Asking Tim not to notice even the smallest of changes was like asking a wolf not to hunt. His skilled eye was innate, honed by years of training under Bruce. Even if he hadn't seen that there was something off with Jason's facial expression, the sudden shift from wanting to be bought a drink to avoiding alcohol set off a red flag in Tim's brain. The pink skin and the steam from his hair hair didn't get past him, either. Pieces started to click together in his brain and the only conclusion he could arrive at was that something had gone wrong between his shower and the one Jason took. To the point that the ability for the rest of their night to be tolerable was hanging on by a thread.
His first instinct was to get the hell out of dodge. Emotions? Talking through things? Neither were Tim's strong suit. He wasn't Dick Grayson, couldn't go around hugging everyone too tight and demanding they say how they feel. Despite that, though, he didn't try to make an excuse to leave or bite his lip and following along silently. He wasn't timid or a fragile little waif unable to handle situations head on when the need called for it. A Robin who acted that way was bound to have been eaten alive.
Jason was unhappy with him. Had he realized that Tim had been close to leaning in for a kiss and felt disgusted? God, he didn't want to believe that. If the kiss thing was mostly in his head anyway, maybe Jason hadn't even realized it almost happened. It was about the bandaging, then. Tim must have misunderstood what he perceived as them having bonded and overstepped a line Jason felt was important. Fine. He could handle this. Then the rest of the night would go smoother.
The younger of the two steeled himself, took a breath and set his shoulders. "Honestly, I'd rather have a Zesti, but that's not the point." One of his hands waved as if brushing that off. Anxiety fizzled through his veins, but that was hardly a new feeling for him. He'd survive. "Jason, if you're mad about me helping bandage you, I--" A small snort, because he wasn't about to lie to try to make things easier. "I'm not going to apologize for it. I know I probably should have waited for you to say it was okay, but you needed help. If we're going to work together on things, you have to be willing to let me lend a hand. I know you don't like me much, but I want you to feel like you can trust me." At the last bit, his voice softened.
babyyy :< meanwhile, tim: https://i.imgur.com/bGFAK1T.jpeg
His first instinct was to get the hell out of dodge. Emotions? Talking through things? Neither were Tim's strong suit. He wasn't Dick Grayson, couldn't go around hugging everyone too tight and demanding they say how they feel. Despite that, though, he didn't try to make an excuse to leave or bite his lip and following along silently. He wasn't timid or a fragile little waif unable to handle situations head on when the need called for it. A Robin who acted that way was bound to have been eaten alive.
Jason was unhappy with him. Had he realized that Tim had been close to leaning in for a kiss and felt disgusted? God, he didn't want to believe that. If the kiss thing was mostly in his head anyway, maybe Jason hadn't even realized it almost happened. It was about the bandaging, then. Tim must have misunderstood what he perceived as them having bonded and overstepped a line Jason felt was important. Fine. He could handle this. Then the rest of the night would go smoother.
The younger of the two steeled himself, took a breath and set his shoulders. "Honestly, I'd rather have a Zesti, but that's not the point." One of his hands waved as if brushing that off. Anxiety fizzled through his veins, but that was hardly a new feeling for him. He'd survive. "Jason, if you're mad about me helping bandage you, I--" A small snort, because he wasn't about to lie to try to make things easier. "I'm not going to apologize for it. I know I probably should have waited for you to say it was okay, but you needed help. If we're going to work together on things, you have to be willing to let me lend a hand. I know you don't like me much, but I want you to feel like you can trust me." At the last bit, his voice softened.