Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tim wasn't supposed to be here-

Not in the self loathing sense “I dont belong with my own family whaa”
No he literally wasn't supposed to be here.

But of course one of his mission leads had reached a dead end and well- Jason had visited his apartment the other day for movie night.

Aka they take turns overriding each other's defense systems and then refuse to leave without being entertained and fed.

It was a weird bonding thing but hey better than trying to kill each other at the very least.

That night though, he vented to Jason about the case, hoping maybe a fresh set of eyes on the ground in Gotham would help get the motor running again.

Well it did- with Jason oh so helpfully reminding him that it sounded similar to a cold case B had dealt with a while ago.

A cold case Tim didn't have access too.
A case he could only GET access to on the Batcomputer.
A computer in the manor he had avoided like the plague for about six months now.

Except for dinner invites from Alfred of course.

Which is exactly why he's using the spare side door key he nicked from Dick last month. Hopefully aiding in his sneaking in the back so he doesn't have to deal with Bruce or god forbid Damian.

Thankfully Alfred was out of town for the week, not that he would ever deny his pseudo grandfather a cup of tea and some small talk. But he wasn't keen on spending the night in a place he was half convinced he would wake up to being smothered.

Tim punched in the code on the grandfather clock and shuffled his way down the stairs, flicking a few of the underbelly lights on so he didn't go teetering off the edge of the platform.

Cave was empty, Batman and Robin both on patrol, Nightwing was in Bludhaven, and Hood was… honestly he was better off not knowing. Plausible deniability and all that.

The rest of his siblings were off roster for their breaks or from finals season except for a major disaster or breakout, Alfred's rules. And no one went against Alfred, even Bruce.

As much as he avoided visiting the manor unless necessary, god did he miss the bat coffee maker. Tim held the bat themed cup in his hands enjoying the warmth as he booted up the computer and pulled up the necessary files.

Case #76306
“Project Pearl”
Status: UNSOLVED, DECLARED COLD BY GCPD

Tim spread out the files across the many screen’s and could feel his sanity fray just a tad when he saw the earliest related file being labeled 1/487

He took an exaggerated sip of his coffee as he opened up the first file, his personal laptop ready to take notes.

Oh yeah- this was going to be a long night.

_________

The squeal of tires snapped Tim out of his detective focus, having reached file 342 in just a few hours. But it seemed the patrol had ended early. Well shit he was not in the mood to deal with Bruce or Damian.

Was this a stupid choice?
Maybe.

Had he already shut off the computer, grabbed all his belongings and fled to hide on one of the trophy platforms hoping his uniform blends in enough they will leave without noticing him??
Also maybe yes.

Tim nestled between a booby trapped filing cabinet from the Riddler back in Dicks days and a giant (hopefully) dud joker bomb.

Well- he would pick the piranha drawer and count down bomb playing “pop goes the weasel” over his family drama anyday.

A door slamming shut made him jump just a smidge and peer down at the cave floor below. Damm must have been a rough night for Damian. But that loud the kid would have had to throw his whole body into it.

He watched the passenger door open and Damian shuffled out, closing it behind him and following after a very tense looking batman as he stormed over to the training mats. Huh not Damian then.

They were talking or well, Bruce was talking, but Damis back was to him so he couldn't see if he was responding. Either way despite how quiet the cave was he could barely hear them from so high up.

Batman threw his arm out angrily and Damians head dropped down and- oh oh my gosh was Damian in trouble!?

Tim quickly maneuvered away from his hiding space, crossing the cave shelves with practiced ease as he tried to get closer.

He could not possibly miss this. The demon brat finally fucked up enough to get a genuine angry batdad lecture?? Jason would be pissed he missed it.
Oh wait.. he could fix that.

Tim dropped down a layer or so and shifted enough he could see Damians face, but his head was still down. He quickly opened a small latch on his suit and flipped on the body cam.

Perfect bribery for Jason and future blackmail of course~
As any good brother would.

As he settled on the lower platform Batman's voice became audible.

“-completely unacceptable behavior I have no idea what led you to believing that was in any way permissible in the field”!

Damian was frozen, head stiff forward. But he wasn't tense as if awaiting to attack, he was guilty maybe? Ha guilty Damian- hell hath frozen over.

“Are you even listening- answer me”!?

Damian's head snapped up as Batman stepped forward and further into his space. “Yes.. i’m listening father”

The cowl hid a lot of expression from B, but Tim had been Robin long enough during one of the most torrential ages of Batman.

He'd gotten used to the way his shoulders would tense and how he would lean forward to brood or to intimidate. Of course he got better once Jason came back officially.

Batman here was pissed
What on earth had Damian done?

He began pacing, continuing to lecture Robin but in a way that continued to gloss over whatever the whole “incident” was.

Honestly it was starting to get on Tims nerves- he's had stake outs give more concise information in half the time.

Batman continued to pace, seeming to reach a pause in his ranting to lift a hand and pinch at the bridge of his nose.

“I-I apologize- I lost control, but it wasn't my fault”! Damian tried to protest, and oh boy that wasn't great.

Batman's head snapped up.
“You lost control”?

He could see the way Batmans grip tightened
“You lost control”?

It was a loaded question, such a familiar tone it made Tim tense up all the more. But it was fine, this wasnt Tim it was Damian- he could handle angry Bruce. He'd calm down in a half hour tops and storm off to brood.

Damian would probably wallow for a bit and then go running to Dick for comfort and they act like nothing happened in a week. It would be fine.

“I-” Damian began but shut himself up, since when did the brat hold back his retorts?

“You lost control huh? That implies you had control in the first place-”! His words came out in a snarl.

Tim was suddenly at the edge of the platform, he hadn't even recognized he'd moved but something curled in his chest and he started to look, no really look.

“I said I was sorry”!

“Sorry doesn't excuse the fact you attacked a civilian”!!
.
.
.
Oh oh fuck he had fucked up-

Damian shook his head, the whites of his mask widening considerably and his hands went up, palms out. “No- NO! It- I couldn't tell, the gas hit and- I thought all civilians were evacuated. I didn't know Crane would send one my way”!

Crane.. That's right- Scarecrow had broken out, it had been a whole event though no one had been called in to assist.

Fuck had Damian been forced to fight gassed up civilians, been there- it sucks fighting someone you’re trying to help. But all the Robins had been there, Bruce had never reacted like this before.

“You attacked him like a wild animal” Batman let go of Damians shoulder “Take off your mask”

Damian quickly obeyed, seeming to have already melted off the adhesive earlier though Tim could see how red it looked. Had he tried to tug it off too soon?

Batman didn't say anything else as he stepped away, walking back to the other side of the cave.

Tim watched carefully and Damian seemed to watch as well, hand rubbing his shoulder that B had grabbed. Shit how hard did he do it? Well he could sneak some painkillers into the brats room later.

Batman approached a cabinet within the cave, inputting a code all too familiar to Tim. It was the drug cabinet for lack of a better word, held all the testing kits, samples, and antidotes. As pissed as B was he probably wanted to check Damian wasn't exposed.

As much as they tried, rebreathers had a funny habit of breaking or getting leaks that went unnoticed until an attack even with regular repair and check ups. It was a pain in the ass but one Tim had yet to find a solution for.

Bruce picked up a vile of green and what looked like a gas mask- huh that was not the antidote, and the testing kit was blood based. Had they made a new formula? Damm poor Dami dealing with even more fucked up civis.

After he fixed the vile onto the gasmask and approached Damian, the boy took a small step back but froze as their father paused just a few feet away. He held up the mask.

“I understand your past made you more… savage, but that doesn't excuse that a lesson needs to be learned here”

“A lesson”? Damian's voice sounded faint, it sounded wrong.

What was he missing?? He needed to look closer.

Tim had not been given the name detective for no reason, he was the “smart robin” not that his siblings were idiots (though sometimes-) it was just his thing, he processed and noticed just a bit faster.

That's why it was so startling when he noticed one thing.
Damian was shaking.

Fuck of course, kid raised in the league was going to have a skewed idea of what a “lesson” entailed. Tim knew Ra, and he knew that even his own grandson wasn't spared the demon king's wrath.

This was different though,
Bruce wouldn't hurt him.
.
.
.
Right?

The pit in his chest only grew heavier as he watched, no this was- there was something else. Even against Batman, even at the threat of.. Damian wouldn't just sit there and take it. Something was wrong.

“Fear gas is an expected risk, if you act like a savage beast attacking everyone in sight the moment you are exposed then you do not belong as a Robin-” Batman growled.

It clicked- god he wished it didn't.

The civilian hadn't been exposed, Damian had.
He attacked out of pure fear hyped up on Cranes fucked up fear toxin.

Instead of getting him treatment B had decided screaming at the kid for the past half- fuck no its been an hour was the best option.

“I am not a savage” Damian spoke up, his voice seeming to gain some strength and wide green eyes flaring with thinly veiled rage “I am Damian Al Ghul Wayne- child of two revered lines, I am far from a savage”!

“No son of mine acts in such disgrace” and well fuck if Tim didnt feel his heart shatter as Damians knees gave out, the kid now kneeling on the cold concrete floor.

His little shoulders were shaking but his head stayed firmly raised “I- Father please, I- the antidote” fuck how long had he been fighting the gas??

Batman scoffed- he scoffed as if giving a kid exposed to dangerous nerotoxins the fucking antidote was outrageous.

Instead he held up the gas mask that was now leaking some green gas. Streams floating and landing on the ground. It was a heavy gas then, only so many kinds they had on hand.

“No. If you are going to behave like an animal in the field when faced with natural risks, you will be trained like an animal” He took a step closer, mask in hand.

“Conditioning consequences has proven effective in many case studies”
Bruce held the mask up, just a foot away from Damians face. The green gas now unmistakable and-No.

Tim couldn't move, he was frozen in place. Forced to watch in silent horror as his brain finally processed what the fuck was happening.

Damian looked weak, but he continued to fight- head moving away and trying to scramble past. But he was incapacitated, and against his dad.

But Batman seemed to have no patience for Damians struggle and shoved a Nomex glove into locks of spiked black hair. He pulled. Forcing Damians head forward and lifted the mask just a few inches from his face.

“Baba please no-” Damians voice sounded distraught, and even from the distance Tim could see wide green eyes filled with nothing but a child's fear.

Muscles finally cooperating,
Tim moved.

Boots hitting the ground, bo staff in hand and metal meeting Batman's wrist. He could hear the crack, but didnt stop and instead whipped it mid swing to smack the gas mask as well.

He watched as it flew across the cave floor, shattering on impact and the gas inside began to spread out, but it was away, a safe distance at least.

Batman stumbled back, clutching his now very much broken wrist and trying to reassess the danger. Tim saw the moment the cowl's eyes widened as he processed who his attacker was. But frankly, Tim had bigger priorities.

He turned away from Bruce and kneeled down in front of Damian, hand lifting up his baby brother's cheek to look at him, pupil assessment and all.

Damian blinked, seeming oh so lost but they flashed with familiarity that made Tim smile.

“D-drake”? Damian's voice was strained.

“In the flesh baby bat-”

“What are you doing here Red Robin”? Bruce's voice grated against his ears and he could feel Damians shaking return, though he hadn't shifted away from Tims careful grasp.

Tim took his time, lifting his head to Bruce and giving him a lopsided smile “Ah I may have been mooching off the bat-coffee maker, and well- I was going to give you both some privacy but I changed my mind”

“Really Bruce? Yelling at your son for being drugged and then trying to drug him more Jason would have your head, your lucky I aimed for the mask” Toxin aside, Tims voice was dripping enough venom to make up for it ten fold.

Batman didn't move, but he could feel the waves of radiating disapproval from the man. But for once? Tim didn't care. His chest was filled with a kind of rage he never knew before now.

“How long have you been exposed Dami”?

Damian blinked again, huh trouble processing- maybe the double dose or was it a concussion. Well his pupils were slightly dilated but the cave was dark as fuck even now.

“Dami”?

Still no response- okay now he's kinda freaking out. But he was a Vigilante, he knew how to prioritize, first things first was tackling the base issue, the fear gas.

Tim shifted away, ready to place Dami down and rush to get the antidote. But he was stopped by a little hand clutching at his shirt.

His brother's tear filled eyes looked at him, terrified. “Drake don't let him hurt me again please- ‘m sorry- I-I know i'm not good but please, i'll do better, it hurts-”

What.
The
Fuck

Tim was shaking now, but not from terror or in sorrow as his little brother continued to babble, pleads of safety from his own fat- Bruce.
He was shaking with complete fucking rage.

“-you misunderstand Tim, this is necessary”

Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.

“-He's being dramatic”

Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.

“-Damian must be taught a lesson”

Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.

“-He is not a sensitive child, he was raised by assassins, he’s dealt with worse”

Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.
Bats don't kill.

“-Everything I do is for the greater good”

Damian's babbling hadn't stopped, begging for mercy from Bruce and help from Tim. A string of “Baba” and “Ahki” fell from his swollen lips.

He'd seen kids in crisis before.
But this was different.
This was Damian.

His baby brother falling apart in his arms because of Bruce, and why?
For the greater good he says.
Tim was going to fucking kill him.

With more care than he'd ever shown, Tim carefully wrapped the edges of his cape around Damians shoulders, the boy's hands still white knuckled clutched onto them.

“Five minutes Dami, then I can make it better- can you last five minutes”?
He really couldn't do less than that, but he could damm well try.

Bright green tear filled eyes looked at him, still so scared and yet Tim could see the trust towards him of all people. “I- okay but no more- please”

“Of course baby bat”

Tim stood up, his back still facing Batman. His thumb graced the side of his bo staff, he flipped a small mechanism and he could feel the energy begin to pulse through.

“Red Robin, report” Bruce's voice chimed up again, still so filled with rage and oblivious to the danger before him.

Tim turned, now facing his former mentor, staff in hand and standing between him and his baby brother.

His hand reached up and clicked off his body cam.
Red Robin lunged.

Chapter Text

“Now we go until they kick us out-Or the police shut us down, po- po- shut us down” Jason sang along as his speaker blasted, whisk in hand.

Of course right as it got back to the chorus (aka the fucking good part, though all of it was amazing) the song froze and left Jason with an impromptu solo.

“The fuck”!? He set the whisk back inside the cake batter and walked over to where his phone was set up.

The screen showed an incoming call and a familiar profile photo of his middle little brother with a furious expression trying to slap the phone away making it blurry as fuck. Aka it was perfect.

INCOMING CALL-
TUMOR GAINED SENTIENCE
[ACCEPT]
[DECLINE]
[LEAVE MESSAGE]

Jason didnt hesitate to smack the hang up button, fuck if Timmy wanted to drag him onto a case on his day off. Besides, he was in the middle of something very important. Aka trying a new recipe from Alfred.

The music didn't start up again, instead the call icon stayed.
Weird- he must have not pressed it.

He hung up again, but before his finger could even pull away the brat was calling again.

“Oh for fucks sake-” Jason unplugged his phone from the speaker and held it up to his ear “What do you want im kinda busy here not that-”

“Jason I need your help” Tim cut him off, his voice sounded strained.

Okay baby bird was a lot of things but he was the most stubborn mother fucker hed ever met, even more than Bruce and Dick combined. Him asking for help was fucking bone chilling.

“Talk to me- what's up”? Jason asked, already walking over to turn off his oven and place his batter bowl in the fridge, whisk and all.

“I went to the cave to check out the pearl project files”

Case gone wrong then? No- he sounded upset not frustrated.

“Robin and Batman returned mid patrol, I didn't want to deal with them so I hid”

“You.. hid”?

“By the filing cabinet and Joker bomb 7.0 yes” Tim hummed as if that was a normal reaction.

Honestly better just stay quiet to get the full story and deal with the questions later.

“Damian was in trouble”

Oh if that wasn't just sweet sweet news, Jason's lip curled into a smirk “Damm daddy bats finally snapped over his feral kid”?

But instead of the matching joke reaction, Tims voice was ice cold as he snapped back “Dont call him feral hes more put together than half of this fucking family”

Tim was defending Damian from Jason. His smirk was gone.

“Tim what the fuck happened”?

His brother let out a shaky breath and Jason was already grabbing his shoes, fighting to pull them on as he then sought out his keys.

“Damian got dosed with fear toxin and accidentally attacked a civilian, mistaking them for a goon”

“Fuck.” Jason hissed “How are they”?

“I checked, small gash but nothing more- but Batman wasn't happy”

Oh yikes angry B lecture, those sucked. Of course Jason had gotten pretty immune post revival- years of teenage rage do that to ya.

But Baby bat had yet to outgrow his worship of their dad, in a way that even Timmers had. It would be rough. Eh nothing Dicky Bird couldn't swoop in and fix.

A sob caught his attention, it was so distinct Jason felt his entire world go on a tilt. Because that wasnt Tim.
That was fucking Damian

Tim was muttering soft reassurances, his voice so painfully strained it made Jason's heart race. Something was wrong wrong.

“Tim? I need you to talk to me- are you both in the cave”? Jason stumbled around his apartment, practically yanking out his drawer as he scoured for his fucking keys.

“...The nest- I- Jay I don't know what to do- I.. i've already given him two doses of the antidote but he just wont stop crying-” Tims voice was shaky.

Bad antidote reaction? What the fuck happened- why wasnt B there to help? Not good.

“Tim I know B’s probably pissed but he can help- where is he”?

That was the wrong thing to ask from the way Tims breath hitched up and Damian let out a panicked whimper. “He- hes in a containment cell in the cave”

Okay double not good.
“Tim what. Happened.”?

No answer.
Fuck he didnt want to resort to this but..
“Red report”

Tims voice came out like a panicked wheeze “I incapacitated Batman's attempts to attack Robin.”

Batman’s attack on Robin.
.
.
Batman attacked Robin.
.
.
.
Bruce attacked Damian.

Jason's hands were shaking as he finally managed to locate his keys. He barely took the time to lock his apartment as he sprinted to the carpark for his bike.

Bruce attacked Damian.
.
Okay no he needed to focus- he couldn't panic. B was in a cell until they could figure out what the fuck happened. Panicking wouldn't help Damian or Tim. But he couldn't deal with this alone.

“Hey hey I know look i'm on my way okay? I'll call in the cavalry just make sure you and demon brat stay breathing until I arrive okay”?

It was the bare minimum- but god Jason hadn’t prayed for years but he would drop to his knees if it meant ensuring they met it.

“..Please hurry-” Tims voice sounded so young and fuck he could still hear Damians soft cries, his mind screamed to do something but he was still so far.

“ETA Ten minutes, im coming Tim” Jason heard the hang up tone and shoved his phone into his jacket before ripping out of the garage with squealing tires.

Fuck fuck what happened? Okay focus- Bruce had fucked up bad to the point baby bat was a mess.

“Hood you are in open coms, do you need assistance Batman and Robin just finished patrol about two hours ago” Babs voice came through as soon as he had activated his com.

“Oracle I need all hands on deck immediately” Jason skidded around a corner, weaving through several cars as he sped down the streets of Gotham.

Within seconds several voices popped into the com.

“Not home, is there a breakout”? Cass asked, sounding nothing but concerned.

“I'm with Spoiler studying but we can make it to the cave in a half hour tops” Duke added on.

To Jason's relief another voice joined in, the one he really needed.

“Guys wait for Hood to talk- besides I don't have any news of a breakout, how urgent”? Dicks voice was open, even with an ‘all hands on deck’ order he stayed calm, at least his tone did.

Jason let out a shuddering breath “I just got off a distress call with Red Robin-”

“Little brother okay”? Cass' voice cut through the com chatter.

“No.”

The coms went silent enough for Jason to continue.

“Red Robin reports having incapacitated Batman during an attempted attack against Robin after he had minorly injured a civilian while exposed to fear toxin”

“..What”? Dicks heartbroken voice cut through and if that wasn't just the cherry on top.

Jason sped up, five minutes out, he could do this.
They would be okay.

Chapter Text

It was an open secret the Drakes were never around. All his siblings had stumbled upon the flight patterns or asked questions about trips and other things he just couldn't answer.

He'd talked with Jason about it once or twice, but everyone else recognized the touchy subject and moved on.

Even Damian, who seemed to never drop an opportunity to go for the gut, never went there.

He assumed Bruce at the very least had a hunch, but he never asked.
So Tim never answered.

He was about eight? Yeah eight- Tim was still having nightmares from watching the Graysons fall, he was in the front row afterall.
At least once a week without fail, he would wake up in a cold sweat, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Most nights, he was alone, and would just stare up at the fake stars plastered to his ceiling until he managed to cry himself to sleep once more.

That time he wasn't alone, the door cracked open and Janet Drake came to check on him. His mom walked in, dressed in a fancy night gown that felt all too casual for what he was used to. She didn't scold him for waking her or anything.

Instead Janet Drake waltzed over to the bed and took a seat, pulling her son into her arms and without a word she began to run her hands through his hair and rock him.

Tims quiet sobs slowly tapered off, but the room didn't stay quiet. His mom started humming, singing a song in French he didnt recognize but somehow knew the tune by heart.

She continued to sing, humming the tune when the words left. All the while her arms wrapped around him, rocking him gently and messing with his hair.
He was lulled to sleep soon after.
song linked above if you want to listen along

Tim didn't know what else he could do-
But the song had helped him, hadn't it?

Tim didn't have his mothers quiet whispered voice, his was too raspy, too deep- but it was better than nothing at this point.

Tim continued to hum the chorus, each verse like the push and pull of a tide in turn and honestly it was helping him calm as well.

Damian laid tightly against his chest as Tim rocked him back and forth.

He would play with his hair,

But had yet to wash the blood of his hands

A door creaked and Tim paused his singing, well he had reached the end either way- he'd just been looping the song over and over. He tried not to tense, he'd just gotten Damian to calm down.

Assess the threat before you act Robin.
Tim shut that voice down, however helpful, he'd rather not think of Bruce right now.
But it was sound advice as Tim reached for the batarang stash he had by his bedside, ready to defend whoever dared try and get close.

But there was no threat.
Tim recognized the half stomp yet still graceful step patterns he'd come to associate with his brother.
Jason was here.

Tim hesitated but slowly placed the batarangs back down, though not bothering to hide them this time before preemptively returning his attention to the doorway.

As he expected, Jason came stumbling down the hallway a moment later, half slamming open the bedroom door though he seemed to have enough afterthought to grab the frame right before it slammed into the wall.

“Damian”? He asked, stepping forward and looking them over. If his wide eyes the moment they came into view were anything to go by, Tim must look like he belongs in Arkham.

“Asleep- the antidote kicked in” Tim responded robotically, eyes still fixated on the top of Damians head. “Even with two doses it took about 1.25x longer than usual to start showing any improvement”

The bed dipped slightly as Jason took a seat and Tim finally looked up to meet Lazarus' green eyes “And the blood”?

Tims throat constricted but now isn't the time for emotion, he'd let all that out over an hour ago. Now he just felt numb. “Im.. uninjured”

Jason nodded, he looked far too understanding for how fucked this situation was “Tell you what- pass baby bat to me, and go take a shower”

Damian would be safe with Jason, but the very idea of letting him go made Tim want to scream. It was too soon, if he was gone he couldn't see him, he couldn't protect him.

“What's everyone's status”? He was deflecting, he wasn't even subtle about it.

But Jason seemed to take mercy and indulged.
“Big bird is on his way, the rest are collaborating with Oracle to get Scarecrow and figure out what the fuck they’ve been hit with”

“And the cave”? He couldn't just ask, but he needed to know.

It was no secret Bats held back.
That Tim was always holding back.

Each punch pulled,
Each weapon produced well within the geneva convention,
It was a balance.

Strong enough to deal with whatever enemies came his way, but not strong enough to do the unthinkable.

There is no holding back when your brother's safety is on the line against your own da- Bruce. Batman wouldn't hold back even against his own kids, Tim had to do the same.

Bats don’t kill
Bruce had been breathing when he left and the containment cell had monitors.
He ignored the voice in his head that said no one was there to respond.

“-with me”?

Tim blinked, processing a steady hand on his shoulder, he met Jason's worried gaze.
“You kinda went all pod person on me, are you sure you aren't bleeding out somewhere”?

He hesitated to respond, honestly he hadn't really checked.
That hesitation was enough for Jason to reach forward and carefully pry Tims hands off Damian.

But instead of taking him away, he shifted Damian across the bed and shoved a pillow in the boy's arms. Damian didn't stir more than wrapping around the pillow like a koala.

“Alright Timbit shirt off, or are we doing a clothes on pat down”?
This was familiar- they always checked each other after a rough patrol, but it was usually Cass or Alfred who checked him.

Tim didn't take his shirt off but Jason checked him over with no complaint. Instead choosing to complain about some “old vampant bitch” that tried coming at him with a bat last week. Tim knew, Roy had sent him the video. But it was a good distraction.

Jason took his time, making sure to be as careful as possible as Tim stayed silent, just listening in to whatever story he had, one after another until the job was done.

“Well- I can say for sure you aren't going to drop dead-”

“Ah what a shame,” Tim joked back, feeling a bit of comfort in the familiarity. But there was a small twitch from Jason, his eyes darting to Damian.

“Can't have you stealing one of my best defining traits baby bird” Jason seemed to snap back into his teasing, pulling Tim away from staring at his brother.

“You mean your only defining trait”

“Okay sassy timmy time then” Jason huffed, but did not sound offended “Why am I your victim”?

“Dick isnt here yet” and Damian was off limits for now.

“Well then I better call him and tell him to hurry his fat ass up” Jason griped, reaching over to the side table and grabbing his phone. Huh- Tim hadn't even realized it had been there.

All at once he was hit with the strong longing, he wanted Dick here. He wanted nothing more than to be smothered in one of his eldest brothers' octopus hugs until it hurt to breathe.

Dick had hugged him before after he fell in the harbor once, surely he couldn't refuse now right?

“Landing incoming-” Jason smirked, not bothering to elaborate.

But the answer came anyway when the door banged open again. Tim didn't even flinch as he heard Dick call out, the sound of scurrying steps racing up and down the hall before eventually drawing into the bedroom.

This time he carefully pulled the door open, but did not hesitate to step into the room giving Tim the perfect view of just how wild he looked.

His hair looked like a mess and he was still wearing his navy blue star pj set that he would have laughed at were he in a better mood.

Dick’s eyes went over to Damian and Tim expected him to rush over. Instead within a blink he was crouched down right alongside Jason and looking at Tim.

“Talk to me baby bird- are you okay”?

“ ‘m fine-” Tim didn't need them to worry, he was.

“Kids dissociated once or twice, no gushing wounds but pretty positive he has some bruised ribs and a few lacerations on his neck and back” Jason responded, half leaning on Dicks shoulder seeming equally content with his presence.

Dick leaned into the contact but paused, his face scrunching up slightly as if hed sucked on a lemon. “And the blood”?

Fuck Jason hadnt answered him before-
“Did someone check the cave- he was breathing when I left but-”

Dick hushed him, he would have taken it as condescending before his brain caught up to the fact it was Dick, he meant it as soothing, Tim was the one overreacting.

“Hes fine- Oracle has eyes and Alfred has been contacted”

Double fuck- Alfred gets one week off and it gets ruined.

“Hey I can see you going in your head Timbit- but listen, we need to know what happened, the cave footage was shut down until Oracle brought it back up”
.
.
.
The footage was shut down.
Bruce had shut it down.

He premeditated it then- he knew what he was going to do, how long had he planned it?
Damian had said again- why had he said that? was this normal?
Was his baby brother hurt and Tim’s petty avoidance prevented him from seeing it?

Oh god did Alfred know?
But he wouldn't allow it right?

Sure there was Tim's birthday but that was different, he had always been different. But this was Damian it wasn't even a test it was just abu-

No no there was an explanation- Beta team was looking into scarecrow. There had to be a reason.

More than the fact he just didn't plan on Tim being there god that motherfuck-

“TIM”! Dicks voice cut through as he shook his shoulders, turning to an equally panicked looking Jason “Are you sure he isn't concussed”!?

“Be quiet Damians sleeping,” Tim responded before Jason could.

He didn't wait for them to ask any more questions as he reached a bloodied hand up to his suit and pressed into his chest. With a small click a small box came undone and he handed it over to Dick.

Dick blinked down at it and then up at Tim “..Is this”?

“My bodycam… I turned it on before..” Tims throat felt like it was closing up again and he just pointed over at his desk set up. “It'll be easier than explaining-”

Dick didn't hesitate to walk over and begin setting up the connection to one of his main monitors, what was surprising was that Jason had not moved a muscle.

Tim looked up, an obvious question but Jason just shrugged “Just because big bird is here doesn't mean you still don't need a shower baby bird”

Right a shower-
But he could feel his hair stuck together like gel, it would take effort to get it clean and that was effort he didn't have right now.

“Later” Tim said, he met Jason's eyes and already saw his protest “Just- look I really don't think I can deal with that right now”

Dick looked up from the computer long enough to whistle and get his little brothers attention “Jaybird there's some wet wipes in the bathroom cabinet, I keep them for refresh mid mission-”

Tim blinked “I never bought wet wipes”?

“Nope”! Dick popped “You think Jay is the only one who stops by to check in”?

…
More family members breaking into his apartment, dually noted.

Jason had at some point left since suddenly he was holding out a packet of wet wipes in front of Tim.
Right- this would.. help?

He took one out, it smelled like cucumber.
Running it over his hands it turned pink in seconds and he quickly grabbed another, and another.

Tims cheek felt wet, he blinked and Jason was rubbing at his face with a look of concentration and yet so gently. More gently than he deserved.

His gaze fell onto his lap and the small pile of now ruined wipes. Wasn't that iconic, ruined huh- had been ruined hadn't he?
Robin wasn't supposed to act out of Rage.
He was Red Robin now but he was no exception.

“I… I crossed a line” He admitted, hands now half scrubbed clean were beginning to tremble.

“Doesn't matter”

Tims head snapped up at not Jason but Dick who was now seated next to him, the computer, the answers, left forgotten behind him. His focus entirely on Tim.

“It doesn't matter Tim”

“How the fuck doesnt that matter”!? Tim gasped out before quickly lowering his voice “I basically mauled Bruce- how is that not a big deal”??

“You didn't maul him” Jason added but Tim just sent him a glare. Green eyes widened and he let out a whistle “Damm… good for you then”

Tim groaned, shoving the palms of his hands into his eyes and begging some force from god or nature to strike him down so he didn't have to deal with this bullshit.

“Hey Timmy look at me-” Dicks hands wrapped around his wrists and Tim allowed his hands to be pulled away and met his big brother's easy smile.

“You protected Damian, do you regret that”?

“Of course not.”

“Then it doesn't matter”

The way Dick said it as if it was obvious, expected even.
Tim didn't regret it, so it didn't matter.
He made it sound simple.
Was it really that simple?

Tim stood up, slowly removing Dicks hands from his own and looking between them both. His brothers. They were older than him, sure but honestly he would have done exactly what he's done for Damian for them.

Jason leaned in a bit closer, bumping their shoulders, a silent presence as Dick rocked back on his heels. One moving closer, the other giving space. His eyes drifted to the computer still booting up his bodycam.

They still needed to watch, and he really didn't want to be there when they did.

“... I'm going to shower, watch Damian”? Tims lingering anxiety had faded enough, and now he just wanted to get this uniform off. Oh fuck had he run to his apartment as Red Robin??

“I see your crisis Timbit, Oracle is handling it- now go shower, you smell like iron and broken dreams”

That got a small snort from Tim as he managed to peel himself off the sheets and shuffle to his bedroom door “Promise you'll still be here”? It felt childish to ask, his parents would have scolded him- hell Bruce would have been annoyed.

But he needed that reassurance.

There was no glare or even a small eye roll, they both just smiled at him, Jason throwing him a towel he had apparently grabbed with the wet wipes. Seriously, why did they know his apartment so well?

“Of course babybird-”

“Well be waiting”

Tim nodded, running his hands across the soft texture of the towel and carefully shutting the door behind him. It really was that simple then.

Chapter Text

Dick sat on the edge of the bed, his hand carefully brushing out some knots in Damian's hair. He had Bruce jet black color, but Talias waves that still tended to spike up on instinct.

But still, they were so soft.
It seemed he’d actually been following the wavy hair routine Dick had designed for him.

Because no hate to Alfred, but the British influence had some limitations.
The rest of his siblings were far too stubborn to deviate from their “go-tos” (including Stephs VO5 duo that made him shutter) or just had amazing hair genes that could probably look salon worthy if they used nothing more than body wash.

But Damian understood, their hair was different, and needed that extra care.

Dick remembers fighting tooth and nail with Bruce when he first arrived and he tried to toss out some of his homemade recipes from his aunt all the way in Northern India.

The shampoo in particular was made traditionally with Sapindus and dried gooseberry. Packaged in an amber glass jar, mailed to his dad from wherever the circus had set up that time of year.

It was a whole ritual of his mother dunking his head in a basin of water and helping work out all the tangles. They would chat away or she would hum until he fell asleep and woke up in his bed smelling like tart fruit for the rest of the day.

Bruce had not understood, and it took Dick crying to Alfred and dropping the “wanting to connect to the culture of my DEAD PARENTS” before he caved. Of course he stopped getting shipments years ago, and he never learned how to make it from scratch.

He still had quite a few jars even now that were stashed away, his “just in case” early on if Bruce ever changed his mind. But they stayed stashed away for a long time.

Dick was taught hair was meant to be viewed as sacred, something that represented pride in a way that didn't quite.. translate to western culture. But Damian wasn't raised in the west, and for once, he had someone who understood.

So of course he was overjoyed to help the boy truly embrace caring for something worth so much pride. It was bonding for them, lessons he knew from his family and had the opportunity to pass to his baby brother.

Add onto when Bruce was gone, Damian took it.. rough. Dick had not handled a lot well during that, he still apologies to Tim at least once a week for not properly explaining the mantle swap.

But they’d had a rough patrol, and Killer Croc had fucked with the shower systems in bristol. Dick pulled out some of his stash and had of course gone back to the old water basin to clean his hair.

Damian had broken his wrist, but Dick could tell not being able to shower was bothering him immensely. So he offered to show him the way his mom had done for him.

He wasn't expecting Damian to agree.

It was almost cathartic, taking the time and gentle care that he'd missed so dearly and now being able to show that to his little brother. Damian had even felt relaxed enough he'd fallen asleep.

Dicks heart clenched even as he dried Damian's hair and carried him back to bed.

They never talked about it, but every once in a while Damian would make a comment or two complaining about his hair and Dick would smile and offer to help.
He never pointed out how the kids eyes would light up as he declared it “acceptable” but would still melt into the touch.

It was a sacred ritual between brothers.
One part of his culture that he was able to share and bring them closer.
Hell it was half the reason they managed to grow so close even while mourning Bruce.

That's why it took all his strength not to start sobbing when he noticed the small patches where it looked like hair had been yanked clean off.

It wasn't obvious unless you were touching his hair like Dick was,
But that wasn't what mattered, was it?

The door creaked open and Jason reappeared, hands now empty as he carefully shut it behind him. “I gave Tim some clothes to change into, waters running so we have about twenty minutes before we should probably check he hasn't slipped”

Dick knew he was joking, but that didn't stop the small spark of anxiety rushing up his spine. One injured brother was one too many, and he still didnt know just how fucked up Tim was.

Jason didn't come back to the bed, he moved to sit in Tims work chair, one that he knew was oversized for him and yet barely fit Jason's shoulders.

“Baby bird didn't say it- but we need to watch before he comes back”

Dick knew that, but he also knew that watching it, seeing the evidence first hand would make it real.
But he already had enough evidence, didn't he?

He met Jason's gaze, he could see how his brother's hands rapped against the edge of the wooden desk. He was upset- would never admit it though. But he was the one who got the call and as he said “Timmy scared the shit out of me”

Dick needed to keep it together.
For them.

A small smile spread across his face as he made extra effort not to jostle Damian as he stood and approached the computer, the first frame showing the inside of Tims glove on display.

“Ready when you are”?

Dick nodded and Jason reached forward and with a small tap of the space bar, the video began.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

“Stop stop please- ” Dick begged, his voice already raw as he wished he could tear his eyes away from the screen. Not that he could see much with the tears barely restrained from spilling over.

Jason smacked down a shaky hand on the pause button, and for just a moment the screams stopped. He could still hear them.

Dick put his head in his hands, taking a deep breath for a moment. Fill your full chest, and release. He looked up at Jason who was still staring at the screen.

Jason was tense, wound up like an animal backed into a corner and ready to snap, but at the same time every muscle lined with barely contained rage.

Well-
Dick couldn't say he wasn't proud of Tim for not killing Bruce.
Because he was much stronger than either of them.

The screen was still, all that was in view was Damian crouched on the floor, big fat tears rolling down his cheeks and clutching onto the ends of Tims cloak as if it would be ripped away from him.

“I- I know we keep pausing but I just need a sec”

“Dick? shut the fuck up.” Jason snapped, but it wasn't in heat- it sounded almost distraught.

“Better we pause it and wait than I punch a hole in Tims couple hundred dollar monitor”

“Pretty sure its a few thousand actually”

“God-” Jason lifted his head up to the ceiling “Of course hes got all the fucking bougie shit with his tech, kids fancy as fuck”

He really wasn't though. Dick could thank the Drakes for that, Tim looked panicked just about any time he offered to pay for more than a meal out. Sure he wasn't exactly stingy with his own money- but nonetheless he rarely splurged on most things.

Dicks lack of response hung heavy in the already tense atmosphere.
Honestly he was immensely grateful Tim seemed to be taking his time in the bath and Damian slept like a brick.

“This… Fuck Dick what are we even meant to do here”? Jason gestured to the screen, seeming to physically recoil at the sight of the monitor.

“I don't know,” Dick admitted, but that wasn't good enough. “But first we need to finish-”

He reached forward and with a strong hesitation he clicked play on the video again.

Thirty seconds left.
.
Thirty seconds of heartbreaking wails from a boy who Dick had watched snap his wrist and barely shed a tear.
.
.
.
Twenty seconds of Tims shaky hands and voice, desperately careening between that of a scared kid and that of Red Robin on a mission.
.
.
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Ten seconds of Bruce scathing glare, furious voice calling for a report as if he was still in control, even now.
.
.
.
Five seconds of Tims hand covering the camera and then- nothing.

Dick took in a breath, fill the chest, then release.
“I'm going to call Babs and get an update on Beta team”

He stood up, his legs felt shaky and it was honestly only pure instinct that he managed to stay upright at all.

Jason still sat glued to the chair, eyes locked onto the now blacked out screen. It was silent, and yet so so loud. Of course nothing needed to be said to know Jay was overwhelmed and needed something or else he really might punch a hole in the screen.

Dick shifted, waiting until green eyes locked onto him and he held his arms out. Not demanding just.. offering. Though he also kind of wanted to hug his baby brother.

Jason was finicky about touch, no surprises unless he knew you were there and even then he didn't like feeling trapped in it. He would accept as long as he trusted you would let go when asked.

That and because he was a “Glorified Tsundere” according to Steph, he had to make a big deal before giving in.

This time though?
There was no song and dance.
Tims chair practically flew back as Jason rocketed forward, slamming into Dick as arms wrapped tightly around his chest.

Had it not been for years of training, Dick probably would have toppled over and brought them both down. But as is he just stumbled back a bit before returning the hug ten fold.

They just… stayed there for a bit.
Jason didn't comment on Dicks trembling
And Dick didn't comment on the fact his shirt was now wet with tears.

By the time they both managed to calm down enough to speak, they pulled away. Hands still clenched on each other's shirts but now no longer bracing one another.

“Go ahead and call- Timmys is going to want an update..”

Right- Tim was a smart kid, but he shut down easily. He was still exhibiting pretty extreme signs of shock by the time Dick had arrived. But he was also someone who took comfort in control over a situation. Bruce and him were alike in that way.

God he hated calling this whole thing a situation, like it was another fucking case.
But it was, wasn't it?
They'd seen this exact MO a thousand times.

Never did he imagine his family would fit it…

A sharp pinch of pain on his arm made Dick flinch back, he blinked and saw Jason glaring down at him. Mataripurusa-when had he gotten so tall?

Jason had at some point grabbed his phone, now shoving it into his chest.

“Make the call Dickface- well have plenty of time for a well deserved mental breakdown or two after we make sure everything isn't going to shit”

It already was.

“Okay-” Dicks fingers wrapped around the case and he pulled the screen into view.

His lock screen stared back at him.
A picture from the zoo back when Duke had not been at the manor for more than a year.

It was in front of the overpriced face paint station where Steph had practically begged him to pay for her. Which of course meant everyone got some.

Jason was painted as a wolf, one hand pulled away from pushing Babs' chair to flip off the camera. Babs being the only respectable one was smiling politely, Zebra stripes on her face and the zoo map in hand.

Cass was painted as a tiger and perched on top of a bench in the background, holding out a half eaten corn dog to a squirrel. Tim had picked a penguin (specifically a rockhopper, apparently that was important) holding up his camera to capture the random squirrel.

Steph and Duke were arm in arm showing off their facepaint to the camera, having chosen a leopard and a peacock respectively. They were also pulling Damian in the photo who looked none too pleased at being dragged around.

But it was hard to look intimidating with lion face paint, well his snarl fit.

Dick was half in frame, a blue butterfly acting like a Domino stretching all the way across his cheeks.

By the end of the trip
Tim had almost lost his camera to a monkey, Steph almost got her sweater eaten by a goat at the petting zoo, and Damian tried to break into the staff only section to “examine the care conditions not shown to the public”

It was a fun day.
.
.
.
.
Dick really didn't know what to do,
But he had his family, and they were safe, that was all that really mattered for now.

He hit the call button.

Chapter Text

Barbara Gordon was born and raised in one of the most crime ridden cities in the world. Her father was the police commissioner of said city, and she had served many years on the streets themselves as Batgirl.

In a career like that, you had to be able to strong arm your way through experiences that would leave many others broken and recovering for years to follow.

If you can't? You end up dead, or failing to save someone else from the same fate.

Barbara knew grief, she knew loss and she still fought everyday and made it out the other side stronger than ever before.

She had gone numb to even the most gruesome horrors Gotham had to offer.
.
.
So why wouldn’t her hands stop shaking?

Oracle was surrounded, a wall of screens and old brick walls. She was off the streets, safe even. Hell the clocktower was probably the safest place in Gotham.

But it didn't feel like protection, as much as it felt like restriction.

A buzz came from the main monitor just in front of her, the screen lighting up with a map and several glowing red dots all grouped together like a triangle.

The buzz grew louder, crackled and then a voice filtered through, bringing life to the otherwise barren room.

"- is Signal checking in, we've arrived at Arkham and can confirm Scarecrow is in custody and secure"

A small pause and now a more hesitant call back,
"Oracle, do you read me, are you okay"?

No no she was far from it- but she didn't have time for that right now, she had a mission and one she intended on seeing through. Oracle steadied her hand and clicked down on her comm button.

"Yes I'm here, sorry-” She cleared her throat “Any info from the guards about the retrieval"?

"I assessed containment, Spoiler and Black Bat handled the guards" Signal spoke, sounding far too clinical for the normally bubbly kid.

Then again, none of them sounded like themselves right now.

Speak of the devil, Steph’s voice filtered through.
"Nothing. If anything I'd say their testimony is straight out of Bat protocol, just a normal drop off and booking"

"Black bat"?

Silence for a few moments, then Cass' voice, it was hard to tell if the pause was her finding her words or if she was just as rattled as the rest of them.

"No lies- though confused why we are here, anxious"

That.. checked out.
They only ever came just outside Arkham to drop off villains, it was usually only Batman himself who would actually go inside.

Of course unless something bigger was going on, that would put any guard on edge.

"Just tell them concerns about an ongoing plot- we need to talk to Scarecrow"

"On it-" Spoiler responded, a small click signaling his comm cut off.

Oracle sat back just slightly in her chair checking her phone for an update but.. nothing. No texts, no missed calls, just nothing… no news.

Add onto the fact they were at Tims, one of the few people who purposefully picked a place with minimal security cameras anywhere near the residence.

It would be a breach of privacy to hack into Tims personal cameras but then again what was privacy in comparison to safety- but he was safe, Jason and Dick were with them.
.
.
.
Right?

But she didn't have eyes.

How could she confirm?

How could she know for sure that it wasn't a trap?

That the cave footage wasn't on loop,

That Bruce hadn't-

“Oracle its Spoiler do you copy”?

Barbara flinched, her hands pulling away from her side monitor, the clear picture of a hulking black figure hunched over in the corner of the containment cell.

Vital signs were stable- and active.
It was real.

Batman was contained, he was safe.
They were safe.

A shaking hand tapped on her com “What is your status Spoiler”?

“We reached Scarecrows cell, but he doesn't exactly seem open to a conversation”

Oracle rolled her chair forward, fingers dancing across the keys as she booted up several other monitors.

One to her left displayed the front guard desk, left wing side. Signal was still talking to several of the guards. Their IDs and profiles popped up on the screen next to it, all clean.

The right one showed the holding cells, rows and rows spiraling up and around the cement labyrinth that made up Arkham.

In the sea of muted blues and greys, it wasn't hard to spot the flash of bright purple and rich black just outside one of the cells.

Even from the obscured view it was easy to spot the man, stripped of all his normal garb and inside an Arkham official orange and white striped uniform.

The only thing he was allowed to keep was his burlap mask, a thin layer between the world and the patchwork skin that made up Doctor Crane's face.

Oracle tapped into the in cell camera, switching the angle as Scarecrow came into full view. He was seated up against the bed of his cell, fidgeting with a rubix cube in his hands.

Cass and Steph were leaned up against the bars, starring the man down. She wasn't an expert on body language, but these were practically her sisters and she could see every movement seemed unusually stiff.

Add onto that Scarecrow looking almost- relaxed. Even with his mask, he looked smug. Not good.

Oracle turned on the audio.

"- know how this goes, now tell us everything about the incident earlier today"

Scarecrows mouth twitched into a smirk "I think you mean yesterday, last I checked midnight had passed since I've entered these walls"

His words were accentuated by the steady stream of small clicks as he twisted each row of the scrambled cube.

God Oracle wished she could slap him through the screen, but she continued to listen in.

“Enough.” Black bat snapped, getting a satisfying flinch from Scarecrow, pausing in his insistent fidgeting. “We have vials, confiscated- tell us which”

Scarecrow regained his composure just as quickly as he lost it, tilting his head like a dog, though it was far from cute.

"If you have my projects, when why on earth do you need me for-" Scarecrow hissed, clicking as he turned another row of his cube "You know how to reverse an antidote"

A click "I imagine you'd have no trouble with the brat"

"Then again-" Click.

"It doesn't sound like he's the issue, now is he"?
Click, click, click.

Their silence was enough for him as the man threw his head back and started cackling, a wheeze-like laugh the only thing that differentiated itself from the Jokers. It was horrifying.

She would expect nothing less from a man who lost his ability to fear anyone but the Gotham Knight.

“What did you hit Batman with”? Spoiler asked, her arms crossed and clearly unphased by his burst of laughter that would send most Gothamites running.

Scarecrow froze in place, face twitching as his head slowly turned to face the girls for the first time. “A gas~”

“More specific.” Black Bat ordered.

“One unlike any of my other creations before its time” Click click click

Babs was a patient woman, but she didn't put up with bullshit especially from Rouges. She looked over to her other screen and tapped in the comms “Signal need you at the cell block”

It was visible how Duke's body language shifted in mere moments and his hand lifted to his helmet. It wasn't necessary, but it helped convey to the guards what was going on.

“On my way” He replied and then turned to the guards, flashing a grin “Gotta go check on the girls, talk later”!

He sped off, quickly hopping over one of the barricades and catching eyes with the security camera he knew Oracle was looking through.

“What's the situation”?

“Scarecrow refusing to cooperate, he confirmed Batman was dosed with something and his specific words were ‘unlike any of his other creations’”

“Shit- is anyone there to check on him”?

Oracle glanced at her phone, still nothing from Dick but a confirmation for British Airlines “Agent A’s ticket is booked, but he won't be here until at least tomorrow night”

“I contacted Batwoman though and she is due to the manor in five just as a general checkup and to prepare to synthesize any necessary antidote”

Duke hummed, turning down the main hall just before the “high security” cell block- and even waving at a few of the low security patients.

“So- what's the plan” Signal sighed “Am I meant to be the interrogation light”?

“Yes.”

“Wait seriously”?

“Robin is hurt and Batman is down, our priority is the truth” Oracle watched as Signal joined the duo right outside Scarecrow's cell. Standing side by side in front of the only other person who could fill in the gaps of the night.

For a moment, she thought Signal would refuse. That Duke would insist there was a different way, that they were above this or something. But instead he rolled his shoulders back and marched to stand alongside his fellow vigilantes.

Signal nodded, looking at Spoiler and Black Bat who seemed to get the message without any words needing to be exchanged.

For a man that couldn't feel fear, Scarecrow began to look anxiously between the trio. Good, he would learn that Batman isn't the only one worthy of his fear.

“What are our parameters”?
What are our limits?

That's just it wasnt it?
She was in charge, there was no veto or second opinion beyond what they would or wouldn't do.

“Get that information”
Babs had the final say on just how far they could go, the choice and the consequences rested on her shoulders.

But what were the consequences when faced with what you would do for your family?
“By any means necessary”

“What code”? Spoiler asked, her hands already curled into fists against the edges of the cell bars.

Barbara Gordon was mentored under the bat, she understood that the bat could not kill if he himself would not be consumed by the darkness that was Gotham.

But she had not worn the cowl in years now.

“Code Vermillion”
Full lock down, anything short of death not only permissible but encouraged if necessary.

Oracle pressed down the lockdown code, metal doors falling down and cutting off view from any other cell in the facility. She flipped off the Arkham security access, bat view only.

“Ready” Black Bat said, her voice just above a whisper and yet cut through the suffocating tension.

Click.
The cell door swung open.

Chapter Text

“Hello? Dick okay we need t-'' Babs' voice called out from the cell but was cut off when Dick quickly held the phone up to his ear, but didn't say a word.

The room became dead silent once more as Jason couldn't hear any chatter over the other line.

A small creak killed the silence. His head snapped to attention. Even after sobbing his eyes out, Jason still felt tension coiling around every bone in his body.

God he would love to rock someone's shit right about now.

Priorities though, his eyes darted over to Damian but the kid still looked fast asleep, curled up in a small mountain of blankets.

He’d look peaceful if it wasnt for the barely dried tear tracks still visible on baby fat plump cheeks.

In the doorway though was a figure, but one that was far from intimidating. It was Tim. Little Timmy who now looked like a pissed off half-drowned cat.

“You look like you’re feeling better,” Jason smiled, a small weight in his chest uncoiling at the sight of his baby bird.

After the video… He didn't plan on Tim or Damian leaving his sight anytime soon.

Tim looked up to meet his gaze, the only sound he made was soft shuffling as he approached from the doorway.

“Looking and feeling are two very different and independent experiences,” He muttered robotically.

“So… need some painkillers?"

“...Yes please.”

Well shit- Tim admitting he could use some pain meds, hell hath frozen over. Also might need to look him over again.

Jason wasn't about to wait for him to change his mind though. He quickly closed the distance and pulled Tim by his shoulders, as gently as he could, guided him over to the bed.

Tim didn't fight him and let himself be moved as he took a seat with very little grace.

Jason hesitated to pull his hands away at first, taking a moment to truly remind himself that Tim was there, that he was safe. But he needed to get those meds.

“I'm gonna grab you the good shit okay?"

Tim blinked, seeming to take a moment to process his words before humming. Almost in a daze his normally piercing blue eyes looked almost dull. It was unnerving.

“You know where it is” he muttered and then slowly laid back, curling up next to Damian.

Well- at the very least it seemed the shower had helped him chill the fuck out, but also kicked in the consequences of taking down daddy bats solo in about five minutes.

That level of exertion might even have them forcing the kid on bed rest at least for the day.

“Yeah I do. Be right back baby bird,” Jason tapped his knee and hurled a blanket over the kid before making his way out of the room.

Dick stood in the hallway, face obscured, his voice a hush. He would look crazy if he couldn't spot the outline of the phone cradled in his palms. He paused as soon as Jason entered his line of sight and gave a strained smile.

Not great news then- but nothing he couldn't be told afterwards. Jason stilled fidgeting hands as a few familiar movements spilled off his hands.

Sure it was polite he was on the phone- but it was pretty convenient since Jason doubted he could speak the words.

Dick shook his head, refusing his own offer of any meds or a glass of water, unsurprising, but he seemed to relax just a bit by the offer.

Tim's kitchen was always dark . He remembered the first time he broke into the kids house and thought it resembled a showroom.

The Drakes were assholes, plain and simple. Timmy had gotten used to treating his house more like a museum than a home. Hell half the knick knacks in the apartment were random things Jason would leave on the counter and refuse to take back.

And every new visit he'd look around and spot whatever “gift” he'd left now displayed somewhere else. It made some warmth in his chest seeing the entire shelf of figurine chipmunks.

It was the closest to atonement he could get. Hell If Dick felt guilty everytime Tim vaguely mentioned his whole rescue from time mission, Jason almost cried every time he spotted the scar on his neck.

Even more so when Tim would meet his gaze, give a sly smirk, and call them "scar twins". It made him laugh, even as the heat in his chest no longer felt as comforting.

Jason had made it his personal mission to help the kid decorate, he was the sole reason the kitchen now looked like a bomb had gone off.

But- better messy than clinical level clean he'd come to terms with, though that didn't stop him from picking up a little whenever he stopped by.

The kitchen was always dark. And yet Jason could traverse the mine field with his eyes closed.

Acutely aware of "Slashy the Roomba's" charging port, the soft rhythmic green flashes in the corner of the room.

Reaching up to a medicine cabinet far more stocked than any should ever be outside a hospital room. He quickly picked out a few bottles, depending on what Tim would accept. Because offer him Ibuprofen when he needs morphine? He wouldn't ask for more.

The rhythmic shake of the pills as he shuffled back down the hallway.

But he paused as he turned the corner. Dick was still in the hall, but he was seated now.

His back pressed against the wall as he half hunched over the phone that lay discarded just a half foot away.

His expression- only could be described as haunted.

“What?” Jason demanded, blinking as he realized he was crouched by his side. He- that wasnt important.

Dick visibly swallowed, his hair shifting as he lifted his head up. Not looking at Jason though, but at that damm phone.

Jason reached forward, one pill bottle in his hand making a small rattle as he shoved Dicks knee- just enough to force his gaze towards him.

Ocean blue eyes looked only a shade or two less dull than Tims.

It was a look he’d seen before- a few times. Back when he was Robin and only right before Dick would vanish for at least a few weeks at a time.

Those times were normal. At least- they were. But seeing that look again now Jason wondered how much of “normal” when it came to Bruce was far fucking from it.

How many nights of screaming matches he’d brushed away?

How long had the “ifs” and “buts” of Bruce’s love dug into his bones?

How had it gotten this far?

Jason hissed, putting the bottle down and grabbing Dicks shoulder “Tell me before I call Babs and demand answers myself!”

Was it wise to yell at his brother who looked like he was dissociating? Probably not.

But Jason never claimed to be wise and he was already overwhelmed with two brothers in extreme distress.

He needed his big brother right now.

Dick blinked, a bit of light returning as he licked at chapped lips. “I'm here.” His voice came out, croaky but powerfully reassuring.

Shit had he said that aloud? Well- it worked so maybe it didnt fucking matter. But he still needed answers.

“Okay…good,” Jason huffed, “Then tell me what the fuck ha-”

“Bruce is fine.” Dick cut him off, saying the words in one breath.

That- didn't sound like relief. Hell it sounded like it was the end of the world.

And well sure Jason was pissed and having too many damm epiphanies- but even he didn't want his da- him dead.

So then what was he missing?
Jason blinked, Dick blinked back.

“O-okay? And isn't that a good thing? Babybird seems to be taking his whole mauling thing pretty seriously.”

“I think he’d actually lose it if he managed to kill him” Jason admitted, trying to find some balance when it felt like his mind was spinning.

“No Jason you're not listening” Dick pleaded, his back straightening as he turned to face Jason fully. His brows furrowed despite being obscured by the sweat stuck curls that marked his forehead.

“Then explain it to me better, Dickhead. I mean shit man how do you expect me-”

“Jason!” Dick snapped, but froze as he turned towards the closed door beside him.

A beat passed, and there was a faint shuffle followed by the creek of the mattress. Probably Tim curling up with Damian.

Dick’s shoulders dropped, and his frustrated brow fell back into his previous distraught. He reached forward, both hands felt warm as they held both sides of his face.

Jason always ran cold after… yeah. But even though he knew Dick ran warm, his touch felt like bordering scalding. But he didn't dare move away as vivid green eyes met crashing ocean tides.

“Bruce is fine.” Dick said- just repeating the same shit again.

It was almost enough to send Jason over the edge in his own frustration, but he paused.

Bruce was fine.
Not fine-
But fine

Jason felt that gnawing pit in his chest return ten fold as his hands shot up to cover Dicks.

“Hes…” Dick nodded.

Oh…oh fuck-

Jason jerked up, startling Dick into a flinch. Apology only held back because he was already holding back so much at once.

“I- Tim- he asked for meds we should… we” Jason breathed, gesturing to the door with fever.

He couldn't think about it anymore. And Tim needed them- Damian needed them. They were the adults here, and they needed to- deal.

Dick reached out, one hand at a time. Rattling sounding as he picked up each pill bottle with a clumsy precision.

One by one, they were handed to Jason until Dick stood by his side.

“We can worry about…” Jason cut himself off, whatever half assed self assurance speech just felt tone deaf.

Dick hummed, a familiar note as he rested his hand on Jason's shoulder “Bird bros...” He muttered, just above a whisper. The reassurance, of 'we have eachother' going unsaid. A stupid nick name he'd thought died with him the first time around- but hey, it didn't lessen the sudden warmth in his chest.

Jason let out a wet laugh, the first genuine joy he’d felt all night really. “Yeah yeah… now lets go take care of our chicks shall we?”

Dick smirked, the amusement breaking through the otherwise dead look in his eyes.

Crisis could wait- they needed to keep it together, just a little longer.
___________________________________________________________
.
.
.
BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,

Duke's heart was thrumming against the confines of his armored suit, he could hear it screaming in his ears as he stared at the scene before him.

His back was almost pressed against the glass wall behind him. His powers focused in both directions. A wall of shadows radiating from the pane and a spotlight shined just ahead.

Scarecrow lay half crumbled on his cot. His Arkham issued uniform now a bit.. stained. It left an ugly feeling in his chest- violence for violence sake instead of to protect.

But he’d already failed in that hadn't he. Couldn't even protect his own brother.

Duke blinked, refocusing on the scene before him as he strengthened the spotlight just enough for Scarecrow to shuffle further back.

On either side of the spotlight stood his sisters, each menacing in their own rights.

On the right Steph’s face was obscured by layers of fabric- but he could feel the radiating rage and hatred directed further into the cell.

She was couched, her head cocked to the side as she starred silently following the spotlights gleam.

Cass stood to the left, her posture much more relaxed even though she was clearly far from it. Her stitches seemed strained as if her face and jaw were stretched in ways she hadnt compensated for beforehand.

And in her gasp, a scrambled Rubix cube.

Scarecrow coughed, a wet sound as he blurted out yet another stream of nonsense.

Duke had all but tuned out most of it, focused on his breathing as he tried to beg his heart to slow.

He was succeeding. That was until the last line-

“-ay to test the minds wonders, how water can cure a cold if the mind is told it shall. With my infamy in Gotham- how else could I see just how effective my experiments are otherwise?”

The Rubix cube, cradled in clawed black latex gloves. Drops of red on the white side as he watched one final movement, the puzzle was complete.

Duke's heart.. stopped. The suffocating silence broken by a panicked exhale from his right.

“A placebo.” Spoiler spat out like a curse, standing up and marching forward.

Scarecrow laughed, but more tense than mocking as it was before.

“I- told you nothing like I ever made before,” He retorted, but his normal bravado seemed to waver more by the second. “And all good scientists need a control group- “

Scarecrow sat up straighter the more he divulged. His plan from the start allowed Robin to be the proof that he was using actual drugs.

“How.” Duke spoke, watching as all three occupants suddenly froze. Understandably, he'd been silent the entire time. “How did a placebo work on Batman?”

Scarecrow cocked his head “Well I couldn't use fear no no- he knows his own fears too well to not recognize any change”

Cass spoke, her voice barely above a whisper but cutting through like a dagger. “You… used his rage.”

Scarecrow nodded, enthusiastically, like a magician eagerly sharing his secret tricks.

“Simple really- throw some pre neutralized powder in his face, disorienting, but the equivalent of a .06% BAC- nothing more, nothing less”

Duke's hands were shaking, he could feel the shadows beginning to creep further into the room. But he didn't have the heart or the mind to banish them.

This had to be a nightmare.

“He was drunk.” Steph scoffed, before whipping to face Cass, her mask stretched as her cheeks raised in a grin.

Duke could feel the radiating hurt from Cass as Steph began to laugh a more heartbroken than humorous sound. “Oh oh this is just priceless.”

“Spoiler please-” Babs voice echoed over the coms.

“No no- this- he was drunk not even blackout- just drunk-" Steph took in a gasp, seemingly suddenly desperate for oxygen. "Hell my dad was never even this bad shitfaced- sure -maybe a bit- but that was him this is B- and this- oh fuck” Steph took in a gasp, seemingly suddenly desperate for oxygen.

Cass practically hurled the Rubix cube at the wall, the entire thing crumbling as plastic shards fired in all directions. She rushed to Steph, pulling her into her arms.

Words were being exchanged, voices crossing. But they were continuing to be drowned out by the trumming in his brain, in his chest, all around him.

The shadows were growing darker, reaching. He wanted- he didn't know- but it was too much.

Had this happened before?
BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,

Duke took a step forward, the shadows not far behind. Damian- his baby brother, the kid who hated him when he first arrived. Preaching about “yet another charity case”.

How long?
BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM

A voice called out, but Duke was numb- he took another step.

The kid who would practically fall over himself trying to turn off the tv when laugh tracks got a bit too loud. Who would happen to make tea and insist on quiet mornings after. Who would listen for hours as Duke told stories- memories and moments he felt were fleeting.

How had he failed to protect him?
BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM,BADUM

He met one shimmering orange eye under the ragged burlap hood. It looked back with fear.

The eyes that had stared with pure malice at that kid who wore his family's legacy with pride, who tried to brush off how amused he was at Duke's horrible jokes, who demanded ten rounds of a game he kept losing.

The kid who left paint smears on every shirt he borrowed, who would slip sketches under his door when he heard him having a nightmare, and who insisted on spending an extra hour each patrol feeding the alley cats everyone else had left behind.

The kid who spent weeks on a watercolor portrait of Duke's parents after he confessed about beginning to forget how they used to look.

He was the first to make Duke feel like he had a family beyond just his parents. That he had a brother.

A brother… That Bruce had attacked.
Because of a stupid placebo, Because he was drunk- all because of HIM-

BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM, BADUM

“DUKE NO-” A voice, Babs voice, cut through the static. And all at once everything fell silent.

Duke turned, suddenly aware of his hands gripped tightly onto the collar of Scarecrow's uniform. He could feel how his knuckles strained.

But he- couldn't see, the entire room was bathed in shadows so thick even silhouettes became nothing more than presences he could sense.

“I-”

“You don't want this. I see it.” Cass urged, he could feel her hands on his shoulder. Grounding, but not forceful.

“He's not the one responsible,” Steph sneered, a big contrast to how gentle her hand felt pressing against the center of his chest. “Your anger is real- but like he said… it was a placebo.”

Duke let go, ignoring the pained grunt as Scarecrow fell onto his cot and he took several steps back.

The shadows rescinded, replaced with a weak light as he took in the sight of his sisters.

They were silent. Even Scarecrow seemed to have enough self preservation to keep his mouth shut, even as moments ticked by as Duke struggled to center himself.

“Im… I didnt-” He tried, but words failed. But by the look in their eyes he knew they understood.

Babs' voice returned, softer now, but just as commanding “Leave the room. All of you, we have what we need.”

They did- the door clicking shut behind them as the glass panel turned one way and darkened.

Duke let out a shaky breath as he tried to form the words.

What did they do? What would they do?
Oh god… how could he?

He could faintly hear Stephs voice- the cynical humor still present as she joked. “Well at least Tim did us the favor of delivering justice… pity it didn't stick”

Duke knew she was joking- but it didn't make sense it didn't click. The Bruce who took him in, no strings attached. Who insisted on decorating his room with film posters and stocking the shelves with puzzle boxes.

That Bruce didn't… it didn't make sense. He had too many questions, and he knew they didn't have the answers.

But instead of the thousand questions racing through his mind- instead came the loudest desire of them all.

“I need to be there with him.” Duke demanded, looking up at the nearby camera he knew was looking back. “I need to see him.”

A pause, but much shorter this time before the com crackled to life again.

“Go- all of you. Dick is calling- i'll… fill him in so they’re expecting the news… I'll try to join you soon,” Babs said, her voice with a shake he wasnt familiar with. He hated it.

But right now- he couldn't deal with that.
Right now he has a focus.

Duke may have failed Damian before- but he knew the truth. And now?

He would make sure it never happened again.