Safe Space For Capes

I’ve been getting really into Batman, like, a lot more than what I expected. That being said, here are my headcanons and items explained in the moodboard!

First off, the bat plush. Someone (probably Clark) got it for him and he kept it on a shelf, claiming it was a waste of money since he doesn’t need a stuffed animal, let alone of a bat, too cliche in his opinion. And though he’d never admit it, the small plush would definitely bring some sort of safety to him whether he was small or not, just being able to have the little bat in his hands and run his fingers over the fur would definitely make him feel better 🫶🏻

Second, he’d definitely play with soft toys to not cause a lot of noise, finding more peace in silence with maybe some old cd’s or classical music in the background at a low volume!!

Third, the teapot obviously is a connection to Alfred, I think when he’s small he’d love to play as a little helper around the house with Alfred, or at least returning Alfred’s treatment by having a tea party with him!!

Last but not least, the night light/projector!! I think when he’s small, he doesn’t like being alone or being in the dark, so when he’s (rarely) alone, whoever is taking care of him puts the space projector on the ceiling and that thing can and will distract him for hours, without a doubt.

However, Tim being the curious person he is, eventually stumbled upon the entrance to the BatCave, which then very quickly led to a new rule. Don’t go into the BatCave if you’re starting to, or already, feel regressed. Easy and simple, right?

Wrong.

Tim knew rules were set in place for protection over him, but it was the BatCave, the most secure and safe place he could ever imagine himself to be in, and there was typically at least one person inside at all times. A family consisting of over-workers will guarantee that.

Since the rules were set in stone, and there was someone always inside, he never really got to see the area when he was small, much to his chagrin. Whether it be from being bribed with a movie night, or being picked up and carried for the rest of the day to ensure he wouldn’t go into the room again, he could never manage to get in there without being ushered out in seconds.

Until now.

Most of the family had come back from patrol by now, Duke, Damian and Cassandra all in their bedrooms and most likely sleeping. Stephanie had sent a text to him that she was going to be taking a shower, so she was occupied for the time being. Jason didn’t come back to the manor after his patrol, rather finding comfort in the familiarity of his apartment tonight. Dick in a similar position, but he had work the next morning and was on his way to Blüdhaven. Which then left Bruce, who (as typical,) stayed out later than any of the others just to ensure the necessities of the night were finished, which gave Tim an opening to sneak downstairs and into the cave.

Grabbing his well-trusted dragon plush, honorably named Aurora, he carefully set foot on his adventure to the BatCave. Tiptoeing his way down the halls and past the kitchen where Alfred was focused on preparing an after patrol tray for Bruce, he managed to sneak his way into the cave without a hitch.

He silently cheered for himself, holding Aurora close to his chest and bopping her snout with the front of the pacifier in his mouth as he took the steps one at a time, ensuring his plan doesn’t go awry by an accident down the stairs.

So concentrated on the ground below him and where he placed his foot next, it wasn’t until he hit the bottom step that he heard the labored breathing by the computer, looking up to see Bruce sitting in the chair.

Not Batman. No. Bruce. The batsuit was rid of his body, the only evidence of the suit being the reddened outline on his cheeks from the cowl. Rather, he suited a black turtleneck with a pair of sweatpants.

Apparently, Bruce hadn’t heard him either, judging by how hadn’t moved from where he sat, his head in his hands, shoulders shaking and his chest stuttering with his breaths. Tim’s brows furrowed at the sight— at the behavior. It’s not like he’s never seen Bruce like this before, but… It was different. He wasn’t sporting the cowl or any part of the suit, it wasn’t the day of an unwelcoming reminder of a specific event. It was just Bruce.

Inching closer, shuffling his socked feet quietly against the floor, he finally caught Bruce’s attention. His head whips up to meet Tim’s eyes, the first thing that catches Tim’s attention is how red and glossy Bruce’s eyes are, how alert they are as they surveyed Tim’s face. Tears gather at Bruce’s lashes and the puffiness of his under eyes stands out underneath the dark lighting.. It felt like a staring contest into each other’s crystal blue eyes, neither one of them daring to break the silence as they took in one another’s appearance and the situation.

“Hey—” Bruce croaks out, a hitch in his breath like he’d just been running, his mouth seemingly trying to catch up to his brain. “Hey, kiddo.” He manages to choke out, one of his hands coming up to his chest and massaging his sternum with his knuckles.

Even when regressed, Tim knows what a panic attack feels and looks like. Tim also knows he’s smart enough to figure out that that’s what’s happening.

Except, he’s unsure of how to comfort Bruce. Their eye contact continues as Tim tries to think of ways to help him out. What would help Tim if he had a panic attack? Ooh! An even better idea! What would Bruce do if Tim was having a panic attack?

He shuffles over further, Bruce’s eyebrows knitting together in confusion, his once watery eyes now spilling with tears out onto his cheeks with a snuffle. Tim places Aurora into Bruce’s free hand and guides his arms into a hugging position with the dragon.

Bruce stares downward at the stuffed animal, and then back up to his son in confusion, but still allowing the boy to do whatever the boy wants, he can’t find much care to stop him. Tim drops his head on Bruce’s shoulder, wrapping his arms– as much as he can in their position– around Bruce’s body, and it’s just then that it clicks for Bruce just what’s happening.

“Oh. Oh, thank you, buddy.” He sniffles out, keeping one arm wrapped around Aurora’s plush body, the other moving to wrap around Tim as he leans his head against the younger’s shoulder, letting the boy perform his attempt to help clear his consciousness, clenching his shaking hand onto the back fabric of Tim’s shirt.

Tim nods, patting his hand against Bruce’s back, just like Bruce does to him when he cries. “‘s’okay, papa. You’re safe.” He mumbles behind the pacifier, remembering the words being echoed to him repeatedly whilst being held in Bruce’s warm embrace not too many nights ago.

The words break a sob from Bruce’s throat, tucking his head into the crook of Tim’s neck and bringing Tim to sit in his lap, almost like a cradle as he rocks the both of them side to side in the chair, the two finding themselves in silence and holding each other for quite some time. Tim lets Bruce cry, he remembers him and the others saying it’s okay to cry, and it’s helpful to just cry it out sometimes.

“I am safe. Thank you.” Bruce finally says, holding Tim— and Aurora, he could never forget her.— tighter and closer to himself, pressing a kiss to the crown and forehead of Tim’s head, and of course a kiss to Aurora’s forehead and snout at Tim’s hand nudging her closer to his face.