Chapter Text
The chiding autumn, angry winter, Change their wonted liveries, and the mazed world, By their increase, now knows not which is which. ~ A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act II, Scene I
Bruce Wayne’s life ended with a child in a warehouse.
He still lived and breathed, and would continue to serve his city - but the light had gone out of his life as assuredly as if he’d died himself. His actions were mechanical, only performing the minimum requirements for continued existence. Only his grief and his anger kept him moving from day to day, injury to injury. Another day that Jason had not lived to see and Bruce took that injustice out on Gotham’s criminals and on himself. He was willing to let Wayne fade to the background, to become a reclusive, grieving father while Batman did his work. He would continue the job that Jason had fought and died for until he himself died in the process. Bruce hoped his parents didn’t mind taking care of his boy until he could catch up to them.
“Oh shit, it’s the Bat!” A hail of gunfire, loud in the tight alley and he dove into it without care or consequence. It was late, or rather very early. Most of the criminals had either been taken in or were hiding from this newer, crueler Batman. But it looked like these new recruits of the Triad gang hadn’t gotten the memo. It had rained heavily earlier, a hot mid-August rain that left everything sticky and humid. Today should have been Jason’s sixteenth birthday. Bruce had promised his son the night off but instead Jay’s presents were unopened and gathering dust. He had been on his way back to the Cave, lingering, not ready to retreat to that lonely place of dying when he came across the group.
He punched without concern for his bruised knuckles or the delicate ribs of the thugs. He didn’t think about the bullets, the knives, the metal pipes raining down on him. Maybe this would be too much for him. Maybe this would be the end. The shriek of the woman who the Triad’s had cornered alerted him that there were lives at stake other than his own. He twisted a man’s arm until it broke then twisted it some more to ensure it would never properly hold a gun again and made his way towards the woman.
“No, please! Stay away!” She shouted, racing away from him and towards the mouth of the alley. She ran past one of her attackers, one beaten and bloody on the ground but not yet out of the game. Batman watched the man reach for a discarded weapon and shakily aim it at the fleeing innocent. Batman ran forward, batarang raised but he knew if the trigger was pulled, it would be too late. Too stupid, too slow, too late yet again.
Before the thug could fire, a bag fell through the air and dropped onto his head. The momentum caused the man’s forehead to slam into the ground and take him out of the fight. The woman made it to the end of the alley and was lost to the early morning fog. Adrenaline was still pumping as he raised his weapon towards the rooftop, expecting another gang member only to find a child.
“Yikes! I’m on your side, Batman!” The boy yelped, throwing his hands high into the air. “I didn’t mean to interfere but I couldn’t let that lady get shot and-”
“What are you doing here?” Batman hissed, lowering his weapon but not his guard. The angle of the moon shining down on the boy’s hood-covered head cast his whole face into shadow, giving him an eerie, indecipherable glow. The height difference and the lighting made it hard to tell for sure, but Batman was certain the boy was barely in his teens if he was in them at all. If not for the bag on the ground, Batman would have wondered if he was really there.
“I’m, well, I guess you can call me a fan,” he lowered one hand long enough to gesture to the large camera hanging around his neck. “I’ve been taking pictures of you and your partners in action for a few years now, not showing anyone, of course! Just for me, something to do y’know,” the boy began in a harried shout before mumbling at the end. Despite the ache in his body, Batman roughly grabbed the boy’s bag and grappled to the top of the roof.
“You’re a fool, you’re lucky you didn’t get yourself killed.” Batman growled, throwing the bag at the kid who caught it with a little grunt. “Get home now and if I catch you out here again, I won’t be so generous next time.”
“Wait, Mr- Batman, sir, please, don’t go! I-,” the faceless child gripped his bag tightly. “I’ve been- I’ve been trying to work up the courage to talk to you for a few weeks now. Ever since…” the boy looked down and away. “You haven’t been yourself and I’m worried. You’re hurting yourself and you’re going to get killed if you keep this up. Gotham needs Batman and Batman needs Robin. You need some help getting back on your feet again.”
“Robin is gone and he is never coming back,” Batman ground out, the painful words tearing at his throat like shards of broken glass. He stalked towards the end of the roof, away from the boy and whatever help he was trying to offer. Today of all days, he didn’t need or want it. “I don’t need anyone. Now leave, before I make you.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” the boy said softly. “It must be hard to lose a child.” Batman stopped in his tracks, his back still to the boy. “Nightwing and Robin, they’re your kids. They’re important to you, I get that. I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling right now, losing your family like that.” He continued, his voice getting high with desperation. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t still need support. Nightwing is all grown up with his own city but you can’t stay on your own. I-I think it would be helpful if he came back to Gotham or if you took on a new Robin, temporarily of course.”
“Like you I suppose?” Batman asked harshly, turning back to face the boy who jumped back in confusion. Even in the shadows, Batman could tell he was too young, too small, too untrained. Most importantly, he wasn’t Jason. “I don’t know anything about you, why should I trust you?”
“You don’t have to know about me,” the boy said desperately before pausing and considering his words. He tugged the damp hoodie further down his already covered face. “I wasn’t trying to be Robin but maybe, maybe we can make this work. You don’t want a son and I don’t need a father,” the boy continued, hesitantly at first, as if the idea was just forming but soon gaining confidence. “If you train me, I’ll work hard and help you keep Gotham safe in Robin’s memory. You don’t need to parent me or anything, you don’t even need to know my name. Batman can have a partner again, guilt free with no strings attached.”
“And what if something were to happen to you?” Batman snapped. “This isn’t a game, what if you’re injured or killed? What then?”
“Then no one will miss me and life will go on,” the boy answered with absolute certainty in his tone. “Please Batman, let me at least help you get through this rough patch. Maybe you and Nightwing will stop fighting or you’ll find someone better suited but I promise as soon as you don’t need me, you’ll never see me again.”
“And what do you get out of this Arrangement?” Batman asked, angry at himself for actually considering this crazy proposal.
“I’m nobody, Batman. To have the opportunity to do something that helps so many people...” A shy glance at his shoes, “that helps my hero... How can I stand by and do nothing?”
Batman should say no. He should tell the kid to go home and start believing in real heroes. But there was merit in what the child was telling him. He’d always acted better with a partner, been more aware, worked more efficiently. If the kid hadn’t followed him tonight, acted as he had, then that woman likely would have never left this alleyway. He couldn’t let his own shortcomings, his grief, put people at risk. Maybe just for a few months, to help put himself back together. It wouldn’t be like with Dick or Jason but maybe this kid could be useful.
“What should I call you?”
“I think Robin would probably be the easiest.” The boy said with a smile in his voice that only deepened Batman’s frown. Only for a little while.
XxX
The second thing Batman learned about Robin was that the boy was in no way prepared for the life of a costumed crime fighter. He was small, even for the age Bruce suspected him to be, which was somewhere between 11 and 13. His hands were covered in scratches and bruises, his palms had some callouses but overall were soft, unweathered. For an untrained boy, he was reasonably fast, flexible, and a few minutes’ conversation revealed a bright, curious mind. Batman did not think about the boy's potential and instead chastised his positioning. Clothed in loose, nondescript workout clothes and a domino mask, the boy nodded and corrected himself.
They started with strength building and Batman would admit to front loading the harder exercises to discourage the boy. No matter what Dick and Jason said while undergoing their own training, Bruce didn’t enjoy seeing people, much less children, in pain. Those first few weeks watching Robin sweat and tremble and heave through his exercises were agonizing but the kid worked tirelessly with hardly a word of complaint.
Batman almost wished Robin would protest the unfair treatment; he wished the boy would find some sense and give up entirely. Still, while he refused to be proud, he could at least admit to feeling a sense of relief when Robin’s strength and endurance slowly improved.
Despite losing his sanity by agreeing to the training, he still hadn’t taken the kid to the Cave. It felt too personal, too close to something lost forever, to have another boy running around that dark place. Instead they met at various safehouses and abandoned buildings. Batman trained the kid mentally as well, always making him figure out via clues when and where they’d meet as well as making him break in. Thus far, Robin had yet to be late once. He was certainly going to give Nygma a run for his money. If he made it that far.
“Are you keeping up the meal plan I assigned you?” Batman questioned after watching the boy collapse for the third time that night. Despite his willful ignorance on several points, Bruce wasn’t entirely unaware of the child before him. Establishing that Robin had stable housing, food and care had been the first, most basic thing they’d discussed. He wouldn’t have put it past the child to lie but his physical state backed him up. This flimsy excuse was all that was stopping him from feeling guilt for exploiting the boy.
“Y-yeah,” Robin gasped in between breaths as he pushed himself back. “I just forgot to eat before I came here. Too busy going over that cold case you gave me, I might’ve had a breakthrough on the ‘89 Wolfman case, my notes are in the folder.” Batman raised an eyebrow behind the cowl. Fact number twenty three, Robin was naturally skilled in observation and pattern spotting. He’d found new, viable leads on two and now possibly a third cold case. He had quite the knack for detection. It had taken Jason months to get to this point and Dick twice as long.
“I’ll review them tonight, however do not let this happen again or you’re through,” Batman threatened, ignoring the obvious moment for praise. “You’ll be no good to me exhausted and sick. It will only result in other people getting hurt,” he continued sternly. Batman refused to feel bad when the kid flinched and looked away. “Also I expect those papers with your medical history tomorrow.”
“I know, I have them. I just need to edit out all the identifying information,” Robin said as he resumed his push ups. “I still think it’s unnecessary, I promise I have a clean bill of health.” He looked up to make eye contact with Batman, mask to mask, “It’s just extra knowledge about me you don’t need. I’m supposed to be watching out for you, remember?”
If it were Dick he might call him a brat and make a joke right back. With Jason he’d state that it was the adult’s job to look out for kids no matter the circumstances. But Bruce’s heart was tired. The boy was a means to an end and they both knew it. They didn’t have time for affection or frivolities. As much as his instincts raged against the insanity and danger of the situation, Bruce couldn’t bring himself to look any deeper than he had to. It didn’t matter anyway. In a few months time, this boy would barely be a blip in his memory.
“Another fifty push-ups then we call it a night; I need to patrol and you need to finish docturing those files. I’ll send you the information for tomorrow, and don’t forget to eat next time.”
XxX
They’d made it through a few weeks of training before anyone learned about Robin. Alfred had slapped him when he’d found the training notes Batman had accidentally left out on his desk. Bruce let the strike connect, he deserved it after all.
“After all your promises not to drag another child into your war,” Alfred hissed. “Master Jason has only been gone a few months and you’ve already lined up the next lamb to the slaughter.”
“You’re right, old friend,” Bruce sighed, his body collapsing back into a chair in the study. He looked out the window where the trees were stark and cold. Jason had died in late April, and with all that had happened, he’d missed his favorite time of watching the Manor’s trees bloom. Now Jay would never see another spring and the chill gloom of early October fit Bruce’s mood better anyhow. “I am weak and I am coming apart. My recklessness and exhaustion allowed a child to get close enough to make me aware of the reality of the situation. He pointed out all the ways I was failing my city, my family. He volunteered himself to serve as a crutch until I could be the Batman I needed to be.”
“Well, the lad has gumption. I'll give him that,” Alfred said with a twitch of his mustache that said he was amused but didn’t want to show it. “I am still angry, angry that you worried the people who loved you and dragged an innocent into your problems. However, you’ve seemed - not happier - but more stable these past few weeks. No matter the cause, I am grateful for that. Working with a partner has helped you before. What is his name?”
“I don’t know and I don’t ever want to know,” Bruce replied stubbornly. “It was different with the others, they lived here, relied on me, and I loved-” he cut himself off and stared out into the dark expanse of his estate. “Robin has his own life, his own family. We are bound by nothing but a mutual desire to save our city. He is nothing, and certainly not my responsibility.”
“Like hell he’s not,” Alfred frowned. “If you train him and you take him out with you then he is, by definition, your responsibility. I understand that you are grieving, sir, but I will not watch you kill another-”
“He’s not going to die,” Bruce barked. “He is a means to an end, a temporary stand-in until I can be well enough on my own. Just a few months training him to get my mind and body in order. It’s doubtful he’ll ever make it to the streets. I know myself; if I know his name and give him mine in return, he’ll end up squirming his way into my heart and I-” The fight went out of him and he slumped back into his chair. “I can’t do it, not again.”
“Broken hearts heal, Master Wayne,” Alfred coaxed, more gently. “Just bring the lad around, I’m eager to meet the young man who changed your mind.”
“No, I’ve let my mission and my personal life become too intertwined,” Bruce sighed. “He belongs to Batman and, even then, only for a short while. That is the end of this discussion. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to rework Robin’s training.”
“I remember the boys being famished after your little sessions,” Alfred said softly, nostalgia heavy in his tone. “We don’t even know if he’s getting enough food at home, dear me. If you won’t bring the boy here then you will deliver some homemade energy bars. I’ll also pack some snacks to take with him. Did you give him some binding tape for sore muscles? How about-” Alfred wandered away, muttering to himself about all the things he would put together for Robin.
Bruce watched him go fondly. His oldest companion hasn’t looked so alert and engaged in months. Maybe he wasn’t the only one Robin would be helping.
XxX
“That the new kid?” Dick asked, popping up out of nowhere. “Agent A told me.” He took a seat on the rooftop next to Batman without being invited and watched Robin work through his routines. Robin was doing better, almost to the level the other boys were when they first started. Another week of training was tacked on at the thought. “So you really don’t know who he is?”
“He’s Robin, that’s all I need to know.”
“His idea?” Batman grunted in response. “How do you know you can trust him? He could be anyone under that mask. I was raised by you and you hardly trust me,” Dick said with a shrug. He wasn’t looking at Batman, just sitting and watching the kid run through his drills over and over again. His posture was casual but wary, attentive to Robin’s every move.
“Knowledge leads to familiarity then affection,” Batman replied enigmatically, knowing it would annoy the other. Nightwing, predictably, scoffed. It was probably the most civil conversation they’d had in months. As much as he missed his son and former partner, the memory of good times sometimes hurt more than the endless cycle of silence and petty arguments.
“I miss him too, you know,” Dick said bitterly. “I wasn’t there for him like I should’ve been, too busy being mad at you I guess,” he sighed. “I’m just worried you’re rushing in another Robin to fill in the gap and you don’t know anything about this kid. It’s not safe and you’re already vulnerable-”
“I’m fine,” Batman replied on reflex.
“Now we both know that wasn’t true even before, well, you know,” Dick said with a small, sad smile. They fell into silence for a few minutes. “You know, I’m pretty sure I’ve met this kid before.”
“Where? When?” Batman frowned.
“A few months ago, this random kid cornered me while I was visiting Haly’s. One of the lion tamers had been murdered and he was trying to solve it, kid did his best but I eventually exposed the real killer.”
“He found you out of costume?” Batman frowned.
“Yeah, it gave me a scare at first. Kori said some boy had been looking for Nightwing a few days before. It must be a coincidence though, no way a little kid like that can get back and forth to New York all by himself. Anyway, this kid showed up asking if I could pass a message along to Nightwing since a billionaire’s former ward is easier to track down than a vigilante,” Dick chuckled. “Said that Batman wasn’t doing well, that he needed his old partner back. It was after you met him according to Agent A so maybe he was covering his bases in case you fired him?”
“I still might,” Batman said carefully. “Did he identify himself?”
“Nah, he had on a hat and sunglasses but, to be honest, I wasn’t looking too hard at him,” Dick slumped and put his chin in his palm. “He said you needed help but helping you wasn’t high on my priority list at the time. I brushed him off and thought nothing of it until someone bothered to loop me in.”
“He’s certainly stubborn,” Batman grumbled.
“He’s gotta be to work with you,” Dick said with a smile. It almost felt like old times. “Let me lend a hand with the training. You’re good but you’re no Flying Grayson. Kid’s small and lithe enough; I can probably get him pretty flexible.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I want to keep an eye on him, make sure we know who and what we’re dealing with,” Dick sighed. “You can keep making new mistakes if you want, I’m going to work on fixing some old ones.” Batman didn’t grace him with a response and Dick obviously wasn’t expecting one as he fell forward off the building, dropping into a roll to bleed off momentum.
“We meet again, little bird!” Nightwing shouted as walked up behind Robin. The kid startled at the approach - they needed to work on his situational awareness - and threw a punch which Nightwing caught with a laugh. “Good reflexes there! If I’d been blind and drunk, you probably would’ve hit me.” Robin gaped at him.
“I had little arms like you once; let me show you how to use them to put someone down,” Dick cheered. Robin was obviously very excited by Dick’s presence but Dick didn’t play into it like he had with Jason. “Get into your basic fighting stance. Yeah, just like that! Don’t worry kid, we’ll make a Robin out of you yet.”
XxX
“Did Nightwing tell you about the Gauntlet?” Batman asked Robin one evening when he arrived at their usual training location. The sky was now full dark and the weekend was upon them, the city was ripe with dark promise. Robin perked up behind his domino, instantly alert.
“That was his last test to be Robin, right? He had to avoid you for several hours in the city and ended up helping solve and stop a major crime.” Robin rattled off. He was doing his best to hide his eagerness. Batman remained neutral and tossed a thin folder at the boy which he caught and immediately stuck his nose into.
“You’re as ready as you’ll ever be. In there is a single scrap of evidence of a crime that has occurred. By midnight, I expect you to have solved the murder and incapacitated all the responsible parties. I will be watching only, I will offer no assistance. I’m here only to judge and ensure your safety.” He frowned, “if you have not met all the requirements by the appointed time, you will be fired. Your training will cease, all your gear will be taken and you will never have contact with me or my associates again. Are we clear?”
“And you’re the one judging? Can I trust you to be impartial?” Robin asked skeptically.
“You only have 5 hours left, you shouldn’t waste them on questions you already know the answer to.” Batman redirected and observed the boy’s scramble for the door. He watched the boy’s back, giving him a few minutes before following after. The boy had his work cut out for him: a difficult case, a bare minimum of equipment, alone for the first time in the city. He bore no identifying uniform, so by the end of the night, no one would connect him to the Bat. Just as it should be. This was a necessary part of their Arrangement, the way this charade was always going to end.
The night went by fast. Robin made quick work of his first clue, honing in on the abandoned sewing machine factory where the victim’s body had been found. He’d been able to break into, read and sneak out of the GCPD after reviewing the relevant documents but not without setting off the alarms. He only just avoided capture by a very annoyed Detective Allen and Detective Driver. Robin’s investigation led him all over the city, a task that took him significantly longer without a grapple. He beat a dealer for information and gently questioned the victim’s coworker. By the time he’d located the trigger man and his accomplice, it was just past 11pm. It wasn’t the cleanest take down but, in the end, Robin was the one left standing even if he was hunched over some very bruised ribs.
The GCPD arrived at the scene where they found the crooks and evidence of the crime at ten to midnight. While he’d kept himself hidden, Batman had no illusions that Robin didn’t know where he was. This was proven true when he joined Batman atop the apartment building across from the site of the final fight. His left cheek was swollen from a lucky punch early in the night which made his proud smile incredibly lopsided.
“Leonard Sidlowski and his little skeezball friend, Kurt Bryant, have been identified and remanded into police custody,” Robin glanced over at the clock tower. “And I still have 3 minutes to spare.”
“Your job isn’t done yet,” Batman bit out, taking no pleasure in the way Robin’s face fell. “I asked for all parties to be taken in. Who hired Sidlowski? Why isn’t he handcuffed beside them?”
“That’s not,” Robin said quietly before straightening his spine and glaring at him. “That’s not fair!” He shouted. It was the first time this Robin had argued or even raised his voice with him.
“That was our agreement,” Batman growled back.
“Rebecca Adler was killed because she was going to turn in her ex-boyfriend, Marshall Fontaine, a high level flunkie for King Snake, leader of the Ghost Dragons who undoubtedly ordered the hit.” Robin stomped his foot, “I’m a kid with a handful of hours, I can’t bring down the head of a major gang!” The clock struck midnight.
“Then you have failed,” Batman said stonily, meeting Robin’s glare head on before turning away. “You did well tonight, you gave a murdered innocent justice for her death and now her killers will be locked away. That is an accomplishment you should be proud of. Go home, son. Thank you for your concern but your job is done here.”
“It’s not done, Batman needs a Robin,” Robin scowled. “You trained me and we both know I’m ready. It’s stupidity and cowardice to back out now.”
“I don’t need anyone,” Batman stated as he stalked towards the end of the roof. The company had been nice while it lasted. Robin’s training had done what it was supposed to, given him balance, clarity and reminded him what was important. Now it was time for them to go their separate ways before the boy, or Bruce, got hurt.
“You needed Jason,” Bruce froze, his grapple almost slipping out of his hand entirely at the name. Reminiscent of their first meeting, he whirled and saw Robin fidgeting but with a determined look on his face. “You didn’t teach me everything about being a detective, I knew enough to track you and Nightwing, Mr. Wayne.”
“And what do you intend to do with that information?” Batman asked, stalking back towards Robin. He didn’t intend to loom over the child but that was dangerous knowledge he held. Maybe Dick was right and he had been too trusting. Then again, he hadn’t really expected the boy to get this far.
“I’m not going to blackmail you or anything. Like I said, I only want to help,” Robin said earnestly. “But I’m not going to stop. If you won’t take me as your partner then I’ll go out anyway. I followed you and Dick, then you and Jason for years without anyone noticing. You keep telling me that I’m not your responsibility and you’re right, I’m not, but that also means you have no right to stop me. You’re getting back up whether you want it or not.”
Was he actually being threatened by a kid who didn’t even come up to his shoulders? The situation was downright laughable yet Robin had Batman in a bind and he knew it. The kid was stubborn and capable enough to make his own way and Batman didn’t have any authority to stop him. Sure, he could unmask the kid and assert some control but that would defeat the point of the Arrangement. Years ago, a different sort of Batman had found himself at the mercy of another cheeky young boy. At the time he had laughed and opened his heart. Look at where that had gotten him.
“You’ll regret this,” Batman said heavily. “I’ll make sure you do. Tomorrow night, the usual location. If you’re determined to see this through you’ll need your uniform.”
XxX
“Good evening, Master Robin, I presume?” Batman should have known Alfred would be waiting for them as soon as he’d radioed ahead that he was bringing the boy to the Cave. Alfred probably would have been here waiting regardless of their identities being blown. Maybe his fussing would drive off Robin when Batman’s attitude couldn’t.
“Woah,” Robin gasped as he stepped outside the Batmobile and took in the expanses of the Cave. “I had no idea there was this huge cave under Wayne Manor. I looked up schematics once, there’s nothing nearly like this recorded anywhere.”
“Because I either bought or edited any public information about the extent of the cave system,” Batman said with a frown. The fifty third thing he learned about Robin was that the boy had enough knowledge and ability to, not only access, but read topographic maps. He was sure at least some of them were available via the Gotham Library as well as local museums and archives. He’d have to ask Barbara if anyone has been requesting them- no, dammit, he didn’t want to know!
“I wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you, young sir, but I’m afraid your mentor has been rather reticent,” Alfred tutted. Bruce didn’t miss the man’s small smile as he watched Robin spin in place to take in all the sights of the cave. Even the domino mask he wore couldn’t disguise the wonder in his eyes. Jason had looked much the same his first time.
“Not much to know about me,” Robin said distractedly. “I’m just here to help Batman. By the way, thanks for all the food you passed along. It wasn’t necessary but still appreciated.”
“Of course,” Alfred said quietly. “I do believe your uniform awaits you. If you’ll follow me, lad, we’ll get you squared away. You’ll probably need to come back for size adjustments as you get used to the material.” He put a gentle hand on Robin’s back, leading him towards the curtain for the fitting. “And perhaps a snack afterwards? I’ve yet to meet a young man who doesn’t live in a perpetual state of hunger.”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?” Robin laughed.
“Batman said you were a bright boy,” Alfred praised. Batman tuned out the rest of their small talk while he worked at the computer. The butler would inevitably try to get more personal information out of the boy but Robin was like a steel trap with his secrets. Alfred’s heavy footfalls when they returned told him that he’d been unsuccessful and was unhappy about it.
“Now that you know our identities, I’ll allow you access to the Cave’s facilities and resources to-” Bruce should have expected it, should have prepared himself for the inevitable but when he turned and saw the boy in the Robin colors, he felt his heart clench. This Robin was smaller than the last, quieter too. He and the kid had made adjustments to the costume during training breaks so the uniform itself barely resembled the one Jason wore. It didn’t mean seeing another boy standing where his son ought to be hurt any less.
“Master Bru-”
“I’m going out,” Batman growled, standing up out of his chair and stalking back to the Batmobile which had barely cooled off. It was already late, he hadn’t planned on patrolling again tonight but he couldn’t stay any longer. “You stay here, use the gymnastics equipment to practice the moves Nightwing showed you. Alfred will drop you off at the border when you’re done.”
He slammed the car door and rolled the window down to glare at his new, unwanted partner. “If I ever find out that you went out in that suit without me or my permission, it will be the last time. I will take everything from you, everything. ” He rolled up the windows and fired up the engine. Despite the noise, he could still hear Alfred through the speaker system.
“He didn’t mean it, my boy, he’s just… this has been an adjustment for all of us.”
“It’s alright, I understand,” Robin responded as Batman skidded out of the Cave. The worst part was the boy sounded entirely sincere.
XxX
“Robin, are you in position?” Batman asked into the communicator.
‘I am, I’m on the rooftop of Bennington Towers. Ready to go when you- arg!’ Bruce jumped up at the sound of Robin’s yelp.
“Robin! What’s happening?” He was a block away but if he spun his grapple around the gargoyles on the second national bank he could probably get there-
‘Don’t have an aneurysm B, it’s just me,’ Dick’s voice could be heard faintly through Robin’s line. ‘Didn’t mean to scare the little bird; I was just checking in. I heard you were finally letting the kid out to play so I wanted to see for myself.’
‘You didn’t scare me,’ Robin pouted. Since he was away from the boys, Bruce didn’t bother to hide the tremor in his hand as he replaced his grapple on his belt. He didn’t think of Ethiopia or the smell of charred wood and flesh.
‘Sure kid,’ Dick teased back. ‘I’m linking up to your comm frequency.’
‘ So what are we up to? Been a while since I knocked some Gotham heads together. I’ve kinda missed it,’ Dick continued, coming through much clearer.
“Nightwing, you are not needed on this operation,” Batman hissed as he paced a bit to work off the anxious energy.
‘Come on, B, four eyes are better than two,’ Dick said cheerily. Did he mean for the case or for keeping an eye on Robin? Probably a bit of both, knowing Dick. ‘Let Robbie see a real pro in action and not just a geriatric relic.’ There’s a quiet little huffing and he’s pretty sure Robin was suppressing giggles. Fact number ninety, Robin snorted when laughter took him by surprise.
“Fine,” Batman growled back, knowing it would waste more time arguing with Dick than it would to complete the mission. “Robin, you take the side entrance. Nightwing, the back and I’ll go through the front. Keep in mind this is a bust, not a performance.”
‘I don’t see why it can’t be both,’ Dick said. ‘Come on, kid, you ready?’
‘Oh man,’ Robin said with a voice full of awe. ‘Batman and Robin, back together again. I wish I had my camera.’
‘First off, I put down the R back when you were still eating paste,’ Dick chuckled. ‘And what do you mean camera?’ Robin was silent on the other end but Batman heard the gentle scrape of them falling into their positions.
‘I like photography and I, well, I liked my city's heroes. I, uh, I snuck out sometimes and took pictures of you guys in action. Well, not so much of you as Robin but uh… They’re all locked up safe, I promise! I developed them myself and-’ Robin’s explanation was interrupted by Dick’s hearty, barely contained laughter over the line.
“Nightwing,” Batman warned, already developing a headache from the direction this evening was going. He hadn’t told Dick of Robin’s past-time because he knew the man would be far too amused by it. Not to mention that Bruce was still a little bit embarrassed by the fact that he’d been unknowingly followed by a child for years.
‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’ll be good,’ Dick said, trying to catch his breath. ‘I haven’t laughed like that in ages. You really are something, aren't you kid? Now let’s see if your fighting skills are as good as your stalking ones!’ He announced before a loud crash told Batman he’d gone through the back window. The fight was uneventful, the crew had the advantage of numbers but with the three of them, they were soon taken care of. Robin was dutifully patting down and zip tying the criminals when Batman saw Dick sneak up next to him.
“Hey kid, you got any good shots of my little brother?” He asked quietly, probably not intending for Bruce to hear. “I was only just getting to know him when he… B’s taken down all of the pictures, I miss seeing his face.”
“Yeah, of course,” Robin whispered back gently. “I have a lot, he was- he was my Robin, y’know? I’ll bring some of my favorites in tomorrow night.”
“Thanks,” Dick said before reaching out and ruffling Robin’s hair. “And good work tonight, you’re doing the legacy proud.” Batman had no interest in whatever else they had to say so he tuned them out as he called in the GCPD.
XxX
“Bruce, hold up a moment. Let’s talk,” Clark said quietly into his ear as they finished up their monthly JLA meeting. Robin had been on the streets for almost a week, he’d considered not coming for that very reason. A couple of the other Leaguers were also awkwardly hanging around the room. Jordan and Queen were talking quietly among themselves at the conference table but shooting Batman unsubtle glances. Barry’s nephew and replacement Flash, Wally, was usually one of the first ones out but he was instead leisurely pacing like he had nowhere to be. Dick probably asked his friend to check up on him. J’onn and Diana made no effort to hide their unnecessary concern as they stood by the door as if to keep him from leaving before they’d had their say.
“I have nothing to say to you,” he sneered. “I’m needed back in Gotham.”
“Did you really think you could hide a whole ass sidekick from us?” Queen huffed, “especially since you’re continuing the tradition of dressing him like a traffic light?”
“As you know, all JLA associated heroes, including child partners, need to be officially tested and presented to the League. We put that protocol in place in case of an emergency team-up so the limits of their abilities are known,” Wally said with his arms crossed. “If I remember, you came up with that rule yourself.”
“We just want to make sure everything is alright,” Diana sighed. “You haven’t been yourself for a while and you hadn’t even told us you were training another partner.”
“Robin is none of your concern,” Batman bristled. “And yes, Wallace, I’m aware of the rule. However, Robin will not be leaving Gotham, will not have any interactions with other heroes and likely will not stay in his present role for very long.” He looked around and saw nothing but worry and compassion. The League, much as he’d like to pretend otherwise, were good allies, good friends. Bruce would not have made it this far without their support, in the field as well as the more difficult, emotional battles he’d fought.
“I have not been operating efficiently as of late, it was beginning to affect my work. A child volunteered to serve as my partner while I came to terms with… my loss.” Bruce began slowly, practically forcing the words out. “The previous Robins were important to me outside of the costume. This boy is merely filling a need until I am better able to manage the city on my own.” The room was blessedly silent for a moment.
“So your solution is to use a Rent-A-Robin?” Jordan asked incredulously. “You’re acting even battier than usual, pun intended.”
“Bruce,” Clark frowned, “that doesn’t seem right, using a kid like- like a bandage of sorts.”
“This arrangement does seem potentially hazardous,” J’onn mused. “Your partners have always been your own children, allowing you to properly attend to them. Do his parents know what he is doing? Is he being properly supported outside of the costume for the inevitable traumas?”
“I find it hilarious that you think you can work with a partner without catching warm, paternal feelings,” Queen chuckled, lounging in his seat. “I give it 6 weeks before the kid has Wayne attached to his name.”
“No,” Batman snapped and the room became silent. “No more after Ja-” he cut himself off. “Robin will remain a work partner and nothing more. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he stalked towards the door.
“Bruce,” Diana said softly, grabbing onto his shoulder before he could leave. “We understand that you are grieving and our concerns are born out of love for you. All we ask is that you take care of yourself and your new partner. For what it’s worth, I think his presence is helping you.”
Batman didn’t answer, just grunted and continued out of the meeting room. Robin would inevitably ask why he was late. Fact number thirty seven, Robin was something of an snoop though he called it ‘information gathering’. He’d simply say the meeting ran over. The kid wasn't the only one allowed to have secrets.
XxX
Robin had been missing for several days, the longest he’d gone without contacting Batman. He resented the anxiety that gnawed at him, did not welcome the care or concern that he’d worked hard to deny. Still, by the time the fifth day rolled around without a word, he was punching criminals harder than he needed to. Dick had been running over Gotham top to bottom, clearly ignoring patrol to search. He’d seen Alfred surpendiciously studying the missing persons section in the paper that morning.
Not again, he couldn’t go through that again.
“Batman,” he whirled around and was about to tear into the boy, not for worrying him but certainly for being rude in his lack of communication when he stopped. Robin was pale, his hair in a bit of disarray and his uniform hastily put together. Something was wrong. He looked up at Batman with a very familiar face, one he saw on desperate Alley kids, on the orphans he visited and the boys he raised. It was a child looking to Bruce to fix things. “I’m sorry for going dark,” Robin began nervously. “I didn’t mean to be gone for so long.”
“Robin,” he said tightly as he clenched his fists, feeling the weight pressing down on him. Something was wrong, something had gone terribly wrong in the boy’s life and he was now coming to Bruce for help. “You can’t just disappear like that. Nightwing and Agent A were worried.” He should ask what was wrong, he should offer support to someone who’s done nothing but support him.
“I’m sorry I know we promised not to share anything but,” Robin whispered. “I- there were some family issues that I needed to take care of.” The boy choked a little bit but otherwise looked steady. Batman felt his fists relax because at least he saw the blow that was coming. That gave him time to prepare.
Now the boy who had been an independent, outside agent who wasn’t supposed to be involved with his personal life, needed him. Bruce wasn’t sure he was ready to take that step not even a year after losing Jason. He had no idea what was going on in Robin's private life but it was clear the boy had no one else to reach out to. Robin needed him to be someone more than Batman, more than a crimefighter. A mantle Bruce swore he would never pick up again.
“I can patrol tonight but things will kind of up in the air for the next few weeks,” Robin swallowed nervously. “I’ll try and give you as much heads up as possible but I’m still figuring a lot of stuff out.” It took a lot to throw Batman off guard and yet this child seemed to do it so easily. The night was quiet, Batman could hear Robin’s quiet, barely controlled sniffles carried in the breeze. He was still bracing for a blow that evidently wasn’t going to come. Something had devastated his partner’s world and the boy wasn’t going to tell him.
Dick as a young boy came to him many times, whining about all sorts of problems in his life. Even Jason, initially reticent to outside help, had relented fairly quickly. But the first thing he had learned about this Robin was that he was not Jason. Bruce had been dreading the inevitable time when Robin would need him but what should he do when the boy didn’t ask for help he clearly needed? Even with a broken heart, the instincts of a father did not go away.
He started by giving the boy space during their patrol, waiting for him to come to Bruce. They foiled a mugging, then another, caught some would-be art thieves as they were breaking into the museum, and helped rescue civilians from a car accident on the Kane Bridge. But through it all, Robin was silent. It was closing in on 2am, the time he forced all his partners with school to finish patrol and he still didn’t have the words. Robin was looking over the cityscape with a lost, weary expression.
“Robin,” Bruce began carefully, the child titled his head to indicate he was listening. “Are you alright?”
“Have I not done what I was supposed to?” Robin questioned sharply. He turned abruptly with his shoulders pinched and tight, his hands clenched into fists at his side. “Have I not kept up my end of our Arrangement? Kept my identity secret so you wouldn’t be burdened with the responsibility of another kid?”
“This isn’t about-”
“Because you don’t get it both ways, Batman,” Robin said with a frustrated squeak in his tone, sounding like he was moments from sobbing. “You don’t get to ignore me and then later pretend like you care. I am not your son, I am not your problem so you don’t get to have any say in what happens to me outside of this mask. Your concern is unwanted and unnecessary. My problems are my own and only if they interfere with my work as Robin do you get to comment on them so,” Robin tilted his chin out in protest. “Did I do anything wrong this evening?”
“No,” Batman admitted reluctantly.
“Then butt out of my business,” Robin said, his voice still wobbly and weak from some unnamed tragedy Bruce wasn’t privy to. “I know it’s almost time for my part of patrol to end. I promise I’ll keep in contact but the truth is, you need me more than I need you. I’m doing this to help you get over a slump, not to be your new pet project. I’ll listen to your orders in the field but I’ve gone a long time without an adult bossing me around and I don’t need it from you.”
Bruce wondered how long Robin had been managing on his own to believe he didn’t need to be cared for by an adult. He wondered what it said about him that his actions agreed with the boy. Because Robin was right, he couldn’t have it both ways: couldn’t express concern as an authority figure while also keeping his distance.
“Alright,” Batman whispered. Robin deflated a bit, clearly expecting some sort of fight. He wondered if the boy was disappointed in him. Heaven knows Bruce was disappointed in himself. “I’m going to trust you Robin, that you will be able to manage whatever is happening on your own and come to me, or someone else, if you need help.” Robin opened his mouth to say something before becoming quiet and nodding.
Robin left not long after that, firing his grapple off towards the Eastern part of the city. Batman doubted that’s where his home was. Fact number one hundred and seven, the kid was always doing little things to try and throw off their perception of his life outside of the mask. For the first time, he allowed himself to really think about just what the boy was like, at school with friends, at home with his parents. There were enough pieces, he could probably put the puzzle together if he really wanted but…
“Take care of yourself, Robin,” he said once the boy was out of earshot. He sincerely hoped someone else was looking out for him because Bruce certainly wasn’t.