The Archer | T.D. ✔

Chapter Forty

Rory was cooped up in the hospital for two weeks, she wasn't allowed to leave until the stitches were almost fully healed and there was no risk of her possibly ripping them just by walking. She hated the fact that she was stuck in the hospital, but Tim almost never left her side and it made it bearable. He did everything he could to make her more comfortable and even brought her favorite movie. 

Once she left, Tim still didn't leave her side. Ever since Rory told them the story of what happened that night, her nightmares began to resurface nightly. Tim had made it a personal mission to stay with her every night and be there when she woke up screaming and covered in sweat. This was another one of those nights.

Tim was working on the case when he felt Rory stir beside him, he immediately stopped what he was doing and gave her his full attention. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he gently shook her awake. Rory was a light sleeper these days, so she shot up in bed with a whimper and gripped her stomach where her wound was. 

Quickly Tim pulled her into his lap and held her close. "I've got you, baby, I'm not letting go," he said into her hair, holding her as she calmed down from her nightmare.

It was the same thing every night, she would fight Slade and every night she would lose and still kill that family. Rory's eyes were filled with tears as she curled up in Tim's arms trying to calm herself down. Her throat was dry and her hands were shaking. The lack of sleep was taking its toll on her, Rory's eyes were dull and there were bags under them. It didn't matter what anyone did, she couldn't sleep. Not even the warm milk from Jason worked anymore.

Slowly her breathing began to even out and she could hear Tim's heartbeat as she laid her head on his chest. "You don't have to stay with me you know?" she whispered softly, her voice hoarse from her dry throat.

Tim shook his head. "I want to stay with you Briar Rose, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't comfort my girl when she had bad dreams?" he asked, looking down at her.

Rory looked up and her brown eyes met his blue one, they seemed to shine in the darkness like the stars in the clear night sky. She gave him a grateful smile and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I love you, Tim, I know I don't say it all that often but I really do love you."

Tim brushed her hair back and cupped her cheek. "There is no law saying that you have to tell me a certain amount, I know you love me. You don't have to tell me for me to see it, I see it in the way you look at me. I see it in your smile every time I kiss you, I even see it in your laughter when you laugh at my corny jokes. Don't you ever feel like you have to tell me you love me, I would never put that pressure on you." 

Rory stared at him as he spoke, Tim always seemed to know exactly what it was that she needed to hear. No matter what it was, he always said the right thing like it was a secret superpower of his. 

Tim looked confused, Rory was just sitting there and staring at him not saying anything. "What? Did I say the wrong thing?" he rubbed the back of his neck. "I have a habit of doing that sometimes." he blushed.

Rory covered her mouth to hide her giggle. "No, instead you did the exact opposite. You are absolutely perfect Timothy Drake, don't let anyone tell you differently. I might have to kick their ass for it." 

Tim chuckled at her words and kissed her softly. "My hero."

"Well, someone has to keep your ass out of trouble." she grinned softly and curled into his chest and took his hand. Tim ran his fingers through her hair as she played with his fingers, feeling the rough callouses of them under her touch. Tim's hands were bigger than hers and there was evidence to show that he used them a lot when he was out fighting crime. But he still had a gentleness to his touch, especially when he was touching her.