Just Twist The Knife In Me Will You

by Anonymous

Summary:

5 times the Batkids saw the difference in their relationship with Bruce and Tim's relationship with Bruce, and the one time they confronted him about it.

Notes:

Warning!

Bruce is not canon, none of this is canon. Probably not accurate, but if someone wants to give me a detailed analysis on the batkids, be my guest.

The writing is kinda shitty, but I never said I was good at this.

I am trying to make their personalities similar to canon, but Im probably messing this up.

It's kinda all over the place.

I also probably messed up with the backstories because my memory is shit.

I probably did something else but i can't think rn lol

Have a great day

I take criticism, but if your down right rude or you're commenting on something I have already clarified im deleting your comment.

Chapter 1: All I Want by Kodaline

Dick hums happily as he enters the Batcave, skipping giddily, excited to finally see his baby bird. It's been three months since he saw Tim, having been away on a Titan's mission since. He had gotten into another argument with Bruce prior about Dick going on dangerous missions with the Titans, as if Bruce didn't do the same with the League.

Honestly, Dick doesn't know what the man's problem is. Bruce has been like this since he adopted Dick, and it seriously pisses him off.

Dick tilts his head in confusion as he sees no one at the batcomputer. He sees the lights open in medbay and lights up. He sneaks over there, wanting to scare whoever's in there.

"You're going on a mission with Young Justice," Bruce's voice states, not asks.

Dick frowns and quietly walks over, using his training to lighten his footsteps. He sees Tim lying on a medbay cot as Bruce flutters around medbay like a worried hen. In Bruce's hand was a bottle of Gatorade. Under the fluorescent lights, Dick could see from where he was standing that Tim had really bad eye bags and was really pale.

Tim's voice is raspy as he answers, "Yep, why? Got a problem?"

Bruce takes a moment to answer, his body tense, "I- I have some concerns about the mission."

Dick's brain bluescreens. When the Fuck does Batman stutter, scratch that, when does he voice his concerns like that? 

3 months ago

Dick screams, "I AM A GROWN ASS MAN, DO NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO! I AM NOT A CHILD! WHY DON'T YOU TRUST ME?! YOU ALWAYS DO THIS!"

Bruce stares dick down, he had changed out of the bat suit and is in his undersuit. "You do not know how to take care of yourself. You broke your arm and 4 ribs last time."

Dick sneers, crossing his arms over his chest, "You're such a hypocrite, Bruce. You're no better, running off with the league whenever they call."

Bruce sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, "That is because I have decades more experience than you. I also have responsibilities as a founding member of the Justice League."

Dicks rolls his eyes, scoffing at the excuse, "I call bullshit, I'm only like 15 years younger than you, Bruce."

Bruce corrects automatically, "14 years."

Dick waves his hand dismissively, "Tomayto, Tomato."

Bruce rolls his eyes, cutting straight to the point, "You are irresponsible, Dick. You do not know how to take care of yourself, much less another person on your team."

Dick fumes, red clouding his vision, "That is such bullshit! I was the one who was taking care of Damian while you were getting your shit together-"

Dick can't remember the rest of the argument, but why the fuck does this remind him of that day? Oh, right, because it's essentially about the same thing except Bruce isn't being a bitch and is actually communicating with Tim.

So Bruce can actually communicate without being demeaning or trying to gaslight people, huh, and yet he refuses to do it with Dick. He sounds unsure, so it must be new.

Tim hums softly and says patiently, "What concerns do you have, B?"

Dick sees Bruce swallow before saying, "The planet you plan on gathering samples, there is not much information gathered in that galaxy. I do not think it is safe."

Tim says matter-of-factly, "Hence why my team is going to go.  There won't be much information if no one goes to find that information, B."

Bruce sighs softly, sitting at Tim's bedside, "Tim, I am genuinely worried, not that I don't trust you or your team, but you guys will be going blind. What if something happens and you cannot reach anyone?"

Tim takes Bruce's hand, "Bruce, will it make you feel better if I take someone from the League?"

Bruce stares at his hand in Tim's, looking amazed that Tim would initiate contact. He then relaxes, purses his lips, tilting his head in thought before nodding, "I suppose that is better. Who will you be taking?"

Tim pauses, brows furrowing slightly before tilting his head, "Will one of the Green Lanterns be alright?"

Bruce hums thoughtfully, "Yes, but which one?"

Tim says absently, playing with Bruce's hand, "John Stewart. Hal pissed me off last week, and I don't like green gardener."

Bruce quirks an eyebrow in amusement, "Guy Gardener? And what about Kyle Rayner?"

Tim sighs dramatically, "Potayto, Potato. And I just like John better."

Bruce smiles softly, ruffling Tim's head, "Very well, Tim. Please give me more details before you leave at a later notice."

Tim nods lazily, waving him off. He lets go of Bruce's hand as Bruce stands and hands him the Gatorade bottle.

Bruce scolds, "Also, no more all-nighters. You've been awake two days already. Drink your Gatorade and go to sleep."

Tim rolls his eyes but nods.

Dick quickly climbs into a vent, metal is biting into his hands as he grips it tightly. He watches as Bruce walks out of Medbay and settles into the chair at the Batcomputer.

Dick can feel his heart beating in his throat, his heartbeat in his ears. He can't focus, his hands feel clammy, and it feels like he might vomit.

Why, Dick thinks numbly. Why didn't Bruce fight him on this?

Why would he argue with me about the titan's mission but not Tim over this?

I've known him longer; I was his partner and son longer.

He knows I can handle myself.

Haven't I proven it?

Dick feels something warm drip from his hands, but he can't focus as he thinks.

Why.

Dick stares at Bruce for what seems like hours, replaying that whole conversation dozens of times. His lip trembles and his hand shakes as he watches his little brother have the relationship he so desperately wishes for.

How long has Dick wished for Bruce to actually communicate his worries normally? For Bruce to trust Dick's abilities and team? For Bruce to just stop manipulating him when he doesn't agree.

Why is Tim different? And why does he feel so angry about that?

Shouldn't he be glad that Bruce isn't pulling that shit with his baby brother?

Great, another thing to tell his therapist, sorry, Wally.

Notes:

Thomas and Martha lived in a time where verbal abuse was sorta normal, so it's their version of love. They loved Bruce and doted on him, but instead of being normal when communicating, they basically manipulated him. (I.e. Gaslighting, demeaning, criticizing, doing silent treatment, etc) but outside of that they spoiled him.

Does he do this to his children? Absolutely. He treats them normally, doting and loving them. But when he doesn't approve of something, oh boy does he become his parents' son.

How do they react?

Dick, who was Bruce's first son, grew up with two emotionally healthy parents before Bruce got him, so he does not react well to this. He fights Bruce about his behaviour well into Adulthood.

Jason, Bruce's second son, who grew up on the streets and recognizes different types of abuse, absolutely clocks Bruce on his shit. Bruce, of course, does not take him seriously, assuming it's just Jason projecting his trauma.

Damian is confused, but mostly used to this behaviour in the league.

Cass knows when Bruce will get like this. Has had it happen to her a few times, but she learns and adapts. She doesn't tell him anything that she knows will get him on her case. So she never has to deal with him nagging her, except for the first few times.

Where is Tim in all of this?

Tim came to Bruce when he was grieving. Jason had just died and Dick wasn't talking to Bruce. Bruce was in no state of mind to care for a child.

Damian and Cassandra came when Bruce was better, after Tim was at Bruce's side for almost a year. They got a Bruce who learned to live with the grief and accept it.

Bruce, angry, sad, and grieving like there's no tomorrow, who also wont take care of himself and is dangerously reckless: Leave me alone
10-year-old Tim, determined to help Batman and Gotham, so he forces himself to be Robin: No
Bruce, who has no energy or will to argue but is extremely angry because who the fuck is this kid: Fine, but dont expect me to love you or see you as my son. You will never be family to me.
Tim, who knew what to expect but also ouch: Got it boss

Bruce, who would treat Tim like a stranger, never caring beyond what is necessary between a boss and their employee. Who knew Tim was neglected and didn't care. He keeps it strictly professional at first and slowly grew to love Tim, but still remembers what he told Tim and how indifferent he treated Tim for the first few years: Hmmm, how do I show him I love him?

Is at the watch tower and suddenly Superman and Superboy enter, immersed in their conversation.

Superman, who two emotionally healthy and well-adjusted people raised: Listen, Kon, it's not that I don't trust you or your team. I do trust Robin-
Bruce: perks up from his corner
Superman: -But I truly am worried for you guys
Kon: sighs and gives
Batman internally: Superboy gave in; he isn't storming out or screaming. Tim and Superboy are roughly the same age. Superboy is also more volatile than Tim. Perhaps if I communicate like this with Tim, I can show him that I can get similar results.

Bruce, who slowly observed over the course of weeks how Superman treats Kon and Jon: It's not that I don't trust you, Tim, it's just that I am worried that something might happen. I can't help but worry because-

Tim, who swears he overheard Superman say basically the same thing to Kon through the hidden speaker on Kon, but is glad Bruce is trying: Thanks?

Bruce, who is now accidentally communicating healthily in a way his oldest two have basically been begging him to for years because he doesn't know how to talk to his middle son, who he wronged for years: It worked?! *shocked Pikachu face*