#It’s so annoying because the exact softness I like it’s what’s stereotypically considered romantic LIKE that’s not fair that’s so confusing

[fucknugg3t]

Ok now someone make a fwb Elliott mod

fuck it man I’m not leaving this in tags youre going to hear me because I’m CORRECT

[snowdice]

The Horror of Stereotypes (Part 3)[Dice Roll 6]

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Remus/Logan/Patton with Remus/Logan focus (more pre-romantic considering the situation), Remus & Roman, Logan/Patton (established, but not at the forefront for most of it)

Characters:

Main: Remus, Logan

Appear: Roman, Patton, Deceit (but blink and you’ll miss it)

Summary: There had always been a certain stereotype about people like him for as long as anyone could remember. After the Heart War of 1963, those stereotypes had been legalized and places like this had been created to enforce the universal truth: everyone had a soulmate. One soulmate. No more and no less.

At least they were supposed to.

When Remus’s brother gets arrested because of his two soulmarks, Remus risks everything by infiltrating the facility he legally should be in as well due to his own two soulmates to save him. There he meets Logan and it turns out they have a lot in common: they both got hired this week, they both have two soulmates, and they’re both here for the same reason.

Oh. And as it turns out, they’re each other’s soulmates too.

Universe: Soulmate AU

Genre: Horror (Yeah, it’s a fun combo. The horror vibe is mostly contained to chapter 3 though. It’s all still horrifying, but that specific tone is pretty much only there.)

Notes: Torture, Torture of a main character, Dystopian, Blood, Guns, Gunshot wounds, Leg wounds, Mentions of Desecrating an Animal Corpse by a Main Character, Imprisonment, Mentions of Cannibalism, Genocide Suggested, Sexual Innuendo, Fear, A tasteless but not serious incest joke, Medical procedures.

This is part of my Roll the Dice Event which is where I do random ships, universe, and genres for the Sanders Sides fandom. For more details see this post. I posted a few days ago my results from this dice roll here.

Look I have no idea how to write horror, but I’m pretty proud of the vibe I managed to get going there for this chapter even if it isn’t the most spectacular horror piece ever. It was fun to step outside my comfort zone with it.

Part 1  Part 2

Remus was smarter about the second night. Gavin was clearly a control freak and didn’t want to leave more than one teammate in the office without him there, likely believing they’d conspire against him. Which… in this case… was true, but it was still annoying as hell. So, Remus slipped Logan his phone number during lunch with a note and at a bit past 5, Remus told everyone he was going home and hid in the bathroom again.

He got a text from an unknown number an hour latter that Gavin had left, and Logan was alone in the office. Perfect. When Remus returned to the office, Logan had shut off all the lights in the front, but there was a light coming from the door to the design room. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him.

“We’re alone,” Remus said. Logan nodded and grabbed a bag from under his desk.

“I brought food,” Logan said, pulling a smaller bag out and opening it. He took out a couple of sandwiches, apples, and bottles of water. “We should eat now.” He sat one of each object together in front of the chair next to him and took a bite of his own sandwich.

Remus obeyed the silent instructions and took a seat next to him, turning the chair so they were facing each other, their knees almost knocking together.

“I hope it suffices,” Logan said when Remus took a bit.

“Well I would have preferred lobster,” Remus said. Logan frowned at him. “It’s a joke, dork,” Remus said rolling his eyes.

Logan gave him a cool look. “I see.”

Well now it was awkward. Remus took another bite of his sandwich.

Logan ate neatly and quickly, taking a drink of water before he spoke. “What is your plan?” he asked.

“My plan for what?” Remus asked through a mouthful of food.

Logan gave him a droll look. “To find your brother and get him out of this place.”

“Oh, that plan,” Remus said. Logan watched him expectantly. “It’s a bit of a work in progress.”

“You don’t…” Logan said taking a breath and pinching his brow. “You don’t have a plan?!”

“I was sort of winging it.”

“Well we are not doing that.”

“Oh yeah,” Remus pouted, “then what’s your plan, Brainiac?”

Logan turned to the console and clicked a few buttons. The screen on the wall next to them lit up, and a blueprint of what looked like the entire facility appeared. “There are four levels of this building,” Logan explained. “Each requiring a different security level to get into. This floor includes offices like ours as well as the general containment pens. The two floors below us are the ‘interrogation’ rooms and housing for those in those systems, the lower level being for more high-profile cases. Below those levels is what most people working here think is just for maintenance, which, it does in fact have things like plumbing and electrical wiring as well as storage for the janitorial staff.”

“But?”

Logan pushed a few more buttons to bring up a map of the bottom floor. Remus scanned the floorplan, committing as much of it to memory as he could. “But it has a few more things down there as well. Specifically, the room where they store records for this place.”

“What kind of records?”

“The kind that, among other things, tell us the exact location of every prisoner in this place.”

“Including Roman and Patton.”

“Yes. Including Roman and Patton.” He paused and reached into the larger bag again, pulling some things out. “I managed to get a key card that should work to get us down there, and I’ll be able to unload the information onto this.” He held up the flash drive. “From there it’ll just be extracting them and getting into the getaway car I have prepared in the woods.”

“Oh,” Remus said. “That’s a good plan.”

“I am aware. Are you prepared to go?”

“Uh,” Remus blinked at him. “Now?”

“This is happening as quickly as I can possibly make it happen,” his eyes bore into Remus with the intensity of hellfire. “I will go by myself if you don’t come.”

“No, no,” Remus said putting his hands up. “I’m coming.”

Logan nodded and pressed a button before he got to his feet. “Good.” He tossed him a mask from the bag. “Wear that. I’ll flip the cameras off on the first floor for 10 minutes. No one should notice them looping at this time of day and that way, no one will know where we came from. Let’s go.”

Remus shoved the mask over his face and hopped to his feet, having to hurry after Logan as he left the office. He seemed to know exactly where he was going, walking with a purposeful stride. They got to the elevator and Logan swiped a card over the sensor in front of it.

“We take the elevator down two floors, but then we have to use a staircase to get to the bottom floor,” he said once they stepped inside.

“Okay,” Remus agreed.

He didn’t think either of them had realized exactly what that meant.

The second the elevator doors opened, they could hear screaming. Logan inhaled sharply next to him but made no other sound. Neither of them moved until the elevator doors started to close. Remus shot his arm out to stop them. Logan moved then, stepping out of the elevator and into the hallway. Remus followed behind him.

Logan took the time to take a shaky breath and then started walking, his steps far less sure than they had been upstairs. The screaming didn’t let up, the voices blended together, and shrieks and begging echoed down the corridor. Remus had wondered the day before how going up to the pens upstairs could be a reward. He understood now.

His ears caught something through the sounds of pain and misery right as they were about to turn a corner. He reached out and snagged Logan by the back of the shirt. He flinched at the sudden touch, on edge from where they were, but managed to not make any sound other than a soft gasp. Remus pressed them into a darker corner, turned Logan to face him, and put a finger over his own lips.

The footsteps Remus had heard grew closer as well as the sound of two voices. One of the voices mumbled something and the other one barked out a laugh: a high-pitched sound that made it feel like bugs were crawling up Remus’s spine. He and Logan locked eyes. The footsteps passed. Remus nodded and Logan nodded back. Then they were moving again.

They made it to a door and Logan stopped, fingers fumbling for the keycard and almost dropping it. He pressed it against the sensor, but he was shaking so hard that it didn’t take. Remus wrapped his hand around his wrist to steady it, and the door beeped softly as it unlocked. The door closed behind them, shutting out the noise, but not the knowledge of it.

“There’ll be a guard down here,” Logan breathed. Remus nodded his understanding and they proceeded with caution.

The silence of this level, broken only by the sound of their breathing and their footsteps, was all the more spine-chilling with the echo of the last level still in their ears. There were giant pipes along the side of this main hall that Remus didn’t know the use for. The hall twisted and turned. They passed a few doors, but Logan didn’t even glance at them in this maze. He knew where they were going.

Remus heard a sharp sound in the distance and narrowed his eyes. He tapped Logan on the shoulder who looked back at him. He jerked his head toward a cart filled with what looked like spare parts and, without a word, they hid behind it together. They waited. After a few long moments, a man strolled by, whistling happily and walked into one of the rooms they’d just passed. The sound of his tune slowly faded away.

They got back to their feet and continued on their way even more cautiously if that were possible. Finally, they made it to the correct door, and Logan swiped the key card once again to get in. Remus followed him inside and watched as he hurried up to the computer and stuck the flash drive in before starting to type faster than Remus had ever seen anyone type. After a few moments, he stopped typing and Remus watched as the flash drive started to flash blue. They watched it in silence for almost a whole minute before it stopped flashing and went a solid blue. Logan ripped it from the computer and typed something else before turning to him.

Remus shot him a thumbs up and poked his head out into the hallway. He didn’t hear or see anything, so he slowly crept out of the room and held the door open for Logan. The door snapped shut and they both flinched as it echoed down the long hall, but nothing happened. They both took a breath before turning to walk back the way they came.

Remus froze when he heard whistling start up, nowhere near close, but the direction it was in wasn’t good for them. It was far away, but down a very long hallway. He grabbed Logan to try to pull him out of view of where the man was sure to be in a second, but it was too late.

“Hey, who are you?!” a man’s voice yelled from the doorway at the end of the hall.

Remus met Logan’s eyes. “Run.”

They ran, and they ran fast, but they could hear the man running after them. They tore down the main hallway and Remus knew there was absolutely no way they’d be able to get out of the door without being caught and even if they did, someone on the floor above would likely notice the commotion.

His eyes lit on something and he suddenly remembered the plans of this place he’d seen. He grabbed Logan’s arm and pulled roughly. The man stumbled after him as they changed course, down what looked like a dead end, but Remus ducked under the large pipe and jumped up onto a ledge behind it, finding one of the service doors that was hidden there. Upon seeing it, Logan was immediately with him completely. Remus tore open the door and it luckily didn’t squeak. He jumped up inside it and Logan smashed himself in behind him and closed the door carefully, plunging them into absolute darkness.

If they got caught in here, it was over. There wasn’t anywhere to go, and they were smashed in against each other tightly, but that was only if their pursuer knew about and remembered these little nooks existed. They panted, their breath mingling.

“Is that a flash drive in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” Remus asked under his breath.

“Is now really the time?” Logan hissed.

“Sorry,” Remus whispered back. “It’s how I cope.” Logan just puffed out a shaky breath against Remus’s cheek.

A cheery sharp whistle cut through the air from somewhere close to their hiding place. Logan jumped, but luckily didn’t make a sound. Remus wrapped his arms around his back and pulled him tight against his chest. The footsteps moved on a bit. “He’s trying to freak us out,” Remus breathed into his ear. “Don’t fall for it.” Remus felt his face rub against his chest as he nodded sharply, and hands tightly gripped the front of his shirt.

“You know,” the man’s voice called. It was an aimless call, getting a bit louder and softer, likely as he turned in a circle to address the room as a hole. Good. He didn’t know their location. “I was actually hired as an interrogator here, but I was too good at it.” He whistled again, sharp and high. Logan flinched against him. “I kinda broke everyone but, you know, not just in the way they wanted.”

Logan was not made for all of this, Remus thought as he shook just a bit against his chest. He hadn’t known the man long, but Remus imagined he was probably made more for coffee shops and chalkboards and using fabric bookmarks instead of whatever paper like thing he could find around like Remus did. He wondered briefly what it would have been like to meet him in a library or college classroom. How could it have been different if their first touch had not been riddled with anxiety and fear? Who was Logan when he could just be Logan and not whoever he was in this place? Remus did not know. Yet, Remus couldn’t help but admire how well he was holding up, silent and composed despite his shaking.

His fingers started tapping a pattern against Remus’s arm. One-two-three-four, pause. One-two-three-four-five-six-seven, pause. One-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight, pause. A breathing exercise, Remus realized as he inhaled and exhaled to the beat, to keep himself calm.

“See I get mad really easy,” the man said outside the door. He was walking toward their hiding place now, and Remus hoped it was luck and not that he had an idea of where they could be. Logan’s fingers stuttered, unable to keep up the pattern. Remus began tapping his fingers against Logan’s back for him.

“I’m not too mad now. I’d probably just incapacitate you and then turn you over. You wouldn’t get interrogated by me then. Like I said, there’s a reason why I’m a security guard now. So, you’d probably be much better off. Here’s the thing. You hiding? That’s making me very angry and no one’s going to be around till morning if I don’t call ‘em. We’d have a lot of time to play.” He was very close now and Remus could feel Logan’s fingernails dig into his skin. “So, what do you say?” he asked. “Wanna come out now?” Remus felt Logan shake his head. Remus tapped him a bit more insistently on the back.

“Come on,” the voice entreated and finally, finally muffled a bit as the man turned in a different direction. “Come out, come out, wherever you are…” the voice started to fade as he walked away. Remus let out a harsh breath and rubbed Logan’s arms a bit as though trying to warm him up.

They stayed there for hours, long after the man stopped speaking to them and seemingly gave up. They stayed until an hour before they had to be back in the office, pressed up against each other and barely whispering a word. It wouldn’t do to go missing though and it was best to leave when the morning and night shifts were likely switching, so they exited their hiding place a quietly as they could. Remus’s muscles were aching, and he was exhausted. He was sure the same held for Logan. Remus looked at him when they were finally in the light again. His clothing was soaked through with sweat from the stress and from being in the warm little space all night. Remus could feel that he was in a similar state.

“We need a change of clothes,” Remus breathed, still not willing to put noise into the world. Logan nodded tightly. They snuck back upstairs as carefully as they could and managed not to get caught. Logan had the foresight to bring himself a change of clothes and he had some sweats and a sweater in case the office was cold stored away in his desk that Remus was able to fit into. It wasn’t exactly his style, but it was less conspicuous than wearing the sweat soaked outfit he wore yesterday. They washed up in the bathroom sink side-by-side.

Logan met his eyes in the mirror, looking exhausted and strung out. They needed to report to the office in 10 minutes. “It’s going to be a long day.” It was the first thing either of them had said above a whisper in hours.

Want to read more? Click below!

AO3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

[tulipanisk]

The MBTI types as people I know (from an infj perspective)

This is based on the few people I've met in real life with these personality types. I haven't met all types so maybe yours isn't here.

INFP: So quiet. Works as a cashier with me in a grocery store. Says every "hi", "do you need a bag" etc like she has practiced in front of the mirror. Is super afraid to be left out of conversations. Asks "what are you laughing about", "what are you talking about", "what happened" all the time. Seems serious, but it's probably because she takes her role as a cashier pretty seriously, because it has to be perfect. Would hate herself if a customer was mean to her, but wouldn't tell anyone. Often says "I don't know" and is never mean. Instantly smiles when I smile. Likes to build on my weird thoughts, but it's hard to read her actual opinion on things.

ESTP: Leader of a youth organization for atheists. Loves ranting about politics. Has a strong opinion on every matter, but has no opinion when it comes to taking peoples feelings into conversation, other than what he knows is morally correct and practical. Accidentally uses master suppression techniques to win arguments. Regrets being to harsh when he accidentally hurt someone, and awkwardly tries to apologize. Has a partner who he listens to before anyone else. Loves emo punk, computer games and discussing existential, social and political issues. Reacted to his personality type by saying "I guess I'm ESTP" *sighs* as if any answer would have been a disapointment. Oftentimes asks the questions we needed to hear, like "so if this is the case, then what are we even discussing here, this is a meaningless conversation, isn't it?". Very practical. Very nice. Wishes everyone well.

ISFP: Friend of enfp. Is obsessed with this one thing, MMA. She sees everyone as competition and wants to prove them wrong. Wants to go against the big and though guys and be respected equally. Pushes people away, then says she didn't initially like them, but instantly takes them into their life again when they take initiative at all. Is a real soft girl, but pretends to be emotionless. Rants about how stupid this one guy she met at the store was. Is very spontaneous. Goes on dates with the most handsome people, because she actually takes initiative and comes off as confident. But analyses people because "what if they don't actually like her". Has a beautiful smile and everyone listens to what she says. Good story teller and manages to get people on board with her opinions quite easily. Comes off as super extroverted, but is really in her own head, likes being alone and secretly seeks intimacy

ESTJ: Person 1, a guy. He talks before thinking. Oftentimes seen as a big jerk and doesn't mind saying things like it is. Is very traditional when it comes to certain things. Doesn't know how to cope with my feelings, and might say "seems like you have a bunch of problems man", instead of saying something that helps. Potentially saying "at least you have this and that" or "people are dying". Listens to ABBA, loves cars and cats. Has never been in a relationship because he is afraid people judge him like he judges people. Will scream at you if he finds you anoying, a hypocrite or stupid. Doesn't care. Wants to care about politics, but hates all the parties. Loves my hugs but won't ever take the initiative for them. Very practical, knows how to fix everything. Could build Ikea furniture without looking at the manual. Asks me for advice he doesn't take. Jumps to conclusions. Beliefs me as if I'm God, and will hand me his phone to answer messages more emphatically if he really likes someone, so that he doesn't come off mean. Likes to annoy me because I react to it, then smiles after and make me smile to. Beautiful smile. Never talks about emotions, but has a lot when I ask him about it. Has no time for bullshit. We actually fit together, despite the stereotype that infj and estj dont have anything in common. I see it as we can learn from each other. Person 2: Has been through a lot of family issues and sick people. Listens to rap and ironically terrible music. Once went up to her boyfriend at work and yelled at him in front of all the customers because life is more exciting that way. Very fashionable, yet comfortable. Is her own mom figure. Does her chores. Will tell you to snap out of it if you're too emotional, which I need sometimes. Mom friend. Sits with the older people.

ENFP: Person 1, my roommate and boyfriend for four years. Has so much positive energy. Laughs away his insecurities. *Smirks, looks to the side, huge hand gestures and body movements without context*. Over explains everything. Everyone considers him a close friend, yet he doesn't concider anyone a close friend because "they don't know the real him, only the fasade". Insists on keeping it that way, because he knows people like that version of him. Wants to be liked by everyone, and thinks "challenge accepted" when someone doesn't instantly like him. Has really bad or dark humor. Listens to super creepy and intense music to feel something. Talks a lot, thinks a lot, knows a lot about things nobody should know about, remembers practical facts, but doesn't remember to lock the door. Oftentimes has to edit what he says as it comes out weird and people take it literally. Gets easily distracted, especially if there's animals nearby. Can't multitask. Loves children. Person 2: Never sleeps, forgets to eat but loves food, has plans every day. Has 689 friends who she actually hangs out with. Laughs constantly. Is not afraid to meet new people and instantly befriends them. Loves music, especially classical and orchestra. Plays the French horn. Very very patient. Colors her hair, cuts it short, cuts it off, grows it out, burns it. Doesn't want to hurt anyone. When she gets mad she gets real mad. Person 3: Makes music. Talks about it's so passionately. Cried when his favorite band died and everyone listened. Didn't talk to girls before he started high school. Very good at imitations. Has a lot of projects and dreams that he actually tries achieving. Talks so much, but only has introverted friends. (I know so many enfps, I'm not gonna write about them all).

ISFJ: My actual mom. Does everyone's chores. When she gets help with the chores, she will do them again "like she likes them done". Everything around her magically gets clean. Will clean your apartment if she visits. Is super patient and let people be mean to her without saying anything. Is loved by everyone, but doesn't believe it. Very good mom, she thinks you should follow your heart, not your brain. Stresses a lot, but laughs and is super happy when we're together. Everyone comes to her with their problems, my mom doesn't respond, but they still feel better after she opens her mouth. Hates making food, but is great at it. Finds everything funny, but is rarely the funny one. Has a lot of controlling people in her life and doesn't want me to experience that. Very skeptical, but still open.

INTJ: Is one year ahead of her age group in her education. Takes on the leading role in every single thing she can, complains about having much to do, but doesn't quit, and still wants more responsibility. Has perfect grades and actually reads the emails she gets. Would probably read terms and conditions to. Is very negative, and doesn't see her reached goals as anything's special, but most people look up to her for those things. Falling in love is a lot of work in her opinion, so she stresses about anyone potentially liking her. Very calm. Likes being alone. Jokes sadly about existence. Has goals. Very perfectionistic and realistic. Wants what's best for people. Very likable. Always on her phone and has streaks with everyone. Everyone falls in love with her and she doesn't understand why.

ENTP: "FIGHT ME". Is the loudest. Has an opinion about everything. Will answer your sayings with "Or DoEs It", "Or WiLl YoU", "BuT wHaT iF i PrOvEd YoU wRoNg newbie girl. Is politically active and and activist. Shitposts on social media. Both accidentally and consciously hits on everyone. Is never single. Has a lot of anxiety and deals with it by socializing. Meets new people every day. Cares about their physical presence and clothing. Isn't afraid of the dark and will probably go out in the middle of the night thinking "if anyone tries to kill me now I would fight them, or, I would die happily tbh". Knows everyone you know. Spills their feelings. Constantly points fingers. Likes new wave. Very physical. Cares about people. Will point out your contradictions.

INTP: Person 1: Has the sexiest voice. Good at imitations. Knows everything about politics both nationally and internationally. Plays video games all day long and is addicted to energy drinks. Has a really bad physical attitude. Laughs of his own jokes. Is really insecure, and self aware. Often regrets saying the mean things he thought. Acts very cold and seems to not like affection, but will hug you and let you sleep in his bed if he loves you. Beautiful smile. Rarely takes initiative, but if he likes you he will do it when he first craves social interactions. Cuts people out of his life like he's a waking pair of scissors. Has blocked me from social media 10 times I think because I mess with his feelings and because as an infj he doesn't understand my idealism. He would be okay with doing the right thing no matter how many people would get hurt by it. We have the exact same humor. Puns puns puns. Very skeptical and has allready decided what he thinks about every single matter. Is very closed minded, and can scare people off by coming off like that. Listens to synth music. Loves Depeche Mode. Could stay indoors all year long. Hates coping with his emotions. Will say "why" if you tell him you like him in a romantic way, and will get uncomfortable about having to deal with it. Wants to get married, but doesn't know how to start. In my opinion, the most attractive type in addition to enfp. There's just something really attractive about this personality, but also dangerous. The only personality I've met who can make me overthink like crazy. Person 2: She knows everything about pop culture. Loves cats. Listens to David Bowie and Cher. Only opens up to me, and that's after I've asked directly about it. Has a lot of emotions, but never shows them. Will make a face if she disagrees, but won't say anything. Loves watching dry humor programs. Loves candy. Has a whole line of generation in sims 4. Loves her family and would live at home by choice forever. Cares about social issues and wants justice. Likes extroverts because she can sit back and relax. Her interactions with other intps are unbearable as it gets so quiet you can hear crickets. Is very likable. Will laugh at all your jokes, of her own, and of her face with an ugly Snapchat filter on them. Hates group chats. Procrastinates every thing.

ENTJ: The only thing I know about her do far is that she does cosplay, makes her own costumes, says things like she couldn't care less what you thought about it, and has a lot of ambitions.

[phantomphangphucker]

Vacations Provide Second Chances - PhannieMay - Day 28 Vacation

Summary; Vlad was always going break, eventually. Because somethings are just inevitable.

Warning: discussions of death, mentions of Dan, suicidal behaviour

As soon as Danny opens the door his smile drops to a harsh frown, “what do you want, Vlad?”. Danny’s not sure what to make of Vlad’s smile actually seeming soft and genuine, though he does find it a bit sad that friendliness looks out of place on the villainous halfa’s face.

“Relax, Daniel. I don’t exist to sour your mood”, Vlad sighs as Danny rolls his eyes exaggeratedly, “I’m here to invite you on a trip. With me. A mutual vacation if you will”.

Danny glares incredulously at Vlad, the fact that Vlad doesn’t gloat over that and hasn’t insulted him yet, tells Danny Vlad’s serious here. “What’s your plot this time, old man. And what? Not inviting my mom?”, Danny crosses his arms and glares a bit harder, but gets thrown off guard when Vlad sighs and looks almost...sad?

Vlad shakes his head slightly, “no, just us and no schemes. Just the two halfa’s taking a needed break from everything. Fights, schemes, lying, being the hero, being the villain”. Vlad knows stagnation doesn’t do anyone any good, and he’s been stagnant for a long time, and young Daniel has fallen into it himself. Contemplating the routine of it all and the future had brought him to this idea. Thinking back to a place he used to haunt, “I know you have no reason to believe me, Daniel. But this is no farce, there’s a place I used to go, that I’d like to again”.

Danny can practically read the words, “just not alone”, on Vlad’s face; that’s more than enough to remind him of future Vlad. Studying Vlad’s face, and finding that it really is genuine. That’s one thing about Vlad, the guy’s actually fairly easy to read. Tilting his head down and sighing before muttering to himself, “second chances, Fenton. Second chances”. Tilting his head up to the older halfa, “this doesn’t make us family, but alright, you weird frootloop”.

Vlad gives him a strong nod, he knows his pleasure is palpable to the boy. Even if he did want Daniel as a son, it was more than obvious that was never going to happen now. And Vlad’s starting to think that just might be best, they didn’t run in the same circles at all. Heck, their circles didn’t even overlap except when they inserted themselves into each other’s lives. All that bound them was species, a lonely species of two; and Vlad was done being lonely.

Tilting his head backwards and nodding his head in the direction of Amity Park’s mall, “when you’re ready, I’ll be waiting. I’m sure you can figure out what car is mine”.

Danny shakes his head, a little weirded out, as Vlad takes his leave. Closing the door softly and muttering at it, “something’s up with him, but for once, I don’t think it’s bad”. Turning back around and heading to his room, knowing full well that Vlad knew no one else was home right now.

He didn’t exactly know what to pack, so he went with the general stereotypical shit. Groaning a bit, as he realises it was probably pretty dumb to agree to go to some unknown place with his arch enemy. Heck, it was kind of dumb to do that with his own family. So, of course, he makes sure to pack anti-ghost crap, who knows what might happen.

Zipping the bag closed, before walking over and resting his arms on his windowsill, “it really would be nice to be gone and not worry about this place for a bit. Well, ok, I’m still gonna worry”, sighing, “I’ll have to find Red. Should at least give that stupidly determined hunter a heads up”. Plus, Danny knew she’d actually would be worried if Phantom just up and disappeared; even if she wouldn’t admit it to his face.

Transforming and flying out the window, eventually coming to perch himself on her opened windowsill. Chuckling as she spins around, ghost scanner going off, “relax, it’s just me. Your friendly neighbourhood dead man”. Valerie shakes her head but smiles at the sight of him, he’s glad they’re on good terms now; especially with his friends and Jazz all being off at university. Though he’s got a suspicion she’s being more than just friendly to him nowadays.

“What’s up Phantom?”

“Oh just making your life more hectic”, Danny shrugs good-naturedly, “gonna be out of town for a bit. So the ghosties are all yours for a while”. Valerie looks torn between liking that and being annoyed, “for how long and when you leaving?”. Danny shrugs again, “no clue actually, and I’m leaving pretty well immediately”.

“Of course you’d have no clue, you really are quite a mess, you know that?”, both of them snicker, because really, they’re both messes. “Always, Red, always”, both them smile as Valerie walks up and pats him on the arm. “You better come back, you floating bastard”, Danny only smirks as he pushes himself off the windowsill. Two finger saluting her with a soft smile, before zipping off.

Placing his feet back into his room and transforming before heading downstairs. Sticking his head into the kitchen and smiling at his mom. Obviously, he can’t exactly tell her the truth, his dad really was the only Fenton who wasn’t fully aware that Vlad wasn’t exactly a good person.

“So turns out Tuck is a bit of an idiot sometimes. Sam’s already over there but he pretty well blew up his dorm room. Overloaded the speakers, don’t ask me how exactly, I’m not sure I even want to know”, both them laugh as she motions for Danny to sit down. Danny takes and eats a couple of eggs before continuing, “so now he needs the place fixed up before the dorm officials find out”. Maddie sighs, “well, I guess it would be good for you to go visit. Maybe check out the campus while you’re at it”. Danny forces down a wince at her not so subtle hint. He knows they’re disappointed with his poor schooling, especially when they all know he is damn smart. Rubbing his neck and looking away from her a little, “can’t say how long I’ll be gone. No clue just how much damage he did”.

Danny finishes the rest of his food and does indeed notice that his mom’s smile is a bit forced. He’d like to think that was because of him not being at home for a while, but he knows it’s more likely because he avoided the topic of him going back to school. It did make it kind of obvious that he didn’t intend to, and how could he? He didn’t have the time. Maybe if there was a university in Amity he could, and sure there was online programs. But he knew himself well enough to know he’d put it off unless forced otherwise. Smiling apologetically at his mom before heading up to his room.

He’s not surprised his dad’s up from the lab, as Danny comes down the stairs with his bag in tow. Talking as he hugs them, “don’t worry about a ride, got one already”. Danny both likes and hates how they don’t push him for more information. Knowing full well they once would have, as he heads out the door.

Danny shakes his head at the dark purple Bugatti Chiron, which a few other people are also either staring or glancing at. Muttering, “I don’t think that man even knows what subtle is”. Before approaching the side of the car, with the door popping open before he even gets there.

Sticking his head inside, “is this even road trip worthy?”. Vlad rolls his eyes, “the best one for it”, sticking his thumb towards the back of the car, “just climb in and phase your stuff into the trunk. Blackout tint is very useful”. Danny shakes his head but does just that. That was one thing he missed about there being no one in Amity who knew about him, getting to use his powers liberally around other people.

Daniel can’t help but glance around the fancy car which Vlad smiles pridefully about as he drives off, if Daniel was a more shallow person Vlad might have been able to obtain him with his wealth alone. Vlad still found it odd that his wealth didn’t even slightly coax the boy, especially when he was younger; children tend to be more narcissistic.

It doesn’t take long for the two to settle into silence, but both of them are surprised to find that it’s a rather comfortable kind of quite. Danny smiles a bit sadly as he looks out the window, spotting a couple making out while taking selfies. Sure, he’d had his romantic stints but dating a hero wasn’t really the safest thing for anyone to do, without even throwing in the whole secret double life thing; secrets and romance didn’t really coexist well. Though he wouldn’t say no if asked, he’d just never be the one to do the asking.

Vlad side-eyes him, easily catching the expression and what brought it about. “Love isn’t something that’s come easy to either of us, has it”, Vlad’s never really had more than the odd one-nighter or single date. He still wanted Maddie of course, he’d just sort of...given up. It’s not that he’d moved on though, just stopped trying. That was almost worse sometimes, but he’d set his mind on that being the past now.

Normally, Danny would make some joke about the guy wanting to get with his mother again, but the slight resigned sadness in Vlad’s voice didn’t really call for that. Plus, Vlad wasn’t exactly wrong, “hiding yourself doesn’t beget affections”. Vlad blinks a bit, caught slightly off guard, “I forget you’re not a little child sometimes”. Danny snorts at that, “what? You think only kids want to play the hero?”, waving his hand at Vlad, “besides, I’ve been more grown-up than most adults for years”.

“Yeah, that’ll happen when you insist on fighting every battle and willingly yank every single responsibility on yourself”, Vlad shakes his head, Daniel instantly taking up the mantle for town protector really did shine a light on how utterly special he was. Nearly everyone, especially kids, would use power for personal gain; Daniel did the exact opposite. It was something Vlad himself had never even considered doing, maybe if he had he’d be in a different place. But he does also understand why Daniel did what he did, “power gives people the ability to act. The access to all the options. In a way, I don’t think it’s possible to not grow up some when becoming able to do what others can not even fathom”. Vlad knew he had grown up some too, sure he’d already been an adult but to say he had been mature would be bullshit. He’d just grown cold and weathered, rather than protective and boisterous.

Danny shakes his head, “and you had the option to be good, to help. Yet you didn’t”. Danny’s a bit thrown that Vlad nods and doesn’t even argue about that. Danny’s almost worried that means that Vlad has accepted the role of villain, which while the man’s actions were definitely villainous, he didn’t expect or even want him to actually fall into the role in genuine. He was the bad guy for sure, and Danny did see him as his enemy and villain, but he was just a man abusing his powers and with a broken moral compass. Frowning more as Vlad responds, “I never once considered it”.

“Well, you could. You did once, you could again”, Danny’s got a suspicion that his actions towards the older halfa have been pushing him further into the role of villain. After all, future Vlad was free of good guy Danny. He was left alone, sure he also lost his powers and the chance at his mom; but maybe all he needed was a friendly, not combative, push in the right direction. Maybe this little trip was a backhanded way off asking for exactly that. He had pretty well asked to not be enemies for a while, a vacation from being foes. And it’s not like Danny couldn’t do that, sure Vlad has done way worse than his other foes, but he literally was their friend at least one day a year.

Vlad is flat out confused by that response, having never know himself to ever play a helpful role to anyone other than himself; especially not up to Daniel standards. Sure he’d fought beside Daniel before, but that had been part of a scheme, and he knew Daniel knew that now. Giving Daniel a quizzical glance, “when was this “once”? I know you would not make that up simply to make an honest man of me. There may be a lot between us, but lies aren’t one of them”. Vlad knows full well Daniel lies, and lies a lot, to pretty well everyone around him. But one thing all the tv shows get right, is that arch enemies know each other intimately well.

Danny knows Vlad’s right on that, there’s a good chance Vlad knows him better than his friends actually do; partly because of spying though. But this, this is something Danny never talks about; does a lot of thinking on it though. Chuckling at the man’s confusion, “it was after my family and friends died, and you lost your powers. I still remember your words, “ten years without ghost powers, gave me the chance to see what a fool I had been”, though I still wouldn’t have called you a “good guy”. Just willing to do the right thing, even when presented with the, far easier to do, bad option”.

Vlad coughs and does have a hard time not jerking the steering wheel, he has no knowledge of this but he knows Daniel wouldn’t make something like anyone dying up. “I think an explanation might be in order for that”, glancing at Daniel as he chuckles with a bit of a frown. He shakes his head, “I’m not sure it really can be. Time travel and literally cheating the timestream makes things complicated. Simply put, they were supposed to die when I was fourteen. You would have adopted me but in a misguided attempt to make me happy, you tore out my humanity. As you told me, “no more human emotions to drag you down””.

Danny pauses as Vlad just pulls over on the side of the road, “Daniel, that seems like an extreme plan even for me. While I’m not about to claim to possess having limits I won’t cross, that is a bit much”. Danny shrugs, “you were the one who told me what you did, it’s completely possible you lied or omitted stuff. One thing I know you omitted was how exactly my human half died. You separated my human from my ghost basically. And I the same to you. You then told me our ghost halfs fused into one but that was a lie, found out later that my ghost half had actually basically absorbed or consumed yours. Taking all your power and destroying Plasmius. And this is were I mention my ghost half went pretty well insane”. Vlad doesn’t even attempt to cover up his shock as Danny shakes his head and chuckles hollowly, “turns out removing someone humanity, which even ghosts have, effectively obliterates their morals and renders them callous”.

Vlad blinks a bit realising Daniel’s basically saying he became evil, that Vlad had actually successfully corrupted the young halfa once. At one point in time, he might have felt pride over that, but now he likes Daniel the way he is. He actually doesn’t really want to know what actually gave him the idea or even desire to tear out anyone’s humanity. “Callous is never something I’ve wanted you to be. Use your powers for personal gain and status, sure; but I never looked to make you cold or uncaring”, Vlad feels almost bad at Daniel seeming slightly surprised at that.

Danny turns to Vlad, “sometimes I wonder. But I can read honesty on you pretty damn easily. Can’t say I’m too surprised though, you may not be good but you’re not evil. Dan made that so clear”, shaking his head and closing his eyes, “meeting real evil makes it easy to tell when someone isn’t evil”.

Vlad’s genuinely startled that Daniel doesn’t actually view him as evil, “so you do not believe me a monster?”. Daniel shakes his head almost aggressively, “no, just morally corrupt and selfish”.

Danny’s torn between pride and guilt at the small smile he catches on the old man’s face. It’s officially obvious to Danny that he’s sort of pushed Vlad into the role of a villain. That the way Vlad thought he was viewed likely made him view himself that way, thus accepting more and more bad behaviour. Thinking that was what was expected of him, so why bother changing? Vlad turns back to him, “then what must this “Dan”, whom I’ve never heard of, have done for you to call him evil. When, with all I’ve done, you won’t deem me such?”.

Vlad still has the car parked, as he’s sure this man must have done something truly bad. Maybe crossed a line that even Vlad wouldn’t, and Vlad can only think of a handful he wouldn’t cross. “Dan is short for Danny or Daniel. Dan Phantom. He’s what became of that callous full ghost me. I met him ten years after the whole humanity torn out thing, by time travelling into the future. See the Observants wanted me destroyed before my family and whatnot died, so that me getting my humanity torn out would never happen. Had to flee into the future to avoid that”. Now Vlad is both impressed and shocked, though he hides it well, “they only get involved in rather extreme things. They’ve never even meddled with my affairs”.

Danny nods, “indeed and Dan earned it. Their description of him, as I was told, was “the most evil and powerful ghost to ever exist”. And he lived up to that, by killing off nearly all of humanity and ghosts, destroying every city and lair, and then going back in time to make sure my family and friends died so I would become him. Eventually, he would have killed and destroyed everything”.

Vlad stares at him, he knew full well Daniel was more than just powerful but for him to cross that line, one that Vlad himself wouldn’t even consider getting close to, was one part baffling and one part horrifying. Add in mortifying, since Vlad was, in a sense, responsible. He more than just corrupted Daniel, he made a literal monster.

Vlad opts to just drive, focusing on the road rather than his brain trying to picture Daniel actually killing someone. But then blinking with genuine worry at realising Daniel probably did witness himself killing, “to know you could be capable of that and actually witnessing it, must have been more than just unpleasant”. Daniel nods, “to say traumatising would be putting it mildly. But the warning and message was damn clear, plus I made an amazing friend out of ClockWork due to it”. Vlad can’t help but smirk at that, he did wonder exactly how Daniel had met the enigmatic time ghost. Vlad’s rather glad life hasn’t tried to teach him “lessons” in such a manner, but judging by how he’s ended up, he probably could have used them. Shaking his head a bit sadly, “well, at least that unpleasant “message” is behind you. You being good to a fault, unbearably so at times, makes much more sense”.

Danny sighs, honestly wishing it actually was behind him, “Dan exists outside of time and could very well escape his prison and show up, in the here and now. I couldn’t beat him last time and he couldn’t kill me then. Now he could, and would”. Vlad jerks the wheel a bit, making his displeasure and worry very palpable to Danny before he even responds, “if you didn’t defeat him, then how? And I don’t want the world destroyed, arch enemies or not, I would help you fight him”. Danny already knows that but he also knows Vlad is the weaker halfa, “ClockWork cheated and it’s my fight to fight”.

“You are a self-sacrificial idiot”

“We’ve all got our downfalls. Mine gets me hurt a lot, yours get others hurt. I think I prefer mine”, Danny doesn’t care what Vlad thinks, what he does hurts people; including people Vlad doesn’t want to get hurt.

The two settle back into silence, not quite as comfortable but more in each other's bubbles. Until Vlad turns the car intangible and invisible, careening off into some trees. Danny raises an eyebrow, “so this is a sneaky place is it? Guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Weird trees though”. Vlad thought the same when he first spotted the faintly glowing trees, it’s why he checked this place out. And asking around the nearby town afterwards had revealed that no one else could see the glow; it seemed to be a ghost thing. Vlad nods, “closer to restricted than sneaky. Restricted in a ghosts only kind of way, half ghosts included”.

“Well, that explains why you invited me”, Danny gives a goofy grin to show he’s making a bit of a joke. He knew full well that Vlad didn’t hate him, or even dislike him. If it wasn’t for the enemies thing, and Vlad’s general behaviour, they’d probably be friends. Danny can’t even say he hates Vlad, though dislike is a bit of an understatement. Well, at least it was. Vlad could very well have invited any ghost, but it’s pretty obvious to Danny that Vlad views them beneath him or as lackies. Plus, Vlad wasn’t exactly well-liked by any ghost; even the ones that worked for him. His lack of getting invited to any Christmas truce parties made that extremely obvious. No friends in the ghost zone and no friends in the human realm, Danny can’t help but find that a lonely thing.

“I never do anything with such simple reason, Daniel. As you know”, Vlad can tell by Daniels smirk that he does indeed know. Vlad Parks the car far enough away to not disturb the place, he doesn’t even have to tell Daniel to get out; as both of them phase out the doors, neither bothering with actually opening them. That’s one thing he has noticed as he’d watched Daniel, he’s incredibly liberal and comfortable with his powers. They really are part of him as a person, not just tools like they are for Vlad. If Vlad’s honest, Daniel is much more of a ghost that he is. And seeing that made him think, think about how he viewed himself as a halfa. Realising he didn’t really see himself as half ghost, rather a human with ghost powers at his disposal.

Vlad walks through the barrier and pushes aside some of the tall grass, thoroughly amused at Daniel’s awareness of the barrier and then his barely hidden wonder.

Danny speaks as he takes in the black rock hot springs, neon green water that fizzes with the steam coming off a pale green and purple. Watching the colours swirl together, “wow Vlad, you aren’t capable of basic are you?”. Even if he’s bugging the guy, the place is pretty and smells nice. However, swimming trunks was not something he packed; and you can’t really do hot springs without actually getting in. Vlad apparently knew he wouldn’t though, as a pair identical to the ones he already owns smacks him in the face. Turning his head to Vlad and not even bothering to remove the offending garment, “see this, this is why you get called a creep”.

Danny’s at first very concerned that Vlad doesn’t even appear to be holding his own swimwear, but then shakes his head, “there’s no way swim trunks are comfortable under dress pants”. Vlad shrugs as he tosses his clothing over a tree branch. Danny shakes his head before invisibly slipping behind a tree to change. Sticking his head back around, he can’t help but smirk and raise an eyebrow at Vlad; who’s sitting in the water with his head and arms laying on the edge, eyes closed and blatantly relaxed. Danny tries to think of any time he’s actually seen the prideful man not stiff or without proper posture. At one time Danny would have thought it was just part of the rich act or his pride, but he knew now that it was part of Vlad’s self-worth.

Dipping his fingers in and promptly realising why Vlad, or any ghost, would want to come here. It has an intensely relaxing and soothing feel, the thickness was like that of liquified comfy blankets, combined with the smell of lavender and eucalyptus. Slipping in as he decides it’s definitely safe to do so, quickly feeling any stiffness or sore bruising pretty well disappearing, “healing springs? That’s a hell of a find Vladdie”. It was like aromatherapy combined with fine bath oils, all contained in a stone hot tub.

Vlad nods, he pretty well lounged around here like a cat for well over a month when he first found it. Why wouldn’t he? He didn’t exactly have anywhere to go or anyone to see. Even after that he rarely stayed away long, until the pull of wealth and seeing Maddie’s name in a paper. “This place was basically my haunt back in the day, you can see why. No one else really comes here though and while ghosts are quite content with their solitary lairs, I’m more of a human”.

Danny definitely gets why, though it’s clear this place wasn’t ever anyone’s lair. Which he does find kind of odd with how nice it is, “what does no ghost know of this? And never would have taken you for speeding you time or days lounging. Now fencing I could see”. Vlad laughs lightly, “to ghosts it’s just like a regular hot tub, like the ones in the ghost zone. This effect is a halfa thing and what do you take me for? Lex Luther?”. Danny makes a mock shocked expression, “did you just make a genuine joke? And you’re hardly different. Filthy rich philanthropist, owning massive corporations, intelligent, scheming, overly well dressed, engineering gadgets. And that’s not even mentioning being the arch enemy of an overpowered golden boy who lives the double life of an average jo; who’s two forms look borderline identical. Seriously, people are blind”.

Vlad chuckles, Daniel’s got a point there, “I’m not powerless though. And world domination is not in any of my playbooks. Though yeah, it’s rather absurd none have figured you out. But even I didn’t consider Phantom being a halfa when we first met, and I am one. Even with the near identical look and showing up at the same time”. Daniel nods but scrunches up his eyebrows, as he submerges everything but his neck and head, which he leans back against the stone, “like I said, you’re not really evil and I guess. You said you were more of a human earlier, do you not really view yourself half and half?”.

“Never did. My powers were, and are, just tools at my disposal. Like owning a gun, just better”, Danny’s a little thrown by that, a gun was something separate for your own body. It didn’t change your genetics and didn’t give you a new body. To Danny, seeing himself as equally both was just obvious. “Well, that’s something else we differ on. Half and half is what I am. My powers are simply me, not tools. Phantoms me, not some anonymous mask I can wear. Though I guess my lifestyle does favour my more ghostly activities”.

Now it’s Vlad’s turn to be a bit surprised, “could be because you’ve basically grown up this way. I already had life figured out and was grown, this threw a wrench in everything. But I can say leaning more ghost makes very little sense to me, you were still human first”. Vlad’s not sure what to make of Daniel’s loose shrug, “I viewed my self equal parts from the beginning really. Though my life didn’t start being more ghostly until I plopped myself into the role of Amity’s protector/ghost fighter. What I do is simply what I’m meant to do, just so happens to be a more ghost thing to do”, shrugging again, “you got a wrench, I got gift wrapped purpose”.

“I guess you were meant to be a halfa, I just stumbled on it”, Danny gets why Vlad’s frowning a bit, Danny viewing himself as both is pretty well proof of how comfortable and ok with what he is, that he is. Vlad’s lack of that shows he’s really not, he’s used to it rather than content with it. And Danny’s seen how Vlad would really be better off without it, Danny knows that he personally wouldn’t be. But he does chuckle a little, “I’m the one who stumbled on it, literally. You face planted”. Vlad shoves Danny’s head into the water, “can you ever resist a death joke?”.

Danny just goes with it and lays down under the water, “nope. It’s my hero trope”, chuckling at the confusion on Vlad’s face, “what? You can’t breathe underwater? Or have you just never tried”. Flat out laughing at Vlad scrunching up his eyebrows, making it very clear that he didn’t even know this was possible. Laughing even more as Vlad just ducks under and goes to sit on the bottom of one of the deeper sections.

Vlad’s not sure if he’s more impressed or annoyed that Daniel knew something about being a halfa that he did not, Vlad was supposed to be the experienced teacher here, well if Daniel had ever let him teach anyway. Rolling his eyes at Daniel, “why would I ever intentionally try something like this? We have lungs, this shouldn’t work”. Vlad’s not sure what about that is so funny to Daniel, “we’re literal schrodingers boys! Dead and alive! Impossible by our very nature!”. Vlad blinks, have never really thought of it that way at all, “well then”.

Danny underwater stargazes while Vlad contemplates just what other weirdness they could be capable of, and just how many Daniel had discovered. Both eventually falling asleep.

Danny’s not exactly surprised he’s the first to wake up, getting out of the water and stretching. Looking down at his chest to promptly realise that the water didn’t just have a healing feeling, as all the bruising on his chest is gone way quicker than it should have. “Huh, well this could come in very handy next time I get mauled by Zone knows what... or who”, chuckling before zipping back to Vlad’s car and phasing out some of his snacks.

And munching on cheezies is how Vlad finds him, when he pokes his head back out of the water. “Well, your tastes sure haven’t grown up. I’d offer up some octopops but I doubt you’d appreciate them”. Judging by Daniel’s confusion Vlad’s guess is quite right. Though Vlad does relent and eat some of the offered fake cheese food, much to Daniel’s amusement.

The two spend most of the day in the hot spring again, Danny fully gets how someone, or some halfa really, could just stay here. It’s lazy, comfortable and all around pleasant; it’s clear that affect it both physical and mental. And it’s not hard to admit that Danny really did and does need a break from the near constant action of his daily life. Even if he knows full well he’d eventually get antsy and paranoid if he stayed too long, he’s a protector by nature and nothing about this protected anyone.

Tilting his head back and snuggling into the grove of one of the rocks, “that still doesn’t beat flying a spaceship”. Vlad shakes his head, “you’re practically insulting yourself but not just going to university already”. Danny simply shrugs, higher education was a bit of a status symbol so Danny won’t claim to be surprised that Vlad holds value in it, “eh, I’ve got more important things to do than get some degree or human job. Phantom comes first, and jobs don’t really care for someone who runs off constantly or is bandaged up eighty percent of the time”.

At one point Vlad would have chalked Daniel’s disregard for education up to being a child, but he wasn’t anymore and he was mature beyond his years. Vlad also knows this disregard doesn’t actually help him in life, he’s seen how unhappy and unpleasant the Fenton parents are over it; and he knows Daniel’s aware of it too. “Your family mourns over that, you know”, Daniel’s slow nod only further shows he's aware of it.

The two sat silent for a while, Danny kicking lazily at the water finding it hard to really feel sad about much of anything here. The effect was soothing but people are meant to feel bad emotions sometimes, officially making him decide that he wouldn’t want to just stay here prolongedly. Flicking his eyes back over the Vlad as he talks, “my bridge to her, to Maddie, is pretty well butchered, isn’t it?”. Danny’s a bit shocked, wondering if Vlad’s really even considering letting go of her. “Oh yeah, though mine might be too. Too many lies and one too many let downs”, Vlad’s frown makes it clear he hasn’t really let go.

“That’s something I’d rather not have in common. Suffering from similar strife. But I guess that’s the past”, Vlad can tell that Daniel has little to no intention of telling his family. Resting his elbows on his knees, “you’re alone in Amity now, aren’t you?”. Daniel simply shrugs, “pretty well yeah, they’ll be back of course”.

“Don’t let yourself be alone, you won’t like where you end up”, Danny looks at Vlad curiously, with a hint of sadness. All his comments about Vlad being a lonely man were supposed to just be jokes, clearly, they were a little too true. “Being close to a hero is a dangerous thing, ain’t fair to drag other people into my life. So I’ll content myself with those who know”.

Vlad points at him, “eventually they’ll be gone. I know you’re aware of halfa life spans”. Vlad’s also pretty sure it’s far more dangerous to be close to the stories “villain”, regardless of how evil or not the “hero” thought them to be. “You mean half-life spans? Yes. But there’s no way other people aren’t going to find out accidentally over the years”, sure probability is on Daniel’s side here but Vlad’s far more aware of the ineptitude of people, especially normal people. “If you’re not around anyone then no one likely will”, that’s one thing Vlad will give Daniel, the boy is terrifyingly good at keeping his secrets.

Danny hates that he’s kind of got a point on that, the only person who’s found out without actually witnessing his accident is Jazz; and she only knows because she wouldn’t stop hounding him. No reason for someone who’s not already close to him to do that. Though Danny scrunches his eyebrows, “I’m not sure why you care. It’s not like they just recently left”.

“I do care about you Daniel, I just had no reason to voice it before. You figure out things on your own well enough but this time I can’t be assured you will. Mentoring you was something I was going to do, whether we wound up friend or foe”, Danny’s not quite sure what to make of that. Vlad trying to give him “advice” wasn’t out of the norm, heck it was commonplace. But for it to not be rather bad or “villainous” advice, was a bit strange. Everyone has their moments he guesses, but what really gets him is Vlad sounding like he needs to say this now, “why now then? You very well could have shown up on my doorstep two years ago”. Danny kind of wishes he had, because this, this screams making amends now and turning over a new leaf maybe. Sure, it’s entirely possible Vlad might just go back to his ways after they get back, but he doesn’t think Vlad could possibly be that cold. Cold enough to disregard friendly bonding, especially with the reinforcement of being the only members of an entire species. Even if there’s also Dani, but she was a fair bit different from them. Never fully human, no traditional family, and pretty well free. And genetically she wasn’t a full person, none the less a full halfa; she was her own unique thing. Like Danny, she could be content being a one and only, Vlad clearly couldn’t.

Danny gets jolted out of his thoughts by Vlad, “I’m dying, Daniel. Messed up in the lab, messed up my bodies ectoplasm production. Permanently corrupted it, like I’ve sort of corrupted everything else”. Danny’s not sure what to say for a couple of seconds, Vlad must have more than just messed up to make something immortal no longer so. Vlad confirms that as he continues speaking, “us halfas, our ectoplasm and blood’s pretty unique. Can’t be truly replicated and doesn’t occur naturally”. Danny, speaking quietly, “I’d guess that’s why you wanted to come here, but the “permanent” tells me you knew this wouldn’t fix you”. Vlad’s nod is all the confirmation he needs, and that makes Danny realise this wasn’t him making amends, but rather him making peace to the only person who would actually hear it. Danny’s no fool, his mom wouldn’t have even considered talking like they’ve been and really, what would he have to say to her? He’d have to reveal himself for her to really understand, making that the focus of discussion and risking Danny’s secret too. Even if they were archenemies, there was an inherent respect for secret identities and Danny knows Vlad wouldn’t risk his happiness or safety in such a manner.

Like usual Daniel knows Vlad’s ways well, though Vlad doesn't really plan to admit that he didn’t look very hard to fix himself. After he’d give up or lost so much, death was a rather easy escape to accept. There was a sort of freedom to death after all, “I guess I didn’t exactly have any intention of leaving here. Couldn’t think of a more comfortable way to go”. No fights, no schemes, no business ventures, no mansion walls or fancy suits telling the tale of his, probably bad, life choices. Instead just healing waters to ease his mind and aged body, and soothing scents to ease his bruised and battered heart.

“So...you wanted a death buddy. That’s beyond depressing, Vladdie. And yet, oddly comical”, of course, Danny will stick around however long at this point, for Vlad’s final and permanent vacation. Though he’s by no means pleased or happy about this, but this place makes the sadness and loss of it so much less pungent. And the irony of two half-dead guys chilling in a neon green hot spring while one slowly becomes more dead, adds an air of humour; especially to a guy who’s a perpetual walking dead joke.

But then an idea strikes him as he looks curiously at his own veins, flicking his eyes up to the peaceful man with his eyes closed and the hint of a smile. He’s clearly accepted this, so Danny’s not sure if voicing his idea is a good thing. But Danny will be damned if he doesn’t at least attempt to save pretty well everyone, and that right there is one of his faults, “you could, just get exchange transfusions from me. I am a universal donor after all, if you exclude having ectoplasm, but that’s half the point here. Sure, it’d have to be a constant thing if your brutalisation of your body is so permanent”.

“That, that would probably work actually, and you really would do that, wouldn’t you? But I’m going to have to decline. I’ve put too many complications into your life already”, Vlad probably would have stumbled onto this idea himself, if he had bothered. But he was just done, done with all the wanting and taking from everyone. It just hurt him more, and them too; though he didn’t care about that nearly as much. Vlad can easily read the disappointment and determination, overshadowed by understanding, on Daniel’s face. If anyone could understand not wanting to burden someone else, it was the too-heroic-for-his-own-damn-good halfa. “Why’d you have to wait till now to follow me in being a self-sacrificial idiot”, Vlad’s not really being self-sacrificial, and he’s sure Daniel knows that. This, like everything else he’s ever done, is selfish. But he knows Daniel will somehow find a way to blame himself if he doesn’t make that clear, “it’s more that I’ve just given up. On all of it”.

“Well, I don’t do giving up”, and the Vlad Danny meet years ago didn’t give up either. But Danny knows how time can change you or beat you down, better than most do. He’s seen himself break after all, and Vlad tried to help him in his twisted and rather villainous way. Vlad didn’t exactly tend to come up with plans that actually helped people. But doing exactly that was a large part of Danny’s life, so he’ll save this damn frootloop. Though Danny doesn’t expect this will make Vlad any better of a person, maybe less actively a villain, but still morally corrupt.

No one says anything for a bit until Daniel pokes Vlad in the arm, “how about you do it anyway, come to stay in Amity, see if I can show you something new”. Vlad’s not sure whether to curse or appreciate Daniel’s determination and hero-complex. Vlad’s pretty sure he’ll wind up abusing this, or maybe he won’t; he doesn’t know. Though this does give Daniel something to lord over his head, even if he knows Daniel hasn’t and wouldn’t even consider that. He’ll literally need Daniel to survive, the ways that could be abused is utterly insane. And Vlad’s not really sure he even wants the surviving part.

The two stare at each other for a while, Danny’s got determination in spades and will damn well take on every extra “complication”, and if he has to bore mental holes through Vlad’s head to prove it, he damn well will. Vlad sighs, “alright Daniel. You always know the right things to say nowadays don’t you?”. Danny only smiles loosely at the burnt out man heading to a not so burnt out future. Second chances, it would seem, were a key component to life; or half-life in this case.

End.

[itsjustkp007]

Letter to My Child Self

(Note: Stef is a girl on YouTube who posts about trans issues, but she also does beauty and lifestyle videos. She “challenged” her audience to write a letter to our younger selves. I use “challenged” loosely because while this may be challenging for me, it may not be for someone else. Anyway, here are some things that I would want to tell/advise my younger self.)

1) 12-year-old Kristin, you’re going to get bullied for reasons that don’t matter. People are going to say that you’re a lesbian because you haven’t had a boyfriend. People are going to say that you’re a bitch because you’re honest and don’t give a fuck. People are going to be nasty to you. Accept that. Getting defensive doesn’t hurt them; it hurts you. Of course, you should stand up for yourself, and of course, you shouldn’t believe them, but accept the fact that their bullying has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.

2) 12-year-old Kristin, the reason that you get so offended by someone calling you a lesbian is because you’re panromantic. It’s not a bad thing that you could see yourself falling in love with someone regardless of gender. You’re offended because they’re misidentifying who you really are. You’re offended because how dare they know something within you that you haven’t acknowledged yet. Take your time. Let yourself come to terms with this, and don’t let anyone sway your opinion about yourself. (Plus, as we both know, being a lesbian isn’t a bad thing. It’s just not a term that describes you.)

3) 12-year-old Kristin, calm down. You get so angry so easily. Don’t let people get to you. You are better than that, and you are stronger than that. Try not to be so defensive. It’s okay to let some things go.

4) 12-year-old Kristin, you’re going to fall in love with a boy. This boy is going to be both one of the best things that ever happened to you and your worst heartbreak. You will never regret him, though, because he set the foundation of what you want in a partner and what you don’t want. He will show you what you deserve as well as what you don’t deserve. However, you’re both going to grow up, and you’re not going to grow together. You’re gonna be angry with him for a little while, and that’s okay, but he’s not the enemy. Give yourself the courage to let him go when you know it’s not going to work. Give yourself the time you need to move on.

5) 12-year-old Kristin, you don’t know everything. The sooner that you come to this conclusion, the better. And don’t assume that you’re not an asshole because you don’t bully people. You’re going to be an asshole at some points in your life. You’re also going to have asshole moments. Learn from them.

6) 12-year-old Kristin, there’s a reason why you love to read so much and there’s a reason why you consider the library a safe place. It’s where you belong. Don’t rule out being a librarian because it’s hard. Pursue it. Don’t be so stubborn about it. (Trust me when I say that you’re going to be learning throughout your life, at least to this point, to be less stubborn about things, but good Lord do we have a way to go. xD No worries. You’ll get there eventually.)

7) 12-year-old Kristin, I wish I could tell you that your self-esteem is through the roof and that you’re actually confident about yourself. You haven’t gotten there yet, but you will get to a point where you are confident with your body. Not confident in the sense that you think you’re hot shit, but to the point where you can look at your body in the mirror and own it. You will wear what you want. You will wear what’s comfortable for you to wear, and you will strut like you’re walking a fucking runway. Own your body. If you want to exercise, exercise. If you want to eat that bowl of ice cream, eat that ice cream. Don’t let society or stereotypes tell you otherwise. Own. Yourself.

8) 12-year-old Kristin, sexuality is still a thing that we’re not sure about, but let me tell you a secret: it’s because we don’t have a label for it. You’re not pansexual. (By the way, you know the difference between romantic and sexual attraction now, so that helps.) You’re more like heteroflexible than anything, which is why we feel like we don’t belong in the LGBTQIA+ community. Not because it wouldn’t be accepted, but because we’re not “gay enough.” (Note: I hear you, Ash Hardell and similar people of the world, a little bit gay is gay enough, but that’s just how I feel.) Don’t let anyone rush you into finding a label for yourself. You’ll figure it out eventually, and you don’t really need a label.

9) 12-year-old Kristin, you feel more comfortable in small men’s shirts because they’re soft and hide your stomach fat. You’re not weird for wearing those shirts. You’re weird for other reasons. xD Oh, and while we’re on that topic, weird is not an insult. You’ll soon realize that weird, to you, is synonymous with different, outside of the norm, or unique. These are all good things. Don’t shy away from it.

10) 12-year-old Kristin, when you’re in 7th grade, you’re going to date a guy in sixth grade. But prepare yourself: he’s gay. It won’t work out. But good grief, you’re going to be over the moon happy when he finds a lovely man to live the rest of his life with and you’re going to be so thankful that you dated him. He may not have been into you, but he showed you how you should be treated, and that will absolutely help you in the future.

11) 12-year-old Kristin, never be afraid to try new things.

12) 12-year-old Kristin, for the love of all that is holy, do NOT wear makeup because you feel it is expected of you. Only wear makeup when you want to; it’s not anyone else’s decision but yours.

13) 12-year-old Kristin, you’ll learn to love your hometown more in the future, but that does not necessarily mean that it’s where you belong. Sure, it will always have a special place in your heart, but what makes it home to you is the people, not the location. Although, we can both agree that the mountains are a nice touch and it’s absolutely gorgeous in the fall.

14) 12-year-old Kristin, enjoy your life now. Don’t rush to become an adult. You spend more time wishing you could be older than you focus on the present. Take a breather. Live for the moment.

15) 12-year-old Kristin, I’m going to stop you from wondering this right now. That reoccurring nightmare you have happens less over time, but it’s something that will never completely go away. Just accept it for what it is: a nightmare based on the scariest moment to ever happen in your life.

16) 12-year-old Kristin, take care of your little sister. She does mean a lot to you already and it’s obvious that you love her, but she’ll need you more in the future than you will ever be able to fathom. Accept her. Love her. Be her rock. You may not feel like you’ve helped her enough, but trust me: you’ve helped her more than you ever thought you could.

17) 12-year-old Kristin, stay the person that you are. Make changes when necessary, be mature when you need to be mature, and don’t stay the same exact person. But when you grow, keep the qualities that you like about yourself: your laughter, your humor, your selflessness, your optimism, and your belief that you can accomplish anything.

18) 12-year-old Kristin, you watch The Apprentice now, but dude, wait until you turn 24. You’re not going to believe the shitstorm that happens, and...wow. Expect the unexpected. Not just with this, but with every aspect of life. (Oh, and yes, you never stop calling people “dude.” You still see it as a gender-neutral term, and you’ll use it with anyone and everyone unless they tell you otherwise.)

19) 12-year-old Kristin, yes, you love video games. However, don’t go into college majoring in computer science. You were meant to play them, not make them. Although, who knows? Maybe you’ll write a script for one one day. (This hasn’t happened yet, but we can dream.)

20) 12-year-old Kristin, you can curse. You’re allowed, but make sure you’re aware of the people around you. Some people are okay with it; some people are not. Know the difference, but you’re allowed to curse when you’re angry. It’s not the worst thing in the world.

21) 12-year-old Kristin, you don’t care about alcohol right now, and you’re never going to care about it. Try what you want to try, and reject what you want to reject. The right people aren’t going to care whether you drink or not.

22) 12-year-old Kristin, you stay a Christian, but you also become a lot more open-minded. Don’t just reject things because the adults at church tell you to. Make your own decisions. God will forgive you; you just have to forgive yourself.

23) 12-year-old Kristin, there’s a reason why you get angry at extremists. You’re a moderate. xD But seriously, the reason you get so agitated with political debates is due to the fact that their disagreements turn into shouting matches. You’re annoyed because they are grown adults arguing in such a childish manner that it turns you off. This isn’t going to change, but that’s why you hate politics. It’s not because you don’t care; it’s because you want people to discuss their disagreements rather than try to convince the other side they’re right.

24) 12-year-old Kristin, your first vote was for an African American President. Right now, you’re curious about why the President has always been a white man, and you’re sort of irritated that a woman or someone of another race hasn’t won, but that will change. And boy oh boy, do you get excited! xD (Btw, thanks, Obama. :) Lord, I miss him as POTUS.)

25) 12-year-old Kristin, there’s a thing called YouTube that you’re going to fall in love with and it’s going to change your life for the better. But it does get addicting. Be careful. Focus on what needs to be done first before you watch it, and then watch videos to your heart’s content. xD <3

26) 12-year-old Kristin, I have one last piece of advice for you. Don’t give up. Don’t give up on school. Don’t give up on your loved ones. Most importantly, don’t give up on yourself.

[mcdkportfolio]

“I Don’t Know”

This was for the same writing workshop as “201 Mudgett Lane”. I was trying to write in a way that gave the reader a framework of the events I wanted to portray, but let some aspects of the story be formed by the reader’s imagination.

The silence of the room seems to echo around them. The energy they had so quickly built up, thrashing and groaning in desperate, simultaneous combination of give and take, all seems to dissipate just as quickly as it had started.

“Hey…”

           “Yeah?”

           “Is this,” he waves his finger between the two of them, “going anywhere?”

           Silence

           “Well?”

The springs sigh in unison as she shifts in bed.

She hears him breathe in deeply behind her, feel him prop himself on his elbow and can almost hear how he tenses up, waiting for the blow of her words. At first it doesn’t come.

“You still haven’t given me an answer.”

Her shoulders knot together

“I don’t know alright.”

There it is.

“You don’t know?”

           She can feel him slump back down to the bed.

           “Oh. Okay.”

She can hear the rotten dejection in his voice

“It’s just….”

She leaves the words dangling.

           “Just what?”

Silence swallows the space.

           “Just what Lucy?”

           “Forget about it Matthew.”

           “Forget about it? How can I forget about it? I just asked you a serious question about where this relationship is going and you can’t work up the guts to give me a serious goddamn answer?”

She whips around in the bed to look back at him, fury etched between her eyes.

           “Well shit Matt, if you can’t respect or understand that I honestly just don’t know, then maybe we have no business being in a relationship!”

She leaps out of the bed, gathering her clothes from across the floor and starts to dress.  She catches him in the corner of eye rising from the bed, and she can see that he’s just an angry as she is.

“I have told you a hundred times, my name is Matthew!”

“Oh god, you tool! You upright jerk! Just loosen up for once! How did either of us think this” She mocks the tone he used earlier “was going anywhere?! Do me a favor, never talk to me again!”

She’s finished dressing, walks out the door and slams it behind her. The slam echoes, and in the void the commotion leaves behind, she can hear one last thing through the door.

           “Well Fuck.”

Before

The comedian’s highlighted in the beam of the stage lights, while the audience is occluded by the dim lights.

“So I says to this broad, I says…”

The sounds of repressed laughter cuts through her attention. She sees a man struggling, almost violently, to keep from laughing.

In an annoyed and hushed tone she says “Hey I’m trying to watch the show here!”

She’s glaring at the man across the aisle who’s doing everything he can to keep from laughing, but the punchline hasn’t even dropped yet. He hasn’t noticed the rather frustrated young woman across from him.

           “Hey!” she says again.

He finally looks across the aisle at her. He’s biting his lips and smiling when he turns to look at her but the annoyed, scrunched up expression on her face puts an end to it.

“I’m sorry,” he apologies to her, “but it’s just so cliché! Nobody talks like that, ever, and it totally negates the point he’s trying to make as a comedian!”

           “And what point do you think that is?” Even if he does make a good point she’s not going to give him the satisfaction of showing it.

“To make the story believable! How else is anybody supposed to find it funny if they can’t relate?”

She seems to chew on that for a moment before relenting and saying “Good Point.”

           Really? He seemed surprised to have someone who as angry with him just a short while ago suddenly agree with him.

           “Yeah. But did you consider that maybe it’s the stereotype that’s supposed to be the joke?” She sees the soft moment of realization bloom across his face, and a grin follow it.

           “You know what I really didn-“

“SHH!” They both looked up and see someone two rows pointing at them.

           “Sorry,” he whispered back, then looks back at her, grin still plastered on his face. She can’t help it and giggles.

“My name’s Matthew, he extended his hand across the aisle.” She takes it and shakes.

           “Mine’s Lucy.”

He smiled at her and she at him.

  After

It’s been three days after the fight. Rain beats against the window of the apartment. He’s trying to work but can’t help but it get lost in the drumbeat as he looked out the window.

It’s interrupted when he hears a knock on the door. Shave and a Haircut…It could only be her. Old cartoons, and comedy bits. How many hours did they sit on her couch huddled together, watching Bugs Bunny or the Three Stooges?

 “It’s an oldy but a goody” she’d always say. The knock had been her, no their thing, that cutesy lovey dovey crap he used to hate before he met her. Why would people waste so much time, so much energy in that kind of thing?

How could she have not given him an answer?! How could they work so well together and yet break up like that in less than a minute? He didn’t want to answer the door. He was still pissed at her for just storming off like that. But…

It sucked. Just everything sucked. He missed her even when he was pissed at her. Everything reminded him of her, the worn out mystery novel she left on the floor by the couch, the robe she wore that one, ahem, romantic night. Even the things that were his reminded him of her. How the hell did that happen? How did she manage to leave her indent on everything, even him?

Two Bits. He knocks on his own door inside his own apartment. Only she could get him to do something that goofy. She’s standing there, the coat a big fit on her, about two sizes too big and it goes down to her knees. A hand-me-down from one of her brothers, Jason or Tim he’s not sure on which one.

The empty space between him, the door frame and her feels almost solid. He wants to touch her, just to make sure she’s real. But he can’t. Or he won’t? He’s not sure on which one.

She’s the one to break the so solid silence filling the space from her to the doorway, the doorway to him.

“Hi.”

      “ …Hi.”

They’re both quite for a long time after that. It’s his turn break the lake ice of silence.

“So what are you doing here Lucy?” He snaps.

He sees how she flinches at that. He wasn’t not trying to sound mean, but the wound is still raw. He hadn’t realized he was scowling when he opened the door. He softens up after that, the edge on his expression loosens up.

           “Come inside. Take off your boots off first.”

He steps aside to let her in, the edge of her jacket brushing against him.

Now she’s there in his apartment, actually, physically there, filling up a hole he hadn’t realized was that…empty. Until she filled it again.

“So listen,” she starts her hands shaking as she hold them in front of her, “I know I messed things up majorly last time.” He notices her voice is just as shaky as her hands. It should introduce sweet sympathy in the sour note he’s held on to for three days, but it doesn’t.

           “Really? You think?”

           She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose “Don’t do that Matthew.”

           “Do what?” God, he can hear how petty he sounds, but he can’t help it. The raw wound is burning now, like acid.

           “You’re sulking. I’m just trying to explain things here, and I can’t get through to you when you sulk.” He flares up at that, and maybe she can see that in his stance. If she wants to press buttons, he can go at all day.

The anger escapes like hot air as she continues. “Please Matthew, can you just listen?” Her voice is soft, softer than he had heard it in a long time, and in it he can hear that she’s been hurting just as badly as he has. That cracks the shell, and the sympathy oozes into his gut.

           “Fine.” His voice is calm for the first time since she’s stepped into the apartment.

She takes in a shaky breath and smiles at him. “Thank you.”

She talks for a long time after that, about her brothers, the families they’ve started, the not so subtle hints about it from her mother. He can hear the panic creep into her voice at that, but it starts to fade when she starts talking about stand-up.

           “And I’m just trying to get the whole comedian thing off the ground and it’d been a really stressful few days at Second City. So when you asked about where we were going, all that fear and anxiety came rushing back you know?”

           He stares at her for a minute, thoughtful, before he nods, slowly, almost imperceptibly, but it’s there. But he doesn’t say anything. And he tries not to look directly at her. She bites he lip and stands there, with the left hem of the coat brushing back and forth across her knee. The old friend of silence floods back in between them. All that’s left is the patter of rain against the windows.

           “I missed you though” she finally says. She’s got that sad little smile that gets his heart fluttering and doing summersaults. She doesn’t know that. He was sacred that if he told her, she might try to replicate it, cheapen the beauty he felt it held. That’s when all his thoughts start clicking together and it hurt even more than her leaving.

           “Yeah, me too.” His voice cracked a little on the last ‘o’. She’s looking right at him, trying to look him in the eye.

           “So… where does that leave us?”

He stares straight down at his feet, doing anything he can to look anywhere but at her because he knows he’ll just break in two if he does. And he knows that what he is about to say will do the exact same thing to her, and a small part hates himself for it. . But there’s just too much hurt in him to be able to go back. He realized it as she was talking, that she has too many dreams, too many hopes, for him to be able ride alongside it all without dragging her down. He opens his mouth and that small part of him thrashes and curses inside him as he says it.

           “I don’t know.”