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Danny liked coming to Clockwork’s lair.
Clockwork was always happy to have him, he was a very good listener, and had really good snacks.
He also lived in such an interesting place.
The first few times Danny had been there he hadn’t had enough time to really look around, but eventually Clockwork had started to show him.
There was a kitchen, a living room, and a couple of different workshops for different time-related things.
There was also a lot more.
So much more.
Clockwork never really gave him a formal tour so much as he would bring Danny to whatever room was relevant.
Danny was beyond curious as to what else was there.
The place looked huge from the outside and Danny wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the place was bigger on the inside.
“Hey Clockwork,” Danny asked while eating one of the freshly baked cookies Clockwork had offered him.
“Yes?”
“Are you busy today?”
“Why do you ask?” Clockwork asked instead of answering.
“Well, I was just thinking that there's still a bunch of rooms I haven't seen yet…” Danny started but then trailed off suddenly self-conscious of what he was asking.
He had no idea if it was rude to ask this or not, but now he'd already started.
“I do have a few things I need to take care of shortly, but I don’t mind if you want to wander.”
“Really?” Danny floated up a good foot or so in his excitement.
“Of course. Have fun.” Clockwork said with a smile.
Danny thanked him and then grabbed a few cookies before flying off on his little exploration trip.
Danny sped through all the rooms he knew and started trying every door and even window to see what was on the other side.
He found a couple of libraries but didn't stay long in either of them. That was more of a Jazz thing.
He found a courtyard with a really big garden. Which was very pretty, but found it odd that he got there through what he thought was a closet.
He found a fancy dining room that reminded him of the one at Sam's house that her parents wouldn't let him even step foot in. Mrs. Manson says it’s only for dinner parties, but the way she says it sounds like he would never be invited to them.
Not that he really wanted to go to some rich person dinner party, but she didn't have to be mean about it either.
He opened another door and found a bedroom. He left that alone.
He didn't know if Clockwork slept, or if this was for someone else.
But who else could it be for?
He didn't feel like dwelling on that much longer so he flew off to find another room.
The next room he found was empty.
Or at least he thought it was at first glance.
Off to the side was a small vanity.
He flew a little closer and noticed that there was a very nice-looking brush resting on the tabletop and that mirror was missing from the vanity.
It was just an empty frame.
He picked up the brush, turning it over in his hands.
The brush was mostly silver with off-white bristles. There were lots of swirls and lines carved into the handle.
Holding the brush reminded him that it had been a hot minute since he had last properly brushed his hair.
Sure he'd run his comb through it occasionally, but he pretty much had constant bedhead.
He ran his fingers through his hair first and hit a knot.
The brush looked untouched, so it was probably okay to use.
He shrugged and tried it out.
It was so smooth as it went through his hair that he hardly felt it snag as it untangled his hair. There was just enough resistance that he could tell it was working, but it didn't hurt at all.
With how well it was working he figured he'd be done in no time.
But then he kept brushing.
How long had he been sitting here?
How could he still be doing this?
His hair wasn’t that long, so why was the brush able to go as far as it was? From the top of his head to his shoulders.
That was too far.
Yet he kept going.
There was still more hair to brush.
He wasn’t done yet.
What did he just get himself into?
The door opened and Clockwork stood in the doorway. “Ah, there you are.”
Danny was still brushing.
His hair was past his shoulders now, almost halfway down his back.
His arms were getting sore.
“How do I make it stop?” Danny whined more than asked.
“There's nothing to be done,” Clockwork answered in his usual cryptic manner.
“Am I stuck like this forever?”
“Of course not. Hardly anything lasts forever.” Clockwork said as he closed the distance between them.
“Just until my arms fall off then?”
Clockwork chuckled, “Your arms will stay attached. I can take over if you'd like?”
“Please!”
Clockwork took the brush from Danny’s hand and continued to brush his hair as it continued to grow.
It was quiet for a while. Just the sound of the brush gliding through Danny’s hair. Each stroke lasted longer than the last.
After several minutes of Clockwork brushing his hair Danny started to get antsy.
“Are you alright?” He asked, still somehow calm.
“You said this wouldn't last forever, but also said I couldn't do anything to make it stop.”
“That's correct.”
“When does it stop?”
“We can stop brushing when your hair stops growing.”
“How long is that?”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“Everyone has a different max length that their hair can grow. Once you reach that, it will be over.”
“But I've never had my hair anywhere near this long before.”
“True, but it’s growing to the longest that it could if you let it.”
Danny just hummed in acknowledgment. It was weird, but he understood how it worked now.
Danny relaxed again. It was hard not to find this relaxing, once he got past the weirdness of it all.
“I do apologize.”
“For what?”
“I wasn't sure how to keep this from affecting you. It's harmless, but still, most people don't enjoy being cursed.”
“Why didn't you lock the door?”
“That would have just made you want to get in here even more.”
Danny couldn’t argue with that logic. Finding a locked door would have driven him nuts until he was able to get in.
He would have found a way in eventually. Which would have still led to exactly where they are now.
“There, all done.” Clockwork said as he finished the final brushstroke and set the brush back onto the vanity.
Danny took the first opportunity to move to see how long his hair had gotten.
It was well past his waist, almost to his knees.
“What am I going to do with all this hair?” Danny lamented.
It wasn’t hard to imagine getting it caught in something or getting his arms tangled up in it.
“I can tie it back if you’d like?” Clockwork offered.
“That would be great, thanks.”
A few minutes later Clockwork had braided Danny’s excessive amount of hair into a manageable chunk.
As they floated out of the room Danny examined the brain. As far as he could tell it was perfect. No loose hairs were sticking out anywhere and each section was expertly weaved into the next.
“How did you learn to braid so well?”
“I’ve had a lot of practice.”
Danny looked up to Clockwork in total confusion.
Clockwork smiled and took off his hood. His hair was just like Danny’s. White, super long, and in the exact same braid.
“You aren’t the first one to be tricked by that brush.”