Not long after greeting the Wayne's, Tim slipped away from his parents. It wasn't difficult. They were too busy networking to keep an eye on him. Tim's mind was still reeling over what had just happened. He'd talked to Batman and Robin. Tim had been dragged to galas before but never one where the illustrious Bruce Wayne was in attendance, let alone one hosted by him. He had seemed... nice. Not just the kind of nice every adult faked at events like these, but he had a real interest that took Tim by surprise. Tim knew he was smart, and he could usually tell when people were lying. The man to his right was bragging about an investment he had made, but he was tense so maybe he didn't think it was as wise as he claimed. The woman he was talking to was wearing a dress that was too tight and had a face stiff with Botox, clearly trying to appear younger than she really was. Lies and deception. It was a game everyone here knew how to play. But there was one thing Tim was sure of: Bruce hadn't been lying when he had spoken to him.
Tim found himself leaning against a wall at the far end of the ballroom checking his watch, hoping it was later than he knew it was. He knew that it was an honor to be brought to a gathering like this, but why did they have to be so boring.
"Hey kid."
Tim felt something hit his shoulder. He turned. He hadn't noticed he was standing near a hallway that must lead to the rest of the manor. And in the hallway was Jason Todd-Wayne. Tim bent to retrieve the object that had hit him. It was a small ball.
"Toss it here." Jason held up his hands and Tim tossed it back before joining him in the hallway. "Aren't these things the worst?" Jason asked, tossing the ball up and down in one hand.
"Yeah." Tim laughed nervously. Why was Jason talking to him?
"It's just so boring," Jason continued. "and there's never anyone my age here." He tossed Tim the ball again. Tim caught it.
"Yeah, they are pretty boring." Tim tried to think of something else to say. "So... you do this often?"
"Hide in a hallway you mean?" Jason laughed. "Only when I get fed up with all those people kissing up to Bruce and then talking shit about us as soon as our backs are turned."
Tim nodded. This he understood. Jason held up his hand and Tim tossed him back the ball.
"I guess I should get used to it. That's just the kind of crap you have to put up with in this crowd. No offense to you or anything." Tim shrugged and caught the ball as Jason tossed it back to him. "You're all right kid." Jason said. "Throw it here."
Tim complied but instead of catching it, Jason bounced it on his leg, off his arm, against the wall, showing off some of his natural talent. Tim was impressed. He couldn't help but grin when Jason bounced it back to him and he managed to keep it from hitting the ground. Before long, both boys were running up and down the hallway, chasing after the ball. Tim laughed. This was fun. He never expected to have fun at a party like this. He ran back as Jason threw the ball up in the air. It flew over Tim's head. Tim jumped sure he could catch it, only to collide right into one of the servers. Boy, man, and tray came crashing to the ground.
Tim froze as the room around him fell silent. Jason came rushing towards him. Tim thought he could hear him apologizing through the rush of blood in his ears. Suddenly Bruce Wayne was kneeling next to him. "Are you alright Tim?" Tim managed to nod. Bruce helped him up.
"Timothy Jackson Drake." Tim flinched at the sound of his mother's voice. Her heels clicked on the tile as she marched up to him, Jack followed close behind. "What do you think you're doing?"
"There's no harm done Janet." Bruce started when Jason interrupted.
"It was my fault." Jason tried to say more but Janet wouldn't hear it.
"I must apologize for my son's behavior. Clearly, this has all been too much and he's simply overstimulated. We'll be taking him home now."
"There really is no need- ", Bruce tried to reason.
"Come along Timothy." Janet placed her hand on Tim's back and guided him to the door. Behind him he could hear his father thanking Bruce for his hospitality, ignoring Bruce's insistence that it was a simple accident and not worth all this fuss.
The short car ride back to Drake manor was spent in silence. Tim couldn't bring himself to look at either of his parents. As soon as the door closed shut behind them Tim found himself pushed up against the wall. "What were you thinking?" Jack yelled. "Do you realize you embarrassed us in front of the most influential people in Gotham?"
"I'm sorry. It was an acce-", Jack slapped him across the face.
"Don't you dare talk back to me. Your mother and I asked one simple thing of you, behave, and instead you humiliate us in front of our peers. Is that how you want people to think Drakes act? Running around like some wild thing with street rats?" Jack paused for breath and Janet spoke.
"Clearly we overestimated your ability to hold yourself in public. Do we need to reconsider your enrollment at Gotham Academy?"
"No please. I want to-", Jack slapped him again.
"What did I say?" Tim was silent. Janet spoke again.
"You will go to your room and you will stay there until such a time that we allow you to leave."
Jack dragged Tim to the staircase and shoved him up. Tim stumbled on the first step then ran to his room as quickly as he could.
Tim jumped on his bed and buried his face in the pillow. His face ached from where his father had hit him. It wasn't fair, it really was an accident. But it was an accident at Bruce Wayne's house in front of all the people his parents needed to impress. He had one job, support his parents, and he'd failed miserably. He cried into his pillow. Vaguely he wondered as he drifted off to sleep how long he would be stuck in his room. Not too long he hoped.