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Tim was on his way down the second floor main hall when he saw the door to the entrance open. He paused looking at the light that shone from the outside, Duke had walked inside the manor just then. "Hey Duke, I didn't know you were out."
Duke who was frowning moments before looked around for a quick second before his eyes landed on Tim, "Oh hi Tim and yeah... I uh went to visit my parents early this morning." Duke scratched his head awkwardly while Tim walked down the stairs. "I didn't know you were going to be here today in the manor honestly, Jay said you were all obsessive on some new case." he waved one of his hands in Tim's direction.
Tim sighed Jason didn't need to word it like that. "I took a break from working on the case, I got a date tonight so I decided to be less 'obsessive' over it. That way when I get back I'll have a fresh mind for it, anyway wanna talk about the visit?" he felt some amusement when Duke's brow quirked up. Duke had been pretty used to the manor by now and Tim thought that despite being pretty close to every bat by now he was still some space for them to close.
"No clue what I'd talk about with the visit, y'know no change nothing new to report. It's been like that every time well excluding the parts where they somehow get worse, not that I'm there for most of those changes." Duke's frown returned.
Tim could understand that it was like that for him back when his father was in a coma... albeit the situation is very much different in comparison, however the lack of news or change was always soul crushing for Tim. "You could talk about how you feel about that."
Duke looked at Tim then at the floor. Tim smiled softly at the younger boy, there may be a few years between their ages but Duke was still a freshman in high school. Duke's lips pursed together. "Thinking about it has me feeling really... bitter and well I guess if I had to pick another word, I'd say frustrated." the younger teen clenched his fists into a tight ball. "I know its been a long while since and others would give up hope if their families were in such a condition... but I can't let them go. I won't let my parents go. I don't want to."
Tim nodded guiding Duke to sit on the steps of the stairs, "I see it must hurt hear what others have to say about the odds." a soft sniff made Tim's heart break.
Duke looked up with tears on the verge of spilling out. "I don't want to say goodbye but they're suffering, everyone tells me they are. And... and I know that. I know that and how they're not living a life of quality." his hands shook as he clasped them together with a fierce grip.
Those words were pretty familiar to Tim. "If you want to keep hope then don't lose the faith you have, you want to believe they can comeback that there is a chance for recovery, right?" Duke nodded, and Tim grinned. "We may not know how they'll turn out or how things will end up for them, but you have every right to have hope. These are your parents we're talking about, having hope for them is only natural. You love them and care for them, now I can't tell you what I think about their chances. What I can tell you that I do wish for the best and hope you can be with you're family again."
Duke smiled wiping his teary eyes, "Thanks Tim. I know that recovery may not happen, I'm not delusional about that despite what the adults think... it's just.... I'm scared thinking about how when they wake up and see I've grown older they'll decide they won't want me anymore."
Blinking Tim looked at the manor's front door. His brows furrowed, he doesn't know Duke's parents or anything and the teen tends to talk about things in passing on occasion. "Well, I won't speak for your parents but- I will tell you about mine."
"Huh?" Duke tilted his head.
"I was somewhere between you and Damian's age when it happened but, as you know I'm an orphan." Tim cleared his throat his a fist by his mouth, "before that however- some stuff happened that left my mom dead and my father in a coma."
Eyeing Duke who was listening intently he continued to speak. "I was terrified of being left alone, my mom was already gone and while my father was alive he wasn't living. His condition wasn't exactly the best when he was admitted to the hospital at the time." Tim's face nearly soured at the memories.
Ironic how those fears weren't unfounded. He was technically alone now if he looked back on how he used to view the word. "Part of me was just clinging to what remained, a classic on the whole comfort in familiarity spiel. I couldn't focus on that for long though, me being Robin back then was something that required more time than I could use. I cut out a lot of things for a life in the cape, though I'll never regret taking on the mantle, I do think part of me misses being the kid who followed Batman and Robin." He chuckled shaking his head slightly. Tim still wonders how he was even able to do those things sometimes.
"When my father awoke from the coma a lot of things unknowingly shifted in my life. Not immediately at first but he noticed I had grown up a lot." Tim smiled, he remembers thinking how it was strange. The consistency of having real conversations became less of a yearly event and more of a monthly or weekly thing. "When my stepmom stepped in he started showing up in ways that began to matter... more than he did before."
Looking straight into Duke's eyes Tim held a sad smile, "He wasn't a perfect father, but his love for me was there. Even after seeing me grown and older for the first time he decided that he still wanted to be a part of my life trying to be there when he could."
"The last thing he told me was how he was proud of me and how he loved me. Duke, knowing how much you love your parents and how it sounds to me that they love you back, I think its safe to say they'll always want you to be their little boy even if you are old and grey."
Duke laughed, "No way even if I'm old and grey! Ha! I think that's a little too safe there chief, and its rather bold of you to assume I'll even grey." Tim rolled his eyes. "Plus! I'm sure you'll grey early and I'll stay free of grey hairs by the time I'm Bruce's age."
"Hey! I won't get grey hair early! If anything that'll be Damian! Like look at Bruce- he's been using hair dye since forever ago!"
A familiar chuckle had both boys snap their head's to the top of the stair case. "I didn't have my first grey hair until Dick showed up and I'll have you boys know I don't actually have that many grey hairs."
Duke whispered to Tim, "That's totally something an old guy would say to gaslight himself about aging." Tim nodded along knowing the deadpan Bruce was giving them meant the next training would suck.
He may as well seal that fate by sharing something he never told anyone, "Yeah he can't trick me since I found the hair dye he hid away under his bed one time I had to get him out of bed as Robin, and I mean a whole stash of them."
Completely unaware of the impending doom Duke hit the last nail to his coffin, "Huh. I guess now it makes sense that any time I point a grey hair on Bruce they just disappear the next day... I always thought he'd snip them out but a whole stash of hair dye and plenty of money for haircare in case of a receding hairline actually makes more sense." The last part was mumbled out but Tim knew from the glare pointed his way there was no way he'd be able to save himself or Duke from Bruce's wounded ego as Brucie.
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Duke yawned as he entered the Batcave, today he was off duty due to recently recovering from a nasty injury as ordered by Alfred and Bruce. It was early in the afternoon but Steph and Cass were taking care of his patrols since he got hurt so here he was checking up on how things were going. He put on the com looking at Alfred who sat by the monitor a map of the bats locations in full view. Even the ones off duty.
"... Penny-One, Orphan can you believe it!?" Steph's voice cut in as she passionately spoke about whatever had her feeling it. He'd rather not ask and get something between a minute or five hours. Which was probably an exaggeration but who knows, Duke never kept track. He always gave her his full attention when Steph had something serious to say, but the things that got her passionate felt like a fire that would burn him if he somehow blinked during the important parts.
"Yes, behavior showed he's very... sad, much grief." Duke felt his brows knitted together. He? He who?
He looked at Alfred, who was reading a few files that could be identified from recent cases. "Girl's do focus on seeing through with your mission at hand, while I understand the concern however Master Bruce has stated before that it's a private matter. Intervention won't be needed until Master Bruce decides that he'll step in."
Okay so he who is not Bruce or Alfred. The sad and grief thing must be related to one of the boys, since Steph is involved it's either Tim or Jason. It's however unlikely to be Jason since he tends to have intervention dealt with as soon as possible for reasons he's yet to fully grasp. That and Jason seems to go elsewhere when he's feeling things. More avoidant if not confrontational at times, meanwhile Tim just sits in it often going off on his own to process it.
Well now that Duke has the who of puzzle down he just needs to figure out the what and why. The where is on the monitor, so he took a glance as Alfred got up to move some files near the desk by the monitor. Tim's icon was... where was that place? Oh. Ohhh the cemetery. Where and a third of the why solved.
"Master Duke I see that you have joined me." Alfred was sitting once more now looking at some new files.
With a sheepish smile Duke nodded at Alfred. "Ah yeah sorry I know I should be resting but I was feeling the need to check in on things here in the cave."
"Well, I do appreciate the care you have but I'd rather you walk yourself back out the cave before I send you out myself. You are to remain in rest protocol until I deem you fit to stand in the cave."
Sighing with his head hung low aware just how Alfred was prepared to use force to get him out, Duke trudged out of the cave removing the com from his ear. The laughing from the earpiece faded into the distance as he made his way out.
Well all that's left is to figure the rest of the why out and get the what. He pulled out his phone, he knew that the answer was likely about Tim's parent's since he was at the cemetery in. It was just a matter of having the evidence and awareness to if that was really the what. It would also close up the why so the answer was probably on google.
Tim's parents were public figures, they were renowned, so their passing was covered on the media. Duke just couldn't remember when since he wasn't paying attention to that sort of thing when he was younger. The coverage didn't last long because like most things on the news the old events and tragedies get upstaged by the most recent ones. Seeing as the Drake's weren't as popular on the media or shown as much as Bruce was, it was no surprise the search took a bit longer than if he were to google anything related to Bruce. His lips pressed into a thin line, his suspicion's were confirmed by the search today was the anniversary of Tim's father passing away.
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"Hm? Duke, hey did you come here because I wasn't answering my phone?" Tim's eyes were on the two graves in front of him. He tensed the moment Duke was past the gates, probably from trying to figure out who could be approaching since he relaxed a bit when Tim realized it was just him. Truly a wonder how he knew since Tim hadn't even bothered to look away from the tombstones.
"Nah man I came here to see how you're doing." Duke took a few steps forward now next to Tim also looking at the graves. The names Janet and Jack Drake were on them respectively.
Tim hummed as if trying to sound amused to Duke but he knew better. "You here to tell me to not be mopey?"
Duke rolled his eyes at the older teen with a piss poor attempt at pushing him away, "Oh yeah because that's the perfect thing to tell someone at a graveyard." Tim sniffed not responding so Duke took the chance to speak, "I'm just here to stand next to you Tim. I know that there's this whole angst thing with the bats and all about brooding and well I'm sure I've done it too but hey, I think it's better to brood next to someone than doing it alone."
Tim gave him a half muted chuckle. "Right, so you weren't sent after me either?" Duke looked away from the graves to face Tim with a raised brow. Tim glanced at him with his peripheral vision then sighed. "Guess not... so you are here just to stand next to me while I brood?"
"Yeah sure am."
Tim let a chuckle out at a higher volume. Which was better than keeping a stupid metaphorical wall, a win in Duke's book. "Okay then..." the older teen mumbled.
Duke stared at the graves once more leaving Tim to do his thinking. From what everyone has seemed to mention about Tim's parents- well those who were around during Tim's time as Robin and before the passing of the Drake's... they had some issues with the two. No one really offered details aside from Tim himself but those details didn't give much away aside from some disconnect between how Tim feels about them versus pretty much everyone else.
"I can't remember what they sound like anymore..." a soft mumble took Duke out of his thoughts. "There's recordings and stuff since they were around camera's occasionally. I also have a box of things they had from when I was younger, but I can't bring myself to look at any of it. There's the few vacations I had with them among other stuff in the box and I just have it in one of the storage rooms I use."
Duke nodded, he's also been unable to bring himself to look at any of the stuff from when his parents were still around. His cousin would offer to watch things with him but it would just remind him the condition they were in while hospitalized.
Tim sighed. "Everyone tells me they weren't good to me, but they always forget that they're my parents. I'm the one who lived with them. They were around me more than anyone else was when I was younger and that says a lot because I had very few friends... Being sent to a boarding school isn't anything new for rich kids. They loved me in their own way, everyone is just upset it doesn't meet their standards of love." Duke let his head turn a bit to Tim. He was met with eyes brimmed with frustration and glazed with tears refusing to form.
"Why do they say your parents weren't good to you?" Duke couldn't help but ask.
"Because they weren't always there for me." Tim practically hissed out.
"They were busy people, and they had a failing marriage after the Grayson's death. Witnessing it was something that affected my family in more ways than one. Of course priorities were set in each other once they made sure I was doing better. Which took a while in my mom's eyes, she was very protective... She didn't like when I was away from home for too long even for school."
Tim's fist clenched tightly. "It obviously got worse after the circus thing. She got strict made sure I followed a schedule. Then the trips started, I found myself with nannies and caretakers who rarely followed the instructions my mom left for them, so I had time on my hands. I didn't like how boring my schedule got after my parents left I began to run off when I could. B doesn't like that my parents weren't there when the people they entrusted my care to didn't do their fucking job. As if he knew about how livid my mom got over the nannies who did the worst at taking care of me. She got even more strict when she found out after a nanny had to call that I got injured without an explanation as to how." A harsh breath released from Tim, a long deeply rooted breath as if to release all emotion.
The guy was trying to stuff his feelings, and Duke didn't want to let that happen so he did what he knew best from his time in the Narrows. "Cool to hear that there's a new thing on the long damn list of what B doesn't like. Who knew relatives could make it, I sure as hell hope my cousin isn't on it. I don't think his college plans could take the hit if thee Bruce Wayne hated his fucking guts. I could ask Bruce to see if it was the case but he'd totally lie to my face about it."
A snort from Tim turning into a laugh was all he needed to know he succeeded. When the laughing died down Tim began to speak again. "You know, no one really want's to hear about my parents. It's not like I'm told to my face about that either, but I think its because somehow half the time me sharing the happy moments I had with my parents gets turned into lectures about how they were neglected me emotionally and some other shit... is it wrong for me to keep their memory alive? Even if they weren't the best people? Even if they weren't the cookie cutter mold of what perfect parents should be?" a slight crack in Tim's voice made Duke look over.
Tim now finally faced Duke. A raw sense of desperation clawed at Duke as he stared into the eyes that thirst for an answer almost certain they'd never find. He met the eyes with a smile, "I don't think its wrong for you to do that, plus even the best people can make the worst mistakes. My parents aren't perfect and they're the best I know so I doubt anyone would ever fit that so called cookie cutter mold."
Duke watched as Tim scoffed with another sniff before his tears began to fall, he choked on a poorly disguised sob. "You know Duke, you are one stubborn guy. But thanks I needed that." Tim smiled wiping his tears.
With a wide grin Duke gave his piece to the statement, "Normally people say the phrase as 'you are one stubborn bastard' and I think it's an attribute that makes me fit in with the bats perfectly."
Tim shook his head smiling as if he hadn't shed a single tear a few seconds before. "I call Jason a bastard, sometimes Damian. You are not going on that short list... and yeah you're right it's hard to be a bat if you're not stubborn."
They both laughed for a bit before Duke spoke up mustering up all the warmth he could in his voice. In a way that his mom or dad would for him when he needed reassurance. "Tim, if no one wants to hear you talk about the happy times you had with your family before everything. I... My door is always open in the manor, well except when I lock it but I'm sure you could easily pick the lock so its pretty much open all the time."
A soft smack to his shoulder followed by a snort made Duke giggle. "Thanks Duke, I'll be sure to tell you everything about my family. I'll go on and on so often you will be tired the moment I mention my mom and father by next week."
His brow rose as he began to follow Tim who was now leaving the cemetery, "That sounds like a challenge to me. I'll have you know that one of the most stubborn people I know just called me the same thing a few moments ago, so Tim you might have some trouble getting rid of me."
"Sure whatever you say Duke, now tell me who the hell taught you how to be so damn witty?" Tim asked with no bite in his words.
Duke grinned. "Well it comes with the Robin trade so I'd say my time 'round the streets a gang leader sure had me hearing some shit. Y'know- Jay calls me Narrows because of that."
"Oh I had no idea the bastard called you by a nickname, bet he had a field day with that one." Duke nodded as Tim led him into a coffee shop he recognized as the one that had his favorite sweet treats. "I got B's card so buy as many things as you want. Also make sure to get everyone's favorite, we deserve it." Duke smiled oh if he was mad at Bruce he would have totally bought out everything, not that he'd care since wow people made of money have a habit to wave all the cash they can spend. But the idea is out there.