Chapter Text
Jason watched from his place in the woods restlessly as the little kid, Tim went home for the night after patrol. Ever since coming back from the Nada Parbat Jason was making sure to keep an eye on his Replacement.
The thirteen year old was far too bony and short, Bruce must’ve not been particularly picky in replacing Jason. Sure, Jason hadn't been the healthiest when B picked him up, but he was pretty sure this kid wasn’t eating right even with Alfred’s meals. Daily, Jason lingered in the woods watching to reassure himself the kid made it okay to his house.
Why the hell Bruce didn’t do that himself was beyond Jason. The least he could do was drive the squirt home. Or better yet make him stay overnight. Jason hadn’t even caught the scents of Jack and Janet Drake drifting from their home, let alone on their child. Clearly Tim was ignored at best, neglected and abused at worst.
Unfortunately Jason can’t do much about that at the moment. The kid deserves a home, a pack, not a grumpy human in his mansion. Bruce wasn’t even a shifter and never truly understood their needs.
Jason knew deep in his bones the kid was a shifter, but Tim never appeared to others as one. Careful and patient, Tim hadn’t shown his traits to humans, well hidden as they were, but a shifter can spot one of their own. The way the kid moved was telling and the barest, slightest hint of a smell wafted off the kid from Jason’s hiding space.
Jason mostly hadn’t shifted out of his bear form in months, not trusting his ability to keep the pit under wraps in his human form. His bear latched onto the lost little cub Bruce had found and roared at Jason to watch and keep him safe from a distance. Bruce, Jack, and Janet were fools to let this cub go unguarded. Jason could and did pick up their slack.
Weeks go by of Jason’s daily routine of guarding the child from a distance. Days went by where his little cub was walking home with a limp. His bear wanted to claw the criminal to shreds that dared touch his cub on those days. He barely kept his concern under wraps and followed a bit closer on those frightening instances.
The days that really scared Jason were those that Tim didn’t show up at all to return home. Those always meant Timmy was wounded to the point Alfred announced he wasn’t to leave the manor. His concern reached the highest on such instances and he would take the risk and shift back to his human form.
His desperation to go to his cabin to sneak an internet search on his outdated computer for news outweighed his concern for the pit taking over. People in Gotham had a website where they would post pictures of Batman and Robin and their fights. He’d watch it all night and could never breathe right until the next morning when he’d watch the boy walk back home, his bear clawing for a sight-line of its cub.
Why his bear latched onto Tim still baffled Jason on occasion. Talia at one point had him convinced Tim was bad news, that he was replaced by the kid. But one look at the kid showed Jason what the boy really was, a malnourished, small baby trying to be a hero.
Clearly the kid being Robin was Bruce’s fault, not Tim’s. Because the kid was thin enough a wind could knock him over. He didn’t need grown assed adults doing the same.
One night it was raining, a mild drizzle that came unexpectedly while the kid was walking home. Jason was complacently lumbering nearby, watching. At first Jason wasn’t particularly concerned, the rain wasn’t so bad but then Tim stumbled and tripped on a jutting root, face planting in the mud, limbs flailing.
Now highly alarmed, Jason lumbered at a faster pace towards the kid. This was abnormal, something was very wrong. Tim was usually surefooted, having memorized the path. His bear mentally roared at the idea of not making it in time. He should’ve revealed himself sooner, and protected the cub more.
When he came up to Tim in record time, he nosed and gently pawed at him, careful to not harm. Tim stiffened and began to flail about trying to scramble away from Jason’s cautious ministrations. Jason waited until the boy’s face was out of the mud before setting a paw on his chest so he could examine him properly.
Tim wiggled and tried to pry the gentle paw off him, refusing to see reason as Jason searched for injuries and possible drugs like Ivy’s pollen. The boy squeaked whenever Jason glazed over his ticklish spots, he’d have to remember those.
Once he found a leg wound he snorted with indignation. How dare Bruce allow the cub to go home tonight?! Sure it was bandaged by Alfred, but it must be painful. If Jason had been there Tim wouldn't have left, instead Jason would’ve insisted on him staying there and resting.
Oh well, Jason could care for him now. Tim has seen him now and it won’t hurt to keep a closer eye on the worrisome child. Slowly Jason lifted his paw off Tim’s chest and sat back waiting, curious to see what he’d do.
The boy’s eyes were huge as he cautiously sat up, watching for any movements from Jason, likely wary of getting squished again. Jason gave an encouraging lick to his little button nose, snorting with laughter when the boy’s face scrunched with indignation.
“Hey! What are you-” Jason eagerly swiped a lick across the boy’s hair as well, removing a leaf from the cub’s messy locks; causing the kid to flail once more, frustrated. Jason wasn’t usually a licker, but Tim’s annoyance at the care was too funny, sue him.
Tim wiggled and rose to his feet, the mud and debris sticking to his outfit. The whole debacle made Jason want to throw the kid in a bathtub till he smelled of warm, content cub and soap.
Jason still towered over the boy, considering his bear form was an impressive 5 feet tall and weighed about 900 pounds. Tim’s skinny figure needed fattening, Jason’s hindbrain decided. The boy didn’t quite make it to Jason’s shoulder.
Tim frowned in concentration as he stood next to Jason and brushed off some of the leaves that had stuck onto the cub’s clothes. He kept tossing Jason wary glances subtlety, to Jason’s amusement. When finished the boy gave up on his promptly cleaning he stared at Jason.
“Can… can I go now?” Tim asked with shuffling feet. “I have to go home.”
Jason considered the boy’s question. As much as he wanted to stay with him to keep him safe, he also knew Tim was likely to be concerned about the bear following him. He wrestled with his hindbrain until the rational side won. He nodded reluctantly and turned away, allowing Tim to go on his way. He could watch his cub from a distance, for now.
The next time Jason revealed himself was when the boy was walking through the forest, coughing on his way home. That was certainly not allowed, he decided and he made the executive decision to make himself known once more.
Lumbering right into the boy’s path, he stood and stopped, forcing Tim to pause. The cub stopped and rubbed his snotty nose on his sleeve.
“What?” Tim asked the congestion making itself heard.
Jason nudged his head against Tim’s sleeve, germs be damned. Tim shuffled on his feet and nervously tucked his hand in his jean’s pocket.
“Oh, yeah. I caught the bug going around my school.” Tim answered as nonchalantly as possible when sick. He then tried to go around Jason, the silly cub. Jason moved once more blocking his path.
“What!?” Tim flailed his arms, irritated. “What do you want?”
Jason huffed and nodded towards the manor. Bruce was an idiot about stuff, but Alfred should’ve noticed and cared enough to help Tim.
Tim’s eyes followed Jason’s and instinctively twitched, refusing the desire to blow his nose again.
“You want me to go back?” The boy asked, hesitant.
Jason nodded his head. Yes, go back to Alfred, little cub. He’ll get you better. Jason would care for the boy but he didn’t trust his instincts once he shifted back to human. The lazarus pit would be a much more dangerous thing to Tim than a cold, but he still wanted him feeling better.
The boy hesitated once more, glancing back at the manor. Tim shifted his feet, nervous and stared at the ground.
“I can’t go back. I only visit, not stay.” His voice was scratchy and hoarse, a small cough interjected after his announcement.
Jason gave the kid the most deadpanned expression he could, making the kid shiver. Tim huddled and made himself smaller, making Jason’s heart mournful.
“Okay.” He whispered. “I’ll go back.”
Jason watched the boy return back to the manor and every once and a while, Tim glanced behind his shoulder looking for Jason. Once or twice the lad spotted him and Jason offered him an encouraging chuff.
Tim stayed in the manor for a week, confirming Jason’s theory of sickness.
Today, Tim was set and determined to find him it seemed. The boy brought a basket and salmon, tantalizing Jason’s nose. Jason followed at a sedate pace, amused as Tim snuck around the forest.
Hopefully this wasn’t a trap. He was a little concerned Tim had told Bruce about the grizzly bear shifter in the woods and a hunt was being commenced. He couldn't smell Bruce’s distinct scent though, so maybe it wasn't a trap. Though the old bastard loved to try to cover his scent every now and then, he could be wearing a scent patch.
“I brought snacks!” Tim yelled into the woods with a single minded purpose. The boy wandered around the forest, seemingly without a pattern and was growing impatient.
“Come on! I know you’re out here!” Tim hollered, waving his hands in the air over his head.
Jason chuffed under his breath and swiveled his head around once more for Bruce or Dick and lumbered into the boy’s view after deciding a trap wasn’t commencing.
Tim jumped slightly and held up his basket when he saw Jason. Heh, Jason knew he was sneaky for a nine-hundred pounder. The kid twitched nervously as Jason neared him. He settled out of reach to hopefully settle the kid’s nerves. Tim watched him, curious until he settled, laying down to signal peace.
The kid shuffled nervously at the attention Jason was giving him and mumbled something incoherently. Jason held still and slowed his breathing in hopes Tim would relax. The cub clutched his basket of fish and warily came closer to Jason.
“Are… are you hungry?” Tim stuttered, nervously. Jason tilted his head curiously and slowly nodded. He would happily eat with the kid if he was invited. Frankly, he was surprised Tim sought him out; most were wary of such large grizzly bears wandering their woods.
Tim inched nearer still and set his basket down next to Jason. The boy sat down and scooted closer as if Jason was the one who was spooked. The cub began laying out a small, patterned blanket and laid the salmon out in front of Jason.
Jason could hardly keep from salivating at the smell of the fish near his nose. Sure, they weren't as fresh as his daily catches in the river, but they smelled amazing .
“You can have them all. I already ate.” Jason felt like snorting, the cub was always too skinny. No way had he eaten enough for dinner. But, right now felt like a stepping stone; a fragile one at that and Jason didn’t want to break the crystal moment. He delicately bit his teeth around the nearest fish and tried to eat it without too much slobber and mess for the boy’s sake. Heavens know Bristol kids had picky thoughts about manners.
“I wanted to thank you.” Jason perked up and paused his eating when the boy began to speak.
“Afred said I would’ve developed pneumonia if I hadn’t gone back last month.” Tim twisted his shirt in his hands and looked at them with a furrowed brow.
Aw hell. Jason knew the kid was sick last time, but not that sick.
“And.. I don’t know how you knew, with you being, like wild. But thanks.”
Wild? Did the kid not know Jason was a shifter? Jason was taken aback. The kid was a shifter that didn’t recognize his own? Didn't his parents teach him anything?
Jason nosed Tim on his shoulder, subtlety checking for the parents’ scents. Scent Marking eased some of the primal instincts shifter citizens felt and it was especially important for children to carry their parents’ scents. To Jason’s utter horror, the cub’s scent was purely his own; void of any adult’s scent.
Appalled, Jason licked the part of Tim’s neck he could properly reach, making the kid squirm and eye Jason suspiciously.
“You're not gonna eat me are you?” The cub whispered with a certain level of worry, tugging on his shirt again.
Why the hell didn’t the kid recognize a scent marking? Sure it wasn’t critical for a shifter’s health, but parents loved scenting their children frequently. Clearly, the Drakes were abusive pieces of shit if they never even scented him within recent memory.
Also, why the fuck did this kid have no self preservation whatsoever? Seriously, why visit the bear in the woods smelling like salmon if the thought of being eaten was even on the table. Irritated Jason tossed his head back and forth; eating the cub was never an option.
The kid visibly relaxed and started prattling on about his hobbies and other “not Robin” activities as Jason munched on his fish. It was almost sad how willing the kid was to prattle on to an “animal”. The kid didn’t even think Jason was sentient for crying out loud. But… the kid might not have anyone else to talk to, so there wasn’t any real harm in him prattling on to Jason, right?
When he reached the last fish, Jason nudged it towards the skinny boy with his paw. The kid had to eat. Jason highly suspected he’s not had an Alfred approved dinner tonight.
At the feel of the cold fish up against his scrawny arm, Tim jolted and stared bug-eyed at the river catch. His chatter died down as he openly studied both the fish and Jason’s calm expression.
“...What?” The kid asked as Jason pushed the salmon even closer to the boy’s fingers with his snout.
I want you to eat, idiot. You’re too skinny. Jason thought as he gave Tim’s hand an encouraging lick.
Seemingly realizing what Jason wanted, Tim scrunched his nose in disgust.
“I’m not eating that, if that’s what you want.” Tim announced, ever so slightly flicking the salmon away.
Jason huffed, blowing air out of his snout and gave a pleading look to the kid’s face. The cub crossed his arms and frowned.
“I’m not hungry. Seriously! You are a bear! Why do you care if I eat?” Tim squeaked as he peered down at the fish.
Jason chuffed, causing the kid to flinch as if the noise was abnormal, not comforting. It probably was considering his living situation. Jack and Janet Drake were not particularly comforting as far as Jason knew, plus they were never home. His poor cub had never had a normal pack or even a parent to care for him.
Ultimately, Jason decided to snuggle up against the boy. Eating could wait, long as the cub was safe in Jason's sight. Getting the cub to sleep would be the next best thing, the bags that settled under the boy’s eyes were much too large.
Spindly, cold fingers grasped Jason's thick fur hesitantly. After Jason fully settled, laying down he felt a small head rest on his side. Contentment filled his chest as he rested with the cub for the rest of the afternoon
Evening came much too soon if one were to ask Jason. It was comforting, sleeping with his cub. Perhaps he could convince Tim to do this again.
The aftertaste of salmon lingered in his mouth. Grumbling to himself, Jason chased the taste away best he could with his long tongue. He was determined not to awaken Tim until necessary.
The cub had curled himself up to Jason's flank, weaving his fingers into the thick fur on Jason's side. Endearment washed over Jason's heart. Tim was much too small, but perfectly pocket sized right now. His mop of black curls camouflaged him in the brown fur.
The boy murmured a lot in his sleep. None of the words particularly made any sense, but it was sweet watching him doze.
Content with the sleeping boy so close, Jason kept watch on the forest grounds. It was a peaceful night and the crickets were making themselves known. The sunset brought forth several shades of orange and yellow and the birds were settling in for the night.
Then, the boy began to stir, grasping the fur as he woke. His big, blue eyes fluttered open, settling on Jason's face. Tim slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Tim squinted as he took in his surroundings and startled slightly when he noticed Jason staring. He swiveled his head around observing the quiet forest. Tim quickly stumbled up, almost tripping in his haste.
"Dang it. I'm going to be late!" He scrambled away from their resting place and ran towards Wayne Manor. Irritation settled into Jason’s bones, stupid Bruce, stupid Robin. His cub should be well rested, fed, and clean; not scrambling around trying to please Bruce and his stupid agenda.
But, fine, whatever. He'd see the boy again soon.