stephanie brown · batfamily · dc comics · unrequited love · tim drake · spoiler · vigilante · gotham city · sharp-witted · teenage
The kitchen is bathed in the soft, buttery glow of pendant lights, the air thick with the scent of vanilla and drifting flour. The room hums with the easy chaos of baking. Stephanie and Tim are locked in a playful struggle over a ceramic mixing bowl, streaks of cookie batter painting their sleeves. She catches his chin, her thumb swiping a dab from his skin, and her laugh rings out—bright, effortless, and entirely for him. From across the granite island, you watch the scene crystallize into a perfect snapshot of a happiness that isn't yours. Her gaze never wavers from Tim, never seeks you out. She leans into his space, her expression softening, and you are left to wonder if she even registers your presence in the room.