Chapter 2:
Key Character: Dick Grayson
Another typical boring day, and Tim is in the Batcave monitoring Batman and Robin's patrol in Gotham's east end. Of course, they're out there where all the action is, while Tim himself is forced to remain indoors. Bruce's excuse is that "he's good with computers," even though Bruce can handle this technology himself. Heck, Bruce himself was the one who designed it! Alfred can even manage this for crying out loud. Why is it that even Damian can go out for some action, but not him?
It's been almost an hour, and no intense activity has been going on yet. Surely, Bruce and Damian must be having casual conversations while observing the neighborhood from above a rooftop.
And Tim is left in the dust yet again.
"Anything suspicious going on yet?" Tim asked through the intercom.
"Not yet Red Robin, keep monitoring," Bruce replied simply.
It sure sounded like he was brushing him off. Another typical treatment.
Suddenly, he could hear footsteps coming down the stairs behind him. Eyes still locked on the computer, Tim spoke to the supposed person walking towards him, "I'm all good down here Alfred. I don't need any help or snacks."
Despite his assumption, the voice that replied wasn't Alfred's.
"Well geez Timmy, hello to you too," replied an upbeat voice.
Tim turned to find the all-familiar face of a brother still dressed in his famous black and blue costume. "Dick? I thought you were taking care of business in Bludhaven?"
"I was, but the threats weren't as bad as expected. Just a few ugly crime lords and their men. None of them can ever handle getting their butts beat by the one-and-only Nightwing."
Tim rolled his eyes but with a small grin on his face. Typical Dick Grayson with his prideful yet comical personality. It's one of the reasons why people find it hard to hate him, except for criminals (in which Dick loves to tease).
Tim always admired Dick for those reasons and more. He was the first Robin, the original. Kind-natured, good-hearted, funny, and nice to talk to. He is also apparently quite charming, as the tabloids and young women make him out to be (allowing Tim to role his eyes even more). In all honesty, Tim kind of envied him. It was always "good Dick this" and "good Dick that." He was always looked at positively, both as a hero and a person. People definitely gave him lots of attention ever since he began as Robin. He was quite a big deal.
If only Tim had that luxury.
Dick Grayson was like an expectation that was hard to live up to. Sure, Tim had lots of stellar grades in all his years of education, but trying to be like Dick was harder than any test he ever studied for. Furthermore, Bruce can just never seem to give him an A+.
"Crime lords are locked up now?"
"Yes sir," Dick answered actively, "No criminal activity in Bludhaven for the meantime now that those punks are behind bars."
Tim grinned once more, but with a more diminished look on his face. Indeed, good for Dick, but when was the last time he himself ever put a criminal behind bars? Been quite awhile, it seems. Nothing but punching thugs here and there, while Batman and Robin usually handle the major tasks.
"Everything okay?"
Tim jerked, not wanting to alert Dick of any negative emotions, "Oh yeah, sorry. I'm just bored, that's all. Nothing skeptical happening while Batman and Robin are on patrol, and I'm just sitting here waiting for a sign."
"Ah I see," Dick replied as he leaned forward and clicked the speaker button on the intercom, "How's daddy and son doing with the patrol eh?"
"Where did you come from?" Damian firmly spoke from the other line. From the sound of it, it seemed like he was excited to hear Dick's voice.
"Issues in Bludhaven better have been settled, Nightwing," Bruce added in.
"Oh Batman, you know there's nothing you can assign me that I can't handle."
"Don't be so sure of that boy."
No matter how serious Bruce sounded, Tim could still detect the sense of enjoyment through his voice. It was obvious that he, as well as Damian, enjoyed having Dick around. For the past months, he never detected that sense of happiness when Tim was around him, or either of them for that matter. That notion began to bother him.
Dick giggled loudly right before releasing his hand from the speaker.
"Bruce should just admit it, I'm awesome," the older brother proclaimed playfully.
"Yes Dick," the younger one replied quite dishonorably, "Everyone adores you."
And all of a sudden the atmosphere changed. Dick sensed a small attitude behind that tone of sarcasm. Had he pinched a nerve?
He was fooling around, and everybody knows he does that. Especially Tim.
"You okay Timmy?"
"Just fine," Tim answered nonchalantly with his eyes glued on the monitor that can never seem to have an alert.
"You know I was just playing around with Bruce, right?"
"Yeah yeah I know, you guys seem to have all the time in world for each other," Tim responded once more in an annoyed manner.
Alright, something's definitely bothering this kid, Dick thought to himself. He's used to this type of behavior from Damian and Jason, but definitely not Tim. It was kind of odd because out of everyone in the family, he only viewed himself and Tim as the more high-spirited ones.
Standing back from the batcomputer and facing Tim with a straighter posture, Dick asked once more, "Okay Tim, what's up?"
Silenced filled the batcave momentarily. When Dick Grayson's tone becomes serious, the whole setting changes. Tim instantly regretted letting his attitude get the best of him, but it was hard trying to keep his feelings tucked in.
"Sorry Dick, I'm just tired and not exactly in the greatest mood." That was one potential excuse that he thought he could try.
Too bad Dick wasn't buying it. "Really now, what's up?"
The younger brother took a few seconds to take a deep breath before speaking. "You're the original Robin. Everyone just seems to adore you. Even now, you're this hero that everyone in and around the city admires. Not to mention everyone in the family admires you most of all. No one forgets you." Tim paused as he turned to look at his older brother straight in the eye. "How would you feel if soon, none of that will apply to you anymore?"
Realization may have just hit Dick. Either that was a trivial question, or Tim was actually feeling that way himself. Though it seemed obvious that it was most likely the latter, it surprised him somewhat. His younger brother was always one who was curious and confident about himself, not one who was insecure. To Dick, it felt sort of strange having this conversation because he is not used to this type of demeanor from Tim. Damian or Jason, yes, but not Tim.
"I guess I wouldn't so happy about it," Dick answered, "Why?"
"Just asking, that's all."
"Tim," Dick spoke more sternly, "Why?"
Tim himself was not in the mood for this conversation, but he knows his older brother won't let it go. Dick was the type to get to the bottom of things, and he'll keep digging. That's another thing that currently frustrates him. Despite his nature as a caring brother, Tim was just not in the mood for it. If he were to vent to Dick, next thing he knows, it'll go to Bruce and the rest of the family.
"I just wanted to know," Tim weakly lied, "That's all."
"I'm not having that as an answer."
"Well what do you want?"
"The truth," Dick stated firmly. No doubt he knows what Tim is feeling, but he needs Tim to say it himself. He needs to be sure, so that he can be there for his younger brother.
As much as Tim wanted to tell him to forget about it, he can see Dick's eyes filled with worry and plead. Taking a short breath, Tim spoke, "I'm fine Dick. It's just frustrating having to sit here and do nothing. I just want to be out there, that's all. It sucks being stuck in here." At least that excuse was almost fully accurate.
Yet again, Dick was still not having it. He knows Tim, which means he can tell when he's lying or not telling the whole truth. Right when he was about to open his mouth to say something, a distress signal came on the monitor.
"Nightwing," the voice of Batman came through the intercom, "We have identification of a gang member associated with recent criminal activities in Bludhaven. We could use you for this. Red Robin can still keep track."
Typical, Tim thought to himself.
With his hand pressing down on the speaker, Dick replied, "I'll be right there."
Right before leaving, he placed a hand on his younger brother's shoulder. "We'll talk about this later."
"There's no need to, Dick, seriously," Tim told him strictly, "Now get out there."
As much as Dick wanted to further console him, right now is not the time. He ran towards the secret entrance of the cave, hoping to resume this conversation later.
As for Tim, right after Dick left the batcave, he just continued staying in place on that single chair. He could have helped, but of course it was a better idea having Nightwing tag along.
Tim could have made this a big deal, but he won't. After all, it's happened before. A good amount of times.
He's used to it by now.
