#for maximum warm fuzzies ignore my companion hc that Tim then has a string of horrible relationships in his 20s

[oncillabrigade]

So here's my thing: I really like Tim and Bernard together, but I don't think they're a forever relationship. I think they're in their late teens and despite having a ton in common, they want different adult lives.

And given how weird, adaptive, and (most of all) considerate they both are, I think they'll have the world's most amicable breakup. It won't be normal, but it will be so friendly! So loving!

Because these guys are both at their core systematic thinkers, I genuinely believe they'll look at each other at some point around age 20 and go, "Oh, this isn't the correct relationship for our current lives. I love you, but... yeah. I think this is over." With no resentment! (Not towards each other, anyway. Tim Drake has no trouble adding this to his extremely long list of grievances against the universe.)

So yeah. They'd break up. They'd separate with tears and love and total confidence that they were making the right decision. And then a couple months later, when the sting began to fade, they'd be friends again. They'd text and joke and Bernard would definitely get invited to the next D&D campaign Tim ran. It'd be okay. They'd break up and nothing bad would happen. It would all be okay.

Can you imagine how HEALING that outcome would be for Tim fuckin' Drake? This is a relationship in HIS train wreck of a life that's being ended on HIS terms and with no indelible pain! That has never happened to him before. Tim has lost so many people, has had so many loved ones ripped from his arms by death or betrayal or both somehow because DC treats this boy like a chew toy... So imagine. Imagine his delight when he wakes up a couple weeks after Bernard has moved out of his shitty little boat and realizes: he's okay.

He's really okay.