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Every single one of Tim's movements were perfectly precise, every swipe calculated and every exertion of pressure minuscule. He had to complete his task to the greatest of standards.
"Timmy, relax. Ya doin great. It's just a cake."
"Its not just a cake!" Tim snapped at his brother and accidently flipped a bit of the frosting off of the cake with the tip of his piping bag. He almost cried.
"Okay how bout we switch roles?" Jason suggested while carefully taking the piping bag out of Tim's hands. "Making the sandwiches look nice is way easier than cake decoration." Tim moped but went over to where Jason had been assembling the many sandwiches.
"Make sure it's perfect but still simple, Ives doesn't like super fancy things." Tim reminded.
"Timmy, Ives birthday isn't gonna to fall apart if the cake is slightly off. He was already excited when he heard you guys were planning a picnic, I'm sure he'll adore the cake knowing you baked it." Jason said calmly. Tim just started at him silently until Jason sighed.
"I will decorate the cake perfect Timmy. I promise."
Tim smiled sufficiently happy with his brothers promise and focused on the sandwiches. Truthfully Ives seemed neutral about the picnic, his family apparently didn't do birthdays much so he wasn't expecting anything. Darla and Bernard didn't even know his birthday and Tim only found out from Jays initial stalking because despite his brothers desire for Tim to makes friends he was still a paranoid idiot. Once Tim let it slip his friends immediately went into planning mode, Tim being no exception, and managed to convince Ives he deserved to be celebrated on his day. Darla was put in charge or decoration, Bernard was making a multi course meal and Tim and Jason were responsible for snacks and dessert.
And, of course, the cake.
Tim checked the clock as he delicately sliced the salmon for the sandwiches, eleven a.m. they would be leaving soon to make it to the park. Luckily all the other foods they made were already done, macarons, panna cotta cups, muffins, and brownies of course. The four tiered black forest cake was the final piece of the puzzle.
Everything would be perfect. It had to be.
Tim carefully wrapped up all the sandwiches and arranged them on a platter to leave in the fridge until they leave. He scampered over to his room to check on Ives present, his new gold anklet glamor clinking slightly at every step. The new watch with an engraved glass finish displaying a lion (that Tim designed himself) was perfectly displayed in its ornate black box, he had spent a pretty penny on it. Tim was ninety percent sure Jay has sent the watch to someone in the LOA to get it engraved but as long as it was pretty Tim found he didn't really care. He wrapped the box in grey wrapping paper with an origami butterfly instead of a bow.
Turns out origami was actually a pretty decent way to train your control and precision movements.
There was a second gift to go with it, a photo book filed with nature shots of Gotham and there's surrounding area. All taken by Tim of course.
Tim picked up the gifts carefully and went back out to the kitchen where Jason had wrapped up and carefully put everything in a picnic basket.
"I could have done that you know." Tim complained, he felt bad knowing Jay had done it all. Jay just ruffled a hand through Tim's hair and told him not to worry about it.
They made it to the park in no time at all, Bernard and Ives were already their. Tim gave his friends a kiss on the cheek and a hug, Ives getting a lingering one.
Since it was his birthday of course.
Jay had been planning to leave once Tim got here but Tim's friends had managed to convince the man to stay over text, it made Tim feel lighter knowing his brother and his friends got along so well. It wasn't long till Darla showed up and the fun truly began. Bernard had made a full spread of dishes, roasted meats and veggies, soups and drink. With everything Jay and and Tim brought they ended up with way to much food. Luckily they weren't the only ones at the park and Ives suggested letting people know their was extra food.
Despite everything that went on in the city Gothamites still took free food when offered.
A few hours after they arrived Tim finally managed to snag a few moments with Ives alone, taking them over to a secluded area shaded by some trees.
"So birthday boy." Tim smiled. "How's your day been."
"Wonderful, mostly since I'm spending it with you guys." Ives chuckled, the sound of it was nice. It made Tim feel weirdly tingly, he reached into his bag and held out his gifts.
"Tim... you didn't have to get me anything." Ives seemed reticent to accepting.
"You're right, I wanted to get you these idiot." Tim reassured his friend. Ives carefully lifted the watch and unwrapped it, while preserving the butterfly, and gasped at it. His fingers carefully ran along the ornate engraving.
"Tim, this is gorgeous." Tim's face heated up, they were huddled close under the tree and Ives face was only a few inches away from his.
"Open up the other one." Tim's words seemed to bleed into each other, why was he talking so fast?
Ives was careful when unwrapping the large flat package, he marvelled at the photos carefully flipping through each one while Tim waited patiently. Ives closed the book gently and wrapped Tim in a tight hug.
"Thank you Tim, these are incredible." Ives reached back and kissed him on the cheek, something about it felt different than when Tim had done it earlier. He could feel his face getting redder.
"Come on, let's head back to the others, I'm sure they wanna give their presents too." Tim words came out to quick, Ives seemed oddly disappointed but followed Tim back. Darla was the first to spot them.
"We'll well look who's back, do anything fun." She had an odd searching looking to her features.
"I gave my gifts?" It came out more of a question than a statement, Jay sighed for some reason, and he swore he could hear Bernard mumbling idiot under his breath. God he wished he could have his horns out.
Darla had gotten Ives a set of silver piercings, Bear gave him a set of special covers of his favourite books, and Jay capped off the gift giving with a set of custom goat skin leather gloves that were tailored to fit Ives measurements perfectly. Tim had a sneaking suspicion they were brought from the armour manufacturer Atlas and Hood ordered from.
The sun was setting as the five made their way back to Tim and Jay's were Ives, Bear, and Darl would be staying over for the night. Tim was ecstatic. The second they got home Jay started on dinner with Bear offering to help and the two disappeared into the kitchen while Tim set up Mario kart. Today was his redemption. He had learned at the shortcuts and secrets.
Unfortunately no amount of knowledge trumped game rng. Tim got blue shelled five different times as the night went on, every time he got close to winning he would get annihilated.
It was devastating.
Ives and Darla took pity on him and they switched to Pico Park.
Their friendship almost didn't make it through, Jay and Bear popped in when the screaming really got going. At least by the time they were almost about to kill each other the food was done.
The smell was intoxicating, Jay and Bear had prepared a whole entire fish, multiple rice dishes and salads and a lot of Ives favourites. Tim ended up eating way more than he should and had to lay on the coach with Darla who had made the same mistake as him, Bear and Ives were evil friends and took delight in their misery.
They joined Tim and Darla on the coach and Jay came about with a blanket and put on a movie, then left the four of them alone with a goodnight. Darl and Bear was out pretty quick and Tim was joining them quickly.
"Thank you for today Tim, I had a lot of fun." Ives voice was soft and soothing, Tim hummed and cuddled his friend.
"Of course it was dummy, we're the best." Tim yawned, his eyes were so heavy. Ives started carding a hand through Tim's locks.
"Yea, you are. Goodnight Timmy." Ives whispers.
"Goodnight, love you." He mumbled. He was so tired he completely missed the way Ives hand stalled in his hair, instead slipping into blissful sleep.