Chapter Text
Tim was deep in his investigation.
It wasn’t anything too special, just a string of car theft. Except Tim had noticed an interesting detail…
Tim, sitting on the ledge of his favorite bridge to watch Batman and Robin from, was flipping through his camera’s camera roll.
The bridge overlooked the tunnels leading to the docks, I.E a lot of criminals use these tunnels because they are hard to survey unless you have a grappling hook.
Or if you were four feet tall, good at shimming up concrete pillars, and are very determined.
Maybe Tim being small was a good thing for once.
Tim had at least a half hour before Batman and Robin showed up. Wanting to kill time, he decided to go through his pictures from the car-case.
Tim was looking at the tire tracks left at one of the crime scenes when he noticed something interesting about all the tracks…
The cars being stolen have reinforced suspicion…
Huh…that’s an interesting detail…
Of course Tim didn’t have the tire tracks of all the cars that were stolen, but flipping through the pictures, five of the tire tracks had reinforced suspension.
That’s gotta be a pattern, right?
But he can’t focus on that detail right now because Batman and Robin have just shown up, and Tim has a new lens he wants to try out.
………………….
“Tim!” Barbara called looking up from her computer to see her current favorite library patron. “To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my favorite student?”
“Hi Babs!” Tim responded shyly.
Tim had been coming to the library after school on days when Jason had play practice.
Yes, Jason was in the school play. Something about him ‘bringing justice to Shakespeare that the hooligans at their school would never understand’. Tim hardly understands Shakespeare, but he knows Jason loves it.
So he took Barbara’s offer up on coming to the library to learn some more advanced coding.
Babs even showed him how to hack into the International Space Station’s cameras!
“I have a kinda weird question…” Tim said, fiddling with his hoodie strings.
“Sure Tim, What’s up?”
Now, here's the thing.
Barbara knows Tim is ‘Minilla folder guy’
But Tim can’t know that Barbara knows.
Because technically Batgirl knows that Tim is ‘manilla folder guy’. Not Barbara.
So when Tim asks her questions that are very clearly tied to an ongoing investigation, she can’t really question him without herself coming off as suspicious.
Here’s the thing with Tim.
He knows that Barbara knows he’s ‘manilla folder guy’ but she can’t reveal that she knows he is ‘manilla folder’ guy without revealing herself as Batgirl, and Barbara dosen’t know that Tim knows that she’s Batgirl, so if he brings up the fact that he knows that Barbara knows that he’s ‘manilla folder guy’ that also reveals that Tim knows Barbara is Batgirl so Tim can’t know that Barbara know he’s manilla folder guy without revealing that Tim knows that Barbara is Batgirl….
You know?
Following?
Good. Because Tim needs a murder board just for this, it seems.
So Tim just relies on his reputation of being the weird, quiet kid to justify his questions to Barbara.
Besides…nobody suspects eleven-year-old Little Timmy Drake to be solving crimes on the reg.
“Why would someone need a car with reinforced suspension?” Tim asks…batting his eyelashes, hoping to sell the ‘innocent little Timmy’ (ew Tim I can’t believe you used that nickname on yourself) look.
Barbara tapped her fingers on her chin for a moment.
“Hmmm, I guess if you were like, a delivery driver? Either delivering a lot of items or heavy items…you would need a car with thatt…”
Barbara’s eyes narrowed under her glasses
“Why do you ask Tim?”
Tim felt his eyes widen slightly.
“Uh…no reason…my uh—Dad…is looking to get a new car and was talking about it…”
Well, Barbara knows that's a lie.
Bruce and Jason had told her and Dick about the Drakes' concerning habit of continuously being out of the country and leaving their eleven-year-old son to fend for himself. And Tim’s concerning habit of insisting that he’s completely fine…
All by himself.
Barbara knows there's no nanny
She hacked into the Drake’s payrolls
Tims there.
By himself.
All the time.
But Barbara didn’t question it.
Jason had warned her about the time he nearly scared Tim away.
So she keeps her mouth shut.
This is gonna be an interesting one.
They then continue on with their usual routine. Barbara teaches him some new coding tricks, then they begin geeking out about PC builds and circuit boards, and then eventually both of them fall into a comfortable silence as Barbara finishes up her library tasks.
“You know…” Barbara said, breaking their usual silence. “Dick is planning on taking Jason to laser tag this weekend and was thinking about inviting you to tag along…”
Tim blinked up at her with wide eyes,
“O-oh! Really? Well I… uh I’ve never been to laser tag…” Tim played with the cuffs of his sleeves.
Barbara offered him a reassuring smile. “Well, I should warn you, Jason and Dick take it like…waaaayy too seriously, but–” she turned, meeting Tim’s stunned gaze
“Maybe with you on Jason’s team, he’ll finally be able to beat Dick!” She, laughed
Beat Dick? You mean beat Nightwing?!?
Yeah, fat chance Tim would be able to beat him.
“S-sounds fun…”
“They wanna go Saturday. I have to work that day, but–” Barbara returned to scanning books, “I’ll let Dick know you’re free! You okay with me giving him your number?”
“Y-yeah! Okay!” Tim smiled excitedly.
Laser Tag!
Something friends do with each other!
Tim was practically vibrating with excitement when he got home.
…………
What does one wear to laser tag?
Would it be weird to send Jason a “What are you wearing?” text?
Dick and Jason would be over in twenty minutes to pick him up and Tim was still in his boxers.
This shouldn’t be a thing he over thinks! It’s laser tag! Something that normal kids do with their normal friends.
Except this is laser tag with Robin and Nightwing. You know, two of Gotham’s most notorious vigilantes?
Tim sighed and flopped onto his bed
“Is it because of the Wayne boy?” Tim’s mother’s voice suddenly crept into his mind like ice
“He’s–a troubled kid–to put it nicely. Grew up in Crime Ally. Not suited for our kind of life, At any rate, no longer associate yourself with him, Tim.”
Tim really shouldn’t be doing this.
If the paparazzi get a photo of him hanging out not just with Jason, but with Dick?
So what? The evil part of Tim—Timmy, Tim decides that what evil Tim’s name is— whispered. If they see a picture of you they’ll actually call you for once.
No. Tim argues. Th-they’ve called other times. Like, that one time I texted mom, a picture of my science project that got accepted to be presented at Gotham University!
Maybe Tim shouldn’t go. He doesn't want his parents mad at him. But—
The door bell sounded.
Too late!
The joy that filled Tim’s heart at the idea of his friends being there to pick him up and do something fun with him had quickly stamped out any doubt and fear Tim had.
Oh crap he was still pantsless.
Without thinking, Tim pulled on his pair of black jeans, black undershirt and his favorite red T shirt.
His dad hates how he dresses like a “punk” but Tim argues he really doesn't.
Well if he’s gonna dive headfirst into his teenage rebellion, might as well start at eleven, right? Tim’s always been way ahead of his peers, might as well be ahead in this as well.
Tim careened down the grand staircase, his socks almost causing him to slide into the wall. The doorbell rang again, which caused Tim to start shouting.
Outside, Dick and Jason are exchanging worried glances.
“You want me to call him?” Jason offered.
Dick shrugged, “I mean, this is Drake manor right? Shouldn’t there be like…staff? Like I know we really just have Alfred but most rich people have at least—”
Suddenly there was a smack from behind the door.
Dick and Jason exchanged worried looks.
“I’m coming! I’m coming!” They heard Tim’s muffled voice from behind the door.
Suddenly, Dick and Jason were met with Tim’s grinning face as he threw open the large doors. He was panting and his shirt was on backwards.
Jason snorted.
“Sorry guys!” Tim wheezed. “I uh, was upstairs! But lemme get my shoes on and we can go!”
“Sure thing Timbit!” Jason smiles “But uh— anything you notice about your shirt?”
Tim looked down, then he turned bright red.
“Oh uh, whoops!” He laughs awkwardly.
“I like it,” Dick interjects. “I think you could start a fashion trend!”
“I’m so sorry guys I uh–You guys can go wait in the car, I just, my Converse—I know I should wear easier shoes to get on–”
“Woah Woah Woah, Timmers!” Dick laughs easily, “Slow your roll, laser tag isn’t going anywhere! We can come sit while you get your shoes and shirt situated,”
Tim paused for a moment, his eyes widening a little, before darting to the floor.
“Oh! R-right…c-come on in!” Tim tried to smile.
Dick and Jason step into the manor while Tim sits on the floor to continue to fight his converse.
Empty. That’s the only word Dick could conjure to describe Drake manor. It wasn’t physically empty, it just felt…lifeless. Everything was pristine, the couches even had plastic still on them. Artifacts and paintings lined the walls, making the manor seem more like a museum than a home.
And little Tim. All alone, in a big,empty, and cold house.
“So Timbo,” Jason started, “Mrs. Mac here today?”
“Huh?” Tim’s head emerged from his shirt collar from when he was flipping it around. “O-oh! Yeah, uh…she’s running errands. Should be back soon—but! She knows I’ll be out today!” Tim tries to placate.
“Right.” Jason says. He then shoots a look at Dick.
Dick nods slowly.
Dick knows. He knows Timbit is being neglected. He’s a cop, he knows what signs to look for. But— legally—
He needs more evidence before he can actually accuse the Drakes, then Bruce can handle the legal stuff afterwards.
Tim triumphantly leaps from the floor after winning the battle with his converse, announcing it so as he started to guide Dick and Jason towards the door.
This was going to be awesome.
……………………
“Ay boss—ain’t that one of the Wayne brats cars?” One of Penguin’s goons croned from their van sandwiched between buildings across from the laser tag arena.
The titular Gotham rogue squinted at the surveillance footage. He sent his goons out to scout for potential cars to steal for their operation. The car, a blue subaru with cheezy bumper stickers plastered all across the back, most definitely belonged to Dick Grayson Wayne. Penguin needs nondescript cars for a new weapons shipment into Gotham, and Dick’s Subaru had just the suspension they needed.
Suddenly, out stepped the young man himself. Dressed casually, just a black muscle tee with a blue hoodie to fight the cold. From the back, out popped Jason Todd, Bruce’s newest, acquisition, also dressed casually, in a green sweatshirt and jeans, but then, a third kid emerged from the back seat.
Timothy Drake? It took a minute for the Penguin to recognize the kid. Oswald Cobblepot had done some under the table business with Drake Industries, he honestly had forgotten Janet even had a kid. He barely recognizes the shrimp when he’s not in a tiny tailored suit, instead he’s in a t shirt with a long sleeve undershirt and jeans. The kids gotta be like, what, nine by now? Something like that.
Seeing three of the richest kids in Gotham nonchalantly stroll into the laser tag arena (Jason must’ve said something to offended the older one because Dick suddenly reached around to smack the back of his head) he was suddenly struck with an idea.
The Bat has been getting too close for comfort to his operation. Tonight is the big move, and they don’t need any other distractions.
Perhaps a high profile kidnapping would keep the big bad bats off of his trail long enough to get the weapons he need in and out of Gotham….
“Boys” The Penguin’s shrill cracked over the goons walkie,
“Slight change of plans…”
………………………….
“TIM! STAY WITH ME SOILDER”
“HE’S TOO STRONG JAY, WE’RE NEVER GONNA MAKE IT!”
“SHUT UP SOILDER, WE GET TO HIGHER GROUND WE CAN SPOT HIM FROM THE CAT WALK!”
Grayson’s (frankly evil) laughter echoed through the arena. The sound of cartoon laser blasts fill the boys ears as Jason grips Tim by the sleeve of his shirt and sprints towards the ramp.
“No running in the arena please.” The teenage laser tag worker dead pans half heartedly, but doing nothing to stop the two boys' mad dash in the black lit arena.
Tim sees the light of a laser almost hit the sensor he’s wearing. He skitted to a stop just in time.
“How is he everywhere!?” Tim cries as he raises his laser blaster. The two boys are now back to back. Slowly rotating while scanning the area for floppy hair and a streak of blue.
Man Tim is glad Nightwing is a hero and not a bad guy. He would be horrifying.
Though Tim wasn’t quite prepared to get a taste of what a Buldhaven criminal must feel whenever Nightwing shows up on the scene.
Dick’s laughter once again is heard over the blaring synthwave soundtrack.
“TUCK AND ROLL TIMBIT TUCK AND ROLL!” Jason calls, suddenly rolling away from Tim yelps, and tries to pull off the same smooth somersault Jason just completed, albeit much more awkward.
Suddenly Tim hears foot fall on the ledge behind him.
He turns, he sees Dicks crouched form, perched on the ledge of the catwalk, full Nightwing crouch. His face shadowed, only his sinister grin illuminated by the neon black lights.
“Hey baby birds~” He smiles sinsterly.
“WE’VE BEEN COMPROMISED! RUN!” Jason screams
“Sir, please don’t climb the walls.” The same teenage worker calls after Dick, as he vaults after the two boys. Once again, the minimum wage worker does absolutely nothing to stop them.
Tim and Jason are cornered, Dick’s plan has been successful.
“We’ve been tricked!” Tim suddenly realizes “He’s—”
“Too late, little birdies!” The boys whip around at Dick’s deceptively cheery voice. Dick was standing at the end of the alleyway he had herded the boys into, his sinister grin still plastered on his face, blocking the only exit. The boys were trapped.
Dick raised his blaster,
Tim dove in front of Jason.
Tim knows there’s about three seconds where the sensors didn’t realize that they had been hit, allowing the player to still fire their blaster. By jumping in front of Jason, Tim can use those three seconds to blast Dick, downing him, making an opening for Jason to escape.
Tim get’s hit,
Three seconds,
Tim fires
He watches the light on Dick’s sensory blink. Then. Go out.
He did it!
His plan worked!
Jason’s eyes widened.
Why was Tim still falling?
Oh.
He like
Actually fully tripped.
He’s about to slam into that wall.
But then.
Jason caught him.
“Tim! What have you—!?”
“Go!” Tim cries “Save yourself!”
Jason straightens, realizing what Tim had done as he looks to Dick’s unlit sensor.
“T-Tim! You—”
“Go! Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain!”
“I-I will!”
“Avenge me Jason!” Tim calls after the boy as he leans against the wall “AVENGE MEEEE!”
Unfortunately, Tim had forgotten that Dick would be back in the game in the full minute it took for Tim and Jason to act out their dramatic scene, and by the time Jason was running out of the alleyway,
Dick had already shot him in the back.
…………………
Dick still ended up wining.
“Told ya little wing, even with as impressive backup as you brought…nobody defeats me at laser tag!” Dick sighed as the trio exited the arena and into the larger arcade.
Tim had always heard of his classmates having birthday parties here, but his parents never let him go because it was Lowbrow entertainment.
Laser Mania was a bowling ally, mini-golf, laser tag, indoor playground, arcade monstrosity that was every hyperactive kid’s dream. It was loud, colorful, and crawling with sugar, video games and prizes.
“What next?” Jason began to ask, “We’ve got mini golf, we can play some arcade games, I am not playing against Dickhead in bowling—oh! We could—”
Suddenly, Tim’s stomach let out a loud growl, causing Tim’s face to turn red as he wrapped his arms around his stomach.
“Ooooor we could go eat!” Dick laughed.
“O-oh no! It’s really okay! If you guys wanted too–”
“Nah, I’m also getting pretty hungry,” Jason smiled as he clapped a hand on Tim’s back, subtly pushing him towards the food court. “Hows’ bout some pizza, Timberly!”
……
Tim had tried to pay for his own meal, which had absolutely appalled Dick,
Who subtly reached around to grab Jason’s wallet
For Bruce’s card.
Tim’s pretty sure this was the best day of his life.
He’s here with two of his friends, who want to be here with him. He’s eating greasy food, in comfy clothes and genuinely having a blast.
He never wants this day to end.
After Jason makes him laugh so hard that he nearly chokes on his pizza, Tim gets up to refill his soda.
His shoes squeak against the sticky floor, making a loud noise as he stalks across the food court to the soda machine.
Suddenly though, the music seems louder than usual, or maybe it’s just he can’t hear as many people anymore?
Yeah. There’s like, less.
Less laughter, less screaming, less loud conversation..
Tim presses the soda dispenser.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he sees odd movement. The kind that makes his hair stand on the back of his neck.
He sees an odd shape from inside what Tim is assuming is a storage room.
Tim’s instincts are telling him something is wrong. Very wrong.
He starts to creep towards the door, cursing the sticky floors for making his shoes creak.
The eerie quiet seems to get louder somehow as he approaches the door. The cheesy pop music most definitely gets louder as he approaches.
He’s suddenly in front of the storage door.
There's a small window to peer into the storage room.
Tim rocks on to his tip toes to look inside when–
An arm shoots out of the door, grabbing him by the shirt, and yanking him harshly inside.
Inside Tim is met with a large, burly man, whose biceps are the size of Tim’s head. He grins down at Tim. Before Tim can yell, punch, kick, scream, anything, an arm snakes around his middle, pinning his arms to his sides, and a hand slaps over his mouth, muffling his scream.
Tim thrashes with all his might, but whoever has him in their grasp is much stronger than Tim.
“One brat down, two to go!” The man in front of Tim sneers. Tim tries his best at a Robin esc glare, but he’s not sure he pulled it off as the man just laughs at him. This causes Tim to trash more.
“Oh a feisty one eh? Rob make sure to tie him up tight.”
The man stalks out of the storage room and now Tim is left in the hands of who he assumes is Rob.
Then a gag gets shoved into his mouth.
……………………………………………..
Tim is tied, gaged, and on the floor of a dirty supply closet.
How could such a good day take a turn like this?!
Tim bonks his head against the wall behind him. He has to come up with a plan. The Drake’s don’t do randsoms, his dad had made that very clear the last time he was kidnapped.
Suddenly the door swung open, causing Tim to squint at the light.
A body gets thrown in.
“Get your nasty paw OFF ME SHITHEAD!” the body yells as he slams to the ground.
Jason?!
Jason was also tied, though for some reason not gagged…
Probably because the guy who threw him in is now sporting a black eye, and he's clearly limping. He probably didn’t want to risk his fingers getting bitten off.
“Play nice and keep quiet brat! You’ll be outta here as soon as both of your parents pay up!”
Tim’s heart sank.
Are they really going to try to contact his parents?
Oh he’s so going to be dead. His parents will never forgive him.
“Tim!” Jason’s frantic voice broke Tim from his spiral.
Tim looked to Jason, who was currently trying to caterpillar crawl over to him.
“Tim! Oh thank god—look I’m so sorry, but don’t worry! I’m sure we will be outta here in no time! This ain’t my first nappin’! And sure ain’t Dickie bird’s.” He smiled triumphantly. Well as triumphantly as you can face down on the floor with your hands tied behind your back. “Bruce is gonna have their money by the hour guarantee, a-and I’m sure your mom and dad will too! If not, Bruce will pay for all three of us I’m sure!”
Tim sighed and shook his head a little, but he was currently gagged, so he can’t really explain how dire this situation actually is.
His parents are—actually, he has no idea where his parents are. Last he checked they were in the seashell islands, but he can’t remember if they were headed to Greece next or further into Madagascar. Either way they are out of cell service, time zones away and even once they had reached his parents, his parents aren’t gonna pay, because once again,
‘Drake’s don’t do ransoms’.
Then even if he survives the kidnapping
He won’t survive his parents.
So Tim just made an affirmative noise through his gag, hoping that would placate Jason for now.
Oooo or maybe Batman will come rescue them! That doesn't solve Tim’s parents' issue, but at least he won’t die from his kidnappers!
Wait— where was Dick?
Tim made a questioning noise through his gag.
“You asking where Dick is? Well pretty boy got chosen to film the ransom video because he was ‘more cooperative’ so I got thrown in the closet, sorry Timbo looks like you got the shit end of the stick…why’d they gag you?”
Tim made ‘idunno’ noise, tilting his shoulder for emphasis. Tim made another noise.
Jason, apparently fluent in Tim noises, sighed again. "Everyone's been evacuated, I think it’s just us and the kidnappers in the building, which hey no collateral!”
Tim responded with a ‘thatsgood’ hum.
While Jason was turtle-ed onto the ground and couldn’t stand up with his hands behind his back.
Tim realized that they had just tied him up around his middle.
Tim could just
Stand up.
They’ve clearly thought that Jason was more of a threat, and thought Tim would probably just hunker down in fear.
So Tim…stands up…
And walks over to the window to peer out of.
“T-Tim? Where ya going?” Jason questioned.
Tim made a ‘overhere’ noise as he once again rocked onto his tippy toes, the platforms of his Converse allowing him to almost go fully on his toes like a ballerina.
Like this he could fully see the floor of the food court, and the whole indoor playground.
And Dick
Hanging from the ceiling?! Above the BALL PIT?!?!?!?! UPSIDE DOWN!?!
What were these kidnappers on?!
Tim made a surprised sound and stumbled back away from the door. Why on earth would they hang Dick like that?
Tim fully knows that Dick could handle himself, he was Nightwing Afterall…but
With Tim here, they probably don’t want to pull out Robin and Nightwing in fear of exposing their identities. Identities that Tim already knows.
Dick could get seriously hurt because of Tim.
Tim decided that now was probably as good as any to tell them he knows right? Especially if it will save them.
Tim took a deep breath.
“Tim? Timbit what are you doing?” Jason questioned from the floor.
Tim released all the air from his stomach, practically deflating himself…
Then he pushed the ropes from around his middle down off his body.
“Tim?!” Tim could hear the smile in his voice “You got out!”
Tim untied the gag from his mouth, working his jaw as he did. “I read one time that when you’re being tied up, you should tense all your muscles, so then when you relax uh–th-the ropes aren’t like, as tight..” He sheepishly said
“Dude! That’s awesome! But now that you’re free you should run! I’m sure me and Dick will—”
“Dick is currently hanging upside down above the ball pit.” Tim interrupted
Jason seemed taken aback by this. “Wh-...what? They hung him upside down??”
Tim bent down to untie Jason, “Yeah. I dunno what the plan is. I know Dick can probably be upside down longer than most, but—now that you’re untied, you can Robin it up, get you both free and I don’t have to stick around to incur the wrath of my parents!” Time smiled while finishing untying Jason.
Jason laid on the floor for a moment. Trying to process What Tim Just Said.
Robin it up
Incur the wrath of my parents
ROBIN IT UP?
“W-wait—”
“Yes I know you’re Robin, I also know Dick is Nightwing and Bruce is Batman and Babs is Batgirl, now let’s get Dick free before all the blood rushes to his head and I can get home before they try to call my parents!”
“Tim!” Jason leapt to his feet and grabbed Tim by the shoulders.
“...W-what? H-how do you know? What do you mean the wrath of your parents. Tim!”
“To answer your first question, I figured it out about two years ago. I saw a video of Robin doing a quadruple somersault mid-air, there are only three people in the world that can do that—two of which are uh–no longer with us—so that left Dick Grayson, and if Dick Grayson is Robin that means that Batman is Bruce Wayne, then Robin changed, but that’s when you showed up i.e Robin–Jason Todd—”
Jason’s mouth was hanging open like a fish
“The answer to the second question is…more complicated…” Tim began to play with his sleeves “M-my parents…made it very clear they don’t do ransoms…I’m usually smart enough to not get myself in these situations—and usually I can get myself out like last time—b-but I—” Tim sighed, completely deflating.
He can’t meet Jason’s eyes. Jason’s hands tighten slightly on Tim’s shoulders.
“I—I’m technically not supposed to hang out with you…my parents think you’re a bad influence…But—”
Tim suddenly met Jason’s eyes. His icy blue eyes staring into Jason’s soul.
“I…you’re my friend…Jason a-and Robin…I think…I can’t just—”
“Hey—” Jason interrupts, moving his hands from Tim’s shoulders to hold his hands. “While we will definitely talk about this more—” Jason took a deep breath
“I’m actually relieved you know. I’m not surprised, honestly. Not sure how I didn’t realize before, but it makes a lot of sense. And of course, both Robin and Jason are your friends. Heck, you’ve saved Robin’s life before!”
Tim’s eyes widened
“But Tim—I—Tim I’m worried your response to being kidnapped is being worried your parents will be mad at you. You have to realize how bad that sounds right?”
Tim’s eyes lowered. His expression crumpled.
Jason pulled him into a hug.
Tim stiffened. Jason hugged harder.
Then Tim melted. Jason sighed in relief
“Alright. Here's what we’ll do.” He pulled back to look at Tim, ruffling his hair. “Robin is gonna go save Dickface out there, then we’ll sneak you out and get ya back home before these bozo’s remember you were here…But—”
Jason’s voice got serious
“We will talk about things—got it?”
Tim nodded.
“Alright—now—” Jason pulled his domino mask from his back pocket “Let’s get my utility belt and get outta here.”
…………………..
Jason’s utility belt was in Dick’s backpack, which was still under the table that they were last eating pizza at.
Okay, this should be easy right? Just sneak by, nab the backpack, hand off the utility belt to Robin, Robin distracts goons, Tim frees Dick, and Tim gets the heck outta dodge.
Alright now to exist the storage room.
Shockingly the storage room
Is unlocked.
“Wow—professionals, huh–” Jason remarks sarcastically.
Tim and Jason begin to creep out of the room.
Jason’s eyes locked on to the backpack.
They began to move but then—
The sticky floor.
Tim’s shoes pulled up with a sickening “Shhhllliiiaaack”
Luckily Dick had noticed his two little birds escaping the storage room. Crap. Of course the boys would set out on their own. Dick has to think fast if he doesn't want the sticky floors of a rundown laser tag arena to get them killed…that would be embarrassing.
He had to keep the goons occupied.
So he begins to do what Dick does best…
Annoy the shit out of his captors.
“SOOOOooooooOOoo!” He began, hopefully drowning out the noise of the sticky floor. “How long do I have to be upside down for? I hate to say this is not my best angle.”
“Shut up pretty boy—!” One of the goons barked “It’s more incentive for daddy big bucks to pay up, and you’re known to be a slippery one Gayson—”
“Ah yes…I remember my first kidnapping fondly…” Dick said with nostalgia, “Hadn’t quite gotten good at the handcuffs yet but I was so scrawny I just slipped right through…”
“Keep proving our point for us, Gayson” One of the goons groaned
“I’ve gotta say ball pit death trap is new…you guys are getting more creative!”
“Can we just gag him?!?”
Tim had never been so grateful for Dick’s yapping in his life.
Luckily the noise of them talking distracted the goons long enough that Jason got to the backpack.
Now armed with his black undershirt, mask, and utility belt, Operation: Save Dick from the worst headache of his life was a go!!
……………………..
“No seriously, how many kids do you think threw up in here? I think I threw up in a ball pit once when I was five…. maybe it’s the blood rushing to my head but I can’t really remember—”
“SHUT. UP. YOU. BRAT!” The main goon groaned.
That’s when suddenly, a bird-a-rang appeared out of seemingly nowhere.
The two goons guarding the doors were easy enough to take out, clearly not expecting an attack from the inside. Robin took them out with ease.
Tim began to ascend the play structure. Trying to figure out where exactly Dick was dangling from.
Dick looked up and saw Tim in the middle of the play structure, clearly trying to deduce how to get him down.
“Tim!” He whispered, though he quickly realized the sound of a fight happening below him would drown out his voice.
He dropped his head to see ROBIN currently engaged in combat with the kidnappers.
Oooooh B’s gonna have an aneurysm.
“Tim!” He called up again, “Tim are you alright?”
Tim seemed to be broken out of his deep thoughts. He looked down at Dick through the play structure grate with wide eyes.
“Dick! I’m alright! But I’m trying to figure out how to get you down!”
“When did Robin show up?” He asked.
“Uhhhh I-I dunno…b-but don’t worry uh—Jason is safe!” Tim paused “I-I also uh—know…about the birds…now let me focus.”
Dick snapped his mouth shut.
He knows about the birds.
He knows…about…
Oh god now B really is gonna have an aneurysm.
“Tim! Just—agh—be careful!”
“IT’S THE BIRD!” The goons started to shout, “THE BAT’S PROBABLY NOT FAR BEHIND!”
Jason finished disarming ‘Rob’ the guy who had tied him and Tim up and hit him with a nerve strike sending him down almost instantly. That just left big beefy dude.
“Alrighty beefy.” Jason smirked, “What’s the point in kidnapping the rich kids? Being a goon doesn't pay well huh?”
Beefy smirked, “I mean a few extra bucks would be nice…” He clenched his hands into fists, “But it seems little birdy fell for the trap…”
Dick saw Jason’s face fall behind the dainmo.
“What. Do you mean.” Jason growled
“I just gotta keep you bats occupied for now, you better hurry…I hear hanging upside down ain't good for the brain.” Beefy sneered
Robin launched into an attack.
Dicks brain was reeling.
He had hit his distress signal but it's a gamble who will show up first. Babs or Bruce.
He's really hoping it's Babs because he doesn't think he has the brain power to explain everything to Bruce right now.
He peered up at Tim, who seemed to be doing some sort of mental math.
“How's it hanging up there Tim!” He called.
“Very funny pun, Dick. I think I almost got a way to get you down without breaking your neck.”
“Tim please don't take this the wrong way, but I really don't think you can catch me.”
“That's currently being accounted for.” Was all Tim replied with.
“Robin!” Dick called out. Jason had just leapt out of the way of a punch being tossed his way.
“What Grayson!?” He called back, frustrated.
“Uh….how's it looking down there? Any sign of Batman coming?”
“Uh—” Robin suddenly vaulted over Beefy “Yeah! Any minute now…. probably??” Jason was bluffing, although Dick probably sent out the distress signal already.
Dick slowly started to rotate.
Oh, this was not good.
"Bad news," he continued, "I may throw up."
"You should let me focus!" Jason hissed, once again diving out of the say of a fist.
"Hey! I’m focusing on not throwing up!"
“BOTH OF YOU SHOULD LET ME FOCUS!” Tim shouted.
Tim looked from Dick to the ropes overhead.
Then to the rusted pulley system.
Then to the metal beam supporting the entire setup.
Tim's eyes narrowed…
"Tim." Dick tried to get his attention
No response.
"Timmers."
Still nothing.
"TIM."
"The counterweight is wrong."
Dick blinked. He shifted his body, realizing he hadn't really looked at how he was being suspended.
"The what?" He questioned
Tim pointed toward the back wall.
A stack of old sandbags hung from a second rope attached to the pulley system.
"If we release those, you’ll come down."
Dick slowly spun around.
"While I would very much like to come down." Dick began, “I also want you to not break your neck Tim.”
“Robin!!” Tim called
“A little busy here, Timbit!” Jason growled while kicking Beefy in the shins
“Aim your birdarrangs for the sand bags above the supply closet!”
“What??”
“Just aim your bird–”
“Tim, I've really gotta focus on not getting punched here—”
“Just flip, like near there! That general area!”
"Guys!?" Dick interrupted. "I'm starting to lose feeling in my face."
Right.
Dick’s head could explode.
Focus.
Tim decided he'd probably have to do this himself.
Just then, Beefy finally looked at the play structure.
“Crap. The brat escaped?! Someone get him!”
The goons that were surprised attacked by Robin were somehow back on their feet. Although they were still staggering. The two goons started to ascend the giant indoor playground.
“Oh crap,” Tim mumbled. He scrambled deeper into the play structure.
He needs to get on the outside in order to cut Dick loose. These things were never up to good safety standards, so there had to be an opening. All Tim had to do was be faster than the two grown men currently trying to squeeze themselves in the tight passageways of the playground.
Simple enough.
Except as Tim was crawling through one of the plastic tunnels, he was suddenly greeted with a face snarling at him at the end of the tunnel.
Tim totally did not let out a squeak and started to back track in the tunnel. Tim had the advantage of being small (He can’t believe he’s admitting he’s small for his age) so he could full rotate inside of the plastic tube.
Suddenly, a hand seized his ankle. Tim shrieked and kicked with all his might.
His foot landed squarely on a face, the owner of which let out a pained shout while letting go of his ankle.
“Nice Tim!” Dick laughed from below, “The other guys' coming up on your right, though!”
Tim quickly reevaluated and decided to climb higher.
The higher up the playground, the more narrow and twisty it became, meaning the two adult muscular men should have a hard time.
Finally, he found an opening just his size to squeeze through. The metal screen encasing the platform had come loose.
Man, imagine if a kid had even less of a sense of self-preservation than I do. They should really fix this. Tim thought, pushing the metal screen to begin to climb on the outside of the structure.
“Tim!” Robin cried, “Be careful!”
Tim shimmed around the play structure 20 feet in the air. While a fall wouldn’t kill him, it still definitely hurt. A lot.
He managed to reach the sandbags.
Tim was gonna give Robin a heart attack.
“Tim!” He shouted, finally cracking Beefy’s kneecaps so hard he went down. “Tim, I’m coming up!”
“I had this!” Tim called, hanging off the metal grid.
“Sure. Whatever.” Robin replied, his grapple latching onto the side Tim was hanging onto. He woodshed to Tim, perched on the metal pole underneath the two boys.
Robin produced his bird-a-rang and then gave Tim a questioning look.
"Cut the left rope." Tim instructed.
"The left left or your left?"
"My left."
"Which is my right."
"Robin."
"I'm just asking."
"Robin. Please."
Snip.
The rope snapped.
Immediately, Dick dropped three feet.
"So the ball pit got closer!" He called.
"Tuck your head, Grayson!"
"I don’t think this is a situation I can ‘tuck and roll’ out of Robin."
Jason cut a second section.
The pulley groaned.
Dick descended another few feet.
This continued until—
THUMP.
Dick landed directly in the ball pit.
A cloud of colorful plastic balls exploded everywhere.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then
"I HAVE BEEN SAVED."
Dick emerged dramatically from the pit. Colorful balls flying everywhere.
Jason grabbed Tim around his waist, and the two descended to the ground.
Dick pointed.
"You're both grounded."
"You can't ground us."
"I'm older."
"That's not how that works."
"It is now."
The second Dick stumbled out of the pit, blood finally rushing out of his head, he immediately wrapped both boys in a crushing hug.
Jason groaned. Tim made a small squeaking noise.
Beefy roared. He began shoving towards the trio. Jason leapt in front of them, prepped for a fight when.
Beefy slumped to the ground.
A bat-a-rang had bounced off his head, knocking him down.
Behind them stood.
Batgirl.
“Batgirl!” Tim and Robin cried simultaneously.
“Wow.” She whistled, “Looks like you boys had an eventful laser tag sesh.”
Jason scoffed, “You could say.”
Batgril bent to Tim’s level. “Hey kid, you alright? This must’ve been scary.”
“Uh…Batgirl,” Robin began, “Tim knows.”
Batgirl’s eyes widened. “W-what?”
“Tim. Knows.” Dick said, nodding towards Tim,
Whose eyes were glued to his shoes. Tim began to fiddle with his sleeves again.
“T-Tim——?”
“Look.” Jason placed himself in front of Tim. “I told him we would discuss later. But for now, if we wanna keep Timbit safe, we gotta cart him off to Drake manor pronto.”
Batgirl straightened. “What do you mean?”
“I-I’ll explain later. But I need to be home before the press comes!” Tim said quietly, but desperate all the same.
“Right. So I’ll go change into civies, and me and Dickiebird will face the cops and press. Batgirl, take Tim back to Drake Manor.”
Batgirl looked like she was to refuse. But Tim gave her a devastated, pleading look that made her heart rip in two.
She sighed, “Alright, Tim, let’s go…” she then smiled, “But hey, you’ll get to ride the batcycle.” She smirked.
Tim’s eyes widened in wonder
“R-really??!”
“Come on, Tim, thought we were in a hurry!” She laughed, ushering Tim out the emergency exit.
He looked back to Dick and Jason, who were waving at him.
“Remember! We are talking later!” Jason called.
Tim just laughed.
Today had it’s ups and downs, but hey,
What’s better than ending the day riding the batcycle with Batgirl!