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Chapter Text

Janet Drake grew up the heir of the Drake fortune and lineage. And thus she was taught what it meant to be a Drake. Drake's didn't love like everybody else, they loved fully with their whole heart. And all love was important and deep to them. Love of interests, love of oneself, love of one's friends, love one's family, love of ones romantic partners and of course any other love that there was. And she was taught that anybody who earned your Love must be treasured and spoiled and protected.

Now young Drake's develop hobbies that become lifelong passions usually early in life. And they encourage the pursuit of their loved ones passions in turn. Now for Janet, she grew an affinity for secrets. It was oh so easy for her to learn the latest gossip. A sweet smile here, a charming curtsy there. And the older folks at her parents galas didn't mind in the slightest when the "charming little dear." chose to converse with them or just stand by them.

So Janet learned some very interesting things very early on. At one such gala and she was standing by Mrs. Lawrence hearing her not so quietly whispered to miss Louise about the affair supposedly happening between Mr. Hampton and an actress with Mrs. Hampton being supposedly "none the wiser".

"I'll have to see if Mrs. Hampton really is none the wiser. Or if she and Mr. Hampton have an *agreement* like The Laurels." Janet thought to herself. She'd been going further with her secrets for about 2 years now. Diving deeper into the little pieces of gossip she heard. It got her quite a few *hush* candies and trinkets from the adult she caught doing things they weren't supposed to. And if she happened to let slip a few of her secrets to her parents, and Drake industries benefited from distancing itself from scandals before they hit the papers oh so coincidentally. Then really she was just being a diligent daughter. (Drake's never discouraged their children's interests or their other loved ones interests, no matter what it was or how unorthodox it seemed. It's simply was unheard of in their family. Plus every Drake's interest ended up benefiting the family anyway.) Her mother even got her a new beautiful dress as a present for one of her secrets *coincidentally* being front page on the Gotham gazette.

As she was listening she noticed one of the fellow children of the socialites clinging to his mother. Janet lit up. It was good that the women behind her were moving on to the catering menu of this event, (critiquing the food and the poor servers that had to serve the uptight women. Janet never understood well the other high society people didn't like them. They were always pleasant to her and gave her the best gossip.) So Janet was able to move quickly across the floor to her friend.

Little Bruce Wayne 2 years younger than her and quite a bit shyer, until you got him going about the Gray ghost or Zorro. (Bruce had quite the passion for fictional superheroes which Janet always loved hearing about.) Bruce and Janet had been friends since they were toddlers and Bruce had shared his cookies from his butler Alfred, because she was one of the only children that didn't pick on him at galas for being a little quiet.

Like a tiny twinkling comet, Janet dashed across the floor. "Brucie!" Janet shrieked. Bruce flinched a little at the loud noise, but then turned and beamed at his friend. "Jans!"

The little girl barreled into the boy hugging him tightly and squealing with joy. Typically the higher society socialites would roll their eyes at such *uncivilized* behavior but at these two they just smiled and shook their heads. It was the heir of the oldest family in Gotham and one of the more respected though newer money than the Wayne's though not by much whose parents all were indulgent of their children and lavished and spoiled them both. It was simply not worth it to chastise the children. That was a good way of getting kicked out of high society by the combined Force of the Wayne's and the Drake's. So the children were allowed to be just that children.

Janet's fun Bruce around in her arms as the shy boy giggled at his friend's attentions. "Brucie Brucie! How are you my friend? Did you hear about the new gray ghost movie? Are you going? Should I take you?" Bruce was one of her favorite people, so a few years ago she did what all Drake's do when they care and or like someone. She asked Bruce to be one of *hers*. After explaining what she meant he had eagerly accepted.

The Drake's love as stated before was not only limited to their own interests it expanded to the people they cared for. Once you were a Drake's. They would love you, treasure you and encourage you in all that you loved. A drake must always ask before claiming somebody as theirs. It was impolite to do otherwise, after all consent was a key part of love, any kind of love. So Bruce was Janet's. And she encouraged him with all he loved. As was her duty and as her heart demanded.

The adults thought they were adorable and thought they were going to get married when they were older. Janet thought the adults were silly. Bruce was her friend, she didn't want to marry him. Her parents understood that they had friends like that. They had people they loved that they wanted to marry, you had people you loved who were your friends, you had people you love to were your family (that category had many different labels that were different.) Just because these loves were different didn't mean one was more important than the other. The Drake's understood that.

And although the Wayne's weren't exactly like the Drake's (Though nobody was) they understood this perfectly. So they didn't say silly things about Bruce and Janet getting married when they were older.

"That's all right Jan's mom and dad are going to take me tomorrow!" The boy said quietly but excitedly into her shoulder. Janet pulled back and looked at her friend and nodded.

"You simply must tell me all that it was about afterwards, promise me Brucie!"

Bruce gave her a small smile. "Of course Jans." Then his smile perked up into a mischievous one. "I heard some gossip from the maids earlier when they thought I wasn't listening."

Janet lit up. Bruce always gave her the best gossip. And she loved him for it.

"Ooh! oh! Tell me tell me!" She bounced on her heels.

They spent the rest of the gala like that. Gossiping about what the adults had let slip around them and spying on said adults. Well also talking about everything and anything.

At the end of the night Thomas and Martha Wayne pulled a reluctant Bruce away Janet all smiles. Alfred standing by the door to ferry them home.

"Don't worry dear." Miss Martha's calm voice spoke. "You can see each other tomorrow after we go see that movie and even have a sleepover!"

The children delighted in this and wave their goodbyes the adults chuckling as they did so.

Janet moved with her parents to go home excited for the sleepover and for all Bruce would tell her about the gray ghost.

........

The next day Thomas and Martha Wayne were shot in crime Alley. And that sleepover.

Well it never happened.

------------

When Janet heard the news she was devastated. Thomas and Martha weren't hers but they were Bruce's, his beloved parents. She's never lost one of hers. She never wanted to. She had seen her mother lose one of her lovers to a car accident a few years back. She missed him he was a good dad to Janet but they hadn't grown close enough for Janet to claim him as a parent but her mother mourned even now.

But now one of hers was experiencing the loss of one of theirs. She wept and wept as she heard the news from the TV. Her cries is alerted her parents. They swept into the room as quick as the wind alerted to their daughters suffering. They didn't even have to ask what had happened as the TV was blaring loud. Janet didn't want to miss a single detail. They pulled their daughter into their arms. Comforting her.

"Brucie? what's going to happen to Brucie?" She wept. "He'll be taken care of my dear." Her mother commanded fiercely. "I have no doubt Alfred will take care of him, but if he doesn't he will come here Drake's always take care of theirs."

Janet nodded as she wept. She continued to weep for a few minutes before she calmed down. Her father turned off the TV. "Can I see him? I need to see him. I need to make sure he's okay."

"Of course my dear." Her mother spoke.
And her parents quickly got her to Wayne Manor.

--------

Bruce was a mess when she met him in the foyer. No shy charming little smile on his face. Only cold steely eyes that looked like they'd stared into the edge of the abyss. Tears spilled down his eyes even now and his breath hitched with hiccups.

Janet didn't ask anything. What could she say?

So she simply wrapped him up in her arms. And murmured comforts into his hair.

"I'm here." Her quiet little voice spoke. "I'm here mine, anything you wish I shall grant you."

Bruce broke in her arms and leaned forward. "He got away...."

"The man who took mom's pearls and shot them.... The police couldn't find him..... Why?"

Janet only held him tighter. She knew he needed to get this out.

"I want Justice, I want him stopped. I don't ever want anybody to hurt like this."

Bruce sobbed into her shirt. "Do you want me to do it?" Janet asked. She had no clue how she was going to but she was a Drake and Drake's always moved heaven and Earth for theirs.

Bruce shook his head. "No. Don't go looking Jans I don't want you hurt." Janet sucked in a breath and nodded. She would have, she would have tracked the man down with her secrets and given them to the police. But Bruce said he didn't want her to, so she wouldn't. It was that simple.

"Okay." She spoke in a soft voice. "Okay mine I won't. But if you need any help, if you need anything you come ask okay?"

Bruce nodded into her shirt and then pulled back to looking at her eye.

"Yeah I promise Jan."

-----------

The usual by and Janet Drake got older. And her hobby developed into a lifelong passion. She got better secrets and more interesting secrets. And she used them to her benefit and for the benefit of hers. She never hurt anybody that didn't deserve it, and some secrets she knew meant to be kept hidden. But that was okay she was a Drake they liked having their things hoarded neatly away and on display.

It was a fine balancing act that every Drake worked to perfect in their own ways.

Bruce got older and Janet could always see the shadow of his parents death hanging over him. She helped how she could always there for him when he wanted her to be and gave him space when he asked for it.

Then just as Janet was starting to take over Drake industries Bruce came to her one night and asked that they have dinner and a chat.

"I'm going to be dropping out of med school."

She raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow at him. And took a bite of the steak she was having.

"Okay Brucie if that's what you want."

Bruce's eyes widened a little bit. For him that was a full-blown shocked expression. Bruce got more reserved with his face as he got older but if you knew him you could still see him as an open book.

"You don't..." He cut off and then started again. Solid wall of ice composing again. "You don't think it's a bad idea? Alfred certainly thinks so."

Janet cocked her head to the side in a half shrugging manner. And continued to eat her food. It really was good, she was going to have to talk to the owner about maybe investing in this place. "It's what you want isn't it Brucie?"

Bruce gave her a shallow nod.

Janet gave him one back. "Then it's what you want. What you want is most important to me. If you want to drop out, drop out. There's no point in doing something that makes you unhappy."

Bruce chuckled. Janet lit up a bit inside. She was one of the only people other than Alfred anymore they got to hear Bruce laugh. And even for her and Alfred it was rare.

"You always do make it so simple don't you Jan?"

Janet smiled at him. "Of course mine. Life is perfectly simple when you go after what you want and acknowledge that happiness way to gauge success." She spoke smoothly like a serpent moves. It creeped her boardroom out but it always made Bruce smile.

She again raised an eyebrow at him. "But, that's not what this meeting is really about is it Brucie?"

Bruce shook his head. "Always so perceptive."

Janet cocked a wicked smile at him. "Of course mine, my passion is secrets after all."

Bruce straightened a little bit. And Janet straightened with him. That was odd. Bruce neverminded her love of secrets even if some of them turned out to be pretty dark.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

Janet cocked an eyebrow at him motioning with her hand that wasn't holding her fork for him to go on.

Bruce sighed. "After I drop out I'm going to be..... gone from Gotham for a while I don't know how long."

Janet's eyes widened but she stayed silent.

"I'm going to ask Jan that you don't look into what I'm doing and where I'm going. And from this point going forward to not look into any of my secrets to not look into anything that might remotely look like one of my secrets." Bruce's face twisted up in a mix of guilt and dread.

"I know that's cruel if need to of you ask my friend, given your disposition. But please I'm asking this of you. If you want I'll never ask anything if you again." Bruce's face twisted up like he was expecting a strike or a yell.

Janet merely raised an eyebrow and affected a bemused expression. "Is that all mine? A mere request for me to not snoop? That is simple and granted. I will not look into any of your secrets or anything close to your secrets from this point on my friend." She snorted. "And you may certainly ask more of me in the future. You know how this works I claimed you, you can ask of me what you will." Janet chuckled more heartily this time and Dove back down into her food.

It was silent for a few moments enough for Janet to curiously look back up at her friend.

Bruce was looking at her in amazement and confusion. "That's it?" He asked clearly very confused.

Janet simply nodded her head her face even more bemused. "That's it, you asked it is granted, really it's a simple request. My grandfather was more troubled by my grandmother asking for tea from India when she was pregnant with one of my aunts. And that's simply because he didn't want to leave her when she was in pain. It does not limit me in my passion for secrets to simply not look into yours or not know them. You are not the only one with secrets in this world or even in this city."

Bruce looked shocked for a few moments more and then chuckled. "I should have known it was that simple. I always thought that you merely played at being shocked when you got your birthday presents I'm guessing you never looked into those secrets either."

Now Janet was slightly offended. "My dear Bruce of course not! As I've said before there are some secrets that are better off hidden. There's no point in a gift if you know what it is. Simply knowing there is a secret that will be revealed to me in the future is gift enough but with the added benefit of a gift it is much more enjoyable why would I ruin that with snooping?"

Bruce full-on laughed at his friend and her puffed up cheeks. "Of course of course I will never make the mistake of thinking so again friend."

Janet blow the air out of her cheeks in mock offense. "Good see that you don't."

Bruce again affected a serious face. "You won't hear from me for quite some time, possibly years."

Janet sighed and nodded her head. "I thought as much. I'll keep watch over Wayne enterprises and Alfred for you shall I? All that I ask in return is that you come back, do not die on me Bruce."

Bruce looks shocked again but it melted into a fond look. "Thanks Janet. And I promise I'll come back."

Janet smiled at him. "See that you do. And of course my friend. A Drake would do anything for their loved ones."

Together the friends smiled and shared dinner together. On the morning Bruce had left Gotham and Janet didn't hear from him for a good few years.

-----------

In the time in which Bruce was gone. Janet found somebody that she loved in a way that she wanted to marry. He was a good man, an amateur archaeologist by the name of Jack. His interest so delighted Janet and it actually became one of hers a true delight.

They became friends first. They started dating and Janet claimed him as hers. They married shortly after that Jack taking her last name.

Her dear husband was an adventurous man. So Janet funded expeditions and digs for him to go on.

Jack loved his adventures and his archeology so much. He became truly like a Drake in his passion. Of course his trips were never too long for he loved his wife dearly as well. Yes he truly became a drake in his love.

After a while Janet fell pregnant. Both Jack and Janet were ecstatic.

Janet knew what she felt the life grow inside her that she would love her child so very deeply and that anything they loved she would move heaven and Earth to give them, to let them experience, whatever they wished.

On a late afternoon in July in the Martha Wayne memorial hospital Janet gave birth.

Her heart burst with love as in the sunlight hospital room she held her beautiful son for the first time.

His blue eyes opened and looked at his mother. The baby giggled and cooed at his mother. And Janet knew this boy would love like a Drake. Fiercely and with unending devotion.

And she knew in that moment she would always strive to help him in any way she could.
She was already making plans to expand her network, anything her baby would want to know she would give him.

"My dear baby, my sweet Tim. I will give you the world and love you always my darling."

She spoke softly to her newborn son.

And Timothy Jackson Drake smiled up at her and she knew in that moment that her son he would do great things.

Chapter Text

It was exactly 9 months after Tim was born that Bruce returned to Gotham.

It wasn't intentional on Bruce's part Janet knows.

Because when he knocks on her door after he gets settled back in Wayne Manor, his startled expression upon seeing Tim in her arms is one she will treasure forever.

Jack was out at the time. A dig Janet had found in Vienna that made Jack ecstatic.

She was glad she was able to indulge her husband's love of archeology and find him reputable contacts through her passion.

It wouldn't do for Jack to get mixed up with the wrong people while doing what he loved.

Janet was very aware of how some archaeologists made their fortunes and distinctly thought them foul.

They had chatted and had tea and cakes in Janet's favorite sitting room in Drake Manor, just like when they were kids.

It was good to see her friend well.

And she was happy to note he looked even a bit at peace with himself.

Not completely, not as at peace as he had been when they were children.

But Janet didn't think he'd ever be that at peace again.

But he's better, happier, and frankly that's all Janet cares about.

So she lets Bruce bounce Tim on his knee her baby happily gurgling at him, as Janet watches on delighted.

Tim was already such a good judge of character.

"I have a favor to ask of you, my dear friend."Janet said with mock seriousness.

Though not many other people other than Bruce, Alfred and her husband and in time most likely her son could tell the difference between that and her serious tone.

Bruce looked up from where he was booping Tim on the nose and raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm sure I can help in any way you need me Jans, you know that."

She did. She had known since she was a very little girl how far Bruce Wayne would go for his friends.

"Oh it's not so serious Brucie. Smooth out that crease in your brow, you'll give yourself a headache." She joked.

Bruce did relax his face and smiled at her.

"Right as always Jans." He joked back.

She returned his smile brightly and then looked adoringly down at her son.

She extended her hand and his little hand gripped her pointer finger.

When he grabbed a hold of her he looked up with as much seriousness as a baby could muster and babbled earnestly at his mother.

"Right you are my darling. It's best not to delay."

She looked up at Bruce again him looking at her quizzically but fondly.

"I would ask you be Timothy's godfather."

Bruce looked incredibly shocked. Which Janet thought you should not be who else would she trust her darling son to?

"I.." Her friend's stammered. "I would be honored Janet. Of course I accept. But I'm a little confused? You've never been particularly religious? Why... Why do you want him to have a godfather?"

Janet chuckled a bit and moved her hand a little in Tim's grip not enough to dislodge it but enough so his little eyes trailed after her fingers. Like they were little dragonflies flying about in the air.

"Bruce you know my family is... Unusual. By most people's standards."

Bruce opened his mouth to defend her and her family on pure instinct as he had done since he was a child.

Janet silenced him with a look and a pat on his hand.

"I'm not ashamed of how my family is. We love endlessly and devotedly. And we are used to adapting our families to have room for all we love. Unfortunately many people do not recognize such family structures. So my family has had to be... Creative for legality reasons. I had a few godparents myself though my parents were even less religious than me, simply to have my other mothers and fathers although they did not spawn me have a legal way to protect me. I wish to give you that same right over my son."

Janet smiled at Bruce. "I trust you Brucie. You are my friend and I love you dearly. I would have Tim grow up around your influence, I think he would be better for it."

Bruce looked dumbstruck. He knew about all of her parents, but he never really put much thought into how the Drakes would operate legally with how they are. But this made sense.

What Janet was offering him especially coming from a Drake was an ultimate show of trust and love.

He looked down at Little Tim in his lap, who smiled gleefully up at him and cooed slightly.

He looked back up at his friend. He knew she already knew his answer. But he would give it nonetheless.

"Of course my friend. I would be honored. I promise to do my best with looking after Tim." He brought one hand up to rub the back of his neck. "Although I don't think I'll be very much good with it. I don't think I'm really the fatherly type." He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Janet punched his arm. "Oh you will do well. I know so. Just trust that heart of yours and occasionally tell that big brain of yours to shut up and you'll do well."

Bruce chuckled at that and Tim mirrored him.

Oh yes. Janet thought. This was definitely the right decision.

They chatted on for a while playing with Tim and discussing the goings on of Gotham and what was new since Bruce came back.

Janet didn't ask where he'd been, didn't ask why he'd been radio silent for so long.

He asked her not to, and she would keep to that promise.

----

Almost one year later the city was suddenly being protected by one of those vigilantes that was popping up all over the place.

The Batman.

Janet did start looking into him.

From what she assessed he would be good for the city, but that didn't stop her from trying to Snoop.

What did stop her was when one of her trails led back to Bruce.

She immediately stopped investigating and did her best to hide the secrets of Batman.

Janet idly wondered where Bruce had met Batman in his travels and what he was like.

Either way it wasn't her business.

Bruce funding a vigilante was an easy enough thing to bury while not finding out any more information herself.

He had asked her not to look into his secrets and she wouldn't.

But she would also make sure that nobody else would go snooping, even if she never knew exactly what she was helping to hide.

It was funny, Bruce being the patron of a sneaky detective vigilante and Janet being the Mistress of secrets in Gotham.

You never do stop playing your childhood games.

You simply raise the stakes.

----

Tim is 3 years old and the circus is in town.

Her brilliant little boy is bouncing with excitement.

Haley's circus had announced they were coming to Gotham. Tim fascinated by the spectacle and the bright colors had begged his mother to go.

Being a Drake, Tim didn't have to beg. Janet would have brought her son to the event even if he was silently fascinated by it.

Her son would experience as many joys of the world as she could manage to get for him.

And really circus tickets were not at all hard to procure.

Especially not for somebody with Janet's connections.

Jack, Janet, Bruce and Tim all arrive at Haley's circus filled with excitement.

Tim babbling on his mother's hip about the flying Graysons and their cool tricks.

All the adults smile at the boy and listen intently.

Janet adjusts his little Batman backpack (He adores the city's vigilante and Janet is nothing if not an indulgent mother.) And looks her son in the eye.

"I know you're excited darling but do remember your manners. These people are professionals and have spent their lives at their craft. You must respect that." Janet reminds her son.

Her son beams up at her. "I remember mother. I will remember my manners I promise. I'm just so excited! They can fly! They can fly like Batman only they do flips!"

Jack and Janet chuckle at that and Bruce outright laughs.

It was good to have a nice relaxing family outing.

Janet does think that he's taking after Bruce and that he's interest will fall along with the blossoming vigilante Community as he grows older but he has also looked utterly fascinated with cameras and photography.

No matter what Janet vows to herself, she will support her son and his interests.

Tim jiggles on her hip like he's trying to bounce right off and run ahead.

She kisses his forehead and pets his hair.

He smiles beautifully up at his mother and calms down a little bit.

Oh yes, with that smile and determination her little boy could take over the world.

And she'll be right there to help him.

----

They're lucky the Grayson's are doing a meet and greet before the show and the lines aren't that long!

They get to the front of the line and Tim is utterly starstruck!

They look so cool especially the youngest one.

His smile is brighter than the big top lights.

Janet smiles indulgently at her son as he hyper focuses on young Dick Grayson.

It seems her son is quick to fall in love, she'll have to see what she can do to invest in this circus.

She patiently leans down to let her son get closer to the Grayson's.

Their young son smiles like the sun up at her.

Janet is charmed, and Tim is utterly entranced.

*Brother brother brother brother!*

He wants this boy with the sunshine smile to be his big brother. He's watched countless videos of his cool tricks and endless puns.

But somehow coming face to face with him stirs the young Drake's heart.

He will be good though, he must get to know Dick. And then he will ask, he'll ask dick to be his big brother, he'll ask Dick to be his.

Mama says consent is important especially when you love is deeply as a Drake does.

The worst thing you can ever do to one you love is force your devotion, your Love upon them.

Tim promised his mother and himself he would never do that.

So for right now he just stares starstruck at the Young Grayson boy.

Dick grins at him and extends his arms in a full body wave. "Hiya little guy! I'm Dick! Thank you so much for coming to the show! Are you a fan?" Tim nods his head eagerly.

"You're so cool!" Tim's little voice squeaks out. "You fly like Batman, but you do flips and joke so you're even cooler than Batman!" Tim says enthusiastically.

Dick tilt his head to the side like a little bird. "Batman? Who's that little guy?"

Janet tilts her head up proudly while still kneeling on the ground and Tim copies her.

"Our citie's Noble protector."Janet says voice like silk.

Dick nods looking impressed and energetic.

"So he's the local vigilante huh? Well I'm glad you think I outrank Batman in the coolness department squirt! Hey what's your name by the way?"

Tim shiley shifts in his mother's group. "It's Tim, Tim Drake!"

Dick beams at him and leans closer to whisper. "Well Tim since you're my biggest fan and think I'm cooler than even Batman, I'll give you a special treat just for you."

Tim holds his little hands over his mouth in Glee looking ecstatic.

"Tonight I'll do the grace and special quadruple somersault and it'll all be just for you!" He winks conspiratory at Tim. Tim shrieks with Glee.

Janet smiles down at the little showman, he's impressively good at reading people for such a young age and making them all feel uniquely special.

She definitely thinks even if Tim didn't connect with this boy she would definitely be interested in making sure he succeeds.

Talent is so beautiful when it's allowed to blossom and grow.

Tim looks up at his mother like he's having the best time in the world.

His mother smiles down at her son with that warm and comforting smile that always makes him feel safe.

"What do you say we get a picture with your new friend dear? It's like your father always says souvenirs solidify beautiful memories."

Tim nods eagerly.

Dick directs is winning smile to her.

"That's a stupendous idea Mrs Drake!" During the word stupendous he does little cartwheel making Tim giggle and squeal.

Bruce asks a nearby worker to take a picture of all of them.

Dick holds his arms out as Janet stands up.

"Here why don't you sit with me while we take the picture Tim?" Tim looks like all his little dreams have been granted and looks up at his mother for permission. Janet smiles warmly gently places her beloved son in Dick Grayson's arms.

"Careful dear he is more precious to me than all the gems in the world." She says half jokingly. He is indeed that precious to her and even more so. But she knows already that Dick will be careful.

He nods seriously at her taking Tim gently as one would the finest porcelain doll into his arms and giving him a tight warm hug.

Tim feels like he's on cloud nine.

He feels so safe, so comfortable in his brother's arms.

(No bad Tim not brother yet.)

Dick pulls Tim's little head back to look him in the eye and give him a blinding smile which Tim returns.

"You are so cute." Dick praises, and snuggles Tim into his lap.

Tim glows with the praise and smiles brightly up at the camera being held by the circus employee.

They snapped the picture and say their goodbyes. Janet briefly speaking with John and Mary Grayson equally as impressive as their son, about investing in the Grayson's in the future.

John and Mary seem a little stunned at her words but ever the performers quickly right themselves and tell her they can discuss it more after the show but they would be eager to see what she has to say.

Janet collects her son from Dick and the two boys wave at each other.

They had their separate ways the Drake's and Bruce to find their seats right in the front and the Grayson's to go prepare to perform.

Her son making his first real connection outside their little family unit, and making some lovely connections.

Janet has a good feeling about this.

----

The show is utterly fantastic.

Until it isn't.

Tim is utterly fascinated by everything he sees and then the Grayson's come on and start to do their wonderful routine.

And then Janet starts to hear the sound of a rope fraying.

Her instincts lead her to look up and see just before disaster the ropes John and Mary are swinging on fray and start to snap.

She tries to crawl out a warning but all she has the ability to do is quickly turn her son around before disaster.

The ropes snap.

John and Mary Grayson's faces twist in horror both reaching for their son on the platform, trying in vain to shield their son from the tragedy about to occur.

Tim makes a questioning sound. "Mama? Why'd you turn me around? I can't see."

As soon as Tim finishes his sentence a dull thud echoes around the silent Big top.

Janet only has time to whisper a quiet. "Don't look baby don't look." Before the screaming starts.

The first voice to the chorus is poor little Dick Grayson.

Janet wants to run to the child to comfort him but she can't get any closer without risking Tim seeing... The bodies.

She will not have her son see that, not this young.

The crisis is solved for her when at the same time she springs up out of instinct for the child's cry and so does Bruce.

Her oldest friend makes eye contact with her and she knows he has this.

She nods at him and he charges quickly out into the rings to wear Dick Grayson is climbing down the ladder trying to get to his parents bodies.

She moves to exit quickly but looks behind her one last time to see her friend stooping down and comforting the crying boy.

For just a second, she sees a different place a different time something that she never saw the true reality of but learned as many details after the fact that she could piece together a facsimile of a memory.

The dark alley instead of a big top but the same poor crying child over his parents bodies.

As she leaves quickly her husband on her tail blocking as much of the scene behind them as he can in case Tim looks, she knows that this time the crying child will have comfort, will have some understanding from somebody who knows exactly what this is like.

She steps quickly into her car holding her son close, he's not said anything since he heard the thud.

He's a smart boy.

Quietly in her own head Janet curses her beloved thrice cursed cesspit of a city.

How dare it take away such loving parents to two such kind boys?

Chapter Text

Dick moved into Wayne Manor shortly thereafter.

For some reason the state of New Jersey wouldn't let the circus keep custody of Dick.

Much to the performers grief.

They were weirdly insistent about shuffling him off into Gotham's foster care.

A little pressure from the power of the combined Drake and Wayne names meant that Bruce was able to finagle a deal of getting custody of Dick.

The performers of Haley's circus were much more amenable to this decision after Bruce went out of his way to make sure that Dick could contact any of them at any time. And seemed to have an intimate understanding of the pain their young family member was going through.

Janet bumped up her investment in Haley's circus and made sure that the young acrobat wouldn't have to worry about his family now that their star act was gone.

Dick looked slightly unsettled when he first arrived at Wayne Manor.

It was certainly a stark difference for the poor boy.

But Tim was able to help him acclimate and was a comforting anchor to the traumatized child.

As soon as he had walked through the door of the sitting room Tim and Janet were waiting in he had jumped off his mother's lap and barreled straight into the devastated acrobat winding his tiny arms around the older boy's legs.

"The hug you gave me made me feel special and happy so I'll give you all the hugs you need don't you worry!"

Tim had said looking up at the older boy with a blinding smile.

And for the first time since his parents had fallen, Dick's façade broke and he collapsed into a heap cradling the toddler close and sobbing into his hair.

Tim wasn't unnerved in the slightest. Just simply cooing at the older boy and petting his arms and hair wherever he could reach.

Yes Janet could see that Tim already loved him dearly.

She would just have to remind her son to wait a bit before asking.

After all it was a big question and it was rude to spring on someone so soon after they had gone through such tragedy.

Janet *was* going to look into suspicious deaths of John and Mary Grayson.

But Batman was seen quickly after on the scene and she figured he had it handled.

She would just have the chase the mystery of why New Jersey or Gotham specifically was so intent on keeping an orphaned Acrobat.

----

Janet had found some interesting secrets and some promising leads in her search of Gotham's underbelly and the bizarre behavior of Gotham's Foster system.

Though she kept coming upon references to owls and an old nursery rhyme.

Hmmmm....

Well whoever it was they surely thought highly of themselves. For while their security and threads were tightly and highly guarded, it certainly wasn't good enough to deter Janet.

She hummed happily to herself and she sat on the couch with her laptop sending orders to her employees and connections and traced the secrets back to their roots.

Her beloved son was stretched out on the living room floor a few feet from her legs and was engrossed in the TV, which was switched to the local news and was currently running a report on Batman and his new sidekick Robin.

Tim already loves superheroes and Batman most of all and Janet made sure to encourage her son's interest by buying him all the latest figures and merch. And letting him watch any news program, video or even cold case analysis that slightly related to the Bat.

No matter how gory or disturbing the contents.

Such things were of little matter to a Drake when it came to their loves and passions.

And certainly no reason to deny something that had caught a Drake's eye.

Tim was most recently fascinated with the newest superhero and Gotham's little darling, the first child sidekick, Robin, the boy Wonder.

Tim was particularly excited for this news broadcast for it was the first footage captured of the new little hero.

Janet mostly kept her eyes on either her computer or her wonderful son.

After all she had a promise to Bruce to keep.

He had been doing so much better recently since he took Dick in.

Yes Dick was rambunctious, loud and filled with both boundless energy that caused him to zoom around the manor and climb on anything he could get his little hands on, and intense grief and anger at the loss of his parents.

But Bruce knew that feeling well and since the little bouncy boy had come into his life, it was like the dark cloud that hung around Bruce's shoulders since his parents' death had been lessened, even if it was just a little bit.

Janet was glad that Bruce had found a son, even if he didn't realize it yet.

Too caught up in making sure Dick had everything he needed while also trying to make sure the little acrobat knew he wasn't trying to replace his parents.

Silly Brucie, no parent can ever be replaced.

But that doesn't mean you could only have a finite amount of them.

Bruce had grown up around Janet and her many parents, he should know this but Brucie had always been a little dense.

Well at least Janet had been able to convince Bruce to look into therapy for both Dick and himself.

And if he had smiled at her with that secret little smile when Dick had demanded that if he had to go to therapy so did Bruce, then that was neither here nor there.

She looked up when her son gasped in shock.

"What is it my darling?" She asked her awestruck son.

Her darling little boy with his eyes filled with awe looked up at her and excitedly pointed at the TV where it seemed like the Little Robin had just finished a neat little trick.

Janet hadn't seen the trick but she knew that the little vigilante was known already for his showy tricks and flips.

Tim breathe out a gasp as he spoke excitably. "Robin just did a quadruple somersault! Dick said that only members of the Grayson family can do that! Dick 's Robin!"

Janet's eyes widened as she looked at her brilliant little son and then let her gaze drift to the television screen.

The camera focused on Robin's blindingly bright smile and just off to the right a little bit she could make out the distinct shadow of Batman with a small but gentle smile on his lips.

"Huh... Would you look at that. Good job my little detective!" She smiled brightly at her son who returned her grin with just as much love and sunshine.

Suddenly Tim blinked and looked up with her with his head tilted to the side.

"That means Uncle Bruce is Batman doesn't it Mama?"

Janet smiled conspiratory at her son. "I should think so yes my dear."

Tim called Bruce uncle because Tim calling him dad made him uncomfortable for some strange reason.

Oh well they'd get there one day.

It certainly made sense why Bruce didn't want her looking into Batman at all.

Her dear friend knew her too well.

She would have found him out in a heartbeat, and he knew it.

Tim brought his head back up straight and nodded decisively. "Yeah has to be Uncle Bruce. Grandpa Alfred would have shot the Joker by now and Dick doesn't trust anybody else other than you, me and Daddy." Tim's nose crunched up adorably.

"And daddy's not Batman, you would have told me. Plus Batman can't be here and halfway around the world at the same time. He's not magic, that's Zatanna."

Janet nodded decisively herself. "Too right I would have told you if your father was Batman." She laughs hardly to herself. "Not that my dear husband and your loving father could or would swing around Gotham's rooftops. He's much happier in his lovely dig sites."

Tim nodded as of his mother had only confirmed his thoughts.

Janet pulled her lovely son into her lap and cuddled him close.

He buried his head into her shoulder in return.

Such a loving affectionate boy.

"But I do think we should keep this little secret between us my dear. After all Brucie and Dickey would be terribly embarrassed if they knew we had found them out."

Her son pulled back and looked at her with those lovely ocean blue eyes of his. "O'course mama! They're our beloved people and they're doing what makes them happy! We should do what we can to make sure they can keep doing it, right Mama?"

Janet booped her sweet little son on the nose. "Exactly right my love."

Her son giggled and continued to watch the news report with wrapped attention on her lap.

Well she would certainly have to find more ways to encourage her little son's fascination now.

A fascination fueled and participated by some of his most beloved people.

How lovely for him!

And she could certainly say she kept her promise to Bruce.

After all it wasn't her that found him out.

---
Tim really liked Dick.

He's really kind and cool and did really fun tricks and flips!

But...some times he was really sad or mad.

Because the bad man killed his parents.

Tony Zuko.

Momma made sure Tim didn't see the Grayson's bodies, but Tim know Dick saw.

Tim wishes he was older, so he could help Dick get that mean Tony Zuko.

But being little meant he couldn't do much to help his big brother.

Have to remember, can't call him that *yet*. Haven't *asked*.

And he couldn't ask yet, Dick was distraught by the lost of parents and he needed to focus on being Robin.

Tim couldn't burden him with all that being loved fully by a Drake would bring, right now.

And he knew that, he understood it.

It was still annoying to wait though.

Dick was the best big brother in the world!

He deserved to know.

---

Luckily Tim didn't have to wait very long to ask.

About 6 months after Dick had been formally taken in by Uncle Bruce and 2 months after Tim figured out what they were *really* doing at night, Robin and Batman arrested Tony Zuko.

Alive, which was a slight surprised to Tim and his mama. But if that's what Dick wanted that's what was going to happen.

Tim already asked, mama was going to make sure he was going to rot *forever*.

Him and momma were going to visit Dick and Uncle Bruce today.

"I think now that that awful man is put away you can ask now, my love." Momma had said.

Tim was soooo excited!

He's going to ask his big brother today!

---

Dick was the one to open door for them.

That was great! Tim could see his soon-to-be big brother right away!

Dick looked tired and a little sad, but directed his trademark bight smile at them.

"Mrs. Drake! Little Timmy! I didn't know you guys were going to be here today." Dick said with surprise.

"Yes, well, Tim has something he wants to ask you Dick. And please, I've said to call me Janet or auntie my dear." Momma smiled warmly at Dick.

Dick blushed. "Right, sorry auntie." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before he turned to look at Tim. "But you have something you wanted to ask me a little buddy?"

"Mm-hm!" Tim bounces excitedly.

Uncle Bruce appears from the shadows and chuckles. "And I think I know what that is chum, and if it is what I think it is we better go get comfortable in one of the sitting rooms." He smiles mischievously down at his foster son. "Trust me you're going to want a comfy chair and some of Alfred's tea."

Dick merely shoots his foster father a confused look before shrugging and pulling Tim by his little hand into the house and dashing off with him into a sitting room.

Both boys laughing all the way.

---

"So what did you want to ask me Timmy? Did you want to see another cool trapeze trick? But if that's the case I don't get why B's being so dramatic."

Dick shoots his foster father a teasing look from where he sat on a nice comfy couch in the sitting room they had nicely arranged themselves in with as promised some nice hot tea courtesy of Alfred himself.

Uncle Bruce only rolls his eyes in responds.

Tim vibrates excitedly on the sofa next day his mother who gives him an encouraging look.

Tim nods at her and just blurts it out.

"Dick I love you very much as my big brother! Please accept my affections is your little brother and let me love you with the full extent of a willing Drake heart! I promise if you accept that I'll never stop loving you, and I will do anything and everything to make you happy and grant your wishes." Tim positively beams at him.

Dick looks startled and looks over to his foster father in abject confusion.

"B? What's going on?"

Bruce just chuckles and shrugs his shoulders.

"The Drakes are a family that love fully and powerfully. That applies to both their passions and the people they love. They would do anything for the people they love."

He looks fondly over at mama who gives him a warm serene smile.

He turns back to look at his foster son. "And I mean anything chum. Which tends to unnerve people when it's suddenly happening to them." Bruce gestures over to Tim and Mama.

"Which is why they made it a tradition to ask first before they do anything...crazy." Bruce gives his foster son a sympathetic look. "I know it seems crazy Chum, but this isn't a prank. And Tim's not kidding about any of what he just said."

Dick takes a moment to stare at his foster father seemingly putting his thoughts back together before he snaps his head over to Tim.

"... You sure little buddy? You want me to be your big brother?"

Tim bounces happily on the sofa cushion. "Yep! You're the best big brother ever!"

Dick beams one of his trademark bright as sunshine smiles and then suddenly tackles Tim and a gigantic hug.

"I'd be honored to be your big brother Timmy! I promise to love you forever too!"

Tim shrieks with glee and cuddles closer to his big brother.

Finally Dick Grayson is his big brother!

"I promise I'll be the best little brother ever!" Tim vows.

Dick chuckles and tickles Tim's sides causing him to burst into fits of giggles.

"I have no doubt about that little Timmy! I promise I'll be the best Big brother ever too!"

Tim cuddles closer to Dick and giggles.

Dick is being silly!

He already *is* the best big brother ever!

After all he gives the best hugs!