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Cass and Tim give each other one look, and somehow so many emotions and understandings are passed in that one second. It’s a moment that just doesn’t come to you when you’re in a relationship. It’s like you see your friend or your partner or a sibling or even a parent, and you feel the love that you have for them, and that love that you have for them is the same love that you have for yourself. That’s what makes it so special.
Cass takes a step towards Tim, her hand hovering over his exposed middle just under his binder. She looks at him for confirmation before she touches his stomach. He nods.
Her fingers ghost lightly over the scars. He releases the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding in. Cass stares at the scars for a few more seconds, tracing over the thin lines with her fingers as lightly as possible.
“They aren’t as bad as they look, I swear.” Cass pulls her hand away from Tim and looks him in the eyes, searching for any hint of aggression. All she finds is the dull light of kindness.
Tim looks at her for a moment, and then, as though he can’t help himself, he reaches out and touches her cheek to let her know he’s really there. She smiles up at him and he lets his hand fall to his side. “I’m fine.”
Cass nods, as if to say “you’d better be.”
“So,” Tim says, sitting up straighter and folding his arms across his chest, “you should go get to bed. Get a good nap in before patrol.” Cass frowns, almost pouts, at the suggestion.
She stands still, looking back down at his stomach. She feels somewhat bad to push the topic, but she can’t help her innate curiosity. She wants to know, and Tim understands that as well, so he sighs and lets his arms fall to his side.
“I’ve been fighting Bruce since I was thirteen, Cass, what d’you expect?” He jokes. It’s not a sufficient answer and even Tim knows it. “I don’t want to talk about this right now. Tomorrow, maybe.” Cass decides to give in and nods. “Sleep now?”
“Only if you get some, too,” she signs, mouth still firmly pressed into a frown until he answers. He sighs and gives in as well.
“Right, okay, fine. C’mon then.”