Disclaimer: not mine
So far, you guys are evenly split on the possibility of TimJason.
Chapter 7
Bruce paced his room. He knew what they were trying to do but it wasn't going to happen. There would be no more Robins, he would never let another child die like that. Jason…his son was dead. Finding out that it had been Tim Drake who Jason had saved…had the boy been following them all that time? Why? Had someone put him up to it, to all of this?
He would need to do more research into the Drake's, see what they were up to. He doubted they had put their son up to it, but there was something about Jack Drake that had always felt a bit slimy, even for a Gothamite. He had never thought they made a good couple. It was possible someone else had realised Tim's hobby or skill at being unnoticed and decided to use him.
No matter how skilled the boy was, he would not take him on as Robin.
,
Tim lay in the bed of the room Mr Penny…Alfred had shown him to. He'd never imaged he'd get to spend the night in Wayne Manor! Aunt Selina would find it very amusing; she'd want him to pocket something, but he'd never! How would Bruce react if he found out that Harley and Ivy knew his id…because they'd come for 'Alvin' at Jason's grave?
He bit back a groan, dreading how that would go. But his Aunts cared about him, they wouldn't spill. And…they had no clue where he was. Oops? Telling them what he'd bene doing the last few days was not going to be fun, not when they'd wanted him well away from Batman while he was off the rails. But technically, he'd gone to Nightwing, not Batman. Though, he doubted they'd like that he'd acted as Robin…that Dick and even Alfred seemed to be advocating for him to take on the role in a more permanent manner. He wasn't Robin material though and he knew it. He wasn't like Jason or Dick; he wasn't good like them.
Still, getting to wear the suit even once…he stifled a happy giggle. It had been everything he'd ever imagined…except he hadn't gotten to fly. Maybe Aunt Selina could teach him? She sometimes used the whip between jumps after all. Or maybe…maybe Dick would agree to take him before saying goodbye? He still remembered the one time Jason had grabbed him and jumped, it had been so amazing… Jason had been so amazing.
A soft knock sounded on the door and Tim tensed. "Yes?" he called.
The door opened and Dick stuck his head in. "Hey kiddo, you okay?" he asked.
"Me? You're the one that got a building dropped on you!" Tim hissed in an effort to keep quiet.
"Can I come in?" Dick asked, and Tim nodded, so he walked in and sat on the desk chair after moving it closer to the bed.
,
Dick wasn't all that surprised Tim was still awake; he'd had a rather eventful day and night. Though, an adrenaline crash should be heading his way. Tim looked a little nervous so he reached out to gently ruffle black hair, concerned by how easily Tim leant into the brief contact. He vaguely remembered the kid from back then, maybe, and possibly some galas? But black hair was common among the Gotham elite so it might not have been him.
"You did really great tonight, Tim, not matter what B says, okay?"
He nodded slowly, cheeks slightly pink.
"Who taught you how to fight?"
"Took some classes, and for martial arts too. Gotham's dangerous so knowing how to fight seemed smart."
"As long as you know when to stand and fight and when to run," Dick agreed, and Tim nodded. "I meant what I said to Bruce, Tim, you have great detective instincts. And…I think you're right; he does need someone to help him hold back but his reasons for not wanting another Robin are good. If he could see me as a proper partner, I'd consider coming back but he doesn't."
Tim would make an excellent Robin and he got the feeling Bruce wouldn't be able to bully the kid around. He wouldn't be at boarding school this year either but surely, he'd have some kind of caretaker? That would make sneaking around harder. But should he really encourage another kid into their lifestyle…but Tim already was sort of in it, wasn't he? Following them around with a camera, if any of the Rogues or goons ever caught him… he'd be safer as one of them, able to fight and evade.
"Tim, would you like to be Robin?" It was crazy but listening to Alfred talk about his fight with Two-Face…a pity there was no footage but he'd been wearing a fabric domino since Jason's spare would have been too big and they hadn't had time to reset the security measures on it either.
"Me?" Tim stared at him in what seemed to be disbelief. "But I'm nothing like you and Jason."
"I don't know, kid. You've been helping people, just like Robin. Stood up to Batman which is an important Robin skill. You even worked out our id's. You don't have to decide now, just think about it."
"Okay," Tim agreed.
Dick smiled and stood up. "Try and get some sleep Timmy."
"Good night, Dick."
,
Alfred picked up the note on top of the neatly made bed. He really was a resourceful young man. It wasn't often someone could get past him, then again, it appeared Tim had avoided that by going out the window! A pity, he had hoped to talk more with him about his photography.
He left the bedroom and found Master Dick leaving his own room.
"Morning Alfie, Tim up yet?"
"It appears young Tim did not wish to impose," he offered the note, and Dick sighed.
"I talked with him about Robin last night, guess it was a bit much."
"Indeed. Breakfast is ready Sir."
"Thanks, B up?"
"And already brooding."
"Great." He headed downstairs, and Alfred followed him.
,
Bruce looked up from the paper. "Where's is Tim?" he asked. Though, the boy had had a rather intense night, perhaps he was still asleep. Dick handed him a piece of paper and Bruce read it. It was a note from young Tim, thanking them for the room and promising to stay out of the way. He had more questions for him about what he knew and who he might have talked to about it.
"How did he leave without us noticing?" he asked, seeing Alfred's moustache twitch slightly, smothering a smile.
"Via the window," Dick answered, seeming to drop into his chair but Bruce noticed the stiffness from his injuries. "Didn't set off a single alarm or anything."
"Hn."
"Bruce, he's been following us for years, of course he'd be good at sneaking around and free climbing up and down buildings."
And how had a child remained undetected? It didn't add up at all.
,
Selina was relieved as her secure phone began to ring, setting it on the counter and putting it on speaker. She had procured a pair of them so only one person could be calling her. they only used them when necessary, to ensure no one picked up on their usage. Perhaps it was overly cautious but better safe than sorry. "Hello Kitten," she greeted softly.
"Hi Aunt Selina," Tim answered. "Sorry if I worried you."
"As long as you're safe and alright," she assured him, picking up the moment of low self-esteem. They had become less often the more time he spent with the three of them thankfully but would likely take years to truly become rare, they may never vanish totally, according to Harley.
"I'm fine," Tim promised but then hesitated. "Don't be mad?"
"Never at you Kitten."
He took a deep breath, audible over the phone. "I, uh…went after Dick, found him at Haly's and helped him find out who was sabotaging the circus. I showed him my evidence on Bruce's actions…and he came back to Gotham! But he didn't understand and went to find Batman as Nightwing. Then later, he set of his tracker but it shut down. So…I took the spare Robin suit?"
Her heart skipped a beat. Tim had…yes, they had trained him, but not like Bruce trained his birds. Tim was trained to escape, to distract, or hit from a distance. He was too small to go up against Bruce's rogues! Who had been acting late…
"Two-Face?" she demanded in fear.
"I think I broke his nose," Tim answered, and she hid her face in her hands.
"Oh Kitten."
"It's okay! He thought I was Jason. And Bruce and Dick were trapped in the rubble of a building he blew up so I dug them out. Dick was hurt but he's okay. I even got to see the Batcave but…I don't think Bruce likes me much."
"Tim, do they know who you are?" she asked gently.
"Yeah."
She listened as he explained Bruce's anger and Dick's offer. And she knew…she knew Tim would take up the cape in Jason's memory. Jason was the only friend he had after all.
,
"Hello Timothy."
"Hello Mother," he answered, unable to help smiling. He loved it when she got the free time to call him, it didn't happen very often.
They talked for almost fifteen minutes this time before she was called away but they'd be home for his first day of high school! He was giddy enough to dance a jig! Sure, it meant Jack as well, but he could deal with it. He didn't even think of the man as family anymore. Five more years and they could be rid of him forever. Just five years, it wasn't that long, not really.
He got changed and slipped away from the property, heading into Gotham and right to a familiar window, slipping inside easily.
"Al!" Harley called happily and…was that relief?
Then he was being passed around for hugs before they got settled in for a night of relaxation and fun.
,
Dick kept a close eye out but there was no sign of Tim trailing them. That was for the best, Bruce had been distracted from looking into the Drakes more by an Arkham breakout, but his attention would return to the family soon. It had been a week since Tim had snuck out the window and he hadn't noticed anything odd about the Drake estate when he passed, it looked as still and silent as ever. Was Tim even there? He'd honestly not realised anyone lived there very often…how frequently was he left home alone when not off at boarding school? He had to have some kind of babysitter or something.
After a week of observing Bruce, he could understand Tim's worry more. Bruce was…reckless, taking far more injuries than he should be in fights. Was it his fault? He was the first Robin, if he hadn't been so set on revenge…Bruce never would have taken on a Robin, Jason would still be alive… and Bruce wouldn't be spiralling out of control. There wasn't much Dick could do; they butted heads too much. He could try and get Clark or Diana to intervene? But Bruce would hate that so much.
,
"Good afternoon, Ms Kyle," Alfred greeted the woman when she answered the phone.
"Alfred, what a wonderful surprise. What can I do for you today?"
"I was wondering if you had taken on a kitten recently? Black hair, blue eyes, strikes me as quite lonely."
"Oh?" Nothing in her voice changed but there was something…
"Personal curiosity only Ms Kyle. I admit, I noticed some similarities and am curious." He would not tell Master Bruce. If Master Dick was right and the boy agreed to become Robin then every bit of training would help and his body type matched hers more than Master Bruce or Dick.
"Well then, I wouldn't say he's mine, quite the independent thing. But he comes around from time to time," she explained.
"That explains what I saw," Alfred murmured. "Perhaps you could come for tea sometime soon?"
"That would be wonderful."
,
Tim shifted on his seat, seeing the support in Aunt Selina's expression, the others looking between them.
"Alright, what's going on?" Ivy asked.
"I, um…I was asked to be Robin," he blurted out.
"What?" Aunt Harley stared at him, her eyes wide.
Tim took a deep breath and told them what had happened, without giving names. "Nightwing offered me Robin. Batman needs Robin to give him a reason to hold back but also give him a reason to fight to come home." He paused to gather his thoughts. "I'm the best candidate at the moment – I already know their ideas, I have some training, and I lack the parental oversight that most would have to deal with."
"But do you want to be Robin, you know the risks Alvin," Aunt Ivy leant forward. "You know how he died, the kinds of injuries…they won't take it easy on you because you are a child and we can't do anything to stop them."
,
She was concerned for their sapling. It was a dangerous role to take up and would Batman train and protect him properly given his deteriorating mental state? She was sure that Nightwing would do his best, but he did not live in Gotham. She knew that Alvin had been devastated by Robin's death, his hero worship clear but it was more than that. He'd talked to them about Robin, how they would trade things using a hidden envelope, race on the rooftops…Robin had been his only friend.
But there had to be more to his actions than just honouring the previous Robin's life or trying to pull Batman back, otherwise he would lose himself to the mask and likely either give up or die.
"I want to help people, more than just calling ambulances. As Robin I can do that. Maybe I won't be as good at it as the last two but I want to do this."
"Then we will support you," she promised.
They couldn't be too obvious in protecting him when he wore the cape, it would raise too many questions and they walked a thin enough line as it was now. Few of the Rogues would mess with them, their reputations protected them, but if they began actively protecting even Robin then they would end up fighting on too many fronts. They weren't heroes or even really reformed, they just worked more carefully now, especially inside of Gotham. But they could still offer him extra training and support from the shadows.
The bright grin on Alvin's face was wonderful to see, she just hoped they weren't making a mistake.
,
Bruce frowned as he pulled up his research on the Drake's, he hadn't had the time to do much. It was just one thing after another ever since the boy had vanished from the guest room. From what he could tell, Jack and Janet weren't even in the US. Tim was starting high school in September, Gotham Heights, his first non-boarding school. That would likely be quite the shock.
He hadn't detected the boy following him but he hadn't for years. Could he really be that stealthy naturally? He had found evidence of gymnastic and martial arts classes and he did well at school in gym class. But no matter how he dug in his free time, he couldn't find any links to any organisations or Rogues. Could the boy really be just who he seemed?
,
Dick opened the door to his apartment and blinked at the boy on the doorstep. "Tim?" he wasn't even going to ask how he'd known Dick was spending the weekend in Blüdhaven. He stepped back to let him inside, watching him glance around.
"If the offer's still open then…I'd like to be Robin," Tim stated, the tiniest shake to his voice but his expression was firm, blue eyes bright.
Dick nodded. "Alright, it's not going to be easy though," he warned, and Tim nodded.
"I know. I want to do this, for Jason and for Robin."
"Then let's get started," he smirked, seeing Tim bounce slightly in excitement. He'd be hating Dick soon enough; he needed to know what level Tim was at which meant putting him through his paces.
He wasn't going to take Tim to Bruce, not yet. He wanted to get Tim started on Robin training first, make it harder for him to try and argue against it. He was going to do better with Tim. He had so many regrets when it came to Jason and as much as the idea of another kid in his family colours…he would do better by Tim. He wouldn't treat him coldly because of his own grief. Tim wasn't Jason, no one could take his place, but there was no limit on friends and family.
,
Tim collapsed on the mat, panting for air. He was exhausted, soaked with sweat, but he also felt…good.
"Alright there?" Dick asked, leaning over him, and Tim nodded tiredly. "Come on, you need to cool down or you'll regret it later."
Tim sighed but rolled slowly to his feet, he knew he was right though. He began stretching to make sure he wouldn't cramp up. "Did I do okay?" he asked once he had enough air to speak again.
"You did good Tim," Dick tossed him a towel and Tim did his best to dry his hair. "You're fast on your feet and a quick thinker."
"But?" He asked, yes, his Aunts would complement him without a negative but no one else ever did.
"But nothing," Dick answered, offering a smile. "There're areas for improvement but everyone has those. Hit the shower," he said, and Tim nodded.
He headed for the shower, grimacing when he pulled his clothing off. Yuk! He scrubbed himself thoroughly, not wanting to smell more. Staying with Dick felt weird but also kind of nice. Dick seemed a bit lost over what to do with him outside of training but that was fine, no one ever really seemed to know what to do with him. He was almost dreading heading back to Gotham on Monday. Dick would have to go back to work, he'd used up all of his time off between the mission to space, Haly's, and then trying to work with Bruce. And it would look very strange if Tim was seen coming and going from his apartment given that they weren't related or anything with a five-year age gap between them. Besides, with Dick gone it would be better if Tim was there to call ambulances if needed. Though, Batman did seem to be a bit more controlled since Tim had confronted him, hopefully that would last.
,
Alfred was unsurprised to receive Master Dick's message, young Timothy had shown up on his doorstep. A new Robin would fly soon. Seeing that would hurt but having another child around would hopefully help them with moving on from their grief.
TBC…