Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 7

Kon rushed into the Nest, worried by Oracles call and…there was a heartbeat missing. Bernard wouldn't have left at night without Tim, right? So why couldn't he hear him anywhere in Gotham?

He spotted Jason and Duke immediately, then Dick sprawled on the ground and…a mutilated and decomposing body…a vampire? The older they were the longer it took them to turn to dust so that one had to be very old. And then he spotted movement, Tim and Bernard…Bernard?! No heartbeat. He…he'd been turned. He was curled into Tim who was holding him gently, encouraging him to drink from a container of blood.

"What the hell happened?" he stared between them all in shock.

"Move Dick into the cell, just to be safe?" Duke asked him, and Kon did so.

Then Jason explained what had happened in the Nest, Kon feeling a bit ill at the idea of his best friend literally eating someone's heart, even if she totally deserved it. By the time he was done, Tim and Bernard had walked over, Bernard securely tucked into Tim's side.

"So, what happened?" Kon asked, looking between them, and Tim looked away, ashamed.

"I don't remember anything till suddenly Bernard was lying in my arms…turning. And the balcony doors were open, security disabled."

That made it pretty obvious what happened.

"You okay Bernard?" he asked gently, and Bernard looked up at him, thankfully the red was fading from his eyes due to the blood he'd had.

"I think so. Everything's so…loud," he admitted, and Kon grimaced, he knew what that was like.

Even now, his senses could spike, especially when there were bad solar flares or if he'd been away from a yellow sun on a space mission for a bit. At least Tim and Bernard didn't have something like that.

"I remember some of what happened," Bernard admitted. "We were kissing and stuff and Tim bit me but…he didn't stop, didn't react at all when I tried to stop him…then I woke up in agony and Tim was holding me but…it was like he wasn't there. And then suddenly he was, apologising, then he made me go to sleep. I woke up alone and I knew he needed me."

"Bernard helped me fight her mental control enough to beat her. She was Dick's Sire, the one behind everything."

"And you ate her heart!" Duke shuddered, and Tim grimaced.

"Yeah…I, uh…it was instinct?" Tim offered. "But I can feel them now…all the vampires tied to her. And Dick…he's still my Sire but he can't control me anymore…the bond reversed."

Well…he hadn't expected that! But it was good, right? Tim could get them to use the WE facility they were going to set up, get their blood through there rather than hurting anyone.

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He felt strange, lethargic, but slowly his eyes opened and he realised he was in a cell, trying to get up till he realised it was one of the cells in the Nest. What had happened? Had…had he attacked someone?

"Dick, can you hear me?"

"Unggh…" he tried to talk, slowly managing to roll to his side, blinking dazedly at Jason through the door. "Mnnn…Ja…" he struggled to try and sit but just kind of flopped.

"It's okay, Timmy's been keeping you under to be safe," Jason explained, confusing him.

He clumsily reached for the bond and it felt strange…different. And…. there was a hole in his mind, something missing. Instead, the bond to Tim was bigger, stronger… wrong way round? And then he felt Tim reach back carefully, soothing him.

"It's okay, he's okay," Tim's voice, then the door was open and Tim was sitting beside him, helping him sit so he could feed.

Dick drank hungrily, feeling his strength returning, head clearing more. "Timmy," he murmured, leaning against his little brother, his…what was he now?

He was still Dick's Childe but also now above him in the hierarchy. He'd taken over her Sire bond with him and that really made it complicated. But he found himself turning to Tim, burying his nose in his throat, comforted by his scent. A hand gently petted his hair and Dick relaxed fully.

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Jason watched as Dick relaxed against Tim, seeming himself, but…they'd thought that before. But Timbit was top vampire now which meant he'd know, right? It was over now, the suspected and confirmed vampire attacks literally dropping overnight, not stopping since there were some that Tim couldn't command, but it proved that Tim could make them stop. That was a lot of power and responsibility for one person and he knew Tim didn't want it but there was no other choice, he'd called Constantine to check. The only way to transfer that was through death.

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Bernard stared out the windows, able to hear so much…they needed to get the soundproofing on the apartment increased or something. He felt a hot hand rest on his shoulder and twisted to curl into Kon, soaking up the warmth.

"You okay?" he asked softly, and Bernard shrugged slightly. "You don't have to be brave for me Ber."

He shuddered and then he began to cry, mourning his life. Kon wrapped him up in a hug, murmuring soft assurances to him. He couldn't make Tim feel even worse by crying in front of him. He could feel his Sire's guilt over what he'd done and it hurt. They should have been able to talk about it, to agree if, when, and how it would happen. Not have someone else force Tim into doing it without Tim even knowing what he was doing. It should have been gentle, loving, not with Bernard trying to fight.

But it didn't change anything for him, he loved Tim. He just loved him, more, differently now. They were mates and also Sire/Childe. Feeling Tim in his head, even with the bond quiet was amazing, like nothing he could have imagined. He wouldn't give it up now that he had it, not even if he could be human again, unless Tim could be human too. He'd healed fast yes, but not fast enough to extend his lifespan as far as he'd been able to tell, so with Tim a vampire he had to be turned. It just happened sooner than it should have, Tim needed more time to settle and get used to being a vampire.

"It's going to be okay," Kon whispered, and Bernard hoped he was right.

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Steph was 'buried' beside her mother, a few graves away from Bruce and his parents, close to Jason's empty grave. They'd managed to gather up some of the ash to place in an urn but that was all.

Cass stared at the new stone that had been placed. Her best girlfriend was dead and gone now. She'd barely had a 'life' as a vampire, they'd been making plans to have fun with her new stealth and then she was just gone. Jason felt guilty, she had died buying him time to get to safety. But wasn't that how all of them wanted to go, saving someone? Dick was drowning in guilt over everything, not just fighting Steph, they were all watching him closely, they couldn't lose another family member.

Bernard was adjusting well, staying close to Tim mostly. Tim seemed a bit overwhelmed at times but they all made sure he knew they were there for him. But Gotham would not give them the time to wallow and grieve forever. The strange frozen state the city's crime had been in thanks to the near takeover was ending, crime picking back up, building to normal levels. The bats and birds were needed and they were done too many members.

Jay had finally agreed to take up the cowl, Dick wasn't mentally able to at the moment. But Damian was not coming home, not that anyone blamed him. His trust in Dick had been shattered in the attack, his Father was dead, and the brother he had the most issues with was now a powerful vampire. So, they had Batman with no Robin, no Nightwing, no Red Robin or Red Hood…no Batgirl.

Tim would likely be the quickest to get back to patrol condition but Red Robin wasn't really a visible presence, more an unseen one like Black Bat. So, he could maybe take up the Nightwing mantle? But he was very different to Dick, and not just because he was shorter. Tim just didn't make the puns, wasn't as much of a show off in a fight, he could do it in short bursts but it would be obvious he wasn't the original. But they all hoped Dick would take the mask back and Nightwing would be back in a few weeks or months, they could fake him being off world for that long. Robin…she thought there was a possibility ready to go. Bernard. He was old for the role yes, but he had the skill, he'd been taking martial arts for years, was already good at puzzles, liked conspiracies… or if Tim took over for Dick, then Bernard could take on the Red Robin suit?

Or maybe Gotham would just have to deal with some new vigilantes? Steph would have loved to help with names and costumes.

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Clark kept a close eye on Gotham, no one complaining when certain meta heroes slipped in and out of the city, keeping things under control with the Bats so decimated. For Bruce, Clark had personally checked in on Damian, letting Talia know he simply wanted to be able to tell his siblings and Alfred that Damian had made it safely out. The boy was grieving his Father, unsure how to deal with his anger at Dick, despite knowing that Dick had been unable to do anything.

And thankfully, Talia seemed to realise that Damian no longer fit the life of an assassin. To keep him safe from Ra's, she had him hidden away while they decided on a boarding school for him to attend. If he returned to America, it likely wouldn't be for a few years.

Seeing Jason wearing the cowl was strange, but he was much more believable under it than any of his siblings. Dick had just lacked the height and bulk to pass as Bruce, from a distance there was nothing to differentiate Jason's Batman from Bruce's. Signal worked hard in the day and then at night it was Batman and Black Bat with Oracle in the background. Jason had moved into the Manor for Alfred's sake, Cassandra joining them. He thought Babs might move her operation there if she could excuse being at the Manor so much to her Dad.

Tim and Bernard were staying in the apartment but Dick had yet to leave the Nest and Tim wasn't willing to push him. Kon, Bart, and Cassie were spending a lot of time in that building too, supporting the three. Wally visited as much as possible and so did Kori, wanting to be there for Dick. They'd made use of the group to empty out Bernard and Dick's apartments. Most of Dick's things were at the Manor while Bernard's' was in the apartment.

Most of the world hadn't even noticed what was going on in Gotham and there'd been nothing like it anywhere else either. JL Dark was keeping a very close eye on things now, they didn't want another attempt like it to get so far without anyone noticing till it was too late.

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Tim wrapped his arms around Bernard's waist, his mate leaning back into him. He nuzzled his throat gently before kissing the skin. It didn't feel warm or cold to him now. He missed the warmth but Bernard wouldn't grow old on him now. "Love you," he whispered.

Bernard turned, smiling softly at him, leaning in for a kiss. "Love you too." He stepped back, pulling at Tim and he let himself be pulled to the bed. They hadn't been together since the night Bernard had been turned, it had just been so crazy since then so they hadn't had the chance to fully solidify the mating bond. But it seemed Bernard planned to fix that now.

Soon, they were naked on the bed together, touching and kissing slowly, gently. It was different now; he didn't have to be so careful since Bernard wasn't so breakable.

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Dick stared at the alert, honestly, it was a miracle it had lasted so long. He glanced at the locker area, hesitating. Tim and Bernard appeared, Tim moving to change. They hadn't been patrolling, but an Arkham breakout? Jason and Cass could handle that alone and Duke was exhausted from his own patrols and classes, he couldn't work the night as well. But going out there…

"Would anyone believe a Nightwing not using eskrima?" Bernard asked, and Dick looked at him in shock. "You're not ready Dick, even I can tell."

"You sure Ber?" Tim asked, halfway into his gear but now hesitating.

Bernard nodded.

"Alright," Tim stripped out of the pants for the RR suit and tossed them to Bernard. "I can use eskrima. You've trained with a bō and RR sticks to the background more. If it's okay with you Dick?"

Dick looked between them. Tim as Nightwing…it was something he regrated not offering back then, but he'd been so sure that Tim would want his own new id, because that was what he'd wanted at that age. He went to wear his suit was being stored and then held it out to Tim. "Try to throw in some puns?" he asked, trying for a grin.

Tim took the uniform and nodded, wrapping an arm around Dick in a brief half hug. The two boys were soon suited up, Bernard shifting around, unused to the skintight armour and cape. And then they were on the bikes and taking off, Dick watching their trackers.

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Jim watched the various Bats arrive and he could tell instantly, the only one the same was Black Bat. He knew Bruce was dead, had heard the girl who hung around them had died too, he suspected she was the new Batgirl, had been the female Robin and Spoiler. Though the way Nightwing held himself…was that Tim? But then who was in the Red Robin gear? It wasn't Dick in the cowl but maybe…Red Hood? He suspected Red Hood was Jason Todd, somehow. But he was still listed as dead, so maybe not?

"The original Nightwing?" he asked softly, the boy had nearly been his son-in-law after all, had gotten his daughter out of Gotham before whatever had been going on.

"Injured," Nightwing answered and yes, that was definitely the third Robin. "Robin is out of the country, retired, likely permanently but not due to injury. Batgirl is…is dead."

"So, you're filling in for Nightwing, Red Hood for Batman?" he asked, getting a nod, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that one. But at least he wasn't carrying the guns in the cowl. "The current Red Robin?"

"New," Tim answered.

Jim knew Tim was dating, Babs had mentioned it, so he had a feeling that was who was in the second cowl. Hopefully, he was well enough trained to keep up.

"Who has escaped Commissioner?" Batman growled and the mimicry was impressive.

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Bernard ducked and spun around, the bō slamming into his opponent. Half his attention was on moderating his strength, he didn't want to accidentally kill someone after all. He knew Tim was having to do the same. Nightwing and RR never partnered but tonight they were, Tim couldn't stand to let him go with Jason or Cass who were working solo though using their comms.

The cape was kind of annoying, how did Tim deal with it every night? Though he had been wearing one since he was what, thirteen? He had to be very used to it. Thankfully, the biggest escapee was Freeze, no one like Joker or Scarecrow. Joker would know it was different people behind the masks and they didn't need that kind of interest at the moment. And he didn't want to face that creep!

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Damian read the article, it was easy for him to tell that it was Todd under the cowl, not Grayson even in a photo from a distance. Thinking of him hurt. He had trusted him; he had been his Robin before he had been Father's. Everyone said it hadn't been his fault, he had been controlled, but he had stood by as Father was killed and then killed Drake himself.

He would never consider Drake his brother but they had become co-workers, not friends but no longer truly enemies either. Watching him collapse, apparently dead, and at Richard's hand…Damian had made the rookie mistake of freezing, too shocked to do anything. If not for Todd, he likely would have died in the Cave that night.

The thought of going back to Gotham or even America…he couldn't. He had finally chosen a school, in Britain, he thought Alfred would like that. He would be attending under a false identity to help hide him from Grandfather. Drake…Timothy had sent a message through Superman, if Grandfather gave him trouble, then Timothy was willing to help. He did not know what had happened between them while Timothy was in Europe but the two were enemies, though Grandfather seemed to still wish for him as his heir.

With Brown now gone as well, their numbers were depleted. Would Todd take on a Robin of his own to grow the group? He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

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Dick slid into the Nightwing suit, affixing his domino, and then stretching. It had been two months and while Tim could wear the suit, it was obvious he wasn't comfortable. No, it was time he took his life, or afterlife, back. He loved his work as Nightwing and he wasn't going to let her take that from him. She had taken him while on patrol but Tim had destroyed her.

He was moving back to the Manor too, Tim and Bernard needed their space and privacy and living in the Nest was just odd. Alfred had made sure the Manor was secured for his safety during the day, Tim had done the same to the penthouse for him and Bernard.

He grinned as Tim and Bernard stepped into view in their own gear. They looked great.

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Blackbird perched on the top of a gargoyle, looking down at the gathering gang even as Jackdaw leant over his shoulder. In their mostly black suits, they were basically invisible in the darkness of the night.

"That's a lot of firepower," Jackdaw murmured.

"Too much, shall we take some off their hands?" Blackbird smirked and then they leapt from the roof.

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Tim grinned as he pulled off Blackbird's mask, glad he'd decided to go back to a domino, if differently shaped and larger than his old Robin one. Bernard pulled his off as well before stretching, wriggling out of Jackdaw's suit black and dark purple suit. Tim's was black and dark grey and he'd kept the cape but Bernard decided to follow in Dick's footsteps and go without one.

"Good first night?" Tim asked, and Bernard laughed.

"I've been out for months!"

"As Red Robin. Tonight was your first as your own identity," Tim pointed out.

Bernard nodded. "Yeah…it felt different, good. I get why you do it night after night."

Tim pulled him in for a kiss. Good thing they didn't sweat or they'd both stink after a night in Kevlar. "Shower?"

"Race ya!" Bernard teased, taking off, naked.

Tim laughed but chased after him, heading upstairs to the nicer shower.

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Alfred carefully lay the flowers on the grave, then laid more on the other graves. It had been almost two years now since the attack, since Bruce had been killed and the family almost torn apart. But Gotham was Gotham and the city had recovered from the vampire attack, thanks mostly to Timothy's hard work with the surviving vampires and through WE.

"You would be proud of the children, dear boy. They have come together and done so much for both of your legacies."

Jason had thrived as Batman, and a Batman who kept up the good work in the Alley as well. Master Dick had bad days still with the guilt but he had settled and was mostly back to himself, working hard as Nightwing. Blackbird and Jackdaw were an excellent partnership, in and out of the mask. Cassandra had been drawn back into the family and now lived permanently in Gotham. And Oracle watched over them all.

"The wedding is next week; I know Master Timothy wishes you could be the one to walk him to the front. He and Master Bernard are such a wonderful couple, you would be proud of them. I have ensured they both have family heirlooms to wear on the day and Master Kent will be standing in for you. We all miss you so much…son."

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Bernard smiled at Tim, taking his hands, as the official spoke. An early evening ceremony on a cloudy day was perfect for them. Various League members were present in civilian dress and every member of their family was there. Kon stood as Tim's best man and Cass stood as his.

He did kind of wonder how the poor man would react if he knew he was officiating the wedding of two vampires. Bernard had never been happier. He barely heard a word, focused on Tim's smiling face until finally they got to kiss for the first time as spouses.

Life wasn't perfect, but it was pretty wonderful anyways.

The End.