Chapter Text
Dick Grayson, better known as Robin, is a coward. At least that is what he tells himself as he rushes across rooftops. His body is covered in wounds from earlier in the day, but they don't seem to matter as much as creating distance. After being forced against his will to become a mercenary apprentice for four months, one would anticipate that Robin would fly back to Titans Tower and eagerly greet his friends upon his release with some grandiose account of his escape. No, if it were so straightforward, Robin would not be running away with his tail tucked between his legs like a coward.
There was red-hot shame settling in the pits of his stomach. How can he ever face his team after the things he's done working as Slade Wilson's apprentice? How can he walk back into the tower and be expected to be trusted with the role of leader when he had been so stupid to let his guard down and be manipulated by someone like Slade? A part of Dick Grayson, the logical part, knew that his friends would probably be more relieved by the fact that he was alive and well rather than turning him away for what he may have potentially done. That logical part of Robin, of Dick, seemed to fly out the window when he managed to escape. As soon as he was released from Slade's hold, he ran as hard as he could until his legs gave out, propelled only by adrenaline and the will to live. He always forced himself back up, and despite having sore legs and arms from the rigorous training he had received while staying with Slade, Robin always got back up and kept going.
It wasn't until a few days after his escape that he truly came to his senses. He had been train-surfing somewhere. Where was he going again? Dick couldn't quite remember, for a while, it was like his body and mind seemed to be disconnected from each other. His body moved like it wasn't part of him while his mind wandered off. The night became day and day became night. To Dick, it was all the same for a while. The constant ache of his limbs was the only reminder that he is not completely gone from his mind.
Dick sat up, his back resting against the dirty crate that was hauled into one of the train's compartments. When he received the coded message from Cyborg, he had already been held captive for three months. When the transmission said that there were no longer any nanobots in any Titan's bloodstream, it had been nothing more than pure relief. There was for a moment something so sweet and refreshing that seeped into Dicks whole being. The taste and want for freedom have never been so closely embroidered in Robin's heart. For just a moment all Robin could only think about how his torturous ordeal will be over soon. Foolish, he thought back now about it. He should have known that Slade would not let him leave so soon. No matter what Robin tried Slade seemed to be one step ahead and yet here he was on a train headed who knows where.
All thoughts came to a brief stop as the loud screeching of the train's gears filled his ears. Guess this was his stop. With some effort, Dick got up despite the pain that flashed through his body. He assessed himself for a moment. Ragged and dirty civilian clothes with some dried days old blood. Dull ache all over his body especially his back as if someone was using it as a punching bag, not surprising seeing as Slade's form of training consisted of learning from experience. That experience came in the form of continuous combat until either Slade was defeated or Dick collapsed from exhaustion. He didn’t want to think about it much longer and instead opted to silently open the train doors and flee before he was spotted by a security guard. There were no injuries that required emergency attention at the time, or at least none that he could treat given that he lacked medical supplies, so he silently took his leave.
Dick didn't know where he was going but his best bet was the city. He didn't know how long he was on that train, hell he didn't even remember getting on that train, but it certainly took him farther than he expected when what he saw was a sign stating that Metropolis was only a couple miles away.
Metropolis was in New York meaning he must have been on that train for at least three days. Has it been that long since he escaped? Three days maybe four. Dick tried to remember getting on that train but all he could come up with were memories of him being out of breath presumably from running. He wasn't in his Renegade uniform and he certainly wasn't in his Robin attire. What Dick did have was a loose shirt, baggy jeans, and an old zip-up sweater. He hoped he stole this from a trash can rather than a person, he certainly smelled like a trashcan. With what Slade had made him do for the last few months stealing a couple of civilian clothes wasn’t that bad. Anymore thinking about how he got so far from Titans Tower that's in Jump City only led to a headache.
Huh…Loss of time can indicate a concussion or head injury, but his head felt fine, well no more injured than usual. That didn't matter now. If Metropolis was miles away then he needed to start walking before sundown. Dick pulled up his hoody, glad the oversized sweater meant the hood covered his face. Spending all his time with the Titans meant that Dick Grayson needed an excuse for not being in the public eye for so long. Boarding School in another country had been what Bruce had publicly announced to not arouse suspicion when Dick Grayson no longer appeared by his side. The last thing Robin needed was someone snapping his photo and it getting back to Batman.
Part of himself felt guilty that while his mind wandered and his body moved of its own volition that it had taken him to Metropolis, not Gotham. It had taken him to the home of Superman, not Batman. It had taken him to his Uncle Clark, not his…No, Bruce is not his dad. He had a Dad and Bruce wasn't him. He made that clear when he kicked Dick Grayson out of his manor and tried to strip him of his title of Robin. Bruce had no right to take something as precious as Robin from him. That had been one of the driving factors in leaving to go to Jump City which was across the country. If he couldn't be Robin in Gotham then he could be Robin somewhere else.
Dick put one foot in front of the other and set off at a steady pace. He didn't need Bruce because Bruce didn't need him. If anything going to Superman after he escaped was natural considering this wasn't the first time Robin had come to him. There had been many times when Robin and Batman had had a fight and he went to stay at Clark's place for the night or even a few days after. Despite never telling Bruce where he'd been all night after their fights he undeniably must have known. There was no way that Superman, a close friend of Batman, would not inform him of his whereabouts if he had been missing for days.
There had been a time after he and Bruce had fought that instead of going to Clark's, Dick decided to spend time near the local woods by the Manor. Up high in the trees, he rested his body next to a tree up high and fell asleep. Robin...No, scratch that...Dick Grayson had always felt the most at home when he was high up, where he could feel the breeze hit his face and for a moment imagine he was flying. Maybe that's why he gravitated toward Clark and Superman in the first place. Some of the fondest memories Robin could think of Clark were of him taking Dick for a flight in the sky when he was younger. It had been a while since he had seen Clark let alone fly with him. Yet, despite Superman being a comfort, Robin decided to spend some time alone up high in the trees that night.
With the soft breeze gently blowing against his skin and the silence around him it didn't take long for Robin to fall asleep up on top of the tree. He remembers jerking awake to the sensation of falling and before he could react he hit the ground with a loud smack. He must have been only 10 when it happened and he attributes what happened next to his childish need for comfort taking over. Robin's pain set in and before he knew it and he was calling out for Bruce, for his Dad, for his Mom. He didn't know how long he stayed there curled up in a fetal position in pain. Hot fat tears streamed down his face and he could hear something so akin to a small animal screeching out in pain, he would not realize later that it was his own scream. Something warm and comforting carried him back to the manor in bridal position. So delirious from the pain and his voice scratchy from screaming his lungs out, his small body gave into his exhaustion and leaned into the warmth of someone carrying him. He fell asleep to a heartbeat. A heartbeat that sounded just a bit too fast to be considered calm. The familiarity was not lost on him. He had known this heartbeat and felt so safe and warm, Robin was ashamed that the words "Tati" fell out of his mouth. Something that he had only previously called his father.
Later when Robin did wake up he had a cast on his foot and his ribs bandaged. He had gotten a thorough scolding from Alfred and Bruce asking what he was thinking running off and how worried Bruce was when he learned he wasn't at Clark's or Barbara's place. Robin had been so ashamed at the fact that he may have called and thought of Bruce as his Dad that he didn't think back on how Bruce may have known he'd gone to Clark's apartment despite never telling him that's where he goes after a particularly explosive fight with him.
This was what made Robin hesitant in going to Clark's place. Yes, it would allow him to reestablish himself and get back on track with getting better clothes and medical treatment but it would mean Clark would tell Bruce of his condition despite his wishes. If he went to Clark he would be safe from Slade but it would put him on the direct path to Batman, someone he did not want to see.
He could try to hitch a ride to Gotham and see if Leslie could treat him at one of her clinics but there's no guarantee that Batman wouldn't see him or for that matter any person from Gotham who would instantly recognize him. If he could make it to Gotham and Leslie without being seen, he could be treated medically and could be able to make a plan on where to go afterward. He couldn't go back to Jump City right now. Robin needed time. Time away from the people he hurt and betrayed and away from Slade.
Dicks inner turmoil seemed to be interrupted as he stepped into the city passing the Welcome to Metropolis sign. The sun was already setting and he would need to find somewhere to sleep for the night. First, he needed shelter then he would worry about where to go. Robin pulled his hoodie more down and weaved through the empty street. Not many people seemed to be out during the night in Metropolis, but Dick still kept his guard up. He kept his gaze low on the ground and made sure not to look up for fear that someone might recognize him. Dick Grayson may be more well-known in Gotham but he was still considered a celebrity.
He should have known that something would go wrong despite doing everything right and keeping a low profile. Yes, despite taking precautionary measures the moment he was deep inside Metropolis City trying to find some sort of semblance of shelter before total nightfall, Dick felt a hand on the back of his shoulder. He made no effort to move. The hand rested still and all was silent. Even while injured Robin would not go down without a fight. Slowly Robin got into a fighting position ready to turn to swing his leg fast onto the person's stomach, but just as he started moving he heard a familiar voice.
"Dick is that you?"
Clark's voice rang in his head. His heart rate picked up ever so slightly in panic but if he had a chance to escape then he'll take it.
"Wrong person," He said with a scratchy voice pulling his hood down.
The hand dropped from his shoulder and after a pregnant pause, Dick moved forward and started to walk straight without looking back. A hand quickly grabbed his wrist with the intent to stop him but instead, it shot striking pain up his arm. An alarmed yelp flew out of his mouth but the hand grabbing him didn't let go.
"Dick, I heard your heartbeat the moment you entered Metropolis but when you didn't come to me I got worried something may have held you up. Clearly something is wrong. Please don't make me use my x-ray vision to check on you."
Dick stood still, he didn't dare look up. What could he say to get Clark off his back? Nothing. Nothing he could ever say could let the blue boy scout off his back without him alerting Batman of his worries. If he says he's undercover he'll go to Batman to ask questions and Batman in turn would go to the Titans. He could still try.
"I—I'm undercover. Batman nor the Titans know."
"Your undercover in Metropolis? Dick, I can tell when you lie to me. What's wrong?" Clark says gently taking his hands off Dick.
A sharp intake of his breath indicates that something is wrong. Dick slowly turns around to see Clark Kent in all his glory looking down at his hand. Slight blood prickled Clark's hand.
"Your wrist it's bleeding. Dick, you need to—" Before Clark could finish his sentence Dick ran.
He knew running would be fruitless in getting away from someone who can break the sound barrier but if he could get away from Slade then he could get away from Superman.