Chapter Text
“Should I wake him?”
“Yeah. Dump a glass of ice water on him.”
“Be serious, Danny.”
“I am being serious. It’s three in the afternoon. He can’t sleep through his whole vacation.”
“No water on me,” Armand grumbled. “I’m awake.” He slowly blinked his eyes open. He’d slept with his contacts in and now they felt dry and gritty. It was important to resist the urge to rub them. That would make the itchiness worse.
His hands rose up and started rubbing his eyes anyway.
From the doorway he heard a soft chuckle, “Oh my God, look at you.” Armand lowered his hands and squinted in Louis’ direction. Louis smiled brightly at him, “Hair sticking up everywhere, barely open eyes, rumpled shirt- you look like a grumpy cat.”
Armand frowned, “Cats don’t wear shirts.”
Louis laughed, shaking his head. He entered the room and sat next to Armand on the bed. “How you feelin’?”
Damn stupid itchy contacts. The vampire scrunched his eyes closed, then tried blinking one eye at a time. Louis started laughing. “I take it you wear contacts?”
“They’re for seeing!” Had he given himself away so easily?
Louis pressed his lips together in a poorly disguised attempt not to smile, “Yup, they usually are.”
Right. “I’m not a morning person.”
Louis patted him on the back, “Lucky for you it’s three in the afternoon.”
“It’s morning somewhere.”
Louis laughed, his whole face lighting up, his nose scrunching and his eyes glittering, “When did you get so cute? Last night you were some kinda sex demon but now you’re a sleepy baby.”
Armand winced and looked down at his lap. He had lost control last night and been far too rough with Louis. Thankfully he had held his vampiric strength in check, but that didn’t mean Louis hadn’t been hurt. “I apologize for being rough last night. I let my desires blind me to your needs.”
Louis sighed, “To be honest, it’s all a little fuzzy to me, but I have to admit I was a little sore when I woke up.”
The vampire slumped his shoulders. He’d hurt Louis. “I’m so sorry. I swear, I’ll be gentler next time.”
Louis leaned forward and kissed Armand’s cheek, “Of course you will be.” The beautiful man then pressed his lips to the vampire’s ear. “Cause next time, you’ll be the one bottoming.”
Armand shivered. It had been a very long time since he had allowed anyone to be intimate with him in such a way. Normally, he played the part of aloof Coven Master, always in control of every situation he found himself in....but as Louis’ warm lips left a gentle trail of slow, sucking kisses down his neck to his collarbone, he felt a long-buried urge to relinquish control to another. A moan slipped past his lips and his head rolled back as Louis sucked hard over the pulse in his neck. Handing control over to Louis suddenly seemed like a very good idea....
But Armand had hurt him last night. What if this gentle seduction was a ruse? An attempt to make him vulnerable to revenge?
“Do you want to punish me?” Armand asked softly. “Do you want a chance for revenge?”
Louis immediately pulled away from him, eyes wide. He studied Armand’s face for a moment, then his expression crumpled with concern, “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“You said I hurt you. It’s only fair you get a chance to hurt me in return.” Armand tilted his head in confusion. He’d meant his words as a comfort, yet Louis looked even more distressed. Armand reached forward and carefully took Louis’ hand. “It’s alright. I wouldn’t hold it against you. I went too far. The fault is entirely mine.”
Louis was looking down at their joined hands, “Were you trying to hurt me?”
“No,” Armand was confused by the direction of this conversation, but he was at least certain of that. “I just thought...” He frowned, bit his lip, started again, “I guess it’s just what I’m used to.”
Louis finally looked up, and there was something in his eyes, some emotion, that compelled Armand to look away from them. When Louis spoke, his voice was very soft, “I don’t wanna hurt you, Armand. You said you weren’t trying to hurt me, and I believe you.” With his free hand, the mortal reached out and gently stroked the side of Armand’s face. The vampire closed his eyes. “So let’s move on cher,” Louis’ soft voice continued, “Let’s try being gentle with each other.” He raised Armand’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “Let’s be soft and sweet.” Louis’ eyes met Armand’s and he leaned forward until their lips were a hair’s breadth away, “Let’s make each other feel good. How’s that sound?”
Words stuck in his throat, though he tried to compel his lips to move. He managed to nod, a miniscule gesture. Louis smiled gently, gave his hand a squeeze. Then they were pressing lips together...soft and oh so sweet.
The perfect kiss. Louis’ mouth was warm, his lips pillowy soft, his tongue gentle and welcoming. Strong, slender arms wrapped around him, pulling him close, even as he found his own arms rising and wrapping around his dear poet. Soft hums and sweet moans slipped from both their lips. Time seemed to move slow and sweet as honey.
Armand felt a pang of disappoint when he felt Louis pull away. He blinked his eyes open, only to scrunch them closed again. The damnable contacts were itching again. He growled and raised his hands to start rubbing at the cursed things.
Gentle hands took his wrists to stop him. Louis’ voice sounded amused once more, “Ah ah ah, you don’t wanna do that. Rubbing them ain’t good for your eyes. You go freshen up, rinse those contacts off and then we can start planning the evening ahead. Sound good?”
Truthfully, Armand rather liked the feel of Louis holding his wrists and was rather loathe for him to let go. Still, Louis was right, and his contacts were driving him crazy, so he would acquiesce this time. “I suppose you’re right.” Louis let him go and Armand stood, “I won’t be long.”
As he reached the doorway to the washroom, Armand realized how easily he had relinquished his hard-earned control to Louis’ tender wisdom.
*****
Armand sat on the couch in Louis’ living room, a cup of plain black coffee in front of him. All coffee tasted the same to him, so he didn’t bother asking for anything in it. Louis had sweetly made him a sandwich as well, and he did his best to pretend he was enjoying it. They were discussing potential evening plans.
“Is there an art museum we could visit?” Armand asked after finishing another sip of his coffee. He enjoyed the heat of it, if not the taste.
“The New Orleans Museum of Art is a must for your visit, but not today,” Louis’ lips curled in a sly smile, “Someone slept in until three in the afternoon, and the museum closes at five.”
Armand sniffed, “What a ridiculously early time for a museum to close. How is anyone supposed to visit after work?”
Daniel, who was sitting in his wheeled chair at the dining table working on a puzzle, spoke dryly, “Your art gallery opened all night?”
“Not all night, no. It is open from noon to 10pm Tuesday to Sunday. Which are the perfect hours for a museum or gallery to be open. People can go on their lunch breaks or after work.”
“What about Mondays?” Daniel had finally looked away from his puzzle and at Armand.
“Monday is the slowest day of the week, so it makes more sense to keep it closed to the public while we do inventory and maintenance.” Armand was a little baffled by Daniel’s seeming interest in his gallery’s hours, though the vampire suspected it was some kind of test.
The older man had a strange smile on his lips, “Makes sense. Unfortunately, we’re in New Orleans and the museum of art closes at five. So what are you going to do instead?”
“Sutton Galleries are open until 9:00. We can visit there once we’re finished lunch,” Louis smiled at Armand, “You’ll like it. Really wide variety of artists and styles. I can introduce you to a few of my favourites.”
Armand raised his eyebrows. The apartment had some art on the walls, but not as much as he would’ve expected from someone who loved the arts as much as Louis did. “Do you have any by your favourite artists here?”
Louis laughed, “I don’t know how much you think poets make, but it’s not ‘buy original artworks’ money.”
“Well when we’re at the gallery, let me know if something catches your eye. Money is no object to me,” Armand offered casually.
Eyes wide, Louis shook his head, “Oh no, no, that’s OK. I just thought you’d like to look around the gallery. I’m not...I mean, I wasn’t...” He glanced over at Daniel for support.
Daniel smirked, “What he’s trying to say is that he wasn’t fishing for gifts. He was just joking around.”
Armand glanced between them, then shrugged his shoulders, “The offer still stands. Now, let’s finish lunch so we have plenty of time to explore the gallery. Daniel, I’m assuming you will be joining us?”
Daniel looked up in surprise, “I...uh. I thought you guys would want some alone time?”
“You are Louis’ good friend, as such, I would like to get to know you too.” He looked to Louis, “If you are amenable, of course.”
Armand was rewarded with a brilliant smile from Louis. “That’d be great! It’s a chance for us all to get to know each other better.”
“Excellent. Then it’s settled,” Armand looked between the two men, satisfied that his plans were so perfectly coming together.
*****
The painting was a perfect balance of bold colours and soft lines. A misty, dreamy forest that Louis felt he could get pulled into. Beside him, Armand too seemed spellbound.
Until his phone buzzed for what felt like the 50th time.
Honestly, Louis found he couldn’t be annoyed at Armand, for the simple fact that Armand himself seemed far more frustrated. It was getting to the point that it was kind of funny.
He smirked a little, “You know, I won’t be offended if you answer that. Whoever’s calling you clearly thinks it’s urgent.”
Armand huffed, “I told him I was busy. He should take the hint.”
Louis couldn’t help his curiosity. He had never really heard Armand talk about friends or family, but his tone of voice suggested it wasn’t someone he knew from work. The annoyance was balanced with a hint of affection. He blurted out, “Who is it?”
The beautiful Parisian let out a long-suffering sigh, “A friend of mine. He moved to America years ago, but I had no idea that he lived in New Orleans until I mentioned I would be visiting you here.”
Louis’ eyebrows rose, “You have a friend in New Orleans? You should invite him to join us!”
Armand looked...doubtful, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? I brought Daniel, only fair you get to bring one of your friends.”
“Daniel is different-“ Armand started but was cut off by the man in question.
“And why am I different?” Daniel’s voice held an edge to it. Louis tried not to wince. He desperately wanted Daniel and Armand to get along.
“You are a witty, clever delight to be around,” Armand replied smoothly, “Lestat is the prince of brats.”
Louis chuckled, then laughed outright at the startled look on Daniel’s face, “See, Danny? I’m not the only one that thinks you’re a delight! Armand sees it too.”
To Louis’ further delight, Daniel started blushing. He crossed his arms and huffed to hide his reaction, but from the sneaky smile Armand gave Louis, the other man had noticed it too.
Daniel was rescued from further embarrassment by Armand’s phone buzzing yet again. He finally answered it, “Usually if someone doesn’t answer the phone after it continues to ring, it’s because they are busy.”
There was a pause as Armand listened to the other person speak. He scowled, “No. My answering now does NOT mean I am no longer busy. It means you have annoyed me beyond endurance.”
Louis glanced at Daniel and they both snickered at Armand’s clear annoyance.
“Well, luckily for you, Louis and Daniel have agreed to you joining us for the evening.” Another pause and Armand rolled his eyes, “Yes, yes. We’re at the Sutton Art Gallery. Do you know where- no I haven’t forgotten you live here. Of course. Of course. You know this city like the back of your hand. Right. Well excuse me- I’m hanging up now.”
Armand slipped his phone back into his pocket, his face a mask of irritation. Louis couldn’t help laughing. The handsome man looked up at him, “What’s so funny?”
“I can tell you guys are good friends because you talk like you can barely stand each other.” Louis teased.
“You and Daniel manage to be good friends without annoying each other,” Armand pointed out.
Daniel let out a sharp laugh, “We’re on our best behaviour because you’re our guest.”
Armand stared down at Daniel with stone cold seriousness, “There is no way. Absolutely no way, that you or Louis could annoy one another the way Lestat annoys me. It is impossible.”
Louis couldn’t stop laughing, the combination of Armand’s intense seriousness with his ridiculous words were too funny. “To be honest, I can’t wait to meet this guy!”
It turned out Louis didn’t have to wait long at all. Barely ten minutes had gone by before a boisterous voice cut through the quiet ambiance of the gallery, “Armand! There you are!”
The voice belonged to a tall, blond, Adonis of a man. Several gallery patrons shot the newcomer annoyed looks, but he didn’t seem to notice at all. He strode past them with a confident swagger, focused only on their little group. Without a hint of hesitation, he grabbed Armand by the shoulders and pressed a firm kiss on each of his cheeks. “Bon soir, Armand. It is so good to see you!”
Armand scowled, “Lestat-“
But before Armand could finish, Lestat had turned, grabbed Louis by the shoulders and pressed his lips to each of Louis’ cheeks too. The blond pulled back, hands still firmly gripping Louis’ shoulders, and smiled, “Enchante! You must be Louis. Armand has told me so much about you.” He looked Louis up and down before glancing over his shoulder at a quietly fuming Armand, “Truly your description did not do his beauty justice.” Lestat’s admiring gaze returned to Louis, and he found he could not meet the man’s intense, hungry blue gaze.
“I’m Daniel by the way,” the older man interrupted dryly. The look on his face made it clear he was not impressed by Lestat’s antics.
Lestat at least had the good grace to look a bit chastised, “My apologies.” He took Daniel’s hand and shook it firmly, “It is good to me you, Daniel.”
Daniel smirked, “Likewise, I’m sure.”
There was a slight pause before Lestat leaned forward, still holding Daniel’s hand. His voice was soft and conspiratorial, “Disappointed I did not greet you with a kiss as well? Forgive me.”
He turned his head to kiss Daniel’s cheek, but the older man pulled away. “Save the antics for the youngsters, sweetheart.”
The blond looked startled for a moment then laughed brightly, “Oh you’re fun!” He turned to Armand, clapping his hands together, “I think we’re all going to be great friends!”