Chapter Text
Clockwork leaned against one of the cool stone walls of his lair, eyes closed. The months he had spent away amounted to little more than a blink in an unimaginably long life, and yet he was happy to be back.
And happier still that Daniel was back with him.
Oh, he would have been glad enough to have him safe in the Far Frozen or Pandora’s kingdom, that was true. Frostbite and Pandora were easily and obviously the best of the applicants. Jasmine wouldn’t have been a terrible choice, either.
Still. What he had wanted most of all, but had barely dared to hope for, was for Daniel to choose him.
It was selfish, perhaps. Clockwork had limitations, restrictions, that Frostbite and Pandora did not. He was still beholden to the Observants, and he had duties to the timeline apart from that. Daniel might certainly have a more peaceful life away from Clockwork.
But he might have a more tumultuous one as well. Clockwork had seen many paths, waiting for Daniel to return from his visits, many ways that time could unfold. He had not been able to, and still could not, pick the one that was most likely. There were timelines where Daniel returned to Amity Park, timelines where he spent his days in idyllic, peaceful Realms, timelines where he accompanied his new guardian or guardians to war, timelines where he grew up and moved away, timelines where he remained childlike forever, timelines where he fell into corruption and evil, timelines where he rose up, becoming even greater than he was now.
There were too many variables for even Clockwork to begin to sort them out. Anything could have happened.
Including this.
Clockwork let himself smile. Neat braids of timelines spiraled out from this moment, all of them golden bright in the near future, even if some of them tarnished in the more distant future.
Clockwork could avoid those. He was sure of that.
There was much to do before then. Lessons needed to be arranged. Jasmine, while far too zealous, hadn’t entirely been wrong about that. And Clockwork should contact her sooner rather than later. She was a good sister for Daniel, even if she wouldn’t have been a good parent. Daniel’s things from the temporary house would need to be brought over. Arrangements regarding Amity Park should also be made. Daniel might not remember the place at all, outside of stories he’d heard from Vlad, Frostbite, and the like, but his normal affection for it was great. And, on the subject of memory, Clockwork ought to look into ways to compel the Observants to return Daniel’s memories, or even call upon the doctors of the Far Frozen–
A soft sound stirred Clockwork from his musing, and he opened his eyes. He had prepared a room for Daniel, against this very scenario, and his preparation had paid off. Half hidden by gauzy curtains, Daniel laid in the large bed under star-patterned sheets and blankets, exhausted by the emotions and exertions of the day.
Although, he wasn’t entirely under the blankets. He had rolled over in his sleep and knocked his sheets askew.
Clockwork flew forward, brushing the curtains aside, and tucked Daniel in. He took a moment to pull some of Daniel’s hair out of his face as well. It was getting long. Perhaps they should think about braiding it.
But doubtless Daniel would tease him if he knew that Clockwork was watching him so closely in his sleep, and rightly so. As he had been thinking only moments before, he had much to do, and he had no desire to disturb Daniel’s rest. Regretfully, Clockwork flew back, towards the door. So many things to get ready…
He paused, though, before closing the door, watching Daniel sleep for a moment longer. Watching his son.
He smiled, a little more broadly than was his usual habit. Everything was exactly how it should be.
He closed the door, and, for the moment, left Daniel to his dreams.
He hoped they were good ones.