Disclaimer: I do not own Batman
A/N: Update! First, thanks for the support. You guys are great. Second, this fic will be a long one and I know Batman is bad ass but he is human. A young man in his late twenties taking on raising a child. Trying to be realistic and have true family dynamics. I hope you guys like it. I want to EARN the reviews I get lol. Give me your critiques. Your likes/dislikes What do you want to see more of? Do you want me to stop this fic and start over? I value your input. Thanks again!
GRAYSON-2
"There are hundreds of kids that go through these doors, very few leave with a bright future. No one wants a child who has come from Gotham streets."
A social worker explained to the man beside her. She was a middle aged heavy set woman, her blond hair bobbed above her shoulders her brown eyes in cased behind pointy rimmed glasses adorned with a bead chain.
"This is a world with caped crusaders and crazed criminals and these young ones are caught in the middle of the mess." she stated clutching the files in her arms.
She adjusted her glasses as she looked over at the man. He was the exact opposite of her. Where she was motherly he seemed the most unlikely of people interested in fostering a child. His black hair neatly combed his frame tall and fit. His black suit was as expensive as her ex-husbands apartment and she completely understood the attraction women had towards him. He was indeed very handsome. His light blue eyes were fixed on the large window looking into the rec room.
"Mr. Wayne, forgive me for being frank, but taking on the responsibility of caring for a child is no easy feat. I've seen your life style and I'm afraid the comparison clashes."
Bruce looked at her. "I understand your concerns."
The woman cleared her throat. "I don't think you do, providing for a normal child is hard enough. Those children in that room have seen more hardship, drug problems, abuse, trauma and the boy you are asking about has gone through the worst any child should ever see. His parents died right in front of him and I don't think you have..." she raised a hand to her chest catching her blunder. "Oh, Mr Wayne. I didn't.."
"It's alright" Bruce answered.
She melted at his deep voice, but she focused on the task at hand. She pointed to a boy sitting on the floor in the far back corner of the room.
"That's him. It was initially a fight to get him here, always hard taking them away from what they know. Now, he hasn't spoken a word since we brought him here two days ago."
"Have they evaluated him yet?"
"Oh, yes. He's a good boy, really, but that kind of trauma changes you." she lead the way to the door. "Just let me do the talking at first."
Bruce nodded.
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"Richard."
Dick swore it was his mother's voice he heard, which in turn caused him to look up but found it was the social worker. She smiled bending down.
"Richard, there is someone here who would like to talk to you."
Dick turned away causing the woman to come closer to him.
Bruce did a quick analysis of the boy before him, he didn't know if it was out of habit or he did it to make him feel comfortable. Always have to analyze. He stood by observing the interaction between her and Richard and knowing nothing would come to fruition.
Mrs. Walker removed her glasses as she always did to come across less professional and more approachable.
"He took time out of his day to see you." she frowned when she got no response. "He has lots of toys you can play with."
Both Bruce and Dick felt like that was a stretch of the truth. Bruce showed his uneasiness as he placed his hand in his pocket while Dick turned and gave her a unamused glare."
She sighed. "Won't you at least say Hi?"
Dick drifted his eyes from her to look at the warden he would be placed with. When he caught sight of Bruce he was taken a back. His eyes met Bruce's for a moment but he simply turned his focus down to his hands.
"I'll leave you to get to know one another." she said as she straightened. She placed a encouraging hand on Bruce's arm as she passed by him.
There was empty space between he and Dick, neither sure how to deal with that. Bruce looked at Dick closely, the years of acrobatic training was evident in his muscle structure though he was a child, for his age, he was toned in both his legs, arms, and back. His black hair was somewhat a mess a few strands falling above his right eye brow and though it was for a moment he knew his eyes were a deeper shade of blue than his.
The silence had to be broken and Bruce would have to make the first move. Somehow. He titled his head slightly.
"I hear your..." Bruce began. why was he so damn nervous? He took a breath and tried again. "May I sit?"
Dick shrugged. Bruce sat on the ground...Silence.
"Do you... well." Bruce trailed off. He closed his eyes thinking the right course of action.
"You really suck at this."
Bruce eyes opened in surprise as he saw Dick looking at him. Well, he couldn't argue with that.
"...Yeah, I do."
Dick was intrigued by the admission but he hid it. "You should get some lessons."
Bruce blinked now how was he supposed to answer to this. He frowned.
"Public speaking, is one of the most common phobias." Dick added. "So, don't feel bad about it."
Silence.
Bruce looked at his watch. Four minutes of conversation and so far he was losing. He knew he had a small window opening. He was skipping steps. He held out his hand.
"Hi, my name is Bruce Wayne."
Dick looked from Bruce then to the hand offered to him. He shook it. "Richard Grayson but you knew that already."
"Yes."
Dick frowned at the straight forward response. This guy was a little older than Ravi twenties seven perhaps.
Silence.
The woman stepped forward. Bruce sensed his time was running incredibly short. Speak you idiot!
"Richard, I would like you to come with me. I can't promise you what you want but I'm offering you a home to live in. I'll leave you to think about it." He reached into his pocket and handed Dick his business card. "If you need anything or want to contact me."
Dick took the card staring at it. Even it looked expensive, but money was not what was driving him to lean toward yes. He remembered now the man saw talking to Haley, was Bruce Wayne made sense and right now that was a comforting thought. He looked up from the card to see Bruce heading out of few, he thought a moment maybe, this was all a trap. This world he heard of was never good. Not in Gotham City. He scrunched up the card and threw it on the floor.
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Bruce ran a hand through his hair. Well, if there was ever a moment he felt out of place it was that. He pressed the down button on the elevator. His mind flashed over the moment he watched the Grayson's fell to their death, he saw the flaw. Like that with his own experience with his parents death by the time he could do anything to stop it. It was too late. Their fate ended right before his eyes, left standing with two thousand spectators in disbelief. He was brought back to the present as the elevator doors opened.
"Wait!...WAIT!"
Bruce turned to see Dick running down the hall way. He reached out to prevent the doors from closing. Dick wasn't even breathless as he came up beside Bruce. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it.
Bruce simply raised a hand and stepped aside. "After you."
"MR. Wayne, you need to sign some papers." Mrs. Walker said running up to him.
"I already did. Good, afternoon." Bruce said as he clicked the floor button.
"But..I.." Mrs. Walker sputtered as the doors closed. She looked down at the files in her hand opening up she flipped to Dick's file and skimmed down to the bottom and was flabbergasted to see Bruce's signature at the bottom. "Well, I'll be."
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As, Bruce lead the way out he approached his car. Dick watched as a older gentlemen made his way around the car. Dick stopped and stared at the door held open for him, he looked back at Bruce then back at the man beside him. The older man sensed his hesitation.
"Welcome, Master Richard."
Dick waited a beat longer before he hopped in the backseat. As, the door was shut behind him he took in the fancy leather interior, the indoor overhead light to the cup holders beside him. He ran his hand to feel the leather. The other passenger door opened as Bruce sat down in the back seat, he straightened looking behind him he grabbed the seat belt and clicked into place.
Silence.
The car pulled away from the curb and soon they were driving down the road. Dick flicked his eyes over to Bruce then folded his hands in his lap. Then turned his attention the pacing street lights. Bruce glanced over at the boy across from him.
Now what? Small talk? That went so well last time. He went to speak then turned his attention to the streets outside his window. This was new. Maybe he was crazy, he was in over his head. His memory brought him back to seeing Dick shattered reaching out to his parents motionless bodies. He turned to look at Dick.
"I...can make arrangements for your parents."
Arrangements? Then it hit Dick. He didn't even think of that...or perhaps he didn't want to. He had to say something. But didn't.
Silence. Was it always going to be this insufferable? Just then the screen that separated the front seat and the back lowered.
"Mr. Bruce, is there anything the young man needs?"
Bruce reached out and touched Dick's shoulder. "Richard, I'd like you to meet a good friend. This is Alfred."
Dick wasn't sure. Then muttered.. "hi."
Alfred eyes connected to Bruce in the rear view mirror.
"Alfred asked you a question." Bruce reminded.
Dick ached for what he lost. The sting of tears stung his eyes pushing his feelings down, he shook his head.
"No."
"We will be arriving home in an hour." Alfred concluded.
Indeed it was an hour. As the car made it's way through a wooded area Dick eyes couldn't help but brighten as the large gates opened before him. Straightening as the car drove around a fountain come to a stop in front of his jail. He didn't move from his spot suddenly he was feeling fearful, he heard horror stories from the kids about foster parents. The door opened he willed his legs to move. He undid the seat belt, his mouth suddenly dry.
Alfred came into few a warm smile on his face. "It's alright."
Dick was not certain of that but he slid off the seat and stood outside. This place was unlike anything he's ever seen. Bruce came up beside Dick.
"Welcome, home." Bruce said leading the way into his house.
This was not home. He took in the grandeur the mansion before him held. He almost flinched as he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"The Wayne Mansion is overwhelming for many, but I promise it will not bite." Alfred reassured.
Dick crossed the threshold, he couldn't stop his mouth from hanging open. Wealth dripped from wall to ceiling the foyer opened up into a vast space. He took in the polished wood floor the curved grand staircase casting his eyes up to see the crystal chandelier.
Definitely NOT home.
"Alfred, your on your own, I have something to take care of." Bruce stated as he walked passed them.
"Of, course sir."
Bruce halted his steps turning to look at the boy. "Richard, make yourself comfortable. I'll be back for dinner."
"Dick."
Bruce stared at the acrobat. "Sorry?"
"I..don't like being called Richard." It was true. His parents called him Richard. His friends...I guess he couldn't call Bruce a friend but it would do enough.
Bruce smiled softly. "See you later, Dick."
With that Bruce was out the door. Alfred, remembered Dick's belonging still in the back of the car. "If you excuse me master, Dick. I will retrieve your bag.
Dick was left standing alone. Then he furrowed his brow as a thought came to him. 'How did they get his belongings?'
A/N: Review!