Page 12 of Bad Daddy

The frigid air hit him as he opened the front door, making him hiss. It was so cold now, with it being mid-January, and the stupid coat wasn’t cutting it.

He said his pleasantries to the driver as he got into the car and buckled himself in. Twenty minutes and he was home.

He passed the drive playing one of his puzzle games on his phone, and managed to get into it enough that it was a pleasant surprise once the car stopped in front of his apartment building. He thanked the driver, then fished his keys out of his pocket and hurried up the steps, ready to be inside and out of the chill. He really needed to invest in a scarf or something, an additional warm thing he could wear with Clint’s stupid coat that the man wouldn’t object to. He kept thinking about making it over to the thrift store to grab one, but the closest one was fifteen minutes away by bus, and it seemed like such a waste of a trip, just for a scarf.

Danny got inside, shed his coat, then beelined to the bathroom to finally brush his teeth. He had taken to carrying gum with him in his jacket pocket, but he’d used the last of his pack a few days ago and hadn’t gotten a chance to buy a fresh one yet. Once that was done, he shed the rest of his clothes and jumped into the shower.

It was only once he was out of the shower that he noticed how badly his wrists were bruised.

“Fucker,” Danny hissed, glaring down at dark purple-mottled skin. The bruises weren’t subtle. It’d be obvious to anyone what they were from.

Just another way for Clint to have control over Danny’s life.

Well, there was nothing for it now. At least it was winter, the perfect time to wear big, oversized sweaters with sleeves that hung down. He’d make do. He always did.

Danny got redressed and went over to his bed to grab his laptop to spend some more time on his paper. He’d already read it through a couple of times, but he wanted to get at least one more full read through of it before he turned it in. Staring at the letters as they bounced around the page always threatened to make his eyes cross, so it was slow going, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through.

It was snowing lightly when Danny’s alarm went off, letting him know it was time to leave if he wanted to get to Grand Azteca on time. He set aside his laptop and went to pull on his beloved winter coat with a sigh, happy that he got to wear it. His thick gloves went on next, then his winter hat. He once again had the thought about trying to find himself a scarf, just because of how bitter the wind was when he stepped outside his building, but he hunched forward and bore it. Grand Azteca was only about a ten minute walk away. Ten minutes was nothing.

His phone buzzed in his pocket as he approached the restaurant, flashing a message from Haru. Danny tugged one of his gloves off so he could press the button to play it out loud, pressing his phone to his ear to hear over the howling wind. He hoped it wasn't bad news.

It wasn't. Just got a table, his iPhone’s robot voice narrated for him. I’m in a booth on the right side.

Danny’s heart sank as he checked the time. He was late? But–

It was twelve fifteen.

Oh.

Well, okay. At least he wasn't late.

Five minutes later, and Danny was stamping off his boots in the doorway of the restaurant, pulling off his hat and heading in, letting Camille, the greeter, know that he was meeting someone.

The restaurant was understandably busy considering it was lunch on a Sunday afternoon, and it made Danny worry about whether or not that was why Haru had showed up so early. Danny went out to eat on his own so rarely, he hadn’t thought much about the restaurant being busier at this time of day. Stupid.

He went searching for Haru’s booth, eyes landing on the man within seconds. He was just…easy to spot in a crowd. He was wearing a soft looking green sweater, looking comfortable and casual. Just a guy meeting someone for lunch. A handsome, important guy who was giving Danny the time of day for some reason, and who could potentially make or break Danny’s legal career.

Just a guy.

Haru spotted him as he approached, looking up from the menu to give him a smile and a wave. Danny stuffed his hat in his pocket and pulled off his gloves, and was gratified that if he looked pink-cheeked, at least it was from the cold.

“Good to see you again,” Haru said warmly as Danny sat down. “Was the walk okay?”

“Yeah, not too bad,” Danny said, brushing snow-damp hair out of his eyes. “How about the drive?”

“Not too bad either,” Haru said. “And this place was easy to find. I’ve never heard of it before, but I’m excited to try. I love trying new food.” He looked like he had already started, making a dent in the basket of complimentary chips and salsa on the table.

“I hope you like it here,” Danny said, giving him a hesitant smile. “I think they do good food.”

Obviously. Otherwise he wouldn’t have recommended it. He grabbed a chip and scooped up some salsa before popping it into his mouth. If he was chewing, he couldn't say anything else stupid.

“Danito! Hey, welcome back!”

Danny grimaced and swallowed his mouthful. Of course. Of course it would be Antonio. “Hey.”

“It’s been ages,” Antonio said, looking faux offended, before switching to rapid-fire Spanish. “Thought you got sick of us! Which was ridiculous, frankly. How could anyone get sick of Grand Azteca’s food? Or me, for that matter?”

Danny fought the groan. Antonio was… nice enough. Mostly he was a chatterbox, and several months ago, when Danny had first ventured into the restaurant, Antonio had noticed Danny wearing a Pride and Prejudice t-shirt and struck up a conversation about the book. Danny had then had to admit he hadn’t read the book, he’d just found the shirt at a thrift store and liked the design on it. That had gotten a dramatic gasp from Antonio, who had proceeded to talk Danny’s ear off about it for the duration of Danny’s meal.

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