Chapter Text
A boy ran through unfamiliar woods. The cold wind whipped him, his feet were almost certainly bleeding by now, but it was better than what awaited him if he were caught.
In the distance, he could hear his pursuers. Tony Zucco's men, intent on finishing the job. They'd snuff out Dick Grayson's life, ending the last of the Flying Graysons and sole survivor of Haly's Circus. Their calls and jeers echoed off the trees, voices coming from all around him as he simply ran.
Dick didn't look back. He didn't dare slow down for a second, even as tears blurred his vision and his legs lost their feeling. His chest was pounding, his lungs burned more than they had in his life. But he kept going, because those men would kill him.
It wouldn't be long before they caught him. Logically, Dick knew this to be true. He was just a child in unfamiliar terrain, they were monsters that prowled the forest for their prey. Even under the dull shine of the moon, he could hear them gaining, laughing.
But he wouldn't give up. He might go to his grave far earlier than he ever should, but no one could say he didn't put up a fight getting there.
It was, ultimately, a tree root that was the cause of Dick's demise. A gnarled thing that had caught his foot and sent him tumbling into hard packed dirt and leaves. Pain radiated up his leg. It gave out when he tried to stand.
This was it. Dick rolled onto his back, sprawled on the forest floor. He looked up at the moon through dying trees as he tried to slow his racing heart. He closed his eyes when he spotted a dark figure from the corner of his eye. Maybe, if someone, anyone was watching over him, they'd make it quick and painless.
His prayers were not answered. Instead, the figure simply stood over him, observing. It was after a few moments of silence that Dick dared to open his eyes.
Startlingly blue eyes stared down at him, glowing like gems in the moonlight. The man above him was not one of Zucco's men. The realization should have brought hope, but as the noise of a crowd drew closer, all he could feel was dread.
"You have to go," Dick warned between ragged breaths. His throat ached terribly, but he needed to warn this man before he got himself killed. "Th-They're coming-"
"Save your voice child," He spoke in a deep, almost calming voice. It did little to soothe Dick's fears. "I could feel a human on my land, but to find a child in such a poor state,"
"Please-"
"You are injured," A gentle hand laid on his bad leg. Dick flinched, at the touch. His eyes flicked between the man and the source of the voices. "Are you alone?"
"I-" Dick scrambled towards the man when he heard a gunshot. Strong arms held him close in a protective embrace. For a moment, he hoped he was really in his father's arms, about to wake from a nightmare. He was given no such escape from this terrible night.
"There is no need to fear your pursuers," The man assured. He held Dick closer as if to affirm his point. "They know better than to enter my domain."
"Domain?" Dick looked up at the man's unnaturally blue eyes. His teeth were too sharp for a man, his entire being seemed otherworldly as he finally focused on him. This was not a human man, no, it was something much more dangerous. "You're... a fae."
A new fear erupted in Dick's chest. His mother had told him stories of the fair folk who spirited away naughty children in the night. They lived to amuse themselves with cruel pranks and doled harsh retribution to those who broke their laws. And right now, Dick was trespassing.
"That is right," The man, the fae looked almost proud of him.
"You're going to punish me, aren't you?"
"You need not be afraid of me," The fae smiled down at him with a warmth that was far too tempting to believe. "My arms are open to all children in need."
Dick knew fae couldn't lie. He also knew they were tricky with their words. His question was deflected and his mind conjured all sorts of punishments. Red hot shoes, loss of his human form, being spirited away to become an eternal servant... Though, given his current situation, maybe that wouldn't be so bad.
"Are you going to take me away?" Dick asked, his voice so small it hurt his own ears.
"Do you have anywhere to return?"
Dick shook his head. His tears began to well again with renewed vigor as reality struck him once again. He had nowhere left to go. His parents, his entire family, everything was gone.
No. Everything was taken from him. Those men stole all he had for just a few silver pieces. He would never feel safe in his father's arms or fall asleep to his mother's gentle voice because of them.
Suddenly, an idea formed in Dick's mind. He looked up at the fae with determination. He didn't mind being taken for whatever purpose he had, but if he was going to leave the mortal plane forever, he wouldn't go alone.
"Before you take me," Dick fought to keep his voice from shaking. He desperately hoped the audacity of what he was about to do didn't lead to further punishment. "Please, I'd like to make a deal."
"A deal, little one, is a dangerous thing."
Dick nodded. "I know... But please."
"I will listen."
"I... want revenge," Dick squeezed his eyes closed in an attempt to curb the tears he knew were coming. "Those men, they-" He couldn't say it. Couldn't make it feel any more real. "I need to hurt them for what they did. Please, give me the power to avenge my family."
There was a moment of silence. Dick tensed, worried about what retribution might come, until the fae took him in his arms. He held him close to his chest like he was a precious thing.
Like his father used to do.
"Of course," He murmured, low and comforting. "Just give me your name, and the power will be yours."
To give a fae a name was to give them absolute power. His mother had warned him never to let a fae have it or else he would never be able to return to her. Now, with his chance of ever seeing her already gone forever, the name came unbidden from his lips. "Richard."
A low chuckle came from the fae. It made his chest rumble pleasantly against Dick's face.
"Richard, a wonderful name," He pulled him closer, shielding him from any of the unpleasantness of the forest. "You will have your revenge, but first Richard, you must rest."
Dick nodded, already drifting to sleep. He felt safe in the fae's arms as the world gently faded away.