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batmansbasement · 3 months ago

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Fic Idea For Tim Drake And Jason Todd, and the Drake Family Dynamic

TW: Mention of drug abuse, overdose, infidelity, genetic addiction, general socialite behavior

The fics where Jack and Janet Drake are terrible parents who neglect and abuse Tim do make for good found family angst, yes.

However.

I propose to you something new and much much better. Yes, Tim's parents may not be winning any parent of the year awards, but they did teach their son how to be ruthless in the face of insults to their name. Together, Jack and Janet Drake are known as the sharks of the socialite world. You bleed a drop of blood and they'll sniff it out and sink their teeth into it, tearing you wide open.

Janet is a known social climber, she started at the bottom of the food chain and made her way to the top through coldness and apathy, using her mind to snap back at people when they dared to insult her or her family. Jack had been raised in the socialite world, and knows the ins and outs well. He knows that every smile is fake and every person is putting up a mask, and he knows how to see behind them.

This being said, I add in another popular fic trope. Young Tim and Jason meet at a gala, but Janet and Jack do not care that they talk, they actually encourage it. They always taught Tim not to take advantage of the way he was raised, or to think of himself as better because of something he was born into such as his wealth. When the Drakes found out that Brucie Wayne had taken in another boy, and that he was from Crime Alley, they did not believe a single thing the papers said, and promptly did not think much of it.

They were a little confused when their son developed an obsession with the Wayne's boy a few months later, but Tim had always been a little odd, and had always been fascinated by the Wayne's, what with seeing Dick Grayson's final performance, even if it was tainted by the awful events that occurred that night.

Of course a welcoming gala is hosted for the new son, Jason Todd, a couple months later. And of course the Drake's will make their appearance for it would be rude not to do so. They would be seen as prejudiced if they did not show, for they are welcoming this poor orphaned boy who lived on the streets and is now taken in by a rich man! How could you be so cruel as to not welcome him!

(The rich love to seen empathetic and thoughtful. It makes them feel better about how terrible they to those who need help)

(The Drake's, again, do not care much. The boy is just like any other, and they have a lovely son already. However Tim is so very excited, and the couple already knows the cruel things that will be said tonight, so they suppose it would be refreshing for Jason to talk to people who were not faking sympathy for his situation)

That's not to say that the Drake's were not sympathetic, just not in the ways that the surrounding crowd was.

At one point, Janet nearly scoffed after hearing some old bat tell Jason that "she truly felt for him. Truly, his situation was just awful, how could a mother set that kind of example for their child? He must feel so lucky to be living with someone as amazing as Brucie Wayne now. Not living on those filthy, disgusting streets anymore."

The poor boys face had turned so red Janet thought he might blow a gasket, and his expression was one of disgust so plain she felt she had to help him. How people could just assume the way they did, she would never know.

She looked down at her son, who was also watching the entire situation play out, and felt her lips upturn slightly. Tim had taken to watching people like a fish took to water, he was a natural at gathering information and reading people, as well as telling them what the wanted to hear.

Janet squeezed his shoulder and whispered to Tim, "Go, he looks like he needs a friendly face at the moment."

Tim's smile is bright and happy as he bounds over to Jason, and as they strike up a conversation, Jason's face slowly goes back to a normal color and he starts to form a smile of his own. Tim had always been bright and aware, and she was proud to call him her son. He was empathetic without giving pity, something she knew she hated receiving after talking about her own upbringing.

Satisfied with how things turned out, she leaves the two boys be, and turns to the crowd to find her husband. No doubt he's stomping down rumors left and right at the moment, he never did stand for the lies that circled the socialite community, no matter if they were about his family or someone else's.

Jack and Janet are talking to an older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Eldine, when they hear affronted gasps from a small gathering towards the other end of the ball room.

Jack and Janet both seem to realize at the same time that their son is presumably still with Jason. Jason, who has been called many names throughout the night, many unfavorable. And their son, their lovely Tim, who they taught to never hold back when insulted, or when someone he cares about is insulted.

To say they rushed to the center of the crowd was a bit of an understatement.

Sure enough, in the middle was a small clearing, and there stood Tim, shielding Jason with his body, and Eli Barnum, a man who was as sleazy as he was rich. Barnum stood red in the face, looking livid. Tim looked proud and defiant, and Jason looked shocked and worried.

Janet and Jack were at the boys' side swiftly.

"Timothy, could you please explain the meaning of this?" Jack's voice was strict and punishing to unfamiliar ears, but upon hearing it Tim relaxed minutely.

"He-" Tim was cut off before he could even start.

"Your son," Barnum spat, spittle flying from his mouth in his rage, "is the most disrespectful brat I've ever seen. You ought to teach him a lesson in respecting his elders, before someone else does it for you."

Jack tensed, and Janet's nostrils flared dangerously.

"Mr. Barnum, it would treat you well to not interrupt my son when he is speaking. It is impolite and frankly barbaric. Timothy, tell is what happened." Janet sounded every bit as terrifying as the tabloids said.

Tim looked from his mom, to Mr. Barnum, to his dad, to Jason, then back to his mom. He then looked back to his mother, eyes flashing with barely concealed rage.

"He called Jason a street rat. I was merely reminding him of what a rat really is."

Janet Drake smiled down at her son and nodded, while Jack looked back at Jason and tilted his head in question. Jason nodded shyly to confirm that this is what happened.

After the confirmation, it seemed as if the entire Drake family became a stone wall blocking Jason from the putrid man in front of them.

Janet pursed her lips, somehow managing to look down her nose at Burnam while being shorter than him.

"Is this true, Burnam?"

Burnam sputtered, his face turning impossibly more red.

"It's not like I'm wrong! Kids a gutter rat, shouldn't be mixing with people like us. We all know his mom was a druggie! And we all know how that is, runs in the blood! He's bound to end up just like her, useless and doped out by the time he's sixteen! Not to mention the diseases he probably carries from his time on those filthy streets, he's like a stray dog, probably riddles with fleas and pestilence!"

Janet hummed, felt her blood pressure rise beyond what she thought possible, and it worsened when she heard the heavy breathing coming from behind her. Jason appeared to be hyperventilating.

She knew how horrible people could be to those who were raised in less than favorable positions. She'd experienced it first-hand more than enough to last a lifetime, but to see it directed at a child, who had already been through so much at such a young age, sparked an anger in her so bright she felt as of it would burn her alive.

Or she would burn alive those who she directed it at.

She could tell her boys felt the same way. Tim was stiff as a board under her hand on his shoulder, and his breathing was nearly as bad as Jason's. Jack's body was poised like he was bracing for an impact, ready to attack.

"If I do remember correctly, Eli, your mother and father divorced after your mother found your father...ah...how did you put it...doped up? With another woman in his bed, and here you stand. Your hands are shaking, your face is hallow, and your teeth are the most horrendous shade of yellow I have ever had the displeasure of looking at. Perhaps it runs in your blood?"

Barnum's face dropped, paling at a rapid rate. The surrounding crowd was so silent you could hear a pin drop, and Janet's voice seemed to echo off the walls.

Then her son spoke up.

"Oh, right, it must be a familial connection, I'm sure of it, mother. It is his father's business that he inherited. It's the same business that is suspected of 67% of illegal opioid dealings in Gotham! Remember that, mother?"

Janet smiled cruelly, "Yes, Timothy, I do."

Jack clapped his hands with force, "Well then, we must have this man escorted off the premises immediately! How could someone such as him be around our children! What a terrible influence! Security!"

Burnam was dragged out kicking and screaming while a crowd of paparazzi surrounded him, and the Drake's looked down at him like he was little more than scum on the bottom of their shoes.

After all was said and done, Tim turned back to Jason, only to find he was taking to Bruce using wild hand gestures and looking about one breath away from a panic attack.

Then Jason looked up at caught Tim's eye, and smiled widely before dragging Bruce over to The Drake Family.

"Dad. Dad, these people are the coolest people I've ever seen in my life. That was the most insane thing I've ever witnessed. Oh my god."

Bruce smiled at the Drake's, and everyone could tell it was Bruce, not Brucie. They had found a secluded enough corner, and most of the attention was still on the paparazzi and the new gossip, so they were mostly safe from being heard.

"Thank you, for standing up for my son."

His smile was sincere, and Janet felt her heart melt just slightly, but didn't let it show on her face.

"It was stupid to leave him alone like that, Bruce, you know full well what these people are like."

Bruce nodded in agreement, "Yes, that was quite idiotic of me, I must admit, and I can assure you it will not happen again."

"Be sure that it doesn't" Janet snapped, before softening slightly.

Jason watched the conversation like a tennis match, head bouncing back and forth, before grinning up at Janet like she hung the moon.

"You are a total badass, Mrs. Drake."

At those words, Jack let out a loud chuckle, trying to stiffle it but failing, and Janet felt her lips quirk up.

"Jason, laguage!" Bruce admonished, but Jason didn't seem to hear him.

"And Tim! That was so cool, dude! How did you know about the whole drug thing? Even Bruce was shocked when he found out!"

Tim felt himself freeze up slightly. Batman was shocked about something he found out? He was totally going to freak out about that later. But not now. Robin is talking to him.

"It was really easy to put the pieces together after looking at the company stocks. There were too many suspicious transfers to unknown places, and after hacking a couple security cameras, I found out where he was spending his free time. Or, I guess how he was spending his free time."

Bruce raised an eyebrow at the young boy. "You hacked security cameras? Is that not illegal?"

Tim stared him head on, not backing down, ans Janet couldn't help but be proud of her little dragon.

"You've never done anything illegal, Mr. Wayne?" Tim's voice was sweet, his eyes wide and innocent, but the threat was loud and clear.

Bruce froze for a moment, and Jason's draw dropped to the floor. No way this kid new.

(The kid definitely knew.)

Jack shook his head, grabbing Tim by the shoulder and squeezing warningly.

"Sorry, we made the mistake of teaching him about blackmail, and he got a little obsessed. Timothy here probably has dirt on the entire high society at this point, and probably many more people that his mother and I are aware of."

Tim nodded in agreement.

Bruce took this in for a moment. "And you're both okay with this?"

Janet chucked slightly, "Truly, Bruce. I'd like to see you try and stop him."

Tim smiled something feral. "You can try, but I promise you'll fail."

Slowly, Bruce nodded, and Jason let out a laugh.

"Hey, Mrs. Drake, can you teach me that really scary glare you did at that man? In case there's someone else like him in the future?"

Janet looked down at the young man and felt incredibly fond. It was impossible not to, with his gaping smile and his boyish attitude.

She nodded, "Hm, yes, it's best you learn the art of intimidation sooner rather than later. However, for right now, if anyone acts even remotely the way Burnam did tonight, I want you to find Tim, who will find Jack and I, and we'll deal with it, sound good?"

Jason nodded quickly, while Jack looked down at his watch.

"Ah, darling, we should be getting home. It's nearly two in the morning!"

Janet nodded, and looked down at Tim, who looked sullen about the prospect of leaving but nodded nonetheless.

"Well then, it was an eventful night, but I cannot say I'm sad to see it come to an end."

Bruce chuckled at Janet's statement, humming, "No, I can't say I'm too disappointed either. Again, thank you all for tonight. Tim is welcome anytime at The Manor, I'm sure he would fit right in with my boys."

Jack nodded, "Thank you, and of course the same goes for Jason and your other young man, Dick, correct?"

Bruce nodded, "Yes, that's him. I'll see you all around"

Jack and Janet nodded, and Jason and Tim said goodbye to eachother, exchanging numbers and arguing about something, (all the adults heard was something about Wonder Woman and a toaster), before heading their separate ways.

The night all together didn't go as horribly as it could have.

Tim made a new friend, and Jack and Janet felt less worried because of it. They knew their son was odd, and although they loved him dearly, the knew not everyone felt the same amount of affection towards his more terrifying habits.

So all together, it was a success.

As Jack and Janet settled in for bed, they didn't hear their sons window open down the hall, or the sound of him exiting it.

Tim made sure to be absolutely silent, and as soon as he entered the city, he disappeared into the shadows completely.

He had some birdwatching to do, after all.

Fin.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WRITE MORE FICS BASED ON THIS OR GIVE RECS🙏 I NEED MKRE GOOD PARENT JACK AND JANET PLEAAASSEEE

#tim drake #batfam #dc comics #batman #dc robin #jason todd #red hood #red robin #janet drake #jack drake #fanfic #badass #tim drake is so cool #play around with the Drake familg dynamic more PLEASE #i swear we have these two perfectly useable characters and NO ONE USES THEM

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