I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING
(I know that the ages are inaccurate, but I am making them like this for the story)
Dick (Nightwing): 24
Jason (Red Hood): 21
Tim (Red Robin): 19
Damian (Robin): 17
WARNING: A WHOLE LOT OF FOUL LANGUAGE
Redemption
Tim's mind was at war with itself. On one hand, he could stay in his current apartment and remain alone.
In isolation.
But, on the other hand, he could go back to the manor with Jason and stay with his family again. He could see Alfred, Dick, Bruce…Damian. He actually wouldn't mind seeing Damian.
Which actually surprised himself.
Jason was still awaiting a final answer. But what if he gave the wrong one? What if he let his feelings get the best of him, leading him to say yes, only to find that Jason was the only one to want him to return to Gotham?
What if he said no, leading all of his family to resent his entire existence. He would not be welcomed back to the manor, this could be his last chance.
Tim knew that Jason must have spent a long time searching for him, he made sure to cover his tracks extremely well. Does Jason really care that much about him? His older brother left Gotham just to find him. Jason left his home, just to bring him back to it.
But, like he thought earlier, what if Jason were to be the only who wants him back?
Jason stared at his troubled little brother patiently. Knowing Tim's anxiety, Jason could only suspect nothing less of a war was currently occurring in the young adult's mind. He wanted to grab him and wrap him up in his arms, whether if it were for Tim or himself, he would never know.
Jason spent so long searching for him that he never thought whether or not Tim would want to come back. Sure, he thought there might be some surprise, maybe some tears mixed in, but not once did he think that he would have to carry his little brother back to his apartment to await for his final answer.
Nope.
Not in a million years.
So he waited.
He waited because its the best thing he could possibly do at that moment.
He waited because he missed his little brother.
He waited because Tim needed to know that he was needed.
Finally, after twelve minutes of waiting, Tim looked up at Jason with finality leaking through his spine.
"I want to go home."
LINE BREAK
Jason stretched his back after placing the third and final bag in the back of his rental car. He and Tim were just finishing up packing all of Tim's stuff, which honestly wasn't a lot. But after sitting on an uncomfortable chair all night without sleeping, he totally believed he had a good excuse.
And at that moment, Jason couldn't decide which was worse; Tim teasing him about being too old to carry the bags or Tim teasing him about his rental car.
It was a fucking mini-van.
Get over it, Tim.
Jason jumped into the driver's seat and started the car. Before pulling out of his parking space, Jason glanced at Tim beside him in the passenger seat, "Are you sure this is what you want?"
Tim nodded, "Yeah, I mean, we already packed up all my shit." He grinned. It was the first real, honest to God grin he had seen cross Tim's features for months.
Jason shrugged and pulled out of the parking space, thus, leaving Tim's apartment and his old life.
"Damn," Jason scolded himself, "that sounded cheesy as fuck. Might as well just have a Hallmark movie marathon while we're at it."
LINE BREAK
It took the two brothers around twenty-six hours, three traffic violation, two speeding tickets, six Red Bulls, sixteen sups of coffee, five of Jason's road-rage-rants (Tim, look at this piss-ant. Look at him. Now imagine me CHOKING HIM WITH HIS OWN SEATBELT) before they finally made it to Gotham.
Tim looked out the window the whole time they were driven through downtown Gotham. He thought that he would have forgotten most of the city he used to protect, so he was pleasantly surprised to find he remembered everything about her. Maybe she didn't want him to forget her.
"Are you fuckin' serious! Get the hell out of the road if you're gonna be a dumbass! Oh you little shit. I will break that finger and shove it so far up your ass that it will be fingering your throat!"
Tim stared at Jason, because…wow. Jason honestly has no filter. How…How does a filter break even more?
LINE BREAK
Once the two brothers drove up to the Wayne gates, Tim felt all air leave his body. No, it did not feel like someone punched him in the gut like everyone says in books or TV shows, it felt like Superman was stepping on his chest.
"Tim, you cool?" Jason asked. If Tim wanted to go back to the boring-ass apartment, he would buy a bus ticket ASAP. Jason was definitely not going to be driving for like, a week.
Tim nodded and swallowed. What if they didn't want to see him? Sure its expected from Damian, but what if Bruce doesn't want to see him? Hell, what if Dick doesn't want to see him? What if-
"Why do they call it an 'Adam's Apple'? It's not like a snake is gonna convince some chick to take a bite out of it. So why on earth would they call it?"
Tim groaned and thought about slamming his head onto the dashboard but just crawled over Jason to roll down the window and press the buzzer, notifying Alfred that someone was at the gate.
"Mr. Wayne is not expecting any guests today."
Tim ignored Jason trying to pull him off his lap in favor of answering Alfred, "It's Tim, Alfred. Oh, and-DAMMIT JASON STOP THAT!"
Jason grabbed Tim's sides, which as he he knew, were his most ticklish spot. Without a reply from the intercom, a buzzer noise emitted from the gates as it opened for the car's two occupants.
Jason threw Tim into the passenger seat, emitting an indignant huff from the younger of the two, and drove forward. They barely even stopped the car when Alfred pulled the manor's doors open and walked to the car with barely concealed urgency.
Tim and Jason stepped out of the car and were instantly engulfed by their beloved grandfather figure.
Its not everyday that Alfred ceases his reminded personality, even if for a split second, so they both returned the hug, no questions.
"I'm glad you have decided to return, even if you needed a," He glanced over at Jason thoughtfully, "push."
That's what Tim loved about Alfred. He didn't ask any questions. He doesn't need to because he already knows. You wanna keep a secret in this house? Good luck. But not even Batman can keep a secret from Alfred.
Alfred all but dragged Tim and Jason inside and shoved them into a chair before he went into the kitchen, probably thinking they're hungry.
Tim looked around the mansion he hasn't seen in months. The furniture was the same, no dust thanks to Alfred, the grandfather clock was still in it's place, blocking the BatCave from view.
"Tt."
Tim looked to his left and saw Damian. Jason put his hand on Tim's shoulder placatingly. He remembers how Tim and Damian would always fight with words and physically. He did not need those two fighting after being back home for just five minutes.
"Damian." Tim acknowledged, "It's good to see you again." Maybe he was trying to get along with Damian. Lord help him.
…
Jason stared between the two as neither moved or said anything. Before the tension in the atmosphere could become any thicker, the grandfather clock moved to the right, allowing Dick and Bruce to exit the BatCave.
Once the two set their eyes on Tim and Jason, their eyes widened comically. Just as expected, Dick sprinted towards the two, about to grab Tim in a hug-
when he was intercepted by Damian.
Who HUGGED TIM.
Damian had his arms wrapped around Tim's midsection, in an awkward hug, but it was a hug nonetheless.
A hug from Damian.
"I am pleased that you were not eradicated, Drake. I am to be the one to end your life if the occasion arises." And with that, Damian let go of Tim and retreated into the kitchen, probably to either help or insult Alfred's cooking.
All remaining family members in the living room looked at the kitchen door in shock.
Jason looked at Bruce questioningly, "What happened to the hellspawn when we were gone?"
Dick shrugged, "Nothing. I think he was actually worried about Tim."
Dick, Jason and Bruce looked at Tim as if he won an award.
"What?" Tim asked.
"Why did he hug you?" Dick pouted and crossed his arms.
Tim rolled his eyes, "Gee, it's good to see you too, Dick."
As if he finally remembered that he was about to crush Tim in a bone crushing hug, Dick pulled Tim into the longer overdue brotherly hug. That was now suffocating him.
When Dick released Tim, Bruce stared him down with his calculating gaze. Tim realized that he was using the look he reserves for criminals when when Batman is interrogating them. Not backing down, Tim sent Bruce his own glare.
He did not come back to Gotham just to be treated like a petulant child once again.
After their heated stare down, surprisingly, Bruce was the first to back down, seeing as he was not going to win without a fight.
"Welcome back." He placed a large calloused hand on Tim's shoulder in a friendly gesture that the younger took gratefully.
"I'm glad to be back." Tim smiled, relieved that he was still accepted in the manor.
Bruce gave a small smile and led him to the kitchen where food was most likely awaiting to be eaten. "But I would like to know what happened."
Tim knew that would be coming and so he nodded, as to not dampen the mood. After all, he should be ecstatic! Damian hugged him.
Him!
And he was back where he belongs.
Home.
A/N: Yay! Another update for y'all to enjoy! Thank you for the birthday wishes!
I know that Damian was pretty OOC in this chapter but I just really wanted some interaction between the two since I'm kind of lacking in the Damian & Tim Bro-ship department
I had an amazing birthday and…. I GOT THE LAPTOP I WAS SAVING UP FOR!
I'm so happy and grateful for my family and how they helped me reach my goal of getting a laptop! Now I am able to update faster! I used to have to use an iPad to update my stories, which is not efficient, but now I can use the laptop! And it will be great for when school starts!
Thank y'all for the reviews and the kind birthday wishes! 3
