Sorry that its been awhile. But look at all you followers sticking it out ) I had a harder time with this one so hopefully you like it.
Thank you IloveRobin1822 for your review, your emoji made my day :D
Disclaimer: Writing fanfic is like crushing on a celebrity; you love them but they don't know you exist. Nuf said :|
The first time it happened Dick assumed that he had imagined it.
Maybe it was a new bag, or Tim cheated and used oil, or maybe he was simply being careless (yeah right! When is Timmy ever careless? Besides his with his sleep schedule).
He didn't want to think about it.
They were in a meeting the first time he really noticed it. Bruce was making a business deal with a new upstart company. The Co. was still starting out well on their way to becoming a big business in not only Gotham, but throughout the state. All they needed was a helping hand... And to get rid of the one man in the company who seem to be dealing under the table without his boss's knowledge.
The owner was an honest family kind of man. Which is why Bruce had the boys come in the first place. He was also a hard egg to crack, so he told the boys to come prepared.
Dick was more than willing to assist with negotiations, he liked to think that he could be persuasive as both Nightwing and as Dick Grayson. Jason never turned away someone he felt would make an actual difference in the community. The owner had already had made quite an impact with his outreach programs. And of course Tim was there to break down anything Mr. Shady Lawyer would use as an excuse to stay away from Wayne Enterprises. The guy knew that any outside help would expose him for the rat he is.
Just when the owner was about to shake hands and agree, Mr. Shady Lawyer threw down some half pitted counter proposal that was actually somewhat reasonable.
Bruce was frustrated, the owner looked convinced but upset, and Tim… Well Tim did something very Tim like.
He quickly and silently reached for a leather file holder sitting beside his chair and pulled it into his lap. Mr. Shady Lawyer was taking his time, knowing we didn't have a proper counter to his proposal. Tim didn't want to tip him off.
He flipped open the case without making a sound then reached for the zipper. Dick clenched his eyes shut in anticipation of the obnoxious noise of the fabric parting.
It never came.
He looked over shocked to find Tim pulling out two files about a quarter inch thick each.
Maybe it was left open earlier? Yeah that was it. But no, Tim would never be so careless with his work.
A new bag? No this was one he has been dragging around forever.
Does he oil his zippers?
Dick didn't get the chance to progress this further as he was handed the file by Tim and heard his second little brother explain the contents to the room. In the end a sweaty Mr. shady Lawyer cracked and admitted to everything. The owner had a new business partner. And Dick forgot all about the oddity of Tim's case zipper.
That is until Tim came home from visiting the Titans one day.
The off duty Red Robin came in in casual clothes, sunglasses perched on his nose, and a duffle bag draped across his shoulder. His baby brother might have looked exhausted, but he looked happy and content. I suppose giving him some time away is worth it if it makes him happy.He fell into on of the side chairs in the front room and let the bag drop heavily to the floor while tossing the glass on the coffee table in front of him.
"Ya have a good time Timmy?" Dick asked brightly, highly amused by his brother's tired exhale. "Mmmhhm…" He hummed back noncommittally. "Bring me back a present?" The elder pressed. A raised eyebrow was his only response for a minute. "I was barely gone a week." The teen deadpanned. "Which means your lucky I'm not expecting a present and a whole day to catch up and bond like brothers should after long periods apart." The batting eyelashes really was a tad too much, but Dick always thought 'go big or go home' (of course he technically was home so… there was that).
He couldn't help the chuckle that escaped when his little brother rolled his eyes at him with an exasperated sigh. "Maybe I picked up something up at a small art shop in Jump and maybe I didn't." The young detective announced pulling his oversized bag into his lap. "I wasgoing to save it, but I suppose you can have it now." Dick leaned forward in anticipation as Tim started tugging at the zipper.
It opened up without so much as a hum from the metal.
Dick was too busy staring dumbly at the bag which had found its way to the floor without his notice to see that Tim was headed over to him with gift in hand.
"Um… You okay there Dick?" Tim ask hesitantly. "Huh?" Slowly the elder brother came back to the present. "Yes of course." One last shake of his head and he had his eyes lock back unto his younger brother. "You sure?" Tim's eyebrows were furrowed deeply in concern. "Yeah, definitely! What'd ya get me?" His little brother gave him a sceptical look but continued to unwrap the item in his hands.
"I wasn't sure if you'd even like it, but I had this feeling that maybe…" He trailed off holding up the small porcelain gift. It was a miniature carousel, big top style. It had everything that reminded him of his first home. He could do anything but breathe it in for a moment almost feeling like he was there with his circus family. "It's amazing Timmy!" Dick exclaimed pulling his brother into a hug. "Thank you!" He said it quieter than he meant to because of the emotion building up in his throat.
"Well, I better go unpack before I get in trouble with Alfred." Tim coughed to brush off the overly sentimental moment (Why does it seem that I'm the only one in the family that has any semblance of emotions?).
Once again Dick forgot all about the zipper anomaly because of emotional distractions.
He finally got the chance to inspect the bag upon passing his second baby brothers room later that evening.
There it was sitting empty by the laundry basket just waiting to be washed. He strained his hearing to hear that the water was running. Good, Timmy was in the shower. This was his chance.
He (unnecessarily) crept into the room and over the the offending bag setting it up on the bed so it was closer to his height. (What makes you tick?) running his fingers along the metal strips he didn't feel any kind of grease come off, but he inspected his fingers for traces of it nonetheless. (Guess I'll just have to test it myself.)Pulling the zipper closed he was only mildly surprised (but very frustrated) that it made the obnoxious noise he'd been expecting.
(Maybe I just need to go slowly) Moving slower than molasses Dick could still hear small clicking. (Tim definitely move slow at all anyway, so that's not it)That didn't stop Dick from trying several times to accomplish the task of moving the zipper silently and quickly.
With each fail more frustration came, and this was the only reason he didn't notice his confused brother approach.
"Um, Dick?" He may not have actually jumped, but to a bat the expression and body language was about the equivalent anyway. "What are you doing with my duffle?" Tim questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm… just… fixing the zipper." The elder brother held out the bag to demonstrate opening the top with a long zzzziiip. "See? All better." The grin was too big (even for Dick Grayson) to be anything but fake innocence.
"...Thank you." The hesitancy and disbelief in the youngers voice was strongly distinguishable as he took the duffle back from his eldest brother.
"I'm just gonna go put it with my dirty clothes in the laundry shoot, okay?" Timmers said slowly zipping the bag back up (The quiet is unnatural!)
As his baby brother left the room with basket in hand, Dick watched his back disappear out the door.
"Timmy is an enigma, that's all I have to say." He deadpanned vowing to leave well enough alone for once.
Please review and tell my what y'all think.
Also does anyone have any ideas for Damian? It has to be something everyday. Dick's ninja skill has been the most out there as his is the only one I have never actually witnessed. But it could be something he learn when he was with the shadows.
To clear some things up: in these all of the bat boys except Damian work for WE. I read it in a fic somewhere (can't remember which one) where Jason was in charge of charities, outreaches, and human resources. I loved the idea so kudos to whoever came up with the idea first.
The officers daughter Dick mentions is a hint to another fic I've been dreaming up for a while, so you might get more detail on her later.
Last thing: I still need a beta... Any takers? PM me