Vlad unlocked his phone for what must have been the hundredth time since Clockwork made him aware that they did have an internet connection and that is was completely untraceable. The nervous tapping of his foot only increased the more he looked at that picture that was plastered everywhere by now.

This was a shit show. His PR department was briefed by Greg and they were handling the Q&A, selecting questions from a group and passing them on for the two to answer. It was decided that Clockwork would not be in a human disguise but he would be wearing business clothing instead of his hooded cape. His hair was drawn into a tight bun much to his dismay.

He set down his phone maybe a little more forcefully than necessary and continued work on Clockwork's hair.

"I don't like wearing it like this, it's too tight." He fussed as Vlad put in the last few bobby pins.

"You don't have to wear it up for long. Then you can wear it down for as long as you like. I much rather have it down anyway." Vlad inspected his handywork and gave a satisfied nod. With how much hair the ghost had it was amazing he was able to pull off a bun in the first place but he sure made it work. "You look stunning, as always." Vlad declared and then blushed furiously. He was used to thinking such things in his head, not saying them out loud.

They were dating, he had to remind himself, it was okay to say things like that. Especially when it was his honest opinion. Still, he worried that he was coming on too strong. Was that something people said when they had only been dating for a month or so? Was there really any rule of measure when one person was a nonlinear time ghost? How could something be too long if according to Clockwork it had yet to happen, was happening, and already happened?

"... Vlad?"

Vlad blinked, realizing Clockwork had said something to him.

"I'm sorry… could you repeat that?"

"I said thank you." Clockwork smiled gently. "I feel the same way about you, sight aside."

"Oh… thank you." He could feel a small smile working its way onto his face as well.

Once they were done getting ready Clockwork found a table to prop a camera on and put a tv just behind it so they could have a view of the room as if they were there. For a short notice fix Vlad thought it looked pretty good. He set the remotes for both down on the arm of the couch they pulled up and looked over to Clockwork. "Well I think we are ready now. All that's left is wait for them to go live which should be happening in…"

"Three minutes, forty-one seconds." Clockwork finished for him before he could even get his cellphone out to check.

"We sure know how to cut it close." Vlad sighed, turning the T.V. on. It was a feed of all the reporters filing in at this point. Once it started all they would have to do is press record and they'd be streamed along with it.

"I don't know how you deal with it." Clockwork ventured. "Someone of your temperament would usually tell people to.. well to go to hell." Vlad playing nice with others wasn't something he was used to, even his truce with Danny was tenuous at times.

"My temperament is the exact reason I need a PR team. I do what I want doesn't sit well in the eyes of the public." Vlad admitted thoughtfully. "You of all people know how I am when I'm angry, but that's not a good way to build a public persona."

"And you care about public opinion since?"

"Since overshadowing a majority of the population all the time became taxing." He deadpanned. "I could do it but it takes time I don't have and energy better redirected elsewhere. Besides, it would hurt my progress with being amicable to the Fentons. I just got them back and I'd rather not throw our friendship away again."

All sound reasons, really. But Clockwork could tell he wasn't being completely honest. It was that tone of false bravado his voice carried, like he was trying to convince himself just as much as whoever he was talking to.

"Why else?"

"...Would it be asinine to want others to like me?" Vlad asked after a second's pause.

"With your behavioral patterns I would say that is far within your normal range of operation. So in short, no not at all."

"I feel like I should be insulted by that assessment, but I really can't bring myself to be."

"That marks personal growth Vladimir, you should be proud." Clockwork intoned again with a cocky grin. Vlad want to hit him with a pillow.

Instead he settled on giving him a kiss, grinning just as much when he saw the telltale start of a violet blush.

Finally he pulled away, looking every bit the pompous asshole he could be.

Victory.

"And yet I still find you looking surprised like that to be the best thing I have ever seen. I suppose I can still be rather petty at times hm? You really should wear it more often."

"And you should try some humility on for size once in a while." Clockwork retorted, looking none too serious with the dreamy expression on his face. Clockwork moved closer to him and kissed Vlad back, at which point they both toppled over onto the couch behind him. Vlad wrapped his arms around the ghost's shoulders, one hand toying with that bun he had so carefully made. It was okay, they had time. Clockwork put his hands on either side of Vlad to ensure they didn't fall over completely.

Vlad was so distracted by how nice it was to be so close to Clockwork as they kissed sweetly that he didn't notice the first few telltale flashes of a camera.

However when he opened his eyes just a bit he realized he was looking at a roomful of reporters who were all furiously getting as many pictures as possible.

How the hell did they start the stream?

Vlad realized a few seconds too late that he was sitting on the remote control for the camera.

Of course he was.

"Uh… C- Michael?" He broke the kiss.

"Hm?"

"W-We're live."