Fic: Spoiled Part 2/5. Bernard/Tim. PG.
Apr. 17th, 2008 06:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
museofspeedTitle: Spoiled Part 2/5
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
shananagin
Claim: Supporting characters
Characters/Pairing: Tim/Bernard, Bruce, Dick.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1300
Prompt: 45. duplication/multiplication of self.
Summary: Bernard isn't as good as he needs to be. Tim sends him to Paris and angsts.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Notes: Part of the Spoiled series. First part here. Yes, it turned into a WiP. I couldn't help myself! But I really like this. Sometimes a fic just feels right, you know?
"So what do you think?" Bernard asked.
"You're not terrible," Tim said. "In fact, you're better than the first Spoiler was when she started out."
Bernard beamed. "That's great! So I can – "
"No. You are not ready yet."
"But you just said – "
"Steph wasn't ready. If she had been better, maybe she wouldn't have died. I'm not going to let you out there until you have every single edge I can give you."
"Oh." Bernard looked down for a moment. "Well, what's next, then? You've been training me for months, now, and I'd already been preparing for two years when you found me."
"I can't teach you much else," Tim said. "But I do have this for you." He handed Bernard a letter.
Bernard opened it. "Bernard Dowd. You have been granted a scholarship to the WayneCorps Youth Ambassador program. What is this, Drake?"
"An excuse. I've got a friend who's very good at hacking. In reality, you'll get a roundtrip ticket to Paris and the names of some of the foremost martial artists in the world. When you come back, hopefully you will have enough experience that I will feel you are ready to go out on the street."
"Tim," Bernard said, his voice soft. "How did you pay for all of this?"
"Not important," Tim said. Bruce didn't need to know exactly how he used his equipment budget. Technically, he was using it to aid the Mission. "Will you go?"
"Of course! But you didn't have to. I mean, I don't want to – "
"I don't want you to die." Tim gave him a slight smile. "Besides, there are benefits to being the adopted son of a billionaire."
Bernard looked at him thoughtfully. "Is Bruce Wayne Bat – "
"Don't ask questions you know I won't answer," Tim said quickly. "Figure it out if you really think you can, but don't ask me. And if you do figure it out, don't let him know you know. At least not yet."
"I know, I know. Really, Tim, thanks." Bernard leaned forward and kissed him.
Tim kissed back, feeling vaguely guilty as he always did. Steph was dead, and he knew that she wouldn't have wanted him to mourn her forever, but kissing a Spoiler who wasn't Steph still felt wrong. He wished Bernard had come to him without the costume. He wouldn't have felt badly about it then. He could have fallen for Bernard without any regrets.
In truth, part of the reason he was sending Bernard on this trip was to get a little space between the two of them. Tim felt so unsure about it all. He didn't know how serious Bernard was about their...for lack of a better word, relationship. Was it just fooling around? Did Bernard want it to be more? Did Tim?
Tim felt wildly out of control, and he hated being out of control.
"Plane tickets, fake passport, credit card, and a mask," Tim said, holding out a large manila envelope.
"I've got a mask," Bernard said.
"It's too big. This is an eggplant-colored domino mask. Don't take it off when you're training. Introduce yourself as Spoiler."
Bernard rolled his eyes. "Why do I even need the fake ID, then?"
"If you do need to take off the mask or go out and explore Paris, you'll do so as Steven Olgen Bergin."
"Steph Aubergine. You aren't very subtle at all, you know."
Tim smirked. "It works. Also, I'll be sending letters to your mother from your email address."
"How did you – right. You're creepy, Drake."
"I do what I have to."
"Thanks, Tim," Bernard said, stuffing the envelope into his bag.
"It's nothing," Tim said. "Go, you've got to catch your plane."
"Don't I get a goodbye kiss?" Bernard asked, pouting.
Tim rolled his eyes and pecked Bernard quickly on the lips. "Go. Be safe."
"You too," Bernard said. He still smiled, but his voice was serious.
Tim swung from rooftop to rooftop, looking for trouble and thinking about Bernard.
He'd have to tell Batman at some point. It was pointless trying to hide it from him. But Tim would prefer that Bernard would be as well-trained as possible when that time came. It wouldn't be easy to convince Bruce to let another Spoiler on the streets.
Tim landed on a gargoyle and looked around. It was a quiet night. There hadn't been any disturbances so far. Tim sat and pulled out the cookie Alfred had slipped him. Delicious.
As he was chewing the last bite of his cookie, Tim noticed a small purple figure on a roof across the street.
It had to be Violet! Would he finally manage to catch her? Or at least talk to her?
He stood up, looking away from the figure for just a moment to grab a line, but when he glanced up again, she was gone.
Tim swung over anyway, but he found no sign that anyone had been there.
"How was patrol?" Bruce asked when he walked into the Batcave later that night.
Tim shrugged. "Not much happened. Saw Violet, but she got away."
Bruce said nothing, and Tim continued typing. Violet reminded him of Steph, almost as much as Bernard did. And she was a villain. This wasn't just a case. This was personal.
"Is your friend Bernard going to be coming over this week?" Bruce asked. Anyone but Tim would have thought Bruce's tone was casual.
"Not this week, no. He's on a trip to France," Tim said. "He'll probably be back in about a month."
"That's too bad," Bruce said. "He seemed fairly competent at keeping you emotionally stable."
Tim simply continued to type. Anyone else would have just said Bernard keeps Tim happy.
Tim walked into his room to find Dick lying down on his bed.
"Hey, Boy Wonder," Dick said. "What's up?"
Tim smiled slightly and lay down next to him. "Life," he said.
"I know what it's like." Dick rolled onto his side and looked at Tim. "So...Babs told me about your boy."
"Bernard?" Tim said. "I – how much did she tell you?"
"Oh, you know," Dick's eyes danced. "That you're confused about your feelings for him, that he's Spoiling your chance at a stress free summer, the works."
Tim groaned. "Please don't tell Bruce? I'll – I'm going to, of course, but I want Bernard to be ready before I do."
Dick grinned and ruffled Tim's hair. "What kind of big brother would I be if I tattled?"
"Heh, not as cool a one as you are now," Tim said. "Thanks, Dick."
"Uh huh. So tell me. You like him?"
"I don't really know. I mean, yes, I like him, but I'm not sure how much. And the wearing my dead girlfriend's costume – " Tim shook his head. "It's weird."
Dick nodded. "Know what you mean. It'd be like if Mia hit on me. And Roy was dead, I guess."
"Not an image I want," Tim said.
Dick laughed and grabbed Tim in a one armed hug. "Get some sleep. Alfred and I are gonna force Bruce to leave the Batcave for a while."
Tim smiled and let Dick hug him. "Okay," he said.
"And Timmy?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm here for you, whenever. Even if it's just that you need someone to talk to. Anything."
Tim nodded. "I know. Thanks, Dick."
Tim was finally getting close. He'd narrowed down the possible locations that Violet was working from. Tonight would be it. He could feel something good about to happen.
Tim landed silently on a roof and frowned. What was Spoiler doing here? Wasn't Bernard supposed to be in France?
And if the light hairs peeking out from the hood were any indication, he wasn't wearing his mask. Tim crept up silently.
"Shouldn't you be in Paris, Bernard?" he said, touching Spoiler's shoulder lightly.
Spoiler turned. Tim gasped and stumbled back, clutching his hand as if it burned.
"Steph?"
Next!
Author:
shananaginClaim: Supporting characters
Characters/Pairing: Tim/Bernard, Bruce, Dick.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1300
Prompt: 45. duplication/multiplication of self.
Summary: Bernard isn't as good as he needs to be. Tim sends him to Paris and angsts.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Notes: Part of the Spoiled series. First part here. Yes, it turned into a WiP. I couldn't help myself! But I really like this. Sometimes a fic just feels right, you know?
"So what do you think?" Bernard asked.
"You're not terrible," Tim said. "In fact, you're better than the first Spoiler was when she started out."
Bernard beamed. "That's great! So I can – "
"No. You are not ready yet."
"But you just said – "
"Steph wasn't ready. If she had been better, maybe she wouldn't have died. I'm not going to let you out there until you have every single edge I can give you."
"Oh." Bernard looked down for a moment. "Well, what's next, then? You've been training me for months, now, and I'd already been preparing for two years when you found me."
"I can't teach you much else," Tim said. "But I do have this for you." He handed Bernard a letter.
Bernard opened it. "Bernard Dowd. You have been granted a scholarship to the WayneCorps Youth Ambassador program. What is this, Drake?"
"An excuse. I've got a friend who's very good at hacking. In reality, you'll get a roundtrip ticket to Paris and the names of some of the foremost martial artists in the world. When you come back, hopefully you will have enough experience that I will feel you are ready to go out on the street."
"Tim," Bernard said, his voice soft. "How did you pay for all of this?"
"Not important," Tim said. Bruce didn't need to know exactly how he used his equipment budget. Technically, he was using it to aid the Mission. "Will you go?"
"Of course! But you didn't have to. I mean, I don't want to – "
"I don't want you to die." Tim gave him a slight smile. "Besides, there are benefits to being the adopted son of a billionaire."
Bernard looked at him thoughtfully. "Is Bruce Wayne Bat – "
"Don't ask questions you know I won't answer," Tim said quickly. "Figure it out if you really think you can, but don't ask me. And if you do figure it out, don't let him know you know. At least not yet."
"I know, I know. Really, Tim, thanks." Bernard leaned forward and kissed him.
Tim kissed back, feeling vaguely guilty as he always did. Steph was dead, and he knew that she wouldn't have wanted him to mourn her forever, but kissing a Spoiler who wasn't Steph still felt wrong. He wished Bernard had come to him without the costume. He wouldn't have felt badly about it then. He could have fallen for Bernard without any regrets.
In truth, part of the reason he was sending Bernard on this trip was to get a little space between the two of them. Tim felt so unsure about it all. He didn't know how serious Bernard was about their...for lack of a better word, relationship. Was it just fooling around? Did Bernard want it to be more? Did Tim?
Tim felt wildly out of control, and he hated being out of control.
"Plane tickets, fake passport, credit card, and a mask," Tim said, holding out a large manila envelope.
"I've got a mask," Bernard said.
"It's too big. This is an eggplant-colored domino mask. Don't take it off when you're training. Introduce yourself as Spoiler."
Bernard rolled his eyes. "Why do I even need the fake ID, then?"
"If you do need to take off the mask or go out and explore Paris, you'll do so as Steven Olgen Bergin."
"Steph Aubergine. You aren't very subtle at all, you know."
Tim smirked. "It works. Also, I'll be sending letters to your mother from your email address."
"How did you – right. You're creepy, Drake."
"I do what I have to."
"Thanks, Tim," Bernard said, stuffing the envelope into his bag.
"It's nothing," Tim said. "Go, you've got to catch your plane."
"Don't I get a goodbye kiss?" Bernard asked, pouting.
Tim rolled his eyes and pecked Bernard quickly on the lips. "Go. Be safe."
"You too," Bernard said. He still smiled, but his voice was serious.
Tim swung from rooftop to rooftop, looking for trouble and thinking about Bernard.
He'd have to tell Batman at some point. It was pointless trying to hide it from him. But Tim would prefer that Bernard would be as well-trained as possible when that time came. It wouldn't be easy to convince Bruce to let another Spoiler on the streets.
Tim landed on a gargoyle and looked around. It was a quiet night. There hadn't been any disturbances so far. Tim sat and pulled out the cookie Alfred had slipped him. Delicious.
As he was chewing the last bite of his cookie, Tim noticed a small purple figure on a roof across the street.
It had to be Violet! Would he finally manage to catch her? Or at least talk to her?
He stood up, looking away from the figure for just a moment to grab a line, but when he glanced up again, she was gone.
Tim swung over anyway, but he found no sign that anyone had been there.
"How was patrol?" Bruce asked when he walked into the Batcave later that night.
Tim shrugged. "Not much happened. Saw Violet, but she got away."
Bruce said nothing, and Tim continued typing. Violet reminded him of Steph, almost as much as Bernard did. And she was a villain. This wasn't just a case. This was personal.
"Is your friend Bernard going to be coming over this week?" Bruce asked. Anyone but Tim would have thought Bruce's tone was casual.
"Not this week, no. He's on a trip to France," Tim said. "He'll probably be back in about a month."
"That's too bad," Bruce said. "He seemed fairly competent at keeping you emotionally stable."
Tim simply continued to type. Anyone else would have just said Bernard keeps Tim happy.
Tim walked into his room to find Dick lying down on his bed.
"Hey, Boy Wonder," Dick said. "What's up?"
Tim smiled slightly and lay down next to him. "Life," he said.
"I know what it's like." Dick rolled onto his side and looked at Tim. "So...Babs told me about your boy."
"Bernard?" Tim said. "I – how much did she tell you?"
"Oh, you know," Dick's eyes danced. "That you're confused about your feelings for him, that he's Spoiling your chance at a stress free summer, the works."
Tim groaned. "Please don't tell Bruce? I'll – I'm going to, of course, but I want Bernard to be ready before I do."
Dick grinned and ruffled Tim's hair. "What kind of big brother would I be if I tattled?"
"Heh, not as cool a one as you are now," Tim said. "Thanks, Dick."
"Uh huh. So tell me. You like him?"
"I don't really know. I mean, yes, I like him, but I'm not sure how much. And the wearing my dead girlfriend's costume – " Tim shook his head. "It's weird."
Dick nodded. "Know what you mean. It'd be like if Mia hit on me. And Roy was dead, I guess."
"Not an image I want," Tim said.
Dick laughed and grabbed Tim in a one armed hug. "Get some sleep. Alfred and I are gonna force Bruce to leave the Batcave for a while."
Tim smiled and let Dick hug him. "Okay," he said.
"And Timmy?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm here for you, whenever. Even if it's just that you need someone to talk to. Anything."
Tim nodded. "I know. Thanks, Dick."
Tim was finally getting close. He'd narrowed down the possible locations that Violet was working from. Tonight would be it. He could feel something good about to happen.
Tim landed silently on a roof and frowned. What was Spoiler doing here? Wasn't Bernard supposed to be in France?
And if the light hairs peeking out from the hood were any indication, he wasn't wearing his mask. Tim crept up silently.
"Shouldn't you be in Paris, Bernard?" he said, touching Spoiler's shoulder lightly.
Spoiler turned. Tim gasped and stumbled back, clutching his hand as if it burned.
"Steph?"
Next!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 01:33 am (UTC)This may get a little messy now. Or not... threesome!.
Also, "He seemed fairly competent at keeping you emotionally stable." is such a Bruce phrase. I love it.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 01:41 am (UTC)This may get a little messy now. Or not... threesome!
Either that or they'll form a band: Robin and the Spoilers!
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 02:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 05:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 12:37 pm (UTC)It'd be like Harry and the Potters, only more awesome!
They've got songs like "Not Another Crisis!" and "Tortured with a Powerdrill (of the Heart)," not to mention their hit single, "Everyone I Love is Dead."
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 06:58 pm (UTC)You really are one of my favorite people.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 07:10 pm (UTC)My beta has me half-convinced to write a rockstar AU of this story now.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 05:46 am (UTC)As, always, I like your Bernard. And Dick makes a great big brother.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 12:29 pm (UTC)If this keeps up, Tim will develop some pretty serious neurosis about the color purple.
Next: Kon and Bart come back to life...BOTH IN NEW PURPLE COSTUMES! And then Tim's parents...wearing purple! And Dana...now in purple!
Don't worry, Tim, Arkham's got nice, padded purple walls.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 12:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 06:57 pm (UTC)Dick nodded. "Know what you mean. It'd be like if Mia hit on me. And Roy was dead, I guess."
Yes, it would be exactly like that Dick. //laughing/
OOH. Nice ending!
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 07:08 pm (UTC)The ending is one of my favorite things ever. It had me practically dancing around in glee. I don't usually know for sure where a story is going, but this time I did, and it made me insanely happy.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-21 03:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-21 04:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-23 04:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-23 08:15 pm (UTC)But I really, REALLY like this story. I'll never understand why they got rid of Bernhard when he was cleary the greatest support cast character EVER.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-23 08:48 pm (UTC)At least the greatest supporting cast member since Impulse. Carol and Preston will always be my favorites.
But he's definitely the gayest supporting cast member ever.
Isn't my cliffhanger evil? I'm quite proud of how evil I managed to make it.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-30 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-30 11:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-29 06:17 pm (UTC)Steph was dead, and he knew that she wouldn't have wanted him to mourn her forever, but kissing a Spoiler who wasn't Steph still felt wrong.
Sad and lovely and I just want to hug Tim... *hugs him*
I love Alfred sneaking Tim a cookie and Dick is a wonderful big brother!! =)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-29 10:22 pm (UTC)It was fun writing Dick. He's sweet.
Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-29 04:43 pm (UTC)I saw that coming, but it was still a shock. :p And I'd bet dollars to donuts that Bruce already knows pretty much everything. He's creepier than Tim that way...
Love Dick being the supportive older brother. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-08-29 06:28 pm (UTC)Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2008-09-13 09:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-13 09:38 pm (UTC)Thanks!
Aww, but cliffhangers are fun!
...for me, at least!