Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 12

The Manor was…overwhelming, so many people and all there to see him. He didn't understand, they'd accepted he was dead for years, why did they want him back so badly? Batman had rules against killing and yet between Sire and Ra's…that was all he'd done for so long. Shouldn't they hate him? And he knew he was hurting Kon because he still didn't really remember him. At least they were letting him wander around alone, he could tell Bernard wasn't even on the grounds, somewhere else…the city? And Kon was gone too, the two who could stop him if he attacked. Did they really trust him so much even after so long?

He wandered the halls, trying to remember, knowing he wouldn't get lost since he could easily track the others down by scent or retrace his own steps. He wanted it to be familiar, this had been his home as a human, he should know it. He should! He froze at the sound of a hiss and then…a cat. It was mostly black with some white and it was really hissing at him. He crouched down and slowly held his hand out, swallowing a few times before purring softly. The cat seemed shocked, hesitant now, and Tim smiled, still purring. Ever so slowly, it approached, sniffing at his fingers.

"Pretty kitty, good Alfred," he whispered, and then froze. Alfred…Alfred the cat named for Alfred…Alfie…Tim scooped the cat up and pressed a gently kiss to the top of his head. He cuddled the cat, no longer a kitten or even young like he remembered…he remembered. Alfred had brought the cat for…for…Damian.

He petted Alfred for a bit and the cat gradually relaxed when he didn't hurt it. Then he put him down, smiling when the cat wound around his legs before walking away.

He kept wandering, not thinking about where he was going only to find himself in the doorway of an occupied room. Bruce Wayne sat behind the desk, working on something on his computer, a slight frown on his face. The room smelled…warm, comforting…Tim stumbled into the doorframe, hands pressed to his head.

"Tim! Can you hear me?"

He blinked, hearing the voice calling to him, and slowly… "Dad?"

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Bruce looked up at the thud, seeing Tim bounce off the door frame, hands pressed to his head, whimpering in pain. He leapt up, rushing to his side. "Tim, are you alright?" Had he run into one of the vampire defences accidentally? The Manor had a handful, just to be safe, even though there'd been no sign of vampires since Dick and Bernard had blown the warehouse.

He gripped Tim's shoulders, searching for injuries. "Tim! Can you hear me?" What was wrong?

Tim's hands dropped and he blinked dazedly up at Bruce, making him even more worried, and then he froze as one word left Tim's mouth. "Dad?"

A hand moved to gently cup Tim's cheek, staring into blue eyes. "Tim?" he whispered, unable to help the hope.

Red tinted tears slipped down Tim's cheeks and Bruce gently brushed them away.

"Sweetheart?" he asked gently.

"Dad, I…I…" Tim stammered, and then he was pressing as close as he could, shivering against Bruce who quickly wrapped his arms around him.

"It's alright, I've got you, you're safe," he promised, pressing a kiss to the top of Tim's head. Did…did he remember?

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," Tim mumbled against his sweater, and Bruce hushed him, carefully manoeuvring them towards the couch, sitting down with Tim cradled to his chest.

"You have nothing to be sorry about son," he assured him.

"So many…so much…"

Bruce rocked him, holding him like he was a child. He was content to sit there all day if that was what Tim needed. He had a second chance with another son…third chance really given how their relationship had deteriorated for a while when Damian first came to the Manor and then after Tim nearly killed Captain Boomerang.

"It's alright, you're safe at home, I've got you. I love you Tim, you are my son, you will always be my son."

Alfred paused in the doorway and Bruce shook his head so he retreated, pulling the door to in order to give them privacy.

Gradually, Tim began to calm but Bruce didn't let go, rubbing calming circles on Tim's back. Tim nuzzled at his throat but Bruce didn't react, Bernard had nuzzled them all over the years so he was used to it.

"Dad…my Dad, B," Tim whispered.

"My son," he murmured in reply.

Tim lifted his head and Bruce saw it…recognition, Tim knew him! "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Getting caught," Tim whispered, barely audible.

"No Tim, we saw the footage," he explained, and Tim whimpered at that, Bruce hushing him. "None of what happened was your fault. We should have listened more when you insisted there was a case. When we found the scene… we never gave up looking for you. Kon and Clark scoured the entire city, marking areas they couldn't see or hear through for us to look over later."

"Kon," Tim whispered, tears shimmering in his eyes.

"Do you remember Kon now?" he asked, and Tim nodded.

"Everything," he choked, clinging to Bruce.

Tim remembered, he remembered!

"You're home and you're safe now. If Ra's tries to take you back, we'll stop him," he promised. "You are so loved," he kept talking, Tim clinging tightly to him.

"But,"

"No buts, Tim. I love you; your siblings love you; Alfred loves you, Bernard and Kon love you, your old teammates… and we all know what you were forced to do. You had no memory and she had control of you. Bernard has been very open about how much control a Sire has over their Childe, of what she made you do…and how different you were when she wasn't giving you orders. A monster would not have shown kindness and you were kind to Bernard."

Tim stared at him, obviously struggling, and Bruce kept his hold firm but gentle, knowing Tim wouldn't detect a lie because he was telling the truth. "Dad…" Tim reached out and Bruce hugged him tight, Tim clinging on almost too tightly.

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Kon smiled as he spotted Tim at the bottom of the stairs. "Hey," he greeted. He hated feeling so awkward but Tim… and then Tim was in his arms, holding on tight, and he hugged back, not sure what was going on.

"Love you Cloneboy," Tim whispered, and Kon froze before pulling back, feeling Tim tense but he had to see…he met blue eyes and now…

"You remember?" he asked, hope rising, and Tim offered a shaky smile, nodding.

"Everything," he flinched, looking away, ashamed.

Yeah, no. Kon gently gripped his chin, nudging his head back up. "I love you Tim." And that was something he and Bernard had been discussing. Vampires…didn't see monogamy the same way as humans and Kon was only part human himself.

"I let Bernard use me as his Guinea Pig for working out the mind control thing, so I know better than the rest what that feels like. I know there was nothing you could do to fight once she got into your head. It might have been your body with her and the League, but it wasn't you."

"I killed…"

"I know,' Kon said before Tim could go off on a spiel about how many and how evil he'd been. "So did Bernard. And I'm guessing there's a lot more since you were resurrected by that creep. But it wasn't you, Tim. A body without memories isn't the same as the person. But you remember now, you're you, different but still Tim."

Tim didn't say anything, burrowing into his hold, and Kon lifted him off his feet, carrying him to the bedroom. He settled on the bed, Tim curled into his side, so he just ran his fingers through soft black hair.

Kon smiled when the door opened silently and Bernard slipped in, his eyes narrowing in concern. He extended his hand to Bernard who moved quickly over to the bed to take it.

"What happened?" he whispered.

Kon tugged him into a quick kiss, still smiling. "He remembers."

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Bernard's eyes widened. Tim…remembered? Sure, he remembered him and Dick, a few other things breaking through like Kon dying. He carefully crawled onto the bed, lying against Tim's back, curling around him, and Tim lifted his head, turning to look at him. and Bernard could see it, a light in Tim's eyes that had been missing since his return.

"Tim?" he reached out to caress his cheek and Tim leant into his touch.

"I remember everything," Tim confirmed.

Bernard smiled at that, utterly relieved. "I'm so glad," he whispered.

"I should go, I can stay in the cave," Tim said, looking between them.

"What?" Where had that come from?

"Why Tim?" Kon asked at the same time.

"So, you two have privacy, this is your room."

Bernard realised what Tim was saying and pressed closer, Kon tightening his hold on Tim. They'd talked about it two days ago, at the apartment so no one else would hear.

"Tim…" Kon hesitated, and Bernard pressed his lips to Tim's shoulder.

"We love you Tim," Bernard finished for him.

"Wh…what?" Tim stammered.

"We both love you Tim," Kon stated, cupping Tim's face in his hands.

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Tim lay trapped between Bernard and Kon. They…they both…? He'd thought they would tell him to leave. They'd been together for years, they loved each other, they'd both moved on from him. Why would they want him? He wasn't the Tim that had been taken, he'd been through so much…done so many horrible things.

But then he found Kon staring into his eyes, leaning in, and if his heart still beat it would be pounding. He felt Bernard's hand gently stroking his side, his nose nuzzling at his throat. Why wasn't he stopping Kon? Tim should, this would only…warm, almost hot, lips pressed to his and he gasped. And then he was holding on tight to Kon's shoulders, whimpering, trying to get ever closer. He moaned as fangs scraped over his throat, throwing his head back to expose the skin more.

"We love you Tim," Kon murmured as he gently kissed along his jaw.

Could this be real? Could they really love him, want him, despite everything? He bit back a sob but they both had enhanced hearing and so he found himself being cuddled, surrounded by them.

"Love you," Ber whispered in his ear. "We're here, we've got you."

"Anyone comes for you, they have to get through all of us," Kon promised.

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Alfred began preparing for the day, feeling a spring in his step that had been missing for the last few years. To have Master Tim home and safe…it was something he had given up hoping for after Master Bruce had returned clutching the makeshift urn. But now he was home, amnesiac, but safe.

He didn't jump when he looked up to see the young Master in the doorway, he had grown used to the silent movement of vampires since Master Bernard had joined them. Timothy was hesitating in the doorway, watching him, and Alfred became concerned.

"Master Tim?" he called gently, watching the boy bite his lip.

And then strong arms were wrapped around him, a head buried against his chest. "Missed you Alfred," Tim whispered.

His heart leapt into his throat and he reached down to gently guide Timothy's head up, looking into blue eyes, and then he smiled. "Dear boy," he whispered, the recognition clear in Tim's eyes.

"I remember everything," Tim murmured.

"Welcome home Master Tim," he told him, a gloved hand stroking over soft black hair.

The changes in his appearance weren't too jarring thankfully, he had always been a pale child, clear skinned too other than the scars he'd earnt as a vigilante. And he'd always preferred a bit more length to his hair, it was even longer but it didn't seem to bother him. For the most part, he looked how he did in Alfred's memory, even if there was no warmth in the hug, vampires did not generate body heat.

"I miss your cooking," he mourned, and Alfred smiled sadly.

"I would cook anything you asked for," he promised, though they both knew there was no point, Tim could no longer eat it.

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Kon grinned at the sight of Tim and Bernard curled up asleep together. It was…easier, to call it sleep and it was their version of it anyway. He slid into bed beside them and closed his eyes to get a few hours himself. The three of them together just felt right now. Would it have if they hadn't spent years grieving Tim? He didn't know but he knew that he still loved Tim, always would, even if Tim had trouble accepting, he wasn't a monster. They would show him.

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Jason knew something had happened but he'd only just gotten back to Gotham and needed to check the Alley. He'd hated leaving so soon to getting Tim back but it wasn't like the kid would miss him…he didn't remember him. He was glad that Tim was back, even if Ra's was involved, he hated to think of what that creep had done to the kid but…it hurt, to have Tim look at him like a stranger. It had taken so long for things to get good between them and he'd known that even if Tim was leaving Gotham, they'd stay in contact. Then Tim had been taken, then dead, and nothing had ever been the same. He wished he could go back in time and hit his younger self for ever wanting to clip Timmy's wings.

He peered over the edge and spotted the gang members, smirking under his helmet.

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Tim paused, scenting the air and Bernard copied him. Ber might be older but Tim had the more training thanks to his years in the LoA. Tim took off, practically flying over the rooftops, Bernard on his heels. That blood called to him…family. He outpaced Bernard, hitting Crime Alley…there! He dropped down, easily dispatching the remaining men and without killing them. He'd feel proud about that later, when his big brother wasn't bleeding in a dirty alleyway.

"Jay?" he called, crouching in front of him, listening to his heart. "Can you hear me?"

"Ttt…imbit?" Jason slurred.

"I'm here, you're going to be okay," he promised, shifting closer to examine the wound, not stopping as Bernard dropped into the alley.

He carefully tugged Jason's armour around, seeing the gap where the bullet had gone in. He leant in and licked the wound, hearing Jason hiss and a confused noise from Bernard. Ra's had been thorough in his training of all abilities and that included ones that could help teammates. The bullet was still in there but his saliva would help slow the bleeding and kill any germs. He then dug around Jason's gear, careful of the built in defences, to find his medical gear, covering the wound. Tim then scooped Jason up easily and they rushed back towards the Manor and Batcave.

"Why'd you lick him?" Bernard asked as they ran.

"Slows the blood flow and disinfects the wound."

"Huh. Good to know."

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Jason came around to an aching side and the familiar scents and sounds of the Cave. Surprisingly, there was a cold hand in his, Bernard liked him yeah but the kid didn't like the Cave or the medical bay so he didn't tend to stick around. There was the familiar pull of stitches and sensations that came from blood loss, wonderful. He'd…shot, he'd been shot. Finally, he forced his eyes open and then stared blearily at the figure in the chair.

"T'm?"

Red eyes snapped open and then quickly faded to blue, Tim leaning forward, squeezing his hand. "It's okay Jason, you're in the cave," Tim smiled at him, reaching out with his free hand to gently brush his hair back and Jason's heart skipped a beat, Tim's eyes widening even as he went to pull away, but Jason tightened his grip as much as he could.

He swallowed against a dry throat, needing to speak with him. "Timmy?" he asked, looking Tim over, something was different.

Tim smiled at him and Jason realised, Tim was looking at him and seeing him…not a stranger. "Love you big brother," Tim whispered.

Jason shifted on the bed, opening a space, and Tim's eyes widened. "Not afraid of you, kiddo."

Tim slowly climbed up and curled into his side.

"You re'mber?" he coughed and Tim shifted to grab a cup, letting Jason drink.

"Yeah." There was pain in Tim's eyes and Jason wrapped his arm around him.

"I ever see Ra's again, I'll thank him for bringing you back then shoot him for what he did to you," he promised, and that got a choked off laugh from Tim.

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Dick grinned at the sight of his brothers curled up together on the medical bed. Tim lifted his head enough to double check it was him and then lay back down. "He wake up yet?" he asked softly.

"Yeah, fell back to sleep pretty fast though," Tim whispered. "He knows I remember now."

"Figured with the cuddling." He ran his fingers through Jason's hair and then Tim's, getting a sleepy smile from Tim. "Should I tell Bernard and Kon that you're sleeping down here?"

Tim nodded and Dick grabbed another blanket, tucking it around them, despite knowing Tim didn't feel the cold.

"Sleep well Timmy," he pressed a kiss to Tim's forehead even as the kid yawned, eyelids drooping. Within a few moments he was literally dead to the world, body still against Jason's. They were close enough that Tim moved with every breath Jason took, almost giving the illusion that Tim was breathing. He watched them sleep, checking Jason's bandage quickly before leaving them to sleep.

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Kon slipped into the Cave to see Jason awake, reclining with Tim's body lying against his side, gently stroking his hair despite it being at least another ten minutes or so before Tim would wake. "How do you feel?"

"Better," Jason answered. "I've never actually…seen either of them sleep before," he admitted, looking down at Tim.

"It's jarring at first, worse when you're used to being able to hear people's hearts," Kon offered. "But he's here and he'll be waking in a few minutes."

"He said he remembers everything now."

Kon nodded. "He does…and he's struggling with it," he whispered, leaning in to kiss slack lips briefly. "With what he was made to do…he thinks he's a monster now, that we shouldn't love him."

Jason nodded, tucking Tim closer. "I know what that's like," he muttered. "Give us some time?"

Kon nodded and went to the fridge to get out some blood to warm for Tim's breakfast, setting it where Tim would see it once awake. "I'll tell the others to give the two of you some time." And Jason…thanks. If anyone can get through to him about what he did, it's you."

Kon headed back upstairs, knowing Bernard would be awake any second. He looked forward to when they wouldn't be so controlled by the sunset and rise. He made it back to be waiting as Bernard stirred, handing him the thermos.

TBC…