Chapter Text
They land back at the manor a few hours later. It’s early morning now, the last twenty four hours having passed by like a blur. Now, upon returning with an additional child in tow, Bruce feels like something monumental has shifted. With Tim, with his powers, with something larger than any of them.
Tim refuses to put Damian down as they exit the plane. So Bruce picks Tim up and carries them both. Tim protests briefly before giving in with a large yawn. Most of the kids slept during the flight back, the post fight adrenaline crash catching each of them, including Tim.
Bruce sets Tim down in the med bay and he watches as his son introduces his newest sibling to Demon. Dick and Jason usher the other children upstairs, making sure that Tim’s newest book is placed safely next to the batcomputer. Bruce nods in thanks to his older children. Both give him a mock salute before heading upstairs and Bruce has to hold in a laugh.
Alfred, appearing silently behind Bruce, squeezes his shoulder reassuringly. Tim, noticing the older man entering the room, turns and hands a list to Alfred silently. He glances at it quickly and promptly heads upstairs to the greenhouse. Bruce presumes it contains whatever resources he needs to heal Demon.
“You need to heal too.” Tim whispers at Bruce. Damian yawns softly and nuzzles against Tim’s tattered shirt. Tim hands Bruce a small blue vial.
“Is this going to taste weird?” Bruce asks jokingly. Tim smirks and then his eyes flash. Bruce finds his hand reaching up and uncorking the vial, then he is drinking it’s contents.
“Did you just..?” Bruce asks after, a bit disturbed.
Tim hums, running a hand through Damian’s hair.
“He deserves to have his father in good health.” Tim admits quietly. “Plus…I want you to be okay.”
Bruce’s heart swells. Tim is almost admitting that he cares for Bruce, a far cry from the hex he casted a bit over a day ago. It’s reassuring that Tim might be able to trust them. To open up.
Although Bruce probably needs to have a conversation with him about boundaries and not spelling the adults in your life to get whatever you want. But that’s a problem for another day.
“I appreciate that, chum. How is Demon doing?” Bruce replies, giving Tim a reprieve from discussions about emotions. Tim turns back to his pseudo parent and grasps one of his clawed hands tightly.
“He will be better soon.” Tim says, tone sure. “I know he will.”
“He’s tough.” Bruce adds. “Resislient.”
Tim nods, and wipes away a few tears. Damian whines in Tim’s hold and squirms. Bruce offers to take him silently. Tim looks between Bruce and his brother reluctantly.
“You won’t be able to cast while holding him.” Bruce points out. “As long as it is safe, we’ll be nearby.”
Hesitantly, Tim hands Damian over to Bruce. They have to forcibly extract Tim’ shirt from the boy’s fists and mouth. The facsimile of Talia is tucked in his elbow carefully, and Tim adjusts its position to be more secure.
“You want to help me prepare to visit the watchtower?” Bruce offers. “We need to pick out a domino to fit Damian’s face.” Tim snorts and casts a golden light. Damian’s face glows softly and he giggles. When the light disperses, the top half of his face is obscured by ever shifting magic, like a real life blur filter.
“I didn’t know you could do that.” Bruce says, impressed. Tim shrugs.
“It’s a simple illusion cast. Anyone could do it.” Tim mutters, scratching at the back of his neck. Bruce shakes his head and pats Tim on the back.
“I couldn’t. In fact, most of us in the manor couldn’t. You’re a true marvel, Tim.”
“A marvel?” Tim asks, like the word is unfamiliar.
“A miracle.” Bruce adds. “A blessing that swooped into our lives like a force of nature.”
Tim’s eyes become glassly and Bruce squeezes his shoulder gently. Just like Alfred does for Bruce whenever he is overcome by emotion.
Alfred, as if summoned, appears at the bottom of the stairs to the cave with handfuls of various herbs arranged in a wicker basket. He approaches and leans down to have Tim inspect his selection. Tim approves, takes the basket from Alfred, and grabs the book off the desk. Bruce inputs the watchtower into the zeta tubes while Alfred wheels Demon’s extra long hospital bed onto the platform.
“Destination: Watch Tower. JL-01 Batman. B-03 Mage. Three guests.” The computerized voice announces. A bright flash of light brings them to their destination.
Tim scrambles off the platform and heads over to the medical team set up in preparation for their visit. Bruce sticks with Alfred and Demon. Alfred has donned a domino, and Bruce is still wearing the batsuit. Demon has so many wires and tubes protruding from him that his face is functionally obscured. Tim is really the only one whose identity is vulnerable. Something that nudges a very old idea in Bruce’s mind. Perhaps the other night wasn’t the only time that Tim has wiped himself from the memory of concerned adults. Perhaps not even the first time that he had hexed Bruce with that spell specifically.
Zatanna leads them down the halls to a prepared room. Used for conferences and meetings, the furniture has been cleared away. The floor has been painted with various runes, wards, and sigils. Bruce recognizes some, but not all of them. Tim inspects them all, adjusting and correcting several. Constantine leans against one of the walls watching Tim with passive interest. Tim then prepares the herbs, grinding and mixing them. Then placing various amounts within the circle and around Demon’s body.
“Excuse me.” Tim projects over the idle chatter the team has leaned into while awaiting the beginning of the ceremony. “Now that I have your attention, please wheel Demon to the center of the circle and turn off any machinery.”
Once Alfred and one of the techs have Demon in place, Tim clears his throat again.
“I need those without protection sigils to step out of the room. For safety.” Bruce moves to take Damian and himself out into the hall before he feels an inhuman tug holding him in place.
“You’re fine. I want you here.” Tim says casually, clearly having fixed Bruce to the spot. Bruce tries not to let his pride show. Tim wants Bruce around to help. Possibly because he feels safer with Bruce around. His 172 step plan to earn Tim’s trust is going swimmingly.
Alfred, Zatanna, Constantine, and Tim take their places at the four corners of the room. Tim opens the book from the rubble of ‘Eth Alth’eban to one of the last pages.
“Demon, demon of deals, friend. You are my kin.” Tim says loudly, his voice wavering. “My power is your power. Your life is my life.”
Several of the wards begin to glow softly. Bruce can see sun flares flashing through the windows. If Tim’s power is enough to impact the actual sun, then his emotional stability is a great priority. Many will try to use this against him, especially in Gotham. Bruce has the strongest instinct to wrap his son in his cape and never let him go. Instead, Bruce holds Damian closer, running a gentle hand in circles on his tiny back.
“Demon, demon of deals, friend. You are my kin.” Tim repeats. “You have been wounded, which wounds me.”
The watchtower shudders. Swirling colors flee the ends of Tim’s limbs and follow the circle painted on the floor.
“Demon, demon of deals, friend. You are my kin.” Tim chants. “Let me love bring you peace.”
Tim repeats himself, gesturing for the others to join him. Bruce mutters along too, hoping his addition might help.
The energy glows brighter, swirling faster around Demon’s prone form. They all repeat the chant again and again. The walls shake and shudder, bursts of solar energy accosting the tower’s shields.
Suddenly, everything stops. Demon takes a deep shaky breath and his eyes flicker open. Tim cries, openly sobbing, and rushes to his bedside. Demon snags Tim like a cat would grab her kitten by their scruff, picking the boy up and bringing him into a tight hug.
The others lower slowly to the ground, clearly exhausted. Damian babbles happily, clapping his chubby hands together. Bruce chuckles, relieved.
“Who is the new master?” Demon asks quietly, stroking Tim’s hair with a claw. Tim hugs Demon tightly and replies. “My new little brother.” Tim says. Bruce carefully crosses the room, minding the painted symbols that have now been etched into the floor.
Damian reaches for Demon, so Bruce sets him down on the cot next to the scaly man. Damian immediately grips Demon’s robes tightly and refuses to let go. Tim chuckles wetly and tickles his brother. His melodic giggles echo off the walls and small lights begin to glow from some of the runes.
Bruce’s eyes widen, and he catches Demon’s bemused expression.
“Another healer on your hands.” Demon says fondly. “Figures. They tend to gather in safe places.” Tim scrunches down to lay his head on Demon’s chest.
“Or with safe people.” Demon adds as Alfred approaches. It appears he has recovered from the taxing ceremony.
“Master Demon, I must say that I am very glad to see you back with us.” Alfred says, beginning to remove the chords, wires, and tubes from his body.
“Thank you all for your help.” Demon says, catching both casters before they left the room without saying anything. Zatanna and Constantine look a bit embarrassed.
“Seemed to be a private family discussion, wouldn’t wanna intrude.” Constantine offers as an explanation.
Tim rolls his eyes and grabs the man’s trench coat, pulling him across the room and close to the cot. He reaches into his pocket and offers the man a clay amulet.
“To say thank you.” Tim insists, shoving the amulet into John’s hand. He hands one to Zatanna too, who approached of her own volition.
“You don’t owe us -” Zatanna begins but Constantine cuts her off.
“Is this a resurrection amulet? Where did you get these?” Constantine asks, bewildered.
Tim huffs. “I didn’t get them from anywhere. I made them.”
Zatanna and Constantine share a glance before thanking Tim politely and making their excuses to leave.
“You ready to go?” Bruce asks after they depart. Tim nods tiredly.
“Yeah.” He murmurs. “Let’s go home.”
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The next few weeks pass with little incident. Tim does blow up a wing of the manor while experimenting with new spells, but no one is injured. Bruce does insist that Tim spends more time at home for now, asking him to temporarily step away from his young justice duties. Tim’s friends are around more often than not now, hardly a day goes by when at least one of his teammates is not hanging around the manor.
The adoption paperwork goes smoothly. Bruce’s suspicions are proved right. Tim erased his existence from most of the systems meant to track and protect children, except one. Thankfully, that is enough to prove that Tim exists and pay for the appropriate documentation to be arranged for adoption. The Drakes are listed as ex-pats somewhere in Peru, but no one has seen them for four years. Bruce would ask Tim about it, or even Demon, but he has learned not to ask questions that he does not want the answer to.
Tim’s fifteenth birthday comes, an important age for mages Demon tells them. The Waynes surprise Tim with a new greenhouse, a few new ancient spellbooks, and a brand new one for Tim to make his own.
“When he’s old enough, you can teach Damian, if you’d like.” Bruce offers. Tim glances at his little brother, whose beaming face is streaked with frosting, and then launches himself into Bruce’s arms. Awkwardly, Bruce clutches the boy to his chest and pats his back as he feels tears soak into his shirt. Demon nods at Bruce approvingly.
“I know he’ll love learning from his big brother.” Bruce says softly, trying to not attract everyone’s attention. Tim prefers that expressions of emotions happen out of view of others.
Tim pulls himself back from Bruce’s grasp, wiping away a few tears. Bruce notes that mediation has been helping. Tim’s burst of emotion was without significant impact to the weather or structural integrity of the surrounding area.
It isn’t long after that Tim insists on going back out on patrol. He wants to make his rounds to heal the people of Gotham. Bruce, Demon, and Alfred convince Tim to don a mask under the guise of saving his energy for healing instead of hexing everyone to forget that they ever saw him.
“Have you been doing that this whole time?” Bruce asks Tim once.
Tim shrugs as he packs his bag full of vials and salves.
“Not Leslie, she’s immune. But otherwise, yeah, pretty much.” He admits.
“That sounds exhausting.” Bruce comments without judgement. Tim pauses, staring off into space.
“It was.” He says quietly, sounding sad. “But I had to, or they’d come for me.”
Bruce hands Tim another vial to pack. Tim takes it.
“It was lonely too.” Tim adds, unprompted. “I don’t…I don’t miss it. Or, at least, that part of it.”
Bruce pats Tim on the back softly. Tim’s admissions stop if you comment on them too much, he has learned. So he takes what his son shares with him, and doesn’t push for more.
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Damian’s favorite babysitter is not any of his siblings, nor his parental figures, but Demon. The scaly man’s claws and textured skin fascinate the child. The sentiment is returned whole-heartedly. Demon is fascinated by the many tasks involved in caring for a burgeoning toddler.
Bruce is not jealous. Just as Dick insists that he is not jealous. As does Alfred, and Jason. Tim is jealous of both his brother and Demon himself. But Damian has picked his favorite. When Talia visits briefly one night, he leads Demon over to her and babbles proudly about his new friend. Talia nods along patiently and gives Demon a few tips to help with teething. Apparently, ice packs are better for the gums than Demon’s skin taking the brunt of Damian’s chewing.
Damian is sad for a few days after his mother’s departure, dejected to the point that not even Tim’s magic could cheer the baby up. But they still try, and, after some time, Damian becomes more like his happy lively self again.
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Six months later, Dick and Jason pull Tim aside for a serious conversation.
“Hey Tim.” Jason says, waving Tim into one of the many spare rooms in the manor. Tim follows, curious.
“What is going on?” Tim asks, seeing Dick sitting crossed-legged on the ground, face serious.
“We need to talk about hexing people, Tim.” Dick states plainly. He and Tim had gone train surfing last night instead of patrol. When they got caught, Tim casted the employees to forget that the two were ever there, allowing them to get away unscathed.
“What ‘bout it?” Tim asks carefully, mulling over the events of last night.
“You gotta stop doin’ it.” Jason says sternly, once again mimicking Bruce’s Dad pose ™. Not that Tim will mention it, since comparing Jason to Bruce pisses the boy off immensely.
“Why?” Tim asks, keeping his tone even. Why would he not cast spells that help Tim and his siblings? What’s so bad about helping?
“Because it’s not cool.” Dick begins. “You made Dad forget you existed last week!”
Oh, that is what this is about, Tim thinks. “Yeah, ‘cuz it was funny?”
Dick’s face falls. “Dude, not funny. Scary. We don’t want to forget you. We love you. You can’t just make people forget you exist for shits and giggles.”
“I mean, I can. Like it is physically possible.” Tim points out. “But I don’t think that’s what you mean.”
Dick sighs. “No, it isn’t. You know that Tim. You’re smarter than that.” Tim crosses his arms defensively. “Why is it wrong to use my powers to mess with Bruce?” He pushes.
Jason fixes Tim with a pointed look. “Is that really the example you want to set for Damian?” He asks. Tim feels his stomach drop. “No.” He admits.
“You’re a big brother now, babybird. With great power comes great responsibilities.” Dick says, sounding like he’s quoting something. Jason snorts and elbows Dick in the ribs.
“Dickhead is a massive nerd, but he isn’t wrong.” Jason confirms. “I didn’t set a good example for you when you moved in.”
“But you were busy, you just got back from the dead.” Tim argues. “That takes a lot to recover from.” Tim bristles at the idea that Jason thinks he isn’t a good big brother. Tim hasn’t had siblings before he moved into Wayne Manor, older or otherwise. But he knows enough that he loves his brothers. Not that he can admit that out loud yet.
“You guys are good older brothers. Who told you otherwise?!” Tim demands, eyes flickering with red light. Dick and Jason share a glance before dogpiling Tim into a tight hug on the floor.
Tim feels his emotions settle as the weight of his brothers ground him solidly to this reality.
“Your behavior told us otherwise, Timbit.” Jason says, squeezing Tim gently. “You didn’t trust us after living here for like two whole years.” Tim gapes, taken aback. He turns to face Dick who confirms the sentiment.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to …” Tim starts but the words catch in his chest. “I- I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Dick chuckles, which shakes Tim softly. “We know you didn’t mean to. And we know that it was more about you than us. But knowing that doesn’t make it not hurt.” Tim can feel Jason’s hair brush his arm as he nods along.
“Does it still hurt?” Tim whispers, horrified. He hurt his brothers. He knew that his choices might have consequences but the Waynes came to rescue him. Bruce had said that they love him. Tim thought that meant that they were okay. Jason shrugs and Dick hums, thinking.
“Sometimes.” Dick admits. “Mostly when you cast spells on us or our family without asking.”
Tim nods numbly. He hears the wind roar outside and does a breathing exercise to calm down.
“But you still love me?” He questions. Tim has to ask. He has to know.
“Do you think we’d stop loving for something like that?” Jason asks incredulous. Tim squirms in their arms, uncomfortable.
He can still hear the voices of his parents sometimes. Or maybe it's the memory of the voices he made up for them. Whoever’s voice it is, it is in the back of Tim’s head telling him that he will never be lovable. That he will always be a burden.
When he doesn’t respond, his brothers must get the picture. They both confirm that they do still love Tim. That he will never lose their love, no matter what.
The three boys spend the rest of the day laying on the floor of the spare room. They talk about everything, and nothing. Losing parents. Gaining new ones. Dying. Living.
When they finally emerge, Tim feels a little lighter. A little less fearful. But knows that he still owes one member of their little family a massive apology.
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Tim finds Bruce where else but down in the batcave. Damian is sitting on his lap, gnawing at an ice teething ring. He gurgles happily when he sees Tim. “Teem!” Damian exclaims. Bruce gasps proudly. “That’s right, baby! It is Tim. You’re so smart!” Bruce praises. Damian smacks Bruce with his teething ring and makes a grabby gesture at Tim with his free hand.
Tim takes Damian from Bruce’s arms, trying not to laugh at the mark the ring leaves on Bruce’s face. “Hey B.” Tim says quietly, adjusting his brother in his arms. “Can I talk to you about something?”
Bruce saves his report and closes the windows on the computer. He turns to face Tim, giving him his full attention. It’s a bit intimidating, being the center of Bruce’s attention. Tim’s brain urges him to cast something and flee, to cut and run. But this is important. And Tim promised his brothers that he would not to unconsentually spell people unless it is in self-defense.
“I think I owe you an apology.” Tim forces out, diving right in. “For a lot, actually.”
Bruce tilts his head to the side in question, but says nothing, letting Tim gather his words.
“I shouldn’t have hexed you to forget me.” Tim says. “It was wrong. I’m sorry.” He stares down at the baby in his lap. Damian is staring up at Tim with wide eyes, chewing his ring.
“Tim, sweetheart.” Bruce starts, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Tim’s knee. “I forgive you. I think I know why you did it. And I want you to know that I do not and will never intend to replace Demon.”
Tim nods, trying to swallow the lump in his throat. Bruce pats his leg twice awkwardly before removing his hand. “That wasn’t the only time.” Tim admits. In for a penny, in for a pound he supposes.
“I made you forget me for the first time when I was four.” Tim confesses. “I met you at a gala. You caught my parents trying to kill me. And, I -” Tim takes a deep breath. “I was scared. I didn’t understand that you were there to help.”
Bruce’s face falls. Tim can feel his fear making the room colder. He cuddles Damian closer, his little brother doesn’t deserve to get cold because of Tim.
“I’d follow you around on patrol sometimes, just to feel close. Especially after Ms. Mac died.” Tim plows ahead, desperate to get this over with. “Sometimes, you’d catch me or Robin would. And I’d make you forget.”
Bruce says nothing, but his face looks sad. Not angry, for which Tim is grateful, and not disappointed. Just sad.
“I - I couldn’t…I couldn’t let you in. Even after I moved in. I would use magic to make you forget or not notice things to make sure that none of you got too close. Demon tried to talk me out of it, but I didn’t listen.” Tim rambles, chest tightening. “The only reason I wasn’t able to do the same with my team is because they were too good at breaking my spells. And I was far enough away from my herbs and things that my power was limited.”
Bruce raises a hand to stop Tim. He is smiling softly now.
“Sounds like we should add a greenhouse to Titans tower then, shouldn’t we?” Bruce says. Tim bites back a cry of relief. His dad doesn’t hate him. He knows Tim, really knows him, and still loves him.
“Okay?” Bruce asks, brushing away one of Tim’s tears.
“Okay.” Tim croaks. Damian whines and pulls on Tim’s long hair, interrupting their conversation.
“I’m sorry habibi, were we not paying enough attention to you?” Bruce coos, poking Damian’s stomach. Damian giggles and squirms closer to Tim.
Tim leans his head onto his brother’s, relieved and exhausted.
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As Tim approaches his sixteenth birthday, Jason hints at a pretty important present coming his way. His older brother has been pushing boundaries lately, itching to forge his own path. Tim understands the appeal of independence, he was on his own for years. But now that he has people to depend on, he can’t imagine choosing to do it any other way.
About two weeks before his actual birthday, Jason pulls Tim into a dark corner of the cave.
“Listen. I know you don’t like fighting as much as healing, but I want to offer.” Jason whispers, holding his Robin uniform. “There is no one else I’d want takin’ my place.”
Tim is honored, and a bit terrified. But he accepts.
Tim debuts his Robin that same night on patrol. He encounters a small slight girl about his age, not for the first time, that night and manages to convince her to come home with him. Cass, or Cassandra, depending on who she is introducing herself to, joins their little family. Fitting right in.
Another small but brilliant boy from the Narrows catches Tim’s eye too. Duke Thomas insists that he is doing fine, even though his parents are still missing. But Tim argues that kids deserve to have better than fine and that although they seem silly to be running around a dangerous city at night in spandex, they are all sane. Duke comes home too.
Soon, Tim itches against the confines of the uniform. Robin has always been a fighter, a partner. Tim feels like his role is more auxiliary. He thrives on the sidelines, sorting information and healing injuries on both sides.
A defiant and undeniably Robin girl appears in purple, fighting her way through Gotham under the name Spoiler. Tim tracks her down, despite Bruce’s protests, and brings her home too. If Robin can be an acrobat, a partner, a mage, and a soldier, why couldn’t Robin be a Spoiler?
Stephanie moves in, finally filling out their little nest. Tim feels a sense of finality when she agrees to share the cape with him. Like something has been made almost complete.
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Bruce is so proud of the progress Tim has made while he has lived with them. Now almost eighteen, Tim is approaching adulthood like a force to be reckoned with, just like he approaches everything else.
Instead of pushing them away at every opportunity, Tim offered everyone in the family a sigil to call him if they need him. He makes Demon his familiar, providing special protections and allowing for Tim to ground his power more safely. Bruce is proud. His son’s walls are falling, because he finally feels safe.
Tim has also grown into his powers now, learning from various magic users. He takes lessons on magical history from Diana in the cave, which Jason had insisted on joining too. Zatanna, Constantine, and the rest of JLD teach Tim everything they know. He is a quick study, and excellent student.
Bruce signed Tim up for a coding club for homeschool kids since Tim has been out of school for a few years. He got his GED at thirteen, before Jason passed, but Bruce wants Tim to have hobbies that don’t pull on his internal power and exhaust him. Tim enjoys it so much that he also signs up for photography classes too. He brings home a familiar face from his coding class, a Miss Barbara Gordon, insisting that she join their family too. Bruce tries to explain that Barbara has parents, famously so. But his protests fall on deaf ears.
Tim has integrated himself into all of their lives seamlessly, despite the chaos he sows.
Alfred and Tim garden together. Demon and Tim debate various contracts and laws to find loopholes. Bruce and Tim examine cold cases together, one of them always holding Damian as he sleeps until he is too old to join them. Dick and Tim explore Bludhaven, going train surfing and patrolling together. Jason and Tim read together and debate books.
The boy who refused to put down roots has grown into everyone’s lives, fitting perfectly in place. He has more friends than Bruce can count, let alone keep track of. Tim is looking at colleges now, considering his future. A future that, just a few years ago, Tim had presumed would never come. He admitted as much to Bruce once while on painkillers in the med bay. But he is making plans. He is thinking about the future, letting himself want something. Bruce could not be more excited for him, nor more proud.
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Many years later, when Damian finally dons the cape, wanting to be brave and strong like his siblings, everyone is there to see it. All former Robins, Duke, Stephanie, Tim, Jason, and Dick are present for the passing of the cape as it has been deemed. Although Damian leans more into Tim’s style of Robin, healing and information gathering than fighting, he dons the cape and domino proudly. His katana, a gift from Talia, hangs by his side in perfect condition.
A soft wind blows past the former Robins, making Damian’s cape billow out behind him. Bruce catches Tim wiping away a few tears, taking Cass’s offered handkerchief to dry them. Their ever-expanding clutch of chicks has grown up. And most have already left the nest. But instead of the semisweet sadness and nostalgia permeating the group gathered to witness Damian’s debut, a buoyant feeling of hope and joy soaks into their bones. A soft golden light trails from Tim’s fingertips briefly, and Bruce smiles. His family is safe and happy.
They will be there for each other, no matter what.