Archive of Our Own ^beta

Gotham has always been known for its coffee. Specifically how competitive its shops were. There were so many of them, and all of them were fighting for the top spot as Gotham's #1 Coffee shop. And right now, Joe Kurr's Coffee was winning. But not for long.

Because Timothy Jackson Drake, recently orphaned, emancipated adult, CEO of Drake Industries, was entering what would soon be his 2nd home, Bat's Coffee. 

"Welcome to Bat's Coffee, what can I get for you today?" Dick asked, smiling at the young boy, no older than 17, standing in front of him, his face hidden by the hood of his sweatshirt. He fought a frown that wanted to appear. A kid this young should not look so exhausted. 

And then he began to rattle off the biggest order Dick had ever heard. And as he went on, the acrobat got more and more concerned, because what the fuck? 

"A quad long shot grande in a venti cup… half calf double cupped no sleeve… salted caramel mocha latte… with 2 pumps of vanilla, 2 pumps of classic, 2 pumps of hazelnut, substitute 2 pumps of white chocolate mocha for mocha… and substitute 2 pumps of hazelnut for toffee nut half whole milk, a splash of almond milk… a splash of soy milk… a splash of 2 percent milk… a splash of coconut milk… add mocha powder, and half breve with no whipped cream extra hot, extra java chips, extra foam, extra caramel drizzle, extra salt… add a scoop of vanilla bean powder, with light ice, well stirred… plus a whole banana, and dash of cinnamon… Uh, yeah that's it." 

Did he mention the what the fuck?

"Umm, coming right up?" he responded, blinking. Should he be doing this? Is it legal to serve this to a minor? 

Was he going to get arrested for this?

On second thought, Jason would kill him before he got the chance to be arrested. Well too bad Jason, you're the barista. You have to do it. It's not my fault this child is insane. 

He hesitated to ask the question policy always made him ask. "Can I get you anything else, or will that be all?" 

"Um... A scone? Blueberry... Please?" 

"Yeah, no problem." he typed into the register, quickly recording and ringing up the order. "That'll be... $28.76" 

The kid nodded and handed over 3 tens with a simple, "Keep the change." before walking away and sitting at a coffee table in the corner of the room, near the window and hidden away from others in the room.

That was the Batfamily's first meeting with Timothy Drake, their newest core customer. 

.

"What, do you never sleep?" Jason asked as he watched Tim grab his coffee order like it was the only thing keeping him alive. Which, to be fair, it probably was. 

Tim quirked an eyebrow, looked him dead in the eye, and said, "Sleep is for the weak." before chugging down his signature drink. 

Well that's a no then.

.

Dick and Jason were freaking out, and Bruce wasn't sure why.

Something about a Tim? And a girl? 

Who knows. But he had to check it out because they were neglecting their actual jobs to gossip like 13 year olds. 

Woe is him.

"She's not my girlfriend." A young man, easily recognizable as Tim Drake, the wealthiest kid in Gotham. Beside him was a girl who looked just a bit older. Around Jason's age. Her black hair was in a bob and she had a small smile on her face. 

"Timmy, you bring some girl in here, don't tell us anything, and expect us not to ask questions?" Jason asked, his tone implying just how dumb an idea that was. Of course they'd ask questions.

Of course. 

"She's my sister. Cass, this is Jason and Dick. They work here." turning back to Bruce's employees, he continued, "This is Cass. She's visiting from Hong Kong." 

Jason and Dick got a glint in their eyes, and began to whisper to Cass when TIm began to type away on his phone. 

Bruce backed away, out of sight. He was not a part of this. He did not know these people. He's innocent, officer. 

Next time a blue-eyed black haired kid comes in for a job, he's going to say no.

.

"And this is where you get our baked ingredients." Dick was explaining as he showed the new girl -Steph- around. 

"'Kay..." she said, nodding. "Alright. I can do this." 

"Okay, so when-" the bell dinged, and Dick grinned. "Ah. That would be everyone's favorite customer. You'll love him. He's great. Same time, every day, you can count on it. If you don't see him, call the police. Last time that happened he was kidnapped." 

"Damn." Steph muttered as Dick began to lead her away.

"Yeah. He was fine, though. Actually, I owe him, he's the one who introduced me to Babs." 

"Babs?" 

"My girlfriend. Anyway, his name is Tim. His order is insane. Be prepared."

"....'Kay?"

"That's the spirit!!" Dick exclaimed, pushing her into view of the customers. 

Steph looked around to see the building empty except for a very cute boy, blue eyes full of intelligence and exhaustion, leaning on the counter, his black hair unruly and dangling in his face. He was writing down on a piece of paper, but glanced up when he heard Steph.

His eyes widened briefly before he smiled at her and then looked back down at his paper.

Oh. He's cute. Crap. They're favorite customer is a very cute boy.

Why did she take this job again?

"Hey, what can I get for you today?" Steph asked as she bounded over to him, grinning brightly. The boy smiled again, showing off the dimple on the left side of his face, before tapping the paper. 

"It's all there. Welcome to the worst day of your life. I'm Tim." 

"Stephanie, but you can call me Steph. What do you mean, the worst day of my life?" 

"You've started a job at Bat's Coffee which means you've met me. Which means you now have to make my coffee order without ever having done it before. Good luck." 

Steph glanced down at the paper to see the most complicated order she'd ever seen. 

Damn, okay.

She nodded before making the drink, leaving Tim alone at the bar.

Where the hell was she supposed to put the banana? In the cup, on the cup? Through the straw? On the side? What?

"Ah, is it Timbo?" Jason asked, coming up to her. "The banana question, right?" Steph nodded blankly. "You just smash it into the drink. That's all." he said, proceeding to do so. 

"But that's so easy!" Steph protested in shock. Jason nodded, resigned.

"Yeah. Don't question it. It's Tim. You'll get used to it." 

Steph blinked, turning slowly to deliver the drink to Tim.

He smiled sweetly at her, beginning to sip the drink, his body waking up the more he did so.

"Thanks, Stephie." he said, putting a wad of bills in the tip jar. Stephie?

"No problem." she said as he began to walk away. "Yo, Timmy!" she called.

He turned to look over at her, the question clear in his eyes.

"I've had worse days. An order like that coming from such a cute boy doesn't even begin to make the list." she said, causing Tim to blush to his ears and stammer out a response.

She giggled again as he left.

Adorable.

.

"Tim, no." Jason protested as Tim asked for 3 shots of pure caffeine. 

"Tim, yes."

"This child," Jason muttered as he made his way to Steph, who was a barista today, "Gonna be the death of me." Steph had the nerve to laugh. Laugh. 

Next time, he'd work at Joe Kurr's Coffee. No way in hell is that place as bad as this. 

.

So yeah. 

Bruce was now positive that Bat's Coffee would never go out of business. It wasn't possible. As long as Tim Drake was alive, the kid would make sure of it.

Bruce wasn't sure whether to be happy because he'd never be out of work, or angry that this kid has to resort to such unhealthy drinks to stay awake. 

It was an odd mix of both.

It was a weird feeling.

But, apparently, only Tim could do that to you.

Bruce sighed as he watched Dick and Jason tell exchange jokes with Tim, whose hand was in Steph's.

Only Tim.