A/N - For those unfamiliar, Phantom is based on the character presented in natewantstobattle's music video Phantom. This chapter was first written within 3 days of the music video first dropping so will likely differ from other characterisations.
A/N - ...but not what they want
"Jim?"
Tired eyes blink open sluggishly as a hand runs through Jim's hair. He's been awake for almost an hour, but they gave him enough sedative that he has no energy to do anything else but lay there and feel how alone he really is.
Phantom is crouched beside the bed, his cane placed to the side as he runs his fingers through Jim's hair. He knew just by looking that Jim was awake, though it takes the slow movement of Jim's hand towards him for him to realise he's sedated.
Phantom takes the hand, clasping tight to Jim's fingers. "What happened?"
Jim explains as best he can, starting back with exploring the studio, how excited they were, then there was a party, just for them, and they were dancing and having fun and it was so fantastic but then…. After he's finished, Jim shuffles a little, trying to move forward.
"Can I make a deal?" he asks. All he wants is Jim back and he wants to scream when Phantom shakes his head.
"That's not how my deals work." Phantom has tried to explain his work in the past but the Jims have always had a sheen of naivety that has prevented them from truly understanding what it is he does.
Even if the deals could give anything lasting, anything of real worth, there's not a mark on either Jim's soul that shows they would ever take the deal. They're odd, a little inconsiderate, but they're so focused on doing the thing, they've never considered taking the shortcut. Everything they've ever had they've worked for.
And even then, Phantom would never offer it to them. In a world full of corruption and spiritual imbalance, the purity of the Jims is unique. To find someone so wholly incorruptible is a god-damn miracle. To find out there's two is something to be protected.
"It hurts, Phan." Jim whines, his eyes blinking closed again as a few tears slip out.
"I know." Phantom reaches to brush the tears away and holds Jim's hand tighter. He remains there until Jim drifts to sleep again.
It takes a while but eventually, Phantom finds him, stepping from the shadows to see Jim, the corrupted one, because that's what he's looking at now. Almost gone is Jim's purity, replaced by a terrified, confused, angry soul.
Were Phantom not concealing himself right now, there is no doubt in his mind this poor creature would attempt to attack him. All he can see in the soul is pain, fear, and anger. It almost hurts to look at, so he turns away.
This is beyond his ability, though his power is considerable he is still bound by the kind of rules that one does not just break. Tapping his fingers against his cane he thinks. Phantom may not be able to do anything directly but maybe he can nudge at someone else who can.
Still hidden, he observes the Silver Shepherd. He knows of the hero, he heard his conversation with the TV show host, he sees the pain that sits within him. It's not the same but it's similar, more suited to the role than any other crackpot in this whacked out building.
Phantom watches him, carefully plucking at thoughts and feelings, doing what he can to not arouse suspicion as he nudges at Silver just enough to make the next move as obvious to him as it is to Phantom.
It's only when Silver is despondent, sat on his bed, head in his hands, soul vibrating with pain that Phantom steps forward. Crouching before the hero, Phantom speaks firmly, directly to Silver's soul.
"Maybe you can offer it a deal."
Silver looks up, looking straight through the deal-maker, and Phantom sees the semi-instruction click into place. He sees the cogs in the hero's brain turn and click together, coming to the exact conclusion that Phantom intended. So far as the hero knows it's his own idea, meaning that the rules remain unbroken and Jim should be home soon enough.