Work Text:
Dick tuned out the sounds of Jason yanking the kidnapper out of the driver's seat and ran to the back of the car. He didn't know what he was hoping for - if Tim was in the trunk then he'd probably be dead. But if Tim wasn't in the trunk he'd certainly be dead.
He lifted the lid.
Hazy, unfocused blue eyes stared back at him. Tim laid expectedly limp in a crumpled heap in the trunk, the weak trace of a strained expression on his cyanotic face.
"Tim" whispered Dick. He immediately put two fingers against Tim's neck, blessedly finding a pulse fluttering irregularly. Dick didn't even bother checking for breath.
"Tim!" shouted a suddenly appearing Jason. He quickly but gently pulled Tim out of the car. "I gotcha" he said softly, laying Tim on the ground.
Dick sat beside Tim and hunched over him, not wasting any time pinching his nose and blowing air into his mouth. Jason squeezed Tim's shoulder. "That better?" he asked.
Tears gathered in the corners of Tim's eyes, though healthy color was returning to his face. Jason and Dick, for their part, weren't entirely sure that Tim was conscious until now.
A familiar rumble vibrated down the street towards them. Jason looked up and saw the Batmobile skid to a stop, Bruce flying out carrying his med kit. He shoved Dick to the side none so gently but Dick let him. Bruce secured the mask onto Tim's mouth and nose and squeezed the bag.
"That's it. You're alright. You're alive" said Bruce.
Tim couldn't respond if he wanted to. Instead he began to tremble.
Jason rubbed Tim's arm. "Hey, no, it's okay. We're gonna-"
"Wait" said Dick. "I think he's -!"
"Time it" said Bruce.
Dick moved around to Tim's head and Jason handed him his jacket. While they counted Dick placed Jason's folded jacket under Tim's head. Tim's eyes rolled back.
"Shit" said Jason.
"Easy" said Bruce. "We've been through this. Just ride it out."
Dick murmured reassurances to Tim until the trembling eased. After two minutes and twenty-eight seconds Tim was still again, looking around dazedly.
"There you are" said Bruce.
"B, we've gotta move" said Jason.
"I know. Everyone up."
"I know you're confused, bud, but we're going home. Then you can rest" said Dick to Tim.
Tim was exhausted. On the ride in the back of the Batmobile his eyes fluttered shut and open again as Jason breathed for him with the bag. Dick's mind was racing. He couldn't get Tim's look when he opened the trunk out of his brain.
"Dickie, stop. I can hear you thinking from here" whispered Jason. Tim appeared to be asleep.
"I know. I just -"
"We wont know anything until we get back."
Dick nodded. The unspoken question of whether or not there'd be brain damage hung in the air. Until the hidden doors of the cave opened there wasn't anything they could do.