Things changed a while ago, when Tim’s identity as the Red Robin was revealed to the worst person possible—his rival. Really, at best, their relationship was teasing, and at worse it was an enemies with benefits situation. But during a high-stakes situation, he ended up having to save a certain someone, and accidentally let some feelings bleed through.

And suddenly, his identity and all of his trust built with Bruce again was on the line—he had no choice but to deal with someone he hated to bad. On top of that, blackmail of him actually having feelings for his rival was also in the others hands. He couldn’t live in a world where that info was known by anyone who wanted to.

So he made a deal with his rival. He’d do whatever told, give little celebrity-vigilante scenes, do favors—anything to embarrass him without it being specifically him.

Which was how situations like this ensued.

To give his rival credit, it wasn’t entirely unserious. There were unspoken rules and things not to be broken. So during another prank thing with Red Robin and all of a sudden there were goons, threatening multiple things along the lines of “take identities and then your bag”. Really, Tim hadn’t even been quick enough to react before he was grabbed and dragged away, and before he knew it, he was shoved in a closet with his rival, far too close for his feelings not to go haywire.

"Come on," he hissed, face burning. "That shove wasn’t necessary, you were just being bitter," he grumbled. After getting a far too amazing look at his rivals face, he averted his eyes and looked out the small gaps in the door. "Just… be quiet and we’ll get out soon."