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They have a mission at a circus, of all things. And they aren’t going there undercover – not like the last time they were forced to enter a circus and pretend to be one of their lead shows. No, they’re going there to meet with Informants. Artemis doesn’t really care about the lack of action, per say, but she had much better things to do – the Team had much better things to do than meet up with a pair of acrobats and see if they had any information for Young Justice.
She didn’t really see why Batman was even sending so many of them to this traveling circus. Robin – a new one, the boy who replaced their Rob six months ago – was seemingly ecstatic about the mission, unlike the rest of them. Conner was brooding in the corner, M’gann sitting by his side with a slight frown, and Zatanna was reading a book, but Artemis hasn’t seen her flip the page in the past fifteen minutes, so it was safe to say she had zoned out.
The team were already nearing their twenties – not counting the fourteen-year-old Robin by Artemis’ side. They were far beyond these little information gathering missions, but Batman hadn’t given them much choice. He insisted it was important – that these two were trustworthy and most definitely had information that they could really use.
Nightwing and Flamebird were their targets, but getting to them before their act in the circus would be impossible. The Team was going to have to sit through their performance and then find them. These people might be trusted to give information, but the team doesn’t know them. Artemis doesn’t trust them, nor does she trust this situation. It would be better to observe first, corner later.
(This also had nothing to do with Robin asking if they could see the entire show. It had absolutely nothing to do with his pouting behavior when he said he wanted to see the show. Absolutely nothing!)
“Something doesn’t add up,” Artemis admits with a frown.
Conner spares her a glance before he turns to glare back out the window, scanning the view outside their hotel. Zatanna looks happy to have a reason to close her book, M’gann wrings her hands together and Robin shoots her an unimpressed look from under his sunglasses.
“What doesn’t add up?” the youngest of them all asks, eyebrows raised and very judgmental. Artemis pushes down the fondness she feels for him so she wouldn’t start teasing him.
“This entire situation!” Artemis throws her hands out, “Batman has people he trusts for information, and no one has ever heard of them before?”
“I’ve heard of ‘em.” Robin says. He’s promptly ignored because, as Batman’s sidekick, he knows more than the team did.
“It is a bit weird,” Zatanna admits slowly, “But if Batman trusts them, then we don’t have a reason not to. Batman doesn’t trust anyone that much, no offense Robin.”
“None taken,” Robin places a hand on his neck, “B is a huge brick wall, everyone knows it. But these guys are as good as people can get.”
“You’ve met them?” M’gann asked.
“I’ve met ‘wing,” Robin shrugs, and suddenly looks self-conscious. He picks at his tattered jeans for a moment. “They’re not gonna betray us or whatever.”
“Or whatever,” Conner says, thoughtful. “We’re just here to get information, that’s it. It’s not difficult.”
“It’s gonna be difficult,” Robin says, amused yet hesitant. “Nightwing and Firebird aren’t, y’know, civilians. They’re gonna be suspicious.”
“Of us?” M’gann asked, eyebrows furrowing. “Don’t they know we’re coming?”
“Prolly not,” Robin sends them a crooked grin, “They joined the circus to get away from heroism, y’know.”
“I didn’t know that.” Zatanna said thoughtfully, tapping a finger against her chin. “Why?”
“Why?” Robin echoes.
“Why did they leave the capes behind?”
“Oh. I don’t know. Maybe they just wanted to run off to a circus.” Robin shuffles, obviously uncomfortable. “Maybe they’re a bunch o’ weirdos?”
Artemis doesn’t quite believe him but lets the discussions drop just like the rest of them. It was times like these that she missed Wally and even their first Robin. Wally had been a blabber mouth, but he always knew when to lighten a situation, and Rob was always right by his side spewing out nonsense that made them all relax. When the two practically disappeared a year ago, the team had never quite felt whole.
Rob left a few weeks before Wally had – he had been bruised up and visibly angry, told them he wasn’t going to come back and had a small bag of his belongings from his room in the Cave. Wally had sped off after Rob; his return thirty minutes later had been quiet, and he had slipped to his room without a word. Two weeks later, Wally was leaving the team as well, grinning and promising to stay in contact.
“I have a mission,” He had claimed, but after a few months, Batman said that wasn’t the case.
Wally had gone to a different organization, he had said, don’t worry about his wellbeing.
Six months after their team lost two of their members, Rob was replaced with Robin. A young boy who fought like a street fighter, but was young and loving and aggressive and, frankly, too well read for a fourteen-year-old. He was nothing like Rob, and he didn’t need to be. The team all grew to love him and see him as his own person.
But, Artemis thought, sometimes it would have been nice if he had Rob’s skill of making the air around them feel lighter.
“Is there an anything that we need to know about these guys?” Zatanna asked after a moment.
Robin stared at them for a long moment, and Artemis got the distinct feeling that she was being judged. “No,” he said finally, “I don’t know them well. I only know Wing and not very well. So, don’t ask me.”
“We should get ready,” M’gann cut in. “We need to go in a few minutes if we want to catch the show.”
The circus was crowded as they settled into their seats. They were closer to the back row than they were the front, but they had a good view of the center of the tent. Acts came and went, Robin seemingly more and more excited as each act happens. When asked if he’d ever been to a circus before, he claimed his brother was raised in one, but he himself had never been to one.
“Street kids can’t really afford to, y’know.” He had said simply, and then promptly waved down one of the snack vendors.
There was a small interval before the next act, and then Haly stood in front of the crowd and happily declared their next act. Robin practically leaned out of his seat when two brightly dressed men waved at the crowd from the top of the trapeze.
A man with dark hair that fell around his face in messy waves was dressed in a black and blue outfit, gems shining off his outfit. A bird stretched across his chest, dazzling and attention drawing. The other man had fiery red hair, dressed similarly to his partner, only with oranges, yellows, and reds as his main color scheme. They wore matching masks, the same swirling pattern stretching over their eyes and hiding their identities easily.
Nightwing and Flamebird. Their informants.
They flew through the air as if gravity didn’t exist. Flamebird moved with precision and skill whilst Nightwing moved as easily as breathing, as if it was no different from walking to him. Artemis, even from how far away they were, could see just how trained these two were.
If they used to be heroes, it’s not that surprising, Artemis mused, but she still couldn’t understand why former heroes would go to the circus of all things.
The act was over before she realized it, the two acrobats landing easily and waving to the crowd with grins. The crowd cheered loudly, nearly drowning out Haly as he called an end to the show.
“Now or never, right?” M’gann asked, smiling slightly.
“Now or never,” Zatanna nodded, getting to her feet.
They discreetly moved towards the staff area, keeping their eyes peeled for their glittery informants. They dodged the people rushing around them, heaving luggage over their shoulders, and talking loudly to their friends.
“Excuse me,” A man – easily recognized as Haly – stepped in front of them, eyebrow raised, and arms crossed over his chest. “Can I help you?”
“Hey, old man,” Robin shuffled his way to the front before they could come up with an excuse, grinning. “We’re here to see Dick.”
Haly shot him a surprised look. “And who might you be?”
Robin adopted a hurt look, “What? He doesn’t talk ‘bout me?” He suddenly looked his age, shuffling and trying to make himself look smaller. “But...we’re family.”
Haly blanched, shooting a look to the people around. They all ignored him with slight snickers sent their boss’ way; the message was clear – the sad kid was his deal. The team sent confused but worried glances at Robin.
“I see,” Haly said, clearly suspicious but relenting easily. “He’s headed to his trailer for the night, I’ll have someone escort you.”
“Okay,” Robin practically sniffled, wrapping his arms around his waist.
Haly waved down a older woman dressed in beads and a cloak, asking her to escort the group to Nightwing’s room, and then left like Superman was chasing him. The moment they were out of the tent, Robin smirked, clearly pleased with himself.
Oh, you’re good. Artemis said over the mind link.
Robin practically preened; I know.
How did you know his name? M’gann asked. Is that his name?
Yep, Robin replied, and didn’t elaborate further.
Do you know Flamebird’s name? Zatanna asked curiously.
Robin was silent for a moment, but everyone could feel the anxiety that flooded the mind link before Robin put his barriers back up.
Wally, he said after a moment, and the team tensed, looking over to him sharply.
“What?” Conner demanded; eyebrows furrowed.
“Here we are,” the woman cut them off, sending them sharp looks. She knocked on the door and a moment later it was opened by Flamebird.
Flamebird who was unmasked. The team stared and Wally West stared back.
“Uh,” Wally said, eyes wide. “Hi?”
“Hi?” Artemis repeated, incredulous.
“You know these fine people, hun?” the woman cut in.
“Do I..? Oh, yes, yes,” He nodded quickly, “They’re family. Yes, family.”
The woman made a sound that was practically dripping with disbelief. “You need us to throw them out?” she asked plainly.
“No,” Wally laughed easily, “Thank you, Mama Rose. They’re family, I just didn’t know they were coming.”
The woman – Mama Rose – sniffed but pinched Wally’s cheek and then left after telling him he needed to eat more. Wally sent them a warry look but stepped out of the doorway, “You guys want to come in?”
“A circus,” Artemis said as they all shuffled into the trailer.
It was nice; a homey feel to it. The small couch had pillows and knitted blankets piled atop, a few pictures sat around – one that was clearly of Wally and Nightwing, another of a boy that looked very familiar, and two more of three people they didn’t recognize. There was a wall set up that separated what looked like a bedroom from the rest of the trailer – Artemis could see it was unmade from where she stood.
“Yeah,” Wally said after a long pause. “It’s important to Di – uh, Nightwing. It’s nice here.”
“Nightwing is Robin, isn’t he?” Conner asked blandly, crossing his arms.
Robin shifted where he stood, Conner sent him a small, apologetic glance.
“Yeah, he used to be,” Wally said awkwardly, shifting his weight. Light flashed off stray glitter that stuck to his face – his hair was damp; it was obvious that he had showered and had no luck getting all the little specks of glitter from his body. “What are you guys doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Artemis said, squinting.
“We thought you were transferred somewhere else,” Zatanna cut in, frowning slightly, “But you quit?”
Wally observed them for a moment before he sighed heavily and dropped onto the couch. “It was supposed to be like a vacation, but then this happened,” he waved his hand over to the side where his glittery Firebird costume hung on a door. “It was so Wing could let out some steam, you know? But it's lasted longer than we thought…we like it here. It’s nice. It makes him happy.”
“Were you ever going to come back?” M’gann asked, hurt.
Wally lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “We were going to. We are going to.”
“Why did Nightwing leave?” Conner asked. There was no judgement, hurt slightly heard in his voice but he was a man on a mission. He needed answers.
“He got fired.” Robin blurted, frowned, and messed with the sleeve of his jacket. “B took Robin from him.”
“Yeah,” Wally nodded to him. “He needed a break. So here we are.”
Eyes widened, “He was fired?”
“Yeah, got injured during a mission in Gotham,” Wally said, leaning back. “Batman said he didn’t need a sidekick anymore after they got into a fight about it, so Wing left.” He gives them a hard glance, as if they would judge Nightwing for his actions. By the offended look on everyone’s face, Artemis wasn’t alone. “I wasn’t going to let him go alone, so here I am.”
“I see,” M’gann said slowly, thoughtfully.
“Where is Dickface,” Robin questioned before the silence could grow tense.
Wally brightened at the question. “He went to talk to Haly and get food. He should be back any minute now. But why are you guys here?”
“Batman sent us,” Conner said bluntly. “Said you guys would have information on the tech disappearances.”
Wally stared at him. “You’re serious?”
At Conner’s nod, Wally let out a disbelieving laugh. The speedster shook his head, “What, so he sent you here without telling you who you were getting info from?”
Artemis crosses her arms. Now that it was mentioned, she would have liked that piece of information. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Robin picking up one of the picture frames.
“Why do you have a picture of me here?” He asked, voice softer than usual.
Wally smiled at Robin, “You’re his brother. He loves you.”
Robin put the frame down as though it burned him. “He doesn’t act like it.”
“He wants to do better.” Wally replied, shaking his head. “It’s not my place to tell you that, though. He wants to – you have no idea how many nights he’s just ranted on about his plans to be a good brother.”
Robin let out a noise, but didn’t comment any further. A somewhat tense silence descended upon them as Wally nervously observed them.
“Is this why we keep getting weird post cards?” Zatanna broke the silence, grinning.
“Oh,” Wally let out a snicker, “Yeah, we go everywhere here. Dick always grabs the weirdest cards.”
A soft smile twisted his lips and he sounded fond when he spoke of Nightwing – who’s name was Dick, of all things. Artemis was so going to tease him for it later.
“You guys can sit down.” Wally said, waving his hand towards the kitchen table and the couch.
“Tell us about circus life,” M’gann demanded, clapping her hands together.
Wally laughed, “Well, when we first came to Haly after we spent weeks tracking them down…”
Dick stood outside his and Wally’s trailer, fiddling with the bags of food he had bundled in his arms. He had stopped by Pops Haly on his way back, had planned to tell him this upcoming show might just be Nightwing and Flamebird’s last, when Haly asked how his meeting went with his family.
“What?” Dick had questioned, tilting his head.
“A kid showed up and asked about you.” Haly frowned, concerned, “Do you not know him?”
Jason, Dick knew it was his brother. So, he had laughed Haly’s concern off and then hurried back to his trailer as fast as he could – and now he’s been standing outside for five minutes, worrying about the bags in his hand. He was anxious to see him again; their last meeting hadn’t ended well.
Dick had screamed at Bruce, Bruce had screamed back, and then Dick had stormed away – away from Jason – and left Gotham when he was supposed to be taking Jason out to the movies to at least try to get to know the kid. Dick had called the next day and apologized; had promised next time Dick would focus on Jason and only Jason, and the next time never showed up because he was leaving the country with Wally by his side.
He hadn’t even told Jason goodbye to his face.
Dick inhaled deeply, steeled his nerves, and then started up the steps. He knocked on the door slightly, moved down a step, and instead of Wally throwing the door open, it was a face he hadn’t seen in a year.
“Oh,” Dick said, surprised as Conner stared down at him.
Haly could have mentioned Jason arriving with other people. Dick blinked wildly from behind his mask, shuffling with the bags of food when one of them threatened to tip over. Conner moved aside, sharp eyes observing with a frown on his face.
“That took you long enough!” Wally called cheerfully as he rushed over to him, taking half the bags easily. “I thought you got lost, Wonderful.”
“What would you have done then?” Dick asked, but their regular banter felt wrong. Too tense, too anxious.
Wally smiled at him, and it was easy. It was always easy with Wally – he once claimed it was because Dick made him relaxed. Made him feel safe.
“I would have gotten my own food,” Wally teased, and Dick snorted. His green eyes flashed to the other people in the trailer and Dick followed his gaze. “You grab enough for guests?”
“You’ll just have to share,” Dick said. He met all their gazes, gnawed on his lip for a moment before forcing himself to stop. Bruce had always hated that tic of his. “Uh, hi?”
“Sup, Dickface,” Jason called from the couch, waving a hand.
Dick smiled at him, “Aw, my little Wing is all grown up!”
Jason made a face at him, but accepted his hug after Dick threw his bags into Wally’s arms. After a moment, Jason hugged him back.
“You’re getting glitter all over me.” Jason complained.
“Suffer,” Dick said, but pulled back. He smiled at his brother, pushing some of his hair from his face, and laughed when Jason scowled at him. “How are you?” he asked hesitantly.
“Good,” Jason nodded, “You?”
Dick looked over to Wally before looking back to Jason. He smiled and wondered if it looked as lovesick as it felt. “I’m good.”
“Ooo, that sounds promising,” Wally called, “Did Haly take the news well?”
Dick coughed. Wally stared at him.
“You didn’t tell him.”
“I didn’t tell him.”
“Dick,” Wally sighed at him.
“I couldn’t tell him!” Dick whined, “I was going to but then he mentioned Jay and I couldn’t just tell him we’re quitting after that!”
“You’re quitting?” Jason asked him quietly.
Dick felt like the breath had been punched from his lungs. “Yeah, we are.”
“Are you comin’ home?”
Dick ran his hand through Jason’s hair again, “Yeah. Yeah, we are.”
“Dick,” Wally said, quirking a brow as he looked through the bags he piled on the counter, “Are you going to make stuffed peppers?”
“I was planning on it,” Dick replied from where he was still sort of wrapped around Robin – Jay? – in a tight hug. He tilted his head to the side, his deep blue eyes glancing over them, “Are you guys okay with that?”
“We didn’t come here expecting food,” Artemis said easily, “We’ll take what you got.”
Dick smiled at him, a curl of his lips with his eyes narrowing slightly that was just so entirely Rob that it made her chest clench. She was still angry at him and Wally for up and leaving with no explanation, but they were her friends and she’s missed them terribly. It was good to know they were safe – and it was especially nice to know they were happy and coming home.
After a moment, Dick peeled himself from Robin’s embrace. Artemis saw the displeasure in Robin’s expression, no doubt wanting to stay near his brother for longer, but Dick merely ruffled his hair again before making his way to the kitchen.
“Go take a shower, I’ll start the prep.” Wally waved him off. “You’re covered in glitter.”
Dick’s lips quirked up slightly and he tilted his head, “Oh-ho, you think you can copy the family recipe?”
“I’ve seen you make it enough times to know how to cut vegetables,” Wally teased back before making a shooing motion.
Dick lingered for a moment longer, glancing over to them, before grinning easily and disappearing around the corner. Artemis watched for a moment before looking back at Wally. “The circus doesn’t give you guys meals?”
“They do,” Wally said, “But speedsters don’t mix with self-serving when they have to share.”
Artemis would give him that. “So, you make Rob cook for you?” she asked, teasing.
“Hey,” Wally complained, looking over to them with a pout. “Dick makes us dinner because he wants to!”
“With your bottomless stomach, he sure has his work cut out for him,” Zatanna said with a laugh.
“You got that right,” Wally said, winking.
“Would you like some help?” M’gann asked, already moving to stand.
“Nah, it’s good, Megalicious.” Wally said easily, grinning. “Dick is going to come kick me out of the kitchen anyways.”
They lapsed into silence after that, the only noise being running water, the constant thunk, thunk, thunk, from the cutting board and the soft hum from the radio Wally turned on. Artemis doesn’t think she’s ever seen Wally so relaxed, standing in a trailer with leftover glitter still sparkling on his face and in well-worn sweats and a shirt that had a few holes in it.
His shoulders were relaxed and he was humming slightly under his breath, muttering words in a language she didn’t understand. He looked at ease and suddenly she felt like she was imposing on a moment that wasn’t hers to see.
Kid Idiot had always been a loudmouth, had never been able to sit still for longer than a minute. He always talked even if they weren’t listening, grinning, and flirting and overall had been loud. Rob – Dick had always grinned and egged him on, joking and messing with him when the others hadn’t always had the energy to match the speedster.
A year had passed since then, and now Wally was in a small kitchen making dinner, looking content to just be chopping vegetables and singing along to a song none of them understood. Artemis felt like she’s missed out too much, and a part of her guiltily wondered if Wally was even the idiot she knew and cared for.
The water shut off and a few moments later Dick reappeared. He was in a shirt that was too baggy around the shoulders to be his, plaid pajama pants that pooled around his socked feet. His hair was damp and curled around his neck, and Artemis realized, upon seeing his face, that even now he still hid his identity from them.
Dick darted into the kitchen and quickly took over where Wally was beginning to throw ingredients into a warm pan. He said something in the same language Wally had just been singing in, and the speedster gasped dramatically.
“I do know how to cook,” Wally huffed at him, but wrapped his arms around Dick’s waist and hugged him close.
“I know,” Dick snickered – or well, cackled - as he pressed a kiss to Wally's jaw.
Artemis had never quite realized that Robin’s laugh sounded so similar to Dick’s cackle. She tried not to stare at the scene they made. Clearly they became more than friends over their year in the circus.
“So, why did you guys even come here?” Dick questioned, peering over Wally’s shoulder to them before looking to Wally. “Did they come here for us?”
“No, Batman turned us into informants.” Wally said, laughing.
Dick made a face, nose scrunching up. “Informants for what?”
Wally’s voice is filled with amusement, “Missing technology.”
Dick is quiet for a moment. “You mean the tech we already turned into the JL?”
“Right as always, Wonderful.”
Artemis inhales just as Zatanna breaks out in laughter.
“You mean we didn’t even need to come here!?”
Dick laughed loudly, “What, you didn’t want to visit?”
“Not like this, asshole!” Artemis yelled, but she couldn’t fight the grin twisting her lips.
M’gann giggled quietly, Conner smiling in amusement, and Robin grinned cheekily. “B totally planned this,” he said, “I just know it.”
“Never doubt the Bat, Lil’ Wing,” Dick said, shaking his head slightly. "We always get reminded the difficult way."
“He could have just called if he wanted you home,” Wally replied humorously.
“You’re right,” Dick said, laughter in his voice, “You’ve had me out way past curfew, Babe.”