DC Universe Prompt Caroline
The first time Tim suspected that his, quote end quote, siblings couldn’t recognize him in drag had been an honest mistake.
What he’d meant to do was lounge in the cute outfit he’d smuggled into his apartment, complete with a pretty blonde wig and even a few accessories such as a pair of fake chic eyeglasses. After lounging around and simply just enjoying existing and catching his reflection occasionally and remembering that he really did look so cute… he’d intended to then change into his normal loungewear then maybe try to solve a case or three before going on patrol despite how it was unnecessary.
He’d started off the plan without a hitch but, somewhere along the way, one thing led to another, and he was bundled up on the couch with an empty bowl of popcorn and watching the third or fourth Marvel movie that caught his eye. Really, it wasn’t his fault he forgot. He was gonna blame Tony Stark.
So when Dick’s musical knocking started on his door, Tim didn’t think twice before going to answer it. Well, no, that’s a lie, he thought twice but only in an exasperated this is my night off! way. Tim was only clued in to the fact that he was dressed a bit differently than his usual when Dick’s face fell into surprise, looking Tim up and down and opening his mouth. Then closing it. “Hi?” Dick’s voice sounded slightly strangled, his brows furrowing slightly like he was offended by something.
Suddenly hyper aware that he’d opened his door to his brother while wearing a short skirt and a padded bra, Tim’s mouth went on autopilot. “Hello, how are you?” His own voice was a higher pitch, due to his awkward discomfort, which clearly didn’t help the situation.
Dick gave a strained smile, “I’m doing… well. Hey, is Tim home?”
At first, the question shot through him in a sudden sharp pain. Dick was asking for Tim, as if he wasn’t standing in front of Dick just because he looked more femme than usual. Like Tim could only be worth Dick’s time when he looked like a man.
Obediently, Tim went back to his room, holding back tears because using his day off how he wanted to had only resulted in Dick hating him, and changed. He didn’t bother putting everything away, certain he was going to trash it by the end of their conversation, and just dropped everything on his bedspread before gloomily walking out of his room in what Dick expected him to wear; shutting the door behind himself so Dick couldn’t see the reminder that his brother was a freak.
Not that it mattered, the entire conversation Dick constantly glanced at the door as though he kept thinking about it. Dick kept his voice low, so Tim, though confused, followed the example. It wasn’t until Dick was on his way out the door that it was brought up. “So, who was she?”
Tim frowned, “who?”
Dick tilted his head towards the shut door that had seemed to haunt the man for the past hour and a half. Was Dick asking for what he wanted to be referred to as when dressed up? Tentatively hopeful that maybe Dick just didn’t react well due to his surprise, Tim offered the name he’d debated over for the past week. “Caroline. Carol, if you feel like it.”
“For how long?” This question seemed important to Dick, but Tim… was a little lost.
“Three months,” it was about that long for the idea to take root in the back of his head, nag at him until he caved, then bought the supplies for a convincing female guise in such a way none of the Bats or even Babs could detect the purchases. He’d had everything for approximately a week and a half now and only just pulled together the time and courage to try it out. To be caught even after all that effort on the very first attempt stung a bit at his pride.
Dick nodded slowly, glancing at the door again, “she makes you happy?” Tim copies Dick’s slow nod, confused. “That’s- that’s good. I won’t pretend I’m not sad you didn’t tell me earlier, but I get that you value your privacy.”
That entire conversation had felt… weird.
