Chapter Text
Wonder Girl pinched the skin on his arm, and Tim immediately forced himself awake. He quickly glanced around him, to the members of his team that were all squeezed around his desk chair, reading off the computer screen, but none but Cassie seemed to have noticed he fell asleep.
The team had only been formed a few months ago, and its four heroes were mostly still getting used to each other. Some weren’t… the friendliest (read: Tim and Kon), but they were a good team. They understood how each other worked. The friendship would come, in time, Tim told himself. Though, with Cassie, it seemed more natural than anything else. Silently, he offered her a tiny smile. She was always caring, she knew he would’ve been mortified if he fell asleep on the job.
To be fair to him, it had been a long two days without a wink of sleep between Gotham patrol and Young Justice investigations.
“Let’s start over” He spoke, voice gruff, and cleared his throat. He pressed the palm of his hand into the jagged metal below the armrest of his chair, hoping the hint of pain would keep his eyes from drooping. “Former Senator from Jersey disappears. Mrs. Robin was last seen by her neighbor’s camera near her home after attending a charity event. Two days missing, all suspects have alibis. Her secretary reached out to Batman, begging for help.”
Behind him, resting his chin on the back of his chair, Kon-El sighed long sufferingly. “Why are we concerned about a missing person? I’m sure there are more high-profile cases for us to solve”
Tim tensed up like he always did around the super. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t feel uncomfortable because he disliked Kon, he felt uncomfortable because Kon always did something unpredictable. And famously, Tim dissected the unpredictable, picking it apart and studying everything weird about it until it was just bland again. That was literally his job.
Conner was certainly not bland. And Tim was certainly not comfortable.
Like right now for example, when the stiffness of Tim’s shoulders could be mostly attributed to the fact that he could feel Kon’s breath on the back of his neck, simultaneously giving him goosebumps and setting his skin on fire. He cleared his throat again and tried to sound authoritative. “We’re doing this because she’s a candidate in the presidential race, meaning it’s most probably a targeted attack, and…” Tim reached for his mouse, clicking through the pictures attached to the email Oracle had sent him “there.”
He felt Kon leaning in a bit closer, his face now inches from Tim’s hair, and tried not to move a muscle. “That’s sick” the alien breathed, and Tim tried not to feel too smug.
“When have I ever given us boring cases?” Tim smirked, turning his gaze to Impulse’s excited form, rocking on his heels, then to his other side, to Wonder Girl’s bright smile and sparkling eyes.
“That’s not caused by a regular kidnapper.” Because, indeed, Mrs. Robin’s house was completely destroyed, armchair burnt and kitchen table shattered. The most damning piece of evidence, though, was the charred wallpaper, defined lines of soot clinging to the walls where, Tim suspected, some kind of laser mechanism had been used during the attack.
“I’ll forward the case file to all of you, please read it.” He threw a meaningful glance back at Kon, who rolled his eyes in response. “We’ll reconvene in a couple of days; I’ve got some business to attend to in Gotham. Now this is a missing person, so the less time we spend before investigating the better. Feel free to chase up some leads on your own. I know I’ll chase up mine”
“I’ll create a shared document for evidence” Wonder Girl proposed, to which Tim waved his hand dismissively with a smile. “Already done.”
This team was still relatively new, so Tim tried not to take Kon’s irritated huff to heart. It had been two months. Two months of passive aggressiveness from the older boy who seemed to hate him for no apparent reason. Two months of Tim trying not to stare too long, to make himself ignore the uneasiness that he attributed to the fact that the Super was half Luthor.
Superman had had a firm talk with Tim before the team was formed, explaining that his son was still unstable, finding his footing as a hero, so Tim was willing to give him some time. The uneasiness was unwarranted. Half Luthor he was, sure, but he was also half Clark. And he hadn’t done anything bad. Yet.
“Well, I’ll see you all Saturday. Bart, please send the mission report from last week to the League, you know how Batman gets with cataloguing.” Tim spoke, if only to fill up the awkward silence between the four heroes, the one that was always present when Tim talked to people he didn’t know very well yet. He moved towards the zeta tube at the far end of the room as he said his goodbyes.
Cassie offered him her usual bright smile, Bart saluted, and Kon offered him a small nod. Tim plugged in the coordinates for Gotham, then disappeared.
As he stepped into the Batcave, he caught sight of Bruce, in full Batman attire, sat at the Bat computer with his arms crossed. “You’re late” The suit-altered voice reprimanded gruffly.
“Sorry B, meeting took long. Any progress with the Freeze case?” Tim stepped towards his guardian, taking off his domino and rubbing the sore skin underneath.
“He’s back in Arkham.” Bruce said, then, surprisingly, “Damian was asking for you.”
Tim snorted, unclipping his cape. “Sorry I wasn’t there. Was he plotting to murder me again?”
Bruce shot him a dark look, to which Tim raised his hands in playful surrender. “He wants to learn to skateboard.”
Tim burst out laughing. “What?” he questioned, incredulous, because there was simply to way he’d heard correctly.
“Don’t make fun of him. It’s good he’s finding interests. I think it’s because he admires you, even though he won’t admit it.” Bruce stood with a tiny smile on his face, ruffling Tim’s hair like he used to do when he was younger. Tim was once again reminded how lucky he’d been to have Bruce Wayne adopt him after his father’s death.
“I’ll teach him if he asks nicely. But the minute he tries to stab me, I’m out.” Tim compromised, because as much as he disliked Damian, he could recognize that he was just a child.
“Deal.” Bruce seemed satisfied. “Oh, by the way, don’t forget the interview with GQ. After that, Dick is going to take you to get your suit tailored.”
Tim groaned. “Why do I need a suit again?”
Bruce sighed. “I need at least three of my children with me at the gala I’m hosting. Jason refuses to announce he’s alive to the world. Duke coincidentally has an essay due the night of. Damian threatened to bite a reporter again. Stephanie laughed in my face. Therefore, Cass, Dick, and you. End of discussion.”
Tim grumbled but didn’t press the issue. “Any work for WE?”
“None that can’t wait until after you get a full night of sleep.” Bruce turned him towards the stairs affectionately.
“But-”
“Tim.”
“Fine.”
And just like that, Tim found himself dragged into his bedroom, only disturbed by the sound of Damian coming in at some point into his nap, presumably to steal his skateboard. Tim was too tired to argue.
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“Sit up straight.” Luthor admonished.
“Sorry.” Kon whispered and fixed his posture, gaze fixed on the passing trees visible from the window of the car. It was a cold night, and they were heading to Gotham, of all places, so the sky held a thickness to it, one that seemed to be also lodged in Kon’s throat.
Lex sighed. “Conner, you know I hate when you’re mad at me. It makes me feel like a terrible father.”
“Sorry.” He repeated, because he really didn’t know what else to say.
He heard his father shift to sit closer to him on the limo’s bench, reaching over to fix Kon’s tie. Kon reluctantly turned his gaze to him.
“You only have to stay with Kal until I come back.” He said his other father’s name like it was a slur.
The truth was, Kon didn’t mind staying with Clark when it was just them two, when Lois was busy and Jon was off visiting Ma and Pa on the weekends.
There had been a time where Clark had tried to accept Kon as his son, but recently, their precious Saturday bonding dinners had turned into half-baked excuses always involving Jon.
‘Jon wants to go to the museum, you should come!’ ‘Jon really likes Godzilla. We’re going to the movies.’ ‘It’s Jon’s birthday in two weeks; I have to cancel.’
What a fucking joke.
But then again, Kon didn’t blame him. Clark had tried to get him to form a bond for half of Kon’s life. Kon pushed him away. And now he had no reason to keep playing family.
He had built a marriage before Kon decided to wreck it all with his existence. He had built a family, which meant Kon was useless.
Lex always assumed that his son hated the Super, and Kon let him, if only to make him happy, but the truth was that Kon craved his attention more than anything. But it was fine. He could accept having one parent.
It was just that-
Jon was named after Pa. Like he was the eldest. Like he was the Kent heir or something. Meanwhile Kon had had to beg for a Kryptonian name he didn’t even feel was his own. What a fucking joke.
He didn’t want anything to do with Clark’s precious perfect family. He didn’t want to beg anymore. He didn’t want to play a part.
It was fine. He always had Lex. The father that actually wanted him.
“When will you come back?” He inquired with a smile, letting his perfectly curated media persona take over. It seemed it was taking over his private life more and more, these days. Lex smiled, satisfied his son was ‘back to normal’.
“I’m only going on a trip. Supporters in Pennsylvania need to see who they’re voting for. I should be back by Monday. Which means you only have to spend a single unplanned weekend with him. You’ll leave tomorrow night, and then you’ll be back not two days later.”
Kon nodded, pretending to be delighted by the news. Always pretending. It was exhausting.
“Now, when we walk out of the car, you’re going to wave to the press, we’re going to get a picture together, as father and son, and then I want to introduce you to some people. Remember, if anyone questions you about the presidential race, show nothing but support. Talk about the hospitals.”
“I remember.” Kon said, then turned back to the window, hoping the sight of the passing landscape and the steady hum of the car’s engine would soothe him.
“Oh, and when we go up to the Waynes to thank them for a wondrous evening, do not engage more than necessary. You know how I dislike Bruce and his… lifestyle.”
Conner resisted the urge to snort. Not many people knew about the whole Batman identity shtick. Even so, most had accepted the hero by now, and his gaggle of children along with him. Some, however, still thought he was a nuisance, operating outside the law for nefarious purposes. It hurt that Kon’s father, of all people, didn’t approve of the ‘lifestyle’ that Kon coincidentally shared. He wondered how much Lex wasn’t saying. Did he regret making Conner? Did he-
His phone pinged. He sighed, distracted from his pitiful spiraling thoughts.
“Who is it?” Lex asked, because he monitored all of Kon’s life.
Kon frowned at the flurry of notifications from the Young Justice group chat. “Just Superboy business”
Lex tsked and frowned like he always did when he heard about Conner’s other self. Kon was well aware he’d prefer him taking over the company, being the Luthor heir. Sometimes, he wasn’t so against the idea, when Superboy started to feel like a too-heavy mask. But then again, Conner Luthor sometimes started to feel like a mask too.
At least here, with Lex, he was wanted... right?
Turning his attention to his phone, he read the messages from Red Robin.
RR: CCTV footage found. Looking into trucking company later tonight. Will update.
[1 video attached]
Kon clicked on the video. It showed the infamous Mrs. Robin running outside of her house. She looked disheveled. Her hair was bloody, Kon realized as he squinted at the grainy black and white footage. This was during the assault, he realized, before she went missing.
Mrs. Robin looked over her shoulder, then a dark figure grabbed her by the arm, dragging her toward a truck and throwing her in the back. The man (?) walked over to the driver’s side, opened the door, climbed in, and drove away. The video ended.
Kon frowned and pressed rewind. The figure was a man, that much he was comfortable assuming. Tall. Taller than the average. He was wearing something weird. Kon couldn’t describe it, the footage was too dark. He could only see the man’s back, never his face, and anyways it looked like he was wearing some kind of helmet.
Red Robin was going to look into the trucking company. Good. Kon wouldn’t have thought of that. Maybe that’s why he wasn’t the leader of the team, even though he was older. Stupid Batman and his stupid Tim and his stupid rules, and stupid Clark, and his stupid son and his stupid lack of faith.
Kon sighed for the millionth time that night. He needed to stop being so bitter. He knew he did.
“What are you watching?” Lex spoke lowly, and suddenly he was right beside him, making Kon jump. Seriously, how did he move so quietly? Kon had super hearing and he couldn’t even notice!
“Um- It’s just a kidnapping. We got it handled.”
His father hummed, as if expecting a better explanation from him. It was weird when Kon’s two worlds merged. It felt like it wasn’t allowed. Kon didn’t discuss Superboy with Lex anymore, and he didn’t discuss Conner Luthor with Clark. It was the unspoken rules they all followed.
“Um. Mrs. Robin, you know her.”
Lex frowned, as if genuinely confused.
“She’s one of the candidates running against you. For President?”
Lex’s face loosened then tightened back up, icy blue eyes narrowing in an almost reptilian way, then he landed on a mechanical open-mouthed expression, like he just remembered. “Ah. Her.”
Kon couldn’t help the laughter bubbling up his throat. “You seriously don’t remember your political opponent? She spoke against you openly! You came out with a statement against her!” Lex looked at him fondly.
“Yes, well, she was quite… unremarkable.”
That only worsened Kon’s case. He laughed so loudly his father had to gently shush him. “We’re in Gotham, Conner! People will hear and think you’re insane!”
“Oh, I’m insane, Pops?” Kon giggled, but he quieted down as requested.
Lex shook his head, but he was smiling. “I should have programmed you to be kinder to your poor father.”
Kon squawked indignantly, “So you admit you programmed me!”
The bickering continued all the way to the venue. Then, Conner grew quiet, like he always did before something big happened.
“Ready?” His father asked, as if sensing his nervousness. “Just do as I do. Stay close.”
Conner nodded, waiting for the driver to park in front of the press, for the valet to open the door, for his father to step out. He drew in a breath. Just follow his lead. He could do that. He was a good enough follower.
He stepped out and was blinded by the obnoxious flashes of cameras immediately, was deafened by the shrill screaming of reporters demanding his attention. He tried to move towards the door, arm raised high, offering his best smile for the cameras. His father placed a hand between his shoulder blades, making Kon stop for a picture. Right. Father and son.
Five whole minutes later and they were still there. It felt like they posed on that red carpet forever. Kon was well aware that Lex was trying to charm the reporters beside him. He found it disgusting. No one wanted to see a bald man doing all that. He tried to ignore him as they both finally made their way inside.
Kon would’ve breathed a sigh of relief if he didn’t know that the real battle started here. He shouldn’t even call it a battle. Battles were fun. This wasn’t. A server immediately walked in their direction. “Welcome to the annual Wayne Winter Ball. Champagne?”
Lex shot Kon a warning look before he could even move but grabbed a flute for himself. Kon smiled to the server, but Lex was already walking away, so he followed promptly.
“You know, the one thing I would thank your father for is your hair. I am glad I gave you his, it suits you well.” Lex hummed as he fixed a stray strand of Conner’s navy hair.
“I didn’t inherit yours? I’m not going to go bald?” Kon smiled teasingly.
Lex didn’t even take the bait. “No, my hair was ginger.”
Kon’s mouth dropped at the revelation. He didn’t have a chance to ask him about it, though, because a snotty group of men approached them. “Gentlemen!” His father exclaimed happily. “Have you been introduced to my son yet?”
“I’m afraid we haven’t had the pleasure!” A man smiled tightly.
Conner’s existence had only recently been revealed to the world, almost a year ago now. In the media’s eyes, he was a Luthor child that his father had concealed during his childhood for privacy, and because his mother had passed away during childbirth. She and Lex had been married, because God forbid he be a bastard child born out of wedlock. Oh, and obviously there had to be an entire fake mother persona created by Lex and his psychopathic little friends. Clara Kenry. Yeah… They weren’t subtle.
Kon wanted to die.
Three hours of this went by. Three hours of socializing and pretending to be interested about Mr. Lang’s newest yacht or Mr. Roamb’s newest fencing exploits. It got even worse when they spoke about business, every once in a while, turning to Conner with a fake, reptilian smile and sprinkling in a comment about his bright future as a Luthor. By the time politics joined the conversation, and Lex started talking about his campaign, Conner was about ready to go to bed. He wasn’t religious, but he started praying for an interruption anyways.
Apparently, God heard, because Bruce Wayne suddenly appeared at the top of a staircase, surrounded by his children and a beautiful woman Kon recognized as Selina Kyle from the tabloids. Wayne raised his champagne glass towards the crowd, and the entire room suddenly fell silent.
Conner couldn’t lie: That authority was hot as shit. He would take that opinion to his grave, though, because his fathers would skin him alive.
“Welcome, everybody!” Fuck, even his voice was hot, what the fuck? “We hope you’ve been enjoying the evening. My father began the tradition of celebrating the beginning of the holiday season all together thirty-four years ago, and it is my immense pleasure to continue that tonight, with this pleasant company. Let us all gather and enjoy a night of celebration and enjoyment but let us not forget about the true mission we are called to. It is duty to this city, and this country, to help the most vulnerable, we who are more privileged than most. So it is with great pride that I turn your attention to my son, Timothy, so he can tell you about what he’s been doing with Wayne Enterprises.”
Bruce Wayne took a step back, turning to place a hand on Timothy Drake-Wayne’s shoulder. Conner felt like he couldn’t breathe.
He was around Red Robin on the daily, sure, but Tim always wore a mask. Kon never had to be faced with… well. He’d seen interviews of him, read articles, heard about his reputation. Of course, he knew who Tim was. There wasn’t a person in the country who didn’t. He was royalty. Still, nothing could have prepared him for this.
He was wearing a black suit, obviously tailored to fit his (very fit) body perfectly, the ripple of muscle just barely visible under the sleeves of his jacket where his arms were crossed. His tie was obnoxiously loose, but it only added to his effortless charm. He didn’t even have to try. He was perfect. His hair was somewhat messy, bangs falling over his pale face, he had visible eyebags, and his demeanor was casual, but he still commanded the respect of every person in the room.
Conner could do nothing but look up at him with the rest of the peasants from where he was standing below.
He hated him. Him and his stupid eyes, and his stupid sarcasm, and his stupid air of superiority.
He was vaguely aware Tim was speaking, but nothing registered in his brain. The only thing Conner could focus on was the uncomfortable prickling of an unfamiliar feeling in his stomach. He was jealous, he realized. Tim was everything Lex wanted Conner to be. That made sense, he told himself. The confidence, the demeanor, and the larger-than-life presence were all things he’d been trying (and failing) to emulate. Timothy was everything he could never be.
And Conner was bitter, as usual.
“Come.” Lex beckoned with a hand on his son’s arm. “Let’s thank our host.”
Conner blinked. The speech was over, he realized. Bruce Wayne was walking towards them. Shit, shit, shit! At his side, both his daughter and one his sons, the one Kon had just been thinking about. He felt caught.
“Bruce! How lovely to see you! What a nice party!” Lex started, with a bright smile.
“You know I’m famous for them.” Bruce spoke, laughing like they were buddies. Conner was weirded out. This whole exchange was really creepy, considering Wayne Enterprises and Lexcorp were not on the best of terms.
“That you are, old friend.” Lex laughed, then gently pulled Conner forward. “Have you met my son?” Obviously, he wanted to say. Never as not-Superboy, though. Never long enough for Bruce to concern himself with his personality.
Conner felt three pairs of eyes turn towards him, and he physically forced his face to stop doing that weird fish thing it did when he was confused. He plastered on a smile and extended a hand. “Conner. It’s a pleasure.”
Bruce hummed, watching him closely with a calculating glint in his eyes. Conner felt uneasy. Maybe he wasn’t that hot after all “Yes, I’ve heard about your work with the hospitals in Metropolis. You’ve really come into your own, considering your extremely private childhood.”
A childhood that didn’t exist because he was born at fifteen, but sure.
“Thank you, Mr. Wayne.” He flashed his best smile.
Bruce hummed again, as if assessing him, then turned back to his father. Conner could finally breathe again, once the pretending was over. Always pretending. Like this was one big play, and they all had roles to fulfill.
“I heard about the campaign. A second term?” Bruce asked. Great. Politics again. Was it too late for Kon to kill himself?
“I still have ample support, and many plans.” Lex retorted, and oh, Conner had just realized how tense his father was. This wasn’t like the other conversation. “America needs me.”
“Does it?”
Conner looked over at the Wayne kids. At least the girl, who he recognized as Cassandra Wayne (Batgirl!), looked just as uncomfortable as he felt, even if Tim was calm as ever. He even had a tiny smile on his face, his champagne glass raised just enough for him to rest those pink lips on, like he was going to take a sip, but the sight before him was too entertaining to do anything but stare. Speaking of staring, Conner really needed to look away. Fuck Tim’s hot as hell face, honestly.
…He could admit he was hot even though he didn’t like the guy. There was nothing weird about it, all right? Kon just… had eyes, that’s all.
Looking back at Cass, though, he realized she was getting increasingly distraught at their fathers fighting.
So naturally, Conner did the only thing he could think of to politely save them both from this situation. He stepped forward, all smiles, and extended his hand gallantly, like he saw Prince Charming do when Lois forced him to watch Cinderella during movie night. Surely his father wouldn’t mind him socializing with one of the hosts. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer, and all that jazz.
“Do me the honor?” he asked, trying to let his eyes convey what he was feeling. Cassandra seemed to take the hint, because she looked relieved, face relaxing as she offered him a smile back and took his hand.
Conner tried to ignore Tim’s smile dropping and morphing into a glare as he turned his gaze back to his father. Tim’s reaction made him happy, for some reason. He felt smug. Plus, Lex looked like he approved, for once, and Bruce looked too surprised to do anything. Conner mentally patted himself on the back, then turned to throw a smirk Tim’s way. Suck on that, golden boy.
He walked with Cassandra to the dance floor, amongst the other couples. She didn’t speak at first, so he bit the bullet.
“Thank you for accepting, Cassandra. Things were getting tense.” He smiled as he twirled her around.
She giggled “Cass, please. I think Dad hates your father.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised.”
The tension melted away and Conner finally felt like there was a normal person in the room with him, acknowledging that they were surrounded by pod people.
“Your dress looks pretty.” He smiled.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Try to charm me. We can just be friends.”
And oh, if those weren’t the sweetest words Kon had heard all night.
They danced while chatting just like that. She was cool, Conner could tell. She didn’t fit in like her brother, but it was okay because Conner didn’t fit into this crowd either. At the end of the dance they exchanged numbers, wanting to chat more. As friends, because Conner had felt comfortable enough to not force himself to pretend.
They walked back towards their fathers, still laughing about a joke she’d made, when Bruce took his daughter’s hand and dragged her away. Okay so Kon definitely didn’t like him anymore.
“Conner.” Lex began, in the tone he used when he was displeased. “You looked like you enjoyed yourself.”
He rolled his eyes. “Please don’t start. I thought you’d approve. I’m only socializing.”
“She’s a Wayne. Don’t get attached.”
Conner sighed, because it wasn’t like that, really. He just wanted to make a friend. To her credit, Cass, was gorgeous. She was all pronounced features and deep, emotional eyes, but he wasn’t really interested.
He used to think he had to be interested, back in Hawaii when he surrounded himself with beautiful women to feel more in control than he was. Those first months of life were confusing, to say the least. The whole forced playboy thing stopped when he first saw Jaime Campbell Bower in Shadowhunters, because then he understood himself.
Lex seemed to take pity on him. “Maybe you should step outside to breathe for a second. You’ll come back refreshed, and I would like to introduce you to a business partner.”
Conner nodded obediently, because of course he did, and let his father guide him towards the staircase leading to the terrace. How Lex knew where that was, Conner wouldn’t ask.
He was grateful when the cold night air hit him, cooling him down. He wouldn’t get cold, perks of being Kryptonian, so he took his suit jacket off just to feel the wind a little more powerfully. He sighed, closing his eyes and running a tired hand through his hair. The styling gel was already mostly out of it; Lex wouldn’t care if he messed it up a little more.
Someone cleared their throat. Shit.
Conner quickly opened his eyes and stood ram-rod straight, only to meet an amused Tim Drake’s eye.
“Tired?” he asked, smirk pulling at his mouth.
“Shut up.” Conner retorted defensively.
“Did you see the video I sent? I’m looking into the trucking company later tonight, and then I-”
“Do we have to work now? Do you never let yourself rest?” Kon groaned, because he was exhausted.
Then, golden boy did the unthinkable: He paused, shrugged, and pulled out a cigarette, sticking it between his flushed lips and lighting it, one hand shielding the flame from the wind.
Conner’s mouth dropped.
“How was your dance with my sister?” Tim questioned teasingly.
“She’s nice.” Was Kon’s only answer. He was confused. This was definitely not the Tim who’d made the nice speech, or the Tim who’d charmed interviewer after interviewer, or the Tim who was CEO of Wayne Enterprises, the Tim that Conner wanted to be. It definitely wasn’t Red Robin either, because that Tim had a stick up his ass too. That Tim wouldn’t smoke, wouldn’t be actively loosening his tie to take it off, wouldn’t be poking fun at him.
“I think she likes you.” He said, as if that was the funniest thing in the world.
“Plenty of people do.” Kon grumbled. Tim snorted. That little bitch.
Then he had the audacity to speak again. “Of course they do.”
Kon was offended for a moment, but only for a moment, before he frowned. Tim hadn’t sounded mean when he said it. He sounded… sad? There was a brief moment where his face had dropped and his eyes shimmered in the darkness, eyebrows pulling together. Maybe if Kon wasn’t superhuman, he wouldn’t have caught Tim’s mask slipping. But he was, and he did.
And suddenly, watching this strange man smoke alone, facing the vast expanse of his city, Conner felt like he’d made a terrible mistake.
“I’m sorry” he had to say.
Tim frowned, his mouth twitching as if he were amused again. “For?”
Conner could feel his face heating up at the attention. “Nothing, nevermind, sorry.”
Tim just raised a perfectly-plucked eyebrow, unimpressed. “Say it.”
“Uhm- sorry for treating you like you aren’t human, I guess. I’m sorry if I was an ass. I guess I never stopped to think that golden-boy Timothy was just another guy. Even during work, you’re just so… I guess I… dehumanized you, or something, in my brain. That wasn’t fair. So, I’m sorry.” Conner cringed at his own words.
Tim hummed and looked at him with those piercing blue-green eyes of his, pinning Conner in his place. Tim seemed confused, almost, and Kon shuffled uncomfortably, suddenly feeling out of place. Maybe that had been a weird thing to say. He hadn’t even been that outwardly rude, so what the hell was he saying sorry for? Stupid Conner. Before he could apologize again, Tim beckoned him over with a slight nod of his head.
Conner cautiously stepped towards the railing Tim was leaning against, accepting the cigarette Tim extended towards him, acutely aware the boy was still looking at him. He took a drag, though he knew his superhuman body wouldn’t feel anything. “You’re not what I thought you’d be.” Tim broke the silence, still looking at him after a minute of passing the cigarette back and forth.
“No?” Conner questioned when the other boy turned towards the city.
“No. I mean, I know Superboy, to some extent. I know how your mind works. But I thought Luthor’s son would be… It doesn’t matter.” He trailed off, then added after a moment of tense silence, “You’re definitely not balding, which is a plus.”
Conner laughed self-consciously. “I’m only nineteen, you never know.”
Silence fell again. It wasn’t awkward though, it was peaceful, restful. Like the hum of Gotham at night created a bubble, and Tim and Conner were able to breathe, nestled inside. Not as a Wayne or a Luthor. Not as Superboy or Red Robin. Just as Tim and Conner.
“Is everything okay, Tim?” Conner couldn’t resist asking, because he’d looked so sad earlier.
Tim smiled, but not like he had inside, when he was pretending. It was small, charming, almost shy. Like he wasn’t excepting someone to see it.
He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, thinking. He looked at Kon again. Every time he did, Kon would feel something uncomfortable shift in his stomach. Tim seemed to come to a decision about whatever he was debating, because he sighed, letting the mask drop once again.
“I guess I’m just tired. A lot going on but it’s like I’m still not doing enough, you know?”
Kon nodded. Tim looked… different. Like he wasn’t performing anymore. It suited him.
“You of all people should be proud of what you’re doing. You’re literally what my father wishes I was.”
Tim let out a half-hearted chuckle. Maybe Kon had said the wrong thing.
“I think you’re being too hard on yourself.” Tim said. “You’re doing great work in Young Justice, and you’re helping people as Conner. I saw your last business endeavor. Hospitals. Noble.” He paused momentarily, taking a drag. Conner couldn’t speak.
“You haven’t been in the spotlight for long. Your existence was announced to the world, what, six months ago? I’ve been in the spotlight all my life.”
“Maybe we’re both being too hard on ourselves.” Conner compromised, for lack of anything better to offer.
Tim hummed. Conner passed him the cigarette, and when Tim took it, their fingers brushed.
“Maybe we could… pretend, you know? Just for right now, that we don’t have a reason to be hard on ourselves.” he continued, because Conner never knew when to shut up. “That we’re just two regular bros chilling, talking about how hot Stacy from biology is.”
Tim laughed, actually laughed! “You’re so fucking weird.”
Conner gasped in mock-offense, but there was a smile spreading on his face. “Hey! Cass likes me!”
Tim raised his eyebrows. Conner raised his own defiantly. “Do you like her?” Tim questioned.
That took Conner by surprise. “Yeah, she’s super nice. Nicer than you, for sure.”
“Conner. Do you like her? Do I have to murder you and hide your body?” Tim spoke to him like he was a child. Conner could feel heat crawling up his neck.
“What? No, Cass- she’s great but she’s um- not my type.” He rushed to say, stumbling over his own words.
Tim hummed. He seemed to do that a lot, probably when he was thinking hard.
“I’m gay, so…” Kon blurted out, because of course he did. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Now that seemed to surprise Tim, and then that expression twisted into something else, something Conner couldn’t recognize, but something he didn’t like. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“It’s okay, really.”
“I, uhm- Excuse me.”
And just like that, Tim was gone, fleeing back inside, away from the weirdo. And Conner was alone on the rooftop. Well, so much for that budding friendship. He had to go and fuck it up, like he always did.
No screw that. If Tim was homophobic then he was the asshole.
He wasn’t even someone Kon wanted to be friends with anyways, what with the massive stick up his ass.
Yeah. For sure. Cass was the better Wayne anyways.