Disclaimer: Some characters belong to DC
There's a lot of thing that Dick love about the Batcave. He loves the cool gadgets, he love the giant dinosaur, he love the Batcomputer, the Batmobile and everything else that can be described "Wicked awesome" by him and "Useful" by Batman. But his favorite thing hung something-something feet above the ground, up and above in the cave ceiling, A Trapeze.
It was raining hard on his 9th birthday. Raining so hard that Dick was required to stay inside and Dick had swing on all the chandelier, slide on every stair and flip on every floor in the manor before he decided to be more tame by being depressed on the couch.
"What's Bruce doing down there?" He had been strictly not to enter the Batcave that morning and every time he tried to enter the Batcave, the old clock just won't budge. Alfred been enlightening the birthday boy with his delicious delicate baking skill but it only do so much to the boy.
"Did Bruce forgot my birthday, Alfred?" his voice muffled by the available pillow on the couch.
"Nonsense, Master Dick. He surely remember this special day" Alfred reassured him.
Dick turn his head to the butler, not quiet assured. It had been his first birthday in the manor and he was hoping for some cheerful stuff but no, the weather is being a pain in the butt, Bruce was being stoic as ever, not even a congratulation before he stalk inside the Batcave God knows doing what? Alfred been giving him his awesome delicious cookies but Dick is getting sadder than ever. His birthday was always celebrated, always remembered back in the circus and it was always a day he can look forward too even if the weather is being a jerk. This day just remind him what he loss more than what he gain. And he gain a lot, sudden fame, sudden luxury and sudden weight gain from Alfred's cooking skill.
Bruce finally decided to show up around 2 pm. There's black smudge on his t-shirt and face, he was dusty looking like they pour him dead people ashes or something. He looks like a miner coming back from work. Alfred only sigh but say nothing more, an awful odd behavior.
"Oh so he gets to go inside with his dirty shoes and I don't?" Dick had complained childishly about seeing Alfred's so not fair reaction.
"Dick, can you come with me downstair?" Bruce said before Alfred can give him any explanation. Dick raise an eyebrow but followed him downstair anyway.
"So what is this all about?"
"You'll see"
Dick was utterly speechless once he took in the sight. On the ceiling of the cave, there it was. Hanging proudly, firm as ever and it looks so pleasing and inviting for him, a trapeze.
"Do you like it?" Bruce said, as if the speechless face and the twinkling eyes are not enough of a confirmation for him. Dick nod dumbfounded, "I thought you forgot."
Bruce ruffle Dick's hair. "As if. What are you waiting for, Robin?" With a grin, Dick took off in a run to climb up the platform, taking a deep breath and soar.