awhitehead17

“Y’know, I can think of plenty of other places to sit and enjoy the view than here? Want to know what ones are my favourites?”

Tim doesn’t jump when a voice suddenly speaks next to him. He’d have to be feeling things for that to happen. He merely glances over and finds Superboy hovering beside him and without any prompting the supe sits down next to him and mirrors his position.

Tim hums before looking away again. “I’m good, thanks though.”

He shivers when the wind whips by him and he tucks his hands into his front pockets and continues to stare out at the view of Gotham City from this vantage point. He’s sat on top of one of the tallest buildings within the city. His legs dangle over the edge, people down below appear like ants moving around in their busy lives even at this time, the lights and sounds are nothing more than blurs and echoes.

“Nice night, right?” Superboy speaks up.

Tim sends him a scornful look, not appreciating the company right now. He’s sat on top of this building to be alone, this hero is fucking that up.

“Why are you here? Don’t you have a cat up a tree to save or something?” Tim snarks.

He knows the real reason why Superboy is here. Here as in Gotham, not here as in why he’s currently lounging with Tim on top of a building at two in the morning. Despite having stopped following – stalking – Batman and Robin years ago, Tim never gave up learning everything he could about the vigilantes and their associates.

Superboy snorts and leans back on his elbows as he relaxes next to Tim. “Wrong supe wearing the ‘S’ there, man. That’s Superman’s gig, not mine.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

Superboy sits up, turning his body to face him and Tim meets his gaze with a raised eyebrow. It doesn’t go unnoticed how attractive the guy is. This is the first time Tim’s met Superboy in person but he’s seen photos and videos of the man and they certainly don’t do him justice. Flawless skin, sparkling blue eyes, pink lips, fluffy black hair, sharp jaw line. He has it all.

The grin showing his perfect white teeth drops from Superboy’s face as he grows serious. He leans in slightly towards Tim, gesturing loosely with a hand. “I don’t need to say why I’m here do I?”

Tim breathes heavily, feeling the pit in his stomach deepen as he turns back to look over the city. “I’m not going to do it.”

Superboy was silent for a moment. “Maybe, maybe not. You look like you could do with someone to talk to though.”

“I don’t.” Tim snaps harshly. “Now fuck off and leave me alone. I’m not going to jump so you can stop wasting your time.”

The hero does not in fact fuck off. Instead he leans closer to Tim, allowing Tim to get a whiff of his cologne, an enticing woodsy yet cinnamony scent. Tim hates how much he instantly likes it

Superboy stays close as he locks his gaze with Tim’s. “I happen to think that I’m not wasting my time here, so I’m going to stay here as long as I want.”

Tim sends him the coldest glare he could and what he gets in return is a beaming smile. Tim huffs in disbelief at the audacity of this supe. Tim knows if he gets up to leave, Superboy would win whatever this is, and if he stays the hero will carry on pestering him until he leaves anyway. Tim has the patience of a saint, but he has a feeling Superboy will be stubborn enough to match it. He’s in a catch 22 and doesn’t like it.

The two of them stay on top of the building in companionable silence until the sun breaks the horizon the following morning. Tim’s body had long gone numb from both the chilling wind and from sitting still for so long.

Next to him, Superboy lets out a long groan and gets to his feet, dramatically stretching as he does so. “Well, here’s to a new day right?”

Tim stares at him, not moving, wondering what the hell was happening. Superboy doesn’t seem to be bothered by his lack of response, instead he grins sunnily and holds a hand out towards him. “C’mon, it’s time to go I think.”

“I’m good thanks.” Tim’s protest didn’t have as much heat behind it as it did earlier in the night. He’s admittedly grown tired, his body is numb, however he’s too stubborn to admit defeat even hours later.

“How about some coffee? Or breakfast? My treat.” The guy looks at Tim with a hopeful expression and Tim feels his walls start to crack. The damn hero is like a golden retriever.

Somehow he finds the willpower to deny him again. “No. I’m good.” He does however, finally get to his feet, stumbling as he does so which Superboy is quick to react by grabbing his arm and steadying him. Tim shoves him away and groans as he stretches his stiff body.

“You can go now. I’m heading home.” Tim tells him tersely.

Superboy sends him a disbelieving look, which fair enough, but still. Tim huffs and starts making his way towards the building’s rooftop door. Neither of them say anything as Tim disappears through the door and starts making his way down the stairs.

He has no idea what prompted Superboy to sit with him for hours that night. In the back of his head, something he’d never admit out loud, and now he’s looking back on it, Tim is kind of glad for the company. Does it fix his mental health or state of wellbeing, no, but it’s something even if he can’t describe what it is.  

=====

Tim made it three days before the urge got the best of him. It’s an improvement considering the last time was 24 hours.

Without thinking he makes his way through Gotham in some sort of daze, not registering anything or anyone he passes. He’s just another body in the sea of people of this overpopulated city. No one important. No one anyone would miss if he suddenly disappeared.

Eventually he makes it to his destination and settles down with his legs hanging over the ledge of Gotham’s tallest bridge. There’s a small latch after a set of stairs where maintenance workers would use for access to the highest parts of the bridge, it didn’t take much to pick the lock and work his way up the dodgy ladder and into the open air on top of the bridge.

Just like last time, cool wind whips by him, everything down below is nothing more than sounds and blurs. Tim breathes deeply and lets his mind wonder. A dangerous thing really, but what else is there to do?

His intentions of getting up high is unclear. A part of him wants too. By god does he want to end it all. How easy would it be to just let go and that’s that. No more worries. No more thoughts. No more pain. Blissful nothing.

It’s getting harder to get through each day, the temptation to end it all is increasing as the desire to live decreases. He has no friends, no family, a job that barely pays, a crippling debt left to him by his father, and his obsession and hobby is stalking strangers who dress up in spandex.

While he currently has a roof over his head and clothes on his back, he can’t say for how much longer either of those things will be available to him. Thanks to his father all of Tim’s money is spent paying back an unfeasible amount of debt with little else to spend on necessities. It won’t be much longer until he’s forced out onto the streets. Would he be able to survive that? Would he even want to? Why wait for the inevitable when he can just prevent it from ever happening?

“Hello again, stranger. Fancy meeting you here.”

Tim sighs as a familiar voice speaks up. He blinks his eyes open from where they had been closed and eyes Superboy who is floating in front of him. The sight of him sends an unrecognisable sensation through him. His heartbeat picks up and he fights to remain stoic as he stares at the attractive hero before him.

“Why are you here? Isn’t Metropolis your home, Superboy?”

Grinning widely, like Tim’s questions absolutely thrilled him, Superboy leans in. “Aw, you keeping tabs on me?”

“No.” Yes. Goddammit. Tim knew Superboy’s been travelling between the cities because he’s helping support Robin as Batman and Nightwing are out of the city on a diplomatic mission or something alike. He may have been keeping a closer eye on the Kryptonian since their last meeting.

“My offer still stands,” Superboy drawls, “I can show you the city from a different view. From a much more stable viewpoint.”

Tim rolls his eyes, tucking his hands into his jumper. “Why do that when I can view the city just fine here?”

Why is he even engaging with Superboy?

Superboy huffs. This is the first time Tim’s seeing something other than the friendly golden retriever exterior on the hero. “Y’know I can just force you down. I don’t need your permission to do that.”

Tim shrugs nonchalantly, unfazed by the threat. “You could, but you won’t.”

“I might.” Superboy grits his teeth. The sight of him restraining his frustration has Tim grinning for no apparent reason.

When was the last time he genuinely smiled?

Damn this hero for making him do so.

“But you won’t.” Tim repeats confidently.

Superboy twitches in the air, as he if physically stopped himself from grabbing Tim just then. The movement makes Tim snort and he shakes his head.

“Y’know, if I really wanted to, I would. There wouldn’t be a way for you to stop me. You may prevent me from jumping but you can’t watch me 24/7.” Tim tells him, letting go of the grin and turns his gaze back to the glowing city.

From his peripheral Tim watches as Superboy sits down next to him. “Perhaps. But if I can prevent this particular time then that’s something.”

Tim looks down. He watches as cars drive by underneath him and wonders what are the chances of him hitting a car first compared to hitting the ground first. At night the bridge is significantly less busy than during the day but there’s still a steady flow of traffic.

Would it be better to hit a car first or just straight concrete?

“For the love of god, no!”

A hand on his shoulder grabbing him makes Tim blink and he realises he had been leaning dangerously forward. An inch or two more he would have gone if Superboy hadn’t been holding onto him. Oh. Whoops.

“Whatever you are thinking, just stop, dude.” Superboy says pulling Tim into his side.

Tim tenses unsure on how to react. He wants to break away from the contact, although, it’s kind of nice? When was the last time someone touched him? When was the last time he received a hug? Superboy sighs and wraps an arm around his shoulders and rests his head on top of Tim’s. Tim stiffens at the action but doesn’t try to pull away. 

It takes some time and eventually Tim settles into Superboy’s side, selfishly enjoying the closeness of the other boy. He’s probably only hugging Tim to keep him from really going over the edge after all. The now familiar scent of cinnamon and woodsy combination hits Tim’s nose and he breathes deeply, enjoying the unexplainable comfort it gives him.

Just like last time, they stay in silence up until the sun appears over the horizon. A gentle nudge has time bolting up right and he instantly feels his face heat up at the realisation he had been dozing on Superboy’s shoulder.

“Oh jeeze.” Tim breathes. He scrambles to his feet, ignoring the way his legs shake as he forces them to move after being stationary for so long. “Sorry.”

Thankfully Superboy doesn’t bring attention to it. He shrugs and also gets to his feet, it doesn’t go unnoticed by Tim how he’s placed himself between Tim and the ledge. The thought sobers him and Tim scowls, his mood immediately souring.

“Well thanks I guess.” He hunches over, burying his hands into the hoodie he’s wearing and makes his way to the dodgy ladder. “See you around.”

Tim doesn’t give Superboy a chance to reply because he’s already scaling down the ladder desperately wanting to get away. He can’t say where the sudden urge to run has come from but it’s there and the feeling too overwhelming to be able to ignore.

======

Another two days later, Tim finds himself huddled next to an old gargoyle overlooking the city. He has to admit he can’t recall how he ended up on top of the clocktower. One moment he had been signing off work and the next he’s breathing in cold air with the wind whipping against his face a hundred or so meters above the ground.

A warning letter arrived the previous day, telling Tim money is due for both his father’s debt and his rent, and how if he doesn’t pay it within the next several days then he’ll be evicted. Or worse. Tim sighs heavily and leans against the cold stone of the gargoyle.

“What’s the point? I’m fighting a losing battle here.” He muses out loud.

He should have known better than to speak out loud. Moments a later, a familiar voice pipes up as the owner comes into Tim’s view in front of him.

“What are you fighting and why are you losing?”

Superboy floats in front of him, arms crossed and wearing his usual black, blue and red suit where the ‘S’ sits on his chest. The supe cocks his head to the side, an action Tim refuses to think of as cute.

Tim scowls at the supe. “That’s none of your concern.”

“What if I can help?”

“You can’t.”

“What if I can? That's what I do, y’know. I help people.”

“Not this person you can’t.”

Unbothered by Tim’s frosty attitude, Superboy squeezes himself in beside Tim and the gargoyle. It’s a tight squeeze considering how broad the supe is and it leaves Tim pressed up against Superboy’s side and the damp stone wall. Warmth encases one side which counteracts the chill from the other and he hates the way his face heats up at the close proximity of them together.

Only if they could be pressed against one another for a different reason…

“Hey, talk to me. Maybe I can really help.”

With the way Superboy’s voice has gone low and sincere it almost brings Tim to tears. When was the last time anyone else showed Tim care?

Voice thick with emotion, Tim shakes his head. “No. I don’t want your help. I don’t need your help.”

Gods, could he sound any more pathetic? His breath catches in his throat and Tim closes his eyes in order to concentrate on not falling apart. There’s a heavy weight in his chest, an increasing pressure pressing down on him, suffocating him. He takes a deep breath and lets it out shakily. When he breathes again it comes out as a hiccup and the pressure goes to his throat as his eyes begin to tear up.

Stupid. This is stupid, he’s stupid, what's the fucking point…

“Hey, hey, c’mon now.”  

Tim couldn’t keep in the sob that breaks out of him when Superboy’s soft voice reaches his ears. He ducks his head and clenches his hair in tight fists.

“It’s okay, let it out. Let it all out.”

It’s when Superboy’s arm wraps around Tim’s shoulder’s and as he tugs him even closer to his side that Tim finally breaks. Releasing a gut wrenching sob Tim clings onto the hero beside him. His hands clench onto his jacket and he turns his face into the boy’s shoulder. Everything Tim had been supressing comes out in one big ugly mess. He struggles to breathe, as every attempt is caught in a hitch of a sob, his eyesight is nothing but a blur and his nose is snotty and running.

To Superboy’s credit he doesn’t push Tim away. He gently consoles him in a soft tone, one hand running soothingly through Tim’s hair, and he’s a warm presence melting the ice inside Tim’s veins.

By the time Tim’s crying subsides, he’s got a headache as if there’s a jackhammer inside his skull, his nose is full of snot making it difficult to breathe and he’s left feeling wrung out and exhausted in a completely different sense than his usual state. Superboy doesn’t yet push him away so Tim stays where he is. His hands continue to clench his jacket and his face is tucked against his neck.

Time drifts by and Tim listens to the sounds of the city as he calms down from his emotional onslaught. It’s almost soothing in a way that's familiar.

Eventually though Superboy gently shifts and guides Tim’s head off his shoulder. Tim refuses to open his eyes, scared of what expression the boy may be wearing. God knows what Tim’s appearance looks like after that dramatic show. There’s a rustling of fabric then suddenly a soft press of cloth is pressing against Tim’s face, wiping his eyes, cheeks and nose.

“I think that was a long time coming, no?” Superboy says quietly, putting away the cloth. “Probably done you some good even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. Feels cathartic, or some shit like that.”

Despite himself, Tim huffs out a laugh. “Only if having a breakdown could solve all my problems.”

Tim finally opens his eyes and immediately finds Superboy’s face. The other boy is staring at him intently without any judgement. Tim doesn’t know what to make of that. Disdain or judgement Tim could have understood, he then could’ve felt embarrassed or even angered, however the sympathetic expression on his face throws him off balance.

Superboy blinks and raises a hand, he cups Tim’s cheek attentively as if he’s something precious and strokes a thumb under his eye wiping away a tear Tim had unknowingly shed. How he has any tears left he has no idea.

Tim breathes deeply and leans into the hand. His gaze drops to Superboy’s lips and sudden desire surges through Tim. What would his lips feel like? Are they as soft as they look? Is the hero a rough kisser or a thorough and coaxing kisser. Why does Tim really want to find out?

No. No. He can’t go there. He can’t fall for the one person whose shown him kindness since he could last remember. Also why the fuck would someone like Superboy want to be with someone like Tim? He literally just had a breakdown on the poor man, the last thing he wants is to be dealing with Tim’s shit.

Then again, why does Superboy keep finding him? What was the saying? Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.

What are the chances that Superboy is seeking him out? What are the chances that Tim is seeking Superboy out instead?

Right. Enough of that.

Tim forces himself to move away from Superboy. He straightens himself and sits as they were before Tim broke, pressed together side by side.

He clears his throat awkwardly. “Sorry. Dealing with someone having a breakdown isn’t in your job description.”

He feels the supe shrug. “Maybe not, doesn’t mean I won’t help where I can. Want to talk about it?”

His first instinct is to refuse. It’s none of Superboy’s concern, it’s not like he could help with anything going on in Tim’s life. However there’s something inside him that has Tim hesitating. He’s just snotted all over the poor guy, perhaps he could tell him, at this point it won’t make much of a difference anyway.

Tim sighs and looks out over the gloomy city. “My mental health is shit. I feel like ending it all would be easier than dealing with anything. My dear old dad’s left me with a crippling debt with a local mobster from his time gambling. I’m behind on rent and am one moment away from being evicted. While I do work, the pay is shit and I don’t have qualifications to be able to get a decent job despite being intelligent and competent enough to do so. My computer skills are top notch. I have no friends. No family. No one will miss me if I suddenly cease to exist.”

He grins and holds his thumbs up sarcastically to Superboy before dropping them and staring back out over the city. Tim feels no different having told the supe what’s going on than when he had been silent on the matter.

“That’s rough.” Superboy says after a moment of silence. “I’m sorry that’s all going on for you right now.”

It’s clinical and Tim fights the urge to roll his eyes. “That’s life for you.”

“Well one of those things you said isn’t true.”

Tim fights the urge a second time as Superboy doesn’t follow up his comment. He rolls his hand lazily, “which is…”

“You would be missed. I would miss you.”

He pierces Tim with an intense look that Tim feels right down to his core. He feels himself heat up from the stare and refuses to fidget because of it.

“You don’t know me enough to miss me.” A second thought occurs to him. “Do you even know my name?” It’s never come up before so Tim has no idea.

The Kryptonian laughs and shakes his head amused. “No I don’t. You keep running away before I get the chance to ask you.” He quickly grows serious. “I would like to get to know you though. You may be going through some things but I think we’d be great friends, you say you have no friends, let me be your friend.”

Tim’s face scrunches as he thinks it over. “Are you even allowed to be friends with civilians? Also you seem to be forgetting, we’re in Gotham. Batman ain’t going to let it slide you visiting here. You’re only here to help Robin out.”

Superboy raises an eyebrow, a small grin on his face. “Know a lot about the local vigilantes, do we?”

Nope, not going there. Tim will tell him about his struggles, but like hell will he be telling him about his Batman and Robin obsession.

“So what is it?”

“What’s what?” Tim asks dumbly.

“Your name.”

“It’s Tim.”

He watches as Superboy mouth’s his name a few times, getting the feel for it. Superboy then turns his sunny grin on Tim, making him feel things he shouldn’t, and asks, “Well Tim, it’s getting late, would you allow me to take you home?”

Tim knows what he means, but he opened the door so of course was going to walk through it.

“Take me home? You propositioning me, Superboy? Preying on a weak, mentally unstable boy to warm your bed for the night?”

It was comical watching Superboy’s eyes bug out of his head. He straightens and waves his hands about. “What! No! No, no, no. That is not what I meant at all.” He lets out a sharp breath. “Would you allow me to escort you home?”

Tim quirks an eyebrow. The gift that keeps on giving. “Would that make me the escort, or you?”

As the supe facepalms and groans, Tim cackles. The sudden smile hurts his cheeks and Tim had forgotten what it was like to laugh unashamedly. Superboy gives Tim a side-eyed glance and pouts adorably.

“Would you let me make sure you get home safe tonight? Please?”

All humour subsides as Superboy’s reason for asking comes to light. Not that it would take a rocket scientist to work it out, but still. Tim instinctively goes to refuse but for a second time that night the words get caught in his throat and instead he finds himself nodding. Thankfully Superboy doesn’t make a big deal out it. Tim bets he wants to, especially if the grin he’s trying to suppress tells him anything but the supe stays quiet.

Quietly they make their way to Tim’s shitty apartment. While feeling drained and exhausted more than usual, albeit for a different reason tonight, it’s the most content Tim has felt in a long time. Has it solved anything, no. However it’s given him something he hasn’t had for a while, the simple thing of companionship. Even that he knows will not last as Superboy is due to return back to Metropolis soon as Batman and Night are due back in Gotham meaning Robin will no longer need the extra support.

=======

A week later, Tim stares at the collection of pills in his hands. They appear harmless, like pieces of candy, but have the power to severely harm or even end a life.

Tim breath catches in his throat and he gasps, the all too consuming pressure on his chest effectively suffocating him. He glances up into the bathroom mirror and finds a hollow face staring back at him. Sunken and bruised eyes, shallow cheeks, greasy hair and greying skin. How did he end up like this?

Five days ago, only two after he had broken down in Superboy’s arms, Tim found himself on top of the bridge again, only this time he had different intentions even if he wasn’t admitting it to anybody. Unfortunately reality came knocking and that night he didn’t see Superboy. He hates how disappointed he found himself to be once dawn broke and there had been no sign of the handsome Kryptonian.

Two days after that, the debt collectors came calling. Despite it not being the deadline they claimed their boss had decided Tim needed to pay up faster so they came to sort things out. They broke into Tim’s apartment, stole the few items that had value, such as his laptop, his phone and his television, beaten Tim bloody and fucked off leaving behind the message he had a week left to pay off the rest of the debt.

The day after that Tim had been fired from his shitty job. Since he had no laptop and couldn’t work they fired him on the spot and used the excuse on how his performance had been less than satisfactory for a long time. Just to top that off he received another letter with a final date of his eviction.

It had been the straw that broke the camels back.

Tim tracked down some black market pills he knows would do the trick. Going out from a height lost its appeal, a small voice in the back of his mind telling him he couldn’t do that to Superboy, to use that method, after their nights spent together Tim couldn’t tarnish the last happy memories he has.

Now, a day after getting the pills, he sits on his toilet with the pills in hand, staring at them knowing this is it. No one would know. How long would it be until his body is discovered? When the eviction people come to make sure he actually leaves the apartment or when the debt collectors come?

Gods does it matter? They don’t care about him. No one does. Why is he hesitating on taking the pills? He just needs to do it and be done with it.

“You would be missed. I would miss you.”

The words hit him like a sledgehammer and Tim gasps. He chokes on a sob and tears start streaming down his face. Gods he’s so stupid. Superboy was just saying those things because it’s what someone would say in those circumstances. Superboy doesn’t really care about him. Or does he?

Forcing himself to take a deep breath, Tim makes a decision. He straightens up and puts the pills back into the bottle they came from.

Not today.

========

The following night Tim finds himself high up above the ground once again. He spent the day in bed, numb to everything happening, hiding underneath his thin blanket, and only resurfacing when the urge to get high got the best of him. Without thinking he dressed, left his apartment and in a haze made his way to one of his preferred city vantage spots.

He doesn’t know how long he sits there. The cold wind brushing against his cheeks, the sounds of everyday life meters below him. It’s only when a scrape of gravel could be heard that Tim comes to life, his heart stutters, hope blossoms inside him, and as he turns he’s finds Robin striding towards him.

Despite full damn well knowing it wasn’t going to be Superboy, Tim had let himself hope and now there’s nothing but crushing disappointment inside him.

Tim turns back around and faces the city, he ignores as Robin, someone who he had once idolized, sits beside him and lights up a cigarette.

“I’m guessing I’m not who you wanted to see, huh?” There’s a mixture of amusement and yet soft understanding in his tone as he speaks. He blows out a cloud of smoke and swings his legs as they dangle over the edge.

“That’s okay. I’m used to it, especially when I’m with Nightwing and Batman.”

Tim doesn’t say anything, both not in the mood for a conversation and because he doesn’t know what to say. Had this interaction been a few years ago, Tim probably would have combusted from excitement but now, there’s just an empty hole inside him making it difficult to care about much these days.

There’s another puff of smoke.

Tim couldn’t help but snort. “Aren’t you supposed to be epitome of health? Surely smoking will hinder your performance, how can you run around all night smoking?”

Robin turns to look at him. His mouth is curved in an amused grin while his mask sits over his eyes not letting Tim see them. His hair is a black mop on his head, windswept and messy.

“You wanna talk about health?”

“Touché.” That is not at all what Tim had been implying. “I’m not going to do it.” Now it feels like he’s having déjà vu.

Robin’s quiet for a moment as he lets out one more puff of smoke before stubbing out his cigarette and placing it aside. Before the hero could say anything Tim jumps in again.

“What do you want?” He’s feeling grumpy and it comes out in his tone of voice. Is he on Gotham watch or something? Surely these guys are busy enough without having to feel the need to babysit Tim.

“I’m here as a favour to my best friend.” Robin comments eventually, his mouth is set in firm line now and a sense of seriousness comes over the young hero. “As well as not wanting someone to die on my watch if I can help it.”

Tim hates the way body perks up at the slightest mention of Superboy. “How is Superboy? Haven’t seen him around.”

He tries for nonchalance but Tim feels like he’s missed the mark. Of course he already knows about the situation and the fact why Superboy isn’t here, it would be suspicious if he didn’t ask. Especially since it seems like the Kryptonian has been talking about him.

“He’s good, but has been rather mopey lately. I wonder why that is?” He grins knowingly. Before Tim could think of anything to say about the other hero, Robin’s smile drops as he continues speaking.

“I’ve been trying to find you, you’re a hard man to track down Tim Drake.” Even through the mask he wears, Tim could feel his burning gaze. “Superboy tells me you’re good with computers, and how your currently in a tight spot.”

A ‘tight spot’ is putting it lightly.

“So?” Tim doesn’t know where this is going. He doesn’t care Robin knows his name. It’s not like he’s done anything wrong. They may be able to track his dad’s actions, although they couldn’t do anything about it. Several years too late for that.

Robin digs into his utility belt and pulls out a crisp clean brown envelope. For a moment Tim’s more interested in knowing how the hero kept it so perfect inside his belt than it’s contents.

“I’m here to offer you a low-paid intern ship at Wayne Enterprises. There are a couple spots open in different departments, one of which you can choose from, and then if you perform well, there’s a chance you can be taken on full-time afterwards.”

He holds out the envelope to Tim who stares at it dumbfounded. He blinks for several moments trying to understand what Robin just said.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Internship. At Wayne Enterprises. It’s yours if you want it.”  

“I don’t understand.”

It’s ridiculously easy to know Robin rolls his eyes under the mask. “I know it’s hard to believe but Superboy spoke to me about your situation and I spoke to Batman who spoke to Bruce Wayne. There’s an internship with your name on it, if you want it.”

As if Batman and Bruce Wayne weren’t one the same. Not that Tim should know that, he has to remind himself most people don’t actually know that information.

“Why me? If you’ve spoken to Superboy then you’re aware how fucked in the head I am. It’s only gotten worse since he last saw me.”

“I’m aware,” Robin stats firmly, “and I think we have an opportunity to help you out, help you get better. If that’s what you want. We start with your financial situation, get you housed somewhere, give you a purpose for each day, and then help you everywhere else.”

It’s too good to be true. Less than 24 hours ago he was ready to swallow a handful of pills and now he’s being offered an internship at one of the biggest enterprises on the planet.

“I don’t have the qualifications.” Tim says dumbly looking at the envelope. He still hasn’t taken it from Robin’s outstretched hand.

“You said you were good with computers. If not you can learn. As I said, there are different departments taking on and also why it’s an internship, to see what you’re capable of.”

“I’m in major debt with a local gang thanks to my father.”

Tim may as well let Robin know who he’s offering this golden ticket too. Also to make it clear why Tim is unworthy of the offer. Robin grins at him like Tim’s amusing him with all his arguments. At this point Robin is just humouring Tim and they both know it.

“By the end of the week that gang and your debt won’t be problem.”

Unable to speak Tim buries his faces in his hands and hides. He has no idea what is happening! He’s dreaming. Perhaps he did take those pills after all and now he’s dreaming or experiencing an after life of what could have been.

A hand on his shoulder jolts him and his head snaps up. Robin is sitting closely and with his mask in place Tim struggles to get a read on him.

“I know it’s hard to believe,” he starts quietly, “how you can go from nothing to suddenly having things handed to you. This is legit and we want to help. You mean a lot to Superboy and therefore me too. Take the time you need to process this and get back to us when you can, there’s a number in the envelope you can contact.”

This time when Robin holds out the envelope Tim takes it with shaking hands. Emotion clogs up his throat making it impossible to talk.

Robin rubs his shoulder supportively and stays quiet as Tim stares blankly ahead. Of course Robin would know what it’s like. He came from the streets before Batman took him in. Going from poor to stupid rich in a blink of an eye. He understands why this is difficult to comprehend.

“I don’t have a phone.” Tim mumbles after a long period of silence. “They broke into my place and stole it.”

He doesn’t know why he shares that tidbit of information, but it just slips out. It’s not like he was going to call them… was he?

Robin hums and quirks his head side to side. “I’ll figure something out.”

“I’m getting evicted in a few days. I’ll be homeless.”

“We have a plan for that. Bruce Wayne owns several complexes with studio apartments and house shares for all those who work for WE. The plan was to put you in one of those if your susceptible to the idea.”

Tim could feel tears well up in his eyes. How is this real right now? He swipes at his eyes quickly to remove any signs of crying but he knows Robin is aware of what’s happening.

“I’m suicidal.” Tim states bluntly. He takes a deep breath and looks over the city covered in darkness and gloom. “Just yesterday I had a handful of pills in my hand ready to be swallowed. I continuously find high places, wondering what the free fall from the ledge would feel like. I want everything to be over so I don’t have to deal with it anymore.”

He looks over at Robin who’s staring back at him. “I’m not worth this,” he waves the envelope around, “I’m not worth the time or the resources. Someone else should have it who wants to change their life, someone who should be given the opportunity to do so. Not someone who has given up.”

Robin is silent for a few beats, when he talks there’s no judgement in his voice nor is there sympathy. It’s just straight forward, something Tim surprisingly appreciates.

“Why didn’t you take those pills in the end? What stopped you?”

Tim blinks, thrown off guard at the unexpected question. Robin ploughs on.

“Something stopped you from taking those pills. Whatever it is, whether you’re conscious of it or not, whether you’re ignoring it or not, something inside you wants to keep on going. To keep on living.”

Tim’s shared a lot of personal information with the hero tonight, but admitting Superboy is the reason he didn’t take those pills, feels like it’s a step to far. Despite that, Tim has a feeling Robin knows anyway. He’s asking so it’s at the forefront of Tim’s mind, to help remind him on why he should keep fighting.

A silence settles between them before Robin breaks it by stretching and letting out a low groan. “I’m only in my twenties but by god do I feel like a fifty year old man.”

Unable to help it, Tim snorts. He’s seen the kinds of aerobatics he does, smoking aside he’s probably one of the healthiest people in Gotham.

“Oh!” Robin perks up, pointing a finger towards the sky. “There is a condition if you accept.”

Tim’s stomach drops. Of course there. There’s always a condition. Robin doesn’t wait for him to ask what it is before he’s telling him.

“You go to therapy.”

That is the worst thing Tim’s heard all night.

Robin barks out a laugh, most likely because of the scandalous expression on Tim’s face right now.

“Therapy isn’t that bad. All the sessions would be covered for and the therapist would have been vetted by Bruce Wayne himself. It’s not the worst trade if you ask me.”

“Think I’d rather take my chances on the streets,” Tim mumbles, disgruntled at the very idea of being forced to talk about his feelings.

Robin laughs again and smacks his shoulder good-heartedly. He stands up and stretches again. “On that note, it’s late and time to call it a night. Think about what I’ve said, read through everything in that envelope and try to think of this as a new start. People care about you Tim. Try to remember that even when the weight of the world is crushing your chest.”

With that Robin jumps off the ledge with a salute and releases his grapple before swinging onto the next roof. Tim watches him until he ends up out of sight, swallowed by the city and it’s skyscrapers.

He looks down at the brown piece of paper in his hands. It’s a different type of future resting in his palms compared to the night before. Is it real? Could he really change his life around? How does Superboy play into all this? So many questions and too many mixed emotions. Tim sighs and decides to sort it all out later on.

=====

The next morning Tim wakes up to a parcel in his kitchen. Inside is a brand new mobile phone and a piece of paper with the Robin insignia stamped on it. For the first time in a long time, Tim considers perhaps it’s not the end of everything.

=====

Two weeks later Tim’s life has completely changed. He’s debt free as it turns out Robin had been truthful in saying the gang would be dealt with. He’s now living in a small studio apartment – on the ground floor - owned by Bruce Wayne where he’s not expected to pay for anything other than his groceries. He has a job which isn’t entirely shit and Tim finds himself not hating the idea of going to work each day.

All of this doesn’t mean he’s magically healed. The intrusive thoughts still linger, the need to get up high takes over at night, and there are days he can’t even get out of bed.

He’s started therapy, as was required on accepting Robin’s offer, and he hates it. He’s had three sessions so far, the aim is for twice a week and once already he's had to cancel because he could not physically bring himself to go. His therapist is a lovely, patient woman called Felicia. It’s nothing against her, Tim just hates the whole idea of it but it’s a necessity and he forces himself to go when he can.

Tim reflects on all this as he once again stares out over the city in the middle of the night. He’s on top of a random corner building this time, one leg tucked up to his chest and the other dangling over the edge swinging out into the open air.

He hasn’t seen Robin since the night he gave Tim the envelope. Nor has he seen Superboy. Tim shouldn’t be so hung up on it, however in a stupid way it hurts on how they’ve managed to help change his life, or gave him the means too, and he hasn’t seen them since. And with this stupid crush or whatever he’s harbouring for Superboy hasn’t gone away in all that time either.

Thinking of the devil, Superboy suddenly appears in his peripheral. Tim turns and watches as he approaches in the sky, flying confidently wearing his usual get up and a sheepish smile as he comes to stop in front of Tim, hovering steadily.

Tim tries to ignore the way his heartbeat quickens and the way he perks up at the sight of him.

Wordlessly the supe drifts close, allowing Tim to catch his cinnamony scent, and settles next to him on the ledge, pressing their sides together and Tim fights the urge to lean into him.

“I almost gave up.”

That was not at all what Tim was planning on saying to Superboy after seeing him for the first time in weeks. Why did he admit that? Next to him Superboy tenses although stays silent, and now feeling unsettled in himself Tim ends up rambling.

“Had a hand full of pills in my hands. Sat on my toilet in my shitty apartment. Ready to take them. But I didn’t! Obviously. Oh my god please say something…”

“Why didn’t you take them?”

Despite it not being the first time he’s been asked this particular question, it still catches Tim off guard. He blinks and takes a deep breath trying to work out how to answer.

He definitely wasn't going to say ‘you’ despite it pretty much being the truth. How embarrassing, even if he did in fact save his life.

Tim sighs and hugs his leg closer to his chest, his hands fisting the fabric of his clothes tightly. “I don’t know. Robin visited me afterwards, offered me a position at WE.”

He side eyes the man next to him pointedly. Superboy simply grins at him, completely unashamed of his actions. “How’s that going? I also know Robin added some extra bargaining chips inside the offer.”

Tim rolls his eyes. “The apartments great, the therapy not so much. The job is adequate but I don’t entirely despise it.”

Superboy hums and doesn’t say anything more. He’s still tense next to Tim, giving off the impression he has something more to say but for whatever reason is choosing to stay silent.

Tim watches him. Gods he’s so beautiful. Black hair artfully wind swept from where he’s been flying, a defined jaw highlighting his side profile, blue eyes twinkling with the city lights, a well built body hiding underneath his suit.

Tim really needs to get over this infatuation he has with the hero.

Superboy here, is a well powered being, with high connections across the world, incredible abilities and a kind personality to go with it. Tim here, is a fucking nobody with major mental health issues. There isn’t a timeline where Superboy would ever be with someone like Tim. That’s also not mentioning the whole identity thing. Tim knows who Superboy is, he’s sure Superboy doesn’t know that Tim knows, and he’s choosing to keep it that way. It’s for the best.

The man next to him shifts and he holds a hand out towards Tim. “I’m glad you’re still here Tim.” He says, his voice sincere. “I’m glad you chose to continue living even if it felt like the hardest thing you’ve ever done. How you chose to fight instead of taking those pills, how you never let yourself fall from incredible heights. How you grasped the opportunity to turn your life around when presented with the opportunity to do so.”

Feeling tears well up in his eyes Tim sniffs. Goddamn him. He reaches out and takes Superboy’s hand, linking their fingers together and grips him tightly. Superboy responds in kind, his own grip tightening making Tim feel secure in this single touch alone.

“You give me too much credit,” Tim almost chokes out, “it’s actually because of you and Robin. Those opportunities wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”

“Doesn’t matter. You are still here Tim. You chose to keep going. As you said, you even had pills in your hand but didn’t take them.”

Tim shakes his head, not accepting the idea he’s really done anything to deserve the praise Superboy is giving him. He goes to pull his hand away but the supe continues to hold onto him tightly, not letting him go. When he glances up, the man is staring at him so intensely it feels like he’s staring right into Tim’s soul.

“I know it’s hard to hear and even harder to acknowledge the idea, but it’s true. You are so strong Tim. Eventually you’ll see that.”

He still doesn’t see it however he doesn’t say anything more against it. They’d only be going around in circles if he did. Superboy’s intense gaze softens as they continue to look at one another and a small smile appears on the man’s face, Tim couldn’t help zero in on his lips. Lips he’s been thinking about for who knows how long now.

Not letting himself think about it anymore, he leans forward and presses against those plush looking lips. He closes his eyes and holds still for a moment, only now wondering what the fuck he’s doing. He feels Superboy tense against him and just as regret starts to set in the man gasps presses back against Tim. His lips open and coaxes Tim’s to do the same. They’re as soft and plush as Tim imagined, capturing and releasing Tim’s bottom lip before a hint of tongue appears.

Their hands separate and Tim grabs Superboy’s shoulder with one hand while the other grips a handful of hair, encouraging the other man to tilt his head to the side so they could deepen the kiss. Tim groans as their tongues meet, shivers course through his body, his nerves lightening up at the contact. Superboy cups Tim’s face with both hands and holds him steady, his own moan vibrating through Tim letting him know he’s enjoying this just as much as Tim is.

Eventually they break, gasping for air but don’t stray far from one another. A giggle escapes Tim and he drops his head to Superboy’s shoulder, he feels like he’s on cloud nine. This may just be a one off but it’s the best Tim has felt in a fucking long ass time.

“That was…” Superboy trails off, not finishing his sentence.

Coming down from his high Tim lifts his head and looks at the man, worry closing in on him. What if Superboy regretted it? Is he going to gently reject Tim now? Of course he is, Tim is too broken for anyone to be with…

Superboy huffs although he's grinning widely. “Calm down Tim, I just meant that wasn't how I expected this to go.”

Tim frowns feeling lost. “What do you mean?”

“I meant,” Superboy traces a finger along Tim’s bottom lip, and Tim fights the urge to take it into his mouth, “that kissing you wasn’t part of my plan tonight. I actually wanted to ask you out on a date.”

Hold up.

Tim blinks at him, stunned. “A what?”

Superboy looks sheepish and rubs the back of his neck. “A date? I want to ask you out.” He pauses, suddenly looking alarmed. “If that’s not too inappropriate! I know you’ve been through some really heavy things recently and I don’t want to pressure you into anything before you’re ready. I really like you, getting to know you, and you’ve been consuming my every thought since we met and not just in the way I hope you haven’t done anything but in a way that should not be spoken out loud in public.”

He’s so fucking cute Tim couldn’t help but think listening to him ramble. He puts Superboy out his misery by placing a single finger to his lips to stop him from talking.

“I would love to go on a date with you. You have also been consuming my every thought.” Tim pauses, removes his finger and looks away feeling insecure. “Are you sure you want me though? You know what I’ve been through, why would you want to put up with that?”

Superboy is shaking his head before Tim’s even finished talking. “None of that matters. We all go through things, none of us are perfect, also not to get ahead of ourselves, it’s just a date unless we want more afterwards.”

Tim snorts, feeling both bashful and amused, Superboy has a point there. He grins at the man. “I would love to go on a date with you. Yes.”

“Great! We’ll get something organised.”

“About that,” Tim waves a hand over Superboy’s get up, “how’s this gonna work?”

Superboy gives him a look. “I’ll take you somewhere outside of Gotham, I trust you can keep a secret and we go from there?”

“Just like that?” Tim raises an eyebrow. “You’re going to tell me who you are on the assumption I can keep a secret?”

“Yeah pretty much. I feel like we’ve past that boundary long ago.”

Tim doesn’t have a response to that. Superboy isn’t Robin, he doesn’t have a big bad bat he has to respond too. He reaches out and grabs Superboy’s hand and lays his head onto the man’s shoulder. “I look forward to it.”

Superboy presses a kiss to the back of Tim’s hand and together they sit on top of the building watching the lively city underneath them.

Tim jumps when Ma Kent suddenly speaks. He had been so lost in his thought as he cleaned the dishes he hadn’t even heard her approach. As he puts a plate on the dish rack, Ma takes it and dries it with a tea towel.

“Sorry?” Tim says blinking, knowing she asked something but not what.

“I asked if you brought it with you, dear?”

Tim swallows thickly and nods. Without any prompting his face heats up and he knows exactly what she’s on about with her saying so.

“I have. It’s in my bag.”

“Are you going to do it today, or rather when you are at home?”

It’s Christmas week and Tim and Kon decided to spend the first part of the week at the farm to do their own little Christmas with the elder Kents and then they’ll spend the rest of the week and actual Christmas day with the Wayne’s at the manor. While Tim knows what he wants to do, he hasn’t actually decided how he’s going to do it.

When Tim doesn’t respond, Ma Kent hums, acting like she knows something he doesn’t. Tim doesn’t’ ask, through experience he knows she wouldn’t tell him anyway.

They finish off the dishes in a comfortable silence and it was just as Ma put the kettle on that Kon comes lumbering through the kitchen wrapping a scarf around his neck despite not needing to. As a Kryptonian – even half of one – Kon doesn’t really feel the cold, the scarf and warm winter gear is just for show, helps him blend in when he needs to.

He steps up to Tim and wordlessly gives him a peck on the lips before smiling at Ma. “I’m going to go sort the girls out for the night, okay? I won’t be too long.”

As he goes towards the door, Tim steps forward, spontaneously volunteering to help him. This, he realises, is a perfect opportunity to do what he’s been planning on doing.

“Let me help you.”

Kon blinks at him, looking like he’s about to protest but then he smiles and nods. “Sure.”

“Great, let me go get ready, won’t be a moment.” Unlike Kon, Tim does in fact feel the cold.  Within minutes he’s returning to the kitchen bundled up with something promising hidden inside his coat pocket.

Kon grins as he sees him. “It never fails to make me smile seeing you all bundled up like that. You look so adorable.”

“I hate you.” Tim grumbles.

“No you don’t!” Kon chirps cheerfully. “Oh, hang on a sec, I’ve forgotten something.”

As Kon disappears Ma gives him a pointed look and Tim smiles shyly, patting his coat pocket.

His boyfriend appears moments later, smiling as he usually does. “Let’s go.”

The two of them head out into the cold and start towards the horses and Tim hisses as the cold hits his cheeks and ears but he bears with it. He has a mission in mind and he’s going to complete it. Having helped out with the horses enough times by now, Tim knows what to do so he easily helps Kon out in getting the girls settled for the night

It’s as Kon was closing up the barn that Tim decided to drop down on one knee behind him locked the building up. With shaking hands, feeling like he’s having an out of body experience, he draws out the little box that's taken over his life for the last four months and opens it up to where Kon would be able to see it’s contents.

“So I was thinking,” Kon begins talking as he double checks the lock, “that when we get back inside we can-”

He cuts himself off once he turns around and sees Tim’s position.

“Kon,” Tim starts, his voice shaking, “I love you. That is the ultimate message here and I love you with everything I have. We haven’t had the easiest of roads to get where we are today. Our lives don’t allow for easy, or smooth, or simple. There’s always some sort of disaster we have to deal with, one of us being sent on some sort of mission, one of us always facing danger with or without the other.

“When we first met, oh how we hated one another and butted heads. How the others ever put up with it I’ll never know, but we argued, bickered, fought and it was a wonder if we would ever get along. As the years went by we grew and matured, and somewhere in between all that you became by best friend, the one I could rely on no matter what. When you died-”

Tim pauses his speech having to take a deep breath to get his emotions under control. Opposite him Kon stands frozen in place as he watches Tim back, his eyes glistening with tears but there’s a small, understanding smile on his face.

“When you died, I died that day too. Amongst all the other shit happening at that same time, it was losing you that really broke me. I learnt that day I could never, never, live without you. But you came back. You came back and I vowed to not let you ever go again.

“When you came back we became more than best friends, that was one of the best days of my life. I have enjoyed every moment with you since and I want more. I want to spend the rest of my life with you because I know exactly how it feels to not have you by my side.”

Tim pauses again, taking another deep breath and wipes away the tears that were trailing down his cheeks.

“Kon. Will you marry me?”

There’s a beat, then two, and finally Kon responds. He strolls up to Tim, captures his face in his hands and smashes their lips together.  He pulls back enough to breathe one word between them, “yes,” and takes his lips again. Tim’s reaction is immediate, he reaches up to loop his arms around Kon’s neck and pulls their bodies together.

Eventually they break apart but don’t let one another go. Tim hugs him close as Kon rests his head on top of Tim’s “Yes Tim. Yes I’ll marry you.”

Tim pulls away and takes a step back, once again putting the box in front of him so Kon can see the ring inside it.

At the sight Kon laughs. “Gods I can’t believe it.”

Tim smiles unsurely, “what? What is it?”

Kon shakes his head and rummages through his pocket. Bringing out a similar box to the one in Tim’s own hand, Kon gets down on one knee himself and grins up at him. “You beat me to it, dude.” Kon opens his box and reveals a shiny silver ring inside. Tim couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief as he’s hit with all different types of emotions. Without thinking about it, Tim tackles Kon to the ground and crushes him in another hug and then they’re making out again.

After several minutes they get themselves together and Kon sits up  with Tim on his lap.

“Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne, will you marry me?”

Tim smiles wetly and kisses Kon. When they part he couldn’t help but tease, “So I give you a grand speech and I just get the question? I knew you’ve been hiding something, I don’t know why it didn’t click sooner.”

Kon shrugs. “What else am I supposed to do, you beat me to it. Your spectacular speech was similar to what I was planning on saying anyway. Also, as if I could hide anything from you Mr, Detective. It’s a miracle you didn’t work it out sooner with all your prying.”

Tim huffs and smacks his chest before rising to his feet. “That’s not my point and you know it.”

“I don’t care.” Kon crowds him and peppers kisses all over his face, making him squirm giddily.

Once they shared more kisses and a few more love declarations they finally exchange rings, pleased to find each fit one another perfectly. Tim pulls him close again and hugs him tightly, never wanting to let him go. “I love you.”

Bart immediately ducks down and seconds later Tim’s sees a stray snowball fly overhead.

It’s been like this since they started the fight. The banter, the cheating, the laughs and everything that comes with the good nature of competition. After snowfall from the night before, the original plans were cancelled and changed to an ultimate snowball battle. Forts were made, teams were divided and the rules were – somewhat – established. It was every man for himself. If someone gets hit three times, you’re eliminated, the last person standing wins and wins it for their team.

The forts circle one another. Made from whatever could be found. Snow, covers, wood, sleighs, branches, even a truck has been used.

It’s become very competitive. They’ve been at it for just under an hour and no one is out yet. Although after Wally’s latest hit, Jon is down to one life.

“I don’t really care about winning, all I want is to beat Wally.” Bart comments while scoping up some snow and patting it into a ball. “I mean winning would be great, we totally could, but I want to beat his ass the most.”

“What about Barry? Would you not want to beat him too?” Kon asks side-eyeing him.

Bart shrugs. “Yeah I guess, I mean I want to win this thing overall, but Wally’s the one I want to beat.”

Prepping his own ammo Tim joins in the conversation. “To be fair I would love to beat Jason. I will never let him live it down if I do.”

Bart finishes a fourth snowball and places it next to him. “Let’s just target them first.”

‘Them’ being Wally, Dick and Jason. As far as Tim knows Wally and Jason both have three lives each where Dick has two.

Kon shakes his head. “How would that work?”

Tim thinks about it for a moment. “We could always form an alliance with the kids? As much as I hate the idea being on the same team as Damian, it holds merit. Once they’re out we can go back to being enemies.”

Bart pulls a face but doesn’t protest and Kon is nodding along with the idea. He turns and looks over at the kids’ fort adjacent to theirs .“Hey Jon!”

Jon turns and looks at them, rightly looking suspicious as he does so. Damian also peers at them with narrowed eyes. Duke glances at them but then quickly looks away as he launches a snowball over their fort, clearly seeing an opportunity to target someone.

“What to team up to take down Wally’s team? After that we go back to being enemies.”

“What are you yapping about Kent?” Damian snarks.

Tim leans past Kon looking at them. “A temporary alliance to take out Dick, Jason and Wally.”

“Surprise!”

Before any more could be said they were under attack. Jason appears running around the side of their fort as Dick rushes from the other side. Tim is mildly aware of Wally attacking the kids. Frantically grabbing a snowball and his slingshot he loads and fires rapidly as Jason and Dick throw their own snowballs at them.

“Don’t think teaming up will help you beat us baby bird!” Jason yells as he moves to hide behind a tree meters away from them. Tim scrambles at his feet and rushes after him.

“We’re going to beat your asses!”

It seems like their attack had caused an avalanche of events. Everyone has been pulled away from the safety of their forts and out into the open. Snowballs were flying left and right, shouts and laughs could be heard from different people and teams.

Tim himself smirks as one of his snowballs hit his target. Jason curses up a storm as he wipes away the snow and throws a ball that is way off it’s mark. Tim doesn’t get to bask in his success for long because as he’s loading his slingshot again he could hear Kon shouting from somewhere nearby.

“Tim, on your seven!”

He knew what was going to happen before it did. As he turned Dick’s figure appear and before he knew it he was hit and from the impact of the snowball he loses his balance and crashes to the floor. Tim growls and slaps his hand on the snow.

“Sorry not sorry, Timmy! I’ll make it up to you later.”

Before Tim could retaliate Dick scampers away laughing. Huffing Tim gets to his feet and rushes back over to his fort where Kon and Bart had also returned to.

“I got hit,” Tim grumbles miserably, “I’m down to one life.”

“I’ve still got three.” Kon beams happily and for a moment Tim wants to punch him. Kon unknowingly redeems himself with his follow up comment. “I got Clark once and I hit Wally too.”

There was a call out after a moment, announcing Duke and Barry were eliminated after that scurry of activity.

“Hey Kon.” The call gets the three of them looking in the kids direction. “Let’s team up!”

“Oh now they want to team up just because they’ve lost one.” Bart mumbles under his breath. Tim snorts and Kon ignores him in favour of answering his brother.

“Sure. Get over here!”

Damian and Jon rush across the space between their forts and the five of them crouch together under the safety of their fort.

Damian tuts. “Now what? We are only here because it’s strategically sensible if we want to eradicate the other teams.”

Tim shakes his head at the seriousness of the kid. It’s just a snowball fight. That doesn’t take away the competitiveness, but still.

“This is what I propose…” Damian then goes onto explaining his plan for winning this thing.

------

An hour later there’s only three of them left. Tim, Damian and Bruce. All of them with only one life left.

Teaming up with the kids had meant they out numbered Dick’s team and wiped them out, only losing Bart in the fray. After that, the four of them turned their joint attention on the adults and managed to take out Clark and Barry where they also ended up losing both Kon and Jon.

The rest of the guys are now by the house watching on with interest to see how it all plays out in the end. Tim ignores them all though, not letting their shouts and jeers distract him. He’s trying to come up with a plan but it’s difficult. Bruce would be the obvious answer, his size makes him a bigger target, however he’s Bruce Wayne, he’s Batman. So maybe not the wisest choice. A part of him just wants to go for Damian out of spite.

There’s suddenly a rush of footsteps and Tim peers over his fort to see Bruce rushing towards Damian’s fort. Deciding to just go Tim heads Damian’s way too. Taking the opportunity Tim gears up his slingshot and fires a snowball Bruce’s way, unfortunately he both misses and brings Bruce’s attention on him instead of Damian. Seeing this Tim changes direction, heading away from both Damian’s fort and his own, trying to create space between them.

Bruce ends up following him and Tim does everything he can to get the man off his tail, fake dodging, changing speeds, different manoeuvres. None of them work and Bruce continues to pursue him.

His downfall happens to be when he manages to dodge a snowball Bruce had thrown at him on his left side. Tim dodges to the right and of course that’s exactly what Bruce had wanted to happen because as soon as Tim moves he’s hit.

Breathing heavily Tim comes to a stop knowing his game is over. Bruce laughs and comes up to him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Well played Tim. Now I’m going to go get Damian.”

The man wonders off in the search for wherever Damian had hidden himself. Admitting defeat, Tim trudges over to the rest of the losers. Jason taunts him, which is saying a lot considering he was out before Tim, and Dick offers his commiserations.

Tim ignores them and heads straight for Kon and Bart who were standing together. He presses his head against Kon’s chest and leans into him. “I was so close!” He whines to his best friend.

Kon’s arms wrap around him, patting his back. “There, there, never mind.”

Soon enough a loud cheer followed by cursing comes from the playing field. Tim looks up and find Damian scowling as Bruce watches him fondly. From the side there ‘s a collective groan from almost everyone.

“Great, not he’s going to be insufferable.” Barry mutters.

“Of course it would be him to win this. Who else was it going to be?” Clark says rolling his eyes.

Jason throws his hands up in the air in disbelief “I can’t believe Bruce won! How could we let this happen!”

“Perhaps if you were better…” Tim comments smirking at his brother.

Jason glares at him. “I didn’t ask you baby bird.”

Breaking up what was going to be a bickering segment, Dick claps his hands. “Now that’s all finished how about we go inside and get to what was our original plans? I want hot chocolate, I’ve been smelling it since standing here and I want some. Who’s in?”

Jon throws a hand up while jumping up and down. “Me! Me! Let’s go!” The kid rushes inside with Dick following on his heels and not surprisingly Bart immediately follows them. After that one by one they trailed inside. Kon wraps an arm around his shoulders as they head inside.

“We’ll get it next time.”

“Sure, sure,” Tim says not feeling it. It’s been a fun afternoon though, it’s not often they get to just be and enjoy something mundane like a snowball fight.