In Search of What Was Lost

chapter 3: Lines Crossed, Bonds Forged

Scene: Wayne Manor – Study

The mood in the study is tense, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. Tim stands just outside the door, the weight of the conversation pressing in around him. Inside, Bruce and Dick are arguing, their voices low but heated, their words stinging with both concern and judgment.

Bruce : in a controlled, intense voice "Ninety-nine failed attempts, Dick. Ninety-nine. Do you realize how many ethical lines he crossed to get there? This wasn't some simple experiment; it was reckless, dangerous, and more than a little disturbing."

Dick : defensive, trying to keep his voice steady "I know that, Bruce. But look at what he was going through. We all saw how devastated he was after Kon died, but none of us knew the depth of it. We thought they were just friends, but it was more than that to him. He was in love , Can you imagine the weight of that loss?"

Bruce : sharply "Being in love doesn't justify the methods he used. He manipulated DNA, crossed boundaries that we've always agreed were wrong . He wasn't just creating a clone—he was creating a life, playing with the building blocks of existence without any regard for the consequences."

Dick: frustrated "I get that!" the converstation is getting allot louder and tim doesnt need to try lower his breathing just to hear this conversastion anymore, he can hear it clear as day as bruce and dick start getting loud
Dick continues " But we're talking about someone who's been family to us for years, someone who just brought a child—a piece of Kon—back into the world. That was one of my best friends, Bruce, and knowing we have a part of him here again... I'm honestly grateful. And not just for him. This is Tim's baby. Maybe he crossed every line there is, but that doesn't erase what he went through. How do you think he feels right now?"

Bruce: voice softening, but still troubled "I am glad we all get a part of Kon back... and that Tim's closer to finding some peace, or at least stability. But he went down a dark path to get here, and he'll have to face what that means. This isn't just about him, Dick. There's a child involved now.. an infant at that—a life he brought into this family after ninety-nine failed, agonizing attempts. I'm not even sure he thought through the responsibility he's taken on."

Tim's heart clenches as he hears Bruce's words, each one feeling like a jab to the heart. Responsibility. Dark path. He feels his fists clench, anger bubbling inside him as the words hit deeper than he expected. He knows they're talking about him out of concern, but he can't take the judgments, the assumptions he knows Dick is on his side defending his behaviour but he knows dick is also disturbed by Tims behaviours .

Dick : trying to reason, his tone more understanding "Bruce, of course he thought about it. Maybe he was too lost in his grief to see the whole picture, but that doesn't mean he's not aware of the responsibility. He loves that kid. He was hurting. This whole family's had its fair share of unorthodox methods when it comes to dealing with pain."

Bruce : exasperated "It's not the same, Dick. We have rules, lines we've all agreed to, even in the worst times. We don't play with life and death like it's something we can manipulate. This was different—he crossed a line I never thought any of us would cross."

Tim has had enough. He pushes open the door, storming into the room, his face flushed with anger.

Tim : voice trembling with frustration and hurt "You're right, Bruce. I crossed lines. I broke rules. But you have no idea what it was like for me. You think this was just about cloning? It was about holding onto the only person who ever—who actually —got me, When everyone told me i was insane for thinking you were alive back then, Kon was the only one that believed me! that didn't think id lost my mind! You say I should've handled it differently? That's easy to say when it's not your heart being torn out!"