Work Text:
Tim was on 24 hour watch, someone always had an eye on him as they now knew he would go and sneak into Jason’s cell. Though they began changing the codes again to help keep the intelligent little Robin from getting in. It’s been a few days and Jason was going absolutely bat shit crazy… pun intended.
“Jay Lad.” Jason peeked to see Bruce. “Jason…”
“So I’m finally worth your attention… is Dick hurt?”
“He’s in heat, he is sharing it with a friend of his,” Bruce admitted “Jason… I think it’s time we give you some trust. I want to open the entire cave up to you.”
Jason raised a brow. “You want to trust me to run around the Bat-Cave? Full of equipment and weapons, Bat-Cave?”
“I think you can handle it Jason.” Jason scoffed but watched Bruce open the door. “With that being said Tim will not be down here alone, but he will come down here.”
“Just make sure this cell’s nice and ready for me to be locked in.”
“Jason… Dick is right… Alfred too both state you can not heal in a ten by ten room. It’s hardly big enough for you to do anything in.” Jasin didn’t miss that Bruce didn’t put his name in there, the ever paranoid bat, of course he would be ok keeping Jason in here longer.
“Right old man,” Jason said and when the door was open and Bruce stepped back he stepped out for the first time in what felt like forever. “So Dick’s got a friend he’s staying with, you know who?”
“No, Dick is old enough to make his own choices… he has an emergency signal on him though. If any of his vitals spike too high or go too low to be normal for a heat I will know.”
So Bruce was learning to actually care if his ‘sons’ died. Jason stretched; he hadn't realized how cramped he really was. Though there was a draft in the cave his cell didn’t have. “So Alfred and Dick bullied you into letting me wander your cave, mean I can go to the gym?”
“They didn’t bully me Jason… and yes you can go anywhere in the cave.”
Jason raised a brow. “And if I lose it? What are you gonna do, old man?” Jason asked, he wasn’t a shrimpy kid anymore he was almost as broad as Bruce now.
“We will cross that bridge when it is needed… if it is needed, you showed exceptional control and I believe you can do it.” Bruce sounded so fucking sure of himself it made Jason actually feel guilty.
“I almost couldn’t, I almost hurt him again… but you said he’d never be here alone with me so you will shadow him?”
“Me, Alfred… Dick when he gets back, Jason… I don’t want you to feel like a prisoner in your home, and this is still your home Jay Lad.” Jason stiffened when Bruce came to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “We will have you back in the manor soon Jay Lad… and maybe even work on getting you back to being legally alive?”
“And why would I want that? What if I like being dead?”
“Then… we will work something out.”
Jason narrowed his eyes, scanning Bruce for any signs of a lie. Nothing. “Tim?”
“The papers are in, Tim is now Timothy Drake Wayne.”
“About time you got the kid out of the hands of some neglectful asshole… Makes him my little brother if you bring Jason Todd back… B I have no interest in the boy as a brother… my interests run a bit more, carnal.”
Bruce flinched. “I know… Jason, you don’t even know Tim… you know he’s a touch starved Omega who likes coffee…”
“I know he’s smart, a genius… I know his favorite foods, all his school scores and his favorite places to go.”
“Because you researched him when you wanted to hurt him.”
Jason flinched and pushed Bruce’s hand away, “I’m going to the gym.” Jason pushed past Bruce, that man knew what to say to make Jason mad… or guilty… sometimes both at once. This was one of those times. He wrapped his hands and began to go to town on the punching bag. This was nice, his cell had no real room to do anything more than push ups or sit ups really.
After he exhausted himself he took a shower and dressed in a pair of sweats and a loose tank top, courtesy of Alfred no doubt. When he went to the main cave he saw Robin… Tim was in full gear at the bat computer. “I’m in B.”
“Good, do we have a location?” Batman also in full gear was over at the bat mobile.
“Yes, 6th and west,” Robin said. “They should all be there tonight, around ten… that gives us two hours to prepare.”
“Not gonna let me come?” Jason asked voice a bit more of a growl then he meant it to be. He saw the minute tensing of Tim’s shoulders.
“Red Hood is not known for being lenient and we are just going to be arresting the people.” Batman said. “It’s a weapon smuggling ring, Robin has tracked them down, this is the last group.”
Jason grunted a bit and saw his bike settled near the bat-mobile. “How the fuck?”
“Nightwing brought it here,” Batman said.
“You shouldn’t bring a kid to a weapons smuggling bust.”
“I brought you too, to quite a few if you remember.”
“Yeah well… I died. That little bird is hardly as strong as me,” Jason said with a sneer.
“I am capable enough, Batman has me on surveillance mostly, if I end up in the middle I would likely only be picking off stragglers. I am not helpless.” Robin’s voice was small but held confidence.
“Robin, make sure your belt is stocked, we will leave in thirty to find a good place to wait and stake out.” Batman said. Robin got out of the chair and Jason saw green seeing a kid in the suit. Though Tim’s suit was different then his It was more armored, more protected. Jason saw the Bo-Staff strapped to the small bird, his weapon of choice. Before Jason could go at the boy Batman strolled in front of him.
“Afraid I’ll bite? Huh old man?”
“Jason… '' Batman looked at him, Jason knew the old man saw his clenched fists and the tense muscles. Instead of a lecture like he expected. He was pulled into an armored chest. “It’s ok. You are in control… not the Pit, I trust you Jay Lad.”
“What the fuck! You ignore me most of the time now you think a hug or some soft sappy words will be enough for you to look good in front of the replacement?!” Even with his voice spitting venom he couldn’t pull away, he just couldn’t. So he leaned in his head on a kevlar armored shoulder.
“I know… I made mistakes… and I might never be able to stop making them… I’m going to try… Jason, you are my son.”
Something in Jason broke. This is what he wanted when he was a boy, a boy wearing stoplight colors following the big bad bat… “Shut up!” Jason pushed away with what little force he could muster; he was relieved the bat let go. “You have no right to say things like that to me… you let my murderer live.”
“I… don’t kill. I can’t kill if I cross that line… I’m no better than them. There's not a day that goes by that … that seeing you like I did… It haunts me, Jason. I didn’t want another robin, not ever…”
“Then why?”
“He gave me no choice. He made a suit, then later stole one… and followed me. It was a choice to let him get himself killed… or train him and try to keep him in one piece.” Batman said “he’s… very persistent.”
“He’s a child…”
“A smart child, who hacked the bat computers and knew our identities since you first became Robin, he even knew Nightwing was the first Robin and his identity… Jason I could not stop him… short of putting him in jail.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Jason asked, “He what the computer? With what!?”
“His personal laptop… needless to say he’s upped our security.” Jason was no longer seeing green but he felt dizzy. Damn Tim was a fucking genius… “Jay Lad… I won’t let anything like what happened to you happen again, not ever… not to any of my kids.”
“So you're telling me that kid could have… hacked the bat computer using my laptop?”
“Probably… Jason, he wanted you to come home, he told me so himself. He was willing to stay as long as you needed him… you were his Robin, he looked … looks up to you. With that being said… you scare him, he has the self preservation skills of a newborn… but he does work on fight or flight.”
“No kidding… Kid tried to shoot me… horrible aim Bats… you should fix that.” Jason said but he was still in shock.
Tim was back “Belt is fully stocked B…”
“Get in the bat-mobile, I’ll be in in a second.” Robin nodded and paused as if he wanted to say more but he just waved at Jason and went to get in the passenger seat.
“Take care of him…”
“I will Jay… I promise.”
With that Jason watched them leave. He let out a breath. Tim fucking hacked the bat-caves computer… and let him think giving him a laptop was a good move… Fuck! Jason just went to lay down. His cell was still open as long as he didn’t shut the door he’d be free to get out… hell the cot was still softer then some of his safe house beds.
He found sleep easier than he thought he would.
Jason woke but he wasn’t in the cave. He looked around through his hood, he looked at himself and he was in full gear. He looked where he was, he was in Titan Tower? How the fuck? His body moved without him telling it to and he found himself walking the familiar halls. “Come out and play Replacement!” what? He was confused. Why was he trying to find Tim?
There was a sound of scurrying and he found himself running towards it and when he was about to turn down the hall he ducked a well aimed staff. Tim was in full gear. Robin. Ready and looking fierce. Well as fierce as such a small boy could look. Tim struck again and Jason just stepped out of the way. He tried to talk but he couldn’t hell he wasn’t even moving his body it was moving all on its own.
“Swing little bird.” No! He did not want to say that!
“Why are you here Red Hood?” Tim asked him, stance ready. Jason felt his hand unsnap his holster and fingers wrap around a gun. No, no… stop!
“I came to break your wings!” He drew the gun and fired. Tim wasn’t fast enough; he got shot in his left arm. Tim cried out and took a hurried step back “I came to finish what I was too weak to do the first time.”
Fear flashed in Jason’s mind. No… stop. He fought but he couldn’t stop himself from rushing Robin, ducking from a strike and swiping his feet out from under him. Come on Timmy! You are better than this!
“Jason… Jason, stop this.”
“With you out of the way I can go home, don’t you want that?”
“Yes…” Tim was on his back, he dropped his staff and laid still as if he was surrendering. No… no kid don't! Jason wanted to shout.
Jason felt his arm rise again, gun pointed at the small boy. He fired into the other arm, getting a cry of pain from the little bird. “Fuck you look good laying on the floor, bleeding like a bitch. I’m not gonna kill you Baby Bird… but you will never be able to be Robin when I’m done with you.”
Tim let out a small whimper and Jason leaned over him and put the gun to his neck and nudged the patch before reaching and ripping it off. The smell of terrified omega. “Jason… I’m so sorry.”
“Oh you will be.”
Jason screamed inside his own head as he grabbed Tim's tunic and yanked him up and pulled him to his feet. He then began to drag the injured bird to his own room. This was too familiar… no, stop. Tim gasped when he was tossed onto the bed. “Jason?”
“That’s right, it’s me, your Robin, your hero… and I’m going to pluck your wings, you will never fly again.” Jason felt sick, his voice distorted by the modulator. He took out a knife and sliced the kevlar tunic right off the kid who’s breath hitched and he bit his lip. He was shaking but not fighting. Come on Baby Bird, fight back! The knife ran down the exposed chest leaving a trail of red. “You are such a good boy for me.”
“You… you’ll go home? If I… if I take it?”
“Scouts honor.”
Tim relaxed and took shuddering breaths Jason felt himself press firmer right where the scar from the bullet he put in the kid was and he stabbed. No! He screamed as he heard the small boy cry out as he saw the blood flow from the wound. He pulled the knife out and Tim put his hand over the wound and tried to curl into a ball to escape the pain. Jason felt sick his stomach turned as he watched this small teenager cowering.
“Shh, shh Baby Bird.” He ran his hands through the long hair in a parody of an affectionate gesture. Then he grabbed the hair pulling him up forcing him into a kneeling position still clutching the wound. He ripped the mask off to see blue eyes clouded with pain tears falling down pale cheeks. “You look so tired…” he said and ran a gloved thumb under Tim’s eyes after letting go of his hair.
“T… tired.” Tim choked out.
“Don’t worry I’ll let you sleep when I am done.” he pulled his hand back and punched Tim, the boy falling back onto the bed with a muffled cry. Again and again and again. He was laughing at each crack of gloved fist against Tim’s unprotected face. When he pulled back the kid’s face was bruised and bleeding. Stop… he pleaded himself. Instead he lifted Tim’s left hand. “Such pretty talented fingers. How many systems have you hacked into?” he asked as there was a sickening snap. A scream. Jason broke Tim’s pinky.
Jason fought and screamed with each cry from Tim with each finger he broke he didn’t stop till all Ten were hanging at awkward angles, stab wound still sluggishly bleeding, let the kid pass out please… he doesn’t deserve this. He lifted his gun and slid the barrel up Tim's chest over his neck and put it right next to his ear and fired it into the bed. The loud sound of the gunshot made Tim scream. He tried to move away. Jason knew he likely just deafened the kid. He couldn’t stop.
“P…please… Jason… please.” Tim begged, he was begging… for mercy? Or for Jason to end it. He moved but was rewarded by the gun getting slammed into the side Tim exposed in his effort to turn away. A crack, a broken rib.
“I love how you beg… “
A sob broke free from the kid. Blood was coming out of the ear he shot next too. Ruptured eardrum without a doubt. Jason took his arm and snapped the bone right below the elbow, another cry of pain. More pleading and begging. Jason was sobbing in his head. Begging and pleading for this to stop. He watched his body move and shoot the kids' ankles, each in turn. Then break his toes one at a time. Tim's screams were now nothing but hoarse whimpers. He’d stopped begging after the fifth toe.
“Done singing for me sleepy little bird?”
“Jason! Jason!” Bruce? Bruce was here! He’d save Tim, come save Tim! “Jason, wake up Jay Lad you’re safe”
The gory broken scene was gone and he saw Bruce, no cowl but still in full body armor. He looked scared. “Go… go Save Tim… save him I… I?” Jason felt himself let out a sob.
“Tim’s fine Jay Lad… Tim’s safe.”
“N… no… the tower! He’s in the tower!”
“I’m… right here.” Tim's voice is soft but not hoarse from screaming. Jason looked and there he was still in his uncut robin uniform, fingers looking whole and no stab wound.
Jason scrambled out of the cot to the toilet and threw up. He felt a strong hand rubbing circles on his back. He doesnt know how long he acquainted himself with the toilet and the mostly digested contents of his stomach. “Hey Jason… Tim brought you some water.”
Jason looked and there was Tim, a bottle of water in hand, Robin uniform but no mask. Those beautiful blue eyes looking at him.
“Kid… you need to stop bringing me water, I’m sick because I hurt you… you don’t need to take care of me.”
“I’m not hurt.” Tim said, his tone final, no room for Jason to argue.
Jason choked back more tears. “I… I … fuck!” He was pulled into Batman's chest. The armor wasn’t soft but he didn’t need soft right now, it was cold and solid… grounding.
Tim Slipped in and took Jason's hand putting the cold bottle in it. “You were dreaming Jason, it was just a nightmare… we came back in and … we heard you scream…”
“Nightmare…” Jason blinked as if the word wasn’t registering. He finally pulled back enough to rinse his mouth and drink some water. “I… Sorry.”