paradisa | (no subject)

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tim drake-wayne

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[Sound drifts through the journal, the rapid typing of keys on a keyboard as someone's at work on a computer. Then there's the short strangled sound of a very young baby who is just about to start fussing. A moment later and a sharp cry interrupts the steady noise. The sound of typing stops as Tim's voice comes through, quiet and soft and yet sounding... somewhat detached as he soothes the baby.]

Shhhh. Shhh, Jack, it's okay.

[It was the first name he thought of and it's drudge up a lot of thoughts about his own father, among other things. He knows how to take care of a baby and he doesn't have a normal sleep pattern anyway so this is nothing too hard to adapt to schedule wise. It's just... so surreal.

The baby quiets down, making occasional soft gurgling noises as the typing resumes again.]

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[Oh boy. Jack.]

Tim? You don't happen to suddenly have a baby, do you?

[Stupid journal always picking up things.]

I suddenly had a baby a few days ago.

I stand corrected. Single parent, or...?

It's just me taking care of him. But I'm not his parent.

[Corrected again! But she's treading carefully, so any commentary is put on the back burner.]

Right. How's that going for you?

[It actually is his baby! He's just. In denial because this is too crazy to deal with.]

It's going fine. I know the basics of how to take care of a child.

[She figures.]

Diapers and all?

Diapers and formula and all.

So you're saying you don't need an extra set of hands?

You want to help babysit?

It was just an offer.

I don't see why not, if you want? I'm not... very good with babies.

It's not that hard, Tim. Make a silly face, they laugh, all is well.

Guess I'll be over in a few to instruct you.

I don't do silly faces.

Oh, you do. You just need to embrace them. That's your problem.

Are you saying I look funny?

[CONVENIENTLY NOT ANSWERING THAT, sorry Tim. She's got to get over to your place.

Knock knock :) ]

[Tim answers the door, holding a baby in one arm who's currently sucking on his little fist. He's got dark hair and the same blue eyes as Tim.]

Hey. This is Jack. Jack, this is Steph. [He talks as if Jack is an adult instead of a baby.]

[That's only mildly creepy, but Steph's used to Paradisa doing things like this.]

Hello, Jack. Nice to meet you. [She'll shake the hand that isn't in his mouth.] Can I hold him?

Sure. [He hands the baby over and stretches his arms out.] It's a little awkward typing around him but he fusses if I put him down on the bed.

He just wants your attention. [Last time she held a kid was when Damian was on his loss, so it takes her a second or two to find a comfortable position.]

Crazy stuff, huh?

That's an understatement. [He watches her studiously as she holds the baby, taking mental notes. Anyone's got to be better at this than him.]

[She proceeds to bounce him in her arms a little as she talks.]

I got stuck with a kid my first year here. That was weird. [For numerous reasons.] Lucked out this time, though. Guess it works out for you, huh?

Has this happened every year...?

As far as I know. People just go with the flow.

And the same kids come back...?

Sometimes. [Steph sits with the baby.] It's best not to think too much about it.

[He shakes his head a little in disbelief.] I'm kind of dreading the next thing the castle might pull that would top this now.

I wouldn't think too much about that, either. At least this is just a week or so, you know? Think of it as a learning experience.

A learning experience to teach me it would be a bad idea if I ever had a kid?

A week of a castle baby does not determine one's quality of parenting, young grasshopper.

A few factors probably count. And I've learned I'm not cut out for babysitting. [But he already knew that before, from when he had to watch Helena. Babies weren't too bad but when you had a kid who could run around and get into things... That was tiring.]

I think you're being dramatic. Here, show me what you've got. [HOLD THE BABY, TIM.]

[He raises an eyebrow but takes the baby, holding him carefully and securely but he just... holds him. He kind of gives her a little 'now what do I do' look.]

[Steph gives him a look.]

You're holding a tiny human, not a sack of potatoes.

I know that. But he's fine now. He's not crying, so he doesn't need anything. Right?

No, but a little care wouldn't hurt. Rock him or something. Make a face at him.

[Tim frowns instead of making a face, but he rocks him a little bit. Jack seems much more interested in Steph's long hair at the moment though, because he makes a 'da!' sound and tries to grab onto it.]

That's a Tim face, not a baby face. [Loserrrrr. Steph notices what Jack is reaching for and is a moment too late! She's caught.]

Owowow...

Like I said, I don't do silly faces. [He does smile and laugh softly when Jack tugs on her hair. Jack catches his expression, letting out a bright laugh and giving another tug before Tim can gently pry his hand away.] I don't think Stephanie likes that very much, Jack.

I'm just starting to recover the hair I lost to another kid... [All that stress took a toll! Ha ha... Steph tucks her hair behind her ears.]

Fine, no silly faces. Make him laugh, then.

[His expression gets a little solemn at that but he doesn't say anything. Tim silently wiggles his finger over Jack's chest, tickling him a little and making the baby squirm and laugh.]

[She sees that.]

What's wrong?

Believe it or not... I miss him too. A little. Just a little. [He assumes by 'kid' she means Damian.] ... Just don't ever tell him I said that.

[That's surprising.]

Secret's safe with me. I miss him, too.

I don't miss his attitude. ... But he was someone from home, you know? Someone who was a good guy. For the most part.

Right. Damian's not a bad person. [Present tense.] Who knows, maybe he'll be back some day.

If he does, I hope he brings Dick back with him. Or Bruce. Maybe Bruce can just intimidate the castle into letting us go back home. [Jokes.]

Maybe he'd have better luck this time around. Bruce, that is.

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