Chapter Text
- The Homework
Curled up on his favorite couch in the library, Jason waited for his prey to make his appearance.
Operation ‘Make Replacement Feel Like He’s Being Pushed Out’ might have started off on the wrong foot, but Jason was going to make amends for that. For this step, there was no way Robin could escape him. It was fool proof. Literally.
Some seconds off cue, his Replacement entered the library, carrying his backpack, stuffed with textbooks, notebooks and worksheets. He sat down heavily on the sofa opposite Jason, setting his things down to get a start on his homework.
The moment he saw Replacement’s face twitch into a frown, Jason shot up from his couch to lean over his shoulder. A sheet of math problems stared right back at him.
“Oh man, semester finals coming up soon, huh? Doing some extra studying?” He asked, masking his true intentions flawlessly with synthetic empathy. Jason ruffled his hair. “I hated Algebra when I was in 8th grade.”
Slowly, Replacement looked up at him in awe. “You did? Really?”
“Yeah, I know it’s hard to believe, but I’ve always been more of a humanities kinda guy,” Jason nodded solemnly. “Hey,” he added, matter of factly, “how about I help you?”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Tim opened his eyes wide, looking like a little baby bird. “I don’t want to be a bother…”
And for an actual minute there, Jason almost felt really bad for what he was about to do, but he wasn’t going to go around having regrets now.
“You’re not a bother.” Jason smiled at him, ruffling his hair a second time. “I swear, by the time I’m done with you, Bruce will have something to say about your grades.”
Yeah, something to say with his angry voice. Like: ‘Clearly you’re spending too much time as Robin, your grades are slipping.’ If he’s like every other Robin before him, it’s gonna drive to crazy decision making.
Replacement gave in a sort of unsure smile in return. “Wow, this is so nice of you Jason. Thanks!”
“Yeah, no problem kid. So, what you do here is…”
Jason went on to miss-explain fractions, percentages and how to plot graphs. Then came a long string of completely inaccurate history facts, followed with promises to help with Physics and English tomorrow. Jason was honestly a little surprised how early kids were learning some of these subject materials, but then again, it had been a while since he’d been in school anyway.
“Thanks for all your help today, Jason,” Ti- Replacement said, wrapping him in a hug.
“Sure thing, Re- Tim ,” Jason caught himself quickly. “We should head down to eat dinner now, right? I can’t wait for Alfred’s chicken, can you?”
Replacement blinked. And Jason was almost convinced that he knew , until Replacement broke out into an even brighter grin.
“Oh yeah, I really love Alfred’s chicken. It’s never dry, and I’ve got no idea how he does it. Like, even the breast is so perfectly moist and salted.”
“I know! He’s like a food magician!”
Jason breathed. Tim had absolutely no clue about the storm coming his way.
Well, he will eventually, as planned. He just won’t be able to prove it.
The next day, Jason sat on the sofa from before, his knees bouncing impatiently. Replacement was late.
Okay, so technically they hadn’t agreed on a time, but the kid kept a schedule. Well, not a literal one, but he followed a sort of system which Jason had caught on to.
Like just the thought of him summoned him into the room, Replacement stuck his head through the library door.
“Jay!” he exclaimed in excitement, walking over to him, smiling very brightly. “You’re here!”
“Yeah, of course, Tim-Tam.” Jason forcibly grinned back, slightly confused. “I told you I was gonna help you study today.”
“I know,” Replacement sighed, sitting next to him and setting his books down. “I just- I was worried maybe you forgot- or- or maybe I was asking too many questions yesterday…”
He stared at his feet, and perhaps Jason’s brain was playing tricks on him, but he swore the kid was on the verge of tears.
“What? Of course not!” he assured him quickly, something weird pulling at his stomach. “I’m supposed to be helping you, which means if you have questions, I’m supposed to answer them, get it?”
Those blue eyes seemed to stare deep into Jason’s soul, like one move could make or break it, forcing him to keep from instinctively swallowing down his nerves.
Replacement nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”
Once English came around, Jason started to question his commitment to his plan. Was he capable of creating another ignorant kid, who kept misinterpreting the literary masterpiece that is Their Eyes Were Watching God? Could he really do that to Zora Neale Hurston? Could he?
Fortunately, his excuse to teach the book right came in the form of Dick. As long as he was here, he’d get caught telling him lies, so he had to do it right.
“Hey, you guys, what’re you up to over here?” Dick flashed a classic Grayson smile.
If Jason didn’t know him any better, he’d say that was jealousy he saw behind his ex-older brother’s happy-go-lucky expression. Excited at the chance to prove to Dick he was the better brother, Jason snaked a hand out, tucking Replacement into his side.
“I’m helping Timbit study Their Eyes Were Watching God,” he told him smugly.
Dick broke his smile to pout, crossing his arms. “You’re cuddling without me?” Sighing dramatically he dropped himself on Tim’s other side, pressing his face against Jason’s shoulder.
“Dickhead, no! Get off!” Jason hissed, trying to shove him away.
But this was Dick, and the harder Jason pushed, the stronger Dick clung. They struggled for a while, until Replacement finally managed to squeeze out from between them, ditching Jason to be completely covered in the first Robin.
“Well, thanks, Jason,” Replacement said, picking up his stuff. “But I think I can cover this one myself. So…” He winked mischievously. “I think I’ll leave you guys to your cuddle session.”
Damn it, Dick!
Jason growled at him once Replacement was gone. Dick just laughed at him.
“That was really nice of you to help him study, Little Wing,” Dick whispered, settling down. “Tim doesn’t usually let people do that.”
“He doesn’t?” Jason raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
Dick shrugged. “Probably because he thinks he can’t ask for help… For a while, I thought you might not like him, but I’m really glad you guys are getting along.”
Jason held back a snarl, clenching his jaw. “Yeah?”
“I wish I’d been a better brother to you from the start.” Dick looked up at him. “It wasn’t even you I was angry at, I shouldn’t have- I didn’t…” He hid his face into Jason’s sweatshirt. “I’m so happy you’re home.”
Awkwardly, Jason patted his head. An unnamed feeling chewed at his heart, but the little green that remained scared it away.
No turning back now. No regrets. No more Robins.
“I’m glad I’m home too, Big Bird.”
A couple days later, Jason played with the last few peas on his plate.
Almost all of dinner had passed, yet Bruce hadn’t mentioned the Replacement’s grades. Actually, Bruce hadn’t spoken a single word. He was making an intense brooding face. The kind where he was preparing something to say to his kids.
What’s so bad he hasn’t started with the lecture? Jason worried, stabbing four peas at once. I couldn’t’ve made him fail that bad, right? ...Right?
“Tim.”
After what felt like an eternity, Bruce finally made some sort of eye-contact with Replacement, clearing his throat.
“I saw your report card earlier,” he started.
Jason could feel the blood beginning to hammer in his ears with anticipation for this very moment.
“...I've been a little worried your nightlife might be affecting your grades…”
Jason gripped his fork, glancing between them.
“... So I was, well, I was surprised when I noticed…”
Jason held his breath.
“...That you got straight A’s,” Bruce finished, like he was 'the quiet kid' doing his big class presentation.
Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me!
Jason wasn’t sure which was more likely to happen; that he might burst a blood vessel or snap his fork in half.
“Oh, wow, seriously?” Dick patted Tim’s shoulder, his eyebrows raised with an impressed look. “I mean, we’ve just had one of the busiest months, that’s really impressive…” And then he just had to look at Jason. “Hey, wasn’t Jason helping you study or something.”
Oh shit. Crap. Too soon. Too soon! I’m so screwed!
“Tim, I thought you told me you prepped for your finals last week?” Bruce questioned, clearly puzzled. “Because you always like working ahead?”
“Yeah, he was helping me look over the review materials for next semester.” Replacement turned his tiny, honest smile to Jason. “I do like knowing what we’re learning beforehand.”
The temptation to face palm was so irresistible, Jason almost took it. Because he assumed his Replacement was studying for the final, but the kid never actually said that’s what he was doing.
All his theories were confirmed at that moment, no questions asked. Timothy Drake was a naïve nerd. His rich ass wouldn’t survive a day in Crime Alley without the suit.
Managing an innocent smirk, Jason nodded along.
“He’ll be very prepared for next semester. Nobody’ll see it coming.”
You might've escaped unscathed this time, Replacement. But believe me. I’ve got nothing but time on my hands.