Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hey, you ready for this weekend?” Dick asked him while brushing out Nightwing’s tail.

Jason scoffed, “Course I am! It's my big debut!”

His brother snorted, “Okay Mr. Hot Shot. Just do me a favor and try not to get your shit rocked by a bull, ‘kay?”

“Careful dickface I might think you care about me.” Jason said with an eyeroll as he tossed his tack into the bed of the truck.

Dick shook his head but continued to brush his gelding's tail out. Jason wasn't worried. Bruce had been coaching him plenty. He'd practiced with the equipment, ridden steers, and even rode a few practice bulls that Bruce had gotten for him. Never once getting more than a sprain or a couple bumps with bruises. Jason was more than ready. He was taking home the win this weekend he had no doubts about it. Eight seconds of glory and he'd be the name in everyone's mouths.

Jason finished packing his bull riding supplies up and noted that Dick had finished with his horse, Nightwing, and had begun packing Nightwing's tack. Saddle, bridle, and the like making it's way to the trailer with the rest of their supplies. It wasn't just Dick either.

Cass’ supplies was laid neatly out in preparation to be loaded. Meanwhile she was in Black Bat's stall, brushing her gelding down. The quiet gelding simply stood there, occasionally nosing at his rider. Cass smiled and patted him affectionately. Jason smiled and shook his head. Those two had a weird bond but it worked for them.

It was just Dick, Cass, and him competing this weekend. Tim, Steph, Duke, and Damian weren't out of the high school division just yet. With Tim and Steph being the closest to being aged out. Their resident city kid, Damian, was just starting in the high school division as well. Duke was also just starting despite being a sophomore. He was a new addition to their little family and despite Bruce's insistence that Duke wasn't going to be adopted they all knew better. Duke was their new brother, they all agreed on it.

Jason thought back to how each of them came to the Wayne ranch. All the way back to when it started. Obviously it had been a story told to him, since he hadn't even been born yet. When he was still a kid those stories had meant everything to him.

And now he was going to live it.

He grinned. Fuck yeah.

“Whats got you so happy?”

Jason smirked, “Just lookin’ forward to breaking your record old man!”

Bruce chuckled, “I'd like to see you try Jay-lad. All packed?”

He nodded towards the mess of tack in the truck's bed. Bruce sighed in exasperation upon seeing the mess that was his tack. Jason shrugged as Bruce gave him a pointed look.

“I told him to organize it! He didn't want to!” Dick called from inside Nightwing's stall where he was giving the horse pellets and hay.

Jason glared at him, “Fuck you Dick! You're such a goody-two-shoes. Don't you have something better to do than making useless commentary?

Bruce could be heard sighing.

“Oh I have plenty to do, but I just love my favorite little brother Jason so much that I had to make sure he didn't forget his tack! Sue me for giving a damn!” Dick shouted back.

“Hey I thought I was your favorite?” A voice called from the end of the barn.

“Tim! Tell Jay to load his tack properly!” Dick called from inside the horse stall.

Tim scoffed, “Hey it's on Jay if he forgets his tack not me, and I certainly am not going to give him mine if he forgets his.”

Jason made a hurt noise dramatically and held a hand to his chest, “Timmy! How could you! Here I thought we were brothers!”

“First off, we don't even compete in the same event nor the same division so my tack would be worthless to you anyways. Secondly, you stole my cowtails last week.” Tim said flatly.

He wrinkled his nose, “You're still stuck on that? I told you I'd buy you more.”

Tim rolled his eyes, “Still haven't.”

Jason huffed in annoyance. Tim was such a stubborn little shit. He hadn't meant to forget about replacing the candy he ate… it just slipped his mind. That was all. A simple mistake.

“You are all imbeciles.”

Dick laughed, “Damian that wasn't very nice!”

Tim gave Dick a flat look, “Dick he's never very nice.”

Jason snorted and laughed as Dick tried to refute it. Damian simply scoffed and walked off to go ride and practice with Robin.

Jason smirked as he called out after his youngest brother, “Remember you actually sit on the horse city boy!”

Cussing could be heard from Robin's stall. Jason snickered and Tim was also covering his smile with a hand up. Dick and Bruce gave them a disapproving look each. He shrugged and walked out of the barn and towards the house, leaving the rest of the family to either pack tack or do chores with their equine. He made his way past the pasture where some of their horses grazed. Out in the arena he could see Duke practicing with some calves on top of Signal's back. Steph was out of town and would be back in time to go with them to the competition this weekend, so her mare Spoiler was out grazing.

Jason stepped up on the porch and went through the screen door to the kitchen, “Hey Alfie, what's for dinner?”

Alfred Pennyworth, their grandpa in every way that mattered and the coolest man Jason had ever had the pleasure of meeting turned and smiled kindly at him, “That is for me to know and for you to find out.”

He laughed, “Aw, c'mon not even a hint?”

Alfred tutted as he continued mixing a bowl of what Jason hoped was cookies. He'd ride fifty bulls if it meant he could have a box of Alfred’s cookies to himself.

“Do you have your gear packed for this weekend?” Alfred asked idly.

Jason nodded, “Yeup, all packed and ready to come home with a new belt buckle!”

Alfred chuckled but his voice held sincerity in it, “My boy, do be careful. Bull riding is especially dangerous.”

Jason scoffed though he didn't mean to blow Alfred off, “Tim does bronc riding, Dick does steer wrestling. All of it is dangerous.”

“Yes. But bull riding is different, my boy. You know as well as I do that it's what took Bruce out of the ring.” Alfred said with such gravity that Jason couldn't help but nod.

“I know Alfie. I'll be careful I promise.” Jason said earnestly.

Alfred nodded in acceptance and put a tray of cookies in the oven. All that was left to do was make it to the weekend.

Chapter Text

Jason hopped out of the truck and made a beeline for the office at the arena. Gotham Stadium hosted the Gotham Rodeo. They were lucky that the Wayne Ranch was so close to their home rodeo. He popped his head into the office and grinned.

“Flash!” Jason said with a grin.

A fond sigh, “I'm retired now you know.”

Jason laughed, “Yeah I know, the missus converted you did she?”

“Well, Iris is pregnant with twins now, I wanna be there for them. You know how it is. Besides, my nephew can take the title for me.” The man said fondly.

Jason nodded, he did get it.

Barry Allen, retired from being a rodeo clown and bull fighter at the ripe old age of thirty-eight. Also known by his nickname ‘The Flash’ for how fast he was in the ring. It suited him too. Barry was freshly retired and Jason remembered a time when Barry used to zoom in and around bulls to get wrecked riders out of the way. He was the best of the best. Jason had mourned the day Mr. Allen retired, knowing that he wouldn't have The Flash protecting him in the arena. That was okay though, because just as Barry had said, his nephew was going to be in his place.

Jason was pretty sure he had a son too, he couldn't entirely remember but he was fairly confident that his brother Tim and the oldest Allen kid were friends.

“So,” Barry started, “What brings you to the office?”

Jason rolled his eyes, “Like you don't know.”

Barry chuckled and slid a piece of paper across the counter to him. Jason snatched it like it was the most precious thing he'd ever had the change to hold.

The paper contained a program list and even more importantly, bull riding matchups. He already knew which bull he was riding, they picked numbers and it was all fair and stuff. But seeing it on paper made it real. He was matched up with a bull named Mr. Freeze. Jason hadn't had a lot of time, which was by design, but he'd done his research. Mr. Freeze was notorious for lower scores. It wasn't an ideal pick for him. He'd have to focus on spurring and try and encourage Freeze to give him some good bucks.

“Excited?” Barry asked him.

Jason nodded, “Definitely.”

Barry gave a knowing smile, “Nervous? It's your first season right?”

He grinned, “Jittery for sure, though I think I'm just ready to go.”

Barry laughed, “You're definitely a bull rider, kid. You bull riders are all cut from the same adrenaline junky cloth!”

Jason laughed, “You're one to talk! You actually get in the pen with them!”

Mr. Allen shrugged with a wink and Jason waved his goodbye. He needed to get back so that he could unpack. Jason needed to do something with his hands or else he was gonna lose his mind. He reached the little set up they had for their horses and noted all of the other cowboys and cowgirls floating around either moving equipment, horses, or chatting with one another. The environment was practically addictive to him. The scent of sawdust and dirt was nostalgic and familiar.

He noted Dick putting Nightwing's saddle on, Black Bat was already off the trailer but Cass made no move to get her tack out. Jason supposed she didn't need to, given her event was later in the evening. Same with his own.

The order of their rodeo was fairly simple. The event would be opened by an equestrian vaulter carrying the flags, then all of the cowboys and cowgirls along with all the event runners and sponsors would ride out into the arena to show off to the crowd. Then the show would start. Tie down roping was always first, followed by bareback bronc riding. After that team roping would be next with saddle bronc riding following. Then it'd be time for steer wrestling, which was Dick's event. After steer wrestling came the girls’ events. Barrel racing then breakaway roping, with breakaway roping being Cass’ domain. Then, finally, bull riding. His event.

Afterwards the rodeo was always followed up with the calf scramble, an event Bruce sponsored, where highschool aged kids could catch a calf and take it home. They'd take their respective calf home and raise it as a 4-H animal then show it. Winners could take home thousands and get scholarships. That and it was fun. Jason had done it when he was in school, just like Dick and Cass. Though none of them actually won.

Actually, if he remembered correctly, Dick tore his pants by accident…

After the calf scramble was his favorite of the youth events. Mutton bustin'! Little kids ages ranging from four to six were put on sheep and whoever hung on the longest won a little belt buckle. Everyone got ice cream out of it, but the belt buckle was cute. So were the post ride interviews. The best part though? Cowboys and cowgirls got to help out! Nothing was cooler than getting to toss a kiddo up and congratulate them on a good ride.

Jason liked to think that if he'd been in the rodeo scene earlier in life, maybe it would've been Bruce congratulating him…

“Dude, what's got you smiling like that? It's kinda weird.” Dick said with a laugh.

Jason rolled his eyes, “Just remembering your calf scramble run. Y'know, the one where you ripped your pants?”

Dick flushed red, “I thought we agreed not to talk about that!”

“You had My Little Pony briefs on, under your jeans.” Jason recalled fondly.

His oldest brother groaned in vague mortification. Cass came up next to them and smiled.

“Friendship is magic.” she said simply with a smile.

Dick covered his face, “Not you too Cass…”

Jason cackled and offered a high-five to his sister. Cass returned it and then tugged Jason over to Black Bat. The horse sniffed at him then huffed when the gelding realized Jason didn't have any treats.

Cass gave him a pointed look, “Nervous.”

Jason sighed and huffed out a weak laugh, “Just excited. That's all Cass, promise.”

She frowned then shook her head and began petting Black Bat, “Stress relief. Too worked up.”

Ah, he got the message. His hands found Black Bat's smooth coat. Cass always kept her horse well groomed and it showed. Jason took a deep breath in and exhaled. In… and out. He felt his mind calm and his body shiver as it relaxed and untensed. He needed to be in the best shape for tonight. Getting too worked up and excited over it all was going to get him bucked off or worse, in a wreck. Black Bat, perceptive just like his owner, nosed at Jason and stuck his muzzle in Jason's hair. He laughed as the gelding nibbled at his mop of black hair. Cass laughed quietly from next to them. She gave Jason's shoulder a reaffirming squeeze.

“Relax.”

He nodded with a smile and turned as Bruce came over to them. Their collective adoptive father was dressed for the pseudo-parade. From the cowboy hat to the belt buckle down to his cowboy boots. He looked like a character straight out of Gunsmoke. Jason tried not to laugh, Dick failed.

Bruce smiled slightly, “You forgot your hat Jason.”

Jason grimaced and grabbed the thing. It was black and expensive, a gift from Bruce for his first pro rodeo.

“Alright, here's the deal.” Bruce started.

They stopped to pay attention.

“The rest of the family is in the stands. We're going to go wait in the pit before the parade. Dick and Cass you guys are going to ride your horses in. I'll be in a wagon with the other sponsors, and Jason you'll be in a wagon with other bull riders. Off we go, I don't want any of us to be late.” Bruce finished.

Dick and Cass nodded, mounting Nightwing and Black Bat respectively. Bruce walked off and Jason trailed behind him.

“Remember Jason, if you need to bail. Bail.” Bruce advised.

It surprised Jason a little. Bruce had always been the one encouraging them to give it their all, never let go, and see it through to the end. He wasn't really sure where this had come from.

“Bruce, what-” Jason started but was cut off by the sound of the announcers and the lights dimming inside the arena.

“Hello Gotham! Are we ready for tonight?” A voice boomed from the speakers.

Cheers rocked the bleachers and Jason felt his heart race with thrill. There was just something rush-inducing about the rodeo. Something in him called to it. Rodeo called back. Jason zoned back into what was happening.

Inside of the arena a woman with hair that looked like flames did a handstand on the back of her horse. It was impressive. Her horse wasn't even stationary either. The horse in question was covered in purple and green body glitter, and was running around the arena at a dizzying speed. The woman came out of her handstand and did a ballet-like one footed stance, her arms outstretched. Jason thought she was quite beautiful. He glanced back and saw that Dick also seemed to be quite entranced. Jason smirked, something to tease him about later it seemed.

He smiled and waved as the lights came back on and Bruce loaded into a wagon with a handful of other donors. Jason laughed as Bruce was stuck sitting next to some old rivals.

Dick and Cass both passed him with a wave. Jason wagged his eyebrows at Dick and gestured to the equestrian vaulter who had come back into the same area as them to cool down from her opening show. Dick rolled his eyes and rode off with Nightwing.

A wagon was pulled up and Jason hopped in. He tipped his hat to the other riders. His competition. He grinned as the light of the arena washed over them.

Fuck yeah.

Chapter Text

“Hello Gotham! Are we ready for tonight?”

The cheers deafened the stadium and in their little announcing box they could hear the people call out just fine. It was a full house tonight. They couldn't ask for a better atmosphere to kick off the season. A perfect night to see some cowboys and cowgirls show just how tough they were.

“Good evening Gotham! My name is Hal Jordan and I'm here with my partner in crime for the night Oliver Queen!”

Oliver chuckled, “And we mustn't forget our favorite announcer who's down in the pit with the competitors, Miss Diana Prince!”

Their mics cut out to switch to Diana who was down on the floor preparing to interview round winners.

“Good evening boys. It's a new season and I can't help but be excited for what's to come. The beautiful lady opening our show tonight is Kori Anders and her mare Starfire!” Diana said with a dazzling smile.

Hal grinned, “Diana didn't you open the show just the same back in the day?”

Diana laughed, “That was a different era entirely Hal. What's our lineup for tonight? I'm sure our fans are dying to know!”

Oliver gave Hal an easy smile, “Well we'll be starting the night just as we always do, with the parade. Right now our competitors are down there greeting the crowd and getting ready for the night. Some are going to be going home winners, and others… Well, let's just say that tonight might not be their night.”

Hal nodded, “Our first event as the parade here wraps up is gonna be tie-down roping. For those of you unfamiliar with this particular event our cowboys are going to be starting in that box there, then they'll give the important nod and a calf will be released. The cowboy will rush forward and if he goes too soon he'll trip a ‘barrier’ as it's called. If he trips the barrier he'll have a time penalty. The cowboy will then rope the calf and dismount the horse, running to flank the calf and then tie a hooey around the calf's legs. If the calf stays tied their time will qualify.”

Ollie looked at the lineup before him, “After that comes one of my favorite events: bareback bronc riding. Scores are dependent on the rider and the bucking horse. To qualify the rider has to keep his free hand up in the air, he can't touch his tack, himself, or the horse as well as stay on for a qualifying eight seconds. Specifically in the bronc riding events, saddle and bareback, our cowboys must ‘mark out’ his horse. In other words, he has to keep his spurs above the horse's shoulders until the horse's front hooves hit the ground after first leaving the chute. If he fails? Disqualified. I'm looking at the lineup right now Hal and I'm liking the matchups. It's gonna be a good night for the bareback bronc riders.”

Hal scoffed, “You say that but you can't look at the team roping sheet and not be impressed. There are a lot of impressive teams here this year.”

“I agree with you completely Hal, what are we looking at this year?” Oliver said in the perfect announcers voice which almost made Hal break character.

He stifled a chuckle, “Well Ollie, I'm putting my money on Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein.”

Ollie raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure about that one Hal? Ronnie Raymond is in his first year here at the rodeo and Martin Stein is getting up there in years to be a team roper.”

Hal shook his head, “No you don't get it, this is young determination and wise wisdom paired together. Raymond is also on one of the top header horses this year, Firestorm.”

Oliver grinned and shook his head, “Hey, best of luck to you but my money is gonna be bet elsewhere. While we're talking about it though, for those unaware, what is team roping?”

He appreciated Oliver's easy move to give him an opening, they worked well like that.

“Team roping is another timed event, which means whoever is the fastest gets the gold! This event however isn't an individual event but rather one you get a partner for. The calf is given a headstart per usual and there's once again a ‘barrier’ penalty. Cowboy breaks the barrier and they get more time added on their score card. The header is the one who will rope the calf's horns which have been reinforced to prevent injury, and the heeler is the one who will rope the heels of the calf to catch it. The precision and skill they have to have to catch the legs always impresses me.” Hal said with a finish.

“What about if they miss the horns or only catch one leg?” Oliver asked.

Hal smirked, “Well, if they miss the head or legs they won't make time and thus be disqualified for the night. However they can still qualify if they catch one leg but they'll get a five second penalty. For legal head catches it can be around both horns, one horn and the neck, or the neck. Anything else isn't legal and will lead to a disqualification. In fact, last year we watched a calf run through the header's rope!”

Oliver chuckled at the memory, the crowd had gone wild and the cowboys had been dismayed.

“Why don't you tell us about saddle bronc riding, Ollie?” Hal asked pointedly.

He shrugged, “What's there to tell?”

Hal laughed, “We all know you have a sore spot for saddle bronc this year, but at least give us the run-down on it Ollie.”

Oliver laughed in good nature. Queen bucking horses had lost the bid this year for saddle bronc riding to Drake Industries, which had close ties to his arch nemesis Bruce Wayne. Hal couldn't help but give him shit for it.

“Well Hal, saddle bronc is different from bareback due to the presence of a saddle. Similar to its partner in the fact that cowboys still have to mark out to qualify. It's still a complex event that takes a lot of durability, but the saddle adds various factors that bareback riders don't usually have to account for.” Oliver said with a dramatic flourish only Hal could see.

“You'll also notice in both events that there are what we call pickup men. They're in there to get our cowboys to safety, release the bucking horse's flank strap, and guide the horses back to the corral.” Ollie finished

Hal nodded, “After saddle bronc riding comes another event I love. Steer wrestling.”

Oliver lit up, “Oh I'm looking forward to this year's steer wrestling. A certain someone is back this year, on a new horse, and out for blood!”

Hal smirked, “Are we thinking of the same man?”

Oliver nodded, “Without a doubt. For those listening in we're talking about Dick Grayson. It's not his first go around here at Gotham Rodeo and he's in his prime. Last year he made it to the finals but lost out. This year he's on a new horse, Nightwing. The gelding has great genetics and I've had the pleasure of seeing Dick and Nightwing work first hand. He has truly earned his nickname, ‘The Acrobat’.”

“Wow Ollie, I don't think I've ever heard you openly praise someone so much before!” Hal said with a laugh.

Though Oliver was right. Dick Grayson had been coached by Bruce Wayne himself, a legend at Gotham and Dick was one of the best steer wrestlers Hal had ever seen. Either from natural talent or hard work, it didn't matter. When Dick Grayson leapt from his horse's back to wrestle a steer to the ground, it was like he flew. See, most steer wrestlers were large and built. They needed to have their weight and muscle on their side to be able to flip a steer on its side. Dick Grayson wasn't a small man by any means but he was a lot smaller than other men in the event. It had to be something about how he flew from his horse that aided him. Hal was sure of that.

He tuned back in to Oliver's explanation of the event.

“Another timed event, the cowboy and his steed will be in that box there with a barrier rope set up. The steer will be given a headstart and a breakaway rope will be on its neck like the rest. The steer is released and once the breakaway rope is pulled off the cowboy and his horse book it to catch the steer. Steer wrestling horses are a different breed entirely because they have to run just alongside the steer and then hold steady as their rider quite literally jumps off the moving steer and puts it in a headlock of sorts. The cowboy digs his feet in and then twists the head back and tries to use the momentum to flip the steer onto his side. All of the steer's legs have to be up in the air to stop the timer.”

Hal jumped in as well, “If the steer gets free or the wrestler misses the grab then he won't make time. You'll also notice that there's riders in the pen with the contestants. Those are called hazers. Their job is the ride parallel with the steer and cowboy to keep the steer running straight. You'll often see other contestants helping each other out as hazers.”

Oliver nodded with a bittersweet smile on his face, “These cowboys promote teamwork and good sportsmanship, in the end they're all friends and they tend to look out for each other.

Oliver had been at Gotham Rodeo longer than Hal had. Though Hal knew that once upon a time Ollie had been a part of the rodeo, more than just a beloved announcer. There was history here for Oliver, more than what Hal knew.

“I think it's my turn boys.” Diana said in a teasing tone.

Hal nodded even though Diana couldn't see him from up in the box. She was down on the floor while Ollie and him were up top.

“After the steer wrestling event comes the women's events! First up barrel racing. These woman and their horses are fast. It's another timed event, and these cowgirls need speed to win. They'll start their run from within the pit, then they'll run past sensors that start the clock. They can either take a right and two lefts around the barrels or vice versa. If they knock down a barrel that's a five second penalty which can really affect one's time. Especially in an event where scores can be as close as milliseconds!” Diana explained cheerfully.

She continued, “After barrel racing comes an event that I personally would love to see adopted by the professional organization. As of right now there's only one female event in the national pro rodeo organization and personally I think it's time to give these hard working women more than just barrel racing. Breakaway roping has some brilliant young ladies coming into the rodeo scene and they deserve recognition for it!”

Oliver backed Diana up on it, “I agree completely Diana.”

They could see the smile she shot the camera from down in the pit.

Diana went on to explain breakaway roping to the crowd, “Similar to tie down roping however instead of the cowgirl getting off her horse, she'll stay on and rope the calf. The rope will be pulled taught and come free. A colored ribbon will be on the end to signal when to stop the timer. There will also be a barrier rope in place too like with the other timed events.”

“Who do you have your eye on this year?” Hal chimed in.

Diana grinned, “Cassandra Cain, it seems she's vying for rookie of the year with how she's been performing thus far. I fully expect her to dominate this sport for the foreseeable future.”

Hal nodded, “Makes sense, we look forward to seeing her performance. Speaking of rookies… the last event for this evening has a very special greenhorn in it, but we'll get into that after explaining the event itself. Ollie?”

Oliver nodded, “Bull riding is the third and final roughstock event and on the surface looks like saddle bronc riding and bareback bronc riding. There's no mark out for bull riding, the second the rider gives that important nod the gate is released and the bull is out and bucking. A rider may not touch his tack, the bull, or himself. Doing so is an immediate disqualification. The time starts after the nod and it stops when the rider's hand comes out of the rope or comes off the bull. To qualify the rider has to ride for a full eight seconds.”

Hal continued, “When a rider's hand gets caught in his rope you'll hear it referred to as being ‘hung up’ and if our cowboys get hurt we call that getting in a ‘wreck’. Not to fear though, we have an inhouse paramedic team on standby to address any and all injuries should they occur. We'll also have our trusted bull fighters in the ring drawing attention away from our cowboys and getting them to safety too!”

“There will be pickup men too to guide the bulls back to the corral.” Ollie added on.

“Is there anyone you have your eye on, in particular Hal?” Diana chimed in.

Hal chuckled, “Oh definitely, there's this greenhorn in there this year that's got me curious. His name is Jason Todd, we haven't seen him out there yet but I have a good feeling about him.”

Diana hummed, “I'll take your word on it, hopefully I'll be interviewing him later tonight.”

Oliver nodded, “Tonight we have a lot of talent to keep an eye on, I think this year is going to be the most challenging yet for many of our cowboys and cowgirls. There's many champion hopefuls and plenty of long-time contestants that are ready to get another win under their belts. With that said, welcome to the beginning of this year's season of rodeo Gotham!”

Chapter Text

“Fuck- Tim pass me the popcorn!”

“Get off of me Brown or I will eviscerate you.”

“Ha! I'd like to see you try! I'll tell Alfred if you do pipsqueak.”

Duke turned to Tim who calmly was sitting on the bleachers stuffing popcorn into his mouth while he watched the scene unfold before him. Like a king gazing upon the chaos in his court. Like a madman who was going to doom them all if he didn't step in soon.

Alfred had stepped away with Mr. Wayne- er, Bruce, for only a few minutes and war had immediately tried to breakout. Well. ‘Tried’ implied that they hadn't succeeded, but they had so Duke figured that this was war. He feared for his wellbeing and he wasn't entirely sure if Stephanie or Damian was more scary.

Tim crammed more popcorn into his mouth and then offered the bag to Duke. Duke looked at it like it was a bomb.

“Dude… no…”

Tim shrugged and swallowed, “It was gonna happen anyways, might as well enjoy it.”

Duke weighed his options as the other two bickered. Sighing, he put his hand in the bag and pulled out a small handful and popped a kernel into his mouth. Tim grinned victoriously and Duke felt like he'd walked into a trap. Then he cringed as he tasted the popcorn.

“Dude what'd you put on this? It tastes like-”

“Ranch.” Tim said.

Duke wanted to cry.

Fucking ranch.

He snatched the bag from Tim's grasp and he watched as Tim frowned. He looked like a kicked puppy. Duke couldn't believe that this kid was a bucking horse tycoon heir. There was no way. He shoved the bag over to Steph and watched as she took a large handful and promptly crammed it into her mouth while shoving Damian. Duke internally smirked in satisfaction as Steph's face contorted and she forced herself to swallow. She then took another handful, smaller this time, and shoved some into Damian's arguing mouth. Damian's eyes widened and he gagged on the vile popcorn. Duke gave Tim his popcorn back.

Tim shot him an incredulous look.

Needless to say, they all felt that Duke fit in quite well with their family.

Rodeo night was easily the best family bonding they had going for them. Tim personally was fond of his own event, saddle bronc riding. Duke liked to watch the bull riding, that shit was seriously scary. Steph loved her own event, barrel racing, as well. Damian seemed to have an interest in team roping, something about it being ‘superior’.

Tonight they were here to cheer Dick, Cass, and Jason on. It was both Cass and Jason's first year but Cass had already been to some breakaway events this year already. Jason had been practicing hard, they all knew it. Dick had as well, his loss last year had pushed him to get Nightwing. Their oldest brother had good chemistry with Nightwing and they all had a good feeling about this year for him.

Normally their pseudo-aunt would be competing however she was out of country much to Steph's dismay.

Steph stood up on the seat in front of them looking terribly suspicious, “Alright! Y’all know the drill!”

Duke looked between Tim and Damian as the pair fished out their billfolds. Tim nudged him and he did the same though he wasn't sure he wanted to know why.

“Oh, have you started yet? I want in on it!” a voice called.

Duke turned and paled as the sheriff's daughter, Barbra Gordon, was suddenly there. The rest of them didn't seem to care though, Steph lighting up.

“Babs! Perfect timing! Now, I already got Dick, Cass, and Jay's bets but I need yours.” Steph said cheerfully.

Duke wanted to facepalm. Gambling in front of the sheriff's daughter? They were so dead. Bruce was gonna kill them. They-

“Oh sweet, I'm betting fifty on Jay disqualifying.” Barbra Gordon said and forked over a crisp fifty dollar bill.

Tim nodded, “Put me in for fifty as well, but I'm betting on him qualifying, not placing though.”

Damian scoffed, “Sixty that he qualifies and wins tonight's round.”

They all looked at Duke and he groaned, shoving a wrinkled ten dollar bill into Steph's outstretched hand. He felt like he was making a deal with the devil.

“Ten he has to reride.”

They looked at him like he was nuts and he shrugged, “Gut feeling.”

While Steph took bets on Dick and Cass respectively, Babs waved him over. Duke scooted closer on the bleachers to where her wheelchair was.

“First time?” She asked cryptically.

Duke nodded.

“Cool, don't tell my dad.” Babs said with a wink.

“I'd never.” Duke reassured, after all, it wasn't his place.

As the rodeo went on they chatted, waiting for the events to come up. At some point Alfred had rejoined them, Bruce nowhere to be seen. Tim raised an eyebrow and Alfred shook his head. The rest of them pretended to ignore it, though it had all of them curious. Damian almost asked but Tim kicked him in the shin, which of course resulted in a minor tussle and Duke getting Babs’ soda dumped on his shirt. By the time Duke returned from changing, Dick's event was up.

The announcers were going on about something irrelevant and they could see Dick's smirk from up in the stands. The steer he pulled looked squirrelly, bucking in the chute. Nightwing's hind quarters were pressed into the corner of the box. The gelding looked ready to go, stomping his hooves and shaking his head. Dick gave him a pat on the neck and leaned back. He adjusted his hat. Their breath caught in their throats.

Dick gave a certain nod and the chute opened. The steer bolted and Nightwing charged. All of them except Damian and Babs stood to cheer, though Barbra cheered with them, energy not lost. For a split second Duke felt like Dick was gonna break the barrier, but then the barrier line dropped and suddenly Dick was leaping off of Nightwing and wrapping his arms around the steer's neck. With all the grace of a trapeze artist, Dick flipped the steer onto it's side and the feet went up. The time stopped and they all cheered as Dick's time read four-point-seventeen seconds. A stellar time to hold first place.

Dick tipped his hat to the crowd as he stood from the dust, the pickup men taking the steer back to the corral.

The next contestant got ready in the box while they brought a new steer into the chute, resetting the barrier. They'd probably see Dick working as a hazer later after Nightwing got a chance to recover.

Barbra glanced at Alfred.

Bruce still wasn't back. It had been over an hour now.

Alfred sighed and nodded.

Babs excused herself. She was off to find Sheriff Gordon. Tim almost offered to go with her but held back. If he asked he could go into the pit to find Bruce. Drake Industries were supplying the bucking horses and he could easily use that power to get clearance…

He sighed as Steph mourned the end of barrel racing and Cass's event started. If Bruce wasn't back in time to watch Jason's first run then Tim would go find him. Not yet though.

The group of them cheered for Cass and she glanced up at them, always having the uncanny ability to find them in the sea of people. She gave a little wave from on top of Black Bat who was freakishly still. Her gelding was always weird. None of their horses acted like that, and Black Bat wasn't even of any notable genetics. Just a weird horse that Cass had sourced from… somewhere. Most horses in timed events were restless, practically bucking their riders just to go to work. Black Bat was as cool and collected as his rider.

Cass readied her rope and backed Black Bat to the wall behind her. She held perfectly still, like a statue capturing the moment an explosion was set off. Then, the nod. Like a bullet being fired from a gun the calf shot out and Black Bat reared back before speeding forward. In a literal blink the calf was roped and Cass was pulling back on the rope's slack until it was tight and then releasing it. The clock stopped at two on the dot. The stadium was deafening as the announcers called out a new Gotham stadium record.

Cass smiled up at the family and directed Black Bat back to the pit.

Bruce still wasn't back.

Alfred sighed, “I will go check on him.”

Tim stood to go with the elder. Alfred waved him off.

“It's fine lad, stay here to support Jason.” Alfred reassured.

Steph and Tim shared a look.

While the staff set up for bull riding they all stopped to get concessions. Steph happily drowned some nachos in cheese while Tim ate more of the god-forsaken ranch dusted popcorn. Damian got a slushy and Duke picked at his soft pretzel, complimentary cup of cheese abandoned. By the time they got through those abhorrent lines it was time.

A few riders had gone already and Jason was up.

Steph pointed him out as he was prepping in the chute, “Guys look! He's in number three!”

Duke raised an eyebrow, “Where's his helmet?”

Tim cursed under his breath, “Shit… he was sloppy when packing. I bet he forgot his helmet at home.”

Damian scoffed, “Father wouldn't allow him to go out without it. It's the rule.”

“Yeah… except he's out there. On a bull. Helmet gone.” Steph said.

Tim nodded, “I bet that's why B is gone. Jason just barely sneaked by on the rules so it's technically legal. Plus, he's nineteen so Bruce really can't stop him.”

“Wait hold up I'm confused, how can he not wear a helmet it's bull riding!” Duke said in a near panic.

Tim sighed, “Too many bull riders were sustaining head trauma. A few years back they made a rule stating that anyone born after such a date had to wear a helmet. Jason's birthday is about a year or so prior. So technically, he only has to wear a helmet if he wants to.”

“So he forgot his at home and decided to go out there anyways?” Duke finished looking sick.

“Yep. Seems so.” Steph said popping the ‘p’.

Duke cringed, “I don't like this.”

Tim nodded, “It's not ideal.”

“Todd's an imbecile.” Damian said decidedly.

Jason from what they could see didn't seem nervous. He sat back on the bull and on the camera footage that was playing on a big screen he kept readjusting his bull rope. Some folks were hanging over the edge of the gate helping him get ready.

The announcers said he was riding Mr. Freeze. Had a buck-off rate of six to thirteen. Not unridable, but not easy. Hopefully a good match up.

They watched with baited breath as Jason gave the nod. The door was swiftly pulled open and Mr. Freeze bucked, but he was still partially in the chute. The bull stumbled and as he finally got out of the chute he went down onto his knees. Mr. Freeze got back up and bucked a good round but Jason bailed at eight seconds and a flag was thrown out onto the ground.

The judges were going to offer him a reride.

Tim looked up the bull Jason was to reride on. He frowned. Then he turned his phone to Steph. She grimaced.

Damian huffed, “Out with it. Quit with the suspense.”

Duke nodded in agreement.

Tim showed them his phone though it was hard to make sense of it.

“He's riding a bull called The Joker. The bull has a one-hundred percent buckoff rate. The Joker has never been successfully ridden.

Duke sucked in a breath, “I feel like he should just take a disqualification.”

“It's Todd. He'd never.” Damian reminded.

It was true. Jay was too stubborn for his own good. It was going to get him in trouble and they all knew it. Either Jason was going to be forced to take a disqualification, or he was going to get a killer score out of the reride.

As the rest of the bull riding wrapped up, they brought out the rerides. Stephanie cringed as the chute with Joker in it rattled, “He's pissed.”

They all nodded, a growing pit in their stomachs.

Camera's were all on Jason as he got in the chute with The Joker. Sat on top and got his bull rope secured. Got his grip adjusted and firm. Shook his free arm out and pressed his gifted black hat to his head, helmet still missing. They all waited with nervousness and baited breath.

Jason gave the nod.