Who: Tim Drake NPC: Jack Drake Where: Drake Manor, Gotham. When: May 24th, 2012 What: Tim and his Dad sit down for a meal together. Awkward conversation ensues. Rating: G
Tim sat at the dinner table quietly, as he typically did. It wasn't that he was trying to be rude, so much as that he literally felt like he had a million things on his mind. Everything he had to do as Tim, as Robin. The research he had to do, both as a student, and a vigilante. Contacts to be made, ongoing projects, and continual training-it seemed as though it never ended. And though Tim was consciously aware that the whole point he ate at the table like this was to actually converse with his father, the conversation rarely delved beyond the most trivial of topics. How was school? What are you working on? Did you do anything else today? It was if there was an unwritten list of questions and answers that they trudged through every time that they sat down to eat with each other that they did not stray from, as Tim had his duties as Robin to think about, and his father, the family business.
It was a wonder that they tried at all sometimes, but ever since the death of Janet Drake, the Drake men had tried especially hard to do things as they once did, no matter how poorly the actual exercise of their commitment went. Naturally it was a surprise to Tim when his father spoke up randomly.
"I have some excited news, Tim."
"Oh?"
"Yes, let me show you." Jack Drake stood up from his chair, and walked over to where his son sat, laying several pieces of paper down. "Take a look."
Curious, Tim slid his plate away and picked up the papers. Within an instant, his eyes went wide, as he glanced from the papers, to his father, and back again.
"These are letters of acceptance... from Harvard, Yale, and MIT", Tim said dumbfounded. "Dad, I didn't even apply."
Jack grinned. "Tim, you are by far the smartest kid in your class. With your academic accomplishments, it was only a small matter for me to-"
"But I don't want to go. To any of these schools", Tim interrupted. "I know we haven't really talked about this, but I want to stay in Gotham. And go to Gotham State University if I go to college."
"...If you go to college? Stay in Gotham? Oh, Tim, why would you want to do that? This city declines more each and every day. There's nothing worthwhile here. You're young, you're smart, and you've got all of the resources to do anything you want in life. You should be out seeing the world, not confining yourself to this one beleaguered city. You owe yourself much more than that."
Tim stared at his plate. He could feel the tension in the air. He was usually clever enough to avoid any situation in which he would have to explain any part of his other life to justify his motives, but now he found himself somewhat stumped. Because really, why would he want to stay in Gotham?
"I... don't know, Dad. It's just home. And I'd like to think that someday I can make this city a better place", he said, speaking as honestly as he could about what he did as Robin without telling his dad that he was partners with the Batman.
Jack took a seat closer to Tim, eyed him a moment, and shook his head. "It's more than that. You might think I don't notice how often and how long you are gone at night, but I do. I don't question you because it does not seem to effect your grades in the least, but often I do wonder where you go and what you do. You're a good kid, so I don't think that you are getting into any trouble. Which makes me think that it is a girl, but... you'd tell me that, right?"
Tim scratched the back of his neck. "There's a girl, but it's... complicated. She's been real busy herself lately, but I would love to have her over once things settle." The thought of actually having Stephanie here and meeting his Dad was a pleasant one, even if genuinely wondered if he would ever have that opportunity.
"I'd love to meet her", Jack said, with a smile. "And might I say, it's about damn time. Here I was starting to worry that you didn't do anything but study."
Tim tried to avoid thinking about what else that statement could have meant, merely nodding.
"Well Dad, I don't mean to cut it short, but I do have some work I need to get started on this evening." It was the truth, though at this point he really was in need of an exit strategy.
"Alright, Tim. But do me a favor and set some time aside in that schedule of yours for your old man. It's been entirely too long since we have done anything together outside of the home."
Tim nodded, with a pang of regret, though he knew they were both guilty. "That sounds good", he said as he stood from the table with his plate. "I'll look forward to it."
"Me too", Jack said as he walked back to his own chair and plate. "Good night, Tim."
"Good night Dad", Tim said as he left the dining room, trying to pinpoint when exactly he and his father had become so estranged.