AN: I don't own any of this nor am I trying to profit from it. The name of the school is entirely made up and bares no intentional resemblance to any institution. I've never seen a story about these two before so I thought that I might write one, anyone who would like to create a similar story has my blessings and a request that they tell me - as I would like to read it.
CONTINUITY NOTES: I know nothing about the back story of Oliver Queen beyond that he's rich. In fact most of my characterization of him comes from the animated Justice League and a few other tidbits gleaned from stuff Speedy/Arsenal says about him. On that note I don't follow any specific continuity on Batman, Lex Luthor or any other canon character from the DCU as I've taken things from both the comics and animated universe (though I believe I've avoided the Batman/ Batman Begins movie-verse).
RICH BOYS
Prologue
Bruce Wayne was not a friendly boy. In fact, he frightened most of the other boys with his intensity. They left him alone – which is exactly what he wanted. All except one… but then again Oliver Queen was never one to be called sensible.
When Bruce Wayne came to Sturbridge Academy he was eight and a half years old. Months earlier his parents had been killed brutally in front of his eyes and, according to his valet, young Bruce was becoming increasingly depressed in Gotham City. It was for this reason (in addition to the sizable donation from Wayne Enterprises) that Bruce Wayne began his schooling at the country's most prestigious boy's preparatory school halfway into the school year.
The young boy was rather anti-social (in the words of his councilor) and did nothing to encourage friendships with his fellow students. He was studious and received stellar grades but did not participate in school functions and, since his unique situation gave him a private room in the dormitories, never had other boys over to socialize or study. He was solitary and, at first, the subject of mockery and bullying… that is until the martial arts classes he took as an extra curricular activity began to pay off and bullies would find themselves with their noses in the dirt before they could finish their taunts.
For three and a half years Bruce Wayne was the king of Sturbridge – smart, handsome, and completely unapproachable. The other boys respected his quiet intensity, at least those who didn't fear him. He set new standards in excellence both in the classroom and in the gym, taking advanced courses whenever he could and taking down any opponent in any physical competition he could get.
That is until Oliver Queen arrived.
Oliver was on his seventh boarding school in as many years. A year older then Bruce Wayne the two boys had all of their classes together – Oliver was not unintelligent, but he never applied himself, testing well enough to get into advanced classes then failing them from lack of effort. Oliver was the class clown from the moment he set foot in the Academy. He made more friends in the first week then other boys did in all their years there. He was a natural at putting people at ease which is why, when he first encountered the aloof Bruce Wayne, he knew he had found his greatest challenge.
"So you're the infamous Bruce Wayne," Oliver stated congenially as he slid into the seat next to his new lab partner. The dark haired boy only grunted in response, never looking up from his notebook. Oliver frowned, "The kid who's going to run the one of the world's largest conglomerates – Wayne Enterprises?" Another grunt, "I'm Oliver Queen, my Old Man owns Queen Industries." The proffered hand was systematically ignored. Oliver's frown deepened. "You're not a very friendly guy are you?"
Ice cold blue eyes bore into Oliver's own and the blond gulped at the intensity of the stare. "I believe that is the most astute thing you have said yet, Mr. Queen." Bruce looked up as the teacher began the lecture but Oliver paid her no heed. Bruce Wayne was just as intense as he had been told, but there was also something else… a deep seeded loneliness that Oliver had never seen on another face, save the one that stared out at him from the mirror each morning. Yes, Bruce Wayne was going to be a challenge, but Oliver Queen never backed down from a challenge and always did what ever he could to aid those in need – even if they were not aware of that need themselves.
It had taken a few weeks to work it out but Oliver was certain he was finally beginning to understand his stoic lab partner. He was direct and to the point, and expected others to be the same. Following directions was a big deal to him, but not to the point where someone could get hurt.
A month into the partnership of the two future heroes another pair of boys, goofing off at the table behind them accidentally knocked a chemical over that should not have been mixed into their experiment. The concoction bubbled menacingly and smoke filled the classroom.
"Cover your faces and stay low! Everyone out quickly!" The teacher yelled as the class began a panicked sprint to the nearest exit. Without a word to each other Bruce and Oliver both leapt forward, each grabbing one of the two boys huddled in the corner away from their experiment and their only escape. Bruce shoved his student towards Oliver and, with scarce but a look, ordered the older boy to ensure both erstwhile boys were escorted out. Quickly turning back to the failed experiment, blue eyes quickly and expertly took in everything the boys had done and Bruce quickly moved to correct the problem and stop the possibly hazardous smoke from being emitted. Oliver paid him no mind however as he grabbed both shocked boys by the arm and dragged them past their table and out into the hall.
"Get outta the building," he barked and, without checking to see if they listened pivoted around to return to the classroom.
"You can't go back in there!" The teacher cried, grabbing hold of his arm.
"But Bruce…" Oliver wrenched his arm away and glanced at the door to the lab, where smoke was still pouring forth. 'The smoke needs to be cleared and fast!' Glancing down the hall he noticed the Gym equipment closet was partially opened. Without thinking he bolted inside and retrieved a school bow and a handful of arrows.
Once again standing outside the classroom Oliver Queen, Olympic class archer, visualized the room's set up in his mind and fired multiple arrows in rapid succession into the smoke. The sound of glass shattering greeted his ears and he sighed in relief as the smoke coming out the door dissipated, being sucked out the open windows instead. Without waiting for permission he raced into the lab and towards his missing partner.
Bruce was unconscious on the floor when Oliver found him but, he noted, by the lack of new smoke being emitted by the concoction Bruce had achieved his goal before falling unconscious.
Smiling slightly Oliver went to lift the other boy, only to find him much heavier then he looked. "What, do you eat lead for breakfast you emotionless robot?" He muttered darkly.
"No," Bruce coughed, surprising Oliver, "little children." Oliver's smile brightened as he chuckled.
"Bruce Wayne, did you just make an attempt at humor?"
Bruce coughed again allowed the older boy to shoulder most of his weight. "So what?"
Oliver gave him a strange look, "Sense of humor… we're going to have to work on that my friend." Bruce only groaned loudly in response.
