Chapter Text
Bruce quietly cracked the door open and peeked into Tim’s room. The room was quiet as his eyes landed on Tim. The teen was lying down in a pile of blankets and pillows with his limbs all splayed across the bed. His hair was a messy mop of black and Bruce felt the strong urge to run his fingers through it.
Bruce pushed the door open and crept across the floor. The second he reached the bed, Tim stirred. He stretched a little and flopped his head so he was facing Bruce. Then Tim’s eyes brightened when he saw Bruce and he smiled.
“Bwuce,” Tim said, then scrunched his eyebrows, “I don’ feew too good.”
And if that didn’t melt Bruce’s heart nothing ever could.
“Aw, I know, sweetheart,” Bruce said, “Is there anything I can get for you… kiddo?”
“Mmm… cuddwes?”
It broke Bruce’s heart how hesitant Tim had said his request. He said it as if he knew he wouldn’t get what he so desperately needed.
“Of course, sweetheart,” Bruce found himself saying.
He climbed up into bed, drawn by some sort of instinct that had always been there, just mostly quiet. He plopped himself down next to Tim and drew the sleepy boy in close. Tim hummed happily as he buried his face in Bruce’s neck. Bruce found himself gently rubbing Tim’s back as he held him close.
They cuddled for quite a while before a certain smell hit Bruce. His brows furrowed as he looked down at Tim. Tim looked up at him with his wide, baby blue eyes.
“Wha’?” He asked.
“Timmy… did you… do you need a change?” Bruce asked.
Bruce watched as Tim’s cheeks dusted pink.
“No…”
Bruce sincerely hoped Tim was right. He felt like changing Tim was overstepping. But… he also didn’t want Tim getting a rash. What was he to do?
Well, there was no way he was going to make anyone else do it. That would be even worse.
Bruce sighed. He had to do it. He had to change Tim’s diaper.
Bruce scooted out of the bed, running his fingers through Tim’s hair as he began to whine.
“Don’t worry, baby, daddy will be right back.”
Again, Bruce was utterly shocked at himself for talking like that to Tim. But for some reason it seemed right.
He shuffled over to the changing table that was for some reason still in Tim’s room and rummaged around in the drawers. He took out the necessary supplies and came back over to the bed. He placed supplies on the bed before pulling the blanket off of Tim. Tim whimpered as he curled in tighter on himself, visibly shaking.
“I know it’s cold, buddy,” Bruce said gently as he ran his fingers through Tim’s hair, “This will just take a second.”
But Bruce paused. How was he supposed to do this? It’s not like he didn’t know how to change a diaper. He had done it a few times before the spell had hit him. But changing his teenage son was… a little different. Again, he worried that it was overstepping a boundary. But he had to. The poor boy was obviously getting uncomfortable.
Bruce set his jaw and got to work.
***
Tim groaned as he struggled into consciousness. He blinked his eyes slowly and rubbed at them before they cleared. His brain still felt a little fuzzy as he tried to get it to function again. Wait… what day was it? All the past few days were sorta jumbled together in a confusing… hold on, it’s been a whole week. Today Bruce was supposed to be himself. Thank goodness.
He moaned as he weakly tried to push himself up.
“Shh, you’re okay.”
Oh. Wait, what? Why was Bruce here?
“Are you feeling alright, sweetheart?”
Shoot. Had the spell not worn off yet? Oh gosh no. Was Zatanna wrong? Were they stuck being treated like infants forever?
Tim nodded in response to Bruce’s question. Bruce smiled and gently ruffled Tim’s hair before feeling his forehead.
“Hm, I think your fever’s gone,” Bruce said.
Tim nodded again.
If the spell wouldn’t wear off then Tim wouldn’t be able to run WE. He wouldn’t be able to do any vigilante work. And there was no way in heck he would be able to date anyone either. He was absolutely stuck. And poor Damian. The kid had his whole life ahead of him. But now he wouldn’t even be able to finish school.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Bruce asked.
“Y-yeah,” Tim replied.
“Are you back with me, bud?”
Back with him? Tim was the one who should be asking Bruce that. Tim’s been here the whole time.
Except he hadn’t.
Tim realized with horror that he had definitely regressed earlier. There had been two instances he could remember of Bruce coming in and checking in on him that morning. And if Bruce was asking if Tim was with him now then that meant — oh gosh — that the spell had worn off and Bruce, normal Bruce, had changed Tim’s diaper.
Tim’s cheeks went bright red and he refused to look at Bruce.
“Yeah,” Tim miraculously managed to say through his embarrassment.
Bruce didn’t respond. Tim felt his face heating even more as he began recalling everything he had done when he was regressed.
Bruce was feeling equally embarrassed. But he knew they needed to talk about it.
“Tim, I um…” Bruce began, trying to find the right words to continue with, “I’m sorry for… everything I put you through. I’m truly sorry you had to put up with… all the things I did to you.”
“It’s okay, B, it’s not your fault. You didn’t have control over yourself, “Tim said, still averting his eyes.
“Even then, I’m still sorry,” Bruce stated, resisting the urge to cup the side of Tim’s face in his hand, “Is there anything I can do to make it right?”
“I’m serious, Bruce, it’s fine,” Tim insisted.
“Damian wanted a pony,” Bruce stated.
“Are you getting him one?” Tim asked, finally turning to look at him.
Bruce nodded. Tim gaped.
“Okay, in that case I’d like the latest Apple computer model,” Tim stated.
Bruce chuckled, “I’m sure I can arrange that.”
Tim smiled, then quickly glanced away after spying that incredibly fatherly look in Bruce’s eyes.
“So…” Bruce began, hesitancy in his voice, “I’ve been thinking about the past week and um…”
Tim went rigid. Oh no what’s he gonna say now? Hopefully nothing that would embarrass him further.
“I’ve noticed that you… I mean, I’ve come to realize that… you do need the occasional hug from time to time.”
…hug?
“I guess what I’m trying to say is… I should have given you more attention earlier on. After this whole experience, I’ve noticed that you really need it. I know your past with your father was… less than ideal. I’m just hoping I can make up for it,” Bruce stated, “I’m just wondering… would it be alright if we scheduled more hang out times together?… maybe some regression times?”
Tim felt the blush hit full force. No, he didn’t want to regress. Like ever again. Sure it had felt good in the moment, and perhaps he still felt pretty good afterwards, but he still wasn’t so keen on doing it on purpose.
But… not only had Bruce learned more about Tim during the past week, but Tim had learned more about Bruce. And he knew Bruce probably needed to father him too. Both for his conscious and for an output for his fatherly instincts.
Tim sighed, “Alright,” He began, “We can try the whole… hanging out and um… regressing thing.”
Bruce smiled, “Good.”
Then he pulled Tim closer and planted a kiss on Tim’s forehead. Tim smiled and found himself snuggling closer to Bruce. Yeah. This wasn’t so bad.
***
Bruce couldn’t find sleep no matter how long he searched the inside of his eyelids for it. No matter how many times he tossed and turned to get comfortable he just couldn’t seem to shut his brain off.
He didn’t understand why. Patrol had gone well. They all came home unharmed.
Then he heard shuffling. Bruce blinked his eyes open as he turned to face where the sound had come from. He was stunned at what he saw. Standing in the doorway was Jason, blanket clutched in his hands and somewhat dried tears on his face.
“Aw, Jay,” Bruce called out, flipping back the covers and patting the spot on the bed next to him.
Jason shuffled over to the bed and clambered up into it. As soon as Jason was in reach, Bruce wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in close. He rubbed Jason’s back and kissed his forehead.
“Bad dream?” Bruce asked.
“Mhm,” Jason replied, sniffling.
“Wanna talk about it?” Bruce asked.
“No. Too scawy,” Jason replied burrowing into Bruce.
“Awe, Jaybaby, I’m sorry,” Bruce said holding Jason even closer.
Jason snuggled in, grasping the front of Bruce’s shirt in his fists. Finally, with Jason tucked securely in his arms, Bruce was able to fall asleep.