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Duke hated this part of a Joker attack. Being forced to stay in the cave and baby sit Damian. He was under strict Alfred orders to not leave the cave and hell if he was disobeying a direct Alfred order, he wasn't suicidal. But standing here watching the cowl feed and Nightwing's tracker on the Bat computer was fraying his nerves. Nightwing had taken a precious moment to drop Robin off in the Cave Instead of bringing him to the fight, and when the kid had Protested Nightwing had whispered something that made the kid grumble, but Robin had stayed. A tense ball of stress but he stayed. Like a coil spring the kid stood, a hand buried in Titus’ fur. Duke wasn't going to point out, he liked his food poison free and might be the only member of this family without a death wish. Except Cass. Cass is always the exception. Nightwing is still 15 minutes out from where they had last gotten a ping from Batman's tracker, before it had gone dark along with the coms. No trace of either Red’s trackers of course. Duke knew that the reason the feed was still going is completely intentional, and the thought made him shiver, Causing Rodin to stare at him instead of the screen.
" There is no shame if you need to leave Thomas. I understand this may be stressful." Damian broke the silence.
"I mean if you need to leave lill dude I'll spare with you." Duke offered wondering if Damian was asking because he needed to do something else. It probably wasn't healthy to watch your father get beat up.
"I am Fine Thomas, I have seen worse." and been able to do something about it. Damian didn't say, but Duke still heard. They didn't leave.
***
Duke winced as the Joker hit Batman again cackling. A sound that still haunts his nightmares. All of their nightmares.
“Now as much as this has been fun, I can’t forget the best part” The madman left the view of the feed briefly before Batman turned his head to catch a glimpse of him standing over RR.
”... you ruined my plan, such a smart little bird. But too bad… “ then the fuckers grin grew wider
“Oh, now that’s a great punchline…” the giggling intensified “You know that’s my favorite game?” and Duke lost time, his eyes only seeing the blank look of the Joker's Guide victims. His parents' hospital room, Jason's robin suit, the pictures of Tim. green and purple. That laugh standing over him. The throat tightening at the sounds of the Arkum break out alarm. IagesofTim'sface withthoseeyes. ImagesofDamianinJasonsplace. laughing,laughinglaughing,laughinglaughing,laughinglaughing ,laughinglaughing, laughinglaughing, laughinglaughing, laughing
The screaming brought him back “No ahhhh no ahhhh faaaaaaair” The Jokers' scream cackled as Ivy and Harley burst in. Neither he nor RR had a scratch on them, well a new one. but with the way Joker was screaming on the ground it could only mean one thing. Guides. Duke let out a revived sigh. He knew Ivy and Harley had been trying to reform and even if they hadn't Duke knew they would save Tim. Tim was a Guide and there was no way they didn't know. they would protect their own. The reveal Tim was a Guide, didn't surprise Duke, he turned away from the feed knowing his brothers were safe as the pieces clicked together. It made sense, even when nothing in this family ever did.
***almost a year prior***
Duke couldn’t still shake the feeling that he wasn't supposed to be here. The new moon…picnic? Was important to magic users, he knew this. Being invited was mind boggling. The magic and GS communities in Gotham were closed off and protective. To be invited to the one night where they all gathered to celebrate, protected deep in Robinsons Park in special clearings made by Ivy. Duke had been invited by his old neighbor before moving in with the Wyanes, along with his foster sister at the time. The then six year old had just started breathing sparks. Mr. Gonzales had invited them because the GS community had decided that the third hidden community in Gotham deserved to join. He'd gone for three years in a row now and been trying to decide if he should go as himself or as Signal when Tatetum has texted that if he didn't go there would be no one to take her, so here he was watching as the largest gathering of criminals in Gotham took place. He had known, logically, magic and being a meta aren't crimes on their own but also many metas turn to less legal practices to survive. And a lot of magical ingredients are also illegal to sell or possess. Now after the Bat crash course he knew that many of the GS would be unregistered and therefore breaking a law. He was glad he hadn't gone as Signal, they probably would appreciate the presence of a vigilante even if he was the one all the metas went to.
Every year it was awe inspiring seeing all these people from all walks of life gathering and enjoying one night of just….freedom. It was intoxicating.
Seeing old friends was nice, and learning what's been happening from a non Bat perspective was good. Just as he was catching up with Mike, a meta whose power was a slight healing factor, when arguing drew his attention. While the street kid in him screamed to ignore it and maybe run, his Bat training took over and he went to see the problem. Maybe two street kids getting into it, or gang members, or one of the finance bros taking offence. He had not expected to see John Constatnine, who he recognised from photos on the bat computer arguing with Red Robin over a plate of devils eggs. He was not expecting to see Tim here. It seemed like the most non-Bat place to be. A crowd had gathered but by the looks he was the only one surprised.
“Do you want the children to get alcohol poisoning? If they do, you can bet Leslie will remove your bal…hide and feed it to you.” Red Rodin uncharacteristically chastised. Constantine grumbled something he couldn't hear before vanishing the plate. And staking away. The crowd dispersed and not wanting to be caught, Duke ducking into the crowd practising his surveillance skills to watch his older brother.
It still made him a little giddy to call Tim that. Tim had been Robin. HIS Robin. Sure Jason had been great but Duke hadn't really been old enough when he died. Tim’s Robin? That was the Robin Duke had pretended to be in games of make believe, who he had looked up to. He had heard stories about the time between Robins when Batman had gone from a shadow to a wraith and he looked up to the one who had pulled him from it. He had been so stoked to meet his hero outside of costume only to get so nervous and awkward which was met in awkwardness by Tim. Every interaction since just made him want to die inside.
A few hours had passed and Red Robin had made rounds, laughing and joking with people, play fighting with some kids, helping an ancient lady to get her food. These people knew Red. They were comfortable around him. He seemed more comfortable than Duke had ever seen the former Robin. Tim knew these people. Was RR like Signal? Was he the hero for the magic and GS communities? Did Batman Know? With this insane family probably not. But on the other hand, could Tim hide a secret this big? With the lack of boundaries? most likely not.
“Enjoying the evening?”
Shit
Tim had managed to corner him away from the crowd without him realising
“Ummmm yeah.” God Duke sounded so lame.
“Its pretty incredible right?” Red Robin asked after an awkward pause.
“Uh yeah.” Duke wanted to disappear.
RR coughed, “It takes a lot to protect it, I'm sure you would agree?”
“Yeah, I bet.” The two stood watching as the night started to wind down.
“Twenty dollars and you don't tell Batman you saw me?” RR held out a crumpled twenty.
Could Duke lie to Batman? No. But if Batman didn't ask, it wasn't lying….right.
This family is insane
But twenty dollars is twenty dollars
....He took the money.