[ It's been quite easy for Tim to get lost in his own world, in more ways than one. One way being his rich internal life, the constant meditations on his own mortality, his relationship with violence, and doing what it takes to exact justice while honoring Bruce's values: whatever Tim considers, in his mind, the best of Batman. The other way is understanding the very world he inhabits, rife with spectacular superheroics and outlandish dangers-- the kind that Ann, even in her own exploits, has never seen. For all the similarities of sneakiness and subterfuge that guide their lives, it's the substantial differences that Ann and Tim must navigate.
That they must reconcile.
Tim's near-death experience has a way of bringing all that to the surface.
"You don't have to do it his way," she says. That'll stick with him. Might make for a good strategy against Ra's Al Ghul if he ever becomes a problem...
But anyway.
He's not surprised by how difficult it is to get Ann to trust him. To really trust him. This isn't his first rodeo of this sort, of him making excuses and justifications, promises to be better... only for none of it to pan out. Just ask Steph. Part of him's not even sure how much of this he means. He's unsure how quickly he might renege on his words as soon as he happens upon a lead, or a lead happens upon him. All he knows is that as far as conflicts go, their opposing views on the mission is one that might last. Short of dying, he may never understand how far is too far when it comes to pushing himself. For all that Bruce and Dick have taught him, this is probably a lesson someone like Ann isn't grateful for.
Doesn't take a great detective to see that, though. ]
...I don't know what I can say to ease your mind.
Because I know it's all about what I do.
[ He speaks now that he's safely nestled on the bed, from which he looks up at Ann with a troubled expression. Brows furrowed in some sort of self-conscious worry. ]
So... I'll tell you what. I am a detective. I'm all about proof.
If you need evidence to trust that I won't do this again, then so be it. The burden of proof is on me.
But for the time being, can you just... come here? Stay with me?
[ He's trying to think, now, of a way to ameliorate proceedings. A way of doing so without undermining previous words. ]
I've got a theory that cuddling makes everything hurt less. Consider this an invitation to... gather evidence.
no subject
That they must reconcile.
Tim's near-death experience has a way of bringing all that to the surface.
"You don't have to do it his way," she says. That'll stick with him. Might make for a good strategy against Ra's Al Ghul if he ever becomes a problem...
But anyway.
He's not surprised by how difficult it is to get Ann to trust him. To really trust him. This isn't his first rodeo of this sort, of him making excuses and justifications, promises to be better... only for none of it to pan out. Just ask Steph. Part of him's not even sure how much of this he means. He's unsure how quickly he might renege on his words as soon as he happens upon a lead, or a lead happens upon him. All he knows is that as far as conflicts go, their opposing views on the mission is one that might last. Short of dying, he may never understand how far is too far when it comes to pushing himself. For all that Bruce and Dick have taught him, this is probably a lesson someone like Ann isn't grateful for.
Doesn't take a great detective to see that, though. ]
...I don't know what I can say to ease your mind.
Because I know it's all about what I do.
[ He speaks now that he's safely nestled on the bed, from which he looks up at Ann with a troubled expression. Brows furrowed in some sort of self-conscious worry. ]
So... I'll tell you what. I am a detective. I'm all about proof.
If you need evidence to trust that I won't do this again, then so be it. The burden of proof is on me.
But for the time being, can you just... come here? Stay with me?
[ He's trying to think, now, of a way to ameliorate proceedings. A way of doing so without undermining previous words. ]
I've got a theory that cuddling makes everything hurt less. Consider this an invitation to... gather evidence.