Bruce waited for Richard to wake up. Lex hadn't spoken a word since he saw Bruce's new arrival and had stormed out this morning when Bruce asked for breakfast. He couldn't go out and get it himself since he had to wait for Richard. Not to mention Lionel was lurking outside their door. No doubt he was waiting to ambush and threaten Bruce away from his son now that Lex was out of favour with Bruce.

Looking at the blue leotard the boy wore he knew they'd have to make a stop at the circus before they left. Or take some of his old clothes from the manor. He didn't ponder on that too much right now.

The clock chimed ten when Richard finally woke up. Bruce jumped from his perch at the window to see to him "How are you feeling? Are your hands better?" He inspected them and found them to be healing well.

"You're not going to start shouting are you?" Bruce looked up in confusion. Richard looked genuinely worried "I can leave if there's a problem."

He remembered Lex's foul mood "Oh, no it's fine. Lex is always mad about something or other. If we do shout the worst he can do is kick me out. So, do you want breakfast?"

He nodded and rose. Bruce took to the door and scoured their room, ushering Richard through once he was sure it was clear. Doing the same the rest of the way down Bruce resolved that they wouldn't be eating in the hotel. Mostly because Lionel was keeping a look out for him with a sullen Lex next to him.

Changing course he pulled Richard out the hotel and started up the familiar path to Wayne Manor. "Are we going to the circus?"

"Later," He promised "We need to get your things. For now, we're having breakfast in my house where you can meet Damian."

"That's your son?" Bruce nodded "What's he like?" Bruce could tell the sudden interest was to do with getting his mind off last night rather than genuine interest.

"He's Damian," Was all Bruce could say.

It took twenty minutes to reach his manor. They got a few curious looks from passers by but other than that they weren't bothered on their way. He climbed over the gate and let Richard in. The nearness of the door making him nervous for some reason. He didn't bother knocking since Alfred knew he was coming back today and let himself in. Richard followed slowly behind him and took his time in admiring the pieces Wayne Manor offered him.

Damian and Alfred were in the kitchen. Thankfully food was still being served and Bruce happily helped himself to some of Alfred's home cooking. Damian seemed excited to see him. He even hopped off his chair and thrust a new sketchbook into his hands. But that smile went off his face when Richard came down.

"Father, there seems to be some boy following you," Bruce cast a look to a nervous Richard and motioned the boy forwards to the table. Alfred took the new guest in stride and merely sighed before turning back to the oven.

"Damian this is Richard. He's going to be staying with us from now on," He introduced and turned to Richard "This is my son Damian."

Richard held his hand out "Hi."

Damian turned to him "I don't understand. Why is he staying with us?"

"His parents died last night in an accident. There's an investigation going on and I thought it would be best if he stayed with us. You don't know it Damian but the orphanages around here aren't somewhere you'd want to stay." He pushed his son forwards "Be nice to him."

Damian glared at the still outstretched hand. "Are you sure this is wise Master Bruce?" Alfred called.

"Yep," he left the boys to it and dug into the food freshly made. "Lex has the space even if it's temporary. Anyway it seemed like the right thing to do."

Damian hopped on the seat nearest to him still eyeing Richard who sat on his other side. Alfred turned to the boy "What do you like for breakfast then master Richard?"

"Anything's fine thank you," Richard muttered "And it's Dick. I don't like Richard much."

Alfred nodded and went back to cooking. Bruce gave instructions to both boys that he had to get back to the hotel. Clark had promised to pick them up at twelve which meant they had just enough time, with Alfred's help, for one trip to the circus.

What would usually have been a place of happiness and mystery was murky and grief stricken. The tent was packed and left a muddy field behind where trailers and animals roamed. Dick seemed right at home and accepted hugs from the many people that offered their condolences. Damian stuck by Bruce throughout the whole ordeal and only wandered once when he caught sight of a lion. It took some time for them to see Mr Haley who was just as upset as Dick about the cordoned off area. He let Dick take his possessions but drew the line at some of his parent's old costumes saying they were needed for other performers.

Lastly he let Dick say his goodbyes to his parents. Damian looked on sullenly as Dick took his time but Bruce knew that it wasn't going to get easier, he needed this time to say that first goodbye. Alfred drove them back but made a detour at Bruce's request towards the old cemetery where many of his ancestors lay. Weaving their way through headstones they came to rest at two relatively new ones with his parents names.

Damian had more interest in these bodies and gladly paid his respects as Bruce led Dick over to a patch of even ground.

"I know you don't want to think about it but if you'd like I can have Alfred bury your parents here. We won't be in Smallville forever and this way if you want to come see them you can. Any time," Dick sniffed and looked out at the ghostly headstones that weren't there yet.

"But they're not your family," He argued.

"No, but they're yours. And if you like you can be part of mine. So that makes them family just as much as you," He ignored the 'tt' Damian sent their way and concentrated on the little nod Dick gave.

Alfred was more than happy to arrange the burial privately and made phone calls as soon as he was in their entrance hall. Bruce hugged both boys goodbye and told Damian specifically to be nice and pack things he thought would fit Dick as well as himself.

"Does he have to come?" Damian whined on the front steps.

"He's your brother now. Of course he has to come," Sighing Bruce crouched in front of Damian "Think of it this way, you finally have someone to spend the day with. I'm sure Dick will play with you just as if not more than I do. You can teach him to spar and all those languages you know," He bargained. Damian didn't seem wholly convinced but there was some consideration. Time would have to convince him further.

"He's older than me," was Damian's last argument.

"So am I and yet you never hesitate to teach me something I don't know," the day was ticking away and Bruce needed to leave "Please Dami, do it for me."

"Fine," He grouched and slunk back into the manor.

He made it back to the hotel just as Lionel complained about Bruce's hair. Anything to put Lex off him Bruce supposed. He charmed his way into the car and smiled sweetly at the petulant look his friend sent him..

"You're an ass," Lex muttered.

"Takes one to know one," He sang and had a smile itching at the corners of Lex's mouth.

The car ride back was tense until they stopped for gas. One faux pas with an ice lolly and he was in Lex's good books again. By the time they reached Smallville they were giggling in the back of the car like school girls.

Bruce stayed the allotted time he could while Lionel strutted about the manor for some kind of inspection and made his excuse that he needed to check the rota for the Talon to get out. He arrived at the farm just as a red pick up truck sidled into the dirt and out popped Damian and Dick.

Clark shot him an unreadable expression as he unloaded the suitcase Damian had stole from the manor and observed that "Lex was right. You should not be left without supervision."

"Lex said that?" Clark nodded.

"It's true though. I leave you in Gotham for one night and you duplicate your offspring," Despite the scathing words Bruce could tell Clark was more amused than annoyed at his antics "How do you think Talia's going to react to this new kid?"

Cringing Bruce cast a look to where Dick was charming a confused Mrs Kent "I'm hoping she'll accept him. She has you after all," He muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Biting his lip he wondered if he should tell Clark about his recent offer from Talia. "What's she done Bruce?"

"Nothing, don't worry. She's just aware of your unnaturalness that's all," At Clark's look of shock Bruce commented "Well you have put half her men in hospital."

"So she knows. Did she say anything else? Like how she was going to get rid of me," Bruce shook his head.

"She doesn't want to get rid of you. Worse it seems, she wants you to work for us," He didn't look much happier about that.

"Work for you? So you're on board with this idea?" Clark accused.

"No. Obviously she thinks having you there will entice me to come back, so if you do get an offer please turn it down," Clark arched an eyebrow.

"And how will me accepting entice you to come back?" The hint of flirtatious undertones were back in Clark's voice.

"Well if you do accept then you'll also have accepted the job to be my... concubine? Something to that effect," Clark's smile was back.

"Then I'll definitely be declining," He commented.

Bruce clutched himself in mock hurt "I'll have you know I'm an excellent lover. One who lays with me never walks away unsatisfied."

"Hence Talia wanting you back?" Clark joked.

"Well..." they laughed despite the seriousness of the situation.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Bruce started as Dick seemed to appear out of nowhere. Pie etched around his mouth Bruce had a good idea where he'd been.

"I'm not," Clark answered "I have a girlfriend I'm afraid."

Dick looked disappointed "I like him," He pointed to Clark "You should have snatched him up."

"And we're leaving. Thank you Mrs Kent," He called and hoisted Dick on his shoulders. Shouting Damian over he took their things and headed away from the Kent farm.

"What did you do?" Damian accused. Dick having no idea what Damian was saying asked for a translation.

"Why does he think I've done something?" He addressed to Bruce but he could feel the boy looking at Damian.

"We usually stay longer than that," Damian shot back.

He felt Dick nod "I just asked if Clark was Bruce's boyfriend."

Damian pulled a face more grotesque than the one he pulled when Bruce told him he'd have to share a bed with Dick. "He's not," Bruce assured.

"You want him to be though," Damian shot up.

"What'd he say?" Dick clouded Bruce's vision. He was beginning to wish he'd taught Damian English from when he was born.

"Well you do," Damian argued and pulled a thoughtful face "Now that I think about it I think Clark would make an excellent partner for you. You should pursue him father."

"What? Why?" He was getting one of them a translation dictionary first chance he got.

"What's he saying?"

"Clark is a suitable match. He could probably take you in a fight and he's nice. He likes me and him for some reason despite the fact he just met him. Also he has a bunch of horses and tonnes of chickens. If we moved in with him I'd get to play with them every day," How could a seven year old be so wise and childlike at the same time.

"Bruce, what's he saying," Dick climbed down from Bruce's shoulders to his back and asked Damian to repeat himself.

"He's furthering your point Dick," Bruce interrupted.
"About Clark?" Damian nodded "Good." He turned to Damian "Does he let you play with the animals?" Bruce tuned them out after they had worked out a shake and nod conversation and marvelled at the progress they'd made.

Damian wasn't as bad as Bruce thought he would be when he introduced Dick. Even now it looked like they were to become fast friends. He told them to be quiet as they navigated the long hallways of Luther manor. Lionel could have been lurking anywhere and Damian seemed to sense this since he took to scouring the hallways before they walked them.

Depositing their things in Lex's room he had the boys change and took them out into the fields of Smallville until dark. Dick loved the open fields and Bruce smiled at the careless look he had on his face as he chased after Damian. Respites like these were few after a tragedy so horrid and Bruce wanted to make sure that he tried to make them last as long as he could.

After a long battle between the trees of a farmers field he took the boys inside to look for food. The cook had been notified of their newest guest and had food ready for three when they came to the kitchen. After asking around Bruce learnt that Lionel was indeed staying the night and leaving tomorrow for Metropolis

With Lex staying up late in his study, no doubt furthering his decent into alcoholism, Bruce was left to cater to the two boy's sleeping arrangements on his own. Damian was just as upset about having to share this morning as he was now. Dick seemed uncomfortable with the idea as well.

"Please," He begged.

"No," Damian turned his head away in defiance.

"But it's the only way we all get a bed. Unless you want to bunk with Lex..." The boy pouted and stormed to get changed so Bruce turned to the other one.

"Why are we all sleeping together if Lex has tonnes of bedrooms?" Dick asked quietly.

Bruce didn't want to have this conversation yet and told only a half truth "Lionel's still around. If he spots you or Damian in the manor he's going to start asking questions. Especially if he sees Damian," He muttered to himself.

Dick peered closely at him "This is about you being undercover isn't it?"

"Yes," Damian came out in familiar pyjama's and sat pointedly on his side of the bed "So we're going to have to make some compromises. I'm sorry for bringing you into this. I really should have thought this through."

Dick shook his head "You were being kind. It's fine if I have to share. Any thing's better than Gotham."

"Thank you," He showed Dick how to use the bathroom and left him to it to see to his son. Damian was still grumpy and showed it by kicking the covers as he climbed under them. "You'll grow to like him."

He didn't reply. Bruce tucked him in anyway and did the same for Dick when he came out. Taking his post at the window, Bruce settled down for a night of dozing in between watching for danger. He didn't think Talia would attack Lex, her position last they spoke had been about recruiting Clark. Still, Bruce didn't want to take the risk.

The moon rose higher and cast a illuminating glow through the window as Lex rolled into bed. He grunted more than spoke his good nights and was snoring into his pillow before his head hit it. One came and went, then two when he heard the tell tale signs of a boy in distress. Thinking it was Damian he turned and spoke softly in Arabic a tale Talia had taught him. It usually did the trick on nights where his childhood reared it's ugly head but when he saw Damian's eyes open and narrowed he knew it wasn't him in distress.

Dick was muttering low and tossing his head slightly. Damian sent him a 'do something' look as he turned his back on the situation. He couldn't help but chuckle at his son's unease and slid from his post to shake Dick awake.

It was awful to see the hope crash in his small blue eyes as he realised he wasn't at home. He looked around and stole the comforter from Lex's bed to wrap Dick up. Taking him with him to the window he tried to take the boy's mind off his nightmare until he fell asleep again. He took to trying to teach Dick some phrases in Arabic. The boring topic soon had him sleeping curled up on Bruce's lap. Depositing the boy back on the bed he sent a pointed look to the two beady eyes watching him.

Lex was in a horrid mood the next morning. Probably having to do with his hangover which he nursed repeatedly through breakfast. The sourness of his tone left no arguments that the boys couldn't be left in the manor with him whilst Bruce went to work. So with the promise of the most chocolatey muffins they could find being theirs he took them to the Talon. Stopping to pick up a couple of things he had the boys colouring at a table as he put his apron on.

Lana wasn't in yet but the waitress who'd almost died was. She spent half her shift asking Bruce why he hadn't said he had two kids and cooing over Dick. The boys got more free drinks and sweets they could ever need.

Keeping one eye on them he continued serving drinks to the teens and adults spending their Sunday off with friends and family. He barely noticed when three came but thankfully Damian was there to remind him. The sweets and sugar had made the pair of them jittery as time went on. Time bombs that they were he had them running in the fields for the rest of the day.

"Can we go to the farm?" Damian more demanded than asked.

Dick seemed eager to go too "Dami says Clark won't mind."

"Fine," Anything that had them co-operating was good.

Let loose on the farm Mr Kent took them into the barn to milk the cow as Clark pulled him over for an interrogation "Have you seen Lana? She wasn't at work and Lex hasn't seen her either."

"Lex has been nursing his head most of the morning, I doubt he can see anything but his walls right now. But no, I haven't. It's nothing to worry about though is it? Surely she's bunked off once or twice?" Clark's face said it all.

"It doesn't help that she has a knack for trouble," He added to the mix.

Bruce thought about it "If she doesn't turn up by seven then we'll go look," Clark nodded.

It turned out that they didn't need to go looking. Lana called Clark and apologised for causing him so much worry. Promising to see him tomorrow she hung up.

Worry gone, Clark was more engaged with entertaining the boys. He had them suited up and riding horses which Dick loved. He told Clark eagerly about all the animals they had in the circus, including a rather large elephant he liked to ride.

"You'll have to show me some of your moves one time," Clark praised.

Dick took it as inspiration and turned eagerly to Bruce "Can I?"

"Of course," he agreed. Dick didn't deserve to spend these days sad. Watching him earlier sinking lower and lower in his seat while Bruce worked was awful. If something like a show would keep him happy and occupied he couldn't see the harm. "Why don't you ask Damian if he wants to do it with you."

Dick pulled a face "Well... It's not like I don't want him to. It's just, I don't think he has the moves or skill to keep up."

Damian having heard every word took up that challenge and turned to Bruce "Tell him I'll outshine him any day."

"He says he'll give it a go," Clark muffled his laugh. Turning to him Bruce raised an eyebrow "Seriously, how much Arabic do you know?"

He tapped his head "Eidetic memory."

Bruce tapped his own "Same." It answered some of his questions at least.

He could see the interest in riding wane in the boys eyes. The challenge of putting a show on for Clark took over and he could see Damian sizing Dick up whilst the other one tried to think about an easy routine for Damian to learn. Things weren't going to be pleasant the next couple of days.

Back at the manor Dick asked politely to use Lex's gym whilst Damian took off at a run for it. Lex didn't even ask what they needed it for and went back to sulking in his study. Lionel had left a lasting impression once again. His ghost still haunting Lex even though he'd left early this morning. With no notion as to how to lift this sulk Bruce turned to an old favourite of his and annoyed Lex until he ranted his problems away.

By bed he was so tired from shouting he collapsed in much the same fashion he did the night before. Dick and Damian on the other hand were sprouting bruises and cuts spanning the contours of their bodies. Dick looked delighted, even as Bruce applied the disinfectant.

"... and that flip. Where did you learn those moves?" Damian was preening in the corner. His plaster covered arms set firmly across his chest as Dick praised him again and again.

"We learnt them travelling. Damian and I have been studying martial arts for years," He explained.

"Cool." He squirmed happily on the toilet seat "This means we can try for one of the more advanced routines I know. There's going to be flips and rolls and..." Bruce cast a pleased look at his son. It seems that, even if Damian was doing it to spite him, he was trying to be civil with him.

The boys begged and dragged their feet as Bruce took them to work. Lex had an important meeting with a client and couldn't look after them so with much bribery and the promise that, if it was quiet, they could move some of the chairs away and do some handstands they were off. It was quiet for most of the morning and since he had promised to work a double shift to take Friday and Saturday off he set up their little area in the corner so they wouldn't complain as much. Those who were in the Talon enjoyed watching them contort and stand on various appendages. He got many compliments for having such talented children and even more tips because talented children were still hungry children.

Lana came in at four and nodded towards them "That's Dick then?" Bruce nodded knowing that Clark had told Lana about him.

"Cute isn't he," Dick smiled at his fans and took a little bow.

"They both are," She moved to take someone's order.

"So," He served the next person "Is everything alright?"

"Alright?"

"You went missing yesterday. I was worried I'd have to stay on for another double," He played lightly.

She cringed "Yeah, sorry about that. I was with my friend. She's new in town and the time just got away with us. When I realised my shift was half over it was better to just call in than turn up."

"She sounds interesting," Lana rolled her eyes.

"She is. She actually had a lot of good advice. See there's this... can I tell you about this?" Bruce looked to their customers. Most of them were occupied at the moment.

"Sure," He leant in to hear.

She took a breath "I'm thinking about my relationship a lot these days and some of the things she said helped me realise that Clark and I, maybe, aren't meant to be," Bruce was both shocked and intrigued.

"He loves you," Bruce tried.

"I know and I love him. But we haven't..." She made subtle hand gestures "I mean, we've really only done it once and that was ages ago now. I thought it was me, maybe I did something wrong but my friend said I hadn't. That it was all Clark and that if he doesn't want to then maybe he's lost interest," She took a breath "I'm sorry I'm loading this all on you and-"

"No, no, it's fine," He hurried "Please, if you need someone to vent to then do it."

"Alright," She relented.

"So you think Clark's lost interest? Maybe there's something else at work," He prompted.

"That's what I thought," She started again "But then I realised that there's always something at work and I'm not involved with it. I'm his girlfriend, surely I should be," Bruce nodded his support.

"But surely this stuff can be worked through. If it's enough to make you question your relationship then I have to ask, is there someone else?" He had a feeling he knew the answer.

She turned red and a bit affronted as she adamantly said "No," then stopped and added "Maybe."

"Is it Lex?" She tilted her head in an almost nod. "Wow."

"Don't tell Clark," She begged.

"I won't," He promised. Thinking of something to help the conversation he asked "So what did your friend suggest you do?"

"She said follow my heart. It will never lead me astray," a dreamy look overcame her "She's really insightful like that. As soon as she said it I thought..."

"You thought of Lex," he guessed. She nodded "Which is why you're having a dilemma."

"It's just, Clark's been my focus for years and I thought I loved him. But then, I thought I loved Witney too," Bruce served their next customer to give her some space "What do you think I should do?"

He hopped on the counter and thought "Do you have any candles at home?" She nodded "When I'm conflicted I meditate. Candles help but the exercise is to focus on one thing then gradually let the outside world filter through. Sort your thoughts out. I don't think you should contemplate breaking up with Clark until you're certain what you feel for Lex isn't just a crush."

She smiled slightly "That's funny, my friend suggested the same thing."

"Then she's very wise," He complimented.

The boy's sugar rush wore off at seven and by eight they were crashed out in their corner. Learning to carry two boys without waking them was a challenge but he rose to the occasion and had them cuddled close as Lana locked up.

"I'll see you tomorrow," She moved a stray lock of hair out of Dick's face.

"Do you need someone to take you home. I can have Lex send a car?" He offered.

She shook her head "My friend's picking me up. Thanks for the offer though."

He waited with her just in case and almost dropped the boys when a sleek Lamborghini pulled up. Lana hopped in and waved her goodbye as Bruce stood frozen to the curb. Talia blew a kiss from the drivers seat and pulled away leaving Bruce wondering if he'd just let Lana walk into her own murder.