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“Drake.”
Tim didn’t jump, but he almost did. Damian had a habit of appearing suddenly, like a tiny, angry cat.
“Hey, Damian.” Tim said, sipping his coffee. “What’s up?” Damian crossed his arms.
“It is snowing.”
“I can see that.” Tim said.
“I wish to go outside.”
“Okay.” Tim waited for the rest. With Damian, there was always more.
“You will come with me.”
And there it was. Tim blinked.
‘Uhh… Why? Don’t you usually go out with Dick?”
“Richard is asleep.” Damian said with a huff. “Father is working, Todd is god knows where, and Cassandra is unavailable at the moment.” With Cass, that could honestly mean anything.
“So you came to me?”
“You are the only one left.” Well, at least he was honest. Tim sighed and put his mug on the table.
“Alright. Let me get my coat.” Damian nodded once, very seriously, and went to wait by the door.
Ten minutes later, they stepped out into the cold. Tim shivered, despite being bundled up tightly. Damian, however, marched forward like he didn’t feel the cold at all.
“So,” Tim said, shoving his hands deep into his pockets, “Why are we out here? A walk?”
“We are building a snowman.” Damian stated, crossing his arms. Tim blinked.
“A snowman.” Damian scoffed.
“Yes, Drake. That is what I just said.” Tim blinked again.
“You. Me. Building a snowman.”
“Yes.”
“...Why?” Damian looked at Tim like he was strange for even asking.
“Because it is snowing, Drake. That is what one does.” His deadpan look was enough for Tim to let out a small giggle.
“Okay.” Tim said, holding his hands up. “A snowman it is.” They started with the base. Tim crouched down and packed a snowball between his hands, then rolled it across the yard. Snow stuck to it quickly. Damian, instead of helping, just watched Tim.
“It is uneven on the left.” Tim stopped where he was rolling the snowball and stared at Damian. “It is too flat.” Tim looked down.
“It’s fine.”
“It is not fine.” Damian argued. “A true snowman must have structural integrity.” Tim rolled his eyes but adjusted the shape anyway.
“You could help me instead of just watching and insulting it, you know.” Damian scoffed again, but knelt down and started to push with Tim. After a few minutes of work, they managed to get the base large enough to move on. It was still kind of lopsided, but it would work. Damian crouched to start on the middle snowball.
“So, why the snowman?” Tim asked while Damian began pushing the snowball around. “Don't get me wrong, I enjoy snow activities as much as the next person, but it seems a bit… out of the ordinary for you.” It took Damian a moment to answer.
“Richard has created a list of activities that he told me were mandatory for winter. I am checking them off one by one so that it can be completed.” He finished rolling the middle and looked at Tim expectantly. Tim sighed, but helped him lift it onto the first snowball. As he started on the top, Tim spoke again.
“You know… You don’t actually have to finish everything like a checklist.” He lifted the top and placed it on the other two snowballs. “I think it’s just Dick’s way of trying to find an activity that you enjoy and can look forward to in the winter.” Damian scoffed and turned pink, but didn’t say anything. Tim clapped his hands. “Okay, the body is done. Did you bring anything for the face?” Damian held up a carrot he pulled from his pocket.
“The website said that a carrot for the nose is necessary.”
“You googled how to make a snowman?” Damian shuffled slightly.
“I have not participated in this activity before Drake.” Tim softened slightly at Damian’s clipped and unsure tone. “I was simply making sure I could do it correctly.”
“Okay.” Tim glanced around, and picked up a few stones and sticks that were still poking through the snow. “Here, you can use these for the rest of the face and the arms.” They got to work finishing the snowman and stepped back to get a better look once they were finished.
“It is… acceptable.” Tim hummed.
“Actually, it’s missing something.” Damian frowned at Tim.
“I followed the instructions. It is correct.” Tim risked a small hair ruffle and quickly pulled his hand back when Damian swiped at it.
“Here, look.” Tim took off his own hat and scarf, carefully adding them to the snowman. “There. Perfect snowman.” Damian glanced at it before nodding.
“Now I will check it off of the list. Richard will be glad that I am making progress.” Tim smiled slightly at him.
“It was fun.” He hesitated. “If you need any help with other things on your list you can come see me. I don’t mind.” Damian nodded again.
“That is amenable.” He hesitated. “Thank you. This experience was… not horrible.” In Damian speak, that meant he enjoyed it.
“Anytime.” Tim smiled. “Now, how about we go in and see if Alfred will make us hot chocolate? I’m freezing.” At Damian’s nod, they trekked back to the manor. All in all, not the worst day Tim’s had.
It was actually pretty fun.