(no subject)

[secondchances]

Hi! So, um. Please don't freak out that I'm not at home. There's sort of a situation. A very awkward situation. Seems like I get a round two of baby week.

... with Ezio. [The most awkward laugh.]

What a sense of humor the castle has, right?

[Crickets chirp, pretty much.]

I'll probably be hanging out over here, in my old room at the castle, since it's closer to them. Ezio isn't really single parent material.

...

[THIS IS SUPER AWKWARD okay she'll just stop here.]

Comments

[dorkwonder]

[Really, castle? Really? After the month he's had, it's like the castle has to throw in one last jab. He can imagine Ezio going on and on about it, trying to use having a baby with Steph as a way to rile him up later.

But Tim is done with the castle dictating how he's feeling and causing a divide. He told Steph he was going to make an effort, he's going to make an effort.]

Yeah, it does.

[His voice sounds annoyed, but not angry. He's not going to make a huge deal about it, when there's an innocent child involved. Unlike Ezio, he doesn't want to subject a child to tense and unfair circumstances.]

Alright, I'll stop by during the evening.

[secondchances]

[Tim's reactions to Ezio things have been... surprising, to say the least. She expected a lot more moodiness, and a lack of visiting. She's not so sure she'd want to see Tim's baby with someone else.]

I'd like that.

You can join me in kicking the walls.

Filter only Steph.

[dorkwonder]

[All of that's there, Tim's just tired of letting Ezio come between him and the two people he cares about the most. Ezio's just not worth the headache. As long as Steph keeps him on a leash, Tim's planning on keeping his distance.]

When this is done, you should spend some quality girl time or whatever with Cass. I can tell she misses you a lot. I mean, the other day you said you'd be there soon after me and that didn't happen.

Tim

[secondchances]

I know. I've really been dropping the ball.

I'll make it up to her.

Steph.

[dorkwonder]

In the mean time, I'll keep her company. Maybe I can do something with her as Red Robin. [Cass has already been suiting up when he's been gone.]

Tim.

[secondchances]

She'd love that. Save some of the adventure for me, though. We'll have to do some Batgirls vs. Red Robin rooftop tag, soon.

And, about all of this... I don't know what to say. [She wants to apologize, but it's not really her fault.]

Steph.

[dorkwonder]

Definitely.

Honestly, Steph. I really don't want to talk about it. There's nothing that can be done about it. [And if he thinks about it too long, he'll only end up making himself jealous.]

I'll stay with you in the evening and you can do whatever during the day. [Pretty sure Ezio will try and sneak in some bedtime cuddles and that's not happening.]

Tim.

[secondchances]

I get it. [Never telling Tim how Ezio sleeps in the nude.]

I'm sure Ezio will want to do his own thing, too, so I can probably get him to alternate baby days with me. If you want to hang out or get lunch or something.

Steph.

[dorkwonder]

We'll talk more then.

[Working out sounds great right about now. He's feeling the urge to punch something.

Tim.

[secondchances]

[HATES IT WHEN HE DOES THIS.]

Love you, Tim.

[See? Him! The boyfriend! Not Ezio! GET IT STRAIGHT, CASTLE.

She also likes to remind him because this is really stressful on a relationship. Yikes.]

Steph.

[dorkwonder]

[DOES NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT HIS GIRLFRIEND HAVING A KID WITH SOME OTHER GUY. ESPECIALLY ONE HE CAN'T STAND TO BEGIN WITH.]

I love you, too, Steph.

[And then he leaves to go punch all the things.]

timeskip action

[secondchances]

[Well, that's not the best way to leave things, but she's got to train Ezio in infant care. It's a long day, but eventually it's evening, and Steph hopes Tim shows up soon. She waits in her room.]

[dorkwonder]

[Tim spends the majority of the day training in various places, including jogging through the city for a good two hours. After a cool shower and quick bite to eat, he's ready to head to the castle.

He's not entirely sure how he'll feel once he gets there, but he knows he'll feel worse if he avoids her and stays away from the castle.

Twenty or so minutes later, there's a knock on her door.]

[hellofist]

[Why would she worry about you not coming home? You NEVER come home anymore, Cass is starting accept it. She's also very glad for the first time ever that journals don't show faces.

She's also glad that the only one to see Cass get excited over hearing Stephanie's voice only to realize it was coming from her journal and not the front door was Ace.]

Okay. Tell Ezio... what you say, when babies come.

Cass

[secondchances]

[She doesn't need to see Cass' face to know she done effed up. She hasn't been very attentive to Cass, lately.]

I was thinking that after this is over, you and me can do something fun. Just the two of us.

Stephanie

[hellofist]

Should probably... focus on Tim.

[She can't imagine any of this has been very good for their relationship.]

Cass

[secondchances]

I think he'd rather have some space. [You know how he his.]

I haven't spent a lot of time with you, lately.

Stephanie

[hellofist]

[Yes, she has noticed this lack of Stephtime :|]

It's okay. Busy with baby.

Cass

[secondchances]

It's no excuse. I'm really sorry, Cass.

Stephanie

[hellofist]

[It's impossible not to feel jealous over all this. Tim and now Ezio are getting all this time with Stephanie and Cass hasn't even seen her in a week. She'd gotten too used to being with Steph all the time and now she's starting to think maybe that's not a good thing.]

Focus on baby. Won't have it long.

Cass

[secondchances]

[Serious in the dog house this time. What up, Ace.]

You should come over, then.

Stephanie

[hellofist]

[Tempting...]

Not my baby.

Cass

[secondchances]

You're technically Aunt Cass, but it's fine if it's too weird. I'm pretty weirded out myself.

Stephanie

[hellofist]

Baby part's not weird. Not aunt, though.

[She's already had the "ant vs aunt" conversation with Tim and the "oh my god don't say I'm related to Stephanie" conversation with Ezio, so her tone might sound a little strained there.]

Cass

[secondchances]

Not aunt?