Chapter Text
It all started one winter evening. The usual Gotham clouds had lowered and they promised snow, not the usual rain. Alfred walked through the manor closing shutters and turning off lights. It was the liminal time between the end of the work and school day and the begging of his family’s night activities. With four people living at least part-time in the manor the long-empty rooms were starting to gain back a little more life. Alfred smiled at that thought, happy that he and the man he thought of as his son now had a family again. As he finished closing up, he headed down form towards the media room where he knew the boys would be watching a movie in a respite from their usual play fighting and good-natured bickering.
Winter break had started and so both Dick and Nightwing were back from Hudson university. Now that he was here Alfred was more than glad to fob off the responsibility of helping Jason with his college applications to Dick. Alfred passed by Bruce’s office on his way back towards the kitchen where he intended to brew a cup of tea before joining the boys in the movie marathon they had going. Peeking inside, Bruce was working on paperwork though the look on his face made Alfred think it was some Wayne foundation work that Bruce liked to work on as a relaxing logic puzzle. Alfred found a split second of Humor in Bruce’s relaxing habits before he Shut the door and started shuffling off in earnest to the back of the house where the kitchen was located.
Then the doorbell rang. It had been made to look like an old fashion one that fit the design of the house but it had all of the high-tech functions a modern doorbell might have. This Included a camera and a mic, that Alfred now pulled up on his phone. Outside the door was a young boy easily a two or three years younger than Jason. He was looking down at his phone every couple of seconds with a worried look on his face. It only took about fifteen seconds for him to Ring the doorbell again. As he looked up and Alfred was able to see his full face again he realized he looked quite familiar though he couldn’t place from where. He had a red winter jacket on that looked of good quality but rather old, the hood was slung over his head where a red beanie covered all of his hair in a way that came across as purposeful. He looked with a face that showed realization and rang the doorbell again after taking off his beanie and grabbing it in his free hand, his newly revealed black hair falling across his face in a stiff way that indicated an overuse of hair gel.
Having finally reached the door after traversing the whole width of the house Alfred pocketed his phone before opening the Door revealing the boy he had been looking at through the camera for the past several minutes. The boy had his hand with the hat raised to ring the doorbell again panic still on his face. Upon seeing Alfred the boy abruptly dropped his hand and took a deep breath before launching into what was almost certainly a prepared speech.
“Hello, Mr.Pennyworth. My name is Timothy Drake, I live next door. I really need to talk to Mr.Wayne,” The Boy, Timothy, rushed out quickly in a nervous voice. Alfred chided himself for not recognizing the youngest Drake, he was one of the only children close to Jason’s age to consistently be at society events.
“ Oh, I’m sorry Master Drake, But Master Bruce retired early today,” Alfried said repeating the excuse he most commonly used for phone calls from his many business partners. “ He’ll be here tomorrow, I’m sure he can talk to you then.”
“I need his Help, Mr.Pennyworth,” The bo-Timothy Said his face and voice a mix between teenage petulance at being brushed aside and panicky worry. “My friend needs help and My parents are out of the country and Mr. Wayne is the closest adult. I don’t know what to do..” He trailed off looking more and more worried. Alfred took pity on him and Gestured the Boy in.
“ Perhaps we can make an exception. I believe that master bruce is in his study.” Alfred said leading the boy through towards the back of the house.
“I thought you said he had retired for the night,” Timothy said as he followed a pace after the butler.
“Well, Yes, Master Bruce doesn’t like unexpected guests late in the evenings so it’s the easiest excuse to make,” Alfred said clearing his throat. As they turned the final corner outside of Bruce’s study He holds up a hand to the boy in a gesture to stay put. “In that Vein give me a minute to warn him.” Alfred opened the door slipping in and closing it again just as Bruce looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Young Master Drake is here asking for your help, he said something about his friend being in trouble,” At Bruces confused face he added “He lives next door he’s Janet and Jack Drake’s Child”
“Of course, let him in…” Bruce said the look on his face saying that his normal request for privacy after dark did not apply in this circumstance. Alfred opened the door back up and gestured for the boy to come inside. As he stepped inside Bruce could see his worried look. “Hey, Tim was it?” He asked trying to remember the preferred nickname of his young neighbor. At the boy’s nod, he continued, “Alfred said something about you needing help because your friend was in trouble. Where are your Parents anyway?” Bruce added at the last minute.
Looking down in an emotion that was almost like shame Tim started Playing with the edge of his coat as he Ansowerd “They’re in Vietnam. And Mr. Wayne, I know,” He said looking up through his eyelashes skittishly as if he was afraid that Bruce was going to hurt him.
“Know what Tim?” Bruce asked with the practiced openness of someone who had no secrets to hide.
Tim looks up at Bruce as he takes a deep breath before looking him straight in the eye and saying “I know your Batman. And I need your help.”