kinda getting into the idea of a reverse Robins AU where it isn't just the second Robin that dies, it's always Jason.
Damian is first - Bruce's actual son, who goes from Talia's training to peak angst Bruce and then escapes to become Nightwing, who grows up confident and smiles because why wouldn't he?
Then comes Steph, barely Robin for a year, only there because she needs support and the second Robin always brings out Bruce's optimism. She fakes her death but it's found out and she's okay, really, and she's on to Spoiler
Then Tim, who obsessively watched Damian and went so far as to date Steph to get closer, who Bruce adores, because he's two Robins in and he's soft now, and he's chatty and snarky and the darling of the League and he goes on to be Red Robin and everyone knows he's one of the most skilled fighters in the world
And then it's Jason. Jason, who's the fourth Robin, who's whole entire role is to be loved by everyone, because everyone knows Robin by now and Robin is always safe. and then he dies. he becomes Red Hood at 17, three years after he dies
And Bruce swears not to take another Robin, except Tim begs him to go to the circus, and when Bruce sees a black haired boy see his parents die, he doesn't have a choice. he's the most careful around Dick, so Dick grows up wary and quieter, because he's not just the baby of the family, he's the one who feels the aftershocks of Jason. no one is around.
Barbara is 14 when she gets shot, only Batgirl for two years, and she's given all the responsibility of Oracle a year later, because she has to. she saw Jason's death air on the news, she knows what'll happen to Dick if she can't help.
