Ghost King Danny: Book 1
A The Horseman's Commander Production
Author's Note: Hey guys. Let's go.
Last Time:
"Announcing Jack Fenton to see you, Sir." Jack heard a soft, smooth "Send him in." and the door swung open, revealing Vlad in front of a desk, reading a book bound in leather.
"Jack! What are you doing up so late? Couldn't sleep?" I wonder what he wants, Vlad thought, confused at Jack's behavior. Jack was silent for a few moments before he was able to speak, and his voice was so quiet that Vlad actually had to strain to hear him.
"I'd-" Jack cut off but started again after a few minutes.
"I'm sorry, Vlad."
This Time:
Vlad sat at his desk, looking at his friend with a look on his face that Jack couldn't decipher.
Sorry? Vlad thought. What-? He had an idea, but he wasn't sure. He couldn't be sure until he asked. He focused back in, looking at Jack...crying? Was he seeing this right?
Jack wasn't even looking at Vlad anymore, his tears preventing him from seeing anything in front of his face. Once again Vlad had to strain his ears to hear the surprisingly soft spoken Jack.
"I-what kind of friend am I? Leaving you in that hospital for months, not visiting once since the early days of the accident. And I can only imagine how you must hate me, given that the next you heard from me was an invitation to my wedding! I wouldn't blame you of course, you have every right in the world to hate me, but know that I tried sending you gifts, flowers, cards, fudge, anything to show you that I still cared, but the stupid gift service Amity had set up was sending all of my presents back. They're just at home in a large closet, but I don't think presents would matter to you now, forty years later, so..." Here Jack looked up at him and Vlad could see just how much this was eating away at him. Jack's eyes had become red from his tears, his nose sniffling –thankfully no snot—and he spoke again.
"I was wondering, can we start over? You, me, and Mads? It will never be the same, I know that, but maybe, we can make new memories? Together?"
Vlad stood up from his desk, walking softly over to where Jack was, on his knees, his head in his hands. He looked down at him and said, "Jack." Jack slowly looked at his friend, ready for anything, rejection mainly.
Looking down at him, he remembered the conversation he had with Daniel. If he ever wanted his trust, he had to make the first move. And if he was honest with himself, he was tired of hating Jack, it wasn't conductive to anything in his life, and wasting energy he could be using to further his businesses.
And it would be nice to have a best friend again.
He extended a hand to Jack, pulling him up with one hand. Thank you ghost half! Vlad thanked in his mind. He put his hand on Jack's shoulder, sighed and said,
"Jack, I know that it has been a long time since we truly talked, and if I'm honest, I did hate you—for a long time in fact—until today that is." Jack's eyes went wide as he spoke, still soft, his voice most likely raw from crying, but he was slowly gaining his voice back, that, Vlad could definitely see.
"What changed your opinion of me, Vlad?" Jack felt like he needed to thank whoever caused this change in his friend—at least, he hoped they were friends again. Jack then heard, to him at least, the most surprising answer.
"If you would believe it, it was actually a talk with your son, Danny. He has a bright head on his shoulders, as I'm sure you're aware, Jack?" Vlad looked to him with a smirk on his face as he took in Jack's shocked face. A moment of silence precluded Jack's next words.
"To be honest, I don't really know all that much about Danno. He was willing to tell us everything, at least until..." Here Jack paused. Before he could continue however, Vlad spoke.
"If I may say one thing about Danny, it is that there is no real room for any hatred in his heart, at least not for you, or Maddie. You'd be surprised by him, if you only look." Here, Vlad yawned and looked at the time. "Oh! Is it that late? Surely you must be tired, Jack?" Silence prompted him to look over at his friend, who was just about to fall over, and Vlad smiled, called Sebastian to take him to his room, and retired to his room for the night.
Maybe Daniel's suggestion had merit.
It felt good to have people he could trust on his side again.
Author's Note: FINALLY! Laziness and school swamped me, but I'm finally done with school. Now to combat laziness. Meh, tomorrow's another day, right? Hope everyone is staying safe during this time of absolute insanity. Hope you enjoyed, and I hope you'll forgive me for not having more Danny and Co. like I promised, but the ideas are flowing once again. Hope you like this. See you later, my friends!
