Summary: Aaron Grayson, son of the famous Robin and Starfire has been faced with challenges throughout his whole life, but he can deal with them. None, however, can compare to the wall that stands between him and the rest of his family. StarRob, BBRae, VicBee, JxKF
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Teen Titans! I also don't own "Lullaby" by Jack Johnson!
Author Notes: One thousand pardons for not updating in a while. I have been so busy…plus we're learning trigonometric functions in Geometry…ugh. I hate math. A question was asked about whose child is whose. Here's a list:
Richard and Kori: Bruce, Aaron, and Rebecca
Gar and Raven: Emily, Mark, Braden, and Molly
Vic and Bee: Matt and Ben
Wally and Gwyneth: Maddie and Ava
I hope that clears things up. Other news…I'm starting another story, and will hopefully post it soon. It's called Gar, the Latte Boy. Watch out for it! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Here goes!
Try
Chapter 6: Left Behind
A beautiful day in April, the Grayson children were taking advantage of the nice weather and were playing outside the tower. The grass had just begun to grow, and spring had begun to show. Bruce was floating just above the ground in happiness as he and his brother, Aaron, placed little daisies in their baby sister's hair. Rebecca, although she was only two, was quite a skilled flier, and was now sitting cross-legged in midair. The only one planted firmly on the ground was Aaron. Although he was a Grayson by blood, he didn't seem to inherit any extraordinary ability. His parents often told him that it would develop in time, and so he was waiting for something miraculous to happen.
Now an active six-year-old, almost seven, Aaron was almost done with first grade. He began to laugh as Rebecca accidentally poked Bruce in the eye, and he began to chase her through the air. The middle child watched from the ground, a small pang of longing nagging at him. His siblings were awfully far away, so he decided to chase after them on the ground. He had grown quite stable on his legs, and was now able to do just about anything. The giant scars on his knees and ankles, however, were constant reminders.
Kori Grayson, their mother, appeared at the base of the tower, calling them in. Unfortunately, today was their annual checkup at the doctor's office. It was a struggle to get two of the Grayson children near a doctor. This time, however, Kori and Richard had not told their children what was going on. As soon as Bruce and Rebecca appeared inside, Richard practically tackled them in order to bring them to the T-Car. Almost instantly, the Bruce realized what was happening. "No! No! I won't go to the doctor!"
Aaron got in the car without being told and strapped himself in the middle seat. He had been to the doctor so many times that one more visit meant nothing to him. Once all three Grayson children were ready to go, no matter how grumpy, they pulled out and flew over the Jump City Bay. At one point during the ride, Kori leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek. Richard looked mildly pleased with himself, but there was an instant chorus of 'EWW's from the back seat.
They arrived at Jump City Pediatrics and Kori had to keep a firm hold on her oldest and youngest child so they would not fly away. Inside, they checked in and waited for their special doctor – one who dealt with special children like the Grayson family. In fact, all of the Titan's children went to him. Bruce went in first, gulping as he entered, and returned 30 minutes later with dried tears, a bandage, and a lollipop. Then in went Rebecca with Richard, her preferred parent of the day. She screamed several times, but eventually returned in her father's arms. She was sniffling slightly.
It was Aaron's turn, and he got up obediently and went into the little room, where he was met, not only by his pediatrician, Dr. Cohen, but also Dr. Walker, the man who had fixed his legs. "Hello, Aaron. It's nice to see you again," Dr. Walker said, hoisting the figure onto the examination table. As always, because he was part alien, blood was always drawn at the beginning to make sure that things were stable. Normal checkup procedures took place, and he was given a polio shot (A/N: they forgot to give me one when I was five, and I didn't get it until I was twelve. Stupid doctors…heh heh. My dad's a doctor…). Dr. Walker then took over, examining Aaron's back, legs, and bone structure carefully. Thankfully, he deemed everything normal.
Dr. Cohen returned and called Kori and Richard in. This couldn't be good. He only did that when there was bad news. "Mr. and Mrs. Grayson. Aaron. I'm going to be frank. Your son's blood has been analyzed in our machine, and the results that turned up are…interesting. You had a test done on him when he was an infant that determined how much of a Tamaranean he was, yes?"
"Yes, son Aaron did partake in such a test. Why do you ask?"
"You also learned that he was 7 Tamaranean and 93 human, yes?"
"Yes we did, but what does this have to do with-"
"My point is that each time one of the Titan's children turns up for a check up, I run a short test on the blood, and things turn up abnormal, and that is how we determine which powers they have inherited from their parents. Your son's blood has turned up completely normal."
"What are you trying to say, doctor?"
"What I'm saying is that your son is normal. There are no powers within his body. He has no super powers – no flying, no strength, speed, or anything. He doesn't have them now, and will never develop them."
Kori grasped Richard's hand, and Aaron stared down at his toes. How could this happen? His parents had promised – they had promised! They had promised that one day, he could be just like Bruce and Rebecca. They had promised that he was just extra special and a late bloomer. Bursting into tears, he ran from the room, not even bothering to put his shirt back on. He charged through the doorway and sped past his wondering brother and sister, trying to find a quiet place to cry. He couldn't let anyone see him cry. It would only make him seem weaker. In the Grayson family, you weren't normal…you were just weak. That's what his father called it anyway.
He found a bathroom two floors up and curled up in a corner and cried. He let the tears flow and didn't care if his parents ever found him again. They'd be so ashamed to have him for a son. He heard the sound of shoes nearby, but didn't seem to realize that there was someone else. A young man, looking about twenty or so, saw the little boy in the corner.
"Hey, little guy, what's wrong?"
"Go away."
"Come on, now. I'm trying to help. I mean, if I was sitting in the corner of the bathroom bawling my eyes out, would you want to help me?"
Aaron looked up and giggled through the tears, "No, 'cause I hate it when people cry."
"Oh, but so do I. I just want to make sure you're OK. Why are you hiding here anyway?"
"My parents know that I'm normal."
"Normal? What's wrong with normal?"
"In my family, normal is weak."
"Oh, I see. High standards. Let me tell you something, kid. No matter what anyone tells you, even your parents, just know that no one can tell you what kind of person you are. You determine that, got it?"
"I guess. What's your name?"
"Gabe. What's yours?"
"Aaron."
"Well, Aaron, let's get you back to your family. Are they down in the pediatric wing?"
"I guess…"
Gabe lifted Aaron onto his shoulders and the two made their way downstairs to the office. Bruce saw them coming and flew forward. "Mommy! Daddy! Aaron's back!" The twenty-year-old looked shocked at first when Bruce levitated off of the ground, but then he understood. It wasn't just any kid that he had found crying in the bathroom. He was one of the Titan's kids. Kori and Richard rushed forward in relief, taking the little boy from Gabe.
"Thank you very much…?"
"Gabe. Gabe Sullivan. I work here."
"Oh, well, thank you. We owe you one for finding our little guy."
"Dad, I'm not little!"
"We wouldn't have found him for hours."
"Yes. Son Aaron is very good at the 'hiding', but unfortunately, we have not quite learned the 'seeking' very well."
"Well, I'm glad I was able to help, but I've really got to get back to work."
"Bye, Gabe!" Aaron yelled as Richard placed him back on the ground. The little boy stared at the floor tiles, aware that all eyes were now on him. "Are you mad at me?" he asked, not looking at them.
"Mad at you? How could we ever be mad at you? You never did anything – this whole…situation is completely out of your control. There is nothing that anyone could have done. Look at me – I don't have super powers, but I'm still loving life."
"You're the best martial artist in the world, though."
"Maybe I could teach you martial arts. Would you like that?"
"Don't you remember? Dr. Walker told me two years ago that I wouldn't be able to learn that stuff. My legs aren't strong. I can't do anything!"
Richard sighed. There really was no positive to the situation. What could he possibly do for his son? Just try to be supportive and figure something out later. As Richard looked down at his son, however, words wouldn't come out. They couldn't seem to form, so he just stared blankly. Aaron looked up at his father and cried. Silent tears began spilling down his cheeks, and Kori picked up her small son, rubbing his back. She hushed him gently and glared at passersby, who stared openly at them.
"Get his shirt and the children, Richard. Please. I shall take Aaron home separately. I do not think that interaction with son Bruce and daughter Rebecca will be helpful to the situation at hand." She began to levitate off of the floor and flew out of the hallway, Aaron cradled safely in her arms. He was crying softly into her shoulder. She knew how he felt – she knew what it was like to be considered inferior to siblings.
At one point during the flight, Aaron realized where he was, and his crying began growing harder. He hated crying, but the fact that he would never fit in with his family…it drove him to tears. The way Daddy had looked at him – he probably thought that his second son was a wimp. His mother carried him across Jump City Bay and onto the island where he lived. They reached the ground and Kori placed Aaron gently on the ground for him to walk. As she began to head in, however, he didn't move at all. He kept crying, slumped to the ground.
"Son Aaron, what troubles you so?"
She was met only by his sobs, but did not take pity. Instead, she stomped over and stood him on his two feet. "Aaron Samuel Grayson, you will look at me! You are not weak or inferior in any way. Do you understand me? Your father and I love you very much, and nothing can ever change that. Now you will stop with the crying and walk through the tower door with me. Is that understood?"
Regardless of how scared he was of his mother when she was angry, he still didn't move. His tears had since dried, but his eyes were vacant, as if his soul had left him. Aaron looked his mother straight in the eye. "Did you see the way he looked at me, Mommy? It was like I wasn't even his son." Bowing his head, he retreated inside, where he went to his room and shut the door.
Richard, Bruce, and Rebecca returned home a half an hour later, not aware of the crisis that had happened earlier between mother and son. As dinner was placed on a giant table, Richard leaned over to his wife and whispered, "Where's Aaron? He should come down for dinner." Kori carefully squirted a small amount of mustard near her pizza for dipping and considered her answer carefully. It was a very delicate situation that needed special handling.
"Son Aaron is not feeling well, and will not be joining us this evening."
"Not feeling well? Did the doctor make him sick?" Gar asked, attempting to convince Braden to eat his vegetables.
"No, the doctor did not make son Aaron become the 'sick'. I must correct myself. He is not feeling emotionally well. He is very distressed. He needs 'the space'."
"Oh. What happened?" Gwyneth inquired, glancing over from the other end of the enormous table.
"Let's just say that it's a family matter for now, and when we decide how to handle the situation, we'll let you know. There are…complications." The entire mood of the table had lowered, and even Rebecca and Bruce, who had been present that afternoon, were now shocked. After eating, Kori left to help Aaron get ready for bed, as the little boy was not on the best terms with his father at the moment. Heading up to the Grayson Wing, she punched in the code for her son's room and entered.
Aaron was staring at himself in a wall mirror, fixated on his image. Although he was only six, he was handsome for his age. He had a 'girlfriend'; his best friend, Alexis, and he would often go to her house after school to play. Richard had taught Aaron to spike his hair just like him. Except for the fact that the little boy didn't wear a mask, he was the spitting image of his father. "Aaron, I have brought you a slice of the pizza. Please eat. You have not consumed food all day." He didn't respond, but reached out his arm and touched his reflection. Kori set the plate down and sat beside her son.
"Mommy, why does Daddy think I'm weak?"
"He does not think that you are weak, Aaron. Your daddy was surprised, and sometimes, surprise can silence even the most talkative of us."
"He's gonna treat me different now. Everyone's gonna treat me different."
"Yes, Aaron. People will treat you differently, but that does not mean that you must become different. You must also understand what your father is going through. He is a man who has many things to balance. He is a superhero, an uncle, a son, a husband, and most importantly, your daddy. Sometimes, because he is so busy, he forgets to be one of those things. Today, he forgot how important you are just for a moment. Right now, though, your daddy is sitting in the downstairs, worrying if you will be all right." Kori pushed a small lock of hair from Aaron's face. He gave a sniffle and buried his face in her lap.
"But Bruce can lift a car, Daddy is teaching Rebecca Kung Fu, and they both can fly! What can I do?"
"Well…" Kori looked around his room. "You are very smart – you are only six years of age and you can already do 'the multiplication'. Also, you are most organized. You draw quite well, and from what you have said about the music class in school, you seem to enjoy playing the piano. That is quite a lot that you can do. Not to mention that you are a wonderful son and brother."
Aaron smiled and walked over to his dresser, where Kori had put the pizza slice. "I'm hungry, Mommy. Can I have the pizza? Then can I go and play video games with Matt?"
"Of course." Kori swelled with pride – her son was so strong.
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Three weeks later, Aaron went over to Alexis's house to play after school. The shock of Aaron's news had largely blown over, and the Grayson family had told the rest of the tower. Kori had told the entire team that they were not to treat Aaron any differently than before, because he was already very sensitive to the news. Alexis was learning diligently from her friend how to play checkers, and the two were giggling from the living room of the Thomas household.
Aaron loved his friend's house. It was a place where he felt like he fit in. There were no flying or meditating cousins to remind him of his problems. Instead, Mrs. Kelly Thomas and Mr. Trevor Thomas treated Aaron like one of their own and welcomed him with open arms any time. Unlike Aaron, Alexis was the oldest child in her family. At age six, she already had a little sister, Megan, who was two. Megan was very quiet and enjoyed watching the two older children play.
At seven o'clock, just as Alexis jumped one of Aaron's pieces, Richard rang the doorbell of the Thomas home. Mrs. Thomas answered and called Aaron into the front hall. He froze when he saw his father. Instead of the street clothes and sunglasses he normally wore, he was in uniform as Nightwing.
"Daddy, why…?"
"Don't worry about it now. I'll tell you when we get home. Thank you for watching him, Kelly."
Richard grabbed his son's arm and placed him in the T-Car. "Daddy? Why are you in uniform? I thought Uncle Gar and Auntie Raven were working this week."
"They are. I will explain everything when we get home." He took off and drove across the city and the bay without saying another word. When they parked, Nightwing released his son from his booster seat and led him inside. Aaron froze. As soon as he walked in the door, he found himself surrounded by suitcases. Kori was seen in the kitchen preparing mysterious food. Like Richard, she was in uniform as well. No longer Kori Grayson, she was now Starfire.
"Mommy? Daddy? Where are we going?" Aaron stood in the middle of the commotion, silent and small, clutching his small book bag. Kori and Richard froze, exchanging looks and looking down at their son. Nightwing picked up the little boy and placed him on the couch between he and his wife.
"Your mommy and I are going somewhere for a while. We're also taking Bruce and Rebecca with us."
"Where are you going?" Aaron asked in a hurt voice.
"We're going to a special place that will help Bruce and Rebecca become better heroes. It's a training facility that's run by Grandpa Bruce with specialists that can help them."
"Why can't you take me, too?"
"We'll be too busy, and I don't want you to get jealous of your brother and sister."
"I don't care. Take me! I'll be good, I promise. Please. I'll do anything. I promise."
"There is nothing we can do, son Aaron. The facilitator of training will not be willing to see you if you do not have abilities. The only reason we are leaving is so children Bruce and Rebecca may obtain new ways to control their abilities."
"You're just saying that because you don't want me to come!"
"That's not true."
"Yes it is! You're leaving me here because you don't like me!"
"That's not it at all."
"Then explain why."
"I already have."
"No you didn't. You didn't give any reason at all. Mommy told me why Bruce and Rebecca are going. I want you to tell me why you aren't taking me! If you can't find a good reason, I'm going to come. I don't care what you say."
Richard could feel his temperature flaring. Why didn't Aaron just accept this and leave it alone? He realized he was on his feet, though he didn't remember getting up.
"You're going to stay here. End of discussion. No questions asked."
"No."
"What did you say?"
"I said no. Just because I don't have powers doesn't mean that I can't do things with my family."
"When I say no, it means no. Is that clear? I want you to go to your room and stay there."
Aaron looked taken aback, and gazed up at his father's hardened face. He burst into tears and ran from the room, leaving his bag on the floor behind him. Richard sat back down on the couch and ran his hands through his hair. Why did things like this never happen with his other children? Kori, who had been very quiet, now stood.
"What should we do? There's no positive solution to this problem."
"Of course there is a solution. You can always apologize."
"Apologize? Aaron's the one who's acting up. Why does he have such a big problem? He should understand that Bruce and Rebecca need special training from a young age."
"The problem is that he is only six years of age, and he doesn't understand why his daddy and mommy are treating his brother and sister better than him. He does not understand why they get the special attention when he can barely get a word in. He is only a little boy, and does not see the world as we do; full of practicality. Because we do not take him to see the facilitator of training, he feels that we think he is inferior."
"I don't think that."
"He does not know that. I have told him many times, but he needs to hear it from you. Otherwise, he may never understand." The edges of Richard's mouth twitched, and he stood. Together, the couple traveled up towards the Grayson Wing, where they found Aaron's door shut and the lights off. Punching the code in, they saw Aaron lying on is bed, crying. "Richard, you should help him. I shall do the 'standing by' to make sure that he does not require addition moral support." Richard nodded and sat beside his son.
"H-hey, big guy. How're you holding up?"
"Don't go. Please don't go. I'll do anything you want."
"Aaron, I'm going to be honest with you. There's nothing you can do to stop us from going to see the trainer. This is something that your brother and your sister need to do."
"Why do you treat them different than me?"
"I'm going to tell you something. Being a father is one of the hardest jobs in the world. I treat each of my children in the way they need to be treated, and I try to be fair to each individual, because they're not the same."
Aaron looked into his father's eyes, searching for any type of dishonesty within their depths. There was no trace of a lie, though. He turned away and stared at the wall for a minute, salty tears still running down his cheeks.
"Can I tell you something, Daddy?"
"Anything."
"I'm gonna miss you a lot."
"I'm going to miss you too, champ."
More tears began to flow, and Richard pulled Aaron onto his lap. "Ssh. It's going to be okay, buddy. It's going to be okay."
Richard comforted his son for several minutes until the sobs had been reduced to hiccups. His uniform was soaked, but he didn't mind. There was a while when the two just sat there in silence. Aaron gave a large yawn.
"I'm tired, Daddy."
"Do you want to go to bed?"
"Yes, please."
Richard removed his son's shoes and socks and tucked him beneath the covers. Looking up at his father, Aaron yawned again. "Daddy, can you sing to me?"
"I don't know any songs, though."
"Can you make one up?" Aaron smiled his sweet smile. He really did look like a miniature Richard Grayson.
"I'm afraid that I'm not very good."
"I don't mind," Aaron cooed, resting his head on his father's shoulder. Richard quietly cleared his throat and sang out the first words that came to mind.
When you're so lonely lying in bed
Night's closed its eyes but you can't rest your head
Everyone's sleeping all through the house
You wish you could dream but forgot to somehow
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Richard stroked his son's hair and continued, remembering that he would leave just after Aaron fell asleep.
And if you are waiting, waiting for me
Know I'll be home soon darling I guarantee
I'll be home Sunday, just in one week
Dry up your tears if you start to weep
And sing this lullaby to yourself
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Aaron yawned again leaned his head against the pillow of his bed.
Lullaby, I'm not nearby
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Don't you cry, no don't you cry
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Besides his voice, the room was absolutely silent. Aaron smiled up at his father, though his eyes were beginning to droop.
Cause when I arrive dear it won't be that long
No it won't seem like anytime that I've been gone
It ain't the first time, it won't be the last
Won't you remember these words to help the time pass?
So when you're so lonely lying in bed
Night's closed its eyes but you can't rest your head
Everyone's sleeping all through the house
You wish you could dream but forgot to somehow
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Sing this lullaby, sing this lullaby
Sing this lullaby to yourself
Now almost fully asleep, Aaron's eyes were barely open, and he had begun to curl beneath the blankets. Just before passing into dreams, however, he smiled at Richard. "I love you, Daddy," he whispered, falling asleep instantly. The smile never left his son's mouth.
He headed downstairs and picked up his suitcase. Bruce had his back pack at hand, and Kori held Rebecca in her arms. "Ready?"
"I'm ready."
Richard turned back to glance the elevator that led to Aaron's room. It would be a long week.
Once again, I am SOOOO sorry for the long wait. School got ahead of me and then we had spring break in Florida with no internet access…so I apologize most sincerely.
This chapter was showing a little more angst (well…6-year-old angst). There will be more in the future, and more things will happen, I promise. Oh, and there are a couple deliberate grammar mistakes when Aaron talks, like when he says 'different', it should be 'differently'.
I love you all!
Thank you and goodnight! (Oh yeah…don't forget to review!)
Tootles – peace 'n luv, GUCIGIRL