[That's not foreboding at all. But Steph keeps her cool, because if there's one thing she hates, it's feeling as if she doesn't have a grip when Tim is in serious mode.]
[Steph's instincts are serving her well, Tim's got a lot of his mind and none of his thoughts are good ones. However, he's not going to launch into self-righteous mode. Contrary to popular belief at times, he can learn from his mistakes in certain arenas.]
And of course someone comes to mind--Ezio--but she can't say that. So, she shakes her head and offers something else.]
Not sure. But I think they did an entry in the beginning of May. It was about the dead staying dead. Definitely counts as "earlier this year," and my guess would be that they did that entry after committing the murder.
And I'm saying I'm not sure. We're not even entirely positive who lives here at any given moment--and we've had spies amongst us before. [Nice try, Tim.] Who do you have on your list?
[She keeps her hand in his, only pressing her lips together thoughtfully.]
I'll see what he knows.
[Because he'd tell her the truth, right? But she'd like to think that he'd tell her if he committed murder. He knows she doesn't agree with his methods, but... they were close. He wouldn't hide that from her, not for this long.
[Tim's keeping his voice even. What Steph does next will be a testament to a lot of things; their relationship, her beliefs, her role as Batgirl, and ultimately what's really important to her.]
I told you before. I'll deal with him. He knows it, too.
[Sounds easy on paper. It's a little funny, how Tim has his doubts while Ezio has his--he doesn't think she fully understands how he feels about the Borgia if she doesn't support his methods. Neither of her boys felt she was completely on their side. Hilarious.]
I know you will. I haven't forgotten what you told me when I asked what you would do if Ezio ever murdered someone here.
[The look in his eyes says he is going to hold her fully accountable to her answer. At the same time, his eyes also say that he trusts her to do the right thing. Before he wouldn't of, but she's regained his trust during their time together in Paradisa. He hopes that this makes their trust in each other stronger rather than break it apart.]
[While she wants to appreciate that for what it is, she can't help but feel like he wants her to screw up. He wants it to be Ezio. He wants Steph to have to face that dilemma.
Ezio means a lot to her. Her constant friend and companion for almost two years.
She would very much like to sit down and not think for a while.]
[It's not a case of wanting Steph to screw up; it's a case of wanting Steph to see the truth. Dress Ezio up all you want in charms and good looks, it doesn't change the fact that he's a monster.
At least in Tim's eyes he is. There's no other description Tim can think of to describe someone who ruthlessly murders others and feels little to no remorse over it.]
[Quietly walks home, mostly keeping his thoughts to himself. There are a lot of factors to consider with what comes next. One of the most frustrating factors is how limited justice is in Paradisa.
Back home, someone like Ezio would be locked away in Arkham. Ezio and Jason could be cellmates with each other. The two of them would either be the best of friends or tear one and other apart.
In Paradisa...the castle's is ultimately the one in control. Sure, Ezio could get locked up somewhere, but Tim has no doubts that the castle would eventually interfere just to make life difficult on everyone.]
[Eventually she just sort of leans her head on his shoulder as they walk. She doesn't want to think about anything right now... especially if that means wondering what Tim is thinking.]
[By the time the two of them arrive at the apartment, he's worked out most of his thoughts. At least enough to satisfy his brain for the time being. Later on, when he's by himself, he'll come up with a way to make sure justice is served.]
Do you want anything? [Asks as he heads into the kitchen to grab a drink.]
[Busies himself with making a drink, knowing his mind will only keep quiet for so long if he doesn't offer it a distraction. Eventually, he's going to have to tackle another issue that this whole situation brought about;
Has he been neglecting his duties to the city?
His mind is constantly at war between accepting the limitations imposed on him, and feeling like he could and should be doing more.
Joins Steph on the couch a few minutes later, sipping on his Mt. Dew.]
[Steph's not feeling particularly cuddly, but she scoots over to Tim so she can lay down and rest her head on his lap. Hooray for contact without having to look at each other's faces.]
Okay, I'll look into some other leads in the meantime.
[Tim needs to know the truth behind the murder. Did someone really die and not come back? Or did they die, come back, and then shortly disappear there after? Or did something else happen?]
Not as long as it could be. [ Slips his arms underneath her for a moment, partially lifting her so he can pull her back against his chest for a backwards hug.]
[God, he hopes she does the right thing and keeps her word. Otherwise, their relationship's dynamic will completely change, and he's not sure what he'll do if he loses this.]
[That's not too comforting, but Steph shifts so she's sitting on his lap and can slip her arms around his neck, leaning forward to hug him. Yay, more not looking at each other.
[Wraps his arms around her, hugging her tightly. He hates what he's feeling at the moment; vulnerability.
He could try and take the lead in the investigation, but then he'd more or less be telling Steph he doesn't trust her. Rather than doing that, he's taking a step back and putting the ball in her court.]
[Her feelings are already sore and she's not sure if it's because of the (big?) possibility that Ezio's been hiding things from her, or because (she feels) Tim is waiting for her to mess this up. She can't really act on anything until she talks to Ezio. A lot depends on what he says.
She kisses the side of Tim's head and gently runs her fingers through his hair. It would be nice if their relationship got out of this unscathed, but it's too intertwined in Batgirl and Red Robin and a city universes away.]
[Tim uses the silence to imagine a conversation between Dick and himself. If Dick was here with him, Dick would likely suggest that Tim continue to have faith in Steph. Dick would probably bring up some of the mistakes he had made in the past, and offer Tim his unconditional support in moving forward regardless of what happens.
Just when he thought he was finally feeling at home in Paradisa, he finds himself growing resentful all over again. At least the two of them are avoiding eye contact, it allows him to glare off to the side.]
[The urge to go off and brood starts to gnaw away at him. These days, he does a pretty good job of resisting, but since they are sitting around in silence anyway...]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Sure. Where are you?
no subject
no subject
Give me ten and I'll be there.
[And she is.]
no subject
Hey. [Smiles at her.]
Let's go for a walk and talk.
no subject
Tell me what you're thinking, smarty pants.
no subject
I've been thinking about who the anonymous writer is. Have any ideas?
[Watches her closely.]
no subject
And of course someone comes to mind--Ezio--but she can't say that. So, she shakes her head and offers something else.]
Not sure. But I think they did an entry in the beginning of May. It was about the dead staying dead. Definitely counts as "earlier this year," and my guess would be that they did that entry after committing the murder.
no subject
no subject
[Waaait for it...]
no subject
no subject
Go ahead. Say it.
no subject
[There's no point in delaying the inevitable.]
no subject
[She keeps her hand in his, only pressing her lips together thoughtfully.]
I'll see what he knows.
[Because he'd tell her the truth, right? But she'd like to think that he'd tell her if he committed murder. He knows she doesn't agree with his methods, but... they were close. He wouldn't hide that from her, not for this long.
... right?]
no subject
[Tim's keeping his voice even. What Steph does next will be a testament to a lot of things; their relationship, her beliefs, her role as Batgirl, and ultimately what's really important to her.]
And if it is Ezio?
no subject
[Sounds easy on paper. It's a little funny, how Tim has his doubts while Ezio has his--he doesn't think she fully understands how he feels about the Borgia if she doesn't support his methods. Neither of her boys felt she was completely on their side. Hilarious.]
no subject
[The look in his eyes says he is going to hold her fully accountable to her answer. At the same time, his eyes also say that he trusts her to do the right thing. Before he wouldn't of, but she's regained his trust during their time together in Paradisa. He hopes that this makes their trust in each other stronger rather than break it apart.]
no subject
She hates tests.
But she'll do what feels right. That's all she can do, now.]
no subject
Instead of being the one to take charge and look into things, he's stepping back so she can take the lead.
It doesn't get any bigger than this.]
no subject
Ezio means a lot to her. Her constant friend and companion for almost two years.
She would very much like to sit down and not think for a while.]
Let's go home, yeah?
[But at least she's good at mustering up smiles.]
no subject
At least in Tim's eyes he is. There's no other description Tim can think of to describe someone who ruthlessly murders others and feels little to no remorse over it.]
Yeah.
[Leans in to press a kiss against her temple.]
no subject
Let's hope Cass isn't home.]
no subject
Back home, someone like Ezio would be locked away in Arkham. Ezio and Jason could be cellmates with each other. The two of them would either be the best of friends or tear one and other apart.
In Paradisa...the castle's is ultimately the one in control. Sure, Ezio could get locked up somewhere, but Tim has no doubts that the castle would eventually interfere just to make life difficult on everyone.]
no subject
no subject
Do you want anything? [Asks as he heads into the kitchen to grab a drink.]
no subject
[She plops down on the couch as soon as they're in.]
no subject
[Busies himself with making a drink, knowing his mind will only keep quiet for so long if he doesn't offer it a distraction. Eventually, he's going to have to tackle another issue that this whole situation brought about;
Has he been neglecting his duties to the city?
His mind is constantly at war between accepting the limitations imposed on him, and feeling like he could and should be doing more.
Joins Steph on the couch a few minutes later, sipping on his Mt. Dew.]
no subject
no subject
How long do you think things are going to be like this?
no subject
[He could be referring to a lot of things.]
no subject
no subject
[Because in this moment it's a little awkward. They both know why.]
no subject
no subject
I don't know. I'll talk to Ezio as soon as I can. Then we'll go from there.
no subject
[Tim needs to know the truth behind the murder. Did someone really die and not come back? Or did they die, come back, and then shortly disappear there after? Or did something else happen?]
no subject
no subject
no subject
Right now, or in general?
no subject
[God, he hopes she does the right thing and keeps her word. Otherwise, their relationship's dynamic will completely change, and he's not sure what he'll do if he loses this.]
no subject
She can't help but want to comfort him.]
no subject
He could try and take the lead in the investigation, but then he'd more or less be telling Steph he doesn't trust her. Rather than doing that, he's taking a step back and putting the ball in her court.]
no subject
She kisses the side of Tim's head and gently runs her fingers through his hair. It would be nice if their relationship got out of this unscathed, but it's too intertwined in Batgirl and Red Robin and a city universes away.]
no subject
Just when he thought he was finally feeling at home in Paradisa, he finds himself growing resentful all over again. At least the two of them are avoiding eye contact, it allows him to glare off to the side.]
no subject
no subject
Hey, I'm going to take Ace for a walk.
no subject
I'll probably hit the hay soon.
no subject
I shouldn't be gone for too long, I'll probably join you when I return.
no subject
no subject
[Returns the smile and then collects Ace. Once the two of them step out of the house, his mind switches on brooding mode.]