Titans Among Us - Dick Grayson

Act i

17 years ago
Avery - 10
Dick - 12

My mother walks through the mansion gracefully, she's been here an awful lot, that much becomes immediately clear as she weaves her way through the seemingly endless hallways.

I follow her closely, taking in as much as I can of the place, attempting to commit it to memory. This may be my first time here, but the look in my mother's eyes when she sees the owner of the place tells me it won't be my last.

He stands on top of a grand staircase, wealth and power radiating off him in a prideful way. The man walks down, meeting us at the bottom of the stairs. He gives my mother a kiss on the cheek before giving me a smile, it seems strange on him, I can tell he doesn't do it often, "You must be Avery," He says, holding out a calloused hand to me, "I'm-"

"I know who you are Mr. Wayne." I cut the man off, not seeing the point in this introduction. He's on the news all the time, it's not like I wouldn't know him. Mom said I shouldn't tell him what else I know about him, that he sneaks off at night and puts on a bat costume, that's a secret.

My mother scolds me, "Avery! You shouldn't-"

Bruce holds up a dismissive hand, a smirk on his face, "Selena, it's alright. I've had much worse the past few days," He comments. What does that mean?

Apparently I'm the only one confused as my mother gives a knowing chuckle, "Where is he anyway?"

"Where's who?" I can't help but ask, not liking being left out on a conversation like this. The adults look down on me with a chuckle.

It's my mother that answers me, "Well, Bruce has just adopted a boy, he lost his parents a few months ago," She informs me gently, making me frown at the boy's misfortune, "He's been a little upset since he got here. We were hoping you could help him out a little, cheer him up." She tells me, a hopeful look in her eye.

I think about it for a little while, "Is he mean?" I ask finally, looking at Bruce for an answer.

The man chooses not to lie to me, something I didn't realise I'd be so thankful for, "Sometimes. But he doesn't mean it." He admits to me with a reassuring smile.

"Can I see him?" I ask my mother and Bruce, looking between them as they smile at my acceptance to help.

An older man comes forward then, holding out a hand for me to take, "I can take you there, Miss Kyle," He says in a posh and sophisticated tone.

I glance at my mom, who nods and tells me it's okay. I then take the man's hand and he leads me up the stairs, "I'm Avery, what's your name?" I ask him.

He chuckles, "My name is Alfred, I work for Master Bruce," He tells me, leading me down a network of corridors.

"I'm sorry," I can't help but say, making the man laugh as I take in the grandness of the place.

We reach a door, silence coming from the other side of it, Alfred tells me that's where the boy is, and that if I needed anything, just call for him. He also told me that my mom was working on something with Bruce, so I may as well pass the time getting to know the boy.

I knock three times. There's no answer.

I sigh in annoyance before opening the door and walking in anyway, "I didn't say come in." A voice tells me.

I look at him. Brown hair, dark eyes, and a brooding expression on his face. He glares at me harshly, as if I'll disappear if he looks hard enough.

I roll my eyes, "You didn't tell me to go away either," I inform him, closing the door behind me and taking in the room. It looks... boring. There's nothing personal, except one poster, 'The Flying Graysons' it reads. The name sounds familiar but I tear my gaze away from it without thinking to much. Instead, I decide to introduce myself to the boy who keeps staring at me, "I'm Avery."

"Dick."

My eyebrows furrow and I cross my arms over my chest, "I was trying to be nice," I pout.

The boy's eyes widen, realising his mistake, "No, my name. It's Richard, but everyone calls me Dick," He explains, getting off his bed and walking around the room as I am, the awkwardness in the air, "Your mom, it's Selena, right?"

I slowly nod.

"And she's cat woman?"

My eyes widen at his accusation, "How did-"

"Bruce tells me a lot of things, he's started training me," He talks freely, grabbing something off the desk and fiddling with it, a batarang. I open my mouth to speak but he continues, "He told me your mom teaches you stuff too, that we're a lot alike."

Dick surprises me then, the batarang slipping from his fingers and me dodging with plenty of time, the sharp edge hitting the wood where I was once standing, "What the heck is wrong with you!" I yell at him, not understanding how he could be such an ass to a complete stranger, let alone a child.

He seems almost impressed with how I moved, "I don't need you to be my friend, I think it's better if you just stay away from me."

Yeah, I really didn't listen to that.