A/N: So yeah here's a lil short story about the Vanderwood parents that I've already completed on my Patreon. It's somewhat enlightening to further stories and previous ones.

I'll be releasing it one chapter a week until it's finished, but if you can't stand the wait, the whole thing is published on Patreon.

-Daniel-

"So like... Your parents are cool with this, right?"

I tore my eyes off the mirror to roll them, sending my friend a hooded glance at his worry.

He was midway through tying his headful of braids back, not even bothering to meet my gaze.

He asked this every single time.

Every time we made plans to go out in the middle of the night. Every time he stopped by here to get ready with me.

"Just like the other six-hundred times you've asked, Zeke, They can't be cool with something they don't know about," I replied, trying to stomp out that flame of worry he was soo good at keeping lit.

I'm sure they had their suspicions here and there, but what they don't know won't kill them.

Knowing every detail of my life had to be tiresome, and the important facts were there to outweigh this one little thing.

I get my work done. I take care of the territory. I'm a good heir and an arguably better son.

I've reiterated that to Zeke multiple times, and yet here that question is again.

They were his Lord and Lady, so it was understandable, but I was his prince and also his best friend, so I felt like a bit of trust should be expected.

"I guess. I just get worried that if they find out they're gonna blame me for it." He explained, brown eyes looking at me through the mirror.

There would be no need for that given that this wasn't his fault. It was an escape I'd found all on my own.

Stumbling across an underground club of sorts with humans and vampires alike. The music, the lights, the atmosphere. It all called to me given that it wasn't anything I'd been able to partake in before.

At the time I called it an act of rebellion against my otherwise poise way of living given my status, but now it'd become a part of my weeks. Something I very much looked forward to after my royal duties.

It was nice. The parties, the alcohol, the women, it was everything I needed to step out of my princely duties and just enjoy myself. As myself... internally at least

Forget about the pressure of being the heir, step out of the expectations everyone around had for me, pause the stress every mention of my future brought to me. Just for a bit.

It let me feel like just a regular vampire. Allowed to go out and enjoy myself without worrying that every move I make will have an impact on my family.

It's how I met Ezekiel in the first place. Ten years later, we're still going out to hang out and get wild every Thursday night.

I had to wait a little bit before dropping the fact that I was the heir, but I'd say he took it well.

Well enough to now have access to this floor, my room, and occasionally have meals with my parents.

"They love you, dude. I think they're just happy I found a friend at all. If anything I'd just get a lecture about how what I'm doing is dangerous, but it's not like I'm careless."

I only allowed myself to get a little tipsy, using my advances of a vampire to curb the effects of drunkenness if I really had to. I took every precaution when it came to hiding my identity. I never used my pheromone, never used my senses at their full capacity, and always made sure I landed in places where no one would see my wings before they could disappear.

"Oh, I bet They'd be stoked to know about the number of women you've slept with too. Isn't that like 'Royalty rule number one'? Don't risk birthing an heir especially when you still are one?"

Another roll of my eyes and I set them back on me through the mirror.

"Yes. It is, which is why you should never doubt the pull-out game of a prince." I sang, hearing him scoff at the sound.

Though we joked about it a lot, truly I was careful. With that especially.

I kind of screwed up by sleeping around once, and unlocking that part of me that wanted to come out and play every once in a while.

So I let myself indulge, but that fact, that fear was still clear as day in my mind through every second.

I continued fingering through my hair, letting the texture it gained as it air-dried show in full force.

Different hair and contacts... When I first started doing this, I never would have thought that it would be that easy.

Typically during my public appearances as a prince, I slicked it back with product, so the unkept look it had now doesn't at all scream 'hey I'm your prince'. At least not at first glance.

To be safe, I also secured myself a pair of contacts that made my eyes appear dark blue.

Some human invented the design fairly recently, and they've been a huge hit throughout the city.

Best of all though, they looked one hundred percent real.

I stared at where they were already placed in my eyes, grinning in both satisfaction and excitement.

Zeke looked to be ready to go, stepping back and fixing his collar for the final touch.

The faded red of his shirt was a good match to his dark skin. The man knew how to throw things together for the most optimal result.

Typically the red meant he was aiming for a relatively chill night. Some drinks. Some dancing, maybe chatting up a lady or two, but not much else.

Me on the other hand... I'm just going to see where the night takes me. I liked the surprise.

I snatched up the blue one I had folded on my counter. The one that matched my 'eyes'.

Couldn't wear a shirt and have wings at the same time, and those things were my ride tonight.

"Alright. You gonna let me carry you there this time?' I asked, wiggling my eyebrows in his direction.

His grimace was the exact reaction I was looking for, and I laughed at the sight.

"Yeah right. You're flying and I'm running. We'll see who gets there first." He challenged.

I accepted it with a nod.

Vampiric running would technically be faster, but he's got an elevator to go down first.

And flying, well I just preferred it. The color of my wings helped me blend into the night, and it would be a crime for me not to when I had the ability to summon them with little resistance.

The feeling was irreplaceable, and something I never took for granted.

"Deal. I'll give you a head start to make it even," I said, folding my shirt over my arm.

"Oh, how kind of you," He chastised, walking out of my bathroom and towards my door, "so fitting for my future lord."

My eyes narrowed with a smirk, "Am I anything but not fair?"

He looked back at me, opening the door, "I guess we'll see depending on who wins."

The look on his face matched mine for a moment before he was gone, the door shut behind him.

I blew out a breath, and counted to five in my head on my way to the balcony door.

That pressure in my back began to stir, my body and instincts well aware of what was about to ensue, and in full agreement.

I needed this. I may just go insane if I didn't have this escape.

I was ready. Ready to hop into the night and forget the stresses of the week.

The moment my countdown ended and the door was open, I was gone.

My feet pushed hard against the floor, running towards the railing that was now only an obstacle in my plans.

That feeling in my back split and spread the moment I kicked off the ground to clear it, dark leathery wings expanding with no more than a dull pinch.

I tucked them in as soon as they'd sprouted in all their glory to let gravity do the work, absolutely loving the weightless feeling in my gut as I fell and spun toward the ground.

The wind whipped my hair and filled my ears, surely downing out the elated cheer I let out at the sensation of it all.

My wings opened and caught me at a height that just felt like muscle memory, shooting me to the west to my destination.

I made sure to stay high enough to where I mostly blended in with the surrounding night, steering clear of the street lights of the bazzar below.

I took in the scents of the city below. The city- the territory that would one day be mine.

But not yet.

I curved quickly to the left, knowing the direction and the right path to take by heart.

All my previous joys dissipated at the sight of Zeke already leaning against the tree I always hid behind to change.

Dammit.

I dove and landed gracefully in a huff, bowing my head to at least respect his win.

His pride was written well across his face.

"Remind me to shorten your head start," I began as my wings dispersed into threads of shadows, and their weight disappeared from my back.

"I can't believe my future Lord is the type to make excuses," He jabbed.

I hurried and put my shirt on, fixing my hair from the flight.

Zeke aided in a stray strand that fell on the wrong side of my head.

"Well it's a good thing that tonight I'm not your future lord, isn't it?" I retorted

"I suppose," he sighed, turning and heading towards the bustling entrance, "Which name are you going by this time."

I just shrugged.

"Dunno. I'll figure it out in the moment like I always do."

He simply nodded, greeting the bouncer who took our fangs as identification enough.

With that, we passed through the door, Into the chaotic crowd, the colorful lights, and the promise of a good time.