Chapter Text
Robin was magic.
Pure, glittering magic. Every flip, somersault, and dive was like watching the boy wonder sprout wings and fly. It was freedom, to be able to fly freely above the city like that. To do even an ounce of the moves that Robin did would make anyone soar.
Tim was a smart boy.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that Bruce Wayne was Batman. To him though? Having Batman as your neighbor was cool. But having Robin as your next door neighbor? That was even cooler, bordering on fantastical.
Tim was such a smart boy...
When he had his first vision he came to the logical conclusion that this must be some type of soulmate. Through the process of elimination he figured out that these visions were just visions. No body swap, no hearing, or touch. Just vision. Blinking triggered them to end and begin, and they lasted for varying time periods.
The first time he blinked he found himself transported from his pristine house to a damp alleyway somewhere in Gotham. He silently watched as his new eyes frantically looked around before digging around in a dumpster. It was gross. Tim could hear his mother's scolding voice just watching the scene unfold. He blinked and then he was back in the lonely house he lived in.
Arguably, Tim was too young to be interested in a soulmate. However, as time went on he found that he really liked having one. Whenever the house felt suffocating he'd think back to alleyways and dumpsters and sketchy living situations. Sure, Robin was magic and freedom, but there was a certain natural charm to not living in a perpetual prison… with his parents always gone it was nice to not feel so alone. As time went on Tim came to look forward to his visions. His soulmate easily became a regular aspect of his life.
In fact, his soulmate became such a fundamental part of his life that Tim had decided to try photography. His soulmate taught him exactly how to navigate Gotham through their visions. Tim was practically a professional. His soulmate was a great teacher afterall. It was during one of his photography sessions that he blinked and was transported to an alley different from the one he had been in previously.
His soulmate quickly looked around. Tim had noticed that his soulmate had recently picked up tire jacking so he assumed that his soulmate was working.
Then his view landed on the Batmobile.
Tim sucked in a breath.
Batman wouldn't hurt his soulmate… right?
Tim watched in mounting worry as his soulmate rushed forward and began to work. A blink later and Tim was left back in his own alley, dazed and worried.
That night he went home early. He anxiously awaited his next vision for proof that his soulmate had survived contact with Batman. Anything. Even just a blip of a view. Something to prove his foolish soulmate was okay.
It took weeks.
Weeks of agonizing.
Then, finally, Tim blinked while his mom was scolding him for his manners.
Instead of dark alleyways, dirty ground, and sketchy buildings Tim's eyes were focused on a big computer. He wondered where his soulmate had ended up. It looked like… a cave? It was certainly cave-like. Maybe a cavern?
His view panned over and his eyes landed on Batman.
With his cowl down.
Tim gasped and blinked.
Gone was the view of Bruce Wayne in his suit and instead was his mother's disappointed face. Her lips were turned down in a sharp frown.
“Timothy, are you paying attention? This is of the utmost importance! If you are to inherit the Drake family business you must be proper!” his mother chided.
Tim nodded but his mind was reeling. His soulmate was safe. Not only that but his soulmate knew Bruce Wayne was Batman! But if his soulmate knew the truth then… Tim gasped.
“Did Mr. Wayne adopt another kid?” Tim asked his mother.
She hummed, “Yes, unfortunately. Some little street rat that should've been left in the hole Brucie found him in.”
Tim frowned, “I'm sure he's not that bad?”
Janet Drake's cold eyes shot him a look that told him she disagreed with what he had said. Tim hung his head. He knew better than to say something like that in front of his mother.
Now he knew though.
Jason Todd was his soulmate. Officially introduced into Gotham's high society at the next infamous Wayne Gala. Tim was brought along with his parents per the usual but he spent the entire time watching Jason.
His soulmate…
Jason was timid, shy around the elite. Obviously uncomfortable with the lifestyle that his adoptive father led. Tim didn't blame him, he was simply desensitized to it. He was younger, sure, but he'd been taught how to play the game since he could understand the rules. Jason was clearly lost. Tim wanted to go and help him.
Tim took one step, tiny dress shoes moving towards Mr. Wayne and his ward. Then his father's hand rested heavily on his shoulder. Tim looked up and his dad shook his head. Tim's shoulders sagged in disappointment. After that one night a precedent was set. Tim was not to cohabitate with those beneath himself. As per his parents wishes.
Once more he was left to rely on his visions.
Every vision was an escape, a chance to see the one person he wasn't allowed to. A chance to be a part of Robin's magic. Jason was his favorite Robin, no offense to the first Robin of course. As his parents left him more and more, Tim went out to take photos more and more. Soon enough his photo album became less Batman and Robin, and more Jason. Tim didn't mind.
Then the visions stopped. Tim didn't mind, he'd see Robin at night. However he quickly realized something was wrong. Batman was tearing through the city alone. Robin was nowhere to be found. There were no visions to have as clues. Tim was stuck. He went without visions for so long he feared the worst. Then the nightmare became reality.
Tim had one last vision.
Cold concrete greeted his eye. The other eye wasn't working quite right. As if it was swollen shut. What little vision he did have was blurry, whether from tears or something else Tim didn't know. His view didn't move. All he saw was what looked like a warehouse. Dark stains marked the floor and Tim fought to remember how to breathe. Out of the corner of his view he saw a timer counting down. Tim blinked as he flinched.
That night he was grateful that his parents were somewhere in South America. He cried, heavy and harsh. Jason was surely dead and he'd never get to properly meet him and learn about him. He'd never get to meet his soulmate. His heart ached painfully and Tim couldn't bear it.
Batman was hurt too. Tim could see that. Anyone could.
So Tim did something stupid. Reckless as all holy hell. He made himself Robin. In honor of Jason's memory, and because Batman needed Robin.
Bruce was too broken to keep fighting Tim on it, so in the end he became Robin.
Tim would keep Jason's legacy alive.