Chapter Text
Bruce's life was actually pretty good for the first time in a while. The Justice League was formed and Batman was a trusted founding member. Jim Gordon trusted and helped him and the GCPD tolerated him because of that, and the best part was that Bruce had entered an actual romantic relationship.
Not one just to please the media or get them off his trial.. But one he was actually pretty happy in. Clark Kent, a reporter from Metropolis, whom Bruce had an interview with and then asked out on a date for his Brucie Wayne persona, and Clark accepted and the date was nice so they went on more. And just recently they'd put the label of 'boyfriends' on their relationship.
They'd go on weekly dates and talk on the phone just about whenever they could, Bruce was actually coming out of his shell. Alfred had even told him he was proud and that he really liked Clark..
This week's date was chosen by Clark. Some traveling circus was visiting Gotham and when Clark found out Bruce had never been to a circus he immediately bought tickets. The circus was pretty loud and there were a lot of overstimulating things but Bruce could tolerate it, because he did find some of the acts cool and the silly ones Clark found entertaining. Like watching a bunch of clowns somehow fit into a small car. Plus the food wasn't as bad as Bruce was expecting it to be.
Then came the act that the circus was apparently, most known for. The trapeze act, featuring the Flying Graysons. The act was impressive how coordinated they were in the air while doing all sorts of crazy flips. It was even more impressive that they were able to do it without a net and even the young boy who was a part of the act clearly, had talent
The eyes of everyone in the circus were on the Graysons as they flew.. And they were all on the couple as they fell. They hadn't been able to reach and had fallen. Right there with everyone's eyes on them. Including the eyes of the young boy who screamed out for his parents.
It was all so fast. All the guests were escorted but all Bruce could think about was the boy.
"Gosh.. That poor boy. I can't imagine how he must feel." Clark murmured as he let out a little sigh and placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder. Most circus goers had left and the police had arrived. The boy, whose name they'd found out was Richard hadn't said a word, only sobbed as the other members of the circus attempted to comfort him
"I can.." Bruce said so quietly that Clark was only able to hear it because of his powers
"Oh, Bruce." Clark's eyes softened as he wrapped his arms around Bruce for a hug. Bruce let it happen as he sighed "I'm sorry." Bruce heard Clark say softly
"It's okay, I just.. Need to check something." Bruce pulled away and walked over to the police officer "What's going to happen to the boy?"
"Well, he doesn't have any other family and he's not allowed to stay here with the circus.." The officer told Bruce as they both looked over at Richard "He'll likely go to an orphanage here in Gotham."
Bruce nodded and returned over to Clark. The car ride back to Wayne Manor was quiet. All Bruce could think about was Richard. He would be going to an orphanage in an unknown place surrounded by unknown people.
Bruve knew he had to do something. So, he did. The orphanage Richard was sent to was Wayne-funded so Bruce visited. He already did before so it was not out of the ordinary. Bruce knew that he couldn't just adopt the boy, well legally he could but it'd be unfair to Richard. So everything he visited he spoke to the boy and got to know him more and more.
Clark started coming along once Richard had warmed up to Bruce and they hit it off instantly because of course they did. So that's how a month and a half later Bruce had adopted Richard Grayson, well he insisted on being called Dick.
Alfred, although he wasn't too sure about Bruce taking in a kid at first very quickly grew fond of the boy, The older man said it was nice to have such a lively soul in the Manor
Dick was pretty energetic so he did all sorts of things like play baseball with Clark and he also really loved using the indoor pool in Wayne Manor. Alfred was also happy someone was finally using it as he always had to clean it just for it to never be used.
Of course, it wasn't always ups. Like when Dick first arrived at the Manor he had pretty intense night terrors due to witnessing his parents' death. So Bruce allowed the boy to crawl into his bed and even listened to Alfred's advice about seeing a medical professional
They advised doing calming things and establishing a good routine before bed, so every night Dick would take a nice bubble bath and Bruce, and sometimes Clark too, would read him a bedtime story then tuck him in. They also even got him a white noise machine which all together definitely helped
Clark and Bruce still had their weekly dates and they were all happy, except for Bruce's secret. He was the Batman. He didn't know how or when to tell Clark. He trusted him, of course he did, it was just his paranoia. What if Clark didn't like that Bruce was Batman? The man was a reporter and could easily write an exposé article..
That wasn't something Clark would do, Bruce knew that. But, there was still a lingering voice in the back of his head...
"Bruce!" Dick huffed and Bruce was snapped out of his thoughts
"Oh, I'm sorry, bud," Bruce said with a soft chuckle as he went over to the nine-year-old who was surrounded by bubbles in the bath
"I called your name like a million times!" Dick said with a little roll of his eyes as he stretched his arms up towards Bruce
Bruce stretched out Dick's towel so the kid could wrap himself in it as he stepped out of the tub "I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something."
"What, about Clark?" Dick snickered as he walked over to his bedroom next door to pick out some pajamas "Speaking of Clark, is he gonna join us for bedtime story time? I like the voices he does when he reads." Dick added before Bruce could answer his first question
"Yes, and yes.." Bruce said with a small sigh as he stood outside of Dick's bedroom as the boy changed "And I do voices too." He added as he crossed his arms
"Yeah, but Clarks are better, sorry, B," Dick added with a giggle as he opened the room door to let Bruce know he was done changing
"Fine then, I'll go get him." Bruce said as he headed downstairs where Clark was standing beside the kitchen island with a cup of tea in hand as he chatted with Alfred.. Yes, Bruce was definitely very happy.