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Gothamites were arguably the least bothered people on earth. The daily Rogue attacks had them questioning the cheap rent and gas masks were a necessity. The constant Arkham and Blackgate breakouts didn’t deter the citizens though, they just took different routes to get to work, carried gas masks and occasionally had to evacuate certain areas.
The Rogues ranged from levels of annoyance to citywide chaos, sometimes it was quick work from the police that cleaned up the streets and buses were only temporarily delayed.
Other times the dark shadow that protected the streets was required to take down the worst of the foes.
Poison Ivy was a peculiar rogue. She took to the streets to spread her infamous plants which Gothamites were able to recognise and avoid. Should one come across a stray vine, they knew to turn in the opposite direction before the plant could cause harm.
Everyone in Gotham knew that. But… just not everyone abided by it. For when there was a new group of plants, there was a certain crowd of bats. And one young boy with a camera and lack of self preservation happened to go wherever the bats did. No matter how dangerous.
That’s how late one night, Timothy Drake who’d been prowling the streets in search of his favourite vigilantes happened to end up in a terrible situation.
He’d been trailing Batman and Robin through one of their average patrol routes, it was a seemingly calm night, the heroes had stopped a few muggings, prevented a robbery and were seemingly doing surveillance on a warehouse when the call came across the radio.
The dynamic duo had hopped in the batmobile and sped off, leaving nothing but a blur in the night.
Unfortunately, Tim didn’t have the luxury of a batmobile and with a sigh he planned to head home. It’d been getting late anyway and he had no hopes of keeping up with the coolest car ever.
Tim didn’t bring his bike on his nightly excursions, mostly because he couldn’t cycle on rooftops, but also because he was worried it’d be stolen if he left it in Crime Alley. Okay… not worried, he was sure it’d be stolen if he left it in Crime Alley.
Sometimes he brought his skateboard, but tonight he’d forgone his trusty method of travel and prioritised stealth.
It had worked - he’d gotten some of the clearest shots of Robin ever! Ones that had him excitedly flipping through his camera just to stare at the five star quality of his favourite hero.
Jason Todd posing proudly on a building after single handedly taking out multiple thugs on his own. It was a sight to see.
Sadly, he’d have to wait to truly admire his photography skills. He pulled out his phone to call an Uber. Downside of living in Bristol, it was too long of a journey to walk home from the heart of Gotham.
Tonight though, Tim frowned at his phone. His request for a driver hadn’t been accepted. That was… strange. Usually drivers in Gotham were willing to take anyone in the early hours for a slightly better pay, the fees were frankly disturbing but Tim always paid with a tip. A large tip straight from his trust fund.
Not tonight. His pleas went unanswered and Tim tried to ignore the sinking feeling in his gut as he began to walk toward the nearest bus stop. He’d get the first bus in and pray he had time to change for school in the morning.
He couldn’t ignore the worry though, Gothamites were not easily deterred from their streets and many powered through even the worst of tragedies. So to see the streets empty… it was a little worrying.
Tim just curled his fingers a little tighter around the camera around his neck and began his journey. He’d done this plenty of times and was confident in sticking to the shadows, avoiding the few people lingering on the streets.
With Batman and Robin around, Tim felt safe walking through the worst of Gotham because the Dark Knight and his brightly coloured companion would be there to save him. Not now though, they were dealing with something much more important.
The thought made his next breath catch a little and his pace quicken. Tim was so lost in his head, he ignored his surroundings, trusting his feet and muscle memory to carry him to the bus stop.
That was a mistake. The mistake which left Tim walking blindly down a street he knew was a shortcut to his destination and stepping straight over a loose vine lying on the ground.
The same mistake that caused him not to notice the street was deserted, enveloped in silence. His feet carried on their path and the loose vine turned into two, then three, then a few stray leaves of a plant were ghosting at his feet.
Tim just walked. Left. Straight. Right. Into the park. The park was always a risky route, especially so late at night but there hadn’t been incidents lately and Tim was on a time crunch here. He couldn’t be late to school. Just imagining the phone call from his parents if he was marked late had him once again picking up the pace.
That was his final mistake. His lack of awareness had Tim walking face first into a giant plant that definitely wasn’t there yesterday.
He stopped startled and then coughed as he received a face full of a pink pollen. The boy staggered back, coughing and spluttering while trying to wipe the pink from his eyes with little success.
He bent over, hands on his knees and choked out a few deep breaths. What the hell?
He glanced up at the giant plant swaying before him. It’s leaves had spots of purple in a way that had Tim’s heart dropping to the floor. This wasn’t a natural plant.
He wiped his face with his hands and then brushed the excess pollen off on his jeans. Looking down he worried his lip at the sight of it. Yep. Definitely not good.
Okay. Plants popping out the group, empty streets, Batman and Robin called to an urgent problem. Tim reached conclusion only a Gothamite could. Rogue attack. Not just any rogue attack, Ivy.
Now onto the next dilemma. Ivy’s plants were infamous for their range of side effects. When a person encountered one and was unlucky enough to be within their firing range, they could suffer serious consequences. The most feared was her plants ability to mind control but when taking a moment to collect himself, Tim felt pretty confident he was within his own mind.
He was ignoring the point that a person being mind controlled likely wouldn’t know it. Some of her plants would spit out forms of pollen. Tim already knew he’d been a victim of this. The pollen ranged in abilities and Ivy was forever coming up with new concoctions.
The first step when hit by a pollen, was to get to safety and wash it off immediately. If side effects kicked in, the person should head to a hospital for an antidote or treatment of the symptoms if a cure was not available.
Tim began by slowly backing away from the offending plant, warily eyeing it’s wavering leaves until he finally felt enough space had been placed between him and the attacker to breath.
He took a moment to compose himself and check in with his body. Had the effects already started? What would they be? He clenched his fingers into a fist, noting the slight pins and needles beginning to curse his body.
He shook his head. This was fine. Probably a minor dose of a harmless pollen meant to deter visitors from the park. The best idea would be to leave the way he came in and find another route home.
But a glance at the time had him wavering. If he walked around the park there was no way he’d make the bus with time for a full shower and to get ready for school! If he walked through… he’d probably make it. Besides, he was already on the path and had endured the worst of the plants’ defences. What worse could happen?
With that mindset, Tim clenched his jaw and began to walk. One foot at a time, steadily ignoring the sharp tingly feeling creeping up his legs and towards his chest.
He walked. And walked. And walked. How big was this park again? A glance around was not telling. The usual markers for knowing where he was were obscured by the insane amount of newly sprung greenery.
It was a breathtaking sight or was that just his chest getting tighter? He ignored the rising wave of panic and continued to walk. The tingling had changed from a feeling of numbness to a sharp stabbing in his extremities.
It was manageable. He just needed to get to the bus. Was it getting colder? Tim glanced at his fingers and was alarmed to see his fingernails turning purple. He quickly tucked them under his armpits but the body heat provided no relief at the cold seeping in.
It was an unusual sensation, a deep feeling of pain settling within his bones. It seemingly spread from his heart and poisoned every part of his body. The pain steadily rising alongside the ache of loneliness.
Left foot. Lift, move, place down. Right foot. He was still moving, but rapidly declining in pace. Tim’s teeth chattered as moved, tears prickling at the corners of his eyes as he fought to contain his emotions.
This was stupid. He was being a baby. Most people who suffered from pollen were able to get themselves to a hospital or even ride out the effects at home.
Yet Tim felt himself desperately wishing for the presence of his parents. He’d do anything for Jack’s hand to clamp on his shoulder with a ‘Good job sport!’ on his lips. For his mother to brush his hair out of his face.
The desire for another person to just pay attention. To care. To pull him into a tight embrace and push the cold within his bones away.
Tim’s eyes were barely even open when he felt his knees buckle. His last thought before crashing to the ground was to wrap his arms around his camera, except they didn’t seem to respond and he was unable to do more than flail.
He landed in an undignified heap on the floor, a sob crawling it’s way out his throat. He forced his numb legs to shift until he was sitting with his knees tucked to his chest and his camera cradled protectively.
He pushed his head into his knees and cried. Deep, gut-wrenching cries. Cries at the agony in his soul, the hollow pain in his chest begging for anyone to notice.
The noises he was making left him unaware of his surroundings and Tim choked out sob after sob until the pain in his chest had been amplified beyond what he could bear. He sucked in a few lungfuls of air and tried to calm himself when he heard a voice in the distance.
He paused, holding his breath in fear. There could be anyone good in this area, not after an attack like this.
The pollen riddled section of his brain wanted him to launch towards the person and seek out physical contact, but his limbs were too numb to cooperate with that anyway.
Instead, Tim stayed curled up in a mournful ball, helpless to whoever came across him.
The jungle around him was thick but the person sounded determined and he wasn’t sure the plants would stop them.
Tim strained his ears and listened.
“-llooooo? Is anyone there? Hello?”
Was that… that sounded like-
“Call out if you can hear me? I won’t hurt you I promise.”
No. It couldn’t be. Yet Tim’s heart was pounding at the possibility because that voice was familiar.
“Hello? Is anyone about? I’m Robin, call out please. I just want to help.”
Tim’s eyes widened in shock. That was Robin! His beloved hero. And it sounded like he was looking for Tim.
The thought had him dizzy with excitement for a second. The thought of speaking to Robin had his heart racing. He just needed to let him know he was here.
With a newfound sense of determination, Tim clenched and unclenched his fingers a few times, willing sensation back into them. He focused on Robin’s continuous calls and used that to motivate him onward.
He slowly placed his hands on the ground and braced his weight against his palms before taking a deep breath and pushing himself forward. He tipped onto his knees and straightened up, gritting his teeth against the whimper that wanted to slip out.
The pain. His knees crunched against the dirt and lit up in another round of sharp tingling. But Robin’s voice was getting more distant and Tim had to try.
He took a few deep breaths before pushing all his weight onto his arms hard. It took a second but he got his feet under him and he was standing! Sort of. He was hunched over and swaying on trembling feet. But he was mostly upright.
Tim pulled his stiff neck up and glanced around. Nothing but green in sight. He focused on Robin’s worried calls and with more effort than anything had taken in his life, he turned his body to the direction of the noise.
It took most of his energy to lift one foot in front of the other but soon Tim was stumbling forward. Black dots were swimming in and out of his vision and the ache in his chest intensified with each step.
He just needed to be held. Just for a minute. Please.
When he heard a desperate plea from Robin at a normal range Tim decided now was as good a time as any to try get the heroes attention.
He swallows against the dryness in his throat and opened his mouth.
“Here- I’m-“ Tim’s voice cut off into a cough. It was rough and scratchy and it hurt.
But it wasn’t loud enough and he just needed to try, just a little more. His feet shook dangerously below him and his legs threatened to let him fall once again, he swayed a few more steps forward before bracing himself against a wall. Tim titled his head back and shouted.
“Here. Help please. I need help.” His voice was hoarse and the desperation shone through. Tears were streaming down his cheeks and his legs gave way. Tim fell to his hands and knees, unsure what else to do.
The pain in his body had taken over and he felt like he was dying. He was so wrapped up in the horror he missed the calls of his favourite heroes.
“B! I found him! He’s here quick.”
Footsteps rushing towards him. A shocked gasp and then a hand on his shoulder. A hand on his shoulder! It had worked! Robin found him!
Even through the glove and Tim’s own multiple layers of clothing, he felt a hint of body heat seeping through and that was enough to have him gasping through a sob.
“Oh jeez. Okay kid you’re okay don’t- don’t panic,” Robin was fluttering around him, unsure what to do but never removing the hand on his shoulder.
More footsteps approached.
“Robin report.” A deep growl emanated from the shadow behind the two young boys, usually Tim would’ve had more of a reaction to the bat so close but his mind couldn’t form a coherent thought because there was a hand on his shoulder. And a hand belonged to a person. There was someone nearby!
“-must’ve been hit by Ivy’s-“
“antidote? Then what can we-“
The voices faded out as Tim fought to stay conscious. Were his eyes even still open? All his attempts were quickly overtaken when the hand was lifted from his shoulder.
He was unable to stop the inhuman noise that was ripped out of him. No! The cold was already creeping back in, tugging a vice around his lungs and threatening to suffocate him.
Tim let out a quiet gasp of a word, a silent plea. “Jason please.”
Tim was too out of it to notice the air around him stiffen or the voices to pause.
His body was long beyond the energy to shake but it worked up enough to drag a few trembles out of him.
Suddenly, the hand was back. It was back! And without a glove. There was a person touching him. The cold was washed away from the area of contact in a second, the intensity of the contact so warm it burned. Tim almost wanted to pull away at the overwhelming relief and agony it provided.
The slight change in pain level was enough to have Tim forcing his eyes open. When had he closed them? He turned to the direction of warmth seeping into his skin. His sleeve had been rolled up and a gloveless hand was wrapped around his forearm.
His eyes followed the arm holding his up and up and up until he let out a squeak. That was Robin. Domino mask and all. Holding his arm.
Tim’s glazed eyes drifted to the left, Batman was crouched down beside Robin, a gaze so intense that Tim shifted uncomfortably.
“Hey.” Tim drew his gaze back to Robin. The boy was smiling softly. “Can you hear me?”
Tim opened his mouth, tried to swallow around the lump in his throat. The hand on his wrist lifted some of the fog around his mind but not enough. His mouth wasn’t working right. It felt numb, disconnected. He settled for a nod.
Robin smiled a little more but it was strained at the edges. “Okay. Great. Can you tell me your name?”
Oh. That required talking. Name. Well his was Tim. And that was Jason. Hold on? Didn’t he already mention something about that.
Tim suddenly froze in place, his body tensing. Oh god. He’d said Robin’s name! He’d outed his secret. Batman had heard him. Now he was going to take him to the Batcave and lock him up or mind control him or kill him.
Clearly Robin had noticed the intense panic that lit up Tim’s face because he launched forward with a worried expression.
“Whoa! Hey it’s okay don’t worry! You’re safe I promise.”
Robin was touching him, his shoulder, his torso. But the hand was gone! The gloves hands didn’t matter, now he’d felt skin to skin contact, the gloves couldn’t provide any relief. He mourned the loss of the hand deeply.
Tim was helpless to the whine that slipped out his throat and Robin’s eyes widened even more before realisation flooded them and he grasped Tim’s forearm again, a little more tightly.
“Oh my god! I’m so sorry I didn’t even realise! It’s okay please don’t cry!”
Cry? Was he crying again? Suddenly, Tim’s field of view was obscured as black filled it. Batman gently pushed Robin to the side before reaching out and grabbing Tim’s chin with a gentle hold in his gloved hand.
Tim stopped breathing, looking up into the cowl.
The bat stared at him for a long moment before speaking in his usual gravelly tone yet it was much softer than Tim was expecting. “It’s alright. Can you tell us your name?”
Tim sucked in a lungful of air. He swallowed once before allowing his trembly voice to be heard.
“T-Tim sir.”
Batman nodded once. “Tim, you’ve been hit with Cuddle Pollen. Is there anyone we can call to take care of you?”
C-cuddle pollen? Tim paused. That was what this was? He felt the name undermined the agony he’d been suffering. It was a little hilarious to hear Batman say such words in a voice so sincere.
A hysterical laugh bubbled out of him. Once he started, he couldn’t stop. Long, sharp bursts of laughter intermittent with sobs. Was it just cuddle pollen or was there something in the air too? The oxygen supply in this park seemed lacking.
Suddenly Tim felt his body moving, limbs being manipulated. It didn’t matter. The hand was still on the arm, holding back the worst of the pain. Tim leaned into the… embrace? He looked around confused, still choking on harsh gasps.
He was curled up with Batman’s arms wrapped around him holding the young boy against his chest.
Batman was talking, he realised belatedly.
“-breathe, slowly. You’re alright. Just keep taking slow breaths.”
A gloved hand was rubbing his back alongside the reassuring rumble in his ear. Tim sucked in a few breaths, originally choking on the air before holding them for progressively longer until his breathing pattern began to even out.
Batman kept up the quiet murmur the whole time. He also noticed Robin had shifted to lean forward, gently rubbing circles on Tim’s wrist while he calmed.
“Tim?” Batman’s voice cut through the haze. He glanced up to see the underside of Batman’s chin above his head.
“Your reaction to the pollen is quite severe. We’re taking you to the Batcave.”
Pollen? Oh yeah. He’d forgot about that. Now he remembered, it seemed to be suddenly worse than before. The pain in his body overshadowed any other thoughts.
Between one blink and another, he was flying, he glanced around disoriented at first. He was in the air. In Batman’s arms? That was embarrassing.
He looked down to see Robin. Robin with the hand still holding onto Tim. The string connecting him to reality and tethering him to earth. Without Robin, Tim was sure he’d float away into a haze of loneliness and despair.
When the vigilante caught his gaze, he shot Tim a grin and a thumbs up with his unoccupied hand.
Batman was moving, carrying Tim out of the park towards a shadow. Long, dark and sleek with a door that opened silently.
It took until Tim was sitting on a leather seat, curled into Robin’s side for him to realise he was in the Batmobile. If he’d been more awake, he definitely would’ve noticed the perfect interior and been elated to take a free ride in his favourite car of all time.
Now, all Tim was able to do was give a slow blink at his change in location and wrap himself tighter around Robin. Wait. What? He pulled his heavy head down to see he’d wrapped his arms around Robin and was now using him as a personal teddy bear. How embarrassing.
Yet, Tim couldn’t tear himself away. The cold in his bones was getting stronger and not even the heated seats of the batmobile could help.
He slowly turned his head to see Batman in the front, the car speeding down deserted roads as the two heroes had a muffled conversation that Tim had long tuned out.
He curled back into Robin and let himself drift for an indeterminable amount of time.
Eventually, he felt Robin moving. He let out a whine and wrapped his fingers tighter in the bird’s tunic, peeling his tired eyes open.
Robin had an amused expression and wrapped an arm around Tim’s back, efficiently shuffling along the seat until he was slipping off and out the car while Tim hung on from the edge of his seat.
Batman rounded the car and gently picked Tim up, detaching him from Robin. Tim let out a yelp in horror as his source of heat was stolen.
He was crushed into the hard kevlar of the bat’s suit and it didn’t help against the pain. Robin’s grip around his wrist tightened though. It was still there.
In a few movements Tim’s blurry mind failed to grasp, Tim was moved a few times before the world stopped swirling and he blinked to find himself sitting on a bed in an extremely white room. Medical bay?
To the side he saw Robin struggling to keep his hold on Tim while Batman stripped him of his armour. It seemed awkward and Tim should probably offer to help but the thought of letting go of Robin made his heart clench.
After a few frustrated grunts, Robin was in a t-shirt and under armour pants, shuffling towards Tim. The domino mask was still intact.
“As much contact as possible Robin.” Batman growled out before disappearing into the depths of the… cave?
Holy shit. This was the Batcave. Tim had been too out of it to recognise the surroundings for the glorious hideout they were.
His mind was once again redirected though when Robin sat beside Tim on the bed and wrapped his arms around him.
Tim’s eyesight went fully black for a moment, everything seemingly stopped other than the intense sensation of physical contact. Robin was hugging him. He could feel it. The touch was so much Tim wanted to pull away and also burrow in simultaneously.
“You’re okay Timmy.” Robin squeezed him a little tighter. “You’re safe.”
The cold had been washed away. The numbers replaced with a warmth that has coated his insides. With the overwhelming feelings of safety, Tim let his eyes slowly close and he drifted off to sleep.
When Tim felt the tendrils of consciousness brush his mind, he grumbled, burrowing deeper into the warmth surrounding him on all sides. A deep chuckle rumbled from under him and the confusion had his eyes snapping open. Tim blinked blearily as he struggled to sit up, elbowing something soft in his haste and earning a groan from nearby.
He turned his head from side to side and was shocked to see Batman- no. Bruce Wayne cuddling him? The man was half reclined against the headboard of the biggest bed Tim had ever seen in his life, smiling down at Tim. When he turned to his left, he saw Jason Todd curled up with his arms out as though he’d been holding someone close.
At the movement, Jason shifted a little, grasping tighter at the air then instantly sitting up when he noticed his cuddle buddy missing.
He looked Tim in the eyes before sighing.
“Oh hey! You’re awake. How do ya feel?”
Tim just blinked. What? He turned slowly back to Mr. Wayne, then back to Jason. He looked down at the absurd amount of blankets covering the three.
“I- uhh I feel,” Tim paused and really considered the question. The agony he’d fallen asleep with had receded and feeling had returned to all his limbs. “I feel good.”
Jason grinned.
Mr. Wayne spoke from behind him. “That’s great to hear buddy, we were pretty worried.”
Tim turned, confusedly staring at the two. He swallowed. His throat hurt. It seemed Jason had developed mind reading powers however as he passed Tim a bottle of water.
Tim gratefully raised the drink to his lips and took a few long mouthfuls. When he was done, he placed the bottle on a nightstand and turned to Mr. Wayne who seemed to be waiting.
“Tim. What do you remember from last night?”
Tim froze. It hit him suddenly that he really was looking at Mr. Wayne, not Batman. Surely the man didn’t go around sharing his identity. He had to tread carefully, the question felt like a trap.
“I uhh was at the park. I got hit by a plant and Batman and Robin saved me.” He finished and eyed Mr. Wayne warily.
Mr. Wayne nodded. “Anything after that?”
Tim scrunched his eyes truly thinking. “I- I’m not sure sir.”
Jason rolled his eyes from the side. “Stop wastin’ time B! Hey Timmers, you’re Tim Drake right? Our neighbour?”
It wasn’t so much a question as an accusation, of course the Waynes had recognised him from galas. Tim nodded mutely.
“And you know me. I’m Jason. Anything else you’d like to add?” His tone was light but the question was not.
Tim swallowed. He racked his brains back in the night. When had he let himself spill the secret? He remembered seeing Robin. Hugging Robin. Robin letting go. Calling for Robin- no. Oh. He’d called for Jason. Yup. Tim was so utterly screwed.
The expectant look on the Waynes’ faces had Tim tugging at the seam of his shirt- which now when he looked at it, was not his. He was in someone’s slightly too large pyjamas and thankfully void of pollen.
He looked up and stared just below Jason’s face, unable to make eye contact as he whispered his confession. “You’re Robin.”
A deep breath from the boy before him. Tim kept his gaze lowered, terrified while waiting to see what would happen.
What he wasn’t expecting was for Jason to laugh. A loud, happy laugh. Tim shot his head up in surprise, Jason was grinning at him.
“Told ya B. He knew.”
Mr. Wayne grunted from behind him and Tim quickly turned to face the man. “Mr. Wayne I’- I’m so sorry! I promise I never told anyone and I didn’t mean to to- I’m sorry! Please don’t lock me up in the Batcave!”
Mr. Wayne’s expression softened and he reached out, gently placing a hand on Tim’s shoulder. “Hey no. It’s alright Tim. Don’t worry, you’re safe here.”
Jason sobered up too. “Yeah Timmy. We already knew it’s okay.”
Tim blinked.
Mr. Wayne continued. “Tim, after you said Jason’s name, we became concerned and checked your camera.” His voice was serious and Tim’s stomach dropped. “I am very sorry for the breach of privacy but our identities are very serious.”
Tim was suddenly feeling cold again, even with Jason’s arms around him.
Jason snorted. “Yeah yeah whatever but Tim those pictures were awesome! Seriously, did ya take ‘em yourself?”
Tim nodded in surprise. Robin liked his photos! Robin had seen his photos!
Mr. Wayne held up a hand. “You took them?” A nod. “And you haven’t showed anyone?” A shake. Mr. Wayne sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay. We’re going to have to have a serious talk about safety later.”
Tim just stared in shock, this couldn’t be real right?
“My next concern- Tim who’s looking after you? I checked and your parents have been out of town for four months.”
Oh man. Mr. Wayne kept dropping bombshells left right and centre. “Mrs. Mac sir.”
Mr. Wayne frowned. “She only works part-time?”
Wow. He’d done his research. That was fine, Tim’s parents had prepared him for moments like this. “Yes sir. But I’m 10 now, I can take care of myself.” He plastered his most reassuring smile on his face.
Mr. Wayne’s eyebrows pinched and Jason looked startled. The younger boy spoke up indignantly. “That’s not fair! You’re like a baby! You shouldn’t be home alone.”
Tim bristled at the implications of that. He was perfectly capable to taking care of himself! He could make microwave dinners and clean the house and get himself to school thank you very much.
Mr. Wayne shook his head. “Tim, how would you like to stay here while your parents are away? I’d feel better knowing you have an adult around.”
Tim stuttered a little unsure what to say. “I- I wouldn’t want to be a problem Mr. Wayne.”
“Nonsense.” Mr. Wayne waved a hand, dismissing Tim’s concerns. “You’ll fit right in. And please, call me Bruce.” He smiled then and swung his legs over the side of the bed, standing in one quick movement. “I believe it is breakfast time.”
Tim gasped. School! “Mr- Bruce I uh have to go and get ready for school.”
Jason made a startled sound while Bruce just stared at him for a second before it clicked. “Oh no. Tim you were attacked by a rogue last night, you’re off for a sick day.”
Tim… didn’t know what to make of that. It seemed a little extreme to stay off for nothing. He was fine now. Sure he’d barely slept but still! He’d survived on a lot less.
“Now.” Bruce said. “I think we’re owed an explanation to how you discovered our identities.” His eyes had a light twinkle in them.
Jason grinned and leaped from the blanket cocoon he’d been drowning in. “Yes! I’ve been desperate to know, please Timbit!”
Tim smiled as he crawled out the bed. “Well… it started with Dick Grayson.”