Chapter Text
Tim had been on the couch, going over some proposals sent over by Tam when his mother sat down beside him, uncharacteristically serious considering that just a while ago, they had been critiquing the people’s approaches on the Floor is Lava.
“Kitten, would you be alright if we have some guests over for dinner?”
“What type of guests?”
“Some of my friends have been bugging me about meeting you after keeping the Bats off of our tail.”
“Do I need prepare anything? Grab my bo staff or something?”
“No! Of course not. They know better than to attack you under my roof.”
“Then, what’s the problem?”
“Tim, I’m asking if you would be alright if they would come over. Is-is this the first time you’ve been asked this?”
“Maybe? I don’t really remember if Dick ever asked me if it was alright if his friends visited the Manor. He only ever really asked Bruce and Alfred. Mo-Janet and Jack used to tell me where we would go and what to do so I never really was asked my opinion.”’
Tim was suddenly pulled into a hug by his mother. He stiffened up on contact but melted into the hug a second later. Even after getting hugged by his mom multiple times every day, Tim still couldn’t help his involuntary response even though he was working on it after he saw his mom getting angry on his behalf about it.
“Oh Kitten. I’m not like them. This is your house now too and if you don’t want me to have people over, then I won’t.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to stop you from socializing though or from having your friends over.”
“Tim, I need you to understand this. You are the most important person in my life right now, even more important than myself. I could care less about whether it would ruin my friendship with them as long as you’re happy. If you want to run away and leave Gotham behind, start fresh somewhere new, I would do it. If you want me to drop being Catwoman, I would do it in a heartbeat if you asked for it. If you want me give you the world, I’ll do my best to give it to you.”
“I-I don’t know what to say. N-no one’s ever-“
“Kitten, I’m here now, okay? You won’t ever be alone again. I’m here.”
Tim didn’t even notice the tears leaking from eyes until he couldn’t help the tears from falling anymore. His mom held him through it, whispering soft nothings until he managed to pull himself together.
“Okay.” Tim whispered, wiping away at the remaining tear tracks.
“Okay what, Kitten?”
“Okay, we can have your friends come for dinner.”
“Are you sure, Tim? Are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes. I want to get to know them too, find out what you see in them. Just, can you stay?”
“Of course, Kitten. I’ll stay for as long as you want.”