First Rain

I

The harsh sound of skin hitting skin filled the train car, yet no yelp of pain followed.
He wasn't allowed to cry. Well, he was, but he was a loud crier. He wasn't allowed to get them caught.
Maybe if he cried he wouldn't be hit so hard. Maybe they thought he was being defiant and rude by not crying and begging for mercy. Maybe they liked that he didn't cry so they kept going.
Whatever it was it didn't matter. No matter what Dick Grayson did or said he would still be beat.

A new leotard with long sleeves. It was perfect. It covered the bruises one his arms and the cuts on his wrists. That wasn't why it was perfect. It was blue and black. It was brand new. He hadn't gotten a new one in months. And he needed it.
He thanked Jack Haly repeatedly. In return Jack kissed his forehead and told him he was welcome.

If you look up the word grooming you'll get two definitions. The first is probably what you connotate it with. "To give a neat or tidy appearance." is the first definition.
Now I'm going to tell you about the second definition. "Prepare or train someone for a particular purpose or activity/prepare a child for a meeting with the intention of committing a sexual offense or other abuse"
This definition is very loose. Usually an abuser will treat their victim kindly. Buy them presents, be suddenly gentle, allow them to do things they aren't normally permitted to do. Then they'd snap and be abusive once more.
This was exactly what Jack was doing to Dick. He knew he was becoming wary of the man and doing his best to avoid him.
So, he gave him the new leotard and said he didn't have to do the show tonight if he didn't wish. He was even allowed to have popcorn.

Since he had a new leotard he decided to do the show, and watched the rest from the entrance. He never got to watch the other performances except during rehearsal. Everyone was very talented.
When the show was over Dick and the others took their showers quickly before loading up the train. It was their last show here.

"Please!" An unknown voice shouted loudly throughout the railway. Almost everyone paused what they were doing to look. Dick slowly inched toward the commotion.
A young redheaded boy was crying and begging Jack to let him join the circus.
"We can't just take anyone kid." Jack huffed.
"But I'm talented! I'm really, really fast!" The redhead defended.
"Just because you're fast doesn't mean-"
"Watch me! Really!"
And with that, the kid was gone in a flash. He ran to the end of the train, tossed in four boxes, and then right back in two seconds. Two.
Everyone was stunned. (Dick was amazed.)
"You can join." Jack sighed. "I'll have you shown a bed. What's your name kid?"
"Wally West."