Tim Drake’s sleeping habits are… Not unexpected for a vigilante. Awful. He won’t lie about that. It’s a plausible theory why he’s not grown tall as he could have been since he didn’t get a lot of good rest when he was Robin. He forced himself to stay up for cases over the years; duty never went ignored. Maybe it’s where he took after his mentor.

He remembers how he barely caught himself slipping in and out during class. Rooftop naps. Occasionally snoozed in the school library. Tim’s relationships have suffered before. His first girlfriend Ariana’s quiet confession lost to his ears when he dozed off in the car seat, that she went and saw somebody else. (That was long ago. Things changed when Stephanie entered the picture, when Tim wasn’t allowed to see Ari for a while. The two broke up yet stayed friends. He’s not contacted Ari for a long time, but he does check on her whereabouts every now and then. He never forgot his failure to protect her father.)

He once collapsed peacefully only to be jolted awake when apparently, he had been sleeping during a rollercoaster ride. ZoAnne, his school tutor and date then, was not very pleased about that either. (Broke up with her over the phone way later.)

Maybe it had to do with the fact they were civilians. They never got to know the truth about Robin, so unfortunately, they were constantly getting stood up. He never explained everything for their safety.

Steph, back when they were dating, hadn’t minded his falling asleep over the phone. Knew it had to be him staying up in the name of crime-fighting. Tam Fox called him cold behind the mask, then walked out of his life.

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day… Quiet sore spots. His step-mom, Dana—if she noticed his bruises when he once came home ‘from a football tryout’, she probably inferred he wasn’t resting well either. He keeps an eye on the psychiatric place holding her, too. It’s better than Arkham at least—he’s never forgotten her either. As for Tim’s unjustly deceased father? More reasons for push. Be better.

He’s lost too many.

The real caffeine addict in the family was Babs. He liked tea and Zesti cola, liked asking for a double shot in his Americano. Alfred often took his requests for ‘anything caffeinated’. Multiply the espresso shots on desperate nights. It only took him so far.

A good thing he still left Lucius in charge of the company, even if Tim Wayne holds the technical title of ‘CEO’. Tim can do executive decisions, he can do business—but Wayne Enterprises would eventually suffer. It wouldn’t be a good look for the shareholder, or Bruce, or the company, etc... since heroism is Tim’s chosen devotion, his day life a cover.

He could not imagine how worse it would have been with this recent impactful mysterious figure in Gotham. Who may be responsible for Tim’s sleep deprivation lately.

Yes, it’s hit a point his brothers are concerned for what he’s doing within his own base of operations. It’s not the first time Red Robin’s lost sleep over research, but everyone can tell this isn’t a usual case. Steph still reminds him that he’s not a computer. Tells him that micronaps still don’t make up for full sleep.

But it eats at Tim, not knowing. This figure who slips in and out, who’s only left more questions than answers—few leads. Dead ends. Inconsistent patterns he’s been picking apart for whether they are calculated, improvisational, or… sheer luck?! It’s been annoying Tim, letting this person go unidentified for far too long in a city with enough variables. This detective is being horribly tested again.

Bruce has enough on his plate, too. Tim doesn’t want to—no, he can’t go back to the manor without sufficient research. Empty-handed.

“This has gone on for way too long,” He grumbles, rubbing at red-rimmed eyes. Slumped over his desk with a sigh. Brain can’t, won’t rest. No point in trying.

He’s gotten impatient. Tim can play the long con, he can prepare in advance, but it doesn’t mean he enjoys numerous prolonged unknowns. Waiting for a slip-up or an encounter is his best bet… Again. And he hates it.