This Is My Future

Chapter 25

Dick's P.O.V

I sighed trudging down the hall with Arty right behind me.

"Hey," I sighed, catching her attention as we stopped in front of my door. "Thanks for saving 'my' life back there."

She shrugged, "Shorty needed help...I just provided it."

I nodded with another sigh and opened the door to my dark apartment.

"You really need to work on your security," a dark silhouette of a young male said the moment I opened the door.

Acting on instinct I launched at the person, knocking him to the ground and pinning him to the floor. I held my arm across his neck and pulled my other arm back, my hand in a fist ready to land a blow if he tried struggling.

I glared down at the intruder and huffed a breath, "Dammit Tim! I could've hurt you!"

"How much do you weigh?" He groaned ignoring me, "You're crushing my lungs."

"Correction," Arty said glancing out the door before closing it. "You are hurting him."

"Artemis?" Tim grunted.

"Hey, Tiny Tim," she said from right behind me.

I stood up and pulled my adopted brother to his feet. He held his chest, blowing out a long breath.

"How are you out of jail?" Tim asked approaching Artemis once he had his breath back. He gave her a hug before she answered.

She held one arm around Tim and looked down at the young teen. She smiled at him and ran her fingers through his short hair.

"Your brother...bailed...me out," she lied.

"You're lying," Tim said bluntly.

"I broke her out," I grunted and sat on the couch accidently kicking a backpack.

Tim glanced at me then back to Artemis.

"It was for good reasons, Tiny," she said with a faint smile.

He nodded and stopped questioning the jail break.

Tim looked at me and at the backpack that I realized was his. "Can I stay here a few days?" He asked.

I nodded and yawned too tired to question.

"It's already late," Arty said. "Head to bed, Tiny."

Tim looked at me then at Arty. He pointed at me accusingly, "He's in my sleeping spot."

I shook my head, "You can sleep in my bed with me, Timmy."

"Are you sure?" Tim asked.

"I'm too tired to set up the futon," I yawned. "And if it's done wrong it'll swallow you alive...so you can just be with me."

"Okay."

Arty nodded. She yawned then stretched, "I'm gonna turn in. Night losers."

"Night kitty," I yawned again.

Tim waved at Arty.

I pushed to my feet with a groan.

"You okay?" Tim asked.

I nodded and sighed, "C'mon, Baby Bird; bed." I grabbed his backpack. I hooked my arm around his neck and hugged him to the side of my chest, leading him to my room.

I opened the door and pushed Tim in first. I tossed him his backpack and pulled off my shirt.

"I'm gonna ask now..." I sighed kicking off my shoes and pulling off my socks.

Tim looked at me as he pulled off his own shirt, dug through the backpack, and pulled out his pajamas. He replaced his shirt with his pajama top, "Yeah?"

I took off my jeans and pulled on a pair of sweatpants, "Is there a reason you're here?"

He shook his head pulling on his pajama pants.

"Nothing wrong? Nothing you want to talk about?" I asked sitting on the bed and pulling the blankets on me.

"No, not really..."

I raised a brow at him unconvinced but sighed and layed down.

Tim walked to the bed and looked down at me.

I looked at him, "What?"

"Are you going to scoot over or...?"

I reached over and grabbed him under his arms. In one swift move I threw him over me and he plopped onto the bed right next to me.

Tim chuckled and crawled under the covers. I gave him a drowsey smile and rubbed his head.

I rolled onto my stomach and closed my eyes beginning to drift off.

"Hey Dick," Tim said.

"Hm," I grunted.

He was silent a second then asked, "Are you awake?"

"No, I'm talking in my sleep," I muttered.

"You know, I was thinking-"

As Tim talked I was too tired to really listen, he was only babbling anyways; all I heard was his voice and it was honestly annoying.

"Timothy..." I sighed. He didn't hear me.

"Timmy," I sang tiredly. He continued talking.

"Tim," I grunted.

He finally heard me and responded, "Yeah?"

"Shut up and go to sleep," I grumbled. "Before I punch you in the throat."

He emediatly was quiet.

I relaxed and started drifting off again.

"Dick...?" Tim said hesitantly.

"What," I growled getting frustrated and a little annoyed.

Tim was silent. "Nevermind..." he said quietly.

I rolled over to look at him, "Just tell me Timmy; I'm not mad, just tired."

He nodded. "Are you..." he stopped, "Will you ever make up with Bruce?"

I opened my mouth but nothing came out.

Tim looked at me.

"I...don't know," I sighed. "Why?"

He shrugged pulling the blankets under his chin.

"Has he been giving you trouble or something?"

He shook his head, "No."

I sighed, "What's wrong Timmy?"

He shrugged.

"Please," I pushed. "Just tell me."

"I don't know..." he shrugged again, "It's lonely in the manor without you...you used to visit all the time, but...I haven't seen you in months...I don't know...nevermind, it's stupid..."

"No it's not, Timmy," I sighed and dropped my head into the pillow. "I'm sorry Baby Bird...I just need to be away from him."

He glanced at me and shifted towards me.

I put my arm around him.

He closed his eyes, "I really miss you..."

"I know buddy...I'm sorry."

I smiled at him when he curled up into a ball against my chest and tucked his head under my chin. I heard his breathing shift and knew he was asleep.

I hugged him closer to my chest feeling the soft fibers of his pajamas tickle my bare skin. I closed my eyes, "Night Baby Bird."