Just so you know, the first few chapters may be a little slow (not uploadwise, rather actionwise). I do apologize, but I don't want to jump into any major action this early. I just want to get a few chapters in before I get to the amnesia. This chapter will deal with Tim and his attitude over the last few days.
Everyone was huddled in the kitchen for breakfast. Dick was carefully attempting to stand, using the counter for support. Help wasn't too far from him with his wheelchair sitting beside him and Jason was a few steps away, keeping a good eye on him. Then there was Bruce, who looked ready to pounce at any given moment. As much as it annoyed Alfred, Bruce made it known that Dick had to work on standing up and balance.
Dick was supporting his weight pretty well. He was enjoying the meal, the morning banter keeping his mind off of his predicament. That was until Damian and Tim started another round of arguing. This time over Tim's "negligence" towards the Titans. When Tim tried to argue his necessity for the current events, Damian shot it down with the notion of Tim's services "no longer being required".
All it did was irk Dick, who was just glad that Tim chose to be around. He didn't want to start his morning off like this. He just wasn't in the mood for it. Unfortunately the only way to get away from it, he needed to excuse himself.
"Thanks Alfred." Dick kindly complemented with his empty plate in hand.
Dick was about to take a step towards the sink when his legs gave out. Jason was instantly there to catch him and place him in his seat. Jason made sure that he was okay, which he claimed that he was. Once settled, Dick left the room, leaving everyone behind.
"Now look what you did." Damian lectured. "You made him feel unwelcomed."
"Me?" Tim argued. "You're the one who started it."
"Knock it off." Jason lectured. "You both caused it."
Dick was practicing some balance. Bruce brought up a pair of low rising bars. He took over for Jason, who was slightly feverish and needed to rest. Because of that, Bruce stayed in the room in case Dick needed help.
Dick used the bars to help support his weight and to use for taking small steps. Whenever his balance faltered, he firmly held onto the bars and raised his feet off the ground. Once adjusted, Dick lowered his legs back down, carefully making sure his footing was alright.
Dick lost his footing stumbling against one of the bars. Bruce took several steps towards Dick before Dick put a hand up to stop him. Dick slowly stood back up and dragged himself back to the wheelchair. As he sat down his hand gently supported his head.
He was starting to get frustrated by how slow his progress was. It may have only been a few days and should expect it to take time, but it irritated him. He was expecting the recovery to be as smooth as his sprained ankle was and it wasn't giving him that satisfaction.
Bruce could feel Dick's frustration and walked towards him. It didn't take much for him to figure out why, but it was still pretty noticeable.
"Hey, it's okay." Bruce comforted, kneeling in front of him. "I know you want this to blow over quickly, but your body still needs time."
"It's not fair." Dick growled.
"I know. If I could go back stop this from happening, I would. You have to be patient."
"Bruce." Tim called, entering the room.
Bruce and Dick's attention fell on him. Tim was a little puzzled, realizing that he had interrupted them.
"Alfred has to get Damian and wants you to keep an eye on Jason. Apparently he's been having sporadic vomits and shouldn't be left alone."
"Why can't you?"
"I'm dealing with some evidence that the Titans are sending me."
Bruce sighed in annoyance. He didn't want to leave Dick unattended to. Especially with his disheartened frustration.
"It's okay." Dick admitted. "Jason could use the attention. Besides, Babs wants to video chat with me since I wasn't able to yesterday because of my appointment with Leslie."
Tensions only seemed to increase as Tim seemed to grow more and more irritated. It started with him and Damian having another disagreement. It wasn't a major issue and was easily dispelled by Bruce, but it did seem to set Tim off.
Then Tim and Bruce started to fight. Bruce didn't particularly like that Tim had been secluding himself and not helping out as much around the house. Tim only told that he wanted to be alone.
It was the disagreement with Jason that really set him off. Jason hounded him for every little thing once Jason allowed Dick to move around on his own. Jason wanted to address Tim's behavior as of late, but all Tim did was snap. It pissed Jason off. Tim wasn't known for snapping at him so easily. Not these days anyways.
Jason thought it could be because Tim was stuck in the manor for so long and it was finally starting to get to him. But he wasn't the only one. Outside of Damian, who had academic obligations, none of the former Robins have gotten out much at all. And with Bruce cooping up in the Batcave for hours on end and patrolling on his own, none of them have able to unwind.
It wasn't until, out of frustration, Jason stated how they all had to make some sacrifices that Tim really got irked. Jason mentioned how Dick wasn't complaining about his lack of mobility or independence. With that, he commented that if it was so bad that Tim should just leave.
"You're right." Tim shouted, storming out of the room. "I'm out of here."
Dick grabbed Jason's wrist, stopping him from chasing after him. Clearly Dick had heard enough of the commotion. By the time Jason looked back, Tim was gone and no one chased after him. Dick tugged at Jason's sleeve in an attempt to pull him aside.
"Let me guess, you want to talk with him." Jason assumed.
"No." Dick disagreed. "I want you to, but I don't want you to until you calm down a little."
Jason glared at him with confusion.
"I've been thinking. I have a feeling Tim's current attitude has something to do with me."
"That can't be it. Besides, if anyone can get through to him, it's you."
Dick sigh with a puzzled smirk on his face. While that was generally true, he knew that there were some exceptions.
"Believe it or not, he doesn't tell me everything. There are things that I know he hides from me. Things that he can't talk to me about. I also know there are things that he tells you that he can't tell anyone else. That's why you need to talk to him. Let's face it, everyone's attention has been on me lately. And if my hypothesis is correct, I doubt I'm the best candidate to talk to him about what's wrong."
Jason couldn't argue with that. Dick had a point.
"Alright."
Dick was right, Tim hadn't left. He was sitting in the backyard watching a family of robins taking turns cleaning themselves in the bird bath. It appeared that Tim had cooled down.
"Hey Timbo." Jason greeted, sitting beside him without giving Tim the chance to refuse.
Tim did really say anything. Not an uncommon trait, but one that was a little troubling in the current setting. Jason knew he was going to have to take the first step.
"What's going on?" Jason questioned. "You're not usually like this."
Tim didn't respond. Jason decided to investigate. Remembering Dick's hypothesis, he started there.
"Is it because of Dick?"
Tim's head nudged slightly, as though to deny it. It wasn't very convincing, but Jason let him take his time.
"I shouldn't feel this way." Tim admitted. "He's hurt."
"What are you talking about?"
"You're all so attentive to him. You need to, and I understand that, but I can' help but feel cast aside."
Tim deeply sighed.
"Now that he's safe and Slade no longer a threat, I don't feel like needed. I don't feel like I'm wanted."
Jason understood the sentiment. Admittedly, Tim did have a bigger role when Slade was on the hunt, but now that he wasn't, Tim's assistance wasn't as needed. It wasn't that they didn't want Tim around, it was the change in care that overshadowed Tim's presence. The feeling of neglect was an expected one. Jason slung an arm around Tim's shoulders.
"You're wanted." Jason admitted. "It's true that Dick's injuries and mental health have required a lot of attention, but that doesn't mean we've completely forgot about you. To be honest, I thought you enjoyed being able to have some you time. Without anyone bothering you, I thought you'd enjoy the independence."
"I do," Tim admitted, "but that doesn't mean I don't want at least some attention from you guys."
Jason smirked. Tim was being honest, that was for sure. He pulled Tim closer.
"I'll try to be more attentive." Jason promised. "If you promise to stay."
Tim grinned at Jason's offer.
"Okay."
"Then let's go back in. Our motherly older brother is waiting for an update."
Jason helped Tim get up, turning him towards the manor. He ruffled the teen's hair before nudging him in the right direction.
This is just my litle attempt at Jason and Tim's relationship. It's good practice for when I decide to write a fic around these two.
