I return, and I come bringing more yaoi! Are you pleased? Yes, I thought you would be. I'm glad everyone enjoyed the last chapter. I'm sorry. I suppose that was a cliffy, even if it was a small one. Won't happen again, I promise. At least... not for a while. I swear. Really.

Anyway, disclaimer time. Danny Phantom is not mine. Vlad Masters is not mine. But I still ship them, cause it's my right as a fan. So who the hell cares if I own the show or not? I don't.

Now that that is taking care of, time for the next chapter.

Chapter Seven: Don't Waste It

It had been a very long time since Vlad Masters had woken up next to a warm body. He'd obviously only had love for Maddie in college, and his interest in the paranormal science had not done wonders for his social or love life in high school. Of course, he had had company over once he had more successful in life, many times, but it was always a purely physical thing. He had loved Maddie deeply, but no man could deny urges like that for twenty straight years.

Mostly though, it had been in his youth, and many of them had come from meetings at a business party. They would share a couple glasses of champagne and a special night, then move on, both of them too busy in their own lives to worry about each other's. Those nights had been nothing more than to settle things for him so he didn't lose his mind, though as the years went on, it was easier and easier to control himself. But even back then, for a guest to stay overnight wasn't exceedingly common.

So for him to wake up next to Danny curled up against him and purring in his sleep, he was at first a little surprised, but then he smiled softly. He didn't even try to stop himself from reaching out and stroking the boy's hair out of his face. Something about him... was just so adorable when he slept.

"So," he murmured, "you made me forget about Maddie and want only you. I wonder how deeply I feel for you. I wonder... if you'll really let me keep you like this."

He hadn't forgotten his talk with Desiree last night. She had said something infuriating things, but they had all been true. This summer wasn't going to last forever, and he had a limited time to try and fix this problem. He still intending to help Danny out of this mess since he certainly couldn't walk around with a collar on for the rest of his life, but was still completely in the dark on how to do it.

With a small groan, he sat up and stretched. Looking down at Danny, he saw the boy was still asleep, contently cuddled into the sheets and soft pillows. Scratching his ears for a moment, he stood up and made his way to the bathroom, intending to get washed up and ready for the day.

After washing and getting dressed, he made his way down to the kitchen, already in his routine despite the strange events of last night. He had decided to let Daniel sleep, grinning to himself in a purely egotistical fashion as he thought the poor boy must really need it.

It didn't even phase him when he saw Desiree in the kitchen, sitting on the dining table with a pot of coffee floating next to her with a saucer and cup on the table. It was becoming a common occurrence to see her lounging on his furniture. He could only guess she enjoyed it more than just sitting normally in a chair, probably only to try and unnerve him.

"Coffee, Master?" she asked calmly.

"Desiree," he said dryly. "Must we start so early in the morning?"

"I don't suppose we have to," she answered with a shrug as she swished her fingers a little and the coffee began pouring itself. She hoped off the table and approached him before pulling Danny's collar from behind her back and holding it out to Vlad. "But I thought you would want this. You shouldn't leave it lying around, you know. Something might happen to it."

He took it wearily, eying it and then her suspiciously.

"Why just give it to me?" he asked, obviously expecting a trap of some kind.

"Why not?" she replied. "I'm sure you would go looking for it eventually. I don't know why you just left it in the hall. Oh, wait... yes I do."

The way she arched an eyebrow would have seemed very lewd, if not for the surprisingly soft smile on her lips. He couldn't help but wonder why she was acting this way. He'd certainly never seen her so pleasant before.

"Are you up to something?" he asked her flatly.

"Your suspicions are just, but unfounded," she told him. "I simply wanted to return that to you."

"It's only that you're..."

"Not being mischievous or conniving?" she asked, to which he nodded. "Well, I can only guess I'm pleased with how things turned out. You have your young lover and both of you seem quite happy with the affair. Considering that was what I was after all along, why shouldn't I be happy?"

"You'll forgive me if I don't quite trust you with that answer."

"You'll forgive me if I don't care," she shot back as she leaned in a little, smirking at him. "Believe what you want Master, but I would have thought last night would have proved to you that you'd be better off just trusting me a little more."

"And how did you come to that conclusion?" he asked as he tucked the collar in his pocket.

"You're with young Danny now, aren't you?" she inquired.

"Well, yes," he admitted.

"And you're happy now, aren't you?"

"Yes. Yes, I am," he sighed, seeing that she did have a point.

"Well, then how did anything I do do any real harm?" she asked and stroked under his chin.

He pulled away and she smiled at him, making her way to the kitchen. Her actions were just as flirtatious, but weren't quite as demeaning and mocking now. It was if she were just playing with a friend. It was just as odd, though he supposed it was only her way of interacting with others. After all, there was her former career to consider.

Sitting down, he took the coffee and sipped on it in thought. There was still the question hanging in the air, the one neither of them had broached yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time. He figured he might as well be the one to bring it up.

"I don't plan on using any wishes yet," he informed her. "I don't know how to help him yet."

"And I take it, you don't plan on using your final wish?" she asked.

"I believe there's still some profit to be gained from this."

She sighed and shook her head.

"I would think that having a naked lover resting in your bed would be plenty profit. After all, you certainly seemed to enjoy him last night from what I saw," she stated, to which he nearly spit out his coffee.

"Have you no shame?!" he asked her.

"Not the last time I checked Master, no," she answered as she pulled things down from the cupboards and started to make him breakfast. A little odd since she could have just whipped something up in seconds, but he did nothing to deter her. He was still a little embarrassed to find out she had apparently been watching them. It really shouldn't have been so surprising though.

"I suppose it's pointless to tell you yet again that you aren't going to find a loophole?" she asked. "The rules are clear, no taking back a single wish. I've already provided you with a solution."

"I just suppose you don't understand," he said as he sipped his drink.

"Oh, I understand," she replied. "You have him and yet you still want more. You're as greedy as ever."

Her spiteful tone was returning and he sighed, knowing her pleasantness couldn't have lasted anyway. It seemed she was not about to let this drop, though he could hardly blame her. He really supposed he didn't have much of choice. Returning Daniel to normal was priority and he did have a solution staring him right in the face. Still, throwing them away for him, while probably necessary still seemed such a waste.

Wasn't there anyway he could still use them and then when he had his last wish, fix Daniel?

"I suppose I still have to try," he said eventually. "It's in my nature to turn the most profit possible."

She regarded him coldly and shook her head.

"Just make sure you don't lose what you have," she warned him.

He looked at her in curiosity, but she said nothing else, instead working on breakfast. He listened to the sizzling of the frying pan and smelled the bacon and eggs, but he couldn't bring himself to really feel hungry for it. Daniel was an emotional boy and if he ever thought for some reason Vlad was keeping him this way intentionally...

He didn't even try to deny that fact that the thought of the teenager leaving him was already terrifying. He certainly didn't want to risk it for any reason. Vlad was in no way the type of man that acquired something just to lose it later on.

At the same time though... he could never hold Danny against his will. The billionaire had no illusion that the boy would never had been touched if he hadn't wanted it in the first place. The boy would have left or fought him or any other number of things if he had been anything less than voluntary.

Once again it struck Vlad that he was with someone because they wanted it. He didn't have to trick or force him. Danny was just... with him.

He looked up when a plate was set before him and he looked up at Desiree.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked him, though the look in her eyes made it obvious she was talking about something else, no matter what she may have been saying.

"Call my office for me," he said as he stood up suddenly. "Tell them I'm taking the day off and that I don't want to be bothered."

"Oh?" she asked, an eyebrow raised. "Very well, Master. I'll be happy to."

He walked back up stairs in a brisk pace, wanting to get back to his little lover as soon as possible. If he was going to keep Daniel by his side, he was going to have to keep him happy. Something that Vlad did not mind in the slightest.

"Wake up," he said softly as he shook the still sleeping teenager and slipped the collar back around his throat. The teenager's eyes slowly fluttered open and he looked at Vlad, seeming a little groggy for a moment before he blushed.

"Oh... hi," he said, his face an adorable shade of pink. Vlad felt an almost irresistible urge to tease him for it.

"Sleep well?" he asked as he pulled off his suit jacket and shoes before lying down next to him on top of the sheets.

"Yeah," Danny said with a nod before he looked up at the older man and blushed again, though this time he was smiling faintly. "We did do... didn't we?"

Vlad wanted to tease him for the way he was acting so childish, but for once, held it in. Instead, he simply kissed the boy on the lips softly and nodded.

"We did," he replied, his voice little more than a whisper.

"It was... nicer than I thought it would be," he said.

The words and confused tone he had caused Vlad to frown a little.

"You expected it to be bad?" he asked, feeling a bit insulted.

"No," Danny said quickly as he realized he'd effectively stuck his foot in his mouth. "I just thought it would... hurt a little. Doesn't it the first time?"

"That's for females," Vlad answered before pausing. "Well, for men as well, but we hardly went that far. The only way I could have hurt last night was if I tried."

"Why didn't we go that far, anyway?" he asked in curiously.

"Because I want to enjoy you fully, Little Badger," he answered a small smirk on his face. "While the dessert may be the richest part of a meal, the rest of dinner can be just as satisfying. At least, I certainly think so, and you didn't prove me wrong last night."

"Vlad," he breathed before he was kissed. Moaning a little, he allowed Vlad's tongue to invade past his lips and felt fingers digging into his hair, scratching slightly against his scalp. Only the older man's clothing and a thin sheet was between them and judging from the fabric gently getting pulled down past his thighs, the sheet wasn't going to last too long.

"Wait," he said softly. "Just let me-"

Danny had tried reaching for his collar to once again remove it but before he knew what was happening, he was flipped crudely over on him stomach, offering as much resistance as a rag doll.

"Hey! What are you doin... Oooh... That feels..."

"Heavenly?" a voice that should have belonged to the devil himself whispered in his ear. Soft puffs of breath tickled the soft shell of flesh and Danny could only nod as strong and firm hands ran over his back, rubbing and applying pressure in all the right places. Never in his life had he been given a massage, but something inside of him told him that they weren't usually this good, that Vlad was just that talented with his hands.

The thought made him flush and he moaned loudly when he was touched at the small of his back, fingers making tension he didn't even know he had melt away like butter. He couldn't help but remember the pleasures of last night, those hands and lips running over him as he writhed around in ecstasy, feeling better than he honestly thought he ever had in his whole life. He could feel Vlad straddle his back and found himself wanting the man just as naked as he was.

"Vlad!" he cried out, almost arching in his pleasure.

"Such a beautiful creature," he heard the older man murmur. "Are you getting excited by this simple little massage?"

"You're teasing me," Danny groaned as he fisted up the sheets he was lying on.

"I can assure you, I'm not," he answered. "I'm simply trying to make you feel good, Little Badger."

'Doing a fine job of that,' he thought, too embarrassed to say it out loud.

"Daniel, I have a question for you?" Vlad asked. His hands were still making him squirm, but his tone suddenly becoming more thoughtful made Danny force himself to listen as best he could.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Are you happy here, with me?"

The question made him pause, and Vlad's hands slowly left his body. He received no prompting to provide an answer quickly and took his time to think about it. Was he? Well, he certainly was enjoying himself these last twelve hours or so, but the week as a whole...

"I think I am," he said, really wishing he could roll over and face Vlad, but he was still pinned to the soft mattress by the man. "I... This has been really nice, and I'm glad it happened. I wanted it to, after all. But..."

"But?" Vlad asked and Danny heard him sigh. "Of course, there's always a but."

"Hey, let me finish first," Danny snapped before sighing himself. "Look, can you maybe let me roll over. I'd prefer not to be on my stomach while we're talking about this."

Vlad accommodated him enough to let him roll over before gently resting his weight back on Danny. If the two weren't having such an important conversation the teenager might have noticed how their midsections were both very close to each other, but as it was, he had other things on his mind.

"Things are... well, a little weird," he admitted. "We still have this history together... and I can't just expect that to go away after one night, neither of us can. I don't want it to get in the way, but I'd be dumb to just ignore it either."

"I suppose that's fair," Vlad replied. "And honest. But that doesn't answer my question. Are you happy here with me?"

"I... don't think I have an answer yet," he stated. "Sorry."

"Then let me ask you another," he said. "When I cure you, do you want me to leave you alone?"

"What?!" Danny yelled. "No way!"

The older halfa smiled and leaned down to kiss him softly, a barest peck on Danny's still inexperienced lips.

"Good."

"So, why all this all of a sudden?" Danny asked.

Vlad shook his head and kissed him again before murmuring, "It doesn't matter. I just want us to connect more."

Danny didn't have time to ask what he meant before lips were again in his personal space, pressed against his own. Hands gripped his wrists and he whimpered a little as the kiss became more demanding, more urgent. Enjoying it, he didn't try to protest at all as he rolled his hips into Vlad, rubbing into his slacks. It seemed to catch his attention from the way he pulled back a little with a hiss.

"Daniel," he managed to get out before Danny shook his head.

"Come on, Vlad," he asked, his face bright red even as he kissed him. "You're holding out on me."

"It's a good thing I am, otherwise I would be too tempted to keep from holding back," he replied.

"Do you have to hold back?" Danny asked.

"Like I said, I want to connect," he replied. "And don't think I'm letting you go. That collar isn't coming off."

"How do you know I wanted to take it off?" he asked defiantly.

"Because you tried while I was giving you that massage," Vlad replied with a smirk.

Danny looked away and did his best not to pout, though he had a feeling that Vlad was seeing right through him. He couldn't help it though. When he was... in that form for a lack of a better phrase, he was so good at this. He didn't shy away or get so flustered so easily. He could make Vlad want him, really want him. And it's not like he didn't remember it, even thought it was all really fuzzy while it was happening, as if he was only really half there.

"I don't want to disappoint you," he murmured before he heard Vlad laugh. He flushed in anger and glared at the man. "What's so funny?"

"Daniel, you disappointing me is about as likely as your little friend Miss Manson taking a liking to pink and yellow lacing," he said, barely able to calm down. "Mmm, you're perfect to me. A little bit of an attitude, but that's perfectly understandable for boys your age. You'll grow out of it, and it hardly effects our efforts in the bedroom."

"But I don't know anything," he replied.

"You think I did when I was your age?" he asked. "Daniel, this is how you learn to please your lover, by practice and experience. If you knew everything about the subject I would be more worried than aroused. Trust me, it doesn't bother me in the slightest."

"Fine," Danny muttered, though his reply was hardly enthusiastic.

Vlad smiled and stroked one of Danny's cheeks with a single finger. The touch was soft and it caused the teenager to whimper slightly.

"You're a good boy," he whispered before their lips merged yet again in a soft kiss.

"I'm not a little boy," he argued, though his tone was far from angry.

"No. No, you're not," he agreed as he shifted a little to lick as Danny's throat, tracing just along the leather of his collar as his hands began to wander over that naked chest. Thumbs stopped over his nipples and rubbed in an achingly pleasing pace as Danny gasped under the treatment. He was starting to get annoyed by how easily Vlad could turn the mood on and off, as if he was in perfect control of both of them.

When teeth suddenly sunk into his shoulder and Danny cried out it pleasure, he was forced to admit that Vlad probably did.

"You had better finish this," he growled threateningly at the man. He had been aroused for a while now, but at this point he was starting to ache. If Vlad went back to trying to talk, Danny was going to strangle him.

"Well, since you've asked so nicely," he said and stuck one of his knees between his little badger's legs and kicked them apart. Rubbing against his smaller lover almost delicately, he couldn't help the smile as the boy's face went a bright pink and his head fell back, panting slightly.

"Oh Vlad," he gasped in a small voice. "Mmm, so good."

"I'm glad you approve," he stated as he pressed his knees into him a little more purposefully. It earned him a moan as Danny moved his hips in a clumsy but enthusiastic rhythm, humping into Vlad as he made little sounds of enjoyment. The feeling of everything going on around him made him feel dizzy and good, like it was the best and most natural thing in the world.

"Ah... ah," he breathed, his mouth hanging open and his hips moving like crazy. "Mmm, oh yes... Yes."

"I wonder if you know what a tempting picture it is that you're presenting right now?" Vlad wondered aloud as he watched the boy beneath of him. If he had less control of himself, he probably already would have been pushing inside of him, making him really moan and scream his name. But... that could always happen later, when it was more appropriate and they were both ready for it. They had time.

It didn't surprise him at all when Danny suddenly came with a shout, arching off the bed as a long note pierced the otherwise silent room. He was still young, and as easily as he was excited, it was just as easy for him to lose himself in the feel of it all. It came with being so eager, not that Vlad minded. Well, his pants were probably ruined, but that hardly mattered to him.

"I take it you're not going to let me touch you this time either?" Danny asked a little dryly despite his panting as Vlad laid down next to him and pulled his smaller frame into a hug.

"I wasn't planning on it," he answered.

"Oh, come on," Danny said. "I thought I was suppose to learn here. How am I going to be able to do anything when you won't even let me... well, do anything? I mean, I haven't even seen you naked yet."

Vlad chuckled at his insolence and only nuzzled him.

"Relax Daniel," he consoled. "We'll get to that part. For now, I simply want you to enjoy yourself."

"You're holding back for my sake, aren't you?"

"I am."

"Don't you think I could handle it?" he demanded.

"I'm not sure I could actually," he replied honestly. "I want to tread carefully, that's all. You receive pleasure, and I enjoy making you feel that good, so please don't think I'm not happy with the arrangement. Besides, is there any reason to rush?"

"I guess not," Danny conceded. "I just want to make you feel good too."

"Trust me Little Badger," he said with a smile. "You are, in abundance."

End of Chapter Seven

Aw, how sweet. You see, you guys? I can end a chapter without a cliffy. Don't worry, I've learned my lesson.

Bet no one expected Desiree just to give the thing right back, but as she's getting her way for the moment, she has no reason to misbehave too badly. In the end, I think she's as bored as she was ticked off about the situation. Still, I like how she and Vlad seem to be developing more than a pure hatred for one another. Few more talks and they might actually start to consider each other friends. Maybe...

Come on people. You know the deal. You review and I gush at how much I'm loved by you guys. Well, okay, I know you all really love Danny and Vlad, but I'm more than willing to share the spotlight with them. Hee.