Unworthy
Part 1
It's not supposed to be this way. Nothing about this is right. In fact, everything about this is wrong. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't have even knocked on the door.
He shouldn't have entered the house, shouldn't have grabbed the large burning hand of the man who answered the door and he most definitely should not have led the man who answered the door up the stairs and into a bedroom.
He shouldn't have allowed the man to press him down onto the ridiculously ornate bed or encouraged such lurid behavior by yanking at the man's clothes.
Nothing about this is right. It goes against everything he stands for, it shows a weakness in him that he doesn't want to disect or think about. Yet, here he is, beneath the man who opened the door, knees apart, arms wrapped around shoulders and his eyes clenched shut.
He's moaning and panting, sweat rolling off his brow and cheeks tinged with such a deep red. And the worst part is, the red that stains his cheeks is most certainly not from shame.
The red that reveals itself on his normally pale skin is from pleasure, from the moving of his body against another and how he bends so easily to the man who opened the door.
Enemies by day, lovers by night and the shame that he desperately wants to feel just doesn't come. Instead of guilt he feels comfort. And instead of shame he feels alive. He doesn't want to shut down and sit in a corner, he wants to stretch out and send groping hands towards the luscious heat of the man above him.
Why doesn't he feel revulsion at the man's touch, why doesn't he fight or scream at him to get off. Instead he pulls the man above closer, wishes they could melt together, possibly stay like this forever and ignore the world outside.
This wasn't ever supposed to happen, yet it had and what was considered an unforgivable action, namely sleeping with the enemy, had become the most coveted moments of his young life.
Midnight Admissions
Danny woke up in darkness. The first thing he heard was rain whipping against the window pane followed by a massive rumble of thunder. He sat up quickly, a dull ache coming to his head and fingers rising to rub at his eyes.
Damn it, I did it again. Why do I keep doing this? God, I'm hung over. I've got to stop doing this. Drunk or sober, this is the last freaking time!
Quietly Danny shifted, pulling the blanket off his legs and taking in his naked body as a flash of lightning struck and he could just barely make out the faint bruises left behind from gripping fingertips.
A noise made him freeze and he glanced to his left, seeing the sleeping form of a man next to him and a small sigh escaped his lips as sad eyes scan the length of the larger body.
Flashes of memory come to him, whispered words slithering through his mind and creating goosebumps across his skin.
'Say my name, touch me, could you ever love me? Stay the night. Don't leave, for once, just be here when I wake up...say you love me-'
Another shiver runs up his spine and Danny's heart seems to give a massive thump and his gut twists in both excitement and dread.
What am I doing? Why am I doing this to him? He's gotta know that this….whatever it is...isn't-
A sadness came to his chest, but why it was there or what it meant Danny really didn't want to think about. He slid from the bed and searched the dark for his clothes, finding his boxers and jeans first and sliding into them quickly.
He searched quietly and in vain for his shirt only to realize he couldn't find it. He dare not risk turning on a light or shifting into his ghost form in order to see more clearly in the dark.
So far this situation between him and the man in the bed had worked out because he was always gone before morning. He would show up, the pair would have their way with each other and then he would leave before the sun was even a sliver on the horizon.
No stress and no messy goodbyes. Sweet and simple, easy and fun. No obligations, no worries and definintly no post sex morning after cuddles or warm conversations over breakfast.
Yet, as he desperately continued the search for his shirt he realized he also could not locate his shoes, socks or coat. He could go ghost and return to his dorm room invisibly and just be careful not to wake up his roommate but then he would be leaving his clothes here which was an indication of intent to return.
Damn it, I can't let him think I'm going to come back. This has to be the last time I slip up. No more sex with Vlad freaking Masters! Gotta find my clothes and get the hell out-
"Looking for something?" And Danny jumped as he stood up from the foot of the bed and another flash of lighting hit. The bed was empty and so he spun around only to find Vlad standing right behind him.
The taller man raised a hand and Danny heard the familiar click of a remote which ignited the gas fireplace and the dark room was suddenly awash in warm oranges and reds.
From Vlad's other hand Danny saw his shirt dangingly off a single finger.
"You had my shirt the whole time didn't you." Danny said, crossing his arms and glaring at the man.
"I did." And as Danny rolled his eyes he muttered out an annoyed, "Of course you did," before reaching out a hand to snatch it.
Vlad casually tossed the shirt into the fire where it went up in a blaze of light and heat.
"What the hell?!" Danny nearly yelled as he jumped over to the fire and went to grab at the remains only to find a firm hand coming to take his wrist and yank him back, "Don't be foolish, the shirt is gone. Why risk a burn for something as pointless as a t-shirt?"
"Why do something as pointless as throwing my damn shirt in the fire?! Crazy ass fruitloop!" Danny yelled as he yanked his wrist free.
"I threw your shirt in the fire to make a point!" Vlad countered.
"What point could you possibly make by throwing my shirt in the fire?!"
"You really have no clue?" Vlad asked, his eyes narrowing and frown firmly in place as he walked up to stand before Danny and raise the young man's face to look up at him.
"Obviously not, most normal people don't throw other people's clothes into a fire!"
"Hmm, well let me spell it out for you then, Little Badger. You don't need a shirt, if you aren't leaving."
Danny's angry glare faded as his eyes grew wide and lips parted, "Oh, hell no." And Danny shoved the man's hand away from his face and headed for the door.
"And where are you going?" Vlad asked as he slowly followed Danny towards the door.
"Where do you think? Back to my dorm! I don't need a damn shirt, I'll just fly home and pull the invisibility card out of my hat. No sweat." Danny said as his hand grabbed the knob.
Vlad grunted, "I suppose I should clarify, why are you going?"
This made Danny pause, his eyes locking onto the woodgrain of the large door as his hand gripped the knob and he stood stock still.
"You don't have to, you know. You can stay until morning, no fear of the stupid and quit unnecessary walk-of-shame you college students delight in putting each other through." Vlad prompted.
"I'm not ashamed." Danny said softly, yet there was a hint of steel in his voice, a level of certainty that seemed to put Vlad at ease and the man visibly relaxed though Danny didn't see it.
A warm hand came to rest on Danny's bare shoulder and once again goosebumps erupted, his hand tightening on the knob and his eyes clenching closed, "Then stay, Daniel...please."
"I can't." Danny breathed out, wincing a little at the disappointment that rested in his tone.
"You can. You simply choose not to. I've no expectations of you, I don't ever ask you for more than you're willing to give. Save for this. I want you to stay...I am asking you to stay….please...just….stay."
Danny didn't move or speak, his focus on the tone in Vlad's voice and the feeling of his overly warm hand on his bare shoulder.
The silence was heavy, Vlad obviously waiting for some sort of response. However, when none came, he slowly brought his other hand to Danny's hip, sliding it around to graze over the young man's tight stomach and then up over his chest to come and rest on Danny's throat, a thumb rubbing gentle circles at the side of his neck.
Danny shuttered, more goosebumps came and his legs felt weak, his heart started to pound and his brain seemed to grow hazy.
"Vlad-" Danny whispered out, his grip on the knob loosening as Vlad pressed his lips to Danny's ear, "Come back to bed."
Vlad took a step back, gently pulling Danny with him and the young man's hand finally dropped away from the door. He turned around in Vlad's hold, seeking out lips and pressing fingers through loose white hair.
Vlad continued to move backwards, Danny moaning into his mouth and hands gripping the long locks of white hair, giving a gentle tug as they tumbled down onto the bed and Vlad quickly rolled to lay on top of him.
They kissed deeply and without reservation for a long time and as the minutes ticked by and the fire continued to give off heat and a soft warm light, Danny forgot about trying to leave.
Vlad's hands caressed Danny's skin, fingers taking purchase on a nipple as he used his other hand to press a knee aside.
Settling his hips between Danny's thighs Vlad broke the kiss and ran his lips along Danny's jaw before he came to linger and invest some time on the young man's throat.
"Right there, God, so good." Danny breathed out, the remaining tension in his body seeping away and his arms wrapped around Vlad's neck and tried to press him closer.
"You know, you could stay. You don't have to go back to the dorms...you've only one year left, you're almost a senior….you'd save money...stay with me rent free...no obligations...I just want you...to stay." Vlad whispered out between peppered kisses and groping hands, his hips gently rutting against the young man under him though he had not attempted to remove Danny's pants.
"It's not an option-" Danny panted as his hips rose to meet each of Vlad's gentle thrusts.
"It is. You're just stubborn." Vlad offered and Danny scoffed, "I'm stubborn? You threw my shirt in the fire."
"Only because you won't even humour the idea of staying here."
Danny released his hold and pressed Vlad up, shifting to a sitting position before scooting over to the edge of the bed.
"Why do you have to make this weird! It doesn't have to be so damn complicated! What we have going is good as it is, we don't need to-"
"I make it weird? I make it complicated? The hypocrisy of that statement offends me!" Vlad bit as he moved off the bed and crossed his arms with a rather loud humph.
"Hypocrisy? What the hell are you talking about?" Danny asked standing up and moving to point a finger in Vlad's face, "You aren't making any sense!"
Vlad glared at Danny and as his arms dropped and his hands became fists the man hissed out in a rather low and dangerous voice, "I'm not the one who elicited a secret affair with a man old enough to be my father! I was notthe eighteen year old who showed up drunk at my enemies door whining about how the only other person on the planet who could understand me was my enemy. I didn't continue this affair for the last two years! It started by accident, a drunk one night stand, then every few months, then once a week….now….you are here every fucking night Daniel! I didn't make this weird, or strange or completely insane! You did! And I have given you whatever you wanted from me ever since you showed up at my door drunk as a skunk begging for attention. I've not once turned you away or called you out on your demands nor have I set any expectations! What is the point of going back to the dorm when I know God damned well you are going to sneak into my room or show up drunk asking for attention! What is the point of it Daniel!?"
The young halfa was left speechless, staring at the man who was fuming and glaring but had yet to raise a single hand against him.
"Vlad….you're...you're the bad guy...I'm sorry, but we can't...I can't-"
Vlad scoffed, "oh, I'm the bad guy? When was the last time I have done anything remotely evil?"
Danny stared at him, not saying a word, "In fact, as I do recall, the last time you and I were in our ghost form in the same place I helped you stop a giant asteroid from crashing into Earth and destroying the planet! I've not done one evil, wicked unforgivable thing since before the disasteroid and that was when you were fifteen….four years ago. So do pardon me if I find you calling me the bad guy and weirdo a little insulting."
Danny took a step back, his eyes wide and lips parting in shock as he thought back on the last four years of his life, of the last time he spoke to Vlad before this entire mess started.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but, well...thanks, Vlad…I never thought you'd care about anyone but yourself."
"You are quite welcome Little Badger. It is unwise of you to bet against me though. As the old adage suggests, people change-"
He'd teleported away after that and Danny had not really seen him until…
"Daniel, what are you doing here? Good heavens, you smell like a bar."
"You, me, we...gotta talk Fruitloop...com'mer...here...let me in...wow...your hands is warm...here...touch my face...I'm always so cold-
Uhm….Daniel?
Hey Fruitloop….show me your bedroom, I gotta tell you something-
Danny shivered in embarrassment at the memory. He had been sober enough that night to remember going to Vlad's and yet drunk enough to forget what had prompted his decision to go in the first place.
And over the last two years Vlad had simply indulged him, let him go at his leisure, never asking for anything, probably never expecting anything either. Vlad had simply gone with it, never pushing Danny for an answer as to why this whole thing started in the first place out of the blue, one late and dark night his sophomore year.
"Daniel, I've been patient and I have been very understanding and I have never asked you to explain anything-"
Oh God here it comes, stupid, shouldn't have thought about it...it's like he can read my mind.
"Why did you come here two years ago? What made you seek me out and start relations with me? You obviously don't want to date me, you aren't in love with me, you've never shown a single shred of interest in me sexually or otherwise until two years ago when you showed up and had drunken sex with me. I want an answer, especially if you think for one second that I am going to keep playing this game with you."
Danny took a few more steps back, his butt hitting the edge of a desk and he leaned against it, arms crossing his chest loosely as he looked to the ground and his brows furrowed in worry, "So...you'd end this?"
Vlad finally seemed to calm a little, his hands un-clenching and his posture relaxing at Danny's soft tone, "only if you don't answer me. I deserve that if nothing else, Little Badger."
Danny seemed to think for a moment. He took a slow deep breath and exhaled before murmuring, "Sam dumped me."
"Pardon?" Vlad asked as he took a step closer.
"Sam dumped me, okay?" Danny said louder as he looked away and at the wall.
Vlad thought about that a moment before he clicked his tongue and nodded, "I see, so I was the rebound then. That makes sense."
"What? No! I didn't come here to have sex with you, Vlad. I came here because...well…"
"Because?" Vlad pressed impatiently and Danny growled and said loudly, "I was lonely, okay? I came to UW by myself. The only people I talked to were Sam and Tucker. It was...hard to make friends. I mean, I tried but the ghost fighting stuff always got in the way and I had a hard time keeping up with school so I just kind of stopped trying. Then Sam calls me up and says she doesn't want to do the long distance thing anymore, which I get, but then it made things awkward between me and Sam and Tucker got a girlfriend so he kind of just...let's just say he's been focused on her...them...being together. I took a break from them...and then...I was alone. I'd never been alone before...not like that. It started to really get to me, I'd get up and go to school, then my job and then go back to my dorm to study and then go to bed only to wake up and do it all over again with no one to really talk to. The ghost fighting slowed down which was both good and bad, until one day I realized...I was sad… isolated...I started to get depressed and didn't want to get out of bed, didn't want to do anything. Eventually I'd had enough and I decided to try and change it up a bit. I went out, by myself...and got smashed. I just wanted to dull the ache of loneliness and I still wasn't comfortable talking to Sam and Tucker was always busy with his girlfriend or school...so...I drank-"
"Why not simply go home on break?" Vlad interjected.
"What, and be psychoanalyzed by my sister, smothered with concern by mom and listen to dad blather on about how great his college days were and that I should just be more outgoing like my perfect sister Jazz? Hard pass."
"I see." Vlad murmured, realizing there was much more to unpack in this conversation than Danny was probably wanting to do.
"So I went drinking and got smashed and though I don't really remember the actual reason I thought of you, I do remember thinking about how you were...well...you were alone like I was. You had been alone for years. Yet, you seemed to keep it together, somehow you seemed to thrive in isolation. You almost seemed to enjoy being by yourself...you preferred it." And Danny finally looked at him, sharp pale blue eyes locking with Vlad's dark ones and his face one of deep thought, "It occured to me you probably understood what I was going through...so for some stupid reason I showed up drunk at your door looking for advice on how to cope with my lonelyness."
Vlad cocked an eyebrow, "So, when you made that comment about how I was the only one on the planet who could understand you-"
"I wasn't talking about being a halfa, no. I was talking about being completely alone, depressed and unhappy with my life. What happened that night two years ago wasn't supposed to. And I didn't plan on coming back." Danny assured Vlad as he wrapped arms around himself and grit his teeth.
"But you did….why?" Vlad asked, finally walking over to lean against the desk next to Danny and looking over at him.
"I don't know...and that's the truth. A month or two went by and I started to feel shitty again...so I went back out drinking. I ended up here...again." and Danny sounded rather annoyed by that fact but Vlad smirked a little.
"And then I told myself it wouldn't happen again. But a few weeks later-"
"You showed up, sober might I add." Vlad said and Danny looked away with a grunt.
"I just couldn't stop thinking about yo- uh, it, what we did. Eventually, I actually started to….look forward to being close with someone… I felt better, calmer and happier, and then it became a few times a week and now…"
"You're here every night." Vlad said softly, near gently as he brought a hand to Danny's face and compelled the young man to look at him, "I understand, Little Badger. And I don't think less of you for seeking out someone to spend time with. You were right, I do understand your situation all too well and I do not envy the isolation or pain you've gone through."
Danny reached up a hand, taking Vlad's and pulling it away from his face, looking at it before he laced his fingers through Vlad's and asked, "How have you survived this long by yourself? Why aren't you...sad and depressed. How did you go so long without seeking someone out?"
Vlad sighed, squeezing Daniels fingers loosely between his own, "Daniel, you know the answer to that." Vlad said in a rather frank tone.
"You've always been sad, depressed and lonely." Danny sighed, knowing it wasn't the answer he wanted to hear and it didn't give him a solution to his problem.
Vlad nodded, "It just took me a really long time to realize it. I was so angry and hell bent on revenge I couldn't see the forest for the trees. It's too long of a story to share right now, but eventually I saw things clearly and I forced myself to change. Once I did, the sad lonely and pathetic existence I had been living hit me like a ton of bricks. But, it was short lived."
Danny looked up at him, "What do you mean?"
Vlad sighed and stood, pulling his hand away from Danny's grasp as he said, "I was so angry and filled with hate I couldn't feel the loneliness, just my obsession. But when I let go of the anger the loneliness came with a vengeance. However, not long after that...a young man showed up drunk at my front door-"
Danny looked up as Vlad continued, "I haven't been so lonely since he came...which is why...I wondered why… if he is as lonely as me….why doesn't he stay until morning?" And Vlad glanced back at him, brows bent up and eyes sad.
Danny turned his head, unable or maybe unwilling to meet Vlad's soft gaze, "If this young man who showed up and took my loneliness away is just like me...wouldn't he want to stay...why would he push me away so hard? Unless….there were feelings….new feelings...that might….scare him."
Danny slowly looked up from the floor and finally met Vlad's eyes, the pair staring at each other from across the space.
"Feelings?" Danny whispered out, eyes wincing a little as he said it and hands gripping onto himself tighter.
"You've spent the last two years being physically and emotionally intimate with me, Daniel. It has never been a secret that you are an emotional and caring person by your very nature. Which isn't a bad thing, but I have my doubts as to whether you can just shut off your emotions… it's not who you are."
"I could...if I wanted to-" Danny started to say defensively but Vlad cut in, "You said you started to look forward to being close with someone. But I think what you meant to say was you started to look forward to being close with me. You realized you enjoyed our time together, however fleeting it was. Every month or two you came to me, then every few weeks, then days apart….now you are here nightly. That's not how friends with benefits work. But...it is rather close to how a real relationship often works." and Vlad said the last part so softly, as if he was trying to deliver some devastating news to an unsuspecting person.
Danny dropped his arms and felt his hands grip the edge of the desk as Vlad approached, the man raising a hand to caress Danny's face before running hands through his dark hair and the young man closed his eyes and sighed softly.
"I'm not foolish enough to think you love me, Daniel. But I do think you enjoy spending time with me, and I think on some level, you've allowed yourself to find comfort here, some form of friendship that you've come to rely on. And I will continue to do this for as long as you want, but only on one condition." Vlad said softly as he leaned in and tilted Danny's face up to look at him, "Stay. The. Night. One time, and see if it's as horrible as you think."
Danny tried to pull away then, but Vlad held fast, not painfully so but with enough force to keep Danny from looking away, "I can't stay-" Danny whispered and Vlad saw it then, a lone tear falling from the corner of his eye, and Vlad gently whipped it away, "Why? Why can't you stay one night with me? You've said you aren't ashamed of this, that you enjoy it and my company. Am I so unworthy of you that a fuck is all I am good for? Why refuse me this one thing I've asked for when I've refused you nothing." and he hissed out the last word angrily though his grip on Danny remained gentle and his eyes burned with the need to know.
"Because….if I stay the night...things will change-" Danny whispered out, another tear falling.
"Nothing will change, Daniel. Not unless you want it to. Please, I've been so patient, I want to hold you, kiss you...just...lay next to you. Don't you want that?"
"It's too dangerous." Danny said solemnly and Vlad's pleading face turned into one of surprise and then a rather bemused narrow eyed glare.
"That's it, you foolish boy. You are staying whether you want to or not. You will see, you'll wake up in the morning and feel refreshed and calm. You'll get up, stretch, eat some breakfast and go to school and you won't have a single problem."
Vlad took Danny's hand, pulling him swiftly towards the bed and pressed him to lay down. He then grabbed the remote for the fireplace off the foot of the bed where he had tossed it earlier and turned the fire down to a dull ruddy red glow.
"I can't s-stay-" Danny cried softly and Vlad scoffed, "You most certainly can. Waking up next to your lover doesn't mean you are suddenly bound to them nor does cuddling elicit the idea of danger... to anyone but you."
"Lover?" Danny whispered.
Vlad rolled his eyes at the terrified sound of Danny's voice, "I honestly don't understand why you think this is such a big deal." and Vlad scooted down and pulled the blanket up over them.
He quickly wrapped arms around the young man and nestled his face into Danny's neck, "D-don't cuddle, no cuddling." Danny whimpered.
"Shoosh. Go to bed, Daniel. Just sleep." and Vlad gently kissed his neck before squeezing him a little and shifting closer.
"Vlad...don't-"
"Go. To. Sleep." Vlad ordered sternly and Danny didn't say anything else the rest of the night.
Morning Reflections
When Vlad woke up he found a body resting squarely on top of him. Danny was sleeping hard, his body slack and face relaxed. A hand was loosely threaded through Vlad's hair, his other hand threading fingers through Vlad's and their legs tangled together.
Sighing happily Vlad kissed the top of Danny's head and savoured this calm moment, the sun shining into the room, everything so warm and cozy. He could definitely get used to this if only Daniel would let him.
The young man who was currently laying on top of him was so scared of their relations turning into something deeper and more meaningful that he was determined to keep his distance.
For example, after two years of being intimate, last night was the first night they had "cuddled" as Danny put it. Normally, after a night together Vlad kept to his side of the bed and Danny did the same. Vlad would wake up alone and go about his day knowing full well Danny would be back by ten o'clock that night at the latest.
Vlad wasn't trying to trap Danny or bind the young man to him, he was beyond such designs, having given up all his "plans" for the young man four years ago after the situation with the disasteroid.
But two years ago when Danny had shown up at his front door spouting off how unhappy he was and how Vlad was the only person who could understand him he had found himself unwilling to turn the young man away or stop Danny when he came on to him.
Instead, he had let Daniel touch him, let him blather on in-between almost kisses and didn't stop the young man's trembling fingers as they undid the buttons of his white dress shirt.
Vlad had been just as starved for attention and a physical relationship as Danny had, in fact it had been so long since Vlad had done anything of the sort he really had no defense against it. He had given in quickly, much too quickly, but Daniel had been so damn persistent and Vlad had not had a single moment to think of the repercussions.
The next morning when Vlad had woken up alone, he had assumed it was a one off, that Daniel wouldn't be back and Vlad planned to keep that singular night of intimacy with Daniel as a perfect night and very fond memory.
But when Daniel had come back a month and a half later, well Vlad was confused but happy to oblige. However, as Daniel's visits started to become a regular occurrence, while Daniel was sober no less, Vlad realized there was more going on than just a young man experimenting or making a drunken mistake.
Now, two years later, Vlad had gotten a better understanding of why this had happened in the first place but what he should do about it he wasn't sure. Should he continue on until Daniel stopped coming to visit? Should he back out now before things get even more complicated?
What would Daniel do? Would he accept Vlad ending it or would he be upset? Would he even care? None of this was illegal, there was no real repercussions if they were to be found out. Daniel was over eighteen and anyone who might be upset about the pair sleeping together were mostly Daniel's friends and his family.
Daniel's friends' thoughts on the matter would only affect Daniel, and as for his family, Daniel's parents, well the bridge between them and Vlad had been burned a long time ago.
So, in reality only Daniel would take the brunt of any negative reactions. Vlad was safe from scrutiny which could be why Daniel had been so adamant about not doing anything that could elicit an emotional attachment.
No cuddling, no staying the night, he never left any of his personal effects and never called or texted at all. They only kissed during sex, never before or after and they rarely talked about anything at all. Daniel had set the parameters without ever actually saying anything. Vlad had simply given Daniel whatever he asked for without ever asking for anything in return.
And yet, last night when Vlad had made his first and only demand, that if these relations were to continue, Daniel would need to stay until morning the young man had done little to resist aside from a few weak willed protests. It made Vlad wonder what else Daniel might concede if Vlad pressed for more.
Maybe he should try something small, see how it went, and see if Daniel would be any less disagreeable about the whole thing.
As Vlad mused and thought about the situation his hand had started to wonder, sliding down Danny's bare back and under his pants and boxers. He absent-mindedly cupped and messaged Danny's backside. His relaxed gaze aimed at the ceiling as his other hand pulled away from Danny's loose fingers and brought a hand up into his hair, threading fingers through black locks in a slow and methodical way.
Though his mind was pondering how to proceed next and what the best course of action to take would be in regards to Danny, his body was well aware of his gently groping hands and so after a short time he felt his length grow hard as it was pressed in-between himself and Danny.
"Mm, it's nice to wake up with the option." Vlad thought out loud only to give a small smirk and wonder how Daniel would respond to being woken up by probing fingers and tender kisses.
Slowly Vlad tightened his fingers in Danny's hair just a bit and carefully raised his head to press their lips together.
Danny gave a groggy moan before his body seemed to stiffen a little and his eyes popped open. His hands instantly came to press at Vlad's chest and he tried to sit up, but Vlad was quick to roll over on top of him and gently pin him to the bed, "Good morning Little Badger." he said with a gentle smile and Danny's eyes were wide, his brow furrowed and his bottom lip caught between his teeth.
"Oh my, don't you look worried." Vlad chuckled before he leaned down and pressed their lips together, sliding his tongue into Danny's mouth and humming happily. He wasted no time in sliding his hands along Danny's body until he got to the young man's pants where he began to pull.
Danny let out a soft whine before pulling his mouth free of Vlad's lustful kisses and gasping, "Vlad! No morning sex, we caaaan't-" Danny moaned out only to stop as Vlad's hand, which had successfully pressed down Danny's pants, took hold of his now aching length.
"Come now, Daniel, you can't tell me you've never found your morning wood just a tad annoying to deal with. I can help you with that-" and Vlad didn't bother to finish, bringing his mouth to Danny's neck and giving gentle nibbles and licking along the length of his as his hand gently started to move and Danny started to pant.
Vlad had kept a hand in Danny's hair, ready to hold the young man down if necessary in order to prove his point on the matter of staying the night. However, it quickly left it's perch to reach for the lube that rested dutifully on the nightstand as Danny didn't seem intent on going anywhere.
It took a skilled and determined hand and mouth to keep Danny busy while he also coated his own length and his fingers but Vlad managed, never one to let anything get in the way of what he wanted, especially when a point needed to be made.
As he continued to hold Danny's focus his knees pressed the young man's legs apart and he tossed the lube bottle aside as his lubricated fingers found Danny's entrance and carefully coated it before sliding two fingers in slowly.
Danny's back arched off the bed, a loud gasp escaping from his mouth but Vlad pressed his chest down, using his free hand to snake back into the young man's hair and he slid his mouth from Danny's neck to his mouth.
Once again taking over and sliding his tongue in, he removed his fingers and positioned the tip of his length at Danny's entrance.
"Vlad-" Danny groaned out, though it was not in protest as his voice was soaked with want and that was all Vlad needed to hear to know he wasn't crossing the line into the realm of dubious consent. He pressed in slow and steady, breaching Danny's entrance as a hand came to grip tightly at a thigh, no doubt leaving faint bruising as he did so.
It was Vlad's turn to groan and he did so into Danny's ear, "Magnificent." he sighed as he continued to push and Danny's hips gave a quick thrust up which caused Vlad to slide in the rest of the way.
The older man grunted and Danny's body jerked a little but after a moment all was silent, both breathing heavy with eyes closed and bodies pressed together.
It was Vlad who broke the silence, "Stay with me. We can keep each other company until you are finished with college. I'll do whatever you want in order to make you comfortable." he whispered out as he started to move his hips gently.
Danny said nothing and that was fine by Vlad, he was losing himself in the moment anyway. It always felt so good to be inside of Daniel, it felt so damn good to be so close and intimate with someone. The pleasure was potent but the feeling of closeness it brought him was far more powerful and he wished he could live in these moments where for once he felt truly wanted and connected to someone.
His heart began to hammer as he picked up his pace and Danny's hands came to dig nails into his back as legs wrapped around him and Vlad pressed in deep, fast and hard.
Vlad wrapped his arms around Danny tightly and began to thrust faster as he felt the pleasure building in his gut and an electric tingle ran up his spine. He'd wait until Daniel fell over, but not a second longer.
Danny found Vlad's mouth, finally conceding and kissing the man back and as Vlad felt his pleasure mount he felt Danny stiffen, his back arching and from his lips tumbled Vlad's name in a ruined mess of desire and want. Vlad felt the hot seed hit his stomach and within the space of three hard pumps he let go and came undone. He continued to thrust swift and hard as he came and rode out the pleasure as long as he could, unsure if Daniel would be willing to continue this affair now that Vlad had made him stay the night.
When it was over Vlad pressed off and pulled Danny back to him, wrapping arms around and holding the younger man tightly. He let out a contented sigh and kissed at Danny's shoulder and the young man groaned.
"I shouldn't have let this happen." Danny whispered.
"Why not? Didn't you enjoy it? A nice bed, good company and a scintillating wake up call. If I were you I wouldn't complain." Vlad mused with a satisfied smirk.
"Vlad, I can't do this kind of stuff with you….it's great, I enjoy it but-"
"Then what is the problem, Little Badger, I simply cannot understand why you-"
"You were right last night about something...I can't just turn off my emotions. I've never been good at that-"
"It's called empathy Daniel. You're surprisingly good at reading others, a unique trait for a person as young as you. But having the ability to read others also means you aren't very good at suppressing your own emotions." Vlad offered as he once again kissed a bare shoulder and his fingers threaded through Danny's and he squeezed gently.
"But that's the problem Vlad, when this whole thing started, I just wanted some company, I never in a million years thought I'd fall in love with-" but Danny stopped talking as soon as he had started to say it. Vlad had gone stiff as a board, his whole body ridgid as the pair laid there in stunned silence.
"Did you just say you love- "
"No." Danny said sternly, sitting up and pulling out of Vlad's hold, the older man quickly sitting up as well.
"I gotta go." Danny said as he got out of bed, grabbing one of Vlad's socks off the floor and wiping the mess off his stomach.
"Daniel, wait-" Vlad said as he stood and rounded the bed but Danny turned intangible phasing right through him and headed towards the door. He made a sharp veer to the left when he noticed his coat socks and shoes had been placed neatly on a leather chair in the corner.
"Daniel, please, just wait a moment, talk to me-'" Vlad urged.
Snatching his clothes up quickly, Danny turned and headed for the door, a look of anger on his face and shoulders tight.
"Daniel I swear to all things holy, if you walk out that door without talking to me about what you just said-"
"You'll what?!" Danny yelled as he turned around and glared at the taller man behind him.
Vlade's worried face turned sour near instantly and he glared right back as he said in a rather dangerous tone, "You will regret it. Trust me."
Danny looked the man over, his body wasn't poised for attack and he certainly didn't look like he was itching to fight as he stood there in nothing but a pair of black boxers, but Danny didn't want to take the chance and so stepped out of the room backwards before grabbing the handle, "Damn Fruitloop." He muttered as he slammed the door and left.
Unwanted Regret
Danny stayed clear of Vlad and his mansion for nearly a month. He focused on classes and homework as there was nothing else to do. He binge watched t.v. and he binged on junk food and he showered once or twice a week as any more than that and he felt exhausted.
He organized his movies first by color then by name and then stopped because it was pointless. He washed all of his clothes, even the clean ones to try and remove Vlad's smell and watched as the bruises Vlad had left behind from their time together faded a little more each day.
He started to feel lonely again, started to notice the silence and emptiness around him even when he was in the company of others. He started to feel antsy, yet he didn't want to go anywhere or do anything and his mind grew anxious.
He debated calling Sam or Tucker and even tried the latter but it went to voicemail and Danny had sighed heavily. The thoughts of his last time with Vlad flowed through his mind on a regular basis and he wondered what Vlad had meant by saying he would regret leaving.
The man had not tried a single thing. No texts, no calls and Vlad had not tried to capture him or lure him into a trap. There seemed to be no consequences for his supposedly rash actions.
And Danny couldn't stop himself from thinking about what he had almost said to the man. It was true, Danny could not just shut off his feelings. It was too engrained in him to care, but he had tried desperately hard to let his relationship with Vlad be about nothing but sex.
He had kept himself distant and didn't give a single indication that he wanted anything more. They never cuddled, never ate together, rarely talked…
But when we do talk it's nice. It's...comfortable. Vlad is nice and….comfortable. We knew each other without ever having to get to know each other because we have been fighting for so long. There is just nothing left to discuss...which is nice….and comfortable-
Danny let out a horse groan as he sat up and realized he was thinking in circles. Nice and comfortable were good but those descriptors didn't explain why Danny felt so much...longing.
His fingers dug into his shirt and fisted at it as he suddenly felt hot and claustrophobic.
Please don't let me be in love with that jerkoff. Please please please, let it be a fluke. I don't love him, it's just a bullshit feeling based on fake intimacy. It was just sex.
"Damn it! Why did you sleep with him, Fenton! You could have found a one night stand or a fuck buddy at any bar in this god damned city! But you chose to have sex with god damned Vlad Masters!" Danny yelled at himself as his stomach twisted with anxiety and he felt a terrible ache in his chest.
"You can't have feelings for him! You're just lonely and pathetic and lying to yourself! It isn't real! It's just sex!"
In his agitated state Danny decided it might be best to go for a short fly around town. The fresh air might help him calm down. It was late and his roommate was out with friends so he transformed in his dorm and shot out through the wall.
He remained invisible as he flew around lazily, taking in the fresh air and cool night breeze, realizing rain was on the way as a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.
Why does it rain so much in Wisconsin?
Danny kept his eye on the storm off in the dark distance, only knowing it was there due to the smell of rain and the rumble of thunder. He paid little attention as he flew and after twenty minutes realized he wasn't too far from Vlad's monstrous house.
He tried to ignore the fact he had subconsciously come this way Danny tried to avoid looking at the home. However, his attention was caught when he realized it was dark. Not a single light was on and there wasn't a hint of smoke from any of the chimneys. He circled around keeping his distance and wondering if Vlad had started a fire in his firepit in the back or was enjoying his hot tub.
Would you like a drink Daniel?
Yeah, thanks. Hot tub's nice by the way.
I should hope so, I paid enough money for it. Come over here, let me show you the message feature, it's heavenly.
Danny stopped cold and shook his head, not wanting to recall one of the few nights the pair had actually talked before they had sex.
Do you think you could love me?
Danny grunted and flew down towards the house when the backyard was proven empty. He entered without care to the man's privacy as this was the first time Vlad wasn't home since Danny had started to come by.
It was dark, quiet and very empty. Danny phased down through the floor, popping his head in to see the lab was also empty but a familiar hologram was there monitoring a computer that seemed to be making some sort of clear blue liquid.
"Hey, creepy mom hologram that Vlad never should have made, where's his royal pain in the ass!"
The hologram turned around and Danny realized the hologram he thought would look like his mother was in fact a rather generic and unknown female image, the voice was also new, and rather synthetic sounding.
"Hello, Mr. Fenton. I am sorry my master is not here to greet you but he went into town tonight to have a late dinner with a friend. He won't be home until early in the morning."
"A late dinner? With who?" Danny asked as he sank further into the lab and crossed his arms, "And since when does Vlad have friends?!" Danny knew he sounded rather petty but he couldn't help it, Vlad had never mentioned having a friend and he had always been here whenever Danny stopped by.
"That information is classified. My master also informed me that if you were to come by for some peace and quiet away from the dorms there is a spare guest room made up for you on the third floor."
Danny's folded arms dropped, "Did you just say a guest room…..on the third floor?!"
"Yes. Do have a good night, Mr. Fenton." And the hologram went back to watching the computer mix the strange blue liquid.
Danny shot out of the house, eyes scanning towards Madison as lighting struck and thunder clapped, "A guest room? ON THE THIRD FLOOR?! What the hell Vlad!" And Danny shot like a bullet towards the city, reaching it in record time as he floated above the downtown district where all the late night bars and grills were.
"A late dinner with a secret friend? Sounds like phony cover if I ever heard one. Got some evil plans in the works Mr. I've-changed-and-I'm-good-now?" Danny muttered as he gazed around at the signs and tried to determine which place Vlad would have gone to.
He turned invisible and floated down, moving along the center of the street and turning intangible whenever a car passed near him.
At one point he was so distracted that a moving truck went right through him and he spun around in shock. This, however, seemed to work in his favor, for as he came to a stop his eyes landed on a large window with the words Tappy's Tavern written on it and there his eyes found Vlad.
He was sitting at the bar, stool turned to face a young man with whom Vlad was laughing.
Danny's heart sank and his eyes grew wide. The pair were talking animatedly as they sipped on their perspective drinks and seemingly chatted each other up.
"Dinner with a friend-" Danny whispered as his stomach went cold and gave a rather dangerous clench.
Floating closer he stuck his invisible head through the window and noticed that despite the fact this place was called Tappy's Tavern it was insanely nice and held within it's venue the trappings of luxury and wealth. It was a rich-people-only type place, no doubt the average American would not choose to dine here unless they wanted to put a massive dent in their savings.
The younger man was still older than Danny by at least ten years and he had dark brown hair, bright green eyes and a rather charming smile. A short beard adorned his face and he had dark rimmed glasses. He was the polar opposite of Vlad in appearance yet, as Danny gazed at the pair he realized…
They look really good together-
Short but lean this guy looked all the world like he was enjoying himself as Vlad talked to him. He leaned in so Vlad could whisper something into his ear and Danny saw the man place a hand on Vlad's knee in order to lean in closer.
The man made a face and then burst out laughing, his hand remaining on Vlad's leg and casually sliding up the man's thigh, Vlad not doing anything in regards to moving it. Danny glanced to Vlad's face, seeing a soft smile, and gentle eyes, a look of happy contentment splayed like a beautiful lie across his features. Danny felt something inside him break. Something swelled, his depression, confusion and anxiety washing away in the wake of the massive wave of anger that suddenly filled him.
He didn't notice the big glass window was frosting over, didn't notice how the people in the restaurant all seemed to suddenly shiver or gasp as the temperature dropped several degrees in mere seconds and he certainly didn't notice that Vlad had glanced over at the window when a sudden blast of cold air hit the back of his neck.
Danny's eyes were locked on to the young man who Vlad had been chatting up and as his anger reached its peak his fists slammed into the glass and the big window shattered.
Glass flew everywhere and the people inside shrieked or ducked out of the way, a massive cold gust of air flowing in and Danny cursed as his focus on the young man was broken and he realized what he had done.
He didn't wait to see if Vlad saw him, didn't look around to see if anyone had noticed the cause of the sudden cold spell, his invisibility had faltered when such a large surge of power was released. Danny stumbled back before turning and shooting off into the sky.
He flew to the far outskirts of Madison, finding a small grove of trees and sinking down into them. A hand came to his face and he gritted his teeth before yelling out angrily, "Shit! What the hell was that, Fenton!" And he gripped fingers into his hair and yanked before kicking a branch that skidded across the leaf covered undergrowth and spun around, sinking to the ground and leaning against a tree as he put his face in his hands and curled in on himself.
"Total freak out mode! Why are you so weird! What was that?!" He admonished himself as he felt like he was losing control of his emotions as well as his entire life.
"Why...why did that make me so….angry." Danny croaked out as he felt the ache return.
"Do you regret it yet?" came a soft voice and Danny jumped and looked up to see Vlad Plasmius floating above him, arms crossed and face very unamused.
"W-What?" Danny asked in confusion.
"You froze my date, Daniel. I managed to thaw him before his heart would have stopped. But Phillip most definitely did not appreciate it."
Danny looked at Vlad in shock, "I froze him? I almost s-stopped his heart?"
"Oh yes, I didn't realize your cold core was that strong. Then again, I always did underestimate you didn't I?"
Vlad landed on the ground a few feet away, his left eye twitching as his fangs seemed to glint, though Danny realized it was in his head as the moon was not out tonight. Thunder rumbled in the distance and a breeze blew through the trees.
"I never gave you enough credit. I never thought you could foil my plans, but you did. I never thought you would ever be as strong as me. I doubted your ability to strategize and adapt and I never thought you would have the gull to show up at my house drunk and elicit a sexual relationship with me. But here. We. Are." and Danny saw the man's fingers flex hard and electricity started to crackle and pop in his palm.
Danny stood up, his legs shaky and he had to catch himself on the tree as he suddenly felt exhausted and weak.
"What's wrong, Daniel? Did you use too much power freezing my date!?" and Vlad spat the last part out as he began to approach and Danny felt warning bells go off in his head.
"V-Vlad, please wait, I didn't mean to! I was just upset! It was an accident!" Danny urged as he realized that the energy surge must have been much bigger than he thought. His limbs felt like lead, his core felt weak and he had to focus all remaining energy on keeping his ghost form active.
"Why were you upset, Daniel?" Vlad asked in a rather sarcastic voice.
"I...I don't...I don't know." Danny said with shame as he rubbed at an arm and looked at his feet.
"You will look at me! I am not going to let you disrespect me anymore! Look me in the eyes and tell me why you were upset!" Vlad yelled as he lunged forward and grabbed Danny by his jaw, gloved fingers digging into his cheeks and shoving Danny's face up so their eyes could meet. Vlad's free hand continued to crackle and spark as the wind picked up and more thunder rumbled.
Danny said nothing, his breathing coming in harsh gasps of air and Vlad let out a growl, "You stubborn child." Vlad hissed and he let Danny go and the electricity faded from his hand just as the rain started to fall and the thunder rumbled in.
Vlad turned and started to walk away only to stop as Danny let out a strangled cry of his name, 'Vlade! Wait! I'm sorry!" Danny said, on his hands and knees as the rain continued to fall and mud started to form around them. Danny coughed a few times, Vlad's grip having nearly cut off his air supply.
"I don't want an apology, Daniel. I want an explanation. If you won't give it to me, then I am going to leave and I don't want to see you again. Finish school and leave." Vlad said over his shoulder before he faced forward and started to walk again.
Danny looked up from his spot on the ground and realized Vlad was about to teleport. If he didn't tell the man the truth he would never see him again. This was beyond pride now. While Danny wasn't one to tuck his tail between his legs, especially in regards to Vlad, he had a choice to make and he needed to make it right now.
Vlad grabbed the corner of his cap to keep it from fluttering about his head after he teleported and Danny yelled, " I WAS ANGRY!" as tears tried to fight their way out but he scrunched his eyes closed and absolutely refused to cry. His dignity was near gone, but he was NOT going to cry.
Vlad stopped, his hand letting go of the edge of his cap as he turned halfway around and asked softly, "Why, Daniel. Why were you mad. You must try harder if you want me to listen or care." Vlad
"I...I was angry because….I saw you with that...that stupid….stupid scheek ass hole wannabe! It made me mad! I just kind of...I lost control...of my emotions...and my powers...I've lost control of everything! Including my own life!" Danny came to rest on his knees, arms wrapping around his stomach because he felt sick and the tears broke even as he tried to resist them. He thanked God for the rain, which hid his humiliation well.
However, now that he was talking, he couldn't stop. He'd spent the last two years being so quiet and reserved, his thoughts and feelings building up behind such a sharp and thick barrier that now that he was finally sharing, his mouth kept moving and garbled words spewed from his mind out into the warm summer air, "I took one step out of my comfort zone and went away to college and I fell apart! I lost my entire support system and I just...was so lonely! I've never been alone before. And then, to add to my failure...then, I slept with my enemy! And I enjoyed it! And him! I enjoyed him and I got sloppy and...I fell in love with him. I tried to backtrack, tried to distance myself but I couldn't stay away and then I found the asshole I am in love with on a late dinner date with a friend. Something inside me...when I saw him so close to you...laughing with you...t-touching you...something broke inside me. I...I lashed out...I didn't mean to hurt anyone! Not you or your date...I just-"
Feet appeared in his line of sight, mud splashing up the sides as the thick drops smacked the ground, Danny looked up and saw Vlad standing over him, arms hanging at his sides and face awash in an unreadable expression.
"I don't want to be in love with you! Don't you get it! That's why I am so messed up! I don't want this to be true or real. This wasn't supposed to happen." Danny cried and he sunk down, his forehead kissing the wet earth as a fist smacked into a puddle and his fingers dug into the muck. He felt his last shred of control slip and he transformed back into plane old Danny Fenton. A twenty year old boy who was lost, confused and felt so very much alone.
Hands came to Danny's shoulders and he felt himself being pushed up, his bright blue eyes meeting dark blue ones and the anguish on his face faded as Vlad looked back at him, once again in his human form, his perfect and expensive suit soiled and soaking wet.
"Daniel-" Vlad started softly as he cupped Danny's cheek and said with such tenderness, "Sometimes...we don't get to choose who we love. We can ignore it...and sometimes….it does fade. Love can wither and die just like a plant. But sometimes the roots are too deep. I was in love with your mother for so long it stopped being true love and became an obsession. I've kept myself in check with you and never let myself get too attached or invested. But you should know...I love you too. As a friend...and as a lover."
Danny's eyes winced as Vlad said it and he raised a filthy mud covered hand to Vlade's pressing it closer to his cheek as he whispered, "What are we going to do, Vlad?"
As the rain continued to fall around them Vlad sighed softly and said in a world weary voice, "It's simple Daniel. We either accept the seed in our garden and help it to grow strong and healthy….or….we let it wither and die. Both options can be painful, but for completely different reasons. I leave it up to you, Little Badger."
Vlad pulled him into a hug and Danny continued to cry softly as they sat huddled in the rain, the thunder fading off in the distance as Danny finally gripped onto Vlad and whispered out a very exhausted, "Damn it, Fruitloop...I'm sorry I froze your date."
Vlad gave a faint chuckle but neither broke the following silence, unsure of where they would end up by morning or what was to come for either of them.
End
Part I