Chapter Text
Family is something that Tim is still getting used to. The concept shows up when Steph appears on his doorstep for their weekly coffee and gossip session. It sneaks in the door whenever Bart, Cassie, and Kon come over for movie night. It threatens to become a constant whenever he is on patrol and Babs checks in over coms, or Bruce meets him on a rooftop to ask about his grades. Though it’s something that Tim has technically had for a while, family is still that unfamiliar realization that there is nowhere he’d rather be.
With that definition in mind, Tim Drake would rather be anywhere else.
Justice League press events, Tim thinks, are his personal version of hell. It’s nothing but standing still for hours without talking to anyone. Even on the panels, all the questions go to Batman or Supes. Not that Tim would want to answer any of the questions, though it would be entertaining to see how he would handle the question of all the craziness in Gotham. Tim is wasting his time, bored as all get out, thinking about one of his three current cases.
It’s weird to see the Penguin make a move on Bane’s territory, but whether that has to do with the missing lithium batteries or not is anyone's guess.
When the speech part of the event is finally over, Tim takes his chance to get the fuck out of there, lest he stay for the unbearable gala. Making his way off stage and through the halls, Tim grabs his bag from the green room before he turns for the exit.
“Rob, where are you off to?” Speaking of familiar, Kon’s voice makes Tim turn around.
“Ditching, want to join? I’ve got some homework that I’ve gotta take care of.” Tim’s eyes find Kons' blue ones. He knows how to keep his cool, he has control of his heart rate, and he won't give any signs to Kon.
“Sounds great, does the roof of the library work as a study spot?”
“Perfect.”
Over the years of their friendship, Kon has been through a few different styles, but the one he always came back to was like if punk was lazy. He had the piercings and the jacket, but when he wasn’t in his Superboy get-up, he was as much of a T-shirt and pants guy as anyone. Kon was always strong, but 6 years of superhero-ing builds muscle like nothing else, and his hair- he’s kept it short, but it still curls at weird angles and gets tangled in the wind.
Tim grapples his way over to the local library while Kon flies. Kon offered Tim a ride, but Tim refused. It’s all part of his rules not to fall in love with Kon-El. One of those rules was to avoid as much intimate contact as possible. Tim knew that this was not always accomplishable while fighting crime, but he did his best, and for non-lethal events like homework, he uses his grappling hook.
“Who do you think would win in a lip sync for their life, Batman or Superman?” Kon asks after a good 15 minutes of studying. Tim sighs; he got enough work done.
“Depends on the song, Superman is winning most upbeat songs, and Batman is winning the ballads.”
Kon raises his eyebrows, “Yeah, I guess you’re right, but I’d argue that Supes would fuck up a ballad- he’s got that earnest vibe.”
“I believe the word you’re looking for is ‘boy scout', boy scout.” Tim gives Kon a small smile, then gets an idea, “How about I play a song randomly, and that is the one they’re facing off to?”
“Brilliant.”
Tim takes out his phone and presses play. A guitar and drums start going, and Tim looks down to see “Every Breath You Take" by The Police playing from his phone.
Kon bursts out into his loud, startling laugh when he realizes what is playing.
Tim looks up and smiles at him, “Do I even have to argue? B’s winning this.”
Kon is still smiling when he says, “Let it play out, Big Blue might have a chance when it gets to the chorus.” Tim can’t take his eyes off that smile, and so he lets the song play.
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
Tim watches Kon close his eyes and let the music move through him. He looks so at peace with the wind blowing softly at his curls. He looks precious to Tim; he is precious. Tim wishes that he had his camera now, so he could save this moment forever, save this picture of Kon.
Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you
“This is the part I’m talking about!” Kon says wonder in his voice. “Can’t you just see Superman singing this part with so much sincerity?”
Oh, can’t you see
You belong with me?
How my poor heart aches
“I think that might hinder him; he’s too sincere. Batman, however, would be trying to convey the song while concealing his own emotions so it would hit in that sweet spot.” Tim's reasons
With every step you take
Every move you make
“You just want Batman to win because this song is about stalking.” Kon crosses his arms, and Tim does his very best not to look at or think about his best friend's biceps. Good for rescuing people, he reasons. And other things.
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
“Bats are known stalkers.” Tim leans a bit forward and gestures to make his point. He stalked people for a while there.
Every claim you stake
“And Superman is a reporter, which takes a lot of stalking.”
I’ll be watching you
“Well, if you think about it, most of our nighttime activities involve stalking.”
As if sensing what came next, both boys dropped their conversation to belt out the bridge as poorly as possible.
Since you’ve gone, I’ve been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around, but it’s you I can’t replace
I feel so cold, and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, baby, baby, please
Singing to each other is a normal thing best friends do. Tim is sure that he would do the same thing if Steph were here, though Steph was his ex, and he wasn’t sure that he’d be looking at her the way he’s looking at Kon right now.
Like he means all the words they just sang. Like he really couldn’t replace Kon, never in a million lifetimes. Like Tim keeps leaning into him because it feels like a place that he can rest. Like the more he thinks about it, he’s really breaking his rules every time they hang out because he just can’t stay away. Like despite his best efforts, he is in love.
Oh, can’t you see
The lyrics break the two out of whatever trance they might’ve been in. Tim turns away, back to his homework, and pretends to read any of the words on his screen while he processes.
You belong with me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
He is in love. Fuck. Fucking fuck goddamnit! This was not how this was supposed to go. Tim finally got friends who weren't a part of his fucked-up family, and then he went and made a mess of things. He mentally kicked himself and wished that he had a time machine so that he could stop this from happening entirely.
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you
Tim looks over at Kon, who is doodling and humming. Well, maybe not entirely. Maybe he’d still let himself have just a little of this.
Every move you make
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
“Okay, I’m convinced, Batman can take that one,” Kon says, like Tim's world didn’t just turn upside down.
I’ll be watching you
Well, maybe it didn’t completely turn upside down. Tim’s feelings are still the same. He would still do anything for Kon, and as the music plays out, Tim is sure that he can be content just getting the chance to care for him. Being his best friend is just another benefit.
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
“Took you long enough, I’m always right. Didn’t you know?” Tim twists a smile to Kon, who smirks in response.
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you
“I’ll make sure to tell Batman that next time you pull an all-nighter 3 nights in a row.”
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you
“You wouldn’t.”
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you
“To get back at you? Oh yes, I would.”
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
“Then I’ll tell Clark about you skipping out on the gala today.”
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you
“You ditched, too!”
I’ll be watching you
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you
“I had homework.”
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you