I know that the title is horrible. Basically, Selina Kyle married Bruce Wayne. Also, Dick's parents died when he was six, not nine. That's all the backstory you guys need for now.
Also, Dick is called Richard for the first few chapters and speaks Romanian, not Romani. I couldn't find a good English-Romani dictionary. I used google translate, so not all translations are that accurate. No offense, Google!
I own nothing. Enjoy!
"This was really thoughtful of you, Bruce," Selina whispered to her husband. The pair watched as a lion leapt through a fiery hoop, roaring loudly. Bruce smiled at her, feeling relaxed for the first time that day.
The past month had been a mix of ups and downs. Not only was their first anniversary approaching, but the anniversary of Selina's last day as Catwoman as well. Then there was the new baby taking up most of their time. The trip to the circus was their first break.
Of course, almost no one knew about their marriage. The two had decided that, considering their alternate occupations, the occasion would be best left in the dark. Not even the Justice League knew.
And when they went out, which wasn't often, people just assumed that Selina was Bruce's new girlfriend.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Selina and Bruce looked up at the ringmaster.
The man waved his hands in the air, "The Flying Graysons!"
Six individuals stood on either side of the trapeze, waving at the crowd. There were four adults, a pair of brothers and each of their wives. They all launched into the air, pulling off a series of flips and twists. Even Bruce and Selina were amazed as they watched the display.
Things got even more interesting when the last two performers joined the routine.
One of them was a teenage boy, who was a son of one of the brothers. The other was the teenager's cousin, a small boy who couldn't have been older than six. But the two flipped just as accurately and gracefully as the adults.
The first routine was over too soon. The crowd gave a standing ovation, crying out for more.
The family simply smiled and bowed. Then, one of the women said something to the boy, sending him down the ladder and behind the back curtains.
"Looks like we're getting an encour," Selina smiled.
Bruce nodded, "It appears that way."
The five remaining Graysons returned to the bars, doing another series of flips, just as intricate as the ones from before. The four adults moved as one, all of them grabbing hold of each other and forming a chain that hung from a single bar.
Bruce could see why the boy had been sent away. The maneuver was not only difficult, but extremely dangerous. One false move would've been fatal.
The teen suddenly sumersaulted, grabbing onto the outstretched hands of his mother and aunt.
Bruce could see the shifting of fabric from the corner of his eye. The little boy snuck a look at his family's performance, an awed expression on his face.
Bruce's attention was returned to the show by a sickening snapping sound.
Everything seemed to go in slow motion. The five Graysons had legitimate fear on their faces as the chords snapped on the bar of the trapeze. They fell, and the tent filled with screams and horrified gasps.
Time sped up again as they collided with the ground. Ushers moved to send the audiance outside, calmly fulfilling their duties despite the tears in their eyes.
Bruce and Selina remained frozen, their eyes glued to the horrible scene laid out before them.
Other performers rushed out from backstage, checking the bodies, calling for help and sobbing. It was clear that they had been close to the family.
There was one agonized cry that far outmatched the others.
The little Grayson boy surged forward, struggling to reach his parents, but was held back by the others. Perhaps they wished to spare the boy the pain of seeing his bloodied and broken family.
Bruce felt a vague sense of déjà vu as he snapped back into reality. He ran from his seat, pushing past the ushers when they tried to stop him.
"Bruce!" Selina cried out alarmed. She struggled to reach her husband in her heels and pencil skirt.
Bruce slowed as he reached the distraught boy, gently turning him away from the scene. After quickly analyzing the billionaire, the little Grayson threw himself into Bruce's arms, his shoulders heaving with unheard sobs. Bruce didn't hesitate to pull the boy into his lap.
When Selina finally reached the pair, she lowered herself to the ground next to them, her left arm wrapping around Bruce's shoulders. No one dared ask them to leave; they didn't have the heart to pull the youngest Grayson from the two Waynes.
When the police and an ambulance finally showed up, the ringmaster aproached Bruce and Selina. He completely ignored the two adults and pulled the boy away from Bruce. Selina and Bruce stood shakily.
"Richard," the ringmaster began.
The boy, Richard, spoke with a slight Romanian accent, "*Mami, Tati. Ce de au facut-"
Richard burst into tears again. The ringmaster pulled the boy to his chest with his left arm and extended the other to Bruce, "C.C. Haly. And you are?"
Bruce extended a hand, "Bruce Wayne. This is Selina Kyle." Selina nodded in recognition.
Mr. Haly held back tears, "Thank you for being here for Richard."
Bruce immediately responded, "It was no trouble. In fact," he pulled a business card out of his pocket, "call me whenever."
Mr. Haly took the card, "Thank you again, Mr. Wayne. I'll keep you updated."
When the pair arrived home that night, emotionally drained, Alfred had dinner set out for them. It was well past ten o'clock. Despite how amazing the food looked (and smelled), Selina darted up the stairs to check on Catherine.
"May I ask what took you?" Alfred asked as Bruce sat at the table.
Bruce looked up at Alfred, very, very slowly.
Alfred nodded, "Very good, Master Bruce."
Bruce put his head in his hands. This was exactly why he became Batman, to prevent more kids from growing up like he did.
After watching Bruce for a moment, gathering what had happened from the man's actions, Alfred started towards the door.
Bruce heard from his butler, "Greetings Ms. Selina."
Selina sighed, "Alfred."
Bruce looked up to see Selina standing there, her dark hair tumbling down onto her shoulders and a bundle of cream blankets in her arms. She smiled at him, then walked over and leaned down next to him.
Catherine was a gorgeous baby, with angelic little raven ringlets and her almond shaped eyes shut tight. Her tiny fist clutched the edge of her blanket, pulling it to just under her chin.
Bruce gave his wife and daughter a small smile. Selina passed the bundle of blankets to her husband, "I know you're upset, but we're here for you."
At the sound of her mother's voice, Catherine opened her sleepy little eyes. Cerulean blue greeted her parents.
"You know, Richard's eyes are that color too."
Selina looked up at Bruce, her jaw dropping. Her lips promptly formed a smile, "He would be an excellent big brother, wouldn't he?"
"Should I set up a room, then?" Alfred had a small smirk on his face as he hovered in the doorway.
Bruce and Selina chuckled, making Catherine giggle. Bruce looked up at Alfred, "It's a majority vote. That would be great, Alfred."
Bruce drove to the orphanage where Richard was staying the next day, his lawyers having drawn up the paperwork the night before.
The tragedy at the circus was a hot topic throughout Gotham. Four of the Flying Graysons (John and Mary, Richard's parents, Karla, their sister-in-law, and Karla's son, John) had been killed. Karla's husband and Richard's namesake was the sole survivor.
Sadly, Richard was in a coma, and paralysis was a garantee should he awaken.
The woman at the desk set down the document, pulled her glasses from her face and looked down her nose at the billionaire, "I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Wayne."
Bruce didn't blame the woman for being skeptical, he was known for being a playboy after all.
He raised an eyebrow, "I think I've made myself perfectly clear, Ms. Minchin. I want to adopt Richard Grayson."
Ms. Minchin leaned forward, giving the man a condescending look, "Mr. Wayne, I want you to be aware that a child is a huge responsibility. They need more than just a home and other necessities. They-"
Bruce sighed, "Yes, I'm quite aware, ma'am. I'm ready to provide Richard with the support and comfort he deserves."
Ms Minchin leaned back, tapping her fingers on the desk, "Very well, Mr. Wayne. Although the whole process will take some time..."
Bruce slid his phone out of his pocket, "Usually, yes. But there are perks to being me."
"Right this way, Mr. Wayne," the perky orphanage volunteer led him to the back of a dorm room. They were followed by several shocked pairs of eyes. He did his best to shrug it off, but he couldn't stop that little voice in the back of his head that told him that he would've ended up here without Alfred.
Bruce made a mental note to thank Alfred when he got back.
The woman's expression turned somber as they approached Richard's bed. The boy sat cross legged on his bed, hugging a stuffed elephant to his chest. His face glistened with tears.
The woman turned to leave, but murmured a hurried warning, "Good luck. He hasn't spoken to anyone since he got here."
Bruce waited for the volunteer's footsteps to fade before he stepped up to Richard's bed.
"Richard?" the little boy looked up at Bruce. A flash of recognition appeared and disappeared in a flash.
"I'm Bruce Wayne. I was with you yesterday after..." Bruce trailed off. He cleared his throat, "Look, I'm really sorry about what happened."
Bruce paused, realizing how little those words really meant. Richard had just lost everything he knew from before then, no words would change that. He knew from experience.
"I've been where you are now. I lost my parents when I was about your age," Richard looked up at him with new respect. "I want to offer you another chance. I know that I could never replace your parents, but you can be part of my family."
Richard looked shocked.
Bruce gave him a moment to process this news, then added, "It's totally up to you."
The boy jumped into Bruce's arms, momentarily slipping into Romanian, "**Multumesc."
Bruce smiled a little as he held Richard, "***Cu placere."
Richard looked around curiously as he was led into the house. He clutched Bruce's hand, only loosening his grip when he saw Selina smiling at him from the stairs.
"Hello, Richard," Selina strode quickly towards the pair and held out her hand to him. The boy shyly hid behind Bruce's leg.
Selina pretended to pout, "Oh, come on kitten. I'm not that scary, am I?"
Bruce chuckled as Richard shook his head furiously.
"Well, you don't have to be scared. I'm not going to replace Mami, but I can be your mom. You know, Mami version 2.0!"
Richard looked up at Bruce, then finally went to Selina, giving her a tight hug. She stood up, the boy still clinging to her.
Selina tapped a finger on Richard's nose, "Now, why don't we go and meet your baby sister?"
Richard's face morphed from surprise to delight and he gave a nod.
Selina set Richard down on the floor of the nursery. He stood on his tiptoes, trying to see into the crib.
Selina scooped Catherine into her arms and knelt so Richard could see her, "This is Catherine, Richard. She's your baby sister."
Richard leaned over the bundle to see two curious eyes staring up at him. He felt a smile break out on his face as he stroked his little sister's cheek.
*"Mom, Dad. Why did they-"
**"Thank you"
***" Your welcome"
There's your first chapter. They will progress from Dick's childhood with Bruce (and Selina), into actual team fluff. Thanks for reading!
