Chapter Text
Tim woke slowly, drifting gradually to consciousness. He hadn’t felt this well rested in who knows how long.
At once the memories of what happened rushed in. Tim froze, even his breath caught in his chest.
Shit.
Please let that have been a dream.
“I know you awake sweetheart,” came a voice from his left. “You’ve been asleep for about 16 hours,” fingers began brushing soothingly trough his hair as the voice continued. “Its just after 6 in the morning, and Alfred is making breakfast. I know you must be hungry.”
Yep, that was Bruce, who was babying him like he was an absolute baby. Tim tried to subtly press his face into the pillow and suffocate himself. He was absolutely humiliated. The people he loved knew that he loved them….and he had a breakdown like a baby. Yes Tim was aware that he had a running theme, and he was vowing right now to commit to getting more regular sleep, because sleep deprived him apparently fucks everything up.
Tim suicided by pillow was thwarted by Bruce as he rolled Tim till he was facing up. Rude.
Tim finally opened his eyes to see the face of his Da—Bruce watching him with concern.
Tim let out the breath he was holding. “I don’t suppose we can forget yesterday?”
Bruce ran his fingers through Tim’s hair a few more times as he spoke.
“Sorry sweetheart but no,” Bruce’s face had a softness to it that was rarely seen, and a hint of sadness that Tim could tell he was trying to hide. Then his face filled with determination.
“It’s time to make some changes, new strategies, and new communication techniques. So Robin, are you up for the challenge?” He finished with a small Batman smile that Tim recognized for so many of his pictures of Batman and Robin (Dick and Jason years), and as Tim thinks back, even occasionally directed at Tim near the end of his run as Robin.
Tim momentarily considers attempting suicide by blankets, but then that instinct, that part of him that will always be Robin kicks in. Tim groans but sits up, because Batman will always need a Robin. He knows me too well. And I can't very well pass up a challenge.
As they make their way into the hallway, Bruce swings his arm around Tim’s shoulders and pulls him into his side and kisses the top of his head, then keeps Tim at his side all the way to the kitchen.
Tim halted before the kitchen door, he could hear the chattering voices of his…siblings.
God, Tim hated emotions, and talking about emotions. Another winning personality trait inherited from his parents.
Tim take a deep breath, squares his shoulders, musters all his Robin courage and heads into the kitchen.
3 mouths later.
As Tim heads to the mountains Zeta tube, he reflected on his therapy appointment with Black Canary that just ended.
“Why do you think their reaction will be different with you, versus their response when other people have come out to them? Have any of them showed any homophobic behaviors that are making you nervous?”
Tim shook his head, they had been nothing but supportive and respectful of the LGBTQ community.
“B-but I’m supposed to be normal, I’m not supposed to cause trouble for the family for embarrass them.” Tim said with a frown on his face.
Canary waited for Tim to make eye contact with her then asked. “Is that something that they have told you? Or is that something that your parents required of you?”
Tim look at the floor and continues frowning.
“Did you hear Jack? The McLeods son is gay! Caught making out with some boy and a party! The absolute shame that boy is bringing on his family.” Janet shook her head while looking at the tabloid.
7 year old Tim who had been working on his homework looked up as his mother grabbed his shoulder and turned him to face her.
“You will never bring shame on us like this will you Timothy. You will marry a good girl of standing and produce an heir to carry on the family name.” Janet’s hand was gripping his shoulder painfully.
“If he doesn’t he’ll find himself militarily school until he learns to be normal.” Jack added from his place at the kitchen table reading the newspaper.
Tim was just nodding frantically at his mother. “Yes, Mother. Of course Mother.”
Janet looked at him for a second longer before smiling and releasing him. “That my boy, knows what right.”
“I guess that’s…that’s what my parents expected of me. But won’t it look bad for the CEO of Wayne Enterprise to be bi? People like my parents are board members and stockholders and old money and they won’t approve?” Tim was twisting his hands together in worry.
Tim looked a Canary with fear in his eyes.
Dinah looked at Tim took his hands in hers.
“Let’s take this one step at a time.”
She took an exaggeratedly deep breath, that Tim copied.
“With all the evidence you have, do you think Bruce would react poorly to you sharing this information about yourself with him?”
Tim’s brain ran through all he had observed of his Dad is the past few years.
“No, no he would be ok with it, he loves me” There was a look of concentration on his face, as he nodded to himself assertively.
The Zeta flashes and Tim is in the BatCave. Therapy always kind of takes it out of Tim, he feels tired. It's Saturday, almost lunchtime so the BatCave is empty. It wouldn't have been in the past, but Bruce and Alfred's new policies have changed things around the manor, and the cave.
Tim headed up the staircase, and through the grandfather clock out into the hallway, he was looking forward to some food. Having been on a more regular eating schedule recently has made it easier to realize when he is actually hungry.
Tim followed the rambunctious voices to the kitchen where he knew Saturday Family Lunch would be starting soon. It was an unremarkable day, like all the Saturdays before it for the last 3 months. Tim pauses at the doorway, for just a moment, a smile speeding over his face. Jason has Damian in a headlock that has him more infuriated then Tim’s seen in a while (last Saturday?), Jason is completely ignoring Damian’s jabs to his ribs as he and Dick chit chat about a soufflé recipe as if nothing is going on. Bruce and Cass seem to be having a staring contest with a lot of eyebrows involved. And Alfred is adding his two cents to the soufflé conversation as he enters with a cart of food.
Tim pushes past the door way at this, as Jason releases Damian at the sight of food. Tim’s smile grows as Damian darts over to him.
“We shall begin plotting Todd’s retribution as soon as lunch concludes.” He hiss to Tim as he darts around him to his seat. “Probably Richard as well.” The smallest (for now, sigh) Wayne adds, shooting deadly looks at their oldest brothers.
Tim chuckles and says, “Of course.”
As Tim sits and surveys his family, his lungs fill with air as the love he feels for them, (the love he knows is returned) fills his chest like he will burst. Its always easier to keep the bad thoughts away when he’s around them.
Tim stands back up, and the others turn their attention toward him.
“Sweetheart?” Asks Bruce.
Tim just smiles, full of confidence he did not have a half hour ago.
“I have an announcement.”
Tim’s family may be crazy, a little broken, and always a work in progress, but it is the best.