Tim stumbled inside the cave silently, trudging up to the shower rooms. It wasn't the first time he had returned to the cave in an injured state, nor was it the first time for him to keep it from Bruce. Luckily for him, the cave was empty; Batman and Nightwing hadn't returned from patrol yet and even Alfred wasn't there at the moment.

He kept a first aid kit stashed away in the shower room so that he could patch himself up before anyone could notice, however it was always quite difficult to dodge Alfred since he always seem to know when Tim was injured but hiding it.

He left his boots, cape and staff outside then locked the door to the shower room, cautiously stripping out of his suit. Turning on the shower he stood under the soothing hot water for a while washing off the blood from his body carefully.

His torso was littered with scars and bruises, a clear reminder of the days he had spent in training to become Robin and also of the patrol nights where he had encountered dangerous criminals. 

Jason was right in saying that he hadn't faced even half of the dangers that Jay had been through before being taken in by Bruce, all due to his rich parents and higher social status. But now that Jack and Janet Drake were no more and he had managed to persuade Bruce into letting him take the role of Robin, he had left his old lifestyle behind.

He had spent a whole year in training and at first it had been extremely difficult for him to adjust to the changes. He had sprained his joints too many times for him to remember, and sometimes he would get so fatigued that anyone else in his place would have long given up.

But he was quite determined to prove himself and after months of training and hard work, he had finally been ready to patrol alongside Batman.

He turned off the knob and the water pouring down his body stopped. And when the sound of running water subsided, he realized that someone was knocking on the door.

"Occupied," he called out.

"Tim, are you okay? You've been in for almost an hour now," Dick's concerned voice reached him and he sighed wearily, bending under the sink to take out his first aid kit.

"I'm fine, I just lost track of time. I'll be out in a minute."

"You sure you're okay?"

"Of course Dick, don't worry."

He heard the footsteps retreat as he unwrapped the bandage from its packaging then after carefully applying the ointment on his bruised limbs and torso, he wrapped the bleeding cuts up.

"You forgot your clothes outside." 

He looked up to see his pajamas and a full sleeved shirt resting on the top edge of the door panel, "thanks."

After being done with patching himself up properly, Tim cautiously slipped on the pajamas and shirt, knowing that it would fully cover up the injuries he had received. He could do nothing about the cut near his mouth though and the scratches on his neck and chin so he simply applied a thin layer of ointment and let it be. 

Richard was waiting for him when he stepped out and for a second he froze but then knowing that he had had enough practice in fooling Bruce about his injuries, he relaxed and walked out normally.

But it seemed as if luck wasn't in his favor for the elder brother's blue eyes narrowed slightly as he watched him.

"What happened?" Richard asked trying to place a hand on his shoulder but he backed off, knowing that if he didn't, the wince of pain would betray him.

"Nothing," he replied nonchalantly, trying his best to hide the fact that he was injured.

"You are limping, Tim. I know something happened and you aren't telling me."

"I came back from patrol, it's normal routine," he answered, avoiding to meet his scrutinizing gaze.

Richard primarily operated in Bludhaven as the vigilante Nightwing but those days he had returned to Gotham to help Batman out with the Red Hood case. He had been equally shocked to find out that the Red Hood was Jason but even though he had tried multiple times to find him and talk to him, he had failed to do so.

He could easily see through Tim's attempts of hiding his injuries because he himself had done that countless times. And while Alfred had always known at that moment to Richard it seemed as if Tim was hiding more than just his wounds.

"Who did you get into a fight with?" He did not leave the topic and though Tim's pace quickened, he stopped him, placing his hand on his shoulder carefully.

A slight hiss of pain escaped his lips despite his efforts to suppress it, "no one..."

He turned Tim around to face him, being extremely gentle because even though he did not know where exactly he was injured he could see that he was beaten up all over. 

"Tim, you know you can always talk to me about whatever is bothering you," his tone was soft and sincere, blue eyes looking straight into his with brotherly concern.

Tim sighed in resignation, deciding that it would be futile to keep up the act any longer, so he spoke up at last, "I met Jason."

There was a short pause and then Dick dipped his head in a low nod as if he had understood the whole situation already, "and he beat you to a pulp. Sounds exactly like Jason."

"He did not..."

"Tim, you don't have to defend him in any way. I know he's responsible for this state you're in. Yet if you still feel like you're doing the right thing by not telling me, then I won't pester you anymore."

Tim huffed slightly, of course Dick was going to play that card with him. He always did that when he found that Tim wasn't going to agree any other way; guilting him into doing something he was refusing to do so was always a very easy option.

"It's not like that. I just met him and we talked. I figured he would be bitter about Bruce replacing him so I just wanted to clear things up. I wanted him to know that I persuaded Bruce to let me join, not the other way round."

"And how did he take it?"

He thought for a while before answering, "he was not expecting that."

Richard's features were set in a thoughtful expression as he pondered on his words. "You do know that he's Red Hood, right?"

"I do."

"And so far he has made it a point that he wants nothing to do with us," Dick resumed, "if you think you can clear everything up for him and bring him back, then don't do that. Don't burden yourself too much. It's not going to happen."

"But Dick, I can try..."

"Timmy, I know him," a mixture of sorrow and nostalgia danced in Richard's eyes, "he's extremely stubborn. He won't come back no matter how hard any of us try."

"I've looked into his eyes, Dick. I... I know deep down there's a part of him that still cares for you, for Bruce and for Alfred. I want to bring him back because if I don't then he'll keep viewing me as a replacement. And I don't want that."

He let out the breath he was holding and gently gathered Tim in his arms, holding him close in a friendly embrace. The boy did so much for others, he thought too much for the well being of the people around him yet he neglected himself entirely.

"Tim, it's not your task to patch things up between us and Jay."

"I know but I want to. And I'll try my best... Why don't you trust me, Dick?"

He gently patted his back, cautious not to hurt him any worse than he already was, "I trust you, of course I trust you. But I also know that this isn't an easy task. Jay won't talk to me even and he'll make things twice more difficult for you."

"But if at the end of it all, I manage to persuade him to come back, all would be well, right? Bruce, Alfred, you, Barbara... All of you would want him to come back, right?"

Richard's gaze had softened considerably as he looked at the young boy in front of him who had a determined sheen in his clear irises and a resilient look on his pale features. "We would obviously be glad if he came back. But I don't want you to take that burden of persuading him on your shoulders."

A slight spark flashed in his clear blue eyes, "I managed to persuade Batman, didn't I? I'll manage Jason too."

"I've no idea what you're up to kiddo, but if you turn up beaten up like this again then I might have to deal with Jay myself."

"No, please..."

"Timmy, I'm warning you. No more injuries on account of persuading him to come back. If you won't agree on this one, I'll tell Bruce."

His lips puckered up into a small frown but he nodded, "fine. No more injuries."

A soft smile spread on Richard's face, "good. Now you're coming to the kitchen with me and I won't take no for an answer."

"But what for?"

"Warm milk and honey, courtesy of yours truly," he winked, hand running through his jet black hair out of habit, "and hey it's a limited edition offer so you better avail it before it expires."

A smile crept on Tim's face as well and he nodded, "then I would like to avail it right now."

"Wise decision indeed."

***