"Is everyone buckled up?" Duke asked before turning to Jed who was driving. They discussed how many bodyguards were going to be with them today.
Oliver looked around the posh car. It had a driver's seat and a passenger seat. Behind those, it had two seats that faced the back of the car and two seats that faced the front. Duke and Madison sat facing the boot while Oliver and Vinny sat facing them. It was perfect for social trips.
The human looked at all the different buttons on the side of the door; he had no idea what uses they had. It was a very posh car. He had never been in one quite like it.
"Oliver, would you like the heating on?" Jed asked as he drove towards the gate. He never asked the vampires; they very rarely get cold.
"Yes please," he beamed. The weather was clear and dry, but very low in temperature. He leant his head against the back of the seat and rubbed his eyes. His body was still recovering from the early start.
Vinny moved closer until they felt the warm presence of one another. Oliver noticed that the vampire has been more affectionate with him. He didn't mind though; he loved it. Maybe he was still protective because of the kidnapping, and he wanted to be close? Or perhaps it was just because they felt their feelings developing, and they tried to explore one another's comfort.
Oliver has his suspicions that the connection felt stronger, but was it possible for an already strong bond to be even more secure?
"What are you thinking about?" Vinny asked, snapping his soulmate from his gaze. The human didn't realise that he had been staring at Vinny the entire time. He cleared his throat and diverted his eyes. Looked down, Oliver's blush never went unnoticed in the eyes of the vampire.
"I was just thinking about the bond," he said. "Is it possible for it to get stronger?"
Vinny paused for a moment and said, "I'm not sure. Do you feel like it has?"
"Well, I didn't know if it was just me getting used to you, but I think I do."
The vampire studied his face.
"It is possible," Duke interrupted. He was always interested in what his son and his soulmate talked about; their topics were often fascinating.
"It is?" his son questioned.
"Yes. Sometimes when a strong bond is so cleverly combined, it can bring the soulmates even closer," he sat forwards and continued, "but it would take two people who are completely perfect for each other for it to work."
Oliver raised his eyebrows with interest.
"How do you know about this?" asked Vinny, equally as interested.
"It happened to my Grandad," said Madison, also joining the conversation. The family were on the road now, and it was going to take a while for them to get to their destination, so it was nice to talk about interesting things. "He and his wife had a strong bond, and they were one hundred percent the right match. They started off with a regular strong bond, but as the days passed, they began to feel closer, and their feelings grew until it hit them like a blow to the chest. And ever since then, whenever they were together, they had to be holding hands or doing something affectionate because they craved it too much," she smiled. "They could still be apart for two hours, but when they were together, they had to be extremely close."
Vinny wondered why she never told him, but he was never one to ask about his parents family. He never wanted to talk about it.
"And do you both feel like it is becoming stronger?" Duke asked.
The boys looked at each other, a little confused, but intrigued.
"I do, but at the same time, I'm not sure if it's just me getting used to you now or if my feelings might be growing," Oliver said, even though the vampire acted needier today. Merely looking at his human made the vampire's heart melt.
"I think it's getting stronger," he spoke after a moment of hard thinking.
His parents noticed that they do get on incredibly well, and they understand each other without a single fault. All of it was after only one week. Are they a perfect match to strengthen their bond and connect deep within their souls?
"Well, maybe we should keep an eye on you both." Duke crossed his arms with a frown of wonder. There might be a chance, but it is incredibly rare.
"Maybe," mumbled Vinny and stared at his soulmate. This time a few weeks ago, he couldn't imagine ever liking someone so much. With Oliver, he couldn't help it. He looked at this human and could believe that their hearts, bodies and souls might be the perfect combination to finish the thickness of their love.
* * * * *
"We have ten minutes left on the journey," Jed announced and drove down country lanes. The car behind them was full of bodyguards dressed like regular people so they could disguise themselves to the public.
For the past fifteen minutes, Oliver and Vinny have been competing in staring competitions. Oliver suggested it as a joke because all Vinny ever does is stare at people. Often with a scowl but he is famous for making people feel uncomfortable.
It became somewhat serious after the human lost seven times.
"Dammit," he mumbled, not being able to hold a blink back for the eighth time. The vampire's blank eyes were intense and intimidating. "How are you so good at that?"
"I'm good at everything," Vinny shrugged. Amusement flashed in his eyes.
"You know what you're not good at? Modesty," chuckled Oliver, making his soulmate smirk.
"You know what you're not good at? most things."
"That was mean," he scoffed and crossed his arms.
Vinny tried putting his arm around his shoulders, but Oliver pushed him away. A cheeky twinkle glistened in his emerald eyes.
"Don't touch me," he whined sarcastically.
"You can't stop me," whispered the vampire and forced Oliver into a hug. The human struggled against him before falling victim to his warm comforts.
"I hate you sometimes."
"I'm sorry, what was that? You love me?"
Oliver lifted his head. His brown eyes were soft and glossy.
"You heard me."
Vinny moved his face closer until their noses touched. He told his soulmate how cute he was and watched as the immediate blush rose to his cheeks.
Oliver turned his head, knowing what he was staring at. He felt flustered from simple words.
Madison and Duke had studied them on this journey. They knew they were affectionate, but they didn't think it was quite like this. The entire car ride consisted of the boys winding each other up by some form of physical touch so that they had an excuse to make that contact. It was a little difficult for Vinny's parents to understand what a strong bond was and how it worked. Now, it is clear that a strong bond lived up to its name.
Everyone glanced around when the car came to a halt. They were parked in a car park, facing the sea. Vinny released the human and sat up so he could get a better look at the snow covered beach. It was beautiful.
"Oliver put your layers on please. It is going to be very cold out there," Duke ordered and watched him reach into the boot for his coat.
Vinny sat with patience as he put on another jumper, a thick winter coat, a bobble hat, and some gloves.
"Are you ready?" He asked, trying not to make it evident that he thought his soulmate looked rather adorable in his hat. Oliver nodded with a smile before he opened the door. The fresh sea air hit him almost instantly. Vinny looked towards the beach, hearing the distant crash of the waves against the shore and the seagulls screeching above.
Oliver has never been to the beach when it got covered in snow. Feeling the minus temperatures was utterly worth it.
"Shall we go to the sand first and then have a wander around the village afterwards?" Madison suggested as she put on her gloves. Everyone agreed and turned towards the snow-covered steps.
Vinny put on his leather gloves before Oliver took his hand and intertwined their fingers. He loved that they looked like a couple to anyone who didn't know them. They felt proud of each other.
As Oliver tried not to slip on the steps, the boy's couldn't help but think back to Madison's Grandfather, and how his strong bond tightened. If it was rare, surely it couldn't happen to them?
Oliver looked at Vinny as they walked. Maybe it was in his characteristics, past down from generations, but could his feelings for this Vampire possibly get any stronger?