fic: Birdwatching part 4: A Quiver Full of Arrows
Title: Birdwatching part 4: A Quiver Full of Arrows
Author: darthbatgirl
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Characters: Roy/Tim, Lian, Dinah/Ollie, Connor, Mia
Summary: Tim is introduced to Ollie's chili
Page Count: 7 pages
Warnings: fluff, some talk of sex
A/N: earlier parts of the story can be found here
The silver convertible sped down the highway, top down, music playing. Tim stretched out in the passenger's seat, chair slightly reclined as Tim allowed the thrum of the engine lull him in a half sleep. Roy smiled as he glanced at his lover, contentment filling Roy at seeing Tim finally in some state of relaxation The last couple of weeks had been tense for Tim - not that he was telling Roy that of course. Roy was sure Tim had had a couple of run ins with Dick. Tim had either called him after a patrol sounding tense and stressed or just showed up after a mission with the League, wanting nothing more than for Roy hold him close. Dick, Roy had assumed, had decided that since he couldn't scare Roy off; he would work on his little brother to break up the relationship the Dick so strongly disapproved of.
So Roy decided Tim needed time away from Gotham; away from disapproving older brothers and slightly less disapproving fathers. Ollie had called up earlier that week saying that he was having everyone over for his annual chili-fest and Roy wouldn't be welcomed unless he had Tim in tow. So he happily talked Tim into coming to Star City with him for a few days. With the ease that Tim agreed to come with him made Roy glad that he had suggested it.
Now meeting someone's family for the first time was really not Roy's idea of a fun time, but it's not like Tim didn't know almost everyone there already. Tim was already good friends with Connor and Mia. In fact Tim and Mia were tag teaming against Connor in trying to talk him into joining the Titans, Tim seeing the advantage of having two bowmen on the team. Dinah had known Tim even longer than Roy had due to both of their work with Oracle, she affectionately ruffled Tim's hair every time she saw him much to Tim's annoyance. Lian of course had Tim wrapped around her little finger, like everyone else that met her. (Who was already there due to going on a shopping spree with her Aunt Dinah and Mia.). Which left only Ollie as being the only one Tim didn't know. And Ollie was eager to met the young man that his oldest was so enamored by. All in all a perfect break from the doom and gloom that was Gotham.
God what was Roy thinking.
All too soon Roy was driving up the long drive up to Ollie's house. Though by no means was it comparable to Wayne Manor, it still impressed Roy every time he came here. He drove up to the garage and shut off the engine. Roy reached over to Tim and softly caressed Tim's cheek. “Hey Beautiful, we're here,”
Tim opened his eyes, yawning and stretching, “Ollie's place is pretty nice.”
Roy nodded, “Yeah it is,” He paused as he thought of the three ring circus the day would probably turn into. “You know it's not to late to hop a fast plane to Jamaica.”
Tim smiled, “May I remind you that this edition of meet the parents was your idea.”
“So?” Roy asked as he leaned in and nuzzled Tim's neck. “If given the choice, I'll always take you half naked on a beach any day.”
Tim chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around Roy's neck as Roy pulled him closer kissing his neck.
“Oh will you two just get a room already,” a voice said..
Roy looked up to see Mia and Connor walking out of the garage. Mia's eye's sparkled brightly as she looked upon her older brother and friend. “Who's to say that we're not squirt?” Roy asked as he and Tim got out of the car. “We just thought we'd say hello first before we check out Ollie's mattresses.”
Roy and Mia wrapped each other up in a fierce hug, while Tim and Connor did a more sedate greeting with just shaking hands and quiet hellos. Mia jumped over and wrapped her arms around both young men. “Now what do you think we should talk today Tim?” she said as she waggled her eyebrows.
Roy chuckled as he extracted both Connor and Tim from Mia's grasp. “Sorry Mia, no recruitment drive right now. Though I would like to know where my daughter is.”
Connor smiled as Mia pouted. “She's in the house with Dinah going through all the stuff that Dinah bought her today..”
Roy groaned as he steered Tim toward the house. “I'm going to have to buy a bigger house after this weekend.”
“Well we could always move in with Bruce,” Tim offered with a smile.
Roy pursed his lips as he looked over at his lover as they walked into the house and into the living room.”Just for that you're sleeping on the couch.”
Before Tim could respond, a small black hair hurricane came barreling across the room, wrapping her arms around Roy's waist. “Daddy! Tim! It took you guys forever to get here!”
Roy swept his daughter up in his arms and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Sorry Princess, traffic was rough. How's your week with Grandpa Ollie and Aunt Dinah?”
A grin spread across Lian's face as she squirmed out of Roy's arms. “Wait till you see what Auntie Dinah bought me!” She ran over to a pile of bags and pulled out a camera. “See it's a camera just like Tim's. Will you help me learn how to use it Tim?”
Tim smiled broadly as he bent down and looked at the camera with Lian. “This is really nice Lian. With a camera this nice you'll put Jimmy Olson out of a job in no time.
“Cool! Who's Jimmy Olson?”
“Roy! Tim!”
The boys looked up to see Dinah walking toward them with arms open wide. She wrapped an arm around each of them, kissing Roy on the cheek and ruffling Tim's hair before he could move away. “What took you Boy-o?”
Roy grinned as he returned the kiss. “Blame Gotham City and it's insane need to tear up all of it's streets during the summer. At least we got here before dinner.”
Dinah grinned, “Have you guys unloaded the car yet?”
“Not yet, thought we go see Ollie first. Where is he?”
Dinah rolled her eyes. “On a day that he's making chili? Where else do you think he'd be, the kitchen of course, he chased everyone else out hours ago. I'll get Mia and Connor to take your bags up to your room while you two say hi to Ollie.”
With Lian in tow, Roy and Tim made their way to the kitchen. A mixture of smells assaulted Roy as they entered the kitchen. His mouth began to water at the smells of the cooking meat, and of the sweet peppers and chilies. Three large pots sat on the stove cooking while spices and vegetables laid on the cutting board finely chopped waiting to be added in, and overseeing everything was Oliver Queen.
“Smells good Ollie,” Roy said as he came up and took the lid off the first pot, smiling at the delicious smells coming from the pot.
“Hey! Stay out of there!” Ollie growled as he took the lid away from Roy and shooed him away. “It's about time you boys showed up. Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you can hold the rest of us up because you wanted to have a nooner.”
“Nice Ollie,” Roy said throwing him a glare. “Tactful as always.”
“What's a nooner?” Lian asked.
Roy's sigh was loud and painful as Ollie bit back a chuckle. “Hey Lian, why don't you go start practicing taking pictures of you're Aunt Dinah?” Tim suggested, as he placed Lian on the floor.
“Okay Tim,” Lian said with a smile and ran off back to the living room.
The moment that Lian left the room Roy hauled off and smacked Ollie on the shoulder. “Do you actually ever think before you talk?”
“Well there was that time back in '82 . . ,” Ollie said with an almost apologetic look on his face. “But enough about me. Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?” Ollie pointedly said looking at Tim.
Roy rolled his eyes, “Sure Ollie, I'd like for you to meet Tim Drake. Tim this is the ever tactful Oliver Queen.”
“Nice to meet you Mr. Queen,” Tim said holding out his hand to Ollie.
“Mr Queen?” Ollie said cocking an eyebrow and shaking Tim's hand. “Say Roy, this one has manners. You better hold on to him.”
“This one? Do you have to make it sound like I bring someone different home every time I come here?” Roy said intensifying his glare at Ollie.
“Maybe we should have stopped for that nooner,” Tim said with a smile. “Maybe Roy would be less tense.
“Manners and a sense of humor. You're all right kid. Welcome to my home and please call me Ollie,” Ollie said chucking as he put his arm around Tim's shoulders. “Let me show you around my kitchen.”
Roy decided to just give up on Ollie ever being conventional and rolled his eyes at his adoptive father. At least Ollie and Tim were getting along, Ollie never showed anyone around his kitchen that he didn't like.
About an hour later found the family seated around the picnic table in the backyard. Ollie came out carrying one of the big pots of chili followed by Connor, who was carrying a smaller pot.
“Hey Ollie, you did make some for Tim right?” Roy asked.
“Of course I did,” Ollie said gruffly. “I know how to take care of my guests.”
Tim looked at Roy in confusion. “I'm pretty sure there enough for everyone Roy. There has to be at least two more pots in the kitchen right?”
Roy smiled lovingly at Tim. “Yeah there is, but you see if you never had Ollie's chili before - well it's not something you can just dive right into.”
“You kind of have to work your way up to it,” Connor offered helpfully.
“You have to start with the baby chili,” Lian added.
“Baby chili?” Tim asked slowly.
“Well it's what we called it when Lian was little. It's less spicy compared to what Ollie usually makes.”
“It's down right bland if you ask me,” Mia said, only to be shushed by Dinah.
“Roy I am used to eating spicy food,” Tim said.
“I know you are, but there's eating spicy food and then there's eating Ollie's chili,” Roy said placidly to Tim.
“Aw let the kid try some Roy,” Ollie said with a smile on his face as he ladled up a bowl and passed it down the table. “Kid's only going to learn if he tries it.”
Roy took the bowl that was passed to him with an apprehensive look on his face and paused a moment before setting it down in front of Tim. “Okay,” he said slowly. “But I want you to remember that I did try to steer you away from this later on.”
With almost a joined held breath, everyone waited for Tim's first bite. With an amused look on Tim's face he took the first bite. “Hey this is really good Ollie . . . oh hot . . . very, very hot.”
“Yeah, it kind of sneaks up on you,” Roy said sympathetically as he handed Tim a glass of milk.
“Does this help?” Tim asked as he gulped half the glass.
“Kind of . . . sort of,” Roy said as he took his own bowl and started eating.
“It never helped me,” Mia said.
“Not helping,” Dinah said as she passed bowls down to Connor and Lian. “Tim would you like a bowl of the bab - less spicy chili?”
“I think I'll finish this one up first Dinah, thanks,” Tim said.
Roy raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend. He noticed that a nice red flush had started on Tim's face. “Are you sure? You don't have to prove anything Tim, really.”
“I”m fine Roy. I'm not trying to prove anything. I like it,” Tim said after another gulp of milk. “It's just hot. . . Really, really hot.”
“Don't worry Roy we've got the emergency room on speed dial,” Ollie said with a smile.
Ollie's statement brought a laugh from the table as they all continued on with their meal. Much to Roy's surprise Tim did finish his bowl and did a second one, though it did take him longer than anyone else to eat.
The meal went pleasant enough, Ollie and Roy argued politics, while Mia and Tim filled Connor in on all the happenings of the Titans - still hoping to bring in the archer into their ranks, and Dinah, with help from Lian, played referee over everything. After dessert was served and eaten and the plates cleared away Ollie leaned back in his chair and eyed the people that surrounded his table, his eyes finally resting on the visiting Gothamite. “So I hear you've gotten pretty good with the bow Tim.”
“Thanks to Roy, yeah I've become decent,” Tim said.
“You know I wouldn't mind seeing how good you've become,” Ollie said slowly.
“No Ollie,” Roy said.
“Well why not? Student versus teacher, lets see how well the student learned his lessons,”
“No,” Roy repeated. “Tim's here as a guest and to relax,”
“Though I wouldn't mind seeing how well I stack up against the old Speedy,” Mia said cutting in. “Wouldn't mind seeing what the new and improved model could do.”
Roy smiled broadly at Mia. His sister understood that Roy had wanted this weekend to be relaxing for Tim, and - intentional or not - Roy didn't want Ollie to turn this into his kid was better than Bruce's. Besides going against Mia would be fun.
“Mia versus Roy,” Ollie mused, “It would be nice to see Mia teach the old dog some new tricks.”
“Old dog?”
Soon they group was gathered down at the practice range. Both Mia and Roy stepped up to their targets, Roy fired first drawing his bow back and almost lazily fired and got a bullseye. Then Mia took her shot and got a bullseye as well - though it was with a little more effort than what Roy showed.
Five more times Roy and Mia shot - being cheered on by Tim and the others. They went back and forth, each taking a bullseye, until a slip of a finger sent Mia's arrow to the first ring outside of the the bullseye.
“Ooh tough break Mia,” Roy said as he landed another bullseye. “That one is going to be hard to make up.”
“You think so do you smart guy?” Ollie said. “You can just as easily mess up.”
Roy smiled as Mia made another bullseye. “I could, but we both know that's not going to happen.”
As Roy stood up for his shot, Ollie suddenly started coughing loudly and clapped his hands and stomped his feet.
“Nice try Ollie,” Roy said as he launched his arrow into the bullseye. “But it takes more than that to break my concentration.”
Ollie crossed his arms and grumbled as Connor and Lian sent up another cheer as Mia landed another bullseye.
As Roy pulled out an arrow, notched and pulled it back ready to release, a warm breath tickled the back of his neck sending a shiver down his spine. “So what would break your concentration?” Tim asked softly. “Do you think I could break it? Do you think the idea of us together tonight in your room would break it. With me underneath you, writhing and begging, calling your name, wanting to come, but knowing you won't let me until you want me to. Would that break your concentration?”
Roy shuddered as his fingers let go, his arrow going wide and hitting the second circle. Roy turned around only to see that Tim was sitting on the grass between Connor and Lian. The only proof that he had done anything at all was the way his eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Looks like the scores all tied up now,” Ollie said triumphantly.
“Yeah looks like it,” Roy replied, throwing an annoyed look at Ollie's smug one.
Four more times Mia and Roy shot both gaining bulleyes. The family cheered loudly for each shot though Ollie was more than willing to throw out a Boo every time Roy shot.
On Roy's last shot he once again felt the warm breath on his neck as his lover once again stood behind him. “Maybe you like something different though,” Tim whispered. “Maybe you would like to be taken instead? Pushed back against the mattress, maybe hands tied so you couldn't touch.”
Roy closed his eyes as the images played across his mind. With a shuddering breath Roy let go of his arrow, which went wide of it's mark as it hit the outer ring of the target. For a moment after Roy opened his eyes he just stared at the target in confusion. Then slowly he turned and looked at Tim, who had a smirk on his face.
“Why you little Bat,” Roy said in mock anger as he reached for Tim.
“Now Roy, I was just supporting a teammate,” Tim laughed as he was pulled flush against Roy's side.
Roy bent his head near Tim's, nipping at his ear.”Tonight I expect you to do each and every thing you whispered to me.”
“Gladly,” was Tim's whispered reply back.
“The winner is Mia!” Ollie said as he raised Mia's hand as Lian went to hug her.
“I don't know Ollie,” Dinah said as she watched Roy and Tim hold a whispered conversation - not missing the heated look in either of their eyes. “I think Tim might have sneaked in the victory here.”
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The end of the day saw the Arrows and their visiting bird lounging comfortably in the backyard. Roy sat in a chair sipping a cold beer as he watched over his family. Ollie was somewhere in the house - probably cleaning up the kitchen, Tim and Lian were sitting beneath a tree going over her new camera, Dinah and Mia were discussing a certain dress that Mia had seen on their shopping trip and Connor was fixing an arrow that had gotten bent during his and Mia's archery contest.
“Congratulations Roy,” Ollie said softly as he came up behind him. “Tim's pretty special. Better hold on to him tight.”
Roy smiled at his father, “Believe me Ollie that's exactly what I plan on doing.”
He stood up from his chair and handed his beer to Ollie and walked over to where Tim was with Lian and pulled him up to his feet and wrapped Tim up in a hug.
“What is this for” Tim asked as he wrapped an arm around Roy's neck and teased the hairs on Roy's neck.
“I was lonely,” Roy said simply.
“Well we wouldn't want that,” Tim said as he leaned up for a kiss.
A click and a flash and a little girl's laugh broke the two lovers a part. “That's perfect!” Lian said as she held up her camera. Roy couldn't agree more.