[Tom's used to Dick's sudden fits of exuberance. He wraps his arms around Dick and laughs, not as loud or with as much abandon as Dick would, but freely.]
Of course I'm a spangles. Tom Grayson, at your service.
Wait, are we...are we actually related in your universe? [Dick is still smiling, but he's making kind of a funny face under it] Biologically related? [Not that Dick isn't thrilled with the concept of a ...brother? But he's kind of had sex with you, so it's a little weird].
[Tom flushes, and he pulls back a little and responds just a little too quickly.] No! I ran away when I was a kid. I literally ran away and joined the circus, changed my name...your parents took me in. We've been together ever since.
Oh. [Good! But screw that pulling back stuff. Dick leans in and takes a deep breath]
That's kind of amazing. A four-man Flying Graysons act! You must be fantastic. [He closes his eyes] You smell like sweat and chalk and sawdust... [He sounds very, very pleased by this]. It's good on you.
Well, it was four-man until... [He swallows and frowns a little.] Mom and dad, they...I guess it happened the same in most universes? Though I'm closer in age with my Dick than most every other Tim I've talked to. I was nine and Dick was twelve when they...And then your distant cousin in Europe and her partner took us in.
I'm not as good as you, though my smaller stature helps. You're my catcher, and I do tumbling and stuff, too. [He shivers a little when Dick sniffs him.] Um. I got pulled in after a dress rehearsal, so.
Yeah. And Anna and Simone are awesome. They could never replace mom and dad, of course, but I've had some of the best times of my life working with you and them.
[Tom's blush deepens.] We're pretty good. But you're better. You're magic, Dick. [He says it as though it's something he's said before, but at the same time is a little embarrassed to say.]
This place has an odd way of giving you what you want, or sometimes more than you want. When we're in town, we usually set up on the west side - not where Haly's used to. Maybe if we looked for it, we could find something?
Hardly magic. I was practically born on a trapeze. Even as part of the family... how old were you your first time up? I learned to tumble when I learned to walk, and it's just about as natural.
[Dick beams] You really think we'll find a big top waiting for us? That really would be magic. You're talking about Dixon Fairgrounds?
I know, I know. It's in your blood, sawdust in your shoes... I was just six when I ran away, but I didn't start training for awhile. You were the first one to train me, Dick.
I don't know, but we can try. In this place, anything is possible. Yeah, that's the place. We've never been back to the other place...too many bad memories.
[Tim starts walking in the direction he's pretty sure the fairgrounds are in. He doesn't know Gotham that well, but he can tell which way is west by looking at the sun, after all. He walks close to Dick, unconcerned and apparently unconscious of personal space concerns in a way that's totally different than the Tim Dick knows.
So, then, I've got a couple years on you, for training. Formative years, you know? Anyway I'm so out of practice. [He gestures at the mask and suit] This lets me get up there and fly, but it's not the same kind of thing. We'll probably be pretty well matched.
I'm bigger now, too - Way heavier than the last time I did this on a full rig. I was just....[He gestures at around Tom's shoulder height].
[Dick would be trying to get ahold even the most standoffish of Tim's right about now, so Tom doesn't stand a chance. Dick slings an arm across his shoulders].
So you're another Dick who became a vigilante...that seems to be the standard here. [He shakes his head a little.] That's so weird to me. You must miss it so much.
[Tim leans into the touch, not even fully conscious of the action - it's not his Dick, but it's still Dick, and so many things are the same.]
Sometimes. I miss mom and dad a lot. It's been kind of hard to come to terms with, but I realized a while back... I wouldn't trade my life for one with all the Flying Graysons in it. God, that sounds horrible to say out loud.
It's just.... what I do. What we do... [the "we" is directed at his mask - and the reminder that he's still wearing it makes him reach for the solvent in his glove]
It helps people. It helps so many people. I'm pretty sure Batman has saved the planet at least twice. I lost count of the people who's lives I'd saved personally and directly around the time I turned....thirteen. There's no high, like that, even the high of performing. And it's.... [He sighs, and shakes his head] I know mom and dad would want me to help people, instead of just mourn, you know?
No! [Dick stops walking and turns Tom to face him.] That wasn't what I - [He makes a frustrated sound.]
There are lots of ways to help people. What you and your Dick do, it makes people happy, it brightens their lives. It makes kids believe in magic, that they can do anything, grow up to fly if they work hard enough.
You're keeping traditions alive that go back generations. There's a language and a culture and a whole way of life.
And I know you. You might not be out fighting crime in tights and kevlar, but I bet you do good when and how you can.
[Tom's in costume, complete with sequins and a towel around the back of his neck - he just came from a dress rehearsal.]
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You're a spangles?
You're a spangles! [His grin is sudden, and blinding, his joy absolute. If Tim doesn't dodge, he's going to get swept up into a hug]
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Of course I'm a spangles. Tom Grayson, at your service.
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Wait, are we...are we actually related in your universe? [Dick is still smiling, but he's making kind of a funny face under it] Biologically related? [Not that Dick isn't thrilled with the concept of a ...brother? But he's kind of had sex with you, so it's a little weird].
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That's kind of amazing. A four-man Flying Graysons act! You must be fantastic. [He closes his eyes] You smell like sweat and chalk and sawdust... [He sounds very, very pleased by this]. It's good on you.
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I'm not as good as you, though my smaller stature helps. You're my catcher, and I do tumbling and stuff, too. [He shivers a little when Dick sniffs him.] Um. I got pulled in after a dress rehearsal, so.
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No, I know the kind of dedication you've got. I know your body. I know what it can do. You're being modest. [He grins] We must be superstars!
[He sighs] I wish I knew a place around here with a flying rig - I would so, so love to play with you.
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[Tom's blush deepens.] We're pretty good. But you're better. You're magic, Dick. [He says it as though it's something he's said before, but at the same time is a little embarrassed to say.]
This place has an odd way of giving you what you want, or sometimes more than you want. When we're in town, we usually set up on the west side - not where Haly's used to. Maybe if we looked for it, we could find something?
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[Dick beams] You really think we'll find a big top waiting for us? That really would be magic. You're talking about Dixon Fairgrounds?
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I don't know, but we can try. In this place, anything is possible. Yeah, that's the place. We've never been back to the other place...too many bad memories.
[Tim starts walking in the direction he's pretty sure the fairgrounds are in. He doesn't know Gotham that well, but he can tell which way is west by looking at the sun, after all. He walks close to Dick, unconcerned and apparently unconscious of personal space concerns in a way that's totally different than the Tim Dick knows.
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I'm bigger now, too - Way heavier than the last time I did this on a full rig. I was just....[He gestures at around Tom's shoulder height].
[Dick would be trying to get ahold even the most standoffish of Tim's right about now, so Tom doesn't stand a chance. Dick slings an arm across his shoulders].
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[Tim leans into the touch, not even fully conscious of the action - it's not his Dick, but it's still Dick, and so many things are the same.]
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It's just.... what I do. What we do... [the "we" is directed at his mask - and the reminder that he's still wearing it makes him reach for the solvent in his glove]
It helps people. It helps so many people. I'm pretty sure Batman has saved the planet at least twice. I lost count of the people who's lives I'd saved personally and directly around the time I turned....thirteen. There's no high, like that, even the high of performing. And it's.... [He sighs, and shakes his head] I know mom and dad would want me to help people, instead of just mourn, you know?
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[Tim turns his head away. He speaks softly.]
You make me feel...incredibly guilty, Dick.
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There are lots of ways to help people. What you and your Dick do, it makes people happy, it brightens their lives. It makes kids believe in magic, that they can do anything, grow up to fly if they work hard enough.
You're keeping traditions alive that go back generations. There's a language and a culture and a whole way of life.
And I know you. You might not be out fighting crime in tights and kevlar, but I bet you do good when and how you can.
Reply
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