The Batpoint Paradox

World's Awkwardest Dinner

*Tim

Kon ambushed me as I stepped into the apartment I'd been going out of my way to avoid, I internally cursed, I'd thought he would be with the team so I could sneak in and out unnoticed on my clean clothes mission. Jason's place didn't have a laundry room and I needed clean underwear, curse my good hygiene!

I was stiff as he pulled me into a tight hug, well tight for my standards, he was likely only using a fraction of his strength, a thought that really should have alarmed me, but didn't. My body relaxed into his arms seemingly of it's own accord, the soft sigh that slipped past my lips also occurred without my permission, not that kon minded though if his fond chuckle was anything to go by. 

He kissed the top of my head, not yet releasing me from his hold,

"I've missed you baby, I've barely seen you lately, between your family and my work stuff I can't remember the last time we did something together."

I breathed deep, keeping my heart from speeding up at his words, as I reminded myself that he was just pointing out our lack of time together, not questioning me about it. Thankfully with him being so preoccupied with trying to catch my brothers and I he hadn't had the time to question or worry about why I was still spending so much time with the sick Aunt I'd never mentioned, small miracles. 

I hummed into his chest in response, hating myself for not wanting him to let me go.

"So I was hoping that since you're home and all, maybe we could go out, I'm supposed to get dinner with Cassie and Bart tonight, I was thinking it would be really nice if you could meet my friends? I can't believe we've been together so long and I've never introduced you, I feel like a crappy boyfriend, I know you'll all get along, I can just feel it, It'd really mean a lot to me Tim."

My breath hitched at his suggestion, there were so many reasons saying yes would be a terrible idea, bet yet somehow, tucked into his chest, hearing his earnest request, I just couldn't bring myself to shut him down.

"Okay." I murmured softly. 

I could feel his smile even without seeing it, and then suddenly I was in the air, his strong arms twirling me in small circles in his excitement, a giggle bubbled up in my chest as he spun me around like a princess. 

I was disappointed when he set me back down, but I quickly shoved the emotion down, I had no right to feel this way, he wasn't mine, not really.

Masking my feeling with a fake smile I turned toward the bathroom,

"Well if we're going out then I should shower and change, what time is dinner?"

He grinned, oblivious to my inner turmoil,

"Seven, we're meeting at that sushi place downtown with the Miso soup you like, you go shower, I'm gonna call and adjust the reservation."

I flashed another small smile before retreating to the safety of the bathroom. This was going to be an ah, interesting , evening.

                                                                                         ...

Introducing myself to two of my best friends was a surreal experience, not to mention a somewhat painful one as well, I knew everything about them, while even the few things they now knew about me weren't even true. I was seeing the other half of our core-four, two people who I had been to hell and back with, who I'd basically grown up with, from founding Young Just-Us, to becoming teen titians, loosing everything and somehow getting it back. I'd been there with them during the best and the worst times of their lives, and they'd been there for mine, even when Bart was gone, he was still there with me. I'd carried him in my heart the same way I had held onto Kon during that dark terrible time when I'd thought I had lost everything. That time when it was just me and Cassie, both trying desperately to keep each other from drowning, when she was the only thing keeping my head above water and my feet on the ground.