[Untitled] -- For workin-them-clockwork-angels
Gift for: workin-them-clockwork-angels
From: the-gentleman-chronicler
Pairing: Lestat/Louis
Warnings: None. Scene set at the end of QotD. (Possibly AU)
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Miami beckoned. From the city’s bright lights there emanated a siren’s call to me; wicked men and women, plenty of variety for the palate of any vampire of discerning tastes. Of course I ignored it. What need had I for blood? I knew the strength in me, the blood of the Queen, would perhaps liberate me from ever needing to feed again. Never another night where sinking my fangs into the throat of an evil doer would be a concern at the back of my mind.
Of course I still intended to feed on them. I liked the blood well enough. And this world would be less interesting without the likes of Lestat hunting for the wicked ones. Tonight, I didn’t feel the need. I ignored the beckoning lights of Miami, even the ones closer to me in the sanctuary of the Night Island. Armand’s playground of Mortal Delights, where an immortal might carry on the pretense of mingling with the rest of the innocents.
He had hosted us all graciously. I took full advantage of his sumptuous rooms, including the one that I shut myself in for hours at a time. On the balcony, overlooking the shimmering waters, I found peace away from the constant race of my thoughts. Yes, even Lestat broods! It is not all outward dramatics as they might try to convince you, dear reader. I can be introverted when the mood takes me.
The warm breeze felt good where it stirred my hair, unbound as I had left it. I heard the sound of feet moving up behind me that I ignored. After all, I wanted to let my silence last, and whomever had come here intruding upon my room had done so without invitation. I cast my eyes aside to them as if the idea of company was laborious.
It was Louis.
I had not expected him. Last I had seen him he’d been engaged in conversation with Armand. Those two, reunited as if they had reason to be friends, conversing as if Armand had never acted as a proper devil to us both. I couldn’t be grudging to Armand. I tried. And if I had felt a shred of jealousy to see them standing together with such familiarity, well. Even I’ll admit to greediness. With Louis, I am especially possessive.
He came to lean against the railing. I watched as his fingers curled over the metal framework, long and white. He was looking out over the waters. Could he hear anything from Miami in the distance? Or was Louis bound to these closer sounds, the nearby traffic of pedestrians moving through the shops even at this late hour? No matter. Already he was a balm for my nerves and an interruption to my thoughts.
“The breeze reminds me of home.” Louis said, voice unobtrusive. “This gentle warmth. Just without the scent of magnolia in the air with it. I miss that scent already. The smell of New Orleans.”
“We’ll return there soon.” I promised him. “Back to our home on Rue Royale. You and I, living there together again, just like old times. I’ll even ask Gabrielle to come with us. Maybe she will for a little while. To humor me if for no other reason.”
I entertained that fantasy in my head. Being back in that property of our happiest times. Louis, surrounded by his books, and Gabrielle staying with us long enough to unfold for me the tales of all she had done since we parted. The three of us happy, together. Not that I expected it in reality. Not with Gabrielle. Already my mother behaved as a restless spirit. She came and went from Miami, sometimes alone and sometimes in the company of Jesse Reeves or Khayman.
Turning away from the view of the waters I moved my hand to rest atop his closest to me. Tenderness in the motion. “You will come with me, right? We’ll be home together. We will love New Orleans no matter how changed the city has become. If you’re with me, I couldn’t think of anywhere else better suited to me. I could thrive in New Orleans with you at my side. Will you do it? Will you return there with me when the time comes?”
Louis reached across himself to rest his hand upon mine. Such sympathy in his eyes, such understanding. I needed it! Needed it from him, more than any of these other immortals. Needed his understanding and his love, yes, certainly his love. I felt a tremor of his hand atop mine. He had not fed for many nights. It was already taking its toll on him. I’d have pressed him to sate his hunger if I didn’t think it might lead to an argument.
“Of course I’ll come with you,” he said, voice nearly drowned beneath the sound of the waters surrounding us, “and we’ll find our home again. Just as you described it. We’ll find what happiness we deserve.”
I moved a step towards him, motion too quick for his retreat. Upon his lips I pressed a kiss. Let Louis catch the sense of my relief, of my gratitude to him. Let him feel the depth of my affection. That I loved him, always had, always would. He did not pull away from me and for that too I was incredibly happy. Louis lingered in the kiss, or at least stood still to tolerate it.
A wolf whistle from down beneath us broke my attention from the kiss. I looked out upon the beach to find that Daniel and Jesse were strolling along the sand together. As I stared upon them, it was Daniel’s voice that reached us, full of good humor. “I’d tell you two to take it into your room but that’d take only a few steps.”
Louis had already retreated into the bedroom, aura mortified. I ought to have become cross with Daniel. Impossible. If it were me down upon the beach happening upon the exchange of such affection with other vampires, I might have done the same. I dismissed him with a flutter of my hand. Heard his laughter. Daniel, with his carefree laughter, finding all of this a spectacle still.
Perhaps if I were lucky I could coax Louis to remain in the room with me a little longer. One kiss was not enough, right? Since he was humoring my indulgences this evening then chances were good that the night ahead wouldn’t be spoiled with a shift in his mood.
