Disclaimer: Don't one DC
So this makes a big change from the other two in the Blood Childe series. One - Tim is not the first attacked and turned.
Two - Turning doesn't take very long.
Three - Vampires can be awake in the day to a point
Chapter 1
Tim knew he should stop, should run, but he couldn't. One last time…just one last look. He scrambled up the side of the building, easily finding handholds, needing to be silent. He came to the correct window, finding the apartment dark, good. Only an hour till dawn, of course the occupant would be asleep. Opening the window was easy, the latch long ago altered to allow him easy access and he dropped silently onto the carpet. He grabbed the windowsill, lips parted as he inhaled. His stomach cramped, his throat bone dry, feeling the wood threatening to crumple as his nails dug into it.
NO! He wouldn't…he wouldn't do it. This was to say goodbye and then…he'd go to the roof and wait. Would it hurt? Probably, but that was okay. Soon, he wouldn't be a danger to anyone because he would be gone. He wished there was something else he could do but he wasn't strong enough to fight; he knew that he'd been allowed to get away, to writhe in pain alone, knew they thought he'd kill but he wouldn't, he wouldn't! He couldn't fight them but he wouldn't help them either.
He held his breath and found the hunger faded a little without the scents bombarding him. He straightened up and moved silently towards the bedroom, walking towards the bed. Bernard…a little light spilled in through the blinds, highlighting his boyfriend, making him look like he was glowing. But something…he was pale, bags under his eyes…Tim swallowed, because of him. They were meant to have met up the night he was attacked. Bernard had to know something was very wrong, he was smart and people were vanishing. Bernard looked exhausted even in his sleep and it was all Tim's fault. If Tim just died…how long until Bernard would get over it? No, he had to do more, leave him a message, get him to run. Would they come for Ber even with Tim dead?
Paper and pen then, he went to the desk in the corner, listening to the steady beating of Ber's heart, taking comfort in the sound. But he couldn't focus too much on it, he couldn't risk… he swallowed, trying to get some moisture in his mouth, feeling his fangs digging into his lip. He was so hungry…starving…he'd been hoping it would go away, like normal hunger where you'd stop feeling it, but that hadn't worked so he was actually putting Ber in more danger now. Just write the note and get to the roof…no, a different roof just in case Bernard woke up early or if they could track him to where he died.
"Tim?" a sleepy voice called, and he froze, no! "Tim, is that you?" Bernard was moving, the rustle of sheets.
"Stay there!" he snapped, gripping the desk tightly enough the wood groaned. "Don't…don't come any closer, please," he tried to gentle his tone, he didn't want Ber to remember him as angry with him.
"What's wrong?" Bernard asked softly but thankfully stayed where he was.
"I'm sorry….so sorry…" he tasted his own blood from clenching his jaw hard enough to drive his fangs into his lips. He couldn't turn around unless he could get his vampiric features under control, couldn't let Bernard see the monster.
"Tim, you're scaring me. Where have you been?" Bernard sounded scared, his heartbeat faster.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," Bernard responded. "Tim, look at me, please."
"I can't…you don't want to see me like this."
He heard Bernard swallow hard. "They…they got you." His heart was racing now.
"Please…Ber you need to calm down…" he pleaded. "I can hear…you smell so good…"
Bernard's heart skipped in fear but then he heard him taking some slow, deep breaths and his heart rate slowed a bit, letting Tim relax a little. "Why…why did you…are you going to…eat me?"
"NO!" Tim shook his head, still clutching the desk. "I haven't…fed, at all. Sunrise is soon, I just…I just wanted to see you one more time. I was leaving a note so you wouldn't look for me. You have to get out of Gotham, Ber. It's too dangerous." He slumped over the desk, fighting tears, and then he froze as a hot hand hesitantly touched his shoulder.
"You're going to kill yourself," Bernard whispered in horror.
"I can't fight them…I can't resist…I won't be a monster."
"Tim…" the pain was obvious in Bernard's voice. "Look at me Tim."
He shook his head. "I can't make it go away; I don't want you to remember me like this."
"It's still you, Tim, otherwise I'd already be dead. It's okay, please, let me see you."
He swallowed, shaking, but he straightened up and slowly turned, eyes on the carpet. Bernard had always felt warm but the hand on his face felt burning hot, and he couldn't fight the nudge to lift his head. Bernard gently cupped his face in his hands, studying him, and then he smiled softly.
"You're still there, Tim."
"For now," he whispered, lifting a hand to grip Bernard's wrist, thumb stroking soft skin. "I can feel it…him…calling me. I don't know how much longer I can fight it."
"Your…Sire?" Bernard asked, and Tim nodded, he couldn't tell him who, he couldn't even think the name himself, it hurt too much.
"Gotham's beyond hope, but you can still get away. Get to the sunniest place you can. I already transferred everything I could to your name. You'll have the funds to run. Don't contact anyone, it's not safe." He'd broken into the library to do that, had almost collapsed from the mix of scents, but he'd managed to use the computers to do what he needed to.
"Tim…" there were tears in Ber's eyes. "Don't leave me, please."
"I'm not safe. I can hear every beat of your heart, smell you…you smell so good Ber."
"Then do it."
Tim's eyes widened in horror. "No! I won't kill you, I can't. I love you."
"I love you too, Tim," Bernard smiled tearfully at him, using the hand that Tim wasn't gripping to gently stroke his cheek. "You won't hurt me; I know you won't. We can run together."
"He'll find me and make me hurt you, no matter where I go. You'll never be safe with me."
"What about the other Bats or the Justice League?"
Tim sobbed and Bernard wrapped his arms around him, tucking Tim's head to his chest, thankfully well away from his neck. He couldn't say it, couldn't explain…he could still remember the sound as B… Tim was lucky, he'd been left for dead, had dragged himself away to heal but he'd been found before he could fully recover. He'd been easy prey but instead of just killing him, he'd been turned into a monster.
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Bernard held Tim as he sobbed, ignoring the coldness of his body, the stillness. He was still Tim, he was. He pressed a kiss to messy black hair, rocking back and forth a little to try and calm Tim down. The more emotional he was the harder it would likely be to control himself. Tim…Tim was a vampire, obviously turned against his will. And he was fighting but it was a losing fight. Whoever had turned him, Bernard hated them, how dare they steal Tim's life.
"You're not a monster Tim, you could never be a monster," he whispered, hand stroking his back. Tim felt cold to him, did he feel hot in return? He didn't seem uncomfortable at least, maybe it felt nice to him?
Slowly, the sobs tapered off, and Bernard gently tipped Tim's head up, taking in the blood red eyes and the fangs peaking from between his lips. Tim had always been pale, but now he was bloodless, but his skin was flawless, the scars of his vigilante life gone. Bernard leant in and pressed a soft kiss to cold lips. He leant his forehead against Tim's, just breathing, Tim mimicking him. The red eyes were unsettling, but it was still Tim, if he wasn't still himself then Bernard would already be dead.
"Ber…" Tim whispered.
"I'm here," he promised.
And then cold lips were pressing hard to his, Tim's arms around his shoulders. He pulled Tim closer, tipping his head slightly to get a better angle, lips parting for Tim to deepen the kiss. Tim was panting for unneeded air, his grip almost too tight, but Bernard didn't try to pull away.
He didn't have a death wish or anything but running on his own? He wouldn't make it very long. And from Tim's reaction, at least some of the other Bats had been turned, they knew about him, he'd met them…if they wanted him dead then he'd end up dead. Maybe with fresh blood in his system, Tim could fight his Sire, he wouldn't fight if Tim bit him.
He shifted back, guiding them back towards his bed. If one of them was going to die, then let them have one last time together. He felt the back of his knees hit the mattress and fell back onto it, Tim going with him.
"Ber," he whimpered, and Bernard moaned as he felt sharp fangs drag across his lips. "Cccan't," he stammered.
"It's okay Tim," he murmured in his ear, shifting a leg between Tim's, getting another whimper. Tim wasn't…oh, right, blood flow.
How long since Tim had been turned? He hadn't shown up for their date almost two weeks ago, had he been turned then? Surely no one could resist feeding for that long though. He reached for his bedside table, fumbling, finding the pocketknife. Was what he was about to do crazy? Probably. But he loved and trusted Tim.
He pushed Tim's shirt up and Tim moved enough to pull it off, Bernard pulling his own off as well. Then he tugged Tim back down, fighting down shivers, would Tim be warmer if he wasn't starving? He carefully raised the small blade and drew it across his skin just below his collar bones, well away from any major veins and arteries for safety. He saw Tim's nostrils flare as the scent hit the air, his pupils dilating, fangs seeming even longer.
Tim growled, shaking, and Bernard put the knife aside before lifting his hand to gently stroke through his hair.
"Stay with me Tim," he murmured. "You won't hurt me, but you need this."
"B...bbb…" Tim couldn't speak, his lips parted to reveal his fangs fully.
"You won't hurt me; you don't want to hurt me."
Tim managed to jerk his head in a nod, dragging his eyes from the wound to meet his. Bernard smiled at him in response. And then he gasped as Tim latched onto the wound, immediately sucking hard. He cradled the back of Tim's head, petting his hair, his other hand clutching at Tim's hip through his jeans. It…it felt good and Tim wasn't even biting him!
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He couldn't stop himself from latching onto the cut, sucking hard, eyes rolling back as the taste flooded his senses, unaware of anything else. Hungry...he was so hungry. He sucked at the wound, worrying at it with his tongue to try and get more. He needed more. He held on tight, not wanting the source to get away.
"Tim!"
The voice broke through the haze and he froze, panting against hot skin, hearing the beating of a familiar heart…a hand petting his hair.
"Can you hear me, Tim?" Bernard…that was Bernard.
Tim pulled away, scrambling across the bed, eyes wide. What…what had he done?
Bernard sat up, the cut on his chest red and irritated. He held his hand out and Tim hissed at him. He had to stay back. "Tim, it's okay. You didn't hurt me; you didn't get much at all."
Tim shook his head in denial. He was going to die soon, why had Bernard done that? He saw Bernard reach for the blade again and shook his head again. No…please no…
"Tim, you're starving, you need it. You are strong enough to control this, to fight whoever turned you. I believe in you, you need to believe in yourself too," Bernard sounded so sure.
But he wasn't that strong, he could feel him in his head, calling him to come. He bit his lip, shaking. Dick please… it wasn't Dick's fault; the real Dick would never have done this to him. Dick would never have betrayed them, stood by while B… he wished he'd been found by any other vampire than Dick. It had hurt but it had also felt good as Dick had cradled him close, draining his life away. For a few seconds, he'd been his big brother again, soothing him even as he forced his own blood into Tim's mouth. He'd tried to resist but had been too weak from his injuries and blood loss. And then Dick had been gone, leaving him to turn alone. Why had Dick left him? Had Dick been trying to let him escape, was that possible?
"It's okay Tim, let me help you."
"Ber," it was hard to talk, his fangs fully extended.
"You won't hurt me," Bernard told him firmly, and Tim found himself crawling back to him.
Bernard made another cut, fighting to not show that it hurt. Tim kissed him, focusing on mapping his mouth, tangling their tongues, ignoring the scent of blood as much as he could. He wouldn't hurt him, he wouldn't. He pulled back, Bernard panting, face flushed, even as he smiled up at him. Tim leant down and sealed his lips over the new wound, trying to be gentler this time but the taste… hot hands moved over his back, soothing. The wound clotted far too soon and he pressed kisses to Bernard's skin, moving up towards his neck. He sucked on the skin, bringing blood to the surface, and Bernard did nothing to stop him. He froze in place, fangs so close…
"Do it," Ber whispered, and Tim's fangs sank into soft flesh, hot blood filling his mouth. He groaned and within a few mouthfuls he was grinding his hips against Bernard's, body reacting for the first time since he'd turned.
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Bernard gasped as Tim bit him, oh…and then Tim began moving against him, familiar and it felt sooo good. He felt kind of floaty, hand slipping from Tim's back to flop on the mattress, the other remaining in his hair since some of the strands were tangled around his fingers, not that the pull seemed to bother Tim. He moaned softly, weakly moving his hips against Tim's. He…he hadn't expected… no wonder Tim had been turned…how could anyone fight back?
Tim's grip was hard but also gentle, Tim's sucking not as hard. He was right…Tim wouldn't hurt him. But he was tired…oh….
"T'm," he slurred, weakly tugging at his hair. "Stop…T…"
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"T'm. Stop…T…"
There was a soft tug at his hair but he ignored it, he needed more…finally he didn't feel like his body was going to eat itself…warmth…he could feel it…hear the soft thumping nearby, slower…slowing…
He pulled his head back, gasping, elation turning to horror as he stared at Bernard. Shakily he wiped the blood from his mouth, ripping free a section of sheet to press to the wound, Bernard making a soft sound of discomfort. Alive, he was still alive. What had he done? He…he'd nearly killed Bernard.
"I'm sorry," he choked out, realising for the first time since coming around in that warehouse that he couldn't feel fangs digging into lip and while the sheet tore easily, there were no claw holes. "Stay with me Ber, don't go to sleep," he begged.
Hazy hazel eyes stared up at him, lips twitching in a sleepy smile. He had to be too out of it to realise and Tim wanted to cry.
"S'okay," Ber mumbled, "you stop'ed."
Tim kept the pressure on the wound, scared he'd press down too hard or not enough, not really able to judge his own strength anymore.
"Come h're," Bernard's voice sounded a little stronger, even as he lifted a shaky arm to tug at Tim. "Cuddle."
Tim shook his head, how could Bernard want him anywhere near? He had to be delirious from the blood loss.
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He was really going to have to eat a lot later to help with the blood loss but his head was clearer already. He reached for Tim, tugging at him, seeing the panic and urge to flee. But Tim had stopped, he hadn't hurt him. It was like when he found out Tim was a vigilante all over again. Except…he'd never told Tim his own secret, if he had, maybe Tim wouldn't be so scared.
"Got…a secret," he murmured, tugging again. Tim reluctantly let himself be drawn down and Bernard realised that Tim was definitely still…excited, his blood was working…he felt warmer too. Not living person warm but not icy like before. And his eyes were blue again, Bernard had thought he'd never see them again. He pressed his lips to Tim's ear. "Meta," he breathed. "Heal faster."
He felt Tim tense in shock at his words and then slowly, he relaxed a little and Bernard wrapped his arms around him, kissing the shell of his ear and then along his jaw.
"Really?" Tim asked shakily, and Bernard nodded.
"Really." He reached up and tugged the sheet from his neck, feeling it stick a little before it came free, Tim pulling back to see what he was doing.
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Tim stared in shock at where he'd bitten and the wound was still there but it looked at least a day old and not brand new. Ber…Bernard was a Meta. How had he not realised that? It explained a lot actually, like how Ber had been fine for their first real date so soon after the cult.
"Hey," Bernard whispered, a warm hand caressing his face. Warm, not hot, because he finally no longer felt like he was freezing. Stolen warmth. "It's okay Tim, you didn't hurt me, I'll be fine. Could use some food since my body's working extra hard on blood production but that's okay. I…I'm sorry I never told you. Gotham's not the safest place for Meta's…even with Signal as a hero."
Tim nodded. It was good he hadn't known, it meant no one had gotten the knowledge from him. What would the others do with someone who healed faster and so could be kept around for blood? He shuddered at the thought of Bernard locked away as food. He shifted and then grimaced at the reminder of the reaction drinking had caused. Bernard caught the grimace, looking worried for a second before he grinned and moved his leg. Tim bit his lip, stifling a moan at the contact and pressure.
"Ber…" how could want to touch him? He…he was a walking corpse! A monster wearing the face of the boy Bernard had loved.
He felt Bernard shift and then he was on his back, Bernard braced over him. Sneaky, using a move Tim had taught him on him. He stared up at Bernard in surprise and Ber smiled at him. "You're still you Tim," Bernard whispered. "And I will always love you, fangs and all."
"Bernard, you don't have…I'm not…I'm not alive anymore," Tim hated Dick for what he'd done to him…but it wasn't Dick's fault. How long had it taken his Sire overwhelm Dick's ability to resist?
"You're here and talking to me Tim, you know who I am, who you are. You can think…pretty sure that counts for some kind of life, even if not human life," Bernard argued.
He wished he could believe that, so much. But…his thoughts were cut off as Bernard kissed him, a hand in his hair tugging his head back, letting Bernard control the angle. Bernard was pinning him to the bed, straddling him and it took longer than normal for Tim to realise what he was doing. If Tim wanted to move him, he would need to use his new strength, Bernard was taking control so Tim could focus on just two things, pleasure and not moving. He could do that, he could…right? Bernard might not be a vigilante but he wasn't scrawny and he knew how to fight, it wasn't the first time they'd had to deal with Tim's worry about hurting him. Sure enough, Bernard tugged his hands above his head and there was a click as the padded cuffs locked around his wrists, another thing to make him slow down and think. It wasn't about a thing for bondage or anything, it was just an extra layer of protection. Usually used if he'd been recently exposed to fear gas or something, just to be safe.
"I've got you," Bernard murmured in his ear, and Tim forced his body to go limp.
He felt so strange, even after almost two weeks, his body didn't feel right, like his. But the feeling of Bernard's hands on him did feel right as he gently caressed too pale skin.
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Bernard hated using the cuffs but he knew it would help Tim relax, not that he thought they'd actually hold Tim if he pulled. Tim's body relaxed, going limp under him, and it brought a flutter to his heart like it did every time, for Tim to show so much trust in him. Tim was so paranoid but he trusted Bernard to not hurt him. He began gently caressing Tim's skin, finding all the familiar spots where scars should be but there was nothing now. His mouth followed his hands, Tim whining softly, clutching at the headboard.
"I'm here Tim, it's okay," he whispered.
After a few years of dating, he knew Tim's body very well, even now that he was…different. And it didn't take long to have Tim writhing, panting and gasping, body forgetting he didn't need to breath now but Bernard liked that.
"Ber, please…" Tim shifted and Bernard knew what he wanted.
"You sure?" he asked, and Tim nodded almost frantically, eyes tinted red but still mostly blue. So, he reached into the drawer for the tube kept there and went to work making Tim feel good.
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His heart wasn't racing but he was panting, even as Bernard curled over him, able to hear his heart racing but beginning to slow a little now. His body was limp, heavy, everything feeling…he didn't know but it felt good. He whined as Bernard pulled away, but then a soft kiss was pressed to his lips.
"Back in a moment," Bernard promised.
Tim's hands dropped limp to the bed as the cuffs released and then he could hear Ber moving around the room which…got darker? Oh, blockouts…he'd gotten them to help Tim sleep during the day after long nights working. Sunrise… then he was being moved but he didn't care. He'd gotten far more than he'd expected from coming to say goodbye, Bernard would make sure it didn't hurt too much. Burning to death would hurt, that's why Ber had been upset, he had a wooden bat…he could sharpen the end to a stake?
But then a warm body was wrapping around him, something soft…blankets? Lips pressed to his temple.
"Sleep Tim, I've got you."
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Bernard dozed on and off, keeping hold of Tim's slowly cooling body, though thankfully he didn't go back to freezing, ignoring the fact it felt like he was hugging a corpse. After a few hours he got up and went to work. He dug out the clothing Tim had left at his, packing it into a bag and then a bag for himself as well. All the cash he had was split between the two.
He made sure to eat and drink plenty before digging out his medical kit and sitting down. Good thing they'd covered drawing blood a while back and it was easy enough to set up. On the run, there might not be good times for Tim to bite him so they'd need supplies on hand. Theoretically, they could break into blood banks or hospitals but…he wanted Tim to have his blood. He healed, maybe…maybe his blood could help Tim. It wouldn't bring him back to life but any advantage he could give him would be worth it.
The bats were obviously compromised, but what about the Justice League, the Titans? Surely the Supers would be immune, right? And the other alien members? Bernard's own immune system had become stronger and stronger, he hadn't been sick in almost two years, so anyone with any kind of healing ability should at least be able to fight off whatever made a vampire to some degree. Hopefully Tim would be more able to talk about things when he woke up.
They'd have to leave tonight; how long would it take for someone to realise Tim had come to him? What about Signal? He was sure his fellow Meta had stopped a robbery a few days ago, so was he safe? And how would they get out of Gotham? The airports were out, shut down for a week now. The bridges and tunnels had to be being watched. It was obvious, Gotham was being targeted, again.
He sealed the container and set it in the fridge before resting his head in his hands. He was scared…if Tim hadn't come to him…if he hadn't woken…Tim would be gone forever by now. Suicide by sunlight, he shuddered at the thought and yet, it was such a Tim thing to do. He thought he was a monster, a threat, so of course he'd act to take himself out before he could hurt anyone. But Bernard was not going to let that happen, he was going to keep Tim safe…somehow. It'd be easier with help and he had Conner's number…but could Conner be trusted now? What if it wasn't just Gotham?
He dug out the emergency kit Tim had stashed at his place last year, checking the fake id's and swapping them out in his wallet, going to check Tim's jeans…that weren't Tim's. Actually, none of the clothing Tim had been wearing was his or the right size. So, he'd had to ditch his clothes? Had he been in the Red Robin suit or civilian clothing when attacked? But it meant no wallet or phone. No wonder he'd been writing a note, no phone to text him with. Maybe he'd been worried about being tracked so had ditched everything?
Before he knew it, sunset was approaching, and he crawled back into bed with Tim, letting him soak up his warmth. Was it natural for Tim to sleep all day? If it was…that would slow them down even more than a sun allergy. What was he meant to do, hide Tim in a coffin and drive a hearse to escape?
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A steady heartbeat…warmth…food…his fangs lengthened, hungry, but then warm lips touched his throat, soft hair tickling.
"Please wake up Tim," a voice whispered, familiar…Bernard!
Tim's eyes snapped open and memory rushed back.
"Tim?" Bernard called his name, and Tim turned his head to see him, awake but tired looking. "Hey," he smiled, looking utterly relieved, leaning into kiss Tim softly. "You slept all day and I didn't know if it was normal or…"
"Sorry," he whispered. He was hungry, yes, but no longer starving. He felt better than he had since the attack.
"I got the bags packed while you were sleeping. As soon as we're ready, we can head out. Though…I don't know how we'll get out of the city with the airport shut and stuff."
Tim frowned in confusion. "What?"
"Oh…guess you haven't been watching the news," Bernard opened up his phone, and Tim hissed at the bright light before it dimmed a bit, letting him read the articles.
That…that wasn't good. Public transport in or out of the city was down totally, a story about the Joker and Two-Face the cover. How deep had they gotten into everything? How many were now vampires? He shuddered, shifting closer to Bernard, he had to keep him safe.
"Tim, is anyone safe to call for help, like Conner?"
"I…I don't know," he admitted shakily. He pressed his face to Ber's shoulder. "B's dead," he fought back tears. "Dick's turned, the others…I don't know. I was hurt…really bad, left for dead. Got away and hid but they found me…Dick found me, he…"
"He's your Sire," Bernard breathed in shock and Tim nodded.
"I can feel him Ber, he wants me to come to him."
"Well he can shove it, you're with me," Bernard snapped, wrapping him up tight and Tim actually laughed slightly.
"Someone turned him…Dick would have never stood by while Bruce…they're controlling him."
"And making him try to control you," Ber finished for him. "Well, hopefully distance will help with that. I'm guessing the Bat bases you guys have are out for transport?"
Tim nodded, the cave was beyond compromised, the bunker but…his secondary Nest? Not the one under his apartment but the other one he'd made as a backup and told no one about. After Dick had told Steph how to find his hideout before he left Gotham to find Bruce, he'd learnt his lesson. "There might be one spot, I never told anyone about it. There're no planes or anything, but there's a car and bikes that operate off the bat network. But it's not close by."
Bernard couldn't move as fast or as quietly as him and swinging was too risky, they'd be too easily spotted. And Ber couldn't keep that up for long anyway, he didn't have the conditioning needed, he'd only just started learning. Tim had wanted him to have a safe way to escape a building if anything ever went wrong but now…with at least one compromised Bat it was too risky. But Dick knew Bernard's car too.
"We're stealing a car, aren't we?" Bernard asked.
"Yeah, Dick knows yours and we need transport."
"Good thing I dug out those emergency fake id's huh?"
"Ber…"
"We're going together. We're getting out of Gotham and getting help," Bernard stated, glaring at him, and Tim nodded. "Good, go have a shower and get dressed. I'm going to make food…can you eat?"
Tim shook his head; he'd found that out the hard way. He'd hoped to mitigate the hunger with food or even water but his stomach was as dead as the rest of him…so how did his body 'digest' blood? He shook it off and slipped into the small bathroom, turning the water as hot as he could, wanting to feel warm. He wasn't surprised to find some of his own clothing waiting when he got out, they were forever leaving clothes at each other's place.
Bernard had mentioned Kon…could he call him? Would Conner believe it was him with no life signs? Did he think Tim was dead? Had he been attacked or killed…turned? Would that even work? There was so much he didn't know but surely fangs would break on his skin, Clark's…Jon's…Kara… they had to be their best bet for help, at least for Bernard. Once Bernard was safe, then it didn't matter what happened to him.
He left the bedroom to find Bernard leaning against the kitchen counter, eating something that he knew should smell good but honestly stank and…on the table was a small container of red liquid.
"Ber?" he stared at it.
"I spent the day eating and drawing blood. Not sure how much you need a day but it should help. I should probably wait a day or two to give more, even with my healing. There're containers in the fridge to keep it from going bad so we'll need to take an insulated bag."
He picked it up, opening it to smell Bernard's blood. He'd…Tim swallowed and then lifted it to his mouth, drinking it down. It wasn't as good as right from Bernard but it still sent a flush of warmth through his body. He hated it but if he was going to protect Bernard then he needed to not be starving, there was no way he could fight if he was. He moved to the sink to wash the container, realising it was hospital grade…right, Bernard would have had his kit at home. Wasn't he meant to be graduating training soon…had that happened? He pressed a hand to his head, leaning over the sink, and then gentle hands were guiding him away to sit on a familiar couch.
"It's okay Tim, just breath with me," Bernard was murmuring, and Tim forced his chest to expand with air, to breath. Something that should be automatic but wasn't because the dead didn't breathe.
He twisted, curling into Bernard, breathing in his scent, calming.
"We've got this," Bernard whispered. "We'll make it."
He wished he had Ber's confidence.
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He was dead…damn it…he didn't want to do this but he had to. He raised his guns, watching the figure pause to look around warily. And then he pulled the trigger, but he hit the car, the figure lunging, shielding another, pushing them into cover.
"Hood?" the familiar voice called, and Jason gripped his guns tighter. It wasn't him, not anymore. "Jay don't shoot! Ber keep your head down! You're not bullet proof," Tim snarled.
"Hood don't shoot!" that voice was less familiar but he knew it, Bernard, Tim's…damn it, had Tim… "Your helmet has thermal right? Check it, alive and kicking over here."
He hesitated but activated thermal vision and sure enough, there was a heat signature…and a cooler spot. "Kid…"
"It's okay, Tim's okay…well…he's not going to hurt anyone." A blond head popped up to look at him, Bernard looked tired but he seemed in good health otherwise. He slowly stood up and then tugged Tim up as well, keeping his body between them which Tim didn't seem to like. "It's okay, no one needs to get hurt."
"Bernard, that's…that's not Tim…not now…" he hated saying it, seeing a monster wearing the face of the little brother he'd come to love.
But Bernard shook his head. "He's still Tim, he starved himself for two weeks, came to leave me a note, he…he was going to wait for the dawn on a rooftop. Jason, he's still him."
Jason stared at his little brother's body; he looked like Tim but paler but of course he did. Except…he looked like he'd lost weight, Bernard said he'd starved himself… "Tim?"
A shaky smile spread over Tim's lips. "Hi," he whispered, but Jason's helmet still picked it up. And then Tim dropped to a knee, hands pressed to his head, shaking it.
"Tim? Hey, focus on me. You're okay, you're with me." Bernard knelt as well, gripping Tim's wrists. "Stay with me," he pleaded and Tim moaned in distress, slumping forward, Bernard wrapping his arms around him. "You can do this, you're stronger, fight."
"What?" Jason asked, taking a half step towards them.
There were tears in Bernard's eyes. "He won't leave Tim alone; Tim's been fighting him the whole time. Was hoping now he has some blood in his system it'd be easier for him to fight the call."
"Whose blood?" he asked in alarm, and Bernard glared at him.
"Mine, freely given." He rocked Tim who was calming, stroking his hair. "Tim, can you stand? We need to get out of the open."
Tim slowly pushed to his feet, leaning on Bernard. Jason realised the car was unfamiliar…and had been hotwired, bags in the back.
"You're alive," Tim's voice had him looking at…at the vampire again, seeing the relief on his face.
"Yeah, body armour comes in handy for more things than bullets."
He saw Tim's throat work as he swallowed. "The others?"
"I don't know, Signal's been spotted around town in the day. But I've stayed off the comms with the Cave compromised. Tim…what happened to you…I saw you die."
He'd heard Tim scream in pain as Dick…had seen Dick drop him like nothing, the kid not moving…he'd wanted to go back for him but he'd had to get Damian out. Tim would have wanted him to save who he could and that damage…
"I woke up alone," Tim answered. "Dragged myself to one of the bikes, drove as far as I could and then hid in a warehouse. But Dick…he found me, he…he did this to me and then he left. I was screaming, it hurt so much…and he just left me."
Jason felt sick, he'd left Tim behind because he'd been sure he was dead…and Tim had made it out only to be killed by his beloved big brother. Yes, things had been different between Tim and Dick since Tim had gone overseas, but it was obvious he still loved Dick. And Dick had killed him. He wanted to comfort his brother but did he dare? This could be a trap, Tim ready to attack…like Dick…but…he holstered his guns and approached the two, Bernard watching him warily as Tim trembled.
Jason reached out, cupping a pale face in his hands, staring hard into blue eyes but all he saw was his brother. "Timmy," he pulled the kid into a hug and then felt Tim's arms wrap around him in return, knowing the kid was strong enough to crush him now, but nothing happened. "I should have gone back, should have double checked." If he'd seen the missing body and bike…if he could have found Tim first…
"You got Dami out, right?" Tim asked softly.
"Yeah, he's long gone out of the country."
"Good, he's just a kid."
So were you, but Jason didn't say it out loud.
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Tim's head was pounding and he felt exhausted but they made it into his hidden bolthole without any more trouble. Tim immediately began turning everything on as Jason and Bernard looked around. He was glad the systems were completely independent of the Cave's, was Bab's…no, don't think about it. At least Damian was safe, Jason would have sent him somewhere good…and somewhere no one else knew so they couldn't tell.
Tim sat at the computer and dimmed the displays before going to work, they needed intel and fast. If Bab's…well, no matter who's side she was on now, she'd detect him eventually. He was good, very good, but Oracle was better, especially with Gotham systems.
Tim hesitated but then sent a coded message, not sure what he was hoping for. Bernard moved to his side, a container in hand, and Tim took it to down, cold blood definitely wasn't nice but it was better than nothing. Bernard stayed leaning against his chair, fingers playing with his hair as Tim worked.
That last attack…it'd been nothing like Dick's previous attempts…did he know something had changed? But even as Dick had pulled hard, demanded his obedience, Bernard's voice and warmth had been there, giving him something to cling to. He had to get out of Gotham and hope distance would help.
Jason was alive and Damian was safe, Signal had been spotted in the day…that was three of his siblings. But what about the others? Cass? Steph? It would take a lot to take Cass down and if the girls stuck together…
Bernard gently tugged his hair, pulling him from his spiralling thoughts. He refocused on the searches he was running. There was a lot of movement at the docks and various known to be abandoned buildings…all of them well blacked out. How many?! And then Bernard was draped over him, his warmth sinking in, and Tim realised he was shaking.
"Breath with me," Bernard coaxed, and Tim closed his eyes, following Ber.
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Jason was very impressed by Timbit's bolthole. While not as big as the Nest, it was just as well kitted out. And it had vehicles, ones designed for stealth and unconnected to the bats, not even in RR's red. He wanted to believe Tim was still the kid he knew but he couldn't help the wariness. None of them had realised Dick was dead until they'd been attacked and he'd just watched B being killed, hadn't gone to Damian and then he'd…he'd attacked Tim. And it turns out he'd found Tim again and killed him.
So how could Tim resist when Dick hadn't, why had Dick…unless…had Dick been meant to take Tim with him? Had he fought back enough to abandon Tim and give him a chance on his own? Tim had lasted two weeks on his own, had starved himself rather than attacking anyone. And Dick had been calling to him, but how strongly? He wanted to believe it, that some part of their Dick was still in there, especially after seeing how much himself Tim still was.
He glanced over to see Tim holding a container up to his mouth…blood, he was drinking blood, and Jason looked away again. Another look showed Bernard leaning in close, keeping Tim calm? He found the weapons area and smirked, aw…Timmy had stocked his favourite guns and ammo.
And then a noise had him spinning, seeing Tim sitting rigid in his chair, eyes wide, jaw dropped…and then Bernard was moving, draping himself over Tim, kissing along his jaw, hands slipping under his clothes. Yeah…he did not want to see that but it was working, Tim slowly relaxing back, hands coming up to clutch Bernard close.
"Gotta get you out," Tim was trembling as he held Bernard.
"Timbit?" Jason called in concern, and Tim pointed at the screens.
He moved closer to look, seeing the various locations, blacked out buildings, movement and lack of heat signatures, swearing. He understood Tim's panic. They didn't stand a chance against those numbers, not without super powered back up. But the city was shut down, how could any of them get out?
"Has…has there been any sign of Cass or Steph?" Tim asked shakily, petting Bernard's hair, obviously trying to comfort himself with his closeness. Somehow…the civilian boy could keep Tim calm, gave him the strength to cling to whatever humanity he had left.
"I haven't seen anything. I've been working to keep the Alley and surrounds clear. Bullets don't kill vampires but they do slow them down enough for me to get close enough to finish the job."
Tim flinched but nodded, not looking at him. "You should get some sleep Ber."
"Tim…"
"I'm okay," Tim smiled and kissed him.
Bernard looked between them before heading for the bedroom, Tim watching him go.
"Promise me Jay…if…if I lose it…"
Jason felt sick but he nodded, meeting scared blue eyes. "I won't let you hurt anyone," he swore.
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Tim knew it was crazy but he had to check. As soon as Jason was asleep, he had changed into his gear and left, he'd left a message just in case he didn't come back. He hated leaving Bernard but it there was a chance… He could hear them, hear people screaming, but he couldn't do anything, not without endangering Ber and Jason. It felt strange not being in the Red Robin suit but he needed total stealth and to not be immediately recognised by anyone hunting for him, so he was in full black armour, face covered by a domino. He was even carrying guns with lethal ammunition because of what Jason had told him. any advantage he could get, he'd take, but he wasn't looking for a fight, no, he was hoping for a reunion.
He landed on a rooftop and slid into the shadows, waiting.
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She landed and immediately spun, batarangs in hand. She wasn't alone, scanning for whoever…whatever was there.
"Cass?" a soft voice called and she crouched, that wasn't possible.
A black clad figure stepped forwards, hands held up and away from the myriad of weapons. She tightened her grip on her own, despite the apparent lack of threat. But she had missed Dick…
"It's me Cass, I'm not going to fight you," his voice was shaky, nervous, sad… "I would never fight you."
"Vampire," she whispered, her heart broken. She'd thought Tim was dead, really dead, but now he was standing before her and she could see the stillness in his body. Her little brother was gone…
Tim reached up and removed his domino. "I got out of the Cave; I was hurt badly but not dead but…he found me before I could get to medical help. He…" His gaze dropped to the roof, shoulders shaking.
So much like her Tim but she couldn't let him fool her, Dick had fooled her and now dad was dead. "Who?" she asked, dreading his answer.
"Dick," Tim whispered, he looked up at her and she noticed he looked fully human except for the paleness. "He turned me and then just left…it hurt Cass. It's like being ripped apart and the hunger…" he shuddered; arms wrapped around his middle. He looked in so much pain, she wanted to make it better, but she couldn't…except to free whatever was left of her Timmy.
He saw her weapons and smiled sadly. "It's okay," he told her, spreading his arms. "Do what you have to, I won't fight you. I love you Cass, I could never fight you."
He stood there, waiting for her to move, seemingly totally relaxed, his expression sad but accepting.
"How many?" She asked, and he tilted his head. "Killed."
"No one," he answered firmly. "For two weeks I hid, moving from spot to spot, but it's getting harder to ignore his call so I…I went to Bernard's," he explained and she tensed, no…not Bernard.
She'd swung by a few times to check on him but so far, he'd been left alone. Her brother would never hurt Bernard, but this wasn't Tim now.
"I just…I wanted to see him one last time, was going to leave him a note to run but he…he woke up before I could." He smiled softly. "He'd worked out what's going on already, realised what had happened to me. He was scared but…he refused to leave me or let me do what I'd come to do."
She tilted her head in question, not sure why she was listening. Had…had he turned Bernard?
"I was going to go up to the roof and wait…for sunrise," Tim answered, and behind her mask her eyes widened.
Suicide? Her little brother would do that, to protect others, he'd let himself die. And the vampire he'd become would know that…
"Where is he?"
"Safe, with Jason. Both alive and hopefully asleep still. I came looking because I was sure I spotted you on the cameras. I had to know if you were still okay. Is Steph? They both said Duke's been spotted in the day and Jason got Damian out, so it was only you two who were fully missing."
Cass felt the grief rise up, shaking her head. "Steph…went to Mom…wasn't in time, they were waiting."
"No…" he shook his head, hands going to his hair. "Damn it Steph," he hissed. "Dead or…"
She shrugged; she didn't know for sure. No body, she signed.
"I haven't seen her but I kept hidden since they were looking for me. Come with me Cass, Jason and Bernard would love to see you. It's a bolthole I had made, hidden from everyone. There're supplies, food, vehicles, weapons. Please Cass, trust me. I'm still me."
She wanted to, so badly, but how could she? She hesitated, fingers clenching around her weapons.
"Cass don't!" a familiar modulated voice called as heavy boots hit the roof. Hood raised his hands, well away from his guns. "You've got a heat signature," he sounded relieved. And then he reached up to pull off his helmet. "Tim hasn't hurt anyone; he doesn't want to hurt you or anyone."
She studied Jason, seeing the signs of life in him, his eyes clear, so likely not being controlled. She looked back at Tim, torn, seeing the slight tremor in his body, the concealed hope. "Little brother?" she whispered.
Tim nodded and she hesitantly moved towards him. She reached up to touch his face and he shivered but leant into her hand. "Love you Cass," he whispered.
She sobbed and wrapped her arms around him, feeling him hug her back, resting his head against hers. He was breathing softly, scenting her? "Love you."
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Jason was relieved he had woken and found them in time to stop Cass from doing something she would regret. But…if she'd done it, he wouldn't have told her, he couldn't cripple her with that kind of guilt. The three of them moved silently through the city, Tim guiding them around other vampires, obviously scared but ready to defend them. They made it back to the bolthole and slipped inside, Tim making sure all the security was on full.
Tim then slipped away and Jason showed her where she could change and clean up.
"Steph?" he asked, and she shook her head. Damn it. They needed to contact Duke so either him or Cass would need to go out during the day to track him down. "What about Babs?"
"Don't know, haven't risked computers."
He nodded; he'd been doing the same. Dick and Babs had always been complicated but it had them all assuming she would have been targeted, maybe even before the attack in the Cave.
"Tim?" a sleepy voice called and Cass looked relieved.
"Yeah, Bernard's here. He…he's incredible with Tim. Di…his Sire tried to get into Tim's head when I ran into them but Bernard was able to ground Timmy, keep him with us. And…it's Bernard's blood he's drinking. He's drawing and storing it so Tim has food. I'm going to get the kid to teach me how to do it too, he likely can't give enough to keep Tim well fed, especially when he was starved for two weeks."
She nodded in understanding and he led her to the bedroom where there was a bed and blow-up mattress on the ground. Bernard was on the bed, holding Tim, petting his hair sleepily. He saw them and waved and Cass waved back, even as Jason nodded.
"Come on Cass." He lay down and she lay down with him.
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Duke stripped off his gear, ignoring the aches in his body. And then he spun, eskrima coming up only to stare at the familiar red helmet. "Jason?" he looked the older male over and then slumped against the wall. "You're alive."
"Yeah, so's Cass," Jason pulled his helmet off. "You weren't easy to find. Nice place."
Duke shrugged. "Took some tips from…from Tim on having somewhere separate and hidden to be safe."
"Tim's…well, he's still around."
Duke blanched, because that could mean only one thing, he'd seen him go down even as Jason had hauled Damian over his shoulder, Duke had covered their retreat thanks to his powers.
"It's not like that, not exactly," Jason quickly explained. "He was turned but he's not like the others, he's still Tim. He hasn't killed, spent the whole time hiding from the others. He was going to commit suicide by sunrise but Bernard talked him down, EMT training means he knows how to safely draw blood so he's been feeding Tim that way. Tim found Cass two nights ago, we're all staying in Tim's bolthole. He's insistent on getting Bernard out of Gotham but that's not going to be easy and Bernard's refusing to leave without the rest of us."
"Abandon the city?" he asked in shock. But…they were the Bats…the only ones left.
"We need help Duke, we have no idea if it's just Gotham or hell, the whole world. Metropolis is the best first stop with the supers. If anyone's immune, it'd be them."
Duke nodded, that made sense, he did what he could but he was one person and very human despite his powers. "Okay," he agreed. he moved to pack everything he might need.
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Tim shifted nervously as he smelt Jason and another, it had to be Duke, right? With blood in his system, it was easier to stay awake in the daytime, especially when it was Ber's or Jason's blood. So, Bernard's healing and something about the Lazarus changes in Jason affected their blood when ingested. He leant back as familiar arms wrapped around him, soaking up Bernard's warmth, seeing Cass smile at them.
Cute, she signed and he stuck his tongue out at her.
Having them with him, somehow…it made things easier. Sure, some of that was probably because he was actually eating but shouldn't he be wanting to drain them dry?
And then Jason walked in, Duke beside him, looking worn out and a bit thinner but not too bad. Duke looked around and then his eyes locked on Tim and he stiffened slightly.
"Hi Duke," he offered, staying in Bernard's arms.
"Tim," Duke swallowed. "You…" he rubbed at his eyes and Tim wondered what vampires looked like to him. "You're okay?"
Tim shrugged. "For a dead guy?" he tried to joke. "I'm glad you're okay, figured with your powers you had the best chance of any of us."
"I'm sorry Tim…we should have gone back for you."
"And then he would have gotten you guys too. You didn't realise I wasn't dead and that's okay. If I'd gone straight for a hospital or something, maybe…" Tim shrugged. Would that have stopped Dick? Or would everyone else been turned too? His hiding out had probably saved lives.
Duke approached, holding his hand out and Tim hesitated but then took it, seeing the slight shiver from the coldness of his skin. Sure, he was warmer since he'd started feeding, but he was still a corpse.
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Bernard curled against Tim's back, using him as a shield against the wind, the helmets covering their faces but connected by comms. They were all wearing body armour under heavy jackets that had been sprayed with various different scents to hide their own. How well it would work, they didn't know. There were no land routes that would be safe to take, they were going to have to go by water. Easy enough for Tim but the rest of them?
But Jason was sure there was one spot they could get out from, because he had set it up when he first returned to Gotham with the help of Talia al Ghul…Who he'd sent Damian too to keep him safe…the daughter of the man who had tried to keep Tim. But an immortal assassin cult might actually be the safest place for the kid now. They made it to the edge of the Gotham River and Jason parked so they moved in on foot, Tim holding tight to his hand. If anything happened, everyone was insisting that Tim grab him and go for the river. Could Tim swim it with him in tow though?
They made it to an old shed and Jason did something, a set of doors opening in the ground, stairs leading them down…into an underground boat dock. Okay, that was very cool. Tim lifted him up onto the boat immediately and then leapt up as well, pacing the deck, scenting the air. Once on the mainland, they'd have to steal transport unless Jason had left some there as well to match the boat.
"We're going to be okay," Tim whispered, wrapping his arms around him.
Bernard nodded, leaning into him.
Soon they were all aboard and the boat silently moved out into the river. All the humans were wrapped carefully in blankets designed to hide heat signatures now, the boat as silent as possible. It meant moving slowly but stealth was for the best, right? He shivered, pressing closer to Tim, he was so scared.
TBC…