A/N: Sorry for the late update. I've been really busy with classes.
Dick hated Bruce's parties. He had to wear a stuffy suit, and people gossiped about him when they didn't think he could hear them. He was currently hiding under the table with a plate of rolls, listening as the ladies standing at the buffet line blabbed about Bruce Wayne.
"And he took in another child! Ronald or Raymond or something." The woman sniffed haughtily. "I mean, first he had the bastard child, but I mean, who could be surprised at that. Brucie has had so many women on his arm. I'm surprised he hasn't had more children. Why take in any other children though? What is the point of keeping them? It can't be for the publicity if he keeps doing it. Besides, there's so many better children he could have taken in than the circus beast." The other woman laughed. Their heels clicked as they walked away.
Dick was on the verge of tears. The whole reason why he was hiding under the table was to get away from the stares and whispers that followed him. It seemed that no matter where he went, people were going to say mean things about him.
"Are you okay?" Dick whirled around to find a little girl, about 5 years old, staring at him. She had crawled under the table and was sitting next to him. She had pretty red hair with a purple headband in it and was wearing a sparkling purple dress that poofed out. Her blue eyes watched him worriedly.
"'M fine." Dick mumbled and wiped at his eyes.
"No, you're not." Her cheeks puffed out as she scowled. She crawled back out for a moment before coming back with a napkin and handing it to him.
"Thanks." Dick sniffled, and wiped his face with the napkin. He held out his hand. Alfred always said to shake someone's hand when introducing yourself. "I'm Dick. What's your name?"
"I'm Barbara." Barbara shook his hand but didn't let go. "It's my first time here. I kept asking Daddy to bring me 'cause I thought it'd be fun, but this party is boring." She stuck out her tongue. "Parties are supposed to be fun."
Dick giggled. "Yeah, Bruce's parties are really boring. I wish I could leave, but Bruce says I have to stay."
Barbara's eyes widened. "Oh! You're Dick Grayson, aren't you?"
Dick blushed and looked away, frowning. "Yeah. So?" She was going to treat him differently too. All the kids did when they found out he was Bruce Wayne's new kid.
"So those mean ladies were talking about you. Is that why you're sad?" Barbara frowned. "You shouldn't listen to them. They're stupid."
"That's not very nice." Dick mumbled, but he was starting to smile.
"So's what they said." Barbara picked up one of the rolls and threw it at him. "Now, I'm bored, so let's have fun."
"Did somebody say fun?" Jason poked his head under the table, grinning. "Hey, Dickie! Did you make a friend?"
"Hi, Jay." Dick smiled, but it was more subdued than his usual one. He gestured to the girl. "This is Barbara."
"Hiya, Barbara!" Jason beamed, a wicked gleam in his eye. "I heard that you're bored! I say we ditch this snorefest!"
Dick frowned. "But Bruce said we have to stay."
Jason rolled his eyes. "It's not like we're gonna leave the Manor. Timmy managed to sneak us away and now we're setting up a pillow fort in the living room. Cass went off to make popcorn. I'm here to find you and steal dessert."
"I like pillow forts!" Barbara grinned, eyes wide in excitement. She grabbed Dick's hand and pulled. "Come on, Dick!"
Dick giggled and followed, quickly standing beside Jason. Jason handed him and Barbara a plate.
"Here. Fill this with as many cookies and cakes as you can. We're gonna have our own party." Dick and Barbara quickly did as he said, piling their plates high with food. The three of them headed for the exit, skirting their way around the guests. Some of the adults glanced at them but quickly ignored them and went back to their conversation. The three children trotted into the living room, where half a pillow fort was already built. Barbara set her plate down and gleefully made her way to the pile of pillows, intent on helping to finish make the fort.
Tim looked up from where he was gathering DVDs. "Who's this?"
"I'm Barbara." Barbara raised her nose at him and sniffed. She found it rude that he didn't directly ask her for her name. Tim stifled a laugh.
"Okay, Barbara. I'm Tim. Do you like Disney movies?" Tim held up some movies. Barbara's eyes lit up before narrowing in suspicion.
"Do you have Little Mermaid? It's my favorite 'cause Ariel has red hair like me."
"We sure do." Tim held up the movie, letting out a chuckle at Barbara's excited gasp.
"That's Cass's favorite movie." Dick put his plate down and helped Barbara to build the fort. Jason joined them. "It's 'cause she doesn't talk a lot, like Ariel. She also likes Mulan."
Cass walked in at that moment with the popcorn, which Jason went to grab from her. Cass laughed and ruffled his hair. She noticed there was another person in the room and looked at her curiously.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Barbara." Said girl puffed her chest out proudly and grabbed Dick's hand. "Dick's my friend."
Cass nodded and smiled at the girl. She made her way to the pillow fort, which was just about done, and helped to put the last few blankets in place. They all crawled inside and settled the food in front of them.
Dick looked around, his eyebrows furrowed. "Hey, why aren't Dami and Stephanie here?"
Jason scoffed. "'Cause they're adults, and they're at the adult party. This is the kids and teens party." Dick nodded seriously. It made total sense to him.
The four kids and teens stayed there for hours, devouring the food as they made their way through Disney movies. Barbara and Dick were starting to fall asleep when a startled yell jerked them awake.
"Barbara? Honey, where are you?" The door burst open, revealing Bruce, Commissioner Gordon, and a few cops. The Commissioner sighed in relief when he saw the group.
"Daddy!" Barbara launched herself toward her father. "Look, Daddy! I made friends!"
Commissioner Gordon hugged his daughter tightly, glad that she was safe. He turned to Bruce and the cops. "You can call off the search now. I'm sorry to have disturbed your party, Mr. Wayne."
"Nonsense." Bruce waved him off as the cops left. "You didn't know where your daughter was. I know how it is." He eyed his kids knowingly. "What I want to know is why you guys left the party."
"'Cause it's sooo boring!" Jason whined. "So we had our own!"
"Yeah, Daddy!" Barbara pulled back to look at her father. "We made a fort and watched movies and ate food and it was really fun! Can we do it again?"
"Not tonight, you can't. We're going home." The Commissioner turned to Bruce again. "Thank so much again, Mr. Wayne."
"It was my pleasure." Bruce smiled.
"Can Barbara come over and play again?" Dick asked, eyes pleading. He scampered over to his dad and wrapped his arms around his leg.
Bruce laid a hand on Dick's shoulder. "Only if Commissioner Gordon says it's okay."
Jim hesitated. His daughter was young, just out of toddlerhood, and the youngest in the Wayne household was three years older than her. His wife did say that Barbara needed friends though, and it looked like she had been having fun tonight. He looked down at his daughter's pleading eyes and sighed. Barbara cheered, knowing she had won.
"Just tell me when you leave next time, okay Barbara?" Barbara nodded quickly. Jim hefted her up higher in his arms. "Say goodbye to your friends, Barbara."
Barbara turned and waved. "Bye bye!"
Dick grinned and waved back. "Bye!"
The Commissioner and his daughter left, leaving the Waynes alone.
"I'm tired." Dick yawned. He held his arms out to be picked up, which Bruce granted.
"It's time for you to go to bed." Dick nodded slowly and laid his head on Bruce's shoulder, closing his eyes. "Goodnight, everyone."
Bruce carried Dick to his bedroom. He helped the boy out of his suit and into his pajamas and tucked him into bed. He smiled down at the boy and ran a hand through Dick's hair.
"Goodnight, chum."
"Night, Bruce." Dick snuggled into the blankets, closing his eyes. They suddenly snapped open. "Bruce! I forgot to tell you!"
"What is it?" He looked at Dick, amused as the boy vibrated with excitement.
"Barbara has really pretty hair! Doesn't she? It's really red!"
Bruce chuckled. "Yes, it is. Is that all?"
"Yeah." Dick smiled. "Night, Bruce."
"Goodnight, Dick." Bruce turned off the light and closed the door. Suddenly, he froze, any amusement he felt sliding off his face. Dick had called Barbara pretty—well, he called her hair pretty. Was that the same thing for children? Did Dick have a crush on the girl? Bruce shook his head. No, that was ridiculous. Dick was only 8-years-old. He couldn't have a crush on the girl...
...could he?
A/N: Feel free to follow me at browniesarethebest . tumblr .com. Obviously, subtract the spaces. I'd love to hear suggestions or requests :)
