Chapter Text
Tims eyes were open before his mind was, something foggy was pulling at the back of his neck; it hadn't moved for hours -- stirring with a click cck. He noticed a stinging prick behind his arm, undeniable.
Only remembering the bathroom, hiding a light-- Jason.
Still here, still real. It didn't go away.
But how did he get there?
Something cold travelled up his spine, he didn't know why his hair was wet.
Sitting up slowly, noticing the stinging sensation close to his fluke, not remembering what happened to make it raw. Or how the transformation was triggered, he wasn't in his room what felt like a moment ago.
Nothing. A complete gap in his memory that he could not pin on any particular event.
Faint static that burned on mute.
Flexing his fist, scarlet scales started to shimmer as heat rose from their surfaces, he was used to the heat now. A detail of his ordeal he could always be grateful for. His eyes were drawn to his window, he didn't recall shutting the blinds.
Steam sizzled -- suddenly spreading across his sight, the edges of the frail fabric that caught his eye dried, steamed -- smoked -- before igniting.
He flinched back, struggling to adjust himself upward -- the weight of his tail pinning him to the bed. He swung his arm, liquid from a nearby bottle sitting on the nightstand responded and threw itself towards the smoke, extinguished with a hiss.
What the hell was that... ?
Only after the smoke stopped from his window he noticed the burning in his lap, looking down scarlet scales paled, dried and cracked -- this hasn't happened before. It was never this hot.
He curls up, reaching for a towel he didn't notice on the edge of the bed, drying stray drops from the edges of his fins, feeling a rushing sensation take over him before he is back in his jeans. He noticed how his shirt loosely hung from the necklined.
It had been stretched -- it was still new.
Looking down he noticed a circular scab just below his knee, it wasn't there last night.
Tim scrambles to get up, ripping down the burnt curtain - trying to air out the creeping burning smell that filled the room. When he noticed how gray the view was from the window.
Outside he could hear footsteps, a cold rush travelled behind his neck, if there was no explanation before what could he say now. A pause, an eerie silence that filled his thoughts -- but there was no knock on the door, no hurried footsteps.
Tim couldn't help thinking who was just outside, nothing was unnoticed in the manor, trying not to think of what Dick, Alfred or even -- Jason would say.
Jason was there before his mind cut off, an unsettling creep rushed to his cheeks. If he didn't remember. Not even how he got here.
Tim was pacing without realizing, the room felt smaller walking circles in what felt like a bowl. How much longer can he keep this up -- how deep is this lie going to go before it goes away.
But it didn't go away.
12.15pm
His eyes kept on travelling to the digital clock resting on the nightstand.
He knew something happened but not knowing was eating him apart, the charred smell still lingered, he knew it was only a matter of time
-- the old copper handle jittered, the strained lock making its age known.
"Tim, what is that smell?" Dick's voice rung through the gaps in the door,
Tim freezes -- no plan, no answer ready. His mind couldn't focus on one particular thing, everything was a blur in the moment.
The silence stretched for another moment -- "Thought I'd check on you as well."
Something about that didn't sit well with Tim, Dick had no bad intentions but everyone was kept at arms reach, no more.
Tim mustered his thoughts together, "I'm okay, fell asleep with a lit candle" A stupid lie and he knew it. It's weak, immediate but he said it anyway.
Only receiving two lines Dick already felt like he was pressing, him along with every other resident knew something was not right, he speculated depression, others Damien -- a stubborn adolescent attitude.
Tim knew he was lingering just outside, hand still on the lock
"Alright, maybe keep the candle within reach next time" His voice sounded more reserved this time. The moment lingered, "Can you unlock this door..?" Tim hated how it was more of a plea than a request.
"Or we can talk here, but Alfred would be pretty peeved if these coffees go cold"
Of course Tim noticed the smell before anything was said, before his mind could catch up his hand was clicking the lock. Wasn't a moment before it opened to Dick's concerned yet relieved expression.
Tim avoided eye contact, he sank down to the edge of his bed, Dick stood a few steps back, holding two steaming mugs that cleared some of the haze behind his eyes.
Whatever he was pricked with was not the normal dosage.
DIck sat down next to him on the side of the mattress, leaving a noticeable space between them. It was respectful first before intruding, a pleasant contrast from the more stoic members of the family.
Ice still traced the lines of Tim's back, his posture was rigid like a soldier standing on a mine, one slip and it's over.
"So..." Dick broke the silence, Tim's eyes were locked on the mug resting on the bench, steam coated the edges -- a stray dripping brown drop from the rim keeping him at a distance.
"I'm not one hundred percent sure what has really been going on, but everyone has noticed" He took a breath, eyes diverting to the side. "I'm not here to pry at whatever is bothering you.. Everyone is worried about Tim."
Heat flushed to Tim's face, his throat felt dry, breaths going shallow, leaving all noise to his mentor, someone he felt he should trust with this.
Where could he even start though, too far gone, he knew there wasn't an excuse to the ongoing secrecy. He hadn't worn his mask in a month, it felt like years.
"Are you retiring?" That drew his attention, eyes locking on the space between them.
But he still did not have a response, too many thoughts dancing in his head to think,
"I don't want to talk about it.." was all he could muster, mind still loose.
"I'm not going to make you.." it felt honest, "but it's getting to a point..." Dick signed, dragging a hand down his face. "Everyone knows something went down last night... Jason made his usual dramatic exit this morning."
What?
Dick continued, not seeing how Tim paused, "He was not happy with you, kept on muttering how much of a -- and I quote; 'stupid dickhead' was repeated more than once", Dick couldn't hide his half smirk, if anyone received the blunt end of Jason's reactions, it was Nightwing.
"What did you do last night?"
The question there really wasn't an answer for, Tim allowed the silence to linger. Mouth opening and closing on its own, pallet dry and itchy.
"I know I upset a few people", that, he knew.
Dick didn't respond for a few moments, eyes darting across the room "I'd say call him but either his phone is off or he blocked everyone... again"
"He usually talks to you though" And those words carried an uncomfortable truth in the air, Tim tried not to let his thoughts about Jason linger, something unspoken between them for the last few years.
A distant tension that left off an uncomfortable atmosphere in the manor.
"You know you can talk to me though... right?" That last word hung for a moment.
"I know Dick," Tim responded, reserved, "I need time.."
Dick's eyes dropped down, resigned, "I can take a hint, don't worry" Dick stood with movement, making his way to the door. Before leaving, he glanced behind his shoulder, "I'll see you when you're ready to come out"
The handle clicked, footsteps faded down the empty corridor, the ringing behind his ears finally faltered. Tim took a deep breath, fading into a hiss. Reaching for the still steaming mug across the room.
It shifted before he could touch it, making him stall, the shifted liquid swaying over the edge and making contact with his wrist before he knew it. Now used to this, he leant back, letting the transformation overcome him before taking a sip of the lukewarm coffee.
Fins hung loosely towards the floor, accompanied with the uncomfortable weight that pulled him towards the edge of the bed, this was getting old -- his body is not designed for this environment.
Jason left the manor, lots of places he could be going, safehouses scattered around the city, friends woven between the scaffolding of the darker aspects of their community. It was the not knowing that annoyed everyone the most, Jason knew how not to be found.
When he didn't want to be.
This was something that Tim had no intention of prying further, too fixated on the unexplained gap in his memory, 12 hours at least from being confronted in the bathroom to nothing -- knowing he was tampered with as well, he didn't need to think hard to know who.
World's greatest detective afterall, Tim knew he had to know by now.
But no conversation? Confrontation..?
It felt like only a matter of time now.. He took a breath, hovering his hand just above his waist and slowly flexing his fingers, it reacted quickly again, more sensitive -- still raw from the last use of this power --, steam rising quickly from crismon scales before the mist overtook him and he was himself again.
Standing quickly, grabbing his coat, shoes & gloves he made his way out the door, not overhearing the crackling sound of the sky outside. A cool smell filled the hallway, complimenting the lifeless paintings that hung the walls.
He made his way to the foyer, intending to get on his bike and drive into the setting, but the sky rumbled again before he could reach the doorway. Falling drops darkened the steps of the manor and a sinking feeling filled the back of Tim's head.
Tim was stuck here.. Right
"Master Drake"
Alfred's intrusion made Tim jump, he couldn't see how far in his head he was, he swallowed, something thick and dry that stuck behind his tounge.
"Where are you off too..?" He enquired, an honest concern behind the question.
Tim turned, but didn't make eye contact "Just thought I'd stretch my legs a little.." he pushed his arms forward, trying to look casual but obviously strained "I really overslept.."
A pause, "Really umm crashed out last night, don't know what got into me"
Alred raised an eyebrow, unimpressed with Tim's white lie. The rushing sound of rain filled the gaps between them.
"Yes, sir. I recall Master Bruce assisting you to your room." He took a breath, "Sir, is there anything you'd wish to discuss?"
Tim turned on his heel before his consciousness caught up, an uneasy flush behind his eyes for an uncomfortable reality he was not prepared to discuss. It was supposed to be gone after last night; what didn't he do properly?
Alfred was left there, watching Tim disappear across the corridors.
He made his way over to the grandfather clock that broke up the hallway, adjusting the big hand. A wall started to shift behind him, steps rolling out in a synchronized pattern. Tim scurried down the steps, keeping his head down, ignoring the sound of screeching rodents that hung underground.
It was cold; he could see that the walls were damp. He was mindful of his gloves then, realizing it had become an unconscious habit in order to keep himself dry. He made his way down, into the dark cave where he could see both Bruce and Dick near the monitors, Barbara resting her palms on her keyboard.
First to notice him.
All conversation they may have been having haltered as soon as he entered the room.
"He lives.." Babs was the first to speak, breaking an uncomfortable silence in the open cave.
Tim felt exposed, something cold ran down his spine, feeling it run down to phantom fins, although he was standing on his feet. His eyes glanced beyond the titanium platforms that held them, seeing the running stream that flowed under the manor.
"Tim!" Dick exclaimed, "Finally come down for some training I see"
"He isn't" Bruce's voice cut through the air. He stared at Tim, forcing eye contact that told Tim everything. Bruce didn't look at him as Red Robin, as something different, something that has been changed.
Unnatural.
"Bruce what are you on about--"
"Nightwing as I was saying -- a sensor has been triggered in Arkham Asylum, I need you to go investigate this" Bruce's voice cut him off, a common occurrence. "Given recent transfers from blackgate there may be a potential breach"
Tim is still standing halfway up the stairs, attempting to avoid every eye in his direction.
Dick was already dressed, missing all but his domino, in the middle of the day as well. Typical. He raised a pointed finger towards Tim, "Raincheck okay! We will do something when I'm back! .. kay!" Picking up his escrima sticks, Dick made his way over to his bike.
Barbara ushered a gesture towards Tim, encouraging him the last few steps down, she saw how he wasn't blinking, a glossy expression that wouldn't focus on anything.
The hanger opened, a ramp extended and Nightwing rode out of the cave.
Bruce turned to look at Barbara and before his lips could part, "I have evidence to review upstairs," she turned her wheelchair in a swift movement, glancing back towards Tim, "We'll chat soon." A warm smile, and she was gone too.
The room felt smaller, though the space between them, Tim made way to turn but Bruce's voice cut through his movement.
"Sit down," He gestured to a nearby stool next to the table he was laid on last night, only he didn't know it.
Tim obliged, sinking slowly into the seat, eyes wandering to the table nearby. Something red caught his eye, small, circular.
His.
Bruce was staring at it too, neither knew what to say.
Tim shifted, feeling the stool shift under him, his throat was dry and uncomfortable. Bruce clicked on the monitor, and footage dated 7 hours ago shon on screen. He saw himself, looking drunk in the cave.
Ranting about... Jason.. Jesus, is that why he left, an unsettling heat rose to his cheeks.
The recording continued, he saw Bruce throw the beaker at him and that was the moment his heart sank, seeing his crimson fins fall onto the steel sterilised flooring set a chill deep in his bones.
"So did you know or just find out" Part of him already knew.
Bruce's gaze didn't break from the monitor, "For some time yes. You were not going to disclose this, despite what you have been told" Tim winced as his voice darkened.
The footage kept rolling, a grainy version of himself calling for Jason when he wasn't in the room, slipping to keep balance, coughing from the cold air. An uncomfortable spread of red that exposed this change that consumed him.
"While you have been dealing with this I have consulted Arthur, Kal dr and members of the league, whatever this is is unrecorded." Bruce was formal, quiet, aware it was just the two of them in the cavern. "Episodes like last night with unknown & uncontrolled behaviours.."
"The abilities are getting stronger," Tim's voice broke through the gap, he didn't think he could speak.
"Abilities?"
He raised his hand without thinking, water hauling down from the waterfalls surrounding cave walls froze in an instant, a growing creaking as his fingers shifted, ice cracking -- steam pushing through.
Winds rose in the cave, circling the waterfall as it shifted from Tim's control. Tim dropped his hand like he'd been burnt, the frozen arcs of water snapping and crashing to the currents below.
Bruce stood still, watching. No anger. No shock behind the cowl. Just the same stoic stillness everyone remembers seeing before a mission.
The stare wasn't cruel, but it was ongoing. "You don't have control," he said at last.
Eyes dropped to the cave floor, "who else knows?" Tim breathed out, feeling a pressure in his chest.
"Alfred," a pause, "we've respected your privacy this long, but this needs to be addressed"
"I'm not interested in being sprawled out on your lab table Bruce.." He took a breath, "I touch water, 10 seconds after that I spawn fins and usually fall down" It was becoming harder to ignore the pull in his chest, it kept him at a distance. Feeling smaller as the storm carried on outside.
"You are not stable. Your abilities appear to be volatile" Tim knew when Bruce was ignoring emotion, sticking stubbornly to the cold truth of the matter. He ran a hand down his face, sitting on the stool next to Tim, a half-hearted attempt to get to this level.
Tim knew his tactics, he looked away gripping at the stinging spot on his calf. Releasing it matched the red scale on the dish next to him, "what am I now..?"
"I don't know.." Bruce answered.