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“In regards to the charges of manslaughter, the jury finds the defendant not guilty.”
Tim could see the judge huff in bemusement, subtly rolling her eyes at this farce of a court hearing. He couldn’t blame her; this whole thing was a formality at best, a grand spectacle for the entertainment of the whole state of New Jersey at worst. Technically there had also been charges of premeditated murder brought up, but those had been shot down almost immediately, even though Tim hadn’t exactly been subtle.
Well, that was to be expected for the trial of the man who killed the Joker. No one was willing to punish him for what the city as a whole viewed as an objectively righteous act. Especially when he’d made it really easy to label it as self-defense. Gotham took care of those that took care of her, even if that happened to be a rich, orphaned recluse from Bristol.
He let the rest of the court proceedings pass over him as he mulled over his options. He was pretty much legally acquitted, but that didn’t necessarily mean the Bat would let him be. He certainly hadn’t let Red Hood be, and Jason hadn’t even succeeded in his murder attempts. A completely unrelated teenager getting away with the murder he hadn’t even let his own son commit? Not a snowball’s chance in hell. He’d probably be approached tonight. He wondered if they’d try to scare him straight or if Bruce thought he’d need more drastic measures.
Murder has consequences. Tim is fine with this.
Judge Ramos adjourned the court and the jury and spectators started filing out. Plenty of vultures tried to get to Tim but his legal team was surrounding him like a pack of overprotective lionesses so he could get away with a thin smile and no words.
That is until they abruptly parted, giving Tim an unobstructed look at Jason Todd.
…wait, what was Jason doing here?
In the back of his mind he vaguely recalled the headlines from months ago, shortly after the Joker’s timely demise.
‘Jason Wayne Back from the Dead!’
Right, yeah. Jason had decided to legally resurrect himself. Tim hadn’t given it much thought at the time, just feeling vaguely proud that the man apparently felt safe enough now to go back to his family officially after the last few years of being at odds with his dad.
He supposed it made sense for him to want to witness the trial of the boy that killed his murderer. Alright, sure, fine.
But why was he approaching Tim???
“Um, hi. Congratulations.” said the man in question, offering a bouquet of red roses, partially striped with white. Roses Tim was pretty sure were freshly cut from the Wayne garden because he’d spied on said garden long enough to recognize Alfred’s handiwork.
“Uh.” Tim blinked, then kickstarted his brain and took the flowers so he could do something other than stare creepily, “Thanks.” He examined the bouquet. Was Jason sent by Batman? Were the flowers hiding a recording device or something? Still… “They’re pretty.”
Jason smiled sheepishly, “They’re freshly cut.”
I know, Tim didn’t say. I know the exact genus and where they’re located in the garden and how often they’re watered and pruned and that they were planted by Martha Wayne shortly before her pregnancy, he absolutely did not say.
Are you taking me in now? He wanted to ask.
Jason cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, “Um, so. Hi. I’m Jason. Huge fan. Would you like to go… out? For dinner? Or, maybe coffee first. Coffee?”
Tim stared.
“What.”
The man winced, “I- sorry, I should’ve- You probably don’t even like- You know what? Forget it, it’s fine. Just um, good work out there.”
Tim blinked as Jason turned to leave, neurons weakly sparking. He snatched the sleeve of his leather jacket before he could take another step.
“Wait.” he stared at the middle distance, replaying the last two minutes in his head, “Dinner? Coffee? With me?”
Jason shrugged, “I mean, I’d love a date, if you’re willing. No pressure.” he quirked an awkward smile.
Tim blinked, “Date? You’re not-” he gesticulated in frustration, “-taking me in?”
It was Jason’s turn to blink, “...what?”
Was he not sent by Batman to warn him of consequences or something? Or kidnap him?
He looked down at the roses.
“Coffee.” he parroted, mouth speaking without his permission, “Yes? Yes. I- Coffee, yes.”
Jason had turned fully back towards Tim at this point, confused expression morphing into hopeful anticipation, “Is that yes to a date?”
“Yes. Duh. Yes. I’d love to- Coffee. Dinner. Yes.”
Tim Drake, master of eloquence everyone.
Jason snorted, but his grin was content instead of mocking. “I’ll pick you up at three tomorrow?”
Tim nodded mutely, clutching the flowers to his chest. He had no idea what his face was doing but it must not have been too off-putting because Jason’s grin just widened slightly.
“See you tomorrow then Tim.”
“Yeah…” Tim muttered absently as he watched Jason rejoin his family and exit the room, unsuccessfully trying to dodge a playful hair ruffle from his older brother.
He didn’t know how long he stood there, staring at the doorway, before he turned to look at his lawyers.
They were gone, only his lead attorney for this case was still standing there, looking back at him with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smirk, and all of sudden Tim couldn’t look her in the eye. “Shut up, Joanne.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Tim huffed and started for the exit when a thought occurred to him.
He’d planned to get a warning from the Bats, maybe a bad scare, a stint in Bat-Prison, he’d even considered he’d get a beating. This was fine, he was prepared. He knew there would be some sort of consequence for killing the clown and he could take it.
He had not prepared for a shovel talk from Batman.
And Nightwing.
And probably also Batgirl.
And the stabby Robin maybe.
He shivered, then looked down at the roses.
Well, he supposed murder should have consequences after all.
…worth it.
(Three years later, while certainly not gone, Red Hood sightings become incredibly rare. The Bats have expanded into Crime Alley, tolerating only Hood’s operations, and the Drake Foundation has joined hands with the Wayne-owned Catherine Todd Foundation to bring active change to Gotham.
In unrelated news, Timothy Drake has recently gained a doting househusband. He treats said husband like the most precious thing in his life, both because he is, and because he knows exactly, in excruciating detail, what will happen to him if he doesn’t.
Murder has consequences. Tim is more than fine with this.)