Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 17

Bruce carefully moved Tim's leg, checking his range of motion. Tim winced slightly, proving there was still some discomfort at least from the wound. The Pit tended to erase all scars so the fact the wound had scared…he hated to think how bad it had been. Danny was holding Tim's hand and Kon was holding his other as Tim lay on the bed staring up at the cave ceiling, watching the bats.

"You're in pain," he pointed out.

"It's not bad B and the doc's said it will fade as I rebuild the muscle. A few months of physio and I'll be fine," Tim assured him, lifting his head to make eye contact.

"It's already improved," Danny offered. "They had Tim on an IV with painkillers at first because even unconscious it was obvious that he was in pain. It's probably part of why he was drifting in and out of consciousness."

Bruce nodded, getting out some liniment to massage in for Tim, feeling him relax as it began warming the muscles. Tim felt a little too cool to him, which was concerning. Any blood loss should have been long healed after five months and that was the only reason that he could think of for a drop in body temperature. He'd keep an eye on that and make sure there were no other symptoms.

"Want to head upstairs and get some sleep?" he offered, and Tim nodded.

"Sounds great, I've been dreaming of a proper bed. But…is…Damian?" he asked hesitantly.

Bruce reached out and Kon stepped back to let him take Tim's hand. "He's at the therapists," and that made Tim's eyes widen in shock. He didn't blame him, none of their family had ever gone to therapy after all. "If you don't feel safe then we'll work it out. There's the Penthouse after all."

"I can stay there?" he asked.

"Damian will move there; this is your home Tim."

Tim's hand was shaking in his and he understood, everyone had been putting Damian first before but that wasn't going to happen again.

"I can stay for a while," Kon offered, and Bruce wanted to deny it but he couldn't.

It was obvious that Tim would feel safer with Kon in the house so instead, he nodded in acceptance. "Danny, Alfred's already making you up a room in the family wing. I know the two of you are together and as long as you're being safe then there'll be no comments on the two of you sharing." Both boys went red at that.

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Tim leant on B as his dad helped him up the stairs to his room, his heart rate picking up as they went past Damian's room but it was silent. Kon opened the door and Tim blinked in shock at the sight of his room, it was perfectly clean and everything looked how he remembered…before Damian.

"Alfred and I worked to fix it up to how you had it before. I'm sorry Tim, I should have kept a closer eye on Damian, should have looked into your fall more but then everything…"

"It's not your fault Bruce, you never really had the time to see what he was doing," Tim murmured, leaning more heavily against him for a few moments. "Dick was under a lot of pressure but he was also wilfully blind. He's my brother, I love him, but…I don't know how much I trust him anymore."

"I know," Bruce hugged him. "Want a shower first?"

"Yeah."

"I'll ask Alfred for toiletries then, till we can shop for what you both want. I assume, Danny?"

"Yeah, I've got this," Danny slipped his own arm around Tim's waist.

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Tim leant against the shower wall, enjoying the warm water and the feel of Danny gently washing him. His leg really did ache, in human form anyway, but Frostbite agreed with the Doctors in the camp, it should heal with therapy. The idea of just remaining in Incubus form was tempting for the lack of pain but he couldn't, he couldn't risk B kicking him out. And the hunger was worse in that form too, that wasn't fair on Danny.

Gentle lips pressed to his and he raised his arms to wrap around Danny's shoulders. "Love you," Danny murmured.

"Mmmm," Tim hummed, basking in their shared emotions, knowing Danny could feel it too. It was amazing, to really know how much Danny loved him, to have no doubts. He pressed his body against Danny's, enjoying how wet and slippery they were.

"Do we have time?" Danny asked, kissing down his throat.

"B won't interrupt, he'll guess," Tim answered, tipping his head back. "Water'll cover us…got to check for bugs in the bedroom."

"Great," Danny groaned.

Tim laughed and then used his good leg to jump up, wrapping his legs around Danny's waist, knowing he could take his weight. "Welcome to the bats." He kissed Danny again.

"Too late to run for it?" Danny grinned at him, eyes glowing softly, hands cupped under Tim to hold him up.

"Definitely."

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Kon politely ignored all noises from the shower but he was nice enough to check the room for bugs too. He figured Alfred and Bruce would have found any the brat planted but better safe than sorry. He was still feeling a bit high from the joy and relief of finding Tim and Danny alive after so long.

How had they ended up in Namibia when they'd gone into the Pit in freaking Turkey? Did it have some sort of drainage system he'd missed that led off into Africa? He hated the fact he'd missed them. Five months! A nomadic tribe meant they could have been travelling for a month or two to find the doctors but surely not more than that. So where had the rest of the time gone?

Bruce walked back in with clean clothes for both of them and put them beside the door. "How are you doing?" he asked, surprising Kon.

"I've got my best friend and newer friend back from the dead…it feels kind of crazy. This must be how Tim felt when I showed up at their hotel window."

Bruce nodded even as the door opened a crack and a hand slipped through to grab the clothes, Danny's hand by the look of it which made sense. Not long after they emerged, looking refreshed and happier. Not that he blamed them, any showers that camp would have had would have been very basic and likely not had good water pressure.

"So, what's with the hair?" Kon asked, and Tim reached up to touch a streak of blond as he sat on his bed.

"I'd dyed it blond on the way to Iraq since the League was right on our tail. It's been like this since I woke up so I guess the Lazarus Water stripped most of the dye?" he shrugged. He lay back against the pillows and sighed. "Sooooo much better than a camp bed."

Danny laughed and got up beside him, sitting with his legs crossed. "Yeah, way softer."

"Dick, Jason, and I will be rotating staying here and at the Penthouse with Damian," Bruce spoke up after a few moments. "He's going to work out pretty quickly that something's going on here that we don't want him seeing," he warned.

"Unless he gets some Kryptonite, I can handle him," Kon pointed out. He'd be very happy to deal with the little brat.

"I get the feeling I'm not going to enjoy meeting my little brother," Danny grimaced.

"Honestly, part of the reason I dismissed your resemblance to B was because you and Damian are so different," Tim admitted. "Though in a fight, my money's on you just from the little I can remember of the fight with Ra's…did you get him?"

"He wouldn't let me through. Doubt I did any lasting damage though, he'd have gone straight for the next nearest Pit since we were in that one."

"Jason did say Ra's had to be carried away," Bruce clarified. "But you're right, this won't be the last we see of him. And he will find out the two of you survived. I wouldn't be surprised if he targets both of you."

Danny grimaced but nodded. "Another reason not to go back to the adoptive family," he murmured, and Tim reached out to take his hand.

"Not today, B," Tim said before Bruce could ask anything and Kon agreed. they looked exhausted now that they were on a bed.

"I'll keep a watch for any sneaking demons," Kon promised, squeezing Tim's free hand and patting Danny's back before purposely getting between the bed and the bat, making him back up or have Kon walk into him.

That got him a glare but it was only half-hearted so Kon would count that as a win.

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Damian glared at Richard; arms crossed over his chest. "Why are we here?" he demanded.

"A new kind of therapy," was the answer. "Keep up the attitude and the next step is a two-bed apartment closer to Jason's territory. You need to learn some humility and how to act around other people."

"Tt. I am far above all of them, why should I?" he sneered.

"Because if you don't, you'll spend your life alone kid. I messed up, I just saw a traumatised kid and didn't believe Tim. I thought he was having trouble adjusting to not being the youngest and you used that. You will never take Tim's place because no one can. No one can replace another in a family, it doesn't work that way. Blood doesn't make family either and the sooner you accept that you aren't Bruce's only son the easier life will be."

Damian scoffed. Richard could believe that all he wanted but he knew the truth, blood was all that mattered.

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Bruce lay on his bed, fighting the urge to go and check in on Tim, to make sure he was really there and not a dream. He had his sons home and safe and pat of him was just waiting for the other shoe to drop…like Danny's adoptive family. There was something there that worried him from the way Danny has spoken and Tim had warned him off.

He'd made sure Alfred activated all of the manor's security systems, wanting both boys to feel safe, which was why he hadn't put up a fuss over Kon staying.

In the end, he had to check and got up, slipping down the hall silently. Tim's door was open just a crack and Bruce carefully pushed it open a little further to peer inside. There was a slither of moonlight coming through a gap in the curtain, letting him see the two dark heads close together. One boy was wrapped protectively around the other and he knew it was Danny since the other had lighter streaks visible in his hair. He just stood there, watching them as the slept peacefully.

Then Danny began to stir, sensing him watching?

"It's alright Danny," he called softly, "just checking you're both okay."

He was surprised when Danny settled down again. He pulled the door mostly shut again and left them to sleep.

They were really there, home, and safe. If Ra's tried anything…he would protect his children, no matter what.

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Danny woke slowly, feeling, and sensing Tim still asleep in his arms. He opened his eyes, blinking at the unfamiliar room…right, Tim's room at the Manor. It was so nice to sleep in a proper bed after a few weeks on a cot. He was just grateful their story was holding up, even if the Justice League tracked down the tribe who had found them, they actually knew Frostbite and had agreed to go along with the story.

He hadn't realised they were gone for so long; Tim was okay since he was already on record as having been in and out of consciousness. But how was Danny to explain the five months? The only record was of them being in the doctors camp for three weeks. Say it took them up to two months to get there, that still left two months or so unaccounted for. Would Batman believe it took them that long to wash up? That he didn't remember anything either?

He glanced over at the clock to see it was barely seven am and carefully extracted himself from the bed, pressing a soft kiss to Tim's forehead before spotting something near the door. His luggage had been delivered to the bedroom so he got out some clean clothing and dressed. It smelt very fresh so it seemed it had been washed since Jason had brought it back, that was nice. Since Tim was still asleep, he left the bedroom to see if he could find his way around the Manor. He knew there was a butler/grandfather figure but he hadn't seen him yesterday.

"Good morning, Master Danyal," a British accented voice called, and Danny looked in the door to find a large kitchen.

"Good morning, you're…Alfred?"

"Indeed. I hope you slept well?" he asked, and Danny nodded.

"It was nice to sleep in a bed," Danny admitted.

"Is there anything specific you prefer for breakfast Master Danyal?"

"Danny, please. And I'm not picky."

"Very good sir."

The door opened and Bruce stepped in, blinking before smiling at him. "Good morning, Danny."

"Good morning, Bruce," he returned.

"Tim still in bed?"

"He slept through me getting up so he must be pretty worn out. Yesterday was the most taxing day he's had since he started staying conscious. Thanks for keeping my stuff."

"I would have sent it on to your adoptive family but there was nothing with their details so we just…kept it with Tim's."

"Does it bother you, that we're…we didn't know. I had no reason to suspect you were my Dad. And we're not blood related so no one can complain, can they? We didn't grow up together or anything."

"Do you love him?" Bruce asked.

"Yes," Danny answered, without hesitation.

"Then no, I have no issue with the two of you being together. There could be some comments in the paper but those can be dealt with. The two of you met on holiday in Europe and had no reason to realise you were connected. I want all of my children to be happy and that includes you and Tim."

Danny stared at Bruce, able to feel his sincerity. "Okay." And then he smiled as Tim stumbled in, eyes barely opened to slits. He limped towards him, wavering, and Danny moved to catch him, Tim going limp against him, nuzzling into his throat. "Hey sleepy," he murmured, lifting a hand to run through sleep tangled hair carefully.

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Bruce watched as Tim stumbled in, seeing him limping badly before he just collapsed against Danny. Tim was always the most affectionate when half asleep but this was more than he'd ever shown with any of them. Danny gently stroked Tim's hair, fingers carefully untangling the longish locks. Tim looked very different with the longer blond streaked hair. There were no black roots showing despite the dye job having happened almost half a year ago. Had the Pit left its mark on Tim by leaving his hair permanently changed on top of the hint of green in his eyes? Jason had that white patch… Danny's hair was pure black and there didn't seem to be any green in his eyes, but he was an al Ghul, he could have inherited the resistance to side effects.

Kon soon wandered in, hair damp and smelling like the farm, so he'd gone to do his chores already. "No sign of anyone trying to get onto the grounds last night," he murmured as he passed him and Bruce nodded.

"No hogging the Timmy!" Kon declared and scooped Tim up, making him squeak and scramble to hang on. As careless as the move appeared, Bruce could see how carefully Kon was holding him.

"Kon…" Tim whined but didn't struggle, instead curling into him, yawning and for a split-second Bruce would almost swear his son had fangs. But that was impossible, maybe he needed more sleep?

Kon set him down on the chair in between him and Danny, laughing when Tim just slumped to the table.

Alfred carried over a mug of coffee for Tim who stirred as the scent reached him. He made grabby hands at the mug and Danny chuckled but picked it up to place in his hands. Tim drank it quickly and the caffeine was soon doing its work, Tim becoming more alert.

"Morning Alfred," Tim mumbled, and Alfred chuckled, resting his hand gently against the back of his head.

"Good morning, dear boy. I am so happy to see you home safely."

Tim looked up at him and smiled before getting up to hug him, Alfred returning the embrace.

"Now, I have gone over your medical file and Doctor Leslie will be by later today to check you over as well," Alfred explained as he set the food out, Tim slumping at the news. "I would prefer if you stayed off the leg as much as possible until that is done, you have exercises for it?"

"Yeah, the doctors made sure we both memorised them," Tim told him.

"Very well, I shall trust you to do them as advised."

"This is delicious Mr Pennyworth," Danny offered.

"It's just Alfred, Master Danny."

"Alfred," Danny smiled at him.

It was good to see Danny and Alfred already bonding. The more links Danny had to their family, the better the chance he would stay. Though…surely, he would for Tim? But if Danny wanted to go home, how could they try and stop him?

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Jason knocked on the door and opened it as he heard Tim call out. He found Tim leaning against the pillows on his bed with Danny holding his leg. "Ah, physio, fun," he smirked, taking in the sight of the two of them whole and healthy.

Tim rolled his eyes but then held his hand out to him, surprising Jason. But he walked over and flopped down beside him, Tim leaning into him. He reached up to ruffle Tim's hair, getting a shy smile. Tim had never been so affectionate with him before, his fault for being standoffish even as they began repairing their relationship. Dick had told him that once Tim had begun opening up to them, he had become very affectionate but shy about it, always sure he would be turned away. He wished the Drakes were still alive so he could pay them a visit for how they'd treated Tim.

"Good first night home?"

"All we did was sleep but it is very good to be back in a proper bed," Tim told him before wincing.

"Sorry," Danny murmured, rubbing at obviously tense muscles.

Tim smiled at his boyfriend before looking back at Jason. "How's the alley?"

So, Jason began talking about his latest projects there to help the people and Tim listened to take his mind off his physio, Danny occasionally speaking quietly to get Tim to do something. He finished and Tim stretched and Jason took him in, something niggling at the back of his mind but he brushed it aside for the moment.

Jason pulled Tim into a brief hug. "I missed you, Timbers."

"Wasn't really conscious enough to miss anyone till the end," Tim admitted, "but once I was, I missed you all." He clung back tightly so Jason remained trapped in the hug but it was okay.

"So will Shade be joining the bats once Timmy's back on his feet?" Jason asked, letting Tim tuck himself into his side. Danny sat at the end of the bed; Tim's legs draped over his lap.

"Um…" Danny looked at Tim who smiled.

"I hope so," Tim said, and Danny relaxed.

"I guess if Bruce is okay with it. I'll need new gear though, no clue what happened to it."

"Hey, one of B's kids who won't be dressed like a traffic light!"

Tim stuck his tongue out at him. "At least I was smart enough to wear pants!"

"Yeah, okay, point to you."

Danny laughed at them.

TBC…

So, a nice fluffy chap except for the look at Damian.

And yes, both Bruce and Jason are noticing something different about Tim.