And we conclude Tim's chapters with some angst. This takes place not too after Damian's death.
The manor was dim and quiet as rain struck the windows. The manor was quiet and appear vacant. Bruce had been rather reclusive and Dick was gone, trying to cope. Not even Alfred could bring himself out, withdrawing to his room. The only reason Jason was even there was because he needed the shelter for a little and the fact he didn't have anything important to attend to in that moment. Alfred didn't mind, happy to see Jason home, and Bruce didn't have the energy to argue it.
The only person who wasn't accounted for was Tim. Tim had been even more secluded than Bruce, even by Tim's standards. He locked himself away for hours on end, not responding to any interaction. Tim didn't even return to the Teen Titans, much to the team's worried dismay.
Entering the study, Jason realized that he wasn't alone. Standing by the fire place was Tim, startled by his presence. He clearly wasn't expecting Jason to enter the room. Frazzled, Tim tried to bolt out of the room, only for Jason to block off his only exit.
"Don't go." Jason quietly requested, gently grabbing Tim's arms. "I haven't seen you in ages."
Tim didn't look at Jason, but his silence spoke volumes. He was depressed and clearly exhausted given the bags under his eyes Jason saw when he came in. Tim didn't even try to fight out of Jason's grip. As much as Tim wanted to get away from Jason, he didn't seem to have the strength to. Jason said nothing, giving Tim a chance to say something.
"I didn't actually want him to die." Tim bleakly admitted.
"What are you talking about?" Jason asked, having a good inclination as to what Tim was referring to.
"I may have disliked his ego. His attitude. The fact that he took the title of Robin away from me. He was cocky and reckless, but I didn't want him dead."
Tim lightly started to shake and his lips trembled. Emotions were finally starting to surface, but Jason refused to let Tim go.
"He was so young." Tim reiterated. "Had a life ahead of him." Tim's hands covered wet eyes. "He's dead Jason. Damian's dead."
Jason slowly brought Tim closer, wrapping his arms around him in a calming embrace. Tim didn't fight it, too defeated to even if he wanted to. Tim slowly wrapped his arm around Jason digging his hands into the back of Tim's jacket. Jason didn't say a word, allowing Tim to cry in peace.
Jason reflected on his own experience, wondering about the effects of his own death. He knew that Bruce, Alfred, and Dick must have grieved, but he couldn't help but wonder if they responded similarly. Then there was Tim, who came around having to carry the weight of not only the best Robin, but the murdered one. His feelings towards it were understandable. Pressuring and full of expectations, that much was certain. But that was years ago. Time went on, people changed, and now, it was Damian's unexpected turn.
Admittedly, Jason grieved for Damian in his own way. He was sad, he mourned, and was upset at Bruce for letting it get that far. Sure, it wasn't entirely Bruce's fault given the circumstances, but Jason couldn't help but give Bruce at least some of the blame. It wasn't worth mentioning, at least not yet.
This time was different. While Jason had died, he wasn't know. Jason was alive this time, as was everyone else, and got to see everyone's experiences for himself. Damian was difficult, but everyone seemed to care for him on one level or another. Everyone grieved for him in their own way. Bruce secluded himself. Alfred cried. Dick felt a whirlwind of emotions given the close bond he and Damian had developed over the years, through the eldest Robin's tutelage and eventual familiar connection. It was an understanding set of emotions.
Then there was Tim, who was now sobbing in his arms. He disliked Damian for a lot of thing, most of which he listed, but he did harbor some care for the kid, even if he did hide it. Tim wasn't one for expressing a lot of sentiment either. He tried to hold it back, and with the recent events with the Joker, Jason was surprised that he was able to hold out for so long. Tim was trying so hard to be the rock, solid and unwavering, but he was slipping. It was sad seeing Tim falter in such a way.
A hand gently landed on the back of Tim's head. Fingers tangled in black hair. Comfort was the only thing that Jason could provide.
"It'll be okay." Jason whispered, trying to reassure Tim. "I mean, it won't exactly be okay, but it will get easier to handle."
"But he's dead." Tim cried. "How will that ever be okay?"
"It will. As long as his memory lives on, so too will he. Isn't that important?"
"His life was important."
"Of course it was, but we can't change what happened. Dwelling on it won't bring him back, but he won't be forgotten."
Tim released Jason's jacket prompting Jason to do the same. Jason gently guided Tim's face up to look at him. Eyes were rimmed with the remnants of tears.
"It's okay."
More tears fell at Jason's statement. Tim's face forced back down before closing in on Jason for another hug.
This was sort of my attempt to approach Tim's reaction to Damian's death, which didn't get too much attention in the comics.