After Hours: Damian, surprise visit

Damian’s apartment was quiet, wrapped in that soft, padded silence that only appears when the music is off and the outside world feels far away. Pale afternoon light slipped through the curtains. He was sitting on the couch, headphones resting around his neck, when the doorbell rang. 🔔

He froze.

No one ever rang his doorbell. It rang again. Short. Hesitant.

Damian stood up and opened the door just a crack.
Elliot was standing there, wearing a smile that clearly meant trouble.

“Before you say anything,” Elliot said quickly, raising a finger, “I need you to trust me. Close your eyes. And you cannot open them. Under any circumstances.”

Damian hesitated. Just for a moment. Then he nodded and closed his eyes, his hair falling even more over one side of his face.

“Okay…” he murmured. “But if this is something weird...”

“Nope. Just come inside.”

Elliot gently guided him in. Damian walked blindly into his own living room, counting steps, suddenly very aware of how close Elliot was.

“Now,” Elliot said, barely holding back a grin, “kneel. I'll go back and pick it up.”

Damian swallowed, cheeks warming, but did as he was told.

Something large moved close to his face. It didn’t touch him, but it was there, casting a long, unmistakable shadow over his features. Damian frowned slightly.

“What is that…?” he whispered.

“Don’t open your eyes,” Elliot warned softly. “Just… trust me.”

The silence stretched for a heartbeat. Two.
Then Elliot spoke again.

“Okay. You can look now.”

Damian opened his eyes.

It was huge.

Soft. Ridiculously soft and bigger than his head, staring back at him with button eyes and a dopey, gentle expression.

“It’s… enormous,” Damian breathed.

Elliot laughed, a little nervous now. “I told you. I figured… you know. Since I like dinosaurs. And since you definitely don’t secretly collect cute plushies or anything.”

Damian’s face went red instantly.

“You said you wouldn’t tell anyone,” he mumbled.

“I didn’t,” Elliot replied. “I just… remembered.”

For a second, Damian didn’t say anything. Then he stood up and hugged Elliot so suddenly that the plushie got squished between them.

“Thank you,” Damian said quietly, his voice a little unsteady. “I really love it.”

Elliot smiled, arms tightening around him.