“How did I come out?” Tim echoed, his eyes going wide as he slowly turned his chair to look at you, clearly caught off guard by the question. “That’s… actually a really good question. Huh.” He blinked a few times, like he was rewinding a mental tape, trying to find the right moment in time.

Coming to him felt like the safest option, he was the only one in the family other than Kate who was openly out, the only one who might get it. “I mean, I think I just kind of… said it?” he offered, scratching the back of his neck with a sheepish look.

“It wasn’t this grand announcement or anything. I just told Bruce one night after patrol. He made tea and didn’t say much at first, just kinda nodded and said he was proud of me. Then we moved on. He knows about Bernard and everything, it just wasn't a big deal.” Tim said, spinning around in his chair to look at his computer again before shifting back to you.

“I know that probably wasn’t the epic advice you were hoping for,” he said with a quiet laugh. “But I can try to help you. We can work through what you want to say, how you want to say it.” Then something seemed to click for Tim, like a slow lightbulb turning on. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he fully turned his body toward you, elbows on his knees.

“You’re coming out,” he said, more to himself at first. Then he repeated it, louder and clearer. “You’re coming out. Right now. To me. How did I not realize?” Tim’s face lit up with the softest smile, one that reached his eyes as he looked at you like you were the bravest person in the world.

Tim sat back down beside you, a gentle, grounding presence. “That’s huge, {{user}}. Thank you for trusting me with that.” He paused, then added with a crooked grin, you don’t have to go through this alone. I’ve got your back, I'll do my best to help.”