Batman returned to the cave earlier than the others because he had to get a task done that he didn't want to keep delaying further. Barbara was at the Batcomputer, surveying the others, when he entered but he went straight past her further inside where he expected Tim to be working on the cases.

True enough, Tim was there but his head was resting on the desk right on top of the file he was studying, his laptop had drained out of battery and he was himself fast asleep.

Bruce had removed the cowl from his face, pale blue eyes flickering towards the glass casing that held the Red Robin suit.

The red and black of the suit gleamed in the dark, untouched for more than an year by then. After his return, Tim had worn it only once and even at that time, Bruce had refused to let him go to patrol.

He had been very dejected after that, intentionally ignoring that the man only had his betterment as a priority. The reason Bruce had refused him to go out on patrol was that he didn't want to lose Tim and in all that had happened in the past two years, he had discovered that his son was self-sacrificial and stubborn to an extreme level that resulted in hurting his own self far worse.

He took in a deep breath then gently rested his hand on the boy's head, fingers patting the fluffy brown hair to wake him up.

Tim was quick to spring up into action soon as the broad palm came in contact with his forehead. He bolted out of his seat, brain switching into a fight or flight mode, blue eyes alarmed but alert.

"Timothy, calm down," Bruce spoke up, seeing that he was ready to lunge at him if he edged any closer.

And it hurt to see him like that. So uncertain of his own safety that he was prepared to face the worst even though he was back with them. It was no doubt a lingering effect of spending a whole year on the run.

Wide blue eyes focused on him at last and an apologetic look dawned upon Tim's features as he stepped back, "sorry."

"It's okay," he had retrieved his hand but his pale blue eyes were observing him closely, "how have you been?"

"Great," he gave a tight-lipped reply.

Ever since Bruce had refused to let him go out on patrol, the boy had been painstakingly ignoring him, as he clearly avoided having to talk to him or do anything that would involve his presence.

But as Bruce had reached out himself right then and there was no way Tim could simply vanish to escape him, he stood there stiffly, waiting for whatever the man had to say.

Bruce couldn't help but notice the striking similarity between Tim and Richard at that moment. Both boys had had their fair share of falling out with him, but no matter how worse the situation got, the invisible barrier of respect stayed up.

Even though Tim had retaliated the first time when he had been banned from patrol, he hadn't straight up disobeyed him. The evident proof of it was his suit still up in the case which he had gotten out of the instant Bruce had made it clear that he would no longer operate as a vigilante alongside them.

But as he looked at the boy before him, he felt he had been a hypocrite. He had given him the reason that he was confiscating Tim's suit because the boy couldn't follow orders. While in reality, even he was aware that if he were to compare his own flesh and blood with him, Damian would hardly be as obedient or respectful.

Knowing that Tim would never initiate a conversation, he spoke up at last, "you can go out on patrol, starting from tomorrow."

Tim, who had been slightly uneasy in his presence, looked at him closely, "wait, what?"

"You will be patrolling alongside Black Bat and will not be allowed to stray from the team," Bruce resumed as if there had been no remark from his side, "don't put yourself in unnecessary trouble again."

Blue eyes stared back at him in confusion until he remarked at last, "are you serious?"

"Have I ever joked with you before, Timothy?"

"No, you can't joke," he mumbled but straightened realizing that the words had actually been voiced out. Hence, he added an immediate apology to punctuate the sentence. "I'm sorry."

Bruce nodded and despite the restraint that had been in between them since the past month, he stepped closer and gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

Tim had shuddered instinctively but didn't pull away.

"You do understand that I didn't let you go out on patrol because I wanted you safe."

"I don't know," he mumbled, voice growing soft recalling what Dora had said to him when she had visited him the night he had been banned from operating in the city as Red Robin.

The real reason he hasn't let you go out on patrol is because he's scared to lose you again. He is scared that you will endanger your life once again and even though he knows you always make it through the hardest of obstacles, he fears what would happen if you couldn't.

"I... I worry for you, son," Bruce's voice was very low too, barely even audible to anyone else who might be around but Tim heard him.

Surprise had spread on his features as he stared back, lips parting slightly as if to say something but unable to voice it out.

Dora's words swirled in his memory and he closed his eyes, bringing himself to accept the situation.

Bruce cares for you, Tim, whether you accept it or not. And even though his communication skills are rusted, that doesn't mean you'll blame him for being inconsiderate.

He opened his eyes again to see pale blue irises looking at him in concern. Much to Bruce's relief, he nodded, "thank you.

Bruce never opened up nor showed his true feelings, he had a fair idea the man would close himself off immediately afterward. So before that could happen, the boy stepped forward without warning, hugging his mentor and father figure.

Bruce was not expecting that as he looked rather shocked but gently hugged him back, mind wandering towards his early days as Robin and how much he had changed since then.

To him, Tim had always been a lot like Richard; pure, sincere and extremely caring. However, unlike Richard, he was also extremely self-degrading, believing that every other life except his deserved to be saved.

At times, he couldn't understand his mentality, nor could he judge why Tim had always been so harsh on himself.

Over and over again, Tim had given himself up for his friends and family, getting severely damaged as a result but never once complaining. It was an aspect of his personality that was probably the most complex to figure out; for him, his own self and betterment were the last things he'd consider in case of any crisis.

"Thank you," Tim repeated as he let go of him, an unmistakable radiance in his otherwise fatigued blue eyes, "I'll stick close to Cass and won't get into any unnecessary trouble."

"Good," Bruce replied vaguely, his thoughts still wandering to the younger version of Tim Drake.

Right then the boy looked relieved, like a bird that had finally been freed from its cage. But still, Bruce couldn't keep his concerns regarding him at bay.

Tim was incorrigibly self detrimental. And even though he didn't want to think that way, he knew there was no guarantee that Tim would actually try to save himself for a change.

However, as long as Cassandra was there to look out for him, there wasn't much to worry about. But Bruce had to think of ways to make sure Tim would stay safe even when Cass wouldn't be around.

***