That's What Brothers Are For

When Tragedy Strikes

Barbara Gordon sighed as her father parked his police car beside an ambulance.

"Okay Barb, you need to stay here while I check up on everything. I'm sorry you had to come but it was an emergency."

"It's okay Dad." she replied.

"Alright, I'll be back in a little while."

Commissioner Gordon hopped out of his car and started for the circus tent, a somber look on his face.

Barbara peered out her window. Clowns were crying and the animal trainers were shaking their heads in disbelief. The Flying Grayson's were no more. The only survivor was their son Richard. Barbara looked at the ambulance beside her and saw a young boy seated in the back, a blanket wrapped around his small shaking frame. Tears streamed from his light blue eyes down his face as he stared at his parents covered bodies. Barbara felt bad for him, so she quietly exited the car and walked toward him. Upon seeing her, the boy quickly wiped his tears and put on a brave face.

"Hey, I'm Barbara. My dads the commissioner. I'm really sorry about your parents."

"Thanks Barbara." Barbara was a bit taken aback by his Light accent, One she had never heard before. "I'm Richard, but my friends call me Dick." Barbara almost scoffed at the nickname, but quickly realized by his calm expression he was being serious. Not that this was anytime to joke, but...

"Nice to meet you." Barbara offered him a small smile, and he gave her a forced one.

"Um, it's okay to cry you know." Barbara said gently as he started to look tense. "When my mom left us, I cried. I know it's not the same, but,"

Barbara was cut of by heart-wrenching sobs from Dick, who had seemed to be waiting for an okay. Barbara awkwardly sat beside him as he let out his emotions, and she felt instantly distraught.

"Why did they have to go? I miss them so much! Papa promised me he'd tell me a story tonight, he promised!"

"Hey, it's okay. Just let it all out." Barbara gently draped one arm around his shoulders as he cried.

"I have no one else. No other family or friends besides the circus..." He wiped his eyes with his tanned hands and stared at his dirty shoes.

"Well... I'll be your friend. And I'm sure some one super nice will adopt you."

Dick gave her a small smile.

"Thank you Barbara I'd love to be your friend. But I'm not sure anyone would want to adopt me."

"Why not?"

"I'm a gypsy." He spat the last word like poison, his previous friendly demeanor vanished.

"So? What's that have to do with anything? I think Romany are cool."

Dick seemed surprised, and maybe even a bit startled.

"Y-you don't call us gypsies?"

"No way, it's offensive, right? I had to write a report last year about a certain culture and I picked Romany. I'll admit I didn't know much about your people so I decided write about them and it was super interesting. Your people were so mistreated, and still are I feel so bad."

Dick seemed to be thinking about her words as he went silent.

"I'll be right back." Barbara jumped up and ran to her car. She took out a napkin and wrote her phone number and email on it.

"Here. You can call or email me whenever okay? I'm not sure when I'll see you again, but I gotta get back into my car, or else my dad will find out I left and be mad." She placed the napkin in Dicks hand and patted it, a warm smile on her face.

"Ok I will." He smiled back.

Barbara gave him one last wave and ran to the police car.

Dick waved back, his smile starting to fade as he watched her leave. He looked at the napkin in his hand and smoothed his fingers over the writing.

"Richard?" Dick quickly folded the napkin and put it in his pocket as the commissioner walked over with a tall man beside him.

"How are you holding up son?" He asked.

Dick shrugged.

"I'd like you to meet Bruce Wayne. His company donated money to the circus. He was thinking about becoming your new guardian."

The man had jet black hair neatly cut, and wore what Dick assumed was a designer suit.

"Hello Richard. I'm so sorry for your loss."

Dick nodded and refused to look up at the man. The last person he wanted to adopt him was a spoiled, whiny, billionaire. He should be thankful, but he would much rather stay with the circus.

"I need to bring my daughter home, but I'll come back and check up on you okay?"

"Alright mister Gordon." Jim patted Dicks shoulder and gave him a sad smile. He walked back to his car and got in.

"Sorry about that Barb, we'll head home now. I'll need to come back later though."

"S'okay Dad."

The rest of the ride was silent until they pulled into the driveway.

"You've been awfully quiet. Something wrong?"

"I... Is that boy going to be okay?"

"Of course sweetheart. It'll take time for him to heal, but he'll be okay. Bruce Wayne might adopt him."

Barbara didn't know Dick very well (ok, at all), but she didn't think he'd like that. Bruce Wayne is a playboy billionaire, while Dick is a free spirit from the circus. Barbara hoped it would all work out...

End of part one (of two or possibly more idk)

A/N: I am sooooo sorry for the long wait! I was super busy with school and I had no motivation to write this. Also, if this gets any longer than two parts I might put it up as its own story. I hope you enjoyed it! (Also I'm not Romany, so if I got anything wrong I'm super sorry) please send me request and/or ideas! xoxo CC (also I'm sorry this isn't a brother relationship thing but oh well)

Ps. I also have a new Tumblr with my art and stuff so check it out! My user name is - batobsessedd