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Danny doesn't even know why he's coming to this Gala, he and Vlad had more things to worry about, like the fact that everyone was obsessed with Bruce 'East of Eden' WAYNE. Danny felt as Vlad was underplaying this way too much, he wanted to go out there and investigate and find the ghost (cause let's be real, it's one of his subjects) who did this and why, but... Danny could appreciate the simplicity of it all, especially since of what happened to him two years ago. Yada yada, GIW kidnapped him, his parents hurt him... he wasn't about to try and remember it again. A few months ago, however, he got a break, Vlad found and saved him, surprisingly, and took him in with Jazz, who was already staying at Vlad's and so happy to see him as so Danny. Vlad experienced a Obsession break afterwards, after realizing that his way about going after a family wasn't the best (or healthiest) and that took a lot of his health, though he still cared for Danny, taught him some, trained him some, cared for him some. Danny wasn't about to forget what he did when he was 14 though, but Danny was slowly letting his walls down, and Jazz was happy for that before she went to Gotham U for psychology in August. Danny was sad, but Vlad said he could visit in the winter, when they go to the Wayne Winter Gala. He then explained that years ago, Vlad decided he wanted to overshadow Bruce to mass a very healthy sum of cash, but then Vlad found to actually enjoy his company and decided to spare Bruce and instead help him make modifications to his anti-virus and actually make good business decisions with Wayne. Danny was about to ask if he ever liked liked Bruce by the way he was talking about him, but he bit his tongue.
Sometimes he wondered about Ellie, since she was traveling around the world, she couldn't possibly be hunted by them when she never stays in one place, and when he wonders about Ellie, he wonders about the other teammates in Team Phantom like Sam or Tuck. They must know he's okay, right? He talked to Jazz, and he knows that Jazz has their numbers just in case of emergencies so she must've send them an update soon. He always felt weird typing in a phone that wasn't Tucker's PDA, because he knew that PDA was secure and safe, unlike any other phone but it's not like he can go to Amity Park. The GIW and M- Maddie and Jack were there, and looking for him. He couldn't go back even if he wanted to, which he didn't. But he wondered for and his core ached for protecting his haunt home again, he cares for the people there so much, even though they flipped the switch on his every other week.
Danny's mind briefly flickered to someone, someone he remembers everyday, Damian. Ancients, how he missed Damian so much. It's been... over a decade, which Danny regretted everyday, especially now that he can't talk to anyone without raising some alarm bells. It's been a while since he he even thought about the LoA but… he hadn't missed it. Mother was awful, casting him aside and throwing him away when they were on that mission. He didn't care about that anymore, he now has his friends, friends who cared about him and friends that wanted him around… He didn't care now, he forgo all of that when they cast him aside like a broken toy. His only regret now… it was Damian, he wanted to reconnect with his twin brother, reconnect with… father, the word felt weird on his tongue. His other father, Jack, threw all parental rights when he strapped Danny to that table and cut him open with no more than a glance. (He knew that was a lie, Jack always looked so guilty when he looked at Danny.) He guesses, if Vlad ever did confess his feelings to Bruce… that wouldn't be so bad…? Last time he checked, Damian was with Bruce Wayne, appearing in Galas and parties, and Vlad did already say that they was going to the Winter Gala and also see Jazz, so maybe he'll also see his brother?
Danny heard a knock on his door, interrupting his thoughts and the end of him packing his luggage.
"Son, are you ready to leave?" Vlad asked, opening the door after a beat.
"Yeah, I think so. We're staying for 5 days, right?"
"Yes, but I'm planning to do laundry around the fourth day." Vlad answered, and Danny could see his unblinking eyes and still frame. He's forgetting to breathe and blink… again.
"Know you're sick, but it's weird when you're being creepy and sick." Danny said, zipping up his backpack and slipping it up his shoulder. He noticed Vlad blink a few times and breathe deeply.
"Right… well… Grab your things, let's go, Daniel." He said, leaving the door open. Danny grabs his suitcase and walks out and left. He was excited, to see Jazz, to maybe see Damian and to see Gotham again. He walks down the stairs and out the door, and he sees the car they're going to be driving to the airport, he takes a moment to pack his stuff in the trunk and get in the passenger seat.
This is going to be a long ride…