Chapter Text
You’re not sure what you could’ve ever done to offend Timothy Drake-Wayne and make him hold a vendetta against you. For all you know, the guy could just be offended by something as simple as you breathing the same air as him... Which wasn’t even premium enough to be holding a grudge over considering this was Gotham; and oh boy, was this city so polluted you could be on a plane and still smell the dump of this place. But no, that couldn’t be it. It seemed as though he only had it out for you... strangely enough.
You’d just be going on about your day; morning coffee, lectures, note-taking, micro-sleeping at your desk, staring at your laptop screen until the lights strain your eyes, answering questions in class, a soda – oh, and lunch... typically at 4PM on campus during your busy days.
... And then there was Tim Drake... He was like a looming and menacing shadow in the corner of your eyes – always. Every class you shared with him never limited the number of times you’d feel two holes burning into the back of your head. And when you’d turn around to look over your shoulder? Tim’s glare immediately drops to his laptop – but not fast enough. You could see how his hands tensed, fingers stiffly flexing across the wooden surface of his desk. And always that grumpy furrow between his brows as he pretends to distract himself with the course work and his laptop. But you know better. Of course you do. You’re not stupid. Perhaps the first few times you thought the glares and scowls were misdirected and not meant for you, but after half a year now? There is no way. Timothy Drake-Wayne has it out for you. Sarcastic but pliant and charming with others, but silently angry and menacing towards you. Like he wanted you sprawled out and dead on the spot with that stereotypical white body chalk outline and police tape surrounding you.
You had nothing against the guy at all! Not until you knew for sure he was looking at you like a corner that purposely sticks out to stub people in the toe. You’ve heard the giggles and gossip about a Wayne – Tim Drake – joining Gotham U’s enrolment earlier that year, more specifically, your course. You saw the paparazzi swarming Gotham U’s gates and the blinding lights of camera flashes (that was a particularly hard morning to try and squeeze through), but the Waynes must’ve struck a deal, because now, most people were too scared to even take out their phone and have it accidentally facing Tim’s direction. The executive staff at the University looked over Tim’s comfort on campus particularly well even after the commotion died out and the News and journal articles targeted the next best thing on their radar (something about a new ‘Brucie Wayne’ scandal revolving a drunk billionaire and streetlight). Nonetheless, you’d observe how Tim never let that get to his head, and he particularly didn’t like whatever ass-sniffing acts some of the less undignified staff would try on him. Some students tried getting close to his circle, whether out of romantic interest (Tim was a bit of a charmer but not by much, you’ve noticed) or simply just to be able to say that ‘yeah, I know Tim Drake, we’ve hung out once or twice’, but Tim never let them indulge that far into their fantasies... He was very... closed off and cautious in a way. To be fair, if you were the adopted son of a billionaire, let alone millionaire of generational wealth, you would be too.
So yeah, you weren’t oblivious to his presence (hard to be), and although you weren’t as crazy as some other girls about it, you truthfully didn’t mind him – at least initially. He seemed like an okay and logical guy from afar – grounded unlike most ‘rich’ people. You could maybe admit he was a lot more attractive and cuter in person than the pictures plastered across the media pages... Who are you kidding, you’ve shared a few giggles with your friends. Until he obviously was not. And that switch-up had your friends so confused. From the occasional texts about how you thought Tim looked rather nice but lonely (and cute) and wondered if you could go up to him without him thinking you were some creep, to absolutely flaming and ranting about him almost 24/7. Some of your friends have joked about an enemies to lovers arc - newsflash you did not appreciate that. You thought he was attractive, yes, but you’re not like... romantically interested – while some have joked you should learn the Latin tongue and condemn that ‘demon’ back to hell with how fast you’d rant both online and in person like you were performing an exorcism. One of them has even gone as far as photoshopping you with the whole priest attire, a crucifix, and bottle of holy water by using a photo that was conveniently captured of you horrifically going overboard the railings of a dock in an attempt to feed the ducks during that one time you had a picnic with them – thanks, means A LOT...
Seriously! What could you ever had done to him?! You’ve never even interacted! So now, as confused as you are, you’ve got something growing against him too! Seriously, what was up with all the silent glares and brooding? What? Did you both meet in a past life where he was a crow and you committed some horrible bird crime against him like stealing a bread crumb off the dirty ground before he could get to it (ew), and now he still remembers it and your face? What did you do warrant such an unreasonable reaction from Tim!?
So, with that, you’ve come to a rather exaggerated but maybe-it- wasn't-too-far-off conclusion: Timothy Drake-Wayne is a black-market dealer and wants to harvest your perfectly healthy organs to paying clients.
Not to be that person, but this was Gotham; the city where everything and anything can happen, and although no serious accusations and scandals against the Waynes and their moralities and practices have struck true, you could never be too trustful of billionaires. There were countless of illegal scandals against Gotham Elites that have come out in recent years, and just rich people in general. And with their net worth and contribution to the economy being too impactful, many scandals are often brushed off with just a flick to the wrist despite the public outrage. Sure, you don’t want to push Tim into the stereotype just because of his silent vendetta against you and because he’s wealthy as shit, but you could never be too cautious. In Gotham, it was every person for themselves. You never know who’s real, what’s not, etcetera. Even the Waynes, despite the marvellous things Bruce Wayne has achieved and publicly stood for (as well as his adopted sons and daughter), and not to mention the Wayne Foundation that finds more praises than criticism from the public.
So that does it. The reason that Tim keeps glaring at you like that is because 1) he definitely wants you dead so he can harvest your organs for the black-market. 2) Every time he glares at you, he’s definitely checking you out, but not in the way you’d assume. He’s making medical checks with just his eyes and can probably tell the state of your organs just by staring at you considering how intelligent he actually was– and he had to problem exhibiting his intelligence to others and perhaps even acting smug about. At least, you’ve noticed some smug looks you’d get from him when he thinks you aren’t looking (... weirdo). 3) He’s been meticulously for half a year now and definitely plans on acting on it soon.
Why you in particular? No idea, but you’re going to find out soon.
...
Tim Drake did NOT appreciate being forced back into prison (“University” Bruce would correct) by Bruce with the encouragement of Dick – said it’ll be good for him. Jason? That asshole just laughed. Evilly cackled. Didn’t give a shit about him before going off on his nerdy tangent about how if he was given the chance, he’d definitely finish his high school and a pursue higher education (no thanks to Bruce – yeah... an exhausting fight broke over the dinner table the moment that came out, who knew). And they said HE was the nerd. The GEEK. What a load of bull just because he was smarter than the rest of them. And Steph? The little traitor wheezed herself blue and purple on the floor like a gaping goldfish even though she was also attending Gotham U – had been before him. But then again, his whole family just liked to see him suffer. And don’t even get him started on Damian, the little brat. At least Alfred and Cass were a little sympathetic. The rest? They could burn for all he cared.
He didn’t need to pursue a higher education! It’ll just be relearning what he already knows and had already experienced in real time, real life. Not only that, he argues that universities and colleges are the biggest scams out there! It doesn’t matter if Bruce has the money to send him, or the fact he can fund himself, he still wouldn’t lose a single dime to that piece of crap! They don’t even prepare you for the ‘real world’ despite all the nonsense they spit out! He was happy dropping out of high school! Life was fine! It was good! School will only limit him! Limit his time on being able to patrol, on being able to handle his team whenever he wants, and on being able to diligently hole himself up in the cave with his VERY important cases and mission reports!
Like come on! What does he even need a degree for at this point? He works at Wayne Enterprises and manages most of the company with the help of Bruce and Lucius Fox, and despite only temporarily holding the title of ‘CEO’ while Bruce was lost in the time stream, he was still a very influential senior executive and shareholder. He doesn’t need a degree!
So, cue the morning he arrived at the gates of Gotham U and had to struggle through a throng of reporters with Stephanie by his side. Steph, who said she’d happily accompany him to his first class. He was a VERY capable adult! He didn’t need to be accompanied to his first class like a kid going to kindergarten. He took himself to kindergarten most days anyway when he was a kid before being thrown into boarding school later on and moved all over. Sure, his mom took him the first few days, held him by the hand and all like they were a normal family, but his parents’ digs always came first. He was very capable and independent from a young age.
Luckily, though, the blonde didn’t quite stick to her words the moment her friends swooped in. But it’s not like Tim minded. If anything, he was relieved and mentally fist-pumping the air like he had found alexandrite (did you know that diamonds are actually very common and cheap but have just been overly priced? It was a fact Tim liked to remind Stephanie about whenever she’d ramble on about diamond rings, but not before he teases her about who would marry a horror like her who probably just wants to steal the internet Wi-Fi without paying for it – all in good faith of course). He swears her and Jason had another bet going on revolving him and probably his first day of university. He can’t prove it just yet, but he doesn’t need to in order to know. But nonetheless, here was to his suffering that was only about to begin...
Tim doesn’t actually notice you at first. It’s a bit hard to considering the amount of people that would try to swarm him daily – and you’d think that being adults everyone would know a bit of self-respect and personal boundaries. It wasn‘t that bad, sure. It’s not like people were disrespecting him or anything, just trying to get awfully close or become friends when he was perfectly happy being the ‘loner’ (or so he’s heard Steph and even Tam dub him). But he knew better than to toss his friendship around like that, even just for popularity (he’s looking at Kon). He didn’t want it; he didn’t care. But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t going to go out of his way and be rude about it... Well, not as rude as he can be. What did Dick say to him? Be nice or something even if people are obviously just trying to be friends for personal gain or trying to get into his pants... He didn’t mind a bit of playful flirting and charming with some of the girls, but seriously?
God, this makes him miss the days where he found trustworthy friends in Sebastian Ives and... Bernard Dowd...
Bernard, admittedly, was still a sore spot for Tim, but they both remained friends. And he was a good ally... even if they both regrettably weren’t as close anymore. But when does anything ever work out for Tim Drake? When do any relationships of any kind ever work out for Tim? If you let him, Tim Drake could write a whole ten-page essay or more about his failed and complicated relationships with both romantic and platonic partners, and family.
Then, finally, he saw you. Right in the second row of the lecture hall, always having your hand diligently raised for every question the instructor threw at the class.
Tim didn’t mind it at first, it was nice that someone was willing to take one for the class so no one else would have to answer... But then it started getting annoying. You were constantly putting your hand up, always engaging with the class, being praised. Tim by no means was competitive at all. The most competitive he’s ever gotten was with his photography contest exhibitions... exhibitions where a 13-year-old Tim Drake stood alone on the podium, expression mute, but eyes silently scanning the crowds for the briefest hope that maybe his parents took time off a dig for him, and maybe even Bruce would come. God, there were times he even hoped to see the familiar tuff of black hair and blue eyes that were Dick Grayson. Just anybody FOR him.
But that was a story for another day, because you had REALLY started on getting on Tim’s nerve, and while he was not competitive by any means, this suddenly drove the sudden desire in him to prove that he was better just like how he had always been trying to prove himself worthy of Robin to Bru- no, Batman. To live up to Dick and Jason’s Robins the moment he decided put on the suit. Just like how he’s always been seeking validation, validation after Dick took Robin from him just to give it to Damian. After all that advocation Dick had done to convince Bruce of letting Tim be Robin.
Tim couldn’t help himself, aiming to shoot his hand up before yours just so the instructor would pick him to answer. But even when he did and the instructor would then thank him for his correct and masterful insight, came barrelling you not even a minute after, adding onto his statement and going into further details with, god-forbid, even references from articles to back your claims.
Seriously, who even does that? You were SUCH an attention-seeking, over-achieving brat.
And just like that, all that Tim had said before is forgotten and all credit goes to you from something that he had initially given insight on.
And there’s where his one-sided academic rivalry with you really started.
Tim couldn’t help the silent glares and scowls every time you weren’t looking. By now, he’s found everything to dislike about you. As attractive as you may be, he really hates your attitude. That stupid, articulate, observant, intelligent, and critical thinking attitude that always gave him a run for his money. Yes, he knew he was intelligent as hell. God, he was the world’s second best detective! But this was university; academics – a vastly different set of intelligence. You were always one step ahead, always correcting, always having back-up sources like you’ve already thought about this before. You were infuriating! And worse, he’d catch you micro-sleeping in class! He, more than anyone understood micro-sleeping, but did you even want to take class seriously!? And then you’d wake up about a minute or two after and still be following the content easily like you’d been awake the whole time!
Then came your grades that he’d see load on your laptop from his seat behind you. They weren’t always full marks, but always only one to three marks off from getting full points, but nonetheless, you still got top grades, and he was always just half a point or one point behind you. Aka, second best to you. Worst thing, you were a procrastinator! How could he let a procrastinator best him?! How do you even- This was ridiculous!
By the book, you’re meant to put in the effort weeks before the assignment due date, that’s how it works! Not the night before and still get good grades!
Steph says he’s getting a little obsessive and irrational. And irrational is NOT what Tim Drake is.
Tim’s had many thoughts of confronting you before out of sheer frustration, but he doesn’t. Even if he really wants to be a dickhead about it. Because while you’re sitting there all innocent and oblivious to the frustration you’re causing him, he’s juggling being Red Robin, a team of young and reckless heroes, patrol, missions, and university while all falling behind you. And he’s even dedicated more time to his studies because of you! He’s been made fun of by Bart and Kon for carrying his laptop or notebook around, revising notes while they’re meant to be having ‘fun’ or ‘relaxing’ for God’s sake! He might even be putting a little bit more time into his studies rather than his cases!
He absolutely despises the academic weapon that you are.
...
You settle down into your seat, a Zesti Cola in hand, already opened and half-drunken. And like always, you feel that stupid Tim Drake glare coming from behind you.
Oh brother, give me a break.
You shake your head, not even bothering to look over your shoulder this time as you got your laptop out for the lecture while silently sipping on the soda in your free hand.
You were running on five hours of sleep and did NOT need Tim’s bullshit. Whatever he was angry about now- you know what? He was always angry. What was good about good looks and wealth for when you had a shitty attitude anyway?
The class won’t start until another five minutes and Tim watches as you pull out your phone to message some sort of group chat while still having your headphones on. Probably listening to something as stupid as you... Like Taylor Swift.
At this point, it was only him and you and a few students in class. He expected more students to start joining as time got closer to the lecture starting, but Tim noticed how a lot of people tended to flunk class halfway through the trimester.
Eventually, by the time the instructor had walked in, roughly only 11 people were in their seats.
This should be fine. Tim preferred less crowded areas anyway, and the fate of the missing students’ education laid in their hands. He could care less.
The minute of Tim taking out his laptop was fine until the instructor asked the remaining students to move closer to the front of the class and to take up the front row.
... That was fine, as long as the remaining seat wasn’t beside you-
He spoke to soon.
The moment Tim stood up, everyone had taken up all the seats in the front row but the one to your left. And right now, he wanted anything but to be close to you. Yes, he knew it was childish what he had going on. He was an adult, this was university, but Tim was nothing if not a spiteful person. Petty enough that he’s maybe considered once or twice hacking into the institution's data base and changing your grades. But he’s not THAT much of a spiteful dickhead.
With an exasperate grunt underneath his breath and his expression set into a dark broodiness, he plops right next to you, your perfume instantly invading his senses and space.
The moment Tim sits next to you, you catch a whiff of his cologne – something expensive but subtle. You feel the warmth of his side seeping into your personal space, and it felt intoxicating for almost a moment. But that changes nothing, and you had to restrain yourself from tilting your head towards him.
Of course, life has a different plan, because you both tilt your heads, baby blue eyes looking down at you, the ends of his bangs fluttering against his dark lashes.
Your breath almost hitches, and you had to force yourself from freezing up when you watch his eyes narrow. You narrow your eyes back at him and he blinks, raising a brow at that. Of course, you catch the look of annoyance in his eyes, but maybe a slight of intrigue as well? From what? You glaring back in just the slightest?
Your heart skips a beat with dread as you watch Tim’s eyes flick from yours and down to the rest of your body.
To anyone else, it might’ve just seemed like a casual gesture or Tim checking you out... But you knew better... He was scanning your body with his eyes, making sure you were still healthy with everything intact; good quality organs for his black-market clients. You’re not sure how he knows just by looking, but you know, okay! It seems crazy, you know! You’d have to be like Superman to be able to do that stuff, but what if Tim’s like super-powered as well or something!? If not, then he’s just THAT intelligent and can tell by one look! And you’re going with the latter. Besides, the guy has this unsettling aura about him anyway... Sure, a normal human being wouldn't be able to tell the state of your inner organs just by looking at you, that’s just impossible and outlandish, but what if Tim’s taken some insanely refined and elite (aka illegal) medical course that allows you tell the state of someone’s kidneys just by looking!? Yeah, see, see, you weren’t crazy! This was freaking Gotham! You had a BAT that runs around protecting Gotham, a clown, and for god’s sake a freaking walking, living, scaly dinosaur! (You mean Killer Croc – or so you’ve heard through late gossips). Anything was possible! Every other city BUT Gotham had superpowered heroes and crazy looking ass villains that’s either a dimensionally fucked up human being or part-something!
Your shoulders tense, now on guard as Tim meets your eyes again before scoffing underneath his breath and looking away.
Wait... did he just scoff?
You huff, turning away again with an almost offended look.
What? By his analysis were your organs not good enough for selling, huh!? You’ll have him know that your organs were superb black-market material despite all the caffeine and soda!- Wait, no, you’re not supposed to think that! You don’t want him to pull an Eyeless Jack and sell your kidneys! You needed them! BOTH of them! You won’t let him take them, or your liver-
You blink out of your thoughts when you see the other students start moving around to pair up- wait, pair up?
Both yours and Tim’s eyes move to the board, where in big writing from a projected document read: Partner up and research the following. Complete class activity by the next lecture.
You desperately look around, ready to take anyone but the person to your left, when you realised everyone’s already settled down with their friends.
Slowly, you and Tim lock eyes again for the second time that morning.
... Shit.