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BING
“Robin, connection restored,” the computer chimes.
“Oh thank god,” Dick sighs in relief.
“B-Belfry, you there?” Tim asks, voice shaky.
“Robin, it is very good to hear your voice, we were worried,” Alfred replies over comms.
“I’m back. I’m… I’m pretty beat up,” Tim says quietly, voice nearly breaking at the end.
“Are you injured, sir?”
“Not physically,” he whispers.
“Robin, do you need assistance returning to the Belfry?” Dick cuts in.
“Maybe I shouldn’t,” Tim sniffles.
“Return?” Babs asks, alarmed.
“I don’t deserve Robin. I’m not good enough for this, I can’t do it,” Tim’s voice breaks.
“What are you talking about?” Jason growls, in his annoyed-but-actually-really-worried tone.
“I’m not enough!” Tim yells, voice thick.
“Robin, I’m coming to you. Please stay where you are. Can you do that for me?” Dick asks gently.
“Bank building,” Tim murmurs.
“Sit tight. See you soon.”
Dick runs to his suit and practically throws himself into it, Jason just behind him. They’re ready in less than a minute, anxious to get to their baby brother. Because something is really, really wrong.
“Bring him home boys,” Babs says quietly, giving them a small smile.
“We will,” Jason promises. He turns to Dick, “c’mon.”
They hurry towards the Belfry exit and onto the roof, jumping off the edge and grappling towards the GCNB building. They get there in near record time, landing hard on the roof beside each other.
“Robin!” Dick calls.
“‘m here,” a small voice responds.
Dick turns towards the voice and spots a tuft of black hair on the other side of an AC unit and jogs over, Jason right at his side.
The sight nearly breaks his heart. Tim is hugging his knees to his chest, forehead resting on them. His breaths are choppy and erratic and he’s trembling. His mask, bo, and cape are tossed carelessly aside.
“Oh, Tim…” Dick sighs sadly, sinking to his knees beside his brother. Jason sits down on the other side of him. Dick reaches out and lays a hand on his shoulder, causing the teen to flinch sharply. Dick yanks his hand back like he’s been burned. “Crap, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I know,” Tim says, voice muffled against his legs.
“Hey, Tim, can you look up for us?” Jason asks gently.
Tim shakes his head.
“Please?” Dick adds.
Tim sniffles and slowly raises his head, avoiding eye contact with his brothers.
Dick inhales sharply while Jason sighs.
“Shit, BabyBird. What did they do to you in there?” Jason asks, an undercurrent of anger in his words.
“Showed me the truth,” he whispers.
“What truth?” Dick questions, confused.
“I shouldn’t be Robin! I’m an, an embarrassment to the name. A mistake,” Tim whimpers, eyes swimming with tears.
“What, the fuck, are you talking about?”
“Bruce never wanted me! He… he… he knew he needed a R-R-Robin, but he wanted someone else, anyone else, because I’m weak and stupid, useless. I’m… I’m not even good enough for cannon fodder!” Tim breaks down and starts sobbing.
“What the hell?!”
“Can I hug you?” Dick asks, opening his arms. In lieu of response, he throws himself at Dick and wraps his arms around him, knocking him onto his back. Dick just manages to keep his head from smacking into the concrete, and he’s really glad he’s so flexible because most people would not be able to handle having their legs bent like that. “O-ok! Ok. Hugs.”
Jason snorts.
Dick manages to sit up while keeping Tim tightly held in his arms. The boy is clutching him like a lifeline, sobbing into his neck.
“Hey, it’s alright. I’m here, and Jay’s here, and it’s all gonna be alright,” Dick murmurs, “Let it out.”
“We’re here for whatever absolute bullshit is in your head right now,” Jason says.
While Tim cries, Dick gently runs a hand up and down his back, murmuring comforts the whole time.
Jason spends the time internally raging about the Court, arms crossed tightly and staring at the sky angrily. He really wants to go punch Kane in the face and break his stupid fucking nose. Everyone has seen a little snippet of Tim’s insecurity, but it’s never been this bad before. He’s traumatized.
Tim’s cries eventually wane, and he just stays where he is, sniffling against his big brother.
“Timmy, what happened?”
Tim pulls back from where he’s holding onto Dick and curls up against his side. Jason scoots over closer, bracketing Tim securely.
“Penguin, he… it was a set up. A-And he knocked me out. And I woke up in this… death labyrinth. I, I almost got impaled, turned to ash, sliced into pieces and there was so much dried blood on the walls and it smelled like death and I had visions and, and, and… it was awful,” Tim whines.
Jason steals Tim from Dick’s side and pulls him against his own. “You’re out now. You’re safe. What did those assholes make you see?”
“Alfred. Murdered,” he whispers.
“He’s fine, bud.” It probably sounds callous, but Tim runs on facts.
“I know that now, but…”
“It scared the shit out of you, yeah,” Jason says.
“Yeah… and I… I saw myself… dead, with an owl mask on. Just… my god damn crumpled, beaten corpse.”
Dick takes a few deep breaths to settle his rising anger. “I’m so sorry, Tim.”
“But wait, there’s more,” Tim says, laughing darkly.
“Pricks,” Jason spits.
“It… it was Bruce’s open grave… and he said that I failed him, and… and I think he’s right,” Tim whimpers, beginning to cry again, but softly.
“Tim… Bruce chose to lock down the Batcave and blow it up. Hell, he’s happy you were gone, because he would never ever want you to go down with him.”
“But maybe I could have…”
“Stopped a man that’s been fighting for hundreds of years? You’re good but you’re not that good. No one is. Batman wasn’t good enough.”
“But us together…”
“You would have been killed, Tim. I’d’ve had to bury my dad and my baby brother. I’ve already had to bury one and that’s not something I want to repeat.”
“Turned out ok,” Jason shrugs.
“Shut up, Jason,” Dick groans.
“I… you’re right,” Tim sighs.
“Is there more?”
“Y-yeah. The, it… I. There. The R-Robin suit was hung up with… a couple ‘help wanted’ posters, and Batman… he… he said… he… I can’t,” Tim’s voice shatters, and he moves to wrap his arms around Jason.
Jason freezes in shock for a couple seconds before moving to hug him back. “‘s ok Tim, it’s ok.”
“Said… he… he said… rather have anyone but me, not as good as you two… did… did he actually…?”
“No,” Dick laughs, “Tim, every single time Bruce and I spoke after you started, he was bragging about you like the proudest dad in the world. How quick your training was going, how great of a detective you are, Tim did this, Tim did that. Honestly dude, it was annoying how good of a Robin he thought you were. Like ‘shut up Bruce, I get it, he’s the best Robin that ever walked God’s green earth’ yeesh.”
“What?” Tim whispers, shocked. He lifts his head and turns to look at Dick.
“I’m serious, Tim. He wouldn’t’ve wanted anyone but you. You’re an incredible Robin.”
“And I wouldn’t have gotten homicidally jealous if you sucked at being Robin. I was replaced, and by someone way better, and that’s what pissed me off. But after actually getting to know you, and seeing you as Robin up close? I couldn’t’ve hand picked a better person to take up my mantle. You are the best Robin on this rooftop.”
“Absolutely,” Dick agrees.
“It was so real, I… I thought…”
“They’re just trying to get in your head and psych you out BabyBird.”
“They succeeded...”
“Just… just don’t quit on us. We want you and we love you and you’re critical to this team, but more importantly this family, ok?” Dick says, reaching over and squeezing Tim’s hand.
“Thanks Dick.”
“Well fuck you too,” Jason scoffs.
“And thank you Jason,” Tim adds, rolling his eyes.
“Course. Now let’s get you home, yeah? You’re still shivering and Alfred will have our heads if you die of hypothermia on our watch.”
Dick stands with a groan. He reaches a hand down and Tim takes it, letting himself be pulled to his feet. Jason follows suit.
Tim reaches down and grabs his mask, cape, and bo staff, reattaching everything.
“Are you ok to grapple by yourself?” Dick asks gently.
“I… maybe shouldn’t,” Tim admits. “I’ll take the bike.”
“We’ll meet you there,” Jason says.
Tim walks to the edge of the building and jumps, and they hear the vrum of the Batcycle shortly after. With that, they grapple back to the Belfry and wait in the basement for Tim.
The squeal of tires and roar of an engine is their split second warning before Tim comes drifting around the corner and stops an inch from where his brothers are standing.
“Show off,” Jason mutters, lightly kicking the tires.
Tim walks the bike into the elevator, followed by Dick and Jason.
“I’ll put her away,” Jason says.
Dick presses the up button and they start their ascent to the Belfry.
“You tired? Gonna go to bed?” Dick asks.
“I’m exhausted… but… I don’t… want to sleep.”
“Nightmare risk?”
“Mhm.”
“How about you go put on something comfy, and we’ll go watch a movie in the loft.”
“Y-yeah. That sounds good. Gonna take a shower too cause I just… ugh. There… there was so much blood,” Tim whispered with a shudder.
“Ok we’re gonna watch the absolute fluffiest shit possible,” Jason decides.
The lift stops and Tim scurries away to his room before Babs or Alfred try to ask if he’s ok. Because he’s not.
“He’ll be ok,” Dick assures them, “it just… he had a really bad time. They…” Dick’s voice shakes. “God I hate them. He’s just a fucking kid! And they traumatized him!” he starts crying quietly.
“Ok ok, hey, come here,” Babs says, standing from her chair at the computers and walking over to Dick, giving him a tight hug. “Get it out before Tim knows and then has his guilt complex take over for upsetting you.”
Dick laughs wetly. “You’re right. I just hate seeing the people I love hurting. He such a great kid. He doesn’t deserve this! I should have gone. I’m the oldest. Protecting everyone is my job. And I failed.”
“Dick, we thought it was a pretty simple rescue mission. There was no reason for you to go. You didn’t fail. I know you won’t accept it yet, but it’s true,” Babs says softly.
There’s a sudden, bitten off shout of rage and the sound of a fist hitting a punching bag, and then a massive thud.
Dick and Babs startle and jump apart, looking over towards the training equipment.
Jason, already back in sweatpants and a hoodie, is breathing heavily and shaking with rage. The punching bag is laying on the ground, a broken chain on the top.
Dick starts walking over to him.
“Easy Jaybird. Don’t worry. We’ll take them down. They’re not getting away with this.”
Jason takes several deep breaths and then lifts up the punching bag and moves it to lay against the wall.
“Sorry.”
“Honestly? If you hadn’t done it, I probably would’ve. I’m so angry,” Dick growls.
“I’m gonna go make popcorn,” Jason says simply, turning and walking to the kitchen where Alfred was standing in front of the stove.
“O-ok. Yeah. Sure.”
“Movie night?” Babs asks from beside him.
“He doesn’t wanna sleep,” Dick nods.
“I’ll go patrol and let you guys have your Robins Bonding Time,” she chuckles.
“Thanks Babs. I’m gonna go change.”
“See you later then.”
Dick changes into red Flash sweatpants and an old Haly’s Circus shirt.
Shortly after that, Tim comes back out in plain grey sweatpants and a STAR Labs shirt. His eyes are still bloodshot and his postures slightly slumped, but he manages to give Dick a small smile.
Jason is in the kitchen dumping buttered and salted popcorn into three evenly sized bowls.
Tim brightens the tiniest bit and walks over, snagging a bowl.
“Thanks Jay.”
“Welcome BabyBird.” He grabs the remaining bowls and walks over to Dick, handing him one.
“Thanks.”
The boys head upstairs and plop down onto the sofa, Tim in the middle.
“Tim, you pick,” Dick decides.
“Oh no,” Jason whispers in fear.
“Oh yes,” Tim grins, “Happy Feet.”
"You’re actually gonna make me watch the singing penguins movie.”
“I’m gonna make you watch the singing penguins movie,” Tim nods.
“Fine,” Jason sighs in defeat.
Alfred suddenly appears with three mugs and a giant thermos. “I made some hot chocolate, young masters. Thought it might be a good night for it.”
“Thank you, Alfred,” Tim smiles at him.
“You’re quite welcome. I am… most glad that wretched Court didn’t take you from us.”
“Me too,” Tim says quietly.
Alfred fills the mugs and leaves them and the thermos on the coffee table. “Enjoy.”
“Alright, hit it.”
Ten minutes later.
“Why? Is a baby penguin? Rapping?”
“Accept it, Jason,” Tim orders.
“It’s absurd!”
“It’s cute,” Tim corrects.
Jason scowls as a hand lightly smacks the back of his head. It was Dick. He’s looking straight ahead at the TV. His arm is up on the back of the sofa behind Tim, who never noticed the quick movement.
Jason grumbles internally. He can hear Dick, he swears. ‘Enjoy it for Tim’s sake, and stop complaining about it.’ He supposes he could do that for his baby brother.
And he finds that… maybe he actually enjoys it. A little.
About an hour in, a weight appears on Jason’s shoulder. He looks down and smiles fondly. Tim has fallen asleep, head rolling onto Jason’s shoulder. He slowly moves his arm to wrap it around Tim’s shoulders and keep him secure.
“Dick,” Jason whispers.
“Hm?” Dick responds, turning his head to look at his brother. He grins at the sight. “Adorable,” he murmurs back. “Glad he’s resting.” He turns down the volume on the TV a little bit.
Jason pulls out his phone and motions at it to Dick. Dick grabs his own phone out of his pocket.
Jason: He’s just so… GOOD. He doesn’t deserve ANY of this bullshit
Dick frowns at the text, and then shakes his head in agreement.
Dick: I just love him so god damn much and seeing him so full of self doubt is HEARTBREAKING
Jason: He’ll pull through. He’s tough
Dick: just wish he didn’t have to be
Jason hums in agreement, putting his phone away. By the time the movie starts getting towards the end, he keeps nodding off. He decides to just let himself drift off, laying his head back on the cushions.
Last thing he remembers is a blanket being gently laid over himself and Tim.
A couple hours later, Babs comes back from patrol and notices just how quiet the Belfry is, despite the tv flickering upstairs.
She creeps up the stairs and nearly squeals at the site.
Tim is cuddled up under Jason’s arm, head resting on his shoulder. Jason is equally unconscious, his head resting on top of Tim’s. A blanket has been laid over their sleeping forms. On the other end of the sofa, Dick is curled up against the back cushion, facing towards his brothers. It looks like he’d fallen asleep watching them cuddling. A small smile remains on his face.
Babs takes out her phone and snaps a few photos, and then creeps over to turn off the tv. She grabs a blanket off Alfred’s chair and gently lays it over Dick. He grabs it in his sleep and pulls it closer around himself, just barely mumbling something indecipherable.
“Sleep tight, Boy Wonders,” she murmurs, slipping back downstairs.