Author's Note: Hello again my faithful readers! I decided to update quickly once again while I have all this inspiration...plus I don't have school for a couple days... And, I'm going to answer a Guest review here because I think it's important. I will NOT pair Danny and Sam in this story. I'm not trying to be rude, but in this story she betrayed him. He's never going to trust her again, and you can't have a relationship without trust. So, I'm sorry if you wanted that pairing, but it's just not feasible in this story. Anyway, if you have any concerns, questions, suggestions, or comments please review or PM me. I hope you enjoy the next installment of It's Daniel Masters Now!
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom. :'(
Chapter Four: Painful Revelations
It has been a couple days since Danny had woken up in Vlad's mansion. For all intents and purposes, Vlad had been nice to him; and, as unwanted as it may be, it has made Danny nervous. He didn't know what Vlad was planning, if he was planning anything. He didn't want to believe that Vlad was taken advantage of him—he has looked and sounded completely sincere—, but this is Vlad we're talking about. He's an accomplished liar, but he's been so nice. He's protected him, stood up for him, and he even sounds like he hates his mo—his former mother. Danny sighed. He didn't know what to think. He always believed in his family and friends, and now look where it's gotten him. They all betrayed him. And, Vlad...Vlad...was the one that was now taking care of him. Vlad was even being a better father than his own father had been. Not once has he compared him to Jazz, not once has he gone off without talking or checking up on him for most of the day, not once has he not made sure he had eaten, not once has he ignored him, not once had he left without telling him, not once has he called him lazy or stupid. He's been nice.
And, yeah he's still Vlad. They still had their witty banter. They still insulted each other and drove the other up the wall. Yes, Vlad may act like he's a child every once and a while. Yes, they would yell at each other. And, Vlad still insisted on calling him 'little badger'. But, that just made his kindness feel so real. He's never threatened to throw me out. He's still researching schools and legal was on adopting me. He wants to adopt me, not just allowing me to go to school and stay here. He wants me to be his family. I almost cried when I heard that. After all I've gone through, I was still wanted. Gosh, I haven't felt wanted in awhile.
FLASHBACK
Danny had been in Vlad's indoor blowing alley. He had just gotten a strike when he heard someone clear their voice behind him. Danny tensed, but turned around; inwardly relieved to see that it was just Vlad.
"Daniel," Vlad said softly. "I need to talk to you for a second..."
Becoming nervous, Danny just nodded.
Vlad turned around, and Danny started walking in pace with the billionaire; only tensing slightly when Vlad rested his hand on the small of his back. Vlad lead him to the plush couch that was stationed near the lane and sat down across from Danny.
"Daniel," he said in a serious tone, that had Danny instinctively sit straighter. "I think I have a way to get you into school legally, but there are some things we need to go over first."
"Okay," Danny said carefully. "What do we need to do?"
"First of all, I want to know your standing on your parents," Vlad said carefully. "Don't say anything yet. Just think about it for a moment."
Danny closed his mouth and swallowed the smart remark that he was about to say. What was his standing on his parents. He knew what his pare—former parents thought about him, but what did he think about them?
"I—I'm not sure," Danny said after a moment. "They...they betrayed me. Lied to me. They said that they'd always love me. No matter what. That, that they'd accept me."
At the end of that he was whispering, and Vlad just continued to nod.
Danny took a deep breath and continued, "I don't know what to think. I just feel so betrayed. I know that I never want to go back there. I just can't. I don't think I can ever trust them again. Plus, I don't know if they would even want me back. They always loved Jazz more anyway. It was always about how much she'd accomplished. They were always gushing about her, and if they weren't, they were in the lab. Sometimes, they'd even forget I was home. And, this was before the accident. I had to learn how to cook for myself, do my laundry, and how to occupy myself."
At this point, Vlad's slightly steaming countenance was about to boil over.
"They'd leave without telling me sometimes too," Danny said. "And, sometimes they'd leave without me if we were planning to go somewhere. Then they'd come back without even knowing that I wasn't there... So, I don't know... What am I supposed to think about them?"
"Those...those imbeciles," Vlad hissed. "If I knew you were going through that, I'd have gotten you out of there sooner. I can't believe they'd do that to their own child!"
"...Vlad," Danny whispered.
"Daniel," Vlad said. "I'm sorry..., but after hearing what you just told me...I'm going to turn them in for neglect."
"B-but," Danny said. "They didn't neg—,"
"Daniel...Danny, my dear, dear, boy," Vlad said. "They did. Normal parents don't forget there children. They don't leave them for hours on end without making sure that their children are okay. They don't ignore their children... Little badger, they weren't being parents to you."
Danny's eyes watered at that. Did that mean that they were betraying him all these years?
"Little badger," Vlad said as he embraced him. "Don't cry. You don't have to deal with them any more. Your living with me now. And, I told you I'd take care of you, right?"
Danny nodded as he leaned into the billionaire's chest.
"Then forget about them," Vlad said.
Danny nodded, and they spent a few minutes in silence.
"Now, Daniel," Vlad said. "There was one other thing that I wanted to ask you."
"Okay," Danny whispered.
"Would you like to be Daniel Masters form now on," Vlad asked, carefully.
"Bu-but, how," Danny asked in astonished disbelief.
"I want to adopt you, my dear boy," Vlad said. "And, once we get your parents for neglect, I'll be free to do so. What do you say?"
Danny thought about it for a moment, as he bit his bottom lip. He thought of his former life, and what it had been like living here. He didn't really have anywhere else to go either, but that didn't matter any more. Vlad wanted him here. It's been awhile since he's been wanted.
Danny looked up with a beaming, grateful smile and nodded his consent.
It's Daniel Masters now.
Quick A/N:
Poll-
I had a request, so I wanted to get other peoples opinions.
Who wants Dan to be in the story?
Yes
No
If yes, do you want him to be evil?
Or more aggressive Vlad while being a brother/uncle figure?
Thank you for your time!
