"Daniel, are you alright?!" Plasmius was panicking as he set his lover down on a secluded hilltop. They were far away enough that Danny's parents wouldn't be able to find them, and the nature around them offered some privacy. "Daniel, talk to me!"
"Chill out, fruitloop. I'll be fine if you give me an hour," Danny groaned, holding onto his wounded leg. "She got me good."
Vlad felt a rush of sympathy and cradled the boy against his chest, slowly settling them both on the ground. The man swung his cape over, wrapping them up tightly together to protect them from the chill. Not that Danny needed it much in his ghost form, but it was the gesture that comforted him.
Danny smiled at the man, but it was pained. "Thank you for getting me out of there," he said appreciatively and winced when he felt his leg starting to heal. "And for holding back and not maiming my folks. I know that was probably hard for you."
"Indeed," Plasmius muttered and hugged Danny closer. "I know your parents have always had an obsession for the paranormal, but I'm surprised that your mother would resort to such brutal methods to ensure your capture."
"Well, that's mom for you," Danny chuckled tiredly and hissed in pain. "She's good at hitting you where it hurts."
Vlad knew this. Even back during their college days, Maddie was known to be shrewd. Cutthroat even. Vlad loved and admired her for it. He even shared those qualities. But now, seeing his beloved person in such agony, Vlad felt contrite. "Daniel, I know your parents are still unaware of your ghost half, but perhaps-"
"No. Nice try though, trying to get me to cave when I'm weak," Danny said. "But I'm more stubborn than you think."
Vlad sighed in frustration. "I'm aware. You test my patience every waking minute, little badger."
"You love it, fruitloop."
Vlad tried to give Danny an annoyed look. But even in his ghost form, his red gaze was fond –so fond- of the boy that it didn't have the desired effect. Danny, despite his discomfort, gave a weak smirk in response.
"Daniel, be realistic," Vlad persuaded gently, his eyes focused on the dips and curves of the mountains in the distance. "Do you really want to live out your life being hunted and hurt by the people who are supposed to love you? Because I don't want that for you."
"And here I thought you enjoyed keeping my secret," Danny said. "Growing tired of me, Vlad? Want to share me with the world already?"
"Hardly." Vlad answered so quickly, with so much gruffness in his voice that it sent Danny's head spinning with thoughts. "Of course, you'll always have me. But I can't promise I can keep my impulses in check whenever you're in danger."
"You won't do it," Danny said, staring into Vlad's eyes. "You're not that kind of monster."
"Let's not delude ourselves, Daniel. I can be one when it suits me."
"I know, but I know you have your limits too." Danny gave a lopsided smile. "But if you have to be a monster, you might as well be one with me."
"You shouldn't encourage me," Vlad sighed. "You know I absolutely lose my mind when I'm with you."
Danny smiled and tilted his face, reaching up to press his lips against Vlad's. He hoped the man knew just how much he meant to Danny. Somehow, Vlad always knew what to say to make him feel lightheaded. "Then I guess we're both screwed," he mumbled softly, a hand coming up to cradle the back of Vlad's neck, pressing him closer.
Somewhere in Danny's pocket, his phone buzzed with a text notification.
Where the hell are you guys?! Mom and dad getting sus!
By some miracle, they managed to lie their way out of the whole mess with Danny's parents.
When they got back, they made sure to transform in the privacy of the basement lab before marching up the stairs to confront the family. They feigned worry and said that they were trying to fix the ghost portal and look for containment devices. Jack and his big heart accepted their excuses immediately. After all, why wouldn't he trust his son and best friend? Maddie, on the other hand, was mildly displeased and sternly told the two men that they really could've used their help upstairs. Danny and Vlad gave each other a look and decided to say nothing.
Even though Jazz sent them the warning text, she wasn't talking to them. The unexpected turn of events was too much for her to process, and she retreated to her guest room soon after to rest.
When the night gradually winded down and everyone retreated to their rooms to get ready for bed, Danny waited for the house to fall quiet before phasing through the walls of his room into Vlad's. The man was still awake with a book in bed, reading glasses perched on his nose. He sensed Danny before he saw him, and sighed when the boy flipped open the covers and made himself comfortable.
"Bold of you to come sneaking into my bed when the rest of your family is still here," Vlad said.
"It's not like they'll come barging in-" Danny stopped when he remembered the debacle with Jazz earlier that day. From Vlad's facial expression, it seemed he was thinking the same thing. "Again."
"Good save."
Danny pressed himself against Vlad's side, throwing an arm around Vlad's waist and cuddling against his warmth. He watched Vlad quietly, his eyes slowly tracing the sharp jawline and tall nose. Danny was quickly starting to realize that staring at Vlad was becoming a hobby of his. The man really was handsome.
He reached up and took Vlad's glasses off of his face.
Vlad looked at him with amusement. "Young man, you should get your own glasses if you insist on taking mine."
"If you don't want me stealing your glasses, then don't read in bed," Danny teased and tossed the glasses aside. He moved and straddled Vlad's lap, grinding against the man's crotch. "There are so many more fun things we could do."
Vlad felt himself reacting and stopped Danny with a strong grip on his waist. "This is quite the bold move, little badger," he grinned, but flipped them over so that he was spooning Danny instead. "But not tonight, I'm afraid. We have guests."
"You're such a puritan," Danny joked, but allowed himself to be maneuvered. He grabbed one of Vlad's arms and nestled it underneath his head to use as a pillow. "But I guess this is nice too. Didn't know you're such a big cuddler."
Vlad buried his face into Danny's t-shirt and breathed deeply, resting his forehead in the dip between Danny's shoulders. "I just hate sleeping alone," Vlad admitted softly into the fabric.
Danny blinked in surprise but said nothing, his fingers searching for Vlad's underneath the covers. He intertwined their fingers together and squeezed, reassuring Vlad of his presence and hanging on.
He couldn't remember life without Vlad anymore, and the thought made him feel less lonely.
The next morning, Vlad and Danny helped Danny's parents pack their bags into the trunk of the Fenton RV. Maddie walked around the car to hug Danny goodbye, reminding him to not cause too much trouble for Vlad and to call more often. Jack stood with Vlad a few feet away, with Jack heavily persuading Vlad to visit them sometime in Minnesota. Vlad muttered a vague promise in return, and Jack clapped a heavy hand on Vlad's shoulder in approval before marching over to the RV and strapping himself into the driver's side.
Jazz came over to say goodbye to Danny when their mom was done. There was an awkwardness hanging between them now and neither of them could really make eye contact. Jazz sighed in frustration.
"I hope you know what you're doing," she said quietly when she was out of earshot of their parents. She crossed her arms nervously and shot a glance at Vlad, who was trying hard not to look in their direction.
"You don't always have to worry about me, Jazz," Danny said, rubbing his elbow. "It's gonna be fine."
Jazz frowned, but didn't want to argue. "I'll always worry about you," she replied instead. "You're my little brother."
They both grinned weakly, and Jazz stepped forward to give him a hug. She squeezed him tightly. "Take care of yourself, Danny," Jazz said softly in his ear. She let go and boarded the RV, closing the door behind her.
Danny waved at the car as it backed out of Vlad's driveway. "It's gonna be fine," he said again to reassure himself.
It had to be true.
To be continued...