A/N: Hiya, soooo if the pacing seems kinda awkward, sorry. I wrote this chapter at different times with other things on my mind and it turned into this. I'll probably fix parts of this later but for now, I think it's okay. Have fun reading!
Disclaimer cause I don't remember what I put in the last chapter: I don't own anything expect orginal characters and plot.
"Vlad, pass the hot sauce would you? It's too far," Vicky asked, her fingertips a few inches away from the homemade sauce.
Vlad rolled his eyes, but smiled and passed it to her anyway. She smiled back, jumping a little in her seat.
"You know Vlad, how do you stay so young-looking? Everyone that I know around your age have wrinkles on their face and they're all starting to slouch. You barely have any lines on yours plus you seem super sturdy," She questioned, pausing from her inhaling food.
"Uhhh…" He grips his knee under the table, " Good genes I guess? Food is a part of aging too if I remember correctly."
Vicky lets out a huff, "That's not fair, I'm just reaching thirty and already I have wrinkles." She prods her face with her forefinger, showing a miniscule portion of skin that's begun to fold.
Elian coughs, covering a laugh and choking on the beer, "Ow, ow ,ow. Goddamit Vicky, you're fine, if anything you look better than most people your age, I should know.
"Speaking of, what's today's story?" Vlad interjects, pushing the skin topic aside.
Elian perks up and tries to suppress the coughing. "This story around is pretty funny, being completely honest. There was this guy, someone that I haven't seen before, trying to flirt with me. I was flattered, obviously; I mean, who wouldn't want a piece of this," he gestures to the entirety of himself.
"Now if I recall correctly, you did the same thing to me the first time I walked into your cafe," He said as he adjusted himself into the chair, waiting for…..
"YOU FLIRTED WITH VLAD! Okay, scratch that story, tell me about that meeting, I NEED to know. I told you how I met Vlad two weeks ago, it's your turn bucko." exclaimed Vicky, almost knocking over her bottle of beer. That would have been a mess.
"Ahggg… Why would you do this to me Vlad? I thought you loved me," Elian's eyes were shiny from the false tears building up.
"I've known you for a month, give or take. It's a bit early to say we love each other." Vlad responded, the sarcasm thick, woven in.
Elian gasps, "How could you? We hit it off so well and this is how you treat me. The meals I've made, the recommendations. Do they all mean nothing?"
Vlad tried to keep a straight face, keyword being try. Couple minutes later, he lets loose a laugh, enjoying the moment of childish banter. Off to the side was Vicky, pouting from her request bring shoved off to the side, "But seriously guys, I wanna know how you met."
The laughter dies down, "Do you want to tell it Elian, or should I?" asked Vlad, getting up from his chair to move the dirty plates out of the way.
Elian closed his eye and thought about who would tell it better, him or Vlad, "I think I'll let you tell it, since you wandered into my cafe."
Vlad lets out a small chuckle, 'What is going on, I haven't laughed this much since college. I'm getting old.' He walks back, taking his place among new friends, even if it's taking time for him to realize that fact.
"So, I originally meant to go to your place first Vicky, but I hadn't eaten in a while hence why I got distracted by the smell."
"The smell?" Vicky interjected.
"Yeah, I lived in a place where the food wasn't…. It wasn't the best." He lied smoothly.
Elian looked at him, "Where were you staying that the food was shit?" The words just slightly slurred.
The slur went unnoticed, "It was a place somewhere in India, it's a bit blurry really. I was mostly alone and went to a village for supplies," Vlad was surprising himself with how he was lying on the spot, even with the alcohol in his system.
"That's kinda sad, to be alone like that. I don't think I could take that." Vicky responded, swishing the liquid in the beer bottle.
Vlad gives her a soft smile, completely missing how Elian looked in mild awe, "It wasn't too bad. Being out there gave me a lot of time to think about my….. Problems and I came back a better man, or at least I hope so."
The atmosphere turned melancholy, the smiles going flat. All that was heard was liquid sloshing back and forth from the numerous sips taken. No one seemed to take initiative on turning the situation around, like the sadness was a leech sinking its teeth into everyone, bleeding them of happiness.
…
…..
….
….
"This feels really awkward," Elian spoke up, clearly uncomfortable from the silence.
Vlad sighs, "Sorry. I tend to mess up the mood at some point, it's not my greatest quality."
"Vlad seriously? You really need to stop putting yourself down like that, it hurts me as your friend." Vicky replied, her face forming a frown.
Elian chimes in, "She's not wrong. You did the same thing last time and just left after it happened. It's not healthy."
Vlad honestly was confused with the two, the idea that someone cares about his wellbeing was lost in the past. It felt nice and weird at the same time but it wasn't bad. He smiled at them, setting down the beer in his hand.
"You two really are too much. You've know me for such a short time and already making comments like that." Tears were pricking his eyes but none fell, he didn't deserve to cry yet. He needed to fix the damage he'd left before he can be given the luxury.
Elian gives out a loud sigh, "Ok kinda sorry for this but Vlad, you sound like a fifteen year old emo boy, you know, the one who thinks the world sucks. It's even worse than last time."
Vicky stands up and walks toward Vlad, engulfing him in a hug, "Whoever hurt you sucks and can fuck off. We are your friends so whatever you say is going into the garbage."
Vlad's eyes open, his arms glued to his sides, his mind fighting whether or not to respond. A warmth hits him from behind and he realizes Elian decided to join in which makes it more difficult on how he could possibly reciprocate with two people either side. So he doesn't, rather he relaxes as best as he can and lets the warmth sink in. When they let go, Vlad felt like he might actually succeed in becoming a better version of himself.
"Alright! Time to clean up and go home. All this heart to heart stuff got me emotionally exhausted." Vicky exclaimed, picking up her plate and lightly tossing it into the sink. Elian, on the other hand picks up the empty bottles and throws them into the recycling bin he brought when they were fixing up the house.
Vlad looks at them, noticing that both were slightly wobbling as they walked, "I don't think I want either of you to go home, at least not like how the both of you are right now."
Elian holds a hand on top of his mouth, trying to silence some giggles, "Oh Vlad, the things you say, I might blush."
"Wow Elian, so forward! But I don't think that's what Vlad meant." Vicky pointed out.
Vlad lets out a sigh with minor frustration, "Not funny you two, but seriously I'm not letting you two go home today. I would rather not lose my friends in an accident because I wasn't stubborn enough to keep you from driving home. There are a couple rooms upstairs that are relatively clean, just be careful going up the stairs."
Vicky smiles at him, "Thanks Vlad, you really are a nice guy."
She drags Elian along with her in the adventure of finding the rooms, and Elian gives a small wave at Vlad. Vlad chuckles but he waves back, rearranging the chairs and putting everything back in its place. 'I can do the dishes in the morning,' he thought, turning off the lights as he walked out of the kitchen. As he made his way to the stairs, a breeze caught his attention.
'I thought all the windows were closed,' Vlad pondered. He went over to close the window that had been curiously left open.
"Well, if it isn't Vlad Masters himself. Back to the land of the living or at least, half of you is."
Vlad whipped back, slamming close the window from surprise.
The Dairy King winces at the loud bang, "You didn't have to slam it so hard. You're going to bring some unwanted attention."
"What are you doing here?" Vlad questioned, shifting his body so he could get a view of the staircase.
"I live here, in case you've forgotten." The Dairy King was visibly miffed at the question.
"I thought you left after the castle got destroyed." Vlad responded, his eyes flickering on the staircase.
The Dairy King smiles, "I did, but I got tired of staying in the Ghost Zone so I came back. It was a little surprising to find no one here though."
Vlad pales a little at the remark, "Well, I was forced to take a trip, of sorts. Didn't give me time to figure out a way to leave someone in charge of the house. But that's not really important right now, now is it?"
The smile fades away, "You're wondering how I remember you. Why don't we take a seat; Being in this area is taking a toll on me. I'm not really used to feeling aches after being dead for so long," He gestures towards the new furniture as the old ones were riddled with all sorts of creatures.
Vlad wonders if the field Clockwork had set up was what was affecting the Dairy King so harshly. He takes a seat on a large sofa while the King takes his on a matching chair opposite on him. The King relaxes, taking a deep breathe as he sinks into the chair.
'Is the field really that strong?' Vlad questions, observing the Dairy King. He takes in how the King doesn't seem as transparent like before, as well as having more color not only in his clothes but his skin as well. It didn't seem quite vibrate anymore, taking on a much softer green instead.
"So, Vlad. I guess I should explain how is it that I remember you despite what Clockwork told you?" The King asked.
At the mention of Clockwork, Vlad immediately tears himself away from his thoughts.
"What did he tell you?" Vlad demanded.
"There is no need for that rude tone young man. Respect your elders a little more why don't ya." The King's nose was lifted higher into the air, the wisconsin accent coming through much more than before.
"I don't think I can be called a young man anymore, your majesty-"
"Robert"
"Pardon?"
"Please call me by my name, Robert. I haven't really heard anyone say my name in a long time."
Vlad's eyes soften, feeling a pang of sadness for the older ghost, "Okay, Robert. I didn't mean to sound so rash, I'm just….."
"Worried," Robert suggested.
"Yes. That would be a good way to put it," Vlad puts a hand across his forehead, stress starting to take over as the idea of someone remembering the terrible things he's done sinks in.
Robert reaches over from his chair and places a hand on Vlad's shoulder. He gives it a weak squeeze.
Vlad looks up at him and gently pushes off the hand, unwilling to accept the comfort.
Robert sighs, "You know Vlad, it's okay to accept help here and there."
"We're getting off topic again," Vlad could feel his old self rising again; he never did like being coddled like a child.
"Alright," Robert said, "You wanted to know why I remember you correct."
"Yes, if you would be so kind," Vlad let a bit of sarcasm seep into his words.
"I'm a reminder, to put it simply. Something to keep on your journey to put the past behind you and look forward for once. And I'm not the only one," Robert explains.
"What?"
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