"Why can't I go again?" Vivian asked as she and Kit walked through the estate. It was buzzing with life as the whole place was preparing for the ball to happen in a couple days. She had been informed the other day that she was absolutely not to attend and to stay in her room the entire time. It made sense, given it was going to be a vampire ball full of vampires, but Vivian couldn't deny that she still wanted to see it.

"There will be too many vampires there, ones that don't know about our... status." Kit said, referring to their lover's secret. "It will be more difficult to keep you safe from any other vampire that might want to thrall you or drink from you."

Vivian felt unease at that, but the word thrall threw her off a little bit. She had heard that word before, hadn't she? "What does that mean? To thrall someone?"

"Oh, I have not told you about it, have I?" Kit spoke, looking down at Vivian as they walked. "Well I suppose it is kind of like mind control in a way. When a vampire thralls someone, that person loses their free will and must do whatever the vampire tells them to do."

"That sounds terrifying." A shiver runs down Vivian's spine at the thought. "Wait, did Niccolo thrall me when we first met?" She remembers the way he forced her to speak, forced her to sit down and stay put as they tried to figure out why she was resisting a mind wipe. That felt like so long ago now.

"Yes, that is exactly what he was doing." Kit replied, turning a corner and Vivian following. She recognized the path they were taking, and she supposed it was that time of the day.

"So vampires can control minds? Can you guys read minds too?"

"No, nothing like that. I have heard some witches can do that though."

"Wow." Vivian said with wonder. She was always learning something new about this hidden world.

The two of them walked through the large arch way that led into the kitchen, the staff milling about and doing their work. Vivian looked around for Lucy and Jas, but instead spotted a different familiar figure. "Elias?"

The man looked up from the chicken he was plucking, red eyes landing on her. "Hey, Vivian." Elias said easily.

Vivian left Kit's side and went to stand besides where Elias sat. "You're free!"

"They let me join the staff yesterday." He said, showing off his uniform. "I'll be working in the estate now I guess."

"That's amazing!" Vivian said excitedly, mostly about the man being let free from the cell. "I'm so glad you're adjusting well."

Elias smiled at her, a sincere one. "I'm trying my best." He said, and then his expression changed to something a little less friendly as he looked behind Vivian. "You're here too."

"Yes." Kit replied, Vivian turning to see the man was slowly approaching. "I brought her here because she should eat. It's about lunch."

"Oh, you're hungry?" Elias' eye moved back to Vivian. "Let me find Jas, she's a great cook. Everything she makes smells amazing."

"Jas? I met her the other day! She's the little old lady, right?" Vivian said, motion to her head. "Long black hair?"

"That's the one! I'll be right back." Elias said, setting the chicken he was plucking down carefully and running towards the back of the kitchen. When he returned, it was with Jas in tow. "Found her!"

"I hear you're hungry." Jas said as she approached, putting hands on her hips. "What can I make for you?"

"Whatever you want." Vivian replied, excited to be able to eat Jas's food again.

"Sounds good to me."

Jas had ended up making a delicious shepherd's pie, something that Vivian had never had before and wanted to try. It was absolutely delicious, and when she praised Jas for her cooking, the old lady would just wave her compliments away. "I do it for the love of cooking." She would say.

When Vivian had finished eating, she said her goodbyes to Jas and Elias, and they were back to walking around the estate. They decided to visit the library and find some good books to read. It took a while to find something, many of the books in foreign languages, most of which she couldn't recognize. Kit seemed to have a much easier time, as he already held a book under his arm as she approached Vivian.

"Find anything yet?" He asked, standing beside her as she looked to a bookshelf.

"Nothing in English." She replied, looking up to the man. Damn, it had been a while since his beauty had taken her aback. He stood a head taller than her, looking down with crimson hues and a gentle expression. Vivian was not swooning, she was not.

"You are looking in the wrong section." Kit explained, pointing to the other side of the room. "Over there is where all the English books are."

"Oh!" Vivian exclaimed, following his finger and seeing him point to the side of the library she hadn't gotten to yet. "That would make sense, wouldn't it?" She asked with a smile, looking up to Kit.

He looked down at her with such an intensity, she swore he was going to lean down and kiss her or something. But then he looked away. "Come on, I will help you find something."

Vivian followed after the vampire, walking across the library to another set of bookshelves that went to the ceiling. As she got closer, she could see the names written on the spine and she was glad that they were all in English. "I never learned any other language, you know?" Vivian commented, letting her fingers run down a few of the book spines. "I even lived with a Spanish-speaking family once but they refused to speak to me in Spanish."

"Oh, yeah?" Kit probed, standing next to her again.

"Yeah, it was an interesting few months, but I moved in with a different family after that." Vivian continued. She didn't realize what she was speaking about until she looked over and saw the concerned look on Kit's face. "What?"

"What do you mean you moved in with another family?"

"The foster system." Vivian said plainly. "Do you not know about the foster system?"

Kit shook his head. "What is that?"

Oh boy, how did one explain the foster care system to a vampire? "Well whenever children lose their parents or guardians, they become a child of the state essentially and get moved around to different families that offer to take care of them. Some of the families are good but... but not most."

"And you were a child when you lost your parents?" He asked, voice soft.

"Yeah, I was only sixteen when my mom died and my dad was who knows where. The state took me and my siblings in and put us in the foster care system. I... I haven't seen my sibling since."

Kit looked down at Vivian with such sincerity it almost hurt her. "Vivian, I am so sorry. I... I know what it is like to be separated from your family." He said, looking away from her for a moment. "When I was ten, Ezra took me away from my family. I still think about them sometimes but their faces... it is hard to imagine them."

"Oh, Kit." Vivian said, putting a hand on the vampire arm next to her. That caused Kit to look right back at her. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. It sounds like Ezra was a terrible person."

"He is." Kit had a stern expression on his face as he said the two words.

Silence fell over the two of them and Vivian wasn't sure how to break it. Her eyes went to the books in front of her and she scanned the titles. "Any suggestions?" She tried, hoping Kit would take the bait.

"What do you enjoy reading?" The vampire asked, seeming to also be happy for a distraction.

"All kinds of stuff. I love poetry and romances, I'm down for a historial read from time to time too. I read this one book about the history of film and it was fascinating!" Vivian rambled, holding her hands up in front of her and interlocking her fingers. "So really anything, I suppose."

Kit looked down at Vivian with a smile, and she could feel her cheeks heating with red. Why did this vampire have to be so damn attractive? It was distracting. "I think I know one you'll enjoy." He said before moving from his spot and scanning the shelves. It took him a few minutes, but he seemed to find the book he was looking for, returning to Vivian and handing the worn item to her. "Here."

Vivian took the book gingerly, looking at the cover. There was no artwork on it, just worn leather with the words Jane Eyre written on the side. "I've heard of Jane Eyre but I've never read it before. Is it good?"

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Kit shrugged his shoulders. "I think it was a good book."

"Then I'll read it." She tucked the book under her arm and began walking towards the door of the library, Kit following.

"I have one more stop to make before we return to our room." Kit said, grabbing Vivian by the elbow and leading her the opposite direction of their room. Vivian only laughed as she followed the vampire.

"Since you cannot attend the ball," Kit said as they neared a set of huge double doors, "I figured I could at least show you the ballroom."

"The ballroom?" Vivian repeated the words, a question behind them. She found the ballroom previously when she went on her search for Kit, and it was relatively empty save for a grand piano. "But I've seen it before."

"Just wait." He said, standing in front of the door and turning the handle.

When the door opened, she was greeted with a completely different ballroom. Bouquets of flowers had been placed inside the large vases that sat empty last time. A water fountain stood in the middle of the huge room, a set of angels with open wings atop it. Floral decorations had been placed everywhere, and Vivian could swear the chandelier had been polished because it did not sparkle like that the last time she came through here.

"It's beautiful." Vivian said, looking back to Kit. The vampire still stood by the doors, hands in his pockets and a lopsided smile on his face. "I wish I could go to the ball."

The smile on Kit's face dropped. "No you do not."

"I know, all the vampires and stuff, but still." A real ball, being held by someone who was alive when balls were actually a common thing, it sounded like something Vivian would definitely want to attend. She understood the dangers and wouldn't even attempt to sneak out that night, but she can't help but wish it weren't so. "It would just be so cool."

"You do know the ball is not just for fun, right?" Kit asked, stepping closer to Vivian.

"Yes, yes I know it's about capturing Niccolo's uncle." Vivian said as she spun in a circle, imagining she was dancing among others with huge poofy gowns. "But a girl can still daydream, okay?"

Kit stood just a little bit aways from her, watching as she spun around. Vivian stopped then, eyes narrowing on the vampire. "What?" He asked, noticing the way she looked at him.

"Dance with me." Vivian said, holding her hand out.

Kit just looked at her for a moment, not saying anything. "Vivian." He began, but the woman was quick to interject.

"What? It's just for fun, no one will see! Come on!" It wasn't entirely accurate, as there were some workers milling about, setting up decorations and sparing a glance their way every now and then. "You're my lover, aren't you?" Her voice dropped to a whisper.

Vivian could swear she saw a longing on his face, but it was quickly wiped away with the roll of his eyes. "Yes, we are." He said, taking her hand and stepping in front of her. Kit's hand was cold as it held hers, his other going to the small of her back. "Do you even know how to dance?"

"No, but I bet you do." Vivian said in a playful voice, placing her hand on Kit's shoulder. "Now lead on!"

Kit laughed, a genuine laugh, and then began to lead Vivian in what she assumed was the waltz. It was easy to follow Kit's lead, to not step on his toes as they moved around the ballroom. He spun her, and Vivian couldn't help but laugh, filled with an intense glee. She could see he was smiling, and that made her feel even happier. It was rare to get a full smile out of Kit like that.

When they stopped, Vivian was breathless and a little frazzled. She had never danced like that before, and it was exhilarating. The two of them stood chest to chest and Vivian tried to gather air, but being so close to Kit, it made her insides buzz and her skin tingle. She could feel his cool breath on her face, the two simply staring at one another. Vivian felt that overwhelming urge to kiss him again, right where that smile spread across his lips, but she resisted. They still haven't even talked about the last time she impulsively kissed him, and she didn't need to add another one to the list.

Then Kit took a step back and released her, dipping in a bow. "Thank you for the dance."

Vivian laughed and tried to curtsy despite not wearing a dress. "It was a pleasure."

The two left the ballroom after that, their books in hand. They walked back to their room, both of them settling down for the night. Vivian changed into something comfortable in the bedroom while Kit did the same in the living space. When both were dressed, Kit lit the fireplace and both of them sat on their respective seats, cracking open their respective books and began to read.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, the only sound being that of turning pages and the crackling of the wood in the fireplace. It was nice, comfortable even as Vivian sank into her chair. She kept stealing glances over at Kit though, watching as the man read through his own book, fingers hovering above a page before finally turning it.

Vivian isn't sure how long they sat like that, just enjoying each other's company while reading a book. But at some point Vivian began to grow tired, and she even caught Kit yawing once or twice. Closing her book, she set it down on the little table between their two chairs, letting out a heavy breath. "Well," she began, "I think I'm done reading for the night, what about you?"

"I am pretty tired." Kit said, closing his own book and resting it on his lap. "Shall we go to sleep?"

"Yeah." Vivian agreed, and stood up from the chair. She made her way over to the doors that led to the bedroom and stopped. When she turned around, she saw Kit stretch out his body as he stood, shirt hiking up the slightest bit. He moved towards the couch, the place he had been sleeping for the past few nights. "Kit." She said without thinking.

"Hm?" He replied, looking back towards her.

Vivian stood frozen, red heating her cheeks. It was now or never. She had wanted to share the bed with the vampire since they first got here, the mattress big enough for the both of them without either of them needing to touch. She knew the couch was uncomfortable, and could see the way that Kit rubbed at his shoulders and neck during the day like it hurt. "Y-You know, the bed is pretty big." She decided to say.

"Yes, it is." Kit looked at her, unsuspicious of her motives. "Have you been enjoying it?"

"Yes, but that's not my point." She rushed out, beginning to mess with her hands. "I-I mean it's big enough to fit two people comfortably, without having to touch each other."

Kit just looked at her, either unaware of what she was suggesting or unwilling to understand. "Yes, it is." He said again, voice growing a little tight. "Why do you mention that?"

"Uh, well." Vivian began to lose her nerve. Why couldn't this vampire understand the hints she was dropping? "I was wondering if... if you wanted to... share the bed."

Kit again was silent, his eyes going a little wide at her words. "Vivian."

"I mean it's big enough for both of us! Come on, I wouldn't touch you or do anything scandalous, we can even put up a pillow barrier between us." Vivian rushed out, feeling embarrassed but determined at the same time. "I'm tired of seeing you sleep on the couch."

"Vivian, it is fine, I do not need to-."

"Kit." Vivian spoke his name once, and the man went silent. He stared at her, waiting for her next words. "Please, it's fine. I... I want you to."

The vampire looked like he was in pain for a moment, a longing on his face that he quickly scrubbed away. "Is that really what you want, Vivian?"

The woman nodded her head. "Yes. It is what I want."

Slowly, Kit moved from his spot and walked towards her, his eyes on her the entire time. Vivian felt her skin buzzing as the man drew closer, stopping right in front of her. "Are you sure?"

Vivian had to lift her head to look up and meet Kit's gaze, the man standing over her. But still, she was determined. "Yes, absolutely sure."

The vampire lifted one hand and brushed a stray hair of Vivians behind her ear, making the woman's breath hitch. "If that is what you wish for."

"It is." She breathed out, unable to lift her voice above a whisper.

Kit nodded then, removing his hand. "Then we should go to sleep."

Vivian nodded back, and quickly turned towards the bed. She got comfortable on her side of the mattress and watched as Kit walked to the other side and slowly got under the covers. They both settled into the bed, Vivian turning off the lamp that was lighting the bedroom, darkness quickly taking over. It wasn't a complete darkness though as the moon spilled through the cracks of the curtains, giving the room an almost blue glow.

Vivian and Kit laid there silently for a while, before Vivian turned on her side facing the vampire. "Hey, Kit." She whispered.

The vampire moved his head to look at her, lying on his back. "What?"

"I'm really glad I met you."

Kit didn't say anything in response, just looked at her with a distraught expression. Had she said the wrong thing? She was about to apologize, but then the man rolled onto his side and faced her. "Do you really mean that, Vivian?"

"Of course I do." Vivian responded, eyebrows knitting. "I wouldn't just say something like that if I didn't mean it."

Again the man was silent as he took her in, crimson hues moving across her face. He seemed at a loss for words, mouth opening but then shutting after he would take in a breath. "Your life has been nothing but chaotic since you met me." He finally said, a look of concern on his face. "I do not understand."

"I mean that's true I guess, but it's not like it was your fault. You're like... a silver lining to all this craziness." Vivian admitted, feel a little embarrassed at her choice of words. "If it wasn't for you I would be dead, multiple times over."

Kit looked like he wanted to argue, but didn't seem to find the right words. He just let out a breath, lifting a hand and moving it to brush Vivian's black curls behind her ear. "You are too kind to me, Vivian."

The woman shook her head. "You're not kind enough to yourself."

Her words seemed to have some sort of effect on him, as the vampire's hand paused as he pulled it back, hovering over her face. "I do not deserve kindness."

"Again with this?" Vivian rolled her eyes, raising her own hand to grab Kit's that hovered over her face. "What do I have to do to make you believe that you do deserve good things, that you are a good person."

The vampire looked at her, a deep sadness in his eyes. "I do not know. It is hard to change one's view of oneself after being a certain way for so long. I cannot unsee myself as a monster just because you insist upon it."

"So there's nothing that I can say to change your mind?" Vivian asked, feeling disappointed. She lowered their hands to the bed, intertwining their fingers.

"No, Vivian. There is nothing." The vampire confirmed, the sadness still in his eyes.

The woman just laid there, staring at the vampire in the darkness. There had to be something, something she could say, that she could do that would convince him that he wasn't a monster, but she couldn't think of anything besides grabbing him and shaking the stupid notion out of him.

"Kit." She said into the quiet, pulling the vampire's eyes back to her after he had closed them. "You're not a monster. Really. If you were, I would never have invited you to sleep besides me. I... I trust you Kit. I care about you. Please believe me when I say I don't think you're a monster."

Something flickered across the vampire's face, but it was too quick for her to take note of what it was. The sadness returned to his eyes, putting a light frown on his face. "Your words are too kind, Vivian."

"They're the truth." Vivian said, her voice a little stronger than before. "I don't care if you don't believe it, but it's the truth, Kit." Which was a lie, because she did care if the vampire believed it, but that was neither here nor there.

Their intertwined hands laid between them, Kit's eyes moving from her to their locked hands. Vivian felt a little silly for a moment when she grabbed his hand, but then his thumb worked over her palm, making her insides tingle. "You have a wonderful way of seeing things." He whispered.

The woman wanted to whine. It was going to take a lot more than kind words to make the man believe he wasn't a monster. He probably spent his whole existence believing that, so of course he wasn't going to change his mind just because she said so. He was hard wired to believe he was a monster, and nothing would change that. Not even her.