AN:/ so it's been two months. But you know what, I don't care about the rotten tomatoes you are going to throw at me, because I was busy seeing my dad getting a tan and loosing twenty pounds. I'm almost bellow the 300 mark now so I'm gonna keep going. Which means I don't know when I'll be updating again. So nananabooboo stick your head in doo doo. I want to get healthy and loose weight because it feels good dammit! Anyway, This one's a shorty. It honestly took me about three hours to throw together. I figured i should throw you guys a bone before you thought I had died or something. You guys are really going to hate me after this. I just know it. especially because I probably won't be updating for a while again.
Running to the Enemy's Arms
Chapter 52: Alcohol (The cause of, and the solution to, all the worlds problems.)
by: deadlydaisy8o8
Originally Uploaded: Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 5:22 PM
Vlad's POV
Something was wrong.
I truly did not need any sixth sense to determine this little fact. Daniel had had scarcely three bites of his lasagna since he had sat down. Usually it was a feat to get it to stay on the table for longer than thirty seconds. I knew Daniel particularly enjoyed the dish, so I had it prepared more often than not. The fact that he was attempting to dissect the layers of his food with surgical precision rather than eat it was as good as a neon sign that read, 'something is not right, and is making me incredibly uncomfortable.'
Daniel had been acting in this sheepish manner ever since I had gotten home. Not that he had been making a point of looking me in the eye before this point, but he seemed to be avoiding my eyes more determinedly than usual. Something was causing him to become sheepish and embarrassed, and it seemed as if I were the source of it. There were a number of things that could have caused him to act this way. Something might have happened at school regarding Daniel's relation to me. Someone might have said something. Daniel might have developed some misguided notion all on his own.
None of that was what was causing my little badger distress however. No. Daniel had finally had his little talk with his sister. It was increasingly obvious this was the case by the way Daniel would glance to Jasmine at the other side of the table whenever my gaze would wander his way. The way Jasmine smiled encouragingly, almost apologetically, at Daniel whenever he would look to her for reassurance. They were essentially having a conversation without me and about me the way that they were looking at each other. I was positive that words had been exchanged between the two about my person at some point today.
"This is really good Vlad. I really like it. It is filling though. I don't think I could have another bite." Jasmine gently pushed her plate away from her person while turning to me, sporting an innocent grin. I only briefly met her gaze, keeping up a pretense of grudging indifference.
"If you are sufficiently full then of course you are not required to eat the entirety of your meal. I am pleased the food was up to your expectations." I glanced to Jasmine while continuing my own meal, indifferent to her comment and only minimally acknowledging that she had spoken in the first place. Oh yes I was more than aware that Jasmine and Daniel had had words. Which meant that inevitably Jasmine was the cause of Daniel's seeming increased reluctance to interact with me.
Jasmine's innocent smile faltered for a fraction of a second before it was back up with half of its sincerity. Daniel's eyes had once more searched for Jasmine's reassurance at my cold demeanor; searching for her instruction on how he should react. Though instead of giving him any signal that she was uncomfortable or unsure with my response she merely sent him another comforting look of encouragement, even if this one was not as communicative of the message as the ones previous. I resisted raising an eyebrow at the curious behavior. Jasmine looked to me once more.
"Well. All of this food is making me really tired. I had a pretty full day trying not to get lost in this huge mansion. If it's all right with everyone I think I'll be off to bed. Getting up to my room by myself should be a cake walk compared to getting around the rest of this maze." Jasmine's gaze bounced between Daniel and myself, clearly asking each of us a completely different question, even if she had worded it to apply to both of us. I twirled my fork briefly in my fingers.
"You are more than welcome to escort yourself to your chambers if you wish. You know how to find assistance should you need it. Have a good evening Jasmine." I went back to my meal and Jasmine's eyes swiveled to Daniel. I watched as his posture pleaded with her to stay. He cleared his throat.
"G-good night Jazz." A look that could only be described as motherly appeared on Jasmine's face as she got out of her chair and pushed it back in.
"Good night Danny. See you in the morning." Without saying another word Jasmine moved to the door and shut it with all gentleness, producing a barely audible 'snick'. Daniel's gaze lingered on the door, almost willing it to spring back open and reveal his sister there. He forced himself to tear his eyes from the door and back to his plate. He moved his lasagna around on his plate distractedly as I watched him out of the corner of my eye.
After long tense moments Daniel's eyes flicked briefly up to mine. It was only a moment, but the brief eye contact caused him to blush furiously. I raised an eyebrow at his skittish behavior as I brought another forkful of pasta to my mouth. Daniel's gaze flicked up to me once more and he blushed even more deeply at seeing my obvious acknowledgement of his behavior. The pretense of ignorance gone Daniel shifted around in his chair. His hand came up to rub the back of his neck. Those blue eyes flicked from me to his plate to the various paintings around the room and back. He cleared his throat obviously as he scooted slightly forward in his chair.
"H-hi." My eyebrow shot right up to my hairline at the strange start to this conversation. However I replied none-the-less.
"Good evening Daniel." He blushed at my response and breathed once heavily in and out as he forced himself to continue to speak.
"So, um…the lasagna was really good today." I dabbed my napkin on my lips as I put my fork down on my plate.
"Was it? I assumed by the lack of actual consumption that took place it was unsatisfactory." Daniel's head ducked and he blushed and stuttered for a response.
"G-guess I just wasn't hungry." I tipped my head upwards slightly making a noise of acknowledgement.
"Mhm." And just like that, whatever conversation Daniel had intended to start was over. The room was plunged back into silence; not even the ticking of some stray clock was there to fill the silence. I waited, patiently, as Daniel squirmed in his seat. His silverware loudly clicking against his plate in the silent room as he attempted to fill the empty space with something. His gaze flicked around the room once more before he coughed again. He seemed to teeter on the edge of some decision before he moved very obviously to get out of his chair.
"Well it's getting late. I think I'll just-"
"Daniel." I interrupted Daniel's hurried and desperate excuses. He was already out of his chair and headed towards the door, conducting himself with none of his usual grace. Obviously yearning to be away from this situation and me. At my low annoyed tone Daniel stopped in his tracks. He seemed to struggle to swallow for a moment before he turned back towards me. He opened his mouth but no words came out. I slowly rose out of my own chair and took deliberate steps towards the nervous teen.
"I am not a fool Daniel. I'm sure we will be more comfortable in my study while you tell me whatever it is you seem to be having trouble with. Come along." I strode silently past and Daniel's quieter than usual, but still loud footsteps took up behind me. I observed that Daniel choose kept pace behind me, like a lost puppy or a duckling following its mother, and did not come up to walk beside me as an equal, like he usually did when we walked about the mansion. Yes something was definitely wrong.
Without preamble I arrived at my office and opened the door. Daniel needed no prompting and quickly filed in when I steeped to the side. After I had shut the door and turned I found Daniel standing in the middle of the room, looking to me with no clue what to do with himself. I patiently shooed him to the small lounge area so that we could occupy the two couches there.
I sank into the sofa and allowed myself to lean back into he cushions. I draped my arm over the back and crossed my legs, hoping my relaxed posture would put the teen at ease. My hopes were dashed when Daniel took up none of my cues. His leg bounced as he sat ramrod straight on the edge of the cushions. Like a bird perched for flight. I studied the teen for a moment silently assessing his tense posture. Casually I reached behind myself to the sofa table where I knew there was a bottle of bourbon and a few glasses.
"Would you like a drink, Daniel?" I didn't wait for Daniel to answer and grabbed two glasses regardless. I quickly uncapped the bottle I had grabbed and swiftly poured two shots.
"W-What?" Daniel watched my actions like he had never seen anyone pour a drink before. I recapped the bottle I had grabbed and set it off to the side. I pushed one of the shots across the coffee table towards Daniel.
"A drink, Daniel. I asked if you would like a drink. I do believe you know what I mean by the question?" Daniel gapped at me for a movement while I picked up my own shot and gave it a small sip. Just enough to cover the tongue. Daniel stuttered for a moment.
"I-I'm only sixteen." I draped my arm back over the back of the sofa, glass still in hand. I quirked an eyebrow and let sarcasm heavily color my voice.
"Really, you're that old?" I let a smirk slip onto my face with the exasperated look Daniel gave me in return. I was speaking before he could get out a word in retaliation. "I could do three straight shots of vodka by the time I was fourteen Daniel. You are going to be fine. One glass of 1937 Kentucky Bourbon isn't going to hurt you." Daniel closed his mouth and looked at me skeptically. Eyeing the glass on the table as if he weren't sure it wasn't going to suddenly explode. I rolled my eyes and brought my own glass to my lips for another sip.
"Just give it a taste Daniel. Just to see how you like it. I promise I won't tell anyone." Daniel looked carefully between me and the glass on the table before he reached out and gently picked up the crystal glass. I watched in some amusement as he brought the glass up to eye level so he could inspect the amber liquid. He turned the glass around in his hand before he brought it tentatively under his nose to give it a sniff. His nose crinkled up for a moment before he brought the glass back under his nose to try again, as if he couldn't decide whether it was a good or a bad smell. Quickly Daniel glanced up to me over the rim of the glass before he put the glass to his lips and tilted it back just a small amount.
It was only a moment before his eyebrows shot up and he looked back to the glass in his hand with surprise. I gave him a sly smile as he lowered the glass from his face, but didn't put it back on the table.
"Be sure to only take small sips. This isn't cheap whiskey and you won't impress anyone by throwing it down." He gave me a small nod before he brought the glass back up to his lips. I waited for Daniel to drop the glass to his lap again before I spoke.
"Very well Daniel it is after dinner, we moved to the sitting area to be undisturbed, and we have our drinks. I don't believe you will get a more opportune time to breech an uncomfortable subject." I peered over my glass as I went to take another sip. Daniel's face became red and his hand tightened almost imperceptibly around his glass. He mumbled under his breath.
"I don't know how to start." I breathed in before I spoke.
"The beginning has served me well over the years." I was given a brief glare of acknowledgement before Daniel seemed to think for a moment.
"Jazz was in the limo on the way back from school today." I hummed.
"So that is how she managed it then." Daniel blushed and brought his glass up for a sip as I continued, "Very well. I knew it was going to happen eventually. Continue." Daniel fidgeted and scooted back on the sofa to get comfortable.
"So Jazz was in the limo." In a moment Daniel seemed to realize something before he was speaking with urgency. "I had no clue she was going to be there and she took me completely by surprise." I ignored Daniel's assumptions about his supposed 'betrayal' and his attempts to clarify.
"A humorous sight, I'm sure." Daniel glared over a blush before he continued.
"And while we were in the limo we talked."
"You mean to tell me you didn't just sit there and stare at each other? Daniel I must say that given the circumstances this is completely unexpected."
"Vlad, please." I sighed at the pleading look Daniel was giving me. I recognized the twang in my gut as guilt and let out a large breath. I attempted to look repentant as I made a point of setting my glass down on the coffee table.
"I apologize Daniel. Please continue." Daniel gave me a look of thanks before he raised his glass to his lips and took a sip. He lingered on the taste for a moment before he looked to the corner of the room.
"Jazz said she'd noticed that you called me 'son' and that I didn't seem to mind it." I didn't say anything when Daniel paused and looked to me. I merely waited Daniel to continue in his own time. He took a breath and spoke.
"I told her that I was okay with it because you had said that you l-loved me, and that you thought of me as a son, and that you would die for me." Daniel had changed his position so that his elbows were resting on his knees and he was rotating his glass between his fingers as he spoke to the floor.
"She still didn't understand why we were being all weird around each other so I told her…" Daniel paused in his fidgeting and brought the shot glass up to his lips once more. "I told her that it was because I hadn't said anything back. And I thought that you were upset because I hadn't said anything after you said that stuff. And I thought that you were waiting for me to say something like that, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I just can't because I don't want to say something without meaning it." Daniel's gaze moved from the floor to meet my eyes.
"I can't do it Vlad. I'm sorry. I can't do it right now. I need more time. I just need more time. I can't…" Daniel's gaze ripped from mine as his eyes became glassy. I swiftly maneuvered from my couch to Daniel's. He looked up to me when he felt me settle beside him. I tentatively moved to put my arm on his shoulder and when he made no move in protest I rested it there and pulled him closer.
"It's okay Daniel." Daniel's voice was muffled by my shirt and chest.
"Really?"
"Yes Daniel, really. If you need more time I can wait. You've made me very proficient at waiting." I felt Daniel try to push away from my side.
"Vlad I-"
"Shush, Daniel. I tease. It is getting late. I think its time we went off to bed." I got up off the couch and pulled Daniel to his feet along with me. He leaned into my side for a brief moment before he was upright.
"Vlad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
"Daniel I said it was okay and I meant it. You are worrying over nothing. Come now, it really is about time we each got some rest. I'll put the glasses away. You trot off to bed."
"Vlad-"
"Good night Daniel." Daniel stopped and looked to me, his hand poised to gesture. He let his limb fall to his side and he reluctantly walked to the door. He turned to face me as I was putting the Bourbon back in its proper place.
"Good night Vlad." The door fell shut with a gentle 'click'.
I waited a few moments until I was sure Daniel was gone before I poured the remainder of Daniel's drink into my own and threw it back, slamming the empty glass back down.
Daniel did not want me as a father.
