The manor was quieter than usual — or maybe Tim was just hyper-aware of every sound. The low hum of the grandfather clock in the hallway. The soft whir of the air conditioning. His own heartbeat, thudding a little too loud in his chest. He checked his reflection in the mirror by the front door for what had to be the fifth time, running a hand through his hair before sighing and giving up. No amount of smoothing could hide how anxious he was.

It had only been a week since he and Bernard started dating, and just a few days since that first kiss under the dim glow of a streetlight — a moment that still played in his mind like a scene from a movie. What he didn’t expect was for Bruce to already know about it.

“Tim,” Bruce had said earlier that day, casual as ever, sitting at his desk in the cave while reviewing surveillance footage. “You can invite your boyfriend to movie night, if you want.”

Tim nearly dropped his coffee. “You—how—why—” Bruce had simply looked up, expression calm. “There are security cameras all over Gotham. Don’t look so surprised.”

And that’s how Tim found himself waiting by the front door of Wayne Manor, trying not to melt into the marble floor while Dick and Jason made popcorn in the kitchen.

“So,” Dick called out, his grin audible even from the other room, “is the boyfriend coming soon?” Jason laughed. “Better hope he doesn’t scare easy. Family movie night at the manor is basically a psychological endurance test.”

Damian was perched on the couch already, arms crossed. “If he cries during the movie, I’m leaving.”

Tim rolled his eyes. “You’re all so normal. I’m sure Bernard’s gonna love this.”

Just as he said it, there was a knock on the door. His stomach flipped. He opened it to see Bernard standing there, smiling nervously, holding a small bouquet of blue hydrangeas — Tim’s favorite.

“Hey,” Bernard said softly, cheeks pink. “I, uh… thought I’d bring these. For you.”