Warmth. A gentle, comfortable warmth that made Vlad hum as his body and mind slowly woke from sleep. He opened his eyes slightly, seeing a mess of black hair, feeling it tickle against his nose. He saw Danny's face, relaxed into sleep, so close to his own. The boy was under the covers, the blanket pulled up to his chin, his body lying close to Vlad's lined up perfectly, snuggly. Vlad was lying on top of the covers, his arm draped around the boy, keeping him close.
It wasn't a dream… Vlad thought with a smile. A relief spread over him, consuming his mind and body, leaving him completely relaxed, his limbs melting into the soft bed, his smile wide. He reached up, gently running his fingers through the boy's hair, rubbing soothing circles into the boy's soft cheek with his thumb.
Danny made a soft sound, stretched slightly, nuzzling into Vlad's palm before slowly opening his eyes. The split second before Danny looked at Vlad, Vlad worried he'd see horror and regret in those blue eyes. Instead, he saw surprise, and then realization and then mild embarrassment. A blush on the boy's cheeks, and then a smile.
"Morning," Danny murmured, his voice rough from sleep.
Vlad smiled. "Morning, Little Badger." Vlad leaned forward, kissing the boy's forehead. "We leave back for Amity Park today. Do you want to leave early? After breakfast so you'll be home for dinner?"
"Trying to get rid of me so soon, huh?" Danny joked with a smirk, stretching leisurely under the covers. "I was actually hoping to lounge in bed all day. Order room service, watch crappy hotel television…maybe finally get that foot massage?"
The hopeful smile that slipped onto Danny's face was sweet, too sweet. Vlad laughed. "Such a spoiled boy. I give you some fancy presents and suddenly you want to be treated like a young Prince."
Danny turned onto his back and crisply clapped his hands twice. "I request cake for breakfast!"
Vlad shook his head and sat up. He shot Danny a twisted smirk. "You're lucky you're cute, kid, or that whole high and mighty act would get obnoxious real fast."
Danny laughed. "You'd know about high and mighty acts," the boy said with smirk. He turned towards Vlad, propped on his side by his elbow, his cheek resting in his palm. Danny opened his mouth as though about to speak, but closed it quickly and averted his eyes. He blushed lightly and then peeked over to Vlad with a small smile, "You think I'm cute?"
"The cutest," Vlad growled, leaning down to kiss Danny's cheek and neck, nibbling softly. Danny gasped and then laughed, sounding more like a breathless giggle, only spurring Vlad on more. He kissed along the boy's jaw, trailing up behind Danny's ear, making the boy sigh quietly. It was very close to a moan. Danny immediately slapped a hand over his mouth, cutting off the sound, his face bright red. Vlad chuckled. "Definitely the cutest."
"Screw you," Danny growled without much bite.
"And the one with the worst morning breath."
Danny slapped his hand back over his mouth, his blush deepening. He slapped Vlad's shoulder. Vlad smirked and took the hand away, kissing Danny fully on the mouth. "Go brush your teeth and use the bathroom, Little Prince, while I prepare your morning feast of sweets."
The boy nodded and got out of bed, stretching his arms above his head, causing his T-shirt to ride up just a bit, enough to flash a strip of smooth back to Vlad, who blushed lightly with a smile. Vlad watched as Danny disappeared into the bathroom, and once the door clicked shut, Vlad flopped back onto the bed, a hand thrown over his face. He didn't move for a moment, and then slowly a smile spread over his lips. He moved his hand down to cover the grin, but still felt it there, felt the happiness growing in his chest. The happiness scared Vlad.
The man shook his head, clearing the negativity away. I'm happy. That's good. It's not going to disappear. I'm going to be happy from now on, everything is going to be alright. Vlad said to himself as he sat up and reached for the phone, eager to have Danny's special breakfast laid out and ready once the boy was done in the bathroom.
…
Twenty minutes later, Danny exited the bathroom, dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt, towel drying his hair. He tossed the towel onto his bed and noticed Vlad not in the room. He exited the room and went out into the kitchen living room suite and gasped when he saw the assortments of foods laid out on the table, all kinds of fruits, pastries, pancakes, toast, syrups, and in the center, a small cake with strawberry frosting with a candle.
Danny laughed. "Oh my god, you didn't. I was just kidding you know, you didn't have to—how did you even—"
Vlad laughed at the boy's stunned reaction. Vlad was already dressed also, black slacks and white button up, his hair knotted into a loose braid. "You should know by now that I do so love a challenge," Vlad said with a smirk, sitting at the kitchen table, reclined back with one leg crossing the other, as Danny stared at the feast. "Especially one I know I can win."
Danny shook his head with a laugh again, picking up a jelly filled powdered doughnut. "You really are loopy. But I guess I have to admit, it's kind of nice being on the good side of Vlad Masters' infinite wealth and connections. This is impressive."
"Why thank you, Daniel," Vlad preened, standing to partake in the breakfast feast as well. The two grabbed plates of foods and sat at the table.
"Mmm so good," Danny groaned around his mouthful of food. Vlad chuckled and rolled his eyes at the mess Danny was already making on his face by stuffing himself with everything on his plate.
The two ate quietly for a few moments. Danny swallowed the food in his mouth and instead of lifting more, he quietly put his fork down, staring absentmindedly at his plate. "Everything alright, Daniel? Do you have a stomach ache?"
"No, I've got my dad's iron gut," Danny said with a light shrug and a small smile.
Vlad grimaced. "I sure hope you don't get his actual gut."
Danny rolled his eyes and chuckled but the smile faded again. He didn't look upset, just contemplative, so Vlad tossed away any of his more negative scenarios and inclined his head, putting his own fork down. He folded his hands in front of his face, elbows resting on the table. "Tell me what you're thinking, Daniel."
Danny looked up to Vlad, eyes searching a moment and then the boy sighed. "What happens now?" he asked. "I mean we have to go back to Amity Park today. It's gonna be weird, being back with everyone after this weekend, now that you and I are…" Danny trailed off, scratching his neck, his cheeks flushed slightly. "I mean I'm still in school and m-my parents…"
Vlad sighed, closing his eyes a moment. These were some of the problems that Vlad had briefly pondered in his pursuit of Danny these past weeks. Now that he finally had him, Vlad had to face the issue of their age, of Danny's parents, and the publicity. Vlad and Danny wouldn't be able to be public, not with Vlad being the mayor of the city, people recognizing him everywhere he went, news reporters following him all hours of the day, curious as to his love life. They'd eat that up if Vlad was caught holding hands with another man, especially one young enough to be his son. Not only would reporters be banging on his door, but the police as well…
Vlad groaned, rubbing his fingers into his temples, the beginnings of a headache forming behind his eyes. Vlad was finally reconciling with Maddie and Jack; to now betray their trust by announcing all this had simply been to seduce their son! To announce he was in love with the boy and that Danny had, unbelievably, agreed to date him! They definitely weren't going to just smile and give them their blessings. Vlad and Danny were going to have to hide their relationship, from everyone. Being half ghosts and therefore being able to be invisible and faze through walls seemed like it would make everything easier, but Danny was going to have to keep lying again and Vlad knew how much the boy hated that, how much Danny loved his parents and his friends. Oh god…would Danny want to tell his friends about all this…? Vlad found himself, not for the first time these past weeks, desperately craving a cigarette to calm his fraying nerves.
"Vlad!" Vlad opened his eyes, realizing Danny had been calling to him for a few moments. Danny's eyebrows were knitted together in concern, the corners of his mouth turned down. "Vlad, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring this up now while we're trying to enjoy breakfast. I—"
"No Daniel, its fine," Vlad said, sitting up a bit straighter and moving his plate away. He'd lost his appetite. "You're right to bring this up now. We should discuss this before anything else, now that we're…er…" Vlad struggled to find the correct word. Danny squirmed in his seat slightly, not opening his mouth to offer any help. "…involved," Vlad offered lamely, squeezing his eyes shut a moment to collection his thoughts. He sighed. "I think it'd be best if you called the shots with this from now on, Daniel."
Danny's eyes widened. He put a hand to his chest. "Me? Why me?" The boy looked almost panicked, as though the very idea that he'd have to take the reins in this relationship and call the shots was utterly terrifying. It was then that Vlad saw Danny as the boy he still was; Danny had fought all kinds of monsters and malevolent ghosts, had sacrificed his health and wellness for the safety of his friends, family and a town that flipped between worshipping him and hating him, had bested (even if Vlad was loath to admit it out loud) nearly all of Vlad's schemes and plans, and yet…Danny was still only just seventeen, still suffering through high school, still afraid to disappoint his parents, still self-conscious about himself and the world around him.
Vlad wanted nothing more than to take the boy into his arms, hold him until Danny wasn't afraid anymore, until all the boy's problems melted away, all the responsibilities lifted off his shoulders, all his insecurities forgotten as the foolishness that it all was.
Vlad sighed lightly again. "I'm the one who got you tangled up in this, I pursued you, made the first move. As the adult, that is my fault that I take. Since you've agreed to be a part of…this—" Vlad cursed himself silently at this own awkwardness, at his inability to correctly name this relationship they were now pursuing. "—then I just want whatever course we now chose to take to be what you want. If you want to keep it a secret from your friends and family, then I'll agree to that. If you…don't want to continue this on a..ahem, a physical level back in Amity Park until you're graduation next year, I'd agree to that too." While fighting tooth and nail not to simply bribe the school into letting you graduate early, Vlad thought bitterly to himself.
Danny looked down at his plate again, his lips pressed tightly in a thin line, his eyebrows scrunched together. The two sat silently for a few moments, thoughts spiraling through their heads. Danny let out a sigh, running his hands through his dark hair, shaking his head. "Man, this is a real pain…"
Vlad's insides ran cold and he suddenly felt ashamed. Danny doesn't deserve all this…I'm only making his life harder, all for my own stupid desires!
"Daniel, there is a third option to consider," Vlad said quietly, the words falling out of his mouth like drops of lead, heavy and thick. "We could just terminate this whole thing…pretend last night never happened, that I hadn't confessed by feeling and intentions—"
"That's not an option," Danny said firmly with a roll of his eyes.
"Yes it is," Vlad insisted seriously, his narrowed eyes aimed at Danny. "Daniel, don't think you owe me anything, or that just because this has started that you can't stop it should you ever—"
"Vlad, just shut up okay," Danny said, his blue eyes narrowed now too. "I'm not going back to how things were between us."
"We won't be enemies anymore Daniel, ever. Even if you should say you don't want this anymore."
"I'm not giving up!" Danny insisted, his eyes determined and angry, almost convincing Vlad he was being stupid by pushing this, that Vlad needed to be selfish and just accept the happiness he was being given, like he always did, but Vlad was just so scared of going back, back to that evil, selfish bastard and losing Danny forever…
"I'm just informing, that I'm not going to be that man again," Vlad said, convincing himself just as much as he was trying to convince Danny. "I'm not going to be that hateful, violent, cruel man again should you—"
"I don't want you being that lonely man again," Danny said, his voice small, his eyes earnest.
Vlad felt his throat tighten. "I won't, so long as I can still be a friend to you and your family. Daniel, I'm only giving this as a suggestion because it'll be easier, easier for you in life if you don't have to deal with all this, the secrets, the talk, the—"
Danny abruptly stood from his chair, the legs screeching angrily as the boy rounded the table and stood by Vlad, leaning down to kiss the man on the mouth, silencing his words effectively. Vlad's widened. He didn't think he'd ever get used to kissing this boy, but he definitely didn't think he'd ever get used to being kissed by this boy. Vlad closed his eyes, standing up, without breaking the kiss, pulling the boy closer, leaning down, pressing his lips firmly against Danny's, deepening the kiss, holding Danny against him.
"After everything you've done for me…after all the changes you've made…you don't deserve to be alone anymore," Danny said quietly when they finally pulled away. "And honestly, I don't want to stop this…involvement we have," Danny laughed at the word, at their mutual inability to call it dating, or relationship, or partnership, or love or any other word that sounded too commonplace and ordinary and just not enough for this thing they had between them. No word would ever be enough to encompass everything they were, they had been, and perhaps one day would be.
"Look," Danny began, his arms around Vlad as Vlad's were around him. Blue eyes looked up into dark navy. "I've dealt with much worse crap than this, like saving the town from Pariah Dark, or traveling through different eras of time trying to chase after some crazy ghost who had stolen my map." Danny chuckled and Vlad groaned at the utter idiocy he had displayed in the past against this boy he now endeared higher than anything and anyone. "This is…complicated, yeah but it's something that makes me happy so I'll gladly deal with a few more secrets and sneaking around, but you've got to use that mayoral businessman brain to give us some options other than giving up, because the only thing I can think of is sneaking off for secret make-out sessions under the bleacher between fourth and fifth period!" Danny laughed and it sounded breathless and hysterical and slightly panicked and excited.
Vlad laughed and he was sure it probably sounded similar. He hugged Danny, resting his chin on the boy's head, rubbing the boy's back as he chuckled and laughed and tried to calm his racing heart.
"Okay…" Vlad breathed, inhaling and exhaling and then pulling away so he could look down at Danny. "Okay. So if you're sure about this, then we'll work through it, together."
Danny smiled. "Thank you." Vlad nodded, rubbing Danny's back briefly before stepping away. He glanced to Danny with a smirk.
"But I think that whole make-out session under the bleachers should definitely be included in this whole plan."
Danny rolled his eyes and laughed. "The mayor caught under the bleachers in a compromising position with young male high school student," Danny announced. "I can see the headlines. It'd make front page across the country. It'd trend faster than when you're naked ass was on live television."
Vlad scowled, remembering the humiliation of being caught naked live when his hotel wall had miraculously become transparent with a news copter conveniently hovering nearby. "Enjoyed the view then, my boy?"
Vlad smirked at the deep blush that painted the boy's face. Vlad laughed and grabbed the boy, peppering small kisses on those heated cheeks and along the pale throat. "That's what I love most about you my boy, that's how I know I'll never grow tired of you and that all this stress shall be worth it," Vlad muttered, Vlad's eyes flashing red briefly as his heart raced. Danny's flashed neon green in respond, his eyes wide. "We're the same, made of the same unique signature. Neither of our genes completely human…we're different, capable of so much more than anyone else, so much more interesting than any ghost or human in both worlds. Our competitions were always exciting, always challenging, always unique because of what we were capable of, because of our power."
This whole thing is going to cause issues in the ghost community as well, Vlad thought then. Plasmius and Phantom working together. The two halfas. Vlad smiled at the thought. Ghosts would fear them, fear their combined power. But should the nature of their relationship be revealed to ghosts? If Vlad's enemies knew how deeply he cared for the boy, they'd go after the ghost boy, try to use him to get to Vlad. Vlad held the boy tighter. He'd never let that happen. This was just another thing they'd have to add to their discussion on what-to-do-about-their-secret-forbidden-relationship.
Vlad looked to Danny when he noticed the boy not talking. Danny's eyes, so human and sky blue, were averted, a strange look on the young face. Vlad, having assumed the boy would be smiling at the flattery he had just bestowed to the boy, quirked a curious eyebrow at the Danny's withdrawn expression.
"Something else troubling you, my boy?"
Danny didn't look to Vlad, seemingly contemplating whether to verbalize his thoughts or not. Vlad rubbed soothing circles into Danny's back, patiently. "Is that…well is that the only reason you really find me interesting?" Danny finally asked, his voice quiet. "Because we're both halfas."
Vlad huffed a laugh, silver eyebrows still knitted in confusion. "Well of course that's what draws me to you the most, it's a link I have with no one else, when for 20 years I believed I was alone."
"Oh…" Danny uttered, still looking away from Vlad. Vlad stared, still lost as to what caused the boy such a melancholy expression. Vlad's mind raced, and then something clicked, the thoughts he'd had earlier rushing forward, that Danny was still so young, so self-conscious. When Vlad was in high school, Vlad had desperately wanted approval, wanted to feel he was liked and wanted for who he was, for all of him. Vlad still wanted that now, but with the young, it was such a fragile thing, their self-esteem.
"Daniel, when you first met Samantha, what attracted you to her?"
Danny's head shot up to look at Vlad with a confused, shocked expression. "W-what the hell are you—"
"I don't mean attracted in a sexual way," Vlad said with a roll of his eyes. "Humor me. I simply mean, what made you want to talk to her, what made you want to get to know her and become as close to her as you are."
Danny blinked. "W-well…I don't know, she was just, different I guess."
"Because of how she dresses, yes?"
"Well yeah, there's not that many goth girls in Amity Park, especially when we were in Middle School," Danny said with a shrug. He laughed slightly. "I remember seeing her the first time she had dyed her hair black, in eighth grade. Her head was held up high, she looked so proud in all black, like a shadow, like she was so comfortable with who she was even as everyone stared and all the other girls snickered. I wanted to be as confident as her."
Vlad resisted the urge to get jealous at the praise and soft-spoken way Danny spoke of his friend. He pushed that down and continued on with his point, "So, you were initially interested because she was different. Because she interested you with her confidence and unique style. And even now, I'm sure those are huge reasons you still love her, but not the only reasons, yes?"
"Of course," Danny shrugged. "She's funny, smart, nice, a great gamer—"
"Yes yes," Vlad interjected, waving away the praises with a scowl and a wave of his hand. He really didn't want to stand hear listening to Danny list off all of Sam's wonderful qualities. "So you now love her as a person, whole and completely. That is the same with my regards towards you, Daniel." Vlad let his words sink in a moment before continuing. "I was initially interested in you when we met because I discovered you were a half ghost like myself. That and the fact that you used your powers for good, instead of self-gain like I did. But now, I know you. I know you're more kind than you perhaps should be, you're smarter than your teachers realize, you love deeply, you've got a fun spirit and enjoy 80s classics and have enough forgiveness to give someone like me a chance."
Vlad smiled when Danny's eyes widened in realization and a light blushed formed on his cheeks. Vlad leaned down, capturing those soft lips in a kiss, savoring the taste, relishing in the feel of Danny's arms around him, holding him, kissing him back, a small smile on those lips.
"I love you Daniel, for all of you. Never doubt that, because Vlad Masters never does anything half-assed. Including loving a person."
"God, you're such a mushy romantic," Danny said with a shake of his head. "I should have known when you kidnapped me and my mom to try and seduce her."
"Oh know, that now that I have you, whom I love immensely more than I thought I loved Maddie, you shall be kidnapped at least once a week from any and all school events, classes, family dinners and hang outs with friends," Vlad said matter of factly, nodding his head.
"Such a crazed up fruitloop," Danny muttered with a smirk. He leaned up, wrapping his arms around Vlad's neck and hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Vlad."
"I love you, Daniel," Vlad said, holding the boy tightly. "No matter what happens."
The two kissed, soft and gentle, hands gripping hands tightly, promising without words, confessing without sounds, loving with only their hearts. A bumpy road lay ahead, and both were well aware. Neither of them were strangers to tough times, to challenges and obstacles, but both of them knew that if something was important enough, that if something was truly worth it enough, then nothing would stop them.
The two decided to wait until a bit later to start packing their things for the trip back home. They also decided to wait until a bit later to begin the long, much needed discussion about What happens once we get back to Amity Park?
Those things could wait until later. The two decided to enjoy the rest of their breakfast, Danny got his birthday cake, and the two lounged in bed all day, watching tv, pigging out on room service and exploring this thing that had developed between them, slowly, carefully, patiently, with soft touches, well-placed kisses, breathless sighs and genuine smiles.
To anyone else, it didn't make sense. But these two who were so different yet so similar, opposites reflecting themselves, they knew it would work out. Vlad had seen it in his reflection, had seen his happiness right here in this boy, and Danny saw it in the experiences, in the promises, in the changes he saw and in the life he was living.
It was awkward and strange, but it worked.
Alright so as I've been reminded of many times, this chapter is very late in coming ^^" haha sorry, but here it is! There shall be ONE MORE CHAPTER, more of an epilogue wrap up type thing (which I shall TRY WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE TO GET OUT WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO) so thank you all so so much for all the support (especially Crooked Conchita, who's been hassling m to break thru my writer's block and finally update! xD), comments, favorites and follows, it has been great fun and I'm glad you've all enjoyed this story as much as you have! Any questions, comments, grammatical issues, please leave me a little comment! ^^ Thank you guys so much and see you next time for the last chapter!
And before I part, I'm just letting you all know that despite this one ending, I shall be posting the sequel to Trust Me shortly after this story has finished. And after that I have a whole bunch of exciting new story ideas for Pompous pep! Can't wait to get started on those, as well as a few other ships I'd like to take a swing at and/or get back into (aka Billdip, Valvert, CouragexKatz, to name a few x3) Can't wait!