When Oliver, John and Vinny walked over, scarlet had finished hugging her dad.
"Kyran, it's nice to see you again," Duke strongly shook his hand. Kyran is Scarlet's husband, they married and she took his last name. She also moved into his family home which is a tradition for the female to do.
As Scarlet noticed Oliver and John, she expressed a confused frown.
"Why are there humans in our living room?" She was very blunt and looked Oliver up and down.
"You haven't heard the news?" Madison asked.
"What news?"
"Well, this is Oliver," Madison went over and put a hand on his shoulder. "He's Vinny's soulmate." They watched it start to process through her mind.
"What?" Her tone didn't sound too pleased as her gaze moved between her brother and the human in disbelief.
"It's nice to meet you." Oliver nervously held out his hand for her to shake but she ignored it and looked at John. Oliver pulled it back and glanced at Vinny who took his hand. His glare was very cold.
"And who are you?" She asked rudely.
"This is John, Oliver's father," Duke watched Vinny. He wasn't pleased with his daughter's reaction either.
"It's nice to meet you too," John smiled but learnt from Oliver that she wouldn't take his hand, even if he offered it. Duke cleared his throat when Scarlet didn't say anything to him either.
"Are you being serious? Is this really your soulmate? Another male?" She asked with a frown directed at her brother.
"Yes." His voice was stale and expressed not even a single ounce of hesitation. Oliver felt him squeeze his hand.
"They connected a few days ago. And their bond is a strong one." Madison beamed but looked at Kyran. He was also looking at Oliver with judging eyes.
"And you two are accepting... this?" Scarlet asked.
Duke stepped forwards when he watched Vinny clench his jaw.
"Of course, and I suggest you do the same." His voice was stern but calm. Scarlet took one more glance at the humans, standing politely in the dining room before turning and pulling on Kyran's arm.
"Come on, I need to change," She muttered. And with that, they left.
Madison and Duke were shocked. They knew their daughter didn't really like humans and was a bit stubborn and moody like Vinny, but they didn't think she would be so rude to Oliver and John.
"Well, I'm really sorry about that," Duke said as he looked at Oliver, then Madison.
"She'll warm to you I'm sure," She said, but they both knew that wasn't the case.
Vinny turned to Oliver who was chewing the inside of his lip. He felt bad. He didn't want to be the reason that Vinny and his sister didn't get along. But he didn't know their relationship was already somewhat sketchy to begin with.
"Stop it," Vinny sighed and rested a hand on his soulmates shoulder. "You look guilty and you have no reason to be." He was extremely angry. Nobody was allowed to upset his soulmate.
"I don't want to cause any tension between you and your family."
Vinny's chest almost hurt at the thought of him blaming himself.
"Oliver, my relationship with my sister has never been great. If she wants to distance herself, then let her. None of this is your fault." He stepped closer. He didn't care that their parents were still in the room, all he cared about was making him smile.
Oliver watched as Vinny rested both his arms against his shoulders. He connected his fingers comfortably around the back of his neck.
"Okay?"
Oliver couldn't help but show a little smile.
"Okay." He felt him play with the back of his hair and he really liked it.
"You're part of this family now." It was still unusual to hear that, but it warmed their hearts.
Oliver stepped closer and pulled him into a hug. Vinny wrapped his arms strongly around his shoulders, but there was something niggling in the back of his mind. As his head rested into his neck, he could almost feel Oliver's veins pulsing. He did his best to ignore it but it was a little hard.
Both parents felt their chests warm up at their cute nature but Duke and Madison still felt like they should talk to scarlet and tell her how important Oliver is to this family and to Vinny. She has to learn to accept it, it'll be very childish of her if she doesn't.
As they pulled away, Oliver leaned in and planted a delicate kiss on Vinny's cheek. It was warm and exciting for them both. Vinny very nearly blushed yet managed to hold it back as he gave him a little smile. Oliver blushed enough for them both anyway.
Madison wanted to fuss over them and tell them how cute she thinks they are, however, she didn't want to embarrass her son, so she squeezed on Duke's arm instead. John felt pleased to see how happy his son was and how comfortable he could feel around someone like the Master.
"Shall we see if your belongings are unpacked yet?" Vinny asked and slotted his hand perfectly into his.
"Sure," Oliver's heart thumped as they turned and headed out of the dining-room.
When they were gone, Madison unleashed her feelings.
"Oh my goodness. How adorable are they!? It's really strange to see Vinny so affectionate with someone."
"I'm just as surprised as you, I thought Oliver would have to put in all the work, but we didn't know just how much love came with the strong bond. clearly it's a lot," Duke smiled.
John still found the whole bond thing a bit odd. He was happy that it happened to his son. He knows now that he'll never have to comfort Oliver because some guy broke his heart. He's going to be by Vinny's side for the rest of his life and he couldn't be happier.
From what he has seen, Vinny seems like a very caring person. Maybe a little blunt, angry and emotionless, but caring.
* * * * *
"My stuff manages to blend in pretty well," Oliver said as he looked around the bedroom. They were both sitting next to each other on the bed, examining his belongings.
"That's because you barely own anything," Vinny looked over to his soulmate, he just loved his presence in his room.
Oliver chuckled and moved over slightly so he was leaning into the vampire. He smiled to himself as he realised just how much things have changed. But it turned out that change was good, very good.
"I think my sister will only be staying for a few days," Vinny said. "She hardly ever visits. But when she does, it's short." He was still angry. He knows she doesn't get along with humans but he thought she might make an exception when it came to his soulmate.
"I don't mind if she doesn't like me. It must be strange for her to see her brother connecting a bond with someone."
Vinny moved his face in closer until they both felt the warm tip of each other's nose.
"You're too nice."
Suddenly, the door opened and hit against the wall. They quickly looked up to see Scarlet, standing in the doorway and glaring at them both. She looked so much like Vinny when she does that, Oliver thought.
"What do you want?" Vinny sighed.
"I need to talk to you," She said while crossing her arms. He looked at Oliver before getting up from the bed.
"I won't be long." He turned and walked cautiously over to Scarlet. As soon as he was close enough, she grabbed his arm and pulled him outside. She shut the door behind him with a frown.
"Is this seriously happening?" She asked. He crossed his arms with dull eyes.
"Is what seriously happening?"
"Your soulmate being... Him." She said before pointing to the bedroom.
"Yes." His voice was low and his expression was blank. He didn't want to get angry at her.
"I'm not being funny, but I don't want a gay brother," She flicked her smooth hair over her shoulder like she was going to get her way. "And I don't want a human to be part of this family, it's not right."
Vinny glared at her.
"Stop being so pathetic."
"I'm being pathetic? You're the one who's in love with another man!"
"So?" He wasn't getting angry, not to someone so immature.
"It's wrong. You deserve better!"
"Don't even go there," Vinny grumbled. Scarlet showed a glimpse of satisfaction when she realised she had started to push his buttons.
"You do. Surely you can't benefit from a human male like you would from a female Vampire?"
Vinny rolled his eyes. How could his sister be so closed minded?
"Do you even hear yourself?"
"Vinny I don't like him, he's not good for you."
"You don't even know him. And he's perfect for me." Vinny was getting defensive. Something inside him made it impossible for anyone to speak badly about Oliver. He just wouldn't allow it.
"Perfect? Trust me, your relationship is far from perfect," She muttered.
"And yours is, is it? You're married to Kyran for god's sake," He said coldly.
Scarlet didn't hesitate when she brought her hand up and slapped him hard across the cheek. He stumbled back from the impact.
"How dare you," She spat and turned lightly on her heels. Vinny watched her stomp away as he put a hand on his throbbing cheek.
This was not the first time Scarlet has hit him but it would never be so hard and she'd always apologise straight after. But this time, it was different.
He lingered outside the room for a few seconds, trying to calm himself before returning to Oliver.
He hadn't listened to what they were saying, he didn't want to as he saw Vinny enter. He was clearly angry and maybe even a little upset, although he would never show that. But Oliver just seemed to know.
Vinny walked around and laid next to him. He glared at the dark wood of his poster bed until he felt the warmth, wrap around his fingers. He turned to see Oliver giving him a kind smile. He reached over him and took his other hand so he could pull him close. Yes, he could still feel the craving for blood in the back of his mind, but he also craved his soulmates comfort.
Oliver gently rested his head against Vinny's shoulder.
The vampire was still gripping onto Oliver's hands and began to calm down. They both felt complete with one another right there. It was starting to feel natural and only normal for them to want each other, so close.