Chapter Text
Maybe it was punishment for not visiting last year. Even Jason had swung by, and maybe in some universe that would have been a big enough distraction that no one would think twice about Tim, but alas. Here he was, a fact that everyone was so very aware of. He didn’t even want to be here, made obvious by the fact that he’d been avoiding everyone for the last six months at least.
It wasn't exactly his fault that everyone died, not quite everyone came back alive and Tim was effectively fired as Robin.
It still stung even now.
Still, Dick made no mention of the awkwardness as he pulled Tim into a half hug before setting him to work with the fairy lights. The tinsel below was neater than expected to say his other brothers had been in charge so far, but Jason did always surprise him with his eye for detail. Somewhere behind him, Tim could hear the shifting of plastic and metal. Who knew what decorations Damian could find to stab him with; there was probably a plastic icicle or two in there that would do the job.
Maybe he shouldn't judge so much - Damian was surprisingly... calm today. Maybe it helped that this was the first time all of the boys had been home together - Damian's first Christmas here had been without Jason or Tim. That didn't sound right though, and Damian was likely just biding his time. Tim didn't care either way; the last two years had thrown enough shit his way, and what better place to be stabbed than in the Wayne Manor with Alfred to patch you up, right?
"Earth to Timbo," Jason waved a hand in front of his face. "You've been wrapping the lights around the same branch for the last two minutes. Move over."
Tim relinquished the lights easily, and leaned back against the sofa to watch him instead. Wasn't he supposed to be acting normal, like none of this had happened so that they could do the whole happy family thing just this once? But Tim had never really cared about Christmas - it wasn't exactly a big thing in the Drake household and the fact that he was in a room with two people who had tried to kill him and another that had just taken everything away from him, expecting things to be fine kind of killed the mood for him, at least a little.
Still, a Robin never let down their guard - former or not. Showing weakness around them after the events of the last few years - what if it proved them right?
"I'm going to get us something to drink," Tim announced. Damian barely looked up, Jason only nodded and Dick looked at him for a second, expression unreadable.
"That sounds great, Tim." He settled into a smile, warm and wide. He had no right to do that. "Want to see if we have any cookies too?"
We're family, Tim recounted to himself as he walked to the kitchen. Families don't always get along great. But Timothy Drake-Wayne has a lot of patience and would be so happy to spend Christmas with the older brother that has always been there, a brother who had returned from years of being away and a new long lost brother that he had responsibility to look after and set a good example for. This was a Wayne Christmas, and he could play the part just for a day.
Alfred nodded to Tim as he met him at the kitchen door, tray already lined with drinks as if he was a mind reader. Whether he was trying to be helpful or prevent Tim for hiding in the kitchen for a few minutes while he collected himself, Tim had no idea. Still, Alfred's presence was always calming, so maybe it wasn't the worst trade. Alfred was his one true ally in this house.
"It is wonderful to have the whole family in the house together, for once. Cookies are on the counter, if you would be so kind as to help me with them."
Tim nodded, grip firm on the tray of cookies despite his attempt at relaxing his shoulders. Really, he'd faced monsters and mass murderers before. Spending time with family shouldn't feel more stressful than that, surely.
"I do hope this isn't the last Christmas we can all share together, though considering this family's track record, well. I suppose we will have to wait and see."
Maybe Tim did feel just a little guilty. Alfred was entirely right of course - it was almost a miracle that he had everyone back, all at once. It may be uncomfortable, but everyone else was trying. Jason was trying, willing to even be around Bruce for once. Damian was almost acting like a normal child - whether someone had had a talk with him or Dick had been such a good influence this year Tim didn't know, but that was impressive in itself. They were trying. And Tim was out here feeling sorry for himself and acting like this was so uncomfortable while the only person actually making it uncomfortable was himself.
"Maybe this is a turning point," Tim steeled himself, straightening his back and putting on his most earnest looking Wayne smile. He could do better than this.