Archive of Our Own ^beta

 NOW

 

"You know that frowning gives you wrinkles" Kon quipped, then prodded Tim when he didn't say anything in reply. Tim hadn't said a word since their argument well over forty minutes ago. If there was one thing Robin was - he was stubborn. Another poke - careful to avoid the spots he knew were bruised from the fight. The boy glanced away from the mirror for a moment, bronzer pad in one hand and a powder puff in the other with a pointed glare before furiously contouring his face. Kon returned to the task of sewing another patch onto his denim jacket.

They were going undercover tonight as part of a sting - tracking the investors for source of a new strain of Venom. They had intel that a deal would be going down tonight at one of the clubs in Central and getting in required a dress code. Good thing Carl Grummet and Caroline Hill had invites. The only problem was the large bruise blooming on Tim's cheek that marred the left side of his face like a paint blotch as well as bruised ribs; it'd been a close call in the fight so when Robin had gotten the all clear and returned to Gotham for rest he wasn't expecting to see him the rest of the week. 

Of course Tim couldn't go undercover.

Kon should have known better.

So he'd arrived back at Titan's Tower having run errands with Ma and Pa on the farm; bringing with him armfuls of apple pie and strudel and a sealed glass of cool ice tea. Punching in his key code he automatically called out for Cassie but got no reply and when he emerged into the foyer he found that it was empty. So, still holding the sweet treats under his arms he moved down the hall to the rec room.

He'd expected Cassie or Cissie to be meeting him since they'd agreed the Sting was too important to be cancelled - Caroline Hill was an alias and anyone could fit theoretically. 

They'd been shocked to say the least when they had first 'met' Caroline.

---

THEN

 

Tim worked undercover in Gotham all the time and they were familiar with Alvin Draper; an alias they were introduced to before they even knew the real Timothy Jackson Drake beneath the Robin mask. Alvin was the name on plane tickets they booked or when they needed a quick get away. So when they needed one of the team to go undercover as a medical student in one of Star's leading hospitals to investigate a spike in chemical poisonings. Robin had volunteered during the debrief and they agreed that he'd meet them before he entered the hospital in the afternoon. They had of course, imagined Alvin Draper in a lab coat.

So when he didn't show up at the meet point they'd gotten slightly worried - he was fifteen minutes late and Robin was never late. That was when the woman who'd been leaning against the railing casually flicking through her phone stalked toward them. She wore a cream shirt tucked into an incredibly short skirt that revealed pale legs like moonlight. Her hair was clipped back from her face with a simple barrette and had a slight wave through it. Like she'd simply woken up like that effortlessly. 

Immediately they were on the defence, hands going to weapons concealed in their shirts and pockets. The clicking of her patent heels paused and the woman peered up at them through thick lashes. She tilted her head like a bird and an amused expression flooded her face as her eyes flickered over each of them in turn then setting on Kon. Her eyes were blue; a deep blue like the sky just before nightfall. 

She closed the gap between herself and Kon, extending a manicured hand to Kon; palm down revealing a set of simple rings that matched the ones on her ears. Glinting like the teardrop pendant around her neck; Caroline was classy and subtle. 

"Caroline Hill" She said with a slight smirk dancing on her lips; flashing perfect white teeth against her mauve lipstick. Her voice was earthy and full - it sounded like the tender drip of coffee into a pot. Like autumn and warmth. Something you could be wrapped up in and fall into. But it was familiar - already there was a faint tugging at the back of his mind.

Kon blushed from his head to his toes and behind him he heard the strained giggles of Cassie followed by Bart asking "What?What"-- followed by an excited 'oh!' Even Cissie was laughing now, holding onto to Cass's shoulder as she doubled over.

Kon ignored them and looked at Caroline again; that familiar face with its high cheekbones and almond shaped eyes. Pale like cream and angular - there was a strength to her. He could slightly make out the slope of toned muscle beneath her blouse. 

 

Oh

Oh

Tim bit back a laugh; there was a twinkle in his eye "You can let go of my hand now"

Kon looked down and realized that yes, he was still holding her (his?) hand and abruptly dropped it with a startled yelp. To which Tim gave him a wink.

"So Cloneboy - you have the debrief or are you gonna stand there gawking all day?"

---

"Are none of us going to talk about that?"

"What?" Bart said through munches of a protein bar. They were sitting in a van in the alleyway behind the hospital - a quick pick up for Tim who they were listening to on the comms. Cassie and Cissie sat with the unit between them, the audio blaring out. Their speaker was off so Tim couldn't hear them.

"Is this about Caroline?" Cissie said, fiddling with her bow and tightening the string, without looking up at Kon. He looked at her incredulously.

"Yes - of course it is. Tim was dressed as a girl!" He burst out.

"So?" Cassie replied.

"It's not..."

"Not what? Not normal was that really what you were about to say?" Cassie started fiercely.

"That's not what I meant - it's just... he's a guy"

Cassie pointed at Kon "Clone of an alien and an evil genius who can fly and shoot lasers out of his eyes with major daddy issues" Bart "A technically four year old who can move faster than the speed of light from 900 years in the future" Cissie "The arguably most normal one with an insane mom" Points to herself "Literally a demi-goddess who communicates with actual Gods and Goddesses from time to time - and you draw the line at Tim wearing a skirt?"

Kon gaped at her and furrowed his brow "I don't have a problem with it"

"Kinda sound like you do" Cissie piped up, snatching a protein bar from Bart's stash.

"Bart can you back me up here"

"On what?" Bart cocked his head to the side and unwrapped another bar since his last had been unceremoniously stolen "About Tim? See back in my time--" He took a bite "--Gender wasn't really much of a thing, really I don't why this century has such a hang up about it. Just clothes - I mean you're dressed as a punk. Doesn't really mean anything"

"I'm not dressed as a punk" Kon muttered before the comms unit crackled to life after being silent for a few minutes with Tim's voice breaking out--

 

"Check in"

"Miss Hill?" A distant male voice asked.

"Sorry, I spaced out for a second. And please - call me Caroline"

"Of course Caroline, if you'd like to follow me?"

 

Cissie pressed a few buttons and sent the three short beeps that signalled 'understood.' They were silent now, hovering around the box with anticipation.

There was the sound of movement, the shuffle of feet and the clack of heels against linoleum and then the automated voice of an elevator announcing 'Doors closing'

 

"We're at the brink of a scientific revelation, Caroline - it's very important that you understand that. Back at Gotham Central they may do things a little... differently than here"

"Different how?"

'Sublevel four' the voice announced.

"Perhaps it's better if you see for yourself"

 

Again the sound of movement, the echoing of footsteps in the silence; a short sudden gasp.

"What do you think, Miss Hill?" A tinge of humor to the tone.

"It's amazing" She replied breathlessly. More movement and then the whir of machinery. Something coming to life. "Steel alloy, carbonite infrastructure - must have cost a pretty penny"

"In the face of science? We have benefactors who are more than willing to pay"

"And these could be used in combat, day to day life. A lot of people would benefit from something like this"

"Exactly Miss Hill! These robots are light years of anything else on the current market; imagine the possibilities"

 "Hmm - a lot of capabilities with something like this. It really makes you wonder..."

"Caroline?"

"Where you're getting the organic material" SHe said with a cool and emotionless tone.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't play coy with me, These aren't bots - they're more akin to cyborgs, aren't they?" The hint of a laugh. Kon imagined the sight of her smirking, lips pulled back revealing those sharp white teeth. "Living, yet not - It is a wonder they don't call you Dr Frankenstein."

"That is quite the far-fetched story, Miss Hill" The male voice replied.

"Bodies have been going missing, months now." She clicked her tongue. "Chemical poisoning as a front - I have to say that was quite ingenious. A reason why the families couldn't receive the bodies of their loved ones again. That the caskets they buried were empty. So I had to ask myself... why? What would someone need with the parts... Then I found you"

"How much do you want? One hundred? Two-fifty?"

"Oh! I don't want money - no, I want answers. Who are your benefactors? Who are the ones at the top of the chain"

There was the sound of a gun being cocked:

"I'm sorry it had to end like this Caroline, but I promise that your body won't go to waste--" There was the sound of a gunshot and a crash, the male voice screaming "What have you done, you stupid girl!"

"Tell me who the buyers are? Is it Luthor?"

The sound of a punch and then a gasp. 

 

Something was wrong.

 

Kon was immediately on edge before there was the sudden sound of an explosion.

Cissie was on the comms in an instant "R, report--"

 

"URGENT PICK-UP. Code Vulcan--" He broke off into coughing and there was the sound of a crash.

 

Immediately they sprung out of the van, racing toward the hospital and bursting through the fire exit. Code Vulcan meant fire. No alarms were going off; no ominous trails of smoke. 

"He's in the basement!" Cissie said quickly and already he was heading down there. Someone told him to wait but he didn't listen. Tim was down there - comm down. Potentially hurt or worse. "Start evacuating civilians" He shouted over his shoulder as he burst through the elevator shaft arriving at the sublevel 4.

The place was blanketed in smoke. It was hard to see so he strained his ears, listening amongst the crackle of the fires for the heartbeats. He detected two and raced toward them, finding Dr Magnussen trapped beneath a pillar. Quickly he dislodged him, the man yelping as Kon threw him over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.

The guy was a murderer, serial killer in the name of 'science' - he should be grateful he wasn't being left in the burning building.

Tim? The heartbeat was growing fainter, sporadic; he flew through the smoke toward it until he found him. Buried beneath a large pillar was Caroline Hill; unconscious. With his free arm he raised the pillar, easing her from underneath.

"Here!" Suddenly Bart was at his elbow, taking Magnussen from his shoulder and then was gone again. Thus letting Kon find purchase and pry Caroline from the rubble, dragging her out of the sublevel, floor after floor. Until they were outside suddenly; comm crackling in his ear. It was Cassie; they had Magnussen in custody and they were working on the evac of the bottom floor of the hospital until the fire brigade arrived to gut the basement floor.

They'd alerted the authorities and the League would be checking out the subsection - someone was turning people into monsters. Someone wanted them and was willing to finance murder.

Somehow all these things were virtually irrelevant to Kon as he flew to Titans tower. Tim was still unconscious against his chest. Face coated with a thin veil of ash and breathing raspy. Kon kept himself steady by focusing on the sound of his heartbeat that fluttered like a song a step out of tune.

"Hold on" He whispered, breaking through the door of the Tower and finding J'onn already there in the Medbay, set up and ready. Cassie was a lifesaver. Depositing Tim down he'd slumped in the seat beside her as Martian Manhunter ran his checks; two broken ribs and a concussion. Kon scanned Tim to make sure this was correct before letting out a deep breath.

Waiting for Caroline to wake up.

---

NOW

Instead, he found Tim in the parlour shrugging on a top; careful to avoid his bandaged ribs. Tim's eyes snapped up to him then returned to the act of buttoning his blouse and shimmying it so none of the gauze was visible underneath. Without looking up Tim said over his shoulder; "pass me the Macy's bag on the counter"

"What are you doing?" 

"Getting dressed" Tim replied coyly, brushing past him to the island to get the paper bag perched there and rummaging inside. He pulled out a pair of heels; Litas - ones that could take a man's eye out.

"You're not going on the sting" Kon said, following Tim as he balanced against the wall to slip the shoe on.

"Yes. I am" The other shoe.

"You have bruised ribs - not to mention the massive bruise on your face"

Tim rolled his eyes "It's not that bad - nothing a little makeup can't fix"

'Bat Concealer' was a real thing used to cover all manner of scars. Cassie laughed they should get the stuff patented. It was thick as concrete.

"You're not like us Tim!"

Tim froze ever so slightly and Kon noticed the twitch of his mouth before his face became unreadable.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked calmly.

"I didn't mean it like--"

"I know what you meant" Tim interrupted "I need to finish getting ready" He said coldly, pushing past him toward his room.

---

 THEN

 

Tim stirred around twenty minutes later, groaning and making a move to sit up. Gently Kon pushed him back down again. Tim pried the oxygen mask off and looked up at Kon with frighteningly lucid eyes.

"Magnussen" But that was all he could manage before he broke off suddenly into a coughing fit and Kon quickly grabbed the pitcher of water from his bedside table. Pouring a glass and pushing it into his hands.

"Don't try and speak too much- you inhaled a lot of smoke. Take slow sips" Tim rolled his eyes - because of course he did - and took tentative sips of the water whilst Kon filled him in on what had happened with Magnussen. That he'd been taken in.

"You should have told us you suspected him" Kon said with a frustrated tone. 

Tim shrugged and turned away.

"You're not Batman - we're a team. Remember? We're here for you"

And he meant it.

 

---

NOW

 

So now Kon fidgeted with the lapels of his jacket and smoothed back his hair, glancing in the mirror behind him where Tim was now attempting to apply eyeliner. Attempting being the keyword as he broke off, cursing loudly, when his hand wavered and the cat's eye flicked squint.

"You keep distracting me" Tim huffed, throwing the liner back into the make-up pack and grabbing the pack of baby wipes and rubbing at the smeared make-up "And - I do not have wrinkles! Sorry we can't all have anti-aging genes--"

"Here" Kon strode over and picked up the pen, receiving a questioning look from Tim.

"I don't need your help"

"Sure" Kon rolled his eyes and motioned to the stool in front of the dresser. "Sit" Tim warily did as he was told and closed his eyes hesitantly.

Kon didn't miss the way that Tim flinched when he balanced his palm on the side of his face; gently sketching from the crease of his eye to the cornea, then repeating on the other eye.Then using the edge of the eyeliner pencil to create a sharp flick. Symmetrical on both sides. It sent a shiver down his spine when he considered how easy it would be to crush him like this. Just a little more pressure and his skull would cave in--

"Can I open my eyes now?" Kon had forgotten he still had his hands on the sides of Tim's face and pulled back suddenly like he'd been burnt.

"Oh, yeah... course" He said, flustered as Tim's eyes fluttered open. "Here's the mirror" Kon said, thrusting the mirror at Tim and backing away.

"Hey!--" Kon paused on his way to the door "This is really cool" Tim said, angling his face this way and that. Eyes rimmed with kohl and slightly glistening at the tear ducts. Selina would be proud.

"I know I don't always say the right thing--"

"Mhm"

"--But you're my best friend. You're my Robin. Just don't want to see you get hurt that s'all"

"You're going soft in your old age"

"Pfft you're the one wearing makeup"

"That's homophobic"

"Tim, you call anything I do homophobic!"

Tim put his hand to his chest, affronted "When have I ever--"

"I told you that you shouldn't get another coffee and you called that homophobic, when I almost dropped when we were flying over the Grand Canyon--"

"Okay, okay. You've proved your point" He shooed Kon away "Now let me finish getting ready, Clone Boy and meet me on the deck at 5 sharp"

"Yes boss" Kon gave a mock salute and left the room, rubbing at the delicate traces of makeup left on his fingertips and wondering to himself if he'd suit eyeliner.