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(Dick is still with the Titans, while Bruce meets Tim)
His parents left on a trip and promised theyβd be back two weeks agoβ¦ but itβs been longer than that now. Itβs not the first time theyβve left him alone longer than promised, but stillβ¦
He doesnβt want nearby pods or predators to notice heβs on his own, so he keeps close to the edges of the estate, hiding in the shadows and staying quiet. But itβs so booooring. And Itβs also been a while since he last saw the Wayne pod pass by in the distance.
Finally, curiosity wins. He drifts a little farther out everyday and thatβs when he realizes something is strange.
Mr. Wayne looks more lost than ever. He swims aimlessly, too aggressive, and Tim hasnβt seen anyone else from his pod for a while either.
Over time, Tim starts following him. Quietly. Carefully. When Bruce finally notice him, heβs startled. He didnβt expect his shadow to be a small kid.
Whatβs a child doing this far from his own pod? Alone, wearing a bracelet, no parents anywhere? Bruce calls out but Tim dodges his questions, then disappears again. But he keeps coming back. Heβs too bored, too lonely, and thereβs something oddly comforting about someone noticing and asking if heβs okay.
Bruce starts slowing his patrols, staying closer. He canβt let a child drift alone. Sometimes, he even brings food, courtesy of Alfred.
Little by little, the truth starts to slip out. Bruce offers to let Tim stay with him and Alfred, at least until his parents return.
And if being here lets him find out what happened to the rest of the podβ¦
he wonβt pretend he isnβt curious.
