Vinny drifted from his dreams very early in the morning. He frowned and rubbed his tired eyes. A quiet and content yawn escaped his lips before peeling them open. He glanced at his watch to see that it was only five in the morning. The room was still dark; the sun had only just started to rise. The curtains on his poster bed were pulled back, and the candles had been blown out.
After the boys shared their passionate kiss last night, they laid with each other until Oliver fell asleep. Vinny had pulled back the thick curtains, making sure he could see before waking him up. After what happened the night before, it was important that Oliver recognised his surroundings.
The humans head rested gently on his chest. His arms were wrapped tightly around Vinny's waist, and the rest of him was curled up under the warm duvet.
He smiled at the feeling of the person he loves, sleeping so close. He knew Oliver would be like this. He subconsciously moves closer when he doesn't quite feel safe. Vinny understood why his soulmate would feel that way. He got taken from his own home in his sleep, so, of course, he was going to crave the vampires protective nature.
Anger was still circling in Vinny. Things seemed to kick off when Oliver became his soulmate and people decided that they could do whatever they wanted. Maybe it was because Oliver is human? That was Scarlet's excuse.
But human or not, Oliver is part of the Vanderwood family, and he should get treated with the same respect people treat them. It may take a few more weeks to settle down, but Vinny knew his parents would make that extremely clear to everyone.
* * * * *
It had just ticked quarter to seven and Oliver had not moved one single bit. Vinny was lying still with a book in his hand. He played gently with his soulmates hair while he read, but remained tender enough not to wake him.
Only a moment later, there were two gentle knocks on the door before it opened, not waiting for a response. Vinny tensed, the thought of someone intruding brought him back to the kidnapping. He relaxed when he saw his mum shutting the door behind her. He closed his book and put it on his bedside table.
Madison placed a hand on her heart at the sight of Oliver cuddling up to her son. Vinny stared blankly, knowing she was trying not show her excitement.
"Morning," she whispered and sat slowly on the bed. "You both are so sweet, lying like that."
Vinny rolled his eyes.
"Mum," he grumbled.
She ignored him. Madison loved how Vinny had that effect on Oliver. In the beginning, she felt a little sorry for whoever fell in love with her son because of his moods, grumpy attitudes, and his constant frown. But the young vampire seems even more affectionate than the human, and it surprised his parents. He didn't hesitate to express his love for his soulmate, and they were proud that he accepts his male lover so openly.
"Good morning," he then whispered, trying to distract her mind from embarrassing him further. Vinny did have a soft spot for his mother, he loved his parents but found it hard to express it, just like every other emotion.
"I thought it would be a good idea to check on you two after yesterday." She and Duke found it a little difficult to sleep last night. They worried that something else would happen. They have maximum security, and all the members of the Vampire-hate group got arrested. So really, there was nothing to stress over.
"We're fine," Vinny whispered.
"Did you sleep okay? How has Oliver been sleeping?"
"I slept fine. And as far as I'm aware, Oliver didn't wake up through the night."
Madison nodded, glad to hear it.
"Okay so, your father and I got thinking last night, and we thought it would be a good idea if we went out for the day."
Vinny frowned at that idea.
"Do you think it's wise after what has happened?"
"I spoke to Jed before I came in, he's just down the hall," Madison said. He always has been when Vinny and Oliver were in the bedroom. But the bodyguard used to be under strict instructions never to be seen. "He agreed that it might do you both good to have a day away. We would have bodyguards around so that you would be safe. We thought about going to the beach or just to a nice little village."
Vinny thought about it. He didn't like that Oliver was cooped up in the mansion all week, working. So maybe going somewhere different would help to distract his mind and keep him busy from worrying about his mother.
"Okay, I think he'll like that," he whispered, just as Oliver started to stir.
They both watched him stretch his arms with a tired frown. He gripped Vinny's top and buried his face deeper into his chest. He was mostly still asleep, but just starting to drift from his dreams.
"I think you should wake him now. We're leaving in about half an hour." Madison has been up for almost two hours now, so has Duke. Their son would usually be up too, but he likes to stay with Oliver and be there when he wakes.
"We'll be down in about ten minutes or so," Vinny watched Madison turn and walk out of the bedroom. He looked down to his soulmate, knowing it would be a challenge to get him out of bed. He is not a morning person.
"Oliver," he said while shaking his shoulder. "Oliver."
The human got lifted from his sleep by a very welcomed deep voice. He panicked for a second, but his eyes open to see the familiar bedroom. He was safe.
Groaning, he reached for the duvet and pulled it over his head.
"Oliver, it's time to get out of bed." Vinny pulled the covers away with a struggle. Oliver wouldn't let go.
"Am I working?" he mumbled without opening his eyes.
"No," Vinny softly shook his chest, "but you have to get up, we're going somewhere."
Oliver concentrated on the warm comforts of being in bed, rather than his soulmates demands.
"Not yet," he muttered, rolling away from Vinny and sinking his face into the pillow.
"We're leaving very soon, come on, " Vinny spoke with amusement in his eyes. He didn't mind that Oliver wasn't a morning person, unlike him. He liked the challenge of pulling him out of bed, and he loved his cute, sleepy nature before he became his somewhat hyper self.
When the vampire received no reply, He then decided to advance towards step two, pulling him out of bed.
He sat up and pulled the duvet off Oliver entirely before wrapping his arms around him and dragging him up. Oliver was almost the same weight and nearly the same height as Vinny, but it wasn't a problem for the vampire.
"No!" Oliver whined and struggled against him to get back into bed, but he already knew it was pointless
When he refused to use his legs, Vinny sighed and decided to act like a child too. He licked his thumb and stuck it into Oliver's ear, making him jump and immediately step away. He covered his ears and looked at Vinny with disgust.
"Okay, I deserved that." With a growing smile, he stepped slowly past Vinny and into the walk-in wardrobe. Vinny smirked. He liked that his soulmate knew fine well that he was dramatic. They did enjoy winding each other up, but they never took it seriously.
* * * * *
When they entered the dining-room, Oliver still had the same, puffy, tired eyes. It would take him another hour or so to wake up properly.
"Ok, let's get you some coffee," Vinny said and put his hands on Oliver's shoulders, guiding him over to the table.
It had just gone past seven in the morning, and he was not in the mood to be talkative, so he allowed Vinny to just get on with it.
"Wow, someone looks tired," Duke chuckled when Oliver sat down. He flashed him a little smile and blankly watched Vinny poor him a warm drink.
"Thank you," he murmured. He hated how he couldn't cope with early morning's, but he has always been like this. Vinny watched him eat some toast. In this state, he couldn't help but find him adorable.
"So lads," Duke spoke, getting their attention. "We have decided to go to a little village next to the beach, where the snow isn't as bad as it is here, but it's still pretty cold so you'll have to wrap up warm Oliver." Vampires don't get as cold as humans do, but they will all wear a coat and maybe some gloves.
Oliver nodded and drank his coffee. The boys were not bothered about where they went; they just knew it would be nice having a day out together.
"Is my dad coming?" Oliver asked and rubbed his eyes.
"No, he couldn't get the day off work. We insisted that he didn't have to work anymore, but he said he likes having a job."
Oliver shook his head. His dad was always a believer in earning his way in the world. It was making him a little nervous that he wouldn't choose to turn into a vampire. He wanted him to live a long life, like him. But it was John's choice.
"That doesn't surprise me." He stretched and put his arm on the back of Vinny's chair. The vampire very slyly bent his foot around the leg of Oliver's chair and pulled it slowly towards him. Vinny didn't even break a smile when their chairs connected. Oliver loved it when he was playful, but looking so serious at the same time. He then put his arm around Oliver's shoulders and showed him the smallest smile.
Since they shared the passionate kiss last night, Vinny has continuously needed his human to be close. Maybe the bond was strengthening the more intimate they became? Or perhaps he is fully accepting Oliver, and his body needs more of his comfort? He didn't know, but nobody did. Bonds are unusual, untested and all somewhat different.