Work Text:
"Master Tim?"
…
"Master Tim?"
…
"Master Tim, are you listening?"
Tim startled, spoon dropping and splash landing into his bowl of froot loops. God Dick needed better taste in cereal… "Yes Alfred? Sorry I was kind of zoned out…"
The elder sighed, "Yes you do seem quite unfocused this morning. I was asking if you still planned to work on that case, you've been at it for almost three days now you know."
The sheepish smile wormed its way onto Tim's face, resulting in a deep sigh from the man in front of him.
"Don't worry Alfred, I'll take a break after I finish it!" And with that Tim downed the rest of his cereal milk and left the kitchen.
Alfred sighed, "You say that now Master Tim yet you never seem to have time for breaks…"
Tim knew he was burnt out, he could feel it deep in his bones. His arms felt like they were full of lead and he felt like every word he had to speak was draining him of life-force.
He had taken on this case because Bruce had been busy lately. Between the Justice League and the Batman clan… there was no time for such a small case. Besides, Tim could handle it easy!
Except… he may have bit off more than he could chew.
At first it was just a small startup cartel. However when Tim dug a bit into their history, he found it was connected to a bigger cartel that was partnered with Black Mask.
He used the term 'partnered' lightly. Everyone knew that Black Mask was a ruthless crime lord. Tim honestly wouldn't be surprised if the term 'partnership' was even in the man's vocabulary.
It wasn't Tim's fault the case spiraled out of control, but he couldn't ask for help because he was trying to help Batman, not hinder with more work.
So here he was, holed up in the cave trying to piece together this case and form a plan of attack.
He'd have to go it alone as he wouldn't want to trouble Oracle or Nightwing. Dick was too busy in Bludhaven and Oracle needed rest. Babs was already up every night with them, she could use a break.
Damian would just criticize him. He'd be no help.
Tim laughed bitterly, the demon spawn would probably jump at the chance to watch him fail.
As for Jason… well they weren't on bad terms per say… just that Tim wasn't quite to 'work a case with you' yet. It was a developing relationship and he didn't wanna make Jason mad at him by dropping such a troublesome case onto the older brother.
Plus Stephanie and Cass were away for business.
It was fine. Tim could handle it on his own, besides, he refused to force the others to drop what they were doing for him.
He didn't want to cause anyone trouble.
So he'd finish this case, kick butt, then he'd take a break.
Probably.
He hunkered down in the cave for the evening. Or was it morning? He had breakfast not that long ago, maybe it was noon?
He shrugged and continued to scan the computer's maps. He'd just find all the hideouts then take them all down in one fell swoop. Easy.
He just needed another cup of coffee… and maybe some energy drinks too.
"Drake."
Tim startled, almost dropping the coffee mug he'd been absent-mindedly staring at.
He hadn't even heard Damian enter the cave.
Tim turned in his chair and bristled, "What do you want Damian?"
The younger eyed him critically, the habit always unnerved him.
"Well Drake, I had come down for patrol only to find you down here lazing about." Damian taunted.
He glared at the brat but said nothing, he would not stoop to the brats level.
"Tt."
Tim watched as Damian got ready to go out, and once Robin left he breathed out a sigh. He felt like he'd never get along with Damian.
His head ached, likely from the obscene amount of caffeine and the distinct lack of sleep.
Tim's head also felt filled with cotton. Foggy and soft. He felt dazed.
He felt small…
He wanted to curl up and cry.
Sometimes he was… little. Small. Childish. What he called it didn't really matter so much as the fact that he was that way and that it was a problem.
The first time it had happened he was confused and scared and it wasn't fun. He didn't understand why he felt so small and lonely. The brain fog had completely encompassed his being.
After the fog lifted he immediately took to his computer.
What he came up with in his research… It was frustrating. He knew it wasn't a bad thing that he regressed, but he had work to do. Important work that could not wait for him to grow up!
With this resolve he crammed down the fuzzy feeling and blinked rapidly to regain his focus.
He was Red Robin. He could do this. Make it through the night then he could rest.
Tim stood, steadying himself on the chair, resolve burning in his eyes.
He changed and hopped on his bike, rolling out and riding off into Gotham's crime ridden streets.
He'd found multiple operations throughout Gotham in his research and with each punch and kick he cleared the hideouts and left plenty of thugs behind.
Eventually he came to his final target of the night.
Black Mask.
"It's over Black Mask." he called from above.
The man turned, hiding the fact that Red Robin had startled him.
Black mask glared, "So you're the one behind my new business venture's failure. No matter, you'll be dealt with soon enough"
Then the fight began, it was rough for Tim considering he wasn't well rested and hadn't been taking care of himself in general. He internally cringed as his carelessness resulted in his poor performance in the field.
Bruce wouldn't be thrilled if Tim caused him more trouble…
He dodged bullets as Black Mask's men tried to corner him.
A bullet grazed his upper arm as charged, spinning his bo staff to deflect the projectiles. He took out the goons, striking with the end of staff.
By the time he finished and tracked down Black Mask and got everyone sent away with the GCPD, his arm was really beginning to sting.
Between his arm and his exhaustion, Red Robin decided to head in for the night.
Especially since the fuzziness of his regression had returned, stronger now that he was hurting.
He wanted his stuffies…
Tim rode into the cave, parking and moved to change. Sooner he could regress the better.
Except.
Bruce was waiting for him.
Tim could tell by the way the man was watching him, a disappointed frown on his face.
"Tim."
He sighed lightly, knowing Bruce picked up on it.
"Tim, you were reckless. Going that mission alone? What were you thinking? Of all the stupid things why this? Words cannot express-"
Tim had enough. "Look. I just wanted to help, okay? I know you all hate it when you have to deal with me so I never bother with asking for your help. It's easier that way. So don't come at me, now if you'll excuse me."
And he left.
Marched himself right up to his room and crashed.
He whined as everything caught up to him, the very big emotions were just too much for someone so small.
Tears welled in his eyes as he struggled to get his Red Robin suit off. Plus his arm was really hurting now and he didn't like it.
Everything was just so much all at once and he couldn't-
The door was pushed open and he froze.
Damian stood in his doorway, mouth opened slightly as if he was going to speak.
Except he didn't. He just stood there. Tim and him in a twisted version of a standoff.
Eventually Tim was the one to break eye contact, tears falling as he hiccuped.
"Drake I demand you stop crying right this instant!"
Yet all Tim did was cry more, hugging himself close and whimpering at the movement of his injured arm.
Damian's eyes widened and he called out, "Grayson! Come here, something is wrong with Drake!"
Worry was evident in the younger's tone.
Soon enough Dick came, stopping in his tracks at the sight of Tim.
Dick turned to Damian, "What'd you do to him?"
"Nothing! He was like this when I found him." Damian huffed.
Dick muttered to himself and came close to Tim, the latter choking down sobs.
"Hey Timmers, what's wrong? What's got you so upset?"
Dick had a… theory. It was a gamble but first he had to get Tim calmed down.
Tim, distraught from having been found out, shook his head and pulled back from his older brother.
Of course it wouldn't be so easy, Dick mused.
"Timmers you got a cut on your arm, at the very least can I clean it up and bandage it?"
Dick made no attempt to move, not wanting to make Tim go into a hyperventilating fit.
Tentatively Tim's tear stained face nodded and he scooted closer by a hair. Dick gave a disarming smile and motioned for a still-by-the-door Damian to go fetch the medical kit.
Thankfully the normally unruly Robin complied with Dick's silent request.
While he waited, Dick decided to figure out what had Tim in a fit.
"Timmy, did Damian hurt you?"
Tim shook his head and curled further in on himself, wincing as his arm was jostled.
Dick tried again, "I swear on Batman that I won't laugh or judge you Tim, I just wanna know what's got you so upset. That's all."
Tim peaked at Dick, and mumbled.
Dick smiled, "Sorry, could you repeat that?"
Tim whined, "You and Dami found out I'm little and you weren't supposed to and Bruce is mad at me and I was just trying to help but now you and Dami have to deal with me."
Dick smiled, his theory was in fact correct.
He cooed, "Oh Timmy, we'll never judge you for being a regressor, you're so stressed all the time so it's good you have a healthy coping mechanism. Now I'm sure Bruce is just being silly. So don't worry about him okay? Just let me and Dami help you okay sweetheart?"
Tim's eyes welled again but he nodded.
"Now, let's get you out of this icky suit."
With enough coercing and careful movements, Dick succeeded in getting the Red Robin suit off the little.
By the time Dami returned with the supplies, Dick had successfully gotten Tim's suit off and his pajamas on.
He worked quickly and soon enough had the little boy's arm bandaged and the little in question tucked carefully in bed.
Dick knew that there was one thing they were missing. So while he ran to get it, he left Damian with Tim.
"Grayson has informed me of your… situation. I have been left to supervise you while he retrieves a needed item for you."
Tim just blinked at Damian, and then held out his arms.
Damian pulled back, much to Tim's distress.
He caved before Tim could start crying again and carefully hugged the little.
Tim giggled when he released Damian.
Giggled.
Drake did not giggle.
Damian glared at the boy.
Which only elicited more giggles.
He groaned and Dick chose that moment to make his grand appearance.
A sippy cup in his hand.
Damian looked to his older brother, "You can't be serious Grayson."
Dick looked back to him and smiled, "Completely serious."
Dick made his way to Tim's bed, gently sitting on the plush blankets and tenderly maneuvering the little onto his lap. He offered the sippy cup for Timmy to hold and he took it, gingerly putting it to his lips and upon discovering the warm, sweetened milk, happily hummed and sipped contentedly.
Dick smiled and held his little brother close.
He patted the edge of the bed, inviting Damian to join him.
The younger brother huffed, and reluctantly sat.
In response to Damian joining them, Tim wiggled his feet, giggles erupting from the littlest one.
Dick smiled, "Y'know, Tim really likes you…"
Damian huffed, crossing his arms, "So what. Drake is clearly not sane right now."
"Dami… Tim is just tiny right now, if anything he's more obvious about how he feels towards you." Dick chided.
Damian just ignored Dick, opting to watch Tim.
Eventually Tim finished his angel milk and Dick took the sippy cup and set it on the nightstand.
Tim's eyes were heavy with sleep and he curled into Dick's side, the older having readjusted both of them so that they could lay in the bed.
"Love you Dickie…" Tim whispered, his eyes closing.
Didn't that just melt Dick's heart? His little brother loved him and was finally taking care of himself!
Right as Dick shooed Damian out, tucked Tim in, and turned out the lights came a soft voice saying, "I love you Dami."
And if Damian stormed off with a beet-red face, who was Dick to judge?
"We'll always be here for you Tim, always."