"No, I don't see it," Oliver tilted his head. Vinny looked at the painting then back to his soulmate.
"How can you not see that?" He stood behind him and stared from his perspective. They were looking at an illusion painting that Madison bought in the eighteenth century. It can show two pictures, depending on how someone looked at it.
Vinny put his hands on both sides of the human's face and tilted his head to the perfect angle. Oliver frowned until his mind chose to see it differently.
"Oh, I see it!" He grinned, making Vinny chuckle which melted his senses. He turned to face his vampire, still finding it very unusual to be this comfortable around the master. "So um, I was wondering if you wanted to go have like a late lunch... or something?" His heart thumped in his chest.
"Okay." Vinny reached down and held onto his fingers. He rubbed his thumb across his knuckles with a sparkle in his eyes. "Would you like to go to our restaurant? Or somewhere different?"
Oliver thought about it however, he was still a little weak.
"I'm not sure if I want to face outside yet. But I will if you don't want to eat in your restaurant?" He asked quickly. He shouldn't just assume that Vinny wanted to stay inside.
"I want to go wherever you want to go." Oliver bit down on his bottom lip at Vinny's sweet nature. "Come on." He started walking down the corridor with his hand tightly intertwined with his soulmates.
Oliver still couldn't believe he was living in the Vanderwood mansion. It was crazy to him and his dreams had really come true.
He slyly watched Vinny as they walked. He liked how much power he holds, he likes his glare that makes even the toughest of men look away. He likes his blunt sense of humour and his short-fused anger. He loves how Vinny always wears black, apart from his waistcoats. He comes across as quite dark and mysterious.
But most of all, he liked how he showed him nothing but love and affection. Vinny only showed that side of himself to Oliver and for that, it made him feel extremely special.
He just really liked everything about him, he didn't know how to explain it. It appeared when they first connected the bond and he felt like it has gotten stronger over the time that they have spent together.
Vinny could feel him staring. He was trying his hardest not to glare at people in the hallways but it comes naturally. He glanced at Oliver with a raised eyebrow.
"What?"
"Nothing," Oliver spoke quickly with a sweet smile. Vinny shook his head before pulling him closer. His skin became tingly when their shoulders touched.
"Oh, master! I've been looking for you," They heard a woman say, making them both turn. She looked like she was in her mid-fifties with long grey hair and wore a maids uniform.
Vinny stared blankly at her.
"Why?" He was blunt, as usual. She shifted awkwardly under his gaze before clearing her throat.
"Alpha wants to see you in the living room," She said quietly while her eyes glanced to Oliver. He gave her a warm smile, making her instantly relax.
The vampire sighed before turning away.
"Uh, thank you," Oliver only just managed to get his words out as Vinny pulled him down the corridor. "I bet she loves you," He muttered.
Vinny eyed him with amusement.
"Everybody loves me."
They stopped outside the kitchen and the halls were busy as usual. However, it did not hold Vinny back from moving closer. He was feeling affectionate and craved his soulmate's warm skin.
"Oh I'm sure they do," Oliver grinned.
"Well yes, why wouldn't they?" Vinny knew why. He was obnoxious, rude, displeasing and for most people, it was like talking to concrete.
"Hm, I can think of a few reasons." He bit his bottom lip to prevent a smile from showing as Vinny tilted his head slightly.
"And what might they be?"
"Your imperfections are perfect," He said with a nervous chuckle. "Now go and see your dad, I'll get us a table."
He was about to enter the kitchen but Vinny grabbed his hand and pulled him back in close. Their chests touched and his face was close enough for him to feel his breath on his nose.
"And what might those imperfections of mine be?" He whispered lowly. Oliver wasn't sure how to reply, he could only concentrate on how close together they were. It was melting him on the inside and he really, really wanted to kiss him.
Vinny moved his head forwards, almost like he could tell what he was thinking and gave him a small kiss on the lips. His heart exploded when he felt them brush together.
This turned a few heads but gained a lot of smiles from the members of staff who roamed the halls.
Oliver strongly blushed but pretended like he wasn't. Yet, the vampire could clearly see it.
"I won't be long," He said softly and released him from his grip. Oliver gave him one last smile before turning and heading into the kitchen. As he closed the door behind him, he was greeted by a guy who had just put dirty dishes next to the sink.
"Oliver, hey man. Alpha said you were ill or something this morning. How're you feeling?" He asked and leant against the worktop.
"Yeah, I got quite ill last night and he insisted I stayed off today. But I'm feeling better."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it. You should have seen the look on Desmond's face when Alpha told him to do your shift."
Oliver could only imagine.
"I bet he was happy," He chuckled.
"He spent at least twenty minutes, muttering angrily under his breath." The guy looked around to make sure he wasn't nearby.
"He's so... weird," Oliver also looked around. "Is it busy in the restaurant?"
"Yeah, it has been ever since you became the master's soulmate. It's still big news you know," The guy chuckled. "Having a human and a male soulmate is exciting, apparently."
Oliver rolled his eyes.
"unfortunately." He watched as Desmond walked in and dumped plates on the side before stomping out.
"So, where's the Master? Is he not around today?" A girl asked and put some cups in the sink.
"He'll be here soon. We're having some lunch."
"Awh, like on a date?" She asked.
Oliver tried not to blush again but it was impossible to hide tomato red cheeks.
"Um, N-Not exactly-"
"You two are literally the cutest couple. The first time I ever saw the Master smile was at you," She grinned. That made Oliver's heart flutter at the image of the vampire smiling. He is so beautiful.
"Hey, you do not get paid to talk, get back to work!" They heard a familiar voice yell. Oliver looked up, just as the two workers slumped away. Desmond was scanning him up and down with crossed arms. "You don't look ill."
"Oh, I was quite ill last night and-"
"I don't care," He interrupted. Oliver bit the inside of his lip, he wanted to tell Desmond how rude that was but he didn't want to deal with his drama. "What're you doing here?"
"I'm having some lunch in the restaurant," Oliver twiddled his thumbs, he didn't want to cause a scene.
"Well you can't, we're full."
A few workers turned their heads. It was busy but there are a few spare tables for Oliver.
"Oh um..." He didn't know what to do. He knew he was lying. Should he question him about it?
"We can clear a table for you," A guy added. He hated how Desmond always singled Oliver out. Why does he hate him so much?
"No, no we can't," Desmond glared at the member of staff. Just then, Vinny came into the kitchen. He looked around and saw Desmond talking to Oliver. His eyes instantly grew dark as he silently walked over.
Oliver felt a warm arm around his shoulders and looked up to see Vinny. He was so thankful that he was back.
Vinny didn't even question what they were talking about and completely ignored Desmond who idolised him. He started walking forwards, pushed him out of the way and walked with Oliver into the restaurant.
A lot of smirks were shared amongst the kitchen staff as Desmond practically had smoke coming out of his ears. They liked that Vinny did whatever he wanted, especially when it was making him look bad.
"You couldn't have picked a better time to turn up," Oliver sighed with relief as they looked around the busy room. Vinny spotted a booth in the corner and headed for that direction.
"I can't wait until he gets fired," He muttered and kept Oliver close when people stared.
"You, and everyone who works here." Oliver had noticed that Desmond has started to be very nasty ever since he became Vinny's soulmate.
As they made their way through busy tables, the excitement rose between customers but Oliver was starting to get used to it. When they sat down, Vinny sat extremely close and put his arm on the back of the seat so it was behind his soulmate. He liked to keep him close when so much attention was on them.
"Have you ever heard of personal space?" Oliver joked with a cheeky grin.
Vinny scoffed before pulling him even closer.
"Yes, and you're not getting any. " Just then, a girl came over to take their order. "Oh, can we have Desmond serving us please?"
"Yes of course Master," She beamed quickly before hurrying away.
Oliver's eyes instantly turned suspicious.
"Really?"
Vinny exposed a devilish smile.
"I've never been a difficult customer before, this should be quite fun."