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Tim was listening to Dick’s debrief when a flash of green light caught his attention. He whirled around trying to find the source of the disturbance, only to see two men at the entrance of Mount Justice. They definitely didn’t use the Zeta-Tubes to get in, so he could only conclude that whatever the green light was had transported them into the cave. One of the men bore the House of El insignia on his chest, wearing a butchered version of Superman’s suit with a leather jacket on top. Round sunglasses sat across the bridge of his nose and piercings littered his face and ears. He looked a little like Conner if he squinted. He stood in a fighting stance, taller than the man at his side.
Speaking of the other man, he wore a red and black suit, black belts with small yellow pouches- ammo containers?- across his waist and chest that were held together by a bird symbol. Most of his face was obscured by a mask, but Tim could see the minute movements of his head as he took in his surroundings and the team. He took a familiar defensive position that Tim recognized mostly because they both seemed to favor the same weapon.
“That’s freaky…” The bizarro Superboy whistled, the sound echoing throughout the cavern, “You got any idea what’s going on, Babe?”
The man in red didn’t answer him.
Did they not mean to break into Mount Justice? Tim asked himself. He looked to Dick for direction, waiting for him to make a call.
“Gamma positions!” Dick ordered, and the Team immediately sprung to action.
Bizarro Superboy took a step forward, but stopped when the red guy commanded, “Hold.”
It really seemed like they weren’t here on purpose, but he still took his place to the left of Dick and Cassie to Tim’s. Conner and Gar stood to Dick’s right. Blue Beetle took the air, energy cannons at the ready.
He could practically feel the red man’s eyes analyzing them. And, now that he could see him up close, he was starting to realize that their choice in weapon wasn’t the only thing similar between them. His eyes darted over the man, trying to find any contradictions to the theory forming in his head. The man was older, held himself more confidently- like Dick- but that was definitely himself he was staring at.
Time travel? Did that mean the other guy was supposed to be Conner? He couldn’t imagine the older teen wearing anything as gaudy as this guy.
“How did you get in here? Identify yourselves.” Dick ordered, breaking Tim out of his thoughts. He really shouldn’t have been so distracted.
“What, none of you saw the weird magic portal we came out of?” Other Conner scoffed, the question dripping with sarcasm. His maybe future self stood up out of his defensive stance but made no move to put his staff away, Tim tightened his grip on his own.
“Red Robin.” He introduced himself, then gestured to other Conner, “This is Superboy.”
That answered that question.
“ I’m Superboy.” Conner stressed. They both were, if his theory was correct. It wasn’t that unbelievable, just look at Bart.
“I’ve gathered.” Was Red Robin’s dry response. Was sarcasm just the default in the future?
“You think he’s another clone?” Conner addressed Dick, who frowned in contemplation.
“Another clone?!” Superboy shouted. He sounded… offended? “I’m the original clone, baby!”
Okay, maybe he was wrong about the time travel thing. Wouldn’t future Conner have said something by now? Wouldn’t future him have said something by now?
His confusion was appeased when Red Robin said, “Code 289-Beta-G”
Dimensional Travel? Tim’s eyes widened behind his mask at the same time Dick voiced his thoughts.
“How’d you figure that?” Superboy asked.
So this was definitely not on purpose.
“The sorceress was obviously pulling those creatures from somewhere- she obviously wasn’t creating them- I just couldn’t determine whether it was another dimension or another planet. Now that we’ve been transported to a room full of heroes we know and work with but don’t recognize us, time travel was on the table but I don’t remember anything like this happening. Plus all the ages seem to be screwed up meaning it’s more likely that our timelines are different. So the most plausible theory is that we’re in another dimension.” Red Robin shrugged.
“... You’re so hot when you’re in detective mode, have I ever told you that?”
And, okay, that was a lot to take in. Superboy from an alternate universe was into him. He recalled him calling Red Robin ‘babe’ earlier and tried to fight the blush that was creeping up his neck.
“You might have mentioned it once or twice.” Red answered with a small quirk of his lip.
Did alternate him… reciprocate Superboy’s feelings?
“Well, it’s- Wait, does that mean this Robin is supposed to be you?” Superboy looked at him curiously, then grinned, “He’s so tiny!”
Tim furrowed his brows, subconsciously mouthing ‘Tiny?’ before straightening up to his full height. He wasn’t that short… was he?
Tim’s ponderings were interrupted with a rush of wind, and the speedster’s familiar way of talking filled the cave with a flurry of questions, “Heyguyswhatdidimiss? Whoaretheseguys? DoesSuperboyhaveanotherclone? Hey-” Red tripped Bart with his staff, but an invisible force caught him before he could fall. “How did you-?”
Tim was curious as well, the speedster always eluded his tactics.
“Years of practice.” Kon answered vaguely with a smirk.
“And headaches.” Red sighed, not helping Tim at all.
“They’re from another dimension,” Gar supplied, “He is a clone, just, y’know, not our clone.”
“That’s so crash!” A concerning grin stretched over Bart’s face.
“I know!” Gar agreed excitedly, “But… he doesn’t really look like Superboy. Or act like him. He’s… weird.”
That was an understatement.
“You mispronounced cool.” Superboy adjusted his shades, looking toward Conner disdainfully, “I mean look at him , he’s just wearing-”
“You so do not want to finish that sentence.” Red snorted, collapsing his staff and stashing it away, “May I remind you of the start of your Titan’s tenure?”
He wondered briefly what the older man meant by Titan, as he collapsed his own staff, noticing that everyone else had already put their weapons away. He turned to Cassie, wanting to get her reaction to the strange situation.
She was watching Red Robin and Superboy interact with a frown. “You and Superboy…” She said eventually.
“That’s not me!” Tim corrected frantically, cause boy did he not want to think about that. And he didn’t need his sort of girlfriend- they’re still figuring it out- to think he had some secret gay crush on Conner . He didn’t even like guys!
“Red Robin and Superboy,” She amended, “do you think they’re-”
“Don’t,” Tim pleaded, “I’m trying really hard not to think ab-”
Tim was interrupted by a clap, and his attention was back on Red Robin.
“Now, if we’re done getting acquainted with each other, I’d like to find a way to get back to our universe. Preferably soon.” Red then addressed Dick, “Nightwing?”
Dick nodded his head and walked back to re-engage the computers. Red made a move to follow him, but stopped to look up at Superboy, “Please don’t cause any trouble while I figure this stuff out.”
“Yes, sir.” Superboy saluted him, and Red didn’t say anything for a moment.
“I’m serious. Don’t give too much information away. Their timeline may be a little different to ours, but that doesn’t mean this universe won’t be affected.” There was a tiredness in his voice that told Tim that he was used to Superboy causing problems.
“Hey, I know when to keep my mouth shut!” Superboy said, affronted.
Red made a small noise that Tim usually made to wordlessly disagree. It was so strange to see his mannerisms reflected in someone else.
“I do!” Superboy argued with an actual pout.
“You’re cute when you get all mopey.” Tim could hear the smirk in Red’s voice and his stomach rolled at the words.
Red was pulled by an invisible force toward Superboy and Tim looked away. Cassie’s eyes seemed to be glued to them, though, her mouth falling open. Tim felt his face heat up again.
“You did that on purpose.” Superboy accused.
“Maybe.”
“You’re so gonna get it.”
They didn’t say anything for a moment and Tim chanced a look. Yeah, yep, they were kissing now. Fantastic.
“Down boy, I’ve got work to do.” Red said, finally breaking the kiss, seemingly unaware of how awkward they were making the atmosphere or just not caring. Tim wished he could leave, but he couldn’t seem to move from his spot.
“You started it.” Superboy was pouting again.
“And I’ll finish it.” Red promised, “Later… When we’re home.” He moved away from him, patting Superboy’s cheek as he did so.
“Tease.” Superboy muttered when Red’s back was turned.
Red stopped when he was in front of Tim, “Robin, would you like to join us?”
“What?!” Tim exclaimed. There is no way Red was asking what he thought he was asking, right? But him and Superboy are not normal- who just casually makes out in a room full of strangers?- so it was totally possible he was asking Tim to join in on their promise to do… that . He was going to be sick.
“Would you like to join me and Nightwing while we investigate what happened?” Red answered because of course that’s what he meant. Tim felt stupid for even thinking that it was about anything else. But could anyone blame him?
“Oh, um, sure. I- I can do that.” Tim managed to stutter out.
“Why’s he reacting like that?” Bart whispered loudly, and Blue Beetle smacked the back of his head, “Ow, hey!” Blue Beetle started explaining everything to him in a whisper, and he saw Bart’s eyes flicker between him and Conner, “Oh, weird.”
“Totally.” Blue Beetle agreed. Tim hiked up his shoulders, wishing someone would just kill him now.
“Sorry, kid…” Red apologized quietly as they made their way over to Dick, “Didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
Tim shook his head, dismissing the apology. He couldn't bring himself to talk to other him just yet. He was still trying to process everything.
Once they got to work, Red mostly spoke to Dick, which he was totally fine with. He piped up once when he thought of something that might be helpful, but Red only nodded as if he had already thought of it. Tim decided to remain silent after that.
He kept looking at Red when he was sure the man was too focused on the screen to notice, opening his mouth a couple of times to ask one of the million questions that were running through his mind only to close it. He wasn’t sure he even wanted to know the answer to most of them, but he couldn’t help the curiosity he felt.
Red Robin spoke after Dick left to make a call, “What’s up, kid?”
“Nothing’s up!” Tim automatically replied. Very convincing, Boy Wonder.
“You’ve been trying to say something for the past few hours.” Of course Red noticed that, “Go ahead and ask. I’m not gonna bite.”
“You and Superboy…” He started and immediately regretted it. Why was that his first question? He could feel the flush creep up again.
“Yes?” Red prompted, patiently.
“You guys are- are-” He couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.
“Together?” Red supplied for him, “We are. I’ve gathered that you and your Superboy aren’t.”
Tim shook his head and explained, “We don’t even know each other that well… We get along fine- we’re teammates- but he’s more of Di- uh, Nightwing’s friend than mine.”
“Huh, weird.” Red hummed thoughtfully and Tim just shrugged. He fiddled with one of his gloves, feeling the need to do something with his hands. Thousands of thoughts ran through his head, and he couldn’t fully focus on any of them. “That’s not your only question.”
Tim shook his head again, was he really going to ask this?
“Are you- I mean… You’re… gay?”
“Bi, actually.” Red corrected him not unkindly, “But, yeah. I like guys and I also like girls.”
Oh… he hadn’t even considered that.
“Oh… okay… that’s cool, I guess.” Tim answered noncommittally and Red barked out a laugh. Tim looked up, startled, because nothing he said should have elicited that reaction. Maybe Red was actually crazy… or maybe Joker gas had gotten into Mount Justice somehow.
“Sorry, you just remind me of- well, me . Which makes sense, I suppose.” Red explained, “ Look, kid, I really didn’t mean to cause you to have a gay panic or anything. It’s not like I’m your future, we’re from totally different realities! You might be straight- which is fine- or gay- which is also fine- or you might be like me or somewhere inbetween.”
“I like girls,” Tim rushed out, then added, “I’m dating Cassie, uh, Wonder Girl.” He felt the need to use her codename because he wasn’t sure if Red Robin had her in his world. Surely if she was an option, Red would be with her.
“That’s… interesting.” He didn’t like the sound of that.
“Why do you say it like that?”
“Well, Wondie and I only got together after… something happened to SB.” Tim noted the hesitation when he spoke about Superboy, he got the feeling he knew what this ‘something’ was, “He was dating her before he left-”
“He died, didn’t he? That’s what you’re not saying.” Tim interrupted.
“Should have known I couldn’t keep that from you…” Red sighed, but something akin to pride tinged his voice, “Yeah, he… died. We kinda only dated cause we were the only thing that we had left of him. It wasn’t the best relationship so… yeah, it’s interesting.”
Tim hummed thoughtfully. Did that mean him and Cassie might not work out? He tried to dismiss the thought, their situations were entirely different. He genuinely liked her, and he didn’t get with her to cope with someone’s death, so he shouldn’t even consider that as an option. But still…
He opened his mouth to try and get Red’s thoughts, but he couldn’t even get a word out before an announcement that someone was entering the cave cut him off.
‘ Recognized. Zatanna A-0-3’
Zatanna scanned the room before settling her eyes on Red and greeted him with a smile, “Hey, you must be Red Robin.”
“The one and only.”
“Nightwing told me about your predicament. I’m here to narrow some options down.”
“Thanks for coming, Z.” Dick’s voice filled the room as he entered from the corridor that connected to the bedrooms.
“Anytime, Nightwing.” Her smile turned more affectionate as she said it, “So, where are we doing this? And where’s the other Superboy?”
“I can go grab him-” Dick started to say, but Red interrupted him.
“No need.” Red said with a shake of his head, then called out, “SB!”
There was a beat of silence and Tim wondered if they were just going to stand here and wait for Superboy to walk all the way from wherever he ran off to. They didn’t actually have to wait that long because the man flew- he flew - in and hovered by Red.
“Yeah, Babe?”
“Feet on the ground.” Red scolded, but Tim was still stuck on the fact that Superboy could apparently fly.
“Yeah, yeah.” Superboy rolled his eyes, “So, what’s up?”
“You can fly?!” Dick shouted, and Tim was glad someone finally asked. He addressed Red when he asked, “He’s not using the patches is he?”
Patches? Tim thought simultaneously as Superboy asked the same with a tilt of his head.
“Can your Superboy not fly?” Red inquired, like the very thought was unbelievable.
Dick shook his head, “Not on his own. The only time he could, he was using these patches to enhance his powers, in a sense.”
“Well, I was made to fly!” Superboy grinned sharply, “Using my Tactile Teleken-” That explained the invisible force from earlier.
“Please don’t get him started on that.” Red had cut him off with a groan. Tim could only assume Superboy talked about it a lot.
“Hey, they genuinely don’t know! This is a totally appropriate time to talk about it!”
“Mhm… you’re so lucky you’re cute.”
Oh no, they were starting to flirt again. Tim turned back to the computers, but there wasn’t much that could distract him from… them. So he just stared at the screens, he really didn’t want to watch them make out again.
“You think I’m cute?!” Superboy gasped, “Wait, Rob… do you like me?”
“You’re insufferable.”
‘I’m the one suffering.’
“Oh…?” Zatanna made a questioning noise.
‘Welcome to the club.’
“Uh, yeah, I guess I should have warned you about that…” Dick said apologetically.
“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” Superboy scoffed.
“I always knew he was ashamed of me.” There was a tremble to Red's voice.
And that… stung. He wasn’t into guys, but, if he were- because he’s not- he’d have to live with the fact that Dick wasn’t accepting of it.
Tim’s attention was brought back to the conversation when he heard Dick exclaim, “What?!” Then he continued frantically, “No, I’m not- I don’t think it’s a bad thing! It’s not a bad thing! It’s just diff- Oh, you’re messing with me.”
He heard Red’s laughter, and released a relieved breath. Relieved? Why was he relieved?
“You are so much more fun to mess with than my Wing.”
“That’s only ‘cause he doesn’t know you.” Superboy huffed, “All the Bats know not to take you seriously outside of cases.”
“My pool of unsuspecting victims has dwindled significantly.” Red clicked his tongue.
“Oh, boohoo, you don’t get to be an asshole, what ever will you do?”
“I can think of a few things I can do.” Red said in a teasing tone.
They were back to flirting. Great.
“You are being so unfair.”
“Okay, I’m trying to be super cool with all of this, but there is only so much I can take of watching my baby brother and one of my best friends flirting and making sexual innuendos.”
Tim silently thanked Dick, trying to force away the flush on his face. He was getting really tired of that happening. If those two stayed here any longer, his face was going to be permanently red.
“What, you expect me not to flirt with my boyfriend?” Of course it wouldn’t be that easy to stop them, the universe must have a grudge against Tim, “What kind of bull-”
“Kon-El.” There was a silent command to his voice and Superboy- thankfully- stopped talking. Wait, Superman’s Kryptonian name is Kal-El. Was Superboy’s name not Conner? Did he not have a human name? Or did he have both like Superman? That was something he would have to ask Red, if he gets the chance.
“What do you need from us, Zatanna?”
Tim snapped his head over to look at Red. His entire demeanor had changed, the easy, sarcastic tone completely gone. His voice sounded like… Batman. Not in a literal sense, it wasn’t like he was doing an impression, but it was hard and no nonsense; it commanded authority.
Zatanna cleared her throat, “I don’t really need anything from you except your persons.” She turned to address Dick, “I do need some space, though… You boys are welcome to stay, but you need to stand back.”
“Right… Robin.”
Tim closed down the computers before taking a spot beside Dick who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Tim opted to stand with his hands behind him, back straight, while he watched Zatanna do some magical tests on the two.
Tim stared at Red- no, Red Robin- noticing that even the way he held himself felt reminiscent of Batman. That scared him a bit. He had never wanted to be anything like Bruce. He hadn’t even planned on being a vigilante for long, it was just supposed to be a temporary thing. But seeing Red Robin, well into his twenties, still fighting, he couldn’t help but think that his future wasn’t going to go the way he hoped. Red Robin wasn’t his future, he knew that, but- despite the obvious differences- they were similar enough that he might as well be.
Zatanna eventually finished with a nod of her head, “All done. I just have to do a bit more research to figure out what the best spell is to get you two back home.”
“How long do you think that will take?” Red Robin asked.
“A week at max, but I believe I should have everything prepared for you in a day or two.”
Tim frowned, he was hoping Zatanna might be able to get them out of there today. He didn’t know how much more he could take of seeing the two flirting. Maybe he would just stay in Gotham until they left… he couldn’t, though. He made a promise when he took up the mantle, so- as long as he was Robin- he would do his duty. He wouldn’t run away just because he was a little uncomfortable.
“Was there… something else you need us for?” Red Robin asked Zatanna.
Zatanna hesitated, “Well, not need necessarily, but I was kind of wondering…” She trailed off.
“You want to know about the other you.” Superboy is the one to finish her question.
“You probably got that question a lot, huh?”
“I’d be curious too if I hadn’t already seen him.” Superboy shrugged, “And let me tell you, underwhelming.”
Dick huffed behind him, muttering, “Underwhelming, huh? Well, I think Superboy is very whelming .”
Tim shook his head fondly, he could never understand Dick’s issue with the word.
“You’re… older, on our world.” Superboy finally answered her question.
“Seriously?!” Zatanna asked, “How much older?”
Red Robin tilted his head and Tim found himself relieved when his playful tone returned as he said, “I was raised better than to speculate on a lady’s age-” Superboy snorted, but Red continued, “- But, since the lady, sort of, herself asked… I’d say early to mid thirties.”
“Thirties?!” Zatanna yelled. Tim understood her surprise, he hadn’t expected that answer either.
Dick made a choked off noise and Tim screwed his eyes shut waiting for the inevitable.
“Dick!” Zatanna shouted, storming over to them.
There it was.
Tim saw the other two leaving- Superboy was clinging onto Red, chest shaking- and moved to make his own exit, but Dick clamped a hand down on his shoulder.
“Don’t leave me.” He pleaded and Tim shook his head rapidly.
“I’m not getting in the middle of this.” Tim pulled out of his grip and ran off.
“Traitor!” Dick cried out, then said to Zatanna, “Z, I didn’t mean-”
He didn’t stay to hear the rest, making his way to the common room. Upon entering, everyone stopped talking. Cool. That was such a good sign. He continued to walk in, pretending not to notice the stares.
“Hey, Robin, we were just talking about you!” Bart was the first to speak to him, smiling brightly.
Everyone glared at the speedster, a few shifting uncomfortably.
“It’s hard not to bring you up considering…” Gar tried to explain.
Tim nodded, “Can we… talk about something else?”
“We can definitely do that.” Blue Beetle readily agreed.
They spoke about a range of things, not one of them being the dimensional travelers, and Tim felt himself relax a little.
A bit later, Cassie walked into the room, a serious expression on her face. Her eyes never left his.
“Can we talk?” Cassie asked, “In private.”
“Uh oh.” That came from Bart and he found himself agreeing with him. Tim was so screwed.
“Sure.” He answered stiffly, getting up from his spot and following her out, “Is this about Red Robin?”
“And Superboy.” She added, then, “And us.”
“Okay…” Tim didn’t like where this was going.
“Are you gay?”
“What?” Tim’s eyes widened behind his mask, “Of course not!”
“Okay.” Cassie accepted the answer, then explained, “I’m not interested in being someone’s beard.”
“Cassie, do you seriously think I would do that?”
Cassie crossed her arms and shrugged her shoulders, “I just keep thinking about them and-”
“I’m not him.” Tim reiterated his earlier sentiment, an edge to his voice, “And even if I was, he’s bi so there’s no way you would be my beard. I actually like you, Cassie.”
“Oh…” Cassie’s gaze fell to the ground, then she sighed, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just weird to see my boyfriend hang all over someone else.”
“You don’t think it is for me?” Tim was aware he was shouting, that anyone would be able to hear their conversation, but he couldn’t bring himself to care, “Can you imagine seeing yourself kissing some guy? Kissing Superboy of all people? I don’t even like guys, Cassie, and now I just have to sit back while everyone around me- including you- thinks I’m fucking gay.” A manic laugh bubbled out of his throat, “That- that I’m keeping some dirty secret, and using you to hide it.”
“Tim, I-”
“And then I have to listen to an alternate version of myself comment on my relationship, putting all these thoughts in my head about us and-” Tim cut himself off. That wasn’t really true, he was the one drawing conclusions, but it was just easier to blame Red.
“What did he say about our relationship?” Cassie asked, affronted.
“He didn’t.” Tim admitted, “He just said that his relationship with his Cassie didn’t work out and it just made me think that ours might not.”
“I thought you said you’re not him.” Cassie narrowed her eyes.
“I’m not.” Tim let out a frustrated groan, “But our thought process is similar enough which means we are very similar despite everything and I don’t want to waste my time-” Fuck. That was meant to stay an inside thought, “Cassie, I didn’t mean-”
“Waste your time?” Cassie’s voice was dangerously low, “Well, I’m sorry tha-”
She stopped when they heard a hissed intake of breath. The sound had come from the source of their argument. Cassie glared daggers at Red, then flew off without a word.
“Cassie!” Tim called after her, but couldn’t make his feet move. He clenched his fists.
“Kid-”
“Don’t.” That came out harsher than he meant to. He was doing a lot of things he didn’t mean to. Tim closed his eyes and started using the breathing technique Dick had taught him to calm down. He wished the two would leave, he couldn’t take seeing them right now, not when Red was the one causing all of his problems. And that… wasn’t fair, this one was all on Tim and his big stupid mouth. He eventually relaxed, uncurling his fingers, and walked off. He just needed to go home.
Tim stepped into the sewer system where the Gotham Zeta-Tube was located. He really wished Dick had been able to convince Bruce to have it built somewhere more… sanitary. And less smelly. He moved through the illusionary wall, and climbed up the ladder that would place him in an alleyway. He took a deep breath of the- only marginally better- chemical filled polluted air of home. Tim moved up a fire escape and made his way to Drake Manor.
He changed into his civies and snuck into his room through the window, even though it wasn’t really necessary. Nobody was home, since his dad was staying at the rehab center. He still tucked his suit into its hidden compartment, and went to take a quick shower. He felt a little better after, like he was washing the entire day away.
He texted Cassie, asking if they could talk so that he could explain himself. She just said that she needed some space and not to expect to see her outside of missions. He groaned as he flopped onto his bed, phone still in hand. He really should go to sleep, but he couldn’t turn his mind off so he simply stared at the ceiling.
He doesn’t know when he fell asleep, only that he did because he woke up. He lied there for a moment before finally getting up. He stumbled down to the kitchen, making himself a hearty breakfast of buttered toast and coffee. Yum.
He got dressed in his Robin suit and used the underground system that connected his manor to the Batcave. Dick was already there, speaking with Bruce who was sitting at the Batcomputer.
“Master Timothy.” Alfred greeted, causing Dick to turn to him.
“Hey, Alf.” Tim smiled at the older man.
“You ready?” Dick asked, already headed to the cave entrance.
“Yep.” He lied, following after him.
—
Their designations were called out as they exited the Zeta-Tube. Red was already using the computers and he spotted Superboy playing with Wolf. Both of them joined Red. Curious to see what he was working on, Tim looked at Red’s screen only to find information they’ve already looked over. He decided against helping him with that- not that Red needed it- pulling up a separate screen and keyboard to work on some of his cases.
“I was just checking over our work before you arrived.” Red explained to Dick.
Dick hummed, turning to engage his own screen.
Tim, too engrossed in his work, didn’t realize Red had left until a purple flash of light caught his attention and he saw the older man leaning on Superboy across the room. He looked over to see another version of Bart and Cassie. Impulse ran over to the other two, but Tim’s focus remained on Wonder Girl. She was drop-dead gorgeous. Tim couldn’t understand how Red fumbled the bag so hard. Well, he could, because the universe seemed to hate every version of him specifically, but the sentiment still stood.
“You’re gonna catch flies with your mouth hanging like that.” Dick chuckled and Tim didn’t know when it opened but he immediately shut it.
He hadn’t caught exactly what the speedster had called out but he did hear Wonder Girl say, “Thank, Hera.”
She walked over to the group and joined in on the hug. So being overly affectionate was just an other world thing. He didn’t know how to feel about it. He wasn’t used to such casual touching from anyone besides Dick… but that was Dick.
“Whoa, look! A mini-me!” Impulse said, breaking from the group hug to rush off and talk to Bart at a speed that Tim didn’t even know was possible.
He heard Cassie’s familiar laugh, loud and bright, and Tim could just melt at the sound of it. She looked around making a questioning sound, “Where- Is there another me?”
Tim’s mood soured. Cassie would have loved to meet other her, but he ruined that. Just like he ruins everything.
“Yeah, but she left yesterday.” Superboy answered and Wonder Girl pouted. Tim finally understood the appeal of his partner pouting, it really was cute, but he would never admit that to Red.
Impulse gasped and suddenly Tim had an overly excited speedster in his face, “Is that a tiny Timmy?”
What was with everyone calling him tiny?
“Codenames, Impulse.” Red scolded and Impulse threw him a sheepish smile over his shoulder.
“To be fair, the whole secret identity thing isn’t really a big deal in the future.” Bart offered, appearing next to Impulse.
“Yeah, exactly!” Impulse happily agreed, “We didn’t really do that in the 31st Century!”
Red crossed his arms over his chest, “And how long have you been in the 21st century?”
Superboy chuckled as he grabbed onto Red and tucked his chin over his shoulder, “I know you Bats are all anal about the masks, but it doesn’t seem like they mind.” Superboy nodded in his direction, “Plus it looks like everyone in the room already knew.”
Not everyone, but Bart had already revealed his identity to Gar, so it didn’t come as a surprise when another Bart did the same.
“Fine, I’ll drop it.” Red sighed, “How are we getting home?” He asked Cassie who smiled and pulled out a few folded pieces of paper from her jacket.
“Zatanna told us to give this to the other Zatanna. She wrote down the ritual she needs to get us to our dimension.”
“I’ll message Z and have her come back as soon as possible.” Dick said, returning to the computer.
“Thank fuck.” Superboy groaned, “You guys are fun and all, but I’m so looking forward to not having to filter myself.”
“Really? You didn’t slip up once?” Wonder Girl asked skeptically.
“Why is that so hard to believe?! I’m not Imp!”
“Hey!” Both Barts chorused, but any argument they had was promptly shut down when the entire room gave them a look.
“Okay, yeah, that’s fair…” Impulse conceded, “But don’t you think you should give tiny Timmy a warning about the League?”
Why would he need to warn Tim about the Justice League? That couldn’t be what he meant.
“The Justice League?” Tim tilted his head, then added, “Also, can everyone stop calling me tiny. I’m really not that short.”
Superboy snorted- asshole- but Impulse answered his question, “The League of Assassins… Well, mostly Ra’s.”
“Impulse,” Red warned at the same time Dick choked out, “al Guhl?!”
A sense of dread pooled in Tim’s gut.
“Yeah, he’s got a creepy crush on our resident Boy Wonder.”
Wonder Girl said it so casually that it took a moment for Tim to comprehend. But, when it finally sunk in, all the blood drained from his face.
“Wonder Girl!” Red hissed at her, then spoke to Tim, “He doesn’t have a crush.”
He doesn’t believe him one bit.
“Come on, Babe, the man is obsessed with you.” Superboy scoffed.
“He’s obsessed with having an heir !” Red corrected him, “It might not even happen here. Plus, we really shouldn’t mess with their timeline, no matter how different it is.”
And wasn’t that just the shittiest thing he’s heard since this entire situation started. Tim lost any respect he had for Red Robin in that moment.
“Your paranoid ass is going to get Robin molested.” Superboy joked. That really wasn’t something to joke about, though, and he was about to say something when he saw shocked expressions color Superboy and Wonder Girl’s faces.
Impulse had left his side in an instant, “Tim?”
“Did he…?” Wonder Girl trailed off. Tim hated the implication.
Red looked away from them, shaking his head, “No, it wasn’t- He didn’t.”
“But someone did?” Superboy asked in a gentle tone he didn’t know the man knew how to use.
“No.” Red’s voice was hard, firm, almost like his Red Robin but not quite, “Nothing happened. I’m done with this conversation.”
Clearly something happened, so why was Red so insistent on denying it?
“We’re discussing this when we get home.” Wonder Girl left no room for argument.
Red pulled out of Superboy’s hold and walked toward the bedrooms, explaining, “I’m going to get my suit.”
The room was silent after he left, everyone taking a moment to let it all sink in. Then slowly, one by one, all eyes fell on him. Tim couldn’t stand the pitying and concerned looks. So he decided to leave, going the opposite way of Red toward the common room.
Conner was already in there, lying against Wolf on the floor. And wasn’t that just fucking fantastic. He was the last person Tim wanted to see. Well, anyone would have been the last person he wanted to see because he wanted to be alone . But the universe really does hate him.
“Hey.” Conner greeted softly, and there was another concerned stare. Great.
“Did you hear…?”
“Yeah…” Conner admitted, “Sorry. When I heard all the commotion, I started listening in and…”
“It’s fine.”
It wasn’t fine, he wanted the ground to swallow him up and never let him out.
“Do you… want to talk about it?” Conner asked hesitantly.
“No.” Tim immediately answered, “I really don’t.”
“Okay.” Conner accepted, looking a little relieved.
Conner didn’t say anything else, just turned back to look at the ceiling and Tim was grateful. He took a spot on the couch and rubbed his hands over his face. A silence stretched between them, it wasn’t awkward but it wasn’t exactly comfortable either. Tim thinks that Conner enjoys the quiet, the other man doesn’t talk much. Not to him anyway, he usually kept to the older members, and it never bothered him before. But now he can’t help but think of other him and Superboy and he found himself saying, without fully meaning to:
“I don’t have a crush on you.”
Conner turned his head quickly to look over at him, blinking in confusion. Right, he wasn’t in Tim’s brain so that came out of left field.
“I- uh,” Why, oh, why did he open his big mouth? Hasn’t he learned his lesson by now? Apparently not, because he continues, “I just wanted to clarify, in case… y’know… you thought…”
“I…” Conner furrowed his brow, “don’t have a crush on you either?”
That startled a laugh out of Tim, and it felt good to laugh. It released all of the tension in his body he’s been holding in but the laugh started turning into crying. Conner made a small noise in the back of his throat. Of course he would be here to witness Tim’s breakdown, he hadn’t embarrassed himself enough, apparently.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what-” A sob interrupted him, “Fuck. I don’t know anything anymore. I don’t even know who I am .”
He continued to sob as he heard movement and then stilled when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Conner immediately pulled it away. He shifted uncomfortably where he stood in front of Tim.
“I’m not really good at the whole comforting thing.” Conner said eventually, “Do you- do you want me to get Dick?”
“No.” Tim sniffed then rubbed at his nose, “I’m fine. It’s just- a lot has happened in the last day and a half.”
Conner nodded in agreement.
“I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“You don’t need to apologize.” Conner assured him, “It… happens.”
“Thanks.” Tim chuckled wetly, “I’m gonna go wash my face. Crying in a mask sucks, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“I’ll, uh, try not to.”
Tim got up from his seat to leave, but paused in the entryway, “Thanks for hearing me out even though you didn’t want to. It was… nice to talk to someone who just listens.”
“Anyti- uh,” Conner stopped himself, then settled on saying, “You’re welcome.”
Tim smiled as he walked away, the smile dropping when he realized he had to go through the main area to get to the bathrooms. Maybe if he ran quick enough, no one would notice.
“Are you okay?”
Dick noticed.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Were you crying?”
Why did he feel the need to point that out?
He ignored Dick’s question, “I’m going to the restroom.”
“Okay.” Dick didn’t push him to answer, “Can you get Red Robin while you’re over there? Zatanna’s here and she’s almost done.”
“Sure.” Tim needed to talk to him anyway. He wanted an explanation.
“And can you ask him to bring my stuff?” Superboy called out.
Tim was getting really tired of Superboys listening in on conversations they weren’t a part of, but still agreed.
“Anything else?” Tim asked sarcastically.
“No, that’s all. Thanks!”
Tim rolled his eyes. He doesn’t know what Red sees in that guy. They were both assholes, though, so Tim supposed they deserved each other.
Once he got to the bathroom, he quickly removed his mask, scrubbed at his face roughly, then reapplied the domino. When Tim was in front of the dimensional traveler’s temporary room, he listened for movement behind the door. He was confused when he didn’t hear anything and quietly opened it. Red was laying on the bed, in uniform, with his arm slung across his face. Tim debated whether to say anything, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Red removed his arm to look at him and Tim just stared.
“Hey, Robin.” Red greeted, sitting up but remaining on the bed, “Are you here to talk about… earlier?”
Tim looked at the floor, “No… Well, yes, but the others wanted me to tell you that Zatanna is here. And Superboy- uh, your Superboy asked if you could bring his stuff with you.”
He looked back up to find Red nodding. An awkward silence passed over them, Red was staring at his hands.
“Nothing happened.” He reiterated his earlier statement, then looked up at Tim “I promise. She didn’t- no one- nothing happened .”
‘She.’ Tim pondered. ‘ So it really wasn’t Ra’s. Was she connected to Ra’s or was it unrelated?’
Regardless of that, he felt like Red was trying to convince himself rather than Tim. That wasn’t what he wanted answers about, though. Well… he did, but the question that kept coming to mind was:
“Why didn’t you want to warn me?” Tim asked quietly, “I know you’re concerned about messing up the timeline, but don’t you think it’s worth it? Wouldn’t you have wanted your future self to tell you so you could prepare for it? So you could prevent it?”
“I’m not technically your future…” Red deflected and Tim felt his face hardened. He didn’t know why he expected anything else, he shouldn’t have let himself hope he’d get a straight answer.
Red surprised him, though, “Yeah… I would have wanted to know. But messing with time and events is… tricky. It could have no consequences or it could cause the universe to unravel at the seams. I don’t know the rules of this world, so I don’t know what would happen. I thought it was best if I just didn’t say anything.”
“Well, there’s no point in holding back now.” Tim said flatly and Red snorted.
“No, I guess not…” Red hummed thoughtfully. Then he suddenly shot up from the bed, causing Tim to jump. Red placed his hands on Tim’s shoulders, “The League of Assassins. Ra’s isn’t the only one you need to look out for. Jason-” Tim’s breath hitched, “-and Damian are with them, or will be… Damian would only be a child but Jason… How long have you been Robin?”
Tim shook his head. There is no way that’s true because, “Jason is dead .”
“How long?” Red repeated.
“8 Months.”
“Jason’s been resurrected then, or should be, alternate realities are weird…” Red muttered the last part, and Tim agreed, “The point. You need to get them out of there. Well, not you specifically- please promise me you won’t go in alone because that is a stupid idea that I would definitely do- but your team needs to help them.”
That… was a lot to take in. He didn’t know who this Damian kid was, but that wasn’t his main focus. Jason’s alive? Or could be anyway, Red didn’t seem entirely sure.
“What if you’re wrong? I- I can’t do that to Dick. I can’t get his hopes up…”
Red just shrugged, “Then don’t tell him.” He shouldn’t be surprised that that was Red’s solution. “Confirm it yourself- with help of course… But, I can only tell you what I experienced. Just- Keep your finger on the pulse. It’ll prevent a lot of trauma… and a lot of murder attempts.”
Murder attempts???
“What?!” Tim’s voice did not squeak, thank you very much.
“Don’t worry about it, you’re gonna stop it, remember? … Maybe… Probably.” Red sighed, “Look, kid, you're going to experience a lot of things, some good, a lot bad, and you’re also going to lose some people, but you’ll gain some as well… and regain some… You know, saying all of this out loud; our life’s kinda fucked up.”
Tim found himself slowly nodding in agreement, and Red nodded along with him.
“Good talk.” Red patted his shoulder before moving away, “I’m gonna go grab Superboy’s stuff; can’t leave them waiting forever.”
“Right.” Tim agreed, turning to leave. The sooner Red was gone, the sooner Tim’s life could return to normal. Well, not normal because he’s pretty sure he’s having an identity crisis… and possibly a sexuality crisis? But he’d deal with that later, he already had a breakdown in front of Conner, he did not need to have another one.
Tim took a place beside Dick who gave him a brief side hug. Red came in a few moments later, handing Superboy his uniform. A silent conversation passed between them then Superboy flew after kissing Red’s temple. After, Wonder Girl and Impulse move to envelope Red in a hug. The casual affection still weirded him out.
“Almost done.” Zatanna said from where she was drawing the last rune on the floor of the cave.
“Thank you, Zatanna.” Red smiled and Zatanna flushed.
“I didn’t do much. Other me did all the work… I’m just copying what I was given.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, our Zatanna is ol- uh, more experienced.” Superboy said, eyes widening slightly at his almost slip-up. He’s glad Superboy caught himself, because he had no interest in being left with an angry Zatanna.
Red must have said something only someone with super-hearing could catch, because Superboy glared playfully at him.
“Finished.” Zatanna said as she stood up, brushing off her knees. She gestured for them to enter the middle of the circle. The group of four complied.
“It was… interesting meeting you guys.” Red said, looking over at Tim. He nodded his head curtly. Interesting indeed.
“Yeah, don’t take this the wrong way, but I really hope I never see any of you again.” Superboy saluted the group with two fingers, and a couple of them chuckled. Tim agreed with the sentiment.
Zatanna took a deep breath before reciting the spell and they were gone with a flash of purple light.
“I hope I did that spell correctly.” He caught Zatanna say.
That was really concerning, but not his problem. He’s sure they would figure it out. Right now he was more worried about trying to fix his relationship with Cassie… if she would let him. Tim hoped she would. He really liked her.
Or maybe he could focus on finding himself. Who he is and who he will be.
Or forming a plan to spy on the League of Assassins.
Maybe he would do it all. No pressure, right?