Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Danny Phantom, I'm a big fan and was feeling nostalgic.
~Chapter 43~
Those Whom I So Cherish
"I'm relieved to hear that you made it home safely, Daniel," Vlad told him, unable to keep the smile out of his voice after successfully convincing the orphanage's director to let him begin the process of adopting Owen. "Any word on that ghost girl? Luna I believe her name was?"
"Not yet," Danny replied with a sigh. "But there wasn't much time for us to even look since we had to get home. At least we got to tell Frostbite what happened and her Coven that she's gone missing."
Vlad nodded, "Not to worry, I'll send someone to help in the search as soon as I can. As you well know though Owen is my top priority. He was a little disoriented at first but Owen regained consciousness a few hours after you two left." Noting the groggy tone in Danny's voice Vlad commented, "You sound tired my boy. Long night?"
In response Danny groaned,"Ugh! Don't even get me started! After that whole fiasco with Azrael we made it home and Jazz and Sam decided to quiz us on everything that happened and more specifically what YOU did. Sam's still skeptical about trusting you but she's my best friend too and was just worried about me. Then, big surprise, like five different ghosts decided to take advantage of our little field trip to make a mess of my school so I've been up all night cleaning up. And we have to go to school later today anyway so I just can't catch a break!"
"You really do work too hard Daniel, have you ever considered taking a vacation from all of the ghost hunting?" Then he offered, "I'd be more than happy to arrange one for you and your family as a reward for your help sometime."
"I'd love to but just look at what happened after only being away for a few hours! And that's even WITH the time Clockwork froze for us for a little while to go talk to him about Owen before we went to meet Frostbite. Anyway Vlad, when you get the chance could you say hi to Owen for us? Tucker feels really bad that he wasn't much help back there and it sucks that every time we've met some sort of fight breaks out. I feel bad for him too since he's not used to fighting ghosts like we are." Danny sighed, "And another thing, do you realize how weird it is that I'm talking with Vlad freaking Masters so, I dunno...causally? It's not like we're old friends or anything. At least I don't think so even though you've stopped being such a fruitloop! Just, promise me you won't go crazy overprotective and possessive with Owen ok? He needs a dad, not a bodyguard. And I can't believe I'm saying that either! This is just sooooo-"
"Ok, that's enough," Jazz said in a muffled voice as she stole the phone from her brother, to which he complained and told her he wasn't finished talking and Vlad couldn't help but chuckle a bit. How unusual that Danny still WANTED to talk to him. It was a welcome change and it was good that Danny felt he had someone else to vent his problems too besides his sister and two friends. After all, they weren't half-ghosts nor did they have the same worries they did when it came to combat with said ghosts.
Vlad waited patiently for the two to stop arguing and then smiled when Jazz spoke to him next. She was a clever young woman and despite having tricked him before when she allegedly ran away from home, Vlad held her in high regards for a normal human girl. Besides, she took good care of her little brother and accepted him which when it came to family was very important. Perhaps when they moved to Amity park Vlad could convince her to tutor Owen or help him learn how to drive once they renewed his learners permit since she already knew how.
"Sorry about that Mr. Masters, Danny's running on fumes and he-Danny you get down from there right now or I'm turning on the ghost shield!" Jazz scolded when her brother's ghost sense went off and he tried to silently and anonymously fly out his window to deal with it. Then there was an audible thump as Danny landed on his bed and huffed in annoyance."Honestly! Anyway Mr. Masters-"
"Oh please Jasmine, we're well past using such formalities. Call me Vlad," Vlad chortled softly. "I forgave you for tricking me a long time ago and in fact applaud you for going to such lengths to help your brother Daniel. It's all in the past and I for one look forward to getting to know you better one of these days."
"Yeah, um, sure. But seriously M- I mean Vlad, I hope you know what you're doing when it comes to Owen. Raising a child isn't as easy as it looks, and he's been through a lot so..." Jazz sighed, "The point is, we both know that this transition is going to be hard on him so good luck with that. And personally, I really hope that having him in your life has done as much good as my brother says it has. Speaking of which, it looks like Danny finally crashed so I'd better go and turn on the ghost shield so he won't fly off somewhere as soon as he wakes up. Thank you again for keeping him safe for us and we'll see you at the charity."
"Of course, you're quite welcome. After all, Daniel does mean a great deal to me as well, but not for the same reasons anymore. And I thank you for your concern Jasmine but I have everything under control now in regards to Owen's situation," Vlad assured her. "Make sure Daniel gets plenty of rest. Take care."
Owen still felt weird about seeing his own skeleton when the crepes arrived for breakfast so he avoided looking at his hands too much. If he hadn't then he would have ended up staring at them forever because it was one thing to see ghosts whether they were invisible or overshadowing someone or something, it was another thing entirely to literally see your bare bones encased in necromantic energy rather then flesh. Vlad was right, he wasn't half-ghost, but Owen was something like a ghost now in a way. It really felt a lot like all those times when his past memories took over his consciousness only it was his core essence as a necromancer that kept overshadowing his human body like this.
It wasn't until an hour later that Owen's body resumed its normal appearance again and he signed in relief. Owen was also surprised that his previous wounds were gone now too, leaving no trace, just like Vlad told him...
"I was wondering why it didn't hurt anymore," Owen commented, rolling his shoulders and craning his neck. "That means this was an injury that healed on its own without the help of those spirits from my dream?"
Vlad nodded, smiling because he was beside himself with joy that Owen wasn't thinking that he was some sort of freak and flying into a blind panic. Owen accepted his necromancy as part of him now, seeing no reason to outright reject who he was anymore. And in turn Owen understood that this WAS normal for someone like him and it wasn't anything to be ashamed of. Sure it was still a lot to get used to, but the hope in his eyes was unmistakable. And for now Owen could focus on that hope instead of everything else that has transpired recently...
"Yes, much like Daniel and myself you seem to have developed accelerated healing powers. I'm sure that's mostly there to counteract when your blood manifests itself as those flowers in self defense when you've been badly injured by something supernatural. It wasn't until your powers began to mature that this happened. On its own, your blood repels negative energy but when it takes the form of those blossoms it can hurt ghosts too. I've seen their power in action before, but that was from naturally grown Blood Blossoms. As for your core energy, it seems that you have a little more freedom when it comes to how you use that power," Vlad smiled again, patting his now healed leg since that was the second power Owen wanted to try out since he was now confident could work on him.
For future reference though Vlad wanted to come up with alternative treatments to any demonic wounds that he, Owen, or Daniel might suffer in the future. Owen agreed with him and personally felt better about using his powers more actively like this too. After all, besides normal people who did he have to hide them from? Vlad knew what he was, and so did Danny and his friends. It struck him then that for the first time in two years, he didn't feel so...alone. There were people he could rely on now, trust, and be himself around that were alive and not trying to manipulate him.
That was an awesome feeling.
"Vlad..." Owen began calmly after pulling on the red turtleneck Vlad bought for him since his other clothes had been torn to shreds and nothing else he had was warm enough.
"Yes?" Vlad replied, looking up from his own plate of food since just as expected, his idea of breakfast was a full three course meal. "What is it? Are you still hungry?"
Shaking his head, Owen sat back down at the table across from Vlad and started blushing a bit. "Thank you for everything and for saving my life. Again. And I'm sorry I put you through so much trouble-" Before Vlad could insist that he was no trouble at all, Owen's expression hardened and his eyes positively shined with confidence as he spoke his next few words, "-but I promise that I'll become stronger. One day, I'll stand beside you as an equal, or at least some worthy of being your...s-s..."
Owen blinked, taken aback by the sudden glint shining in Vlad's eyes too despite his outwardly calm mask. It completely threw him off and after that Owen's blush returned in full force yet he refused to look away. Even if his mouth had stopped working for some stupid reason, surely his eyes could tell Vlad how he was feeling. This was terrifying, the idea of his adoption finally happening. Especially by a man as strong, eloquent, and cool as Vlad. He could honestly say now that his past reservations about the man sitting in front of him, while not gone completely, weren't as bad as before. More like, Owen still felt inadequate compared to Danny who had a lot more experience actually fighting ghosts and not just seeing them everywhere and ignoring them or at most, pushing them away with his powers.
"It's alright Owen. You don't have to say it. I understand that the idea of becoming my son is difficult to wrap your mind around but I assure you, my decision will not change," Vlad beamed, pushing his plate aside then folding his hands in his lap as he crossed his legs. "In fact I've already spoken to our dear friend at Mistveil Orphanage who made our little get together possible in the first place. Honestly it was a bit appalling how easily he gave into my demands and basically begged you to come to my castle for the sake of the money but at least his heart was in the right place. Perhaps he has a backbone after all because when I called he scolded me for doing this on a whim. Can you imagine? Regardless, he'll be sending me the necessary paperwork soon and we'll be visited by social workers no doubt. I expect by then we'll have your other form under control so that nothing will make them suspect anything. And I have full confidence in your acting skills seeing as you've fooled them for so long into thinking that apart from being a little wary of others that you weren't secretly suffering." Closing his eyes, Vlad's tone darkened, "I know that I cannot replace your father any more than I would have been able if Daniel had renounced his and joined me, however, that does not mean I will love you any less if it takes time for you to call me as such. It's possible you never will. But I will love you as my son nevertheless and treat you with all the love and care that I am capable of. That being said, all I ask is that you continue on as you have before all of this and give me a chance. I don't want to lose someone I love again but even if you started to hate me I do not think I could bear being alone again. And from what I can tell, neither could you. Therefore, if we must simply be alone together in my home, so be it. Either way I'm not letting you put yourself in danger now that I truly understand the forces you are up against. With my help though we will be more then a match for it."
Owen couldn't bring himself to speak and simply nodded, staring at his plate. Although, there was no mistaking the shy smile on his face that told Vlad that yes, Owen wanted this too but was too scared to admit it. But by sharing that information that he was already beginning the process seemed to have the desired effect of banishing most of Owen's doubts. So long as he understood that he was loved and wanted, the rest would come on its own at its own pace. This was new territory for both of them. And if they worked together, then someday calling each other 'family' wouldn't seem so strange...
