Of Robins and Pageants
Little feet were walking down a long hallway with only one thought in his mind, to find his daddy. Two-year-old Damian was on a mission, and it was a very important one if he were to say so himself, so with a serious face, well as serious as a 4-year-old could master, he made his way towards the only room that came to his mind this time of the day, the office.
Bruce Wayne was typing away on his computer when he heard little footsteps coming his way. He shook his head; a little smile decorated his face and continue his work. A few seconds later a soft knock was heard behind the door, then a creak and finally a small black-haired head emerged shyly.
"Daddy?" Damian asked, Bruce looked up from his computer and towards his younger son and smiled.
"Yes Dami?" answered kindly "What can I do for you this fine day?" Bruce questioned although he was pretty sure he knew what his youngest wanted. Damian looked at him confused with the cutest face in the world not fully understanding what his father said, Bruce could barely hold his laugh. "Daddy let's play, I wanna play" he giggled oh so sweetly.
"I'm sorry my son, daddy can't play right now. I am very busy, and I need to finish the work I am doing today." He answered sadly, watching his son lip starting to quiver. "Bu… But Daddy I .. I want to p… play with you." Bruce stands up for his chair and strands towards his son picking him up in a tight hug. Damian wraps his smalls arms around his father's neck and place his head on his shoulder. "I know and daddy is so sorry he can't play with you right now" he comforted him by gently rocking him. "How about I take you to your brothers to play and then when I'm finished with my work I'll come and find you and play all together?" he said to his son hopping he will agree to it, it pained him to see his children sad.
"Can we build a fort?" he mumbled quietly from his father shoulder; Bruce laughed a little knowing his plan worked. "Of course we can. We will build the most amazing fort the world has ever seen." Damian lifted his head and smiled; Bruce's heart skipped a beat. "Okay" he agreed "let's go."
"As you wish my little prince" he said laughing.
Bruce made his way towards the playroom he had built for his 4 children to play in together or on their own making sure to accommodate all of their needs. He arrived at the playroom and saw his sons playing together a boardgame, he knocked on the door to get their attention and lowered Damian on to the ground. The three young boys turned their attention towards the sound of knocking and saw their dad and younger brother.
"Dami here wants to ask you three something" he said smiling.
"You can ask anything you want little D" answered Dick with the enthusiasm of a 10-year-old. Damian shyly played with the hem of his shirt with a cute bat logo on the center of it. "Can I play with you?" he asked after a few seconds.
"of course you can. Why do you think you can't?" answered positively Jason, a little confused that his brother feels like he need to ask to play with them. "I don't know" he mumbled and then smiled "let's play" he said excitedly running towards his brothers. Tim tackled Damian into a hug and gave him a big kiss on his cheek. Damian giggled and tried but failed to get away from his brother hold.
"im… Tim let… let me go" he tried to say between giggles while the rest of the family laughed at his demise.
Dick decided to be the merciful one and free his baby brother from the strong hold of his second youngest brother and took him in his arms and slightly rock him. "Don't worry B, it's our pleasure to play with our dear brother." Dick said throwing Damian in the air and twirling him around making him laugh like there is no tomorrow.
"Okay. I'll be back after I finish with my work. In the meantime…" Bruce said pointing a finger to his sons "Behave, I don't won't to hear anything breaking and whatever mess you make you have to clean… unless of course it's something that can harm you got it?" he finished looking at Jason flatly.
"Oh come on, it was one time, and it was only a tiny shard" complained Jason "And that tiny shard caused you 5 stitched in your left hand" answered Bruce seriously.
"Okay.. okay we know, we will be saints, now go.. shoo" said Dick holding Damian in one arm and shooing away his father with the other.
Bruce finally left the room with a smile on his face. The boys looked at each other and laughed, Dick let Damian down and he sprinted away towards a chest filled to the brim with all kinds of toys trying to find something to play with. "So what now?" wondered Tim.
"I don't know, Hide and Seek maybe?"
"Maybe but the last time we played that game we couldn't find that little demon for five whole hours even dad panicked" Tim laughed as he remembered the panicked look on his dad face and Damian laughing from inside the giant T-Rexes mouth in the cave when he somehow found his way into the bat cave without anyone of noticing it.
"Yep Jason good idea but I think Tim is right, definitely not hide and seek. How about we find something that we can play inside the playroom and not cause our little brother over there to wonder off." Dick pointed towards their youngest brother who was still looking for something to play with.
"Okay so what?"
"I don't know" Tim mumbled from his spot on the table he was sitting.
"ick.. ick" called Damian as he run towards his oldest brother hugging his leg and looking up to him with a cute little smile on his face. He had a little yellow crown on his head and a blue cape attached to his shoulder. "Look… look I'm a pri… prince" Dick looked down, smiling. His brother was the cutest little boy in the world and no he was not biased, definitely not biased, no way Jose. He was wearing the cutest crown on his small head and the blue cape hanging of his shoulder dragging on the floor because it was a little too big from him.
"I think I found what we are doing today."
"And what will that be big brother?" wondered Jason.
"Well my dear brother, I say we organize ourselves a little pageant" Dick brought Damian in front of him and his brother "and Damian here will be our model."
"Yay let's do that, it sounds fun" agreed Tim.
"I don't know, it sounds dumb."
"oh come on Jason don't be such a buzz kill, it will be fun, dad and Alfred will be the judges and we will dress Damian in different costumes and may the best brother win."
"Okay Dick you win. So how are we going to do this?"
"Mmm.. I was thinking that we should do 4 rounds, 4 outfits each."
"Okay Dick get ready to loose."
"Okay Jay-Jay, Timmy I say we give ourselves two hours to prepare our outfits. We can use whatever we want in the playroom and from our rooms, but you will only go there accompanied by me. I don't want to see anyone set a foot outside that door without me by their side." Dick firmly said, "Even you Jason" Jason groaned from besides "Now let the game begin."
"What are playing?"
Dick lowered himself to Damians height, hold his head between his hands and gave him a big kiss on his forehead. "You my little prince we'll be the main attraction of our game. Each of us we'll have 40 minutes with you and dress you up, then dad and Alfred will vote what outfit they like the best and one of us three wins. Do you like that game?"
"I do I do." Damian jumped around happily. "Okay, Okay" Dick laughed "Choose who you want to go with first."
"I want to go with Timmy" he answered shyly. "Yay! Let's go Dami, I will dress you up in the most awesome things" Tim dragged and started digging around for stuff to wear.
Two hours later…
Bruce have finally finished his worked, admittedly it took him a little too long for his liking but alas work was work. After he was finally over he stretched in his chair for a few seconds before he made his way to the playroom. After all he had made a promise with his younger son to play with him, he would be a monster if he were to back away from such an important promise. So with big sigh he stands up from his office chair and follow the corridors down to the playroom, he stops in front of the closed door of the playroom and listens. Happy voices and laughing can be heard from inside, he can hear his sons happiness and the sound of their happy voices fills his heart. He smiles and knocks on their door, a loud enter was heard from behind the door it was Dick he would recognize that excited voice everywhere. He opens the door and sees the boys, Dick, Jason, and Tim around the room picking up various pieces of clothing, accessories and such and Damian sitting on the table with his crayons doodling on his coloring book.
"Dad!" excitedly called Dick from his spot on the floor after noticing their father entering the room all eyes were focused on him. "Daddyy" screamed Damian and run to his father completely forgetting what he was doing before, his dad picked him up and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Did you finish with your work?" asked Dick. Bruce gave him a little hum while rocking Damian in his arms. "Great, your timing could not be more perfect we just finished ourselves." Continue talking Dick, Bruce looked at him with a confused gaze "On time for what?" he asked hopping it wouldn't be something too catastrophic.
"For pan…pange… pigeons?" tried to answer Tim. "For the pageant" clarify Jason while putting away some final stuff in the chest. Unfortunately for Bruce this did not help him in any shape or form, fortunately for him though Dick so him getting more confused and decide to clarify more "We decided to organize the first and only Wayne Brothers pageant."
"That's an interesting game… and how do you play it?" asked Bruce trying to get a bit more information. "Well each of us have create 4 different looks that would be showcased by yours truly Damian Wayne. In each round you and Alfred will vote on whoever you like the most and whoever have the most points by the end of the fourth-round wins. Easy peasy lemon squeezy." Explained furthermore his oldest.
"That's an interesting game you cooked up." Their father said a little surprised after hearing Dicks explanation of the game. "When does this pageant start?"
"NOW NOW!" Screamed his ear off Damian "While I appreciate the enthusiasm, I don't want to go deaf yet" Bruce laughed and ruffled Damian hairs.
"Master Bruce, Miss Kyle is here to see you" Announced his arrival Alfred with the one and only Selina Kyle on his tail. "Alfed, Alfed" called Damian from his place in his dad arms while pointing his arms towards Alfred to take him, the beloved butler of the family smiled and took him in his arms. "I don't know whether I should feel happy or offended" replied Bruce with a fake betrayed look on his face "Now, Now Master Bruce no need to get jealous, the children will always come to you" he reassured him "when I am not here of course" finished Alfred looking at Damian smiling "Buuuuurned" was heard from inside the playroom. A cough was heard behind Alfred, both grown men turned their heads to their guest and only woman in their home "My apologies Miss Kyle it appears that we have forgotten you."
"No worries Alfred, I would forget you too if I was to face such a cute face" simply replied Selina pinching little Damian.
"To what I own this visit Selina" inquired Bruce.
"Please do tell me you did not forget my dear" she questioned cryptically. "Forget what?"
"But our date of course" she came closer to Bruce and drag a finger down his jawline gently "why would I dress like this after all" she said showing her dress. True to her words Selina was wearing a long green velvet dress with a long slit on the right side reveling her leg.
"The date of course I am so sorry Selina, with all the work I had I forgot. I will go and get ready right now, Alfred please escort Selina to the family room and make her some tea while see waits, if you may."
"Bu…But Daddy you promised" whimpered Damian and Bruce stops in his tracks and turns to face his youngest son "I know Dami I know, and Daddy is so sorry, but we can still play the game tomorrow" quickly said Bruce trying to soothe him. Damian by now was a crying mess, he did not like his daddy's words a bit. Bruce went to get Damian in his arms to calm his crying child, but he moved away from him and hide his head on Alfred's shoulder, Bruces heart broke. The pain he felt was unimaginable even fighting the most powerful villain as Batman didn't measure enough.
"What game?" asked Selina from her place beside Bruce she too was sad seeing how distraught Bruce's youngest was.
"We were planning to have a mini pageant between me, and my brothers and Damian was going to be the main attraction and showcase all of our outfits. I guess he got really excited because all the family was going to join on the game, dad and Alfred was going to be our judges." Dick answered appeared from the playroom when he heard his brother crying.
"Well then what are we waiting for we have a game to play" Replied Selina clapping her hands.
"What about our date?" asked Bruce.
Selina put her hands in Damians armpits and pick him in her arms hugging him. "Well you should have thought of that before you forgot about our date and made a promise to play with this beautiful boy" she responded showing Damians crying face "And besides I think I'm perfectly dress for the occasion don't you agree?"
"Are you sure?" asked Bruce wanting to make sure that Selina was okay with this. "Yes of course. You know I love your kids Bruce, playing with them would be my pleasure."
"Well then if you are sure; Dick how about we three go to the family room while you three get Damian ready for the first round?" suggest Bruce, Damian signed Selina to let him down and he got closer to his father.
"Okay great I'll tell the other to get ready, come on Damian it's time to dress up" mentioned Dick and went to grab him from his tiny hand. "So we are going to play all together?" asked shyly Damian his father "Of course how could I ever deny you anything my little angel" replied smiling Bruce, getting on his son height, wiping his tears with his thumbs, and placing a kiss on his forehead "Now go with your brothers to get ready. Me, Alfred and Selina we'll be waiting for you to get ready to call us. Okay?" Damian nod and grab his brother's waiting hand and went inside.
"Let us go then boys and leave the young ones to get ready" said Selina making her way towards the family room "And Alfred if it is not too much of a trouble can you make us some tea?"
"Right away Miss, I will prepare and bring it to the family room for us to enjoy. Would you like some biscuits to go with your tea?" asked Alfred.
"Only if you are the one who made them" replied Selina knowing how wonderful Alfred's homemade goodies taste.
"It always is Miss" answered Alfred and made his way to the kitchen leaving the couple alone.
"Selina again I am so sorry I don't know how I forgot it. I promise you it won't happen again." Bruce got in front of Selina and took her hands in his squeezing them gently. "It's okay Bruce, I don't blame you. Besides being judges in this little pageant would be more fun than the auction we were planning to go with all those hypocritical rich people. Don't you agree?" asked Selina.
Bruce laughs, placing a kiss on her hand " You are right my dear… as always" and sits on the couch besides her. Selina laughs along with him crossing her legs, the long slit reveals her long, beautiful legs. "Truth to that, and don't you ever forget it dear" She moves her finger along his jawline and kisses him softly where his jaw meet his neck.
"Eweeee" a childish sound of disgust was heard from the door. Young Jason had a disgusted look on his face. It appears he was the one tasked with informing the judging panel that they are ready to begin the pageant. "If are both finished eating each other faces we are ready to begin" Jason finished saying turning his back on them and made his way back to the playroom muttering "I knew we should have sent Tim but noooo he is too young he would get distracted before making to the family room. Young my ass now I am scared for life, and he is having fun with the others." The two adults followed him not far behind listening to him muttering and snicker quietly. Alfred met them outside the family room with a tray full of tea and biscuits for everyone following silently with a smile on his face.
Everyone arrived in the playroom only to be welcomed by Dick sporting a costume tuxedo like the one penguin wears with two long tails dragging on the floor and a matching top hat. "WELCOME! WELCOME! To the first ever ,and probably the only but who knows, Wayne family pageant!" Announced Dick giving a big bow bringing his hat to his chest. "Please have a sit, your seats have been arranged for you on the couch just look for the Envelope on each cushion with your name on it" While Dick was talking the three adults made their way to the couch finding their assigned seats and taking the envelops on their hand. Dick got in front of them a light shined on him from above "Inside the envelops you will find cards with each of our names on it. Now if you are ready to begin let me introduce to you our youngest contestant for our first round with Theme "a day at the park," TIMMMMM! Let's all give a round of applause everyone" The adults start clapping waiting for Tim to show up "The outfits for our competition will be showcased by the youngest of the family DAMIII! Now let's all welcome them to our stage."
From the right side of the couch came Tim with little Damian in hand and they both stand besides Dick "Hey Everyone " waved shyly Tim "This is my first outfit I hope you like it" mumble Tim getting shyer by the minute. "OMG they are so cute!" said Selena from her seat excitedly. "Little D is sporting a yellow and grey batman T shirt with black and grey shorts and a yellow, grey and black hat with bat ears to complete the outfit . Going for the heart I see, nice move Tim nice move" Tim looked up to him confused "What?", Dick cleared his voice and let out an awkward laugh "haha Dami my little man give our judges a little spin to see the adorable little outfit" Damian laughed and start to spin around, after almost five spins Dick stopped him "Wow there little guy I think that's enough for now we don't want you to get dizzy" Damian giggles "Okay I think you show plenty of Timmy's first outfit, Tim why don't you go sit with the judges until Dami here gets ready for Jason's outfit"
"Oh yes Timmy come to Selena" Selena opened her arms and Tim rushed to her. Selena hugged him tightly "My little stylist, I should let you choose my outfit next time" Tim laughed and hugged her back, letting her place him on her lap.
"Very nice outfit Master Tim, I will definitely dress him in that outfit on our next outing." Selina looked over to Bruce "Don't you have something to say too Bruce?"
"He was so cute" Bruce was awed his saw was the cutest thing and no he wasn't biased, he wasn't "Well, we lost him in Damian's Cuteness, this will be a very interesting and unbiased round" Selena laughed and turned to Tim "Your daddy loved it too."
"If I can get your attention, we are ready for our next contestant, please welcome Jason."
"Yes, yes thank you I can showcase my own outfit. Come on Damian lets show them what coolness looks like" Jason walked over with Damian in toe. The model in question had his hands in his jacket pockets like his big brother walking cooly. "I have dressed Damian for the coolest day in the park, from the blue jean to the grey shirt with the black leather jacket and we can't of course forget the awesome grey beanie and last but not least these cool black sunglasses to finish the outfit." Jason finished his presentation giving Damian a spin and fist bump him. "You can applaud now" The judges laughed and start clapping.
"Well if it isn't the coolest baby in the world" Selina commented.
"I completely agree Selina."
"That was amazing Jason, why don't you go join Tim while I get Dami ready for the last outfit."
"Yeah yeah I am going." Jason sat between Selina and Bruce "I don't remember Damian Having that particular jacket, is it new?" Bruce asked Jason "It's new I bought it for him the last time we went shopping with Alfred" answered Jason, Bruce ruffled his hair and hugged him "That was nice of you, you are an amazing older brother" Jason blushed and hide his face on his dad chest "It was nothing I just saw it and thought that little D would look very cool in it." Bruce smiled noticing Jason's blush, placed a kiss on his head and said, "Nevertheless you are a good brother Damian is lucky to have you."
"Daaaaad" Jason whined "You are embarrassing."
"And for the last outfit of the first round you have me, the oldest of the siblings yours truly Dick!." Dick gave a bow and brought Damian to the stage. "Damian like his older brother, is dressed very fashionably in brown pants with a white and black striped hoodie and a grey beanie." Dick spined Damian around for the judges to see "He looks amazing I am very proud of the end result."
"That was an amazing first round, all your outfits were amazing Masters" said Alfred "Thank you Alfred we all did our best. I think it's time for you to choose the winner for the first round we will go to the other corner to give you some privacy." Dick took Damian on his arms and told Jason and Tim to follow him.
"Okay, who do you think should win the first round?" asked Bruce "I think it should be Tim."
"Really, Bruce? Are you sure you are not a little bit biased on that one?" asked Selina smirking "Me? Biased not at all" tried Bruce, failing miserably "Who do you think should win Selina?" Bruce tried to change the subject "Don't think I don't know what you are doing, you are avoiding the subject, but I will let it go for now. Personally I think Jason should win the outfit he did was very cool and very stylish. I mean those glasses, that leather jacket amazing." Said Selina
"Personally, I like Master Grayson's outfit the most, but if we choose based on who was closer to the theme then I would have to go with Master Timothy-"
"Huh see Alfred agrees with me" interrupted Bruce "Let's hear what he has to say first Bruce" said Selina amused after Bruce outburst "Yeah before I was so rudely interrupted" begin Alfred and looked over to Bruce, Bruce smiled awkwardly rubbing his neck "I believe Master Timothy should win because Master Damian is only two so despite looking very good in the other outfits, a day in the park with him means playing from the minute we place our foot to the park to the minute we leave it and in that time he will get anything but clean and this batman outfit would be easier to clean and he will be more comfortable to play in it."
"See I told you Alfred agrees with me" said Bruce excited. "I see Bruce and I agree evidently with Alfred he make a valid point. You on the other hand want time to win because Tim dressed Damian in Batman Merch from top to bottom" said Selina smirking.
"What?! Me? Nooooooo" said Bruce "Sooooo? Tim?" he asked.
"Yes, yes the winner of the first round is Tim" said Selina.
Bruce throws his right hand in the air happy with the decision that was taken. Tim would be so happy, and it will for sure get him out of his shell for the next round. Tim naturally for his age was a bit shy both arounds his family, sometimes, and friends. They were trying to get Tim out of his shell more often, they didn't want him to lose out on any of the fun. But none of that for now they have to announce the winner and move on to the next round. Bruce called the boys to join them in order to announce the winner.
"So did you choose who wins the first round" asked Jason a little bit bored but you could see in his eyes that he also couldn't wait for the results.
"Yes Master Jason we have. Please take your places on the stage." Alfred point towards the stage with his arms, Dick, Jason and Tim stood before them in a row from the oldest to the youngest.
"First of all I want to thank you all for your amazing outfits. It was an extremely hard decision to make, and we all had a different winner in Mind" said Bruce.
"However, the winning outfit was based on who was closer to the theme and the practicality of it." Continued Selina.
"And since our model here is only two we decided that the best outfit for him is…" finished Alfred.
"WHO?!...WHO?!" asked impatiently and enthusiastically Dick. Bruce and Selina laughed with Dick's enthusiasm, he was always the loudest and more enthusiastic of his four siblings, even more that Damian and he is two.
"Calm down Dick" said Bruce rocking Damian in his arms. "How about we let our little model here announce the winner" continued Bruce "Are you ready to learn which one of your brothers won Damian?" Damian squealed in happiness "Okay, Okay the winner is…" Bruce whispered in Damians ear, he eyes went comically wide and clap his hand. Bruce lowered Damian to the couch and gave him the card with the name and told him to hold it up when he tells the name of the winner. "Okay say the name of the winner."
Damian screamed and started jumping on the couch "TIM TIM TIM TIM" raising the card as high as he can. Tim looked around shocked, his mouth wide open. Dick grabbed Tim by his armpits and throws him in the air excited "Congrats Tim you won the first round!."
3 Rounds later…
"Ladies and Gentlemen… We have reached the end of the pageant, and we are ready for the final results. But before we do that let's all take a look at the score so far." Dick takes a step back and showcase his brothers "The first round with theme "a day at the park" went to our little Tim. The second round with theme "Chilling with the cool kids" went to Jason and the third round with theme "A night out" went to yours truly. So in the end each of us has one point meaning that your decision will bring out the winner" Dick takes a moment and begins again " Before you make any big decision let me walk you through our last round once more. The theme was "Hero Day," Tim decided to go with the classics and take a note from his first round and dressed Damian like Batman, Jason true to his anarchist self-went against The Man and chose Superman" que in Jason looking smug as ever "and me I dressed Damian as the most awesome hero in the world Rooobin AKA meee." Dick sung the last bit enthusiastically.
"CoughSidekickCough" coughed Jason "trying" to be discreet. "ANYWAY" Dick side eyed Jason "We are waiting patiently for the results. And when I mean patiently, I mean with the attention span of a 2-year-old. Sooooo while we appreciate the time you take to choose the winner, make it a little faster because we are not in a real reality show" announced a little bit sarcastically with a little clap.
Selena laughed "Well I think we have already chosen the winner, although I am a little heartbroken that none of you chose me as your hero, but neverthe-"
"No No auntie Selena" Damian cut her off running towards her and placing his little hands on her knees "don't be sad" Selena picked him up and put him on her lap "Don't worry my little bat I am okay but more importantly I think it's time to announce the winner. Bruce why don't you do the honor."
"Right yes" Bruce got up from the couch "This was an amazing competition, you three were amazing. This was a difficult decision, and it was really close, but we decided that the winner should beeee…. All of you, Yeyyy!"
"ohhh come on really?" said Jason.
"Yeah we wooon!" Tim yelled happily; Dick joined in on the fun.
"We collectively thought that all of your choices were very good, and your outfits were amazing albeit hurting in a particular case." Bruce looked Jason "I mean common Superman?! Of all the heroes you had to choose Superman" spiraled a bit Bruce "Anyway I think I am getting a little off topic here."
"You think?" interrupted giggling Selena.
"But yeah we couldn't decide who was better we all had a different option sooooo you all win" Bruce semi explained. "Now who wants to go out for pizza and ice cream?!" suggested Bruce.
"Its fine… I guess" said Jason tried not to sound too excited.
"Come here my little anarchist" Said Bruce bringing Jason in a chokehold kind of a hug. (A/N I don't know how to call it lol)
The End
