To last ask: The prime Danny clone has a huge potential to become a yandere. A more sick yandere than a common one because he has to play the role of a child to person he loves but knowing all those things between Vlad and the original Danny causes trauma in him and this sick love: a summary of strong desire of father's love and appreciation and the love obsession over older halfa who in the first year was the most careful and loving, and the warmest person you could ever meet. Vlad always has strong feelings, so, being careful it can be like-a-lover way.
Not gonna lie, anon, this is giving me some deliciously fucked up ideas
Of course you know I had to draw Velvet’s ghost form too. It took me a while to settle on a hair style so this is kind of a weird mix of Dani’s and Spectra’s since I didn’t want her to look too much like Vlad with full on horn shaped hair. As for the outfit, Vlad designed it to copy the Red Huntress, aka Valerie’s upgraded look out of spite once they officially became enemies after the events of D-Stablized. Like Velvet may want Dani/Ellie to forgive Vlad and vice versa, but if Valerie ever goes after her papa then the claws will come out, or fangs in this case. She will literally fight like a little vampire and use this special energy draining power from biting her ghostly enemies as a sort of nod to the original idea of Vlad being more of a vampire.
Velvet has quite the sweet tooth too and loves it when Vlad bakes sweets for them or cooks dinner himself. When that happens Velvet actually enjoys being papa’s little helper in the kitchen, floating around and phasing her hands through shelves to grab what they need. She’s a bit of a glutton too and always asks for seconds. It’s hard not to be when offered such rich delicacies lovingly made by your billionaire papa.
● DannyMay-Day7: Lab Safety ●
PaPa Lab Safety Rule
1-Dress Properly before entering the Lab (Google and specialize jump suit)
2-Keep Lab clean and Handle Spilled Ecto Plasm /Chemical with Specialize Method.
3-Know where the safety tool is and label all the chemical (replace worn one if needed)
4-Don’t eat, drink, smell or tasted chemical
5-Don’t play mad scientist unless given permission by Papa
6-If accident occur call for help immediately and follow C-Core extraction procedure.
7- Don’t disturd other reforming clone.in the Pod (i’m looking at you Kel)
Note: This is another story based on a post by @ectoblood, with the prompt of “Imagine a clone sacrificing themselves to save Danny from a fatal blow. Danny doing his best to comfort said clone in last moments as he destabilizes in his hands."
Also on AO3 and Fanfiction.net
It wasn’t...It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Danny thought as he held the melting boy in his arms. The clone is the one who’s supposed to be inconsolable. Danny’s supposed to be comforting him. He’s supposed to be keeping him calm. His clone shouldn’t...shouldn’t be comforting him.
But the clone is calm, resigned to his impending death. “It’s...it’s okay. It’ll all be over s..soon.” He coughs through the ectoplasm in his mouth.
The clone had wanted to die, feeling trapped by Vlad and his cruel demands. He feels worthless, like he has no purpose being the failed clone of another boy. And he doesn’t really have any friends or family who will miss him, nothing and no one to leave behind. But saving Danny, who has friends and family, a home and purpose unlike him, might just give the clone’s short life some meaning. He can do at least one good meaningful thing before his end.
So while the clone is dying in Danny’s arms, he tells his original. “Hey. Hey. Don’t...don't cry. It’ll be okay. You’re safe now. You can go home now.”
But the words just make Danny cry harder. “No. Hang...hang on. Stay...stay with...with…” He’s already done this once, when Danielle almost died in front of him. And he’s seen too many other clones also destabilize in front of him. But the one in his arms, who doesn’t even have a proper name just the ID number Vlad called him, is the only one, other than Dani, that he’s actually spoken to. And the stupid self-sacrificing idiot is trying to tell him it’s okay.
The clone’s brow wrinkles, confused. Why is...why is Danny crying? I’s not like anyone has even really cared about him, much less cried for him. And Danny shouldn’t be sad; it’s not like his clone was even supposed to exist anyway. A distant part of him starts to think that Danny might actually miss him when he’s gone. Danny might actually mourn.
That thought makes the clone cry. Danny might actually care about him and no one ever has, and maybe he doesn’t actually want to die. Now both boys are crying and as the clone’s body disappears up to his waist, he starts begging Danny to save him. And Danny’s weeping because he can’t. He doesn’t know how. Danny starts telling the clone that he’s sorry, that he failed him, he should have been stronger, faster. That he wished he’d known about him sooner so maybe he could have saved him then.
Danny holds the other boy closer. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, 18.”
“Jamie.” The clone chokes out. “My name is Jamie.”
Danny doesn’t question it but just agrees. “Okay. Okay Jamie. I promise, I promise I won’t forget you. You saved me. You saved me and I’ll never forget you. I’ll remember you, okay, always. Always Jamie. I-”
Hearing the name he picked, since Vlad never bothered to give him one, was sweet, even if it was the last thing the clone ever heard. Jamie died in Danny’s arms before he could hear that Danny loved him.
Note: So forever ago, @ectoblood and I had a conversation about a clone asking Danny to kill him and discussed, if a Danny clone would feel imperfect because he doesn’t share the same interests and dreams as his original? I actually expanded a little on those ideas from these two posts so have a ficlet.
Also on AO3 and Fanfiction.net
Daniel knows he was imperfect. It’s obvious; Father made that abundantly clear. The boy knows he was cloned from someone named Danny. And the older half ghost made it clear; he looked just like Danny and had all his powers. But that wasn’t enough. Father wants a better version of this Danny, someone who is a loving and obedient son but also with the personality and interests of the original. Perfect son, Father says, holding up this idealized version of the clone. He is to be the perfect son.
Father notices the difference and the man does not like it. He’s deeply dissatisfied because how dare his ‘perfect son’ not meet all of his expectations. His ideals t hat no one, not a clone or even the original Danny, could ever meet.
Father tries to force him in that direction. Daniel is a clone so of course, he likes space and video games and horror movies like his original. Daniel wants to be a good son, a perfect son. He really does. And he tries. He tries everything that Father offers him. And Daniel finds he likes some things that Danny does and doesn’t like other things. The clone also finds he has some of his own interests and dreams. He would rather watch birds in the garden than the stars. He’s rather draw than play video games. And horror movies...they scar him. He’d rather watch musicals.
Soon he’s always yelling at Daniel for some reason.
“Say yes sir, when you address me!”
“I… yes, Father. Sir.”
“I told you to clean the kitchen an hour ago. Why is it not done?!”
“I...I apologize, sir. I’ll...I’ll do that right now.”
“You call that an ecto energy attack? Pathetic!”
“Allow...allow me to try again. I will do better, please.”
He’s not obedient enough or powerful enough. He’s ungrateful, too quiet, too timid.
“Why do you never use the telescope I bought you?!”
“I...I have been busy with my studies. But...Tonight. Father, sir.”
Daniel never geeks out about space. The clone actually likes reading and birdwatching and hiking. He’s quieter and more thoughtful than his original.
All this burns in Vlad’s mind, his anger rising. How dare his perfect son behave like this? He was to be a perfect copy, in body and mind, yet perfectly loyal to his maker.
And for Daniel, all he wants is to make his Father happy. Maybe Father will be happy with him if he acts more like the person that Father wants him to be. So he tries to make himself like the things that Danny does and pretends to enjoy Danny’s interests. But he’s miserable, because space and horror movies don’t make him happy like reading in the garden and watching the birds does. He tries to be more outgoing and outspoken but that’s just not him. And Vlad can see that the clone is just putting on an act, trying to be more like Danny but failing (because he’s not Danny!).
So Vlad gets increasingly angry and dissatisfied because his ‘perfect’ son isn’t perfect. Vlad yells at him because he’s wrong, broken, a mistake, imperfect.
“Why should I even bother to keep a mistake like you around?”
“I… Father. Please. I’ll do better.”
“Be silent.”
“Father?”
“Never call me that again! Nothing as broken and imperfect as you deserves the privilege of calling me that. I am your Master, boy.”
“But-”
“I AM YOUR MASTER.”
“Yes… yes sir, Master.”
And Daniel believes him because Vlad is his Father, no, his Master and his Master has to be correct. If he was just more like Danny, then the man would love him. But he can’t be more like Danny. He’s not Danny and he’ll never be, no matter how hard he tries.
Vlad gave up on him, in his insanity thinking he just needs to try again. But he keeps the clone because he could be useful. Daniel isn’t Vlad’s son. He is tool. The man stops even trying to show him affection, increasingly having him run dangerous errands and be a lab rat for the older halfa. Vlad throws himself into making the next clone
“This one will work. It has too.”
“F- Master. Please, I’m hungry. Maybe I have some...some food.”
And the clone increasingly spirals into hopelessness and depression.
“Stop crying. You’re negatively affecting the data.”
“F...father. Please. St...stop.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
A cry of pain as Vlad digs the knife in deeper.
“Oh please. It barely even hurts.”
Weakened from hunger, thirst, and injury, Daniel escapes one day when Master is away. He...he is a failure. He...he is weak, he is horrid for begging Master to stop, for leaving now. But...he can’t...he can’t do this anymore. There is...there is only one way for the pain to end.
He arrives at a familiar building, one he’s seen through Master’s cameras. He rings the door bell and the front door opens to a familiar boy.
Danny refuses, of course. So Daniel tries to force his hand, attacking him. But Danny still refuses to hurt him, only defending himself so he can capture the other boy. Danny manages to get him in a thermos and soon after releases him in the ghost containment unit in the basement. He hates doing it but needs to talk to the other boy where the clone can’t hurt himself or anyone else. Danny manages to get some information from the near inconsolable boy.
“He keeps… he keeps hurting me.”
‘Who?”
“M...master.”
Eyes wide. “Vlad! Of course. Of course he cloned me again.”
Despite being stable and trying to be a good son, the clone’s still not what Vlad wants. He’s tried so hard to be what the older half-ghost wants but the man is still obsessed with having the ‘perfect’ son. And feeling like a failure and that his life is worthless, the clone wants to die and hopes that his original would have mercy enough to take him out of his misery.
After the speech, Danny is heartbroken watching the other boy weep. He feels helpless, not knowing what to do. He joins the other boy inside the unit, trying to comfort him. The clone still begs Danny to end him but the other halfa refuses.
“Why won’t you just do it?!”
“I will not hurt you. I don’t care how much you beg me or if you attack me again, I. will. not. hurt. you.”
“Please. I’m no one. I’m worthless. I can’t do this.”
“You’re not worthless. I promise. You’re not.”
“But I am. I AM.”
Danny grabs the other boy’s face. “Look at me. You are not worthless. You aren’t no one.”
“But-”
Danny cuts him off. “You’re family.” The clone’s mouth snaps. “I don’t care that we just met, or that you tried to hurt me. I made up my mind. You’re my family, no matter what. And I am going to find a way to help you. Vlad will never hurt you again.”
The other boy looks dumbstruck but Danny can tell he was listening. Just after Danny let go of his face, the clone fell forward, collapsing in Danny’s arms. He still wept but Danny thinks this clone did hear him. And he meant what he said. The boy he was hugging was family and Danny would always do everything in his power to help his family. Even if he wasn’t sure how to right now.
Hey its ectoblood! (For some reason tumblr wont let me send u an ask on that blog) so question. What do you think would have happened to Dani if Vlad got his perfect clone son?
Hey! Thanks for the ask!
I think what would happen depends on two things: when Vlad manages to successfully clone Danny and said clone son’s opinion and relationship to Danielle.
Now if Vlad managed to get his perfect clone son before Dani ran away from him in Kindred Spirits, sadly I think Vlad would probably ‘dispose’ of her (i.e kill her), unless she could serve some other strategic purpose for him. She might still be useful as a pawn or lackey, even if he doesn’t want her as a daughter. If she does get used as a pawn, this will result in a great deal of physical, emotional, and mental abuse. Dani, being the strong willed and independent girl we know and love, will likely try to get away. With some luck, she might escape, with her chances being higher if the perfect clone (Daniel) tries to help her get away or goes with her.
Granted, that outcome is not guaranteed. If we go for the more boring characterization and the prime clone is blindly loyal to Vlad, we could get the two clones opposing each other. Vlad would be likely to try to use Daniel to get rid of the other clone or to attack her if she does try to leave.
But if you know me, I will never go for the boring ‘evil clone’ interpretaion. In my cannon, Dani and Daniel care about each other and see each other as sister and brother. They have a relationship like the one in my story ‘Life and Death is All Perspective’, where the two talked and loved each other before Daniel was even out of the incubator. In that case, I think Vlad trying to kill Dani would actually be much less likely. Firstly, Daniel, his perfect son, would have very strong feelings about the prospect of Vlad hurting his sister. If he’s pretty loyal to Vlad, he’ll start by advocating for Dani and her place in their family. Maybe they’ll get lucky and Vlad will actually be a decent human being and treat both of them right. More likely though... if Vlad is still horrible to Dani and hurts her, Daniel will be torn between his loyal to his father and his love for his sister but he’ll ultimately choose Dani, likely leading to the two of them running away and/or going to Danny for help, assuming the clones and original know about each other.
Now, if Vlad manages to get his perfect clone when Dani is on the run from him, then things go a little differently. In that case, no matter what Vlad will wanted Dani dead because she can be used against him. She is proof of his illegal and immoral actions and will be included to oppose him when she can. I can also see Vlad trying to use Daniel against Dani. In this case, he’s supposed to capture or kill the other clone.
If we go the evil clone route, that would likely end badly for Dani. She would probably be weaker than Daniel, whose been stable from the start. And if he’s unwaveringly loyal to Vlad, he might do what the man wants without hesitation. And we have the end of Dani, unless someone (like Danny or Val) come to help her.
If we assume Daniel is more reasonable and has more qualms about hurting Danielle, then things might end better. While they’re fighting, Dani might plead with him to stop being loyal to Vlad and to not take her to the older halfa who plans to kill her. Still unsure about betraying his father, the boy doesn’t listen, not believing that Vlad actually wants to hurt her. He does take her back to the man but it quickly becomes clear that Vlad actually is as malice as Dani said. So Daniel actually does listen to her pleas, letting her go when Vlad isn’t around. Vlad does not take that betrayal well; he punishes Daniel harshly, making his doubts greater. And soon enough, Daniel understands why the other clones left. Now, after having one clone get away from him, Vlad will make it nearly impossible for Daniel to leave or oppose him again. But lucky for the boy, Dani knows about him and won’t want to leave him with Vlad. She’ll get help from Danny, Valerie, and co to fight Vlad and help her fellow clone.
For Ectober Week, Day 2 Stalker. Part 3 of “It was an accident, I swear.” my story where Jack accidentally cloned Danny
Part 1 -> Part 2 -> Part 3(here) -> Part 4 -> Part 5 -> Part 6 -> Part 7
I’m a clone..I’m a clone. Oh my God, I’m just a copy. I’m not even real.
The cursed words bombard the mind of the as of now unnamed clone. After the real Danny Fenton had bopped down the stairs, he’d instantly known his da…Jack was right about him, about everything. He’d turned invisible and fled transforming before he was even out of the house. Then he’d flown like the devil himself was chasing him, paying little attention to where he was going. With tears streaming down his face, the ghost can barely see where he was going anyway. That isn’t like him at all. Danny Fenton was never one to cry. Then again, he isn’t Danny Fenton.
The ghost comes to stop…somewhere. Wherever it was, it is green and smells earthy. He wipes his eyes and laughs when he realizes where he is. It’s the park in the center of Amity Park. He’s in a secluded area that he and Tucker had loved when they were little. They would make paper boats to sail on the stream and play awesome games of hide and seek.
His smile then turned down into a frown. No, he hadn’t done that. Danny had. He hadn’t even been alive for two hours yet. That’s what his Dad, no Danny’s Dad had said. That he’d accidentally cloned his son in the lab downstairs. How the heck do you accidently create a person? Then again, that was just like Jack Fenton, having no idea what his inventions were actually capable of and then achieving something he never thought possible.
That’s what had happened with the portal, not once but twice. It had worked, creating two half ghosts in the process. Images of putting on the original white and black suit and stepping into the then inactivated portal entered his mind. He had just wanted to impress his friends. He growled at the memory. No he hadn’t. Danny had done that. Danny had decided to walk into the portal. That wasn’t him. And it had never been him.
The unnamed clone flew towards the stream, trying to avoid the memories that seemed to be stalking him. The sound of the water flowing over the rocks and the crickets in the wood were nice. He came to a large tree with a curved trunk. It slopped over the stream, forming a nice place to sit. Tucker and him had spent many afternoons trying to see who could climb the highest up that trunk. He shook his head. No they hadn’t.
He flew farther and came to a pile of garbage. Seriously! People have been leaving junk here! Kids come here to play you jerks! Exhaling to calm those thoughts, he frowned when he saw a broken mirror in the pile. The ghost carefully picks up the largest piece and wipes it free of dirt. He raises his eyebrow at the image in the mirror. It’s himself, in ghost form. White hair, green eyes, black and white ghost hunting suit. It’s the face he’s always known since seeing it for the first time after the accident. Except it isn’t because he’s not that person, he’s not Danny Fenton or Danny Phantom. The face is perfectly identical but it’s not the same. The ghost makes a few funny faces in the mirror, watching his reflection copy him. As he sticks out his tongue realizes with a start that this is actually the first time he’s even seen his own face, excepted reflected on someone else. Or maybe he’s the reflection, the copy.
The ghost puts down the mirror. Is….this going to be his life if he stays here? Nothing but a copy, a reflection of someone else. Will he always be stalked by the real Danny’s memories? He shakes his head. He doesn’t want that. If he can’t be Danny Fenton (and he can’t, not after knowing the truth) then he wants to be someone else. Maybe he should go find Danielle. The two of them belong together, both being clones of Danny. Yeah he’ll do that, find her and make a life for himself.
Just then the ghost hears ruffling behind him and he whips around. “Who’s there?!”
Just silence. The wind blows by and he shivers. Did the temperature just drop? Cold fills his lungs like his ghost sense but doesn’t exit his mouth. His eyes widen and fist lit with ectoenergy. “Could you just leave me alone? I don’t feel like fighting anyone right now.”
No response comes as the wind blows passed the ghost again. He can feel ghostly eyes on him, his stalker silent and still but not leaving. With a sigh, he flew back towards the tree with the curved trunk. He takes a seat, sensing that whoever is following him is still there. But he ignores the presence; they’re not causing trouble so why bother?
He sits watching the trees move in the breeze for several moments, still debating whether he should leave. He doesn’t know where Dani is and really doesn’t want to live on the streets. And how would his da..no, Jack, not his Father, feel? Except Jack had insisted that he was Jack’s son. The man had said that multiple times but did he mean it, or just feel obligated?
And what about Danny himself? There’s no way he would want to live in the same house as someone who was essentially a copy of him. He’d even apparently told Jack what happened and then ran off, not wanting to see his clone until things started escalating downstairs. No, Danny probably wanted nothing to do with him. A tear ran down his face at the thought.
Just then the ghost senses his ghostly stalker move closer. He tenses but tilts his head. Whoever they are, they aren’t attacking him or setting off his ghost sense. And the signature feels familiar. He straightens and fixes his eyes on where he knew the invisible ghost was. “Could you let me see you? I promise I won’t shoot you or anything.”
The ghost hears a sigh and then the air not five feet in front of him shimmers. A figure slowly shifts into view. It’s….himself? No it’s Danny.
The ghost tries not to look shocked while studying the other halfa. The other boy wrings his hands nervously. The clone finally manages to speak. “How did you find me?”
“I….uhhh…had a feeling.” The other boy read between the lines; this is where Danny himself would have gone if he was upset.
The clone frowns. “Did Jack send you?”
Danny nervously rubs the back of his neck. “No. I volunteered to come find you and see if you wanted to come home.”
“Really, you didn’t come because Jack was worried?” The other boy asked skeptically.
“I mean, Dad is worried. He’s really sorry he explained stuff badly and made you freak out. But I’m worried too.” Danny bits his lip.
“Really, you were worried?”
“Yes! I was, I am.” Danny spread him arm, voice sincere.
“Then why the heck did you leave me?!” The other boy points at Danny, accusingly.
“What?” Danny pales, brow furrowing in confusion.
“Down in the lab. Before I woke up, you told Dad what was going on and just left. If you had been there when I woke up, I would have known what was going on right off the bat.” The boy’s voice starts rising in anger. ”But no you left Dad who didn’t really understand what happened and who can barely talk about emotional stuff to save his life, to give me the You’re a clone talk!” The clone feels a tear drip down his cheek again but wipes it away angrily.
Danny frowns, voice quiet. “I’m sorry.”
The clone turns away from the other halfa. “I don’t want to hear it.”
Danny flies in front of his clone again. “I mean it. I am sorry. That was crappy of me. I should have been there. But I was pissed off at Dad and didn’t want you to get caught in the middle.“
The clones eyes finally meet the other boy’s identical green ones and his expression softens somewhat. ” You’re right, that was a crappy thing to do. And I’m still mad at you.“
The clone then flies up, taking a seat in a tree. He turns away from his original, really not wanting to talk to the other boy.
But Danny flew in front of him again, persistent as ever. “Will just talk to me, please?
The other boy crosses his arms, pouting. "No"
Danny rolls his eyes. "Come on. I totally get why you’re upset but I’m just trying to help.”
Something in the statement ignites anger in the other boy. “I don’t want or need your help!“ He glares at the other halfa. "And another thing! No, you don’t understand.”
Responding to the anger with annoyance of his own, Danny growls. “Seriously? You’re going to use the ‘you don’t understand’ on me?”
“Oh, like you’ve ever woken up naked in the lab, in front of your father, none the less!” The words drip with sarcasm. “And then gotten told you were born about, what 2 hours ago? Oh and apparently your life is a lie and you’re a copy of another person!”
“No you’re not a copy!” Danny yells the words, throwing his hands up.
“Hello!” The clone’s voice rang out in disbelief tingled with anger. “ I look like you, sound like you, think like you. I have your memories! I’m a freaking copy!”
The other halfa flew closer to the other boy. “You are not a copy.” His face turned serious. “Do you want to be me?”
The clone’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“Do you want to be Danny Fenton?” He spreads his arms. “If you want to steal my life, go back home and be me, then take me out right now.” The clone just shakes his head in disbelief. “I won’t fight you. Just go ahead, do it.”
“What! No! I don’t want to steal you life.”
“Really, you’re not even tempted.” Danny raises an eyebrow, questioningly. “Because I have a pretty good thing going. Friends and family who love me. I’m a hero. Why wouldn’t you want to take that?”
“Because….because it’s wrong! I couldn’t live with myself if I did that.” The other boy sputters, shaking his head.
“But why?” Danny stares down the other boy, completely serious.
“Because that would be a lie. I’m not you….” The clone trails off at then end. His eyes widen as he realizes what Danny is getting at. “You…you just used reverse psychology on me.” His voice displayed an odd mix of exacerbation and respect.
Danny just grins. “I did learn from the best.” His smile turns down slightly. “You do get what I’m saying though? You aren’t me.”
The other halfa puts his head in his hands. He understood what Danny was saying, too well really. He’d thought similar things himself. But if he wasn’t Danny Fenton…..He sighs and then looks at Danny. “Then who am I?”
“I don’t know.” The words rang out with a mixture of complex emotions, enough that the clone could not really tell what all he was trying to convey. He says nothing in response instead curling in on himself where he was still sitting in the tree. His eyes flicker to his original who floats in front of him with a thoughtful expression. Of course Danny would not know. The clone himself doesn’t. Despite the earlier conversation, he’s still where he started: with no name, no past, and no clue what to do now.
Another tear falls down the clone’s face and Danny averts his eyes when he sees it. Trying to block out the other’s face, the clone puts his head down on his knees in front of him. The air in front of him shifts indicating Danny moved. But the other can still tell that Danny’s still there, silenting watching him, stalking him again. Why wouldn’t Danny just go away? Either drag him back to Fentonworks or leave him alone! The clone knows that Danny’s trying to help but he’s not! He can say he and Jack care all he wants. He can say that he’s sorry for the way he acted earlier. He can even try to convince the clone he’s not just a copy. But it doesn’t help! They’re only words and don’t change what he is! And there’s no way they really love him.
Just then the clone felt the branch he was on sway as someone sits down. Tentatively, slowing the person beside him puts their arm around the clone. As the arm brushes his back, he instantly knows it’s Danny. A swirl of complex emotions trickle through the connection: sadness, anxiousness, distress. In response, a sob burst from the clone’s throat. The distress spikes at that before Danny can push it down. Then other emotions come: sympathy, compassion, and….something else. A warm, safe feeling and a promise to always be there.
In response, the clone quickly unfolds his legs and turns his torso towards the other boy. Both of his arms go around Danny’s back until he’s clinging to Danny like his life depends on it. Danny returns the hug, squeezing the boy back. The embrace is awkward with both of them sitting on the branch, but since both can float, they don’t worry about falling.
The clone continues crying and Danny soon cries with him. The currently unnamed boy notices he’s also projecting emotions to the other halfa. The sadness, anxiety, fear, and stress he feels influence and magnify Danny’s reaction, just like Danny’s emotions are influencing him. He mentally flinches with guilt at forcing those emotions on the other boy. Danny then sends a wave of understanding and acceptance of the feeling he was getting from his clone and of the other boy as a person. The clone responds with gratitude.
The hug lasts for a minute at least and while the emotional exchange is tiring, it is also cathartic. The clone knows, both from the emotional exchange and from knowing how Danny thinks, that Danny wasn’t as okay with all of this as he tried to seem. Between dealing with the violating feelings of being cloned(and by his father no less) and his Dad finding out about him being Phantom, he tried to put on a brave face and be strong. And he had chosen to go find his clone, chosen to stay despite getting yelled at, chosen to comfort and try to understand him.
The clone realized with a start the feeling he had sensed earlier- the warmth and promise- was love. And not the fluffy, emotional love either. But the love that chooses to always be there with no strings attached and despite his own pain and discomfort. It feels like one of Jazz’s hugs after a nightmare, saying that it’s not okay now but it will be and I’ll be here with you to the whole time. It’s a promise that though neither of them know who exactly the clone is now, Danny believes he can grow past just being a reflection of Danny Fenton and will be there as he does. Still hugging Danny, the clone smiles through his tears. How had he ever thought that Danny didn’t care about him, wanted nothing to do with him? He tries to project just a fraction of the love he’s getting from Danny back. And he actually feels Danny smile in response.
The pair finally pull apart. Both wipe their faces and Danny gives a small laugh. “Are you feeling better now?”
“Yeah. I needed that. Thanks.”
Danny pats him on the shoulder. “Good. How do you feel about going home now?”
