#convo:tim

The manor was quiet, not an uncommon thing in itself but this was perhaps the loudest form of quiet he’d ever dealt with during his time was retainer to the household; second only to the loss of Martha and Thomas Wayne. He felt heavy weighed down by so much more than his years as he relayed press releases and statements to various newspapers and outlets, determined to handle this more sordid side of things and beg privacy for those remaining under his care. 

As expected they’d mostly retreated into themselves following the delivery of the news. Alfred hadn’t slept, he’d worked, fulfilled his house duties and worked further. There was so much to be done, arrangements in Gotham, arrangements in the Star City. And, perhaps most importantly, the emotional state of his family. 

One thing Alfred was determined to ensure was they all ate, slept and shied away from reckless revenge attempts. With Master Timothy he worried about the former two over the latter, so he’d prepared a bowl of simple broth, some juice and a few slices of bread. He waited until the early evening to disturb the boy, gently knocking on the door to his room while balancing a tray on one hand. 

“Master Timothy, I have brought a light snack, Sir. It would please me greatly if you could partake of some.”

Zach was covertly making contact with those he cared about, even if his emotions had yet to return along with his life it seemed the thing to be done. He’d simply conjured a portal to Tim’s residence and waited in his living room, looking out of a window at the night sky, he’d always preferred the evenings. He heard a door open and looked over, sitting casually in a chair while he waited for Tim to enter, looking too casual for a used-to-be dead man. 

“Hello Tim.” he said, voice too even, “Sorry for dropping in but I’m not supposed to be seen by the city yet, it might start zombie rumours.”

Alfred placed the casserole into the oven, gently closing the door and already beginning to smell the delightful aroma of thyme, beef and stock fill the kitchen. Comfort food, it was often called, and Alfred suspected now more than ever the residents of this home could do with something even slightly comforting. Looking at the time, the clock approaching five, he pulled off his oven mitts and ascended the stairs to one of the rooms, knocking gently upon the door before entering. 

Showers were sometimes the best part of Zach’s day. Granted today he’d done nothing but sit inside his apartment and try to work his way through a book of warding spells, after the attack and Joker turning up Zach had decided to look into some more magical protection, even with Tim’s offer to get him some extra security he was beginning to think you couldn’t be too careful. He changed into a pair of loose pyjamas and walked into his living room with a towel still around his neck...

Only to find Red Robin in said living room looking far too relaxed. Zach tensed for a moment but quickly calmed back down and deadpanned, “I swear to god I am warding this place the second I get through that book. Friede!” he called, the dove flying from his bedroom to land on his shoulder, her small eyes assessing the hero in the room. “So, to what to I owe the interruption Boy Wonder?” he asked dryly, moving to perch on the edge of an armchair. “Last time I saw you I was a Teen Titan, what a shit show that little team turned out to be.”

Zach was at something of a loose end, he’d finished his campaign work for the day, June wasn’t teaching him for a bit and his agent even said she could work out his bookings for the day without needing him. So, he’d decided to go check in with his animals, it had been far too long since he’d seen them; thing was, he kinda didn’t wanna go on his own. They (like him) thrived off an audience so why not bring them someone new?

Going down his meagre list of actually friends he figured Tim would do, that guy spent too long working. One location spell later and he was outside the guys place and knocking on the door with Friede on his shoulder. “Yo,” he held a hand up when the other answered, “We’re going to see some friends of mine, put on clothes you could wear to a jungle and let’s go.” No offer to refuse of course.