Chapter Text
After getting fired by Batman and kicked out by Bruce, Dick didn’t go to the Titans or Clark. He didn’t find Babs or hide at the watchtower. He stole a car. It's the car Bruce gave him for his 16th birthday but he assumed Bruce would reclaim it. Just like he reclaimed Dick's home, mantle, and family.
He drove, stopping for gas in the dead of night at shady gas stations where no one gave a second look at a kid in dark clothes, injured, with an expensive car. They barely blink when he buys a large pocket knife, all the medical supplies, and a pack of gummy bears in the same transaction. They didn’t care when he popped the hood, pulled a device and crushed it under his shoe. He made sure to run the tracker over on his way out.
Dick dug the tracker out of his arm in a parking lot between a McDonalds and a Motel 8. He flicked it out the window while pulling back onto the interstate, a hashbrown in the other hand. The one from his thigh was dropped the next state over, tossed in the trash with the wrapper to a chicken sandwich.
He pulled up to the Kent Farm twelve days after leaving Gotham. He wouldn’t call it running away because he was told to leave. Martha Kent was out front when he pulled up. Her smile dropped to a concerned frown the moment between recognizing him and actually seeing him.
She pulled open his door before he could even turn the car off. She calls for her husband, voice muffled and faraway. Dick blinks, wondering how long it’s been like that. A hand on his shoulder pulls him back, voices slam into him all at once.
Martha Kent helped him from the car as Jonathan Kent comes around the house two of his farm hands trailing close.
The Kents hustled him inside. Dick tossed out an apology for showing up unannounced. Ma shushed him, reassuring that he's always welcome. Pa added that when he's cleaned up Dick can meet the whole crew.
He makes them promise to not call Clark or Bruce, the desperation has the couple agreeing to wait until Dick had the chance to explain. Pa reluctantly went back out to deal with the farm. Ma heads up to make up Clarks old room. She comes back to Dick asleep on the couch.
Dick agrees to call Clark after a long sleep and a shower. He made them promise not to freak out before explaining anything. Clark nearly blew out the side of the house in anger. All three Kent's were ready to take on Gotham when Dick reminded them of their promise.
Dick was a minor. Technically, if he wasn't under the care of Bruce it means he is a ward of the state. It means he would go back in the system, and last time he went to juvie. He couldn't take the chance with CPS. Dick would rather run and live on the street.
Dick ends up staying four months at the farm. He heals, and even works the field. He eventually moved on to stay with the Titans.
Bruce’s reputation with all three Kents never fully recovered.