Discord request to turn this image into Tim

I've been a ward of the state most of my life. It's been difficult, but I guess it beats disappearing right...?

Vaguely inspired by this

Every time the sun went down, it was an impulse that took the wheel. This week was the sixth or seventh he had managed to climb out of the window safely. Eyes closed tightly as his sneakers hit the floor, hoodie and camera ready. The cold caused his pale skin to flush, but this was Gotham… cold was usually a given. Timothy Jackson Drake knew this was dangerous, but you know what? He didn’t care; he needed answers. Ok, he HAD answers as to the mystery of Batman and Robin. But give him a little break, a tiny one if you will; this Robin wasn’t the same one he saw two weeks ago. This one was happier, less euphoria-angry happiness and more like "real happy". New Robin was also not an acrobat; sure, he could do parkour but not a triple flying Grayson flip. It was so OBVIOUS.

Did that make any sense?

Terrible habits were developing, stalking into the night where he knew this new guy would patrol. Sit, aim the camera, and take as many pictures as possible. Perhaps asking for his father’s old camera as a gift hadn’t been such a crazy idea. A dynamic flip of Robin's cape, heaven had its angels, Gotham had Robins… It was wonderful in Tim’s opinion.

Maybe tonight was the night that the second Robin would accidentally notice him. Tim shook his head. No, he needed to stay hidden; even taking pictures was a risk. It was better to be alone, watching him from afar through the lenses through the late nights. Plus, he barely knew him personally; they were practically strangers. Knowing the real name of the current Robin (Jason Peter Todd), that Bruce Wayne was having issues adopting and fostering, that the first Robin (Richard "Dick" Grayson) almost had to step in for him, and that this Robin almost stole the Batmobile’s tire, a passing hello in a gala… that didn’t mean they knew each other personally; it was just Tim gathering intel one-sidedly.

“This will be the last time," Tim promised himself every night, as if his hyperfixation wasn’t growing. Who was he kidding? He needed more, pictures, knowledge, smiles… Jason’s voice… he had done his homework (for school and other). His parents weren’t really there much… Killing time was the only thing he could do. Right?

“That’s a nice camera you got there, kid!” Great, something just had to ruin the night… a thief. “Mind if I take a look?”

Tim struggled as much as he could, wiggling and protecting the digital camera as much as he could with his small body. Maybe self-defense lessons? He hoped his wrist wouldn’t bruise, THEN his parents might pay attention, and he didn’t need that.

“C’mon, give it to me and I’ll let you go home in one piece." The smell of unwashed clothes and cigarettes amplified his feelings, wanting to flee.

“HEY!”

“What now-“ Down came the second robin, feet first, on the face of Tim’s aggressor. See? Gotham didn’t need angels… it had Robins.

“Hey, you ok there?” As the second Robin pulled him up, Tim couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed. Gosh… his arms, his face! Dick had a celebrity face… but Jason? A whole different story… what kind of adonis made this guy?!

That smirk between cocky and gentle… “You… are?”

“Robin, boy wonder at your service," he dramatically bowed. Had Juliet felt this way when she met Romeo? Maybe he should stop reading Shakespeare plays after his mom leaves them unattended. “Anyone told you you shouldn’t be out this late? That’s a terrible habit…”

Stop looking at him with concern! Tim felt his heart would explode. “You look shaken.”

“Well…. My bad habits lead to you! Stop being cool and maybe I’ll quit!” Tim forgot how to filter words, and he really, really, wanted the floor to drown him. He had good intentions, good ones! Not the fanfiction ones he wrote in his room about maybe having a storybook damsel in distress ending. He hadn’t even answered anything to reassure Robin!

But the second robin laughed. Offering a hand that Tim took as fast as he could.

“You know, I’ve noticed, every time you come around," Jason commented, sitting him down. “Taking pictures from the corner like a creep."

“I-I… Romeo would do the same if he had a camera back in those days!” Ok, Tim now realized how stupid the argument sounded.

“Nah, you read to me more like a Juliet, oblivious that I was looking too. I did kind of show off a bit; I know cant help take pics of a good pose."

“I should go home…”

“What if I took you back the long way round? I kind of wanna talk more to you. What’s your name?”

“Timothy Jackson Drake…” Now they weren’t strangers anymore. And then, instead of staying in his head, as it was supposed to, the fantasy he had started comparing the whole situation to… it slipped the quote.

“’Tis almost morning. I would have thee gone. And yet no farther than a wanton’s bird, That lets it hop a little from his hand, Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, And with a silken thread plucks it back again. So loving-jealous of his liberty.”

“I would I were thy bird," Robin's surprised laugh and smile, his effortless answer, made Tim mirror the expression.

“Sweet, so would I. Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.” He couldn’t finish… They had arrived.

“Here we go." Jason helped Tim into his open window, like a prince delivering a princess. And watching him stand by the windowsill, that scene again… from that Shakespeare play flashed into his head. He needed it to continue. “Well, I gotta go now, bad guys to capture and all that, Juliet."

“Wait!” he pulled, Tim’s lips on Jason’s, the second robin’s cold skin. “N-Now you go and get those bad guys! Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow! That I shall say “Good night” till it be morrow.”

“Sleep dwell upon thine eyes…” Jason didn’t finish the quote, having already left.

“So cool…”

Younger Tim: I wish I had money for candy.

Older Marinette: I’m sorry Tim, but...

Older Marinette: What’s this behind your ear?

Younger Tim: *Smiles and giggles*

Older Marinette: *pulls out a piece of paper that says Get A Job*