Chapter Text
Bombshell noun (bɒmʃɛl) an unexpected and surprising event, especially an unpleasant one.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
The Batcave was abuzz with activity as the entire Batfamily gathered around the Batcomputer. Each was present, engrossed in the task of updating their medical files. It was a routine check. Each file was updated yearly, but today, the process was about to take a strange turn.
As they went through each uploading and double-checking each file, Dick's gaze sharpened and narrowed, "Hey... I think something is wrong with Timmy's file."
Jason peered over the shoulder of the other, eyes widening in shock as he coughed out a choky, "What the hell?"
Even Damian began walking towards the computer from his place on the training mats.
Bruce, with his usually calm demeanour, looked at the screen. His face went ashen, and he struggled to maintain his composure.
Tim perked up from his place, lounging on one of the spare desk chairs. Upon seeing the gathered commotion, he scooted forward with his seat, "What's going on? Let me see."
Tim leaned over and scanned the file, his face reflecting a mixture of resignation and indifference.
"Nope, that's right," he confirmed matter-of-factly.
"Timothy..." Damian's eyes widened in disbelief and suspicion, "This can't be true. It says you don't have your spleen."
Tim raised an eyebrow at the younger.
Since when has he ever been referred to as Timothy by his brother workmate?
Tim nodded, his expression unchanging. "Yeah, that's right."
Jason's eye twitched as his jaw dropped, "What?"
Tim turned to the other, getting a bit tired of repeating himself. He shrugged, "I don't have a spleen."
A heavy silence settled over the room as everyone processed the revelation, "What??" came the collective gasp.
Alfred, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward, "What happened?" at least he seemed to be taking it well.
That is what a dummy would have said. The man's clenching and unclenching fists indicated he was on the verge of throwing hands.
So maybe not so well.
Tim's response was casual, though his tone hinted at unease, "Council of Spiders."
This confused look spread throughout the group. They all didn't know what he was referring to, and if Tim was honest, he didn't want to explain himself.
Damian's disarray was evident, "What is that?"
Tim sighed, clearly not in the mood for a detailed explanation, "Long story."
Bruce's eyes narrowed as he faced his son. His authoritative voice cut through the murkiness: "Red Robin report."
Said teen blinked before he shook his head, a small frown forming on his lips, "Me no no wanna..."
Jason blinked before he huffed incredulously, "Seriously, what the hell, Tim?"
"C'mon guys..." Tim groaned as he threw his head back in exasperation and spun around in his chair a few times, "It was when Bruce was lost in time; can't we just move on?"
"Where did it end up?" Asked Jason, sounding just as exasperated as Tim himself.
Tim shrugged. He had never really thought of what Ras had done with his ruptured organ after it was removed. He and Pru liked to joke that the deranged man kept it in a jar on a shelf and spoke to it as if it were Tim...
"No, that's-" Dick started before he had to stop himself and address Tim's face, "It doesn't matter how it happened or where it is. Family tells each other these things, Timmy."
"That's a good one, Dick," Tim snorted loudly, not able to contain the building humour he felt growing behind his eyes, "I'll be sure to tell my parents that the next time I visit Gotham cemetery. "
This was apparently the wrong thing to say, as everyone in the room fell silent.
Eh, it's a bit morbid, but whatever, they all coped differently. Tim just so happened to harbour an unhealthy amount of unprocessed malice toward his deceased parents.
"Timmy..."
"Chum... we are a family, you know that, right?" Bruce asked softly, which further confused Tim.
Oh, of course, he knew that he wasn't daft.
"Yeah, I know. You guys are a family," he replied, raising an eyebrow as he continued explaining, "But me. I'm more like a work friend, ya know?"
Apparently, no one seemed to know as they all lapsed into another uncomfortable silence.
Jason let out a long whistle and shook his head, nudging Bruce's shoulder, "You sure messed this one up, old man..."
"No, that's it," Dick's face took on a determined look, "Time out."
"Time out?" Tim echoed, baffled.
"It's Timmy time," the older man continued, stunning the teen further.
"What are you- Hey!" Tim protested as Jason scooped him up and carried him towards the cave entrance. The teen squirmed the entire time.
That is how Tim found himself trapped in the middle of a cuddle pile, wrapped in copious blankets and surrounded by his family. He smiled as he finally allowed his emotional exhaustion to take over.
As Tim's defiant resistance faded and he succumbed to sleep, everyone grew quiet. The only noise was from the TV playing some movie they had hastily put on. Bruce smiled down at his children, reflecting on the complexity of his family and the surprising depth of their bonds.
What a lovely moment...
"We can kill Ras, right?"