Tim avoids thinking about his 30th birthday until Bruce reminds him that there are only six months to go.
“I know the last year has been difficult for you,” Bruce says quietly, “and I’m sorry to bring it up again…but we really need to find you a mate.”
Tim doesn’t want to think about this.
If Kon were still alive he wouldn’t have to think about this. He’d be happily mated to an alpha he loves, and he be complying with the stupid outdated law that requires omegas to be mated by their 30th birthday.
But Kon is dead and Tim is unmated, and his 30th birthday is in six months. So he does have to think about this.
If he doesn’t, he’ll be auctioned off to the first alpha that wants him, and in a city like Gotham that can only be bad. He’d like at least some say in the alpha he is to spend the rest of his life with.
The problem is, Tim is late to the party. Nearly all the other alphas he’s friends with or likes or respects are mated already. Tim has spent the last year mourning the man he loves - loved - and now he’s too late.
Kon isn’t here to save him.
“I know you won’t like this,” Dick says to Tim gently one afternoon, “but what about B? He’s unmated. He’d do it for you in a heartbeat if you asked. He’ll probably offer anyway if you don’t find someone soon. And I know it’s a little…ew, but it’s worth seriously considering if it’ll keep you from being mated to a stranger. At least you know B and can trust him. He’ll take care of you.”
Dick never had to worry of course. He had a string of alphas lined up to mate with him well before he was 30, and Jason was one of them.
Jason would have been Tim’s second choice after Kon.
Tim resigns himself to the fact that he’s probably going to end up mated to Bruce, and he should probably be grateful because it could be so much worse.
So he’s pleasantly surprised when Damian turns up at the WE offices and makes him an offer one afternoon.
“Father is going to ask you to mate with him before you turn thirty,” Damian tells Tim, green eyes focussed and serious. “But I wanted to offer myself as your alpha, if that’s something you might want to consider.”
Tim can only blink in surprise. “You want to be my alpha?”
“It’s not a matter of want, Drake. I’d want you to be free to choose your own alpha, but that’s not the world we live in.”
It may be the nicest thing Damian has ever said to Tim.
Damian has always behaved older than his years, but that seems particularly true now. He’s no longer the boy that used to taunt and argue with Tim constantly, but a man who’s earned Tim’s respect and is fiercely protective of his family.
“It’s a big offer to make,” Tim says gently. “You’d be giving up your life for me. You would never be able to mate with anyone else. You’re still so young-“
“I’m old enough to know what I’m offering. I’m not a child anymore.” Damian’s voice softens. “I just wanted to give you some sort of choice. It’s a mockery of a choice really, because you should be able to pick any alpha you want, or none at all, at a time of your choosing. But at least you can have some say in it. Me or Father. I won’t be offended if you choose Father, but know that I offer myself willingly and freely, and I will do my best to be a good mate for you.”
Tim can’t even look at him. “You’ll fall in love with the omega of your dreams one day and will hate me forever when you can’t have them.”
Damian snorts. “I already can’t have them. I’ve loved Richard since I was fourteen and I’ve had to watch him be mated to Todd. I’ve lost my beloved and you’ve lost yours. We are united in that at least.”
Tim doesn’t think he’s ever seen this level of vulnerability or openness from Damian before. He really is a man now.
“I guess we are.” Tim smiles tiredly. “Dami…you’re sure? This is huge. And let’s not forget you once described me as utterly repulsive.”
“Lies,” Damian replies softly. “I was a child then. You and I haven’t always seen eye to eye, but we’re pack. Richard may be the most beautiful omega I’ve ever seen, but you also come close.”
Damian spends perhaps another ten minutes reassuring Tim that he wants to do this before Tim accepts his offer.
“I will protect you,” Damian promises before he leaves, bringing Tim’s hand to his lips to kiss his knuckles.
And for the first time in over a year, Tim realises he’s sat through a whole conversation without thinking about Kon.
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