Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dying wasn’t something Tim would recommend.

The boy could feel someone gently tapping his body. The soft hand made the boy think of a caring parent as it was warm and comforting.

“Young Master, it is morning.”

The voice was older, more raspy than any voice that was familiar to the boy. He felt chills throughout his body, and his eyes subconsciously opened. Rather than the bright sunlight coming through the window to warm the boy’s eyes, he was faced with a man standing over him with a satisfied expression.

“It is surprising to see you awaken after a single attempt.”

“Huh?”

“The master wishes to dine with the Young Master since it has been a while, please look presentable before your grace.”

The boy could see a mirror past the older man’s shoulder inside the reflection was a black haired boy with vibrant blue eyes, who seemed to be confused looking back at him. He looked like a younger version of who the boy used to be.

“Young Master Timothy?”

The boy turned back to the source of the worried voice of the older man, or servant of some kind, but the concerned man was not the problem.

Young Timothy Drake, it was a familiar name. He slowly blurted out.
“Timothy Drake?

The old servant paused and glanced nervously to the side, breaking eye contact with the boy before returning his gaze.

“Yes, that is your name, Young Master. I assume you’re still a bit drunk?”

Drunk. That was a great descriptive of Timothy Drake the son of Count Drake and his wife Countess Drake. He was a fictional character from a popular book series The Northern Duke’s Heir, that the boy finished reading just before he fell asleep. This must be a dream.

The boy, Timothy Drake, or well, his body, glanced at the mirror once again checking his body for injuries. Clearly he hasn’t been beaten to a bloody pulp by the main character yet.

See, Timothy Drake was the first minor villain in the franchise, the schoolyard bully to the main character’s adoptive younger brother.

The boy remembers perfectly the satisfaction of reading the snot nosed bastard getting dunked on by Richard Wayne, the heir of the Duke of the North. Apparently Drake didn’t get the memo that the Northern family was off their rockers and should be left alone.

Timothy Drake was a bland two dimensional bully with no redeemable qualities. He even threw bottles at his own servants if they pissed him off that day. Now here the boy lays in the duck pillowed mattress of the least likeable character to ever be written.

“Young Master?”

The boy shakes his head and focuses his attention back on the servant, his nose unconsciously scratching in disgust at the notion of being drunk at the age of 13. “I am not drunk. Please bring me some water.”

The boy needed to drink some cold water and clear his mind first.

“I will prepare it right way, Young Master.”

“Good, thanks.”

The servant flinched for a second and had an odd expression on his face, but the Tim did not notice.

Once the servant leaves the room to fetch the water TIm is left alone in his much too large bedroom. He stood up and walked to the bathroom, expecting a much larger mirror for the vain character’s obsession with himself.

As expected there was a full body mirror inside the bathroom. The boy in the mirror seemed to be pretty fit, more fit than Tim would have figured Timothy to be. Tim put a hand to his cheek and felt the soft flesh of unearned labor under his fingertips.

“I really am Timothy Drake…”

In The Northern Duke’s Heir it was very descriptive about each character’s appearance. That’s why the boy had no choice but to accept he was now the villain of his favorite book.

Do people usually become calmer when they are surprised and shocked? Timothy, no, Tim yes, he thought calmly about the night before.

It was a typical day as it had been a while since he read a book instead of on his phone, so he picked up his favorite series to reread it for the 5th time.

Of course it was The Northern Duke’s Heir. He had managed the 4th volume before he fell asleep, but when he awoke he had turned into Timothy Drake, the kid that the main character mercilessly beat up in volume 1.

Will things go the way in the novel? Will he be forced to follow the script and be beaten to a bloody pulp?

He felt unnaturally calm. Once he got past the point of shock, Tim’s mind had begun to remember the first chapter.

The Northern Duke’s Heir.

This novel was about the son of the Northern Duke, and the birth of powerful heroes in the Western and Eastern continents.

His life as Tim, there wasn’t much to say about it. He was an orphan with the same name as a widely disliked character. Maybe that’s why they decide to curse him. Tim did not have any friends or anyone particular person he was close to as he grew up in the foster care system.

He wasn’t wealthy by any means, living day to day with minimal amounts of nutrients from his foster parents. He hopped frequently from house to house, never staying in one place long enough to make lasting relationships.

His moto was pretty simple, to live a quiet peaceful life.

This greatly contrasted Timothy’s life, who never wanted for anything.

He lived a lavish lifestyle as the Drake household was greatly wealthy.

“Hm”

Tim began to think. He didn’t like pain, as many people don’t. He can’t imagine making fun of Jason Todd, a character he deeply related to when reading the novel as they both were street rats.

If he was forced to live a life of luxury while being hated by everyone around him, then so be it. There was nothing to miss from his previous life so why not embrace this one?

Sp it was decided, Tim would become Timothy, a snobbish twerp who only cared about himself.

Just…

Maybe not too violent as the past Timothy was. Blending into a dickish role is going to be the hardest thing to achieve, but with planning Tim can do anything.

Chapter 2

Tim walked through the halls behind the servant who brought him water. It was nice as he didn’t know the layout of the estate, he just needed to follow this nameless old man wherever he needed to go.

Surely this won’t ever backfire.

All of the servants that crossed Tim’s way or even saw him, flinched and bowed respectfully before they ran off as fast as they could.

‘Why are they so scared?’ Tim thought. Sure, Timothy was a douchebag, but he never hit anyone, and it’s not like he has a bottle in his hand. He liked to drink and gamble. Sometimes when he was drunk he would break things, but that’s why he was the scum of the family.

‘Well, it’s better if no one talks to me.’

Tim thought about it calmly. It would actually be harder to play as a model citizen. A scum can do as he pleases without worry, a model citizen would try too hard to be a good person.

They approached big dark oak doors, carefully carved into a vine design around the barrier framing it beautifully.

“I will open the door now, Young Master.”

“Sure” Tim nodded his head toward the servant.

“I hope you enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you, you as well.”

Tim entered the dining room and was instantly met with the rich smell of meat and roasted vegetables.

Tim approached the long table directly to the side of Timothy’s father.

He was a big man, with a carefully combed beard and thinning hair on the top of his head. The perfect image of wealth. Someone who never knew a day of wanting.

There was an empty plate prepared to the right of the Count. Persumeily for him.

It was a risk to assume that Timothy sat beside the Count as Tim had assumed they were on bad terms due to his past selfs behavior, but it was the only option that made sense.

Too bad Timothy was such a minor character that his relationship with his family wasn't mentioned.

Tim sat down with his posture as straight as could be. He looked upon his new family just as they looked upon him.

Their stares were an icy blue mirroring his own, warmth was nowhere in sight.

Tim looked around at all of the dishes in front of him. He then moved his fork towards a salad made of fruits that he did not recognize. After filling his stomach with meat, soup, and bread, he wanted to try something new.

The fruit looked like an orange, but the color was closer to that of blueberries. Tim put the fruit in his mouth and took a bite.

“Mm.”

In that instant, sweet fruit juice filled his mouth. He really hated sour fruits, so this extremely sweet flavor in his mouth made him almost subconsciously start to drool.

At that moment, he made eye contact with his father Deruth, who was looking at him.

“Timothy.”

Jack uietly called Tim’s name before hesitating. He then started to frown and move his mouth. Tim did not like that awkward atmosphere and started to speak.

“It’s delicious.”

“Yes, it tastes like trash…huh? Did you say it is delicious?”

“Yes. Everything tastes wonderful.”

Tim picked up a different fruit this time and smiled after tasting the sweetness in his mouth once again. The trash, Timothy Drake, never cared for etiquette anyways. Which was a good thing because a street kid like Tim could never know high society etiquette.

As Tim expected no one commented on his lack of manners. In fact the Count had a smile on his face looking at Tim with lacking warmth eyes.

“I'm glad you're enjoying your food.”

The Count's gaze was lacking warmth, although his small smile seemed to be genuine. Perhaps the Count was the only one who truly cared for Timothy.

But this wasn't Timothy, so Tim didn't care as he wasn't the real Drake.

The feelings of guilt and regret he’d been pushing back for so long finally had a chance to surface. He tried not to think about it. He tried to tell himself it wasn’t his fault— he had no control over waking up in this body!

But the truth is, deep down, he knew it wasn’t true. When he thought back to those first few moments waking up in Timothy's body, it hadn’t been fear or homesickness that had filled him. It was a relief. He was relieved to be free of that hellish life, relieved to play a different role of lavishness.

“I hope you enjoy eating as well, father.”

Mason let out another, ‘Ho,’ and Tim, who heard it this time, turned his gaze back to the dishes. The 15 year old Mason. The three years younger brother of the Tim that he possessed was difficult to handle.

Unlike the villain Timothy, Mason was smart, sincere, and very responsible. The people of the family were pushing for Mason to be the next head of household. Tim fully agreed with this sentiment even after turning into Timothy.

Rather than having a complicated life being in charge of this territory, Tim rather use his position as the Count’s older brother to laze around and live peacefully in a section of the territory.

Tim did not start an argument with Mason, even though he was obviously looking down on him. What could he do in this situation? He was the villain so Mason had every right to see Tim the way he does.

Tim pretended not to hear Mason’s gasp and continued to eat. Once the meal was over, his father, the Count, was the first to get up. He seemed to have been satisfied with breakfast, and he turned to Tim.

“Timothy, you're going to the academy and this is final. I don't want to debate or argue with you. This is the best course of action for a young man your age.”

Were all book characters this straight to the point?

His family sat tense, expecting Timothy to fall back on habits, to react aggressively.

After all, they were sending him away so as to not deal with him. Who wouldn't be angry?

Tim wouldn't be. This was the simple order of the story so to progress he needed to somehow get to the academy, where he's more familiar with the storyline.

“Alright. I'll go to the academy”. Countess Drake's eyes widen and the Count drops his silverware on the floor in shock. One hurried to give him a new set of utensils, her wide eyes never leaving Tim.

Was… it that surprising that he'd go to the academy without a fuss?

“Of course I expect to be rewarded handsomely for going along with the idea. The comfort I receive here to follow my stay in the dorms. I won't live in squalor.”

“Of course I wouldn't have it any other way. My son would never lack.”

The count answered without hesitation.

This really was a well off family.

A territory that mined mountains for marble and grew grapes for wine were incredibly well off.

“Great. Please give me as much as you can.”

Tim could feel his younger sibling looking at him, but there was no need for him to be embarrassed. Wasn’t it better to ask for money instead of drinking and causing a ruckus?

n

Furthermore, he needed money to proceed with his plans. That fateful encounter to get himself a strong enough power to keep himself safe. He needed some money in order to cause that fateful encounter to happen.

The encounter between the main characters Jason and Richard Wayne.

It's time to plan.

Chapter Text

And planning Tim did.

Hours on hours he paced his room thinking, scheming, preparing. He needed a way to make the Wayne kids not like him, but be indifferent to his existence.

Avoiding them seemed to be the logical solution but that would be impossible as he and Jason were destined to share a homeroom together and most of their classes.

There was a whole monologue in the story about how Jason could never escape Timothy’s torment as they shared every class together. No matter where he went the Drake heir was to follow.

‘You're nothing but a pretender, a vermin in noble clothing. No matter how hard you try your blood will never lie.’

Tim shivered at the thought of saying something so vile to another person. It was common knowledge that Jason came from humble beginnings and was an illegitimate heir to the dukedom.

This was hot gossip among the elite as the duke of the north was secretive about his life and to have a scandal such as an illegitimate son, well it was shocking to say the least.

Although Duke Wayne was an attractive man, as the book says, he was, well, cold in personality. Women tended to avoid him, afraid of his exterior. So to think he's had children is… shocking to say the least.

Knowing the book made Tim aware of how sweet and dotting of a father Bruce was to his sons, something he's never been familiar with. It's why when he first read the novel he got so attached to their little family, as it was full of love and affection.

Something Tim never got as a child.

If avoidance doesn't work, then Tim will just have to prove he is a person that doesn't deserve being beaten up. Shouldn't be too hard just don't mention Jason's background. Better yet, don't interact with Jason in the first place.

Standing on the academy's steps was unsurprisingly intimidating. It was similar to going to college for the first time, but the college was a ginormous castle.

So this Hogwarts looking school was the pristine Academy for the elite high class noble society's children. Cool. Great. Wow. So amazing.

In all honesty it was an impressive place, with the weathered bricks and intricate infrastructure it was magical.

As he walked into the courtyard of the school he heard a commotion going on. There was a boy, older than Tim, laying on the ground, books scattered around his body. There were boys gathering around him pointing and laughing.

“What? Can't farm boy get up? Did sleeping with the pigs infect your commoner brain?”

There laid Jason Wayne, the second male lead in the book The Northern Duke's Heir. The poor kid had tears in his eyes as his books got kicked around.

Tim's first reaction when seeing those baby blue eyes for the first time was to run as far away as he could.

Avoidance Timothy. Avoid.

Reasons to not approach the situation: He'll end up beaten up by Jason's stronger, more sword skilled brother. Basic survival instincts.

Reasons to approach: absolutely none… and guilt.

Watching Jason get bullied for being poor struck a chord deep within Tim. Unwanted memories of his past life flooded behind his eyes

‘Worthless, Dirty, Freak.’ They were words Tim has heard a million times before, now directed at his favorite character in person.

Watching him get bullied in person was so jarringly different than reading a few lines in a book.

A warmth flooded his senses as a familiar anger began to rise inside of him.

How dare these no name side characters make the most well written beautifully complex Jason Todd cry?

With slow precision steps, Tim walked over to the crowd of unforgivable wrongdoers.

One of the guys looked up at Tim and smiled brightly. “Timothy! It's good to see you!”

“Drake.”

“What?”

“You will refer to me as Drake or not at all.”

“Uh. Sure, thing. Drake it is.”

Tim takes a deep breath, anger simmering below the surface. Not anger, fury.

“We were just fucking around with this vermin want a turn?”

Tim stares at the guy for a solid minute before bending down and manually picking up the scattered papers and books.

“Yo, Ti- Drake what are you doing? Oh I see, playing nice before dropping the book on the mutt's head? How vile”

Tim tries very hard not to roll his eyes as he's crouched down close to Jason- oh my god it’s really Jason Wayne, no no act cool Tim. You can do this.

“Did I give you permission to speak to me?”

Jason stays laying on the ground with a foot on his back watching Tim with a mixture of hope and fear.

“Uh, no, sorry.”

Tim grunts in disapproval and turns his attention to Jason, the books in his lap.

“Get your foot off him before I make you regret stepping foot on this campus.”

One of the nameless extras takes their foot off Jason in a hurry.

Being a known villain did come in handy when everyone was scared of him.

“Jason Wayne I presume?”

Jason rushes to sit up brushing the dirt off his dress pants.

“Um yes? What's it to you?”

Jason's language was that of a commoner, his accent thick of those in the fields. His lack of adequate etiquette was something bully's like Timothy latched on and exploited.

“I believe these are your books.”

Tim gestured to the books in his lap and handed them over to Jason. The henchman glanced at each other and with one icy glare from Timothy they scattered.

Jason hesitated before snatching the books from Tim and holding them close to his chest. “I didn't need your fucking help nor your pity.”

Tim's hands fiddled nervously with the hems of his sleeves. Actually sitting here talking with his favorite character was exhilarating. And maybe a tad but nerve-wracking.

Timothy Drake didn't do nervousness, he was the nerve wracker.

Taking in a subtle deeper breath than normal, Tim slouched his back and sniffed the air trying to seem arrogant.

“I feel no pity for others. Their circumstances are their own. As for helping you, I didn't-
I don't like seeing scoundrels acting like they own the place. This was purely out of my own selfish desires.”

There, now there was a line drawn between them. Tim can go back to avoiding Jason and the bad ending of Timothy Drake.

Avoiding Jason was significantly harder than Tim anticipated. He didn't take into account Jason purposely trying to talk to Tim.

It started in their orientation where hundreds of students sat in a large auditorium and listened to the headmaster ramble on about the potential the freshman class has and their limitless future.

Jason Wayne just happened to find him in the large crowd of people and plopped himself down beside Tim without any sort of warning or permission.

“What a load of horseshit.” Jason's comment on the headmaster's speech was crash and punishable if heard by a teacher.

Tim snorted.

Jason beamed at Timothy. “I mean c’mon. Half these kids don't even know where their breakfast eggs come from. Calling them the hope of the future is a bit disheartening.”

“Tell me about it.” Tim muttered.

In the book it was shocking how behind the mathematics were in this time period and nobles still struggled.

The highest level of math mentioned was basic algebra.

The author probably just didn't want to do harder math for their book when writing it, but living in it was wild.

Calculus didn't even exist in this universe, which is a damn shame, since Tim loved mathematics.

“Say, Timothy, or er Drake.”

“Timothy is fine, Drake is my family's name.

“Right… Are you excited to find out who you're dorming with?”

“I won't have a roommate and I suspect you won't either.”

“Huh?”

“Well, there are a certain kind of nobles who make… Generous donations to the academy, in return their children get exclusive privileges others don’t. Our fathers are some of the main contributors to this.”

Jason stutters at this new information. For how doting Bruce Wayne was to his kids it's not that surprising Jason will be in the higher class dormitory… along with his brother.

“But I thought everyone gets a roommate, isn't that unfair?”

“Not necessarily. It's… More of a trade of good faith I believe is the best way to word it.”

“What about the other students? Don't they deserve the same special treatment.”

Ah, sweet Jason. His kindness in person is truly refreshing to witness.

“This is how things are, Jason Wayne. People with power and wealth use it to stay ahead of those beneath them.”

Jason scrunched up his nose. “Please just call me Jason. My full title seems a little too stuffy.”

After a moment of intense consideration and arguing in his mind, “...Jason it is then.”

“Say, uh, Timothy, are you excited for classes to start? New people, new friends.”

‘And new enemies.’ Tim thought.

“Schooling here is meaningless to me. I have no need for friends.”

Drawing a line once more should hopefully get Jason to back off and they can both go their separate merry way.

Jason's blue eyes bore into his own, observing him, almost as if he was being dissected. He smiled at Tim and loudly clasped his hands together.

“That's perfect because I don't need friends either! We can be friendless together!”

That… was not what Tim intended.

“Right. Friendless.”

“Mhm! What's your homeroom?”

The students stood up from their chairs and rushed out of the auditorium, borderline trampling one another, the assembly must have ended.

Tim stayed seated while Jason stood up.

“You do know the meaning of friendless, correct?” Tim asked, staring at Jason with an exasperated expression.

“Yep! That's us, two friendless buds!”

Tim's eye twitched.

Tim stood up and began walking away from Jason without another word. Jason followed like an overzealous puppy.

“Wouldn't you rather make friends with someone else”

“Friends? I'm not making friends. I'm being friendless with you! Besides, the other kids suck”

“And I don't?”

“Eh, you're alright, Timothy.”