Night's Shadow || Dick Grayson x Ariana Wayne

Chapter 2

The circus was everything that the girls thought it would be. Animals and performers were everywhere. Being the daughters of Bruce Wayne meant being able to have behind the scenes access. Ariana and Beth went to where the acrobats were preparing. Ari was just completely spellbound by how effortless they made it look as they jumped and swung through the air.

"Forgive my intrusion, I just wanted to meet the talented acrobats I've heard my fellow students talk about. You are awe inspiring." Being only nine years old, Ariana was very mature for her age and spoke like she was much older.

The man nodded and knelt down so he could look Beth and Ari in the eyes. A sign of respect that Ari was impressed with. Not many adults would do such a thing. "I'm John Grayson of the Flying Graysons." He gestured to the woman who was talking to a young boy about Ari's age. "That is my wife Mary and our son Richard." He held his hand out.

"I'm Ariana Wayne" she said as she shook John's hand. "And this is my sister Beth. Mother and Father are taking in the sights but gave us permission to come over here."

Mary walked over with her son after seeing her husband talking to the two young ladies. "These lovely young ladies have come to watch our performance. Come along and say hello Richard."

"Dick," he said then looked Ari in the eyes.

"Pardon?" Ari's eyes widened which earned a giggle from Beth. The younger Wayne had seen something that her elder sister didn't notice yet.

"N- no. I mean... Please call me Dick." He chuckled nervously and smiled to Ariana as his cheeks flushed a deep red. "It's nice to meet you Ariana. You too Beth. Usually it's boys who are into this sort of thing, not girls. Uh not that girls can't like it too."

Ari laughed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We're not your typical girls." She tilted her head at hearing her parents calling for them. "Beth," Ari called and noticed her little sister talking to a boy her own age. It seemed they weren't the only ones who wanted to meet the Flying Graysons. "Come on sister, Mother and Father are calling for us.

Beth said her goodbyes as did Ari. Neither girl was inclined to leave but knew better than to make their parents wait. The two girls then hurried to go join their parents inside the big top tent.

Since they were the Waynes, the family had front row seats. Each of the acts was better than the last. Well Beth thought that the lion and tiger tamer was the best. Ariana was anxious to see the acrobats. More specifically Dick Grayson.

Finally it was time for the last act, the one Ari'd been waiting for. Their performance started flawlessly and had Ariana on the edge of her seat. Dick waited atop a platform for his turn to take part in the final part of their act. Sadly it never happened. The wires holding the trapeze snapped sending John and Mary crashing to the ground.

Numerous screams rang out followed by families rushing to leave. Bruce and Sayeh jumped to help control the chaos while the police were called. Ariana slipped into the shadows unnoticed thanks to the chaotic crowd then flew up to the platform Dick had collapsed on. It was well hidden so she didn't worry about hiding her wings. At that moment her focus as on giving the boy she'd met only a few hours earlier all the comfort she could.

"Go ahead and cry. No one's going to see and I won't judge." She wrapped her black feathered wings around Dick when he hugged her and sobbed into her shoulder. It felt like he couldn't breathe but knowing someone was there with him helped a little. "When you're ready, we'll head down. But I have to put my wings away now okay Richard?"

With a sob he nodded and murmured, "Dick." Ari retracted her wings but kept holding onto him. The police arrived and the two kids made their descent to the ground. Commissioner Gordon was keen on talking to Dick and the other circus folk to see what they knew.

Ari went with Dick to go talk to the commissioner. Bruce was there as well to help lessen the stress, the same reason Ariana was there. "Ariana, go stand with your mother and sister. I'll be over soon." She didn't want to leave, but gave Dick a hug then went to go stand with her mother and sister.

"I hope he'll be okay," Beth said as Ariana came over to them. "He was a really nice boy, wasn't he Ari?"

"Yes. Dick is very sweet and kind and sadly now he's broken too. I wouldn't wish something like this on anyone." She sighed and tried not to cry.

Sayeh pulled her daughters to her and gave them both warm hugs. "If anyone can understand the pain that young boy's in, its Bruce. He lost his parents when he was only a little older than Dick is now. I lost my mother when I was about your age Beth." Hearing that had Ari's heart aching for her parents as well as Dick.

Bruce walked over a few minutes later, his blue eyes darkened by sadness. "The police have my statement and Jim said that he'll send someone to the house tomorrow to get yours and the girls' statements" he said to his wife and daughters. He gave them a look that said this matter wasn't over. The Batman was going to be launching his own investigation.

Once back at home Sayeh and Bruce made their way down to the Batcave to suit up and go look into who had murdered the Graysons. Ariana wanted to go too, but she didn't want to leave Beth alone. Plus she didn't have a suit of her own. The nine year old turned her attention to her little sister when Beth called out her name. "You feel the loves now right?"

The question took her by surprise. Everything had been such a whirlwind that Ari hadn't realized that she wasn't faking the emotions. Ariana playfully ruffled Beth's hair before materializing a brush so she could brush out her hair. "Yeah, I do. I can now say with certainty that I love you Annabeth Wayne. And you're quite the smart young lady. How did you know though?"

Beth giggled and settled as her older sister brushed her brown hair. "Your smile changed. It reached your eyes when we sawed the ack... arc... Flying Graysons." Beth beamed with pride at knowing she was right. "Mommy and Daddy went to go take care of the bad people right?"

"That they did Beth. And we need to go to bed. We'll both have big days tomorrow. I have school while you and Mother will be meeting with Commissioner Gordon." Beth liked having her sister with her emotions. Things felt less artificial and made things so much more enjoyable. She asked if she could sleep in Ari's bed since she didn't want to be alone after the incident earlier. Ariana was only too happy to allow Beth to come curl up. She spread her wings and wrapped them around the both of them as they fell asleep.