Here in Your Arms

Summary: Vlad surprises Danny when he takes him out for a real date.

Characters: Vlad x Danny

Originally Written: February 2014

"This is so not what I was expecting," Danny said with an amused chuckle as he struggled to properly hold the chopsticks so that he could pick up one of the pieces of sushi on the long rectangular white plate before him.

"Oh?" Vlad questioned curiously. He took hold of the young half ghost's hand and helped him adjust his hold so that the chopsticks didn't twist around when he tried to pick something up.

The blush already upon his face darkened a few shades, and Danny was overly aware of the arm loosely wrapped around his waist as he sat in the older half ghost's lap. Vlad's hand rested low on his hip, and if he allowed it to slip just a little, it would- Danny forced that kind of thinking out of his head before his body started getting ideas.

With a cough, Danny answered, "When people ask if you want to go out for sushi, they don't usually mean taking a trip through the Ghost Zone to Japan to get the sushi." He managed to snag a piece of sushi between his chopsticks and lifted it to his mouth with his other hand under it, in case he accidentally dropped it.

"There's nothing better than getting sushi in Japan." Vlad's mouth brushed over the nape of Danny's neck, his lips curling in a grin against the young half ghost's skin. It was still wet from their time sitting in the baths of the onsen, and it seemed well worth it since they were both well relaxed now.

Danny stuffed the sushi into his mouth, enjoying the taste as he munched on it. After he swallowed, he set the chopsticks down on the table. Then he twisted around in Vlad's lap, grinning as he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's neck. "Okay. This is probably the best date idea we've had." As much as he enjoyed college and studying and meeting new friends, Clare becoming a good friend in those final two and a half months, it wasn't without its stresses. Then when he returned to Amity Park, he had to get caught up on everything happening with the relations between humans and ghosts. It was nice having this time away from everything that added to his stress and unwind for a while.

"Well, you were complaining about not having a real date," Vlad said, leaning back on his arms as the young half ghost straddled his waist. With the age difference, they didn't want to go out and have people stare at them or mutter rude comments under their breaths. They could be seen dating as ghosts, but there were still plenty of people who would likely scream and run in terror at the sight of a pair of ghosts. "At least here, we have some privacy so we can be as romantic as we like.

The grin remained on Vlad's face as Danny leaned forward to capture his lips in a kiss. Fingers threaded through his still damp silver hair, loose from its usual ponytail after relaxing in the steamy baths. His lips parted when he felt the tongue eagerly prodding at them, and he sighed happily into the kiss as Danny's tongue caressed the roof of his mouth. Danny shifted, pressing closer to the older half ghost with only the thin layers of their yukata separating them. Vlad reached up, cupping the young man's cheek then sliding his hand down the long pale neck and around the back, tugging his boyfriend closer as their mouths moved against one another, tongues stroking each other languishingly. He placed his other hand on Danny's leg, the pale blue yukata with wave patterns along the hem bunching as he moved his hand up the thigh. Danny moaned into the kiss, abandoning his toying with Vlad's hair as he ran his hand down the older half ghost's chest, slipping them inside the matching yukata that Vlad wore so that he could explore the muscles hidden beneath the thin fabric.

They wouldn't go all the way. Not yet. Vlad was definitely as interested as Danny was about progressing further in their relationship, but he believed they still weren't quite ready for that next step. As tempting as it was with such a willing warm body pressed against him. He pulled away from Danny, both of them breathing hard after the passionate kiss. His hand still rested on the young man's thigh too close to his hip, his thumb rubbing absently over the smooth flesh, and Danny groaned deep in his throat as he pressed his forehead to Vlad's. He stared into Vlad's dark blue eyes, and a peaceful silence fell over them.

"Someone kissed me while I was at college." Danny frowned after his sudden announcement as Vlad stilled, tension immediately filling every inch of his body, though he tried to keep his expression neutral. "Before you say anything, let me explain. Since we're never seen together and no one at my college knows I'm actually in a relationship, she thought I was single and decided to take the chance since she thought I was cute and smart and nice and stuff."

"Naturally," Vlad agreed with just a touch of strain in his voice. "I'm not surprised someone would find you attractive."

Danny's cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink. "Anyway, she kissed me, but I explained to her right away that I was in a relationship and very happy. She understands. We're friends now, and she won't be hitting on me again. I should have told you about it right away, but after I got back from college, there was all that ghost stuff to catch up on. I just didn't want to lie to you about it, even if it was through omission."

Vlad didn't respond for several long moments, and the silence made Danny uncomfortable, a cold feeling settling inside him like his stomach was about to turn intangible involuntarily and sink right through his body. Then Vlad released a sigh. "I thought I could contain my jealousy better," he mumbled, shaking his head. "I thought it wouldn't bother me if you found someone else to love."

"But I don't-"

Vlad placed a finger to Danny's mouth to silence him. "I know," he said quietly. "But if hearing about a simple kiss that didn't turn into anything more has me feeling insanely jealous, how would I feel if you did fall for someone else? I thought I could be happy for you, but I find myself not wanting you to be with anyone but me right now."

Danny released a breathy laugh. "Then that's okay because I don't have anyone else I want to be with."

"I do hope that doesn't change any time soon. I don't like this jealous feeling when I think of you kissing other people."

"She kissed me," Danny corrected. "And I only didn't stop her because I was too surprised that someone as pretty as she would be interested in someone like me."

Vlad cupped Danny's face in his hands and gave the young half ghost a very serious look. "You are a truly amazing person, Danny. Not many people could have gone through what you did and come through it a much stronger person. Not only that, but your kindness remained intact. You haven't let any bitterness over the things that happened twist you into some cruel, vengeful spirit. I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't be drawn to you?"

"You're so embarrassing sometimes." Danny almost groaned as his cheeks burned with a blush, but with a smile, he leaned into Vlad, resting his head upon the man's chest and listening to his heartbeat. "Do we really have to go home soon?"

Vlad sighed, snaking an arm around the young man's waist. "Your parents would probably find it suspicious if we stayed out until morning."

Danny frowned. "Just a little while longer?"

Vlad nodded, enjoying this quiet time they had together with Danny in his arms. "I think we can stay for a little longer."

midnight: But of course! 8D And yay friends~ Those are always good to have. XD;;;