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Tim’s back burned from the gift his Master, Ra’s al Gul bestowed on him. He was kneeling on the floor with his back facing the older man. He kept his head down knowing if he looked up it would only make his punishment worse. If he was being honest, the real reason was he didn’t want to meet the eyes of the young boy sitting across from him. Tim knew Damian’s face would be filled with guilt and seeing the young boy suffer would finally break him.
He couldn’t risk breaking down with the older man still in the room. Not when he was so close to finally getting his new runes removed. He was so foolish, thinking that following a stranger to his home would lead to a better life. While he didn’t regret the outcome that befell his parents, at least they were honest with their dislike of him from the start.
Ra’s promised him a life of freedom, one where he could finally embrace his dragon heritage. Tim thought he was going to fulfill his one wish, getting to fly for the first time, when the man let him use the healing waters of the Lazarus Pit.
But the man was like all the other adults in his life. He lied to Tim, and as soon the Pit healed him of his parents runes, he craved some of his own to Tim’s skin. While the runes didn’t suppress his abilities, they made sure he couldn’t use them to harm his or disobey his Master. One of Ra’s’ first commands was that Tim not shift without his permission.
Tim quickly learned his new role. Ra’s didn’t truly set out to save him and set him free. He wanted a new weapon, a glorified bodyguard for his grandson and potential heir. Tim was to train under the league and once he proved he was worthy could he finally be able to shift freely.
The problem was he did prove his loyalty, to the wrong al Gul.
After Tim met Damian, a child younger than him, suffering at the hands of adults who should have shown him love and protection. Something in Tim sparked inside, he found himself starting to rebel against Ra’s when it came to Damian’s wellbeing. If he could stop another child from suffering like he had growing up, then all of this would be worth it. Even though what he could do was small things, like stepping in the way of the trainers were being too harsh to the young boy. Or sneaking him food when he knew Ra’s was going to use starvation as a punishment for failing a task.
His little act of rebellion could only go unnoticed for so long. He was finally caught, he had snuck into Damian’s room to give him some water and food, since the boy was on day two of another punishment. Ra’s was pleased that they bonded, since it meant his plans to make Tim Damian’s bodyguard was working. However, they still were going behind his back, not letting Damian take his punishment.
Ra’s felt like he needed to get a message across to the pseudo-siblings. If they were going to create a fuss over a small matter like food, they needed to learn how it was a privilege not a right. They would learn not to give away food to each other, especially if it wasn’t earned. And if Tim was so concerned about the younger boy being hurt from his punishments, then he could take on all his punishment instead.
As soon as he heard Ra’s’ proposal, Tim felt nothing but relief, he would take on all of Damian’s hurts if he could. He was glad he could become Damian’s protector, the kind of person he wish would be there for him.
Damian didn’t take the news well, yelling at his grandfather and begging that he take on Tim’s punishments instead. And that’s when Tim learned that maybe, Damian was like him, wanting to be the protector for someone who cared for him.
This why Ra’s had Damian watch as he punished Tim. If he wanted to help Tim so bad, he could take on the burdens of his punishment. He would sit and wait for Ra’s to be done and dress the wounds. With each crack of the whip Ra’s was letting them know that this what happened when they tried to go behind his back.
The room smelled like rotten flesh, and Tim feel a trickle of blood flowing down his chin. He must of bit his mouth too hard in his effort to suppress his screams. He looked down at his hands, they were still on his knees, though his eyesight was getting blurry. He hoped he didn’t pass out, he wanted to make sure he could offer Damian comfort after this was over.
Plus, he had to share his plan. Taila al Gul would finally be back from the mission Ra’s sent her on a few months ago. If they could convince her to go against her father, they could escape from Ra’s’ clutches. If the rumors Tim heard were true, Damian’s father was Batman and Tim knew they would be safe in Gotham under the protection of the Bat.
His plan wouldn’t come into motion for a couple months, but until then he would try to keep Damian safe.