Chapter Text
One second Jason was talking Bruce’s ear off about the movie, then he was blinking drowsily at the credits rolling.
“Hey, there, buddy,” Jason tilted his head up, realizing his super-comfy pillow was his dad guardian. Bruce brushed a lock of curly hair off his forehead. “You want to stay in here with Tim for the night?”
Jason glanced at the snoring lump on the beanbag. The tension that always seemed wrapped around the kid had finally released.
“Yeah, probably,” Jason slowly sat up, stretching. Tim was already skittish, but he had so much spunk and honestly, he cracked Jason up. He kind of reminded him of—
“Oh!” Jason exclaimed. Bruce twitched, which was as close to a jump and a scream as he could get. Tim shifted. Jason froze, then lowered his voice. “I forgot to tell you about that kid I met on patrol!”
Bruce frowned. “From last night?”
Jason nodded. “I, uh, actually met him the other day before we fought Scarecrow. Almost fell off a rooftop. Refused to tell me where he lived, but I walked him to a bus stop and gave him a panic button just in case.” Then Jason had left the kid to help B, but Scarecrow managed to nail him with fear toxin.
The events surrounding that were still fuzzy. One second, he had been experiencing his worst nightmare, the next he was blinking the cursed images away and scrambling to get somewhere more secure.
But Jason could have sworn something had happened in those blurry minutes under the toxin. What was it…?
“—son, chum?” Jason blinked, Bruce’s voice filtering in as he waded out of his thoughts. Bruce frowned, eyes scanning his face in concern. “What’s wrong?”
Jason sighed. “Sorry, B, just thinking. I saved the kid again from some cutpurse, but he managed to sneak away while I was distracted. All I got out of him was his name. Alvin.” He bit his lip.
Why was that name so familiar?
Bruce ruffled his hair. “I’ll create a file for him, just in case this becomes a regular occurrence. But for now, get some rest. It is a school night.”
Jason relented, and Bruce tucked him in on the couch. Just as Jason began to drift, he felt a kiss on his forehead and heard a whispered, “Goodnight, Jaylad.”
===
Tim felt well-rested when he woke up, which was not normal at all and his heart rate picked up. He opened his eyes a crack, examining his surroundings. Instead of panic, confusion filled his head. Where…?
“Timbo!” Jason appeared in Tim’s line of sight. “Look who’s up! I was just about to wake you. We gotta eat breakfast and pick up your stuff for school, remember?”
Tim blinked, a tad overwhelmed by Jason’s spiel. “Uh…” he replied intelligently. His father would have yelled at him for that.
Jason rolled his eyes and pulled Tim up by his shoulders. “Come on, let’s get some food on those measly bones.” Jason frowned. “What do you even eat, Tiny Tim?”
Microwave meals and a crap-ton of coffee, Tim doesn’t say. He scowled at Jason as he followed him to the kitchen. “I eat plenty. And I’m not tiny!” he protested.
Mr. Pennyworth spared them a brief glance as he flipped pancakes onto a plate. Tim took a seat at the counter next to Jason. His mouth watered as the plate was placed in front of him. Tim’s normal breakfast was a protein bar and coffee.
“Thank you, Mr. Pennyworth,” Tim said, eagerly pouring syrup over the steaming pancakes as Jason received his own serving.
“Of course Master Tim. And please, call me Alfred,” Mr. Penny—Alfred, replied smoothly. Tim blushed, stuffing a piece of pancake into his mouth.
Oh. Oh, that tastes amazing.
Jason snickered as he watched Tim’s reaction. “Life-changing, right?”
“Mhm,” Tim mumbled around the delicious goodness. He devoured the pile in ten minutes, stomach full for the first time in months.
Alfred took the dishes, dropping them in the sink. “Now, Master Tim, before you depart for school, let’s have a look at that arm of yours.”
To be honest, Tim had forgotten about the injury that had landed him here in the first place. Tim rolled up his sleeve and let Alfred examine and redress the wound.
“There we are, my boy,” Alfred wiped his hands on his apron, “there shouldn’t be too much scarring.” Tim’s chest warmed at the moniker, but he pushed the mushy feelings down and smiled politely at Alfred.
Jason, who had left the kitchen while Alfred tended to Tim, returned dressed for school with a backpack over his shoulder. In his hand, Tim’s shoes and hat.
Oh. Right. Disappointment rippled through Tim. This entire ordeal had been…better than Tim had expected. He hated to leave it behind for his cold, empty mausoleum house. Like his parents always said, he was practically an adult. He could take care of himself.
He could take care of himself just fine.
===
Jason watched Tim scurry into his white mansion, something uneasy brewing in his gut. Ever since meeting him in the park, Jason knew something wasn’t adding up. And he still couldn’t shake the feeling that he recognized the kid, but from where…
Tim returned, dressed and ready. Alfred dropped them off, and Jason and Tim departed to their separate classes. Jason tried to look after him, but it was as if the little rascal was invisible; Jason couldn’t find him anywhere.
Jason brought his lunch outside, scanning the picnic tables and students sprawled on the grass. He didn’t expect to spot Tim so fast, but a neon orange beanie is hard to miss.
Jason dropped his tray onto the table and slid into the seat across from Tim. “Hey, Timmers!”
Tim startled hard, banging his knee on the table. Jason hissed in sympathy. He stared at Jason with wide eyes, almost like he couldn’t believe he was there.
“You good, Tim? That must’ve hurt,” Jason asked quickly before it got too awkward. Tim blinked, then blushed.
“Y–yeah, I’m fine,” he mumbled, picking at his mushy macaroni. “Um, what’s up? Did you need something?”
Jason froze, sandwich halfway to his lips. “No, just haven’t seen you all day! You’re like a little ghost!”
Tim scowled, retorting, “I’m not little! I’m just a late bloomer!”
Jason snorted. “Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say. Just admit, you’re a shrimp.”
The glower Tim sent matched Batman’s disapproving glare uncannily, and Jason couldn’t hold the laughter in anymore. He howled.
Pretty soon, against his will, Tim started giggling, and soon they both descended into easy laughter.
“Okay, okay,” Tim gasped between laughs, “fine, I’m smaller, but I am not a shrimp.”
Jason took a shaky breath, trying to quell the chuckles threatening to rise. “Whatever makes you happy, Timberlina.” Tim opened his mouth to protest, but the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
Tim gathered his things quickly, and Jason walked with him back into the school. As Tim started down the hall, Jason called, “See you soon, Timbo!” Tim offered a small smile and gave a little wave.
Jason couldn’t help but think of Alvin. He and Tim shared similar personalities in a way. Jason just wished he could figure them out.