A/N: Hey guys, finally got another post up! Yay! Hope you like it, sorry about the wait, haven't abandoned just have a lot going on right now, working constantly. r&r if you feel like it, enjoy!
Chapter Ten
A Father's Son
Vlad waited patiently as Danny drained his excess energy into the sphere. The boy grunting a little as he did, small intermittent trembles moving around his body as all the extra energy was poured in the system.
When he was finished Danny wiped at his brow with an arm, "No matter how many times I do that it still feels really uncomfortable."
"Yes, it's rather daunting. I've only had to use it a few times, but the feeling of one's energy being sucked out is always strange."
"You've had to use that? You never told me that."
As they turned to head up stairs Vlad placed a hand on Danny's back to guide him, his legs weak from the earlier workout in the weight room and from draining his core's energy.
"Why do you think I have it if I've never needed to use it? As I've gotten new powers I've had surges in my core so the safest way to deal with it until I have mastered the new power is to siphon off energy as needed."
"Oh, makes sense." Danny said as he took a firm hold of the stair rail and Vlad continued to give him support as he climbed the stairs.
Once they got to the top Vlad cleared his throat and said, "Daniel, before you go to bed tonight I want to discuss something with you. Would you join me in the sitting room?"
"Uh, sure." And Danny followed him through the house as they walked in comfortable silence. Every time they went to the sitting room Vlad dropped something big on him, he only hoped this time would be different.
As Danny sat down on one of the couches he took a sip from his lemon water and waited as Vlad stood before him, one arm behind his back and the other stroking at his chin. Danny could tell the man was in deep thought and seemed uncertain on where to begin.
"What's up, Fruitloop?" Danny asked in hopes of defusing the invisible tension that had started to build. Vlad glanced at him before he sighed and came to sit on the coffee table directly in front of Danny.
"Alright. Daniel, there are a few things we need to discuss and I need you to remain calm and level headed. I need your honest opinion and thoughts on what I am about to tell you. You need to be completely honest with me and in return I will do you the same service."
Danny was taken aback by the concerned look Vlad gave him and the serious tone to his voice. It was odd to Danny, because Vlad often came off as mostly indifferent or simply matter-of-fact.
"Okay, what's going on. Your kind of freaking me out Fruitloop."
The man held out his hand, slowly turning it over to reveal the pocket watch that Vlad had been using to talk to Clockwork and the one Danny had used to go visit him as well.
"Uh...an old watch?" Danny asked, trying to sound confused as he worried Vlad had figured out he had used it.
"Not just any ordinary watch, Daniel. I have been using this watch to communicate and visit your old friend, Clockwork."
"Oh...uh...right...why?" Danny asked though he already knew why as he had talked to the ghost himself not long ago. This brought memories of Danny witnessing Vlad's break down and crying fit which suddenly made Danny uncomfortable and he turned his head to try and hide his blush.
"Clockwork has been...helping me-" and the careful tone in which Vlad admitted to this was not lost on the youth, "He has been acting as my check and balance system ever since the first time I spoke to him over a month ago. If I feel like I am slipping back into my old behavior I call upon him to help keep me in line or give me advice on how to better handle a situation." and it wasn't really a lie either, and Vlad felt slightly better about that.
And while Danny believed him, having seen with his own eyes how Clockwork had broken Vlad down to tears during one of Vlad's many temper tantrums, he didn't understand why the man was telling him this. Still, it was just more information to help Danny better understand the man and get inside his head so he said carefully, "So...he's kinda been like your sober companion...ya know, like those people on tv who try to get off drugs or drinking...they have a person who they can call that will like...help them not relapse."
Vlad winced a little at the simile but nodded, "Exactly."
"Ooookay, so why are you telling me this?" Danny asked with genuine curiosity.
"Well, the truth is, I've also been speaking to Clockwork about you. I have been using him as a reference guide to other ghosts and so I asked him if he has ever seen a condition like yours before. I also have asked him several times to look into the future to see if he can find a solution."
Danny said nothing as his heart sped up a little and Vlad continued with a calm tone, the one Danny was really starting to like, "He summoned me tonight, Daniel."
Something clicked in his mind and Danny crossed his arms as he said flatly, "You didn't actually go to Madison for office work did you."
"No. And I am sorry I lied but I didn't want to get your hopes up. I wasn't sure if anything would come of the meeting but there... was a development."
Danny perked up a little as he asked quickly, "Did Clockwork figure out a solution to my problem?"
Vlad sighed and said in a rather soft tone, "Yes and no."
"What did he say?" and Danny could hear the uncertainty in his own voice so he was sure Vlad could hear it too. The irony of this conversation was that Danny knew more than Vlad was aware and Vlad knew more than Danny was aware. The mistrust that still rested between them kept them from both being honest, Vlad because this whole thing was based on a ruse and it had gone so far now that being honest about how this had all started would most likely chase Danny away while his core was on the verge of exploding, and Danny because he didn't want to show his hand of how much he knew.
Vlad cleared his throat and said carefully, "As you know, and are painfully aware of, your core has aged considerably while your body has stayed the same. Clockwork summoned me to pose the idea of...ageing you…" and at the look of terror on Danny's face Vlad amended quickly, "Just a few years, two at most. It would likely help with the joint pain and give you a bit more control over your core as your body would be more mature and your muscles stronger."
Danny swallowed thickly as he said, "So...that conversation we had over dinner about my core stabilizing when my body caught up with it … Clockwork thinks he could age me up safely?"
Vlad nodded and continued in a very calm and even voice, "As I said, he would only age you two years, you'd go from sixteen to eighteen. But Daniel, you should know, he said it would hurt...it would be painful as your body would grow to that of an eighteen-year-old in a matter of minutes. While he assured me there would be no negative physical side effects of doing this...there is a chance that you might have some psychological side effects."
"What do you mean? Why would going through a growth spurt-"
"You have to understand, Daniel. Only your body would change. Your mind would still be that of a sixteen-year old boy. You'd appear older than all of your friends and while I realize you only have one year or high school left...people would notice...and so...it could cause some psychological trauma. And it still wouldn't solve the problem of your core. It would only help and possibly mitigate some of the pain you've had to deal with. You would also have to continue to workout your human body, weightlifting and such to continue to get stronger."
Danny sighed and looked away, finally realizing what Vlad meant by psychological issues. The idea of walking down the hall his senior year and possibly being taller than everyone else, possibly even bigger than Dash was a little weird...but also kind of funny.
Sam and Tucker would be weirded out, his parents would freak, "How would we even explain it to people. I mean, everyone would notice." Danny asked.
"It isn't unusual for teenage boys to hit a growth spurt around your age, the fact that your father is a very large man works in our favor. What we would have to do is keep you away from your parents the rest of the summer and you wouldn't be able to go back to Amity until school started. Everyone would most likely put it down to a summer growth spurt and you'd also have to explain that you have been working out a lot, which is not necessarily a lie. Your friends, Miss. Manson and Mr. Foley, you could tell them but they would only be able to come visit you here. We need a straight three months of no one in Amity seeing you so when you reappear it gives the illusion of you simply growing into your own body. We would also spend the summer getting you used to your new body, as well as any..uh..other changes that might occur."
"Other changes?" Danny asked in confusion.
Vlad's cheeks grew a little red before he said, "Uhm, well...most likely you'd need your wisdom teeth out, there might be...more hair...in placed you aren't used to...including your face...a rather large shift in your hormones and-"
"Dah, uh no, okay okay, shut up...I get it." Danny said, his face going red as a strawberry as he wrapped arms around himself and shook his head, "Uhg, gross." he murmured.
"It's up to you, Little Badger. Both Clockwork and I would not want to do this unless you agreed to it. And you needed to know that it wouldn't solve all your problems only help you manage them."
Danny nodded at that as his embarrassment dissipated a little and he said, "For all we know I won't actually get any taller. I'll be stuck as a short dweeb forever."
Vlad thought back to the image of a much older Daniel and him sparring and he recalled that Daniel actually only seemed to be a few inches shorter than him in the images. Vlad was six foot three, so the chances were Daniel would be closer to six foot by the time he stopped growing. If he was five foot four now...he still had almost eight inches he needed to grow.
Vlad winced at the amount of pain growing six inches in a matter of minutes would bring. Then again he might not reach his peak height at eighteen, they wouldn't know unless Danny consented to the procedure.
"You don't have to do this. But it was something of a temporary solution that Clockwork offered and you had the right to know about it. I recommend you take a few days to think about it. Let me know how you feel. We can proceed from there."
Danny nodded, rubbing at the back of his head for a moment before he looked at his hand and tried to imagine it bigger, maybe with calluses and more thick like his father's.
"Man, this sucks." Danny said softly.
A hand came to his shoulder and he looked up to see Vlad giving him a soft smile, kind and gentle, and Danny felt a delicate warmth fill his chest at the sight of it, "Everything will be alright Daniel. I will help you, we will figure this out together."
Maybe it was because he missed his friends, or maybe it was because he felt so utterly conflicted about what he should do but Danny found himself taking comfort in Vlad's encouragement and support and so leaned forward, wrapping arms around Vlad's middle as he said softly, "Thanks, Fruitloop."
It was a single poignant moment of peace between the two, and the first real shift in their dynamic occurred via the most simplistic of actions. They shared a hug.
Vlad carefully wrapped his arms around the youth before him, only now realizing how truly scared Danny must be if he was seeking such comforts from him. Still, Vlad reciprocated and found himself savoring the warmth and appreciating something so simple and easy as this hug was.
Danny pulled away and cleared his throat as he turned and said, "Gonna get some sleep. You said it was cool to tell Sam and Tuck right?"
"Yes. They will be the ones who help you the most when school resumes so keeping them informed is a must."
"I...oh...right...you don't live in Amity anymore. You won't be there." and this was the first time it occurred to Danny that when the summer was over he would be going back to Amity and Vlad would not be going with him. Vlad would be staying in Wisconsin and he would be starting his search for a wife….for a new life...away from ghost fights and evil plots….away from Danny.
Danny looked from Vlad to his feet, processing this bit of information as in his mind for the first time in his life ever he realized that his friends, the two people who had helped him and supported him ever since he got his powers, weren't going to be enough. He had no doubt that they would try, and they would do everything within their power to help him...but in the end...Danny needed someone who had the resources to support him in a different way.
It was a very weird and strange feeling to realize that since he needed to work on his human half and not his ghost half...he needed to be with someone who had the skills, knowledge and resources to do it and right now, that person was Vlad. Sam and Tucker were brilliant in helping Danny train and build Phantom's strength...but aside from the school gym...they didn't really have a way to help Danny Fenton...and they didn't have a siphoning sphere...or a way to contain his energy.
His parents lab was high tech but Vlad's was better. The idea that his other life would not have the things needed to help Danny Fenton and only had the things that could help Danny Phantom created a divide in his mind he had never experienced before.
The irony being, the only thing Vlad and Danny had in common was their ghost half, but it was not Danny's ghost half that needed help. It was his human half, the side of him that had always relied so heavily on the love and support of his friends and family. That human side needed Vlad's help, the side of him that he had fiercely tried to keep Vlad away from.
Plasmius and Phantom could go round for round, but Vlad and Danny? Well, letting Vlad anywhere near Danny Fenton had always been a hard no. Danny Fenton was too weak, and Vlad Masters was too strong. Sure, the pair in their human formed bumped heads, but in regards to working together?
It was dangerous territory.
Still, if by the end of summer Danny's human body hadn't gotten stronger what was he going to do? It wasn't like Vlad was going to move back to Amity again just to help him work on his issues. And if he was going to school he wouldn't have as much time to work out...not to mention ghost attacks and his core being a tiny bomb.
What the hell was he going to do? It felt like there wasn't enough time and that's when a thought came to Danny just as Vlad asked with confusion, "Daniel? Are you alright?"
Danny looked back to Vlad who was still sitting on the coffee table and looked concerned, "Yeah, I'm fine...I just...had a thought."
"Would you like to share? Or is it...um...personal?"
Danny smirked, "No, I can share. It's just...Clockwork said he could age up my human body right?"
Vlad nodded, "Yes. He seemed rather positive he could."
"Do you think he could age down my core?"
Vlad's eyes suddenly went wide, "That's…"
"A really good idea, right?"
Vlad instantly stood, opening the pocket watch and just as he was about to speak Clockwork's voice rang out, "No, it's a horrible idea."
Both Vlad and Danny made a face before Vlad spit out, "Have you been listening in this whole time?"
"Yes." the spirit said and Vlad growled incredulously as he asked, "Why?"
"To save us all some time." and the smirk in his voice was evident and Danny crossed to Vlad and looked at the face of the watch which showed Clockwork, "I can age up your human body but your core is a different matter entirely. One wrong move and I could kill you. It's much too complicated and while I have the ability, a core is different from a body. I won't risk having your death on my hands."
"But my death is already a possibility!" Danny urged, "If I can't make my human body stronger I won't be able to contain my core! I'll blow up and take half of Amity with me!"
"Then I guess you will just have to work on making your body stronger." Clockwork said with a glare very reminiscent of Danny's mother when she told him to do his homework.
"But, I only have three months with Vlad, to get my body strong enough I'd have to stay here and train with Vlad every day until I'm thirty! That's fourteen freakin' years!" Danny barked out.
To the youths utter shock Clockwork said nothing and simply cocked a brow as he gave Danny a rather knowing look. Danny felt his insides go numb and his heart lurch in his chest, "No...no way...no way in hell-"
Suddenly the pocket watch glowed and from it Clockwork swirled out, coming to float before the pair as he crossed his arms, a staff still firmly in his grasp, "I told you nearly four months ago it would be in your best interest to befriend Vlad Masters. That he would become a friend and ally to you. You ignored me. So, I reached out to Vlad directly and he has been working with me to make certain changes in his life. Because of those changes he can now be here to help you. I've known about the possibility of your core blowing up for a very long time Daniel. I see all, know all, the past, present and future. I suggest you make peace with the fact that you need Vlad's help, and figure out what is more important. Learn to see the bigger picture-" and Clockwork's red eyes glanced to Vlad whose own eyes narrowed.
"Would spending the next few years with Vlad by your side helping you, knowing you are free to see your friends and family as you wish, be worse than never seeing your friends and family again because you are dead? It's your choice, choose wisely." and then in a flash Clockwork was gone leaving Vlad and Danny in stunned silence.
"Fourteen years isn't a few!" Danny suddenly yelled at no one, "Hell no, fuck no!" Danny said as he turned and headed out of the room.
Vlad was shocked by the langued the youth spouted but still followed as he called softly, "Daniel, wait-"
"So did you know this whole time? Was this all a show? You knew my core was going to explode? Clockwork told you?"
"What? No! I swear to you my boy, I did not know about the issues with your core until you came here and we figured it out together! On my mother's grave! I genuinely thought Clockwork was trying to help me start over! He lied to me too!" and Vlad placed a hand over his heart.
And it wasn't a total lie, Vlad had really believed Clockwork had been trying to help Vlad start over, win Daniel to his side. And while in a way he had, in the grand scheme of things Clockwork's only goal was to bring them together, everything else had been semantics and Vlad suddenly realized that the trap Clockwork had caught him in, was only getting more dangerous.
Because now, Daniel's life hung in the balance. Even if Vlad said to hell with it all, told Daniel the real and whole truth, the youth's core was still explosive and dangerous and, though Danny still didn't know, they were both immortal. That meant keeping Danny alive was now Vlad's only goal. Clockwork had lied, he had brought Daniel closer but in doing as Clockwork said Vlad was now unable to take anything he had done or said back because if he did Daniel would leave and most likely die.
He's made a plan so airtight that I couldn't even change it if I wanted to. Even when I win I still lose. Daniel is here with me but I can't tell him the entire truth or he will leave, I can't go back to my old way of life, or he will leave, I can't do anything at all but remain as I am now and try to keep Daniel alive so I don't spend the next thousand years alone...
Rage suddenly filled him as he yelled out, "WHY DOES EVERYONE LIE TO ME!" Vlad yelled as he chucked the pocket watch in his hand at the wall across the foyer before blasting it with a pink ball of ecto energy.
"The one time I try to play nice and be the good guy and it's all just another trick! Another lie! Tell me Daniel, you're a hero, what's the point in being a good person if every time you do it just gets thrown back in your face!?" and since Vlad was being rhetorical he didn't wait for the youth to answer.
He stormed off towards his lab as he knew he was going to be simmering for a while and most likely Daniel was about to go up and pack his bags. He didn't have the heart to watch him go nor the strength to keep himself from trying to stop him so he might as well lock himself in his lab and keep his hands to himself. The last thing he wanted was a fight with Phantom, as Danny's core was just too unstable.
"Probably blow up my house...again." Vlad murmured to himself as he fumed.
Vlad descended into his lab, too heated to even remember he could just phase through the floor and he mused on what a joke his life had become. He had allowed himself to trust someone…
"See, this is what you get when you trust someone! You get used! You get misled, they lie to you...you take them into your confidence and they spin a web of lies and you can't even see that you are trapped until it's too late!" and Vlad angrily rummaged around his lab muttering to himself.
"How many times have I told myself not to trust anyone! How many times do I have to have this conversation with myself!" and from a box he pulled out a wrench and some piping. He crossed to the wall where his portal would soon be and started threading wire through the conduit.
"So damn foolish, stupid, so damn stupid...you trust people you get burned, everytime! Should have just told him to take his offer of help and shove it-" Vlad reached for another pipe, threading the wires through before twisting the two pieces together, "Remember it this time, don't trust anyone! Not even an ancient spirit of time! Now you have to figure out how to help Daniel when he isn't even here! Just leave the boy alone, if he wants help he'll come back, just move on...you can't move on, he is going to bloody explode!" and Vlad reached for another piece of pipe only to realize he couldn't find it and so turned to look at the floor where he had laid them only to see a pair of shoes and so looked up to find Danny holding the piece out to him.
"You mutter worse than my mom. She gets mad and spends hours in the lab just muttering, makes dad all kinds of uncomfortable." and he pressed the pipe into Vlad's hand and the man looked down at it, clearing his throat a little as red came to his cheeks, "Well, yes...I suppose I do mutter...and working in my lab helps calm me down when I get-"
"Upset?" Danny asked as he cocked a brow and crossed his arms.
Vlad gave a gentle glare before he sighed and started to slowly press the next length of wire through, "Daniel, I didn't know. I thought that blasted spirit had some grandiose scheme to make my life...better. He...made me think things were possible...things I never imagined. I...felt hope for the first time in a long time...I don't expect you to understand-"
"I get it." Danny said as he looked away and sighed, "It must have been pretty good what he offered you. I mean, getting you to trust anyone is like trying to pull teeth from a bucking bronco. I'm surprised he got you to go along with his plans this long."
"Yes, it does seem foolish. But the desire for hearth and home, for family...for something...I've made so many mistakes in this life and just once...I wanted to do something right...I really thought-" but Vlad trailed off because this wasn't actually a confession. Daniel thought he was talking about the idea that Clockwork had tempted him away from his evil tendencies using the promise of a wife and kids...of a family. The truth being the exact opposite that Clockwork had tempted him away from his evil tendencies with nothing but the promise of Daniel at his side.
He didn't want to talk about it anymore because for the first time, he felt truly bad for lying about it and he wished he could tell Daniel the truth.
Maybe he could, maybe he should. Just tell Daniel everything, the whole truth because what was it going to hurt now? Daniel was about to leave...he'd lost...
"I'm going to stay for the rest of the summer." Danny said suddenly and Vlad's desire to be honest evaporated so quickly it was as if it had never even been there.
"What?" Vlad asked as he looked up.
"Look, I think I pieced it all together. Clockwork said if you turned over a new leaf and befriended me it would lead you to a happy future with a family of your own right? Wife and kids, maybe?"
"Uh...yes?" Vlad answered in confusion.
"But his only goal was to get you to be nice enough so I'd ask you for help with my powers...there never was some woman out there waiting for you to come meet her or whatever Clockwork said, right? I'm assuming he told you about some woman that was meant for you or some bullshit story about how helping me would get you whatever you wanted?"
"Apparently, yes, I'll say yes." Vlad said nervously as he had no clue where this was going as none of this was true but Daniel had pieced enough of the bullshit from the past month together to come up with a fake picture.
"Well, the truth of the matter is, Clockwork lied to me too. He told me four months ago to befriend you because it would be in my best interest. And as time went by and I didn't do it he reached out to you instead. Probably figure your lonely guy personality would be more likely to give in to the temptation of happiness...uh...no offense by the way...about the lonely guy jab, I just meant-"
"Yes, Daniel, I am a desperate lonely old man, I get it, please move on." Vlad bit sarcastically, no longer caught in a daze by Danny's sudden appearance.
"Look, Clockwork told me you can help me. He said specifically you could make me better. And considering he set this whole damn thing up in order to get you to help me with my core, I gotta believe he was being honest when he said you could help. He put both of us through all this crap to get us to make a truce. So, I think you can help me, I believe him in that at least. And if that's the case I am not going to waste it. I'm already here, we might as well finish out the summer...I mean...if you want to at least."
"Yes, I do. I mean, I want to help you, and I think your best option would be to stay and continue with the regiment-"
"Okay then. We are agreed. Despite Clockwork meddling in our lives, we keep the truce and keep working together until the summer is over. Then if you really wanna go back to being a bad guy, I guess...whatever...I'll just kick your ass then."
Vlad looked down at the ground, one hand pressed to the wall next to him as his other arm rested on a knee. Everything flooded to him at once, all the things he would need to change and leave changed in order to keep Daniel, the idea that they were both immortal, and that if Daniel's core exploded Vlad would once again be the only halfa in existence.
His resolve died in that one moment of clarity as he realized it just wasn't worth it. All the things he still wanted, all the power, control and possible revenge just wasn't worth it...not in regards to the big picture which Clockwork kept pointing out and so Vlad went back to screwing pieces of pipe conduit together as he said softly, "Actually, Daniel...I think...Vlad Plasmius...is done. I...just don't have it in me to care anymore and the things I wanted for so long, just don't matter anymore. All I want to do is focus on making you better...so I won't be the only halfa again. So I won't be alone again. Losing you, it would hurt me Daniel, worse than your parents betrayal, worse than seven years of my life gone to hospitals...worse than anything. You don't have to be with me Daniel, but I can't let you die...not if there is a chance I can save you." and Vlad kept working, didn't look at the youth, didn't think he'd have the stomach for it.
This was Vlad being honest for once. He really couldn't stand the idea of being the only halfa again. Not to mention he really didn't want Danny to die. Over the last month the rage, pain and anger that often worked as his driving force had started to smolder and now all that was left was smoke.
Yes, after the summer ended he could go back to his old life, his old ways of plotting scheming and doing whatever was necessary to get what he wanted but, in all honesty, he just didn't want it anymore. He got closer than ever before with Daniel because he had supposedly changed. Revenge on Jack, obsessing over Maddie...making Daniel be more like him...well...he'd realized the futility of it all days ago when he'd had that conversation with Clockwork in the bathroom.
But this moment right now was when all the remaining desires faded completely and Vlad felt a stillness come to his mind and his emotions smooth out to become a placid lake.
"Oh...well...I guess that means...what? After the summer is over what are you going to do if there isn't some woman waiting for you?" Danny asked.
Vlad sighed as he stood and went to get more pipes and Danny followed, "I don't know." Vlad said softly, "There isn't much for me to do besides simply exist." And as he pulled out more piping he saw Danny reach in as well and the man gave a sideways glance at the youth whose eyes were watching him carefully.
"Well...I mean...there's my senior graduation. You could come to that." Danny said off handedly.
Vlad's brows furrowed as he said, "Yes...I suppose."
"And next summer before I go to college mom and dad were talking about going on a camping trip...you could come with, maybe rent a cabin...I assume you wouldn't enjoy sleeping on the ground in a tent." And Danny smirked and Vlad smiled and shook his head, "no I wouldn't and yes I could."
"Okay, well there are some things to look forward to. So, what are you doing with all these pipes?" Danny asked, very quickly changing the subject after having just left an open invitation for Vlad into his life.
The man felt a strange emotion gently role across the surface of the placid lake that had formed in his mind, and he thought perhaps, it was a mixture of warmth and gratitude.
"My portal should be here in the next day or two. I've arranged for Skulker to take it apart and box it up so the company who is transporting it will be none the wiser of what it contains. I need to have the lab ready so I can simply put it back together and plug it in."
"Want help? I've worked on my parents portal with them, not a complete novice."
Vlad smiled at him, "That would be nice, go grab the schematics off the table over there by the siphoning sphere and we will see what we can get done."
The pair remained blissfully unaware of the other presence in the room who had been watching them for over two hours. He'd followed Vlad from the Ghost Zone, locking onto his essence and creating a mini gateway so he could follow.
Alptraum watched as the pair worked, remaining invisible as he stayed in the shadows. Demon's could go undetected by humans if they stayed in the shadows. Though as he watched the pair he knew they weren't fully human. He had been concerned their other half might be able to pick him up but apparently ghosts were not better at detecting lurking demons than humans were.
So, my boy became half ghost? That must be a very interesting story. And he's all grown up now, silver hair, handsome face, just like his daddy. And it looks like he has taken another half ghost under his wing. Who'd have thought the lowly humans would continue to evolve.
Well, this makes my night far more interesting...I wonder if the child has a father. I could possess my sweet Vladimir but it only ever lasts so long and I want more time tormenting him...if I start with the boy's father...well...a little torment is always fun. The child is staying for the summer. I could stick around for a while. Figure out what my boy has been up to. Rich as Midas, cruel as a devil…
Alptraum smiled wickedly as he mused on what to do. He'd just devoured a man in Kentucky so he could easily wait the three months out and learn as much as he could. He would have to be careful though and do his best to stick to the shadows. He could roam more easily at night while Vlad and the kid slept.
I wonder if they sleep together….maybe the kid is more than just a student...I raised a real devil if that's the case. Too bad his father's dead, that would have been a beautiful reunion. Possessing my old meat suit, coming to say hello to my precious son. He never knew how much his real daddy loved him. How often he begged for me to leave his body...but I just enjoyed tormenting them so much...I still have Vladislav's soul, I could really torment Vlad with that.
Alptraum purred lustfully as he remembered all the wonderful memories and thought of all the current possibilities.
I wonder if he still has that picture book I made for him. How lucky am I to find him all over again. I think it's time for him and I to reconnect.
The pair didn't go to bed until late and Danny returned to his room feeling utterly spent but much more content then he thought he would.
Yeah, Clockwork had pulled a fast one on both him and Vlad but Danny really couldn't stay mad at him. He had told Danny multiple times to try and reach out to Vlad and his own stubbornness had been the catalyst to Clockwork taking matters into his own hands.
Danny also believed that Clockworks desire to help Vlad start over was true and that he did want Danny to help rehabilitate the man. It just all seemed so convoluted. Clockwork had gone about this in a very roundabout way, but perhaps he had no choice.
It wasn't like Danny or Vlad were easy to deal with and he had played them both against each other to the point that neither could really leave the other at this point.
But the idea of staying here with Vlad until he caught up with his core growth…
"Fourteen years-" what was he going to do? Just not go back to school? Not go to college? Give up on his dreams of working with NASA? Spend fourteen years lifting weights, avoiding junk food and swimming laps?
God, this blows. What the hell am I going to do. I need to talk to Sam and Tucker. It's too late now, I'll call them first thing in the morning. Gotta try to get some sleep.
Danny heard a noise and sat up, seeing one of the books on a nearby shelf had fallen over. His first thought was that Vlad was invisible and spying on him but his ghost sense had not gone off. Not to mention the man had been as exhausted as him and had no reason to spy on him.
Danny chalked it up to gravity and laid back down, falling asleep after only a few minutes.
Vlad on the other hand laid on his bed staring at the canopy, his mind buzzing heavily as he tried to figure out what he was going to do.
He wasn't numb, but his feelings had, for the first time in years, calmed to the point of not even reacting to Clockworks trickery. Yes, Vlad had been mad, but after only a few minutes talking to Daniel he had been soothed into letting it go.
Only a month and a half ago if he had been lied to and tricked he would have instantly responded with a counter plan to make the person who had tricked him suffer.
But now, he just felt foolish but had no desire to retaliate. The idea that Daniel was still right down the hall, that he hadn't left made that soothing warmth come back to his chest as he breathed out, "It's finally gone...all my anger is just...gone."
He closed his eyes, ruminating over the idea that he was finally free of his demons and started to imagine what his future might hold in store for him now that he was able to let go.
But Vlad was not as free from his demons as he thought, for over the next hour as he fell into sleep a real demon lurked nearby, pressing closer and placing a dark hand to Vlad's forehead.
"Let's take a little stroll down memory lane, shall we
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Danny woke up around ten, confused as to why Vlad had not woken him up sooner. Maybe the man was still sleeping too. They had stayed up rather later than normal. He got up and dressed quickly in his normal workout attire before heading down to the kitchen. He'd put on the modified Specter Deflector belt and was ready for another day of grueling workouts and healthy food.
As he entered the kitchen though he stopped as he came across Vlad sitting at the island, hair a mess and not even pulled back, only wearing a pair of jogging shorts and a tank top as exhausted eyes stared into a mug of coffee.
He looked terrible, like he hadn't slept all night and the dark circles under his eyes were evident.
"Whoa, hey Vlad, are you okay? Are you sick or something?"
Vlad jumped a little at the sound of his voice before realizing who it was and running a hand down his face before breathing out slowly and rubbing at his eyes.
"Oh, Little Badger, you gave me a fright. No I'm not sick. I did not sleep very well. I apologize."
Danny approached the island and looked at him carefully seeing the way his hair frizzed and the haggard expression, "I don't think you slept at all, were you up all night?" Danny asked.
"Just...bad dreams...memories...my head hurts...I think I'm going to go lay down...why don't you make some breakfast, anything you'd like, and I will join you in a bit." Vlad said shakily as he stood and headed out of the kitchen, Danny looked after him and noticed how his often poised walk was more of a trudge.
"Yeah, I'll uh, bring you some food when it's done." He said uncertainly and Vlad's only response was that of a raised hand of acknowledgement before he headed down the hall.
Danny went about making breakfast, taking the man's comment of anything Danny wanted to heart. He chose something a little less healthy than normal as Vlad seemed to need something comforting.
He made eggs, bacon and hash browns as well as slicing up some fresh avocados (which Danny hated but Vlad seemed to love) and poured two small glasses of orange juice.
As he did all this his mind wandered, thinking of what kind of dreams could have caused Vlad to have such a restless and difficult night.
His mind was pulled back to that damn photo album as he thought that perhaps, the stress of yesterday and Clockwork's little scheme had caused unwanted memories to surface.
It was quite possible that Vlad had a lot of unresolved issues from his youth, big surprise there, and they often came back to bite him when he had overly emotional days.
And yesterday was emotional. Finding out everything Clockwork had promised Vlad wasn't going to happen and he had essentially used the man's desires to get what he wanted was a hard pull to swallow. Danny trusted Clockwork judgment implicitly but he thinks the spirit might have gone a little overboard with all this.
When he was done cooking about twenty minutes later he managed to fit it all on a large silver tray and carefully made his way out of the kitchen in search of Vlad, a small tingle of concern emanating in his belly at the fact that Vlad was having issues. The man was always so put together, seeing him look so out of it, not even bothering to comb or tie back his hair was so strange. And Vlad weak in front of anyone. It must have been one hell of a dream if he got him to fall into the realm of utter indifference.
Danny wasn't sure what to do. Should he ask Vlad if the man wanted to talk about it? Often Vlad was so angry and defensive that getting anything out of him was impossible. But he had changed a bit over the last month, though under false promises. Danny didn't want to make the man mad as Vlad may change his mind about helping him.
Then again, last night, Vlad had been adamant about the idea that he was still going to help Danny because he didn't want to be the only halfa that existed. He didn't want to be alone even if Danny wasn't with him. It was selfish but to a degree Danny could understand the sentiment.
Danny came to the bottom of the stairs that led up and he wondered how he was going to make it to Vlad's room without spilling breakfast everywhere. A groan met Danny's ears and he realized Vlad was in the sitting room off the foyer again.
Why does he like that room so much?
Grateful he didn't have to try and climb the stairs loaded down with food Danny made a careful turn and headed into the sitting room.
He found Vlad curled up on the couch, blanket pulled over his whole body as he let out another sigh.
"Damn, Fruitloop. You sound awful."
"Hmm? Oh Daniel, you brought food, how nice." Vlad said in an airy tone as he exhausted eyes stared off.
"Yeah, and you're going to eat some of it. Then you should go back to bed and try and get some sleep. I can do most of the training on my own. Light weights, swimming, I assume your training room has a voice command or some kind of automatic system since you usually use it alone?"
Vlad nodded once before he said, "I'd rather not go back to sleep. No doubt those horrid dreams are waiting for me. I will keep you company while you train but I will not be partaking in the exercises like I normally do."
Danny swallowed slowly, studying Vlad's tired face and prone form before he asked softly, "What were the dreams about? Too personal to share?"
Vlad finally broke his dead gaze into nothingness and said softly, "The usual, my caustic father and his rather harsh treatment of me. I've not had dreams about him in years. It's so odd they should start to crop up now." And Vlad had pushed himself up as he spoke, the blanket falling away as shaky hands reached for a plate and Danny noticed thin pale scars running up and down the length of his arms.
Vlad seemed to notice Danny staring and he glanced away before he said, "I don't tend to take my clothes off in front of others due to the marks he left on me. If they bother you I can cover them-"
"No, no uh...it's fine...I just-" and he doesn't know why he says it, it just sort of comes out as he takes his own plate of food and looks away with a guilty face, "I kind of have something to confess...I mean, I didn't really mean to but when Tucker Sam and I were helping you pack up your house...I found a photo album?" And he ended it in the form of a question because he wanted to give Vlad the opportunity to answer if he wanted; he only hoped the man wouldn't be pissed at Danny for snooping.
Vlad's face screwed up a little before he leaned back against the couch and set his plate in his lap, a hand coming to once again rub at his eyes as he said with fatigue, "I am sorry you had to see that, Little Badger. Those pictures are gruesome...I don't know why I kept the damn thing all this time."
Danny sat up a little straighter as he asked in shock, "Wait, you aren't mad?"
"Hm? No, of course not. I asked you and your little friends to help me pack up my belongings. I should have been more careful about what I left lying around. I just hope those images of blatant child abuse didn't scar you too heavily."
"Well no...if anything...it kind of explained a lot about you...and I felt bad for you…"
"Please believe me when I say I absolutely do not want your pity." And though his voice sounded more tired than angry Danny nodded and said quickly, "I know. But honestly it left me more conflicted than anything. I mean for so long you've been this horrible evil villain in my head, this monster that just wanted to hurt people and gain power and take over the world. Knowing you went through so much trauma when you were a kid kind of helped me understand why you always seek absolute control over every situation you're in...and the people who are around you."
Vlad popped open an eye, looking at the boy across from his curiously as he said, "I suppose that is one way of looking at it. The effects of long term abuse can cause physiological issues with lack of trust and the need for control. But the truth of the matter is, I bested those demons long before I became who I am now. While my father's abuse was unfortunate I made choices of my own accord later on in my life that I didn't necessarily have to make. I was determined to never be homeless, hungry or left wanting so I stole things and ruined other people's lives. I don't know if it will comfort you or not to know I did step away from such things once I was established. As soon as I didn't need to steal anymore, I stopped...for the most part. Now it's mostly ghost or technology related items that I take...but there really is no justification...I simply want them...so I take them. I am sorry I can't be better for you." And Vlad said it all so matter-of-factly, in that soft voice that Danny liked and he almost missed the hint of sadness and regret that threaded through his tone.
"If you'd bested those demons such a long time ago, I don't think you'd be having dreams about them now...can I ask...I am curious...where is your dad now?"
Vlad finally took a bite of breakfast, stopping the fork full just before his lips as he murmured, "Dead. Died while in jail." He munched on his bite slowly, shifting the food around in his mouth before he picked up a piece of bacon and said softly, "He murdered my mother and buried her body in the backyard. I...dug her up by accident and told my neighbors. The cops were called...I testified against him...he went to jail and I was finally left alone to my own devices."
Danny sat there shocked, unable to process that sudden horrific truth of Vlad's past as he whispered, "The newspaper clippings...so...she didn't run off or have an accident...she was...your father-"
"This conversation is much too morbid to have before noon. Let's talk about something else." Vlad said softly, calmly, as if it didn't even phase him.
"I just don't understand...the first few pages of the photo album you three looked so happy. Even your dad looked happy and nice and loving-"
"People change." Vlad said as he continued to eat. Danny sat there silently for a moment before he set his plate aside and came to sit next to Vlad, shifting the blanket aside so he could wrap arms around Vlad's middle.
"Daniel, I specifically said I don't want your pity, remove yourself from-"
"This isn't pity, Vlad. This, right here, is support and understanding. I want to...comfort you. It's what friends do when they know someone they care about is hurting."
"But I'm not-"
"Just hug me back, Fruitloop." And Vlad let out a soft scoff before he set his plate aside, settled back into the couch and wrapped his arms around Danny, hugging the youth to his side. Danny pulled his legs up onto the couch and rested against him, and Vlad dared to feather his fingers through Danny thick black locks.
"Why do I have the feeling it is you who needs comforting?" Vlad said with a small smirk.
"Shut up. I'm sad for you. Just accept the comfort."
Vlad shook his head and chuckled, "Silly Little Badger."
They remained like this for a while and Vlad found there was indeed something incredibly comforting about holding Daniel like this. Feeling their bodies pressed together and smelling the youths scent so close to him. He pulled Danny closer, held him a little tighter and before he could stop himself he pressed a very light kiss to the top of the boys head and whispered out into his hair, "thank you, Daniel."
He didn't notice the small gasp or the way Danny's hands suddenly fisted his shirt, he didn't notice how Danny turned his face to rest against Vlad's chest or how he shifted a little closer.
Vlad laid his head back to rest on the couch and after a few seconds he fell asleep. Neither of them noticed the curtain nearby shift a little or how the fire in the fireplace that never stopped burning flickered as if there was a soft breeze.
A/N: Hope you liked this chapter. It's a bit convoluted and I apologize but as this is a free write experiment it's just unfolding as I go some there will be some inconsistency and plot holes. Not going to lie though, free writing with no plan is actually really nice.