Chapter Text
After four days of living in Gotham, Tommy wasn't any closer to finding a way back home. That first day after meeting Red Hood Tommy had set out to get answers. The first people he ran into hadn't been the friendliest sort, Tommy trying to lighten the mood had made one of his hilarious jokes, that hadn't gone over well and he had to make a hasty retreat, digging down into the ground and blocking the hole above him as he listened to them run over his hiding spot, he quickly climbed back out and took off before they decided to circle back to look for him.
His next attempt involved finding any books about the area, but after finding a library he learned he needed something called a “library card” whatever the hell that was and to get one of those things he needed an “Eye Dee” or proof of residency. Again, he didn't know what in the hell any of those things were so reading books was a bust too.
Tommy had also learned to avoid anyone with a badge and strange uniforms. A pair of them had caught him rummaging around the dumpsters and had proceeded to chase him. Then upon learning his age had tried to take him back with them, it was laughably easy to get away from them, he didn't know why the pricks hadn't parkour after him when he scaled the nearest building but one speed bridge later and he was home free. Honestly you think the people of this SMP had never done it before. Better for him though if it meant he could escape easier, it did take him a few tries to get out of the cuffs they put him in, he was just thankful they were stupid enough to cuff his hands in front of him.
But there was one other issue Tommy was facing. In the four days he's been here Tommy hadn't seen or heard from Red Hood again, which while Tommy wasn't actively looking for the guy he also just so happened to be the only one who hadn't chased him or attacked, while also being the only one who helped him since waking up in this strange place. He wished he had asked more questions when he brought him here, but Tommy honestly felt like he was about to crash the entire time they were walking, which was exactly what he did when he got inside and shut the door.
So far Tommy wasn't any closer to knowing where the hell he was or how to get back home, but Tommy had faced worse odds and had come out on top, this one was no different. (Tommy did his best to ignore the little voice in the back of his head, the one that sounded an awful lot like Dream, that had whispered to him that the only reason he had beaten those odds was because he wasn't alone, and now Tommy truly had no one on his side. Tommy wasn't successful.)
Now it was day five and Tommy was hungry. The little bit of food he found in the house hadn't lasted long, and while Tommy had seen plenty of restaurants around, he didn't have the money to go in and buy anything, and every time he got close to workers would glare at him and yell at him to leave, the selfish assholes, which led to now. It was late and he was digging around in one of the strange dumpsters behind one of the restaurants. Tommy wasn't a stranger to rotten or moldy food (he had eaten far worse in exile when Dream would “forget” to feed him after blowing up his things, and then he would have to deal with Dream’s anger over him feeding himself), and so far he had actually found a few decent things so far, granted most of them was meat and while his stomach rolled at the thought of eating it ignored that feeling and kept digging.
His head jerks up as he hears a creaking above him, but when he glanced up he doesn't see anything, but the other voice, the one that was constantly warning him of danger and wouldn't shut up, was yelling about eyes watching him, so he decided now was a good time to make a break for it. He grabs as much as he can before stepping back, looking around again before he turns and runs, ducking into another alleyway and hiding beside another dumpster, sitting down with his haul as he starts tearing into it, picking off the moldy bits and tossing them away. He grimaced at the meat sitting heavy in his stomach, his avian biology protesting against it but he angrily told it to shove it, stuffing another bite of the mystery meat into his mouth and forcing himself to swallow, doing his best to ignore the cramping in his stomach and the feeling of eyes burning into his skin, not at all helping the nausea.
He stands up once the food is gone and after glancing around one more time, begins to slowly shuffle away, clamping both hands over his mouth and forcing back a gag as his stomach rolls. “No Tommy, you are not going to throw up, stop being a pussy, just, just get back to the house “ he whispers to himself, moving one hand down to clutch at his stomach, the other staying firmly over his mouth. His stomach rolled again and he gags, digging his nails into his cheeks as his mouth waters.
He only got halfway before he couldn't hold back anymore and found himself leaned against the wall, his stomach doing its best to crawl its way out of his throat as he emptied out the contents of his stomach, going until only bile came out. He leans against the wall sucking in deep breath as he stomach cramps and his throat burns, tears beginning to gather in his eyes as he does his best to stifle them.
Now look, Tommy was a big man, and while it was totally ok for men to cry Tommy didn't (he had learned a long time ago crying didn't fix a damn thing. It didn't stop Wilbur from blowing up L’manberg, it didn't stop Tubbo from exiling him, and it sure as hell didn't stop Dream from hurting him) but, he had died five days ago, he had spent three months in limbo, he woke up in a strange SMP with strange people and strange rules, he had barely eaten anything and now thanks to his stupid biology the little bit of food he had managed to find and eat was now laying on the dirty ground, he hadn't been able to sleep from nightmares even before the prison and they had only gotten even worse after the fact, and Tommy just…..broke.
What started off as a few tears and quiet sniffles quickly deteriorated until he was full out wailing. Don't judge him, he was tired ok. He was tired, and hungry, and his body was still achy and sore from Dream’s beating, his shriveled ugly wings were hurting even more than normal. He wanted to go home (he didn't have one anymore, Wilbur and Techno made sure of that), he wanted Tubbo (Tubbo didn't want him anymore, he had Ranboo, Ranboo who got along with everyone, Ranboo who didn't cause problems everywhere he went, Ranboo who was wanted.)
He wanted to scream and cry and break things because it wasn't fair! It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair! What was wrong with him? Why didn't anyone want him? Why couldn't one thing go his way? What did he have to do to make someone stay? (Why wasn't he enough.)
He was crying so much and so loudly he never heard the footsteps behind him till he heard someone clearing their throat clear behind him, causing him to gasp and turn around, finding a man in a weird black and blue outfit with a strange bird symbol on his chest, a black mask across his face, and a casual smile on his face. Tommy's tears dry up fast and he wipes his eyes quickly, sniffling as he scowls at the creep.
“The fuck do you want” he mutters, too tired to put his usual angry snarl in his voice, so even to his ears he sounded like bitch.
The strange guy holds his hands up placatingly “sorry didn't mean to sneak up on ya and scare you like that” he says with an easy grin, Tommy glares but sighs stuffing his hands into his dirty jacket.
“you didn't scare me, you prick, and you still haven't told me who you are,” he huffs, wincing as his stomach growls loudly, hunching over as the man hums.
“I'm Nightwing, and you are?” He asks, smiling but looking a little confused as he leans against the wall, Tommy wrinkles his nose up as Nightwing snickers, and seriously what was with people here wearing these strange outfits and weird names, and he used to think Technoblade was dramatic.
“I'm Tommy, Tommyinnit” he mumbles, allowing himself to relax. Tommy had a good radar for dangerous people, everyone on the SMP did, and while this guy looked like he could probably fuck Tommy up if he wanted to, Tommy got the vibe he didn't.
“Well Tommy, can I ask why you were eating food from the dumpster?” He asks, Tommy bristles a little at the question and pulls his jacket tighter around him. Nightwing didn't sound like he was mocking him, or looking down on him, but you can never be sure about anyone. Tommy didn't have a whole lot of pride left, but he wanted to protect the scraps he's still got.
“What's it to you, there a law saying you can't eat the food you find in a dumpster” he snaps the last shreds of his pride flickering as his wings bristle beneath his jacket.
“No, I was just worried, especially after hearing you back there, can't imagine that felt good” Nightwing says gently, his voice calm and Tommy finds himself relaxing, his wings relaxing against his back as Tommy sighs.
“It was the meat, couldn't handle it” Tommy mutters, kicking an empty can further down the alley as his stomach cramps again, either from remaining nausea or hunger, either way he still puts one hand to his stomach as he winces.
“Well how about this, I'm feeling pretty hungry myself, and I would love to have some company join me, what do you say?” The blue prick in spandex offers, tilting his head in a strange bird like fashion, Tommy subtly looking over his shoulder trying to spot a pair of wings as he shrugs.
“I ain't got any money to pay you back” he mutters, a lesson he had learned all too well from Techno, you pay back your debts no matter who you owe them too.
“Did I ask for any money?” Nightwing asks with a grin, and wow this dude was smiley, which was admittedly throwing him off but fuck it, he was hungry and the guy was offering.
“No you didn't” Tommy mutters and follows along as the guy leads him out of the alley.
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Nightwing wasn't sure what he was expecting when he went on patrol tonight, but he certainly wasn't expecting to find himself sitting in the Batburger with a strange kid (that reminded him of Jason at the age to a painful degree, a feeling his was trying his best to ignore) wolfing down fries and a salad like someone was about to come along and take it from him. He had suggested once for the kid to slow down, but then the kid had hissed at him and he decided to not bring it up again. (Dick didn't know why or how the kid hissed at him of all things but he wisely kept his mouth shut and just took another sip of his drink.)
He had left the Cave earlier after another screaming match between him and Bruce. The newest rogue, a crime lord serial killer calling himself “The Red Hood”, who seemed to be carrying a personal vendetta against the bats had shown up, clearly trained, knowing more about them then was comfortable. Bruce had been even more broody than normal, and the appearance of Damian wasn't helping matters. (It was clear to everyone with eyes, except for fucking Bruce appearently, that the kid desperately wanted Bruce’s attention, but since the Red Hood’s emergence he had barely spared the kid a glance. Dick thinks a fucking heads up from Talia would have been nice but he kept his mouth shut about his opinions regarding her.)
He couldn't handle being around the man right now, not with his temper on a hair trigger, not with the way Tim had tried to make himself as small as possible and had begun to look like he was constantly walking on eggshells in his own damn home. (the kid could still barely fucking walk for Christ's sake, and he had started to noticed the hate filled looks Damian was constantly giving the older boy when he thought no one was looking), and Damian had similar been lashing out like his father, apple didn't fall fucking far on that one.
He had spotted the typical crime that often occurred in Gotham, stepping in to help on most of them, others all he really needed was to do was to let himself be seen and the crooks would take off running, when he had stopped for a break on the fire escape of one of the buildings when he heard a shuffling sound below him. He had looked over the side and hummed as he spotted a street kid rummaging in the bins of the restaurant next to the apartment, frequently glancing over his shoulder as if he expected for someone to pop out of nowhere and chase him off, also constantly glancing up at Nightwing’s hiding spot but the kid never noticed him.
Nightwing frowns as he sees the hollowness of his cheeks and the dark circles beneath his eyes, along with the splotches of bruises and scarring all over his face and hands. The kid gathers up the food he has found and runs off, and Nightwing follows him silently, watching as the boy ducks between two dumpsters and begins tearing into it, Nightwing frowning as he watches the kid hesitate over every bite of meat but then shoves it into his mouth regardless. Nightwing already knew what was coming as soon as the kid stood up and grabbed his stomach, and sure enough not even five seconds later the kid was doubled over and leaning against a wall.
He begins slowly climbing down the building, but as soon as the kid starts sobbing he nearly launches himself over the side, but manages to stop himself as he quickly but quietly climbs down. The kid nearly jumps a foot into the air when he announces himself, and Nightwing bites his cheek to keep from snickering as the kid frantically wipes his eyes and turns a not as menacing as the kid would probably like it to be glare towards him.
Nightwing allows himself to smile reassuringly at the kid, while inwardly frowning as he takes in the kid's appearance, the dirty clothes and hair, the bruises, the obvious signs of lack of food. He chats with the kid and eventually gets the kid to agree to letting him buy him some food, which leads them to now.
“So Tommy, what brings you here to Gotham” Nightwing asks after taking a bite of his burger and setting it down, the kid looking up from his food, cheeks slightly puffed out as he struggles to swallow, Nightwing fearing that the kid would choke but he got it down.
“Dont know, I just woke up here” he says with a shrug, grabbing his cup and taking a long sip from it before setting it down “woke up in a weird tub choking on strange green water” he adds on, glancing up at him.
Dick couldn't hide his look of confusion as Tommy grips his fork tighter “look prick I know that sounds like crap but it's true” he snaps, angrily shoving another forkful of salad into his mouth, glaring down at the table as Nightwing holds his hands up.
“Woah woah take a chill pill kid I believe you, that just makes me a little worried is all, do you remember how you got there, or what happened before then” Nightwing asks gently, a voice in the back of his head starting to whisper that something was really wrong.
The kid snorts and swallows before washing it down with a sip from his drink he had gotten before looking at him, his bright blue eyes haunted as he looks at Nightwing “I got beat to death in prison, it's a little hard to forget” he says, his voice lacking any kind of mirth.
“What”
“Do you need your ears cleaned? I got beat to death” Tommy says slowly as if Nightwing was especially slow, and not like he has just heard something completely incomprehensible.
“I I mean Tommy, you gotta understand this seems a little unbelievable right? You're saying that you were killed but you're sitting right across from me” Nightwing says slowly, and Tommy rolls his eyes, setting the fork down.
“Yeah no shit, but Dream, the prick tried to revive me, but something went wrong and instead of waking up in prison with that smiley faced bitch I woke up in an abandoned building” he snaps, his icy blue eyes having a glowing green tint swirling through them and Nightwing freezes.
“Dream, whose Dream” Nightwing says slowly, a sinking feeling in his gut as Tommy looks at him and tilts his head.
“Wears an absolutely garish shade of green, laughs like a fucking psycho all the damn time and has a smile from here to here” Tommy says, dragging two fingers from the corners of his mouth up his cheeks. Nightwing suddenly feels like a pit had opened in his stomach, ears ringing as he blocks out the rest of whatever Tommy was saying. He suddenly stands straight up and Tommy shoots forward, covering the leftovers of his food with his body and hissing but Nightwing didn't say anything, just giving him a hollow apology and turning and running out, leaving behind a bewildered looking Tommy, but Nightwing didn't have time to explain, he had to get back to the cave, and he needed to get back there now.
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Bruce sat at the bat computer, going over dozens of police files, his eyes aching from the brightness of the screens but he couldn't pull his eyes away. His earlier fight with Dick was still replaying through his mind on loop, and Bruce knew he would need to find a way to apologize to his oldest boy. He couldn't even remember what had started their fight, only knew that it had eventually ended with Dick storming out of the cave, Tim doing his very best to blend into the shadows, and Damian scowling at him before marching upstairs.
Ever since Red Hood had shown up his family had slowly begun breaking apart, they had only recently started connecting back together after the loss of Jason, but now a new rogue was on screen and Damian hated having siblings. Bruce knew he needed to have a conversation with Damian, to try and help him understand that he loved Damian as much as Tim and Dick, that he was just as much of his son as the other two, but he just didn't have time. He needed to find Red Hood, to stop him, (to scream and rage and demand to know where he got the fucking audacity to vandalize his baby's memorial), but he would keep an eye on the young boy, he didn't like the looks he was giving Tim, his Tim who was only now just starting to limp around after the attack in Titans Tower.
He hears the sound of a vehicle and looks up, turning around as he sees Dick's bike racing into the cave, Dick barely putting the thing into park before he yanks his helmet off and jumps off, rushing up as Bruce frowns.
“Dick how many times have we been over this you can-”
“The Joker is Back!”
Bruce feels like a bucket of ice water is suddenly thrown down his back as he freezes, and before he could stop himself he grabs Dick by the shoulders pulling him closer “what do you mean, Dick what do you mean?” Bruce shouts, only barely keeping himself from shaking his boy as Dick reaches up and pulls his domino mask off, revealing his wide eyes.
“The Joker is back, and he's already claimed another victim” Dick says and Bruce lets him go, stepping back, his hands shaking as he reaches up to cover his face in his hands.
How could he have not known, how could he have missed it! Already another life was lost, more blood on his hands because of a monster he couldn't bring himself to kill.
“But Bruce, the kid, the kid somehow came back” Dick says and Bruce stops and looks at him, his grief momentarily giving way to confusion as he looks at his eldest boy who grimaces.
“The kid, he didn't know how, just that he woke up in a pool of green water somewhere” Dick says as Bruce freezes.
“Dick, his eyes, what did the boys eyes look like” Bruce says, already having a feeling he knows the answer, but needing it confirmed all the same.
“Blue, they were the brightest pair of blue eyes I have ever seen, but something weird happened, when he got worked up, they had a greenish tint to them” Dick says and Bruce feels his heart drop. “Why Bruce, do you know something about what happened? “ Dick says, looking at his father.
“I have an idea, but I'll need to talk to Talia,” Bruce says, ignoring the sneer on his son's face at the mention of Damian's mother. “But if my hunch is correct, then Gotham is in even greater danger ” Bruce says quietly. But secretly a small feeling of hope was in his chest. Maybe now, after all this time, Bruce could finally bring Jason's murderer to justice.