Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tim follows Dick through the airport, pulling his luggage behind him. Dick has his phone out and is texting who has to be Uncle Clark, to let him know they’ve landed, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to insure Tim is still with him. They easily weave through the sparse crowds most people in the airport are leaving rather than arriving in Kansas. 

Tim feels a little anxious as they navigate the airport, he’d done surprisingly little travelling outside of Gotham. His parents rarely took him on trips, and that had been when he was quite young and his memory of the trips weren’t very strong.

“There he is!” Dick exclaims suddenly, Tim peaks around Dick and sees Uncle Clark standing next to a truck, a young boy standing next to him. “Hey Uncle Clark! Hey Kon!”

So that’s Kon, it seems they left Jon at home.

“Dick!” Kon runs forwards tackling Dick in a hug.

Dick grunts at impact but returns the hug. “Hey kiddo.”

Kon steps away as Uncle Clark comes forwards and hugs Dick as well. “Good to see you Dick.”

“You too, Uncle Clark.” Dick replies.

Clark turns to Tim after releasing Dick, and ruffles his hair. “Hey Tim, welcome to Kansas.”

“Thanks uncle Clark.” Tim fixes his hair, cheeks flushing.

“Tim, meet my son Connor,” Clark introduces them, placing a hand on Kon’s shoulder and encouraging him to step forwards. “Kon, meet Tim Drake, Dick’s kid.”

“Hey.” Kon greets awkwardly, holding out his hand.

“Hello.” Tim replies, shaking his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Sure.” Kon shrugs, then offers. “I can take your bag for you.”

“Oh, sure, thanks.” Tim agrees, letting Kon take his suitcase.

Kon easily lifts it into the bed of the truck, like it was filled with feathers, causing Clark to sigh as he puts Dick’s luggage in the car. “Kon.”

Kon pauses, then suddenly flushes. “Right, sorry.”

Dick snorts, getting into the passenger seat. “Come on boys to Kent Farms.”

Tim crawls into the back followed by Kon and buckles up. “It’s a bit of a drive to the farm, I asked Dad if I could bring the DS, he said it was fine. Do you have Mario Kart? Or pokemon? We could link up and play together or trade.”

“Yeah,” Tim pulls out his DS. “What version of Pokémon do you have?”

“I got Omega Ruby for Christmas.” Kon states, “You?”

“I got Alpha Sapphire.” Tim explains. “I have some trades I need to do to complete the pokedex, do you.”

“Yes, that’s great! Let’s link up.” Kon pulls out his DS from the seat pocket.

The truck pulls up to a familiar farmhouse, and Dick slips out of the car, taking a deep breath of non smog filled air.

Clark goes around to the back grabbing both bags and calls Kon. “Kon, go let Ma and Pa know we’re here!”

“Okay dad!” Kon chirps, “C’mon Tim!”

Kon gabs Tim before he can react and zooms off.

“Kon no super speed in the house!” Clark scolds. “And you need to ask people before you grab them if it’s not to save them.”

Dick covers his mouth to smother his laughter as he sees Clark's shoulders slump, listening to Kon’s response. “I’m glad Tim liked it, but you still should have asked.”

Clark spots his shaking shoulders and sighs. “He’s still learning.”

“I think that's just how kids are.” Dick says, “Roy got Tim heelys, it has been a fight to stop him from using them in the halls of the manor.”

Clark snorts, shaking his head. “I’m sure Bruce would have some anecdotes from when you were little.”

Dick grins unapologetically, “I’m sure I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

Chuckling Clark gestures at the door, “Let’s go, Ma and Pa are  excited to see you.”

As they enter the front door, Kon and Tim are in the kitchen, with Ma and Pa Kent. Tim's face is a flame as the eldest Kents fuss over him. They turn as the door opens, spotting Dick and Clark as they enter.

“Dick! Good to see you kid!” Pa cheerfully greets, clapping Dick on the shoulder.

“Hello dear!” Ma comes over and gives Dick a warm hug. “It’s been so long since you’ve visited, you’ve been missed.”

Dick returns the embrace, “Hello, I know it’s been awhile, I’ve missed everyone too.”

“And you have such a polite young man here.” Ma continues turning to Tim. “You should have brought him around sooner.”

“Thank you Mrs. Kent.” Tim replies, shifting awkwardly.

“Just call us Ma and Pa dear, you’re family after all.” Ma insists, patting Tim on the shoulder, “You’re just in time for lunch, so go wash up then take a seat.”

There’s the sound of footsteps, then the backdoor opening, followed by Jon racing into the kitchen. “Dickie!”

Dick is practically tackled by the overexcited Jon, followed by Lois. “Hey Jon! Good to see you bud.”

“I missed you!” Jon then lets go, turning to Tim. “You must be Tim, it’s nice to meet you. I'm Jonathan but everyone calls me Jon.”

Jon hugs Tim as well, who freezes before awkwardly returning the hug. “Uh, hi, nice to meet you too.”

 Lois comes over hugging Dick then gently encouraging Jon to let Tim go. “Hello boys, how was the flight?”

“It was B’s private jet, so comfortable.” Dick says, “Come on Tim I’ll show you where the bathroom is, then we can have some lunch.”

Tim nods following Dick to the bathroom, once away Dick turns to Tim. “How are you feeling bud?”

“Fine.” Tim answers with a noncommittal shrug.

“Are you really fine?” Dick challenges. “Or are you only saying that because you don’t want to be rude?”

“Uh,” Tim glances towards the kitchen.

“Here,” Dick pulls out a small box from his pocket, switching it on. “This is a type of white noise machine specifically designed to block super-hearing. Now you don’t have to worry about eavesdropping."

Tim eyes the box with interest. “How does it work?”

“I’ll show you later when we’re back in Gotham.” Dick says. “Now how are you feeling?”

Tim pauses this time, considering before answering. “They’re, a lot, and touchy, but it’s not bad. I’m okay, just a little overwhelmed.”

“Okay, if it gets too much let me know, you’re allowed to take breaks if you need it.” Dick states, “Now wash up.”

Tim nods, going over to the sink. “Thanks Dick.”

“No problem kiddo.”

After lunch Kon and Jon show Tim the room he’ll be staying in.

“You’ll be sharing with us.” Kon explains, “We have the spare mattress on the floor, but don’t worry neither of us snore.”

“It’ll be like a sleepover!” Jon exclaims.

“Because it is one Jon.” Kon states rolling his eyes.

“We can stay up and watch movies, and eat popcorn or play games!” Jon keeps talking, ignoring his brother.

Tim finds himself relaxing, Jon’s enthusiasm being contiguous, even Kon was starting to grin.

“You’ll have to ask mom if we can stay up.” Kon points out.

Jon pauses, eyes widening. “Why can’t you ask?”

“Because you’re the one who suggested it duh.” Kon pokes Jon’s shoulder.

Jon chews his lip nervously, “She’ll say yes, it’s the long weekend, and we have a friend over!”

“Maybe.” Kon shrugs, turning to Tim. “What about you? Think your dad will let you stay up late?”

“Dick’s not-” Tim starts to correct him, but is interrupted.

“Of course he is! He’s Robin!” Jon exclaims, pretending to fight some imaginary foe. “He’s out late fighting crime!”

Tim shrugs. “Yeah, Dick won’t mind if I’m up late, there’s no school tomorrow.”

“Perfect.” Kon grins holding up Tim’s bag. “Let’s drop your stuff off, then we’ll show you around the farm.”

Tim nods, following the boys to the room. It’s not a large room, a set of bunks against the far wall, and the mattress that would be his bed for the weekend next to them. Kon sets his suitcase by the wall, then grabs Tim’s arms. 

“Let’s get going!” Kon rushes out of the room dragging Tim with him, Jon following on their heels.

“Kon! Slow down!” Jon whines, starting to lag.

“No! You need to keep up!” Kon rebuts. “You’ll never learn if you don’t practice!”

“Practice?” Tim asks, confused.

Kon sighs, “He’s learning to use his powers. Me, dad and aunt Kara are teach’n him.”

“You’re not teach’n me!” Jon protests. “You’re still learnin too!”

“Yeah, but I’m older and know more,” Kon states. “So I’m help’n you practice.”

“I guess.” Jon grumbles.

“Coffee?” Clark offers, setting the mug down in front of Dick.

“Thanks.” Dick pulls the mug closer, taking a sip. “How’s Jon’s training going?”

Clark sighs rubbing the back of his neck. “Hard to say, I don’t really have much context for how it should be going. Kara says he’s doing well, making good progress. So I have to trust her assessment of it.”

“Hey, he’s half human, so if Kara thinks he’s doing well you must be doing something right.” Dick states.

Clark laughs, "That's true. She wasn’t convinced he would get powers, but then Kon was found and…”

Clark trails off, brows furrowed, “Well you know how that went.”

“Yeah,” Dick nods, “He seems to be doing well, is he adjusting?”

“Jon adores him, so it made the transition easier.” Clark explains. “And Lois, she was so understanding, I couldn’t have done it without her.”

“Are they enjoying Metropolis?” Dick asks.

“Yeah, Kon’s loving being able to help protect the city.” Clark explains. “Our babysitter Lan-shin is amazing, she’s going to college to study journalism and the boys really look up to her. And Kon’s been adjusting to school really well, we were nervous but it’s gone really well.”

“That’s good.” Dick nods, “I wish I could say the same for Tim, things are better, now the principle is gone. And he has some good friends in his grade, but he has a bully, and he won’t talk to me about it.”

“Really?” Clark seems surprised. “The two of you seem really close.”

“We are,” Dick explains. “Which is why it’s so frustrating he won’t talk about this.”

“How did you find out?” Clark asks.

“Shortly after I found out he was following me on patrol,” Dick starts. “I saw the bruising when treating a different injury. He admitted to there being a bully, but has said nothing since. Well nothing except that apparently the bully has backed off. Which I don’t know if it’s true, because he’s still very insistent on handling stuff on his own.”

“He’s a very independent kid,” Clark sighs, “The only thing you can do is wait, and trust him to come to you in his own time. That's one of the hard parts of being a parent, knowing when to let them fight their own battles.”

Kon opens the door to the barn, ushering Tim and Jon inside. “C’mon, you gotta meet the animals.”

“I’ve never seen a cow up close.” Tim states, getting closer to one of the animals. “They’re cute.”

“That's Daisy!” Jon explains, going up to her and petting her. “She’s the one we learn to milk on, cause she’s super patient.”

Tim goes forwards and touches her mussel right next to Jon’s hand. “Oh, she’s soft.”

“You’ve really never been around a cow?” Kon asks, surprised.

“I grew up in a big city, and lived in a mansion my whole life.” Tim points out. “There weren’t really any around.”

“Huh.” Kon pats Daisy on the neck, “Wanna see the barn cat?”

“Sure.” Tim agrees, “Where are they?”

“She likes to sleep up in the hay loft.” Jon explained, pointing up at the loft.

“Yeah, that's also where the rats are.”

“Those I’m familiar with.” Tim jokes, heading towards the ladder.

Kon jumps, flying up to the loft, “Come on slowpokes!”

Tim huffs. “Show off.”

He looks round the barn, then hops up onto Daisy’s gate, scaling the support to get to the rafters. Once there, he pulls himself up and walks along it until he's at the loft.

Kon is staring at him wide eyed. “Oh, you could have used the ladder."

Tim shrugs, smirking. “Would have been boring.”

“That was so cool!” Jon shouts from the ground.

“Are you coming?” Tim calls back.

“I can’t do it in one jump like Kon can!” Jon complains.

“Then jump to something you can reach!” Kon replies, “Do it in bits, it’ll be good practice!”

Jon nods, looking around, then jumping up onto a stack of haybales. He wobbles a bit, then tries to jump up to the loft. He doesn’t quite make it, grabbing onto the edge, feet scabbling for patches.

“Jon!” Kon and Tim rush over and help pull the younger boy up.

“Didja see that!” Jon exclaims, excited despite his near miss. “I almost did it in two jumps.”

“That was awesome!" Tim holds his hand up for a high-five, Jon eagerly gives. “Ow.”

“Sorry.” Jon replies, looking upset and trying to look at Tim's hand. “I should have held back more!”

“It’s fine.” Tim brushes off the concern as he shakes out his now tingling hand. “Lets find the barn cat.”

“Right,” Kon replies, seemingly just remembering why they’re up in the loft in the first place. “Nellie!”

There’s a trill from somewhere in the hay, and a cat’s head peek out to the hay.

“There she is!” Jon exclaims, going over to the cat and gently picking her up. “Come say hi to Tim.”

Tim pets Nellie, until she starts struggling and Jon sets her down.

“We should show him the chickens next.” Jon suggests, watching as Nellie suddenly pounces into a pile of hay.

“We could.” Kon shrugs, “Or we could go flying.”

“Kon, I can’t fly yet.” Jon points out.

“You can hover a little bit,” Kon argues, “Besides I can carry both of you no problem.”

Tim can’t help but feel excited at the thought of flying. “Are you allowed?”

“So long as we stay out of town, and don’t wear civilian clothes.” Kon states. “Should be fine.”

“My Robin suit is in my bag.” Tim explains. “Let’s go ask!”

“You’re right.” Dick sighs, even if Clark makes a good point, it doesn’t stop Dick from wanting to step in to protect his kid. “Doesn’t make it any easier.”

Clark laughs, “It never does, Bruce would probably agree with me on that.”

“I owe him an apology.” Dick admits. “Tim has put some stuff in perspective for me.”

“He loved every minute of it.” Clark assures him. “He bragged about you and Jason all the time.”

There's a muted spark of grief in his chest, and he gives Clark a bitter smile. “I miss them.”

“Yeah, I do too.” Clark admits.

They share a moment of somber silence, when the door bursts open, the three boys rushing in.

“Dad! Can we take Tim flying?” Kon shouts as he skids to a stop next to Clark.

Clarks sighs, turning to the kid. “You know the rules-”

“Keep to the fields and don’t wear civilian clothes, just in case.” Kon interrupts.

“I have the robin suit!” Tim helpfully adds, sending Dick a pleading look. “Can I Dick?”

Dick holds back a laugh as he sees Clark resolve crumbling, “I’m fine with it, what do you say Uncle Clark?”

“Fine,” Clark agrees, the boys start celebrating before he continues. “Keep Tim and your brother safe alright?”

Kon mock salutes. “Yes sir!”

He grabs Tim and Jon’s wrist’s, dragging them away. “Let’s go!”

“He’s always excited to show off.” Clark sighs, “But he’s making big strides in his training.”

“I can’t blame him.” Dick drinks the last of his coffee. “You don’t always get the chance to show off those skills when you have a secret identity.”

Clark snorts, “That didn’t stop you.”

“Hey!” Dick protests, “I had a good excuse! I was a professional acrobat by the time I was eight. People didn’t question it.”

The boy’s come rushing back down stairs then out the door, Kon calling as they leave. “We’ll be back for dinner!”

“You never answered my question.” Dick points out. “About how Kon’s adjusting.”

“You bat’s sharp as ever.” Clark mutters, then glances over at the door brows furrowed.

Dick pulls out the white noise device, turning it on causing Clark to jump.

“Now he can’t listen in.” Dick explains.

“Kon is adjusting amazingly, I just-” Clark pauses, considering his next words. “Feel like he’s keeping me at arms length, and I can’t help feeling like it’s my fault.”

“Why’s that?” Dick asks.

“When we first found him, I didn’t exactly handle it the best.” Clark admits. “I took him in, because I was scared of what a kid with my powers would do if unintended. But I felt violated, by what Lex did, creating a child with my genes. It wasn’t Kon’s fault, but all I could see when I looked at him was Lex.”

“I never knew.” Dick admits he'd given Kon to Clark and had figured he’d be fine. And when he’d visited everything had seemed to be going well. 

He’d known there’d been an adjustment period on Kon’s part, he’d spent what should have been his formative years in a tube having Lex curated information placed into his head. It had taken time for him to learn to be a child, and to remove the programming Lex had put there. Clark had kept him in the fortress of solitude at first while Kara and Clark had taught him to control his powers.

“I didn’t exactly advertise it.” Clark points out. “But Kon definitely noticed, even if he didn’t have the ability to label it. Lois and Bruce, they’re the ones that knocked sense into me. Reminded me that he was just a kid, who’d missed out on a childhood and needed a family. He just wanted to be loved and wanted. I’ve put the work in to change to be better, Kon deserved that.”

“He seems to be comfortable around you.” Dick states, going over all the interactions he’d seen between them.

“I hope he is, I hope even if he doesn’t open up to me, I’ve shown him he’s safe here.” Clark rubs his face.

“Keep being a good dad,” Dick says. “The more you prove you’re not going anywhere, the more he’ll open up to you. From what I’ve seen you’ve already done a great job.”

“He’s right.” Lois adds, having come back downstairs, she had been finishing an article she’d been working on. “You’re too harsh on yourself Clark. Kon looks up to you, he’s just scared to disappoint you. You’re punishing yourself for something Kon’s already forgiven you for.”

Clark doesn’t respond, brows furrowed, lost in thought.

Flying is so cool, the cold wind whipping against his face, his cape flapping behind him. Kon has Tim and Jon help steady using what Kon had explained as tactile telekinesis, occasionally letting Jon go so he can glide.

They fly over snow covered fields, with the odd spare forested area between. Tim wishes he’d brought his camera, the scenery was beautiful, and nothing like he’d see in Gotham.

“Where are we going?” Tim has to shout to be heard over the wind.

“There’s a really big field, it’s not too much farther, no one ever goes there, so me and Jon build a fort there if we get enough snow!” Kon explains. “We just got a snow storm, so we should have enough to build a really big one this year!”

“Yeah! Then we could have a snowball fight! Or make snowmen!” Jon adds excitedly, letting go of Kon’s hand a shakily flying for a bit, then grabbing Kon when he starts to fall. “We should have grabbed a hat!”

“I can fly back home and get some stuff if we need it!” Kon offers. “But frosty can wait! We’re going to build the best snow fort yet!”

As they continue to fly towards the field, Tim begins to hear the distant sound of engines. He looks around trying to find the source, seeing what looks like military vehicles coming down the road. Odd, why would they be in the middle of this random road?

Before he can point them out to the other boys, a bang sounds, and a net comes flying at them. As it wraps around them, both Kon and Jon shout in pain, and they go plummeting to the ground.

Chapter Text

The wind rushes in his ear as the ground rushes up to meet them. Tim is suddenly grateful they were flying low, because despite Kon's best efforts there’s no way he can stop their fall. He tries to understand why the net is taking them down, when he notices a green glow.

Kryptonite!

It must be! It’s the only thing that makes sense, and there's only one person that comes to mind who could have made a kryptonite net.

Lex Luthor.

They hit the ground hard, pain radiates through his body, but adrenalin helps him push through. He pulls out a small laser cutter from his utility belt, frantically slicing through the net to free them from Luthor’s grasp. He doesn’t know what Luthor's plan is, but knows it won’t end well for any of them.

Finally he is able to get free, dragging Jon out as Kon scrambles to follow.

“Hurry!” Tim ushers them to a cluster of trees they can hopefully hide in while the supers recover from their kryptonite exposure.

Tim knows they’re a bright splash of color against the snow, and that their stumbling is leaving an easily followable trail. His only hope is that because the line of cars was so far away they won’t have spotted them running away and they’ll have some time to hide and cover their tracks.

Hopefully Luthor will think they just flew away.

It’s a bright sunny day, so even as they run he can see Kon and Jon straightening out, recovering from their exposure quickly the further they get from the net. They rush into the brush, hiding in some kind of evergreen. Tim gathers some pine and sweeps away as many footprints as he can before joining them.

All three of them are puffing by the time they make it to the tree line, pain is radiating as the adrenalin wears off. Nothing seems to be broken, and he doesn't feel dizzy or off balance. He’ll thank Kon later, that could have been much worse for him.

“What’s going on?” Jon asks between heaving breaths, “What was that?”

“Kryptonite.” Kon gasps out.

“What’s Luthor doing here?” Tim wonders, peaking out from the foliage as an aircraft lands near where the net was. “Other than the obvious, how did he find you?”

“I don’t know.” Kon admits, “We gotta warn dad. Superman.”

Kon pauses clearly listening for a response. “Dad? I can’t hear him.”

“Me neither.” Jon’s starting to panic. “Why can’t we hear him?”

“The white noise machine!” Tim realizes. “It’s meant to block super-hearing B might have turned it on for privacy. Let me try to raise him on my com.”

Tim tries but it doesn’t go through, even though it should. Wayne tech has satellites all over the globe, he should be able to get a signal practically everywhere. He should be fine, unless the signal’s being blocked.

If Dick had a white noise machine, could Luthor?

How did he find them? What did they use? They were in the middle of nowhere.

There are people around the empty net, the one that is obviously Luthor turns around, and points towards their hiding spot.

“He knows where we are!” Kon exclaims, “We need to move!”

They leave their hiding spot moving deeper into the brush. It’s not a very large crop of trees, they’ll run out of hiding space eventually.

“My com is blocked.” Tim hisses as they go. “He was prepared for us, what if he has a white noise device?”

“It’s a trap for dad!” Kon realizes, “As soon as he realizes he can’t hear us he’ll come looking! We have to stop him!”

As they reach the other side of the grouping of trees another aircraft lands, with Lexbots exiting to intercept them. Kon flies forward punching the head off of one.

“Jon, stay back!” Tim orders, pulling out his bo-staff activating it, jabbing it into a bot's chest at full charge.

The two of them make quick work of the bots, there’s only one left when they hear a shout of pain from Jon. They both spin around and see Luthor holding Jon a chunk of kryptonite near his face.

“I’d suggest you stop if you care about the well being of this little freak.” Luthor states, pressing the Kryptonite closer.

Kon surges forwards but stops short. “Stop!”

Tim drops his staff, “We surrender.”

“Smart move.” Luthor sneers, nodding at the bots behind them, and Tim holds his arms out in front of him, Kon following suit as they’re cuffed.

The bots drag them to a cage glowing with red light, shoving them both in. Jon is shoved in after them uncuffed, struggling, unable to get to his knees as Kon crawls over to check on him.

The cage is small, Tim has to curl up, pressing against the back so that he doesn't kick Kon as he checks on his brother. It was clearly meant for one person, not three.

“Hello clone.” Luthor greets. “Do you like the cage it was designed just for you, a red-sun lamp cage, so you can’t just bust out and I don’t risk destroying my property with kryptonite.”

“He needs the sun!” Kon protests, voice breaking as he pulls a wheezing Jon’s head into his lap. “He’s sick, he needs it to recover!”

“Why would I care?” Luthor asks. “He’s an abomination, much like you, but at least you can be reprogrammed.”

“You’ll regret this.” Tim seethes. “Just because they can’t hear him doesn’t mean Superman can’t hear us!”

“Oh I wouldn’t worry about that.” Lex pats a device next to their cage. “This will prevent you from warning him. And once he realizes he can’t hear you, he’ll come rushing into my trap. I’ll kill him, the abomination, and you. Then I can recover my property and put it back into the tube until it’s ready.”

“I’ll never help you!” Kon snarls.

“Oh but you already have!” Luther corrects. “How do you think I found you? It took some searching through Cadmus’ ruins, but I found what I needed to track you using the nanites in your blood. You’re out here playing hero, but all you are is a freak of nature, created to help me destroy Superman. That is all you are and all you’ll ever be.”

Kon's eyes widened as Luthor spoke, flinching at the end of his spiel.

“Y’know there are easier ways to get a guy to date you.”

Lex turns to Tim bewildered. “Excuse me?”

“Baby trapping someone rarely works out, and honestly it comes off a little desperate.” Tim states, delighting in Luthor's red face. “Have you tried just asking him out? You never know he might say yes.”

Luthor sputters in shock, but Kon catches on. “I don’t know Rob, I think Supes finds him creepy. He’s just too obsessive.”

“I do not want to fuck Superman!” Luther screams in rage.

Tim and Kon give each other doubtful looks. 

“But you’re like, obsessed with him, it really screams stalker ex.” Tim points out.

“I’m not arguing with children.” Luthor scoffs then stalks off in a rage.

Kon focus turns back to Jon, smoothing out his bangs. “I’m sorry Jon, this is all my fault.”

“S’not your fault.” Jon tries to reassure, words barely audible.

“It is, Lex wouldn’t have found us if I wasn’t here.” Kon insists. “He’s right, I’m just his weapon, a thing with no better use than to hurt my family. The Titans should have destroyed me with the rest of that Cadmus lab.”

“No.” Tim snaps. “You’re not just some weapon, you’re a person, a kid! And you deserve a chance to be that. This is all Luthor's fault, not yours. He’s an obsessive freak, who’s going to fail. Because we’re going to escape and stop him.”

Clark sighs, reaching out to turn off the white noise machine. “I hope you’re right.”

“I know I am.” Lois assures kissing his cheek.

Clark pauses head tilted, brows furrowing once more. “I can’t hear the boys.”

Alarm jolts though Dick, grabbing the white noise device to check it, it’s off. “What?”

“Something's wrong.” Clark is standing, probably ready to start searching for the kids.

Dick stands too, grabbing his arm. “Wait, let me try to raise Tim on the coms.”

Clark nods.

Dick pulls out a com from his pocket putting it on. “Batman to Robin, come in Robin.”

Nothing but static, Dick pulls out his phone checking Tim’s trackers, but nothing comes up.

“Did you bring a suit?” Clark asks, clearly able to see Dick’s worry written on his face.

“Yeah, but hold on.” Dick insists. “The signal is blocked, and if you can hear them, it might be the work of someone who knows about Kryptonian's and has good technology.”

“Luthor.” Clark snarls at the realization, fist clenching.

“Which means this is likely a trap.” Dick points out.

“What am I supposed to do to just leave the kids in danger?” Clark demands. “Luthor could kill them?”

“No.” Dick assures him. “I trust Tim to take care of himself, but we're not going to just leave them, but I have an idea to throw Luthor off.”

Clark pauses, taking a deep breath to calm down. “What’s the plan?”

Dick quickly changes the com channel, raising Alfred. “Batman to the cave.”

He waits for what feels like hours before. “This is Agent A, I read you.”

“I need some help,” Dick starts. “Load the batplane up with some supplies then send it to my location.”

“Of course sir.” Alfred agrees. “What supplies do you need?”

“How do we do that?” Kon wonders. “I can’t break us out.”

“Yeah, but I can.” Tim pulls out a set of lockpicks from his belt. “Luthor prepared for a Kryptonian, not a Robin.”

“Batman what’s going on?” Babs already sounds concerned.

“Oracle, I need you to locate where Robin's tracker last pinged and send me the coordinates.” Dick requests.

“What happened?" Babs demands, but Dick can hear her typing. “Is Robin hurt?”

“I’m not sure.” Dick admits. “Superboy took him flying and now Superman can’t hear them, and his tracker and coms aren’t working.”

He heard Babs swear, “It didn’t stop too far 5 miles away.”

“Thanks O.” Dick breathes out in relief, they can get to them quickly.

“Get him home safe.” Babs says, her voice edging on desperate.

“We will.” Dick promises. “I promise, I’ll bring him home.”

The cuffs fall away from his wrists, and he quickly goes to free Kon.

“Jon, I need you to listen to me.” Tim demands, seeing his eyes flutter open. “Kon get Jon in the sun, keep him safe long enough until he can run. Jon, as soon as you can run you need to go.”

“Don’ wanna leave you.” Jon protests.

“I know,” Tim states. “But you need to warn your dad. You can’t be tracked, we can, I have tech that might give me away and we know he can track Kon. Run until you can hear Superman then call for him! Don’t stop for anything but your dad.”

“What are we doing?” Kon asks, as Tim removes his cuffs.

“I’m going to try and disable the net launcher so it can’t be used effectively.” Tim states, “Once Jon’s able to go, you go for the white noise machine. The sooner we can warn him the better.”

Kon nods, and Tim goes for the door, making quick work of it as well. The two of them burst out, Tim snagging his bo-staff from where Luthor had placed it. Kon has Jon held to his side as they stumble out.

Three bots turn to stop them but Tim is on them before they have a chance, using his staff to launch himself feet first knocking it over. Spring boarding over to the second and placing one of Roy’s discs on shoulders where his hand lands then doing, launching himself to the third doing the same. Before landing on the ground in a crouch. Activating the disks and taking them down with a shock.

“No!” He hears Luthor's outraged shout. “Get them back in that cage!”

He hears the smashing of bots, indicating that Kon was recovering, and runs to the truck with the net launcher.

He climbs up the side, and finds a panel that looks important enough. As Tim starts to pry off the panel he spots Jon running away out of the corner of his eye, that's good, itz means he’s out of danger. He gets the panel off, and starts pulling wires, but that's still potentially fixable.

He changes his plan, pulling out as many explosive birdarang’s that he has and shoving them into the open panel then leaping off.

As he lands he sees Lex swinging at Kon with the Kryptonite. Tim rushes forwards, knocking it out of his hand, then catching it. Luthor makes a grab for him that Tim dodges going back towards the net.

One of Luthor's bots jumps in the way, and as Tim goes to dodge Luthor wraps an arm around his neck. Tim bites down as hard as he can until he can taste blood as Luthor screams, just as the bridarang’s explode the shockwave knocking them over.

His ears ring as he tries to get his bearings. Before he can, he’s getting dragged to his feet, and something is being shoved in his face. He tries to resist but is struck by something metallic, the item is shoved into his mouth and then fastened around his head.

It’s a muzzle. 

His hands are shoved into cuffs that completely envelope them then he's being sent stumbling back into the cage, Kon following moments later.

Dick is tense as he flies the batplane towards Tim’s last known location. Clark is silent, unhappy with not being able to fly straight towards his kids. Dick can relate, he wants nothing more than to be able to rush in to get his son, but getting caught in a trap won't help them.

Dick hopes his plan works and throws off whatever Luthor's goal is. 

Clark wears the Batsuit, disguised as Bruce, as Dick wears the Nightwing suit. He’ll thank Alfred again after this is over for packing the batplane so quickly.

As they approach Tim’s last known location, a small explosion goes off in the distance. “Well I bet I know where the boys are.”

Clark stands alarmed, then pauses head cocked. “I can hear Jon!”

Clark goes over to the counsel looking out the window, suddenly pointing down. “He’s down there! We’re coming, bud, hold on!”

Dick starts to descend to pick up Jon lowering the ramp. “Get him quick then get back on the plane.”

Clark is gone in a flash, then back just as quick with a sobbing Jon in his arms.

“They didn’t follow me! Kon promised they’d be right behind me!” Jon wails, clinging to Clark.

Clark shushes him, combing his fingers through his hair in an attempt to sooth him. “We’re going to get them okay? We’re not leaving them with Luthor.”

“Jon bud, what happened?” Dick asks.

Jon sniffles, trying to stop the tears. “We-we were fly’n then a net hit us, and it hurt! And then, and then we fell. Tim cut us loose, and we ran to the woods to hide, then Luthor showed up. We ran because he knew where we were, so we ran, then another plane landed, and robots attacked us and Kon and Tim fought them but Luthor caught up and used Kryptonite and shoved us in a weird red cage! Tim told me to run once I recovered so I could warn you! It’s a trap for you!”

Dick takes a deep breath to keep his temper in check. “What was that explosion?”

“I don’t know!” Jon sobs. “Tim was going to try and destroy the net, and Kon was supposed to destroy the noise machine!”

“You did a great job Jon.” Clark soothes. “We’re going to go get Kon and Tim okay? They’re going to be fine.”

Jon nods into Clark’s shoulder, as Dick races towards the explosion.

Tim struggles to his knees, trying to regain his bearings, Kon is next to him with a look of concern on his face.

“You rabid little freak!” Lex spits as he slams the door shut. “You fucking bit me! What is wrong with you!”

“Say’s the man attacking children!” Kon snaps, glaring at Lex.

“You are not children!” Lex pulls out a phone. “You're no better than animals, and you’ll be put down as such!”

Lex turns to look at the now destroyed net launcher, and freezes, before screaming in rage. “Do you know how long it takes to make a Kryptonite net? How expensive they are?”

Tim just glares, unable to respond even if he wanted to.

“Maybe you should have spent some of that money on hair regrowth serum!” Kon snarks, “Probably would have cost just as much.”

Lex slams his hand against the cage. “Shut up!”

“Y’know Rob, that's the only reason I got grabbed." Kon explains in a mock whisper. “I was blinded by the sun reflecting off his head.”

Tim snorts, and Luthor fumes, calling someone on the phone. “Mercy! Bring the jet over to my location! And someone bring me another muzzle!”

“You can’t silence the truth, Luthor! It just makes you look insecure!” Kon calls to the man's back even as a bot enters the cage and forces a muzzle over Kon's face.

As the bot leaves as the first aircraft lands, ramp lowering as a woman exits and goes up to Lex. “Allow me to look at your arm.”

“Yes, just one moment.” Lex goes over to the side of the aircraft revealing a compartment full of kryptonite, and the chunk he was holding to it and closing it. “Check my arm then we’ll prep my mech, Superman should be joining us shortly.”

The Batplan flies low over a group of LexCorpes vehicles as Dick and Clark leap from the lowered ramp. Dick lands on a bot taking it to the ground with the force of the landing, swinging his escrima into another. Clark is taking down bots with lethal precision, making his way towards Luthor.

Luthor has come down the ramp of one of the aircraft, and looks shocked. “Batman?”

“Expecting someone else?” Clark growls, as he throws a Batrang into the neck of a bot.

“It doesn't matter.” Luthor dismissed stalking forward to meet him. “This just gets one more nuisance out of the way.”

Dick ignores the two of them, focusing on getting to the small cage. “Robin!”

He takes out two more bots, and skids to his knees in front of the cage. It’s no bigger than a dog crate, Tim and Kon are pressed shoulder to shoulder due to the lack of space. Both boys stare back at him with relief on their faces. Rage bubbles up in his chest, like lava the heat raising up his neck. Both boys have been muzzled, like dogs. He’s going to kill Luthor.

Dick sets to work picking the lock, making it into the crate in record time. The boys crawl out, Tim ushering Kon out in front of him. Dick frees Kon first, getting the cuffs and muzzle off and tossing them to the side.

“Thanks Nightwing.” Kon breathes, rubbing at his jaw, “I’ll watch your back, free Rob!”

Kon flies into the combat, smashing bots, and keeping them away from Dick as he works to free Tim. He gets the cuffs off and chucks them to the side, Tim’s hand immediately goes to the muzzle, and Dick quickly removes that as well. As he pulls it away from Tim's face he notices a sluggishly bleeding cut on his cheek, and blood around his mouth and in his teeth.

“Are you okay baby?” Dick asks pulling Tim in for a hug

“I’m fine, I bit Luthor.” Tim explains. “And blew up his kryptonite net.”

Dick snorts, pulling  away. “Ready for some more?”

Tim nods enthusiastically, leaping away and grabbing his staff. Dick stands and rushes back into combat, guarding Tim and Kon’s back.

There’s a large smashing sound and he turns to see Kon standing triumphantly over a broken piece of tech.

“Good work.” Dick calls, even if he’s unsure of what that was.

Out of the corner of his eye he spots Mercy, racing towards him and swinging at his head. Dick ducks out of the way, swinging out with his escrima, she steps back avoiding the hit.

They exchange a series of blows, each hit feels like it rattles his bones, but Dick grits his teeth and pushes through. As they fight a large explosion goes off to his side, hears Kon shout in pain and sees Clark stumble. Dick glances to the side and sees a huge tear in the hull of the airship revealing a core of kryptonite.

“Oh how interesting.” Luthor hits Clark across the face, knocking down. “It seems that you did show up Superman, a clever ruse I’ll admit, but something’s you can’t hide.”

Dick’s distraction costs him, his feet are knocked out from under him and he hits the ground, rolling out of the way as Mercy strikes the ground where his head had been moments before.

The tide of the fight changes as the Kryptonite is exposed, Clark stumbles under Luthor’s assault and Kon is overtaken by the bots. Dick is locked in combat with Mercy, unable to help.

They need to get the kryptonite away.

Tim rushes over to Kon freeing him from the bots, sweeping them away with his staff at full charge. Tim grabs Kon’s arm dragging him to his feet, dragging him towards the plane. “Come on Superboy!”

Kon does his best to support himself, but struggles as he moves closer to the kryptonite, despite that, they manage to stumble up the ramp. Tim sets Kon down to the side and goes over to the control panel, finding the way to pull the ramp up, shielding Kon from the radiation. Then checks to see if what equipment was available.

It’s a disappointing search.

With the sun streaming in through the window, Kon starts to recover and is much more help when Tim moves him to a chair, then starts messing with the control panel.

“Rob?” Kon’s voice is slurred, but he seems more alert. “Wh’t’er you do’n?”

“I’m flying the plane away from the fight.” Tim explains, the engine comes to life as Tim shakely takes off. Skipping the top of some trees as he tries to pilot the craft away from the fight, the ship rocks from an explosion, and he barely manages to keep steady, as warning lights flash and an alarm blares. Tim grits his teeth and keeps going, praying that none of the kryptonite fell out.

Dick sees the plane with the kryptonite take off, hitting the tree tops as it wobbles. Luthor spots it flying away and fires at it with the canon of his mech.

“Robin!” Dick watches in horror as the aircraft rocks from the impact, but stays airborne, flying away.

As they fly away his com crackles to life. “Nightwing! Are you there? Come in Nightwing!”

Luthor goes to shoot again, but is stopped as Clark grabs the cannon, crushing it in his grasp. “Enough Luthor!”

Kon manages to struggle to his feet, coming over to lean against the pilot's chair looking over Tim’s shoulder. “What’s the plan?”

“We’re going to crash the aircraft.” Tim states, as he fights with the controls to keep it steady.

“Crash it?” Kon looks at him in shock. “Why not just land it.”

Tim holds up a finger. “One: I don’t know how, Two: I'm pretty sure whatever Luthor did destroyed the landing mechanism. That’s what all the alarms and flashing lights are about. Three: this thing is going down anyway, I'm struggling to maintain altitude.”

“Oh.” Kon responds lamely. “Wait, how are you flying the ship then?”

“It’s intuitive.” Tim responds with a shrug. “And I’ve started learning about flying the batplane, so I know what the buttons do, in theory.”

“Okay, are we going to just ride out the crash? Or do you have a parachute in that belt of yours.” Kon asks, flopping into the co-pilot seat.

“Nope,” Tim replies, popping the p. “No parachutes I checked, you’re going to fly us.”

“Uh Rob,” Kon starts looking concerned. “Not to burst your bubble, but I’m not fully recovered, and as soon as you lower the ramp I’ll be exposed to kryptonite again.”

“I know.” Tim admits. “It’s not ideal I admit, but we’re high enough that you should have enough time to recover to catch me.”

“And if I don’t?” Kon demands, sitting up straight in alarm.

Tim shrugs. “You’ll survive the fall.”

“But you won't!" Kon points out.

“And I won’t survive if I stay in the plane.” Tim snaps, setting the auto pilot, the plane shudders and begins to lose altitude.

Tim heads to the ramp, Kon on his heels and starts lowering it, Kon hisses as he’s exposed to the kryptonite once more. “Rob, this is insane!”

“Yep.” With that Tim jumps.

“Robin!”

Dick dives forwards, rolling past Mercy’s guard, spinning and striking her in the back with both escrima. Mercy screams crumpling to the ground, spasming.

“No!” Clark suddenly shouts in panic, “They jumped!”

Dick hearts plummet, Clark goes to fly off when Lex grabs his leg, slamming him into the ground. “I’m not done with you!”

“I need the Batplane now!” Dick demands, rushing over to help Clark.

“It’s on its way!”

The wind whips in his face, the ground rushing up to meet him for the second time that day. He spreads out his limbs to slow his fall, hoping Kon can catch him, if not…

Well it would be a much more painful landing than the last one. 

There would be no last minute rescue, Dick couldn’t catch him this time, Clark would be busy fighting Lex. If Kon couldn’t recover in time this would be his final flight as Robin

Arms go around him knocking him off course as Kon grabs him. “Kon!”

Tim tries to steady them but can’t, they’re rocketing to the ground faster than Tim had wanted.

“Robin! I can’t fly!” Kon shouts, panic creeping into his voice.

Tim is starting to feel his own panic growing but forcefully shoves it down. “You don’t need to! You just need to glide!”

“I can't, I'm still too weak!”

“Yes you can!”

The two continue to plummet, no sign of slowing, Tim can hear Kon speaking but can’t make out what he’s saying. “Kon!”

His com comes to life and he can hear Babs and Dick shouting, he reaches up and turns it off, they don’t need to hear this. He hopes they know this wasn’t their fault, they couldn’t have saved him. 

The ground is racing up to meet them closer than ever. He has seconds.

At least Kon will survive.

Tim closes his eyes bracing for impact.

It never comes.

The world stills, the only wind a gentle breeze. Tim opens his eyes and peaks over his shoulder, they’re floating inches above the ground.

A laugh bubbles up from his throat, “You did it!”

“I did it.” Kon echos, disbelieving, then lets out a cheer. “I did it!”

“We lived!” Tim slips out from Kons grasps landing in the snow. He rolls to his feet, turning to watch in awe as the plane hits the ground, rocking the field with the explosion.

Kon lands next to him, holding his hand up for a high five. “Awsome.”

Tim grins, high-fiving Kon. “Yeah.”

“Boys!” They both jump whipping around to see Uncle Clark and Dick flying towards them.

Before he can react, he’s being pulled into Nightwings arm. 

Tim presses his face into Dicks shoulder, “I’m sorry.”

Dick shushes him. “It’s okay.”

“I’m fine dad.” He hears Kon mutter.

“I know, just indulge me.” Clark responds, “I want to be sure.”

“Fine.” Kon huffs.

Tim peaks over Dick’s shoulder and sees Clark pulling Kon into a hug. “I love you so much Kon please never do that again.” 

Kon wraps his arms around Clark. “I love you too Dad.”

Dick pulls back cupping Tim’s face checking him over for injuries. “You got some bruising.”

“Yeah, someone hit me when I wouldn’t wear the muzzle.” Tim shrugs. “I’m just a bit sore.”

Dick sighs, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “We’ll get you some pain meds back at the farm.”

Tim sees a plane taking off in the distance. “Luthors getting away!”

Kon whips around. “No!”

“It’s fine boys.” Clark soothes, “We’ll get him another time.”

“You two did great.” Dick agreed. “You stopped his plan and Oracle's already contacted the JL to collect the kryptonite.”

“He can track Kon!” Tim interrupts “There’s nanites in his blood stream.”

Dick and Clark exchange a look.

“We’ll handle it.” Dick promises ruffling Kon’s hair.

There’s a roar of an engine as the Batplane lands next to them. Jon comes flying out tackling Tim and Kon in a hug.

“We’re fine Jon.” Kon assures him. “Bad guys were beaten, the day was saved.”

“You’re so cool!” Jon exclaims wide eyed. “You guys blew up a plane!”

“Yeah we did.” Kon grins, throwing an arm around Jon’s shoulder and taking him to the plane.

Dick reaches out and flicks on Tim’s com.

“Robin!” Babs voice sounds relived. “Never do that again! Are you okay?”

Tim cringes a little, guilt starting to pool in his stomach. “Sorry O, I had planned on trying to land the plane, but the landing gear got damaged. I wasn’t sure how long I could keep the plane up, so I figured jumping and hoping Kon would recover enough to catch me was the best choice.”

Babs sighs, “You’re alive, and that's all that matters right now.”

“Come on.” Dick puts a hand on his shoulder and starts leading him to the batplane. “We have some stops to make before we head back to the farm.”

Dick watches the boys all straighten up in their seats as they approach the Hall of Justice.

“We’re visiting the Justice League?" Tim asks, amazed.

“We need some help for handling the nanites.” Dick explains. “And I can think of very few people who can.”

Dick lands the batplane and they file off entering the hall of justice. The boys all stare in wonder, trying to take it all in.

“If you think this is cool just wait.” Dick heads over to the zeta room, entering his code then imputing codes for the boys. The Zeta turns on and Tim gasps in amazement.

“Are we going to the watch tower?” Tim asks, standing next to Dick.

“Step through and find out.” Dick gestures for Tim to step through.

Tim looks at Dick brows furrows, but does as instructed stepping into the portal.

As Tim exits the portal, he enters into a windowless room with a few machines and an elevator across from him. A few moments later Kon and Jon follow.

“This is underwhelming.” Kon states as he looks around the room, as the portal flashes once more and Dick and Clark exit.

“This is just the portal room.” Clark states, “Just wait ‘till we get to the observation deck.”

Clark leads them to the elevator, pressing the button to take them up.

Clark is right, the observation deck is much cooler.

Large windows go around the whole room, giving a view of space and earth below them. Tim goes straight to the window, pressing a hand to the glass as he stares speechless.

“Pretty cool right?” Dick asks, coming to stand next to him, settling a hand on his shoulder.

Tim can only nod in response.

“Nightwing?” Tim turns towards the new voice, and sees a wall of computers. “And… Batman?”

Clark removes the cowl. “Hey Cyborg.”

“Superman!” Cyborg replies in surprise, then his eyes lock onto Tim, Kon and Jon. “And children?” 

Dick goes up to Cyborg. “Hey Cy, enjoying monitor duty?”

Cyborg snorts. “Y’know when I was asked to join the JL, I thought it would be more exciting. Now I think I’m being hazed.”

Dick laughs patting Cyborg on the back. “It being boring is a good thing, but I do have something for you to do. Is the Flash around?”

“Sure I think he’s in the lab.” Cyborg responds. “I’ll page him.”

Cyborg does something on the computer then turns back to them. “There, now are you going to introduce me?”

“Of course.” Clark ushers the three of them forward. “Cyborg, meet Kon-el, Jon-el, and Robin.”

“Nice to meet you kids.” Cyborg holds out his hand for a fistbump, getting one from each boy, pausing in front of Tim. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you from the other Titans. Wing’s been keeping you hidden in Gotham.”

“I have not!” Dick responds by crossing his arms defensively. “I just- haven’t had the opportunity to introduce you yet.”

“Whatever you say man.” Cyborg pats Dicks shoulder. “You enjoying the constellation cube?”

Tim nods. “You made it right?”

“Sure did.” Cyborg confirms. “I hope it proves to be useful.”

The elevator opens and the Flash walks out. “Cy, you called?”

“Uncle Barry!” Jon exclaims rushing forwards and tackling the man in a hug.

“Woah! Hey squirt!” Barry grabs Jon, setting him on his hip. “And Kon! Both my favorite Kryptonians! Supes.”

“Hey Uncle Barry.” Kon greets, going over and hugging him, less enthusiastically than his brother.

Clark shakes his head, smiling. “Flash.”

Barry looks around the room. “Hey Nightwing! And I see you finally brought the newest bird for a visit!”

Barry comes over to Tim holding out his hand. “Hey kid, I’m the Flash, but you can call me Uncle Barry.”

Tim takes Barry’s hand, “Hi.”

Barry pulls Tim in for a quick hug, then moves to hug Dick as well. “Now what did you need me for?”

Dick explains to Barry and Cyborg about the Nanites in Kon’s blood stream.

“That’s definitely worrying.” Cyborg states, “But I think we can deactivate them.”

Barry nods in agreement. “Let's head down to the lab, and run a few tests.”

The elevator opens once more, and the Green Lantern exits. “Hey Cyborg you…”

He trails off looking around the room. “Uh, what's going on?”

“GL!” Cyborg greets. “Perfect timing! I need you to take over monitor duty for a bit, Wing needs some help.”

“Wait-” Green Lantern starts to object but Cyborg barrels forward.

“Thanks man, you're the best!” Cyborg pats Green Lantern as he passes heading to the elevator, the rest of the group follows.

“Can you at least tell me what's going on?”

“I’ll explain later!” Barry promises as the elevator doors shut.

Dick stares up at the ceiling, sleep evading him as the events of the day replay on loop in his brain.

They hadn’t been able to deactivate the nanites. Barry and Vic hadn’t been sure if deactivating them would harm Kon, so they had wanted time to study them to be sure. They had been able to make something to prevent Luthor from tracking Kon or activating the nanites. It was a temporary solution, but meant that the Kents would be safe from Luthor showing up to try and reclaim his ‘property’ again.

They had returned to the Kent farm late, Jon having fallen asleep on the way home, Tim and Kon looking seconds away from following. They had sent the boys straight to bed, and Dick had decided to call it a night as well. Exhaustion pulling at him, dragging his eyes shut.

Except every time he closed his eyes, he was tormented by images of the boys muzzled in the crate, or falling from the sky, and he’d jolt awake. A part of him wanted to check on the boys to sooth his pounding heart, another didn’t want to wake the boys when they’d had such a harrowing day.

His decision is made for him when he hears his door creaking open, Tim slipping into the room, shutting the door behind him. “Dick?”

“Hey bud.” Dick replies, propping himself up on his elbows. “Did you have a nightmare?”

Tim nods, coming over to the side of Dick’s bed. “Dad, can I-”

Tim freezes, eyes widening as he realises what he’s said. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have-”

He starts to back away, and Dick quickly grabs his arm stopping him from fleeing. “Woah, hey, calm down it’s okay.”

Tim stares at Dick with wide watering eyes, but doesn’t fight to escape.

“Come here,” Dick encourages, gently pulling Tim forward.

Tim goes with the motion easily crawling into the bed and curling into Dick’s side. “I’m sorry.”

Dick shushes him. “It’s okay, you can call me dad if you want.”

“But-” Tim stumbles over his words. “Shouldn’t- What about my parents?”

“What about them?” Dick asks, running his hand through Tim’s hair.

“I have parents!” Tim states. "Doesn't it make me ungrateful to call someone else dad? To even think of someone else as my parent.”

“No.” Dick states. “People can have more than one dad, y'know.”

“Thats,” Tim starts, sounding shocked by Dick’s response. “This isn’t the same! They’re not dead or divorced and getting remarried. They love me, provide for me-”

“And they’re never here.” Dick interrupts. “Tim, your parents are never here. They can love you, and buy you stuff, but that doesn’t make up for them always being gone. It is normal for you to start seeing an adult in your life who’s filling that space they vacated in that way. It doesn’t make you a bad son, or ungrateful.”

Tim sniffles a little hugging Dick tighter. “You didn’t sign up for this though.”

Dick shrugs. “I mean I kinda did, I’ve always kinda seen you as my kid. My robin. Even if it wasn’t something I explicitly stated or even realized. You can call me whatever you feel comfortable calling me, Dick, Dad, Uncle. You call the shots here. But make no mistake, you are my son.”

“Really?” Tim’s voice is barely audible.

“Really.” Dick confirms pressing a kiss to his head.

Tim is quiet for a moment, Dick almost thought he’d fallen asleep until. “I love you Dad.”

“I love you too, my little robin.”