Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tims parents had been out of town... or well the country many times over the years.

And this month is no different - even though it's Tims birthday next week.

"Timbo! My guy! How's it hanging?" Jason. Jason was Tims only... acquaintance. Tim never really believed in friends, but if he had to chose someone it'd be Jason.

"What do you want? You only ever announce yourself like that if you want something from me." Rolling his eyes Jason rests an arm around Tims shoulder as the two of them make their way to the main exit of the school grounds.

"Well my brother is out of town for... well that doesn't matter. He's out of town and I have nobody to mess with at home and Alfie never appreciates my jokes properly and I'm going to be bored out of my mind! I know, I know, you don't do hang outs cause you've got to study or some boring nerd shit. But what if it's a sleep over? I mean we'll study together before we do anything! Please I'm bored out of my mind! He's been gone all week!" Honestly, Tim wanted to. But he just didn't know how to say yes. "If you want you can go home and talk to your parents about it and if they say yes you can like just walk over with your bag of stuff. Alfie will let you in if you say I was expecting you! Please!"

"You know what. Fine. I'll think about it on my way home. But no promises alright." The way Jason jumps up and down like a little girl... well honestly that's an underestimation, there's no way to describe it. But honestly it makes Tim feel... well he doesn't know. But that doesn't matter because he doesn't have time to deal with emotions.

+-----+

Somehow Tim got home in only an hour of walking - he won't ever admit it, but it's probably because of how excited Jason was at the thought of Tim even considering coming over. But he did know it.

So when he finally walks inside his house he decides to go up to his room for a quick shower to deal with the sweat, change into something somewhat comfortable before packing an overnight bag with his laptop and other studying essentials.

The walk over to the Wayne residence took longer that it should for any normal neighbors... but well Tims parents are millionaires and the Wayne family are billionaires which means the property lines are rather large.

But once he gets there, it takes him a moment to get himself to knock at the door. But one thought about how eager Jason was, and Tim gained the courage to knock on the door.

"Ah, you must be Timothy Drake, my name is Alfred and I'm the butler of the Wayne household. Come and take a seat in the lounge room while I get young master Jason." Leading me to a rather large sofa, Tim takes a seat as Alfred goes off somewhere, probably to Jasons room.

"TIMBO! OH GOD YOU CAME!" Running up to Tim, Jason picks the boy up like he's a peace of paper and spins him around. Tim had honestly underestimated just how excited the boy would've been.

"Master Jason, please put Timothy down." Reluctantly Jason does - he just doesn't let go. "Master Jason." Okay now he lets go.

"Oh um. It's just Tim, thanks." Alfred nods before leaving to go... do something, Tim's not well used to butlers or maids. "So... what now?"

"Well, you're a freak of a nerd so lets go put your shit away and we'll study or something." Jason goes to lead Tim to where he believes is his bedroom... but then Alfred kind of just spawns in front of them like a shadow.

"Master Jason how many times must I remind you to refrain from using foul language."

"Yeah yeah, my bad. Sorry Alfie." The man pulls out a jar - from seemingly nowhere - labeled 'Swear Jar', Jason just pulls out a $10 and puts it in. Alfred seems to accept this before leaving similarly to the way he came.

"Jee I can't say anything in this house I swear. What's your butler/maid like Tim?" Shit.

"Oh um, nothing like Alfred I'll say." It's not like he'd be lying, Alfred is present and helpful and just amazing from what he's heard. Tim doesn't have that so he's not lying when he says his nonexistent butlers and maids are nothing like Alfred.

"Anyways, this is my humble abode. Welcome." The moment Jason opens his door Tim is faced with a mess of a room. And the boy just... walks in and flops on his unmade bed like it's nothing. "Well come on."

Stepping inside, Tim places his bag between the door and Jasons bed before institutionally cleaning Jasons room up. He's never been to the Wayne house hold, let alone Jasons room - but he just knows where to put thing. The boy have a very basic room layout that Tim can just guesstimate where to put thing. "How do you live like.. like this.

"I'm like only in here to sleep and get changed."

"Sure doesn't seem like it with everything in here... is that... you've got unicorn pajamas with coffee stains on them just on the floor."

"Oh so that's where they were, I've been looking for them." All Tim can do is mentally slap his face before continuing to clean up the mess.

Chapter Text

Once Tim felt more or less happy with Jasons cleaner room, the boy got out his studying equipment and sat on Jasons bed and just started to do his homework - Jason just sat on his phone on the bed too.

"Dude how do you just... study. Does it not get boring?" Tim looks up from his laptop for the first time in like ten minutes and gives him the weirdest and most confusing look ever. "What, have you never thought to just not study?"

"I mean I want to keep my strait A's so I've got to study. It's really not that complicated."

"Jayce! I'm home!"

"Ah finally, Tim come on." The boy doesn't even get the chance to save and close his work before Jason grabs him by the wrist and drags him to the front room. "Bruce! Hey! Meet Tim!"

"Ah, the infamous Tim. Lovely to finally meet you, call me Bruce." The men extends his hand offering to shake, and while Tim accepts, he's staring in awe at what he's looking at. "Tim? You okay?"

"Hm, oh sorry, yes. Just... sorry." Bruce gives him a weird look for a moment before deciding it's best not to get into heavy shit like this the first time they meet.

"Well welcome to our house, you staying for the night?"

"Um, yes sir, if that's okay?"

"Oh no of course, glad Jason was even able to convince someone to tolerate him enough." The man ruffles Jasons hair before it gets smacked away. "Alfred you wouldn't mind setting up mattresses in the lounge room for the boys would you?"

"Of course not sir, might I also inform you that Master Jason has his out of school activities tonight. Would you like me to organize with Master Dick a rescheduling?"

"That'd be great, thanks Alfred." The two men disperse before Jason leads Tim back up to his room.

"Sorry about that, Bruce is like always busy so I wanted him to meet you before dinner so it wasn't awkward you know." The boy sits back on his bed already scrolling on his phone.

"No that's fine. Just kind of forgot that your dad is like the Bruce Wayne." Jason just laughs at it.

And before long the boys have settles back into a comfortable silence yet again.

+-----+

"TIM HOW ARE YOU SO GOOD!? YOU SAID YOU'VE NEVER PLAYED MARIO CART BEFORE!" Tim had finished off his nightly school homework and Jason finally had the chance to 'so something fun' and - regretfully - decided to teach Tim how to play Mario Cart.

"YOU'RE JUST BAD! GET GOOD DUDE!" Tim had won at least 3 games with Jason coming in either 2nd or 3rd each time.

"FUCK YOU DUDE! HOW DOES SOMEONE EVEN GET THIS GOOD THE FIRST TIME THEY PLAY!?"

"Master Jason! Stop using profanities." Alfred had gotten sick of the boys constant swearing that the poor man had to make tea to sooth his throat... at least the 'Swear Jar' got a decent bit of money?

"Yeah yeah, sorry man."

"HA! FOUR TIMES IN A ROW! BEAT THAT!" And yet again Tim wins.

+-----+

"Master Jason, Tim, time for supper." Alfred had chosen to let the boys finish the game before informing them.

"Alright! Come on Tim, you've got to have Alfreds food! It's to die for!"

"Master Jason, you know that's prohibited in this household." While Alfred and Jason don't know that Tim had pieced together their identities and knows why nobody is allowed to joke about death in this house, he didn't think Alfred would be this up tight about it in front of him.

"Yeah yeah you know what I mean."

"Jason we've been through this, death is no laughing matter." Bruce had 'spawned' in the room. "Now, Alfred has spent a lot of effort preparing our food, lets go eat it before it gets cold."

+-----+

"And then he beats me again! I swear Bruce not even Barbs could beat him!" The moment Tim finished ranting about how amazing Alfreds cooking was, Jason took it upon himself to rant about their day between every bite.

"Master Jason your memory nor the food is going anywhere, please swallow your food before speaking." Poor Alfred had recited the line many times just to be ignored.

"I feel it's your fault for teaching me the game, if you compare our grades it makes sense that I'd pick up on it faster than you."

"We have the same grades! And I've played the game for like at least a year!"

"Well then that's just embarrassing for you."

Chapter Text

"Night chum's, I've got to go out for a few hours. Alfred will be here if you need anything." Fuck, Tim had to update his blog - The Bat Signal - letting them know he'd have the day off. He can do that later. Right now he's got to finish beating Jason at Mario Cart for the 15th time.

"Alright, night Bruce!" Obviously Tim wins yet again, and Jason decides he's had enough Mario Cart. "Okay, okay, this isn't fun anymore. What'cha want to do?"

"Like I'd know, I never do sleepovers." Maybe he shouldn't have said that.

"What!? How!? Dude you're like what, 15? How!?" Yeah, no he definitely shouldn't have said that.

"I like don't really do friendships so like, I don't know. Never been invited to one I guess." Tim may be good at Mario Cart but he's really not all that good at conversations.

"You don't do friendships? So what is this?" Or whatever the hell this is.

"An acquaintanceship? I don't really know. I'm not good at managing friendships and I just don't really have the time for it." And well shit.

"An acquaintanceship... managing friendships... not having time? Tim I thought the two of us were friends, we've been doing well so far. I'd say we're friends. And we're hanging out now are we not?" Oh god, how on earth is Tim to explain this.

"Well... never mind that. Doesn't matter now. If you say we're friends then I guess we are. You're going to have to teach me stuff about this sort of thing but please don't ask... its um... kind of a touchy subject I guess." 'Please oh please just drop it!'

"No come on dude, what's up with all that? You can't just dump that on me of all people and expect me to just... drop it. Come on, talk to me man, can't be healthy to bottle it up." Yeah like a robin would drop it. Jee what was Tim thinking?

"Fine just... no pressing, if I don't answer please don't push me."

"As long as you say something - so... what's with the whole 'not being good at managing friendships'?"

"Well... to keep it short and simple - trust me it's best this way - last time I had a friendship it didn't turn out that well and it got me... grounded." Did he really have to make it that obvious? No. But he did. Suck it up.

"Ignoring the oh so obviously questionable pause. Can I know at least how the friendship got you 'grounded'?" Of course Jason picked it up! He's a Robin! Tim's really got to think things through before he speaks some times.

"Again, long story short - he well... he decided it'd be best to tell my parents about something that I was barley even part of." Finally something somewhat believable.

"Alright - then what about the not having any time? I mean we're hanging out right now as we speak." Okay well this one Tim regrets even mentioning.

"Uhm... well you have your after school activities and I have mine. Let's just say I skipped today for this." And Tim's actually proud of himself for that one.

"But you got here like like an hour and a half after school. What were you doing?" Okay never mind.

"I um, I had stuff to do at home first." Why oh why did Tim have to be such an idiot some times.

"Mhm... so you assumed we weren't friends because the only person you've befriended was a bitch and then decide you just don't have time to hang out with people even though you can make time like you have today? Seems like pretty shit logic if you ask me."

"Yeah well that's just me I guess... can we drop this now?"

"Fine. But I swear I'm keeping an eye on you man."

Chapter Text

"What're you two still doing up? Thought you would've gone to bed by now." Bruce had just gotten back from his 'outing' and usually Tim would be on his way back too, ready to go to bed even though it's 2am. But with him not having been moving around all night he's really not all that tired. And Jason is fucking loving it.

"Bruce it's the weekend, Tim didn't even realize we were friends until I told him a few hours ago. Of course we're going to stay up." Well of course Jason - Robin - is going to tell Bruce - Batman- about it. Why wouldn't he.

"With how much Jason's had to say about you even I knew you were friends kiddo. Feel free to come over whenever you want; you're welcome here if you ever do feel bored or lonely." Of course Bruce, an adoptive father - Batman a fucking hero - would say that.

"Thanks, but Jason's being overly dramatic as usual, it's really not that bad." Okay that was just dumb. Both Jason and his father give Tim the biggest death glare they've ever seen. "Okay, okay, fine, I'll come over if I need to."

"Alright, well I'm going to hit the hay, don't keep each other up too long. I'm sure Tims parents want him home before the end of the day tomorrow." Right. Well at least they don't know that.

"Goodnight Bruce, sleep well."
"We're not going to stay up that late! But night."

+-----+

The boys did in fact stay up that late. Even Alfred went to bed before them - the man usually tucks everyone in before going to bed, so yes, it is a shocker.

They did end up falling asleep somewhere around 5-6am. And if it was any normal day and not a sleep over (let alone Tim's first) both Alfred and Bruce would've scolded the boys - and by both they would scold Jason and baby Tim - but they didn't.

Because for the first time Jason looked genuinely at peace and happy, and Tim just looked like he needed the sleep. Everyone says it but nobody can explain just how bad the bags are under Tim's eyes.

So; Alfred let them sleep in. When the man woke up the first thing he did was make sure they had at least gotten to sleep and weren't staying up all night.

But when he saw Jason half on the couch and Tim sprawled Alon both mattresses Alfred took it upon himself to take a photo to send to Bruce before tucking the boys in to have less body pain when they woke up.

+-----+

"Ah jeez, everything hurts." Standing up Tim takes a moment to process that he's not in his bed, not in his room, or even in his own house. "Right. Jason's house."

"Good afternoon Master Tim, how was your night?" If Tim didn't run around at night chasing Batman and Robin, he would've jumped at the sound of Alfred's voice.

"Oh hey, yeah it was great. Thanks again for having me and making food for us." Alfred could see the genuineness in Tim's smile when we thanks the elder man. Honestly it made Alfred melt in side a bit.

"It's my pleasure; now why don't you wake Jason while I prepare some food for the both of you." Nodding before turning around Tim is stuck looking as Jason who was moved onto one of the mattresses, but looks like if Tim woke him he'd throw a batarang at him.

Honestly if Tim didn't know who he was there'd be no hesitation. But he does, so there is hesitation.

But then he remembers just how unserious the guy is and decides to just rip the blanket off him and grab him by the angles to hold him up. Deciding it's the funniest and easiest way to wake him.

"AHWHATTHEFUCKOHMYGODTIMWHATTHEHELL!?" Jason - not having time to process anything when he wakes up - starts screaming semi-coheriently.

+-----+

"Here you boys go, eat up. And Tim who don't you message or call your parents to see what time they'd like you home. I can drive you down whenever you need to." Right. Parents aren't usually in Africa for weeks on end.

"Oh no thanks, I'll walk down myself. I'll call them in a bit though." Simply nodding, Alfred disappears again, no wonder he's the butler of the batclan.

"Wait I've like never heard anything about your parents before have I?" Shit.

"Well you talk almost the entire lunch everyday and we don't hang out much other then that so I'm not surprised it hasn't come up." Well that's a first. A genuinely convincing and reasonable response regarding a not at all reasonable situation.

"I mean I talk a out Bruce a lot, I guess I'm just surprised I've never asked about your parents at some point." Okay, time to start thinking things through before saying a word. You've got this Tim. "So what're you their names, you've still got both yeah?"

"Happily married biological parents, yeah. Jack and Janet Drake." Okay so far so good, simple easy to answer questions.

"What're they like? Wait what do they do for a living I mean they're not billionaires but they're still millionaires so they must do something impressive." Okay, okay Tim's got this. He's got this.

"I can't remember the spesifics but lots of traveling. They don't talk about work much because the do it so often they don't want to think about it any more than they have to you know." Okay... That wasn't too bad. Also might help him in the future with him mentioning them traveling for work.

"I guess that's fair. Surley they can retire if they don't want to work anymore though?" Okay, you've got this time. Simple easy answer.

"I mean they don't like working but nobody does. And they're not really the best at saving and love the travelling so they don't mind the sacrifice if it means being able to stay rich and not have to worry about saving." Well that was a pretty decent answer if he does say so himself.

"Huh. Never thought about it like that. How often do they go travelling? And where to?" Well shit... Hyperactive Jason as always.

"Oh um. They go all over, I mean they've gone to like every major country at least once." Please not notice the lack of an answer!!

"Wait really!? How often do they go for them to be able to do that with a kid!?" Shit.

"Oh well they go for work so I don't go with them. I've got school and stuff I need to do. It's too hard to go with them, I'll miss too much school. And I'm just really not that good at online learning." Please oh please accept it and move on.

"Wait so how long are they gone for then?" Okay. Bens the truth Tim, don't flat out lie... Just don't say the completeness.

"Like usually a week, maybe more." Sure they're gone for like 2-3 maybe 4 weeks at a time... But it's still more than a week.

Chapter Text

After Jason finished interrogating poor Tim who had to half-life his way out of a lot of things.

The boys decided to finally change into something more comfortable. Tim took this time to "call" his parents.

And when he says that he means he posted on The Bat Signal, apologising for not posting and that he was in fact safe but was taking the day off for personal matters.

+-----+

"You sure you don't want me to drive you? It's really no bother." Sure Tim didn't actually have a time he needed to be home. But he wanted it to be somewhat believeable that his parents had some say in his life.

"I'm all good, thanks though Alfred. See you Monday Jason." Jason - as he does - clung onto Tim again before letting the boy walk home.

+-----+

"Bruce something's up with him."

"What's up chum?"

"Well first off his bags, I mean I can't say anything but did you see them. That's his normal. And the. Not to mention him not even knowing we were friends. When I asked him about it he slipped up and worded something with a concerning pause before he said he was grounded. And hes like super closed off about his parents. When I asked him about it he didn't realise I noticed it, but he'd like subtly avoid answering some questions or say things in a way that can seem like a full answer but probably isn't."

"Alright, well we can't do anything if he doesn't come to us, if he's hidding it then we've got to respect that. But just keep inviting him over and help him feel safe and comfortable here so he'll feel better about opening up sooner."

+-----+

That night Tim makes sure he does a make-up night out for missing it last night.

Getting dressed in his usual all black fitness clothes with his beenie and mask on. Triple checking he has all his camera, safety and climbing equipment and that everything is clean and working.

He finally grabs a few protine bars to shove in his bag with a Gatorade and makes his way down to where he usually sees Batman starting his patrol.

Setting up his camera with his climbing stuff ready for if he needs to move, Tim finds the nice cool air relaxing up on top of the building late at night.

The photos weren't anything out of the ordinary, but he did finally get a photo of Jason mid backflip on an angle that showed him being higher than Batman whilst standing up right.

He'd been wanting to get that shot for a while now but just either didn't have the right angle or not the right timing.

So when he did make his way home, the first thing he did was edit the photo to be more clear and look better before cleaning himself up and writing the blog post with the attacked image of Robin and Batman.

+-----+

Usually Tim only goes on Bat Signal outings every other night, but because he missed Friday night he went on both Saturday and Sunday night. So when he showed up to school Monday morning with a quad shot of coffee and bigger bags and normal Jason looked like he saw the Joker again - a mix of horror, confusion and madness.

"Dude what the hell, do you not know what sleep is!? How the hell do you survive!?"

"Calm down. You're so loud. I'm fine. Just late night studying and catch up on my after school activities. Nothing I'm not usually doing."

"That really doesn't help Tim. How much sleep do you get!? Or well how long are you awake would be a better question!"

"Jason stop being so obey dramatic. I'm fine. I'll go home tonight at go to bed straight after I finish my homework. I've got the day off."

"I don't trust you. And not because you're unreliable, but because how bad your bags are. If you genuinely think that... 'this'" he says motioning to Tom's face. "is normal and or fine. Then I don't trust you."

"Then what would you prefer I do? What can I do to prove it to you?"

"Have another sleepover. You said it yourself that you have the day off. I do too. And Bruce said he's fine with you coming over whenever."

"... Only cause my parents aren't home." Best he mention it at some point before Jason asks him about when they're next leaving or asks to meet them.

"Where'd they go?"

"I told you Friday, they travel for work."

"No I remember that. I mean where'd they go? Like where did work take them?"

"Oh. Um, Egypt I think it is this time."

Chapter Text

Jason somehow convinced Tim to let Alfred drive the two to Tim's house to let him pack a bag before driving them over to the Wayne house.

"How'd you convince me to let Alfred drive me?" Just because Tim doesn't have a chauffer or any sort of driver, doesn't mean Jason doesn't know.

"Because I don't trust you to do something to keep yourself up. You have coffee religiously so I need to take it upon myself to stop you from doing that so you can finally fucking sleep."

"While I don't approve of the way Master Jason worded I do agree with him Master Tim. The Wayne family isn't good at getting enough sleep themselves doesn't mean they don't try - and by that I mean I force them to."

Parking out front of Drake house Tim was expecting to just run in and pack his bag and come out and they'd just drive off. But then Jason gets out of the car with him and not only walks him to the door but also follows him inside to his room - the one time Tim was glad about what he said earlier when he mentioned his parents.

"Damn your house is... empty." With Tim's parents never being home they have like nothing there and Tim's just scared that his parents will come home randomly and the house will be a mess and they'll scold him. So yeah, the house is empty. But that's what makes Tim feel safe.

"We're um. Were minimalists so to say." That's really the only way Tim can get away with it.

Walking into Tim's room Jason realises just how different the boys rooms are. Tim has almost nothing in his room with no decorations other than a few photos across from his bed and above his desk.

Packing his bag Tim makes sure to be as fast as possible so Jason hopefully doesn't notice the lack of a butler and or maid.

"Alright, off we go." Hiking his bag up his shoulder Tim goes to leave. But we'll of course Jason had to comment on it.

"Wait, how long have your parents been in Egypt? And where's your butler or maid person?" AHH KILL HIM NOW!

"Oh um. Not too long. They'll be back I think 3 days before my birthday." Trying to get out of this conversation Tim starts to just lead Jason his way home.

"Oh shit wait when's your birthday?" Why oh why did he have to mention his birthday!?

"Oh um. 19th July." Shit oh shit oh shit.

"That's... Tim that's 2 weeks away." Tim just leaves the house, hoping Jason would just drop the conversation when they get in they get in the car with Alfred.

"Yeah well it's an important trip I guess." Getting in the car Tim was right in thinking Jason would drop it with Alfred there.

But after the 3 minute drive and they get out of the car, Jason leads the two up to Jason's room. And well the conversation came up again - lovely.

"So. Your parents. They're coming back in 2 weeks, but you never said when they left." Fuck.

"Jason can we just not. Please stop."

"Dude your parents are basically abandoning you!"

"Jason stop. I didn't come here for a therapy session."

Chapter Text

Jason managed to convince Tim to take an hour and a half nap after finishing his homework

The moment Tim got fed up of laying down doing nothing he went on his laptop which he had set up to automatically open up Bat Signal.

"You have a blog? You? Tim Drake? A blog?" Please oh please god have Jason not seen it properly and ever be able to recognize it as Bat Signal.

"Gives me something to do and if my parents want to know what I'm up to when they're in a different time-zone they can just look at that." Not that they'll know that it's him writing it or even bother about his safety.

"So. When'd your parents leave for this oh so important Egypt trip? And who the hell goes to Egypt for a business trip!?" Why the fuck did Tim bring up his parents? He doesn't know. Does he regret it. Obviously.

"Jason. I swear to god if you don't shut the fuck up and stop; stop fucking interrogating me I will actually beat the shit out of you." Just because Tim knows he's robin doesn't mean Jason knows he knows that.

"Don't think I'm going to not talk about it later though. I'm going to ask later."

"As long as it's not today I don't give to fucks."

"Master Tim!"

"Sorry Alfred!"

Chapter Text

"Jason - to Tims surprise - did actually drop it and didn't speak a word about Tim's home life once the rest of the day... well not when Tim was there.

"Master Jason, Tim - supper is ready."

"Yes! What's for dinner Alfie!?"

"We're having Master Dick's favorite, he's passing through for the night and said he could join us for dinner."

"LET'S GO! TIM COME ON YOU'VE GOT TO MEET DICK-FACE!"

"Master Jason! Stop using his name as an insult!"

"No can do Alfie!"

+-----+

"Hey Jayce, who's the walking sleep paralysis?" Okay that one's actually new.

"This here, is my very own one of a kind sleep deprived best friend Timothy Drake."

"Okay why'd you say it like that?"

"Because I can, it's not like I'm lying."

"A few days ago you said we were friends, you never said anything about 'best-friends'."

"Timmy. Timmy. Timmy. You're still new to this. So I'm teaching you. But this is the second time we're hanging out for a sleepover, you've met my father - and now also my brother - and we hang out like every day at school."

"I'm only here because you don't trust me to get enough sleep."

"Because you're my best friend and I'm concerned about your health."

"My health is perfectly fine."

Nobody says a word, even Alfred himself turns to look at him in there eyes, anyone and everyone just waiting to figure out where Tim would've snuck in a joke in there - but there wasn't one.

"Master Tim after a while of being used to seeing yourself a certain way it's often hard to see what's considered normal or healthy. Do mind the intrusion and bluntness, but you're rather pale, skinny and sleep deprived." Well shit. "If it's not too much to ask, may I know how much sleep you get and how much you usually eat in a day?"

"Well usually I get like. Wait let me do the math real quick." Being as smart as he is it doesn't take long, essentially with him have a very set routine. "48 hours?"

"That can't be per night Master Tim."

"Kiddo that's what, 20-ish hours of sleep you're not getting if you mean per week." Oh god, Bruce - Batman - had to get involved!

"I'm still alive aren't I?" That was stupid.

"What about your eating habits?"

“I usually just grab a coffee in the morning, eat lunch at school, and sometimes dinner—so it’s basically two meals a day I guess."

"Timothy dude, you need like 3 meals a day plus snacks!"

"Can we just, not. Please. I'm not here to be interrogated and picked at." This, this is one of the times he's not very excited about knowing that he's in the batclan household.

"Master Tim, if I may - would it be okay if you came over on weekends? It doesn't feel right letting you keep doing this. I'll make sure to keep Jason and the others from making comments on your body and appearance if you allow us to help you get into a healthier routine."

"Only when my parents aren't home sure." Okay well shit.

"Your parent's aren't home? It's a Monday." Fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. How the hell does Tim keep forgetting that Batman is in the room!?

"They're gone for like 2 weeks! Tim won't tell me when they left but apparently they're in Egypt and wont be back until like 3 days before his birthday!" Yeah thanks for that Jason.

"Jason you said you wouldn't talk about it today!"

"Okay. Let's just all settle down. Tim's obviously uncomfortable with this conversation so why don't we just give him a bit of breathing room." Finally something good! "Dick I know you're only here for the night but could you go down to the basement and finish off the files I've got up on my computer for me?"

"I'll message before coming back up." And then it was just Alfred, Bruce, Jason and Tim at the table - then Alfred did that bat thing where he just vanishes.

"Tim, Jason - why don't we go somewhere more comfortable to talk." Well shit, the Batman himself is going to interrogate Tim.

+-----+

"Alright, Tim, if you do want us to not question you further on something please do say so, unless I feel that you're unsafe in any way then you're more than allowed to not answer." Well that's comforting...

"Yeah sure."

"Alright, well, I guess we can start with me asking when your parents left for Egypt."

"Last Wednesday."

"Kiddo that means they'll be gone for 5 weeks."

"I'm better than Jason at math, I know how to do my timetables."

"How often do they go on these trips?"

"I mean like usually - I mean they stay for like - well I guess for every week they're gone is a day they stay. So when they come back they'll be home for like 5 days."

"So it's safe to say they're gone more than they're home?"

"That is how math works, yeah."

"You talk so highly of your math skills, use them."

"What? Jason what does that even mean?"

"What's the percentage?"

"Well that's going to take a moment." "Somewhere between 80-90%."

"Tim your parents are gone almost the exact amount of time they should be there. It's like they got given a parenting guide and mixed the numbers up. Most parents are home for 70-80% of the time and gone for the 30-20% but your parents are gone for 80-90% and only there for 20-10% of the time! Tim do you understand how fucked up that is!? You don't even have like a butler or maid at home with you!"

"What? Tim please explain what Jason just said to me."

"Pretty self explanatory. When I turned 11 my parents stopped paying for our butler saying I was old enough to look after myself and that it was a waste of money."

"Tim when was the last time your parents weren't gone for almost the entire year?"

"When I was like 8 I think? I don't really remember."

"TIM! WHAT THE HELL!?" Honestly Tim doesn't fully understand why Jason is so overly dramatic about this all - like he knows it's not normal but he feels like Jason could turn it down a few hundred notches.

Chapter Text

After that whole conversation that Tim barley managed to get out of.

Tim let the two of them to one of the guest rooms that has 2 single beds so that the two of them had more privacy but weren't stuck on the same bed.

"Look; I'm sorry. I pushed you a lot. But you've got to understand that I'm just worried about you man." The two were sitting on their respective beds on their phones winding down before Jason gave in and spoke up.

"I mean I know my life is far from normal. But I mean I never have thought of it to be as bad as you make it out to be. I'm not saying it's not - can't be bothered to fight you on it - I'm just saying I've never thought about it like that. Do you know what I'm trying to say?" There are times Tim would joke around about having a higher IQ than the other boy, but Jason could tell that this wasn't one of those times.

"I mean in theory I get it. I just. I just don't understand how you can live your life like that and not... I don't know, not just hate it I guess." This is when Jason finally looks over to Tim.

"I've never really known much else so it's hard to see what I'm missing out on you know. My parents are pretty good at making decent reasons - well, excuses - for what they do and stuff so I just never gave it a second thought." Somehow he managed to not make it obvious that he used to cry himself to sleep for the first 3 years.

"I guess so. But I mean if you ever need or even just want anything come here please. Even if I'm out, Alfred is here most of the time and he seems to approve of you so he'll let you in and look after you until I get back." Jason couldn't see it, but Tim did start to tear up at that. When was the last time someone said they were there for Tim?

"Yeah. Thanks man." Being too emotional to think of any other way to respond, Tim just turns over and tries to fall asleep.

+-----+

"Master Bruce, you called?"

"Yeah. Alfred have you noticed anything else off about Tim. Like I get that he's a teenage boy who's parents are never home and is by himself. But he's been doing that for years now and he's still got a shit sleep schedule. You're arguably smarter than me - what do you think he's up to staying awake that long?"

"Well master Bruce, I can't say I know too much about the boy. But if you're wanting I can look around and try figure it out for you in my spare time."

"Thanks Alfred."

"Oh, and do you know what room they're in? I need to make sure I say goodnight."

"Two doors down from Jason's personal room sir. Have a good night."

+-----+

When Jason - finally wakes up he notices that Tim was awake. It looked like the boy was never even there with how spotless he cleaned and reset the room... Well his part of it.

"Hey Alfie do you know where Tim is?" Rubbing his eyes as he walks to the breakfast bar, Jason legitimately walks into the back of Tim. "Huh, oh crap hey Tim."

"I see you've found him yourself Master Jason."

"It's too early for thisssssss." Somehow he managed to fall asleep part way through theadt word, luckily for him Tim managed to slide his hand under his head to catch it before it smacked on the marble bench.

"Nice save Master Tim."

+-----+

"Okay how the fu- I mean, how on earth do you wake up so early and just... Stay awake?" After Jason woke up - again - and the boys had breakfast Alfred shuffled them into the car.

"Natural body clock I guess. My body is just used to waking up at 6 on weekdays, so it does. I don't know what to tell you man."

Alfred makes sure to keep a mental note of that to be able to do some math later when he got back. While he sti doesn't know anything else he can at least try get the different times throughout the next few visits in hopes to get his schedule to figure out Tim better.

"Alright boys, have a good day. Master Jason let me know if Tim is coming over again." And before Tim could even protest the man sped off.

Chapter Text

Sure Jason and Tim were in different year levels, but that doesn't mean they don't hang out at lunch.

So when Tim feels Jason standing right behind him (feeling like it was Robin and not Jason) Tim just went on as usual - it was their normal after all. Jason's a chaos demon who needs it to function. And Tim just doesn't function.

"Okay, I know you hate talking about it but really quickly, can I convince you to come over to my place when your parents aren't home?" Yeah so basically live there. Not happening.

"You know that's like 86% of the year right?" Just because he didn't like the conversation doesn't mean he wasn't annoyed at not knowing the exact percentage rather than a half assed number that he threw together whilst pressured.

"Yeah, that's 86% of the year you're home alone. You don't know Bruce well, but trust me he's like really scared for your safety." Sometimes Tim has to remind himself that they don't know he knows. But it does make him feel... something.

"Every other week." It's the only way he can get away with it. He just has to update Bat Signal - crap. They'll probably know its him with how similar the schedules are and that every time he's with them Bat Signal just happens to also take the day off! Looks like he's got to do some extra stuff or something to make it less noticeable.

"Oh shit really!? Yes! Okay I'm texting Alfred now." The boy immediately whips his phone out not giving Tim a second to back out.

+-----+

Tim was lucky enough to convince both Alfred and Jason that they didn't need to drive him home. Somehow they hadn't noticed that with him being home alone that he was just walking - must just assume he ubers or something.

The moment he does get home he goes straight onto his laptop and starts to write up a post about how his schedule is going to be changing a lot as he tries to focus more on his physical health for a moment. He wasn't lying per say, but it also gives him more of a chance to take extra days off and maybe even convince Jason to let him not come over once or twice to hopefully not let them figure it out.

That night on patrol Tim could easily tell just how out of it Jason was, the guy didn't do a single reckless thing for the sake of it - and that's saying something!

But Tim is smart enough to know that he can't mention that in his post. If the villains see it then they'll end up making like harder for him. He never does lie in his posts, so while it'd be easy to say he's overly energetic that he couldn't get a good shot of him when he wasn't standing there. It just isn't factual, and that's the point of Bat Signal - to inform Gotham of what's going on.

+-----+

Now because Tim and Jason had arranged to hang out every other week, that means Tim's going to miss out on a lot of posting. So. Like any rational sleep deprived and emotionally neglected teenage boy would do - he decided it'd be an amazing idea to go out every. single. night. for a week when he's not at the Wayne house.

Obviously Jason noticed when Tim was - somehow - even more sleep deprived than he had been the week before. But he did stick to his word and didn't comment on it. Sometimes people look worse when they try to get their sleeping habits healthier, maybe Tim was one of those people.

Chapter Text

The moment Jason saw Tim at school on Monday he complained on the inside at how tried the younger boy was.

"Timothy. Jackson. Drake." Well shit.

"Jason."

"Timothy why the hell do you look worse? That shouldn't be possible."

"It's not that bad. I'm getting the same amount of sleep... just differently." Luckily they were in the library - if Tim wasn't rich as fuck and friends with Jason he'd be picked on every moment he having skipped multiple grades and being the youngest in the entire campus - which meant that Jason had to hold off on yelling at him... but that doesn't stop him from scolding the poor boy.

"Tim you look like you crawled out of the walking dead. I thought it was bad before but oh my god. Timber you've got to actually start looking after yourself." Just because he's scolding the boy doesn't mean he can't be nice about it.

"I just have to get used to my new routine and I'll be fine. No need to worry, my body just has to adjust. I'll be fine." For some reason Jason only now decides to sit down across from Tim at the study table.

"And how long do I have to wait before you look less zombiefied?" Well that's so nice of him.

"Well its a bi-weekly schedule so it'll take a bit longer. I started my fucked up sleep schedule when I was six, but then I only got a consistently bad one when I finally figured it out so that was like when I was 6 or something. And I'm like 15 so that's 9 years. Wait no that doesn't matter. Wait I need to know the month; when was it again? I think it was mid year, maybe it was March. March feels right. Okay so how long was it until I felt comfortable? I think maybe April or May... but I was 6 so that's a lot different so maybe only a month now. So if I do general knowledge it'd take me like 4 weeks - but then I have to conciser the fact that I now have more school to stress about and homework and stuff so that means that sleep will be harder for me so I'll add in an extra week of leniency so that'd make it 5 weeks. So five weeks." Okay so Tim may be a nerd - and Jason knows that, he does - but the level of mumble ranting going on that was like half inaudible was crazy.

It took Jason like a full two or three minutes to process the words that he heard before he could even start to think about a response. "5 weeks... 5 weeks. Tim what the fuck?"

"Well if you pay attention to me then you'd understand how I got to the estimated conclusion of 5 weeks." The boys sit there for a moment just looking at one another.

"Timberlina. Timas the tank engine. Timothine. Nobody can understand you when you're ranting like that." Jason could understand when he was ranting like that... scratch that. Robin can understand when he's ranting like that. Robin needs to be able to understand fast and mostly inaudible words; Jason doesn't.

"I wasn't speaking that fast. I mean like I was just thinking out loud so that you'd be able to follow along so you'd be able to understand how I got to the conclusion of roughly 5 weeks." Again, staring blankly at one another for another moment or so.

"Pocket sized Tim. Your thoughts are really fast. You're used to it. But most people aren't. And that wasn't even what I was talking about. I was more shocked at the fact that it's going to take a whole 5 weeks. That's more than a month TimTam."

"Okay, one; 5 weeks isn't that long if you think about the fact that I'll have a bi-weekly sleep schedule. Two; why with the random rant of names?" Jason just kind of... grins at Tim at the mention of the names.

"Talking Tim you should know by now that I live for nickolas names." Okay what. the fuck does that even mean!?

"Nickolas names... as in. Nick names - but longer?" Just because it confused him doesn't mean he can't use deductive reasoning to figure it out himself. "And why the hell is lunch going on for so long!?"

Chapter Text

"Master Jason and Tim, how was the day for you boys?" The school day was over, Jason - ecstatic, Tim - devastated.

"It was soooooooo boring Alfie! You've got to get me out of that hell hole of a prison!" Jason may be a smart kid, but that just makes school all the more mundane for him, Tim just rolled his eyes.

"School is fun! I don't know how you don't find it fun. You get to learn so many cool things, and you get to test yourself and it gives you a schedule to keep yourself in line and making sure you look presentable and am able to function in society." Alfred looks at Tim through the rear view mirror and gives the boy a - genuine - smile.

"Timber how do you do it? How do you find that fuck-ass of a place so fun!?" Alfred gives one look at Jason before the boy rolls his eyes and apologies.

"That's $20 for the swear jar master Jason."

"What no $10! I only said one word!"

"You said two words Master Jason."

"It's hyphenated, it's only one word!"

"I'll talk to Master Dick about it when we see him next, for now $20 and you get back your $10 if he says hyphenated words count."

+-----+

"So~, Timmers, what'cha wanna do?" What.

"Pardon?" They look at one another for a moment before Jason gives in.

"What. Do. You. Want. To. Do?" Jee, no need to be so sassy!

"Well I usually do homework before anything else. But I mean I don't care all too much." Jason just rolls his eyes before leading the two boys up to the study for them... Tim; to study - Jason just played games on his gameboy.

"So like how long does this take you? 1, 2 hours?"

"Uhm, sure. Lets go with that." There is no way he's going to admit that it takes 4 to 5 hours - not when Jason assumed a mere 1 to 2 hours.

+-----+

"Master Jason, Tim; I've prepared a light snack for the two of you to have a break." Jason - quite literally - jumps at the mention of that and - also literally - runs out of the room and towards... who's Tim kidding he's been here once he doesn't know.

"Come on Tim-Kim! You can't miss out on Alfie's fresh food! It's SO good! Don't let it get cold." Jason had already come back up and grabbed Tim by the wrist before he even finished talking. He just... kept talking.

It didn't take too long for Tim to get bored of Jason's ranting. The boy just cannot shut the fuck up sometimes. And Tim knows its rude to say that. Especially when everyone here has been so nice to him. So he's often resorted to his inner monologue to help think about something more interesting to himself.

And honestly, he was kind of enjoying what he was thinking this time - Jason was one for chaos, everyone knows that. But what like almost nobody knows is that Tim is also a chaos lover... he's just more into the mind tricks rather than jokester Jason.

And what did Tim think to do? Well to put it simple.

Chapter Text

And what did Tim think to do? Well to put it simple - he wanted to use his Bat Signal to mess with the Wayne family.

He was thinking of adding in subtle clues to them that he knows their identities and... and other things that he'll come up with along the way so to say.

But... just because Tim was enjoying his inner-monologue entertainment doesn't mean Jason was enjoying being ignored. Tim did end up making faces as he came up with his plan which may or may not have given him away. He was just so into his thoughts that he didn't notice when Jason had realized that Tim wasn't paying attention to him anymore.

"Tim-Jim, Tim-Tap, Timberly, Timber, Timbit, Tiny Tim, Timato, Tim-of-thee, timmi-turnip, Timkerbell!" Jason was physcially and literally shaking Tim... but he has gotten so good at dissociation that he quite literally cannot tell that anything is happening. And that doesn't help the Robin in Jason - he knows the boy is dissociating, but didn't understand just why he was.

"Hm, oh shit hey." Okay so finally he's out of his trans.

"Dude! You fuckin' scared the shit outta me!" Ha, $20 to the swear jar.

"Sorry! Sorry I was thinking about something, I know its no excuse - I'm sorry." Okay just because Tim has made a habit of dissociating doesn't mean he has a good experience with them.

"Timerlina it's fine, I was just worried about you. You were like - completely out of it. You okay?" Great - his favourite part - interrogation time.

"I'm fine, it just happens sometimes when I think too much. Don't worry about it." Great fucking going Timothy! He's a Robin, of course he's not going to drop it, nor is telling him that you're fine a good choice. Makes him all the more suspicious of you!

"'Timrin, that's not normal. Can I know what you were thinking about?" Well shit.

"Um. No?" Well great, just great Timothy.

"Not going to lie, never heard anyone just straight up say um no. You know I was more telling rather then asking - right?" Well yeah, but he's obviously going to try at least!

"Worth a shot?" Okay Tim, take a breath. It's not that bad, just like think better and don't let yourself say anymore stupid shit. "It's just like. School shit. Well no scratch that it's not I don't know why I said that. It's more... I don't know how to say it." Yeah great way to not say any stupid shit Timothy.

"Do you want me to ask you basic and simplified questions to help?" No.

"Sure, don't expect much though." Well that sure helps.

"Timthin... you don't seem... all there in h in the head a lot of times. But like it'd never been full ass dissociation to the point it takes me literal moment to shake you back to conscious mind - well at least not in front of me. How often does this happen? Like how often do you dissociate?" Well that's going to take a hot minute to come up with a rough number.

"Okay so like it has like about a few times a month, again, it varies." Just because what he said was m the minimum of what he's averaged doesn't mean he's lying when he says it. He said it varies, just not that it's more and not less.

"Timulivan that is really unhealthy." Well yeah, he knows that. "Can I know if you have any triggers or if you know what they are. I don't want to be the one to casue any of this - even if it's only an accident."

"Again, there's no one cause. And well I've been focusing more on not doing it and you know that stuff and haven't had much time to think about the cause. I mean I know one of them but it's out of literally everyones control and I kind of don't like it so don't even think about asking it. There's no way you could trigger it anyways so don't worry about that." Okay no need to say all that Timothy. But well he's not completely wrong.

"Well then I guess I'll help figure some of them out." He gives one of his calming Robin smiles before actually dropping the topic... didn't know Jason knew how to do that. Sure Robin can, doesn't mean Jason can. Just because they share the same physical body, doesn't mean the situations won't affect the way he thinks and acts.

Chapter Text

The rest of the night the boys ended up playing Nintendo games on one of the living areas that has a humongous screen so that while it is split screen, it's still big enough to see everything as if it wasn't split screen.

But of course the wretched time had to some where Alfred came to get the boys for dinner.

"Come on Timphony, like I've said we can't eat Alfie's food cold. Come on. Why the hell are you so slow!!!!" Jason was quite literally dragging Tim down the hallway to the dinning room.

The last time he was here for dinner he was brutally interrogated and a lot of things came out. He's just got to be careful.

"How was your day today Jason? Got much homework?" The dinner table was quiet - but not uncomfortable like he's used to. Sure the Wayne manor was - and I kid you not - constantly loud, and typically the dinner table would be too. But with Timothy there they couldn't rant about their - not so legal - activities... well they can, they just don't know it - yet.

"Honestly so boring! Like I get everything and all. But like that's the problem, there's no excitement to it all. I just sit there listening to the teacher ranting about stuff I already know." Tim has skipped 2 grades before, why can't Jason do it if he's as smart and as bored as he claims to be?

"And homework? Are you actually going to do it - like you promised me?" Obviously he wasn't going to not notice Jason's lack of response to the second part of the two part question.

"Ugh, yeah yeah, I'll do it." Bruce leave's it at that, though his facial expressions says otherwise.

"What about you Tim? How was your day today?" How was it? He did have digital technologies today, and history. Well okay so it's been education wise but then he did also have to agree to shift in his schedule that he's had unwavered for years. "Tim? You okay kid?" Right words; what word's specifically should he use though? It would be hard to explain the latter. So saying it was good would be okay. But then it was right after Jason had complained would seem like bragging... but also complaining would make him seem ungrateful for their invitation into their home.

"Timmy Cat? You feeling okay?" Well of course he is... why wouldn't he be? "You dissociating again?" Right. Words. Okay uhm... fuck. Speak Timothy! Say something damn it!

"What do you mean again?" Well fuck! Now fuckin' Batman himself is involved in his baby problems! Jeez why'd he ever let Jason sit next to him in the library that one day! How the hell did that turn into - this!?

"He dissociated literally moments before we came down for supper." Okay well what the fuck is Timothy going to do now!? There's no way that Batman or Robin will let him drop this conversation!?

"Alfred do you think you could go get some stuff to help Tim? I'll bring him over to his room." The fuck? his room? Why'd he say it like that!? Tim doesn't live here or anything.

"Right away sir. I'll make sure to preserve his food as well." And just after giving a confirming nod, Bruce literally just gets out of his chair and just... picks him up. Walking over to the room that he and Jason had stayed in - the one with two beds that the two of them had stayed in previously.

"Tim, I know it's hard to respond, but do you think you can blink twice if you can at least understand the words I'm saying. Or if you want, you could squeeze my hand or hands if that's easier for you." The man gives me hid hands, placing them in mine if I did end up wanting to do the latter.

Honestly yeah he's batman. But that doesn't stop Timothy from feeling like he's intruding and making him do more than he needs. He's batman, he's got better things to worry about and stupid old Timothy being a brat and not talking! Fuck! He still hasn't said anything!

STUPID TIMOTHY!

STUPID!

STUPID!

STUPID!

JUST SAY SOMETHING GOD DAMN IT TIMOTHY!

USELESS!

USELESS CHILD!

PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER DAMN IT!

"-thy, can you copy my breathing?" Something moves my hand up to... oh shit. Bruce had moved my hand to his chest, to help me copy his breathing. Hang on, why did he even feel the need to have my copying it? What's going on? "-got this. Come on Timothy, in and out please. You're okay." What? Why's he treating me like he has Robin when dealing with abused victims. "Deep breaths kiddo. I've got you."

It's apparent he's not going to give up on this breathing thing, so might as well just please the poor man. "There we go Timothy, just like that kiddo." Wait... why's he feeling better? He didn't feel bad before so how is he even feeling better now? "-please? Timothy, can you try looking at me please?"

"There we go bud. Hey, you feeling okay?" Who knows now, like seriously who knows!? He felt find moments ago but then Batman did breathing exercises with him like he was a traumatized kid; the worst part is that it actually did something. Okay wait so now that he's done the breathing he's better than before - and before he was fine - so that must mean he's feeling pretty good. "Timothy?" Right, responding time.

"Good." Okay what the fuck was that Timothy! What the fuck was that!? Nobody is going to fucking believe that pathetic excuse of a work!

"There we go kiddo." Hang on why's my neck cold. It's burning but cold, the cold shouldn't burn. It hurts, but also feels really good. What's happening? "That's just some ice. It helps keep you grounded and cool you down." Wait what the fuck, batman can't read minds! Shit can he? Timothy fucking Drake stop thinking about him like that! What if he can! You just fucking outed yourself!

Chapter Text

Bruce Wayne POV

When I finished the sentence

I was writing I did finally listen to Alfred and went down to the dinning room for dinner. It took a moment for me to remember that Jason had told him that Tim was staying over every other week. It didn't bother him in the way he feels the boy worries it does - it worry's him that Jason had to go Robin mode and convince the boy to stay over. His parents aren't home almost ever, so it made sense Jason went Robin mode. It just hurt that even when he found a way to help Gotham, he can't help the individual people like Tim. But he'll do what he can to help the boy, and also get Dick and Alfred to look into ways to help runaway kids and abuse victims and such. He doesn't care if its Batman or Bruce Wayne that does it. It just needs to be done.

"How was your day today Jason, get much homework done?" It was nice to have someone else in the house, Jason was obviously loving having someone to hang out with while Dick was away, but that doesn't mean it's awkward while they make conversation. He can't just openly talk about Batman and Robin stuff in front of the boy.

"Honestly so boring! Like I get everything and all. But like that's the problem, there's no excitement to it all. I just sit there listening to the teacher ranting about stuff I already know." Jason is smart enough to know that if he skips a grade it'll be hard on him. Being Robin he needs to be able to keep up the fact that people don't know its him and that he can't fall behind. If he were to skip ahead it'd be hard on him to keep up with his studies. He knew what he was getting into when he became a Robin.

"And homework? Are you actually going to do it - like you promised me?" Just because they can't openly talk about Batman and Robin stuff doesn't mean they can't discreetly do it. He needed to remind Jason nightly about his research on the Arkham criminals, he needs to stay on top of what to do if any of them escape. They can't afford to forget.

"Ugh, yeah yeah, I'll do it." Well maybe he needs to practice interpretation skills because honestly it looks like he was genuinely thinking he meant school homework... okay now that he thinks about it he did talk to Jason about actually doing homework even though he believes there's no point when the teachers just give him an A without even looking at his work.

"What about you Tim? How was your day today?" He can talk to the boy about both later. They have a guest, and it's important to make him not feel left out. The poor kid was so used to being alone he'd probably feel out of place sitting here. "Tim?" The boy looked out of it. Like he was thinking about a complex science formula that he was being quizzed on.

"Timmy Cat? You feeling okay? You dissociating again?" What? Why'd Jason phrase it like that, he may use improper language every now and then, but he's Robin-ing right now, he never words things wrong when he's Robin-ing.

"What do you mean again?" The moment the words came out of his mouth he could see the panic collapse onto Tim.

"He dissociated literally moments before we came down for supper." So it's a normal thing. That's never a good thing, especially when Jason had previously gone Robin mode on him.

"Alfred do you think you could go get some stuff to help Tim? I'll bring him over to his room." Dick had dissociation episodes periodically when he first joined the family. Bruce - and Alfred - had both prayed they'd never have to see anyone else go through it. But here was this 15-year-old boy that was so oblivious to how shit his life is.

"Right away sir. I'll make sure to preserve his food as well." God Alfred is amazing, nodding his head Bruce goes to pick the trembling boy up, taking him straight to the room they'd set up for him. The house had too many guest rooms, and he's staying over every other week so he might as well just have his own room. It was supposed to be a surprise for the boy later, but honestly he can deal with that later, this is more important.

"Tim, I know it's hard to respond, but do you think you can blink twice if you can at least understand the words I'm saying. Or if you want, you could squeeze my hand or hands if that's easier for you." When Dick got older the boy had helped Bruce and Alfred understand how to best help children in dissociation episodes, a lot of the time it's like they're trapped, they can hear and process thoughts and sometimes words but it just wont go through. Like the opposite of Tourettes, the brain wants to do something but the body just wont. It's different for each person and situation, but it's always good to try help them do even the smallest of things.

And it seemed like he could hear, the boy started to tremble more and more, it didn't take long for his breathing to become labored. He could hear Bruce but he just couldn't respond, he couldn't do anything physical but panic. It hurts to see the boy like this, he needs Dick to hurry his ass over here.

"Timothy, can you copy my breathing? Timothy, can you copy my breathing?" Saying things twice was good because sometimes they'd only hear the last part, so repeating it is better so they can hear what they need to. And it also helped that he had brought one of his trembling hands up to rest on his chest as Bruce mimicked the breathing exercises he had done with Dick.

"There we go Timothy, just like that kiddo." He'd started to calm down, even just the tiniest bit. And everything is worth celebrating, he needs to know that any progress is good progress. "Timothy, can you try looking at me please? Timothy, can you try looking at me please?"

"There we go bud. Hey, you feeling okay?" He'd finally willed his body into doing what he wants, amazing. He needs Tim to know that he's okay, and showing a gentle reassuring face seemed to work with Dick.

"Good." Oh the poor thing. He'd managed to vocalize something, which is amazing progress, but he just looked and sounded so hurt.

"There we go kiddo." He was calming down, and becoming more aware of things, which is always a good thing. The hand that wasn't on Bruce's chest went to behind his neck where Alfred had been holding some ice to help ground the boy. "That's just some ice. It helps keep you grounded and cool you down." And now he was panicking again, something obviously happened in his thoughts, Bruce just wished he could read his mind and fix everything.

"Alfred? Dick on his way?" Sitting beside the boy on the bed and pulling him into his lap so that Tim could just rest his head against his chest rather than having to have his hand stretched out to feel the breathing made it more comfortable for him... also to just help him feel safer.

"He's taking the fastest way over, he'll be here any moment." And as if on cue, they hear his motorbike roaring down the road and quickly into the garage. "I'll be back with him in a moment." Bruce just takes the moment to rub his back and do everything he can to calm the boy.

"Hey Tim, it's me, Dick. We met the other week, I'm going to sit here okay." He looked out of breath (which is rare for the hyperactive man), but kept his face calm and made sure to keep every ounce of urgency shoved away. "I'm going to ask you a question, I don't want you to answer just yet, I just want you to think about what you can say. Okay?"

"Mm." Honestly it almost sounded like nothing, but they were literal vigilantes, they need to be able to pick up on near silent things.

"Great. Later can you tell me what you want someone to do when you feel like this? I used to have moments like this a lot when I was younger and I found it helpful to let Bruce and Alfie know what helps me feel more stable. It's different for everyone, so what helps me may not help you - and that's okay. Yeah?" This time Tim just nods a bit before shoving his head back into my chest. "I'm going to go find Jayce, call out if you need me. Just give him some time to let his mind think all the thoughts and process what he needs to."

Jason Todd POV

Everything just happened. One moment Tim and I were having fun and hanging out, the next he was just out of it. And then him, Bruce and Alfred were gone.

I'd gone up to my room after who knows how long. And just sat there on my bed. Fuck's sake Tim! Why can't he just fucking talk to him! Jason had always known the boy had something going on. The first time he sat next to him in the library he knew something was different.

Why had he let Tim keep pushing it away, sure he let Jason convince him to hang out at school daily. But that doesn't mean he was opening up to him!

God Jason!

Fucking idiot!

He's a god damn Robin and he just... just let his best friend destroy himself from the inside out!

"Hey Jayce, you feeling okay?" Since when was Dick here? "Woah, hey he'll be okay." Jason had - quite literally - thrown himself into Dicks arms.

"I... I knew he had problems Dick. I knew that... that he needed my help I just... I just let him push the topics away! I should've helped him Dick! I should've helped him before he... he got like... like that." It was rare for him to express any form of negative emotion, let alone to be sobbing in his elder brothers arms.

"Hey, hey, he's going to be okay. I know that your feelings are very much real. And I know there isn't much anyone can do to get rid of them. But I do need you to know that if he didn't dissociate here he wouldn't be able to get our help. You said he wouldn't let you help him, but now it's not just you trying to help. Okay? He's going to be okay." Dick was holding a tight grip onto him, holding him like there was a tornado out to get him and Dick was cemented into the ground. Like he was clinging onto him with all his emotional strength to make sure he felt safe. And he did.

"I'm going to go back and watch over him for a bit. You can come if you want. But he's still thinking his thoughts so if you want to sit in here are process your thoughts yourself I'm certain Tim would want you to."

Chapter Text

"Hey bud." Tim had just woken up, dissociating is exhausting. "How're you feeling now Tim?" Dick had his hand fiddling with his hair as Tims head was resting in his lap.

"Tired." He has foggy memory about what happened, but what he knows for sure is that Dick had mentioned he had dissociative episodes before and was able to understand what Tim was going through... more or less.

"Don't I know it. You want some water? Alfie brought some water a while ago, I can ask for some cold water though if you want." Tim just looks over to see the glass closer to him, so he just grabs it and chugs the entire thing in one go. God water is so good when you wake up exhausted. "Do you want to just lay here for a bit longer or do you want to get this over and done with?"

"I don't want to do it at all." Dick decides to just fiddle with the younger boys hair more, letting him have time to process what he'll have to do.

+-----+

"Tim bud, do you want some food? You haven't eaten in a while." Ah shit, okay like yes please! But god his throat hurts. So he just nods into the elder boys stomach, his head still in his lap. "Do you want to come down to the living room with me? I can put on a movie or something while we eat and we can just sit there and vibe." And Tim just nods again.

Dick ends up holding onto the younger boy and resting him on his hip as Tim koala bear holds onto him. It wasn't not intentional, but there was no exact plan as to how they would go downstairs, and Dick just kind of naturally did it - Tim was not going to complain or resist. So he didn't.

They weren't allowed to do any cooking in the kitchen - Alfred's rules - so Dick just grabbed a bowl of cereal for the both of them before returning to the couch he had dropped Tim off at. Tim had unsurprisingly fallen back asleep and was half on and half off the couch.

As much as Dick wanted to let him sleep, he knew better than to let him completely fuck up his sleep schedule. He needs more sleep, he's not saying he doesn't. But its not going to help if his only sleep schedule is fucked up. "Timmy, come on."

Tim devoured the cereal in moments, obviously famished from the draining dissociation that happened a while ago... okay maybe it's just because he hadn't eaten in a while; okay that makes more sense, he did skip dinner to be an attention seeking brat.

"Timmy? Breath for me please." What? Oh shit, did it really have to happen again!? Wow. So nice. "Timmy. Come on. I'm right here, copy my breathing. You're okay. You're safe. Everything is okay. I got you buddy."

Dick had at some point moved Timothy back into his lap - again. But honestly he was liking it, yeah it's selfish for him to be abusing the moment and just letting Dick hold onto him. But a boy can wish.

"Timmy~ Timmy bud. You're okay. I've got you. Breath with me bud." He'd ended up moving Timothy's head onto his chest to help hear and feel the calm heart rate and breath to help calm himself down... but he kind of didn't want to. Yeah, sure he's being hella selfish right now. But he just wants to stay in Dicks arms as long as he can - even if that means making Dick hold onto him as he stresses over baby little Timothy fucking Drake.

Chapter Text

It had taken Dick literally only 15 minutes to calm Timothy down. And yeah, 15 minutes is a long time. But for a dissociation calm down that's barley anything!

"Timmy. Can we talk please? I need to know how to help you bud. And I especially need to know how to help prevent this stuff from happening." Timothy just stayed clung onto Dick, he'd responded to his questions after a while that which did allow Dick to know that he was out of it... but honestly part of him still wants to just stay in Dicks arms longer.

"Timmy. I'll still hold you if you need. Just talk to me okay bud?" Was it really that obvious. Well shit. Fine. Okay.

"Mm." It is the only way Timothy felt like responding, he technically could say actual words... but they just felt like too much effort right now.

"Do you know what causes your episodes? Are you aware of what causes them or not just yet?" Timothy shakes his head, again, vocalizing shit is too much effort just now. "Do you remember when you first stared dissociating? If it helps, I thought back to when I first had memory gaps or time blanks."

"Um... when I was um... 9?" Of course Dick had to remember everything Timothy had said about this life. He's fucking Nightwing, the old Robin, protege of the one and only Batman, also skilled detector.

"So a year before they started going onto "trips" around the world for "work"?" Okay whats with the wording... please oh please mean nothing by it!

"Just under a year, yeah." Dick just starts to play with Timothy's hair again, he could tell it did something to help the boy calm down, and that's really all that matters right now. Just got to look after the kid who's shit at dealing with shit by himself. Fucking pathetic.

"Buddy, you're okay. I'm right here." Well shit again! He just put himself back together! Fucking pathetic bitch! "You're okay bud, please let me help you. I can help you now, but it'll be better for the both of us if I'm able to know more about what's going on so I can help you better. Okay?"

"Mm."

"Does me holding you help?" A simple nod in return. "What about playing with your hair?" Another nod. "Did the ice help last night, when it was on your neck?" A slight hesitation, but soon enough another nod. "Does me talking help?" Another nod. "Do you know why it started?" And again. "Can I know why?" And then Timothy freezes. Takes a moment. Considers shaking his head. But remembers what Dick had told him. And nods his head.

"M-My parents... they... when they leave... they... well... when they first... it was... well... they left cause... I... I mean..."

"Hey, hey bud. Breath. Copy my breathing. In and out. Talk once you've got the words ready in your head okay bud. I've got you."

"My parents... they left because of me... I kept messing up... I wouldn't do things right... I kept bringing shame... shame to the family... so they scolded me... but I didn't know how to be better so I... I shoved feelings away... but that means sometimes I forget to express fake feelings to make them happy... and I'd space out... and I did it too many times they started going on trips... it... it was all my fault... I made my parents distant... I pushed them away! I can't miss them! I made them leave!"

"Oh Timmy. Timmy baby. Nothing you did was wrong. You did everything you knew how to do. You weren't taught to deal with this stuff - you weren't supposed to deal with this stuff. Nobody is. Okay bud. It's not your fault. I'm here for you okay baby. I've got you Timmy." He just kept saying these words and playing with his hair. It felt too good. He shouldn't be allowed to enjoy this. He broke his own family who's to say he won't break someone else's too. "Timmy bud. What's going on in your head right now?"

"I'm sorry... I... I don't want to ruin your family too... I- I don't want to... but you... it feels warm here... but... I- I don't want to ruin your family... But you- you don't deserve to have me ruining your family... but I- I just want the warmth here for a bit... just a bit longer please... please Dick."

"Oh Timmy. Come here bud." He pulls the boy in closer to his chest. Ruffling his hair and hushing and whispering small simple praises. Praises and calmness quotes that would seem small and insignificant but were the world to him. Words he's never heard spoken towards him.

Dick Grayson POV

"Bruce I'm telling you this kid can't go back to that house. He's traumatized. He thinks he's selfish for being here because he's "doesn't want to ruin our family too". He thinks he's the reason his parent's are always gone. The selfish bitches scolded him for being a child so much he repressed his emotions. His dissociation episodes are because he doesn't know how to process emotions after years of repression. He needs out of that house." The moment Dick put Tim to bed after falling asleep again, he went straight to the batcave, Bruce needed to know this, and he needed to know this now.

"Dick breath. He's here every other week. He feels bad being here as is right now. How do you think he'll feel staying here permanently. We have no solid proof other than the neglect. His parent's will do what they can to make sure there's no charges against them. We'll support him on the sidelines as much as we can. But that doesn't mean I won't be starting to peace together everything I can to get all the information and evidence I'll need to have him legally stay here for the rest of his time." Dick isn't one to get overly emotional about things, sure he'd be emotional every now and then. But no more than necessary. And this just showed how important it meant for him that Tim gets help. And there's no way Bruce Wayne himself will turn down a stray... or adopt a child in need per say. "So where's he now?"

"He fell asleep again, I brought him up to his room. The boy needs help Bruce. He's 15. He can't take care of himself. He's been dissociating since 7, prenatally abandoned since 8, neglected since 11. Bruce he's a 15-year-old living in an entire manor by himself with no love since we was 11, stretching it to when he was 8. Bruce that's 4-7 years of almost no love!" If the batcave weren't soundproof there's no way Tim wouldn't wake up from Dicks raised and desperate voice.

"I know kid. And I'm doing what I can. But we can't rush in. Who knows if he'll spook easy and run off, or if his parent's come back at the wrong time and keep him away by force. We need to do this strategically." There's logic to it. He hates it. But there's logic to it.

Jayon Todd POV

The moment he gets back from school - that he was unwillingly forced to go to without Tim. He goes straight to find Bruce. "Bruce, where's Tim? Is he here? He awake?"

"He's in his room Jayce. He's gone back to sleep. It's been long enough you can go sit in there and wait for him to start waking up soon if you need. Do your homework or something quiet. He'll feel your presence and start to wake up seen enough. Don't talk about his... episodes just yet okay? He's still rather sensitive about them. Dick, Alfred and I are doing what we can to help. He's already opened up about some things to Dick. So don't rattle it too much. Help keep things normal for him."

Jason just turns around and runs to Tims room, quietly though. Tim definitely needs the rest. All that he can get.

Sneaking into Tims room with Robin level sneaking ability. Slowly and carefully making his way to sit in the side of the Tims bed, making sure he wouldn't wake him, but being able to know the moment he woke up.

Tim Drake POV

Another shitty nightmare, nothing out of the ordinary. At this point his body has gotten so used to them he doesn't even react to them. No cold sweat, a barley out of the normal heart rate, body as still as death, breathing no more than a walk up the stairs, and no sudden awaken from a harsh jump scare.

Just a normal eyes slowly opening, slight sigh of relief when he realizes it was just another nightmare. And the limb shaking full body in bed stretch before groaning as he fumbles around the sheets.

"Timbo! Timmy hi! Oh my god I missed you today! You don't understand today was even more boring than ever! Like I didn't know school could get this boring!" Man that kid confuses the hell out of Tim.

"Schools never boring and I'm sure it was fine without me. We only ever actually see one another for food breaks anyways. It's not like I'm with you in the actual classes. And those take up most the day." Tim can be sassy in the mornings, something Jason found out rather fast... but he's not complaining. Tim is so much fun.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Tiny Tim."

+-----+

"Master Jason, Master Timothy. Supper is ready for when the two of you care to join us at the table." Alfred - quiet as ever - leaves as silently as he came.

"Lets go Master Timothy~." Fuckin' hate that name. Why? Wait. No. Why does he hate that name? His parent's gave it to him. He should be grateful they took time to think of a name! God he's such a fucking brat! "Tim?" Fuck, right, people.

"Hm, yeah sorry. Lets go." Oh god Robin himself nearly caught Timothy dissociating!

"Ah Master Jason, how was school day?"

The conversation fades out, like white noise. Tims used to the white noise, he puts the T.V on in the background to add sound to the deafening walls. But he's used to tuning it out or he'll know it's not real people. So he's done that with real people on instinct. And let's just say that's not what he needs right now. Not with the batfam being the ones he's tuning out and making them stress over himself.

"Hey bud. You feeling okay?" Well shit. He was so close to not having Jason see this! "Timmy? Buddy can you breath with me?"

"Here you go Master Dick." Freezing ice blocks being placed on Tims neck really does hurt, but it feels nice at the same time.

"That feel better Timmy?" Who knows how long he was "out" for, because right now he was on the couch in Dicks lap. "Tim buddy, do you remember what to do? Copy my breathing. Focus on breathing okay bud. You're okay. You're safe. In and out buddy, in and out." This time it took a bit longer for him to calm Timothy down. But he did... the boy fell asleep by his own will. And Dick is going to take that over a panicked 15-year-old dissociating helpless boy.

"Night... Nightwing?" FUCK!

"H-Hey bud. It's me, Dick. I've got you." It wasn't that noticeable of a shock. But there was enough for it to be recognizable for someone experienced... and lets just say Tims extra curricular made him experienced. "I got you buddy. I'm here. Dick's here for you."

"Mm yeah, Nightwing." WHY THE FUCK IS HE SAYING THIS SHIT!?

And he falls back asleep... lovely :D

Chapter Text

Waking up a few hours later Tim is greeted with the sight of Dick sitting in the chair used for his desk, that he'd moved to be facing Tim as he slept - not creepy at all.

"Hey Timmy." Usually it's Jason who's here when he wakes up. Why's Dick here and not Jason? Why is it just dick and not both of them? Where's Jason? "Timmy?"

"Hm. Hello. Sorry. Tired." There's no way he would ever dare speak like that to his parents. But he just feels - too - comfortable with Dick.

"All good bud. You just woke up from a 14 hour sleep." 14 HOURS! TIMOTHY JACKSON DRAKE WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU! HOW THE HELL COULD YOU BE SO STUPID AS TO LET YOURSELF TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FAMILIES SUPPLIES AND ENERGY JUST TO SLEEP FOR 14 HOURS FLAT!? "Timmy. Timmy bud we're glad you got that sleep. You needed the energy and it was night time anyways. It was only from 8-10."

"Oh, okay." Dick ends up walking over to wrap Timothy into his arms, making sure to get under the warm and comfortable blankets with him. This conversation wasn't going to be fun, or easy, so he might as well make it as easy as he can for the boy.

"Do you remember anything from last night? It's okay is not I just want to know what I can/can't reference and what I do/don't have to explain to you." And while big-brother Dick and Nightwing Dick often overlap and have their similarities, being the expert Tim is - he's able to tell that right now this is more Nightwing mode rather than big-brother. Meaning this was going to be a heavy topic. Fuck.

"No." He just nuzzles his head into Dicks chest letting the elder boy comfort him. He's loving the physical affection the boy gives him, and with this being a heavy topic he knows he'll give it to him if he just leans into him.

"Well last night while you were between leaving dissociation and joining sleep, you called me 'Nightwing' - and when I told you that it was in fact me - Dick - you said:

"Mm yeah, Nightwing."

Can you explain please?" WELL FUCKING SHIT! OF COURSE HE HAD TO GO AND FUCK EVERYTHING UP!

"No."

"Sorry buddy but I really do need to know why." AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NO YOU DON'T!

"It doesn't mean anything." HA! LOOPHOLE!

"Bud I need to know why you were thinking about Nightwing and why you're comparing me to him." Well that's no help! Fall into the loophole why don't you! Aghh!

"I don't want to. I don't even know where to start or what to say like what do you want me to tell you? Like how am I supposed to consciously tell you what my subconscious mind did while half asleep that conscious me has no memory of?" Better loophole??

"Let's start with this then, do you know why you dissociated last night?" A small nod. "Can you tell me? Be as simple or as detailed as you feel comfortable.

"YouKnowHowILiveAloneLike86%OfMyYearWellLikeI'veGottenUsedToPuttingOnWhiteNoiseLikeTheT.VOrRadioOrSomethingToHelpMeFeelLessAloneAllTheTimeButIUsuallyJustListenToMusicWhileDoingThingsSoIOnlyReallyHaveTheWhiteNoiseOnWhenDoingThingsLikeEatingDinnerSoWhenWeWereEattingDinnerIGuessIJustZonedOutLikeIUsuallyDoAtDinnerBecauseINeedToThinkAboutCertainThingsAndDinnerIsUsuallyTheBestTimeToThinkThingsThroughForMeAndWithTheChatterAtTheTableItSoundedLikeWhiteNoiseToMeSoIStartedThinkingAboutRandomThingsOutOfInstinctAndHabitAndIGuessItOnlyHappenedThisTimeBecauseWhenJasonAndIWereCalledForDinnerHeCalledMeTimothyButIReallyHateThatNameAndIStartedDissociatingWhileTryingToFigureOutWhyIHateItButHeCaughtMeBeforeItGotTooBadSoIGuessMyMindWasStillSlightlyThereOrSomething."

Sure it's fast and mostly illegible, but this is Nightwing, there's no way he didn't get that.

"Ah, good to know then. So what were you thinking about at dinner time while we were making your white noise?" Hang on what was he thinking about? Like he was dissociating, how does anyone ever remember what their dissociation thoughts are about when it isn't immediately after? So Tim just shakes his head, he talked too much just then and it took a lot of social energy. "You don't know, or don't want to tell me?"

"Fist." One word is all he needs to say. And he finds some form of comfort in that. A comfort in knowing that Richard Grayson-Wayne also known as Nightwing also known as the original Robin also known as the child from They Flying Graysons, is fine with some of the bullshit that Timothy does. That Timothy doesn't have to be Timothy Drake but Timmy - just Timmy.

"Ah okay. So can you tell me if you even know why you kept claiming me to be Nightwing?" As easily, smoothly and quickly as Timothy would claim to say no at the chance. Timmy decided to say yes... and Timmy is here right now because good old Dick decided to be a decent human being. Great.

Chapter Text

"So you know why you kept referring to me as Nightwing. But do you feel comfortable telling me why? At any point it doesn't have to be right now if you don't want it to be." Why the fuck does he have to be so god damn considerate of Tims feelings!? It'd be so much easier for Tim if Dick forced it out of him so that there was no decision making and deciding what he can/can't say!

"Oh I um... I guess now." Dick just ruffles his hair and holds him closer, to his chest, fiddling with his hair understanding that this was probably not easy for him whatever the reason is. "I um... I don't know how to say it... I-I'm sorry."

"That's okay. Do you want me to ask questions? Do you think that would help?" Nodding really just feels so much easier, and Dick is too kind to just let him do just that and not force him to use words. "Okay, lets start with how you came to know who Nightwing even is. He's from Bludhaven, not Gotham... he's not even that well known in Bludhaven so it's surprising you know of him at all."

"He um... I well after the Robin changed... IWellIWantedToKnowWhatHappenedToTheFirstOneSoIDidSomeSearchingAndRealisedThatTheFirstRobinAndNightwingAreLikeReallySimilarAndSometimesNightwingWillComeOverToGothamAndDoPatrolsAndStuffWithBatmandAndTheCurrentRobinSoItWasn'tHardToPutTwoAndTwoTogetherAndRealiseThatThey'reTheSamePersonWithADifferentPersonaYouKnow?" And of course Timothy had to ramble again!

"What do you mean "after the Robin changed."?" Well shit.

"Well I can't remember the exact string of events, but like there was about a week or so where Robin wasn't going on patrols and Batman was like... different? I don't know but like then suddenly Batman was better and Robin was like shorter and looked a bit different and acted different. I guess if you paid attention it'd make sense to know that they were different people. And not to mention the fact that Nightwing came around not too long after the first Robin left, his moves are almost the same... well better because he's learnt but they were the same style and type you know. I guess it just makes sense if you pay attention and put everything together you know. I think most people just assumed he like went on vacation or something and learnt stuff there and that's why Robin acted different and not because they're two different people." Why oh why does Timothy have to keep rambling! Oh well, he's going to tell him sooner or later. Best if he tells him before he finds out.

"I see you're as smart as Jason says you are. Okay, so you know Nightwing because you're like really into what, watching Batman?" Again, better he say it before Dick or someone finds out.

"I um... I guess you could put it like that. I um. Well you know how I like don't get a lot of sleep and how my parent's are only home 86% of the year? Well I've gotten into photography a few years back and after a bit I wanted to expand my experience and decided to go on night photography where I ended up getting there during a fight with Batman and took some photos of that. And I guess I just kept taking photos of Batman and Robin, and then after a while I started to learn their schedule and would make sure I got the photos of them I guess." Well that was a lot more than he was planning to say... I guess that does make it easier in the long run.

"You... You follow Batman and he hasn't caught you yet?" How has Tim even done that... not even he himself knows, like yeah he's decent at sneaking around and shit but how?

"I... I don't know. I guess I'm just good at staying hidden I guess." Tims head at this point wasn't safely snuggled into Dicks chest, so Dick is able to look him in the eyes with calculating horror? surprise.

"O-Okay... Um right back to you knowing about Nightwing. So you know who he is and all that. But why were you calling me Nightwing?" Well... gotta say it at some point.

"Well you I um... I kind of like... IKnowThatYou'reNightwingAndThatJasonIsTheCurrentRobinAndThatBruceIsBatmanAndAlfredIsAgentAAndThat'sWhyBruceSometimesScaresMeAndIGuessWhyIFeelComfortableWithYouInAWay." If there was a way to show just how shocked Dick was, he would... but this is Ao3 but Tim doesn't have his camera.

"You... What? How? That's... What?" Well Shit. "No okay, we're going to Bruce." FUCK.

+-----+

"So Tim knows our vigilante identities because he got bored and wanted to take photos at night and started following us without any of us realizing?" Tim was made to re-explain everything in front of not only Bruce but also Jason and Alfred!

"Well I guess so. I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner. I just well. I liked being here and well I wasn't sure how you'd like me getting too close to you. I mean I already know so much about you you guys probably thing I'm a creepy stalker or something! I'm so sorry!"

"Hey, hey bud. We're just shocked. It's not every day you a 15-year-old tells you they've known your secret identity for the past 4 years." Bruce had done what Dick would usually do and started to hold Tim in his arms. "We're not mad or anything, okay? We're just surprised is all."

"Wait so... you've known I'm Robin like the entire time we've been friends!?" Right... Jason probably hates him right now!

"I'm sorry."

"Master Tim nobody here is disappointed in you or anything of the sorts. If anything we're rather proud of you. You've done something spectacular and have managed to keep yourself safe while doing something to dangerous. We're just in shock at how you've been able to do so for so long by yourself. Does that make sense?" Tim just nods, honestly this all all so much. "I think it'd be best for everyone if we all take a moment to process, I think some of us are getting emotional and need to let it simmer."

+-----+

"Tim, now that we know about what you're doing. You wouldn't mind if you joined us on our outings would you? I can supply you with proper gear and help make sure you have the proper equipment. It'll also be easier to get good shots when you're able to get closer and not have to worry about getting caught." IS THE BATMAN HIMSELF INVITING TIMOTHY FUCKING DRAKE TO JOIN HIM!? OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!

"Oh I um... Yes... Please. Oh my god yes please! I can't believe this is happening oh my god!" Bruce just chuckles, leading Tim down to the batcave to show him just what actually goes on.

"If you're joining us there's no way you're not wearing proper protective wear, if you're getting close to fighting you need to have some form of stealth wear that's also high durability. Have a look at the Batsuit, both Robin suits and Nightwing suit and see what you like." The second Bruce mentions having his own suit he darts over to the suit display cases.

"Okay so the Robin suit is colourful to help draw attention to the villains so that Batman can sneak up. And I don't want attention so I need the black like Batman. So I can't take the colors from there. Batman has batterangs, and Robin has his own version of that... would Tim need that? He could use them like flash grenades for lighting? But won't that draw attention to himself? Okay maybe not. Stick to the actual suit. The extras can be figured out later. Focus on the suit. Okay so the batsuit is made of Kevlar, carbon fiber and titanium, with the cape made of memory fabric of some sort. Jason's Robin suit is the same but with ceramic plating rather than titanium, making it lighter but still protective. The Nightwing suit is the same but without titanium or ceramic plating, as he needs more agility rather than defense. And because I'm just taking photos I might do the same as the Nightwing suit as I won't need much reinforcement as I'm not in the actual fight. Okay so I'll probably just stick to that for now. And I'm not Batman, Nightwing or a Robin so I'll probably need my own design so that they don't mistake me for any of them, so I'll need my own one... Bat Signal needs its own symbol. But what? Do I even need a symbol? It's not like I'm ever going to be put in the news, I am the news."

"You know your way around these designs. Usually I don't bring the boys to Lucius when making the outfits, but you actually seem to be into these things so if you want I can take you to talk to him about it in person if that's what you want?" And does the light brighten in Tims eyes at the mention of being able to talk to the Lucius Fox about making his suit!

Bruce didn't waste any time at all, he took Tim down to Wayne Enterprises the following day. Introducing him to Lucius... more like trying to.

"Oh my god! Hello! I've got to say I just love your work! The way you're able to make the batsuits and all the gear is so intricate and fascinating! If it's no bother to you I would love to see you the designs and how you've made them! Only if it's no bother I don't want to disturb you at all! Even just doing this is so amazing in the first place, thank you so so much!"

"Well I'm glad I've finally got someone showing their admiration. You said you've already thought of basically everything for what you're wanting yeah?" And so Tim and Lucius make their way over to his desk as Bruce sneaks off to go do business man work letting the two chatter about technical stuff Bruce couldn't be bothered to even try to figure out.

And after a few sketches and talks, they finally came up with a design that's functional in all the best ways but also good for any emergencies where he may need to defend himself.

"How'd you two bookworms go? Worth skipping a day of school?" Somehow it hadn't seemed like it was almost an entire day. But it was fun to say the least.

"He's as amazing as I've always thought him to be! Thank you so so much Bruce!" If he wasn't hunched over the work bench Tim would've ran over to Bruce in an instant to give him a hug of appreciation.

"And the suit?"

"The kids better than you at this stuff. He managed to even start building some of it himself while I worked." And he still is.

Chapter Text

It only took a few days for Tims suit to be made, but sadly it just happened to have finished on the day that his parents got back home!

"Timothy. How have you been doing at school?" The first thing his father even says, is him asking about his school grades as usual.

"All straight A's as usual sir. Doing my extra curricular and volunteering to keep the name up as usual too." For the love of god does Tim hate sounding so formal. One of the few positives to his parent's almost never being here.

"And your social status?" The only things the Drake parents care about. Lovely.

"Improved if anything. I've gotten closer with the Wayne family. Not too close of course. But acquainted well with one another." His parents simply nod before going off on their own way to unpack the things they brought readying for them to be able to re-pack easily.

If anything Tim just went on about his day as if nothing was different, he just made sure to not make any noise rather than making lots of noise. An easy switch.

+-----+

As expected Jason spends the entire time they have together at school to complain of his bordem with Dick having gone back to Bludhaven and Tim being at home with his parents, not being allowed to do anything that they don't seem necessary.

And it was hard for Tim, he knew that there was a suit at the Wayne manor waiting for him to try on and take photos, he knew that Bruce and Alfred would be more than happy to take him in for who knows how long until his parents are off again... but he also knows that his parents will do anything to not kill their reputation, and having their kid spend all his time at a neighbors house really won't help, like at all.

And well sure Tim could get adopted by Bruce or something, the man has a thing for adopting stray kids and then his parents won't have to deal with that - but then it means that they gave up their parental rights of their own child... and they won't have a biological successor that they seem to be so adamant about. And that just fucking sucks.

Because what the hell is he supposed to do?

+-----+

"Timothy. Your mother and I are going to be staying for an extra week. If you wish to go to any events or social interactions with the Wayne family as you would when we're gone you have our blessing." Okay what the fuck is he supposed to do? If he does they'll probably turn it against him, but if he doesn't they'd yell at him for not holding to their standards. And if he asks Jason he'd just have the biased view of wanting to hang out... so what the fuck is he supposed to do?

"I need to make a decision and I need assistance with it."

"Hello, yeah I'm doing great thanks for asking. But sure shoot, what's up kiddo?"

"As you know, my parents are home for the time being. They informed me last night of their extended stay pushing up to a week - and in saying that, father told me that I've been given access to do formal social interactions with high name people such as Jason. The problem is that if I do as told they'll find a way to spin it upon me and scold me. But if I don't they'll accuse me of dishonoring the family name by not upholding it to social connections. What way should I steer towards?"

"Awfully formal there kid, you good?"

"I'd prefer you answer the question Richard."

"You said they're out for a week? Go out once or twice but no more than that. That way it's not over the top but you're also respecting their wishes. Invite Jason out to any sort of formal event, ditch it, but make sure you're able to talk about it as if you actually went. Research the place you're inviting him to, dress for the occasion, figure out who's going. Be smart about it, but make sure you have fun alright, Jason's been bored for too long and he's not about to spend his time with you at an actual formal event."

"I thank you for the assistance, good bye Richard."

+-----+

"Jason, after school this coming Wednesday would you have time to accompany me to a gala?"

"FUCK YEAH! Oh my god, are you serious!? Hang on, I thought you said something about your parents not letting you socialize with me while they're here? And oh my god why do you sound so damn formal?"

"I will inform you of all inquiries in person, I simply wish to know what your calendar thinks of attending the gala with me."

"Dude are you okay? What the fuck is going on?"

"I simply ask for your answer."

"Fine, fine, I'll go."

"Then I will see you there, good bye Jason."

"Wait wh-"

+-----+

"Mother, Father. I have come to ask approval of my attendance to a gala with the Wayne son Jason. It will be held this coming Wednesday after school and I'll be sure to complete all homework and chores around my schedule."

"Make sure you're presentable and aren't late. Not let us get back to our work boy."

Dick Grayson POV

"Bruce? Hey, look it's not an emergency but I need this documented in your bat computer."

"You're able to access that from Bludhaven, why call?"

"It's about Tim. He called me advice, his parents are staying an extra week and he wanted help on something. But it's more the way he was speaking. He had this whole other persona vibe going on. And like yeah I get that his parents are over and he's got to be proper and all. But this was different, it's like his entire personality shifted. I don't know what's going on but I really do need to know just how different he is when his parents are home."

"I'll document it, send over the phone call file. Jason said something about him going to a gala with Tim on Wednesday, I'll keep tabs from a distance. Stay safe."

"Thanks, you too Bruce."

Timothy Drake POV

"Hello Alfred, I'm here for Jason. Would you mind calling for him." Sure his parents weren't near by, but honestly the habit sticks for a bit after he leaves. And he can never risk that he'll be too loose when he gets back.

"Right away Master Tim. Would you like me to drive the two of you?"

"If it's not a bother that'd be greatly appreciated, thank you." His parents would kill him if he accepted the offer in front of them... but then they'd also kill him if anyone saw him taking public transport or no transport at all.

"Timbo! Oh my fucking god you don't understand how boring it is without you!" Alfred had taken two steps inside by the time Jason came, god Tim feels awful for having to push the boy away the second his parents come home.

"Then best be off. I don't wish to waste any time." He can see the way Jason looks... defeated when he notices the way that Tim was still talking "proper", but he knows better than to question him when he's still got to go back home after this.

"I assume the two of you will be sneaking off somewhere "fun" rather than a gala. Would you like a change of clothes Master Tim?" And oh god the way that Tims body loosens up and finally smiles properly.

Tim flat out darts inside past Alfred and Jason and up to the room that he's been let to sleep in. Runs all the way over there to change into the most comfortable pair of clothing that he's ever worn in his life. It's not actually, it's just oh so much better than the suffocating button up shirts that he's been forced to wear every second of the day that his parents are home.

"Timmy you re- dude what the fuck!?" Oh shit.

"What?" Act normal, act normal, please oh please act normal stupid body.

"Dude your body is fucked. What the hell happened!?" Shit, shit, shit. Figure something out. What the fuck is he supposed to say!? God oh god what the fuck!

"I uhm... what're you talking about?" Oh yes, amazing job fucking Timothy. Act like the stupid fucking dumbass you are!

"Dude. The bruises and scars? You know, the the fucked up skin tissue on your body that is way out of the normal." What the hell is he supposed to do now! Why the hell couldn't he fucking knock before coming in my fucking god!

"Can we just not right now man, I just want to enjoy the few hours I've got away from my parents right now. Please don't make this worse than being at home with them." Honestly, better later rather than sooner.

"I'm not going to forget though man. Jesus fuck." There's no way Robin would forget his best friends body covered in very obvious remnants of abuse.

"Ah, the pair of you look more comfortable. Where to?"

Chapter Text

As promised Jason in fact did not forget about it.

"Jayce told us about your... physical complications so to say. And well you know who we are and while what we do isn't the most legal thing. I'm still in a position where I have to ask about it, Batman or not I still need to ask mate. And to make this more comfortable for you, you can decide who you want to be here while you explain it." Bruce was nice enough to wait until after Tim and Jason had their fun, but also wouldn't let Tim go back home when they got back.

"Can we do this later? I've got to get home please. My parents are expecting me to be back soon." Tim had managed to sneak away to change back into the suffocating clothing his parents saw him leaving in.

"Tim what Jason saw is reason enough to not let you go back until we know how you got those marks on your body. I'll talk to your parents and tell them that I wanted to talk to you about going to another gala together or something along the lines of that, but I can't let you go home just yet kid." What he hell is Tim supposed to do!?

"Can... can we do this fast though please?"

"Of course kid. Who do you feel comfortable with being here? If you remember what we've done before is have Jason not being here so that after you two can hang out like normal without having to talk about any of it." Okay so that explains why he's never really seen Jason when waking from dissociations.

"Oh um... I don't know... Dick's in Bludhaven right now isn't he?" Honest to the gods, Dick is probably Tim's favourite person to talk to about his shitty life. He just.... makes it easier?

"I can put you on a video call with him in the Batcave if you want?" Wait shit no he shouldn't have said that! Why the hell did he say that! Now they're going to bother Dick while he's not even here!!

"No! No, no, it's fine. You don't have to bother him." Shit, shit, shit. Now Tim feels bad!

"Tim it's no bother alright, he also called me earlier. Your speech. The way you spoke to him on the phone earlier today concerned him enough to call me. Kid we care about you, we just want to know you're safe, and what Jayce saw earlier says otherwise. You understand? We just want you to be safe bud."

"I... I just got it from going out at night, you know like while photographing you..." Why the hell didn't he just say that sooner!? Then he could've gotten out of all of this!

"Tim you don't seriously think any of us are going to believe that do you? You know we're smarter than that, we can tell you're lying to get out of this bud." Point. Proven.

"... Can I just go home please?"

"Let me set up a call with Dick and we'll see then. Alfred will be on stand by to get Jason at any moment, or to drive you home the moment Dick says he feels comfortable with it. Okay?" Tim just nods, no point arguing, it'll only make this take longer.

+-----+

"Hey kiddo. Bruce said something about some marks on your body. How comfortable are you with talking about them?" See now this, this is how you're supposed to do these conversations!!

"I told them already that they're just from taking photos at night. From when I started and was still getting used to all the climbing and stuff." He was just kind of praying that Bruce hadn't told Tim about the obvious lie and then Dick would believe him.

"Tim if Bruce believed you then you'd be home right now, and you most definitely aren't at home right now... Not unless you've got your own Batcave and have managed to hack the batcomputer and have a copy of it in your own Batcave computer." ...... Bruh.

"Can we just like. Get this over with please Dick."

"Alright, alright can we start with me seeing these marks please? I'm basing everything off of what I've been told it'll help if I can see what I'm actually asking about kid." Well of course he's going to ask that. Lovely.

Without a word Tim turns around and takes off his shirt so that his back is towards the screen so that Dick can see what Jason had seen earlier.

"Oh bud, do you want me to come over?" Now he's making Dick feel like he's got to go out of his way to "look after" him.

"Wait what, no! No, no. You don't have to. I'm fine. Please don't worry about me!" Tim buttons his shirt back on properly, still facing away.

"Timmy. Bud, if you need me over there I'm coming over there, don't worry about me okay." Well that's hypocritical.

"And you don't need to worry about me." He'd turned around to face the camera again... But just not facing the camera.

Incoming Call - Justice League

"Sorry um, he Justice League is calling I've got to get Bruce." Tim just ends the call and runs up to the Manor to get Alfred.

"I'll get him now, you stay here please Master Tim." And then he's off to wherever it is that Bruce was. Honestly only Alfred is good enough to be able to know where every person in the manor is at any given moment.

+-----+

It's only just over an hour when Alfred comes back from the Batcave. "Master Tim, both Master Dick and Master Bruce had to leave for an emergency. They asked me to take you back home and trust you'll come join us to a Wayne event with your family soon. He'll send the invitations tomorrow."

And just like that he was in the car for the 6 minute drive just to get home when he could've walked. Damn bat family being over the top.

"Timothy, dear you've been out for quiet a while, where on earth have you been boy?" Well shit. They actually noticed his lack of presence in the house.

"Sorry mother, Mr Wayne requested to talk to me about inviting the family to a Wayne Enterprise event. I trust that I did well in accepting?" If Alfred weren't here they would be beating him... But then because he's here, he's able to witness how Tim's expected to behave in front of his family.

"Ah, good. Come inside." And she just... shuts the door in Alfred's face. He's got to apologise to him for that later!

Chapter Text

Tim spent the rest of the day cooped up in his room, he really couldn't be bothered to deal with his parents, the bat family was too much for him today already. He just doesn't want to get scolded for something he had no say in. But he can't say that or he'll get scolded more for letting them figure out!

Tim's life really is all that bad. And what did he ever do to deserve any of this?

Nothing. He did nothing. Life really just is that unfair.

"Timothy Jackson Drake! I will not be calling out for you anymore get your ass down here right now young man!" Shit, shit, shit! He really did have to go and dissociate! What the fuck is wrong with him!?

Running down stairs - smart enough to not let them see him running when he turns the corner, he goes into the dinning hall and seats himself far enough away from his parents but also not too close so they don't yell at him.

"Do you have the details for the Wayne Enterprise event Timothy?" Wait so they're actually going to let it slide? Him ignoring them earlier?

That's new. But he's most defiantly not complaining! Right, still has to answer them... forgot about that for a moment.

"He said their butler s going to drop off the details here tomorrow. I'll keep watch of the door so you do not have to worry about it, I'll tell you about it when you're available to discuss it." His mother simply nods before turning to discuss some business thing with his father. So he sits there in silence like he's always done with his parents home.

He's quick to finish his food and request his dismissal from the table before cleaning his dishes and hiding back away in his room.

Calling Jason Todd

"Tim? You okay? I thought you weren't allowed to call me with your parents home. Dude you've been acting hella strange recently." Of course he's going to interrogate him! Fuck why did he do this!

Tim ends up flopping over onto his bed in a way that his parents would bitch slap him for. But his parents are ignoring him and right now he's loving that... okay never mind he always loves it... whatever.

"We talk about that later. Now I just want to... to not feel so fucking numb! I swear I fuckin' hate this house man." He's 100% going to regret venting to Jason right now... but well what else is he supposed to do? He needs to do something and his parents are home for far longer than they have been in ages, and it's really fucking with him. Especially now that he's got the fucking bat family crawling all over it and making him have to pretend everything is fine even more than normal. FUCK!

"Dude. Tim I don't know how to do this shit, I've never been good at dissociation stuff. Tim talk to me man. What's going on?" Fucking hell, at this point Bruce might as well send him to a psychotic ward at this point holy fucks.

Wait shit, got to respond... wait why the fuck is his phone now not in his hand... and when did he put it on speaker phone... and is his pillow wet? Okay what is fucking going on? Fuckin' gods save him now this is not how he was expecting this call to go. Bruce is most definitely going to be told about this... oh shit he's probably going to get a copy of this call too! At this point maybe Tim needs a copy, not like he's actually here.

He was so out of it that it'd been long enough for Jason to be able to add Dick to the call... also for Dick to have enough time to manage to get attention of Tim. "Timmy bud, talk to me."

"Tired. So. many. fucking. thoughts. Head. hurts. Won't. shut. the. fuck. up." Honestly he doesn't know he said that. There's enough thoughts running around to make it hard for him to know what's hes doing. And Dick is most definable going to take advantage of that.

"Oh bud. I'm on my way home now, do you think you'll be able to sneak out and over to the Wayne Manor?" Of course he says that! Hang on wasn't he supposed to be on a Justice League mission with Bruce!? "Timmy did you hear me?" Fuck, words okay one word, simple one word answer is all he needs to say.

Okay but he need's to figure out the answer first... it doesn't' seem to be that hard to sneak out. He's done it many times before so it won't be hard - it's the matter of how he's going to talk to people about it at all. But that's a problem for later, Dick can help. Why the hell does he have to rely on Dick for every single thing he does!

"Tim talk to me bud." Right, response.

"Yes." He'd somehow managed to roll out of his bed (now aware that he was crying - don't ask why, he still doesn't know - which is why his pillow was is wet), got changed into dark clothing, and snuck out of his room and into a spare room down the hall that's easier and better for sneaking out.

"Timmy stay on the phone with me please bud, I need to make sure you're okay." Sure he didn't hear him, but there's no way Tim was going to going to hang up anyways, so there was no bother in needing to repeat himself until he responded.

With his incompetent parents too busy focusing on work, Tim managed to make his way around the manor and out of the property and onto the Wayne property. He wasn't necessarily running. But he most definable wasn't taking a stroll and spending his sweat time.

"Master Tim, please do hurry inside." There wasn't even time for him to knock, Alfred had undoubtedly been informed by Jason and was awaiting his arrival. The elder man led him inside and up to his room to change into something more comfortable. If he's going to be in these episodes that last hours he might as well be comfortable. "Master Dick's arrival will be here shortly. Where do you feel most comfortable to talk to him? Any area of the Manor is available, batcave included."

Tim's done enough talking and right now can't be bothered to, and luckily Jason had said something about that to him, because Alfred had taken his phone to talk to Dick himself. What he said, who knows. But when he comes back to it, he's in a bedroom he hadn't been in before. By the Flying Grayson's poster, most likely Dicks room. Why he was snuggled up in his bed, who knows, but it sure as hell is comfortable. Makes sense for the legal son of the billionaire Bruce Wayne.

"Timmy, bud. It's me Dick, I'm here, I got you." Dick was sitting beside him, kind of just appeared there when he zoned back in. But how or when he got there doesn't matter, he's here and that better than what his parents have done.

Somehow Tim hadn't yet rested any part of his body on Dick, so he took this moment to do so. Moving closer to him, his head in his chest, just enjoying the moment of feeling safe and loved. "I don't want to go home."

"Oh buddy, nobody is going to make you go home okay. Stay here as long as you need. I've got you. Just calm down okay, you're safe here bud." And that's all he needed, just falling back into his subconscious thoughts... then asleep not too long after that.

Chapter Text

Bruce Wayne POV

"Nightwing, we're in a meeting. Why is your phone even turned on?" He'd gotten a few messages which everyone gets every now and then, but when his phone rang it really did piss Bruce off, Dick knows better than to leave him ringtone on in a debrief meeting

"It's Robin, says his friend needs my help. It'll be quick." The both of them know how fragile Tim's situation is, how fragile the boy is himself. It's quite literally the only reason why he didn't yell at him. But he's most defiantly going to pay the price from the Justice League - well at least get an earful so to say.

"You've got to be kidding, B let Wing off the hook because Robin called? Damn connections." Honestly Bruce can't be bothered to deal with Flash and Arrow's antics right now, his kids - and Tim - are enough at the moment. So he simply doesn't address it.

"B. I've got to go. Like right now." It was obvious that he was still on call, but that only made Bruce feel worse about the situation. "It's him again, it's worse. B he's talking normally and calling while his parents are still at home. B I need to go down to him, something is wrong." Dick most definitely isn't the type to exaggerate things, none the less say these things in front of the Justice League.

"Don't turn your phone off, keep me updated. I'll record the meeting if need be, but Agent A, Robin and you will be there so I do hope I'm not needed." Dick just nods before making his way over to the zeta tube.

"I didn't need to read your mind, you did do the whole conversation in front of us. What's wrong with talking normally and calling people while parents are home?" The other members nod their head and turn their attention to the man at the head of the table.

Bruce is wreaking his head, there's no way he can just tell them about what's going on. "Gotham matters, don't ask." He's the only one that hasn't reviled his identity, the others don't like it but they won't push the man who knows all their weaknesses and secrets.

Incoming call - Dick Grayson

Okay he did turn his phone off but there's select people have emergency bypass on that and he may or may not have forgotten about that. To be fair he doesn't understand technology stuff, he just uses it. Barbara, Dick and Fox set it up and deal with it, he just gets told how to use it and doesn't care too much about the hows and whys.

"Apologies, it's Nightwing." Is all he says before turning the chair around and walking closer to the computer, just in case he needs to get in contact with Barbara. "Talk to me, what's happening?"

"B its bad, he said - and I quote:

"I don't want to go home."

B he woke up from dissociation, said that while most likely unaware of what he was saying, then fell asleep almost instantly after. We can't let him go back there." He doesn't even bother to respond, he just goes straight to typing on the computer, the rest of the league watching from their respected seats.

"Get Oracle to start gathering all intel of abuse - physical and psychological, neglect, and child endangerment; she has permission to use any form intel needed, public or private I don't care. I expect it to be ready when I get back." The JL is near silent... well other than Barry bouncing his leg as he always does. But that's besides the point, they just heard all of that and we expected to not do a thing. This was one of the reasons they don't like him not sharing his identity, it's harder to help him in situations like this. He's got an abused boy at the bat house and he's expecting them to no do or say a word.

"Just sent her a message, right now he's asleep in my room. Robin really isn't taking it well either, talk to him when you get back." Doing as he usually does, Dick hangs up the call without so much as a goodbye. But he got the habit from Bruce himself so it really doesn't bother the man.

"Batman, you can't expect us to hear that and not ask what's going on." Bruce was still on the computer looking at... well the others don't really understand, he's changed the language to something that they don't quite understand. But right now they're more concerned for the kid that hes obviously looking out for.

"Gotham maters, it doesn't concern you. It's under control." He doesn't so much as turn to look at them, he's searching something on the computer with pure intent on something and it's rather concerning to the JL now, he would never interrupt a debrief meeting, never let someone leave early, never answer a call during a meeting, nor would he do whatever the hell this is rather than even so much as telling them that the meeting is postponed, canceled, completed - but no, he's just dropped it and put all attention on whatever this is.

"Batman if you need you can go to the bat house. We can adjourn the meeting for the time being if you have matters you need to attend to in Gotham we won't stop you." And that's all Bruce needs before dissapearing literally right in front of them, he just... teleports?

Chapter Text

Waking up Tim's greeted with the sound of talking. Lots of it. Maybe more of an argument?

Whatever the case, he most defiantly wasn't at home. Sure his parent's argue... a lot. But this was an argument amongst multiple males, not just two, maybe three... no four. All males, and his father never argues like this with his associates - well not in front of Tim and in absence of his mother.

What Tim doesn't expect, however, is that before he knows it he can hear someone addressing him. "Timmy. Buddy you awake?" Who the fuck calls hi-... Dick? the fuck?

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm." Ruffling around the bed... couch. Ruffling around the couch, he rubs his eyes ridding them of the rheum (eye crusties) before being able to open them to get even some knowledge of whats going on. "Where in which location do I reside in good sir? I happen to have passed out and cannot remember in where I happen to be in this moment. Your assistance would be of great assistance if it is no bother to you."

He can feel the eyes of everyone - yes every single person in the room, all four of them - looking at him like he had done something wrong, did he step out of line! God he hopes not! It takes a moment before any of them decide to speak up. "Master Tim, perhaps it would be of assistance if you sat yourself up and had a cup of tea. We can discuss everything together in a moment."

The man that spoke disappeared presumably to the kitchen to make said tea as the other men lead Tim over to the dinning table, everything is familiar, but it also isn't at the same time.

"Timmy, bud what's the last thing you remember?" The tea hadn't come yet, but Dick decided to let this conversation hurry up so it can be over with sooner rather than later.

"I cannot remember at this current time. However, when one’s memory is disrupted, such as after fainting, the recollection may return if another provides the details first. It is… like giving the brain a prompt to rebuild the missing pieces. So perhaps, if it is not too much trouble, you might inform me of what occurred so that I am able to understand this situation better... of course only if it is no bother to any of you, I do not wish to be a bother." The three remaining men - well two men, the other a male who looks closer in age to Tim - look at one another with a similar feeling behind their faces like they had when he last spoke.

After explaining

Totally not because I cannot be bothered to re-type everything that happened over the last two chapters

"I... oh god... what's... what're... I'm so sorry I... ah fuck... I sounded like a fool didn't I... Oh god what'm I supposed to tell my parent's when I get home!? Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fu" Okay so he's still repeating the profanity of the swear word, but he ends up partially stuck in dissociation - again - but also not because he's able to keep swearing... what a fun time! not.

"Timmers, can you please stop thinking about your parents for just two damn seconds." What... he made Jason mad? Great now he feels bad!

"I'm sorry. I... what do I do?" At some point in his partial dissociation he ended up in Dicks lap somehow... they're at the dinning table! How the hell did he manage to do that!? "I-I'm sorry... I should just go back home. You don't need to worry about me... I'm sorry I never should have even gotten involved." Consciously, no thoughts - for the first time in ages - but subconsciously he's curious about how the fuck nobody interrupted him.

"Tim, you're not going back to that house. And you have nothing to apologize for. Alfred had made you a cup of tea, you and Jason can sit on the couch and watch a show or play games or something while you start to feel a bit more... more present in the moment. Alfred, Dick and I need to... we have some work we need to attend to. We'll be down in the batcave if you need any of us, Alfred will know if you need anything though." Genuinely Tim is starting to believe that Alfred really isn't human, the man was with Bruce as a child and is still alive, while also being able to just know when someone needs him or where anyone and everyone is in every moment within the Wayne Manor. "Tim?"

"Oh right um, yes sorry. Okay... thank you." Wriggling around he finds his way out of Dicks lap, feeling empty as ever at the loss of physical contact by one of the safest people in the world, and makes his way over to the couch he had been sleeping on moments ago. Placing the tea cup on a coaster placed in front of the couch, Jason sits beside him, riffling through a box of games.

Bruce Wayne POV

"You talked to Barbara and got her to start making a file, yes?" Nodding, Dick goes onto the bat-computer and starts to search for the ongoing file that Barbara had started to put together. And yes, started, Tims parents have done a lot that they need to document and file.

"Holy mother of the universe; Alfred, I sent you a copy of Tims medical records, have you had a chance to look over and flag any concerns?" Dick moves out of the way for Alfred to go over to the files that he had opened up previously while Dick was comforting the sleeping Tim a few hour prior.

"He seems to have had a lot of marks his teachers would flag when he was still in school that never turned into anything. He has no medical records from hospitals or doctors, the lack of visits with the amount of bypassed reports is concerning in itself. I'll continue to go through the files that Miss Barbara has helped put together to look for more medical flags." He continues to do just that as Dick and Bruce move over to the side to talk without distracting Alfred as much.

"B we can't let him go back home but if he doesn't show up who knows what his parents will do. It's concerning that they haven't even noticed his absence after this long." Dick had taken to doing acrobats on the bat-gym to give his body something to do to help stop himself from storming over there and beating up Jack and Janet Drake. He knows if he does that it'll only make things worse, but he can't rid himself of wanting to do it.

"I'm this close to bringing him to the Watch Tower and keeping him there until we can get legal custody of him just so that he's not with them. But Dick we both know that we have to be careful with what we do, Tim is still partially in denial, he thinks he wants to go back to that house and legally we can't keep him here without his consent. We've just got to keep recording everything, I'll make sure to have Barbara make sure this goes as fast as possible to help limit the amount of time he spends at that house, but there's not much other that we can do other than that for now." Luckily it's only after Bruce finishes talking does the door to the Batcave opens and has Jason running down the stairs with Tim quickly following behind, obviously chasing the elder boy.

"Jason please stop, no please." Well that's never a good thing to hear anyone ever saying, the boy is a god of chaos. Neither boy was puffed, but Bruce had learnt the tells in Jason on how long he's been running, he's not tired per say, but he most defiantly has been running for a while or at least rather fast. Tim doesn't look too worn out, but not in as good shape as Jason, so that must mean the boys were chase one another.

Tim Drake POV

"B! Oh god. Wait, let me. Fuckkk. Okay. So Tim and I were messing around and like I stole his phone because he stole mine, and then he gets a call from his mother, so I give it to him so he can answer the call. And like the first thing either of us hear is-" "Jason please stop, it's nothing." "the first thing either of us hear is his mother yelling at him telling him to go back and calling him slurs and shit." "Jason you're exaggerating it."

"If he's exaggerating it, then you wouldn't mind if we went onto your call history and had a listen to it. Would you?" Well fuck.

"... It's a private conversation. If you have no right to listen to it."

"We know, but you know that not letting us only makes this harder on you." He has a point, it's batman of course he has a point. But gods does Tim want this to have never happened... but he's also kind of happy he's got people who actually want to look after him for the first time in who knows how long... 4 years but who's counting.

"You're the batman, no matter what I say you're probably going to find a way to get something that's at least similar so I guess there's no point. Is there?" Unlocking his phone he goes to his call history and places his phone on the desk/bench/table thing that Alfred was still sitting at.

"Kiddo don't feel like you're being forced into this, we just want you to know that we don't feel right in letting you just going back to that house while they're home, or when you're alone for that matter." Tim just walks over to Dick and flops his head on his chest, Bruce takes this as him letting them hear the call, so he gives one of those nods to Alfred to tell him that he can 'go through with it' or whatever the hell he means.

TW F slur mentioned

Janet: “Timothy Jackson Drake, where the fuck are you!? Your father’s torn this whole goddamn house apart looking for you! Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to chase after your sorry ass!?”

Tim: “D–Deepest apologies, Mother. I currently… reside within Wayne Manor. They requested my… accompaniment, and I thought it rude to decline.”

Janet: “Wayne Manor!? Why the hell are you over there, you worthless little faggot? What the fuck could they possibly want with you? Do you think you’re too good for your own family now? You’re not special, Timothy — you’re a burden. Get your ass home this instant!”

Tim: “…I will have to—”

Janet: “Don’t you dare talk back to me! I don’t give a single flying fuck what you ‘have to’ do. You think anyone cares about your excuses? No — you’re a weak, pathetic disappointment who hides behind other people’s pity. You don’t belong there, you don’t belong anywhere, and the sooner you get that through your thick skull the better!”

Tim: “…Mother, if you’d allow me a moment, I— I assure you I can expl—”

Janet: “Shut the hell up, Timothy! Get your pathetic ass back here before I drag you home myself — and believe me, you don’t want that. I swear to God, one more second of your pompous little voice and—”

The line cuts with the slam of the phone, leaving only the flat, merciless dial tone. Tim sits frozen, words still caught in his throat.

Chapter Text

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Now they'll know he's gay! Oh gods oh gods!

"Timmy bud, we're not going to ask you about it right now okay. We're just not going to let you go back there okay? Alfred's gone to re-set your bedroom for you, okay?" What? Since when was Alfred gone? Oh well, the man is like a fucking ghost who's able to feel everything in the Manor and just knows where everyone is. The man could probably teleport for all he knows.

"I-I need to go home though. M-Mother will-"

"Timmy. Timmy bud you're not going anywhere with that lady. It doesn't matter what she does she's not taking you back there buddy. Okay?" He holds onto Tim even closer, Dicks head resting on top of Tims. And it just feels... right.

"But she-" He isn't even able to say any more than that without getting interrupted by Dick who's ruffling his hair in a soothing way to help Tims stress.

"Tim. Baby boy she's not getting you. Bruce, Alfred, Jason and I are going to make sure of that, she's not getting through all four of okay." Dicks ended up picking Tim up and placing him on his hip so that Tims head is able to rest on Dicks shoulder... while Dick obviously keeps on ruffling with his hair with his free hand - obviously.

"You don't understand... she-she'll... she'll come over here a-and she'll... she's like-like worse than... than the-the uhm... than like The Penguin.... you-you don't understand..." Dick just holds onto Tim closer, now using both hands to hold onto him, shushing the boy of his worries and keeping him close to feel safer.

"Oh Timmy. Timmy you don't have to worry about that okay? You know that we can deal with whatever happens, so just let me hold onto you buddy. Yeah?" Dick ends up taking them up to his room, holding onto Tim as the two of them lay on the bed. Somehow Tim's gotten comfortable used to being here that he's comfortable able to fall asleep so easily fast.

Previously in the Jason Todd POV

Tim and I had ended up playing more Mario Cart... my mistake. How the hell does Tim beat him so often!? How does Tim not even lose once!? Jason had gotten kind of sick of losing so often the pair of them ended up just sitting on their phones... but then Jason got bored again. Who can blame him!? He's a chaos god.

So...

Without warning - obviously.

Jason kind of just...

Well he was going to steal Tim's phone...

But well you see Tim has a knack for these things.

He kind of just grabs Jason's phone before Jason has a chance to steal Tim's phone.

Well that was... unexpected to say the least.

"Don't think you can get away with trying to steal my phone you dumbass." Tim kind of looked like he was scared?, looking around like he was seeking out for someone. "Do you think Alfred heard me swear?" Phew.

"There's no way he didn't, be glad he's busy with Bruce and Dick right now." Of course Jason sticks his tongue out at Tim, making light of the consequence.

Incoming Call - Janet Drake

"Dude Janet's calling you. Do you want me to hang up or are you picking up the call?" There's no way Jason is calling her his 'mother'!

"There's no way I'm hanging up on her. Chuck it over to me will you?" Jason just doesn't want Tim in any situation, and he knows that Tim knows the situation the best, so he trusts Tim, and hands it over to him.

Janet: “re the fuck... goddamn house..sorry ass!?”

Tim: “D–Deepest apologies, Mother. I currently… reside within Wayne Manor. They requested my… accompaniment, and I thought it rude to decline.”

Janet: “Wayne Manor!?... hell... there... faggot?... fuck... you? ... too good... not special... burden... ass home... instant!”

Tim: “…I will have to—”

Janet: “...talk back to me!... flying fuck... cares... excuses?... weak, pathetic disappointment...pity... belong... anywhere... the better!”

Tim: “…Mother, if you’d allow me a moment, I— I assure you I can expl—”

Janet: “Shut the hell up, Timothy!... pathetic ass... drag you home... you don’t want that. I swear to God... pompous little voice and—”

Jason could only hear snip bits... well more or less just the louder screams of Janet and whatever Tim was saying, and what he heard was the furthest thing from normal to say the least. And Jason had heard and seem some horrendous things in both his Jason and his Robin life - and that's saying something.

After a few moments Tim finally moves the phone away from his ear and looks up at Jason, fear in his eyes. "I-I have um... I gotta go home." Yeah fuck no!

"Fuck no Tim! Dude what the hell!? There is NO way that we're going to just let you go back there!?" Why the fuck did Jason yell? He was pissed and doesn't know how to deal with this stuff. Does' he regret it? Fuck yes! Tim flinched! He fuckin' scared the kid he's trying to look after for fucks sake!

"I-I appologise. But I have to depart-"

"FUCK OFF TIM! JUST FUCKING STOP! I SWEAR TO GOD! Just... just please just... I-I-I... I don't know how to fucking do this man. Just... please oh please wait until Bruce and Dick and Alfred are done with whatever it is." Of course he had to startle Tim again but luckily not as much... fuck! How traumatized is this kid!?

And for some reason Tim tries to run away!? Like towards the front door...

And well Jason really hates to do it...

But he kind of just...

Grabs Tim's phone...

And runs down to the Batcave...

What else was he supposed to do though!?

"Jason please stop, no please." Tim obviously was trying to chase after him in attempt to keep Jason from telling the others while Tim was still in the house. But Jason just wants to look out for him, even if it means he has to be a bit of a bitch right about now.

So he keeps making his way down to the batcave.

"B! Oh god. Wait, let me. Fuckkk. Okay. So Tim and I were messing around and like I stole his phone because he stole mine, and then he gets a call from his mother, so I give it to him so he can answer the call. And like the first thing either of us hear is-" Jason couldn't help but feel the need to catch his breath, Tim was seriously considering going back there!?

"Jason please stop, it's nothing." Jason just looks Tim in the eyes before turning back to Bruce and not paying mind to what Tim had said.

"the first thing either of us hear is his mother yelling at him telling him to go back and calling him slurs and shit." He ends up emphasizing on the first part the he had to repeat... well he didn't... but he did to prove a point to Tim - a point that he was going to do whatever necessary to keep him safe.

"Jason you're exaggerating it." I just look at Tim dumbfounded.... what the fuck?

"If he's exaggerating it, then you wouldn't mind if we went onto your call history and had a listen to it. Would you?" Finally Bruce said something!

"... It's a private conversation. If you have no right to listen to it."

"We know, but you know that not letting us only makes this harder on you." The skin on Tim turns Joker white... okay maybe not that white... but the boy is already as pale as a ghost so the next best thing is the Joker okay.

"You're the batman, no matter what I say you're probably going to find a way to get something that's at least similar so I guess there's no point. Is there?" Unlocking his phone he goes to his call history and places his phone on the desk/bench/table thing that Alfred was sitting at.

"Kiddo don't feel like you're being forced into this, we just want you to know that we don't feel right in letting you just going back to that house while they're home, or when you're alone for that matter." Tim just walks over to Dick and flops his head on his chest, Bruce takes this as him letting them hear the call, so he gives one of those nods to Alfred to tell him that he can 'go through with it'.

I cannot be fucked to re-write the call for the 3rd time... so time skip :D

"Timmy bud, we're not going to ask you about it right now okay. We're just not going to let you go back there okay? Alfred's gone to re-set your bedroom for you, okay?" Jason knows what he heard - Tim's part of the community - but that doesn't mean he's going to pester the boy about it... ever.

"I-I need to go home though. M-Mother will-"

"Timmy. Timmy bud you're not going anywhere with that lady. It doesn't matter what she does she's not taking you back there buddy. Okay?" He holds onto Tim even closer, Dicks head resting on top of Tims.

"But she-" He isn't even able to say any more than that without getting interrupted by Dick who's ruffling his hair... maybe Jason should try that next time? It seems to be helping.

"Tim. Baby boy she's not getting you. Bruce, Alfred, Jason and I are going to make sure of that, she's not getting through all four of okay." Dicks ended up picking Tim up and placing him on his hip so that Tims head is able to rest on Dicks shoulder... while Dick keeps on ruffling with his hair with his free hand.

"You don't understand... she-she'll... she'll come over here a-and she'll... she's like-like worse than... than the-the uhm... than like The Penguin.... you-you don't understand..." Dick just holds onto Tim closer, now using both hands to hold onto him, shushing the boy of his worries and keeping him close to feel safer.

"Oh Timmy. Timmy you don't have to worry about that okay? You know that we can deal with whatever happens, so just let me hold onto you buddy. Yeah?" Dick ends up taking them up to his room leaving Bruce and Jason alone in the cave.

"B? " Now that Tim was gone... well Jason had the chance to process everything... well fuck his emotions just had to come along didn't they!?

"Oh Jayce. Come here kiddo." Jason was full on sobbing into Bruce's chest at this point, why does Tim have to make it so hard to help him!? "He's safe Jayce, we're working on a case to keep him here okay? Barbara has already put together a file we've just got to wait for his parents to leave again to help this go smoother okay? I've got everything sorted bud."

Chapter Text

Tim wasn't supposed to be stressed that his mother was coming for him - usually kids are more than happy their parents are coming for them... but it was different for Tim.

His mother was coming out of hate and not love.

He ruined her reputation! Of course she's going to come here out of hate!

What the fuck is wrong with him!?

Janet had called him a further 8 times, in which every single one of them Dick had hung up on almost instantly - much to Tims displeasure.

He was scared that she was about to waltz over here and take him by force before he could convince them to let him go back before things get worse... he probably should've chosen better wording.

"And what'll happen if you don't go back? You said things would get worse, but in what case does 'worse' mean for you? What'll actually happen?" Tim was still within the comfort of Dicks arms while safely tucked away within the master bedroom.

He tried not to invade in Bruce Wayne's bedroom, but Dick and Alfred wouldn't listen to him, they just made their way inside the room and got him all comfortable. As if he deserves is!

"I-I well... it's not like that I-I mean like... like if I don't go home they'll like yell at me and stuff." There is no way that he's going to tell them what they're actually looking for.

"And what's 'and stuff'?" FUCKING KILL HIM NOW! Why do they have to be so nice to him!?

"Nothing... it's just a thing people say." He ended up shoving his head further into Dicks chest, Alfred had situated himself by the desk in the room, Tim didn't pay too much attention to what he was doing, it was computer stuff, he was probably just there to do extra inconvenient stuff for Tim or some bullshit.

Dick ended up leaving it at that for now, he's probably waiting for Bruce to interrogate talk to him about it further - but Tim was gladly going to accept the silence of a break from talking about his home life.

It wasn't for another half hour before all three men in the room heard a loud banging coming from the direction of the main entrance... great.

"That... Is that?" Tim couldn't be damned to properly put a sentence together, but he knew that Dick was able to understand what he was attempting at saying.

"Alfred's going to go see what it is, we can just sit here together for a bit yeah?" At the mention of that Alfred gets up from the computer to make his way to the front door to see what the commotion was about.

Alfred POV

Walking to the front door I'm greeted by the sight of the door being banged against so hard that you could see it shaking.

But I'm the butler of Batman, an ex SAS soldier, a door shaking is not going to scare him. So he makes his way to the peep-hole to see if he could get some form of estimation of what he'd need to prepare himself for before opening the door.

"Good day Miss, may I be so bold as to ask what you're doing here banging on the front door so loudly for?" He deemed it necessary to notify Bruce, but was confident that he'd be able to handle the most of it himself. Bruce was just notified so he was kept in the loop, a simple thing the two of them agreed on when one takes on a dangerous task as such.

"My son is in there and he needs to come home right now." She was visibly pissed off, her voice raspy from most likely yelling a lot within recent moments. But Alfred - the cunt of a man he is - didn't even react in any way at this and kept his calm demeanor.

"There are quite a few males in this house, would you be so kind as to describe his appearance to me." He knew she knew his full name... but he was also almost certain the she didn't know anything about his appearance all too well - especially when she's in a mood like this where her mind is clouded by fury and anger.

"He's got brown eyes and brown hair like this tall." She puts her hand to rest just above her hip... he's got brown eyes yes, but he had black hair and is most definitely taller than that. But Alfred - the cocky man he is - turns around, shuts the door in her face just after claiming that he's never seen a boy of that description in this house.

Then hastily makes his way down to the bat-cave to report his findings to Bruce.

"That was fast, what happened?" Alfred made his way down to see that Jason had fallen asleep in Bruce's arms as the man wrote up Justice League reports, making sure not to disturb the sleeping boy.

"I asked her what she was doing, she claimed her son was here, so I asked for a basic description of him. She got almost everything wrong about his appearance so I told her nobody by that description has ever been inside this house and shut the door. You will be able to find a copy of the interaction on the surveillance cameras, I'll be sure to notify Miss Barbara of said interaction for her to be able to categories in the correct file and be able to add it in her report." Bruce grunts in affirmation, dismissing the man to go back up to the master bedroom to report to Dick and Tim that it was of no matter.

Tim Drake POV

When I'd woken back up Alfred was talking to Dick, but he couldn't be bothered to figure out what the two men were discussing. So he didn't, he just kept his head rest in Dicks lap as he thought about meaningless things, letting his mind wonder. He was sure to dissociate... but he couldn't figure out what else he could possibly do. So he paid no mind to that small factor, and just let himself get absorbed into his subconscious mind.

"Timmy bud, you think you'll be able to talk to us?" So who knows how long its been, but he can tell its been a decent while with the fact that he was now in the bat-cave, with not only Dick and Alfred, and not just also Bruce and Jason, but also with the Barbara Gordon, the Oracle most often confused with AI, the first batgirl, and also the one he assumed would be in charge of all of Bruce's adoption files as they all seemed to be actually organized properly and not just dumped into labeled folders. "Timmy?"

"hi." It was the quietest anyone in the room? cave? that anyone had heard him speaking before. He was honestly too tired to even properly process that Barbara was there and that he needed to keep up appearances. "Hey buddy. How're you feeling right now?" Agh shit, emotions are a pain to figure out.

"I don't know... tired?" He can feel Dick ruffling his hair before Bruce clears his throat to announce his presence in the room.

"Hey chum, I'm sure you know who Barbara Gordan is." Bruce changes his position to motion towards the red-head in the wheelchair.

"The daughter of the only good cop, the first batgirl and the current - and only - Oracle. She's like, amazing." Just because Bruce tried to show Tims conscious mind of her presence, doesn't mean his tired ass picked up on it.

"You know I'm not AI?" Okay well her talking kind of gives his stupid ass brain the kick it needed to be able to process her presence properly.

"OhMyFuckingGodShe'sLikeActuallyLikeHereLikeTheBatgirlSlashOracleIsStandingWellOkayNoSittingShe'sSittingRightInFrontOfMeOhMyGodI'mGoingToFuckingDieICan'tBelieveThisIsHappeningToMeRightNowOhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod."

"Was he like this when he found out about you guys?" Barbara was - obviously - taken aback at how fanboyish Tim actually is, sure she's gotten a heads-up from Dick, but that doesn't mean she understood just how fanboyish he is.

"Definitely, when he first met me - Bruce - was was really intimidated by me, which at the time was confusing because Bruce Wayne isn't known to be intimidating. Finding out he knew I was batman the entire time cleared up a lot of answers... but then raised some other questions at the same time." Bruce allowed himself to actually let loose in a way when he was around his kids - and Barbara... but he's basically co-parenting her with Jim at this point. "You processed everything chum? Ready to talk to us now?"

"Hm, oh yeah... I guess so." Wait since when was there a couch in the batcave... and why's it just him and Dick sitting on it while the others stand there awkwardly... okay Barbara is also sitting but she doesn't have much of a choice and she's sitting there next to Bruce so it feels like she's also standing there awkwardly... okay Alfred is sitting at a chair at the big desk looking thing that has the 47 million screens above it. Okay so it's just Bruce and Jason standing there awkwardly, Tim's tired leave him alone!

"We thought we'd call Barbara in for this talk to help with the legal stuff... but while you up in my room with Dick, your mother came over and when asked to describe you she got almost everything she said wrong," Bruce started, looking at Alfred for more or less direct quotes as to not get anything wrong and confuse anyone.

"She claimed her son - you - was a boy with brown eyes, brown hair and was as tall as a few inches above her hip - about 102-110cm or 3'4 - 3'7 feet - to insinuate you being a toddler, or someone with a height disorder which you very well don't have and are a rather average height for a 15-year-old boy." Okay, so what if his mother has memory problems, what do they know, what if he looked like that when he was younger? He didn't... but they don't know that.

"Looking through your files... as well as using information that I got from batman that got from Oracle, you're housing situation isn't just borderline but the actual definition of child neglect, child endangerment, child abuse and child abandonment. That's excluding the possible child abuse." Okay, wow, just going straight into it. Holy fucks.

"You don't understand, they-"

"Tim I think you don't understand, you're in a situation where your mind isn't able to fully grasp everything due to the fact it doesn't want to admit to things. You're in an abusive household and your mind can't comprehend that so it listens to the excuses that your parents give to you." She's the daughter of a commissioner, she's a police officer, of course she's going to be able to spring these off at him with practiced ease that Bruce and Dick haven't got.

"You're also an outsider that is more or less illegally getting information for a legal accusation in a situation you have near no ties to." Just because Barbara has more ease in this, doesn't mean Tim hasn't prepared for this situation. He knows his parent's are abusive and neglectful and all that, but they're his parents, he can't let them down.

"As a police officer if I hear about a domesticated issue I have rights to get involved, and like I said, I'm officially getting my information from Batman who got the information from his all seeing AI. Tim I know that you feel you're in a situation that you don't need help with, you've lived with them as your parents for 15 years, you know what you're doing and you know how to look after yourself. We're not saying that's not true, we're just saying that your parents are doing multiple illegal things and that they should be held accountable for their actions. You're also not supposed to have to be this independent at your age, you're supposed to be able to rely on your parents from time to time - and that doesn't mean them giving your a surplus of money if you leave them alone when they're actually at the Manor." Hey Tim never said he was an expert in the situation! At some point in that she had wheeled her way over to be situated besides Alfred, pulling up a few files and opening what looked to be random photos - but it's Barbara so she's probably got some sort of system in there on what ones she's opening.

The photos seemed to also be videos or audio recordings, the photos were of newspapers with his parents in different countries with no comment on Tim, photos with Tim even in the background, non the less any statements of comments from Tim himself.

Alfred played the audio recordings first, going through each of them before going on to the videos.

The audio recordings were of phone calls retrieved from most likely his mother phone, Tim was smart enough to make sure most tech wouldn't be able to access stuff on his phone. He did it to protect the fact that he has photos of Batman, Robin and Nightwing - but it also helped other things like viruses, apparently not this as she just went to his mothers phone for them.

The videos were either from security cameras - the ones in his hour or any on streets - as well as from his mothers Instagram that she posts all her travel tips-and-tricks as long as a GRWM as she explains the plans for the day... the Instagram ones went first, the security cameras were after.

The way he ordered it was as if he was building it up, going with the least harsh and making his way up to more and more serious and solid proof that they have.

Tim was utterly fucked. And everyone in the cave knew it.

Probably the bats too not going to lie.

Chapter Text

Audio Recording 1

Janet: Timothy, your father and I are going to Paris after this, we'll be home for a single day. Have the house prepared for our arrival, I do not want to be making any food when I get back.

Tim: Of course mother, if possible would you be so kind as to send an estimated time of your arrival to the house to ensure the food stays nice and warm for you and father?

Janet: Your father will send it later.

Audio Recording 2

Janet: Timothy, there is a gala on the 23rd, your father and I will be back for the weekend and you will be sure to attend with us.
Tim: Of course mother.

Audio Recording 3

Janet: Timothy, I have ordered a new television to the manor. Set it up before your father and I get home tomorrow.
Tim: Of course mother, what time should I expect it's arrival?
Janet: How do you expect me to know boy?
Tim: Deepest apologies mother, I'll be prepared for arrival.

➡️Audio Recording 4

Janet: Timothy, your father has gotten a broken arm, he'll be off duty for three weeks. I expect you to accompany us tomorrow and do what he cannot.
Tim: What time do you expect me to arrive there?
Janet: Your father booked the tickets, he'll send a copy over to you or something.

➡️Audio Recording 5

Janet: Timothy, where is my white pearl dress?
Tim: On the left hand side of the purple suitcase, it should be the second from the bottom.

Video Recording 1

Janet and Jack Drake are walking outside while Tim walks a few paces behind the pair, they walk into a well designed and fancy looking restaurant.

The camera changes to one from within the restaurant and it is seen that Tim is sat on one side of a booth with his parents side-by-side each other on the other side of the booth. Neither parent even so much as looks over at Tim but converses with one another, all be it, it's a somewhat normal family outing and doesn't look all that bad... so far.

When the waiter comes over to take their orders, Janet does all the talking - nothing out of the ordinary - but when you look back you can notice that she never did ask Tim what he wanted, she just ordered for him.

When the food does arrive Tim's face pales as he sees the dishes on the tray. The plates get placed in front of each family member, with Janet telling the waiter who got what meal. The moment that the dish gets placed in front of Tim it looks as if he's about to pass out but the sight of it alone.

And to make it all worse, the moment the waiter leaves Janet scolds him for making a face at his food.

The parents eat their food normally, with Tim picking at it, poking around thing. The moment Janet actually looks over at his side of the table and notices him pushing and playing with his food she starts to scold him - quietly of course, can't ruin the reputation.

After a bit he does end up looking like he's given up, he stabs the prawn, looks at it sitting on the edge of his fork like he's trying to sympathize with an injured animal. His mother gives him a 'hurry up boy' look, and he shoves it in his mouth, the way his face stiffens and the lack of obvious chewing makes it clear he's just letting it sit inside his mouth.

It takes him a second before he starts to chew before swallowing it with dramatic effect, to most people he just looks like a picky eater and his mother is making him try new foods and that he just didn't like prawn.

It's mere moments later that his face starts to puff up, throat closing and his breathing is a labored wheezing. But the more concerning part is the look of Tim trying to hide it, there's no asking for help or telling anyone, but him simply trying to just shove more pasta into his mouth.

It's almost a full 2-3 minutes before one of the other customers notice his wheezing and looks over to see the source only to be faced with a 10-year-old boy who's very obviously having an allergic reaction but still trying to eat his food. They immediately call an ambulance before rushing over to him and asking things like his name, age, what he's eaten, and how long his face has been puffed.

Janet tries to calm them by noting that he 'just does this sometimes' and that he's 'just a picky eater'.

The video cuts and an image of a hospital report is shown:

---

[Gotham General Hospital – Emergency Department Report]

Patient Name: Timothy Jackson Drake
Date of Birth: July 19
Age: 10 years
Date of Admission: 2 June
Time of Arrival: 18:23 - 6:23 PM
Attending Physician: Dr. L. Hensley
Triage Category: Category 2 (Emergency)
Presenting Complaint: Facial swelling and respiratory distress following ingestion of seafood.

History of Presenting Illness:
Patient was brought in by ambulance following an episode of acute allergic reaction at a restaurant. Bystanders reported onset of facial swelling and difficulty breathing approximately 2–3 minutes after ingestion of prawns. No prior known allergic history according to parents. Patient was observed attempting to continue eating despite respiratory compromise.

Pre-hospital Treatment:
1 mg intramuscular adrenaline (epinephrine) administered by paramedics en route.
Supplemental oxygen provided.
Breathing tube (Oropharyngeal airway) inserted upon hospital arrival due to partial airway obstruction.

Examination on Arrival:
Airway: Partially compromised; audible wheezing and stridor.
Breathing: Laboured, respiratory rate 28/min, SpO₂ 91% on room air.
Circulation: HR 128 bpm, BP 92/58 mmHg.
Appearance: Periorbital and facial angioedema, mild cyanosis around lips.

Treatment in ED:
IV access obtained.
50 mg IV diphenhydramine administered.
100 mg IV hydrocortisone administered.
Continued oxygen therapy.
Observation for 2 hours post symptom resolution.

Outcome:
Swelling and respiratory distress resolved after treatment. Patient remained hemodynamically stable throughout observation. Parents were provided education and demonstration on the use of an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen). Prescription issued for two devices, with one administered for immediate pickup at the hospital pharmacy.

Discharge Time: 21:13
Discharge Condition: Stable.
Diagnosis: Anaphylaxis secondary to shellfish (prawn) allergy – first presentation.
Follow-up: Recommended review with paediatric allergist within 2 weeks.

---

➡️Video Recording 2

Jack and Janet aren't in the house - this is seen by multiple security camera flicking through every camera in the manor showing the absence of their presence in the house - but Tim is in one of the main living areas with the television playing a cartoon whilst he's eating a bowl of cereal on the couch in his pyjamas at 2 in the afternoon.

Mere moments later does a lady walk inside the manor, walking straight to the kitchen and starts to make food... sushi to be exact... with salmon.

"Miss Sharon! Miss Sharon hi! Mommy and daddy are coming home tomorrow!" Tim is seen running up to the lady - Miss Sharon - and hugging her from the legs as she prepares what can only be assumed to be her own food.

"Make sure the house is cleaned up for them Timmy, we don't want them in a bad mood do we?" Tim runs off to go grab the now abandoned bowl of cereal, inhales it and then runs back to the kitchen to clean up the dishes that he'd dirtied.

But once Tim finishes cleaning up the dishes that he'd had sitting for the past day, Miss Sharon plated the Sushi on not just one, but two plates and set them on the now clean table, calling for Tim for lunch.

Tim stares at the sushi for a moment before taking a bite of the food... and eats it all before his body processes the seafood and reacts to it. Miss Sharon looks horrid before going to the homephone in the kitchen to see the notice board pinned above it. There was no notice of any allergies, and Tims throat was closing up so he couldn't talk very well.

But Tim knows to go to get the EpiPen... he just can't reach the medical cabinet. So he brags Miss Sharon by the hand and drags her over to the cabinet and points to it.

Luckily she finds the EpiPen... but she doesn't know how to use it, so Tim snatches it from her and injects it in himself.

Miss Sharon starts to tremble, holding Tim close to her. "Timmy, buddy why didn't you tell me you're allergic to sea-foods?"

"Mother says it's selfish to refuse food offered to me, you spent a lot of time making it for me. I have the EpiPen so that I'm allowed to eat the food you make and not be rude." Tim - shockingly - gives this bright smile like he was doing the right thing and like he should be rewarded for simply denying his human right of keeping himself healthy.

Video Recording 3

Tim is seen in the bathroom, curled up in the corner holding his head in his knees.

"I'm sorry momma." He was crying, you could hear it in his voice, he was quiet like he was scared of being heard, but he still spoke as if that if he was heard she'd respond with kindness. "I didn't mean to."

Video Recording 4

This one is just a compilation of Tim sitting alone in one of the main living rooms eating small things like toast or cereal... because well, he's anywhere from the age 10-15, and he'd never been taught to cook for himself.

Every now and then you would see Miss Sharon in the edges of the recording, but it appeared she was only there to clean and / or cook for Tim before leaving again.

Video Recording 5

Tim was seen dressed up in rather thick black track-pants and hoodie, with a plain black face mask covering his mouth.

The cameras switched to follow him along before he disappeared above camera view onto tall buildings, there would be cuts to blurry far away cameras seeing him on roof tops.

But the point of this was to show Tim falling off one of the buildings and into a dumpster in an alley.

The cameras track Tim on his way back before showing him simply going into the shower - NOT SHOWING HIM YOU PERV - and bandaging his arm after changing into a basic and comfortable set of shorts and t-shirt.

And then he just went to bed like nothing happened, not even any pain meds were taken.

Instagram 1

"Get ready with me as I answer popular I get as a working mother." It was one of Janet's first GRWM videos and the first one to show just what she was thinking about Tim being home alone - obviously sugar coated.

"First up is "How much do you make in a year?" this one is probably asked the most, most people view this as a rude question to ask, but I don't see the problem with it. We make around 3-4 Million a year." She was starting to put her hair back with clips so it's not tied back but still out of the way.

"Another popular one is "Who's the boy at the galas?" well, that's my son, Timothy Jackson Drake. He doesn't come on business trips with us because he needs to stay in school so he can take over the company, but we've got a lovely nanny that looks after him while we're away." Being millionaires there's almost no privacy, but there was no reason for her to say his full name on social media.

"Last one for today "How do you keep your make-up to last all night galas?" there's this amazing setting powder that I use on my cream products before adding powdered products and setting those with a setting spray, I'll link both in the description, but the key is to use both powder and spray for a longer lasting set." Then she half-posed before blowing a kiss to the camera before is cuts to an end.

➡️Instagram 2

"Get ready with me as I answer some more popular questions I get as a working mother." She says, pinning her hair back for it to not get in the way but still look good.

"This first one I actually got on my last Get Ready With Me, "How long are you on trips?" and that one's rather hard to answer as it depends on the country or reason why we're there. But usually 3 to 4 weeks, we try to keep it short to spend more time with Timothy, but when we're on longer trips we have a video call to check in if the time zones allow it."

""How do you balance being a mother while working?" well like I said in my last Get Ready With Me, I have a nanny that looks after Timothy while we're away, but Jack and I do our best to call in whenever we can and stay home as much as possible."

"And the last one for tonight "Do you believe in second chances?" now this one is less about about my work or being a mother, but I feel that mothers opinions can really shape the children they raise so some could say it connects to being a mother. And I would say that not everyone does deserve second chances, some mistakes can be avoided and not everyone should be let off with a simple warning. But then sometimes people do deserve second chances, so I'd say it really does depend on the situation and all of that."

Instagram 3

"Get ready with me as I react to comments I get on my other Get Ready With Me's." This time it was an outfit rather than make-up one like the previous ones.

"The first one is from "@dahlia53" asking "Can't believe Tim is home alone so often, the poor baby! How old is he?" Timothy is 10-years-old right now, and he's contempt with staying home with the nanny."

"Next is from "@wowzers13" commenting "You're so pretty! Where do you get your make-up from?" I get different things from different places for the best products, everything is listed in my profile if anyone wants to check it out."

"Last one for today is from "@sp1derguy", he left one of the hate comments, and usually I don't pay mind to them, but this one I need to clear out - he said "Tim being so young and rarely having any parents at home? You didn't hear it from me but that's border-line neglect." We are not neglecting our baby, he is staying there to make sure he stays educated and doesn't fall behind, he has everything he could ever want, and his nanny is there for any of his needs."

➡️Instagram 4

"Hey guys, so I've been getting a lot of hate comments on my Get Ready With Me's. And this is just me trying to clear things up a bit more." The camera cuts, and it's obvious that she had written a script, but well only obvious to the batfam. "On my last GRWM "@sp1derguy" commented that I've been neglecting my son, I explained that all his needs are being met, yet there's still people who say he's being neglected. He is a perfectly healthy young boy who's top of his class and understands why his father and I go away on business trips. He's got a nanny for any of his needs that we can't meet from over here, but we do everything we can when we're away. And we spend as much time as we can with him when we are home with him. The internet is full of lies and I don't want anything to happen to my boy because people are spreading miss-information about him to get him taken away from me."

Chapter Text

After everything had finished playing Dick had moved Tim closer in his arms as if Janet would walk out of the screen and take the boy away from him. Jason had moved himself to sit next to Tim and Dick on the couch with the other three staying as they were.

"Master Tim, Master Bruce, Dick, Jason and Miss Barbara have all worked on domestic cases along side their vigilante work. I've always helped on the sidelines guiding the boys as to how to help without making anything worse, and I have almost never gotten it wrong. In saying that, right now I don't see your house being safe and will make sure you get settled in here and look after you." Alfred had turned the computer off and spun in the spinny chair to face the rest of the people in the cave.

"I... Why?" He was mumbling into Dicks chest, he was listening to everything, but didn't want to watch it - he couldn't watch it. So he didn't.

"Timmy bud, you're an amazingly bright and wonderful and smart boy, and you don't deserve to have this, nobody deserves this, you're smart enough to know that your life isn't normal. Let us help buddy." Tim knows that! Of course he knows that. That wasn't what he meant... but that's not his fault, he only said two words - barley.

"... Why do my parents hate me?"

"Timbo people like your parents aren't able to think about others, they don't consider your emotions. There's no explanation why, but they just don't even think about it. So no matter what you change in the past or who you are they're never going to have been good parents, it's way out of your call. I'm sorry Timbo."

"Tim, I'm going to make a report to have you in emergency custody of Bruce Wayne, I'll have a letter sent to your house. I know that your parents are away at the moment, but that'll help the court understand just how long they're away for and how unaware they are of your situation. I'll talk to Miss Sharon and have her know not to contact your parents about any of this unless they ask. But from what I've seen that's highly unlikely. You just let Alfred, Bruce and I deal with this, you just get comfortable here." At that Dick stands up and take Tim up to the Manor with Jason following behind.

It's a few hours later that the three adults come up with Alfred going straight over to make dinner, Barbara now having a rather thick folder on her lap as Bruce walks her out before he walks back over to the living-room that Dick, Jason and Tim were situated at.

"So?" Jason was the first to talk, none of the boys had talked since leaving the bat-cave, Dick just put on Spiderman in the background as the three of them sat in silence. But now that Bruce was upstairs, Jason just wanted answers. "Whats the deal?"

"Short answer, Tim's staying here until stated otherwise, Barbara is going to have an official court notice being sent to the Drake Manor while Alfred and I just make sure to keep you safe and updated on what's happening. I'll be contacting your school to let them know of the situation so that they'll be aware of who to contact if need be." Everyone in the room could tell that Tim wasn't paying almost any attention, but it was Jason that asked and they could always tell him later.

At some point Tim fell back asleep and was only woken when dinner was ready, they tried to make dinner feel somewhat normal, but Tim just didn't have the energy to do anything. And they all understood, so they let him eat his food in silence... kind of.

"Timberly, how come you haven't told us about your seafood allergy?" Jason had held it in for longer than either Bruce or Dick had expected... but well Jason's worried for his friend, you expect him not to try get answers as soon as he can!?

"You heard what I told Miss Sharon." The table is silent, not even the scrapes of the cutlery could be heard. But Tim makes no effort to look at anyone, he already knows what their faces would look like if he saw, they were mad at him for being disrespectful and not answering the question properly.

"Timmy baby, no. Allergies hurt, we don't want you getting hurt, we want you to feel happy and healthy, and accommodating your needs is in no way rude or selfish. It's rude and selfish to not accommodate someones need's because they might have to do one extra thing, because you need it, and forcing you to do something you can't isn't being a nice person. Does that make sense Timmy?" Oh, so they're not mad. Tim does look up to see their faces now, and is met with concerned and sad faces.

"Oh, okay." Dick ruffles Tim's hair before everyone starts to eat again, doing what they can to help make Tim not feel like the spotlight of attention every moment anyone talks to him. A lots going to happen soon, and he's going to get a lot of unwanted attention, so might as well help him feel more normal at their house home.

Chapter Text

A week or so has gone by, Jason insisted on throwing Tim his birthday party after they realized Jack and Janet weren't going to be back in Gotham in time for his birthday.

Dick had insisted on staying at the Wayne Manor for the next month - or until Tim was legally adopted (Tim kept trying to say all he needed was a foster placement but he wasn't ever going to win that argument). It was as quiet as it could be for the Wayne Manor, Jason was pulling pranks on Dick and Tim, Alfred was yelling at Dick for using the chandeliers for acrobat swings, Bruce was complaining about the media again, and Tim... Tim was just having fun.

He finally got to go out on patrol with not only Batman and Robin, but because Dick was in the city, that means Nightwing was there too! And he was in full protective gear, with no limits to the type of photos he could take - at some point Jason snuck Tim out on a no-patrol night to go get photos of villains up close that Bruce had said he wasn't allowed to take.

But of course the peace that kind of was, had to come to an end.

Jack and Janet got home from Africa and they were late for their trials. Obviously fuming at the sight of it, when they do finally open the multiple letters they received:

Notice of Hearing

Family Court of Gotham
Notice of Scheduled Hearing
Court Reference: FCV-1849
Date Issued: Monday, 7 July

To: Mr. Jack Drake and Mrs. Janet Drake
Address on File: [redacted]

You are hereby summoned to attend a scheduled hearing before the Family Court of Gotham concerning Case No. FCV-1849, In the Matter of Timothy Jackson Drake (DOB: 19 July 2010).

The hearing is set for:
Date: Thursday, 17 July
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Family Court of Gotham, 305 William Street

Your attendance is mandatory. The purpose of this hearing is to review current guardianship arrangements and assess the welfare of the minor named above.
Failure to attend without valid cause may result in the matter being decided in your absence and the possible issuance of a fine or custody transfer order.

Issued by:
Registrar A. Collings
Family Court of Gotham

(This notice was sent via registered post. Please confirm receipt by returning the attached acknowledgment form.)

Notice of Failure to Appear

Family Court of Gotham
Notice of Failure to Appear
Court Reference: FCV-1849
Date Issued: Monday, 21 July

To: Mr. Jack Drake and Mrs. Janet Drake

Records indicate that you did not attend the scheduled hearing on Thursday, 17 July at 2:00 PM as directed.

No written explanation or request for adjournment was received by this office prior to or following the hearing.
Accordingly, the matter has proceeded in your absence, and preliminary findings have been made.

You are instructed to contact the Family Court Registry within three (3) business days of this notice to provide an explanation or supporting documentation for your failure to appear.

Failure to respond within the prescribed timeframe may result in a default judgment and/or further legal action.

Issued by:
Registrar A. Collings
Family Court of Gotham.

Guardianship Determination

Family Court of Gotham
Order of Custodial Transfer
Court Reference: FCV-1849
Date Issued: 4 August

To: Mr. Jack Drake and Mrs. Janet Drake

Following the hearing held on 17 July, and the respondents’ continued failure to appear or provide sufficient cause for absence, the Family Court of Victoria has issued the following binding order:

Primary guardianship of the minor, Timothy Jackson Drake (DOB: 19 July 2010), is hereby transferred to the appointed guardian, Mr. Bruce Wayne, effective immediately.

The respondents, Mr. and Mrs. Drake, shall be granted no contact with the minor until further evaluation by a Family Services officer.

A review hearing will be scheduled within six (6) months to assess compliance and the minor’s wellbeing under new guardianship.

All legal documentation pertaining to custody, education, and medical consent shall henceforth be issued in the name of Mr. Bruce Wayne as legal guardian.

Issued and Sealed by:
The Honourable Justice A. Mirren
Family Court of Gotham

Notice of Fine and Enforcement Warning

Family Court of Gotham
Notice of Monetary Penalty and Enforcement Action
Court Reference: FCV-1849
Date Issued: Thursday, 14 August

To: Mr. Jack Drake and Mrs. Janet Drake

You are hereby notified that a monetary fine has been imposed for Contempt of Court and Failure to Comply with Attendance Orders.

Penalty Details:

Amount Owed: $3,800.00

Due Date: Thursday, 4 September

Payment Method: Payable via the Family Court of Gotham online portal or in person at the Gotham Registry front office.

Failure to remit payment by the due date will result in:

Accrual of interest and administrative fees, and/or

Issuance of a bench warrant compelling court attendance, and/or

Referral to state enforcement officers for collection of outstanding debts.

This penalty is enforceable under Section 107 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

Issued by:
Registrar A. Collings
Family Court of Gotham

(Please retain this notice for your records. Payment receipts must be presented at any future proceedings.)

Janet had tried to call Tim hundreds of times after Jack explained what those letters meant, the 4th and 5th were answered by Alfred who would tell them that it was their fault whenever she tried to blame Tim or Bruce. Every other call went ignored, Jason got annoyed at it and blocked both Jack and Janet's phone numbers from Tim's phone after the 103rd call - Dick, Bruce and Alfred were all kind of proud of him for waiting so long before intervening and blocking them.

While Tim was legally being fostered by Bruce, they still wanted Tim to be legally adopted... and to put Jack and Janet in prison.

After another court case - this time Jack and Janet actually showed up - the judge had approved of the adoption and sent Jack and Janet to prison with a hefty fine.

Family Court of Gotham

Judgment and Order
Court Reference: FCV-1849
Date Issued: Thursday, 21 August 2025

In the Matter of: Timothy Jackson Drake (DOB: 19 July 2010)
Respondents: Mr. Jack Drake and Mrs. Janet Drake

Judgment

The respondents, Mr. Jack Drake and Mrs. Janet Drake, have repeatedly failed to comply with the orders of this Court, including but not limited to:

Failure to attend the scheduled hearing on Thursday, 17 July at 2:00 PM;

Failure to respond to Notices of Failure to Appear issued 21 July;

Willful disregard of the Court’s orders regarding the welfare and custody of the minor, Timothy Jackson Drake;

Harassment and obstruction of communication with the minor through repeated phone calls and intimidation.

Orders

Custody: Primary guardianship of the minor, Timothy Jackson Drake, remains with the appointed guardian, Mr. Bruce Wayne, effective immediately. The respondents shall have no contact with the minor until further order of the Court.

Monetary Penalty: The respondents are jointly fined $3,800 for Contempt of Court and Failure to Comply with Attendance Orders. Payment is due Thursday, 4 September.

Custodial Sentence: For willful contempt, the respondents are each sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, fully suspended on the condition that all fines are paid in full and no further attempts are made to contact the minor.

Future Compliance: The respondents must notify the Court in writing of any changes in residence or contact details for the next 12 months. Non-compliance may result in activation of the custodial sentence.

Costs: The respondents are ordered to pay the Court’s administrative and legal costs associated with this matter.

Issued and Sealed by:
The Honourable Justice A. Mirren
Family Court of Gotham

When the official document of his adoption papers finally come into the mail, the others organize a smaller - but still pretty fun - party to celebrate, he was officially and legally free from his parents and he could finally start that therapy to help with his dissociation, Bruce was allowed to do that being a foster parent... but Tim wanted to wait until it was 100% Bruce and 0% Jack and Janet, just in case he had to go back to them and he'd be too dependent on a therapist.

The rest of that night after the party Tim and Jason just hung out, playing Mario Cart like there was not difference - and honestly, Tim was glad, he was scared that now that he officially pushed into their lives they'd hate him or treat him differently. But Jason is still treating him like his best friend... although he did slap cake into his face earlier... according to Dick it means he likes him as a brother more than a friend now!

Tim was in a healthy and safe house with people that actual cared for him, he's able to get help with his emotions and dissociation, and able to just be a teen-age boy... who runs around Gotham at night... but it's Gotham, nobody is normal.

Chapter Text

Jason was bored, Dick was in Bludhaven, Bruce was working on some stupid WE thing, and Alfred never has appreciated his pranks.

He was stuck scrolling on his phone in the living room bored out of his mind.

"Get ready with me as I answer some more popular questions I get as a working mother. This first one I actually got on my last Get Ready With Me, "How long are you on trips?" and that one's rather hard to answer as it depends on the country or reason why we're there. But usually 3 to 4 weeks, we try to keep it short to spend more time with Timothy, but when we're on longer trips we have a video call to check in if the time zones allow it."

Jason wasn't ever much for these GRWM's or makeup videos, but something about her saying 3-4 weeks away from her child did kind of get him intrigued to stay a little longer.

"How do you balance being a mother while working?" well like I said in my last Get Ready With Me, I have a nanny that looks after Timothy while we're away, but Jack and I do our best to call in whenever we can and stay home as much as possible. And the last one for tonight "Do you believe in second chances?" now this one is less about about my work or being a mother, but I feel that mothers opinions can really shape the children they raise so some could say it connects to being a mother. And I would say that not everyone does deserve second chances, some mistakes can be avoided and not everyone should be let off with a simple warning. But then sometimes people do deserve second chances, so I'd say it really does depend on the situation and all of that."

"How can someone leave a nanny to raise their child and then say that their opinions will shape the child... she's barley around the kid." He ends up going to look at her other videos, there's only one other GRWM, but it reveals that he's literlaly 10-years-old!?

Going back to the original video he was on he ends up spending 20 minutes trying to find a way to yell at her without his comment being flagged and/or taken down, at some point he felt contempt with "Tim being so young and rarely having any parents at home? You didn't hear it from me but that's border-line neglect."

It's only a few days later does he get a shit tone of notifications on Instagram of him being tagged in comments with things like; "Look at this @sp1derguy" and "She responded to you @sp1derguy" with the occasional "Can't believe @sp1derguy actually said that".

So when he does look at what they were all talking about he see's its another GRWM from Janet Drake, with a few people commenting that they 'couldn't believe he said that' it wasn't hard to gather that she'd responded to his comment. Luckily his was last, because well... it let him be able to pay attention to her other comments.

She revealed Tim being 10 in which he remembered that in the last video she said that he lived basically alone for weeks on end, which really twisted his stomach in the wrong way.

But when she got to him, his attention was drawn back to the video.

She ended up responding with - obviously a deny of this - claiming "We are not neglecting our baby, he is staying there to make sure he stays educated and doesn't fall behind, he has everything he could ever want, and his nanny is there for any of his needs." Like bitch, online school is a thing, and at that point that nanny is more of a mother than Janet is! And just because he has like a shit tone of money doesn't mean he's not being neglected, if anything it probably means he is - in most (not all) cases, rich kids are often disregarded and have their love being bought by their parents. And Tim was most definitely in this type of family.

So.

As Jason does best.

He decided to save the kid.

He made it his mission to get that kid out of there.

And after a bit of stalking, Jason found out that Tim went to the same school as him!

And that just made things 100x better, and most definitely 100x easier.

Because this way, all he has to do is:

- Befriend him
- Teach him the ways of family
- Reveal this his family is fucking shit
- Convince Bruce to adopt him as well

And when Jason put his mind to it, he was going to get what he wanted, and this wasn't even a want, it was a need. Tim needs to get out of that damned house.