Chapter Text
The evening humidity coated the Gotham Marina and its residents; a blond and black haired couple blended into the buzzing atmosphere. Louie and Sophie were single handedly replacing all of the humidity with smoke, Tuna was organizing the flowers on Camille and Mère’s memorial, and Pie was sending poorly concealed glances at the two boys. Tim could feel their eyes burning into the back of his head but it didn’t seem to deter Bernard in the slightest.
“Then, I saw this other theory that all of the Robins are clones and that’s why his age always resets every few years.”
“And you actually believe that?” Tim chuckled.
“I can’t say it’s unrealistic, the video had a lot of credible evidence!” The two boys dissolved into laughter before Tim humored him.
“So, Batman just scraps one Robin when he gets too old?”
“Exactly.”
“And what about the Girl Wonder? Was she a clone?”
“No, no, she was a temporary placeholder. You know, while he updated the clone data.”
“Right, right, and what about there being two now?” Tim would never get sick of hearing all of his boyfriend’s outlandish theories and conspiracies. He was sure he looked like some love-struck idiot with his dopey grin and undivided attention. It always felt like everything else faded away and all that was left was him and Bernard and that everything was fine. That fantasy lasted about 30 seconds before Tim heard footsteps approach, bringing the accusation Tim was dreading covering up.
Bernard broke out of his ramblings with a, “Hey there Pie! What’s up?” and a smile that almost managed to calm Tim before Pie began.
“Hey Bernard, hey Tim. I was just wondering, what’s your relationship with Robin? You three close?” Pie’s posture exuded awkwardness as Tim mentally curled in on himself and Bernard snickered.
“Well, I’m aware of him, obviously, been saved by him a few times, but no relationship other than vigilante-and-citizen. We were just talking about him actually! Do you think-”
“That’s great! So Tim,” Pie interrupted, “Does he know?”
And what a loaded question that was.
“Do I know what?”Bernard asked as head snapped towards Tim and he sat stockstill in embarrassment and ran dozens of scenarios in his head. Pie glances between the two as the blond stared at Tim who stared at the ground. Thankfully, no one else had taken to listening to the conversation, but to keep it that way Tim had to say something, and say it fast.
“I can explain!”
~~~~~~
Bernard always loved their Marina dates. He loved the thick, salty air and the cheap but hearty street food. Also spending time with his boyfriend, but the first two reasons came pretty close.
As much as he loved saving and being saved by the third Boy Wonder, Bernard would give the whole world and more to keep having these simple dates with just Tim. He continuously learned that wherever Tim was, Robin was never truly put aside, not that he minded. It wasn’t as difficult as he’d expected to keep his boyfriend’s secret, if anything it was just funny. Tim was Robin; Bernard knew; Tim didn’t know that he knew. There, easy. What wasn’t easy was watching the Boy Wonder try to cover his tracks right in front of him.
Did Pie know Tim was Robin? What did they mean ‘does he know?’ Was a new villain disguised as Pie coming for Robin as a civilian?
Was Tim about to reveal his identity to him right now? In the middle of the Marina?
Before Bernard could wonder anymore, Tim says, a bit too loudly, “I can explain!” His eyes widen and he repeats more quietly, “I can explain.”
Bernard watched his boyfriend a bit too intensely as he and Pie leaned in to hear Tim’s explanation.
“Well, you see, Robin was, like, covered in muck and stuff and needed to clean off. I mean, who knows how far their home base is, right? So he landed on my boat and asked, well, he didn’t really ask… He kind of just said he needed to shower and who am I to decline Robin? So I let him into my boat and then you showed up and…” He quietly trailed off.
At the very least, the very real anxiety Tim felt about possibly revealing his secret identity made it all the more realistic. As he threaded and unthreaded his fingers, he watched the two blonds process the story in their heads. The seconds felt like years, and before he could stop himself, he added, “I couldn’t just leave the kid all dirty.”
So he was trying to cover his tracks.
Bernard couldn’t hold back his shocked expression at the outright lie, which causes Tim to look even more nervous, but he couldn’t help but see where this lie was heading. He had to act clueless after all.
“It was the Kid Robin?!”
“Yeah, which other one? Right Pie?” Tim desperately looked at his neighbor, surely hoping that his and the ‘Kid Robin’s traffic light colored suits look similar enough at a glance.
“I mean, that makes sense, it was the red, green, and yellow suit.” They mumbled to themself. They drag a hand down their face and begin to laugh. “Oh man Tim, I’m so sorry. I should’ve never considered you to be unfaithful. This was so rude of me.”
Tim quickly accepted Pie’s apologies and didn’t look at Bernard as he tried to laugh off the whole conversation. Bernard simply watched as Tim frantically reassured Pie that they were fine and that it was a very understandable mistake. Eventually, Pie left the two to their date, and Bernard went back into his theories, courteously avoiding Robin centered conspiracies, focusing back on his fries and how he saw on a forum that speedsters actually weren’t super fast and instead were able to slow down time and only looked fast to the naked eye.
~~~~~~
The previously warm and comforting air began to suffocate him as Tim and Bernard made their way back to his half boathouse half murdershack. The only thing grounding him was Bernard’s thumb rubbing soft circles on his hand. This was one of the closest calls he’s ever had.
“So,” the blond began, “Pie saw you in your boat, shirtless,”
“Yeah.”
“With Robin’s costume sprawled behind you,”
“Uh huh.”
“And the shower was running.”
“Yup.”
“While you were completely dry.”
“Affirmative.”
“And from all of that, Pie thought you were cheating on me, with Robin?” He stops to grab Tim’s other hand and look him in the eyes, and the blue eyed boy hopes the dim moonlight hides his blush well enough.
“Pretty much. I’m sorry if their accusation worried you; it startled me for sure.” That whole conversation felt like hours ago, but Tim’s chest still felt constricted with worry about what Bernard was thinking. Before he could retreat too far into his mind, he felt a hand gently cup his cheek.
“I never doubted you for a second, Tim. I was mostly just waiting for you to explain your side. I’d never turn on you so easily.”
Their foreheads were touching at this point, Tim closed his eyes as he felt more at peace than he had been for the whole night. He took a deep breath before Bernard continued.
“Besides, even if it was Red Robin, you and him together is basically impossible! I mean, a flying, flipping vigilante and CEO Tim Drake-Wayne? Talk about a headline.” Tim let out a hearty laugh at his boyfriend’s antics; impossible didn’t begin to describe that scenario. “Now, come on. This has been enough fun for one night.”
Tim let himself be led down into his boat home for a long, restful night by his lover before morning came. However, even with Bernard curled up beside him snoring quietly, Tim couldn’t sleep until he was sure he’d covered his tracks. It was too late to clone himself as a cover since he already convinced the pair that it was Damian who stopped by his boat. He could try to replicate the holographic animals and make a Robin hologram to help him, but that would take far too long. He isn’t desperate enough to call in Zatanna or Constantine for something that was entirely his fault either.
Tim finally closed his eyes once he had decided. As much as he hated it, he’d have to call in his little brother for a favor that was sure to wound his pride both as Tim Drake and as Red Robin.