WARNING: fluff ahead

Danny blinked blearily, confused at first by everything. Why does my bed feel so soft? Where are the Glow in the Dark star stickers on my ceiling? Who the hell is snoring so much?

Danny looked to the left to see Vlad lying on a separate bed, his hair loose and knotted around his face, his mouth hanging open slightly as he snored. Danny sat up and stretched, the initial memory lapse from sleep gone. He was in the hotel room. He and Vlad had taken a plane down to Florida to go to the Kennedy Space Center for his birthday. Which was today. Danny was seventeen today.

He scratched his head and yawned, remembering dinner last night, and the conversation the two of them had had. Danny glanced over again, watching as Vlad slept. Danny tried to fight the grin from his face, forcing himself not to laugh. Seeing the uptight, neatly pressed and always aristocratic Vlad Masters with bedhead, snoring with a line of drool trailing down his chin was just too cute. And hilarious.

Danny smirked to himself, pulling out his phone.

…

Vlad was pulled harshly from sleep by a burning brightness. He groaned and pulled his pillow over his face, effectively blocking out the light. His features relaxed as he tried to regain sleep.

"Not much of a morning person, huh Vladdie?" Danny's voice called from somewhere across the room. Vlad didn't bother dignifying that with an actual response, merely grumbling to himself in irritation. Why's this boy bothering me at this ungodly hour? Vlad thought, scowling under his pillow. Vlad heard Danny laugh. "You're in your forties, I thought you people woke up at like 7 every day."

Vlad peaked from his pillow and noticed on the nightstand, the clock read 8:45 AM. Vlad blinked, realizing he was in a hotel with Danny on the boy's seventeenth birthday. Right right, Vlad thought to himself, throwing the pillow to the floor and rising, blinking blearily at the sunlight blaring into the room. Danny stood out on the balcony in his pajamas, barefoot and short bed ruffled hair moving gently in the breeze.

"I've never been one for mornings," Vlad said, his voice still annoyed and rough from sleep. Vlad scrubbed at his face tiredly, yawning into his fist. Danny turned around and padded back into the room, glancing toward Vlad. Danny stifled his laughter. "What?" Vlad asked, glaring lightly at the boy.

Danny pointed to his own head and laughed openly. Vlad touched his hair, feeling how it bunched on the left side from sleep. Vlad ran his fingers through the knotted mane of silver, trying to tame it back into something manageable that wouldn't make Danny laugh at him.

"Want some coffee?" Danny called as he left the bedroom.

"Yes please," Vlad called back, internally screaming for it as he slowly rose from the bed. He was fit for his age, due to training and his ghost powers. He made sure he ate right and stayed in shape, made sure to take care of his body as best he could, but there was nothing Vlad could do about aging. Well, at least nothing that Vlad had discovered yet. Mornings hurt sometimes, and if Vlad got a long rest, he tended to take some time to stop being so stiff and cranky once he'd woken up. "I'm going to shower first though," he called, already grabbing his towel and heading into the bathroom.

He stripped off his warm night clothes, turned on the shower to a high temperature and stepped inside, moaning contently as the hot jets of water massaged the sleep from his limbs.

Today was Danny's birthday. Vlad massaged the shampoo into his hair, mentally preparing himself for the day ahead. Be nice. Be calm. Be forgiving. Be nice. Vlad repeated this to himself over and over. Come on Plasmius, don't mess this up! Let's give Danny that Masters charm and show him a good time!

Once he finished washing up, he stepped out and dried off, wrapping the towel around his waist. He stepped in front of the mirror, wiping away the fog from the hot shower, the motion familiar.

He looked at himself. At his long wet hair, silver from the accident more than twenty years ago. Would his hair have started graying naturally at this point? Vlad looked at the dark rings around his dark blue eyes, at the stubble along his jaw, cheeks and neck.

Vlad deftly pulled out his shaving cream and razor. The scratchy scrap of shaving was the only thing heard in the bathroom for a time as Vlad quietly worked. Once finished, he dabbed on some aftershave and brushed the knots from his still dripping hair.

He looked at himself again, liking the image more now. Vlad enjoyed his appearance. He took pride in himself, in how he looked. He took care of himself and was confident in his looks. But with someone as young as Danny, Vlad found himself always rechecking himself in the mirror, always making sure he was just right, that everything was in place.

Vlad yawned and grabbed a dry hand towel from the bathroom's shelf. He began dying his still dripping hair. Today was going to be a good day. As soon as he had that coffee.

…

Danny started up the machine to brew the coffee, just as he heard a door close and then the muffled sound of the shower starting. He walked back into the bedroom to change. He had packed some clothes his parents had gotten him for Christmas, deciding it would be a nice occasion for the new shirt and jeans.

Once dressed, Danny found himself in front of the full body mirror, tilting his head as he looked at his new clothes, running his hands over them and threw his hair. The way Vlad had looked at me yesterday when I was wearing my suit… it was like he really thought I was handsome, Danny thought, a light blush appearing on his reflection. He probably won't look at me like that in just jeans and this new shirt…I wonder if he even likes how I look most days. He's always so put together and then there's me beside him looking so… Danny sighed and shook his head.

Danny never cared much for his appearance, figuring comfort mattered more. Everyday he'd throw on some worn jeans, his favorite T-shirt and brush his hair just enough so his mother wouldn't complain. And honestly, Danny figured he wasn't all that good looking anyway. Girls never really paid much attention to him. He knew he wasn't ugly, but Danny never actually thought of himself as particularly attractive. But when I'm Danny Phantom…

White rings circled his chest and separated. Black turned white and blue turned green. In the mirror, Danny now saw Danny Phantom, clad in his form fitting black and white suit. It was like a switch; Danny smiled at his reflection, enjoying the look of himself, of the unique coloring of his features, the way his suit hugged his body, making him look fitter and taller. He looked strong. He looked confident. Girls swooned for their hero, guys wished they could be as cool as Phantom, and ghosts trembled when Phantom let out his powerful ghostly wail. As Phantom, Danny felt good and strong and invincible. Everyone loved or feared him, and if they didn't, Danny felt confident enough to fight and to protect.

Except around Vlad. Whether Danny was Phantom or Fenton, with Vlad around, Danny didn't feel like he was putting on a mask. He didn't feel like he had to act a certain way depending on his form. At least, he didn't feel that way anymore. He felt unsure either way, but he also felt loved either way.

No one's ever looked at me the way Vlad does…Danny thought again, staring at his reflection and running his gloved hand threw his white hair, wondering what Vlad saw in him. He says he loves me…he tries so hard to be…good, for me. I'm still so young and immature. As a human, I'm awkward, and as a ghost I'm still fumbling. And even so, Vlad's always seemed interested. But what if I disappoint him? Or bore him? Or what if he realizes how young and inexperienced I am…

The idea made Danny feel miserable and embarrassed. He'll never be bored though. I'm the only other halfa. That's why he cares about me so much.

This thought came from the back of Danny's mind and shocked the boy slightly. Was that it? Was that the only reason Vlad even cared about him? Because of Phantom? If Danny was only human, would Vlad even bother anymore?

Danny shook his head and shut his eyes. The thought hurt. It hurt worse than Danny thought it would.

"No. Stop being negative. It doesn't matter what I wear, my age or if I'm Fenton or Phantom! Vlad will still like me," Danny convinced himself, turning away from the mirror. Right?

"Quite right, Daniel." Danny nearly jumped out of his skin at the voice, the white rings circling him as his powers shorted out from the fright, rapidly changing him back to Danny Fenton. He turned to see Vlad entering the bedroom, a white hotel towel around his waist and a white hand towel being rubbed into dripping silver hair. "I like the new shirt, by the way."

Danny blushed deeply, beyond mortified but Vlad barely glanced at him, and he wasn't even smirking his usual smug grin. Danny's eyes moved from Vlad's face to his chest as he walked by. Damn, does the man do nothing but workout! Danny thought frantically. He's in his mid-forties, he's got no right to look like that!

Vlad didn't seem to notice Danny's flustered staring as he turned to his bed, giving Danny a view of his back. Danny stared at the strong back, a lightly tanned color, broad shoulders, and strong arms. I've never looked at another guy this way…Danny thought absentmindedly, his face heating up as Vlad continued to dry his hair with the hand towel. Danny idly wondered what touching Vlad's skin would feel like, what those muscles would feel like, flexed under his fingers, where the skin was soft, whether Vlad was ticklish or if the man would blush lightly if Danny kissed him between his shoulder blades—

"Is the coffee ready, Daniel?" Vlad asked, startling Danny from his embarrassing thoughts.

"Oh right!" Danny said, hurrying back to the kitchenette and away from the near naked Vlad Masters.

Danny kept his mind busy by searching the cabinets until he found two white mugs, and quickly began pouring the fresh coffee. Danny's eyebrows knitted together in concentration as he focused on pouring the milk and adding sugar.

The task was thoughtless though. It was mechanical and automatic and did little to chase away the frantic thoughts running amuck in Danny's head. He thought about his encounter with the mirror spirit, the things he'd said and the things she'd said to him. Danny thought about his time so far with Vlad, the way the man had changed, the things he'd said to Danny and now the feelings Danny got when he was around the man. Love? Lust? A crush? Interest? Danny was seventeen, not much brighter than he'd been when he was a clueless freshman. He still didn't fully understand the things he felt or what love really was. All he knew was that spending time with Vlad was exciting, like listening to music you used to love, or reaching the next level of a game, or starting a new book. Unknown and familiar and exciting all at once. Danny was fascinated by Vlad and comfortable around the man. He liked how the man spoke and held himself and smiled and laughed and smelled and looked…

And yet there were still doubts, still fears. But even still, Danny found it all so exciting, thinking of his nemesis this way, learning about him, spending time with the Vlad Masters!

Danny sighed, shaking his head as he picked up the two mugs. This is all so crazy. Danny couldn't help smiling.

He entered the bedroom once more to see Vlad in his usual black slacks, black socks and white button-up. Danny felt a stab of disappointment at the loss of Vlad's bare skin. God, I'm still the same hormonal teen!

Danny handed Vlad the steaming coffee mug. Vlad took it and sipped it deftly, his face immediately twisting unpleasantly. "Too much sugar."

"Sorry, I just made it the way I take it," Danny murmured as he sipped his own cup. "I didn't know you took yours bitter, like your soul." Danny smirked when Vlad rolled his eyes.

"And you take yours as sugary as your view of the world. Well at least it woke me up," Vlad said, sipping the coffee once more before leaning forward and kissing Danny lightly on the temple. "Good morning, Daniel."

Danny's initial surprise quickly faded as he smiled, watching Vlad, who seemed much more alert and awake now. A cup of coffee does the soul good, Danny thought pleasantly as Vlad put down his mug and grabbed his usual black jacket. Danny quickly put a hand out. "Oh, no no no. Not the usual Vlad-suit."

Vlad arched an eyebrow. "Vlad-suit?"

"It's my birthday, wear something different! Something casual," Danny said with a laugh. "You do own clothes that aren't suits, right?"

Vlad seemed about ready to argue the point, but then apparently remembered something. He quickly bent down into his suitcase and pulled out a Packers jersey, a large grin on his face. Danny blinked, imagining Vlad walking around with that on. It was kind of adorable. "I was thinking less…green and gold. We're going to a Space Center, not a football game." Vlad looked bit disappointed, folding up the jersey and putting it away.

"Fine fine, I'll just wear a sweater," Vlad mumbled, unbuttoning his white button-up and sliding it off his shoulders.

Danny quickly looked away, not wanting to get caught up in more naughty thoughts just before their trip, even though the temptation to watch Vlad dress was way too strong.

…

They arrived at the Kennedy Space Center promptly an hour later. Vlad pulled at the collar of his black sweater, but was thankful the inside of the building was heavily air conditioned. Danny handed over the tickets at the front desk, his eyes wide as he looked around him before they even properly entered. Vlad smiled at the boy's excitement. He was as bouncy as that little ghost puppy.

Vlad had to admit, the place was interesting. The building was sleek and the attractions were incredible. They walked around, looking at huge to-scale models of rockets, engines, space shuttles and moon cruisers. There were pamphlets with information but as they searched the Center, Danny buzzed with facts, explaining to Vlad the mechanics of the machines, the regulations, spitting out dates and names like an encyclopedia. Vlad was amazed that the boy knew more than just about stars and planets; he was seriously dedicated to this stuff and knew it all.

"Oh cool!" Danny exclaimed as they approached a small room behind a dark curtain, where an accurate replica of the control seats of an astronaut's ship sat for people to experience. Danny sat in the main left chair and Vlad took the right, each putting on a set of large headphones. "A bit more complex that the Fenton Cruiser," Danny laughed as he switched a few knobs and pressed a button. The screens before them suddenly showed a pale blue sky. "Ready for take off, Masters?"

Vlad looked to Danny as the lights in the small room dimmed. Vlad laughed and said, "Ready as ever, Captain Fenton."

"This isn't a pirate ship, Vlad," Danny said with a laugh as he pressed more buttons, seemingly knowing exactly what each one did. "Its way cooler!" Their seats rumbled and the screen before them showed the clouds moving, the sky getting darker and darker as they soared into the skies, their seats vibrating violently until finally, they breeched the Earth's atmosphere and entered space. Danny had been giving random commands to "Houston" the entire time. Finally both men looked at the screens as they gently floated in space, the stars too numerous to count, a mass of dots, the big blue Earth separated, a large living entity.

Vlad was amazed, watching as he and Danny flew through space, just he and him, away from the rest of the world. He glanced to Danny in the seat beside him, the boy's face illuminated from the screens, his blue eyes full of wonder and confidence as he "steered" and pressed more buttons, laughing and giving commands. It was more captivating that the life-like simulation of the cosmos.

Vlad could get used to this. He'd give the boy the whole solar system if it kept that expression on his face and kept the boy by his side.

The pair continued through the Center, stopping at speeches and seminars given by actual astronauts and NASA workers, Danny soaking it all up. They walked in a huge room that was a replica of the NASA station that connects to the ship on Earth, dozens of computers and monitors filling the room, a tour guide explaining it all.

"Wanna go in the anti-gravity room?" Danny said with a smirk as he pointed out the room on the map they made picked up at the entrance. "I think it's a bit different than just flying." Vlad agreed and after a thorough introduction from a worker about the room and safety precautions, Danny and Vlad entered.

It only lasted a minute, but once the gravity turned off, the pair floated into the air, Danny laughing giddily. It definitely was different from flying. Here, there was no up or down really, and Vlad had little control over where his body went and how it twisted in the air. He tumbled in a circle, scrambling to grab something on the wall for leverage. Vlad felt like he was twenty again, just learning how to use his powers of flight.

"Here, take my hand," Danny offered with a laugh, attempting to face Vlad, his hand reaching out.

Vlad smiled and reached out, floating towards Danny and grasping his hand. They interlaced fingers and laughed as they bumped together, their bodies lazily floating around the room. Vlad reached out and grabbed Danny's other hand, smiling at the boy, his heart racing with adrenaline and the literal weightless in his chest, his skin tingling where he and Danny's fingers intertwined.

If only they had found each other sooner. If only Danny had been born in Vlad's time, he could have helped Vlad during his painful loneliness after the accident. If only Vlad hadn't been such a stubborn, vindictive ass, he could have been there for Danny after the boy's accident. They could have helped each other as they were now, as they fumbled and twisted in the air, laughing as they bumped into the walls and ceiling and each other. Instead, they had been forced to fumble through the transformation on their own. True, Danny had at least had friends, but they hadn't experienced it with Danny, simply been there on the sidelines. Vlad squeezed the boy's hands. He wouldn't ever let Danny feel alone.

The Space Center really was huge. There were games that Vlad and Danny competed in, the competitions getting heated. There was a food court with space themed meals, even allowing guests to try a space meal, which was dried food, "Just add water". As they walked around the huge building, Danny would see something and grabbed Vlad's hand, pulling the man to this or that, smiling widely. Vlad always felt a small jump in his heart every time Danny's hand grabbed his, every time they stopped moving yet Danny didn't let go.

As the duo pasted a restroom, Vlad began getting the uncomfortable feeling that perhaps a super-sized Saturn shake had been a bit too large. "Excuse me a moment, Daniel," Vlad said, putting a hand to Danny's shoulder. "I'll just be a moment." Danny nodded and Vlad headed into the bathroom. It was crowded with other men and boys, but Vlad didn't pay them any mind. It was like he was on a high; he was too happy right now for much of anything to bother him, even with a full bladder and a bathroom full of strange men and fussing children. Once Vlad was at the sink to wash his hands, he suddenly had the huge desire to look into the mirror and thank a certain someone. I really shouldn't have blasted that mirror…

Once he exited the bathroom, Vlad searched the area for Danny. He spotted the boy, but froze when he noticed someone beside him. It was a girl, probably around Danny's age. She wore a NASA T-shirt, and curly blond hair held back by a purple headband. She was cute. Vlad watched as Danny said something to her and the girl smiled and laughed, lightly touching Danny's arm.

Vlad stalked over. "Ready to continue, Daniel?" Vlad asked crisply, his gaze cool as he tried not to show his irritation.

"Yeah sure. Lucy was just telling me that they've got a gyroscope ride upstairs that people can try out!" Danny said excitedly.

"Lucy, huh?" Vlad murmured, the name sour on his tongue as he glared lightly at the girl. She was ignoring Vlad anyway, finding it more favorable to smile at Danny, and flip her blond hair over her shoulder.

"Yeah, you and your dad should come up with me and my mom. I want to ride that thing again, it's so much fun!" Lucy suggested excitedly, again touching Danny's arm.

"Oh, he's not my—"

"Sounds like a great idea, let's get going then, Daniel," Vlad cut in with a polite smile, putting his arm around Danny's shoulders and pulling him away and down towards the elevator, leaving Lucy confused behind them.

"Hey, that was rude," Danny said, glaring at Vlad before trying to look over his shoulder towards the girl. "She was nice."

"Oh yes, so nice," Vlad bit out, his hold on Danny's shoulder firm as they entered the elevator. Vlad quickly pressed the CLOSE DOOR button, and the two were alone.

"Oh don't tell me," Danny said after a moment, giving Vlad a look. "Are you seriously jealous, again?"

Vlad looked over to the boy, grabbing Danny's chin and tilting his head up. Vlad leaned down, his mouth mere centimeters away from Danny's. The boy gasped slightly. "Yes, I am. Immensely. I am always jealous."

"There's no need," Danny muttered, his eyes locked on Vlad's. Vlad saw apprehension in Danny's blue eyes, and uncertainty and…something else.

The elevator beeped and Vlad pulled away from Danny just as the doors opened. "Shall we go then?" Vlad asked with a tight smirk at the apparently shell-shocked teen.

"As long as you don't get jealous of me staring at a spaceship," Danny muttered as he hurried out of the elevator. Vlad gloomy mood stuck as he followed the boy.

The gyroscope was a machine that a person sat in and the seat inside spun around and upside down, spinning the person to give them the feeling of dizziness that they might feel when in the seat of a spaceship.

Danny got in and the worker strapped him in and turned the machine on. Danny laughed as he spun and dipped, turning over and over, his hair whipping up and down inside the sphere. Vlad couldn't help the small glimmer of a smile from breaking over his sour expression as Danny cried out in joy, his earlier jealousy nearly forgotten.

When the boy stepped out, he stumbled and Vlad caught him by the elbow. Danny leaned into Vlad's chest laughing. "You have got to try it!"

"No thank you," Vlad said resolutely.

"Hey, it's my birthday, which makes you obligated to do as I say," Danny argued with a smirk. "Come on, it's fun." Vlad looked away, a grumpy pout on his lips. Danny chuckled, poking Vlad's cheek. "Oh come on, Vladdie, stop with the pouty face, you look like a stubborn five year old." Danny reached up, pulling at Vlad's cheeks in an irritating attempt to make the man smile. "I'm not into blonds anyway."

Vlad cocked an eyebrow and glanced to Danny, his intrigue peaked. "Oh? So then what are you into?"

Danny rolled his eyes with a smile. "Grumpy old silver foxes who ride gyroscopes."

The ridiculousness of the statement made Vlad laugh. "Ha you laughed! That means I win!" Danny exclaimed, pushing Vlad towards the machine.

Forcing himself to let go of his irrational jealousies, Vlad got into the machine, suffering a whole minute of dizzying spinning and flipping. He stumbled out afterwards, his vision slightly wobbly and his steps awkward. Danny put a hand to Vlad's chest and back, keeping him steady as he laughed.

"Awesome right?"

"Awesome wasn't exactly the word I was going to use." Vlad felt a warm pleasure at the feel of Danny's hands on his chest.

They walked down towards the exhibit area, where large models of ships and statues of astronauts in their full outfit stood. Danny and Vlad walked around, marveling at the pieces. Danny gaped and smiled, tightly gripping Vlad's wrist as he pointed at everything. Danny paused and looked down at his hand, and for a moment Vlad thought the boy would get embarrassed and let go. Instead, Danny pulled up Vlad's sleeve, revealing Vlad's wristwatch.

"What time is it?" Danny asked as he lifted Vlad's arm to look at the watch. Vlad watched, realizing how strange it was that Danny was touching him so casually, grabbing him and moving his arm like this. Vlad couldn't help smiling slightly.

"I'm going to make a quick call to my parents," Danny said, letting of Vlad and wandering off towards the corner and away from the crowds of people.

Vlad watched for a moment then continued to look at the astronomical pieces, amazed by the grandeur and mechanics. I should start working on another invention, Vlad thought mildly. It's been a while since I worked in my lab. I had been working on those anti-bodies prototypes for nights on end. Maybe I should pick that up again. Ever since discovering the information about a magical mirror, Vlad had ignored his scientist side, focusing on the goal the mirror had sent him to; getting Danny. Maybe Jack and Maddie could help me with some of the rougher parts, Vlad mused. He blinked, realizing the thought he'd just had. Vlad sighed, the sound one of pleasant defeat. He smiled slightly. What has that boy done to me…

"It's incredible, isn't it?" Vlad looked over at the sound of the voice. A woman, in her thirties or forties, stood beside him, smiling. "All this."

Vlad glanced around him. "Yes, it's all impressive."

"My daughter's been begging for me to take her here ever since she was seven," the woman gushed with a smile. "She's been interested in NASA and space since I can remember, so she was thrilled when I surprised her with these tickets."

Vlad smiled. "My…" Vlad faltered slightly. He cleared his throat. "I know the feeling. I gave these tickets to someone recently for his birthday and since arriving, he hasn't stopped smiling. He's dreamed of being an astronaut since he was a boy as well."

"Such big dreams, kids have," the woman said with a smile. "Was it your son you gave these tickets to? Are you here with him and your wife?"

Vlad suppressed a smile at the thought of addressing Danny as his wife. "No, no children or spouse just yet."

The woman's smile grew and she glanced away briefly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear with her left hand. She looked at Vlad through her lashes, her hand devoid of a ring. "You know, it's funny. I saw you and I thought you reminded me of someone from a magazine."

"Oh?" Vlad asked, arching his eyebrow.

"Vlad Masters. He's this billionaire from Wisconsin, very handsome. You look very much like him."

Vlad smirked at the obvious compliment. "Why thank you. I don't believe we've properly introduced ourselves."

"Oh!" the woman said prettily, reaching out her hand. "I'm Evelyn."

Vlad reached for her hand just as a smaller, male hand grabbed his hand firmly. Vlad looked up to see Danny standing there, an irritated expression on his face.

"I finished my phone call. So glad you're meeting new people in my short absence," Danny said, his blue eyes narrowed.

"I was lonely," Vlad teased with a mock-pitiful expression. "And this lovely woman was simply—"

"Well let's get moving. Still so much to see!" Danny chirped in. He looked to Evelyn. "Nice meeting you anyway."

Danny, his grip still tight on Vlad's hand, dragged the man away. "Okay, either you're completely clueless, or you're an asshole," Danny growled out, still holding onto Vlad's hand as they walked through the building.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"That woman was so flirting with you, don't act like you didn't see it!"

"She was nice."

Danny paused, looking at Vlad, who smirked innocently down at Danny. "You knew," Danny hissed in disbelief. "You are an asshole, you knew she was flirting with you the whole time and you just humored her."

"It wasn't like I was going to ask her to meet me at the hotel," Vlad said. "I just humored her long enough for you to finish your phone call. To keep me entertained until my Little Badger returned to me."

"You mean until I could see you two and get jealous?" Danny seethed.

"Were you jealous, Daniel?" Vlad smirked, his lips twitching in wicked glee as Danny blushed furiously. Danny looked down at his hand, which was gripping Vlad's tightly. Danny pulled away, his face an adorable red. "Is there any reason for you to be jealous?"

Danny looked to Vlad a moment, his expression fearful and irritated and embarrassed and searching…

Vlad stood there, staring down at the young ghost boy, a pleased smirk on his face until Danny finally narrowed his eyes and stormed off, his face still deliciously flushed to the very tips of his ears. Vlad couldn't help chuckling as he followed. Oh how I love this boy.

…

"No."

"Yes."

"Absolutely not."

"Oh come on, it's not that bad."

"I completely refuse."

Vlad saw the boy roll his eyes but he didn't care. Finally, when Danny was sure he'd seen and tried everything the Space center had to offer— twice— Danny had despairingly agreed to leave so they could find a place to eat. Vlad would have loved for Danny to spend as much time there as he wanted, but the place would close for the day eventually, and it was already growing late.

"But it's my birthday," Danny tried with an innocent smile up at Vlad. The boy had somehow found a Nasty Burger in the Florida area and was now trying to make Vlad enter the restaurant and actually eat the food they served there.

"I drank over-sweetened coffee, wore a sweater instead of my suit, went on that gyro machine…I think I've sacrificed enough for your birthday, thank you very much," Vlad said huffily, ignoring Danny's cute pout. The boy had a small NASA pin pinned to his shirt, as well as a bag of many other NASA souvenirs for himself and friends. Yes, Vlad believed he'd given more than enough for the boy's birthday; he didn't need to add permanently damaging his digestive system to the list.

"Yeah and you also flirted with a woman right in front of me," Danny muttered, glancing toward Vlad.

"You flirted with a girl today as well, if I recall."

"I did not! We were talking!"

"As was I." Vlad heard the boy huff in exasperation and smirked, loving how jealous the boy had truly been about the woman. Reigning in his smile, Vlad gave the younger halfa an unimpressed lift of his eyebrow, crossing his arms in his stubborn resolution to not enter the fast food joint.

Danny sighed. "I don't want to have to do this Vlad, but you're leaving me with no other choice."

"What, you're going to beg?" Vlad asked with a smirk, a touch of eagerness to his playful voice.

"Ha, you wish," Danny said, pulling out his phone. He pressed some buttons for a moment and then turned the device around, showing Vlad the screen, a satisfied smirk that had no place on a boy as innocent as Daniel. Vlad looked at the picture and immediately blanched. He made to snatch the phone but Danny pulled his hand away with a laugh, shoving the phone back into his pocket.

On the screen had been a picture of Vlad, from this morning, fast asleep, mouth gaping open, hair a knotted mess and a line of drool running down his chin.

"Daniel, that is completely inappropriate!"

"Oh yeah, says Mr. Bug Cams Hidden all over the Fenton House?" Danny said with a pointed look, arching a dark brow. "You've done way worse, Vlad. This is innocent blackmail."

Vlad couldn't argue; it was true, he had done much worse, so he honestly could complain that Danny was finally starting to play dirty, despite how humiliating it was.

Vlad swallowed his pride and embarrassment and smirked lightly. "Well played, Little Badger. I am rubbing off on you, aren't I? You've really improving on the skill and manipulation of using an enemy's weakness against them."

Danny smiled playfully up at Vlad. "What can I say, you're too good a teacher, I guess." Danny laughed and Vlad just smiled. "The fact that we're no longer enemies also adds to the fun."

"Agreed," Vlad said, putting his hands in his pockets and looking up at the fast food joint that was already releasing the scent of fried food and grease. "Fine Daniel, you win."

"As always," Danny said with a proud lift of his chin. He smiled and opened the door. "Don't worry, it's really good."

"I'm sure it shall live up to its name."

""Nasty is only one letter away from Tasty", as Tucker always points out," Danny said with a laugh and Vlad rolled his eyes.

This time, Danny ordered for both of them, already knowing the menu by heart. The two sat with their trays, piled with fries and shakes and onion rings and large greasy cheeseburgers in thin wrappings. They sat in the back corner, away from the group of teens in bikini tops and flip flops. Florida was certainly a different world from Madison and Amity Park.

Danny eagerly ripped open his sandwich, taking an inhuman sized bite and humming pleasantly. "Nothing beats a big greasy burger from Nasty Burger."

"Except maybe a nice Veal Marsala," Vlad murmured under his breath.

"Oh stop being so stuffy and just eat it!" Danny exclaimed.

Vlad sighed and ripped open his sandwich. He stared at it a minute. I'm Vlad Plasmius. Vlad Masters! I can eat a stupid fast food burger!

Vlad bit the burger, feeling sauce ooze out on the corners of his mouth, tasted the cooked meat and lettuce and condiments and the soft bun and before he could stop himself, a hum escaped his throat. It was so greasy and fatty and good. It reminded Vlad of his college days, nights full of pizza and burgers and junk food till he and Jack had been too sick to move the next day.

Danny laughed loudly, his face scrunched in amusement as he doubled over in his chair.

Vlad swallowed, glaring at the boy. "Pray tell, what could possibly have you laughing now?"

Danny calmed some, gasping slightly as he handed Vlad a napkin. Vlad blushed slightly, rubbing the napkin on his mouth. "Glad you enjoyed it, Vlad," Danny managed between chuckles. "It's nice seeing the great Vlad Masters loosen up."

Vlad blinked, putting down the napkin. He rolled his eyes and tossed one of his fries at Danny's face. "Shut up, boy."

…

Once they arrived back at the hotel, Danny dropped his things off on his bed, grabbed a towel and shut himself up in the bathroom for a shower. Vlad stayed in the bedroom, changing into night clothes and sitting on the edge of his bed for a moment. He couldn't stop smiling.

His heart was pounding. His thoughts were full of Danny; the boy's voice, his laugh, his pout, his smiles, his blazing green eyes, his happy blue eyes, his soft black hair, his thick white hair, his moods, his kindness, his stubbornness, his innocence, his insecurities. Vlad couldn't get enough and spending the whole day with the boy had been more fun than Vlad had had in a long time.

Vlad stood, silently pacing the carpeted room, his thumb coming between his teeth. Don't mess this up…don't mess this up…

Too many times did Vlad's over confidence ruin things. Too many times Vlad was disappointed, abandoned, tricked or left heart broken. He didn't want that with Danny.

For a long time, Vlad had been alone. All alone. He hadn't trusted anyone, or gotten close to someone. He had holed himself away with his riches and plots and schemes of revenge, with his fantasies of a woman who had never loved him. But now he had glimpsed a new life, a new dream that could be his and it was within reach, at the very tips of his fingers! He was so close and that scared Vlad, but also excited him.

Vlad was used to force. He was used to getting what he wanted by any means, and dismissing others needs or feelings. Being alone made a person cold, made them forget to worry about others. Twenty years had numbed Vlad, nearly turned his heart to stone as he fought for only himself, since no one else would. Danny had changed that. He had forced Vlad to change. To try and thaw his cold heart, and remember what it meant to truly love someone.

The door to the bathroom opened and Vlad spun around. Danny emerged, his pajamas on as he roughed towel dried his hair. When he poked out from the towel, Vlad caught sight of blue eyes through a wet curtain of black hair. The boy's skin was slightly flushed from the hot water and the scent of hotel shampoo and soap wafted off Danny.

"What?" Danny asked, slowing lowering the towel as he stared at Vlad, who was staring at him.

"Oh, nothing," Vlad said, walking over and taking the towel from Danny. He put it to the boy's head and gently rubbed at the wet hair, massaging the wetness away. He pushed the towel back and Danny scowled likely up at Vlad, a darker flush on his cheeks.

"I can do it myself you know."

"I know," Vlad said with a lazy smile, continuing to gentle dry the boy's dripping hair.

Danny looked away. His eyes landed on something and he smiled, walking away from Vlad and the towel. "Oh yeah, Tucker and Sam's present." Danny grabbed the gift from the top of his bag; a card and a small wrapped object. He sat on the side of his bed, opening the card quickly and reading it, a smile on his face.

Vlad watched quietly, a content smile on his face. Did it bother him that Danny smiled because of others? Yes, but it also made Vlad happy that Danny was happy. That Danny was loved by many, as he should be. A few years ago, Vlad wouldn't have been able to smile like this; he wouldn't have been able to put aside his possessiveness and jealousies for someone else. But the main reason it pleased him, was that out of all these people Danny knew and liked, he had chosen Vlad to be here today. And that spoke volumes.

Danny's laughter cut through Vlad's thoughts and he looked up. Danny held up the unwrapped gift. It was a DVD.

"It's a movie we all saw last year on my sixteenth birthday," Danny explained. "Rider the Vampire Hunter. I loved this movie."

"The irony isn't lost," Vlad murmured, putting out his hand. "You get the popcorn."

Danny and Vlad sat on Vlad's bed several minutes later, the lights off, the movie playing, and a popcorn bowl already half empty sitting between them.

More than once, Vlad and Danny's hands touched in the bowl. More than once, at a point in the movie where it was supposed to be scary, Danny and Vlad were either laughing or scoffing, criticizing the horrors and effects, or yelling at the stupidity of the hero and heroine.

"You've got to admit, that Count Fred is a handsome devil, and his plan would have been flawless had it not been for Rider's girlfriend's inexplicable psychic abilities."

"You're just agreeing with the villain because he looks just like you."

"Why thank you, Daniel, I always knew I was a handsome devil."

Vlad chuckled at the visible blush on the boy's face even in the limited lighting. "Well you're a tad more…blue," Danny muttered, staring fixedly at the screen. Vlad laughed and Danny couldn't help smiling too.

They were quiet for a bit as the movie continued, Vlad occasionally glancing to the boy beside him. He noticed Danny's far off look. The boy sat beside him, his legs drawn up to his chest, his arms resting on his knees and his chin on his forearms. He stared at the screen, but didn't seem to be watching it, his fingers picking at a loose strand on his pajama bottoms.

"Daniel. Everything alright?"

"Hm?" Danny glanced over. When he noticed Vlad watching him, the boy straightened out his legs and leaned back casually on his hands. "Yeah, why would anything be wrong?" Danny said with a smile that Vlad thought seemed a bit forced.

Vlad's eyes narrowed slightly at the boy. Danny scratched the back of his head, looking away from Vlad. "Daniel…"

"It's nothing, really. Just…just thanks again, for everything lately. I never would have thought spending the day with you on my birthday would have been this…fun." Danny smiled awkwardly and Vlad smiled, reaching out to pet Danny's hair affectionately. Danny closed his eyes at the contact, a content smile on his face and a gentle blush coloring the tops of his cheeks. "I like when you do that…"

Vlad's eyes widened slightly at the confession and his fingers stilled. Danny looked up when he noticed the pause. Vlad's hand slipped from the top of Danny's head to the boy's cheek, his skin soft against Vlad's warm palm. The two stared at each other, the air thick between them, their bodies close but not close enough, their eyes fixed as though both were searching for something, afraid they'd miss it if they looked away.

Everything that had happened between them…everything they'd ever said, everything they'd ever done…everything Vlad had tried to fix, everything he'd sacrificed to get to this point…sitting in the small space that separated them on the bed…

Vlad's thumb traced a small circle on Danny's cheek before slowly letting his hand fall to his side. Vlad had never been one to be afraid to take a risk to get what he wanted. But that was usually after months of planning, of carefully ensuring everything would go his way. And this…this wasn't something he was willing to risk so easily. He was a patient man when it came to something important to him. Nothing had ever been as important as this.

Vlad looked away and began to turn back towards the television when a gentle, "Vlad?" caused him to turn back.

"Daniel-?"

Before the name was even properly out of his mouth, Vlad felt lips on his, warm and soft and a little dry, pressing firmly. Vlad's eyes were wide open, his heart racing. He didn't get a chance to respond before Danny pulled back, but not too far.

"You…kissed me?" Vlad said blankly, the sentence not one of his most articulate as his mind frantically tried to catch up with what had just happened.

"Oh, is that what that was?" Danny said with a short laugh as though trying to diffuse the obvious tension in the air. When Vlad remained motionless and shocked, Danny's smile faded slightly, swallowing nervously and scratching his head. "That's okay, right?"

"Okay?" Vlad whispered hoarsely, his voice full of incredulousness. Vlad blinked and moved quickly. One hand behind the boy's head, buried in the soft dark hair, one hand on the boy's back, and his lips crushed against Danny's. He kissed hard, his mouth pressed to Danny's. The boy hummed in surprise then pressed back, and it was like a switch. Vlad groaned slightly, like a whine or a growl against Danny's mouth, moving his lips against the boy's, raking his fingers in his hair. Vlad felt hands on his chest and then felt them move around under his arms and to his back, where they gripped the back of his night shirt. He felt Danny kissing back, hesitantly at first, as though unsure what was happening or how to do all this, but after a few moments of fumbling, Danny was kissing just as intensely, one of his hands moving from Vlad's back to Vlad's neck, just under his ponytail.

Vlad felt like he was drowning. He pressed Danny closer to his chest, wanting to feel the boy's warmth, and his cold core and his heart beating against his. Danny squirmed a bit as he adjusted himself, Vlad shifting as well until the boy was kneeling between his legs.

Vlad felt Danny panting hotly against his mouth. They shared a few messy open mouthed kisses, Vlad gently sucking the boy's bottom lip, swiping his tongue out to taste the tanginess of the teenager. Vlad groaned roughly, pressed Danny's chest to his own and a tingle ran from Vlad's core up though his spine. Between their connecting lips a mist of white breath escaped, cool, making Vlad's lips tingle as Danny's core reacted to Vlad's blazing ghost core. He didn't think he'd get enough of this boy.

Finally Danny whined slightly, pulling his head away. Vlad looked down at Danny, cupping his face in both his hands, breathing heavily.

"So…that just happened," Danny muttered with a weak smile. Vlad laughed and it felt good, like he was finally releasing the tension that was always between them.

"Indeed it did," Vlad said, smiling at the newly ruffled hair, the redness of Danny's lips, and the slightly dazed sparkle in Danny's eyes. Vlad ran his fingers through the soft hair, unable to stop grinning down at the boy.

"Finally," Danny muttered with a light glare at Vlad.

"What do you mean, finally?"

"I mean you've been "almost kissing" me since you got better after the fight with the shadow," Danny explained with an irritated look.

"Because it seemed you didn't want me to, if you're flinches and scared expressions meant anything," Vlad explained with a raised eyebrow. "Are you trying to tell me you did want me to kiss you all this time?"

"No! Well…yes, but…" Danny stammered and clammed up, looking away with a light blush. "I don't know, just ignore me." Danny miserably bent his head and leaned his forehead against Vlad's shoulder, effectively hiding his face.

Vlad chuckled, rubbing Danny's back soothingly, trying to allow them both time to figure out what they were feeling.

"I was merely trying not to pressure you Daniel," Vlad explained.

"You were driving me crazy," Danny mumbled against Vlad's shoulder and Vlad laughed. A few silent seconds passed, neither moving. "So what now?"

"I can't say, Little Badger," Vlad answered quietly as they sat close together on the bed, his lips still tingling. Vlad brought a hand to them, gently running his fingertips over his lips, staring vaguely at the opposite wall, enjoying the feeling of Danny's weight and warmth pressed against him.

Danny was quiet for a while and then, very quietly, "I'm scared."

Vlad felt his heart constrict at the words and the vulnerability Danny showed by uttering them to Vlad. The older man hugged Danny to his chest, resting his chin on Danny's head and rubbing his back. "I am too, Daniel. But…if this is okay—"

"It is," Danny insisted quickly, pulling away and waving his hands in front of him. "Really, it's…I think maybe that's why I'm scared. Because you're Vlad freaking Plasmius and yet it feels…right to be here and-and kiss you and feel all giddy and nervous and excited and freaked out but its still good." Danny pulled at his hair in frustration, looking imploringly at Vlad. "Does any of that even make sense?"

Vlad chuckled, rubbing Danny's hair. "Surprisingly, yes. And that's precisely my feelings as well."

Danny sighed in relief, his hands dropping into his lap and he smiled crookedly at Vlad. "We're weird, aren't we?"

"Incurably so," Vlad agreed with a smirk. "Nothing about this, about us makes sense and yet…"

"And yet it still feels right for whatever reason," Danny finished. Vlad nodded. He smiled, leaning down and kissing the boy, reveling in the feeling of Danny kissing back, of Danny wanting to be kissed and enjoying being kissed. It was like a dream, like a sweet sweet dream that Vlad had been chasing all his life, only recently seeing it clearer, seeing it right before his eyes and feeling it just as the ends of his fingers tips. And now he had a hold on it as he had a hold on Danny's hand as they kissed slowly, exploring and testing. Vlad wasn't going to let go.

"Can I sleep here?" Danny whispered when they pulled away.

Vlad's breath caught in his throat as thoughts flashed quickly through his mind, 90% of them too inappropriate to be having with a minor sitting in his lap.

"Danny, I'm not sure if that's—"

"Just to sleep!" Danny insisted, his cheeks a bright red. "Really, just sleeping! I just want…I mean I'm getting pretty tired and my bed is all the way on that side of the room and its cold and—"

Vlad smirked, unable to resist teasing the boy when he got so frazzled. "Oh yes, your bed is so far, Daniel. I would never subject you to that sort of torture."

"Glad you agree," Danny said with a laugh, pulling the cover out from underneath him and laying down, pulling the thick cover to his chin. He smiled up at Vlad.

Vlad stared down at Danny, feeling his face heat up at the sight. I feel like a young boy again! I'm blushing like a child, just because he looks so cute and happy all snuggled up in my bed—

"Vlad?" Vlad blinked, hoping his blush would fade. He coughed into his fist.

"Yes Daniel?"

"Thanks."

Vlad looked down at the boy in mild confusion. "You've been thanking me a lot lately. I don't think I've really done anything to warrant it."

Danny smiled up at the man. "You've done a lot lately, Vlad. I'm really grateful."

Vlad smiled slightly, busying himself with putting the popcorn bowl on the floor and turning off the television so the boy wouldn't notice the blush on his face, and the tears in his eyes.

Vlad reached for the side lamp but Danny reached up and stopped him. He smiled up at Vlad, a light pink on the tops of his cheeks but his expression was open and happy. "Just…one more kiss?"

Vlad's heart soared as he bent down over Danny's smaller form, kissing the boy firmly, lovingly, running fingers through the black hair and over soft skin. Vlad never wanted to stop, but pulled away slowly, smiling at the boy. "I love you, Daniel."

Danny laughed nervously, blushing like the naïve teenager he was, pulling the covers over him and quickly saying, "Goodnight Vlad!"

"Goodnight, Daniel. Happy birthday," Vlad said with a chuckle and laying down on the covers.

Sleep didn't come immediately. The feeling of another body lying beside him in bed, someone warm and small and someone he loved dearly, was too overwhelming. Vlad's heart was pounding, wanting so badly to hold the boy, to kiss him and kiss him until neither of them could breathe anymore. He wanted to hold Danny and never let go. He finally had someone to love and who loved him back.

A smaller hand suddenly covered his. No words were spoken and Vlad had to put his free hand to his mouth to stifle a choked sob, tears finally streaming down his face. He moved over, draping an arm over the boy and pulling him close, burying his nose in the dark hair, inhaling the scent, heart pounding, soaking in his warmth. His gripped tightly to the boy who wrapped his arms around Vlad. The man smiled and cried silently, thanking God, fate, the mirror, this boy, and all the stars in the solar system that he was here now, that this was real, that he was finally loved and no longer alone.

Hello, okay so its been waaaay too long, I apologize *bows* Its been a stressful time and its been pushing this chapter back and back, but now that its finally out, we can all rejoice! :D *throws confetti* ITS FINALLY HAPPENED. There will be one or two more chapters left, so be prepared! :D Thank you all so so much for all the support, all the favorites and follows and little reminders of "HEY WHERE ARE YOU? POST THE NEXT CHAPTER!" XD its always nice seeing people were still out there supporting me even though the update took a while.

As always, favorite or follow if you haven't already and like the story, and leave a little comment if you can, either with reactions, questions, grammaticalissues, etc etc :) thank you all so so much and hope you have a great night!