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Tim was trying to figure out a way to be more affectionate. Mostly for Dick's sake. He was always the one reaching out for hugs, shoulder pats and hair ruffles.
The idea of doing any of those things himself made Tim anxious. Sure, Dick Grayson could get away with reaching out to someone that way, but Tim? No. It's just not something he could pull off.
But Tim wanted a way to reciprocate Dick's affection. To show that it was both wanted and appreciated. But he had never been raised to be physically affectionate. Or affectionate in any way. So it was difficult to find a way to show it.
So Tim, in all his desperation, did the thing he swore not to do when it came to social interaction.
He Googled it.
Ways to show physical affection to someone you love:
Hugs
Massages
Snuggles
Cheek kisses.
Cheek kisses.
Tim sat up straight in his desk chair. This was perfect.
Cheek kisses were quick, efficient, non-invasive and most importantly of all, physically affectionate.
Tim would implement them into his interactions with Dick.
He'd have to draw up a chart to measure their success rate. A pie chart would be ideal to start with, he'd change it to a bar chart or a line chart depending on the results.
Either way, it seemed like an ideal way to return the affection Tim treasured so much.
He would start the cheek kisses on Wednesday.
Nothing could go wrong.
-
Or nothing would, if Tim was any good with timing outside of business, battles or patrol.
He wasn't.
-
Dick didn’t visit the Cave with the sole intention of arguing with Bruce. It just happened. Because Bruce was an asshole.
And it had fallen to Dick to be the one to tell him so. In many loud, creative ways.
So here Dick was, yelling at Bruce who was growling back in that stupid Batman voice of his.
White, hot rage was clouding Dick's vision. This was gearing up to be one of their bad fights. The kind they had before Bruce took Robin from him.
Dick's chest tightened as his lips parted to say something that he'd truly regret.
Before a soft pair of lips pressed against his cheek, then disappeared so quickly that Dick was almost sure he'd imagined it. If it weren't for Bruce's fractionally wide eyes, Dick would think he had.
Slowly, he turned his head to the side. Tim was there, smiling in that sweet, reserved way of his. Dick's lips pulled up into a grin before he could think to do otherwise.
Tim walked back to the Batcomputer as if nothing had happened.
Dick touched his cheek, smiling absently. His chest has lost that angry, tight feeling and was light with a happiness he hadn't felt in a while.
His babybird was reaching out.
Dick skipped past Bruce and went to cuddle Tim by the Batcomputer.
-
Dick had come round to spend the day with Tim. They spent most of that day sparring since Tim didn't understand the concept of a day off.
He was lucky he was cute, otherwise Dick would just drag him out for ice cream.
Dick managed to pin Tim down - it was getting harder every time - Tim grinned up at him in that unhinged way every Robin had done at some point.
Then he leaned forward, Dick automatically moved his head, no way was he getting headbutted. Tim's lips landed on his nose and he frowned.
"Stop moving." Tim demanded, like the bossy brat he was. He kissed Dick's cheek before nodding approvingly and staring up at Dick expectantly. "Spar?" He said pointedly, as if Dick was the one who paused everything.
Dick laughed and pulled Tim into his octopus hold instead. His precious pie deserved snuggles.
-
To say that Dick’s relationship with Jason was difficult would be to say that a ship's relationship with a kraken was complicated.
In other words, they were fighting once more. As if they had ever stopped since the day they met.
Dick's blood boiled, he clenched his fists, not sure if it was to stop himself from swinging at Jason or preparing himself to do so.
Then a familiar pair of lips pressed against his cheek which had Dick blinking, dazed.
He heard Tim hum happily from beside him and every rough edge that had appeared during the argument, melted.
Dick smiled softly at Tim who was staring at him with ruffled hair and hopeful eyes.
"What the fuck?" Jason's voice sounded more confused then angry.
Tim's brow creased in confusion, his eyes losing that hopeful glint in favour of something more nervous, cautious. "Am I not supposed to...?"
Which, no. No way in hell was Dick letting anyone take this from them.
His baby was reaching out, for the first time ever. Dick would kiss Two-Face before letting that be discouraged in any way.
Dick gave Jason a flat stare. Which just confused his Little Wing even more.
He reluctantly leaned forward and kissed Jason on the cheek. Somehow, not getting his jaw broken for it.
When he pulled back, Jason stared at him as if he was one of those pod people conspiracy theorists went on about.
"We'll talk later." Dick said, trying to save face. He couldn’t let Tim realise that this wasn't exactly normal in American culture.
Dick looked back at Tim who's face was relaxed and sure again. He pulled his tiny tot into his side and lead him away from Jason before he thought to blab.
-
Dick was practicing with his new wing-dings in the Cave. They were lighter then the last ones, so he had to account for speed and balance before going out with them.
Tim darted up to him, kissed his cheek then walked back to Bruce who he had been discussing some serial robber case with.
"Tim," Bruce's eyes darted between them, his voice holding that tone he used before he ruined a good thing. "You know that kissing someone on the cheek-"
Dick glared. Hell no.
Bruce ducked out of the way of a stray wing-ding that flew at him.
Dick shrugged when they both looked at him. "Oops. My bad." He said, not sounding all that contrite.
Bruce grunted. "As I was saying, you shouldn't l-"
Another wing-ding flew in his direction, missing him by a hair.
Bruce glared. "Dick."
Dick blinked innocently. "These things must be unbalanced." He said.
Tim gave him a sympathetic look. Like the perfect, innocent angel he was. Then he turned back to look at Bruce, the unaffectionate furry masquerading as a father figure. "What were you saying, B?"
Nothing worthwhile. Dick wanted to say.
He made sure to loudly unsheath his wing-ding when Bruce's lips parted to speak.
Bruce sighed. "Where are you on the Hopkin's case?"
Dick slowly put away the wing-ding.
-
Tim was sleeping on Dick's shoulder. All Dick wanted to do was rest his head on top of his tiny tots and rest with him. But alas, after this shitshow of a family meeting, Dick needed to make a statement.
See, when Tim gave Dick his usual cheek kiss in greeting, three people went to say something.
It was only Dick's too wide smile and unblinking eyes that dissuaded them. Either way, it was too close.
So, once Dick had aggressively snuggled Tim into a stable REM sleep, he decided to speak up.
He intended to be level headed, sensible and calm.
Then Bruce grunted.
"I don't want to break the no kill rule, but I will if you all keep testing me." Was what came out. His voice was just a little too light and his smile just a tad too hollow.
Bruce and Jason seemed resigned. Cass, Barbara and Duke nodded at him with amused smiles. Alfred actually seemed approving. And Steph smirked knowingly.
"Who knew cheek kisses were all it takes to turn Nightwing into knife wing?" She said.
"Why use a knife when Tim has clean cut contingencies for all of you?" Dick grinned, though it felt more like baring his teeth.
Funnily enough, no one had anything to say afterwards.
-
Later, when Tim woke up, he gave Dick three cheek kisses in a row before snuggling into his arms.
"You have no idea how precious you are, do you?" Dick cooed, ruffling his hair.
Tim just smiled and kissed his cheek again.