"Oh, Daniel!" The moment you set foot in the diner, the bell above the door chiming merrily, his mother was grinning from ear to ear and hurrying to greet you. She was dressed in classic 80s diner clothing, the gingham dress a dark blue moss colour and the apron around her waist a crisp white; her black hair was tied up into a high ponytail by a golden ribbon that matched her glimmering eyes. "You made it! I'm so relieved you got here safe," She grabbed his hands in her own and then pulled him into a tight hug, pressing a kiss to his cheek and ignoring the way he groaned out his disapproval. 

"Of course I made it, Momma, I know how to ride my bike-" she kissed his cheek again and again then pulled him into another tight hug, making you giggle at the sight, "Okay, Mom, that's enough please." Despite the irritation he tried to force into his words the corners of his lips were twitching up into an unwanted smile and his mother knew he enjoyed the affection.

"Sorry, honey," she said as she took his hands just for one more second, "I know you're busy. It's wonderful to see you again, (Y/N)." Danny's mother looked over at you and her smile melted into a calmer, more contented one. "It's pretty busy tonight but I saved you a table in the quiet corner by the window." 

"Thanks, Ma," Now it was Danny's turn to lean in and kiss his mother's cheek before turning back to you and motioning with a flick of his head for you to follow him. 

"Really, thank you Mrs. Johnson. We appreciate it." She waved a hand dismissively but her cheeks tinted a flattered rose.

"Please, call me Aurelia. Go get that project finished, dear, and call me if you need anything." You smile at her one more time and hurry away after Danny through one of the most authentic diners you'd ever seen. It wasn't trashy or cheap like the chain ones from New York, it was perfectly clean and decorated with love and every plate of food looked and smelt absolutely delicious. The booth in the corner had a large window on either side giving you a crystal clear view of the outside forest basking underneath the cloud-tufted sky. It was only 5:00 or so, so you had plenty of time to get this project done perfectly; making up for two weeks of work in just one night? Sure, you could do it, and you sure as hell would get an A as well. As soon as you slid into the moss blue coloured leather seats Danny was swiping a menu from its place in the holder on the right side of the table, flipping it open to search through it. 

"What do you want to eat? I'll pay." He hummed absentmindedly and laid the menu flat, spinning it so it was sideways between the two of you, "If I have to make a recommendation I'd say the eggs and bacon even if it isn't technically breakfast; they're one of the all-day options and they are just-" Danny pressed his fingers to his lips and pulled them back in a dramatic chefs kiss, "And if not them, then the extreme pancakes. They're good too." You lean forwards and twist your head to better read the sideways letters, scanning the food items. The pancakes did look good- the order came with three of them, described to be fluffy and topped with your selection of butter, chocolate chips, strawberries, whipped cream, maple syrup or chocolate spread.

"What are you getting?" You ask and Danny answer back without thinking.

"The eggs and bacon. Like I said, they're works of art." 

"Then I'll get the pancakes and we can steal some of each others food." 

"Sounds like a plan- I'm getting us a milkshake, too. Oh!" Danny closed the meny and flipped it over, "One of these bad boys as well." He pointed to something called 'EVERYTHING FRIES' (specifically in all caps) and you rapidly read the description. Hamburger meat, melted cheese, tomato, onion, green onion, sour cream and taco seasoning- that sounded delicious, actually. 

"That's perfect. I'm starved." As Danny pushed the menu aside you turned to your backpack, unzipping the top and digging around inside for your English binder and pencil case. You were just about to pull them out and set them on the table when Dany shot up and reached across it, pushing your school things back down into your bag. 

"Ah ah ah," He said with a shake of his head, "No school work til we're fed. That's a rule- whenever there's food on the table, it's us taking a break." You let out a sigh and comply, dropping them and setting your hands on the tabletop. "I don't want you burning yourself out, okay?" At the sincerity in his yellow eyes, you can't help but smile, nodding your head reluctantly. 

"Fine, fine. Let's eat quick then, we don't want to be here all night." 

"Sure thing, sweetheart." At once, Danny scanned the restaurant until he spotted his mother taking orders for another table. He raised his hand to signify that he was ready to get his own food and she just nodded her head, wrapping up with her current table before making her way towards the kitchen. You watched her slip behind the bar and turn to someone sitting on one of the seats, a little girl; you recognized it as Danny's little sister. Aurelia said something to Dahlia before the little girl nodded, reaching out a hand for her mother's pen and notepad and hopping off the barstool. Excited and smiling, the little girl hurried towards your table and set the two things on the surface. "Oh, hey Dahl!" Danny grinned, scooting over and patting the spot beside him, "You're helping Momma take orders tonight?"

"Uhuh," Dahlia said, her smile unchanging, "Mommy said I hafta come wif' 'er to wo'k today since Daddy's home." You see the way Danny tense for just a moment, nodding his head and swiping the notepad off the surface before him. Quickly, he jotted down your order and handed it back to his sister, patting her back real quick before pulling her into a quick side hug. 

"Alright. You'll do great, honey, go make Momma proud."

"I always make Momma proud," She pointed out and you hid your smile behind your hand in an attempt to stop yourself from giggling. 

"That you do, Dahl, that you do." With that, the little girl hopped to her feet and scurried away to bring your order to Aurelia. "Sorry 'bout that," Danny said with an apologetic glance, resting his head on his hand and propping that up against the table with his elbow, "I didn't know she'd be here today but that makes sense."

"It's not a problem, really- she's a sweet girl, but can I ask... didn't she say your dad was home?" You clasp your hands together in your lap, afraid to make Danny hurt or angry. He just swallows hard and shrugs one shoulder.

"He's not good with kids. Never has been." You let out a hum of acknowledgement and smile at him. 

"Thanks for getting together with me to get this thing done. I... I honestly didn't think you would." Now it was your turn to shrug your shoulder in an attempt to make those words as inoffensive as possible. Luckily for you Danny just laughs and nods his head.

"Yeah, don't get used to it. I normally don't do this shit for people."

"What is it about me that makes you care?" Your smile turns cheeky and you mirror his position, head propped up with your hand. You see his cheeks flush and a burst of triumph bubbles alongside the fluttering of your little insect friends.

"Who ever said I cared? I just decided to do a nice thing for a sort of decent person because you're the first one who's not treated me like shit, other than Amanda and Loomis." Your smile wavers. You had never really noticed until now; Danny had always seemed like the top dog, worshipped or respected by everyone he came in contact with. Now that he had spoken you realize that maybe everything wasn't that great for him. Women treated him like an object or a prize and most other men just wanted to punch his teeth in if they weren't too afraid of him to do so. 

"Sorry," You mumble, feeling the mood dampen at his words, "I didn't mean to kill the vibes." 

"Ah, who cares," He rolls his eyes, "I'm used to it. And, again, I don't really care what other people think of me." You only hum, blinking slowly and tilting your head. If by any chance he did care, you think he'd be flattered to know that you think he's pretty okay. You were about to state that fact when his mother appeared out of nowhere, cutting you off just as you had opened your mouth. 

"Sorry, kids, I should have had this here sooner," She said with a light laugh as she placed down your milkshake- it looked to be strawberry, served in a classic milkshake glass with whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and a cherry on top. "I'll get the rest of your food out asap." She shot Danny a pointed look that neither of you seemed to understand, then pulled a single straw from the pocket on her apron, setting it on the table between the two of you. 

"Wait wait wait Momma we need a second-" but, alas, Aurelia was long gone already. "Fuck," Danny said through an awkward chuckle, waiting a second before moving for the straw just as you did the same thing. "Oh- Here, you can use it, I'll get another one next time she comes by or-"

"No, no I can't make you wait. You use it, you're paying after all." You both pulled your hands back again and just stared at one another for a moment before letting out a sigh in tandem. 

"If it isn't weird to you I don't mind just sharing." 

"You're right, we don't want the drink to get warm or anything." Having come to a sort of awkward conclusion Danny grabbed the straw and hit it against the table to break the wrapper at the top. Then, lifting the straw to his lips he bit gently down on it and pulled it free from the paper sleeve before leaning forwards and sticking it into the milkshake without ever touching it with his bare hands. Taking a long sip, he leaned back with a contented sigh and pushed it towards you.

"Just as good as ever," He says, and you grin, taking the drink and sipping it for yourself. You had to sit back just as it touched your lips because Jesus Christ that milkshake was the best you'd ever tasted. "See? It's- It's-" Danny trailed off an simply scoffed, throwing his hands in the air. Somehow, that explained it all perfectly. The both of you chattered back and forth, passing the milkshake to whoever wasn't talking, simply trying to get to know each other better. You talked about stupid things like your favourite colour or band and you never once felt awkward while doing that; Danny was just like any other boy, not some big scary bully like your friends all thought he was. 

"So," You say after about 15 minutes of chitchat, "What are your thoughts on that dance, hm? Are you taking anyone?" The milkshake was about half gone; you stuck your finger into the cup and pulled out a dollop of whipped cream. 

"I dunno," Danny huffed, "Probably just Chrissy or some shit." You grimace, screwing your face up into a disgusted and disapproving one. Catching sight of it, Danny furrows his brow at once. "What? What's wrong with you?"

"Why the hell would you take Chrissy?" You scoff, and you don't mean it in any negative way towards Danny but he puts down the milkshake and sits up straight, quirking a brow and clenching his jaw.

"What's your problem with who I take to the dance? What, do you want me to take you or something?" Your heart doesn't flutter this time; his tone of voice is irritated, not serious. Frustration flickers up briefly in the pit of your stomach.

"God no, of course not. That's- that's stupid. Dumb." Danny nods his head enthusiastically, reaching one hand up to scratch at his nose, covering his mouth in the process.

"Yeah, stupid. I'd never take you to the dance. In your dreams." Silence lapses, and neither of you move for the milkshake again. The tension has suddenly spiked, pulled taut between the two of you and not in a good way; Aurelia breaks it, thank the heavens, as she approaches with three massive plates balance precariously and expertly on her arms. 

"Your food is ready at last, you two," She smiles, and then her face falls again when she sees the way her sons shoulders are hunched and his hands are balled into tight fists on the tabletop. Her gaze flicks to you and you look no better, your brows knitted and a frown on your face. "Eat up fast and get to work! If you're here too late you'll fall asleep in the booths again!" When her attempt at a silly joke didn't work to ease the tension, she kicked it up a notch, "At least there's no glitter glue for you to fall face-first into this time." As she mussed Danny's hair your eyebrows shot up and a grin split your face.

"You fell asleep in glitter glue?" Successful, Aurelia smiled and turned to go serve other tables. Mission accomplished. 

(A/N): Stan this chapter. Stan it or suffer.

Important Q for in a few chapters; is (Y/N) wearing a tux, a dress, or a tux/skirt combo to the dance? I can also not specify if that's better for you guys. I don't want to exclude anyone, especially since the reader is gender neutral.