Tim Drake oneshots

(13) New Persona

Tim Drake entered the grand LexCorp tower with a purpose that night. His mission? One that none of the other members of the Justice League were willing to take on: seduce Lex Luthor and acquire Kryptonite.

It wasn’t the first time Tim had used his charm for a mission, but Lex Luthor was in a different league entirely—dangerous, unpredictable, and smarter than most people gave him credit for. The stakes were high, and with Superman off-world, the League needed a stash of Kryptonite in case of emergencies. Batman had deemed Tim the best candidate for this particular mission, though Tim suspected it was less about skill and more about Bruce’s unwillingness to interact with Lex.

Tim adjusted his tailored suit, smoothed his hair, and walked into the cocktail party being held on LexCorp’s top floor. The crowd was a mix of elite business people, politicians, and powerful players—Lex Luthor’s world. Tim fit in well enough, with his background as Bruce Wayne’s ward, but he knew he had to stand out tonight. He had to catch Lex’s attention.

And that wouldn’t be too hard. Lex was predictable in some ways—he liked to be admired, to be seen as the smartest man in the room. It was all about feeding that ego, a game Tim was prepared to play.

He spotted Lex across the room, speaking with a senator. As usual, Lex was impeccably dressed in his custom-tailored suit, exuding power and control. Tim casually made his way through the crowd, keeping his eyes on Lex just long enough to be noticed but not too long to seem desperate. He reached the bar and ordered a drink, allowing the faintest of smiles to touch his lips when he saw Lex glance his way.

As expected, it didn’t take long for Lex to disengage from his conversation and move in Tim’s direction.

“Well, if it isn’t Tim Drake,” Lex said, his voice smooth as ever. “What brings you to my little gathering tonight?”

Tim turned to face him, offering a charming smile. “Lex. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to attend one of your events. It’s always interesting to see what kind of power players show up.” His eyes flicked over Lex’s suit, deliberate, before adding, “But I have to say, you’re always the most impressive in the room.”

Lex’s eyebrow arched slightly, clearly amused by the compliment. “Flattery, Mr. Drake? I didn’t expect that from someone who operates in Batman’s circles.”

Tim chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. “Well, we all have our talents, don’t we? Batman’s taught me many things, but charm wasn’t exactly one of them. That’s something I had to learn on my own.”

Lex’s gaze was sharp, but Tim could see the spark of interest there. “Indeed. So, what is it you’re after, Tim? I doubt you’re here just to enjoy the party.”

Tim leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make the conversation feel more intimate. “I’m here because I admire power, Lex. And you? You have it in spades.”

Lex’s smirk grew, and he stepped closer, his presence commanding as always. “Admiration is all well and good, but I’m sure there’s more to it than that.”

Tim let the silence stretch for a beat before he spoke again. “I’ll be honest with you, Lex. I’m here because I think we could be... useful to each other.”

Lex’s eyes narrowed slightly, clearly intrigued. “Go on.”

“I know you’re not someone who’s easily swayed,” Tim said, his tone smooth. “But I also know you like having an edge over everyone—especially when it comes to certain heroes.” He paused, letting the implication sink in. “I happen to have friends who might need an edge in the future. And I think you know what kind of resource I’m talking about.”

Lex studied him for a moment, the weight of his scrutiny heavy. “You want Kryptonite.”

Tim didn’t flinch. He met Lex’s gaze head-on, his voice steady. “Let’s just say, it’s better to be prepared. You know as well as I do that things can change in an instant. And while Superman might be on our side now, there’s always the chance that won’t be the case forever.”

Lex tilted his head, a dangerous smile playing on his lips. “And what exactly are you offering in return for such a valuable resource, Tim?”

Tim allowed a hint of something more to enter his smile, leaning just a bit closer. “What do you want, Lex?”

The room around them seemed to fade as Lex considered him, clearly weighing his options. Tim knew this was the critical moment—the one where he’d either succeed or fail. But he was prepared. Lex might be one of the most dangerous men in the world, but Tim had spent years learning from Bruce how to deal with people like him. And right now, Lex was intrigued.

“What I want,” Lex began slowly, “is loyalty. Someone who understands the long game. Someone who can see the world the way I do—without the rose-colored glasses that the Justice League wears.”

Tim held Lex’s gaze, his heart racing but his face calm. “Loyalty isn’t a problem. I’m not naive, Lex. I know how the world works. And I know that sometimes, alliances shift. Power changes hands.”

Lex seemed to consider this, his smirk growing. “Interesting. I could use someone like you.”

Tim gave a small nod, knowing he had him on the hook now. “So... do we have a deal?”

Lex was silent for a long moment, his eyes never leaving Tim’s. Finally, he nodded, his voice low. “I’ll arrange for a sample of Kryptonite to be delivered to you. Consider it a gesture of good faith. But don’t mistake this for a permanent arrangement, Tim. You’ll owe me.”

Tim smiled, the victory sweet, even if it came with a cost. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

As he turned to leave, Lex’s voice stopped him. “Tim?”

He glanced back, meeting Lex’s gaze. “Yes?”

Lex’s smile was sharp, almost predatory. “Don’t think I don’t know exactly what you’re doing. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

Tim gave a small shrug, his expression unreadable. “Aren’t we all?”

With that, he walked away, his heart still pounding but a triumphant smile on his face. The mission was successful, but he knew better than anyone that the game with Lex Luthor was far from over.