***

[ R <•> J ]

J: Babybird's birthday is coming up.

R: is it?

R: yeah, it is. I suck at remembering dates.

J: I know. If it hadn't been for Timmy we would have gotten killed by Damian for forgetting his birthday.

J: and more so his eighteenth birthday, the kid had been raving on for weeks about how he would finally cross the threshold of adolescence.

J: and still we forgot... Such a shame.

R: right... Next time I'm going to ask Cyborg to get me a watch with a digital calendar on it.

J: or you could just check your phone, idiot! In case you don't know, smartphones come with a reminder feature. All you have to do is set some reminders for birthdays and other events.

J: or I bet you will even forget to turn up at the Fall Gala.

R: hey! I will not forget the Fall Gala!

J: we will see, Dickybird, you always forget in the end.

R: no I don't.

***

R: how did you remember about Timmy's birthday though?

J: Damian told me.

R: I swear both Dami and Tim secretly care for each other but pretend not to in front of us.

J: of course they do. They are brothers after all.

***

J: why are you walking around the house like a hyperactive zombie?

R: hyperactive zombie? What kind of an insult is that?

J: I just want to know what the fuck is wrong with you now. That was no insult, just a metaphor.

R: so I can't decide what gift to get Tim this year... I would have gotten him a coffee maker but me and Babs already got it last week.

J: no I am not going to give you any ideas.

R: why?

J: because I don't have any myself.

R: screw it, I'll ask Babs. You go ask someone else.

J: who said I was going to ask someone? I will know exactly what to give to him when the time comes.

R: yeah right...

J: okay, Grayson, don't you fucking dare.

R: last year you gave him a USB because you had forgotten to buy his present and that was the only thing you had which you hadn't used yet so it was still in its original packaging.

J: so what?

J: he loved the present because he was thinking of getting a new USB for his data files. And me, being the thoughtful brother that I am, saved him the hassle of purchasing it.

J: by giving him the present that he really needed.

J: unlike you who bought him a coffee mug. So basic, not thoughtful at all...

R: hey, Dami broke his mug a day before.

J: and I know you had asked him to.

R: Jason!

J: you can't hide shit from me, Dickybird, I always know what devilry you're up to.

***

R: did the Lazarus Pit bestow you with a third eye or a sixth sense as well?

J:  why don't you just admit that I am naturally more intelligent than you stuck up posh lot?

R: you did not just say that.

J: oh yes, I did.

J: dumbass.

R: just you wait and see, you undead piece of filth!

***

J: we have to make a separate group chat for this.

R: not again, Jason, you have made about 40 group chats already. There's one with me, you, Wally and Roy called Hopeless Lunatics, there's one with you, me, Barbara and Bruce called Back From The Dead. Then there's a whole different one with the Superkids and with the Titans...

R: I can't even keep track of all the thousands of separate conversations that are going on at the same time.

J: but this is important!

J: we need to have a group chat without Timmy in it because it would spoil the surprise otherwise. We could name it Secret Birthday Bash. And add everyone except Tim so that we can plan for his special day.

R: how about you just kick him out for a short while from our current group chat?

R: what's it called?

J: Gotham's Freak Club?

R: yeah, that one.

J: absolutely not.

R: but why?

J: bad idea, because if I did then he will get suspicious.

***

R: I mean come on it's his birthday, of course he will know we are up to something.

J: honestly, Dick, you've lived with Tim longer than I have but still you simply don't know him.

R: what do I not know about him?

R: I know Timmy inside out and you can't prove me wrong.

J: wrong. And yes I can totally prove that, Dick Ignorant Grayson.

J: because if you did then you would also know that he has been so fucking busy these days that he even forgets his mealtimes. Of course he has no idea his birthday is coming up. All he is thinking about right now is the upcoming Fall Gala.

R: ah...

R: you're right.

J: when am I not?

***

[ T <•> I ]

T: how's work at LexCorp going?

I: the whole department misses you. Especially Mathias.

I: yesterday he came up to me asking why I had accepted your resignation letter.

T: he did?

I: yup, I told him I hadn't had a say in that matter either.

T: he's really nice though and has been great company, I should meet up with him someday.

I: thinking about meetups, all of them wanted to give you a farewell party.

T: don't tell me that you've agreed...

I: how could I say no? Mathias and Dinah came up with the idea and the whole department came requesting to me with a bouquet of flowers and a formal letter asking for permission.

I: it was really the best thing that happened today.

T: so now you're using gifs too, looks like the Waynes are rubbing off on you as well.

I: I guess so.

I: but don't worry, I told them we will wait for the Fall Gala first.

T: oh...

I: you won't have any problem meeting up with us after the Fall Gala right?

T: I hope not. Right now, I just want to get this event done with. And that's all I can think about.

I: seriously? All you can think about?

T: except for you, Ren, I can't stop thinking about you no matter how much work pressure I get.

I: awwww.

T: and here you call me cute when you can be this level of adorable yourself.

I: we were made to be together, love.

T: I agree wholeheartedly.

***

I: you do know that was a very close call.

T: I give them hell, Ren, but these annoying criminals just can't leave me be. And I always warn them beforehand like come on guys, if you abduct me then you're going to be on a disadvantage. Because I'll trash your whole hideout, I have the worst and absolutely lamest stories to bore you to death with and I can be an extreme pain in the ass if I want to, ask Damian if you're still not convinced.

T: but still those stubborn douches can't leave me alone.

I: someone's in a bad mood today.

T: you know what, by now I'm quite disappointed in them.

I: that's not what I expected you to say but well... It will do.

T: and each time that happens, you have to leave whatever you're doing and come to my rescue. And even though I'm very grateful but still sometimes I feel really bad that I put you through so much trouble.

I: aw come on, Timmy, don't be like that.

T: but I must be an utter nuisance to you at times...

I: absolutely not. Plus, by now I've kinda become accustomed to it.

T: though to be honest, you do get to save me almost everyday judging by how absolutely useless I am at that.

T: and out of all the citizens in Gotham, I'm the one who is always in trouble.

I: now that is true. You somehow are always in trouble. 

I: but you should keep in mind that I can do anything to see you safe, lover boy.

I: so don't ever waste my time by texting me about how absolutely sorry you are for putting me through some kind of rescue scene.

I: it doesn't matter.

T: I'm really touched right now.

I: and I love you too, princess.

***

T: so I didn't ask earlier but how's your Dad taking this whole situation?

I: I got into a row with him the day you left.

I: and I haven't seen him ever since.

T: you shouldn't have argued with him because of me. You do know that family comes first, right? And I don't want you to spoil your relationship with your father.

I: of course I had to!

I: when I had started working for LexCorp, I had made it clear to him that he won't have a say on anything which happens in my department. I had told him that I would have my own labs, my own team and my own projects. And he was not supposed to come investigating around like that. He doesn't have a say on who I allow to work under me or not, be it a Wayne or any other person.

I: so he couldn't just go and threaten you to hand in your resignation.

I: that was extremely mean of him.

T: I don't think even I got as disappointed upon getting fired as you did.

I: now I won't be able to see you everyday...

T: seriously, this is why you kept me around?

I: partially, your reports were excellent too. And you gave good ideas on product improvement. And also because you're really good at accounting.

T: why not though? We could still meet everyday.

T: I'm sure we could make this work out.

I: with the press hot on our tails, I don't think so.

***

I: well, so I just noticed that Drake Manor is right next to the Luthor Mansion.

T: yup, it is.

I: why don't you live there?

T: because after my parent's death, Bruce had adopted me so I shifted in with them. Even though the adoption period had been only until I would turn of age, still they are my family now and I think of Wayne Manor as home instead.

T: but I can show you around Drake Manor, if you like.

I: sure.

T: it went on a sellout with Drake Enterprises getting bankrupt but then I shut the company down and repurchased it after I had started working in Wayne Tech. Because it was my family home, after all. Even though it may not have many fond memories.

I: you never told me anything about your parents.

T: I will. When I take you to Drake Manor.

I: okay.

T: let's just wait for the Fall Gala to wrap up and then we'll decide a day.

I: sounds good to me.

***