Description: Y/N is Tony Stark's daughter, and hates being recognized as only that; she wants to be her own person, with her own reputation, with her own name. She feels that there's really no one out there who doesn't see her as Tony Stark's kid—but for when she meets Tim Drake.

Request: Can I request a fic about Tim Drake with a s/o that is Tony Stark's daughter? They love working together with technology, trade info and just generally nerd out together. Bonus points for overprotective Bruce and Tony. Thanks, I love your writing so much! :) -Lia

Words: 5956

Notes: The Tim fic, as promised! I hope you enjoy this Liaaaaaaa!!!!

_

Everyone has their place. Somewhere, or even someone, where relaxation flows over you like cool river water or the effects of a hot shower. For some it may be their bed, or just the warmth of their home after a hard day of work. That was the odd thing for you—your place did the complete opposite of relax you. The second you stepped foot into your lab (and sometimes even outside it—curse this advanced technology and it's access to your phone) the AI your father created, J.A.R.V.I.S, hounded you with notifications about upcoming events and your thousands upon thousands of unfinished projects. The only reason you called your lab your special place was because it was where you retreated to.

When bad news came, you went to the lab. When your dad was out there, risking his life without even a thought, you went to the lab. When you were told to leave an Avengers meeting because there was top secret information being shared, you went to you lab. It was your safe place. In your lab, where you tried to make the world a better place in your own way. Perhaps that was the one thing you and your father shared. Also, the lab had a top-of-the-line security system that you had coded and put together yourself. It was impenetrable. Or at least, that was what you used to believe.

Batman and Robin were, virtually, Iron Man's greatest frenemies. That meant they were your greatest frenemies, and that if they came within a 500 mile radius of you, Tony wouldn't hesitate to shoot to kill. But everything about them was a mystery; where did they get their gear? Why did they fight this fight? What were their identities? To put it simply, you liked mysteries—or maybe you just liked Batman and Robin out of spite. Robin certainly liked you.

You had been reviewing the guest list for the upcoming charity event you and Pepper Potts had put together. It was more to raise popularity for your project than for money—you always had that covered—but almost doubted that this needed it. You were, afterall, planning to send 180 satellites into space in order to get wifi to those who didn't have access to it, and for those who wanted it cheaper. To make things better, this isn't your father's design. You had made this, you had proposed it to the board, and now you just needed the publicity before it took off. This was definitely why he was here.

He enters softly, but loud enough where you know that he's there. Your gaze hardens with a glance at the security system hologram of the room—the hologram, which usually displayed who and what was in the room upon your desk didn't even show that he entered, nevermind that he was standing a couple feet behind you. You decided to not dignify his intrusion by turning around. Instead, you flicked the hologram and watched it fizzle,"Hey, Jarvis?"

When the A.I refrained from answering, you sighed,"Rob, I really don't appreciate you coming in here and messing with my security system."

"Sorry," Robin said, sounding genuinely remorseful.

That was one thing you liked about him; he too, shared your love for technology and science. But that was all you knew about him personality wise. Besides the basic traits that all heroes seemed to have (bravery, strong morals) you didn't really know Robin at all. You did know that he had calm features, a leanly muscled frame, and a tendency to look out for you much more than you father would appreciate.

As much as you wanted to dissociate from the name Stark, being the daughter of a superhero came with the obvious perks. You grew up around the Avengers, had been kidnapped about a bajillion times, and knew almost as many superheroes as your dad did. Being a lover of solving problems and mysteries, you tended to grow more invested in meeting and learning about heroes that kept their identities secret. It was almost a talent: you'd taken one look at Peter Parker, who your father assured was just an intern, and scoffed,"He's Spider-Boy, Dad!"

The thing that drew you closer to Robin was his reciprocation. During the times in which your fathers reluctantly worked together or exchanged information, he was always lingering behind as you did, and you felt an odd relation to him as you were your own form of "sidekick". Robin wasn't your friend—yet, but he was a kindred soul at the very least.

"It's alright. Just means there's some kinks I could work out," you said. With a wave of your hand the hologram you were working on disappeared into your desk. You smiled at him sassily,"And you know just how much I love to repair things."

Another great thing about Robin; he was quite handsome. Though he kept to the shadows and often bowed his head when you spoke, he had sweet, calm features. His nose was pointed, his lips seemed soft, and his eyes would surely be a beautiful honey brown or summer ocean blue.

He spoke kindly, softly, with a politeness much unlike his mentor,"How have you been?"

"Busy," you confessed, pulling yourself up to sit atop your work table. Robin cocooned himself in his cape and lowered his head, but you could see the barest of smiles on his face; it was not a look of embarrassment, but just another attempt to protect his identity."I haven't seen you since the whole Thanos/Darkseid fiasco a couple months back. How are you?"

"Busy," Robin said, turning so half of his face was concealed by the shadows in your lab."But well. Gotham's quiet—not like that will stick, though.The attack made the streets real quiet in the last few months, but now that they know it's safe I'm sure something will pop up soon."

The movement made you realize just how late it was. You'd been down here since breakfast, and had practically been sitting in the blue glow of the holograms for at least three or four hours. With a glance at your watch, you confirmed it was now 10 PM... Still pretty early, right?

"Yeah, same here. I think it just... scared everyone. I know it scared me," you laughed awkwardly.

Ever since Darkseid and Thanos proposed a partnership and attacked Earth together in January, the world had sort of retreated into a careful silence as it rebuilt itself. The Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D had only suffered minor casualties, but the battle had managed to not only bring together the JLA and The Avengers, but also healed the wounds of the Civil War the team had.

King T'Challa was so gracious and kind, and the whole day had been made better when you got to see Steve and his best friend Bucky again. They'd been worried sick with you caught in the middle of the battle—luckily, Robin had stepped in to defend you, but had gotten a broken arm out of it. It had healed, and yet you couldn't help but look at his arm guiltily.

"Thank you, again," you murmured.

Robin nodded, the blue light turning his mask navy,"Anytime."

He shifted then, becoming more Batman than the young man you were beginning to get to know. Robin's shoulders wound tighter and his head bowed lower, voice dropping an octave."I know you and your father don't particularly like Batman and I, and you have plenty of reasons not to trust us, but I have news."

You slid off the counter and scoffed,"That's just my dad. And what made you think that I don't trust you? Rob, you saved me life. Of course I trust you. Now what's wrong?"

Robin turned his head, briefly, and you got the impression you had flattered him. He began,"Batman and I have gathered from recent accounts that Scarecrow is planning an attack on Friday's charity event. I have reason to believe it has nothing to do with your project, but moreso with your father or you. He might try and capture you for leverage or money, or may be stealing from your labs, or whatever else. We have no way of knowing what he's planning. But I suggest that you hirer better and more security, and maybe give key guests gas masks if you can—knowing you, you've probably developed a mask that can take the toxin."

"Figures," you sighed, already trying to remember where you put the anti-fear-gas-mask prototype (AFGM would make a good acronym). And, more importantly, how you would break this to Pepper. You grabbed a wrench and gestured with it in annoyance,"If he comes anywhere between me and my project, I'm sorry to say that I'm going to have to break one of your rules."

Robin nearly cracked another smile. Instead, he said,"If you wouldn't mind, I would like to be there. Batman can't—another mission—but I think it would be best that Nightwing, Batgirl and I all attend."

"Of course. Scarecrow is one of yours," you said dismissively."I'll notify my security team, maybe get an Avenger or two in if that's alright with you."

After a moment, you reached down and began rifling through a drawer. After submerging your hand into a mess of wires and some spare screws you found what you were looking for. Carefully, Robin allowed you to gently hold his palm, slip the device inside, and cup your fingers over it.

"This is for when you need to contact me. And please, feel free to check it for scanners and trackers and stuff—I know you vigilante types—because there isn't any," you confessed, dropping his hand. Robin examined the phone, an odd smile in his face, imbued there with your comment. You nearly considered putting an actual tracker inside, but surely he'd scan the device regardless and find it. His trust was hard to gain. But surely, you could figure him out another way.

"Thank you," Robin said, and you could hear the smile in his voice,"I'll make sure to keep this away from your dad."

You laughed at that, admiring what you could of his face for the briefest of moments. Maybe it's because he saved your life, or maybe it was the whole "superhero-your-age" deal, but he was almost... irresistible.

"Is this the part where I turn around and you disappear?" You wondered.

Robin chuckled, but nodded. His laughter was suddenly cut off, breath hitching tightly, and you could feel the way every muscle in his body seized with surprise. You cupped one side of his face and felt his jaw under your hand, and with a gentle twist you had turned his chin and planted a sweet kiss on his cheek.

Innocently, you turned back to your desk, pulling up the hologram you had been working on. Robin heard you begin to whistle softly into the darkness. As he retreated the whistle became a hum, and that became the quiet lyrics of a slow song that suited your voice all too well.

Like a river flows, surely to the sea,

Darling so it goes,

Some things are meant to be.

Take my hand, take my whole life too,

For I can't help falling in love with you.

Robin felt your kiss on his cheek as he slipped out the exit, pleasant against the burn of his cheeks. He was grinning.

_____

Pepper walks proudly, with a practiced precision in the click of her heels. You recognise her footing even before JARVIS informs you that it is her requesting access to your bedroom. The moment she's inside, you already know what she's going to say.

The door slid open, revealing Pepper Potts—the co-CEO of Stark Industries and your step-mother. But she was nothing like the traditional archetype of the evil gold-digger, nor the replacement parent. Virginia Potts, if anything, wasn't a step mother at all. She was the closest thing you had to the real thing. Sometimes you forgot that she wasn't your actual mother from how she behaved with you sometimes.

In the early days of Pepper's time as Tony's personal assistance, she had always made sure to keep an eye on you as much as she kept an eye on Tony. She'd slide a glass of water your way, reminded you tirelessly if you forgot to eat or to take your pills, and had more than once offered emotional security. When your father wasn't there, Pepper was. And you'd be eternally grateful for that. Especially at this moment.

"Hey, darling. How are you?" Pepper asked. She slipped her sweater off her shoulders and tossed it on the back of your chair, revealing the blue evening gown she had picked out for tonight. When at first you didn't respond, fingers lazily circling the bracelet around your wrist, you felt her hand gently graze your shoulder. Having startled you out of your daze Pepper offered a kind smile,"You okay?"

"Yeah," you said, shaking your head. She took the usual route—making you tell her what you'd eaten today, if you were feeling sick, if your anxiety was kicking in again—even though she could take a good guess at the reason for your sudden... blearyness. You barely registered her fingers beginning to work through your hair before she'd spun your desk-chair around for access to it, a tactic for getting you to talk. It worked.

You fixed your expression and looked at the floor,"He able to make it?"

Pepper shook her head, a sad smile pulling at her lips,"He's upstate. Avenger's business, I believe. He did want to make sure that I gave you his good luck, though."

"I don't need luck," you scoffed, which made Pepper chuckle. You ventured on, mindlessly kicking your shoes, double guessing yourself a thousand times over before you even dared to speak. Pepper had a way of getting people to open up to her, you supposed. It definitely worked on you.

"Do you ever... do you ever wish that he put you before his work sometimes?" You asked. The moment the words fell your stomach dropped with guilt; Tony Stark was saving lives, and you were just being selfish in asking for him to waste his time on you.

It's dark outside. The event would be beginning in an hour, and if you closed your eyes and listened you could hear the clatter of cutlery and murmur of the staff from your monitor. Soon you'd be down there, and you'd have to explain your ideas to everyone and get judged by everyone. Even if you had been playing the socialite game ever since you were a baby appearing mysteriously on Tony's doorstep, that didn't mean this was going to be any easier. Anxiety came with the territory.

Pepper spun your chair again, this time pulling you back face-to-face. She studied you for a moment. Her eyes spanned over the curve and sharpness to your features, probably finding pieces of Tony within you as everyone did. That was Pepper's one flaw—you may be her theoretical daughter, but in her eyes you were also Tony's.

You loved your dad. He'd bounce you on his hip and coo at you during meetings, and used to leave an hour or so at the end of his day to tend to you when you were younger. He'd shown you the wonders of science and Metallica, raising you on the great ideals of Star Wars and Star Trek, or the real definition of fashion (aka: wear whatever the hell you want). He had never wanted to be like his father, or wanted you to grow up like he did, and thus tried his best to be better. He was. But the name Stark is a curse, and whenever the world looks at your name they never see Y/N. They see Y/N Stark. And there was no way to move on from that.

Pepper's cool hands bring you from the deep waters of your thoughts, soft against your cheeks. Her eyes were a kind shade of blue."All the time," she sighed,"But we have to think about what he's doing for the world—what you're doing for the world. You're both changing it. That's what I love about you and Tony—you'd give your everything to help people. The only difference between you and him is that you know when to have fun in between."

"Like tonight, for example. Aren't you excited?" Pepper dropped her hands and balanced her chin in her palm,"Sure—you're going to have to socialize with some people you don't like. But is there anyone who you do like that will be there?"

A smile conquered your face then, and with the flare of your skin, Pepper just knew. She perked up,"Oh my god."

"You can not tell dad," you said, looking around your room and trying to remember where the emergency audio devices were. For emphasis, Pepper zipped her mouth closed and urged you to continue. Your wrung your hands in your lap and considered the odds; Pepper loved Tony and wouldn't keep things from him, but you could easily pass it off as something other than the massive crush you actually had. With a cough, you nervously revealed,"There's this boy. He... He goes to Cordin Prep with me, and he's in my band class. I don't like-like him, but there's just something odd about him I just can't understand, so I hung out with him to try and figure it out more. He's coming later tonight."

"Naammme?" Pep drew out the word, drawing out Y/N's suffering.

With a careful breath, Y/N winced,"... Tim... Tim Drake-Wayne."

Pepper's hands quite literally flew to her mouth. When you rushed to deny what you had said her laughter bubbled up and into the air, like a fire hydrant exploded and the water rained down upon everyone. Bruce Wayne was both a business partner and one of your father's main competitors. Tim was his son, but also a representative for Wayne Enterprises and on his way to becoming the CEO. He was basically the you of W.E.

"Elementary school Tim? Middle School Tim?" Pepper wheezed,"Tony will kill you if you're planning what I think you're planning—no, he'll kill him, and then we'll have to call in the lawyers! Y/N!"

"I know, I know," you rushed, raising your hands in surrender. You settled them down on your knees and looked at her pointedly,"But... c'mon. There's something up with the Waynes. They're always caught up with the police, or the government, or people we know are... sketchy."

"Y/N, just because our family has some secrets and we're rich, doesn't mean that every other socialite does. The Waynes are just... idiotic playboys," she waved her hand dismissively, and your body seized with the action. Avoiding eye contact discreetly and gesturing were two of Pepper's major tells."That, or they just have a reputation of being rowdy. Trust me when I say that all the mystery around them is just their need for privacy. Are you sure all of this isn't just Tony's crazy rumors about them stuck in your head?"

"No. You can't confirm that it isn't an act," you said, mind already at a full-sprint. But Pepper probably could confirm, and it only added to the mystery behind them.

"Okay, fine, fine. Say there is some major secret behind the Waynes. Are you using this night to investigate Tim, or to... "investigate" Tim," Pepper said, making air quotes with her fingers. You flushed at the implication, and instantly a mad grin grew on her darling face. Before you could jump up with a whole slew of excuses, she shook her head, waving her hands and laughed,"I'm just kidding."

The thing was... maybe you were going to attempt both sides of the meaning. You sighed and though, wait until Dad discovers I have a crush on