Work Text:
pov
I.
The first time his mind allowed the situation to fully reach him; not shielding Duke in any way happened an early morning in the batcave.
Duke couldn't fall back asleep wherefore he strolled down to work on some cases. Typing away, he browsed through files, warrants, surveillance logs and anything else that could help solve the case he was currently working on.
It wasnt long after he'd entered the cave, that he heard engines growing louder. A familiar growl echoing through the grim cavern.
'They're back' thought Duke.
It wasn't often that he encountered the night shift after they'd freshly returned. Most mornings were spend in the comfortable quiet with Alfred while Duke helped him prepare breakfast.
It was a routine they had built, in which the silence would comfortably stretch on or be filled with low murmur as they discussed anything under the sun.— the fact that they came back particularly late meant something happened.
The way Jason clenched his side wasnt normal. And Bruce hovering over him really just confirmed his suspicions.
Eventually though, Bruce left the motherhenning to Dick and went to inform Alfred on something Duke couldn't quite catch. He shrugged it off categorizing it as unimportant before sweeping the room with his eyes. Most of his pseudo siblings were already gone, probably on their way to bed. The only ones left besides him were a very much injured Jason (who kept insisting he was alright), Dick, and Stephanie lounging on the caves couch.
Dick hovered over Jason, escorting him to the medbay. It was a habit he often fell into when one of them was hurt. A gesture that showed genuine concer. Yet Jason Todd, honest to god, 6'1, 220 pounds truck of a man, looked ready to throw a temper tantrum.
Duke grinned. 'That would be funny asf' That thought may've been morally ambiguous but so was his daytime routine. So, Duke shrugged it off to be amusing enough, to wash away any lasting guilt.
" I'ont need yo' hovering Dickwing"
Jason didn't want to be coddled and Dick could respect that.
"I know, little wing"
"Great, cause I need'cha to leave" was spat out. Nevertheless, Dick closed the gap between them and placed a hand on his shoulder. It was reassuringly firm, yet loose enough for Jason to shake it off if he wished to.
"Please let me help— with anything, really! Im just worried okay?" He finally exhaled.—
Okay, eavesdropping may not be the best course of action, but Duke kinda, definitely, wanted to know how their conversation would play out. Besides, they were shouting in the batcave, which —thinking about it— was quite the common occurrence. Either way, technically speaking, Duke wasn't eavesdropping. He simply overheard the conversation.
"Geez take a hint Dickface. I don’t fucking want you here"
Duke wiped the grin of his face.
Observing Dick, Duke notes the way his expression tightens. Even if just for a moment, Richards mouth flattened as hurt replaces the concern behind his eyes.
" 'ight, I get that" Dick smiled as his grin spread synthetically. Oblivious to just how deep that sentence went, Steph and Jason remained indifferent. "Am gonna leave". Dick said snapping out of the trance while ruffling Jason's hair. He lingered a bit longer than he intended, not meeting Jasons eyes before walking out of the medbay.
Duke on the other hand turned back to the computer, attempting to go back to his case files. Yet he couldn't. Something heavy settled in his abdomen. The way Richard immediately masked his true feelings with a smile that looked almost undoubtedly real, unsettled him.
It may have not been the smile itself but the intentions behind that grin seemed as cold as a frozen lake. The outside appearing sturdy enough to carry the weight of a thousand scares. Yet those same scares turned into dints and creaks that shattered the layer, protecting the inside while he slowly collapsed into himself.
Needless to say, Dicks grin made him uncomfortable.
"Hey sunbird" Duke shrieked. 'When did he...?'' As if he could read minds, Dick answered "Just got over here" and gave a smile.
"You're up early, even for you" tried Grayson, painfully casual. As if Duke hadn't just witnessed the exchange first hand. As if he hadn't been the one who catched the way Dicks brows knitted together as his face flashed the expression of someone deeply hurt.
"Couldn't sleep"
Dick hummed.
---
Duke felt sick to his stomach.
It was Dick Grayson. His older brother. The cheerful backbone of the hero community. Adored by most and renowned by all. He was the one person that could light any room with his beaming smile and those encouraging words. To others he seemed like this generation’s Icarus. Not because he inspired them with any mythic heroism, but because he always reached higher, always chased the light, always made you believe he could fly.
But just like Icarus, what failed was not the boy beneath the wings. It was the thing he strapped on to survive.
It was his mask that melted.
Duke couldn't pinpoint when exactly he started to notice it. The way Dicks sly remarks would sound just a little too sweet. A little to rehearsed.
It might have always been there, circling at the back of every interaction, while Duke subconsciously burried it deep beneath his mind, not wanting to shatter that perfect illusion of an untouchable hero everyone believed Dick to be.
Maybe it was morally wrong but Duke wanted to believe him. Believe that carefully constructed mask of deception that everyone so dearly adored.
That helped Dick thrive in their line of work, as he beamed into every fight.
He didn't understand, why him. But everytime Duke looked at Grayson he saw the cracks.
He saw the way his smile never completely reached his eyes. He heard the way his laugh boomed without the sincerity of legitimate amusement. Dicks laugh was as sweet as sugar filled with tiny dull stones of politeness instead of genuine entertainment.
It was a show. And Dick Grayson acted his part to near perfection. If Duke hadn't noticed, he'd even admit that Dicks execution was flawless.
II.
Duke’s second glimpse into Dick’s unfiltered expression came after one particular taxing mission.
There had been another alien invasion and the JLA with the help of other heroes had managed to prevail. It was a hard-fought victory that had them split into two major groups. One to take out the enemies base in space. While the other fought against their invaders in star city as that is were the initiated attack took place.
With Duke on the latter team he found himself fending of the encroachers. Eventually though, they emerged as Victors, destroying their enemies like wildfire devouring a dry forest. Yet just like an all-consuming inferno, their triumph had not come for free, as it left the collateral damage of several life's lost and the gain of bruises to deep to speak of acquired.
As everyone spread across the field, trying to recover, Nightwing informed most-if-not all the available heroes and vigilantes about a meeting that would soon take place. Nightwing held it light, letting the heroes gather in an oval like shape, to rest while seated. Even so the meeting was vital as they discussed how to proceed, which is why he kept the tone professional.
The core members of the JLA aswell as Constantine were still off-world, which is why Nightwing took the initiative to do something.
It was during these times that the younger generation got to see him as the leader they had all come to respect.
"Now why should we listen to ya?"
Duke, as many others, turned towards the snarl.
Merlin. A minor hero, recently recognized by the JLA for the work he's been providing in New York city. He was set on joining the league. And he was indeed good but he wasn't great. And he sure as hell was no were near Nightwings level. So hearing him of all people complain gave Duke a whiplash.
"Look, I get it" he motioned his hand "You're your generations poster boy. But like'em, you haven't been on the field for long. So instead of playin' around, let a seasoned hero take charge eh?" Merlin shrugged.
Dick looked at him. Truly stared at him as his gaze shifted into a slight frown. His expression stayed apathetic. Detached even. Yet that slight moment revealed the confusion seething beneath his impending irritation that made him wonder where the actual fuck Merlin got his audacity from.
"Who do you suggest" Dicks voice came through gravelly indifferent.
"Myself of course" he proclaimed. "I've been a hero for just over 6 years now; making me one of the few seasoned once on sight. 'Sides I've been recognised by the JLA. So clearly I should take charge"
The arrogance was certainly astonishing.— Duke wouldnt go as for and declare it on par with the joker. But it sure as hell was bordering it.
Dukes head shook away, letting his eyes sway back to Nightwing.
To others he looked done— which to be fair, he was. But Duke saw the way his jaw tightened. He noticed the way Dicks hands clenched a bit to thight. Still. Even if he didn't, his ability wasnt a part of the light spectrum for nothing. He perceived the faintest bit of heat curling up below Nightwing as a slight shade of red spread across his cheeks while he tried to suppress the anger boiling beneath.
Nightwing was pissed. Yet before his festering rage could erupt like an active volcano, he swallowed it down and faked a grin.
"We can discuss this later" Dick unclenched his fist. "For now I want Everyone to spread out. You know what Teams You're assigned to,- consistently check in with them"
Duke understood why they needed to move yet couldn't help the reluctance building up.
"No." Merlin growled. "We're gonna discuss You're legitimacy here & now"
This was genuinely getting ridiculous and Duke wasn't going to see the end of it. Disappointing but understandable as they really do had to move. With one last glance Duke turned away.
It wasn't until hours later that the conversation resumed.— To be honest Duke believed it resolved. But guess he was wrong.
The exchange wasn't pretty. Merlin threw accusations and insults like a bouquet covered in thorns. It was never something pretty yet always enough to brush of. Merlin knew what he was doing as he walked the line between polite bluntness and seemed provocation with ease. It was vexing.
"Fucking hell..." a punch was thrown.
Their conversation had went back & forth with Dick eventually apprehending him in a fair fight, that turned into a one-sided screaming tournament. Using the last bits of his patience before he let's the situation deescelate, Dick shuts up Merlin by admitting haven been in the game for almost two decades and retreats.
Slowly padding behind him Duke wounds up in the Watchtower, sneaking looks into the gym.
Dicks angered poured into his training, each strike leaving him panting as growled curses escape his lips.
Deciding that Dick needed to cool down, Duke sits down a water bottle and leaves.
III.
The next time it happened, was at family bonding night.
Like most nights, the evening was loud and chaotic. Laughter bouncing off the walls as the Wayne's spread across the room.
Gotham had been quieter prompting family night to transpire earlier than usual. Steph couldn't attend making this a night with only the Wayne wards, Bruce & Alfred in attendance.
The evening passed relatively slow as orange-grey hues filtered through the sitting room. The atmosphere was pleasant enough and the kids were enjoying the evening through games . It was a sight to behold, causing Bruces lips to quirk upright.
His children were gathered because they were bonding. With him.
Not because they were hurt or injured to any capacity that left them no choice but to stay at the manor. But because they wanted to be there. They wanted to spend time together.
Well everyone except for Dick.
He was taking care of something in Blüdhaven, leaving him fashionable late. Not that anyone minded, as long as he showed up. Which he eventually did.
"Hey guys"
By the time he arrived, the sun had already retired for the night.
"Nice fo' y' to join the rest of the class" whistled Jason.
"You joining the next round?"
"Of course he will " answered Damian matter-of-factly.
Dick on the other hand pondered the question. The best Duke could describe it was Dick giving an exhausted sigh while making it look (unbelievably easy at that) like a casual puffed out breath.
"Actually am gonna sit this one out" came after a second of contemplating. Damian looked him up and down, not offended—just bewildered, like he couldn’t quite process the rejection. He wore the stunned, almost childish disbelief of someone who’d never considered being turned away. And well; he hadn't.
Eventually Dick sits down, snuggling up against Damian. Relaxing upon receiving physical contact in his exhausted state, Dick almost immediately snoozes off. He hadn't had proper sleep in the passed 2 weeks, working tirelessly on a case in Blüdhaven, while his next case was an off-world mission, conveniently scheduled to take off in 36 hours.
So right now all he really wanted was some few hours of sleep and generel rest.
But family bonding nights were mandatory. Dick was sure the others would force him to rest or at least offer to help if they knew just how much he was buried in work. But they all had things they were currently juggling to get done, so he kept quiet and made peace with the little rest he'd get after the cozy evening.
Well that didnt exactly work in his favour due to his siblings incredulous screams throughout the game.
Two rounds later, Duke cuts his winning streak to go use the bathroom. On his way back his eyes grace over a distressed looking Grayson. Upon further inspection Duke sees the way Dick winces at the sheer volume of the others cheers and definitely-not-avoidable-arguments about Monopoly. Eventually Duke finds his way back to his seat and ponders.
Dick clearly wasn't leaving the occasion and the others dont seem to notice his perturbance, so they wouldn't quiet down anytime soon. Observing the game end, Duke perks up.
"Would'yo guys be down fo' a movie?" he paused. "Somethin'...— calm. Yk"
To his quiet relief, the others agreed.
Disregarding their literal theater in the next room, the fam spreads across the room snuggling up against another, the couch or a bean bag.
With the family settled down and Alfred preparing popcorn the movie ultimately chosen was WALL-E, which earned a sigh of relief from Dick.
Dick was sure his exhausted epression had been held minimal if not nonexistent. Even so couldn't help but feel somewhat grateful at Dukes recommendation of ending the game. The gesture felt meant for him and well, his throbbing head was really appreciating that.
IV.
The fourth time came in a blur of twisted feelings. Dicks smile had always been something Duke could tolerate. It rubbed him the wrong way how easily Dick concealed his feelings behind strained smiles and faked chuckles. But it never felt like his place to address it. So he didn’t.
He observed and saw the stains imitation left him with. Duke hid behind awkward glances and narrowed brows as he witnessed Dicks mendacity. Yet what started as an innocuous act he withheld a safe distance from became the very thing that swallowed him whole.
It started on a random Thursday afternoon because of course it did.
While waiting for medics after a fight, a group of heroes had gathered sharing stories in a manner to keep the air light. Everyone had their turn and Dick went with his usual faked chuckle that strained Dukes'.
Eventually Cyborg had dropped a comment that left all parties involved hollering.— well except Dick.
For a moment while everyone else was laughing, he had chuckled. A feigned amused giggle. Yet as the others couldn't contain themselves and their laugher grew louder, so did Dicks.
Duke froze at that.
Dicks smile was hysteric. Bordering insulting at the way the others didn't even seem to notice it's insincerity.
It was disturbing. A sight that'd leave the other strangled by guilt at their credulity. Needless to say, as Dicks laugher mixed and burried itself under the others, all Duke could think of was the sheer amount of apprehension settling deep beneath his ribs. He was horrified.
The parallels that painted as Dicks smile only grew wider reminded him of his parents. His parents who he adored. His parents who's jokerization began the exact same way.— Small hiccups that turned into quiet giggles and coughed laugher.
It was stupid, really. In hindsight Duke knew Dick wasn't jokerized. They were in Metropolis and the fight had long been won. Even so something still nagged at him. It may have been,- probably also was, the correlation between his pseudo brother and parents. But Duke didnt want that to believe that.
Because if he let that be true it meant that even without the mind numbing fear impaled into his very bones, without the jokers gas, Dicks mind succumbed in a way that left more than just scars.
It meant the person he'd shared meals and a roof with couldn't and wouldnt trust them with his deepest fears.
It reminded him so much of how his parents would adjust their struggles, hiding behind gruff snorts and pitched giggles, in order to not worry him.— It were forced laughter that only worsened with the jokerization.
Dukes gut warped in a way that slowly scrambled his resolve.
He needed to calm down.
But he couldn't really.
Dick was his older brother. His pseudo older brother. His adopted, not blood related older brother. So why did it feel like watching his parents all over again? Why did it feel like stepping into a past he couldnt help but loathe.— like a blow to his face, laughter drowns his surrounding.
Duke winced and like on cue a soft hand settled themself into his.
Looking up he found Cass. She'd noticed his distress. Squeezing his hand reassuringly, Cass guides him away from the group.
The next thing he knows, Duke was helping relocate civilians, refusing his thoughts to visit the parts of his mind able to compromise the mission.
He could mope about it later when people were safe.
V.
Among the few people Damian let close, Duke was very much aware that Jason held a special place that bordered inimitable.
Even if neither of them would ever willingly admit it.
Nonetheless Jason was one of the only people Damian would feel comfortable enough revel being a kid around, which (thinking 'bout it) may actually be a result of their time in Nanda Pabat.
Their time in the LOA had honed their bond to a degree none of the other bats could quite understand yet.— Duke didnt know what exactly transpired at their time in the league. What he knew was that Jason helped raise Damian, sharpening their relationship in a way that was often buried and almost forgotten beneath the sheer amounts of fights they regularly wound up to. Though the fights were never actually hostile, they were still critical.
Or what normal people would consider concerning.
Needless to say, once in a blue moon Damian would get injured or tired enough to act his age.
It happened at a reconnaissance mission.
Robin teamed up with Orphan inspecting the east wing of the facility while Nightwing and Red Robin took the north wing, Red hood and Spoiler surveyed the south and Batman patrolled the west.
It wasn't a difficult mission, just a tedious one. One that got infinitely more troublesome at their rendezvous point, after a goon woke up and decided his best course of action was to trash around, threatening Red Hood with a gun pointed directly at his neck.
It wasn’t long before Nightwing swooped in. Before the goon could pull the trigger, Robin jumped out and placed himself between the Red Hood and the goon. It was reckless. Damian knew that. He and the others had been in countless similar situations.
Nonetheless his body had moved. It wasn't calculated. It was instinctual. He had observed the predicament and felt wrong.— the situation had been familiar.
It paralleled a particular mission that Todd and himself found themselves in, at the LOA. A mission that would've cost Damian his life if it wasn't for Todd, who mirrored Damians earlier move and stepped between the assassin and a younger Damian at the time.
Snapping out of his short lived trance, Robins widened eyes focused back onto the situation. Utilizing the moment, he maneuvers behind the startled goon and apprehends him.
"Father I will be riding with Todd" declared Damian on the way to their bikes.
"What? No." Jason deadpanned. "Am not coming back to the cave. I still have to take care of something"
" 'akh please" Damian pleaded.
And Obviously Dick Grayson wasn't jealous. Yes, he could feel the slightest bit of envy curl up beneath his skin.
But he wasn't jealous.
He couldn't be.
" ... 'ight." Jason sighed "Get on short stack"
On the one side Dick adored the fact that Jay's and Dami's relationship went beyond mindless squabbles & petty fights.
On the other; he felt conflicted.
Just moments ago Damian had brushed past him without the courtesy of an acknowledgement, his eyes fixated on Jay while they shone with every bit of tenderness he could muster, as if Jason himself hung the stars. And it stung.
Because he knew that look. He had been afforded that look. But never had Damian seeked him out after patrol to ride back home with him.
Yes there where times were Dick would ride with him (and the others) in the Batmobile, because Damian cherished his seat.
He never disregarded it for another one and only yielded it if need be. Which on one hand could be irritating for the others but on the other; he sat next to Bruce. His father with whom he felt safest after patrol.
So now, asking to ride with Jason while having declined Dick on several occasions, felt like a slap to the face.
Dick knows something as insignificant as this shouldn't leave him feeling entirely overlooked. Yet he couldn't help it.
Was it wrong? Maybe. But he couldn't care less how mundane his reasoning seemed. Nevertheless they found themselves back at the cave.– Safe in the manor were Dick over the course of the next few days withdrew himself.
Not completely. Just, distancing himself ever so slightly that he seemed almost detached.
+ VI.
The memebers of the Batfamily were a weird bunch. And Duke Thomas wasn't an exception.
In the past few weeks, Dicks tendency to conceal his feelings was something Duke gradually grew familiar with. Yet he pretended like he didn't.
Was it bad? Probably. Was it necessary? Absolutely. Because that is what you did in this family. You minded the unspoken rule, followed by all as one kept their emotions in nothing but a thinly veiled paper, ready to unfold at any given moment.
At this point, it was basically law in the manor.— You respect the mask people choose.
But was that truly warranted? A justified reason to ignore the pain of someone you call family, for the sake of boundary?
Duke let out a chuckle.
The time he had spend in the manor was limited but not unaware. Duke was perceptive to a fault. Matter of fact he was a genius so he understood the importance that those boundaries held. But as a person; as a boy raised by his mother, he couldn't just sit by and watch someone,- particularly a person he cared about, drown themselves in their own feelings.
Duke had been taught that love wasn’t passive. His mama used to say that if you saw someone slipping beneath the surface, you didn’t stand on the shore, letting the water consume them. You waded in and helped.
So Duke sat with the conflict like a stone in his chest.
The boundaries were there for a reason. Carefully drawn lines, measured words and deliberate distance. He understood the architecture of them the way a mathematician understands proof. But the human heart wasn’t a theorem, and suffering didn’t politely stop at the edge of well-reasoned limits.
He noticed the small things. The compliments that sounded a bit too sweet, the laughter that came a beat too late, the way his smile quirked up just right, imitating the same deceitfulness of a carefully constructed illusion.
Duke told himself intervention would be selfish. That stepping in might be more about easing his own discomfort than helping. He told himself respect meant restraint. He told himself—
"You good?"
Duke jumped.
"Dick what the fuck" he groaned.
"Eh... sorry?"
They stared at each other. The other bats had long since retired for the night and the only thing filling the silence between them was the rattling of ambient machineries. "Couldn't sleep baby bird?", Dick initiated. "Not really," Duke yawned, "went to bed earlier and woke up a while ago. You?"
"Thirsty." Dick answered. Duke dipped his head slightly, given him a smile. "I was about to make chocolate milk. You want some?"
"Well if you're offering" Dick smirked. He was feeling so much and wanted to do even more but passing off the opportunity for some hot chocolate milk was not on the list.
After what he liked to label 'the catalyst' a few days ago, Dick had started to distance himself from the rest of the nest. Not too much. Just enough to work out how frustratingly pent up he was, and keep the mask away from slipping a bit to far. —which was, until now, going great.
Stepping away from the counter Duke turned. He moved through the kitchen with a certain familiarity as he operated the stove. Pouring milk, Duke added sugar and cocoa powder to the pot while whisking it on low heat. Eventually he added dark chocolate as well as a tablespoon corn flour mixed with half a cup of milk, coalescing it into the pot.
It took a moment but after letting it simmer for another minute, Duke poured the mixture into two cups. Dick tossed him the whipped cream and they sprinkled on cinnamon for finishing touches.
"Duke this is luscious!" Duke looked at his brother giving an appreciative smile. "Thanks"
"I haven't ever seen you make this. Did you just come up with it?" Dick asked genuinely surprised. But Duke didn't grace him with an immediate answer. He let the quiet stretch with anticipation, eventually breaking it with a hesitant, "...my mom used to make it for me. Y'know after I had a bad day" he gave Dick a look "or week"
Duke was aware of Dick distancing himself from the family and he needed to address it. Which he was debating earlier before Dick barged into the kitchen, startling him.
Duke was going to break the unspoken law that had ruled their household for years.
He refused to sit idle while someone he called family —someone he called a brother— sank into a bottomless pit of indignation, while the bitterness inside him only deepened.
"Sorry"
" 's fine. But can we talk?"
"Sure. What's up?" Dick threw half-heartedly, stretching his arms on the counter. "Am gonna cut to the chase." Duke placed his cup next to Dicks'. "Why... do you fake it?"
"Huh?"
"Why do you fake the way yu feel?" Duke ask again.
"Sunbird I feel like you got it all wrong—"
"Dick do I look like a moron to you?"
"Of course not!" Dick said defensively. "Then dont lie to me. I'm not some dense fuck without eyes for goodness sake!" Dukes voice came of as anything but condescending. Nevertheless Dick didn't want to hear that. "As much as I appreciate you worrying Duke, that is none of your business."
"I know. I know, I'm in no place to address your issues but I see the way you act. I see how fast you paint on different masks that I sometimes wonder if you're ever gonna wash it off completely." Dukes eyes reflected a certain sadness as he stared at Dick expectantly. "Dick You're quite literally drownin' and still won't reach out for help, so please don't push me away when I'm tryinna help. Or— idk tryin' to understand. " he pleaded.
Dick bit the side of his lip. He didn't wish for anyone to carry his struggles but fuck did he yearn for someone to understand. Would it really be so bad to share his troubles? Maybe? Probably.
Was it okay to be selfish? Did he always have to be the strong one?
"Dick... you're crying"
Duke wasn’t sure how to react. He’d jumped into the conversation fueled by little more than hope and stubborn spite, expecting it to go badly— but not like ...this.
"Sorry..." Dick wiped the tears away. "Don't apologize. Talk to me." Dick had an impresiv amount of self Control and a Level of self restraint most only dreamed of. But maybe this is what he needed. Someone who was ready to listen.
Someone to have reached out first.
But this was Richard Grayson and he refused for anyone to share his burden.
Dicks mouth moved, leaving his brain to scramble behind. Nonetheless Dick only touched the surface of his troubles.
It wasn't much. Not at all. But Duke guessed it sufficient, if Dick was willing to share his vulnerability and cry.
Eventually Duke moved to hug Dick who reciprocated it immediately. "Sorry for earlier.— I was frustrated"
"You're good sunbird"
Silence filled the air between them once again and Duke slowly let Dick go. "You know..." Duke started, "I'm always down to listen if y' need someone to."
Dick nodded.
(And took that to heart)
----
Days stretched into little over a week and Duke found himself down at the cave. There wasn’t anything urgent. He just wanted to go over a case he picked up a few days ago.
Tuning out his surroundings, Duke went to work.
"DUKE! Watch out!" Turning just right, he misses the bō staff flying his way. "Steph wtf"
"My bad" giving her a baffled look, Steph apologized again. Duke brushed it of but made sure she owed him a favour. The mess settled itself and Duke grinned asking her what she was even doing. Pushing him to the side she pointed at the training area, were Dick and Damian were conversing. They had come down a while ago which Duke hadn't noticed, being engrossed in the case.
"We wanted to train."
Steph saluted him and went to spar with Damian. As they were going about it Dukes eyes drifted towards Dick. He was talking to Jason, who came down moments ago. Observing him a little closer, Duke saw the way Dicks lips twitched upwards, eventually fading into a smile.
It was smaller— Softer.
But it wasn’t a performance and it reached his eyes.— Duke realised that their talk did something because the mask Dick always wore like a second skin didn't melt.
Dick chose to take it off.
Or at least a part of it.
And maybe it wasn't that big of an achievement but an achievement nonetheless.