Happiness?(A vampire romance)

Acceptance

I leaned my head against Cloud's back, content as we played Halo on the XBox together.
I was not a very good fps gamer but I loved it and Cloud didn't mind helping me most of the time.
Since that day Cloud and I had evidently got closer and our converstions became more meaningful.
All because Cloud was too good. He had seen through me so easily and before I knew it all my secrets were gone.....well almost. It was comfortable near him, I felt safe.
"Hey Fox" Cloud calls, snapping me back to reality, "You died again. Damn you're bad haha!" I break into a pout as I playfully punch his shoulder. "Fuck halo," I muttered in embarrasment "I'm better at other shooting games."
"You said that an hour ago when we were playing Blackshot."
"T-That game was rigged! Its a stupid game out for cash."
"And I'm a hopeless person out for your heart."

Suddenly our conversation stops. We're looking at each other akwardly, the atmosphere changed. I'm uncomfortable and shift away from Cloud. Cloud stares at his xBox controller with a vexed expression. For once, the cocky redhead was silent, defeated.
I let the silence sink in for awhile, slowly finding a way to bring us back to the setting before.

"Tyler would not play games with me. He didn't game."
Immediately Cloud's head shot up and looked towards me. Much like an eager puppy. "Tyler?"
"He was my boyfriend. I miss him but I can't keep dwelling in the past."
Shit did i say too much?
"I see," his voice trails, his bright emerald orbs fixed to mine "He doesn't deserve you if he left you like this."
I hug my knees tightly "Yeah."

I have to just agree with him, he can't know. That I dated a human. That it was my fault he died.
I commited a taboo. Nobles and purebloods were not permitted to be together with humans or not they'll tarnish the pure vampire blood. I commited it, and I paid the price. But the one who paid the highest price was Tyler. He didn't deserve it, he didn't know of it and I continued to hide it till his death. Though human lifespans are short, he couldn't live out his life to the fullest. Cut short by the cruel blade of fate.

I feel that slender but strong arm strung onto my shoulder, the weight of it enough to press against my skin and feel his warmth. "Hey, its okay whatever happened between you and him. The important part is recovering from it." Cloud smiled, giving me utmost support. It was as if he understood me, like he knew exactly what I was going through. I look at him, and his face says it all. He's no amatuer, he knows exactly what its like.
" Stop being such a smart ass." I say, touching his leaning shoulder and resting my head against it. "Meh, I'm trying to help you you know." He smirked as he switched off the xBox console. "Come on lets get a drink I'm thirsty."
He jumps off the couch and extends his hand towards me, I give him a smile as I hold his hand and follow him.

We go to a small pub and sit at the counter. It was one specifically for vampires so drinks naturally would have a bit of blood in them and then the usual alcohol. "Half pint, Stout." Cloud says to the bar tender. "Give me a pint, lager thanks." I give my order. Cloud stares at me with wide eyes, "You sure you can handle it?" I glare at him, insulted that he thinks I can't handle a pint. "What makes you think I can't?" I narrow my eyes as I cross my arms and look at his direction.
"I'm not trying to make fun of you or anything but you do know how mental health affects us right?" He continues, the wrinkles formed from his eyes remaining.
Mental health. The pivotal source of a vampire's survival, even more important than blood at times. A vampire's abilities attribute to how positive they feel, this can go as far as enhanced regenarative abilities and strength. The downside is that, without a healthy mindset, a vamp is capable of being as fragile as a human or even worse. My already bad mental health worsened since my accident. Even grazes can take a week to heal.
And in this case, it applies to alcohol intake as well. I indulge at the given drink within a few heart beats and slam the glass infront of Cloud. "I can handle it, I just downed it in one goal see?" I smirk, leaning against one hand. Cloud was unconvinced, and moved closer to me. "One more pint and we're done okay?" I'm pricked with annoyance, "Sweetheart you're not my mother. Try playing mummy with someone else." I hissed, lips curling into a snarl.
Shit. There I go again. My shitty pride getting the better of me. He's going to hate me, I can't bear to think what he'll do next.
Cloud's gaze does not leave my face, for a moment you could see fire in those irises. I held my breath as I watch him open his mouth. "I won't believe with your mental health that you can take it, but I don't intend to leave now." Cloud grins, much to my relief "Let's take a bet shall we?" I'm nervous with anticipation. "Okay, hit me."
"We'll see who holds out longer but we'll stop the minute one of us feels tipsy okay? We'll play it safe. I like it safe." He challenged as he signalled the bartender for another stout. I return his smile, nodding at him as I call a stout as well to even out the playing field. "Loser pays for both."
In counts of three we down the first pint together with ease. As he wiped the foam off his mouth he gleamed at me. "Just so you know I have great mental health and beating you will be a breeze." "Don't speak so soon you cocky bastard, we'll see who's sober enough to take us home then."
We call our our eighth pint when I start to see a faint shade of pink against Cloud's flawless fair skin. I smile at him as I point towards his cheek. Cloud looks at me with surprise and presses his fingers against his skin. "Damn." He smiles goofily, almost as if he was happy he lost.
"Let's pay up and go home, anymore and I'll be an alcoholic." I say as I stand up ready to leave. Cloud pays for the drinks and follows me out.
The night is unusually beautiful with its dark ultramarine sky blessed with bright luminous stars. We walk towards my house, enjoying the pleasant night breeze. Cloud bumps into me, hands in his pockets. "I'm surprised you could stay sober for so long." He grumbles as he walks beside me. "I won, screw mental health." I gloat. "but I should've checked you when you said you won you cheeky bastard." He says as he takes his hands out of his pockets.
"Oh? Why is that? You turned pink fir-"

Before I could finish my sentence, a pair of big soft hands cup my cheeks gently. I stare at Cloud dazed before staggering back, his hands still on my face. I feel concrete against my back, I was inbetween a wall and Cloud. The redhead then rests his forehead against mine, lighting all my senses on fire. "You're actually pretty drunk after all, you're not bad in your acting." My cheeks grow hotter, further enhanced even after the alcohol. I feel a little dizzy as I try to look into Clouds eyes. Both of us were good drinkers but we downed drinks so fast that it took awhile before all the alcohol kicked in and before we knew it we were drunk. The pleasant breeze makes the air feel cooling, blending well with our hot temperatures. Cloud slowly moves to my mouth and plants his lips against mine, we stay that way for so long it was as if time stood still. I am scared and excited at the same time, I know I should push him away but I don't. Cloud slips his tongue in and I feel it against my teeth. He then jerks abruptly and pulls himself back, rubbing his mouth. "Sorry, ugh. Shit." He apologized as he frowned, like he had sinned horribly. Disappointment shows on my face, secretly I wish he had continued. "What a way to lose my first kiss." I say as I touch my lips, remembering the kiss.
Cloud is appalled and reaches out to touch my shoulder, "I'm so sorry, ugh to do this drunk. Your first too."
I smile, "It's fine I don't mind it. If it's anything that puzzled me,why didn't you continue?"
He looks at me seriously now, removing his hand off of me. "I don't want to start it this way. It's wrong, cheating."
How he was related Neel really irked me, why did Neel know such a just and upright person I'll never know.