When the others inevitably find out about the warped dynamic between Tim and Bruce they decide to completely take advantage of it and tell Tim that they’re planning on going out
And tim sees them as his siblings or distant relatives so he doesn’t really think that he needs to give them permission or that he has any authority over them so he just nods and tells them to be safe
When they get caught by Bruce they just immediately throw Tim under the bus by saying that he said they could go and Tim is realizing that his siblings are exploiting the loophole that is Tim and must work his way out of this blunder
Alright. Brilliant. However, here's how I'm imaging the scene to play out:
~~~
Damian has been glaring at Tim for the last thirteen minutes. Tim has been steadfast in ignoring whatever weird intimidation technique the kid is trying to pull with him. As he's taken to most of the batkids, he sticks to the motto, "it's not my business until it is."
The best part about that motto is how vague it is so Tim can shape it to whatever aim he pleases. It works for him, and it works against everyone else (unless it's Duke. The teen ruthlessly utilizes the loophole of making whatever situation he needs Tim for into Tim's problem).
Regardless, Tim has been clacking away at Neon Knights paperwork while Damian stares at Tim without blinking. An idle thought of Tim's almost makes him navigate to LoA servers to check their training programs (thirteen whole minutes without blinking???), but his willpower is strong enough to ignore it.
"Timothy."
Tim immediately closes his laptop and whips around to Damian.
Did the little gremlin actually refer to Tim by his first name?
Tim's fingers twitch with the urge to perform an injury check on the kid, but he refrains. Damian seems fine.
Well... besides the unblinking stare for thirteen minutes and the first name. Maybe Tim should perform tha-
"Colin and I would like to go to the zoo on Saturday, Timothy."
Tim's thoughts snap back to present at the confusing series of events that are playing out. He clocks the kid's clenched teeth, his hesitancy to even utter any words, the delayed conversation, the first name usage, the way Damian's eyes betray irritation and anticipation, his strict posture, and the way Damian's hands are clasped behind his back. It's a confusing set of clues laid out before Tim, and he can only come to one conclusion.
Damian is reaching out and offering an olive branch. He's offering random information in his socially stunted way of bonding.
Tim allows a soft smile to appear on his face as he nods. "Are there any animals in particular you want to see?"
Damian's eyebrow furrow, but he does answer the question. "Richard has prattled on about the elegance of elephants. Colin is partial to the tigers."
While that didn't necessarily answer the question, Tim offers him a nod. "I particularly enjoy their bird enclosures. They allow you to walk inside some of them as they fly around you."
Damian's eyes gain a concerning gleam to them, but Tim just hopes this bonding exercise brings them closer together. It's been hectic in the Manor ever since the other Bats found out about the true nature of his relationship with Bruce. It's not as huge of a deal as they seem to be making of it.
Tim grabs his laptop, places it on his lap, and pries it open again. "I hope you guys have fun at the zoo."
By the soft and intentional putter of feet, Tim can hear Damian walking away. "Thank you, Timothy."
"You're welcome, Dames."
Tim finds out Saturday night, when the batcave is filled with 3 tigers, 6 elephants, and so many birds, what Damian actual meant by him going to the zoo. Bruce is furious, several of the Batkids are laughing, and Tim is quietly hiding his amusement as well.
Or he was until Damian explained that Tim had given him permission to do it and even told him to grab all the birds.
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