Under His Nose

Under His Nose

It’s a completely normal day when Tim finally realized it. He had woken up like normal, brushed his teeth and got dressed. He drank the coffee that Stephanie made for him and listens to her endearing reminders to remember to lift his head up and remember to eat.

She’s out the door and he feels strangely lonely. His coffee no longer holds any appeal for him. He’s bored beyond belief without her.

Sighing, he pushes away from his table and starts to walk out and–

Wait.

He blinks.

One.

Two.

Three.

Since when did Tim own a waffle iron? Especially a purple one that still has a scratch on it from when Stephanie hit a burglar with it?

Tim looked around his kitchen, and notes with horror that he does not remember owning over half of the kitchen appliances in there. In fact, at least half of his kitchen is now purple.

Eggplant, his mind supplies helpfully.

In fact, Tim distantly remembers Stephanie doing her homework on the counter while eating cookies.

He blinks again.

Did Steph move in to the second greatest detective’s home right under his nose?

He cursed.

No. Freaking. Way.

Except, that’s the only way to explain the second toothbrush and cup in his bathroom. That’s the only way to explain the worn cartoon towels that have entered in towel closet, a contrast from the plain white towels he favors. That’s the only way to explain how a frozen waffles and popsicles have entered his fridge. That’s the only way to explain why only half the stuff in his closet is his own because he doesn’t remember owning dresses or shoes or–

Oh wait.

Yeah, thats the dress that Dick accidentally bought for him, his mind only registering on the robin red part and not the floor length gown part. And those are the heels that Cass had left in his house after a party and never came to retrieve them. And those are the necklaces his mother once owned.

Phew. Okay. So she hasn’t completely moved it in while he was unaware.

Except.

Tim has more than one closet.

Resisting the urge to hit his head on the door, Tim opens up the door to what’s supposed to be his closet. He’s resigned, he already knows what he’s going to see and yep. There it is.

There’s the tattered red hoodie she could never bear to part with. There’s the black leggings she always wears because they’re comfortable. There’s the purple dress she wore when they saved Leslie. There’s the row of heels and sneakers and flats all lined up. There’s the diamond necklace he got her on a trip to France.

Tim has no idea how he did not notice Steph move in. Some detective he was.

He resolves to immediately speak with her about her living arrangements because under no circumstances was she to move in without his permission-

There’s a sinking feeling in his stomach when he remembers that oh right they share a bed.

And the suddenly Steph’s home and he automatically walks over to greet her and she beams at him and he wraps his arm around her shoulder.

For a minute he wonders when this has become what’s familiar to him.

Then Steph leans up and he leans down and all his former thoughts drift away…

His eyes fly open.

Is that a hamster he sees in the corner of his living room?

Give Me a P (E-T-T-Y)

(Aka part two of Stephanie Brown and Her Adventurous Adventures of Sass)

Stephanie Brown would like to take this moment to say she is not a petty person at all. She took all things with maturity, so when Damian Wayne commented on her chest one too many times, she did not slap him.

She dumped a layer of itching powder onto the suit he had to wear for the Wayne Gala.

Definitely not childish.

“Is it covered to filth?” She whispers over at Cassandra, whose disguising skills far outpaced her own.

Cassandra only nodded, absentmindedly rubbing more on.

Steph bit back a grin.

Boy, she was so forcing Tim to take her to that gala.

As it turned out, she didn’t even need to force Tim, the sweet little boy already asked her, dress, flowers, and all.

…in her dreams.

He had just grunted at her when she informed him she was coming.

Chivalry was clearly still alive and kicking.

Man really brings her back to her prom.

The prom she never went to, but that’s not the point.

He was even kind enough to let her borrow (steal) his card.

And if her dress was just a tad bit unrealistically expensive, well that’s just because she really like the dress. Not at all because he ticked her off.

And if she accidentally spread some false rumors about him, it was only accidental.

Stephanie bit back laughter as she watched Damian stand ramrod straight, his nails digging into his palms.

Her gala expedition was going quite well actually, she’s been behaving herself. This time, she’s only ticked off three-fourths of the room.

Okay so perhaps if was a little more.

Like three and a half-fourths or something.

Maybe she was taking too much pleasure in this.

“Oh my god,” Dick whispered horrified next to her, shoulders shaking. “What is he doing?”

Nah.

Stephanie had to lift her glass to hide her laughter from seeing an intoxicated man ran around in his date’s heels.

“Steeeeeeph” She turns to see Tim making a (crooked) beeline for her.

Wow. She had no idea her boyfriend had that much to drink.

“Heeeeeeey Steeeeeeph,” he slurs, slumping onto her.

Alright so maybe she spiked his drink.

But only a little bit! How was she supposed to know he was lightweight?

“Hi, sweetie. Had a little too much to drink?”

“There’s a unicorn over there… It’s fur looks so soft… I wanna pet it… Come back!”

Like any good girlfriend, she dragged him back home, tucked him in, and cuddled up next to him.

But not before she documented everything on Snapchat.

God she loved these things. Why did Bruce hate them so much?

“Stephanie?” Tim’s groggy morning voice wrapped itself around her.

God she loved that voice. She loved that voice, she loved the boy, and she loved the ridiculous bedhead that she was busy taking pictures of and sending to Jason.

“Stephanie.” He starts pulling off the covers, and she squeaked, running off.

She’s faster, but he knows the layout better, and he’s quickly on her heels.

Stephanie squeals when she feels arms wrap around her, fingers scrambling to remove the muscled arms around her.

So maybe she didn’t put as much effort into it as possible.

Tim buries his head into her shoulder and sleepily kisses her neck.

“Got you.”

Tim Meets Ice Skating

Tim follows a specific schedule.

At 6, he gets up, gets dressed, and brushes his teeth.

At 6:30, he runs out of the house to go to work at Wayne Industries with a cup of coffee in hand. At the age of 17, he’s their youngest official worker (and he basically runs the company.)

At 12:30, he stops for a quick lunch break.

At 7, he saves all changes and leaves the building.

And at 7:30, he goes to one of the many indoor ice rinks of Gotham owned by Oswald Cobblepot. And he’s not there to skate, Time doesn’t even like skating.

No, he’s there for the blonde skater who’s always there at 7:30 helping kids out.

She’s certainly not the best skater there (but this rink is for enjoyment, not professionals), but she’s the only one who’s has that positivity just radiating off of her. She’s the only one who truly looks content, just skating gracefully while the other groups whiz by her, laughing and cheering. She’s the only one who doesn’t laugh when a kid falls but squats in front of them, coaxing them to skate, gently leading them through the rink.

She’s the only one he’s there to see.

Tim first saw her when Dick dragged him and the rest of the family there, insisting that they go for “family bonding” and “joy that can only come from gliding on ice.”

Jason had told him he was full of shit, and Tim agreed whole-heartedly.

When he did go though, he saw the blonde skating by herself and nearly fainted.

The light had been hitting her at just the right angle, highlighting her cheekbones and showing off the contours of her face. She moved languidly, legs gracefully gliding on top of the ice and no Dick he was not staring.

Somehow, he’d learned that she comes around at 7:30, there to skate by herself but also willing to help the little kids out.

Those times when she does help the children skate, compassion written on her face, they’re nice to watch. But his favorite times are when she’s left alone to skate. There, she starts to loosen up, relaxing until a small smile graces upon he face and she moves freely, like there’s not a trouble in the world.

He’s content to just watch her on the side as she laughs and spins.

But she’s not.

“Hey you, what’s the deal?” She snaps, glaring at him from the rink. “You’ve been watching me skate for weeks. Do you have anything to say?”

Blue, he realizes, staring at her. He’s never been this close to her before. Her eyes were blue, like the sky on days where clouds are nowhere to be seen and there’s a light breeze and-

“Well?” She demands, eyebrows arching. “Are you going to answer me?”

Tim flushes and offers her a flustered compliment on her skating (it stills earns him a smile though, and Tim goes him that day with spirits soaring.)

Afterwards, she always makes sure to greet him with a cheery “hello” and a blinding smile. They’d sit on the side together and just talk, first about ice skating, then about their day, their lives, their families.

Tim would watch her talk, her hands moving animatedly, her cheeks flushed, and feel this unknown sensation bubble up in his chest.

He’d still come everyday, watching her skate. She got a little more daring, executing more spins and jumps than normal (he’s not complaining, strangely enough he finds himself liking the way her legs flex, her back arch, her arms stretch.)

He loves seeing the delight and cheer on her face when she perfects a spin (his favorite is when she mastered the flying sit spin, she was so excited that she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. He went home with his head in the clouds.)

It’s December 31st and he’s walking by the ice rink when he notices the light inside (he’s pretty sure the ice rink shouldn’t be open on New Year’s Eve). He’s surprised to see Steph there, getting ready to start a spin before the door slams close.

She starts and her feet come out beneath her, crashing onto the floor.

Tim is by her side in seconds, gently helping her up and spewing out apologies faster than she can understand.

He pulls her up, careful to not hurt her and she stands up and oh.

She’s close to him. Like, really close. Like if he just tilted his head he’d be able to kiss her close.

Like Steph standing on her tiptoes and pressing her lips up against his mouth close. Like Tim kissing back with all he’s got while fireworks herald in the new year close. Like Tim’s hands sliding down to fit perfectly onto her hips close.

They break apart, breathing heavily.

“Happy New Year Tim,” Steph whispers, gently leaning up to kiss his lips one more time before walking away, humming one song or another.

Tim just stands there, dazed.

@time-to-hit-the-clouds personally I think Bruce noticed that 13-year-old Dick had noticed Barbara and was like “hah AS IF” and “you’re waaaay too young, chum”

“Bruce shut up I don’t know what you’re even talking about”

[cue Bruce’s “dad face”] 😏

And it’s kind of true, Dick know Babs is pretty but he doesn’t really think about it too much. Bruce is safe.

But then. 

Dick turns 18. 

He notices Barbara. NOTICES notices. 

Barbara notices him noticing her. 

And doesn’t mind. 

[cue flirting] 😘🤗

Bruce minds. 

And DAMNIT, why did they have to pull this over on him now?? Bruce can’t hate Barbara! She’s been around way too long!!!

[cue Bruce’s brooding/sulking while Dick and Babs flirt in the background] 

😑 … 😚😌

Bruce makes a vow. No more Batgirls.

He wasn’t banking on a Spoiler. 

Special Place

5 More Things That Never Happened to Stephanie Brown

Part two of 5 things that never happened to Stephanie.

1. The Even Number Robins When the doors of her cell blow down and a guy in a red helmet comes in guns blaring, mouth swearing, the first thought that pops up in Steph’s mind isn’t cool entrance or even damn, this guy’s ripped.

She’s not thinking any coherent thought actually, just that she’s never coming back to Japan.

But those thoughts kind of disappeared when the guy stepped in front of her and snorts, “Who the fuck are you?”

And so, the even numbered screw up robins meet.

Her last regret before she dies is that she’s eaten less than a thousand waffles her entire life.

She likes to think she snorts back something smart but to be honest, she’s a little out of it so maybe her account is a little skewed up.

But the basics are there and that’s what matters.

Then he takes her somewhere and gets her healed and tells her to enjoy the couch, he’s taking the bed.

Who says chivalry is dead?

And years later, when she’s calling him, warbling a heeeeeey Jacion and he’s picking up with a sigh and a grunt and plea to have her extracted from his life, she knows that they’ve really formed a bond.

2. Harmony Stephanie remembers when she had a voice.

When she would skip around and laugh and joke and words would fall from her lips like water drops and all gone all gone.

Stephanie remembers when her father took them all away.

Stephanie remembers the fear, Stephanie remembers the smell of beer, Stephanie remembers the jeers.

Stephanie remembers when she had harmony.

Stephanie remembers mute mute mute.

Stephanie remembers ugly and clashing and anger and warring emotions and then.

Stephanie remembers the blue eyed boy who brought so much light into her life, who made her smile like no other, who helped her find harmony again.

When Stephanie finally steps up onto the stage to play her piano piece, her eyes only see Tim.

And when she allows her fingers to gently rest upon the keys and create a flowing melody, she remembers Tim gently encouraging her to keep playing.

When she’s done and breathing heavily and smiling with absolute delight and applause is ringing all around her–

She only sees Tim.

(Years late she’ll sit him down and start playing, placing all her emotions into the song until Tim hugs her and repeats her message back to her ten times over and she leans up and he leans down and she learns another form of harmony.

IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou)

3. Beware the Spoiler Batgirl was hers. But with her legs out of commission, Batgirl is a distant spot in the horizon.

It’s time to move on. It’s time for a new name.

She’s always liked Spoiler.

Years later when she’s ruthlessly hacking into Jason’s phone and Tim’s games and Dick’s laptop and Lex Luthor’s company, she gets a grim feel of delight as countless of people are stumped by the Spoiler.

4. Meet the Family “Are you nervous?” Tim asks her gently, as he guided her up the stairs.

“I’m about to meet my boyfriend’s family, who just happen to be one of the richest families in the world, and could buy my family without blinking an eye. No. I am not nervous. In fact, I am the epitome of not nervous,” Steph rambled, apprehensive. She knew she shouldn’t have gone for the shy boy sitting in the corner, reading.

Tim just laughs and guides her gently in and she pretends that she’s not clinging onto Tim’s hand like a lifeline.

Years later, when she screaming after Damian and chasing after Jason to get her phone back, she wonders how she could have ever been scared of them.

(And when Tim finally kneels on one knee and pulls out a ring, the only answer bursting from her lips is yes yes always.)

5. Hope Shines Bright Stephanie Brown is a dignified ambassador of the Blue Lantern Corp. She does not get angry with a little upstart named Damian makes fun of her chest, she does not throw a car at Sinestro Corp Bruce when he angers her, and her heart does not skip a beat when Green Lantern Tim Drake smiles at her.

(But damn his eyes are so blue and his muscles are just-)

She does not blush when Tim presents her with a flower, she does not get distracted by his mouth when he’s talking, and she does not feel warm inside when he wraps her up in his arms after pulling her out of the way from a life threatening hit.

She does not feel ecstatic when she and Tim are partnered up, her heart does not speed up whenever he tenderly dresses her wounds, she does not feel warm fuzzies remembering that she makes him stronger.

Stephanie is in denial and very much in love.