"No… no….. NO! Dammit!" Connor exclaims as he pounds away on the computer, barely avoiding destroying it.
"Kon? Are you okay?" The auburn-haired ward of Superboy and Robin asks in concern for his bigger friend.
"Yeah Bart…. No... Maybe you can help. But you have to give me your promise that you won't tell Tim, okay"
"Sure… OKAY." He responds dragging out the last word into a questioning slur.
"Bart, this isn't a cute little 'surprise date' thing;… I'm trying to find Tim a ring. But it has to be the right thing. I mean exactly right."
"A ring for what?" Impulse asks with concern and curiosity, his eyes narrowing as he stares at his half-Kryptonian friend.
"I'm going to propose to Tim and I want the ring to be something really, really special." Conner says in a combination of fear for having told his secret and yet having shared his burden.
"YoumeanyouandTimgettingmarried?That'ssofreakingcr ash!" Bart blurts out in his excitement, wrapping his arms around Connor's neck. "ILoveyoubothandhopeditwouldhappen!"
"Only if he says "Yes", kiddo. It's just that I can't find the right engagement ring. I mean, come on, he can afford anything he wants, and I can't. How do I make something special?"
"Supes? You big clone lug… haven't you learned anything? Its not the money. Have you ever known Tim to act like a spoiled rich guy? Maybe make it something not expensive but full of bunches of meaning."
"I got it! Bart… you are wonderful!" Kon exclaims as he snatches up the little speedster and plants a kiss on his cheek.
"Good to know, but I didn't do nothing." He shrieks giggling.
"Oh yeah, buddy… you did." Conner responds, giving his little friend a warm smile and a tickle before sending him off to bed.
Conner stepped off the rail station in Gotham City. Batman tolerated no Metas in his city. Not that he hated them, but this city had enough of its problems without super boys attracting more problems, and of a type that even the great Batman would have trouble handling. He walked another block to a bus stop… for the line that would take him within walking distance to Wayne Manor. At any time he could have flown right to the threshold… but it mattered that Kon followed Bruce's rules to the letter.
He strode up to the portal of the manor and struck the knocker for entry. The door opens at the hand of an old and wise gentleman, who Kon knows to be Alfred.
"Mr. Wayne is expecting you, Master Conner."
Alfred draws Conner into the living room, as he fidgets with his unaccustomed tie and searching his mind for the right words just as the imposing Bruce Wayne enters the room…
"Alfred tells me you wish to speak with me." Bruce Wayne speaks with unaccustomed coldness.
"Y-y-yess sir." Superboy stutters.
"Is something wrong Conner? Something I need to know?" Bruce asks in feigned concern. Tim was his son as if his own blood. Any grief from Superboy was as a blow to Bruce's own heart. Nonetheless, he knew why Conner had come, and he was not going to make this easy. If it was worth it, it would be worth the struggle for the young Kryptonian clone.
"No sir!"… "It's just that…" Conner's voice started to break from the stress of the moment.
"Take your time and gather your thoughts." Bruce explains; even though he already suspects where this conversation leads.
"Sir… I will be asking Tim to marry me soon. You are his father now… and I want your blessing… for Tim's sake."
Conner had stood between life and death for Tim… but never between love of father and boyfriend.
He had blurted out his love shamelessly… and bared himself to THE Batman.
Bruce Wayne feels his heart tighten. He had raised several young sons, two successfully, and one not so; and one yet to be determined. But no enemy could take his child away from him quite in this manner. This well-mannered young man drove a knife into his very heart.
"Master Bruce… Master Conner…" Alfred calls. He stands to the side, having just stepped into the room, with a tray holding a snifter of a delightful elegant elixir and a cordial of a fine blue liquid. "Thought you gentleman might need refreshment."
Bruce gulps his drink as Conner takes a bare sip. The Bat had seen this coming, if it not for the fact that Tim was his boy… and would have kept him so.
"I only ask your blessing … of the hand of your son in marriage."
Just then, even Wonder Woman, who was not fond of the company of men, would have been proud of Conner.
"I love Tim, and I mean to seal that love in marriage… if he will consent to do so."
"You selfish bastard!" Bruce exclaimed, his right hand clenching into a claw.
Setting his shoulders, he could only say… "Yes sir I am. I love that young man that you raised and whether you realize it or not it is your hand that led to this. You made him the epitome of strength that I love. You left open the wound of loss of family that he has allowed me to fill… and… you believed in me when I was rescued from CADMUS… when Robin saved me."
"Our love is not dependent on you blessing, but we dearly want it. I want it… and one more thing…"
"And what is that, Conner?" Bruce Wayne asks menacingly. Conner had already asked so much by asking for his youngest adopted son's hand.
"A piece of metal from your property fence."
"Kon, do you know what grief Tim has upon his heart? What he has sacrificed?" Bruce asks calmly.
"How dare you, Sir! Is that all you think about, is grief and pain? I understand all that very well. I want to give him joy and happiness, and a family. I know a little of his pain. But pain should be a moment in life, not the only point in it. He has saved so many that maybe someone should give him some joy instead of taking it. Maybe he should be saved from it a little bit."
"Conner… Tim isn't that, not just the pain, but you know that also. He's a young man who has felt too much pain in his short life, as have you. I trained him and made him Robin as an outlet from becoming something worse."
"Like what happened to Jason?"
"No, that was different. That was where I failed. He was a bright and cheerful boy and I failed to save him. Tim was already full of hurt when he found me, even before his father was killed. But ask yourself or Bart if pain and anger is all that he has. If nothing, it has lessened since he awoke from his coma two years ago. I am grateful to you for that. "
"We've gotten off the point, Mr. Wayne… I do not need your blessing. Our hearts already are where they are. But I dearly want it… your blessing…, out of respect for you and Tim's love for you… and maybe my love too. No man can begin a family in pain and hope it to last."
"No Kon… curb your anger a bit. That IS the point. I was trying to pay you a compliment in my own way, and tell you that you have earned him."
Conner drops his head at the last statement.
"I know what you've said to Superman… thank you." Conner adds.
The very hand that had put the Joker to his knees settled on Superboy's shoulder and Gotham's detective said:
"You, if anyone, has my blessing. Don't besmirch it by begging. You have every right to ask this of me. I'm honored to grant it. So… stand up tall and be good to my son. Just understand that I love him. Should you ever harm…"
"Sir, if you thought that we would not be talking in this way."
"What of you Kon?"
""DO you remember what we spoke of year before last? I have loved him from the first day and I believe our love will survive always."
"So, I must let Tim go… now that he is a man."
"No, Mr. Wayne… I ask that you let me add to his life. And I ask another simple thing… Mr. Wayne. Not as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne. As for letting him go, you are his father now. Do you think that our marriage will take him away from you? Love is not a finite thing where something must be lost to love another. I mean to add to it. Maybe, even, you'll gain a son-in-law that loves you as well."
"Just be good to my son, Conner… and welcome to the family." And Bruce Wayne takes Conner head in his hands and places a fatherly kiss on Conner's forhead.
It was a great deal to ask, but epic moments were never made by the timid or weak and Conner was neither of those things. And moments later a strong figure reached across an open garden and took hold of a wrought iron finial and wrenched it away silently. Minutes later, miles across the city, a band of a wrought iron fence is wrenched for a piece of metal from an empty home.
Bruce Wayne had raised one son…who now led his own life, yet let him live a life with the other young heroes. The second boy he had adopted he had lost…. most painfully. Would the third be the charm, given to love to love and happiness? He hoped so. Yet he knew he would not be lost to him at all if he let him go his way in happiness. Still, it was difficult to accept that he was a grown man now and making his own family. Difficult but proud.
Bruce Wayne went to bed that night holding back tears, hoping that he had made the right decision.
Timothy Drake… orphaned by a succession of his own life choices stood alone in the rain at the grave of his own father… that of "Jackson Drake."
Tim could not say he was sorry, nor could Robin. For now the two were one and whole. All they could do was mourn and avenge, But Tim had already had his vengeance. That was his own secret. In his past, he once stood before his father's murderer, borrowed gun in hand, and evened the score.
Speaking to a cold granite stone, Tim said: "Dad… I'm sorry you could not be here now to see the son you made. My life has grown whole now finally… and he knows me as Tim, your son, and also as Robin. I wish you could meet him, Daddy!" His voice cracks in deep emotion and grief.
"But given the chance, if we could have, he would be your son too." Tim speaks to the cold stone before him, drenched in rain.
"He's a good man… good to me… well, you know what I mean. I did what I thought was right for you; and so did Bruce. He's adopted me. But I'm a man now and am making a family of my own… our own. I owe you that as much as I owe Bruce. And maybe someday we can somehow give a little boy your name to carry on the legacy of the Drakes and Waynes."
He stood alone at the grave of his father withstanding the rain. Then the fall of water parted and Timothy looked up into unearthly blue eyes of his lover… and Kon stepped forward and drew Tim into his arms.
"How…?"
"Sshhh… I can always find you. But I didn't want to leave you alone for this and didn't want to intrude."
"Kon… I think if he could have known…."
"Hush Timmy… I know." The broad-shouldered Kryptonian clone pulls his lover into his arms.
Conner pulled Tim tighter into an embrace… and slowly rose up into the sky as he set his lips gently onto Tim's.
Tim's umbrella fell away as the boys flew higher into the rainy afternoon sky. Kon's aura wrapped itself around Tim as the many feet of altitude expanded between them and the ground. Tim's grief set him beyond fear… and barely noticed when Kon had him high in the skies, only held by the bare touch of a fingertip. Pulling higher and higher they broke through the clouds into a bright and clear sunset… painted in red and orange. The night became day and gravity broke away into laughter. Tears were left behind like the falling rain. He felt no fear and held Kon's hand.
High above the rooftops of Gotham, Superboy broke Batman's edict against a meta exercising his powers in Gotham.
Some things were more important… like this.
He let the Robin fly…
As their fingers touched, Conner knew every part of Robin high above the city… and let the touch loosen while keeping the hold strong. He let the bird fly high and free to find his strength again, not that he had ever lost it.
Robin Flew!
For the first time in his life, Tim felt the freedom of true flight.
The young heroes cavorted above the clouds, Conner pulling Tim closer and closer then letting him free again…
"No more tears now?"
Timothy laughed with open abandon as Kon let him soar open and free, knowing Conner would never let him fall… ever.
Hours later, Kon laid Tim into bed in their loft in Metropolis and slowly pulled his clothes off. He was drenched from his vigil at his father's grave and Kon's flight. Emotionally, it might have been a bit much, but the young man had found his release from his long turmoil and turned his heart back to his love. Gravity had broken his bond and he had flown. His heart would never wallow again.
Waking up the following morning, Tim sits up in bed. For a moment, he felt a vulnerablness he was unused to. He last remembered flying in abandon high above Gotham with Kon before the emotional release and exhaustion took him.
"Kon?"… He calls out to the room absently.
"Timmy!" A smaller red and white streak exclaims as it targets on the still waking vigilante in his bed.
"Bart? Where's Kon?" Tim asks.
"In the kitchen making breakfast."
Tim pulls the covers away and starts for the shower before he realizes he's as naked as the day he was born. "Damn Tim" Bart whispers to himself in appreciation seeing his older friend's naked form "That's Kon's secret after all."
"Get lost kid" Tim bitches playfully as he throws a pillow at the young speedster.
Minutes later, freshly scrubbed and dressed, Tim steps into the kitchen to find piles of food and dishes decorating the kitchen as Conner makes breakfast for the family.
Conner sets down the skillet he's holding and pulls his lover into his arms, just as Bart jets over and wraps his arms around both of them. Tim hadn't felt so whole in his entire life. Now if only he could repay the favor to his lover and their friend, life could be perfect… or at least as close to perfect as it could be for them… and that was more than perfect enough.
"Eat up, we're expected at the mountain this morning." Conner says as he serves breakfast.
"Yes Mother." Tim jokes.
"That's 'Dear.'"
With smiles all around, the little family dives into their breakfast, preparing for their weekend ahead with their teammates.
B-04 Superboy… B-20 Robin… B-23 Impulse
The mountain's computer calls out the names and designations as the trio steps through the Zeta tube into Mount Justice.
Kid Flash and Nightwing stand right before them, as if waiting for their friends to arrive… which they were. Impulse suddenly barrels past them both, leaving everyone in his wake, as he pounces on the raven-haired lad standing behind Wally and Dick.
"Hi Jamie!" He says simply as he all but knocks the beetle-boy over.
"Hi Bart." Jamie responds with a laugh as he grabs the boy up in a hug, then composes himself not wanting to look too bold in front of the older heroes.
Conner motions Wally and Dick over to the side as Tim walks off to find Kaldur.
"I need a favor… Could you guys maybe look after Bart next weekend? Not that he needs sitters, but he kinda is an ADHD poster-child you know."
"Sure." Wally responds. "You don't mind, do you Dick?"
"Of course not. It'd be nice to spend some time with the little terror."
"Wait!... Kon… are you gonna…" Wally begins to say.
"Ssshh! That is a secret, okay? Not a word, please?"
"Oh my god! Conner! You are going to, aren't you?" Nightwing asks hopefully.
"Yeah, I am… if he'll have me." Conner answers sheepishly.
"Idiot." The ginger-haired speedster smacks Conner on the side of the head.
"What do you mean?" He asks Kid Flash.
"He's only been waiting for a year or two."
"I wanted to wait until we were more settled, you know?"
"Yeah… and your adopted kid, never mind he's my great-great-great etc nephew, is now dating. Quick before you get old. Get it together clone boy."
"Kon, have you talked to the Bats?" Nightwing asks.
"Yeah… I did."
"You're still alive! That means it's cool with him then?"
"Come 'on guys, this isn't about me. I want it to be special for Robin." Superboy explains.
Nightwing and Kid Flash both give Superboy congratulatory hugs, with a couple of not so subtle suggestions from Wally, just as Robin returns to the room.
"So, what's the conspiracy guys?" Robin asks.
"Oh, nothing. Dick and Wally wanted to know if we minded them taking Bart on a weekend trip with them next week so maybe he can harass the greater part of the San Francisco area."
"OhyesyesyesyesYES!" Bart shrieks from across the room. He knows why he's being sent off with Nightwing and Kid Flash, and hoping everything works out for his mentors.
"What's going on hermano?" Jamie asks Bart as he still vibrates in excitement.
"Later Jamie… I'll tell you later." Bart whispers to his dusky and exotic boyfriend.
Tim's eyes narrow at the situation, but he lets it go for the moment.
"Does someone want to open the front door of this rock before Wolf figures out that he can actually rip the front door off?" Nightwing calls out to the room.
"Conner, go play with your puppy." Nightwing and Kid Flash give him a shove as he runs off to see his not quite canine friend.
Superboy walks off to tend to Wolf, quietly pocketing a piece of barbed wire the mutant wolf has brought to the mountain from elsewhere.
And still, Robin's eyes are boring holes through the older couple comprising his big brother and best friend. He hates secrets that aren't his own.
Conner wakes himself up in the dark of the night, defying gravity and floating off the bed so as not to wake Tim. Stepping lightly, belying his larger stature, he pads across their warehouse loft to the garage, where three small pieces of metal are secreted in his toolbox. Digging about, he pulls out a small soapstone mold he has carved carefully in the few hours that he has had to himself away from school, work, and conferences with a certain boy's principal (which are usually interesting). Setting the pieces of metal in an iron dish he focuses his eyes upon them.
His heat vision was unleashed through terrible emotional trauma, but he now knew it was such strong emotion that released it. He narrowed his eyes in focus on the metal shards and concentrated those emotions, his love, his full heart, his happiness, and his burning passion. He amazed even himself at how he could control both his emotions and his heat vision when thinking about Tim. Beams of red hot energy shot narrowly from his beautiful blue eyes onto the metal scraps and they began to glow red, then swelled, and finally puddled together into a molten mass. Entirely impervious to heat, he picked up the iron dish and poured the molten iron into the mold.
The iron was so hot that it flowed easily into every crevice of his mold. In his impatience, wanting to see the solid object, he blew on it and was astonished at the cold strength of his breath, so much so that the mold broke, leaving behind a simple iron band now cooled. He picked up the ring carefully and marveled at its simplicity and hoped it would be right.
This was something that could not be bought and no jeweler could possibly make. It looked very much like the marbled Damascus steel that fine blades were made of, but wasn't. He rubbed it swiftly and carefully, bringing a luster normally only seen in silver or white gold. It was his engagement ring to his Robin, made of a finial from Wayne Manor's gate, a band from the wrought iron of Tim's boyhood home, and a piece of barbed wire from the Kent farm. The three places most special to Tim. He hoped that when he put that ring on Tim's finger that a fourth place would be cemented. No ring would ever be able to represent that.
That fourth place was in his heart.