Batfamily One Shots.

Lights Down Low

How Tim and Steph met in this universe.

Set before Train Wreck, another story I'm writing. It's somewhere on my profile.

...

Yes I made them meet differently. I already screwed up the rest of the timeline in Train Wreck, why not this too? This was lots of fun to write.

Title based off the song, Lights Down Low by MAX featuring gnash.

Warnings for bullies. And also gross guys and a mild panic attack.
This is Gotham ya'll. Just be prepared.

.....

Steph grunted as she punched the guy in the gut, scowling bitterly as he slit her thigh with a knife. 

"You disgusting pervert! Leave me alone!!" She kicked him in the balls before turning and running into an alleyway, ducking behind a trashcan. 

She panted as she examine the cut. Deep, but as long as she dealt with it well enough and quickly enough, she should be okay. 

In theory. 

"Are you okay? That looks like it hurt." A voice said from above her. Steph shrieked and grabbed the closest object to her before slamming it into the guy's face. 

A boy around her age groaned as he clutched his face. "Damn, I'm sorry! I just wanted to help!" 

Steph blanched, her breath quickening as she looked at the boy in front of her. He was obviously rich, if the camera meant anything, and she'd just hit him in the face with a brick.

Oh, God, she's going to jail, isn't she? She can't go to jail, her mom needs her! And she has to be at home to spoil her dad's plans. Oh no oh no ohnohnohnohnohnohno

"Hey, hey calm down." a gentle voice called out as a heavy weight settled on her shoulder. "You're alright. Come back, come back. It's okay. I won't hurt you. I promise." 

Oddly enough, Steph didn't want to attack this kid for touching her. Usually if someone found her having a panic attack she'd punch them if they got near. 

But this wasn't like that.

This felt different.

Safe. 

Steph blinked, mind running a mile a minute as she finally focused on the boy. He had black hair and blue eyes and was obviously small. He seemed to be being eaten by the sweater he was wearing.

He was so adorably cute and she wasn't sure what she felt about that. 

"Hi." He said with a small smile. "Are you back?" 

"Back?" Steph asked, her voice cracked with emotion. 

The boy nodded. "Yeah. Your eyes glazed over. You were having a panic attack. Are you alright now?" 

Steph nodded, clearing her throat. "Yeah, yeah I'm good." 

She ignored the raised eyebrow of disbelief he sent her way.

"If you say so. Is your leg okay? It's bleeding really badly. It must hurt." he was sitting beside her now, keeping a respectful distance but close enough if she needed support. 

Steph wasn't sure what to say. It's not every day you hit a cute rich kid in the face with a brick in a dark alleyway in Crime Alley and he's more worried about you then himself.