Author's Note:
Hello, everybody! I hope you're enjoying your summer and this story also! :) I'm sorry, I promised I would update every week, but these last fortnight was a hard one, full of tests, laboratory works and exams. I was just really exhausted. Everyone who also takes exams now... be strong! Everything will be alright, just try not to be nervous. I know it's really easy to give advices, but trust my experience: too much worries and nerves now — REALLY BAD consequences for your health in the future! So always take your time to relax. It's really important.
So no matter that I was absent for two weeks, this chapter is big and worth reading. So far it is my favourite chapter. Please, review, if you want, and always be in bright mood!
Also check up my blog on tumblr, where you can find my arts and drawings, on Danny Phantom and more:
blog/aleks-norward
Thanks for your attention and let's dive into the story! :)
Danny felt really small in this enormous castle, in this green and gold from top to bottom main hall, in the suffocating company of his contradictory guardian and his strict formal butler. He never was for long in such… stern atmosphere before. At his home there always was a feeling of freedom and ease with minimum rules implied. Here, Danny assumed, the minimum of rules will be consisting of a hundred of them.
Seeing a discouraged look on the boy's face, Vlad reassuringly squeezed his shoulder.
"No need to worry, Little Badger, everything is not as terrifying as it seems."
"You sure?" His voice was quiet as if he was afraid to break a rule about silence in the mansion, which he hadn't even heard of yet. Godfrey noticed.
"With all due respect, Master Masters, I would tell this grandiose place lacked the loud small footsteps and laughter of a child, so your arrival feels really refreshing for the whole Masters Manor, young sir." Added Godfrey, and Danny flushed from embarrassment. He wasn't used to getting compliments.
"I totally agree with you, Godfrey", nodded Vlad with a warm smile directed at his precious charge. "I want to say, Daniel, that you are wanted here. You shouldn't be that nervous."
"O-Okay", nodded Danny but with little enthuthiasm.
Vlad was at a loss as to Danny's shy behavior. In the past he wasn't really the one to be treated such way by the boy. Godfrey, right in time, cleared his throat to attract attention.
"You must be both really tired and hungry, sirs", he said. "May I offer you some dinner, perhaps?"
"I would say it's a good idea, Godfrey", agreed Vlad. "I would say something ordinary for tonight."
"At your service, sir", Godfrey looked at Danny, a small but friendly smile on his face. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Master Daniel. I really hope you'll enjoy your stay here."
"Thanks, sir", was everything Danny could get out of himself.
Godfrey retreated through the beautiful double doors on Danny's left, where, as he remembered, was a luxurious dining room with a door to the kitchen.
"So, my boy, how about I show you to your room?" Asked Vlad nicely.
"Y-Yeah. Okay." Danny shrugged.
Tightening a little his gentle grip on the boy, Vlad led him up the grandiose staircase to the second floor and to the right turn.
"As you remember, I think, my private study is through the left hall…"
"Yes, I remember." Interrupted Danny. He wasn't fond of the memory of his and Vlad's conversation on the night of that bad Wisconsin College Reunion.
Vlad, now glummer a little bit, tried to continue in a cheerful voice.
"I'm glad you do. It will make the first rule of the house easier for you to stick to."
"Let me guess: I'm forbidden from going into your room or study if not invited." Grumbled Danny.
Vlad looked speechless for a couple of seconds.
"Yes, you guessed it right, Little Badger", he nodded with slight surprise. "But I also must forbid you from going into the lab. It is a question of security, as you can understand."
"Yeah, I wasn't even planning to wander here."
The halls of the castle weren't as glum as Danny remembered. They were still dark, but… more lively, it seemed. Could it be that Godfrey was somewhere right about how the manor really missed a child's presence? Danny scoffed. What a delirious idea.
But in a moment he remembered his own house. When it was full of occupants, it felt so warm and welcoming and secure. Albeit when everyone was gone… the house also started to seem lonely and abandoned.
Maybe Godfrey really got a point.
"I didn't say you couldn't, Daniel", Vlad interrupted his thoughts. "I must even say that you will miss a lot of interesting things here if you don't try. The choice is yours, of course, but I would highly recommend you to look around. Maybe, you'll find something that can catch your interest."
Danny shrugged. In a couple of moments they stopped in front of the double doors with incredible ornaments on them.
"Well, Daniel, here we are", Vlad exclaimed too happily for Danny's taste. "Your room. Are you ready to see what's inside?"
"Yeah, sure", Danny nodded shyly.
"Hope it won't be Green Bay Packers green", he thought, considering this shade of green a definately new color which was hated by him with no remorse.
Vlad pompously opened the doors and let Danny in first.
At first Danny was just stunned. But in some time got he himself to comprehend everything that his eyes saw. This room… It was perfect! With pleasant blue colored walls and king sized bed this room seemed bigger than all the first floor at the Fenton Works! The wall opposite of the double doors was nearly all covered in big roundish windows with dark green curtains. Near the windows were placed two enormous and comfortable looking armchairs and a coffee table between them. On the right from Danny stood a great big desk with a lot of drawers and shelves above it. Two big bookcases were placed on the left side of the front doors. Opposite of the bed was a large sitting area with a wide leather couch, two armchairs, a rug with a coffee table and… an enormous plasma TV! And just right below it was a case full of some disks and…
"Oh my God, it can't be a Playstation, no way!" He thought.
"But it can be, my boy", said Vlad smugly and Danny understood that said it outloud. "Not only it, but also a set of the latest versions of your favourite video games. Oh, and", Vlad motioned to one of the windows where…
"You wouldn't…" Danny nearly breathed out.
There stood a magnificent bronze portable telescope, the best he had ever seen.
"But I did, didn't I?" Vlad smiled. "Oh yes, and I forgot to mention, your ceiling is a planetarium."
Danny instantly raised his head to practically see the night sky. Something white flu by.
"W-Was it…"
"A comet, yes, my boy. Only the best for my Little Badger."
Danny couldn't do anything else but to open and close his mouth like a fish.
"Lost your tongue, Daniel?" Vlad joked, but there was no evilness in his voice. It sounded pleased and warm.
"I-I…" He tried. "Is this all… like... available for my use, I don't know?"
Vlad chuckled and lightly patted Danny's head.
"Oh, it's not only available for your use, Daniel, it is all yours."
Danny was once more stunned. He thought his heart skipped a couple of beats.
"M-Mine?"
"Yes, Little Badger, it is." Danny looked in disbelief in his guardian's eyes, and Vlad smiled fondly at him, still keeping his hand on his head. "I have been preparing for your arrival since we met, Daniel. I was always serious when it came to you. And I really wanted to give you everything you could ever want. Unfortunately, in the past I had no moral right to do so, but now… I confess, I'm really going to try to spoil you rotten with presents and privileges."
Surprisingly, Danny immediately scowled at him and shied away.
"I told you, Vlad, — you will not buy me, even with such gifts. I cannot be bribed."
"It is not a bribe, dear boy. I'm asking nothing of you in return. I just want you to be happy again." Seeing that his charge wasn't convinced, Vlad sighed sadly, but never gazed away from Danny. "I know that money and power aren't what attract you, Daniel. And I know that all this can hardly help you to overcome your grief. "Danny pursed his lips, trying to hold up his emotions. "But the problem is that I was lonely for so long… I don't really know how to make people happy other than just with money and gifts. I hope that with you being here I will learn to do that, albeit now… All that I can ask of you is to not judge me that harshly, though I understand your background."
Danny didn't know if Vlad was just playing his heart like a violin or if he was sincere — the man definitely was a good actor when he wanted to — but he knew that he wouldn't be able to not accept such greatness just because it's suspicious. With good or bad ideas in mind but Vlad tried to prepare this room for Danny as best as he could. And Danny had to accept the fact that it really was the bedroom of his dreams and now, approximately for next four years, he had no choice but to live here.
"This place…" Danny gestured to the room. "It's really amazing. I would say it would be a heaven for me in some way." He looked Vlad in the eyes, a small grateful smile on his lips. "Thank you, uncle Vlad. It's just incredible."
Vlad's face softened and he smiled too.
"All the best for my precious charge. Now, it's time to prepare for dinner. Right in there is your walk-in closet," Danny noticed a door on the right of the sitting area, "and through there is your bathroom." Another door was on the right of the previous one. "And, Daniel… I know it's not a habit for you, but in this house all of the inhabitants must be dressed properly for dinner."
Danny wrinkled his nose.
"You mean… Like in a suit or something?"
"Yes, although… It is your first day and keeping that in mind I allow you to be dressed more casually. But I must insist on a button-up white shirt."
"O-Oka-a-ay?" It was really strange for Danny. Nothing like that was in his home… old home...
"Good. Now I will leave you to your own devices. Godfrey will fetch you when dinner is ready, alright?"
Danny nodded and Vlad left the room, a dreamy expression on his face.
"Must be dreaming of me calling him Father", Danny gagged. "Like I would ever do this."
In a moment the double doors were closed and Danny was left alone. Looking around one more time, he saw his duffel bag and suitcases at the feet of his enormous bed.
"He probably would want me to unpack." He thought. "But I don't wanna."
Danny moved closer to the bed and sat hesitantly. Somehow he was afraid of touching anything as if it could bite him. Or maybe because, despite being fantastic, this room wasn't his, not really. His room was in Fenton Works… back where his life was still happy and bright… where his family and friends were alive…
That meant he didn't have a room now… or a real home. Fentons Works held all his memories, all remembrances of a happy boy who lived in a strange but happy family and had good friends. But without them… The house somehow became more distant to Danny. Or maybe not distant but painful… Perhaps, it was just too hard for Danny to be there now that he knew that it's other inhabitants wouldn't ever again step inside it. Danny hoped it would pass, because feeling like this — empty, hesitant, cold — was one of the worst feelings he had ever experienced.
Letting out a hard sigh, Danny opened his duffel back. There were his treasures. There was his photo album and the most recent one of his family's photos. His eyes hurt. They all look so free and cheery there with the background of Fenton Works… with Sam and Tucker with them… Perhaps, now they are as united in heaven as they are in this photo… and only Danny is left to rot here, on Earth, in this purgatory, without love and help... Without the closest ones to him...
He didn't know how much time had passed while he was sitting and just staring at the photograph in his hands, but soon enough there was a polite knock on his door.
"Master Daniel, dinner is served." Was heard from behind the main doors.
Danny sighed with ill-concealed irritation. Master… What a vile word! He never even considered that Cujo — who was kind of like his ghost dog, considering how often he came to Danny to play with him or walk him out — might think of him as a master. He never asked it off the puppy. He considered Cujo a family and was sure that he felt the same way. But this… This… unneeded pompousness and preposterousness!.. It was driving him crazy already. He felt like some slave owner and not like some kind of family member! Though he was certain Vlad wanted him to think of himself as just that!
"Young Master?" That again! "Are you in here, young sir?"
Having no more self control to be patient, Danny jumped out of bed and ran to the double doors.
"Why are you calling me that?!" He cried out at Godfrey's shocked face right after opening the door. "Why are you calling me Master?!"
The desperation in his voice struck Danny himself. He wasn't that broken down… was he? And why on Earth was he feeling so angry about the title? He could have just ignored it. He could have not cared. But somehow… It did matter.
"My apologies, young sir", said Godfrey softly and the sad expression on his face even made Danny feel bad for his uncalled for outburst. "I had no intention of insulting you. It's just an unspoken rule: servants always call their employers by their title, which is master. And as I've already told you, unfortunately or not, this habit will always be bound to me."
"I…" Danny suddenly felt a big lump in his throat. "I didn't mean that, I… Excuse me, sir, I just don't understand! It doesn't make sense to me! Maybe I'm stupid, I don't know, but I can't comprehend it! I am not your employer, why can't you call me by my first name, sir?!"
"You're in no way stupid, Master Daniel", he said it again and Danny shuddered, but Godfrey paid it no mind. "You're just highly unused to it. If you were raised in a family such as this one, you would have questions if I didn't call you master. But you'll get used to it, young sir, I have no doubt."
"No! This isn't right!" Seeing that the butler wouldn't budge, Danny sighed tiredly. "Is there a way to do something about it, sir?"
"Well, you can ask Master Masters if he's willing to make such changes. But that's all I can recommend on your issue, young sir." Danny hunched his head, shoulders slumping. Godfrey looked him over with a critical eye. "Also I see you're not yet ready for dinner. Do you need some more time, Master Daniel?"
Suddenly, anger again took Danny into its arms. It seemed to him Godfrey called him this hated title on purpose. Well, Danny supposed, of course he did so Danny would start getting used to it, but it was no less annoying or pissing off.
"No", Danny said suddenly. "I am ready for dinner."
If Vlad expected him to become like him in a heartbeat, he would be heavily disappointed.
"Are… Are you certain, sir?" Godfrey asked dumbfounded.
"Yeah, totally", Danny nodded defiantly, closing the door to the room assigned to him. "So, where does Flootloop like to take his meals?"
He started through the corridor himself, Godfrey right after him. After some time of silence they made it to the grand stairs and it was when Godfrey asked in gentle, but all the same disapproving tone:
"I must say it's highly disrespectful of you to call the man who so kindly took you in such an awkward and childish name."
Danny scoffed. And there he thought he could be on good terms with Godfrey.
"I see you don't really know our story with Uncy Vlad."
"On the contrary, young man, I know it quite too well."
"Then you shouldn't be surprised I'm not that fond of him."
"Maybe you are not now, but he is of you. And he does everything so this feeling could be mutual…"
"And that's why he choked me on the way here, right?!" Danny cried out loudly. Godfrey's eyes widened a little, but expression didn't change. Surprised at himself at his own instability, Danny turned around and rushed to the double doors that, as he remembered, led to the dining room.
"Master Daniel!" Godfrey cried.
"I'm Danny!" He shouted and burst into the room with a swoosh of doors.
Vlad was on the phone, but momentarily noticed his presence. It seemed to Danny that Vlad wanted to smile, but after seeing him as he were, his face hardened and displeased look entered his eyes.
"I can't talk right now, Markus. Get to work, you have your instructions. I want these papers on my email by tomorrow morning, understand?!" With that he hung up and sighed deeply, as if to calm himself down.
"Master Daniel!" Godfrey floated into the room just behind Danny, a scowl on his face. "It is not appropriate to rush through the house like this!"
"I think I can help myself into the room, thank you, sir." Danny said bitterly and went closer to the table. Only then he saw that the longest table he had ever seen — it probably could have twelve or even sixteen people settled — was made for the head of the table, where Vlad sitted, and… for the seat on his right.
"No way…" Danny murmured, his glare hardening.
In a flash the memories of his first breakfast at this Manor blurred before his eyes. Right the morning after his first fight with Plasmius. Right after Vlad discovered Danny Phantom's identity.
Six months ago:
It was a sunny, cheery morning, but Danny felt exhausted. If it wasn't for his battered body, he would think that his fight with that vampire-like ghost was just a dream. Danny was confident that as of now it was the most powerful ghost he had ever met. It was unbelievable! He was beaten in the dirt! So easily! Danny thought he would never live over this shameful defeat!.. What luck that at least his parents haven't seen his ghostly counterpart's failure. They would be ecstatic.
"Are you alright, my boy?" Asked somebody on his left. Danny looked up to find Vlad Masters there.
Red went to his cheeks making them burn. Here is a person who was a witness of his nightly distress. How embarrassing was that?!.
"Y-Yeah, it's okay, Mr. Masters. Good morning." Danny said politely. He couldn't actually say that he liked the billionaire who obviously was eager to flirt with his Mom, for that he even was angry at him, but now Danny was, most of all, ashamed that the man heard his shouts at night and was forced to come check on him.
"Hm-m", nodded the man. "I see this morning isn't that great for you, Little Badger. Did you sleep alright the rest of the night?"
"Yeah, thank you. I'm… just a little tired, I guess. It'll come off soon, I promise."
"There is no need for that, son, I'm not accusing you in any way", smiled Masters warmly. "Actually I think it will be good for you to have some breakfast, hm-m? Come with me, Daniel, I presume you'll love the English breakfast."
To Danny's surprise Masters put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and lightly pushed him out of the corridor and in the direction of the dining hall. It was a very big room with dark green with gold walls, with windows that reached the high ceiling and a beautiful chandelier. The long table wasn't yet prepared, but one of the servants that Masters hired for the Reunion was already there.
"Wesley, please organize the English breakfast for us", ordered Vlad calmly and sat at the head of the table.
Wesley bowed respectfully.
"Right away, sir."
And then he went through the double doors in the back of the room, which obviously led to the kitchen.
"Daniel, please, take a seat", Masters offered kindly and gestured to the seat on his right.
Danny was confused. Yesterday evening, when he and his family had arrived, when they were all having dinner, Danny's Dad had that seat. Danny himself sat with Jazz farther away from the master of the house. But now… he was offered this seat?
Perhaps the problem wasn't even in a seat, but Danny remembered how Sam told them some etiquette rules that she was forced to follow when she was younger.
"The seats on the left and right of the head of the table are for important people." Sam told them. "For instance, if the master of the house has a wife and one child, usually the wife is seated on his left and the child on his right. It's really such a stupidity, but some people still live like that! Such an idiocy!"
"Daniel?" Masters' voice got Danny out of his musings. "Go ahead, sit down. I assure you, this seat isn't an electric stool, no need to worry."
A small smile spread on Danny's face and he did as told. That was a funny comment, about an electric stool. But remembering his night adventure… Danny shuddered. Now it's just disturbing.
"So, Daniel, if you don't mind, tell me how the modern youngsters live nowadays?" Masters said pleasantly, Wesley coming back from the kitchen and placing two plates full of sausages, eggs and bacon. Danny made sure to thank Wesley. "As I see, your culture is different from the times I myself was your age. What do you like to do, dear boy?"
Danny hesitantly took a bite of his breakfast and started to answer the question.
That day Danny told Vlad nearly everything about himself. And now he was disgusted by it. But he was also angry that Vlad really thought that Danny would sit beside him like an obediant puppet!
"Daniel, what in blazes!" Exclaimed Vlad, clearly trying not to shout. "Godfrey's right, you can't stomp through the doors like an animal! And I thought I told you to get ready for dinner. Why are you still not dressed?"
"Now you don't like my clothes, ha?" Danny said. "In your opinion I must follow your rules and let you manipulate me, is this right?"
"What in the jam universe are you talking about?"
"About you already trying to change me!" Danny shouted. "You think I don't know? My sister was aiming to be a phychologist, she told me every little psychological trick one could play on a human! And guess what, you've already used some of them!"
Slowly Vlad got up from his chair, a dangerous expression on his face.
"And what, pray tell, did I do, boy?"
Danny knew this glare full well. It meant trouble and pain for him. But somehow he couldn't care less now. He was totally furious.
"Oh, like you don't know!" He threw his hands up. "All this place is full of rules that will manipulate me! Daniel, you must be dressed properly for dinner! Daniel, you must be polite! Daniel, you must be okay with people and ghosts calling you Master like some slave owner! Daniel, you must be respectful towards me and ignore the fact that my sole purpose in life for the past six months was TO BREAK YOU FAMILY APART, KILL YOUR FATHER AND MAKE YOUR MOTHER MY WIFE AND YOU MY SON, THOUGH NO ONE. OF BOTH OF YOU. LOVES ME !"
The loud sound of the table's main chair falling to the floor echoed in the big room. In two strides Vlad was near Danny roughly grabbing his chin. His fingers pushed hard and painfully into his cheeks. For a moment Danny was terrified. He had never seen Vlad's face so close to his, and so frightening, furious and dangerous. Vlad's eyes were burning blood red and lips pursed in a disgusted snarl.
"Care to repeat that?" His voice was quiet, but toxic and malicious, full of promise of eternal pain for Danny.
"You… You won't get what you want..." Danny said shakily. "I won't let you manipulate or order me around anymore!.."
His words weren't as confident as they were a minute ago and Vlad noticed it.
"Then let's see if it's true."
"Master Masters…" Godfrey tried to interrupt.
Danny quickly went intangible and jumped back in fear that he would be hit, but something stepped between them, before any other moves could be made.
"Gentlemen!" Godfrey shouted, but then seeing that he got attention, continued in a softer tone. "It was a very hard and long day for both of you. I shall say that it'll do good for you to have your rest, sirs."
Vlad shook his head and Godfrey was quick to whisper to him, so only Vlad could hear.
"He's a child, no need for violence. Watch and learn, sir." The butler turned to a tense Danny. "Your behavior tonight was utterly outrageous, young man! You weren't in need of such unparliamentary language to support the ideas and statements you wanted to voice. I don't say that your opinion is in any way incompetent, but the representation of it was terrible. I'm sure you can do better than those shouts and insults. Now you may decide if you want to continue your uncalled for childish behaviour and go on with your tantrum, which will definitely earn you a punishment, or behave like an adult and stop this conflict now to have a chance to continue a discussion of its contents later in a civil atmosphere so you and both could achieve an agreement that will satisfy you both. You have three seconds to decide."
Danny's head lowered and cheeks became red as tomatoes. He couldn't believe he had lost control of himself like that! How could he let himself go so reckless, especially after what happened in the car on the way here.
"One…" the butler said.
"Okay…" Danny muttered softly and hurried out the doors, quietly closing them behind him.
Vlad was shocked. It was the only word he could find to describe his state. Watching the boy hurrying out to the main hall and hearing his rushed footsteps climbing the grand staircase made his rage subside a little.
"This boy..." he shook his head, his eyes shifting back to their midnight color. He turned to Godfrey. "Please, make sure that he eats. He is skinny as that is."
"Of course, Master Masters." Godfrey nodded and was about to make his way to the kitchen, when Vlad stopped him.
"Would you mind coming to my office for a talk, Godfrey? I want to speak with you about Daniel."
"With pleasure, sir."
And then he was gone. Vlad sighed looking around his luxurious empty dining room. All along, bitter feelings in his chest after the confrontation. That wasn't how he imagined the boy's first evening here. He still didn't really understand why he had to throw such a tantrum over normal things. Vlad only asked him to dress a little bit nicer for dinner, it wasn't like he gave him some task on rocket science!
But how fast he lost his temper after the boy's wicked words. Those really stung. Vlad nearly raised a hand on him again. He already did it in the car and it wasn't something he was very proud of, but the second time in one day… If Children Protection Services saw him they would not only take Daniel away from him, but also run a court case on abuse against him.
And how easily Godfrey settled down all the conflict! It was just like a piece of art! Now he wanted very much to interrogate the butler on the details of his handling of Daniel. Perhaps, with his advice Vlad would be able to become a great father who Daniel will become fond of.
With a sigh, he left the dining room and went to his private study. When there, he locked the door, so Daniel wouldn't accidentally enter, and headed for his table. Sitting in his comfortable chair he unlocked with a kea one of big drawers.
"Here we go again", he murmured, pulling out a large stack of books and placing them on the tabletop.
Vlad chose one of the books, this time it was Teenage Boys. Parental Guidance by Josh Buckingham, and started vigorously flipping through it.
"Here it is…"
Chapter 8: Teenage Angst and Crazy Mood Swings
At teenage age boys start to gradually become men. Their bodies change not only externally, but also internally. Hormones always jump up and down which lead to terrible mood swings. For example, you told your child to clean his room. At first he can answer calmly and with a smile, but in a matter of seconds he can start shouting at you that you don't care or appreciate him as a person and try to order him around.
Vlad scoffed, remembering Daniel's choice of words. Where was this chapter earlier?
Although teen boys are still children, they want to consider themselves adults and think you must do that as well. Attempts to teach them something like being organized or neat can be met as accusations. The best choice in such situations is to let your children be adults. Give them an ultimatum: if you want to be an adult, please, do everything the adult does. Make him feel and realize that not being a child is not only doing whatever you want, because that's what they think. Show them that adults must go to work to earn money, pay bills, go shopping, clean, dry and cook. If you have smaller children give the care of them to your teens so they could know how hard it is to combine a day job with mending the house and kids. But, of course, look out for them, so they wouldn't burn your house down or make harm to others or themselves. After all, it's just a lesson to be learned, not a torture.
Vlad sighed. As far as he could tell Daniel didn't want to consider himself an adult yet. Maybe because he had tried this medicine already, having his ghostly "job" as Amity Park's superhero. So he seemed appreciative sometimes… But those terrible mood swings!.. He was so quiet and mostly respectful before today, and after he visited his friends' graves… It was like he had two people inside himself. One was a humble, respectful and obedient pleasant boy and the other was like a demon brat: disrespectful, defiant, impolite!.. Everything that Vlad could call as troublesome. He remembered Daniel before the Nasty Burger Accident. He was always somewhere in between. But now…
Suddenly Vlad's ghost sense went off, spreading heat inside his chest, and in a second there was a knock on the door. It couldn't be Daniel or his ghost sense wouldn't go off. They were not fully ghosts but half-human after all.
"Come in, Godfrey." Vlad said, looking through another book, Single Parent's Guide. Volume 1 by Jocelyn Fray.
Godfrey went through the wall with a tray in his hands.
"Dinner's served, Master Masters", he said, putting the tray on the portable table near the desk. "Tonight Volfgang has prepared…"
"Yes-yes, thank you, Godfrey", Vlad brushed him off, drowning in his books on parenting.
Godfrey raised a sceptical eyebrow.
"I see you are not up for dinner today, sir?"
"How can I? After what took place just ten minutes ago?!" He slammed the book shut and brought his fingers to his temples, massaging them. "Tell me, Godfrey, — HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO DEAL WITH HIM?! How could you find a way to calm him down in a second after he got not only himself, but also me so riled up?!"
Godfrey sighed.
"It was really easy, sir. I just told him how he looked from my point of view. And he, being a smart boy, immediately reined up his tantrum."
Vlad looked at him with disbelief.
"No, it must be something else! Daniel is a bad listener, he never listens to anyone or thinks his head. He's impulsive!
"Or maybe it's what you see in him, sir?" Vlad shook his head and tiredly leaned back in his seat. "You asked me to come here to talk about the young master. Do you want to know what I think about him so far?"
"Yes, that would be highly appreciated."
"Very well. Master Daniel is a young boy who has lost everything he held close to his heart in mere seconds. He is left alone in this world and now is confused. When you brought him here earlier this evening I saw a scared, uncertain boy, and after some talk with him I understood that usually he is polite and kind. Though he shouted at me for calling him Master, he almost immediately regretted it and apologised. And even when I brought him his dinner a few minutes ago he apologised for his behavior and admitted that he wasn't right. I must say that it also appeared to me that the boy has a very low self-esteem. He literally shied away when I tried to reassure him of his rights in this place and he also called himself, I quote, stupid."
"Yes, I also noticed that", Vlad nodded. "It seems he really isn't used to being praised or complimented. In the past around me he tried to look brave and non-caring about anybody's piece of mind… But I saw him interacting with his family and even teacher. I must say there wasn't anything encouraging about their treating of him or their comments on his intellect. Though, of course, they weren't right about neither."
"Then praise him more, sir. Of course, if he deserves it. That will increase not only his self-esteem, but also will bind him to you, and this is what you want."
"Yes, very much. But his mood swings… They are impossible! How would you recommend me to deal with that?"
"I would think that young Master still rushes between his desire to confide in you, to trust you, because you are the only familiar face and the only one who wants to take care about him, and his experience with you in the past. He doesn't know what to do and he has no one else to lean on for help and support. You are the only one. But in his eyes you are untrustable. And I must say your stunt on the way here only aggravated the situation."
"He told you about that?" Vlad tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose.
"He told me you choked him. Isn't that right, sir?"
"Ye-es… Unfortunately, yes."
"And after that you are surprised at his behavior." Godfrey shook his head disapprovingly. "Don't get me wrong, sir, but that deed of yours made me think that you act more like a Master to the boy, not a parent. A good father must never raise a hand on his child, no matter what they have said or done. I know that both you and the boy got used to being some kind of enemies, but now it is not your relationship. Now it is guardian and charge or as you want it to be father and son. For that to happen you need to learn to hold your rage and power. I know that you are more than capable of that. Explain to him rules you want him to follow and the consequences for disobeying them. But my advice, don't push hard on him. Give him some space and freedom. If you do, in time he would himself look for your company."
Vlad nodded thoughtfully.
"I wanted to talk to him about his future after dinner. But something tells me he's going to avoid me for a couple of days."
"Well, you are his guardian, he is a child. If your news is not for debate as they are, you can just confront the fact to him."
"Yes, you are right. This news is not for a debate. And my Little Badger needs to learn his place. That he is the child and I am the adult in charge of him. He is my responsibility."
"Well, here you go, sir. Well done. So, how is adoption going on?"
"Almost ready. It'll be a week at most and Daniel will become my son."
"What can I say, it will be a delight to have an energetic young Masters running these halls."
"He will be Masters", Vlad nodded. "Not right away, but in time he will be. I want it to be his decision."
"Then you have a lot of work to accomplish, sir. First, be calm and patient with him. Don't forget that he is traumatized. He needs guidance and a parental figure, not a dictator and master."
Vlad nodded once more and went back to going through the books on parenting.
"Thank you, Godfrey."
"At your service, sir."
With that Godfrey left the room. That night Vlad went to bed only in the early morning.
The next morning Danny was nervous about going to breakfast and thought that, maybe, he could sit it out in his room. But when Godfrey knocked on his door and announced its readiness, Danny knew that he would go. It was a terrible idea to piss Vlad off even more, especially after what happened yesterday.
Danny looked in a mirror to check that he was presentable in his T-shirt and jeans, and after smoothing his unruly hair with a hand a little bit, he left the room.
"Good Morning to you, young sir", greeted Godfrey, deliberately avoiding the title master.
"Good Morning, sir", Danny said quietly, not really looking the butler in the eye.
They proceeded to the dining room in silence. Right near the doors in the main hall Godfrey said:
"If I were you, sir, I would tuck my shirt in. It'll look neater."
Danny nodded and quickly did as Godfrey said. The butler only quirked a brow.
"Or not."
Danny tried to keep his back straight, though somehow was again ashamed of himself. In the past he wasn't that sensitive. Maybe, because at least his friends and sister were there to reassure him.
Godfrey opened the door, and Danny strolled in. Vlad was already in his seat at the head of the table, reading a newspaper. There were again two seats served at the long table: one for Vlad and the one on his right. This time Danny silently walked to the place assigned to him and sat down. With a corner of his eyes he saw Godfrey approvingly nodding. That made a small smile appear on Danny's face. At least he did something right.
"Good Morning, Daniel", Vlad said, not looking away from his newspaper.
"G-Good morning", he replied.
"Did you finish your dinner yesterday?"
Danny's eyes widened. Vlad… Vlad cared if he ate yesterday?
"Um… Yeah, kind of."
"Hm-m… That's what I heard." His tone made Danny squirm, but Danny made himself keep his back straight. "I want you to remember that in this house you are not to miss any of your meals in any circumstance. You are a growing organism and need a schedule and regular eating. Is that understood?"
Danny didn't answer right away. He was shocked that Vlad still didn't shout at him.
"Daniel, I asked you a question." Vlad reminded him sternly. "Did you understand me?"
"Y-Yes", Danny was quick to answer. "I understand."
"That's good", Vlad nodded, folding the paper and putting it on the left side of himself. Only now he looked at Danny. "Now about yesterday." Danny gulped, the sudden eagerness to flee from the dining room was pulling him towards the doors, but he stayed in his seat. "It was a really hard day for both of us, but it made me realize some things about our relationship. Especially about my wrong doings, that have worsened some of our nascent trust for each other."
He sighed upon seeing that Danny didn't look at him.
"Daniel, please look at me. This concerns both of us." Unwillingly, Danny did as he was told. "Thank you. Now, please, listen, child. I want you to know that from now on I will never raise a hand on you." A loud snicker escaped Danny's lips, though he tried to suppress it. "You may not believe it is true, but time will be your proof. After some thinking I came to the assumption that both of our behaviors were caused by our old habits. It was normal for us to fight like this when we were, as you put it, enemies. But now our roles have changed. So must our relationship. As much as you are not comfortable with this, but I am your guardian and you are my ward. In the near future we will become an adoptive father and son. That means we must learn how to behave according to our new roles." Danny looked away with a frown, not at least appeased by this offer. Vlad sighed again. "I understand that trust is hard to earn and considering everything I haven't gained your trust one bit. But… we both no longer have anyone else beside us. We are on our own. And the best way to cope with our grief and pain, is to be there for one another. I am willing to try. I hope you are too."
Danny thought about every little thing that happened after the Nasty Burger Explosion. About how Vlad was there for him, soothed him and helped him. How he even let him look under the coffin covers at his family's faces for the last time though thought it would be better to not allow it. How happy he was when understood that Danny liked the room he had designed just for him… And most of all how he didn't blame Danny, though it was because of him that his family was near the Nasty Burger.
Before he could really decide anything, his mouth betrayed him:
"I'll also try."
He looked up at Vlad uncertaintly, but saw there only a small smile.
"I think if we are both willing, then we will manage."
With this the doors to the kitchen were opened and Godfrey came inside with two plates of English breakfast. Danny didn't even notice when the ghost butler left them in the first place.
"Your breakfast, sirs." He laid the plates in front of them. "Your tea, sir", a steaming beautiful cup was settled near Vlad's plate, "and some treat for you, Master Daniel." He showed Danny a big glass of something white and creamy with strange honey-brown lines in it.
"A milkshake!" Danny exclaimed happily.
Godfrey smiled.
"Our cook, Volfgang, was really glad to know about your arrival, and since yesterday wasn't a very calm evening for eating a dessert, he decided to please you with this treat today." He put a glass near Danny's plate. "Of course, if Master Masters isn't against it."
"No, it is quite fitting. I can allow him a little sugar in the morning, but that will be all for today." He said with a smile, watching Danny eagerly attacking his cocktail.
"Wow! Thanks! It's incredible! And it is so delicious!" Danny exclaimed.
"Yes, just try not to forget about your real food", Vlad reminded, starting on his breakfast. "You are not out of the table before your plate is empty."
"But I don't eat that much!.."
"From now on you do. You need something to build muscle on."
Godfrey smiled to himself and bowed to his masters.
"Enjoy your breakfast, sirs."
With that he left the dining room.
Most of the eating was silent. Sometimes, when Danny ate too loudly, Vlad glared at him, but didn't say a thing, so as not to fight off the appetite of the boy. He really needed his nutrition.
But in time they were both finished with their food, and Vlad was pleased to see that Danny did leave his plate empty, though he looked a little sick now.
"May I be excused?" Said Danny, looking miserably at dishes in front of him. It was really too much for him.
"Not yet. I wanted to talk about some important things."
"Which are?.."
"Firstly, your table manners. I must say, my boy, they are atrocious." He saw how Danny's cheeks reddened and was happy he decided to postpone this issue till now. "But that is easily fixed. From today on you will have lessons with Godfrey on manners and etiquette until you master it."
"What?" Danny asked crestfallen. "Why? What would I need it for anyway?"
"That's our next issue. Since you are now my ward, I am responsible for looking out for your grades. I perfectly know that they are C's and D's and I don't like that. Now that we are in Wisconsin there will be no ghosts or dangers to distract you from your lessons, and I'm sure you'll shape up and start studying for A's." Danny curled in himself a bit. There was pressure again. "Don't be scared, my boy. I am always open and eager to help with your homework or answer any of your questions. After all, I am the one who will check it."
"Wait, what?" Danny didn't understand. "You will check on my homework?"
"That's what in my mind a responsible parent should do, yes. I will do it every evening and if it's not done, you, of course, will be punished. I will take away some of your privileges, for example, a right to watch TV, until your homework is done. The same goes to tests. If you fail a lot of them, you are punished. I think something along the lines of helping Godfrey with house work or me with my business work. Does this sound fair to you?"
"No! It doesn't!"
"I'm glad you agree", Vlad ignored him.
Danny pouted and crossed his arms on his chest.
"My parents never did such things."
"Didn't they? They told me different stories."
Danny sighed.
"Fine, okay."
"Good. Now about the punishments. I believe that we will be good with taking away privileges and house work. But!.." Danny snapped his head at Vlad, "if you do something dangerous or reckless, anything that can jeopardize your health or life… be sure that you will lie across my lap for spanking in a heartbeat. I will not look at how old you are or what your motives were. Your health and life are the most important things, do you hear me, Daniel?"
"B-But…"
"This is not for a debate. This is a rule. So did you hear me, Daniel?"
Danny looked away and grumbled.
"Yes."
"Did you understand it?"
"Yes."
"You are sure that you remember it, aren't you?"
"I remember, remember, stop it!" He snapped. Vlad glared at him warningly. "Sorry."
"I am glad we've settled this out." Vlad said and visibly tensed. "Now, tomorrow is a weekend. I wanted to ask if you wanted to go shopping after the morning lesson with Godfrey? I did get you clothes, but I think you would want to choose something on your own. Not only clothes, anything you want. We also have to get you fitted for your private school uniform."
Danny, who a minute ago thought he had no energy to even move, jumped to his feet, knocking down his chair in the process.
"A private school? But… but!.." he whined, his mind rushing in fear.
Vlad waved a hand in slight irritation.
"Oh, Daniel, don't be so dramatic! Please, sit down." Danny raised his chair and sat. "Now, what are you afraid of, Daniel? I chose the best private school for you. It is called Goldsword Academy. It is a well protected, marvelous place. There you will get individual attention to catch upon your studies and grades. Moreover, there you'll be able to make good and useful acquaintances that will be really helpful in your future." But Danny still had this terrified gaze in his eyes and Vlad decided to go a sly way. "I've already picked your classes, Little Badger, and among them is… an expanded course on astronomy."
That caught Danny's attention. He looked at Vlad in disbelief.
"You… picked up the astronomy course for me?"
"Not only some course, but an expanded one. I think I remember the headmaster telling me your class will go on a school trip to the best planetarium in autumn and maybe even the best space center in spring."
Danny was glued to his place. He will go to the space center! Not some lame "we-also-have -a-portable-telescope" center, but a real serious one! And by Vlad's barely visible smug grin, he could tell the billionaire thought he totally had Danny at this one.
"Well… Is this valid information?" Danny clarified.
"If the headmaster himself said that…" Now Vlad was openly smirking at him. "Well, aren't you interested? Why would you be if you don't want to go there?"
"Yes, I don't… Maybe… No! I don't because private schools are for rich jerky kids!"
"I never thought you thought like this about yourself, Little Badger." Vlad countered.
"Well… I am not like them! I won't go!"
"Well, alright. It is your decision, my boy." Vlad stood up and pushed his chair in. "What a pity. I would have thought you would do anything to be an astronaut. It seems you're just not a person who wants their dreams to come true."
"What?" Danny stood also. "What do you mean I can be an astronaut? It's already a failed dream, my grades are in a toilet!"
"It is right. But you haven't started high school yet, and grades there are the most important ones. And we're talking about the Goldsword Academy — the best private school in the United States. I would say their students are welcomed at any serious university… But since you don't…"
"Fine, stop it! I'll go!"
Vlad's smile grew wider, but became kinder somehow. He made his way to Danny and laid a hand on his shoulder, reassuringly squeezing it.
"You've made the right choice, my dear boy. I'm sure you won't regret it."
Hugging Danny close to himself by shoulders, Vlad led him out to the hall.
"Will I really have to wear a uniform?" Danny whined.
"Yes, of course, my boy. They have a really strict dress code. You must look very neatly or you will have a penalty for not following the rules."
"But what is the sense in all this?" Danny inquired outrageously.
"The sense is to make children learn discipline and more importantly to teach them how to read people without looking at their clothes. Those can be made to your liking for deceiving you, but if you can read beyond looks, you can not be fooled."
They entered a large living room with dark green walls, green curtains, green couches… Maybe, Danny would just call it the Green room. Along the walls were bookcases and in front of the window set a wooden desk with a comfortable chair.
"Here you will be taking your lessons with Godfrey", Vlad announced. "In some time I will have a more equipped place for your lessons with your tutor."
Danny thought his heart had stopped.
"My… tutor?" He looked at Vlad with fright. "What do you mean my tutor?"
"Oh, haven't I told you?" A cruel grin once more appeared on his lips. "I hired a tutor for you right from the Goldsword Academy, so she would prepare you for your first year there."
"B-But… I've already been to school all year!"
"Yes, but your grades are low. Unfortunately, I doubt you know everything you need to start your year at Goldsword without any trouble. So I decided to help."
Danny's throat went dry. His summer… it was slipping away from him!
"B-But… but…"
"Your teacher's name is Ms. Juliets. She will come teach you from Monday to Friday from eight to two o'clock till the school semester starts. She is lovely and won't be too harsh on you, I can guarantee that. Her recommendations state that she is very good with children. I am sure you will get along." He patted Danny's head and the fond look entered his eyes as he smiled gently at his ward's face. "I am very proud of you, Little Badger. And I am sure you will handle everything perfectly."
Suddenly, Danny's heart swelled with Vlad's words. He… He really believed in him?
"You really think I'll be... good enough... for that school?"
Yes. He was afraid that he wasn't good enough to be in rich kid school. But if Vlad believed in him…
"You will fit perfectly in, Little Badger. You are very smart, more than you know. These lessons will just help you realize this yourself." He lovingly ran a hand through the boy's thick raven hair. "I know you can do it. And if you need any help, you are more than welcome to come to me for it. Okay, Little Badger?"
Danny smiled, suddenly feeling comforted with Vlad's hand on his head.
"Okay, uncle Vlad."
Vlad's heart swelled from his title. He could only hope that someday he will be also called a father by the boy.
"Everything is ready for our lesson, young master."
They turned towards the window to see Godfrey standing near the desk with a stack of books in his hands.
"Perfect, Godfrey", nodded Vlad, not taking his hand off Danny's head yet. "I want to inform you that tomorrow we will leave for the city. Please, inform Clinton of that later. We will go to fit Daniel in his new school uniform."
"Of course, Master Masters."
Vlad ran his hand through his boy's messy hair again and frowned a bit.
"I also suppose it will be good if you worked on Daniel's hair tonight, Godfrey", Vlad ordered. "In its current state it is not appropriate for the Goldsword."
"I will do everything to your liking, sir, no worries." Godfrey smiled.
"Good. Now, I won't interfere with your lesson. Daniel, be good."
Patting the boy's hair for the last time, Vlad left the Green room. Closing the door behind himself he smiled contently. This went way better than he thought, especially after yesterday. It seems Godfrey was right. He just needs to root the fact to Daniel's head that he is his parent and be calm at all times. The boy really responds better to kindness, calmness and… gentle reassuring touches, as he found just now. Well, it appears Daniel is a tactile child. This is even better. This will make it easier for Vlad to win him over.
Already drowning in his dreams of Daniel being Masters and calling him father, Vlad went to his private study to work on business papers.
Meanwhile Danny, who was sitting at the desk with Godfrey standing before him and telling him about proper sitting position, had only now fully realized how much of a summer disaster was waiting for him.
Author's Note:
Also I just wanted to add so there would be no questions later — this story was originally posted on my Quotev account —
here is a link: 4231827179/published —
so this is in no way a stolen story. In my Journal on Quotev you can even find an entry about Repairing Our Lives being now also published on . Also I must say that if there are updates, that they will be posted on Quotev earlier. You are welcome to read and review anywhere you like
Thank you for your attention and have a good day!