#tim drake centric fic

[the-coffeeaddict-tim-drake]

Tim Drake Fics On A03

These are my list of Tim Drake fics on A03. It has everything. Angst, fluff, funny sibling relationship, family fluff, The core four etc... There are few TimKon fics thrown here and there too. Have fun.

Tim Drake (Doesn't) Drink Coffee by BabblingBookends

Every year, Tim goes on a caffeine detox for a month and has to deal with the resulting withdrawal symptoms. He doesn't tell the rest of the Bats about this, because, uh, reasons!

Bang, bang by Ididloveyou_once

‘You shot me!’ Jason gasped, stunned, ‘Holy shit, you actually shot me.’

Tim’s eyes widened and he froze. They stared at each other for a second, dumbstruck and then-

‘Don’t tell Bruce.’

Or: The family enjoy a normal movie night. Except Jason has a gunshot wound and Tim’s the only one who knows and oh- that’s because Tim’s the one who shot him and they really, really need to find a way to leave before anyone finds out.

Play it Again by Jazz020

The manor feels too quiet without music. Tim and Damian bond over music.

Send to All by kerosceene

I, ___________________________, hereby acknowledge that this form represents my wishes should I contract phytoaphrodisiac-induced delirium (hereafter referred to as “PAID”) during engagements with or while apprehending Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley (“Poison Ivy”).

-

The bats have a sex pollen release form. Because of course they do.

This is on of the most funniest batfam fic I have ever read.

four brothers, one crush, and absolutely zero brain cells to be found by Ms_Trickster

Tim: i need to know what’s the best way to a boy’s heart 

Damian: Easy. The best way to someone’s heart is through their ribcage. Everyone knows that. 

Damian: Come on Timothy, I expected better from you. 

Dick: I-

Dick: Try again

-

Tim is having boy troubles.

Tim goes to his brothers for help.

Tim...did not think that plan of action through.

(In which the batbros give Tim advice on relationships, told entirely through texts.)

Their sibiling relationship is too damn funny.

Home by sElkieNight60 

��Why didn't you call home?” the Red Hood is scolding him, bizarrely making his head spin with how unreal everything suddenly seems. “Why didn't you call Dad? You've been missing for three days and he is losing his mind―he thinks you've been kidnapped again―everyone has been pulling double runs all over the city trying to find you! You fucking disappeared! Seriously, Baby Bird, give us one good reason why we shouldn't drag your ass back home right now and have Dad bench you until the end of all days!?”

The two vigilantes are staring at him equal parts furious and equal parts relieved, but there must be some kind of mistake, because:

“Who is Tim?”

Only A03 users can read this fic.

Cork Board Contingencies by PrinceJakeFireCake

If you don’t use a cork board to obsessively plan contingencies for every possible way a date with your best friend can go, how can you go on a date at all?

Excerpt: “Are you free next Saturday?” Tim asked, pretty sure that Kon’s jumble of words was agreement that he wanted to date Tim.

“Maybe!” Kon exclaimed.

“Cool,” Tim commented, taking another sip of his drugged grape soda (“Dammit, Tim,” he mentally told himself. “Do not give in! Buy new grape soda! Stop drinking the drugged grape soda! I’ve shotgunned another can of drugged grape soda, haven’t I? Dammit, that makes five!”) then saying, “That gives me just enough time to pass out for fifty-two hours and plan our first date.”

Bloodlines by chibi_nightowl for exiled-one (mistralle)

“Mr. Drake, I can’t think of a better way to say this, so I’ll just be blunt. This file is for your first adoption. By the Drakes.” 

Tim blinked. “My what?” 

“You were adopted as a newborn by Jack and Janet Drake.” 

“Excuse me, but what the fuck are you talking about?”

No words. This fic is just mind blowing.

fill in the blanks by mindshelter

“You?” Tim blurts. Holy shit. “You’re Kon?”

A nod. “Are you in any pain?” he asks again.

Kon’s skin is sun-kissed, cheekbones dusted with a fine smattering of freckles; he is, without exaggeration, the prettiest person Tim has ever seen. “No, I’m—great,” he says, fidgeting. “Do you, uh, come here often?”

Kon raises a brow. “To the medbay?” he intones. “Definitely more often than I’d prefer.”

Road Rage Robin by heartslogos 

"I'd be doing humanity a favor." Tim grinds out, "And I would get away with it. I could totally get away with it. I've done worse."

Only A03 users can read this fic

Liberal Usage of the Bro-Code by heartslogos for protagonistically (the_protagonist)

“You’re never going to guess who’s blood is on my shirt – similarly, this is not my shirt but these are my pants.”

Only A03 users can read this fic.

Here's a Reminder (That You Haven't Fallen Through the Cracks) by popsunner

If it’s a salesperson, he’ll shove them a hundred dollar tip and tell them to go away, if it’s some religious do gooder, he’ll direct them to Metropolis. If it’s a Rogue, he’ll tell them he’s busy and to please get in the fucking line. If it’s one of his siblings--

“Hey, Tim!” Dick says brightly, forearm braced against the doorframe.

Dammit.

i totally don't have amnesia by impravidus for odd_izzy

Based on this john mulaney bit: “I also think it's weird in movies when someone has amnesia and they wake up in the hospital. A lot of times they'll be surrounded by friends and family, but when they open their eyes they go "Who are you?" Because that's not how you act when you don't recognize somebody. That's very rude. It would be chaos out there if every time you saw someone you didn't recognize, you went, "Who are you?" I always try to be really polite in life, so like if I had amnesia, you'd never know it. I'd wake up and they'd be like "Hi John, we're so happy you're awake." And I'd just be like, "Oh, hey, man, how's it going?", "Oh, hey, dude, nice to see you again." because that's how you act when you can tell that someone recognizes you and you have no fucking clue who they are.”

Detective Timothy Drake and the Mysterious Case of the Unclaimed Dildo by JpegDotJpeg

Tim had a lot of experience with problem solving. Every goddamn day he was solving problems. There was no shortage of problems in Tim’s life. He’d learned how to deal with overbearing parents, underbearing parents, malfunctioning equipment, in-team conflict, lawsuits, emotional breakdowns, financial difficulty, broken ribs, ill-timed boners, and a whole host of other bizarre, anxiety-inducing, or life-threatening issues that plagued his existence.

None of them had prepared him for finding a dildo in the dishwasher.

I had so much fun reading this.

Little Overlooked Dreams by Lunette3002 for Marzue

Tim weighed his options. He was alone at night in some alleyway in Gotham. He had nothing except the clothes left on the ground by someone and the cloak wrapped around his skinny shoulders. His camera was nowhere in sight. His backpack was gone too.

He brought the device to his ear. “Hello?”

Whatever talking had been on the other end of the line immediately cut off at his hesitant greeting.

“Who is this?”

Family Photos by KelpieCodyne 

“I thought you quit your photo stalking?”

“In my defence, I never said I was quitting, and you never asked if I would,” Tim immediately counters. “So really, this is kind of on you.”

Just because Tim became a bat, doesn’t mean he stopped taking photos of bats. Several times Tim took photos of the batfamily, and one time they took photos of him.

One of my all time favorite fic. And only A03 users can read this fic too.

picture perfect memories by Fandom_Trash224 

“I… require assistance with something. I believe you are best-suited for it.”

Tim raises an eyebrow, but motions for the younger boy to enter his room. As Damian does, he slowly closes the door behind him, and Tim notices a small piece of what Tim assumes to be paper in Damian’s hand. Then, he realizes it’s not just a piece of paper: it’s a photo.

Damian approaches Tim, holding out the photo at arm’s length once he’s close enough to do so, saying, “I would like you to explain this photo to me.”

Tim glances down at it, and to both his surprise and mild horror, he recognizes the photo.

Only A03 users can read this fic.

Biphasic Reaction by renecdote

People may have allergic reactions all the time and be fine, but they can also die from them. He has a flash of sudden, morbid curiosity about what the exact statistics for fatal allergic reactions are.

Only A03 users can read this fic.

miles and miles (in their shoes) by JUBE514

Where is Damian? Why can’t he see anything clearly? Where is the little brat? Damian had been by him in the cave when everything had exploded, they had been arguing like always when the two of them had gotten the punishment to go clean the trophy room, stop yelling at each other, stop being at each other's throat for two minutes and go clean the goddamn trophy room-

They had been cleaning, got into another knock out drag out argument, and it had come so close to blows and they had been screaming more than cleaning and-

The stupid fucking shoe, in the magical section- exploded out-

--

Tim and Damian switch bodies, the two of them realize exactly why the other does the things they do.

The Waynes, Damsels in Distress by hitthedeck

Roses are red, violets are blue, Bruce Wayne and his kids get kidnapped every other week. Some things are just universal, undeniable facts of life.

Or, in which Bruce Wayne is still Batman and his kids are still Robins, but they keep letting themselves get kidnapped because they think it's funny.

Have You Seen My Kids!? by Cute_Bear

Five Times Bruce's kids interrupted him as Bruce Wayne and One Time they interrupted him as Batman with the Justice League.

This is not Tim - centric, but it has really nice batfam fluff.

ten cents richer by Ms_Trickster

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

That’s how the saying goes. Take enough punches from the universe and eventually it becomes harder and harder to pop back up, to see the worth in fighting back, to stop yourself from turning around and delivering some punches of your own.

Tim never wanted to become the villain—

“Appendicitis,” Tim breathed in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

—but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t tempted to burn the world to ashes when shit like this kept happening to him.

A Saturday Evening by malcyon

Jonathan shrugs, catches the expression still on Tim’s face. “We did throw out the cyanide.”

“Only because it expired.”

“Marty.”

“Well, it did.”

*****

Kon invites Tim over for dinner. Tim's not sure if he should have accepted that invitation.

unfurl by shipyrds

"Hey, Dick," Tim says. He's in costume, and fiddling with his gloves, but he doesn't remove his mask: nervous, and trying to hide it. "You've had sex with aliens, right?"

"I'm not going to like where this is going, am I?" Dick says, resigned.

"How did you deal with the whole. Junk situation," Tim says, in his best professional Mission Report voice. Its success is kind of undermined with how red his face is below the domino. — Tim asks some questions. Bruce and Clark come to some realizations.

The Conner Kent Conspiracy Board by Hayleythewriter

Tim figures out Kon’s feelings before Kon does.

His Baby by Musafir

Bruce once made Tim a promise that he would never break, just have to reaffirm later in life.

“Hi Tim. I’m Bruce and I am always going to be here for you.”

Banshee In A Well by liverobinreaction (bugbee)

Tim is five years old when he drowns in his parents' pool. He dies quietly, waiting for parents who love him, but will never be there, to realise that something is wrong. They never show up, and he sinks into oblivion.

When he wakes up and claws his way out of the water, the sun has set, and the lights of his house are on. He is cold and wet and his lungs burn.

But most of all, Tim is alone.

(If you die and no-one is there to see it, were you ever alive in the first place?)

The Return by lurkinglurkerwholurks 

What the comics neglected to cover after Bruce returns from being lost in time.

Only a03 users can read this fic.

charity by Valkirin for Ms_Trickster

The biggest downside of being adopted by Bruce Wayne is putting up with rich people events, including one where Jason will be in a room with a bunch of rich kids for a couple very long hours while Bruce goes to the adults' meeting. Jason is ready for a very bad time but the Drake kid listens to him from the start and keeps backing up Jason's ideas even though they've never met.

Jason warms up to Tim Drake long before Mad Hatter tries to take over the meeting and Tim backs him up again.

city of stars by lovelyre

College friends-to-lovers AU with Tim Drake.

This is Tim drake x Reader fic. Trust me its really good.

Tricks of the Trade by Jazz020

Jason and Damian learn about Tim's fool proof method of getting what he wants from Superman

Security Updates by Jazz020

Hal, Clark, and Barry find an unexpected guest playing with the watchtowers security.

Vacation at the Watchtower by Jazz020

A continuation of Security Updates

It may have been a mistake to let Tim stay at the Watchtower while he heals from his injury but the kid really needed to get away from his brothers.

“Wait, what if I go to the Watchtower with you.” “I don't think-” “It’ll be great. I'll even help out if you need me to. I'll be the best unpaid intern the Justice League has ever had.”

Birthdays by Jazz020

Bruce was always aware that Jack and Janet Drake were bad parents, but every once in a while they give him an unfortunate reminder.

Loss by Jazz020

Out of all of Tim’s self-destructive tendencies, it was his willingness to die for his loved ones that frightened Alfred most.

Sick by Jazz020

Tim’s never quite figured out the proper behavior for someone who’s sick. Instead of resting, he often makes his way to the Watchtower.

We Can Work It Out by blackash26, Tigrislupa

Damian endeavors to make up for his treatment of Drake and apologize properly; however, Drake refuses to forgive him no matter what he does. Tim does his best to deny, avoid, and ultimately deal with the fact that the demon brat has a crush on him of all people. (Pulling pigtails never felt like quite such an understatement.) Meanwhile, the rest of the family takes sides.

In all of this, there's only one thing everyone agrees on.

Don’t tell Dick.

Only A03 users can read this fic.

you'll never find a thing like today by remrose

"I'm just saying, I don't think I've ever been to one of these things that hasn't ended in explosions," Bart tells them, eyes on the crowds as he tugs at the ends of his cuffs.

To the Boy Who Called Yesterday by Shirokokuro

Bruce wonders when six-year-old Tim changed, when he shed that sad look he’s wearing now.

Or, perhaps, when he got so good at hiding it.

Cough syrup by Stardustwrites17

It’s the coldest night in the year. So of course Tim falls into the Gotham-fucking-harbor.

Featuring a worried dad, Tim's missing spleen, and of course, Tim battling with himself between being independent and letting himself be loved.

Chili dogs seasoned with tears by Robin_The_Robiner

Ever so slowly, Tim looked down at his plate. On it was a steaming chili dog, topped with fried onions and fresh parsley.

“Oh.” he whispered.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Taking the place of a beloved dead boy was difficult, but Tim managed to do a decent job. He's smart, confident, and put together, so he wasn't effected by their devastating grief at all.

Tim is also a dirty little liar when it comes to his mental health.

A Pile Of Pillows By The Couch by reinersbigtits

Tim has always hated getting sick. He hates the haze and the pain. But, when he finds out his family is sick he jumps in to help without a second thought. However, without a spleen, he's incredibly susceptible to the illness and quickly realizes just how much he's missed out on.

Or: Tim Drakes repressed trauma followed by worried family feels and lots of comfort.

stepping on landmines by Ms_Trickster

There is a scar curved around Drake's neck that Damian does not understand.

So he asks Todd.

the butler's neighbor by deargalileo

It starts with a baseball, thrown onto the wayne's property. it's alfred's job to deal with such happenings, of course. but over tea and galas, it turns into so much more.

after all, why should bruce be the only one allowed to adopt any child that he finds?

Stranger than Fiction by foxy_mulder

"There are details in this document that absolutely no one should know unless they have inside information on us. There’s hints that they know our patrol schedules and regularly keep tabs on us. I don't know who's behind this, or what they want with Batman, but tracking the writer needs to be a priority."

"And this document is… a fanfiction?"

_________

(Tim Drake writes Batman fanfiction. He doesn't expect Batman to actually find it.)

There are many many more fics which i will post later. Have fun reading

[vveakfish]

read this pls pls pls — its so good dear god

[ all the men and women merely players by IzzyMRDB ]

[timdrakewhump]

Something something Tim tearing up at his first Christmas with the Wayne’s because he’s used to presents being ordered by assistants while his parents are on digs and it’s always generic but Bruce gets him a personal present based off an inside joke and no he’s not crying it’s just he wasn’t sure if Bruce was just pretending to be happy he wasn’t here for dick’s sake but Bruce remembered and went out of his way to find the silly present and it’s cheap and stupid and nothing like what his parents would give him and it’s perfect because it means Bruce knows him, really knows him—

[saintvainglorious]

Fics I Enjoyed in December - DC Comics Fic Rec List

Fell headfirst back into DC Comics for the first time in years this month. Reread some old favorites and discovered some new gems!

My January DC Comics fic rec list is here!

Heart, Humble by Betty (Mature, 8k, 2005) Jack Drake deals with finding out that Tim is Robin (poorly, and then not so poorly). THEE canon-accurate Jack Drake-focused fic of all time, this is canon in my heart.

Back then, all the boys his age had hero-worshipped costumed vigilantes. Jack supposes they still do.

Exit Strategy by smilebackwards/@smilebackwards (Teen & Up, 13k, 2021) Tim plans to leave a family he thinks he was never really a part of and decides to train Damian on how to run Wayne Enterprises before he goes. Delicious angst, excellent character work, and fun Wayne Enterprises worldbuilding.

Batman needs a Robin and Batman has a Robin. Tim is just extraneous now, vestigial. He’s a bandage over a healed wound. He doesn’t know what he’s hanging on to. Or: Tim didn’t expect his exit strategy from the Batfamily to involve quite so much bonding time with Damian over Wayne Enterprises bureaucracy.

On the Downbeat by medusaceratops (Teen & Up, 2k, 2019) Bruce and Jason talk while waiting in line at a drive-thru (featuring Gotham-typical violence and husborth-typical gorgeous prose). I've always adored husborth's Star Wars fics and I'm so glad I dipped my toe into their DC works, no one's writing hits quite like husborth.

Jason has recovered his sanity, and Bruce and Jason have recovered their relationship; but there are some things that are hard to forget.

A Zoo for Canines by medusaceratops (Mature, 45k, 2019) Part 2 of Zoology; Dick and Jason try to help Bruce recover from addiction. If you're used to fanon Dick Grayson (cheery, friendly, forgiving) you will not find him here - his anger and pain is ugly, raw, and so fucking captivating.

Edit: This fic and the series has since been deleted off ao3, though Part 1 (An Aquarium of Nameless Things) is still up; DM me if you'd like to read it.

Dick, Bruce, and Jason head out to a cabin in the mountains, and they handle things about as well as they handle anything.

All the Roofs of Uncertainty by Kieron_ODuibhir/@kieron-oduibhir (General Audiences, 70k, 2015) Dick almost dies and makes Jason promise to take care of the family for him. A masterclass demonstration on how DC fic can square all the wildly divergent canon versions of Jason Todd into a single compelling character.

For all the blood on his hands, Red Hood was never just a villain. And Nightwing never gives up on family, not for good. (Or: The one where Dick bleeds a lot and Jason argues with everybody.)

The Till-Then From the Ever-Since by Kieron_ODuibhir/@kieron-oduibhir (General Audiences, 85k (WIP), 2020) Kid versions of the whole Batfamily mysteriously time travel to the future! I livetexted a friend the whole time I read this so I could yell about how amazing the character writing is; also I'm wildly impressed with how the author deftly handles tons of dialogue-heavy scenes with like 12+ guys in it without anyone going unmentioned.

It began, or seemed to begin, with Jason. Usually that would have meant something in the order of fire and explosion and probably at least one gunshot wound, but for once (as Tim said, sourly), it wasn't actually Jason's fault.

only you will have stars that can laugh by silverwhittlingknife/@silverwhittlingknife (Teen & Up, 9k, 2022) Dick finds out Tim is alone on Christmas and invites him to Babs' Christmas party. Discovered silverwhittlingknife through their galaxy brained Dick & Tim meta essays, stayed for every single line of Chapter 2 ripping out my heart and roasting it over an open flame.

You coming over is possibly the only thing that’s gonna stop me from wanting to punch your dad in the face, Dick doesn’t say. My current Christmas Day plans are 1) pace around at home, and 2) try not to obsess about what Bruce is up to, so trust me, you’ll be an improvement, Dick doesn’t say. Tim's alone on Christmas Eve. Dick finds out, and fixes it.

nerve endings by silverwhittlingknife/@silverwhittlingknife (Teen & Up, 5k (WIP), 2024) Post-Catalina Flores, Dick, Tim, and Bruce go on a (canon-accurate) cruise and dance around their open wounds. This is a glorious example of "he WOULD fucking say that", Dick's voice is so canon-accurate that the angst is even more painful i cri

It's all right, even, to have a foreign hand pressing against his skin, testing him, testing his reactions. He keeps his breathing controlled. Just Tim, damn you, it’s just Tim, don’t fuck it up. Dick's on a cruise with Bruce and Tim. And he's fine. Mostly.

Red Letter Day by silverwhittlingknife/@silverwhittlingknife (Teen & Up, 42k (WIP), 2022) Dick is sure the cryptic scribble in his agenda refers to something he's supposed to do for Damian, but he can't remember what. Mostly about Tim and Dick s l o w l y mending the post-Damian rupture in their relationship, but the whole family is here and Jason, especially, is fucking hilarious.

Dick Grayson, stressed pseudo-parent to a preteen assassin, tries to solve the case of Damian’s Mysterious Wednesday. He never expected it to help him fix his relationship with Tim, too. (… Though only after everything fell apart first.)

Gonna Be A Better One (A Thousand Miles To Your Door) by Traincat/@traincat (Teen & Up, 18k, 2011) Tim and Kon keep dating even after Jack forces Tim to retire as Robin. I reread this fic annually and every time am delighted to rediscover how funny and heartwarming and squee-inducingly kind it is, pure Timkon perfection.

In which Tim quits being Robin, Kon refuses to quit Tim and Ma Kent is full of relationship advice.

last light in a darkened room by bigdamnher0/@bigdvmnhero (Not Rated, 6k, 2024) Tim finds a distressing video of Robin!Dick and wishes that things were different. The whole fic, particularly Tim manifesting a happy ending in the bathroom, is a gorgeously crafted tragedy such that you're left kind of awed at how thoroughly massacred your heart and soul are post-read.

Tuesday morning: a video was uploaded to one of the deep web black markets. The footage, shot on those grainy vintage camcorders. But Tim knew that boy in the thumbnail; his eyes had memorized him, the heft and shape and dazzle of him, imprinting like an afterimage. Or: a brother is a witness; there's your tragedy.

buy back the secrets by sundiscus/@vinelark (Teen & Up, 91k (WIP), 2024) Superboy rescues civilian Tim Drake before learning that Tim is Robin and shenanigans ensue. I spent my whole holiday vacation intermittently screaming at this fic while my family members looked on with vague concern this fic is ADORABLE and AGONIZING and PERFECT please and THANK YOU.

He takes a long, slow breath. Ignores the glares from the other students. “Superboy,” he murmurs. “It’s me. If you’re listening, I could use some help.” Or: 5 times Superboy saves Tim Drake, and one time Tim Drake saves Superboy.

[thedevilundercover]

I might write a fic that’s just Tim running around being a little shit.

Like imagine if Timmy started to go on like hacking forums in his teens bc he was bored and then he just became a little troll on the internet for shits and giggles.

It starts as a stupid dare one of his friends makes him, “I bet you can’t hack into the GCPD database” and Tim’s has had no fucking chill ever.

Then it slowly spirals until he becomes a well known troll on the internet. He has a distinctive tag with his hacking as well. He posted details important politicians doing shady shit, drug cartels, human trafficking gangs. Like every weirdo on the internet wants to kill him and Tim finds it hilarious.

He’s like a part time info broker for the criminal underworld

Until the red hood reached out to him for info and he seems weirdly familiar

Edit: I did write a fic abt this :)

Uhhh I gave timmy a gun so you're legally obliged to read about it now

[jade-e06]

i just wanted to draw tim, a lot

timkon art will be coming up soon! i’m still trying to figure out kon’s design tho

[iconicname]

Jason todd survived/catonic recovery/comes home early au: hurt and traumatized trying to heel and feel like a person again, maybe working out reconciling with the family, learning to feel loved again.

Tim drake's attention seeking ass:

[mikakuna]

i am once again begging for jason fic recs but this time i'm gonna be more specific. pls plsss share any fics you guys have read that doesn't include pit madness, jason apologizing to tim, jason feeling bad about what he did to tim, or anything to do with tim. if it has to do with tim, i hope it's someone acknowledging tim's role in badmouthing robin jason (literally impossible i think) or them only having a relationship if it's not built on jason feeling guilty and tim being a baby twink

[oncillabrigade]

Great news for Tim Drake!

[clownzaf]

Some people are so annoying about canon like if I wanted to read canon I would read the comics I read fanfiction bc I don’t want to read canon that’s the THING OF IT idc if atp it’s a completely new character I love it sm

Reading fanon Tim Drake it’s so much fun when you don’t have a voice in your ear telling you every mistake it has

[a-chicken-with-adhd]

Okay whump fic idea, anyone is free to use as inspo.

Bruce did kill Joker, especially after stopping him from blowing up the UN and killing him when killing the Joker wouldn't cause a war. He kills Joker, not as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne because it was the father mourning a child and not a knight mourning its apprentice.

Bruce is taken to jail (this is very undercover knowledge as to not cause mass panic), Jason revives in his grave, Barbara still becomes paralyzed.

Dick is left with having to manage Gotham, Blüdhaven, Wayne Industries, The Teen Titans, part-timing at the Justice League, and also working as a cop.

Tim still connects the dots and confronts Dick Grayson on overloading himself, he still becomes Robin helping Dick while in Gotham(if more on the investigation and finding evidence and solving cases to give to commissioner Gordan than stopping Bane and supervillians)

Jason still becomes the RedHood, (for more whump purposes) Talia notices that there is something different with Batman but is unable to uncover why.

There's a riot at the Jail Bruce is in and at the same time there's a breakout. Jason is training around the world.

Bruce unfortunately passes due to multiple inmates gaining access to an officers guns and shooting randomly. This is kept quiet. All online rumors shut down by Oracle, not letting the new out until Alfred and Dick are ready.

Dick, Alfred, Barbara and Tim are in mourning. Trying to get the company together before letting the news break to the public. Dick is upset, knowing that he will have to hold onto the cowls mantle for longer. Angry and confused with his emotions about Bruce, his Father, his dad, dying while also feeling regret and shame that they left on a bad note, yelling at each other with him screaming that he hated Bruce.

Barbara is mourning the second Father figure she had, missing the calls she would get on Wednesdays from Bruce who listened to her rants and encouraged her to keep trying physical therapy.

Tim is sad he never got to know Bruce as anything more than his idol, but is determined to become a master at detective work to lessen the burden on Dick. So Dick grayson can go back to being Nightwing full time.

Alfred is mourning his child, his son, the little boy he raised that grew into a phenomenally kind-hearted, if too stoic and emotionally scared, strong man.

Jason, still thinks Bruce is alive. No one told him, he couldn't find this information. Jason still harbors hate that Bruce didn't do anything. There's whispers that Joker is retired or dead, or just hitting the ground after killing a powerful billionaire/trillionaires son. But no confirmations.

Jokers death by the hands of playboy billionaire philanthropist Brucie Wayne, the kind-hearted if a bit dim-witted flirtatious himbo Twunk, is a well kept secret.

Jason makes his debut as Red Hood, harboring Hate for Bruce. Trying to really rub it in Batman’s face that he knows who is under the mask. Angry that Bruce didn't avenge him. Angry that his killer could still be out there! Wandering the streets!

Its night that Alfred decides to let the news break to the world. Jason is out, being chased by Batman, they get into a scuffle, the Red Hood manages to pin down Batman while ontop of a building right across from a jumbo advertisment screen, Tim was working on coms and surveillance with Oracle. Then the news hit Gotham.

Jason was yelling at Batman, angrily yelling about how he has to live in fear that the joker could still be alive, live in degrading self worth that him dying wasnt what crossed the line for his dad, yelling that ignoring what Joker had done just to put him in Arkham where he'd just break out was just sentencinh Gothamites to death, ripping off his helmet screaming at Batman with hot angry tears in his eyes, pulling off Batman’s cowl only to be met with his older Brother's face.

The screen flashes from whatever advertisment to breaking news covering the hidden story of Bruce Wayne, who had killed Joker in revenge for murdering his son, had recently died in a recent jail outbreak from inmates causing a riot getting ahold of a gun and shooting other inmates.

The new anchor draws comparisons to Bruce Wayne's Parents and how they died in a random act of gun violence.

Jason, dealing with too much, runs away. Ignoring the way his whole body felt like it was breaking at the news that his dad had avenged him, had killed the Joker, but it had gotten him killed, shot in the head. Ignoring the calls of his older brother who just found out that Jason is alive.

[ficrecsbyv]

Title: Ain't No Compass, Ain't No Map

Author: ebjameston

Fandom(s): Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics)

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/38048365/chapters/95037589

Visibility status: Account Only

Update Status: Complete

Chapter(s): 9/9

Word Count: 51,863

Summary:

"CPS Agent, pointing at Tim Drake: We need to take him with us Red Hood: He's fine where he is CPS: He's a minor Hood: Timbo, you a minor? Tim: Can't prove it CPS: I mean, I can. There are records – Tim, who has just finishing hacking CPS to remove his own file: Oh really, tell me more about these records

+++

A CPS agent gets sent to investigate a tip that Tim Drake has been abandoned by his parents and is living with the Red Hood. The CPS agent leaves with no Tim Drake, a date with Red Hood's lieutenant, and an intern who's promising to fix the IT systems at his office. 

It's a weird day for Theo."

Author’s tumblr: @ebjameston

[yukiwhitetm]

5 Tim Drake-centric Must Reads: Animals/Non-Humans Theme

Find all my Batman – All Media Types fic recs here.

Find post 5 Tim Drake-centric Must Reads here.

1.

two against the world by carolinaa

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types  

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, Complete Work

02 Jul 2022

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Tim Drake & Dick Grayson, Tim Drake & Jason Todd

Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Jim Gordon

Accidental Dog Acquisition, Tim drake needs a dog idc. Idc, Child Neglect, Hurt/Comfort, Slowburn Found Family, Fluff and Angst, Summer Vacation, Bad Parents Jack and Janet Drake, Good Sibling Dick Grayson, Attempted Kidnapping, Tim Drake Needs a Hug

Summary:

“I’m Tim,” he says, though introducing himself to a puppy makes him flush in embarrassment. “Are you hungry?”

The dog blinks at him, all scared eyes.

“Where’s your family?” Tim asks. “Did they leave you?”

(Or: Tim Drake finds a friend.)

Language: English Words: 36,752 Chapters: 4/4

Yuki Note:

(My original note on this:) An expectedly brilliant story full of angst and drama but a very happy ending!

I read this quite a while ago but this still leaves such an impression on me. This is Tim getting the doggy love he’s always needed, which slowly leads him to the family he’s always deserved. As a ‘Tim Joins the BatFam Early’ story, this one is brilliant. Sweet, fluffy with just the right amount of angst but an excellent happy ending.

2.

Tim The Dragon Tamer by CatSaucEe

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Red Robin (Comics)  

General Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, Work in Progress

01 Aug 2023

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne, Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson, Tim Drake & Damian Wayne, Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown & Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain, Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Duke Thomas & Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne, Tim Drake & Duke Thomas,

Tim Drake, Tim Drake's Parents, Bruce Wayne, Janet Drake, Jack Drake, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Duke Thomas, Alfred Pennyworth

Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Alternate Universe – Fantasy, Alternate Universe – Dragons, Dragons, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe – Medieval, Tim Drake-centric, Canonical Character Death, Tim Drake Trains Dragons, More Like A Dragon Crash Lands Into His Life, Alternate Universe – Magic, Alternate Universe - Creatures & Monsters, BAMF Tim Drake, But Also Awkward Tim Drake, Human Disaster Tim Drake, Tim Drake Has Secrets, It's Dragons, Batfamily (DCU), Batfamily Dynamics (DCU), Good Sibling Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne is a Good Parent, Worldbuilding, Inaccurate Descriptions Of Monsters, I basically made up shit, Not Canon Compliant, Digital Art, Damian Wayne Has a Heart

Summary:

Tim's never seen one before, usually cooped up in his house with a servant coming by his home once a week to drop off supplies that'll keep him well fed until the next week. But he has read books, and sometimes, he imagines himself encountering one and fighting them with blades, like brave knights do to earn their glory.

A dragon bleeds out on the floors of his home, and all he has is a book, and no sword.

-

The Kingdom Of Gotham is often riddled with creatures good and bad, mostly bad. The dragons that pass over Gotham, harass the Gothamites, and pollute the air with smoke and smog are no exception, and one knows better than to confront one unless you are a hunter.

Except one night, when a dragon crashes into the home of one Timothy Drake, everything changes.

Part 1 of Tim, The Dragon Tamer

Language: English Words: 47,678 Chapters: 10/11

Yuki Note:

(Although, this says it still has one chapter to go, this one feels pretty complete to me! It’s fully readable now!)

I cannot recommend this one highly enough! I truly believe this story is a hidden gem. I mean, it has dragons, Tim as a dragon rider, dragon hunters, the Bat Family as knights, grappling with right or wrong (are the dragons their enemies or not?), secrets and secret identities (if I remember correctly), and a big final battle. What more could you ask for? This is one is wild ride!

Honourable Mention

before we get into all the Mer AUs

Get Familiar With Me by JUBE514, SalParadiseLost

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types  

General Audiences, Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Gen, Complete Work

25 Apr 2024

Tags:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Dick Grayson & Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson, Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson & Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne

Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth

Magic AU, Witch & Familiar AU, Witches, Familiars, Alternate Universe – Magic, Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, Soul Bond, Resurrected Jason Todd, Good Sibling Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Good Parent Bruce Wayne, magical systems, Witch Dick Grayson, Witch Jason Todd, Familiar Bruce Wayne, Familiar Tim Drake, I squished their ages a bit

Summary:

Every witch needs a familiar, but not every familiar needs a witch. Tim, recently orphaned and freshly adopted, is a familiar that doesn't need a witch, but he needs to be a witch. Because Bruce Wayne, America's most famous familiar, only keeps company with witches. Dick is a witch. Jason is a witch. Robin is a witch.

Tim *needs* to be a witch.

But when Tim's mistakes begin to stack up, his big lie starts to come crumbling down, and his place in the family goes with it.

Language: English Words: 12,665 Chapters: 1/1

Yuki Note:

Since we are about to have three Mer AUs in a row, I thought it best to include another story in a different universe. Witches and Familiars might only come under the category of Animals/Non-humans if you squint but I think it's nice to have one more story that's not a Mer AU just in case you're not into that.

In this universe of witches and familiars, Tim is a familiar pretending to be witch because the Bat Family already have a familiar in Bruce and certainly don’t need another in him. He’s always hidden this by pretending to just be bad at magic/not found his skill yet. Only, it starts to become a problem when Dick and Jason notice issues with their magic from Tim supplying them with too much on top of Bruce’s existing contribution so they suspect Bruce is ill – dying! Now, the angst is nigh as Tim has to decide, which is more important, his security in the family through keeping his little secret or relieving everyone’s worries about Bruce's health… but risk him being thrown out. Useless, unneeded, a hindrance not a help.

Honestly, this is such a fun read! A brilliant one-shot that I highly recommend! Check it out.

3.

Redfish by Bionerd2Point0

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types  

Mature, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, Complete Work

20 Nov 2020

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Tim Drake & Jason Todd

Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown, Duke Thomas

Alternate Universe – Merpeople, Merpeople, Mer!Jason, mer specialist!Tim, Aquariums, Past Rape/Non-con, animal cruelty, Captivity, Mpreg, Pregnancy, non-graphic childbirth, implied depression, attempted drowning, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst, Fluff and Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family, Language Barrier, Sign Language, mersong, they sing, it's a thing, Happy Ending, intersex mers, Pods

Summary:

Strapping the goggles and mask on, he gave the all-clear and hopped into the water. It was practically frothing with bubbles, and if the situation were less serious he might have made a joke about Finding Nemo and a bubble volcano, but as it stood he could barely see a thing and his anxiety was sky high.

Studying mers for upwards of a decade had given him a healthy respect for how dangerous they were when humans threatened their territory, let alone when they were brooding with a grudge. He wanted what was best for Big Red, and he was absolutely certain that Red did not know that yet. He’d feel a lot better about all this if they could actually see the mer, but with how frothy the water was, Tim could barely see two feet in front of him.

He had a desperate, fleeting hope that he wasn't about to be murdered, but the shifting shadows around him weren't very promising.

Part 1 of Free Willy: The Mer Edition

Language: English Words: 22,355 Chapters: 5/5

Yuki Note:

This is a bit of an odd one. But it’s all in good fun. Jason is a pregnant mermaid/merman/merfolk/mer - yes, you read that right, he’s a pregnant cis male mer, but keep in mind he’s not human here so mer biology can work differently to human biology – and Tim is a mer specialist and, to a lesser extent Steph and Duke are humans helping him too. Throughout this story Tim and Jason bond as podmates (i.e. brothers of different species) even in the aftermath of Jason’s sexual assault by another mer as Tim fights for Jason to be released back into the ocean with his pod (in other words the other Bat Family members). If you are OK with pregnant Jason who has his baby in the actual story with allusions to his past sexual assault, then go ahead and try this one! Despite its odd details, it’s a good one and I do recommend it.

4.

Loch & Key by jayburb (toothpasty) for periwinking, usogao, riiverton

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types  

Not Rated, Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Gen, Complete Work

29 May 2023

Tags:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson, Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Alfred Pennyworth

Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd

MerMay, MerMay 2023, Alternate Universe – Fantasy, inspired by loch ness, Loch Ness Monster, No Slash, Tim Drake Needs a Hug, Tim Drake Gets a Hug, Bad Parents Jack and Janet Drake, Bruce Wayne is a Good Parent, Good Grandparent Alfred Pennyworth, Inspired by Music, Cryptid Bruce Wayne, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Drowning, Near Death Experiences, Tim Drake-centric, Tim Drake Angst, Batfamily (DCU) Feels, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Spooky, H2O: Just Add Water References, You'll know it when you see it

Summary:

The legend of Loch Gotham says that any child left on her shores will be taken by the guardian of the lake.

Tim Drake decides to test that theory.

Language: English Words: 12,514 Chapters: 3/3

Yuki Note:

This is a sweet story of how Loch Gotham monster or mermaid/merman/mer Bruce (with the help of the mysterious Alfred) takes young kid Tim away from his absent parents to become his youngest son. They don’t do it immediately, though – at times, I felt the pacing was a little slow but still enjoyable. They wait and watch and see if Tim is really in need and then they offer him the option to join them not just steal him away from his home. It’s told in three parts from Tim’s perspective as he slowly learns about the mystery of the Loch Gotham monster with his camera in hand. Highly recommend!

5.

shallow water blackout by envysparkler

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types  

Teen And Up Audiences, Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Gen, Complete Work

24 Feb 2021

Tags:

Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Dick Grayson & Jason Todd, Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Damian Wayne

Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne

Whump, Hurt/Comfort, Alternate Universe – Merpeople, Human Tim Drake, Drowning, Exhaustion, Enemy to Caretaker, Mer Jason Todd, Selkie Dick Grayson, Selkie Bruce Wayne, Implied/Referenced Torture, Selkie Damian Wayne

Summary:

Tim is peacefully enjoying a lazy summer afternoon on the ocean, when something large and shark-like nudges the bottom of his boat.

It’s not a shark.

Language: English Words: 17,402 Chapters: 3/3

Yuki Note:

This is Titans Tower Mer Edition! Basically, human Tim joined the selkie Bat Family after mermaid/merman/mer Jason died. But now Jason is back and out for revenge on this selfish little human who took his family away from him! So, when Tim is out in the boat on a nice day, Jason torments and tortures him (by drowning him over and over). Things get pretty desperate on Tim’s end! If you want to see how this angsty story gets resolved then why not give this a read? It’s a three-shot so angsty you can taste it.

Enjoy! And feel free to explore my full AO3 rec list here.

[timdrakewhump]

Something something.. batfam not recognising the food scarcity mindset in Tim because he came from a rich family.. Tim hoarding food and only eating a little at a time.. Tim refusing to let anyone throw away food.. eating things he hates/is allergic too.. something something.. Tim’s parents not being home long enough to go food shopping for the house.. and now Tim knows how to make basic non perishables last months.. Tim who didn’t want to annoy his parents by asking for food/using their card to order it.. or his nannys or housekeeper by asking them to shop.. Jason is the only one who notices because he did (and sometimes still does) have similar habits.. anyways.

[wowowokay]

Okay here are some more fic recs!!

Karyogamy - JpegDotJpeg

Tim goes missing for weeks not a single trace when he finally pops up again he isn’t alone…dun dun dunnnn aka clone baby au lolol no but seriously really good fic and its apart of a series called ‘Where Babies Come From’ so go check it out for the other part!

Words: 21,872 Chapters: 5/5

In Your World - suspendedinice

Basically Steve Rogers and Peter Parker start to get closer and open up to one another but Peter thinks Steve is more close minded than he actually is! Okay like the other one it’s apart of a series called ‘Modern Life is Rubbish’ so go check out that one as well!! and basically this is a coming out fic and a stucky fic (Steve/Bucky)

Words: 10,912 Chapters: 2/2

Okay that is it for now!!!! Sorry it’s not a lot again but I am unfortunately still sick and I am starting school this week so I’m going to try keeping to the schedule but if it doesn’t work out I’ll just adjust it! Also sorry if the descriptions don’t make much sense yet again I am still sick and I am exhausted rn so hopefully I didn’t mess up too badly lolol anyways have a good day/night!!! <333

[bluejaysandblackbats]

robin's egg blue

Fandom: Batman, DC Comics

Summary: Tim's mom finds out who Batman is and stops Tim from becoming Robin in this AU.

Chapters: 1/?

Characters: Janet Drake, Jack Drake, Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Cassie Sandsmark, Helena Sandsmark, Diana Prince

Relationships: TBA

Additional Tags: Canon Divergent AU, Janet Drake Lives, Jack and Janet Drake Get Divorced, Civilian Tim Drake, Tim Drake is Not Adopted, Tim Drake is Not an Only Child, Janet Drake-centric, Tim Drake Does Not Become Robin

Chapter One: something has to change

Janet looked at the photographs in Tim’s room, careful not to disturb anything. As she gently searched through the clutter for an explanation. Sifting through dirty laundry and soda cans was the least of her worries, and to her dismay, she found exactly what she’d been looking for. Proof of Tim’s comings and goings through a few receipts and tickets, some from Blüdhaven and others from Manhattan. All on the dates he was supposed to be on a school trip. “Jack, do you know where Tim is?” Janet shouted. 

Jack stopped in the hall and looked at her with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth. “Huh?” Jack asked. Janet shook her head.

“Nevermind, Jack… I think we should spend some time with Tim,” Janet replied. Jack held up a finger while he went to the bathroom to rinse out his mouth. By the time he returned, Janet had stepped into the hall and shut Tim’s door on her way out. 

“What do you mean?” Jack asked.

“Tim. Our son. I want him to be with us,” Janet answered, “I don’t want to miss any more of his life.” Jack scratched his head. Janet sighed.

“What?” Jack asked.

“I’m sorry, but are you having some sort of brain malfunction right now? What? Huh? I want Timothy Jackson Drake with us. I want to see our son grow up. I am tired, Jack. If we are absent any longer, we could lose him,” Janet emphasized as she walked past him to her office. 

Jack followed closely behind her and sat down in his chair in the corner of the room, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I know what you said, but I’m trying to get a better understanding of what you want to do. Do you want to take him with us? Do you want to stay home with him? What are you saying? What’s your plan, Janet?” Jack asked. Janet’s face dropped into her hands as she tried to think of an answer. Her fingers arched and combed through her hair. “Listen, I’d love to spend more time with Tim, but we can’t drop our lives, and we can’t expect Tim to drop his—.”

“I think this is why things aren’t working… We’ve become business partners and drifted into a loveless marriage kept alive by our business and the fear of disappointing the child we never see,” Janet sighed, “This is swallowing our family whole.” Janet looked up at him, her eyes pleading with him as he sank into his recliner. And as if something clicked, Jack shot up in his chair and leaned forward.

“What changed? Something changed just now when you were in his room. What aren’t you telling me? You said we’re gonna lose him. What did you mean when you said—?” 

Janet held up one finger to keep him quiet. She listened to the sound of Tim’s footsteps as he ran up the stairs and past their office. “I miss him. That’s all,” Janet lied. If she told Jack the truth, she risked him blowing up on Tim and forcing him to shut down. But it was more than that. She couldn’t stop shaking as she said it, but Jack never looked at her anymore. Not really. He wouldn’t have noticed. His mind was always on his work. “Do you think he noticed us?”

“No… Tim’s in his own world. He’s always been that way,” Jack replied. 

“Stay here, I want to check in with him really qui—.”

“I can—.”

“No, you get some rest. Okay?” Janet whispered. Jack nodded as he shut his eyes to take a short nap in Janet’s absence. 

The hallway felt miles long as Janet walked to Tim’s room. She wasn’t sure how to approach the situation, but she couldn’t stay silent after what she’d seen. She stopped outside his bedroom door and hesitated long enough to hear Tim’s music blaring on the other side. Janet knocked with an uncomfortably heavy hand and the music stopped. She knocked softly a second time to reassure Tim that he heard correctly. “Just a minute! I’m changing!” Tim shouted. She waited patiently without a word, almost softening at the sound of his voice. It’d been so long since she heard Tim’s voice. Her assistant always had her phone, and Janet could only assume that he was deleting Tim’s voicemails. 

Tim swung the door open, and Janet embraced him. He tensed with shock, not expecting to see her, but he quickly reciprocated, tightly wrapping his arms around her. 

“Mom, what are you doing—?” 

“Can we talk for a minute? Also, I wanna apologize ahead of time. I invaded your privacy without meaning to, and I—.” Tim let go and backed away from her. “Tim, I would like to speak to you… Can we talk in your room?” Janet asked. 

Tim let her in, and she shut the door. “Am I in trouble?” Tim asked. “You’re scaring me.” He sat on his bed and she sat in a chair across from him. 

“No. Of course, you’re not in trouble. I love you… And I—. Tim, I found something that scared me,” Janet whispered. She lifted up a pizza box on Tim’s desk to reveal the pictures she found. “Did you take these?” Tim nodded, expecting Janet to shout at him. He’d seen her tear people to shreds for much less. “They’re good, but I—.” Janet’s words caught in her throat, and she started to cry. Tim shot up, his eyes wide as he tried to figure out what to do. Tim had never seen his mother cry before. “This was so dangerous, Timmy. What if something happened to you out there? I wouldn’t have—. Where was I when you took this?” 

“I think you were in Mozambique or Madagascar… Mom, I—.” 

“Is it because you’re lonely?” Janet interrupted as she tried to wipe her tears away. “Is it because we’re not home enough?” 

Tim frowned. “You weren’t supposed to notice I was gone… I just wanted to help Batman remember that Gotham needs him,” Tim explained quickly, so he wouldn’t give way to tears. 

Janet tried to collect herself, but she was already in the middle of a severe panic attack. Her mind raced through every tragic accident that Tim could’ve fallen victim to. She wouldn’t have been able to prevent it. 

“Mom, I—. I’m not gonna do this forever. I just need to remind him to see how reckless he’s—.”

“But, Tim—. You can’t do this anymore. You’re my only baby. I—. I—. Let me talk to him as your mother,” Janet replied. As soon as she said it, she realized how irrational it sounded. But she was desperate to stop Tim from getting hurt. 

Tim smiled and shook his head. “Mom, all due respect, but I—.”

“I climbed Mount Everest before you were born, I hiked Huayna Picchu the summer before you were born, and I’ve paddled an uninterrupted twenty-seven hours from Cuba to Florida with you strapped to my back—. All this is to say that I’m much tougher than you give me credit for. I’m your mom, and I have to keep you safe even if it’s from yourself. There’s only one you,” Janet whispered. She pinched his cheek, and he wanted to argue… But it was his mother. He probably would have argued with Jack about it, but Janet had a way of convincing people that her way was the only way. 

She looked at the other pictures that she found and glanced at Tim. She wiped her tears away. “These are—.” Janet cleared her throat. “These are really good, Tim. Don’t be discouraged from following through with photography… Um… Have you eaten yet?” Janet asked. Tim shook his head. “Okay. I can probably rustle something up. Don’t tell your dad about this. I didn’t want him to blow up before I could talk to you. I wanna talk more about this later. Okay?”