#but also this is based off my distaste for those jarred cherries

[ahfrickenfrick]

tim grew up being shoved into a box, and being a people pleaser

so he will genuinely sit and be uncomfortable if he thinks it’s what’s supposed to happen

and no one ever really notices, as this was how he’s always been, until dick takes tim to batburger and they get milkshakes

—-

Tim frowns at the cup, full of a freshly made milkshake, whipped cream, and a cherry. The teen takes the cherry and gingerly eats it, clearly making a face of disgust.

“You know you don’t have to eat that if you don’t want to.” Dick says with a sideways grin. Tim cocked his head.

“No? But wouldn’t it be a waste? You just spent money and took me out after a rough night. And I know you used your own cash and not B’s. I can’t waste this.”

The older vigilante let his smile drop into a small frown, looking out to the skyline. “I know, but a little waste won’t hurt. Especially if it’s bringing you discomfort. Tossing a cherry isn’t going to hurt my feelings or my wallet. You deserve a space to feel safe and comfortable to have an opinion and a say, even over something as minuscule as a cherry.”

Tim frowned and took a sip of his milkshake. “I’ll…. I’ll keep that in mind.”

———

It takes a lot to break Tim out of the cycle of everyone else’s comfort. Soon he’s picking at his food and not forcing everything down.

He’s putting in his opinion for movie nights, and suggesting recipes to Alfred.

Tim’s also now giving his input to Bruce, and taking initiative on patrol and cases, even solving a few old cases the dark knight couldn’t crack.

He’s grown a lot, shoving and pushing at the sides of the box that was hand crafted around him until it collapses.