#clockwork dp

At least this time, he comforted himself, Bruce Wayne was taking some of the attention. Principal Grace didn't look as if she knew which to focus on. Wayne himself looked amiable the same way Clockwork seemed pleasant. His eyes were sharp on his son and then to Danny; before being drawn back to Clockwork.

Damian held out the ice pack. Danny accepted and it jolted the principal into motion.

"Sirs, I know that this is a grave situation. This academy has a zero- tolerance policy for violence." She clasped her hands on the desk. Danny hadn't seen much of her since his transfer. He knew his dorm-parents, the teachers, almost every single food cart in the area, but hadn't been drawn into detention in a long time. Not having to ditch class every few minutes to fight ghosts did wonders for attendance, sleep, and grades. Mr. Lancer would be shocked. And proud. Very proud. He'd almost cried when Danny had told him he'd be transferring.

He'd need to text Sam to tell Lancer that he'd gotten a detention. For old times sake.

"Mr. Wayne, I apologize this is."

"Do not apologize." Damian cut in, as imperious as ever. He'd been just as regal trying to break Danny's neck. It was something he'd have to learn.

"Damian, please." Bruce Wayne tilted his head, eyes suddenly sharper than ever. Which, considering his reputation was a surprise. Danny thought he was the sort of father to bully his son out of trouble. Or buy. He had the money. Still, Damian had a reputation too. "How did this fight start, Damian."

Danny used his powers to cool the ice pack a little more. "We were in P.E."

"Yes." With a regal tilt of his head, Damian continued. "We began a lesson on self- defense."

Oh, oh. His father knew where this was going. Eyes closing briefly with a sudden wave of exhaustion that Danny could sympathize.

"Volunteers were requested to demonstrate the value of such skills. I and Dan...ny." Bruce's eyes shot open. Clockwork remained placid. "Danny....engaged in a mock duel."

"Which turned a lot less mocking!" Danny added.

"He displayed great skill." The other boy insisted when Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose, leaning his head on his hand. "Father!"

"He really is good." Danny told Clockwork. "Aunt Dora would be impressed."

The scar tilted as the Master of Time smiled. "A warrior must know when to engage and when not to; to control their impulses."

Danny flushed, glancing toward the floor.

"Yes," Damian agreed, straight and with pink-tipped ears. "It was an unfortunate...lapse. I apologize."

Bruce Wayne and Principal Grace gaped. The other boy was trembling with an emotion that tasted like loathing and admiration.

A ruler must accept their faults to avoid the path of conceit and arrogance. Clockwork had told him that once.

"Same. I got carried away. You're pretty great, you know that! You should be proud, Mr. Wayne." The older man jerked back. "Damian's got chops."

"I am a vegetarian."

"Great! I'm not really a fan of meat....you know. There's a food cart that's got great falafel. We should go there."

"I...gentlemen!" Principal Grace blurted now thoroughly distracted by the teenagers. "I!" She glanced toward the adults for back up.

"Since this is settled. Danny, call your parents after class today." Clock work stood, brushing the braid to his back.

Danny shot them a thumbs up.

"Wait a moment! We have a policy, sirs."

"They have understood their error, apologized, and made an accord." Clockwork tilted their head. just patient enough to be irritated.

"We will spar properly." Damian assured them. "In proper facilities." He added once Bruce's expression narrowed.

"But!"

Bruce added. "Since it does seem consensual and their teacher did ask for volunteers."

"Do you intend to take time from their education when the matter is settled?" Danny almost felt bad for the principal. Clockwork made stronger people faint and given the paling expression she was already at her limit.

"Well....I suppose...not."

"I'll see you at home, Damian." Bruce opened the door for Clockwork. They paused. Danny knew the Master of Time was waiting for which questions had been foreseen. "Do you have time for lunch?"

A white eyebrow rose, green eyes skipping over Bruce Wayne's face, shoulders, and down. As unsubtle as a bloodstain on a white couch. Behind Danny, Principal Grace made a faint choking sound. Damian's expression grew pinched, furious.

"What?" Danny blurted, jerking to his feet.

"Father!"

Clockwork smiled again, just enough to expose an unusually sharp K-9. "I can make time."

It took every ounce of Danny's willpower not to shrivel inward. unsure if he was embarrassed by Clockworks joke or the implications of Bruce Wayne asking them on a date. "No, no, no, no. What are you doing?"

"Enjoy your classes, Damian!" Bruce Wayne followed Clockwork out. "Now, I've got a standing reservation with Cafe de Paris. They have an excellent menu and a fantastic wine selection."

"How promising." The pair vanished around the corner.

Danny whirled on Damian. "Do something! Stop him!"

"As you stopped your guardian?"

"Zeit doesn't listen to anyone. Alright! No one, ever. The last people who tried order them around!" He trailed off. He couldn't exactly explain what Clockwork had done to the Observants.. Not without making them more suspicious than they already were. Which, in Gotham, was pretty fucking suspicious. "Look, it won't work from my end."

Damian's expression soured even further. Impressive given how bitter he'd looked all day. "I...cannot. I have sworn a pact of non-interference in my fathers...companions. The last incident was...memorable."

Danny wondered what sort of shit the likes of Damian Wayne got up to when it came to his fathers love life, but was more concerned with Clockwork. "Dude! Didn't you leave any clauses for loopholes? A bad idea? A real and present danger? Anything?"

"It was well-negotiated, Danny Fenton. It is also notarized...and none of the emergency clauses apply in this situation."

Danny swore under his breath, pushing his hair back. "What about your siblings? Can't they?"

"Boys!" Principal Grace looked as drawn as a broken window shade. She waved a hand. "Go back to class, please. Please."

They obeyed with great reluctance. Damian paused before they entered their classroom. "My father is a worthy man, Fenton."

"That's not even what I'm worried about, Dami. Not even a little."

Part 1

https://www.tumblr.com/planningconquest/803695639858921472/a-fine-warrior?source=share

PT 3