The Good And The Bad {Danny Phantom Short Stories}

Convincing

Slight Spoilers for Accepting Was Harder Than Admitting

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"Okay, okay. So you're going to invite them over. Then I'm going to show up and change in front of them. Do you... do you think that'll work?"

Vlad smiled at the teen lounging on his couch trying to appear calm and relaxed despite how tightly wound he really was. The older man placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, watching as the teen leaned into his touch. To think the very hand was used to maim the child. He now expected nothing but kindness from him.

Not that he wouldn't give it ten times over.

" I do, Daniel." He answered simply. It had to work. Maddie's maternal nature would make her unable to harm her very child no matter what she thought. If he showed up first as Fenton then changed into Phantom there was little to no chance of anything happening to the boy. He just knew it.

The ghost boy blew out a breath of relief, his shoulder slumping. " Good. Good. Alright. I can do that."

"Yes, you can. Your father might be harder to convince of you being, well, you but he's always been a tad slow."

"Vlaaaad."

"Sorry. sorry! Old habits die hard, as they say!"

"uh huh." Danny deadpanned, fixing Vlad with a look, knowing he was full of shit.

The look shifted to a small smile before Danny looked away smiling even wider. " It's gonna be awesome. Not having secrets anymore. Are /you/ okay with this?"

He never expected that, Danny asking him if he was okay with Danny revealing his secret to his parents. It wasn't his secret to reveal but he could see why the child needed to ask. "Fruitloop?"

Vlad shook his head realizing with a start he was staring wide eyed and opened mouth at the teen. " Of course I'm okay with it, Daniel." He replied softly.

"Because it's your secret too I'm revealing. The second they accept me and what happened they'll know about Plasmius. I don't think they would let a second ghost who looks like someone they know go without looking into it."

The elder looked at Danny before looking away from him as well. He knew he'd have to tell Maddie eventually. It was only a matter of time. " Like I said. I'm okay with this. It'll make everything easier for you, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then we're doing it!" Vlad pronounced with a clap and a smile. Danny responded in kind the two smiling at the prospect of living a secret free life.

" Oh man, I bet mom's gonna be pissed when she finds out you tried to kill dad. Several times." Danny laughed, imagining his mom scolding Plasmius. Vlad couldn't help laughing along.

" Not anymore mad then she was when you two, ah "dropped in" at my vacation home."

Fenton couldn't help the snort that escaped him at the memory of Vlad with two heads. Or the several ghost animals chasing him. The two sat giggling over the admittedly funny things they pulled on each other for the next few minutes, even bringing up when Danny made the front of Vlad's house disappear to reveal a rather naked millionaire.

As the laughing died down, Danny looked to the window, watching the sun go below the horizon. His smile never left his face thinking of his mom and dad being proud of what he had been trying to do for years. Maybe they would even help him with his ghost patrols, relieving him of some duties but also letting him do his job. He imagined they wouldn't be too happy about Sam and Tucker helping him but honestly they wouldn't get the two to stop helping him if they tried. And he tried.

"Daniel." Vlad tried to start, interrupting the boy's musings

"Hmm?"

" Do you... I have doctors on call. People to protect you as well if things go... south." He didn't want to think about it but it was a very real possibility. Somehow either him or Daniel could get severely injured or need something to stop his parents.

"Vlad, calm down. We won't need any of that. I know them, they'll accept us both. Well, me anyway." He joked causing the ex-villain to smile again.

" If you're sure..."

"I am!" He confidently exclaimed, even puffing up his chest a little.

" Minutes ago you weren't so sure."

" And minutes ago you were convincing me to do this!"

The older halfa sighed, rolling his eyes. " Yes , but to do it safely. If they accept you, it will be all well and good . But what if they harm you? Or worse, Me!" His badger laughed,shoving playfully at the man.

"Puh-lease! They'll accept me, shoot you a little and we'll be golden, pony boy!"

" You are an idiot."

"And you're a fruitloop!" He replied like a grown adult, even sticking out his tongue to emphasis his point.

"Still, Badger, are you positive you don't want anyone, save us, there?" He tried to get through the child. It would kill him if something happened and there was nothing there to act as a virtual net.

" Vlad. I'm sure! Enough about it. I got you having my back and that's all I need there for this!" Danny tried in turn to get through to Vlad. Why couldn't he understand that they'd accept him just fine? " Now come on. You got some dumb council meeting to get to and I have an awesome sleepover with Tuck to get to."

With some prompting, Vlad finally got up from his couch, groaning about how him being mayor was all Danny's fault. Danny just rolled his eyes and replied that maybe if he acted like an adult and not run as mayor to get back at pranks he wouldn't be in this situation. His argument only seemed to make Vlad not want to go anymore.

"Vlad come on! I got to go, and I know if I leave now you'll not go and this town will fall apart!"

"Daniel, It's a meeting about what to do with an old tree in the park."

"Anarchy everywhere!"

"Daniel. plea-"

"Riots in the streets!"

"You are being ridic-"

" Kids skipping school!"

"All right I'll go!"

The teen grinned, running out the house with a wave and a flash of light, safe in the knowledge he ruined Vlad's day with the meeting.

Vlad returned the wave half heartedly, unable to get rid of the feeling that what they were doing was going to bite them in the end. With a shake of his head, he dismissed the misplaced emotions and picked up his phone, dialing a number he knew too well.

A few rings and a voice finally picked up.

"Maddie! Hello, my dear...

Yes I know Jack is home right now...

No that's actually what I came to call about, my dearest. I wish to invite you two over to my place.

I just have something you two need to see. It's incredibly important but it would probably be better to wait a few days.

Yes in two days is perfect.

Thank you, Maddie."