"Oh my g- Vinny you're actually laughing in this photo," Oliver said as he sat next to Madison on the couch. Vinny was sitting opposite him with his elbow on the side of the armrest and his cheek rested on his palm. He had his eyes closed and a frown that hasn't left his face.
He didn't reply, but he liked listening to the sound of Oliver's voice.
Madison continued to show pictures of the party to Oliver. He was feeling much better as it was almost two in the afternoon, but Vinny was still feeling pretty terrible. He hadn't thrown up again, but he was overall ill which meant he is even more grumpy than usual.
He wasn't wearing Oliver's jumper anymore and he missed the constant scent of his soulmate.
"Vinny, come and look at the pictures," Madison asked.
"No" He mumbled without opening his eyes.
She sighed but went back to looking at her phone.
Oliver stared at Vinny for a moment. He wanted to take in his beauty, even with a frown he is incredibly good looking.
"Vinny?" He asked, trying to get his attention.
No response.
"Vinny?" Oliver asked again.
He got a little movement of the head, but he wasn't satisfied.
"Vinny?"
This time, Vinny flickered his eyes open and stared at his soulmate.
Oliver smiled at him, which softened his expression.
"I love you"
Madison looked up as Vinny gave him a smile. He loved how cute Oliver was.
"I love you too," He said quietly before sitting back on the couch and patting the seat next to him.
Oliver grinned and stood up, before walking over.
He sat close to Vinny and wrapped his arms around his shoulders.
Vinny cuddled into his side, they both felt their hearts beating hard from the close contact.
"I want you to feel better," Oliver said as he ran a hand through Vinny's hair. He felt the need to look after him. It was incredibly hard for him not to be giving his soulmate all the attention when he's feeling like this.
"I'm getting there," Vinny said. He leant in and gave Oliver a long kiss on the temple. His skin was always so warm and soft and of course, his scent was something he would never get tired of smelling.
Just then, the door opened and Duke walked in.
Everyone looked up to see him looking at Oliver.
"Boys," He said as he walked over to the couch. As always, their close contact made warmth float in his heart, but he had to remain serious. "I'm about to perform the change on John and It's not safe for Oliver to be here"
Vinny didn't think about Oliver being a potential risk, now that he'll be the only human in the family. But the building was full of humans, why is Oliver the only one in danger?
"Why?" Vinny asked whilst sitting forwards.
"Because Oliver is John's own flesh and blood. After the process has finished he'll be craving blood and if Oliver is within a mile of John, he'll want it and do everything he can to get to it"
Vinny didn't know that, but he now agreed that Oliver should leave the building.
"So" Duke continued. "I have arranged for Jed to take you both out for a good few hours" He knew Vinny was still feeling pretty ill but under the circumstances, there was nothing else he could do.
"Okay, are we leaving now?" Vinny asked before slowly standing up. He squinted his eyes when his head started pounding, but he was prepared to ignore it.
"Well yes, whenever you're ready," He said.
"Could I maybe speak to my dad first? Is that okay?" Oliver asked. He hadn't seen him at all today and really wanted to make the effort to see how he was feeling and give him some reassurance.
"Of course, I think he'd like to see you" Duke smiled.
Vinny then turned to Oliver and took his hands in his.
"I'll go get our coats and I'll meet you in the car, okay?" He asked.
"Sure, I shouldn't be too long" Oliver smiled. "And that car better have the heating on when I get there"
Vinny let out a small chuckle as he squeezed Oliver's hands.
"It might"
Oliver gave him a blank look but Vinny was beginning to get playful, which meant he was starting to perk up a bit.
"It better" Oliver mumbled before leaning in and kissing Vinny on his nose, which brought a sparkle to their hearts.
"Come on then," Duke said as he smiled at Madison who held in her excitement from the boys affection.
Oliver then walked past his soulmate and followed Duke to the door. Vinny also turned and headed to the cloakroom with Jed.
* * * * *
"Hey dad," Oliver said as he opened the door to the cellar, which he didn't know existed until now.
John looked up from his seat, he was thankful to see his son.
"Hey Ollie" He smiled before coming over. "How're you feeling today?" He knew how drunk him and Vinny got last night.
"I'm okay now, I wasn't as hungover as Vinny," He said as he looked around the dull room. "Are you nervous?"
John fiddled with his fingers.
"Yes, I am. But I'm excited at the same time, it's a big change but a positive one" John said, reassuring Oliver's mind. "What are you doing now? Are you going out for a bit with Vinny?"
Oliver nodded.
"Yeah, I'm not sure where we are going, but we'll let you get on with this," He said as he turned to Duke.
"Yes, I'll walk you to the car" He smiled.
Oliver then stepped forwards and hugged his dad.
"I'll see you when we get back," He said softly.
"Alright," John said as he pulled away. "I'll see you later"
Oliver could tell that his dad was a little scared. Who wouldn't be? He was about to change into something no human ever thought they would become.
Oliver and Duke then left the cellar.
He watched Oliver as they headed back up the stairs and down the corridors. He wondered what was going through his mind and if he was worried, nervous or even scared for his dad.
"So, where do you think you'll be heading today?" He asked, snapping Oliver from his thoughts.
"I'm not sure yet, somewhere quiet so Vinny can get rid of his hangover" He smiled.
"Bless you, looking after him" Duke smiled. He never thought anyone would ever be able to look after Vinny, due to his stubborn attitude.
"I have to, I don't feel... settled unless I know I'm making him better" Oliver said. The new bond was very confusing but they got used to it pretty quickly.
Duke gave him a warm smile, he couldn't believe how positive Oliver is to this family. He has given Vinny so much purpose and helped him to be happy and to find himself again.
When they got to the back-doors, Duke turned to Oliver.
"Don't worry, I will look after your dad" He said softly.
Oliver nodded and gave him a confident smile.
"I trust that you will," He said. "I'll see you later" Oliver then turned and opened the door. He stepped out and into the icy cold alley.
Duke watched as he walked over to the car and got in.
He then turned and headed back to the cellar.
Vinny looked up when Oliver opened the door and got in. Thankfully the car was nice and warm, it was the first thing Vinny did when he got in the car. He knew Oliver struggled with the cold.
"How's John?" He asked as Jed waited until Oliver had his belt on before driving.
"Nervous," Oliver said as he relaxed and looked at Vinny. He could still feel that he was ill. "But he'll be fine" He was trying not to think about it too much.
"Yes, he will" Vinny smiled before taking Oliver's hand in his and intertwining their fingers.
"So," Oliver said, wanting to get lost in Vinny's presence for a while. "Where are we headed?"
"It's a secret," Vinny said casually.
Oliver narrowed his eyes and looked at Jed.
"You two can't be keeping secrets now" He chuckled. "Tell me"
"No," Vinny said as Jed also smiled.
"Please?" Oliver asked, but he knew Vinny wouldn't give in.
"It's not a great secret, but a secret none the less" Vinny said which kept Oliver filled with suspense.
"Interesting," He smiled whilst nodding slowly. "But tell me"
Vinny rolled his eyes and dropped his head back against the seat.
"No, I'm not telling you so just be patient," He smiled as the car pulled out of the side gates and onto the roads.
"I wish I could read your mind" Oliver mumbled. "try and guess what I'm thinking"
Vinny looked at him with amusement growing in his eyes, he was quick to change the subject.
"Me"
"Modest" Oliver scoffed, but he was right.
"Wait, think of a word and say it in 1... 2... 3"
"Shoes," They said in unison.
Vinny gave him a strange look, making Oliver roll his eyes.
"I don't know why I thought of shoes, but it was the first thing to pop into my head"
"You're really weird," Vinny said but he wouldn't have Oliver any other way.
"And you love it," He grinned whilst crossing his arms.
"Yes," Vinny smiled, which did make Oliver's eyes sparkle.
They then settled into each other and muted down to a comfortable silence.
This day for John was important, for Oliver and Vinny it was recovery, for Duke and Madison it was patience. Deep down, everyone was thinking about John and how he would cope with changing to a vampire. Would he find it too overwhelming or would he be able to cope with it?
Vinny didn't tell Oliver that the procedure was far worse and much more dangerous than what he was lead to believe. He didn't want him to worry, but he now felt like he should've told him, just so he was prepared if the worst did happen.
He hoped that it wouldn't, but there was a big chance that it would.