Work Text:
The smell of ink and parchment mixed with a bit of dust and leather filled Jason's nostrils as he stepped into the library. He'd arrived home late last night but now he finally felt like he'd reached home.
This room was his more than his bedroom or any other place he frequented. This library had been the first place he’d truly felt comfortable when he first moved into the castle and now was his true refuge. His chest felt loose and relaxed as he could finally take a deep breath.
He’d been worried since he was first summoned back home by the King, his father, but here in his quiet little room of solace he could take a moment to regain his bearings.
The moment shattered as Jason opened his eyes and saw the room was already occupied.
The King sat at a table near the window, just on the far side of the curtains so his face was cast in the shadows. Jason felt his entire body flinch at the sight, both from the initial startlement and the realization that his safe space was about to be ruined.
“Good Morning son,” Bruce offered, his tone quiet and impassive but rocking through the room like a shout nonetheless.
“Why do I feel like you are about to ruin my entire day?” Jason quipped back, not bothering with the pleasantries.
“You didn’t join us for dinner last night–”
“I got in late.”
“And you skipped breakfast this morning.”
“I ate in the kitchen.”
“You are avoiding me,” Bruce said, ignoring all of Jason’s attempted redirections.
Jason released all the air in his lungs, and then took a deep breath. “You summoned me home without an explanation,” he replied. “Of course I would like to be settled in before you tell me what scheme you are expecting of me this time.”
“You act like I only reach out when I want something. You don’t let me–”
“Don’t start this again!” Jason snapped. “Just tell me what it is so I can deal with it.”
“Fine,” Bruce’s eyes narrowed and his mouth set in a fine line as he stared over at Jason. “You are engaged. Congratulations.”
Jason’s immediate reaction was to scoff, though Bruce had a very limited sense of boundaries there were some lines that just weren’t crossed, and marriage, especially without consultation, was one of them. It was one of the agreements they’d come to, and the rare one that Bruce hadn’t yet betrayed.
When Bruce didn’t rescind the comment, come back with a ‘or you do this instead’ phrase, Jason finally paused and turned wide eyes upon his father. “You are jesting. Now tell the truth because we both know I would never agree. My career choice was to be the one thing you didn't touch.”
“I didn’t touch your career. I have entered you into an engagement contract. It’s effective immediately and irrescendable–”
“Like hell it is!” Jason finally exploded. “I am a scholar! I refuse to deal with managing a duchy or whatever insane area you think you are going to marry me off to obtain! You think some woman is going to accept a husband who leaves her to her own devices for the entire year! I will not–”
“This is no longer a negotiation!” Bruce roared back, interrupting Jason’s rant as the king lost his own temper. “If you hadn’t ignored my letters and would listen–”
“Absolutely not! I am not listening to a word of this! The answer is no!” Jason felt his face redden as his heart pounded in his ears. His entire body shook with anger and betrayal at this latest move.
“You have no choice!” Bruce’s hands slapped down on the table, shaking the wooden frame.
Silence followed their outbursts as they stared at one another, eyes narrowed and chests heaving in outrage. The door creaked open behind Jason, but only Bruce looked away to see who entered.
“Sounds like this is going well,” Dick said as he entered the room.
Another roll of frustration boiled through Jason’s body at the nearly nonchalant tone. Dick should have stood up for him, should have talked Bruce down from this latest scheme. Jason pivoted around, spinning and ready to claw. “How dare you let this happen!” Jason fired off in Dick’s face, venom dripping from every word.
Dick blinked, and then opened his mouth to reply, but Jason wasn’t ready to hear it. He brushed past the older man with a rough shove, forcing his way into the darkened hallway and slamming the library door shut behind him.
Jason barely felt surprised at this point that Bruce had managed to ruin everything. The future that just this morning had been so clearly laid out before him – another few months of study and Jason would have been accepted into priesthood and been able to truly help others – was not lost.
Whatever scheme or political play Bruce had just involved him in, Jason knew there would be no escape.
Dick flinched as the door slammed shut. “What in the world did you fight about?”
“I was just telling him about the marriage!” Bruce ground out, clenching his fist tightly under the table.
“You what? Ordered him to get married without explaining?” Dick tilted his head, eyes narrowing. “Of course he’d be upset! You promised him you wouldn’t take him from his studies.”
“He didn’t let me explain,” Bruce’s head finally dropped into his hands as the fight bled out.
“All these years and you still can’t talk to him,” Dick grinned, not unkindly, in Bruce’s direction. “You’ll need to let him settle and then explain. You shouldn’t have–”
“There’s a lot I shouldn’t have done. But time is of the essence here, if we don’t move out soon then so many people are going to suffer,” Bruce sighed heavily, turning pleading eyes on Dick. “Can you speak with him?”
Dick hummed in thought. “I will try, but go ahead and finish mobilizing the troops. He will eventually understand.”
“Maybe this is a mistake and I could ask Cass–”
“No,” Dick interrupted. “This is the right choice.” He paused in thought again as a smirk crossed his lips. “Though you may watch your meals closely for the next week until Jason forgives you. You did just upset one of the smartest chemists in the kingdom and the kitchen staff loves him.”
Bruce grimaced. “I’ll prepare some antidotes.”
The wind was harsh and hot, kicking up the dirt and sand of the battlefield and whipping across Tim’s face. It stung, bringing tears to his eyes even as he stood firm against the onslaught. His men shifted behind him, watching and waiting for his command and for the first time since the start of the battle, the adrenaline receded enough for that responsibility to crash into him once more.
Tim’s shoulders shook – this war was going to cost him everything.
His kingdom hadn’t started it, his people didn’t deserve this brutality. Tim had been called home abruptly when the Al Ghul army had arrived on their lands, claiming the territory belonged to the larger kingdom. Tim’s father, the King, had been working on negotiations, but they had failed abruptly when King Drake had unexpectedly been overcome with a mysterious illness. Belatedly, Tim had learned of the poison, but the betrayal had already been complete.
The Al Ghul army immediately marched on the Drake lands forcing Tim to take charge and act. He hadn’t been ready; he’d barely had a moment to send missives to his allies.
Tim had prepared for this eventuality for years, but now that the time had come, he’d never expected leadership to be this painful. The loss of his father, the overwhelming odds, the fear on his people’s faces as they left their homelands…
Still, he proudly led his men into battle in this unfair war, but even their numerous victories felt like defeat due to the heavy losses his army suffered. He knew these men, knew their families and homes– each loss stole a piece of Tim’s heart from his chest.
Tim was a strategist, but his strategies were being met with absolute brutality as the Al Ghul army pushed forward. They didn’t seem to care about their losses, winning often by sheer size instead of any particular tactic. Tim was being driven back further each day, desperation beginning to claw at him as none of his allies responded to his pleas. Maybe they’d all sided with Al Ghul, maybe Al Ghul had stopped the missives from reaching others– Tim was beginning to fear he’d never learn the truth.
The battle would soon be lost and his people would have everything taken from them. His own life would be forfeit, but that hardly mattered, he just wanted safety for those he’d sworn to protect. Tim gripped his sword, steadying his nerves, he couldn’t fail them– if he could just hold off, surely someone would answer his requests.
Steadying his nerves, Tim charged forward towards the approaching army with a yell, his men rallying a cry as they followed. Steel clashed as shouts and cries erupted once more across the barren plain the armies had met on.
A horn bellowed in the distance, something oddly familiar that Tim didn’t have a moment to think about as he continued to push forward, needing to reach the commander of this unit, dispatch him and disrupt the army's organization. The army began to part before him as Tim cut a path, a small thrill of victory raced up his spine – and then was abruptly doused with ice as a pair of familiar green eyes emerged from the opposing crowd.
Tim’s sword raised, even as his hand shook. The horn blew again as the men flew back, creating a perimeter around the two kings. The battlefield was cast into shadows as the clouds covered the late afternoon sun and Tim took a breath.
He knew this would be the final moment– Ra’s Al Ghul was a warrior king that blended magic with fighting and easily outclassed Tim’s youthful studies. This was going to be Tim’s first and last battle as king. He would either die here or be forced into servitude.
Ra’s moved first, quick as a viper before Tim had even finished exhaling and the battle was on. Tim flowed through his defense, meeting the old king blow for blow, but each hit felt like it was harder than the last. Still Tim didn’t give up, even as he slowed and Ra’s sword nicked his side, he still dodged around.
Shouts in the area faded, drums and horns blended into the sound of Tim’s heart pounding in his ears. Another swipe and jab combo, and his tired body didn’t move quick enough– Tim stumbled and fell. Ra’s grinned, triumphant, he raised his sword and Tim felt the defeat creeping– when a sword blocked Ra’s final strike.
Hulking black armor stepped between them– familiar armor that Tim had trained under. Ra’s was thrust backwards as Bruce moved in between them.
Tim tried to sit up, but something was definitely injured on his side and he collapsed back down, only to be caught and pushed upright. “Come on now Timmy, stand up and finish this.” The familiar voice was like a balm and surge of strength, as Tim leaned into his old tutor.
Bruce and Dick had arrived. Bruce’s striking black armor met Ra’s blows easily, driving him back and breaking the lines of the Al Ghul army, while Dick helped Tim stand and rally his men back to his side.
“This act violates our treaty Bruce!” Ra’s sneered as they paused in their fight. “You risk much for little!”
“Your presence in this area is a violation of our treaty Ra’s,” Bruce replied. “Withdraw your troops from my son’s kingdom.”
“You may have fondness for him and trained him, but he is not your son! You have no power here.”
“You don’t have all the facts yet Ra’s,” Bruce said. “Withdraw your troops and we’ll examine the treaties together.”
The old king drew himself up to his full height. “And if I refuse?”
The horn from before bellowed again and a loud chanting filled the air. On the hills surrounding the flat plain, more and more colorful banners appeared as shadows of armies darkened the horizon.
“You remember my alliance? They came along to ensure you don’t,” Bruce replied.
“Come on Tim,” Dick said, lifting Tim up further. “Let’s get you to a medic. Bruce has this under control.”
Bruce had broken a treaty – Tim was sure of it – but he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth, not while Ra’s was still glaring at him hungrily. If Bruce made arrangements, Tim would be a fool not to at least hear the offer to save his people.
They limped back through the rows of men, Bruce’s soldiers now intermixed and greatly out numbering Tim’s men. It was actually disheartening. Tim’s men looked a mixture of relieved and fearful and Tim was suddenly struck with exactly what this looked like.
They had been saved from one tyrant and given to another.
Not that Tim really thought Bruce was like that, but Bruce also wasn’t an idiot. Tim’s country was small but rich, always able to afford to protect themselves until this falling out with the Al Ghul kingdom. If Bruce was stepping in now, late and far after the time to really peacefully negotiate had ended.
The thoughts continued to churn and bubble as Dick helped Tim back towards the encampment where the Drake army tents were established. Already several new tents were being pitched for the Wayne army officers and leaders and Dick began leading Tim to the largest one.
They’d barely limped inside when Bruce entered behind them, and then Tim felt the full frustration of the situation explode.
“What the hell are you doing here!?” Tim finally screamed. Everything was raging, and he couldn’t stand not having an outlet. Bruce was a pretty convenient outlet, especially when there were a lot of pieces of the situation he could have directly prevented. “You told me to go home and take care of my kingdom. I trusted you! I spent all those years training with you and this is what it gets me? You, undermining my leadership and taking my kingdom as your own?!”
Tim’s chest ached at the thought of another betrayal of his trust. “I could have been here, helping my people all that time and maybe the situation would have never gotten this bad! Maybe my dad would still be alive!” He choked at the thought. If he’d come home sooner, could he have saved his father? It was easier to blame it on Bruce.
Bruce didn’t say anything to defend himself, but the heartfelt look of pity just grated on Tim’s nerves. He sent another, final glare towards the king and hissed, “If you think you are going to just waltz in here now and take over I assure you, I will make you regret it.”
“Tim it’s not like that–” Dick, ever the peacemaker, tried to interrupt, but Tim had one last knife to throw.
“If you think you are going to oust me, make me be your puppet leadership, maybe dying with Ra’s was the better solution.” It was a little dramatic, but Tim had been having a very dramatic day.
Bruce’s face twisted in agony, but a sudden bark of laughter popped the tension like a needle pressed into a bubble.
“Well good to know I’m not the only one who thinks dying is a better solution than forced marriage.”
Tim jerked his head over at the low, smooth voice and felt his jaw drop. Dick helpfully tapped it up and Tim snapped it shut. He felt a whole new type of flush take over his face as the anger dropped out and embarrassment flooded in.
“Oh, hi Jason,” Tim’s voice cracked and he swallowed. “Taking a break from your studies?”
“Something like that.” Jason’s wry grin always made Tim think he was missing out on a joke, but Tim was generally too happy to see Jason’s smile to try to pretend to be upset.
“Tim,” Bruce’s voice jerked Tim back to the moment as the older king cleared his throat. “I took your signature from our last treaty and applied it to this new one. I promise I’m not taking your sovereignty, but I needed a way to legally enter. Being family does that.”
“How did you claim we are family?” Tim finally asked.
Bruce handed him a scroll, allowing Tim to read for himself the liberties Bruce took with their agreements. He nearly dropped it as he came to the damning line.
“What is this?” Tim’s voice came out much higher pitched than he intended, but surely they didn’t mean– did he pass out on the battlefield?
Timothy Drake agrees once he ascends the throne to accept Jason Wayne as the royal consort, thereby uniting the families so that any aggressive actions towards one is seen as an aggression towards the other.
“It means you have a husband now,” Jason helpfully answered. “I take the left side of the bed.”