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Ah Saturday.
A rare day off for Tim, and he was already using it to its fullest. Rolling out of bed at 12pm, and wandering down to the kitchen in his pjs was a small thing, but something he relished.
Wayne Enterprise had no looming deadlines, his stack of paperwork could be handled on Monday, and most of the family was out, leaving Tim to enjoy the weekend in peace.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs, however, his ears were assaulted by loud rock music coming from the garage.
Jason must be home for once. And working on his motorbikes no doubt.
With a sigh, Tim crept past, hoping to avoid his brother for the day.
It wasn’t that he disliked the guy. They just… weren’t that close. Wounds, physical and emotional, were still a little raw. The Titans Tower incident had left marks on both of them.
He knew Jason felt bad, it was clear from how the older boy kept his distance, his expression always some sort of regretful. Tim was mostly over it, at least they weren’t trying to kill each other anymore. It was just awkward.
The music continued to drift to Tim as he searched the pantry and fridge. After a moment, he sighed. For a billionaire’s mansion, they sure ran out of food a lot. He was about to head back upstairs to order something on his phone when he heard heavy footsteps approaching from the hall.
Jason’s imposing figure filled the door, humming softly to his music that was still blasting from the garage. He stopped short when he saw Tim.
“Uhhh… sup Timmers.” He said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “Anythin’ to eat?”
Tim shook his head, gesturing to the mostly bare fridge.
Jason groaned, leaning his hip against the counter. Him watched him think for a moment, the older boy’s eyes flicking to him before looking away again.
He seemed to hesitate for a second before saying, “so… did you wanna go get somethin’?”
Tim’s eyebrows raised.
“Like right now?”
Jason nodded.
“Yeah, why not? We can take my bikes out.”
“I don’t have my motorcycle license though.”
“Oh.” Jason’s shoulders slumped a little before he perked up again.
“That’s fine! We can go out in our suits. No one will bother us.”
“That… isn’t a bad idea actually.” Tim said. He wanted to argue more, but he knew he wasn’t one to preach on proper road laws. He’d driven illegally for years before getting his driver’s license.
Jason grinned, his face lighting up in a way Tim hadn’t seen before.
“Okay then! Suit up. I’ll meet you in the garage.”
Tim nodded, watching his brother practically skip off back to the bikes.
He’d never seen Jason so animated, and the unusual offer to go out, on the bikes he was so precious about, had thrown him a little.
He hadn’t spent much time alone with Jason since the incident, and as he got dressed, he felt a spark of nervous excitement pass through him. Despite their history, Tim had always admired Jason from afar. The guy was really cool. And now he was about to go illegally ride around Gotham City with him. He hoped Bruce wouldn’t find out.
Pushing open the garage door ten minutes later, Tim’s stomach dropped slightly, coming face to face with Red Hood. His mind started to flood with images of blood and shouting before Jason’s face reappeared as he pulled the helmet off.
He was grinning, and Tim couldn’t remember if he’d ever seen his brother look so youthful before. He wondered why he was so excited to hang out with him. He also noticed Jason’s hands, fidgeting slightly with his helmet. Was the other boy… nervous?
Tim relaxed slightly. Maybe Jason was just as uncomfortable and unsure as Tim was. Maybe this would be a good opportunity for them to overcome the past.
“Looin’ good. Ready to go?” Jason asked, putting his helmet on his bike and gesturing to the second one. “You can ride this one. Sorry, I don’t have any smaller ones. You should be fine though. It’s gonna be so much fun.”
Tim eyed the bike. It was large. Like Jason. And it was clear he’d just been working on it, his tools were strewn around on the floor. He was apprehensive about riding on such a tall bike, knowing the risks that came with it. But looking at Jason’s happy expression, Tim didn’t have the heart to back out now.
He pulled his mask on, and with a little effort, heaved himself onto the massive bike. His toes didn’t even brush the ground. Jason tossed him the keys, pulling on his own helmet and settling onto the other bike.
Tim situated himself as securely as he could, giving himself a second to get used to the weight before he turned the key in the ignition.
The engine rumbled to life, the machine humming beneath him as he gripped the handlebars. Jason followed suit, opening the garage door. He glanced over at Tim, giving him a nod before leading the way out.
He heard a disturbing grinding sound as he drove onto the street behind Jason, but hoped it was just the tires hitting a rock on the road or something. He didn’t want to bother Jason with something so minor.
The pair of them drove through back alleys, Jason taking them on a route to avoid any cameras or police stops.
Despite avoiding heavily populated areas however, Tim still noticed passers by snapping photos of them. He didn’t blame them, he was sure it was a strange sight to see Red Hood and Red Robin together, joyriding at that. He just hoped none of them would post it. It would be a pain if Bruce found out Tim was driving without a license again.
He heard Jason whoop from up ahead, noticing they were heading straight for Crime Alley. He sped up, closing the distance between him and Jason.
The Hood glanced back, and nodded enthusiastically. Tim could only imagine the maniacal grin on his brother’s face. Of course he wanted to race.
He heard the Jason’s engine rev, and quickly adjusted speed, the two of them rocketing along the streets of crime alley. Tim would usually never come here alone, but with Jason being there, he felt strangely at ease. He knew his brother’s reputation, and judging from the looks they were getting as the flew past, he was still just as infamous.
He adjusted his grip, settling deeper into the seat. Sure his brother had a reputation to uphold. But so did he. And he wasn’t about to lose the race.
He heard Jason’s laughter as he shot past, taking the corner at an extreme angle, using all his body weight to right the bike again as he turned. His lead was short lived as Jason’s bike found a boost of power, cutting past barely inches away, and regaining the lead.
The two of them went back and forth, the race picking up speed. Tim could feel his heart pounding, but for once, it felt good. He could feel his cheeks aching from how hard he was smiling.
As they rounded another corner however, Tim felt his bike grind again, the engine rattling. He had the sudden realisation, that if he crashed at this speed, he’d be little more than human chunks.
As he quickly tried to decelerate he felt the front wheel wobble. His heart leaped into his throat as he slammed on the breaks, the bike kicking up small rocks as the tires screeched.
He lost sight of Jason as the bike wobbled again, this time sending him flying as it skidded into a pole. He heard a loud bang even as his body hit the ground. He bit his tongue, and tasted blood in his mouth as his vision blurred.
He heard Jason shout, but was too busy trying to scramble to the bike to notice what he was saying. He felt his heart sink. He’d just crashed one of Jason’s precious bikes.
He had crashed.
Jason’s bike.
It was wrecked.
He was so screwed.
Before he could do anything else, however, Jason’s hands were on him.
Tim flinched, prepared to received a blow. But instead he froze, Jason’s voice finally reaching his ears.
“No no no no. Are you okay? Shit shit shit. Are you hurt? This is all my fault.”
It took Tim a second to register that Jason was… scared? His voice shook, and Tim could almost swear he heard Jason swallow back a sob.
“Your… bike…” Tim said, dazed.
“What? I don’t care about the stupid bike! Are you hurt? Here, let me help you… oh shit… I’m so sorry…”
Tim could hear Jason’s breathing getting more and more ragged as his brother helped him up, checking him for injuries.
“You’re bleeding?! Ti- Robin! Shit! Shit SHIT!”
Jason’s cursing continued, his voice becoming increasingly panicked as he noticed the blood coming from Tim’s mouth.
“This is all my fault. I should have checked the bike properly. I shouldn’t have taken you out here.”
Tim could hear Jason getting choked up, and realised his brother was shaking. His hands hovered around him, trembling as Jason’s breathing became more erratic.
“I’m fine.” Tim said, trying to reassure the older boy. But Jason didn’t seem to be listening.
His hands clutched his helmet, as if it were confining him, and Tim could hear his breathing had devolved into rasping sobs.
“My fault… my fault…”
With a jolt, Tim recognised the heavy breathing. It was how he was when he had panic attacks. Was Jason seriously having a panic attack?
Before he could decipher his brother’s behaviour further, his eyes picked up on movement nearby.
Citizens going about their business? Or criminals who were lying in wait?
He didn’t wait around to find out.
“Hey… hey we gotta go!” He said, grabbing Jason’s shoulders and shaking him gently.
His brother didn’t seem to hear him, lost in a broken mind Tim couldn’t even begin to imagine.
“Hey!” He hissed again, not wanting to call Jason’s name and risk giving away their identities. He wasn’t sure how else to get Jason’s attention, though.
“Come on… I’m fine I promise. We can sort this out. We gotta go though. It’s not safe here.”
He risked a glance over his shoulder, and confirmed that several eyes were watching them from the shadows. The bike Tim had fallen off was still rumbling on the ground. It didn’t take an expert to see that it was totalled, the engine coughing out black smoke, and bits of metal bend at weird angles.
He was lucky he’d fallen off at low speed. They definitely couldn’t escape on that.
He hoped the reason they hadn’t been attacked yet was because Jason was there. But it wouldn’t take long for people to realise something was up. He felt his heart pounding uncomfortably in his chest. They were exposed, and Jason was freaking out. There was no telling what could happen. They needed to leave.
Looking around desperately, Tim saw Jason’s bike parked not too far off. Jason had clearly leaped off it in a hurry to check on him.
Grabbing Jason’s arm, he pulled them over to the bike, noticing it was even larger than the other one. Without another second’s hesitation, he jumped on, yanking Jason with him, the other seeming too dazed to protest.
He started the engine and raced off, looking for somewhere where they could hide. He could feel his brother trembling against his back, and readjusted his grip to accommodate their combined weight.
What felt like hours but was probably only minutes later, Tim spotted a back alley nook, swerving off the road and into the secluded quiet.
He shut off the engine, his chest pounding and slowly straightened.
Jason was behind him. Sometime during the drive, his arms had locked around Tim, using his brother’s shoulder to cry into as Tim had searched for a place to stop.
He could tell Jason was still crying, his sobs muffled by his helmet.
Carefully, Tim shifted so that he could see over his shoulder, and gently pulled Jason’s helmet off.
His brother’s eyes were red, and his cheeks were smeared from the tears that hadn’t been able to escape the helmet. He sniffed, and when he saw Tim’s split lip and bleeding tongue, the tears welled again.
“I’m…. so sorry… I shouldn’t have… made you ride that bike… now you’re hurt again… its all my fault – I always just hurt you. I always screw up… I’m so sorry Tim.”
His brother’s words were accompanied by hiccupping sobs.
Tim had never seen Jason so out of control and emotional. Not even during the attack at Titans Tower. He felt almost alarmed, realising how unsettled Jason must be.
“Shhh.” He murmured. He’d experienced plenty of panic attacks himself, and knew the signs. “Breathe. You’re okay, Jay. Just breath.”
He watched his brother suck in a breath, a couple of tears slipping down his cheeks before he buried his face in Tim’s shoulder again.
Tim twisted on the bike, wrapping an arm around Jason and patting his back gently. He muttered soothing words, letting his brother come down from the panic at his own pace.
He felt his own breathing relaxing as they hugged. The last time Jason had been this close, it had been accompanied by heavy blows and shouting. Now, it was nice. He found himself enjoying the brotherly closeness, even as Jason cried into his shoulder.
He didn’t know how long they sat there for, but Jason’s sobs eventually petered out. They sat there for a while longer, listening to the sounds of the city from their secluded alleyway.
Finally Jason spoke.
“Thanks Tim.”
Tim’s heart ached at the sincerity in his words. He knew Jason didn’t mean for just then. He was thanking Tim for forgiving him. For giving him a second chance. For choosing to be family, especially after everything.
He gave his brother’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.
“Its no problem. You’re a cool guy.”
Jason laughed, sniffing as he wiped his eyes.
“Cool guys don’t bawl their eyes out. But thanks.”
Tim couldn’t help but smile at that.
They stayed quiet for a moment, lost in their own thoughts before Jason asked, “you sure you’re okay? No concussion or anything?”
Tim shook his head.
“No I’m fine. I think. I’ll have Alfred make sure though.”
Jason nodded emphatically.
“Yes, right away, kay?”
Then a thought occurred to him and he groaned.
“Shit. He’s gonna tell Bruce. I’m so screwed.”
Then he sighed.
“Well it can’t be helped. Fuck around and find out, yeah? At least you aren’t comin’ home in a body bag…”
He trailed off, smiling weakly. Tim squeezed his shoulder again.
“Hey, and eye for an eye. I totalled your bike.”
Jason sighed.
“No that was definitely my fault. I must have left somethin’ loose when I was working on it. I was too excited to leave. Now you’re hurtin’ and we still don’t have food.”
“Even through all this and you’re still thinking about your stomach, unbelievable.” Tim marvelled.
Jason chuckled sheepishly.
“Anyway, we should get you home and looked at. I’ll deal with the lecture when Bruce gets home. Just when I was buildin’ back trust…” He said that last part in a murmur, almost to himself.
Tim shook his head.
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sure he’ll go easy on you. It was an accident.”
He didn’t say what they were both thinking. It wasn’t an accident, this time.
He knew Jason and Bruce had a strained relationship, even before Jason had attacked Tim, but he had hoped they were working it out.
He made a mental note to vouch for Jason to Bruce later. There was no need to blame him for this.
Jason pulled his helmet back on and swapped places with Tim, turning the bike back on once they were both settled.
Tim felt a wave of tiredness hit him as they drove back, the exhaustion of the last couple of hours catching up with him. He found himself resting his head on Jason’s back. His eyes closed, the gentle rocking of the bike under them lulling him into a relaxed state. He didn’t even realise he was dosing off.
He woke up to a light shining in his eyes, and found himself face to face with Alfred.
The butler gave Tim a grim smile.
“Ah. Master Timothy. You’re awake. How does your head feel?”
“…fine.” Tim replied groggily, glancing around. Someone had laid him on one of the plush couches, the bruises he’d previously ignored stinging as he sat up.
He realised blearily Jason must have carried him inside. He didn’t see his brother nearby, but it was hard to see anything past the light Alfred was shining in his eyes.
“Ack- Alfred do you have to do that right now? I’m fine.”
The older man pursed his lips.
“It was very irresponsible for Master Jason to let to fall asleep. Luckily for both of you, you do not have a concussion. Now, may I finish the rest of the exam?”
Tim sighed and nodded, letting the butler check his arms and legs for any fractures or cuts, answering the occasional question about what hurt most.
Once he was satisfied Tim hadn’t received any serious injury, Alfred left, nodding at someone in the doorway before vanishing off.
Tim glanced up, and saw Jason hesitating by the door. He gave Tim an apologetic smile.
“Holdin’ up okay, Timmers?” He asked, stepping into the room. His eyes flicked over Tim, his brows creased with concern.
“Yeah. I’m all good.” Tim said, giving his brother a reassuring smile. He could still feel the warmth on his cheek from where he’d fallen asleep on Jason.
Jason breathed a sigh of relief.
He sat down next to Tim on the couch, and it was then he spotted the tub of ice cream.
“I umm.. didn’t know what flavour you liked so I just got chocolate.” Jason said awkwardly, noticing Tim’s gaze.
Tim smiled.
“Chocolate’s good. We could pour warm coffee over it and make it into a soup.”
Jason wrinkled his nose.
“You’re really fucking strange. Just eat it like a normal person.”
Tim laughed, and he felt his heart jump when Jason smiled also. He was glad to see his brother doing better. He had been unnerved by Jason’s earlier panic attack, and as Jason got up to grab utensils, Tim wondered how he might broach the topic with him.
Jason retrieved two spoons from the kitchen and cracked open the tub. Together they dug into the slightly melted ice cream. They ate in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds being the clink of metal when their spoons clashed over chocolate chunks.
Finally Tim worked up the courage to ask.
“So what happened out there?”
He heard Jason sigh, but didn’t look at him, eyes focused on the ice cream between them.
“Look… I umm… I have issues. That much is obvious. That… rage… from the Pit I mean. It scares me. Last time it took over… well, you know what happened.”
He paused for a second, spoon idly picking at the dessert.
“I never want to hurt you like that again. Or jeopardise my place in the family. It’s already been rocky enough finding a way back. I don’t want to make it any harder for myself. I guess… seeing you hurt today, knowing it was because of me. It scared me.”
Tim looked up at that, meeting his brother’s gaze. Jason swallowed, glancing away before forcing his eyes back to Tim’s.
“I’m real sorry, Tim. For everything. I’m glad you’re okay…”
Tim felt his lip tremble, and realised his eyes were stinging. Jason immediately hugged him, tugging him close against his chest.
Tim swallowed back a sob, sucking in a breath.
“S’okay, Jay…” He mumbled into his brother’s chest.
Jason cleared his throat, his voice a little strained.
“I know…”
They stayed like that for a while, Jason rubbing Tim’s back as they listened to the quiet sounds of the house.
Finally Tim pulled away, sitting up and wiping his eyes. Jason sniffed, smiling through a glassy gaze.
They looked at each other for a minute before Jason cleared his throat again.
“Alright. That’s enough mushy stuff. Let’s watch a movie or some shit.”
Tim laughed, Jason already grabbing the remote, the ice cream tub slowly melting between them.
“Alright.”
Bruce arrived home late that night. He’d been out on some mission, and was in a bad mood. He was about to storm upstairs to get changed, when he noticed two figures sitting on the couch, the TV paused on some movie.
His brows creased when he realised it was Jason and Tim.
He crept closer, and noticed the pair of them were asleep, Tim’s head on Jason’s shoulder. He watched them for a minute, feeling his chest swell with what he could only describe as paternal pride.
He silently took the melted ice cream and spoons back to the kitchen, and laid a blanket on their laps.
Then he left, letting his sons sleep.