Chapter Text
Vlad was patient, courteous, and the only one willing to maintain conversation as the Fenton’s luggage was brought into the mansion by his staff. He provided a somewhat shortened tour to the three, making note of rooms that would most interest each--for Jazz, he made a point to have her room closer to the library, Maddie’s was nearest both it and the gym. They were in close proximity to one another, which Maddie was relieved to note, but as Vlad crossed to the other side of the balcony, getting further and further from Maddie and Jazz’s rooms, Maddie started to worry about the distance. Vlad placated her worries, assuring her that if Danny needed anything, Vlad’s room was not only just down the hall, but it also was the nearest room to a special surprise.
“Would you like to see?” Vlad asked her. “I thought it might provide some much needed distraction for him.”
Maddie glanced at Danny, worried eyes roaming him for some interest, but he was as quiet and distant as ever. He hadn’t spoken much since the hospital, which was as understandable as it was upsetting. The silence paired with his eye, still blackened, but finally not so swelled, the red, aggravated bump on his lip, the bandage on his nose, and the firm sling keeping his left arm from jostling his clavicle bone--which the doctor told her had fractured in multiple places--tugged at her worry and desperation. Even a break from the hard, heavy staring he'd started doing would be enough.
She had made a few attempts to get him talking with her, painstakingly avoiding the topic of Jack, but she was lucky if she got much more than two or three word responses. He wasn’t even really speaking with Jazz much.
Frowning to herself, she nodded at Vlad and let him guide them just a little ways down the hall. They were currently on the second floor, where it seemed most of the guest rooms were, and had a spectacular view of the floor below, perfectly eye-level with the grandiose chandelier. The hallways above were in a u-shape with two large staircases on each end that added to the grandiosity and general avarice of the mansion. In a much less garish part of the upper level was another winding staircase tucked away in an alcove. Vlad led the three up into a third level, welcoming them to what appeared to be a fully functioning observatory.
While astronomy was not among Maddie’s interests, she knew how it had captured Danny’s attention and, moreover, knew how he had been longing for a quality telescope. The one Jack and Maddie had gotten him last year was decent and within their financial range, but she had known even then it wasn’t really what he needed and wanted. The one stationed here in front of the enormous bay window was clearly high-end, if not top of the line. Charts and astronomical diagrams lined the walls, bookshelves stocked with relevant works, and a computer desk all had Maddie’s brows rising in both awe and guilt.
Her eyes once again wandered to her son, a daring spark of hope temporarily making her forget the part of her that felt burdened by such a tremendous gift. The expression she saw on his face, however, more confused her than anything else. His eyes were big, obviously just as taken aback by the room as she, yet there was a hardness she had no explanation for. He seemed to almost hate it.
“I had to resupply a few items, but if there was anything I neglected, do let me know. Although I haven’t pursued the sciences as aggressively in the last decade, the itch never really goes away. I’m sure you understand that.”
She understood it more than he knew. Juggling motherhood and her hunger for knowledge and scientific exploration had always been a challenge, but she had always managed to maintain both. She supposed that kind of multitasking wasn’t something everyone was capable of.
“Daniel, this room and all of its utilities are entirely at your disposal,” Vlad told him.
“Is that the end of the tour?” Danny asked emotionlessly.
Maddie frowned. She understood that he must be going through a rollercoaster of emotions, but she felt guilty that he would so rudely blow off an incredibly thoughtful gift. In fact, despite the fact that Danny was the one to ask that they stay with Vlad over the summer, he had been exceptionally rude to him the entire time.
Vlad seemed unaffected by Danny’s curtness, patting him on the shoulder not secured in a sling.
“Yes, I suppose that’s all of the essentials. And of course, if any of you ever have any questions, you can always ask.”
They made their way back down to the lobby. It seemed that the last of their luggage had been taken to their rooms, as the lobby no longer had an unsightly pile sitting in the middle of it.
“Thank you for the tour, Mr. Masters. If it would be alright, I’d like to get settled in my room,” Jazz said.
“Of course, Jasmine, Daniel, the both of you feel free to settle in,” Vlad replied cordially, gesturing for them to head back upstairs.
Jazz nodded and looked at Danny expectantly. He didn't respond much, to further Maddie’s dismay, and seemed hesitant for some reason, but after a quick glance between her and Vlad, Danny reluctantly followed his sister up the stairs.
“Really, Vlad, I can’t thank you enough for this,” Maddie said after they'd gone.
“Please, Maddie, you needn’t say a word,” he told her, raising both hands as if to ward off her gratitude. “It’s the least I can do in such a trying time for you and your family.”
She smiled sadly, eyes downcast briefly. “Well, at least let me thank you for your patience. With Danny, I mean.”
Vlad placed a gentle hand on her shoulder blade, smiling assuringly. “He’ll come around.”
She buried the unbidden thought that had forced its way to the forefront of her mind, that there was no coming back from this… not for any of them. She forced a smile to her lips, pretending to be encouraged.
He seemed to see straight through her, pressing his lips together thinly. “It’s a few hours before dinner. How about I help you settle in?”
“Again, thank you, Vlad, but it's been a long… It's been a long week. I think I need to lie down for a bit,” she said, certain she would be doing no such thing.
“Of course. If you should need me, I’ll be in my office right over here,” he said, gesturing to another tucked away room separated from the lobby by a pair of french doors. He gave her arm a soft squeeze and retreated to his office.
She stood in the lobby for a moment more, fighting the feeling of uncertainty, before heading upstairs. She paused at the top, looking in the direction of Danny’s room, torn between giving him his space and checking in on him. Based on his behavior during the day, she suspected he wasn’t in the mood to chat and decided on the latter.
Instead, she stopped before her room to knock on Jazz’s door.
Though her daughter opened up for her, she didn’t seem to want her to come in.
“Hey, mom, is D--is everything okay?” she asked from the doorway. A glance into the room revealed Jazz was slowly unpacking clothes into her closet and drawers.
“Everything’s fine, I just wanted to check in and make sure you had everything you needed,” Maddie said, struggling not to sound as awkward as she inexplicably felt.
“Oh, yeah, I’m just putting things away,” Jazz said, apparently having a similar problem as she absently moved a tendril behind her ear. “Have you checked on Danny?”
Maddie was both touched and shamed by the question. Jazz had always been particularly, for lack of a better word, motherly towards Danny, and her concern had only grown in the last few months. She was a stark contrast to Maddie’s own failures.
“Not yet,” Maddie admitted, looking down at her hands. “I thought it would be better to give him a little space. I’ll check on him before dinner.”
Jazz nodded, her eyes wandering down the hall towards her brother’s room. Maddie could make a fairly educated guess as to what Jazz would be doing after she unpacked.
“Jazz…” Maddie started, startling herself. She had only meant to check in on her, but now that she was here… The last week had been hectic between talking with police, the hospital, and arranging the trip to Wisconsin at Danny’s request. She hadn't yet had a chance to truly unpack everything that happened.
“Honey, I need to ask you something, and I really need you to be honest with me. And I promise, I won’t be angry or upset with you. I’ll understand...”
Jazz tensed and Maddie wondered if her suspicions weren’t unwarranted.
“Did you know?” she asked, wishing she didn’t have to even ask and even more terrified of the potential answer.
Jazz blinked, like the question had startled her, and Maddie’s own chest clenched.
“No,” Jazz answered and her tone left Maddie no doubts. “I wish I had. Maybe this wouldn’t have…”
“No, Jazz, honey, don’t do that. That doesn’t help anything,” Maddie stopped her, aching that her daughter was trying to take any kind of blame. If anyone deserved that, it was their mother.
She reached out and softly brushed her daughter’s cheek, but at the tenseness she was greeted with, she fought the urge to recoil her touch. Jazz smiled gratefully, but the rift was already felt.
“ I’m… I’ll be in my room but if you–if either of you need or want to talk, I can come to you or you can come to my room. I’m here for you.”
Jazz nodded. “Thanks, mom.”
Maddie smiled, but couldn’t maintain it for even a second more after the door closed. Taking a deep breath she hoped would bury the emotions that threatened to spill forth, she retreated to her own room and buried herself in organization. As long as she had something to do, she would be alright.