Well, hello lovelies, it's been a long time hasn't it? I'll try not to make this note too long as I'm sure you want to read but I'd like to say a few words. This chapter is a two parter, just a glance into Dick's adoption. This story isn't about Dick's adoption- it's about his evolution into the Robin that the Justice League meet in Where's the Justice.

Also, as a warning- weird grammar in Bruce's thoughts is most likely on purpose (I mean it's his thoughts- he's not always as coherent as he is when speaking). Similarly, Dick's speech is going to be really weird. He doesn't know English very well yet so therefore it'll be like that for at least another chapter or two.

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize I likely don't own.

Warnings: Mentioned violence, sparse cursing (it's barely noticeable), mentioned death.

Suggested Music: (Though I only wrote one part to this the other writing music doesn't fit at all) Chasing Cars – The Grey's Anatomy Musical version (I suggest the one from during the actual show because they sound so much more emotional during that one).

Bruce isn't sure what it is exactly that's changed, but something feels different. Wait, that's a lie, he knows what's different. The Fall of the Flying Graysons- or whatever stupid, offensive headline the media came up with.

It's not like he doesn't hear about deaths all the time- it's inevitable that he has come across it in some form or fashion over the past couple of years due to his side job. It's not uncommon for him to see people lose their parents just like he did. Become orphans left to uncaring relatives and sometimes a system that works for itself and not its wards. He can't for the life of him figure out why this time is so different from any other time.

…That's also a lie. Not only watching the parents die- watching Dick watch his parents die- watching a part of Dick die with them- the similarities between the two of them hurt. It hurt so bad to know that this child (oh God he is eight just like Bruce had been eight) was going through the same pain that he was. It hurt to not only know that this boy's parents were dead but that he'd watched it happen- watched his own parents fall (get shot) right before his eyes. Dick watched as his parents broke (crumbled) on the ground. Dick watched his own life fall apart.

"I assume he's waiting for family to pick him up?"

Even worse- Dick doesn't have the same support that Bruce did. Dick doesn't have someone like Alfred. Someone to lean on and cry to. He's not even sure Dick speaks English.

"He doesn't have anybody left."

Bruce wants to do something- needs to do something. But what?

"He'll be sent to an orphanage."

Maybe he can find someone to adopt the young acrobat? There has to be plenty of people who would be willing- the boy just lost his parents. No- he doesn't need pity he needs comfort. Not just anyone will do- it has to be someone who understands.

"They'll take care of him there."

Who does Bruce know that will understand the sanctity of the situation though? Who will-

The billionaire pauses in his current train of thought as a new one strikes him. He shakes himself as soon as it appears. It wouldn't work- it couldn't work… Could it? The idea dances in his head, growing steadily as it becomes a full plan.

"Alfred!" Bruce calls, striding through the house purposefully a few weeks later. He travels down the many corridors while slamming each door open systematically. Where had that damned butler gone? He eventually finds him washing dishes in the kitchen.

"Yes Master Bruce?" Alfred asks calmly- not even flinching as the kitchen door collides with the white cabinets leaving a scuff mark.

"I'm having a guest over tomorrow- one I would like you to take extra caution when preparing for." Bruce informs him. The butler raises a thin eyebrow in interest.

"Oh?" He questions, "Does this have anything to do with your most recent project?" The curiosity in his tone is masked completely by his politeness but the younger man knows it's there.

"Perhaps," He allows, shifting from one foot to the next quickly. Alfred nods to him, showing his acceptance of the answer. Bruce turns on his heel and makes to move out of the room.

"Master Bruce," the butler calls out suddenly, "Just one more thing. I'm not going to try to stop you from adopting young Richard Grayson-" Bruce really shouldn't be surprised that Alfred knows but it's enough to make him stop, "But do it for him."

"What?" The billionaire exclaims as he spins back around.

The Brit purses his lips and sets his cloth down, "I know you, Bruce. I know you care- but please make sure you're doing it for him. Don't do it for yourself." Bruce blinks owlishly at him. Do it for himself? The words ricochet through his head like a bullet. He wasn't doing it for himself, was he? He wants to give Dick a better life- wants to give him the support just like Alfred gave him- Oh.

"Don't you worry, Alfred," The Dark Knight assures the man with a small smile, "I am." Alfred gives him a smile of his own and the two turn away from each other. Bruce makes to leave the room but is stopped once more.

"Do remember to keep your tongue tomorrow. I would very much like to have a new, permanent guest in this household. It's a tad empty at the moment." Bruce almost turns back around to give his father-figure a surprised look but instead walks out with a fond smile. It is almost enough to put a spring in his step.

"I'll take you to see him," The lady (Ronnie?) says with a sigh. She makes a motion with her hand and the pair proceeds through the dank hallways. The lady leads him to a step on the back of the house. Like the rest of the facility, the yard was torn apart and blocked off by a high, barbed wire fence.

"Richard!" She calls and the lone tree sitting in the middle of the yard shakes slightly. A dark haired youth falls from the tree and lands in a graceful crouch. During the time it takes for Richard to stroll across the yard Bruce takes in the boy's appearance. He frowns when he sees the worn clothes, the scrapes on his arms, and the blank look in his eyes. The billionaire knows that look all too well, he sees it whenever he actually bothers to look in the mirror.

"Richard," The lady says again, her voice slowing slightly and Bruce shoots her a look- did she think the kid was stupid or something? "This, is Bruce Wayne, he wanted to meet you." She hesitates between every word and makes vague gestures to help enunciate her point. Bruce isn't quite sure if she thinks the boy is slow or if she's actually trying to help him understand her words- the Dark Knight is inclined to believe the former.

"Bruce… Wayne?" Richard (or Dick- Bruce remembers the ring leader introduced him as Dick back at the circus) tests the name in confusion, the 'r' curling around his tongue oddly and the 'ayn' stressing itself. Said billionaire lowers himself to the ground in front of the boy.

"Hello, Dick, it is nice to see you again." Instead of going achingly slow (as the caretaker had been) Bruce makes sure to enunciate all his words properly and speak them clearly and concisely. Dick furrows his brow for a moment while the billionaire can almost hear the gears turning. He's slightly surprised to see how much progress the acrobat has made with English, but then again he'd read that children tend to pick up languages much quicker than adults. Especially if they are constantly surrounded by it as Dick has been for the past month.

"You… there." He finally says. The caretaker makes a noise of exasperation.

"Yes, he's right here," She snaps but is silenced by Bruce's glare. He has a guess at what Dick really meant. He had been there.

"Yes," The Dark Knight agrees with a small smile. The young acrobat's eyes flash with sorrow and- what was that? Gratitude? The boy's arms twitch as if he wants to reach out and grab the older man. He opens and closes his mouth, clearly unsure of the words he wants to say- or maybe unsure of how to say them in English? Bruce isn't sure which it is but either way it is the most emotion he's seen out of the boy so far.

The caretaker huffs, interrupting the pair and what could've been a huge essential step for Dick, "Bruce wants to take you home." Dick doesn't take as long to figure out what she said this time even though she hadn't bothered to slow her speech. How well did he understand English? Could he understand and simply wasn't at the level of speaking yet?

"You wanna me?" He asks in surprise, "Dopet-shyin?" Adoption is so obviously skewed in the boy's speech that it makes Bruce want to laugh. Instead he nods with the same soft smile he's had for most of the conversation.

"You can come live with me if you want," The billionaire informs him. Dick looks hopeful at the response.

"For good?" He asks eagerly, his tongue once again rolling slightly on the 'r'.

"For good," Bruce confirms. Dick gives him a smile, the first one he's given Bruce that day. The caretaker interrupts again with an entirely-too-cheerful smile.

"Well, Richard, it looks like you've got yourself a new Daddy." Dick flinches at the term and deflates just as suddenly as he'd begun. The blank looks in his eyes came back and Bruce has to resist the urge to punch the lady.

"Paperwork?" He ground out instead and the lady rolls her eyes.

"Follow me," She turns on her heel with a flip of her hair and Bruce has to hold himself back again. He can't wait to get Dick (and himself for that matter) out of this place.

So, I'd like to say that these are kind of snippets from the adoption process, there is more to it than this, I'm just choosing not to write it. If you'd like a better explanation of what's happening with the adoption than you can check my LJ, bloodofthedawn.

OH! NOTICE! NOTICE THIS HERE! So, I made a special tumblr account for WtJ, IJU, and unpublished followers. There I am posting little truths (canons/Headcanons) on stuff that has happened/is true in the Leagues verse. It's called wtjcanons and I'd love it if you'd check it out!

So, go check out wtjcanons and review! Love all of you~