Disclaimer: not mine.

Chapter 5

"Tim, can you hear me?"

The familiar voice called to him and slowly he forced heavy eyes to open, blinking up at Bernard, seeing wariness. He swallowed, throat dry, trying to speak but all that came out was a whine. Heavy fingers twitched as he struggled to lift a hand, reaching for Ber.

"Tim," he breathed, looking relieved.

"Mmmgn…Ber?" he managed to get the nickname out.

"You're okay," Bernard promised and Tim realised they were in his Nest, medical bay? And…locked down? "Had to use that sleep charm on you, Zatanna said it might take a while to fully come round from it. It's over Tim, they got them, Dick and Steph are locked in your two cells, unconscious," he explained, and Tim could feel fingers gently running through his hair. "Here, drink," Bernard told him, and he felt a familiar container against his lips.

He swallowed down the still warm blood, knowing it was Bernard's immediately. Once it was empty he pushed himself up, Ber steadying him. He still felt tired but his head was clearing. He remembered…waiting, the attack was launched. He looked Bernard over, searching for wounds. "What did I do? Did I…"

"It's okay," Bernard perched on the bed with him, taking his hand. "You were fighting for control the whole time," he promised. "You pinned me down but that's it. No one was hurt. Used the charm to knock you out when you asked."

"Can't remember," he mumbled.

"They said that's normal. It…it was bad Tim; you were completely feral…all those previous attempts to control you must have been just strong enough to appease his Sire."

Tim swallowed, that was what he'd been worried about since Dick had forced his blood down his throat. "Ber, I…"

"It wasn't you Tim," Bernard whispered. "You would never hurt me," he smiled, and Tim nodded, he would never willingly hurt Bernard.

But something…something didn't feel right, he just couldn't work out what.

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Bernard was relieved to have Tim awake and back to himself, responding and recognising him…his eyes the blue he loved. He kept his fingers tangled with cold ones, seeing Tim wanting to pull away in fear of hurting him, but Bernard wasn't scared.

"No one was too badly hurt in the fight, the medics dealt with everything. It's basically clean up left, which is where everyone is, or resting for their turn. We're safe now Tim."

Tim nodded, drawing his knees up to his chest and Bernard reached out to tug him closer. Tim resisted briefly before shifting to lean against him.

"We're going to be okay."

"Did you say…Steph?" Tim asked softly.

"Yeah, Kon found her in the fight and tied her up. She's in one of the cells, Dick's in the other. They're both still out cold, Constantine said it's for the best they're kept that was for a day or two to let their minds recover from whatever their Sire or Sires might have done," he explained. "I think that's partially why they let you sleep so long as well."

Tim nodded.

"Are you okay?" Bernard asked, not liking how quiet he was.

"Yeah," Tim leant his head on his shoulder.

"Kon blacked out your bedroom for you, want to head up before sunrise?"

"Did they stay?"

"Helping with the clean-up and checking in with the Commissioner since no one really knows those Dark guys. Come on," he dropped off the bed, tugging at Tim's hand. He hesitated but then followed Bernard upstairs. Bernard went into the ensuite and started the shower as hot as he could stand it, stripping off.

"You sure?" Tim asked.

"I'm not scared of you Tim, you didn't hurt me," he told him sternly. The bruises were already healed so there was no evidence of how hard he'd hit the ground. He reached for Tim's shirt and Tim hesitated but then let him pull it off, reaching for his own belt.

Soon, they were under the hot water and Bernard gently washed Tim, wanting him to feel good and relaxed before getting some natural sleep.

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He woke slowly, like being dragged out of a deep lake, the water clinging to him. But eventually he blinked up at a metallic ceiling. He rolled to his feet, crouching defensively, taking in the scents and sounds.

"Dick? Come on, give me some sign you're in there."

He eyes snapped to the source of the voice, staring in confusion at the figure, growls tapering off. The figure crouched down so they were level, green eyes locked on him. Green…

"Come on Dickwing, you're stronger than this. Fight!"

Dick… he shook his head, everything jumbled around. Sire? Where?

"He's confused," another voice spoke up and his attention was immediately on them.

His! There was a gentle tug in his mind, a plea. He shifted forward, not happy when something stopped him, pressing a hand to it, and a smaller hand pressed to where his was.

"It's okay Dick, we're safe, just calm down and it'll be easier," the soft voice said.

A container was pushed to him through something and he inhaled the scent, grabbing it and draining the contents.

"Think that'll help?" the first asked.

"Can't hurt," soft…Childe, his! His…Timmy!

"T..tt…Timmy," he got the name out.

"Yeah Dick, it's me, I'm here."

"He's not, you know?" the first asked.

"No, he's not trying anything in my head," Timmy answered. "Think he's too confused for that. I can tug the bond, get a read on how he's feeling now that we're in the same room. She…she completely supressed his ability to think for himself at the end. Coming out of that…"

"Damn it," first growled, and he growled back.

"He's not mad at you Dick," Timmy murmured.

He pressed against the barrier, wanting his Childe. Something…there'd been something…

"Shh, it's okay," Timmy soothed, gently tugging again, letting him feel it, safe, loved…

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Tim tugged their bond, opening his emotions to Dick, watching his Sire, his big brother, relax in response. Seeing Dick like so confused hurt, he was positive he didn't really recognise Jason, had only recognised him because of the bond. Dick's Sire had really messed his head up but it didn't seem to be permanent, he could almost feel Dick's mind working to calm and set itself to rights.

"Just stay calm Jay, okay? He's reacting to your emotions more than words," Tim explained, and Jason nodded.

Steph was being kept sedated until they knew the damage with Dick, just in case he was her Sire too. It would be better to deal with one volatile vampire than two, if Dick got loose, Tim wasn't sure what he'd be able to do. He'd given Bernard back the charm so he'd be protected if attacked, just to be safe.

The heroes working out in Gotham were sure they had all the older vampires and were working to find the young ones and give them help. Tim really hoped they could be helped, could adjust to what had happened to them and what they had likely been made to do. If they remembered, he figured some would do what he had planned, greeting the dawn or staking themselves. Without Bernard, he would have done it, and he hadn't even fed let alone killed or turned someone.

Not even a third of the population had been turned, but it had still numbered in the thousands, that was a lot of families who had been affected either directly or indirectly. They couldn't just out the existence of vampires to the general public, JL Dark had made that very clear, the consequences of the majority believing in the supernatural would only cause more troubles. But they had to tell the people something. Could the surviving vampires go home? Would they become one more of Gotham's many secrets, known but never acknowledged?

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Jason watched as Dick drank the blood he'd been given; it had been two days since he'd been woken but Jason had been out last night. He could see the changes since that first night, Dick was calmer and more alert. It had to be a good sign, right?

"Hey Dickiebird," he murmured when Dick had finished, knowing better than to interrupt a feeding vampire. He'd made the mistake of walking in on Tim and Bernard when Tim was feeding from him and he was lucky that swipe hadn't scarred.

Dick looked up at him, head cocked to one side, staring at him… "Jay?" he asked hesitantly, and Jason froze, before slowly moving closer to the door.

"Yeah Dick, it's me."

"What…" Dick shook his head and Jason felt a flash of hope. "What's going on?" he asked in confusion. "I…my head…" and then his eyes widened in horror. "No…no…"

"Dick, calm down, it's okay, you're safe now," Jason pressed his hand to the door. "You're in Tim's Nest, it's over."

"I…I killed him," he whispered.

"Tim's here Dick. He doesn't blame you, you left him behind so he could run."

Dick shook his head in denial. Dick always took any harm to any of them so personally, especially if he felt he held any of the blame. Which made the ways he'd hurt Tim during that year of hell so hard to explain.

"Jason's right."

He managed not to jump as Tim appeared beside him. He might not be a speedster but vampires were unfairly fast.

Tim hesitated but then stepped up and pressed his hand to the door. "Dick," he whispered, and Dick stared at him with wide eyes, distress and grief obvious. "You were only doing the minimum to call me to you, weren't you?" Tim asked. "That last time…I can't remember a thing, but every other attempt I could fight off."

"I…I killed you," Dick looked about to cry.

Tim looked over at Jason and waved at the elevator.

"Kid," Jason looked between them.

"It'll be fine," Tim promised, he showed off one of the protective charms that had been left behind, but Jason still hesitated. "Jay," Tim stared at him.

"Fine, but you keep the panic button close," he warned, and Tim nodded.

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Dick didn't move as the cell door opened and Tim stepped inside, so trusting. How? He shifted back but Tim moved closer.

"You won't hurt me Dick," Tim stated.

"I killed you, twice!" he snarled.

"I know," Tim whispered. "But it wasn't you, you were being controlled." He reached out, hand resting over Dick's silent heart, and Dick could hear the silence where Tim's should have been beating away.

He'd done that to him, stolen his life away. he could remember now, the rich, warm taste of Tim's blood, the way soft flesh parted under first claws in the Cave and then his fangs in that run down warehouse…the heat radiating from Tim's body as his compromised immune system failed. Dick could remember the relief and hope in Tim's fever bright eyes as he'd cradled him close, before Tim remembered why he was hurt. The weak struggle until his bite took effect and Tim became pliant, surrendering, only to try to resist when Dick fed him his own blood. Dick had wanted to hold him close, sooth him through the pain of his body dying and being reborn but instead he'd gently settled him down on the ground and fled, fighting to resist the command to bring any turning bats to his Sire. It had been all he could do to spare his baby bird.

He jerked from his memories as arms wrapped around him, Tim's head resting against his chest. Dick couldn't help returning the hug, holding him close, trembling. Tim should hate him, want him truly dead, but instead of that, he was trying to comfort him. Was Dick…no, the Sire bond lay quiet between them, radiating peace from Timmy's end.

"I wish…if I could undo this," Dick whispered, laying his head on his brother's…his Childe's.

He'd always felt protective of Tim and now…Tim was his - his to nurture, protect, defend… another scent clung to Tim and he fought back a territorial growl. There was something vaguely familiar about it, like he'd probably been exposed to them when human…one of their siblings? No…the scent was…intimate…Bernard?

He growled, pulling Tim closer, nuzzling at his head, instinct screaming that his Childe needed to smell like him. Tim whined softly in confusion before going limp, pliant. Good, his obedient Childe. He pulled Timmy up to get to his throat, biting down, Tim gasping as Dick drank several mouthfuls of his blood, tasting the mix of several people Tim had been feeding from. He licked the wound clean and then guided Tim to his own throat, pressing his head down till he bit, drinking, reaffirming the Sire-Childe bond. He gently pulled Tim off, taking in hazy eyes, Tim mewling softly. He sat down, cradling his dazed Childe, this was how it should have been that night, gentle, just the two of them, where he could have eased Timmy's pain.

He purred, nuzzling and nipping at Timmy who, if possible, went even limper. Red/blue eyes were unfocused, half closed, his head flopping insensibly against Dick's arm, lips parted and fangs extended. Dick snapped the band holding Tim's hair back, running his claws through the strands, gently scratching at his scalp, enjoying the soft sounds his Childe made in response. His baby bird had left him once but now, he'd never leave him again.

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Tim hugged Dick; he hated his brother feeling so bad about things he hadn't been in control for.

"I wish…if I could undo this," Dick whispered, laying his head on Tim's.

It was impossible, Constantine had been clear, this was what they were now, there was no way to make them human again. Dick was…scenting him and it felt nice, different to when he did it to Bernard or his siblings, because they were both vampires or because Dick was his Sire?

Dick growled, angry, so Tim went to pull away, worried, but Dick pulled him closer, nuzzling at his head. Tim heard himself whine softly, confused, even as his body went limp, pliant in Dick's arms. He couldn't fight it even as Dick pulled him up, mouth closing over his throat. He gasped as Dick drank several mouthfuls of his blood, before licking the wound. He couldn't resist as Dick guided his head to his own throat, pressing his mouth against the skin until his fangs sank in and he instinctively bit down, drinking blood so different to the human he'd had…the same as that night. He suckled at the substance, everything becoming hazy, his body warm and heavy.

Tim's thoughts slowed, his mind becoming still, peaceful as the bond between them was strengthened the way it should have been at his turning. He was only vaguely aware of being removed from the delicious liquid, oblivious to the mewling sound he made even as his Sire moved to cradle him in his arm. There was no strength in his body, his mind drifting deeper into instinctive submission, dimly hearing the purr of his Sire. His vision faded in and out, eyes rolling back as sharp claws gently scratched his scalp, noises coming from his throat.

He just lay limp in his Sire's arms, drifting peacefully.

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Bernard trusted Tim to be able to look after himself, but he couldn't help feeling nervous about him being alone with Dick, his Sire. But Dick was back to himself, so it'd be fine. Dick wouldn't hurt Tim.

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Dick cradled Tim, wishing he could leave him so peaceful, knowing that Tim's mind never slowed down. He kept petting his hair so he'd hopefully stay relaxed, he didn't want to use the bond to control him, not like she had him, but he wanted his Childe at his side. "Hey Timmy," he murmured. "Come back baby bird," he kept talking softly and slowly Tim began stir.

Tim blinked slowly, still a bit hazy looking. "Mmmm," Timmy turned his head, nuzzling at Dick's throat, making him chuckle.

"Greedy," he teased.

"Wh…" Tim struggled to speak.

"It's okay baby bird, there's nothing to worry about," he promised.

Watching Tim rouse slowly was amazing, he usually snapped awake pretty quickly unless he'd been sick. Tim took him upstairs after, telling the others he was sure Dick was fine. And Dick caught Bernard's scent in full, his territorial instincts settling as realisation set in, they were mates, which meant Bernard would need to be turned too.

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"Some kind of shelters? Tim suggested, his head on Bernard's shoulder, half dozing as it was heading towards midday.

Kon thought he looked kind of adorable, not that he'd ever say that, he didn't want to find all his electronics turned into bricks again thank you very much. He was tired from working at night since that was the best time to track vampires. Most had abandoned the buildings that had been taken over, going to ground, hiding in terror. Some had lashed out in their confusion, pain, and anger at what had happened to them, thankfully many of those they'd managed to talk down but some… Kon felt sick since last night he'd had to…she'd been twelve…what was the point of turning someone so young? He'd done everything he could but, in the end, she was ash.

He was glad that Dick and Steph were doing relatively well. Steph was sticking close to Cass, seeming confused at times but she at least knew who she and her family were.

"Would any of them use them?" Duke asked, one of the few wide awake since he'd gone back to work as Signal and so was sleeping at night again.

"Maybe?" Dick offered. He was sitting between Tim and Steph, he seemed most comfortable near them, he figured because Tim was his Childe but Steph wasn't, she wasn't 'related'. "They'll probably be really worried, not wanting to get sucked in by someone new in charge or be easy pickings."

Tim wilted slightly but accepted it, Steph nodding.

"I wouldn't go to a shelter, sorry Timmy," she told him.

"Is there some way to get a message out, without outing the knowledge of vampires that WE is willing to help?" Jason asked. "The three of you being turned will come out to other vampires at some point, WE is already known for helping people, Timmy's already running the Neon Knights program so surely it wouldn't be surprising?"

The three looked at each other, considering it. "Maybe?" Steph offered.

"Tim has trust after turning in those corrupt cops and keeping the Neon Knights clean," Dick agreed.

Tim just groaned and Bernard gave him a sympathy kiss. "How are we covering up why I'll be working at night?" he asked. "With everything that's been happening, it won't take much for someone to put the clues together if Dick and I are suddenly nocturnal, Steph hasn't really been in the public eye since she was never a legal ward."

"Sneak into the WE building in the early morning?" Duke suggested, "I can help keep you from getting too much sun."

"Slowly shift your schedules with a reasonable explanation?" Cassie suggested, leaning on an elbow. She was doing better with working so much, she didn't need solar power!

"The sooner we can get this under control, the better. The last thing we need is one of the Rogues getting involved…or turned. We were lucky she didn't hit Arkham," Dick admitted, tensing slightly when he said she. Dick hadn't really said anything about his Sire but it was obvious he hated her.

"Is it safe enough for the Fox's to return? I could use Tam's help and Lucius' cool head in the office," Tim admitted.

After going over the ongoing activity they decided it was, if the family wanted to risk it. They couldn't make the decision for them.

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He didn't know exactly what had caused the city to go mad and the Bats to vanish, but he was glad it was settling down. Babs had finally come home too from her trip which was a relief. The stories spreading through Gotham… he hadn't had the manpower to spare to look into many things, trying to keep a lid on everything.

He looked up as a knock sounded on his door. "Enter," he called.

And in his doorway were Dick Grayson, Tim Drake-Wayne, and Cassandra Wayne, all three faces drawn and solemn. It wasn't possible…was it?

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Bruce Wayne's funeral was closed casket given the weeks since his death and the condition of his body. His children and Alfred were in the front row of the late afternoon funeral, the sky dark with threatening rain clouds…despite the forecast not having been for rain. The funeral was packed due to Bruce's place in society and the many people he knew. Even some of the Bats showed up briefly at the edge of the funeral, paying respects. Everyone knew he'd been one of the financial backers for the Justice League, would that continue?

An obvious absence was Damian Wayne but the family explained that with his Father's death in the violence that had taken over Gotham, the boy had been sent back to his Mother for his own safety and would remain there until his siblings were sure it would be safe for him to return and he wanted to. If he wished to remain with his Mother then he would. The press would likely attempt to spin it their own way about the adopted children trying to cut him out, but there was a very nice bank account in Damian Wayne's name that proved otherwise.

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Tim kissed Bernard, fingers running through messy blond hair, Ber moaning softly. It was nice, they mostly had the apartment to themselves for the first time since returning to Gotham. Dick and Steph were downstairs with Jason though he'd be heading out soon. Alfred had been talking to them about returning to the Manor and what changes would need to be made to make it safe.

So, they were making use of the privacy for uninterrupted time together. Things had settled enough for the moment that everyone else had gone home, just popping in at night when it was their turn to run a patrol.

Tim sucked on Bernard's neck even as he moved slowly inside him. He bared his fangs and bit down, swallowing the warm blood, and then his face went slack, eyes distant. He began drinking more urgently, Bernard gasping and moaning in pleasure.

"Ti…Ti…mmm," Bernard slurred, but for the first time ever, Tim didn't react.

Tim continued to feed even as Bernard's eyes slid shut, body limp on the bed.

TBC….