Smut scene is marked by time skip markers '::' so you can skip past if you want! Please be aware this chapter is 8.8k alone. It was a long night.

Chapter Twenty Six

::

"Mr. Fenton, that's the third time you've walked into my classroom late. Perhaps you'll manage to be on time if it's for detention." Staring at Andrew, Danny barely even noticed the dead silence of the class. He was too focused on the fact Andrew had just… Had just… What had just happened? "Feel free to keep standing in the doorway if you want to earn another."

"N-No, sir. Sorry, sir." Was this a part of their act? A glance to Tucker showed he looked as shocked as Danny felt, eyes wide and confused. Danny risked giving a quick shrug as he hurried to his desk, digging his things out and trying to think the situation through.

The only ghostly auras in the area were their own and there didn't seem to be any signs of Andrew being possessed or controlled by another. It was possible, so he wouldn't rule it out quite yet, but the only ghosts powerful enough to do something like that would be Clockwork and the Observants. Clockwork would never, but the Observants…

Right, he would keep that thought in mind. Closing his eyes in concentration for a moment, Danny felt at the energy more. Definitely only his and Andrew's, with a lingering trace of Randy's where he spent so much time around the school. It couldn't be an act, as Andrew would have given him a sign - plus there were no teachers around to fool or trick. The students in this class were generally well-behaved so there was no need to intimidate them or teach them a lesson.

It had to have been the Observants- No, why would they control Andrew to give Danny detention… A possible place where he could talk to Danny privately. Either a way to get his attention for a conversation, or start a fight without any chance of casualties forming. Or maybe they were using Andrew as bait. Still, there were easier ways to draw Danny into a hearing, and the Observants never did anything against their code or 'rules'.

Detention for being late to French- Andrew had never even given a detention since he had been here, just assigned extra homework when the student was being particularly troublesome. Or threw a marker at their forehead, but that was only once. Twice. Three times at most.

Busying himself with his workbook and making it look like he was paying enough attention to the lesson but not too much - he had learned this lesson with Andrew months ago - Danny took the chance to study Andrew discreetly. The man was acting as if nothing was wrong and as if he hadn't just given Danny detention for walking in a few minutes late - nevermind it was because of dealing with Johnny and Kitty and their latest mess.

Still, there were no signs from his mate that showed anything was wrong or out of the usual, but… There were no signs of reassurance, either. Hearing a sharp, familiar beat of a tapping pencil, Danny boredly propped his cheek up and glanced around the room, eyes zeroing in on Tucker's loopy scrawl. 'dude did GW just give you detention?'

Sighing as the lesson continued, Danny slumped in his seat and started writing his own note back, shifting the paper so Tucker could see it easily. Trying to keep his identity a secret had taught him a fair few things, dealing with assassins daily taught him even more, 'Yeeeep. Trying to figure out why. Any thoughts?'

'don't know. did you piss him off? forget a holiday or anniversary? forget his birthday?' Flicking through his mental calendar, Danny finally gave a slow shake of his head that he passed off as getting some hair out of his eyes. Nothing important wasn't for a while, and any 'arguments' they had were swiftly resolved and talked about. Besides, Andrew had won the last three, so there was no reason for that to cause this.

Keeping himself calm and collected, Danny did his best to act like he would any other day. The only slip up he had was when Andrew handed him the slip for detention on his way out the door, his 'love stricken' act having nothing to do with the way he flinched and curled in on himself as he fled out of the classroom with the other students.

"Man, Fenton," Dash whistled lowly once they were in the halls, shaking his head in near disbelief. "Way to piss off Mr. Riter."

"Seriously, I've never seen him give anyone detention," Paulina said, shaking her head, "And he's been here two months!" Hm, at least this wasn't the worse he had ever had to deal with. "I didn't think he was that upset about someone being late…"

"Guess we'd better not be late, then," Star mumbled, peeking at Danny's slip before her eyes widened. "He gave you an hour of detention for being a few minutes late!"

"What?" Danny looked down at the slip, his own eyes widening as he saw that he had in fact been given an hour. That was definitely not normal. Gritting his teeth, Danny forced himself to play the crushed, upset student who had been disciplined by their favorite teacher. "I guess I must've done something to deserve it… I'll see you all later."

Footsteps slow and mournful, Danny only let invisibility and intangibility take over him when he rounded a corner to an empty classroom. Not bothering to change into Phantom, Danny merely flitted through a few classrooms until he sat down with a sigh at one of the desks. The statistics classroom would be empty until after lunch, so he would be alright here for a while. Ugh, flying was alway so taxing in his human form.

Right, focus. Digging his phone out, Danny flipped through his contacts before dialing up a number and hoping it was a free hour. "Shouldn't you be in class right now?" Jazz's amused voice soothed him fractionally, but not enough for him to relax.

"Long story, how do you get in touch with Clockwork? Since you've been dating for months and never told me, I figure you keep in contact some way." Honestly, he still felt betrayed in the way he had learned that.

"Bitter, bitter. I gave him a phone ages ago. You have his contact, you know." What? No he didn't. "I put it in there myself when you left your phone in the living room. It's under Father Time."

Silent for a long moment, Danny finally gave a single nod, "Jazz, I love you. Have a good day and don't forget you have that test on Friday. Bye." Finding the 'Father Time' contact, Danny called it and rolled his eyes at being answered not even a second later. "I'm not impressed."

"Now, now, no need to lie. To what do I owe the lovely pleasure of hearing from you while you're still in school?" His tone was calm, but then Clockwork was good at hiding when he wanted to be. It was possible this was a test being issued by the Observants, but Danny doubted Clockwork would have let it happen with no warning.

"What have the Observants been up to and do they have any authority to interfere in my life or possess or control another ghost?" The silence was longer than expected, Danny almost feeling the expression Clockwork was giving him. "Just… Please answer."

"As far as I know the Observants have been looking into the matter of Spectra and her whereabouts, and, no. They will never have the authority to interfere in your life without my say, something which I've been very clear about denying them. They can also not control a ghost without severe negative consequences. Now, I'm going to assume there's something you need to tell me."

"Damn, I was really hoping for the Observants, too." That meant it was either Andrew acting under his own power, or him being controlled through another outside force. Couldn't have been the Guys-in-White, there would be no purpose of giving him- Well. A chance to meet with the Fenton son away from witnesses? Or a chance for a ghost to get Phantom alone with his mate controlled. At least the Observants were ruled out. Maybe Plasmius? No… Danny doubted he would break their truce, not when he was just starting to get along with Maddie and Jack once again.

"Daniel." Ghosts or Guys-in-White. Not great options all around. "Daniel, what is this about?" It was possible he was trapped in one of Andrew's poems, but would be the purpose? Plus there was the fact no one was rhyming- Then again, Amity Park hadn't noticed. Danny only had because… Why had he? "Daniel, please answer me so I know you haven't gone catatonic."

"Andy gave me detention, I'm trying to figure out why." It was possible it was where the Reality Keyboard had hit him with the energy first, although it was more likely because he was the focus of the story. Or maybe Andrew had made him hear the rhyme to drive him even madder - yes, that rather sounded like Andrew when he was angry. "I gotta go, make sure Jazz doesn't psyche herself out for that test."

Ignoring the call of his name, Danny hung up and cycled through until he was dialing another number. It only took a ring or two to connect, which meant it was safe to talk, at least, "Am I rhyming?" Right. He probably could have lead with more information.

"Not that I'm aware of, but it's a bit hard to tell with only a few words." Randy's voice was warm and amused, the words washing over him and having Danny slumping against the chair he was sitting in. "Is there a reason you think you're rhyming?"

"I didn't know if Andrew's power would extend to only the focus and the people around them, all of Amity Park, or just everyone who's brought into the story. I also wasn't sure if I would notice any rhyming if I heard some, since I'm not sure how it really all works. If he was controlling reality right now then would any of us notice? Would it be restricted to just a few places? Although if the theory about anyone brought into the story becomes a part of it I suppose you wouldn't be able to tell anymore than I would-"

"Danny, petit mec, I need you to take a moment to breathe and then maybe tell me why the hell you think Andrew has everyone trapped in a poem." Following Randy's orders was as easy as, well. As easy as breathing. "I knew the school was bad, but I didn't think it was that bad."

"I don't think school had anything to do with it. See, he gave me detention for being a few minutes later to French." The heavy silence had Danny shifting and glancing around, absently noting the sight of the clock that told him he was missing his history class. Not that he much cared. "It wasn't to leave an impression on any of the humans since there weren't any signals from him throughout class.

"It also wasn't the Observants. I called Clockwork first to confirm that and they can't interfere in my life or control Andy. It's possible it's the Guys-in-White, but then they'd be after Fenton and not Phantom. They could have tried to approach me on my own, but an empty classroom with no one but them and a controlled ghost would be safer for them I guess. It could also be a ghost controlling him but I doubt it. They'd have to be a long stronger and no one I know who has that power would want to possess him. That leaves the possibility of him acting out of his normal behavior due to a poem happening, but what would the purpose be?"

There was a long silence, Randy sounding like he was giving a breathless laugh over the phone, "Andy gives you detention - something you've been telling me you wanted in great detail - and you automatically think he's being controlled?"

"Well- Yes!" Danny winced at his defensive tone. "He never takes those things seriously anyways, so why-"

"Danny. That idiot would do anything for you, including playing along to one of your games." That… That would explain why he was given hour of detention for only being five minutes late.

"You really think that's it?" Not ghosts, or ghost hunters, or a poorly schemed attempt at revenge, but just Andrew trying to dote on Danny in his own special way. "Really?"

"I'm more surprised your first thought was that he was being controlled by ghosts. Should I make a reference about your parents here, or wait a bit longer." Blinking, Danny ran his behavior over in his head and oh… Oh.

"That… I didn't think I was acting that paranoid, actually." Just the matter with Spectra and the Guys-in-White- Not to mention the warning Wulf had given him about Walker.

"With your life you have reason to be. It's nothing to be ashamed over, but it can be worked on so you don't assume the worse if something like this happens again." Oh, that was definitely Randy speaking from experience. "Wait, you have history right now."

"Um… No?" Dammit. "Oh, wow! Look at the time, I guess I had better get going, then." There was a warm laugh that answered him, Danny unable to stop his grin at the noise.

"Go on, petit mec. I'll talk to our idiot bookworm and make sure he's not going down the path of a supervillain. Again."

Grinning a bit like an idiot, Danny got to his feet and headed for the door, "Thanks, Randy." That really did help, since Randy would know in a second if something really was wrong with Andrew. Just in case. "Love you." And, alright, Danny could have his fun, too.

::

Randy watched as Andrew paused in the middle of the lecture he was giving to his class, looking right at where he was invisible and floating in the air. He had to fight to not laugh as Andrew snapped his fingers and pointed towards his office chair. Making sure the students were all thoroughly confused for a good few moments, Randy shed his invisibility and zipped over to sit on the chair with a grin.

Andrew scoffed, fighting against the smile as he let his powers wrap around the marker he was using and continue to write on the board as he addressed his class, "Yes, it's a ghost. Shocking, amazing, and completely new. It's almost as if one has never before been seen in your lives." Watching silently, Randy couldn't stop his grin as Andrew nodded and continued with his lecture.

"Thank you. Now, returning to what we were discussing before this very rude interruption. There are more subtle ways to convey a tone of a story than just telling. As you've all no doubt been told by now, showing instead of telling is what you should strive for. Ridiculous, a lot of times, in my opinion. You're telling your readers a story, and if you think you can best tell it by simply telling how it happened, then do so. It's finding your way to tell your story.

"Now, for this week's assignment I want a thousand word essay on the more subtle ways of conveying the tone of your scene and then an example of said scene. Perhaps describe it by using the temperature of the room. Cold for dark scenes and warm for happy ones. Think about the lighting. Is it dark? Is there natural or artificial light? Where is it coming from? What about the sounds? Sharp, high sounds that cause anxiety or worry, or low, soft, soothing sounds that set the tone for a peaceful scene?"

It was a little amazing at how natural Andrew was in his environment. Teaching had always suited him, and finally watching Andrew teach something he loved to pieces was just breathtaking. Taking the flick to his ear with grace, Randy handed over the stack of papers Andrew had pointed out, "I've written those examples down as well as a few more. Keep them in mind while writing, but don't overdo it. Remember, you're telling a story, not taking a report from a witness at a scene of a crime."

At the small burst of laughter among the students, Randy watched as Andrew finally gave a small smile as he headed back to wipe the board clean. "Alright, bell rings in a minute or two, go get your head start. I know at least a quarter of you have classes on the other side of the school. Ridiculous how schools expect you to be able to teleport these days, or be a star athlete to cover that distance in that amount of time."

Wiping the board down with a quick flick of his powers, Andrew turned on his heel and fixed Randy with a stern stare that had him amused more than anything, "Why are you here, what did you break, and why are you smiling like that?" Oh, was he still smiling? Well, he could be excused, he supposed.

"I'm here because I'm a loving, caring person, I haven't broken anything in at least forty- Twelve hours, and I'm smiling because I've never been able to see you teach like this. It's nice." Randy rolled the chair over to bump into Andrew, grinning up at him. "Seeing you enjoy yourself and have so much fun. It's nice."

"Yes, well." Clearing his throat, Andrew pushed the chair away with his foot, Randy laughing as the man started digging around his papers. "You have four minutes until my next class, speak quickly."

"Danny called me and seemed to think you were possessed, threatened, or had reverted into a supervillain." At the utterly baffled look, Randy couldn't stop himself from giving a small smile, "You gave him detention and he let his worries get the best of him."

"There's worries and then there's paranoia," Andrew sighed, fidgeting with a binder he was holding and chewing on his lower lip. "Did he seem alright when he talked to you? No, obviously he wasn't or he wouldn't have called you. I didn't mean to make him think the worst-"

"He's fine, he's fine, I reassured him. In his words, he hadn't even realized how he was acting. You know how these things can take over us."

"Yes… Yes, I suppose so." Andrew sighed and shooed Randy out of his chair before flopping down. Randy contently hovered next to the chair, tousling Andrew's hair for a moment before letting his feet touch the ground. "He's alright?"

"Definitely. And probably looking forward to whatever you're planning that made you give our sweet little halfa detention." At the bright purple blush on the man's face, Randy laughed and snuck a kiss to his temple, hand slipping around to cup the back of Andrew's neck and keep him still and close. "You're transparent as always, frérot. I take it you really do have something planned, then? Perhaps you're trying to play up the whole power aspect in your relationship? Mm, no, no, not your style… Ooh, but maybe you're going for a little game, hm? Something fun to play with your sweet little mate-"

"Randall." Andrew was now blushing all the way to the tips of his ears, Randy having to work at not pinching one. Or biting. "We are in a school for God's sake, please do try to restrain yourself."

"When have I ever though," Randy purred, words near whispered into Andrew's ear as he squeezed the younger's neck, delighting as the blush spread further. "C'mon, frérot, you can tell me. I won't judge."

"Only because you've already done everything," Andrew said, trying to sound annoyed and only hitting fond. Something Randy took quite a bit of pleasure in.

"Well…" Smirking, Randy nuzzled at Andrew's hair line before abruptly floating back into the air and letting him go. "Not yet, at least."

"Right!" ANdrew stood up and turned towards the board, jotting things down with the marker he had picked up. "That's your time up, then." Oh, hm. The room was indeed filled with students settling in, most looking at him with wide eyes and muttering about who he could be. He really should spend more time around Amity when he got a chance.

"Alright, alright, I'll leave you to your lessons," Randy plucked the marker out of Andrew's hand before doodling a grinning little ghost. "Since you can't draw them, from what I hear-"

"Honestly, he tells you everything," Andrew snatched the marker back with a grin. "Go on with you. I have quite a few things to plan and think on, after all."

"Ah, there's my ruthless little brother." The bell ringing cut anything else off, Randy blinking as he saw at least three people shoot their hands up, Andrew sighing beside him.

"Sir, is this the brother you're always talking about?" One of them hadn't even waited to be called and Randy was so grateful.

"Aw, you talk about me?" Being shoved out the window was well worth the expression on Andrew's face, Randy figured.

Well, at least he'd have Vidya as silent company for a bit longer than normal, today. Honestly, only Danny could bring out Andrew's playful and mischievous nature that easily.

::

From the moment Danny walked into his classroom Andrew could tell the teen was fully immersed in his act. It would be a shame to take the teen out of it when he seemed to have been looking forward to this, "Mr. Fenton. On time, I see." What was it to be today, then, Andrew wondered. Shy and sweet teen who idolized the substitute, or troublemaker who didn't trust anyone in a position of authority.

"Yes- Sir- Yes sir, Mr. Riter." Danny's face flushed a rather attractive pink, the teen scrunching down and hiding behind the gray scarf and large jacket he wore. It was such a tempting sight, truly.

"Take your seat, Danny," Andrew sighed, far too easily taking on his own role. Shy and sweet, hm… Oh, he could certainly work with that. "You'll be serving your detention with me right after class, so there will be no need to leave."

"Yes, sir." Shuffling off to his seat, Danny nibbled on his bottom lip as he fumbled with getting his things out. Really, it was far too tempting a sight.

Taking a breath, Andrew turned back to the board and did his best to focus on what he was doing. As much as he would like to jump ahead in the story he was weaving, he did have a class to attend to. Besides, there was no point to a story if it was rushed and instantly gratifying. No, no, the true enjoyment came from the drawn out desire…

"Right, if you'll turn your attention to the sheets that are being handed out then you'll see that we have quite a lot to do with midterms approaching so quickly. I'll be giving you study guides at the end of class but your exams will exist of six main parts." As Andrew talked he let his powers take over writing on the board, allowing him to root through his desk for what else he needed. "Defining terms, short answer, true or false, a poetry analysis, dialogue writing, and a reflective essay. I'm also assigning an extra credit assignment.

"Using the pieces I've had you write this semester I want you to put together a portfolio following the MLA guidelines. I'll be handing out a sheet for that as well. It won't save your grade if you do poorly on the exams, but it might give you an extra boost if you're not confident."

It was easy to get wrapped up in teaching his class, answering questions and encouraging the students to think beyond just what was on the board. It was so easy that he didn't even notice it was near the end of the school day until he saw the clock, "Thank you, Ms. Sanchez. Unfortunately that's all the time we have for today. Remember what I said about exams and the extra credit project. Don't forget to collect all your papers and you're free to go and enjoy your weekend."

It took far too much effort to not turn to look at Danny, Andrew instead wiping the board down and straightening the papers on his desk as he sat down in his chair. Finally looking up once the classroom was empty and the door closed, Andrew looked to the front row desk that Danny sat in, "Danny. I take it you've guessed as to why I gave you detention today?"

Danny seemed startled at finally being addressed, the teen biting his lip before giving a nervous smile, "Because I have no respect for this institution?"

"No- No, what?" Appropriately thrown, Andrew shook his head. "Please tell me that's not something a teacher has said to you in the past."

"Right. Lying it is. Gotcha." Not bothering to hide the smile he let slip, Andrew shook his head. They had both needed this, hadn't they? To just escape from their normal lives for a short amount of time and to play characters that were not their own.

"I gave you detention because I wanted to talk to you without you giving me an excuse and running off." Watching the teen shift nervously and flick his gaze around the room, Andrew softened his smile. "I'm here to help, Danny, but I have trouble doing that when you shut me out like this-"

"I'm not shutting you out!" Danny seemed surprised with his own words, his cheeks flushing again as he stared down at his desk. "I'm not, I just… I'm not very good at dealing with people who care, I guess."

God, Danny probably didn't even realize- This scene was so familiar to them and Andrew could almost remember word for word a similar conversation they had when they had first began to be friends. A re-write, then, but maybe keep some familiar lines. "Yes, well. I'm afraid you're rather going to have to get used to it."

That earned a grudging smile, Danny looking to him before sighing and looking out towards the windows, "There are others who probably have it worse, you know. My problems aren't really that unique."

"Comparing your pain to others doesn't help anyone. Your pain and experience is valid, no matter what else." It was so easy for the lines to be blurred, for this game to be more than just a game. Andrew wondered what Danny might slip if he continued to play this character. He wondered what he might let slip. "Talk to me, Danny."

"It's nothing-" Stopping himself at the look Andrew gave him, Danny sighed and rubbed at his arm. "Just… I guess I let what people say get to me more than I would like." Darkness, Randy had said. Andrew couldn't feel what Randy was able to, but he could see more than others. "Lately I've been having trouble with this… With this person." Was this really the only way Danny could talk to him about this? "Whenever we talk, she says things that… That hit a little too close to home."

No… No, it wasn't that. This game of their was a filter- A buffer. It was a way for Danny to talk without it hurting him so much. Oh, his sweet little halfa. How much pain had he suffered through these past few months, "I take it this isn't exactly a recent development."

"Not- Not really." Danny rubbed at the back of his neck, eyes downcast and expression shuttered and closed. It reminded Andrew of when they were nothing but tutor and student- Well. For this scene, that fit rather aptly, didn't it? "She's bothered me before a lot, but lately she's gotten so much more- So much more vicious. It doesn't make sense- It doesn't make sense.

"Everything she does makes sense. She always has a plan, always a set path that she follows no matter how it ends. Everything she's doing right now- She's deviating, she's changing, she's- It isn't right. It's more than just trying to get to me, I think she's trying to-" Danny cut himself off with a hitching breath, looking up to Andrew. "It's just more stressful than I thought it would be."

Andrew searched Danny's eyes, measuring his response by what he saw. It was plain to see that Danny wanted their game to continue, that he didn't want to think or talk about what he said just then. Considering he had finally told Andrew - albeit in a roundabout way - what had been bothering him for months then he supposed it wouldn't hurt to keep playing for a while longer, "Oh, Danny… Why haven't you told anyone about this before now so something could be done?"

"She's not exactly someone that's easy to deal with, Mr. Riter," Danny broke character for only one moment to give Andrew a grateful smile before he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Besides, who would I tell? I don't want to drag the few friends I have into this-"

"A teacher, or an adult- Someone who can actually do something about this so you can stop getting hurt!" Andrew was playing his character perfectly and yet there was still so much care and concern he was letting slip into his tone. Danny was right. If this was life for them, and not just a game… Andrew would have fallen in love with Danny no matter what the scenario was, of that he was certain.

"Who would I tell!" Danny stood up with a sharp enough jerk to send his chair to the floor, expression equal parts wild and pleading. "Who would I ever be able to tell! My sister is off at college, my parents are always wrapped up in their studies, and no teacher here about me gives a damn!"

Trying to let his expression be open, Andrew looked at Danny with sad eyes, "And me? I suppose I don't give a damn about you either, then?"

"You…" Danny's rage evaporated like that, eyes darting away from his own and shoulders hunching in on himself defensively. "You're just a substitute. You're temporary. You won't stay, you'll be here and then you'll be gone like you were never here."

"Danny-"

"Let's not kid ourselves, Mr. Riter, we both know how this would end." Danny paced to the other side of the room, Andrew rising out of his chair and pausing at seeing Danny was only looking out the window at the falling snow. "Even if our age wasn't what stopped it, there's still the fact you're a ghost and I'm just human."

"No more dancing around the subject, then," Andrew sighed, running a hand through his own hair and scrubbing at his face. "Danny, it's not age or species that I'm worried about, it's the fact that right now I'm your teacher. I'm in a position of power over you, that can lead to a rather skewered relationship-"

"You've never acted like you're above me, though." Danny glanced back for only a moment before looking back out the window. The scene outside was as if it was lifted from a picture in a book. The trees were bare and empty, not a leaf in sight, and snow coated the entire world. It made everything feel softer around the edges, and smaller. It was as if the world had narrowed down to just them. "You've always treated me like an equal instead of some kid who never stops bothering you."

"That's because I never really saw you as bothering me," Andrew cautiously moved to stand beside Danny, fingers brushing against his arm. "Talk to me, Danny."

"You're a ghost." Danny's voice was as soft as the snow. It was equally as distant, as well. "It might not be about age right now, but… Say this went somewhere. Say we went somewhere. It would be fine for a while but then what about when I turn thirty? Forty? Fifty, sixty, seventy- I'm still human." Danny gave him such a lost look that Andrew wasn't sure there were even lines anymore. There was nothing but them. "Mr. Riter, I'm really sick of getting hurt and left behind."

Silence settled between them, both staring at the falling snow. Slowly - so slowly - Andrew twined his fingers with Danny's. "Daniel Fenton. I was warned about you the moment I was hired here." The funny thing was that wasn't even a lie. "They told me you couldn't stick to a schedule to save your life and you were at the center of all the trouble in the school."

"Weren't exactly wrong," Danny said quietly, hope in his eyes as he tightened his hand around Andrew's. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because the moment I heard about you I was captivated." The silly little hero who risked everything to keep others safe. How different this teen was from the life Andrew had led. "You have no idea how fascinating you are, do you? How easy it is to get wrapped up in you and the life you lead." With each word, Andrew had Danny backing up more and more against the ledge that led to the window. The two were now face-to-face, hands still entwined. "Why won't you let me in?"

"Because I'm scared." The words were whispered between them, breath mixing and mingling. Danny's eyes were wide, glasses doing nothing to hide the emotions within them. "I'm scared that you'll leave." Shifting, Danny blushed brightly and bit on his bottom lip as his free hand slipped up to curl against the lapel of Andrew's coat. "I'm scared that you'll leave and… I'm scared of how much I want you."

There was still shyness in the teen's tone but there was also heat. A heat that was warm and soft and sunk into his skin, trapping him where he stood and yet drawing him in closer. It was a heat that he gladly drowned in, one stronger and more fierce than the fire that had ended him. It sunk into his very bones and chased away whatever cold lingered from the outside.

The game paused and the story twisted in the air around them. This was the scene that decided it all, wasn't it? How the story ended, where it went from here, how it became what it would… All of it traced back to this one moment.

:::

Slowly, so slowly and so softly, Andrew let his hand slip up to cup Danny's cheek. The teen's eyes slipped closed at once, head straining into the touch as a quiet whimper slipped out. Whatever heat the teen's words had caused, it was nothing compared to that one sound. "Oh, Danny… Danny, Danny, Danny…" Letting Danny's hand go, Andrew slipped the scarf out of the way, lips brushing against the pounding pulse that he could near hear. "You haven't an idea of the things you do to me."

Danny let slip another quiet noise, a mixture between a whimper and a whine as his now free hand clutched at the back of Andrew's touch. It was as if the teen was hanging on with whatever strength he had left, "You're a substitute. In a year, you won't even be here. You might not even be in this world anymore."

"That diminishes this moment?" Andrew pressed closer, backing Danny up against the ledge and blocking him in. "That diminishes what we have now? What this could become?" Shaking, Danny slowly opened his eyes, breath coming out quick and uneven. "Danny… You need to tell me to stop. If you don't want this, you need to tell me now because I'm not sure I'll be able to stop myself if you don't." And God wasn't that the truth.

He wanted this teen so much. Wanted him naked and willing underneath him, squirming and arching from the touches and sensations. Andrew wanted this teen wrecked, nothing able to leave him but begging and Andrew's own name. To see this pale skin marked up with countless bites and bruises, oh, what a picture that would make.

"How much could you even give me?" Danny's voice broke halfway through, body shaking as he moved to throw both arms around Andrew's shoulders and cling with all the strength he could muster. "Andrew."

It was a moment Andrew couldn't stop. One he wouldn't have stopped if he was able to. Lips crashed together and he was silencing Danny with every scrap of emotion he had in him, pushing him up to sit on the ledge and stand between his legs. He pressed in close, giving him no escape, no room to maneuver, no way to leave. "Everything. Just tell me what you want and I'll give it to you."

"I see you," Danny panted through heaving breaths the moment they parted, eyes wide and face flushed as Andrew leaned in to pepper him with more kisses. The desire to feel that skin under his lips was too strong for him to ignore. "I see you, you know, every day. I see how you look at me, Mr. Riter. I see how you watch me, observe me, never take you eyes off of me-"

Andrew bit sharply at Danny's neck, doing nothing to soften the bite and only lapping at the specks of blood he drew. Whatever the teen had been saying ended with a moan, Danny arching and pressing right up against him. A low groan left as Andrew bit at the same spot once more before kissing and sucking at the mark- His mark. The mark that showed Danny was his. "Did- Did you know this would happen?" Danny's voice was wrecked to pieces. Sweet thing… They had only just started. "When you gave me detention so you could talk to me, did you know something like this would end up happening?"

Andrew silenced him with another kiss, pressing him further and further back onto the ledge until the teen gasped at the shock of cold that must have came from his back hitting the window. Andrew didn't waste the moment for what it was, merely deepening the kiss and pressing closer. Danny shuddered underneath him but made no move to pull away, instead choosing to tug at Andrew's coat and pull him closer.

One hand cupping the back of Danny's neck and keeping him tight against him, another slipped under clothing to rest against bare skin. Andrew let a sigh of content slip out into the kiss, nails trailing down Danny's spine and causing the teen to arch beautifully under the touch. "Oh, Danny…" Pulling away just enough to look, Andrew licked his lips at seeing the teen limp against the window, completely docile in his hold and eyes dazed and clouded. His face was flushed and his chest heaving for breath, clarity nowhere to be seen, "Tell me no."

Still panting, Danny locked eyes with his and slowly tilted his head so Andrew could see the blooming mark, "Never." Andrew was on him again in a moment, rocking his hips forward and swallowing each low whimper and moan Danny let pass his lips. "You don't even know, do you?"

Lavishing the teen with another few kisses, Andrew pressed his lips against Danny's neck for a moment. He couldn't stop his smirk as he felt Danny freeze under him once his belt was phased away. Working the zipper down, Andrew chuckled softly as his hand rubbed at the growing erection. "You haven't the faintest of ideas…"

Danny shook against him, a high whimper leaving him as Andrew dug the heel of his palm in. Laughing again, Andrew phased the teen's pants and boxers off just enough to let them slide down to the ankles. "They were right about you being a little troublemaker." Surging up, Andrew bit sharply at the edge of Danny's ear, delighting in the squeal it earned him as Danny squirmed and twisted against him. Andrew bit down harder until the teen went limp underneath him, hardly moving an inch.

"Don't you know, little Fenton?" Andrew crooned softly, licking at the tip of Danny's ear as his voice came out a mere whisper, "Ghosts are possessive." The low moan that left Danny was utterly delightful, Andrew nuzzling against the teen's cheek as he tapped into his powers and phased every bit of clothing off the teen.

Pulling back enough to look, Andrew gave a quiet purr at seeing Danny hard and naked, shivers wracking through the sweet thing's body as he stared up at Andrew with wide, trusting eyes. Plucking the glasses off, Andrew gently set them aside as he kissed at the other side of Danny's neck. "Sweet one, you should have known better when you started this little game."

Biting down sharply to form another mark, Andrew reveled in the teen's sharp gasp and jerk against him, "You see, we like to keep what's our hidden and tucked away from the world. We like to save our treasures and keep them just for ourselves, lavishing attention on them as we deem fit. Oh, my sweet little dear."

Kissing his way down Danny's chest, there was more whimpering and shuddering as Andrew's teeth caught on sensitive skin. He left kisses and bites in equal measure, free hand lightly pinching Danny's thigh and grinning at the groan it earned, "You were right, you know." Pulling Danny closer to him, Andrew kissed his way down to Danny's navel, giving the spot a sharp bite. The gasp and jerk it earned him was certainly something he would remember for the future. "When you said I was staring at you…"

Letting his kisses trail lower, Andrew let his voice go quiet and breathy, soft as the gentle snowfall outside the window. "I was always staring at you. You captivated me the moment I saw you, and with each conversation… I always stared at you. Admired you. Gazed at you when I thought you might not notice."

Andrew's voice became quieter and quieter, as soft as a whisper as damp air brushed against a part of Danny that had him squirming and whining, a hitch heard in his breathing. "So badly wanting to touch you." Andrew let his lips trail down further, fluttering kiss being traced against Danny's cock. "Wanting so very badly to taste you."

With that, Andrew was flicking his tongue out and licking at the droplets that leaked out, pinning down Danny's bucking hips and watching as the teen's eyes slipped closed, fingers and toes curling in pleasure. Smirking, Andrew repeated the motion again. And again. He pressed closer and closer with each time before he was wrapping his lips around the tip and sliding down with a low groan, Danny heavy on his tongue with a taste that was near indescribable.

Andrew felt a hand curl in his hair, Danny's back bent over and entire body curled around Andrew's head as he shook. Giving a quiet hum around his full mouth, Andrew watched with captivation as Danny became more and more lost to the pleasure, flush growing across his body. Shifting to get more comfortable Andrew began to bob his head, sliding up and down on the cock he worked with his mouth.

It wasn't long at all before Danny had both hands wrapped in his hair, hips bucking more at the feeling and breath leaving him fast and rapid. Instead of giving the teen what he wanted, Andrew gently wrapped his hands around Danny's wrists before pinning them against the ledge he sat on. Pulling back, he let Danny slip free as he moved to look the teen over again.

A displeased whine that sounded hurt and pathetic broke through the air, Danny staring at him with bright red cheeks and eyes that were glazed over and swirling with green. "My precious little one, how sweet you are for me," Andrew spoke softly - reverently - as he leaned forward to brush kisses against whatever piece of skin he could reach.

"I told you, Danny, I told you that I would give you everything," Andrew kissed at the corners of Danny's eyes, words murmured against the skin. "Oh, my sweet little Fenton, you pushed and pushed and were so tempting. Your every move and word you measured to draw me in and did you even realize? Did you really understand how different a ghost is from a human?"

Andrew gave a sharp tug to Danny's arms, bringing the two closer together and smirking as he slotted their hips together and drew another quiet noise from the younger. There was something so very satisfying about still being fully clothed yet having Danny bare and wanting underneath him.

"You see, ghost emotions are quite different than what you're used to dealing with. They're so much more volatile." A roll of his hips and Danny arched against him with a cry, struggling to get closer from where he was being held down. "Our emotions are so much deeper and wilder. You can only push a ghost so far before they snap."

This time the roll was more of a sharp grind, a high keening noise leaving Danny's mouth that sounded like a plea. "Ssh, ssh, patience, my dear, patience." Andrew pressed a kiss to Danny's cheek, eyes closing at the pure bliss of having the other close. "You have to understand, dear one, there's only so much we can bottle up and tuck away."

Tapping into his powers, Andrew let warm energy flow into his fingertips. He may not have had the raw ectoplasm as most ghosts did, but he knew how to use his own to great effect - not to mention his was so much warmer than what was considered normal. Pressing another kiss to the corner of Danny's lips, Andrew released one wrist to brush his fingers against Danny's chest.

The reaction was near immediate, Danny jerking and squirming against him and shaking more than he had since this had started. "Oh, Danny… When we can no longer bottle our emotions up then we start to slip. Of course you - brilliant, stubborn, wonderful, beautiful you - had to be the thing to use up all of my control."

Letting the energy build up, Andrew let go of Danny's other wrist to lavish attention in as many places as he could touch, following up with kisses and bites to wherever he could quickest reach. Danny was curled against him, legs around his waist and ankles hooked together to keep him close. Arms as well were around his shoulders, Danny's eyes a swirling ecto-green and a mouth open wide showing small fangs peeking out. He was so beautiful.

"And then when we have no control we ghosts tend to rely on pure instinct," Andrew was hardly paying attention to his words, more concerned with the mark he was making higher up on Danny's neck. There was a sharp gasp that could have been his name, Andrew cooing and rewarding Danny by starting a gentle rhythm of continuously rocking their hips together. "Do you know what all my instincts are saying right now, mon cher?"

Covering Danny's lips with his own, Andrew trailed a hand down Danny's spine, energy still coursing through him. The sharp arch the teen gave pressed their hips even closer together, Andrew purring as he let his fingertips trail across Danny's entrance. Parting to let the teen suck in air, Andrew's voice became a soft croon once more, "Sweet little Fenton, how much do you really know about ghosts?"

Not bothering to stop the heat that filled his hands, Andrew only channeled more raw energy into his hands, sculpting it much differently than he usually did. "Did you know that while ectoplasm is what we're made of, we can also summon and tailor it to suit specific needs?" Giving it a familiar consistency that was smooth and wet, Andrew slowly began to push in a fingertip.

It was an action Danny hadn't expected, the teen tensing up sharply for a moment before going absolutely boneless, limp in Andrew's arms as he panted against his neck. Smiling, Andrew lavished the younger with kisses as he continued working a finger in and out, curling his free arm around the teen to drag him closer.

There was a breathless groan of his name that turned into a sharp whimper as another finger was worked in. Andrew kissed him deeply again, pressing his fingers in deeper until he brushed against a spot that had Danny jerking against him with a muttered swear in a language that no human would ever be able to speak.

The fangs had grown longer, his eyes glowed with unearthly energy, and the language that tumbled from his lips was something that should never even be heard by humans. Frost crept across Danny's skin, his pretty pink flush beginning to turn blue in places as he writhed in Andrew's hold. "Oh, Danny… You're so beautiful."

The only thing Danny managed to respond with was Andrew's name, voice cracked and utterly wrecked, eyes glazed over with tears and emotion, "Ssh, I'm here, love, I'm here." Divesting himself of just enough clothing to free himself, Andrew pressed fluttering kisses across Danny's brow. "I'm here, I'm here."

Working the teen open just a bit more, Andrew silencing the whining with a kiss as he shifted the two of them until he was guiding his leaking cock into Danny. The moan it earned him was utterly lewd, Andrew fighting to be slow and gentle as he distracted the teen by fisting at the younger's own cock. "Danny, Danny, Danny, it's okay, I've got you. Just let go, my love, I'm here."

There was no game as they kissed this time, the kiss that they shared as familiar and well known as they were to each other. Andrew worked himself inside Danny until they were as close as they could get, Danny completely broken apart underneath him. "It's alright, mon cher, I've got you."

The pace he set was slow and deep, Andrew building Danny back up piece by piece, working him further and further into his pleasure. There were no words needed as they moved with each other, Andrew kissing at blue cheeks and tugging at black hair that began to be threaded through with white.

Still stroking Danny's member, Andrew shifted to brace Danny against the window before finally speeding up the pace. "Andy," Danny's voice was quiet, an echoic tone embedded in it as he looked to Andrew with half lidded eyes that spoke of nothing but love. Andrew silenced anything else with a kiss, hand that was tangled in his hair moving down to rest over the beating core.

Pressing closer, Andrew let his powers flare, sending energy directly into Danny's core. That was all it took to have Danny arching up against him with a loud cry that broke through the kiss, the teen coming hard against him. Andrew kept the pace up, working the teen through his pleasure and moaning at the feeling of Danny clenching around him.

Lost in his own pleasure, Andrew didn't notice Danny had moved until he felt nails scratching across the back of his neck with pressure that was just shy of painful. A moment later and fangs were biting at the tip of his ear, so careful yet so sharp. Andrew felt himself fall apart in a flash, just barely managing to keep himself braced over Danny as he near whited out from the pleasure.

It felt like an eternity before he heard a breathy chuckle, a hand guiding him to tuck his face against Danny's neck before his hair was being pushed back. "That an early Christmas present then?"

"If you wish," Andrew chuckled, leaning up and slipping out, watching the gush of liquid that seeped down Danny's thighs. It was made better by Danny's soft, pleased moan, the teen shuddering and tugging Andrew down for a sweet kiss.

:::

"If Randy asks, we spent the whole hour grading homework and cleaning," Danny said, raising an eyebrow at Andrew's laugh.

"Please, he's probably thought up worse than what we've actually done. Come on, up you get." Scooping Danny into his arms, Andrew carried him over to his office chair and sat down before looking for a cloth. "Okay?"

"Better than," Danny sighed, relaxing against Andrew's chest and kissing at the underside of his jaw. "Whatever you're apologizing for, apology accepted."

"And who says I can't dote on my mate for no reason," Andrew teased, tugging Danny into another kiss. "Je t'aime, mon cher."

"Je t'aime aussi, mon ange." Danny pecked the tip of Andrew's nose before straddling his lap and winding his arms around Andrew's neck. "You know...we have quite a bit of detention left. I don't think I learned my lesson."

"You are utterly incorrigible." Andrew wouldn't change this boy for the world.