Richard Grayson's eighth birthday was nothing less than a magnificent fanfare.

The boy woke up to the soft glow of sunrays shifting through his curtains and the delicious smell of chocolate cake baking in the oven downstairs. He lay in bed quietly for a minute, contemplating an abundance of things while shaking off the hazy fog of a dream-induced sleep.

He couldn't remember last night's dream, but he could feel, deep down, that it was the same dream he'd been experiencing for months now.

Richard's dreams had always involved flying. It was to be expected, of course, with how all-encompassing his acrobatic training had been. His dreams-the pleasant ones, anyway- sent him to the top of the trapeze, powdered fingers curled tightly around the bars as he would twist and turn and flip for cheering crowds. The location was always Pop Haley's big top tent, and while it was sometimes distorted or slightly altered from its real life appearance, it was the consistent background of his fabricated flying.

Recently, however, the background had changed.

Gone was Pop's candy stripped tent and the blurred masses of the audience, in their place the equally familiar sprawl of the tall glass buildings that made up the Gotham City skyline.

These dreams were never as light as his circus dreams. They left him exhausted, albeit enthralled, the feeling of whizzing past sharp edges into narrow alleys captivating his senses hours after he had shaken the visions away.

The boy wasn't particularly sure what had triggered the shift in his dreams, but he wasn't particularly concerned.

It was more than that.

He was excited.

"Good morning, Master Richard" Alfred intoned, hearing the quiet footfalls of his youngest ward pad across the kitchen. "And a Happy Birthday, might I add."

"Thanks, Alfred!" The boy grinned, hoisting himself up into a kitchen stool to watch the butler frost his cake in creamy chocolate frosting. "The cake looks amazing! Did you put the candies in?"

Alfred's wise eyes crinkled with a grin. "The chocolate chips have been added, as per your request. I must say, this is the chocolatiest cake I have ever had the pleasure of making."

Dick giggled, reaching out to swipe a finger over the edge of the frosting bowl. He popped the digit into his mouth quickly, reflexes saving his hand from the teasing tap of Alfred's spoon.

"Where's Bruce?"

The butler, finishing the frosting with a playful flourish, gathered up his tools and dumped them into the emptied frosting bowl. He pressed a hand down the front of his crisp apron before turning to fill the sink with hot water.

"Master Wayne was up quite early this morning, out to run a few errands. He should be back before the festivities commence, I assure you."

The small boy hopped down from his spot, rounding the counter and dragging a small stool next to the sink. He snagged a rag from the hook and held out his hand to dry the utensils that Alfred was washing.

"Washing dishes on your birthday, Master Richard?"

Hand outstretched, Richard wiggled his fingers, blue eyes bright. "It's only fair. It takes a lot of tools to make such an awesome cake!"

Alfred gave the boy a warm smile, never more content to be up to his elbows in soapy water.

"Happy Birthday, Chum!" Bruce called from the entryway, dropping his bags and taking a knee just in time to catch the small frame that launched into his arms.

"Thanks, Bruce!" Dick crowed happily, voice muffled against his chest.

The billionaire squeezed his charge gently as a swell of affection surged through him.

"Eight, huh?" He questioned, dropping his chin into the soft ebony tresses tossed playfully with sleep. Richard had been at Wayne manor for just about four years, and boy had time flown.

Dick leaned back cheerfully and flashed a full set of pearly whites. "Yup! I'm pretty old now."

Bruce chuckled, ruffling the kid's hair as Alfred rounded the corner, drying his hands on a towel.

"I beg to differ, Master Richard. Master Wayne, I take it you found everything with ease?"

The men shared a knowing look as Bruce rose and gathered the bundles of plastic bags.

"Um…I think so."

Three hours prior

Bruce glanced uncomfortably at the seemingly endless isles of brightly colored supplies. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and started strolling aimlessly, unsure of where to begin.

"Can I help you?" A perky voice peeped over his shoulder and damn if he hadn't had his coffee because that was a shot of adrenaline straight to the system.

Bruce turned quickly, finding himself face to face with a smiley teen. He was about to dismiss the blonde headed girl when his fingers crumbled around the carefully printed list stuffed into his pocket. He pulled it out thoughtfully, scanning the items.

"Actually, yes. My kid's having a party today and I'm not exactly sure what most of this is or where I would find it."

The girl, Kelly, as her nametag spelled out in purple letters, grinned brightly. She plucked the list out of his hand, giving it a quick scan.

"Not to worry sir! I am a party enthusiast." She giggled quickly. "My girlfriend told me to stop calling myself that but I've got my eye on a managerial position and enthusiasm is definitely a top criteria requirement."

Kelly slung an arm though Bruce's elbow, her other holding out the list as she squinted at the cursive script.

"Let's start with streamers!"

Bruce shivered, lips quirked in a grin. "She was skipping though the isles, Alfred. Skipping."

The butler chuckled as he sifted through the bags of decorations.

"Well, she would have quite enjoyed shopping with our young Master."

They turned, both smiling at the sight of Richard dancing on his toes, tossing bright fistfuls of confetti around the parlor. Metallic flecks sparkled in the boy's dark locks like shiny bits of rainbow.

His bright energy filled the air, and soon the three were transforming the manor into a colorful sight, fit for a magnificent party.

When the doorbell range for the first time, Richard cheered brightly, releasing the baby blue balloon he'd been blowing up and giggling when it flew out of his hand and into the air.

Bruce grinned, pinching his own balloon between his fingers as he pulled the heavy door open.

"Hey Diana."

The Amazonian smiled softly, glancing at the man's confetti flecked shoulders in amusement. The woman wore her hair in a long, wavy ponytail which rested on the shoulder of her yellow day dress. Bruce always found it slightly startling to see the woman dressed so casually, and in flats no less, when her persona seemed so larger than life.

"Hello, Bruce. I hope I am not too early, I got a bit excited to see the birthday boy."

Said child came running up behind his adoptive father then, all smiles.

"Hi, Auntie D! It's my birthday!"

The woman cooed as she stepped into the foyer. "I know, sweet child. How exciting!"

Richard twirled on his socked feet, giggling.

"Thanks for coming! Me an' Bruce an' Alfred decorated and Alfred baked this awesome cake! Do you wanna come see?"

Diana giggled as the young boy took her hand.

"Of course, Richard." She tossed a grin, and her present, over her shoulder at Bruce before Dick towed her off into the next room, crowing eagerly.

Bruce shook his head in exasperation. He hadn't thought it possible for Dick to have more energy than his normal levels, but the kid was full of surprises.

The man grinned at the thought, tying a knot into the balloon he'd forgot he was holding.

"Wallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyy!"

"Dickkkkkkiiiiieeeeee!"

The boys threw their arms around each other dramatically, looking to the world like they hadn't seen each other in years, when they had, in fact, last weekend.

Barry Allen puffed out a hard breath behind the two, running a hand through his windswept locks.

"Sorry we're late, kiddo. Happy Birthday!"

"We're always late, Uncle Barry!" Wally chimed, throwing an arm around Richard's slight shoulders. Said boy giggled.

"It's okay. You're not late! Just last."

Barry smiled, dropping his and Wally's presents on a table with the other bright packages. His nephew had insisted on picking out his own present, seeing as Richard was his "bestest, bestest friend," and how could the man argue with that logic?

"That's good! Didn't wanna miss the cake!"

"It's triple chocolate!" Richard squealed.

Barry placed a hand over his heart as Wally cheered. "Kid, you're speaking my language."

The small, dark haired boy laughed, grabbing both speedsters by the hand and dragging them into the party room.

"There's the kiddo!" Clark boomed when Richard rounded the corner, tugging Barry and Wally with him. The broad man scooped the acrobat up and flipped him upside down, swinging him gently while he squealed with laughter.

"Uncle Clark! I only left for a minute!"

From his current location, Richard watched everyone interact, ignoring the tingle of blood rushing to his head.

Roy snuck up behind Wally, locking the younger boy in a swift headlock and ruffling his wild tresses.

"'bout time you got here, kid! I was about to assume you forfeited your portion of the cake!"

"Never!" Wally yelped, weaseling out of from under the taller boy's arm to hop on his back in a surprise attack.

Dinah and Ollie watched over their glasses, Oliver chuckling heartily and cheering on the mock fight while the blonde woman swatted Roy's head teasingly, swigging a sip of her wine.

Aquaman and Martian Manhunter were deep in conversation, bent over a smartphone and looking a lot like Bruce did when he was working in his office.

Barry and Hal were conversing with Bruce, waving their hands animatedly while he shook his head in exasperation. Beside him, a slender woman nodded along, enthralled, her short dark hair bouncing in big waves. Her dark eyes flickered briefly around the room, landing on Richard. She smiled softly, flicking him a quick wave. He smiled back, unsure which of Bruce's friends she was but appreciating her neat sweater- black with a gray outline of a cat.

"Okay Clark, time to let the kiddo down." A voice reprimanded, dipped in a familiar accent.

Clark grinned, tossing the boy up and over until he was perched on his muscular shoulder, arm slung securely across the front of the kid's legs to keep him from tipping backward.

"Auntie Lois, you saved me!"

The dark haired woman grinned, grabbing Richard's round cheek in a soft pinch.

"You bet I did kiddo. You know I'm the only one who can really beat up your Uncle Clark."

The two smiled at each other conspiratorially while Clark faked a pout.

When Alfred strolled in with his tray packed with slices of cake, everyone cheered.

The cake had been whisked away for cutting after a rowdy rendition of 'Happy Birthday,' and Richard had watched it disappear with an eager smile, eyeing the wispy trails of smoke the striped candles were releasing.

He'd made quite a wish.

The boy sat crisscross on the floor with his friends, watching them bicker playfully.

An elbow nudged into his side while he watched Roy lift his plate away from Wally, fork held in his teeth to avoid impaling the small speeder literally crawling into his lap.

"Are ya having a good birthday?"

Richard turned, meeting the gapped grin of Alex Luma. After finding out what the girl had done for his mom on Mother's day, the two had become fast friends, trading their lunches and sharing crayons during activity time. Mrs. Luma wasn't their teacher anymore, as they had both moved up a grade, but Alex's mom and Bruce still talked a bunch while he and Alex were packing up and she and Alex's dad had accepted the party invitation without hesitance.

Dick smiled down at his cake, noticing the small hole where a candle had once pierced the fluffy cake. "Yes, I definitely am."

Alex nodded, popping a bite of chocolate desert in her mouth and laughing at the redheads before them.

"Good."

Richard stood at the door, watching as everyone began to filter out of the manor. He gave everyone huge hugs, squealing out thank yous and waving while Alfred began to clear away plates.

"Bye, Uncle Hal!"

"Later Kiddo! Thanks for the invite!" The man stuffed his hands into his bomber jacket, dipping out into the cool Spring night.

"Bye, Uncle Ollie, Auntie Dinah!" He hugged them both around the middles. "Bye Roy!"

The teen lifted him up with an exaggerated groan. "Ugh, you must be older because you're definitely heavier!"

"Am not!" Richard pouted, sticking out his tongue.

"Are too!" Roy smirked. "Get some practice time in on that new videogame okay? I don't wanna whoop your butt so quickly this time. It gets boring."

The older boy ruffled his hair, following Dinah and Oliver out into the dark, and then Richard was swinging the door shut.

"Good party?" Bruce questioned, walking into the foyer while batting a balloon into the air with his hand.

"Great party!" Dick beamed, skipping forward for a hug. The billionaire scooped his charge up easily, turning toward the stairs to carry the kid up to bed.

"Goodnight Alfred! Thank you!"

The butler chuckled. "You are quite welcome, Master Richard. Sweet dreams!"

Dick wrapped his arms around Bruce's neck, suddenly realizing how late it was and how tired he'd become.

When he dreamed that night, he was swinging through the inky darkness of Gotham, but something else had changed.

He wasn't him.

When he swung past a glass plated building, the dim glow of a streetlamp shone across the shiny surface, and he caught a glimpse of his reflection.

A few weeks later, Richard was tumbling around the Wayne Manor property; perfecting a series of new moves he had created to test his acrobatic ability.

Back at the circus, when he had been learning how to be an acrobat, his parents had taught him in levels. Level one, of course, he couldn't remember, but he assumed it included the fundamentals such as balance and stretching. Each level thereafter got more difficult until one became a seasoned professional.

Richard's parents, like most in their field, refused to believe that anyone could reach a limit when it came to their abilities, so there had never been a level that he had been expected to reach and stop.

They just kept going, because there was always something new to learn.

When Bruce returned from a day at the Enterprises, he was surprised to discover Dick kicking himself backwards in a perfect midair flip.

"Do you think Uncle Barry would ever let you do what he does?"

Wally poked his tongue out of the corner of his mouth while he mashed the buttons on his blue controller. On the screen, his colorful character roundhouse kicked Richard's off of a cliff.

The redhead cheered, falling back onto his carpet.

"Do you think?"

Green orbs flicked sideways. "Think what?"

Richard sighed, dropping his friend's controller. "Do you think Uncle Barry would ever let you do what he does?" he repeated carefully, running his fingers across the hem of his shirt.

Wally scrunched his eyebrows, staring up at his ceiling.

"What? Be a scientist? Ya, I guess so. I mean, he might not even be one anymore by the time I'm old enough to get a job and I mean who knows, maybe scientists won't even exist at that point, or maybe they will-"

Richard sighed again.

"How old do you think you have to be to be a superhero?"

Alex looked up from lunchbox, tilting her head.

"I don't know. I guess however old grownups are." She popped a baby carrot in her mouth, crunching loudly.

Dick sipped on his juice box thoughtfully. "Is that, like, a rule?"

The girl pursed her lips in thought. "Hm. Maybe."

"Who says?"

"What?"

"Who says that superheroes have to be grownups? Who made that a rule?"

Alex giggled, pulling a lollipop out of the front pocket of her overalls.

"Geez, I dunno Dick. Prob'ly other adults. Wanna trade your grapes for my carrots?"

"Uncle Clark?"

"Yes, Richard?"

"When did you become Superman?"

Clark Kent shifted his wide brimmed glasses, pushing them down his nose. He gave the boy a joking grin.

"Kiddo, I've always been Superman. It just took everyone else a while to figure it out."

Richard grinned back.

The Batcave was faintly lit and desolate. Richard crept quietly, peeking around corners before swiftly tiptoeing into the room. The lights flickered on as he entered and the boy tipped his head back to marvel at the tall glass cases lining the ways.

They were full of costumes.

Different variations of Batman's suit stood in each case, different symbols, armor, and even colors.

Richard stepped forward carefully, resisting the urge to brush his fingers across the fronts of the cases when a small pedestal caught his eye.

It was slate grey, almost invisible from its spot in the far corner, but Richard slipped toward it, eyebrows rising when he noticed that the front was littered with a series of draws. He reached out hesitantly, tugging the middle draw open and peeking inside.

Inside was a row of masks.

The masks were pitch black with white lenses where the eyes would be. Gingerly, Dick reached his tiny fingers into the case and lifted one out, marveling at its surprisingly flexible form and pointy edges.

The boy's fingers shook slightly, partly with the cold and partly with the sense that he was doing something wrong. If Bruce or Alfred for that matter found him down here alone, he would definitely be in trouble.

The thought alone was enough for the acrobat to begin backtracking, and he was just about to stick the mask back in its place when he caught his reflection in one of the glass front cases.

Suddenly, his dream came rushing back, and he carefully lifted the mask to his face, realizing that this is the reflection that had grinned back at him in his dream when-

"Richard."

"No. Absolutely not."

"But Bruce, I just want to help you!"

"No, I don't need help."

Richard flinched back, baby blues misting over.

Bruce ran a weary hand over his face, shooting a glance at Alfred over his shoulder. The man was standing, cross armed, duster in hand, behind his crouching ward, Richard sitting in the chair of the bat computer and swinging his legs gently before them.

"Master Richard," Alfred began. "Master Wayne's work is incredibly dangerous, and as much as he loves you, I do not think he would want your help in Gotham if it meant putting you in danger."

Dick hung his head quietly, running the heel of his hand under his eye. He mumbled.

"Pardon?"
"I'm a good acrobat."

"Master Richard, I assure you, we weren't implying that you weren't."

"I'm a good acrobat." The boy repeated, strength entering his voice. He looked up, meeting Bruce's navy eyes with his own determined orbs. "I'm a good acrobat, and I know I could help you. I'm quick, and I know how to distribute my weight properly for the best balance so I know I would be able to pick up combat, and I know you wouldn't let me get hurt anyway because I would always be with you and if I had gadgets like you do I'd be extra protected and…"

Bruce raised an eyebrow.

"And…" Richard lowered his voice to a solemn whisper. "I just want to fly again."

"Alfred, I must be crazy. Please, tell me I'm absolutely insane."

Alfred patted his oldest ward's shoulder knowingly. "Sir, you are currently dressed as a giant bat. I fear I needn't say more."

Bruce quirked a slight smile, before pulling his cowl up over his face. Nearly seven months ago, when he had caught his adopted son wearing one of his old domino masks, his stomach had twisted violently with fear and strangely enough, pride.

It was the same feeling he felt when he began training the boy in combat, the same feeling he felt when he'd begun making child-sized versions of his gadgets, the same feeling he felt when he came home to find Richard pouring over maps of the city.

It was the same feeling he felt now, watching the boy skip to them, canary yellow cape fluttering behind him.

"Ready?" Batman inquired gruffly.

"Ready!" Robin chirped back happily.

"Well," Alfred marveled, stepping back to consider his charges. "I believe you two make quite the dynamic duo."

It's been an interesting ride, writing this chapter. It's been so long since I updated this story, for the simple fact that life happened. I put a lot of my focus into You or Me, one of my other stories, because I was determined to see it through to the end, but after I finished it, I had lost the desire to post again. Recently, however, I realized that I wasn't content leaving this series where I had. Writing this chapter reminded me why I started posting in the first place. I had so much fun, and having the ability to take a break from everything I'm typically doing to just write was a valuable experience.

That being said, I am incredibly busy, so I'm not sure yet if or when I'd be able to post new chapters here, but I at least wanted to give Richard his Robin debut.

Thank you piggythelaw, Silver Huntress Raleen, yuu101cutie, Russetfire, xDreyar, weathergirl17248, jyugo, GhostLucy, Lollix5, and Aster for your incredibly kind reviews. I'm sorry I couldn't deliver on a new chapter sooner.

I tried to make this chapter pretty long to compensate for the…two year hiatus (whoops) but I've honestly never written a chapter quicker. Let me know what you think! Updates are always sparse, but they do somehow happen.

Until then,

-Arrow.