Chapter Text
Louis’ perception skipped like a stone across the boy’s thoughts — he’d just finished his carton of cigarettes, and lacked the money necessary to buy more. But beneath that last cigarette, and that last dollar he could afford to spend on this particular vice — lay other vices, less easily satisfied. The one shared by all of Polynesian Mary’s usual clientele, of course. And another want, so similar to Louis’ own, that it surprised him to find a human at its source.
Amid the familiar background hum of food-sex-home, the same hum which Lestat had introduced him to all those years ago, lived something too faint to be arranged into words. A feeling familiar to one like himself, who relied on the beating hearts of those around him to give beat to his own. This boy had come here seeking a fix. Not necessarily drink, or drugs, nor even sex. A more fundamental human connection. The kind found where pulse of music meets pulse of blood, giving a pulse to the city until it all became one single, warm, living organism.
The boy was at the heart of it. Soft curls, and softer smile. An entirely human young man, drinking in the sight of those around him.
He turned on the barstool, wide eyes touching Louis’ for not even an instant. Humanity had never forgotten what it was to be prey, and perhaps it was those instincts which alerted the boy to his presence. Now he was facing away, pulling a large messenger bag protectively in front of him. The motion of a child, hiding behind the drawing room curtains.
Was he looking at me?
Louis heard the thought, and smiled.
The boy could not resist another glance over his shoulder. Subtle now, in comparison with his previous openness. An endearing thing, watching a boy with eyes like lanterns attempt to go unnoticed by creatures of the dark.
Louis pulled at the jumble of feeling within the boy’s mind. Admiration. Attraction. Confusion and shame.
Fuck but he’s handsome. Guess he doesn’t come here much. I would have remembered him, for sure.
Louis wrapped an arm around the familiar presence at his side. Without taking his eyes off the boy, he leaned in close to whisper to Armand – "We've got ourselves an admirer."
Armand rotated, slow and deliberate. Blinked once, considering the scene.
"You have an admirer, you mean."
"Give it time," Louis leaned closer. "Hasn't seen you yet."
Armand stayed a moment longer than he had to, in their shared space.
"Think you'll stay this time?"
"I might."
Louis smiled. The thought warmed him.
I must warn you. Armand’s voice, in his head. This one is an addict. Do not be surprised if in the end he has eyes only for the backgammon case.
The boy was staring at them again. He had actually slid his stool over a few inches, just to get a better view of their table.
Is he here with someone? Okay, yeah – him and the pretty guy. Makes sense. Best-looking guys in here, of course they'd be together.
"Told you," Louis whispered. There was a certain satisfaction in speaking the words aloud. Although our boy sells himself short.
"Our boy?" Armand’s eyebrows rose. "Shall I pull him over here then, or do you want to wait and see if he comes of his own accord?"
"Let’s give him a chance."
A chance for what, he couldn’t say. A chance to approach? Or a chance for the boy’s body to alert him to a danger his mind could not place? Maybe the chance was for Louis himself, to experience something entirely human.
"As you wish." Armand was watching now too, an arm folded rigidly over the back of his chair.
For his part, the boy looked over his shoulder, certain he could not be the true subject of their interest. Convinced they must instead be intrigued by something on the wall behind him.
They ARE looking at me. Do I have something on my face?
The corners of Louis’ mouth pulled into a grin. It was all he could do to hold back his laughter long enough to turn away. Hopefully, he would not make the most fascinating boy in the room think himself the cause of that laughter.
He smiled at me.
Across the table, Armand caught Louis' eye.
Fuck it. The boy’s thoughts were weighted with determination and force. He was getting up, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Though sustained by the lives of others, any similarity between this human and themselves ended there. His approach was not practiced or easy. No one unconsciously stepped aside for him. But none of that stopped him, from weaving his way closer.
"Um, hi," he said, before he had quite reached their table. “I couldn’t help but notice that you, uh..." Now he was upon them, gesturing between their table and over back to where he had been sitting. “I’m pretty sure I don’t owe either of you guys money, so…”
Armand remained stony-faced. He owes the bartender money.
Louis did not respond. Instead asked – "Can we buy you a drink?"
The boy’s eyes flicked over to Armand, which was really quite sweet. "Uh. I can tell you're together. Don't – don't get the wrong idea."
Armand looked up at him, a prince holding court. "And what idea might that be?"
"You know..." the boy shifted. Adjusted the bag. "That I'm going to be a problem. Not going to be a problem. Believe me, that's the last thing I want."
Something about the way he approached made Louis think back to another boy masquerading as a man. To a wide hat brim and shining eyes, shadowed in half-light.
You are sentimental, thought Armand.
Maybe I am. Could anyone blame him? Most interesting boy in the bar. Most interesting vampire in the park.
That isn't saying very much. I was the only vampire in that park.
There was me. I'm interesting, aren't I?
Finally, he got a little bit of humor from Armand. More of a texture when they were in each other's minds like this. Like champagne bubbles.
That you are.
"Look, if I'm bothering you, I'll just..." the boy pointed back over his shoulder with a thumb.
"It's no imposition,” said Louis.
"Oh..." Now the boy was looking between them, back and forth. Blue eyes, with just a hint of mint to them. Louis wondered if his blood had it too.
"If you won’t let us buy you a drink, that's all right,” he said. “I would rather get us all a cab back to my place on Divisadero anyway. Have a drink some place private."
"Uh…" the boy was staring at Armand again. "If you guys… I mean. Wouldn't say no. If you're..."
And oh, but he was thinking.
Divisadero street. So they're local? They don't seem local. Haven’t seen them around and that's a New Orleans accent. And the pretty one who doesn't like me, he's European for sure. Wish he'd talk more. Can't place his accent. Something kind of out there. French Moroccan?
Louis didn't even try to hide his smile now, though he did keep his fangs to himself. There were so many threads to pull on, if the boy would only speak them aloud. This one would be fun, to watch unravel.
So they own a place out here. Okay. Or, wait – New Orleans said MY place, not OUR place. That means they’ve got at least two places. Unless Europe doesn't have a place? Seems too put-together for that. Maybe they're rich? Bored and rich? Bored and rich I can do. Means they probably have good shit at home and won't need to steal my kidneys. Unless that's how they got rich I guess.
Louis was very glad that Armand had decided to come out with him tonight.
He thinks we're after his kidneys.
Not in isolation, perhaps. And sure Armand was being subtle about it, but he was enjoying this too.
Between the champagne bubbles of his companion’s mind and their clever prey, Louis was beginning to feel buoyant. This was exactly what he had needed tonight.
You were right, Louis. I think we must take this one back with us.
“Yes. Come back with us.” Louis answered for his companion.
New Orleans is calling the shots? And Europe is... fine with it? Or Europe is INTO it. Maybe that’s their thing?
Then his thoughts ran a little fast and unformed for Louis to follow completely. Armand would be making better sense of it. Because now the boy was thinking that their "thing" might be his "thing" also – he didn't know, he'd never tried, all he had to go on was a few pieces of conversation and the third reel of an erotic film an acquaintance of his had stolen. He was thinking this helped explain why the two of them were picking him up at all, if they were maybe into something "kind of weird." The boy found this particular revelation comforting.
Also. If they're into some kind of subculture. Makes it more likely that they're holding.
However, all he said was – "Okay." And smiled his soft smile. "Glad I came over to talk to you. I'm Daniel."
No lie in that. He had actually offered his real name. A rarity, in places like this.
“Our boy has a name," Louis said, standing. They had him. "Louis. Pleasure to meet you."
Daniel adjusted the weight of his bag so he could put out a hand to shake. Louis took the hand in his. Then brought it to his lips, to kiss.
The boy froze. The boy stopped breathing. His lips parted. Louis went looking for thoughts, and found none. All that whirring, silent.
It was beautiful.
Then Louis turned the hand over, and kissed the wrist as well.
Armand rose to his feet. "I will find us a cab. Armand," he said, by way of introduction, as he maneuvered around the boy. Daniel did not seem to take in this information. Even if his head did turn, following him as he left.
"He's beautiful, I know,” said Louis, once the door had closed.
"I... uh… yeah," said Daniel, shaking the mist out of his head. "And he's your...?"
"Yes, he's mine."
"Okay.”
Louis rested a hand on the small of Daniel's back. "He's very good for me. I'm hoping you'll be good too." The boy had such interesting thoughts. It would be a shame if they had to hypnotize him.
"Yeah. Yeah, okay…”
Louis leaned in closer. Whispered a question he already knew the answer to. "Do I frighten you, boy?"
"More than you did," the boy said. Whispered.
To some degree, every new romantic partner could be frightening. To be seen by someone for the first time, knowing they were about to make their judgements accordingly. It made no difference how long you lived, that part didn’t change. But often the experience was at least equally exhilarating.
Louis drew his hand along the boy’s spine to rest on the back of his neck. A beautiful neck. Even protected by the leather of his jacket collar, it called to him.
"Let's go find Armand. See if he's gotten that cab."
Daniel swallowed. Nodded. The blood within his veins propelled faster by a nervous heartbeat. Louis sent Armand an image of him, alongside his own desire.
He's flushed, came Armand’s voice. What have you been doing to him?
Asked him if he knows how to be good. If I frighten him.
I take it you were pleased with his answers.
Very.
Good. Bring him outside, I have the car.
"Come,” Louis said to Daniel. They really had found a beautiful boy. “He's waiting for us."
He didn't wait for Daniel to process, instead guiding him towards the door with a hand on his lower back. They did not have to weave their way between bar patrons, as people naturally made way for Louis. He led Daniel, easily. Step by step, into the lion's den.
Armand had elected to sit in the front seat, and the three of them were regaled ad nauseam with the cabdriver’s experiences of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. People told Louis some version of that story almost every time he gave an honest answer to the question, “So where are you from?” He'd definitely heard it from the last young man he’d disappeared from a bar. It was refreshing that not once had Daniel attempted to tell him about his own city, misinterpreted and regurgitated into flat, dull colors.
"Right up here. I'll show you around," said Louis, after the driver let them off and they were making their way up the steps to the Divisadero property. He glanced back at Armand.
I want to show him the coffin. See how he reacts. It'll be fun.
Of course. I forget that you keep one here.
Daniel had not taken well to a car ride that did not answer any of his questions. There was a buzzing underneath his skin, a contagious excitement. Strong enough to even have an effect on stoic, impassive Armand. Louis gave his companion’s shoulder a small squeeze, before unlocking the door. It would be nice having a romantic evening just the two of them. Three, if you counted Daniel. Which he supposed you could, for now.
"I suppose it has been some time since we’ve done this," said Armand.
"Too long. We should do it more often."
Armand leaned in for a peck on the cheek. "It's appreciated," he said, as the two of them passed over the threshold.
Louis smiled. Looked back to see where Daniel had got to, only to find him lingering behind in the little entry room. Not looking at them, so much as craning around to see past them into the rest of the apartment.
"You don't live here," he blurted out. "Right? Neither of you. Not full-time. That makes this what, a fuck-pad?"
"Tonight it is." Louis did not bother hiding the laughter in his voice as he settled a hand into Daniel's hair. "Or at least. I hope it will be." With one arm solidly around Armand, he used a regular human amount of strength to pull Daniel forward, into a kiss.
The boy came easily, softly, with lips already parted. Vibrating with excitement, nerves. Not fear, not now. But the shoulder bag was still between them, and whatever was in it was square, rigid, and refused to compress. So his body stayed just that last bit out of reach.
Louis took a moment to admire Daniel's freshly kissed lips before letting him go, and turning to claim a kiss from Armand as well. With him, Louis was able to enjoy the kiss more fully. Able to slip a hand inside the corduroy jacket, and pull him close. Armand could get... showy, in front of other people. It was the actor in him, probably. As Louis kissed deeper, Armand cupped his face, then ran hands down his neck, over his chest – and stripped the denim off his shoulders.
That was what he'd been hoping for. Less layers between the two of them. They had been keeping to themselves too much lately, and it was time that he fixed that. Or at least, tried to.
"You conflate symbols with reality," Armand said. "But point taken." He would be breathless if he still drew breath. There had been some heat to the kiss, at the end.
"That mean I get to take your jacket off too?"
"Please."
"Since you asked so nicely..." Louis slipped Armand's jacket from his shoulders, making a show of admiring everything he revealed. Armand seemed almost allergic to buttoning his shirts a normal amount.
He held Armand's jacket out to Daniel. "Hang this up. And make yourself comfortable."
Wordlessly, Daniel took it. Took the initiative to pick Louis' jacket off the floor where it had fallen. Then walked both over to the coat rack beside the door.
"This place is one of several properties we own." Louis said, answering the boy's earlier question.
Real estate Daniel thought, hanging up his own jacket as well. They invest in low-end real estate. A glance over, as he hung up his bag and whatever was in it. The stretch showed off the beautiful, sloping lines of a long neck, and broad shoulders.
"I knew you were hiding something nice under that jacket,” said Louis. “Didn't realize how nice."
He didn't need to look into their boy's mind to catch his burst of pleased embarrassment, not when it brought such a tantalizing flush of blood to the surface of his skin. If he were younger, more impatient, Louis would have dropped his fangs by now. As it was he felt his mouth begin to water. Armand lay a quelling hand on his arm.
"I know. I'm gonna take my time with him. Not gonna swallow him whole immediately."
Armand's hand lifted in apology.
Huh. Surprise, from Daniel's direction. Swallow… me… whole? Kind of thought he'd be into doing things the other way around. But what do I know.
Louis smiled. Our boy has some assumptions.
Armand shrugged. It's only natural. This century being what it is.
True. And it's not like he knows what else we get up to between each other's thighs. Louis sent over an old memory, a memory of Armand's soft flesh parting beneath his fangs as he bit into his love's inner thigh, a bite deeper than any mortal could sustain. Delicious red blood spilled out onto his tongue, painted his lips. Nourishing, and sweet.
That memory physically affected Armand, who straightened, inhaled through his nose. Let his eyelids flutter just for a second. Then he looked at Louis, and sent back his own experience. In this, Louis' body was beneath his. Covered in blood, weeping down from Armand's opened throat. Louis' body was the warmer of the two, a fact impossible to ignore given just how much of Louis' body surrounded Armand.
Louis wanted that again. That closeness which once came so easily. He thought the boy could help with that.
"How old are you, Daniel?" he asked.
"Twenty-two." Which was a lie. He was twenty.
"I hope you like older men."
"You've gotta be only, what? Thirties? And you – " and by that he meant Armand " – can't be much older than me."
"Ninety-six," said Louis.
Daniel rolled his eyes.
"And I'm considerably older than that," said Armand.
"It's true.” Louis was enjoying this immensely.
"Sure. You're like those ladies in Dune who can control their cells or whatever, live to be four hundred years old."
"Only four hundred? Okay. Seems like we got a better deal."
"I'm four hundred and sixty-five, but really..." Armand's smile had turned predatory. "Who's counting?"
"You don't look a day older than you did when I met you." Louis ran a nail along Armand's throat, right where he had scratched that deep wound that had been so particularly memorable. Louis had gotten his fingers between the artery and the vein that night. Raised it to the surface of his skin to puncture it directly.
"So you guys are into… what? Past life stuff?"
"We're vampires, Daniel. My only past life was my mortal one."
"Vampires."
"Do you have a problem with that?" If he said yes, Louis might actually let him go. But yet again, the boy was thinking.
It's probably a sex thing. Wait. If it were a sex thing, then wouldn't they have been doing it back at the bar? Wearing a lot of black and crosses? Not crosses, vampires don't like crosses. Why lead with the weirdly specific ages? That isn't the sexy part of being a vampire. The sexy part is the neck biting, and the candles and goblets and velvet curtains...
"Want to see the coffin? I do keep one here, for if I need it."
"Um…"
"Don't worry. The coffin doesn't bite." Louis let go of Armand to open the door. "Here. In the bedroom."
The boy looked beautiful, when startled.
The bedroom had blue wallpaper, which looked nice next to the blue lining of the coffin.
"Not the most comfortable one I own, but I don't stay here that much." The satin was nice though. Meant the pillow didn't mess up his hair. "Figured you'd appreciate the heads-up, before things end up in here anyway."
Daniel crouched next to the coffin. Looked down into it. Then up.
"Where's yours?" And he was speaking, Louis realized, not to him but to Armand. Who was hanging back, running fingernails down the bedpost.
At Daniel’s words, he stopped. Froze, with no answer ready to hand.
Louis was happy to jump in. “You think we never cuddle?"
Okay. The boy’s eyes narrowed. You officially seem way more into this vampire thing than him. Coffins aren’t cheap. Then he looked closer at Louis, and all of a sudden his thoughts came at him rapid-fire fast.
Yeah I don’t like this. It was your idea to pick me up, not his. This is your place, not his. You kissed me, he didn't. You said he was YOURS, full stop. And this isn't the kind of place where you put a wife, it's where you keep a mistress. He rode in the front seat all the way here, not in the back seat with us and he’s said maybe fifteen words this whole time. But then you were sucking face like you hadn't seen each other in ten years. He was kissing you like it was his fucking job. What is he, your mail-order bride? What the fuck is going on.
Louis saw the protective anger flashing in Daniel’s eyes and wanted to kiss him for that alone.
It seemed Daniel had decided, immediately and completely, that if something about Louis was unsafe, he would not be leaving the situation alone. What was unsafe for him was unsafe for Armand also. He had not expected their boy to feel so strongly about his Arun.
Where had this boy been, nearly five hundred years ago? Or other young men like him? Was every last one of them looking away, during the events he and Armand could not talk about, without descending into another fight that left them sleeping in separate coffins?
Louis said none of that. He was careful to keep those last thoughts to himself. It wasn't the time, and he wasn't looking for another fight.
"May I kiss you again?" he asked Daniel, instead. "Now that you know what I am?"
Daniel looked over Louis’ shoulder. At Armand, standing next to the bed.
"Hey,” he said. “It's obvious that you're not feeling this. If you want to go, we can just – go. I don't know what he's got on you, but if it's a green card thing, I know some people who can probably help with that."
Louis took a deep breath. Breathed out slowly through his nose.
Thank you. Thank you for caring about him even though you hardly know him.
Daniel staggered back onto his feet, squaring up with Louis. A hopeless, desperate gesture. At the other end of the room, Armand was still. But he must have made some kind of decision - because a moment later he moved. Approaching, in long silent steps. He ran a hand carelessly over Louis' shoulder as he passed. Eyes not leaving Daniel.
He stopped. Close to the boy. Laid a long-fingered hand softly against his face. The movement slow enough that the boy did not flinch.
"I see I have left you with the wrong impression,” said Armand. “I am aware that I am... cold. Difficult to understand. I suppose I am slower to attraction than Louis is. But my feelings..." He caught Louis' eye, as his thumb traced the line of Daniel’s jaw. Touched the column of his throat. Looked back to the boy, only when he was in the process of tilting back his head.
"I think I wish to kiss you now, as Louis does."
"You don't have to do this, man. The way that he talks for you, it’s – "
"Louis and I have known each other for a very long time. Believe that we have ways of communicating, that you don't see."
Then the two of them stood there, locked in – a conflict, Louis would have called it. Daniel frantically searching Armand’s face for something he’d missed, and Armand silently running Daniel’s mind through his fingers. Not changing it, Louis didn’t think. But pulling at it, all the same.
This boy is a reporter. Armand handed those words to Louis, as he let his hand slide to the back of Daniel’s neck. He thinks often of power used incorrectly. Cruelly, or thoughtlessly.
“You don’t have to…” Daniel managed to whisper.
"Shhhh..." said Armand. "Shhhh. Don't fight."
He kissed him. Slowly, gently. As careful as he would be with a novice who had never done this before.
Daniel's heart was battering wildly inside his chest, and he reached up to clutch Armand's arm – for comfort more than desire. They were of a height, Louis realized. He liked that. Armand had a few inches on him.
Louis didn't speak a single word as he let himself drift closer. Drawn forward, surely as the incoming tide inexorably pulled by the moon, fitting himself behind Armand like he belonged there. Because he did. He never should have forgotten, the way he had these past few months.
He put a hand to Armand's neck, sliding it down until he could slip fingers beneath the shirt’s wide neck. Kissing just under his lover's ear. He kept his touch gentle too.
A caress across his mind. Armand, reaching back, touching what he could of his face.
Louis…
Louis took the offered hand, turning it to nibble at Armand's wrist. No fangs, no breaking skin. Just a hint of things to come.
A promise?
Armand was deep in the kiss with Daniel. The boy's eyes were closed, and the noise he let out was low and desperate.
Want to take my time with things tonight, thought Louis. I've missed you.
Armand broke away. Let the boy rest and breathe against his neck, while he turned his head towards Louis.
Louis kissed those lips. Remembered every moment he had felt just as protective, just as desperate as their boy did now. Armand opened for him, beautifully.
I'm here.
Louis parted those lips with his tongue, ran it across the points where the fangs would descend later. Sometimes he wasn't sure if he and Armand were any good for each other. Sometimes he would have said the boy was right to question Armand’s presence in his life. But he needed him. He loved him. More than life.
None of that, love. None of that. That way lies madness.
Louis made a sound he didn't mean to, into the kiss.
Which eventually waned in intensity. Leaving Louis clutching Armand, even as he turned his head to look at their boy.
Who blinked at them. And then Armand was shifting, maneuvering, lining him and Louis up.
"Hi," the boy said, shyly.
Louis could not help the noise he made. Something approaching a growl as he pulled Daniel in by his hips with a little too much strength. Once he had him where he wanted him, Louis didn't keep his hands there. He curled one tight in Daniel’s hair to reposition him, to more easily allow for harsh kisses sucked into the muscles and tendons of his neck.
Thank you. He thought into his mind, between kisses. For caring about him. I care about him too.
"Sorry I sort of... accused you of human trafficking. I can't help it, I'm built this way..."
"Don't apologize." Louis pulled back and made sure to meet his eyes for this. "Not for that."
A wisp of the tension Daniel had been holding lifted away.
"Just let me kiss you for it." Louis' grip on Daniel's hair wasn't quite so tight anymore.
He entered into the kiss more slowly this time, the swirl of feeling no longer sweeping him away. Louis felt the blood being pushed around by Daniel's heart. The air filling his lungs with life ready to pour into their waiting mouths. The smell and taste of him so alive, and just as hungry as they were. Everything, just as easy as breathing used to be.
He sucked on the boy's bottom lip and fought the urge to bite it – not yet. There were arms around his shoulders as Daniel's body went practically limp in his embrace – so warm, and the heartbeat so loud. Louis half led, half carried him away from the coffin and towards the bed. Not to put him on it – not yet. But to provide a space for Armand. To allow him to enjoy that warmth too.
Armand wrapped an arm around the boy's waist, pulling him close. Nosed at the pulse point behind his ear, and Daniel groaned. Then Armand moved to kiss Louis, over his shoulder. A familiar kiss, this time.
Louis smiled into it. His own hand brushed past Armand's as he found his way under Daniel's shirt, finding a healthy softness there that did not surprise him. It fit with everything else they knew about the boy. He felt Daniel try to suck in his stomach. A silly thing to do. They didn't want less of him, they wanted more.
"Lets get that shirt off you. Give us more to work with." Louis had already started to tug it upwards. He had the thought that maybe if they revealed enough of him, maybe then he'd stop hiding.
As soon as the bare line of the boy’s shoulders was revealed, Armand began to lay in a line of kisses and bites. Small bites. Not breaking skin. Louis wasn't sure if Armand's fangs had dropped yet, and he hoped not. He always liked to watch them, or on some occasions feel them, as they emerged. A tangible sign of Armand's desire.
Then Louis saw his eyes. No longer the cognac-brown they'd been at the bar, a color that could pass for human. Armand’s irises had gone sunset-colored. The way Louis remembered sunsets, anyway.
Louis ran his hands up Daniel's chest, then dragged his nails back down. Just hard enough to carry the promise of pain, without leaving any actual marks. Not looking away from Armand.
Was a little interrupted by Daniel thinking He wears his nails SUPER long, very loudly.
"Take your shoes off, boy."
"Uh-huh," said Daniel. Struggling to find his own balance and stand on his own two feet again, which was an activity at odds with taking off his shoes. In the end, he sat very ungracefully on the floor, cross-legged, and started unlacing Doc Martins. Louis caught the smile that flickered over Armand's face.
It was intoxicating, seeing him happy. Managing to be the cause of it again.
A hand in the center of Armand’s chest was all it took to push him backwards onto the bed. Louis had never gotten him into this particular bed before, which wasn't unusual, considering how many properties they had. But if they made a habit of this like he hoped they would, he'd have to get some nicer sheets to ruin.
"I do not mind the sheets," said Armand, as he pulled Louis down to him. Close like this, Louis could feel the slight vibration of his chest, when he laughed.
"Well then, how come I ain't got you in this bed before?" Louis nuzzled at Armand's neck and shivered when he could hold back his fangs no longer. So he stayed there, at his lover's neck, where both of them wanted him to be. Used a hand to hastily push Armand's collar aside and give himself room to take a small, neat bite unobserved.
Armand's head fell back, like a sleeping princess in a fairy tale. He let out a sigh, and put a hand to the back of Louis' neck, keeping him in place.
"We have an audience," he whispered, against his ear.
He's curious. He'll stay. Louis hadn't planned on biting Armand so soon, but could find no reason to regret it as he rediscovered life beneath his lover's skin.
Armand was dragging his nails down Louis' back. Then up, beneath his shirt. Louis moaned, grinding against him. Maybe he wouldn't feed from the boy at all tonight. Maybe he would drink from him entirely secondhand, through Armand...
I love it when you drink from me. The way Armand thought that sounded small and honest.
So do I. Then Louis let himself bite deep. Suck harder. Communicate just how much he desired to fill himself with Armand, to be sustained by him.
Armand moaned. Arched against him. "Louis..."
Louis licked over the mark he’d made. He needed to sit up if he wanted the rest of Armand's shirt buttons out of the way.
The promise of access to Armand's bitable nipples was enough to make him unlatch from his neck, and move downwards. Kissing as far as the fabric would allow, then unbuttoning to kiss further still –
"Oh my god."
Daniel.
Daniel’s bright eyes, dulled by shock.
"Your teeth. Your eyes. Oh fucking fuck." Now the shock was burning off, revealing fear. As he looked from one of them to the other. Back again.
"We said we were vampires, Daniel. How did you think this worked?" Louis licked a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth.
Armand was sitting up too. Unbuttoned still – but every trace of vulnerability in his face was gone, the perfect porcelain mask in place.
"Yeah, but I didn't believe you," said Daniel. "How the fuck was I supposed to – I thought this was a sex thing." No shirt, no shoes. But he was starting to edge towards the bedroom door. Not very fast. Even by human standards. Armand had more than enough time to pull a carton of cigarettes from his pocket.
"What does it really change, Daniel? We'd still be biting you if it was all in our heads, wouldn't we?" said Louis.
"Are you both vampires? Or are you like a vampire and a mermaid or something?"
"We are indeed both vampires." Armand smiled, and pulled out a cigarette. Cupped a hand around it to light it with his Fire Gift. Then tossed the packet at Daniel, who caught it instinctively, looking surprised. "We know you've run out,” he said. The points of his teeth came down.
And Daniel asked the pertinent question.
"Are you going to kill me?"
That's what vampires do, right. They kill people. That's the whole point of vampires. Which are real? Fuck.
"I was considering it, earlier." Louis admitted. "I'm not now."
We can do this again tomorrow, he thought in Armand’s direction. Find a less interesting one.
Armand found his hand, and squeezed. I am hardly weak from hunger. And I am interested, as you say. At some point however, we must impress upon him that if he ever tells a soul about us – which we will know because we can read his thoughts. Then we most certainly will kill him. No matter how entertaining he proves to be.
We'd be nice about it though.
The killing? I'm always nice when I kill.
I know you are. I think it's sweet.
Armand gave him a brief kiss for that.
"Oh you were considering killing me earlier, right, cool, okay," said Daniel. His hands moved in an automatic sort of way to free one of Armand's cigarettes from the packet. It took him about three tries. "Do I even want to know what changed your mind?"
"You were prepared to risk your life. Because you thought my love was in distress."
"Oh," said Daniel.
He looked down, at the cigarette in his hands. Armand rolled his eyes just slightly, and made the end burst into flame. On the strength of Daniel's reaction, you would have thought he'd been shot. But a long drag on that cigarette seemed to work wonders, when it came to calming his nerves.
"You're not killing me because I did one rock-bottom non-asshole thing. "
It was more than that, but not in a way Louis could easily put into words.
"I'm also not very hungry," said Armand, exhaling smoke. "I can't speak for Louis. But I'm sure you have realized, or will before long. That he is a sentimentalist."
"So all that shit about being eight billion years old, that's fucking true? And you two..." It was a satisfying thing, to watch him slot the puzzle pieces into place. "You are an old married couple. Who picked up a young guy in a bar..."
"You would have made a very romantic meal."
"Dinner and a show, got it."
You like him, observed Armand. Are you thinking perhaps of bringing him back some other night, for an encore performance?
Can't make a full meal out of him anymore, but he could still be nice if I want to take you out for drinks.
We could do a round of drinks. I wouldn't say no.
"If the dinner part's out..." said Daniel.
Louis let his voice get soft. "There are other options."
"You were enjoying yourself earlier," said Armand. "No reason you could not enjoy yourself, again."
Louis dipped into Daniel's mind. Come here. A request, not a compulsion.
Daniel blinked. "Come here?" he repeated. "Was that... I thought I heard you in my head earlier, when you said that thing about..." his eyes flicked to Armand. "But I guess I was pretty distracted at the time, so..."
So...? Louis teased.
The boy very consciously constructed the words Does it go the other way. Can you read my thoughts?
"You have very interesting thoughts."
And somehow, this single revelation seemed to shock him more than all the rest.
Oh my god. They can – what the fuck have I been thinking for the past hour. I bet it was horny, oh no fuck you were thinking about getting a fix. And how you're fucking broke, and pathetic, and – you kept thinking about how pretty Armand is, fuck – no, you're not Louis' mistress, I didn't mean that. Fuck. Fuck they can hear this. Shut up Daniel. Shut up shut up shut up. The fangs are hot. NO. Four score and seven years ago....
Louis raised his eyebrows, doing his very best to keep a straight face. "Seems our boy likes the fangs."
Their boy was now looking at them with begging, pleading eyes.
"Have some mercy on me, man."
"It's all right. We don't judge. I think he's pretty too."
"I guess… I mean... I guess if you've been listening to me think for the past hour and it made you want to kill me less... that probably beats the curve..."
"I think I speak for the room when I say that we find you charming," said Armand.
"Very."
Daniel visibly swallowed. Louis' eyes were once again drawn to his neck. The fangs wanted back out, and he didn't fight them this time. Let the boy watch.
"Is it…” said Daniel. “I mean the blood drinking. It, um. It looked like you were enjoying it."
"It is unlike anything you've ever experienced. Whatever drugs you're craving would pale in comparison. Impossible to describe."
"... yeah?"
"Want to find out?"
The boy bit his lip. But his thoughts said what he was unable to. A constant, bubbling stream of yes, yes, I want that, I need that yes, yes, yes, please...
"We could make a night of it, just like we planned," said Louis. "Only leave you alive at the end. Maybe you could even join us again sometime."
"Leave me alive?"
"Not drain you. Trust you not to tell anyone."
"Won't tell anybody." Who the fuck would believe me… their boy’s thoughts had gone staticky and skipping.
"Don't have to decide just yet. But at least come over here, and let us kiss you."
Daniel shuffled over to the bed. He went over to Louis' side, and not Armand's.
Louis sat up to face him. It put him in a wonderful spot to run his hands over that comfortable chest, up Daniel’s arms, and neck.
"I will not harm you," he said.
I said that to you, once. Armand was watching. Do you remember.
I do.
Daniel took a long, shaky breath. Closed his eyes. Louis laid a palm over Daniel's heart, and Daniel put his hand over it. Curled their fingers together.
I'm mostly high when I sleep with guys. Because of, um. Yeah. He scrunched his eyes tighter. Fuck, they're already vampires. Get it together.
"I can tell you want this, but I want to hear you ask."
Daniel gripped Louis' hand that much harder.
Louis stood. Gently ran his other hand through Daniel's curls. "You said back in the bar you'd be good for me, remember?"
An exhale. "Yeah..." Then his eyes opened. "Okay. Okay, please."
"Good boy." Louis brought him in for a gentle kiss. Daniel had to bend his head to meet him.
Louis used that as an opportunity to make himself comfortable on the bed. Silently prompting Daniel to follow, but willing to be more explicit should that prove necessary.
Daniel put one knee on the mattress. And then, supporting himself with his hands, got another up there.
That's it. Don't be afraid. If you suddenly change your mind I'll know before you even have to say it.
I guess that's true.
Louis moved to sit with his back against the headboard. Gave Armand's hand a brief squeeze before going back to their boy.
Take your time, Maître. It is fascinating to watch you this way.
Louis sent back the feeling of warmth those words brought. Along with a promise to give of himself if the boy did not feel comfortable letting Armand drink directly.
"It alright if I take this off first?" he said to Daniel. "I like this shirt."
Louis watched Daniel's eyes flick to Armand, as though unsure he was the one being addressed.
"Daniel?"
"Uh-huh," he said. "Yeah."
Louis pet his hand over the boy's hair once more, before beginning work on his buttons. "Just wanted to check."
Daniel reached out, to brush over the thin fabric. Barely touching. Hesitant enough that Louis looked into his mind to get a sense of his previous experiences with men. Not going deep, just searching for whatever lay near the surface, something which might explain the boy's current nervousness.
Shame, of course. But Louis had seen that almost before anything else. Shame from the world, from his family. Daniel had not yet been able to uproot those voices. But also...
This one trades sex for drugs. Armand's voice. Occasionally for shelter. There are a few instances where he has been treated less than gently. He is not always in possession of his full faculties, during the act. I would ask you not to go looking deeper, Maître. There is nothing there he would wish you to see.
Alright. Alright. I won't go looking. But he was thankful that Armand had.
Louis discarded his shirt onto the floor. "Sit between my legs,” he said, “and lean back against me."
Daniel exhaled. Then did as he was told. His warm back, flush with Louis' chest. Muscles tensed.
"It's alright, I've got you." Louis just held the boy in his arms at first, breathing in the scent of him. Nuzzling a kiss into his shoulder. "Relax, if you can."
"Hey, come on. I'm fine."
But, inevitably, underneath - Fuck. You can read my mind can't you. Yeah. Yeah, sure. Okay I'm nervous. Shouldn't be. I want this, and you're - you're -
It's okay to be nervous. I used to be nervous once too.
Yeah, in like 1492 or something.
1910, and point still stands.
Okay. Sorry.
"You're fine, Daniel." Louis whispered into the boy's blushing skin, as he brought a gentle hand up to his neck. "I'm not going to choke you. Just trying to move your head so I can get at your neck."
Louis felt him nod. Then shake out a few fidgets, which allowed him to lie still.
He moved his hand up to rest mostly on Daniel’s chin, tilting his head back and to the side. Louis kissed him there first, right over his pulse. Felt his mouth water and his fangs extend.
Armand was watching him.
Louis let the sharp tips of his fangs rest against the boy's skin long enough to send a silent Thank you, Danny. And then they were plunging into warmth.
Slow, he reminded himself. Make it last. Make this good for him.
The boy cried out, but not in pain. Whatever pain there was lasted only a heartbeat, and then he was stretching, twisting against Louis, as though his body needed more space to put the sensation flooding into it. From Danny's mind Louis got nothing but pleasure, marrow-deep pleasure that was also connection, and surrender, and rest.
And the blood itself bloomed on his tongue. A fine wine. An exquisite bouquet of flavor as their boy's heartbeat gave life to his. It would have been easy to drink until there was nothing left. But with the amount of control Louis had, it was just as easy to savor him. Make him last so that he could be enjoyed again, and again, and again. He was careful of how fast he went. Careful of Danny's pulse as he felt the blood fill him.
He snuggled against Louis. So easy now. So easy.
Louis drank, and drank. Allowed himself one last sip... and then it was over. He removed his lips from the puncture long enough to compose himself before biting his lip and kissing the wound closed.
The boy let his eyes flicker. Such long, thick lashes.
No words now. None silent, and none spoken aloud.
Louis just nuzzled against him, and held him. Taking slow deep breaths alongside him. Feeling as though some old rip inside him was just now beginning to knit.
Armand touched his bare shoulder, then Daniel's. "I am not leaving," he said, slipping out of bed. "I will be back."
Louis stayed quiet. Didn't give Daniel anything else to sort through, beyond the sea of feelings already surging through him. That would have been too much to ask of anyone, so soon after.
When Armand returned, it was with a glass of water from the kitchen, which he passed to Louis. "See that he drinks this."
Louis put the glass to Daniel's lips, almost surprised to see his hands without tremor. Daniel swallowed without complaint, then curled up into his body with a long, happy sigh. Not wanting to disturb their boy by trying to reach the bedside table himself, Louis held the glass out to Armand.
Once it was dealt with, Armand returned to lay alongside them.
"You both seem well." Voice quiet.
Louis placed a kiss against Daniel's curls. "We are, I think."
Daniel hummed.
Louis smiled, keeping his voice soft too. "Yeah, that's a yes."
"Is there anything either of you require. A blanket, perhaps."
Louis reached a hand out to caress Armand's face. "Want to make sure you don’t feel left out.” He'd made that mistake too many times, about too many things. “You know this wasn’t how I saw the night going."
Armand kissed the tips of Louis' fingers. "Do not apologize. It was good to watch you drink from him. The way it was tonight. This is the way it should be. The way it should have always been."
Louis felt something in his heart clench, and closed his eyes. Brushed Armand's mind like a kiss. Cover the windows. I wish to give our boy whatever sleep his body requires.
Yes, Maître.
And if you find a blanket, bring that too.