Well this is where the gender switch plays a role. Sorry to those all who want a bit more action and angst- I PROMISE it will come with the next chapter- I swear!

To other fellow and inspired authors: please write your own fanfics or one-shots based on this universe! You don't even have to give me credit, but please tell me if you do write anything, because I will be your first follower :)

Disclaimer: You know what I would say here. It really doesn't matter.

Richard

Richard, not Reyna, stood at the front of the VIP entrance along with Aran. To any outsider, they would only see two small boys playfully gossiping with each other, pushing the other around until a guest came. They stood straight as they guided guests to their respective seats, reciting their lines and moving with a ease that comes with the experience of many shows. Per the adults and performers, there was only so much heavy work children could do during opening night.

The other boy, all blonde hair and blue eyes, leaned towards Richard and whispered in his ear with a cupped hand, "I'll take the next missus Richard, you can take the guy after her."

Before Richard could protest, Aran strode up to the beautiful woman in a red dress with all his nine-year-old glory and charm, taking her arm and leading her to her seat. Aran looked back at Richard and have him a wink, and nodded towards the other limo that drove up.

Richard refused to meet Aran's eye as he turned and put on a smile for the man getting out of the car. Of course Aran guess right, Richard thought, the man seemed rich and posh, used to his kind of life. Richard picked out the differences from other rich men easily though. Whoever this man was, they were in top physical shape and did not seem to think his obvious wealth meant his respect or attitude should be compromised. Richard smiled as he played his little game of detective- a habit quickly developed by anyone born to the stage. Richard could hear a conversation in the distance,

"Don't worry Alfred, I'll try to enjoy myself.". The man started walking towards him, leaving the fancy limousine behind. Richard picked up the underlining strain beneath the reassurance.

Richard felt nervous, sensing the man did not want to come to the circus in the first place. He felt self-conscious again, thinking about the pretty red dress. All he was wearing was a red leotard and bright leggings, covered with his mother's intricate embroidery with sequins. What if the man didn't like the circus? He had plenty of experience with mean costumers that he did not want to repeat; his smile wavered a bit. Richard ran a hand over his hair and brushed it off with a smile, standing straight with an arm out for the man to take.

"Right this way sir!"

Richard

Richard and the man walked inside the big tent, and Richard relaxed again. The loud music, the smell of popcorn, and the warmth of the audience packed in the stands was a familiar sight that made pride bloom inside his chest. The man, Bruce Wayne according to the ticket Richard ripped earlier, sat down at his seat.

"May I get you anything before the show starts sir?

"Ah, nothing today Mister…?"

Richard cleared his throat in embarrassment, not being used to being called 'Mister'. "Richard Grayson, sir.", he replied.

The man raised his eyebrows, "One of the Flying Graysons?"

"The youngest sir." Pride bloomed again as Richard thought of his parents preforming, "Today will be my first big act!". Anyone could tell this child thrived in attention and on stage with that childish smile and pride.

The man gave a small smiled before replying "Well, I look forward to it- good luck today.".

Richard smiled and bowed before leaving, but not before noticing the way the man seemed continuously on edge, as if anything could pose a threat. Richard flashed back, to maybe two or three hours ago, when he saw three big men exit Mr. Haley's field office after some words he didn't understand. We're these men connected? Probably not, Richard reasoned, he was probably nervous like his father said earlier and jumping to conclusions because of it.

He was still thinking about those men when he joined Aran back at the entrance.

"Richard?"

"Oh- what?" Richard snapped out of his daze. "Sorry, I got the next guest."

"No its not that," Aran huffed, obviously annoyed his friend wasn't paying attention to him, "You're parents are calling you backstage."

Richard sucked in a breath of excitement, immediately forgetting about Bruce Wayne and his suspicions. Running off, Richard flashed a smile back at his friend "I'll see ya after the show! Tell Zitka hi for me!"

Aran laughed, throwing his blond hair back, "Don't worry about my animals Richard. Good luck!".

Aran knew his friend was really a 'her', but to like most children at that age, unaffected by society's norms and expectations, it did not matter to him. Aran knew that they would be friends forever, and felt happy that Richard would trust him with such a secret. In return, Aran had trusted Richard to the back door of the animal's keep. There, along with their other friends, they would spend hours in some imaginary world, or talking about where the circus would travel next.

It would be a while until the laughing children met again. In fact, my reader, when they would meet, it would be under very different circumstances. If Aran and Reyna were ever destined to be together, that path withered and died tonight.

I squished two shots in here to speed up the plot a little. Yay or nay for this chapter length? Next chapter is where the angst and depression starts. Follow and review so I can tell if its going in the right direction- no judging. Review any ideas, seriously. I wrote this fic because I could not find anything like it, and I don't want my readers to be like that.

Reviews are appreciated to an extent few know, thank you :)