Work Text:
"Bring in the next candidate." Tim requests looking at Tam, tired but still having obligations to complete.
She winced but nodded walking out of the room, closing the door silently behind her.
Tim deflated the moment he was alone, putting his head against the table and groaning. He fucking hated conducting interviews, but if he didn't then Pam from HR would be conducting them and after the Wesley debacle he did not trust her judgment.
Tim raised his head up from the table and pulled the energy drink that he hid during the last interview out. It was warm and barely half full but he downed it like water hoping it would get him through the next 2 interviews. He was already fairly sure based on the candidate profiles he reviewed that the person he was about to speak to next would be getting the job. This was based on their qualifications, their skills and their experience in space tech engineering but he needed to be sure of this before he offered the head of space tech to a complete stranger. The man was suppose to be brilliant, got through undergrad in 3 years and his PhD in an unheard of 3.5 years. He had developed new theories and techs that were revolutionary and quickly became the industry standard. The Justice League has tried to recruit him so many times but failed but he unexpectedly applied to WE and Tim was ready to do basically anything to get the man to work for them. He really just needs to do a vibe check to make sure that he isn't hiring a super villain. The other interviews were due to a legal obligation which was unfortunate but Tim would still place them in roles at WE if they were a good fit.
Tim glanced at the mirror placed in front of him and sighed, he looked exhausted and rumbled. He was suppose to have the day off, in his calendar he was booked off as OOO, but signals were crossed and dates were confused. These were supposed to be taking place next week but HR had already confirmed with everyone and flew out those not located in Gotham to interview. So Tim, with 2 bruised ribs along with road rash along his legs and arms from getting thrown from a building and a split eyebrow was forced to come in on 3 hours of sleep. All so that he could try and convince Dr Fenton to come work for WE.
Tam had literally groaned when she saw the sorry state that he was in, and had helped him make sure he looked decent for company business. She had him wear his lightest suit but made sure it covered enough to hide the bandages from when he removed the vigilante suit this morning in agony. He had barely managed to get it off and deal with his ribs when he was informed of the change in his schedule. Bruce could have done the interviews but he was off world for JL business and Tim was the face of WE these days.
Tim's entire body was in pain, if he had to rate his pain it would be a….7.5 out of 10 and he was barely hanging on. It was his upbringing with his parents and Batman training, and well he could guess that BruceQuest™ has taught him a lot about how to work through pain.
Tim put his fingers to his face, already trying to come up with a better plan besides begging and pleading with Dr. Fenton to work for them. He had already gotten approval from Lucius to offer him basically whatever he requested to get Dr. Fenton to work for them.
Tim's stomach growled but he was so tired and nauseous from all of the pain meds he was on to be functional right now that he couldn't even stomach anything right now. It was be hungry or risk puking during the most important interview and he picked hunger.
Tim hear steps walking towards the door and pulled his business smile on. The door opened and Tam walked in followed by a beautiful man speaking with her in an excited tone.
"No I agree! The lighting in here is so weird, like why is it so cold? Warmer lighting is easier on the eyes and have better vibes," Dr Fenton presumably argues passionately.
"Maybe if you work here we can bully this guy right here to finally change the lighting, I've been trying to convince him for years," Tam says in a tone and with a look that clearly says convince him or I walk.
"Tam it's beyond my control! Facilities would riot against me for ordering them to change all the light due to a vibe check," Tim chuckles lightly while pretending that laughing wasn't agony to him.
Tam winces as she's seen him with bruised ribs before and knows how painful it is to laugh with them.
The man looks away from Tam and looks at Tim. His expression changes for a moment to confusion and surprise before it changes back to pleasant neutral.
"Mr. Drake-Wayne, please meet Dr. Fenton," Tam introduces them, "Dr Fenton, he will be conducting your interview today."
"It's an absolute pleasure to meet you," Tim says as he pretends to not be in pain as he stands up to shake Dr. Fenton's hand.
Dr Fenton takes Tim's hand and shakes it, but he has a bizarre look on his face. Tim is confused but he'll ignore it for now. WE will accept basically anything from this brilliant man to get him to work for them. Hell Tim will accept anything, the man in front of him is so talented and would be such an asset and could really make huge strides and impacts.
"Really, Dr. Fenton was my parents, call me Danny!" Dr. Fenton requests.
"Then I'm Tim, no Drake-Wayne nonsense!" Tim argues.
"Great you two know each other, I'll leave you to it, good luck!" Tam calls as she heads for the door.
"Who are you wishing luck to?" Tim teases.
"Both, why not both?" Tam says over her shoulder as she exits the door and closes it behind her.
"Well that was Tam, my assistant, friend and unofficial saviour. Now please take a seat and we can get started," Tim gestures to the seat in front of the table he was sitting at.
Danny nods and walks over to the table, Tim sits down while ducking his head down to avoid showing the split second of pain he has on his face. He raises his head and sees Danny staring at him with a weirdly knowing look on his face.
"So Danny, tell me why did you apply to WE? I know we've tried to recruit you before but you've always refused. We were surprised to see your name on an application, you could have reached out to us directly," Tim questions, trying to understand what occurred.
"I was always happy at the university, but due to recent cuts in funding, it was becoming a bit of a challenge to be able to get the resources needed for my work. My sister also moved to Gotham a year ago and she told me she saw the posting and decided that I was applying, whether I agreed or not. When I got the call for the interview I decided I could see if it was worth my time or if I should take the offer from Star Tech or not," Danny admits.
Tim's heart starts racing because Bruce would kill him if Danny refused to work for WE and Oliver got to poach him.
"Oh? That is very candid to admit in an interview," Tim states, head racing trying to figure out how to get the man to say yes to them.
"Well, I know how popular I am, I've received so many offers before, and no one even knows that I'm considering leaving the university, so tell me what could I get here that I couldn't get elsewhere?"Danny questions with a slight smirk on his face.
Tim's throwing in the towel,"WE is prepared to offer you: unlimited funding, full benefits including health, dental, HSA, 6 weeks of vacation to start, flex hours, access to all tech, conference resources and more. You will also have access to any of our sister or subsidiaries companies if WE does not have the specific thing you are looking for. You will have access to incredible minds and talents, our interns are often some of the most highly qualified and coveted people as we recruit from the top universities and more."
Danny just looks at Tim, "What is the work life balance, what is the culture?"
"We do not allow people to work anything more than their required hours, overtime is available but not mandatory or expected. We celebrate all people and DEI is a core value of our organization," Tim responds instantly not entirely sure why the question was asked.
"What about sick leave?"
"We have unlimited sick days and do not ask questions, if they are extended, we check in and see how to approach each situation individually as every person is unique," Tim responds severely confused.
"If you have all that, then why are you here?" Danny asks looking directly into Tim's eyes.
"I beg your pardon?" Tim yelps. Wtf wtf wtf, how does he know, I hid things perfectly.
"You're clearly pale, you winced when I shook your hand. Your assistant kept looking at you worried and I saw your face when you sat down. You clearly are not okay, and you might think this lighting is helping you, but it's not. I can clearly see the heavy makeup, and your suit is a bit light on your arms, where I can see them covered in bandages. What on earth happened to you and why are you here right now when you are clearly in pain and suffering?" Danny demands.
"I-" Tim is baffled, amazed, a little turned on and afraid.
"You know what I accept the job!" Danny declares.
"What- we didn't even offer it to you yet?"
"We both know you were, and I accept because you clearly need someone looking out for you, at least I can do that here."
"What."
"It's obvious that no one is taking care of you, so clearly I have to since no one else is stepping up."
"What is happening?"
"Send me the paperwork, here's my number, actually what's yours so I have it?" Danny commands while pulling his cell phone out.
Tim is helpless to not answer and immediately recites it, Danny puts it into his phone and Tim's phone starts ringing. Tim pulls it out, confused because the sound should be on silent.
"You have your phone's sound on? You clearly need more help than I was expecting. I'll be back here after your work day, I'll coordinate with Tam to make sure that we can get you the care you desperately need." Danny concludes standing up.
"I-"
"Oh sweetheart, you're clearly drowning, but I'm here now, I'll take care of you and us."
"Us?"
Danny looks Tim up and down, "Yes, Us. See you later baby." Danny nods to himself and walks out the door, waving as he closes it behind him.
Did I just get made? Did I just get a partner, what just happened?
Tim gets a text and looks down
Oh sweetheart, welcome to your new future, I got you now
Tim sighs, he's in pain, tired and needs a break. Honestly he's tired of being in control, maybe he should just let someone else take over and take control. Not forever, but just to take a break, because if he was made so easily then things are probably worse then it seems to him.
Tim types on his phone,
You know what, I will see you later.
Good, see you soon darling
Tim smiles, maybe he does need this and maybe he will let someone in.