Tim threw his hands up in the air. There was no reason to continue this conversation. "I don't care."

Dick sighed as he rolled his eyes. He loved Tim like a brother, but sometimes the kid knew how to push his buttons. "Don't do this."

Tim stopped dead. "Don't do what?"

Dick moved next to him and placed a hand on Tim's shoulder. "Don't pretend you don't care."

Tim shrugged off Dick's hand, and turned to face him. "But, I don't care"

Dick stared straight into Tim's eyes and was amazed with how dead they seemed. He knew that was just Tim's way of feigning indifference. "Yes, you do, and I know it."

Tim's eyes flashed with some kind of emotion, but it vanished before Dick could register what it was. "No, actually, I really don't, but if you would prefer I pretend to care, I can do that."

Dick had hoped he was getting through to Tim, but clearly that wasn't the case. He hung his head slightly, and took a deep breath. "Tim, stop it."

"Stop what?" Tim lightened his voice as though he was genuinely confused.

"Stop whatever this is." Dick gestured widely between them.

"This isn't anything." Suddenly Tim's voice was flat again.

This time Dick threw his hands up into the air. "Ugh, why are you so difficult?"

Tim folded his arms over his chest. "I don't know. You tell me. After all, you're the one with the problem."

Dick began to rub his temples. "Tim, look…I care, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. Talk to me."

"Nothing to talk about." Tim turned to go.

"Tim!" Dick didn't know what else to do to get through to him. Tim wasn't listening, and Dick was beyond frustrated.

Tim didn't stop, nor did he turn around. "I've got work to do."

Dick was walking behind him, trying to control his breathing. He didn't want to yell at Tim, but he was getting closer and closer to it. "Tim, don't walk away from me."

Tim spun around so fast that Dick had to take a step back to avoid being hit. "My dad used to say that to me. Do you know what the result was?"

Dick shook his head no.

Tim balled his hands into fists. "I was out on a rooftop until the sun came up, then I got ready for school, and days would go by before he saw me for more than a passing glance as I was going to and from my room." Tim's fury showed clearly through his eyes.

Dick wasn't sure what was going on or what he had gotten himself into. Tim rarely spoke about his dad these days. "I'm sorry."

"You're not, but you'll think before you say that phrase to me again." Tim turned to go.

Dick knew he had probably hit a sore spot with Tim, but that didn't excuse the way he was acting. "You're being a real ass, you know that?"

Tim shrugged and left. He didn't need this, especially not from Dick. Dick didn't get it and he never would. There was no point in continuing that conversation. Tim wasn't even sure he wanted Dick to understand at this point. Tim knew he was being an annoying jerk to Dick, but being an annoying jerk was better than not being able to handle his own life, and right now that's what it felt like.

Tim walked to his room thinking how to explain to Dick everything that he was thinking and feeling but how do you explain to someone that you don't understand or know how to deal with your own life? It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Tim felt alone and lost. He didn't think anyone could understand how he felt if he himself didn't understand it. When Tim got to his room all he wanted to do was sleep. He didn't think it would help, but, at least if he was asleep he wouldn't have to think. He climbed into bed, and threw the covers over himself. Tim decided to let whatever was going to happen happen. He would deal with life and everything else once he had rested.

The End