Chapter Text
-Eros was the Greek god of love, or more precisely, passionate and physical desire. Without warning, he selects his targets and forcefully strikes at their hearts, bringing confusion and irrepressible feelings or, in the words of Hesiod, he 'loosens the limbs and weakens the mind.'
-Theogony, 120
Chapter One
Folie`a Deux
She woke up nestled next to his side, warm and comfortable and relaxed. Her eyes glanced up at him, and she heard him snoring softly. She smiled and sat up to stretch. They didn't need to sleep, but she liked to anyway. She liked sleeping next to him and cuddling.
Looking around the room, feeling her grogginess fade quickly, she found amusement and fondness in the sight before her. A massive mess of two different worlds clashing in their large home.
She won't ever admit it to anyone, not Kitty or Spectra, but waking up next to him, from sleep she doesn't need, soothes her in a way she has never felt before.
Gently, she pressed out her core, finding his so easily and swirling her energy around it. He groaned a little before his eyes popped open, sleep tumbling away as he, too, didn't need it.
He sighed and said in that thick, deep voice of his, "You know, I've warned you about waking me up like that, woman."
And Ember gives an affectionate but light laugh and says softly, "Shut up, Metal Head." Before she leans down and presses a kiss to his cold cheek.
She humphs at the feeling of the metal against her lips and says, "Come out, I wanna kiss you." She says, and Skulker rolls onto his side away from her. "No." He says petulantly.
Ember frowns, gets a little angry, but knows her anger won't help in this situation, so she places a hand on his arm and says in the softest voice, "Please?"
Skulker glances at her sad face and sighs, once again rolling onto his back before his green eyes fade to black and the mechanical suit's face pops open.
Ember holds out a hand, and the real Skulker steps out onto it. He crossed his arms and looked away angrily before Ember raised him up and gave him a kiss on his tiny face.
"Morning, goober baby." She says, and he looks at her angrily. "I told you not to call me that!" And his squeaky voice makes Ember laugh, and her white cheeks tinge blue as she looks at him with so much warmth, and Skulker sags a little.
"Er, Morning."
"I was thinking of going to the human realm today; do you want to come? Dipstick's parents have the portal wide open." Ember said as she stood from the bed and walked towards the makeshift kitchen, a cacophony of hunting tools and musical messes that had occurred when the pair had bonded, and their two islands in the Zone became one.
"No. I want to go hunt a baby Behemoth I saw yesterday. It looked ripe for the picking. And take me back to my suit!"
"No. I wanna spend time with you before I go." And Ember saw the doubtful look on Skulker’s face, a hint of dejection as he sighed and turned away from her.
Ember rolled her eyes and scoffed before she kissed the back of his head and said, "You know you're safe with me, right? We've been over this a hundred times; you don't have to wear the suit around me. I like you the way you are. And I wouldn't let anything happen to you." And Ember sat down at the table and held him up before her, her eyes showing her love even though they never really said those words to each other.
She pressed her core against his, nudging it gently in a way that was meant to say, I love you, trust me, we are cool. And after a moment, Skulker pressed his energy to meet hers. Wrapping around Ember’s core tightly.
She still doesn't understand how such a small ghost could have such a strong core, but whenever he reciprocates her affections, she can feel his true strength and power level.
Hell, the little goober could control and animate an entire mecha suit with his core and still have enough juice to power all his weapons. He was tiny but strong, and he had survived in the Zone for a very long time. It's one of the reasons she liked him so much. He was tiny but strong, and she felt such comfort having him near, and her core hummed so sweetly when he would give her his affections.
"Hey Metal Head, you wanna fool around before we start our day?" She asked with a playfully wicked smile, and Skulker looked back at her, staring a moment before he said begrudgingly, "Yeah."
Of course, ghosts fooling around was different than how humans did it. It was more spiritual than physical. Their cores teased and taunted each other, massaging, caressing, and blending in the most scintillating ways.
She stood with him in her arms and was beelining back to the bed, more than ready for some fun as they hadn't fooled around in weeks.
She placed Skulker on the pillow and lay down, the pair gazing at each other and getting ready to play. “Ya know, it’s kind of silly how shy you are about coming out of that cruddy metal suit. I mean, come on, it isn’t like you’re in danger in our home.” Ember teased gently.
“You try existing in the Ghost Zone for fifty years as a tiny speck and tell me how safe and cozy we are. I learned the hard way to always be ready for anything. And I’m not going to let my guard down now, even with the suit...or you around to watch my back.” Skulker said as he sat down on the pillow and once again crossed his arms in that irritated manner that never seemed to leave him.
“Goober baby, I think you’re alright, but you really got to get over this weirdo short guy thing you got going on. I’m the queen of rock and roll, and you are the Ghost Zone’s greatest hunter, only the biggest idiot in the void would ever think to try and get in here with us around.”
Skulker opened his mouth to say something, but a massive bang and a huge surge of ghostly energy stopped him. Something large had just crashed through the roof of their home, and dust rose up blocking their view.
Ember had shielded Skulker from the blast, and as the dust settled, she quickly grabbed him up and put the pint-sized ghost back into his suit before saying angrily, "Whoever the fuck just blew up our home, I expect you to end them-"
The faceplate slid back into place, and the mechanical suit’s eyes glowed green as Skulker sat up and said in a deadly low voice, "With pleasure."
Ember coughed a little as the smoke and dust continued to clear, and as Skulker stood to see who or what had just blasted a hole in their roof and skin them alive, a low growl was heard. He paused, thinking for a moment it sounded familiar, and as everything finally settled, his eyes went wide as Ember let out a shocked, “Oh shit.”
Plasmius stood over Phantom, glaring down at him with seething red eyes as Danny stared back in defiance.
“Not again.” Skulker sighed as he took two steps back and sat down on the bed with a plop, “Baby Pop, you have three seconds to get the hell out of our house or I am going to-” A massive green blast of energy was shot up from the ground and hit Plasmius which sent him flying back out of the roof, creating another hole and adding to the mess.
“Sorry,” Danny said in a rather absentminded way before he pulled himself from the rubble and shot out of one of the holes.
Ember growled angrily before she followed them out of the house as well and hovered, Skulker joining her as the pair watched the dog fight ensue.
“It’s the fourth time this month those two have gone at each other.” Skulker mused.
“Second month in a row they’ve shown up and turned the Ghost Zone into a freakin’ war zone!” Ember said, noticing all the free-floating rocks that used to be small islands.
“They still going?” And Ember turned to find Spectra, Kitty, Johnny 13, the Box Ghost, and the Lunch Lady in a group.
“You’re kidding me!? You’re places too?” Most of the ghosts nodded, and Ember seethed a little, only to turn back at the sound of a very loud and painful yell.
Plasmius was electrocuting Phantom in a bright display that sparked and fizzed loudly. When it ended, Phantom stumbled to his feet and tucked his arms into his sides. “Hands up!” Kitty said, and all of them covered their ears quickly as Phantom released his wail.
Plasmius held up a pink shield and took the brunt of it, still floating when Phantom’s wail ended, and they stared in surprise. "Did Plasmius just survive the whelp's wail?" Skulker asked, though it was more out of shock than not having seen it with his own eyes.
"Damn it." Spectra groused.
“What the hell are we going to do about this bullshit!” Kitty asked, and Spectra pressed fingers to her temples, and she said, “Every time they do this crap, they destroy everything! I’ve had to rebuild my island twice now!”
“They ruined my meatloaf! And dented my cookie sheet!” Lunch Lady growled as Boxey patted her back gently in an attempt to keep her from raging.
Another voice rang out, and the group looked to find Technus flying up. “Are those two uncooperative nuisances still here?!”
“Yup,” the group said in unison as all eyes turned to see the pair trying desperately to tear the other apart. Phantom delivered a jaw-breaking punch as Plasmius shoved his fist into Phantom's stomach and shot off a pink Ecto blast.
“I say we let them duke it out; one will eventually kill the other, and then the problem will be solved,” Johnny said lazily as he sat back on his bike and continued to watch.
“What a great idea, dufus, and in the meantime we can watch our homes and stuff get destroyed!” Ember yelled at him.
“I’m just saying, they can’t fight like this forever; eventually something's gotta give,” Johnny said with a shrug.
“You give up, Fruitloop?” Phantom suddenly yelled as he formed a sword out of ecto energy.
“I’m just getting started, brat!” Plasmius rebuked as he formed his own Ecto sword, and Johnny’s brow raised. “Or maybe not.”
“That. Is. It! I’m putting an end to this!” Ember said, but as she turned to go, Phantom screamed, and she looked back quickly.
Plasmius had Phantom on the ground and was shoving his blade through the front of Phantom's shoulder. “Baby pop!” Ember yelled as she went to fly over; a hand on her shoulder stopped her, and she looked to see Skulker shaking his head.
"Plasmius will not kill him. Do not worry."
"He just stabbed him!" Ember barked.
"The whelp will be fine. Plasmius values Phantom too much to actually end him."
“Don’t do it, girl. You get in the way of that massive amount of testosterone, and you’re gonna get laid out.” Kitty said with annoyance.
“Neither of them is going to win,” Spectra said lazily as she pushed her sunglasses up her nose.
“Do they just enjoy the pain?” Technus asked in confusion.
A loud yell sounded, but this time it was from Plasmius, as Phantom had gotten the upper hand again and had grabbed the man by his cape, only to launch him at an empty island before sending his feet into the man’s chest and shoving him into the hard ground.
“Pain? Of what pain do you speak! They are ghosts; they could battle for all of eternity!” Boxey asked.
“No, stupid, those two are half-ghost, remember? They can feel pain just like the rest of the cruddy humans, but I wish they would just shut up!” Ember spat as she glared at the two.
“Oh, right. I always forget that.” Boxey said.
“What if we all just go attack them together? I bet we could scare them off that way.” Kitty offered.
Suddenly, a massive green blast and a massive pink blast met, and a huge explosion sounded out and echoed through the Zone.
“Never mind.” Kitty amended quickly.
“Ugh, this is so stupid! They’re both halfa’s! They need to just get over their issues and get along. I’m sick of their fighting, and I’m sick of our homes getting blown up for their own ego boost!” Ember yelled before she took off and headed away from the battle.
“Where are you going?” Kitty called after her.
“To the one ghost I know who can stop those two jackasses!” Ember called over her shoulder, and the rest of the ghosts looked to each other before they shrugged and followed her, leaving the halfas to battle.
PAGE BREAK
"Why are all of you here?" Intoned Clockwork smoothly.
"Oh, you mean you haven't noticed the train wreck that is Phantom and Plasmius tearing apart the Zone!?" Ember yelled.
"No. But even if I had, what do you expect me to do about it?"
“I want you to freeze those guys in one of your little time loop things and kick 'em from the Ghost Zone!” Ember yelled at Clockwork, who stared at her with little response.
The rest of the ghosts nodded their heads and glared at him, but Clockwork only shook his head and said, “I cannot ban a ghost from the Ghost Zone. I am the master of time, not a referee. Perhaps you should speak to Walker; he is good at breaking up fights." Clockwork said.
"No! Phantom only listens to you! Tell him to stop, or you will freeze him in time or send him to the Jurassic era or something!" Ember argued back.
"Even if Phantom does listen to me, Plasmius does not. And as they are half-ghost, they need access to the Ghost Zone to keep their cores active, just like the rest of you, even if only occasionally.”
“But it’s not occasionally!” Kitty yelled.
“Yeah, those scumbags have been coming in here and smashing up our homes and all the islands for the past two months!” Spectra said.
“If you can’t banish them, then freeze them! Stop time around them so they can cool off and go home!” Ember yelled.
“Freezing time around them won’t stop them. Plasmius and Phantom have been fighting since the day they met; simply giving them time to cool off and go home won’t solve your problems.”
“Then what will?” Skulker asked as he glared at the spirit, and Clockwork smirked. “The only way to stop the destruction and the fighting is for both Plasmius and Phantom to make peace with each other.”
“Yeah, right, like that'll ever happen.” Johnny scoffed, “If you aren’t going to offer up suggestions, just stay quiet!” and Kitty whacked him with her purse.
“Ah! Come on, babe, knock it off!” Johnny said, ducking and trying to block her swings.
“As I was saying-” Clockwork started, and Kitty looked to him and settled down a moment, giving Johnny one last whack for good measure.
“The only way to end the fighting is if they make peace.”
“Great, sure, I bet we can get two headstrong, overly aggressive hotheads who HATE each other to make peace; we’ll get right on that,” Ember said sarcastically.
Clockwork simply smiled and said, “It can be done if you use love as the weapon,” and all the ghosts looked absolutely confused, but Clockwork merely waved his staff through the air and called out, “Eros, care to pay a visit?”
The sound of a smooth giggle surrounded all the ghosts, who huddled together a bit tighter as they looked around.
After a moment, next to Clockwork, another ghost appeared, glowing white and with the most handsome face any of them had ever seen. He had a set of large wings jutting from his back, a crown of flowers adorning his head, and wore very little, save for a small white sheet bound around his waist with gold silken rope. In one hand, he held a bow that shone like silver, and his feet were wrapped in cloth.
“Whoa-” Spectra said, lowering her sunglasses to peek at him. “Damn!” Kitty said, moving forward and glancing over Spectra’s shoulder, and Ember scoffed as she glanced away. “He’s okay.”
Johnny and Skulker glared at the male ghost before them; his demeanor and appearance were strangely soft and gentle, though he held his shoulders in a dominant, sturdy manner.
“You summoned me, all-knowing one.” Eros bowed to Clockwork graciously, and the spirit of time frowned and said in a deadpan, “Stop it.”
Eros looked up and sighed, “Fine, my Gods, you’re no fun.”
“I don’t have time for fun.” Clockwork mused.
“Maybe you should… make some time, eh?” The man said with a smile, and the group groaned at the horrible joke, which caught Eros’s attention. “Whoa, party at the Clock Tower? Hell yeah! Who brought the wine-”
“No. Eros, I need you to have a look at a pair of-”
“Oh! A pair, do you mean like a couple? Are they cute!? Oh, I love cute couples! Tell me they are cute! Please, let them be cute!”
“Clockwork, who the hell is this weirdo?” Ember asked as Skulker came to stand next to her and placed a rather possessive and obvious hand on her hip. Ember glanced at him, and her cheeks turned blue as she bit her lip to hide her smile.
“Is it them? Cause like, they are all good. Healthy, in love, and committed.” Eros said as he smiled at them happily, and Ember went into a coughing fit. “Who said anything about love!?”
“You two do. You reek of it! That’s my job; I’m Eros, the God guy of...ya know...passion, love, and desire...and sexy time!” and he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as Spectra cocked her head to the side. “No shit. I've heard about you. You throw a mean mixer.”
"Yes, I do! Singles mixers are the best, and the orgies after are-" but Clockwork cut him off expertly well again as he continued on unperturbed, “Everyone please, be quiet. No, Eros, Ember and Skulker are not the couple I wish for you to look at. It is these two, here, in my portal.” and the largest one Clockwork had swirled to life and on the screen for all to see was Plasmius and Phantom, still fighting like cats and dogs, though at this point their clothes were shredded, ectoplasm and human blood mixing as it leaked from various wounds. They looked like they had journeyed through hell and back, and as they glared at each other, there was a seething rage in their eyes.
“How long are you going to drag this out, old man?” Phantom asked angrily through panted breath.
“However long it takes to teach you some respect, child!” and the pair charged each other. Their energies clashed violently as they engaged once again.
“Oh my, those poor dears.” Lunch Lady said, only for Ember to snort, “Yeah right, those dick bags aren’t poor at all! They could stop whenever they want, but instead they fuck up the Ghost Zone and destroy our lives!”
Eros froze, his pale purple eyes going wide as he watched the pair continue to fight. He leaned forward, studying them intently. A strand of his golden hair slid free from the strange flower crown on his head, but he pushed it back, his eyes still locked on Phantom and Plasmius.
“Uh...Clockwork, what’s the weirdo doing?” Ember asked.
“Eros can see the physical and emotional needs of each individual, as well as how open they are to loving others and themselves. He can also tell when a pair of individuals are compatible versus when they are not...well, Eros?” Clockwork asked, and the man held up a hand, still watching as Phantom and Plasmius tried repeatedly to hurt or maim the other.
“My God, the tension is incredible. Wait...I’m seeing human emotions as well as a ghostly core...are those two-”
“They are halfa’s, half ghost and half human. And no, they are not related, and yes, they are the only two of their species.” Clockwork said and Eros stood up straight, still watching them as he brought a hand to his chin and crossed an arm over his chest, “There is a lot of trauma, in both of them, the big guy doesn’t trust anyone and doesn’t have much of a heart left….very selfish, angry...whew, lot of rage in the big guy...but...there are still a few gentle bones left in his body...he still has the ability to care and love. The smaller one...lots of room for love...lots of trust...naive in some respects but compassionate….the big one does care about the little one, but only so far as the fact they are both halfa’s...and something else...yup..right there...a shred of love hidden away, big guys very protective of that little sliver, doesn’t want to give it to anyone...are these two close at all?” Eros asked, looking at Clockwork.
“In their human form, they are forced to get along, as Plasmius is friends with Phantom’s parents. Why?”
“Phantom's the little guy?” Clockwork nodded as Kitty said irritably, “Duh, he’s a kid; Plasmius is an adult.”
Eros looked back at the screen before he said, “Well, even though they are acting like enemies...I can see a bond has already formed; it’s really weak...but...to even have a bond at some point, they must have allowed for a moment of trust.”
“Oh! I know this one-” Boxey said with excitement, “Plasmius helped Phantom stop a giant asteroid from crashing into the planet and destroying Earth and the Ghost Zone!”
All the ghosts looked at the Box Ghost as he gave a proud smile.
Eros smirked at Boxey before he asked Clockwork, “How young is Phantom, Clocky?”
“He’s just turned eighteen, and don’t call me Clocky.”
“Can’t be helped; the name is cute, it’s set in my mind, and it will not go away now. You are forever Clocky.” Eros said absentmindedly as he continued to watch the two.
"Come on, Fruitloop, come get me!" Phantom yelled.
"I wouldn't push me if I were you, Little Badger! I've had a very bad day!"
"Yeah? Me too! And I'm about to make yours worse!"
"My gawd, those pet names are so cute! And that playful banter, so witty and flirtatious." Eros sighed as his hands joined together over his heart.
"Pet names? Those are insults. Phantom thinks Plasmius is a crazy Fruitloop, and Plasmius calls Phantom Little Badger because it pisses him off." Spectra said with annoyance.
"Nope. I can hear it in their voices; they may think it's an insult, but there is affection when they say those names. It's small, very small, but it's there. There is a pull between them, but they are too angry to notice it."
“What is the point of this? We don't want you to dissect their interpersonal relations and personal issues; we want solutions! Can you do something about those dick bags or-” Ember started, only for Eros to hold up a suddenly stern finger. “Wait. I can’t just thrust people together, well, I mean...technically I can...but I don’t do it that way anymore. It was different 2,500 years ago. People were different, and I was different. I have to make sure it’s safe for both parties...things usually get pretty messy if I just willy-nilly force people to want each other, a lot of rape, murder, and death. Why do you think we call them Greek Tragedies? Just...hold tight.”
“Rape, murder, and death?” Kitty repeated in confusion, only for Johnny to say, “Wicked.” Kitty frowned at him and held up her purse in warning.
“Did he just say, ‘make people want each other’?” Ember asked Skulker softly, and the Hunter shrugged in confusion.
“Huh, interesting. Okay, well...I can do it. They are both compatible; they would be perfect for each other, actually. Phantom’s got the love, and Plasmius has the discipline, but if I do this, it’s gotta be a double whammy. There is a lot of bad blood between these two. I’m talking about years of repressed feelings, conflicted emotions, trickery, lies, deceit...they have absolutely no foundation for a relationship-”
“But it could be done? Safely?” Clockwork asked, and Eros looked back at the two who were both on their knees, gasping for breath, more wounds having occurred and the top half of their uniforms barely covering them as they took a moment to get their breath back.
“Oh yeah, these two have enough sexual tension between them to light a temple on fire, and Plasmius does care about him...Phantom will come around...and probably quickly too...he’s young, hormones tend to win out over logic." Eros said matter-of-factly.
"Who'd be the top?" Spectra mocked sarcastically, and Eros shrugged. "Plasmius." And Spectra looked taken aback at his honesty.
"Mhmm. Yup, Plasmius would be dominant. Phantom would follow...buuuuut... when he gets older, the roles will reverse. Plasmius is old; he’s gonna get tired and eventually will follow Phantom...I can see it...Phantom is exactly what Plasmius needs to be happy and content, and Plasmius will give Phantom some semblance of consistency and security. Lord knows that kid is terrified of, like, everything.”
“Ha, yeah right, Baby Pop? Scared? The kid has been fighting all of us and saving the world since he was like fourteen.” Ember laughed out.
Eros turned to her, “Yeah, and why do you think he’s putting himself through that? Cause he enjoys it? He’s scared someone, or something, is going to hurt his family, take them away from him...he doesn’t want to lose his friends. So he puts himself through this,” and Eros pointed to the screen as Plasmius sent another wave of electricity through him, “in order to keep his fear at bay. He’s scared...so he fights. Plasmius can get rid of the fear, and Phantom can soothe Plasmius’s rage.”
And Eros looked to Clockwork, who turned to the group of ghosts, "Well? Will this make you happy and convince you to leave my home?"
The group all looked at each other and nodded before Ember said with surety, "Do it." Clockwork looked back to Eros and asked one last question, “Eros, can you make it permanent?”
Eros’s happy expression darkened. “Why on Earth would you want me to-”
“They are the only ones of their kind. And from what I’ve seen, there will be no more halfas for a very long time once they die. I need both Plasmius and Phantom alive for as long as possible; they are important to the future. They will protect each other and keep each other alive and out of trouble if your spell isn't broken...so I ask again...could you make your little spell permanent?”
Eros scoffed and crossed his arms as he said irritably, “First off, it’s not a spell. It’s a very delicate procedure designed to dull their aggression and heighten their arousal. I'm the God of desire and sexuality, not a second-hand witch. Second, yes, I can. But if I don’t let my gift fade naturally, they won’t know whether they really love each other or are just doing what I commanded. It makes it messy, dangerous...they could end up resenting each other but would be unable to live without the other...thus the murder and rape and death I mentioned earlier. The whole idea is to make them give in to their desires; after that, it needs to be their choice if they continue with the relationship.”
“Very well. Make it temporary, but I would like you to keep an eye on them for the time being. They’ve caused enough trouble to result in my calling you in the first place, so you know very well they will be difficult to break.”
"They are stubborn too!" Kitty added.
"And thick in the head," Ember murmured angrily.
"And repressed." Spectra mused, "loads of depression in the kid and a lot of self-loathing in Big Blue."
"Whose, Big Blue?" Boxey asked in confusion.
"Plasmius, obviously, man, you're dumb." Spectra scoffed.
"Whoa, you got some sad juice off Plasmius?" Technus asked in surprise.
"When he was younger, before he knew better. We spent a week together as I sucked him near dry of his negativity; why do you think I call him Big Blue?" Spectra said with a wicked smile.
The group shuddered, cringed, or made noises of distaste.
"Just make sure it takes," Clockwork said, interrupting the group and glaring at Spectra, who just rolled her eyes and shrugged.
Eros smirked. “Oh, Clocky, sweetheart, you underestimate the power of my double whammy! It will last for a month. Nothing but rutting and kissing for those two. By the time it fades, they won't want anyone else." Eros said with a cocky smile.
Clockwork narrowed his eyes, and Eros swallowed. "But I’ll keep an eye on them for you to see how it plays out. " Yeah, know, make sure it takes, as you put it." Eros winked as he took off out of the tower, and Clockwork looked to the ghosts. “Well? Why are you still here?”
“So that's it, right? This whole war in the Zone is over?” Ember asked, and the rest of the ghosts waited for his response.
“I thought it was clear,” Clockwork said with annoyance.
“Hell no, it’s not! We want a guarantee!" Skulker barked out.
Clockwork sighed as he said softly, “Eros will dull both Phantom’s and Plasmius’s aggression and replace it with desire. The pair will essentially bond and become mates, unable to resist each other and no longer having the will to fight. By the time the spell fades, hopefully the two will have reconciled their differences and the fighting will come to an end.”
"So, wait, those two are gonna bang, right? That's Eros's power. Desire and sex and stuff?" Spectra asked with sadistic excitement.
“Wait...Eros...I remember reading about him...he’s the God guy who invented Cupid, right?” Kitty asked suddenly as Johnny looked at her and asked in surprise, “You read?”
Kitty growled and whacked him with her purse, and Spectra chuckled from behind a hand as she watched the display.
Clockwork shook his head before he said with irritation, “Yes. So, if you will all just return to your homes-”
“No way in hell!” Spectra cackled, “I wanna see them bang!” and she took off quickly before Kitty gasped, “OHMYGAWD, ME TOO!”
Ember sighed and took Skulker’s hand. “Come on, let’s go home; we have two massive freakin’ holes to fix in that stupid giant ass skull.”
“Yes. I have no desire to watch Plasmius and the whelp canoodle as humans do. It’s disturbing.”
“Canoodle? Seriously?” Ember asked.
Lunch Lady and the Box ghost floated up and out, and Technus just faded away. That left Johnny, who had watched his girlfriend take off in order to witness two human males do it. “So freakin’ weird, Kitty,” he started his bike and grunted, “Shadow, let’s go wreak some havoc in the human realm.”
Clockwork turned back to the portal, seeing the frustration and anger in Vlad's red eyes as Danny thrashed against the elder Halfa's hold.
"I hope you can learn to be gentle, Plasmius." And Clockwork's red eyes glanced at Danny. "And I hope you can forgive him, young Phantom."
Page Break
Danny was angry- no, he wasn't angry; he was pissed, livid...he was so God damned ticked off he wanted to wail out into the void.
Vlad was being absolutely stupid for no reason! All Danny had done was put a bucket of Ecto goo above his bathroom door; the guy had been about to shower anyway! It was just a prank! Why did Vlad have to be so-
Vlad slammed him into the ground, raining down punch after punch into Danny's face, and the youth was quick to shift his weight and flip him over, delivering a few hard punches of his own.
"It was just a stupid prank, Vlad! When are you going to learn to take a joke!" Danny yelled.
"Maybe when your jokes are actually funny!" Vlad yelled back as he dodged another punch and used his own weight to shift Danny.
Vlad pressed him onto his stomach and grabbed an arm, twisting it and hitching it up, and Danny started to scream, "Don't break my shoulder again! It took forever to heal last time!" Danny yelled, and Vlad scoffed, "Then you shouldn't have broken my foot, you brat!"
This had been going on for over two months. Both of them had simply reached the end of their patience, and now every little thing set them off on an explosive war against the other.
After four years of relentless, petty fighting, bickering, pushing, and pulling, the pair could no longer quell their anger or frustration with each other.
It felt good to get it out, but it also left both of them broken, covered in bruises and unable to do much of anything but rest and take it easy. By the time they healed enough to feel good again, one of them would set the other off, and it would start all over.
Their ghost half helped them heal faster than your average human, but the brutality of their battles left their bodies so damaged that it took longer than normal.
"Stop!" Danny screamed as Vlad forced his arm up higher, and in that moment of pain, Danny lost his form and transformed back into his human self.
The pop of Danny's shoulder was evident, and Vlad stood up and moved back, glaring at the youth who was thrashing on the ground as tears fell from his face.
After a moment, Danny struggled to his feet, holding his shoulder as he cried, "You ruin everything! Why are you such an asshole! It was just a prank! I was playing with you!"
"You brought this on yourself, Little Badger. Do you think I enjoy hurting you? Do you think I get any satisfaction from making you suffer?!"
"Why wouldn't you! I enjoy hurting you all the freaking time!" Danny turned back into Phantom and flew at him, despite his dislocated shoulder, which he was very grateful Vlad had elected not to shatter again, and the pain he was in.
He was about to fly headfirst into Vlad's gut in hopes of pressing the man into the sharp, jagged rocks behind him when suddenly he changed back into his human form and skidded across the ground.
Vlad was confused at first about what had made Danny falter, then suddenly transformed back into his human half as well.
"What the devil?" He asked no one, looking at his human hands in surprise.
"Sorry, boys, but humans are much easier to ensnare in my little web of lust! Human emotions are more straightforward than the fickle nature of a ghostly core. Though, I am going to bond your cores as well; I kind of have to for this to work."
Vlad and Danny both looked up, only to see a very handsome man in what appeared to be some kind of white skirt looking down at them.
“Is that...a flower crown?” Danny asked Vlad in confusion.
“And wings,” Vlad confirmed.
"Who the hell are you?" Danny asked, and the man smiled, "I am Eros, and I have been retained by the inhabitants of the Zone to bring peace where there is none.” his voice boomed dramatically as his eyes glowed pure white. Vlad and Danny both raised a brow before Eros’s eyes faded to a light purple, and he smiled happily and said in a much more gentle voice, “So, just hold still, and it won't hurt at all, okay?"
"Daniel-" Vlad said softly, not looking away from the strange half-naked man in the sky, and Danny nodded. "Yeah, I got your back, Fruitloop. Blast his ass, and I'll get him in the thermos. Then I'll finish beating the shit out of you."
"Doubtful." Vlad tried to transform, only to find he couldn't, and Danny looked at him in confusion. Vlad tried again, then looked to Danny and said, "Okay, new plan."
"Damn it, Vlad!" And Danny tried to transform as well, but when nothing happened, he growled.
"Well, at least you know I wasn't lying," Vlad said snootily.
"Shut up!"
"My gawd, you two are going to be so cute together!" Eros gushed, and both Vlad's and Danny's eyes bulged. "Pardon?" Vlad asked as he took a step back, gently grabbing Danny's good shoulder and pulling him back too.
"I promise it won't hurt, well, initially. But it may be a bit painful to stay away from each other when I am done. Longing is such a devastating and painful emotion."
"Daniel, we need to run." Vlad said softly, "Yeah, running sounds good!" And the pair turned and ran, aiming for a cave that they both hoped was empty. They didn't get very far before a white mist wrapped around them and yanked them back, the pair now floating in front of Eros.
"Tut-tut, you can't run from desire. Now let's see, whose first?"
Vlad suddenly hoisted his legs up and kicked Danny in the chest, the youth careening back but only clearing the mist halfway before he was sucked back in.
"Seriously?! We're captured by some crazy half-naked ghost with angel wings, and you still wanna fight?!" Danny yelled angrily at him.
Eros giggled happily. "Look at that, you say you hate him, but you tried to break him out. You're so sweet!" he said as he looked at Vlad with shining eyes. "And people think you're selfish!"
Danny looked at Vlad, and the man shrugged. "I thought I might be able to get you clear of the mist, then you could attack, but obviously not."
"Oh, well, why didn't you say so?" Danny said irritably.
"Well, that would destroy the element of surprise, wouldn't it, you stupid child!"
"I'm eighteen, I'm not a kid anymore! God, you're such a freakin' spaz!"
"Miserable youth!"
"Crazy Fruitloop!"
"Damnable brat!"
"Creepy old pervert!"
"Whoa, there is that tension again. Okay, this should be easy, Plasmius; we'll start with you!" Eros chirped with excitement.
"If you so much as touch me, you will wish you were never born." Vlad hissed, and Eros blushed. "Wasn't born, sweetie; I was created. And I like your angry eyes; they're kinda sexy."
"Ew, gross!" Danny said, "I'm trapped in a weirdo mist with a creepy old pervert and a half-naked pervert!"
"Yup, but you're only banging one of us!" Eros said happily. Vlad and Danny looked at the man in terror before they both yelled out in shock, "What?!"
"Calm down. In about three seconds it will be mutual. I don't mess around with the whole unrequited thing anymore, too rapey. I'm a good God now!" And Eros flashed a proud smile.
Danny panicked, "Vlad, Vlad, get us out of here! Now, please! Do something!" And Danny started to thrash wildly as he tried to break through the mist.
"Daniel, calm down, don't panic, Daniel! I said calm down!" Vlad barked.
"I don't wanna have sex with a half-naked crazy man in a flower crown with wings!" Danny said, and Vlad reached out, grabbed his face, and stilled him. "Stop! You aren't going to be forced to have sex with anyone!"
And Vlad looked to Eros. "He's a child. Whatever this sick, twisted game of yours is, leave him out of it. If you wanna have sex with someone, I'll have sex with you." Vlad said, crossing his arms.
Danny looked at him before wrapping his arms around his waist and hugging him. "Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"You're welcome, Daniel. I expect the pranks to stop, though, if I take this hit." And Vlad looked to Eros, and his eyes scanned the man up and down. "Not much of a hit, but it'll do in a pinch," Vlad murmured with a smirk.
"Yes, no more pranks, I promise." Danny assured, "Vlad will have sex with you!" Danny offered in relief, though the fact that this conversation was even happening was incredibly creepy.
"My word, that's so chivalrous! You'd be willing to sacrifice yourself to save him." Eros said as he sighed in some assinine, love-sick way.
Vlad continued to gaze at Eros as he smirked, "Oh yes, I'm sure it's going to be horrible. Do have your way with me, unless, of course, you prefer me to have my way with you." Vlad mused, and Eros giggled.
"You like males and females, don't you?" Eros said knowingly, and Vlad gave a rather charming smile. "On occasion I've been known to bite at both ends of the stick. What do you say to letting Daniel go, and we can venture off to some place quiet?" Vlad offered, and Eros leaned in a little. "Oh, I like you. Handsome, charming, and a skilled manipulator, you'd be right at home with the Gods. My mother would adore you. Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to spend a night with you, you've been reserved for him." And Eros pointed to Danny, the youth shoving away from Vlad and cringing. "What the hell is wrong with you! I don't want him! Take him! Please, go off and bang like rabbits, just leave me out of it!"
"Sorry, Phantom! I have my orders, and Clocky says you two need a lesson in love." And Eros raised his hands before bringing his bow down and pulling back the string. A strange purple and pink mist swirled around him before taking the form of an arrow, and when Eros released it, it surged forward and poured into Vlad's mouth and rushed up his nose. The man coughed and hacked and struggled to breathe, but as the smoke disappeared inside Vlad, he relaxed and looked up at Eros. "That was unpleasant, but I feel no different. Whatever you were trying to do, it didn't work." Vlad mocked snidely.
"Don't look at me, Plasmius; look at Phantom." And Eros held out an arm towards Danny, and Vlad slowly turned his head to look.
The moment he saw Daniel, his heart clenched, blood rushed down, and desire shot through his entire body, filling his mind to the brim with images and wants so powerful that Vlad jerked back.
"D-Daniel…" Vlad breathed as his body started to tremble, and a hand came to grip tightly into his hair. Silver locks fell from his ponytail as his eyes grew wide.
Danny looked at the man in fear, trying to shove as far away as he could, only for the mist to suddenly send him flying back toward Vlad, who opened his arms and pulled Danny to his chest.
"Vlad, let me go! Please let me go! Don't do this! Don't-"
"Hush, it's fine. Everything is going to be okay. I won't hurt you; I'd never hurt you, Little Badger. Mm, you smell so good-" Vlad breathed, and Danny felt how the man trembled, his whole body seeming to vibrate, and his heart was thrumming away in his chest.
Normally, when Danny was this close to Vlad, it was because the man was about to hurt him, but all Vlad was doing was holding him close, and Danny noticed things he usually didn't. The man's scent, how hot he was, the sound of his voice when it spoke in such soft tones, and Danny instantly panicked.
"Get away!" And he shoved the man back, looking to Eros. "Change him back! Undo it! Now!"
Eros gave a very kind and understanding smile before he said, "Sorry, once a human gets a whiff of the Pheromones of Desire, it has to fade out of them naturally. And I gave your lover a double whammy, so it's going to be about a month before-"
"Vlad isn't my lover! And I'm not going to let you whammy me! I'm not going to let this happen!" And Danny suddenly took in a big gulp of air and pulled one arm into his side, his other arm hanging limp as his shoulder was still dislocated.
He released his wail and the white mist around them shattered. Danny and Vlad were sent falling towards the island below, but before they crashed into it, Danny transformed, grabbed Vlad by the wrist, and took off at lightning speed.
Eros watched in wide-eyed shock from his spot on the ground, his flower crown askew, his toga a mess, and his hair ruffled. He groaned and shifted, only to hear a strange crunch, and pulled his bow out from under him; the thing snapped in half.
"Oh crap!" He went to get up and go after them, only to stop at the feeling of a hand on his shoulder, and Eros looked back to see Clockwork floating behind him.
"Let them go," he said softly.
"What?! I only ensnared Plasmius! If I don't do the little guy, he's going to be on the run from the big guy for an entire month."
"It will be better this way." Clockwork urged.
"How?! I always ensnare both parties for a reason, Clocky; if the kid lets his guard down, Plasmius will be all over him! How many times do I have to say the words rape, murder, and death before people start to listen! Plasmius's desires will build, and the more Phantom rejects him, the more aggressive he will get until he can't take it anymore! He'll take it out on Phantom! Not to mention my bow is busted; I need to get it fixed! Hephaestus is going to be so mad at me! He just forged this!"
"Daniel can handle it, and even if he can't, I've seen this future; this is the better way."
Eros looked out into the Zone after the pair who were long gone and sighed, "I really hope you know what you're doing. The kid is just a ticking time bomb of fear and insecurity. A full-grown adult male coming after him, filled to the brim with sexual desire, is going to be terrifying." Eros said, and the guilty look on his face was evident as he twisted his fingers together anxiously.
"All is as it should be. Now, let's go. We need to prepare for what is to come." And Eros reluctantly followed Clockwork, glancing back over his shoulder and letting out a very upset sigh.
High above on a tiny rock, Kitty growled, "Damn it! I wanted to watch them make out! That stupid wail always ruins everything!" And she kicked a stone before flying off as Spectra sighed, "What a waste of energy that was. Too bad, guess I'll have to go torment Bertram for the rest of the night." And she flew off as well, the excitement of the day having fallen flat on its face.