Chapter Text
“Thank you for doing this.” Jack says, as he ushers Tim in through the door.
“It’s no trouble Mr. Drake.” Dick reassures him, holding the door open, turning his attention to the younger boy with a big grin. “Hey Tim, are you excited?”
“Yes.” Tim isn’t looking at him, instead sullenly looking at the floor.
Dicks grin falls slightly, it’s odd, Tim’s usually so excited to see him. Sure he’s always a little serious around his parents, but he’s never this… muted.
Jack seems oblivious to the difference, which might be because Janet normally is the one who does the hand-offs.
“And tell Bruce again how grateful we are that he let us bring Tim here.” Jack hands Dick Tim's bag, “We really don’t want him in the house with all the construction.”
“Tim’s always welcome here Mr. Drake.” Dick says, slinging the bag over the shoulder. “We’re going to have a blast.”
Tim still doesn’t look up, and his hands are now twisting into his shirt. Dick brows furrows, trying to puzzle out what has the three-year-old in such a sour mood.
Jack places a hand on Tim's shoulder, turning the toddler to look at him, “Alright sport, I need to get going, be good for Richard okay?”
Tim finally looks up from the ground, meeting his fathers eyes. “Okay.”
Jack ruffles Tim’s hair, “Love you, we’ll see you in the morning.”
“Bye,” Tim’s hands twist up his shirt even more, “Love you.”
Jack gives Tim’s hair one more ruffle before turning back to Dick, “Thanks again Richard, like I said we’ll pick Tim up before 12.”
“Again it’s no problem.” Dick insists, “We’ll see you in the mourning.”
With that Jack leaves, Dick closing the door behind him.
Dick turns to look at Tim, who has gone back to staring at the floor, and tries to figure out the best way to approach this.
“Alright Tim,” Dick claps his hands together loudly, causing Tim to jump slightly, but doesn’t react otherwise. “What did you want to do tonight?”
Tim shrugs, still not looking up, “I dunno.”
“Did you want to watch a movie?”
Tim shrugs.
“Play a game?”
Another shrug. Dick pauses trying to think of something that would get the kids attention when he hears it, a quiet sniffle. He freezes, Tim really hadn’t cried about his parents leaving since Dicks first time babysitting. Maybe it’s because it’s Tim’s first time at Wayne manor, he could just be anxious.
Dick sets the bag down and kneels in front of Tim. “Hey bud, can you look at me?”
Tim sniffs a little harder, bringing up one of his arms to wipe his face, but does as requested. Tim’s eyes are predictably red and watery, and it breaks Dick’s heart a little to see it.
“Can you tell me what's going on in that brain of yours?” Dick gently asks.
Tim stays quiet, just sniffing again as tears continue to spill out.
“Are you sad you’re not at home?” Dick prods, wanting to fix whatever was upsetting the kid.
Tim just shakes his head, and Dick has to resist the urge to sigh.
“Do you miss your parents?” Dick tries again.
Tim hesitates a little, but shakes his head again, lip quivering. “I just- I wanted,” Tim takes a gasping breath, “I really wanted to see the show.”
“What show?” Dick doesn’t remember Tim mentioning any show, but it could be new.
“The- the show with the,” Tim takes a deep shuddering breath carefully sounding out the next word, “Ac-ro-bats.”
Oh.
There was an acrobatic troupe in town putting on a performance this week. Bruce had taken Dick to see them the night prior, tonight was their last performance, and it was sold out.
“They- they promised we could go tonight.” Tim takes some more deep breaths, clearly still trying to fight the tears. “But- but they.”
Tim finally loses the battle breaking off into a sob.
“Did you want a hug?” Dick asks, opening his arms in invitation.
Tim nods and steps towards Dick, in response Dick gathers Tim up in his arms. Bringing one hand up to comb through his hair, rocking them gently back and forth, in an attempt to sooth him.
After a moment of letting Tim sob into his shirt Dick speaks again. “I’m sorry your parents couldn’t take you to see the show.”
Tim just sobs harder, leaving Dick floundering to think of something to cheer him up.
“Hey, I know it’s not as cool as a real show,” Dick starts, “But maybe I could show you a few tricks.”
Tim sobs quite slightly, and he pulls away to look up at Dick. “You can?”
The tears haven’t stopped, but Dick’s definitely on the right path.
“I can! Remember how I told you I used to live at the circus?” Tim nods, “Well I was an Acrobat, did all sorts of cool tricks.”
“Really?” Tim’s eyes are wide and the tears are slowing.
“Yep!” Dick glances around conspiratorially then leans in like he’s telling a secret, “I can even do a super special trick that only three people in the whole world can do!”
Tim lets out a gasp, “Cool!”
“You wanna see?” Tim nods enthusiastically, and Dick lets out a little huff of laughter, gently wiping away the last of the tears.
“Alrighty then!” Dick stands, scooping Tim up as he does so and tossing him over his shoulder, “lets go.”
Tim squeals with laughter, kicking his feet in while protesting between giggles. “Put me down!”
“No.” Dick refuses, picking up Tim’s bag.
“I can walk!” Tim wiggles a little harder, still giggling, “M’not a baby!”
“I know you can walk silly!” Dick laughs, bouncing Tim to readjust him, “This is just more fun!”
Tim just giggles harder but stops struggling.
“Now come on little robin, let’s go to the gym!”