Ruffled Black Hair

Billy and Raven had gotten along well-enough throughout the years, but they always had their own groove: not hating each other nor completely in love with each other. But siblings, fighting then getting along, though they tangled in a battle of wits once again.

It was a relationship built off who they were to each other.

Siblings.

Though it taken them both having gorgeous vampire soul mates for them to ever have anything in common.

The secret of their vampire lovers bonded them and Raven was sure to fill him in with her handy-dandy 'Pros and Cons of having a Vampire Boyfriend' she'd written in her journal before her first visit to 'Hippstersville'. Billy, when him and Valentine went out to a restaurant, carried a shot with him in his pocket, just in case garlic ever showed up on the menu.

So far it had only happened once, and, it was his mother's fault.

"Hey, Billy-Boy! Get in here and eat your burnt toast!" Raven shouted from the kitchen of their Aunt Libby's apartment. She was only staying in town with Alexander to consider a few college courses, away from the pressure of their mom and dad, and to be closer to Billy who'd decided to stay with his aunt for awhile to see Valentine who'd wanted him to stay in the underground tunnel with the rest of the Maxwell's.

Raven, having taken a motherly/elder sisterly approach, had told Billy that he was too young to sleepover his boyfriends house –no matter how awesome it was. (Translation: if she had to sneak out, steal, fight and be labeled crazy just to spend the night at Alexander's he'd have to try it too.)

Aunt Libby gave him a lot of time to exercise sneaking out in the middle of the night, shutting doors quietly and lying through his teeth –all while maintaining an A average in every class mind you.

Raven knew though, she always knew. She was queen of it all and gave him pointers.

She'd even taken an early bus here, interrupted Libby's morning yoga routine, to check on Billy had make use he wasn't hung over (not that she'd let him drink) or wearing the same 'going out' outfit he'd had on last night. Alexander often asked Raven not to take the bus and offered to have his driver take her over (Libby loved that Alexander was so protective over Raven and thought his face was adorable every time Raven defied him with her womanly independence –though she appreciated the chivalry).

Billy rounded the corner into the kitchen/dining room and sat at the table. "Good morning, Aunt Libby." He attempted to smooth his wild black hair but his aunt simply messed it all up again.

"You look just like Toni. His hair always looked best in a mess." She winked. "But I'm sure your boyfriend tells you the same."

Billy turned ash white.

Valentine had come to meet him at Aunt Libby's house last night before he'd dressed him up and they'd broken into the Coffin Club, but Aunt Libby hadn't left in time for her dance class and had caught the white-haired vampire sucking face with her nephew in the hallway. Billy hadn't known what to say, but Valentine did –as usual. He kissed Aunt Libby's hand and introducing himself as Billy's secret boyfriend.

Billy put his head down and Raven went into defensive NPBM mode –standing for: No one Picks on Billy but Me- and scooted closer to Billy's chair. "Aunt Libby. . .mom and dad, they don't know yet."

Aunt Libby's eyes widened, expressing her shock.

"Oh! Oh. . .Billy I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot."

"It's okay Aunt Libby; I'm just not that ready to talk about me and Valentine yet. I mean, well. . ." Billy cheek tinted a light pink.

"They are 'best friends' and they use to have sleepovers, Aunt Libby." Raven supplied. "He's afraid mom and dad will blow a gasket."

He muttered a "Thanks Raven" and looked back at his aunt.

"I just don't want to tell them, but I really love –like, I meant like!"

But it was too late. Aunt Libby was bouncing in her chair, grinning from ear to ear.

Damn. . .

"It's love! It's love, it's love, it's love!" She danced around the table and hugged Billy, squishing her face to his and messing up his hair even more than it already was. "My little nephew is in love!"

Billy could understand why Aunt Libby was so gushy about the 'love' mess. She was getting married in six months and had invited basically every living relative, friend, rival and friend and/or boy/girlfriend of everyone she could think off.

Yes, this would be a momentous day.

She had even started a countdown and had her tech-savvy fiancé put it on both of their phones during their visit.

She'd also be moving out soon.

The way she acted and talked about Toni (her soul mate) made him think of Valentine.

They'd spent the rest of the morning and afternoon talking over their boyfriends (Libby had been pleasantly shocked to find out both her niece and nephew were dating members of Romania nobility) and the pros and cons of him telling his parents.

If they kicked him out (what he feared the most) he knew Valentine would offer him some coffin space and Raven, and Jameson, would go to work to prepare the best guest room in Alexander's huge family estate for him.

But he was sixteen-years-old. Still in high school, getting the best grades, winning awards, and being a perfect (if not slightly nerdy) son to his parents.

Valentine was always cheering from the sidelines, respecting Billy's space, but always kissed him when he knew no one was looking.

It was exhilarating at first, like risking life and limb and freedom, to go on long night dates that Valentine talked him into.

Then it was caging, like when his father talked to him about the girls in school. How they'd noticed that he had gotten better looking with age, due to Valentine constant battering.

He chewed on the inside of his cheek.

There was a knock at the door and Aunt Libby went to answer it, it was Valentine and Alexander. Billy realized that the sun had gone down.

Valentine was dressed in his 'casual' clothes: a gray button up and skeleton tie, ripped skinny jeans and his favorite pair of boots (okay, his second favorite next to a pair of David Bowie knock offs).

Valentine made a beeline around Raven and Libby and tackled Billy into the couch. His arms wrapping just under Billy's shoulder blades and his chin landing in the middle of Billy chest.

He'd been very animated lately. . .

"William, I've called you twice! I you left several text messages! Then I had to wait for Alexander here to get ready to pick up your sister. Don't tell me your still out of sorts about last night. And William where is your cell phone? I didn't buy you that custom ring tone that played when I called just so you can listen to your favorite composer! I know you have it on you iPhone, you play it every night to help you sleep!"

Aunt Libby started laughing and Alexander rolled his eyes but smiled, his arms wrapped around Raven.

"Ah~! Young love." Raven giggled as Alexander kissed her cheek.

"Valentine."

"What?"

"Get off of me." Billy leaned up and kissed him. "You're crushing my lungs."

"Oh, right. . .you need those." He glanced back at Aunt Libby and beamed. "Liberty, it's lovely to see you again." He rolled off Billy and sat on the arm of the couch.

"Uh, it's just 'Libby', Valentine. No need to be formal here." She grinned.

Valentine's smiled creased slightly and Billy sat up.

"Valentine doesn't do nicknames, Aunt Libby." He attempted to smooth his hair, but Valentine stopped him, eyes still on Aunt Libby.

"I can hardly stand it when he calls me 'Valen'." Then to Billy. "Your hair looks better in a mess."

The three humans bursted out laughing, confusing the two vampires.

Billy was enjoying his time here.

But Spring Break was ending soon and reality was coming back fast.

I was watching V for Vendetta and I was really intruged by the story of a girl name Valerie (who was gay) and fell in love with another girl when she was young. Her parents kicked her out, but she lived a happy life. . .up until the day Ruth was taken away by the government and then she was too. . .

Okay it didn't have the happest ending, but its a real eye opener, wonderful movie. (That's not the whole movie, just a story within a story).

One more chapter to go!

~QueenVamp