Chapter Text
Tim was back in Gotham. He had kept his promise, not telling Dick or Bruce about who was in the tower. He just told them it was a test he was running. They brushed it off, Dick ruffling his hair and calling him Baby Bird once again. At Least it wasn't Jason, but that had to be Jason's nickname.
A week later he was patrolling around by himself. Dick and Bruce were working on their own case, letting Tim patrol by himself. He was grateful for the freedom, liking the breath of fresh air compared to the tense atmosphere of patrol with the two. He was patrolling around, skirting around the edges of Crime alley. He knew not to wander inside, Hood having made it clear that other capes were not allowed in his turf. So Tim patrolled around it.
“Yo! Little bird!” A modulated voice called after him. Tim turned around and saw Hood walking up to him.
“Yes Hood?” He asked, tilting his head in confusion. Jason took off his helmet, a familiar domino mask on underneath.
“Just call me Jason. It's not like I have a living identity for people to tie the name to.” Jason replied. Tim only nodded.
“Why do you stick with them?” Jason asked. Tim stopped, looking at him.
“What do you mean?” Tim prompted.
“They treat you like shit. I've seen them on patrol, they treat you like a sidekick, not a teammate.” Jason pointed out. Tim just rolled his eyes.
“It's not that bad. They're just worried. They don't want me to die, they don't want another dead robin…no offence.” Tim added. Jason just shook his head, chuckling.
“Plus, they stopped calling me your name recently. Well, they don't call me your name as much.” Tim frowned slightly, trying to recount the amount of times his teammates called him Jason that month. Jason froze at Tim's words.
“What?” Jason asked, his voice devoid of any emotions. Tim just shrugged.
“I mean, it makes sense. I think Bruce has an idea that you're the Red Hood. And Dicks got better at not calling me your name. He usually only calls me Robin or Baby bird.” Jason just looked at him, his fists clenched.
“Come with me. We're going to have a little friendly chat with B and Dick.” Jason finally growled out, dragging Tim down the roof and to his motorbike a few alleys away. He sounded like the talk was going to be anything but friendly. Tim didn't really know what to say, just following Jason's lead and sitting on his bike. It was a relatively short ride from crime alley to the cave. Usually it would take longer, but Jason was definitely breaking several traffic rules with the speed they were going.
Jason's helmet was back on, and before they started he had shoved a spare helmet over Tim's face, Tim having grumbled in complaint but not taking it off. When they arrived in the cave Jason screeched his bike to a stop. Nightwing and Batman were talking in front of the Bat Computer and halted at the loud noise, both turning to look at the newcomers.
“Red Hood!?” Nightwing asked, confused.
“How do you know where this is!?” Bruce growled out. Jason didn't answer them, just hopping off his bike and stopping over to the two.
“Bruce Thomas Wayne!” Jason shouted, his modulated voice making it sound more pronounced. Bruce flinched back. Tim tried not to laugh.
“Oooh! Someone's in trouble!” Tim whispered as he walked behind Hood.
“How do you know-” Dick was interrupted by Jason turning on him.
“And don't get me started on you! Richard John Grayson Wayne I expected more from you!” Jason pointed an accusing finger at his older brother, his helmet still on. Nightwing froze, his hands still up in a placating pose.
“How do you know our identities?” Batman repeated. Jason only scoffed before ripping his helmet off and chucking it at Bruce. The helmet hit his square in the chest before bouncing off and landing on the floor.
“Jaylad?” Bruce asked, removing his cold. A broken look on his face. Jason was not having it, a furious look on his face.
“Don't go Jayladding me old man! I can't believe you!” Jason shouted. Dick and Bruce looked at him in shock and confusion.
“What are you talking about Jason? How are you alive?” Dick asked, looking at his little brother like he would disappear any moment. Jason just scoffed. Tim just started inching his way away from the three, trying to make his way back up to the manor to leave. But Jason just grabbed him and lifted him up like he was a scruffed cat. Tim screeched indignantly. Dick inched forwards, a frown on his face.
“What do you call this!?” Jason shouted at the two, Lifting up Tim for the two older men to see.
“That's Robin? What are you trying to say Jay?” Dick asked. Bruce also answers with Robin.
“No, what is his name?” Jason said, shaking Tim a bit.
“Baby bird.” Dick responded easily. “What are you getting at?” Jason growled, putting Tim down again. Tim was pretty confused at what Jason was doing.
“No, his fucking name Dickwing! What is his name?” Jason yelled.
“Tim.” Dick replied, looking at his brother in concern. Tim looked at Dick in awe, he said it. He had said his name. As if sensing his thought Jason whacked him over the head softly as if to say ‘No, don't go forgiving him for saying your name once’.
“Timothy Drake.” Bruce added. Jason laughed humorlessly.
“So you two do know his name. Then why didn't you use it!” Jason growled out, glaring at his father and brother.
“What are you talking about Jaylad?” Bruce asked. Meanwhile Dick had paled.
“Oh shit.” Dick breathed out, looking incredibly guilty. Bruce just looked at him, prompting him to elaborate.
“B, I don't think we have called him by his name in at least a year. We have only used nicknames or…” Dick looked at the two younger brothers with a guilty look. “Or called him Jason.” Bruce sucked in a breath as Tim looked at the floor. Jason just scoffed.
“Yeah, you two fucked up. I learned about this mainly when I was paying him a visit in the Tower and he practically started crying when I said his fucking name.” Jason exclaimed, waving his hands up in indignation. Tim flushed, glaring at his predecessor.
“I did not cry!” Tim screeched. Jason laughed.
“Oh you so did Timbo.” Jason jumped around his swipes, laughing. Tim just scowled, glaring at his brother.
“Asshole.” He muttered. Dick stepped forwards looking at Tim.
“Tim…” Tim froze, a hopeful look in his eyes. “I'm sorry Tim. I called you Jason and didn't notice. And that's probably one of the worst parts of it. I didn't notice.” Dick apologized, looking at the younger. Tim just nodded, clearing his throat and stepping forwards when Jason elbowed him.
“I accept your apology, but I don't forgive you.” Tim spoke, Dick nodding even though he looked sad. “I can give you another chance though, if you want.” Tim added the last bit a moment later, looking at the ground. Dick nodded aggressively, smiling at his little brother.
“Yes! I will do my best Baby bird!” He smiled, hugging Tim. Tim frowned a bit.
“Isn't baby bird what you would call Jason?” Dick just shook his head, Jason snorting.
“He would call me Little Wing. Baby bird is all yours.” Jason mused.
“Oh.” Tim sounded a bit shocked. He had a title, a nickname of his own. And he had had it this entire time. Tim smiled, hugging Dick back.
“I'm sorry Tim. I was a terrible mentor” Bruce finally spoke.
“Damn right you were.” Jason muttered. Tim just rolled his eyes at his older brother before looking back at Bruce.
“Ill say the same thing that I said to Dick. I don't forgive you, but ill give you another chance.” Tim replied. Bruce nodded.
“Thank you.” Tim just nodded. He hopes that this is the start to something good.
—
2 years later
“Tim!” Dick shouted.
“You backstabbing bitch!” Jason growled.
“Oh stop with the dramatics!” Tim laughed, driving past the two in Mario kart. Damian was sitting next to him, not playing but watching the game.
“I do not believe Grayson or Todd are able to stop their dramatics. They are what you have called ‘Theatre kids’. This is to be expected.” Damian noted. Tim cackled at his little brother's words while the two eldest spluttered in indignation.
“Betrayal, betrayal from our little brother!” Dick called, Tim rolling his eyes. He cheered as he crossed the finish line first. Jason cursing and Dick falling to his knees holding his remote like it killed his dog in front of him. Yeah, he loved his family.