Disclaimer: not mine
Warning – drugging and attempted non-con
Chapter 3
Their orders were clear, find and eliminate Timothy Drake-Wayne. Easy job…if they could find the kid. Seriously, how hard could it be to find one rich American? Ex-Robin or not, it should not be so hard to find a seventeen-year-old, he couldn't be that good so young. They'd had intel of him in Britain and then he vanished. Obviously, he was using alias' but they scoured all records and footage at airports and train stations with no sign of anyone they thought could be him. They'd had a few close matches but Drake was travelling alone, cut off from the other heroes, and the close ones they found were travelling with family, friends, student groups, etc. It was getting very frustrating.
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Danielle smiled at her fiancé, leaning into his side as they wandered around the town. They looked the perfect couple. They got a lot of comments and well wishes as they explored.
It was nice in a way, being Danielle, being able to pretend to be someone normal with no more worries than where to eat or what might make a nice gift for someone back home. It was rare that Tim wished he was someone else but at the moment he did. He could do it, become someone else, but he couldn't abandon his quest, couldn't abandon Bruce.
Danielle leant her head against Tom's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around hers as they headed back to the hotel.
Tonight, Tim had work to do. Tomorrow, Danielle would be a tourist again and the day after she would cease to exist as they moved on.
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"We're being followed," Danny murmured in Tim's ear, brushing shoulder length blond hair back.
"Tourists?" Tim asked as he smiled up at Danny.
"Not with the weapons they're carrying."
Tim swore softly and then bit his lip, nervous? "How far are you willing to go to sell this?" he asked, and Danny realised what he was asking.
"As far as you," he answered.
Tim angled his head up in response and Danny leant in. It had to look natural, they were a happily engaged couple, not two teens who barely knew each other. He lifted a hand to Tim's cheek, helping block their followers view a little, Tim's eyes closing in a surprising display of trust but it meant Danny could yank his mask down to his chin and then their lips met. It was…nice. He hadn't dated since breaking up with Val and they'd held hands a few times, shared an awkward kiss, but they'd been fourteen with so many secrets between them.
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Were they really doing this? They were. Tim leant into the hand on his cheek, eyes closing as Danny's lips pressed to his. It was crazy but it felt really nice. And…no material between them, Danny had removed his mask, there was nothing stopping him from opening his eyes and seeing what he looked like. But he didn't. He swayed closer to Danny, felt an arm wrap around his waist, supporting him. What was he doing?!
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"I was so sure!" She was practically pouting as they watched the couple kiss.
"Better luck next time. Come on. We've got three others here to check out."
They slipped away, unnoticed.
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Tim blinked, feeling strangely dazed, looking up at Danny who had his mask back in place already. Maybe he really was crazy? Why else would he want Danny to kiss him again? And yet, for the first time since his life had gone to hell with everyone dying one by one…he felt safe, seen. Ugh, he sounded like a kid with their first…no, no way…he didn't, did he? He could not have a crush on Danny.
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Tim had been quiet since their little act, not that Danny had felt all that talkative either. It had been the best way to throw off the assassins watching them, Tim had even been the one to suggest it, but he hadn't expected to like it. He barely knew Tim, though he knew more about him than Tim did him. He'd looked Tim up on the flight from the US, there'd been plenty to find thanks to his family, birth and adoptive. Then there'd been the scattered reports of his time as Robin too. Tim couldn't research him in return because all he has was the nickname Danny, a guess at his age, he lived in the US, was adopted…and used to be part of the League. Maybe in a smaller country than America, that would be enough to go off, but not in the US. And Tim hadn't even tried to look at his face when they kissed, was he really coming to trust him?
"You okay?" he asked carefully once back in their room.
"Hmm?" Tim blinked even as he removed Danielle's wig.
"Are you okay, Tim?" Danny was getting concerned now.
He thought back over what had happened and he was positive he'd kept all his powers fully under control when they kissed, he hadn't tapped into Tim's emotions at all. He'd been skimming from crowds on and off to keep from getting hungry, especially since most of the places they'd been lacked the high ectoplasm levels he was used to.
Tim shook himself off slightly even as he moved to begin removing the light makeup he'd been wearing. "Yeah, sorry." He smiled at Danny. "Got lost in my head, it happens." He slipped the padding and bra out from under his shirt and collapsed into a chair. "With assassins in town, Red Robin being spotted might not be good," he admitted, and Danny nodded.
"I doubt we were the only possible targets; this is a tourist town so there's probably others who fit the profile." Their show had thrown them off the track for these id's but if they were tracking RR's work then sooner or later, they would work out two people kept showing up, they could blur things with contact lenses, wigs, even gender changes, but if they ran facial recognition then it'd pick up those people all had the same face.
"We should wait then, stay a little longer."
"You're the boss," he teased.
"Am I?"
"Tim?" Danny frowned, straightening up.
"I…" he ran a hand through his hair. "If you hadn't shown up, I'd be caught by now, by the League or the authorities. I was just rushing into things, not thinking."
"Maybe," Danny offered. "But this is your mission Tim. I'll keep telling you if I think you're taking crazy risks, give input, but you are in charge."
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Tim looked at Danny who didn't even blink when Tim just whipped off the bra and padding he'd been wearing, like it was normal. It was…nice. Caroline Hill had been the first time but he'd also had to do it once with Young Justice and he hadn't thought twice about changing in front of Kon and Bart, Bart hadn't reacted but Kon had seemed confused and a little uncomfortable. That had led to an interesting talk on what Cadmus had shoved into his head about expectations for boys and girls. Then again, Danny said he had an adopted sister so maybe he'd seen her whip of her bra under a shirt before? Or maybe he had a friend who didn't conform to stereotypes.
Danny said it was Tim's mission, that he was in charge. Maybe he had been at the start, but it didn't feel like that anymore. Not quite a partnership, not yet, but it felt like that was where they were heading. Was it really that surprising? He'd worked with Young Justice for ages before they ever learnt who he was, while he'd known their identities. Maybe it felt strange to be on the other side of that equation but if he pushed, he'd end up alone again.
"We'll wait," he decided, and Danny nodded, accepting his decision.
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Dick slumped down in front of the Batcomputer, shoving the cowl off as he did. How had Bruce made it all look so easy? He hated being Batman, longed to go back to simply being Nightwing, to being himself. Damian was simply making it all more complicated. The boy barely listened to him, had snuck out several times on his own at night. He'd tried taking his sword away but it was like he had a secret weapons pocket on him or something.
The press was having a field day, asking where the old Robin was, if he was dead, all the while hating the new one. Public opinion of Robin had never been so low, even when Jason had started out and been so different to Dick. Some had even suggested the new Robin had killed his predecessor, which they really didn't need.
They couldn't find Tim anywhere, there'd been no sightings, no word, nothing. It was like he'd just vanished off the face of the planet. Scarily, they weren't the only ones looking, Babs had picked up evidence of the League of Assassins looking for him as well. What could Ra's want with him? A new heir, since Bruce was dead? In Tim's current state…would he agree? He never wanted to face his family on opposite sides, it happened too often with Jason since his return. Would they dump Tim in the Pit to see how it changed him or would Ra's not want to risk his mind?
If only he'd talked to Tim before the kid saw Damian in the Robin uniform. And…he should never have let Damian wear Tim's colours; he should have made him wear the original colours. Tim had made so many changes to the suit, like adding pants, but the biggest had been wearing almost all red and black, with only yellow on the inside of the cape, no green at all. He'd made the changes after Superboy and Impulse died, honouring his teammates. Damian's gloves at least were green but Dick could see now that it'd been a mistake to let him keep so much of Tim's suit style. He still believed giving Damian Robin was the right thing to do, it was time for Tim to move on and find his own identity.
He hoped that was what Tim was doing, exploring his own identity, learning and exploring. But he wished they had a way to contact him, to warn him about the League. Clark didn't know him well enough to easily track him when he could be literally anywhere in the world. Tim had the funds to do just about anything. And Dick knew…some among the community were wondering if he'd truly snapped and that the next time, they saw him…no, Tim would never switch sides. He could appear remote, too routed in logic, but that wasn't really Tim, not the way the family saw him. The kid felt too much at times, that was why the deaths had taken such a toll on him. But he would never, ever, become what they fought.
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Danny slipped the comm in his ear, the computer in front of him logged into the cameras. He glanced over at where Tim was finishing getting ready to head out. "We need to find someone to tailor that to you properly," he commented.
Tim actually froze for a second, staring down at his gloved hands. "I'm not sure I want to keep it. I took it because I needed the armour and Batman, the new one, took Robin from me. But…I don't think I'm Red Robin either."
"Okay. We can work on that. How about until you chose, I just call you Red on the comms, as much for the colour."
Tim looked over at him, most of his face hidden by the cowl. "Yeah, okay. You should use something too."
Danny nodded, no way would he use Phantom though. He did not want anyone hearing that name outside of Amity. "Shade," he offered. "After all, I'm mostly acting as your shadow." And it was a type of ghost too, two birds with one name.
"Okay." Tim nodded and grabbed his bō. "Watch my back Shade." He gave a slight smile and then was gone out the window.
"Of course, Red."
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Tim stretched out on the seat as best he could, not used to travelling by train. Danny was asleep already, body relaxed, but Tim knew he could wake in an instant if needed. They were headed north again, there was an exhibit in Paris coming up that looked promising. But first, there was a private party being held by an art collector in Marseille that they were going to crash. Well, Tim had arranged invites for Marcus and Louisa Nightingale. They'd have to do some shopping once they arrived since neither of them had packed any evening wear.
For the moment, they were just childhood friends backpacking across Europe on a gap year. It was the easiest cover for train travel, which had less security than an airport would. Plus, the train was cheaper. Yes, he had funds but Danny didn't which meant he was paying for both of them for the most part. He had the feeling Danny wasn't above a bit of petty theft if needed but better not to when trying to lay low. And without any idea how long the search would take or what they might need to do in the future, it was best to save money where possible. He was lucky his trust fund had been secure when Drake Industries went under or he would only have the Wayne allowance that Bruce had set up for him. But that money would be far too easy for Oracle to trace so he would only touch it in an emergency.
Danny shifted in his sleep, head dropping to rest on Tim's shoulder, and he tensed for a second before relaxing. Danny hadn't done anything to make Tim distrust him, had looked after him when he'd been drugged. That kiss hadn't meant anything, it'd just been a way to keep hidden…so why couldn't he stop thinking about it?
Tim shook his head slightly, slipping his headphones on to block out the noise of the train and closed his eyes. He needed sleep too.
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Marcus Nightingale handed over their invite and then led his sister into the party. It was black tie, the twins dressed to match. He wore a black traditional tuxedo while she wore a floor length black ballgown, long brown hair done up in a twist with silver decorative pins. They definitely got a lot of attention from the other guests as they wandered around. She stayed right at her brother's side, an arm looped through his.
"Alright?" he whispered.
"The stares are a bit much," she answered even softer.
"Stick close," was his response. They were there for a reason after all, and it wasn't to mingle. He accepted two flutes from a server and handed one to her.
She took a sip of the champagne and smiled at her brother as they continued to wander. She continued to slowly sip the drink as they walked, relaxing as attention drifted from them.
"Better?" Marcus asked, and she nodded.
"Much better," she smiled, leaning against him.
"May I have this dance?" a smooth voice interrupted them, and they looked to find tonight's host standing behind them.
"Oh," she blinked. She glanced at her brother, seeing his concern, but they needed to keep their covers and to deny the host would be suspicious, so she took his hand and let him lead her onto the floor.
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Marcus, Danny, watched as the two danced. Tim was good, very good, but at such close range it would be easier to see through the disguise. And…did he just giggle? He found pretending to be someone else more difficult, knew he'd never be able to pass as a woman which was why Tim did it. He placed both their glasses on a passing tray and wove through the party goers, keeping an eye on them as he searched for the object they had come to see.
He found it in the end, slipping out the small camera to take a few photos before turning back to the dance floor. He frowned, where were they?
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She…he felt a bit dizzy as they moved across the dance floor but figured it was the champagne and heat. He'd had sips of alcohol before but was technically underage, even in France. Though Louisa wasn't which was why he'd drunk it, after all, she was just twenty. The more they danced, the more Tim surrendered his weight to his partner.
"I don't…feel well," she murmured, trying to stop dancing.
"Come now, such a beautiful young woman not wishing to dance?" there was something in his voice…
Spots were dancing across his vision but thankfully they were moving away from the dancing. She stumbled slightly and he tightened his grip, holding her up. The sounds of the party were becoming distant, his limbs heavy, hot…he was too hot. He lay limp in the arms that lifted him as his legs gave way, mind drifting.
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Tony looked at the young woman in his arms, taking in the vague expression and dilated pupils as her eyes slowly drifted shut. She was utterly limp, breathing a little faster and her body was warm even through their clothes. Perfection. He made his way to the bedrooms and gently lay her down on the cover, moving to ease her heels off, caressing her feet, earning a soft sigh.
Security would ensure they remained uninterrupted should the brother come looking. And by morning there would be no trace of the drug in her body, no one would believe her should she try to go to the authorities. He was too wealthy and powerful for them to attempt to try even if they did.
He moved up, tipping her head back to kiss her and slowly she responded, eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks as she drifted in a drugged haze. She moaned softly as he deepened the kiss, taking his time to explore and tease. He caressed her face, hand moving down her throat, over the very pretty choker she was wearing, and then to her pale shoulders. He slid one strap down her arm and then the other, reaching under her body to find the zipper of her gown, the skirt spread over the bed.
He spun as the door slammed open, the last thing he saw were terrifying glowing green eyes.
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Okay, he was officially worried. Going off alone with the party host had never even been suggested. So where were they? Tim would have found a way to discretely signal him if something went wrong. He glanced around, worry increasing when he realised security was ensuring they remained in the ballroom. But Tim wouldn't have left…he'd giggled and he'd been relaxing more and more as the night progressed…after the champagne. Had he been drugged, again? With barely a thought, he slipped into a shadowed corner and vanished from sight.
Invisible, it was easy to get passed security but then where too? They had looked at the plans, but surely, he wouldn't have taken Tim to his actual bedroom? Then again, he had the wealth to be that sure of himself. Danny flew through the manor, reaching out for Tim's emotions, but there was nothing. Definitely drugged then. He wasn't going to consider that he could have been taken to a secondary location, not yet.
Danny made it to the family wing, seeing light under one door. He slammed through it intangibly only to freeze for a second in horror. Tim was laid on the bed, shoes on the floor, gown spread out over the bed. He was limp as he was manhandled, face flushed and breathing faster. The straps of the gown were off Tim's arms, the much larger man half lifting him to reach for the dress' zipper. It was very obvious what he wanted form Tim…no Louisa, Tim's disguise still in place.
He could feel his ghostly form coming to the surface even as the man spun around, sneer on his face. Danny's fist hit him a second later and the man dropped like a rock, blood flowing from his nose.
Danny rushed to the bed, carefully pressing his fingers to Tim's throat, checking his pulse. Faster than normal but not dangerously so. His skin felt very warm though and Tim seemed to press into his touch. "Tim, can you hear me?" he shook his shoulder gently, shocked when Tim moaned, eyes fluttering open to reveal fully dilated pupils. What had he been given?
Danny grabbed Tim's shoes, shoving them into his own body rather than put them back on his feet. He then removed his tuxedo jacket and wrapped it around Tim before scooping him up in his arms. Tim sighed softly, breath warm on Danny's throat, and he ignored it to turn them both invisible and intangible, flying from the manor to the hotel they had booked under different identities.
Very carefully, he set Tim on the bed and grabbed the clothes he preferred to sleep in. He worked the wig free of Tim's head and then removed the jewellery, wiping the makeup off as well. Tim was unresponsive for the most part, other from soft sounds of pleasure. Danny felt sick at the thought of what had almost happened. Would he have stopped once it was obvious Tim was actually male? Or would he have kept going. With the drugs in Tim's system, he was incapable of fighting off a kitten let alone someone twice his size. In fact, it seemed the drugs were meant to make him an eager participant. He forced himself to ignore the noises Tim made, stripping the gown from him to get him into his clothes. He then lifted Tim's head to coax some water into him, hoping to help flush the drugs from his system quicker.
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Warm…so warm. He whined softly, seeking more touch, needing it. His body was too heavy to move, all he knew was he needed to be touched.
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"Shh Tim," Danny murmured as Tim whimpered, head rolling on the pillow, the hair about his face damp with sweat. It was so tempting to go back and do more than break that monsters nose. There was no sign Tim was aware of anything or who was with him.
It couldn't be a long-lasting drug otherwise dear Tony would risk someone asking questions. He figured by dawn it would be out of Tim's system but that was hours away. All he could do was keep Tim hydrated and talk to him. He didn't dare touch him except to lift his head to drink. He would never touch someone drugged, no matter how enticing the sounds they made were. He'd drawn some of Tim's blood, figuring he'd want to test it, see what he'd been given. Hopefully there was an antidote or some way to link it to Tony so the authorities would have enough evidence to move. If not, Red and Shade could deal with the man themselves.
Finally, as dawn crept over the horizon, Tim seemed to fall asleep.
TBC…
