Chapter Text
“This is ridiculous, Timothy!” Jack screamed. Timmy flinched, tears pricking at the corner of his eyes. “The Drake heir reduced to thievery?”
Janet clicked her tongue, disapproval dripping from her tone. “Really, do you have any idea how the public is going to take this? It will take at least a week for the publicity to die down!”
Tim bit his lip, holding back the sobs that yearned to rack his small frame. Tim really didn’t mean to get his parents in trouble, he was just so hungry.
They were in Metropolis for two weeks settling some deal with LexCorp, and had trusted Tim to take care of the house while they were away. Jack insisted that Tim was old enough.
“You’re, what, ten years old? I think you can handle things on your own, right, sport?” Tim hadn’t bothered correcting his father that he was actually eight; he learned there was no use.
But after his parents left, Tim realized how empty the pantry and the refrigerator were. Tim had never felt so hungry in his life.
And Tim had tried! He rationed his food, skipped meals, and he even stopped exploring Gotham at night to preserve as much energy as possible. But eventually, his stomach rebelled and he had no choice but to find some alternate means of sustenance.
He emptied his piggy bank and walked to the nearest convenience store with a whopping three dollars and seventy-three cents. Barely enough for a chocolate bar.
“Excuse me,” Tim squeaked over the register. The burly bearded man covered in tattoos glanced up from his phone. His bushy eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Well, hey there, squirt,” he smiled, showing yellowing teeth. “What can I do for ya?”
Tim placed his purchases (a bag of Doritos, some protein bars, and an Alani) on the counter. “Just this please!”
The man hesitated only a moment before he shrugged and bagged the groceries. But when Tim slapped his measly allowance on the counter, the man deflated.
“Sorry, kid, this ain’t gonna cover it.” The man did sound genuinely sorry. Tim felt bad for him. Especially when Tim snatched the bag and ran.
After embarrassingly slamming into the exit door after the clerk locked it, he waited anxiously as the cops were called and soon, his parents.
“Timothy, are you even listening?” Tim blinked, unaware of when he started to zone out. Jack was already stomping up the driveway. Janet just glared at Tim.
Tim swallowed. “Nuh-uh, ‘m sorry,” he mumbled.
Janet rolled her eyes. She opened the car door, muttering to herself, “Insolent child.” The door slammed shut, and Tim was finally alone.
And then he broke down in tears.
===
A month later, after three galas and countless DI meetings, his mother and father left for South Africa. A new digsite had just been opened and they were determined to beat everyone to it.
“Mrs. Mac will come by to deliver pre-made meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as making sure the artifacts are clean and secure,” Janet told Tim as she finished packing her suitcase.
“But, Mother,” Tim whined, “what about school? What if I run out of food again?”
Jack strolled in. “Oh, do shut up, Timothy. You’ll be fine.” He dug around in his pocket, pulling out a shiny black card. “This is a larger allowance. We don’t want a repeat of last month.” He shoved the card at Tim. Tim took it gingerly and cradled it like something precious.
Five minutes later, the door slammed shut, a sickening sort of silence settling over the manor. Tim stood in the foyer, feeling off-kilter. He shuffled to the living room and flipped on a random news station.
“Tonight we’ve received exclusive footage of Gotham’s newest vigilante,” the news lady said excitedly.
A shaky clip began playing. A flashy figure in red, green, and gold weaved through thugs on a rooftop, taking them down with childlike ease. After they were on the ground in various degrees of consciousness, the boy threw a two-fingered salute at the camera and leapt off the roof, spinning four times before shooting a grapple and swinging away.
That snapped Tim out of the hazy daze he found himself trapped in. He blinked, gears turning in his head.
“That was our first look at Batman’s partner, Robin,” the lady declared. Tim frowned, then gasped.
“Holy shamoly,” he breathed. “Bruce Wayne is Batman!”