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The entire dorm room smelled like coffee and energy drinks. There were papers strewn about the table and books on practically all available surfaces. Sun seeped into the dimming room from a slight cracked window, signifying that sundown was fast approaching.
Tim glanced at the light outside, then looked back at the paper in front of him. His eyes felt like sandpaper, and he was tired enough that the words on the page in front of him made very little sense. He had been rereading the same paragraph over and over, but the text was starting to look like scribbles rather than words. He yawned, looking up at the clock on the dorm room wall.
6:25pm.
Tim yawned again - it’s like the world was playing tricks on him. He was utterly exhausted. That wasn’t anything new - being a vigilante in Gotham itself was tiring. However, being a vigilante in Gotham while dealing with half a dozen papers and midterm exams at Gotham University? Yeah, Tim was sure he was practically the only one.
Tim rubbed sleep from his eyes - he had to stay awake, patrol started in a few hours. He knew that his dad would probably have a heart attack if he knew how poorly Tim was treating his health. Tim had pulled a 36-hour all-nighter yesterday, and managed to sneak in a few hours between classes - that meant that he likely slept no more than 3 hours total over a 2 day period.
Tim glanced at the door just as he heard the lock turn. He recognized the heavy, confident steps as his roommate.
“Hey, the leftovers I made are still in the fridge - did you skip eating again, Timbo?! And just how many energy drinks did you have today?!” Tim smiled a little at his roommate's mother-hen personality - no one would imagine that they acted like this based on their appearance. Their roommate was tall, muscular, played sports and pursued a literature degree. He was also the only reason that Tim was still passing his classes.
Tim mumbled out, “I had a few, Jason. Had to go to my economics class at 8am, I wouldn't have made it without the caffeine.”
Jason put the bags he was holding on the small table they used in their kitchen, grumbling, “How you haven’t gotten sick yet is beyond me. Get off your ass and come eat.” Tim made a big show of sighing dramatically as he slowly stood from his desk and stretched, causing his joints to pop audibly. Food did sound good right about now, and Jason was an amazing chef, especially in the limited dorm space they had to prepare food. Jason had taken it upon himself to cook extra for both of them on a regular basis - not because he was required to, but because Jason saw food as a way to care about others, and Jason considered Tim a friend.
Jason reheated the leftovers from the fridge as Tim slumped into one of the wobbly kitchen chairs. Jason had made a beef stew last night, with hearty vegetables and a touch of spice. They had eaten together yesterday and Jason made enough for both of them to have a container of leftovers. When the food was warm, Jason placed the container in front of Tim with a spoon. Tim watched with a sleepy smile as Jason stood beside him with his arms crossed; only after Tim began to feed himself did Jason turn his focus back to restocking the kitchen with the groceries he had bought.
Jason spoke aloud as he pulled items out of the reusable grocery bags, “It’s almost the end of Summer, so I got a bunch of bell peppers, peaches, tomatoes, zucchini, and corn on sale. Almost got rowdy with several people who were trying to take the best tomatoes - I got into the store right as the employees were putting out a fresh batch; I was not about to let them slip out of my hands. By next week, plums and berries will start going on sale, so I can make some jams and custards. Grapes will start rolling out then too, but they’re not on sale, so I’m going to pass on them for now. Got some snacks and soda cans on sale too, since they were close to expiration. You bet I checked that clearance aisle, and I found a bunch of spices and seasonings that I can use. Got us a new gallon of milk and carton of eggs as well.”
Tim ate slowly, reminding Jason, “I told you, I can definitely chip in more for groceries if you want to splurge on some things that are full price.”
Jason glared at him, but there was no heat in his eyes. “You already pitched in for more than half. Plus, you know I’m the only one of us who knows how to coupon and budget. Money’s going to be tight for me, especially with tuition coming up. No point in wasting money - I’ll make do with what we have; besides, this grocery haul is already more than I’m used to having in the kitchen at a time.”
Tim yawned. He finished his food and went to wash the container. “I'll be out again tonight. You know the usual - don't wait up for me.”
Jason rolled his eyes, “You’re pulling way too many all-nighters. No wonder you look like death.”
Tim smiled softly and went to grab his second backpack. While it looked identical to his school bag, this one had his costume in it. Once it was on he waved goodbye to Jason and went to start patrol in Gotham.
~~~
Tim yawned loudly as he sat on one of Gotham’s rooftops and reviewed the case files that he had packed earlier. He had finally gotten a minute away from the chaos of the city streets, and he wasn’t about to squander it.
There had been a new vigilante on the streets as of late. People dubbed him the “Red Hood” based on his various iterations of helmets, hoods, and masks. He had stormed onto the scene over the past few months and knocked Gotham to its knees with how efficiently he got things done. Red Hood had caused pretty much all of Gotham’s drug trade to fall in line, and he did it in basically a single night. Everyone knew his name and they feared him. Red Hood also was a thorn in Tim’s side when he went out as Red Robin, as the man was a professional at firearm use, something that Tim wasn’t trained in.
The vigilante was also wildly unpredictable - one day, he could be shooting at Tim, and the next, dropping off some criminals at his feet to send into police custody. It did seem like Tim did have his respect while in the field, and that surprised Tim. The man truly was an enigma.
Based on the file photos that Tim had gotten, the man was pretty tall and pretty muscular. He also had to be fairly young - he seemed to have acrobatic skills that would definitely diminish if the man was over 35 years old without practice. Red Hood was also always wearing a voice modulator and covering up much of his skin, but sometimes his forearms were showing, and they indicated that the man under the mask was pretty pale.
Another voice came through on his comm radio - another crime was in progress. Tim put away all his files and adjusted his costume. He was Red Robin now - and he didn’t make mistakes.
That was ironic, coming from him. Tim had barely slept in days; finals week had been absolutely brutal on him. He already knew that it was having an effect on his reaction speed, as he landed improperly twice tonight and almost got stabbed a few times because he almost missed the cues.
Still, Gotham needed protectors, and Red Robin was one of them.
That’s how he somehow came face to face with Red Hood on the battlefield. The man didn’t seem angry today, but he was still holding his revolver at the ready. Tim would like to be facing the man while standing up straight, confident and on his level - but that wasn’t the case.
Tim had suffered several injuries due to exhaustion - he had been hit several times with several blunt weapons, stabbed once near his spleen, and landed incorrectly during the fight, leading to his right leg hurting. He was using his bowstaff for support when Red Hood showed up and finished off the other goons using fighting skills and his revolver, causing the rest to run off.
The taller vigilante approached Tim, “Well, well. Not looking so hot, are you, Red Robin?”
Tim did his best to keep his stab wound covered, stating as a fact, “It’s been a weird night. Which is saying something, seeing as we’re in Gotham.”
Red Hood didn’t say much for a minute. His eyes weren’t visible, but Tim had a strange sense that the taller man was looking him over. When he spoke, it was also a fact, “You’re injured. That’s not like you.”
Tim chuckled aloofly, “Good observation, Sherlock. Shouldn’t be too big of a deal…just a few minutes of keeping my hand on it and it’ll be coagulated enough for me to move.”
Red Hood disagreed as he moved closer, “Your whole hand is bloody. You have no idea how deep the cut is. It won’t stop bleeding on its own, you need stitches and you know it.”
Tim huffed, “There’s no time for stitches - Gotham never rests.”
The man moved swiftly, picking Tim up bridal style before he could resist. Tim squirmed, but the man’s grip was firm and the blood loss was making him dizzy. Tim wanted to tell him not to take him to the hospital - the last thing he wanted was for his mask to be removed and identity to be revealed.
As Tim faded out of consciousness, he remembered that he had an exam tomorrow that he couldn’t be late for.
~~~
Tim groaned as he came back from unconsciousness. He expected bright lights, a medical smell, and doctors surrounding him. What he was surprised to see was the inside of his dorm room.
Tim shifted slightly in bed and pain shot through him. He turned his head to the side, looking down where the stab wound would be near his spleen. The bed below him had a tarp on it to catch any body fluids, and his injury had been masterfully stitched and wrapped in bandages.
Tim looked towards the dorm room’s kitchen. He could see a figure walking around in the kitchen, and he realized quickly that it was Red Hood. The Red Hood was in his kitchen, probably making something. When the man turned to face him, Tim realized two things.
One, the Red Hood wasn’t wearing his mask. Two, he recognized his face.
Tim spoke out, his voice drier than expected, “Ja…son?”
Jason sighed and then went off on him as he grabbed more medical supplies, “You really thought that you’d be okay after a night like that? Running on barely any sleep? You had a 3 inch-deep stab wound that would have destroyed your spleen if I didn’t work on it fast.”
Tim blinked, only taking in what he could see, “You’re…the Red Hood?”
Jason turned to him, giving him a look like it was obvious, “And you’re Red Robin. We both got unmasked today because you got stabbed.”
Tim smiled softly, “Sorry…I’m…tired.”
Jason scoffed, “That’s an understatement. You slept like the dead when you were in my arms. You got a full 9 hours of rest, probably the best night of rest you’ve had in a long time.”
Tim calculated what time it would be and tried to sit up, “Fuck-! I’m going to be late for my lecture exam! I can’t miss it, it’s 30% of my grade-!”
Jason came over and made Tim lie back down, saying firmly, “I’ve already informed your professor that you got into an ‘accident’ yesterday, and have to postpone your exam to next week due to medical leave. I made a fake doctor’s note and he told me he’ll be in touch tonight about scheduling the makeup.”
Tim breathed and then asked, “...why? Why do that for me?”
Jason ruffled his hair, saying, “Because I like you, idiot. Now, you aren’t getting out of bed for the rest of the day. If I catch you, I’ll make sure to hide your outfit.”
Tim huffed, mumbling, “Gotham needs me.”
Jason reminded him, “Gotham needs you at your best. Make sure they get that.”
Tim sighed, then asked, “Stay here with me tonight?”
Jason sat at the edge of the bed with him, saying, “Of course. If I leave you, you’ll start trying to get up again.” They both laughed.