Chapter Text
“Hey Timmy~” Dick greeted brightly as he came over to where Tim was doing his homework at the table in the library and dropped down into the seat next to him, knowing the reason the boy was alone was because Jason was down in the cave doing some training exercises.
“Dick!” Tim beamed at him, excited to see him and definitely surprised, but it seemed that Dick had a come and go kind of habit to his visits that were pretty random but always a pleasure, Tim loved getting to spend time with the first Robin. “When did you get here?”
“Hm, about an hour or two ago?” Dick shrugged as he leaned his crossed arms against the desk and looking over what Tim was working on. “B started hinting getting me part of tonight’s obstacle course and I bailed~ Jason can do my turn instead.” He grinned.
“Oh dear.” Tim mumbled, he knew that Jason found the obstacle course quite the hurtle since Bruce would always set the level higher than Jason was at.
“You know~” Dick’s grin widened and shifted to only use one hand to lean on as he turned himself more toward Tim. “I heard you did a pretty good job on it, got a good score for your first go.”
“Oh, I, that, well-“ Tim stammered as he felt himself flush at the impressed smile Dick was giving him.
“Jason said you were a natural and could really move, I think was he really impressed.” Dick continued.
“Really?” Tim looked completely pleased and flustered, ducking his head and Dick thought it was cutest thing and a clear sign that Tim totally returned his brother’s feelings.
Dick, being the awesome older brother he was, thought maybe he could help wingman the situation a little. He knew Jason had been pining really hard and the last time they talked about it Jason had been evasive and didn’t want to talk about it at all. So it was up to Dick to at least talk Jason up and maybe get a read on Tim’s opinion on maybe being more than just best friends with Jason.
“Yea.” Dick grinned. “So, Jason, he’s pretty talented. Totally worthy of my legacy of Robin and such a sweetheart, don’t you think?”
“Oh yes, he-“ Tim paused as he thought about Dick’s words and found it kind of…odd? He didn’t know why but it made him think Dick was saying more than he was actually saying.
Oh gosh.
Tim felt his cheeks flare with a blush and looked back down at his homework. Had…Had Jason told Dick about them dating? They had agreed to keep this new relationship private for a little while, so they could get used to the changes and figure themselves out inside of it since it was so different. They were going to tell people about it eventually, it wasn’t going to be a secret!
But…maybe Jason told Dick? Because they were brothers? They are very close so Tim didn’t find that strange but wished Jason would have mentioned it to him…because right now?
It sounded like this might be the start of a ‘don’t hurt my little brother’ talk.
“H-He’s amazing!” Tim looked back up at Dick, his voice a bit high and squeaky. “He’s the best, I’ve never met anyone as caring and sweet as him. Jason means the world to me.” He swore, he wanted to assure Dick! There was nothing to worry about!
“Oh.” Dick was surprised, this was going great. This was going to be easy! “That’s really cute, you two are really close, huh?” Maybe he could nudge Tim closer to the idea of seeing Jason as more than a friend? Make it seem like it was his idea.
“O-Oh, yes, we are…” Tim admitted and wanted to squirm under Dick’s easy smile and wasn’t sure why Dick thought Tim would ever think anything badly of Jason! “He’s my very best friend and I never want anything to ever happen to him.”
That was…a little odd, but kids said that kind of thing, right? Or maybe Tim was concerned about Jason’s safety because of his Robin work? Dick didn’t want it going in that direction!
“He’s going to be just fine.” Dick assured him, reaching out to playfully ruffle Tim’s hair. “He’s got us to take care of him, right?”
“Yes!” Tim stood from his seat and dislodged Dick’s hand. “I’m always going to take the very best care of him! For the rest of my whole life!” He said, maybe getting a little too loud.
Dick’s eyes widened and was starting to get confused, what kind of declaration was that? Tim was a pretty passionate and emotionally kid sure, but Dick didn’t think he’d be that serious about this.
“Heh, that’s pretty serious.” Dick teased gently but Tim looked like he was not playing around.
“I mean it! I will always make sure that Jason is happy and well taken care of, for as long as I live!” Tim declared.
“Tim…chill…” Dick carefully guided Tim back down into his seat. “I’m happy to hear you’re so…passionate about it.”
“Because Jason is my everything, I swear, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him and I’d never hurt him! Honest!”
“…what?” Dick asked confused, his brows furrowing, why would Tim say that for?
“You don’t have to worry!” Tim insisted. “I swear on my life, Jason’s happiness is my top priority!”
“…” Dick was starting to suspect he was missing something.
“Do you believe me?” Tim asked anxiously, grasping onto Dick’s sleeves, Dick’s hands still on Tim’s shoulders. “I know…I know my life…is messy right now…and I don’t know what’s going to happen with my parents…BUT! But no matter what, I want to stay by his side and I want to make him happy!”
“…oh.” Dick slowly started to grin, wider and wider as things started to fall into place.
“Who is screaming in here?” Jason’s complaining voice startled the both of them when he strode into the room in a change of clothes, with a towel around his neck and looking fresh from a shower after his training and he frowned at Dick. “What are you doing to him?”
“Me?” Dick snorted in disbelief and then laughed, confusing the teens. “Come here~” Dick used his hold on Tim to haul him out of his seat and into Dick’s lap to hug him tightly.
“Hey! What are you-“
“You too!” Dick wrapped an arm around Jason and smushed the two of them together, Tim was squirming and confused. “You guuuuys!”
“Get off!” Jason tried to push at Dick’s face and get his arm off of him at the same time. “Let go, Dickie! Leave Tim alone!” He snapped frustrated.
“Heh, what’s the matter?” Dick laughed, letting Jason go but kept Tim and smushed Tim’s red face against his chest as he hugged him. “Why didn’t you tell me you guys started dating!”
“Wha-!” Tim stammered confused but couldn’t get out of Dick’s hold to save his life. “You…you didn’t know? But you! You were giving me the shovel talk!” He accused.
“You were what!” Jason snapped and pried Dick’s arms off of Tim and scooped him up out of Dick’s lap and quickly moved the both of them out of Dick’s reach. “Why would you do that!”
“I was not!” Dick defended but let the teens retreat and grinned mischievously at them. “I was tryin to wingman you, but who knew I didn’t have to? When did this happen! Why didn’t you tell me, little wing? Huh?”
“I…I thought he knew…” Tim stammered, clutching to Jason even when he was put back on his feet. “I…I’m sorry, he sounded like he…he knew…”
“It’s okay.” Jason sighed and held Tim close, rubbing his hand over Tim’s hip to sooth him. “I wanted to tell him soon anyway…so it’s okay.”
“I guess cat’s out of the bag either way.” Tim mumbled, looking over at Dick that was still waiting for an answer. “We…um, we started dating just recently.”
“Three weeks, four days and eight hours.” Jason recited, his focus completely on Tim as he blushed a dark red. “He tricked me into confessing, he used the Princess Bride against me.” He chuckled, holding and swaying with Tim and laughing more when Tim looked mortified and swatted his shoulder.
“You used it against yourself!” Tim almost squeaked. “You were the one quoting it at me for months! A-And let me read all your books! So…!”
“Doesn’t change how you made sure we watched the movie together and corner me! Not that I don’t think it was completely romantic, mind you.” Jason countered.
“You two are the cutest ever.” Dick laughed from his chair, watching the back and forth with amusement. “Does B know?”
“Are you kidding? B is the world’s greatest detective except if it comes to something romantic.” Jason scoffed and held Tim a little tighter. “We decided to wait on telling people for a while.”
“Just…for a little bit…” Tim said and felt a bit more self-conscious than he normally did when he would snuggle with Jason, maybe it was because Dick knew now or maybe it was because things were different between them now. “Neither of us has dated before so…we’re just…getting used to all this newness, you know?”
“I get that.” Dick nodded. “I’ll keep it to myself, for now.” He winked. “Since I’m a great big brother like that.”
“Sure.” Jason snorted but looked relieved. “Thanks. I don’t want anyone making a big deal of it.”
“Yea, but you do now it’s a joke if you think Alfred doesn’t already know.” Dick teased.
“I have no illusions about that.” Jason huffed and laughed when Tim looked surprised. “He knows everything. He knew I liked you before I knew…it’s kind of scary how on top of everything he can be.”
“Oh my god.” Tim mumbled, burying his face into Jason’s shoulder embarrassed.
“I can’t wait to see the look on B’s face when you tell him, can I watch? I want to be there when you do it.” Dick grinned and laughed as he batted away the towel Jason threw at him. “Come on! It totally slipped by him! It’s gonna be hilarious!”
“Do you…think he’ll be mad?” Tim piped up as he peeked out of hiding.
“No way!” Dick said before Jason could and got up to move over to them. “He’s just not gonna see it coming, but he’s probably going to be thrilled.”
“Thrilled?” Tim asked curious.
“Oh yea.” Dick grinned amused. “He’s gonna love he’s finally got a track to you properly joining the family, he’ll settle for son-in-law.” He winked over at Jason who sputtered flustered. “Tim already declared he’s going to take care of you for the rest of his life, it’s basically set in stone.”
“DiCk!” Tim squeaked, he was going to burst into flames, if he thought he stood a chance from both Robins he would have made run for it. “That, you can’t just! Don’t be so mean!”
“Haha, sorry!” Dick couldn’t help himself laughing.
“Did…did you really say that to him?” Jason asked, sounding almost shy.
“Y-Yes.” Tim admitted, his face burning as he looked at Jason.
“You mean it?” Jason’s face was starting to get as red as Tim’s, they’ve said that to each other before but declaring it to someone else felt different, even more solid.
“Of course I do!” Tim turned in Jason’s arms and hugged him tight. “I already know…that I always want to be with you, Jason.”
“Timmy…” Jason buried his face in Tim’s neck, squeezing him so tight. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I’m going to keep you safe forever, I swear.”
“I am going to keel over from all the cute, you two have to stop it.” Dick startled the both of them by clapping a hand on each of their backs, while they were being completely adorable he did think they needed to reel back a bit. They were kids! Talking about forever? It was sweet to joke about but Dick wasn’t sure they should be going from zero to a hundred. “Keep on like that and none of this is going to be a secret much longer.”
“Shut up, Dickie!” Jason pulled away from Tim to try to kick Dick but he dodged, frustrated that Dick was spoiling his moment with Tim. “You jerk!”
“No rough housing in the house, Jason!” Dick mildly mocked. “Alfred will be so upset to see you breaking the rules.” He tsked.
“Like you follow the rules!” Jason took a step to go after Dick but arms wrapped around Jason’s middle as Tim hugged him from behind.
“I don’t want either of you getting in trouble.” Tim mumbled against Jason’s back. “And last time you guys broke a statue.”
“Dick broke it!” Jason defended but didn’t move and relaxed his posture more.
“Nah, you did.” Dick shot back and thought it was beyond cute how Jason glared at him but didn’t try to come at him like he usually would because Tim was clinging to him.
“No! Casue you-“
“Jay,” Tim squeezed him. “He’s baiting you. Now that you’re done training for the night, let’s go back to your room and get ready for bed. You don’t have patrol tonight cause of a test right?”
“Yea, not tonight.” Jason turned in Tim’s arms and squishing him in a hug. “Yea~ B ran the obstacle hard tonight, I’m so ready for bed.”
“Oh, was it that bad?” Tim asked concerned.
“Nah, I totally nailed it~” Jason grinned big and preened more when Tim smiled brightly.
“I knew you could! I told you that your training was making progress!” Tim gushed.
“I’m drowning in syrup, I’m out, congrats and all that.” Dick chuckled as he left the teens to themselves, glad his big brother duty was well done and his little brother was so happy with his new boyfriend. Those two were too much but he was glad to see it, made him feel like they’d go far.
“Ignore him.” Jason huffed a little and looked back at Tim. “I guess…that’s one person that knows…I hope that’s okay.”
“Yea, it’s okay.” Tim said a little quiet, feeling flutters swirling in his stomach, it was kind of exciting to have been able to share it with someone. Tim hadn’t told anyone, not even Selina. “I do think for everyone else…maybe a little longer?”
“Oh yea, this nosey bunch? For sure, I want to keep you all to myself~” Jason hummed, cupping Tim’s face and drew him into a small kiss. “We’ll tell the rest of them when we’re ready.”
“Y-Yea…” Tim stammered, they have been getting more at ease with kissing but it still made him so jittery and happy. “I’m all yours.”
And Tim meant that with his whole heart for the rest of his life.