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Tim wakes to the sound of soft footfalls. He snaps into awareness immediately, his hand sliding under his pillow to curl around the gun hidden there. If someone has gotten into his safe house, it means they know how to disable his security. There are only a few people who Tim knows of that would be able to do that. And considering Tim can hear them moving around, it narrows the options down even further. Most of the people who’d be able to override his security wouldn’t make the mistake of letting him hear them tromp around his apartment.
So, it’s either someone who is confident enough in their abilities that they don’t feel the need to be stealthy, or one of the Bats.
At this point, Tim would prefer the first option.
For a moment, he stays where he is, listening to the sound of the intruder shuffling around his kitchen, trying to glean any information possible from their movements. They’re small. Light on their feet. Probably either a woman or a child, although likely not a young one.
There’s a clatter. A sound that’s almost a sob. Definitely one of the Bats, then, unless this is some fucked up trap that Tim can’t see the purpose of.
Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So when Tim rolls silently to his feet and pads towards the kitchen, he takes his gun with him.
He smells the intruder before he sees them: the milky scent of a pup threading through the air, almost totally obliterated by the heavy, honey scent of heat.
What the fuck is an in-heat omega pup doing in Tim’s kitchen?
His grip on his gun tightens. Some sort of test from Ra’s? Or even from Batman, maybe, to see what he would do with the ‘temptation’ of this situation? No, as stupid and bullheaded as Bruce is, he wouldn’t put an omega in danger like that, and, besides, Tim has never given him reason to worry about that sort of thing.
So a reward, then? An ill-advised gift from his benefactors? From someone trying to get on his good side? Or maybe bait from someone trying to trap him into something?
Either way, Tim isn’t about to fall for whatever this is. He’s not interested in omegas - and certainly not pups. He’ll get the kid somewhere safe, or deal with whatever happens if it turns out the omega themselves is the one Tim needs to be careful of.
He doesn’t lower his gun as he steps out into the kitchen, eyes sharp as he takes in the potential threat.
Jason Todd is sitting on his kitchen floor, back to one of his cabinets, his knees up against his chest and his arms wrapped around his shins, and he stinks of heat and fear.
What the fuck?
Tim lowers the gun, but doesn’t drop it completely. Jason doesn’t look up, or even seem to notice his presence, too busy crying quietly into his knees.
There’s a crying, presenting, omega pup in his kitchen, and Tim has no idea what to do.
“Jason?” he manages, at last, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.
Jason’s head jerks up at the sound, wide, wet eyes immediately finding Tim where he’s still hovering in the doorway. There are tear tracks on the kid’s face and his eyes are puffy and red-rimmed, so he’s been crying for a while. His lips are bitten, but not split. There are no bruises on his face, at least. Or, thank god, on his neck - at least that Tim can see from this angle.
That doesn’t mean that something didn’t happen. Because what other reason would there be for Jason being here?
“What the hell are you doing here?” Tim asks, in an echo of his startled thoughts.
Sure, Tim might not be undesirable number one anymore, but he’s not exactly pack, either. He might work with the Bats occasionally - even hang out with them, sometimes - but that doesn’t mean he’s the sort of person any of them would pick as a first option if they were hurt or scared. Hell, he’s pretty sure Jason is still afraid of him, and he doesn’t blame the kid for that either. Tim had beaten him bloody during their first meeting, after all.
Even if Jason has forgiven him for that, it’s not the sort of thing someone forgets.
So something bad must have happened to drive Jason here, at the start of his first heat, whilst he’s so vulnerable.
Tim’s stomach turns uneasily. He might not be pack, but he bristles at the thought of someone hurting the kid.
“I -“ Jason starts. Swallows. “I presented.”
“I can see that,” Tim says. He tucks the gun away and moves a little closer, still keeping enough space between them to stop Jason feeling crowded. “That doesn’t explain why you’ve broken into my safe house, though. Shouldn’t you be nesting up at the manor?”
Jason grimaces, the fear in his scent thickening, and Tim’s stomach drops. Did something happen at the manor?
No. Tim refuses to even think that. For all his many failings, there’s still no way on Earth that Bruce would ever touch a presenting omega pup. Or any pup. Nor would any of the other residents of the manor. Something else is going on here that Tim doesn’t understand.
The kid drops his gaze back to his knees. His hands twist together, fingers picking at the sleeve of the sweatshirt he’s wearing. A thick tear drips off his chin and splashes onto the denim of his jeans.
“I can’t stay there,” Jason whispers. “I - I’m an omega.”
That doesn’t exactly explain anything. That’s just all the more reason that Jason should be at the manor. Unless...unless Jason is afraid of what might happen.
Tim has seen enough of crime alley to know that omegas in heat aren’t exactly treated well. Even less so if they’re a street kid. If they don’t just end up trafficked, they’re still at risk of assault. Tim’s seen plenty of omegas who came out of their first heats with mating bonds they hadn’t wanted and didn’t deserve.
Growing up in that environment, Jason had probably dreaded his first heat. He’d probably known exactly how dangerous it would be. Even though he’s safe now, Tim can’t blame him for still being terrified, for still expecting to be taken advantage of, despite knowing Bruce or Damian would never touch him.
But then, why come to Tim? If he’s frightened of his own pack, coming to a barely familiar alpha - an alpha who’s already proven that he’s willing to hurt him - seems like a monumentally stupid idea.
Unless, Jason is just choosing the best of a bad option. If he thinks he’s going to be hurt either way, Tim can see why he’d want to pick Tim. If he’s sure it’s going to happen anyway, he can see why the kid wouldn’t want it to be Bruce that hurts him.
The thought makes Tim’s blood run cold.
“You know they’d never touch you,” Tim says roughly. “Bruce would rather die than hurt a pup like that. Damian too.” He swallows against the sudden thickness of his throat. “I’m not going to hurt you either, kid.”
Jason blinks at him, looking surprised and slightly horrified. “I know,” he says, quickly. “I know Bruce would never do that. I’m not - that’s not why I’m here.”
A little of the tension eases from Tim’s chest. “Then why are you here?”
“I need a place to stay.”
What? That’s not at all what Tim was expecting.
“I just told you, kid -“
“Not ‘cause of that,” Jason cuts in. “I’m not afraid of B.”
“Then why on Earth are you running away?”
Jason flinches. Ducks his head. When he speaks his voice is soft and quiet. “I didn’t want B to have to kick me out.”
There’s a wet tremble to the words. The kid’s probably on the edge of crying again. Christ, this is going to be a long night.
Tim steps into the room, making his way cautiously over to the omega. When Jason doesn’t shrink away from his proximity, Tim drops to the ground, shuffling to sit beside Jason, mirroring his pose - back against the cabinet, knees up. This close, he can feel the heat radiating off of Jason and the scent is almost overwhelming. The kid needs to be in his nest, with his pack alpha, not sitting on Tim’s kitchen floor.
“Why would Bruce kick you out?”
Jason sniffles. He scrubs at his face with the back of one wrist. “‘Cause I’m a ‘mega.”
“And?”
“And I’m in heat and - and that means I can’t - can’t be Robin anymore, so B has no - no reason to keep me.”
The words keep breaking over little hiccuping sobs. Tim’s heart breaks, even as annoyance surges through his gut. Of course Bruce would be too emotionally constipated to let the kid know he doesn’t just care about Robin. Of course Jason, who’s never had the stability of a good home, who’s been raised in an environment that’s taught him that omegas are worth nothing more than the babies they can pop out - that they’re weak and worthless - would see going into heat as a failing that Bruce would punish him for.
Of course this is somehow Tim’s problem.
Tim sighs. Then, with carefully exaggerated movements, he reaches out one arm and curls it around Jason’s shoulders, tugging gently until the kid is leaned up against his side. Jason turns his head, his nose finding the scent gland at Tim’s collarbone instinctively, smearing tears and probably snot across his skin.
Tim has never been particularly given to hugs, so he knows he’s stiff and awkward, but he rubs his own wrist against Jason’s shoulder, trying to cover some of the stink of miserable omega.
“Bruce isn’t going to kick you out. Certainly not for going into heat. I can’t make any promises about Robin” - because knowing Bruce he’s probably going to bench the kid for life after this - “but staying with Bruce isn’t dependent on that. Knowing him, he’s probably known you were an omega since he took you in. This isn’t going to surprise him.”
The words hurt, a little, because Tim understands where the kid is coming from. Back when he’d been Robin, Tim hadn’t even lived with Bruce. His relationship with the man had been Robin and, for a long time, not much else. He understands feeling like the job is everything. How Bruce can make you feel like the job is everything.
But he also knows that Bruce loves the kid. There’s no way Tim could ever see him turning Jason away because he’s an omega.
Jason hiccups again, snuffling at Tim’s scent gland. “I just -“
He’s cut off by the deafening crash of shattering glass.
Tim whirls to face the threat immediately, letting go of Jason and springing to his feet. A furious snarl rips out of him. For a moment, all Tim can see is green, because someone is attacking him - attacking them - and Tim has a terrified omega pup starting his first heat cowering behind him and Tim can’t let them touch him.
An answering snarl thunders through the room. Tim barely has time to register the intruder - not much more than a huge, dark shape - before they’re on top of him.
Tim dodges the first blow, using his smaller stature to skip out of the way. His attacker bulls forward, throwing his whole weight into Tim and sending them both to the floor. Tim brings one leg up as they fall, wedging it between them, so he can thrust up as the weight lands on him, preventing the other alpha from pinning him. There’s a flash of white. A prick of pain as teeth graze his neck. But Tim manages to throw them off of him before their jaws can actually close around anything.
The moment their weight is gone, Tim forces himself upright. There’s no scent coming off the other alpha, which means they’re probably a trained assassin rather than a common thug. Not someone who’d followed Jason’s scent here, thinking they’d scored an easy lay, but considerably more dangerous. It’s not likely they’re here for Jason, at least, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take advantage of the situation. Tim can’t let them win.
He snarls again, almost a roar, protective alpha instincts surging through his veins. He’s too far gone to even remember his gun, attacking with fists and teeth and all he needs is to land one good hit and -
“Stop!” Jason shrieks. “Stop! Stop fighting!”
The scent of distressed omega cuts through the air, so strong that it draws Tim up short. Forgetting himself, Tim turns to check on Jason - to see what’s upset him so badly, to make sure he isn’t hurt. His only saving grace is that his attacker also freezes, their fight momentarily forgotten in the face of Jason’s desperation.
Jason relaxes, a little, once they’ve both turned to face him. He looks too pale, though, and he’s trembling. Tim steps towards him, but a low growl from the other alpha stops him in his tracks.
“Dami,” Jason snaps, “what are you doing here?”
Because the other alpha is Damian. Because Damian just crashed through Tim’s fucking window and attacked him.
For a moment, Damian doesn’t answer. He just looks at Jason, his eyes roaming over every inch of him. Tim tenses, not entirely sure what’s happening and even less sure he likes it. Then, “Are you hurt?”
Damian’s voice is surprisingly rough. Jason starts at the sound of it, then wraps his arms around himself and shakes his head.
“No, of course not. Tim wouldn’t - Tim wouldn’t hurt me.”
The look on Damian’s face tells Tim exactly what he thinks of that.
Tim snarls again. Fuck Damian. Tim might have hurt the kid before, but he hasn’t touched a hair on his head since. And he’s not a monster, he wouldn’t hurt the pup whilst he’s presenting.
“What are you doing here?” Tim asks, aiming for cold but ending up with a snarl, clenching his fists to try to stem the urge to attack again.
Damian looks at him coolly, before turning to address Jason, as if answering his question and ignoring Tim’s. “Father came back from patrol and found your room empty and smelling of heat and -“ Damian swallows, looking angry and uncomfortable, “and fear. He immediately called in the pack to help look for you. He was...afraid someone may have taken you. I caught your scent a few blocks away and tracked it here.”
And found Tim, holding Jason on the floor whilst he cried, stinking of heat and distress.
Okay, so he can see why Damian may have reacted the way he did. But that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“He didn’t need to do that,” Jason whispers, but Tim can tell that, beneath the embarrassment, he’s secretly pleased.
Damian tuts. The sound has Tim instantly bristling. How many times had he heard that sound aimed at him, all of Damian’s scorn and derision loaded into that one little syllable?
“Of course he did,” Damian says, considerably more fondly than he has ever spoken to Tim. “His pup went missing after going into his presentation heat. Jason, you could have been in serious danger. You could have been hurt.”
Jason shuffles, the embarrassed flush on his face deepening. “I wasn’t -“
“Jason,” Damian cuts him off. He softens the admonishment by reaching out with one arm and Jason immediately closes the space between them.
Tim has to look away as Damian pulls Jason close and scents him. It’s not like Tim can be accused of being...sentimental, or anything, but seeing the casual affection between them hurts. When Tim had been suffering his first rut, all alone at Drake manor, knowing his parents wouldn’t be back for another month at least, he would have killed for this.
“Why did you leave the manor?” Damian asks, softly. “Gotham is too dangerous for an omega in heat. Anyone could have -“
He cuts himself off, which Tim is grateful for. He knows exactly what could have happened to Jason and he doesn’t want to hear it. The full impact of it hits him then. Jason had walked through Gotham alone, at night, in his civilian clothes with no blockers on, stinking of heat, just to get to Tim’s safe house. Because, afraid that he no longer had a safe place to stay, he’d wanted Tim to help him.
The thought swells a strange lump in his throat. His alpha instincts are torn between furious and pleased. The little omega had put himself in danger, but it was Tim he’d sought out to protect him.
Tim isn’t entirely sure how to feel about that.
“I’m sorry,” Jason murmurs, “it was stupid.”
“It was,” Damian agrees bluntly. “As I’m sure the rest of the pack will be quick to tell you.” He sighs, resting a heavy hand on Jason’s head. “I'm sure dealing with them will be punishment enough. Come on, we should return before father has an aneurysm.”
Jason ducks his head submissively, his scent softening. When Damian turns to leave, heading for the door this time, rather than the window at least, Jason follows behind him like a little duck. Tim breathes a sigh of relief. That was...weird, but it won’t be Tim’s problem for much longer.
Except, Jason hesitates in the doorway. “Dami,” he says, “what about Tim?”
Damian pauses. If Tim weren’t still feeling that strange surge of protectiveness for Jason, he thinks he could smack him. What about Tim? Does Jason want Damian to attack him again?
“What about him?” Damian asks, stiffly.
“Well...I kinda rocked up here without an invitation. Then you, uh, smashed his window in.”
“And?”
“And,” Jason says in a small voice, “maybe he should come back with us?”
The look on Damian’s face is a strange mixture of surprise and displeasure. Tim feels a matching expression cross his own face. The last thing he wants to do after being woken up in the early hours of the morning, after a long patrol, by a Bat, is to end up back at the cave.
“You’re not getting me back to the manor, kid.”
“But I -“ Jason stops. For a second, he’s silent, then he lets out a soft keen. His face is flushed, the scent of his heat thickening in the air.
The sound tugs at Tim’s chest. The alpha in him responds instantly to the omega’s distress, discomfort prickling across his skin. Damian reacts, too, reaching out and laying a hand across the back of Jason’s neck comfortingly.
“Sorry,” Jason says, sounding miserable, “I just thought you might want to…” he trails off into a mumble. Tim thinks he catches something about a nest. Then, “But it’s no big deal. I get it.”
Christ, are those tears in his eyes again?
“Fine,” Tim grumbles, already regretting his acquiescence. He finds the thought of making Jason cry again too painful to allow him to refuse, though. Stupid hormones. Stupid Jason, going into heat and deciding to make it Tim’s problem. “I suppose I should make sure you get back safe, at least.”
The look Damian gives him then is cool and calculating, but he doesn’t argue. Jason sniffles. One hand reaches out, like he wants to grab at Tim, before dropping back to his side.
Damian produces scent blockers for Jason, then takes a moment to update the rest of the pack on the comms. Despite not being linked in, Tim can practically feel the relief seeping through. He doesn’t envy the kid the smothering he’s no doubt in for. Tim is hoping he can slip away while they’re distracted and no one will actually notice him.
The rest of the journey back to the manor passes in much the same way. Damian keeps Jason tucked protectively against his side, and Tim thinks he might be able to slip away, except Jason keeps glancing back at him every five seconds, like the kid’s afraid he’ll disappear.
A heavy coil of dread is starting to form in Tim’s gut. By the time they reach the manor, he’s sweating. He doesn’t want to have to see Bruce. Especially not now, while he’s hopped up on adrenaline at the prospect of losing his pup.
It doesn’t help that when they finally get to the manor, the whole pack is there to greet them.
Tim hangs back, even though Bruce barely seems to notice him. The alpha sweeps forward and immediately bundles Jason into his arms, scenting him almost frantically, peeling the blockers Damian had applied off so he can catch Jason’s scent. Jason submits to the attention without protest.
“Are you hurt?” he asks, a low, concerned alpha rumble. “What happened? Are you -“
“I’m fine,” Jason grumbles, struggling weakly in a token protest.
Bruce doesn’t let go of him. In fact, Tim’s pretty sure he squeezes him tighter. He rubs his chin across Jason’s curls, and Tim has to look away again, feeling a sudden ache in his chest.
“Why on Earth did you disappear, Jaylad? Where did you go?”
Jason doesn’t answer. Tim doesn’t exactly blame the kid - he imagines it’s pretty embarrassing to admit that you’d anticipated being thrown out, when faced with the reality of your pack’s concern for you.
“You scared us half to death, kiddo,” Steph says, fondly, and pain pulses through Tim’s chest again. Both her and Cass have crowded close to Jason, too, reaching out to scent him with the overwhelming smell of protective pack.
“I just -“ Jason starts in a small voice, “I wasn’t sure if you’d still want me here.”
“Where else would we want you?” Steph asks.
“But I’m an omega,” Jason whispers.
Bruce stiffens a little, probably already understanding exactly what the issue is. “Which is exactly why we want you here, Jay, safe. The last thing I want is for you to be wandering around Gotham on your own at night, in heat.”
“I’m sorry,” Jason whispers, then, abruptly, he bursts into tears.
The smell of protective alpha in the room thickens. Steph lets out a little beta coo. Bruce practically lifts Jason into the air in an attempt to hug the omega closer.
“It’s okay,” Bruce rumbles. “You’re okay now, Jaylad. We’ll get you to the nest and it’ll all be okay.”
Time for Tim to leave, even though every alpha instinct in his body is begging him to stay and protect the omega who’d sought him out during his heat. He shuffles back a step, ignoring Damian’s eyes on him.
But he freezes when Bruce looks up and directly at him.
There’s such a soft, fond look on the older alpha’s face that Tim can barely breathe.
“You should join us, Tim,” Bruce says, softly. “He needs his pack. That includes you.”
Tim can feel his lips peel back in the start of a snarl. He’s not pack - not to Bruce. But Jason peeks up at him from where he’s cradled against Bruce’s chest, wet-eyed and heat-flushed.
“Please?” he whimpers.
And Tim finds he can’t possibly say no to that.