Disclaimer: I do not own nor claim The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. All rights belong to Heather Brewer.
Chapter Ten: Going Home
Vlad and Kristoff arrived back at the house in good time. They left the car and went inside, wanting nothing more than to eat dinner and collapse into a deep sleep.
"Kristoff?"
"Yeah?" The silver haired boy looked across the island at the vampire.
"I wanna reach out to Otis. Tell him that we may come visit to see if Nelly is how October said she was. Is that okay?"
Kristoff walked the island around and pulled Vlad into a tight, supportive embrace. "If that's what you want, than I don't care at all. As long as your ready to see her."
Vlad nodded against his lovers chest, snuggling into the loving shelter of his arms.
As Kristoff cooked their meal, Vlad lowered his mental barrier, gently reaching out to Otis. The response was immediate.
"Vlad!? Where are you?! Are you alright?"
"Yes, Otis. I'm alright. How's Nelly?"
"She just wants to see you. She doesn't care anymore. Especially when I told her I could feel what you really felt before you shut me out."
"I am sorry about that. I was just trying to protect us. I didn't want her actions to hurt us. Especially him. He's been so much happier since we've been gone."
"I know. Please. Just come home. We just need to see you."
"I'll try, but if I feel like coming back will hurt either of us, we're gone again. This is her second chance. Tell her I don't want to cut her out, like at all, but I can't have a healthy relationship with someone who would want to tear my love away. So if she acts how she did before we left, we won't ever come back. I can promise that."
Otis paused. Vlad knew that he felt the sincerity and complete truth in his statement.
"I'll tell her. When should we expect you?"
"Kristoff? When can you get a few days off?"
Kristoff moved to his work schedule. "Uhm, I actually have a four day weekend the day after tomorrow 'cause they're training newbies. So are we going to visit then?"
Vlad nodded.
"The day after tomorrow."
"I love you Vlad. So does Nelly. See you then."
"I love you guys too."
Vlad raised the barrier once again, smiling as Kristoff set a warm plate of meatloaf, with a special blood sauce over it in front of the hungry vampire. He sat next to Vlad, with his own plate fixed up.
"You know how to feed the human and vampire perfectly."
"Because a balance is everything. Both halves of you are equal in importance and therefore need to be equally treated. You are perfect and satisfying you is something I will gladly do til the day I die."
Vlad smiled. "I love you so much!"
Kristoff barely had time to say "I love you too." before Vlad kissed him, saying even more words that couldn't be verbalized, words that would always be raw emotion.
.
.
.
The next day, Vlad woke up early and began packing up a few things to go visit his guardian. Kristoff was at work, so he didn't have an attractive distraction as he packed. Once he finished packing, he went downstairs and went onto his online schoolwork.
Kristoff arrived home from work early, having been dismissed for his weekend.
He walked over to Vlad and gave him a kiss. Vlad smiled into the kiss and pouted when Kristoff pulled away. Kristoff laughed and kissed his forehead gently. He stood up fully and looked to the computer screen.
"You looked like you were having too much fun. I had to stop your shenanigans."
Vlad giggled and wrapped his arms around Kristoff's hip, burying his face in his work shirt.
"You smell like a French fry." Vlad mumbled against his stomach.
The vampire felt the muscles tense before he heard the laughter. "I do happen to work in a kitchen ya know?" Vlad giggled again.
Said vampire lifted his head and looked up at Kristoff. The older boy brushed hair out of Vlad's eyes with a gentle smile.
"You're stunning."
Vlad grinned. "And you, sir, are a hopeless romantic."
Kristoff returned the smile. "Yes I am." They both chuckled. Vlad pulled away and sighed at the computer.
"Test?"
Vlad banged his head on the table with a groan. "Biology."
"Damn. Yeah, I hated anything science. Well good luck with that." Kristoff moved away from the vampire.
"Where are you going?"
"Shower. I don't wanna keep smelling like deep fried food."
Vlad nodded with a smirk as Kristoff moved further away and up the stairs out of his sight.
.
.
.
The next morning they were up at 4 to make good time on the roads before traffic got too terrible. The drive was long and annoying, but they made it in about 7 and a half hours because of leaving so early. They were positive that Kristoff speeding had nothing to do with it.
As they entered Bathory, Vlad began to get a little nervous. Both Otis and October had said Nelly was willing to give Kristoff a try. But he couldn't shake the flutter of fear deep in his stomach. Kristoff wound his way through town before finally pulling into Nelly's driveway and killing the engine. The silver haired boy looked over to Vlad.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Vlad nodded before unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out of Kristoff's car. They grabbed their suitcases and walked up the stairs. Vlad knocked, feeling weird at never having to knock on his own door before. It was pulled open almost immediately and Vlad was crushed in a hug by his previous guardian.
"Vlad! I'm so happy you came!" Vlad hugged her with his free arm, lightly tapping on her shoulder. She loosened her grip and pushed him back to look at him.
"Your hair is longer."
Vlad chuckled. "Uh, yeah. A little I guess."
She nodded and rubbed his arms. Then she turned to Kristoff.
"How do you feel about him?"
Kristoff stood for a moment before answering. "I love him. More than anything. That's why we left. I wanted to protect him. I hated seeing him hurt because of what our situation was."
"What else?" Kristoff smirked.
"I'm going to protect him from anything thing that threatens him. I will love him and make him as happy as I can until the day I die. He's mine and nothing will change that."
Nelly smiled. Then she grabbed the silver haired teen into a hug. "You better be able to protect him from yourself if the need arises."
"I know." Was Kristoff's quiet response. She let him go and led them into the house.
Sorry for taking a while to update again . haha review? Lemme know what you think! I love feedback!