Vinny connected his fingers and leaned back in the chair. He tilted his head at Oliver's red face. They were sitting in the library. Well, Vinny was. Oliver was performing a handstand against the wall. It was safe to say that they were bored, but tried to keep each other entertained.
"Are you going to pass out?" Vinny asked.
"Has my face gone purple yet?" To Oliver, the world seemed extremely different from upside down.
"Almost."
Oliver dropped his feet back to the ground, but he shouldn't have tried to stand up so quickly. He fell straight over, feeling like he was on a roundabout. He laid on his back, trying to focus. "Your ceiling is nice," he said, staring at the Victorian patterns and the massive chandelier hanging effortlessly in the middle of the room.
Vinny shook his head in amusement. "You appreciate strange things."
"I'm used to low ceilings that have little holes, light bulbs that break every week, and bad paint jobs. Not this." The light from the chandelier reflected all around the room, giving the walls an illusion of being covered by gems.
The boys have come from entirely different backgrounds yet, they're both the same. Oliver realised how modest Vinny is for a Vampire who lives in a huge mansion and has the city drooling at his power and his authority. He's hardly big-headed and has a very humble heart.
Vinny watched his soulmate prop himself down on the arm of his chair.
"I bet one chandelier costs more than my old house."
"Maybe two," Vinny smirked, and Oliver rolled his eyes before falling onto his lap. He laid down, so his head rested against the arm of the chair and his legs dangled over the other side.
"Do you think Jed is still our bodyguard after the interview I gave him?" he chuckled.
They did eventually find Jed. When you can't see him, he was tough to find even though he was always very close.
"You mean, your interrogation?"
Oliver threw up question after question to Jed about his life, though Jed didn't mind. It was something to pass the time, and Oliver was a very witty and funny person to be around, even when he barely stopped to take a breath.
Vinny played with the strings from his soulmates hoody, not minding being bored if it meant he could spend the day with his human.
"He secretly enjoyed it; I can tell," Oliver smiled.
"He did."
They both settled into comfortable silence. When the room fell quiet enough to sink into thoughts, yesterday sprung to mind. How could so much mayhem and chaos happen in so little time? One minute everything was okay, and the next minute, Vinny was shot by Desmond who aimed to kill him.
They still couldn't believe it. Desmond's mind was a little unhinged to be so cruel to innocent people all the time, but they didn't think he was capable of murder. Oliver didn't know his mum was crazy, and neither did Vinny, with his sister.
"Do you think this has all happened because of me?" Ever since he became Vinny's soulmate, violence around the mansion has increased.
Vinny stared at him, and Oliver knew he understood what he meant, judging by the dejection in his eyes.
"Don't you ever think that," he said sternly. "It's not the first time our lives have been in danger like this, and it won't be the last. The same thing happened when Scarlet found Kyran." It made him shiver with disgust as he said his sister's name, but he carried on. "I think some humans get jealous. But they don't realise that they might have received a better way of living." He had to pause for a moment. "They get to travel the world, live anywhere, do whatever they want while we are looking after their cities and giving them safe and comfortable places to live. I wish humans didn't take us for granted; we're just trying to look after them."
Oliver never pictured humanity in that way. It was the truth, now that he thought about it. Some people only view Vampires as people with higher power, and they say it's unfair. They don't realise that they have got a pretty easy way of living. As long as the Vampires are in charge, the world will see no poverty or wars.
"Humans are weird," he mumbled. Vinny smiled before running a hand through his hair. Oliver loved the feeling. "But yeah, I see what you're saying. The vampires do so much for us, and we give you nothing in return."
"We don't want anything but gratitude. If humans didn't plot against us like this, we'd have nothing to complain about." Vinny coiled his arms around his soulmates waist.
"Yeah, but surely after this recent group they will learn to understand that plotting against you will only put them in jail, or in the ground."
"Hopefully," Vinny sighed, though he doubted it.
"Okay, let's not think about this any more." Oliver wanted to change the mood.
"All I want to think about is you."
Oliver wrapped his arms around Vinny's shoulders, grinning at his words. "Naked?"
Vinny's expression didn't change, his eyes only grew with affection, loving the human's cheeky nature. "Maybe," he mumbled quietly as Oliver's gaze stared at his cheeks, waiting for him to blush.
Their hearts were beating faster.
Oliver wasn't sure if Vinny would play along or get embarrassed and change the subject. "Wait, are you serious?"
"Maybe," Vinny said again, but this time, Oliver felt a warm hand slip underneath his jumper, then his t-shirt.
He felt Vinny's hand wander up his stomach and Oliver leant forwards and pressed his body further into his soulmate touch.
Vinny let his other hand explore under his clothes. His skin felt so soft against his own. Oliver's eyes shared the same tenderness as he continued to trace his fingers around his torso. He brought his face close, but Oliver didn't move.
Oliver let his lips graze gently against Vinny's firm jawline while gripping the back of the vampire's hair. He planted little pecks along his Jaw until reaching his ear. He moved down his neck, kissing deeply.
Vinny breathed carefully, concentrating on his touch. He dug his fingers into Oliver's back as their bodies pulsed with pleasure.
The human moved around to the other side of Vinny's neck, nibbling on his skin, searching for a spot that would send a shiver down the vampire's throat.
Vinny pressed his face into his soulmates hair and released a quiet, deep moan.
Oliver reached his jawline again and moved along it until he was level with his mouth. Now, he felt hungry for his taste. Oliver lifted his head, but Vinny didn't hesitate to plant a firm kiss onto his lips. Oliver tightened his grip on his hair and kissed back, pushing his body harder against his as the air around them grew hot and thick.
As they sank into a kiss, Vinny's phone started ringing. They both hesitated but didn't want to pull away. They were lost in the moment, but they were sitting in the library and should calm down in case anyone walked in.
Vinny's phone stopped ringing as their kisses softened. He slowly took his hands out from underneath Oliver's jumper.
Oliver released Vinny's hair and brought a hand onto the side of his face as their lips continued to move together, but the vampire's phone vibrated again.
They separated the kiss as Vinny dug his hand into his pocket. It was a little tricky because Oliver's legs had somehow wrapped around him. The vampire kept his forehead pressed against the humans and cleared his throat.
"What?" Vinny asked bluntly.
"Don't what me," Madison said on the other end. Oliver could hear her, but he knew Vinny didn't mind, though she sounded a little frustrated.
"Well, what are you calling me for?"
"Your grandparents are here," she sighed.
Vinny could tell she was irritated.
"Okay," he mumbled, trying to hold back the attitude.
"Also, you and Oliver shouldn't kiss like that in a library. It's a library for god's sake."
Oliver pulled his head back. Madison must have walked in and seen them.
Vinny was now frowning, but it wasn't his usual angry glare, he looked confused.
Oliver hasn't known Madison for that long, though it wasn't normal for her to act like this. She would usually freak out with excitement after seeing the boys with each other.
"What's wrong?" Vinny questioned. He heard her sniff back the emotion through the phone.
Madison sighed, long and meaningful. "We just found out that Kyran turned those humans for money. Your father is on the phone with his dad now."
Vinny raised his eyebrows, but he shouldn't be surprised. Kyran can express just as much poison as Scarlet; they are both made for each other in twisted ways.
"Don't be sad about it, Kyran is an idiot." Vinny attempted to make her better, but he wasn't an expert. He heard her chuckle down the phone which made him feel better.
"I'm sorry for sounding ratty. You boys can kiss wherever you want."
Vinny watched Oliver's green eyes glow against the daylight. "Where is everyone? Are you in the dining room?" he asked. He wanted to avoid talking more about his affection.
"Oh yes, can you make your way over here, please? Your Granddad will get impatient. You know what he can be like."
"We'll be there soon."
Oliver unwrapped his legs and climbed off his lap.
"Okay, I'll see you in a minute." Madison hung up, and the vampire let his phone linger in his hand before standing up too.
He wondered if Scarlet was also in on the act, or if Kyran did it just for money. Why would he need money? He lived in what humans call a capital city; their family were richer than the Vanderwoods. And the Vanderwoods were very rich.
Oliver snapped Vinny out of his thoughts when he took his hand.
"Are you okay?" Oliver had no idea what anyone's relationship with Kyran was like, so he just assumed that Vinny might be feeling a little betrayed.
"I'm fine," Vinny lied and pulled his soulmate towards the door.
* * * * *
Madison stood by the window, watching the snow fall around the garden. Her mother and father were setting up their unusual instrument next to the couch. She hoped that Kyran's father would put a stop to his son's foolish behaviour. Vampires can't turn humans unless their purpose is to become a member of the family.
Vinny opened the door and entered the room with Oliver following closely behind.
"Boys! Come look at this!" Jasper said. He was getting ready to show off his invention, feeling very proud. It took many years of hard work to build.
"Wow." Oliver stared at the special machine, sitting on the coffee table.
Vinny let his soulmate approach them alone as he walked over to where his mum was standing. She was still staring out of the window with her arms wrapped around herself.
"Mum," Vinny said quietly. Madison turned, and for a split second, he could see the sorrow in her eyes before it vanished behind the twinkle of the tears she held back. Vinny sighed and took hold of her shoulders. He didn't like that his parents were under so much stress. "Would you like a hug?"
The light in her eyes made the question worth asking. Madison wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head into his chest, squeezing him tight.
Vinny rubbed her back, not caring that his softer side was showing. He hated seeing his mum's sad side; it was such an unnatural feature for her to wear.
"I love you, son," she muffled into his waistcoat.
"I love you too." Besides Oliver, Vinny's parents are incredibly important to him. He doesn't usually show it or admit it, but he would lose a part of himself without them.