This Is My Future

Chapter 30

Robin's P.O.V

I sat slouched back in the computer chair. Nightwing and Tigress were in the garage. I looked at Artemis, who was trying to scratch at her healing stitches through her sling.

"You shouldn't scratch at the wound..." the kid in the corner said. Nightwing said his name was Tim...and that he's 'The Future Robin'

"I'm sorry," I growled at him. "Did she ask for your insight?"

Tim looked down.

Artemis looked at him then at me. "Robin, chill. It's fine," she grunted. "He's trying to be nice."

"He can be nice and still leave us alone..." I muttered.

Artemis ignored me and looked at Tim, "So..."

He glanced up at her.

"Uh...what grade are you in?" She asked, obviously trying to converse.

"Finishing my Freshman year..." he said. She nodded.

I rolled my eyes and asked a real question. "How'd you get the Robin name?" I asked, letting all bitterness into my voice.

Artemis shot me a glare for being rude. Tim looked away, I couldn't see his eyes behind his sunglasses, but I could tell with his other facial features that his blank and relaxed mood had shifted to hurt and sadness. I felt my stomach clench with guilt.

I think I'm already an ass...

"I..." Tim said, "Batman gave me the title."

"Why?" I asked trying to lessen the bitter tone, but failed.

He shrugged, "I found out who Batman and Robin, the first, were."

I couldn't stop my suspicious glare, "How old were you when you discovered and how did you find out?"

"Nine...and I saw Robin, you, do a trick that I had only seen one other time..."

"Oh yeah?" I sat forward, "Where'd you see the trick?"

"Haly's Traveling Circus...the night The Flying Graysons..." he stopped and I knew why he didn't finish.

"You were there...?" I asked. I felt my features fall a bit.

He nodded, "I...I was that little boy who got a picture with you. You sat me on your knee and hugged me for the picture."

I nodded faintly, remembering it.
______
I was bickering with my mom who was trying to fix my hair, though it was fine. I gave up and just dropped my hand. My cousin John started teasing me about it and I swatted a hand at him.

After mom finished, her and John left to go help Haly with something. I fixed my hair to the way I wanted it and dropped my hand. I felt little fingers wrap around my fingertips just then and I looked down.

A little boy wearing a dark red zip-up sweater, dark blue jeans, and little red shoes that had Red Tornado symbols on them smiled up at me. He had deep blue eyes and black hair. His little sneakers blinked every time he moved his feet.

"Well, hi there," I said to him. He smiled bigger. I reached down and picked him up resting him on my hip, "Where's your Mommy?"

"She's at home," he said.

I nodded, "Daddy?"

"He's at work."

I frowned, "Then who are you here with?"

"My nanny," he said, poking the R on my chest.

"Well then you should get back to grandma before she starts to worry."

"She's not my gramma," he said. "She's the lady Mommy and Daddy have watch me."

I nodded.

"There you are Timmy."

I looked up to see a young woman walking towards us, she had a camera around her neck.

"May I have a picture with you?" The little boy asked.

I smiled at him, "Of course you can." I bent down onto one knee and placed him on my leg.

"Take a picture, Casey!" He shouted happily.

I threw my arms around him, touching our cheeks together just in time for his nanny to take the picture.
______

"That sounds adorable," Artemis said pulling me from the memory, she smirked at me. I rolled my eyes, though I was grateful she said something or else I may have imagined later in the night.

I looked at Tim again, he actually looks like that little boy, just there aren't Red Tornado blinking sneakers this time. I smiled faintly, but it quickly fell.

Artemis looked at Tim. "But why do you have the Robin name?" She asked, "Did you like, blackmail Batman or something."

He shook his head.

My eyes narrowed, "Then why do you have the Robin gig? Won't your parents worry?"

I saw on his face, something that made me wish I never brought up the subject in the first place; because I knew that face. Bruce got it whenever he thought of his parents and I got it every time my family's death date was coming near.

My face fell with dismay.

I shouldn't have said anything!

"Batman...is," Tim sighed staring at the remoped floor, leaning against the wall. "He's...my...legal guardian..."

My heart sank in my chest. Artemis seemed more confused when I glanced at her.

"What...what happened to your parents...?" I asked him. I didn't want to, but it was as if my mouth had a mind of its own.

Artemis looked between us, obviously sensing the mood shift.

"They died," Tim said without hesitation.

"I-I'm so sorry..." I said looking at him sympathetically. My stupid mouth wouldn't stay shut, "How...?"

Artemis gave me a look that told me to stop.

I'm trying!

"Janet was poisoned and Jack was killed by Captain Boomerang," he said not looking up.

"I'm so so sorry, Tim..."

"Don't be," he grunted, he sounded hurt though he was hiding it the best he could. "It doesn't matter."

"They're your parents!" I said sitting forward.

"No they weren't! They gave me my life! That was all they did!" He growled.

My eyes widened, "How could you say that!"

"News flash Grayson! Not everyone has the perfect parents!" He snarled. "Like mine! Who never cared about me and never noticed when I was gone!"

I leaned back into the chair, silent. I looked at Tim as he turned to the wall and pressed his forehead against the concrete. My chest tightened, I knew I hurt him, I knew I should've stayed quiet.

I'm such an idiot...

Artemis walked to Tim and put her hand on his shoulder. He gently shrugged her off, "I'm fine Artemis."

Without another word he walked out to the garage.