John Kent wasn't sure how he'd managed to convince Damian Wayne to even *consider* going to a Halloween party, let alone dress up. Damian, with his brooding demeanor and "I'm too good for this" attitude, was the very definition of anti-holiday spirit. Yet, here they were, amidst the overflowing bins of costumes at a local Halloween store, John's eyes sparkling with excitement, Damian looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"Come on, Damian," John pleaded, holding up a pair of vampire fangs. "Think of it! We could be the ultimate power couple: the Boy of Steel and the Dark Knight!"
Damian scoffed, his nose crinkled in disdain. "You're delusional, Kent. We're not going to some juvenile Halloween party. I have far more important things to do."
"Like what? Training? More brooding?" John teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Look, I know you don't do 'fun,' but this is different. It's... an experience. And besides, imagine the chaos we could unleash!"
Damian's eyes narrowed, a flicker of amusement in their depths. "Chaos? You're suggesting we cause a ruckus at a children's party?"
"No, no!" John waved his hands frantically. "Not like that! We'll be the best-dressed, coolest, most intriguing couple there. We'll be the talk of the town!"
Damian snorted. "Intriguing? You're a walking cliché, Kent."
John Kent, with a hopeful smile, tossed the vampire fangs back into the bin. "Fine," he conceded, "not a power couple, then. But you can't deny the thrill of a good costume. How about this?" He held up a ragged pirate costume, complete with an eye patch and a plastic sword.
Damian's gaze swept over the garish outfit before landing back on John's earnest face. "Pirates are passé, Kent."
John sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay, I get it. You're the master of the unexpected. But you have to admit, Halloween is about surprise. It's about embracing the unknown and the absurd."
Damian folded his arms across his chest, his expression unyielding. "And what do you propose, oh great party planner?"
John grinned, reaching for a costume that had been hiding in the back of the rack. "How about this?" He pulled out an elaborate steampunk ensemble, complete with goggles, a leather vest, and a brass-plated top hat. "It's not your typical hero or villain getup, but it's got style and mystery. Plus, it's something you can totally rock."
Damian's eyes widened, and for a brief moment, John thought he saw a glimmer of interest. "Steampunk, huh?" he murmured, fingering the intricate stitching on the sleeve. "It does have a certain... appeal."
John's grin grew wider. "Perfect! Now, let's find something for me that won't make me look like I'm playing dress-up in my dad's garage." He rummaged through the costumes, tossing aside a few more pirate options.
As he searched, Damian couldn't help but run his hands over the steampunk costume, feeling the weight of the fabric and the coolness of the brass accents. He glanced around, ensuring no one was watching before trying on the hat and adjusting the goggles. The reflection in a nearby mirror showed a stark contrast to his usual self-serious attire. The costume had an air of adventure that was hard to ignore.
"Well?" John's voice broke the silence, his eyes hopeful.
Damian removed the hat and goggles, setting them on the counter. "It's... acceptable."
John clapped his hands together. "Alright! Now, let's find something for me."
Damian raised an eyebrow. "I thought you had it all figured out?"
John chuckled. "I do, but I need a costume that complements yours, you know, makes us look like a dynamic duo." He searched the racks with renewed energy, finally landing on a costume that made him laugh out loud. It was a steampunk version of Superman, complete with a brass S-shield on the chest and a cape that looked like it could have been made from an antique map.
"This is it!" John exclaimed, holding up the costume. "The Steel Seraph and the Dark Knight of Industry!"
Damian couldn't help the smirk that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Steel Seraph?"
John's excitement didn't waver. "Yeah! Think about it, you've got the gothic vibe down with your new look. And I'll be the shining beacon of hope, but with gears!"
Damian couldn't suppress the smirk that had spread across his face. He took the costume from John, holding it up to inspect the quality of the material. "Fine," he said with a dramatic sigh. "But only if it fits well."
John beamed. "It's going to be epic, you'll see!"
They tried on the costumes in the changing room, the tension of their earlier conversation dissipating in the face of John's unbridled enthusiasm. When they emerged, the transformation was undeniable. John looked every bit the part of a steampunk Superman, the cape fluttering as he struck a pose. Damian, however, was the real surprise. The costume suited him in a way that made him look less like a sullen teen and more like a young man with an air of mischief.
"Well?" John asked, his hands on his hips.
Damian examined himself in the mirror, the brass goggles reflecting the fluorescent lights above. "It's... tolerable," he said begrudgingly, though the twinkle in his eyes suggested he was more amused than he let on.
John grinned, slapping him on the back. "Tolerable is a win in my book!"
They paid for the costumes and left the store, the crisp fall air a stark contrast to the warmth and chaos inside. The streets were already filling with trick-or-treaters, their laughter echoing through the night. As they walked, John couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. He hadn't been this excited for Halloween in years, not since he'd realized that being the Man of Steel meant he couldn't blend in with the crowd.
