Chapter Text
Peter Burke will puzzle over some of Neal Caffrey’s alleged heists, even after the conman is safely behind bars. There’s something about Neal that draws him to the case again and again, feeling like he’s missing something.
Neal, however, does not give up his secrets. His brother, however, and those trained by the Bat can read his message loud and clear.
A set of notes, written in Jane Austen’s hand, for Jason, who always returns to her books when in need of comfort.
St. George and the Dragon painted by Raphael, something Damian would stare at thoughtfully in art books in the library.
A rare limited-edition poster of The Flying Grayson’s that commemorated Dick’s first show with his parents.
A limited-edition comic that Stephanie talked about with Tim all of the time.
A beautiful sculpture from an up-and-coming Gotham artist (who had grown in fame in Paris) that Thomas Wayne had gifted to his wife after the birth of their son, Bruce.
Greek antiquities for Cassie, not Themysciran because Neal doesn’t have a death wish. No, antiquities tied into her mother’s research.
All, of course, had one thing in common. They had hurt Timothy Jackson Drake. Neal Caffrey may have left Gotham behind, but he was never leaving Tim behind, not for anything, not ever. So, well, he hurt those who hurt his brother in different ways.
Some jobs, sure, are purely for skill, for the thrill, for Neal to push his mind further, for that next big score. Others, however, are purely symbolic. Jobs against those who have hurt his brother. Those who harmed Tim when they were supposed to love him.
Neal Caffrey is still Thomas N. Drake and his parents were ruthless and vicious, which passed to their children in different ways. (They were supposed to be better to his brother.)
Tim may forgive them, but Neal sure as fuck doesn't have too.
It's funny to Neal. Well funny in the way that twins are funny, he supposes. Though he's never met a pair quite like him and Tim. Tim holds grudges for others, those outside himself. Superman for hurting Kon, for example. But when Tim is the aggrieved party? No.
So, Neal observes and keeps notes. He marks down all who have hurt his brother and what sort of thing that they most love, what they will most like to see. The things that they've taken from Tim, many of them were invisible. Jason took Tim's safety. Damian took his sense of belonging. Neal would go on, but he feels like the point has been well enough made.
He takes physical things that they admire, that they want to see, that aligns with their interests. It's all a reminder from him to them. Tim may forgive them, but Neal sure as hell doesn't.
People have stolen for pettier reasons, he feels. So, he takes and hides them away. Maybe, maybe if they give Tim a real apology, then he'll return them.