Title: In A Perfect World
Author: Scribbles
Disclaimer: Come on everyone, you know the words! Sing it with me! Not mine, not making any money from the story or in the real world either, so sue if you want, but it will get you nada and imagine the way it will look picking on a grade school teacher like that.
Rating: G right now, but it will probably go up to PG a little later. Unfortunately, life's unpredictable like that.
Feedback: :::Jumping up and down clapping hands::: Oh yes please! I'll take anything, praise or criticism as long as its constructive. Word of warning. I know this is a good list where this kind of stuff doesn't happen, but just in case, if you flame me, I will give your email to the 8th grade English teacher where she will post it in front of the kids and then proceed to critique your letter writing skills. The kids will, of course, laugh and make fun of you, as 8th graders are wont to do. Yes, I'm mean. Just ask my kids.
Author's Notes: I love Batfamily fic, so I decided to make them a real family. They're cute and cuddly now, but kids don't become foster kids because life is wonderful. Expect a little bit of deeper stuff later on. I won't let it be too much of a downer. Ultimately this is a happy fic because don't we all look at our siblings with joy and happy memories? Well as long as I didn't kill mine, Mom and Dad were happy. Ah yes, how I miss those bygone days! :o)
In all seriousness, as with everything I write, this is for Anne Marie. They told me time heals all wounds. I just miss you more each day.
Dick Grayson sat in the back of the car and stared at the building that was to be his new home. It was huge! That was the only way to describe it. How would he ever find his way through this place? For most of his young life he had lived with his parents in a small trailer. They didn't have many belongings, but the family had been close and happy as they traveled around the country with Haley's Circus. Dick's thoughts started to take a darker turn as he remembered why he was here at stately Wayne Manor. It had only been three weeks since the death of his parents in a freak accident. The police had concluded that the aerialists' trapeze line had broken due to normal wear and tear and since there had been no net to catch them... well it was all very tragic, but everyone agreed nothing could be done. There was something about the whole thing that bothered Dick, however. His father had never been a careless person, especially where his family's safety was concerned. He knew his Dad checked their rigging before and after every show to guard against just such an accident the Police maintained had killed his parents. He tried to tell people, his friends at the circus, the authorities when they questioned him, but everyone shook their head and walked away with pity in their eyes for the orphaned boy. It made him mad. No one believed kids when they tried to tell adults important things. No one believed him and it made the loneliness that had taken up residence in his heart with the death of his parents that much worse. He was truly all alone in his beliefs and ultimately, in the world itself.
Dick shook himself from his thoughts as he heard someone discretely clearing their throat. He looked up to see the old man who had introduced himself as Alfred holding the door to the car open for him.
"If you would follow me, young sir, I will take you inside to meet the family." Alfred told him.
Butterflies started fluttering in Dick's stomach at the thought of meeting the people that would live in such a huge house. They would be rich and have all sorts of fancy clothes and manners and would no doubt look down on him in his second-hand clothes and circus boy upbringing. They would probably take one look at him and send him back to the Juvenile Detention Center. Dick shivered at that thought. His parents hadn't raised a coward, however, and he steeled himself for what was to come as he got out of the car and followed Alfred inside. Anyone watching the slow parade toward the house would have no doubt wondered why such a young boy who looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, trudged along as if going to face a firing squad.
Once inside Alfred showed Dick into a room lined from floor to ceiling with books. The only wall not covered held a fireplace with a massive portrait of a happy couple over it. Sitting behind the desk that dominated half the room was a man with dark hair working quietly over some papers. As Dick and Alfred entered the room the man looked up and stared at the boy. Just as Dick was starting to feel uncomfortable under the gaze and started to fidget, the man's face broke into a wide grin as he stood up and came around the desk towards the newcomers.
"You must be Dick. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Bruce Wayne."
The man held out his hand and Dick reached out and shook it very conscious of how much bigger and stronger this man was compared to him. Bruce moved towards two chairs that sat in front of the fireplace and motioned Dick to follow him. Alfred quietly left the room.
"Before I say anything else, I want you to know how very sorry I am for the loss of your parents. I was there that night and I could tell just by watching them with you how much they loved you and how proud they were of you."
Dick fought back tears at those words. He remembered how his mother had hugged him and his father had looked down beaming at him as the crowd roared after he finished his act. That was the last time he would feel his parents love around him like a warm blanket. He hadn't even realized how completely safe and loved he was until that blanket was gone. Dick pulled himself back to reality as he realized Wayne was still talking.
"... I understand what a big adjustment this all must be for you, especially while trying to deal with such a huge loss, but when I heard you had been sent to the JDC due to the lack of foster homes I had to do something. I'm very happy you're here with us, Dick and I want you to know I'm always here for you as is Alfred. If you need anything or even just want to talk, we're both ready and willing to listen."
Wayne's speech was cut short by giggling outside the partially closed study door. Somehow giggling seemed very out of place in this huge home. Suddenly the door pushed open and two small boys tumbled into the room followed shortly after by a slightly out of breath Alfred. Dick stared at the puddle of arms and legs and little boy heads on the floor. He jumped when he heard the deep bass rumble of laughter coming from the man beside him.
"I am terribly sorry Master Bruce. These two rapscallions managed to escape the upstairs rooms without my knowledge."
"Its okay Alfred," Wayne replied trying to control his laughter. Finally laughter under control and the puddle on the floor having resolved itself into two separate entities once again, Wayne turned his attention to the intruders. With a sigh he got up and approached the two boys while trying to maintain a stern face through the smile that was trying to break out.
"I thought I told you two to stay upstairs and play while I finished some work down here."
The older of the two boys, Dick guessed he was about ten, stuck his chin out defiantly as he answered back.
"We was tired of waiting and me and Tim wanted to meet the new kid."
Alfred sighed as if he were put upon from all sides. "We were Master Jason. We were."
"You was what, Alfie? You was tired, too?" The little boy looked confused, but was determined to help his friend Alfred if he could.
"No Master Jason. You and Master Timothy were tired of waiting."
"That's what I said, Alfie! Boy, I'll never understand you sometimes." Jason answered with an exasperated sigh.
Bruce lost all control over the stern parental image he was trying to portray and started laughing again. Even Dick smiled a little, though he was still confused a little by what was going on.
"Dick," Bruce called out waving him over, "I might as well introduce you to our two little hurricanes here at Wayne Manor. I was going to wait until after showing you your room to inflict these two upon you, but it looks like my plans have changed." He mock glared at the older of the two boys and Jason gulped before giggling again. "Dick Grayson, I'd like you to meet my foster sons. The older one here is Jason Todd. Jason's ten. Next to him is Timothy Drake."
Bruce hunkered down in front of the smaller of the two boys who had been quiet until now. The boy was sucking his thumb while holding a blanket tightly in the other hand. He looked just like that kid Linus in the Peanuts comic on Sunday. Tim stared at the man in front of him with big, unblinking, blue eyes as Bruce lowered his voice and started speaking to him in a gentle tone. "Tim, would you like to tell Dick how old you're going to be next month? Dick's going to be here for your birthday and he needs to know how old you're going to be so he can get ready for the party."
Tim's eyes shown at the mention of his birthday party and he timidly held five fingers up without looking at Dick before throwing himself into Wayne's arms. Bruce held Tim tight and his eyes shown with a happy light, too as he looked down at the little bundle in his arms.
"That's right, son. You're going to be five and we're going to have a big party to celebrate. After all, its not every day you turn five."
"We're going to have cake and ice cream and presents, too, right Daddy, just like at my birthday!"
"That's right Jason. Just like at your birthday," Bruce answered as he stood up still holding Tim.
"Boys, I'd like you to meet your new brother, Dick. He's going to be staying with us from now on." Tim didn't move his head from where it was hidden in Bruce's chest, but Jason brashly walked right up to Dick with an appraising eye.
"How old are you, kid?" Jason demanded.
Dick stared down at the boy in front of him and cleared his throat a little in shock at the boy's forwardness.
And here I as worried about MY manners, Dick thought to himself.
Recovering from the shock, Dick looked the younger boy straight in the eye as he answered his question. "I'm fourteen, Jason. Its nice to meet you."
Jason harrumphed and turned to face Bruce. "That's not fair, Daddy! I don't want him here! I'm supposed to be the oldest!"
Dick quickly looked down at the carpet. Here it was. They were going to send him back now. He was amazed at how much the thought of leaving this place hurt. Anyplace was better than the JDC. He quietly waited for the ax to fall.
Author: Scribbles
Disclaimer: Come on everyone, you know the words! Sing it with me! Not mine, not making any money from the story or in the real world either, so sue if you want, but it will get you nada and imagine the way it will look picking on a grade school teacher like that.
Rating: G right now, but it will probably go up to PG a little later. Unfortunately, life's unpredictable like that.
Feedback: :::Jumping up and down clapping hands::: Oh yes please! I'll take anything, praise or criticism as long as its constructive. Word of warning. I know this is a good list where this kind of stuff doesn't happen, but just in case, if you flame me, I will give your email to the 8th grade English teacher where she will post it in front of the kids and then proceed to critique your letter writing skills. The kids will, of course, laugh and make fun of you, as 8th graders are wont to do. Yes, I'm mean. Just ask my kids.
Author's Notes: I love Batfamily fic, so I decided to make them a real family. They're cute and cuddly now, but kids don't become foster kids because life is wonderful. Expect a little bit of deeper stuff later on. I won't let it be too much of a downer. Ultimately this is a happy fic because don't we all look at our siblings with joy and happy memories? Well as long as I didn't kill mine, Mom and Dad were happy. Ah yes, how I miss those bygone days! :o)
In all seriousness, as with everything I write, this is for Anne Marie. They told me time heals all wounds. I just miss you more each day.
Dick Grayson sat in the back of the car and stared at the building that was to be his new home. It was huge! That was the only way to describe it. How would he ever find his way through this place? For most of his young life he had lived with his parents in a small trailer. They didn't have many belongings, but the family had been close and happy as they traveled around the country with Haley's Circus. Dick's thoughts started to take a darker turn as he remembered why he was here at stately Wayne Manor. It had only been three weeks since the death of his parents in a freak accident. The police had concluded that the aerialists' trapeze line had broken due to normal wear and tear and since there had been no net to catch them... well it was all very tragic, but everyone agreed nothing could be done. There was something about the whole thing that bothered Dick, however. His father had never been a careless person, especially where his family's safety was concerned. He knew his Dad checked their rigging before and after every show to guard against just such an accident the Police maintained had killed his parents. He tried to tell people, his friends at the circus, the authorities when they questioned him, but everyone shook their head and walked away with pity in their eyes for the orphaned boy. It made him mad. No one believed kids when they tried to tell adults important things. No one believed him and it made the loneliness that had taken up residence in his heart with the death of his parents that much worse. He was truly all alone in his beliefs and ultimately, in the world itself.
Dick shook himself from his thoughts as he heard someone discretely clearing their throat. He looked up to see the old man who had introduced himself as Alfred holding the door to the car open for him.
"If you would follow me, young sir, I will take you inside to meet the family." Alfred told him.
Butterflies started fluttering in Dick's stomach at the thought of meeting the people that would live in such a huge house. They would be rich and have all sorts of fancy clothes and manners and would no doubt look down on him in his second-hand clothes and circus boy upbringing. They would probably take one look at him and send him back to the Juvenile Detention Center. Dick shivered at that thought. His parents hadn't raised a coward, however, and he steeled himself for what was to come as he got out of the car and followed Alfred inside. Anyone watching the slow parade toward the house would have no doubt wondered why such a young boy who looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, trudged along as if going to face a firing squad.
Once inside Alfred showed Dick into a room lined from floor to ceiling with books. The only wall not covered held a fireplace with a massive portrait of a happy couple over it. Sitting behind the desk that dominated half the room was a man with dark hair working quietly over some papers. As Dick and Alfred entered the room the man looked up and stared at the boy. Just as Dick was starting to feel uncomfortable under the gaze and started to fidget, the man's face broke into a wide grin as he stood up and came around the desk towards the newcomers.
"You must be Dick. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Bruce Wayne."
The man held out his hand and Dick reached out and shook it very conscious of how much bigger and stronger this man was compared to him. Bruce moved towards two chairs that sat in front of the fireplace and motioned Dick to follow him. Alfred quietly left the room.
"Before I say anything else, I want you to know how very sorry I am for the loss of your parents. I was there that night and I could tell just by watching them with you how much they loved you and how proud they were of you."
Dick fought back tears at those words. He remembered how his mother had hugged him and his father had looked down beaming at him as the crowd roared after he finished his act. That was the last time he would feel his parents love around him like a warm blanket. He hadn't even realized how completely safe and loved he was until that blanket was gone. Dick pulled himself back to reality as he realized Wayne was still talking.
"... I understand what a big adjustment this all must be for you, especially while trying to deal with such a huge loss, but when I heard you had been sent to the JDC due to the lack of foster homes I had to do something. I'm very happy you're here with us, Dick and I want you to know I'm always here for you as is Alfred. If you need anything or even just want to talk, we're both ready and willing to listen."
Wayne's speech was cut short by giggling outside the partially closed study door. Somehow giggling seemed very out of place in this huge home. Suddenly the door pushed open and two small boys tumbled into the room followed shortly after by a slightly out of breath Alfred. Dick stared at the puddle of arms and legs and little boy heads on the floor. He jumped when he heard the deep bass rumble of laughter coming from the man beside him.
"I am terribly sorry Master Bruce. These two rapscallions managed to escape the upstairs rooms without my knowledge."
"Its okay Alfred," Wayne replied trying to control his laughter. Finally laughter under control and the puddle on the floor having resolved itself into two separate entities once again, Wayne turned his attention to the intruders. With a sigh he got up and approached the two boys while trying to maintain a stern face through the smile that was trying to break out.
"I thought I told you two to stay upstairs and play while I finished some work down here."
The older of the two boys, Dick guessed he was about ten, stuck his chin out defiantly as he answered back.
"We was tired of waiting and me and Tim wanted to meet the new kid."
Alfred sighed as if he were put upon from all sides. "We were Master Jason. We were."
"You was what, Alfie? You was tired, too?" The little boy looked confused, but was determined to help his friend Alfred if he could.
"No Master Jason. You and Master Timothy were tired of waiting."
"That's what I said, Alfie! Boy, I'll never understand you sometimes." Jason answered with an exasperated sigh.
Bruce lost all control over the stern parental image he was trying to portray and started laughing again. Even Dick smiled a little, though he was still confused a little by what was going on.
"Dick," Bruce called out waving him over, "I might as well introduce you to our two little hurricanes here at Wayne Manor. I was going to wait until after showing you your room to inflict these two upon you, but it looks like my plans have changed." He mock glared at the older of the two boys and Jason gulped before giggling again. "Dick Grayson, I'd like you to meet my foster sons. The older one here is Jason Todd. Jason's ten. Next to him is Timothy Drake."
Bruce hunkered down in front of the smaller of the two boys who had been quiet until now. The boy was sucking his thumb while holding a blanket tightly in the other hand. He looked just like that kid Linus in the Peanuts comic on Sunday. Tim stared at the man in front of him with big, unblinking, blue eyes as Bruce lowered his voice and started speaking to him in a gentle tone. "Tim, would you like to tell Dick how old you're going to be next month? Dick's going to be here for your birthday and he needs to know how old you're going to be so he can get ready for the party."
Tim's eyes shown at the mention of his birthday party and he timidly held five fingers up without looking at Dick before throwing himself into Wayne's arms. Bruce held Tim tight and his eyes shown with a happy light, too as he looked down at the little bundle in his arms.
"That's right, son. You're going to be five and we're going to have a big party to celebrate. After all, its not every day you turn five."
"We're going to have cake and ice cream and presents, too, right Daddy, just like at my birthday!"
"That's right Jason. Just like at your birthday," Bruce answered as he stood up still holding Tim.
"Boys, I'd like you to meet your new brother, Dick. He's going to be staying with us from now on." Tim didn't move his head from where it was hidden in Bruce's chest, but Jason brashly walked right up to Dick with an appraising eye.
"How old are you, kid?" Jason demanded.
Dick stared down at the boy in front of him and cleared his throat a little in shock at the boy's forwardness.
And here I as worried about MY manners, Dick thought to himself.
Recovering from the shock, Dick looked the younger boy straight in the eye as he answered his question. "I'm fourteen, Jason. Its nice to meet you."
Jason harrumphed and turned to face Bruce. "That's not fair, Daddy! I don't want him here! I'm supposed to be the oldest!"
Dick quickly looked down at the carpet. Here it was. They were going to send him back now. He was amazed at how much the thought of leaving this place hurt. Anyplace was better than the JDC. He quietly waited for the ax to fall.