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Many as his responsibilities were, with Wayne Enterprises and vigilantism, Tim was still a teenager. And as such, there were still times where he’d just scroll mindlessly through social media. He had to admit, taking a break was nice every once and a while. Maybe he should start listening to Alfred more.
Tim hummed as he shifted from his position on the couch. He had come across a pretty interesting article. It was talking about ‘Love Languages’. He’s seen the term before, usually in social media sites, particularly comment sections, but he never really had the need to look into what it meant so he just looked at the context and deduced that it was supposed to be a good thing and left it at that.
Now, he had stumbled upon another comment in the same format, except this one didn’t really fit with the other comments he’s seen. “Stealing my friends’ food is my love language’. Tim realized that it was meant to be joking, but now he was curious.
That brings him to said article.
Apparently, there were five main love languages. These are the different ways people expressed their love to someone, and it also extends to how a person prefers to be loved. This was the first time Tim’s heard of it, but then again, love was…how does he put it, scarce.
Over time, he had slowly accepted that his parents weren’t the best. No sane parent would leave their six year old son alone in the house to fend for himself. Especially not as long as Tim had been left alone. But that doesn’t mean his parents hated him. They still provided for him—though that was the bare minimum—they still tried their best when they did come home. He was positive they didn’t hate him, he just wasn’t sure they loved him either.
The more he read through the article, the more unsure he became.
The most familiar love language to him was the first one listed in the article. Words of Affirmation. His parents…Tim doesn’t remember them explicitly saying ‘I love you’ to him. Maybe in passing, absentmindedly as they hurried to get out of the house so they wouldn’t miss their flight, but ‘I love you’ wasn’t the only thing they could say, according to the article it can be as simple as a compliment. He’s definitely gotten some of those, rare as they were. His parents would say: “Good job Timothy” whenever he managed to charm one of those rich people his parents would introduce him to during galas, “That’s better” when he managed to go through the piece he was playing after he spent hours sat at the piano, not being allowed to leave until he perfected it.
The next one was Quality Time…they took him to the circus that one time. They also bring him to galas, albeit they were usually talking to the adults. But surely those still count.
Next was Physical Touch. Tim thought back, his folks weren’t huggy people. Not even to each other, he thinks. Most they’d do is a side hug whenever they were being complimented as a couple. They would hold Tim by the shoulders whenever he was being introduced to someone, so that’s about the same affection his parents showed each other, so it was fine.
Acts of Service. Just because these love languages are listed down doesn’t mean that a single person exhibits all of them. Sometimes, they have a prefered method. It just so happens that acts of service weren't his parent’s strong point. But it was certainly his. He loves helping people, he likes taking the burden off of others if he can help it. He’s not a pushover, he says no whenever he needs to. It’s just the easiest way to show that he cares since he’s not really big on the other things on this list.
Gift Giving. Now that’s something. His parents, though they don’t spoil him, provide him everything he would ever need. That’s why they were always away, to make money so they could do so. Tim grew up not wanting much since his parents always left him with enough money to spend on anything his heart desired. The ridiculous amount of cameras he had when he was younger was a testament to that.
So…that means they loved him, right? They just had an unconventional way of showing it.
Tim puts his phone away before closing his eyes. That was enough thinking for one day.
When Tim said ‘That’s enough thinking for one day’, he actually meant, he will never think of the topic ever again. Yet his brain has performed the greatest betrayal. It thought about it once more.
In fact, it was stuck in his mind.
Probably not the wisest as he was currently in the middle of a fight.
Tim dodged an incoming blow to the head. He stuck a foot out, tripping the guy who had just attacked him, before rolling away to steer clear of another guy who was about to attack him from behind.
He was called over by Babs to provide backup to Bruce and Damian, who were currently chasing after Oswald. Tim doesn’t know what he’s after but he must be desperate because the amount of goons he had for this heist is ridiculous! Tim had to request for more backup because they just kept coming.
Tim thrusted his staff forward, hitting a different guy in the stomach. Twisting his wrist, he maneuvered his staff to disarm the guy. He then jabbed his staff sideways to keep another guy at bay. He then shifted his body just in time to dodge another attack from behind. The guy kept coming at him, and Tim blocked the guy’s hits with his arm until he found an opening and sent in a blow himself.
Too occupied with the guy he was currently fighting, he didn’t realize that someone was approaching from behind until he felt the looming presence. Tim spun his head around to see a guy with his arms raised, a heavy pipe aiming at him. Tim raised an arm, closing his eyes in preparation for the hit, only for it not to come.
“Hey baby bird, you alright?”
Tim perked up, “Nightwing!”
Dick grinned at him before going back to fighting the still incoming henchmen. “O said you needed help, no kidding, this is overkill.”
Tim rolled his eyes, “Tell me about it,” he said, going back into the action.
A minute later and there was already a clear sign of progress as the numbers dwindled.
“Good job, Red,” Dick said, as he knocked the last goon out.
Tim let his body relax a little, before realizing something.
‘Words of Affirmation’.
Of course, his brain was still on about that. Tim shook the thought away. “I’m gonna be honest, I think you took out a lot more than I did,” he said.
Dick laughed before reaching over to wrap an arm around Tim’s shoulders.
‘Physical Touch’.
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Dick said, squeezing his shoulders a tad. “I saw you before I dropped down, you had this handled, I just helped finish it early.”
Their comms sounded at the same time, “Penguin has been apprehended,” Bruce said. “Red Robin, report.”
“All good, B,” Tim said, “I have Nightwing here, we’ll finish tying these guys up.”
A grunt, “Robin and I will meet you back in the cave.”
After confirming to do so, Tim and Dick proceeded to tie up the henchmen. When they finished they quickly made their way back to the cave. Maybe too quick, since they were the first ones to be back. Bruce and Damian must have been led far, far away if that were the case. Tim was quick to remove his mask and his cape, already feeling the exhaustion due to the adrenaline leaving his body now that he was sure he was safe.
Alfred came out of the elevator service cart with assorted foods and drinks in hands. “Ahh, welcome home,” he said, stopping in the middle of the main area of the cave. “Come along now, while they’re still hot,” he gestured to the food.
Dick was quick to cheer and grab something for himself.
“Yeah, uh, let me just put this away,” Tim said, gesturing to the cape and mask in his arms.
“I shall take care of that,” Alfred said, taking the cape off of his hands. “Now, go eat, my boy. I heard of the tiring night you had and I took the liberty to prepare your favorites. Run along now.”
‘Acts of Service’.
Tim would very much appreciate it if his brain would focus on something else.
He grabbed a cup of tea and some scones. Food was always calming after a night of patrol. By the time Tim finished his food, Dick had already called dibs in the shower. Tim sat on the chair by the Batcomputer, he might as well start with the report while Bruce and Damian aren’t back yet.
A roar of an engine can be heard just as he finished the thought.
Bruce and Damian entered the main area of the cave, making Tim look behind him.
“Were Penguin’s men taken care of?” Bruce asked.
“Yup, called into the GCPD and everything,” Tim said.
Bruce nodded, “Well done,” he said. “And, thank you for providing backup. As well as calling in some for yourself.”
“Oh,” Tim said. “Yeah, yeah, no problem.”
‘Words of Affirmation.’
“Drake,” Damian said as approached the computer. “I wish to assist in writing the report,” he said.
Tim raised an eyebrow at him, “Don’t worry, I’ll leave the space for the timeframe that I’ve missed. You can fill those out in a bit.”
Damian sighed and looked away, “It would save us both the trouble if we do it simultaneously.”
Tim stared at him for a moment. He’d had Damian help with reports before, a lot more frequent recently, but those are mostly prompted by Bruce or Dick. This is the first time Damian has offered it on his own. And judging by the way the younger’s eyes have shifted, he was being shy about it as well.
“And I would not mind if I do it with you,” Damian added.
‘Acts of Service. Quality Time’.
“Go grab a chair,” Tim said, and Damian did so.
“Are you sure you two don’t wanna change first?” Dick asked, already in sweatpants and hoodie.
“We’ll change later,” Tim and Damian chorused.
The two worked on the report and an hour and a half later, they found themselves done with it. Tim stretched his body as Damian made his way to the showers as Bruce had already finished his.
Heavy footsteps approached them, making Tim turn around once again.
“I got the thing,” Jason said, tossing a flash drive towards Bruce.
“Thank you, Jason,” Bruce said with a nod. “Barbara has sent the files you needed,” he gestured to the computer.
“Oh, yeah, she told me about that,” Tim said before facing the computer and opening up the folder.
“You better not have been getting your grubby little hands all over my case,” Jason said as he approached. He stood next to Tim, leaning down slightly, with an arm on the back of the chair.
Tim rolled his eyes, “I didn’t mess with them. Just read through it to organize them. Save your brain the trouble, I don’t think it can afford it.”
“Don’t use your workaholic tendencies against me.” Jason then whistled at the screen, “Alphabetical and color coded,” he said before reaching down and ruffling his hair. “Not bad, Timbo. Thanks, appreciate it, now shoo. B said it’s my turn to use the computer.”
‘Words of Affirmation. Physical Touch’.
“There’s like a bunch of chairs around,” Tim argued.
“Well those don’t have wheels,” Jason said, ushering Tim out of the chair.
Tim shook his head, “What are you five?” he muttered before taking a seat on the chair on their meeting table. He wishes Damian would hurry as he was aching to have his own shower now that he didn’t have anything to do.
“Cass! You didn’t say you were coming home,” Dick exclaimed with delight.
Tim perked up. Cass has been gone for about a week now doing stake outs. They weren’t expecting any update from her for at least two more days.
Cassandra waved at them as she approached, “Finished early,” she explained before pulling something out of her pocket. Going around the room, she gave each person something. When she reached Tim, she handed him a keychain of a small bird squawking.
“What?” Tim asked, raising the keychain.
“Souvenir,” Cass said. “Reminded me of you.”
‘Gift Giving’.
Tim couldn’t help chuckling, “Did you buy this in your vigilante getup?”
Cass shook her head no. “Took them and left money.”
“Of course,” Tim said, fondly as he looked at the keychain. He’s thinking of putting it on the zipper of the bag that he brings to WE.
A clap caught his attention, and he looked back and found Dick standing up. “Well, seeing as we have a full house, and it’s still pretty early, why don’t go up and watch something.”
Tim thought about it, and that didn’t sound too bad actually, he didn’t really have anything scheduled for civilian stuff in the morning. Yet a protest started leaving Bruce and Jason’s mouths and Dick was quick to rebut both of them. “Bruce, I know for a fact that you don’t need to go to WE tomorrow. Jay, you owe me.”
With a grunt and a whiny ‘Fine’, they suddenly find themselves in the main living room of the manor, all showered and dressed comfy.
The TV screen displayed a movie that they spent at least thirty minutes arguing over because no one could decide what they should watch. Tim was sitting in the middle of the couch, between Dick and Bruce. On the floor next to the couch was Damian and Cass, while Jason sat on the single sofa.
‘Quality Time.’
His brain really wants to think about this more. So, Tim indulges his mind.
The first thought he had is why he hadn’t noticed these things before. Sure, he didn’t know about love languages until recently, but surely, he would have realized the words, the touch. He noticed every single time his parents showed him any semblance of affection, so why didn’t he now?
The realization struck Tim like a bag of bricks.
He didn’t realize sooner because it was normal. It didn’t stand out because it wasn’t treated as some sort of reward or something scarce. It was just something that blended into his everyday life. It didn’t feel out of place because he's constantly being exposed to it. His family was always showing him affection even in the littlest of ways, and Tim didn’t even realize it until now.
Tim couldn’t help the sob that escaped his lips.
Dick immediately shifted from beside him, “Woah, what’s wrong, baby bird?” he asked, frantically looking him over. “Why’re you crying?”
Damian raised an eyebrow at him, “Is watching a picture frame break really that emotional?” he gestured to the movie they were watching, before narrowing his eyes at him. “Are you hurt? You know it is unwise to hide injuries.”
“I’m not—” Tim cut himself off as he tried to wipe away the tears that won’t stop falling. “It’s nothing.”
“You don’t just cry for no reason, Timbo,” Jason said. “So if you’re done with your poor excuse of a deflection, you oughta spill before B’s tempted to scan you for internal injuries.”
Cass was now kneeling in front of him, “Did we do something?” she asked.
Tim shook his head, “No, you guys…you guys are fine, it’s me, I’m…” he sniffed.
“You guys love me,” Tim said.
It was not a question. It was a statement said with no doubts.
“Oh, Tim,” Dick reached forward and cupped Tim’s face with his hands,“Of course we love you.”
Bruce reached for Tim, and Dick reluctantly let him go. “Did we do something to make you think otherwise?” he asked, an arm around him, allowing the younger to lean into him as he hid his face into his side.
Tim shook his head before raising a hand to his face to wipe away the tears. He didn’t answer for a bit, only focused on stopping the tears from falling. “No, I…I dunno why I’m crying. It’s nothin’ bad.” He sniffled, finally finishing his impromptu crying session. “It’s just…you guys love me.”
Dick hummed knowingly, “Tim,” he said, catching Tim’s attention, making him turn his body to look at Dick without leaving the comfort of Bruce’s arm. “I love you.”
Tim couldn’t help as the tears started gathering again.
A hand landed on his chest, and Tim looked over. Cass smiled at him, “I love you, little brother.”
“Let there be no mistake,” A hand landed on his head and Tim looked to his other side and found Alfred holding a tray with his other hand, a soft smile on his lips “You are very loved, Master Tim,” he said before continuing with his duties.
Tim couldn’t help but glance at his other siblings, before looking away quickly. Jason was quick to catch on the movement though. “Yeah, yeah, I love you too. Sorry if it wasn’t obvious.”
Tim smiled at him. In the corner of his eye, he could see Damian fidget slightly. “C’mon Dami,” Dick encouraged.
Damian rolled his eyes, “I suppose since you are family,” he looked up at Tim, “Drake, you are loved.”
The arm around him tightened and before Tim knew it another arm had made its way around him as well, effectively trapping him in Bruce’s hold. “I don’t…I don’t say it a lot, but I do love you, son. So much.”
The tears in his eyes started to fall again, and this time, he couldn’t help the laugh that escapes him. He was crying because his family loved him. The whole premise was ridiculous.
But Tim doesn’t mind it.
“I love you guys too.”