Sharper ✧ Dick Grayson

PROLOGUE.

ONCE UPON A TIME, a hero's story would begin with the home and the struggles— the life before the glory and prophecies. Instead, this story begins on a regular night when the circus was in town.

Tents and canopies were set up everywhere, lined with bright string lights on lamp posts. Children rushed towards different carnival games and rides, dragging their parents behind them with one hand and the other holding a stuffed animal of some sort. There were squeals and laughter, bells and music, but the main attraction was at the far end.

Haly's Circus was in town, and the townspeople gathered around to witness the great talent and entertainment. Amongst the crowds of friends and family was a little brunette girl wearing a jacket a couple of sizes larger than her. She snuck between the crowd, dodging the line and finding herself closer to the performers than she ever was. While the rest of the audience sat awaiting the program, she peeked through the tent and watched the performers get ready.

It was a sight she had been wanting to see for a while, a look behind the magic that happens in the ring. The circus acts were far too busy bustling around, minutes away from the opening act, to notice that a girl not in costume had entered. Still, she wandered around carefully, taking in the costumes and the performers with awe. She recognized all the acts: the clowns, the jugglers, the magicians, the animal trainers, the unicyclists, all of them.

But she noticed a young black-haired boy not in any particular costume. He seemed to be around her age. She wondered if he snuck in like her, so she hid behind a clown cannon near him, observing his behavior. He seemed nonchalant, fiddling with some of the smaller props as he sat atop a blue-and-red-painted box.

He looked up for a moment, but before the little girl could retreat behind the cannon, they met gazes. The girl's initial instinct was to hide, afraid that she was caught, but instead, the young boy smiled at her and waved. Relieved, the little girl waved back with a shy smile.

From where they were, they heard the ringmaster announce his entrance with a loud "Ladies and Gentlemen!" followed by an applauding crowd. The two kids turned towards the commotion's direction, simultaneously debating whether to go about their supposed tasks following that cue or to ignore those and introduce themselves.

The kids made up their minds, sparing a glance at each other's direction and meeting eyes once more. However, just as the girl was mustering up the courage to step out of her hiding spot, they heard a voice much closer that startled them both.

"What are you doing not dressed yet, young man?"

The little girl retreated further behind the cannon so she was no longer in view. She peeked from the opposite side to see that the voice belonged to a large, dark-skinned man— the circus strongman, she guessed. Turned out, he was speaking to the young boy.

So he was part of the circus. She thought. He didn't sneak in.

With their supposed interaction interrupted, the two kids went about their business: the black-haired boy leaving to get dressed and the young girl rushing out to get a better view of the circus proper.

The hoopers were currently performing with their assorted hula hoops that were brightly colored and lit. The little girl peeking through the tent was just as entertained as the rest of the crowd seated inside. She would laugh quietly to herself as the clowns came on. Stare in awe when the fire performers stepped into the ring.

In time, her favorite act came, their name flashing on screen and the ringmaster announcing them. But she and the crowd were in for a surprise: The Flying Graysons were no longer just two but three. A little boy joined the dynamic duo of trapeze artists, and the little girl's eyes widened. He was the same dark-haired boy she met at the back of the tent.

She watched as he did flips with his parents, flying between his mother and father. The crowds would gasp as his parents would fling each other from one trapeze bar to another, but they would hold their breath when it was the little boy.

It was such an interesting audience dynamic, the girl noticed. They would go silent whenever The Flying Graysons were mid-air, then they would burst into applause when they accomplished the stunt. It was truly a sight watching the young protégé perform wonders, and the little girl stood with complete awe of him. He swung around so flawlessly, he soared like he had been doing it his whole life.

He probably has, She thought to herself. The beauty of the family's performance was amplified by the lights around them, casting shadows that only made their stunts look much more mysterious. The girl had on such a bright smile from where she stood.

"THE FLYING GRAYSONS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"

This time, the girl allowed herself to cheer and applaud from where she stood, praising her favorite act for a job well done as they bowed. She waited until they disappeared behind the curtain, and the little girl found herself leaving her spot by the tent and rushing for the back again.

She wasn't exactly sure if she wanted to meet him again or actually meet The Flying Graysons. Perhaps, it was both since he was technically a Flying Grayson. Only, when she found her spot again behind the cannon, the boy looked to be too busy with his parents to notice her. Not to mention, she got a bit nervous now that adults were around, thinking they would reprimand her for being somewhere audience members should not be.

So the young girl used this time gained from her impulsion to get an up-close look at her favorite circus act, especially since that was not possible while they flew. Eventually, The Flying Graysons instructed their young boy to change out of his costume. The little girl thought that meant no talking to him after all, but a momentary gaze to his side debunked that notion.

His smile widened seeing her peeking from behind the clown cannon, and his eyes lit up that much more. The little girl smiled at him and gave him a thumbs-up, and then she was gone.