Chapter Text
He was 2, playing with his imaginary friends. Dancing with the wolf and black dog (but never again the rat).
Chasing them through the circus grounds on the heels of parents that loved and supported him but never thought twice on the oddities surrounding their tiny miracle.
He was 5, learning to jump, roll and tumble. He was 5 and learning to fly.
He was 8, the happiest he had ever been, with bright lights shining and enthusiastic crowds cheering. With his parents smiles and soft laughter. He was 8 and–
He was 8 and he was screaming. He was 8 and he was begging. He was 8 and he was furious.
He was 9, he was 10, He was 11, and he was joy. He was magic in the night. He was Robin.
He was 17, and he was alone again. He was 17 and he was something new.
He was 17, 18, 19, 20, staring at fiery red hair, heart aching and mind spinning, thoughts maddening out of reach.
He was grieving and aching and mourning his brother, missing the boy who could have been so much more. Missing his life, missing his his wife, missing his friends.
He was 22 looking at this young boy threatening with a katana. Seeing his deep black hair and beautiful green eyes and almost seeing another in his place. Almost seeing his son what happened to his son?
He was older now, with all his family around him, a happy and healthy crime fighting family that he cherishes with all his heart that feel a little empty missing pieces of his life he can’t reclaim.
He is older now watching as a portal spit a boy out on the Batcave floor. He is older now watching as hauntingly familiar green eyes squint out from behind round glasses.
Dick Grayson is older than he ever got to be in his past as he steps forward towards this miraculous boy. Dick Grayson steps forward, ignoring the calls of his family, reaching towards the ghost of a past he’d barely comprehended for his entire life.
The boy, no longer the baby he’d left behind but always still his baby, lay broken on the floor looking at the approaching figure through hazy eyes.
….
….
“…. Dad?”