#an underrated throughline in his story tbh it crops up everywhere even the name 'the signal' has to do with things coming to light etc.

[casscainmainly]

Tbh I think Jason TBINKS he knows more about Duke than he does. Does jaosn project onto Duke? Yesh but he does that to everyone. but he does really like him? Yes more than he likes most people tbh.

There was this post floating around about how Jason appreciates Duke's honesty and I really like that take, because both Jason and Duke have strong reasons to value honesty and knowledge.

Jason's death begins with a quest for knowledge (his mother's identity) and ends with a betrayal; it makes sense for him to value people who don't beat around the bush with him, and don't seem as manipulative as his main ties to the Batfam, namely Bruce and Dick. Duke acts as a foil to both of them (Duke mirrors their backstories, but differs in important ways), which I think Jason would appreciate.

As for Duke, besides his light/truth imagery (which includes the symbol on his chest being a mirror), a large part of his story is his frustration at his own ignorance - he didn't know where his parents were, he didn't know what his powers were, he didn't know where they came from, etc. He expresses anger at Dick for deceiving him in Robin War, and confronts Bruce on the possibility that he knew Duke was a meta but didn't tell him; he dislikes dishonesty in general, but particularly when it has something to do with him.

So I think they both appreciate each other's honesty, or more accurately perceived honesty, because neither of them are actually that forthcoming. Idk if Jason projects onto Duke (in "Role Call," they both consistently talk about their differences), but he definitely likes him more than Tim/Damian/Cass. It's harder to pin Duke's opinion on Jason, especially because Bruce has talked about Jason very negatively in front of Duke (and Duke essentially calls him a 'villain' in The Cursed Wheel, though not with any particular heat). But I'd love to see their dynamic fleshed out more!