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Dear Journal,
I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’ve read about it in books, so I thought it would be fun to have a diary memoir of my own. You know, since I’m a pretty interesting person? — That was supposed to be a joke, but I guess that can’t really come across on pages?
Am i even doing this right? Maybe it was a stupid idea-
Anyway, yeah I’m not the most interesting person, but I figure you probably don’t really care, right? Since you’re a book and all? I- I should probably introduce myself?
I’m Timothy Jackson Drake, I’m currently 9 years old and I live in Gotham. My hobbies are photography and karate, but I only just started that, so I’m not sure if I like it yet. I also like to try and solve old police-cases and my favorite book is Sherlock Holmes and the Hounds of Baskerville. Mommy doesn’t like it very much, she thinks it’s a bit *useless and plebeian* but I think she just doesn’t really get it. I don’t really know what else would be important to have in a memoir, so this is probably enough, I think-
Anyway, my parents want me to practice my handwriting, so this is really why I’m doing this, even if I’m pretty sure they will have forgotten all about it by the next time they come home.
They’re currently on their way to Chile for some new discovery, they didn’t really say, but I’m a *very big boy*, so I just stay home. It’s not so bad actually, I bet lot’s of children would be jealous to have so much freedom, and I am very glad to have parents that trust me this much, but it kind of gets lonely. Plus, I don’t really have anyone to tell funny stories from school too, but that’s what this will be for, from now on.
Am I talking too much? Wait, no, that makes no sense, this is a book! This is stupid, I’m stupid, I’m stopping now, whatever
Signed, T. Drake
Dear Journal,
I kind of forgot this even existed for like a week, but I mean it’s not like anyone checks, so it probably doesn’t matter, right? Anyway, a lot happened at school this week, and Dad won’t answer my emails, so you’re gonna have to hear all about it instead.
I met this boy in my class, he also skipped a year and he’s pretty cool. His name is Ives and he liked detective stories just as much as I do! We played Sherlock and Watson all break and it was really funny. He also likes Star Wars, but he likes Han more than Luke, so we try not to talk about it.
I managed a new move in karate, which was pretty fun. The teacher told me I could sign up for the next belt soon, but I don’t think I’m really ready yet.
Mrs Mac got sick, so I’ve resorted to heating up canned soup and ravioli a lot, since she can’t really come to work right now. But I like chicken noodle soup just fine, so I’m not too bothered by it. I’m thinking about learning how to cook though, since I’ve gotta have good nutrition for karate, Mr Yang told me so! I might have to do some more research, I’m not sure what counts as good.
My English teacher assigned us some reading, nothing too bad, just some short story but I really don’t want to do it. I don’t get reading stuff without action, you know? But I guess I have to do it anyway.
Oh and before I end this, I’ve been practicing my photography a lot and I’ve really improved! I watched a few videos yesterday and they really helped me get the settings. I’m thinking of staying up late to try some nighttime photography, I think it looks way cooler that way. Maybe I could make a photo album for Father’s day? Dad probably won’t be home yet, by then, but I think he might enjoy it when he returns.
Signed, T. Drake
Dear Journal,
I’m super upset right now, even if I probably shouldn’t be. It’s just- I know my dad’s work is important but they’ve pushed their return date another two weeks, and they’re already missing my birthday, and they promised to come to my next tournament! I mean, I get it’s less important than work but I was really excited! I guess Mrs Mac might come along if I ask really nicely, but she already spends so much time with me…
In other news, I saw Dick Grayson on my way back from school the other day! He’s grown up loads from that night. I see him sometimes and I always get really excited because he’s so cool and super talented! Wait, I haven’t told you about him, have I? He’s technically my next door neighbor but I met him way before that. He was actually in the circus with his parents, they were acrobats. We went and looked at their act when I was like 3! It’s one of my earliest memories. I sat on his lap and we got a photo together. His family are the only ones in the country that could do a quadruple flip, but an accident happened and they fell. It was pretty horrific and I had to go to a doctor for some time after because I was so afraid my parents might fall too.
Dick got adopted by Bruce Wayne after, and now he lives down the street. I see him at gala’s sometimes, and he’s always so happy now! We never talk really, but I like to watch old re-runs of their act in the circus when I have time.
Also, also, I wished for a camera for my birthday and my parents let me choose which one, so I get a way cooler one, which is totes better for night shots. I’ve been sneaking out through my window after dark, because the front door has a lock that sends a message to my parents when it opens. It’s not hard though, there’s a tree right next to it, and I just climb down. I’ve just been in the garden mostly and one time I actually caught a deer! But I think I might try to do something else, you know?
My greatest heroes are Batman and Robin, they save ordinary citizens from like drugs and criminals, almost like Sherlock Holmes. And because I look them up a lot, I think I figured out a spot they tend to pass by every two weeks or so. The date is approaching and it’s actually not too far from here, not even as far as I have to go with the bus to school. So, I’ll probably sneak out and go try to catch them there. There are only ever really shaky photos of them online and most people don’t even really believe they exist, but I know they do because I saw them once on my way back from the doctor with Mrs Mac. So I might try and fix that.
Ugh— I have to eat broccoli casserole tonight, which I really don’t like, but I don’t want to disappoint Mrs Mac you know? And I still have a bunch of homework I have to do, so I’ll stop writing now.
Signed, T. Drake
-
Dear Journal,
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, I figured out who Robin is! And that means I know who Batman is, too! I’m not gonna say who though, since someone might read this and I won’t snitch. I promise!
Either way, I’m really, really excited, and I’m gonna go out and take more photos. It’s way easier to find out their usual routes, now that I know where they start. I’m gonna be the best photographer there is! Like Peter Parker with Spiderman! Except I’m not Robin I guess, just someone who knows.
I’m so glad I’m gonna get a new camera too, since it makes this whole thing way easier. I’m not even upset that Mom and Dad won’t get home until at least September, this is a way better birthday gift!
I finished my karate tournament, and it went like, super well! This has been a great week on all accounts. I’m vibrating out of my seat, I can’t believe this. I think I have to stop writing to freak out now!
Signed, T. Drake
-
Dear Journal,
Tonight hasn’t been a good night. Mrs Mac is on vacation and forgot to put stuff in the freezer, so I’ve been existing off of school lunch, but that’s gonna stop at the end of the week, since summer break is about to start. Ives been kind of sick, so he hasn’t been in school either and I broke my toe, I think. I tripped down a fire-escape on Saturday- I don’t want to go to a doctor, since I don’t have an adult to come with and they really don’t like me coming in alone. It’s really blue though, and hurts a lot. I’ve been elevating it a bunch, but I can’t walk enough to keep getting new cold compresses, and I’ve had to hide it in school, which has been super complicated.
Plus, since Ives isn’t there, I don’t have anyone to invite over for my birthday, and he didn’t give me his phone number either. I guess I’m gonna order myself a slice of cake and some pizza or something.
At least my new camera arrived, and I opened it before my birthday, since it doesn’t matter much anyway.
I’ve been working on this really interesting cold-case, double homicide of twin girls, door unopened and window locked, but I hit a wall and since I can’t go out to investigate, I can’t do much right now.
Mom and Dad haven’t sent another e-mail or message, which I expected since they’re out of range for now, but it’s making me a bit nervous.
My teacher shouted a bunch because I lost my folder, but I think that was just an overreaction. I hope it’s too late to do anything about my grade though.
Anyway, I guess I don’t really have a lot of news and everything just kinda sucks. I’ve mostly been binge-watching the new Sherlock series on Netflix, which has been very good. I like Dr Watson, he’s really a lot like I imagined. I hope I don’t come across like that Sherlock though, he seems a little mean, even if he doesn’t mean it.
Signed, T. Drake
—
Dear Journal,
I haven’t written in a while, I’m really sorry. Nothing really happened I guess. School ended and my birthday kind of sucked. I got a piece of funfetti cake though, so that was really cool! That was ages ago though, and thankfully my toe healed, even if it’s kind of crooked now. What do I need a toe for anyway, I’ve got nine more.
My parents are on their way back, they sent me a message yesterday, and if everything goes according to plan, they should be back just before the new year starts. We’re going to a charity benefit for less fortunate children so I have to come along. I never like those parties, I always have to act *appropriate* and the suit is really stuffy, but it means I get to spend more time with my parents.
I went out a lot this summer, and got a whole bunch of pictures of Robin, but he seemed really unhappy with Batman and he hasn’t been out since last week. (I know why, It’s been way easier to explain with the whole identity thing, but I’m not gonna tell!)
I got a few really cool shots before that though, so no worries.
It’s honestly been the highlight of my day, to go out at night and even if I haven’t been doing it for long, I can’t imagine not doing it anymore. I love Gotham, even if it’s kinda smelly and there are a lot of rude people.
I’ve gotta prepare for my parents now, they wouldn’t want to return to a messy house, so I’m super busy.
Signed, T. Drake
Dear Journal,
My parents are officially back and they promised to go out with me before they have to go, which is way sooner than I thought! They’ll miss the start of sixth grade, but that’s fine. They aren’t usually there for that, anyway.
I really hope tonight goes well, Mom has been super tense and I’m afraid if I mess up, she’s gonna be super angry. I don’t like it when she’s angry, but then again, I don’t think any child likes that.
She was already not impressed with my B in English even when I told her I didn’t do anything wrong. (I’m kind of sick too, summer cold or something, and she really does not like that)
I have to go, she’s calling-
Dear Journal,
I messed up. My mom’s super pissed at me. She told me to go to my room and stay in it. She locked the door too, so I’m really grateful I got my own bathroom in here. I can hear them packing outside, so that’s just great.
Some stupid old lady noticed I was sick and told my mom she shouldn’t have brought me along, so she was really embarrassed in front of some new investor or something. Plus, I coughed into my hand instead of my elbow and I spoke to Jason Todd, the new ward of Bruce Wayne. Dick has moved out, I guess, since he wasn’t there. But Jason looked really uncomfortable and I know how stuffy these parties can be, so I thought I’d talk to him.
But Mom really disliked the *street-rat* and he’s apparently below my standing. I just thought he was nice, you know?
Anyway, they shouted at me the whole way back and then my dad slapped me because I started crying, and then I cried more because it hurt and I just wanted to be good, and then my mom told me to go to my room and locked the door.
It was stupid, I know that. I should’ve just stood back and not coughed or whatever, and I know she doesn’t like Mr Wayne, so it stood to reason she didn’t like Jason either— Stupid, super stupid.
Now they’re fighting and I’m just really sorry that I messed up tonight. Why won’t they stay? I don’t get it. I tried so hard…
Well, I guess they’re going now, I can hear the car honking outside. I hope they told Mrs Mac, I don’t feel so good and I could really use some soup right now. The snacks were nasty at the benefit. (Who even eats asparagus? Why can’t they offer pizza bites or something?)
Signed, T. Drake
-
Dear Journal,
Mrs Mac isn’t coming. She just sent a reminder that she’s off for the week, at her brother’s place in Kentucky. She told me about him, last time she was here. I can’t believe I forgot.
But I guess my parents forgot too, since I’m still locked in my room. I have to start school on Monday! I guess I could always climb down the tree but it’s gonna be a real bother to always have to go outside to go to my room. I don’t have a key, so I can’t unlock it from the outside. Also, I don’t want to wait until Monday, I’m starving in here and I’ve drunk way more water than I usually have.
Also, I think my cold is getting worse. I keep sweating and shivering and I think I have a fever. I googled what I had to do against that, but I don’t have the money to get anything and I can’t make tea or soup or whatever. I don’t have a bathtub either, but I think if it gets worse I might try a cold shower.—
The shower didn’t really help, I still have a fever and I think I might be starting to hallucinate because I keep seeing Joker at the end of my bed but I checked and he’s still in Arkham. That doesn’t make it any less scary though.
I want my parents to come home, I’m really sorry. They didn’t really forget me, right? They wouldn’t do that, they love me! Right?
I also have a bruise on my cheek from my dad’s hand, so that’s just wonderful. No clue how I’m supposed to cover that up on Monday. Plus, my teacher will definitely send me home if I’m still sick.
Signed, T. Drake
-
Dear Journal,
It hasn’t been that long yet, only a few hours since my last entry, but I’m really really afraid. I keep hearing the Joker’s laugh and there’s something staring at me from the corner. I’ve tried not looking at it, but I can still feel it’s eyes on my back. I keep sweating and I’m honestly not sure if I’m gonna be awake enough on Monday to get down the tree. I don’t even have my school-books yet. My parents aren’t answering my messages to please send someone and I’m not sure if it’s the silent treatment or if they genuinely don’t have data to read it.
I think I’m gonna wait until morning and if it’s not better by then, I’m gonna climb down the tree anyway and walk to the neighbors. I can probably lie and tell them something else, but I really feel like I need an adult right now and wikihow isn’t helping.
Plus, you know that thing about not googling symptoms? Yeah, I’m like 90% sure I have appendicitis or cancer or something and imagine I die here and no one finds me until next week when Mrs Mac is back? I might starve to death before, I’m so hungry, I’m actually sick from it… I found a protein bar last night, but it definitely wasn’t enough.
I’m gonna go back to sleep now, wish me luck!
Signed T. Drake
Ps: Update from the next morning; I’m gonna do it. I couldn’t really sleep because of teh laughter and I can’t take the hunger anymore. I’m taking a few clothes, the last bit of my money and you with me, so I’m gonna update how it went tonight.
—
Dear Journal,
This didn’t go like I expected, I’m gonna be totally honest.
The walk was really hard and it took me like an hour, but then the butler, Mr Pennyworth opened the door and he took one look at me and made me go lie down.
He brought me like the best soup ever and later, he drove me to a Dr Leslie, who looked me over and gave me medication, apparently I have bronchitis. Honestly, the coughing was way less concerning then the fever, but she gave me something for that as well.
And after that, Mr Pennyworth drove me back to Wayne Manor and Mr Wayne was there and he was really concerned. I explained that the whole thing was probably an accident and I only wanted something because I was so sick, but I don’t think he really got it.
Jason was there too, and he was like, totally outraged, which was maybe a bit over the top. But it’s been very nice, staying at the manor, especially because they’re my heroes, you know.
Jason made some weird joke about adopting, but I didn’t really get it. I mean, I still have parents, you know? But Mr Wayne tried calling them and they obviously didn’t answer, which I told him beforehand but he tried anyway.
I had more soup for dinner and the Joker disappeared, thank god. It felt really nice to have some people around, anyway. And Mr Pennyworth didn’t even ask about the bruise, which looks way worse than it actually is. Jason got it though, we exchanged these looks, which was really cool! I think I might try talking to him more anyway, no matter what Mom thinks.
I’m tired though, and I have school tomorrow, so I have to stop writing.
Signed, T. Drake
—-
Dear Journal,
I’m a Wayne now, I guess. Bruce fought a lot with my parents, but he made a deal and they’re alright with him having custody, which is like super cool! I get to stay with Jason and talk to Dick again! He didn’t remember me, but that’s alright, I do enough of that for both of us.
There’s just one thing… I haven’t told them I know about Batman and I have no clue how to even approach the topic. They keep making up more elaborate lies and I think I’m just gonna tell them the next time Jason says he was hungry at night and fell down four flight’s of stairs, even though the house only has three flights.
You’d think they would be better liars.
They’re so different from Mom and Dad, and I got to say I like it more, even if that feels like betraying them. It’s just that they care way more. Bruce even turned up to a parent-teacher conference! I think my teacher was really confused though, since my name is Drake and all, but she didn’t ask.
Alfred is calling, he made roast beef for dinner. I just wanted to give you a little update
Signed, T. Drake (-Wayne)
Dear Journal,
I called it. Jason started telling another one of his super stupid stories and I just couldn’t take it anymore.
I just told them and I was really afraid they were gonna be angry with me, since I’m not supposed to know. But Bruce didn’t shout, not once, and I got a hug from Dick!
I think they’re just happy they don’t have to lie anymore. Now, how to convince them to let me join…
Signed, T. Wayne (!!!!)