Chapter Text
They went to Dick's room first.
Sir Wallace stood guard at the door and raised his eyebrow in surprise when the two of them suddenly stood before him.
"He's just gone to bed," said the knight, "He's earned his sleep. Is it important?"
Jason stuck out his chest, "I appreciate your concern for my brother, but if it weren't important, I doubt I'd be standing in the hallway in my night robes in the middle of the night negotiating entry with you."
Wow. It never ceased to amaze Tim how Jason could be a complete and arrogant asshole.
Wally must have seen it the same way, because he grimaced contemptuously.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. Step right in." The title was spoken with so much sarcasm that Tim knew Wally had had a long day too. Otherwise, he would certainly never talk to a member of the royal family like that.
Tim gave the knight an apologetic look, but Jason just opened the door and scurried into the dark room.
Just as Tim closed the door behind them, Dick straightened up in bed.
"Who is it?"
He didn't sound scared, just confused. Which was understandable, considering the time of day.
"It's just me," Jason replied, "Tim's here too."
Dick sighed, "I love you guys, but please have a good reason for waking me up."
He sounded exhausted, but Tim couldn't focus on that.
I love you guys.
You guys.
Dick loved him.
It filled Tim with so much happiness that he momentarily forgot to breathe. His brothers loved him and as long as he stayed with them, his life would be fulfilled.
"Apparently I'm spitting out prophecies," Jason said hastily, "And if we tell Bruce about my magic, we could stop the war. Probably. Are you with me?"
Dick had already jumped out of bed after the first half and now pulled his little brother into a tight hug.
"Always," he said firmly, "Wherever your path takes you, no matter how steep or flat it may be, I'll walk it with you."
Jason laughed and it sounded slightly wet, but Tim would be careful not to even think that the prince might cry. Said prince would surely rip his head off for that.
"Bruce isn't going to react well to this."
Dick didn't disagree.
"What's his problem with magic anyway?"
The princes looked at him like he was crazy. Great job Tim, you had to ask. Can't you even hold your tongue?
"Bruce's parents were murdered by a sorcerer in front of him. He then took the throne at ten and banned magic throughout the kingdom," Dick replied sadly.
Tim grimaced: "You're right. He won't like it."
The next thing they knew, three of them were standing in front of Hal, who this time was standing guard alone in front of Bruce's door.
He glanced at them before clearing the way.
Dick thanked him, Jason ignored him and Tim smiled briefly at him.
All three of them were not looking forward to what was about to happen.
However, they didn't have to wake the king, as he was sitting at his desk and looked up in surprise when they entered.
"Has something happened?" he immediately put down his pen and looked alarmed.
Dick shook his head: "No, don't worry."
"We just need to talk," Jason said firmly.
Tim couldn't help but admire the boy. He must have been terrified of Bruce's reaction and yet here he was, facing the conversation, because he couldn't let his kingdom down. A kingdom that would hate him for his magic, here he was defending it like a true warrior. Tim only hoped that his presence helped at least a little.
Bruce looked from Dick, to Jason, and then to Tim. Whatever he saw on their faces made him nod.
"All right."
Jason tensed and Dick stood behind him, almost chivalrously, to literally strengthen his back. Tim did the same.
"I have magic," Jason almost breathed, but the words had the same effect as if they had been shouted.
Bruce flinched and there was a look of incomprehension in his eyes.
"Why would you say something like that?" he asked, slightly hurt, "It's not funny, Jay."
Jason gritted his teeth. "It's not supposed to be funny either, Dad. It's the truth. I have magic. Always have, and I can't change it."
The words didn't seem to clarify anything, because Bruce just looked at Dick for help.
"It's the truth," the crown prince confirmed, "But he's still our Jaybird. With and without magic. Isn't that right, Dad?"
The king slumped back in his chair and his gaze slid to the crown perched on the desk.
"Magic is forbidden in Gotham and I am the king of this kingdom."
"Yes," Jason confirmed almost defiantly, but Tim heard the fear behind it. "But you're also Bruce, the father of Dick and Jason."
Tim swallowed. It was cruel, but true. King Bruce was both, but at that moment he had to decide what was more important to him. His crown or his family.
"You knew about this?" he asked Dick almost tonelessly.
"Only recently," Dick admitted, and he looked guilty, "If I'd known sooner, I would have made sure Jason didn't have to live in constant fear of our law."
Bruce's eyes went wide.
He jumped to his feet.
"I would never hurt you!" he said indignantly, looking into his youngest son's eyes. Honesty. Determination.
That sentence was probably all Jason had ever wanted to hear, because he smiled with relief.
"What about the law?" asked Tim. His tongue had to ruin another touching moment, but to be fair, they were also on the brink of war. That in itself wasn't the right moment for a touching family moment. So, only half his fault!
Bruce slumped back in his chair with a sigh.
"I don't know," he admitted.
Dick laughed hoarsely, "You can't keep a law that forces one of your sons to pretend all the time."
Tim squeezed Jason's hand reassuringly as he tensed up.
Bruce saw the movement and apparently noticed him for the first time, even though he had just said something.
"What's Tim doing here?" he asked with wide eyes, "He can't know about your magic... He already knows. You told him before me?"
He sounded hurt.
Jason shook his head, "Tim found out on his own and he's my brother, so of course he's staying here."
Dick grinned, "Surprise Bruce, we've adopted you another son."
The King looked done with the world.
He sighed again and then pulled himself together. He sat up and thought about it.
"Good, I can accept the fact that you're putting another son on me. Jason has magic, that's harder. But what do we do now? Grelot is about to attack, magic is forbidden and prisoners escaped a few days ago, which is why we have a traitor among our ranks."
Tim coughed: "I could clear up the latter. That was me and they're no problem for us."
Dick looked at him in surprise: "You released the people who tried to kill me?"
Tim's mouth twisted: "Remember when you told me that you owed me a favor for saving your life? I'd like to repay that now: Just forgive me. Then you won't owe me anything."
Dick's jaw dropped, but he quickly caught himself and shrugged his shoulders.
"All right, what the hell. I forgive you. It's not the craziest thing that's happened in the last twenty-four hours."
Bruce cleared his throat, "Should I just look past the court treachery now, too?"
"Yes," said the three brothers as if from one mouth.
Bruce raised his hands in surrender: "Good. I suppose I should also overlook the fact that Tim is probably also a magician?"
"Yes," they all said again.
Bruce nodded: "And how do we solve the other problems now? A war with Grelot is probably inevitable. And if I change the magic law now, it will only cause unrest within the country, which will only make the situation worse."
"Not necessarily."
Tim was surprised himself that he only realized it now. It should have occurred to him as soon as the prophecy left Jason's lips.
"Ra's al Ghul may possibly seek power, but that wasn't his propaganda. The only reason his soldiers are fighting is because he wants to free Gotham from the magic-suppressing crown. Without that law, he'll have to call off the attack if he doesn't want to look untrustworthy."
The others seemed to ponder his words.
Jason finally shook his head: "But then Bruce will look like a spineless ruler who cowers before every attack. That will only attract more enemies."
"Unless..." Bruce pondered aloud.
The trio looked at him challengingly.
"Unless what?" Jason wanted to know.
"Unless I hand over my crown to a new ruler. New king, new rules. That's how it's always been. A new king would have problems with the current people, but it would put off all the other kingdoms and increase credibility with Grelot."
Jason's eyes lit up: "What's more, the people love Dick. They trust him too. If he thinks it's best, then no one will stand in his way."
Tim nodded and both Bruce and Jason seemed enthusiastic about the idea.
"No," Dick said firmly.
Everyone turned to him in surprise.
"No, I'm not ready to be king yet."
There was panic in his eyes and Tim sympathized. No one was ready for the burden of a crown, but it had come so suddenly that he couldn't possibly have expected it.
Bruce smiled gently, stood up and lifted the crown from the desk onto Dick's head.
"You'll never have to wear it alone. You have two magical advisors and an old royal father at your disposal. Not to mention Alfred, Gordon and Barbara. And don't even get me started on your knighthood. We're all behind you, Dick. And together, we're not just going to save this kingdom, we're going to make it better."
Tim nodded: "Together."
Jason grinned at his brother: "No matter how steep your path, I'll always be by your side."
This evening was the beginning of a magical Gotham.
This evening was the first day in the life of Prince Timothy.
That night was the founding of the trinity that rules Gotham: King and Knight Richard, First Prophet Jason and First Court Mage Timothy. The three princes who ruled as if they were one.
And of course there were outcries - Ra's was boiling with rage - but both sides were glad that the war was over.
And eventually everyone stopped complaining because they realized that a magical kingdom was simply beautiful.
Tim had never been so happy in his entire life as when he could cast spells freely, in the presence of his family, and the people enjoyed it without a single exception.
This Gotham would last forever!