The dinner was nerve-wracking. Everyone kept asking him questions. Not questions regarding were he had been for seven years and what had happened to him. Those everyone actively avoided and if one got to close to asking one of those, someone would change the subject. There was a point where he almost wished they would just ask him so things weren't so awkward. He nearly sighed in relief when the night ended. Rick, Karla, and Johnny bid the reunited family good night and headed toward their own trailer.
As John opened the door, Dick could feel long forgot memories bubbling to the surface. A few things flashed through his mind before he shoved them away. Sunlight shining through the open window, a vase of freshly pick wild flowers sitting on the small kitchen table, the smell of fresh baked cookies and laughter.
"Your room is the same except for Alex's things. You two will be sharing a room. I hope that's okay?" Mary said.
"It's fine." Dick said as John moved passed him carrying a sleeping Alex. He gently placed the boy in the bed resting against the left wall. The room was small with two twin beds, one green and one blue, with a little night stand between them. A lamp with a shade covered with animals sat on the night stand, functioning as a night light. There was a trunk at the end of each bed that held clothes and extra blankets.
Dick watched as John tucked Alex in and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "Goodnight, sunshine." John whispered as Alex snuggled into his pillow. It took Dick a moment to realize that John had spoken Romani, a language he hadn't used in nearly seven years. He stepped back as John closed the door and sighed. "It's usually so difficult to get him to go to sleep." He clapped a hand on Dick's shoulder and steered him to the table.
Dick did his best not to flinch. What was with these people and touching him? He sat down and Mary placed a steaming mug in front of him. He could smell the rich, chocolaty scent wafting from the cup. He didn't touch it. John and Mary Grayson, like their son, were nothing remarkable. John wasn't very tall, maybe around five foot ten or eleven. He had black hair like he did and a lighter shade of blue for his eyes. He had an athletic build and his hands were rough and calloused. Mary was a few inches shorter than her husband. Her red hair, which was usually pulled back into a bun or pony-tail, hung in waves around her face. Her eyes were the same icy blue as Alex's. She wasn't overly muscular but Dick knew she was stronger than she looked. Her hands, like her husbands, were rough from her time on the high wire.
Mary couldn't believe it. For seven years, she dreamed of this moment. Of having her son, her robin, back. She was so afraid that she would wake up and he would be gone.
John took a moment to get a good look at his boy. Well, he didn't know if he could call him a boy anymore. Rick was right. His boy had grown up. His eyes where the same beautiful, sapphire blue that neither of them knew whose side he got them from. However, the spark that used to reside there was gone. He noticed that there was a small white scar on his right cheek just underneath his eyes.
Minutes passed without a word and their staring was beginning to put him on edge. He stood, bringing the two adults out of their thoughts. "Thank you for your hospitality, but it would be best if I turned in." Dick said nodding to John and Mary.
"Oh, alright. Goodnight Dick." Mary called as he headed to the bedroom.
Dick paused. "Goodnight." He whispered as he entered the room and shut the door. He stood there for a moment, taking in everything that had happened. Being here brought back so many memories and emotions that he had kept buried for so long and it was tiring. He let out a sigh and jumped slightly when his sigh was returned. He had forgotten that the room was occupied. Alex rolled over and the blanket shifted. He had his left leg hung over the side of the bed and the blanket sat bunched up on his stomach. Dick went over and gently lifted Alex's leg back onto the bed. Alex curled into a ball and Dick had to pry the blanket away. He then spread it out to cover him. Alex sighed at the return of warmth. Dick went over to the second bed and laid down on top of the covers. He closed his eyes and fell into a light slumber.
BEAKLINE
A cool breeze ruffled through Dick's hair as he sat on top of the Grayson's trailer and watched the sunrise. It was beautiful with its yellows, oranges, and pinks peaking up over the top of the circus tents. It was a magnificent sight. One he wished could capture on a piece of paper. He heard the front door open and Mary called his name. He jumped down, starling her. "Oh there you are. Come inside, breakfast is ready." She said and Dick followed her in.
"Well, good morning early bird." John said smiling at him. He and Alex were already sitting at the table, eating their fair share of pancakes.
Alex's eyes lit up at the mention of his name. "Dick, look! Mom made chocolate chip pancakes." He said holding up his plate to show him. The plate began to tip but Dick grabbed it before any of its contents could spill of the floor.
"Be careful." Dick told him as he placed the plate on the table.
"Sorry," Alex said sheepishly and he went back to his food.
A plate of steaming hot pancakes appeared in front of him as he sat down. Dick listened to Alex chatter as he picked at his food. "Come on Dick, it's time to go practice." Alex said tugging on his sleeve.
"Alex, Dick might not be up to practice today." John reminded him. Alex slouched in his seat, pouting.
"Perhaps he'll come watch." Mary suggested and Alex's eyes lit up again.
"Will ya come watch?! Will ya? Will ya? Will ya?" Alex begged bouncing up and down.
Dick felt the corners of his mouth twitch. "Yes, I will come watch." He replied.
Alex cheered and began to pull him towards the door. Mary laughed at her son's antics. "You remember when Dick was that hyper?" John reminisced as he wrapped his arms around his wife.
"He's much more reserved now." She said glancing down at uneaten pancakes. "He didn't eat much." She sighed.
"He didn't eat very much at dinner last night either."
"Should I be worried?"
"Mary, Dick was in a place where they probably didn't feed him very much. Give him time and let him adjust. He'll probably start eating again soon."
Mary nodded in agreement as she cleared the table.
BREAKLINE
Dick found himself being dragged into the Big Top behind a hyper-active five year old. He was beginning to think that giving him chocolate-chip pancakes smothered in maple syrup wasn't such a good idea. The Big Top was already filled with performers practicing their routines. Alex steered him toward where the rest of the Graysons where waiting. Rick spied the two brothers heading their way and smiled. "Good morning you two. Going to join us today Dick?" he asked.
"No, I am merely here to observe."
"Alright, but I'm sure you'll be joining us eventually. Once a Flying Grayson, Always a Flying Grayson."
There was a loud roar and the group turned to see a full grown elephant charging toward them. Her trainer ran behind her, trying to get her to stop. The Graysons quickly moved out of the way, wondering what had set the animal off.
John and Mary entered the tent just as the elephant began its charge. Mary's eyes widened when Dick didn't move. "Dick!" she cried wondering why he was just standing there. Dick saw the animal coming straight at him and was unafraid. He knew she wouldn't hurt him. They had grown up together after all. The elephant slowed as it reached him and she wrapped her trunk firmly his waist. He soon found himself face-to-face with the elephant and couldn't help but smile. The elephant let out a happy sound and pulled him into her version of a hug.
"Hey Zitka." He mumbled as rubbed her trunk.
Zitka roared back his greeting. "Zitka, down." He said hoping she would listen. Zitka made a noise that sounded surprisingly like no. Dick felt himself being lifted higher.
"No Zitka, down." He said more firmly but Zitka wouldn't listen. Dick sighed and pulled his feet up so he wouldn't hit her in the face as he was placed on her back. She let out another happy roar and began to parade around the tent with her prize.
The performers couldn't help but laugh at the sight. The Grayson family just smiled. Dick nudged Zitka back towards her trainer, who had a mega-watt grin on his face. "I apologize for distracting your performer." He said with a small smirk.
"Oh, that's alright. She was just saying hello to an old friend." The trainer replied.
Dick gave her one last pat before he back-flipped off her. Zitka roared and wrapped her trunk around his wrist, keeping him in place. "Zitka, you need to let go now." He said. She tugged on his arm. He rubbed her trunk soothingly. "I'll be back." He promised. It took a bit more nudging from both him and her trainer before she consented in releasing him.
Dick turned to the Graysons, who looked at him with knowing smiles. Dick just raised an eyebrow at them. "Alright you guys, enough gawking. Let's get to work." Rick said ushering the group to the ladders. He watched carefully as they each climbed the ladders, three on the left and three on the right. Once they reached the top, Alex couldn't help but wave at him. Dick gave him a small wave back. Alex was not yet old enough to perform in the show but Mom and Dad were beginning to teach him the basics of the trapeze. They also let him stay in 'The Robin's Nest' during the show. It was the best seat in the house.
Dick's eyes followed Alex as he swung through the air. At the pinnacle of his swing, Alex let go, flipped once and grabbed the second bar. The Graysons and any performers watching clapped as he landed on the opposite platform. Dick analyzed him as he began to run through different routines. His timing was off and because of that he nearly missed the bar. That would need to be fixed. He also didn't have a lot of finesse. He was fast and quick to respond and that was good. He would definitely need both. With time and a lot of training, Dick was sure he could reach his full potential.
As Alex was just finishing up his lesson, Dick could feel eyes on him. His head snapped to the right and spotted the Anita, the circus fortune-teller. She looked into his eyes, down to his very soul. She was making him uncomfortable. He was pulled out of his thoughts by a now grounded Alex as he suddenly launched himself at Dick. If it hadn't been for his quick reflexes, Dick would have dropped him. "Dick! Did you see?! Did you see?! I did a flip!" Alex cheered as Dick set him down.
"Yes I did and it was very well done." He said and Alex beamed at his small praise. Dick set him down next to him and listened to him to talk as he watched the others perform their own routine. It wasn't long before he spotted someone coming toward him. Anita stopped directly in front of him. They stared at each other for a moment. She then knelt in front of him and took his hand. She face contorted into a grimace.
"Oh, child, such pain. What you've gone through to prove yourself." She said staring him in the eye.
Dick looked at her in confusion. "What are you-"
"Hush," she said. "Water, Fire, Rocks, Metal, blood, feathers and a choice. A difficult choice."
She was quiet for a second then she screamed and fell back. The sound had all heads turning. "Anita, what's wrong?" Karla said bending down to help the woman but she shooed her away.
"The owl." Dick felt his breath hitch and his body stiffened. She scrambled back to him and took his hand. "So lost. Alone. Pain. So much pain. And the owl. Beware the owl."
Dick stood and ripped his hand from hers. He glared at her, wanting so desperately to shut her up. Anita trembled under his gaze. He didn't know if was from him or what she saw in him. He squared his shoulders, spun on his foot and stormed out. Leaving behind a confused group of performers.
