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The boys were in some deep shit.
Before Tim even opened his eyes, he could feel the heavy weight of shackles tightened around his wrists and ankles. The floor beneath him was cold, smooth stone.
“Tim, you clocked back in yet?”
Jason’s voice had Tim opening his eyes. They looked to be in a dungeon of some kind. There were no windows and only one exit in the form of a door made from iron bars. The only light came from two small torches hung on either side of the door. All three of his brothers were shackled to the wall in similar fashions. Also, like him, they were all dressed in civvies.
“Yeah, I’m up. Is anyone hurt?”
Dick shook his head. “Nothing beyond the classic post-knockout migraine. What about you?”
Tim took a quick inventory of his body. His head was throbbing, but he couldn’t find anything else. “Same here. Who the hell grabbed us this time?”
Footsteps sounded down the hall.
“I suppose we are about to find out,” Damian grimaced.
“Good evening, gentlemen.”
Tim’s heart dropped into his stomach as Ra’s al Ghul emerged out of the shadows. His elegant green and gold robes flowed behind him as he walked. The flickering light of the torches made his smirk even more unnerving.
“Grandfather, what is the meeting of this? Where is Mother?” Damian demanded.
“I’m afraid Talia is away on business. Have you not missed me, Damian?” The man questioned with faux tenderness. The door to their dungeon opened, and he strode inside. “Surely, you cannot fault a man for wanting to spend time with his own grandson. You never write anymore.”
“Maybe because you’re a psychotic asshat,” Jason countered.
If the jab bothered Ra’s, he didn’t show it. He moved towards Tim, looking him up and down with a hunger that made his insides churn. “What about you, Detective? Why do you think I’ve summoned the children of the Bat to Nanda Parbat?”
Based on the suggestive comments Ra’s always made towards him during their fights, Tim could think of a few reasons. But he’d been very careful to hide Ra’s’s growing interest in him from his family. After all, why on earth would he admit that his little brother’s grandfather was trying to sleep with him? No thanks. He’d pretty much rather die than have that conversation.
“If this is another ploy at getting me to become your heir or whatever, then you’ve wasted your time. It’s never gonna happen, Ra’s, so suck it.”
Ra’s’ smile only grew wider. “Such passion. So much potential you choose to waste. Don’t worry, my dear. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to change your mind.”
Tim could see the innuendo clearly. He prayed his brothers couldn’t. “Never. You’d have to kill me."
“We shall see about that. Resolve tends to crumble when one’s loved ones are on the line. My torturers are teeming with excitement. It has been so long since they’ve had such formidable toys to play with.”
Tim’s eyes widened. Ra’s was planning on torturing his brothers. Just to get to him. This couldn’t be happening.
Knowing he’d won, the immortal straightened. “I shall give you the night to think it over. You have the power to prevent a lot of pain, Timothy. I will be back in the morning to hear your decision.”
With that, the Demon Head took his leave.
When dinner trays were brought later that night, Tim found a key baked into his roll. It looked like it would unlock his chains. He was careful to hide it before anyone else saw. It was clear that Ra’s was offering him a deal: himself for his brothers. The thought alone of giving himself over to Ra’s almost had him throwing the tray away in disgust, but he didn’t want to tip off the others. If he was going to do this, he didn’t want them to know beforehand. They’d never allow him to make such a decision.
It’s a good thing he was the best insomniac in the family.
***
Once he was positive all three of his brothers were asleep, Tim quietly unlocked his cuffs using the key. When he approached the door to the cell, the guard immediately let him through, as if he’d been expecting it. He was a bit surprised no one woke up to the sound of the cell door opening and closing. Then again, they had also fallen asleep much more quickly than he’d anticipated. Had Ra’s drugged their food? The man really had thought of everything…
The guard led Tim straight to Ra’s’s chambers.
The man was lounging casually on top of his bed, wearing silken robes that showed way too much of his chest. Upon seeing Tim, he smiled. “Good evening, Detective. I’m pleased to see you’ve accepted my invitation.”
“I’m not here to play games with you. You already know I would never join you, so there’s no point in torturing everyone. Plus, Batman will find us eventually, which I know you also already know. Let’s just skip the whole ‘join me or else’ bullshit because we both know it won’t work. So tell it to me straight: what will it take for you to let me and my brothers go?” Tim demanded. He was trying his best to mask his fear. If Ra’s knew how scared he was, he’d lose all of his leverage.
The immortal took a long sip of his wine. “Oh, Timothy, I believe you already know the answer to that.”
Tim felt his cheeks heat up. He prayed Ra’s couldn’t see it under the candlelight. “I want to hear you say it out loud.”
“So forward,” Ra’s said with a lascivious grin. “Very well, Timothy, I shall offer you this choice: one night in my bed in exchange for your and your brothers’ freedom.”
Tim had already known what the immortal wanted, but it certainly didn’t feel better hearing it out loud. “Why go to all of this trouble just to sleep with me?”
“Because, Detective, I want you willing. Surely you know I could have had you while you were sedated, or I could have forced myself upon you while you were chained to the wall. But when I finally take you into my bed, I want you to be an active participant. Therefore, I needed to find the right motivation. You’ve always had a soft spot for your proclaimed family.”
Tim’s heart was pounding. “So, if I do this, you will let all four of us go in the morning? Just like that?”
The immortal nodded. “Of course. I would much prefer to have you all gone before the Bat arrives. He always makes such a mess of my compounds. As you know I am a man of my word, let me be perfectly clear: in exchange for your being my willing lover tonight, I swear to allow you and your brothers to return to Gotham, unharmed, first thing tomorrow morning on one of my own personal jets. Neither myself nor anyone under my direction will attempt to stop you. But should you choose to deny me your body, I shall take great pleasure in torturing your brothers until the Bat comes to collect what is left. My obstinate grandson is far overdue for some discipline, anyway. Does that satisfy you, Timothy?”
Tim’s mind raced to find any loopholes Ra’s may have left open. Ra’s al Ghul may not have been a liar, but he was a master manipulator. Still, Tim couldn’t find any gaps. As far as he could surmise, the deal was airtight.
That meant he had no choice but to comply.
Even as he said the words, they tasted like poison:
“Okay, Ra’s. You have me.”
Tim kept his gaze down as he was escorted to Ra’s’s personal airfield. After he’d finally had his fill of Tim, the immortal had insisted he stay in his lavish chambers and have breakfast with him. In order to avoid pissing the man off, Tim had acquiesced. Now, it was time to get himself and his brothers the hell out of there.
Ra’s kept a hand on Tim’s shoulder as they walked. The touch burned like acid. He still couldn’t believe what he’d done. He’d had sex with Ra’s. Multiple times. And then had breakfast with the guy.
He swallowed down the bile that crept into his throat. He couldn’t throw up now. He needed to keep it together so his brothers wouldn’t ask questions. As it was, it would take a miracle for them to miss the hickeys on his neck – Ra’s had marked him everywhere. He could only be glad that his clothing covered most of the damage. Thank God he’d been wearing a sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt when they’d been taken.
Not that he expected to be able to keep the previous night a secret forever. As much as Tim would prefer to take what had happened with Ra’s to his grave, the immortal would never allow it. He was far too prideful to let his victory go unnoticed. Still, he wanted to delay the inevitable as long as possible.
His brothers were all waiting by the jet. Their shackles were linked together like a chain gang. However, as promised, they all appeared unharmed.
“Tim, where the hell have you been?” Dick demanded. “Did Ra’s hurt you?”
Tim shook his head. At least, he hadn’t been hurt physically. Much. “I’m fine, Dick.”
“The Detective and I were just having breakfast together,” Ra’s explained, his grip on Tim’s shoulder tightening. “Congratulations! He has successfully negotiated your freedom. This jet is yours to fly back to Gotham.”
Damian narrowed his eyes. He knew better than most that his grandfather did nothing for free. “Drake, what did you do?”
“I didn’t join the Dark Side, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Tim snapped. “Just don’t worry about it.”
Before any of his other brothers could ask more questions, Ra’s had his guards unlock the shackles. He finally released Tim from his grasp and took a step back. “Run along now, boys. I’m sure your father is eager to have you home.”
As soon as his restraints were removed, Dick ran up to Tim and started inspecting him for injuries. Tim fought to keep his face neutral as he pushed his brother away before he could find anything. “Dick, I told you I’m fine. Let’s just go home.”
He needed to get them out of there before they realized what their freedom had cost. Not only to protect himself, but also to protect them. He highly doubted Ra’s would still let them go if Jason started attacking him. And his big brother would definitely start attacking him if he found out what the man had done.
“I can assure you I did not hurt the boy,” Ra’s added. “I care far too much for Timothy to allow him to come to harm.”
“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Ra’s,” Jason growled, “but it’s not going to work. Tim’s never gonna be your son, or your heir, or whatever.”
The immortal’s grin grew triumphant. “Oh, my boy, the affection I hold for Timothy is far from paternal. Especially after he shared my bed last night.”
Fuck. So much for that plan. Now, Tim had no choice but to watch as the horrible truth was dumped upon his brothers.
Dick’s face drained of all color. “Tim, tell me you didn’t–”
“Jason, no!”
Tim jumped in front of Ra’s just in time to shield him from his brother’s rage. He put both of his hands on the older Wayne’s chest.. “Jason, please, just get on the jet. Don’t give him an excuse to keep us here.”
But Jason acted like he couldn’t hear him. His body was trembling with violent anger. “I’m gonna kill him, I swear–”
Tim grabbed his brother’s face and forced him to look into his eyes. “If you attack him, then everything I went through will be for nothing. Is that what you want?”
“I would listen to him, Mr. Todd,” Ra’s suggested, his tone almost playful, “because if you take one more step towards me, I will require another night with Timothy as recompense. Surely you’re aware I have snipers everywhere. It would be so easy to recapture you all. Even now, I find myself reluctant to let him go. He was such a magnificent lover – so beautiful sprawled out beneath my–”
“We’re going!” Tim snapped before turning back to his brother. “Please, Jay, just get me away from here.”
That did it. Tim had long since found that the best way to deter Jason’s anger was to channel it into his protective nature. His big brother’s face softened a bit as he nodded. “Right. Yeah. Of course. Let’s go.”
The four Bats rushed to get on the jet. Just as Dick pulled the door shut, Tim heard Ra’s’s jeering voice:
“So long, Timothy! Thank you for the wonderful memories. I shall treasure them forever.”
As soon as the door shut, Tim scrambled for the nearest trash can. He fell to his knees and immediately started throwing up the decadent breakfast Ra’s had served him.
“Jason, get us the fuck out of here. Damian, go help him in the cockpit,” Dick ordered as he knelt beside Tim. “And radio Batman and let him know we’re coming home.”
“D-don’t tell him,” Tim forced out between retches. “P-please don’t –”
His little brother looked a bit green himself. “I won’t. I give you my word.”
“Tim, is it okay if I touch you?” Dick asked carefully.
Tim was trembling. Part of him wanted his big brother’s comfort. The other part never wanted to be touched by anyone ever again. “Don’t – I-I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Nothing that happened was your fault.”
After throwing up one more time into the trash can, Tim buried his face in his hands. “Everything that happened was my fault,” he wept miserably. He’d been holding in his feelings all night, keeping his face neutral so Ra’s wouldn’t see how much he was breaking. Now, they were all rushing out in a tsunami of emotions. “I’m the reason Ra’s took us in the first place. Then, I went to him knowing how he felt about me. I’ve know for a while that’s what he wanted. But I ignored it because I was ashamed, and now I’ll never be able to get rid of him. Not when he’s willing to kidnap and threaten to torture you all just to get to me. God, I feel so dirty–”
“Tim, you are not dirty,” Dick interrupted. “You were put into an impossible situation and did what you had to do to keep everyone safe. Ra’s is to blame for what happened. Not you.”
“B-but I went to him of my own free will, and then I participated the way he wanted me to. He wanted me willing, and I consented.”
Dick looked heartbroken. “No, honey, you didn’t. You were coerced, and coercion is not consent. It’s no different than if Ra’s had drugged you or tied you up.”
The words went directly against what Ra’s had told him last night. Tim was much more inclined to believe his brother, but it didn’t quite relieve the shame that had taken hold.
“You’re not gonna tell Bruce, are you?” He asked with a sniffle.
His big brother sighed. “Tim, we can’t keep this from him. You’ll need his support going forward. Besides, wouldn’t you rather be the one to tell him so he doesn’t find out from Ra’s?”
Dick was right. Ra’s wouldn’t hesitate to gloat to the Dark Knight about having sex with his son. It wouldn’t be fair to subject Bruce to that. They had to keep him in the loop.
“F-Fine,” he relented. “I’ll tell him.”
“I’ll be there the whole time if you want me to, buddy. But for now, why don’t you try to get some rest? You look exhausted, and we still have a few hours until we hit Gotham.”
Sleep sounded wonderful, actually. Tim was so tired. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. After all, it wasn’t like he’d actually been able to rest the previous night. Ra’s had been relentless in his lust for Tim.
But before he could sleep, there was something else he desperately wanted.
“I-I need to shower,” he rasped. He needed a shower more than he’d ever needed anything in his entire life. Ra’s had made a complete mess of him.
“I understand,” Dick nodded, and Tim knew he really did.
Despite being an evil, perverted psychopath, Ra’s had excellent taste in private jets. The bathroom was large and luxurious, and the water pressure in the shower was perfect. Tim spent the better part of an hour scrubbing himself clean. There was no getting rid of the hickeys that covered his body, but he wanted to erase as much of Ra’s’s touch as possible.
Finally, when his skin was bright red from irritation, Tim turned off the water.
He wished he had clean clothes to change in to, but he supposed it could be worse. At least Ra’s had kidnapped them as civilians. He couldn’t imagine trying to get back into his Red Robin suit at this point.
Dick was waiting for him when he stepped out of the bathroom. “Feel better?” He asked.
Tim nodded. Though he could still feel Ra’s all over him, he was very thankful to be clean. “I think I’m gonna take a nap now.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” his brother smiled gently. “I’ll wake you up when we’re close.”
Tim took a recliner by the window. The decadent leather was soft, but thankfully nothing like the overly plush, silk-covered mattress that Ra’s had in his bedroom. After last night, Tim never wanted to touch silk again.
He felt the pull of sleep quickly. Between the lack of rest, the physical exertion, and the subsequent emotional breakdown, Tim’s body was fighting to shut down. And, desperate for a break from everything, Tim was all too eager to let it.
Dealing with the fallout of Ra’s’s coercion and Bruce’s reaction was officially a problem for Future Tim.