Tim whoâs a femme boy but not in a âskater skirt and thigh high socksâ kind of way.
No, he was raised by two people who value tradition and fashion, teaching him the ways of old money.
He watched his mother, who worked with woman who married into families and worse low cut dresses and diamond necklaces, hold the same power over men with only her wrist and head bare. He learnt that modesty was as equally powerful as nudity, that a woman could be devastating in any fabric if she out in the work.
Tim has always known he isnât a woman, is comfortable being a man, but by all thatâs natural does he not look at the way they dress and feel longing.
Heâs twelve when he tries one of his motherâs dresses on for the first time.
Itâs far too long, puddling at his feet, but he feels so beautiful in the mossy green fabric. The elbow length sleeves go to his wrist, but it still feels almost scandalous in a way that isnât about the dress being on a boy.
He puts the dress away and begins to buy his own.
Naturally, he doesnât risk his parents ire and keeps them hidden, but with them being gone so long itâs easy for him to spend some time by himself to dress up all he likes.
By the time heâs fourteen and has been around in for a while, heâs managed to go through a few different styles and find what truely feels like him.
He still wears his stupid science shirts and baggy hoodies over his formal dress shirts, itâs just that now he might add a simple long skirt instead of his dirty jeans. He wonât skate in a skirt, only because he doesnât want to damage them and jeans are safer, but he also doesnât leave the house in them for a while.
Itâs not long after heâs recovered from Jasonâs attack, his former idol still having trouble coming to terms with the lies he was told by the LOA, that he decides to see what Bruce thinks.
Ironically, itâs Jason that gave him the confidence.
Jason had made a comment when he was going on his rant to Tim about how Robin shouldnât exist and he should get out, that he was warning the boy he should cut and run from Bruce. All he had said was that he was cutting his life short by being Robin and Tim felt that comment hit him harder than the bullet to his leg.
His time was short, most likely he would die before he got to marry or maybe even graduate (though he was considering dropping out anyway), so why hide?
Tim had been just about to get changed before he left to go see Bruce for a checkup on his mostly healed injuries when he caught his reflection and stopped.
The white shirt he wore was long sleeved and covered his neck, the buttons going up the front made of wood and shaped like hearts. His skirt, a dark brown flannel pattern prove that went just above his ankles, had a corset like fitting at the top that hugged his waist carefully. While he would prefer a more womanly figure, he wasnât going to implement old Victorian body horror to get that.
Tim did go back to his room, but only to put on some simple heeled shoes of brown leather with a gold buckle on the side.
He put on a big shall over his shoulders, picking up his phone and putting on his headphones before he made the walk to Wayne Manor.
As usual, he didnât need to knock as Alfred opened the door.
The man didnât give any inkling as to surprise or shock at Timâs outfit and simple said, âGlad to see you putting some effort into your appearance, Master Timothy.â
The snide comment made Tim relax greatly, quipping back about him being able to wear more than just jeans and t-shirts to the older man. The two talked normally and that made everything feel so much better than some grand speech on Tim accepted who he is.
Dick and Bruce are talking to each other in polite voices, both still a little awkward with each other even if they have gotten better, and both turn to great Tim as he enters the dining room for dinner.
Bruce looks shocked, showing he isnât feeling too much like Batman at the moment, but he covers it up and says nothing and lets Dick speak.
Tim immediately feels stupid as Dick walks up to him with a big smile and opens arms, because Dick Grayson was raised in a circus! If anyone was going to accept âodditiesâ in the family it would be him, âTimmy! Oh my little baby, you look so good! Whatâs the occasion? Oh! Do you have a date?â
His brothers teasing mg tone at the end makes him smile and shove him gently. âNot a date or anything else, I just⌠thought Iâd wear something more my style out for once.â
Dick beamed, hearing the unspoken confession of trust and picking his brother up and spinning him around, âOh, Timmyyyy! My baby, you look so beautiful! You can wear whatever you want, all the time, anywhere! Iâll will straight up eat anyone who has a problem, I swear I will do it, just say the word-â
Bruce finally talks just to cut Dick off, âDick, no âeatingâ anyone who hurts your bother. A lawsuit will surfice.â
Tim canât help but beam at Bruce, knowing full well that those words are his weird way of showing his approval and acceptance. Him being more forward with it would have been nicer, but he was the most fluent in the language of Bruce Wayne outside of Alfred and so he was okay with it.
Dick went to whine, acting like a spoilt child while he secretly raged inside that he was being told not to commit a violent act. Honestly, Tim wasnât sure if it was because it was in defence of his brother or because Dick was always secretly searching for something to get aggressive with.
Tim smiled happily, taking off his shawl and thanking Alfred when he swooped in to take it away for him.
As Tim sat at the table, he felt a peace build in his heart that he hadnât felt⌠well, ever.
