Chapter : <Previous / 10 / Next>
(Dick is still with the Titans, while Bruce meets Tim)
His parents left on a trip and promised they’d be back two weeks ago… but it’s been longer than that now. It’s not the first time they’ve left him alone longer than promised, but still…
He doesn’t want nearby pods or predators to notice he’s on his own, so he keeps close to the edges of the estate, hiding in the shadows and staying quiet. But it’s so booooring. And It’s also been a while since he last saw the Wayne pod pass by in the distance.
Finally, curiosity wins. He drifts a little farther out everyday and that’s when he realizes something is strange.
Mr. Wayne looks more lost than ever. He swims aimlessly, too aggressive, and Tim hasn’t seen anyone else from his pod for a while either.
Over time, Tim starts following him. Quietly. Carefully. When Bruce finally notice him, he’s startled. He didn’t expect his shadow to be a small kid.
What’s a child doing this far from his own pod? Alone, wearing a bracelet, no parents anywhere? Bruce calls out but Tim dodges his questions, then disappears again. But he keeps coming back. He’s too bored, too lonely, and there’s something oddly comforting about someone noticing and asking if he’s okay.
Bruce starts slowing his patrols, staying closer. He can’t let a child drift alone. Sometimes, he even brings food, courtesy of Alfred.
Little by little, the truth starts to slip out. Bruce offers to let Tim stay with him and Alfred, at least until his parents return.
And if being here lets him find out what happened to the rest of the pod…
he won’t pretend he isn’t curious.
