Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[04] Wounded Little Bird

Dora's eyes flickered towards the clock repeatedly, she was a bit anxious because Tim hadn't turned up at the shop for the whole day nor had he called her. When she had tried his cell number, that too was switched off.

With the shop hours ending and dinner too coming to an end, her anxiety increased so she asked Alex to drop her off at Wayne Manor. She called Steph beforehand to ask whether Tim would be out on patrol or not but she had replied that he was staying at home and that it would be better if Dora came over.

Hearing that increased Dora's concerns but she didn't tell anything to Al, only said that Steph wanted her to join them for a sleepover. He agreed and was waiting outside on his bike when she came down, a small bag containing her clothes and other stuff slung over her shoulder.

Alex locked the building and revved up the engine while Dora climbed onto the bike behind him.

"You sure everything's okay?" He asked before driving off.

She nodded, "absolutely, it's just a sleepover; we'll watch movies, cook up a midnight feast etc. Steph had said it would be a surprise for Tim so I couldn't refuse."

"Alright," he drove off towards the district where Wayne Manor was located, coming to a halt in front of the large gates. 

The gates parted letting them in but he parked the bike in front of the estate and gestured Dora to go in.

"Take care, okay? And if you need anything, I'll be just one call away."

She smiled, hugging him lightly, "thanks Al. You take care too."

She rang the doorbell and waited, shortly after Alfred opened the door. Alex waved goodbye to her then left so she followed the old man inside.

It was terribly quiet in the usually chaotic atmosphere of the Manor but she knew that was due to the fact that almost all of them must have left for patrol.

"Is Tim in his room?" She asked at last, accepting the glass of orange juice Alfred had offered her.

"Yes," he replied, "I assume you know where his room is?"

"I do. Thank you."

She climbed the flights of stairs that led to the third floor where Tim and Damian's rooms were located. Steph's room was on the second floor while Jason and Dick had their rooms at the topmost floor. Barbara and Bruce were the only ones who preferred to live on the ground floor. Whereas, the first floor of the Wayne Manor was strictly service area; consisting of the kitchen, laundry and other such zones.

She came to a halt in front of the familiar door to Tim's room, taking in the uneasy silence spread all over. The old Do Not Disturb tag hung over the doorknob even then and she recalled the first time Steph had brought her there. No sound could be heard from inside which made her even more worried as she lifted her hand and knocked on the door.

There was no response for five minutes, the countdown going on in her head so she knocked again, slightly louder that once. A slight shuffling sound broke the silence and the door creaked open at last. 

"What do you want?" Tim's voice was snappy as he asked, not yet stepping out himself though she could clearly judge from his tone that he was troubled.

"Tim, can I come in?"

Silence greeted her once again but then the door opened wider, revealing Tim standing behind it with an absolutely exhausted look on his face, "Dora, I'm sorry. I thought it was someone else."

"It's okay," she replied softly, stepping inside and paused to see the room in an utter mess. Tim gave no explanation and closed the door, his fingers massaging his throbbing temples as he collapsed onto the bean bag closest to him.