A/N: This story will probably be slightly AU, OOC and crack!ish. Basically Batman/Nightwing/Red Hood/Red Robin/Robin/Batgirl/etc doesn't exist, and the Wayne family are just a normal family (aside from the infinite amount of money).

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the DC characters. Also, please bear in mind that I have not read any of the comic books, so the characterisations of the characters may be different to canon (hence why this is slightly OOC).


Dick Grayson glanced up at the clock. Twenty minutes until guests would undoubtedly start to arrive. Everyone was always on time for a Wayne Gala. Looking into the mirror in his bathroom, Dick added the final adjustments to his tie, before hearing a knock on his bedroom door.

"Come in!"

The door opened and Tim's head popped in. "I need help with my tie, and Jason's not even dressed yet and Bruce's still in the shower." Dick motioned for his brother to come in, and once he was content with his own appearance, he moved to fix the tie around Tim's neck.

"There we go." Dick brushed imaginary lint off Tim's shoulders, "By the way, Tim."

Tim glanced up.

"Try to talk to Damian tonight," Dick said, which caused the younger boy to frown slightly. "I'm not forcing you, obviously, but you should try. He's not that bad of a kid. A bit spoiled, and with a holier-than-thou attitude, but he's still a kid." Tim simply nodded, and when Dick took a step back, he left the room.

Dick sighed. Ever since Damian had arrived, Dick had tried his best to make the boy comfortable — he had tried to talk to him as often as he could, and while it started off mainly as a one-sided conversation, Damian eventually began to talk more. But it was only to Dick. When it came to Jason, Damian was still quiet, but had opened up to the second oldest quite a bit, especially compared to when he had first arrived (though Dick noticed that their conversations were often Jason teasing Damian and Damian shooting back an insult). The only person that Damian never spoke to was Tim. The two youngest didn't seem to get along very well, though Dick wasn't quite sure why that was.

Another knock on the door caused Dick to look up, but before he could tell whomever it was to come in, the door opened and this time, Bruce's head poked inside.

"Good, you're ready. It's time." Dick's guardian-turned-father-figure smiled and then disappeared back into the corridor. Making sure his suit was in pristine condition; Dick stepped out of his room and headed downstairs.

When he jumped onto the landing of the stairs, he walked straight to the ballroom, giving a small wave to Alfred who stood by the door, awaiting the guests.

Bruce stood in the middle of the ballroom. Damian stood by his side, looking around the large room, and Dick knew that even Damian, who acted like he was better than anything and anyone, was impressed by the grand design of the room. The sight made Dick smile ever so slightly — from where he stood, he could see just how similar Damian was to Bruce; both stood up straight, with their hands behind their back and their expression neutral. It was slightly eerie, like looking at a mini-Bruce, which, Dick thought, was exactly what Damian was. A mini-Bruce.

"Where's Jaybird and Tim?" Dick's question was answered when he heard footsteps approaching from behind. Turning, he saw Jason saunter into the room, an arm draped lazily across Tim's shoulder.

"I told you, Dickie-bird, I hate that nickname," Jason said, draping his other arm across Dick's shoulder.

"And I hate Dickie-bird just as much," Dick said, grinning from ear to ear. Just then, the nineteen-year-old heard the front door being opened, and Alfred's voice rang in his ear.

"Welcome, Master Queen, Miss Lance." With that, all five men made their way outside to welcome the guests.


"I've been here so many times and it still amazes me." Dick glanced down at Barbara, who had a hold on his arm and was looking around the room, her mouth open slightly in awe.

"Alfred's a magician," Dick replied, placing a kiss to the crown of her head.

"Indeed he is," Barbara agreed, leaning her head on his shoulder, "So, how is he?"

Dick didn't have to ask whom she was referring to.

"He's slowly getting used to it, I think," Dick said, glancing over to where Tim stood, conversing with Bruce's good friends Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance.

"Do you think he's still jealous of Damian?" Barbara was careful to keep her voice quiet, taking a sip from her apple juice.

"I think so," Dick muttered, "I just don't understand why."

"Silly," At Dick's feigned offended face, she simply laughed. "He's no longer the baby, no longer the youngest. It's natural that he's jealous."

"I don't understand, Babs."

"Of course not, Boy Wonder. You were never a middle child."

"Neither were you."

"But I had cousins who were," Barbara stated, "It's what most people call the middle-child-syndrome."

"So, Tim's jealous because... he's no longer the youngest? I don't get it. He always hated being called the baby."

"Yeah, but now that he's actually no longer the baby of the family, he doesn't like it."

The pair had slowly made their towards the backyard, for some fresh air as well as some more privacy.

"Do you think he'll get over it?"

Barbara nodded, giving his arm a squeeze. "Jason did."

Dick smiled at that; suddenly remembering the few weeks after Tim had arrived. Jason had hated the little kid's guts, and always teased him and pulled pranks on him. But over time, the hatred subsided and the pranks became less harmful and funnier (for both parties). And now they were closer than ever. It just took some time.

"Yeah, if Jason can do it, Tim can too."

"What did I do that Tim can too?"

The voice caused both Dick and Barbara to turn, seeing Jason standing behind them, a goofy grin on his face.

"Get over the infamous "middle-child-syndrome"," Barbara replied, which caused Jason to laugh, taking a seat on one of the many benches.

"I've noticed Tim's going through that." Dick raised an eyebrow at his younger brother, which made Jason shrug. "I told him to give Damian a chance. And then told him I used to feel the same way about him."

"How'd he react to that?" It was Barbara that spoke up. She had made her way to sit next to Jason, pulling Dick along.

"He just said he'd try," Jason said, "Which, when it comes to Tim, I'm not exactly sure what it means."

"Hopefully he'll come around," Dick said, before glancing back to the ballroom. "We should probably head back. Can't leave poor Timmy all alone in there with Bruce and Damian."


The gala had ended in the early morning, and when the last of the guests had returned home, Dick remained in the living room, finishing up his bottle of beer (Alfred had allowed Jason, Dick, and Barbara all one alcoholic drink each, just for tonight).

"What are you thinking about?" Barbara's voice brought Dick out from his thoughts as he turned to face his girlfriend, who had her feet propped up on his lap. Since her father was going away for the weekend on a work trip, Barbara was allowed to stay at the mansion over the weekend.

"I'm just wondering if Jason's trying to sneak another bottle of beer behind Alfred's back right now," Dick said, smiling. And right on cue, he heard Alfred's stern voice coming from the kitchen.

"Master Jason, you are underage. You should be thankful that I even gave you one bottle tonight." There was a loud groan, which caused both Dick and Barbara to laugh as an unamused Jason trudged into the living room, his suit jacket long thrown aside.

"Can't believe he won't let me have another one," Jason grumbled, taking a seat on the slipper chair by the unlit fireplace.

"Be glad he gave you one at all," Dick taunted, pressing his bottle to his lips, downing a mouthful of liquid. This caused Jason to grimace at his older brother.

"Well I guess I should follow the little kiddies' lead and head to bed." Jason stood up and stretched his arms, and with a mumbled 'Night', he walked out of the living room.


A/N: Please review! Constructive criticism works well too!