The final chapter. Don't be sad you all knew this was coming, just be glad I've started working on the outline for the next one and hopefully I'll figure it out more soon. I'm up for ideas, talking, bouncing ideas around and such, but just remember the final script is up to me so don't be upset if we talk a lot and I don't end up using anything. For now though enjoy the final chapter of A Specter of Summer.
Independence Day; a day for barbeques, fireworks, swimming, and in the case of one young man the day his bike was ready for the road. Dash watched Danny fiddle with his fingers as he watched his parents go over and examine every detail of his completed bike. It was understandable that the boy would be nervous at this point. After working so hard on it for so long he hoped that he hadn't goofed up on something that would prevent him from riding it. To Dash though it was a moot point, he knew Danny had a great deal of skills and had done everything right. The taller teen had no doubts that soon Fentons would give their son the go-ahead that his bike was ready for the street.
"Don't worry, Danny, you worked so long and hard on this there's no way you forgot anything," Dash put his sketch book aside and placed his hand over the other's as he smiled at him reassuringly.
It wasn't long after their first date that Danny came out to his parents and told them that the two were dating. Dash expected a bit of drama from it but they were surprisingly ok with it. The only thing that was actually said was from Mrs. Fenton who joked that now with Danny being gay and Jazz being married to her schooling that she'd never have grandkids. Mr. Fenton had chuckled at her good natured ribbing and said not unless she made it an open marriage and they all laughed at that.
It was weird to Dash how accepting his boyfriend's parents were but he was in all honesty very relieved they were ok with it. He didn't think his parents would be as accepting of him being gay but Dash was just glad that at least Danny's parents accepted him.
"I know I shouldn't worry but still I've spent months working on this, buying parts, welding metal, working on every last little detail and I just can't help it," Danny sighed and turned his right hand over so he could hold onto Dash's, "I just really hope that it's street worthy and that I didn't screw up anything."
"Well so far everything seems to be in working order, Danny, just give us a few more minutes and we'll be able to assess if you can ride it or not," Mrs. Fenton smiled at the boys before going back to look at the ignition and lights to check that they were all wired correctly.
"Why don't you two go get something to snack on and leave the rest to us," Mr. Fenton smiled up at them and pointed back towards the house, "We'll finish this up quickly and then come in with the news."
"I think that's a good idea, sir, c'mon, Danny." Grabbing the slender wrist of his boyfriend with one hand and his sketchbook with the other Dash led them into the house. Dash pushed him into a chair at the kitchen table and then went to rummage around for some drinks for them.
"And some citrus soda for you and a regular cola for me," Dash popped the tab on his can and smiled before he opened his sketch book again and started to work more on his latest drawing of Danny.
"Thanks, and sorry I'm not being real fun today. I'm just real nervous," he took a deep breath and tried to focus on Dash as he started to shade in some areas on his picture.
"So when do I get to see this new drawing of yours?" Danny asked as he tried to crane his head around to try to get a look at it.
"When it's done and I'm happy with it and not a minute sooner." Dash teased happily as he pulled it back to keep it out of his sight, "Besides you know it's a picture of you so really why do you want to see it so bad?"
"I like your work," Danny shrugged and Dash had to fight down a smile, "I wouldn't care if you're drawing the inside of a rotted out carcass I'd still want to see it because it's something you'd done."
"As charming an image as that was you're still not seeing it yet," the blond rolled his eyes and smiled fondly. Danny gave a small pout but Dash just continued to ignore him.
"Fine, but I still need something to distract me while my parents are rummaging around the garage examining every square inch of my bike! It's driving me nuts not knowing if today is going to be the day that I can take her out on the street or not!"
"Oh just eat a banana or something and be patient. You'll see; before you know it you'll be out on the road and driving that thing like you were born to do it."
"A banana?" Dash looked up at to see Danny smiling slyly as he got up to move to the fruit bowl on the counter, "You know I could make you regret saying that…"
"Danny…" Dash glared as the young man smiled at him and started to tease him with the banana. They hadn't gone very far in their relationship physically. Neither one was really ready for sex, but that didn't stop them from teasing each other and doing things to make the other blush. It was more frustrating for Dash though because Danny was often very sly and sneaky doing things to the blond that left him needing a cold shower later.
"What is it, Dash?" Danny slowly peeled the banana and started to nibble at the tip.
"Your parents are right outside and you're doing this to me now?" He groaned and squirmed a bit in his seat.
"I need a distraction and I want to see your sketch book. So either show me or I'll just find other means of amusing myself," the dark haired teen smiled as he licked the fruit and Dash just put his hands to his face before pulling them down in frustration.
"You're insufferable, you know that?" Dash closed his book and walked over to his boyfriend and pulled him flush against his body before kissing him, "Be glad you're so handsome otherwise I don't think anyone would put up with you."
"Heh, just had to try," he shrugged and took a large bite of the banana before pulling back and sitting at the table again. Dash just shook his head ruefully and walked behind him to rub his shoulders some. It was barely a minute later that they head someone coming.
"Well I think we have a verdict." Mrs. Fenton came walking in pulling off her blue hood and goggles.
The shoulders that Dash was holding onto suddenly filled with a nervous tension as both boys looked up to the adults walking into the kitchen.
"Everything seems to be in working order, nothing seems out of place and as far as we can tell you've assembled a fine piece of machinery, Danny." Mr. Fenton smiled proudly at his son.
"Only thing left to do is to start her up and see how she drives," the large man held up a key chain with a shiny new green key on it and grinned widely.
"You mean…?" Danny started to laugh as both his parents nodded at him and he stood up quickly and ran to give them both a hug, "Thank you! Let's do this then!"
The teen ran past them as fast as his legs could carry him, phasing through the doors and walls to take as quick a path to the garage as possible.
Dash merely shook his head and followed the Fentons as they walked back behind their son. He stopped for a moment in the backyard to watch the ghost Undergrowth tending to some flowers that had started to bloom around the edge of the yard before he moved in to see his boyfriend staring at his treasured bike. It had been painted like Dash had drawn it out to be, mostly black with streaks of blue and white along the edges, deep blue waves along the side of the fenders that were accented with whites and blacks. The compartments had been given green swirls along the sides and the seats looked well treated in whatever black material they were made from. From the windshield to the chrome fenders Dash couldn't help but be amazed at how this had once been just a simple drawing on paper but was now something physical before him.
And sitting on the bike now was the young man who had built it from the wheels up. Danny straddled the machine with the key in the ignition and looked both nervous and excited as he held it tight in his hand. After looking up to see that everyone was assembled, he took a deep breath and turned the ignition.
After a tense second the motor turned over and revved to life. Danny went wide eyed and started to laugh excitedly at hearing the engine running. He revved the engine a few times and Dash admired the roar that vibrated from the beast Danny had built. It was a powerful sound, but not exactly so loud that it was obnoxious or painful to the ears. Just a noise that let you know it was a beast that was not to be messed with.
"IT WORKS!" Danny laughed almost hysterically in his excitement, "Holy Cow I can't believe it! I actually built myself a working motorcycle! This is so, so, SO AWESOME!"
The excitement in the air was contagious and Dash soon found himself laughing along with his boyfriend. He had worked hard and long on this and it was great to see all his efforts come to fruition.
Danny turned off his bike and turned to his parents again and gave each of them a hug. He was like a kid at Christmas with the one present he wanted more than anything. He was so excited he didn't even seem to notice what was going on with his parents as he went back to looking over his bike again like it was the first time he ever saw it. So it wasn't a shock that he didn't see them pulling a box out from a nearby storage container.
"Danny?" Mrs. Fenton smiled and put a hand on the box Mr. Fenton held in his hands, "I think there's one more thing that you'll be needing before you take your bike out."
"Huh?" The teen in question walked over to his parents and looked between them and the box, "Like what?"
"Well if you're going to ride a motorcycle you're going to need this," Danny's mom tapped on the box and when he opened the box he grinned at what was inside.
"You got me a riding helmet?" He pulled out the shiny black helmet that had a dark tinted visor from the box and seemed to grin even wider.
"Well of course. Do you think we'd let you take that thing out of here without one? It wasn't like it was expensive either so we were even able to get you a spare for any," Mrs. Fenton cleared her throat and looked over at Dash with a wry smile, "Riding partners you might have tag along."
A slight flush of embarrassment rose to Dash's cheeks and he had to look away before his face could get any redder. He didn't even look back at the family until he felt something hard hit his chest.
"Well?" Dash looked at Danny as he pushed another helmet just like his against his body, "I think a nice ride to celebrate its completion is in order, so put your helmet on and climb on."
The shorter teen grinned as he slipped his helmet on and climbed onto his bike before revving it to life. Again the roar of the mechanical beast must have been like music to his ears to Danny the way he laughed about the noise, but Dash did not waste anymore time thinking about that. He pulled the helmet that was the same style as Danny's over his head and climbed on behind him. Putting his hands on Danny's hips Dash sat back a respectable distance and got situated before they started to pull out of the garage.
"Be careful, sweetie, and if you're going to stay out and watch the fireworks let us know ok?" Mrs. Fenton smiled and leaned against her husband as she watched them going down their driveway.
"We will! Bye guys and thanks again for everything!" Danny yelled through his helmet and over the roar of the engine before he pulled out into the street and started to drive away.
Once they got a few blocks away Danny decided to really test out the mettle of his bike. He revved it up a bit and started to speed down the roads as fast as he could legally go. It was thrilling to be going at such speeds but it was still a bit scary and Dash instinctively pulled himself closer to Danny so he wouldn't go flying off.
"Enjoying yourself there, Dash?" Even though it was muffled by the helmet and the sounds of the engine, Dash could still hear the playfulness of the smaller teen's voice. It was a bit frightening for him but while he was scared of the high speeds he also felt a strange sense of safety from doing this with Danny, knowing he wouldn't let him get hurt if anything bad happened.
"Yeah, it's a bit scary going this fast and with it being my first time on a motorcycle but I know you'll keep us safe." It may have been a sappy comment, but if the way Danny bunched his shoulders together and squirmed a bit he could tell it was well received.
They continued to drive along the roads making their way out of town without incident until they reached a hill that overlooked the entire town. After parking the bike the pair got off and sat down under a tree to get comfortable. The air was hot for the July evening but a nice breeze blew through the air to keep it from being too unbearable.
"So you want to stay here and watch the fireworks together or you need to head home?"
Dash looked over at Danny leaning back on his elbows as they sat together and shrugged, "I can stay out. Not like I've got plans or anything for tonight otherwise. Besides hanging out with my boyfriend and watching the fireworks sounds a heck of a lot better than going home."
"Sure is strange to get to say that isn't it? 'Boyfriend' I mean a few years ago we were both trying to date girls and I don't know about you, but even on the few dates I managed to get things just felt better on a friendly level than on a romantic one."
"Yeah," Dash sat beside him and fell back onto the grass with his arms behind his head to look up at the darkening sky, "I get that perfectly. I mean I dated a lot of girls and all but nothing ever really just clicked."
He looked over at Danny smiling but saw that he had an unamused frown on his face. Wondering what he could have said that would upset him Dash did a quick back track in his head before it dawned on him.
"Just dated now. I mean it was mainly going out to movies, get a bite to eat, maybe a bit of kissing but nothing serious I can assure you. I mean I've never… well you know."
"Ehh, sorry," Danny blushed embarrassed and rubbed at his arms, "I guess just hearing about how popular you are with girls, and really people in general, is a bit of a sore subject for me. And that's not even taking into account how easy it seemed for you to be able to get a date."
"I'll admit with my spot on the football team and everything I am pretty popular, but I just know how to talk to people. It's all about being confident and in control, and given what you've told me about back in our freshman year you didn't have a lot of control over your powers yet and that obviously affected how people saw you."
It was a valid argument and Danny didn't say anything else on the matter as they continued to sit and watch the sun set. Both teens eventually called their respective parents to say that they'd be staying out to watch the fireworks and Dash told his dad that he'd be staying over at a friend's place that night.
From there the two sat back and waited, talking about any subjects that came to mind. The conversation was light and pleasant as they waited and soon after the night sky had darkened they started to hear the distant explosions of fireworks going off.
"Ah man look at that blue one!" Dash pointed to an explosion of blue streaks that had little bits of silver and green mixed in.
"You like the blue ones? I like the ones that kind of blow up and they blow up again all white and yellow," Danny smiled and looked up at the sky as a few rockets exploded at once in various colors.
"I just like that shade of blue," Dash smiled charmingly, "It reminds me so much of someone's eyes that I know."
Danny smiled softly and reached up to stroke Dash's face as more fireworks went off in the night sky, "Such a charmer, it's a wonder you don't have a girlfriend with that silver tongue of yours."
"Well what can I say, guess I just will have to settle for having an amazing superhero boyfriend who can fly, freeze things, pass through solid walls, and build awesome motorcycles." He sighed like he was settling for second best but the grin that spread across his face showed he was kidding and Danny couldn't help but roll his eyes at him.
It had been a great day and now lying back on the grass together, Dash felt at ease with the world. There wasn't any big issue that was going on in his life, according to Danny the issue with the Ghost Zone was done with for now, and they still had several weeks of summer vacation before they had to go back to school and start their senior year. All in all it was a perfect time and there was only one thing that could make this day better.
Reaching over Dash started to pull Danny towards him and with a small hopeful smile leaned in to kiss his lips. Just as their lips were to meet, though a cold brush of air escaped from Danny's mouth. In an instant he pulled back and went from casual and relaxed to alert and ready. Dash watched as his eyes darted about and his whole body tensed up ready for a fight.
"What's the matter? You sense a ghost?" Dash started to get up and look around to see if he could spot anything which he knew wouldn't be useful if whatever it was that Danny sensed was invisible.
"I definitely sensed a ghost, but…" He looked around some more before he started to relax again, "I don't know it was a small presence… like whatever it was wasn't very big. I don't sense it now though so maybe it was just some spirit that was flying over head towards who knows where."
He went back to sitting on the ground and let out another sigh as they went back to watching the fireworks. Dash pulled them together and Danny just smiled over at him. It only took another moment when the two locked gazes again for them to kiss; the rough lips of the quarterback meeting the smoother ones of the half ghost. Under the lights of the exploding fireworks the two young men kissed, unaware of a small green moth that fluttered over them in a nearby tree and broadcasted what it saw to a dark cave deep in the Ghost Zone.
"Soon enough we will be able to take down the ghost boy, My Queen," a rough masculine voice spoke from the darkness, "Just a little longer and our plans will come to fruition." The voice chuckled as a soft red glow emanated from the chrysalis nearby.
You can't hold them back. These two have a big year ahead of them and a lot to go through both together and as individuals.
For those of you following this story, An Apparition of Autumn is now up, the sequel to this story.