Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The first proper family breakfast with the demon child occurred the very next day after he arrived. No one was willing to miss it, as in Alfred said they all had to attend, and no one was going to tell Alfred no. 

Though, Jason would argue that they all would have shown up anyway. 

Alfred would be there because it was his job, and he was a good man.

Bruce, obviously, wasn't going to be leaving Damian’s side for a while. The reasons for that were endless. At least some of them were out of love for the boy who was his blood. Bruce would have taken in Damian anyway after Talia left him behind, genetic connection or not. He was drawn towards fatherhood. Jason, Dick, and Tim could attest to that. Bruce was, however, a cautious man as well, and Damian was a walking, talking, bright red, deafeningly loud danger sign if ever Jason had seen one. Bruce was more stressed than usual with someone so unpredictable in his home. Jason recognized the signs.  

Dick, then again, was obvious. He had some strange biological need to be a good big brother, and to be liked, or at least useful, in all situations. He’d fought those instincts at times, but they always won out. Once again, Jason would know. So, Dick was never not going to be at breakfast. If not to liken himself to the little demon, to be there as support for Bruce.

Tim, now, his motivations were more complex. He had no previous experience as a big brother, and so no ingrained big brother instincts to push him towards Damian. Though Jason hadn’t had a little brother, and yet he always wanted one. He liked the idea of being able to care for someone else because it meant he could care for himself, and that he was useful, and fuck he was somehow always more like Dick than he thought. Jason didn’t get the feeling that Tim was one of those people born with the desire to be a big brother. Nope, Tim was always going to come to the demon’s first breakfast because he was an anxious fucker that needed to have as much control over every situation as possible, and that meant having as much data as possible from the best sources. What better source on Damian, than Damian? Tim would need to observe the object of his most recent anxieties.

Jason, well, Jason had those big brother desires as previously mentioned. The pit had buried them so deep within himself that he had forgotten, but Tim dragged them up and made them blossom. That wasn’t the only reason, though. Jason knew Damian. Not personally. Talia had never let them near each other at the League of Assassins. Jason took no offense. Had she let him near Damian in the state he had been in he would consider her an even more awful person than he already did. Talia had a lot of pain coming if she ever crossed Jason’s path again, that was for sure. Jason had known she had a child, but that was all. Now, Jason sat across from a boy raised by the same people that turned him into a weapon of pain, anger, and misery. He couldn't help but feel bad for the kid. He understood, somewhat, what Damian must be feeling, because he knew how hard it was to be around a group of people that behaved and believed so differently from what you were used to. 

Jason had experienced it when trying to fit himself into Dick and Bruce’s dynamic.

He’d felt it again when trying to behave at the gala’s Bruce brought him to.

He experienced it while at The League.

And he experienced it again when he left and rejoined his family.

Bruce may understand some of what being trained by The League is like, but Jason understands what being a child in that environment is like. That’s what he was at the time, a child. And he wouldn’t dare even insinuate he knew what Damian experienced, because he couldn’t imagine all the torture they put him through in that place and justified as training. He’d like to help Damian learn how to integrate into the family without feeling like he was losing integral parts of himself, and to understand that what The League taught wasn't gospel, but that could only happen if the boy could get off his high horse long enough for them to have a civil conversation. 

“I just don’t see why my presence is needed any longer.” Damian said. “I have finished my scone and tea. They were sufficient sustenance. I must now go and engage in meditation while I digest before completing my first set of training for the day.”

Bruce tried not to sigh, but Jason saw his neck move. He knew a hidden Bruce sigh when he saw one. 

“Damian, I understand. I know that The League ran on a tight schedule and I’m sure you want to maintain it, but all I’m asking is that you stay and have breakfast with the family so we can get to know each other better.”

“I already know everything I need to know about you all. You are Bruce Wayne, Batman, and my father. You are the owner of Wayne Enterprises and everything that running the company entails gives you your resources to be Batman, which is why it is important you maintain your Bruce Wayne image, even if it is far more fictitious than your Batman persona.”

Bruce’s eyes widened. He didn’t get a chance to reply because Damian turned his eyes on Dick. 

“You are Richard Grayson, creator of, and the original Robin, now Nightwing. You are a formidable fighter, but you’ll let your emotions get the best of you. You also put forward your own persona of great confidence, and it is quite convincing, yet there is a deep insecurity in you that you cannot be rid of no matter how hard you try. It is a ruining achilles heel.”

Damian turned his eyes onto his next target. Oh yay. My turn. 

Damian sneered. “Jason Todd, second Robin, now Red Hood. Killed by the Joker after being tricked by your birth mother, which exemplifies your inadequacy as a Robin. Resurrected and improved by the League of Assassins and a Lazarus pool. Your recent training makes you a formidable opponent, and I much prefer your approach to crime over the other’s, but you are still too soft. You have let this family blunt the blade The League made you into.”

Jason couldn’t help but bristle. Then he realized Tim was next and had to fight the urge to stop Damian from continuing his tirade. Tim wouldn’t appreciate it.

“Timothy Drake. Current Robin. Orphan in all but actuality until you forced yourself into a different family. I respect your determination. Your fighting is insufficient, though your brain is something to be admired, I’ve been told. Mine is as well, and with my superior fighting skills and blood relation to the Batman, I am obviously the only logical person to be Robin. You will need to be replaced.”

Jason had heard enough, he leaned forward to make sure he had Damian's full attention. “I don’t know what you think you walked into, kid, but we don’t do that League comparison and evaluation bullshit over here.” Jason said. “Everyone’s got their assets just like everyone's got their weaknesses. Like, say, your abandonment issues and holier than thou attitude could be easily exploited in the field, could they not? So accept the fact that you aren't royalty over here, and keep your mouth shut if all you're going to spew is hatred and lies.”

Damian’s face reddened, only slightly. Anger and embarrassment were surely rising in his little temperamental body. Damian stood up, "Nothing I said was a lie." and left the room without a backward glance at the family. 

Now Bruce did audibly sigh. “Jay, did you have to?”

“He needs to learn early on that his attitude will not be tolerated here, and having a past League member reject his behaviour should make him re-evaluate.”

“I’m also a past League member.” Bruce said. 

“And his father. I’m sure your opinion of him means even more to him than my own, but he doesn’t know how to listen to what you say to him. He’s never had a dad before. You’re nice in your criticism. That…that’s confusing when you’ve never experienced it before.”

Bruce looked tired. “Okay, just don’t be too hard on him. He needs to know he’s welcome here, when he’s ready to accept it.”

Jason nodded. The others followed. 

Jason stood from his chair. “I’m going to head home for the day. I’ll see you guys on patrol?” 

“I’m heading to Blud for patrol, but I’ll be back here tonight to help out with Damian.” Dick said.

Jason felt the instinctual pull to poke at his brother and ask how he planned to help out with Damian, cause that would be fascinating he was sure, but now wasn’t the time. Everyone was too tense.

Bruce shook his head. “I can’t go out until Damian is settled.”

Tim looked at Bruce in shock. Clearly, Batman hadn’t clued Robin into their patrols being put on hold due to the baby demon.

Bruce noticed it too. “I’m sorry, Tim.”

“I can take Tim out with me.” Jason shrugged.

Bruce and Dick looked surprised. 

“Please?” Tim asked, hopeful.

Bruce looked hesitant. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I don’t want Tim put in any…compromsing…no, uh–”

“You don’t want me bringing Robin to a shoot out where I kill a bunch of people to send a message. Bad for PR.” Jason interrupted. Bruce gave him a look that could best be described as avid agreement with an undercurrent of embarrassment. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep it to recon tonight. Maybe stop to check in on the working girls in the East end of my territory. Nothing you haven't let him help me with before.”

“I felt more comfortable with it when I was also out on patrol. What if you have to take care of something and leave Tim alone?”

Tim looked so affronted that Jason had to laugh. It only made his little brother bristle more.

“I am literally a trained vigilante! I can take care of myself!”

Bruce sighed. Jason knew he’d only let Tim go off with him on those few patrols because he was relieved they were getting along. Batman had been pretty close to The Alley those nights, ready to intervene if needed. Now, it’s hit him how bad it could look for Robin to be regularly seen with a known murderer. 

“I would also like to remind everyone that I kill way less people these days! I use blanks unless it’s rapists or child abusers” Usually. Sometimes, other people just hit his every nerve and have to go. “To Gotham, it really looks like Robin is reforming the Red Hood, not that the Red Hood is corrupting Robin.”

Bruce sighed. “Okay. Just be careful. Both of you.” 

Jason laughed. “Always am, old man.” Jason turned to Tim and ruffled his hair, and Tim frowned even as he leaned into it. Jason saw Dick’s eyebrows raise in his peripheral. Ha! Who was the favourite big brother? “I’ll text you where to meet me and when.” He told Tim and left. 

Damian was in the cave when Jason entered. He was surprised Bruce was letting the kid have free access, but then he noted Alfred cleaning the dinosaur. Babysitter protocol. Classic. 

Damian looked up at Jason, glared, and returned to sharpening his throwing knives. 

Jason was going to just walk past Damian and ride his bike back home, but stopped before putting his riding helmet on. There was a chance here, he couldn’t pass it up.

“I know it’s confusing, and stressful, and uncomfortable, being around them. They’re so different from what you know. They’re so good and you feel like they must be fake because how can they be real? Their morals feel unattainable and then so does their approval, so you’re telling yourself you shouldn’t even try to change because it will never be good enough.” Jason didn’t turn to look at Damian as he spoke. He wanted Damian to hear his words without the distraction of controlling his physical reactions. “But you know my story, and you know what I’m still up to. They all love me anyway. They will love you, too. Bruce and Dick already do. The only thing they need from you is to show that you want to be your best self and that you’re taking what they say seriously.” Jason laughed. “You don’t know how many fights and conversations Bruce and I have had, but we had them, and continue to have them, and we understand each other. Sometimes, even, he makes a good point and I change. Sometimes, I make a good point, and he changes instead.”

Jason turned to face Damian, he was looking right at Jason with wide eyes, then shuttered his face to a blank expression. “If you ever want more advice, or just to talk to someone who understands, I’m around here pretty often these days.” 

Jason felt his heart sore at Damian’s small nod of acknowledgment. He left on his bike before the moment could be ruined. Damn, I’m getting good at this big brother thing!

Chapter Text

Jason wasn’t sure what mood Tim would be in when he arrived for their patrol. The frown on his little brother’s face was intense and concerning. Jason had thought he’d gotten through to Damian, somewhat. Enough to keep Tim from looking like someone kicked his cat, at least.

“What’s got you pouting like that, little bird?” Jason teased.

“Damian tried to kill me.”

Jason’s eyes widened behind his mask. He was only wearing his domino tonight, and a kevlar red hood attached to his body armor in place of the Red Hood helmet. Tim had never said anything, but Jason could tell he was jumpier when Jason was wearing the helmet.

“He fucking what?” Jason yelled.

“He asked to spar, to prove his superior fighting prowess.” Jason could hear the air quotes. “I said only if he follows the rules. He did not, in fact, follow the rules. He threw a knife at my throat! Said the scar was inspiring! Who fucking says shit like that?”

Jason’s breath was briefly taken away as guilt and shock slammed through his body. I left that scar. I hurt my little brother. I hurt Tim. I’ll make sure that demon child never touches Tim again.  

“I thought the kid and I had a moment earlier.” Jason said, disappointed and upset. “The little shit isn’t gonna make this easy.”

Tim laughed. “That’s an understatement. He then tried to poison me at lunch.”

“What?” Jason growled.

Tim sighed. “I don’t know what to tell you. He believes he’s the rightful Robin and wants me dead.”

“What did B do about it?”

“He got mad.” Tim nodded in reassurance. “He yelled.” Jason was glad to hear that. “He told Damian that if he tried to hurt anyone in the family again he’d lose access to the cave for a full week. For now he’s just banned for tomorrow. I think B also plans to talk to him more, one-on-one, and try to get through to him.”

Jason put his arm around Tim’s shoulders. “You’re staying in my room tonight. I don’t want him trying anything else.”

Tim let out a relieved sigh and nodded. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Jason mused Tim’s hair. “Now, follow me.” He started traversing roof tops to bring them to his patrol goal for the night. 

There was a Scarecrow wanna be rumored to be on the edge of the Red Hood’s territory. Jason didn’t like the sound of it one bit. This warehouse was close to all the latest reported accidents, and there were several witnesses who live on the streets nearby that reported hearing screams coming from the warehouse’s direction. If only the police actually took all Crime Alley residents seriously, but if they were homeless it was like their voices didn’t matter. Well, they did to Jason. He’d sort this out.

They had been on the relevant roof top for maybe five minutes, not even enough time to set up Jason’s cameras or mics, when their comms went off.

“Batman to Red Hood and Robin. The baby bat has left the cave. I repeat, the baby bat has left the cave. Please return to base, and keep a lookout on your way back.”

“Fuck.” Jason sighed. “Got it, heading back, keeping eyes open for a baby demon.”

Tim groaned and slammed his staff against the roof in frustration. “This isn’t fair! I just wanted to get away from him for a few hours.”

“I know. I know. We can go back out after we find him. I’ll take you out every night until Batman returns to patrolling, okay?”

Tim nodded and started heading back towards the cave. Jason followed a few steps back, giving Tim some space.

They didn’t catch any trace of Damian on the way home.

“I just don’t know where he would go?” Bruce said as they convened in the cave. He was still dressed in his Bruce Wayne attire, not wanting to go out searching as Batman in case Damian came back to the manor. “He doesn’t know the city at all. He has no other connections here.”

Bruce was looking through the manor cameras. Jason looked over his dad’s shoulder. There were areas of the property. There were all the manor’s entrances and exits, secret and not. One screen showed the dining room and another the kitchen, and Jason didn’t remember that second one being there before. It might have been a new edition since Damian’s poisoning attempt. 

Jason was looking for one specific location when he remembered it didn’t have a camera. It never had. He was pretty sure he knew where Damian was. 

“I’m going to grab something to eat, I had a small dinner today.” Jason said. “I’ll be back to help look for Damian in a half hour, if he hasn’t shown up by then.”

“Okay, Alfred put the left overs in the fridge. Help yourself.” Bruce said. He didn’t look away from the screens. Tim was on his own computer, trying to find any connections Damian had to Gotham outside of the family, Alfred was out searching the property, and Dick was still out on patrol in Bludhaven.

Jason headed upstairs and into the manor. He grabbed one of the pre-portioned bowls of leftover bolognaise from the fridge, mentally thanking Alfred for always putting away the family’s leftovers in a ready to eat format, and placed it in the microwave. 

Dick had shown Jason the attic early on in his stint as the second Robin. Dick had set up a small blanket fort with pillows and stuffed animals when he was Robin and never took it down. Jason favored drawing when he was up there. Dick preferred to do puzzles and nap. Jason would have to ask Tim if Dick ever showed him. Jason would bet that Damian found it on his own while snooping around.

It was a perfect hiding place because Bruce basically forgot it existed. It was where all of his parents' belongings were put after they died, and Bruce pushed any reminder of his parents to the back of his mind. 

Jason didn’t know how often Dick had used it when he had been Robin, but Jason spent a lot of time during the days, when Bruce was gone at WE, exploring the attic and relaxing in the blanket fort. It had helped him feel closer to Dick too, when he wasn’t around much. 

Jason heard the microwave beep and took his late dinner to the small counter in the kitchen. It was small in comparison to the dining room table, but still large enough to fit the whole family. He made a point to wink at the camera. If Tim was watching he’d probably get an amused smile, and if Bruce was watching he’d get a huff and maybe even an eye roll.

He finished his meal and put it in the sink. He hadn’t really been that hungry, though he wasn’t lying about his small dinner, but he’d needed an excuse to leave the cave without looking like he didn’t care about Damian, as that would only get him a lecture from Bruce. Eating in the kitchen got him seen by the camera and proved he went to have dinner like he said. Now he could continue his real plan hopefully without Bruce questioning where he went. 

There was a storage closet with an access hatch to the attic located at the very back of the manor on the top floor. You had to pull it open and then grab the ladder in the closet to go up. Jason was incredibly grateful to his past self for having taken off his heavier body armor when he returned to the cave. This climb would not be as comfortable in it, and the attic would be claustrophobic with so much extra bulk on his already large frame. It was not a large attic, barely big enough to fit his teenage self comfortably among all the boxes and items in storage, nevermind his post pit adult body. It was due to the fact that the roof of the manor was not one flat level, or even one triangle like most homes, it had peaks and valleys and balconies and all sorts of interesting design choices that made the manor fit to be a billionaire’s mansion. 

Jason had to keep his head ducked as he walked towards the blanket fort.

“Damian? You up here?.” Jason pretended like he couldn’t see the shadow of the boy through the thin blanket wall. He slowed down as he neared, wanting to give Damian time to reply. “Everyone’s really worried about you. They think you ran away. Are you okay?”

“I am perfectly functional.” Damian said it so matter of factly you’d feel bad for having ever thought overwise, but his quiet voice betrayed that something was wrong. 

“May I join you?” Jason asked, mostly polite, slightly teasing. He walked closer so that Damian could see him. “I won’t come in. Don’t think I’d fit anymore, anyways. I’d just like to sit with you and talk?”

“If I asked you to leave, would you?” Damian had a fluffy grey-blue blanket wrapped around himself and a book of crossword puzzles in his lap. He looked like the child he was. The katana next to him did throw off the image a bit, though. 

“I would, but I’d also have to let Bruce know where you are so that he knows you're safe. He'll just come up here instead.”

Damian frowned. “So, my options are to be interrogated by you, or to be interrogated by my father?”

Jason nodded. “That about sums it up, yeah.”

“I will stick with you.” Damian made no move to continue the conversation. 

“This isn’t actually an interrogation, kid. It’s a conversation.” Jason sat on the floor outside the blanket fort entrance. He tried to leave enough room so that Damian wouldn’t feel blocked in. “Is there anything that you want to talk about? If not, I’m pretty damn curious why you tried to kill Tim?” 

At first, Jason thought Damian was just going to ignore him. The boy’s face didn’t move in response to Jason’s questions, but apparently, the kid just had a really solid resting thinking face. 

“He is an obstacle to my integration into the family and my placement as Robin.”

“I can see how he is an obstacle to you being Robin, but how is he stopping you from being integrated into the family?”

“You said that Bruce and Richard already love me. You and Timothy, you both don’t. I don’t need you to love me, you do not live in the home. You are family adjacent.” Fucking ouch. “You are League, I need you to respect me and not see me as an enemy. But Tim, I cannot fit in the family if a member living here does not want me. It would be most efficient to remove him.”

Jason frowned. “Let’s just make one thing very clear then. If you hurt Tim, you will become my enemy, and it won’t matter how the others feel about you, because I will make you pay.” 

Damian frowned but nodded. “You have made yourself clear. I understand.”

“Good.” Jason sighed. There were more things they had to address. “Damian, do you love me?”

Damian’s eyes widened. “Of course not.”

“Do you love Grayson?”

“No. I do not know you two well enough for such strong emotion.”

“Then, can you understand why Tim doesn’t love you yet? It doesn’t mean he won’t. He just doesn’t know you yet.”

Damian nodded. “But Bruce and Richard? How can you be so sure that they already feel that strongly about me?”

"You should ask Bruce why he loves you, because he will have so many more answers than I can give you. What I can tell you, is that Bruce and Dick love you because it’s instinctual for them. Familial love is just easier for some people than it is for others. It comes naturally to them.” Jason wondered if it was a character trait both Bruce and Dick were born with, or if it was a product of being raised by loving parents.

Damian looked like he was unsure about Jason’s answer, but there wasn’t much more Jason could give without putting words in his brother and father’s mouths. 

“Also, I may not love you yet.” Jason cringed as Damian folded in on himself more. “But I want to. I just need time, like you do, to get to know you better.”

Damian nodded again.

They sat in silence for a minute. Jason didn't get the feeling that Damian wanted him to leave. The boy seemed to be thinking over something, if Jason was reading his completely blank expression correctly.

“I have questions.” Damian said. Jason mentally fist pumped. 

“Shoot.” Jason said.

“What do they want from me? I do not understand my role here.” 

That…that was actually a really fair question. Damian was obviously used to the League and always having his role, his purpose, clearly defined for him. He’s also just a child. He wants to please, to know he fits and then know he belongs. Jason struggled with that when he first started spending more time with the Bats after…everthing. Tim’s acceptance helped a lot. Maybe Jason’s acceptance could help Damian? But if Damian kept hurting Tim, Jason wouldn’t accept that. He didn’t trust that the kid would just let his grudge against the current Robin go. That wasn’t The League way.

“There aren’t roles here like there are in The League.” Jason tried to think of the best way to explain natural family dynamics to a kid that never had that. A psycho immortal grandfather and Talia did not count. “Everyone in a family kind of just ends up taking on roles that fit their personality. Some responsibilities are assigned by age.” 

“But what are they?” Damian sounded frustrated.

“Well, the parents' jobs are to care for their children. They keep the family in order and make sure the kids are cared for.”

Damian nodded along. “Mother cared for me. Grandfather kept order.” Jason didn’t think Damian was ready to discuss how Talia’s care probably wasn’t what he meant. His grandfather…Bruce could take that one. 

Jason nodded and continued. “The older siblings protect the younger siblings, and the oldest sibling tends to act a bit as a backup parent that’s more lax in the rules. Younger siblings often annoy their older siblings but it’s done in a loving way.” Jason couldn’t help but smile. He enjoyed that role very much, thank you. “And all siblings tease each other, but the youngest is usually the one that gets teased the most.”

“I don’t like that.” Damian frowned.

“We’ll go easy on you.” Jason reassured. “Siblings tease to show they know each other, and it kind of makes you feel seen to be needled at, but it’s not for everyone. If you never want us to tease you then we won’t.” Jason shrugged. “It’s a common family behaviour, not a mandatory one.” Jason assured him.

“How does it work in this family?”

Jason thought about the question. 

“Bruce is the parent, and so he has certain responsibilities to the rest of us. He provides us with shelter, with food, with education, with safety and comfort, and is there for us when we need his help.” He wasn’t there for you. He let you die! Jason took a deep breath. “And, like every parent, he isn’t perfect. But, we can’t expect him to be because nobody is perfect. What he does do, is try his best.”

Damian nodded. Good.

“Dick is obviously the oldest brother.” Damian sat up a bit, giving Jason more attention. Huh? The kid has a deeper interest in Dick than Bruce? “He is the second in command when it comes to caring for the family. If Bruce can’t provide support, in whatever aspect it is that he is unable, it falls on Dick to pick up that slack. Dick is also the best of us to talk to about problems. He’s a good listener.” 

Damian nodded again. His head was tilted slightly like a dog trying to understand its owner. 

“Me. I’m the delinquent middle child. My current role is to care for Tim, and now you, because you’re my younger brothers. This helps take some pressure off of Dick if he can’t be there for you two. I also protect the family by being able to do the things that the rest of them can't or won't do.” 

Damian nodded. 

“That includes protecting my family members from each other.” Jason could tell from Damian’s tensing posture that he was remembering Jason’s earlier threat. “Tim’s been the youngest for a while. That means he’s had to deal with the most babying and worrying from the rest of us. It’s the youngest’s job to let the rest of the family fret over them. He’s going to be happy to let you take that role.”

Damian frowned and leaned forward again. “I don’t want to be babied.”

Jason smiled. “You get no say, I’m afraid. I had to deal with it too. It will mellow out when you turn 18.”

Damian’s mouth opened in shock. Jason was surprised to see him show so much outward emotion. “That is unacceptable! How has Drake managed?”

Jason shrugged. “You’d have to ask him.” Damian looked angry at the suggestion he speak to Tim. 

“Tim is also the best of us with technology and is on par with Bruce when it comes to planning, so he actually has a lot of responsibilities surrounding keeping us all safe on patrol.”

Damian didn’t seem to have anything to say.

“Like I was saying, you aren’t going to really have an assigned role in the family. You just be you, and the family dynamic will adapt to include you.”

Damian frowned. “It appears my role is to be belittled by the family and use my skills as a trained assassin to support the family’s mission to keep Gothamites safe?”

That is so not what I said.

“Not quite." Jason corrected. "Your role is to be extra loved and cared for by all members of the family because you are the youngest and we want you to enjoy being a kid. You can choose to use your skills from the league to help protect Gotham, but you can also just be a regular kid.”

Damian scrunched his nose. “I do not want that.” That was adorable. 

“Okay, then.”

“But there are rules I need to follow or I cannot be a part of the family. Father told me I must stop trying to maim Timothy, lethally or otherwise. You have said the same.” Damian seemed genuinely frustrated. 

“It isn’t very good for the family dynamic if you try to kill other members.” Jason said, deadpan.

Damian nodded. “How else am I meant to become Robin, then?”

“I imagine, when Bruce deems you ready, that you will be allowed to patrol with him. You don’t need the Robin title to do that.”

“But Robin is Batman’s partner.”

OH! I understand!

Jason nodded. “He is. It’s very possible that Tim will want to become his own vigilante as he gets older, the way Dick and I have, and the Robin title will become available to you. You can definitely talk to him and Bruce about that. But, Damian, you can also be Batman’s partner as your own hero too. He can even have more than one partner or more than one Robin. And just because Tim is closest to Batman as Robin, does not mean he means any more to Bruce than the rest of us. Dad isn’t lying when he says he loves us all equally.”

Damian nodded slowly.

“So, you’ll stop trying to kill Tim?” Jason asked.

Damian was still just a kid, and his hesitant ‘yes’ did nothing to convince Jason.

“I will not continue to try and kill Timothy.” Damian said in response to Jason’s unimpressed stare. 

“Or harm him in any way.” Jason said.

“Or harm him in any way.” Damian repeated.

“Good. Is there anything else?” Damian shook his head ‘no’. “Do you want to come downstairs or stay up here?”

“Can I stay a little longer? I would like to finish my crossword.”

Jason smiled. Finally, an easy question. “Go for it. I’ll let Bruce know not to bug you.”

Damian looked uneasy. “Must you tell Father?”

Jason nodded. “Sorry, kid. He has to know where you are. He’s been panicking for over an hour.”

“I didn’t mean to cause panic. I didn’t think he would notice.”

“I’ll let him know that.” Jason moved to start standing.

“Will I be in more trouble?” Damian rushed out. He looked worried. Scared.

“I highly doubt it.” Jason stood, “Fuck!” And hit his head on the ceiling. 

Damian laughed. It was a soft giggle, almost cartoonish. If Jason wasn’t currently in pain he'd be beaming at making the little demon laugh. 

“Well, in the future, if you need my advice come find me. This space is no longer my size.” Jason waited for the small Damian nod that he was becoming familiar with and made his way back down to the closet.

Chapter Text

Jason walked into the cave to see Bruce and Tim in the exact positions he’d left them. It was slightly eerie. 

Bruce was scanning the manor's camera's like he was watching a tennis final while somehow still managing to read the responses from hero colleagues and Gotham informants he'd reached out to for help.

Tim was sat in his own chair, typing away furiously at his computer. As the main victim of the demon child, it spoke to his character that he was still putting so much effort into finding Damian.

Jason walked up to the Bat computer and patted his father on the back. “Your baby bat is safe in the attic. We had a nice chat.” Jason smirked.

“What did you talk about?” Bruce asked. He looked visibly relieved. 

“Family, his place in ours, and the fact that he won’t have one if he doesn’t leave Tim alone.”

Bruce frowned. 

“I was a lot nicer than that,” Jason put his hand on his heart. “Promise.”

“You think he’ll actually stop trying to kill me?” Tim asked, hopeful but skeptic.

Jason shrugged. “I want to say yes, he seemed receptive to what I was saying, but League training is intense. He needs to want to change, and I don’t know…”

“You don’t know if having me as a brother is enough motivation to change.” Tim cut in.

Jason sighed. “I don’t know if being a part of our family at all is enough motivation for him to change. How can he want something he doesn’t understand?”

“We help him understand. We show him what he’d gain from being a part of our family.” Bruce said. 

There was a heavy pause in the cave. There were risks that came with letting Damian continue to engage with the family so freely, mostly to Tim. Bruce was asking a lot, but Jason couldn’t ignore that Damian being Bruce’s blood meant something. 

He’s giving Damian more of a chance than he ever gave you! 

He hates you for being a murderer! 

He’ll never love you!

That…that’s just not true. Those are lies. Bruce didn’t give up on me! I was a kid! He was bad at communicating with me. We were both bad at it. He’s trying to be better. He is better. He forgave me for what happened with Tim. He LOVES me. HE UNDERSTANDS!

“Jay? You okay, lad?” Bruce put his hand on Jason’s shoulder. Jason hadn't noticed him stand up. 

“Yeah, yeah.” Jason paused. Bruce waited. “Is it…is it different with Damian? Because he’s your real kid.”

Bruce looked like he’d been punched in the gut, or maybe even stabbed in the back. Jason felt the urge to scan Bruce’s body for injuries. 

Jason's words replayed in his head. “I didn’t mean it like that!” Jason clarified. “Poor choice of words! I just meant that he’s your birth son. I know we’re your real sons. I know, dad.”

It was still a work in progress calling Bruce ‘dad’. He knew he didn’t have to. Dick rarely said it to Bruce’s face unless he wanted something from the man, though he referred to Bruce as their dad all the time in casual conversation. Tim never used it unless he was injured, but he didn’t reject it when Bruce was referred to as his dad by other people. Jason just felt like it was right. When he called Bruce, ‘Bruce’, it was starting to feel like he was still keeping his father at arms length because he was afraid of being hurt again, but Jason didn’t want that for himself. If he got hurt, he got hurt. He’d been hurt a lot in his life and survived. He’d deal with the hurt if ever it came. Why refuse himself something he wants when he doesn’t have to? It was still much easier to do when they were having an emotional moment. He also struggled trying to call Bruce ‘dad’ when talking to his brothers. It felt like he was stripping himself naked every time. Like they'd see something he didn't want them to see.

Bruce hugged Jason before gesturing for Tim to come closer and hugging him as well. “You are all my sons, okay.” Tim and Jason nodded. “I love you all.”

Jason held his breath for the ‘but’ that he knew was coming.

“But,” There it is. “Yes.” Bruce sighed as he straightened from their hugs. “It feels different. No less intense, but different. I feel like I’ve already failed him by not knowing he existed. I can’t fail him again now. The responsibility I feel is stronger, but the love, that’s the exact same love I feel for the three of you.”

Jason didn’t know what to say, so he just nodded. Tim did the same.

“You said we would go back out after Damian was found.” Tim said to Jason, changing the topic of conversation. Jason understood. Bruce talking about his feelings with them was still pretty uncommon, even with all the work he was doing to be more attentive since Jason's resurrection, and it could be easily overwhelming. 

Jason huffed and grabbed the body armor he’d taken off earlier. “That I did. That I did.” Jason looked to Bruce once he was ready to head back out. “We’ll be back soon. Go talk to Damian. Alfred can take comms if it makes you feel better.”

Bruce nodded. “Be safe, boys.”

They left on their respective bikes with Jason leading himself and Tim back to the warehouse from earlier in the night. They made several stops along the way to beat up muggers. It was a good outlet for Tim's frustration.

“Here.” Jason handed Tim cameras and microphones. “Take that side.” He pointed toward the South end of the flat roof and headed to cover the North side himself. 

He was looking for gaps in the brick where the roof met the wall, or chips where he could make a hole with his drill or chisel. The holes could be on the roof itself, but there was more of a chance his cameras would be spotted if the ceiling on the other side was a light color or flat. Corners hid objects better. Holes in walls followed the same rules as holes in roofs. If Jason couldn’t find any good spots to get his equipment set up he’d have to do it from inside the building, but that wouldn’t be a tonight job, not with Robin joining him. 

Apparently, Tim didn’t get that memo, because when Jason turned around after setting a mic and camera up his little brother was gone.

“Fuck.” Jason swore and ran over to Tim’s side of the roof. He looked over the edge and saw four windows, all large enough to climb through, but only one of them was open. 

Jason attached his grapple to the roof and climbed down the rope until he was balanced on the window sill. He could see part of the warehouse interior. It looked like a lab, a janky lab with tetanus, but a lab. It had beakers, and those long tubes that dispense the liquid in small drops, and bunsen burners, and so so many vials of different coloured liquids. 

Jason frowned as he saw Tim holding one of the pink vials. “Tim!” He called.

Tim jumped but he kept hold of the vial and turned around to face Jason. He did not look nearly guilty enough for Jason’s taste.  

“Get the fuck over here!” Jason whisper-shouted. “I said ROOF ONLY. The fuck did you not understand?”

Tim rolled his eyes and went to put the vial down when the door to the warehouse opened. It shocked Tim enough that he misjudged the distance of the vial to the counter, and instead of gently putting the mystery liquid down, he shattered the vial and several of its mates by slamming them into the table. 

Jason growled in frustration, trying to mask his fear. Tim was wearing his gloves. He was fine. There was no skin contact. Probably.

“Who are you? Stop!” The man at the doorway yelled. For a second, Tim was frozen in shock staring at the mess he'd made. He snapped out of it quick enough and ran for the window.

Jason climbed up the grapple quickly with Tim right behind him. 

Jason grabbed his grapple as soon as Tim was on the roof, before the man in the warehouse could get near enough to try climbing it himself. He turned to assess Tim. He looked normal. 

“Tim?”

“I feel fine.” Tim said. “A bit anxious, but I think it’s just the shock of getting caught.”

Jason sighed. “Good.”

Tim pulled a small vial out of his Robin suit and collected some of the pink liquid still dripping off his gloves. 

“Let’s go.” Jason said as Tim put the vial away. He could hear the man in the warehouse trying to get to the roof by ladder. Amateur.

They grappled away and rode their bikes back to the manor with no more words shared. Jason was mad, and worried, and then mad because he was worried. There was a chance that whatever Tim was covered in was harmless, sure, but there was just as good a chance it was extremely dangerous and they just didn’t know it yet.

At the cave, they followed decontamination protocols. Alfred was alerted to the incident and took care of Tim’s bike while the boys both showered. Jason was probably safe from the pink liquid, but post patrol sweat had to be washed off too.

When Jason exited the cave change room he was ready to give Tim the lecture of his life. Instead, he was surprised by Tim tackling him into a hug.

“What is this for?” Jason squeezed Tim back before letting go. Tim did not. “Was it some kind of hug potion?” Jason said it teasingly, but his question was genuine.

Tim shook his head then let go of Jason. “Just felt anxious. Wanted a hug.” Tim shrugged. 

Jason quickly hugged Tim again, then held his shoulders as he looked him in the eyes. “Well, as sweet as that is, and I’m here whenever you want them, I'm still upset with you. I'm not Bruce. You can't just ignore my rules because you think you know best.”

Tim frowned. "I saw a chance to get important information on what they're working on in that warehouse. Why wait if we don't have to?"

"Because I said we would. I told Bruce I'd keep you out of trouble. How am I supposed to convince him to let you go out with me alone if I can't do that? If you don't let me do that?"

Tim's frown turned a lot more sincere. He moved to hug Jason again. "I'm sorry." He sounded choked up. "I wasn't thinking about that. I should have. It won't happen again."

Jason kissed the top of Tim's head. "Yeah, it will." He said softly. There was no anger in his words. "Just make sure you pick your moments more carefully."

Tim nodded and moved away from Jason to walk over to where Alfred had set up his collected sample for analysis.

Tim sighed. “It won’t be done for another hour. It’s already late. I’ll look it over tomorrow.” 

Jason was surprised at Tim’s choice to sleep rather than pursue an active mystery, but he wasn’t going to complain when his brother made good self-care choices. 

“Let’s go, TimTam.” Jason ran his hand through Tim’s hair before leading the way upstairs. Alfred stopped them. 

"I must heed the contamination protocols and examine Tim for any symptoms that could be cause for concern. The concoctions within that warehouse pose too many unknowns to be ignored." Alfred stared at their med-bay pointedly. 

Tim sighed as Jason pushed him towards one of the medical beds. Usually, he'd be the first to skip an after patrol check up, but not with Tim. Not if Alfred was insisting on it.

Thankfully, it seemed Tim's gloves kept the mystery liquid off of him, or it was harmless to begin with, because all of Tim's results came back normal. His blood still had to be tested, but Alfred okayed them to check the results in the morning with the pink sample. 

"Goodnight, boys. I'll be waiting up for Dick to arrive home. I expect you to be capable of sorting breakfast for yourselves and your family."

Jason smiled. "I've got it, Alf. Enjoy sleeping in."

"I will, Master Jason. I most certainly will."

Chapter Text

Jason woke up and the first thing he remembered was Alfred telling him he was on breakfast duty. It hadn’t really sunk in at the time how unusual it was for Alfred to miss a breakfast. He did occasionally. After long nights manning comms for Batman, or on his birthday. Not on regular nights like last night. 

He’d said something about waiting up for Dick? How was Dick not back by the time he and Tim were? And since when did Alfred wait up for Dick? He usually lived a whole city away; it wasn't like he was still dependent on the Cave’s resources. 

Jason then remembered Tim and the damn pink vial.

Then he remembered Damian trying to kill Tim. Twice, apparently.

Jason looked to his left and saw Tim asleep, facing away from him, lying on his side, drooling on his pillow. 

Jason smiled, then smirked, and poked Tim in the shoulder. Repeatedly. 

“Tim. Tim. Timmy. Timmy Tim Tim. Timmers. Timbit. TimTamalam. Timtintin. Timiel. Timsel. Ti–”

Tim rolled over to face Jason and covered Jason’s mouth with his hand.

"Shut. The. Fuck. Up." He groaned and kept his eyes closed. 

Jason laughed and Tim removed his hand to avoid Jason inevitably licking it if he didn’t. 

“You feeling alright, kiddo?” Jason asked, tone now serious.

Tim finally opened his eyes. “I feel tired. So…normal.”

Jason nodded and sat up. “Good.” He ran a hand through Tim’s hair. “Now, get up. We’re making breakfast.”

Tim sat up slowly and frowned. “I know Alfred said so, but why?”

Jason shrugged. “We’ll ask him when we see him.”

Tim nodded and stole one of Jason’s hoodies rather than go get dressed. Jason raised an eyebrow at his little brother's audacity. The little punk didn't even ask!

“What?” Tim asked, defensively. “It’s too early to get dressed, and it’s not like I’m going anywhere today.”

Jason huffed. “You know that’s not what I was getting at. What’s with stealing my hoodie without asking?”

Tim smiled and counted down from three on his fingers as he went through a short list of his reasons. “It’s comfy. It’s not like you would have said no. Dick steals them all the time.”

“I knew he was taking them!” Jason shouted. “He kept telling me Alfred was just slow on laundry these days, but I could remember putting some away myself! That–that dick!”

Tim snorted. 

Jason just shook his head at his brothers' thievery. Clearly, he was a weak man, because Tim was right. He was never going to say no. It felt too good to feel wanted by his family. Sue me.

Jason and Tim headed to the kitchen after Jason made Tim brush his teeth. 

‘No, brushing them after breakfast is not okay, because we both know it’s not gonna happen.’

Jason looked in the fridge, saw dozens of eggs, and decided he’d have his version of fun today. Everyone in the family liked eggs in different ways, and once upon a time, Jason had practiced the art of eggery under none other than Alfred himself. He wouldn't mind putting his old skills to the test.

First would be his favorite. Poached. They’d keep well in warm water after being cooked through and all he’d have to do is plate them when the other’s food was ready. They weren’t hard if you knew what you were doing. Some spinning water and a careful hand had them ready in no time. He even made extra for Alfred to have when he woke up.

Tim sat on the counter beside the stove and just watched. Jason didn’t mind. Maybe Tim would pick up on something. 

Tim’s preference was actually what came next. The freak liked his eggs fried in a pan, which Jason approved, but then cooked completely through. It was just weird. Just eat a boiled egg at that point! It’d be healthier.

He made some toast and pulled out the pre-washed fruits from the fridge, courtesy of Alfred. 

He handed Tim a plate with his eggs and pointed to the fruit and toast. “Eat.” 

Jason prepped the scrambled egg mixture for Bruce, and left it beside a pan so it would be ready to go when Bruce came down. He was probably already awake, but he tended to do WE meetings first thing in the morning and wait to eat breakfast with the rest of the family once they all woke up, at least that was the routine when they were all home.

Finally, he made an omelette for Dick. His older brother should be up soon, as it was nearing 10:30am, and wouldn’t think twice about eating an omelette cold anyway. 

It was Damian who arrived for breakfast first. Jason was honestly surprised the kid had stayed in bed so late. 

“Morning.” Jason said. “How do you like your eggs?”

Damian paused on his way to his seat. The one he’d chosen that was to the right of Bruce’s spot at the head of the kitchen table. 

“I do not know. I’ve only ever had them hardboiled, so I suppose I like that.”

Jason made a disapproving sound. “That won’t do. I’ve made poached, fried, omelette, and I’m about to do scramble. You’re trying some of each.”

Damian sat and looked as though he were about to complain before shutting his mouth. 

They started with the omelette. Jason cut off a bit of Dick’s and considered it justice for his missing hoodies. 

Damian hesitated before taking a bite. It had mushrooms, onions, and cheddar cheese. 

“I do not mind it, but I don’t like mushrooms.” 

“Me neither.” Tim said from his spot next to the stove. He had his breakfast plate balanced on his propped knee. “The texture is unnatural.”

Damian nodded.

Jason was a little bit in shock. Was that an amicable interaction between Tim and Damian he just saw? 

“The texture is quite literally completely natural.” Jason said, and gave Damian a fried egg next. A proper one with a crisp edge and runny yolk, not one of Tim’s overcooked monstrosities. 

“I do not like that one.” Damian said. “Too many textures.”

Jason supposed a proper fried egg couldn’t be for everyone. He was really starting to see Damian’s ten year old boy showing.

They tried the poached egg next. Damian shrugged. “I do not think runny yolk is a preference of mine.”

Yup, ten year old boy taste. He’s gonna love the scrambled eggs just like his father.

And sure enough, after Jason decided to make a small plate of scrambled eggs just for Damian, they were in fact his favourite. 

“Wait until you try them with these.” Tim walked over to Damian with a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of Sriracha. “Both are classic. I like ketchup more, but Dick swears by the Sriracha.”

Damian looked momentarily skeptical, likely remembering that he’d tried to poison Tim the day before and that this could be easy revenge, but went ahead and tried both sauces with his eggs. 

“Sriracha.” Damian said and nodded. His tone was so sincere and final it made Jason want to laugh. Instead he smiled to himself and set up the next round of toast. 

Chapter Text

Bruce came down for breakfast next.

“Good morning, father.” Damian said.

“Good morning, Damian.” Bruce sat down. “Jay, Tim.” Bruce kept his eyes on Tim. “Get off the counter, chum. You know Alfred wouldn’t approve.”

Tim pouted and walked over to his seat at the table.

“Thank you for making breakfast, Jaylad. I’m sure Alfred appreciates it.”

“What’s that about, by the way? Alfred said he’d be staying up for Dick to get back.” Jason asked as he started Bruce’s scrambled eggs. He was making extra so that Damian could have more.

Bruce sighed. “Dick had a grappling mishap. The line snapped and he fell.”

Jason turned to Bruce in shock. Tim was staring at Bruce with his mouth open and eyes wide. Damian looked upset. 

“He was able to control his fall enough to avoid serious damage, but he dislocated his left shoulder in the landing and needed Alfred to look it over. He pulled some muscles and will be on bed rest here for the next week. He also has a mild concussion.”

Jason turned off the stove and brought Bruce and Damian each a plate of scrambled eggs. He then brought the toast and fruit to the table as well and sat down. 

“Should I bring him his breakfast?” Jason asked. 

“That won’t be necessary, Master Jason. I will deliver his meal right away.” Alfred said as he entered the kitchen. “Thank you again for preparing breakfast. You did a wonderful job.”

Jason smiled. “It was no problem, Alf. There’s extra poached eggs for you on the counter.”

Alfred smiled in return. “I appreciate your consideration.”

“May I be excused?” Damian asked Bruce.

Bruce hesitated before nodding. “Of course, go ahead. What are your plans for today? Remember, no cave unless I'm down there and you need me.”

Damian nodded. “I intend to meditate and then finish organizing my bedroom. I will be upstairs today.”

Bruce nodded and Damian stood quickly. He paused to look at Jason. “Thank you for breakfast.” Then he left the kitchen. 

Alfred was about to head upstairs with Dick’s plate when the man himself walked into the room. He looked rough. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, likely because it would hurt too much to change into and out of with his shoulder, and it showed the wide bruise covering his entire left shoulder and parts of his torso. 

Dick looked at them with a confused expression. “Are the League of Assassins particularly modest, or like disapproving of nudity? Because Damian just looked horrified to see me. He froze and then ran away. He didn’t even say hi.”

“I don’t remember them having any weird rules about nudity.” Bruce said and looked to Jason. 

Jason shook his head. “I don’t remember anything like that either, but he may have just been freaked out because you look like you got hit by a truck.”

Dick smiled self-deprecatingly and sat down on Bruce’s left. Alfred placed Dick’s plate in front of him. 

"You were meant to stay in bed until I could check your shoulder and head again." Alfred said.

"Sorry, it's just so boring being on bed rest. I feel fine. Promise!" Alfred looked unimpressed. "I'll let you check me over after breakfast." Dick said, as though Alfred wasn't going to do that anyway.

Alfred sighed. “It will have to do. Do note as well that Jason prepared the morning meal today, we owe him our thanks.” Alfred said and went to put together his own plate. 

“Thanks Littlewing.” Dick smiled brightly and reached for the sriracha. 

Jason hummed in acknowledgment. He’d already eaten and was about to stand to leave when Alfred sat at the table and motioned for him to remain seated. It was rare that Alfred ate with them at the table. He usually ate his own meal before starting the family meals, or he’d eat after they’d all finished. Bruce had offered many times for Alfred to join them, but his professionalism was nearly unbendable. Jason felt his heart beat race at Alfred’s unusual behaviour. Was something wrong? Did Jason do something wrong?

“I believe that you should all review the results of Master Timothy’s blood test. I checked them last night and they are quite interesting.” Alfred said.

“What blood test?” Bruce said. “What happened?”

“Huh?” Dick said through a mouthful of egg.

“What’s wrong with my blood?” Tim asked, concern clear in his voice. 

“What does that mean?” Jason asked.

Alfred raised an eyebrow. “You will have to look for yourselves. We will all go down after we’ve finished with the meal.”

“You’re enjoying this.” Jason accused. "Being all mysterious."

Alfred smirked.

Mysterious bastard

Jason turned his gaze to Tim as he felt him shift his chair towards Jason’s. Tim looked stressed.

“Do not fret, Master Timothy. You are perfectly healthy.” Alfred said.

“I can’t have weird blood and be perfectly healthy!” Tim complained. 

Alfred gave no response as he ate his meal.

Jason put his hand on Tim’s shoulder. “Relax, kid. If something was seriously wrong you know Alfred wouldn’t be sitting here eating breakfast with us.”

Tim nodded and leaned into Jason. Poor kid. He needs a vacation.

Dick looked at Tim and Jason questioningly. Jason looked back with a comically innocent expression, eyes wide and head tilted in confusion. Tim seemed too caught up in his head to notice. Bruce had noticed their closeness as well, though it was clear in the way he was avoiding looking at them. Was it really that weird to see Jason and Tim being nice to each other? They’d been hanging out for like a month now! 

Jason decided to ignore them. “So, how’d your grapple fail?” He asked Dick.

“Line snapped.” Dick went to shrug and then winced at the pain. “I don’t know why. I replaced the line and claw just two months ago. I don’t abuse my grapple nearly as much as you guys do. It should have been fine.”

Bruce frowned. “I’ll look the line over, see if there’s anything of note. It’s possible you need a completely new grapple.”

Dick pouted. “I’ve been using the same grapple mechanism since I was Robin.”

“It may be time for a change, chum.” Bruce looked genuinely sad for Dick. Jason supposed Dick’s grapple machinery being from his time as Robin would be pretty sentimental to them both. 

“I believe we are fit to head to the cave.” Alfred said as he cleared their plates. 

They walked down together, Tim close to Jason, clearly anxious about his blood.

Alfred brought over the results as they sat and stood around the medical beds and handed them to Tim. 

“It appears you had a compound somewhat similar to fear toxin in your blood when you returned home last night. I would like to take another sample and check its concentration at the current moment if you don’t mind?”

Tim held his arm out for Alfred to take his blood without hesitation. “I don’t understand? I didn’t feel afraid? Definitely not like I was doused with fear toxin.”

“You did mention feeling anxious right after you were exposed.” Jason pointed out.

“I’d been caught in a creepy lab I wasn’t meant to be in by both you and the person who was using the lab, at least I presume that was who he was, of course I was anxious!”

“What happened last night? Don’t leave anything out.” Bruce said.

Jason and Tim walked the others through their night. They both silently agreed to keep the details of Tim beating the crap out of some muggers earlier in the night quiet.

“And you didn’t feel weird at all?” Bruce asked.

Tim shook his head. “Being anxious isn’t unusual for me. Sometimes it's better and sometimes it's worse. I just thought last night was a bit of a worse night because Damian had tried to kill me twice and I’d messed up in the warehouse.” 

“You weren’t clued in to the fact something was wrong when Tim hugged you after your shower?” Dick asked Jason.

Jason shrugged. “Not really.” Jason looked to Tim. He wasn’t really sure how much Tim would want his anxiety and his coping strategies talked about. There must have been a reason Tim never went to Bruce or Dick for comfort when Jason was gone. Jason went for a simple answer. “He’s my little brother. He wanted a hug after he had a scare on patrol and a long day at home. That’s not weird.”

Tim was sitting on a bed and looked like he was fighting with himself to say something. 

“How did you even get the fear juice into your blood?” Jason asked. 

Tim ducked his head. 

“Tim?” They all sighed. 

“Some of the glass may have punctured my gloves…and also my skin.”

“Tim!” They all shouted. 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Jason said. “You were going to go to bed without any check up or tests when you knew you’d gotten an unknown substance into your bloodstream?”

“That’s not like you, Tim.” Bruce said.

Tim looked like he agreed with Bruce. “It didn’t seem important at the time. I guess it was impacting me, because I remember when I was in the shower I started to get panicky. After I cleaned my hands, the cuts were so small they immediately closed up, and I was too focused on wanting to get to Jason to remember the cuts were ever a problem.”

“The panic attack in the shower didn’t alert you to the fact something was wrong?” Dick said. His tone was a little too judgmental for Jason’s taste. 

Tim looked defeated. “I…” Tim looked at Jason. His eyes said ‘save me’. Jason did the best thing he could do and moved to sit next to Tim. Hopefully, Tim understood that he wasn’t alone. Jason would have his back here. Though Jason didn’t think Dick or Bruce would react negatively towards Tim having anxiety, he could understand how hard it must be for Tim to talk about it. “I have panic attacks. Sometimes they have clear causes. Sometimes they don’t. They aren’t a notable thing to me.”

“Tim.” Dick said sadly. 

“Why did you never say anything?” Bruce asked.

“I was scared.” Tim said. His eyes were welling with tears. “I didn’t know how to talk about it. I didn’t want you to think less of me. I didn’t want you to resent me for it or ban me from being Robin.”

Tim was fully crying now. Jason rubbed his back. 

“Oh, son. I would never take Robin away from you over something like that. I could have gotten you help this whole time. I will get you help, if you want that?” Bruce came to stand by Tim’s side and put a hand on Tim’s shoulder.

“I’ll think about it.” Tim said. Jason would be pressing him to accept later.

Dick came over and gave Tim a hug. “I’m sorry you were dealing with it all on your own.” Dick pulled away. “I’m here if you ever want to talk about it.”

Tim nodded. “Jason’s helped a lot with it.”

Bruce and Dick once again looked between Tim and Jason with confused and surprised expressions. 

“You know I can be good with people, right?” Jason said, annoyed. Then he continued with a calmer tone. “I just tend to choose not to be.”

Dick snorted. “Understatement, Jay. Understatement.”

Even Bruce smiled. 

“I think being around Jason is why the toxin didn’t impact me much. I doubt it was made to be taken the way I did, it’s probably supposed to be used as a gas like Scarecrow’s, and I barely got any in the cuts either. A low dose in an inefficient form just made me a little extra anxious, and Jason helps keep my anxiety at bay, so everything seemed normal to me.”

“What about when you went to bed? Did it get worse when you were alone again, like in the shower?”

Tim shook his head. “I slept in Jason’s room.”

Dick’s eyes widened. “Oh!”

Bruce looked resigned. 

Jason…was confused. 

“I didn’t realize you guys were like that already.” Dick said. Like what? Friends? Course we’re friends. You don’t see me helping everyone with their English homework.

“I’d suspected something may be going on after you started asking to patrol together. You’re an unusual pairing, but I support whatever makes you happy. Just–”

Tim cut Bruce off. “We’re not dating!” Tim yelled. 

Jason’s brain felt like it glitched. “You thought we were what? What the fuck!”

“You just said you slept together!” Dick yelled back.

“Because Jason was afraid Damian might try to kill me again.” Tim explained. He continued talking but was much quieter and faster. “And, I used to sleep in Jason’s room when he was ‘dead’ because it helped with my anxiety and now he lets me stay in there when I need a safe space to calm down. It's why he'd so good at lowering my anxiety.” Tim said the rest shyly. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Jason and I already have.”

Bruce took a deep breath. “Alright. Good to be brought up to speed. Is there anything else you two would like to share?”

Tim shook his head ‘no’.

“I can’t believe you thought I’d date my little brother.” Jason said.

Bruce sighed. “Stranger things have happened.”

Dick nodded. “You used to be dead, dude.”

Jason…couldn’t argue that.

“I have your most recent results, Master Timothy.” Alfred moved toward them. “There is still some evidence of this new fear serum, though less than last night. I imagine you may still be feeling a bit extra on edge today. We will test again tonight and until your blood comes back clear.”

Tim nodded. 

“Have a written report done on last night’s patrol complete by midnight.” Bruce said. “I want this new serum catalogued properly. Tim, you're benched until the serum is out of your system." Tim nodded solemnly. "Jason, do you plan to continue pursuing this case tonight?” 

Jason nodded and pulled out his phone to check the most recent reports from his lackeys. He was constantly relieved he stopped trying to do all his Red Hood business alone, having other people to delegate to was so helpful. “I put cams and mics up last night. He found all but two after we left. My people have been watching and listening. He wants to switch locations but can’t do it quickly, too much stuff to transfer. I’d say he’ll be stuck based there for at least another day, but I’m worried he’ll move the most incriminating stuff tonight if he hasn’t already. The good news is he’ll probably take it home. I plan to follow him and confirm his identity.”

Bruce nodded. “Batman will be joining you.”

Jason frowned. “Batman was not invited, nor will he be needed. I thought he had a baby bat to watch.”

“Damian showed great progress in our conversation last night, and I trust that with Alfred, Dick, and Tim all home he won’t get into too much trouble. I don’t want you facing a man with Scarecrow inspired drugs alone. One wrong move and you could be in serious trouble Jay. I’ll stay out of the way. I just want to be nearby in case you need back up.”

Jason sighed. “Okay. But you need to listen to me. I’ve been researching this operation for over a week now.”

Bruce nodded. 

Chapter Text

Jason decided it was best not to go home for the day. Tim said he was fine without Jason, just a little tense, but Jason argued he didn’t have to be tense because Jason could just stay with him until he and Bruce had to leave for patrol. Jason suggested they work on Tim’s English assignment so that he wouldn’t feel like Jason was hovering around him unnecessarily.  

Jason had enjoyed helping Tim with his work previously, but today Tim just wasn’t engaging with him. Jason wasn’t sure if it was frustration with not being allowed out on patrol with Jason and Bruce later, or if it was the fear serum, or something else. 

“You’re telling me you read the whole thing but have no ideas for what you want to write about?” Jason asked.

Tim rolled his eyes. “That’s what I said.”

“I saw your notes in the margins. I know there were several ideas you found interesting. Why don’t you have any now?”

Tim hummed. He wouldn’t look at Jason. 

“I’m not going to just do the project for you, Tim. You gotta at least try. It’s a good story.”

There were two brown leather sofas by the side wall in the library, where the fireplace was, that faced each other. A small coffee table stood in the middle with a copy of Brave New World, and an English essay rubric. Jason was sitting on one sofa, while Tim sat on the other. 

Tim shrugged. “I didn’t like the book. And It’s not that I don’t have ideas! It’s that none of my ideas are what the teacher wants. I know I need to start the assignment, but can we just do it another day?”

“Tomorrow’s Monday. You should really have something started to work off of in class.”

Tim rolled his eyes. “People would never believe that the Red Hood is such a nerd.”

It was Jason’s turn to roll his eyes. “Being a good student is important. It shows discipline and that you don’t take for granted the opportunity you have to gain knowledge.”

Tim stared at Jason. “How are you the Robin I looked up to? You’re such a goody two-shoes.”

“I literally murder people.” 

“Yeah, but like, other than that, you’re so…good.”

“Why are you saying that like it’s a bad thing?” Jason said, exasperated. Maybe he should have left Tim alone today, for his own wellbeing. “Vigilantes are meant to be good at heart, or at least do good. We just do it in unconventional means outside of the law. Robin should really be the ‘goodest’ of us all by the way, being a kid and all, so I hope you’re living up to that.”

“I mean, I can’t match Dick.” 

Jason shook his head. “No one can.”

“But I try to be good. I became Robin to keep Batman from going too far and being bad. That was good. I don’t really have as much…enthusiasm…on patrol as you and Dick did, but I think I do alright at balancing Batman.”

Jason hadn’t meant to open this can of worms. “You do great, kid. You’ve been exactly the Robin Batman needed.”

Tim gave Jason a small smile. “Thanks.”

“No problem, now can we focus and settle on a topic for your English essay.”

Tim groaned. “It’s a depressing book that is depressing and makes me sad. There. Done.”

“You mentioned that your idea is not what the teacher wants. How do you know that?”

“Because she wants us to connect it to modern day. She expects to read about how Brave New World connects to how we in society today use our phones to avoid dealing with our problems or something like that, not about why the depiction of bred social castes made me want to call my parents and cry.”

That gave Jason pause. 

“Okay, first of all, there are way more interesting things in Brave New World to connect to modern day than the Soma. That’s like the least interesting part in that story. Huxley didn’t know what was coming when he wrote that. Second, tell me what’s got you in a mood? Is it the book or something else? You’re being a far more angsty teenager than usual.”

Tim looked mildly offended then sighed. “Both.”

“Walk me through both, okay?” 

Tim stayed silent, but it looked like he was thinking of what to say, not ignoring Jason. 

Jason looked around the room to give Tim time. It was a cool day, and Alfred had let Jason light the library fireplace. Jason loved how cozy it made the room, and how the warm pulsating light mixed with the popping and crackling of the wood, and the smell of the smoke all combined to make the room feel separate from reality. As he stared at Tim’s face, full of sadness and frustration, he wondered if Tim realized he only ever let himself feel when he was in rooms that felt unreal. That’s what Jason’s room was to Tim, a different reality, a place where the old Robin was still able to protect him. And this room, a reality of its own, separate from the rest of the manor in both purpose and design. 

Why did Tim need to feel separated from his reality to speak freely?

Or was Jason just overthinking it?

Tim was definitely overthinking something.

“Start with what’s upsetting you most.” Jason specified.

Tim moved his legs up onto the sofa and hugged them to his chest. He rested his chin on his knees and looked at the rug below them as he spoke. 

“I think the pink drug has just made me very generally anxious. It’s like I’m hypersensitive to everything. And I have this constant feeling, this urge, to run…from something, but there’s nothing to run from. It’s not what’s upsetting me most, I just think it’s the reason the things that are upsetting me are upsetting me as much as they are.”

Jason nodded. “Okay.”

“I’m mainly upset because I want to go on patrol with you and Bruce, and I’m mad at him for benching me, but I’m mad at myself for messing up on patrol with you, and then I’m even more mad at myself because I disappointed you.”

“You didn’t disappoint me.” Jason said, shocked that Tim would think that. Upset him, yes. Frustrate him, definitely. Scare him, no question. But disappoint? No. Tim could never disappoint Jason. 

Tim didn’t respond. “I’m just frustrated and mad and sad. Then this stupid book! I hate how it makes me feel. It’s…it’s…I don't know. It’s disturbing, maybe.”

“Why? What does it have to do with your parents?”

“You know how in the book all the people get designated class assignments. Like, some people are made to be in higher castes than others, but they are made to be happy with their caste, so the lower caste never thinks to be upset about their assignment as laborers and the higher castes never feel bad that their society literally breeds people to be slaves.”

Jason nodded.

“Huxley is trying to show how putting people in boxes like that within a society is wrong, but all I kept thinking was that it would be nice to just…be told what I’m meant to do.”

Tim looked up at Jason. 

“I don’t know what I’m meant to do. Who am I meant to be? I spend everyday planning and keeping myself busy so that I don’t have to think about the fact that I don’t know who I am. And I get so mad because my parents had me, and then wiped their hands of me. I’m mad that because of who they are I was born with status and expectations. I am a ‘higher class’ than other people. I hate it! I didn’t ask for it! They never taught me how to be a person, only how to be the Drake heir. I can look good at a gala, and speak well, but that’s it. I’m just a caricature of a real boy. Even Robin is fake. I’m just one of three. I’m not even the best one.”

Jason got up and sat next to Tim. He didn’t know how to help here, but he’d try. 

“I just wish I was made to be happy.” Tim choked on his next breath and leaned forward to cover his face. “I just want to be happy.”

Fuck. I need dad, or Dick, or even Alfred.

“Tim? Have you ever talked to anyone else about how you feel?”

Tim shook his head ‘no’. “It’s not normally this bad, I promise. It’s just been a hard two days.”

Jason could remember a night just over a month ago where a crying Tim told him he was sorry for existing. These feelings weren’t new, and they didn’t seem to be uncommon for Tim.

Jason rubbed his hands down his face and took a deep breath. He didn’t look at Tim. Similarly to how he approached Damian in the cave, he knew that being face to face might be too much for Tim. He wanted the kid to pay attention to his words and only his words.

“I’m gonna say it, cause it needs to be said, and I want you to take it seriously. You should talk to a professional about how you’re feeling, Tim. You don’t have to live like this. Talking to Leslie has helped me so much, and I know you’ve all noticed so you can’t say therapy doesn’t work or some bullshit. Bruce wants to help you. He can get you your perfect therapist. Just let him help you. Please.”

Tim’s eyes were glossy, but he wasn’t crying. He looked frustrated.

“I don’t want to talk to someone. There are so many people who have real problems and can’t find help, that can’t even afford help. I…”

“So help me Tim you say you don’t fucking deserve help, you won’t be going out on patrol until I see a full mental health evaluation for you signed by at least two professionals.”

Tim looked at Jason, betrayal clear on his face.

“You can’t do that!”

Jason felt his anger start to rise. Green was flickering in his peripheral. “Fucking try me. You can’t patrol if you’re not taking care of yourself.”

Tears started falling down Tim’s cheeks. “That’s not fair! You promised you’d never hurt me again! You said I could come to you with my anxiety! Now you want to bench me for it? You’re doing exactly what I was afraid Bruce would do!” Tim was yelling.

Jason had to take a moment to calm himself down. He wasn’t sure how much it was working. 

“I’m not going to bench you, Tim. That’s not my decision. But, if you refuse to get help and I see you aren’t improving on your own, I will tell Bruce, and I will recommend he do whatever he thinks is best for your safety. It’s not the anxiety itself I’m worried about, it’s your depression and frankly shit self-worth.” Jason was trying to keep his voice level, but he knew it was coming out with more anger than he wanted. He wasn't mad at Tim, he was mad that Tim didn't seem to care about himself. He was mad for Tim. 

Tim stood up. “Shit self-worth? Who the fuck do you think you are? You think you know me just because I cried to you? Don’t confuse the fact that you being my Robin makes me feel safe; with you Jason Todd making me feel safe! You’re still the man that tried to kill me.”

For the first time in a very long time, Jason saw full green. He’d had moments where his thoughts tinted towards it, but they were fleeting and easily pushed away, for the most part. This—this was full vision blanketed in green. It wasn’t anger at Tim, thankfully, it was panic, and pain, and rejection, and hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt.

“Jay?” A voice broke through his brain screaming at him, telling him he was dying, telling him he had to fight.

Jason registered the green, realized how bad this situation could become, and chose to run.

Chapter Text

Jason pushed the door open to his older brother’s room and slammed it shut behind himself.

Dick shot up into a sitting position from where he had previously been lying in bed. “Jason! What the fu—Jay?” Dick’s eyes squinted in concern. “Jay? Are you okay?”

Jason had his eyes closed, trying to focus on slowing his breathing and calming his mind, but he opened them to look at his brother. He felt another spike of hurt, rejection, hurt run through his body as he watched Dick flinch in response to the green hue of his eyes. He breathed heavier and closed his eyes again. 

“Dick,” he said, desperate. “Help.” Jason didn’t know what he wanted his brother to do, he just wanted the violent jumble of emotions in his body to stop. Dick had helped before, when he started following Jason on patrol, trying to get Jason to try spending more time with him. Jason hadn’t always been able to stop the green, but Dick would talk to him and snap him out of it. As time went on Dick would even hug him. It helped him feel like a real person, like Jason Todd.

“Are you feeling violent?” Dick asked, cautious. Jason heard him stand from the bed.

Jason shook his head ‘no’. “Everything hurts. Dick,” Jason whined his brother’s name. It felt like acid was running through his veins and he couldn't keep in his breath.

“I’m going to touch your shoulder now. Is that alright?” Dick said. Jason could tell he was much closer than before.

Jason nodded. He sighed and relaxed into Dick’s hand. Another hand moved to his hair and he melted. 

“I’ve got you, littlewing.” Dick said. “Let’s sit, okay?”

Jason nodded and opened his eyes as Dick pulled away. He saw one of Dick’s escrima sticks sitting on his bed before Dick grabbed it and leaned it against his nightstand. 

Dick noticed Jason’s hurt expression. “Couldn’t be too cautious.” He explained, face regretful.

Jason had been doing so good at not crying. 

“Oh, Jase. Come here.”

Dick held his arms open for his brother. Jason didn’t want to accept the hug, his brother didn’t trust him, but also all he wanted right now was the hug, and he understood, he did, he did, he was dangerous, they had to be careful. Jason wanted them to be careful. He didn’t think he could handle hurting any of them again. Fuck, I hurt Tim again.

Jason shook his head ‘no’ at Dick’s still open arms. Dick frowned.

“I hurt Tim.” Jason choked out.

Dick’s expression fell before hardening and he picked up his escrima stick again.

“What did you do?” Dick asked, voice cold.

Jason was speaking slowly through his erratic breaths. “I said I’d recommend Bruce bench him if he didn’t get help for his mental health.” Dick lowered his escrima stick a fraction and his eyes went from cold anger to suspicious confusion. “And–and I said he’d need an evaluation. He said I hurt him! He said I was doing what he was afraid Bruce would do.” Jason hiccuped. “I promised not to hurt him again. Dick? I hurt him.”

Dick dropped the escrima stick with a thump and pulled Jason into a hug.

“You’re okay, Jay. Breathe for me, buddy, breathe.” Jason tried. He sat on the bed as Dick dragged him down with him, neither letting go of the other. “I thought you meant you attacked Tim. We can fix this. Everything will be okay.”

“He said I hurt him! I hurt him!” 

“You hurt his feelings, but you didn’t mean to, and what I really think happened is that you scared him.”

“That’s worse!” Jason cried. 

Dick used one of his blankets to wipe the tears off Jason’s face, even as they kept falling.

“I think, and I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure Tim is scared to get help. Those feelings he has, of fear and hurt, at the idea of talking to someone about his mental health; Those are not your fault. You just want him to be safe and happy, right?”

Jason nodded.

“Good, and you will make sure he is. We all will. Taking away Robin isn’t going to help though. Being Robin means a lot to him, and you shouldn’t have threatened to take it away. But, he’s not mad at you, not in the way you think, I promise.”

Jason shook his head ‘no’. “He said I didn’t know him, said that just cause me being his Robin makes him feel safe doesn't mean Jason Todd isn’t the man who tried to kill him. He only likes me when I remind him of who I was. He doesn’t actually love me.”

“Jase, buddy. He was angry and emotional, he’s still got that serum in him. Don’t take what he said to heart, please. Let him cool down and talk to him again.”

Jason didn’t say anything, just cried into Dick’s hoodie.

“He’s also a teenager. I know we’d both take back a lot of the shit we said back when we were his age if we could.”

That calmed Jason down substantially more than everything else Dick had said. Jason would take back a lot of the shit he said as a younger teen, fuck, he’d take back things he said a few months ago. Maybe Tim really didn’t mean what he said? Maybe he does love me as Jason and not just as Robin?

Jason leaned back to look at Dick properly.

“Is that my fucking hoodie?” Jason said, voice nasally from crying.

Dick looked down at his hoodie and then up at Jason. “The zipper makes it easier with my shoulder!” He defended, accepting Jason’s move to change the conversation topic.

“You’ve been stealing them for weeks, zipper and no zipper. Was your shoulder fucked then? I think not!”

Dick smiled. “Fine, you got me! They’re comfy and remind me that my little brother is alive and well and likes to stay over at our family home. Sue me.”

“You’re so sentimental.”

Dick hummed. He wasn’t going to argue that.

“Can I stay in your room for a bit?” Jason asked, voice uncharacteristically shy. It reminded Dick of when he first met Jason. Most of him was understanding of why Tim snapped at Jason, he was hurt and scared and is still a kid after all, but part of Dick, the part of him that could remember the feeling of losing his brother and knowing he could never get back that time, never take back the words he said; that part wanted to go tear Tim a new one for daring to hurt Jason. That wasn’t fair, though. Jason did hurt Tim, horribly, and it kept Dick up some nights knowing that if Tim ever did ask for Jason to be kept away from him or kicked out of the house, Dick would make sure it happened. At least he hoped he would. It would be the right thing to do.

Dick wouldn’t entertain that possibility, though. Tim and Jason were on significantly better terms than he ever hoped they could be, one fight wouldn’t change that.

Dick patted the right side of his bed. “I hope you like silly pet compilations because that’s all my head can handle right now.”

Jason lied down next to Dick and made no comment as Dick started up the next video.

Jason let several play as he calmed down. 

“Is this really what you plan to do all day?” He asked Dick.

Dick sighed. “I was actually going to join you and Tim earlier, but then I remembered I’m not a nerd, and I have no desire to repeat high school English.”

“Well fuck you too.” Jason said.

Dick smiled. “My second plan was to try bonding with Damian, I heard from Bruce that you were actually pretty successful at that. At this rate you’re going to be the favorite big brother of this family instead of me.”

“Don’t worry. Tim doesn’t really like me, and Damian is only tolerating me because he sees my advice and tolerance of him as a useful asset.”

Dick frowned. “I’m not even going to bother correcting you because I know you know neither of those statements are true. You always were drawn to dramatics.” Dick sighed dreamily. “It’s nice to know some things never change.”

“I agree. It’s nice to know you still do your namesake proud.”

Dick laughed. 

“You know you’re a really good big brother, right?” Jason said. 

Dick’s laughter stopped abruptly. “Jase. I try, I do, but I’m not a great brother and I know it. I wasn’t there for you when you needed me, and you died." Dick's voice cracked. He took a deep breath. "I wanted to be there for Tim, but I’ve realized, I mean I’ve finally acknowledged since learning about his anxiety this morning, that I never actually tried to get to know him these last few years, not past casual friendship. I thought that giving advice and offering my help was enough, but really I was just avoiding inconveniencing myself by actually trying to be a meaningful part of his life.”

Jason sat up to face Dick better, and Dick did the same.

“You followed me on patrol, even after I hurt Tim. Why?”

Dick hesitated. “At first, I was mad. I wanted to see for myself what you’d become, and I wanted to fight you.”

Jason nodded. That made sense.

“Then, I watched you help the people of Crime Alley, and I knew my little brother was still there, under all the gaudy red armour.” Dick smiled.

Jason rolled his eyes. “Your blue race tracks aren’t exactly lowkey, dude.”

Dick hummed, unbothered. 

“I was, and still am, very upset at what you did to Tim.” Jason slouched. “But we’ve talked about the pit, I know you weren’t always in control, and I see how much you’ve grown.” Dick shrugged with his good shoulder. “I kept following you on patrol because I wanted to help. I wanted my brother back.”

“So, how are you not a good brother? How do you ‘avoid inconveniencing yourself’ when you literally started doing patrol in a city you no longer live in to try and see if I could be a better person again. You made sure you were there for me this time.”

Dick looked pensive. “Luck. Chance. I finally got it right. I don’t know what to tell you, Jay. I’m so fucking happy you came back to the family and that I had a part to play in that, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that I've been letting Tim down all this time.”

Jason pushed Dick back down on the bed so that he could lay his head on Dicks chest and hug him like a very oversized koala. He tried to keep the majority of his body weight on Dick's right side where there was less damage.

“You're right. Tim deserved better.” Jason said. He could feel Dick’s breathing stutter. “I guess we’ll just both have to do better.”

Dick moved his right hand to scratch Jason’s back. It was something he remembered a younger Jason mentioning his mom used to do for him. Jason didn’t have a lot of nice stories about his mom, not that he shared at least.  

“I don’t think being inconvenienced was why you kept your distance with Tim.” Jason said quietly.

Dick hummed.

“I think you were scared to get hurt again.”

Dick didn’t say anything, but Jason knew he’d been heard.

“You keep doing that and I’m gonna fall asleep.” Jason mumbled. He could feel Dick’s laugh through his chest.

“Go ahead. I’m meant to be taking it easy anyway, I may as well nap with you.”

Jason nodded sleepily.  

Chapter Text

Jason woke up two hours later when Dick pushed him off and to the edge of the bed.

Jason groaned in disapproval. 

“I have to pee, sorry Princess.” Dick joked.

Jason groaned again at the nickname and checked his phone, it was 3:48pm. He got up and stretched. He felt significantly better than when he came to Dick’s room. If he wasn’t so embarrassed letting Dick see him vulnerable he’d come to him more often. He was the Red Hood though, he was feared and respected, he was definitely not meant to need hugs and back scratches from his big brother to calm down.

It was different when he was actually losing his mind. It was like medicine in those cases. He needed it to be normal. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

“Where are you going?” Dick asked as he walked out of his bathroom to see Jason heading for the door to the hallway. “If you’re planning to eat, and you should, could you bring me something up?”

“I thought you were rejecting Alfred’s bed rest earlier?” Jason’s eyebrow rose.

“Turns out full body bruising takes its time kicking in everywhere.”

Jason could see now that he was looking for it that Dick was limping slightly as he made his way back to bed.

“Take your painkillers.” Jason said.

“I will, I will.” Dick waved his hand. “Get me something to eat so they don’t fuck up my stomach.”

Jason smirked. “As you wish,” He made his way to the hallway side of Dick’s doorway before looking at Dick and smirking, “Princess.” He quickly shut Dick’s bedroom door. He could hear a pillow thunk against it. His smirk became a smile and he headed down to the kitchen to grab food. 

“Damian?” Jason was surprised to see the kid sitting in the kitchen alone. Bruce or Alfred must be on cam duty. Jason double checked his ringer was on in case they tried to inform him of any newly poisoned kitchen items. “What’s up, kid?”

“I’m thinking.” Damian said. Jason could see that. Damian was staring at the tablecloth as though it’d give him answers to the problems evidently bothering him.

“Do you want something to snack on while you think? I’m making Dick and myself peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I bet you never got to have that at The League.”

Domain shook his head. “I had a peanut butter jelly sandwich once. I caught mother in a nostalgic mood and she offered me half of hers. She said it reminded her of a good memory.” There was a pause where Jason didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t used to thinking about Talia as a real mom. It was weird. “I would like one, please. Thank you.”

“No problem!” Jason said. He watched Damian as he assembled the sandwiches. Something was up with the kid for sure. 

“You wanna talk about what’s got you thinking so hard over there?”

Damian shook his head. “I would rather not, but I fear I must.”

“Okay…let’s hear it. What’s going on?”

“I am responsible for Richard’s injuries.”

Jason momentarily froze, his peanut butter knife hovering over the slice of bread.

“I’m going to need you to elaborate.” Jason said, calmly, but tense. He batted the green away.

“When I was looking for ways to remove Timothy, I thought, perhaps, tampering with his patrol gear may prove effective.”

Jason’s stomach felt sick. He breathed slowly. “What did you do? Did you touch anything other than the grapple?”

Damian shook his head. “The grapple was the only thing that could lead to serious injury or death in an efficient time span. I cut the line part way, enough that it’d likely snap after several uses.”

“How?” Jason said, disbelieving. “There’s cameras everywhere in the cave.”

“Not in the changing room. I went through all the lockers and found a grapple with an ‘R’ engraved on it. I assumed it was Timothy’s. I realize now, that was an ill drawn conclusion.”

“We’re meant to lock that shit up!” Jason closed Dick’s sandwich with more force than necessary for soft bread and fillings. It wasn’t like any of them but Bruce and Tim did, but still. 

Damian was looking down at his hands. He looked surprisingly remorseful. Damian was lucky that Jason was in no mood to fight with another brother today. He wasn’t gonna let the kid off easy though.

“Are you sorry you tried to hurt Tim, or are you sorry you messed up and hurt Dick?”

“Both.” Damian picked at his finger nails. “I am mostly sorry I hurt Richard, it was never my intention. I wish for him to like me. I am sorry I was trying to hurt Timothy, but I felt it justified at the time.”

Jason sat next to Damian and handed him a plate with his sandwich and a glass of apple juice. Damian looked at the juice and frowned. 

“Don’t knock the apple juice. It’s good!”

“It is for children.” Damian said with disdain.

“You are a child.” Jason replied. “And trust me, you want to be that right now, cause if you were an adult we wouldn’t be having such a nice conversation about how you tried to kill one of my brothers and instead nearly killed the other. I’d be bashing your face into a brick wall.” Jason smiled. It wasn't a kind one.

Damian took a sip of his juice, body tense and face betraying his discomfort. Good.

Jason let his smile drop. “Why didn’t you say anything about the grapple when we spoke in the attic? You agreed not to try and kill Tim, but then you let me leave, let me go on patrol with him, knowing what you did. How do you think it would have felt for me to see my brother fall, get injured or even die, when I was right there? When I was responsible for his safety?”

“I did not know for sure that Drake would be patrolling!” Damian defended. 

“But you knew it wasn’t impossible.” Jason countered. He kept his voice calm.

Damian looked pained. “I was scared. You all were already upset with me. I knew I should have said something. I knew it would be worse if the line broke and I hadn’t said anything, but I was just scared. I…” Damian’s eyes looked glossy with welling tears. “I just couldn’t. I told myself it wasn’t damaged enough to break during the first patrol and so I thought even if he did go out last night, I’d still have time to change it, or hide it, or tell someone what I did before his next patrol.” Damian paused to take a deep breath. “It’s so hard being honest.”

That kind of explained why Damian was sitting in the kitchen instead of his room. He must have been waiting for someone to see him and make him talk. 

Jason felt bad for what he was about to do.

“Did part of you still hope Tim would fall and get seriously or lethally injured? Be honest with me, Damian. I won’t punish you, but I need to know where your head is at so that we can move forward.”

Damian didn’t respond. He stared at his fingernails.

“Damian. Did part of you hope your plan might still work?”

Damian nodded. It was small, and quick, but it was there.

“Why?”

Damian shrugged. “Same reasons as before.”

“And I explained that getting rid of Tim wouldn’t make you Robin or a part of the family, it would do the exact opposite. Didn’t I?”

Damian nodded again. Jason watched a tear fall down his face. We’re almost done, kid. 

“I’m going to acknowledge the fact that you cut his line before we had our talk, okay. So I’m not furious with you, just moderately mad.”

Damian still tensed.

“Have you done anything else that could hurt Tim or another member of this manor?”

Damian shook his head. “No.” He whispered.

“Good. Do you plan to?”

Domain shook his head ‘no’ more aggressively. 

“Okay. Okay. That’s good.” Jason thought for a moment. “How are you feeling right now?” He asked.

Domain looked up at Jason, surprise and confusion on his face. Has no one ever asked him that before?

Another tear fell. Damian wiped it away with his hand quickly.

“I’m sorry. I feel sorry.”

“Guilty?” Jason clarified.

Damian’s nose scrunched. So cute! He nodded in agreement, though he seemed displeased about feeling guilt. It certainly wasn’t an encouraged emotion to have in The League of Assassins. 

“Anything else?” Jason asked.

Damian frowned. “I do not know what to call it. I feel cold, and lonely. But I am aware that the room temperature has not changed since I entered, and I cannot be lonely, you are sitting right next to me.”

Jason let his posture and face relax. He’d been hard on Damian to get the message through to him that violence against the family would not be tolerated, but now Damian needed some more gentle help. 

“Can I give you a hug? I think it might help.” 

“I do not need your body heat. I am not that cold.”

Jason huffed a laugh. “Those feelings you’re having, they’re physical manifestations trying to tell you to seek comfort. Hugs tend to help.”

Damian looked hesitant. “You want to hug me, but you are mad at me?”

Jason shrugged. “I can multitask. Just because I’m mad at you doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. It’s a common balance you need to hold when it comes to familial relationships.” Jason said wryly.

Damian took his time answering. “I think I would like a hug, if it’s no trouble.”

Jason smiled and lifted Damian into his lap, ignoring his quick squeal of surprise. “It’s no trouble at all!” Jason said. He wrapped his arms around Damian. It took a few seconds, but he felt Damian hug him back. 

He rubbed the kid’s back as he felt him cry and try to pull away. “It’s okay, kid. You can cry here.”

Jason and Damian sat like that for several minutes. 

“I really am sorry.” Damian said. 

Jason ran his hand through Damian’s hair.

“I know. I believe you. I know you’re going to do better now. Don’t prove me wrong about you.”

Damian moved to stare at Jason with his red rimmed eyes. “I won’t.” He said.

“Good. Now, you’re going to need to talk to Bruce, Dick, and Tim about what you did.”

Damian froze. Jason grimaced in understanding. 

“I know you don’t want to. I know you’re scared. But you have to, kid. You tell them what you told me, and you tell them you’re sorry and it will never happen again. All you gotta do then is prove that, okay? They’ll listen. They’ll forgive you.”

“What if they don’t?”

“That ain’t how this family works. You’ve only been here two days. We aren’t giving up on you that fast and we all know it takes time to change. There are limits to our patience and forgiveness, but you haven't reached them yet.” Jason made sure Damian was looking at him. “Don’t take that as permission to test them any further though. Kay? I wasn’t joking in the attic. You try to hurt Tim again and we’ll have serious problems.”

Damian nodded. “Do I need to tell Timothy? He didn’t get hurt.”

“He was the one you were targeting. You should at least apologise.”

Damian nodded reluctantly. “When?”

“As soon as possible. If you want me to come with you I can.”

Damian shook his head. “I will do it alone. It is my responsibility.”

“It’s okay to share those, so Dick has told me, the hypocrite. I respect your decision, though. I think they will appreciate you apologizing on your own. My offer will still be open if you change your mind.”

Damian nodded and moved back to his own seat.

Jason grabbed the two other sandwiches. “I’m going to take this up to Dick. Need anything else?”

“No, thank you. I think I will go speak to father, and then I will speak with Richard and Timothy tonight, after you’re both back from patrol. I do not want to be home alone with both of them while they are mad at me.”

Jason fluffed Damian’s hair and smiled at his bristling. “Sounds like a good plan. I’ll try to make sure Bruce and I are back at a reasonable time then.”

Chapter Text

Jason returned to Dick’s room, letting himself in with no warning to Dick.

“You know how to knock.” Dick said as he accepted his sandwich from Jason. “Thank you.” He mumbled through his first bite.

“You’re gross.” Jason said as he sat on the end of Dick’s bed. “Why would I knock when I know that me barging in here bothers you?” Jason gave Dick his most self satisfied smile. 

Really, Jason liked that Dick let him get away with it. He always had, back when Jason was Robin. If it really bothered him Jason would stop, but Dick never actually asked him to. 

“If I barged into your room I think you might punch me.” Dick said.

Jason shook his head ‘no’ and swallowed the bite of sandwich in his mouth. “I think I’d just be terrified at whatever was so urgent you betrayed your golden boy manners to get me.”

Dick considered it. “Fair.” He said.

“I think I need to talk to Tim.” Jason said after several moments of mutual chewing. “Probably best to get it done before I leave.” It’d be good for Tim to be in a better mood before Damian tries to apologise. That’s assuming Jason doesn’t fuck up his own apology to Tim and piss him off more.

Dick nodded. “You obviously mean a lot to him. Not just as Robin, but as yourself.” Dick made a disapproving noise at Jason’s disbelieving facial expression. “I’ve not been able to get a fraction as close to Tim in the years I’ve known him as you have in a few months.”

“We’re really not that close.” Jason said. Dick scoffed. "It’s true! I caught him in my room my first night back and let him leave without pressing the issue! I caught him again a week or two later and let him stay. We patrolled and hung out a bit after that. I thought we were friendly! I don’t know. Then he stayed with me two nights ago because he was stressed over Damian and again last night because I didn’t want Damian attacking him while he slept.” Jason shrugged. “I’m just not being an ass about how he copes with his anxiety. I almost killed him. If he wants my room he can have it. If he wants to think of me as his Robin, he can. And if he doesn’t want Jason Todd” Jason took a breath. “That’s understandable.”

Dick rolled his eyes. “Tim has come to me for help maybe a handful of times since I’ve known him, I’m not sure he has ever hugged me of his own volition unless it was in greeting, and he has certainly never wanted to sleep over in my room because I help him feel safe. You. Mean. A. Lot. To. Him.” Dick punctuated his words by shaking Jason by his shoulder. Jason noted how he didn’t use his left arm.

“Did you take your painkillers?” Jason asked.

Dick’s eyes widened. “That wasn’t remotely subtle dude.”

“Sorry.” Jason said sincerely. “I wasn’t trying to change the topic. I just noticed you’re barely moving your arm.”

Dick sighed and pulled a pill bottle out of his nightstand. Jason looked away as Dick took his medication. He didn’t like watching his family take any drugs, even if he logically knew they were needed and that they would be fine, it brought up memories of his mom that never felt good.

Dick moved his foot under the blanket to tap Jason’s knee. “I didn't say it back before, but you’re a good brother too. To me and to Tim and now to Damian. I’m proud of you, Jay.”

Jason felt his eyes sting. “Shut up.”

Dick smiled and handed Jason back his plate. “Go talk to Tim. I’ll be here becoming one with my mattress if you need me.”

Jason nodded and was about to stand up as his phone chimed.

He pulled up his newest message. “Fuck!” he swore.

“What?” Dick sat up. His body was tense, ready to get up and fight if he had to.

“The Scarecrow wanna be is at his lab. I need to go!” He looked at Dick. “What do I do about Tim? I don’t want him to think I left angry at him?”

“Let him know you’re leaving because it’s urgent, but you aren’t mad at him, and you’d like to talk when you get back if he’s up for it. And let him know that if he needs someone, me and Alfred are here for him.” 

Jason nodded. “Okay. Okay. Sounds good. See you soon!” 

“Be careful!” Dick called out the door as Jason left. “He didn’t even close it this time.” Dick mumbled to himself.

“Tim!” Jason called through Tim’s door. He didn’t want to open it without permission, and Tim hadn’t said anything when he knocked. “I’m heading out on patrol early, the man started moving supplies earlier than I expected. I just want you to know that I’m sorry and I’m not mad, okay. We’ll talk when I get back. Go to Dick or Alf if you need anything, okay? Dick told me to tell you that himself so you know he means it.” Jason didn’t hear a reply. “I love you, Tim. I’ll be back soon.”

Jason sighed and ran down to the cave, relieved to see Bruce already there. Damian was sitting beside him replacing Dick’s grapple line, eyes red but body language relaxed. Alfred was in the cave too, still analyzing the drug sample. 

“We gotta go! The suspect is at the lab packing shit up right now!” Jason ran to the change room to get his gear on, not waiting for Bruce’s response. 

Jason went with his full red face helmet. He took two guns, one with rubber bullets and one with real. 

He walked out to see Bruce fully suited up and explaining something to Damian. It hit him that this was his first time going out on patrol with just Batman since he’d been Robin. His steps wavered with the shock that moved through him. He was taken aback by the feeling of grief.

“If I may, Master Jason.” Alfred spoke from beside him. It made Jason jump. How the fuck did he get there? “I feel it pertinent to remind you that Robin is only a title, and it is not the title that makes the hero, it is who each of you is at heart. Your heart has not strayed as far as you fear, my boy.” 

Jason looked at Alfred, eyes full of pain behind his helmet, and yet he felt as though Alfred was seeing them.

“Do not feel sad at the title you no longer hold, nor for the boy you no longer are. You are still very much the person that earned it. Bruce looks forward to being your partner tonight, and as many nights as you let him.”

Jason nodded. Being Batman’s Robin may be behind him, but being a partner to Batman was still available. He hadn’t lost that part of his life for good. 

“Thank you.” Jason whispered.

“It is much appreciated, but I need no thanks for speaking the truth, nor thanks for caring for you boys.”

Alfred walked away without another word.

“Hood!” Batman called. “We’re taking the Batmobile. You can brief me on the way.”

Jason nodded and ran over. He got in the passenger seat, another first since his days as Robin, and felt the air leave his lungs at the familiar interior.

I am not the little boy that flew too high. I am not the little boy that died. I am Jason. I am Red Hood. I am ALIVE.

The sound of the Batmobiles engine did wonders for cutting through Jason’s thoughts.

“What’s the plan?” Batman asked. 

“We're not doing your usual Batman thing. We can’t beat the suspect up and leave him for the cops, I don’t know if there’s enough evidence to tie him to the lab or the people that have been tested on. I need to know more about who he is and how he’s running everything. Is he using his real name? Does he have help? What are his motivations? What’s his end goal?” Batman hummed to show he was listening. “We’re gonna observe the lab first. Hopefully we get there before he leaves. I’m then going to follow him home and hopefully get some answers. You’re going to watch the warehouse to see if anyone else shows up.” Batman made a displeased noise but Jason kept talking. “I want minimal engagement with the suspect or anyone else that is involved. If he has left by the time we get there we can infiltrate the lab and collect data while we wait for him to return and then commence with my plan.”

Jason looked to Batman for a response. 

“I don’t want to leave you alone.” Bruce spoke gruffly and quietly.

“We’ll be on comms. So will Alfred?” Batman nodded. “Good. I’ll give you both regular updates if I’m able, and I’ll tell you if something goes wrong.”

Batman turned his head and even with the cowl Jason could tell he was being given a disbelieving look.

“I will!” He defended. “This isn’t like when Batman stops by The Alley and Red Hood is combative, which is fair by the way because it’s embarrassing when your dad comes to your place of work. I have an image to maintain!” Batman made a sound that could be considered a snort. “or when you ask for help on a big case and I decide to creatively interpret your directions.” Batman made a decidedly more displeased sound. “This is our first proper patrol together, as partners, since…you know. I want it to go well.” Jason said the last part with as much sincerity as he could muster. 

“I want it to go well too.” Bruce said softly. “We’ll follow your plan, but if you get hurt I’m throwing it out the window and you’re staying at the manor all day everyday for the whole week.”

Now, usually, Bruce telling Jason what to do would piss him off, but basically being told he’d be wanted around the manor even if, especially if, he messed up, well, it made his heart feel warm and fluffy in a very not badass vigilante way. 

“I’ll agree to those terms.” Jason said. Batman nodded in acknowledgment. 

There was a comfortable silence as Batman drove down dark side streets and nearly abandoned parts of Gotham. It was too light out to take the batmobile on the main roads.

“So, Damian and the grapple?” Jason said.

Bruce sighed. “He could have killed them.” His voice was heavy with emotion.

“He could have. He tried to kill Tim. He wanted to.” Jason said. He kept his tone neutral.

“I’m surprised you’re not more mad. You seemed quite protective of Tim this morning.” Bruce responded.

Jason sighed. “I can’t exactly be pissed about something I also did. We both had The League influencing us, me in a bit more extreme sense but Damian was still raised in that fucked place, and we both targetted Tim because we were upset he was Robin. We just wanted different things out of being rid of him. I’m not happy with Damian, but I guess I can’t say I don’t understand why he did it.”

There was more silence. Neither knowing what to say. 

“I think he’s going to acclimate to the family just fine. He agreed to apologise to everyone.” Jason said.

Bruce grunted. “I’m worried that Tim feels I’m favoring Damian.”

Jason sighed. They were nearing the alley where they’d leave the Batmobile and grapple the rest of the way. 

“I was going to mention it before. I think you need to have a serious talk with Tim and clarify what he means to you. I don’t think he realizes that you care about him the same way you care about Dick and I. And now Damian. He knows you love him, he just doesn’t understand how much. I…I don’t think he believes that he can be loved that much.”

Bruce parked the car and turned to Jason. His eyes were sad under the cowl. 

“I will talk to him.” Jason nodded. He went to reach for the car handle but Bruce covered his other hand to stop him. “Thank you for coming home.”

Jason looked back at Bruce. 

“Thank you for letting me.”

They sat in the moment before silently agreeing it was time to get going.

It didn’t take long to reach a building roof with a good view of the warehouse, and thankfully it seemed the suspect in question was still there if the boxes outside and lights inside were any indication.

Jason double checked with his lackeys. “One of my men said it looks like the suspect is trying to get as much out in one go as he can. He’s been packing for over an hour now.”

“Is he using a moving truck?” Batman asked. His question was answered by a moving van driving up to the building.

The suspect left the warehouse to greet the driver. He seemed agitated. Jason and Bruce used their suit equipment to listen in.

“You were meant to be here an hour ago! I’ve been packing all this stuff on my own!” The suspect yelled. 

“I have a day job, asshole. I’m here now.” 

The suspect made a noise and pointed to the boxes by the door. “Pack it all up. There’s more inside. I’m taking the sensitive shit home. When I come back to light it up the building better be empty.”

Light it up? Arson or explosion?

Sensitive? Home?

“You follow the truck. I’ll follow the main suspect.”

“What if I’m too far away if you need help?” 

Jason hoped Batman was stronger than Bruce tonight. “I don’t plan to engage with the man, just confirm his residence and identity. I’ll be careful, I promise.”

Batman grumbled in displeasure but nodded his acceptance. Jason grappled to the next building and followed the suspect’s car.

“This is agent A, checking in.”

“All clear.” Jason replied. They were only two blocks away from the warehouse.

“Checking in.”

“6 blocks West. 2 blocks North. Exiting the industrial area. We’ve exited Gotham.” Jason responded.

“Checking in.” 

“I may have stolen a motorcycle. We’re headed toward the suburbs. I didn’t want to lose cover and my ability to follow.”

“Copied. Did you get the license plate so that I can pause stolen vehicle alerts.”

Jason repeated the parts of the plate he remembered and gave Alfred the location he got it. Hopefully whoever they were lived close to the mall they were shopping at.

“He’s pulling into a neighborhood. Cedar something. Passed the sign too fast, sorry Alf.”

“Are you maintaining distance?”

“I’m trying. I switched my helmet for the bike’s helmet so I shouldn’t look too suspicious if he's noticed me.”

Jason watched the car pull into a driveway. He drove past and parked down a separate side street of the neighborhood. 

“The man stopped at a house.” Jason gave Alfred the number. Maybe he’d be able to figure out where Jason was. He had a bat tracker in his suit thanks to Bruce’s nagging so probably. “I’m muting comms.” Jason didn’t give Alfred a chance to respond before running back in the direction of the house.

The man was pulling what looked like office filing boxes out of the trunk of his car. He was probably in his mid-thirties with brown hair showing light signs of gray. Maybe if you didn’t partake in the illegal drug trade you wouldn’t be going grey already.

Jason felt like a creep hiding behind large trees and hedges on the lawns of manicured suburban family homes. His jacket was covering his Red Hood symbol and the rest of his outfit really wasn't that dissimilar to what a cautious motorcyclist would wear, but it was hitting Jason that this wasn’t really the type of neighborhood that saw many motorcyclists. 

He finally made it to the side of the house in question, a convenient tree keeping him hidden. He was pretty sure it was a type of cypress. He remembered Alfred correcting him when he’d called the ones on Wayne Manor “rich people trees”. Turns out anyone could have one, the money was in maintaining them. Whoever this man was, Jason was thankful he didn’t seem to have the money because the tree was much better coverage overgrown and bushy. 

He waited until the man closed his front door before approaching the car. He didn’t touch it, not wanting to set off any alarms. He wrote down the make, model, plate number and notable scratches or bumps. Looking through the windows showed him the car was empty.

Next, he looked through the house’s windows. The kitchen was empty and looked normal, though Jason didn’t like the blue accents. It was weirdly coastal. The living room was also empty. There was a window into the basement at the back of the house but he couldn’t see through. The back of the house also had larger tinted windows on the second floor so he stayed close to the wall to remain out of sight. The other side of the house had a window into an office. He could see the boxes but no man. 

He was about to leave when a muffled sound caught his attention. It sounded like it was coming from back behind the house. Jason ran towards it. There was no one there? 

“Help! Help!” The basement?

Jason returned to the basement window but he still couldn’t see. 

Jason turned his comm off mute. “Agent A.”

“Listening.”

“I believe there is a victim being held in the suspects home. I am going to investigate.”

“Do not!” Alfred said sharply. “Not without backup.”

“Someone is being hurt.” Jason spat. “I can’t do nothing.”

“Nothing is exactly what you are going to do. I’ve contacted the authorities. Turns out they were already on their way to the location. Your suburban prowling did not go unnoticed."

Alfred found out just how right he was, because it was that moment a canister came falling from the windows above. 

“Fuck.” Jason said as he got hit with pink gas. He hadn’t put his helmet back on, he had no filtration system on him. 

He screamed.

He fell to knees, limbs numb, and screamed.

He fell over on his side, clawed at the grass, and screamed. 

I’m dying. 

I’m alone.

Jason screamed.

Batman won’t get here in time.

He won’t get here in time.

He screamed.

Where’s my dad?

He cried and groaned, rolling in agony over the grass.

Why doesn’t dad love me?

Why am I alone?

Jason clawed the ground again. Dirt?

NO! 

NO! 

He screamed.

Not again!

“Dad!” Jason yelled. “Dad! Please! I can’t. I can’t breathe. Dad!” Jason choked on his own yell. Air wasn’t entering his lungs. He was drowning in dirt.

“Dad, please,” he whispered. “Please.”

Chapter Text

Jason woke up in the cave. He was lying on one of the medical cots. Oh fuck.

Jason looked over and saw Bruce. He was filling out some sort of paper work. “Dad?” Man, my throat hurts.

Bruce put down the papers immediately and pulled Jason into a hug. Jason relaxed into it without hesitation. 

“What happened? I remember walking up to the house but that’s it.” Jason’s throat felt scratchy.

Bruce handed Jason a glass of water and sat on the edge of Jason’s bed, keeping a hand on Jason’s ankle.

“You've been out for about an hour. There was a man being held in the basement of the house. Homeless from The Alley. He saw you through a window and yelled for help. The suspect heard him, saw you, and hit you with the same chemical compound Tim had in his blood. Except, you got the full aerosolized dose.” Bruce paused. “You…you were yelling. It triggered a panic attack. A really severe one. I got to you quickly and drove back to the cave. Alfred had synthesized an antidote earlier from Tim’s sample. We’re lucky it worked.” Bruce squeezed Jason’s ankle like he was reminding himself that Jason was real. “The victim told the police he was kidnapped a block away from the warehouse. The suspect had been using him as a guinea pig. He didn’t say anything about you, don’t worry. He told them he managed to escape and that’s who the neighbours saw wandering around, but he got caught and he was the one yelling.”

Jason raised an eyebrow in silent question.

Bruce smiled. “When Batman frees you, you don’t hesitate to do him a favor.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Neighbors never suspected anything with all the yelling coming from the guinea pig?” 

“The preliminary report says that when questioned only one neighbor could recall hearing the yelling, and she had asked about it but was told he was a horror movie buff.”

Jason snorted. “Fuck. That easy?”

Bruce sighed. “That easy.”

“How’d you get to me before police?”

Bruce looked sheepish.

“I was only six minutes away when Alfred told me something went wrong. I made it in three.”

Jason stared at him in confusion.

“I had a bad feeling about letting you out of my sight,” Bruce defended. “When Alfred said you were headed out of Gotham, that was just too far for my comfort. I put a tracker on the van and had Dick monitor it on the street cameras from his room. I sent an anonymous tip to the police. They found it twenty minutes ago.”

“Dick has a concussion!” 

“It was not going to be worsened by watching cars drive anymore than by watching puppies play with kittens. I tried asking Tim, but he didn’t respond to my message.”

“What?”

“Alfred told me you two got into a fight. Tim came down to get his blood checked again after we left. The toxin is gone, thankfully, but Alfred wasn’t happy with his blood pressure so he explained what happened. I assumed he’d gone to bed early after that, or he’s ignoring everyone. It’s not unusual behaviour for a teenager.”

“Mm” Jason said. He didn’t want Tim isolating himself. It wasn’t good for his anxiety. “I’m glad he’s free of that stuff.”

“Do you remember what you were experiencing at all while you were hit?”

Jason tried to think. “I remember feeling scared…and wanting you.” He said quietly. His breath hitched suddenly. “I think I remember digging at the ground.”

Bruce grabbed Jason's hands. “I cleaned the dirt out of your nails myself. I couldn’t stand the idea of you waking up and seeing it.”

Jason felt his eyes well a bit. “Thanks.”

Bruce smiled in understanding.

“I can’t believe you took the batmobile into the suburbs.” Jason said to break the somber atmosphere.

“I didn’t, actually. Would have taken too long to go back for it and it would have caused a scene. I stole a car.”

Jason’s eyes widened and then he burst out laughing.

Bruce rolled his eyes. “Batman can commit grand theft auto to save his child.”

“You didn’t even know I was in danger yet!” Jason leaned forward and hugged Bruce. “I can’t believe I’m happy you ignored me.”

Bruce kissed the top of Jason’s head. “You don’t know how many times I’ve had that very same thought about you kids. Robin’s always a menace.”

Jason chuckled as he pulled away. “Yeah. I didn’t think Tim was at first, but then I got to know him better.

Bruce gave him a look that said, ‘I know, right?’

“On the topic of Tim. Can I leave the cave? I need to apologize for earlier.” 

Bruce nodded. “You’re fully recovered. There’s no more trace of the toxin in your blood. I don’t know what you and Tim fought about, but I’m sure you’ll be just fine.”

Jason gave Bruce another hug as they stood up. “Thank you for saving me. Thank you for being here for me.”

Bruce hugged him tighter. “You never have to thank me for that.”

“I’m sorry I fucked up.” Jason whispered.

Bruce ran his hand through Jason’s hair and kissed his head again. 

“You made some mistakes, but it was because you wanted to help. I can’t be mad at you for that. We are going to be reviewing the suburbia training protocols though.”

Jason groaned. 

“Hearing you scream like that, Jay.” Bruce squeezed him together. “You don’t know how much that hurt me. No more going off alone, okay? Not so far that no one can get to you in under five minutes.”

Jason felt a small bead of anger trying to push its way to the surface. He didn’t want Bruce telling him what to do! He was an adult! He could take care of himself! 

Except, he couldn’t. He’d fucked up tonight. 

His dad saved him.

Jason nodded against Bruce’s chest. “That’s insane and you know it, but for the next few weeks, fine. Then I’m relaxing it! And I’m still doing Alley patrols alone!”

Bruce sighed. “It will have to do. Batman can get to the Alley in under ten minutes if he has to.”

“You’re impossible.” Jason said. 

Bruce hummed and continued to stroke Jason’s hair until Jason pulled away. 

“I’m going to go shower and then check on Tim and go to bed.”

“I’ll be finishing up the report.” Bruce picked up the papers from before and handed Jason a lozenge. Orange? Awesome!

Jason’s shower was quick. He wanted to see Tim as soon as possible.

“Tim? Are you awake? Can we talk?” Jason knocked on Tim’s door. There was no reply.

Feeling disheartened, Jason went to his own room to go to bed. It was earlier than usual but it’d been a long day. 

He opened his door and was hit with deja vu. There was a Tim in his bed, and he was crying.

“Timmy?” Jason said softly and came to sit next to Tim. Tim rolled over to face Jason but wouldn’t look at him.

“Kiddo,” Jason ran his hand through Tim’s hair softly. “How can I help here? What’s wrong?”

Tim sobbed harder and moved to hug Jason's waist.

“Okay, okay. Hugs it is. I won’t say no to that.”

Jason helped Tim sit up and hugged him properly. 

“I’m sorry.” Tim said. 

“I’m sorry too.” Jason replied. 

“I didn’t mean it.” Tim cried “I forgive you for what you did. I do! And you do know me. You do make me feel safe. Jason Todd makes me feel safe. It was so mean of me to say otherwise. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Tim was near hysterics, and Jason was getting concerned. As much as he appreciated the apology, and he really did, this was not healthy.

“Tim, kiddo. Sweetheart. I need you to breathe for me. Okay? Everything is okay. I’m not mad at you. I forgive you. I love you. You couldn’t say anything that would change my mind on that, okay?”

Tim nodded as he tried to slow his breathing. Jason rubbed his back. “Promise?” Tim whispered.

“I promise, Tim. There’s nothing you could do to make me not love you. You’re Tim Drake. You’re amazing.”

Tim sobbed. 

“Kid,” Jason's voice came out distraught. “Tim.” Jason didn’t know what to say. Now wasn’t the time to address Tim’s self esteem. It would only make him more upset right now. “You’re okay. Everything is okay.” Jason repeated.

Tim nodded though his tears kept falling.

Most of Jason was heartbroken at Tim’s clear distress, but a smaller part of him couldn’t believe he was being cried on by one of his little brothers again. He’d have to thank Alfred for getting the tear stains out of all his shirts.

“How’re you feeling?” Jason asked when Tim’s breathing settled. 

“My head hurts.”

“Drink some water.” Jason said. Tim groaned and moved away to grab his glass off the side table. “How long were you in here alone?”

“Since we fought. I felt bad immediately and wanted to apologize, but I couldn’t find you, so I decided to stay here. I heard when you left. I’ve been crying on and off. I really am sorry.” Tim’s eyes got wet again.

“I know.” Jason said. “I believe you. But, Tim, you were kind of right.”

Tim made a sound of disagreement and Jason held up his hand to stop him. 

“I did try to kill you, and however much I regret it, and I would never think to hurt you intentionally ever again, it doesn’t change that I did it and that it has affected you. However that makes you feel about me is valid, and it can change. I also won’t ever give you an ultimatum again, not seriously or jokingly. That wasn’t fair. I won’t ever threaten to take away Robin, either. I’m just scared that you’re hurting yourself by not getting help, and I want to keep you safe. That’s why I said what I said.”

Tim stayed quiet for a moment. “You help.” He said quietly.

Jason felt his own eyes water. “I’m really glad. I’m sorry I hurt you today.”

Tim shook his head. “You didn’t. You just made me mad. And being benched feels painful.”

“I’d like to talk about that sometime. When you’re up for it.”

Tim hesitated before nodding. 

“Also,” Jason took a moment to organize his thoughts. “I want us to be on the same page about something.”

Tim nodded, though he was tense.

“You mentioned before that it sometimes feels like the Red Hood, Jason Todd, and my Robin are three different people, and sometimes I feel that way too, but they aren’t.”

“You explained that before.” Tim said. “You said you’re not Robin anymore, and that Red Hood is better, and Jason Todd is my big brother.”

Jason nodded. “When you feel comfortable around me, do you see me as Jason, or as Robin.”

“Jason!” Tim said quickly. That's good to hear, actually.

“When you come to my room. Is it for Jason or Robin?”

Tim looked guilty. 

“I won’t be mad.” Jason said.

Tim shrugged. “It depends. Your room has always felt safe to me because it was Robin’s room.”

“And that’s the instinctual comfort you seek out because it’s what you’re used to.”

Tim nodded his agreement. 

“I’m not going to tell you to stop coming in here for Robin’s support, but I want you to work on accepting that my Robin, the Red Hood, and Jason Todd are the same person now. And they all love you. Okay?”

Tim nodded. “Okay.”

“Awesome.” Jason smiled. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”

Tim shook his head.

There was a knock at Jason’s door that startled them both.

“Come in?” Jason called, confused.

The door opened slowly and Damian poked his head in. His eyes froze on Tim.

“Hey, kiddo. What do you need from me?” Jason tried to keep his voice light. Putting Damian on edge would be bad.

“I was going to inquire about Drake’s whereabouts. I did not realize you two were close in such a manner.”

Tim rolled his eyes and sighed. “We’re not dating!”

Jason had to sigh too. “Sometimes brothers have sleepovers because it’s fun or comforting or both. Tim likes to sleep over in my room sometimes.”

Damian nodded. 

“Why were you looking for me?” Tim asked. He had moved closer to Jason, uneasy with Damian so close.

Damian looked uncomfortable before straightening his posture and relaxing his face. “I wanted to apologise. It was wrong of me to try to injure you. I was the reason Richard got injured. I had cut the line falsely believing it was your grapple. I wish to make amends and start over.”

Jason was hoping for something with a bit more sincerity, but he supposed it wasn’t the worst apology he’d ever heard.

Tim’s breathing stuttered. “You cut my grapple?”

“I cut Richard’s grapple.” Damian said slowly.

“But you meant to cut mine?”

“Yes, but I regret it. It was wrong to do. I also no longer wish to harm you.”

Tim took a deep breath. “Okay,” he said hesitantly. “I appreciate your apology. If you continue with not trying to hurt me I guess I can forgive you. It will take time though. I really don’t feel safe knowing you’ve tried to kill me three times.”

Damian nodded and took a noticeable breath. “That is logical. I understand. I will work to earn your forgiveness.” He seemed done with speaking, but wasn’t leaving the doorway. 

Jason assessed him closer. 

“Damian, are you okay?” His eyes were red and he was fidgeting. It was minute, barely moving his fingers against each other, but he was.

Tim tensed next to Jason.

Fuck. Damian needs help but Tim probably doesn’t want Damian in the room. Can I leave Tim alone?

Jason looked over at Tim and could see unease in his eyes. He put his arm around Tim to remind him that he was still there. 

“Damian?” Jason said.

“I feel bad.” Damian’s voice sounded fragile, like potential tears were scratching at it.

Jason looked to Tim again, desperate to get some indication of how to proceed. He really didn’t want to make Tim uncomfortable, but how could he avoid it and help Damian. He couldn’t not help Damian!

Tim was looking at Damian curiously. 

“Jason’s really good at helping with that.” Tim said.

Thank fuck.

Jason was taking that as permission to let Damian into the room. He’d just have to check on Tim regularly. 

“You can come sit with us.” Jason said. “You can talk about what’s going through your head? Or I can go talk with you somewhere else if you’d like to speak alone?” 

Damian looked at Tim again.

“I want to help too. I won’t judge. I don’t like that you wanted to hurt me before, but if you really mean to start new, and…not do that, well, I’m your big brother too. I’m here if you need me.” Tim said.

Jason’s heart melted.

Damian entered the room and closed the door behind him. Jason gestured for him to sit next to him and Damian did.

“Okay, tell us what’s got you feeling bad.”

“Richard did not forgive me either.”

That genuinely took Jason by surprise.

“What?” Tim said. Shocked himself.

Damian sniffled. “He said he understood that injuring him was an accident, but he can’t forgive me for letting Timothy go out when I knew the grapple was sabotaged. He said he’d talk to Timothy about it. He said,” Damian started crying. “He said he is not going to consider me a member of this family until everyone else does. I thought he loved me already?”

Dick may have taken our conversation about being there for Tim more, to a bit of an extreme.

“I will forgive you, Damian. I just need to see you aren’t going to try to hurt me again, or hurt the others.” Tim said.

“I won’t!” He looked at Tim. “I promise!”

Tim nodded. “I think I believe you. I’ll talk to Dick. He’ll forgive you.” Tim said.

“I agree with Tim. Dick is super understanding. He’ll forgive you. And he does love you, he does.”

Damian shook his head. “I never wanted him to hate me. He is The First Robin. He is the First Son. He is to Father what I was meant to be.” Damian shook his head. “I wanted him to approve of me.”

Jason opened his right arm to Damian. “Come here, kid.” 

Damian curled up next to Jason and accepted the hug.

“Just keep being your best and he’ll come around. Promise.” Jason said.

Damian nodded. 

It seemed the stress of the day and all the emotions really tired Damian out, because it only took a few minutes for him to fall asleep. Jason hadn’t even turned his lamps off yet.

Jason sighed. He wasn’t going to be getting any sleep with Damian and Tim sleeping in the same room. He truly believed Damian wanted to make amends, but he wasn’t going to take unnecessary risks. 

“Sleep, Tim. I’ll stay up, don’t worry.”

Tim shook his head. “I can go to my room. I don’t think he wants to hurt me anymore anyways.”

“Do you want to go to your room? Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”

Tim hesitated. 

Jason smiled softly. “Sleep.” he patted Tim’s pillow. Tim relented and turned the lights off before lying on his side of Jason’s bed. 

Jason decided the best way to pass the time would be to read up on the police reports of the wanna be Scarecrow case. There wasn’t much. He was just starting to sort through some of the messages his lackeys had sent when there was a quiet knock on his door.

Okay? What the fuck?

“Come in.” He said at a normal volume. He didn’t want to wake the boys and it should be loud enough for whoever was standing at his door.

Jason wasn’t as surprised as he wanted to be to see a teary eyed Dick Grayson standing in his doorway. The relief on his face when he saw Damian was obvious.

“I feel bad.” Dick said. Ain’t that funny?

“So does he.” Jason said. “Why were you so mean to him?”

“I didn’t think I was!” Dick whisper shouted. “I said I wasn’t the one that could give him forgiveness. It was Tim he’d wanted to hurt, and that he’d have my forgiveness when he got Tim’s.” Okay, that wording is much better.

“He said that you said that you wouldn’t consider him family until everyone else did!” Jason whisper shouted back. “That was a bit far. He thinks you don't love him.”

Dick looked distraught. “I wanted to get it through to him that Tim is important to me! I realized later that I should have clarified that I still care about him but he wasn’t in his room. Then I panicked thinking that I hurt him and he ran away.” That explains the red eyes. “I wanted to check everywhere before telling Bruce. I thought maybe you’d seen him since he likes you more than me. Looks like I'm right about that.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “No, you're not. You’re his idol, idiot. You’re everything he wishes he was. Original Robin, Bruce’s oldest son, loved and accepted by the family. More probably. He wants your approval more than any of ours.”

Dick looked taken aback. 

Damian sat up a bit and looked at Dick with clear anxiety in his eyes. Jason was pretty sure the kid had started waking up when Jason asked Dick the first question.

“Oh, Dami. I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to make you think I don’t love you.” Dick moved to sit next to Damian. They were all so lucky Jason’s bed was a king sized mattress. Thank Bruce for his extravagant choices for a child's bedroom. 

Damian started tearing up again and Dick didn’t hesitate to hug him.

“I’m sorry. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. I forgive you for that. I just want to make sure Tim forgives you too, okay? I want you both to be comfortable with each other.”

Damian nodded. “I understand. I messed up. I need to fix it. You can’t choose me over your real brother.”

Dick felt his heart shatter. Jason felt similarly. Damian is our real brother. It's just complicated. Tim was the priority, what with not trying to kill anyone else in the family. 

“We’re all brothers.” Tim spoke up. “I still need time, but you’re doing a really good job, Damian. I trust you a lot more now that I know you really do feel bad.”

Damian looked hopeful. 

Dick stroked Damian’s hair. “Tim’s right. We’re all brothers. I’m sorry for telling you we weren’t. You are my family.”

Damian moved to look at them all.

“I understand. To be a part of a family means you can’t keep hurting other members of the family. If you do, you cannot be family any more. It makes sense. It is not very League, but I think I like it more.”

Jason’s door opened again. His eyes widened. Really? Was he that popular?

“I just came to check how you were doing after getting hit by the panic gas, I see they’ve got it covered.” Bruce smiled. 

“You got hit with the pink stuff?” Was yelled at him from his brothers. Well, Tim and Dick yelled. Damian looked confused. 

“Panic gas? Pink stuff?” Damian asked.

“There was a Scarecrow wanna be, you know who Scarecrow is?” Damian nodded. “Well, this copy cat was near my territory and I got hit with some of his stuff tonight, but he’s caught and Alfred thankfully had an antidote ready so I’m fully recovered.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t say anything?” Tim said.

“There were more urgent matters.” Jason replied. 

Dick rolled his eyes. “And you call me a martyr.”

“I am glad you are alright.” Damian said.

Jason could feel the energy in the room warm. There were ‘aw’s happening in everyone’s heads. 

“Thank you, Damian.”

“Well, you seem like you’re in good hands. I’ll leave you boys to it.” Bruce moved to close the door. 

“Wait!” Jason called. “You can stay awhile. I want to tell them how you stole a car tonight.”

“You what?” Dick questioned.

“No way!” Tim said.

“Father!” Damian said, aghast.

Bruce smiled wider than Jason had ever seen and joined them on the bed, sitting next to Tim. 

“It was for a good reason!” Bruce started the story. 

They’d just gotten to Jason hiding behind the Cypress and apparently being seen by the home owner when Alfred stopped by to give them late night hot chocolate and biscuits. 

Alfred gave Jason a meaningful look. Jason remembered Alfred’s words in the cave.

‘Your heart has not strayed as far as you fear, my boy.’

'Do not feel sad at the title you no longer hold, nor for the boy you no longer are.’

Jason looked around at his family filling his room and felt completely at peace for the first time since he was resurrected, possibly for the first time in his life. He did not miss who he was, because who he's become gets to have this. He did this. His family was here, together and happy, because of Jason Todd.