thevampirecreole:

“Damn right you should have told me sooner,” he said crossly, breath abrupt with a frustrated sigh. “I didn’t even know anything about it until the old daywalker just happened to mention it to me.” He shook his head.

“I can’t believe you’d think my stupid—hobby— is more important to me than your well-being, Lestat.” His eyes flashed and he tried to hide the hurt that bubbled up at the marquis’ words. “Modelling means absolutely nothing to me. It’s just something to do. Hell I don’t even make any real money from it!” It was true. Louis accumulated his expansive wealth the same way he and all the smart immortals of the world always had—through strategic long term real estate investment. The anger receded from his voice, and the vampire seemed only distraught as he looked up into the marquis’ face.

“I love you. I would quit in an instant if something were to come up, no questions asked…You come first. Always.” He broke away his exacting gaze, licking his lips.

“But you’re right, though,” he said softly. “We’re both fragile, but we can’t go on treating each other like we’re made of glass.” His brow knit, “No more lies.  We learn to trust each other.” He nodded, but the vampire’s expression did not improve with his lover’s next words. If I was going to lose the brunt of my mobility…What? Lestat’s apparent resignation to a life of possible immobility twisted some coil of fear deep within Louis. It, in fact, made it real, somehow, hearing how his lover simply accepted his fate. Where is the Lestat I know!? a part of him wanted to scream out. Where was the gray-eyed demon that had jutted his chin against the queen of their race, the devil himself?! That let no challenge dictate his destiny—Louis’ heart churned with unrest and worry. 

His green eyes closed as Lestat’s hand found the center of his back, firm and grounding as always. It had a sudden calming effect on him, and he felt some of his worry fold back into the deep crevasses of his mind.

“As much of my blood as you need,you are most welcome to it,” Louis smiled, “Anything I can do, Stat, just say the word.” He leaned into Lestat’s chest as the older man wound his arms around him. He accepted the kiss, looking up at him with a subdued smile.

“No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Lou sighed, thinking about the dirt, and the people in the jungle. “The shutters lock the house down completely,nothing, not even light, gets in or out,” he whispered as he leaned against his heart, listening to its uniquely slow beat. “Truth is I’m probably just paranoid. And anyway, Diana said there’s supposed to be a cellar, through a hatch in the pantry. It’s supposed to be able to be locked from the inside. We should try that first, before we go digging holes in the jungle,” Louis grimaced, sticking his tongue out in distaste.

“Plus,” he wrapped his arms around his neck, “You won’t be able to drag me over to spoon me in the middle of the day if you’re sleeping in the dirt,” he smirked.

“Come, looks like our friends are gone,” he said softly, scanning the forest beyond.

“Help me spread this blanket out,” he kissed him before withdrawing. He picked up the coffee table and moved it away from in front of the hearth. The hairs on Louis’ neck bristled as a cold breeze flooded the room, heralding an approaching low pressure system. He could smell it on the wind—a storm was coming, somewhere far off on the horizon like a spinning top on the hot waters of the Atlantic.

“Whatever’s coming,” Lou said softly, his voice distant among thoughts dwelling in far off places. He looked at Lestat, “let us enjoy tonight.”

“Even if I say I am not, I will always be a creature of pride…” he then trailed off. “Angelus, per his age and lack of any substantial relationship to keep him occupied, feels that he needs to keep an eye on or take care of the younger Vampire generation. The fact that he just tells you these things…” He shook his head. It didn’t matter now. Lestat looked away, both embarrassed and angry at himself once Louis began to speak again.” 

“I’m sorry, Lou. I know it sounds like I am making excuses, blaming it on my pride, but it is an aspect of my nature that I cannot change,” he said simply. The truth of their relationship at this point was that they would both give up what they were doing for the other. Lestat would drop out of college for Louis; He wouldn’t give it a second thought. In the past, this level of commitment would have scared him, and he would have run off a long time ago. But he was so tired of running away. His brow furrowed for a moment, before seeing the distraught look on Louis face. His gaze softened immediately.

“I hope you know I’d do the same for you. In the even that anything came up…that we had to move or you were injured to the point you couldn’t heal…or just anything, I would drop all of my classes. Education is a good thing, yes, but it holds no comparison to how important you are to me.” He closed his eyes then, hearing those three little words echo in his mind. “Je t’aime, Lou…” His words were a whisper. They both knew, that under normal circumstances, neither was comfortable uttering those three words to each other.

“Something we should have done a long time ago.” He stated, as he agreed with his lover’s statement. The blonde glanced over at Louis then, expecting to see a smile, but instead so his face lined with worry. Lestat should not have said anything. “Don’t misunderstand, Lou…I’m not accepting anything. I’m just not worrying about it. I just told myself that every day to explain my own actions to myself. It is not…. true resignation.” Lestat had only said so to seem mature, something he had not been adept at for centuries. In truth, he wouldn’t know what to do with himself if he suddenly couldn’t walk. He would hate it.

“I’m sorry that I worry you so much, Lou.” He pressed another soft kiss into the skin of his temple.”Hmm, alright, cher, but I don’t want you becoming malnourished for my sake. I will not argue with giving up modelling, but your health is another thing entirely. I’d rather not remind myself of that creature you found in our old home, so dependent upon a fledgling for his strength…”

“Yes, I don’t like the idea of dirt being found in places that dirt ought not to be, either.” He chuckled. “We’ll sleep there today, then? In the cellar?” If Louis was that concerned he’d opt for it, instead of their bed. Of course, Lestat was far more comfortable on a bed, and no doubt Louis was as well, but they would do what they had to,  when the time came. “You’re not paranoid, Lou. If I was threatened by a small mob of locals, I would feel the same, especially if I hadn’t slaughtered them.” He may have actually done that, had he been there.

“And you know how much I love to do that,” he laughed, the smile spreading to his eyes this time.

Lestat grabbed the blankets while Louis moved the coffee table to make room for them. In one swift movement he had unfolded the blanket and was laying it out like one would place a table cloth. He did the same with the second one. The blonde payed little mind to the pressure he felt in the air. They may be getting some rain soon, which would be a welcome thing on Lestat’s end. If it were cloudy enough, it would lengthen their time awake.

“Yes, lets.” He grabbed his guitar and sat down on the blanket, beginning to re-tune the instrument. He tested out a few chords every now and then. “Ah, what was it you wanted me to play for you? The song I have been working on?”

askthebratprince:

“That is quite understandable I did pretty much abandon you.” He found himself laughing. “I would have avoided me, too. I’m terrible.” Another laugh escaped his lips. Berating himself with humor was what had helped him cope over the years. Seeing Nicki here, now, was…

Lestat was surprised at the hug. He had expected Nicholas to scream at him and to berate him, still hating him over what he had done all those years ago. His words helped ease a tiny bit of the guilt he felt. It wasn’t much, but it was something. Lestat had wrapped his arms around his old friend in turn quite a few memories from when they were but youths washed over him. He could never forget. 

“No, it’s not okay.” He shook his head.”It will never be okay, but you are right, it was so long ago, that it’s fruitless to worry about it now. I cannot change the past, even if I wanted to.” He let out a sigh, and gave him a small smile then, removing himself from the embrace as the other pulled away.

He smiled at his old friend, seeing his face light up at the mention of his violin. “Of course I did, Nicki.” He laughed. “They sent it to me after your supposed ‘death.’ I have played it many a time. Only…” He looked almost embarrassed  “It was practically destroyed after I played it for Akasha, but I spent a pretty penny repairing it. It is as good as new, on the bright side.” He ended up laughing.

“Once I get to the box that your violin is tucked safely away within, I will set it to the side, and bring it to you. I have alot to unpack and go through. Thankfully, I will not be doing it alone.” He smiled.