We've all read secret novel writer Jason Todd AUs, where he writes sci-fi novels etc. BUT I propose a secret novel writer Tim Drake, where he writes Victorian romance novels that are gut wrenching and beautiful.
It all started because the therapist that Tam made him get suggested to write his thoughts. To have something to do with his hands while he processes his feelings and thoughts. Then he started writing small poems here and there. Then stories, then before he knew it, he had written his first novel at 18 years old and published it under D.W. just before he turned 19. He didn't know why he kept it a secret from his family ( - Cass). He just couldn't help but think that his novel was going to be overanalyzed and picked apart and linked to his most vulnerable thoughts and feelings. Him and Bruce were doing great, he never doubted that the man saw him as a son, but things with his siblings were merely pleasant. Jason ignored him most days, but he knew the resentment still lingered. Damian hated his guts and just stopped being violent towards him. And Dick... Well, Dick was trying to fix their fall out but in reality he was just trying to 'hug it out ' and called it a day. Barbara understood him, but was making excuses for Dick and Steph.
Stephanie was also trying to find her footing with him, and he forgave her, though she sometimes undermined his feelings when she was uncomfortable. Nothing they weren't working on though.
He just kept it to himself and Cass. Who was the only one who knew that he wrote a novel, and was working on the second one. She was the one who encouraged him to publish it in the first place. Life was moving on and he felt lighter now that he put his thoughts out in the world. He formed a group with his friends, he had a small position in WE, he had his own apartment, and was about to turn 20 in a few months. Life was good, so of course it had to go to shit bc Bruce wanted Damian to still be in contact with his mother and by extension Ra's. And with that, a full family dinner with the Al Ghuls. He already got a headache by just thinking about the fact that Ra's was going to try to talk to him and that would piss Talia and Damian. Dick will probably be trying to tolerate Talia, Jason would be making snide comments, and Bruce would try to mediate, all while keeping an eye on Alfred bc he will be carrying a shotgun all evening.
Cass and, Steph were patrolling, and Barbara was on comms so they weren't there. Duke was his only saving grace and he pulled a "My friends haven't seen me in a while" and was at a sleepover with said friends. So that left Tim, hiding in his bedroom at the manor (Alfred insisted he stayed home) until the very last minute, then he'll go eat be civil then faked an emergency so that Conner could kidnap him for a few days. He had everything planned out, his bags were hidden somewhere on the grounds, and Con was waiting for his code word to come rescue him.
When he heard Alfred call him for dinner, he took a breath and went down. He almost groaned when he saw his bags standing by the door to the dinning room.
Alfred "Some bodyguards brought them up when they did a sweep of the grounds"
Tim, not bothering to hide his annoyance "Great, I'll put them away later"
Alfred, un bothered by his attitude " Wonderful, I also took the liberty of telling Master Conner, to not bother with faking an emergency. Since you won't be going anywhere tonight."
Tim, looking at the ceiling "Thanks, Alfred"
Bruce at least gave him an apologetic look. Jason was amused by his antics and Damian was sneering at him. He ignored him and tried to sit the farthest possible but Ra's stopped him.
Ra's "Detective, please sit beside your father, and let Grayson sit there. I would like to finally speak with you this evening before you fake an illness of some kind."
And so he did.
*Sitting arrangements, head of the table: Bruce, at his left Ra's, Talia and Damian. At Bruce right, Tim, Jason and Dick*
They all ate relatively silently with some polite conversation here and there. Tim tried to lead Ra's attempts at conversation towards Damian but the old bastard was stubborn. By the time dessert rolled around, Tim was ready to bolt out of the dinning room and locked himself in his room for a month.
Ra's, looking a little too smug for Tim's liking. " Ah, before I forget, dear detective, congratulations are in order. I saw that your novel was on top of the best new novels in various newspapers. Honestly, I'm not that surprised since you wrote it....say would you be so kind to sign my copy?" He said while sliding said copy towards him.
There it was, clear as day, "Falling Birds by D.W."
Ra's looking at Tim and the rest of the family as well, Tim is just glaring at Ra's. He goes up, grabs a pen and writes in perfect calligraphy, "Choke on your own shit and die already. D.W." and slides it back to Ra's. Before Ra's could reach it, Jason grabs the book and turns towards Tim.
" YOU ARE D.W.?!"
"Yes"
"Timmy why didn't you tell us that you wrote a book?!" Dick asked
"it's just a book, didn't take it as something to bother y'all with." Tim shrugs
"JUST A BOOK?! Timmy, Timmers, Timbo, Timberline... This is an amazing gut wrenching- ...oh.... Ohh" Jason looked at him as it dawned on him.
Bruce clears his throat "We'll discuss this later, either way Tim, son, I am proud of you, and will be buying and reading your book, so I demand your autograph as soon as I have a copy of your novel on my hands, okay? "
Tim gave him a small smile "Sure, dad... May I be excused now?"
He didn't really wait for an answer and bolted out, grabbing his bags and hiding in Cass' room.
To be continued on a later date....
