Maddie purred, nuzzling her face to Vlad's cheek. Vlad laughed and scratched the cat's white head. "Good girl. I love you, Maddie."
Maddie purred, the sound warm and deep, slowly turning light, like laughter.
Danny now sat in Vlad's lap, his arms wrapped around Vlad's neck, his face buried in the crook of Vlad's shoulder.
Vlad continuing stroking the soft hair, smiling pleasantly as the boy giggled, snuggling closer.
"Vlad, I love you."
Vlad smiled to himself, burying his nose in the soft hair. Danny looked up, leaning close, closer, until their lips grazed, barely a breath between them. Danny reached up, his hand touching Vlad's chest. A white puff escaped the boy's lips, making Vlad's lips tingle from the coldness and Danny smiled.
"I felt you. We're the same Vlad, only I'm good and you're bad. What are we going to do?
"What are you going to do?"
…
Vlad opened his eyes, feeling warm under the thick blanket, squinting a bit at the sun coming in through the sheer window curtains.
He stood, stretched and yawned. He grabbed the robe on the chair by the desk in the corner and a hair tie, leaving his room to grab a cup of coffee.
Stepping down the last steps to the living room, Vlad stopped with wide eyes. Danny was laying on the couch, still sleeping deeply if his heavy breathing was any indication. Maddie was curled up next to the boy, snoozing and enjoying the warmth no doubt.
He actually stayed the night, Vlad thought incredulously. I thought he'd have left before I woke up.
Vlad walked over, noticing the untouched vial on the table. The boy probably wouldn't need an elixir to help with his shortening powers, since the effects probably wore off by now, but Vlad figured he'd make the boy take it when he woke anyway.
Vlad smiled at the sleeping teen, his mouth open slightly and his arms up by his head, the blanket askew from the tumblings throughout the night. Vlad noticed Danny's T-shirt had bunched up a bit, giving the man quite a view of the flat stomach and navel, and a glance at the blue underwear peeking out from the top of the waistband of his jeans.
Vlad blushed slightly but smiled. It was just too endearing. The position, the face, the vulnerability, the soft sounds. It made Vlad feel young, like a teenager again, giddy and happy and nervous, with a warm flutter in his chest. He wanted to wake the boy gently, run his fingers through the dark hair and kiss his cheek until the boy opened his eyes, warm and sleepy and smiling for just a moment. Vlad wanted to crawl in next to the boy and hold him, let him continue sleeping as he watched, as he felt the warmth of the other halfa next to him and felt the gentle rise and fall of his chest and the soft breath as he slept.
A blaring ring erupted through the happy thoughts. Vlad thought he'd become a full ghost at the way his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. Maddie awoke with an annoyed hiss as she jumped from the couch. Danny mumbled and shifted and Vlad lunged at the phone on the side table.
"Hello!" he whispered quickly, glancing over to the couch. Danny slept on, his mouth still hanging open and Vlad realized the boy might very well be able to sleep through an earthquake. He didn't know whether to blame it on the boy's age, or the boy's hectic tiring lifestyle.
"Vlad?" the other halfa's heart jumped a little at the voice on the other end. "Sorry to call so early but…well, I woke this morning and noticed that Danny hadn't come home last night. I called his friends but they said they hadn't seen him, so I was just wondering…you're the mayor and all, and Danny knows you so—"
"Don't worry Maddie, he's here," Vlad said, leaning against the wall, eyes on the couch. He kept his voice neutral and low, but knowing the boy wouldn't wake eased Vlad a bit. "He came by a bit late last night. Sorry I didn't call, but as I said, it was late so I figured I would call you up in the morning. I apologize if I had you worried."
Vlad heard Maddie sigh in relief and then, "Oh thanks goodness, I'm just glad he's alright. He is alright, isn't he?"
"Of course. He's currently asleep."
"Do you know why he left last night? Was there a reason he went to your house?" Maddie asked and Vlad scowled at the suspicion that was slowly dripping into her voice.
"He was just having a rough night, I believe. Needed a new change of scenery," Vlad explained casually. "I'll have him back home as soon as he wakes, Maddie. Now have a good morning!" Vlad quickly hung up and headed into the kitchen, a strange feeling in his chest.
…
Vlad reentered the living room, switched on the light, dropped the tray he'd been carrying on the table by the couch and turned on the TV. He lifted the boy's feet and sat down just as said boy's face contorted and scrunched, pulling the blanket over his head and groaning as he tried to block out the offending noise and light.
Vlad pointed the remote at the TV and changed it to the news.
"Ugh, what time is it?" Danny complained from under the blanket, his voice hoarse with sleep.
"Eight fifteen."
"Eight!?" Danny exclaimed, throwing the blanket off himself to glare at Vlad. Danny seemed to freeze for a moment, eyes glancing from Vlad, to the blanket, to the room and then down to his feet which were resting on Vlad's lap currently. He yelped and drew his feet close to himself, folding under the blanket, and a light pink growing on his cheeks. He groaned and scratched at his bedridden hair, making the black mess stand up in awkward angles. Vlad wanted to mess it up even more but schooled his expression as he regarded the youth. "Why is it so early?"
Vlad chuckled at the whiny, rough voice of the just woken teen. "Because I am an adult, and I don't waste the day sleeping. Now eat up, Little Badger, you're parents expect you home." Danny looked to the tray of food on the table with tired eyes and a loud, muffled growling was heard, coming from the general direction of a teen boy's stomach. Vlad laughed loudly, and Danny blushed slightly but leaned over to grab the tray and pull it onto his lap. "Don't forget the vial."
Danny looked to it and then to his hands. "My powers seem stable enough."
"Just to be sure. And it should help for when you go back home, if you're idiot father is still experimenting."
Danny scowled but grabbed the vial, uncorking it quietly and sniffing it. He recorked it and put it to the side. "Maybe after breakfast," Danny muttered, picking up the fork and shoveling eggs into his mouth. He hummed in appreciation. "You're not too bad of a chef, Vlad."
"Well thank you, Daniel. I'm glad you enjoy my cooking. Maybe it will prompt you to visit more often?" Vlad inquired, resting his elbow on the arm of the couch and his chin upon his knuckles, gazing at the boy calmly. "I mean despite your obviously lingering suspicions—" Vlad glanced at the corked vial. "—your trust in me is definitely getting better. You did eat that food without checking if it were poisoned." Vlad chuckled.
Danny swallowed the food in his mouth, dropping his gaze to his plate. "Well I mean…it's not like we…never mind."
Vlad sat up a little straighter. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Danny said firmly, quickly shoveling the rest of the food into his mouth at a disturbing rate. He gulped down the orange juice and put the tray back on the table, swallowing as he pulled his shoes on. Vlad just sat there, his eyes wide at the speed the food had disappeared at. Danny stood up, looking at Vlad. "Thanks again for…well all this." Danny transformed into Phantom. "We should do dinner sometime." Danny laughed, and it sounded teasing, but Vlad's heart jumped a little.
He smirked. "I'll hold you to that, my boy."
Danny's smile faltered slightly, and turned to go before Vlad called his name. Danny turned and barely caught the small vial Vlad had tossed at him. Vlad smirked. "Make sure to take your medicine, Little Badger."
Danny looked at it, but nodded and pocketed the item, waving awkwardly and then turned intangible, rising and leaving the mansion.
Vlad sighed, leaning his head on the back of the couch, rubbing at his eyes tiredly. "Well that went well…" Vlad said, his hand moving down to rub at his mouth and chin thoughtfully. He smiled mischievously. "Seems I can start speeding things up a bit."
"Things are going well as they are. You try to force anything or hurry, and you'll scare him away."
"Ah, and so the love expert decides to insert her expert opinion again," Vlad muttered, rising from the couch and clicking off the TV. He put his hands in his pants pockets and walked calmly up to the nearest mirror, which was a blurry image of the mirror spirit in the living room window.
"I know you're getting impatient—" she began.
"I'm not going to jump the kid, I'm just going to…be a bit more straightforward from now on," Vlad said with a smirk. "I'm not really one for beating around the bush. I'd much rather just be honest." Vlad chuckled.
"And how well do you think that will go?"
"Honestly? Well," Vlad said with a confident smirk. "We've got enough in common, and he's starting to like me, I can tell. This has all been a pretty good sign in my opinion. I just have to be more direct and he'll—"
"Just as you thought being direct with Maddie would make her join you. You've given her every opportunity to leave her husband for you, and she's denied you." Vlad scowled at the spirit's words, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth at the mention of his past failures. "You're getting there, Vlad Masters. Patience is key at this point."
Vlad groaned, his hands clenching into fists. "But the amount of progress I am making is good, what's so wrong with moving things along just a bit more. I hate just sitting there by him when all I want to do is…is take his hand, and hold him close. When my dreams are so sweet yet when I wake all I have is a little ghost boy who still considers me too much of an enemy to properly get along with me. If I come clean about what I'm really after pertaining to him—"
"He will reject you," the spirit said definitely, not a hint of doubt in his voice.
Vlad sighed. He rubbed his forehead tiredly. "So then…what is the next step? What do you suggest I do? I just want to get somewhere with the boy…Somewhere concrete."
"And you are, Vlad Masters. Simply use all the rules and advice I have given you so far. Continue and do not falter, and the boy will be yours."
…
"Vlad! Great to have you, come in come in!" Jack greeted, giving Vlad a solid handshake and a rough slap on the back. "It's really great of you to come by! I think Maddie is getting tired of me rambling about my newest invention."
"I'm not tired of it, I just don't think the calculations are correct in order for the machine to succeed as it is," Maddie intercepted, her hands on her hips as Vlad pulled off his jacket and scarf. A brief glance around the room and Vlad saw that the Fentons were getting ready to celebrate Christmas. A plump evergreen sat in the corner, covered in ornaments and lights and tinsel. Stockings hung with the family's names. It looked the picture of warm friendly home but Vlad knew from Danny's confession that there were hidden secrets to this Christmas thing in the Fenton home.
"Ah, miscalculations," Vlad mused with a bitter smile, closing his eyes briefly as waves of painful memories flowed through him. "Must let your wife check over those Jack. Wouldn't want another accident, would we?"
Jack had the intelligence to at least look bashful, scratching his head awkwardly and laughing, agreeing that allowing Maddie to fix some math might be the best course of action.
"Hey Vlad," Danny muttered as he made his way over from the kitchen, a cereal bowl in his hands as he walked over to the older halfa briefly.
Vlad and Danny hadn't talked or even seen much of each other since the accidental sleepover. That was merely a few days ago, but Vlad took the lack of trouble and Danny's greeting as a sign that they were still on relatively good terms. Good. Jack had invited Vlad over due to some new invention he was working on. Since Vlad had told them he'd try to visit more and get closer to the family, he had agreed to come by. Of course, it was always nice to see Danny again too. There was just something about the boy, whether it was his wit, his humor, his cute soft hair, or just his presence in general, that made Vlad relax just a bit, that made Vlad want to smile.
Vlad noticed the colorful circles in the bowl floating in cold milk and smirked. Danny glanced to his parents who were now in the kitchen, slightly out of ear shot as they prepared the dinner table. The boy looked back to Vlad with a slightly subdued look and Vlad raised his brows. "Thanks again for the other day."
Vlad wasn't sure whether to play it cool, smirk and wave off the compliment, smile and jump for joy, laugh, be suspicious, tease the boy, or continue staring in shock. Instead, brows lowering as he gazed at the boy, Vlad said softly, "It was nothing Little Badger."
Danny stared at Vlad, a strange look on the boy's face. He looked away, glancing towards the stairs. "I'm going to be in my room. So play nice with my parents or I'll be down here to kick your ass."
Vlad smirked and reached out just as Danny was lifting the spoon to his mouth. Vlad put his hand to Danny's head and patted it affectionately, Danny pausing to stare at Vlad. It was then that an idea popped into Vlad's head, and before he could tell himself it was a bad idea, he leaned downed and took the spoon into his mouth, smirking as the boy's eyes widened and his cheeks tinted a cute pink. Their noses almost touched.
"W-what the hell!?" Danny hissed, pulling away, snatching the spoon from Vlad's mouth. "Why'd you do that, you creep?"
Vlad chewed the extremely sugary cereal, unable to hide his smug grin. Danny just shook his head and turned away.
"You get crazier every day, I swear."
"You mean loopier?" Vlad asked innocently. "Enjoy your Fruitloops, Daniel."
Danny tensed but then hurried up the stairs to his room, Vlad eyes following him and chuckling. It truly was fun to tease the boy, seeing how flustered he got. Danny was used to Vlad making digs at him about his powers, about his family, his grades, his temperament. This new style of teasing was fun because Danny wasn't prepared for it.
Vlad made his way into the kitchen where Maddie and Jack were. They talked, Jack rambling excited about this such invention, Maddie explaining more calmly the scientific aspects. Eventually Vlad began adding his two sense, asking questions and arguing the techniques and ideas. The debate was healthy and Vlad felt a lightness to the whole situation.
This was what it had been like…more than two decades ago, before the accident, before Plasmius, before the wealth and the ghosts…before Danny…
Maddie laughed at something, a pretty sound to Vlad's ears and she reached out, touching his arm.
Vlad blinked and realized he didn't feel anything. There was no jumping heart, no intense warmth or happiness. The touch was gone as soon as it'd come and they continued talking like old school friends.
As Maddie tried to explain to her husband that his "genius solution" was quite impossible, Vlad watched them quietly. They were so in sync with each other, it was so physical and obvious to anyone who watched them for just a few moments. Their bodies turned towards each other as they talked, the comfort they had around each other, the casual constant touches, the smiles Jack shot Maddie when she said something particularly intelligent, the pride in Maddie's eyes when Jack showed such passion for what they both loved.
Vlad found it both sickening, and slightly endearing. He hated that, he hated watching it. But was it because he wanted Maddie to be like that with him? Or was it because he was envious and wanted that for himself, but with someone else?
Vlad's eyes drifted upwards, vaguely wondering what the ghost boy was doing up there.
"Mind if I excuse myself for a moment?" Vlad cut in politely and the couple simply nodded, not breaking in their debate. Vlad gently rolled his eyes with a smile and quietly snuck up stairs, his smile growing at the anticipation of seeing Danny. Just the thought of talking to him was always exciting for Vlad, having wild debates, the banter back and forth that always made Vlad laugh, not having to hold back or pretend.
Vlad opened the door and saw Danny sitting at the computer, empty cereal bowl sitting beside him on the desk.
"Actually getting some serious studying done?" Vlad asked with a smirk. Danny jumped and immediately clicked out of whatever he had been looking at, spinning over to glare at Vlad. Vlad quirked an eyebrow. "Or perhaps you were doing something a bit more…recreational. Which is of course normal for a boy you're age, no need to—"
"No, god, no. And it's none of your business either way, you weirdo pervert."
Vlad quirked an eyebrow and went into the room, standing behind Danny's chair. He leaned over, one hand on the back of the chair and the other hand gripping the computer mouse over Danny's hand, even as the boy struggled. Vlad clicked the minimized tab and his eyes widened.
"Hey don't—"
"This is a digitalized version of the InfiniMap," Vlad said in awe, his eyes trailing over all the lines and land formations that created the Ghost Zone, small black and red X's dotting the areas that the young halfa had probably explored.
Danny moved slightly away from Vlad, snatching his hand hastily from Vlad's grip but not clicking out of the program. "Yeah it is, nosy fruitloop." Danny shot him a glare but Vlad could tell it didn't hold as much heat as it used to. Danny seemed to hesitate, glancing back to the screen before saying, "Sam and Tucker helped me chart the places out. Exploring all the different realms and islands."
Vlad looked to Danny then and was surprised to see a soft smile on the boy's face as he gazed at the map. "It's amazing, being able to go to these places, walk around and explore. It's all I've ever wanted. This kind of thing is why I wanted to be an astronaut; traveling to new worlds, seeing amazing things. The ghost zone is so huge and scary and weird but it's also…"
Danny trailed off, coughed slightly as though embarrassed by his rambling. Vlad smiled slightly. "It's also very beautiful, in an ethereal sort of way." Danny looked to Vlad. "And it's fun, being able to walk the world as though it's our home too. The Ghost Zone is dangerous for humans but for us…we can freely travel in both worlds. It's an incredible gift, isn't it?"
Danny nodded, looking back to the map for a moment before closing it out. "Yeah, but you still don't get to see it," Danny said, throwing Vlad a lazy smirk. Vlad shook his head with a chuckle, standing up straight and folding his hands behind his back.
"Yes well, I have my ways of getting the information I want, Daniel my boy," Vlad said with a smirk. "Don't ever forget that."
"And there's the Vlad I've grown to know and hate over the years!" Danny said with a teasing smile, softening the blow of the word "hate" thrown so casually at Vlad.
"Well since you hate me so much, maybe I should go bask in your mother's company some more downstairs…" Vlad said with a shrug, glancing at Danny briefly to see the flash of neon green eyes. Vlad smirked and reached out, ruffling Danny's dark hair. "And there's the protective, hot tempered Daniel I've come to love so much."
Vlad immediately felt like biting his own tongue off once the words were out his mouth but Danny didn't seem to find anything weird about it. Vlad internally sighed as he stepped away to sit on the edge of Danny's bed. "Relax, Daniel. I was only teasing you." He glanced around the room a moment, noting the lack of dirty clothes on the floor or clutter on the bed. Danny was a relatively clean teenage boy, which was nice. Vlad also noticed a certain NASA poster hung up by the door and smiled. So he really had liked his gift basket…
Vlad rested his elbow on his knee and his chin in his palm as he gazed at Danny with a calm smile. "Since it seems you don't want me to leave so badly, I'll keep you company."
Danny rolled his eyes. "I don't need your company. In fact, I'd much rather you just leave the house all together and leave me and my family alone."
"Aw but Daniel, wouldn't you get lonely?" Vlad mused.
"I think you're thinking of yourself," Danny said. "That's why you bother me all the time, since you're always cooped up in the house with only your cat."
"Hey play nice, Maddie makes for great company," Vlad said lightly. "You two seemed to be hitting it off well enough the other day on the couch."
Danny paused, looking away for a moment. "Thanks for the vial, by the way," Danny said, still not meeting Vlad's eye. "It…helped."
"Of course Daniel. I told you that you can come to me, should you ever need to."
"Yeah well…" Danny shrugged, scratching at his neck. "I guess…I mean, I guess I can. For some things anyway."
Vlad was surprised by the confession, but pleased none the less. He smiled. "Good."
"I still don't trust you but—"
"Oh come now Daniel, please stop being such a child," Vlad snapped. So close! Why, every time he thought Danny was starting to like him, the boy had to ruin it, had to continue pushing Vlad away! "You're your mother's son, I'd assume, or at least hope, that you'd inherit her smarts and not your father's stupidity—"
"And that's just it! That right there!" Danny exclaimed angrily. "It's the thing with my parents! You just can't get over them, you can't forgive and forget! This…thing that you're obsessed with involving them, it's never going to go away and as long as it's there, I can't trust you. I can't even like you! It's just so irritating."
Vlad glared at Danny after that sudden outburst. "I already explained to you the issues with your father."
"Yes, and I understand, but that doesn't change anything. It was twenty years ago, Vlad. You seriously need to move on."
"Move on!?" Vlad hissed. He remembered the mirror's words, the second step. Forgiveness. And here it was, rearing its ugly head. The mirror had been right, Vlad needed to complete all the steps in order for Danny to accept him. But Vlad just couldn't do it. "I will not. Never. Not after what he did. I told you I moved on from your mother, and I'm trying to become friendly with you but you make it so difficult! Always about others, your family and your friends, well what about you Daniel? What do you think of me?"
"I think you're selfish," Danny said seriously, his gaze hard. "I think you want everything for yourself, you want everyone to just do what you say. You don't care what others want, you just want to do it your way. That's your problem."
"That's what you think? We'll you're just some kid with a hero complex, who acts like you've got all this power, like you're the savior of the world that everyone loves and fears when you're just some scared kid who can barely do anything right!"
"You're some bitter old man who can't handle rejection or failure and bullies other until you get your way! You're gonna be alone forever because you focus on a woman you can't have, a dream that's utterly impossible and a boy who won't love you no matter—"
Danny didn't get to finish. Vlad rose and grabbed Danny, phasing the two of them out Danny's window. As they fell to the streets below, grabbing and punching at each other, they both simultaneously transformed just before crashing into the gravel. A puff of dust blocked them from view. A bright green blast glowed and Plasimus was thrown away from Danny and high into the air.
Danny Phantom sprung from the ground, flying towards Vlad and punching him onto the Fenton roof. Plasmius spun in the air and managed to land on his feet, bringing his hands together and throwing a ball of pink energy at Danny, who dodged. Vlad blasted again and again and then flew up, punching Danny in the face and kicking his side hard, sending him to the rooftop.
Vlad glared down, seeing red, his echo of a heart racing with adrenaline at the fight, his body nearly vibrating with power as he let all his frustrations out.
All the smiles and laughs, all the gentleness and casualness, felt like it was for nothing! All those things Danny had said…it wasn't that they had been said that made Vlad so angry, it was that they had been true! He was so frustrated; frustrated that he couldn't let go of his angry and the past, that Danny couldn't let go of his suspicion, that they were both so stubborn and similar, that Vlad cared so much for the boy, so much more than he'd ever cared about Maddie and yet couldn't do a thing about it, couldn't seem to fix anything!
Danny stood, slightly hunched over as he held his side. He glared up at Vlad but the boy's eyes were just as bright, just as alive as Vlad felt. Vlad raced downwards, fist drawing back as he prepared to hit the boy again and again and again until he shut up, until he stopped saying those things, until he believed that Vlad had changed, that Vlad—
"No!" Vlad hissed, his eyes widening suddenly, his feet landing on the roof and skidding to a halt, his fist stopping just inches from Danny's nose. Danny blinked, his eyes wide.
"No," Vlad whispered, shaking his head and backing away, black rings circling him as he stumbled from the ghost boy. Vlad Masters shook his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"Wait, what are you doing?" Danny said, his voice irritated and his expression confused.
"I told you…I wasn't going to fight you anymore, Danny."
Danny's eyes widened and then he glared at Vlad. "Stop it." Vlad turned away. "Stop. Stop this…whatever this is and just fight me!"
Vlad ignored the boy's shouts, his hands trembling as he turned in tangible and sunk into the floor. Once in Danny's bedroom, Vlad hurried down the stairs.
"Vlad, it's about time for—hey are you feeling alright?" Maddie came over, her expression concerned, reaching out to touch Vlad's face.
Vlad brushed her hand away hastily, staring with wide eyes at the woman before him. She looked so gentle in that moment, so caring and concerned, her maternal nature visible and bright.
Vlad stared at her a moment, not answering, his thoughts in a jumble, running through his mind, his body jittery. He shook his head.
"Sorry, I'm not just not feeling myself…a bit sick perhaps," Vlad muttered, putting a hand to his forehead. He stepped towards the door when Maddie made to reach for him again. He shook his head. "I apologize for always leaving so early and hastily, but it'd be best if I took my leave now."
"Leaving already, Vladdie?" Jack asked, entering from the kitchen.
Vlad nodded and said another apology, quickly turning and rushing out the door, ignoring their confused and concerned gazes.
…
"Ouch!"
"Sorry, Danny," Sam muttered as she took her hand away from Danny's side. "It's just bruised, not fractured which is good. Just try to stay in bed today, okay?" Danny nodded, lowering his T-shirt. Sam scowled, shaking her head. "I knew that snake hadn't changed."
"Well it did seem a bit too good to be true, believing that Vlad had actually given up his evil ways," Tucker said from the desk chair, sitting backwards on it as he talked with his friends. The geek sighed. "It sucks though, because having Vlad as an ally would have been cool. I mean he's not bad when he's not evil, but you know…the dude is evil to the core."
"You guys don't get it," Danny muttered as Sam finished with Danny's injuries, putting a band aid on Danny's cheek. "He stopped."
"Stopped after he nearly cracked your ribs," Sam said. "Don't try rationalizing it Danny, he—"
"No. He stopped. In the middle of the fight, just like that. The look on his face, it was…" Danny shook his head. He didn't understand any of this. These past few weeks—hell, these past few days—involving Vlad have been so confusing.
"So what are you saying, Danny?" Sam asked.
"I don't know. I don't understand what he's doing but…the other day I went to his house."
"What!?" Sam and Tucker exclaimed.
"My powers were malfunctioning and I needed to get out of the house—"
"Dude you know you can come to my house any time."
"Yeah or mine. Danny, that was dangerous."
"I know, Sam. But the thing is…he didn't do anything. He didn't threaten me or fight me or anything. He just…cooked dinner and talked to me. I even fell asleep there and—"
"Danny you stayed overnight?" Sam asked, her eyes wide and fearful despite Danny obviously being alright.
"Yes. I know it was stupid, I hadn't planned on staying. I just fell asleep on the couch. I woke up with a blanket over me and breakfast all made. You guys, he had the perfect opportunity to get rid of me or capture me or whatever it is Vlad wants from me and he didn't take it. He didn't do anything." Danny looked at the two sets of eyes that stared at him, all different ranges of worry and confusion and anger, all the emotions boiling inside of Danny.
He shook his head again with a sigh. "I hate this. I hate feeling so small and stupid, not knowing what he's planning. He's clever and sneaky and devious. He always up to something. But I just feel like…like maybe this time, he's not."
The goth put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I hate the man, and I don't trust him one bit. But you know him best Danny."
"Yeah dude. If you think this is him being sincere, then maybe it is."
Danny leaned his elbows on his knees and buried his fingers in his hair. "All I know is that something is different. Whether he's actually planning something or not, something's changed with him. I can tell."
"I've noticed it too," Tucker admitted. "I mean that whole thing with the shopping spree. That whole day he was…pleasant, I guess. It was weird, but I just feel like this is something different from him."
Danny nodded, agreeing with his friend. Sam stayed quiet. Danny looked up with a more determined air, standing up from the bed. "I'm going to go talk to him."
"We'll come with you," Sam said quickly, standing up as well. Tucker followed.
"Thanks, but I want to do this on my own," Danny said, transforming into Phantom. Sam seemed slightly hurt about being left out, a frown on her face and worry in her purple eyes. Danny grabbed her hand and squeezed. He loved his friends, but he felt he needed to do this alone. "I'll be careful." Sam looked up and smiled slightly with a nod, squeezing his hand back before letting go.
"Please do, man," Tucker said with a worried look. "Vlad is dangerous. Especially since we don't know what he's doing."
Danny nodded and turned intangible, flying through the walls. He needed to find out what was going on with that fruitloop, even though Danny never really knew wanted to know went on in that crazy cheesehead's mind.
…
"You fought him."
"It was an accident."
"You hurt him."
"I know. But I stopped. I stopped and I—"
"You still have not forgiven his parents."
Vlad didn't respond.
"Vlad Masters, the steps I have given you…the advice is all to help you gain what you truly desire. You must obey them in order to get the boy's love."
"I know I know I know!" Vlad exclaimed angrily, pacing the hall in front of the mirror. "I messed up, like I manage to mess up everything else! I lost control—he was just being so infuriating! I just…" Vlad was currently in his ghost form, fangs bared as he steamed, eyes blazing murderously. "This whole thing is infuriating. I hate feeling like this, like a complete failure. I'm tired of being treated like a villain, like some unloveable monster."
Vlad thought about Danny's mistrust, his accusing words. He saw the boy's angry eyes, his hateful glares, the excitement they had felt as they fought. Vlad's fists shook and glowed bright pink, his anger erupting as he roared, sending a violent blast at the wall beside the mirror.
A gaping hole stared back at Vlad as he transformed back into Masters, his shoulders heaving as he panted. He stared at the calm spirit in his mirror but only thought of Danny. Of the boy's power during their many fights, of the boy's rare smiles, his care free laughs, the peaceful face of the exhausted hero who trusted Vlad enough to crash on his couch…
Vlad sighed and straightened up, rubbing his face tiredly. This was pointless.
"I'm so tired of feeling like this. Of being alone." A shadow passed down the hall, a thick mass that made Vlad looked up. He narrowed his eyes, black rings appearing around his waist as his eyes darted around—
Knock knock.
Vlad looked to the front door, the rings disappearing before they could transform him. He narrowed his eyes and glanced around the hall for a moment. He saw nothing.
The man turned back to the door and ran a hand over his head, flattening back his hair as he reached for the doorknob. He opened the door.
"Daniel?" Vlad stared at the young boy in his doorway. The first thing he noticed was the band aid on the boy's cheek. It made Vlad's blood run cold. "Why are you here?"
"We need to talk," Danny was using his "adult mature" voice that Vlad admired in the teen. "About…well a lot of things."
"Always such a way with words," Vlad muttered, but opened the door and stepped aside, allowing the teen to make his way into the expensive home.
Danny made his way to the living room and sat on the couch. Vlad made his way over and Danny stood again. Vlad watched the boy pace for a bit, and as he walked, Vlad noticed Danny wince a bit and touch his side.
"I'm sorry," Vlad whispered and in the silence of the large house, Danny heard and looked up. He stopped his pacing. "I'm sorry for-for the fight and for…all this. For everything. I'm sorry Daniel, I'm—"
"Vlad, whoa hey," Danny said, eyes wide and shaking his hands in front of him as though to physically stop Vlad's apology onslaught. "I'm not upset. We fight all the time—"
"I told you I wouldn't. I tried, I've been trying and yet I still can't seem to—" Vlad shook his head, rubbing at his face, his hair, shutting his eyes. You couldn't do anything right. He never managed to get what he wanted, he'd never be able to get happiness because of who he was, because of the stupid things he did, because he was just unloveable and selfish…
"Vlad. Vlad, calm down. Here, sit." Vlad felt himself being pulled forward and then gently pushed down, onto the couch. Vlad leaned his head forward, ignoring the weight beside him. "Vlad listen, I don't care about this." Vlad looked over to Danny, who indicated the bandaid on his cheek. "This is nothing, I've gotten worse from the Box Ghost!"
Danny laughed but Vlad didn't feel up to laughing. He felt sick.
The teen sighed, scratching his head nervously. "Look. We fight, and try to beat each other and best each other and most of the time I can't stand you. But I don't like, hate you."
Vlad looked to Danny with wide eyes. He said it. He admitted it. Danny didn't hate Vlad. It made the older halfa feel lighter.
Danny leaned his elbows on his knees and stared at his hands. "We're enemies but we've also got this unspoken understanding. We never really try to destroy each other. And we help each other." Danny looked to Vlad. "When the Ghost King attacked, we worked together. When you messed up with Vortex…" Vlad grimaced. "You asked for my help. And I gave it. Of course you did just up and abandon me right afterwards but…it was the principle I think."
Danny paused then and it was then that Vlad realized the boy was trying to make him feel better. The notion was so absurd that Vlad simply sat there, dumb founded, his heart hammering in his chest. He stared wide eyed as the hero spoke, and Vlad felt his heart swell, felt a tenderness form over him and envelope him, an affection for this boy he had attacked, his boy who should by all rights despise him and yet came all this way just to try and make Vlad feel better. It was too ridiculous, too insane and idiotic and nonsensical, and yet it made Vlad happier than he'd ever felt in his life.
"And I know I can count on you too." Danny's voice was hushed, almost hesitate. "I never told anyone about this but…a while back I saw a glimpse of the future, or a possible future. An alternate future. Clockwork showed me. It was a future where I …caused the death of all my loved ones." Vlad's eyes widened as he stared at Danny.
"What?"
"Mom…dad…Sam, Tucker, Jaz…even my English teacher. I couldn't save them, it was my fault," Danny buried his head in his hands, as though reliving these memories that hadn't happened. Vlad reached out, touching Danny's shoulder. The boy tensed but then relaxed. He looked up. "I was alone. The only one who understood me…who I could talk to…was you. The only one I was left with. I looked to you for help and you took me in. You cared for me, helped me. Unfortunately I was too far gone to really heal but… you were there for me when I needed you."
Danny's blue eyes searched Vlad's. Vlad stared at the boy before him, who had grown so much, who was so much like himself and yet so much better. Who he couldn't imagine ever hurting again, who he wanted to see happy all the time, who he wanted to count on him…
"Ever since I saw that future, I knew there was…something between us. That even though we fight, that there's always going to be this connection. This weird understanding between us that says we're not real enemies. Or at least…not just enemies." Danny shrugged. "I don't actually see you as a boogie man, Vlad. I don't see you as some scary evil; I just can't trust you. But…well I mean, I don't really know how I feel about you but…lately you've been different and I just need to know what's going on because…we'll I'm going crazy."
Danny laughed tiredly. He scratched his head awkwardly. "I'm rambling now, I'm sorry, I'm just trying to say that—"
Vlad let out a laugh and the release felt good. He smiled, putting a hand to the boy's head, brushing Danny's bangs from his face and burying his fingers in the softness. Danny didn't flinch or pull away, simply looking to Vlad with a flushed face, waiting. "Its fine, Daniel. I understand what you're trying to say. I truly do appreciate the concern."
Danny smiled slightly over at Vlad, but averted his eyes quickly. Vlad took his hand away, laying it on the couch, between him and Danny, Danny's hand hairs from his own. "I like fighting with you Vlad," Danny said with a laugh. "You're the only good challenge I've got, and I learn a lot from you, indirectly. You're what I know I can be, except you know, a good version."
"So what you're saying is, you look up to me?"
Danny tilted his head, a pensive look on his face. "I guess so. In a weird way."
Vlad shook his head, unable to force the smile from his lips. His hands shook as he reached over, putting his arms around the thin boy and pulling him close. He held the boy for a moment, enjoying the feel of Danny pressed close, enjoyed the smell of the boy's shampoo. "Thank you, Daniel."
Danny didn't return the hug, his hands hovering awkwardly by Vlad's side, and when Vlad finally pulled away, he saw the boy's eyes were comically large and his cheeks were a delicious shade of red. Vlad laughed.
"I know what I'm doing might not make sense, and I'm not going to expect you to immediately trust me. But I just need you to know, I'm done with the enemies game. I'm not scheming, or plotting. No experiments, no flirting with your mother, no plans to kill your father. I promise you Daniel. I've never lied to you before. I need you to believe that."
"You've been so weird lately…" Danny muttered, more to himself than to Vlad. Danny run a hand through his hair, a strange look crossing his face, his eyebrows knitting together. "Being nice, and no fighting, and…and…" Danny blushed, shaking his head.
Vlad leaned back in the couch, gazing softly at the boy beside him. "Danny, you're sixteen. I can't expect you to understand everything I do, at least not yet." Vlad sighed. "It's not the right time. But I just need you to believe me…" Vlad took the plunge and put his hand over Danny's. "I don't want to hurt you. Ever."
Danny's blue eyes searched Vlad's for a moment, and then it seemed he finally found what he was looking for. He nodded. Vlad felt Danny's fingers gently, hesitantly, shyly, begin to curl around his large hand.
"Okay."
Okay, first off...I'M SO SORRY THIS IS SUCH A LATE UPDATE! DX I wouldn't blame you for hating me but hopefully since its such a long chapter it'll make up for it! Maybe? Maybe...? *hides*
Anyway, thank you guys soo much for all the favorites and follows and comments, they've really helped me to get this update out. I've been having a stressful start of the semester but I PROMISE to get the next chapter out within the next few days. And if I don't, just pester me until I do x3
Please follow if you've come this far and like it, and don't forget to drop me a little review of what you thought of this chapter or the story as a whole so far ^^ any questions, or grammer complaints, or anything!
Thanks so much, and have a great morning/night!