AN: I'm back. And this is a major one – with Tim putting his nose into things that aren't his business. But he does it anyway because he is a Robin.

I didn't really intend for Tim's behavior in the last chapter to be funny but looking back on it, it really was. There is not a lot to go off on about Tim from the show as he doesn't have a lot of screen time. (At least in season 2. I couldn't watch 3 yet because I'm outside of the US. Get on that DC)

I got the feeling that he was a bit of an awkward nerd. He seems to have a good brotherly relationship with Dick. The few scenes we got of them were a lot of fun to watch. These were the things, I tried to touch upon here.


17. Tim

Tim had been over the moon when Dick Grayson – the original Robin – had talked to him. More than that. Dick had defended him from Bruce Wayne – the Batman – of all people. Tim had hoped that Batman would have been more welcoming towards him but Bruce's distaste wasn't unexpected.

During his observations, Tim had seen the rage of Batman with his own eyes. It was the reason he was here. Originally, he had planned to convince Dick to become Robin again but after the fight he doubted that he would be able to. There was too much bad blood between Batman and his first partner – and Tim couldn't blame Dick for evading his mentor.

Bruce still glared at Tim even after Dick had left the room.

"Was that necessary, Master Bruce?", Alfred scolded, "You are pushing him away again."

"He's making it difficult. If he just listened."

"Why should he listen to you?"

Bruce hesitated.

"Trust is a frail thing. It takes care to rebuild and I'm not seeing you try."

"You sound like Dinah."

"Well. Miss Dinah seems to be right."

Bruce lowered his gaze to the table: "He's leaving again."

Tim felt like he was intruding on something personal. It wasn't his place. Still, it was fascinating to get an inside look into the Bats of Gotham. Even from the outside there had been large cracks showing to the public.

"How do I fix this, Alfred?"

"Give him space for now. And keep talking to Miss Dinah. It is the only thing you can do after this debacle."

Tim stood up. Alfred and Bruce were too caught up in their conversation to notice the small boy. He knew the rough lay out of the manor from looking up old blueprints and observing its inhabitants. (He was aware that he was a little bit obsessed.) Tim walked up the stairs and carefully knocked against a wooden door.

Nothing. There were hasty steps inside the room. And sniffling?

Tim hesitated. But he opened the door. Dick looked at him in surprise. His face was red and tears glistened on his cheeks. He was limping through the room – his crutches discarded and throwing clothes into a duffel bag. Tim noted how messy the room was.

Dick quickly wiped away his tears. He must have held them back during the fight.

"Didn't expect you here", Dick said.

He listlessly threw some socks into the bag.

"I wanted to make sure you are OK."

"I'm great", Dick wiped away another set of angry tears, "B can go fuck himself. Hope our screwed-up family is entertaining. Even though I don't feel like we are one anymore."

Dick sighed. He tried to take off the Flying Graysons poster that was hanging over his bed. He gritted his teeth in pain when he kneeled on the mattress.

"Wait. I can do it", Tim took off the poster from the wall and carefully rolled it.

Dick sat on the bed: "I'm sorry that you got pulled into this mess. I don't think B will bother you anymore."

"I kind of pulled myself into it."

Dick smiled at him under the tears: "You are crazy, Tim. And I mean that in the best way."

Tim hesitated. He tugged at his sleeves searching for words. Dick's compliments seemed to be genuine. Tim had intruded in his life and led to his newest fight with Bruce. Dick had every right to be angry with him. Instead, he comforted Tim while his world was breaking apart. To say that Tim felt guilty, was an understatement.

Dick pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen.

There was an excited voice on the other side of the line: "What's up, Rob? You fine?"

"I'm kind of shit actually."

"B again?"

"B again."

Dick's voice broke: "I can't stand it here anymore, Walls."

"Wanna crash at my place?"

"Would Iris and Barry be fine with it?"

"Seriously dude. You used to kind of live at my place anyway. They always love to see you."

"Be there in five."

"I got a guest here", Dick looked at Tim, "Five minutes, Wally? You getting a lift from Superman himself?"

It was a transparent attempt to keep Kid Flash's secret identity.

"I know that he's Kid Flash", Tim said, "It was really obvious."

"Who's there, D?"

"A bit difficult to explain."

"Give me six minutes. Need some juice first if I want to carry your injured ass for hundreds of miles."

Dick smiled: "I thought I'm the small one."

"You are, Rob. But I don't pass up any chance to stuff my face."

"Kid Mouth", Dick teased.

He was visibly more relaxed under the tears.

"I'll be there in a flash."

"That wasn't funny the first time Barry said it. And not the other 200 times afterwards."

Wally snickered and ended the call.

Tim was excited at the prospect of meeting Kid Flash. But there was something he needed from Dick first. He shoved his guilt aside and concentrated on the objective he had aimed to achieve through his week-long observation (stalking).

"Batman needs a Robin."

"Batman needs therapy", Dick mumbled.

"He's losing his way without a Robin to keep him in check. Have you noticed how violent he has become?"

Dick stiffened. He slung his arms around himself – unconsciously searching comfort: "I've noticed that very well, Tim."

It was the first sign of annoyance that Tim heard in his voice. He flinched. This could have really gone better. He had phrased his concern quite badly if he thought about it. Terribly actually.

Dick noticed Tim's flinch and sighed: "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped."

"I'm sorry actually. Talking isn't really my strength."

To Tim's surprise, Dick laughed: "We're a sorry bunch."

He clutched his ribs – still in pain.

Tim felt bad when he said: "Batman still needs a Robin. I thought that-"

"I'm not doing it again, Tim. Not under any circumstances. I have my own life now. And if B wants to be part of it, he sure as hell should put in some effort."

Dick sounded stilted as if he wasn't so sure himself.

Tim chewed on his lip wondering how he should break his idea to Dick. The first Robin wouldn't be a fan of it. Tim preferred to get his blessing, but he still wouldn't back off if he didn't get it.

"I thought that I could step up."

Dick tensed: "No."

"Why?", Tim asked.

Dick phrased his answer very carefully: "You are an incredibly smart kid and I'm not doubting your capabilities and determination but Robins never end up happy."

"It's my city and Gotham is suffering without Batman. Batgirl seems to be relatively capable but she's new. Gotham needs Batman."

"Batgirl?"

"I've been following her for a bit. She popped up a few weeks ago. I haven't been able to deduce her identity yet."

Dick sighed. He looked tired to the bone: "Great. Even more vigilantes for people like the Joker and Two-Face to rip apart."

"She's not as experienced as Batman and Nightwing of course. But she took on some drug rings relatively unscathed."

"Robin is no joke, Tim."

"I can learn how to fight. I've always been a fast learner."

"I'm not only talking about the physical. But the psychological. It takes a toll on your mind. Robin gets beaten, captured and worst of all: He has to work with Bruce. I love B. I still do even after all the shit he pulled. But he is intolerable to be around right now. And he's always been demanding."

"I'm used to people ignoring me. Contempt can't be worse than that."

Tim thought about his parents who spent most of their times on business trips and the changing slate of staff that was obliged to take care of him. Nothing was worse than being treated like nothing. He would even prefer Batman's hostility.

"Believe me. Bruce finds a way to make it worse. He has a way of making you do everything he wants without acknowledging any of it. He just expects you to jump the next time he needs something. And when you aren't enough anymore, he turns up with some new blue-eyed, black-haired kid", Dick fidgeted with his bag avoiding Tim's gaze.

He suspected that Dick had just told him some of his deepest insecurities. It wasn't enough to keep Tim away from Robin.

"I can't let him get his clutches on you, too", Dick said.

"He's a hero."

"He is. But he also is a horrible person."

"He took you in."

"And I'll always be grateful to him. He's always been obsessive, paranoid and closed-off. But at least he tried when I was younger. He at least treated me as a ward. Now I'm a disposable soldier. And you will be, too. I won't let him do this to you."

"I can deal with being a soldier. I'm not looking for a family."

"Really? Then what drives a boy to obsessively follow strangers with a camera?"

Tim cringed. Dick made it sound really bad – what it probably was. But Tim loved his parents. They were great when they were home.

Dick sighed: "I can't let you be Robin. But I can still be there for you."

He gave him a communicator in Nightwing's black-and-blue design. Tim's inner fanboy yearned to examine every angle of this thing.

"Call me if you need help. Or if you want to talk."

"I will", Tim was still in awe.

"Promise me to not pursue Robin any further", Dick said, "It's time for him to rest."

"He does good for Gotham."

"But Gotham is no good for him."

"I can't promise you that."

Dick looked sad. He tussled Tim's hair: "Be careful."

"No more attempts to keep me from being Robin?"

"It takes a special kind of person to be Robin. Someone who doesn't let themselves be deterred from wanting justice. Nothing I do can change that. Jason was the same. He had this aggressive exterior but under all of it he really wanted to help people. He knew how it felt to suffer and he never wanted anyone to go through the same. He is- was a lot like Bruce in that regard."

Tim bit his lip. He analyzed Dick's features. The teenager was still fiddling with the straps of his bag. He looked out of the window - deep in thought.

"What about you?", Tim asked.

"I'm the happy Robin", Dick smiled, "Don't you know?"

It was scary how convincing the smile was. Tim would have believed it if it hadn't been for their prior conversation. Dick was a true performer.

"Wally should be here soon. At least if he wasn't distracted by some fast-food restaurants on the way."

Dick gritted his teeth when he stood up and put weight on his injured legs. Tim wondered why he wasn't taking a wheelchair. But Dick had probably refused. He tried to pick up his bag and looked for a way to balance it with the crutches. Tim took it from him. It was disheartening to see his heroes like this.

"I can't keep you from being Robin", Dick said while he dragged himself towards the door.

He cursed when he had to open it. Tim did it for him. If Dick was embarrassed, he didn't show it.

"But I can warn you. There's something inside of Bruce that drives him to sacrifice everything for the mission. I'm always on the edge of becoming like him. If I don't leave, I will end up like this, too. Don't let him drive you to this point", Dick looked around the room, "By the way, Bruce. I know that you're listening. I know that you've been bugging the whole manor and that you tried the same in Blüdhaven. Don't even think about doing it at Wally's."

Tim frowned. Dick left the room walking down the stairs and hiding his pained expression behind a forced smile.

Alfred waited at the end of the stairs looking up at them in disapproval.

"Master Dick-"

"It's fine, Alfie."

Alfred shook his head but there were hints of a fond smile. They probably had had variations of this conversation a thousand times.

Bruce was nowhere to be seen. Dick hugged the butler.

The older gentleman nodded in understanding: "Get well, Master Dick. And call me."

"I will."

The doorbell rang. Alfred opened the door to reveal Wally in Kid Flash get-up.

"Dude", Wally looked Dick over, "You look like shit."

"Why are you my friend again?"

Wally zipped towards Tim holding out his hand: "I'm Kid Flash by the way. You the one Rob mentioned?"

"Yes. I'm Tim."

"Bruce adopting black-haired kids again?"

"Not if I have a say about it", Dick muttered.

He tousled Tim's hair: "Be careful, Tim and stay strong. Remember what I told you."

Tim nodded. Wally looked questioningly between them.

"Later", Dick mouthed.

"Ready to get away?", Wally asked.

"I have been for a while."

Kid Flash zipped towards Dick picking him up bridal style. Dick held his bag. They seemed to have a lot of experience with this.

"You're still as lightweight as when you were 13."

"Still can kick your ass, Flash Boy", Dick grinned.

"Maybe I should drop you on the way. There are some deep rivers between Gotham and Central."

"Wanna deal with an enraged Wonder Woman?"

Wally paled: "Shit. She'd totally kick my ass for this."

Wally nodded towards Alfred and Tim. He zipped away. Tim watched them with wonder. Kid Flash was nothing but a blur. And he must be stronger than he looked if he could carry Dick for hundreds of miles. He also seemed really familiar with Dick. It was no wonder that Tim had sorted through dozens of fan blogs during his research dedicated to their friendship.

Tim recalled the image of Wally running at impossible speed. He would love to find out how the Flashes got their powers. It would be fascinating to examine their DNA and to compare-

"I assume that you want to be Robin, Master Tim?"

"I will be. Batman needs a Robin."

"Master Dick didn't take it favorably?"

"He thinks that Robin is cursed."

Alfred looked down in sadness: "He may be right."

"I'll prove him wrong. Robin's always brought hope to Gotham. He'll see."

Alfred sighed: "Oh dear."

Like Dick, he seemed to resign himself to being unable to stop Tim.

Tim walked towards the living room where Bruce was still brooding.

"What are you still doing here?", the man growled.

"I want you to train me", Tim figured that it was best to be blunt with Batman.

"No."

"Batman needs a Robin to keep him in check. I have pictures of what you did to these people after Jason's death. That was not justice."

"Don't mention Jason ever again", Bruce clenched his fists, "You have no right to speak about him."

"I know. And I'm sorry. But I stand by my point: Batman needs a Robin."

Bruce stayed silent.

"Listen, Mr. Wayne", Tim swallowed his fear and walked towards the imposing man, "You aren't going out at the moment which is a good thing. But someone like Batman always needs a task. Training me could provide that."

"No."

"If you stay in the manor with nothing productive to do, your anger will just grow."

Tim probably was definitely overstepping a line with his analysis of Bruce's psychology but he needed to take a risk for his plan to work out.

Bruce stayed silent. So, Tim brought something up even Batman couldn't ignore: "Your relationship with Dick is completely destroyed right now."

Bruce's face reddened: "It is none of your business."

He stood up from the chair stomping towards Tim. It was terrifying and before his talk with Dick he would have shrunk back. But Dick's words had shown him how dire the situation was.

"It isn't my business. But Dick feels like you are irredeemable. He's been trying and trying without result. And now it's too late."

Tim was way out-of-line right now. He was effectively weaponizing Bruce's relationship with his son against him. The anger drained out of Bruce. He stumbled back slumping into the chair. To Tim's shock, the Batman hid his face in his hands.

"I screwed up, didn't I? I did and said all of these horrible things to him and now I don't know how to fix it. I thought that he would come back like he always does if I just left him some time – avoided him for a bit."

It sounded like Bruce was talking more to himself than Tim.

"I don't know how to talk to him anymore. I just get angry every time even though I don't mean to."

Tim stepped towards Bruce and put his hands on the man's shoulder: "Let me help, Mr. Wayne. You can train me and I'll prove myself to you."

"How is this supposed to help me?"

"It will."

Bruce looked up and sighed.

"He already has the stubbornness of a Robin", Alfred stood in the doorway.

Tim had forgotten about him.

Bruce stood up.

"I'll train you", he growled, "But it will be tough. And that doesn't guarantee that I will let you out. One misstep and you are done."

Tim nodded: "Yes, Sir."

"And no word about Jason or Dick. It's not in your place to talk about them."

Bruce left the room.

Tim stayed back. He didn't know how to feel.

"He seems to like you, Master Tim", Alfred said.

"Really, Alfred?"

"He has his own way of showing it", Alfred sounded mildly disapproving.

"Are you coming or not?", Bruce growled.

Tim flinched and hurried after his new-found mentor. He hadn't expected that they would already start.

"Good luck", Alfred said.

Tim knew that he would need it. The next few months would be the harshest of his life.