Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Thank you for doing this.” Jack says, as he ushers Tim in through the door.

“It’s no trouble Mr. Drake.” Dick reassures him, holding the door open, turning his attention to the younger boy with a big grin. “Hey Tim, are you excited?”

“Yes.” Tim isn’t looking at him, instead sullenly looking at the floor.

Dicks grin falls slightly, it’s odd, Tim’s usually so excited to see him. Sure he’s always a little serious around his parents, but he’s never this… muted.

Jack seems oblivious to the difference, which might be because Janet normally is the one who does the hand-offs.

“And tell Bruce again how grateful we are that he let us bring Tim here.” Jack hands Dick Tim's bag, “We really don’t want him in the house with all the construction.”

“Tim’s always welcome here Mr. Drake.” Dick says, slinging the bag over the shoulder. “We’re going to have a blast.”

Tim still doesn’t look up, and his hands are now twisting into his shirt. Dick brows furrows, trying to puzzle out what has the three-year-old in such a sour mood.

Jack places a hand on Tim's shoulder, turning the toddler to look at him, “Alright sport, I need to get going, be good for Richard okay?”

Tim finally looks up from the ground, meeting his fathers eyes. “Okay.”

Jack ruffles Tim’s hair, “Love you, we’ll see you in the morning.”

“Bye,” Tim’s hands twist up his shirt even more, “Love you.”

Jack gives Tim’s hair one more ruffle before turning back to Dick, “Thanks again Richard, like I said we’ll pick Tim up before 12.”

“Again it’s no problem.” Dick insists, “We’ll see you in the mourning.”

With that Jack leaves, Dick closing the door behind him.

Dick turns to look at Tim, who has gone back to staring at the floor, and tries to figure out the best way to approach this.

“Alright Tim,” Dick claps his hands together loudly, causing Tim to jump slightly, but doesn’t react otherwise. “What did you want to do tonight?”

Tim shrugs, still not looking up, “I dunno.”

“Did you want to watch a movie?”

Tim shrugs.

“Play a game?”

Another shrug. Dick pauses trying to think of something that would get the kids attention when he hears it, a quiet sniffle. He freezes, Tim really hadn’t cried about his parents leaving since Dicks first time babysitting. Maybe it’s because it’s Tim’s first time at Wayne manor, he could just be anxious.

Dick sets the bag down and kneels in front of Tim. “Hey bud, can you look at me?”

Tim sniffs a little harder, bringing up one of his arms to wipe his face, but does as requested. Tim’s eyes are predictably red and watery, and it breaks Dick’s heart a little to see it.

“Can you tell me what's going on in that brain of yours?” Dick gently asks.

Tim stays quiet, just sniffing again as tears continue to spill out.

“Are you sad you’re not at home?” Dick prods, wanting to fix whatever was upsetting the kid.

Tim just shakes his head, and Dick has to resist the urge to sigh.

“Do you miss your parents?” Dick tries again.

Tim hesitates a little, but shakes his head again, lip quivering. “I just- I wanted,” Tim takes a gasping breath, “I really wanted to see the show.”

“What show?” Dick doesn’t remember Tim mentioning any show, but it could be new.

“The- the show with the,” Tim takes a deep shuddering breath carefully sounding out the next word, “Ac-ro-bats.”

Oh.

There was an acrobatic troupe in town putting on a performance this week. Bruce had taken Dick to see them the night prior, tonight was their last performance, and it was sold out.

“They- they promised we could go tonight.” Tim takes some more deep breaths, clearly still trying to fight the tears. “But- but they.”

Tim finally loses the battle breaking off into a sob.

“Did you want a hug?” Dick asks, opening his arms in invitation.

Tim nods and steps towards Dick, in response Dick gathers Tim up in his arms. Bringing one hand up to comb through his hair, rocking them gently back and forth, in an attempt to sooth him.

After a moment of letting Tim sob into his shirt Dick speaks again. “I’m sorry your parents couldn’t take you to see the show.”

Tim just sobs harder, leaving Dick floundering to think of something to cheer him up.

“Hey, I know it’s not as cool as a real show,” Dick starts, “But maybe I could show you a few tricks.”

Tim sobs quite slightly, and he pulls away to look up at Dick. “You can?”

The tears haven’t stopped, but Dick’s definitely on the right path.

“I can! Remember how I told you I used to live at the circus?” Tim nods, “Well I was an Acrobat, did all sorts of cool tricks.”

“Really?” Tim’s eyes are wide and the tears are slowing.

“Yep!” Dick glances around conspiratorially then leans in like he’s telling a secret, “I can even do a super special trick that only three people in the whole world can do!”

Tim lets out a gasp, “Cool!”

“You wanna see?” Tim nods enthusiastically, and Dick lets out a little huff of laughter, gently wiping away the last of the tears. 

“Alrighty then!” Dick stands, scooping Tim up as he does so and tossing him over his shoulder, “lets go.”

Tim squeals with laughter, kicking his feet in while protesting between giggles. “Put me down!”

“No.” Dick refuses, picking up Tim’s bag.

“I can walk!” Tim wiggles a little harder, still giggling, “M’not a baby!”

“I know you can walk silly!” Dick laughs, bouncing Tim to readjust him, “This is just more fun!”

Tim just giggles harder but stops struggling.

“Now come on little robin, let’s go to the gym!”

Chapter Text

“Are you sure about this?" Gordon asks.

“Yes.” Dick answers, entering the interrogation room.

Jonathan Crane, sits in a chair, hands cuffed, two guards are in the room, but leave when Dick dismisses them. Crane's eyes follow Dick from the moment he’d stepped in the room right to when Dick sits across from him.

“Hello Batman.” Crane greets, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Dick slaps a file down on the table, opening it to reveal a photo of Lukas Harrison.

“Do you recognize him?” Dick can see a flash of recognition in Crane's eyes.

“No.” Crane lies.

“He worked for you.” Dick states.

“I’ve hired a lot of people.” Crane brushes him off. “You can’t expect me to remember all of them.”

“Ten years ago, you gave the police the location of a lab.” Dick pulls out the images of the lab with the address. “Do you remember that?”

“Maybe.” Crane shrugs, “I’ve had less labs than hired help.”

“Why did you give up the location of this lab particular?” Dick pushes.

“I don’t know, it was ten years ago.” Crane states, “I was probably offered some kind of deal.”

“I looked at the file, no deal in place.” Why had Dick thought this would be a good idea?

Crane just shrugs, “I plead the fifth.”

“I think you’re lying, about not knowing who Lukas is,” Dick starts, “Not only did he work for you then, I believe he’s working with you now. That the two of you are working together to turn Fear Toxin-”

“I would never approve of such a bastardization of my formula!” Crane snarls, slamming his hands on the counter.

Dick has to fight to keep the smirk of his face, “So you do know who Lukas is.”

Crane sighs, slumping in defeat. “Yes, I do remember him.”

“How did he come to work for you?” Dick asks.

“He found me.” Crane explains. “Another classmate of his worked for me, and he wanted money to pay for his loans.”

“He must have made an impression.” Dick points out. “If you remember who he is.”

“Not a lot of the people I hire have the guts to approach me directly.” Crane states with a shrug. “He did, he talked about how interested he was in fear toxin, how fascinating they were. At first I thought he was someone who could appreciate my vision. But then he came to me with a proposal: turn fear toxin into a drug, become filthy rich.”

“You didn’t like that idea?” So Lukas was interested in making Daydream even back then.

“I have nothing against dealing drugs, research is expensive after all.” Crane says flippantly. “But my formula is better than some common drug. So I fired him.”

“That’s why you gave up the lab.” Dick realizes “He stole from you to create the drug, and took over one of your labs.”

Crane's lips curl in disgust, “Yes, I don’t know where he’s getting fear toxin from now.”

Dick believes him, “We’re done here.”

Dick stands up and leaves, the guards from earlier come in to take Crane back to Arkham.

Chapter Text

Dick takes Tim right up to the guest room he had spent the night in, depositing him softly onto the bed. That probably means that this is now Tim’s room. It’s a strange thought, having a room at Wayne manor, in the family wing no less. So much has happened and changed in such a short amount of time, it has his head spinning, struggling to catch up.

“Alright kiddo, let’s get this stuff put away.” Dick’s words pull Tim from his thoughts. “Then maybe you can show me some of those photos.”

“Alright.” Tim agrees, pulling the duffle bag closer and unzipping it. He starts to pull out the clothes they’d packed and sorts them, making sure they’re all neatly folded.

Shirts, pants, socks, underwear, setting aside his school uniform to be hung up. Dick scoops up some of the piles and takes them to the dresser. Tim grabs the school uniform and slips off the bed to hang it up.

Tim doesn’t even make it halfway to the closet before he’s being picked up and set back on the bed. “Hey!”

“Nope,” Dick scolds, arms crossed, “No walking, you need to be resting your leg.”

Tim huffs in frustration, mirroring Dick and crossing his own arms. “I’m not going to rip my stitches if I walk to the closet.”

“You just got shot !” Dick pointed out exasperated. “You should be milking this, not fighting to put away your own clothes.”

“I’ve never been shot before, I don’t know what the proper etiquette is.” Tim retorts, “I’ll keep that in mind for the next time I get shot.”

Dick pales, sputtering a bit before responding, “Nope! No more getting shot.”

Tim snickers a little at his reaction, causing Dick to glare at him.

“This isn’t funny Tim.” Dick states, no real heat behind the words.

“It’s a little funny.” Tim mutters, looking down at the bed.

Tim hears Dick scoff, “Gremlin.”

Something soft gently hits his face, Tim jerks back surprised, grabbing the thrown item on instinct before it hits the bed. He looks at what Dick threw, and sees the stuffed robin Dick had found, Tim holds the toy close to his chest, looking up at Dick with a pout.

Dick has pulled his phone out, and snaps a photo before Tim can react.

“What was that for?” Tim’s brow furrows in confusion.

“Proof of life for Babs.” Dick brushed him off, putting his phone back in his pocket, then grabbing another pile of clothing. “Now stay on the bed.”

“Fine.” Tim huffs again, instead unpacking the duffle bag and sorting it to be put away.

Once everything is put away, Dick sets the lock box in front of Tim, sitting next to him on the bed. Tim opens the lockbox, pausing debating on what to show Dick first. Deciding it was easiest to start at the beginning, he pulls out the folder labelled Robin I/Nightwing/Batman II, handing it to Dick.

Dick snorts upon reading the label. “Thorough, I like the stickers.”

“Thanks.” Tim mumbles, feeling his face going red at the reminder of the superhero stickers covering his folders. He never thought anyone else would see them.

Dick starts to flip through photos, “These are really good.”

Dick is looking at a photo of Nightwing mid grapple swing, a visible smile on his face. Dick continues looking through the photos, pausing on a photo of Nightwing punching Two-face, taken through a skylight.

“You were there?” Dick’s voice sounds a little strained.

Tim shifts a little uncomfortably. “Yes?”

“I remember this fight,” Dick states, “The entire building was rigged to blow!”

“I didn’t know that at the time.” Tim admits, fiddling with his sleeve. “I wouldn’t have gotten so close if I had.”

Dick makes an odd noise, “Is this the oldest photo you have?”

“Um,” Tim takes the folder from Dick pulling out the blurry photo he took the night in the alley. “No, this one is.”

Dick takes the photo and lets out a little huff of laughter, “You still have this?”

“It’s Robin doing a quadruple somersault,” Tim states, “It helped me figure out your secret identity.”

“What’s your next oldest photo?” Dick asks. “One that you took.”

Tim has to think about it for a moment, there’s a lot of different photos. He pulls out the group photos folder, pulling out a photo handing it to Dick setting down the folder in front of himself.

The photo is of Bruce and Jason, Bruce is standing slightly shrouded in shadows, looking down at Jason who is talking animatedly about something.

“How old is this photo?” Dick gently runs a finger along the photo.

“Four years.” Tim answers quietly.

“Four years?” Dicks voice has gotten shrill again, “You've been going out at night for four years?”

Tim shrinks away from Dick, unsure on what to say.

Dick opens his mouth to continue before freezing, eyes wide. Tim follows his stare, and sees what caught his attention, a photo that had slipped out of the group folder. It’s a photo of Nightwing, his arms around Batgirl and Robin, they all have big smiles on their faces laughing about something. Batman is standing off to the side, watching them with a rare soft smile on his face.

Dick reaches out and takes the photo, Tim glances at his face and sees his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Tim quickly glances away, feeling like he’s imposing on a personal moment.

Tim hears Dick sniffle. “Can I make a copy of this?”

“You can keep it, if you want.” Tim says, hesitantly looking up at Dick.

There are tears slowly dripping down his cheeks, but he beams at Tim, Tim offers a small smile in response. Dick suddenly reaches out pulling Tim into a tight hug. He freezes momentarily, before wrapping his arms around Dicks midsection just as tightly, his own eyes burning.

 Dick presses his face into the top of Tim's head, mumbling into his hair, voice thick. “Thank-you Tim.”

Chapter Text

Jason had been quiet since they returned from patrol, it was worrying. Currently he was picking disinterested at his takeout container, half paying attention to the random sitcom Dick had turned on for the noise.

It wasn’t unusual for the two of them to just zone out after a tough patrol, but it had been a pretty quiet night. Dick wanted to ask what was bothering his little brother so much, but he’s learned that it’s best to let Jason start this kind of conversation.

“Am I a good Robin?” Dick almost startles at the question.

“Of course you are!” Dick exclaims.

“Are you telling the truth?” Jason asks, setting his food down and pulling his knees to his chest. “Or are you just being nice? Because I want the truth.”

“I am being one hundred percent honest.” Holding his hand up in a Boy Scouts salute. “I know that when you first became Robin I was a bit of an ass to you.”

“A bit of a Dick. ” Jason smirks at him, clearly proud of the word play.

“Shut up,” Dick bumps his shoulder, “I’m trying to be sincere here.”

Jason snickers but doesn’t say anything else.

“Like I said,” Dick starts again, “I know I was a bit of an ass to you. But that had nothing to do with you, I was angry at Bruce and I unfairly took it out on you. I’m sorry for doing that, I was the adult and I should have been better. Robin was never meant to be a legacy.”

Dick places a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “But I couldn’t have picked a better person to pick up the mantle. Your an amazing Robin Jay, that magic you said Robin had? That was all you Little Wing, you gave Robin its magic.”

Jason looks at him with watery eyes, then turns away, curling into himself more. “I guess.”

“What’s wrong Jay?” Dick asks, “Where is this coming from?”

“Have you ever thought about killing someone?” Jason asks.

Dick is taken aback by the question, but Jason barreled on before he can react.

“B and I were busting a child trafficking ring, and I recognized one of the traffickers.” Jason admits. “It was from a kidnapping case from when I first became Robin. He did awful shit, and he was right  back out on the streets doing awful shit to more kids.”

Jason picks at the sleeve of the hoodie he’d borrowed from Dick. “And I just, it would have been easy, there were lots of guns, B was somewhere else. He’d be gone and couldn’t hurt anymore kids.”

“I never told you about Tony Zucco did I?” Dick asks, Jason looks at him and shakes his head. “He’s the guy who killed my parents. After my parents died I got put in juvie-“

“I thought Bruce took you in right after they died?” Jason interrupts.

“He did take me in,” Dick says. “Just not right away, there is legal stuff that even Bruce Wayne has to adhere to. And there were no foster placements, group homes, or orphanages with space available. So they sent me, an eight year old who’d just lost his parents, to juvie.”

“Holy shit,” Jason exclaims. “I knew the system was bad, but that’s a whole other level.”

“Yeah, I was pretty angry.” Dick agrees, “Not just about juvie, but about my parents. I knew who killed them, and I wanted to get revenge. So at eight-years-old, I got some shives, broke out of juvie, and went to kill Tony Zucco.”

Jason stares at him in shock at the admission.

“I didn’t succeed.” Dick says. “Bruce found me, and talked me down. Talked about the difference between justice and revenge. I’m glad he did, I definitely wasn’t ready to deal with the emotional fallout of killing someone.”

“And now?” Jason asks, catching Dick’s meaning.

Dick sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve thought about it. You can’t see the justice systems failing as often as we do, and not think about it.”

“I think that's why Bruce is so insistent on the no kill rule.” Dick leaning his elbows on his knees and staring unseeing at the tv. “It’s easy to say we should kill someone like the Joker, he’d certainly deserve it. Or some one like that man you apprehended. But where does it stop? Can you stop your personal feelings from clouding your judgment. It takes a lot for someone to get the death penalty, and there’s a reason for that.”

“We are not judge, nor jury Jay.” Dick turns back to Jason. “We help capture criminals, turn them in so the justice system can work.”

“The justice system fails all the time Dick.” Jason argues.

“You’re right it does.” Dick agrees. “But we’re infallible to, we make wrong calls. We don’t choose who’s deserving of death. Death is not equal to justice, and terrible people can be rehabilitated.”

Jason looks contemplative.

“What I’m trying to say.” Dick tries to get back on track. “Is that it doesn’t make you a bad Robin, or a bad person for considering it. Just makes you human.”

Jason shoots forwards hugging Dick. “Thanks Dickwing.”

“Anytime Little Wing.”

Chapter Text

Dick steps back into the family room with Tim’s jacket and backpack in hand. 

The kid had a ton of energy today, and the weather was nice, so he figured a trip to the park was in order. Let the kid burn off some of that extra energy before his parents come and pick him up.

When he’d left the room Tim had been happily coloring while munching on some apple slices. However the kid was no longer at the table when Dick had re-entered the room.

Dick glances around the room and spots the toddler's feet sticking out from under the heavy curtains. 

Dick smiles, and starts ‘looking’ around the room. “Tim, where’d you go bud?”

A quiet giggle comes from behind the curtain, and he spots Tim peeking at him from behind the curtain.

“Is he under here?” Dick dramatically lifts a couch cushion. “No…”

Louder laughter fills the room as Dick looks under the coffee table. “What about under here?”

“Hmm, not there either.” Dick heads over to the curtains, and Tim lets out a little gasp as he ducks behind the curtain. “Is he behind the curtains?”

Dick pulls back the curtain Tim isn’t hiding behind, “No, not here.”

Alfred enters the room, probably coming to grab the plate, and pauses to observe the room.

“Alfred, have you seen him?” Dick asks as he continues to ‘search’ the room as Tim giggles from his hiding spot.

“Seen who, Master Dick?” Alfred asks, playing along with the game.

“Tim!” Dick exclaims, “The little gremlin I babysit! He’s three, about yay high. If I don’t find him soon we won’t be able to go to the park!”

The giggling is cut off by a tiny gasp, and there’s suddenly a pair of tiny arms wrapping around his legs. “I’m right here!”

Dick lets out a shocked gasp. “Didja see that Alfie? He appeared out of nowhere!”

“Quite remarkable sir.” Alfred replies, an amused glint in his eye.

Dick picks up Tim and starts tickling his side. “You're a little ninja!”

Tim squeals with laughter, squirming in Dick’s grip, kicking out to try and get away. “Nooo! Diiick!”

Dick stops his assault, and Tim goes limp in his arm, frame still shaking with residual laughter. “Do you want to go to the park?”

Tim straightens, and starts squirming to be set down. “Yes!”

Dick puts Tim on the floor, and Tim immediately grabs his hand and starts dragging him towards the door. “Let’s go, let's go, let’s go!”

“Woah!” Dick pulls Tim back. “Hang on a second little Robin, you need to put your jacket on and decide if you’re bringing any toys.”

Tim stops, and spins around to grab his robin plush handing it to Dick. “I wanna bring Robin!”

“Okay, Robin can come.” Dick agrees, putting the toy in Tim’s bag. Dick also had a couple balls and things in his car from the last time he’d taken the kid to the park. “Anything else?”

Tim but’s a couple other toys in his bag, then grabs his jacket, holding out to Dick. “Help please!”

“Absolutely.” Dick takes the jacket and helps Tim put it on and zip it up. “Are you ready?”

“Yes!” Tim nods enthusiastically, grabbing Dick’s hand to drag him to the door.

“Okay, let’s go put our shoes on!” Dick allows Tim to drag him along this time. “Say goodbye to Alfred.”

Tim pauses to wave to Alfred. “Bye Alfie!”

Then continues in his efforts of dragging Dick to the car.

“Good-bye enjoy the park,” Alfred replies. “I shall inform Master Bruce you have left.”

“Thanks! You’re the best Alfred!” Dick calls as he’s dragged out of the family room.