Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Tim was nervous. 

Sure coming out to his family had gone well, and they all seemed to support his relationship with Bernard, but this would be his first time bringing him home. Bringing a boy home. Deep down he knew that as long as he was happy his family would be satisfied, but a part of him was still nervous. There were too many variables, too many potentials for the night to go wrong. He had to beg his siblings to be normal for just one night. Contracts were signed against any sort of shovel talk or scaring away of boyfriends and Bruce had even promised he would play nice, but he was also an insufferable helicopter parent who was just a little protective of his kids.

“By the way, if it ever comes down to it, just know that I would risk it all for your Dad.” 

Another variable… was Bernard. Tim really, really, liked Bernard. Maybe even borderline loved? No, ignoring that for now. Tim liked Bernard, but he also had the awful habit of being insufferable 24/7. Maybe Bruce would support Tim, but would he approve of Bernard? Sweet, charming, foot-in-his-mouth Bernard? 

“Can you please not say that tonight? Actually scratch that. Don't say that ever.” Tim glared at Bernard through the mirror where he was fixing his tie. Bernard smiled at him mischievously from his beanbag in the corner. 

“I’m just saying, dude. He's hot!” 

“I’m breaking up with you right now.” Bernard grinned and stood up before sideling behind Tim. The blonde wrapped his arms around Tim's midsection and set his head on his shoulder, lining his mouth up with his ear. 

“I was gonna say ‘it must be where you get it from.’ It has to be genetic.” Tim flushed at the contact, his stomach gaining a fluttery warmth at the words whispered into his ear. 

“You know I’m adopted.”

“Your beauty transcends genetics. Incredible.” Tim snorted before pushing away the grinning boy. 

“Shut up!” Tim smiled as he looked back down at his tie. He worked at it a bit, Loop, loop, back, up and through, over, and over. But it just didn’t look right. It was either crooked, or didn’t lay straight, or was too tight, or too loose. His anxiety ramped up as he continually failed. After 3 more attempts at retying, he pulled it off his neck and threw it on the ground in distress

“Come on Timmy, you look fine. Your family won't care about your tie” 

“I know it's just,” Tim sighed before flopping on the bed behind him. “I really want tonight to go well.” Bernard laid down on the bed beside him, his hand reaching towards Tims. Tim brushed his fingers across Bernard's palms before clasping their hands. His thumb rubbed slow circles as he continued. “Everything is so good right now and… I’m worried it won't last. Plus it would really help if everyone liked you.” Bernard turned to face his boyfriend, pulling their intertwining hands close to kiss his knuckles. Tim shifted around to watch, his heart beating fast.

“I can’t promise anything, because I know better than anyone what some families are like. But Tim- Your… Your family loves you a lot. They’re going to try and make you happy. And I-” Bernard looked into Tim’s eyes and swallowed nervously. “I’m going to try and make you happy too. So whatever I need to do to win over your siblings, I’ll do it.”

“Bernard…” Tim still couldn't believe that this was real. That he could be here holding Bernard's hand. That such strong devotion can be directed towards him . That this was his life and he could be this happy. 

Heart beating fast, Tim leaned in and pressed his lips against Bernard's. Bernard's eyes shuttered closed at the contact. With the swing of his leg, he was on top of Bernard, straddling his hips and deepening the kiss. Tim was bad at words, but he desperately tried to fit the enormous weight of his love for Bernard in the kiss. He felt Bernard smile against him, so it might have worked but just in case he cupped Bernard's head with his free hand and kept at it. 

They spent far longer making out than they should have, but eventually, they separated. Breathing hard, the two looked at each other’s flushed faces. 

“It won't be much work to win over your siblings. I mean, I’ll be trying to win over Bruce anyways.”

“Shut the fuck up, Bernard.” 

Tim was carefully brushing imaginary specks of dirt off Bernard's button-up. He had planned for them to arrive fashionably early to dinner, but one makeout session later and they were closer to the “barely on time” category. 

“Stop worrying dude-” 

“Dude isn’t the pet name you think it is.” 

“Okay, Timmy . Stop worrying I got this!”

“Even worse.” Bernard swats TIms frantic hands away from his shirt before clasping his hand in his as they walked up the steps to Wayne Manor. 

“It’s going to be fine, Timmy. I’ve already met Dick and Cass, and they like me! We’re already 2 up!”

“I know just…” Tim stopped before the door, his arm raised to knock at the grandiose entrance. “I feel like I’m forgetting something. Remember, no vigilante talk, and no talking about Bruce and, please- Please! Be nice to Damian no matter what he says.” 

“What's the point of all of my karate classes if I can't defend your honor! Sensei Kai would be so ashamed if I didn't kick kindergarteners for you!” Tim smiled wryly at the thought of Bernard trying to fight Damian. He would lose… but in a cute way. Probably. Bernard didn’t know that though. He also probably shouldn't be encouraging everyone to fight his little brother after the
Kon fiasco. 

Tim knocked on the door. Only a moment passed before Alfred stood before them, a warm smile on his face. 

“Hey, Alfred.”

“Young Master Tim, Mr. Dowd. It's a pleasure to see you both.” Alfred stepped to the side to let the couple in. 

“Hello, Mr. Pennyworth! It’s been a while.” Bernard smiled at the older man, shrugging off his jacket and putting it in the offered hand.

“Please, call me Alfred.”

“You can call me Bernard then” 

“Of course Mr. Dowd.” Bernard shot Tim a distressed look. Tim just smiled cheekily back at him. 

Tim could feel Bruce approach before he heard him. He knew Bruce would be in “Brucie” mode, but he rarely felt the need to drop his silent entrances while in the manor. 

“Timmy! Welcome home, son!” Bruce wrapped his arm around Tim, humor and genuine fondness shining in his eyes. Tim let it sink in for just a moment before stepping away towards bernard. Bruce frowned for a moment. “You don’t look like one of mine… right?” Tim groaned. Bruce told him beforehand that he’ll have to… keep cover. But he still hated Brucie with a burning passion. Waiting for his real reaction to Bernard when they were alone was going to kill him. 

“Ah- No sir.” Bernard started politely, “My name is Bernard, I’m Tim’s…” He trailed off, unsure of how Tim wanted to introduce him. 

“Boyfriend! He’s my boyfriend, B.” 

“Oh! You’re Bernard! I recall Tim mentioning you once or twice?” Bruce smiled and clasped Bernards hands. “It’s nice to meet you, champ! Welcome to our humble home. “

“Thank you, Mr. Wayne”

“Please, call me Bruce. Mr. Wayne is such a fuddy-duddy name.” 

“Thanks for having me over for dinner… Bruce.” Bernard tried to slip his hand outside of Bruces, but he held on tight. 

“Please, anything for my little guy. Any friend of Tim’s is welcome here anytime.” He smiled towards Tim before letting go of Bernard, who quickly dropped his hand, and patted Tim on the back. “Your siblings are down the hall in the parlour, they’re all very excited to meet the elusive Bernard.” Tim groaned. There was no doubt that they were going to humiliate him. “Come on, Bern. This way.” Tim grasped Bernard's hands and led him down the hallway towards the family’s favourite parlour. 

“Your dad is… nice.” 

“You can say he’s crazy, it’s okay.” 

“No! He’s just… Bubbly? He doesn’t seem as wild as the tabloids make him sound.” Tim looked at Bernard. 

“He has, like, 10 kids now. He doesn't get out as much.”

“Where do you think he gets all these kids?” Bernard starts as they approach the parlour door. 

“Probably the same place batman does.” 

“You're right.” Bernard nodded solemnly. “Tim, what was it like in the shadow government’s orphanage? You’d tell your favorite boyfriend if you ever saw Batman there, right?” Tim snickered as he turned the handle.

“You’re absolutely nutty, dude.” 

Stepping through the door frame, Tim could see all of his siblings. Every single one had been wrangled home for tonight's dinner, a rarity in the lives of vigilantes. His heart warmed at the effort they must have put in to be here. Duke, Cass, and Dick were standing near a couch apparently discussing the supposed intricacies of the BatBurger menu, while Jason lounged on a plush armchair listening in. Stephanie was sitting smugly on a couch next to Damian, leaning back as Damian spit denials over something she had probably said before they walked in. Tim took two seconds to hype himself up before raising his hand into a wave. This was fine. They all signed a contract to be cool. They were going to love Bernard. 

“Hey gu-”

“Holy shit is that Jason Todd?!” Bernard interrupted, staring at Jason. His arm was raised and pointing directly towards Tim’s… legally dead brother. Shit. Fuck. 

Tim knew he was forgetting something.

Chapter Text

The room goes silent, all heads slowly turning towards Bernard. Dick's hand is still up, frozen in the midst of gesticulating. Stephanie's mouth is wide open in awe. The air is tense as everyone takes a beat. 

For every single contingency, every single plan Tim had, he had not planned for this one small mistake. This could not have possibly gone worse. 

The room is still for 5 whole seconds before Dick slowly hunches up, gaining a fearful look in his eye. He begins to wring his hands anxiously

"You can see him too?" Dick finally says, a falsified waver in his voice.

Never mind, it got worse. 

"Grayson, what do you mean by… him?" Damian starts, speaking slowly and enunciating each word.  A beat. Two.

"Oh. you mean Jason?" Steph starts.

"Yes. Jason our, uh, dead brother." 

"Oh yes. The ghost of Jason. Jason who is Dead." Everyone looked at each other. Then nodded, as if to confirm that, yes, Jason was dead and that was the story they were going with. 

"Well," Duke starts, "I always thought the manor was haunted."

"Oh yeah," Steph nods. "Things are always being… moved. And the drafts, you know?" 

"The animals."

"Occasionally Titus barks at corners, however, I didn't realise this was due to an… apparition." With every awful addition, the bats gained a little bit more confidence in their tale of ghosts and hauntings. Tim turned to look at his boyfriend's reaction, praying that this rouse would be dropped soon. Looking at his face he very quickly realized this was only the beginning. Bernard's face of shock had morphed into a face of vindication and awe. He looked excited about the prospect of ghosts and hauntings. Tim wasn't getting out of this. 

An Uber to the closest orphanage isn’t that expensive right? Bernard would surely still visit him there.

"My dear baby brother-" begins Dick, sniffling and wiping imaginary tears from his eyes. "Taken! Before his time. I thought I was just imagining his tiny ugly face following me around, but alas! You've vindicated me!" 

Maybe he could push Dick out the window? Bruce would understand, right?

Bernard gave Tim's arm a light swat. "Tim! You didn't tell me your house was haunted!" He kept his eyes on Jason, as if when he looked away Jason would disappear.

Tim had a decision to make. Would he reveal the tightest held secret in Gotham, gaslight him into thinking this whole night was a dream, or would he… lie to his boyfriend about his brother being dead. Sure, it wouldn't be the first time he lied about someone's relative dying but at least this time it was his own.

Gaslighting was automatically out as the least ethical solution and Bruce would probably kill him if he told Bernard about their night jobs. Tim was torn. He didn’t want to lie to Bernard. He already lied to him so much, and who knows what would be the final straw for Bernard. When he could finally tell his boyfriend the truth about his life, how mad would he be about Tim lying about everything? Would faking a dead sibling be too far? But… There was no other option. He was stuck. 

Tim looked at his siblings who were making vague incomprehensible hand gestures towards him, and at his boyfriend who was sporting a wide grin. He lets out a heavy sigh. 

“I didn’t realise it until now. But yeah. The manors haunted.” 

The room erupted in voices, all scrambling to add more evidence. 

“The library is always cold-”

“I sometimes hear-”

“Scratches-”

“-footprints when-” 

“His room-”

A cacophony of noises, and behind it all, is Jason Todd. With every new addition, his grin grows. With a flourish, he slowly rises from the couch. Everyone in the room besides Dick and Bernard takes special care to not look at the moving figure besides a short cursory glance from the corner of their eyes. Jason silently saunters toward Bernard. He grins.

“This is Bernie, huh?” Jason looks, Bernard up and down, seemingly measuring him against some sort of standard. Bernard stares in awe. “Who can apparently see my life in death. The ever unrest of my soul.” 

“Hello Mr. Todd, sir!” Bernard bursts, thrusting his hand out. The room goes silent once again as the siblings look at Bernard. 

“What is he-

“He’s speaking to Jason-”

“Is Jason in the room with us now?!” 

Jason looks at the proffered hand and laughs. “Death touches life in many ways, kid, but not like that. Tell me, Bernie-”

“It’s Bernard-”

“Tell me Bernie. What do you think when you see me? Am I your dear boyfriend's dead brother? Or an omen of what’s to come.” Jason raises his arms, gesturing dramatically to the room around him. “I spend the afterlife in unrest! Forced to roam these halls for the next eternity!” 

“Jason I can help-”

“There is no saving a cursed soul, Bernard.” Jason starts to walk past the couple towards the door before stopping in the frame. “Beware the Waynes. Tread lightly in these halls and maybe you’ll remain among the living.” And with all the drama of a daytime actor, Jason slams the door shut with a bang that echoes throughout the parlour. 

“What was that!” 

“Jason?!”

“What did he say?”

Did- Did Jason just tell his boyfriend that they were going to kill him? And implied that Bruce killed him? There’s no way that just happened, right? Jason isn’t that dumb? 

“Guys, I need you to be honest with me- How did Jason Todd die?” 

Oh my god, he is that dumb. 

Tim pinched the top of his nose as he walked toward the kitchen. He had left Bernard to “explain” his conversation with the others while he had the task of telling Bruce that Jason was dead. Again. 

The kitchen wasn’t far and as he entered he could see Alfred standing at the stove, carefully stirring a large pot. Fragrant steam wafted out,  filling the room with the smell of stew. At the center of the kitchen, sitting on a tall stool behind the island, was Bruce. Mouthing occasional silent words, he scrolled through documents on his tablet. Bruce looked up as Tim approached. 

“Heeyy Bruuuce,” Tim starts, stretching the words out. “In theory, how would you feel- and this is just theoretical- if we maybe, I don’t know, killedJasonagain ?” 

“Tim,” Bruce set his work down and sighed. “I don’t know what Jason did this time, but please don’t kill your siblings.” 

“You have so many kids! You won’t miss one.”

“What’s this really about, Tim?” Tim walked over to the island and sat down next to Bruce before putting his face in his hands.

“We have a problem. With tonight. With Bernard.” Bruce's eyebrows rose in alarm, quickly growing serious.

“Is everything alright? Do I need to get you out of here? If he’s made you uncomfortable I can and will remove him from the manor.” Tim lifted his head out of his arms in shock.

“Oh my god, Bruce! No! Bernards fine!” 

“He better be.” 

“It’s just… Okay, so you can’t get mad at me because you forgot too.” 

“Tim” 

“Okay, so, um, Jason died right?”

“ Tim.”

“Jason died and he’s still legally dead and we forgot and now Bernard thinks he’s a ghost haunting the manor and I hate your kids because they’re making this even worse!”

Bruce was still for a moment, taking in Tim’s outburst. 

A beat. 

Another. 

Bruce paled. “ We forgot Jason died.”  

“Yes, Bruce! We forgot Jason died! And now Bernard thinks we’re going to kill him!”

“Why does… Jason?”

“Jason.”

Bruce sighed and steepled his hands in front of him. He takes a moment to think before looking Tim in the eyes. “Our identities are unfortunately closely tied with Jason’s resurrection. Beyond that, your siblings have made this much more difficult. Had they not played along, we could have considered Jason's alive status as a family secret. However, I’m assuming you don’t want this ‘prank’ to be Bernard's welcome to the family.”

“Not really…” 

“And you don’t see any other way to explain Jason without compromising our identities?

“I’ve thought about it, and I don't like it, but no.”

“Then I trust your judgement.” Tim felt uncomfortably warm at the statement. Bruce didn’t often… proclaim, his trust like that. He could feel himself turn bright red at the show of emotion. 

“Cool. Sick. That’s, uh, rad.” 

Bruce looked fondly at Tim. Which was gross. Bruce was so embarrassing sometimes. 

“Anyways, uh, I’m going to go back to Bernard.” Tim pushes himself out of the seat, desperate to get back to his boyfriend and out of the conversation. 

“I’ll make sure to set one less plate at the table, Master Tim. Please let your siblings, and our guest, know that dinner will be ready and served in 10 minutes.” Alfred calls from the stove. Tim gives him a thumbs up before turning back towards Bruce. 

“Oh! I forgot to mention! Jason told Bernard that you killed him. ‘Kaythanksbye- ” and with that, Tim walks out the door and out the kitchen.

“What?!”

Chapter Text

Dinner was always a rambunctious affair in the Wayne household with each kid clamoring for attention. Updates on personal lives and retorting quips flew across the table.

Normally Tim would add-in, but all he could do was tightly grasp Bernard’s hand under the table giving it a squeeze every time he thought he was about to say something stupid. Bernard had been silent thus far but he couldn't tell if it was because he had interpreted his squeezes as loving or because he was too busy trying to figure out how to bring up the elephant in the room. The elephant in the room being Jason Todd's empty seat. When everyone was over, the dinner table had an unspoken seating arrangement, a hierarchy of sorts. Dick, Cass, Tim, and whoever Tim had over on Bruce's right side with Damian, Jason, Duke, and occasionally Steph down Bruce's left. With Jason missing, his place was left glaringly empty. 

Bernard had been squinting at Jason's seat ever since they sat down, as if he could solve the mystery of his death just by staring. 

Bruce clears his throat. 

"So Bernard, tell me a bit about yourself champ?" Bernard quickly looked over at bruce in surprise.

“Oh! Uh! What do you want to know, sir?” 

“Please, son, call me Bruce. Let’s see? What are kids your age doing these days? Do you have any hobbies?” 

Tim was torn between not wanting his boyfriend to be ashamed of who he was, and silently begging that he wouldn’t bring up some inane theory. 

“I’ve been taking karate lessons lately, sir. I thought they might be useful.” Bernard replied thoughtfully. 

“That’s good. You never know with Gotham. Strange things happen all the time.” This time it was Bernard who squeezed his hand. Tim sincerely loved Bruce. He was… He was his Bruce. But, god, did he wish that he was socially competent. Knowing Bruce, telling Bernard that his self-defense skills would be useful was meant to be a compliment. And could possibly be one… if Bernard hadn’t just been told that he would be killed for being nosy. Now it just sounded like a threat. 

Tim could see Bernard sit up taller, meeting Bruce’s gaze. 

“Yeah… It is. Say, Bruce,” Bernard started, deliberately casual. “I’ve been curious all evening, but whose seat is that?” Bruce gave the seat a perfect faux forlorn glance. 

“We leave that seat open for my late son, Jason.” The chatter around the table quiets to a murmur as Jason's name is said. 

"How did he pass again?" Tim gave Bernard's hand a soft yank. 

"Don't antagonize him." Tim mutters, soft enough that only Bernard can hear. Bernard, his lovely, incredible, insufferable boyfriend, ignores him. 

"It was on the news, but I don't remember much." 

"We told you in the parlour!" Dick interjects, "Remember? Caught in a terrorist attack?" Tim looked at his brother in thanks.

Bernard, however, keeps pressing. 

"I just remember it being really sudden. You know? Just out of the blue he was in… where was it? Ethiopia?" The entire table looked like they were going to have a conniption. Everyone except Bernard, who kept his gaze leveled on Bruce. Bruce himself looked like he had swallowed something funny.

"Yes… he- I- well- he wanted to see his mother-" 

"and I'm sure you miss him, right?" Bruce… Bruce looked genuinely sad. 

"I do." He says quietly, looking down at his plate. "I miss him every day." The room grew cold in a way that felt familiar to Tim. If it weren't for the number of people, it would remind him of when he first came to the manor, in the midst of Batman's mourning. Bruce never had to act when it came to explaining Jason’s death to others. Sometimes it felt like the only time he showed his real emotions. 

Steph gave an awkward chuckle. "Yep. We all miss Jason. Sometimes it's like he's still around." She gives a pointed look at Bruce "Like he's still here today." Bernard gave her a weird look. It grew silent, the only sound being the clinking of silverware across plates. 

With Jason coming to the manor more and more, it was easy to forget about how much grief and self-blame Bruce had for his death. Everyone just… tiptoes around the issue until Jason inevitably brings it up. Sometimes it felt like they were both grieving for the boy Jason used to be. 

"So Steph, it sounds like you knew Jason?"

"Hey!” Tim interrupts. “Maybe let's not talk about my dead brother!"

"Sorry.. you're right." Bernard shot Tim an apologetic look. "Uh, has anyone been reading anything good lately?"

"I've been reading some Mary Shelley novels!" Duke exclaimed, desperate for a light-hearted conversation. "Jason rec-" he paused, recalculated, and recovered. "Jason liked them. When he was alive. May he rest in peace." He looked Tim directly in the eye, sending an SOS in his direction.

Tim merely sighed. This dinner was never going to recover.  

Thankfully, dessert was quickly served after that. With only a few other slip-ups and Bruce staying silent the rest of the dinner, Tim wouldn't call it a complete success, but at least it didn’t get any worse. However, with patrol starting soon, Bernard had to leave shortly after. 

Tim absentmindedly swung his and Bernard's clasped hands as he walked Bernard to the door. 

"Sorry about the Bruce stuff"

"It's okay Bern.”

"It's been a weird night. I just- I can't believe your house is haunted

"It's a manor-"

"Like that is so cool but also, uh, sorry for your loss? But also woah! You know?" Bernard threw his free hand in the air to emphasize his awe. 

"You're lucky you're cute.”

“The cutest.” Bernard smiled softly. To Tim’s regret, he let go of Tim's hand to start shrugging on his jacket. 

Bernard was silent for a moment. "How did I do tonight? I know I can get caught up in things but I really want your family to like me."

"Bern…"

"Give me your honest opinion Tim. I promise I won't cry." He says with a half-hearted smile. 

"Well," Tim put his hands in his back pockets and leaned back in thought. "I don't think Bruce is your biggest fan right now-" Bernard snorted. "But everyone else likes you, just like I said they would. You're pretty easy to love." Bernard froze at the last statement, then beamed. His smile stretched wide across his face as he went to clasp Tim's hands in his. 

"Timothy Drake-Wayne. Did you just say you love me?" Tim flushed a deep red as he realized what he said. 

"No! I mean- like! I uh- not that I don't love you or that I’ll never love you! I just-" Tim took a step back as he stammered. 

“Tim…” Bernard was gentle as he released one of Tim's hands to hold his face. “It’s okay.” He leans forward and presses his lips against Tim’s. 

Bernard's lips were soft and warm and were beginning to feel like home. Tim relaxed into his touch. Bernard always seemed to understand the words Tim was never able to say. Able to pick out his anxieties, and make all of them feel better. Tim can’t remember ever feeling this strongly about anyone. It sometimes scares him how much he cares about Bernard.

But Bernard was worth the fear. 

 Bernard slowly pulled back from the kiss. “I really do have to go. You know how my parents are.” Tim grimaced. 

“Yeah… I won’t keep you.” 

“I’ll see you soon?” 

“As soon as possible.” Tim agreed. 

Both boys lingered by the door, unwilling to make the first goodbye. They looked at each other for a moment then burst into laughter. 

“Okay, I’ll see you, Timmy!” Bernard laughed out, one hand on the door. 

“See ya, Bernie.” Bernard opens the grand door and takes one step out before turning around and looking at Tim seriously.  

“Stay safe, okay?” 

“You too.”

Tim watched as Bernard walked down the driveway to his car. As soon as he reached it, Bernard turned around and started blowing cheesy kisses to Tim. Tim bursts into giggles before he overdramatically starts to mime catching them and swooning. 

Tim might be a little in love. 

Tim pulled out his phone as he walked toward the cave entrance. Bernard had sent him a message in the time it had taken him to decompress and he had yet to respond.

Bern <3

So

Your brother

Me

which one

?

Jason

planning on leaving me for my brother already? 

i knew it 

Tim hes dead I cant date a dead guy

oh yeah

???

NE WAYS

What if

And this is a what if 

I explored your haunted mansion

And won the love of your dead bother

i thought you just said you werent leaving me for my brother

I told you im trying to win over your siblings!! Im just thorough enough to try to win over jason too 

:0

how r u gonna do that 

Im going to figure out how to send him to the afterlife, right? 

To do that I gotta snoop in your nasty mansion tho 

r u sure??? 

Timmy we just established tonight that ghosts are real and you expect me to leave this alone??? 

Fake friend

read at 7:48 

Tim groaned. Everyone was right. He was so whipped. He typed out one last message before starting down the stairs. 

Me

come over tomorrow at 4

Bern <3

Xoxo ily 

Tim stomped down the rest of the cave stairs to find Jason leaning against a table in the cave, arms crossed and smirking at Tim's distress. "So how was dinner?" Tim pointed his finger at Jason who just smirked at his distress. 

" You -" 

"Me?" 

"You! I can't believe this! This is all your fault." yelled Tim. 

“All my fault?! Did you not say everyone had to be at the manor? Am I not everyone? Are you saying I’m not part of the family, Timmy? That you hate me and wish I was dead?” 

“I’ll kill you myself if it has to be done.” Tim sneered.

"Ooo a zinger! He’s feisty today!”

“Authenticity is key. We already have a headstone with your name on it. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.” 

“Now you’re just stealing my jokes. First my job, then my costume, and now my material? Kids these days, I swear.” Jason stood up to leave. 

“ Jay-”

“Chill, Timberly. I signed the contract. I’ll play your ghost.” Jason slid his helmet on as he swung his leg over his motorcycle. Tim sighs, relief pouring out of him. 

“Can you come over at 4? He wants to explore the manor.” Jason salutes before revving his engine.

“You got it. This’ll be fun.” Tim feels a grim sense of foreboding as Jason peels out of the BatCave.

Stephanie walks up behind him, having witnessed the scene. “Dude, you’re so screwed.” 

Tim can’t help but agree. 

Chapter Text

Tim glanced out the window for a third time, anxiously awaiting Bernard's arrival. Bernard had texted him that he’d “Be there in ten!” about 5 minutes ago, but he had a habit of showing up earlier than predicted. Now, it was just a waiting game for when he’d get here. 

“Are we waiting for Bernard?” Tim jumped at the voice behind him. He had been so invested in when bernard would arrive that he hadn’t noticed Steph walking up. 

He turned to see Steph and Cass walking into the foyer, arm in arm. The two were grinning at him, which set off alarm bells in his head. 

“He’s supposed to be over soon,” he says, gesturing to the door. “Are you two going out?” 

“Nope!” Stephanie responded cheerfully. “We’re waiting for our guest.”

“Our?” 

“Yeah! Bernard’s coming over and it’s  our  house, so he’s  our  guest.” 

“First of all,” Tim starts, narrowing his eyes at her, “it’s a manor, not a house. Second of all, you don’t even live here.” 

“I live here.” Cass starts. The traitor. “And she’s here already. So Bernard is  our  guest.”

“Exactly!” Steph nods along as if that logic actually makes sense. “So we’re waiting for Bernard. Besides, what kind of best friend would I be if I didn't scout out the new beau." Tim scoffed 

“You met him last night! Isn't that en-” 

“Plus your little friend group would kill me if I didn't send them the hot gos on Bernard.” She interrupts. 

“When did you start talking to them?!”

“We have a group chat where we talk about you. Superboy and Impulse say you need to call more, by the way.” 

This was horrifying. This was terrible. The world would never be ready for a Batgirl/Young Justice team-up. He knew that everyone had gotten closer recently, but he didn’t know they were  group chat  close. He never should have introduced them, all those years ago. There was no way he would ever live anything down ever. 

“You need to leave.” 

Steph leaned in, letting go of Cass’s arm to circle around him. Tim couldn’t help but feel like her prey. 

“No.”

“Batman shouldn't have stopped at the no meta rule. He should have a no Stephanie Brown rule,” Tim snips at her.

“He tried” she sneered, “but you can't keep a bad bitch down.” She raised her hand without looking and Cass smacked it, the crisp high five echoing down the hall.

“We have to scope him out,” Cass says, miming a pair of binoculars with her hands. “Make sure he’s good enough.” 

“Cass,” Tim whines. This whole thing was a setup to embarrass him in front of his boyfriend. He knew Stephanie Brown and there was absolutely no way he was coming out of this with his dignity intact, no matter how well-meaning they were. “Can’t you just-” 

Ding-Dong

Oh god! He’s here! 

He turns to Cass, frantic, “How do I look?” She musses up his hair with her hand before giving him a thumbs up and a nod. He quickly tries to fix it, distracting him from noticing Steph opening the door. 

“Bernard! Good to see you again!” 

“Hey, Stephanie!” 

“Please, call me Steph!” 

Tim ran over and shoved Stephanie to the side. 

“Hey, Bernard. How's it going?” He tried to stand nonchalant in the door frame, one hand on his hip the other bracing his head. It didn’t help that Steph was clawing at him from where he pushed her. 

He could see Bernard light up when he saw him. He always felt giddy when that happened, the way he could obviously see how much Bernard liked him. He thought it would wear off once they started to see each other regularly, but they see each other almost daily now and it still hasn’t stopped. It made him glow just to think about it. 

“Hey, Cutie.” Bernard smiles at him, “You gonna let me in?”

“Yeah. Yeah, let me just-” Tim opens the door wide as Bernard strolls in. He waves to Cass as he spots her.

“Oh! Hi, Cass!” She beams as she waves back. 

“We’re gonna hunt ghosts with you!” 

Tim groaned. He couldn’t believe they were going to be following them around all afternoon. 

Actually, scratch that. He definitely could believe it, he just didn’t want to. 

Tim didn’t know when Jason would show up, just that he would. And sue him for thinking maybe he and Bernard could find a dark corner of the manor to make out in while waiting for him to make an appearance. 

It was a lost cause, he thought, leading the group deeper into the manor towards the parlour from last night. Maybe on a good day, he could convince Cass to lay off, but there was no way he could get Steph to leave it alone. 

Bernard walks up and takes Tim’s hand, smoothly intertwining their fingers together. 

“Okay, so I was thinking about it last night-”

“Mmm?” 

“And I’ve never seen a ghost before so either I’ve somehow developed a meta gene on the way to your house, or this place is special. Since I haven’t seen any other ghosts, it’s probably just this place. Now, I’ve done some research and I have to ask: Do you know if your house is located on any, oh I don’t know, portals to alternate realms? Or intersecting ley lines?” 

God Bernard was cute.

“No,” Tim smiled at him, “I don’t think so. Isn’t, like, all of Gotham on cursed land though?” He could feel Steph's eyes on him and bernard as they walked. 

“Yeah, but that could explain why he’s trapped here, not why I can see him. Although,” He slows to think, stopping in the middle of the hallway. “ I do have a theory that the Red Hood is the keeper of souls, and that his original killing spree was to build an army of dead for him to control. If he controls all of the dead in Gotham, he might be controlling Jason somehow and keeping his soul tethered to this city. It would make sense considering Jason didn’t die in this country and the Red Hood is super into, like, classic Gotham stuff.” By the end of his ramble bernard had started using their conjoined hand to gesticulate in the air. 

Tim turned behind him to look at the girls. Steph’s mouth was wide open in awe while Cass grinned wide and bright at him. Tim flushed red, the tips of his ears warm. 

“Oh wow.” Stephanie starts, having rebooted from her shock. “You really know your stuff.”

“I’d like to think I’m better informed than your average citizen.” Bernard preens. “I have a bunch of theories about the Bat Colony.”

“Care to share with the class?” 

There is nothing Tim would change about Bernard, he’s perfect in every way. However, right at this very moment, he wishes he had picked some other topic to be interested in. Like airplanes or… clowns. 

Okay, maybe he didn’t know what normal people liked, but the point is there was no way Bernard wasn’t going to remember this moment and kill him once he revealed his identity. 

“Well, obviously the Batgirls are one singular shapeshifter who can split themselves into different entities. They’re controlled by one hivemind, though. I have some pictures of the two forms they take, and also a couple of videos of them leaving no footsteps. There’s no way they’re from this earth, though.”

“Obviously,” Steph agrees, nodding along with glee. 

“And I used to think Batman worked for the shadow government, but I don’t anymore.” 

“No?” 

“Yeah, he clearly  is  the shadow government. I mean, he fights crime, sure, but he has way more knowledge than he should about everything. Plus, the police just let him do whatever. He has to have some sort of control over Gotham!” 

That was… Surprisingly accurate, in a way. Batman has way more sway than the average civilian. Plus as Bruce Wayne, he could do pretty much anything and get away with it. 

“I think I remember hearing about that one from Tim. Back when we were in high school. I also remember something about you selling his organs?” Tim had forgotten he had mentioned that back then. He vaguely remembers saying something about limiting his time with Bernard. That one backfired a bit. 

“Oh yeah! Well, you’ll never know when I’ll need the cash. We can’t all be rich like you, Timmy.” Bernard snickers, bumping into Tim. 

“Nice try,” Tim deadpans, “I’ve already had one of my organs stolen. You’re not getting another.” “Aww did I steal your heart?” Bernard coos at him.

“No? Someone took my spleen.” He was still trying to figure out if Ra’s had it in a jar somewhere. He wouldn’t put it past him to just… have it on hand. Jokes on him, though, there was no way it was a functional organ anymore. Not after getting stabbed like that. 

Bernard gapped at him. “Now wait a minute, I didn’t know that!” 

“It’s true.” Cass adds, “I fought the thief's half-sister for him.” 

“Holy shit! Was this before or after we met?” Bernard asks, turning to face him. 

“After. Like, after I moved schools in… I didn’t finish high school but, like, my senior year? But I’m fine now.” Tim reassured him, squeezing his grasped hand. 

“Ugh, you’ve got to tell me these things, Tim.” Bernard complains, “I’ll be more careful around you if I’m, like, sick or something.” With his piece being said, he starts to walk again.

After a moment he turns to look back at Stephanie. 

“I still can’t believe you’re real.” 

“Oh?” She tilts her head in curiosity. “What do you mean?” 

“Tim used to talk about you all the time! Except I didn’t think you were, like, a real person. I thought he made you up to sound cooler.” 

“Wait Tim-” Tim started walking faster, pulling Bernard forward as he grinned. “Was I your ‘girlfriend from another school’?” 

“Yeah, we just ‘didn’t know you.’ And of course, we could never meet you.” 

Tim flushed. “It was complicated, okay?” 

“I had hoped he was making you up because he liked dudes. Turns out I was only half right!” Bernard beamed and shamelessly kissed their intertwined hands. 

Steph laughed at his antics. “Please! Timmy couldn’t make up a girl like me if he tried.” 

And despite his brief embarrassment earlier, Tim laughed along with her. They really had come far, hadn't they? 

They make the rest of the journey in casual conversation, talking about some movie that had recently come out. He wasn’t surprised to see everyone get along. If anything, Steph and Bernard were his most personable friends. But the weight was lifted from his shoulders seeing some of the most important people in his life interact positively. 

Finally, they arrive at the parlour. It’s spotless, as always, thanks to Alfred’s work. Bernard lets go of his hand to flit around the room, inspecting the walls and floor. He takes special note of where Jason had been sitting. Steph and Cass stand next to Tim as they watch Bernard do his thing. 

“Bernard is quite the character,” Steph says casually, crossing her arms. 

“Shut up. You already knew what he was like.” 

“But I’d never truly experienced it.” She grins. “He’s funny.” 

“I’ll tell him you said that. He’s been worried about everyone liking him.” 

“That’s sweet.” 

“He really likes you,” Cass adds in. “I can tell. He wants to show us he’s…” She scrunches her nose, looking for the right word. “Good? No. He wants to show us that he is worthy of you.” 

Tim could tell how important it was to Bernard that he had a good relationship with Tim’s family. He thinks it probably has to do with how bad Bernard's relationship was with his own family. But in his opinion, Bernard didn’t need to get the approval of Bruce and everyone. It would suck if they didn’t like him, but he would deal with it. He would stick by him through thick and thin. Bernard was worth it.

“There’s nothing here.” Bernard sighs in frustration. He turns towards the 3 of them and walks over, sidling up next to Tim. 

“No luck?” Tim asks.

“Nope. Not even a hair out of place. 

Steph makes a noise of sympathy. “That’s Alfred for ya. This whole place seems staged sometimes.” 

“Hey, by the way, did you ever meet Jason? It kind of seemed like you knew him last night.” 

Steph froze.

“Uh… No…?” She looked toward Tim for help. 

What was the point of living in a house full of people with secret identities if they couldn’t lie to save their lives?

“I- Uh…” She floundered for something to say. “I’ve never met him. Bruce doesn’t talk about him much either.”

“Huh.” Bernard thinks for a moment. “What do you think about Bruce?” He glances at Tim and Cass. “I mean, just between you and me.” 

“Oh, Bruce is a bitch!” 

Tim couldn’t tell if he should be scandalized that Steph was saying that, or if he should agree. 

“I mean, he’s not that bad, now at least. But when we first met? He was so bitchy, like, 24/7. Since then I’ve grown on him, but I still feel like I need to give him hell. You know, just to keep him on his toes.” 

“Oh?” Bernard was fascinated, leaning in to hear more. “Why didn’t he like you?” 

“Honestly?” Steph pauses to think. “I think it was because I reminded him of Jason. We’re both from the same place so I think he just projected onto me. He always told me I would end up like him if I kept acting like I did.” Tim tried to communicate how unnecessary the last part of her explanation was with his eyes. In true Stephanie Brown fashion, she ignored him. 

“That’s… Ominous.” 

“Steph, stop.” Thank god for Cass. She would turn this around. “Bruce loves Jason. He regrets what happened to him. He worried you would be too much like him.” Hell yeah! Cass saved it. It wasn’t the best, but it was more than enough to stop the heavy implication of Bruce being a murderer.

“Please! Every day it was ‘Stephanie, you’re being reckless.’ ‘Stephanie go home.’ or ‘Stephanie Brown, you know what happened to the ro- kid who did that!’ Like, chill out man!”

“That doesn’t sound like Bruce. He was pretty warm when I met him at least?” Bernard says hesitantly. 

“He gets really intense sometimes. You probably don't have to worry about it though.” She waves her hand dismissively. 

Cass turns towards Bernard and looks him in the eyes. “Bruce is a good dad. He would not hurt us. If you keep dating Tim, he will protect you too.” Bernard is surprised at her words, but it’s the truth. 

“Yeah! You’re one of us now. Bruce will keep an eye on you for sure.” 

Tim wraps his arm around Bernard, pulling him close. “It’s not as bad as they make it say. They just mean that he’ll bail you out of jail if you need it.” Bernard smiles as he pushes closer against him. 

“Does that mean you won’t, rich boy?” 

“Let’s be honest. If you were in jail, I’d probably be in there next to you.” 

“Bonnie and Clyde. I like it.” Bernard replies. Tim spots Steph mime vomit coming out of her mouth from the corner of his eye. 

“Cute.” 

All four of them jump at the sudden new voice in the room. Jason stands in the corner of the room, his arms crossed. He didn’t even notice Jason enter, and by the looks of it, Steph and Bernard didn’t either. 

“Jason!” Bernard says, awe in his voice. 

“I heard you guys were talking about me.” Tim can see Jason smile. The temperature in the room was starting to drop, no doubt Jason’s doing. “Did you hear his warnings?” 

Steph turned towards Bernard. “What’s he saying?” 

“I think he was listening the whole time.” He whispers to her, never taking his eyes off of Jason. 

“Oh, I was. I heard all about Brucie’s little warnings. ‘Don’t end up like poor old Jason Todd. The reckless little alley rat.’” He walks towards Bernard, leaning in close to his face. “Do you think I wanted what happened to me? Do you think I  deserved  it, Bernie?” Jason steps back and surveys the group. “Bruce doesn’t like hurting. But in this city, Brucie’s word is law. You’d do best to listen to it, lest you be his latest regret.” He turns around, and with the flick of his leather jacket, he strolls past them. He stills as he hits the door frame. 

“Au revoir.” 

The air is tense as he leaves, the door slamming behind him. 

“Holy shit.”

“Wow, it’s freezing in here.” 

Cass just stares at the door. 

Bernard turns toward Tim

“Tim we have to follow him!” He looks up at the girls, still frozen where they stood. “Are you guys coming?” 

The two look at each other, silently communicating. In just a moment, they seem to agree. 

“Of course!” Steph finally exclaims. “Gotta solve the mystery, am I right?” 

“Hell yeah!” 

Bernard gives a manic grin and pulls Tim forward. He smiles back. 

“Let’s go!” 

Chapter Text

"So, Timmy." 

Bernard was in the manor again for his ongoing ghost hunt. This was the third time he had come over in just a week and Tim was starting to get used to seeing him in his childhood home. It was kind of nice being able to share this with him. To show Bernard the space where Tim had been shaped and molded into who he was today, his very history written in the many rooms of the manor.  

Hand in hand, they walked aimlessly down the halls. 

"Yeah?" 

"You're a boy," Bernard started, a cheesy grin spread across his face.   

"Right." 

"And I'm a boy-" 

"Also right." 

"Maybe we should kiss?" Tim stops in the middle of the hall and smirks before pulling the blonde boy close and pressing their lips together. 

Bernard's lips were soft and warm against Tim's slightly chapped ones. With one hand around Bernard's waist and the other clasping his neck, he could feel Bernard relax against him and lean into the kiss. Bernard trailed his hands up Tim’s chest before resting his arms around his neck. Satisfied, Tim pulled him even closer, deepening their kiss.

Bernard's mouth twitched into a smile against his. With a sudden press against his shoulders, Tim's eyes flew open as he felt himself being pushed against the wall. His eyes fluttered shut again at the hot press of Bernard's body against his, trapped between his boyfriend and the ornate wood paneling that pressed into his back. Their positions were swapped, with Bernard pressing his hand on the wall next to Tim's head and the other low on his waist, Tim’s arm wrapped around him. 

It was electrifying. 

Tim felt like he was growing light-headed from the passion. With a swipe against his lips, Tim opened his mouth to allow Bernard's tongue in. He could feel the heat rise in his body as all higher thought seemed to leave him. Bernard was all-consuming. All he could feel was his body against his, all he could smell was Bernard's cologne, the taste of his lips. 

His name played on repeat in his mind. 

Bernard, Bernard, Bernard.

"You guys are fucking disgusting. Alfred just cleaned this hallway."

Bernard leapt back, stumbling slightly before correcting himself. Tim leaned against the wall, still slightly dazed from their kiss. It took a moment before he could reboot, but he groaned when he realized who had interrupted them. 

“He’s here, isn’t he.” 

“Yup.” Tim leaned back, bumping his head against the wall.

“It wouldn’t be polite of me to tell him to leave, right?” 

“Probably not,” Bernard says apologetically. 

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here, Asshole,” Jason grumbles. Tim ignores him. Because Jason's supposed to be a ghost. And also maybe because he’s a little bitter at his make out session being ruined. 

Bernard turns towards Jason. 

“Jason, Sir, I- uh- Have a few questions for you,” Jason smirked and crossed his arms. Tim thought he looked unnecessarily smug for a man with no hobbies.

“Ask away, whatever your name is.”

“It's Bernard."

“Sure.”

Bernard gets a determined look on his face.

“How did you die? Was it traumatic?”

“Oh, you know,” Jason says flippantly, waving his hand in the air, “just the usual. A little bit of torture, a lot of explosions, just the regular average death in Gotham.”

“But you didn’t die in Gotham?" 

“He died abroad, in Ethiopia.” Tim chimes in. 

“Shh! I’m asking him!” Bernard says, putting his finger in Tim’s face. He scowls at the dismissal. “Did you die in Ethiopia?”

“Yup.”

“But you’re haunting the manor?”

“Seems so.” 

“Are you connected to the place…? Or maybe an object or person?”

“Look, Kid-”

“Bernard.”

“Kid. I don’t know shit about how I'm here. But I do know this,” Jason looms over Bernard, “I remain unavenged. And this family knows it.” 

“But they didn’t know you were here, or I guess Dick did.. But we can help avenge you, or- or get you justice!” Bernard blurts out. “What can we do to get you to move on?”

Jason looks him up and down. 

“Are you willing to get your hands dirty?” 

“Uh, maybe?” Bernard says hesitantly

“Are you willing to hurt some people?

“Are they, like, bad people?”

“Oh, they’re bad. They're very bad. Now, I gotta ask,” Jason leans in close to Bernard's face. “Are you willing to kill?” 

Tim very nearly face palms but manages to stop himself just in time. 

The room is silent as Bernard takes in what Jason said. 

It only takes a moment before: “What connection do you have with the Red Hood?” 

Tim immediately feels an ulcer start to form. Even Jason looks taken aback at the question. 

“I mean, it makes sense. The Red Hood came to Gotham looking for revenge and to make it a better place.” Tim is crossing his fingers that this is either: 

a: Not accusing Jason of being the Red Hood or B: Not an insane theory that will immediately humiliate him in front of Jason. 

With Bernard, it could be either one. 

“But he needs an army, right?” Tim is crossing his toes at this point. “So to do this he kills the biggest meanest crooks in the city to work for him. But he also has to deal with the corruption in the city. And-” he turns towards Jason, “This is where you come in. Who better to spill the secrets of corruption in the city than the son of a Wayne. Plus, I did some research on you, you were top of your class and expected to take over Wayne Enterprises. You would be a ton of help for making a plan to root out the corruption in the city. I’ve got it, right? You're working for the Red Hood as his ghost advisor in exchange for revenge against the group that killed you?” Bernard looks smug at his conclusion. 

Tim and Jason can only stare at him. 

The room is silent before Jason points at Bernard and laughs. Hard. He laughs harder than Tim’s ever seen him, even harder than that time the Bat suit shrunk in the wash. Hand on his stomach, tears coming out of his eyes, guffawing. Tim almost feels bad on Bernard's behalf, but he kind of brought this on himself. 

Bernard pouts cutely at Jason’s laughter. “I get it,” he says, arms crossed. “It was just a theory. I’m working on it.” 

In the distance, Tim hears a door shut before the sound of an animal walking down the hall grows nearer. 

As Jason wipes the tears from his eyes, finally ceasing in his laughter, Tim looks up and sees Damian approaching them, probably coming in from walking Titus, since the leashed dog is walking beside them. Damian sees them and makes a face, determined to walk past them. But to Tim’s surprise, Titus breaks and pulls at his leash towards them. 

“Titus!” Damian scolds, but it's too late. The large dog pulls him over to the group, stopping in front of Jason, probably because he always inexplicably smells of deli meats. 

“Hey there, buddy,” Jason coos, bending down to pet between the dog’s ears. 

Bernard grows excited again. “Guys, you probably didn’t know, but Titus can sense Jason. See!” Bernard tells them, gesturing to Titus.

“Oh yes.” Damian says, scowling, “The ghost. Right.”

“Animals have historically been able to see into the veil and have typically been seen as guides of sorts.” He explains. 

“Historically?” Damian scoffs. “These poltergeists you speak of have no basis in reality, let alone ‘history’. You are delusional to even consider that one may even exist.

Bernard falters. Tim hates the look of shame on his face.

“I believe you, Bernard! Look! Titus is going crazy. Something must be happening, right?” Tim says, smiling at him encouragingly

Bernard looks over at Jason, who has since started wrestling on the ground with the dog.

“It just makes sense, right?”

“Yeah, it does. Damian,” Tim says, gritting his teeth, “is just being an asshole.” 

“Woah! Are you allowed to say that, Timmy?” Jason calls up from the floor, “I thought we couldn't call kids assholes anymore.” 

“Look, if you don't believe me, believe that,” Bernard says gesturing towards Titus. “Can you explain it?”

Tim glares at Damian, daring him to disagree.

“Oh wow. You're right and I was wrong. Poltergeists are real. How could I be so stupid as to believe otherwise?”

Bernard beams. “If you want, I can tell you more about-” 

“No. I will be going now. Titus, come.”

Titus gives Jason one last lick (seriously he has to be hiding ham in his pockets or something for the great dane to be going this crazy) before trotting back over to Damian 

Damian studies Bernard, then looks at Tim. “You two deserve each other.” Damian declares before spinning and striding down the hall. 

Barnard watches him as he leaves. “Your brother is kind of intense. And he speaks so fancy.”

Tim sighs. “Ignore him, he literally called me cringe the other day.” 

“Uh, hello?” Jason calls from the floor, “I thought this was supposed to be about me.”

“Oh, right!” Tim honestly can’t believe that Jason’s been here this long without trying to break anything. It’s almost suspicious how well-behaved he’s being. 

“Have you ever been able to communicate with animals since you died?” Bernard asks.

“Not any more than you can.”

“Have you ever been guided by animals to a different plane of existence?” 

“Nope.”

“Have animals always reacted strongly to you?”

“All the animals in this house do. Except the cow.”

Bernard turns to Tim, “You have a cow?”

“We have a lot of pets.

“We should get another dog. I've always been a dog guy. Didja know I used to have one? Before Bruce.” 

“What was his name?” 

“Sparky.” Jason freezes as a thought pops into his head. “Wait- Tim- you- boyt- Bernard. Ask Tim what happened to Ace.” 

“Ace?” Bernard asks, tilting his head.

“Just ask!” he snaps his fingers.

 “Hey, Tim?" Tim leapt up, acting like he hadn’t heard the entire conversation they just had. “Do you know a uh- Ace?” Tim had to think. The name sounded familiar… But he couldn’t place it. 

“My dog! What the fuck happened to my dog?!” 

Oh. 

Oh no. 

There was no way this was ending well. 

“It was Jason's dog, apparently?” Tim scratched his head, hoping he didn't look as anxious as he felt. There was no way the day didn't end with Jason screaming at Bruce over this. 

“I didn’t even know we had a dog before Titus.” How did he say that by the time Tim had knocked on their door, Jason’s dog had probably died or something. “I can ask Bruce later,” he says neutrally but it clearly wasn't enough. Jason was pissed. Jason pushes himself off the floor  with a huff and turns towards the direction of the cave, 

“I can’t believe this shit. I’m going to fucking kill him.” 

And just like that, he's gone.

“I think we made him mad,” Bernard says, staring in the direction where Jason stormed off.

“Is he gone?”

“Yup.” He says, popping his p. 

“We didn't even do anything.”

“Huh. You're right.” Bernard says, thinking. “Hmm.”

Man… he's gonna hate the conversation he has to have with Bruce later, warning him about what happened today.

He sighs and takes Bernard's hand, leaning his head on his shoulder.

“Can we go back to making out? Please?” 

Bernard laughs, “Sure, Timmy. But only because you asked so nicely.” 

Tim collapses on the arm chair set in the corner of Bruce's office, the one every Wayne kid has sat on and lamented to Bruce in. 

“Bruce. Jason will probably ask you about Ace later, so just be prepared for that, I guess.” Bruce looks up from his work,

“Oh, Ace? I haven't thought of Ace in a while.”

“I can't believe I didn’t know we had a dog besides Titus. What happened to him?” Tim had met Bruce pretty soon after Jason died, so it would've been reasonable for Ace to still be around back then.

“Well, after Jason died, I… I sent him to the farm, so to speak.” He dips his head in shame. I couldn't bear to look at him.” 

Tim freezes, staring at Bruce wide-eyed. “Oh my god? Bruce?? You killed Jason's dog?!"

Bruce looked at him, mouth agape. "No! When I say ‘farm’, I meant that literally!” He says, almost desperately. “He lived in Smallville with the Kents until he died peacefully in his sleep.”

Tim slumps in relief. Jason wouldn't be happy, but it’s better than it could've been. He sighs. 

“You know this would be a lot easier if Jason had died peacefully in his sleep,”

Bruce puts his head in his hands. “Please don't say that.”