Winter had deepened, and the world had settled into the Yule season, as had the Team in Mt. Justice. The shining bright snow and the cold slow days held a promise of new life and joy in the Spring. Everyone was working to decorate their home in the mountain and wrap their gifts for one another. With the return of Robin and Superboy, the team was whole again and optimistic and hopeful of the coming year... and Superboy was terrified.

"Ti... Rob... this is Batman we're talking about." Superboy said with a quivering voice. "Holiday cheer to him is NOT breaking your mind along with your body." Though Superboy had always called him Robin, or just "Rob", he had so fallen in love with the true name of his boyfriend and used it whenever he could that he had to remind himself when he couldn't.

"It's fine Kon... he wanted to meet you again, now that we are together. He wants to talk to you... as my lover. You know... 'THE TALK'"

"I know... and that terrifies me. The Bat is ony playing nice... and you know what he'll think of us having done... having made love. What he'll think of me. He is very protective in his own way, I think."

With a playful slap, Robin giggles at his boyfriend and clarifies. "Kon, do you think for a second that Bats thinks that? Like his adopted son is not capable of being his own man? Bats was too good of a trainer and 'Dad' for that. Besides, he does not need to know that. He helped make me my own man, just as Ma and Pa Kent taught you to be your own man. Its not a matter of secrecy, but a matter of privacy."

"But what if he thinks we're not okay and that I'm hurting you or leading you astray? He would kill me."

"Kon, Bats never kills, you know that. Besides, if you ever did me wrong, Batman would be the least of your problems. I have three brothers and myself for you to deal with." Robin says with a grin.

"Besides, he knows what we both went through to come together. If I know anything, I know he understands love. Without it, he would have destroyed Gotham out of vengeance, not continue to protect it and try to make it a better place for the innocent who live there. It is a part of him that few understand."

With a groan, Superboy surrenders (and shivers).

"Fine. You're gonna make me do this anyway."

"Kon, Batman invited you to spend Yule with us. Do you know how much that means? How much that means to me? The invite alone is a huge mark of approval."

"I know, Rob. He just kinda scares me."

"Me too Kon, but this time he's trying to be a good dad; and he wants to talk with you. But it won't be you cornered in a dark alley, but as a guest in our home on Yule. Trust me, its all good. Batman has a strong sense of hospitality on the very rare occasion someone is invited. No harm comes to anyone invited into our home. Besides, it is a measure of his trust that you will meet us all at home, and not in uniform on the streets. He's revealing a lot of himself by doing this."

And then Robin pauses, realizing what he should have seen from the start...

"Conner... its always just us as a family at Yule. This year he invited you too. I didn't ask him to. Do you know what this means?"

Conner felt some of his fear fall away in understanding and pulled his bird to him in a tight warm embrace, feeling lighter and lighter by the moment.

Conner realized that tomorrow was going to be a very long day.

"Make way!" The young couple hears the shriek, just before being almost bowled over by a red and white blur.

Piling up in a bundle of red and white spandex and entwined in Yule lights was an auburn-haired little precoscious kid. He practically vibrated with energy and was babbling so fast that no one could understand him.

"OMG that was soooo CRASH!" The little hurricane managed to get out slow enough to be understood.

"Kon... Tim! How are my best buds?" Kid Flash yells from behind before grabbing them both in a hug.

"Wally?" Robin hisses in threat at the older teen, still learing at the smaller speedster out of the corner of his eye. "What is that?"

"Oh him? That's Bart, he's my nephew... yeah, nephew, that's it."

"Walls, you're an only child. How do you have a nephew?" Robin asked.

"It's complicated."

"I think he's cool!" Conner shrieks like a fanboy. Robin looks at Superboy like he's ill, wondering how his boyfriend can think the poster-child for ADHD can possibly be cool.

"So, what's the story on the Ritalin-boy?" Robin asks Kid Flash.

"Well, he's part of the family and had heard so much about us from the magazines and wanted to hang out with us on Yule-eve, so I thought he could come along. Most of us at home are out of the "cape-closet" so I thought it was cool."

"OhmygodohmygodohmygodyoureSuperboy!" Bart shrieked and Conner flexed for the kid, making the little brat scream even louder in delight.

"Wally... he's reducing my boyfriend's IQ exponentially." Robin face-palmed in surrender.

"Robin!

HeycanyoudotheBatGlareIheardyouandSuperboyarebestf riendsandcanwehangouttogether?"

Reassessing the kid as he slowed down (relatively) to talk, Robin took stock of the little terror before him.

The boy stood there like a puppy just wanting validation. His spandex outfit clung to his skinny body, flowing over bones and tightly-corded muscles that moved like narrow cables under his skin. His auburn hair crowded over and around a set of funky goggles like a mass of tentacles with their own agenda. He had almost golden eyes that sparkled with manic energy. That, or the kid had just had too many sugar cookies. Frankly, he was just cute... like diabetes.

"Hey Rob." Wally asked to get Robin's attention. "Can we go talk for a second?"

Superboy was keeping the miniature speedster occupied so they left the common room and walked into the kitchen which was deserted at the moment.

"What's up Wally?" Robin asked. Nervousness etched Kid Flash's face, connecting the dots of his freckles.

"Well, how do I say this?"

"KF, you're my best friend. You can say anything. I owe you so much for you helping get me and Supes together that I... well... you know."

"That's just it, Rob. You are so happy now. You and Kon. I love it. You guys deserve each other and I'm really very happy about it; and now that you two stopped pining away at a distance and got together I'm kinda feeling left out."

"Left out? Wally! You're my best friend, we love you and keep you close in our lives, and Superboy really likes you too."

"No, no, no. It's not that. Its just that I'm still single and kinda want to have what you and Kon have."

"Wally, maybe you just need to tell her how you feel and stop pestering her." Robin said, assuming he was referring to Artemis.

"Yeah right." Kid Flash responded, looking down at his feet, trying to work up the courage to tell his friend the truth.

"I like Artemis, but she's just a friend. I bug her 'cuz I can and she lets me and dishes it back out. But I don't like her like THAT. Listen, can you just deliver a card for me?" Wally asks, knowing he just stepped off a cliff.

"Of course, KF. Anything for you."

Kid Flash disappears in... a flash. A second later, he returns with a small card and puts it in Robin's hand. Wally looked over to the younger teen, knowing he put his heart in his hands along with the card.

"Thanks buddy." and Kid Flash bolts off. Robin looks at the envelope and sees the name the card is meant for and it says in simple block letters...

"NIGHTWING"

Maybe Yule wishes do come true.

Tim steps languidly out of the shower, body pink and freshly scrubbed, and towels his hard lithe body off, and pulls on his underwear; all the time singing to himself an old foreign pop song:

You know the paper boy running the store at the end of the road

So don't you remember, he got a scene at the end of a rope

Hung like a soldier, brave and tall

"What's with you, Drake?" Damian asked suspiciously as he prowled into Tim's bedroom.

The opinionated and not "quite" evil youngest brother of the Bat family stood marvelling at Tim singing and dancing (some might even say prancing) while he got ready for the coming Yule guest. Tim had always defined angst, and Damian understood and respected this, but here was Tim singing and dancing in his underwear fresh out of the shower. Something was wrong.

Damian knew there was a question to be solved here. Something was not right. Then Damian noticed a slight change in his older brother. His signature black bikini briefs now sported a red Super logo. Had Tim lightened up enough to actually try to be cool and buy fan-boy gear? No, Damian knew he was missing something obvious.

Wait... he was singing what? WHAT like a soldier? Whatever! Not really worth the trouble is it? Tim has always defied categorization in his years from amateur photographer/sleuth to wayward youth to Robin... and now this.

Damian gives up trying to understand his brother just as the door bell rings.

"Good Day, Master Conner." Alfred says, greeting the manor's Yule guest.

Damian tears down the hall and plunges to the bottom of the staircase,shoves past the dignified butler and steps boldly forward, assessing their guest. Standing in the doorway in a starched shirt and tie, looking for all the world like a noose in his discomfiture, was Conner Kent. Damian thought it was a piss-poor disguise, but he had the advantage of knowing who Superboy really was.

Wait... Tim said what in his song?

Konner, trying his best to be a good guest, said to Damian:

"Hey little dude. Whaddaya know?" and touseled his hair, much to the newest and littlest Robin's discomfort and entirely unconcealed rage.

Damian's detective skills are back to work. Tim singing about hung soldier-boys while wearing Superboy undies, and Superboy comes to the house. YES! This would be harrassment fodder for a good long while. Drake was going to pay!

"What do I know? A damned sight more than I did ten minutes ago, clone." Damian's grin was genuine in its deviousness.

It scared Konner. He clutched a small package to himself and hoped the little demon would go away.

"Kon!" Tim exclaimed, coming to the bottom of the stairs and practically throwing himself into Superboy's strong and slightly nervous arms.

Kon stood transfixed. Robin... his Tim... was dressed handsomely in narrow black linen slacks that gave length to his slender strong legs and flowed with every step like he was walking through a roiling mist. He wore an oxblood red pullover that clung to his frame from his angular shoulders and narrowed down to his thin waist, clinging to his body giving hint to the firm rippling muscles that slumbered beneath it. His raven black hair was perfectly arrayed, looking quietly conservative, and yet defying it with playful spikes.

But it was the eyes that attracted him most. The deep blue was a pool he could always fall into. But he saw those eyes in their natural state. There was no mask, or the sudden revelation after its removal. These were Tim's eyes, and his alone. And old sadness and a bit of hardened steel still dwelt within those orbs, but far overshadowed by the joy of welcoming his lover into his home on Yule. Today they weren't heroes, just Tim and Kon. He was seeing a side of his boyfriend that Tim was never able to reveal before. Kon appreciated and loved him now as much as he did the strong young soldier of the streets of Gotham.

"Gods Tim! You look fantastic!" Conner whispered huskily, his voice catching in his throat.

"You too Kon." Robin gasped, looking on his lover.

Conner Kent wore simple cuffed khaki slacks, their starched crease leaving a line from his ankle up to the crux of his thigh, a line Tim followed longlongly with his appreciating eyes. His plain button-collar white Oxford shirt lay over his broad lean chest like a knight's surcoat over gleaming maille. His narrow neck was surrounded by a simple tie of diagonal stripes of red, black, and blue. Vibrant hues that brought out his eyes and toyed with Tim's. Draping languidly across his shoulder was a fine blue wool blazer that he somehow still wore like a hero's cloak. There was an appeareance of pure honesty and simple strength in Conner. He wore the simple outfit as he tried to be himself... honest and true.

Tim learned something at just that moment. He would never try to change his best friend, his comrade-in-arms, his lover. No linen, silk, or cashmere would look as good as did his cotton-clad pure nobiliity.

Only moments passed between them before they fell further into an embrace and gave one another a brief chaste kiss. They would have liked more, but hopefully that might come later, they both thought to themselves.

The reverie of each other's company was suddenly interrupted by a tall and very elegant gentleman.

"Thank you for accepting our invitation, Conner." Bruce Wayne said in greeting, taking Superboy's hand in a firm handshake. Even the man who Conner knew was Batman seemed lightened by the Yule holiday. His grip was strong, but less a test of strength as it was an act of bonhommerie.

"Thank you very much for having me, Sir."

Superboy had an advantage of being the clone/son of Superman himself and was not easily intimidated, but there was a weight and depth to this man and his home. Yet the man owned the house. For all it's history it did not yet own him. He was still able to nurture such a fine young man as Tim in it and was maintained by such a loyal gentleman as Alfred Pennyworth.

"Conner, may I introduce my family?" Bruce said formally.

"My very good retainer and friend you have met, Alfred Pennyworth. My youngest here is Damian, who you also have met." Conner resisted a cringe as Damian looked at him with daggers in his eyes and would have sworn he heard the kid hiss at him.

"I believe you know Richard..." Dick had just walked into the foyer, knowing he could not avoid the introduction; and yet hoping even though this was his own home that old anger had been forgiven.

"Yes, I know him well." Conner said softly.

"Thank you for coming, Conner." Dick said softly, holding his hand out for a handshake.

Conner smiled and pulled Dick by his hand into his arms and gave him a big brotherly hug, which he heartily returned. They both pulled away smiling, having forgotten and forgiven previous trespasses. Tim's smile reached to his ears, something that would have been unknown not so long ago. His big brother and his boyfriend in a warm embrace had healed yet more of his heart. Conner was infected by that smile, and like a beneficial virus it spread to the others.

"And of course, Timothy needs no introduction." The edges of Bruce's mouth turned up slightly, almost resembling a smile, and Tim blushed deeply, his ears turning red as though he'd spent his day out in the snow.

As they all sat to the Yule dinner, the young men of the house brought out great platters of roast pork, herbed potatoes, stewed mushrooms, vibrant greens, and every assortment of bread and pastry one could ask for. Everyone took his seat at the broad table and waited on Bruce to give his blessing, which he did.

Bruce stood and took up a carving knife and proceeded to cut down the great roast. Pulling up a broad slice, he turned and laid it elegantly on Conner's plate, much to Conner's shock. Next he served Alfred, Tim, and so forth, until he had served all his family.

Dinner went on for some time, platters and tureens being passed around according to their appetite. This was unlike any Yule dinner Conner had before. Previous years spent with the Kent's were always warm and nostalgic, and he had a hard time reconciling himself with where he was at now. Yet, for all the wealth and formailty there was a love and affection in this family that Bruce had cobbled together. Just when Conner's nerves were starting to fray from the enormity of it all, Tim reached down under the table to give his boyfriend a squeeze on his thigh; and with a sweet smile he put Kon at little more at ease.

Dinner finished, Alfred stood up from the table; and Conner started to stand to offer his help with the tidying. Tim took him by the wrist and held him in his seat; while Dick escorted Alfred to the drawing room with a hot cup of Darjeeling tea.

Seeing Kon's wondering look, Tim explained in a whisper in his ear:

"Alfred has done so much for us, the least we can do is take care of Yule dinner and let him just relax and enjoy it. Its one of our gifts to him."

The household took on the task of clearing the table and putting away the remains of the Yule feast, all with what was very near an easy banter among the Wayne family. Conner now understood that though this family of orphans and vigilantes hid their love very, very deeply but he was honored to be here now to witness it. Silent tears of understanding fell down his face while he helped in the kitchen. Tim looked over and saw the look in Kon's eyes, and pulled him over to a quick deep kiss. His tears were only a fraction of those shed by each one who lived here, but now he understood a little. Maybe Kon had learned why Batman and his sons were such a force of brutal righteousness in Gotham. Only those who loved so much could risk so much.

The Yule dinner complete and cleared away, the family and their guest gathered in the sitting room, settled on the chairs and couches around the room with a warm drink at hand. Alfred sat comfortably, half-dozed, in a soft side chair still nursing his cup of Darjeeling. Bruce sat in a great chair, facing the hearth to the left of the Yule tree; Dick had settled on the couch with Damian half asleep leaning against him; and Tim and Kon sat together on the loveseat to the side sipping their mulled cider holding hands.

Bruce broke the silence by standing up and reaching under the tree to draw out gifts to those he loved. There was no denying that some of those gifts reflected the nighttime occupations of this family, as Damian's eyes gleamed as wonderously at the new Damascus blade his father had given him.

Conner sat silently watching the tableau before him, holding the hand of his lover.

"Tim, am I forgetting something?" Bruce asked.

Timothy pulled his hand away from Conner and stood up and walked toward the tree. He reached under and pulled out a large box and turned around and set it in Conner's lap with a broad smile on his young handsome face. Superboy felt gifted enough just to be a part of this Yule, he was not expecting nor even anticipated a gift.

"Tim?"

"Just open it Kon." Tim said, with a loving smile.

With trembling hands, Conner carefully unwrapped the beautifully papered and ribboned box. It was broad and slightly heavy. Opening it, he found a finely made leather motorcycle jacket. It had a large silver S-shield on the back, his House sigil. Robin grinned boyishly at him, his eyes begging him to try it on. As he pulled it out of the box and slipped his arms in and pulled it around his shoulders, he noted it fit perfectly as though made for him. Kon's hands carressed the fine leather, appreciating its beauty and quality, and felt a texture over the left breast. Whereas the S-shield was prominant on the back like a banner, the texture was an embossed seal almost hidden, right over his heart. It was Robin's "R" logo, like he wore on his uniform.

Tears falling unashamed down his cheeks, Kon took Tim's hands and pulled him to him, and laid a brief kiss on his anticipating lips.

"Thank you Tim. Its wonderful. You are wonderful."

"Mr. Alfred?

"Yes, young sir?" The Wayne family mentor responded, pretending to be half asleep.

"Do you remember where I set the box I brought?"

"I do recall rescuing it from your grip when you were greeted by Master Tim. You'll find it under the tree, sir."

Conner dove towards the tree, grasping for the gift he brought for his lover.

"Thank you Mr. Alfred."

Still shaking with nervousness, and paying no mind to the family around him, Conner held his small package out to Tim. It was simply wrapped, Superboy not being prone to artistry in his gift wrapping. Kon had hopeful eyes as Tim took the gift in his hands.

"You didn't need to bring me a gift, Conner."

"Just open it, guy. I hope you like it."

As nervous as Kon, Tim opened the small box and found an antique Leica twin lense camera, perfectly preserved and fully functional. For decades this was the camera by which all others were judged. Tim gasped and bit his knuckle:

"Conner... (sniff) it's... beautiful! How could you have known?"

"I'm kinda a fanboy Tim. I've read that you like photography."

At this, even Bruce leaned forward in appreciation, assessing the fine and expensive gift. It had once belonged to Ma Kent's Father, who Conner was named after. But he could tell Tim that later.

Tim fell into Kon's arms and they just held each other for a moment, tears of joy mingling together on their cheeks.

The time wore on quietly, each appreciating their gifts and those who gave them.

Damian had fallen asleep and Dick made his "goodnights" and started to carry off his little brother, before Tim stopped him.

"Dick, I have something for you." Tim said quietly, hoping that there were Gods who answered prayers.

Tim carefully set the small card he had kept in his pocket in Dick's hand. The oldest son of the Bat-family saw his name on the envelope and knew it was not in Tim's handwriting. Curious, he opens the card and reads it through... twice.

"Timmy!" Dick says with a quiet, gasping, quivering voice.

"I know Dick."

Richard Grayson snatched up his little brother in a hug, tears pouring down his cheeks, and gave him a kiss on his forehead, then pulled up Conner out of his chair into a deep embrace. Kon nervously returned the hug, not knowing what was going on, and looked over to Tim with a questioning gaze.

"I'll tell you later." Tim replied with a wistful smile.

Dick caried off little Damien to put him to bed, his steps lighter than Tim had seen in a long time.

"If you'll excuse me sir, I think I'll turn in as well. I've prepared the guest room for Master Conner as I'll expect he'll be staying at this hour."

"Thank you, Alfred." Bruce said. "Merry Yule."

"And Merry Yule to you sir... thank you."

Bruce stood up and walked over to where Tim and Kon sat on the loveseat, Tim's head leaning sleepily on Conner's shoulder. He stroked his hair and softly said:

"Tim, go on to bed, we'll turn in shortly."

Half asleep but with a look of longing, Tim gave Conner a brief kiss and trudged up the stairs. He would have liked to kiss him more, but didn't dare after so much had gone so well and his adoptive father was standing right before them.

Only Conner Kent and Bruce Wayne remained in the room. Conner's fear began to return. He knew what was to come.

Bruce walked to the side of the room, opened a cupboard, pulled out two glasses, and poured a small amount of what was probably exceedingly expensive scotch into one. Reaching further into the cupboard, he pulled out a small crystal flask of a gently glowing blue fluid and poured an equal measure into the other glass; the extraction of "blue" kryptonite having a similar effect on his race as a fine wine would on a human. Turning back to the room, he walked over to Kon, offered him the blue liquid and then sat himself back down in his chair, and took a small sip of his drink.

"I know that alcohol has no effect on Kryptonians. This is something that I keep for when Kal-El comes to visit. If you're old enough to fight as you do and hold my son's heart in your hands, then you're old enough to share a drink with this old man."

Conner takes a small careful sip of his drink, and finds it oddly pleasant and relaxing.

"Kon-El... Timothy is my son. He is as much the son of my heart as if he were born to me."

For a moment, Kon hears the deep intimidating voice of Batman returning, and with it the truth of his words.

"Too much pain has been laid upon him in his brief years. By allowing him to be Robin, I had hoped to give him an outlet for that pain and heal the wounds of the city that caused it. He is the best of us all... in his heart and mind. But instead he had taken on more pain. What you saw of him today is more joy than I have every seen in the boy. I think that is largely due to you."

"Mr. Wayne... Batman. I've only wanted him to be happy."

"I know. Only a blind man would have missed how you cared for him when he was hurt and how he searched for you when you left."

"I did not want to leave him." Conner spoke quietly, "I did not want to hurt your family."

"I know that. That is why I do not forgive you."

Conner cringed in grief and trepidation.

"There was nothing to forgive. Dick was misguided and we all know that now. Seeing him greet you and you return the greeting in my home was a closure for us all. I have other concerns..."

"Yes sir." Conner choked as he took a deep gulp of his strange drink.

"Does Tim know what may happen should you two come together?" Bruce asked.

"I started to tell him, sir. He silenced me before I finished and told me he knew. Clark told me that some Kryptonians mate for life and can have no other after they find that particular mate. Being only half Kryptonian, it likely would not apply to me though. He did warn me. But Tim already knew."

Bruce's eyes narrowed, his voice deepening... "What do you mean 'warned' and 'knew'? You speak in the past tense."

Conner had never felt such dread in his life, but to be worthy of his lover, he had to face this with certainty and honour. He set his drink down on the side table, stood and faced Bruce Wayne, and said:

"We have already been together, Mr. Wayne. And I already know that I can love no other."

Bruce's world tilted for a moment. The Bat, the man who could not be shaken, was shocked.

"Do you know what this means? What it will mean for Timothy, my son?" Rage and grief started to leak out from the sides of his voice.

Conner stood his ground.

"For Tim, nothing. He silenced me and chose. I am humbled and honoured by that; and always will be." Conner responded, his voice breaking.

"But the burden on him!"

"Mr. Wayne, the burden will be mine. If I ever lose him, and I pray that day never comes, I will be the one that cannot move on. As he ages, I will stay young and have to hope he has comfort in my staying young and still devoted to him, while I am the one to watch him age. He took this choice from me. I cannot regret it. Tim is the culmination of all I've ever wanted, I just didn't realize it until I almost lost him. You had to have known that when you brought him to the Mountain. That burden is mine."

"Conner, I know something about this. In your love and devotion you may become protective and jealous. How would you treat Robin then?"

"With love, as I did as a friend, and as I do now as his... lover" Conner winced at using that word for the first time speaking with Batman.

"And you would protect him?"

"Of course."

"How far? If you become too protective or jealous then you will lose him. It will insult and offend him and weaken him. It will break his heart as much as yours. You might withstand it; but he, like his brothers and I cannot so easily. You first fell in love with Robin, didn't you? Then you gained Timothy. Be careful to not protect Timothy so much that you lose Robin... and ultimately lose both."

Conner listened carefully, and said:

"But sir, it was Robin that found me, and Timothy that... shared himself with me. I love them both and see them as a whole."

As Bruce calmed, he said "Then you have to let Robin fly, but fly with him. Be good to my son."

"Go on to bed. Sleep well." Batman said and shook Conner's hand and then in a moment of impulse, leaned over and laid a kiss on his head.

As Conner gathers his new leather jacket and walks away and up the stairs, he looks back for a moment. Bruce had slumped back into his chair, his look a combination of grief and pride. Batman's strength, it seemed, was in his children, but so were they his weakness.

Stepping softly down the hall, Conner stopped at the guest room, and the door was locked. He tried the next room, and it was equally barred. Seeing an object out of the corner of his eyes, Conner finds his overnight bag, lying at the door of Tim's room. Testing the door, and finding it unlocked, Kon pick's up his bag and steps lightly into Tim's room and lets his eyes adjust to the darkness.

Tim is lying asleep on his broad bed, his covers kicked down to his knees. Kon's heart beats faster as he pulls off his clothes, and hangs his new leather jacket on Tim's bedpost. He crawls softly into the bed next to Tim and pulls him close, his hands ever so softly drifting down his arm, hips and legs, pausing for a moment on the hip covered in soft cotton underwear. He only wanted to feel his presence. Nothing more. As he wraps his arms around Robin... Tim, the smaller lad pulls Kon's arm tighter around himself and snuggles against Kon's chest.

"Merry Yule." Conner whispers into Tim's ear.

Before drifting off, Kon's aura pulls the covers over them both and the night finds them deep in sleep, both smiling.