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Stripping Feathers From a Wounded Robin

He stared out at the familiar skyline, sure, there were some changes but Gotham was still Gotham. He had hoped that it would have, that his death would have meant something but obviously it hadn’t. That blasted clown was still alive, still escaping and killing. Batman was still going around turning children into soldiers. The new and improved Robin, a genius and perfect soldier. He had so many plans and honestly wasn’t sure where to start. Yes, he had the files from Talia but this was Gotham and things could change quickly. Better he do his own recon as well before starting.

So where to start…he spotted the familiar light in the sky and nodded to himself. Why not? He turned and began getting dressed, not taking the red helmet since he wanted to be sneaky. It wasn’t time for the Red Hood’s debut, not yet. Hooking into the bats comm system hadn’t been easy but he had the best tech so he’d gotten it done. Tracking the bat was just as difficult but he eventually spotted him and okay…he’d never seen B quite so vicious. There was something…where was Robin? Nightwing was there, when all the research showed he was very rarely in Gotham and when he was, he was usually spotted with Robin, not the big bad Bat. So why would he be with B?

Unless…had another bird had their wings clipped? But there should be at least whispers if that had happened and he’d heard nothing. That would change his plans but maybe this time he’d learn his lesson and stop destroying children’s lives.

Oh well, the Bat could wait, he had a certain Clown to track down. He’d escaped Arkham a while back but had gone to ground. That wasn’t going to save him though, the Red Hood would find him and end it. He’d had a big plan for getting B to do it but it was too risky with Wing in town. Maybe it was better to deal with the maniac himself, he’d make it hurt more after all.

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Pain…all he knew was pain…the cackling laughter ringing in his ears.

“Be good for Papa!”

He screamed, throat raw and bloody, every muscle and nerve firing as electricity poured through him, joining the acid in his blood.

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The spent weeks tracking down the faintest hints, old rumours, and finally he’d found the warehouse. Part of him baulked at going in, even for recon, memories of pain and death so strong but he had to know. If the clown was in there then he had plans to make. He took a few deep, calming breaths and then fired his grapple to land on the roof. The warehouse wasn’t even technically in Gotham which was probably why the Bat hadn’t found him yet.

He entered silently through a skylight, moving across the rafters. There were two stories and a lot of rooms by the looks of things. He began searching the rooms methodically, not wanting to be taken by surprise. It was weird but the place seemed empty. And then he flinched as a scream echoed through the building. Okay, definitely not empty and that…that was a kid.

He pulled his guns and began moving slightly faster but he still had to clear the rooms. He couldn’t save the kid if someone got the drop on him first. He was almost to the source of the scream when something caught his eye, lying beside a vat of…acid? He approached and his vision flickered green. That was a very familiar symbol…he’d worn it with pride once. There, a scrap of what looked like a cape…a torn glove…all leading to the vat.

Jason felt sick, sure, he’d been planning to rough the kid up, clip his wings as a vigilante…there was another scream and he began to run. Please let that be the repla…Tim, his name was Tim. The thought of anyone being thrown into a vat of acid, alive knowing the Joker…no one deserved that! If the screaming was Tim, then he was alive, there was a chance to keep the kid that way. Did this explain Batman’s extra violence, Nightwing’s presence? They had to be searching for the missing bird.

Seeing a large open area ahead he fired his grapple, taking to the rafters and then he froze, staring down in horror. Strapped to a metal table was Tim Drake…at least he thought it was the kid. He was mostly naked, thankfully his underwear had been left on. He was writhing in agony against the restraints, an IV in his arm pumping who knew what poison into him. His eyes were wide as he arched, electricity flowing through him, the Joker laughing and Harley watching.

“That’s it Junior! Be good for Papa and Mama!” The Joker cackled.

There were two sharp noises, two thuds. And it took Jason a few seconds to realised he’d shot them. He’d done it…he killed the Joker…and if he didn’t move fast the kid would be joining them. He grappled down to the floor and then ripped the generator apart, the room going quiet except for the pained whimpers the kid was making.

Jason was glad he wasn’t wearing the helmet, only a generic looking domino. He didn’t want to scare someone who’d been tortured so badly. All his anger and hate…it was gone, how could he hate Tim now? He slowly approached the whimpering figure, body now limp, making no effort to escape.

“It’s okay kid, they can’t hurt you anymore,” he murmured, not sure how conscious he was. A look at his face showed half lidded eyes, the blue glassy and distant, his lips-stained bright red. “I’m going to get you to help,” he promised.

He was glad he carried medical supplies, even if only the basics, as he withdrew the IV and covered the wound. He didn’t have enough to treat half of Tim’s wounds, at least he was fairly sure it was Tim. He looked…a lot paler than in any picture Jason had seen and his hair was no longer black but green but a close look revealed hints of black in the roots.

“Robin, can you hear me?” Don’t freak him out using his name in the field. Ever so gently he brushed sweat soaked hair back from the too pale face, hearing the kid gasp for breath.

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Stopped? What now? Just make it stop…he…he wanted…who? The acid feeling faded a little, quiet…

“...get you…” voice? Not them, not…Papa? No…

“…hear…”

Soft…gentle…nothing was soft…he whimpered, waiting for more pain, a new pain.

“Robin…”

Robin…he knew that….

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Jason saw the slight flicker in the kids’ eyes as he called him Robin again. He took his own jacket off to wrap around the teen and then lifted him as gently as he could, moving as fast as he dared to where he’d hidden his bike. He knew where he had to take him, the only place that could treat whatever had been done to him but…no, he had to. No more dead Robins.

He set Tim in front of him, it was awkward but the kid wasn’t really conscious. He drove as fast as he could, heading for Bristol, hesitating to make the call he knew he had to.

“Cave, Bird down, repeat Bird down,” he called over the hacked comm. “Prep medical and call Doc T.”

“Who is this?” Alfred’s voice demanded, but he didn’t waste time answering, cutting the comm to focus on riding without killing them both.

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Alfred stared in shock as the code was given. That…that was impossible. Bird down…Master Tim. Alfred called Leslie and then grabbed his shotgun just to be safe, before calling Master Bruce. He then moved to prepare the medical bay with Tim’s blood type in case a transfusion was needed before setting up all the monitors and warming up the x-ray machine, heart racing.

He hadn’t recognised the voice; someone had hacked their comm frequencies so it could be a trick but there’d been something in the voice…barely concealed panic. And the voice itself felt almost familiar. If they hacked their comms then they likely knew how to access the cave or else why call? Unless Tim had been conscious and told the person how?

He heard a bike rushing down the tunnel and then it pulled to a stop, a large male on it. He got off, a limp body in front of him. No…

“He’s alive,” the gruff voice called. He reached up to remove his helmet, revealing a black domino covering features that looked familiar…older and yet…

Alfred looked him over, seeing traces of the boy he’d considered a grandson.

“You need to do bloodwork fast, Joker had him hooked up to an IV of something. Electroshock therapy too, the bastard,” Jason growled as he carried Tim into the medical bay.

“I see,” Alfred shook off his shock, Timothy was the priority at the moment. The Joker… not another child.

He grabbed what was needed and quickly drew blood before setting up an IV to ensure the poor child was hydrated and to help begin with the likely electrolyte imbalance. He wanted to add a mild sedative to keep him asleep but there was no telling what kind of damage had been done and sedation could cause more issues. He felt sick as Jason removed the jacket, seeing the burns over Tim’s body, the open wounds, and the far too pale skin but too red lips, the lank green hair…

“My dear boy,” he whispered, daring to stroke a pale cheek before forcing himself to begin the arduous task of cleaning him up. Some of the wounds were likely already infected. The computer beeped with the blood results and he grimaced, injecting an antidote for Joker venom immediately, leaving more at the ready.

Alfred kept his hands steady; he would not fail his youngest grandson. But he was so afraid. Tim had been missing for almost two months, how much damage had been done in that time? Was there anything of their boy left or had he been driven to madness?

By the time Leslie arrived, he’d x-rayed Tim from head to toe and the two of them had cleaned him off before getting him into a gown. They’d removed the soiled undergarments so the gown would preserve his modesty for now.

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The inside of the Batmobile was silent as they raced back to the cave, both lost in their own thoughts, hoping and fearing what they would find. Bird Down…such a simple code phrase but there were only two birds in Gotham and one was safely in the Batmobile. It could only be Robin, Tim…had he escaped wherever he was, somehow made it back to the cave?

They pulled into the Cave, seeing a strange bike, hope flaring as they got out. Dick didn’t hesitate, running to the medical bay only to freeze in horrified shock as his eyes fell upon the figure on the bed. He staggered back, hands pressed to his mouth and then he felt a hand grip his shoulder, Bruce.

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Bruce saw Dick’s reaction and he wanted to run. Not again. He couldn’t lose another child. Dick was shaking as he gripped his shoulder, gently pulling him back. Dick had never seen…never seen Jason, he would never want him to see the body of a brother. But…that was Leslie’s voice, snapping instructions. She wouldn’t sound so tense if there was nothing to do. He drew Dick away and sat him down at the computer before approaching the medical bay himself and looking inside.

He didn’t recognise Tim at first, he was…he was a mess. He was pale, so pale…too pale to be natural and yet his lips stood out, so red. He’d lost weight too, not surprising after months in captivity. Even dressed in the hospital gown, Bruce could see the burns and lacerations that littered his limbs and probably his whole body. He’d been tortured. He’d been taken in the mask so likely tortured for information on their identities. The paleness of his skin though…not him, not again. It wasn’t just that…his hair and lips… He’d lost one son to death because of him, Tim was alive but after two months with him, would he have any sanity left?

And then there was a shift of movement, a man, no older teen approaching with a fresh suturing kit. He wore a domino and he had a tuft of white at the front of his black hair. He was large, almost as big as Bruce but… the young man looked at him.

“Wasn’t it enough that monster killed me?” he growled out.

“Not now Master Jason,” Alfred chided, taking the kit from him.

He wasn’t hallucinating? He couldn’t be if Alfred could see him too. “Jaylad?”

“He was screaming…they were electrocuting him, kept calling him Junior, had him hooked up to a cocktail of poison…” Jason was staring at Tim rather than look at him. But then he looked up. “I killed them, Joker and Harley, they’re dead,” he spat.

Bruce moved towards them, seeing the burns at Tim’s temples, electroshock therapy? Calling him Junior…the pale skin, hair, and red stained lips…they’d tried to make Tim theirs. Had they succeeded? Was anything of his son left? Not that Tim was actually his, not with Jack and Janet refusing to see anything wrong with how they treated the boy.

He looked at Jason, how…how could this be his son? He was dead, and yet Alfred seemed sure it was him. He’d saved Tim by killing but if Bruce had been there, had seen what they were doing to the boy, could he have held back? Dick had already killed the Joker once; he didn’t doubt he would have done it again if he’d been the one to find them.

“Did you leave any evidence?”

Jason stared at him but then slowly shook his head. “No…damn it, his suit. Most of it was dumped in a vat of acid but there were pieces left, including the R.”

“Give me the location, I’ll clean it up. Leave no evidence either of you were there.” He couldn’t help looking back at the bed. “Is he?”

“Stable for now,” Leslie answered. “He’s in for a long physical recovery. Broken bones, lacerations, infection, likely muscle damage from the electrocution. He’s had two antidotes now for Joker venom but there seems to be a complicated drug cocktail in his system. Stimulants to keep him awake likely but those added to just the physical assault alone…we’ll have to watch him very closely Bruce. I don’t want to put him on anything yet or at all if we don’t need to but…you have to be prepared for when he wakes. His mental state,” she paused and Bruce nodded.

“He may be insane, even if he isn’t he’ll likely be unstable to some extent,” he stated, voice flat as he struggled with his emotions.

“Therapy and a safe place to heal will help. But he might not recognise he is safe at first, he might not recognise any of us. He might even have retreated into his own head to try and get away from what was happening. Bruce, I know you’re allergic to open communication and emotions, but you’ll have to get over that to help him.”

“Anything he needs, either of you need,” he looked up at Jason, seeing his surprise.

He approached his son, lifting a hand to the domino that still hid his eyes, and Jason flinched slightly before going still. Bruce removed his gloves and then grabbed the solvent, wiping at the mask, carefully peeling it free. He cradled his son’s face in his hands, feeling the warmth of living skin beneath his hands.

“You’re alive,” he breathed. “Jaylad, my son.” Jason’s eyes…he knew what that meant. “I would have torn the League apart if I’d ever suspected…what did they do to you?”

“Dad,” Jason gasped out, and then he was in his arms.

“You’re home Jason, you’re safe.”

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Dick sat on the chair, able to hear them, but he couldn’t move. Jason? Jason was alive? Jason had saved Timmy…Tim who might be lost to them in mind if not body. He’d failed them both so badly. And he was still failing them, sitting on the sidelines instead of being in there and helping. Well, there was something he could do. He forced himself to his feet, moving back to the medical bay.

“I’ll go,” he murmured. He forced his eyes from Tim’s unconscious form up to his other brother.

“Chum?” Bruce called, turning without letting go of Jason.

Jason who had grown so much, who was almost as tall as B, maybe broader. His Little Wing was alive, was home.

“I’ll go to where…you’re needed here B. I’ll clean it up.”

Jason stared at him and then rattled off directions. Dick nodded, mustering a smile for his brother.

“I’m so glad you’re here, you’ll be here when I get back, right?” he checked.

Jason looked between them and seemed to slump before nodded.

Dick nodded and headed out, taking the Batmobile, not trusting himself on only two wheels at the moment. He brought up the map, checking Jason’s directions and then entering coordinates for the autopilot before slumping back in the seat. He already felt sick, mind racing with images of what he’d find.

He closed his eyes, taking slow deep breaths. Tim had been so close the whole time. The warehouse was on the outskirts, closer to Bristol than the rest of Gotham. Had that been why it was chosen? Long abandoned and not an area anyone would think to check? It hadn’t been used in decades, had to be falling apart so they’d probably have to watch Tim for mould reactions and the like as well.

The car stopped and Dick got out, going around to pull out the crime scene kit they carried. He’d gather evidence on what had been done to Tim and then he would make sure there was nothing left to indicate the presence of Tim, Robin, or Jason. He’d call it in anomalously too, better to not link it even to any of the bats.

He entered the warehouse, on alert just in case any of those who worked for the Joker had arrived. Then again, surely, they would have run off after seeing the bodies. Thankfully, it was empty and he soon found the vat of acid Jason had mentioned…Robin’s R sitting where Jason had left it. Dick knelt and picked it up, running his fingers over it to remove the blood. He slipped it into a pocket and then began gathering up the scraps of Tim’s uniform, putting them in a sealed bag. He checked the vat but everything in it was long eaten away.

Now for the…he stopped in the doorway, seeing the blood…the table…IV…oh Timmy.

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Tim’s head shifted restlessly on the pillow and they all waited with bated breath, moving away to give him space. He whined softly, moving agitatedly, eyelids fluttering before opening partially. His pupils were dilated, eyes glassy as he gazed around, not seeming to see anything. He tugged the arm with the IV and then he screamed, thrashing on the bed.

“Hold him!” Leslie called and they soon had him pinned as gently as possible, thankfully before he pulled any of the tubes free. “Bruce, talk to him.”

Bruce leant over him, using a hand to cup Tim’s cheek, trying to hold his head still. “It’s alright Tim, you’re safe. You’re home now Sweetheart. Please Tim, it’s me, it’s Bruce.”

Wild blue eyes looked right through him, Tim whimpering and gasping even as he went limp.

“That’s it, you’re alright. I know it hurts but you’re home now. We’re going to help you Tim.”

There was a flicker of awareness but he wasn’t sure if Tim could recognise him or not. Bruce gently stroked his hair.

“I’m here Tim, you’re safe in the Cave. Alfred and Leslie are here too. We’re going to look after you. You’re badly hurt but you’ll get better.”

Tim whined softly but then…he turned his head slightly, into Bruce’s hand, breathing slowly calming and Bruce felt a flare of hope, that Tim recognised him and could understand. Please… don’t let the Joker have taken Tim from them. “Mmmnnnlll.” It was an attempt to speak at least.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispered. “Just rest Tim.”

“B…B…” Tim giggled, and Bruce fought not to tense. Blue eyes rolled back; his body utterly limp.

“Leslie?”

“He’s unconscious,” she assured them after running a quick check. “I’ll add another antidote. Bruce…”

He gently settled Tim more comfortable on the pillow and then looked at her. “What is it?”

“His skin has been bleached, there’s no cure for that.”

“It could be hidden though, right? Once he’s better, makeup or something?” Jason asked.

“Indeed, I will ensure we have the correct shade and airbrush,” Alfred agreed.

“His lips?” Bruce asked.

“The stain will likely fade with time, if it doesn’t then makeup like the rest of his skin.”

They were talking like Tim would get better and he wanted that but he couldn’t help doubting it. He knew the Joker; he would not have wanted Tim to be able to get over what he’d done. Tim’s only chance was that Jason had stopped the process before it was complete, because complete had to mean Tim would look like him and Harley, and he didn’t. Yes, his skin had been bleached but that was as far as it went so far, the hair colour would grow out in a few months and the lip staining would fade too. He was glad there was no need for surgery, that a smile hadn’t been carved into his face yet, even if his lips had been stained already, the ‘smile’ had likely been the next step. The closer to normal he looked surely the easier it would be to recover. With the amount of Joker venom in his system it was amazing that Tim’s face wasn’t locked in a horrible grin, maybe the electrocution had kept it from happening as his muscles reacted?

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Jason was sitting on the practice mats, feeling too many things to make sense of, the green quiet for once though which was nice. He looked up as the Batmobile returned and then Dick was staggering out.

He saw him and walked over, collapsing beside him. “It’s done, brought back the scraps of Tim’s uniform. Scrubbed and bleached everything to make sure no DNA was left, destroyed the so-called medical equipment too. Even…even dug out the bullets in case they be traced to you. Excellent shots.”

“Thanks,” Jason mumbled. He hadn’t even taken the time to aim, he’d just shot because he had to save the kid. “He woke up briefly. Panicked, B got him calm and he seemed to recognise him for a moment but he passed out again. He…he started giggling.” He shuddered; he’d never forget that sound. He’d had to leave the med bay when he heard that, didn’t want to risk the rage with the kid so ill. “His skin’s permanently bleached, Alfie mentioned makeup for when…for when he’s better.”

And then Dick was wrapped around him, holding on tight. “Thank you,” he whispered shakily. “You saved him Jay and you came back to us. I don’t care how or why or who, but you’re home.”

He could tell Dick but there was so much more important at the moment. He could tell them later about the League, the intel he’d been given on Tim and now he could see it…he’d been aimed at Tim like a weapon, but why? There was something…something he couldn’t quite recall.

“Are you okay Jay?” Dick asked, still wrapped around him. “Not just seeing the Joker but overall?”

“I…I don’t even remember pulling the gun, just heard the shots and they dropped. When I saw the R then heard him scream…no more dead Robins,” he finished with a whisper. “I didn’t come back right Dickiebird. I’m so angry…”

“Lazarus Pit,” Dick murmured, and Jason nodded. “We’re here Little Wing and you’re home.”

“You need to protect Tim; Talia wants him gone. She…I can’t believe I listened, believed her…she aimed me right at him. If we’d met any other way, I would have…I could have killed him, Dick.”

“But you saved him Jason, that’s the important bit. You found him in trouble and you saved him. Big brother instincts already kicking in and…even before this, kid could use all the family he can get.”

“What do you mean?” he had B, Dick, and Alfred, what more could he need?

“B’s been trying to get at least partial custody of him off his parents but they’re proving stubborn and there’s no real evidence, not something the court would accept given the Drake’s wealth. With this…he’s gonna have to blackmail them or something. They’re due back in a few weeks and there’s no way Timmy’s going be ready for that, no matter what his state is now.”

“Do you…do you think he’s…” he couldn’t say it, even as his mind spun. Tim wasn’t adopted? He still had parents…horrible ones by the sound of it but still, he wasn’t Bruce’ son, not legally. Not yet anyway.

“Mad?” Dick whispered, and Jason nodded. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But he recognised B, right? Then he’s still in there. We won’t give up on him, even if he is, we’ll look after him.”

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Alfred gently held a limp hand in his, cleaning under torn fingernails. Yes, they’d washed him down immediately but now he was doing a more thorough clean up. Seeing his youngest grandchild in such condition made him wish for his shotgun and a target. But the Joker was already dead so there was no one to make pay. Whatever it took, he would do it to help the boy heal in mind and body. They had gotten one miracle, Master Jason was home, they just needed one more.

And then Tim’s hand twitched in his and he glanced up to find glassy blue eyes watching him.

“Hello Master Tim, I’m just getting you cleaned up. Some of your wounds are infected and we don’t want that to get worse,” he spoke softly and calmly.

Tim’s gaze wandered away from him and he wondered how much Tim was actually able to see and comprehend. He’d always had such a brilliant mind, if that was gone…they would adapt and help him to do so. A soft whimper left his lips, partially of pain but there was fear there too.

He wished all of those who could have found Tim sooner hadn’t been on a long-term mission off world. How would his teammates react when they returned to find Tim like this? If he hadn’t been benched with a healing dislocated shoulder then he would have been on the mission with Young Justice and the Joker wouldn’t have taken him. Instead, he had been patrolling alone after he was cleared, he’d never even had the chance to call for help, he had triggered his emergency beacon though it had failed seconds later. Sadly, Clark and Kara were also off world or they could have called for their help in finding Timothy. After the way they had lost Master Jason, he knew Master Bruce wouldn’t have hesitated to call them for help.

“It’s alright dear boy, you are home and safe. No one here will harm you.”

A call would need to be placed to Miss Lance to seek out recommendations for who to have evaluate him. It would need to be someone who could be trusted with their identities and who wouldn’t jump to trying to lock him up. Too many Gotham practitioners wouldn’t take a chance and all too quickly condemned people to Arkham.

Tim giggled, fingers digging into the mattress.

“Can you hear me, Master Tim?” he asked, praying he wouldn’t start laughing. The computer beeped, perfect timing, with the latest blood results. Some of the drug levels in his blood had dropped thankfully but the Joker venom…He reached for another antidote and lined it up with the port in the IV line.

“N…no…no…good boy…no hurt…” Tim babbled; eyes wide.

Alfred almost dropped the syringe as he realised. He put it down and gently grasped a shaking hand, his other hand going to cup Tim’s cheek. “Shh Tim, try and focus. You are safe in the Batcave, no one here would ever harm you.”

Blue eyes darted about but he did seem to be looking at Alfred with each sweep. Finally, his gaze seemed to settle a bit, mostly looking at least in his direction.

“Can you hear me?” he asked gently.

And then Tim let out a sob, body shaking. “A…Al…rrreal? No…not…alo’wd…”

“I am here and I am real. You are safe.” So, he could see him, he recognised him. He just didn’t think it was real. “You are Timothy Jackson Drake and you are safe in the Batcave.”

Tears slipped from Tim’s eyes and then his gaze became distant, completely unfocused. He was gone for now. Alfred just hoped it was a retreat he had chosen during the torture to protect himself and not that he was reliving it.

“Is he?”

“Physically conscious but I fear he cannot hear us right now,” Alfred answered his oldest charge. “But he did understand me, even recognised me. He doesn’t think we’re real though,” he explained, watching as Master Bruce gently took Timothy’s other hand, squeezing it but getting no reaction. “It will take time for his mind to accept that this is real and safe.”

“I know. I just…he’s home but he may never be the same.”

“But he will be loved,” Alfred pointed out. “How is Master Jason?”

“Not saying much but Dick wrangled him upstairs.”

“And we come bearing food,” Dick called, falsely chipper.

They entered the medical bay with trays of hot drinks and finger foods as well as a bowl of broth. Alfred took the broth and put some on a spoon, pressing carefully to Tim’s lips, relieved when they part and he swallowed, nose wrinkling slightly in reaction.

“Timmy?” Dick called softly, but his gaze remained distant.

Slowly, Alfred fed the broth to Tim. It should be thin and bland enough for his stomach to handle. Leslie didn’t think he’d been starved exactly but he had lost a lot of weight, weight that Tim had not been able to afford to lose. Soft conversation began haltingly and Alfred nodded in encouragement, it would help Tim accept this was real and that he was safe.

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Stephanie frowned as once again, no bats. She was really worried but none of them were talking to her. Well, Robin, Tim…didn’t count since there’d been no sign of him for what…she frowned, no, surely it hadn’t been months? From Batman and Nightwing’s reaction she was scared. But Tim was the one who really worked with Spoiler, not them. If she’d been with him the last night, he’d been spotted…no, he wasn’t dead. If Tim was dead, it would be in the papers, he was the Drake heir. So where was he? Should she go to the Manor?

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Dick checked Tim’s leg around the edges of the cast, looking for any swelling or discolouration. His tibia was cracked and his fibula had broken all the way through but he was in no shape for the surgery needed to re-align the bone properly. The antibiotics were gaining ground against the infection at least. Both patellae were bruised, suggesting blunt force trauma…like a bat. Even if Tim wanted to leave the bed, he wouldn’t be able to walk at the moment.

Tim giggled and Dick looked up slowly, no fast movements were allowed to keep from startling him. Tim’s gaze was wandering the room but at least he was reacting.

“Hey Timmy,” he called softly, and Tim’s gaze darted to him and then away. “I’m just checking your injuries. Can you tell me if anything hurts worse than the rest?”

But Tim just blinked slowly at him, brow wrinkling slightly. To his shock, a shaking hand lifted from the bed, reaching towards him. Dick slowly lifted his own hand to gently take Tim’s, heart racing, it was the most present he’d seen Tim. He gently rubbed the back of Tim’s hand and Timmy’s fingers twitched in his, trying to grip back.

“That’s it kiddo, I’m here,” he murmured.

“Ddiiiick…?” Tim slurred.

Dick smiled softly at him. “It’s me, you’re safe.”

“Mmmm,” and he drifted off again.

That wasn’t so bad, other than his first awakening he’d stayed fairly calm other than some Jokerish giggling. He was in and out of awareness, not always recognising them, but he hadn’t turned violent. Dinah was coming in a few days to try and do a preliminary assessment. Bruce didn’t like it, didn’t like that they couldn’t look after Tim alone, but he also wasn’t willing to risk Tim’s mental health.

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Jason leapt to his feet as Tim began screaming, heart wrenching cries of terror and pain. He checked the monitors, heart rate was up, not surprising, but everything else seemed okay and the automatic pain med dispenser had given him a dose just half an hour ago. He was even on the nicer stuff than he had been at first since most of the Joker’s concoction had well and truly been cleared out of his system, only the Joker venom was clinging tight, no matter how many antidotes.

“Shh, it’s okay Timmy. You’re home and safe. You’re Timothy Jackson Drake and you’re in the Batcave,” he kept up the litany, not sure if it was safe to touch him or not but eventually, he had to before the kid could hurt himself, after all there was no reason that Tim would recognise him and a stranger touching him would likely cause him to panic more. “Come on Tim, wake up baby bird.”

Panicked blue eyes finally snapped open but he was still seeing whatever was in his dreams. He swore as Tim threw himself off the bed, despite the safety rails, pulling out the IV and catheter, the alarms blaring as they lost his heartrate. Tim scrambled painfully across the floor until he was crammed into the corner, shaking, eyes wide and unseeing. Jason sat down a few feet in front of him, hands flat on the floor, body slumped to appear as unthreatening as possible. He kept up quiet talking, keeping the topics light, even as he carefully messaged upstairs so that they wouldn’t come rushing down and scare Tim more. He needed to get Tim to let him close, the ripped-out lines bleeding now.

Ever so slowly, Tim’s body relaxed, head slumping against the wall, half open eyes staring in his direction but Jason wasn’t sure if the kid was actually seeing him or not. His fingers were mindlessly plucking at his gown, his other hand now hanging limp at his side, blood now dripping rather than gushing, even as he rocked slightly. Was that good or bad?

“No hurt?”

Jason nearly jumped as Tim spoke, eyes locked on him. “No Tim, no one is going to hurt you. You’re in the Batcave, you’re home and safe,” he promised, hoping it was a breakthrough but Tim’s eyes dulled again as he drifted away. When he began to fall asleep, Jason moved closer. “You’ll sleep better on the bed kiddo, just going to pick you up,” he explained. He very carefully picked Tim up and got him back into bed, re-attaching everything.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dinah read the thorough reports the various bats had sent, feeling sick at the photos of Tim’s original condition. The most recent shots were better, but it would take time for him to regain weight and for the wounds to heal. His mental state…there were recordings of Tim babbling, screaming, giggling madly…but there were also moments of seeming recognition and clarity.

As much as she’d prefer to not medicate him, there may not be another option. And hopefully it wouldn’t be permanent. But he would need to be evaluated in person and she wasn’t sure if she was the right person for the job, too close to it. There weren’t many psychologists who worked with vigilantes and it would need to be one who could keep Tim’s id secret because he had no control over what he was saying.

She picked up her communicator and put in a call to J’onn. They needed to know what was going on in Tim’s head and he would be able to tell. He had the control to not cause any damage and may even be able to help give Tim at least some momentary clarity to speak with his family, to know they were standing by him no matter what.

She was glad that he hadn’t attempted to hurt himself or anyone else given the Joker’s violent tendencies. From the report, it seemed they were attempting to brainwash Tim into thinking he was their son but Tim had fought them. They’d had him for two months so it was amazing that he wasn’t a lot worse than he was.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He blinked, the room slowly coming into focus, he knew it…medical bay. There was pressure in his head but it didn’t hurt, it felt safe. Oh, J’onn…he was in his head.

“Tim?”

He turned his head to see… “Dad,” he croaked, reaching for him.

Strong arms wrapped around him, holding him close. “I’m here Tim. We’re all here.” A kiss was pressed to the top of his head. Tim curled into Bruce’s side, shaking, clinging tight while he could. He could feel it, J’onn couldn’t hold him together for long. He looked around, seeing Dick crying, Babs holding his hand, and there was Alfred, eyes soft as he watched them. And there was a man, familiar…

“You…you were there…made the pain stop.”

“Yeah Timmy,” the man smiled and Tim’s eyes widened as he realised that he was familiar.

“Jason?”

He nodded. “Yeah kid, I’m here and real. It’s a long story that can wait.”

“Tim, do you understand what’s happening?”

“J’onn’s holding my mind together. I…I’m insane, I can’t…” he bit his lip, feeling the tears in his eyes and then Dick was there, gently wiping his face.

“None of this is your fault, you’re so brave Timmy,” Dick murmured. “I’m so sorry we didn’t find you sooner. Whatever it takes to help you, we’ll do it.”

“M’scared.” He didn’t want to go back, he wanted to stay.

Bruce hugged him tighter, rocking him gently. Jason hesitantly lay a hand on his ankle even as Dick held his hands. And then a hand gently petted his hair, Alfred.

“Dear boy,” Alfie murmured. “We will be here, no matter what. You are loved Timothy.”

“Parents?” it was easier to keep speaking simple, the pressure didn’t increase as much, hopefully meaning he had more time.

“They’ve signed over custody,” Bruce answered. “The Manor is your home Tim, once your injuries heal, we’ll move you up to your room. You need surgery for your leg once strong enough. No one will take you away, no matter what happens you won’t be locked up somewhere.”

“There’s a whole long list of people who are willing to take custody of you if anything happens to B,” Jason promised.

That…that was good…he didn’t want to go to Arkham. “Dddad…”

“Shh, it’s okay Tim. We’re all here, we love you so much sweetheart.

Tim looked between them all, fighting the growing pressure.

“I cannot hold him,” J’onn’s voice sounded far away.

“Lll…love…you,” he forced the words out, clinging tightly.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Lll…love…you,” Tim forced the words out, clinging tightly to Dick’s hands. And then he started giggling, obviously no longer aware of them.

Bruce closed his eyes, pressing a kiss to Tim’s hair before the boy shrieked and began struggling against his hold. It hurt to let go, settling him on the bed again, Tim curling in on himself.

“He is still in there Bruce,” J’onn’s hand rested on his shoulder. “He is fighting to come back to you.”

“How bad is it?”

“He does have moments of lucidity, when’s he tried to speak to you or reach out,” J’onn confirmed that Tim truly did recognise them at times. “His mind has not been completely shattered by what happened but I do suggest deeper scans than just the x-rays. They were using electricity directly on his head, it is possible there is physical damage.”

Bruce nodded, terrified that there was actual brain damage. If there was, there was very little they could do. “How bad was it, what they did?”

“Bruce.”

“Please J’onn.”

“Beatings at first, then they moved on to the drugs and electroshock. Another week or so and he would have broken, he was hanging on to his identity by a thread. There was no sexual assault, likely as they wanted him to be their child. They unmasked him, destroyed the suit in front of him, told him he would never need it again but they never asked his civilian identity and did not appear to recognise him. And with them dead, your identities are safe. Harley at least insisted on no goons since they kept him in just his underwear, she said it wasn’t right for anyone else to see him like that. They did hose him down ever second day which is likely why the infection wasn’t worse. The…cuts to the mouth would have been done soon had Jason not intervened.”

Bruce nodded. At least Harley had had the decency to keep others from seeing him mostly naked. He had thought she was doing better, what had made her fall back in with the Joker so deeply? She’d seemed to like bickering with Tim in fights, even tossing in some suggestions on his form. Was that way she went along with it, because she liked Tim and decided he would be a good son?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Her clinic didn’t have the correct equipment so Bruce had purchased the machines quietly, not wanting to expose Tim to a hospital. She had decided to run a combined MRI/PET scan, figuring that would give the most detailed answers. She was worried, she’d been hoping the electrocution had been a one off and therefore less likely to do damage but apparently it had been used almost daily.

They had to sedate Tim for the scans which she didn’t like doing but there was no other way to get him to lie still unless J’onn intervened and he was currently on a mission. And was it safe for Tim to have his mind forcefully held together like that?

Once the scans were done, she sent them to a neurologist she had gone to medical school with. He’d keep it quiet and there was no name attached to the scans anyway.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jason watched Alfred walk Leslie out. Brain damage…That bastard had literally damaged Tim’s brain. Sure, she said it was only mild but how much harder would it make his recovery? He took Tim’s hand in his, listening to the boy babble quietly to himself. He was conscious more now as his body healed and regained strength. Leslie had said he should be strong enough for the surgery within a week or two which was good since they didn’t want the bone to heal too much before being put back into place. The cracked tibia was healing well at least and a lot of the knee swelling had gone down on both which was good but also bad since it meant Tim was trying to be more mobile.

He felt Tim’s hand twitch and looked down to find wide blue eyes staring up at him with…curiosity? “What’s up kiddo?” he asked softly, and then to his shock Tim smiled at him, lifting his arms as if… okay then.

Jason leant down and lifted him up onto his arms and lap and Tim cuddled in, still babbling away and now he was playing with the buttons on Jason’s shirt. It was kind of adorable but also sad. “Just wanted a hug, huh?”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce didn’t want to leave but Tim was doing alright at the moment and Clark’s team was back which meant YJ would be back in a few days. They had to be warned. The last thing they needed was a meta invasion because Kon-El heard Tim scream and reacted. He waited for the debriefing to end, glad the mission had gone well, Clark and Diana remaining behind with barely a look from him.

Once they were alone, he completely secured the room, knowing they were worried. He then removed the cowl, revealing his exhaustion.

“Bruce?” Clark asked in alarm.

“We need to talk, before the Young Justice team returns.”

“Tim, something has happened to Tim,” Diana immediately realised.

He nodded and haltingly began to explain, unable to look at them, to see their horror and grief. “He has short periods of awareness and so far, he has been non-violent. But he does have screaming fits and we didn’t want the team to panic if Kon-El hears one. Dinah and Leslie agree no visitors outside of family for now.”

“Can J’onn do anything?” Clark asked.

“He managed to give him about five minutes of full awareness and clarity. He knows what’s happening to him and we assured him that he is safe and we will not leave him. I will not allow him to be locked in an institution. We have been building a list of those willing to take custody of him should the worst happen.”

“You may add me to the list,” Diana immediately offered.

“I’ll speak with Lois, normally it would be an immediate yes but with Jon…”

“I understand. Dick assumes his teammates will want to be listed once old enough if Tim still needs a guardian by then. We’ve kept his condition secret and the Joker’s death is currently unsolved though no one is putting much effort into it. With his parents now out of the picture it has been easy to keep quiet but sooner or later someone will ask where he is.”

“I can definitely see Cassie being willing,” Diana agreed.

“Conner too. Bart…while he’d want to, I don’t think should be a primary carer, depending on how much support Tim would need by then.”

Bruce nodded, he had no doubt the speedster cared for his son deeply but he was impulsive and not always the best at dealing with non-metas because to him they were slow. Both Kon and Cassie had to slow him down before he could run into Tim many times.

“They won’t like being kept from Tim, he’s their leader and friend,” Diana pointed out gently. “Perhaps…they could see some footage? Not of when he was first saved, but more recently? Just to assure themselves he is safe and healing.”

Bruce nodded, that would work.

“I’ll talk to Kon about hearing Tim screaming. I’m guessing he’s got someone with him at all times?”

“While in the medical bay it’s safer. Once we can move him upstairs, we’re hoping he can be left for a little while to give him privacy and hopefully a sense of normality.”

“So, I can tell Kon to listen to those around him, check their reactions,” Clark offered.

Bruce nodded. “I’ll tell the others to speak up if Tim screams to let Kon know that it is alright.”

“Whatever you need Bruce, we’re here for you and the kids,” Clark promised with Diana’s backing.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Batman!” Jim called, and the man turned. “Robin…is he?”

“Alive but he will no longer be on the streets.”

Jim was relieved, he wasn’t sure who the newest Robin was since Bruce hadn’t taken in another child and then he’d vanished and once again, Batman had begun slipping but this time Nightwing had been in Gotham too and just as angry. It was obvious someone had taken or hurt Robin so it was a relief to know the boy had been found.

“Send him my regards, he’s a good kid.”

Batman nodded and then vanished.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon stared at the boy on the screen. It…it couldn’t be Tim but it was. He was so pale, lips bright red, glassy eyes wandering aimlessly as he babbled nonsense. “Rob…” but Tim couldn’t respond since it was just a recording.

Thankfully, it switched to another day and Tim was cuddled in Bruce’s lap, playing with some kind of toy, giggling madly even as Bruce gently stroked his green and black hair. Then another of Tim screaming incoherently, fighting wildly against Bruce and Jason as they gently restrained him in the bed. Hearing him scream broke Kon’s heart.

“Bruce has made sure that whoever is watching Tim will speak up when he screams, if they don’t then you can check. I’m keeping an ear out too since there is the chance Tim could turn violent,” Clark explained gently.

“We shouldn’t have left without him,” he whispered.

“This isn’t anyone’s fault but the Joker and Harley,” Clark promised, wrapping an arm around him, and Kon turned into him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

No…please no! White…machines…no…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce leant over to see if he could get Tim to focus on him. They should have anaesthetised him before moving him to the surgical room. It was obvious the room was making him panic. “Tim, I’m right here. You’re safe. They’re going to fix your leg,” he explained but Tim’s eyes continued to dart wildly.

“I’m putting him under,” the anaesthesiologist announced and within seconds the fight began fading from Tim’s body.

He was fighting the drugs, head lolling on the surgical table, eyelids struggling to remain open. Bruce began gently stroking his hair. “It’s alright sweetheart, you’re just going to have a nice sleep and when you wake up your leg will be fixed.”

And for a second there was a flicker of understanding before Tim’s eyes fell shut. Bruce pressed a kiss to his forehead and then moved back, pulling up his surgical mask as Tim was hooked up to the various machines. Bruce was allowed to remain just in case Tim threw off the drugs early since the Joker venom still in his system had made him resistant to other drugs. Watching them cut Tim’s leg open was sickening but he wouldn’t look away as they worked to fix the broken bone, having to use plates and screws to hold it together. Damaging his knees would have kept Tim from escaping if he’d gotten free of the restraints so why also break his leg? Unless it had been self-inflected as Tim fitted from the electrocution? Or an escape attempt gone wrong?

It was a relief when the wound was stitched and his leg wrapped securely for the next two weeks until the stitches would need to come out. Tim was then moved to a recovery room to wake up. The medical staff on the Watchtower were trusted and would never reveal their identities, the rooms off limits to everyone while they were there to ensure no one saw them. Only the members of the League who knew who the bats were, were aware of their presence.

While Tim was still asleep, Bruce allowed Clark and Diana into the room so that they could see him. Diana kissed his forehead, making prayers for his recovery while Clark promised to take him flying any time he wanted, saying Ma and Pa missed him. Apparently, he would slip away to the farm with Kon at times so the two were missing him. Bruce thought the farm would be a good idea once he was more stable, fresh air and sunlight could help.

And then he spotted Kon-El hovering in the doorway, tears in his eyes. Bruce couldn’t do it so he nodded to the boy.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She glanced at the monitor, seeing Tim lying in the bed in the Watchtower. It was hard sometimes to look at him but that wasn’t fair to Tim. He hadn’t asked for this. Jason had been beaten and then killed, she’d been paralysed, and Tim… honestly, she wasn’t sure which of them had suffered the worst at Joker’s hand.

She didn’t get Tim watch shifts because she couldn’t do anything to physically help Tim. But she kept an eye on him electronically, made sure the Manor was secure and no one looked too deeply into things. Her dad would be the one to fool, while she suspected he knew who was behind the masks, he needed plausible deniability. They couldn’t have Tim’s condition linked to the Joker’s death so she had a few ideas in the works.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon was relieved when Bruce allowed him in to see Tim. He was still asleep from the surgery, hooked up to monitors. He gently took a too pale hand in his, he felt cold. Tim had always run a bit cool but now he felt cold. “I miss you,” he whispered. “I’m not giving up on you, not ever. Even if you never get better, you’ll always be my Rob.”

He gently cupped Tim’s face in his hand, stroking the skin, and then he froze as Tim’s eyelashes fluttered. Should he move? Before he could ask, drug glazed eyes opened, staring at him. “Hey Tim,” he whispered, wondering how Tim would react.

“Nnnggg…K…Kkk…nnnn”

His heart leapt and he smiled. “Yeah Tim, it’s me, I’m here. You’re okay, you had surgery to fix your leg.”

He heard Bruce shift closer but he wasn’t making Kon leave.

A weak hand lifted, and Kon caught it, squeezing gently. “I’ve missed you Tim.”

A faint smile pulled at his lips but then his gaze lost focus and Kon knew he was gone. He gently settled Tim’s hand back under the blanket before hesitantly kissing his forehead before stepping back. He was surprised when Bruce gripped his shoulder.

“He recognised you. If he calls for you, come, but,” Bruce faltered and Kon nodded.

“He might not react by the time I arrive; I know.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Stephanie knocked on the door, waiting until Alfred opened it.

“Miss Brown,” he greeted and she could see the stress in his face. “I’m afraid this isn’t a good time.”

“Where’s Tim, is he alright? Please Alfred.”

“Master Timothy is here.” He stepped back, allowing her inside. “I’m afraid I cannot allow you up to see him though. He has been…badly wounded and shall no longer be serving as Robin.”

She swallowed, how badly hurt… “But he’ll be okay eventually, right?”

“We do not know, there has been some improvement but there is no guarantee. I shall inform Master Bruce that you wish to be informed when he is ready for visitors?”

“Yes please.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The crime scene was a mess, the room where the boy had been kept…the poor kid. But it was also too neat and he knew now, Tim Drake had been Robin. And the bats had moved to ensure his identity was protected. Timothy Drake had been kidnapped by some of the Joker’s old goons for ransom and when the Drake’s didn’t respond, they had tortured the boy, dumped him in some of the Joker’s old bleach. By the time they had arrived, the boy had been whisked away to a private medical facility by the bats for his own safety.

Jim Gordon knew now why the Joker and Harley had been found dead. First, they killed the second Robin and now the third…he hoped the boy would heal. And Bruce Wayne had swept in to take legal custody of the boy which was interesting. A private arrangement with the Drake’s but after such a public kidnapping and their failure to do anything to save their son… they were obviously attempting to avoid an investigation. 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alfred worked hard, ensuring anything that could be used to hurt himself was removed from Master Tim’s room. While he hadn’t attempted it yet, they all knew it was possible as he regained his strength. He made sure the walls were covered in photos, scenery, and happy shots. Nothing of the nightlife since they wanted Tim to be calm. His phone and laptop were in Bruce’s office since Tim still wasn’t able to use them. They had the room wired with emergency alarms and sensors to be safe and the window now required a fingerprint and code to open from the inside, just in case. Though it could be opened from the outside by Clark, Diana, Cassie, or Kon.

He was happy that he was finally able to be moved from the Cave but he just wished there had been more signs of improvement. The medication kept Tim calmer and it seemed the giggle fits, though he now had laughing fits on occasion, were becoming less frequent but the moments of lucidity were not increasing. Still, any improvement was to be seen as good.

He straightened as Bruce appeared with Tim in his arms, the boy no longer in a hospital gown but loose pyjamas. He had his head buried in Master Bruce’s neck, shaking, even as Bruce spoke quietly to him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce hated the way Tim was shaking in his arms but at least he seemed partially aware. He hadn’t fought being changed into the pyjamas, had actually seemed fascinated by the soft cloth. It had been a long time since he had worn such things, maybe they should have let him wear them sooner but the gown had been easier with the cast, not to mention the catheter.

“Look sweetheart, it’s your room,” he murmured as he walked into the bedroom.

Tim stayed curled into his chest, fingers tugging restlessly at the cloth of his shirt. Bruce shifted his grip, lowering Tim so his feet were on the ground, feeling him tense in response, but he needed to rebuild his strength now the cast was off.

“It’s alright Tim,” he murmured and slowly, Tim’s grip loosening enough that Bruce could help him turn.

“My? No…his…mine…can’thavenogood…”

“This is your room Tim,” Bruce promised. They hadn’t managed to make Tim ‘Junior’ but they had managed to make him doubt his identity.

Tim hesitantly looked around, clinging to him still, and then he pointed at a photo. “Kon!”

“Yes Tim, that’s Kon,” Bruce was happy to see him recognise a face in a photo.

“Konnocome,” he babbled, and it took Bruce a moment to work out what Tim was saying.

“Do you want him to? If you do, then call his name again.”

“Come?” Tim stared at him and Bruce could see him struggling to stay present. “K…Kon?” Tim called shakily and in moments the window was opening.

Kon stood in front of it, looking Tim over, hesitating. “Tim?”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Kon!” Tim’s voice calling his name had him on alert and he tuned in.

“Yes Tim, that’s Kon,” that was Bruce and he sounded happy. Hmm…had Tim seen a picture? He knew they were looking at moving him upstairs soon.

“Konnocome,” Tim babbled, and even Kon needed a second to separate the words, heart breaking at the thought that Tim believed even for a second that he wouldn’t come. Then again…had Tim called for him when in captivity?

“Do you want him to? If you do, then call his name again.”

“Come?” At Tim’s question he took to the air, heading for Gotham at top speed. “K…Kon?”

Kon quickly opened the window and slipped inside but then hesitated, seeing Bruce holding Tim on his feet. He could see the way Tim was fighting to stay aware of what was going on and it hurt. “Tim?” he called softly. He hadn’t seen him since his surgery and Tim had barely been awake then but he’d recognised him.

Tim laughed, not the way Kon remembered, but he reached for him so Kon walked over slowly and Bruce let Tim tumbled into his arms. Shaking fingers traced his face and Kon smiled at Tim.

“I’m here Tim, you call and I come, I promised,” Kon whispered.

“Kon come,” Tim murmured, giggling.

Kon ignored the unsettling sound, Bruce said Tim’s blood might never go back to normal so the giggling might be permanent or just Tim’s brain trying to deal with stuff. Who knew. But then Tim frowned, shaking his head. “Tim?” he asked cautiously and then he was shocked when Tim started trying to hit him, screaming in fear.

“Tim?” Bruce moved forward, alarmed.

“Norealnotalllowed!” Tim struggled weakly against him but if Kon let go then he’d fall.

“Tim look at me, I’m real, I’m right here,” Kon pleaded, shifting so he had one arm around his waist, Tim’s hands pinned to his chest, steadying Tim’s head with a hand, hating to use his strength against him. He carefully wrapped his TTK around him, pressing over his body with a steady but gentle pressure.

Tim froze, panting, eyes wide. Glassy blue eyes were full of fear but Kon kept his grip as gentle as he could.

He gently stroked Tim’s cheek, hand moving up into his lengthening hair, he’d always worn it a bit long and thankfully, the green was fading even more now. “It’s okay, you’re safe, you’re at the Manor.”

The fear faded, replaced with confusion and then a vague sense of recognition, Tim slumping in his hold.

“That’s it, you’re okay,” he whispered even as Tim giggled. “He’s gone,” he told Bruce sadly, gently picking Tim up and carrying him to the bed that Alfred turned down. He set him down and stepped back, letting Bruce and Alfred get him settled.

It hurt to see Tim unconnected to reality, giggling at something only he could see. He wanted his best friend back, his first real friend. Thankfully, the IV and others weren’t needed anymore, only a heart monitor was still connected to keep an eye on him. He was babbling quietly, utter nonsense, gaze wandering the ceiling, unseeing.

He nearly jumped when Jason gripped his shoulder. “Breath kid, it’s okay.”

“He knew you Kon, he called for you,” Bruce offered, and Kon nodded numbly. “Do you want to stay?”

There was a time when Bruce never would have offered and Kon was torn but he approached the chair beside the bed and collapsed into it.

“Talk to him, J’onn said he can hear us sometimes, even when completely out of it.”

Kon took a deep breath and began talking quietly to Tim, telling him about the farm.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He huddled in the corner, shaking. They were going to come back; he could hear him…laughter…so much laughter…make it stop! Make it stop!

He screamed, thrashing wildly as hands grabbed him. No! please no! No more!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick hated hearing Tim scream in terror but he had to stop him from tearing his own hair out. “Shh Tim, it’s just me, it’s Dick. You’re in the Manor, you’re safe. Please Timmy,” he pleaded.

He was relieved to get Tim’s hands free. He shifted to sit, drawing Tim into his lap, rocking him gently even as he kept Tim’s hands pinned to his chest. “I’m here baby bird, you’re safe,” he whispered in his ear as Tim sobbed.

“Pleasenomore…please….”

“He’s not here Timmy, you’re safe.” He looked up as a shadow covered them, seeing the pain in Bruce’s expression. Bruce blamed himself for what had happened but it wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t anyone’s fault except the Joker and Harley’s.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Leslie finished the exam and left the room where Tim was dozing due to the mild sedative needed for the exam to happen. Tim was becoming violent, lashing out blindly, screaming and sobbing.

“Leslie?” Bruce looked up at him.

“His leg is good and his wounds are healed. If he can ever consent then some of the scars could be lessened with plastic surgery but most can be hidden by clothing or makeup. His lips are back to normal now too, though there’s no change in skin tone.”

“And…his mental state?” Jason asked warily.

“I know you’re concerned about his lashing out but it’s actually a good thing. Some part of his mind has accepted he’s safe enough to do so without being hurt. The lack of retaliation or punishment is helping him process what has happened. So long as he doesn’t start self-harming, more than just pulling at his hair, or trying to improvise a weapon, let him tire himself out. He needs this to feel safe, once that happens, he will hopefully begin showing improvement but there’s no guarantee. He might always have issues regulating his emotions though thanks to the damage, only time will tell.”

Thankfully, Dinah had been watching the exam on the computer and had agreed with her. They now had a little more hope of Tim getting back to where he could function in society, to a point. It was very doubtful that he’d ever be a vigilante again though, then again, he was good at surprising people.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cassie sat on the chair, watching as Tim sat on the floor, staring at the fidget toy in his hand. They were trying to help him interact more with the world around him. He kept plucking at clothing and blankets so they hoped toys to keep his hands busy would help. He was quiet for once and she wasn’t sure if that was good or not.

“Don’t let him hurt the bird,” Tim suddenly spoke, staring straight at her, startling her.

“Tim?”

But he didn’t answer, gone again. She considered his words; did they mean something or was it just random? Slowly, she moved from the chair to the floor to sit beside him, smiling when he slowly slumped into her side.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jason watched as Tim trashed the room that they’d set up to let him do that without risking harming himself or anyone else. He was screaming incoherently, tears streaming from his eyes as he threw everything that he could get his hands on. And then he just stopped, staring blankly at the squishy box in his hand. Jason waited to see if he’d start again but he just stared at it.

Then Tim looked up at him and blinked, frowning in confusion.

“Timmy?” he called gently, this…this was different.

Tim cocked his head to the side, studying him. “Ja…son?” he asked, coughing.

Jason picked up the sealed water glass and approached carefully, gently putting the straw to his lips, thankful that Tim drank without needing to be pushed. “Yeah kiddo, it’s me,” he kept his voice soft and calm. “Do you know where you are?”

Tim looked around. “Room? Not…not there,” a hint of fear appeared and Jason gently rubbed his back to try and help.

“No Tim, you’re home, Wayne Manor.”

“Home?” Tim whispered.

“Home,” he promised.

Tim stared at him, eyes wide, and then he sniffled so Jason opened his arms, offering a hug. He could take it if Tim lashed out, the kid had always been small and he’d lost weight since eating could be iffy with his condition. And he lashed out blindly, no sign of his training in it which was good. Tim just pitched into his arms and Jason held him firmly but not tight enough to make him feel trapped, hopefully.

“You…you dead?”

“Yeah, but I got better and came home. Glad I did cause now I’ve got a little brother,” he ran a hand through Tim’s hair, trying to detangle it a little.  

“Who?” Tim asked, tears slowly soaking into Jason’s shirt.

“You, baby bird.”

“What…what’s wrong…”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of Tim’s head. “You were really badly hurt and you’re recovering. Maybe…maybe you’ll never get back to where you were but that’s okay. We’re your family and we love you Tim, no matter what.” He kept his eyes closed, not wanting him to see the green and get scared. He wasn’t mad at Tim; he was mad at the monsters who had hurt his little brother.

“Head feels weird. S’hard to think,” he whined softly.

“I know, but this is the longest you’ve been you and able to talk since you were hurt. You’re getting better.”

The door cracked open slightly and Jason waved Bruce inside.

“Tim, B’s here.”

Tim lifted his head, wiping clumsily at his face. “B? Dad?”

“Tim?” Bruce moved to them as quickly as he dared, hovering. Tim turned fully and reached for him, stumbling, but Bruce caught him, hugging him close.

Tim had been completely out of it when the paperwork went through and yet he’d called Bruce Dad twice now since being rescued. Did Tim’s scrambled brain not remember his actual parents or had he come to see Bruce as his dad and with the looser filter simply call him that without realising? He was a Wayne now anyway so did it really matter?

Tim cuddled into Bruce, clinging on tight and Bruce held him close, rubbing his back. “I…I don’t understand,” he whimpered. “Everything’s…”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“I know Sweetheart,” he whispered, eyes closed as he just enjoyed having Tim close and coherent. This had to be a record, so improvement, right? He hated how much Tim was struggling to communicate such simple things though. “We’re here. You are so loved Tim, no matter what.”

Tim sniffled. “Love you.” His grip tightened and he whimpered, shaking slightly. “Dad….”

“It’s okay Tim,” he soothed, knowing Tim was clinging to clarity tooth and nail but it was slipping. “You’re safe and never alone.”

Tim pulled back enough to meet his eyes, tears falling silently. He just stared at Bruce as if memorising him but Bruce could see the struggle to remain focused and then he finally lost the fight, eyes un-focusing, gaze distant. At least he wasn’t giggling or laughing at the moment, thankfully the laughter was rare and while not Tim’s natural laugh, it wasn’t the Joker’s either. He still had some Joker venom in his blood but nothing they tried would remove it, it seemed he would be stuck with it for life.

Bruce sat down with Tim in his lap, the teen half dozing as Bruce petted his hair. He smiled sadly when a pale hand tangled into his shirt but he caught Tim’s other hand when he started mindlessly rubbing at his mouth, far too hard.

“Has he had lunch?”

Jason shook his head and pointed at a mess across the room. “He, uh, wasn’t hungry. I’ll grab some more, maybe he’ll eat now he’s calmer.”

“I always knew you’d be a great big brother,” Bruce told him, and Jason froze in the doorway.

“I don’t get it,” he admitted.

“Get what?” Bruce asked.

“He never knew me and yet, not coherent, he trusts me as much as he trusts any of you.”

“But he did know you Jaylad. You were his Robin, you’re most of the reason he became Robin, to keep your legacy alive.”

“But…he was just a kid.”

“An unsupervised kid who worked out our identities when he was nine and spent the years after following us through Gotham, taking photos and even sending information to the police on crimes,” Bruce smirked at the shock on Jason’s face. What kind of story had Talia spun about his youngest to make Jason target him? He hadn’t said, just that she wanted him gone.

How had he ever loved that woman? She had kept his son from him, though she had healed him, but she had obviously done so for her own purposes, trying to twist his mind, turn him against his family. And she wanted Tim dead. They’d never even met. Sure, she hadn’t liked Dick, but why the hatred for a boy she didn’t know? There had to be more to it.

The look on Jason’s face now proved she had failed. But if Tim hadn’t been the last victim of the Joker…would Jason have done it?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Her heart was racing as she stepped into the room and then she saw Tim sitting on the floor. His hair was longer than she remembered and his skin…Dick had warned her but seeing it in person was still shocking. She knelt down, remembering everything Dick and Jason had told her on how to act around him.

“Tim?” she called softly, but he didn’t react. She bit her lip, tears pooling in her eyes. “Tim, it’s me, it’s Steph.”

He giggled and she fought the urge to flinch from the sound even as he rocked slightly, staring vacantly at the wall. She felt sick, this…this wasn’t Tim. This wasn’t the utterly brilliant Robin who had chased her across the rooftops till she hit him with a brick or who had made up a fake id just to take her to birthing classes, to stay by her side during all that.

She sobbed but then a hand touched hers and she looked up to see Tim had moved to touch her hand. “Tim?”

“Cry…sad…nosad. Prettypurplesmile,” he babbled at her and she reached out slowly to brush his hair back. He recognised her, in some way at least.

“I’m happy to see you Tim, I’ve missed you,” she told him, and he smiled but it wasn’t the way he smiled for her, it was kind of blank. He lifted his hand and stroked her cheek.

“Missed nohere gone? Purplesafe.”

“Can I hug you?” she asked and he tilted his head, he wasn’t really focused on her but he was reacting, responding.

He crawled the last of the distance between them to sit in her lap, startling her, but then she slowly wrapped him up in a hug.

Being kidnapped and tortured by the Joker until not really sane was a very good excuse for missing their last date. And it would be their last, she doubted he’d be ready to try for something like that for a very long time, if he ever healed enough to consider it. She’d liked Tim, she really did, but their relationship had been shifting, it would have been their last date even if he hadn’t been taken. She knew he felt something stronger for someone else and that was okay, she had accepted it.

Bruce had kept as much as he could from the press even after the arranged kidnapping, no one knew about Tim’s ongoing condition but there were rumours since he hadn’t been seen at all, not even photos. She would never tell anyone the truth about what had happened to him, she could do that much to help. And she’d tried to step up her training, spend more time patrolling to free the bats up more.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon leant back against the couch, Tim lying against his chest, playing with one of the many fidget toys that had been bought for him. So far, it was a pretty good day even though Tim was silent except for the occasional giggle. But there’d been no lashing out, no screaming, nothing bad despite the fact Kon was positive Tim currently had no clue who he was beyond being safe.

He carefully lifted Tim’s hair, running his fingers through it and Tim melted, making him chuckle. He worked carefully, just how Cassie had taught them and Tim let him until he was able to tie off the braid. It wasn’t perfect but that was fine and then Tim tipped his head back to look up at him, giggling but there was something different about it, almost…actually happy? There was even a small smile on his lips as he blinked up at Kon.

“Like that?” he asked softly, smiling when Tim nodded. “Do…do you know who I am?”

Tim twisted to be sideways in his lap, pushing at his legs till Kon moved them where he wanted them. Always so pushy. But it was such a Tim thing to do that it kind of hurt. And then Tim’s arms were around his neck, his head tucked under Kon’s chin and Kon’s breath stuttered. The last time he’d seen Tim, before the Joker…they’d sat the same way on a rooftop in Metropolis, watching the stars and talking but then it had gotten colder and he’d given Tim his jacket and he’d cuddled in just the same way. And then hesitant lips pressed to his throat, just like they had that night, and Kon closed his eyes, fighting tears. Tim had been distancing himself from Steph, working out how to break up with her. And the kiss had made him wonder if there was more to his breaking it off, Kon had always cared deeply for Tim, even when they’d fought a lot at the start.

He hugged Tim tight and Tim held on just as tightly, lifting his head and Kon could see it, Tim knew exactly who he was, his eyes were clear and alert, more so than Kon had seen in the almost year since Tim had been rescued.

“Hey,” he whispered, freeing a hand to gently stroke Tim’s face, Tim leaning into his touch.

“Kon,” Tim whispered, blue eyes wide.

“Yeah Tim,” he kept his voice quiet too.

“Real?”

“I’m real, this is real,” he promised, leaning forward so their foreheads touched. “You can feel me, right?”

No one said he had nerve damage from the electricity but they hadn’t really tested that. But Tim hadn’t seemed to be suffering from reduced sensitivity or anything. Thankfully, Tim nodded hesitantly. Did he remember his other lucid periods? Or was every time the first time for him? Was that why he was always confused?

It felt weird always calling him Tim, maybe Timmy, but Dinah and Leslie said it was best so as not to confuse him, especially when the Joker had been trying to give him a new name. He missed calling him Rob or Wonder or any other name that came to mind. Tim would always be his Robin, even if Bruce took on a new one, no one could replace Tim on their team. Even if the Justice League was talking about disbanding them since they were down several members now and not just Tim. Cassie was doing good as leader in his place but the much smaller team wasn’t as effective apparently. Despite the fact they’d started out small.

“Sorry,” Tim mumbled.

“For what?”

“No right, all messed up.”

Kon rocked them slightly, making sure Tim was looking at him. “None of this is your fault Tim. You’re not messed up, you’re healing. There’s a big difference. And I don’t care if you never get fully back to where you were as long as you’re alive and here, got it?”

Tim nodded slowly and then cuddled back under his chin. They stayed like that even as Tim fell asleep and Kon knew he’d be gone when he woke up, it never lasted but that was okay. Tim was fighting and trying to heal, to be with them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bart grinned, fighting to stay as still as possible even as Tim’s eyes went wide and he slowly reached out to pet the small bundle of fur. Success! He’d read a lot of psychology books and ones on trauma and they said animals could be good for therapy. He couldn’t get him a therapy dog but time with an adorable kitten? That was easy! He just hid it in his jacket and no one saw him smuggle it in. If something went wrong then he was fast enough to get the kitten to safety so Tim wouldn’t have to deal with accidentally hurting it.

“Soft,” Tim whispered in awe, and Bart nodded. “Purring!” he giggled but his hands were gentle, just like when they were on a mission and there was a hurt or scared kid around. Their Rob was still in there, hurt and scared, but he was there.

“Want to play with her?” he pulled out a cat toy and Tim smiled, taking it, and playing with the kitten.

Bart was surprised that when the kitten went to sleep Tim crawled to him and curled up in his lap to sleep too. What was he meant to do? He needed to move but he couldn’t, he’d wake Tim.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick watched Tim play with the kitten that Bart had smuggled in. He seemed…happy and he was being so gentle with it. “Hey Timmy,” he called and Tim looked up, eyes bright with childish wonder.

It was better than the vacant look of before at least. Dinah had managed to find a specialist therapist who dealt with child soldiers and ones who’d been trafficked, tortured. It was the closest they could get to someone being taken by the Joker while a vigilante. And she said this was good, that Tim’s mind was dealing with what had happened to him. First had come the anger and lashing out and now he was almost like a little kid. At least he didn’t blank out as much anymore and could be coaxed into doing things like eating and self-care. Bathing was hit and miss but he didn’t need as much help as before.

And then Tim held his arms up to him and Dick moved to pick him up, he was still way too light for an almost sixteen-year-old. If Tim ever got back to something like his old self, how would he deal with missing a year of his life? Tim lay his head on Dick’s shoulder, rubbing at his mouth.

“Sleepy?” he asked gently, and Tim just whined.

“Lunch first baby bird, then you can have a nap.” They tried to keep a schedule with Tim, to make his life as normal as possible, hoping it would help.

Tim was a very picky eater and his likes seemed to have changed now but that was fine and thankfully today he didn’t put up a fuss, eating his sandwiches and then curling in bed with a stuffed bear in Young Justice colours that his old team had gotten him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Dad?”

Bruce looked at where Tim was sitting on the floor where he’d been playing. Blue eyes were narrowed in confusion and Tim looked around the office. Bruce stood and walked over to sit beside him. “Tim?” he reached out to gently stroke his hair.

“I…” Tim shook his head.

“It’s alright,” he murmured, kissing the top of his head.

“I want…I…” he shook his head again, hands moving to his hair, and Bruce gently caught them.

“Easy Tim, take your time,” he soothed. The moments of their Tim came and went but tended to go one of two ways, Tim seeking comfort and reassurance or Tim being frustrated with his own condition. At least he was aware of his condition in some way. Thankfully, he hadn’t noticed the change in his appearance, the makeup wasn’t something they could do for him most days and they hadn’t actually tried it yet, not wanting to stress him out.

“Want t’be better,” Tim managed to get out.

“Oh Tim,” he closed his eyes in pain but then he opened his arms and Tim hesitated before crawling into his lap. “You’re doing so much better now.” And it was true, he was present most of the time even if not himself, the laughing fits had stopped completely, though he still giggled at times. And when he spoke it didn’t make sense most of the time while others…it was things they all assumed the Joker had told him and that hurt to hear. But he was healing.

“Batman?” Tim asked, and Bruce blinked, confused.

“What about Batman, sweetheart?”

Tim looked around. “Patrol.”

Ah. “Batman has the night off, Nightwing and Red are patrolling instead.”

“Red?” Tim tipped his head curiously.

“Jason.”

That got a smile from Tim. Did he remember Jason saving him? “Jay real?”

“Yes, Jason’s real.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He grabbed the post and pulled himself to his feet, trembling slightly. He looked around…room…his room. Home? Yes…this was home. He straightened up, looking over the pictures on the walls. “Kon…Cassie…Bart…Ives…Bern…ard?” Some of the faces were easier than others.

“Tim?”

He pointed at a photo. “Who?”

“That’s…I think her name’s Ariana? You went to school together,” Kon answered, moving away from the window, closing it first.

He should know that. “Can’t ‘member.”

“It’s okay, it’ll come one day.”

Tim turned to him, looking hard. It was Kon but…sadder. Him, it was his fault, always his fault. He stumbled over to Kon, holding onto a shoulder as he lifted his other hand to touch his face gently, like playing with kitty.

“If never better?” he asked, struggling, feeling the tickle in his throat to giggle but he was aware enough to know it upset them even if they hid it. Sounded like…like him.

“Doesn’t matter,” Kon shook his head, lifting his hands to grip Tim’s shoulders. “You’ll always be our Tim and we won’t abandon you. Even if you’d ended up catatonic for life or babbling nonstop, we’d never leave you.”

Tim sniffled and just let himself collapse forward, knowing Kon would catch him and he did. Tim clung to him, relaxing as he was wrapped up in comforting pressure. “Love Kon.”

“Love you too, Tim,” Kon murmured.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“B! Tim’s not in his room!” Dick yelled, running down the stairs only to freeze at the sight of Tim sitting at the table with Bruce and Jason, both looking pleased and surprised.

“Breakfast,” Tim smiled at him, and Dick swallowed.

He walked over and gently ruffled Tim’s hair since it was loose. “Hungry, baby bird?” he asked, and Tim nodded. He was dressed messily, t-shirt twisted, mismatched socks, sweatpants…had he…had he actually dressed himself?

Dick sat beside Tim who was still smiling happily as Alfred put a plate down in front of him. Dick waited to see if Tim could manage or would need help. Tim picked up his knife and fork fumbling with them until he dropped the knife with a frustrated huff. He used the fork to spear some egg awkwardly, getting it to his mouth. It was obvious that Tim was frustrated but the fact he was actually managing to eat without help was amazing.

He was with them, fully present, even if he was quiet. He seemed content to just listen and watch, focusing on eating his breakfast. It took some encouragement to get him to eat the sausage but some extra sauce helped there but Tim never liked sauce on sausage before. They’d been warned Tim would be different thanks to the trauma and permanent damage done but if it was just being more emotional and some changes in how he liked his food then that was more than Dick had dared hope for. The longer Tim had been the way he was at first, the more Dick’s hopes had dropped to just having Tim recognise them.

Tim was lagging by the end of the meal, tired, but that wasn’t surprising. Other than the fits of destructive anger months ago, he wasn’t incredibly active anymore. Dressing himself and coming downstairs, then sitting at the table to eat had worn the poor kid out.

Dick made sure Tim saw him coming, scooping him up and Tim laughed with childish glee. Ever since Tim had shown up at his apartment three years ago, he’d always been so serious, he’d had to be since he’d basically raised himself, so hearing him laugh so freely was good. He just wished it could have been because he had come to realise that they loved and accepted him, that he was family, and not because of what had been done to him.

“Want to watch a movie with me?” It was his shift for being with Tim, not that he ever needed an excuse to spend time with either of his little brothers.

Tim nodded, resting his head on Dick’s shoulder so he carried him through to the main family living room, getting them both settled on the couch, finding the remote to turn the tv on and then a Disney movie. He didn’t want anything that could trigger Tim after all, not when he’d been doing so well lately. He hadn’t woken screaming in over a week now, a new record. Jason soon joined them, flopping down on Tim’s other side, getting a giggle as Tim bounced up with the couch.

Bruce checked in with them before heading for the office. Dick had resigned from the Blüdhaven PD once Tim had been missing for over a fortnight, needing to focus on looking for him. And after, he hadn’t wanted to leave, not when they didn’t know if Tim would ever… and now he was happy rotating shifts with the others, it did mean there was often only one of them on the streets at night which was bad but they needed to look after Tim and get enough sleep. Bruce was the only one with a day job outside of the house, Alfred of course still maintained his role as Butler as well as looking after Tim. So, Jason and Dick did everything they could to take the pressure off their Dad and Grandfather. It helped that Kon, Cassie, and Bart came around as often as they could as well. Bart had really learned patience and how to stay still all for Tim’s sake and his getting Timmy that kitten had been a stroke of genius.

Sure enough, the little fluff ball leapt up onto the couch and curled up in Tim’s lap. The kitten was still unnamed because Tim hadn’t been able to and none of them were going to name his cat for him.

“Stitch,” Tim murmured, petting the kitten.

“Do you want a different movie?” he asked, and Tim shook his head, lifting up his cat.

“Stitch.”

“And the kitten now has a name,” Jason smirked.

Oh. Dick reached over to scratch between his ears. “Hello Stitch.”

Tim grinned and snuggled down between them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He leant into Kon’s side, hands out as Cassie painted his nails. He felt pretty. Stitch was curled in his lap, purring. Bart was doing something with his hair. He felt safe, loved. Kon turned his head and Tim felt a soft kiss against his temple.

“Good?” he asked, and Tim nodded.

“You’re going to look so pretty!” Bart tugged gently at his hair.

Would he? Pale…so pale, just like…like him.

“Shh, it’s okay Timmy,” Kon murmured in his ear. A hand ran gently over his side and Tim leant more into him. “You are pretty,” he promised, and Tim couldn’t help the tear that fell, shaking his head as much as he could with Bart still working on his hair.

Kon gently lifted the hand Cassie was done with, fingers stroking the too pale skin. “This doesn’t change anything Tim.”

“Ugly, wrong.”

“No Tim,” Cassie squeezed the hand she was painting. “You aren’t ugly. You’ve never cared about anyone else’s skin colour, like Gar or Kori. Why does yours matter?”

He frowned, struggling…trying to say it but the words just wouldn’t come. Talking was so hard, things just got jumbled in his head.

“It’s okay Tim,” Bart moved around in front of him, grinning. “All done! Wanna see?”

He looked between them and then hesitantly nodded. They said he was pretty, they wouldn’t lie. Cassie held a small mirror up, showing his pale skin, some scars…only his eyes were familiar. He reached up to touch his hair, turning his head, giggling at how fancy but kind of messy it was.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

They raced towards Haiti as quickly as possible as soon as Gordon had contacted them. He may hate the Drakes for how they had treated Tim but they were still Timothy’s parents. They would possibly face charges once back in Gotham but surely it would be better than dying. And he’d been keeping an eye on their actions, Janet Drake had ensured that most of the money and business were wrapped up in a trust for Tim, that Bruce would oversee for him, should anything happen to them, from prison to death.

He didn’t want to have to try to tell Tim that his parents were dead. He didn’t want to fail him again. Tim was safe back at the manor with his teammates, Alfred, and Jason. They would look after him while Bruce and Dick were gone. If only the Board of Drake Industries hadn’t kept the death of the first man quiet, had come forward with the ransom demand… if he hadn’t created the program to monitor the Drakes’ they may not have known until they were dead.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick skidded to the side of the bound Drake’s, checking them over. Jack Drake had a weak pulse but Janet…damn it!

“Nightwing report!” Batman called as he fought the Obeah Man.

“Janet’s dead and Jack’s not far from it,” he answered. There were no visible injuries but there was an empty cup. He sniffed at it but no real scent. He pulled out his medical kit and injected the man with a general antidote but there was a lot it didn’t cover. He picked the man up and rushed to the plane to get him hooked up to the limited monitoring equipment there, then he ran back to grab Janet before joining the fight.

It wasn’t an easy one and by the end they were both sporting some injuries but they had the man in custody. They got back to the plane and took off for the nearest safe medical aid, not trusting the locals so as soon as they hit US soil they landed at a hospital. Jack could be transferred to Gotham once stable.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Dick?” Jason asked, not liking the look on his brother’s face.

“We didn’t make it,” Dick murmured, eyes rimmed red. “Janet was already dead, Jack…barely alive. We got him to a hospital but by the time they worked out what he’d been given…too much damage had been done. They’re both gone.”

“Damn it,” Jason growled. “How’re we meant to tell Tim?”

“We don’t,” Bruce answered, and they both turned to him.

“B?” Dick asked.

“Tim hasn’t asked for or about them once, we know his memory if spotty in places. It’s best to leave things unless he asks or until he’s ready to be seen by others. We’ll have to tell him then since people will ask him about them. And yes, I discussed this with Dinah a while back since she asked about them. We’ll arrange the funeral and handle everything for him.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Martha watched as Kon landed, Tim curled in his arms. Clark had made sure they knew in advance but it was still a shock to see his unnaturally pale skin.

“Hey Timmy, we’re there,” Kon murmured, and Tim shifted in his arms even as Cassie landed, Bart appearing seconds later. They had Tim’s bags and moved them inside while Martha and Jonathon waited for Tim to acknowledge them.

At the moment, he was slowly shifting in Kon’s arms, hesitantly looking around, squinting in the light.

“Glasses?” Kon offered, holding up his own sunglasses and Tim clumsily took them, trying to put them on, Kon helping in the end. “Do you know where we are?”

Tim frowned, looking around and then he saw them, curling back into Kon for a moment before his head tilted to the side. “M…Ma?” he asked, and she smiled at him.

“That’s right Tim,” Kon praised.

“Hello Tim,” she called gently now that he had recognised her.

Kon carefully set him down on his feet, keeping an arm around his waist, letting Tim lead. Tim hesitantly walked towards them, once sure steps now shaky. He was skinny and she knew that Alfred would never let someone go hungry under his watch, but Alfred had warned them that Tim had issues with food now. Well, she would do her best to see him well fed while he was with them. Alfred had sent her a list of foods he couldn’t eat anymore; she would make everything he would. The fresh air and sun would hopefully help stimulate his appetite.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon woke to find Tim crawling into bed with him so he shifted back further to make more room. “Hey, nightmare?” he asked gently, and Tim nodded, cuddling into him. Kon gently stroked some stray strands of hair back from his face, having come lose from the braid he slept in, as he pulled the blankets firmly over them. “It’s okay, you can sleep here.”

“Safe,” Tim murmured.

“Yeah Tim, you’re safe,” he promised even as Tim tucked himself under Kon’s chin.

Kon stayed awake as Tim drifted slowly back to sleep, keeping an arm around him, gently rubbing his back. He’d stay awake all night if needed to guard Tim’s sleep. He figured it was the new surroundings that had caused them, it was the first time he’d left the Manor except for his surgery after all and it was unlikely that Tim remembered that.

Every time it seemed another nightmare was starting, Kon soothed him back into a deeper sleep. He was used to Tim falling asleep in his arms but it felt different being in his room at the farm. It felt like before the Joker had taken Tim, when they’d fall asleep after a mission in a cuddle pile, often all four of them.

He sighed softly as Tim began to shift restlessly again; he’d hoped he’d sleep through what was left of the night. He whimpered and Kon frowned, that didn’t sound scared. Tim shifted again, moaning softly, and Kon swallowed, face flushing. Oh. That…that wasn’t a nightmare. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, shifting his body away a bit more. Tim was asleep, he didn’t know what he was doing, and as much as Kon might want it, they weren’t dating. Tim wasn’t mentally in the right place to even consider dating, with the way he would seem to shift to a more childish mentality, he might not even understand fully. Sometimes it was hard to tell what Tim understood anymore, there’d be periods where he seemed almost the old Tim though he still struggled with speaking full sentences and other times where he was very much like a child. He wasn’t mentally stable enough to even think about such things and might never be. But that was okay, Kon just wanted Tim to be safe and happy and he was slowly getting there.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Clark saw Tim sitting in the grass, Krypto lying beside him, alert…he was guarding Tim. It was sweet to see the dog protective of him. He heard Tim giggle even as the teen lifted his hands to playfully try and catch the dandelion seeds floating about. He approached slowly and Tim stared at him with wide eyes.

“Hi Tim,” he greeted softly, sitting nearby.

Tim smiled at him but didn’t speak. Clark smiled in return but he couldn’t help the sadness. Seeing Tim sedated after surgery was very different to seeing it in person. Though Bruce and Kon agreed that he had improved a lot since even then. He no longer had fits of rage and destruction at least, which was a relief to everyone.

“Having fun?” he asked, not expecting an answer.

“Play?” Tim asked, surprising him.

“I’ll play with you,” he agreed gently.

Tim giggled and then threw the soft ball to him so Clark tossed it back.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Lois watched her husband playing catch with Tim with a soft toy ball. She liked Tim, he had such a sharp mind and was so quick and now…

“He’s healing,” Kon murmured. He was tense, sounded defensive, and she hugged him.

“He might never be who he was before,” she warned gently.

“I know, but sometimes they look at him like this is it. Like he has some better days where he can talk to us and stuff but that they aren’t the normal for him now. But I’ve looked things up and the physical damage wouldn’t cause this, it’s in the wrong part, so he could continue to improve. Even if it was, the brain can heal itself, forge new connections.”

“Is it all of them?” she asked gently, seeing why he was defensive.

Kon shook his head. “Jason’s great with him, Alfred too. Bruce is kind of in the middle, Barbara doesn’t see him as much in person, it was too risky when he was lashing out or if he needs help. Dick…it’s like he’s given up and is grieving who Tim was. And I think Tim’s picking up on it, he’s starting to withdraw a bit from Dick. Though…some of it might be guilt at being too late to save the Drake’s. I think Dick blames himself a bit for Jack since he was alive when he found him.”

Lois hugged him. She could see why Dick would feel guilty and that it could affect how he interacted with Tim. “Give it time, Dick is likely dealing with guilt and grief. If it doesn’t improve then speak with Bruce about it.”

Kon nodded, leaning into her. they watched as Jon joined his father and Tim. Tim seemed a bit confused by Jon but still threw the ball to him. And then Tim was flopped back into the grass, laughing, as Krypto gently pounced him to steal the ball and give him a bath.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim sat on the porch swing, staring out at the fields. It was nice…quiet and warm…bright. He didn’t like rubbing all that cream on but he didn’t want to burn. He hated his skin, pale…white like his. It hadn’t been like that before, it hadn’t, right? The swing moved as Kon sat beside him and Tim reached for his hand, leaning into his side.

“Hey,” Kon murmured.

“Hi,” he whispered.

“You okay?”

“Hmm,” he hummed and then yawned. “Warm and sleepy.”

Kon chuckled. “Yeah, it’s easy to fall asleep at times like now.”

“Going back tomorrow.”

“We can stay longer if you want, Ma and Pa don’t mind.”

He frowned slightly; did he want that? He missed his dad, his brothers but…it was so nice here.

“Just think about it,” Kon murmured, gently squeezing him closer.

“Love you,” he whispered, he should know.

“Tim?” Kon twisted to look at him.

Tim bit his lip. “I not right; maybe never,” he knew that. He had sessions with the therapists and the ones he was himself for had made that clear. “Nothing can…wanted you to know.” Tim knew that much, knew that he’d probably never be considered mentally stable enough to be seen as a proper adult even once that old. He’d be treated like a kid forever and kids couldn’t have relationships like that, not with an adult and Kon would grow up.

“Tim…” Kon sounded so sad, and Tim felt bad for causing it. Then lips pressed to his forehead. “I love you too, have for a long time, but you were with Steph for most of it. And I know you were working on breaking up with her, we had the mission and when we came back… no matter what, I will always be here for you. And you will not give up on healing.”

Tim nodded. He wasn’t giving up, he wanted to be better, he did. He didn’t want to let what he did to him control his life but he just didn’t know how. No matter how he tried to always be there, it just didn’t happen. “Trying, promise.”

“I know,” Kon hugged him tighter.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce hung up and leant back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.

“What’s wrong?” Dick asked, hanging in the doorway.

“Reporters and lawyers. With Tim’s ‘public’ kidnapping and now the death of his parents…demands are being made that he be seen, give a comment, something. There’s talk that we’ve locked Tim away to take control of Drake Industries.”

“There’s no way Tim’s ready for that,” Dick frowned, and Bruce nodded.

“Our lawyers suggested a photo and a statement from one of his therapists to prove he isn’t locked away but also isn’t able to reintegrate with society yet.”

“Sounds like it might be the best option,” Dick sighed, leaning against the wall. He frowned, shifting slightly.

“Chum?” Bruce stood up, moving around the desk.

“Do…do you think Tim will ever get to that point?”

Bruce tugged Dick over to the couch to sit together. “Honestly, I don’t know. I hope he will but I also know there’s every chance he won’t. There’s no way to tell with mental health, it’s not like a physical wound. His latest scans show some healing or new connections, which could be part of why he doesn’t fly into rages anymore.”

Dick nodded. “I want him to be better.”

“We all do,” Bruce assured him. “As long as Tim is healthy and happy though, that’s all that matters.”

Dick was frowning slightly and Bruce understood. Dick had been a bit standoffish with Tim at the start, they all had. Bruce had tried to drive him away, he hadn’t wanted another Robin but looking back he could see why Tim was so insistent, Bruce had been self-destructing. Bruce knew he had made a lot of mistakes with Tim, from sending him away to train and then the way he pushed and pushed in training once he was back. Dick had warmed to Tim faster, had begun training his gymnastic abilities, taking him train surfing…but he didn’t live in Gotham back then.

“Tim loves you Dick, he lights up when you come into the room, even on the days he’s not himself. You are his beloved older brother and he needs you.”

Dick nodded and Bruce wrapped an arm over his shoulders.

“Missing the old Tim is natural but he’s still in there and he’s fighting to come back to us. You can’t give up on him, Dinah and Maria both agree that he is still making progress. Don’t give up on him.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jason swept Tim up in his arms, making the kid laugh and hold on as Jason spun them. He set Tim on his feet and the kid grinned up at him. He looked…better. The Kansas sun and fresh air had done him a lot of good and Jason wondered if maybe it would be better for him to leave Gotham. “Have a good time?” he asked, and Timmy nodded, leaning into him.

Jason ruffled his hair, wrapping an arm around Tim’s shoulders, had he had a growth spurt while gone? He led them both into the Manor and then Alfred was there, smiling softly at Tim who moved to hug him.

“Welcome home Master Tim,” Alfred greeted softly as Tim clung to him.

“Missed you,” Tim told him.

“And we have missed you too. You’re just in time for lunch.”

“That’s great, flying is hungry work,” Kon grinned, making Tim giggle.

They went into the dining room and then Tim was being swept up by Dick. Jason was relieved that Dick seemed to have settled some things in his head while Tim was gone.

“Missed you baby bird,” Dick told him, and Tim beamed up at him.

“Missed you,” Tim agreed.

And then Tim was passed to Bruce who held him gently. “Missed you, Dad.”

“I’m glad you’re home Tim. You had a good time? You look good,” Bruce kept his sentences simple since it was easier for Tim to track and understand. They all did that now with the kid who was smarter than Bruce but now had attention issues.

But Tim was nodding, chattering away about the fun they’d had on the farm.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce sighed as he opened the door to find Tim playing, he’d hoped to talk to him today but it seemed that wouldn’t be happening. So, he went inside and sat opposite Tim who looked up at him and smiled. “Hey kiddo.”

Tim just offered him a toy and Bruce accepted it.

“Thank you.”

Tim just started babbling as he played and Bruce went along with it. Whatever made his son happy. He was surprised when Tim stopped and picked up a book, handing it to him before curling up into his lap. He smiled and gently stroked long black hair, the green long gone thankfully, kissing the crown of his head before opening the book to read to him.

Tim suddenly looked up at him, tugging at his shirt.

“Tim?”

“Love Dad.”

“I love you too sweetheart,” Bruce told him. It was rare for Tim to speak at times like this but he did occasionally.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim closed his eyes, enjoying the gentle tugging as Bruce braided his hair for him. He knew it used to be short but that was the old him and he liked it like this. The weight felt good. “Dad?”

“Yes Tim?” he tied off the braid, and Tim turned to look at him.

Tim held his arms out to his Dad and he was wrapped up immediately, lifted easily, and he held on tight, resting his head on a solid shoulder, even as a hand rested against his back, the other supporting him. Being carried was nice, especially when his leg ached. His muscles would ache and he knew why, though he didn’t like remembering what had happened, the sheer agony as every muscle contracted.

Then they were lying on his bed, Tim curling into his Dad. “What’s going on in there?” he asked, gently tapping Tim’s forehead.

“Why…why can’t I stop it?” he asked.

“Stop what?”

“Going away,” he whispered.

“It’s not your fault Tim,” Bruce whispered. “What they did to you…that you’ve come back to us is a miracle. They weren’t sure you could recover at all but you’re so strong. Maybe you’ll never be the same but that’s okay. You will always be my son.”

“Still hear him,” he admitted, he hated it. The laughter…taunts…promises to stop if he was a good boy. He shuddered and pressed closer to his Dad.

“I’m here Tim, I’ve got you. He’s gone Tim, forever. Jason killed them to save you and I can’t say I wouldn’t have done it if I’d been the one to find you.”

Dead…they were dead. They couldn’t hurt him again. He was safe.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Watching Tim…something had changed. Dick wasn’t sure what but he seemed to be with them more often now. He was speaking more, giggling less, interacting better with everything. It gave him hope that maybe Tim was really going to get better.

He found Tim on the couch with a book, trying to make his way through it. Dick winced when he realised it was a child’s book, something that Tim would have read in elementary school, yet he seemed to be struggling with it. He sat down beside him and Tim looked up at him.

“Want to work on it together?” he offered, and Tim tucked himself into his side, holding the book where they could both see it.

With him there to help Tim stay focused, they got through several pages before Dick could see frustration getting the better of Tim. “You’re doing great,” Dick told him, amused when Tim huffed. “You are. You’ve been doing so much better lately.”

Tim just shrugged slightly, leaning more heavily into him. “You…upset with me?” he asked quietly, and Dick tensed.

He gently pulled Tim into a proper hug, burying his face in silky black hair. “Never, baby bird. You’re my little brother and I love you, no matter what. I just…I hate seeing you struggle with things that used to be so easy. I just want you to be okay.”

“I am okay,” Tim whispered, pulling back to look at him. “Have family.” Tim smiled at him, and Dick smiled back. “I love you, Dick,” Tim pronounced the words slowly and carefully to get the whole sentence out.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon relaxed back on the couch, Tim leaning against him with Stitch in his lap. He knew Tim wasn’t entirely comfortable but he was staying still for the photos. For the first time, he was wearing the makeup to conceal his bleached skin, it had been in the report but that didn’t give people the right to gawk at him over it. Bruce had made that very clear to the reporters who weren’t even in the room. No, it was Jimmy Olsen only and he was just taking some photos to prove Tim was alive and healing. Kon was happy that they hadn’t needed to try and get Tim into a suit but they had got him to wear jeans and a shirt rather than the sweatpants and hoodies he usually wore.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a bad day where Tim was like a child, but he was being non-verbal. Not that Kon minded, he was good at working out what Tim wanted anyway. He knew sign language but never tried to use it which puzzled Bruce but Dinah said it was probably something to do with the Joker. They’d done a photo with Bruce and Dick but then Tim had moved to him so they were doing one of the two of them, and Stitch of course. He didn’t mind, Conner Kent and Tim Drake were friends after all, thanks to their Dads knowing each other. Lex wouldn’t say anything, not that they talked very much, but he would be happy to have Kon close to the Wayne’s for possible future business at least.

Vikki Vale had been kept well away from the Manor, much to her displeasure, but no one was letting her within a mile of Tim. Who knew what garbage she would write if given the chance. Lois was there, as was a local reporter, some guy who wrote nice pieces. When the Gotham papers had argued, Bruce had simply said he was not risking Tim’s comfort and since he knew Lois then she was the obvious choice and she had agreed for her article to be printed in their papers. Tim wasn’t exactly able to do an interview today, but Bruce and Dick were doing that.

Jason was staying safely hidden but nearby just in case. Alfred was in the kitchen but…ah, here he came. He offered Jimmy a lemonade and then set the tray beside Kon.

“Alright?” he asked, and Tim nodded, leaning into the gloved hand on his shoulder.

“I’ve got enough Conner,” Jimmy called out, putting his equipment away. “Thanks for that Tim,” he smiled at Tim, who nodded and smiled shyly back.

Conner liked Jimmy, he was the closest employee at the Planet to them in age and he’d taken Tim’s silence in stride. He treated Tim completely normally, chatting as he set up and then watching Tim for cues on his comfort with things. “Thanks Jimmy.”

“Always nice to travel to gloomy old Gotham,” he smirked, and Kon laughed.

Tim got up and wandered out of the room, Stitch in his arms.

“Is he okay?” Jimmy asked.

“Today’s not the best of days,” Kon admitted. “But he’s a lot better than he was and he’s still improving.”

Jimmy shuddered. “How anyone could do that to a kid…” he shook his head as he finished packing up.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Lois was careful to steer the interview, she was the big name so Martin wouldn’t interfere. He knew how lucky he was to just be in the room with how protective Bruce was of his kids. And then Tim wandered in, his cat clutched to his chest, not seeming fully with it.

“Timmy?” Dick called, and the boy moved towards him. Dick gently pulled him into his lap and Tim lay his head on his shoulder. He looked adorable like that and Dick obviously agreed as he smiled at Tim.

She gave them a moment to settle and then kept the interview going, even as Conner slipped into the room with Jimmy. It wasn’t a surprise when he snapped a photo of the family together again, this one totally natural.

Finally, it was over and Martin was casually seen out, leaving her and Jimmy behind. She didn’t count Kon since he spent almost all of his free time at the Manor.

“Bit much today?” she asked gently, and Tim shrugged slightly. At least he was still responsive.

Jimmy was watching but thankfully there was no pity in his eyes. He was a good kid…oh that made her feel old, and he wasn’t really a kid anymore, he was almost the same age as Dick after all. But she still remembered the young kid who had come to the Daily Planet with an old camera and wide eyes. He’d grown up a lot since then.

“Thanks’ for asking me to come Mr Wayne,” Jimmy told Bruce who smiled his Brucie smile, though toned down as it had been since Tim’s kidnapping.

“You do good work Mr Olsen and are discreet,” he answered, glancing at Tim who didn’t seem to be paying any attention to them, rubbing tiredly at his mouth, a habit that had only appeared since his kidnapping.

“Thanks,” Jimmy grinned and headed to the hall.

“The article will be out tomorrow or the day after,” Lois murmured, and Bruce nodded. She then approached Dick and Tim. “It was good to see you again Tim, Ma and Pa wanted to remind you that you can come to the farm whenever you want to.”

Tim looked at her and smiled sleepily, reaching out to pat her hand.

“That’s thanks,” Dick murmured.

“You’re welcome sweety.” She reached out slowy to gently stroke his hair.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She read the newest article on her Beloved. It was rather tasteful but that was unsurprising given the author. Lois Lane was an excellent reporter and a woman that she could respect for her bravery in getting so close to various battles when she had no powers and only the most basic defence skills. The photos were not as much of a surprise as they would have been at first, but the lack of sightings of a new vigilante had indicated the plan had gone wrong.

If she had realised that the newest Robin had been taken by the Joker, she would not have encouraged Jason to return when he did. A child in the hands of that monster, no matter who the child was, would have given Jason no choice but to act, she couldn’t blame him for that. Such a creature should have been put down years ago, long before he had the chance to kill Jason.

Young Timothy was alive in body, but how intact was his mind? Yes, the article included statements from a doctor and therapist but she recognised those names. Dr Thompkins worked closely with Bruce and the Black Canary would lie to the press to protect their community.

Looking into the vigilante sightings in Gotham and Blüdhaven showed that Richard had moved back full time and that Jason was working with them. Only two vigilantes were ever sighted on one night unless there was an Arkham breakout of top tier threats. Robin had not been seen since the abduction but there was a later, public abduction of one Timothy Drake whose parents had since been killed. Bruce had full custody of the boy and it was being predicted that he would for life.

If he truly was in such a state, then he was little threat to Damian’s position as Bruce’s son. It seemed there had been a way to remove the threat without killing him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim knew Jason was keeping an eye on him but he ignored him, content to just wander the extensive grounds. Stitch was in his harness, slinking through the grass and never trying to pull on his leash. Such a good kitty. He knew there’d been an article on him but he hadn’t asked anyone to read it for him, he didn’t want to know. He used to always want to know everything but not now. His head was too noisy and full already. It was quieter now though then it used to be, because Tim knew that He was gone now. That helped with hearing the laughter.

Dinah said they were changing his meds to something new, something they thought would help more. He hated meds, they made him feel funny but he knew they helped. He’d take them because of that but he knew that as long as he was on them, he could never just live his life.

“TIM DROP!”

He dropped without question at Jason’s shout, gasping at the sharp pain in his shoulder, hearing Stitch hiss in anger, his furry body pressing against him. He crawled into cover and curled up around Stitch before shakily reaching for his shoulder, feeling something imbedded. He screamed and lashed out as he was touched, terrified.

“Tim, it’s me, it’s Kon,” the voice broke through his fear even as he felt the press of TTK over his body.

He choked on a sob, reaching for Kon who gently lifted him and Stitch and then they were in the cave. Tim clung to him, shaking, struggling to stay with him and not retreat.

“It’s okay, you’re okay Tim, just stay with me, please,” Kon murmured even as he grabbed medical supplies.

Tim closed his eyes, firmly holding Stitch, focusing on the feeling of warm fur. The medical bay was different, they’d changed it for him because he panicked.

“Small pinch,” Kon warned and there was a pinch in his shoulder, the pain fading as it went numb. “Better?”

He nodded, feeling exhausted. Kon gently helped him lay down on his stomach, Stitch curling up on his lower back. A hand gently stroked over his hair for a bit, helping him calm down.

“Do you want me to pull it and stitch or wait for Alfred?”

Alfred did the best stitches. But he wasn’t there. “You,” he whispered.

“Okay, I’ll do my best work all for you.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kon fought to not let his hands shake as he prepped the suturing kit. Sticking out of the back of Tim’s shoulder was a shuriken and he knew what that meant. He’d heard Jason’s story of who healed his mind and forced him into training. The League was in Gotham. He’d put the cave into lockdown as soon as he entered it with Tim, glad Bruce had given him his own codes in case of emergency. His orders were simple, keep Tim safe which meant the cave or getting him out of Gotham and to Metropolis for backup or the farm if they just needed distance but not help.

Hearing Tim scream like that… he smiled as Stitch purred loudly, obviously trying to comfort them both. He petted the cat and then washed his hands and gloved up. He quietly talked as he worked, letting Tim know what he was doing as he did it. The most obvious marks on Tim’s body were from his time in the Joker’s hands. He’d been Robin for just under two years, training time included. He’d accumulated a few scars during that time but thankfully nothing really bad, all of them easily excused thanks to his skateboarding and just living in Gotham.

Pulling the shuriken out made him wince in sympathy even as he set it aside. He’d given Tim

the standard League shot that covered the most common poisons they coated their weapons in. He put the weapon in the scanner though since they might have used an uncommon one. Why target Tim? Did they see him as the weak link? He checked the wound but it didn’t seem dangerously deep, though it was still bleeding heavily. He cleaned it and then went to work stitching it closed.

He tensed as he heard someone approaching, but it was Alfred.

“How is he?”

“All stitched up,” Kon answered as he covered the wound. “I gave him the general League antidote but have the shuriken in testing to be safe.”

“Very good.” He reached out to gently stroke Tim’s hair and Tim turned his head to smile sleepily at his grandfather, eyes a bit unfocused so he wasn’t fully with them but that wasn’t surprising. “How do you feel dear boy?”

Tim mumbled something unintelligible, eyelids drooping.

“Get some sleep, child,” Alfred murmured, still stroking his hair.

“Hhh…Hap…” Tim struggled to speak.

“Don’t worry about it, your father and brothers are handling it,” Alfred murmured, and Kon focused his hearing upstairs, picking up an extra heartbeat.

Tim mumbled sleepily but settled and Kon carefully covered him with a blanket since his shirt was totalled and the cave was cold.

They moved away to talk without disturbing Tim. “Do you know what happened? I just grabbed Tim and got him down here.”

“It appears there was only one assailant, a child.”

Kon frowned at that. “That seems strange.”

“Indeed, if everything here is under control, I shall check upstairs.”

“Yeah, Tim’ll probably sleep for a while. If anything happens, I’ll take him to Metropolis.”

Alfred nodded and headed back upstairs. Kon kept an ear out for signs of fighting or trouble.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bruce stared at the restrained child…his child? But Talia had told him she lost the baby. And yet he couldn’t deny the similarities to his family in the child’s appearance. Damian al Ghul was also a Wayne…and had revealed himself by attacking his brother. The boy did not argue against a DNA test and Bruce sent Dick downstairs with the sample, seeing he was vibrating with anxiety over Tim’s condition.

“Why come here now?”

“Mother sent me so that you can complete my training,” was the arrogant statement.

“And yet your first action was to attack your older brother.”

“Tt, that pathetic invalid is no family of mine,” he sneered.

“Tim is my son, as are Dick and Jason. They are my family and you are a stranger, blood or not.”

The boy began to puff up and Bruce raised a hand.

“This is not the League of Assassins and the behaviour encouraged there will not be tolerated here. There is no violence in this house, especially against each other.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dick set the samples to running and then moved to the med bay, seeing Tim on his stomach, covered with a blanket, Stitch curled on his lower back and Kon perched on the edge of the bed gently stroking his hair. Kon looked up and pressed a finger to his lips. He carefully moved away and they left the room to let Tim sleep. “How is he?”

“The wound’s not too deep and I stitched it, no poison on the weapon thankfully. What’s going on?’

“Kid claims to be B’s son with Talia al Ghul,’ Dick admitted. “I came down to run the sample and see if he really is.”

“But if he’s Bruce’s son then why attack Tim?” he demanded.

“Bruce is trying to find that out,” Dick answered, glancing back at Tim again. Why did everything happen to him? “But…this could explain the way Talia tried to aim Jason at Tim.”

Kon grimaced but nodded. Then he was moving to Tim’s side, hushing him gently, and Dick realised the kid was whimpering in his sleep. He watched Kon sooth Tim, feeling sad for them, it was so obvious that Kon loved Tim but nothing could ever come from it. Not when Tim wasn’t mentally sound, when the courts had declared Tim needed a guardian despite approaching his seventeenth birthday. Unless he suddenly improved a lot, Tim would never be allowed to live on his own, to have a relationship, to drive…so many things they all took for granted.

If he could heal Tim, he would, but what more could they do? The Lazarus Pit had helped Jason recover but the idea of willingly putting one of his brother’s in there made him feel sick. Sure, most didn’t react like Jason but it was a risk, and Tim could lose his mind totally. He’d been talking with Raven to see if there was some kind of magic that could help and she was looking but the odds of finding something were very slim.

It was so tempting to ask Wally to go back and save Tim and he knew that Wally knew that. His best friend had pointed out that changing Tim’s fate would change Jason’s since it was the kid being tortured that had brought Jason back to the family.

And then, the computer chimed, the test done. And Damian…was Bruce’s son. But there was something odd in the test results.

Kon walked over and then looked at the screen as well. “Huh,” he murmured.

“What?”

“I think he’s like me…a clone,” Kon answered, and Dick felt a flash of rage. He’d never seen Kon’s DNA or anything, why would he? “Here,” Kon shrugged, pulling free a strand of hair from the roots and put it in the machine. Eventually, the results came up, and Kon pointed out the sections that were very similar.

“So, Talia took B’s DNA and made a baby.”

“Nope, those indicate artificial growth,” Kon pointed to one shared section. “He might be days out of the tank or maybe she just didn’t want to deal with diapers.”

“Bruce needs to see this,” Dick transferred Damian’s results to a tablet and then glanced at Kon who nodded.

“He probably saw mine back when I first showed up.” And that was true. “Should I take Tim to the farm?” Kon asked, and Dick considered it before nodding.

“Make sure you take Stitch too, better to keep them both safely out of the way in case Damian’s attack is just an opening move from Talia.”

Kon nodded and darted away, likely to go pack Tim a bag.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tim jerked as he woke, pain lancing through his arm and shoulder, even as he scrambled to find something. But then an arm tightened around his waist, the sound of someone speaking…he knew that voice. Safe…Kon…safe.

“That’s it Tim, you’re okay. We’re at the farm and safe. Stitch is sleeping in his carrier. You’re Tim Drake-Wayne, we’re at the Kent farm,” the words finally began making sense, and he slowly relaxed. “With me?” Kon asked, and he nodded shakily.

He twisted around in Kon’s arms, pressing his face to his shoulder, feeling a hand move to gently pet his hair. “H…hu’t,” he whimpered. So dumb, been hurt worse bef’re…he closed his eyes, struggling to focus, to think.

“I know,” Kon murmured, a soft kiss pressed to the side of his head. “You’re safe here, I won’t let him hurt you again.”

TBC…

Been sitting on my laptop for a while so here it is. Will only be a 2 or 3 parter.