Danny and Damien are friends (also known as: Damian has a crush on Danny) PART 9
“What do you think?” Danny asks Clockwork as he shows him his outfit for the dinner.
Danny is wearing a checkered pattern blue sweater best with a white cotton t-shirt underneath, cream colored cargo jeans and a pair of second-hand white sneakers that the boy-king had specifically bought for this dinner. He looked presentable but still faithful to his skater style. On his right hand is the ring of rage – not that anyone can see it unless Danny is in full ghost form – and on his left wrist he is wearing a classic pilot wrist-watch that Clockwork gave him – the first watch the Ancient of time fixed while in his human form –.
“You look charming, Danny. Very proper but still very you.” Clockwork compliments as he adjusts his own wrist-watch. “What about me? This is the very first time I assist to a mortal dinner while also in human form, I hope I do look the part?”
Danny looks at Clockwork’s chosen outfit with critic eye.
Clockwork in human form is tall, not as tall as Jack Fenton used to be for sure but certainly tall, his skin is – of course – deadly pale, with long striking white hair and burgundy-colored eyes – well, eye, because his other eye is milky white, supposedly blind –, his nose is eagle shaped. He is wearing a more formal dark gray vest with a white dress shirt underneath, the long sleeves of the shirt are rolled up to Clockwork’s elbows, and a fun purple tie with clocks pattern properly tied around his neck. Dark jeans hug the legs of the human disguise of the old ghost and a pair of dark brown second-hand fake leather shoes cover his fake feet. Now, this particular style is the style that Clockwork has adopted since day one of he and Danny living in Gotham, so the young half ghost is not sure what he is supposed to critic.
“You look good, very you indeed.” Danny says as he gives two thumbs up.
“Then, it is time for us to get going.” Clockwork adds as he puts on his jacket. “There is no way that I would be late to a dinner.”
“Not even fashionably late?” Danny asks as he also puts on his jacket.
“Not even as a joke, Danny.” The older ghost assures with a pleasant smile on his lips.
They go down to the first floor, where the shop is, they then go into the staff room – that is actually a small storage room that they use as workshop and finally they walk out via the back door that connects the building to a quite wide alley that connects with the street. There is an old but well-maintained Jeep Wrangler that Danny pulled out from the zone and fixed all on his own – the thing probably got eaten by some natural portal a long time ago –, the real surprise was that Clockwork knew how to drive!
“I still can’t believe you knew how to drive.” Danny says in disbelieve as he closes the jeep’s door and put on the seat-belt.
“What can I say? I had time to learn.”
“Please don’t do your dad jokes at Damian’s place.” Danny pleads with deadpan eyes as Clockwork starts the engine.
“Before Daniel and Woodlock arrive, I would like to set some ground rules.” Damian says as he looks at the display of misfits that compose his treasured family.
They are in the third floor’s living room, the one they use the most to relax and actually be a family. Bruce and Selina are sitting together on Bruce’s favorite armchair – Selina of Bruce’s lap –, Dick, Jason, Tim and Cass are sitting on the big couch right in front of Damian, Steph and Duke are on the divan, and Alfred is standing in the space between Bruce and Selina’s armchair and Dick, Jason, Tim and Cass’s couch. The only one missing is Barbara, but she offered to stay out so she can organize the teams that are covering the bats and birds patrol areas.
“Father, please refrain from turning the dinner into an interrogation. I already told you everything you have to know about Daniel and I know that you have already done your own investigation on him and Woodlock and found nothing strange so leave it like that. Selina, I request your aid in this.”
“Why, of course pup. Leave it to me, I’ll make sure Brucie here behaves.”
“I make no promises.” Bruce adds. “But I’ll try my best.”
“Richard, no puns. Daniel will without a doubt take it as a personal challenge and I am not ready for you two to have a pun war.” Damian says as he looks at his oldest brother.
“Of course, he is a punner, damn you and your brother complex Damian.” Steph mumbles loud enough to be heard which gets a snort from Jason, Tim and Duke, but Damian just ignores her.
“Timothy, not a word about conspiracies, but you can talk to Daniel about space and science. Actually, you, Duke and Cassandra are the only ones allowed to talk to him.” Damian says.
“Hey, I get why you don’t wanna Danny to talk to Steph but what about me?” Jason questions with indignation.
“Hey! What is that supposed to mean?! I’m a delight!” Steph joins the fray.
“Only the Gods and what is beyond know how much you have infected Daniel already with your influence, Jason, and do not get me started Stephanie! You will only give him ideas!” Damian fights back.
“Dude, that only means that he already has ideas on his own. Now I’m curious.” Steph comments as she rubs her chin.
“Yeah, no, if you and fix join prank ideas we all are doomed.” Jason comments.
“What about me, master Damian?” Alfred questions, mischief shinning in his dark eyes.
“You are perfect, Pennyworth. Just keep it as always.” Damian acknowledges Alfred’s superiority. “Any questions?” He adds.
“Yeah, one.” Duke says a he raises his hand. “What’s up with the outfit?” He asks the youngest of the brood as he points at him with his whole hand and arm.
“What’s wrong with it?” Damian answers as he looks down to his clothes.
Damian doesn’t look bad, on the contrary, the soon to be seventeen years old looks really good. He is wearing a fitted black sweatshirt that is just tight enough around his arms to show off his well-trained muscles, around his neck a simple gold necklace that his mother gave him a long time ago. His jeans are the classic blue, clean and clearly unused until then given how new the garment looks but they all know that Damian hasn’t bough any new clothes since summer and it was only socks and underwear, so those jeans must have been in Damian’s closet for at least three to four months. On his feet Damian is wearing a pair of fake leather shoes, casual but certainly a bit to formal for a dinner at his own home.
“No, no, you look good, Dami.” Dick quickly answers. “But don’t you think it’s a bit…
“That’s too much for a dinner at home, brat.” Tim interrupts as he takes a picture with his cellphone.
“Tt, and how am I supposed to present myself as a proper host for Daniel if I don’t look the part?” Damian fights back.
“No, we get it.” Steph says. “You wanna look good for the kid you like and also to his guardian but it is also true that, well, you’re in your own house, Damian. Just relax.”
“And you have met Woodlock before, right? There is no way you haven’t gone to the shop by now.” Jason questions.
“I have.” Damian answers. “But I was always wearing the school’s uniform, Woodlock has never seen me in casual wearing.”
“Then let him see you in comfy casual wear. I mean, I would be kinda weirded out if my nephew/son’s friend doesn’t know how to casual.” Jason comments.
“Just tone it down a little, Dami.” Dick adds. “Maybe just the bottom? Instead of the jeans use some loose slacks and instead of the shoes wear a pair of black house sleepers.” He suggests.
“Tt, fine, but if I make a fool out of myself in front of Daniel and Woodlock you all are dead meat.” Damian threatens as he starts to walk out of the room.
