Chapter Text
The weather was significantly nicer in Tim’s neighborhood than what Bruce was used to. Despite having been in the area for close to half an hour, it still felt like his eyes were adjusting to all the light, though he was uncertain whether that was because the mainland was actually that much nicer than the island or if the unique gloom of Gotham just made everywhere else seem excessively sunny in comparison.
Or it might have just been the general atmosphere in the house that made the weather seem so genial.
Laughter and chatting voices carried in from the backyard all the way to where Bruce was planted in the living room. Just around the corner, the patio doors had been thrown open, and friends and family milled about salivating at the smell of grilled meat and cooing over the little ones.
Kai wasn’t the only kid around, though he was the youngest. A pair of rambunctious five year old twins that belonged to one of Tim’s old friends were running around. Lian had arrived with Jason and Roy bearing a small stack of her old, well-loved children's books as a housewarming gift.
Not that the house needed much warming; despite the young family having only moved in a couple weeks previously, it already felt cozy and lived in. Giant floor-to-ceiling windows poured natural light into all the nooks and crannies, colorful toys were piled into a basket by the TV, every outlet, table corner, and cabinet had been baby-proofed. There was even a mysterious stain already set into the carpet by the coffee table.
It was so different from the manor. Instead of antiques and ornate carvings there were plush rugs and crocheted blankets. Instead of fine china and wood paneling, there was pastel paint and plastic cutlery. Wayne Manor stood imposing on the top of a hill whereas the Wayne-Kent household was tucked into a grove of trees far back from the road, almost impossible to find if you didn’t already know where it was.
Where the manor was dark and opulent and old-fashioned, this place was luminous and welcoming and new.
It was a home.
The proof of that sat a foot from Bruce’s face on the mantel; a cluster of photographs cluttering the shelf. Digital prints, polaroids, and developed film alike stood side by side, illustrating the intimate experiences of a young family.
A trilogy of pictures were the farthest on the left; the first showing Conner laying on his back on the floor, Kai held above him, both grinning at each other; in the next, Kai had been tossed up, caught on camera in midair shrieking in delight while Conner’s arms stretched up to catch him; in the last, Kai was back in Conner’s arms and both were looking just past the camera, having caught their onlooker. Another photo showed the two at the Gotham City Farmer’s Market, Kai perched upon Conner’s shoulders.
Most of the photos were of Kai and Conner, courtesy of Tim’s proclivity for hiding behind the camera, but there were a handful that had been taken by Conner which was apparent by their noticeably lower quality. Those were the most recent. Tim sat in his home office pointing at his computer screen, caught mid word explaining something no doubt incomprehensibly advanced to the toddler in his lap. A glittery frame surrounded an image of Tim and Kai curled up in an armchair, both passed out cold with a picture book abandoned halfway through.
There was one photograph that stood out from the candid moments, a clipping from a magazine printed the morning after the press conference where Kai had his first and only public appearance. In it, the trio were dressed in matching suits, Conner with a lopsided grin while Tim and Kai wore identical serious expressions.
It was strange to think that from there on out, more pictures would be taken in the new house than in the one Bruce had raised his family in. Almost all of his birds had left the nest.
The soft pad of footsteps coaxed Bruce from his contemplation.
“Avoiding social interaction?” Tim teased, coming to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bruce.
“Avoiding all the sunshine,” Bruce replied. “I don’t know how you stand it.”
“Perils of living with solar-powered aliens. You wouldn’t believe how much sunscreen I go through.”
“Hm.” Bruce couldn’t help but smile as he caught sight of a polaroid of Kai clutching a whisk with flour smudges over his chubby cheeks. ‘ Baby’s First Muffin Baking Lesson,’ it was labeled.
“Have you seen the rest of the house? You know, now that there’s actual furniture and stuff,” Tim asked.
“I have. It’s lovely.”
It really was. The kitchen had been modified to Alfred’s recommendations. There was a small base of operations in the basement, designed more for research than active duty. The master bedroom and Kai’s bedroom were located on the second floor, along with two spare rooms.
Room to grow, Tim had said back when they first saw it.
“If only it wasn’t so far away,” Bruce added after a moment.
Tim bumped their shoulders together, and when he spoke, Bruce could hear the smile in his voice. “Stop being dramatic, it’s half an hour from Bristol. And we literally work in the same office.”
“Hn. Is Conner going back to school at the start of the semester?”
“He hasn’t decided yet. He’s thinking about just taking a couple classes online so he can stay home with Kai. Takes care of the whole ‘what if my kid starts exhibiting superpowers in the middle of daycare’ conundrum.”
“Well, if you ever need someone who’s prepared for that to watch Kai during the day, you’ve got plenty of options,” Bruce pointed out.
Tim snorted. “No kidding. I’m gonna have to set my baby up on a timeshare so everyone gets a piece.”
Before Bruce could request partial ownership in that timeshare agreement, a knock on the nearby window captured their attention.
On the other side of the glass, Dick stood waving his arms around, pointing at something out of their line of sight, and shouting inaudibly.
“I think he wants us to go outside,” Tim observed, unhurried.
Dick made more exaggerated pointing motions.
“Well, I guess we shouldn’t keep him waiting then.”
Side by side, they made their way through the house at a leisurely pace.
“Damian’s been complaining about you patrolling less lately,” Tim commented. There was no accusation or concern in his tone, only friendly curiosity.
“He complains to you about me?” Bruce couldn’t help but ask.
“We all complain to each other about you.”
“Hmph. What can I say? I’m getting too old to run around like I used to. Haven’t you heard? I’m a grandfather now.”
Tim snorted as they passed through the patio doors. “Careful, B. People might think you’re going soft.”
The chatting and laughing and sizzling swelled to a comforting roar. Everyone who wasn’t otherwise occupied was there, a big, beautiful, patchwork quilt of a family. Stephanie and Bart sat in the grass playing peekaboo with Kai while Titus frolicked around them. Lian sat in Jason’s lap weaving a flower crown while Damian offered various botanical supplies. Roy was nearby being used as a human jungle gym by the twins while a few of Tim’s friends laughed at him. Helena and Harper were heckling Conner about his cliche Kiss the Cook apron. Cass and Kate were hauling deck chairs around at Alfred’s instruction. Lois, Clark, and Jon were en route. Even Selina was there, sipping a margarita with Barbara under the awning.
More were likely to show up at some point. The West clan, a few members of the Titans, the whole Fox family.
Bruce wondered when he’d gone from being completely and totally alone to having enough friends and family to fill a stadium.
“Tim! Kon!” From across the yard, Roy lifted one child laden arm and waved them over. “C’mere! I’ve got something for you! Jay! Get the thing!”
Several attendees migrated over, waiting to see what the fuss was about.
Tim sighed, planting himself in front of the red head. “Roy, I swear, if you brought another gift to the gathering where we specifically requested no gifts, I’m-”
“Okay, first of all,” Roy interrupted, heaving one of the twins into the waiting arms of one of Tim’s friends - Anita, Bruce recalled - before continuing, “The books were a gift from Lian, not me an’ Jay, so that doesn’t count. Second, you’re gonna like this one.”
“What’s all the fuss about?” Kon asked, padding over, spatula in hand.
“Go get your baby,” Roy ordered.
Conner shot Tim a skeptical look before turning around and shouting, “Steph! Bring Kai over here!”
Once everyone was properly assembled, including Jason with an elephant patterned gift bag in hand, Roy addressed Kon and Tim. “Okay. Open it.”
Conner accepted the gift bag and pushed the tissue paper aside to grab the contents and reveal-
A teeny tiny toddler sized leather jacket that was a perfect replica of Conner’s.
“Oh. My. God,” Conner said.
“Oh my god,” Tim echoed.
“Put it on ‘im!” Roy insisted, taking Kai from Stephanie and approaching Tim.
With assistance from three different people, they managed to get the thing on Kai, and Bruce had to admit - it was adorable.
“Oh, he’s so cute I just want to eat him,” Dick exclaimed.
Tim flapped his hands like he just couldn’t contain whatever emotion he was feeling. “Oh my god. I have to go get my camera!” Then he turned and fled back to the house at full speed.
“Grab my jacket too so we can match!” Conner called after him, tugging at the little lapels on Kai’s jacket.
Everybody laughed and cooed and pulled out their phones for pictures too. There was nothing but pure joy all around them.
It had been 134 days since his son had come home, bringing Bruce’s grandson with him.
The sun was warm and the clouds were fluffy. The breeze was free of pollution or harshness. His family was happy and healthy and whole.
It was a beautiful day.