An askfic for goodluckdetective on Tumblr

Tim just wanted to be a real boy, more than anything in the world. He wanted to be a real boy like Robin, rather than a toy his parents throw away whenever they go on a trip. Which confuses Tim greatly… why would his parents make him if they were just going to go away all the time?

So when the second Robin dies, he goes to Batman and offers his services… maybe that way Batman will make him into a real boy… like he did for Dick and Jason; because everyone starts life as a toy right?

So he doesn't tell Batman that he can't be hurt, why should he? But Tim does get mildly confused at Bruce's concern for his well-being, when he 'twists' his ankle or 'sprains' his arm. Tim can't die… but he limits himself anyway, for Batman's benefit, and maybe one day Batman will make him a real boy.

The first time Tim forgot to charge himself up, when he was low on fuel (since he was trusted to be old enough to do it himself) was when his father died.

Alfred came and plugged him in, he didn't know who he expected to come; he had missed phone calls from Dick and a couple of texts from Conner and Bart… but Alfred was the one who came round, who persuaded him that everything would be okay, and that he should stay at the manor… it would be better. So he did, and it was, for a while.

Until Damian.

Damian who was made by Bruce; who was already a real boy… so why wasn't he? Damian who damaged him so badly that he had to shut down to repair for a week. Damian whom everyone else loved but Tim; because Damian got away with being more ruthless, got away with *killing*, who got away with trying to destroy Tim- you can't kill someone who isn't real- without reprimand. It was all okay until Damian, because after Damian Bruce disappeared and Batman died, and Tim was left alone again.

But Batman didn't die, and Tim could prove it; his systems could prove it. However Dick didn't believe him. How could Dick not believe him? Dick said he should see someone. Who could he see? Alfred had checked over his systems thoroughly, there was nothing wrong with him. But Dick still didn't believe him… and Dick made Damian Robin… and took away Tim's only chance of being a real boy.

That night was the second time Tim forgot to charge himself.

In the morning it was Dick who found him.

"ALFRED!"

"Yes Master Richard?"

"Alfred, Tim's… Tim's dead" Dick was stricken, his face pale; like he was about to throw up.

"No Master Richard, I can assure you he is not"

"But Alfred he's not breathing and his skin is stone cold!"

"He has simply forgotten to charge himself, he is not dead"

"Ch… charge himself?" for a moment he looked as though he was going to fall back onto the chair behind him, but Dick didn't. His eyes suddenly became sharp and focused on Alfred for an explanation.

"Yes Master Richard, Timothy was created by Drake industries; he is an android, the first that can perfectly mimic the human form, a top secret experiment I do believe, Jack Drake never did like sharing things with the Government. Shall I put him on charge it should only take a few hours?"

Dick paused, Tim; Tim thought that Bruce was still alive... something had probably shorted out in circuits, he probably shouldn't be charged until the could get him checked out... "…No Alfred, I… I think this way is best…"

"If you are sure Master Richard"

"I'm sure…" he ghosted his hand though Tim's hair "Goodnight Little Brother"