Chapter 18

"Do I really have to keep wearing this?" Danny demanded as he stopped before Vlad, who sat on their smelly couch. He was dressed in the French maid outfit and placed his hands on his hips. His face wore an expression of displeasure and annoyance. For several weeks now, he was forced to wear the maid outfit as a result of losing the bet. He hoped as their secret relationship went on, Vlad would allow him to stop wearing the outfit. Vlad kept silent.

Lifting his gaze from the book he read, Vlad adjusted his glasses. "I thought you would be over your embarrassment by now." He returned to his book.

"I am!" argued Danny unhappily.

"You're just saying that so I'll let you off the hook." Vlad turned the page. "You still have to wear it."

Danny groaned in frustration. "Why are you torturing me like this? If you had real feelings for me, you would end this already."

Vlad sighed as he set his book aside. Removing his glasses, he placed them on top of the book. He stood and approached Danny, who didn't budge from where he stood despite his dislike of the expression on Vlad's face. It was the one Vlad wore when he planned something unpleasant.

"That is a horrible line to use on someone you say you care about." Vlad shook his head at the confused look on Danny's face. "It's a line usually intended to trick a woman into having sex with you. 'If you really loved me, you would sleep with me.' It's terrible. The man brags about having sex while the woman is left feeling violated because she wasn't ready to participate in the act of loving making. Women generally view sex as a commitment between two individuals and not something you do with just anyone. It's worse when they feel pressured into doing it. Men have a tendency to be ruled by their hormones."

"I wasn't trying to do that," Danny said, still confused. "I just want not to wear this anymore."

"I just thought I should warn you of the implications of such a line." Vlad placed his hands on Danny's hips and drew him flush against his body too fast for Danny to react. "And I happen to find you quite sexy in this outfit." He let one arm wrap securely around Danny's waist while the other slipped beneath the skirt.

"Stop it!" Danny shouted as he squirmed violently and pushed Vlad away. When Vlad released him, Danny stumbled backwards and tripped, landing hard on his butt.

Vlad sighed, shaking his head. "I'm not one of those guys who pressures others into sex." He frowned. "And we aren't nearly comfortable enough to even be considering having sex."

"You were testing me?" Danny asked, feeling slightly hurt by Vlad's actions.

"I was merely curious to see how far our relationship had gotten," Vlad explained. "You're still rejecting the idea of being with a man, even if you think you are comfortable with being with me." He returned to the couch and sat. "I do feel our relationship is progressing quite well though."

He makes it sound like some kind of experiment, Danny thought grumpily as he climbed to his feet. He walked over to the closet. I guess it kind of is in a way. We are testing this relationship to see how true our feelings are for one another.

"What are you doing?" Vlad demanded when he saw Danny undressing.

"The rules state that I only have to wear the maid outfit while I'm doing laundry and cleaning." Danny grabbed a pair of jeans from the closet and put them on. "Since I'm finished with my 'maid duties' for the day, I'm free to wear what I want."

Danny's stopped before grabbing a shirt as an idea hit him. Walking over to the couch, he settled himself into Vlad's lap straddling his waist. Vlad's brow shot up, and curiosity danced through his eyes.

"Do you really think I'm sexy?" Danny wanted to know as he leaned close to Vlad. "I know there are much better looking guys out there."

"You're sounding like a girl," Vlad replied in a flat tone.

"I'm not sounding like a girl!" Danny growled. "Look. I know I'm not very attractive by a lot of people's standards so I want to know why you find me sexy. Is it just the maid thing?"

Vlad chuckled and cupped Danny's face. "It's not the maid thing alone. Your body alone isn't what I find sexy. It's your mind," he tapped Danny's forehead, "and your heart," he tapped Danny's chest, "as well."

Danny fought back the warm mushy feelings Vlad's statement sent rushing through him. He never thought Vlad capable of saying such things to him. He took hold of both of Vlad's wrists before he leaned in to kiss him. They were supposed to take things slow. He knew that. However, at that moment, he couldn't resist the urge to kiss Vlad. He received no struggle from him. Instead, Vlad quickly deepened their kiss. Releasing Vlad's wrists, Danny slid his hands up Vlad's arms and wrapped them around his neck. Vlad's hands ghosted over Danny's bare chest, making muscles tense. They came to rest on Danny's hips and cautiously, giving him time to pull away, drew him closer.

When the door to their room opened, Danny jerked his head away from Vlad. They both snapped their heads around to the open doorway where Jack's large body blocked out most of the view to the hallway. Jack quickly slammed the door shut behind him. He stared at them, and they stared back. Silence ruled the room for many moments as Danny remained seated in Vlad's lap.

"How long have you two been keeping this a secret?" Jack asked finally in a calm tone.

Danny gulped as he slid off Vlad's lap.

"It's not that we don't trust you, Jack," Vlad said smoothly. "We just wanted to explore our feelings, see if what we felt was real or just physical, before saying anything."

"And?" Jack prodded as he folded his arms over his chest.

Danny shared a look with Vlad.

"I think they might indeed be real," Vlad answered.

Relief came over Jack as he crossed the room and plopped onto the couch beside Vlad. He drew Vlad into a crushing hug, making Vlad gasp as he breath rushed out of his lungs. Danny merely blinked and stared, wondering what to think of the scene before him.

"Oh man!" Jack released Vlad, who coughed and tried to regain his breath. "I'm so happy for you two." He climbed to his feet and drew Danny into a crushing embrace.

Danny swore his eyes would bulge from their sockets and rib cage would break. When Jack released him, Danny dropped heavily onto the table before the couch. He held a hand to his chest as he panted. I forgot how painful Dad's hugs can be.

"Can we tell Maddie and Harriet?" Jack asked, turning back to Vlad.

"I would rather not say anything just yet," Vlad replied.

Danny frowned as he stared at Vlad. He doesn't want Mom to know about him being involved with another man, he thought. I bet he still has feelings for her. He climbed to his feet and walked over to the closet to get a shirt.

"Where are you going?" Vlad asked, his voice almost giving a hint of urgency, when he noticed Danny walking toward the door as he pulled the shirt over his head.

Danny paused at the door, taking a deep breath to clear his mind. He needed an excuse. "I just thought I would take a walk before it got dark," Danny answered.

"Why doesn't Vlad go with you?" Jack suggested, and Danny could imagine the grin on his face.

Stop trying to give us alone time, Danny mentally yelled at his father.

"I have some homework and tests to grade," Vlad said, making Danny wonder if he sensed his desire to be alone.

Danny left the room before Jack could suggest something else. Sighing, he walked down the hallway and knocked on a door. A moment later, Ben opened the door.

"Uh, Danny," Ben said and blinked. "What are you doing here?"

"Can we talk?" Danny knew his expression was pitiful, but he felt horrible on the inside. A pinching sensation in his chest nearly took his breath away.

Ben stepped aside to allow Danny into his room. He shut the door afterward and turned to Danny, who took a seat on the couch. "What did you need to talk about?"

Danny remained silent for a long while. He took one of the cushions on the couch and hugged it tightly to his chest. Staring ahead of him, he refused to meet Ben's gaze. "It hurts," he murmured softly. "I think Vlad isn't over his crush on someone else, and it hurts."

Ben walked over and sat beside Danny on the couch. Danny slid sideways, falling over to rest his head in Ben's lap.

"What exactly happened?" Ben asked as he gently stroked Danny's hair.

Danny shook his head. "I don't know. He only said he didn't want to tell her about us, and everything started to hurt."

Ben sighed. "Are you afraid he'll still leave you if she gives him the chance to be in a relationship?"

"I – I don't know." Danny frowned, his hold tightening on the pillow. "I don't think she'll leave the relationship she's in." He shook his head fiercely. "No, I know she won't leave it."

"Then why are you letting it bother you so much?"

"I don't know. Can I just stay here for the night? I want to clear my head without Vlad and Jack hovering about."

"Yeah, sure," Ben answered, still stroking Danny's hair. "I think my roommate is going to be out tonight anyway."

"Thanks. I owe you for this." Danny fell asleep with his head in Ben's lap as he tried to sort out the strange jealous feeling that coiled around his heart.

When he woke up the next morning, Danny still felt the jealous pang in his heart, but he felt well enough to face Vlad. Standing, he stretched. A sudden heat against his cheek made him jump. He heard Ben chuckle and looked to find him holding out a paper cup of coffee.

"I got you some coffee while I was out," Ben explained as Danny accepted the drink. "How are you feeling?"

"It still kind of hurts." Danny focused on the warmth of the coffee seeping into his hands as he held the cup. He shrugged and glanced up at Ben. "But I'm better now."

"Are you sure?" Ben stared at him, clearly concerned.

Danny nodded. "Thanks again. I owe you. And now, I should get back." He could see the man still worried about him, but Ben opened the door. They said their goodbyes, and Danny returned to Jack and Vlad's room. As soon as he opened the door, a hand grabbed his arm and dragged him into the room. The cup dropped from his hand, spilling hot coffee over him and the floor. He gasped in pain as the hot liquid hit him.

"Where have you been all night?" Vlad demanded. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"

"I stayed with Ben," Danny admitted, seeing the anger on Vlad's face.

"Why didn't you say anything about it?" Vlad released Danny's arm.

"I just - I needed some time to myself," Danny replied then sighed at Vlad's annoyed expression. He had to tell Vlad what was bothering him. "Do you even realize how your words affected me last night?"

"What words?" Vlad frowned.

"You don't want Maddie to know about us," Danny said, stressing his mother's name. "To me, that sounds like you're afraid of her finding out because you still think there's a chance she might start liking you in that way."

"That's not it at all," Vlad chided. "I just don't want to go around telling everyone and their mother about our relationship. I like to keep my private life private. Even from close friends sometimes. I would have preferred to keep Jack from knowing, but clearly that wasn't possible after last night's activities." He smirked at Danny, remembering what they were up to when Jack entered the room.

"I know it's silly! And I know it makes me sound like a jealous girlfriend, but I am." Danny pouted. "How can I not be? You told me you were in love with Maddie."

Vlad took Danny's head between his hands and forced the younger man to look him directly in the eyes. "Listen to this and pay attention. I do not date someone just to play around with their emotions. I like you a lot. I'm attracted to you. You have no idea what you do to me sometimes. And if Maddie were to suddenly come to me and throw herself at my feet, I would reject her. I will not let a past love destroy the relationship we have."

"That was so incredibly sappy," Danny said before chuckling. "But very much appreciated." The words reassured Danny. As long as he stayed in this time, Vlad's eyes would be solely on him. Something occurred to him, and he blinked. "Why aren't you in class?"

"Because I was worried about you! You just disappear on us. You could have been kidnapped or beaten up or raped or abducted by a ghost!" Vlad shouted. "I was just going to look for you again when you walked through the door."

Danny only then noticed the bags under Vlad's eyes. He really was worried about me, he thought guiltily. "Perhaps you should take the day off. Get some rest."

"I can't," Vlad said, sighing. "I have classes that I have to be at today. But tomorrow," he grinned, "tomorrow I can take off." He went about the room, grabbing the things he needed for his classes. When he was ready, he halted in front of Danny. "Promise me you won't disappear anymore, and I'll end your punishment."

"I promise." Danny grinned and bid farewell to Vlad as he left. Sighing, he turned to the mess on the floor. "At least I don't have to dress in the French maid outfit to clean this up."