Don't own.

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"No 'buts' Daniel. I should have warned you about his coming. Ah well, we live and learn dear boy." Danny was beyond perplexed. Any other time he made a mess it ended up with him getting his butt kicked. The new-found concern in the others features was new to Danny, and he wasn't so sure he liked it. What happened to the anger-filled temperamental Frootloop he knew?

He was about to say something about the library when he thought against it. He'd better not push his luck.

A calmer Frootloop was a better Frootloop, but he wished this behavior could have come forth before all the chaos. He wished to have to ill-tempered villain back if it meant turning back the clock, and saving the ones he loved.

With those thoughts in mind Danny followed Vlad into his garden, the sunlight reflecting off his hair and skin. And lighting up his blue eyes to the world around him.

The chill December air fogged the glass walls and ceiling. The green house was filled to the brim with exotic and rare plants, more than one catching Danny's eye. The outside garden was much warmer than outside, thankfully, and the small rays of sun threw rainbows on the floor.

Vlad lead Danny down the isles of vegetation, only stopping once he reached a small workbench at the back.

Danny tried to peek over the man's shoulders and found, much to his embarrassment, that his head barely met his shoulder.

Vlad looked through a very dated box, small hinges rusting with age.

Only when Danny caught sight of what he was holding did his posture visibly deflate, something Vlad only sighed at. In the billionaires hands was a worn photo from his college days, three overly excited people linking arms. Three overly familiar people.

It was a mystery of why Vlad kept something so important in such an insignificant place.

"Vlad...I- I don't understand." Vlad briefly closed his eyes before making up his mind. With a final glance at his photo he handed it to the young teen, who looked very much surprised.

"I still don't…"

"It's for you, Daniel. I could go into a long history about what that photo there means to me, but I will spare you the time." He gave an almost saddened grin. "Just know that it is important to me, and now it is for you. Treat it well, Little Badger."

Danny nodded vigorously, Vlad was surprised his head didn't fly off his shoulders. "Of course I will! I-I promise!" He declared, burning the picture into his mind.

Vlad smiled and clapped Danny on the shoulder. " I know you will." And he did. He gave him something to hold onto, other than a memory. Something real to hold onto, something real to remember. Even if it was dated.

"Now," he said looking up at the sky in distaste. "Lets get inside and hope it doesn't snow before dinner."

Danny nodded, even though he wouldn't mind the snow. He was in Wisconsin after all.

"I am very sorry about the inconvenience… Mr. Masters. But I assure you it will come in before its due date." The high pitch voice rang on the other end of the speaker.

Vlad rubbed tiredly as his furrowed brow, quickly growing impatient. "I do not pay you to work whenever you feel like it! I find it in your best interest to have everything set up before Monday, for you and your job."

"Ye-yes of course Mr. Masters! I will make sure that the delivery is on time, and the meeting goes accordingly."

"You better." He grumbled before clicking the phone off. Massaging his temples he made a silent promise of some Advil and a very long shower. Nothing sounded better at the moment than throwing his tired body in his bed and calling it a day. But, he had other responsibilities at the moments.

Responsibilities…

He still had to somehow wedge his business meeting into conversation with Daniel, hopefully over dinner and out of the way. A man of his power could only take a vacation so long. With taking Daniel under his wing and dealing with his own grief, he was sure he used up all his sick days.

Vlad hoped this weekend lasted an extra couple of days, not only for his sake.

Vlad could only imagine what the boy could get into during his few hours away. He might even end up calling another search party, something he was not really looking forward to.

With his luck Daniel would agree to stay up in his room for the few hours, or play with the cat. It was no doubt that he could find some amusement in his many rooms of activities. And now Vlad was thankful that his ghostly employees have taken a long break from business. Vlad not too keen on having another encounter like days before.

The throbbing in his head grew progressively worse to the point of him shoving his papers away, the latest stocks and charts could wait for a little while more.

Stretching he made his way down to the kitchen. Maybe the boy was right, Vlad thought as he descended another flight of stairs, maybe he should seriously consider an elevator or two.

It wasn't much of a surprise when he saw no sight of the boy during the next hours. Daniel had become accustomed to sleeping in all day with his photograph tucked firmly under his pillow. Pulling him from his room would lead to much grumbling and another round of headaches.

Vlad wondered if Daniel even came down for breakfast this day. Vlad rubbed his eyes once again as he signed the next file. Running three companies had taken his focus off a lot of things, something he couldn't afford to do. He swore that after a few business runs and trips he would try and set things straight with Daniel, no matter how much the boy disagreed.

He would avenge his dear Maddie and her family. Even that blasted fool, Jack. If it meant fixing their son.

Even if it meant pulling some strings.

"...so, you'll be gone all day?"

Vlad nodded, taking a long sip from his drink.

"That would be correct. Trust me Daniel, I would postpone it if my job wasn't on the line."

"No, no," Danny shook his head, twirling his food around. "You don't have to worry about it. Really. I'll be fine."

"Daniel…"

"I'll be fine!" he argued, his tone going softer as he spoke. "I'm fine...I'm fine." Vlad couldn't tell who he was trying to convince at this point.

"It'll only be for a short time, you won't even notice I'm gone." Danny nodded and went back to playing with his food. In the time spent over dinner Vlad had only seen him take no more than three bites, something that worried him more that he liked.

"Yeah, like you're not even here." Danny breathed, too soft for Vlad to hear.

"Well!" Vlad said standing up. "I thinks it's late enough. I'll have the maids clear your spot."

Danny was quick to retire to his room, immediately reaching under his pillow. He let out a breath of relief when he brought up the photo, staring down at his parents', and uncle's, beaming faces. He carefully traced the outlines of their figures with his thumb, pretending that they could feel and hear him.

"I'm so, so sorry guys," he mumbled, "I tried, I really did." He fell back onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

The curtains were once again shut tight, bathing the room in shadows. The only light came through the bathroom door he had cracked open. Not much fun searching blindly for the bathroom at two in the morning.

Danny squinted as a ray of light shone into his eye. Sitting up he saw the curtain peeled slightly open, letting the moon rays shine through. Frowning he stalked over to the window and pulled it open. The stars shone around his room giving it an eerie glow. And Danny couldn't help but name the constellations in his head.

Sighing he rested his elbows on the windowsill, gazing at the slowly drifting snowflakes.

"Where are you guys…" He breathed, gazing up at the sky. He wondered if they could see him from up there, watching him from the stars or the moon. And he wondered…

"When can I join you…?"

A/N: Why, hello there. This was a bit of a filler I admit. I meant to write the next chapter also before posting, but, ah well. This just fills in what our two halfas are thinking and whatnot. Don't you feel the feels?

Please review, Loves.

~Champ3