Chapter Text
Jason came by in the afternoon to see how Tim was doing. “Happy Birthday Replacement,” he announced himself. The moment he turned the corner and saw Tim his tune changed. “You look like shit.”
Tim shrugged as he continued to watch whatever had been left on the TV for him. He wasn’t paying attention enough to know what was happening. Still, the noise and colors were a welcome distraction.
“Solved case?” Tim questioned limiting his words. The pain had started to grow since whatever they’d given him during the surgery wore off.
Nothing worked to get rid of it either. The icepack he and Damian got didn’t stay cold long enough to numb the pain, and the meds weren’t strong enough to take the edge off. Alfred offered him some hydrocodone, but there was no way he was taking that. He'd been out of it enough with the anesthesia to cry. He wasn’t letting that happen again.
“Sure did,” Jason said with a smug smile. “I brought you a present too.” He shoved a small giftbag into Tim’s hands.
The bag sat heavy in Tim’s lap. “The case?” he tried asking Jason again. Knowing who was behind the riddles was more than enough of a gift for him.
Jason shushed him and pointed towards the present. “We’ll talk about it when you can speak in full sentences. Look inside.”
Obediently, Tim stuck his hand in the bag and pulled out a photo album. It was a Justice League themed one with the Batman symbol on the cover. “I got it for you when we were at the theme park and thought it would go nicely with the camera Bruce said he gave you.”
“Thanks,” Tim said. If he could move his face he would have smiled.
“Sure, just do me a favor and wait till you’re healed to start adding to the album.” Jason patted him on the shoulder and headed off towards the kitchen. Red Hood never did well with heart to hearts. The whole interaction might as well have been Jason telling him he loved him.
Tim thought about sneaking down to the cave and checking out Jason’s report on the Riddler case. He wanted some answers. Getting them would probably double the lecture he expected from Dick.
All of Tim’s credibility of having it together had been lost when he cried. Tim pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. He feared Dick thought he couldn’t handle a little stress now.
Normally he’d be able to balance patrol, work, cases, and family time. With everyone down his neck about prioritizing his health, Tim had lost control. He felt helpless and hated it. Why couldn’t he just keep his big mouth shut?
“Head’s up Timbit,” Jason said coming back with a plate full of food and a protein shake.
Tim caught the drink Jason tossed at him and crossed out the idea of sneaking downstairs. There was no way he’d make it to the cave without getting caught.
Jason plopped down on the couch and grabbed the remote, searching for something to watch. “Hey, have you seen the new adaptation of the Secret Garden?” Jason asked as he took a bite off his plate.
“Haven’t read book,” Tim mumbled, nauseous as he watched Jason eat. Maybe if he feigned sleep his brother wouldn’t notice if he forgot to drink the shake.
“Really still? I’d have thought you’d consumed it for clues after you solved the first riddle.”
Tim leaned his head against the couch about to close his eyes. Maybe he’d read the book now that he had the time. “Wait,” he sat straight up catching Jason’s attention just before he started the movie. “Never told anyone location of first clue.” He hadn’t wanted a lecture about how he would have missed his appointment if it wasn’t for the coincidence of it being right next to the dentist office.
How did Jason know? He would have had. . .
Tim’s jaw would have dropped had it been able. “It was you,” he said, his words muffled by the gauze.
Jason grinned arching an eyebrow as Tim pointed at him accusingly.
Jason had the opportunity to leave the first clue. He had motive to distract and trick Tim. He was a lover of books and with Barabra’s help would have had access to the Riddler’s old website. Jason knew when and where Alfred did the grocery shopping. It would have made sense someone told him Tim needed to pick up his prescriptions before the surgery.
“Finally figured it out huh baby bird?” Oh, Jason looked far too pleased with himself. “I was going to give up the gig when we got back from vacation. I felt kind of bad after Barabra locked you out of all your devices, but I overheard Bruce scheduling your surgery after you failed to do so and I decided to keep it going. It was a good thing too. Doubt you would have made it this far without a little help.”
Tim didn’t believe it how had he missed all the signs?
Seeing that Tim was about to spiral, Jason dropped his smile and rested a hand on Tim’s shoulder. “We all need a little help, okay? Take this as a lesson to take care of yourself better in the future. There will always be a new case but there’s only ever one Timmy. Learn some self-care kid.”
Tim deflated, knowing Jason was right. If he hadn’t been tricked into following all those leads, he never would have made it to the day of surgery. At least now he wouldn’t have to worry about his wisdom teeth growing in and causing damage.
It had taken multiple ripped stitches, a ton of drugs, a minuscule emotional outburst, and getting tricked by Jason but Tim was starting to see his family’s point. They only cared about him, and it sucked a whole lot less to be surrounded by them then recovering in his apartment all alone.
As soon as he was better, he’d get Jason back. For now, he could enjoy the extra time with his annoying overprotective family.