Chapter Text
“Alright, let me get this straight. Timothy Drake-Wayne helped you into the building, had a whole conversation with you in an elevator, and you didn’t even realize who he was?” Tucker’s voice came in tinny through Danny’s shitty laptop speakers as he lay on his bed, arms crossed over his face.
“I know, Tuck, you don't have to rub it in-” Danny whined, running his hands down over his face as he turned to glance at the screen of his laptop, trying to ignore the way Sam was, very poorly, trying to hide her laughter.
“Hey, it’s not our fault you’re an idiot who didn’t even bother to look at any photos of your company's higher ups- and I mean come on.. His face is plastered on magazines and shit all the time- you know, most eligible omega of our generation and all that?” Sam rolled her eyes as Danny flipped her off. “You know, maybe you should take it as a sign-”
“I'm not going to try to flirt with the CEO’s son, Sam-” Danny quickly cut her off with a soft huff. “He was being friendly, and he’s practically my boss”
“No, he’s the head of cyber security, not engineering,” Tucker chimed in with a small shrug, and Sam just nodded sagely. “Exactly, see? No reason not to try to talk to him again-”
“I really hate both of you, you know that? You are awful friends..” Danny grumbled, reluctantly sitting up and pulling his laptop up to rest on his knees. “You both want me to seek him out and have this crazy romance so you both can get special favors..”
“I mean, not particularly, but I would talk to him about some things if-”
“Sam, he met me in my chair. I doubt that, even if there was a shred of hope of that happening, that that wouldn’t be a deal breaker for someone with as many options as him.” Danny tried to keep himself from growling out that last bit, but it was a near thing.
And, well, of course, Sam just rolled her eyes at that. “If he’s interested, it won’t be an issue. Just try not to purposefully push him away if he seems interested, you know? You self-sacrificing, people-pleasing bastard.”
“Yea, yea..” Danny sighed softly before a large yawn overtook his features. “I gotta head to bed, though. It’s been a long day, talk to you guys later.”
Danny hung up and shut his laptop to the chorus of ‘love you, Danny!’ before half-hazardly tossing it onto a pile of laundry on the floor next to his bed.
~
The next morning, Danny was ready. He made sure to be ready for the earlier bus just in case- which was late, just as he predicted. But that still left him getting to W.E. with fifteen minutes to spare. He was reluctantly prepared to fight with the side door again, but when he got to the front of the building.. There was a ramp set up along one side of the stairs. It was a portable one, sure, but it looked like a nice one. Not that Danny had too much experience with them, but it seemed sturdy and not too steep.
He figured it was a temporary fix until the side door was up and running again. However, days later he was proven wrong.
It was a typical Thursday afternoon. He had been assigned some quality control work, just making sure some prototype parts were within the acceptable position tolerance. Something that, at this point, he could pretty much do in his sleep. Which in hindsight was probably why he had zoned out a bit, nodding along to the music he had playing in one earbud, and completely missing the fact that Tim Drake-Wayne was standing beside his desk, watching him work. Or waiting for him to notice that he had been standing there.
“You know” Danny couldn’t help the way he jumped slightly at the sudden voice. “Most people don’t do that work by hand anymore”
Danny turned in his chair, looking up at the man curiously, giving a small shrug. “I mean, it doesn’t really take that long. The equation is like… four steps, and the inspection sheet is physical anyways. Plus it’s more satisfying to do everything out on paper”
And.. wow, those gossip magazines really weren’t exaggerating about how gorgeous this man was. The small smile Tim sent towards Danny would have had a lesser man- or woman- red in the face.
It was definitely a near thing though.
“You know, fair enough. I just came by to ask you how things have been this week, getting into the building.” Tim said, clearly trying to keep his voice casual. And to those less perceptive than Danny, it probably would have been incredibly convincing. Even still, Danny was a bit surprised at the question.
“Oh, uh, it’s been a lot easier? I mean, honestly, if the side door wasn’t broken it wouldn’t have been an issue at all, but it’s nice not to have to deal with it” Danny said with a small shrug.
“Good, I’m glad. I was hoping that it would work while I go through all the red tape for renovations, you wouldn’t bel-”
“What do you mean renovations?” Danny asked, unable to keep himself from interrupting. “Sorry, I mean- you do just mean having maintenance fix the side door, right?”
Tim just blinked at him for a moment before slowly shaking his head. “I- no. Of course I will be making sure that gets fixed, but you shouldn’t have to use a separate entrance just because you’re using a wheelchair. I talked it over with Bruce the other day, and he agrees that anyone should be able to access the building from the main entrance. I just.. I guess I didn’t realize the scope of the issue until we met.” The man rubbed the back of his neck, seeming almost.. sheepish at his last words.
“I don't think it should have taken me this long, considering a good family friend of ours also uses a wheelchair- she’s just never come into the building, I don't think.”
Danny just stared as Tim seemed to ramble on, almost as if he was nervous about something. “Oh, well- I mean it’s appreciated, that's for sure.. Not many people see any sort of issue, you know? It’s a lot of trouble, especially in older buildings like this one. So, thank you. It actually means more than you’d think that you’re going through all this effort” He said with a small smile, leaning back a bit in his chair.
“I wanted to apologize properly-” Tim continued, pushing forward before Danny could insist that he didn’t need to, because really- he didn’t. “I was thinking dinner. Maybe.. On Saturday, if you’re available?”
And.. wow, okay, that was definitely not what Danny was expecting to come out of his mouth. Tim actually looked nervous, which he really didn’t think was possible on someone who always seemed so.. Composed, to say the least.
“You.. want to take me to dinner?” He asked, a bit dumbly, as his brain worked to catch up to what was going on.
“I- Well, yes. If that’s not overstepping, I know I’m technically within management, even though I’m not directly in your chain, I understand if you’re uncomfort-”
“It’s not overstepping,” Danny interrupted, pulling a small card out of his desk, scribbling his cell number on the backside before holding it out to Tim. “I’m free Saturday. Just text me the dress code and remember I don't really have anything black tie-eqs, alright?”
Tim carefully took the card from his hand, looking a bit surprised that his offer had been accepted. Honestly, it was kinda cute. “Okay- I can do that. I have to get to a meeting but.. I’ll text you. Thank you, Danny-” Tim said with an admittedly slightly dorky smile- but it was real.
“I’ll be looking forward to it, Tim.”