Short Circuit

Chapter 2: A Lovely Story

"Thanks, Mrs Muddlefoot." Elmo said while happily accepting a cup of tea, careful not to spill. "Your tea always tastes so much better than the kind I ste– buy."

"Well, it's all about preparation, dontcha know?" Binkie smiled. "How you brew the tea is as important as what kind you buy. Personally, I always like to start by getting my own leaves from my garden, cutting them up before grinding and drying them–"

Elmo snorted. To Drake's absolute horror, he muttered. "Good thing Bushy wasn't around to hear that."

"Bushy?" Binkie asked, before Drake could switch the topic.

"Oh, uh, it's a nickname for a friend of mine." Elmo shrugged. "Reg is a bit of a nature freak — a treehugger, if you will."

Drake glared at Elmo. Luckily, Binkie made bricks look not dense. She smiled, clapping her hands. "Oh, you never talk about your friends. Besides Drake, anyways."

"Oh, I don't really have that many." Elmo counted on his fingers. "Drake, Reg, Bud, Jacky, and I think Nigel counts?"

"Oh, how lovely!" Binkie's eyes widened as an idea came to her. "You should invite them over for tea."

"No, no you shouldn't!" Drake yelled. He laughed awkwardly at Binkie's shock. "Sorry, Mrs Muddlefoot, it's just that Elmo's friends, well..."

"They're a little wild." Elmo answered, drooping slightly. "Reg is nice, but he will definitely give you an earful over your garden. I love them all like family, honest! But they aren't good at behaving themselves."

"Have you met Tank?" Binkie laughed. "Don't worry, dear, I can handle them. I'd love to meet your friends."

"Really?" Elmo thought about it, then deflated again. Likky and Bushroot couldn't disguise themselves as civilians. And he definitely was not going to invite Negaduck. "Well, tea isn't really their thing. Jacky might come, though."

Drake groaned. Dealing with one supervillain at his neighbor's house was difficult enough, even if Elmo was relatively calm and polite. Adding Quackerjack to that mix just sounded way too stressful. Could Megavolt keep behaving himself when the other half of his Demented Duo was there?

"Sounds delightful." Binkie went to look at her calendar. "Now, when do you think you can come by? I have a date with Herb on Saturday, and Friday is the Love Dove mixer–"

"The what?" Elmo perked up.

"Nothing, just a silly Valentine's thing the Muddlefoots host." Drake shook his head. "Launchpad likes it." He said, diplomatically leaving out the 'I have absolutely no idea why.'

"A Valentine's party?" Elmo asked, excited. "Can I come?"

"Of course, dear." Binkie seemed to think of something. "Are you seeing anyone? You can come alone, but if you do have a partner..."

"Well..." His whiskers twitched for a few seconds. "J-Jacky and I, um... Can he come?"

"Certainly, dear." Binkie answered. "It's a bit of a formal event. Nothing too fancy, just something better than a T-shirt, alright?"

"He's got a bit of a thing about his hat." Elmo answered. "But other than that, it shouldn't be a problem. Thank you, Mrs Muddlefoot."

"You're welcome, Elmo." Binkie sat back down. "Now, let's finish our tea. Oh, Drake, are you coming this year? I know you had work the last couple–"

"Oh, trust me, I'm coming." He sent a warning look at Megavolt. "I wouldn't miss it."

Later, when Elmo was standing outside Drake's door about to go home, he lingered for a second. "You'll be there, at Binkie's party?"

"Worried you won't be able to cause trouble?" Drake asked, perhaps a little more harshly than he meant.

"I'm worried we will cause trouble." Elmo shot a glance at the neighboring house. "I like being Elmo, having civilian friends, and I don't want to lose it. Please promise you'll keep an eye on Quacky and I? Make sure we behave?"

"I wouldn't do anything less." Darkwing nodded. "Soooo... You and Quackerjack, huh? How long's that been going on?"

"Since before the fake psychiatrist scam, I think." Megavolt scrunched up his face in thought, his fried brain working to remember. "It was after I took over the power company, but couldn't have been before the doll incident... Hey, I need a suit!"

"I'm sure Quackerjack can make you one." Darkwing rolled his eyes. "Please don't make me arrest you until after Friday."

Megavolt grinned. "No promises, Dipwing."

"See you later," Darkwing smirked back, closing the door. Right before it clicked shut, he added, "Sparky."

"Don't call me Sparky!" Megavolt yelled through the door.

It was nice being Drake and Elmo again, but both were glad they could still be Darkwing and Megavolt as well. It was a hard balance, but weren't archenemies worth the extra effort?

"Herb, we're going to be having some extra Love Dove guests this year." Binkie told him after giving him a welcome-home-from-work kiss. "Elmo is bringing his boyfriend."

"Good for him." Herb nodded, heading for the TV. "Say, honey, do I really hafta wear a suit dis year?"

"Herbert, you are dressing nice and proper for Valentine's day." Binkie answered sternly, sitting next to him and switching to the news. "Oh, look, Elmo's getting ready for the party!"

"The Demented Duo are at it again." The newscaster announced. "Seven tuxedo stores and a Yarn 'N' Things have been hit already. Is this the start of a fashion-themed crime spree?"

"It's so lovely when couples do things as a pair." Binky sighed, watching the security footage. Quackerjack and Megavolt were apparently debating whether classic black or something more colorful would be better for their suits. "Look at how cute they are together."

"Not nearly as cute as ya, Binkums." Herb answered, kissing her cheek.

"Oh, Herb!" Binkie giggled, blushing. "You're so sweet."