Chapter Text
The hunt for his eldest brother's birthday gift began with the understanding that the perfect gift would be delicate. So, of course, that was exactly what he had found. His quest was for one of the rare vintage posters of The Flying Graysons, one of the many that Father had so far been unable to acquire. Sadly, besides posters for special events, Haly's Circus had no Flying Graysons advertisements. They wouldn't have delved as far back as they did if Mr. Haly's regulations hadn't stipulated that new performers must live in shared caravans for five years. The posters were probably rare because the Flying Graysons were considered new performers. Despite this, he had installed personal filters two years earlier to detect any recently available items from the ten years before Dick's birth, as a precaution.
When a poster of “The Flying Graysons' — Sparrow’s Debut” from June 1990 became available, he jumped at the chance to get a debut poster of Mary Grayson. He had thought that it was Mary Grayson, at least as it was 11 years prior to Dick’s birth. When he received and unrolled the poster however, “Sparrow” was a baby. Dick had never told him about an older sibling. Also, this child would have been 20 when their parents died. Questions filled his head. Why were they not in any other materials? What reason did old man Haly have for not mentioning them? Why did they not take custody of Dick after?
He was not Tim or Barbara, but Damian knew how to research cases, and so he would solve this like a case. Damian dug into everything he could about the Flying Graysons, the Graysons, and Haley’s circus. He did not like what he found. The Graysons died at 45, much older than he had thought they were. The Graysons were 36 when they had Richard. When he was 7, he was introduced as “The Robin.” Why not as a newborn like “Sparrow”.
Finding that they had wed when they were 19 meant there were even more years missing from the collection to search. However knowing this it was fairly easy to track several of the things now he had new parameters. Concurrently with his investigation, this offered the unexpected identification of further rare posters. He dispersed the links to said posters between his other brothers, enabling them to acquire their own gifts. Mary was missing from the posters just over four years after their wedding. 10 months later, the show introduced “Sparrow.” The birth certificate he found showed “Danielle Maira Grayson” was one week old when the poster came out June 28th 1990. This was where it got odd, though.
The Graysons had taken Danielle to the hospital in Star City when she was three weeks old. Upon examination, the doctor found she had a fractured wrist, and Family Services was called. The Graysons had been required to stay for two weeks in Star City before they were let go with Danielle. Family services were called dozens of times by hospitals in the next year, and the Grayson’s cleared of wrong doing for lack of evidence every time. Then nothing.
Danielle would have been 12 and a half months old at the time of last medical report. When she should have been 7, there was no new poster announcing Sparrow was taking flight like there was for Robin on Dick’s seventh birthday. No records of homeschooling. Not even further medical files, and for a child who was in the ER at least once a month, this was suspicious and concerning.
It was as if she never existed after that, other than on a birth certificate and family services or medical reports. Damian, reading about the frequent breaks, the grey sclera, and hyper mobility wondered if she had some form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Had she died? It concerned him that there was no report of her death though, nor was there one of her being surrendered or taken.
He was at a loss for what to do next. Barbra would be emotionally unable to withhold this information from Dick. So, to further his search for Dick’s mystery sibling before presenting the poster necessitated seeking Tim’s help. At noon, he stated he was occupied with a school project and consequently would not be conducting patrols that evening. With Barbra abroad on assignment with the Birds of Prey, and consequently Tim present in the cave handling information and communications, he descended to the cave approximately one hour after the others' departure.
“Timothy,” he called
“Ya, Damian?” Tim responded inattentively.
He delayed his action until Tim's attention was directed toward him, at which point he signed Mute the coms, private, talk please. Frowning, Tim followed his request.
“What’s up, Damian?” The swift transition to a serious demeanor, coupled with more casual words, was appreciated.
"For Richard's birthday, I purchased a poster depicting the Flying Grayson's debuting Sparrow, under the false impression that it was of his mother. Once I had received it, I discovered Sparrow to be his elder sister.” he explained.
“An older sister! Dick’s never mentioned a biological sibling, also why wouldn’t Bruce have taken them both?” Tim asked him.
“Danielle is eleven years Richards senior; consequently, Father could not have adopted her. However, she was capable of obtaining guardianship over Richard. I immediately wondered why she hadn't. However, this is all the information I was able to gather.” He handed Tim the tablet.
Tim immediately started to review his findings. “I think, this was in the early 90’s, she must have been a pre-haven baby.” Tim mumbled.
"What is a pre-haven baby?" he asked for clarification.
“You're familiar with baby boxes. Do you know why they exist?” Tim asked him.
“No, it was never part of my lessons from mother, Richard, or school.” He answered.
“The reason fire stations, police stations, and hospitals have them is that babies and small children were frequently abandoned in less ideal places and would die. Safe haven laws and baby boxes to prevent this. In the early 90’s they wouldn’t have been able to simply surrender her.” Tim lifted his gaze from the tablet, sinking back into the chair with his eyes closed and an air of resignation.
“My preliminary assessment? The infant’s medical issues were costly as well as preventing them from working limiting income. At the same time the multiple calls to DCFS brought scrutiny on them and the Circus and every visit risked them and others being deported as their documents were less then legal. Being pre-safe haven laws surrender would be considered abandonment and therefore a crime as well. They would have taken her to another state or city away from where the circus stopped or somewhere along the route they did not stop and abandoned her there so there was no record of them being near if someone did look.” Tim explained pensively and melancholy.
“Do you think Richard knows about her?” he asked tentatively.
A hollow echo answered his question; the silence that followed felt as vast as the cave itself.
“I don't know.” Tim sighed. “I know Bruce would have done anything to find out if he did, but he had only been Batman for a year when he took in Dick. It’s possible that neither of them do. Dick was nine years old back then. There is no indication of the Graysons acknowledging her. Dick was born eleven years after her, and then another nine years passed before they met their end. He probably didn't know she existed, and still doesn't. If he didn’t know, even a responsible Social Services wouldn’t have known to look for her.” He could see the same weight he felt was settling in Tim's chest from the sorrow that a traumatized nine year old had been so heavily relied upon to find his own caregiver.
Tim continued as he put his elbows on his knees and dropped his head, leaning forward in the chair. “DCFS just put Dick in Juvenile Hall till Bruce put in the paperwork to make Dick his ward. Even then they never went through the full process to vet Bruce for foster care. There were never home visits or any follow up on Dicks care, and he doesn't even have an actual file in the DCFS database.” Tim shook his head but did not lift it. “Bruce may have been able to throw money at it even if it had social consequences, but Batman didn’t have the resources or connections to look for a family, and he likely would have assumed they had already looked for a family before just giving Dick to him seeing as he had to wait till all his own family had refused taking him in before Alfred was allowed to.” Tim shook his head dejected.
“What do you want from me, Damian? Do you want me to give you access and tips on searching other databases to find her? Do you want me to go looking? I'm sure you came to me, not Babs, because she’s Dick’s Fiancé and wouldn’t be able to keep this from him. So it is your case, what do you think we do next?” Tim looked up and met his eyes.
There was no arrogance, no test, no scrutiny in his eyes. This was Tim's unwavering determination, like a team member looking to their leader. Completely trusting and waiting for directions. He tried to ignore the way it made him want to puff his chest in pride, his brother respected him and the way their relationship had healed since his disaster of a first meeting, and reassured him he was doing the right thing.
“I would appreciate your help and expertise in searching for her and attempting to discover any relevant details, even if the outcome is limited to supplying him with leads we can follow as the Waynes and the Bats.” He stated.
“Okay, let’s get started. I'm going to open a classified file and run Dick's DNA through every database in the USA, including Justice League International. If there’s a match anywhere, we will find it. I’ll label it Birthday research, so no one will look at it and risk ruining whatever our plan may be. We’re also going to run all six names just in case. They may have left a note signed with one of their names or hers.”
“Six names?” he questioned, cutting Tim off.
“Yes Grayson as well as Mary’s maiden name. Any note will be logged in a discovered child’s case file. I’m also going to run all the same in the American Osteogenesis Imperfecta type O1 database. All the medical notes make it look like a possible diagnosis. Even if she didn’t get a diagnosis under the Grayson’s or the systems care, she may have gotten one later on her own.”
They proceeded to compile all the notes and evidence and analyze the available data and leads in anticipation of potential findings. Remarkably, a successful genetic match was made within an hour through a common genealogical research site.
“Estelle Bernadette Parsavant, born in Raleigh, NC, on March 19th, 2020. The Spring solstice.” he said in wonder.
“22% match. Well within parameters for a niece.19 years and one day after Richard.” Tim's bafflement mirroring his own.
Attached was a submitted tree without DNA profiles. An older brother whose information shocked them even more. Jaydan Dante Parsavant, born in Amity Park, IL, on December 21st, 2005. The Winter solstice. Sure enough, above both listed as mother, there was Danielle. Well, it seemed it was Daniel Jackson Nightingale now, their preferred address likely a variation of Father. Born on January 17th, 1990.
“It says Estimated birth date, as well as that Daniel was abandoned at the Fuller Park Free Clinic Chicago, Illinois. Summer of 1991. But Daniel’s birthdate is in June not January of 1990. This estimates him at 18 months instead of 13.” he asked, puzzled.
“For the most part, they guess the age of abandoned babies and little kids based on their motor skills, cognition, or speech. Daniel was likely advanced in one of them.” Tim detailed.
This data, however, opened an entire world of additional information to them. Damian began assembling a profile to enter the family data accurately on the genealogy website, intending to contact them privately. While Tim established social media, record, and name scrubbers to gather all available information on them. This way they could create files and present them to Dick properly, alongside the poster. Having as many answers as possible was important; they knew some of them would be impossible to find without speaking to somebody who knew the nightingale's, however. They took three days to gather and put everything together as much as they could and make a clear plan for contact and what to do if it went well or poorly.
The first step was Damian sending a message to Jaydan. Daniel was likely to react poorly to being suddenly accosted with the revelation of a sibling. It would possibly be a red flag to her parents were they to contact Estelle, as she was only 14, even she was the DNA match and it said she was open to messages and contact. Jaydan was an adult, and a step removed, likely to be the most levelheaded about the situation. He spent nearly an hour trying to craft the perfect opening message that would be professional and perfectly clear.
DAGW: Hello, my name is Damian Wayne. My now second eldest brother, your uncle’s 33rd birthday is approaching, and a surprising development regarding his birthday gift has resulted in my locating your family via your birth giver. Upon becoming orphaned at nine years old, my brother, due to his parents' nomadic existence, we believe had no knowledge of any relatives. Leading to us only discovering your birth giver through the circus poster that announced their birth 13 months before their abandonment. I have not yet informed my brother of our success in finding you, and I have several questions I require you or your birth giver to answer. I expect a response promptly.
Despite the message being read within minutes of being received, a full day elapsed and he and Tim were worrying, there was not a lot of time left before dick’s birthday and if they were to meet, it could take some time, as well as getting any answer they could to add to the gift presentation. Of course, no plan survives contact, even in civilian life apparently. However, they had not anticipated it going this wrong. The reply they received was not a return message, not from Jaydan or Daniel, and had not been sent to himself or Father but to Dick.
It was Friday evening when the message was sent, and no response had come. Post Sunday brunch, as he and Tim were trying to relax with others in the manor garden for the evening, Dick stormed down the path. His hair was a tangled disaster, clearly from frantic fingers running through and pulling it, tear streaks marked his face, which was flushed red across his cheeks and the tip of his nose, his lips bitten, yet his eyes burned with anger, instead of sadness or joy. The air grew heavy as everyone had immediately stoped what they were doing and took in there most calm and relaxed sibling. A prickling sensation saturating the air now that there was a critical issue.
Jason and Father quickly jumped to their feet, running to Dick eager to know what was wrong and help.
“What’s wrong, chum! What happened!” father rushed to Dick in a panic.
“Damian. What the hell. Is this.” Dick choked out. Holding out printed pages. Jason hurriedly took them gently from Dick’s grasp as Father pulled Dick into a hug, where he immediately started to sob into their father’s shoulder.
Barbara, with her arms crossed and a scowl that nearly made him flinch, followed, pushed by the most furious Alfred, into the garden next. As Jason started to read the papers aloud.
“Dear Richard John Grayson-Wayne,
Please accept our apologies for any shock or distress this email may cause; however, it is imperative to not only my family's safety but yours as well that you are made aware. It was brought to my attention Saturday morning by my son that your DNA has been taken and shared with at least one genealogy site without your knowledge. Your youngest brother, Damian’s message to my son contains personal information against the genealogy site's permissions. As well as is suspicious in how it may have been acquired. Most concerning is the message being sent to my son, not through the site messenger, or his site associated email but his personal one. This presents a grave security risk to my family. Henceforth, should you wish to communicate with any member of my family, all correspondence must be directed through me, through this specific email address. Your brother's actions have caused considerable emotional distress to my family. I shall respond only to inquiries that I deem appropriate, and only in my own or my husband's time.
Please inform your brothers that communication from your siblings is not welcome currently, specifically if directed at our children. Provided that my understanding of the message’s aim is correct. His investigation was undertaken in consideration of your birthday and when it revealed an unexpected biological connection he wanted to present you with not only the poster in question but also with my husband, Danny. As well meaning as this may have been, the message was taken as ‘I found out there was a dirty secret in the family, and did illegal things to find you. I intend to assimilate you into our family to rectify this with no care for your family’s or my brother’s feelings. You all will comply with my desires or else.’ please be aware the only reason we have not gone to police to lay formal charges for breach of personal security as well as whatever the government would against him for hacking their database is because my husband says it would leave bad first impression. I have attached a screenshot of the message he sent.
-Tucker Parsavant
DAGW: Hello, my name is Damian Wayne. My now second eldest brother, your uncle’s 33rd birthday is approaching, and a surprising development regarding his birthday gift has resulted in my locating your family via your birth giver. Upon becoming orphaned at nine years old, my brother, due to his parents' nomadic existence, we believe had no knowledge of any relatives. Leading to us only discovering your birth giver through the circus poster that announced their birth 13 months before their abandonment. I have not yet informed my brother of our success in finding you, and I have several questions I require you or your birth giver to answer. I expect a response promptly.
A look of profound shock and distress was evident on the faces of everyone present in the room. Damian was overcome with a feeling resembling being punched in the solar plexus by one of Bane’s goons. It was not his intention to cause any form of distress to his new brothers, as well as niece and nephew. He just wanted to make Dick happy. Finding a biological family to love and who loved him would do that.
“Dames, now ya’ gotta' come clean. What’s goin’ on here.” Jason asked, deceptively calm.
“I was going to wait till this evening so we could look for more information however it seems to have fallen into our laps. I feel now is a good time to mention we got a visit this morning from federal officers. They left a warning that we may face federal charges if anyone leaks any information whatsoever about the Parsavant’s in any way as the family are Diplomatic Protected Persons.” Alfred informed them.
Damian and Tim looked at each other and swallowed nervously.
“Let’s go to the cave,” he dropped his head as he walked towards the office, not letting them see the tear that slipped from his own eye.
“Approximately three weeks ago, I was alerted to a suitable birthday gift for Richard. In an extreme stroke of luck the search parameters I had implemented two years ago had identified a listing from a distinguished circus memorabilia collector for a poster advertising "The Flying Graysons-Sparrow's Debut," which I quickly purchased. However, upon its arrival, I discovered Sparrow was not Richard's mother but was, in reality, a baby.” As he finished speaking, he clicked the button to show the poster. On the screen was now a blown-up image of an old fabric circus poster that was titled “The Flying Graysons - Sparrow’s Debut” and sitting on a trapeze were Dick’s mother and father proudly looking to the camera holding a small bundle in the families signature traffic light colours that were now adopted by the legacy of Robin and a pink bow.
“I managed to obtain the birth record of the Grayson’s first SON, a collection of hospital records, and DCFS investigative reports. Upon failing to locate further documentation, I fabricated an excuse to be relieved of patrol duties and sought assistance from Timothy. A match to Estelle, who had input the information to Jaydan, and Daniel Parsavant was identified within an hour of processing Richard's DNA.” He took a deep breath as he tried to focus and slowly lifted his head to see his family's reactions.
Dick's eyebrows had shot up, his eyes flickering between disbelief and familiar gloom. His face dominated by frustration, still but softer than the anger he had felt before. Jason, Cass, Steph, and Duke exchanged wide-eyed glances, their jaws collectively dropping at the spectacle. A sudden, almost imperceptible tremor ran through his father's jaw, a familiar tick that told of weary resignation and self chastisement for his perceived failure to his children, one that was like now; often undeserved. Dick appeared to sense it too, moving to Father's side and placing a comforting hand on his arm.
“Bruce, Dad. There was no way you could have found someone you had no idea to look for. She’s 11 years older and we both know if DCFS was involved with medical records she was likely taken with or without proper cause. It doesn't explain why old man Haly never said anything, but again it’s not your fault.” Dick tried to reassure father.
“Unfortunately, we have an answer to that, and your a little wrong.” Tim spoke slowly.
“Timmy?” Dick pleaded.
“They were bringing him to the hospital with broken bones and respiratory issues at least once a month. The records show issues with growth, bone deformity, muscle weakness, stunted growth, and grey sclera. He looks like an extremely neglected child medically. Daniel was found at a free clinic in Chicago at 13 months old. I doubt they would have told their young child of the one they surrendered.”
Before anyone else could speak, Steph let out an impromptu remark. “Were they really so old fashioned they put a boy in pink? Like I know they called Richard Dick but I thought that was just a family traditions thing. People woulda’ thought Daniel was a girl.”
“An assumption HE suffered for.” Tim narrowed his eyes at her as he corrected her firmly. Making the group in the cave still as all their eyes widened for a moment till they blinked and moved on from the implication, Stephanie’s cheeks now red.
“Old man Haly would have been glad to be rid of a burden on the troupe and distraction to his top performers.” Dick sighed deeply.
A heavy silence pressed in on them all, each second amplifying the ache in his chest until he could no longer stand it.
“We used their names to gather everything we could. Then, once it was all together, I sent the message. I wanted to be clear I wasn’t Richard, but was trying to do something for him and hoped for some answers for when I told him.” Damian felt guilty he hadn’t thought of them being so upset they basically told them to go away before they even spoke.
“I see what you were trying but, Dami, I wish I’d been involved or even Babs had been made aware to try to set this up better. Or even had Tim proof read. I know you only meant the best, I know you felt you were being clear but the message just didn't come across quite right. Now. Now I have a-a brother and a niece and nephew and they-they want nothing to do with me…. I don’t know what to do.”
“You could always have the league step in. someone being an intermediary.” Duke chimed in.
“Not without risking risking federal charges for breach of the Vienna convention Master Duke.” Alfred reprimanded.
“Surprised they didn’t figure out what country the Parsavant’s work for.” Duke muttered under his breath.
“ Spectre CEO, and Ambassadors for the infinite realms. It’s never been clarified which of the couple is dead, but Danny Parsavant is the only one with a Job.” Jason answered distractedly, making the entire room still as if someone had pressed the stop button on time.
“No. Not going to even thing about that right now little wing! No, this meeting needs to be authentic as two civilians. They responded as civilians not political ambassadors. I'm gonna invite them to meet up on neutral ground, Happy Harbor by Mount Justice. It’ll be public, open, and neither of us has connections the other knows of there.” Dick said.
“Come on Dick, let’s write that email.” Babs finally spoke, the whoosh of the elevator door opening behind her.
After leaving the cave, they congregated in the library. Alfred had already switched the room's furniture; the study table pushed against the wall, folded up and chairs stored inside in favor of the overstuffed and well loved couches normally stored across the hall, armchairs of course still in their places. Everyone settled into their preferred spots, but he paused before taking a seat. Though he typically sat on the floor between Dick's legs, allowing him to lay his head against his big brother's knee, he was the one who made this mess. The apprehension vanished promptly as he called him closer and eased his shoulder down to rest on the floor by his legs.
The rest of the night, Dick was glued to his laptop as they spent hours listening and offering help when they could. After a few hours of perfecting his response to Mr. Parsavant, they sent it and quickly had gotten a response. After the ensuing flurry of emails, they had arranged to meet at a cafe in Happy Harbor in two weeks, equipped with all their knowledge on Mary and John Grayson, as well as Daniel's first year. Likely the Parsavants would have plenty by that time, now knowing Dick Grayson-Wayne was their other child, but it was all they had to offer Daniel. Dick had refused to read the dossier unless something was easily found public information. He wanted to meet his older brother for the first time in the right way with only basic civilian knowledge.