Tim realizing at a very young age that he would never be his parents priority.
By the time Tim was five, he was acutely aware of how little he saw his parents. But it was only when he started watching sitcoms with his nanny did he realize that maybe that wasn't normal? The loneliness and wishing his mother was there to kiss him goodnight. The hope that maybe his dad would finally meet with his teachers to talk about how brilliant he was for such a young boy. None of that was normal.
The image of doting parents to the point where the children were sick of them was a foreign one. One Tim quickly understood was something he'd never have. His parents had much more important things to do. They were successful and important, they couldn't waste time with him. He supposed it was his sacrifice for the life he led.
When he was eight he figured out that not only did his father not prioritize him, but the man borderline hated him. He must've. The way he spoke to him. Even with all his conditioning Tim had to wonder what kind of father said those things to their child.
Of course Tim turned to superheroes. People who cared about people they didn't even know. Especially Batman who just seemed so familiar... We all know how that ends. Boy genius extorts The Dark Knight tooo- be his sidekick? Well I guess he didn't need the money?
Tim spent a concerning amount of time in the cave. Bruce knew the Drakes so he immediately understood why, though that didn't make the lack of concern for their child's whereabouts any less irritating. But Tim never complained about them. He seemed very resigned to this kind of life. So Bruce thought, hey, what's one more kid? Well it was more like, the kid needed him and he needed the kid. Someone to take care of after such a terrible loss. A reason to keep fighting.
He couldn't actually adopt this one, not that it mattered. Tim was still in the manor twenty four seven. He slept there, he ate there. Bruce's drivers took him to school in the morning then straight back to Wayne Manor. He only ever went 'home' when his parents would arrive back in town. Only on the first day, that's the only time his mother seemed to worry about seeing him, then it was back to Bruce's.
Tim, clearly not having a sense for boundaries, had no problem making himself comfortable. Wayne Manor was bigger than his parents estate, but it was still a lifestyle he was very used to. What got Tim, was the quality time. Bruce couldn't seem to leave him alone. Every free second the man had was spent bonding as long as Tim would allow it. This confused the incredibly neglected 10 year old boy. Bruce Wayne was rich, successful, and actively running a conglomerate. And on top of that, he was Batman. So where on earth did he find the time for him? Why did he give a damn about finding time for him?
It made him somewhat uncomfortable. He didn't know what to do with affection. Especially on the days Dick would come back, apologizing for whatever obscenities he yelled at Bruce last time they saw each other. They'd hug, and Bruce coddles him like he's still a kid. It's so... Wholesome? Never crossed Tim's mind that people could argue, and apologize, and still love each other when it's all over. That kind of stuff only happened on tv.
So why was it happening in front of him? Better yet, why were they letting him in to bear witness- to be a part of such warm moments? As smart as Tim was, he could not understand it. He couldn't help but say something. After all, the best way to learn is to ask questions.
"He's my son." Bruce said simply. "I wasn't perfect, and he's sorting out his own things, but we're family. Nothing in this world will change that."
Tim had heard that. It was more of a 'youre nothing without me' thing, but he'd heard it. "And you're doing it... With me?"
Bruce chuckled at his confusion. "You're family too, don't you think? I mean I put my life in your hands every night, and yours in mine, that surely counts for something."
"I don't think- I'm not used to this. I don't know what to do." What should he do? He never had anything like this.
"You can ignore it. Accept it. Tell me to shut up and leave you alone. It's all up to you, Tim. It's your choice."
"I'm not gonna leave you alone." Dick hummed shoving ice cream in his mouth as he walked past the foyer.
"He probably won't but I'll try to keep him on a leash."
Tim chuckled, a little baffled. His choice. His family.
Tim realized that he didn't mind the attention, he just reciprocated in his own way. A lot of eye rolls and scoffs, but it was all love. Dick took it as a personal challenge to make him laugh and smile. Get workaholic Timothy to crack? Oh it made his day. And Bruce... Bruce was his best friend, crazy as it sounded. Bruce let him talk, he allowed complaints, told him when he was being stupid but not in that condescending way that made him wanna bash his head into a wall. Even let him cry when he couldn't hold it in anymore. Reminded him that he was still a kid and he didn't have to know everything, that it was okay to rely on others.
He made him feel like a person. A person that mattered.
(*＾3＾)/～♡
An: that's literally my son
Im making art of him and Kon bc they deserve happiness
