Summary: see chapter 1 here:

Clark becomes curious and some more bonding between Damien and Dick. Also Damien meets Slade

- Bruce (or Alfred if you think Bruce makes a horrible parent) made sure that Damien doesn't get much public press. So Dick doesn't know who Damien is

-Thanks to the reviews Damien gets more screen time^^

-flaties is an insulting term for people outside the circus, no idea if it is a real word...

-if you find mistakes, this wasn't betaed^^ the next two chapters are written so feel free to offer your services as beta^^

-reviews won't make me update faster, that is up to my muse the lazy slut^^ However they do influence how I write this :)

Slade Wilson considered the new development. He could now claim that Richard had while showing off his skills attracted the attention of some of his enemy's. Giving him a perfect excuse to take his bird from his family...

Clark Kent watched the retreating back with unconcealed interest, the reaction had been odd to say at least. Someone avoiding the press was okay, not the most common reaction, but a few people actually valued their privacy. Those were getting rare and rarer in this age but still okay. No the near panic of having his skilled revealed reminded him af a very specific group of people, it reminded him off a hero who just saved someone in their civilian role, yet the young man wasn't a hero, was he? As a leading member of the Justice League he had originally thought that he knew all the heroes there were... Maybe he was mistaken? Or the young man was just starting out? privately he prefered the opinion. A new hero would be good news, the first would make him look rather stupid.

Naturally the young man might aswell be a criminal, yet how many villains went around saving people? Furthermore there wasn't any of the jewelery missing as far as he could tell. So that should be out of question shouldn't it? Maybe the other heroes knew what was going on?

Finding information about the mysterious man was easier than anticipated, a fellow reporter had invited him to the circus and there he was. Richard Grayson, son of a well-known artist couple and impressive performer himself. This should have explained everything no? The young man had learned some self-defence moves, an intelligent thing to do considering that he and his family travelled much. But who the fear of having his skills revealed? Shouldn't he have taken the interview as possibility to make the public notice the circus? Free press for a business which depended on public had to be great no? The refusal to give an interview seemed suspicious now... Especially as Metropolis loved heros. Yet if the man was a criminal or part of a group why stay with a circus in a public place? A crime spree linked to a circus should have been easy to spot no? All these guessing was giving him a headache he needed more information...

After the show

Richard looked amused as he spotted a familiar face by his trailer. "How is my biggest fan," he asked teasingly. Damien, dressed in simple clothing, huffed slightly, yet couldn't suppress a pleased smile. In one swift movement the smaller boy was engulfed in a hug, the dog by his side yelped excited. The young Wayne heir wrapped his arms tightly around Richards body, unknowing painting a sad smile on the older males face.

After their first meeting Richard had been surprised that a child could be so sad. At the end of the circus performance he causally mentioned that there was a child without parents in the crowed. Leo, an old lion tamer, had been quick to tell him horrific tales about flaties. apparently there were parents more concerned about money than their mere idea was revolting to Robin, he could hardly believe it. Yet the expansive clothing as well as the little break down proved Leos words true in his opinion. Whenever their circus was near Gotham Damien would be in the crowed and afterwards at his trailer. It always broke Richards heart to see a child so starved for affection. Another thing that worried him was Damien's apparent lack of friends. His somewhat, or to be honest very, antisocial attitude wasn't helpful.

At the age of 15 he discovered a possible solution. During their travel to Gotham he found a small, nearly starved, puppy. The poor dog was bound to a street light. Richard had begged his parents to be allowed to keep the dog. His parents hadn't been pleased with the idea. The circus barely made enough money to feed them and an extra stomach meant more expanses. So he promised his parents to bring the dog to a shelter in Gotham. Once the first show finished in Gotham Damien was waiting at his trailer. That's were the idea hit him. Animals were a great way to bound, if the other children saw Damien with a puppy they would most likely approach him or at least see a more social side of him. Not to mention that Ace, the puppy, would have a good home. Damien had been surprised by his gift, but kept the dog in excellent shape.

Damien grip tightened greedily soaking in the offered warmth. On a objective level he knew that both Alfred and Bruce had come to care for him. With Alfred it was easy to tell, all the unnecessary cookies as well as the hot cocoa when ever he had a nightmare. His father was a different story, he didn't do nearly as much or as obviously as Pennyworthy. Little actions , easy to be missed, during the patrols gave him a sense of belonging. Yet neither could compare to his Richard. The older male was a seemingly infinite source of affections.

He always seemed happy and cheerful, as if there was nothing bad in the world. To the battle hardened pre teen Richard appeared naïve. Yet he didn't feel as if he should enlighten the boy like he had done in the past with his dump class mates, silly children that were blind to the real world. Rather he wanted to keep Richards state of mind. Of course that would be easier if the older male stayed with him. He could life in a room or whole wing of Wayne manor. With a big gym and huge bed. While he, Damien, was on patrol Richard could play in the gym and later could cuddle him after the patrol. The idea appealed greatly to him, it's not like the idiotic crowed was worthy of his Richards affections.

His train of thought crashed as Richard released him. "See you later little D", spoke the older male softly and entered his trailer. Damien lingered a little, it wasn't save for his Richard to be alone in an unprotected trailer. He had noticed how some of the people looked at him. Like a piece of meat they wanted to devour, it made his skin crawl, especially as Richard seemed obvious to their interest

As if proving his thoughts true a tall man walked towards Richard trailer. Damien had seen enough criminals to recognize a dangerous person. The muscular body, nearly soundless steps and a self-confident smile on the ugly mutilated face practical screamed predator. There was no doubt in his mind what the stranger wanted from his beautiful Richard. Straightening his spin he walked purposely towards the stranger, giving him his worst glare. "Where do you think you are going creep?