Author's notes: God, this chapter kicked me in the face!!! I went to New Mexico on a weeklong trip and HALF THE TRIP was spent working on this chapter, which got stupider and stupider with every passing rewrite!!!! GOD! So here it is. Whoo.
Warnings: sheer suckery.
5. Archie
It was about 6:15, dusk was finally settling on the Manhattan skyline and there was a man sitting in his basement, dressed up like an owl, feeling a little silly.
Dan had jumped the gun, getting all suited up far too early and now he had nothing to do but sit in his basement, twiddle his thumbs and wait for his partner. Dan whistled tunelessly and beat his open palms against his thighs. Well, this was stupid. While he was a patient man, he preferred to have something to keep his hand occupied. It had been that way ever since he was a kid. He could sit quietly for hours in the doctor's office, at important dinners his parents occasionally attended, at any sort of thing, as long as he had something to occupy his hands. If he didn't then he would look for things to play with. Which usually resulted in something getting broken or spilled and little Daniel getting in trouble. Dan sighed heavily and pushed back his cowl; if he was going to be waiting, he might as well be productive about it.
He took off his gloves and clambered under Archie's hull. There had been a few things he had wanted to work on with his Owlship, but had always been too tired or busy to do so. Now it seemed he would have plenty of time. He contemplated changing out of his suit, but it took forever to put on, and he'd just have to get dressed again when Rorschach came. Dan didn't figure Rorschach would appreciate the wait. So, in costume he would stay.
He wasn't sure how long he was under, happily tinkering with Archie's engines, but he was so oblivious to the world that he didn't register the creak of the gate on the far end of the tunnel. Nor did he hear the soft padding of quiet footsteps. Therefore, when a hand hesitantly reached out and shook his outstretched foot, he let out a startled yell, smashed his head on the underside of Archie and jerked the cowl over his face reflexively. Winching, he scooted out from under the Owlship and blinked, wide eyed, up at the lights.
Rorschach stood before him, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other, "Hello Nite Owl. Something wrong with your ship?"
Dan rubbed the knot on his head and smiled ruefully, "No, I just needed something to do, I suited up too early and Archie could always use some improvement. Uhh…" Dan's eyes fell on the clock on the wall. It wasn't even seven. Surprised, Dan blinked up at Rorschach, "What're you doing here so early?"
The question had been innocent, but Rorschach had a way of taking things the wrong way. He tensed a little, black wings swooping about his face, "Can return later." He mumbled.
Dan stood up hastily, "No, no! I'm sorry, I was just surprised. Actually, I-I could use some help. If you want, it's still pretty early." Rorschach made a thoughtful noise at the back at his throat, "I don't really know much about Owlships, Nite Owl. Don't know how much help I'd be."
Dan laughed a little, "That's ok, I could show you some stuff. And…I could use the company." Dan shrugged, awkward smile still in place. Rorschach considered him for a moment before slowly lowering himself to sit the concrete floor beside Dan, who was smiling happily. Absolutely relishing the opportunity to share one of his passions with an actual person, Dan threw prudence to the wind and tugged on Rorschach's sleeve, pulling him under Archie's hull.
Rorschach grunted in surprise, which should've reminded his partner that he was getting closer and closer to a punch in the face. But the taller man was already animatedly explaining the tangle of wires and circuits and buttons (that all looked about the same to Rorschach) with such boyish enthusiasm that Rorschach decided, despite the initial discomfort at his partner's proximity, that he wouldn't mind listening for a while.
A/N. Yeah. Sorry. That's all I got. Next chapter at the usual weekly time I think. My sister's holding me at gunpoint to hurry up and get to chapter 7 'cause that's her favorite topic.