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Dick began his day sifting through the sea-grass leisurely before hearing a strange noise and feeling a disturbance in his territory. It didn't seem like hungry sharks so Dick curiously investigated. He parted the kelp and gasped.
"Tim!"
Tim, still dressed in his suit and shiny dress shoes, looked up from where he was trying to undo the knot of chains anchoring his legs to a metal ball in the sand. An expression of relief flickered across his face before being wiped once he remembered that one important detail.
Merpeople couldn't kill or save humans. Tim was on his own.
He resumed his struggle, made even harder with his hands chained in front of him. He didn't have much time to work with, either.
"Tim, it's okay, we'll figure something out. Oh, God, uh -"
Dick sent out an echoing call to anyone around. At first nobody replied, but then...
"This better be good" grumbled Jason as he propelled into focus, his red tail shimmering.
Dick's nerves weren't exactly quelled. He never knew what to expect from Jason. Dick gestured towards Tim helplessly and Jason cursed.
"Shit! How long has he been like this?"
"I don't know."
It was long enough for Tim to be shaking and clumsy as he yanked on the chains, coughing bubbles every few seconds. He looked at Jason, in bad enough of a way to look begging, but Jason wouldn't be able to do anything. It didn't stop him from trying, though.
"Ah!" cried Jason. He attempted to break the chains around Tim's legs but a flash of light and a strong sting repelled his attempts.
"It's the curse" said Dick.
"No shit" said Jason.
"Uh, I'm going to try to get some air!" said Dick. "You stay with him."
"Aye aye" said Jason.
Dick rushed to the surface and, after breaching it, took a deep breath of salty air. He dove back under and reached Tim, who was having trouble staying conscious. Dick pressed his lips to Tim's to try and breathe air into his lungs.
With another flash of light and a sharp pain to both of them they separated. Tim choked and coughed.
"Damn it!" cursed Dick.
Tim was on the cusp of passing out, lacking the strength to try and break free. Jason touched Tim's shoulder.
"Here, lemme try-"
Jason gently pulled Tim against his chest, supporting his weight. He pressed a hand against Tim's nose and mouth and curled his tail around him protectively.
"What are you doing?" asked Dick.
Jason shrugged. "It's, what do you call it, palliative care? I'm making him more comfortable."
Tim whimpered but leaned into the hold.
"You're terrible" said Dick.
"I'm honest" said Jason.
In a moment Tim was almost gone. Jason mumbled into his ear and rubbed his chest. Tim closed his eyes.
Dick swam forward and felt Tim's pulse. Still there, but barely. "Tim..." he whispered.
Suddenly a shadow descended above them. Dick and Jason tensed and assumed a defensive posture. But it wasn't a large predator.
It was a large ally.
"Batman!" shouted Dick.
Bruce, breathing through a small device and with a spare in hand, swam down and shoved Jason off of Tim. Jason growled but let him. Bruce pressed the device in Tim's mouth and, blessedly, Tim started steadily breathing oxygen.
Dick sighed in relief himself.
Him and Jason couldn't do much but watch Bruce use a strong cutting tool from his belt to snap the chains. The mermen couldn't even assist as Bruce carried Tim up.
Breaching the surface Dick watched Bruce haul himself and Tim into a small boat. Bruce took the breathing apparatus out of Tim's mouth and turned him on his side.
There were a few tense moments until Tim wretched seawater up into the boat and woke groggily.
"Tim!" cheered Dick, flopping himself onto the boat and gathering Tim into a hug, heedless of the mess.
"E-easy you big tuna fish, you're stronger than you look" chuckled Tim. Dick softened his grip and Jason slid over to ruffle Tim's hair.
"Are you alright?" asked Bruce.
"I'll be fine" said Tim, despite the shake in his voice that he was failing to hide. "Thanks for the save, B."
Bruce nodded. Tim turned towards Dick and Jason. "And you guys, too."
Dick raised an eyebrow. "What did we do?"
"You were there. That was enough."