For the @jaytimsecretsanta exchange 2018. De-aged was the prompt I decided to go with and the recipient is @mymaingoal. @chibinightowl was kind enough to do a last minute beta read of this for me.
What I've learned from this experience: Always save your stories on more than one device.
Jason works on picking several locks to a tightly sealed room while Tim keeps a look out for anyone coming.
“I don’t like that we don’t have comms in,” Tim gripes.
“Suck it up. If we want to catch both the buyers and the sellers, you know we have to be undercover, that includes no above average tech.”
“What if something goes wrong? You were rather vague on the details when you dragged me out for ‘date night’.”
“We sent photos of the buyers, sellers and ‘merchandise’ to Arsenal already. If we don’t check in, he’s supposed to anonymously pass the information off to the Commissioner.”
“That’s great, but you still haven’t explained why we haven’t let all these easy to free people go.” Tim hisses as he gestures through the heavily paned window on the metal door next to him that reveals a room full of drugged men and women. “Why are you so determined to get into this particular room?”
Jason stops to look at his obviously pissed off and concerned boyfriend. “Sorry, babe. I know I sprung this on you last minute, but I promise I’ll explain soon.” He returns to the last lock on the heavy door.
“Last minute!? Jason, I thought we were actually going on a date until you brought me here, told me to put on a wig and contacts so I wouldn’t be recognized, and to just play along.”
When Tim slips up and uses his name in the field, Jason realizes he needs to explain now or suffer the consequences, ones that will make his life miserable for however long it takes Tim to forgive him. “Red called me with intel on my way to your place. He’s working overseas on this international human trafficking ring and just found out that an auction was going down in Gotham tonight and that they have a special item up for bid.” He takes a breath and concentrates on the lock for a moment. It’s trickier than the ones more commonly found on doors like this. “The special item is a meta-human. We can’t sneak that many people out on our own undetected and they’re in no state to get out by themselves. If anyone finds us, it won’t be good. Besides, you know what the government is like when it comes to meta-humans. We need to get them out of here, then we can call this in and save the rest of those people.”
“If you had said that in the beginning, I wouldn’t have been so pissed.”
“Yeah, yeah, it couldn’t be…I’m in!” Jason opens the door, steps into the room and promptly comes back out. “This is a two-person job. I need your help.”
Upon entering the room, Tim spots the reason why. There’s a young girl strapped down to a stretcher with an inhibitor collar on. She’s staring up at them with a terrified look in her eyes.
“I’ll get her loose from the table, you work on the collar,” Jason says quietly.
Approaching the child, Tim speaks softly to her. “Don’t worry, we’re going to get you out of here.”
She still looks terrified. They’re not even sure if she speaks English, so he tries giving her a reassuring smile as he slowly reaches for the collar and gets to work on releasing it. This particular model is one he’s gotten his hands on before, so it doesn’t take long to override the release mechanism.
Jason manages to release her from the gurney fairly quickly. He hears the locking mechanism click and Tim slowly removes the collar from her neck. The girl bolts out of the bed and scurries across the room.
“Hey, it’s okay,” he says soothingly. “We’re only trying to help.”
They make the rookie mistake of approaching her at the same time. The little girl raises her hand defensively and releases a blast of energy that sends Tim and Jason to the floor, darkness overtaking them both.
Jason slowly wakes up, head pounding and feeling completely disoriented. Wherever he is, it smells weird. He reaches up to touch his aching head and realizes two things. One, everything hurts; two, his clothes feel weird. Opening his eyes, he realizes he’s in a strange basement, or what looks and smells like a basement anyway. He looks down at his clothes and feels even more confused because he’s wearing some rich old man’s hoity toity monkey suit. What the hell is going on?
A groan comes from behind him and he slowly turns around. There’s a kid, maybe 7 years old, also drowning in a too big suit. Crap, this isn’t good. He doesn’t know what kind freak grabbed them, but he’s clearly got a fetish. They have to leave right now.
The kid groans louder and opens his eyes when Jason shakes his shoulder. “Come on, we have to get outta here.”
“Where are we? What’s going on?”
The boy’s accent throws Jason. He’s not from the streets, not sounding like that. “I dunno. Just woke up here and I’m not plannin’ to stick around to find out.”
Standing up, Jason almost loses his pants. The belt is way too big and doesn’t have enough holes. There’s nothing here to make a new one, so he grips the waist band and looks around, spotting the straps on the bed. He pulls them off, shying away from thinking about why they’re even there. One gets tied around his waist and he tosses the other to the young boy.
“Tie that around your waist,” he says as he rolls up his pants so he doesn’t trip.
“Why are you helping me?”
“Do you want me to leave you here?”
“Then don’t ask stupid questions.” Jason starts rolling up one pant leg while the boy works on the other. The boy’s legs are skinny but not in a way that looks like he’s not getting enough to eat. He’s just tiny. “I’m Jason,” he says, not liking the quiet. “What’s your name, kid?”
Tiny Tim. He wants to snicker at it, but in reality, he’s freaking out because they’ve been here too long. Losing it won’t do any good. He’s gotta stay calm. Grabbing Tim’s hand, Jason pulls him up.
“Sorry, but we have to go, now. I don’t wanna be here when whoever took us comes back.”
How did that happen anyway? He can’t remember. The whole night feels like a blur.
Tim is showing obvious signs of panic – shaking, rapid breathing rate – but he’s silent as he follows Jason carefully through the halls. One floor up, they find a small window with a few crates conveniently placed beneath it. Jason turns to give Tim a boost and gives him a funny look when he sees that he has his shoes tied together and slung over his shoulders.
The boy shrugs. “They're too big, but I might need them.”
That’s not an entirely bad idea. Jason helps him onto a crate. “Can you get it open?”
Tim nods determinedly, but he struggles with the window for what feels like too long before it opens with a loud scraping noise.
Jason winces and checks for signs of anyone coming while Tim makes his way through the window. Not hearing anything, he pulls himself up onto the crates and barely squeezes through the tiny window.
It’s a straight drop to the ground, but it’s not too far, at least for him. Tim probably had some trouble though, but he’s nowhere to be seen. Jason really has to look around to spot him hidden in the shadows against the opposite wall.
Tim looks up from rubbing his knees and nods. Silently, they start trying to find their way out of the area, avoiding the one spot that is very active with people coming and going.
After half an hour of ducking behind objects and staying out of sight, they decide they're probably far enough away to walk in the relative open.
Tim pulls on Jason's sleeve to get his attention. “We should contact Batman and Robin.”
“Why wouldn't we? They help people and besides, whoever took us might take more kids!”
Jason scoffs and looks away. “Batman don't care about us Crime Alley kids.”
Tim is obviously upset by the accusation. Jason eyes him carefully, putting together the pieces of the little puzzle he’s been trying to solve since they woke up together in that room. “You're not from around here, are you?” He indicates the dirty streets and alleys around him with a sweep of his arm.
“’Round here, you wanna stay under Batman’s radar. You don't want him decidin’ to ‘help' you and sending you to Child Services. That's worse than the streets.”
Tim opens and closes his mouth a few times, but eventually just shuts it. He's obviously not sure how to respond to the new information.
Jason kicks a stone on the ground and watches as it disappears into the darkness. He just wants to get out of here and go back to his current squat, but he has to make sure the kid gets home alright. At this time of night, there’s no telling what else is lurking in the shadows. “Look, I'll walk you home and you can do whatever you want after I'm gone. Where do you live?”
There’s slight hesitation before Tim responds, “Gotham Towers.”
Jason is surprised the streets aren't crawling with cops if this kid is from a neighbourhood like that. He really wasn't kidding about not being from around here. It makes him wonder how Tim is so good at moving around undetected.
“Come on, let's get you home.”
They’re about half way through New Town when Jason gets the feeling that something’s wrong. Really wrong. He tries looking around to see if anyone is following them and doesn’t, not that it means anything when alleys are nothing but black holes waiting for their next prey, but he does notice Tim looking around with a confused expression. He pays attention to what Tim’s staring at and quickly realizes a few of the buildings and businesses seem wrong. Wasn’t that bookstore a pawn shop the last time he was through here? It wasn’t that long ago, was it? Maybe a week? He also could have sworn that building across the street was an empty lot.
“Yo, Tim. Do you know how long they had us? I thought it was only a few hours, but things don't look quite.” He stares in amazement and horror when they turn onto the next block. “Holy shit!”
“What happened?” Tim breathes, eyes wide and just as surprised as him. He turns to Jason for an explanation, like he would know why this whole block of the city has drastically changed.
“How the hell would I know?”
Tim flinches back at Jason's harsh exclamation.
“I'm not mad at ya and I’m not gonna hit ya, so just stop it.” Jason sighs, feeling like an asshole. “Sorry, I'm kinda freakin’ out a little. Not your fault.”
Tim seems to relax a little, but he’s obviously still concerned about the changes as well. “Are you sure we shouldn't contact Batman?”
“What the hell is Batman gonna do about this?”
“Well, umm…” Tim drops his gaze to the ground. “I don't know.”
“Exactly. Let's just keep goin’. Your folks must be worried.”
They keep walking, taking note of just how drastically some areas have changed.
“Jason?” Tim asks, speaking up after they pass through another block where nothing is familiar to either of them. “Do you think we should see a doctor? It doesn't feel like I've been gone long enough for the city to change this much. Maybe whoever took us gave us something and it’s messing with our heads?”
Jason is surprised by the kid. He hadn't thought of that possibility and it's a really damned good point.
“You're right.” He grabs Tim's hand and changes course, heading back toward Crime Alley. “Let's go see Doc Thompkins. She runs the Free Clinic and doesn't ask too many questions.”
Tim seems like he recognizes the name as he perks up and follows after him, keeping his hand firmly wrapped in Jason’s.
They're a few blocks away from the clinic when Tim suddenly pulls Jason into an alley and presses them against the wall.
“Shhhh.” Tim puts a finger up to his lips and looks up.
Jason has no idea what he’s on about, but he stays silent, eyes on the sky when he spots a Robin shaped shadow flying briefly overhead. Okay, now he’s confused. Didn’t Tim say they should try and find Batman and his boy toy wonder? So why is he hiding from them now?
After a couple of minutes where Tim insisted they be silent, Jason's had enough.
“That was Robin, wasn't it? Why the hell are we hiding? I thought you wanted to find Batman.”
“Wasn't Robin? He was wearing a cape, in Gotham, and it sure as hell wasn't Batman.”
“He was dressed like Robin, but that wasn't him. I'd know.” For the first time tonight, Tim sounds entirely sure of himself.
“Doesn't matter. The point is, we can't trust whoever that was.”
Jason looks at Tim in a mixture of annoyance and confusion. “Whatever, let’s just get to Doc Thompkins.”
They hurry to the clinic. Once they arrive and tell the check-in nurse what they think happened to them, they’re quickly ushered into a room and provided with a suitable change of clothing.
Doc Thompkins comes in and asks them a few questions, leaving after taking some blood samples, and promises to return shortly.
At this time of night, the clinic is very quiet, and the walls are thin. Too thin, really and they hear her say their names from out in the hall.
Tim gives him a surprised look, one that Jason knows he’s mirroring.
He doesn’t remember introducing themselves, although he supposes it’s possible the doc recognizes him. Jason jumps down off the exam table and darts over to the closed door, opening it ever so slightly to hear what’s being said.
“…get Tim and Jason, now.” There's a pause as the other person presumably responds. Doc Thompkins doesn’t sound happy. “Then send Robin. Those boys need help beyond what I can give them. I’ve got blood samples I can send you. Your testing equipment is much better than mine.”
Jason really wants to know what she means by that and how she’s got a direct line to what sounds like the freaking Batman. So much for this place being safe. He spares a thought to leaving without Tim, but the boy’s recent change of heart about Batman won't let him.
“We have to go.” He pulls Tim up out of his seat by his arm. “We shouldn't have come here. The doc called Batman or someone to come get us. I think they plan to send Robin.”
In the light of the exam room, Tim’s light blue eyes stand out as they widen in fear. He willingly follows after Jason. They wait for the hall to empty and sneak out of the clinic, eventually hiding under a dark set of stairs a few blocks away.
“I can't go home tonight.” Tim's statement is so definite and out of the blue it startles Jason.
The boy fidgets. “If Dr. Thompkins’ knew our names without us telling her, then she might know our full names. If Batman gets that information, he could easily find me. Now that they’re not the same people, or at least Robin isn't, I don't want to go with them. Mrs. Mac will be worried that I'm not home, but my parents are away, so they won't know, unless it really has been a long time and they’re back from their trip. They’re almost always gone.”
Tim looks a little upset by the end of his statement, so Jason slings an arm over his skinny shoulders and pulls him into an awkward hug. “Okay, we won't take you home, but it's late. I don't have a home to go back to, so let's find somewhere to crash and we'll try to figure this shit out in the morning.”
Jason scratches the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed by how grateful Tim sounds. “Don't mention it.”
They find a decrepit apartment building and after some searching, discover a room that’s easy for two boys to sneak into via the fire escape. It must be lived in, because the door is locked, but there’s no sign that anyone has been there recently. Jason is beyond exhausted at this point, so he decides to take the chance. They curl up together on the clean, sheetless bed and fall right to sleep.
Loud, barking laughter startles them awake.
“This is priceless! Where's a camera when you need one?”
Jason opens his eyes and glares at Roy, still dressed in his Arsenal get-up, holding himself up against the wall and crying from laughter. In his arms, Tim stiffens.
“What the fuck are you laughing at?” Jason gives him an unimpressed look for the rude awakening.
Roy's laughter increases in volume. “Don’t gimme that look, Jaybird. You're not very threatening, looking like that!”
Jason attempts to get up to knock some sense into Roy when he hears a rip and realizes just how restricting his clothes are. He looks down in horror. No wonder Tim is frozen in place. His pants are ripped down the ass, and his thighs have busted through the seams. His shirt feels like a skin-tight crop top.
But he's lucked out compared to Tim. Tim's clothes are ripped everywhere, held on by mere threads.
Last night starts to come back to him and as he looks around, he realizes they’re in what’s actually an older safehouse of his. Thank God for small favors, even if he does need to revamp the security.
Jason glares from over the top of Tim’s head. “Harper, what the fuck did you do?!”
“You sent us after that meta. What did she do to us?”
“Well…”Roy hedges, clearly enjoying this too much.
“Roy!” Tim adds in, exasperated. “Explanation, now!”
The archer rushes to start speaking, apparently not trusting Jason's modesty to keep him grounded for long. “Turns out she's a magician. Found out too late she was being sold as a meta because they bring a better price so I called Zatanna after you missed your check-in, and she tracked her down using some magic crap I don’t understand. The kiddo feels bad about what she did to you, by the way, and says she’s sorry.”
Jason growls in frustration. “I don't give a damn how she feels right now. I’m losing blood flow in some rather important places, so go get us some clothes!”
Roy laughs loudly again as he makes his escape.
Now that they have some privacy, Jason envelops Tim in his arms and breathes in the scent of his hair. It always calms him, and this time isn’t any different. “I wasn’t kidding about the lack of blood flow. Let's get these rags off and really give Roy a reason to regret laughing at us.” He kisses the back of Tim’s neck, but Tim jerks away.
“I'm not jeopardizing my chance to get clothing just because you’re horny. This is your safehouse, so go find a blanket. I'm cold.”
“Bossy. I think I like you better as a kid. Tiny Tim.”
Jason grunts hard at the bony elbow to his gut. Okay, perhaps this Tim is just fine after all.
