Chapter Text
That morning, everything had been fine. Things were a little tense, but nothing could go wrong. The circus was sure-footed and confident like that, no matter what happened they would always stride through- chests puffed like little birds. Her little Grayson was growing more like that everyday, a little Robin bouncing around with endless energy. Those little red breasted birds always had a habit of showing off, just like her little one.
He was such a sweet boy, all bright and shining. Mary and John often discussed how they were sure their little boy would be the greatest flying Grayson yet. Everyone in the circus was so proud of him.
She remembers, Dick being just a little boy when he started gymnastics. You teach kids when they are young because they don't quite have that fear of falling yet, also it was near impossible to keep him away from their lifestyle. He had been so ecstatic as well, to join the show as soon as he could. Mary had put her foot down at that one, not allowing him to join them officially on the trapeze until he was about 6.
Even before that, her firecracker of a son was constantly engaged in his surroundings. Always lending a hand to the various acts of the circus. In particular, he was quite fond of the elephant Zitka. They had a close bond, a friendship. Oftentimes, John would catch Dick taking a nap in the enclosure, or sometimes reading her a book one of the other circus members loaned him.
The circus was good for Dick, it was a part of him. Just like it was a part of Mary, and now a part of John.
Mary always loved the energy before a show, the adrenaline rushing over her. She was a bit of a risk taker because of that but her line of work allowed that guilty pleasure. John is all suited up and ready but Dick seems to be hesitating. He emerged from behind the curtain, all dressed up in the costume she hand sewed for him.
It was red, green and yellow. Reminiscent of a robin. Mary's mother had been a painter and traveled with the circus, seeing all sorts of different robins. The Eastern Yellow robin, yellow-breasted instead of red. The Green-backed Robin, with a bright lime green and browns. Of course, the American Robin- Red-breasted with steel gray feathers. When she painted birds her robins were always a kaleidoscope of reds, greens and yellows.
Mary pulls her boy in for a hug, "You look darling, my little robin."
Her son groans in embarrassment, but Mary knows her boy well enough to find it a cheap ploy to hide his pride at his mother's love. She pinches his cheek and gives him a little peck on his forehead as she stands tall.
John pats his son on the back, "Ready, little D?"
Dick grabs at the fabric of his leotard, suddenly all nerves.
"I’m…," He pauses. "I'm worried something bad is going to happen. "
Mary noticed that sometimes he struggled with speaking up about what was on his mind so she didn't want to dismiss his opinion. She had been a little worried too, when that man came in- threatening Mr. Haly and picking a fight with John. Dick had even gotten up in that awful man's space, telling him to go away.
She didn't know what braveness possessed her boy to do that, didn't know he was brave beyond defying gravity. She almost wishes he wasn't because braveness like that got you killed, if John's brother is anything to go off of. Before she knew it she was pulling Dick away from that man by his shoulders and saw- she saw that awful poison he was glaring into her son.
Her fears, and she hopes Dick’s, are dismissed when John picks him up and swings him around, "Chin up Lil man! There's nothing to be scared of. Your old man has you covered."
Dick can't control his laughter and it's a melodic little thing, like the fluttering of wings. John walks over to Mary to give her a little kiss. Her little boy flushes with indignation.
"Dad," He whined a bit, wiggling to escape, "if you're gonna kiss Mamă, at least put me down first!"
John was always a bit of a jokester, he readjusted his hold on his son and, "Sorry, I didn't catch that. What did you say?"
"Daaaaaaad,"
And finally he was put down, John conceding.
Soon after, they were called front and center. Mary rolled her shoulders back and took a deep breath. John placed a comforting hand on the small of her back and they shared a soft look. They walked towards the tunnel that led to the main ‘stage’ where their trapeze was set up.
Dick slows a bit, catching the eye of someone in the crowd before quickly looking back at his parents.
"He's here."
Mary's lip tightens but she doesn't want to feed into her son's worry and paranoia. "It's all right, Dick."
John also stiffens but relaxes at his wife's words.
"We’re on."
They climb the rails together, all going up while the Lion tamer finishes up his act.
"And next up," The voice of Haly bellows, "the infamous Flying Graysons! Watch them do their daring performance…" He pauses for dramatic effect, "With No. I repeat No! Safety net."
And that's John's clue to pull the bar and leap, performing some minor aerial tricks. They'll pull out the more impressive moves once Mary joins him in flight and up that further when Dick is with them. John is swinging towards her and she flies to reach his hands. There is no one she trusts more in this world.
She is flying towards Dick when she sees the scared look on her son's face- glancing up towards the rigging of the wires and ropes.
The bolts are missing.
Oh, God. The bolts are missing.
"Dick," she brokenly calls out. She should've listened to his worries.
The last thing she sees as she falls is her son's horrified expression, tears streaking down his face.
She hopes he isn't afraid of falling.