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 Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:54 pm
 Vincenzo was selling vinsurance, again. Rather than laze about in the catacombs on his break from the soul brokerage, Claudius was lazing about in his bedroom. The Antediluvian frowned in concentration, working a knot free from his hair. He was bored. A break was all well and good, but too much idleness would get you in trouble. And, really, Claudius just didn't like it. However, just as he was preparing to leverage himself up from the bed, he heard Vinny's footsteps.
"Vinny, get in here." As though Vinny wasn't already on the way in in the first place. Ah, but that hardly mattered to Claudius. He had a whim and he wanted to see it carried out. The where, the why, and the how that Vinny came to do it didn't matter. It was only imperative that his husband arrive, and do so quickly. Then they could work out the details. Gazing imperiously at the door, Claudius waited.
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 1:31 am
 Vincenzo had indeed been out making sales, or at least, dominating those weak enough to sign over a portion of their pay each month to Vinsurance Insurance Company, LLC. Perhaps it wasn't the most glamorous of positions found within family Giovanni, but it was a role he fulfilled without hesitation. It got him out of the mansion, it allowed him to make and keep connections within the city and all of Hemlock, and best of all, it actually was lucrative.
Certainly, it might not have started out that way, and from time-to-time, he did have to pay out benefits for those who signed up for it... but with dedication, persistence, and a bit of domination, Vinny had managed to turn a tidy profit for the clan and family. Not only that, but he had plenty of contacts, plenty of favors, and plenty of knowledge regarding many vampires out there. He made alliances in his own, unique way -- and when he could, he made sure they came in handy for the family.
Nothing was more important to Vinny than family.
He was not, perhaps, the most clever of Giovanni, and he certainly wasn't as slick and suave as some of his siblings, nor as smooth talking and mysterious as Nico and Matteo; he wasn't hired muscle like Antonio or D'Angelo, nor was he powerful and brilliant like Claudius... but he was loyal to the Giovanni, and everything he did, he did for them. His tasks and goals at present were simply to keep money rolling in, in the best way he knew how.
So it was, he had returned to the mansion, pleased with his night's work. He had hardly stepped foot into his shared quarters with Claudius when the Antediluvian's voice commanded him to approach. "Of course, mio amato," he spoke, setting down his briefcase, and removing his hat to hang upon the wall. He would not, nor could he, leave powerful vampire waiting. It wasn't just because he was compelled to serve the powerful vampire (though he was)... but because he loved him.
Stepping into their bedroom, his gold eyes landed upon the pale skinned vampire, lounging upon their bed. Oh, how he drank up the other, with his porcelain fur, and his silvering onyx hair. His claws twitched, and the beast within suddenly paced with hunger renewed How he had been so lucky as to charm the ancient was still a surprise to Vincenzo... but every night the Ante chose to spend with him, was a night Vinny cherished. He'd never known love or passion or feeling until he'd laid eyes on Claudius all those years ago.
"You called?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:57 pm
When Vinny walked through the door, Claudius gave him a slow smile of welcome. "Caro mio," the Antediluvian purred, gesturing for Vinny to approach. "Vincenzo, tesoro." He reached up his hands, holding them out for his mate, but did not stand up. "Come. I have waited for you for far too long." There were things he wanted to discuss. Important things which would require Vinny's opinion as well. Now that Vespara was grown, or nearly, it was time to consider whether they might not wish to add one or two new little family members to their brood.
To Claudius, it was a simple matter. He wanted children, as he had always wanted children. He had been overjoyed when they had been blessed with Vespara, but to own the truth, it had not been enough for him. For all that he was an ancient and in many ways callous being, he did have a soft spot for his famiglia. It aggrieved him that they had not been lucky twice, but perhaps there would be more to look forward to in the future. His quest, however, might stop here and now if Vinny wasn't willing.
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 2:14 pm
Vinny couldn't resist the smile that curved upon his lips as Claudius reached out for him. Grendel above, he was as head-over-heals for the Antediluvian as he had been the first time he'd set eyes upon him, all those years ago. Who could deny the others attractiveness? He was equally beautiful as he was handsome, and Vincenzo had been absolutely struck when he first saw him. Why Claudius had ever agreed to allowing him to take him out for a drink was beyond Vincenzo... but somehow, fate had smiled upon him, and the two had been inseparable since.
Claudius was his love, his life, his everything. He would walk out into the sun for him, meet his final death for him, and was utterly wrapped around his clawed finger. It wasn't because of his power, it wasn't because of his strength, or his good looks -- Vinny just loved him, adored him, and was utterly devoted.
So it was, he loosened his tie, and approached their bed. "Ignosce quaeso," he rumbled, sincerely. While he spoke Italian to Vespara and others in the family, he often chose Latin when speaking to Claudius. "I'm here now, beloved," he assured, reaching out to take Claudius' hands. He kissed the tops of them both, first one, then another, before he began to kiss a trail boldly up the others arm.
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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 9:49 pm
The truth was, Claudius had been instantly charmed by the adorable Vincenzo Milliner. So charmed that he had easily fallen in love with him in a whirlwind romance that had surprised him by its intensity. But love Vinny he did, and with all of his unbeating heart. "Caro mio, how I love you," he said, and leaned into those kisses with the faintest blush. A blush that he gave nothing and no one else. No, no one but Claudius's darling Vinny could put the antediluvian to blush. He was worth every moment of embarrassment that such weakness caused.
"You were gone too long," he reproached, his eyes filled with love. "Ah, but I was hard at work, as well." In the soul trade, as they said. Claudius spent quite a bit of his time in the catacombs, conducting the family business with a dedication that one could expect of one of the core. This was his life, his home. Between Vinny, his darling Vespara, and dear family, his heart was whole.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 5:22 pm
Vinny continued to kiss up that arm, until he moved to collar bone, and then his neck, letting his lips caress that pale skin and relish Claudius' touch. Here, in the privacy of their bedroom, could the walls lower and their love be explored without prying eyes or gossip. They needn't worry about their titles, or their power, or their rank-- they could just be themselves.
His lips curled into a fond smile as the Antediluvian spoke such tender words. If he noticed the color that stained his beloved's cheeks, he said nothing[--just quietly tucked the memory away for safe keeping. "Work before pleasure, love--or so that seems to be the Giovani way," he mused quietly. Still, he knew that Claudius was always busy at work, doing whatever-he-did deep in the catacomb of the house. That sort of power wasn't something Vincenzo naturally possessed, and didn't run strong in the Milliner line--so he helped bring in money, and helped be a more sociable-face of Clan Giovanni, so no one involved them in dark arts.
It might not be a glamorous job, but it paid.... and for Vinny, it paid quite well, indeed. He might not be brokering soles like Claudius, or brokering deals like Ricco, but he brought in enough with his side-businesses to at least be useful to la famiglia.
"I'm here now though--and with luck, you won't bee needed elsewhere for a small while." He smiled lovingly down at the other, reaching a hand up to brush fingers through Claudius' hair. Leaning over, he captured his lips in a tender kiss, happy that they were alone together. He had gotten very lucky, and thanked the gods for giving him such a gift. He knew he didn't deserve his love, or to have been blessed with Vespara -- but here he was, in perfect company, and in perfect bliss. Truly, Vinny lacked for nothing....
Except, perhaps, for a larger immediate family.
Claudius wanted more children, and having only one was a bit of an anomaly. The gods had not seen fit to bless them with more, but that didn't mean he couldn't hope their fate might someday change.
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