should’ve noticed how much it was affecting you. He has no excuse, Tim.”
Tim nods again, a bit more convinced.
His brother smiles and presses a kiss into his hair. “And how do you feel now that he’s said sorry?”
“I don’t know.” Tim answers again, because that’s kind of his whole problem right now.
“Tim, it’s alright if you are still upset about it. Hell, I’m upset. Or maybe you are relieved, or anxious, or confused or still a bit in shock. There isn’t anything you 'should' be feeling. Not now, and not ever. The only important thing is to process it and express it in a good way.”
Tim shallows, but his brother’s words do calm him a bit.
“I don’t know. “ He says, frustratedly. Because he really, really doesn’t. Dick gives him a reassuring squeeze.
“Try to compare it to something again.”
Tim closes his eyes for a moment, looking for the right words. “Like- Let’s say I infiltrated a restaurant before, and now we go there again but in civies.”
“Do you feel like Bruce could get mad at you again, like you’d be scared the workers could recognise you?” Dick asks.
“Yeah! And like- I’m supposed to be happy but I can only thing about that.” Tim finalises, relieved to have managed to put it into words.
“You’re not supposed to feel anything-“ His brother repeats. “-but I understand. Following the comparison, do you feel upset at Bruce for ‘making you go to the restaurant’ again when he knows you could be scared someone would recognise you?”
Tim lowers his gaze to his food. “Maybe.”
“Tim, that’s completely okay. He hurt you and it’s a good thing you are still upset for that, because he shouldn't have done it.” Dick promises.
“Because-“ Tim looks back at his brother’s eyes. “He should’ve seen I was anxious about it and he could’ve chosen any other restaurant.” Continuing the comparison helps a lot, because it’s true. Bruce could’ve taught him a lesson in a million other ways than the one he chose to use.
Dick presses a kiss to his forehead this time. “That’s a very fair way to feel, sweetheart.”
“And what should I do?” Tim asks, relieved but still a bit frustrated.
“Whatever makes you feel better. Bruce asks you if you want to go for ice cream? You stop, ask yourself if it’ll make you feel relieved or anxious, and tell him no if you don’t want to.”
“But- What if he gets sad?”
“He’ll feel guilty, but that’s his own fault. He’s asking for your forgiveness, and you are the only one who decides who, when and if you give it.” Dick explains.
“Okay. Can I call you if he asks me something? I think I’ll lose my resolve to say no otherwise.” He admits a bit sheepishly.
“Always, Tim.” His brother answers.
“I love you.” Tim blurts out.
“Aww- I love you more, Baby bird! Now, finish your Robin nuggets.”
And Tim does, the knot in his stomach completely untied.
About an hour later, Tim still pressed comfortably against his brother’s side, a noise in the window wakes him up from his dozing off.
Tim looks up just in time to see Jason inviting himself to enter.
“Little wing!” His oldest brother greets. “What takes you to Blüd?”
“Your leftovers.” Jason answers shamelessly, going straight to the kitchen. “Do you still have the- Oh! Hello Timmers, didn’t see you there.” He says, dropping in the armchair near the couch with a tupper full of Alfred’s cooking.
“Hey, Jason.” Tim greets, amused.
He drifts off again with the sounds of his siblings calm conversation, TV having been turned off at some point.
“-immy?”
Tim opens his eyes, and sees that both of his brothers are looking at him. He hums questionably, still waking up.
“You said something about Ra’s yesterday that was concerning.” Dick states carefully. Sleepiness all but forgotten, Tim feels his anxiety spike like a fucking-
No, Tim. You are safe, they are your family. Breathe.
He lowers his gaze to the blanket wrapped around him and fidgets with a loose threat before looking up again and shrugging. “He’s creepy.”
“You said he wanted a heir from you. Tim, did he-“ Jason starts.
“No.” Tim denies instantly, a tad too defensive.
“We don’t want to push, but we need to know if someone’s hurt you, Baby bird.” Dick’s voice is really, really sad. And Tim can hear some fear in it.
The younger boy takes a deep breath. “He sent his sister to try-“ He shallows. “To try to take it. Cass arrived before she could do anything.” He buries himself in Dick’s hold.
“And Ra’s…He’s creepy. I don’t- He says weird stuff and got a bit handsy when I was at the league, after losing my spleen. He gave me weird clothes and shit. Just gives me the creeps.” Tim explains.
He gather’s enough courage to look up to them. Jason’s eyes are acid, and Tim has to make a conscious effort to not freak out and remind himself his anger isn’t directed at him.
Dick buries his face in Tim’s hair. “I will cut his dick off.” He says with conviction.
Jason breathes in and out, his eyes stoop glowing as much, but still are a bit greener than usual. “Say the word, Baby bird, and he’s dead.”
Dick doesn’t refute it.
“I don’t know. Like, I got myself into that shithole. He helped me find Bruce, and I helped him with the council of spiders. I could handle comments and weird stuff if that meant getting Bruce back.” Tim reasons.
“No- Tim, no. Needing help does not mean at all it is okay for a million-years-old monster to fucking harass a teenager.” Dick says, horrified.
“But like- I accepted to go there.” Tim retorts.
“Tim, you accepting his help out of despair is not a justification for his actions. Ra’s a fucking perv, and that has nothing to do with anything you did or didn’t do.” Dick continues.
Jason talks next. “When a kid on the streets does a favour to someone in exchange for food or money, it’s a monster taking advantage of a starving kid. You know that. Now, tell me a difference between that and what Ra’s did.”
“I was, for one, not a kid, and for two, not starving. I made the conscious decision to accept his help to get what I wanted, knowing what an asshole he is. And, I repeat, nothing happened.” Tim retorts.
Dick takes a deep breath. “Harassment is as much of an offense as any other, and you know that.”
Tim sighs, but does concede that point.
“And-“ Dick shallows, his voice is shaking. “What I’m about to tell you- it’s not to try to make this about myself. I just- I need you to understand it wasn’t your fault, Tim.”
Jason and Tim become completely silent.
Dick shallows again, and hesitantly pulls back from Tim. The younger boy instantly moves to the other end of the sofa, dread filling his stomach.
“A few years ago, I met another vigilante in Blüdhaven.” Dick starts closing his eyes. “At the time, a villain was targeting me personally for some things. He blew up my apartment, the circus and- he threatened to kill anyone that I could possibly have any short of relationship with.”
“So, I partnered up with her. The vigilante. She was just starting in the job, so you could say she helped me in exchange of me teaching her. So, to this point, our situations match on the important bits, right?”
His brother opens his eyes again, and Tim nods.
“She- She killed the villain. We were in a building, and I moved out of the way so she could shoot him. I- I was in shock. So, I ran to the rooftop and she-“ He takes another deep, grounding breath
.
“She sexually assaulted me.” He finally says. “Following your logic, it was in exchange of she helping me. I used what she offered me to get something I wanted, I was not a kid, I was not starving, and I made the conscious decision to accept her help.”
His brother grabs Tim’s hands. “So, tell me, Tim.”
“Do you think it wasn’t wrong?”
Tim shakes his head fervently. “No. No I don’t. I’m so sorry. Oh God.” Tears stream from both their faces, and Dick pulls him into a hug. “I understand, thank you, but- I’m so sorry, Dick.”
He hears Jason stand up. “Wing.”
Dick looks up.
“I’ll make you the same offer. Tell me her fucking name and she’s dead.”
He nods, but doesn’t say anything else about it.
After a while, Dick speaks again. “Oh, and one last thing.” He starts, voice still wet. “You are not allowed to go on any mission related to him without backup. Not even if is just about his assassins.”
Tim sighs, but understands the reasoning. “Yeah, that’s fair.”
They all end up passing out in the living room, and Jason makes them waffles for breakfast the next morning.
It all feels…really good, actually.
Like home.