::
"So, how often do you see Phantom, and spend time with him?" This was his own fault for having the first few minutes be a period of free answers.
"Rather often. Contrary to popular belief, he doesn't constantly patrol the town looking for threats. Or sleep in the clock tower. And, really? Are you all just stealing from comic books, at this point?" A ripple of laughter went throughout the class, Andrew rolling his eyes as he stood up and started writing the day's lesson before he gave a pause, "Also, those three phones I'm hearing better be put away when the lesson starts."
"How…" Ah, good, he could still inspire terror in young children. Always a good thing to be able to do. "Sir, uh, how the fuck can you notice that?"
"Ghost hearing. So trying to hide your phone is of little use, when I can hear your fingers tapping against the screen." Absently reaching for the textbook, Andrew flipped through a few pages, frowning at some of the lessons. The urge to burn the textbook…
"Is it true Phantom was the son of dead detectives and is trying to avenge his family's brutal murder?" It was a long moment before Andrew turned around, shaking his head in horror at the mere thought.
"He's not Batman." Oh dear, he would have to deal with so many puns when they got home. And when Danny told Randy, then there would be Batman and Joker puns. "I'm never going to hear the end of this… Alright, anymore questions?"
"Do you know where Phantom came from? I mean, he showed up the same time as all the other ghosts, and so, you know, it's weird that we don't know anything about him."
"If you're that curious, you can track him down and ask him yourself. His past is his own business, and those he chooses to share it with. Not a bunch of curious teenagers who enjoy putting him up on a pedestal."
"Isn't that sort of a thing you do to heroes? I mean, they're heroes." Teenagers, honestly.
"Yes, but he isn't just a hero, now is he? He has his own life - in a manner of speaking. To reduce him to nothing but the hero is a mistake you will regret making." He saw Danny shoot him a grateful smile, Andrew giving a small one in return. "Last questions - and those phones better be put away, now."
"So, what's Phantom like when he's not saving people?" Offer the chance to ask questions about ghosts and all they want to know about is the town hero. Typical. Although Andrew did love talking about his mate.
"Must every question you lot ask be about Phantom?" Andrew sighed, looking back from where he was writing out the day's lesson. Seeing the expectant looks, and Danny's amused grin, he rolled his eyes. "He's a childish brat who never stops making puns, he has terrible humor, he has a hero complex bigger than any comic book character, and he forgets that for as much as he's a ghost, he's also remarkably human in nature."
"Uh, sir? What do you mean 'human in nature'?" Hm, it seemed they knew ghosts were spirits of the dead, but he supposed they never really thought about how they had died.
"Well… As you know, ghosts are the spirits of departed humans. The thing is, however, that when it comes to the ghosts of the Ghost Zone, and by extent Amity Park, things are… They're different." A pause, the marker slowly coming to a stop on the board. "We remember our lives, and our mistakes, and everything we did to end up where we are now… We remember those who hurt us, those who saved us, and what caused us to be the way we are.
"With ghosts, emotions are stronger, and more volatile. The irritation you might feel over a silly fight could quickly become a dark anger, in beings such as us. Obsessions, sorrow, anger, hate, revenge… It's so easy for those emotions to become stronger in ghosts, and to take over - one of the reasons they often attack the town. For as much as we're seen as 'demonic' and beings of evil, however, we were human, once. Maybe that's just something we keep trying to remember…
"Anyways! On to today's lesson, which you sorely need, after seeing the answers you gave for your last homework assignment."
::
"Huh, not here." Biting his lip in worry, Danny backed out of the empty classroom. Strange, since Andrew was usually in his room grading papers during the lunch hour - and after that morning's class, Danny was slightly worried about his mate. Talking about death wasn't easy for any ghost, add the subject of humanity on? Well, he had a reason to be worried.
"Alright, think, Fenton. He wouldn't leave school grounds, so where- Oh, duh." Shutting the door, he headed down to the other side of the school, pushing open the door to the school library and rolling his eyes as he saw Andrew sitting at one of the desks, papers spread out around him. "This a habit of yours? Hiding in libraries?"
"Mm, I suppose it is," Andrew hummed, smiling as Danny took a seat beside him. "The same could be said of you, I might add."
"True, but at this point, it's only because libraries remind me of you. By the way, how many Batman puns do you think I could get away with?" Chuckling at the exasperated sigh, the teen leaned into the other's shoulder, grateful the library was empty during most lunch hours. "Although you're less like Joker, if you ask me, and more like Catwoman-"
"You have to be joking. Catwoman? Really?" Ah, there was the Andrew he knew and loved. Much better than his sad mood this morning.
"Tell me you're not a cat person. You and I both know that if you were human, Vidya would be your pet cat, instead of your lair. Also, it totally fits! Running around on rooftops and using knives and stuff and stealing from the wealthy and sometimes giving to the poor and with a major thing for Batman? It totally fits."
"I will agree on the last point." Danny rolled his eyes, laying his arms and head down on the desk as he watched Andrew sort through papers and note cards.
"So… How are you doing after this morning? Cause, I mean, I have a feeling you didn't have all that much fun with the Q and A back there." At the quiet shrug, Danny gave a sigh, pulling himself up to sit on the table and get Andrew's attention. "Come on, out with it. What are you all sad and depressed and pained over?"
"It's nothing, mon cher. Just a few bad memories brought up." Danny narrowed his eyes, moving to sit in Andrew's lap. At the raised eyebrow, he gave another huff. "Alright, you want me to say what's bothering me? You first." Goddamn clever mate.
"You are the literal worst." At the look, he turned to glare at the bookshelves. "Literal worst." Feelings the arms tighten around him, and pull him in for a hug, Danny gave a tired sigh. "I just had a run in with Spectra the other day, and she said some stuff that I didn't really wanna think about. So, you know, normal so-so stuff, and all- Why does it look like you're plotting the perfect way to tear her core out?"
"I would never. Now, slicing her head off, however." At the light slap to his chest, Andrew gave a shrug. "Just as a backup plan, is all. Is there any chance you feel like telling me exactly what she said, however?" Danny's expression must have shown his thoughts, since Andrew shook his head and gave a light kiss to his forehead. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, mon cher."
"Nothing bad." An absolute lie. "Just, maybe later, I guess… But, uh, yeah, what's up with you? You're acting a bit more depressing than you usually are."
"Glad to see I know how you really think of me." At the kiss to his cheek, Andrew rolled his eyes. "I suppose I realized just how stuck I am." Frowning up at him, he watched as Andrew shook his head, resting his forehead on Danny's shoulder. "You may be half ghost, mon cher, but you're still human. You can still learn, and grow, and become the person you want to be. I'm forever stuck as the person I died as… Someone who runs away from the past, and refuses to let anyone get too close."
The two fell quiet, Danny quietly running a hand through Andrew's hair, and pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "I guess I can kind of get that, the whole 'what if' thing. What if you were human, and we met on the street. What if I was a full ghost, and we met in the Zone. What if you were alive, or I was dead… You know, it's kind of funny, though." A quiet, humorless chuckle. "My problem is that I'm too human, and your's is that you're not human enough. How's that for star crossed lovers?"
"Why did you not sign up for drama club, again?" At the elbow to his stomach, Andrew gave a laugh, tugging Danny closer to him, and locking his arms to his side. "And what do you mean by too human?"
"Nothing, guess I just don't really have the words to describe what I wanted- But, uh, anyways, what are you doing with all this stuff? Aren't these the note cards for the filing system?"
"I was converting everything to the Dewey Decimal System." Danny paused, slowly raising an eyebrow to his mate. "Have you seen this system? This library is ridiculous."
"Are you… Are you even allowed to do something like that?"
"Well, if I don't ask, they can't tell me no, now can they?" Danny shook his head, probably more amused than he should be.
"Don't blame me when the librarian comes after you with a chainsaw and hatchet."
"She's eighty, sweetie. I think I'll be fine." At the look, he tilted his head. "What aren't you telling me."
"She has a black belt, traveled the world in multiple martial arts competitions, and was in the Marines. You ruin her library at the risk of another death." Patting his mate's cheek, he gave him a quick kiss. "If you do manage to piss her off, however, come to me. I'll make sure to protect you."
"Don't you always?" Ah, now Danny remembered why he kept Andrew around. Well, that and being ridiculously in love with him, of course.
"Yup! Now, come on, ghost you may be, but you still need to eat." Jumping up, he dragged Andrew with him, the man grabbing the teen's backpack before it could be forgotten. "Also, what are the chances of you killing my science teacher for me?"
"Who teaches your science class?"
"Mrs. Petricoff."
"Optimistic."