Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hours later, Tim awakens to his mother's gentle nudge and goes to get ready. Janet kissed Tim's cheek, whispering a quick prayer of safety before slipping on her Human mask and falling to Jack's side. 

Tim followed suit, slipping his mask of Charming-Drake-Heir , and followed his parents into the car. Excitement wormed under his skin, buzzing in his blood as his parents chattered softly. At Bruce Wayne's Gala, there wasn't only one Guardian; there will be two . 

"What even is this Gala for?" Jack scoffed, rolling his eyes with an arrogant air. 

"It's to raise money for troubled youths, Father," Tim responded, forcing himself to allow the Hunter's scent to blanket his own. 

Jack groaned and went off on another tirade about how frivolous Bruce Wayne was. 

Tim and his mother exchanged looks. They were both more than used to ignoring Jack's rants. He studied her, and she examined him, and they praised each other silently on their masks. 

For now, they were human.

For now, they'll play along. 

"Hello, Janet!" an old lady adorned with heavy and gaudy jewels approaches the pair. Jack had abandoned his wife and son for the bar, "I haven't seen you in so long!" 

"It has," Janet smiles pleasantly, her eyes narrowed in irritation. "My, you haven't changed since your grandson was born."

Tim vaguely remembered the press publishing a picture of Martha Collinge appearing disheveled and panicked when her grandson had been born. The old lady had been camping outside of the hospital room, demanding to be the first to see her grandson and pushing all the other family members aside.

"Oh, you flatter me!" the lady's eye started to twitch, "How has your Timothy been doing in school?"

"He's been doing excellent," his mother replied, tugging Tim closer with a regal expression, "Timothy is at the top of his year, even after skipping two grades." 

"Good evening, Mrs. Collinge," Tim greeted gracefully, "how are you enjoying this Gala so far?"

The old lady laughed, casting Tim an almost bitter expression, "Why it's expected from your people."

Janet narrowed her eyes more, a steely look in her expression, "How has your grandson been? You must be so proud of him, Mrs. Collinge, and so must be your husband. What was his name again? Matthew, right? Oh wait, my apologies, wasn't it Robert ." 

Tim watched in amused fascination as Martha Collinge paled and fumbled. Janet huffed and guided him away from the lady, leaving the lady to stare at their retreating backs. Once they could no longer see her, Janet gave him a gentle smile and nudged Tim forward. She gestured toward where Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd, and Aspen stood together, "Go on now, go bother them. I know you wish to."

He grinned and nodded, taking to the crowd like a carp to the sea. He wove past the numerous people, using his size to slip past the numerous socialites unnoticed. 

Soon, the Fox finally reached the two dragons and Jason. Aspen was the first to notice him; next was Bruce, and finally, Jason. 

While Aspen visibly relaxed, Bruce tensed. Tim grimaced; Bruce was no doubt wary of the Hunter's scent that clung to his skin. 

"Let us move this to a more secure location," Aspen tilted her head. The group trailed behind Bruce, following him into a large study. 

Now that he thinks about it, Bruce would be considered young. Extremely young when compared to Aspen, who was in her first century. Another thing that sets the two apart is their species. Where the Waynes were Night Razers, a species of European dragons that relies less on the sun than the other species of dragons, Aspen was a Feathered Forest Darter. Her species originated from Eastern America, and this was the land she grew up in. 

Tim couldn't help but think that the two were so different, yet so alike. 

"Hello, Star-Lit-Poet," Aspen greeted, a fond light in her eyes. 

Bruce tilted his head, "Evening, Timothy."

"Sun-Breather, Guardian, Jason," Tim replied politely. Aspen was the only one to give a reaction. She gave him a pointed side-eye. 

"Now I know Melinda taught you better," Aspen admonished, clicking disapprovingly, "Do you not accept him?"

Bruce and Jason both looked confused. Tim scoffed, "You still have a lot to teach him."

The elder dragon only rolls her eyes, "Bruce."

Bruce's strained expression smooths over, "Yes, Ms. Alis?"

"It might be nice if Jason and Timothy find something else to do while we... Talk."

Tim skittered closer to the human. He opened his mouth to say something, but Bruce cut him off. "Timothy, did you... Did you plan this?" 

Jason paused, and Tim stared unflinchingly into Bruce's dark blue eyes. Aspen sighed tiredly, her voice taking on a warning edge, "Drop it. I trust him."

Tim could see how Gotham's Guardian faltered at Aspen's tone, his instincts most likely warring at his mind, trying to decide whether or not to defer to the older dragon. Eventually, Bruce agreed. 

At his adopted father's nod of approval, Jason shrugged and led Tim into the adjacent library. "So... uh... how old are you? Eleven?" 

"Twelve," Tim corrected, perusing the numerous books. 

Jason huffed, "That's not much better."

"I mean, it's not as bad as the first Robin; he went out fighting crime at nine. I'm twelve and still in school," Tim pointedly doesn't mention how he's also a vigilante, but semantics . His mother doesn't mind, and that's all that matters. 

"That's a complete- HOLD UP . How do you know what age the first Robin went out?" Jason had tensed and was giving Tim a look. Tim doesn't know why he's doing that; Tim knows who the Robins are. He also knows who Batman is; it wasn't hard or anything. Given Tim did have help from the congregation, but still! 

"I'm a Fox, and we Foxes go to congregations. Congregations are great places to find information, and since Bruce is Gotham's Guardian, it was only a matter of time before, y'know, I figured it out."

Jason sighed, "What does that even mean ? I keep hearing you and this other person saying it, and I don't- Hey, you don't happen to be the same kid who was kidnapped, right? The Fox with two... YOU ATE MY SANDWICH."  

" You gave it to me!" Tim exclaimed, surprised that Jason hadn't connected it earlier. Now, all that was left was his nighttime hobbies, and then Jason would be set, but whatever. Tim has a feeling it'll be soon. 

"That's not the point!"

Tim huffed, "Do you want to hear the explanation? If not, then shut up!"

The human rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Fine. Tell me."

"Finally. Guardian is a term for a dragon, or a family of dragons, tasked with defending a territory. They're usually pretty protective, so..."

Tim blinked as Jason gaped at him unblinkingly with an incredulous expression, "B's... a Dragon ?"

"Uh... yeah. Why? He's so obviously a Dragon!"

Jason threw his hands up in exasperation, "I thought it was just him being a weird rich guy! What the hell! Wait, does Dick know? Shit, I don't think he knows... Oh my god, I need to do something. Stay there, Timmy. I need to make a call."

Tim sighed and returned to the shelves, trying to ignore the conversation. 

"Dick! Guess what! Actually, get your ass over to the manor as soon as you can. No , I don't care what BS you and Bruce have going on, but Bruce is a literal Dragon ... No, he's not fucking a Dragon, he IS one! Clean your ears out, you rusty door handle, oh my god! Whatever. Tomorrow's fine. You just need to get back here ASAP. Yeah, yeah, love you too, or whatever... Bye..."

Jason sighed and turned to face Tim once again. His expression was soft and vulnerable, a complete 180 from his tone on the phone, "Every time B and Dick meet, they start arguing. It's tiring , and I only want them to make up." 

Tim hummed before a book caught his eye, "Pride and Prejudice?"

The human instantly perked up, "It's one of the best books ever! Have you read it?"

"Uhh..."

Jason went stock still, "Have you... not read Pride and Prejudice? By Jane Austen?"

Tim pursed his lips, yelping as Jason dragged him and the book to a couch covered with fluffy throw blankets. 

"Jason, what are you-"

"Shhhh, Tim," Jason interrupted, plopping Tim beside him. Tim grimaced. Their suits will no doubt be wrinkled to hell and back after this, "I cannot allow this affront on my very person slide. Now, get ready to be wowed by this absolute masterpiece. "

"As you've already said," Tim grumbled but allowed Jason to pull him into a half hug. The Fox couldn't help the yawn rising to his lips. 

Jason cleared his throat and began to read. Tim's eyes grew heavy as he listened. Soothed by the human's familiar presence and steady voice, Tim slipped into sleep. 

That was how Bruce and Janet found the two boys. Jason was curled up around Tim, whose head rested on the other boy's chest. The copy of Pride and Prejudice sat unbothered on Jason's lap. Both of their eyes were closed in peaceful sleep. 

Needless to say, Bruce and Janet suddenly gained both new pictures and a new friend.