When Bątman turned Timothy Drake away…

He found himself turning to Selina Kyle.

She was reluctant to take him in. Catwoman made no willing mentor. It never deterred Tim; not when this latchkey kid had nowhere else to go. His parents were practically never home.

They never really knew what he was up to either.

When Selina realized his situation, begrudgingly, she relented. She became a protective mother cat—essentially taking him in and hiding away Tim in safehouses. She was very strict about him not going on heists with her while he was very young. So when she could not be there, Selina entrusted him with her sister workers from the nightclubs she once worked at. Tim discovered they were the most caring, protective, compassionate people he’s ever known, contrary to generalization.

He’s grown up spending time behind the scenes watching and helping the girls get ready to perform (respectfully). Just a teenage boy staying in the back. Between cigarette haze and jaded stares, Tim witnessed firsthand how the seedy underbelly of Gotham works. The kind of shady characters that come and go as customers. How difficult it becomes to leave behind the hustle. Some pick it up for empowerment, but many are left with no choice. Can’t easily move on.

He wanted to do something about it.

So his book smarts cultivated into an interest centered around security and hackíng. He would track human traffickíng rings and, with time and training, assist Selina with rescues. Things the Bat easily overlooked. Or was too busy for.

Forget Robin. Stray, as Tim grew up to be—found his home in this work.

Tim’s parents were still alive today, as he’s nineteen years old. A blessing, but they didn’t know their son. They couldn’t know. Tim’s resolve remained true since he wanted to become some sort of hero; it was grating how the one percent epitomized ‘ignorance is bliss’.

By night, he built up a security network for the very nightclub that took him in.

Other nights it was him testing other security networks. Bypassing them, of course. An indulgence of practice and skill. For a sly thief he was careful. He was usually thorough, as taught.

Tonight, a blueprint of the modern art museum is kept on his person. Tim’s here during after-hours, of course. Past closing means it’ll be a private viewing… So long as the security guard’s schedule kept in mind. The motion detector sensors are manageable; security camera blindspots… Yeah. He can loop and splice clips. He slipped inside carefully. His phone on hand is specifically for hackíng up close and personal as well.

As much as this modern art museum features a Hall of Jewels… That’s Selina’s style. No, Tim’s here for the paintings this time. He can support the ambitious locals. It’s cute, really, seeing some college students’ talented work. And where it’s a little far-reaching, or pretentious for supposed ‘big names’… But not bad. As much as he’s found his art history curiosity satiated for the now, it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on the old some time. Art conservations. The older places changed their exhibits lately, didn’t they?

His own ears beneath his headgear prick. A voice, footsteps—and then a flashlight is on him.

Must have seen the cat ears and thought Stray was after something. Sh*t. All his calculations, and someone still caught on, eh? He wasn’t planning to be here for long!

Time to run. What’s the best exit…

“You won’t let me explain, will you?” Stray calls out over his shoulder, smooth as he can manage. Can’t get caught. No. Can’t let his parents know. Selina might disown him for his failure, Tim jokingly thinks that part to himself, as he intends to throw this security guard off his tail. Don’t know if they’re an officer or simply a museum guard. Not sure which one has the shift tonight.

No big injuries for the poor fellow, of course… Tim just needs them to slow down for his quick getaway. He’s unpredictable with his cat-like reflexes. Zigzagging, not a squeak on the linoleum, always fast on his toes.

“C’mon! I swear, I wasn’t here to steal anything!”