Snapdragon

by Sugar_coated_desire

Summary:

With Valerie having dropped the title of the red huntress, Danny had expected his troubles with being hunted down by a mortal being to be done with.

Then can someone explain to him why he's being hunted down by someone else in the same gear as Valerie? Someone who is way more adamant to capture him. Someone who was willing to toy with him.

Junior year should not be this stressful.

Notes:

👉👈 Listen, I've kind of been writing this along side my other DP fic. I just wanted to finish that one before I posted this since I have a record of failing to finish my previous works (i.e. All of my mha fics... I swear I'll finish those though!)

Anyway! If you know me, then you should expect some silliness along with some violence. Thankfully I'll add more tags as I go along. For now I hope you all enjoy this slow burn!

Chapter 1

Amity park. One of America's most widely known haunted locations that anyone currently knows of.

With ghost and ghouls of all kinds that wander the streets at any minutes notice and the lush green forest that surrounded the small town seeming to breathe in and out with every steady breeze that passed through the branches. The small bodies of water frightfully calm and the wildlife uncharacteristically sentient. Where the seasons seem to shift at the most random of times that it almost felt like a curse.

Or maybe Danny was crazy for trying to personify something inanimate. Maybe it was the lack of sleep that's effecting him. Either way, he hated these long nights. When the moon is high about, casting shadows over everything. Easy little hiding spots for anyone or anything. Like, oh he doesn't know, an animal ghost?

Danny started to grind his teeth the longer he looked through the woods. Everytime he saw movement, he had to catch himself before he went ahead and hurt an innocent animal.

Danny shivered at the memory from when he accidently shot a little blue bird. Oh the poor thing...

The half ghost shook his head and kept looking. Weaving between the thicket of trees until he got to a clearing with a small pond in the middle. Green eyes scanned the area as he made his way to the center. His boots grazing the surface of the pond as he continued to look around only to be greeted by a sea of green. The trees waving at him innocently as a gentle breeze passed through the clearing.

He heaved a sigh. Maybe he should give up for tonight. It was almost three in the morning and he still had to wake up early for school tomorrow.

He rubbed at his face as he continued to hover over the pond.

To think it's only Wednesday... He still has three more days left of the week and he's been chasing this damn fox since last Friday! How hard is it to catch a fox?! He had an easier time with Cujo and that pup still has a nasty habit of leaving the ghost zone and causing trouble within town.

Danny mumbled to himself but still looked around just to be safe. Looking back and forth and even above him just to make sure he didn't miss anything. Except he was greeted by silence.

Danny frowned as the ever growing pit in his stomach got bigger. Silence is never a good sign. There weren't any little critters making sounds or even a single cricket that would sing. If he were to ignore the lush vegetation that was growing around the pond, this area seemed as good as dead.

The uneasiness he had been feeling all night reached a breaking point as he finally looked down. But it was too late.

The ripples that had breached the surface of the water that he thought were caused by his boots turned out to be caused by threads. Each one shooting out and winding around the ghost teens legs and hip.

Danny couldn't even scream as he was suddenly yanked down into the depths of the pond. The water splashing and sloshing around as the boy struggled against his binds.

This isn't normal. This isn't normal! He was searching for a fox! How is it that a fox can manipulate threads?

Danny shook his head and glared down at those angry red glowing eyes that were glaring just as hard back up at him. Even with the the darkness of the water surrounding them, it was easy to see those sharp teeth. Each sharp pearly white seeming to glisten with the little moon light that was able to pierce through the layers of water.

Danny tugged against the binds until they snapped. The teen was quick to pierce through the surface of the water. Coughing up any water that slipped through his nose and throat.

He pushed himself out of the pond, shaking off the water and quickly going as far up as he could just as the fox jumped out of the water.

The ghost shook it's hide clean of water. It's matted fur fluffing up once it settled back down. Arching it's back at the ghost teen as it let out a guttural growl.

Danny puffed himself up, growling back at the tense ghost. Hands at his side as he waited to see what the fox would do.

It circled the teen ghost, teeth still bared out at him. It's tail swaying behind them and- wait... Was that a second tail?

With the fox continuing to gnarl at him, the fox pushed itself up on it's hind legs. It's body twisting and contorting in a way that made Danny squirm.

The grotesque sound of bones snapping and shifting under skin finally stopping after an agonizing five minutes. The fox now replaced by a pretty young woman. Her hair a vibrant orange with it fading into white the closer it got to her scalp. Violet eyes fixed on him as her lip curled into a snarl.

"Spectral child."

"Spectral child? Now that's a new one." Danny couldn't help but reply. This just made the woman bristle and tense.

"Why do you chase me?"

"Why? You're seriously asking why? Oh I don't know, maybe it has something to do with the illusions you've been creating throughout town!" Danny gritted out as he felt his head throb. Remembering just how much trouble said illusions had caused within the population. One of those said illusions had almost caused him to expose his identity to the whole town! Not only that but many people had started to believe they were going crazy. Then there were his fellow classmates. Talking to people who weren't there. False ghost and fire alarms that caused the student body to cower in fear. Sounds that made people jump and look around that no one else heard. Sam and Tucker believing he was hurt and bleeding out on the ground even though he was standing right next to them.

The woman only squinted at him with a tut. Still circling him as her fox tails swayed behind her. Twitching and jerking with every step she took.

"It was harmless fun."

"Harmless fun that almost cost the life of a busful of elementary school students!" Danny urged.

The woman just shrugged. Not caring if she had involuntarily almost killed people. Not caring that her illusions were putting so much emotional strain on those around her. Only seeming to care if she was having fun.

Danny grabbed the thermos on his hip and was about to use it on her when the woman suddenly pounced on him. Hissing and growling as she clawed at him.

The ghost teen could only grit his teeth. Placing the thermos back on the belt around his hips and grabbing the ghostly woman by the shoulder. Even as she squirmed and tried to bite him, Danny was still able to get a good grip on her and was able to push and kick her off. Although he did flinch when the woman slammed against a tree which caused it to bend and crack due to the amount of strength he had accidentally used.

She's not Skulker. He doesn't need to put that much force when attacking and defending himself against her.

"You're really not going to make this easy for me, are you?" Danny asked as he watched the woman shake herself off and stand.

She cracked her neck and flexed her clawed fingers at her side. Glaring up at the boy as she shifted again. Still human but with even more animalistic features.

"Not a chance."

Danny heaved a sigh and glanced at the watch on his wrist. Three forty three. If he wants to have any energy for his english test then he'll have to wrap this up as quickly as he can.

Danny shook off any lingering nerves and dodged out of the way as the fox woman made another attempt to jump him. The boy blocked every kick and swing the woman sent him while also landing a few blows on her.

The ghost boy making sure to hit the womans shoulder, sides and kick the center of her chest to exhaust her quickly. And it seemed to be working as the fox woman's attacks became sluggish.

Sluggish but still dangerous. Danny should have remembered that she was more primal. And since she was partially a fox, he should have remembered that a cornered animal is much more dangerous than a calm on.

Maybe then he wouldn't have been as shocked when threads wrapped around him. Binding him so tight that even the slightest movement caused the threads to dig into his skin.

With little time to react, Danny could only close his eyes and brace himself as she yanked him down and back into the pond.

Everything becamed muffled as the water sloshed around him. The young man squirming and looking around with his glowing green eyes. Trying to figure out a way to break free without tiring himself off too much.

The woman jumped into the water and wrapped her hands around Danny's throat. Her claws digging into his tender skin as he struggled to free himself. Flinching as the pressure around his throat became tighter and tighter.

With no other option available to him, Danny reluctantly opened his mouth and gave out the strongest ghostly wail her could muster with the little amount if energy he had.

It seemed that that was the best call as the fox woman released her hold on him and was pushed out of the water. Her hold on those threads loosening just enough for Danny to slip out. He swam out of the water, coughing once he breached the surface and climbed his way out of the pond.

Coughing and wheezing out, water and drool falling out of his mouth. Green eyes looking around for any sign of the fox woman.

He thankfully didn't have to look far as he caught sight of her laying at the foot of a tree. Trembling arms attempting to push her body up only to falter and crumble under her own weight.

It was honestly a pitiful sight.

Danny wiped the last of the water off of his face and pushed himself up. Walking to the struggling woman with the thermos already in hand.

The fox woman stopped and glared up at him when he stood before her. But that glare only lasted for a second because the minute the thermos was pointed at her, she began to desperately crawl away.

Danny rolled his eyes. They always do this.

He pressed the button on the thermos to turn it on and watched as the ray made contact with the struggling fox.

The woman let out a shrilled scream as she was sucked into the thermos. Cursing and clawing at the grass until she was fully inside the thermos. Only then did everthing go silent.

With creature now captured Danny turned back into his human self. Shivering as the sudden shock of his beating heart and air filling his lungs once more. The weight of the fight and the sudden rush of life etching it's way back into his body was so intense that Danny stumbled back and laid on the grassy soil.

The teen took in deep shaky breaths. Chest trembling with each breathe and throat throbbing from when the fox woman attempt to squeeze the life out of him. Trembling fingers grazed the grass under him. Fiddling with each blade as the sound of wild life finally came back. Tired baby blue eyes closed.

A deep breath in. Hold it for a few seconds and finally let it out via mouth. He let everything settle. Grounding himself as he let everything around him sooth his mind.

The forest around him slowly coming back to life. Crickets chirping away as a few raccoons ran by. The trees swaying once more, branches and leaves rustling with each breeze. A lizard crawled over his hand, making it's way close to a beatle that was running around in the grass.

There was the sound of frogs croaking from a near by lake. Of water steadly flowing while brushing against rocks.

He heaved a sigh and nuzzled himself deeper into the grass. Mother earth calming him while the moon watched over him.

He's so sleepy.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

His eye's were drooping and, if he were to be completely honest, he was three seconds away from passing out. Tucker and Sam have been keeping a close eye on him and Danny is certain the two were ready to jump and send him to the nurses office the second he falls asleep. Except Danny made sure to snap back to attention every second he felt their eyes on him.

He was currently seated in the back row in a tiny corner of his histroy class. His assignment long since finished and he was currently just sitting there. Eyes looking over his class. Head resting in his palm as a yawn escaped his mouth. Eyes drooping and head bobbing in exhaustion. Listening to the sound of pencils and pens scribbling against paper. Pages flipping as their teacher stayed busy by reading his text book.

Never had he been so glad to be placed in a different history class then his friends at that very moment. His body was still so tired from yesterday and with no one there to worry about him, he would be able to hypothetically catch a few minutes of sleep. Danny closed his eyes with a yawn and allowed himself to finally relax. Zoning out everything around him as he started to sleep. Albeit a light sleep since he didn't want to get caught.

Although how much sleep can a person get when an alarm starts to blare?

All heads jerk up at as the alarm continued it's screech. The sound of the alarm was not the thing that worried them though. No, what worried them was the same thing that sent a chill throughout Danny's body and a small puff of cool air to come out from his mouth.

A ghost.

And it wasn't just one if the shivers that wrecked his body and the second plume of cool air coming from his mouth was anything to go by.

"Alright everyone. Single file line. Just like we've practice!"

All the students in his class stood up and made their way to the classroom door. Chatting away while their teacher tried to ease them down. When there was almost no one else in his row, Danny pushed himself up off of his desk and made his way to the very back of the line. Silently listening to their teacher try their best to calm the unruly students before opening the door and walking them out of the room. Their line slowly merging with that of another class.

When they took a turn to one of the many emergency exits that littered the school, Danny split from the line and into the closest janitors closet that he knew would be unlocked.

He closed the door behind him, locking it as he listened to the student body quickly make their way out of the building. He pressed his back against the door. Heaving in a deep breath before going ghost. Shivering at the sudden shift of temperature as well as the uncomfortable breaking and rearranging of his bones. Ignoring the way his lungs and heart stopped functioning and willed himself to turn invisible.

Danny rushed out of the closet and down the halls. Scanning every room and hallway while paying close attention to how his body reacted.

It seemed he didn't have to look far as a lasso shot out from down stairs and just barely missed him.

"Darn it!"

"Youngblood? Aren't you a little young to be in highschool?" Danny yelled out as he followed the lasso until he reached the smaller ghost.

Said ghost had already pulled back his lasso and was watching Danny. Grumbling under his breath as he attempted to untangle the rope in his hands. But something seemed off.

Danny frowned and looked the little ghost over. He looked the same. Same height, same annoyingly shrill voice, same side-

"Where's your little assistant?" Danny finally willed himself to ask.

That seemed to be the wrong thing to ask as the smaller ghosts bottom lip started to tremble. Danny cringed as the small boy began to cry. Falling to the ground as tears streamed down his little round face. Rope laying uselessly at his side as he rubbed at his teary eyes.

"He was kidnapped!"

"Kidnapped?" Danny mumbled out as the kid continued to sob on the floor. Danny got down the ghost childs level and sat next to him. Petting his head as youngblood could only sniffle and nod.

He could hear the sound of the other ghost nearby but he couldn't just leave the boy alone. Even with the constant yelling and sound of rumble hitting the ground, Danny stayed put.

The school was empty so the possibility of someone getting hurt was low. Meaning he could spare a few minutes to comfort the other ghost.

Danny pulled Youngblood close to him until the little boy's head rested against his arm. Rubbing his back as he looked around.

"Who kidnapped him?"

Youngblood gave a loud sniff and pulled back. Rubbing his eyes and wiping his nose with the back of his hand while glaring up at Danny.

"I couldn't see. I just know he was sucked in by one of your machines so I came here."

"My machines?" Danny mumbled out as he tried his best to recall if he had seen Youngblood and his little henchmen that week. But he hadn't. And he's certain that it wasn't his parents since they went to visit Jazz in New York. It couldn't be Valerie since she long since placed down the red huntress persona to focus more on school. No one has broken into their home and all his parents inventions are accounted for so the chances that it was one of his parents machines was off the table.

Danny frowned and tightened his hold on Youngblood.

"It wasn't me."

"But I saw someone dressed in black pull out that tube thingy that you usually use to suck us up!" Youngblood shot back.

"YB, it couldn't have been me. I've been busy all week chasing some fox ghost that turned out to be a shapeshifting woman."

Youngblood wiped his face of any left over tears and looked around. His feet dragging back and forth against the ground. A pout so prominent on the usually proud and boisterous boy. Reminding Danny that even if Youngblood was older than him, he was still a child at heart.

"Mink.... You were busy with Mink... B-but I swear it was your gear! It had the beam and everything!"

"Was there anything that seemed off? Anything at all that you thought was strange?" Danny asked as he looked up at the sound of a crash and hiss.

Yeah... The school staff are definitely going to hate him.

"Well, there was the beam."

"What about it?"

"It was red."

Danny tensed at that.

Red?

Danny wasn't allowed to give it much thought as the second ghost finally came by. Or should he say crash by since the thing was flung directly into the lockers ahead of them.

The two ghost boys hopped up to their feet. Youngblood hidding behind Danny while Danny took a defensive stance. Eyes squinted down at the ghost that was crumpled at the lockers. Waiting to see what it would do.

When the ghost continued to lay still did Danny lower his guard.

Something was wrong.

Danny turned to Youngblood and it seemed the boy understood what he wanted to say without being told as he nodded and was quick to run away. Danny keeping his gaze on the ghost child until he was out of sight. Only then did Danny take a cautious step forward. Inching his way to the ectopus that was still laying in a heap.

Danny looked up and down the hallway as he made his way to the unconscious ghost. Body tense and hyper focused on everything around him. Waiting for even the smallest hint of movement.

When he was in front of the ghost did he finally take a good look at it only to take a shaky step back.

If his heart was still beating he's certain it would be palpitating to the point of concern. Green eyes were blown wide as he tried to steady himself but never once did he take his eyes off the ghost. His whole frame trembling as everything around him seemed to close in.

It's hurt. So badly hurt that there was ectoplasm smearing the ground. Two of it's limbs had been torn clean off and it had a giant gash on it's side. But what made him so terrified was that the injuries weren't healing. Something was preventing them from healing. No, someone built something to prevent a ghost from healing.

Danny's stomach churned.

"What the fuck... What the fuck!" Danny mumbled to himself as he continued to back away. His arms crossed over his body as he shuddered. Fear or panic it didn't really matter. Something's wrong. Something is frightfully wrong.

He wasn't even allowed to process his thoughts as a red beam shot out. The beam hit the ghost that was laying on the ground. Green eyes watching it get sucked in before the light vanished.

The spot that the ghost once laid at now spotless of any gore. Almost as if it wasn't there to begin with.

"Danny Phantom. I was wondering when you would show up."

Danny jerked around only to come face to face with his reflection. The teen yelped and quickly backed away.

Now that he was further back, he could now get a proper look at what spoke to him.

It was a person. Well, it seemed like a person. The only issue was that they were covered head to toe in gear that closely resembled that of Valerie Gray. Well, except it was colored black with blue accents. They had a gun in one hand while their other held a flat rectangular board. They were broad and it was easy to tell they were a male but their voice was masked over by something that made it sound like multiple people were speaking. A perfect mask since Danny didn't know which voice to focus on.

Danny tensed up and held his hand in front of him. Green glowing around his hand as he aimed at the figure.

"Woah there poppet! I mean no harm." The figure said. Holding their hands up in mock defense but Danny could hear it. Even with the overlapping voices Danny could still hear the cockiness in their tone.

Danny growled but kept his arm up. "Don't call me that."

The person tilted their head to the side. Humming under the helmet that covered their face as they tapped the side of their head with the gun in his hand.

"No poppet. Thats such a shame. That name fits you so perfectly. Well if I can't call you poppet, then how about..."

Danny's eye's widened as the person was quick to put the gun away and lunged forward as they grabbed a hold of his wrist. Tugging the ghost teen forward as their hand glowed a vibrant red.

"..Darling?"

Danny grunted and tried to phase his wrist free only to come to the horrifying realisation that he couldn't.

It seemed the person knew what he was trying to do as they laughed and tugged Danny closer.

"Fascinating isn't it? Anti-phasing material specially crafted for easier ghost hunting!" The hunter said in utter glee. The red glow finally fading once Danny stopped trying to phase out of the others hold. But the hunter never once released him.

Danny could only respond with a growl. Eyes glowing with irritation as he continued to struggle. Yanking and jerking himself back but the other had an iron grip on him. Their hold never once faltering even with every hard yank Danny gave.

Danny jerked his head up when he heard the ghost hunter sigh. The taller of the two shaking their head as their hand began to glow a vibrant blue.

Danny let out a strangled yelp as it started to burn. His skin feeling as if it was being boiled the longer the hunter held him. Danny started to hit and claw at the others arm as the feeling started to become unbearable.

"Oh Phantom, why are you so mean to me? Ah but seeing you squirm really is quite a lovely sight!" The hunter cooed as Danny pushed against their arm.

Danny hissed as soon as he was able to yank his arm back. Green eyes blow wide when he took notice of how his skin had actual blisters from where the masked figure had grabbed him. The area throbbing so painful as bruises started to form in the shape of fingers.

He glared up at the person before him as he took a shaky step back. Arm held tight to his chest as he kept a weary eye on the all to relax person before him.

"Who are you...?"

Chapter 2

Danny laid awake in bed. Eye's fixed on the little plastic glow in the dark stars and planets that covered his ceiling as he listen to the cars outside drive by. That being the only sound that surrounded him if he didn't include the ticking of his clock or the hum of the fridge in the kitchen.

Being alone was something he had gotten quite used to. What with hunting and capturing ghost on his own along with his parents never really paying much attention to him if it doesn't involve him listening to one of their lectures or if Jazz wasn't around to point out their negligence.

Danny blew one of the stands of white hair out of his face. They haven't even called him to see if he's alright today!

Danny turned on his side and raised his arm up. Glaring at the bruises and slight redness that were in the shape of a hand. If he were to brush his finger over it, he's certain that it would ache.

"Noctis huh." Danny mumbled to himself before dropping his arm down. He sighed and closed his eyes.

Noctis. That was the hunters name. That's the name to who he has to be wary of. Danny grumbled to himself as he thought back on his encounter with the faceless hunter.

The man had confirmed that he was indeed male and had shown just how skilled he was in the same breath by deflecting one of Danny's blasts. Using the board as a shield before throwing it on the ground. Watching as the board turned into an almost exact copy of Valeries own board.

Oh how he so badly wanted to knock the cocky mother fucker off of that board. To drag his face into the ground and demand to know what he had done to the ghosts that he had captured. But he couldn't. Not when the guys in white started to storm their way into the building.

Noctis was quick to vanish, not a single trace of his existence left for Danny to follow. All the half ghost teen could do was quickly get out of the building and head to one of the many groups of students that were huddled outside. That group being the one located at the football field. Turning back into his human self behind the bleachers before making his way to everyone else. Walking with the rest of the crowd as they made their way back inside, perfectly blending in with the rest of the student body.

Danny shivered and nuzzled into his pillow. Fingers gripping the soft fabric. Counting each and every thread.

God did Tucker and Sam give him an earful during lunch. Scolding and guilting him for not replying to any of their texts after the attack. He thankfully came up with the excuse that he ran out of minutes but they quickly jumped from worry to curiosity. Asking and probbing to know what it was that was making Danny bail on them so often.

He frowned. It's not like he doesn't want to tell them the truth. It's just that.... Tucker is terrified of Phantom and Sam thinks he's at fault for everything. Stating that if Phantom never showed up, none of the ghost attacks would be happening which... Fair. She's not off on that. He did accidentally cause a massive opening to occur by starting the portal. It still didn't make the insults hurt any less.

Danny squeezed his eyes with a moan. God, he felt so god damn awful that he had forgotten to eat anything during lunch.

Danny curled into himself with a groan at the sudden sharp hunger pang he got. Drool builing up in his mouth the longer he laid there. The young man whimpered and closed his eyes tight. Taking deep breaths in as he waited for the pain to pass. Riding out each gnawing sensation he felt.

It was only after the pain had gradually subsided that Danny pushed himself out of bed. The teen made his way slowly down the stairs and into the kitchen. Grabbing at whatever he could reach and taking massive bites out of them. Only stopping once his stomach didn't hurt as much.

Danny dumped the can of now empty corn into the trash and rubbed at his stomach. The hunger still lingering. With no other choice Danny made his way down to his parents lab.

His feet dragged down each step. His hand along the railing holding him up as he made his way down. Even with shaky legs he had somehow made it down without tumbling down.

With small gasps of air, Danny stumbled to the shelve in the corner of the room. Dropping and spilling a few empty jars and inventions in his wake. Draggung his hands over each shelf until he grabbed what he needed.

A jar with a small blob ghost.

Danny panted as he frantically opened the jar. The ghost inside trembling once the lid was open. Big red eyes looking up at the drooling half ghost.

Danny swallowed the drool that was pooling out of his mouth and silently apologized. Grabbing the ghost and quickly biting it in half. Goaning as he felt it squirm in his mouth.

Chewing and gaging as he swallowed the half in his mouth and shoving the other half into his mouth. Repeating the process with tears streaming down his face. Grabbing more jars that held small ghosts inside and giving them the same fate until the hunger finally vanished.

With his seventh empty jar now empty, Danny crumpled to the ground. Hand over his mouth as he tried not to vomit. Trembling as the phantom feeling of the ghosts in his mouth lingered.

It didn't matter how often Danny did this or how much he excused it, he would still feel a slight pang of guilt.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." Danny mumbled out a silent apology to the ghosts he had to eat. Tears smearing alomg with the dried drool in his hands.

"It's honestly a wonder as to how you defeated me when I catch you like this."

Danny jerked his head up and glared up at none other than Dan.

The basterd stood over Danny in his ghost form for only a moment before turning back into the human form that had been given to him. An almost exact copy of himself if Danny ignored the pure white hair that was pulled back in a messy low ponytail. While Danny wore thick chunky beaded and braided bracelets, Dan wore a thick leather cuff with silver studs and a silver watch on his left wrist. He had a leather jacket over his usual black muscle shirt and some faded blue skinny jeans.

Danny pouted when he could still make out the muscles Dan had accumulated from working out even from under all that clothes.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be lounging it up at Vlad's place?" Danny grumbled. Wiping his face clean of tears and drool.

Dan rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall next to him. Arms crossed over his chest as he watched Danny pick himself up. His legs shaking under him. The now empty jars that littered the ground rolling and bumping against each other once he was back up on his unstable feet.

"You're so funny... I'm here to check up on you."

"Check up on me? Why the hell do you need to check up on me. I'm literally sixteen." Danny huffed out. Pushing past Dan and making his way back up stairs.

Dan pushed himself off of the wall he was leaning on and followed after the shorter teen. His boots echoing behind Danny as they entered the kitchen.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you've already made an attempt at your life once. Vlad and I don't want you to attempt that again." Dan grumbled out. Kicking one of the apple cores and orange skins that littered the ground. There was even a bottle of strawberry milk along with a few water bottles splattered around. Plastic wrappers to some microwavable food were also scattered around the table and kitchen counter. Over all, it was a hot mess.

Dan raised a brow and turned to look at Danny. "Starving much?"

"Fuck off."

Dan snorted as he picked up the trash that littered the kitchen and started to throw it away. "No thanks. You're not my type."

Danny sputtered and turned to the other. Face bright red and eyes blown wide.

"What-! I never-! Ugh you're impossible!" Danny growled out in irritation. Stomping his foot down to emphasise his point. Dan just rolled his eyes and threw out the last bit of trash that littered the kitchen into the half empty trashcan in the corner of the room.

"And you're acting like a child."

Danny didn't say anything to that. Instead opting to yanking one of the chairs from under the table and throwing himself onto it. The legs scapping against the marble floor, an audible scratching noise echoing in the nearly empty home that made Dan cringe.

Dan rolled his shoulders after wiping his hands clean of the garbage, making his way to the table and pulling out a chair for himself. He sat down and proped his arms over the table, leaning forward as he kept his eyes on the huffy teen before him.

"... You know it's not safe to starve yourself."

Danny grumbled but kept his gaze down. Fingers tapping his arm before slumping.

"I... I know... It's just that I'm still not used to it."

"It's been almost three years."

"I know. But it's still hard." Danny admitted with head held down.

Dan rubbed at his eyes. Heaving a deep breath in before dropping his hand down.

"I suppose I can see where you're coming from but you have to eat. As inhumane as you believe it to be, you are getting stronger and that does require more energy. More energy that you simply don't have at this time." Dan proped his chin in his palm and sighed.

"You have to understand that unless you want to go feral and blindly attack everything in your path, you must eat some form of ectoplasm. It either coming from contaminated food or by eating much weaker ghosts."

Danny just nodded. Dan kept watching the younger version of himself before shaking his head. Why does he bother? He knows Danny wouldn't really listen to him. The boy was stubborn after all but the thought of Danny doing anything remotely close to what he had done just didn't sit right with him. Pushing any lingering thoughts out of his mind, he pushed himself up and walking to the teen. He patted Danny on the head, gently tugging him back so that the boy could look at him.

Baby blue eyes squinted up at him only to be squeezed shut with a whine when Dan started to shake his head side to side.

"Well, if you're full, let's go patrol."

Danny groaned and rubbed at his head once Dan let go. Raising a brow as he watched Dan walk out of the kitchen.

"Patrol?"

"Yes. Patrol. And maybe while we do that you can talk about this supposed new ghost hunter I keep hearing about." Dan mused. Listen to the sound of Danny pushing himself from the kitchen table and stumbling after him. Dan turned just as Danny reached him. Eyes wide and hand gripping the center of his shirt.

"You've heard about him?"

"Of course. Word spreads fast within the ghost zone." Dan said with a shrug.

Danny groaned but followed after the other. It seems his quiet afternoon may not be so quiet after all.

Just before the two stepped outside, Dan grabbed one of the white strands of his white hair with a frown.

"You gonna dye it?"

Danny pulled his hair away from Dan and gave a shrug. "Maybe. But I think I only have enough for half my hair."

Dan shook his head, combing his fingers through soft black and white hair.

"I'll help you out brat. Now let's go before it gets late."

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Study hall. It was the only time Danny had to himself. Sometimes he'll just sit at the very back and catch up on any sleep he may have missed from the previous night. But not today. Today he has to finish the last bit he needs for his book report or else Lancer will never let him live it down.

Danny rolled his eyes.

He still can't believe he hasn't escaped the older man. He thought with it being his junior year he would finally be able to escape the man but it seems fate had different plans. That and the school district was just too cheap to get an english teacher for the juniors.

He grumbled under his breath and looked over the page he was on only for a shadow to suddenly cover the artificial light from above.

"You look like shit."

Danny glared up at the blond jock that was standing in front of him. He closed his eyes and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. Letting out a deep breath before finally looking back up at Dash.

"Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Anything else you want to tell me, Mister Baxter?"

Dash could only scoff at the other teen as he made his way past him but not before grabbing a fistful of Danny's black and white hair and tugging. Danny let out a whine and batted the blond away with a glare.

Dash only let him go with a scoff, walking off to another area in the library.

"What a prick."

Danny looked up just as Sam and Tucker sat down. A frown plastered on both their faces as they made themselves comfortable at his table. Tucker yanking out his PDA while Sam placed her book on monsters, beasts, the supernatural and folklore. Their bags half hazardly thrown along the table next to them.

Danny shrugged, flipping through his book and writing down notes whenever he found something worth writing. "He's annoying but he's not as bad as freshmen year."

"Still can't believe the A-listers disbanded. That was such a wild day."

Sam tutted and opened her book. Tucking a few strands of black and green hair back as she flipped to where a bookmark laid. "Honestly I'm wondering why it took so long. Cliques are so '87."

Tucker and Danny laughed at Sam's claim. Sam just rolled her eyes and started to read, smile plastered on her face as her eyes roamed the page.

Tucker shook his head and leaned back. Glancing over to where Dash had wandered to. The blonds back to them as he hunched over his phone. Kwan at his side along with Paulina and Valerie.

Paulina was busy checking her hair and touching up her make-up with a small hand held mirror. Valerie was busy reading from a book and Kwan appeared to be writing something in his journal. Gnawing on his pen every time he pulled it close to his face.

"You would think with the A-listers being disbanded they wouldn't hang out. Still can't get over the fact that they're talking to Valerie again."

Danny shot a glance up at the girl and then quickly looked down when Valerie turned to look at them. His bottom lip sucked in and held between his teeth as he continued to write even with the lingering pang he felt in his chest.

Sam was quick to notice the sudden shift in Danny's mood. The goth frowning down at the poor half ghost and subtly kicking Tuckers ankle from under the desk. The boy flinched with a hiss. Rubbing at his ankle as he shot a glare at Sam. The girl simply rolled her eyes and tilted her head in Danny's direction. It took a while for Tucker to catch on but once he did he couldn't stop himself from cringing. He rubbed the back of his neck and coward into himself.

"Shit. I'm sorry man. I forgot-"

"It's fine Tuck. After all, you guy's didn't know until two weeks ago." Danny said with a forced smile. His black nails scratching at the pages of his book. Blue eyes glancing over at Valerie with a grimace. His shoulder were slumped and his chest started to hurt even more.

Sam and Tucker shared a look. Both frowning at the obvious sadness in Danny's voice.

Valerie Gray. A strong willed girl who was rough around the edges but sweet once her walls were down. A girl that did as she pleased and never backed out of anything. Her morals almost as strong as Sam's. And she just so happened to be Danny's ex.

Apparently the two had started dating near the end of their freshman year and had spent almost all summer together whenever Valerie's job permitted her. But just like them Valerie had appeared to worry about Danny's safety when it came to the constant ghost attacks. Constantly scolding him whenever he would vanish during a ghost attack. Warning him that he could seriously get hurt one day and how she wouldn't know what to do if that were to happen. That seemed to be the thing the two would constantly argue about and it seemed that after Danny disappeared after yet another ghost fight, Valerie just couldn't handle the constant fear she felt for him. So she broke up with him two weeks ago behind the bleachers after school.

Sam and Tucker only figured out the two had been dating because they had been hanging around the back of the bleachers at the same time Valerie had broke things off. Involuntarily listening in as Danny pleaded for her to not do this. But she was firm. Stating that until Danny was willing enough to open up, she didn't think they could work before walking away.

It had been... Less then ideal to say the least.

Danny had been crying and the poor boy felt utterly humiliated when he saw Sam and Tucker walk up to him. Yet he still let the two pull him into a hug. Crying into their shoulders as they soothed him. Hiccuping and explaining everything to them between broken sobs.

Sam bit her lip and fiddled with the page in her book. It looked like Danny still wasn't over her. Then again, what did she expect. The two had been dating for over a year. That's a lot longer then most highschool couples.

She sighed and placed her hand over Danny's. Squeezing the others cold fingers between her own as she gave him a reassuring smile.

"It'll get better."

Danny just gave her a small smile and nod. His attention back on his report.

Sam released her hold on Danny's hand and tucked her hair back. Her chest aching at the display before her.

God, he looked like a kicked puppy.

"Where the hell is he going."

"Tucker would you-!" Sam was about to scold only to quirk a brow and watch as Dash rushed to put away his stuff. Excusing himself from his friends as he walked out of the Library. Phone still held in his hand. Frantically tapping away at it.

Danny looked up and frowned as they watched Dash's retreating form. Now that he thought about it, Dash had been acting weird since they started school.

Sure he didn't shove people into lockers and he didn't give wedgies or swirlys but his words were still sharp. He would get into verbal and physical altercations at least twice a week. There were day's were he would ignore everyone and then there were days where he would just blow up on you if you even look at him wrong.

The blond was a walking time bomb that was ready to go off at any second.

It would have been concerning if Danny actually cared. But he honestly couldn't bring himself to care. Whatever issues Dash was dealing with at the moment, the blond could handle on his own. After all, he's always been stronger than he let on.

Danny closed his book and shoved his work into his backpack. Any focus he had for it long since vanished.

He heaved out a sigh only to tense when he saw his own breath. Shivers coursing through his body while his heart started to rapidly beat.

"Shit-!"

Alarms started to blare around them just as one of the walls of the library collapsed. Everyone coughing and screaming as many people started to franticly run out of the room. Danny was frozen in place along with Sam and Tucker.

The three watching in horror as bright red eyes glared back at them. A mouth full of jagged sharp teeth sneering at them as a plume of smoke came out of the creatures nose. A deep guttural growl rumbling around them as large claws inched closer to the terrified students.

"I want to go to the ball!"

"Run... Run... Run! Everyone get out!" Danny finally yelled out as the dragon raised it's claws up and slammed it down onto one of the tables. The flimsy thing collapsing under the heavy weight. Splinters and chunks of wood flung around them as everyone screamed and ducked for cover.

The three dropped their things and made a mad dash to the door. The previous A-listers at their side as they ran for the double doors that lead out of the library only to be stopped by the dragons tail. Sam and Tucker held onto Danny's arms as they all looked up at the large creature before them.

It's angry red eyes glaring down at them as smoke bellowed from between it's teeth.

Danny looked around, checking to see if there was any way he could possibly escape so that he could turn into phantom but there was none. Any hiding spot he could use was out in the open or already used by some other students.

He glanced over to the other teens next to them. Watching the way Kwan held onto a trembling Paulina while Valerie glared up at the ghost. Her grip on the strap of her bag tight as she clenched her teeth.

It was so easy to tell what the other girl was think at that moment. Danny was, after all, thinking the exact same thing.

I wish I had my gear.

I wish I could blast this freak away.

I wish I could protect those I love.

Danny tried to slowly step away from the giant ghost before them but it seemed like that was a mistake as those burning red eyes snapped to them. The dragon letting out a deep roar, the floor below them trembling with the sound.

The teenagers and staff around were quick to cover their ears. Cowering into themselves as the roar seemed to never end.

Danny was the first to uncover his ears and snapped his head up. Irritation and fear running through him as he tried to figure something out. Anything would be better than just standing around. But when he looked around him, he couldn't help but hate himself.

He had the ability to save everyone here. He could put an end to it right now. He could keep everyone safe! But... But the fear of what they all would think of him kept him in place.

So many contradicting thoughts clouded his mind that he didn't hear Kwan yelling at them. Only really snapping out of his daze when he was tugged back by Kwan and Valerie. Those big bright blue eyes looking at them only to turn back to face the ghost before him when he heard Tucker and Sam scream.

A chill ran through him when he saw that the ghost, no Dora, was holding them in her claws.

Tucker was kicking and squirming while Sam started to beat at the clawns that were wrapped around her. The two screaming for help as they were yanked up.

"Sam! Tucker! No no let me go!" Danny yelled as he tried to break free. Eyes wide as he watched his friends be held captive.

Even from where he stood he could see how scared they were. Could see the way Sam's bottom lip trembled and how tears pricked Tuckers eyes.

They were so scared! Damn it, he has to save them! He has to protect them!

"Let me go!" Danny cried out but Valerie and Kwan didn't let him go. The other two forceful tugging him back while Paulina yelled at them to hurry. But he didn't care. He had to save them. He can't let them get hurt!

Danny almost sobbed when Sam let out a high pitch scream. His eyes watching in horror as Dora tighten her grip on the two teens in her hold. The two now screaming even louder than before.

Damn it Fenton! Do something! Anything! Please anything is better than this!

Danny squeezed his eyes tight. Cursing himself when he couldn't will himself to turn.

He was scared. He was too scared to save his own friends and they were getting hurt because of him!

Their screams seemed so much louder to him. With shaky hands, Danny covered his ears and hiccuped a sob.

Please forgive me...

He could feel Kwan and Valerie squeeze their hold on his arms but he could only cry. Hating himself with every scream that echoed in his head. Cursing his fear and his unwillingness to just protect those he cares about.

"Look!" Paulina yelled out. Pointing up just as some some red beams shot out and hit against Dora's claws.

Danny jerked his head up just in time to see Dora drop Sam and Tucker. The two screaming at the sudden shift.

"Oh my god!"

"No!" Danny yelled out as he yanked himself free and ran to them. Arm stretched out as he watched them get closer to the ground.

But what could he do? He couldn't turn and he can't exactly catch them. He was too far away.

Faster than Danny could blink, a blur of blue and black passed by and caught the two teens just before they hit the ground. Danny watching in shock as none other than Noctis hovered before him with Sam and Tucker secured at his side.

He helped the two down and glanced over at Danny and then to everyone else.

"Get out of here. I'll take care of this."

And he was off. Attacking and wrangling Dora far away from the school as Danny continued to watch.

His heart slamming against his chest as he was tugged out by Sam, Tucker, Kwan and Paulina.

He dragged his gaze to his two friends. Watching how they trembled but still pushed themselves to run. He then glanced over to Valerie.

Noticing the way she lingered behind. Her own eyes wide but not in fear but in shock.

Danny frowned. So even she doesn't know. He doesn't know why but that didn't make him feel any better.

Danny forced himself to look ahead as they made their way outside. The group making their way to the rest of the students. It wasn't until Lancer looked them over did Danny look behind him. Taking notice on how few people there were around him.

The anxious pit in his stomach growing when he saw some of his fellow peers frantically calling and texting people. Some were crying while other anxiously walked around.

"Are you children alright?" Lancer asked, cupping Tucker and Sam's faces and looking them over. Grimacing when he saw the cuts and bruises that lined their skin.

It seemed that was all it took for the two as they both started to cry. Sam crumbling to the ground while Tucker covered his face. Shoulders shaking with how hard he was crying. Sam was curled into herself, broken little sobs coming out of her. Her body trembling while she wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth on the grass.

Lancer looked at the two, his eyes wide before looking back at Danny. He supposed he didn't fair any better since the man excused himself and ran to look for another adult.

Danny rubbed at his arm and made his way to Sam and Tucker. Tugging at Tuckers sleeve until the boy finally followed him down to the ground. The two curling up against Sam as they held each other.

The sound of Dora's growls the only thing echoing around them with the occasional echo of a gun going off following right after..

Chapter 3

Notes:

Please make sure to read the last few tags. Many will come to play in this chapter.

"Do you think I'll be able to finish this before Sam gets back?"

"Probably. But there's a high chance you'll get caught when you start vomiting all over the place." Danny snickered out. His hands laying flat on his stomach as he continued to look around Sam's bedroom. Head hanging off the side of the bed while Tucker finished off yet another bag of beef jerky. Burping before crinkling up the bag in his hands and throwing it into his backpack so he could dispose of it later.

The two sat in silence as they waited for Sam. Tuckers back pressed against the wall while his foot tapped against the ground, his hands busy by messing with his PDA while Danny hummed to himself.

A week has gone by since the day of the incident. Sam and Tucker were still shaken up and Danny wasn't doing any better himself. The three would jump or tense up at the slightest of sounds and extreme heat would cause Sam to panic.

Danny didn't understand it at the time but when everything had settles, Sam and Tucker explained why they were caught. Apparently Dora was aiming to grab him instead but the two had pushed him out of the way the second they took notice of what was about to happen. Begging for Valerie and Kwan to not let him go before being grabbed themselves.

Danny squeezed his eyes and breathed out from his nose.

He hated that he couldn't do a thing. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, he had been thankful that Noctis had been there to catch Sam and Tucker.

Danny and Tucker looked at the door as it was kicked open. Sam stomped her way inside with three pizza box's stacked in her arms. Two bottles sat on top. One being a regular sweet tea while the other was alcohol. Alcohol that's label was worn and browning. Some of the edges were even peeling off of the large glass bottle.

"Sam?"

"Hm?" Sam hummed out, setting the pizzas down and grabbing the two bottles. Placing the one holding the sweet tea next to the pizza's but still holding onto the Alcohol. She dropped it next to Danny and made her way out of the room, the door slamming shut behind her.

Danny sat up but groaned when everything started to spin. Hand held to his head and eyes squeezed shut, breathing in as he waited out for the spinning to fade. Only then did he pick up the bottle and glanced at Tucker. It seemed he was just as confused as Danny.

They both inched their way closer to the other until their shoulders were squished together.

"Peach brandy? The hell?" Tucker read from over Danny's shoulder just as Sam came back into the room with cups in one hand and napkins in the other.

Danny looked up at the girl with furrowed brows and dropped the bottle of brandy onto the bed.

"Sam?"

"Yes Danny?" Sam calmly replied, placing the napkins and cups down and finally turning to look at him. Now that she wasn't wearing any make up, the bags under her eyes appeared more pronounced under the artificial light in the room.

Danny twiddled his thumbs, squirming and glancing over at Tucker. The other boy was busy looking over the bottle, completely oblivious to the inner turmoil Danny was currently under.

"W-what's with the alcohol? I thought we'd only be eating and watching some shitty b movies?" Danny finally asked as he thanked Sam when she handing him a napkin and a cup.

The goth teen looked at the bottle that was currently in Tuckers hand. Her gaze lingering there before giving a small shrug. She turned and grabbed a slice of her veggie pizza along with pouring herself some sweet tea. She plopped down onto the floor. Her back pressed against the bed, munching on the pizza slice while her gaze was trained on one of her many walls.

It was quiet for a moment. Tucker and Danny did eventually make their way off of the bed and had served themselves before making themselves comfortable by Sam's side.

The three sat and ate their food. The two boys waiting for Sam to talk while Sam tried her best to gather her thoughts.

It took a while but Sam eventually let out a sigh. Dropping her head onto Danny's shoulder and drapping her legs over Tuckers lap. She fiddled with the untouched drink in her hand while biting into the crust of her pizza. Chewing slowly as she huddled closer to the two boys.

"I haven't been able to sleep for four nights now. I keep... I keep waking up.... I can't smell smoke and I can't wear my favorite belt or corsets... I can't even wear my faux leather jacket because of the texture!" Sam cried out. She curled into herself and took a large angry bite out of the crust. Chewing away as tears gathered in her sullen eyes. "Everytime I have a moment to myself, I start to remember that day. The heat, the smell, the pressure and the noise... It's become too much for me! I-I recently found out that if I drink enough of my parents alcohol I'll stay asleep. And what's better is that it's a dreamless sleep! No vivid recreations of that day playing in my mind and no feeling of utter helplessness!"

Danny looked up at Tucker when he noticed that he had stopped eating. Instead he was just looking down at his slice. Poking at one of the slices of meat on his leftover pizza slice. Eyes unfocused but still gnawing at his lip. Deep in thought and no longer listening to anyone arounf him.

The unease that Danny had been pushing down finally resurfaced.

"Tucker, have you also been having trouble sleeping?" Danny asked. His voice wavering a little as all the tension in his body seemed to grow.

It only got worse when Tucker gave a small nod.

Danny looked down at his own lap. Rubbing at his face when his chest started to ache and throb. The quiet not bringing any comfort to the half ghost teen at that very moment. The guilt from failing to save his friends only got worse at their admission of the trauma they had suffered. He was silently wishing that Sam's parents would barge in and finally break whatever grey cloud befell them all but he had no such luck.

Instead the air continued to feel thick and heavy. Somber as the two other teen stayed silent.

Danny let out a sigh and gently pushed Sam off. Turning to grab the bottle of brandy and popping it open before pouring some into his cup. That seemed to be the right thing to do since Sam was quick to grab the bottle and pour herself some. Doing the same for Tucker.

With cups now a half and half mix, the three clicked their cups together and chugged a massive gulp.

Danny was the first to cringe at the taste. Smacking his lips and clearing his throat at the sweet drink with hints of bitterness.

He covered his mouth, one eye squeezed shut while swirling the rest on the drink in his cup.

"It's a bit.. Strong no?" Danny coughed out as he looked up at Sam and Tucker. But the two had already finished off their own cups and were currently serving themselves a second helping. Danny looked down at his own cup and reluctantly drank the rest.

And that's how they spent the rest of the evening. Drinking, eating and watching movie after movie until they all just blurred together.

All three teens pressed against each other. Laughing at whatever happened on screen and sometimes even talking amongst themselves. The mood so much lighter now compared to how it had been a few hours earlier.

Danny leaned into Tucker's space and took a sip out of his sweet tea. No traces of the brandy in his cup. The half ghost just enjoying the soft buzz under his skin. The bottle of peach brandy laid empty on the floor next to the now empty pizza box's.

"I swear I thought I was gonna die that day." Sam slowly blinked and took a sip from her cup. Swirling the liquid around as she turned to face Tucker.

"You thought so too, right?"

Tucker just gave a shrug and chugged the last of his drink. Burping behind his hand as he placed his head on Danny's shoulder. "A little? Honestly, I thought we would be saved by Phantom."

Sam snorted and leaned against her bedframe.

"Phantom? Why would he come to our help? He's just like them!"

Danny tensed at Tuckers side. Slowly shifting his gaze to the drunk goth.

Tucker huffed and looked at Sam. "Sure he's a ghost, but he's a nice ghost. Kinda like Casper or something like that." Tucker said as he scratched the back of his neck and looked over at Danny.

"You get what I mean?"

Danny could only give a half hearted shrug.

"Well for a ghost that is supposedly good, he sure did fail us that day."

"Maybe he was busy? Our town is riddled with ghosts."

Sam could only give a small grumble. Leaning back against the bedframe and closing her eyes.

"Either way, he wasn't there. I know you have this sort of weird fascination with the ghost kid but I still don't fully trust him. No matter how much good he's done."

Danny curled into himself. Frantically looking around the room with his eyes before jumping off the bed.

Tucker and Sam jerked to look at him. Watching Danny grab his backpack and slipping on his checkered sneakers.

"Danny?"

"Sorry but I have to go. Kinda forgot that my parents wanted to show me something that they've been working on that's in the lab." Danny laughed out as he made his way to Sam's door.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Tucker asked, already making his way off of Sam's bed only to stop when Danny shook his head.

The teen giving the two a reassuring smile as he made his way out of the door. "Nah it's fine. I'll see you two tomorrow."

And then he walked out after the two drunk teens gave him their goodbyes.

Danny stood in front of the door. His hand still on the doorknob. Frozen in place. His breath was labored and he could hear his heart beat ,as slow as it was, echoing in his ears.

Danny covered his face with a groan. Slumping into himself while shaking his head.

He really is a fuck up...

With that thought in mind, the ghost teen made his way out of Sam's home and into the semi busy streets. Walking by people in a daze and only working on instincts.

He even unknowingly went intangible and invisible the second he was close to his home and made his way into his room. His backpack slipping off of his shoulder and flopping down onto the ground. Sneakers dragging onto the ground as Danny walked to the wall close to his closet and eventually pressing his back to it.

Danny slumped down onto the ground. His head resting on the wall behind him while grounding himself. Listening to his parents making a ruckus down stairs. Possibly from creating some new invention to hunt him and any other ghost down.

He closed his eyes. Focusing on the slow beat of his heart along with how warm his body felt. The alcohol in his body giving the young teen a pleasant buzz and his stomach full from the pizza he had shared with Sam and Tucker. But he felt heavy.

Heavy with guilt over the suffering he had unintentionally inflicted onto those who love him. Guilt over the fact that he was the one who caused people around him to shudder due to how cold he was. But most importantly, guilt over the fact that he was too much of a coward to come out and tell those he trust that he's Phantom.

He let out a breath and slumped into himself. Opening his eyes and blinking down at his lap.

Sometimes he wonders if everything would have been better if he had fully died that day in the portal. Would ghosts still roam around the town? Would Amity park still feel like it could swallow you whole? Would his parents even know that he had died?

He squinted his eyes. Well, they would but only because Jazz would have been the very first to notice. She's always was quick to notice if something was wrong with him.

He pulled his knees to his chest and began to drum his finger against the floor boards. The repeated tap tap tapping of his finger almost putting him in a trance the longer he tapped.

He wonders if he could get away with aimlessly floating in the ghost zone until his body gave out... Ah but Walker, Vlad, Dan or Clockwork would get in the way. Not to mention he'd never really get to rest. What with all the ghosts that roam the ghost zone. It would only be a matter of time before one of them found him and tried to fight him.

He stopped tapping the ground.

They would fight him to the point of exhausten. Or until he died.

He perked up.

Maybe floating aimlessly in the ghost zone wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"Danny? Are you home?"

Danny turned his head and blinked at the door.

Oh well... Maybe another day.

"I'm home!" Danny yelled back as he pushed himself up on his wobbly legs. Stretching with a yawn and finally walking down stairs.

Maybe mom made something light to eat.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Danny had his forehead pressed against the cool wood of his desk. Internally cursing himself when the sound of talking and chairs shuffling seemed so much louder and way more grating then normal.

"Stupid Sam and her shitty alcohol.... Ugh I'm never drinking again until I'm forty. Or at a party." Danny grumbled as he reluctantly raised his head. Squinting while looking up at the white board since the lights were way to bright for him. The teen continued to grumbled out nonsense that seemed to only make sense to the blue eyed teen. Only snapping out of his stupor when a packet was held in front of him.

Danny blinked but grabbed the packet. Pulling out one of the stapled stacks of paper and handing the rest off to those behind him. Thankfully that meant only three other people. The only bad thing was that one of those people behind him was Dash Baxter. Well, more like directly behind him.

Danny grunted when he felt Dash kick his chair once. Rolling his eyes when he felt the weight of Dash's foot on the back on his chair but Danny didn't do anything to take the jocks foot off. The boy instead looked down at the packet. Flipping through the pages and skimming over the work.

Each question making his head hurt due to the fact that it made little sense to him.

Danny let out a sigh only to tense when he felt a shiver run through his body and a cool breath escaping his mouth.

Danny raised his hand.

Their teacher stopped talking and looked in his direction with a frown. Lowering her glasses as she looked at him... And then behind him.

"What is it mister Fenton?"

Danny lowered his hand and shrunk into himself when he felt all eyes on him. He took a gulp and gave an awkward crooked smile.

"May I go to the restroom?"

"I suppose. Now what is it that you want mister Baxter?"

Danny tensed in the middle of standing and turned to look at Dash.

It seemed the blond had also raised his hand. Placing it down as he continued to look forward, face void of any emotions.

"May I go to the nursed office? My head it hurting."

Danny watched as their poor teacher rubbed the bridge of her nose but still gave the blond a nod. Waving the two off before going back to teaching.

Danny stepped away from his desk just as Dash pushed himself out of his seat. Both boys walking out of the room and heading in the same direction because of course the nurses office is in the same direction as the nearest restroom!

Danny chewed on the nail of his thumb. Screaming in his mind as he tried to think about any logical way of slipping away unnoticed by the blond jock. Mumbling and cursing under his breath with the sound of their shoes squeaking against the polished floor the only other sound around them.

The teen only snapped out of his crisis when Dash stopped walking behind him.

Danny turned to face the other only to see the blond heading off to the left. The complete opposite direction of the nurses office. As much as Danny usually didn't care about what the taller teen would do, Danny looked down the hall and then to Dash's retreating back.

He kept doing this before rubbing his face and racking his fingers through his hair. Sucking in a breath between his teeth, Danny ran after the other.

"Dash? Where are you going!" Danny yelled after the other. Only stopping when Dash turned to face him. Dark blue eyes staring him down with a frown plastered on his face.

"The hell you want Fentina?"

Danny grumbled but straightened up. His hands gripping the sides of his shirt.

"As I said, where are you going? The nurses office is the other-"

"Listen, I just wanted to bail. Plain and simple. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving."

Danny could only watch with jaw slack. He doesn't know why he was so shocked. Dash always did as he pleased so why did he expect the blond to explain himself to him?

Danny groaned, tensing when he remembered the main reason why he was even out of class. He looked up and down the hallway before rushing to the restroom and going ghost. He peeked his head out of the restroom, looking up and down before going invisible and roaming around the school. Looking around for the ghost that was causing his ghosts senses to go off.

He went down into the schools celler and still came out empty. He frowned. That was odd.

He went back up and started to check the second floor of the school. Still empty. Then he went to the roof.

The ghost teen seached every inch before going to the oval only to still come out empty handed. With only one place left to check, Danny went to the track and field. Frustrated that looking for this supposed ghost was taking a lot longer than he thought he would.

"I could be doing my work right now but no! I have to look for this shitty ghost that thinks hide and seek is a good idea." Danny grumbled as he phased out of the bleachers and started to look over everything one last time.

Scanning over everything and perking up when he saw a soft green glow near the track. He made his way down and let out a sigh when he saw cujo.

The pup was happily laying on his side. Basking in the sun with his tongue flopped out. Little tail wagging happily when Danny landed near by.

Danny picked up the glowing green dog and held the little creature to his side. Smiling as he rubbed under the pups chin.

"Why do you always seem to cause me trouble? Ah but I can never stay mad at you!" Danny cooed, laughing when Cujo began to lick his face.

The half ghost was about to head off home to drop off Cujo only for said dog to start growling.

"Cujo? What's wrong?"

But Danny didn't have to wait long because a net was quick to fall over them. Dragging the two ghost down with a yelp.

Chapter 4

Notes:

I really need to start posting before passing out. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!

Irritated. That's the best word to describe how Danny felt at that very moment. That and mildly annoyed as he sat under the sun with a growling ghost dog in his lap while glaring at the net that was keeping him pinned to the ground. And why wasn't he trying to phase out? Well because he can't. Not unless he wants to be shocked... Again…

Danny grumbled and glared up just as a shadow covered him.

Black and blue. A set of colors that he once loved together now making him angrier than ever before.

"Why if it isn't my darling Phantom! I was wondering when you would show up!"

"Oh I'm your darling? Well why don't you be a dear and take this thing off of me!" Danny yelled out. Cujo barked from his spot in his lap, tail tucked under him as he growled up at the ghost hunter.

Noctis just tsked under the helmet. Shaking his head as he hopped off his board and walked down to Danny. The other end of the net held in his hand as he teased the teen by shaking it so that they could see where it was connected. It was almost like his parents' fenton grappler if it wasn't for the electric shocks it sent out.

"Now poppet-"

"Don't call me that."

".... Fine. My darling, you can be freed if you just hand over the pup."

Danny growled and tried to yank the net off only to scream in pain as he felt the net shock him. Cujo also got shocked since he was still on Danny, whimpering in pain. Danny stopped trying to escape and pulled Cujo close to him. Whispering apologizes and rubbing the dog's little head.

Glowing green glared back up at Noctis with a sneer. "You're not taking him."

"Aw! It's cute how you think you can negotiate this!" Noctis cooed before tightening his hold on the piece of rope he was holding on to, effectively sending another large shock to the two pinned ghosts.

Danny and Cujo let out loud pained yowls. The two curled into each other as they felt the electricity run through them. Tears were gathered in Danny's eyes at the all too familiar pain. Familiar but unwelcomed.

Danny let out a deep breath once the electric shock stopped. His frame trembling but his hold on Cujo never once waning. The poor dog was curled up tight to Danny. Little muzzle pressed to his stomach as he trembled and whined. Scared and hurt after having been shocked three times.

"I could have kept going but since I like you so much, I decided I won't torture you too badly. Aren't I just the nicest?" Noctis cooed out. His tone was so artificially sweet and mocking that it made the ghost teen recoil into himself.

At the sound of Cujo whimpering did Danny finally look down at the quivering pup. Because of the net Cujo couldn't turn himself bigger, something the pup always did whenever there was something that he perceived as a threat.

If Danny were to let Noctis take Cujo, who knows what the bastard would do to him. The poor dog has already been through hell once. He wants the pup to have a happy, peaceful afterlife and he'll do anything to make sure that happens. Danny can't in good conscience let Noctis take Cujo.

Danny mulled it over for a bit. Thinking of any other way he could make the ghost hunter release them without putting Cujo through any more pain.

Danny dropped his hands from around Cujo. His head held down as the dog looked up at him. His little ears perked up as he watched Danny raise his hands in defeat with a tilt to his head.

"See? That wasn't so hard now, was it?” Noctis cooed as he walked up to Danny and Cujo. He made a move to remove the net but Danny was quick to stop him as he placed a hand around Cujo.

“What are you going to do to him?” Danny asked as the pup happily looked up at him.

“I'll be putting him away.”

“Away? Away to where?” Danny asked. Hoping that Noctis kept his focus soley on him.

Instead of standing up, Danny stayed on the ground. His arms still wrapped around Cujo to keep the pup safe.

The ghost hunter took a small step back. His head tilted to the side while looking down at Danny from behind his helmet. “Why does it matter?”

Danny gulped.

“I just want to make sure he won't get hurt.” Danny hissed out. Staring back at his own reflection while waiting for the other to respond.

Noctis stood still for a while. Tilting his head from one side to the other before leaning it back to look up at the sky. Mutter under his breath just as the net was retracted back into it's holder.

Danny blinked when the ghost hunter knelt down in front of him and held out his hand.

“I swear nothing will happen to your dog.”

The sincerity in the others voice shocked the teen ghost more than it should have.

Maybe it's because he's only seen the other male two times. Of course both times weren't the most ideal of circumstances. What with Danny being horrified by the brutality of how he left the Ectopus and then being terrified for his friend's life. Then there's the taunts and pet names… It always made him feel off whenever the other would blatantly ignore his demand of being called by his name.

Danny looked down at the hand held out to him. Brows furrowed when he finally took notice of the little grooves on the pads of each gloved finger. There was even a few on the palm of Noctis hand.

Danny held out a confused Cujo to the other male. Quietly watching as Noctis raised his arms to take the pup from Danny.

Except for the fact that Danny quickly dropped Cujo to the ground and bounced up on his feet.

“Run Cujo!” Danny yelled out. Cujo gave a confused yip but still ran off. Noctis growled and stood up.

"You little-!" Noctis could only let out a startled yelp when he was suddenly tackled to the ground. Gloved hands pushed back against Danny's face but the teen didn't ease his hold.

The two grunted as they struggled against each other. With Danny placing the little weight he had over the other while Noctis kicked and clawed at him. It was thanks to a nasty blow to his cheek that Danny released his hold on the other.

Hissing and rubbing at the spot as the other made an attempt to chase after the retreating ghost. Green eyes glowed with annoyance. The halfa not even giving it a second thought when he aimed a small ectoblast at the ghost hunter.

But when the other male fell to the ground with a grunt did Danny shake his head and rushed after him. He looked Noctis over, checking to see if he was still breathing. When he noticed that he was, Danny picked up the discarded container that held the net. And when Noctis sat up while rubbing as his shoulder did Danny release the net from its hold.

He watched as the young male tried to pry the net off of himself, hissing and growling under the helmet when he failed to free himself. Now certain that the hunter wouldn't chase after him, Cujo came running back to Danny yipping and growling as he bounced around him.

"Bye! Maybe you'll have better luck next time!" Danny laughed out before quickly escaping with Cujo in his arms. Snickering as he heard Noctis scream and shout from behind him as the ghost hunter struggled to free himself from his own net.

Cujo let out a happy yip as Danny made his way to Fenton works. Phasing into the building and down into the basement to put the small dog back into the ghost zone. A quick scan inside the house later and the ghost teen finally released the ghost dog once his feet touched the floor of the lab.

"Alright Cujo, go on." Danny ordered as the pup ran to the portal before turning to him one more time. Danny waved the pup off, letting out a relieved sigh when Cujo finally jumped back into the ghost zone.

With the ghost now sent back, Danny made his way back to school. But not before quickly looking over the small city. Passing through streets and scanning over buildings. Checking that no more ghosts would appear.

That ,and as much as he doesn't like to admit it, looking for Dash. Listen, he doesn't get it either. The blond has actively made his life hell since the seventh grade. Always searching for a new way to make torture him in and out of school.

Danny bit down on his bottom lip.

But it wasn't always like this... Sixth grade... God was it such bliss…

At the familiar sight of a red nineteen seventy three convertible driving up to a small Italian restaurant did Danny finally relax.

The teen slowed down to a stop and watched as Dash made his way out of his car and into the restaurant. His hands shoved deep in his letterman. Not a care in the world for what was going on around him.

Danny leaned against a light pole nearby. His head pressed to the light pole. His gaze never straying too far from the blond for even a second. Silently taking in every little detail he could since he's not sure when he'll get this chance again.

“He grew out his hair…. And it looks like he got some new shoes too. Seems he's gotten taller as well, lucky bastard.” Danny mumbled to no one in particular. He cocked his head to the side with a frown when he took notice of a bruise peeking out from the collar of his jacket along with a cut on his jaw.

He didn't have that before now did he? Maybe? Ugh he's not even sure since Dash had moved so quickly when they were in school. Then again, he seemed to always be in a hurry as of late.

Danny shrugged those thoughts away and headed back to school once Dash was safely inside. Silently scolding himself because no, he didn't care what the other was doing. He was just making sure he wasn't attacked by any stray ghosts. Danny rolled his eyes, knowing damn well he was probably lying to himself. Again.

With a groan and rub at his eyes, he weaved past cars and buildings as quickly as he could. Already cursing himself as he stumbled into the building inside of the janitor's closet. The ghost teen pressed himself against the nearest wall and let out a sigh. Shivering as he turned back into his human self once he was sure that no one would open the door.

Every inch of his body tingled as he felt his blood start to run through his veins and his heart beat in his chest. His lungs filling with air once more now that he wasn't a ghost. Shaky hands smoothed out any wrinkles he might have in his clothes as he waited out the tingling sensation. Simply focusing on the sound of his own breathing along with the feel of his clothes slightly warming up. Not by a lot, but it was a little noticeable.

He frowned.

That's still something he's currently getting used to. The feeling of his body being cooler than that of the average human body heat and having to pretend he's alright. Pretend that his throat gets sore when the temperature becomes cold all of a sudden and force himself to shiver at any change in temperature. Frigid months are also an issue since it doesn't really have that much of an effect on him.

He'll never forget the first time he failed to wear a jacket in the middle of winter. God, the looks he got from Sam and Tucker will never fade from his head. And the way Dash flinched when he made an attempt at shoving him into his locker only to touch his skin…

Danny heaved a sigh while running his fingers through his hair.

He can't get caught. He's been a ghost for over two years now and he's never once gotten caught by his loved ones.

Danny shook off the last of his nerves along with any numbness he may still have in his hands and pushed himself out of the closet.

Only to run into principal Ishiyama.

When the older woman glared down at him, the boy could only cower into himself with an anxious laugh.

“Principal Ishiyama! Hello! I didn't expect to see you here!” Danny laughed out. Taking small steps back as he kept his gaze on the upset woman. His hands pressed to his side and head held low to make himself seem unassuming.

When she squinted her eyes down at him and crossed her arms over her chest did Danny finally stop and slump. A small frown was set on his face as he shoved his hands in his pockets. Kicking at the ground while letting out a deep sigh.

“Office?” He mumbled out. Principal Ishiyama simply gave a curt nod and pointed in the direction of her office.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Noctis slowly made his way to the center of the room after throwing his net that was currently holding a few ghosts. All of which were badly wounded and cowering into themselves, terrified of what the young hunter will do to them. The creatures all flinched and quivering when he spared them a glance from behind his visor. He turned his head away, held it up and placed his hands firmly behind him once an almost blinding light was shined down onto him.

His eyes trailing after the net one final time as it was yanked back into the shadows to god knows where.

It was quiet for a moment. He could hear the sound of something being rummaged through before someone let out a tut.

"We asked for Phantom."

"I understand that but he slipped out of my grasp today." Noctis murmured. Head held down with his hands still clasped behind him. Gloved thumb rubbing small circles on his other fingers as he took a few grounding breaths. Soothing himself as he waited for a response. Anything is better than their silence.

There was a sigh after the silence along with the creaking of a chair before heavy footsteps echoed around him.

The young man tensed when he felt a heavy hand clasp onto his shoulder. His brows scrunched up when fingers started to dig into his skin. The hand almost felt like it was burning the skin under the suit that was still protecting him.

"We understand that. But that's why we hired you! You've proven time and time again how capable you are, so one measly teenage ghost shouldn't be too much trouble. Unless you think it is."

"No... Sir. I can do it." Noctis assured the other. Hoping that the voice changer didn't pick up the way his voice wavered.

The hand on his shoulder was suddenly gone, taking away the dreaded chill that coursed through Noctis body along with the pain it inflicted. Heavy shoes stepped away from the young ghost hunter as they made their way back to the chair they had been sitting on.

"You have two months to capture Phantom. Can I count on you to do so?"

"Yes sir. I won't let you down."

The wave of a hand was all the young ghost hunter received. Noctis gave a low bow before taking slow and steady steps back and away from the light overhead. Blending back into the shadows of the cold room from once he came.

He can't fail.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Danny belly flopped onto his bed with a groan. The cool blankets and pillowcase are a very pleasant welcome to his aching body.

He nuzzled his face into his pillow. Breathing in the scent of laundry detergent and softener before slowly turning his head to look at the sheet of paper that was currently crumpled up in his fist.

Detention. He has after school detention for the next three days. All thanks to the fact that he was caught wandering the halls during class hours.

Danny grumbled into his pillow before pushing himself up until he was sitting on the bed. His legs crossed under him with the sheet of paper innocently laying on his lap.

He could leave a clone in his place.. Just walk off and do what he normally does but…

Danny groaned and grabbed the slip of paper. Pushing himself off of the comfort of his bed and making his slow descent into the kitchen.

He could hear how his mother was currently busy using a blow torch for god knows what.

He gulped, his hand crumpling up the paper once more as he made his way to the kitchen.

“Mom?”

“Just a minute, sweetie. Don't want to accidentally blow up the kitchen.” His mother laughed out. Goggles secured over her eyes as she focused on the flames that were busy welding together two pieces of metal.

Danny shuffled his feet under him. Silently watching his mother work until she eventually turned the torch off and yanked the goggles off of her face. Her gaze turned to him with a bright smile and hand on her hip after she placed the torch down on the very messy table.

“Alright, what is it you wanted to tell me?” His mother asked. The smile never once leaving her face.

Danny gulped and hid the paper behind his back. Slowly walking up to his mother before glancing down at what she was working on.

“Ah… I just wanted to know when dinner will be done!” Danny awkwardly said. A forced smile on his face and the paper feeling frightfully heavy in his hand.

His mother let out a gasp and turned to look at the time.

“Oh Danny, I'm so sorry! I forgot to cook something!” His mother exclaimed with a hand covering her mouth. Her teeth working on her bottom lip as she quickly went to pick everything up. Gadgets and tools thrown into a box as she frantically started to clean up the kitchen. Some items would fall out of a box or two but his mother was quick to pick it up and throw it into a random box before throwing everything else into the box in her arms.
“I'll have dinner made and done in an hour! I swear!” His mother yelled out as she continued to clean.

Danny watched her walk from one end of the kitchen to the other in a frenzy. His finger tapped against his pants as he waited.

The second her back was turned to him, he went invisible and went ahead and overshadowed her.

The box that was once held in her hand dropped to the ground with a loud thud.

“Maddie? Are you alright!” His dad yelled out from the basement. Danny placed his hand on his head and gave a firm shake.

“I'm fine honey! Just accidentally dropped something!” Danny yelled back in his mothers voice. The teen rushed to the door to the basement the second he heard his fathers footsteps and blocked it with the heaviest box he could find.

“Maddie? Are you sure you're alright?” His father yelled out as he neared the door. Each footstep seemed louder as they went up the stairs until his father finally stopped at the other side of the door. The knob rattled as the large man tried to enter.

“Maddie?”

Danny cursed under his breath and ran to pick up the piece of paper he dropped. He began looking around the kitchen and grabbing the first pen he could find before writing down his mothers name on the dotted line. With her name now signed, Danny placed the pen and paper down and jumped out of his mother.

While the older woman was still in a daze, Danny yanked the paper off of the kitchen table and ran back up to his room. Taking two steps just as he heard the door to the basement finally get pushed open.

He dove into his bedroom and leaned against the door. His ear pressed against the wood, listening to his father ask his mother if she is alright while his mom assured the burly man that she was.

He stayed in place for a few more minutes. Only pushing himself away from the door when he noticed how calm it had gotten once more.

He closed his eyes and flopped back onto his bed.

With sheet now signed, he's certain his parents won't get a single call. Now all he has to do is… Go to detention. Right.

He rubbed his face into his pillows and let out a loud groan.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Danny let out a yawn and walked down the semi empty halls. His eyes were droopy and his body was absolutely tired after having dealt with such a shitty day.

First his alarm went off at the wrong time, thus making him twenty minutes late to class. Secondly Dash ended up blowing up on him during AP chemistry after he accidentally spilled some water on him. Danny shivered as he recalled the way Dash had forced him to sit next to him as he proceeded to dump all the leftover water that was still on the desk onto his lap. Ugh, the way the water dampened his pants and seeped into his boxers still made his skin crawl. And then when class was over, Dash then stole his jacket so he had to walk out of class with a massive wet spot on his pants.

And the teacher's! God, it seems as though they had been keeping an extra close eye on him. Never once was he allowed to slip out of class without whatever teacher he had at that moment dragging two innocent students to tag along with him. After the fourth attempt, Danny simply grew frustrated and left a clone in his place while he snuck on by using his invisibility and intangibility.

Thankfully Noctis didn't appear today so the ghost fights weren't as bad but he still felt uncomfortable. The half ghost teen was always peeking over his shoulder to make sure that he wasn't being watched before slowly making his way back to class.

Lunch went by rather quickly but gym was torture. You would think that he'd be freed of Dash's wrath but nope! The blond was still somehow his gym partner and had made it his mission to make Danny so tired and sore that he wouldn't even be able to lift his arms and legs without flinching.

The blue eyed teen grumbled and rubbed his shoulder, dragging his feet along the waxed floor until he stood before the classroom where detention was being held. He rolled his shoulder and shook off any lingering nerves that might still be clinging onto him before placing his hand on the door knob.

With one final deep breath in, Danny pushed the door open and stepped inside.

It was just a regular classroom. Posters for class with notes and little corny phrases and designs. Lesson plan written on the white board behind a bored looking Tetslaff. A stack of papers neatly placed in a pile near the edge of the table. Each one held in place with a different colored paper clip. And the seats… They're all neatly placed in rows of five. A few were currently occupied by student's who also have detention.

He turned to take a seat only to freeze at the door. His eyes fixed on one Dash Baxter who just so happened to be sitting in the far left corner of the room. His focus solely on some book and paper he had laid out of the desk, writing down something every once in a while.

“Mister Fenton, stop standing at the door and take a seat.” Miss Tetslaff grunted out from his side.

Danny flinched when everyone looked up at him. His face a bright pink as he gave a jerky nod and made his way over to an empty desk. The only issue is that he didn't want to sit at the back with the two other male students or the two female students that were seated on one different row. Meaning that the only safe option would be…

He scolded himself as he took the second desk to Dash's right. His backpack dropped to his feet with little to no care while he slumped into his chair. Activity ignoring the curious look Dash was giving him.

Detention better go by quickly cause he honestly doesn't know if he'll last.

Chapter 5

"Baxter."

"Fenton."

"I'm shocked that they actually placed you in detention this time." Danny grumbled out. Sharp black nails tapping at the edge of the desk. The blond let out a grunt and leaned his head back, popping his neck as he turned his head side to side with a shrug. Bored expression on his face while twirling a pen in between his fingers. The shiney metal catching the little bit of light that was in the room and glistening with every twirl.

"Was caught skipping trig in the library. They had to punish me or else the board will whine about 'equal punishment' or whatever bullshit they keep on spewing." Dash said, waving his hand as if he were shooing away the words while resting his cheek on the fist that was propped up on the table.

Danny let out a snort and tugged the strings of his jacket tight. Hiding the lower part of his face in his jacket, glaring at the desk before him. Although, that act alone seemed to have caught Dash's eye since the other turned to him. His brow furrowed the longer those dark blue eyes looked him over with a frown set on his face.

"And it looks like you were able to find your jacket. I guess that means I have to find a better place to hide it the next time I take it." Dash grumbled out before tucking his cheek onto his hand. Eyes looking over his book and pen tapping at the cold pages.

The younger teen grumbled under his breath, slouching as he rolled his eyes.

Oh Dash did a good job at hiding his jacket alright. Had Danny been normal he would have never gotten a hold of his jacket from between the outside bleachers. The blond having tied the jacket up as tightly as he could and somehow made it so that the jacket dangled in the middle of the bleachers from below. The position perfectly placed in a way that it would usually take you snapping your wrist just to reach it. That or a ladder to reach it from below the bleachers.

Thankfully Danny was able to snatch it out of its place last night with intangiblity. The only frustrating thing was having to untie the knot the blond moron made.

Danny let out a little tut and yanked his jacket tighter to his body. He kicked his backpack that innocently sat on the ground and twirled the strings of his jacket between his fingers. Slouching into his chair with his foot tapping against the ground. Baby blue eyes scanning around the room. There was only four other kids in the room. Two girls and two boys. Of the four, three where freshmen while the other female was a senior. A closer looked showed that the freshmen had bruises, scratches and the feshman girl had a busted lip. Maybe they were the one's who supposedly got in a fight earlier today?

He raised a brow, watching the way the senior girl had a little smirk on her face. She only had one bruise on her pretty face located just below her left eye and her hair was only slightly messy thanks to it being pulled back in a low ponytail. Her knuckles were bruised and bloody but she overall seemed quite pleased with herself.

Maybe she was the one who got the final hit in. Honestly, that would impress him but at that moment he could care less.

Danny gave a small shrug and kept himself busy by looking around the room. Eyes bouncing from looking at the posters on the wall to the white board ahead and eventually to everything around the door out of the room. Back and forth before finally looking back down at his own desk. His hand placed back down on the desk and just tapping away at it. Listening to the sound of his nail clicking against the worn down wood.

He could work on his homework... Maybe finish off the last bit of his history essay... But when he's done with that, what else could he do?

The half ghost teen grumbled and yanked his backpack close until it was within arms reach. Reaching down and unzipping the bag with little to no thought and just yanking out the first folder he could get a hold on. When a blue folder with small planet and star stickers came into view, Danny repressed a groan.

Math. Lovely.

With one final glance at the clock over a bored looking Tetslaff, Danny pulled out a pencil and began to work on his homework the best he could.

It was quiet for a while which he supposed was good. It helped him focus better on answering each question. Yet he was still confused.

It didn't matter how many times he worked out an equation or used one of the many steps that he had been taught to make the work easier, the numbers simply didn't make any sense. It also didn't help that every time he would go back and reworked on a previous question, he would somehow get a different answer from the one he had before!

What made it all even more worse was the inclusion of letters. Why the hell are there letters in math?! It was already confusing enough when he had to actually pay attention to what he was doing, now he has to take into consideration what each letter in every equations means. He already has enough alot to think about, math should seriously not be one of the many things that has to occupy his mind.

Danny gnawed on the eraser of his pencil, glaring down at the offending piece of paper. Silently wishing the answers would just appear on the paper.

"The hell happened to your hair?"

Danny stopped chewing on his pencil and glanced over at Dash.

The blond was looking at him with furrowed brow. Arms crossed over on the table. Book and work long forgotten as his focus was soley on him at that moment.

"What?"

"I asked what happened to your hair?"

Danny sucked at his teeth. Eyes glancing to the side and tapping his chewed up pencil against his cheek. What can he possibly say to Dash that won't make him sound crazy? Ah what does it matter. The blond already hates him as is.

"My godfathers son bleached my hair. Said I looked like shit so he went ahead and gave me a new look."

"You look like a fucking skunk."

"Wow. Thanks for dissing my acquaintances hard work, fuck boy. Anything else you got for me?" Danny grunted out. Scribbling out his answer on his work with a frown. He could hear Dash grumble something under his breath before a harsh kick was landed on the foot of his desk. The suddeness of the kick making the hand that was holding him up go intangible and causing the poor half ghost to face plant on the table.

He could hear some laughter behind him as he jerked himself up and glared at Dash.

The blond had turned to focus on his own work but the shit eating smirk on his face told Danny everything he needed to know. The mother fucker did it on purpose and was finding all of this a little too entertaining.

Danny started to grind his teeth. "Bitch."

"Cock sucker."

"No life."

"Emo freak."

"One hit wonder!" Danny hissed out.

"Mister Fenton please take a seat!"

Danny blinked and finally looked around him. His face feeling warm when he noticed that he had pushed himself out of his seat and was currently standing just a few inches away from a snickering Dash.

The boy mumbled out an apology and took his seat. Cowering into himself with a frown and trying his best to focus on his work.

"Looks like the little twink still has a short fuse even after two years." Dash mumbled out as he turned a page in his book.

Danny glared down at his own work. Grip on pencil tight as he started to slowly count backwards from twenty in his head. Taking deep breaths as the numbers went down before turning to look at Dash with a sickeningly sweet smile on his face.

"Cute but you really have no place to talk meat head. Last I heard you shoved a kid so hard that they broke their wrist when they tried to break their fall. Care to explain why mister star quarterback has been so snappy as of late?"

That made Dash finally pin him down with a glare. Any of his previous teasing long gone as he stared Danny down.

"I ain't got shit to say to you, Fenton."

"Aw and here I thought you and I were finally getting along." Danny cooed out, sarcasm dripping so heavily off of each word that it made the other growl. Like, actually growl at him. Like a dog... Awesome.

"Bite me."

"No thanks. Don't want to deal with rabies." Danny said with a smirk. It only growing wider when he heard the sound of Dash grinding his teeth.

He went back to focusing in his work when he heard the other grunt and shift in his chair. Pages being flipped as he mumbled under his breath.

Danny frowned and strained to listen to the other. Leaning his head into his palm, pretending to focus on his work as he focused on the soft mumbles coming from Dash. His brow drawn together when he could make out something about waste of time and how he had to fix something.

Dash eventually stopped mumbling and went back to his work, which made Danny get bored and forced him to focus on his own work. Pencil erasers stuck back between sharp teeth as he gnawed at it. Thinking long and hard while trying his best to solve everything he can.

Ten minutes into listening to Danny mumble,chew at his pencil and make little disapproving grunts later and Dash finally had enough.

The poor blond slammed his book shut. His eye and left brow twitched as the younger teen next to him continued to mumbled to himself.

"Will you stop that? It's already unbearable as is with me having to be stuck in here with you, can you at least stay quiet while you sit next to me?" Dash gritted out. Glaring ever so hard at Danny that had said boy hadn't become a custom to Dash's incessant bullying, he would have coward. Instead he gave the other a bored stare and yawned.

"Hey don't blame me over this. This shit is way too complicated for anyone to understand."

Dash huffed and looked over at the work Danny had already written down. His frown deepening when he saw how badly smudged it had gotten from the excessive erasing and correcting.

"Maybe if you weren't so useless, you'd finally get it through your thick skull long enough to understand it." Dash grumbled out before going back to his own work. A grimace on his face when he noticed that he didn't even remember what page he was on.

Danny blinked and slowly turned to look at the other. His pencil long since dropped as he just stared the other down. Slowly nodding his head and turning to face the board.

"Fair. Math isn't my strong suit but at least I can still keep up with you when it comes to kickball and dodge ball." Danny snickered as he remembered how bad Dash had fumbled last week. The blond brute did everything he could to get him out of the game but Danny just continued to move out of the way until all the balls were on his side. Although he didn't have as much strength as Dash did when it comes to throwing a ball, he still has pretty good aim.

Oh and did Dash figure that out when he chucked two balls at him. While the blond had dodged the first one, the second one did hit him square in the face.

The raven haired teen covered a snicker behind his hand. Head turned to the other side with his body trembling as Dash continued to glare at him.

".... I'm half tempted to break your back."

Danny couldn't help but snort. His cheeks aching and ears burning from his desperate attempts to not fall into a fit of laughter.

Oh Dash just had to give him this, didn't he?

So the younger teen leaned back in his chair with his head tilted to the side. A big crooked smile on his tired face and eyes holding so much mischief in them as he let out a breathy chuckle.

"Oh I would love to see that."

The blond jock bristled at his side. His hands gripping at his desk and teeth bared in a snarl.

"You little-!"

"Alright you little pesks! You've served your time for today, now get!" Tetslaff shouted out, effectively scaring the teenagers in the classroom while she gathered her belongings. Muttering under her breath about needing a drink.

Danny and Dash shot each other a glare before following after the older woman. Packing whatever they took out of their bags and tucking them back in their place. Since Danny only took out his math homework, he really didn't need to put much away. He just had to shove the paper into a folder, shove said folder into his backpack and slung the bag over his shoulder while he tucked the pencil he had been using behind his ear.

He shot Dash one final glance before rushing out of he classroom. Cellphone in hand as he quickly called Dan.

"Hello?"

"Hi Dan. Can one of you guys pick me up from school?" Danny nervously laughed out.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Danny was leaning against a worn down brick wall, picking at the loose pieces of paint and watching them flake down onto the ground into an unnaturally perfect tiny pile. A lovely mix of red, white and yellow blending together below him. Black nails scratching even more paint away while leaning his head back against the wall. Gaze up at the clouds as he squints his eyes due to how bright it was. The sun beating down on him from above as Danny waited for Sam to come out of the store.

She wanted some icecream from this shop since they had more vegan alternatives compared to the ice cream shop in the mall. Said it was somehow sweeter then the 'heavily artificial' stuff sold everywhere else.

He rolled his eyes.

It all tasted the same to him. Ice cream is just ice cream, no matter how you label it.

He let out a grunt and pushed himself off of the brick wall before sluggishly dropping himself onto the bench that was placed just outside the shop. The warm wood comforting as it pressed against his jacket covered back.

He took a deep breath in. Smelling the crisp air that carried the scent of coffee and freshly baked treats. His mouth practically salivating at the smell but he only shook his head and swallowed the drool. His stomach churned and ached only for Danny to ignore it and press himself against the bench. People watching as his foot tapped against the ground.

God, what's taking her so long? It can't be that hard to buy ice cream.

He nuzzled deeper into the bench with a huff. Anxiously tapping his foot on the ground. Blue eyes still fixed on watching the people that passed them by. It was only at the sound of the glass door behind him opening that Danny perked up and turned.

"Sam!"

"Hey Danny. Sorry it took so long but the cashier just kept on talking to me about her kids." Sam snickered out. Two ice cream cones in her hands that were wrapped in thin paper.

Heavy boots with charms clicking against the faux black leather while her black a-line maxi skirt grazed the top of her boots with every step she took.

The young goth teen happily sitting next to him and handing him the chocolate ice cream that was lathered in a thick layer of caramel. Danny thanked her before digging into his cone, groaning as the sweet mix of chocolate and caramel touched his tongue.

"So, how does it taste?" Sam asked, eyes batting down at him as Danny kept eating his ice cream.

Danny glanced over at her and then down at his cone with a shrug. "Like ice cream? Isn't that what it should taste like?"

Sam gave a pout but kept eating from her cone. Munching away at the waffle as the two sat and watched people and cars pass them by.

Two days. Two days have gone by since he's started his after school detention and Danny is already sick of it. Missing out on hang out time with his friends, Vlad and Dan having to drop everything their doing just to pick him up, and a shorter amount of time to patrol the city.

Lying to his parents is no different from normal but it's still a lot to do when he doesn't want to slip up and get caught. And he doesn't know how he'll be able to handle Vlad and Dan constant berating. Or Vlad begging him to stay over.

Danny shoved the last of the cone into his mouth, licking his fingers clean of any left over sugar. He looked over at Sam just as she popped the last bit into her mouth.

The goth teen wiped away any leftover crumbs on her face and hands before wiping down her clothes.

"Now that that's done, wanna meet up with Tucker at the library?" Sam asked. Pushing herself off of the bench with a stretch. Arms held high above her head with a small groan before dropping them down to her side.

When he felt a chill course through his body, Danny smiled up at her and shook his head.

"Nah. Gotta head on home before the parents find out I've been out goofing around." Danny laughed out.

Sam huffed out a complaint but eventually relented. But not before begging him to at least walk her down the next three streets.

Danny grimaced but when he noticed the chill wasn't that dire, he agreed.

Both teens walked down the busy streets as they talked. Laughing and gossiping about every little thing that came to mind. Teasing and shoving each other as they made their way down the street. Weaving past people with not a care for what was going on.

Well, more like Sam had little care. Danny, on the other hand, kept an eye and ear on whatever was around. Eyes bouncing from Sam to everywhere around him. Breath held and hands wringing the sides of his shirt. Waiting.

But nothing happened.

"Alright, I think this is far enough." Sam said with a smile. She turned to Danny and gave him a tight hug which he graciously returned.

"Thanks for following me here. Honestly, I kind of miss our alone time. Think you'll be free tomorrow? Tucker and I really wanna catch that new teacher slayer movie."

Danny sucked at his teeth. Gaze averted to the side as he stepped back.

"Sorry... I can't. I-"

"Right. Detention. Well, maybe we can catch the late night showing."

"No no! You two have fun. I'll catch you guys at the mall afterwards?"

"Sure. And maybe while we're there, we can finally drag you into a clothing store and get you out of your middle school dig." Sam chuckled. Waving her hand at Danny's clothes.

The teen looked at his clothes and then shook his head. A large smile pastered on his tired face.

"Well I'll hold you to it. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Danny chuckled out while pushing a few strands of his hair behind his pierced ear.

Sam shook her head with a smile before turning away. Waving to the teen as she headed down the road to the library.

Danny watched the girls retreating form before finally walking away. Hands deep in his pockets, ears perked up to catch any sudden sound. Focusing on his breath with every step he took. Eyes looking around for anything.

At the sudden feeling of a chill coursing through him, Danny was quick to walk into the nearest alley. He double checked to see if there was anyone else around and when he was certain that he was the only person in the alley did he finally relax.

"Come out!"

Baby blue eyes looked around as puffs of cool air escaped his mouth. The crunching of gravel under his shoes the only sound that greeted him.

He grumbled under his breath and leaned against the stained brick wall.

"Hello? Dan, I know you're out here!" He growled out as he continued to look around. Arms crossed and foot tapping on the ground. Irritation from the past two days boiling over the longer his double didn't show up.

Foot rapidly beating against the ground the longer he waited before he heaved out a sigh. Rolling his eyes and pushing himself off of the wall.

"Lousy good for nothing-Ack!" He yelped out when a pebble was flung at the back of his head.

He jerked around, rubbing the back of his head right where the pebble struck him.

"Moron."

Danny slowly blinked. Then he turned his head to the side. Looking to see if anyone was behind him but nothing. Not even a hint of a person in the alleyway. He slowly turned back around. Taking a small step forward as he pointed at himself.

"Yes I'm talking to you."

"Hello? Dan?" Danny awkwardly replied. Rubbing the back of his head in utter confusion only to yelp when Dan smacked him on the center of his head with the side of his hand. Finally making himself visible to the younger teen and dropping down to the ground with a frown.

"Don't 'Hello Dan' me! You were supposed to be home the second you were done with after school detention!" 

"Sorry. Sam kind of needed me."

"Needed or requested that you come with her for..." Dan looked Danny over. The frown on his face deepening as he looked him over with Danny flinching the second Dan reached out and wiped the corner of his mouth. ".... What I can only assume to be ice cream."

Danny gave a nervous laugh as he wiped his face clean of any lingering traces of the sweet treat.

"Hey it was something serious for her!"

Dan could only shake his head and rub at the bridge of his nose. Disappointment emanating off of the other so strongly that it made Danny cower into himself. His head held down while his chest ached.

This was what he hated the most. The disappointed look on others faces and the feeling of being scolded like a child over something he's done. It places the idea that he's failure into his mind. Something he already believes in without the help of other people.

He crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled under his breath all while leaning his weight into one of his feet. Shifting it to the other the longer Dan glared down at him with those bright red eyes of his.

Eventually Dan groaned and slouched into himself. Rubbing at his face and cursing under his breath.

"Fine. Let's go."

".... Go?" Danny asked as he followed after Dan. Both men turning into their ghost forms and flying out of the alley and up and over every building.

"Yes go. As in go ahead to your parents house? We still need to dump last nights batch of ghosts into the portal since I have a feeling that you didn't put the ghosts in the portal." Dan growled out with Danny curling into himself, nervously chuckling as he played with the upper part of his gloves.

"Hey, that was an accident. I didn't mean to pass out after patrol. It kind of just... Happened." Danny shrugged out. The two continued until they reached Danny's home. Both turning into their human form as they entered from the the emergency op center. Danny being the one who looked around to see if any of his parents were within ear shot before making their way down to Danny's room.

The whole time cringing when he and Dan stepped on a squeaky or loose board. Hyper aware of the noise coming from down stairs.

"Fucking christ... Their still building ghost catching shit at this hour? Shouldn't they be doing date night or something?"

"Hey! Hey! Lower your voice now would ya?" Danny anxiously pleaded. Clammy hands on the other mans arms as he looked up and down the hallway. A thin layer of sweat covering his face as he waited for his parents to pop up and give him the grounding of a life time. That or have questions about Dan looking like him.

Danny looked at Dan with a frown.

Well, almost like him if the guy had blue eyes, black hair and softer eyes.

He removed his hands from the others arms, frowning when he could still feel the bulk of muscles under his fingers.

.... And scrawnier... Fucking hell.

He rubbed his fingers together, shaking his hand so he no longer had the lingering feeling of the others arms out of his mind. The whole time Dan watched him with a raised brow before looking down at the sleeve of his jacket and wiping them clean.

"Sweaty much?"

"Fuck off." He hissed out, eye twitching but still pushing himself to go down. The whole time trying to figure out what he could say to his parents that won't warrent them to drill into Dan.

"Yo mister and misses Fenton!" Dan yelled out as he walked past a stun frozen Danny and into the kitchen.

"Oh hello Thomas. We didn't think you'd be here today." His mother said with a pleased hum, shaking Dan's hand with a smile while placing down the wrench she had been using just a few minutes ago.

"Tom! How are you, my boy?" His father bellowed out while yanking Dan into a bone crushing hug. Dan could only let out a grunt due to the force but still had enough strength to return the hug by patting the larger man on the back.

"I've been alright."

"That's great! And V man?"

"Jack, let him go. You're suffocating the poor boy!" Maddie scolded her husband just as Danny rushed into the kitchen.

Sweat clinging to his face and chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Even with how obviously anxious he was, he still had enough energy to glare up at Dan. But the glare along with the trembling frame was replaced with a smile when his parents turned to look at him.

Eyes gleaming with unbridled joy and fondness that made him weak at the knees.

"Danny! Why didn't you tell us that Thomas would be coming over?" His mother asked with a small frown.

Danny could only reply with a sheepish grin as he shuffled his way into the kitchen.

"Well, he kind of just caught me just as I was heading home."

"Yeah. Don't be too hard on him. I wanted to come over so I could get some help for my biology homework." Dan was quick to chip in, all while throwing his arm over Danny's shoulders. Pulling the shorter male to his side with a grin that could only be described as feral. And Danny ,of course, could only force a smile of his own. Nodding in agreement even as he pinched the back of Dan's neck with his nails.

"Huh. Alright. Oh Thomas will you be staying over for dinner?"

"Yes."

"No!"

Dan and Danny glared at each other before Danny groaned and nodded.

"Yes... He'll be staying over."

His mother gave a pleased hum along with his father. The two quickly picking up their items that were scattered around the kitchen. Talking about what they could make and even asking Dan if he had any allergies, which he didn't. And while his parents were busy trying to figure out what to make, the two males slowly shuffled their way past them and down to the basement as quickly as they could. Dan staying close to the top of the stairs as he urged Danny down with the thermos.

Danny made his way down to the portal. Cursing and grumbling with thermos in hand.

"I can't believe you just invited yourself into my home! You don't even eat!"

"I do eat. I just don't eat a lot. And what's so wrong with me staying a little longer?"

Danny growled under his breath. Irritation bubbling but still placing the thermos in place and releasing the ghost back into the ghost zone.

"Oh I don't know, maybe the possibility that my parents will figure out you're a clone!"

"Realistically, Maddie would be the only one to get even an inkling of a thought of me being a clone. Jack on the other hand.... I don't need to worry about him." Dan scoffed with a shrug.

Danny removed the thermos and ran back up the stairs. He slapped Dan on the arm after handing the thermos back to him. Dan just stuck out his tongue and walked out of the basement, Danny following after him.

Unsurprisingly his parents were too busy cooking and cleaning to notice them making their way out from the basement and out of the kitchen. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, it did sting.

The fact that his parents were quick to clean up and make dinner for a 'stranger' while at the same if it had been him, they would just forget and rush to make whatever they had in the fridge for him to eat. Sometimes said food would be a mash of scraps that are either spoiled or heavily contaminated with ectoplasm. Not like the food can make him sick and he does heavily depend on said ectoplasm contaminated food but it's the thought that mattered. And it feels as though his parents have little care for him now that Jazz isn't around to remind them he exists.

Dan looked down at the pouting teen and slung his arm over his shoulders.

"Want me to change your hair again?"

"W-what?" Danny looked up at the other with a frown.

"Yeah. I mean, they haven't even noticed that the underside of your hair is white! Or that it's been dyed black or even the newer piercings you have along your ear and brow!"

Danny just shrugged at that. Dan slouched but kept his hold on Danny. Humming and leaning his head on top of Danny's fluffy black hair.

"Maybe we can shave your-?"

"No." Danny was quick to shoot down.

Dan wanted to argue but when he noticed the sullen look on Danny's face, he could only will himself to shrug and let Danny walk them back to his room to wait for Danny's parents to call them down for dinner.

Notes:

Dear god the trouble this has given me T^T ah I'mma go traditional when writing again just so I don't have to deal with technological issues.

Chapter 6

"The hell are you doing?"

"Stretching. I thought you of all people would know that, bonehead. Then again, maybe you've smacked your head hard enough while playing football to the point that your brain has finally been damaged." Danny groaned out. Releasing his hold on his shoes and sitting up as he leaned back to look up at the blond jock. Dash rolled his eyes with a huff as he took a step back so that the sun was beating down on Danny again. His arms crossed over his chest with a raised brow.

"I was just asking since you look like an idiot right now."

Danny gave him a slow blink. One arm holding him up from behind with the other rested on his now raised knee. Black fingernails tapping against his kneecap.

"Gee... Thanks Baxter. Has anyone ever told you that you could be a motivational speaker?" Danny snapped with a huff. The teen a lot more crabber than normal thanks to the thick layer of sweat that coated his skin along with the tacky feeling of the air thanks to the humidity. Not to mention the almost unbearable ache on the side of his ribs from last nights ghost fight being worse after running. Of all the days in the year, why did Tetslaff think it was a good idea to make them run laps in the oval today?

"You might want to bite your tongue before I rip it out of your mouth, Fenton."

"Kinky but I think you should take me out to dinner first before that." Danny said before yelping when Dash sent an especially hard kick to his thigh. He was about to yell at him but when Dash gave him a hard glare, he simply scooted further away from the blond. Grumbling and cursing him out from under his breath as he plucked a blade of grass and fiddled with it between his fingers.

Both boys glanced over at the last few kids that were running in utter boredom. Both teens having finished their own laps were currently sitting or in Dash's case, standing, on the grass in front of the bleachers as they waited for everyone else to finish. Sweat clinging to their skin from the heat and exercise not to mention the lack of a breeze.

Now the only reason why Dash and Danny had finished sooner than everyone else was due to the fact that Dash had chased Danny around the oval simply because the boy had yanked at his arm after he tripped on his own shoes. It wasn't anything too serious, hell, Danny hadn't even scratched the blond but it seemed Dash was hung over the fact that Danny dared to even touch him.

The half ghost teen huffed and ripped the blade of grass in his hand in two before thowing it to the side.

".... Why are you even talking to me?"

"Kwan's not here." Dash was quick to reply as he looked down at his nails. Picking at his skin with a tiny frown and even swearing when he ripped off a big chunk.

Danny frowned and pulled his knees close to his chest.

"So you're being some what civil with me just because you have no one to talk to?"

"Pretty much."

".... Do you have any self respect?"

"Nope and I have a feeling that neither do you. I mean, if you did, you would pick your skinny little ass up and walk off. Hell, you wouldn't even stand for me picking on you. Or willingly come to me when I call you over which I still wonder why you do when you know I'll just end up shoving you in a locker later on." Dash muttered out with his hands now placed on his hips. His head now cocked to the side so that he could look down at Danny.

Danny so desperately wanted to argue back. To say that he would never do such a thing but he could only feel himself get flustered because, yeah, he has done that. It was especially bad back freshmen year. At just the mere memory of how desperate he had been for the others friendship, he felt his chest tighten and could even hear his heart beat in his ears.

He huffed and turned his face. Ears burning and overall flustered for being called out.

His silence enough of an answer to make Dash smile and that alone made Danny wish he could wipe that smug look off of his pretty (no, bad Danny! Not pretty!) face.

They were both quiet for a moment. Continuing to watch their classmates run their laps. Light and dark blue eyes trailing after the few who finished and drop onto the grass as they gasped for air.

Danny tucked his hair back in place and blew a few strands of his hair out of his face. Wiping his hands clean of sweat and looking up at Dash with a frown. Angry over how even covered in sweat and wearing the ugly gym clothes, Dash still looked handsome.

"... I hate you."

"Likewise."

Danny shot Dash one more harsh glare before forcing himself to look back at the people who were still running.

For the rest of gym they spent it just watching. Waiting under the sweltering sun for Tetslaff to blow her whistle to signal everyone back inside to clean up and wait for the final bell to ring.

Danny picked at the grass without a care. Fiddling and breaking each blade between his fingers while Dash groaned and threw his head back, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"Thank god your not as slow as these losers cause I swear I would have beaten you to a pulp if I had to wait for you." Dash grumbled out as they both glared at the final three as they tumbled to the ground, gasping and wheezing for air.

"Yeah. Awesome. Nice to know my panic helped save me from a world of pain." Danny grumbled out just as Tetslaff blew the whistle and waved for everyone to go inside.

Danny pushed himself off of the ground and walked behind the taller male, silently hoping that everyone would finish ahead of him so that he could get dressed in privacy.

He wiped his grass covered hands on his shorts and took a deep breath in. He added a little skip to his step as he fell behind everyone else. Sometimes he'd slip on his own two feet but he would always be quick to catch himself before he could fall on his face.

But it seemed he wasn't quick enough since he heard a snicker ahead of him.

Blue eyes quickly looked up and around only to see Dash smiling behind his hand. His body shaking between each laugh as he shook his head and muttered something under his breath.

With cheeks flushed and puffed up, Danny grumbled under his breath and kept up with the rest.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Danny was skipping down the road with a smile on his face. Happy over the fact that he no longer had to worry about after school detention and no longer had to come up with another excuse to explain why he had taken longer than normal to get home. What made the day even better was the fact that neither Dan nor Vlad had called him to see if he would be available to patrol that night! Meaning he can ask his parents if he could hang out with Sam and Tucker later on today!

Taking two steps up the stairs, Danny pushed the door to Fenton works with his phone in hand.

"I'm home!" Danny yelled out as he looked through the text messages Tucker and Sam sent him, answering each one after dropping his backpack near the front door.

Red sneakers were kicked off of the teens feet, thudding against the carpeted floor and walking deeper into the building with his gaze still fixed on the small flipphone in his hand. Fingers tapping away at the buttons while he made his way into the silent kitchen. The silence, of course, making the blue eyed teen to finally look up.

Blue eyes scanned the eerily quiet kitchen. Everything tucked away in it's rightful place with no signs of his parents usual junk lying around.

He raised a brow at this and closed his phone, walking up to the basement door and opening it. He leaned his head in. Blinking when there wasn't even a peep from down the stairs before stepping back and closing the door. Standing at the center of the kitchen and looking around. The only sound that greeted him was the soft hum of the fridge and the automatic cooling system running.

"Weird..." He murmured to himself before turning on his feet and walking to the fridge. It was only after he was standing in front of the fridge door that he took notice of the little purple sticky note that was being held in place by a little magnet shaped like a spaceship.

Danny grabbed the little sticky note from the fridge and began to read it over. "Went out to check out a haunted building in the next town over. Lasagna and meatloaf are in the fridge if you get hungry. Love mom and dad." Danny scoffed before flipping the note over only to be greeted by his fathers handwriting.

"P.s. don't forget to clean the lab and the ecto-filtrator to the portal or else, boom! Gee... Thanks Dad." Danny groaned out while crumpling up the note and throwing it into the trash can. Yanking at the fridge door once the note landed inside of the empty trash can and looking through the fridge.

The ghost teen grabbing at whatever he could find and yanked his hand back once he got a hold on something. A slice of meat lover pizza that was glowing a suspiciously bright green was now in his hand, pizza that has been there since Monday.

With a small shrug, Danny closed the fridge and took a massive bite out of the cold pizza. Chewing at the stale bread and thick cheese as meat chunks would stick to his teeth. He picked the small bits that got stuck to the roof of his mouth with his tongue as he wordlessly grabbed a large garbage bag and made his way down the stairs and into the basement turned lab.

Each step sounding louder as he made his way deeper into the basement. Chewing away at the pizza in his hand while switching the lights on. Eyes scanning the room with a sigh. The room was a hot mess.

Glass beakers laying on their side and spilling shit all over the lab table and staining papers that probably had important information on it. The trashcan in the side of the room was full and there were boxes filled to the brim with random bits and pieces of machinery. He couldn't even step that far into the room without stepping on something that will either snap or shatter under his foot.

He shoved the last of the pizza into his mouth and opened the trash bag.

"Welp, I suppose I have to start cleaning." He sighed before tiptoeing around the lab, picking up whatever he could that wouldn't possibly harm him. Wiping any oil or any other liquids that have stained the table. Taking his time to clean everything while also taking his time to walk around the tables. Each step careful thought of before he would even take a step in one direction or the other. Shoveling whatever garbage he found into the bag.

With table now wiped down, he went ahead and started to sweep and dust off the lab in his ghost form. Dumping everything in the dustpan into the garbage bag alone with cleaning the duster in the trashcan before pulling the trashbag out and replacing it with a clean bag. Tying the bag shut and dumping it at the foot of the stairs as he made a few rounds around the lab before landing in the middle, back in his human form with a shiver and sneeze.

He was in the middle of swapping the filtrator vial to the portal when his phone rang. Without taking his gaze off of what he was doing, he yanked the phone from his pocket and answered it without looking at the contact.

"Hello?"

"Hey Danny."

"Oh, hey Dan. What's up?" Danny asked with a smile when he was sure the vial wouldn't move out of place. He took a step back and looked around the lab. Pleased when he saw how spotless everything was now that his parents weren't around.

"Meh. Was just bored and wanted to know if you wanna ride around in Vlad's limo through town."Dan yawned out.

Danny blinked and looked around the now spotless room. Glancing around and then looking down at the phone in his hand.

"I don't know. Was kind of planning on going over to Tuckers place and hanging out with him and Sam."

"We can pick you up and let you get as much fast food as want before dropping you off "

At the mention of possibly getting a free ride along with free food, Danny didn't even give it a second thought. With a smile on his face and already heading up the stairs, Danny gave Dan his answer.

"You got yourself a deal!"

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

"Dash?"

"Hm?" Dash hummed out as he scribbled down his answer to one of the many questions on his homework. A small smile on his face as he looked over his work. Everything seemed correct and a quick triple check just proved his point.

He flipped his work on it's back and leaned back in his chair with a content sigh.

And everyone calls him dumb. Well he maybe shit at anything that involves history and science but mathematics and english will always be his strong suits. Math was simple since the numbers and equations never really change and english was easy only because of his massive collection of romance and fantasy books that he has hidden in his closet. Reading and rereading each one whenever he had free time.

"Are you still messing with Danny?"

Dash frowned and looked over at Valerie. The brunette had a frown on her face. Her pencil held tight in her hand and eyes harden. Clearly upset at the thought of Dash possibly still hurting the other man.

With his own pencil tapping against the side of his face, he tilted his head to the side with a groan.

"Really Val? I'm not as bad as I used to be."

"You gave Mikey a bloody nose for brushing against you yesterday. It's kind of the reason you got another day of detention."

"Hey it wasn't my fault that I shoved him out of reflex and he ended up face planting into the lockers!" Dash urged while writing his name on his homework and swapping it out with his english report, pencil now swapped with a black pen.

Valerie rolled her eyes and popped a fry into her mouth, scribbling her answer to her half finished spanish homework. Half paying attention to what she wrote and half listening to the people around them in the restaurant.

Funny enough, she had been the one to recommend them to do their work while eating instead of working in the library or at their own homes.

A fresh new location to keep their minds from going numb out of boredom. That and she wanted Dash to buy her some food.

She took a sip out of her sweet tea with a small smile. What? It's only fair after her break up with Danny.

Just the memory alone of how everything ended made her stomach turn and her once small smile to fall.

She hadn't meant to hurt the boy. She was just worried. And more importantly scared.

Everytime there was a ghost attack, Danny would vanish without fail. It didn't matter if they were in a public crowded place or even something more intimate like a small picnic date at the park or just the two having a date at a restaurant, he would just disappear. Never leaving even a trace that he was once there.

Normally she wouldn't have cared that much. She was the red huntress after all and if Danny did get caught, she could just save him. Protect him from harms way. But she couldn't do that if she didn't even know where he was. And to make matters worse Danny would appear after the attack with a few cuts and bruises only to smile at her. Smoothing her worries away with an excuse about sneaking away with the crowd or hiding behind or below something.

Yet it kept on happening. They would hang out, a ghost would appear, they would run away and get split up and Danny would just vanish with Phantom appearing about four to five minutes later. The ghost teen driving the ghost away to capture before vanishing from everyones sight. Then Valerie would start to search for Danny within the crowds and buildings before she would finally find him, little banged up but always smiling at her. Always quick to apologize and always trying to move the conversation away from his disappearing act.

After dealing with the constant worry and fear that she could possibly lose Danny during an attack, it simply became too much for the girl to handle.

So she broke up with him even though she really didn't want to. But she didn't just break up with Danny because of the worry and fear and lies.

Green eyes looked up at the blond before her. His tongue tucked snug between his front teeth. Dark blue scanning over every line he had written while he tapped his black pen to his temple as he tried to figure out what was the best way to form what he was attempting to explain within his report.

She popped another fry into her mouth and chewed on it as the pit in her stomach grew. Memories of her time spent with the now disbanded A listers flooding her mind. Most of which were of the very blond ahead of her and how whenever they were at school, he would subconsciously look for someone within the crowded halls.

It just so happened that that someone was Danny. Every single time, without fail, Dash would instantly perk up and start to pick on the shorter man the moment he caught sight of him but there would always be the smallest hint of a blush whenever Danny would talk back. It would always deepen whenever Danny fought back and the blond would have this dumb smile on his face whenever Danny would shove at his chest or glare at him. He would always make sure to touch Danny at least a few times before he would back off and leave the other teen alone.

And then there was the way he would look at him. It didn't matter if Danny was far away or right in front of him. It was the same look Danny used to give her when they were dating. The same look Paulina had whenever Phantom would come in to 'save the day'. Dash might not have noticed that he was doing it but she did.

He liked Danny. Simple as that and honestly, it's pretty shocking that it took Valerie so long to notice.

She took a massive sip from her drink as she looked at her now completed homework before looking back up at the blond.

"You know Dash, I've started to wonder if you're only messing with Danny because you think he's cute."

Dash sputtered and slammed his pen down on the table. Eyes blown wide and face a bright red as he looked up at her.

"Val, what the hell? Don't even joke about that!"

Valerie leaned back with a tiny shrug. "I'm not joking. And something tells me that you know I'm not joking about this."

"Seriously Val. I don't like that little weirdo. I just mess with him because he's an easy target. Not to mention hella annoying."

"If you say so." Valerie sighed before poking at her half eaten food. The bacon burger fully eaten and only a handful of pepper and sea salt fries on her plate. A few having been taken by Dash after he finished his steak.

Dash squinted at the girl with a frown. "I mean it Valerie."

"Sure you do but come on! Danny, in his own weird way, is cute. Paulina noticed, Kwan's noticed, hell even I've noticed that he's cute. You honestly can't tell me he isn't." Valerie laughed out. Her laughter only becoming stronger when Dash's eyes widened and his face became a bright pink.

So easy.

She propped her arm on the table and leaned forward with a smile.

"You think he's so cute that you just can't control yourself!"

"Fuck no. Why would you even think that!" Dash hissed out while looking around. His eyes wide and nervous.

"... You're cute aggression is terrifying."

"It's not cute aggression!"

All the patrons of the restaurant turned to them with a glare. A few would curse Dash out while other mumbled under their breaths. Silently showing their irritation at the blonds sudden outburst.

Valerie curled into herself while Dash quickly sat back down and hid his face in his hand. His face a bright red as he grumbled out a half hearted apology.

It took a while but everyone eventually settled back down. Ignoring the two teens seated in front of the restaurant window. There would be the occasional old couple that would snear at them but besides that, they were left alone. Valerie heaved out a breath she had been holding and slumped into herself.

"Way to go, Dash. Now everyone here thinks your a prick."

"Everyone in here are nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites." Dash hissed out and finished off the last of his report.

He was about to ask Valerie if she could look over his work for any mispelling or grammatical errors when there was a sudden rapid knocking on the glass next to them.

Valerie and Dash turned to the window only to be greeted by Danny.

Dash squinted his eyes and looked around just as Danny started to call their name.

The boy was bouncing on his feet with a smile on his face. Waving to Valerie before looking over to Dash.

Before Dash could even question the other teen that was standing on the other side of the window, Danny stuck out his tongue at him with a frown.

Dash bristled and watched the other with his mouth ajar. Dark blue eyes watching as Danny made weird faces at him along with making strange little noises. Pulling at his cheeks and even flicking him off while tugging at his bottom eye lids.

Dash's eye twitched at the annoying display. His grip on his pen tight as he started to grind his teeth.

He could hear a few people murmuring around them. Hell, even Valerie had her hand covering her mouth. A smile hidden behind her palm as she silently laughed.

The second Dash made an attempt to stand up to rush out of the restaurant to chase after the younger man, Danny quickly stepped back and ran off, laughing the whole time as he vanished from their sight.

Dash was left gawking at the window. Questioning what the hell he had just witness with the only thing snapping him out of his predicament being a snort. He slowly turned his head to look at a snickering Valerie before looking at the rest of the patrons of the restraunt. A few were whispering while others laughed but it all stopped the second he sent a glare their way.

The blond willed himself to sit back down on his seat. Pushing his hair back and away from his face while letting out a painfully slow breath. Calming himself down so that he didn't accidentally blow up on an innocent waiter or Valerie.

With his mind now cleared, he slammed his hand onto the table before him. The other massaging his temple as he glared at the snickering girl before him.

It took some time but Valerie was eventually able to smooth her features and looked back at Dash.

"You done?"

"Yes." Valerie said with a smirk on her face. Overall just enjoying how uncomfortable Dash was at that moment.

Was it a little petty? Maybe but it's all in light hearted fun.

"God I hate him!" Dash gritted out as he started to organize his stuff. A silent action that said a lot.

He wants to leave.

"Easy Dash. Danny was just teasing you." Valerie was quick to defend the other boy, leaning to the side so she could look out the window into the direct Danny ran into. Frowning when she took notice of a limo that was parked a little further ahead.

How long had that been there?

"... I'm gonna choke that little twink."

"Careful Dash. Danny might like that." Valerie said, her face staying neutral while she mindlessly packed away her items before slinging her bag over her shoulder as she stood from her seat. Green eyes glanced over at the blond and she almost choked on her own muffled laughter when she caught the look on the others face.

A disgusted little frown set on his bright pink face. His ears burning red as he growled and started shoving his work into the backpack at his feet. Grumbling obscenities under his breath, the blond even rolled his eyes at whatever he was saying to himself.

He threw his bag over his own shoulders and shoved his hands into his letterman.

"Then I'll just have to punch him."

"Dash."

"What? I'm not gonna punch him too hard. Just... Just gonna hit him hard enough that it stings." Dash grumbled as he started to walk ahead of Valerie.

"Don't you dare hurt him Dash. I'm serious." Valerie pleaded as she followed after the tall blond. She patted the back of her skirt to remove any possible dust that maybe clinging to her and turned to look ahead of her only to tense.

"Dash!"

"What is-?" Dash grunted when he felt a smaller body collide into himself. He hissed at the coldness of the other and jerked around.

"Hey watch where-!"

"Do you mind? God, almost knocked me over." The male grunted as he dusted the sleeves of his leather jacket with a frown. He even went ahead and pushed all to familiar bangs out of his equally familiar face with a huff.

Red eyes looked up at the blond with a glare so cold that it shook Dash out of his stupor.

"Hello? Aren't you going to apologize?" The shorter male growled out. His arms crossed over his chest as he pinned Dash down with a glare. But Dash couldn't bring himself to talk. All he could do was stare down at someone who was almost an exact copy of Danny. Except this guy was slightly taller with white hair and red eyes and hints of a little muscle hidden under that leather jacket of his. He held his head up and had this air of confidence that Danny lacked that made him seem a lot more mature.

Valerie was the first to snap out of her initial shock and was quick to step forward with an apologetic smile.

"We're so sorry. My friend didn't mean to bump into you."

Those sharp red eyes snapped from Dash to Valerie. His expression softening ever so slightly before he sighed and shook his head.

"It's fine. Just make sure that this blockhead looks where he's going. Being as big as he is, it'll be easy for him to knock anyone else over due to not paying attention to his surroundings."

That seemed to be the thing that caused Dash to snap back into attention. With shoulders tense and jaw already clenched, he made an attempt to yell at the other male only to be stopped by Valerie.

"I'll make sure he's careful next time. Um.. I don't think I've ever seen you around here. You new?"

The teen blinked at the question. Looking at Valerie and then at Dash before clearing his throat and rubbing the back of his neck. A look of hesitation clear as day on his face but after looking over at the two, he slumped with a huff.

".... Yeah. Yeah I kind of just moved here during the summer with my... Dad." He said with a small grimace.

Valerie hummed at that with a nod but couldn't stop herself from tilting her head with a raised brow.

"How come we haven't seen you at Casper high?"

"I'm homeschooled. My... Dad... Thought it would be a good idea. I sort of have trouble getting along with others." He admitted while averting his eyes.

"Huh. Now would you look at that. Dash here also has issues when it comes to getting along with others. Don't you Dash?" Valerie chuckled out while elbowing Dash. The blond grunting at the force, rubbing his side as he mumbled out a small ,"whatever."

The boy snorted and looked Dash up and down. A smirk on his face as he placed his gloved hands on his hips.

"He does look like the type to have issues with people."

"Hey..."

"What? You do, blondie." The teen laughed out. Valerie laughed along with him and extended her hand to him.

"Valerie grey. And the giant next to me is Dash Baxter."

The boy nodded his head and shook her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Valerie. I'm-"

"Order for Thomas Masters!"

The red eyed teen turned to the girl at the counter and gave Valerie a small smile as he let go of her hand. "Sorry. That's my order. It's was... Nice... Talking to you. The both of you."

The teen waved his goodbye to the two and walked up to the girl holding a bag that was probably full of food. He handed her some money and mumbled something to the girl before turning away and walking out of the restaurant.

His heavy boots making a soft thud with each step. The glass door creaking shut behind him as he made his way out of the restaurant.

Dash and Valerie shared a look before rushing out of the restaurant.

"That guy look freakishly like Danny!" Valerie whisper yelled as soon as they stepped outside. Looking up and down the street as Dash doubled over himself as he rushed out of the restaurant.

"Creepily like Danny. You think he's a clone?"

"That's ridiculous! This isn't a sci-fi flick!" Valerie scolded. She gasped and yanked Dash close to her before point down the street when she caught sight of white hair pulled back in a low ponytail.

And right next to him was a happy looking Danny who was leaning on the limo that had been parked in the street this whole time.

The two teens silently watched with wide eyes as the guy that had bumped into Dash ruffled Danny's hair and handed him the bag full of food from the restraunt. The shorter male giving the other a big bright smile and allowing himself to be guided into a sleek black limousine. The taller male holding the door open as Danny make his way into the car before the other followed after, but not before looking up and catching the two teens staring at them.

He gave them a cocky little smile before closing the door. The limo finally driving off. Leaving the two puzzled but most of all, confused.

Dash slowly turned to Valerie, his brows drawn together as he tried to come up with something to say. After much struggle, he was able to only say one thing.

"Who the hell was that and how the hell does he know Danny?"

Valerie could only watch as the limousine finally left their sight. Her hands wringing the bottom of her skirt as she nibbled on her bottom lip.

How come Danny never told her about this Thomas guy? Is he his cousin? A secret brother? No. That wouldn't make any sense. Mister and Misses Fenton only have two kids. They've always had two kids.

So where the hell did Thomas come from?

"I don't know. But now I'm curious about this so called Thomas Masters."

Chapter 7

Notes:

Wanna know a funny little fact about chapter 5? I didn't even know Danny was canonically good at dodgeball until i rewatched the series this week.

"Why did you do that?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Danny said as he looked through the food inside the bag. A tiny smile on his face when he saw everything had been seperated just like he had asked. Good. Now all he had to do is make it to Tucker's place and then he can relax for the next two hours. Just a few minutes in this car with Dan and then he's home free.

Dan gave the young teen a curious glance, watching the way the teen happily swung his feet back and forth. Digging into the bag and looking everything over one more time just to be certain that everything was just how he wanted it.

"Seriously? Danny, you made a fool out of yourself just to mess with that blond."

Danny just responded with a small shrug and closed the bag, leaning back into the shockingly soft leather seat and pinned Dan down with a smirk.

"It was all worth it just so I could see that look on his face. God he was so red! I bet the fucker was three seconds away from chasing me!" Danny snickered and curled into himself.

Dan rubbed the bridge of his nose and gave a begrudgen sigh. "One day you're going to get yourself hurt from all this constant teasing."

"Not gonna be any different from what I usually deal with."

"You love to make this harder on yourself."

"It's a living."

Dan rubbed his face, groaning with utter disdain at the other's blatant display of indifference.

This child... Was he this annoying at Danny's age?

He frowned and dragged his hand down to his neck. Rubbing at his shoulder blade as his temple throbbed.

Then again, he didn't exactly get to live a normal life..

He glanced back over at the happy teen. Chewing away at the inside of his cheek and tapping his fingers on his knee. Debating on whether or not he should bring up what Vlad had told him.

Well, he supposed it'd be better if he heard it from one of them over figuring it out later on..

"Danny, someone is after you."

"Well, yeah. I kind of figured that out with how Noctis has been tailing me." Danny grumbled out while pressing himself into his seat. Scuffed up sneakers tapped at the floor and slender fingers fiddled with the bag on his lap. Blue eyes glancing out of the car window, watching as the buildings passed them by. Only half listening to the older man as he tapped his fingers over the fast-food bag.

"No, what I mean is that someone wants to get a hold of you and possibly hired that ghost hunter to get you. Vlad and I aren't one hundred percent certain on who it might be but we're trying our best to track them down."

"Really now? And how are you gonna do that?" Danny grumbled out. Sarcasm so heavy with each word he spoke. The smile on his face showing that he wasn't taking this that seriously because why would he? He doesn't exactly trust Dan and Vlad that much and only started talking to the two during the summer.

"With the equipment that Noctis has been using of course. There is a possibility the items he is using are made from prototypes made in Axion lab."

Danny perked up at that.

He turned to look at Dan with a curious little tilt to his head. "And how the hell would he get a hold of prototype weapons and tech from Axion?"

Dan sucked at his teeth before pressing himself into his seat. Looking around as he drummed his fingers on his knee.

Well, there's no avoiding it now.

"Someone broke into Axion Labs two weeks ago..."

"A... Break in? H-how the hell did someone break into Axion? I thought Valerie's dad made sure that it was hard to break in!" Danny growled out as he leaned into Dan's space. Eyes glowing green as his canines gleamed under the little bit of light that was able to enter the car. But Dan didn't flinch at the others display.

With body still lax in his spot, he glanced at Danny with a roll of his eyes. Pushing the boy back with one of his fingers as he took a deep breath in and let it out.

"Quit with the 'scary eyes'. Makes you look dumb. As for Damon, He did but it seems it wasn't strong enough. Who ever the hell broke in made sure to shut off the security system that had been installed and then proceeded to download as much information from our systems. Every blue print, every project, every plan. Copied and in the hands of ancient knows who." Dan leaned his head back and looked up at the roof of the car. His finger drumming along the leather of the seat beneath him.

".... We don't know who has it and that's what got us so worried. Danny, there were weapons and technology in our system that could be deadly in the wrong hands...."

The boy slumped in his seat. Trembling hands fiddling with the plastic bag as he chewed on his bottom lip.

All he could do was think back on what he could remember from his previous encounters with Noctis. On how the man was able to grab him. Able to shock him.

.... To hurt him with just the press of a finger. If he's able to do that with just the suit, how deadly can the man be with other weapons?

"Why are you telling me this?" He asked. His voice so soft that Dan had to strain his ear just to hear him.

"We just thought it would be unjust if you figured it out the hard way. We may not be close but even we understand how important you are to Amity park."

".... So do you guys want me to get close to him?"

"I would like it if you avoided him at all cost."

"You're not my parent." The teen hissed out. Glaring at the other as Tuckers place came into view.

"But I was you. Danny, I know you. I know what you're thinking and let me tell you that unless you want to die, don't you dare confront him."

Danny gritted his teeth and curled into himself. The plastic bag in his lap crinkling under his hand as he squeezed his eyes tight.

Images of the ectopus in his mind along with young bloods cries for his missing partner. Of Sam and Tucker begging and pleading for their lives while an angry Dora held them. Of Dora's cries when Noctis attacked her...

"I can't just do nothing!"

"But you will. Vlad and I will find a way to get a hold of Noctis. You just focus on being a kid."

"How can I possibly do that when I have a hunter chasing my ass? When there's a high chance that my friends could get hurt? That my school could get under attack and I'll be limited to what I can do because of the possibility Noctis will appear!" Danny gritted out just as the limo stopped.

"Fake it. You've been doing that for the past two years, whats a couple weeks more of faking to be happy? Just try your best to stay low. Call us if there's a ghost attack and you're cornered. We'll take care of it." Dan said as he watched Danny continue to glare at him.

"Whatever. I'm off." Danny huffed out and pushed the door open. The boy's hand trembling as he held the bag of food and stepped out of the limo.

"Danny."

"What?"

Dan opened his mouth but seemed to debated on whether or not it was smart to say anything else to the irritated teen. One look at the huffy boy made him sigh and lean back into his seat.

"Please be careful." He muttered out before closing the window to the limo. The car driving off and leaving Danny outside of Tuckers place. The bag of warm food heavy in his hands as he watched the car until it was no longer in view.

He could have turned and walked straight up the stairs to Tuckers place. Just ignore everything Dan told him and move along with his life.

Fake happiness and mask it all with teen angst and snark. Just do what he's been doing for the past two years. Just like Dan said.

But today he can't seem to fake it.

The fear of knowing that Noctis has a hold of such advanced technology made him feel sick. It was annoying having the ghost hunter flirt with him at every second he gets the chance to speak to him but flirting is much better than torture. Better than whatever the hell he's doing to every ghost he's gotten a hold of.

A shiver ran up his spine at the thought of having Noctis gun pointed at him.

The net and his gloves were hell enough. He's not sure how he'll survive a gun or any other weapon that maniac might have.

He rubbed at his face with a groan.

Life was supposed to be easy after Valerie quit ghost hunting to focus on school but no! Life is never that kind to him. First the accident that caused him to become a ghost happened, then the portal making an even larger opening for ghosts to travel through along with the constant fighting and defending of Amity park.

Lying to his friends and parents, lying to his teachers and getting labeled a freak over things he can't control by the student body. Hiding severe injuries and treating them himself as he tries not to bleed all over the place, flinching and biting down on his shirt as he patches each wound. Trying to hide how hurt he is during the day while also acting how he would normally behave if he was fine.

Smile through the pain. Laugh and act human. Eat a healthy balance of regular and ecto-contaminated food. Fight ghosts and go home only to get between one to four hours of sleep. Rinse and repeat.

"Fake it. You've done it before. What's the difference now?" Danny begrudgingly whispered to himself. Turning and finally walking up the steps. Each step feeling heavier than the last but he just shrugged every negative feeling off.

Be happy. Be normal.

Act like a human.

He took a few deep breaths, pushed his hair back and plastered the most convincing smile he could muster before knocking on the door. The bag of food clasped between his sweaty palms as he listened.

Waiting to see if it'll be one of Tucker's parents who open the door or Tucker himself.

Danny rubbed at his bracelet covered wrist. Ears perking when he heard some shuffling and even talking from the other side.

The door knob turned and the door was finally yanked back, Tucker now standing in front of him with a big smile.

"Danny! You made it!"

"Yup. Got some food for us." Danny replied as he lifted the bag of food so that Tucker could get a good look at it. The other yanked Danny in by the shoulders with a laugh.

"Looks like you and Sam are the same!" Tucker cheered as he walked Danny deeper into his home. Rambling on about how there were more options and whatever else. Danny only grunting or giving a quicl short reply in turn. Only half listening to the other, his hand rubbing at his arm. The scar aching from beneath his sleeve.

Fake it, even if you really don't want to. That's how he'll survive.

It's how he'll keep everyone safe.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

After one miserable failed attempt at having fun with Sam and Tucker at Tucker's place, Danny went home a little worse for wear. And he could attribute it all thanks to Dan. Honestly what was he and Vlad thinking? A break in at Axion Labs where highly confidential documents were stolen and are now being used on ghosts and they didn't think it was something he would need to know? Like, come on! He's the town's 'hero' or whatever. He needs to know when there's something that puts everyone in danger.

He kicked an empty can of beer with a sigh. Tired blue eyes watch the can bounce along the street ahead of him until it was far from the street lights.

Danny looked back up at the sky. His hands deep in his pockets as he finally processed just how late it had gotten. The sun now replaced by the moon. A few clouds drifted across the sky with a hint of gray to them.

Probably rain later on tonight. Maybe it'll be light with how gray the clouds look.

He shivered as a cool breeze passed him by. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and rubbed at his arms. Looking around at how quiet his town.

Sure it was late but it wasn't that late. Well, at least he doesn't think nine seventeen is late.

Danny yawned and kept walking. Listening to the wind passing between the buildings and the sound of buildings settling. There was the occasional sound of people either talking or having dinner as he passed by a few apartments along with someone watching the romance channel.

By the sound of one of the females, it might be the one that focuses on some rich group of teens romantic life in California that his mother and Jazz likes. He, for one, can't exactly see the appeal. Too much drama for his taste.

Danny let out another yawn only to tense up at the sight of the blue mist that came out of his mouth. His body shivering from the sudden chill that passed over him.

The young man now hyper aware of every little sound. Every little creak, every little shift. All of it so loud to him.

Danny looked around as subtly as he could. Noticing the camera that was pointed near his direction, the light blinking to show that it was filming.

Danny cursed under his breath and shoved his hands back in his pockets. Continuing to walk down the street but still keeping an ear out for any sudden sounds. Waiting to see if there was any sign of the ghost that was triggering his senses.

Although he didn't have to wait long. A roar echoing down an alley near by along with sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. The sound getting louder as the ghost inched closer in his direction.

Danny slipped into the nearest alley that he knew had no cameras and that led straight to Fenton works. A path he recently discovered after a fight with Spectra.

Danny looked up and down the alley, his body pressed against the brick wall behind him. Out of sight from anyone who were to walk by or any camera that was pointed at the street.

When the half ghost saw that there was no one nearby, he took one final deep breath and allowed himself to turn. His heart stopping and body quickly freezing. His chest no longer moving, the need for oxygen no longer important to him. His nerves now hyper sensitive with every disgusting crack and rip of his bones and flesh before dying down as well.

White hair pressed against the brick wall and eyes were snapped open, glowing green now looking around as he let out a chilled breath.

With his body no longer bound to the mortal world, Danny pushed himself away from the wall he had been leaning on and out of the alley, heading straight to the sound of roars and hurried footsteps. Glowing green eyes scanning every street and path around him until he eventually found what he was looking for.

A bear. Or what looked like a bear. It's skin and fur hung off of thick bones. Jaw wide as it tore into the garbage, scarfing down what was inside the bags. Trash falling out from the holes that lined the animals maw. A bear trap digging into it's hind paw.

If Danny didn't know that the bear was a ghost, he would have thought that the bear was just a walking corpse. All it needed was a few maggots and no glow. And maybe no red eyes but whose he to judge a ghosts appearance.

He let out a low whistle. The sound being loud enough for the creature to look at him.

"Aren't you a little far from home, Yogi bear?" Danny teased.

The bear jerked its head up. Glowing red eyes now trained on him. The ghost teen shivering when he saw the garbage fall out of it's broken jaw, fluids dripping down to the ground below. A mix of ectoplasm and drool making a large puddle as it growled up at him. Angry for being disturbed from it's dinner.

Had Danny been younger, this would have probably scared him. To have such a ghastly creature stand before him, trying it's best to appear much larger than it already was. But he's not fourteen anymore. He's seen much more grizzly things compared to the bear before him. The only thing that made Danny feel uneasy is the way the trash fell out of it's mouth. How just a few minutes ago it had been digging in the trash, not a care for what was around it. Only thinking about how it could fill it's belly.

So grotesque. So primal.

.... It was almost like looking in a mirror.

Danny shook the thought out of his head and tilted his head to the side. A smirk on his face when the bear started to inch towards him. Growling and hunched into itself.

"Oh! How scary! Maybe I'll start believing you're a threat when you actually show it!" Danny shouted out. Laughing when the ghost bear lunged at him.

"That's it! Come at me, big guy!"

With one final yowl, the bear came running after him. Danny staying at least three feet ahead of the ghost, glancing behind him just to make sure the animal was right behind him. Dodging and weaving between buildings but he didn't get far thanks to the bear nipping at his tail.

The bite throwing him off balance once more.

Danny landed on the ground with a shout. The shock of getting hurt making the teen take longer than he wanted to get back up. That or the lack of sleep.

He pushed himself up with his arms and went intangible just as the bear tried to take a bite out of his leg. Danny turned around and grumbled. Looking around, he noticed that he had been able to take the large creature to the docks.

Well at least he's far enough that people won't get hurt.

The growl and groans below him made the teen finally turn his attention back to the ghost before him only to automatically regret doing so.

Glowing green eyes widened. Gaze locked on the beast before him that was now three sizes bigger than before. It's red eyes still on him as drool frothed out of it's jaws. Oozing down jagged, bloody teeth.

".... That's new." He was only able to whisper out to himself before grunting when a clawed paw swipped at him. Sharp claws nipping at his side. The sudden attack throwing him off balance once more as he went tumbling down to the ground.

Danny shook off the initial shock and glared at the ghost before him. Ignoring the ache at his side, he rested his hands on his hips and tsked. "Now that wasn't very nice!"

"I'll say."

Danny tensed and jerked around just as a knife was thrown in his direction. The half ghost just barely able to dodge the weapon before glaring up at Noctis.

"I thought you were gone!"

"Aw you hurt me, my darling. I was just away for a few days. I have a very busy schedule after all!" Noctis teased, playing with the other knife in his hand as he hovered above Danny on his board.

Danny let out an irritated growl and glanced over at the ghost bear. Or at least he would have been looking at it if it was still there!

"What? Where did it go!"

"Oh, my knife kind of lodged itself into it's paw when you dodged my attack. Sorry!" Noctis laughed out.

"Do you think this is a game?" Danny shouted out before following the small puddles of ectoplasm that lined the dock grounds.

"Kind of? But I think your asking the wrong question here."

"What the hell are you-?" Danny couldn't even finish what he was asking when he was suddenly bound by strong ropes. He fell to ground with a grunt, eyes squeezed shut from the sudden impact. Danny cursed himself for letting his guard down as he squirmed in his binds, the cursing only getting stronger when he was unable to break free.

A closer look at the ropes made Danny realize that it was made out of the same material as Fenton fishing rod. Except this one was thick and it seemed to grow even tighter with every move he made.

Why did that not make him feel any better?

Danny flinched when a gloved hand craddled his face. Each finger digging into his cold flesh. The hunter before him looking down at him. Tilting his head from one side to the other, appearing more like a predator eyeing up his prey. Trying to figure out what would be the best place to sink his teeth in.

"Hey Phantom, wanna know something? Out of all the ghosts I've caught so far, I seem to struggle to capture you, which is honestly pretty sad. You look so divine when you're tied down."

Danny gasped when Noctis placed the knife in his other hand to his face. The blade gently pressing against his skin as it was dragged from his his face, down his throat and collar and right to the center of his chest.

"Although, I really don't want anyone else seeing you like this. Just the thought alone makes me jealous. And a little angry."

The tip of the knife grazed over his stomach.

Green eyes wide and his chest begain moving up and down erratically. Bound hands frantically trying to break free as the ghost teen did everything he could to not get cut.

The plastic of the visor pressed against the side of his face as Noctis let out a long sigh.

"You really are a vision, Phantom. But tonight you're not my prey."

And then the ropes were cut.

Danny was quick to yank the ropes off and pushed himself as far from the other man as possible.

A loud yowl made the ghost boy jerk his head to the side just as Noctis pushed himself off of the ground. Dusting his knees off from any derby and stepping onto his long abandoned board. He tucked the knife he had been wielding into a holster at his side and replaced it with a familiar rod.

"Let's see who gets to win tonights game!"

"The hell are you-? Hey! Come back here!" Danny shouted after the other as Noctis finally left him. Danny stood up on shaky legs and dusted himself off with a huff. Grumbling under his breath as he took a few steps forward only to pause. He looked down at the abandoned rope on the ground and then in the direction Noctis had fled to.

A few more seconds passed him by. Debating on whether or not he should chase after the ghost hunter or retreat. Danny rubbed at his arms, the pressure from the ropes still lingering on his chilled skin.

He could leave. Just take the ropes and head straight to Vlad so that he and Dan can see if they can figure out who make it. Do exactly as Dan said and avoid that rotten ghost hunter as much as possible! Just ignore the cries of that wretched bear. Why should it matter to him if it gets hurt? It was bound to cause trouble in town anyway!

The pained mewl of the ghost made Danny shiver. His insides coiling the longer he stayed in place.

He... He can't ignore it. Sure it's a ghost but it was once alive. It has thoughts. It has emotions. It deserves to be sent back into the ghost zone where it'll be safe. Far away from Noctis and who ever contracted him.

He grabbed the rope on the ground with a shiver. Winding it as tight as he could before shoving it deep into one of the pouches on his utility belt before chasing after Noctis. Thankfully it didn't take him long since the bear that he had been chasing was making quit a ruckus.

At the turn of a corner is where he saw the two. Although the sight did little to ease his nerves. If anything, it only made it worse.

The poor creature had one of it's hind legs almost blown completely off and the knife was still lodged into it's front paw. To make all the more worse, Noctis had been able to capture it in the same net he had used on him and Cujo.

Grumbling under his breath, Danny pushed himself forward and swung his fist at the back of Noctis head. Cheap? Yes but it was necessary. But instead of his fist landing against the back of the helmet, his arm was grabbed and yanked forward. The force making him stumble right into Noctis chest.

"I was wondering how long it'll take before you tried a dirty trick." Noctis cooed down at him, his hold on Danny's arm going tight as he looked down at him.

"Let us go!"

"Us? When did you start correlating yourself to beast like this?" Noctis asked, emphasizing his point by sending a shock down to the bear in the net. The large beast crying out in pain.

"Stop that!" Danny yelled out as he tried his best to send an ecto blast at the hand holding the rod that connected to the net. The blast only grazed Noctis knuckles as the other yanked his hand down. The struggling as Danny tried to not only free himself but also grab the hand that held the net.

"Hand it over!" Danny gritted out just as he broke free from the taller mans hold. Both hands now wrapped around the rod. Yanking and tugging as hard as he could. His eyes glowing bright green from the fear and anger he felt at the moment.

The constant back and forth making the two wobble on Noctis board. It didn't help that the bear below was also trying to break free.

Danny shifted his feet on the board and gave a hard tug but Noctis just wouldn't budge. His teeth on full display to the ghost hunter as he kept trying to free the bear.

"God you're absolutely gorgeous when you're angry."

That made Danny waver. His face feeling warm and his grip on the other end of the net going slack.

"What the fuck."

Noctis kicked the flustered teen ghost hard enough on the chest to make the boy wince and let go of the net. The metal rod falling down between them as Danny gasped for air and Noctis quickly apologized.

"You fucking kicked me!"

"Yeah but it wasn't hard!"

"Are you dumb? You're three times my size!" Danny scolded before doubling over with a whine.

Noctis rubbed at his face with a groan. The gloved hand dragging down his helmet to his shoulder before tensing up at the sound of the bear growling.

Both men jumping back as the bear charged at them. Noctis being the one who was further from the large ghost and Danny, well, he wasn't so lucky. And that was all thanks to the fact that the net that was currently dragging behind the ghost tangled around his calf. Danny couldn't even shout as he was tugged along with the ghost, his back crashing against the floor and arms flailing as he desperately tried to free himself.

"Shit!"

The piece of the net that was wrapped around Danny's leg gave out with a loud snap. The lose of the thing holding him behind the ghost causing the teen to be flung into a brick wall. The only thing cushioning his fall being a mix of cardboard and wooden crates.

Danny winced and groaned as his body ached. The edges of each box digging into him and his leg aching from having been yanked around behind a bear like a rag doll. Everything just hurt. His chest, his arms, his face. Just, everything.

"Tonight is just not my night." Danny grumbled out. He leaned his head back into one of the boxes with a grunt. Green eyes looking up at the stars above. Each one twinkling down at him. The crashing waves of the body of water near by almost lulling him to sleep if it wasn't for Noctis shouts and the bears screams. Each loud noise making something in him ache.

Danny spat out the drool that was mixed with green ectoplasm. Green oozing from his nose and gashed cheek. His legs trembling under him as he pushed himself up from the rubble. Every fiber in his body screaming at him to stop. To rest but that's not an option. Not right now.

He looked around, slowly inching out of his hiding spot. Glowing green eyes looking for even the smallest hint of the ghost hunters presence.

It was only after a few more minutes of waiting and Noctis being a no show that Danny pushed himself out of hiding. Floating up and holding the giant gash on his side. Ectoplasm dripping from between his fingers as he looked around for any signs that the hunter or ghost were possibly hiding.

But he only got nothing. No noise. No shouts. Nothing at all.

Danny sucked at his cheek and spat to the ground.

"Fucking bitch."

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Two small ghosts and three jars full of pure ectoplasm later, Danny snuck his way upstairs and up to his room. Sleepy and overall exhausted. Belly flopping onto his bed with a wheeze and whimper. His hand pressing firm against his side, hissing when he drew his hand back and saw blood staining his fingertips.

Danny pushed himself up and ripped his blood stained binder off and threw it onto the ground. He looked down at the laceration along his ribs. The injury already bruised and slowly starting to close. Yet the wound was still wide and continued to bleed out even after he's cleaned and treated it.

He growled and reached out to his dresser. Yanking one of the drawers open and rummaging around. Flinging bandages and sticky notes out until he got a hold on what he was looking for.

A small worn out box that held some liquid stitches that he bought at the pharmacy near the nasty burger. It was the last one so he had been quick to grab and pay for it. That along with some laceration closures. Which is something else he'll have to use.

Danny sat back down and took a deep breath. Looking over everything that was laid out before him one more time.

"Alright... You've done this before... Quick and easy!" Danny hyped himself up and then went to work.

Danny cleaned the wound with a bit of antiseptic spray, flinching the whole time as his skin began to burn. Once it was dry, he grabbed the laceration closures and put them in place. Yanking at the strips until his wound was semi close and then applying the liquid stitches over the last bit of skin that was still exposed.

With wound now patched up, Danny grabbed the largest shirt he could find, slipped it on and carefully laid down. All his weight evenly placed on his back, sniffling the whole time. He wiped the few tears that gathered in his eyes and glanced over at the clock near his bed.

Three forty-six. He only has a few more hours left before he heads off to school.

Danny rubbed at his eyes once more before pulling his blanket over his head and willing himself to sleep. Mind muddled from how tired he was and from the new fear his new opponent had stricken him with.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Tired blue eyes lazily blinked as he looked at the white board. The writing on said board going blurry so often that he had to rub at his eyes just to see what the hell he was meant to write.

Danny looked down at his notes and internally groaned.

He wrote the same line four times!

Danny pushed his face off of his open palm and erased the three repeating lines. Replacing them with the correct notes and even double checking his notes to what is written on the board just to be one hundred percent certain that he got everything right.

Danny rubbed at his eyes and took a massive gulp out of the coffee that was seated on the corner of his table. The caffine only doing so much for the half asleep ghost teen, the cup now placed back on the corner of the table and returning his focus back to his notes. Slowly but still writing what he saw down on his notebook.

His mind a buzz thanks to the coffee but that didn't help with his perception of time. The clock going far too slow for his taste. Class should have ended fifteen minutes ago yet he's still here!

He looked over his notes one more time and then started to mindlessly look around. Grazing over at the few popular kids in his class that had taken the seats at the very back. Some were talking while others ate some snacks, sharing and swapping between each other without a care. There was a girl sitting behind Dash applying a thin layer of violet nail polish, blowing at her nails between each layer. Her feet resting on the back of Dash's chair as she gossiped with the girl next to her over some petty drama that everyone is more then likely to forget after two months.

Dash was writing down notes but was also talking with Kwan and Valerie every once in a while. Blue ink pen tapping against his paper, talking between each little pause before handing his notes over to Kwan. The other jock making a show of just how grateful he was over the notes. An exaggerated bow and mocking praise coming from the other male. Kwan only stopped after Dash punched his arm.

Danny continued to watch the three interaction and only took notice of the fact that he had been staring at Dash far longer then what was socially acceptable to the point that he saw all the little differences in the blond. The longer blond hair that was slicked back with a mix of hair gel and hair spray that was just barely holding everything in place showed where he had ran a fine toothed comb through it that morning. The once subtle bags under his eyes now so noticeable that it made Danny's own bags look like it was created with make-up. His brow, left cheek and chin held faded scars that Danny never once noticed before. Bandages littered his neck and hands along with a few on his cheek.

Dash was also shifting most of his weight onto his right side, his left hand hovering over his stomach like a shield.

Danny tilted his head into his hand. Scanning the blond over as their teacher continued to talk. Blinking every so slowly while tapping his pencil against his cheek.

"He has so many cuts... Did he get in a fight?" Danny mumbled to himself just as the bell rang.

Dash closed his notebook and turned to put his stuff away only to pause and looked up. The confused look on his face shifting into a glare when he caught Danny looking at him.

The half ghost teen jumped turned away from the blond. Instead rushing to write the last of his notes before slamming his journal close.

"-and remember that this weekend is the over night trip to the new Aquarium the next town over. Make sure to pack light and to get here at seven in the morning!"

Danny groaned but kept packing his stuff into his bag. Zoning out the rest of Misses Parish talking as he started to spiral.

The overnight trip was something he and Sam were so excited about. They already knew Tucker wouldn't be able to make it but Sam had been certain that she would be there. Hell, she was the most excited about it. That was until her parents surprised her by announcing that the family was expected to go to some stuffy event.

When Sam tried to stand her ground, they shot her back down.

Talking about how family's important and it'll be good for her to start making strong connections so it's easier for her once she's on her own. And when Sam argued that she didn't want any connections and that she sees them every day, they threatened to send her to some all girls boarding school. Uniforms, strict dress code and all that shit.

Now that was enough to make Sam cave in.

When Sam told him that she wouldn't be able to come, he just shrugged it off. Consoling the goth girl that it was perfectly fine and that he'll be alright.

Safe to say that she believed him.

He slung his backpack over his unscathed shoulder and slowly walked out of the classroom. His weight placed on his left leg as he made his way through the crowded halls. Cursing himself and that bear since he'll have to make his way upstairs without straining himself.

He covered his mouth to muffle out the yawn that came out of him. His eyes still a little droopy from the lack of sleep. Every step he took slow and sluggish compared to the students who walked by or past him. A few would give him a glare while others glance at him with pity.

Honestly it all didn't matter to him.

Danny looked down at his watch and groaned. Ten o'five. He still has so many hour's left before the day ends.

He rubbed at his eyes but yelped when he was shoved to the side out of no where. The raven haired teen was quick to grab onto the stairs railing and jerkef his head up. Deep blue eyes met his own frosty blue, glaring down at him as Dash adjusted his backpack with a huff.

"Watch where you're going, Fenton." Dash hissed out before continuing to walk up stairs.

Danny was still holding himself up by the railing. Blinking owlishly as he tried to grasp at what had just happened.

He was just walking up the stairs, minding his own business when Dash shoved him out of the way. But he was at the far left side of the stairway. There was plenty of room for Dash to walk along with him. So much room that Danny's certain that he could have spread his arms and his finger tips still wouldn't touch Dash. So Dash did that on purpose all because he caught him staring.

"That no good fucking-!" Danny yanked his backpack close to himself and kept walking up the stairs as the first warning bell rang.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

"Danny? You alright, bud?" Tucker asked, poking the back of Danny's head. Said boy let out a groan but didn't raise his head. His arms laying limp at his sides as he whined with every little poke Tucker gave his head.

"Cut it out, Tucker. Can't you see the poor guy is tired." Sam scolded after swatting Tuckers hand. The other boy yelping and cradling his hand to chest while Sam tucked Danny's hair away from his face. Frowning when she took notice of the dark circles under his eyes.

"Come on Danny, wake up. It's already lunch time." Sam urged, shaking the others shoulder.

Danny grumbled in his sleep before finally opening his eyes. Tired blue blinking the sleep away before looking up at the two in front of him.

"... Sup."

Sam and Tucker shared a glance, with Tucker shaking his head and Sam letting out a sigh. Smiling but still worried about her constantly sleepy friend.

"Morning sleeping beauty. Rest well?"

Danny gave a grunt and shrug. Sitting up and stretching his arms over his head with a massive yawn. His teeth on full display while he scratched the back of his head.

"It was alright." Danny yawned out.

"Stayed up studying again?"

Danny flinched and gave an awkward little laugh. His arms falling to his sides as he looked around the empty classroom.

"Yup. Study study study!" Danny cheered out with an anxious laugh. The tired boy shoving everything into his backpack and standing up with a stretch. Yawning as he stepped away from his desk and made his way out of the classroom. Sam and Tucker right behind the limping teen. The two sharing a worried look as they watched Danny make his way to the cafeteria.

Danny looked down at the watch that was snug against his wrist and mentally scolded himself.

Three more hours until the last bell.

"Danny?"

"Hey Danny wait up!"

Danny stopped and turned around just in time to see Sam and Tucker stagger to a stop. The two panting as they kept looking at him.

"What?"

"Dude. You're like, hella hurt but your still strong enough to walk fast?"

"What? Guy's I'm fine!" Danny laughed out. He even forced himself to give a light hop, hiding the way his jaw tensed when the stinging pain shot up from his still messed up leg.

Sam tucked her hair into place and frowned at him. Her hip jutted to the side as she looked him over one more time. "You sure?"

"Yup! I just have a limp since I kind of bumped my knee against my desk this morning." Danny snickered out. When the two didn't look that convinced, Danny slung his arm around their necks and dragged them to the cafeteria.

"I mean it you two. Now come on before they take all the lasagna!" Danny said in the most enthusiastic tone he could muster.

Tucker and Sam laughed at his antics but still looked at each other. A nod from Sam was all Tucker needed to know to go through with his plan before they entered the busy cafeteria.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

"You know what? This is actually such a bad idea."

"Oh come on Sam! Just trust me this once!" Tucker urged as he dragged the goth teen down the crowded hallway. Sam threw her head back with a groan. Her feet dragging against the ground as she reluctantly followed after the other. Looking around at the surprisingly almost empty hallway.

"Oh believe me when I say that I trust you, I just don't trust your judgement."

"What makes you say that?"

"Do you remember how back when we were in the eighth grade, you thought it would be a smart investment to make homemade sweets for Valentine's day and sell them for triple the price to kids at our school only to be the cause for mass food poisoning that year? Or should I remind you of that failed babysitting scam you did back freshmen year that landed with us and almost everyone in class having a failing grade? Or how about-?"

"Alright I get it! I'm lousy when it comes to thinking long term but this is different! We need someone to be there for Danny!"

"Yeah and Kwan and Valerie are such great options. Hello! Did you forget that Valerie broke up with Danny not that long ago? I don't think Danny will appreciate the thought of us begging Valerie to keep an eye on him during the trip. And Kwan.... Ugh where do I even start?"

"Hey... He's gotten better!" Tucker whispered only to have Sam click her tongue and look to the side.

"Just because you two geek out in that programming class you have together doesn't mean he's a better choice! By that logic, we should just ask Dash to take care of Danny for us!"

Tucker grumbled under his breath but was quick to perk up when he saw who he was looking for.

"Kwan!"

Said boy closed his locker and turn to the two with a confused smile. Sea foam green eyes jumping between the two as they neared him.

"Yo, what's up Foley! And ah.... Manson?"

"Yeah. Hey Kwan, we got a big favor to ask of you."

"And what exactly is that favor?" Kwan asked with caution. The teen looking around for the third of their group only to see no Danny in sight. For a moment he thought the boy was probably in the restroom but when he didn't see Sam nor Tucker holding Danny's stuff, he knew the other was a no show.

Sam sucked at her teeth and bounced on the tip of her shoes. Yanking the straps of her bag forward as she looked over at Tucker. Her hesitance so odd that it made Kwan feel a little uneasy. The feeling only got worse when Tucker let out a groan and adjusted his glasses. The tech geek being the one to lead the conversation was not something he did not anticipate today.

"It's about Danny and the weekend trip."

Well that's something.

Kwan tilted his head to the side and leaned into his locker. His arms crossed over his chest and sport bag hanging from one shoulder. The jock hoping that he appeared way more relaxed than how he actually felt.

"What about it?"

"Could you maybe, possibly, keep a close eye on Danny?" Sam begged.

"Keep an eye on him? Don't you guys usually stick close to him?" Kwan asked as he pointed between the two.

"Sam has some family event going on and it's my grandma's birthday."

"Ah so that explains why you guys aren't on the list." Kwan replied with a nod, his head now gently pressed onto the cool metal of the locker next to him.

"List? What list?" Sam quickly asked as she took a step forward. Her worry now even more intense as she and Tucker waited for Kwan to respond.

"The list with each group that'll be sharing a hotel room? We're kinda split up into groups of four per room and I was wondering why Foley's name wasn't next to Danny's. Even Star was wondering about you, Manson."

Tucker and Sam shared an anxious look. Tucker looked between Kwan and Sam before taking a deep breath and taking a small step forward.

"I hate to ask this but who is Danny staying with?"

Chapter 8

Notes:

Welp I broke lucky number 7 xD

Anyways, sorry this took so long. Was kind of in a slump and it's all thanks to Percico that I'm finally out of it. Here's hoping that I can post two chapters this month! For now, have an extra long chapter.

Danny wants to die again. But like seriously die because he doesn't know what he'll do if he just turns into a full on ghost. That would just be an eternal nightmare that he's already been living for the past two years.

Because at least death would be better than standing in line between Wes and Dash. Two out of his three roommates for the weekend. Dash was busy on his phone, typing away at it with little care for what's happening around him. Wes on the other hand...

Danny glanced over at the boy next to him. Said boy was busy looking over a camera that was hanging from around his neck. Checking to see if it had any film and even pointing it around before pointing it down at Danny. The lens zoomed in and out while Wes continued to look down at him from the other side of the camera.

Danny curled into himself while leaning into Dash, frown firmly set on his face. His hands tugged at the strap to his backpack, nails scratching at the material to sooth himself. The nerves under his skin buzzing the longer Wes kept the camera pointed at him. "Can you cut that out?"

"I'm not doing anything wrong."

"Well you're making me uncomfortable!" Danny scolded between gritted teeth. Inching closer to the blond that only spared a glance at him before going back to his phone. The taller teen taking a few steps to the side but still staying relatively close to Danny.

The red head lowered the camera with a roll of his eyes and pointed it to the opposite direction. All the while Dash took another step away from Danny, phone now pressed to his ear. Soft whispers spoken into the small receiver while Dash hunched into himself. Voice so soft that even with Danny standing so close to him he just couldn't make out a word he said.

The soft murmurs from Dash and the occasional click of the camera going off made Danny's ever mounting irritation to grow.

Danny rubbed at his face with a groan. hunching deeper into himself, frown becoming more pronounced the longer he stood between the two jocks. Arms crossed over his chest with his finger tapping at his upper arm. Silently cursing principal Ishiyama in his head for thinking it was a good idea to place him with his ex bully and current pain in the-!

"Yo Fenton! Are you excited for this weekend?" Kwan asked as he wrapped his arms around his shoulders from behind and leaned into him. The smaller teen yelping and struggling not to buckle under the weight of the bigger boy.

"Careful Kwan, you'll squash the string bean." Dash grunted out before excusing himself and walking away from the group. His phone now placed to his ear as he talked into it. Danny glared at the retreating blond before turning his attention to the burly teen that was currently draped over him like a blanket.

"Kwan! You're gonna knock me over!" Danny grunted out once he got his footing.

Kwan pulled away from Danny, nervously laughing and apologizing to the smaller teen. Dusting Danny off from any lingering debris that he may have covered Danny in.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to get carried away." Kwan said with a laugh. Danny responded with a hum, fixing his jacket and pushing his cap back in place.

"I get it. I'm pretty excited too."

"Really?"

"Yup." Danny shrugged with a yawn. His hands tucked away in his pockets just as Kwan was called over by Lancer to help out with the luggage.

"I should probably go."

"Yeah go do that before Lancer makes you write a ten page essay. With size ten font and no double space between eight sentence paragraphs."

The two shivered at the thought and shared a small laugh between them. Kwan bid Danny a quick goodbye before running off to help Lancer and the other adults.

"When did you and Dash's yes man get close?"

"He's not Dash's yes man." Danny was quick to defend after turning and sending Wes a poignant glare. The red head rolled his eyes and gave a shrug. His camera was held in his right hand while the other was shoved into the pocket of his pants.

"Whatever. My question still stands."

Danny grumbled under his breath, glancing over at where Kwan was currently passing one backpack after another to one of the parents that was coming along with them. Kwan just so happened to glance up and caught Danny staring. He smiled before giving a quick wave in his direction which Danny responded to with a wave of his own.

"We kind of just started talking this week." Danny admitted with a shrug, kicking the ground while trying his best to not show how anxious the other man was making him.

"How curious. You usually never give anyone besides Samantha and Tucker the privilege to talk to you."

"I talk to people! It's just that you are a prime example of the type of people I will actively avoid."

"And what type is that?"

"The nosy and unbearable type!" Danny hissed out with a stomp of his foot which grabbed the attention of everyone around them. Danny curled into himself, his ears burning as shame knotted his stomach. Wes on the other hand looked absolutely bored. Picking at his nails and then toying with the camera hanging from his neck with a yawn.

"Nosy and unbearable. How cute."

Danny growled and was about to walk off only to have Wes follow after him.

"Are you seriously just gonna follow me?"

"Pretty much."

"....I seriously hate you."

"The feeling is mutual. But hey, this could all end if you just turn into Phantom!"

"I already told you, I'm not Phantom! What makes you think I'm him anyway?" Danny asked through gritted teeth. His hold on the straps of his bag grew tighter the longer he stood near Wes.

"I saw you turn during the football game last year! I saw those weird rings of light come from your middle and move over your body! I saw when you phased your hand through your locker door when it got jammed! I saw you literally dig your hand into your stomach to pull out a pen while in English!" Wes said, his voice breaking and growing more frantic the longer he spoke.

Danny took a step back from the taller boy and rolled his eyes. Blowing at a few lose strands of hair away from his face as ge picked at the hang nail on his middle finger.

What a nut job.

"You're crazy."

"I'm-!" Wes growled and rubbed at his face. His arms shaking as he kept rubbing at his face with a frustrated scream that was muffled by his hands. "I'm not crazy! You and everyone else may think I'm crazy but I'm not! I'm not crazy! And I'll prove it one day!"

"Sure you will. And I wonder how much everyone will believe you when you try to show your supposed poof. I'm so sure the school newspaper will take what you say at face value." Danny shot back. He was already growing tired of the other teen. Danny looked at the watch around his wrist with a frown. Looks like they still have fifteen minutes left.

Wes sucked his at teeth and looked Danny up and down.

".... I'm keeping my eye on you Danny Fenton and I'll prove that you're Phantom one way or another. After all, we're stuck together for the next thirty-three hours."

Danny tensed and leaned back, looking around and over Wes. Oh... That's right. This... This isn't good. Nope, not good at all! Sure the chances that he'll have to go ghost are slim but it isn't a definitive no. Not to mention Danny is stuck with Wes for the bus ride to the next town over and then he'll have to share a room with him too! Privacy is as good as gone the second they step foot into that room. Meaning that Wes could go through his stuff or do everything in his power to make Danny change into Phantom. He needs an out. Some sort of buffer that will help him keep Wes at bay even if it's for a moment. Anything is better than spending more time with this lunatic. Anxious blue eyes finally landed on Kwan who was just about finish packing all the bags in the lower part of the bus.

"Kwan! Can I sit with you!" Danny yelled out as he stepped away from Wes and ran up to the other boy.

Kwan turned to look at Danny. Tilting his head to the side as he watched the boy look around and inch closer to him. Clutching his bag close to his body until he stood right in front of the football player.

Kwan handed the last bag to one of the chaperones, wiping his hands clean and walked up to Danny.

"I thought we agreed to me sitting with Dash and that you would sit with Wes?"

"Well, yeah but I kind of want to sit with you! Get to know one of my roommates better!" Danny laughed out, tapping his black nails against the fabric of his backpack. Blue eyes looking back at the red headed teen who was now busy talking to one of his team mates that was also joining them for the trip.

Kwan followed his gaze to the red headed teen before looking back down at Danny. Watching the way the scrawny boy anxiously nipped at his lip. His fingers toying with the strap of his bag as he shifted from one side to the other. His frame trembling the longer they stood outside. The raven haired boy looking as though he's a minute away from passing out due to nerves.

Kwan ran his fingers through his hair and glanced over at Dash. Watching the way the blond talked animately into his phone before hanging up. His once tense frame finally relaxing as he tucked his phone into his pocket for the first time since they've got here.

Kwan looked between Danny, Dash and then Wes. Sam and Tuckers plea of keeping Danny safe ringing in his mind.

Keep him safe and out of trouble.

If he were to make Danny sit with Dash, the two would start fighting and be left behind. But if he left Danny with Wes....

"Alright. I'll sit with you."

"Oh thank god." Danny wheezed out just as the last bag was tucked away into the bus.

"Alright everyone! Single file line!" Mister Lancer called out to the talkative teens.

Everyone slowly went ahead and got in a some what orderly line in front of Lancer.

Kwan and Danny quickly made their way over to Dash and Wes just as everyone was being guided into their respective bus. Danny clung to the back of Kwan's jacket as they made their way inside the bus. Students already seated and talking to the person next to them. When Dash and Wes were about to sit down on opposite seats, Kwan was quick to grab Danny and drag him down into one of the empty seats that were three spots away from the other two.

"Kwan?"

"Sorry man. I'mma sit with Danny if that's alright with you." Kwan laughed out as Danny yanked his backpack onto his lap and relaxed into the seat.

Dash looked between the two, his brows furrowed. It looked like the blond was about to argue only for Mister Lancer to step foot into the bus. "Weston! Baxter! What are you doing?"

"Mister Lancer, we-!"

"Now normally I would be willing to turn a blind eye to whatever it is that you two do but you two already know we have everyone seated in pairs. Weston, sit with Baxter."

Wes and Dash glared at each other as Wes sat next to the blond. The red head making sure to sit near the edge of the seat as Lancer walked through the aisle with clipboard in hand. Looking over every student he passed while checking them off on the board, nodding as he went down the row of seats.

With students all accounted for, Lancer walked back to the front and sat down on the seat behind the driver. Talking to the driver as they waited for the bus behind and in front of them to fill with students.

Danny glanced over at Dash and Wes, sighing when the two got distracted with each other instead of turning to them. Danny sank back down into the seat, opened his backpack and started to dig through everything that was inside. The teen jerking forward along with everyone else as the bus started to move.

The bus ride was cramped and loud with Danny's only saving grace being the cd player that he just pulled out that was currently in his lap that was playing one of the disks Sam lent him and Kwan being kind enough to let him lean against him. His head on the others upperarm while he watched the buildings pass them by. His bag now tucked at his feet and his jacket keeping him warm by the jocks side.

The chatter of the students around them filled the air and the rocking of the bus made the already sleepy ghost boy almost fall asleep. Last nights patrol seemed to not help him either.

Vlad had decided to patrol the town with him last night to let Dan have the night off. The older man said it was to help his evil version to 'feel like a regular teen' but Danny knew the real reason was so Vlad could spend a little more time with him.

Every since dark Danny had been placed under the surveillance of Vlad, Danny had been popping in to check on the two, consequently making Danny having to be around his previous tormentor a lot more than he would have liked to admit. And as much as Danny hated to say it, he had grown quite close to his evil version and even Vlad himself; although he would never verbally admit that to the pair. Danny also hated how much he's grown to depend on the two and last night seemed to only solidify the notion.

While on patrol with Vlad, Noctis had appeared. He doesn't know whether it was because of Desiree or due to himself and Vlad but the ghost hunter made quick work on trying to capture them.

Desiree didn't even wait for a warning before she made her escape. Noctis had been close to capturing her had Danny not shot the gun out of his hands. Although he would quickly regret it when Noctis made a pass at him, all the while flirting.

Danny coiled into himself as his chest tightened and stomach twisted. By all that was divine, he doesn't know how he didn't end up turning the ghost hunter into a popsicle at that moment. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Noctis had been swiping at him with a knife as he spoke. Each word making the half ghost even more flustered as he unabashedly flirted with him, the knife nipping him with every little fuck up.

Danny shivered and rubbed at his patched up arm, the sleeves of his jacket covering up the bandages.

Had Vlad not been there, Danny would have been caught and ancients know what would have happened...

Danny nuzzled into Kwan's side with a frown. Black nails lightly scratching at the cd players plastic. The disc inside jumping to the next track. The sound of drums and vocals blending together so seamlessly as he grabbed one of his earphones and yanked it out.

"I really don't wanna be with Wes... Can't we just stick to pairs?" Danny yawned out. Blinking every so lazily as he watched as the buildings slowly turned into trees. Each one leaning into them, almost as if the woods itself didn't want to let them go. The wind made the glass of the windows rattle the further they got from Amity Park.

"As fun as that sounds, I don't think Wes will survive the day with Dash. Hell, it looks like they're a few seconds away from killing each other."

Danny reluctantly pushed himself from his slouched position and peaked over the bus seats and down to where the two other jocks sat. Sure enough, Wes and Dash were quietly arguing. The blonds hands resting on the seat ahead of them, nails digging into the fabric of the seat as he looked three seconds away from knocking Wes out. Wes on the other hand was trying his best to scoot away from the seething blond. His head turning from looking at Dash to where Mister Lancer sat.

They look absolutely miserable.

Danny let out a snort and slouched back down into the seat. Knees hiked up to rest on the back of the seat in front of him, his cd player now tuck snug against his midriff while his head plopped back on Kwan's arm.

"I guess you're right. Still, it would have been nice to get to know you better."

"What about Dash?"

Danny blinked before pushing himself from Kwans arm and blankly looking at the taller male. Kwan raised his hands and gave an anxious laugh. "I kid! I kid!"

Danny grumbled but leaned back against the jock and placed his focus back on watching everything pass them by. The trees blending into each other as they continued to drive on. The clouds above slowly crossing the sky with every light gust of wind. There were even a few birds that flew by before perching themselves into one of the many trees. Besides a few cargo trucks and a couple of cars with people driving to work, the roads were relatively barren. He supposed that wad one of the many perks of leaving so early.

Danny let out a yawn and blinked. Well, now that he wasn't stressing about arriving to school on time or having to fear that Wes would do something to him while on the bus, he was just now noticing just how tired he truly was. Last nights patrol doing absolutely no favor to his current state as he listen to the music blaring into his ears. The words to the song blending into the instrumentals as time seemed to slow down to him. He had just closed his eyes for a second when he suddenly felt a tapping on his thigh.

"Hey Danny, we're here."

"Huh?" Danny slowly blinked his eyes open and looked up at Kwan then outside. Sure enough, the bus was parked outside of the hotel they were to spend the night at. The bus ahead of them already had the students and teachers standing outside, everyone having grabbed their bags and now waiting in small groups.

Baby blue eyes rapidly blinked. He rubbed at his eyes and jerked himself to sit up. The bus was almost empty with only a few other students slowly waking up and making their way out of the bus. Staggering with a yawn as they shook the sleepiness away with every stretch.

"Huh? Wait, I just closed my eyes a second ago!" Danny garbled out between a yawn, fist rubbing furiously at his left eye.

"Dude, you've been asleep for three hours." Kwan laughed out ad he patted his back and made his way out of the bus. Danny stared after the jocks retreating form. His words heavy on his mind.

Danny looked down at the ground and pushed his messy bangs out of his face.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

Danny heaved out a sigh and yanked his earphones out before shoving them along with the CD player into his backpack as he made his way out of the bus.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

When he saw that he'd be stuck with Kwan, Dash and Wes during the trip, Danny thought it would only mean be close to them. Sure there was also the matter of sleeping in the same room as the other three but he didn't expect this.

Danny stood awkwardly against the wall, his eyes jumping to the three beds in the room. Two singles and a double.

"I'm taking the couch." Danny grimaced as he walked past the three boys and dumped his stuff at the foot of the couch.

"Fine by me." Dash mumbled out without looking up. Wes responded with a shrug of his own while Kwan stared at Danny with a frown.

"Are you sure you want to sleep there? I could share my bed."

"No thanks." Danny quickly shot down as he sat down on the couch before bouncing on it. Patting the cushion under him. His jacket long since removed and now laying next to him. Danny looked up at Kwan and gave him the brightest smile he could muster at that moment. "Besides, I kind of move in my sleep. Don't know what I'd do if I clung to you in the middle of the night."

"I wouldn't mind." Kwan reassured the half ghost teen but Danny just waved him off as he kept checking out the couch. His hands already brushing the sides as he felt around for the handle.

"Well, I do. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Haha found it!" Danny cheered as he pulled the handle, the bottom half of the couch lifting up while the back leaned back. Danny yanked the throw pillow on the couch close to him and helf ut in front of him with a smile. "See? It even come with a pillow! I'll be alright so no need to worry."

"You heard the geek, he'll be fine. Now stop mother henning him and come on. I'm not dealing with Lancer yelling at us for running late." Dash said as he slipped his leatherman on and punched Kwans arm as he made his way out of the room.

"Alright. We'll be in the hall wait for you guys."

"'Kay."

"Later." Wes grunter out just as the door to the room shut behind Kwan. The two boys looked at each other and then back down at what they were doing. In Danny's case, just putting the pillow back in it's place and fixing the recliner to how it was before. Wes was just digging around his own bag, swapping out his cameras film cartridge with a new one before testing to see if it worked. He turned the camera to Danny and snapped a few picture which made the ghost teen yelp.

"Dude I said cut it out!"

"And I said I'd keep an eye on you!"

Danny growled and was about to chuck his pillow at Wes but decided that the red head wasn't even worth a single bit of his strength.

"Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?"

"Plenty of times but that'll change once I have proof!" Wes said with glee after he was certain that the camera around his neck was in perfect condition. Danny rolled his eyes and wiggled on the couch below him with a sigh. Oh how he wished he could at least take a nap. To just let his body finally relax after waking up so damn early and then having to be around some of the loudest people in the school. Danny leaned back into the couch with a deep sigh and eyes close.

He does not have enough energy in his social battery for today.

"How did you die?" Wes randomly asked once he had placed his bag out of sight.

"I'm not dead."

"Or did you half die?" Wes ignored what Danny said, his finger tapping his cheek as he hummed in thought.

Danny huffed and turned to shove his face into the throw pillow on the couch. The fabric surprisingly soft under his skin. "I feel half dead with your constant prodding."

"It's not prodding. Just.... Deeper investigation to better understand you." Wes said with a shrug. Danny furrowed his brows but still didn't lift his head from the comfort of the pillow. The hell is it made of to be this comfortable? One hundred percent cotton? Can't be silk or satin since people are prone to theft. By the ancients he'll figure it out before they leave tomorrow even if it kills him again!

"Doesn't matter how many fancy words you use to describe it, it still counts as prodding. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to rest for the last ten minutes we have before we're rushed out to the aquarium." Danny grumbled out as he nuzzled his face into the pillow with a content little sigh.

"Just one more question." A groan was the answer Wes got. The red head rolled his eyes and walked over to his own jacket that was abandoned on the table next to Danny.

"Quit being melodramatic. I just wanted to ask if all ghost linger here with the living due to unfinished business or for some other reason."

"What makes you think I would know the answer to that?" Danny said from behind the pillow that was still pressed against his face. Ignoring the way his chest tightened as he heard the basketball player walk around the room because fuck him if he had seen him at his most vulnerable. Fuck him for being close to knowing the truth. Fuck him for trying to expose Danny even though he's done nothing to warrant the red heads ire.

Fuck Wesley 'Wes' Weston for being the one ghost he can't seem to get rid of.

Damn it! He should have been more careful when turning into Phantom during that game. If he wanted to get caught so badly, he should have just gone ghost in the middle of school during an assembly!

"Your parents are obsessed with ghosts? They ramble on and on about them whenever they get the chance? Hello?" Wes tsked as he slipped his jacket on.

Danny just gave the other a half hearted shrug.

"Oh come on! You're telling me that your parents never talked about how ghosts are made? Did they never wonder a loud if a strong emotion was what tied a soul to the earth? Wonder why certain buildings with a tragic history are statistically more likely to be haunted over any other location? Did they never wonder if a sudden death maybe the reason why someone would stay as they tried to figure out how to move on?"

Danny tightened his hold on the pillow. His eyes burn... His throat feels tight... Why can't he just shut up?

"Are you seriously going to ignore me? At least tell me if my theory on ghost existing with the living has to do with tragedy!"

"You know what? That's a great idea. I have a bottle of Advil in my bag. Let's overdose together and see if your little ghost theory is correct." Danny grumbled out as loud as he could since his face was still firmly pressed into the pillow under him.

Wes backed away from the teen. A disgusted frown on his face as he looked Danny over.

"What the fu-"

"Or would you like us to sit in the tub and slit our wrist open. Just watching all that blood pool into the tub until we die of blood lose. Oh! That would be a great way of making sure we actually turn into ghost. The anger. The frustration. The fear! Oh come on Wes! Let's go do that right now!" Danny cheered while pushing himself up and turning to look at the ginger haired teen with a manic smile. His disheveled hair and bags under his eyes making him look all the more deranged to the other teen.

Wes took a staggered step back. His hands held out in front of him as a way to defend himself as he slowly inched away from the raven haired teen.

"You're fucking crazy." Was all Wes said before rushing out of the hotel room, effectively leaving Danny alone.

The boy kept the smile on for a moment longer before dropping it with a slump. A pout now on his face as he pushed himself off of the couch and moved his bag under the table.

"... Well fuck you too, ya prick. I didn't want to make a suicide pact with you anyway."

Danny grabbed his jacket and yanked it back on after rubbing at his eyes. His stomach growled so he plopped onto the ground next to his bag and pulled out a bottle of pure ectoplasm from inside his bag along with a granola bar.

Danny sniffed and rubbed at his eyes when he still felt the familiar prick of tears gathering behind them. How pathetic. It's not like he knows so why should what that moron said affect him? He's Danny fucking Fenton! The ghost kid who fights and protects his town! The one people can depend on when danger comes! The one who will push himself past his limit even when all he wants to do is curl up inti a ball and sleep for all eternity...

The young man chewed away at the bar, sipping from his bottle from time to time as he blankly stared at the door out of the room. Even from where he sat he could hear the other three shuffle around. Talking between themselves before the door finally opened.

"You ready?"

Danny chugged the last bit of ectoplasm from his bottle before scarfing down the granola bar in three bites. His hand over his mouth as he chewed while shoving his trash into his backpack with a nod.

"Gotta-! Hold on!" Danny held up a finger, his other hand still over his mouth before gulping everything down with a gag. Maybe rushing his food wasn't that smart. Now his throat throbbed due to the granola bar scraping up his mouth and throat.

Kwan frowned and stepped into the room, "Danny?"

"I'm fine! Just need my shoes! Why don't you guy's go on ahead?" Danny coughed out with a strained smile. His fist hitting his chest as he tried to ease the throbbing pain the granola bar had just caused him.

"Kwan gave a slow nod as he made his way to close the door. "We'll wait for you at the elevator."

"Alright! Be there in a bit!" Danny coughed out before the door snapped shut.

Danny yanked out the thermos from his backpack and opened it without turning it on. Unscrewing it as he took gulp after massive gulp from the container.

"It's just a few hours, Fenton. Get a grip and man the fuck up." Danny gasped out after drinking. He wiped his mouth clean of any left over ectoplasm after shoving the thermos into the pocket inside his jacket. He fixed his hair and clipped his cap back over his messy hair, carelessly slipped his shoes back on and finally walked out of the room.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Stick to your groups, mister Lancer said. You'll get detention once we get back to school if you're caught away from your group he warned. Make sure to behave or else that's another day of detention! Rules over even more rules just to make sure everyone behaves.

Danny started to grind his teeth as he watched one of the chaperones hand a map to Dash before making their way over to another group. His arms crossed over his chest as he seethed. Danny took a deep breath in and tried his best to relax. Finger tapping away at his arm as he dragged his gaze away from the three jocks in front of him to other groups around them.

After everyone had checked into their rooms back at the hotel and dropped off their stuff, they all got back on the bus and were dropped off at the aquarium. Everyone was buzzing with excitement when they first saw the building. It was pretty big and there was already a crowd gathering outside as they all made their way inside. The building was curved in on it's self, covered in deep blue glass windows that appeared a lot more vibrant due to the eggshell colored walls that didn't have glass. There were large double doors in the front with stairs and a ramp leading up to said doors. The glass and sides of the door had a few paintings of fish curving around it with the name of the aquarium written out on the middle.

It was vibrant and over all pleasing to the eye. Danny supposed that was the point. Simple but eye catching enough to keep your attention.

"Looks like there's a lot of stuff to look at." Dash said as they all walked into the building with the rest of their classmates in two rows. Wes was standing in front of the blond and Kwan stood ahead of Danny. The three listening in as Dash mumbled out every exhibit that was inside the building. A few caught Danny's interest but without the map, he's not even sure where he'd find each one. Danny took a sip from the thermos and leaned in close to Kwan as they slowly entered the building.

The older boy looked down at him before looking back ahead. Ignoring the feeling of those cold hands on his arm along with the little weight Danny pressed against him. Too light for a teenager of Danny's age and height. Too frail. Too small.

No wonder Sam and Tucker asked him to keep a close eye on Danny.

"Holy shit." Danny gasped out once they entered and honestly, Kwan was thinking the same thing. If the building looked big from the outside, then the inside was insane. There was so much blue and many paintings of aquatic life along with a few pictures of the animals they had. There were stairs on both sides of the desk that was sitting near the center of the main entrance. The ground itself was colorful with the name of the aquarium printed out in a deep rich blue. The floor glossy and showing just how new it was. Up the stairs was a few hallways that lead deeper into the aquarium.

It was easy to tell why everyone was so excited to see it on opening day.

"Alright Casper high students! We'll allow you kids to wander around but we all expect to see you back here at four a clock. Not a single minute later. After that we'll explore the town, get dinner and head back to the hotel. You all can get food while inside but remember to please stay together." Miss Willows, one of the teachers that volunteered to come along with the students, said before allowing everyone to wander off. A few groups had an adult placed with them while others, such as Danny's group, were allowed to stay to themselves. Those groups of course had students that are more prone to trouble so Danny supposed he understood why they had additional surveillance.

"I guess we can head up to the top floor and make our way down." Dash mumbled before walking away from the three while looking down at tge map. Wes was the first to chase after the blond while Kwan and Danny lingered behind. The two mostly staying behind because of Danny's shock.

"There's more floors upstairs?" Danny gasped out. Kwan laughed and gave a shrug.

"I guess? Come on, let's catch up with those two before Lancer kills us." Kwan laughed out as he ran after the two other jocks. Danny slowly followed after. The thermos pulled out of the confines of his inner jacket pocket. He took a few sips out of the thermos before shoving it back into his pocket, hoping and taking two steps at a time as he followed after Kwan.

Blue eyes looking out through the window at his side as he walked up the stairs. If he hadn't been used to heights, the sight before him would have been nauseating. With every step he took, Danny could see even more of the city below. The cars that drove down busy highways and roads. The people that looked like nothing more then ants as they hurried along, walking to one destination to another. Many going in groups or as a family while others walked on their own. Some were even walking with their dogs while others rode their bikes along the bike path. The trees that lined the roads waving with every small gust of wind. Birds flew by and lined powerlines as well as buildings. Chirping and preening feathers as they gathered on small groups.

The town looking and feeling so different from Amity park. More calm. More natural. Alive in a way that was normal. Mundane but so imperfectly bittersweet.

Danny shook those thoughts away and kept walking. He forced himself to look around, shocked when he found a few murals of aquatic life along with a screen that showed a few of their animals.

"They have fossils? Is this an Aquarium or a museum?" Danny mumbled when he saw the few pieces of rocks that had seashells, leafs and even a few fish imprinted in them. What where they called again? fossiliferous limestone? He can't really remember.

"Fenton, hurry up!" Dash yelled from the top of the second set of stairs. Kwan and Wes already waiting at his sides. Wes was busy taking pictures from the outside while Kwan stood at Dash's right, his hands tucked away in his pocket. Gaze fixed on Danny as he swayed from one side to the next.

Danny glanced at the screen one more time before running back up the stairs. Hopping up one step then two until he reached the other three. Wes spared him a glance before looking back outside through his camera, clicking away as he took a few more pictures.

"Alright Dashie, how far are we from the top floor?" Kwan asked with a playful little smile. Danny perked up and turned to the two with a raised brow.

"Dashie?"

Dash bristled and glared at him before snapping his attention to Kwan and punching the laughing boy on the shoulder. Cursing him and calling him a piece of shit. "I told you to not call me that in public!"

Kwan could only snicker. His arms raised up as he tried in vain to block Dash from hitting him again. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry it's just that I couldn't help it! God, you should see your face!"

Dash growled and gave Kwan one more hard shove before turning his attention back to the map in his hands. Blue eyes looking over the layout with a small frown.

"Anyway, it looks like there's four more sets of stairs we have to take before we get to a bridge."

"Bridge? Why do we need to cross a bridge?" Danny couldn't help but ask as he yanked the thermos out and began to drink from it again. Shivering when the ectoplasm coated his mouth, feeling so heavy and thick as it went down his throat and into his stomach. The cold metal of the thermos grounding him as he kept looking up at Dash and Kwan.

Kwan leaned over Dash's shoulder and gave a small hum. "It seems like this building was built in front of a hill. Apparently they made the hill a little taller and started to fix it up so they can add a few mammals, birds and amphibians there."

"And the bridge is meant to connect the building with the hill so that the people can work their way down from there. Weird architecture planning if you ask me." Dash grunted out before folding the map up and shoving it in his pocket. He waved for everyone to follow him as he walked up the rest of the stairs.

Danny closed the thermos and tucked it away as he quickly followed after the blond with Kwan and Wes close behind. A few of their clasmates had caught up to them and had begun to talk with his own little group as they made their way up. Everyone seeming to think the same thing as Dash as they all made their way to the hill with all the animals. Each step up the stairs letting them see even more of the city down below.

By the time they reached the top of the stairs, everyone could see over the top of some of the buildings near by. To their left there was what Danny assumed to be the bridge that lead to the hill. It was wide with glass on both sides. The floor appeared to be made of the same material as the stairs with a few flicks of navy blue, aquamarine, eggshell white and purple colored the ground. The walls were a deep blue with oak railings that ran through the middle. If the sunlight coming in from the windows weren't bright enought before then the white florescent lights that lined the ceiling did a good job of showing every little detail of the bridge.

Simple but still pretty.

Danny was the first to step onto the bridge. His steps echoing down the long path as he walked. He heard some shuffling behind him before he felt a hand land on the back of his neck which made him jump. Danny turned and relaxed when he saw that it was just Kwan.

The taller male gave an apologetic smile just as Dash and Wes came into view. Both teens already arguing about what they should check out first as the groups behind them followed after. Wes recommended just scanning everything over and walking back inside while Dash said that would be useless. That they should actually check everything out instead of just idly walking around.

Their excessive arguing making the three minute walk feel much longer. And it seemed he wasn't the only one who felt that way if the way Kwan groaned and placed his weight on him was anything to go by.

"Can you two stop already? Why don't we just walk around for a bit and then we decide what we should check out." Kwan pleaded as their classmates walked on ahead. Dash and Wes glared at each other but reluctantly agreed, turning back around and finally stepping out of the bridge and onto the hill. Although, you wouldn't think it was a hill if you were to see it.

The space appeared small from where they stood but Danny could tell it went futher back. People were gathered near enclosures, talking and pointing at the animals inside. If Danny were to look up, he'd see the glass dome that covered the area resting over high rised wall that were painted blue.

"How much money did this place cost? Five floors, a sky bridge that leads to an artificial hill that has animals along with a glass and wired ceiling that covers the whole area? And is that netting up there?" Wes asked as he tilted his head to the side.

Danny squinted his eyes before giving a slow nod. "Looks like it. Man, if this is just one part of this place, imagine the rest of the aquarium!"

They all got quiet as they thought it over only to all look back down and begin to walk when they realized they were working themselves up. The four blending into the crowd around them. The only issue being that Danny was some what being left behind due to his small stature.

The raven haired teen cursed as he shoved another person out of the way with an apology already spewing out of his mouth. Angry and humiliation radiating off of him due to the inability to maneuver the crowd. Danny watched as Wes, Kwan and Dash walked further and further away from him, anxiety bubbling in his stomach when he noticed that they must have thought he was near by.

Danny held his breath and pushed through the crowd as quickly as he could. The teen avoiding anyone who was holding a kid or with a stroller. Danny only started to breath once he made it to an area where there was less people.

"Fenton? Are-Are you alright?"

Danny slowly raised his head and was greeted to the sight of a clearly nervous Kwan. Dash and Wes had gone back to arguing but this time Dash was holding the map in in hand. The blond pointing at one spot while Wes pointed at another.

"Danny?"

"I'm fine. Just got stuck back there." Danny laughed out as he rubbed the back of his neck. His skin still feeling tingly from having to push his way through the mass of people.

Kwan hummed and then looked over Danny to the people behind him. Sea foam green eyes bouncing over one face and another before look down at Danny and then to where Dash and Wes were standing. Without saying a word, Kwan gently held Danny's wrist and pulled him to the other two. Danny stumbled for a moment but eventually caught his footing and began to walk at the same pace as the football player.

"Kwan?"

"Hm?"

"Why are you-?"

"Just trying to make sure you don't get left behind again." Was all Kwan said as they all began to walk. Wes and Dash continued to talk over each other while Kwan tried his best to talk to Danny.

It was... Fine. Awkward but fine. Better than if it had been Dash or Wes. The other two more likely to drive Danny up the wall compared to how calm Kwan is. A little dense on certain topics but calm none the less. Although, there is only so many times Danny could say yes, no, and I don't know to everything Kwan says. Eventually the conversation between them dies down and Kwan starts to talk to the two in front of them as they continued to walk.

Danny looked up at Kwan then at Dash and Wes. The three too busy talking to one another or in Dash and Wes case, over each other. Then there's him. Never once did any of the other boys turn to ask where he wanted to go. What he thought would be the best thing to do while they were there. Ignoring him intentionally or not as they formed their own bubble that Danny was only privy to view.

A tiny pout set on his face as he glared at Kwan's hand that was currently gripping his wrist. The older teens fingers making his own wrist look like that of a child. Frail and unassuming.

.... He doesn't know whether to be insulted or ashamed right now.

"I think we should work our way down."

"Sure but where the hell do we even start? Right here? Or should we just wander around?"

"Remember, we can't exactly be caught too far away from each other." Kwan was quick to remind them as they walked around. Danny could only roll his eyes as the three kept on talking. Walking past a few exhibits because it was either too crowded or no one could agree on what to check out first.

It was honestly starting to irritate him. Had Danny known he'd be stuck with these three, he probably wouldn't have come.

Danny let out a huff and glanced to the side. Eyes lingering on the people who were currently busy looking at the penguins.

Lucky... They must be so cute, even if they reek.

He looked back down at the hand that was currently being held and gave a small test tug. Kwan was quick to tighten his hold and give Danny a quick glance. "Everything alright?"

Danny could only smile and nod. The smile only dropping once Kwan turned back around.

Danny gave one final longing look at the penguins as he was dragged away before looking back up at the three boys in front of him.

Should he stay put or should he slip away? Staying will mean possibly missing a lot of exhibits and having to listen to Dash and Wes argue while Kwan tried to de-escalate the situation. Leaving on the other hand means there's a high chance he'll have fun. Sure he'll get in trouble for leaving the group but at least he'll be able to see much more while he's seperated.

Danny looked down at his free wrist then down at his stomach.

Should he....? Well, it is the same size... Ah but then... Oh well.

Blue eyes looked around and then back at Kwan. When he was certain that no one would catch him, he turned his free hand intangible and shoved it into his stomach. Fingers digging around his stomach until he felt the smooth metal brush against his fingers. He quickly wrapped his hand around the metal and yanked it out after it turned intangible. With thermos now free, Danny turned the hand that was in Kwans hold intangible and quickly swapped it out with the thermos.

The half ghost held his breath, standing in place as he watched the three bicker but never once stop. Not even Kwan who had been so adamant about holding onto him had noticed the change. His fingers instead flexing around the thermos in his hold as he kept talking to Dash and Wes. And honestly? Danny didn't know whether to be glad that he failed to notice the swap or insulted.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Danny took a few small steps back before sprinting off in the opposite direction.

Will the other three get mad once they find out he's gone? Oh absolutely but Danny will be damned if he didn't at least get to make his own fun while they're split!

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

"What do you mean he's gone!" Dash seethed as the three frantically wandered the surprising large building. Dark blue eyes glared down at the thermos in his own hand while Kwan combed his fingers through his hair. Yanking at a few strands as he gnawed at the inside of his cheek.

"Dude, I honestly don't know when it happened! One minute I was holding his wrist and then when I looked down I was greeted by that!"

Wes huffed and rubbed at his face with a groan. "How could you have lost him? You know Daniel is prone to disappearing!"

"Weston!"

"Shut it Baxter! Look, we've been walking for three hours. That's three hours where Danny could have slipped away at any point and wandered off to god knows where. Three hours where he could have slipped off to an exhibit that we have yet to explore."

The red head paced back in forth, bottom half of his lip held between his fingers as he racked his brain to figure out when Danny could have slipped away.

They started off at the very top just like everyone else, although, they did argue for a big chunk of it before making their way down after reluctantly agreeing to check the top floor later on.

Wes frowned and looked back at the thermos in Dash's hand.

"Gimme that."

"The hell?"

"Baxter, hand it over. I want to check something out." Wes said with a roll of his eyes.

The blond looked down at the thermos then back up at Wes before tossing it to the lanky teen. The boy caught it with little to no struggle and began to examine the thermos.

If the kooky paint job and wiring didn't prove that it was made by the Fentons, then the large Fenton works logo at the bottom would have. Meaning it was either a proper thermos that did it's job or it was ghost related. Something so small and insignificant to everyone else around him but very important to himself.

He tossed it in the air and caught it again with a frown.

"It's empty."

Dash rolled his eyes and snatched the thermos from his hands. "Of course it's empty. You didn't see that Fenton freak drinking out of it when we drove over here?"

"Oh yeah. He was chugging whatever was in there like his life depended on it." Kwan mused as he carefully took the thermos from Dash and stashed it away in the inside pocket of his jacket. "I guess he skipped breakfast."

"Or he was replenishing himself with some ghost shit." Wes grumbled out only to give out a pained yelp when Dash punched his arm.

"Cut it out Weston. You can go on about Fenton being Phantom some other time. Right now we just have to focus on catching that geek before any of the adults find out. We'll start at the top and quickly make our way down."

"And if we don't find him?" Wes huffed out as he rubbed his arm with a groan.

Dash pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath in before slowly letting it out.

"If we don't find him, I swear I'm gonna wring that twinks neck."

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Danny sneezed into his arm. He rubbed his nose with a pout before looking back down at the tank. The sting rays that he had been petting continued to swim back and forth, gliding through the water with little care for what's going on around them.

He smiled and reached his hand back down, laughing ever so quietly as one swam up to his hand and bumped it's fin into his palm. He pulled his hand back and only reached back in when it was close enough for him to safely pet it. The feeling of the smooth skin calming to the teen with every stroke to the creature.

Danny leaned his weight into the railing as he let out a content sigh.

Everything has been going by smoothly ever since he ditched his group. He got to see so many animals and was even able to hold or pet a few. Sure he had to hide from Lancer and any of the chaperones that were near by but when has he ever not snuck around people? It was now just a question of when will he get caught.

Danny snorted at the thought. "As if I'll get caught. I could always just sneak off into the restroom and go invisible."

Danny pulled his hand back and actually started to relax. With Vlad and Dan back in Amity Park, Danny had no reason to stress himself. If he doesn't count Christmas, today and tomorrow could technically be considered a holiday for him.

No ghost fighting. No injuries to hide or patch up and especially no Noctis.

".... I still feel a bit iffy about that new ghost hunter."

Danny tensed. Frozen in place as he unintentionally started to listen in on the group of girls that somehow snuck up behind him. By the sound of their shoes, Danny could safely guess that there was four of them.

There was the sound gum being smacked before a loud pop echoed. "You're just saying that 'cause he's quicker than Phantom."

"No one is faster than Phantom. He's the best of the best in Amity Park!"

"Well he sure as hell was the best at being a no show when that dragon burst through the school. Michelle had to go to the hospital to get stitches since a piece of the roof fell on her."

Danny bit thr inside of his cheek as a pit formed in his stomach.

"Oh yeah. She was in the library when it all went down. God I feel so bad for her." A soft voice laced with concern whispered out before shuffling could be heard.

"Well, at least that new guy showed up before she got even more hurt. God was he dreamy!"

Danny tightened his grip on the railing as a scoff was heard followed after giggles.

"There's no fucking way you that you actually think he's hot. How are you even sure that thing is a guy?"

"Feminine intuition. Lori, I'm starting to wonder if you're jealous of the new guy since he's been the one whose been on the school newspaper as of late instead of Phantom."

"That's so not true! The guy just gives me the creeps!"

"You only think that way since you don't know what he looks like. I bet he's even hotter under that helmet!" The girl chewing the bubblegum huffed out. The rest of the group snickering as they walked off. Talking about Phantom and Noctis as if they some celebrates instead of two people risking their lives. One doing so to protect Amity park while the other was paid to do so.

The sting rays that once held him captivated no longer enough to keep his mind from wandering.

How disapointing.

"Do you see him?"

"How the hell should I know? We just got here!"

Danny tensed at the sound of Wes and Dash voices as the drew near. He turned and silently cursed when he saw the red head walking ahead of a clearly angry Dash. When Wes turned to look in his direction, Danny was quick to duck down and turn invisible. He slowly started to crawl away just as Dash and Wes walked past him. Too busy arguing to question the chill near the corner of the room as they continued to search for Danny.

The longer the two jocks stayed in the room, the quicker Danny's relatively slow heart started to beat. Had he been alive it would have concerned just how fast his heart was beating but that wasn't the main priority at this moment. Right now Danny had to focus.

He can't get caught. Not by Dash and especially not by Wes. So he crawled a little more before slowly pushing himself to stand and walking out of the room without making too much noise.

.·:*¨☪¨*:·.

Kwan walked around for a while. Looking around corners and checking every single person he walked past. Silently cursing to himself the longer he went without finding Danny.

How the hell did he lose him so quickly? He was literally holding his wrist when they got here and then when he turned to look at the smaller man to ask if he was hungry, he was gone! If Kwan hadn't felt the cold skin along with the rough fabric of his gloves, he would have believed that he had just imagined Danny right next to him.

Kwan furiously rubbed at him face with a frustrated groan.

"How hard is it to find a five foot four guy in parachute pants, a crop jacket and a bright blue cap!" Kwan mumbled as he made his way deeper into the aquarium. Sea foam green eyes scanning over every person and group he walked by. Maybe Danny had slipped away and mixed with another group and was probably hanging out with them. It would make the most logical thing to do considering who their roommates for the weekend are.

Kwan shivered at the memory of just how uncannily persistent Wes was when it came to Danny and then cringed when he remembered what Dash had done to Danny since the seventh grade.

Yeah.... Maybe it wasn't the best idea to put those two together with Danny...

"Kwan! Hey over here!"

Kwan turned in the direction that the voice came from and saw Paulina waving him over from the entrance of the jellyfish exhibit. Her normally loose hair now tied back in a high ponytail that showed off the gold mini hoop earrings along with the thin gold necklace that hung from around her neck. Next to her was Star who had recently cut her hair into a layered bob, Valerie and some girl with braces.

"Hey Lina. Star, Valerie and uhh..."

The girl with braces frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you serious? We dated in the eighth grade for four months!"

"Yeah? Which girl were you? Number seven or twenty?" Star scoffed out as she checked her violet red nails. The blonde girl yelping when Valerie elbowed her in the ribs and gave a disapproving shake of her head.

The girl with braces bristled and turned her head to the side. Her face already a bright pink that showed off her freckles from being embarrassed by one of the A listers along with being forgotten by the boy she though liked her back during middle school.

"Brianna... My name is Brianna." She mumbled out before walking into the jellyfish exhibit. Her head still held down as she distracted herself with the bottom of her shorts. The four other teens watched her walk off on her own before the girls turned their attention back to Kwan when he suddenly let out a sigh.

"Ah... I feel bad now." Kwan confessed with a pout. Scratching at the back of his neck as he watched the girl disappear into the small cluster of people inside.

"Don't be. It's her fault for being so hung up on a failed relationship and possibly reliving it every day. Hello? You guys were a thing in middleschool? I don't even remember the guys I dated at that time!" Paulina shrugged and grabbed his hand with a smile. "Now come on! We heard a few people saying that this place looks amazing!"

Kwan gave a small laugh and let himself get dragged along by the shorter girl. Star and Valerie followed after, talking amongst themselves and occasionally finding a way to drag Kwan into what they were talking about. Or he supposed it was better say Star was the one who dragged him into their conversation.

Kwan glanced over at Valerie with a small frown.

Every since the A listers had disbanded, Star had slowly re-introduced Valerie to their group. Of course she had warmed up to Dash first, the blond having profusely apologized to his middle school friend. Paulina came after then the rest of the football team. But Kwan? Oh Valerie was hella reluctant to talk to him.

Kwan cleared his throat and looked back at Valerie with a nervous smile. "Umm... I like your hair. The braids look good."

Valerie looked up at the football player then at the few strands of braids that were draped over her shoulder. With all the excitement about the trip, she had almost forgotten about how she had changed her hair. That not everyone was used to seeing her without her hair straightened or wavy.

Valerie shrugged and tucked a few strands behind her ear. "It's whatever."

Kwan's smile waned. Switching from one full of teeth to a close mouth one as he gave a slight nod.

"Still, it looks great."

Valerie turned her head to the side, hugging herself as she gave a small thanks. Star was the first to notice the dampered mood between the two so she tucked herself at Valerie's side and pointed to one of the walls.

"Wow look at that one! Come on Val! Let's get a better look!" Star said with a bright smile, giving Valerie's arm a soft squeeze of reassurance as she dragged the taller girl along. Both girls chatting away as they left Paulina and Kwan alone.

Kwan let out a sigh and Paulina huffed while crossing her arms over her chest. A pout set on her pretty face as she turned to look at Kwan.

"I wish you two would just get along already. It's, like, so difficult to see you two like this! You both used to be so close!"

"Yeah. We were. But that's why it's so awkward between us now. I was her friend and I just up and abandoned her." Kwan admitted as he kept following Paulina.

"We all left her."

"But I was the worst. Lina, I dated her! I was close to her! I should have tried to at least keep in touch just like Star did but I didn't. I left her alone when she needed me the most. God, I'm the worst type of friend a person can have." Kwan grumbled out. The self pity so heavy on his shoulders as they stopped near one of the many large in wall tanks.

The taller boy grunted when he felt Paulina punch his arm. Even with how small she way, Paulina was still a cheerleader. A cheerleader who needed the strength to hold other girls up who were both lighter and heavier than her. Meaning she had enough strength in that small body to knock the air right out of you.

Thankfully she had only used a small amount of strength in the punch she gave him. Still didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"Lina!"

"Cut the pity party. We all messed up. We all left her and yet she gave us all a second chance. Valerie talks to me and Dash and you know how bad we were back then. There still hope for the two of you. It'll just take some time." Paulina assured him.

Kwan looked down at Paulina and then over at Star and Valerie. The two girls smiling and point at the jellyfish on the other side of the glass. Happy and carefree. Completely at ease.

"Yeah. Yeah I guess you're right." Kwan said before turning to look at the tank. And Paulina was right. The exhibit was pretty. The soft lights and slow movement of every animal in their tank so mesmerizing and calm. Every jellyfish prettier than the last.

For a moment Kwan had forgotten why he was even away from his group. So engrossed by the soft atmosphere that he just allowed himself to relax and look around. Looking at every tank that held a small group of jellyfish along with other animals. It was only when he neared the middle of the room with the three girls at his side that he found the very person that caused him to be wandering the aquarium on his own in the first place.

Danny Fenton.

There he stood with his back turned to the tiny group. Blue eyes fixed on the Crystal jellies in front of him as they floated around behind the glass. The soft lights of the tank making the white in his hair along with his pale skin to have this ghostly glow. But god, did he look so pretty standing their. With his messy hair grazing his now relaxed shoulders and his frame finally looking calm. Almost as if all the weight he had silently carried had vanished the longer he stood in front of the tank. His hands held at his back, cap in hand as he followed the movement of the jellyfish.

The world around him gone as he just focused on the animals in front of him.

Kwan shook his head and walked up to the quiet boy. His steps slow and silent until he was standing right next to Danny. His own hands now wiping the nervous sweat off on his jeans before he cleared his throat.

"They sure are pretty."

Danny jumped with a small yelp before turning to look at him. Baby blue eyes staring up at him in shock before Danny gave a small nod as he gulped.

"T-they are."

Kwan smiled and continued to stare at the tank. His hands now tucked in the pockets of his letterman as he watched the invertebrates move along the water.

Danny bit his lip, gripping his cap tight between his fingers before yanking it back over his head. He took a deep breath in then tilted his head back up so he was looking at the tank.

Both quiet as they watched the jellyfish float in the water. Bobbing from one side to the next. Calm and quiet. Something the two have to admit was a rarity in their lives.

"... Sometimes I wonder how it would feel like to be one. Just mindlessly floating. To live such a simple life until it ends. Never thinking about the future and enjoying the present." Danny whispered in such a soft voice that Kwan almost didn't hear him. Sea foam green eyes glanced down at Danny then back at the tank.

"Sounds pretty pleasant for a short time but I think it'd get boring very quickly." Kwan hummed out. He looked back down at Danny, watching the tiny frown on his face shift to something unreadable. An emotion so foreign to the older teen that it honestly made him anxious.

Did he way something wrong? Had he messed up?

"I suppose you're right. But at least it's fun to image. I think it's be fun to be a jellyfish." Danny sighed out. Shift his weight from one foot to the next before just leaning into Kwan.

Said boy wrapped his arm over Danny's shoulder and gave him a gentle squeeze. Never once pushing Danny away. Just allowing him to be. His gaze drifting from the slowly calming teen back to the jellyfish in front of them.

"I guess but I'd rather you be a person over a jellyfish. How else am I suppose to talk to you." Kwan laughed out. That comment alone made him get a chuckle from Danny.

Those blue eye's looked up at him with a tired smile before Danny shook his head as he continued to laugh. "I... I really don't get you Kwan."

Said boy just shrugged his shoulders. Smiling down to the other as he gave Danny another squeeze, rubbing at those frail shoulders that were hidden under a too large jacket.

Protect Danny... Right. That's what he has to do. Even if it's just for a moment, he'd like to keep Danny this way.

Calm. Happy.

Even if it means he'll get them in trouble, he'd like to keep Danny content. Even if it was just for a few minutes.

"No one does. Now come on. I have a feeling you'll like the tropical fish just as much as these jellies. Maybe get something to eat afterward?"

Danny gave a tiny nod, shooting the jellyfish behind the glass one final look as Kwan guided him out of the room.