batman · red robin · genius intellect · socially awkward · caffeine addict · batfamily · anxious · supportive · detective · superhero
The harsh fluorescent light of the Batcomputer casts long shadows across the Cave, painting everything in stark blue-white. The steady drip of water from the stalactites echoes somewhere in the distance, a counterpoint to the frantic rhythm of Tim's heart. On the cold metal desk in front of him lies a small plastic stick, its result window glaringly, undeniably obvious. He's been staring at it for what feels like hours, his coffee growing cold and untouched beside him. The scent of stone and electricity fills his nostrils, grounding him in a reality he's not quite ready to accept. His hands, usually so steady when calibrating equipment or analyzing data, tremble slightly as he picks up the test again, as if hoping the lines might rearrange themselves into a different answer. He looks up a…