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Dick opened Tim’s room door and sighed with a smile. Tim was sitting with his face down on his desk, sound asleep. Dick was aware that Tim had been working extra hours for Wayne Enterprises and had still patrolled with the family at night; he must not have gotten enough sleep over the past few days.
Seeing the office in disarray, Dick began to quietly put away the notebooks on Tim’s desk - he didn’t want Tim to wake up to such a mess. He stacked the books in a neat pile, ready to be done with them until he noticed one notebook that looked far older than the others did. The writing on the front looked like it belonged to a child.
Unable to hide his curiosity, Dick opened the notebook and read one of the first entries, which was almost 8 years old.
12/7/XX
Mother and Father are on another business trip. I dismissed the maids early today - I want to go on hero watch tonight without anyone worrying. I know the streets in this area, I’ll be safe!
Based on my observations, Batman is distraught over something, I believe it is due to the lack of his Robin. I watch him on patrol night after night, taking as many photos of my hero as possible, but I don’t see him with Robin nor Nightwing any longer. Something must have happened to Robin. I am going to watch him on patrol tonight - maybe I’m wrong about everything.
Update: I think the Batman is Bruce Wayne - who else could it be? The man has been more reclusive following the moving out of his firstborn, Dick, and loss of his second, Jason. The younger one was buried last week and the man has been a wreck and so has the Batman.
Update 2: I think Batman needs another Robin - it might be the best way to distract him from his grief. It’s crazy, but I think I could be that Robin. Mother and Father are never home, so no one would notice! All I need to do is confront the Batman myself, which is harder than it looks. But if it will keep Gotham safe, I’ll do anything. I’m leaving at dusk tonight, hopefully he comes to this area again - it is on his usual route.
Dick took a pause and realized that he was reading Tim’s diary. He silently chuckled, even as a little kid, Tim had such a polite and professional way of writing - it was like he barely changed. He knew that those entries were probably private and that Tim wouldn’t be happy to see Dick reading them, but curiosity got the better of him and he wanted to skim just a bit more. He decided to skim the next few entries.
12/29/XX
Today involved more rigorous training with Bruce. I know he’s going easy on me because I don’t have any fighting experience - I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Nightwing came home for the weekend, and needless to say, he looks exactly like he does in the photos. How do I describe him? He has tan skin, long black straight hair, piercing blue eyes, and he walks with confidence that I definitely don’t have.
1/2/XX
Bruce and Dick argued again over something related to Gotham and Bludhaven. Dick went down to the Cave’s gym to blow off some steam - I followed him. Just like when he’s Nightwing, he can swing on the rings like they’re nothing. I’ve never seen anyone jump so high or stretch so easily - it’s like he’s made of elastic! I felt completely out of my league next to him, but Dick is kind - he tried to teach me a few stretches to help me get more flexible.
Dick smiled as he remembered the first few days of meeting Tim as a bright-eyed child. He skimmed ahead a few months.
3/3/XX
Nightwing joined us on patrol. Whenever he’s around, villains don’t have a chance to do anything! I wish he stayed - Bruce sometimes gets neurotic when he’s away.
3/16/XX
Nightwing sat with me on one of the towers and brought me a donut. I don’t drink coffee - Nightwing takes his coffee with creamer and three sugars. We sat and talked for a while about Gotham’s crimes. I told him how much I didn’t like school and how my dad found out I’m actually Robin - he wants me to quit. Nightwing told me he’ll support me no matter what. He’s like the brother I never had.
3/22/XX
Nightwing styled his hair into a mullet today - I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. He said he’ll cut his hair short someday, but he hasn’t had short hair since he was in the Flying Graysons!
Dick frowned - it seemed like all of the entries were slowly morphing into observations of himself. Surely Tim had other things to write about? Skimming through, it seemed like a lot of the entries were blatantly directed at him, even some of the more recent ones. Dick blushed a little - was he really that important to Tim that he had to be observed constantly?
Flipping back and forth, there was one entry that caught Dick’s eyes - it was written in hot pink ink and it was in the middle of the diary.
I have a crush on Nightwing, I never realized it. After Stephanie started talking to me about crushes, I realized that I’ve been in love with Dick all along. I love everything about him, every good and bad thing alike. I love how he looks, behaves, carries himself, everything! I don;t care that he’s made mistakes - haven’t we all? I’ve never seen anyone in the same way as I’ve seen him. I don’t know if I’ll ever tell him, but I have to let it out so I don’t explode.
I love Dick Grayson, and I think I always have and always will <3
“...you shouldn’t be reading that.”
Dick looked away from the notebook and noticed that Tim was awake now. He had his arms propped on the table and was looking up at him sleepily. Dick smiled and closed the diary, “You’re right, it wasn’t my place to open and read your most private thoughts. I’m sorry.” He handed the diary back to Tim.
Tim took it and hesitated - it seemed that he knew what Dick had seen. “Listen…about the entry in the middle…”
Dick came closer and leaned in, whispering, “I never knew you cared so much, Timbo. If I knew, I would’ve been a better mentor.” He brushed Tim’s straight black locks away from his face and leaned in to press a kiss at his eyebrow. Tim looked absolutely stunned as he pulled away, as though he couldn’t believe what Dick just did to him. “I love you too, Tim. You’re precious to me, and you always will be - I hope you know that.”