Title: “A Different Type of Circus” (Circus Challenge)

Author: DevLeigh Michaels

Disclaimer: DC owns all characters involved.

Rating: PG (language)

Story Synopsis: Bruce puts down his foot, then lifts it.

A/N: Not beta-ed; over word limit; not too much about circuses…

“A Different Type of Circus”

“You told them no! How could you tell them no?”

“I said, ‘No.’”

Dick took a half-step back, regaining his bearings before coming forward to rest his fists on his father’s desk. “That’s it? You just made the decision without even consulting me?”

Bruce never looked up from his desk as he continued to sign paper after paper. “The exposure would have been—”

“The exposure! You’re worried about the exposure? You’re Bruce Wayne! You’re in People magazine every week. I’m in People magazine every week, and you’re worried about the freakin’ exposure?” Dick shook his head. “Be honest, Bruce. You just didn’t want me to perform. You’re afraid it’ll embarrass you, or this whole idea is beneath your social status. It doesn’t matter if I want to do this. It only matters that you don’t want me to.” He slapped his hands against his jeans. “Congratulations, Bruce. You once more have proven you have complete and total control over my life. Hope you’re happy.”

Bruce heaved a disinterested sigh and lazily raised his eyes—and saw the distraught expression twisting his eldest son’s face. The younger man wanted this—nay, needed this.

Damn. Fine.

Bruce opened the desk drawer and handed the younger man a torn piece of paper. “Just be careful. This is a completely different circus than you’re used to, and they also wanted me on if you make it past the first few cuts, so make sure that you do.”

Dick’s face immediately lit up like it used to right before he put on his Robin suit, and he snatched the paper. “Are you sure? This won’t—”

“It’s always…entertaining to watch you perform, and I was the one who taught you originally.”

The memory was as fresh as the day the boy stood on the sidelines during the long dinner functions and not partaking in any activities. Alfred noticed and told Bruce, and the boy’s apprehension over such a little challenge almost made Bruce laugh.

Even now he couldn’t keep a straight face at the excitement bursting from his son’s face as Dick spoke into his cell phone, “Hi, Dancing with the Stars?...”

The End