Tim Drake oneshots

The Silent Guardian (1)

Title: The Silent Guardian

Setting:
Gotham City, seven years ago. Nine-year-old Tim Drake has already begun his personal mission—following Gotham's protectors, Batman and Robin, with his camera and sharp eyes. Every night, while most kids are in bed, Tim sneaks out to the rooftops and alleyways, tracking the Dynamic Duo across the city. He’s careful, quiet, unnoticed... or so he thinks.

---

Tim Drake: (whispering to himself, perched on a rooftop with his camera)
"Come on… where are you tonight?"

His young eyes scan the horizon, searching for the flash of a cape, the blur of a grappling line. He’s become obsessed with figuring out Batman’s identity, trying to prove to himself that the world’s greatest detective is human after all.

But tonight, Tim isn’t the only one watching.

A shadow moves behind him—silent, controlled. A man dressed in sharp, tailored black attire, his face hidden by a sleek, featureless mask. He watches Tim closely, almost… protectively.

Unknown Villain: (murmuring to himself)
"Such a clever boy... wandering alone in the night."

---

The villain, a man who goes by the name of Noctis, is an elusive and powerful figure in Gotham’s criminal underworld. He’s wealthy, ruthless, but unlike most of Gotham’s rogues, he’s not interested in power or chaos for its own sake. Noctis prefers to stay in the shadows, manipulating things from behind the scenes, an unseen hand guiding Gotham’s darkest corners. But when he first noticed the young boy following Batman, something inside him shifted.

An obsession began to grow—an overprotective, almost paternal need to shield the boy from Gotham’s dangers. Noctis had never cared about anyone before, but Tim… Tim was special.

Tonight, he decides to act.

---

Tim Drake: (muttering)
"Still no sign of them… Maybe they’re working the docks tonight…"

Suddenly, a hand clamps down over Tim’s mouth, and his body is lifted off the rooftop as if he weighs nothing. His camera falls from his grip, clattering onto the building’s edge. Tim struggles, his small hands clawing at the arm holding him, but it’s no use. Whoever has him is far stronger.

Unknown Villain (Noctis): (voice soft and commanding)
"Shh… Don’t be afraid, little one. I won’t hurt you. I’ve been watching you for some time, Tim."

Tim’s eyes widen in shock. How does this man know his name? Panic wells in his chest, but he’s too scared to scream. Noctis pulls him into the shadows of a nearby rooftop alcove, setting him down gently.

Noctis:
"You’ve been following the wrong people. Batman and Robin can’t protect you from Gotham’s darkness. They can’t even protect themselves."

Tim Drake: (breathing hard, trying to keep his voice steady)
"W-who are you? What do you want with me?"

Noctis kneels, bringing his masked face level with Tim’s, his voice low and soothing.

Noctis:
"I want to keep you safe. I’ve watched you for weeks—slipping through the cracks, sneaking out at night, watching the Bat. But Gotham is no place for a child, even one as smart as you. You need someone who understands you… someone who can protect you properly."

Tim stares at the masked figure, his mind racing. The man’s voice is calm, almost caring, but there’s something unsettling about how much he seems to know.

Tim Drake:
"I-I don’t need protection. I’m fine on my own."

Noctis: (chuckling softly)
"So brave… but so naïve. You’re far too important to be left alone. I see greatness in you, Tim. I see a future where you can rise above this city’s filth, where you can thrive… under my guidance."

Before Tim can protest, Noctis stands, taking a step back and motioning to the city below.

Noctis:
"Think about it, Tim. You spend your nights chasing after heroes who don’t even know you exist. But I see you. I see everything. You’re exceptional… and I can give you everything you need to realize your potential."

---

Over the next few days, Tim tries to push the encounter with Noctis from his mind, but the man keeps appearing—always at a distance, always watching. And then the gifts start to come.

First, it’s a high-end camera, left on his windowsill with a note that simply reads: For better shots of your heroes. Then it’s clothing—expensive, tailored outfits that Tim could never afford. Finally, Tim comes home one night to find an envelope filled with money tucked under his pillow, far more than any nine-year-old should ever see.

Tim Drake: (staring at the money)
"This is… crazy. Who is this guy?"

---

One night, while Tim is out again, Noctis approaches him once more—this time not as a shadowy figure, but in the guise of a well-dressed man, his mask replaced with a normal face, hidden in the crowd of Gotham’s upper-class society.

Noctis (now appearing as “Mr. Noctis”):
"Tim."

Tim spins around, startled, but quickly recognizes the voice.

Tim Drake:
"You again! Why won’t you leave me alone?"

Mr. Noctis: (calmly)
"Because you need someone, Tim. Someone who can give you what your family never could."

Tim falters. No one knows about his family—his parents constantly absent, never there when he needs them. Noctis watches his hesitation, pressing further.

Mr. Noctis:
"I can be that person for you. I can give you a life without fear, without limits. No more sneaking around, no more struggling for scraps of attention. You deserve more, Tim."

Tim Drake: (suspicious)
"Why? Why me?"

Mr. Noctis: (smiling softly)
"Because I see potential in you. I see someone who’s destined for greatness. With my resources and your brilliance, we could rise above this city’s heroes and villains alike."

Tim shakes his head, torn between fear and curiosity.

Tim Drake:
"You're… you're a villain. I don’t need help from someone like you."

Noctis steps closer, his voice soft but firm.

Mr. Noctis:
"I’m more than just a villain, Tim. I’m someone who understands you, who sees the real you. Your heroes don’t know you exist, but I do. Let me take care of you. Let me give you everything you’ve ever wanted."

Tim stares up at him, a thousand thoughts racing through his young mind. For the first time in his life, someone seems to care about him—really care. But the man standing before him is a villain. Isn’t he?

---

Over the next few months, Noctis—always appearing as the mysterious and wealthy "Mr. Noctis"—slowly inserts himself into Tim’s life. He gives Tim the best of everything—luxurious gifts, private tutors, and even access to advanced technology that Tim could only dream of. He never forces Tim to leave his home, but he makes sure Tim has everything he could ever want or need.

Noctis becomes something of a secret father figure, protective and obsessive. He spoils Tim, but more than that, he watches over him constantly, keeping him safe from Gotham’s dangers in ways Tim doesn’t even realize.

But the question remains: why Tim? What does Noctis see in him that makes him so special?

Noctis (to himself, watching Tim from a distance):
"You’ll understand soon enough, my boy. You’re destined for more than this city’s heroes can offer you. One day, you’ll thank me."