Chapter Text
Ever since the day Dick was adopted, he knew exactly what he wanted to be. His parents had told him all about heroes like Robin Hood and Peter Pan when he was younger, but the day his parents passed he met a very real hero for the first time.
Detective Bruce Wayne.
The worst night of his life was encapsulated by a GCPD jacket and a man who smelt like coffee and expensive cologne. It wasn’t long after that Bruce had submitted formal papers to adopt him. Dick’s life was quickly changed from a poor boy in a circus to a rich boy in a mansion. He still missed his parents every day, but his Dad made it pretty hard to sulk.
Every parent-teacher conference, Bruce would come. He planned every birthday party, gymnastics competition, and didn’t hesitate to act as a chaperone on any school trip even if Dick didn’t always enjoy him being there. He always was there, just like he’d promised. Countless fights with bigoted teachers and reporters didn’t dissuade his dad in the slightest from being completely present in his life.
Now? Well now Dick is 17 and graduated from high school, a year early he would add. Many assumed that he would continue his gymnastic career after all, he was an accomplished olympian already. Being an Olympic gold medalist on the Uneven Bars, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, and All around at age 16 certainly cough the attention of the public. He was Gotham’s golden child and perhaps the only minor at the Olympics who didn’t feel the need to accept any sponsorship deals. Even now it would be easy for him to keep pursuing gymnastics. Most men don’t hit their peak until they’re 28.
But Dick doesn’t want to do that. Dick wants to be a cop.
Bruce, his biggest fan, completely disagreed.
“I just think maybe we should talk about this more carefully Dick.” Bruce pleaded, looking absolutely pained as Dick moved his gymnastics gear to the personal gym and out of his duffle bag.
“No. see cause when you say, ‘talk about this more carefully’ you actually mean talk about this until I say you’re right. I’m joining the academy as soon as I turn 18. You can’t stop me” Dick argued. They had been going at this point ever since Dick’s graduation speech where he announced to all of Gotham that he wanted to join the GCPD.
“Right now I actually can. You’re 17 which means I’m still guardian over you and as your guardian I think it’s important for you to consider what’s in your best interest.” Dick sighed at that and glared at the hulk of a figure standing in his doorway. He hated when Bruce would pull the dad card just to avoid having an actual conversation. “You love gymnastics-”
“Of course I do. Being an acrobat is in my blood Bruce, but that doesn’t mean I’ll do it for my career.”
“The field is dangerous-”
“So is Olympic sports but you didn’t have a problem with that.”
Bruce sighed and ran a hand over his face. “That's different. You’re trained for that and people aren’t trying to shoot you when you’re flipping on the uneven bars.”
Dick laughed, “that’s all you have to say? That it’s ‘different’?” Bruce didn’t seem to see the humor. “The academy would train me too. Do you think I enjoyed waiting for you to come home every day after school not knowing if the sirens in the background were for you or someone else?” the question came out more choked up than he would have preferred but he didn’t let his posture crumple. “I understand that you’re worried, but this is what I want to do. It’s what I think the right thing to do is.”
Bruce stared at him for a while and for just a minute, Dick thought maybe he finally understood.
“You’re doing this to get back at me for the worry?”
He did not.
“Dick I never meant for you to be anxious about those things, but-”
“Oh my God,” Dick muttered grabbing a new backpack from under his bed. He turned around his room and walked to the dresser to begin shoving things into it. Screw his gymnastic gear, he’d take care of it later. “I’ve never thought things through enough ever have I? No answer is going to make you understand.” he spat shoving the last of his jackets in before grabbing his laptop bag.
“Dick, what are you doing?” Bruce questioned sounding more frustrated than he had the right to be. He was the completely unreasonable one here. “Sit down for just a minute, please? I shouldn’t have said that, obviously I’m missing something-”
“Yes you are, now get out of the way” Dick interrupted coming to stand at his effectively blocked bedroom door. Bruce looked down at him with such concern, frustration, and confusion that dick almost stopped to hear him out. “Move Bruce” He never was one to back down from a challenge.
“Where are you going to go?”
“That’s not your business”
“Actually it is. You can’t just leave-”
“I can” Dick argued turning his back to the man to begin plan b. “I knew you would be this way. That you wouldn’t support me. Every time in my life you’ve always been there but not for this. Nto for what matters.” he explained eyeing the window that he thankfully had thought to unlock last night. “I contacted a lawyer. I have the ability to file a strong case for emancipation since I can support myself. I don’t need your permission, Bruce. Your lawyer can talk with my lawyers if that’s how you want this to go.”
He couldn’t turn around. He surely would cave if he saw how hurt Bruce was. Of course, Dick didn’t want to take any legal action against his dad, but he also didn’t want to be treated like a child. He needed a place he could study for entrance exams. “I’m not going to stop. I’m staying at Wally’s” he added gently stepping closer toward the window sill.
“West? The new CSI?” Bruce asked in a dark tone Dick hadn’t heard in a while.
“Yeah.”
“...you’re really going to do this?” Bruce asked and Dick realized it wasn’t a dark tone. It was a scared and sad one. He definitely couldn't look now. He slung his bags over his shoulder and placed his foot on the edge.
“I’ll see ya, dad”
Dick leaped and didn’t look back.
Bruce would understand. Eventually, he would get it and Dick would stand beside him, a hero. After all, sometimes all anyone ever needs is a warm jacket and a hug.