Here we get a little cameo from a friend.
"You're okay." Connor enthusiastically sighed, lifting Tim off of the ground.
When Tim entered the kitchen, he didn't expect any company. His surprise didn't give him time to react. Before Tim knew it, he was wrapped in a Kyrptonian bear hug and lifted off the ground. Tim's feet hovered above the ground and his eyes shot out over Connor's shoulder. Tim's upper arms were crushed as his forearms drooped down.
Everyone else was entertained by the gesture, surprising Tim with Connor's visit. Tim's friends were concerned about his disappearance, but were unable to help due to engagements in their own cities. They also didn't want to overstep their boundaries as far as Bruce was concerned and were warned about how dangerous Ra's al Ghul was.
"I was so worried about you." Connor stated.
Connor's relief was welcomed. Even with the crushing his bear hug was doing, Tim appreciated the concern. Tim patted Connor's back to the best of his ability.
"I'm okay." Tim sighed. "But if you keep crushing me, I might not be."
Connor released Tim letting him land on the floor. Connor was a little apologetic, feeling bad for almost crushing him. Tim shot him an amused, letting Connor know it was okay.
"How are you?" Connor asked. "I haven't seen you in ages."
"I'm doing okay." Tim sighed. "Trying to wrap my head around everything, but I'm doing okay."
Connor nodded. He could understand the feeling to a degree. With everything that happened, it was understandable that Tim needed the time to get back to his normal groove.
"I meant to see you sooner," Connor admitted, "but I was so busy."
"I understand." Tim replied. "Given my schedule as of late, I can't say I wasn't."
Tim laughed awkwardly, hoping to make light of his situation. It didn't seem like it worked as everyone seemed a little hurt by the thought. Tim grimly looked down, embarrassed by the attempt at humor. Connor was the first to take note of Tim's demeanor, chuckling in an attempt to lighten Tim's mood.
"I guess that's true." Connor admitted. "All that adventuring must have kept you busy."
Tim looked up at Connor with a small grin. He appreciated Connor's attempt at lightening the mood. It was just what he needed.
"Unfortunately, I have to go." Connor pouted, patting Tim's shoulder. "I'm needed back in Smallville. I'd love to see you soon."
"I'd love that." Tim agreed.
"I'll see you guys later."
"Thanks for stopping by." Bruce replied.
Tim showed Connor out. Tim thanked Connor for the visit, genuinely happy that Connor had decided to visit. With how homebound he had been, Tim hadn't gotten a chance to see anyone since his rescue. Not that he was in a good enough mood to see anyone. They agreed to meet up once Tim was really settled in. Connor could tell that Tim was still working through some things, which Tim honestly confirmed, and Connor didn't want to hinder that. With that, Connor flew off, waving back at Tim.
Tim returned to the kitchen. Dick and Damian left the room, the latter having school and Dick offered to take him. That just left Alfred and Bruce. Tim approached them, latching onto Bruce.
"Thank you." Tim thanked.
"You're welcome." Bruce replied. "We all thought you could use the company. Though I have to admit, it was Alfred's idea to contact Connor, since he felt that Connor was the best person to cheer you up."
Tim gazed at Alfred, who was giving him a soft grin. It was nice to know that they were looking out for him.
"Thank you Alfred."
"Anything for you Timothy." Alfred replied.
Bruce and Damian pulled into the cave after a long night of patrol. As they exited the car, Bruce scanned the cave. He was startled to see that Tim was asleep at the monitor. Bruce didn't think it was a bad thing, but it definitely was a curious one. This was the first time Tim entered the Batcave since his return, since it was one place that Tim was a little anxious to visit, so Bruce couldn't help but wonder why he was there. As Bruce approached Tim, he realized that Tim had the security camera on. It was an interesting sight since there wasn't anything unusual outside.
"He thought he saw Ra's outside." Alfred explained, joining the two. "He came out of his room in a panic, believing he saw the man outside watching him. He rewound the footage so many times, but there was nothing outside. I tried to tell him not to worry, but he wouldn't listen to me in his panicked state." Alfred lightly patted Tim's head. "I put a sedative in his water and he's been out since."
Bruce looked at Tim, who was contorted on the chair in an attempt to get comfortable. He wondered if it was a nightmare or if Tim looked out the window and thought he saw Ra's there, spooking himself in the process. It was dark enough outside for Tim to get confused, so it wasn't unheard of that Tim may have hallucinated something.
"I'm worried Master Bruce." Alfred solemnly admitted. "He's so damaged and scared that it hurts."
"I know." Bruce accepted. "I am too. I hate seeing him like this, but I know he'll get better. He has to." Bruce brushed Tim's bangs to the side. "Ra's has done so much, and I hate to think what else he could have done to break him." Bruce sighed, bothered by the thought. "He's a strong kid. He may not see it now, but he is." Bruce gave Alfred a soft grin. "He'll be okay."
Alfred seemed to accept Bruce's as he made his way upstairs for the night. Bruce looked back down at Tim, giving the teen some attention. Bruce was proud that Tim had managed to make his way here. Even if it was in a paranoid state. It was another small, yet important, step. Bruce didn't want to dote on it long, however, with Tim currently sleeping.
Bruce tucked an arm beneath Tim's legs and the other around his shoulders. As he lifted Tim up, Bruce noticed that Tim was starting to feel lighter. Tim was clearly losing weight and if Bruce had to guess, it was caused by a mix of stress and starvation. Bruce would have to be on Tim about it, and there was no way Bruce was going to let Tim deprive himself.
The stair climb was slow and gentle. Tim unconsciously relished the journey, curling up slightly. Bruce got to Tim's room and carefully situated Tim into bed. The comforter took hid Tim as he curled even tighter into a ball.
Now in case you're wondering, the reason I have Tim sleeping or occupied is because I want to build some of the perspectives of the others. This will focus on Tim, but I feel that the other characters should have some form of thought process about what happened.
