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Tim has one phone that he always keeps on him but never uses.
“It’s an emergency burner” Tim had once explained to Bruce after placing the phone into his belt before a patrol. Bruce had squinted at him, asking about the emergency beacons but Tim had shaken his head “Not for me” he’d clarified after a moment, staring at the dark screen of the phone he always kept charged.
Bruce had never asked again and Tim’s fairly sure it was his expression of longing that made that decision.
But Tim’s siblings had never asked either. Had seen the phone moved from utility belt to pocket to sweater to bag depending on what Tim had on him at the moment and the phone never rang.
Until it does.
It’s dinner at the Wayne household and Tim’s watching with a raised eyebrow as Jason and Damian snap back and forth about Damian’s newest English assignment.
He isn’t the only one watching but Cass is much worse at hiding her amusement so Dick has to try and lure her into his own conversation before either Jason or Damian notices the fond smile on her lips and stop snapping quite so affectionately.
Tim feels the buzzing in his hoodie pocket before the sound becomes audible and his whole being freezes.
Doesn’t register the ring-tone as he frantically starts yanking his hands out of his pocket to go for the phone.
Doesn’t register the silence in the room around him.
“Tim” He says into the phone the moment he has it readily available. His fingers tap at the back of the flip-phone, one fist clenching at his side because a call is never a good thing.
Never.
“Um. Hi, Tim” the voice isn’t small, or meek. It’s quiet, though. And Tim recognizes it immediately.
“Nico” Tim says, feeling his face drain of colour. Because anyone calling Tim’s burner is a bad sign, but Nico self-proclaimed outcast? Tim’s fairly certain that the world may be ending.
“I um. I’m kinda outside of Drake Manor” the boy says and it’s hesitant, like he’s scared of imposing.
Tim’s already heading for the door by the time he finishes his sentence. “Stay right where you are, I’ll come pick you up”
The line goes silent on the other end and Tim immediately snaps out “And don’t you dare shadow-travel away”
He turns and faces the family behind him, glaring at them to not follow him before he takes off toward Drake manor next door.
It’s not far, comparatively. But then, Tim runs across rooftops every night of his life so he isn’t sure his definition of far isn’t what most people call normal.
He jumps the fence between the two properties and keeps moving. He needs to get there fast because whatever this is, it isn’t good.
Nico comes into view slowly, dressed as he is in complete black, he blends into the shadows he probably originated from with ease.
Tim comes to a stop in front of him with wide eyes and clenched fists, one hand in his pocket around a small stave that buzzes in his hand as if it can sense his disturbance.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Tim asks, scanning the younger demigod with his eyes to look for injuries, scratches, anything. There’s nothing.
Tim meets Nico’s eyes as he looks up and sees something else in his eyes, something that looks a lot more lost than it is hurt.
He understands.
“Do you want to come inside?” Tim asks, taking a step closer to the wall.
He sees Nico swallow, open his mouth and stop. He doesn’t answer. He doesn’t need to. Tim can deal with this “Alright, this way” Tim says as he gestures with his head, knowing that physical contact is probably the last thing Tim wants at the moment.
Nico looks confused when they don’t walk toward Drake Manor and it’s empty walls. But Tim doesn’t falter. Nico doesn’t need a place that feels like a tomb right now. He needs a place that feels like a home. So Tim takes him to Wayne manor, walking across the grounds leisurely like he didn’t run this exact route just moments ago.
His family is waiting at the door. Jason blocking a majority of the door as Dick stands on his toes to see over his shoulder. Damian peering at Jason’s side.
Tim smiles at them, reassuring as he takes the first steps up the entryway stairs. He turns back to Nico when the boy falters behind him. Smiles. “Come on in. We were having dinner and I don’t think Alfie’s food should be wasted” he says, voice calm and caring.
Nico looks at his brothers and Tim tries to exude the feeling of “Not now” to get them to back off. He is not opposed to using his powers to trigger a flashback or two if it gets them to back off.
It doesn’t become necessary, thank Gods.
Nico steps with Tim, through the doorway and into the hall as his family trails behind him.
Alfred’s already set an extra plate, Tim notices, and it settles the something cold in Tim’s chest that’s been there since he felt the phone ring.
“This is Nico” Tim introduces and Nico looks up when he doesn’t continue, doesn’t explain his godly parent. Tim can feel his smile strain at that. Nico seems to get the point anyway, looking over his family with a new eye.
“Thank you for having me” Nico says quietly, his head hanging slightly “I apologize for the intrusion”
Alfred shakes his head “Any friend of Master Timothy’s is a friend of ours” he says and Nico’s eyes widen.
Tim’s mouth dries. Because, yeah. Nico had never known any parent but Hades. Doesn’t remember his mother. Has never known this, this kindness Tim’s gotten so used to.
It reminds Tim of his own father, of the way Mr D had occasionally looked at him with such longing, such sadness.
Like he wanted to get to know Tim, but couldn’t. Like there was a bridge that even he, as a god, couldn’t breach.
“Dinner” Tim says, blinking the memories away as best he can, making sure that Nico looks at him before he places down a plate in front of him, food laden already and warm.
“Thank you, Tim”