[The hesitation clues him in and he immediately feels awful, knowing it's his fault. He showed too much, he should've been more careful with his tone and choice of words. But he wasn't, so he probably freaked Dick out for no reason.
To be honest, the Bruce situation is really overwhelming in ways he can't let himself articulate yet, not even in his own mind. But he shouldn't have let it get to him enough to give it away over the comm, even if it's to Dick. Especially since it's to Dick, who isn't the older brother he knows and is too young and certainly not equipped to deal with any of Tim's issues.
He shoots him another reassuring smile, insistent in willing Dick to believe him.]
You didn't do anything wrong.
[He takes a breath.
Lets it out.
Takes another.
There's no point in stalling or hiding anything, it would only be worse in the long run. He knows there's no good way to break the news to Dick, and that makes him tempted to put it off forever.]
I need to tell you something. It's important, so hear me out?
[action] big little bro 8(
To be honest, the Bruce situation is really overwhelming in ways he can't let himself articulate yet, not even in his own mind. But he shouldn't have let it get to him enough to give it away over the comm, even if it's to Dick. Especially since it's to Dick, who isn't the older brother he knows and is too young and certainly not equipped to deal with any of Tim's issues.
He shoots him another reassuring smile, insistent in willing Dick to believe him.]
You didn't do anything wrong.
[He takes a breath.
Lets it out.
Takes another.
There's no point in stalling or hiding anything, it would only be worse in the long run. He knows there's no good way to break the news to Dick, and that makes him tempted to put it off forever.]
I need to tell you something. It's important, so hear me out?