#dick just fuels tim's spite and gives him severe trust issues instead

[brucewaynehater101]

AU: Dick When Bruce "Dies."

When Tim comes to Dick with his evidence (it's literally just a family portrait) of Bruce being alive, Dick pauses. He's a detective as well. He knows that unless the Waynes committed a lot of in-breeding, it's impossible for a late late late family member of Bruce's to have both the Kane and Wanye genetic traits. It's not possible for someone to look so such like Bruce.

Unfortunately, this would mean that Tim is right.

Dick glances up at Tim and plasters on a sympathetic and concerned smile. "Tim... I understand that losing Bruce is hard, especially with all of the lo-"

"You don't believe me." Tim's voice is filled with betrayal, disappointment, and incredulity.

Dick winces as his gaze drifts away. "I'm sorry."

And Dick is. He knows that the lack of support will hurt his younger brother. He knows he's betraying Tim's trust. He knows what this will do to Tim and to their relationship. Dick watches as Tim's barriers get thrown down, and his face loses all tells. He watches his younger brother put emotional distance between them as a form of protection. He watches the immediate damage and knows that, if he fixed it now, they may return to normal. He knows the consequences of his next words.

"There's a grief counselor in Metropolis-"

"You want to-" Tim cuts himself off as he stares at the older man in shock. "You think I'm crazy."

"No! Tim. I think you're going through a rough time right now and yo-"

Tim's laugh is sharp, and his eyes, the only tell the younger one has left, are full of pain. "I see."

"Tim, I-"

"No," Tim shakes his head. A bitter smile is flashed before his face melts into impassiveness. "It's okay, Dick. I understand."

Dick doesn't think the teen does. If Tim truly did understand, he wouldn't react this way. If Tim knew why he was being rejected, the teen would do what Dick is trying to prevent him from doing.

Instead, Dick is a silent observer to Tim becoming more withdrawn. Dick reaches out to the Justice League and expresses his concern for Tim (while implying that Tim's theories are from a mental breakdown). Dick takes Robin away from Tim and cuts out any support the young man might receive. He knows it will hurt Tim. He knows it is currently hurting him.

Dick still does it.

When Tim returns to Gotham with evidence of Bruce's presence in the timestream, Dick grieves. All of his effort, all the pain he put them both through, it was all for naught.