***

[ T <•> I ]

I: I promised you to sort everything out with my father and also keep you updated about that.

T: yeah...

I: I did it. Miss Gibson was right. He had forgotten it all entirely.

I: he didn't even know anything about me and you dating.

T: did you tell him then?

I: I didn't get the time.

***

T: look Irina, we can't keep him in the dark.

T: if you're not telling him because you don't want him to react badly then know this for a fact, any relationship that screws up family ties is unhealthy.

I: I know Tim.

I: I just didn't get to ask him anything at all.

I: he unexpectedly came back from work, walked right into my room and trust me that's something he's never done before and he was actually being a lot weird.

***

T: weird? How so?

I: Dad is not the caring type, he hasn't cared about me or shown any signs of emotional attachment since the past twenty two years, but now all of a sudden something has happened to him.

T: so you mean to say he has started to care for you?

T: isn't that a good thing?

I: but that's so not him.

I: I'm confused.

T: don't be. Maybe he's just decided to turn over a new leaf.

***

I: you won't believe what happened today.

T: what happened?

I: Dad told me at breakfast that he was leaving on a business trip for a really long time and I am supposed to look after his company in his absence.

T: so?

I: he's been acting very very weird. So much so that I am actually very concerned for him.

T: and what did he do this time that's weird to you?

I: he said that just because he never showed it doesn't mean that he doesn't care for me. He said that he wasn't certain whether he would come back from the trip or not and if he didn't then I was supposed to take over his post. He even told me that he was proud of me.

T: ...

T: I don't know how to respond to that.

I: me neither.

I: he has never been that expressive.

I: I was so confused that I called my aunt and even she couldn't believe it.

T: and what does she say then?

I: she's coming to Gotham.

T: oh.

I: she says she wants to help me in taking care of the whole company since she has had former experience with that. And also because she is actually worried for her brother's mental health.

T:  I may not have known Mister Luthor personally but to me it seems as if you're getting a little too anxious. There probably isn't anything to get so worried about.

I: you're saying that because you don't know Dad personally. If you did, you would have reacted the same way as me and Aunt Lena.

T: perhaps.

***

T: so has your father left on his business trip?

I: yup.

I: oh and Aunt Lena wants to meet you.

T: really?

I: yeah, she wanted me to invite you for dinner this weekend. You're okay with that, right?

T: sure. What time?

I: come by evening. She said she wanted to get to know you as well.

T: sure.

***

I: you aren't nervous about tonight, are you?

T: trust me, I am.

T: I mean this is very similar to how boyfriends go over to meet the parents of their girlfriends.

I: well in a way, you're right. Aunt Lena has raised me like her own daughter so you can say that you're coming over to meet my Mum today.

T: what flowers should I bring?

I: why are you so gentlemanly, Tim?

T: no seriously, Irina, I'm standing at the florist's.

I: she loves dahlias.

T: great, dahlias it is then.

***

T: so I don't know how to ask this... But what does your Mum think of me?

I: oh so you meant Aunt Lena...

T: yeah...

I: she liked you a lot. She said she had never met a more behaved and well mannered boy ever before and she is rather impressed as well.

I: in fact I would go as far to say that you've won her over, Tim. Congratulations!

T: really?

T: so she's okay with us dating?

I: yup, she approves.

T: thank goodness, I was dying from anticipation.

I: I know, princess. You tend to get worried about things too soon.

T: can't help it, it's become a habit by now.

I: anyways, she wants you to keep visiting often because she enjoyed your company a lot.

T: oh, that's really sweet of her.

I: so I expect to see more of you at my place.

T: sure thing, love, your wish is my command.

***

[ T <•> B ]

B: Tim, can you come down to the Batcave?

B: right now?

***

T: sorry Bruce, couldn't reply earlier. I was in a meeting.

B: it's alright.

B: what meeting?

T: there were a few issues with Wayne Aerospace. So Lucius arranged a meeting with them to sort it all out.

T: I was to go to a visit there as well but I can ditch it if you want me urgently.

B: no, go to that visit.

B: but keep in mind that the case with Luthor has taken an unexpected turn. He's been up to a lot and I can only give you the details when you reach here.

T: oh, I'll make this quick then.

B: since it deals a lot with technology and scientific warfare, I need you to be present before we take any decisions.

T: sure thing, Bruce, Give me half an hour, I'll be there.

***

[ T <•> I ]

T: can we meet?

I: sorry, I'm stuck at the office. Can't leave anytime soon.

T: I've got to tell you something.

T: it's urgent.

***

I: hey you there? I'm free now, still in for a meet up?

I: Tim?

***

T: I'm sorry but it has to be done.

I: what the absolute fuck are you talking about?

T: you'll see.

I: you're freaking me out, princess. And I do not like it one bit.

T: your father is involved with some of the worst criminals of Gotham. He has been so for months now and has just resurfaced with a technologically modified army, threatening to vandalize the city.

I: how do you even know where my father is and what he's doing?

I: you can't just blame him like that!

T: we'll have to go against him. I'm sorry. I never meant to cause you any sort of pain but I have absolutely no choice. Luthor has to be stopped.

I: what the absolute fuck! What kind of shitty prank is this? It isn't the first of April, you hear me!

I: where the fuck are you?

I: or rather, who the fuck are you?

I: answer me!

***

I: I'm coming over at your place right now and you better have the answers to all my questions.

***

I: Tim, I swear if what the press is saying is true, I'll slit your throat off and sell your organs in the black market.

I: Tim!

***

T: I love you. And it was never my intention to screw things up so bad.

***

I: I'm sorry.

I: I'm sorry for not saving you this time. For not knowing that it was you under that cowl, for not finding out sooner about you, for not finding out sooner about my own father, for going up against you all when you were just doing your duty, for beating you up so bad that you're probably in an ICU right now, for being a complete bitch to you...

I: I'm sorry for everything.

I: But I've never been sorry for loving you.

I: and I will keep loving you till the day I die.

***

T: I love you too, Irina.

***