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The shrill beeping of his alarm woke Danny from his slumber. He groaned, and covered his face with his arm as if to block out the noise by loss of sight. It couldn’t be time to wake up. He swore he just blinked! After several more buzzes penetrated his skull, he smashed the snooze button causing the clock to shift a few inches on the dresser.
The cool wind blowing from the ceiling fan hit his exposed arm and he quickly curled it towards his chest. Danny scrunched his face as he buried his nose in his pillow. Stupid alarm. Screw the day. I’m not moving an inch . It’s too early to get up on a Saturday, it’s too dark out, and last night…
A large and warm covering was spread over his body. Danny jerked, startled. Instant warmth overcame his being and he was suddenly grateful for its existence. His half-awake mind didn’t process right away that it was his comforter. But it did remind him that he wasn’t alone. A pale arm encircled his chest, fingers splayed over his heart. He leaned into the cool body behind him, accustomed to the cold temperature of his boyfriend.
Phantom rubbed Danny’s chest a little and pulled him closer, spooning him once again. A cold nose nuzzled the back of his neck, tickling the small hairs there. The familiar motion soothed Danny. His tense muscles relaxed one by one. The hard line of Phantom’s chest fit comfortably to his back like a puzzle piece. His eyelids slowly drooped as he felt the rhythmic vibrations from Phantom’s core. Wait, is he purring again? Rumbling on his neck vibrated down his spine and caused him to shiver pleasantly, giving him his answer. Danny’s trail of thought diminished as his breaths slowed to an uneven pace and his mind drifted off…
BZZT BZZT BZZT
The comforter went flying as he jolted awake once again. Phantom stiffened behind him, startled, clinging to Danny’s back. Danny sighed and turned the alarm off. There was no way that was nine minutes. No matter if the blaring lights showed 11:09 in neon green. He was happy to stay in denial.
Danny closed his eyes as he felt Phantom whisper compliments into his hair, voice husky from sleep, sneaking a kiss to his ear. The extra attention never failed to make his cheeks redden.
“Morning,” Phantom mumbled. “How was your sleep?”
A loud crack of thunder resounded throughout the room followed by the sound of pouring rain. The window became foggy as a fresh wave assaulted its surface. Danny slowly turned his head to peek at Phantom, black hair covering half-mast eyes. “Peachy.”
Phantom squeezed his ribs tighter. “We can try something else tonight.”
Danny doubted it. This was one of the few times he could actually rest from his college courses and not stress over incomplete work or study for exams. He completed his homework in record time and he had the weekend to do whatever he wanted. It wasn’t often Phantom and he could spend time without anything coming up anymore. He had been looking forward to their date. It’d been so long since they had one. Phantom was even going to fly them across town and watch the stars… But it was ruined.
Again.
Although, instead of a ghost attack, it was the weather. And it wasn’t even Vortex this time. Danny wanted to laugh. The one time the ghosts decided to leave them alone, the universe pulled an uno reverse card and downpoured under dark clouds.
They couldn’t catch a break.
Danny slowly sat up, unwilling to let go of the faint traces of sleep. But they slept the morning away and he didn’t want to fall back on old habits. Going to class half-asleep in high school everyday was enough, thank you very much. He would prefer to stay up all night and sleep the day away like a vampire. The night sky was loads better than harsh sunlight and keeping Phantom company while on patrol was a nice bonus. He knew better, though.
Still too early.
Danny rubbed the rheum out of his eyes and stretched his limbs for several seconds. The smooth tail wrapped around his leg impeded his movement slightly. Careful not to press the appendage against his other leg or the bed, Danny pushed his hands on the mattress and stood up, Phantom clinging to his back like a koala.
Danny blearily took in their room. The sheets from their bed hung on the bedpost, pooling onto the floor along with a pillow. He did some cleaning recently. The floor was vacuumed and all the trash was thrown away. Band posters hung on the walls. His school bag was on the floor near the closet - which was shut. (He was cleaning that another day). Their many gaming systems and controllers were on the floor in front of the TV. Phantom’s smiling photo on top of the box contrasted with the current Phantom’s downcast one. The well-worn desk from his youth held his laptop, phone, wallet, and keys. Pictures of his parents, sister, and friends sat on its surface, neatly. Some sewing materials that were a gift from his father were strewn on top. Black yarn peeked out of a convenience store bag to the side.
Danny stayed standing for several seconds for the dizziness to subside. The coldness seeping from Phantom’s body was helping him wake up, although not by much. He walked a few steps forward, wobbling a bit. He quickly set his hands on Phantom’s thighs and clenched his own to keep balance. Maybe he should’ve waited longer, he was still out of it. When he steadied himself, he proceeded to the bathroom; Phantom’s fuzzy hair tickling his cheek in time to his steps.
Out in the hallway, Danny squinted to see where he was going. His toe caught the door and he cursed as he tripped. Phantom halted his momentum and stopped his head from banging against the opposite wall, rotating him upright. Ugh, definitely should’ve waited longer. Grumbling quietly to himself, Danny put a hand to Phantom’s cheek and continued his trek.
The house was dim due to the rain and Danny had to hold his other hand out so he didn’t smack his nose into the wall. Phantom’s glow helped him as he continued to his destination. He flicked the light on as soon as his feet touched the tile. Phantom made a disgruntled noise at the light and hid his face in Danny’s shoulder, not liking how it flashed his sensitive eyes. The LED lights quickly annihilated Phantom’s glow, although the heat they radiated didn’t do anything against his cool touch.
Danny set Phantom down, unwillingly. He liked when his other half was close by, an always welcome presence. But he quickly ventured to the shower before his partner noticed his hesitation.
He heard Phantom brush his teeth as he stood under the water. It probably wasn’t a good idea to take a shower when it was raining, but he couldn’t care less at the moment. The hot water soothed his muscles but not his drowsiness. Danny quickly opened the glass door for the cool air to seep in.
As he washed himself, Danny thought about his lover. How come Phantom’s not upset as much as me? Yesterday was supposed to be for us . He even suggested they go to a nicer restaurant than what they’re used to. There were outside tables and Phantom could charm the staff into keeping a low profile. But Phantom insisted on Nasty Burger takeout instead.
He can’t be hung up on me paying for him. We both have no problem spending Vlad’s money. Vlad commissioned his parents to help keep the town safe (and try to gain favor from his mother) which also included Jazz and himself. Danny had no qualms about using the billionaire's money to help his family. What’s the issue then? Did he want more time star gazing?
Danny frowned, rinsing the soap out of his hair. I’ll have to ask Phantom later.
A single knock on the glass had him hurrying to finish, flipping the handle the opposite way when he was done. He quickly grabbed the hanging towel as he walked out and wrapped it around his waist. Danny nearly collided with Phantom as he stepped out, the ghost catching his forearms to stop him. Phantom wiped some water off his face and kissed his temple before stepping around him and into the shower.
Danny dried himself off as he heard Phantom bustling about and tied a towel around his head. He brushed his teeth and once again debated on using the blow dryer. It was still in pristine condition. In the package. Unopened. It would be much more convenient to dry his hair now. Running his hand through Phantom’s smooth, fluffy hair was nice (and he couldn’t help imagining it might puff up like a cloud), but…
Danny left the bathroom to change in their bedroom. Since they weren’t leaving any time soon, he just put on sweatpants and his favorite T-shirt. He preferred casual clothes, anyway. Even Phantom looked better in them than his normal jumpsuit.
Danny was tucking his phone in his pocket when he heard Phantom come out of the closet. He must have phased through the wall. Phantom climbed back onto his spot on Danny’s back. He’d been doing that even before they got together. Danny had learned to differentiate Phantom’s ecto-signature from other ghosts as a result. He squeezed Phantom’s thighs, adjusted him like routine, then carried him to the living room, immediately face-planting onto the sofa. Phantom’s weight was like a cool blanket engulfing him and he closed his eyes in bliss.
Danny felt Phantom lean over and kiss the crown of his head before he got off of his back. Moaning, he was about to sit up when Phantom moved the pullover over him. It took Danny a few minutes to mull over if he wanted to stay or follow Phantom when he realized he already left. Sighing, he snuggled into the cushions.
Danny was roused from his slumber sometime later to the smells coming from the kitchen. Heavenly smells if his growling stomach was anything to go by.
He sat up and breathed in the scent of french toast, bacon, and eggs. Screw bland, normal toast. The sweet cinnamony goodness was infinitely better. The corners of his lips curved upwards as he followed the aroma to Phantom humming and twirling around. Hips sashayed back and forth as feet tapped to the beat of the radio’s music. Danny leaned on the corridor to watch him dance.
Danny smiled, admiring how carefree Phantom was. The ghost was enjoying himself, energetically tossing his head back and forth.
Didn’t stop him yesterday when he nearly collapsed from exhaustion fighting Skulker. Danny shook his head fondly. I don’t know whether to hug him or throttle him.
Danny used to constantly see him exploring and playing around town. He’d talk to citizens whilst bantering with enemies and interact with nature such as touching the condensation from grass or feeling the water from the town’s water fountain cascade through his fingers.
Silly ghost nearly gave me a heart attack when I caught him staring at the sun. He has no self-preservation, does he? It can still hurt him! And he was breathing, too. Ghosts don’t need oxygen .
It took him a while to realize Phantom was acting like a human to learn about them. He didn’t understand some things so he took an active role.
His innocence helped prove to Danny and his friends that not all ghosts wanted to destroy anything. Phantom became a part of their little circle. Jazz noticed a while later but kept silent about it.
Even mom and dad were charmed by him. Took a while, though. Ugh, those were a miserable two years. But having them as supporters was totally worth it. Danny’s heart swelled at the memory.
Then his cheeks reddened when he remembered their reactions when he told them their relationship status. Why is every parent the same ? Why-
Danny was thrusted out of his daydream when he felt Phantom pluck him from the ground and continue his momentum with him in his arms. Danny squealed as he was propelled across the floor on the fulcrum of Phantom’s toes. He threw his arms around Phantom’s neck as he howled, wrapping his legs around his partner’s waist. Phantom stopped and spun in the opposite direction as a result.
Danny was pushed forward into Phantom’s chest, his face scrunched against his partners, cheeks touching. He could feel Phantom’s grin brushing against his jaw and he turned to share a kiss, Phantom continuously bouncing across the kitchen.
Carefree as always.
The tea kettle hissed loudly and got them to calm down. Phantom plopped Danny in a chair as he tended to the second noise interrupting them today.
Danny laid his head on his hand and elbow on the table as he watched Phantom prepare two plates. “I hope you made coffee.”
Phantom smirked and gestured next to him. Danny turned slightly to see a mug in front of his face, and the duplicate under the table winking before vanishing. Danny snorted and snorted again at the writing on the white mug.
Ghosts don’t bite but Phantom’s do.
Where do Sam and Tuck find these things? I just know Tucker bought this one.
Shaking his head fondly, he scooted the mug in front of him. Grabbing the silverware in the drawer next to him, he proceeded to set the table.
Phantom didn’t necessarily need to eat human food, but it did give him energy somewhat. He enjoyed the smell and taste of food enough to eat with Danny every day.
Phantom brought over two plates along with a cup of tea for himself and set the items on the table. He then chose not to sit across or next to Danny but on him instead.
He did it so casually, too. Like he owned him. Phantom adjusted himself and got comfortable as if Danny wasn’t even there. “Wasn’t I enough cushion for one night?” Danny asked, exasperated. That didn’t stop him from encircling his arms around his favorite ghost boy, however.
Phantom was drinking his tea but stopped to respond, smacking his lips, “Nope.”
Danny chuckled at his response then promptly choked. “Are these my clothes?” Phantom preferred darker colors than he did, but they usually wore the same things. But Danny was a size smaller than Phantom and these clothes were definitely smaller.
Phantom looked down at his attire, thoughtful, then back at Danny’s face. “Why yes, I do believe they are,” he said, matter-of-factly, though his eyes sparkled with mischief.
Danny huffed and flicked his nose. “Are you gonna steal these, too?”
“Yes. I have a nice collection in my lair. You’ve seen the mountain.”
“ That’s what that was?!” Danny knew they were disappearing but he didn’t think Phantom took that many. “You’re telling me that’s all my clothes?! How long? Of course your ice walls blended in with the size. Why wouldn’t it?” Danny rolled his eyes.
“Hehe. Not long, just a few years.” Phantom waved his hand, dismissively, making Danny sputter incredulously. He leaned back on Danny as he chewed, legs hanging on either side of the chair.
Danny harrumphed and twisted his head to the side. “Don’t get syrup on me. I don’t feel like washing it out.”
Phantom moved the fork above them and proceeded to let the syrup slowly drip into his mouth, the top of his head in Danny’s face.
“Oh, you’re funny.”
Danny swatted the fork out of Phantom’s hand and it landed on the table. He gripped Phantom’s sides and pulled back. Phantom’s gleeful laughter met his ears as he was maneuvered every which way, making Danny giggle. He used his pointer and middle fingers to poke and wiggle Phantom’s tummy, making the ghost shriek and jump up.
Phantom tackled Danny onto the floor, one hand cradling his head, the other pinning him to the ground. Danny kicked his knees into Phantom’s chest and rotated so he was on top. Phantom started it so he was finishing it.
They wrestled across the tile, laughing as they scrambled over each other. Clothes were ruffled. Chairs knocked into. Danny used their hard legs to his advantage to hold Phantom down and sniff his hair. He loved the ghost’s scent. It was enthralling and soothing all on its own. He could stay like this for hours…
“Oof!” Phantom took his own advantage while he was distracted and rolled up on the fridge before falling onto him. Phantom looked down at Danny, white locks dripping and stuck to parts of his face. His eyes crinkled, lips forming a Cheshire Cat smile.
Danny grinned as his fingers grabbed Phantom’s face. Oh yeah, he was definitely returning the blow dryer.
Their play fight ended when lightning flashed through the window. They froze in place as it passed. Another loud rumble permeated the house, although not as loud or close as the morning.
The happiness in Danny’s eyes diminished slightly. Right. It was still raining. Phantom went quiet and slowly got off of Danny before holding out a hand to pull him up.
Breakfast was finished in silence as both boys were in deep thought, the rain and humming fridge the only noises. Danny just finished loading the dishwasher when Phantom snaked his arm around Danny’s waist and guided him to the living room. They sat down gently, legs touching.
Phantom turned on the TV and let it rest on a news station before leaning down to grab the box under the table. “Worms and Rockets?” he asked, smirking. He shook the box a bit to entice him.
Danny smirked back. “You’re on.”
They played for a while. Both of them laughed as they went around each other and shouted outrage as they had to skid along the worms.
“Rockets are good. Rockets are always good. That’s why I want to be an astronaut. Rockets never did anything to me,” Danny told Phantom ominously as he put his tiny replica of Phantom at a worm’s head. Phantom had to earn money somehow. Uncle Vlad strikes again. Too bad for him they threw out the fruit loop’s piece long ago.
Phantom snickered at the expression on Danny’s face. His piece, a little astronaut, was already inside one of the rocket ships.
They were interrupted by the jingle of a news bulletin. Both of their heads swiveled towards the TV.
A woman with light red hair wearing a matching pink business suit and hoop earrings appeared on screen and beamed at the camera. “Good afternoon Amity Park! I’m Tiffany Snow bringing you today's news.” Her happy demeanor contrasted with the bleak video in the background. “It seems the ghost activity has been stagnant just as much today as this past week, making it the newest record to date with zero ghost attacks in seven days. How great is that?”
Danny eyed Phantom who kept his face stoic; but he squeezed Danny’s shoulder.
“It seems our ghostly hero has done an exceptional job protecting the city. Lately, all he’s had to do was talk to them, like a disappointed parent to his children. What changed over the years for them to listen to him, I wonder?”
Images of an imposing castle and petulant tyrant flashed in Danny’s mind. A dainty blonde-haired woman smiled imploringly with a knight whilst handing a crown and ring to a resigned Phantom.
“In other news, the weather has been pretty terrible since yesterday. Let’s go to Lance Thunder for the latest update. Lance?”
“Here, Tiffany,” a blonde-haired man said, as the screen switched to a camera outside. His hair was styled in a pompadour and he was dressed in a blue tuxedo suit. Rainwater drenched said hair as he feebly held his hand to hold it back from covering his eyes. A tree’s branches beside him were swaying heavily. “It’s pretty bad out here but not as bad as yesterday with strong winds. It seems to be getting better-NOT THE FACE!” The tree’s branches caved under the onslaught and the whole foliage fell on Lance’s head.
He spit out some leaves and coughed. “Back to you, Tiffany,” he said, weakly.
“Thank you, Lance. Well, it looks like some more good news for us then. Well, that’s all for now. This is Tiffany Snow signing-” The TV turned to static briefly before shutting off. The lights stopped working at the same moment, putting Danny and Phantom in darkness besides the white glow Phantom emitted.
They sat there for an indeterminate amount of time, Danny’s head laying on Phantom’s shoulder. Phantom rubbed it back and forth, fingers scratching his scalp every so often.
Phantom turned to Danny abruptly. “Let’s go outside.”
Danny slowly looked at him, deadpan. “Did you not hear the news?”
“Yes, they said it got better.” He squeezed Danny’s shoulder closer. “Just for a little bit. Please?”
Danny glared at the large, brilliant green eyes but caved when he glanced at the cute pout. “Fine,” he sighed, getting up.
Danny tugged on his raincoat and boots that were near the door. He balked when he caught sight of Phantom in the corner of his eye.
“ Really , Phantom?” Danny said, looking incredulously at his boyfriend.
“What?” Phantom innocently responded, voice broken by snickers.
“ My sweater?”
The ghost was wearing Danny’s red hoodie with the white fluff inside. It was a little worse for wear but still kept him warm. Phantom zipped it up and adjusted it. “Well, I don’t have a raincoat, and I just took a shower. I don’t need a second one.”
Danny sighed.
They went out front and stood under the awning. The sun was shining through the clouds, signifying it was still daylight. They watched the rain pepper the earth. Its sound was relatively soothing without the thunder and lightning. Too bad it still didn’t go away.
Phantom ran over and started jumping in puddles, splashing the sidewalk with more rainwater.
“What the-”
But Phantom just laughed and moved about without a care in the world. Twirling and singing and making like it was just an ordinary summer day.
Danny stood there gaping like a fish. “This little-“
Phantom snatched Danny into his arms and threw him lightly away.
“Hey!”
“Come on,” Phantom called, joyously. “Jump with me!”
Danny folded his arms over his chest. “No.”
Phantom shrugged and kept jumping.
Danny watched Phantom move about in the rain, his hat blocking most of the spray. Phantom’s feet lightly touched the Earth as he skipped about. His legs turned into a spectral tail and he flew in circles overhead, shining glow creating a ray of light with his movements. The hood fell back from the wind and blew his hair into his face, water droplets falling off each strand. Neon green eyes crinkled to prevent any from getting in. Pale cheeks were still stuck in that beautiful smile Danny had been seeing all day.
Why is he still so, so…”
Phantom flew down next to him and grabbed his hands, eyes vibrant and twinkling. “I saw the stars.”
Danny frowned, irritated. “The clouds are blocking their view. And it’s not even pitch black out!”
“Not the ones I’m staring at.”
Danny flushed to the roots of his hair. He ducked his head down, flustered. “Darn ghost,” he grumbled.
Nudging at his shoulder forced him to look back into two luminous orbs. Phantom leaned forward until their foreheads were touching, snow-white hair tickling charcoal black. Danny felt his heart race at their proximity. “None of that now.” Those pale lips curved up slightly, amused. “I wanna gaze at my favorite constellation.”
Danny swallowed and gazed right back, trying not to show how much this was affecting him.
Phantom squeezed his hands, thumbs rubbing the backs of his.
Staring into those green depths was as soothing as being in his arms. Danny felt as if the weight of the world was off his shoulders when he was with Phantom.
You protect this city and all for what? People look upon you as an intruder. A nuisance. A being just as bad as the spirits he fights. Even with more people supporting him it’s mostly superficial besides the lucky few that got to know him over the years. Even the ghosts only look to him for one purpose, excluding the few ally’s they’ve collected.
Phantom remains effervescent, optimistic, and audacious however. He doesn’t like to show his true emotions because he really can’t without the paparazzi distorting it or the ghosts exploiting it. Danny’s heart twinged when he first saw a break in that barrier. It meant so much to him that Phantom was starting to trust him emotionally. They’ve both been good with communication, having been friends for years. So for Phantom to slip his mask off meant he was trusting him with his very being . He trusted Danny with his soul, his core, and to not break it.
Even now Phantom smiled so serenely at him, emotions clearly written on his face.
Oh.
It hit Danny like a truck, filling his stomach with lead. His pupils shrunk to pinpricks and he unconsciously squeezed Phantom’s hands tighter. Phantom had been trying to enliven him all day. Cuddling in the morning. Making him laugh. Cooking him breakfast. Relaxing together. Playing a game. Spending time. Staying by his side. Even on him. The awareness made shame curdle in his gut. He’d been acting like a brat, unappreciating Phantom’s efforts. Even right now as Phantom nuzzles noses with him Phantom is still trying to cheer him up.
Danny forgot Phantom probably felt horrible too but he wasted no time in trying to rejuvenate Danny. He was so focused on his own gloom he couldn’t read through Phantom’s mask.
His eyes watered a bit. He didn’t notice Phantom had his mask in place. He always noticed Phantom’s mask.
The despair Danny felt evaporated as determination filled his pores. Danny interlocked their fingers and held their hands down in front of their stomachs. He nuzzled Phantom back, lips forming a slight smile. Phantom blinked at him, surprised.
There he is. Danny’s lips wobbled and tenderly kissed Phantom’s cheek to hide it, heated lips meeting cool skin. “You know, there’s no need to show me how much you love me. I already knew.”
Phantom snorted, frosty green blush highlighting his cheeks. “You can’t stop me from annoying you,” he rebutted, but his smile was still there.
Danny embraced Phantom as he basked in his affection. He barely felt the rain, his raincoat taking the hits like a champ. Water poured from their heads in streaks and pelted the Earth in droves. It showered the grass in sprinkles, leaving dew for later in its wake.
Looking at this ethereal being with raw disposition and gentle soul, he couldn’t help but ask the question that plagued his mind. “How are you able to hide yourself so well?” Danny frowned, pained. “It-! It hurts you. I don’t want you to keep hiding, to keep bottling things in. You’ll stress yourself out. You shouldn’t…shouldn’t feel alone ,” he cried, anguished.
Phantom blinked before smiling, eyelids lowering. “Stress clouds your judgment and you can’t have that when you’re fighting everyday. When your head is clear and you can think properly is when your work is the best.”
Danny shook his head. “No, I mean you . You can’t keep doing this to yourself. Even today you, you did everything for me,” he whispered those last few words. “I didn’t even notice you felt the same way as me.” He pulled Phantom into a hug, clutching his hoodie. “I don’t want that to happen again. I don’t want you to have to believe you need to only focus on me and not on yourself.”
Phantom gently held Danny’s head as he rubbed his back. “What helps me is seeing everyone still here, still going, and beautiful. And I can look forward to what comes in the future.” He pulled back and looked pointedly at Danny. “Especially when I’m with the people I love.”
Danny blushed at the intensity in those eyes. He bit his lower lip and looked shyly away as Phantom placed soft kisses on his head.
That’s why you insisted on something simple. You, you just wanted to spend time with me. Nothing fancy, just… us . He buried his face in Phantom’s neck.
They stayed there, basking in each other’s presence as the pitter-patter of drizzling rain splashed around them.
XXX
Danny ducked as Phantom shook himself, shielding himself with his raincoat, trying not to get even more wet.
“Hey,” he guffawed. “Knock it off!”
Phantom lunged at him and smushed him against his chest, grip tight. “I need to dry off! My hood fell back,” he mumbled into his neck, wiping his drenched hair on Danny’s face.
Danny planted his hands on Phantom’s shoulders. “Stop!” Danny said, trying to sound angry but failing. “Look what you did!” He pointed to the now slippery floor, Phantom’s glow highlighting the liquid.
Phantom looked to where Danny was pointing before glancing at Danny with one eye, head tilted. “What’s the problem? We still have to clean the living room.”
He was shoved for his lackadaisical attitude. “Clean it up. I don’t feel like breaking my back today.”
“We both know you’re too adept for that to happen. Now when we were fourteen-“
Danny ruffled his hair. “Go!” Phantom laughed before complying, walking to the kitchen to get paper towels.
Danny shook his head before heading to their room. Good, he’s distracted . He power-walked to his dresser and snatched the bag on the floor. He carefully opened it and pulled out the black material.
Danny unfolded it to reveal a knitted sweater with a hood. It took him ages to make it, especially the white “DP” symbol over the heart. He was going to give this to Phantom as part of their date yesterday but, since it was ruined, he couldn’t.
Danny clutched the clothing to his chest. But he could do it now, especially since Phantom gave him small gifts all day.
He walked back to Phantom, sweater behind his back, and saw him throwing away the soaking paper towels. Phantom quickly smirked behind him, making Danny freeze. “You can’t surprise me, human,” Arms snaked across his shoulders. “It has never worked before and it never will.”
Danny raised one eyebrow and chuckled, “Wanna bet?” He gently pushed on Phantom’s chest to get him to let go before showing off his gift.
All those hours of knitting, frustration, wasted material, and every painstakingly made perfect stitch were worth the expression on Phantom’s face. The frozen, vulnerable look engraved itself into Danny’s memory. His eyes watered through his tender expression, mouth quivering.
Danny smiled softly. “Surprise.”
Phantom gingerly took the sweater, afraid to wrinkle it. He expected it thoroughly, drinking in the sight.
“You always help me, whether it be protecting the town or with astrophysics but I wanted to show you how much it means to me.” Danny looked Phantom in the eyes. “I appreciate you very, very much.
“It’s a little something I’ve been making,” Danny’s face hardened, serious. “I know it’s hard to shop as a celebrity, but don’t be afraid to ask me. And that goes for anything,” Danny’s expression softened. “I’ll keep making you more,” Then it turned coy. “And this one’s 100% authentic, case in point, the symbol.” Danny pointed to it as Phantom studied it. He tried to stifle his giggles as Phantom realized the single stitched “F” in the double stitched “P.” “I’d love for you to try this on.”
Phantom choked, broke his stare, and gave a watery chuckle. He complied, moving slowly so as to not stretch his precious gift. After smoothing it over his torso, he did a 360 so Danny could judge.
“Hm, perfect,” Danny clutched Phantom close and pecked his nose. “With this, you’ll know that you and I will always be together. Now, will you stop stealing my entire wardrobe?”
Phantom grinned back at him, cheekily, eyes alight in mirth. “Why would I? You said I look good in your clothes.” He held up a wrist and pulled on the fabric. “ All of your clothes.”
Danny laughed. Phantom joined in before they shared a kiss.
Danny was in brighter spirits as the day progressed. He never strayed too far from Phantom and spent the day in his company. The power came back on and they were happy that they didn’t have to break out the Chef Boyardee. Cooking dinner was as eventful as the morning, and they ended the night entangled in each other’s arms, content.
It was almost like a date.
As the day turned to night, the rain slowed to a stop and several brightly glowing stars peeked through the cracks in the clouds, illuminating the sky.