Chapter Text
Tim is bored. He is extremely bored.
About an hour ago he was playing chess with Damian before the young teen has to go to his doctor's appointment. Tim reassured his little brother that he will be fine by himself when the boy hesitated to leave because they were in a middle of a match.
Damian has promised to come back as soon as possible but Tim knows that isn’t possible. Even with the Wayne's name and the money Bruce throws at the hospital like confetti, they still have to wait in line like anyone else when it comes to routine checkups.
Tim’s case is the only time they are allowed to skip all of that and go straight to Tim’s private floor (yes, Bruce actually made an entire floor for Tim in Gotham General Hospital). Other times, they have to wait for their name to be called.
So, it will be a while before Damian is back.
But Tim is bored now . He tried to call Uncle Hal on his private number but the man doesn’t pick up which means two things. Either he is currently out of range in whatever galaxy the Lantern sent him or he is currently having a massive case of jetlag.
Ugh, I don’t think I am up for stairs right now Tim muses so can’t call Uncle Hal using his special comm.
Tim contemplates calling Titus or Ace to play with them but suddenly remembers that Jason is having friends over. He gets up from his bed and walks slowly to Jason’s room. He hesitates, however, when he reaches the door. What if he doesn’t want me to bother him?
The sound of people playing Mario Kart can be heard and Tim really wants to join. He knocks on the door hoping that it can be heard despite the loud noises. There is an answer after a couple of seconds of the video game being paused.
“Who’s that?”
“It’s Tim” he leans into the door to make sure that his voice is carried over the wooden door.
“Tim? What’s wrong? What happened?” Jason panics and Tim scolds himself for not texting Jason beforehand. He knows that Jason has trauma over this. When Jason just got adopted by Bruce he didn’t trust anyone. He liked to lock himself in his bedroom and never open the door to anyone whenever he was upset or confused over Bruce’s behavior.
One day he got upset and locked the door when Tim was having an episode. Tim bangs at his door asking for help but Jason was too upset at him that he purposefully took his time opening it. He opened the door to a Tim who collapsed after gasping for air.
Ever since then, if Tim knocks on his door he will come rushing in with panic laces his tone.
Jason scans him as soon as he opens the door, he breathes out a sigh of relief when he sees that Tim is okay. Tim glances at the two familiar-looking figures inside “I’m sorry, I know you have guests but I just thought that…” he peeks inside seeing both men looking back at him before he ducks his head to hide his face.
“Ah, yeah, my friends are here” Jason informs him, “What do you need, Timbo?”
Tim suddenly feels shy to request Jason’s company. It looks like he is having fun with his friends. He feels a little bad for interrupting “Oh, I just… I was wondering if it’s okay to spend time with you guys. Damian left with Bruce for his doctor's appointment an hour ago, and I got bored so I thought… but it’s okay if you don’t want to, I’ll just-”
“Naaah, it’s okay Timber, come in” Jason gently ushered him inside. He guides Tim to sit on the bed, fussing over the pillows and blankets. Tim huffs but knows that it is futile to protest when Jason is in Mother Hen mode.
Jason points at his friends, “So, Tim, this is Conner and Bart also known as Superboy and Impulse”
Oh! Oh, that is why they look familiar! They are Jason’s teammates!
“Oh wow! They are your team right!? the Young Justice?” Tim looks at them in awe. He sees them on TV every time there is news about Titans and Young Justice. He likes to know whether Jason or Dick is okay every time they went on a mission.
“Riiiight,” Jason scoots closer to Tim, eyes narrowing for some reason “they are my teammates and best friends. Guys, this is my little brother, Timothy Drake-Wayne”
“Nice to meet you, Tim!! My name is Bart Allen!!” Impulse introduces himself while bouncing with energy. He leaps to the bed to shake Tim’s hand but Jason immediately pushes him off the bed. Tim feels bad but he knows that it is better safe than sorry.
While all guests are required to clean their hands, the family still tries to limit Tim’s contact with strangers as much as possible, especially since Tim just got better a couple of days ago.
“Yeah, yeah, tone down the eagerness Imp, you don’t want to scare Timbo over here” Jason teases.
“ I have never in my life scared anyone with my wonderful eagerness” Bart gasps dramatically from his position then yanks Jason’s leg with a pout.
“Stop it Imp!”
“Join me on the floor Jasooon!! Joooiiiiinnn meeeee!” Bart is insistent but lets out a yelp when Jason just drops down on top of him. He struggles to get Jason off of him but Jason only leans more into him, crushing the young adult.
Tim lets out a giggle when they start to wrestle. They look ridiculous and Tim can’t help but continue laughing. He tries to hide his laughter but fails when Jason and Bart end up performing weird poses while still lying down.
“I give up! Uncle! Uncle! Aunt Niece!” Bart yells out tapping quickly at Jason’s arm.
“Hah! Another win for Red Hood!” Jason crows, he gets up dusted himself then goes to take out a spare controller to Tim. “Care to join us, Babybird?”
Tim has fun playing with the three superheroes.
He doesn’t want to brag but out of all the Waynes, Tim is the video game reigning champion. He is unbeatable when it comes to Mario Kart. Roy almost wins against Tim that one time but Tim ended up winning. After that onward, Tim spent his free time perfecting his gaming skill so a close call like that will never happen again.
(His siblings vow to end his winning streak. There is even a betting pool on who is going to defeat Tim. Currently, the favorite contenders are Roy and Dinah Lance)
They play the game for hours. Conner and Bart try their best to defeat Tim but fail each time. Jason laughs at his friends’ defeat and grumbles when he only manages to snag second place.
Tim feels himself smiling widely when Conner throws his controller in the air out of frustration. Tim steals a glance at the young man. He can’t help but feel flustered when he sees Conner’s arms flex. He discreetly tries to observe the hero. He feels his heart skips a beat when he sees from the corner of his eyes that Superboy keeps glancing at him with his blue eyes.
Tim wills his body to not show his blush. He can’t let Superboy think he is a creep being all flustered and blushing just because the literal Boy of Steel is looking in Tim’s direction.
Get over yourself, Tim! He is just observant! It doesn't mean anything!
Though images of Superboy smiling and looking at Tim with an intensity rivaling the look of the male lead from Steph’s Korean drama pop out in his head. Tim always thinks that Superboy is handsome He is sure almost all people who have seen the hero will agree.
However, seeing him on the news being all serious while saving the world is totally different from seeing him in person while the hero is relaxed while playing video games.
It makes Tim's heart beat faster to think that he has the chance to see this side of superbly that only close friends and family can see. He tries to calm himself before his heart decided that he has too much excitement.
He throws his gaze in Superboy's direction seeing the way his eyebrow scrunched up in concentration. His gaze is focused on the screen as he struggles to maintain his third-place position from Impulse. The light from the room casts a shadow that compliments his facial features really well. His muscles move as his body becomes moves slightly in sync with his character. His blue eyes shimmer and glint with a shade of blue that is alien to humans.
Superboy is gorgeous and the scene in front of him makes Tim's fingers itch to take his camera and capture this moment. He senses more than sees Superboy's eyes trailing back to him. He pretends that he is completely focused on the game. Superboy's gaze burns and Tim's heartbeat picks up again.
Tim tries to calm himself before it gets out of hand. Thankfully Damian comes to his rescue.
The young boy is panting as he gives the two guests a scowl and a glare. He scans the room and relaxes when he sees Tim.
“Timothy, there you are. Why are you associating yourself with the likes of Todd and his hooligans?”
“Don’t call my friends hooligans, Demon Brat!”
Before Damian decides to fight Jason, Tim gets up from the bed, “Dami, you’re back!” Jason reaches over him, preventing him from getting up when Damian runs towards him to keep Tim from falling.
Though Tim isn’t going to fall. They are just being overprotective since the scare last week. Usually, Tim will huff and puff and complain about being treated like glass, but he knows how scared they were so he lets them do it this one time.
“How is your appointment, Dami?” Tim brings the young boy into his arms and cards his fingers through his hair. Even though the youngest Wayne denies it vehemently, Tim knows that Damian likes cuddles and hair pets.
Damian melts at the affection but stops himself from relaxing further when he remembers that they are other people in the room. Tim internally sighs at Damian’s behavior. Somehow the boy still thinks that being a child in front of people who aren’t family is a weakness and a disgrace. He will still act all stoic and cold in Galas even though he will whine and cling to Tim to hug him at home.
They are working on it though. It is a long journey but they will get there.
“Tt, I performed well in all of the tests the doctor has given me. I have been told I am in my peak condition, as expected” he informs Tim “I was also informed that I have grown taller since my last appointment”
Tim knows when Damian is fishing for compliments. He hums and confirms the young boy’s statement. The reaction is instant, Damian preens at him. So cute!
Jason scoffs, “Boast about it when you get as tall as me, brat. Oh, wait! You will never be as tall as me! I will forever be the tallest brother!”
Damian's scowl deepens and he is about to give a scathing remark when Bruce enters the room. He looks out of breath, both of them must be looking for Tim the moment they got back and panic when they didn’t see Tim in his bedroom like he promised he would be.
“Tim says he was bored so I invited him over to play with us. We have fun together, haven’t we Tim?” Jason looks ready to start a fight with Bruce. Ever since he woke up from his coma, he always gets into a fight with Bruce for one reason and another. Tim never really knows what since no one wants to tell him lest he got stressed because of it (though it only stresses him more not knowing) but he knows it’s because of the Joker.
Before things escalate, Tim stammers out a reply “Ye-yes! I have fun, Bruce…. It’s okay, I was just bored being alone waiting for Dami, I knew Jay is home so I came here to play”.
Tim pleads for Bruce to just drop it and leave but he only scowls.
“Father we have to excuse ourselves, it is almost time for dinner. Timothy requires a full meal before bed so he will be leaving to prepare for dinner now” Damian must have sensed the worsening mood since he grabs Tim’s hand to guide him outside, “Come along, Timothy!”
Tim tries to persuade Bruce one more time before leaving, asking him to come with him. He becomes relaxed the moment he sees Tim but instead of following Tim he cups his hands to Tim’s cheek and tells him he will follow shortly.
Before Tim starts to protest, Damian tugs him outside of the room.
After they are further away from the room Tim speaks up, “Is it okay to leave Bruce and Jason alone?”
“They are not alone” Damian replies.
Tim rolls his eyes, “You know what I meant. I just don’t want them to fight anymore”
Damian stops and looks back at Tim. He scans Tim’s face before putting two fingers on Tim’s wrist. “Don’t worry they are not fighting, Father is just worried about you hanging out with strangers. You just got better so he is extra protective. We do not want a relapse”
He squeezes Tim’s wrist when he is satisfied with his assessment then continues gently tugging Tim to his bedroom to change for dinner.
Tim decides to trust Damian’s word. He will definitely ask Jason about their conversation during dinner. They won’t tell Tim anything but at least Tim will feel better when he can gauge their reaction with his own eyes.
When he changes for dinner, he suddenly remembers that he doesn’t have the chance to ask Conner for his number and to say goodbye.