Not that he was entirely sure why, but Elliot was not expecting Danny to still be there when he returned from his dramatic severance from InfoBYTE.

Elliot let the door close behind him, taking in the scene that sprawled before him in the living room; an embarrassed Daniel Chae, clad only in a pair of boxers, Winn darting around him like a mad woman as measuring tape and various fabric swatches flew around them.

Danny turned, his eyes murderous, “YOU.”

Elliot gave a half-hearted bow, “The one and only.”

Danny pushed his way from Winn, noticeably gently, making his way to Elliot.

“How’s the new outfit progressing?” Elliot asked, his mood not deterred, “I think-”

Elliot was interrupted by sudden impact of Danny’s fist and his jaw, and the sudden motion of stumbling backwards onto the floor.

“How many other people have you told?” Dan asked, his voice alarmingly calm as he crouched over Elliot, pinning him to the floor, “Who did you sell that video to?”

Elliot winced, tasting metal in his mouth, “I told you, I’m an extortionist, not a monster.”

Danny grabbed the collar of Elliot’s suit, “Please don’t make me hurt you.”

“I swear!” Elliot said, hating himself for not hating this particular predicament he had finally found himself in, “And I only filled Winona in so she could get you a new costume going!”

“I don’t need a new costume.” Danny seethed.

Winona wrapped her arms around Danny’s waist, picking him up with a terrifying and graceful ease, “Alright, now you two are just looking for an excuse to straddle each other, calm down.”

Danny angrily wiggled himself from her grasp, “I am doing no such thing!”

“I almost believe you.” Elliot said with a wink, sitting up and gingerly rubbing his jaw. This is going to be one hell of a bruise.

“You were totally fine just a second ago,” Winn said flatly, “You were even suggesting colors! If you want to stop-”

Danny waved his hand, “No, no. You’re right- I’m sorry Winn. I just saw his stupid face and-”

“Had to touch me in some way?” Elliot grinned.

“He’s going to be the first person I kill,” Danny said, looking at Winn, “I swear to god.”

“El, it’s bad enough you’re blackmailing him,” Winn said with a smirk, crossing her arms, “Stop confusing him sexually.”

Danny frowned silently in response.

“Kidding,” Winn said, “Want to see what we’ve got so far, El?”

Winn reached out her hand, helping Elliot up before she pointed Danny back to the center of the living room.

“So you’re okay with her help?” Elliot asked, genuinely curious.

Danny’s frown somehow deepened, “She actually wants to help. She’s a good person.”

“I’m a good person,” Elliot retorted, eliciting a scoff from Danny, “Well, I can be!”

“Right, and I’m Batman.” Danny said with a roll of his eyes.

“At least he started with a decent costume.” Elliot said, sticking out his tongue as he stood closer to Danny, watching as Winn ruffled through her notebook, “Nice underwear, by the way.”

Danny’s face reddened, “Fuck off.”

Winn held up the notebook, showing Danny a sketch, “Do this one, it was my personal favorite.”

“I still think the colors are off,” Danny pouted, “But as you wish, boss.”

With that, Danny pulled on the familiar leather bracelet, a costume suddenly on where he had been practically naked before. It was grey and black, and aside from the cape hanging haphazardly from his shoulders, it was all much more form fitting than sweatpants.

Elliot was in shock for a multitude of reasons, “Damn, son.”

“Cool, right?” Winn asked, clearly proud.

“So you do, like, legit magic shit?” Elliot asked in awe, leaning over to carefully touch the material clinging to Danny’s arm, “That’s…”

“Awesome?” Danny asked, oddly warm.

“I was going to go with bizarrely surprising,” Elliot countered, moving his hand away, “But...also awesome.”

“It’s uh…kind of a family thing.” Danny said, sheepishly, “The magic. I mean.”

“So magician or something of that nature would actually be a good thing to call yourself?” Winn asked, “Because we need to go with something more thematic if you call yourself like...Houdini or something.”

Winn began describing the ideal outfit, were Danny Chae’s alter ego to be something magician themed. From the sound of things, she wanted him to dress up more like a gentleman thief than a super hero.

It was entertaining for Elliot, watching the two of them talk, and the more he watched the more he realized that Daniel Chae was not a strong willed person. It was one thing for him to boss the younger man around, he had an obnoxious personality and a pretty face. Most of the time, people went with Elliot’s whims to get rid of him, sleep with him, or an odd combination of both.

Winn was much nicer, arguably the nicest person Elliot had ever met. People didn’t comply with Winona, they willingly did what she asked because she was a good person and people knew it. She was the nicest person to put up with Elliot…

Well, her and Danny Chae.

Arguably, though, he was being forced.

And he had punched Elliot.

Realizing Winn was talking over the other boy, Elliot loudly cleared his throat, “Hey, Danny boy- what are your thoughts on the whole alias thing?”

Danny blinked at him, sitting down on the chair adjacent while Winn grabbed some more pens, “What do you mean?”

“You’ve got thoughts on it, surely.” Elliot said, poking at his sore cheek, “You gotta speak up.”

“That’s ironic advice, coming from you.” He said flatly, grabbing his shirt from the floor.

“Stick around, kiddo. There’s way more where that came from.” Elliot winked.

“No thanks,” Danny said with a half-smile, “I think I’m fine without the hypocrite’s words of wisdom.”

“Fine,” Elliot shrugged, “We’ll see how you feel when you’re stuck being Tuxedo Mask.”

Danny sat up, spinning the chair to face Winn, “What about ...Merlin? I know that sounds stupid, probably, but...you know, ancient sorcerer and stuff?”

“Can’t say I know of any other superheros named Merlin…” She said slowly, “We’d need to go with something a little more flowy, I think…”

“See?” Elliot whispered, “That wasn’t so hard.”

Danny flushed, “Don’t make me hit you again.”

~

Elliot was surprised, to say the least, at how amicably the day had progressed.

He was sure the actual lack of sewing had to help, as it was Winn’s least favorite part, but he was still in shock nonetheless.

Danny left, agreeing to an exclusive interview once Elliot was ready, and ducked out of the apartment.

“I cannot believe you’re blackmailing him, El.” Winn said as soon as the door shut behind Elliot’s victim.

Elliot shrugged, “Can you blame me? This is my big break! Think of what this is going to do for my career!”

“Yeah, but did you see that kid?” She asked, crossing her arms, “If you’d have asked I’m sure he would have jumped at the chance to help you!”

Elliot felt himself redden, “You think so? I mean, I can tell he thinks I’m cute and all, but-”

“No, you asshole.” She said, disappointment evident in her tone, “He’s a good person. Like, ridiculously good.”

Elliot fell quiet, the mysterious feeling that had pooled within him multiple times in the last few hours resurfacing.

“You know,” Winn continued, “I thought he’d be good for you, that’s why I arranged the blind date in the first place.”

He wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t fight, especially not with Winn.

“Now I guess, like, anyone is going to be too good for you, though.”

Ouch, “Listen, Winn, I can-”

“What? Explain? So can I; you’re a self-centered prick.” She said flatly, “Goodnight, Elliot.”

Winn wordlessly strode into her room, the door slamming loudly behind her.

“I-I got fired today!” He called out, not entirely sure why. What, did he expect? Sympathy?

All Elliot was greeted by was the sudden, empty, silence of the room.

This doesn’t feel good, he thought to himself, somewhat obviously as he made his way back to his room. It didn’t feel good, in fact, this was probably the worst Elliot had ever felt. He frowned, opening his window to let in the cool night air.

It struck him as only slightly amusing that just a few moments ago he was having the best day of his life.

Now he was miserable(?), or in the very least...he felt...guilty.

Winn was right, Danny was a good person. He was a great person. A great person who didn’t speak up for himself and Elliot had taken advantage of it. A great person trying to make the world a better place, and Elliot had taken advantage of that of all things.

Elliot kicked off his pants and angrily grabbed for his cigarettes by the nightstand.

Fucking conscience. He thought, bitterly flicking at the lighter.

The cigarette wouldn’t light and Elliot chalked it up to karmic justice at his expense.

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing loudly as he tossed the cigarette and lighter onto the bed, opting to sit there by the window and pray that something would fly in and kill him.

It’s what he deserved.

You’re being dramatic, He chided himself, pulling his laptop from its previous place on his bed and into his lap.

Wait.

There was, in fact, a way around this.

If anyone could get what he wanted and clear his conscience, it was Elliot.

But do I want to? He thought as he pulled up the video, Is it worth it?

Elliot stared at the screen, watching the horrified face of the only person trying to clean up this city.

Ugh, Elliot pinched his nose, closing his eyes tight as his finger hovered over the mouse pad.

All he had to do was click, one little click and his guilt would be absolved. Technically two, he did have a copy on his phone…

One little click and the video could be deleted.

He could ask for Daniel Chae’s help.

The nice way.

I can’t believe I’m doing this….

Elliot’s finger hit the button right as he heard a ping from his phone.

His heart, at that point, may as well have been completely stopped.

He stretched back awkwardly on the bed, grabbing at his phone and noticing it was a text from an unknown number before he swiped it unlocked.

Unknown number: Hey…
Unknown number: Uh… This is dan. Got your number from Winona.

Elliot frowned, Why would you even want it?

Elliot: Hey?

Elliot immediately kicked himself, What kind of stupid-ass response was that?

Unknown number: I wanted to apologize for punching you.
Unknown number: Because I feel bad.

Jesus H. Christ, I’m a monster, Elliot thought as he grinned stupidly at the phone screen

Unknown number: Because people with souls feel bad. Not that you’d know.
Unknown: And your face is your only redeeming quality.
Unknown: So now you’re basically ruined.

Elliot choked back a laugh, deciding that as fun as watching Danny continue to ramble would be, he should probably stop him at some point.

Elliot: And here I thought it was my wit and dazzling charm that sucked you in.
Elliot: Now you’re telling me it’s my face and the whole blackmail thing?
Unknown number: No, it was definitely just your face.
Unknown number: Uh...and the blackmail.
Elliot: I’m crushed, Danny boy.

Elliot switched over to his phone gallery, deleting the video before quickly programming Danny to his phone.

Danny Boy: You should be, assface.
Danny Boy: Sorry, idk why I thought that would make sense.
Danny Boy: That’s a really stupid insult…
Danny Boy: You’re probably laughing at me now.

Elliot grinned like a moron at his phone, do I tell him I deleted the videos? What if he doesn’t want to do the interview?
No, no, get him to do the interview and then tell him in person. I still need a job.

Danny Boy: Not that I care.
Danny Boy: I don’t, that would be stupid.
Danny Boy: That would make me stupid.
Danny Boy: So laugh away, dickweed.

It was everything Elliot could do to keep his composure, which he was only doing because Winn was mad enough at him as it were. He didn’t need to wake her up on top of disappointing her.

Elliot: Calm down, assface  is a fine insult and perfectly applicable.
Elliot: As they are the only good things about me lol.
Danny Boy: Yeah, I’m not fighting you on that.

Elliot snickered, I can’t tell if he’s flirting or insulting me.

Elliot: Are you free tomorrow?

He regretted it as soon as he hit send.