The airport baggage claim echoed with the steady hum of conveyor belts, rolling suitcases, and the chatter of exhausted travelers finally reaching their destination. Outside the towering windows, Alaska stretched beneath a blanket of gray clouds, distant mountains dusted with snow despite the season. The crisp air that had greeted them after stepping off the plane lingered in everyone’s minds, promising a week unlike anything Gotham could ever offer.

Tim shifted his backpack higher on his shoulder, suppressing a yawn after the long flight. Nearly fifteen, he was the youngest of the group by a wide margin, making him feel even smaller surrounded by Bruce, Dick, and Jason. Naturally, he’d drifted toward Bruce’s side the moment they’d entered the terminal. Occasionally Dick would pull him into a conversation, earning a small smile, but Tim made no effort to wander anywhere near Jason.

Not that Jason seemed interested.

Jason Todd stood several feet away with his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his leather jacket, eyes fixed on the slowly moving luggage carousel as though it had personally offended him. Ever since returning home—alive, somehow—the manor had never truly felt like home again. Dick tried constantly to bridge the gap, filling awkward silences with jokes and invitations. Bruce attempted patience, giving Jason the space he believed he needed.

None of it changed the fact that Jason still looked at Tim like a reminder.

A replacement.

Robin.

Tim understood why, even if he’d never wanted that role under those circumstances.

Dick cleared his throat, glancing between everyone with the same optimistic expression he’d worn since pitching the vacation weeks ago. “Come on,” he said with an encouraging grin. “We’re in Alaska. Fresh air, glaciers, wildlife… no patrols, no villains, no Gotham. This is going to be good.”

Jason snorted.

“We’ll see.”

Bruce folded his arms but remained silent. Agreeing to this trip had taken far more convincing than anyone expected. If Alfred hadn’t enthusiastically supported Dick’s idea, Bruce would’ve dismissed the entire plan as unnecessary. According to Alfred, however, sometimes healing required removing people from the place where they kept getting hurt.

Whether that actually worked remained to be seen.

One by one, battered suitcases began tumbling onto the carousel. Dick immediately stepped forward to grab the first bag, while Bruce kept a quiet eye on Tim as travelers crowded closer.