Vinny held his breath, studying his grandparent's expressions. Sorina was first to glance his way, then to Oliver. Her eyebrows gradually raised. She didn't attempt to hide her surprise as Jasper stared, emotionless and confused.
"You," Jasper said and pointed to Vinny, "and you," He also pointed to Oliver, "are soulmates?"
"Yes." Vinny crossed his arms with pride. He wasn't ashamed.
"My goodness." Sorina put her fingers on her lip with wonder.
"I didn't think you were attracted to men," Vinny's granddad said.
The young vampire sighed, not breaking his gaze with Jasper. "Well, I am." Vinny's heart was beating hard at the realisation, but he felt happy enough to be himself.
"You don't look like someone who would have feelings towards guys," Jasper said, and Sorina glared at him in a way that made him purse his lips. "What? Am I not allowed to say that?"
"You can't stereotyping everyone, and I am delightfully surprised by this news." She watched her grandson, the angry, dark and short-tempered vampire was in love, and he didn't care if that person was male or not.
"Are you guys affectionate with each other? Do you kiss?" Jasper asked while Oliver's eyes dimmed, disappointed with his assumption that two guys don't know how, or can't be affectionate.
"Why wouldn't we?" Vinny grumbled.
"Jasper, Vinny and this young man are in a relationship, which is the same as any other relationship. The only thing that makes it different to us is that it's two people of the same gender. Got it?"
Jasper expressed forgiving eyes. Their bond is medium, which means they can argue sometimes, but they will always resolve the tension quickly.
"Okay, that was a stupid question, so I apologise. I've never been around two males who are soulmates before, that's all. And you two are clearly the ones who my daughter is worried about, yes?"
"Yes," Duke said while stepping forwards, biting his irritated tongue. "Come and get a drink, we'll explain everything." He led them over to the table, plated with an expensive teapot and cups that if smashed, would cost more than Oliver's monthly wage to replace.
As the boys followed, Vinny felt stunned that they didn't give much of a reaction. He expected a big argument or too much excitement. Maybe it'll sink in for them? Or perhaps they don't care. Well, Sorina didn't seem too bothered.
"Okay, let me get my head around this," Jasper said, watching his daughter. "Are you accepting their relationship?"
"Of course. Vinny can't help who he fell in love with; Oliver is a lovely young man," she said with confidence.
Oliver felt his vampire wrap warm fingers around his as their hands hung side by sides.
"Good. Actually, this is great," Jasper said which shocked Madison. "Finally, someone who can put a smile on that boy's face."
Everyone chuckled as Vinny sank further into his chair. On the inside, he was relieved about his Grandfather accepting him.
"So, you're okay with it?" Sorina asked.
"I haven't lived for this long to have a closed mind when faced with new things."
Oliver was happy to hear that, for Vinny's sake. He also thought that someone who has spent years studying bonds would have come across a same-sex relationship. Maybe he just avoided them?
"Right, so tell me everything about your bond," Jasper said.
Duke started to explain that their bond was a strong one and how they have grown close over this past week. He described how Oliver and his broken ribs healed overnight.
Jasper turned, studying the human. The wise vampire has heard something similar.
"Hmm, I wonder how far it is already," he mumbled to himself.
"Do you know what's happening?" Vinny asked.
"I think I might." Jasper tilted his head. "You see, when two soulmates connect, the other person shares some of the soul. If you have a weak bond, you receive a little bit of one another's soul. If it's medium, you share at least a quarter. If it's strong, you share exactly half of your soul." Everyone listened as he talked. Oliver was very interested; he didn't know the depth of the bonds. He didn't know very much about Vampires in general. "So, what I think is happening here, is that you are starting to share more than half of your soul."
Vinny and Oliver looked at each other. How could that be?
"Why?" The human questioned. It was weird enough to have a bond with someone in the first place.
"For you two to be sitting here together has to be in your destiny."
Oliver raised his eyebrows. That sounded very dramatic.
"Why did Oliver heal so quickly? Is he changing because of our souls?" Vinny asked.
"No, he isn't becoming a Vampire. When Oliver injured himself and because you two share a strong bond that appears to be deepening, Vinny, you wanted him to heal so badly that you healed him without even knowing it."
Vinny frowned and looked down at the table. He had no idea things like this could happen.
"Thank you," he heard Oliver say. Vinny watched the gratitude shine in his eyes.
"You don't need to thank me. I didn't even know I was doing it." Vinny shuffled his chair closer and rested an arm on his soulmates shoulders, bringing their bodies closer.
Jasper and Sorina smiled at how the boys gazed at each other.
"You say that it's in our destiny to be together," Oliver said, trying to keep back his excitement. He couldn't believe he was using the word destiny and being serious about it. "How do you know that?"
"I like that you ask questions instead of sitting like an angry, moody goth like this one," Jasper said, making Sorina shake her head.
"Did you just call me a Goth?" Vinny scowled.
"Well look at you." Jasper laughed.
Vinny was surprised that his Granddad knew the terminology, but there Jasper goes again, stereotyping him. Yes, Vinny was wearing everything black today and his black hair added to his dark aura, but he always dresses like that.
Oliver squeezed his hand, which did help to calm the vampire.
"Dad, stop calling my son names and answer Oliver's question," Madison sighed. She gets annoyed when Jasper makes fun of Vinny. It's true that her son can be bitter, short-tempered, unsociable, and hates the world most of the time. But she loves him just the way he is.
"Alright, alright." Jasper crossed his arms. "So, when two soulmates have a bond that starts connecting more than half of their souls, they can't ignore something that big. It was supposed to happen, and you were destined to be with each other. This was destined to be in your lives."
Duke and Madison looked at their son.
"Why?" Duke asked.
"When this happens to two soulmates, it's because fate thinks they deserve it, or something," Jasper said. "They need each other in this world, and they need the love, the affection and the comfort that comes with it. Vinny, having Oliver in your life has drastically improved it, correct?"
"Yes." Vinny nodded. He didn't even need to think about it.
"And Oliver, you're the same?"
"Definitely," Oliver said.
"How many people has this happened to?" Madison asked.
"Well, this will be the third time this has ever happened."
Vinny and Oliver's eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
"Just three couples? And we are the third?" Oliver asked. He thought it would be rare, but not by that much.
"Yes. The last two never fully connected the whole soul. The second couple was close, but it stopped with almost a quarter left."
"How do you know how much soul has been connected?" Oliver asked.
Jasper understood that a human would need to ask questions. They don't grow up with an understanding of the bonds. This lifestyle was still new to him, and Jasper felt happy to answer anything he asked.
"Well, over the last two hundred years or so, when the humans developed phenomenal amounts of technology, so did we," he said. "But ours was based on bonds and looking into Vampires souls so that we could have a better understanding. I have always been interested in their strengths, ever since my dad's strong bond, became stronger. Did Madison tell you about that? Vinny, your great-grandparents, they were the first couple."
Vinny chewed the inside of his lip. He was still quite confused as to why all of this was happening and how it would happen. What would they feel when their souls do deepen? Would the process hurt? Does it happen suddenly or throughout time?
"Who was the second?" Oliver asked.
"A couple halfway across the world," Jasper said.
Everyone was getting lost in their own thoughts. Oliver's healing abilities turned out to be more complicated, but at least they know that Oliver isn't in danger.
"Boy's, how about you go for a walk in the gardens to clear your heads?" Duke smiled. Oliver looked like he was about to explode with questions.
Vinny cleared his throat and climbed to his feet. Oliver stood too and followed the vampire around the table. Everyone watched until the door shut behind them before continuing their conversations.
"You have to keep a close eye on them," Jasper whispered. "If their souls suddenly decide to connect and deepen, they have to be together when it does."
"What will happen if they're not?" Sorina asked. She was also really interested, especially when it was happening to her grandson.
"It could get extremely dangerous."
"How dangerous?" Madison glanced at Duke, taking his hand in hers.
"There's a good chance that they won't survive it if they are apart."