Archive of Our Own

Tim awoke with a start, sweat slicked hair plastered to his forehead and clothes sticking to him uncomfortably. His heart was pounding erratically, and he could barely get any air in through his wheezing breaths. Everything was moving too fast, the walls were spinning and closing in on him all at once, and he could barely get a hold on his surroundings.

But there was something warm laying beside him.

That was unusual. And it was enough to get him grounded in the moment so he could take stock of wherever he actually was.

The room was unfamiliar, and he was laying in what appeared to be a massive mound of pillows and blankets. A soft, warm lavender blanket was pulled up around his waist where he was sat up, and a pleated green pillow was laying near where his head had been moments ago.

Oh, and he was hot as fuck. Like sweating buckets, fever, and needing a hospital soon hot.

And the scent…

Right.

He was in heat. His presentation heat, to be precise. He only put that together when the sticky sweet scent of pup-heat-omega-warm-pup finally processed in his mind.

And then, slowly all the events of the previous night came flooding back: Starting his heat, running away, meeting Robin, the alphas, hitting his head, saying Robin’s identity, waking up in the Batcave (he did not fanboy nearly enough about that fact), building a nest with Jason, dragging Jason into his nest…

Dragging Jason into his nest…

Jason was in his nest.

Tim glanced down and finally put a name to the warm being wrapped around his waist. Jason, an omega like him, was sleeping peacefully, arms wrapped around Tim’s waist, seemingly perfectly content to be in a stranger’s nest, seemingly content to have let a stranger build a nest in his house.

There was no way this was all actually okay. There was no reality in which Tim was actually allowed to be safe and warm and cuddled and protected by another person, another omega, in a nest as nice as this one. He could feel sobs beginning to claw their way up his throat, and tears pricked at his eyes.

This was too good to be true. Jason was gonna wake up and remember who he was, remember who Tim was and realize this was all wrong. He was going to leave and kick Tim out. And then Tim would be alone again, no pack, no family, no one to call his own…

A sob broke from his mouth, and Tim’s hands leapt up to stifle it. But nothing could stop the sudden onslaught of tears that wracked his body.

He didn’t want to be alone.

He wanted to stay like this, warm and safe and almost loved.

He could almost delude himself into thinking Jason liked him like this, that Jason and maybe even Bruce would want someone like him in their family, in their pack.

But that was all going to come to an end when Jason woke up. So Tim did his absolute best to shove down his sobbing, to be as quiet as possible, so he could soak up just a little more warmth from Jason’s arms that wrapped tight around his waist.

It didn’t last long enough.

Because in all his haste to quiet his cries, he wasn’t doing anything to mask the scent of scared-alone-terror-packless-need pack-need help-help-scared-puppy-omega-pack-pack-pack that was slowly filling the room.

All too soon, Jason’s eyes sprang open, and Tim couldn’t do anything to stifle the heart wrenching sob that burst from his chest when he saw that.

Jason shot up like a bullet, pupils blown wide, immediately on guard and looking for a threat.

Tim cried harder.

Jason, surveyed the room quickly, but finding no immediate threats, turned his attention quickly to Tim’s shaking form beside him. They were already almost on top of each other, so Jason didn’t have to move much to bring his arms around Tim, pulling him close and beginning to mutter sweet nothings into his hair.

“Shh, puppy, we’re safe. Shh, shh,” Jason crooned, stroking Tim’s hair gently.

Tim, who should be applauded at his self control, didn’t immediately relax into Jason’s hold. Instead he stiffened, pulling back from the boy beside him. This was nice of Jason, to make the end sweet, but Tim already knew he needed to leave, to go be alone again, so there was no point indulging these silly wants for pack, or cuddles, or warmth. Not when it was all fake and soon to be gone.

Jason stiffened too when Tim pulled away. “What’s wrong? Tim? We’re safe, I promise.” He sat up straighter, sniffing the air just to be sure that there was nothing and no one foreign in their bubble of security.

Tim shook like a leaf and hugged his arms around himself, before steeling himself and replying, “I-it’s okay, Jason. I know I have to go now. Y-you’ve all been so nice to me, but I c-can’t stay anymore.” His voice broke on every other word, and it was punctuated with sniffles and sobs, but he got it out, out in the open.

Jason stared at Tim, unsure what he meant, “Tim, what do you mean? Why can’t you stay?”

Tim couldn’t bite back a high keening whine at Jason’s constant endeavors to make this as sweet a goodbye as possible. But he could only play dumb for so long. “I’m not y-your pack. I know I h-have to go now. Now that my heat’s almost over.”

Jason blanched, reeling back like he’d been struck. “What, no?!” he protested. “Tim, you may not be pack, but we aren’t just gonna send you out to the streets! You have to stay here where you’re safe until we figure something out. Bruce won’t want you to leave, really!”

Tim just sniffled mournfully. Obviously Jason wasn’t getting this. Tim was a stranger. And he told Jason as much, pleading with him to understand, to make this goodbye easier. “Jason, I’m n-not yours,” he sobbed. “I can’t stay w-with another family that doesn’t w-want me!”

Jason glared back, “Tim, you…” he floundered, not able to put the way this pup had wiggled his way into Jason’s heart overnight into words. There was no world in which he and Bruce just kicked this packless pup out after everything he’d been through. It was actually far more likely that Bruce would want to keep Tim. “Tim, you don’t know that we don’t want you,” he pressed. He steeled himself for what he was about to say, readying himself for heartbreak if the pup didn’t react well.

“I want you.”

Tim gazed back at Jason, big blue eyes spilling tears down his baby-soft cheeks. And then he broke. He lunged for Jason, wrapping tiny arms around Jason’s back and pulling him in close. He sobbed into the soft fabric of Jason’s hoodie, getting snot and tears and saliva all over it yet again.

And then something that Tim was hesitant to even admit to himself happened.

A tiny spark. Just a hint of something featherlight against his chest, in his chest, deeper than skin. Tim almost missed it, but once he realized it was there, it consumed him, and it was all he could do not to scream at the sudden feeling of everything of something in his heart…

A new bond.

His first bond.

Jason untangled their arms and grabbed Tim by the shoulders, pushing him back so he could make eye contact.

“Did you feel that?!” Jason burst, eyes alight and a smile threatening to split his face.

Tim, tears still pouring down his cheeks, nodded harshly, head bobbing up and down like a bobble-head.

Jason laughed, something guttural and full of joy before dragging Tim back into his chest. They hugged for what felt like an eternity, before Tim sagged against Jason, all the fight from earlier going out of him and the events of the last twenty-four hours catching up to him.

He was exhausted.

But, but, but!

He had something now, someone to call his.

He felt around in his chest for the infant bond, cradling it and holding onto it like it was something precious, because it was. And then, tentatively and with all the care in the world, he gave it a tug.

Warmth bloomed all along his chest as Jason tugged right back, like it was nothing. Like he wasn’t giving Tim the entire world on a platter right now. Like he hadn’t just taken every insecurity Tim ever had and upended them without a care in the world.

Tim stifled a giggle as he toyed with his new bond, turning it over and over in his gentle hold, tears forgotten.

It was like a little string, alight with gold and happiness, just sitting right in his chest waiting for him to tug on it. This time when he gave it one more experimental tug, Jason waited a minute before pulling right back, and the effect was tenfold. His whole body felt like it’d been dipped in a furnace, bright and warm and soft and glowy. Everything was perfect.

He couldn’t be happier if he tried, and he’d tried all his life to get something even remotely akin to this new, precious, delicate bond. God, he could scream. He wanted to scream, to scream and scream until his voice was hoarse and gone because how had he gone his entire life without this joy, without this freedom? Without this love and belonging that felt so simple and pure.

He would die for Jason, he thought. He would kill for Jason. He would live for Jason. In a heartbeat. Without a second thought because this boy had given him the safety and security and love and peace and belonging and rightness that no one, especially not his parents, had been able to give him in his entire life.

And then, as quickly as his tears had come on before, they were back with a vengeance. He gripped at Jason’s hoodie and pushed his face into the boy’s neck, right up against his scent gland, and sobbed.

How had he lived before this? His life felt immediately spliced into two, the before and the after. Before Jason and now. Before he knew what it meant to be someone’s pack, and now, now where he was the richest pup in the world to have an actual, real life, bonafide bond with another human being. And he knew that if anything were to ever try to take this away from him, that he’d raze the earth in order to get it back. He’d kill a hundred Jokers for Jason. Because how could he not?

“Timmy?” Jason finally cut through Tim’s internal monologue of delight and fantasies of exactly everything he’d do if he lost this new precious thing he’d been given. “You alright? I know it’s new and exciting, but no one’s ever really reacted like this to a new bond around me before…” he trailed off, holding Tim close and carding a hand through his hair gently.

Tim nodded against Jason’s neck before he found his words, “It’s my first bond,” he whispered, like it was a monumental secret that he was sharing with Jason, which it shouldn’t have been given that Jason knew Tim was packless before now.

Despite that, the light, sweet, airy scent that had filled their room, one that screamed new pack-new pack-pack-pack-pack, soured just briefly.

“Your first ever?” Jason reiterated.

Tim nodded, and then squeaked when Jason’s arms squeezed just a fraction too tight.

“Not even one of your parents when you were a baby or a friend from school?”

Tim shook his head and then immediately set about reasoning it all away, “My parents don’t do pack stuff, they just never were really into holding me or scenting me or stuff like that. They’re much more formal and business-like. And I never had friends in school because I skipped two grades when I was young. So I was always the baby of my grade, so no one ever really wanted to be around me.”

Jason squeezed Tim again, eliciting yet another squeak of protest before Jason finally let the boy go. They both sat back and just took each other in for a minute, appreciating the new bond, the new pack they’d created.

Then Jason sprung up, leaping over the side of the nest. “We’ve gotta tell Bruce and Dickie! Oh and Alfie!” There was so much joy and wonder in his voice, that Tim felt absolutely horrendous, like the scum of the earth, when that suggestion sent ice water pouring down his back and anxiety curling around his throat.

“D-do we have to?” he croaked, twisting his fingers in his shirt.

Jason cocked his head in confusion, before replying, “Well, they’re my pack. They should know we have a new member…” he trailed off, eyeing Tim with intense scrutiny.

“I-its, it’s just,” Tim began, grabbing a nearby blanket and pulling it up to his chest, hiding most of his face behind it. “What if they’re mad or, or what if they don’t want a stranger in their pack…” his voice petered out, but more insecurities were on the tip of his tongue, just waiting to spill out the minute Jason allowed it.

But Jason was already shaking his head. He came up to the edge of the bed, hands reaching out for Tim’s own. “Timmy, they’re gonna love you. Bruce already cares about you, I could tell from how upset he was when he found out you were packless. And Dickie will be just ecstatic to have a new pup in the pack. He loves people and pups especially. And Alfie, you already met him. He’s the most caring man I’ve ever met, he won’t be mad or upset that you’re in our pack now. If anything, the only person you should’ve been scared about imposing on is me! I’m the pack omega, it’s my job to decide who comes in and out. And you already know I care about you, so it doesn’t even matter.”

Tim ducked his head and whispered, “But, what if they don’t like me?”

Jason scoffed, pulling Timi in for a hug. “What’s not to like? You’re tiny, huggable, cute! Everyone loves pups. And besides, you’re smart and perceptive. I mean you figured out the entire Justice League's identities at, what, nine years old? They’ll respect you and love you for being you, Timbo!”

Tim sniffled, and wrapped his legs around Jason’s middle, forcing the older to carry him. “Okay… but if they hate me, I warned you.”

Jason just chuckled, and squeezed Tim, eliciting another soft squeak. He was really starting to like doing that (it was fucking adorable, okay).

The two of them carefully exited the spare bedroom they’d been occupying, Jason carrying a still in heat Tim--although it was likely almost over given how coherent he was. They made their way through the Manor, out of the bedroom wing and towards Bruce’s study.

Jason held Tim close as he approached the study and knocked softly. Bruce was apparently not busy as a voice, just loud enough to be heard, beckoned them inside.

As they entered they found Bruce sitting behind his desk, a few papers strewn about as though he’d been in the middle of work, and laptop open. He looked up briefly, but did a double take when he saw both boys up and wandering about.

“What are you doing up? Shouldn’t Tim still be resting? Jason, now isn’t really the time for a tour…” He trailed off when he noticed Jason’s gigantic grin and the way he held the younger so close, like he was something precious.

Jason huffed, entering the study further and setting Tim down on one of the chairs facing Bruce’s desk. “We have something to tell you. It’s very important, but it’s also a delicate matter, and Tim’s nervous it will upset you,” he was cut off by said boy shooting him a murderous glare at the mention of his unease. “Well it’s true!” Jason shot right back. “Anyway,” he turned his attention back to Bruce. “I just want you to keep an open mind.”

Bruce stared back, gaze flitting between the two boys. “Alright, I can do that.”

Jason let out a breath and plowed on. “I formed a pack bond with Tim.”

Bruce’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline, and he zeroed in on Jason immediately. “You did?” He didn’t sound angry, so Tim was mildly relieved, but his shock was readily apparent, and Tim wasn’t quite sure that was any better. There was still room for him to outright reject the notion that Tim join the Wayne Pack.

“It’s still new,” Jason rushed to explain. “I wanted to tell you immediately, since this affects the whole pack, so as soon as it happened, we came right here.” He was fiddling with his sleeves anxiously, excitement slowly seeping out of him and being replaced with apprehension. Did he think Bruce would reject Tim? Was he second guessing the new bond? Did he regret bringing Tim into the pack?

Unsure what else to do to alleviate the tension steadily building in the room, Tim did the only thing he could think of, and reached deep into his chest and gave the bond a harsh yank.

Jason’s eyes shot up to Tim’s own, and he gave a sheepish smile. Apparently reassured, he continued to address Bruce. “It’s my job as pack omega to determine who comes and goes from our pack. I trust Tim, and I,” his eyebrows drew together, as if speaking about this were a challenge, “I care about him. He doesn’t deserve to go back to the streets, and his parents won’t accept him as an omega. They never even bonded with him to begin with. They don’t deserve him anyways if they can’t do the bare minimum as his parents and pack bond with him. Not only was he packless, but he had never even formed a bond before I did with him…”

Bruce let out a deep growl of disapproval at that revelation, and Jason seemed even more reassured by his reaction.

Jason went on, “I am Tim’s first bond, and I want to bring him into our pack. Officially, too. I’ve been thinking a lot about it, and I think you should find a way to get custody of Tim. He deserves--”

Bruce raised a hand to cut Jason off, and Jason’s jaw snapped shut with a click.

“Jason, the minute I realized Tim was packless when he had two perfectly capable, well-off parents to provide for him, I realized the severity of their negligence. I have already begun filing the appropriate paperwork to remove Tim from their custody. I was unsure about the appropriate placement for a pup in his circumstances, but what you’ve told me has made the situation clear.” He sucked in a breath, and Tim could feel his heart pounding out of his chest with anxiety. “I will file the paperwork necessary to place Tim in my custody. I’m already a registered foster care provider with the city, so the process should be relatively simple and painless. I anticipate that once Tim’s second-gender comes to light and the negligence of his parents is aired, that they will have no problem handing over custody of Tim to me without a fight.”

Jason nodded, clearly in agreement.

Tim on the other hand felt like all the air in the room had suddenly been sucked out. Taking in a breath was suddenly next to impossible, and he could feel the tell-tale prick of tears in his eyes. His throat was not cooperating, and he let out a high keening sound--a call for pack to come to his side.

Jason reacted instantly, falling to his knees in front of Tim’s chair.

“Timmy, what’s wrong?” He brought a hand up to wipe away the tears that had yet to fall from Tim’s eyes. Tim nuzzled into the contact, then slipped forward off of the chair and into Jason’s lap.

“I don’t wanna cry anymore,” Tim mumbled into Jason’s neck, pressing his face into the warmth there.

“Okay, okay,’ Jason cooed.

Bruce had risen from his desk the moment Tim showed signs of distress, and he now slowly rounded its corner to stand beside the pair. He knelt to the ground beside them.

“Tim, I understand this is a lot to take in,” Bruce began, hand coming up to rub at the pup’s back, “You’ve been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. But I hope this is good news for you. I may not know you well, but I trust Jason’s judgment. I would welcome you into our pack if you’re willing. I hate to see a pup suffer as much as you have, especially when this could have entirely been prevented by your parents. And I promise that under this roof, you would never suffer as you have up to now.”

Tim’s wishes were staunchly ignored as tears began to slip down his cheeks for the umpteenth time that day. He whimpered lightly against Jason’s neck, and the boy reacted by bringing a hand up to card through his hair.

“Shh,” Jason soothed, “Just let us take care of you.”

And Tim went boneless against him, content with the belief that he was safe here with the Waynes. Not only did he have a new brother to protect him, but he had Gotham’s most feared vigilante right beside him, ready to bite the heads of anyone who dared to even attempt to harm him.

--- --- ---

Dick Grayson was accustomed to receiving frantic calls at ungodly hours in the night, usually from either Bruce or Alfred, telling him of some tragedy that had befallen one of his packmates. Occasionally Jason would call inviting him to patrol the streets of Gotham. Or there were the standard weekly calls from Alfred reiterating the standing invitation for dinner at Wayne Manor, which came at approximately the same time every week.

So when he got a phone call from Wayne Manor outside Alfred’s usual invitation hours, he steeled himself for tragic news.

He was shocked to be greeted rather calmly by Bruce.

“Dick,” Bruce’s deep voice rang in his ear, “Good afternoon, I hope you’re not too busy to talk.”

Dick cleared his voice, letting the panic that had consumed him when he saw the caller ID settle. “No, no. It’s good to hear from you. What’s got you calling me? Nothing too terrible?”

Bruce made a noise of dissent, and spoke again, “No, nothing like that, although you may want to take the news sitting down.”

Alarm bells immediately went off in Dick’s brain, and he gingerly sat himself on the ratty old couch in his living room.

Bruce went on, “Jason wanted to tell you himself, but he’s been a little,” he paused, looking for an appropriate word, “preoccupied.”

Dick shifted in his seat. “You sure everything’s okay?” Dick asked again.

“Everyone is healthy and well if that’s what you’re asking,” Bruce reassured. “But,” he sighed, “On patrol last night, Jason came across a young presenting omega, he couldn’t have been more than ten or eleven, and well, we did eventually find out he is eleven, but that’s besides the point. The pup had hit his head and was clearly delirious, and he called Jason by name. Naturally we brought him back to the cave for questioning, and he revealed that he knew of your identity and mine, as well as the vast majority of the Justice League.” Dick’s stomach was plummeting through the floorboards as Bruce kept talking, “What’s more is that he was packless. We spoke with him longer and it was revealed that he is the Drake’s son--you know them, our neighbors. It was clear that this was a serious case of child neglect, for a pup his age to never have bonded with their parents. We set him up in a room here at the Manor, just to ride out his heat, until we could find more permanent arrangements.”

Bruce paused and sighed. “It may be unconventional, but Jason took it upon himself to care for the pup, helped him build a nest, scented him, just generally took care of him. And it would appear that in that short time, the two have formed a bond.”

Dick sucked in a harsh breath.

“Jason has deemed it appropriate that we take this pup in, let him join our pack, make him part of the Wayne family. I’ve discussed it with Alfred already, and I’m not opposed to the arrangement. I think the boy would make a fine addition to the pack, Jason seems to agree, and it is his role as pack omega to sort out these sorts of things, after all.”

Dick sighed, running a hand down his face. There were so many things that could go absolutely wrong with adopting a random pup off the streets--especially one clever enough to figure out the identities of the entire Justice League. But really, this was possibly the most in-character behavior for Bruce to do in this situation.

Not willing to argue or criticize any of their actions, especially Jason’s, Dick had only one question:

“What’s his name?”

--- --- ---

Tim was meant to be meeting the last member of the family today, Dick Grayson. To put things lightly, he was one strong word away from disintegrating into the hardwood, never to be seen again. They’d waited out the rest of his heat, the longest four days of Tim’s life, before setting up the meeting. The heat had gone pretty smoothly if Tim was being honest though. He’d been allowed to nest the whole time, and Jason had stayed with him pretty much constantly, sleeping with Tim in the nest and cuddling him during the night. Alfred had brought them all sorts of refreshments throughout even though Tim insisted that he felt fine and wasn’t hungry. In fact, he actually felt pretty nauseous most of the time, only eating anything of actual substance at Jason and Alfred’s insistence. Other than the nausea, there hadn’t been any major symptoms of note for the later four days of his heat. Although, Jason said that was probably because it was his first one. It was more of a puppy heat than anything, simply designed to alert his pack that he was an omega and get them to cuddle him and keep him safe. The first several heats would be like that apparently, only getting more severe as time wore on. He wouldn’t have to deal with any of the more sexual symptoms of heats until he was an adult, around eighteen or twenty, Jason said.

Anyway, that was all well and good. But currently, Tim was dreading meeting his last packmate. Well, maybe dreading was the wrong word. He wasn’t dreading it so much as he was shaking in his boots with apprehension. What if Dick didn’t approve of him? What if Dick didn’t like him personally? What if Dick didn’t like having a stranger in his home? He was an alpha after all, and not all alphas were like Bruce in being so open and welcoming. What if he was protective of Jason and Bruce and Alfred? What if he saw Tim as a threat? What if he just didn’t want to get to know someone new?---that would be valid!

There were too many variables for Tim to think about when it came to meeting a whole new person that was supposed to be like family to him.

Instead of allowing himself to spiral more, Tim focused on getting ready. Bruce and Alfred had gone by his house on the third day of his heat to get more of his things, so he had all of his clothes and his stuff like his toothbrush, his shampoo and conditioner, his deodorant, etcetera, and most important of all his camera! And he even got them to pry up the floorboard under his bed and get his stash of photos of all of them (of course they didn’t know what it was, they just saw the box the photos resided in).

All this to say, Tim had his nicest clothes aside from his suits (he had them leave all but one of those behind since he didn’t foresee needing them anytime soon). He pulled on a collared cream colored shirt and a green sweater and then some khakis as pants, and topped it all off with green socks, and some nice tan shoes. He made sure to brush his hair, brush his teeth, pinch his cheeks for some color, and then sat in the chair beside his bed to wait. He had to look nice for this introduction. So he did his absolute best to sit up straight, eyes forward, and tried not to fidget. He wasn’t sure what time exactly Dick would be arriving, so he was ready at a sharp 10:00 am. Oh! And, he’d deconstructed the nest on his bed, folding all the blankets and setting them along with all the pillows neatly at the foot of his bed, before making the bed seamlessly.

Yes, everything should be in order for when Dick arrived, not that he’d be going into Tim’s room, but he figured it would be best to clean it all up anyways.

The time wore on, and soon Alfred was coming to collect him for brunch---it was Sunday after all. Perhaps Dick would be arriving in time for the meal. The thought had Tim feeling the familiar bite of nausea in his stomach, but he smiled kindly at Alfred and tried to hide any signs of distress. Luckily Alfred didn’t seem at all worried, and he even complimented Tim on his outfit.

“Looking dashing, Master Timothy,” Alfred noted as they came upon the dining room.

Jason was already in his seat, munching on a piece of toast, when he looked up and made eye contact with Tim. And then he looked Tim up and down. And then he burst into uproarious laughter.

Tim was scandalized as the boy in front of him guffawed, clawing at his stomach and nearly knocking over his glass of orange juice with his antics.

“What?!” Tim exclaimed, looking himself over, up and down, searching for some mistake or flaw that would elicit such a reaction. Maybe it was his collar? Was it sticking up? Maybe his khakis weren’t finely pressed enough? Or his hair? A hand came up to touch it unconsciously.

And then Alfred smacked Jason upside the head roughly, and the laughter slowly subsided.

“No, no, this is too good!” Jason wheezed.

“What?” Tim moaned, he looked himself over once more before Alfred cut in, silencing the dread slowly building in Tim.

“Master Jason, you’ll do well to get yourself in order. Making fun of Master Timothy is unbecoming. He is simply nervous for his first meeting with Master Dick and wanting to make a good first impression. You could take a page out of his book when it comes to attire on such occasions,” Alfred finished with another smack to the back of Jason’s head when he snickered again, and then turned and made his way back into the kitchen to serve brunch.

It was then that Tim noticed what Jason himself was wearing: a hoodie and jeans.

Oh.

Oh god, not the waterworks again.

“No! No, Tim!” Jason was out of his seat now, rushing around the table to Tim’s side. “No, baby bird! I’m sorry for laughing! Don’t cry! God, I’m such an asshole…” The last part was mumbled roughly.

Tim sniffled before scrubbing the half-formed tears away.

“Look, you look great, really. I just thought it was silly of you to take meeting Dick-fucking-Grayson so seriously. But you look nice, really,” Jason was clearly panicking at having upset Tim so much.

Tim sniffled again before asking, “Should I change into something more appropriate?” in a small voice.

“Nooo! No, puppy, you look fine! Dick’s gonna love that you dressed up just to meet him! Though he’ll probably show up in fucking shorts and a crop top, the damn twink. But he’ll really appreciate the effort you’re making to leave a good first impression.” Jason pulled Tim into a quick embrace before letting him go so he didn’t rumple Tim’s clothes. “Really, you look so nice. Don’t change.”

“Okay,” Tim replied, a smile sneaking onto his face. They sat down then, Tim catty-corner to Jason since the older omega had taken a seat at the head of the table and Tim couldn’t sit next to him.

“Jason?” Tim began, getting the other’s attention. “When is Dick coming exactly?”

Jason paused a minute before answering, “‘M not really sure. We told him to come for brunch though, so he should be here soon. Brunch always starts at eleven, so he should know when to get here. Unless he’s late, which he very well may be.”

Tim nodded, anxiety curling in his stomach. Then a spark of hope emerged in all the darkness and he sat up ramrod straight, eyes gleaming. Alfred entered at exactly that moment, arms full of scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy, and Tim eyed him in excitement.

“Alfred!” Tim nearly yelled in his sudden burst of energy. “Can I pretty please have some coffee?” They hadn’t been letting him have it during his heat since the caffeine could mess with his already out of whack hormones, but now...

Alfred eyed him warily, setting his dishes down on the table. Jason immediately dug in, making a heaping plate of eggs and biscuits. “I suppose, one mug couldn’t hurt…” he began.

But Tim didn’t let him finish his thought before he was jumping from his seat and hugging the older beta around his middle. The room filled with the scent of a very pleased omega, taking on the bright fresh scent of happy-warm-pleased-omega-pup-happy-happy-happy.

Alfred smiled softly down at Tim, and Tim bashfully released the beta. “Sorry,” Tim muttered.

“Not at all,” Alfred immediately shot, “I’m simply pleased that you’re so overjoyed, Master Timothy.” He turned back to the kitchen before tossing over his shoulder, “And you may hug me whenever you like.”

“O-okay,” Tim called back, too pleased with himself to really feel embarrassed for hugging the elderly butler. He reclaimed his seat and began making a hesitant plate of biscuits and gravy. His stomach still felt a little wobbly, but no one could pass up on Alfred’s cooking.

It was then that Bruce appeared, taking the other head seat at the table across from Jason.

“Boys,” Bruce greeted with an incline of his head.

“Morning,” Jason called through a mouthful of eggs.

“Good morning,” Tim added, decidedly not with a mouthful of food.

Alfred came sweeping into the room, two mugs of coffee in hand. He set one in front of Bruce before gently setting the other before Tim.

Tim wanted to inhale the beverage, but he held back, knowing he would probably be limited to one cup per day if Alfred and the rest of them had any say in it. Best to savor it and make it last as long as it would stay warm.

He was taking a sip when he heard the slam of the front door from the front hall, and he nearly choked to death, Jason having to reach over and slam his hand on Tim’s back harshly to get all the coffee out of his lungs.

“That’ll be Master Dick, I presume,” Alfred observed. “I’ll go collect his jacket and bring him to the table.” He eyed Tim closely and then quickly exited, off to bring Dick here.

“Don’t die on me now,” Jason said through a smirk, giving Tim one last hearty whack on the back.

Tim grinned back shakily, but inside he was slowly dying, turning to dust and blowing away in the breeze.

“He’s just some guy,” Jason reassured. “Don’t worry what he’ll think. I promise he’ll love you.”

Tim’s expression didn’t change from its shaky smile. He was kind of frozen with an anxious grin on his face, the kind of face you make when you’re so uncomfortable that you’re forced to smile because you’re so terrified and queasy on the inside.

He would be fine. He had to be. This all had to be fine. There wasn’t any other option at this point. Either this turned out fine, or Tim would probably die. Because he’d rather die than give up the small glimpse into what life could be like with a pack, a family.

--- --- ---

Dick was greeted almost immediately after having entered the manor by Alfred, who politely took his jacket and hung it in the closet.

“Master Dick, everyone is already in the dining room awaiting your entry,” Alfred informed him.

“It’s good to see you too, Alfie,” Dick joked through a smirk.

“Of course, and you as well.” Alfred paused then before leading him to the dining room, “You’ll be eager to meet young Master Timothy, I presume?” Alfred asked, still halting their progress to the dining room.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m here,” Dick replied, eyeing the butler.

Alfred didn’t seem satisfied with that answer and instead added, “He’s quite a bundle of nerves, that one. He’s taking this introduction quite seriously.”

Was that a note of protectiveness Dick was picking up on? This kid had certainly wormed his way into the pack’s dynamic if even Alfred was feeling protective of him.

Finally, the butler led them away and into the dining room, and Dick was greeted warmly with a hug from Bruce.

“It’s good to see you, chum,” Bruce murmured into Dick’s ear as they embraced. The two didn’t always get along even at the best of times, but they always made it a point to remind the other that they still loved them at the end of the day. It seemed Bruce was feeling rather familial today.

“You too,” Dick mumbled before breaking off the hug and taking in the rest of the room. Jason was absolutely shoveling eggs and biscuits and gravy into his maw, clearly ravenous as always, and beside him sat…

Jesus this kid was tiny.

Tim stared back at him, awed. The boy was dressed nicer than anyone else at the table, even Bruce, who was just in slacks and a button up. He looked like he was on his way to Easter Sunday, christ… Did he dress up just to see Dick? Did Alfred help him get ready?! Suddenly Dick himself felt underdressed in just jeans and a t-shirt.

“G-good morning,” Dick finally greeted the rest of the room.

“It’s almost 11:30, barely morning anymore. It’s almost noon,” came Jason’s quick retort, but he rose from his seat, pausing the devouring of his meal, to come give Dick a quick hug. And behind him trailed the world’s tiniest eleven year old (he couldn’t really be eleven!) hesitantly.

They embraced quickly, slapping each other on the back, Dick pressing a wrist to Jason’s neck in the process, scenting the younger boy, which earned him a dark scowl, but no verbal remark, so Dick counted it as a win. Outside of his heats, Jason barely allowed physical affection, let alone scenting or cuddling or other pack-related activities. Dick would take what he could get when he could get it.

A tiny squeak pulled him from his thoughts, as Jason shoved a shaking Tim towards Dick.

“G-good morning,” came a soft, high voice. “I-its n-nice to meet you.” The tiny pup stuck a quivering hand out, and Dick carefully took it in his own, shaking it gently.

“It’s nice to meet you too. I’m Dick.”

“I’m T-tim.”

Dick smiled softly. “I’m sure you’ve heard all about me from Jason,” Dick ribbed, teasing his brother slightly with the comment.

Tim’s eyes blew wide open, and he turned to Jason quickly, looking for what to say to that.

“Don’t scare him!” Jason growled, stepping into Tim’s space protectively.

“Boys,” Bruce rumbled from across the table in warning.

“I’m just kidding,” Dick laughed, relieved when the hitch in Tim’s shoulders seemed to ease a bit at the joke. “I’ve heard a lot about you though,” Dick added.

A furious blush erupted on Tim’s cheeks. Dick took the silence as an opportunity to crouch down, making Tim slightly taller in their interaction.

“Bruce tells me you figured out all our and the Justice League’s identities when you were only nine years old,” Dick explained. The blush and the shaking only seemed to get worse. “That’s quite a feat. I’m pretty sure when I was nine I had barely figured out who Clark was, let alone the rest of the Justice League.”

Tim immediately started shaking his head, “N-no, when you were nine, you were already well into your career as Robin. I’m s-sure you had all of this stuff figured out. Plus your career with the Flying Graysons! You were already an accomplished acrobat and vigilante---” He shut up suddenly, hand shooting up to press against his mouth. “S-sorry.” The muffled squeak was barely heard from behind his hand.

“No, no, you’re fine, Tim. No need to apologize,” Dick quickly assured. His own blush was slowly spreading across his cheeks at the pup’s clear fascination with him as a vigilante, and during his childhood career as Robin no less.

Jason took that as an opportunity to intervene, “Well, now that we know you two know all about each other, let’s eat before Alfie’s cooking gets any colder!”

Dick nodded and rose to his feet, knees popping on the way up.

Tim quickly followed Jason back to the table and sat in his seat. And! Who the fuck gave the eleven year old coffee?! Whatever, Dick took a seat near the middle of the table so he could talk to both Bruce and Jason and Tim, quickly making a plate as Alfred brought out the last of the dishes, some bacon and fresh fruit cut into bite sized pieces.

Jason loaded his plate up more and began to dig back in, while Tim picked at his plate hesitantly. Bruce was eating fine, Dick barely paid him any mind. And, finally, Alfred sat down to join them, taking his own selection of the meals he’d painstakingly prepared.

The meal passed in relative silence, the occasional ribbing from either Dick or Jason towards the other being punctuated by warnings from Bruce to behave, but all in all it was uneventful.

Towards the end of the meal, once almost everyone had cleared their plates (with the exception of Tim, which had something primal in Dick’s chest roiling with unease and displeasure), Tim finally piped up.

“C-can I be excused?” He asked quietly, standing from his seat. “Please,” he tacked on pitifully.

Bruce’s eyebrows shot up his forehead at the question, but he answered quickly nonetheless, “Of course, Tim. You don’t have to ask.”

The pup just nodded solemnly and quiet as a mouse slipped from the room.

After a beat, long enough that Tim was out of earshot, Jason erupted in sound.

“Dick!” He shouted, so loud that Dick wouldn’t be surprised if Tim still heard them from wherever he’d disappeared to. “You fucking terrified him!” Jason stood from his seat, arms coming up in exasperation.

“Language.”

“What?! Me?!” Dick shouted in reply. “It’s not my fault he was scared!”

“Yeah, well you certainly didn’t help!” Jason shot back, “What the fuck was that: ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’ What are you, a stalker?! You totally freaked him out!”

Dick scoffed in scandal, “I was making conversation! Look it up!”

Jason scoffed right back, “Well, you weren’t doing a very good job! He’s just a puppy!”

“Boys, is this really the most conducive use of our time together?” Bruce sighed wearily, effectively breaking up the argument.

Jason glared at him but harrumphed in defeat, “No. I should go make sure Tim is actually okay.”

Dick made a sheepish expression. He really wasn’t trying to scare or upset the pup. He hadn’t thought it had gone that bad anyway, at least until Tim had excused himself…

With that, Jason up and left, and Dick was quick to follow. He should apologize for the rough first meeting, and maybe offer the pup ice cream, or a movie, or a video game, or whatever the pup was into.

Jason quickly made his way to the family wing, and beelined to one of the unused bedrooms. They must’ve set up Tim in there. Dick was about to enter right behind him when he heard a muffled sob and froze.

“Baby bird! What’s wrong?!,” came Jason’s voice from within the bedroom. Dick paused outside, letting the door swing shut behind Jason and carefully listened in. Their voices were muffled, but Dick could still make out every word.

“I ruined it!” Tim cried. Dick could only imagine how distressed the pup looked.

“No, no, no,” Jason cooed. Dick imagined him wrapping the pup in his arms, and then remembered this was Jason he was thinking about and scratched that from memory.

“I-I” the pup choked on a sob as he tried to get words out, and Dick was suddenly hit with a wave of distressed omegan pup pheromones, screaming help-sad-puppy-omega-distress-help-help-help. Tim finally found his words as he went on, “I w-went on and on about him being R-robin and h-his d-dead parents, and I r-ruined e-everything!”

“No,” Jason crooned. (Crooned? Jason could croon?) “Puppy, I promise you didn’t ruin anything. Dickie wasn’t mad at you! He probably thought you were so cute, fanboying over him like that. That’s what I thought. I’m sure he didn’t take it like that.”

“N-no,” Tim cried, choking on sobs. “My p-parents taught me h-how to behave a-and I ruined a-all of it!”

Jason growled, and Dick caught a whiff of protective omega drowning out Tim’s distressed pheromones. “Baby bird, those assholes didn’t teach you shit. You did great today. And if Dickie didn’t like you, he’s a dead man.”

“H-he’s your p-pack. Not me,” Tim sobbed, hiccuping painfully on the last syllable.

“Tim.” Jason ground out stonily. “You are my pack now.” Dick felt a swell of pride in his little brother for being so protective of this pup. “I care about you just as much as I care about Dick.”

Tim sobbed harshly, and Dick decided he’d let this go on long enough. He knocked on the door twice before pushing it open, revealing a sobbing pup curled on Jason’s lap in the chair beside a perfectly made bed.

“Sorry to intrude,” Dick began softly. The room reeked of distressed pup (with the faintest whiff of puppy heat underneath that tugged at Dick’s heartstrings) making Dick’s stomach flip flop with anxiety. The two boys froze like statues upon seeing Dick enter the room, and Tim muffled a choked off sob in his throat. “I heard most of the conversation, and Tim, I promise you didn’t ruin anything.”

The pup whimpered, and Dick pressed on, moving closer to the pair. “I thought you were adorable and I was a little surprised they gave you coffee, and I was embarrassed that I didn’t dress up like you did, but I promise I wasn’t ever mad or disappointed or upset with you.”

He took another step into the room and then made the conscious decision to do something he might regret later. With a sigh he let his scent overpower the other two in the room, pumping out safe-protect-alpha-safe-happy-alpha-warm-safe over the scent of distressed pup and overprotective omega. Jason visibly relaxed, but Tim stayed frozen where he was curled in Jason’s lap.

Dick was in front of them now, and he crouched down so he was eye level with Tim for a second time that day. “I promise,” he whispered. “And, I may not know you well today, but I promise that after today, I only want to get to know more about you. You made a spectacular first impression.”

He held a hand out to the terrified pup.

“Really?” came a shaky, soft voice.

Dick smiled as bright as the sun, “Really.” Tim took his hand, and Dick pulled him off Jason’s lap, and into his own. Immediately, two tiny hands came up to fist in his t-shirt,a dn he wrapped an arm protectively around Tim’s back, holding him close. “It’s been a while since I got to hold a puppy as small as you,” Dick whispered, eyeing Jason.

“Watch it, Dick-face,” Jason retorted. “He’s mine.”

Dick clicked his tongue thoughtfully and rubbed a hand up and down Tim’s back. “Okay,” he replied, but a smirk was growing on his face.

Jason scoffed, but slid off the chair and wrapped his arms around the ball of Dick and Tim in front of him.

Yeah, Dick could get used to this.

They stayed like that for several moments before Tim sniffled and poked his head out of the embrace. “I’m hungry,” he mumbled.

Jason slapped a hand on his face and dragged it down aggressively. “Of fucking course you are. You barely touched your biscuits and gravy.”

Dick smiled down at the puppy in his arms, “We can reheat leftovers. Don’t let Mr. Grumpy over here worry you.”