Chapter Text
Famous racer, Superboy, abruptly leaves the spotlight. Tim must’ve read the headline a hundred times. The short statement shouldn’t affect him as much as it did. Nevertheless, the implication of the article sent waves of unease through him. Why would Kon quit racing when he loved the sport? Was it his own choice? What did Kon plan to do now? Each question caused the small ripples to grow into a tsunami.
“Stop. What Conner decides to do with his career is no concern of yours. You broke up with him.” Tim reminded himself. He slapped the tablet facedown on his desk with the hope that he could block out the memories easier without the headline staring at him. His action only shifted his attention to the framed picture on the corner of his desk. In the glossy image was Kon and Tim on a sailboat. He should’ve thrown it away months ago. He could never bring himself to do so.
Two Augusts ago, he broke up with Kon. Tim was the one who ended their relationship yet he was still haunted by their clandestine meetings and stolen kisses in his race car. He loved Kon. If he was honest with himself, Kon still held a piece of his heart. But, it was because he loved him, that he decided to let him go. Each lonely night, Tim would tell himself that they needed to be apart for Kon’s future.
Tim took the photo and studied Kon’s wide smile. He could still hear the smirk in his voice from the day they met. Running from the paparazzi? Lucky for you, Superboy is here to save the day. I’ll be your getaway car. Why? Metallo has been giving me trouble too and this will piss him off. Jump in.
He never expected to be swept into a whirlwind romance with late night drives and discrete dinners. A selfish part of Tim was disappointed that Kon had moved on from their relationship so quickly. Only a few weeks after they ended their secret affair, he saw gossip articles of Kon with a model. Superboy had a reputation for being a playboy but a selfish part of him had hoped their relationship had meant something. He slipped the picture into a desk drawer. If only he could store away his feelings as easily.
He decided to distract himself by throwing himself into his work. Bruce had recently named him the heir to Wayne Enterprise so Tim couldn’t afford to be preoccupied with romance. While he had the support of his adoptive father, he was well aware that his future with the company was still uncertain. He could feel the executives watching for him to make a mistake. The second he stumbled, many would try to take the position of CEO from him.
The board of directors had never considered him as their first choice. Neither Dick nor Jason wanted the role and Damian was too young. His father made it clear that he trusted Tim. Unfortunately, the public viewed Brucie Wayne as an irresponsible socialite who only inherited the company from his parents. They would no doubt have similar assumptions of him so Tim felt determined to prove himself worthy of leading the company. With the power and influence of the Wayne name, he could revive Drake Industries and merge the two corporations.
Tim grew up watching his birth parents help people with their wealth. They inspired him to do the same. When his parents died, he was only a teenager. Piranhas took over the company and they ran Drake Industries into the ground with their greed. Tim didn’t care about the money. He resented how they tore down his parent’s legacy of humanitarian aid. He would salvage the broken pieces and rebuild his family’s name from them.
Bruce suggested they give him a role within the company to prepare him to become CEO and the board agreed. Tim’s first initiative was to create a network that could supply medical equipment and funding to local hospitals and small clinics. The expansion should increase the capacity of patients that they could treat every day. He hoped to have everything finalized by Christmas. His upcoming week was filled with board meetings, negotiations and fundraiser preparations.
“Drake.” A voice breaking the silence of the room startled Tim. He had been so lost in thought that he hadn’t noticed anyone behind him. Instinctively, he stood and shoved his chair towards the person as a makeshift weapon.
As quickly as he reacted, he rushed to stop his own attack. Tim grabbed the chair and set it back in place at his desk. He glared at his younger brother standing in a hidden doorway. “You gave me a heart attack, Damian. If you need to talk to me, I have a phone. You didn’t need to sneak into my office like this.”
“Grayson sent me to tell you that your new bodyguard is here. I thought this would be the best way to remind you the reason why you need a bodyguard. If I had intended to kill you, I would have done so easily. You were distracted and barely heard me approach. What was the point of all those self defense lessons that Father gave you if you won’t practise them?” Damian crossed his arms.
“I’ll take that as your way of saying that you’re worried about me.” He retorted with sarcasm lacing his words. Beneath the frown that Damian gave him, Tim could see the concern. He sighed and leaned against the table. “I appreciate the thought but I can handle this on my own. Don’t trouble yourself. The only reason I didn’t hear you is because you used the trap door that only our family knows about. I doubt an assassin would attack me from there.”
“What about the Gazette article?” The mention of Kon made Tim wince. His siblings were a few of the only people he trusted with their secret.
He tried to deflect Damian’s question with one of his own. “Conner has nothing to do with this so why bring him up?”
“I meant the article underneath that one.” Damian’s expression didn’t change and there was no judgement in his voice when he corrected him. Still, Tim wanted the ground to swallow him at that moment. Since that was impossible, he settled with hiding his reaction instead. He turned away from his brother and picked up his tablet. Tim scrolled through the website until he could find the next article.
Shots fired at Wayne charity event. Third attempt on Tim Drake’s life. On the page was an image of the manor’s ballroom with shattered glass and spilled food on the marble tiled floor. It contrasted the opulent and picturesque gleam that the event usually had. However, Tim recognized the chaos clearly. They had decided to announce his plans for the hospital at the event. Only moments after, there was gunfire. No one was hurt but the shooter also escaped.
There had been more incidents since then but they managed to keep it from the press. Dick insisted that they should hire a bodyguard for his safety. Tim argued that a personal bodyguard was unnecessary. He knew how to protect himself and Wayne Tower had its own security team. He also preferred to work without someone hovering over his shoulder.
Tim only relented when Bruce gave him an ultimatum: Have a personal bodyguard or be confined to the manor until they caught the man targeting him. He understood his family’s feelings and he didn’t want to worry them further by refusing. Knowing Bruce’s nature, he would only become more paranoid and protective. No matter how much he loved his family, they could be equally overwhelming. He was an adult yet his father still treated him like a child.
Pushing those feelings aside, Tim walked to Damian and playfully tousled his hair. “Since you came through the secret passageway, Dick and my bodyguard are probably in your daycare room. We shouldn’t leave them waiting.”
“That room is my study and I will not have you call it a ‘daycare’ again.” He snapped and Tim only smiled back. “Grayson and your bodyguard are in the staffroom.”
When Tim entered the staffroom, he was certain that his brothers were playing a cruel joke on him. He stood frozen in the doorway, unable to take a step closer. The person sitting across from Dick was someone he thought he would only see in his dreams. Tim couldn’t say whether he was more afraid that it was real or an illusion.
Conner Kon-El Kent was in Wayne Tower.
His picture on the cover of Gotham Gazette couldn’t compare to the handsome man in front of him. Kon gave him an easygoing smile as though they hadn’t parted with cold lies and angry tears. He was tall with broad shoulders and toned arms. Despite his best effort, Tim couldn’t stop himself from remembering how it felt to be held by him: warm, safe and loved. His voice still had the low drawl that made Tim shiver. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me that when someone can hear you.” Tim slammed the door behind him. Wood clattered against steel and he used the loud sound to pull himself out of his daze. He looked past Kon to his brother as he marched forward. He would expect something callous from Damian but not Dick. Yet, his eldest brother gave him an apologetic smile.
Dick spoke before Tim could. “Don’t be angry, Tim. Listen first. Conner heard what happened and he offered his help. He already knows our family and we can trust that he won’t leak anything. As a race car driver, he will be able to outmaneuver anyone chasing you. He has bodyguard experience as well. Everyone agrees that no one can protect you better than him.”
“Everyone? I don’t remember being a part of the conversation.” Tim scoffed.
“Nothing is official yet. I know that having Conner as your bodyguard will be awkward because of your… history. But this is about your safety, Tim. I wouldn’t suggest this unless I thought he was the best person for the job.” Dick stood and walked in front of Tim. Gently, he squeezed his shoulders. “Talk to Conner and, if you still want someone else, I’ll call in a favour with Titans Security.”
He let go of Tim and stepped back. After a brief nod to Kon, Dick took Damian and left the room. Tim watched the door close behind his brothers. A part of him was tempted to simply leave without a glance back at Kon. He couldn’t trust his own emotions or how he would react if he fully faced him again. Though, leaving too soon would make Dick suspicious.
The room was deathly silent as both waited for the other to speak first. There had been a thousand things left unsaid during the breakup. Tim’s chest tightened painfully around his heart. He had been confident that Kon would never want to speak to him again. He did everything that he could to push him away and break his heart. Yet, here was Kon with the same offer to save him from their first meeting.
He didn’t dare to hope that Kon still loved him and they could rekindle their relationship. He thought of the possibility more times than he would admit. Their time together was the best since he had a partner and best friend who he could give himself to entirely. In the same way, their relationship was the worst because he had to leave that time as memories. He never lingered on those moments for long because they stabbed at his heart.
How can you claim to love Conner when you’re the one holding him back? Those words echoed in his ears. Tim couldn’t allow his resolve to falter and be swept up by his smile again. Kon would be happier in the spotlight rather than sneaking through shadows with him. He pictured him standing on the stage with a large trophy and used that image to push himself forward. He walked to the door, fully intending to leave.
At the same time that he reached the door, a hand reached over his shoulder and held it closed. He didn’t need to turn around to know that it was Kon. Even if there were more people in the room, he would know. A familiar warmth and the scent of wheat blanketed him. He wasn’t able to stop the shiver that rushed through him.
“Not going to say hello and catch up on old times? That’s pretty cold considering everything. Then again, you left without saying goodbye.” Kon spoke in a slow drawl. Most would be charmed by the smooth timber of his voice. Tim used to listen to him practise it for interviews so he could hear everything Kon was holding back: the accusation, the hurt and the betrayal. What Tim didn’t expect was the worry and care.
They both learned to be great actors due to everything the spotlight and public demanded of them. Tim took a deep breath and formed a thick layer of ice between them. “Hello, Conner. Goodbye. Now, please let me go so I can get back to work. If you were hoping for a longer conversation, I have nothing to say to you. We broke up for a reason.”
“You never told me why you wanted to break up.”
“I told you the truth but you didn’t like it. Do you want me to list everything again?”
“I’m immature and you can’t see me growing up. Why should you put so much effort into an affair that isn’t going anywhere because I’m more in love with fame? You wouldn’t be surprised if I was cheating on you.” Kon listed every excuse that Tim had hurled at him that day. Each word made Tim wince. He never wanted to hurt him. He thought Kon would be able to move onto another love quicker if he hated Tim. “We’ve been together long enough for me to sense when you’re lying, Sweetheart.”
“Babe,” he shot back the endearment, “is this the only reason you’re here? You lied to my brother so you could interrogate me about our relationship? I don’t know why you’re here after two years. You moved on pretty fast. Let go of this door so I can tell Dick that you lied about your offer to help—”
“I want to protect you. That wasn’t a lie.”
The words made his heart stumble and quicken at the same time. His grip on the doorknob faltered for a moment. Then, Tim closed his eyes and squeezed a lie past the lump in his throat. “Well, I don’t need you.”
“I know. You’re the strongest person I know so you don’t need more than Wayne’s security.” The admission confused Tim. He assumed that Kon would insist that he should stay by his side as a bodyguard. Then, he continued: “But what about the people around you? The guy attacked you at a charity event. I don’t think he’ll care whether people get hurt in the crossfire.”
“I…” Tim couldn’t find an argument to his words. Kon knew how important helping people was to him. In interviews, the reporter would mainly highlight Kon’s appearance and trophies. He was more observant than people gave him credit for. There were times when Kon knew him better than his own family and that frustrated Tim now. He was certain that he would see through him if he turned to face him.
“Having me by your side will keep that guy from taking another shot at you. Superboy is an actual threat compared to a bunch of guys in suits. Dick already gave you all the other reasons you should hire me as your bodyguard.”
For the first time, Tim turned to face him. He had felt his body heat pressed against his back throughout their conversation. It only dawned on him how close they were now that his face was only inches from his. He was close enough to count the deep shades of blue in his Kon’s eyes. “You said that he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt bystanders to kill me. What if he shots you?”
“I’ve taken a bullet before.” He shrugged while Tim made a sharp breath. For a moment, Kon thought he saw his facade fall. Sympathy and righteous fury clouded his face. To his disappointment, Tim tempered his expression and it was once again impossible to read his thoughts.
The Wayne family were rumoured to be cold and detached. But Kon would catch glimpses of passion in Tim that hinted at something deeper. That contradiction was what first drew him to him. Throughout their time together, he saw his quirks and insecurities that he had to hide from everyone. It gave Kon a sense of pride that he knew the real Tim. That was until the night he ended their relationship. The person who broke up with him wasn’t the man he fell in love with.
He could still remember the day Tim met him at the racetrack to break up with him. It was sudden like a flashfire and Kon had been left standing in ashes. Something never felt right about that day. At first, he blamed the feeling on his bruised heart that wouldn’t allow him to accept the break up. But, the more he thought of that day, Tim had been acting strange. Kon needed to know the truth.
“So, will you let me be your bodyguard?”
Tim bit his lip and Kon could almost see the thoughts racing through his mind. Finally, he rocked backwards on his heel and pressed his back against the door to put a little more distance between them. “Two weeks. We will have a trial period before I decide whether to officially hire you. It should go without saying that I expect you to act professional. Don’t try to flirt with me.”
“I wasn’t planning to. I already moved on.” Kon dropped his hand from the door. As much as he missed Tim and wanted to know why he left, he was afraid that rekindling a relationship would be too difficult. He didn’t want to have his heart broken a second time. He shifted the conversation away from their relationship. “You’re planning to use those two weeks to investigate who’s targeting you, aren’t you? It’ll get your brothers off your back about this bodyguard issue.”
“Stop looking so smug, Conner.” He sighed and muttered under his breath. He didn’t immediately deny Kon’s suggestion so he knew that he was right. “It should take me a few hours to draft a contract and NDA for you to become my bodyguard. While I do that, you can tell Dick that his plan worked. I don’t know how you always manage to make me go against my better judgement.”
He opened the door to leave but something made him pause after a few steps. He looked back at Kon over his shoulder. “Conner, you’re my bodyguard but I don’t want you to risk your life for me. I’m not Luthor. I would never ask that of you. Your job is just to stand by my side.”
“Anything you wish, Love. This will be my easiest bodyguard job.” Tim rolled his eyes at the endearment but he didn’t try to correct him again.
“My condo is on the top floor. Tomorrow morning, I’ll call the landlord to inform them that you’ll be staying with me for the next few weeks and to add you to the resident list. That will give you clearance in case I need you to pick up something from the house for me.” They entered the elevator and Tim pressed the passcode for his floor. He glanced at the single bag in Kon’s hand. “Should I have Alfred call someone to pick up the rest of your luggage?”
“This is everything I need. Just a few shirts and a roof over my head.” In contrast to the extravagant image that Superboy projected, Kon was surprisingly humble. He grew up with very little since he was an orphan. The only expensive item he purchased for himself was his race car. “But, if you want to shower me with gifts, I won’t argue. Don’t worry, I’m not high maintenance like Richie Rob.”
“Richard is my brother.” If anyone else had used the nickname, Tim would’ve been offended. Kon’s tone was surprisingly light and affectionate. He could hear that he was trying to tease him instead of being mocking. It was the name ‘Rob’ that affected him much more. When they needed to keep their relationship a secret, Kon would call him ‘Robin’ over the phone.
A bell chimed, signalling that they had reached his floor. When they stepped into the hall, Kon immediately took Tim’s arm and pulled him closer to his side. His reaction confused Tim until he followed his gaze to the teenager standing at the end of the hall. He wore a delivery uniform and carried a bouquet of flowers.
Tim could easily read his thoughts. He must’ve assumed that the boy could be an assassin. He lightly tapped his finger against Kon’s palm. It was a silent signal they created years ago to tell the other that someone could be trusted. Kon relaxed slightly but Tim couldn’t help but notice how he continued to walk in front of him.
“Hey, Scott, I hope that you haven’t been waiting here long. You should’ve left those flowers with Greta next door. She would’ve given you a tip on my behalf.” Tim greeted him when they reached his door.
“And miss the larger tip that you give when sending the flowers back? I have bills to pay.” The boy joked. While Tim laughed back, his voice was guarded.
“Okay, wait here. This should only take a few minutes.” Tim’s hands were stiff as he took the flowers as though they were heavy chains.
He left the door open after he walked into his apartment but Kon didn’t follow him inside. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe and placed himself in front of him like a barrier. His interaction with the delivery boy was friendly enough but Kon could sense that the flowers made Tim uncomfortable. He watched Tim take the bouquet into the kitchen. With practised movements, Tim tore a strip of the wrapping paper and picked out a few flowers.
“Are you Tim’s new boyfriend?” He only turned away from Tim when Scott asked the question. “I deliver flowers to his place pretty often but this is the first time I’ve seen him bring someone home. Tim’s a good guy so I don’t want there to be a misunderstanding. These flowers don’t mean anything. He always sends them back.”
Kon didn’t know how he should answer Scott. It was difficult to gave a name to their relationship. If he told him the truth that they were exes, it would start rumours. His first instinct was to tell Scott that he was Tim’s friend. Despite their messy breakup, Kon still cared about him and he could sense Tim did too.
“Scott, you’re the only one misunderstanding the situation. He’s my new bodyguard.” Tim interrupted their conversation. He returned with two smaller bouquets. One was carefully arranged while the other appeared to be haphazardly thrown together. “Take this bouquet to the McIlvaine residence. For the other one, tell Callum to stop sending flowers. Here’s your payment.”
“Thank you!” He said and ran off with the handful of bills that Tim handed him.
“Sorry about that, Conner. Come inside and I’ll give you a tour of my place. It’s just two rooms so don’t expect too much.” Tim took his sleeve and led him into his condo.
The building was luxurious yet Tim kept his apartment sparsely decorated. Kon could almost mistake the room for a model house since he couldn’t find many personal touches. The layout was spacious with furniture marking the space between the living room and kitchen instead of walls. He knew that Tim preferred to be practical but he thought that he would keep a few pictures at least.
Kon laid on the couch and stared at the hallway leading to the bedrooms. He wondered whether Tim was asleep or working in his room. After he showed him around his house, he told Kon that he was free to use a room Tim retreated to his own bedroom after that and he hadn’t seen him since. He shouldn’t be surprised that he would continue to avoid him but a hint of disappointment settled in his stomach.
He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep. The couch was comfortable but it was impossible for him to fully relax. The silence made his thoughts and questions louder. It frustrated Kon that the answers were sleeping only a few rooms from him but he couldn’t ask him. Knowing Tim’s guarded nature, he would end their contract if he tried.
He heard a door creak open from the direction of the hallway. Kon listened to Tim’s footsteps and assumed that he would walk past him without a word. So, he was confused when he felt something heavy draped over his body. Fingers gently stroked his hair and he opened his eyes. He didn’t know who appeared more surprised in that moment: him or Tim.
Even in the dark, Kon could see the blush rising up Tim’s neck. He dropped the blanket and stepped back from the couch. “Why are you sleeping out here, Conner? There’s a guestroom down the hall. You’re going to hurt your neck sleeping out here.”
“It almost sounds like you care, Sweetheart.” He sat up and swung his legs over the side to make room for Tim to sit. He didn’t expect him to accept the silent invitation though. “The guestroom is too far from the front door and your room. It’ll take too long to reach you. I thought I should sleep out here in case someone tries to break in.”
“You’re actually taking this job seriously?” The question was barely a whisper so Kon knew that it wasn’t directed at him. Tim’s voice held a hesitant hope. He turned away from him and added in a louder voice: “Wouldn’t a vigilante or assassin sneak in through my window instead of the front door? Just sleep in an actual bed.”
“Is that an invitation for me to sleep in your bed so I’d be in the best position to protect you?”
“Of course not.” Kon thought it was a shame that Tim was facing away from him because he would’ve liked to see the pout he must’ve made.
Unexpectedly, Tim sat next to him. He left a small space between them and pressed himself against the armrest. He had changed out of his suit and now wore a more comfortable oversized t-shirt. Kon’s mind wandered to the past when Tim would sleep in his car wearing only that shirt. He quickly shook the memory from his mind.
“Bruce made certain that this building has the best security in Gotham. No one will break in. You can save the bodyguard act for the morning.” Tim tilted his head towards the hallway and Kon understood the silent order to use the guest room. He didn’t move from his spot on the couch though. In rebuttal, he patted the pillow to tell him that he would sleep in the living room. The way Tim huffed and crossed his arms almost made Kon laugh. He missed bantering with him.
Tim hugged his legs to his chest and then rested his cheek on his knees. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to you being my bodyguard. But, I should probably tell you something. About the flowers from this afternoon, they’re from a guy. We only went out for coffee a few times before I told him that I don’t think we should actually date. He has been sending me flowers everyday to change my mind.”
“Do you think he’s dangerous?” His eyes narrowed with the question. Tim shook his head but Kon couldn’t help worrying. “Do your brothers know? Dick didn’t mention this guy when he called me.”
“He’s more irritating than anything. I didn’t even want to go on a date with the guy but Steph suggested I give it a try after… She thought it would help me move on.” During the short conversation with Callum over coffee, all he could think of was Kon. “I haven’t told my brothers about the flowers. It’s not connected to the assassin and I don’t want them to worry more. Before you say anything, my neighbour knows about Callum and she’ll warn me if there’s anyone suspicious outside my door. Greta is small but scary.”
“That’s good. Does she also know about the other people after you?” He hesitated for a moment before he shook his head in answer. Kon could already guess the reason why. While Tim loved his friends and family, he hesitated to fully involve them in his problems if he thought it would endanger them. “Babe, you need to lean on people more. You always tell Damian that but won’t take your own advice. There must be someone you can tell everything to.”
“Well, I have you now.” He answered, absentmindedly. Tim only realized the depth of his own words once they left him. He quickly tried to correct himself. “Since you’ll be spending so much time with me as a bodyguard, it can’t be helped. I need to tell you everything that could relate to the job like the flowers. The second bouquet was for Mrs. Mac and you don’t need to worry about her.”
“I didn’t think the granny who changed your diapers was threatening your life.” Kon laughed, breaking the tension of the moment.
“You remember her?” The elderly woman was important to Tim since she raised him while his parents were travelling. Kon had never met her and he only saw her through his old photos. It was a small memory they shared so Tim assumed that Kon would forget once he moved onto a new relationship.
“She reminds me of Ma Kent. How is she doing?”
“Dana is her home nurse now so she’s well taken care of. The job has really helped my stepmom after dad… It’s good that Dana and Mrs. Mac can keep each other company.” A hint of loneliness entered his voice. Despite the years that had passed since his father’s death, he still missed him. Tim came to terms that he would always miss his father and he had to live with the grief.
He sighed and slumped to the side so he was laying over the armrest. Warm fingers stroked his hair and eased the tension from his body. He didn’t know if the gentle touch was out of pity or love. Tim decided not to overthink the light touch. For just tonight, he could pretend that it was two years ago and they were in his race car that could outrun all of their ghosts.
“I told Dana about the guy and how persistent he is. I even considered paying the flower shop double to not take his orders anymore. Mrs. Mac overheard and she said that it’s a shame to just throw away beautiful flowers. She suggested I forward her the pretty flowers. I don’t know why she would want flowers that someone else rejected.”
“It’s probably a way to make sure you’re okay. I bet that the minute you stop sending those flowers, she’ll call to check that the guy didn’t kidnap you. This one time, I was late with a postcard, Ma Kent went straight to the police to report that her poor Superboy was kidnapped.” They both laughed.
Tim had missed talking with Kon late into the night. He was able to confide in him without being judged. What he didn’t expect was for it to be a little better now. Back then, they had to talk over the phone since they lived in different cities and needed to keep their relationship secret. Tonight, he could feel his warmth beside him.
“Conner, can I ask you something?” He waited for Kon to hum in agreement before he continued. “Why did you leave racing? You love that car and driving with the wind in your hair. You’re always talking about how it feels to take a joyride around the track. That car saved you. I can’t imagine you leaving that behind for anything.”
“So, you read that Gazette article? You should know better than to trust anything the tabloid prints, Sweetheart. I’ll never give up racing. It’s an off season for us so I was planning to visit Ma and Pa. You should’ve heard the old guy give me a lecture about training and leaderboards. Roxy helped me convince him.”
“That’s good. I know how much you love racing.” It’ll make you happier than I can. Tim breathed out a sigh of relief.
“What about you? I didn’t expect that you’d take over your dad’s company. You always said that you never wanted to be like him. Why didn’t you become a detective? You’ve always liked mysteries.”
“Not everyone is lucky enough to chase their dreams. Something has to be sacrificed or you settle for what you’re given. I’m not brave like you.” He stood from the couch and smiled sadly at Kon. “Goodnight. I’m going to bed and you should too. I better not catch you sleeping on the couch in the morning.”