My Robin - The Graysons Death
CW/TW for death. It’s the Graysons if you don’t know I’m guessing you are new to DC
Some people say that Mary Grayson's last word was Robin and that’s why it became Dicks hero name. I didn't really like that idea, on its own. This AUs story has been inspired by the depiction of their death in the 2004 animated show. To me it makes more scenes to me she would say her child’s name, but would there be a situation where she does say Robin as her last word?
What was she thinking when she said that nickname for one final time?
The performers of the previous act were taking their final moments in center stage. In the shadows of the tent, 3 performers got into their positions on top of the stands. The Flying Graysons were quite a famous couple in the performing world, known for their death-defying acts and fame for not using a net. Then came Richard John Grayson; born to John and Mary 12 years ago.
Most called the young boy, Dick. He’d started gymnastics as an infant and trapeze work at 4. He wasn't encouraged to do shows, especially when they didn't perform with a net, but by 7, he hadn't fallen in just over 2 years, so he was permitted to do the occasional performance. He loved the spotlight he shared with his parents and circus family; he was a Grayson, born to fly.
Standing on the platform as the light focused on the ringmaster, Haley; Mary pulled Dick into a small side hug telling him a line of love;
"I can't wait to see you fly, my Little Robin".
The nickname was a new one, while being called ‘bird’ or ‘birdy’ by his parents wasn't an uncommon statement. The title Robin had only been used once before, when they first were trying on the leotards they wore now. Mary was a Bright Red and Yellow with green accents, while his Father wore a predominantly yellow top with red flares and green bottoms. Dick had a Red top with Yellow accenting and Green shorts like his father. While the bright red matched his Mothers he had preferred the cool Green or Shinning Yellow. Mary had found his announce amusing, saying he looked like a Robin; "You were born to fly my baby bird, but know you just look like a little Robin". (Mary is Romani and has thought the language to Dick. The lines in Blue when regarding g her speech is Romani)
John stood across from them on the other platform. Within a moment the lights were focused on Dick and his parents and he took a step away from his mother’s embrace. The three all wore pale yellow rods counseling their outfits; they had performed twice before in them, but this was still the first season with these outfits and sets. As well as Saturday night performances always being the most crowded. As Haley’s announcements went on the hipe was set for the performance was building, each of them pulled off their robes. Dicks stayed wrapped around his arms, he held the edges of the robe in his hands as it bunched around his waist. His parents had pulled theirs off pushing them to the sides.
For the last two performances Dick would start the runtime with his Dad but tonight they changed it so his mom was starting with him. As the lights panned out to highlight their set, John leaped, flying through the sky, his skill so well mastered. Mary took her start, joining him on the main stage. Flying to meet him, catching his arms back and forth, they flipped. She was facing Dick reaching for the bar closest to the platform when it happened. The wires flung up from where they were meant to be bolted down above them. Within a second, they came undone.
There was nothing to grab onto, everything was falling. She was, and so was John.
They were trained to pick up on the smallest of details, you had to when performing, especially when your life was on the line while doing so. She saw it, Dick didn’t know what she saw but he did react to her fear as quickly as it crossed her face.
The bar she was reaching for, her only chance to even try and get back to the platform, wasn't where she could reach it. There was nothing she could do, as her momentum shifted and she started to fall. She couldn't see her husband, but he probably noticed by now. They both knew this wasn't going to end well. Her focus quickly snapped to who was in front of her, what she could see in that moment:
"Dicky, my baby” “My Robin" she had said that allowed with that last gasp of air she had and then he was out of her sight.
"I'm sorry, please, please, please. Don't let this clip your wings. You were born to fly, my darling. You are a grayso-"
(Sorry, not sorry. I think it's funny in a dark way, and technically that was what happened.)
He couldn’t think straight; everything felt in pain, but it was so dull and numb that he barely cared. His sight was dark at the edges, and his head was pounding. Mary was turned away from him. Where was his arm? He had to try to reach for her. One last time, see her face, hold her cheek, her hand, just feel her. He tried, but his strength was gone.
His hand twitched. He tried to lift his arm, but he couldn't. There was a spike of pain and then nothing. It was just dark.
If anyone was watching closely, they could have seen his hand move just slightly as he tried to reach out his arm before his whole body went completely slack. She had died on impact; he didn’t suffer for too long in those moments, but just long enough to have tried.
No one would have been able to save them once they hit the ground. Maybe if someone with super speed was there, they could have grabbed them before they hit the ground, but once they fell, it was over. Fate for the future was sealed.
