A/N: By very popular request: here is Roy! A few people mentioned Roy and Dick meeting for the first time. I hope you enjoy!
Once again, thank you to all my readers and reviewers. I really love it when I get reviews. Especially when you tell me your favorite parts. Or when I get an idea from reading your comments!
Here is some info to help you with the story:
-Bulls-Eye. You probably don't know him. I sure didn't before I went on Wikipedia to find a good villain for Green Arrow, since I knew none. Basically, he's Green Arrow's Joker. He isn't as crazy or menacing as Joker is though as he was a villain back in the 1940s. His name is Leapo the clown and he wore a bullseye on his chest and was a crack shot. Look him up in google images if you need a visual. I liked that he was similar to Joker though so I figured I could pretend I knew what I was writing about.
-That info is basically useless since I managed to ignore most of the fight scene.
- Dick is eight in the story, Roy is 13
Roy really hated these parties. He hated them with every fiber of his being. The smile he forced onto his face was now more of a grimace because of said hatred. He hated how the ladies oogled Ollie. He hated how some treated him like a little kid. He also hated the ladies that fell over him too. He hated how everyone tried to schmoose.
So basically, this wasn't fun for the thirteen year old.
The fact that his mentor now seemed to think that a eight year old was good company just made it worse.
Roy looked from Ollie to the tiny boy in what he was sure was mounting horror. Ollie didn't expect him to babysit some spoiled rich kid, did he? He looked back at his mentor who was smiling broadly and talking with Bruce Wayne, a fellow millionaire.
The little boy, Wayne's ward, was looking at him with a mix of annoyance and shyness. One of his hands clutched possessively at Wayne's pant leg. Roy comforted himself with that though. The boy probably wouldn't leave him meaning Roy wouldn't have to deal with him. Unless of course, Mr. Wayne didn't care and threw him at him anyway. A lot of parents were like that with their kids.
Bruce didn't help Roy's opinion when he sighed deeply and looked at the child. "Dick," He said firmly. "You have to let go at some point."
"No I don't." The boy said quickly. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Roy.
"Sorry. He's shy." Bruce said to Ollie.
Roy rolled his eyes. As if that needed to be said.
"I'm not shy." Dick said in a small voice. "He's just mean." He looked up at Bruce. "Can we go now?"
"Not yet. Ollie and I have business to discuss."
"Business?" The boy questioned. Bruce nodded. The boy deflated and he sighed. "Ok." He mumbled.
"Why don't you go get some food?" Bruce suggested. He glanced at Ollie. "I'm guessing everything here is safe for him, right?"
"It's fine." Ollie assured him. But he felt the need to add, "Roy, go help him."
"Sure." Roy agreed dully. He left the two to talk about business and followed the small child to the buffet table. The boy was so short he could barely see the table top. Roy asked. "Need help, Shorty?" He didn't mean to sneer, but it happened.
Dick made a face at him. Before Roy could even think, Dick had launched himself upwards. He landed on a clear edge of the table, making the people around him shriek. The kid didn't even look phased by it and just started eating the nearest chocolate covered strawberries. Despite himself, Roy chuckled.
"Nice one." He offered.
The boy gave him a small smile. "Want one?" he offered Roy one of the candies. Roy took it and they spent a moment eating. Roy's eyes trailed across the room. Ollie and Bruce had moved away from the party goers to stand next to the windows, talking very seriously. Roy's eyes flitted across the ballroom, watching the different people.
Roy looked back at Dick. The child had decided he was through with eating and had somersaulted off the table, leaving even more stunned party goers behind. Roy chuckled. He was beginning to like the kid, if only because he annoyed the other people.
"What do you want to do?" Roy asked. He figured Ollie and Bruce didn't want either of them coming back soon.
"I don't know. Do you have anything not boring?"
Roy shrugged. "Not here." He glanced around the party again and smirked. "Want to leave?"
"Yes!" Dick agreed readily. Roy was just glad for the excuse to leave. He quickly ushered the boy out of the room. When Ollie would chastise him later, he'd claim it was the kid's idea.
"What are we going to do?" The child demanded once they left the hall.
Roy shrugged. "Don't know." He didn't care either. He was just glad he wasn't back at the party. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could ditch Dick somewhere and then leave for awhile.
There was no such luck. Dick refused to leave his side and kept demanding things to do. Roy was trying to ignore him, but man was the kid insistent.
"I'm going back to Bruce. You're boring." Dick proclaimed. He spun on his heel and turned away.
"Fine, go back."
"I will." Dick said firmly. He stomped off.
Roy breathed a sigh of relief. His plan had worked after all! Two turns later though he began to panic. He'd just let the kid run off. It was doubtful that he actually knew his way around. He'd probably get lost and then Roy would get in trouble.
The redhead swore before running after the kid. "Dick? Dick, where are you?" He called. No reply. He willed himself a bit faster to catch up. "Dick?"
From a nearby hall there was a crash. Roy's heart leapt to his throat. Good lord. Please don't let that have been the kid! Or an heirloom!
Roy rounded the corner, coming face to face with a pile of armor and a tiny boy. Dick was staring in horror at the suit that now lay scattered about the ground. He looked back at the older boy and when he did so his face flushed in embarrassment. Angry tears came to his eyes.
"I'm sorry." The boy whispered his voice tight and choked. "I didn't mean to."
Slowly, Roy approached the scene. The armor was years- maybe even centuries- old. And the kid had somehow managed to knock it all down. The pieces were scattered about the floor. Nothing looked dented to him, but who knew. He opened his mouth to yell at the kid, but the blue eyes stopped him.
The kid looked so upset. Like someone had just run over his cat or something. "I'm sorry." Dick whispered again. "I was just trying to get up higher so I could see better. I didn't know where the door was." He gave a soft whimper and rubbed at his eyes.
Without realizing what he was doing Roy had knelt beside him, a smile on his face. "It's ok." He said. "It's no big deal."
"But-but it was important." He sobbed.
Roy chuckled. "It's from some stupid castle in Europe. Nothing to be upset about."
Blue eyes overflowed with tears. "Ollie will be upset." Dick whimpered. "And Bruce will be dis-disappointed."
"They don't have to know." Roy said quickly. He grabbed onto Dick's arms. "We'll pretend we didn't know, ok? I'll say that some drunken party member knocked it over. It's ok. They won't be upset. I promise."
Dick looked hopeful. "You promise?"
"I promise." Roy said firmly.
Dick gave him a tiny smile. Roy was surprised when he smiled back. He was even more surprised when he took the kid's hand and offered to take him on a tour.
Roy spent awhile playing tour guide. He walked through the halls and made up stories to entertain the kid. Oddly, the kid seemed impressed. His eyes were wide as Roy pointed out details. He wasn't like others who just snorted and went 'daddy is richer'. He even seemed to believe Roy when he told him the suit of armor came from a dragon's lair.
Roy was finding he liked the child.
"Roy! Look here!" Dick cried. He ran from Roy's side to look out the window. His eyes were shining. "You can see stars."
Roy smiled softly and followed the child's view. "Do you know where the Orion is?"
"Up there." Dick pointed to the sky and Roy chuckled.
"Kind of" Roy sat down and began to point out the constellation. "You have to look for Orion's Belt first. Its three stars in a row."
"Like Batman's utility belt." Dick agreed readily.
Roy smiled. "Right. Like Batman's utility belt."
"Could Orion be Batman?" The boy asked.
"I don't think so." Roy shrugged. The kid sure had an imagination. "Maybe he could be Green Arrow though."
"No. Batman's cooler." Dick said firmly.
Roy smirked. "I'll agree with you kid." He said. "Although I haven't met Batman yet."
The child looked at him. "Sure you have."
"Oh really?" Roy was confused at his words.
He just shrugged though. "Sure. Where is the rest of Batman?"
"You mean Orion." Roy corrected, figuring that's what the kid had meant.
"Batman." The boy insisted.
The spent the next couple minutes pointing out the constellations. Dick insisted on renaming them all. Roy found it amusing.
He wasn't sure why the child was so infectious. He laughed and Roy laughed with him. He smiled and Roy wanted to smile too.
"Alright, kid, I think it's time to head back." Roy said. "We should get you back to Mr. Wayne."
"Ok." Dick agreed rather reluctantly. He took Roy's hand in his. Roy didn't protest. For some reason the action even made him smile.
Dick was talking happily as they approached the ballroom. "And then-"
Suddenly Roy hushed him. "Did you hear that?"
The next moment a terrified shriek echoed throughout the building, followed by the shattering of glass and more screams. Simultaneously Roy and Dick ran for the door. He pushed it open and gasped.
Someone had just flown a plane through the ballroom windows.
A plane.
"Joker!" Dick gasped. The plane hatched opened and from it came about twelve men in clown masks, all pointing guns at the guests. In the cockpit was Joker, his smile spread into a wide grin.
Sitting beside him was another clown. "Bulls-Eye." Roy whispered.
"Hello there rich people!" Joker cried as he stood up. "Don't worry! Tonight my clown friends and I are just here for the money. If you will please deposit all of your credit cards, jewelry, cash, and other valuables into the bags no one will get hurt." Beside him Bulls-Eye locked his gun into place, smiling as he pointed it at the guests.
Roy quickly shut the door and grabbed Dick. "Move." He ordered, pointing down the hall. "There is a phone in the study. Call 911."
"What about you? I want to help."
"You'll be helping by calling 911." Roy urged. He grabbed Dick's arm dragging him down the hall before either of the clowns could spot them. "Dick, listen to me."
"No! You listen." Dick insisted. "I can help."
"Dick," He growled.
"Speedy…"
Roy froze. "What?"
"I can help." The boy insisted. Then, to Roy's utter shock, the child pulled a belt out of his jacket sleeve. Not just any belt though. A utility belt. The boy flashed a beaming smile at him. "I can help," Dick said, "because I'm Robin."
"You're… what?"
"Robin, Batman's partner. And you're Speedy, Green Arrow's partner." Dick waited expectantly. When Roy continued to just stare at him he frowned. "Well? Are you going to help me stop them or what?"
"Right. This way."
"I thought you said you had security here." Bruce hissed at Ollie as the clown henchmen passed them.
"I did." Ollie snapped back. "It was supposed to alert me if someone entered the grounds."
"But obviously not if they flew a plane into your house." Bruce said dryly.
Ollie shot him a look. "Shouldn't we be figuring out how to get out of this?" He hissed.
"Already did. I'll need you to-"
Whatever Bruce was going to say had been cut off when Joker noticed him. "Why, Brucie!" He cried in delight. "Whatever is the Prince of Gotham doing here?" The clown ran over to him, threw an arm around his shoulders, and placed a gun at his head. "You're donating to the clown foundation aren't you?" Joker sneered.
"Of course." Bruce growled.
"Good man." Joker laughed loudly.
Bruce reached into his pocket to take out his money. He hated the clown pressing the gun against his head. He knew a total of eighteen ways to get out of his situation, but every single one could compromise his identity.
At least Richard was safe. Bruce made himself relax with that thought.
The relaxation was gone instantly when a figure suddenly fell from the roof and landed on Joker's shoulders.
"Robin!" Bruce cried.
Joker's arm was wrenched away and the gun was tossed aside. Robin kicked Joker at the base of the neck, sending the men falling to the ground. Bruce backed up in shock as Robin did a back flip away from the clown.
"Speedy!" Ollie shouted.
Arrows were raining down from above, knocking the guns out of the men's hands. Robin spun around, sending small ball-shaped pods at the thugs. The balls exploded, sending nets out and capturing the men.
"What do we have here?" Bulls-Eye sneered. "Speedy?"
"You bet." Speedy growled. He jumped down from his position in the skylight, landing before his own clown nemesis. He fired and so did Bulls-Eve. A hail of bullets and arrows flew back and forth. Frenzied party goers fled, screaming their heads off.
Robin's bird-a-rangs were flying now too. He was running after the Joker who was shooting madly at him, both regular bullets and ones of his crazy concoctions.
"Speedy, trade ya!" The eight year old cried. Without warning, Robin used him as a spring board. Feet dug into his back and a moment later the small body was flying through the air before slamming into Bulls-Eye's face.
Roy only had a moment to be amazed at the feat before he had to spin to shoot at Joker. Behind him he heard Bulls-Eye cry out in pain and Robin sneering some stupid remark at him.
"I think it's time to blow this." Joker said. He ran for the plane. Roy ran right after him, shooting the whole time. Somehow the clown managed to avoid all his shots! Roy didn't understand it. He was worse than Bulls-Eye!
Joker was in the cockpit now. "And when I say blow this, I mean it literally." Joker cackled. Too late did Roy realize that it wasn't just a normal plane. There were guns, big guns, on the front.
"Robin! Move!" Roy shouted.
It was too late. Joker had sent off a round of bullets.
Just then a black figure swept in, grabbing Bulls-Eye and Robin and swinging them to safety.
A moment later a green arrow had shot its way onto the plane, electricity shooting through it. Joker screamed in pain. The circuit board of the plane erupted in a shower of sparks.
"Stay." Batman hissed at Robin. Then he ran off towards the Joker. As soon as the electricity had died out Batman dragged him out of the plane. He was unconscious but Batman cuffed him anyway.
Roy gave Green Arrow a dirty look. "How come I don't get those types of arrows?" He demanded.
"When you're older." His mentor said dismissively. Roy ground his teeth, but then he realized Ollie was smiling. And not just his usual smile. A proud smile.
There was a soft grunt from the corner of the room. Robin gave a shriek as Bulls-Eye stirred awake. Without thinking he lashed out. A swift upper kick and the clown was knocked three feet away, unconscious yet again.
Robin blushed and giggled nervously. "Sorry." He whispered. But then a smile lit up his face. He did two backflips and a handspring to land beside Batman. "Did you see us?" Robin asked. He was jumping up in down in excitement. "Did you? Did you? Did you see the way I surprised him? I jumped from the ceiling and I took him down and Speedy was shooting off arrows everywhere and then I took down Bulls-Eye and-"
"I know." Batman said. He smiled slightly at his son. "Are you hurt?" He knelt, inspecting him.
"No." Robin said cheerfully. He bounded over to Roy now. "Did you see me?" He demanded, grabbing Roy's arm. "Did you?"
"I did." Roy chuckled and ran his hands through Dick's hair, purposefully messing it up.
Dick grinned at him. "You were really cool." He said seriously.
Roy grinned from ear to ear. "You were too kid."
Dick's smile was blinding.
Suddenly Batman was there, scooping Robin into his arms. "The police are here. You can deal with them." He said to Green Arrow. He nodded at the two and swung away with Robin waving back at them over his shoulder.
Roy lifted a hand to wave goodbye but they were already gone.
"So… you found out about Batman and Robin." Ollie said. His words filled with mirth. "What do you think?"
"He's ok." Roy said. He was trying to be gruff but his smile gave him away and Ollie chuckled.
Once the police had taken care of things they'd returned to being Ollie and Roy to take care of the remaining guests. Once those people were gone that finally meant they could relax. They went to the study only to find Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson waiting for them.
"I thought you'd already left." Ollie said as he raised a brow.
Bruce shrugged. "He wouldn't leave yet." He gestured to Dick.
Dick smiled. He went to Roy's side, grasping the older boy's hand. "You have to finish teaching me the constellations." Dick said. He dragged Roy to the window seat without waiting for a response.
Roy chuckled. "Ok. Tell me what you remember."
"Well, that one's Batman, and that's Cheetah, and the one over there is the Flash's symbol…"
The two men watched in content silence as Dick and Roy talked of the stars. Soon Dick had found his way into Roy's lap, cuddling against him. He lazily pointed out constellations and argued with Roy about their names. And Roy in return found himself rubbing the boy's back and joking with him the whole time.
"Roy?" Dick asked suddenly. "Do you want to hang out sometime?"
"We're doing that right now."
"Another time." Dick insisted. His eyes met Roy's. "We could hang out with Wally. It'd be fun." The words were unspoken, but the hopeful 'please?' at the end was there.
"That sounds great, kid."
A/N: The end. I hope this story lived up to your expectations. Sorry for not updating very quickly. The next story will be up sooner and it will feature Roy, Wally, and Dick!
Thank you for reading!