A/N: I should mention now as the previous author's note was way too long to add this, I took artistic liberties with this fic. I made ghost reproduction and other things relating to ghosts and their "love lives" better suited to this story. I know there is a lot of information on how the ghost zone actually works. Spirits in the zone versus ghosts and all the info Hartman has delivered over the years. But I wanted to adjust it for this story. So try not to overthink it. That being said, this is not a m-preg story. No one gets prego or has kids. Mentions of kids and stuff in later chapters is just explanation based not plot-based.

Thanks for reading and enjoy Chapter two!

ENTRY II

That night, Vlad took me back to the hotel, both of us turning invisible so as not to draw attention to the fact we had little to no clothes on our backs. We quickly realized that while we had been joined all our wounds had healed and aside from the area we had destroyed with our fight there was no evidence at all that we had clashed in battle. I said not a word the whole way back, Vlad remained silent as the grave. I often remember the feeling of his hand cupping my cheek as he said goodbye outside my window, the look of longing laced through his features and the feel of his warm lips upon my forehead.

After that day, my friends remained unaware that anything had happened. I didn't tell them, how could I? It was indescribable and I had yet to wrap my mind around it. I was turning eighteen, excited for the future, hopeful even. But thinking about what might await me if I should choose to attend UW, or worse, what might befall me if I didn't, made the rest of my summer anything but enjoyable.

No matter how far away I was from Vlad, or what I was doing it was as if he was there with me. He was constantly on my mind and sometimes I swear I could sense him hovering just over my shoulder. Dreams of that night came and went and I struggled against seeking the man out to ask questions. He had said so many things that night. My thoughts went to Danielle, and how he claimed she was dead. How he had essentially said he was planning to end both of our lives. The love he had admitted to and that I had felt coming from him so mysteriously attractive to me. The feeling of Vlad entering my body both physically and, in a sense, spiritually sent me spiraling into daydreams and long drawn out silences that my family and friends noticed all too quickly. I could still hear the noises we had made, his breath falling heavily against my ear as he moved in me and his hands burning my skin and melting into me. I fought it, I fought against all of it, not wanting to admit that I craved more of that, of him, the denial was so mighty I fooled myself into resenting him and wrote it all off as the lies of a traumatized mind.

There was no trauma, but having "trauma" from the event was easier to believe than the alternative.

I submitted my applications to the three schools I was interested in. One of them was Sam's main school, the other was Tuckers but neither held for me the classes I had the most interest in. Only the University of Wisconsin held the Paranormal research labs I wished to join. Only that university had astrophysics, astronomy and space-based science classes I wanted.

I had knuckled down in my last two years of high school, I had really applied myself. The ghosts had been coming less and I had managed to finish in the top ten percent of my class. I had never been so proud or shocked at my own ability to really push through school. But a determination had come and I knew that even if I couldn't be an astronaut, I wanted space and it's exploration to be in my future somehow. So I made it happen.

In the end, I got accepted to all three colleges and while I focused on helping my friends set up our large communication and ghost location grid I still had not decided where to attend. Throughout that entire year as I thought of what to do, of my experience with Vlad in that outcropping of trees the man himself would send me texts. All of them were simple. He'd ask about my day, wonder if I had applied to college and if so which ones. He never pushed or pressured, never threatened or tried to blackmail.

I almost never responded. The few times I did Vlad never said anything back. If he was testing the waters or trying to glean information from me it didn't seem like it. In fact, if anything, it seemed more like he was simply trying to make sure I didn't forget he existed and that I too was still around.

In the end, I made my choice, resolve hard and forced comfort in my mind. I chose the University of Wisconsin and in that choice is where my future really began…..

Chapter Two

College

Danny got out of his vehicle, a rather worn-out jeep that he had his mother had worked to get up and running after he had gotten his license. He had paid a whole 600 dollars for it and sunk nearly every cent of his meager wages from the Nasty Burger into it. The thing ran and no longer sounded like it was an inch away from death but he knew it would need constant maintenance so the sooner he got a job the better.

However, as he started to unload his bags his eyes strayed to the campus before him and the truth of his situation started to sink in. He was finally going to college. Pulling from his duffle bag a slip of paper he unfolded it and checked the map of the campus he had printed at home.

In the corner, he had written all the buildings, their numbers and the name of the dorm he would be staying in. As he glanced around a large hand suddenly slapped him on the back and he turned to see his father standing proudly next to him.

His eyes caught sight of his mother getting out of the large Fenton RV and walking over to join them. "Well Danny, the time has come for you to go forth and join the world of hard difficult and depressing adulthood! Here in these hallowed halls, I went from a young hopeful exciting youth to the brilliant and successful man I am today! While I can't say my experiences here were all good, and no they most certainly weren't, I did graduate and start my own business, hunting ghosts! And one day, down the road, it will all go to you! Though...maybe some of it should go to Jasmine, not sure she'd appreciate it but still, she is a Fenton-" his father continued to ramble on and Danny shook his head with a small smile before his mother walked up and gave him a hug, "We are so proud of you sweetie! You're going to love it here! I can't tell you how much it means to us that you decided to follow in our footsteps and-"

"Hey Maddie, look! That's our dorm! The one Vladdie and I stayed in!" Jack suddenly bellowed and he grabbed his wife's hand and went running for it dragging the poor woman behind him. Danny gazed at the building and saw the name, Slitcher Residence Hall, on a large sign out front. This dorm had a view of Lake Mendota and was right next to Steenbock Library, something Sam had pointed out when he found out where he would be staying. It was co-ed but also mostly made up of first-year students. While Danny had taken a year off and was now officially one of the older first years staying here he hadn't realized he would be in the same dorm that his father and Vlad had resided in.

At the thought of his father's old best friend, Danny's smile faltered. As if on cue his phone went off and as he pulled it out to look at the text his heart skipped a beat and cool dread set in his stomach.

You came. VM

Danny stared at the message, having given up long ago on figuring out how the man always got his hands on Danny's cell number. He had been through many a phone thanks to ghost fighting and bullies like Dash Baxter. As soon as he would turn on his new phone with a new number Vlad would send a text. Even if it was only a single letter so that Danny would have his number.

The young man sighed, started to put his phone away without a response when it pinged again and he looked at the new message.

I can sense you. Can you sense me? VM

This time Danny stared at the message for a long while, eyes unblinking before he looked up, scanning the entire area around him and then the sky above. There was no sign of the man and yet it seemed that Vlad could sense he was near.

Danny closed his eyes, waiting for his ghost sense to go off, waiting for the well-known pull of his rival to hit him. That recognizable ghostly tingle that only Vlad's presence would give him. He felt nothing, and his ghost sense did not go off. Yet, as he stood there with his eyes closed, there was the faintest pull, something nearly imperceptible telling him to look North.

Slowly his body turned, eyes opening as he looked in the direction that faint pull held and as he squinted, there far beyond the outskirts of the city, high in the hills of the countryside stood the faint outline of a mansion. It would have been close to forty minutes' drive to get there but at that moment his phone rang again and as he looked at the text all it said was: Very good, Little Badger. Enjoy orientation. VM

The following week was amazing. Danny had signed up for the SOAR program, a way for both him and his parents to experience life as a student at UW and help Danny get oriented, learn the campus and prepare for classes. While his father had been rather hard to handle, the man more than exhilarated to be back at his Alma Mater for the week, it was his mother who had truly been a help. She kept her husband in line so as not to cause too much attention to be drawn to him as well as helped with his registration, going with him to the seminars and meeting other students and their parents without his father's buoyant personality embarrassing him.

Following that, and a rather tearful goodbye from his parents Danny was on his own. He had elected to participate in another program called Wisconsin Welcome that the university also offered. Between August 25th and September 15th, there were special events that helped the first years to meet others in their class. It gave them a chance to find their place as well as learn about campus groups and associations that Danny might like to join. It took place during the first three weeks of the semester and Danny was enjoying every minute.

His classes were awesome, the people he had met so far were more than welcoming and he had a good grasp on his schedule. For once in his life, everything was going the way he wanted it to. There had been absolutely no ghost activity which meant he was able to focus on his classes, making new friends, attending a few intro club meetings to see if he wanted to join and the most important thing, talking to his best friends Sam and Tucker.

They called almost every night, for a minimum of thirty minutes though most times it went for hours. Talking as they did homework and sharing their experiences and the people they met as well as clubs they might join. Danny couldn't stop talking about his Intro to Paranormal Studies class as well as his Space 101 class. Honestly, he'd never felt so happy in his life.

It was going into week six, Danny was now eighteen and he was on cloud nine. His birthday celebration had consisted of web caming his parents, then Jazz and then his friends. Danny's roommate had given him a nudie magazine as a gag gift which he promptly shoved under his mattress and he had gone to the roof of the dorm to gaze at the stars with a traveling telescope his parents had sent him as a gift.

Yes, his birthday had been wonderful. But today was a new day and he was excited to tell his friends in his astronomy class about his new telescope. He was currently in the Four Lakes Market, a large dining area located in Dejope Hall when his phone went off. He expected Sam or Tucker, maybe even his mother or Jazz but was greeted by the familiar and still unsaved number he had now nearly memorized.

Settled in? VM

The entire time he had been getting acquainted with his school Vlad had once again been sending messages. They were essentially harmless. Asking him small things about his residence hall, if he had made any new friends and if he enjoyed the dining area. He had also suggested a few cafes in town and a fun little bar that allowed in underage students as long as they kept on the marking bracelets they were given at the door. Danny had ignored almost all of them, save for one when Vlad asked about whether Danny would need help finding a job.

His response had been a resounding NO but otherwise, he had not said a word to the man. He was once again inclined to not respond, setting his tray of food down at an empty table, when his phone went off again.

Enjoying the ghost-free life? VM

At first, Danny didn't think anything of it, but as was most cases with Vlad, sometimes you had to read between the lines. Danny's brow furrowed and his fingers moved before he could stop himself.

For once, yes. DF

Danny was ready to end it there but his phone chirped again and he dared a glance.

Thought you might, your welcome, Little Badger. The plus of being a student in my territory. My word is law and I am glad to see it still holds weight. VM

Danny's eyes grew wide, the very idea that his sudden ghost-free life could be because Vlad had ordered it so made his stomach roll with an unknown feeling, pressure came to his mind and a sudden pulse of energy hummed in his ghostly core.

Do you feel that? I've been practicing. VM

Danny closed his eyes, and he would be lying if he said he didn't. It was Vlad's energy. A gentle little hum that was carefully wrapping itself around his own core like a blanket. It felt….good….warm and soft and…

Danny's eyes jerked open and he quickly typed on his phone, Stop! DF

The feeling slowly faded, his mind clearing slightly as he realized that even though Vlad complied that faint barely noticeable trace of Vlade's presence from his first day was slightly stronger now. His face instantly looked to the North, though he could not see the mansion from his current location.

Come visit. VM

Once again his wide eyes were glued to the screen, reading those words over and over before he set his phone down and put his face into his hands.

He had been hoping that this wouldn't happen. He had hoped that by ignoring the man's texts (for the most part) Vlad would get the hint. But it seemed that his counterpart was not so easily deterred. It was true, the man had done absolutely nothing since Danny came, save for the odd text but now that Danny was here Vlad was taking the opportunity to subtly remind Danny about what had happened.

It was over a year ago, a year and two months actually, the summer before this one. And Danny had made the decision to pretend it never happened. The first few months had been hard. While he had no first-hand experience with addiction he thought perhaps the way he had felt after his experience with Vlad was close.

From the moment he woke up to when he went to sleep, no matter if he was with friends, family or at work all he could think about was that night. The feelings that he had shared with Vlad that intoxicating emotional intimacy he had never felt before. After a while, he had started to forget how it felt, the high of it, the utterly exquisite taste of Vlad's core merging with his own.

He had debated going into the ghost zone to find someone who he could ask about it. Clockwork or Frostbite or even Ember with whom his relationship had improved immensely. But knowing he would have to explain why he wanted to know had stalled him. He wouldn't be surprised if Clockwork knew, the time spirit did know all and see all, but actually admitting to it was something Danny had not been ready to do.

So he had suffered in silence, slowly digging his way out of the alluring pull to seek out Vlad and once again join their cores. It had gotten much easier though his heart still hammered whenever he got a text and dread and fear swirled in his stomach knowing he was so close.

He had made the decision to go to UW because he wanted to, all the classes he wanted were here and he wasn't going to let Vlad scare him off. But it wasn't even really Vlad. Danny didn't trust the man but he found after his own experience he trusted himself less. Perhaps that's why addicts were encouraged to drop all their old friends. Once they got off the drugs they shouldn't put themselves in an environment where they would be tempted.

Danny had disregarded that, not actually being an addict but suffering from an otherworldly withdrawal, he found being so close, close enough for the man to reach out and somehow still touch Danny's core with his own, was a temptation the youth had not accounted for.

Okay, I can admit, going to see him is tempting. Very tempting. But I am here for school, my education is my main focus and I still need to find a job. I'm making friends and doing well in my classes and should just focus on that. I can't afford any distractions.

Another ping from his phone and Danny reluctantly looked at it.

Just to talk. I promise. VM

And Danny felt the man give his core a gentle push. Perhaps more an affectionate nudge before the feeling faded again and Danny's trembling fingers responded.

Just to talk. DF

When? VM

Friday night. 8. Now leave me alone. DF

Vlad didn't say anything else and for that Danny was glad. He poked at his food, managed to eat half and then threw the rest away before heading back to his dorm.

Friday night greeted Danny all too quickly. It was one of the few nights that he didn't have an evening class and usually, he spent spare time getting the rest of the week's homework done and job hunting.

However, the homework had been light this week and he had been able to finish most of it by Thursday. Having not yet decided if he wanted to add a club to his already busy course load tonight was really the only time he had to make this trip.

Danny was determined to make Vlad understand that while he had chosen UW for his college it did not mean in any way he chose it because of Vlad. The man was not to bother him, was not to cause any distractions nor was he welcome to do what he had done earlier in the week and reach out to Danny's core.

The young man had had nearly a year to think about the events of that night. Prior to Vlad biting him, the man had never shown any signs of having this kind of power. Danny did believe what Vlad said that night, that he didn't know it would happen, that he had essentially only bitten Danny to shut him up, Vlad's drunk and impaired mind thinking such a thing as bitting him a logical course of action.

But once Vlad's fangs had entered him that's when things had changed. Apparently, over the last year, the man had been "practicing", it was the only way he would have known he could reach out to Danny in such a way. Danny had wondered many nights after it had happened if perhaps Vlad was some sort of ghostly vampire. He looked like one. Danny had read book after book, asked Sam casual questions that wouldn't clue her into Danny's true intentions. There was plenty of lore about vampire's and some of the more modern stuff even talked about the creatures having a special enzyme in their saliva that made the bite pleasurable so their meal (humans) wouldn't fight them when they attacked.

Many times Danny had admonished himself for not fighting more, but upon reading the bit about the enzymes he had had hope that perhaps that was why he had given in so quickly. He would much rather have an excuse for his lude behavior versus admitting he stopped fighting because he had enjoyed it so much. That was another thing he had hoped to explain away with vampire lore. Danny didn't feel violated, he didn't feel like he had been assaulted or traumatized, he felt like he had simply done something natural ...something ...normal. He wasn't ashamed or upset about it. Sadly, the only lore about vampires he had been able to find on the subject was something called Glamour. A trick vampire's used to essentially hypnotize their prey into being submissive and giving them a faux feeling of love and adoration for their captors.

But Danny didn't feel that way. He wasn't in love with Vlad and he sure as hell didn't feel adoration for the man. He felt neither good nor bad about him. All he wanted to be was wary and careful. Even after what had happened that night, he wasn't scared of Vlad.

Danny leaned forward and turned up the music in his Jeep. Dumpty Humpty was blaring as he drove out to Vlad's. He didn't need GPS, knowing he simply needed to head North and follow the pull that was growing stronger by the minute. He had gone back and forth about whether he should simply go ghost and fly or take the time and drive. Flying was faster but Danny needed time to think so elected to drive the forty-some minutes out to Vlad's house.

Flying by the seat of your pants, jumping at the chance to dance with me. A game of happenstance our true romance at the end of the day. Secrets abound when we meet I'm falling at your feet, just set me free!

Danny ignored the lyrics of the song now blasting over the radio, not wanting to feed into the habit people had of comparing the lyrics of their favorite songs to their life. In this instance, it wouldn't help.

He was tempted to turn it off but being alone in silence with nothing but his thoughts didn't appeal to him. He tuned out the lyrics and tried not to think about anything except what he was going to say.

The recognizable sensation of Vlad's energy was growing and Danny knew Vlad would be feeling it as well.

In and out, get in and out. You've put it off for as long as you can. The more you ignore him the more he will push. Get in. Get out and make sure he understands that you...you are in control.

When Danny pulled up outside Vlad's mansion his ghost sense went off and the familiar sensation of Vlad's aura reached its normal hum. Danny turned off his car, pocketed his keys and glanced up at the large front of the home. It was a mansion disguised as a castle, a fake fortress for a fake king.

Taking a deep breath Danny pushed the door of his Jeep shut and headed for the front door. His phone rang as he reached for the handle and he pulled it out to see what it said.

The door is open. I'm in the study. VM

Danny sighed, holding the handle longer than needed before he opened the door and went inside. He was once again surrounded by garish green and gold. Vlad's fabulous Packers collection still the massive and gleaming atrocity it was so many years prior. It was humorous as Vlad's home in Wisconsin had been destroyed twice, taking most of his collection with it. Danny wondered how much of it was replicas and how much of it the man had actually managed to track down and replace.

I was just fourteen when I met him. Fourteen, and I thought I had a chance against him. I'm lucky he didn't kill me on the spot. The old bastard probably regrets it too.

Though the house was massive Danny had only been in the main home a few times before. Any other time had been a straight shot from his parent's lab to Vlad 's lab and most of the time it wasn't for anything good.

He followed his senses towards the back of the house and eventually found a door cracked ajar with light coming out. The sound of a crackling fire greeted him as he pushed the door open.

There behind the desk sat Vlad, writing feverishly on some paperwork he spoke without looking up, "Hello, Daniel. Come in and have a seat. I just need a moment."

Save for the light from the fire and a singular lamp on Vlad's desk the room was pretty dark and Danny stood there awkwardly for a moment before he decided that sitting down wouldn't hurt.

"Geeze, Vlad. You're a billionaire, don't you have lights in this house?" Danny asked as he sat in one of the plush chairs positioned before Vlad's desk and waited.

"Yes, I do. But they give me headaches so I prefer the dark."

Definitely a vampire- Danny mused. It didn't take long for the man to finish and when he did Danny was ready.

"So, you've started school and from what I hear it's going rather well. Congratulations on getting placed in Slitcher Hall by the way. It's a very nice dorm to start at. Co-ed too."

Danny's eyes narrowed, "Listen, Vlad. The only reason I came tonight-" but Danny stopped when the man's words finally registered, "What do you mean, you've heard? I sure as hell didn't tell you!"

Vlad gave an innocent smile before he said softly, "Why your mother, of course."

"What? No way would mom willingly call you." Danny huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest and glared.

"Perhaps not under regular circumstances, but her youngest child and only son is at college in a town where I reside. And honestly, ever since the Pariah Dark incident, she seems to have warmed up to me considerably."

"Right, when you "saved my life" but in reality just used me as a pawn." Danny barked.

Vlad looked rather contrite and Danny's eyes narrowed, "Yes. Just another thing I regret. Not actually saving your life and using you to fix a mess I started in the first place. I am sorry about that."

Danny's glare faded after a moment, seeing true regret in the man's eyes and a rather serious look. It occurred to Danny that this was the first time they had seen each other since that terrible night over a year ago. Danny took in Vlad's face, his eyes falling to the man's lips which those fangs hid behind. He looked to the man's hands, that burned his skin and that his memories recalled felt heavenly.

His stomach rolled and his fists clenched and jaw set hard as he willed his thoughts to stop pandering to feelings that weren't true. Danny wasn't attracted to this man, and the memories of that night were misleading. Anger swelled when the memories of the sounds they made together echoed in his mind and Danny met Vlad's eyes only to look away.

Neither said a word, the silence thick but Vlad sighed, "The truth is, it's been mostly your father calling. Once or twice a week in fact since you started and it always ends up being your mother who clarifies. Jack's not very good with explanations after all."

His anger and denial were potent and Danny reacted before he could quell it, "Stop talking to them! Stop all of this! Don't interfere in my life!" his voice raised as he stood up and slammed his hands down on the desk before him.

"Look, I agreed to come here tonight for one reason and one reason alone! I'm here for school. I plan to get my degree and get out of here, not play chums with a known villain. I don't want any distractions, no temptations and no more of you messing with my core!"

Danny was halfway to the door when Vlad's soft voice said, "It doesn't feel nice?" The gentle tone and the question made Danny stop. It did feel nice, too nice and honestly, Danny knew Vlad was aware of it, he had to be or he wouldn't have asked.

"That doesn't matter," he replied stubbornly, angry eyes looking down at the floor. Don't give in, don't play his games. You said what you came to say, now get out of here before-

"I think it does. You said the word temptation. Are you tempted to do it again? Do the memories call to you? Do you remember how it felt? I do." and the feel of Vlad's energy gently wrapping around his core made Danny's head grow hazy.

"S-Stop-" Danny panted out, a hand coming to rub at his face as he tried to clear his mind. He urged his feet to move, wanted to escape because he felt that pull again, the pull he had fought for so long after that night. It was strong, very strong and once again Danny didn't know if he could resist. Vlad may be the enemy but he was a familiar enemy, one Danny had always had a very dysfunctional relationship with. Sometimes they had to work together, other times they couldn't stand each other but never did they stand on the same side of the metaphorical line of good and evil. Yet, Danny now felt like he had known the man his whole life. He had experienced all the man's feelings, his memories, so much information, and that tender burning love, hot like fire that was etched into his mind and wouldn't go away.

As Vlad's energy hummed around Danny's core the warmth, comfort, and gentle connection were pure and bright. It felt like a shield that cut off so many of his negative emotions. It felt good to be free of his insecurities, to not feel so lost and overwhelmed. A hot hand suddenly came to his shoulder, "You're not the only one of us who has felt the need to resist this, Daniel. I wasn't going to pursue you after that night. I was going to let it go. I wanted to forget just as badly as you did."

"Then why...why didn't you-" Danny asked in a daze as the hand traveled from his shoulder to gently knead at the back of his neck.

"I can't. It's burned into my memory. Every feeling, kiss and sound. All your emotions, all your thoughts, and feelings are now mine. I don't want to forget what true hope and wander feel like or how true happiness feels like...I don't want to forget what your love feels like."

"No, I don't love you-," Danny whispered as Vlad's hand moved up into his hair to gently take hold and pull Danny's head to the side.

Lips came to his ear and a silky voice said softly, "I know. But you feel love for others, and I felt it. Your love is so gentle and soft, so warm and calm." and Vlad pulled at the collar of his shirt, exposing the area where he had bit so long ago, "You have a scar, now isn't that interesting. Every wound from our fight that night healed while we were together...all but this one. Why do you suppose that is, Daniel?"

"I don't...I don't know-" Danny sighed as Vlad's lips gently kissed that spot before he said softly into Danny's ear, "I want you to know, I truly didn't call you here for this. I just wanted to talk. I wanted to hear about how your schooling is going. I planned to not even touch you."

"Vlad, please….don't...don't-" Danny panted, but the fight was not inside him and his voice truly didn't hold the desire for the man to stop.

Still, Vlad seemed to listen, "I won't, Daniel. I'd not be able to live with myself if I did." and the man removed his hand from Danny's hair and pulled away. He cleared his throat and stood at a good distance before he said, "I wanted to offer you a job. A real job."

Danny felt the man's energy leave his core and finally, his mind cleared, "Wha- a job?"

"Yes. My personal assistant was a young woman who recently graduated from UW with a Bachelor's in science. I need a new assistant and you need money."

Danny was about to say no when Vlad cut him off, "Before you refuse, it's twenty-five an hour, part-time and you would actually see me on a very limited basis. Your main job would be to file paperwork, schedule appointments and only on very rare occasions accompany me to meetings. There would always be other people in the room and your only job would be to take the meeting minutes and then type them up and forward them to me directly via email."

Danny stood silent as he contemplated the offer. He would be a fool to say no, even at part-time twenty-five dollars an hour would be more than he would ever get at one of the stores on Campus. It would look better on his resume and he would be able to both work on his Jeep and save money. His instincts said no but his empty wallet said yes.

There was also the fact that Danny wanted to say yes, something in the back of his mind urged him to stay close to this man. Perhaps it would give Danny the opportunity to work out what this new power of Vlad's was and how to stop it. If he could learn to block the man's ability to access his core dealing with him would be much easier.

Currently, Vlad was not at all reaching out with his energy to touch Danny's core. The young man was in full control of his body and mind and for once he was grateful to Vlad, he had actually listened to him.

"Flexible schedule? My classes have to come first." Danny started slowly. There was hesitation in his voice but the young man would be a fool not to feel out the offer and use it to his advantage.

"Of course. And you are more than welcome to bring your schoolwork into the office with you. Just make sure you get your work duties done first. I also require one week's notice for time off and two week's notice should you wish to resign your duties and quit."

Danny held up a quick finger, "None of this core voodoo power you have in the office, or any time for that matter." Danny said sternly.

"None at all?" Vlad asked with surprise.

Danny nodded, "Not without my consent. I can't risk you doing it while I'm taking a test or studying. It's too distracting."

"So, other times...with your consent-" Vlad started to push.

"Damn it Vlad, do you want me to take the damn job or not?"

"Yes." the man answered instantly.

"Then you agree to my terms."

"Fine," the man said with a sigh before he gave Danny a rather curious look, "Daniel, you do realize that this new power, it goes both ways. I'm not the only one who can do this. You can access my core as well, yes?" and the man looked at him carefully, as if he had expected Danny to know this little fact and was surprised he didn't.

Shit.

"What? No, this is some creepy new power of yours! I can't-"

"You can. Me biting you might have been the catalyst but this isn't a power only I have. You have it too, Little Badger." Vlad assured.

Danny couldn't believe in all this time he never thought he might be able to reach out to Vlad's core. He thought this was some new mystical power of Vlad's, not something they both shared.

So, either he isn't a vampire...or I am? Okay, neither of us are vampires, but if I can do it too, why haven't I been able to-

"As you obviously have a distaste for this new little power of ours, I shan't worry about setting limits to how often you can reach out to me as I have a feeling you won't. That being said, as with any new power, it sometimes can happen unintentionally. Be mindful of it, especially during times of stress."

Danny scoffed, "Thanks for the heads up but something like this...well...I think I'd know if I used it, even if it was accidental."

"You didn't actually." Vlad said, his face still neutral as he looked at his nails and sighed, "When your parents left, the first week you were here on your own I felt your worries and nervousness touch my core a few times. The energy never fully blended with my own core so I made the assumption you didn't realize you were doing it. Apparently, I was right."

"What? No! How could I reach out without knowing I reached out?" Danny said in annoyance, ready to deny he could have done such a thing without knowing.

"Perhaps-" Vlad offered slowly, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "You were thinking about me more than you realized. I am, after all, the only person you really know here and the first year in college can be...daunting."

Danny's eyes raised to meet his, the pair looking at each other with reserved curiosity before Danny looked away, "Sure, maybe. I'm gonna go now." but as he turned to leave Vlad called to him.

"Oh! Little Badger, the paperwork. Fill it out and drop it in the mail slot at the Vladco building on Main street downtown. It's the building where you will be doing the majority of your work."

Danny looked at the small packet of papers before he glanced up at Vlade and said, "Thanks." before reluctantly turning to go. He stopped multiple times on his way out, debating on going back to see if Vlad might show him how to reach out with his energy.

It would be a logical excuse for Vlad to touch my core, he'd be none the wiser, I could feel it without Vlad knowing I want to feel it- but Danny managed to shake his head each time he stopped and chased away the rationalizing he was doing. When he made it outside and shut the door he felt slightly better, something solid and heavy finally coming between them.

He sat in his car outside Vlad's house in silence, looking at the paperwork, knowing that if he applied he would get the job without prior experience or any questions. But he would also be putting himself in the line of fire. Vlad said Danny wouldn't see him very often and it seemed that the man was being honest, but the way that man could lie, it was ridiculous.

Yet, knowing what had happened between them the year prior Danny worried that this was all some evil scheme to bring him closer. And perhaps it was. But after all his time trying to forget what had happened, there were a lot of things about that night that Danny did remember. One of those things was Vlad's omission that he had been "good" for Danny. He had hurt no one and done nothing to warrant Danny seeing him as evil. Supposedly those two years that Danny remembered with fondness when run-ins with Vlad were few and far between but surprisingly fun, it had been because Vlad had actively stopped being...well….Vlad.

He had made a drastic change in hopes of getting the boy's attention and creating some sort of friendship with him. The amount of ghostly activity had declined as well which had allowed Danny to hone in on his studies. Was there a chance Vlad was behind that as well? He could do it in Wisconsin, why not in Amity Park? He had lived there for a while and he had enough credibility with the ghosts in the ghost zone to warrant their wary respect.

Vlad had also claimed to love him, and he had obviously been able to prove it when Danny had felt his emotions. It was odd thinking it, but Vlad just didn't feel...evil….at least not right now. The man was a skilled manipulator but his acting had always been a little….well...not as good. He seemed genuine…

Vlad had talked about not wanting to be lonely anymore, wanting companionship, friendship….

"He might as well have just said, lover." Danny mused to himself as he rubbed at his eyes, "I am both too old and too young to be dealing with this right now." his voice sounding tired and stressed.

Vlad had also talked about ending Danny and about ending their species. Danny had never wanted to contemplate if he had escaped a murder-suicide that night. The look that had been on Vlad's face, the feeling of his fingers squeezing Danny's neck and Vlad's hand over his mouth still made him feel panicked to this day.

His eyes scanned back to the mansion, the warm lights that light up the front at night gave the massive home a warm and welcoming feel even though there was only one person and no family to speak of.

"Bad idea, Fenton, it's a really bad idea," he sighed to himself as he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. He wasn't sure how it was supposed to work or what it would feel like but Danny was just too curious and he honestly wanted to know if Vlad had been telling the truth or lying.

Danny mentally imagined reaching out to Vlad, following that well-known sensation that was Vlad's ghostly aura and carefully tried to follow it using only his mind. It was like he was following a scent and as he grew closer that scent became stronger until suddenly there was a large gathering of it.

Trying to grow closer he reached out for it, wrapping himself gently around it and feeling that sweet hum and gentle rapture as his core joined with Vlad's. It was less intense this time, as he felt Vlad's emotions, noticing they were content and happy with a little bit of hidden anxiety tucked away.

He wanted to stay a bit longer but the distant sound of his phone pinging yanked him away and back to reality. He nearly dropped his phone as he grasped at it and opened it to look at the text.

You feel anxious tonight. I am sorry if I contributed to it. Don't be afraid to reach out, I welcome it. VM

"Damn it." Danny sighed as he tossed his phone onto the passenger seat and started his car. He drove back towards campus, more than a little freaked that Vlad had told the truth. This wasn't a one-off power like Vlad's electrical abilities or Danny's ghostly wail. They both had this gift and it had started when Vlad bit him.

He was going to put it out of his mind. He was going to take the job Vlad offered in hopes of getting through school and having a nice chunk of money saved up. He would accept Vlad's kindness for now, but this whole connection thing was going to stop. Vlad always said practice makes perfect so if Danny didn't practice maybe it would just go away.

He drove through the night in silence, unable to get the feeling of the man's hand in his hair and breath on his neck to go away.

A/n: Posting this one a little early as I am about to descend into the chaos of the holiday season. Maybe post three Monday. R&R if you feel up to it, thanks for reading!