Tim Drake oneshots

The Riddles 'Daughter'

Tim knew he wasn’t supposed to snoop around, but his curiosity always got the better of him. His parents were out for the night, leaving the house unusually quiet. It was the perfect time to explore. As he shuffled through their closet, his fingers grazed over old jackets, shoes, and what seemed like a box tucked away in the corner. Pulling it out, he opened it to find clothes that seemed... small. Dresses, skirts, and blouses, much too tiny for his mom now. He figured these must’ve been hers when she was younger.

He pulled one out, a faded lavender dress with small flowers stitched along the hem. For some reason, he couldn’t explain, he slipped it on. It fit surprisingly well.

Tim looked at himself in the mirror. "Tessa," he whispered, the name popping into his mind for reasons unknown. He twirled in the dress, laughing quietly to himself. He had read enough about undercover heroes to know that blending in sometimes required a little acting. Maybe Tessa was part of him, a character waiting to come out.

Later that night, as Gotham’s shadows stretched long and eerie, Tim slipped out of the house for his usual adventure. He wasn’t Robin yet, but his fascination with Batman and his nightly patrols never ceased. Wearing his usual hoodie and jeans (with the dress tucked beneath), he crept through the streets, trying to spot the Caped Crusader from a distance.

Tonight, however, he found something different. The Riddler, one of Gotham’s more eccentric criminals, was prowling the streets. Tim’s heart raced with excitement—this was the closest he'd ever gotten to a real villain! Keeping his distance, he stalked the Riddler, moving quietly from rooftop to rooftop.

Unfortunately for Tim, the Riddler wasn’t as oblivious as he had hoped. He noticed the small figure following him and, with a smirk, decided to play along. Ducking into an alley, the Riddler disappeared from Tim’s sight for just a moment.

Before Tim knew it, he was caught in a tight grip.

“Well, well, what do we have here? A little bird following me?” The Riddler's voice was teasing, but there was an edge of danger to it.

Tim's heart pounded, but he stayed calm, remembering his hero training. But before he could come up with a story, the Riddler’s eyes landed on the edge of the dress peeking out beneath his hoodie. His expression shifted, and a strange, almost gleeful light entered his eyes.

“Oh my, my dear,” Riddler said with an exaggerated grin, “A little girl, aren’t you? What’s your name, precious?”

Tim blinked. He could correct him, tell him he was just a boy in a dress. But... an idea struck him. Maybe this could work. He could go along with it, get closer to the Riddler, maybe even help Batman in some way.

“Tessa,” Tim said, trying to make his voice softer. “My name’s Tessa.”

The Riddler chuckled and lifted Tim—or rather, Tessa—onto his shoulder, carrying him like a prize. “Oh, Tessa! You’re coming home with me, my dear. I’ve always wanted a daughter.”

Tim’s mind raced as they moved through the dark streets. He’d gotten in way too deep, but he had to stay calm. He was Tessa now. He’d play the part, learn what he could, and find a way to escape.

But for now, he let the Riddler think he had a new daughter.