Chapter Text
This… this isn't what Tim expected… Tim hadn't expected to find a small child in Jason's spare bedroom…
Jason had practically been MIA for 2 months now, sure the outlaws were active, Red Hood had been seen with them even. Both Cass and Babs said he was fine and to leave him alone. That's why it's taken Tim two months to come and check on his older brother. Tim would have usually come after a couple of days suspecting Jason to be in another pit rage episode. But the reassurance of the girls made him wait.
Tim had decided to come check on Jason after Bruce and Dick had another argument. Jason had gone missing right after B stuck his foot in his mouth again. A lot had gone on since Jason went missing. Some dudes in full body white suits had been running around Gotham breaking into people's houses and just generally breaking shit. The bats had apprehended as many as they could and found out about the “Ghost investigation Ward” they were in the process of dismantling this blasphemous government organization, so yeah a lot was going on but Tim was still very worried about his older brother.
Normally Tim would come in through the guest room window, not quietly might he had so as to not startle his brother and potentially set him off. Why not the door one might ask, well that was simple, Jason wouldn't answer the door anyway. So the window it is!
And that's how he found himself staring into the eyes of a very frightened 4-year-old while perched on a window sill. The little guy looked like he was working himself up into full-blown terrified sobbing.
A lot of things went through Tim's head all at once, was Jason still living in this apartment? Or had he moved out and a new family now lived here? If this was Jason's apartment would this child scream for him? That would definitely set him off, and if not he really didn't need this kid's parents barging in either.
So with very little thought Tim jumped into the room fully, he swiftly wrapped the child in his blankets to ensure he couldn't hurt himself and placed his hand on the child's mouth. Tim tried to reassure the child that he wasn't going to hurt him and that everything would be okay if he just calmed down. However the child seemed beyond reason as he thrashed and squirmed in Tim's hold. The child started shaking and silently sobbing into Tim's hand before going limp with a Faraway looking in his eyes. Tim didn't even have time to react to this before a keening chirp sound emanated from the child's chest.
Something deep in Tim's chest felt like it was shattering, a low whistle seemed to wheeze out of his own chest. And he was suddenly feeling very protective of the small child in his arms
Tim should really get his head checked, it wasn't like him to be thinking this slowly. But again before he can really think or do anything the room is bathed in the light from the hall and a very pissed off Red Hood/Jason standing in the doorway. Hood’s eyes were glowing more Lazarus green than Tim had ever seen them, no maybe not Lazarus screen they seemed brighter and cleaner somehow.
That didn't diminish Tim's fear at all! He still had a gun pointed at his face and Jason's chest was still huffing in rage, or maybe it was fear?
Jason let out a low deep inhuman growl, and somehow Tim understood it to mean “put him down” and Tim was very happy to oblige. He quickly released the child and tumbled over the small toddler bed putting it between him and Jason. He knew it wouldn't do anything to prevent his brother from harming him but it's the thought that counts right?
Tim raised his hands keeping them where Jason could see them. A tight feeling in his chest broke loose to another soft whistle, this one was different than the last and it seemed to communicate “Sorry, safe, sorry” if the look on Jason's face was anything to go by he was just as confused as Tim felt. Tim had never made these noises before tonight, or before a minute ago. But somehow he instinctively knew what they meant.
The glow in Jason's eyes diminished to just a small glimmer in the center of his pupil. He lowered and reholstered his gun before telegraphing his movements and talking in a low hushed voice to the child now curled into a ball between the tiny toddler bed and the nightstand next to it.
If Tim didn't feel guilty for scaring the child before he certainly did now!
Jason carefully scoop the child into his arms and making very pointed eye contact with Tim, effectively communicating “you're in deep s*** but I'm dealing with this first” before turning and leaving the room. Tim followed quietly watching as Jason rubbed small circles in the child's back speaking reassurances in hushed tones. The child was still shaking all over and was stiffly leaning his head into the crook of Jason's neck. Tim noted the lack of sound coming from the still sobbing child, aside from the soft sniffling as he started to calm down more.
As they made it into the living room Jason made a b line for his reading nook. Tim noted that Jason's old armchair had been replaced by a rocking recliner. Jason carefully reached out and turned on the lamp next to the recliner and in the same motion opened the cabinet and pulled out what looked to be a weighted stuffed animal.
As Jason sat down he tucked the stuffed animal into the small child's clenched hands. The child pulled the stuffed animal close to his face and tucked his nose on the top of its head and squeezed it close to his body.
Jason settled into the chair and readjusted the child to lay against his chest. Tim noticed for the first time The scarring around the child's mouth and throat. He was starting to understand why the child had reacted the way he did.
Before Tim could open his stupid mouth Jason gave him a look that again effectively communicated “sit down and shut up” and again Tim obliged.
It felt like an eternity before the child finally calmed down enough to start resting, no he wasn't asleep but he wasn't hysterical either. The tension slowly bled out of the child's muscles as he relaxed into Jason's chest. The occasional hiccup still escaped him.
Once the child seemed sufficiently calm Jason pulled out his phone and sent off a text. Minutes later Cass appeared out of God only knows where. She calmly and swiftly scooped the now sleepy child out of Jason's arms and silently walked to Jason's bedroom.
Tim watched after them until the door closed behind them he then looked at his older brother with a look of confusion and bewilderment.
Jason let out a long and tired sigh “Tim meet your nephew, Danny”
Tim was quite a moment before he whispered “I'm an uncle?” Then a feral grin split his face “oh my God Jason did you pull up Bruce!??” Still in a hushed whisper.
Jason wore a look of exasperation “it's a long story but basically Danny pulled a Tim Drake…”
Before Tim could question that, Jason continued “I'll give you the short and sweet version because I'm tired and want to go back to bed”
Tim nodded for Jason to continue “we broke up a “trafficking ring” and found the little guy strapped to a table with his insides exposed to the world, I'm not going to go into all the gory details but just know it was horrifying” Jason shuttered before continuing “we got them clothes back up and the muzzle taken off and he seemed to stabilize pretty quickly. We tried to turn him over to authorities; however, he promptly disappeared. I know how that sounds but he literally disappeared. I kept seeing glimpses of him in my peripheral. I eventually coaxed him out of his invisible state but he won't let anyone except for me and Cass touch him. He's warmed up some to Roy and Bizarro but they still can't touch him”
That told Tim a lot actually…
Tim took a second to absorb all the information before speaking “how can I help?”