Chapter Text
The minute Batman received the distress call he immediately dropped everything. The criminals he had been fighting with seconds ago were confused as to why Batman was fleeing, but they didn’t question it for long. They just got back to work.
Batman did not care. Dick had sent out a distress call a second ago and Batman was going to be there in less than that.
His heart beat fast in his chest as he tracked his son’s. He would be there soon.
And when he arrived there was not a single thing that could have prepared him for what he was about to see.
There were four very very VERY small children sitting in the cutest onesies known to man. The youngest appeared to be an infant and was unconscious in the oldest one’s arms. The oldest one couldn’t be any older than five and it kept a careful hold on the unconscious baby. The other two appeared to be bickering over something in angry yet difficult to understand toddler speech. One of them had a very familiar white streak in his hair. Surrounding the little boys were old creates. One of these creates had been broken into, spilling its packing peanuts everywhere. But what immediately caught Batman’s attention and confirmed his rising suspicion was the piles of vigilante clothing around the children. Nightwing’s escrima sticks. Red Hood’s helmet and guns. Red Robin’s bo staff. Robin’s katana.
“If ya hadn’t of pokeded it, dis wouldn’t have happened!” The small one with the white tuft said.
Jason.
“I pokeded it fow science!” The other one stated, “I didn’ know it wouwd do dis!”
Tim.
“Guys, please, lets not fight, B will be here soon, just hang in there,” The one holding the baby said.
Dick
“Oh you tink dis is fightin’?” Jason asked, raising an impossibly small eyebrow, “I’ll show you fightin’!”
“Jay-“
Batman watched the scene for approximately three seconds before Dick spotted him. His wide eyes got even wider and he smiled big, showing off his baby teeth.
“B!” He said.
Jason and Tim immediately quieted. They turned their heads to look up at Bruce and blinked their wide blue eyes up at him. Both their cheeks went pink and Jason quickly glanced away, crossing his arms and huffing, pretending that he wasn’t completely embarrassed by this entire ordeal.
Batman had absolutely no idea what to do. Yes, he encountered children while being Batman. He was generally rather good with kids. However… this was a little different. These were his kids. And he was completely responsible for them now. And it seemed that they retained their memories, so this was all going to be rather awkward for everyone involved. Especially considering everything that had happened barely a month ago.
When he had been put under a spell that made him treat his sons like toddler.
So he didn’t move.
However, Dick did. He stood up carefully, still carrying the baby that could only be Damian, and toddled towards Batman unsteadily. His little round foot caught on something and he fell forward.
“Ope!” Dick exclaimed.
Before he was entirely sure what was happening, Batman lunged forward, catching the both of them carefully. Dick was breathing heavily as he looked Damian over, making sure the little guy was completely fine before looking up at Batman.
Batman was frozen again. Dick was so small in his arms. Batman’s hands could cover Dick’s entire chest now. And Damain… was even tinier.
Batman became aware that he was still holding onto Dick. He let go, leaving space between them and stood up, looking down at the tiny toddler.
“Are you hurt?” Batman managed to say.
“No,” Dick replied, looking kinda sad that Batman had pulled away, “We’re okay.”
“We are NOT otay,” Jason said, still pouting amongst the packing peanuts.
Batman’s heart did something at Jason’s adorable mispronunciation. But he wasn’t going to say anything. That would upset the already enraged toddler even more.
“Well, no, not exactly,” Dick said, “But we’re not hurt.”
“Good,” Batman said.
There was nothing else to say. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen now. He supposed he should probably get the kids off the street and into the Batmobile. Then take them home. Then what?
He would figure that out later.
“Let’s go. We’re done for the night,” Bruce stated.
“Well no shith,” Jason spat.
Dick nodded, then held Damian up. Bruce looked down at him. Dick nodded towards the unconscious baby. Batman reached down hesitantly. He stared at Damian’s baby soft skin and pudgy hands. He took his gloves off, tucking them away in his utility belt before gently taking Damian into his arms. He was acutely aware that any wrong move could hurt the adorably little thing in his arms. He would not let that happen. Nothing was going to happen to his boys. He was going to take care of them. Even if he wasn’t entirely sure how.
***
The car situation had not been ideal. He had held Damian in his arms and strapped the three others as securely as he could with all the extra seat belts the Batmobile had to offer. He had driven much slower than he usually did all the way back to the manor where Alfred was waiting.
Alfred. He had been prepped on the way over. Bruce had called him. So he had been warned. And yet nothing could have prepared Alfred for when he saw his four grandchildren as actual children.
Bruce got out of the car carefully, making sure Damian wouldn’t get hurt. The small baby was still unconscious and that was beginning to concern Bruce more and more.
Bruce opened the door and reached in, unbuckling the other boys. Jason and Tim had fallen asleep on the way, but Dick was still fighting it. Bruce scooped Jason and Tim into his arms, cradling them against his chest as he continued to hold Damian. Dick scooted off the seat of the car and Bruce reached down to help him get out.
Alfred was trying very hard not to be speechless.
“…allow me to take Master Damian. I believe he may need a visit to the med bay,” Alfred stated.
Bruce found it extremely difficult to let go of his son. But Alfred was right. The baby needed checked over and the three boys needed to be put to bed.
“Call me if he wakes up,” Bruce states as he carried two of his sons and walked with the third by his side towards the locker room.
“Indeed, sir.”
“Or if there’s something wrong,” Bruce stated.
“Of course, sir.”
“Or if anything at all changes.”
“Indeed, sir.”
With that sorted as much as it could be, Bruce kept walking. He went to the locker room at a slow pace so Dick could keep up. He was trying very hard and Bruce wondered if Dick would mind if he picked him up. Just so it was easier. But Dick looked determined, so Bruce didn’t say anything.
At the locker room, Bruce placed the sleeping boys on a beanbag chair. Dick tried to climb up into it. Bruce watched a moment before quietly helping him up. Dick didn’t say anything about that. He just scooted closer to his brothers and stared up at Bruce.
“I’ll be quick. Keep them safe,” Bruce stated.
“Okay,” Dick said, yawning.
Bruce knew Dick would be asleep before he even managed to take off his cowl. And then he would have three sleeping toddlers to carry to bed.
Bruce shed his gear as fast as he possibly could. He took a quick shower before he got dressed into a tshirt and sweat pants. When he came out it was just as he suspected.
Dick had fallen fast asleep. The three sleeping toddlers were huddled together looking so peaceful. Jason and Tim both had their thumbs in the mouths, sucking in them slowly.
Something melted in Bruce’s heart. But he chose to ignore that.
He came up to them and carefully scooped them up, making sure not to wake them. Then he went back to the med bay.
Alfred had finished examining Damian and was holding him securely in his arms.
“Is everything alright?” Bruce asked quietly.
“Yes sir,” Alfred replied, “Master Damian will be fine.”