Instead of surrendering to the realms of sleep at night time, the criminal world came alive in Gotham. The alleys were always buzzing with sinister activity, enveloped in the dark; such as drug deals, kidnappings, thievery or other crimes of such sort.

Gotham was renowned for its criminals such that it even had an alley named Crime Alley due to the number of incidents that had taken place there. And for a city so riddled with crime, it was hard to believe that it hadn't yet succumbed to chaos and destruction.

But the reason to that was the presence of Gotham's vigilantes; Batman and his four birds who patrolled the city and prevented crime.

While Batman was a feared name among the criminals, the birds were no lesser known than him. The eldest, Nightwing, had been the first Robin and had even taken over Batman's mantle in his absence. After him was Red Hood who continuously walked on the thin line that separated crime and justice. The third was Red Robin, an excellent detective always ten steps ahead on each case. And last but not least was Batman's blood son, Robin, a threatening force to be reckoned with.

The city owed its safety to the vigilantes yet the people were not aware of their true identities. They had no clue that the owner of Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne, was Batman and in his mission to seek justice, he was aided by his four sons sons; Richard Grayson, Jason Todd, Timothy Drake and Damian Wayne.

While at day, the family was regarded as the most privileged and rich citizens of Gotham who seemed to have not a single problem in their life, but at night they transformed into the city's protectors, risking their own lives to prevent crime and instill justice.

It was one such night with only the birds on patrol, for Batman had to leave on a mission with Justice League. Nightwing was patrolling the higher criminal density areas such as the Bowery and Crime Alley, Red Hood was positioned near the ACE chemicals factory while both Red Robin and Robin were covering Central Gotham.

"I'm warning you, Robin, if you dare step your foot one centimeter away from your spot, you'll be responsible for the consequences," Tim, aka Red Robin, warned the younger one.

"Nothing is happening near the Iceberg Lounge. It's not fair that you three get to kick ass while I have to stay waiting."

"There's a reason you don't get to kick ass," Red Robin tried to elaborate but was cut short.

"Don't you dare say that it's because I'm younger," he growled, "I'm twice more deadly as compared to you all put together."

"Exactly," Tim huffed, "that's why you don't get to kick ass because you spiral out of control and end up screwing everything."

"Speak for yourself, Drake."

"This is your last warning, use my real name again and I'll kick you off the roof."

Their banter continued throughout the patrol and even when they spotted a mugging happening in an alley, Robin was adamant on taking on the criminals all by himself. And rather pissed off due to him, Red Robin let him do so.

It was all okay until the gangs teamed up so Red Robin had to join in on the action as well, though quite unwillingly on his part. However, the brothers managed to tackle their opponents and later the GCPD were called to take them to prison.

"This is all your fault," Damian remarked, clutching his side that had been stabbed in the battle.

"Oh really?" Tim retorted, "I had warned you but you didn't listen, so it's your fault."

They went back to the Batcave though their arguing hadn't ceased.

"I'm telling you, Drake, I only tolerate you because Father wouldn't be pleased if you left us. Do not test my patience."

Tim rolled his wearily, slipping off the cowl once they were safely back in their headquarters, "you start working on how you're going to explain this to Bruce, because I seriously don't give a shit."

"You're going to explain," he remarked petulantly, "because out of us he would rather listen to you than anyone else."

"And I won't let you use that to your advantage this time," Tim took out two ice packs, throwing one to Damian as well who caught it effortlessly, "I nearly fractured my leg again due to you, even though the past fracture hasn't even properly healed yet. And trust me, Damian, you don't want me to get confined to a wheelchair because unlike Barbara, I would take great pleasure in running you over with it each time I get the chance."

"Fuck off."

"You fuck off."

Damian showed him the middle finger at which Tim pounced on him, pinning him down to the ground. Things were about to get deadly, but right on cue Richard and Jason stepped in.

"Woah boys, which telenovela are you reenacting today?" Jason remarked playfully as he collapsed on a couch, "though I must say the cat fight is spot on."

Richard shot him a disapproving look as he bent down and pulled Tim up to his feet, "what happened?"

"Don't even get me started," Damian muttered darkly, staring daggers at Tim.

"Me neither," he scowled back.

"Good, that solves the matter altogether," Richard smiled, "we're not going to get either of you started. But in return, both of you will have to stop fighting."

There was no response from the younger two as they were simply glaring at one another.

"Come on, don't act like preschoolers. You're both adults now, for Christ's sake," Richard spoke, sensing that they weren't going to make up anytime soon.

"He isn't an adult," Tim remarked.

"Just you wait till next year," Damian snapped, "then I'll be able to defy this stupid concept of adolescence you humans have created."

"Spoken like a true non human," Jason remarked, laughing at their antics.

"You too, Todd, just wait and see."

Jay held his hands up in surrender but his blue eyes were still shining in mischief, "oooh, I'm so scared."

Before Damian could pounce on him, Richard had scooped him up in his arms and began walking off in the direction of his bedroom.

"Grayson, put me down at once," he squirmed in his arms but couldn't break free, "I'm not an eleven year old anymore!"

"You might not be an eleven year old but you're still our baby bro, Dami."

Both Tim and Jay burst out laughing at that. Damian's green eyes sparked furiously as he flipped both of them off. But by the resignation on his face it was clear that he had given up fighting against Richard's hold and accepted defeat as he let him carry him the rest of the way.

"So Babybird, got injured again on patrol?" Jason turned his attention to Tim.

"Damian fucked up and left me to deal with the damage as usual," Tim mumbled, "he received a stab wound too but since he's in Dick's care, that won't be our problem."

"Touche."

"The worst part is that I have to show up for the interns' first day tomorrow," Tim mused as he wound up a bandage over the lower part of his leg, "and I can't ditch it."

Jason shrugged, "sucks to be you, bro."

"Exactly. Sucks to be me." Then as if he had just thought of something, he spoke, "hey Jay, would you please accompany Dami on tomorrow's patrol?"

His eyes widened in shock and a rather dramatic expression of denial spread on his features, "you mean that gremlin? No way..."

"And what if I offered you something in return?"

"So you're bribing me?" Though his attitude had changed as he leaned in towards him, clearly intrigued by the offer.

"Yeah, anything you want."

"Think thoroughly, Babybird, you know I can be very difficult to bribe."

Tim nodded but a small smile was playing on his lips as if he had decided already, "well there's this new gun in the market which has been quite the talk of the town... I'm sure you've also heard of it. But it's okay if you're not interested."

He knew he had succeeded because any conversation about weapons always perked Jay's ears up.

He leaned in even closer, voice muted so that anyone else wouldn't hear, "and you won't tell Bruce?"

"My lips are sealed."

Jay fist bumped him in an indication that he had agreed to the offer, "leave the gremlin to me for a week. I'll give him the treats he rightly deserves."

Tim had the most innocent smile on his face upon hearing that, "thank you so much, Jay, you're the best."

Richard had returned right at that moment and seeing both their expressions must have tingled his elder brother warning signals, "what's going on?"

"Nothing," they replied in unison.

He looked at them closely as if judging for any sign by which he could tell if they were hiding something from him or not. But the two had become rather skilled at fooling Richard over the years. Still suspicious, Richard stepped out of the Batcave.

When they were certain that he was out of earshot, Tim spoke up, "Tuesday morning, under your pillow. You'll find the package you so desire."

Jay gave him a thumbs up as he stepped out of the Batcave as well, leaving Tim alone to tend to his wounds. He had done enough icing that the pain had mostly subsided. But a smile danced on his face knowing that at least for one week, Damian was going to be Jason's responsibility and he wouldn't have to deal with him being a huge brat on patrol.

***