#the dick-duke thoughts are unleashed again omg...... idk if i can stop them

[casscainmainly]

omg i love your idea for the duke and dick dynamic, it could be so fun if handled properly, i wish dc would release a team-up for them where they start off with the one-sided hate-ish dynamic you described. i'm primarily a nightwing fan but i adore duke and something about them starting off on such a wrong foot makes my brain itch, the banter would be comedy gold. they team up for a case that involves undercover work and some classic corrupt officials in a powerful system. the rooftop should come up and dick should apologize for handling it all wrong and they would talk about the systemic issues in brief all over throughout the comic (maybe use the newly orphaned dick in juvie reference at some point, could lead to very interesting introspection on dick's part) and let them chafe a little together because they are both used to being in leader/solo roles and then let them find even more respect for each other and their skills. i think dick would like duke even more by the end and they both would gain a better understanding of each other. duke doesn't even need to like dick by the end of it. it would be SO fun. DC PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN, LET DUKE BE PETTY AND A HATER AND LET IT BE FUNNY

YAY I'm so glad you like the idea <333 I made that Duke hates Dick post what feels like so long ago now but it is still one of my fav posts and I stand by it. I WOULD DIE FOR A DICK + DUKE SPECIALLLL!!

Sorry you've turned on the Dick + Duke tap in my head so gonna dump some thoughts here:

The thing about Dick + Duke is that they're sooo similar but SOOO different. Like technically they've both been wards/taken in not as a son for Bruce, but Dick's situation was so radically different that even if they talked about it, it wouldn't be the same. Dick would be like 'how did you feel being taken in by Bruce' and Duke would be like 'nothing really. I mean it was nice but it was only temporary. What was it like for you' and Dick would suppress 1 bajillion of the world's strongest feelings about Bruce to be like 'oh it was nice as well'.

ALSO thinking about how the roof thing happened when Dick gave Duke his blessing to be Robin, but now Duke is Signal. I don't think Dick knows 'Signal' comes from Duke's mom, and Duke certainly doesn't know 'Robin' comes from Dick's mom. Imagining a conversation where they discuss those names, and the uncomfortable realisation of what exactly it meant when Duke + the WAR kids took Robin out of its context, but also the realisation that Signal is a Robin legacy in its own way by honouring motherhood. Also, thinking about Duke telling Dick about Bruce giving him the Signal suit and basically asking him to stop being Robin. Dick had picked Duke in Robin War, I can't imagine Bruce's interference with the Robin mantle would go over well (and it shouldn't. I just need someone to be mad about the Robin/Signal transition in canon!!!)

Final thought is their opposing thoughts about performance and honesty. Performance is such an integral part of Dick's core, but it's antithetical to Duke's; he's all about truth, bringing things to light, digging things up etc. I think them teaming up could bring out these completely different approaches to being a hero and being human, and it would be so delicious and good!!! I truly do think at the end of it they would come to have a deep respect for each other, because they are both deeply good people who believe in community and compassion. I even think the leader thing won't be hard for them to overcome (Dick would not treat Duke as a sidekick and Duke would appreciate that; they're both very aware of the importance of youth's independence).

This is just some of the stuff DC is leaving on the table by NOT FLESHING THEIR RELATIONSHIP OUT. For now I just have 3 panels in Robin War to obsess over :((. If they ever do a Duke-Dick special or run I will buy every issue and every variant cover and cry on the floor for an hour maybe because I'll be SO HAPPY!!!