Home Sweet Home [Vinny]

[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel sighed as he ran a shaky hand through his hair. So this was it, his room for the next few years of his life. "It's not that bad," he mumbled to himself, casting his eyes around the room as he took in his surroundings; a small boxy room with just enough space for the two beds. Wait - two beds?! He hadn't expected that. Grinding his teeth together, Samuel eyed the other side of his room, the walls filled with photos and drawings, the bed filled with cuddly toys. Clenching his fists together, Samuel tried to ignore the fact that he would be sharing the room and set about unpacking his things.

After his - very sparse - selection of clothes were packed away, Samuel pulled out his cigarette packet, blatently ignoring the 'No Smoking' signs that littered the hallways and doors. He smiled as he felt the familiar rush that came from the first cigarette of the day, and lay back on his bed. He had to remain calm, that was the most important thing to do. Well, one of the most important things anyway...along with sleeping around, drinking, getting stoned..... No, he would remain calm... "Why do i need to remain calm?" he said, laughing in a slightly twisted way. "And what do i care about a room mate? He'll soon be scared away by me!" He smirked then stood up, puffing away at his cigarette as he wandered over to the other side of the dorm.

"'Vinny', huh? Well, let's see what you're like then.." Samuel murmured as he surveyed the photos that covered the walls. He ran his finger lightly over the contours of Vinny's face, beforing moving it to one of the many drawings that were always on the wall. He couldn't deny it, this Vinny person had some real talent. Samuel cocked his head to the side, there was something about these drawings that reminded him of some of his work. Abstract, colourful, full of meaning that only the artist could understand. Maybe sharing a room with 'Vinny' wouldn't be so bad afterall.

[VINCENT GLOVER]

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Vinny had been one of the first to arrive at Winchester, he had unpacked all of his belongings within the first few days, putting posters on the walls and photos from back at high school. He had put up his favorite drawings - mostly of what went on inside his head. But others were drawings of people, friends, people who pretended to be his friends. That was the majority of people, those who thought he was a little strange and tended to stay far away.

But Vinny didn't seem to notice. He just thought everyone liked him. He didn't understand how people couldn't. He wasn't a bad person. He liked the same things everyone else liked. He was normal, well, as normal as you could get with his lack of sanity.

He had spent the morning at the park, climbing trees and swinging on the play sets. He was lost in his own world, fighting bandits and saving people. Just a normal day. Stumbling slightly he returned to his dorm, with only a cut to his knee and a bruise to his cheek. He pulled the key from the chain attached to his pants - he had already lost four keys that year, so he had ben given a chain to keep them safe, and so far it had worked.

Biting his lip he stepped into the room, gasping when he noticed someone else already there. This must be his room-mate. Samuel Hurst. His mouth spread into a grin as he closed the door behind him. Eyes wide, as he walked up the boy and stuck out his hand for the other to shake. Hi, I'm Vinny. You're Samuel, right? It's nice to met you! Did you have a good journey? Do you need help unpacking? What subjects are you taking? I took this bed, I hope that's okay he said this all very fast, dropping his hand and wrapping both of his arms around the boy's middle. I'm so happy to have you as my room-mate. I'll be the best one you've ever had. I promise. I'll even help you with your work if I can...or if you want. he said quickly, still clinging to the other boy.

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[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel didn't comprehend any of the words that came out of Vinny's mouth in a rush of word-vomit. The only thing he became aware of was two reasonably strong arms wrapping around hs waist. 'Get off, get off, get off, ' he chanted in his head, stiffening at the sudden invasion of his personal space. He could feel the anger bubbling up inside of him, ready to burst out at any moment. His teeth clenched together, the enamel grating, his nails digging into the palms of his hands, hard enough to draw blood.

And then, just like that, it was gone. He smiled tentatively, putting his hands on the blonde's back and hugging him in return. "It's a p-pleasure to meet you," Samuel said, gently pushing the other boy off of him. "I'm glad we're sharing a room together, i was worried about being on my own at such a large college!" He chuckled nervously, running a hand through his hair and causing it to stick up at odd angles. He smiled, trying to remember exactly what the boy had said in the last couple of minutes. Everything seemed a little...hazy.. and he couldn't work out whether Vinny had actually asked him any questions.

"So.... Umm... What are you studying here?" he asked, looking anywhere but at Vinny as his fingers twisted nervously together. "It's a nice place, isn't? I think we'll have fun here, don't you?" his nervousness causing him to talk rather quickly. Vinny was a little..forward..for Samuel's usually timid nature but he was sure he'd get used to it.

[VINCENT GLOVER]

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Vinny clung to the other boy until he felt Samuel stiffen and eventually pry himself away. Vinny pouted for a moment not enjoying the lack of physical contact. But he was used to it. So he begrudgingly moved over to give the other boy some room. Oh you won't be alone, everyone is really friendly here! he said, smiling at the other boy, watching the other slide a hand though his hair. He giggled at the way Samuel's hair stuck out slightly and he reached forward, smoothing it down as gently as he could, trying not to tug too much.

Biting his lip he stepped back to admire his handiwork. He grinned even more, if that was possible, when Samuel asked him a question - it was rare for anyone to be interested in what Vinny was up to. It made a nice change. I'm taking fine art and creative writing. I'm really excited about starting, but I think it's going to be a lot of work. But that's okay because I really love both of the subjects, and mom says I'm really good at them, so I hope I will do okay in them. I want her to be proud of me. he said, blushing slightly, I mean...since my condition got...worse...she always worries I won't get anywhere. But I know I can do it, as long as she believes I can...somehow. Vinny was sure that had made more sense in his head.

What about you? Vinny asked, stepping closer to the boy again, as if forgetting the way Samuel had reacted before. What are you taking? Are you excited?

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[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel stiffened again as Vinny reached towards his head but relaxed when he realised the other boy was only trying to flatten his hair. He smiled, timidly, Sorry, i'm not used to physical contact...Makes me nervous... Unless of course, i initiate it! He blushed at the comment he'd made, looking away nervously. Oh, I'm doing Fine Art and Engineering. It's an odd combination but they help me to...relax...and keep my cool. He didn't elaborate any further, despite Vinny having admitted that he had some sort of condition, Samuel wasn't as ready to admit that there was anything wrong with him.

Yeah, I am excited.. Although i'm pretty nervous as well.. I don't really like socialising very much. I'm quite happy to just stay inside and read or draw all day. He chuckled, realising how silly that sounded. Speaking of drawing, i was admiring your pictures. They're really different, but in a good way! They remind me of some of the drawings that i've done. Tentatively, he reached out his hand and caught Vinny's hand, drawing the other boy over towards his bed. This one is my favourite,he said, pointing at a particularly bright abstract picture of Vinny's.

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[VINCENT GLOVER]

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Vinny grinned as the boy took his hand, swinging their arms back and fourth, walking to the other side of the room. He blushed as Samuel commented on his drawing. Stepping up onto his bed he reached up and untacked it from the wall. Jumping down he rested it in the boy's hands with a grin, You can have it, he said, closing the other's fingers around the paper.

He sat down on his bed with a thump and petted the space next to him for Samuel to sit down. Smiling he crossed his legs together, folding his hands into his lap. Hey that means we'll share a class together! he exclaimed, grinning once more. I want to see your work now! I can't wait to see you working in class, this year is going to be amazing!

It was sweet that Vinny hadn't even noticed the blush on the boy's face. Or the hint about the initiation of the physical contact. Will you teach me how you draw? he asked the boy excitedly, I love trying new styles!

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[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel blushed as he took the picture off Vinny, Thank you! He beamed at the other boy, taking the picture and pinning it onto his wall above his bed. He cocked his head to the side and smiled, I think it looks good there. Tentatively he sat down next to Vinny, smiling shyly at the boy. He chuckled at Vinny's enthusiasm which seemed to be never ending.

Samuel stood up and walked over to his side of the room, scaning one of the shelves for his sketch book. Where did i put it? he mumbled, to himself, trying to drag the memory of him unpacking. Except he couldn't remember unpacking, and so, couldn't remember where he'd put it. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and turned around to face Vinny, I can't find my sketchbook he muttered, strangely agitated by this knowledge. Surely he wouldn't have hidden it away that well? With another sigh of defeat, he sat back down on the bed, Sorry, Vinny, I can't find it. I'll have to show you in class at some point. He looked down, twisting his fingers together, genuinely upset by the misplacement of his sketchbook.

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[VINCENT GLOVER]

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Vinny beamed, watching the other boy put up his drawing above his bed. He wanted to hug the boy again, but had already been pushed away once. He didn't want to over-do it. Besides, this guy might actually want to be his friend. He didn't have many of those. Not real ones anyway, they were mostly people who felt sorry for him because of the accident. Vinny didn't want pity.

He climbed onto Samuel's bed and ran his fingers over the drawing. He'll take good care of you! he promised the paper, jumping off the bed. He waited for a moment as Samuel seemed to be looking for something. Stepping forward, Vinny was about to ask what he was looking for when his question was already answered.

Oh no! he exclaimed, rushing forward, biting his lip, That's terrible. I bet the shadows are behind it. They hate drawings. What does it look like? I'll hep you find it! he said defiantly, huffing slightly at the fact his shadows were messing with his friends. They weren't supposed to go near anyone else. That was against the rules.

Taking the other's hands he untangled Samuel's fingers and held them in his own; squeezing his hands in comfort and pressing their foreheads together. If the shadows have taken it, it'll be somewhere dark. Have you looked under your bed?

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[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel chuckled at Vinny's child-like antics. There was something rather endearing about the boy and despite his obvious lack of sanity (not that Samuel could really talk) he knew that they were going to be good friends. The sort of friends that could confide in each other, or at the very least, a shoulder to cry on.

He bit his lip, worrying about where his sketchbook could have disappeared to. I must have brought it with me, I couldn't have left it behind... This new thought seemed to terrify him and he clutched onto Vinny's shoulders in a desperate attempt to recieve some sort of comfort. Samuel wasn't quite sure what Vinny meant by 'the shadows' but he didn't worry about it, far more concerned with his lost sketchbook than anything else at the moment.

You'll help me find it? he asked, his face brightening slightly. It could well be under the bed, I'll take a look. He lent over the bed, until he was hanging upside down and peered into the dusty darkness underneath. With a surprised exclamation, he jumped off his bed and lay down on the floor, his fingers grabbing hold of the book. You were right, Vinny! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! he shouted, wrapping his arms around the slim boy and squeezing him. He'd never been so happy in his life! His sketchbook, along with his novels, were his world and the thought of having lost one..... But no, it was safe now and Samuel couldn't have been happier.

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[VINCENT GLOVER]

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Vinny sat crossed-legged on Samuel's bed, playing with the duvet. He watched the other boy sit upside down and giggled slightly, gasping when he suddenly jumped off and onto the floor. Vinny mimicked the boy's previous position and tipped forward to make sure Samuel stayed safe. He smiled when Samuel grabbed his sketchbook; it was away from the shadows, that was all that mattered. He was about to sit up when he saw something scurry along the floor, yellow eyes and a long tail. Vinny frowned and looked closer but quickly lost his grip and tumbled off the bed. Frowning he rubbed his head and sat up, looking around the room, trying to find the thing he had seen earlier. He knew exactly what it was, a messenger. Going to tell the shadows that Samuel had found his sketchbook.

But before Vinny could warn the other, he felt two strong arms around him, pulling him close. He brought his arms up and wrapped them around the boy's neck, holding onto him. Smiling he nuzzled his nose against the other's neck, trying to hold on for as long as possible.

But eventually he let go, all thoughts of the creature gone from his mind. You're welcome, I'm glad I could help. Those shadows can get everywhere...they're not supposed to mess with other people. That's not fair, because you can't see them and they always move things, or break things. You'll have to keep your things safe. Once thy know you've found it they'll come back for more. I mean, I can help - I know what they usually do...but you have to be careful, okay? he said, grabbing the boy and clinging to his middle. I don't want my new friend to get hurt.

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[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel was shocked at the intimate action of Vinny rubbing his nose against his neck, stiffening slightly at the touch. But he soon realised that the boy didn't mean anything by it and to Vinny, this was just a display of their friendship. After breaking apart from the hug, Samuel sat back down on his bed, this time patting the space next to him for Vinny to join. |The shadows? What are the shadows? he asked, wondering what on earth Vinny was on about.

They always said that art was a view into the artist's soul, and it was clear from Vinny's abstract drawings, that the boy wasn't exactly normal. But he was cute, and Samuel, knowing far too much about what was normal and what wasn't, wasn't in the least bit worried about Vinny's slghtly quirky behaviour. I'll try to be careful, he said, patting Vinny's shoulder reassuringly. Where should i put my things to keep them safe? he asked, knowing that it would do no good to act like Vinny was completely barmy. He might as well play along.

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[VINCENT GLOVER]

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Vinny sat down next to the other boy and cuddled up to him, resting his head on the other's shoulder. The shadows are all the bad thing in the world. They hide away in the darkness, waiting for people to get close to them. When they do they climb inside your soul and hid there, making you do bad things. Sometimes they stay there forever - that's when you get people who are always bad, like...umm...I can't think of anyone at the moment...but when you get people like that, it means the shadow has replaced their soul. Like, they've eaten it. Then you get people who do bad things sometimes, and that means only a little bit of their soul has been eaten - they can still be saved but they'll always feel a little empty inside. Most people are that one, but thy don't realize what's causing it, so they don't fix it. Vinny sighed and took Samuel's hand, playing with the boy's fingers.

I made them promise they wouldn't hurt my friends, but sometimes it's too late. Besides they don't think I have any friends. They tell me that people only pretend to like me. But it's not true...just...some people don't understand...and they don't bother asking. he nuzzled his nose into the boy's neck again, almost climbing into his lap.

Just put a white mark on it...here Jumping off the bed suddenly he reached into his own bag that was sat on the floor and pulled out a packet of white stickers in the shape of a star. He smiled and opened up the packet, taking one and sticking it to the corner of the boy's sketchbook. He then took another and stuck it to the boy's cheek. Now you're both safe! he exclaimed, kissing the boy's cheek. He didn't even realize that maybe he was getting too close to Samuel. His him this was all normal.

He handed over the rest of his white stickers and smiled at the boy, I've found the shadows just don't like them - so put one on everything you want to keep safe. he said sitting back on the bed, crossing his legs over once more.

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[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel listened patiently as Vinny babbled on about the shadows, not really understanding what the boy was talking about. He was quite clearly insane, but then, weren't they all in the grand scheme of things? Samuel certainly took enough medication to be classed in the 'insane' category. At least Vinny's insanity was harmless; it was almost as if the boy had the mind of a small child, rather than a young adult. Despite his curiousity, Samuel didn't want to ask what had happened to the boy to make him talk about strange things like the shadows, as if they were real, physical beings. It was simpler just to nod and listen intently, than to point out the fact that Vinny was talking a load of nonsense.

Samuel would have to get used to Vinny's apparant lack of personal spcace, as he stiffened once again at the boy's close contact. Thank you, Vinny. I'll have to pick out which books are the most important ones then, he said, smiling as he stood up and began sticking the white stars on various items of his. His cheek felt strangely warm from where Vinny had planted a kiss, and although Samuel knew that Vinny didn't mean anything by it, that it was just his way of showing his friendship, he couldn't quite help the spark of desire that Vinny had - unknowingly - lighted.

He sat back down next to Vinny, peeling one last sticker off of the packet before handing them back to Vinny. I hope i haven't forgotten anything, I don't want any other things to go missing again! He chuckled lightly, then stuck the last sticker onto Vinny's cheek, on the opposite side to where his was. There, now everything that is important to me, will be safe from the shadows! He placed a kiss over the sticker on Vinny's cheek, copying the move that the blonde had done to him.

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[VINCENT GLOVER]

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Vinny had turned a bright shade of red when he felt the kiss to his cheek. When Samuel pulled away he pressed his fingers lightly to his red skin. No one had ever kissed him before. Least of all someone he had just met. Not even Simon had done that. Settling down slightly he tried to calm down the blood rushing to the top of his body. With a little bit of strength he pushed Samuel onto the bed and curled up beside him, wrapping both of his arms around Samuel's and resting his head on the boy's shoulder.

Will you read me a bed-time story, tonight? he asked Samuel, blushing slightly. It was usually Simon's job, the other boy would come over just as Vinny was about to fall asleep and read him stories of pigs building houses and little girls being eaten by wolves. They were his favourite stories, especially when Simon made ones up as he went along. But Simon had started making other plans, plans that didn't involve Vinny.

He looked up at Samuel and smiled as big as he could, entangling their fingers together. I have to take my pills now, he said matter-of-factly as he slid off the bed and rummaged around in his bed-side draw until he produced what looked like about six white boxes. Setting himself down he neatly pulled out three white ones, two blue ones, a pink one and half of the shiny yellow one. He sighed and put them in his mouth one by one, making faces as they slid down his throat. Yucky.

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[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel chuckled as he watched Vinny touch his cheek, feeling his own heat up. There was something so...likeable...about Vinny, something that made Samuel feel extremely protective over, even though they had only just met. He didn't usually let people get this close, or trust them, until he was absolutely sure that they weren't going to stab him in the back. But something about Vinny made him not worry about these things. Perhaps it was his child-like attitude, or just his general happiness, but Samuel knew they were going to close friends.

Of course i'll read you a story. Do you want to pick one out or shall i choose one for you? he asked, wrapping his arm around the boy's shoulders. In any other situation, this position would have been rather..intimate... but he knew it wouldn't be like that with Vinny, the boy was far too inoccent for that!

I tell you what, i'll read you my favourite fairytale! He sat up, stretching up to pick up a well battered book. It's the tale of Beauty and the Beast, he said, smiling down fondly at the book. He loved this tale, well the ending really, how Belle manages to transform the hideous beast into a calm, beautiful prince. Something about the tale touched him, and although he didn't like to admit it, he hoped that one day he'd find that one person who would be able to take the darkness away from him, and transform him into a calm, beautiful boy.

I hate medicaton, he said, They always taste nasty. And i hate it when they get stuck in your throat. Urgh! His stuck his tongue out in distaste, before chuckling as Vinny pulled a face at his own medication. They should invent pills that taste of strawberries or something really yummy, don't you think? That way, no one would mind taking their tablets when they're supposed to It had been a long time since Samuel had taken his prescribed medicaton, but coming to college he had decided that perhaps it would be for the best, and along with his other pills, it seemed to be working reasonably well.

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