FANFIC: old habits (DC comics / Batman)

[queenslayerbee]

Double Drabble written for the second day of Duke Thomas Week 2025.

Title: old habits.
Fandom: DC comics (Batman).
Character/Pairing: Duke Thomas & Elaine Thomas & Doug Thomas.
Rating/Warnings: T, none.
Summary: Day II: Family | Thomas Family.
Word count: 200.

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Braiding each other’s hair was Duke and Elaine’s thing, a ritual he’d once feared he’d lose –a mother-daughter custom that might’ve felt out of place with a son. But Elaine took it in stride –as she always did in the face of change, ever since crossing the ocean, according to Dad.

Living on his own, Duke hadn’t kept the practice, shaving his head for convenience. Once his parents were found, once the medication abated the symptoms of Joker’s venom and they were cleared for visitation, Duke quickly found reason to regain his old dexterity.

The doctors had suggested reminding them of old routines, things that bring them comfort and keep them calm. Dr Thompkins came with him on the bus, every day that summer, from and back to her apartment. He read the entertainment and lifestyle section of the Gotham Gazette to his father, snickering with newfound amusement whenever Bruce Wayne featured in its pages. He almost thought Doug’s chuckles sounded natural, as long as he laughed with his son.

So he read gossip to his father, and he braided his mother’s hair. Day after day, as steady a presence in their new lives as they once were for him.

A/N: I always headcanon Duke as trans, Because, though I only tagged it if it goes mentioned.

As for other headcanons: a little while ago I saw a post theorising Elaine emigrated to the United States, as it'd make sense for her to run far if Gnomon was chasing her. And in the new-52, Leslie seems to act as Duke's case worker, which... whatever, the new 52 was a weird time. She also looked way too young to even babysit Bruce, and not someone that, in the post-crisis continuity, fostered Bruce for at least a short time. I kind of like the idea of her doing the same with Duke.