Flicker in and out (You're going to be alright)

by Resident_Sunshine

Summary:

Duke just got picked up by the weirdest family around after two years in the system, all he has to do is fundamentally hide himself or risk being thrown in a cell next to his parents. How hard could it be?

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Or: A little character study into Duke Thomas where I play fast and loose with his lore and powers. For context, in this one he went into foster care at 14 and didn't join the batfamily until he was 16. I also made his powers more emotion based and slightly inspired by the thunderbolts after watching it. By this I mean his shadow powers just started to develope and are triggered by darker thoughts and depression. Otherwise he is still a glowstick and most other powers are more accurate.

Notes:

If you read my otherworks and you are sitting here going dang, the author starting another big fic? Shhhhh.... Duke needs more love, and I was inspired. I expect this one to follow a pseudo 5+1 style and shouldn't be more than 10 chapters, but also im a menace so we shall see.

Chapter 1: The begining

 

It started off small, barely noticeable. 

 

When his parents were around, when warm meals were served with soft laughter that he would never hear again, it was easy to not notice the way the lights seemed to warp. How sometimes his eyes would strain and things would appear differently. It was easy to ignore, because he was far to distracted with the warmth of a family. Of being able to cry in his parents bed when his head throbbed and his eyes felt like they might just burst. 

 

Then the Joker happened, and his family was targeted. Then the Joker happened, and it felt like a tumbling rock in a landslide. 

 

When Duke was with his foster families, no one paid him any mind, so when golden light would flicker beneath dark skin no one noticed. Or when darkness spread, trailing from fingertips that trembled, no one batted an eye. When the lights would flicker, they lived in a bad part of the narrows, it was normal, not his fault. When held breath and panic would leave him invisible, it was like nothing changed. 

 

Even in the families that did pay him mind, it was never enough to pick up on the subtle shifts that he trained into hiding after so long. After all, when his face was shoved into the counter and screamed at so close spit flicked across it, it was hard to notice the hollow darkness spreading, and he was always able to reign it back in before they finished. Hard to notice that the lights seemed to flicker off with each sound of pain forced between gritted teeth. 

 

But now he stood in front of a new family, perched up in a mansion high above it all. Where the power never faltered and all eyes were those of trained detectives. Trained detectives who had a notorious rule for no-metas in Gotham, who had contingencies for contingencies. 

 

It's fine, how hard could it really be? 

 

So, he finds himself perched by Bruce's side, smile full of false bravado as he stares down the rest of the family, something that he will never be a part of, but can at least enjoy for now. Observed from with in, yet destined to never belong. 

 

Duke listened as Bruce gave introductions to the ones who were there. He made a mental note and tucked each name away with the faces. Alfred, with knowing eyes and deep set wrinkles rippling over his skin. Perfect posture that managed to still radiate warmth. Tim, with his sharp blue eyes studying him, digging into his soul, like he could just tell Duke was hiding something. Damian, who was perched away from it all, face that offered perfect indifference, if not boredom. Green eyes straying away from the conversation, like this was just a regular Tuesday. Stephanie, who insisted it was just Steph, who Bruce oh so eloquently introduces as his pseudo child who came and went as she pleased with all the exasperation of a tired dad. He would be able to ID her just from the way she seemed to shimmer, energy so alight it was practically palpable. 

 

He knew there were more, that the family stretched far and wide, but it wasn't his family, so it didn't matter truly who cared to show up for his arrival. He tried to keep a steady breath as he held out his hand in introduction, focusing all that he could on not letting his powers out. 

 

He was fine, this would be easy. He would be in school most of the day, and at night he would be fast asleep while they were out patrolling, so he really only needed to lie a few hours a day. How hard could it be? 

 

Once introductions were done, Alfred took Duke to his room, offering a partial tour as they went. It was fine, he really only needed to know how to come and leave, and where the bathroom was. Everything else was a mute point. Right now he wanted to get behind a door, ideally his new one, before the darkness started to spread or the lights began to flicker. God forbid if he started to flicker. 

 

In, and out. He had this, he was going to be fine. Everything was going to be just fine. 

 

Once left in his room, Duke let himself collapse on the way too soft bed, in the way too big room, and just took it in for a moment. 

 

How the hell is this his life now? 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

Duke slowly awoke to the rays of sunlight slipping between folds in his curtains, casting long beams across his empty room and directly into his eyes. He hadn't realized that he even fell asleep, let alone slept through the night. He would have expected someone to come and wake him up, maybe scream at him to stop being lazy, or force him into some weird family dinner where they would all pretend to care for a little until he wasnt some fresh and new toy. 

 

He was used to it by now, even if fundamentally he knew that the Wayne clan was different. But they could all stand together, shoulders back and smiles plastered and blend together as a cohesive unit of dark hair and blue and green eyes. Except he supposed Stephanie, but Bruce himself hardly recognized her as family. Probably because according to his research her mother was alive still, but so we're his parents. Perpetually Jokerized, sure. But living, breathing, smiling, laughing. 

 

Duke shook his head, trying to dispel the horrid laughs that still echoed around in it. He couldnt let himself slip up, not when the shadows already seemed to hang lower around him, dipping and curling around his very being in a way only slightly off from normal. 

 

This was his final shot, he couldnt blow it. Not when Alfred, and Bruce, had helped him so much. Not when they pretended to care. Not when they were helping the entire Robins movement and funding his long forgotten education. Not when he owed his life to them, and new if nothing else at least he would never go hungry here. 

 

As if on cue, his stomach let out a rumble, an uncomfortable squeeze of emptiness ricocheting around him. That's right, he slept through dinner last night, and because it is summer he did not even get the school appointed guarantee of a meal. He would soon, but somehow he thinks Bruce makes too much for the free meal plan at the private school he funds and slid Duke into. Would Bruce even want to pay for his meals? Would Alfred let him in the kitchen to prep some to take? 

 

He hated these unknowns, but he was used to it by now. Not when basic necessities were transactional, and a promise of food one day meant nothing the next. 

 

Duke looked at the time on his phone, swiping away the low power warning from not charging it the night before. He winced back at the bright light, but quickly allowed his eyes to adjust. One of the benefits to all this, he supposed. It didnt take much for his eyes to adapt to the different and ever changing lights. He was pretty sure they would adjust to staring into the sun if he tried. 

 

10:05 am. Too late for breakfast, but too early for lunch. Which was fine. Just great. He had gone longer without food and would survive. Just be a bit uncomfortable. Maybe if he moved around, distracted himself. He had a pitiful amount of belongings that needed to be put away. 

 

Or maybe he should leave them in the black garbage bag, because truly how long would it be before Bruce realized what a mistake this was? Or what if he slipped up and had to male a quick run for it once they saw he was a meta? 

 

Probably best to leave it be. 

 

Instead. He slowly poked his head out of his room into the quiet hallway. Was he allowed to leave? Expected to stay in his room and hidden away? He gently tapped his fingers along the old grain wood, teeth chewing on the inside of his cheek until it split open and metallic blood coated his tongue. 

 

Probably better to stay. Just incase. At least until he knew the rules. 

 

He carefully and quietly closed the door again, lifting slightly to prevent the ancient hinges from creaking. He then turned back to his empty room, what was he supposed to do? 

 

He looked around, as if an answer would be hidden beneath the covers or under the old worn carpet. As if it would come to him like some premonition. Actually, forget that. He didn't want to tempt fate. 

 

Eventually he settled on the ground, stretching before going into push ups. At the very least he could do basic training in here, until they decided to come and get him for lunch. 

 

Would they get him? They already didn't for dinner, or even breakfast. Maybe they already forgot about him? Locked away and hidden from sight, forgotten about until he was alone, alone with nothing but the growing void that threatened to swallow him whole and the flashes of his mothers twisted smile that echoed through him if he dared to close his eyes. A threat for it to happen to more kids, more families. 

 

Duke pushed himself harder, sweat beading down his face. He would have to get a shower later, hope they had appropriate tools to care for his short locks… they probably didnt. His hair was bound to become a frizzy tangled mess based off the family members he had seen. 

 

Would they think him dirty? Would they force him to chop off what little growth he had? Bound to be sent back? 

 

Duke shifted to doing high knees, pushing himself to breathe in slow and deep as he ignored the twisting ache in his stomach. He could chug water later to fill the void, he would be fine. 

 

Unless… unless he wasn't? What if they left him here for days, nothing but the attached bathroom spigot to fill the void? What if they forgot they even took him in? What if Bruce didn't even want him, just wanted to keep him from the streets? Just wanted to watch him, to make sure he didn't go after the Joker again, to monitor him from becoming a future problem. Or worse, what if he just wanted to take on the poor charity case for publicity? Being a vigilante he was sure Bruce knew how to leave bruises where the cameras would not see, knew how to manipulate and twist the story until the case worker would no longer believe their least favorite chronic problem children? 

 

Duke was pulled sharply from his thoughts as a knick sounded at the door. He nearly tripped trying to get to it, not wanting them to wait and risk gaining their ire. He swung open the door before he could even think, panting lightly as wide golden eyes stared up at Alfred, who had his fist raised to knock again. 

 

“My, Master Duke, I see you are up already. I took the honor of bringing you a light breakfast as we did not want to wake you after the eventful week you had” Alfred started, holding up the tray in his other hand while his eyes flicked behind Duke quickly. “Perhaps we can get you new bulbs for your room, it is looking rather dark. I will add them to the list” 

 

Duke felt shame curdle with fear, twisting his guts as he tried to not look back, knowing the shadows loomed lower around him, especially as of recent. Darkness dripping and morphing until it consumed all. 

 

He wasn't hungry anymore. 

 

“Thank you, Alfred” Duke offered a slightly lopsided smile, practiced to appear easy, calm, normal. All things that helped assure his survival ever since he was a child and others always assumed the worst from him. Whether it was because he was from a low income area, or simply the rich dark skin tone he inherited from his parents, he couldn't say for certain. But he had to learn to adapt. To survive. 

 

“Feel free to explore the grounds, if you would like an official tour I would be more than happy to provide. I also wanted to know if you had a preferred meal?” Alfred offered up the tray again, watching as Duke took the plate and mug off. 

 

“Im not all that picky” Duke offered instead, shifting to set the plate down, but holding onto the mug, letting its warmth soak into his cold hands, chasing away the creeping darkness that threatened to spill out. 

 

In and out. He could keep it together. He had to keep it together. “Thank you, again. But I think im just going to eat quick then resume my morning work out” 

 

“Of course, Master Duke” Alfred offered a small bow. “If you need anything, Master Bruce is in his study, Master Timothy is in the main hall, and Master Damian will be around. I expect Master Richard's, Miss Stephanie, and… their excellence, Cassandra to be in attendance for dinner tonight” 

 

Duke was pretty sure he just witnessed part of Alfred wither away at using a different honorific. It was a little bit funny, honestly, he had worked with Alfred before, knew their was no ill will or ill intent, knew it was probably more of an annoyance at a demand. 

 

He wondered if it changed? He had heard about them before, heard tale and categorized them as a threat long ago. An individual who was so good at reading people they were like a living lie detector. 

 

The idea of them being their for dinner, watching him, studying him, waiting for him to slip up. It settled like a heavy rock. 

 

In, and out. He could do this. He had to do this. 

 

He tightened his grip on the mug, focusing on the radiant warmth that tingled through him over the settling gloom that seemed to haunt him. He watched as Alfred turned away, and slowly closed his door again, letting out a slow, controlled breath. He could do this. He had to do this. 

 

 

 

 

He couldn't do this. 

 

Notes:

Thank you all for the love and support you have shown this piece so far 💜

Next chapter will be a bit more positive and Duke gets to meet more of the family. As a side note, I will not be fully looking into the racial injustices as I am pasty white myself and my knowledge is only second hand. I will be looking at some of the foster system issues (but nothing too indepth) as I have first hand accounts and experience. Mostly this is focusing on Duke becoming part of the family, thinking he is hiding his powers when he most definitely is not, and them loving him regardless.

Notes:

Thank you for reading 💜 this will be a little slow to update, but I hope you stick around.

Comments and kudos are appreciated 🙏💜