Give me a Tim that's the difficult child.
Like, Jason’s dramatic, Dick's angry, Damian is his father’s son, Duke is an angel, Cass is easy to work with. Give me a Tim that's difficult without trying.
Tim goes out of his way to avoid spending time with his family, even to his own detriment. Tim didn't spend that long as Robin, and out of that time, not a lot of it was actively by Bruce’s side.
Tim refuses any and all of Bruce's attempts to parent him—he figures if he's gone this long without a hands-on parental figure, he can go the rest of his life just fine. Tim hasn't listened to a single adult in his nineteen years of life and doesn't plan to start now.
He never shows up to Sunday brunch unless actively threatened and/or wants something. "Missed his family"? Never heard of her.
Tim lies often, believably and shamelessly to Bruce; it's a constant game of galactic dance dance revolution trying to pick out the truth, because Bruce knows that if he accuses Tim of lying about something he didn't, Tim won't be particularly offended but will take it as an excuse to not visit for the next three months.
He and Bruce’s dynamic works so well because Bruce doesn't really Know him and Tim likes it that way. They don't argue because Tim doesn't even ask for forgiveness, much less permission.
Out of all Bruce’s kids, let Tim be the one he can never vouch for. He would like to think that Tim wouldn't slowly skin a corrupt judge to get information, just to dump him off with Jason to finish the job, but he can't be sure.
Tim's siblings say, with conviction, that he would and has, because Tim drops in at their places regularly. They know him, and if they're being honest with themselves, he's the most likely to go to the dark side.
Tim that chafes under every single one of Bruce’s rules and as a result only works with Batman when he has to.
Tim loves from afar, because that's how he was raised. His parents loved him from other continents, most times, and that's his attachment style. That's how he learnt to love; it doesn't matter that he doesn't come home for holidays. He sends gifts and cards. He can love you and keep his distance.
Tim that loves by trading information and weather checks and tracking his loved ones and photo albums full of candids he took of you.
Tim that accepts Dick's hugs and Jason’s gruff affection and Damian’s sharp love and Duke's movie nights and Cass' odd gifts that appear in his apartment randomly, because he knows that's how they love and he's nothing if not adaptable.
Tim that isn't quite sure what Bruce would expect from him of not perfection, and strives for it daily.
Just. TIM THAT LOVES IN HIS SPECIAL MESSY WAY
