Disclaimer: not mine

So, this will start the same as the original My Robin, though I may add scenes and shift some things. Then we will be taking a sharp departure from canon.

Chapter 1

Tim carefully made his way across the rooftop, camera resting against his chest. There were a few holes in the metal, it had obviously been abandoned for a while. Still, it was the best way to get to a good spot to photograph the fight. Robin was patrolling solo! It was exciting. Jason was so different as Robin to Dick; he was his Robin.

He carefully made his way along a beam, glancing down to see Robin dancing between three thugs. Tim very slowly lifted his camera to begin shooting. He snapped several shots and then began moving again, figuring lingering too long on the beam wasn't smart.

And then all there was, was air. He scrambled for something to grab, hands catching on something and he gasped. Tim blinked to find himself hanging by his hands from another beam. He looked down to see debris and Robin staring up at him, whiteouts wide.

"Hang on kid!" Robin yelled, lunging at the last remaining thug.

He was trying! But he didn't have gloves like Robin and it hurt. "Help," he whispered, struggling to not panic. He just had to hold on. He couldn't pull himself up, he didn't have the proper hold and the beam was too narrow.

And then a gloved hand grabbed his, holding on tight. "Easy kid, I've got you." Jason dropped off the roof to grab him around the waist, a hand gripping his grapple gun. "It's okay, let go."

Tim took a shaky breath, struggling to let go, finally his fingers unclenched and he gasped as they dropped but it was slow. And then they landed on the ground, Tim's legs buckling. But Jason just scooped him up and carried him away from the building. He…he was being carried by Robin! He curled further into his arms, sighing softly. It felt…weird, being held. No one ever held him or even really touched him unless it was Dad digging his fingers into his arm hard enough to bruise when he wasn't quick enough. Mom was better, she liked his mind and how much like her he could be, she loved him. They were Drake's.

,

Jason was surprised when the kid curled into his arms, sighing softly. He was tiny and bat-adoption bait with soft black hair and he was sure he had seen wide blue eyes before he'd dropped over the edge on his grapple to grab the kid. He was surprised the boy was able to force himself to let go of the beam, most people froze up and couldn't. Did the boy trust Robin that much? He glanced down, he didn't think he'd saved him before but there were a lot of people in Gotham after all.

"Robin, report."

"Thugs handled. I've got a kid who nearly fell to his death, he's out cold."

"Take him to the clinic."

"On our way."

Leslie would look after him, make sure he got home or to a shelter. He had the feeling it'd be a home though; his clothes were plain and simple but not worn enough for a street kid unless he'd only just ended up there. His hands were going to need some care, the skin torn from his desperate attempt to save his own life, blood staining pale skin. Jason doubted the kid could have held on much longer. He had long, delicate fingers, some callouses but not the kind gained from rough living on the street. And those fingers were now clinging to his suit, leaving bloody marks on it but that was fine. Alfred could get blood out of anything.

"It's okay kid, you'll be okay," he murmured.

He made it to his bike and set the kid on the seat, getting on behind him so he could make sure the kid didn't fall. He was conscious, mostly, eyelashes fluttering against thin cheeks to reveal slivers of blue, but he was totally limp. Shock? He wouldn't be surprised after that near miss. He took off as fast as he dared with his passenger, relieved when he spotted the clinic.

"Doc Leslie!" he called, and she appeared from a backroom, spotting the limp form in his arms.

"In here," she ordered.

Jason gently lowered the boy onto the bed and a weak hand gripped at his suit again. "Hey, it's okay kid. You're safe now," he promised. "Doctor Leslie's one of the good ones." He hesitantly lifted a gloved hand to run through messy black hair, feeling the kid press into his touch, blue eyes now wide. There was something…almost familiar about the kid but it was probably just his colouring or something, right?

He carefully disentangled the kid's hold on him and stepped back, wide blue eyes watching him. He hated the soft whimper that followed him from the room but there was nothing more he could do.

,

Leslie watched Robin leave and then turned to her young patient. He was small so she would normally guess his age to be around ten but something told her he wasn't that young. Stunted growth or a late bloomer?

"Hi," she smiled at the boy, relieved to get a tiny, shy smile back. "Can you show me where you're hurt?"

In answer he held out his hands.

"Those look painful, let's get you cleaned up, alright? Are you hurt anywhere else?" she asked gently. She was worried that he hadn't said a word but if he was new to the streets, he probably had no clue who he could trust. Then again…that strap around his neck, that belonged to a pricey camera. The only thing he had left?

He moved his arms and winced.

"Robin said you fell and were holding on so I'm going to take an x-ray, okay? We need to check you haven't dislocated anything."

The boy hesitantly nodded but refused to let the camera out of his sight so she made sure to place it where he could see but where it wouldn't be affected by the machines. Thankfully, nothing was broken or dislocated. So, she cleaned and bandaged his hands, putting three stitches into the worst of the damage, talking gently the whole time. She stepped away for not even five minutes only to return to an empty exam room.

,

Tim collapsed on his bed, giddy, exhausted, and scared. That had been…the best and the worst! He'd nearly died sure, but Robin! Okay, ouch his hands hurt. There was no way he could download the nights' photos so he carefully hid the whole camera away. Not that anyone ever came to his bedroom even when his parents were home. He staggered into his bathroom to clean up the best he could and take the antibiotic the nice doctor gave him. The anaesthetic was wearing off, his hands hurting more, but he ignored it and went to bed.

,

Bruce ruffled Jason's hair. "The kid alright?" he asked.

Jason nodded. "She didn't seem too worried about his hands. Can we call?"

"Sure thing, Jaylad." He dialled the clinic, hoping the nightly rush was over.

"Dr Thompkins."

"Robin brought a boy into the clinic tonight, he wanted to check on him."

"Some pulled muscles and he needed three stitches in his left hand, but otherwise unharmed," she answered. "Unfortunately, he vanished the second I turned my back. He's good, got out a window as far as I can tell and it was before I could grab any of the cards for the good shelters or aid agencies. If he's a street kid then he's new to it. He had a camera, an expensive one, and he was very protective of it. He hasn't gotten desperate enough to try and sell it yet."

"Understood, thank you doctor." They said their goodbyes and he looked at his son, seeing his expression. He put a hand on his shoulder. "Jason."

"I should have stayed, B. He didn't want me to leave."

"This isn't your fault, Jason. We'll keep an eye out for him, alright? If he is on the streets then we'll help him. If he has a family and is out at night alone then we'll look into it."

Jason nodded and headed upstairs to get some sleep before school.

Bruce loaded up Jason's mask footage and frowned at the child clinging to his son. There was something familiar…

,

Jason was going to go crazy but he could swear he kept spotting the kid and his camera. But that was insane, wasn't it? B would have noticed if they had a baby sized stalker, right? He slipped around a corner, doubling back and around and... there he was, he had the hood of his sweater up but Jason was sure it was the same kid as the one he saved.

"Hey stalker," he called gently, wincing when the kid jumped a mile, spinning to face him, hood falling back. Yep, he'd been right. "How're your hands?"

The kid lowered his camera and held them up, showing a small scar on his left palm but that was the only sign of his misadventure. He stayed silent though and Jason was wondering if the kid was mute.

Jason moved closer, keeping his body language calm, open. "It's okay," he murmured. "Can you…can you talk?"

Big blue eyes blinked at him before the boy nodded slightly.

"Okay, that's good," he smiled, relieved. His ASL kind of sucked still. "Got a name?" Would he answer and even if he did, would it be real?

The kid looked around nervously and then back to him.

"Batman's not here, it's just me," he promised.

"Alvin," the kid whispered, barely audible. Well…it sounded weird enough to be a fancy name. He was really doubting he was a street kid.

Jason finally got close enough to reach out and take a smaller hand in his own gloved one. "Nice to meet you Al, I'm Robin," he introduced himself seriously, getting a giggle, good! "What are you doing out here alone? It's not safe."

"You're here," Al answered, voice stronger now.

Well…yeah. "Alvin, Gotham at night is very dangerous. How often are you out here?"

The kid shrugged slightly. And then they both flinched low as a gun sounded nearby.

"Okay," Jason paused as a bullet hit the bricks nearby. "I'm picking you up," he warned, scooping Alvin up, relieved when the kid clung on like a koala, smart. "Jumping," he called and then they were airborne.

The grapples could carry Bruce and a passenger so there was no problem with the kids extra weight. He felt the arms and legs tighten their grip as they were in freefall and then the line pulled tight, arching them up to the next roof. He made three jumps before carefully setting Alvin down, hidden by a small structure on the roof.

"You hit?" he asked, running his hands over trembling limbs. He looked up in bright, wide blue eyes. "Alvin?"

The kid wheezed and then he was grinning. Okay, so mini adrenaline junkie, figured since he was out at night.

"I gotta go deal with that, you stay here and I'll be back, okay?"

Alvin nodded and Jason gently pushed him to sit down so he'd be even more out of sight.

"Okay, promise?"

"Promise."

,

Tim sat on the roof, heart racing. He'd…he'd lied to Robin! But then they'd flown! It was…it was amazing! He wanted to see but he'd promised and anyway, he didn't think he could stand if he tried, his legs were shaking too much. Maybe, when, if Robin came back, he'd let him take a photo with him? Tim leant his head back against the cold bricks, trying to breathe like a normal person.

There was a soft thud and he tensed but there was Robin and Tim smiled, feeling tired.

"Hey kiddo, told you I'd be right back," Jason murmured, and Tim nodded.

He pulled his camera up and Robin cocked his head to the side. "Can…together?"

"You want a photo with me?" Jason sounded surprised, and Tim nodded. "Wouldn't you prefer Batman or Nightwing?" he asked, and Tim shook his head.

"You're my Robin," he whispered, feeling his cheeks get hot.

"Oh," Robin whispered, looking shocked even with the mask on. "I, uh, sure, why not." He sat down beside Tim, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, and Tim shivered at the touch but couldn't help leaning into it.

It wouldn't be a great photo but he quickly adjusted the settings and held the camera out before frowning.

"Here, my arms are longer, what do I press?"

Tim showed him and Jason held the camera out.

"Smile Al," he warned, and then the camera flashed.

Tim grinned and hugged the camera, feeling utter bliss when a gloved hand ruffled his hair.

"So, I don't think you're homeless, is home close?" and he sounded worried so Tim couldn't help shaking his head. "Is there a bus that goes close?"

Tim hesitated but nodded.

"Okay then, I'm gonna but you on the bus home and Alvin, you need to stay home. It's too dangerous. Especially carrying something so expensive."

And then he was standing, pulling Tim up again so Tim clung on as Jason got them down to the street and they headed for the bus stop.

,

Jason watched the bus vanish and hoped the kid went home and stayed but something told him that he'd been seeing him again. He activated his comm. "Hey B, I'm done here, anything new or do I head in?"

"Head in Robin, you have that test in the morning."

He sighed but nodded. "Understood, heading home."

He went to where he'd hidden his bike and began the long ride back to the Batcave, unable to help smiling as he remembered Alvin's joy at getting to grapple, even if they were being shot at. Then there was the way the kid had shivered when he put his arm over his shoulders before basically melting into him…he really didn't like the clues he was seeing. He knew even rich kids could have sucky lives, you didn't have to live on the streets to be beaten or worse. But he also knew he couldn't push, Al might like Robin but he was still wary. If he pushed the kid would retreat. But for him to be out in Gotham at night…where were his parents?

,

Tim slipped in his window, unable to stop smiling. He should go straight to bed but he couldn't, he had to download the photos. He missed his old film camera but data was a lot easier to hide than even film canisters and those eventually degraded while data could last forever. Plus, Dad had needed his darkroom for…something.

He stared at the photo of the two of them together and then he dug out an old photo, one of a young Dick Grayson and his parents, with Tim on his knee. Jason had let him take a photo so now he had one of him with both Robins! Even if Dick hadn't been Robin yet it still counted. And Jason had wasted time making sure he was safe before going back to handle the shooter.

So, Tim should do something nice in return. He couldn't give him the photo of the two of them, too dangerous. Batman would see it and then they could work out who he was. But he had so many pictures…he dug out the hard drive and hooked it up, putting in the massive password designed to keep it from being hacked. He began going through the photos, picking out the best, the clearest, and began printing.

Once done he sealed them in a heavy-duty envelope big enough to hold them without folding so they wouldn't be damaged. Once that was done, he hid the hard drive again and went to bed, he had to be up for school in a few hours but that was what coffee was for.

,

Jason paused, seeing something out of place. He approached his favourite gargoyle slowly only to see an expensive document envelope tucked almost fully out of sight. He checked for traps and then carefully lifted it to find ROBIN printed in blocky letters on it. Okay…he hesitated, should he…B could yell at him later.

He opened the envelope only to stare in shock at the contents. Alvin. So much for staying home at night. He carefully went through the photos. There were ones of him when he first started out, tucked into B's side, others of him and Nightwing. Then more recent ones of him on his own, even one impressive one where it looked like he was flying, his line hidden in shadows. How long had Alvin been shadowing them?! They were really good too, the kid was gifted, if only he'd pick a safer topic!

He knew he should show the photos to Bruce, it was dangerous for a kid to be following them. And if someone else found out…the kid could end up dead, beaten or worse to try and get info on them. He could be forced to try and find out their id's…anything. He should tell, for everyone's safety, so why didn't he want to?

The envelope was still there the next night, empty, as if waiting…so he slipped the note he'd written into it. He had to be crazy but maybe he could earn Alvin's trust and find out what was going on, help him. Something had to be wrong for the kid to be doing this.

,

Tim kept his head down, obediently following his parents around the party. He hated galas, hated being forced into a suit and paraded around like a prize rather than a person. He plastered the gala smile on his face and made sure to do everything his parents wanted, feeling his Dad's fingers dig into his shoulder.

Across the room he spotted 'Brucie' Wayne, seemingly having the time of his life and…there, there was Jason who looked as happy to be there as Tim was. He wanted to say hi, to introduce himself, but he couldn't. He'd barely spoken to him and had done the best to disguise his accent. He also always made his hair really messy, did everything he could to alter his appearance so no one would recognise him if he was spotted on the street. But Jason was Robin! Surely, he'd be able to tell.

He really hoped he'd gotten the photos and liked them. Tim hadn't been out since the night he'd hidden them for Robin since his parents had arrived home the next morning. Sneaking out when they were home was risky but he longed to. He hated Drake manor, it was so cold and lonely, even when they were home. If it was just him and mother then it was better, but dad… he fought down a shudder. He hated his grandparents for trapping them both, they hadn't realised how bad Jack would be, right? It was stupid, Jack had married into the Drake's, but his grandparents had made it impossible for mother to leave him, not without losing everything…including Tim. It had been a way of controlling her and she hadn't cared, not till he was born. By the time things had gotten bad, she'd had him and she wouldn't leave him.

And it wasn't like dad hit him or anything. He just took mother away from him for most of the year, would say mean things, and a few times things had been bad because no one could get in contact with them quickly on a dig site. But so many kids had it worse than him. He knew his mother loved him, he had a roof over his head and food, a good school. Though he snuck out a lot, came back into Gotham to follow the bats and even sleep at the Manor rather than in his dorm. He'd paid off his dorm mate so he'd never tell them that Tim wasn't there. His grades were impeccable so no one needed to know.

He had no right to complain about being lonely, he didn't…but he wished he could.

,

Jason was bored out of his mind, people watching from the sidelines to keep from being dragged into a conversation. How much longer did they have to stay? He grimaced in understanding as he saw a kid having to follow his parents around, at least B didn't do that to him. He looked a bit like Alvin but then so did a lot of upper-class kids. How badly interbred were the families that black hair and blue eyes were so common? Creepy.

Finally, Bruce motioned for him and he could leave. It was too late to patrol but it was the weekend and he had his homework done already. And Dick was coming tomorrow too. He…he hadn't liked Jason at first but he thought Dick was warming up to him. He hoped he was.

TBC….