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Chapter Text

Lestat knew he loved Daniel the night Armand finally reached out and told him he was coming for his Fledgling.

There were only a few more dates left in the tour, the end drawing closer, exacerbating Lestat's anxieties about Daniel leaving. To stay those concerns, he found ways to stretch out their time together, opening himself up more in the interview, letting Daniel linger on details and feeding him as much information as he could. On an occasion where he felt the crew growing impatient with their prolonged conversation, he froze the entire set and rode Daniel's cock until they were both thoroughly sated and utterly debauched. Only then did Lestat allow the questions to continue and ensured no one said a single word about how his lipstick was smeared and his hair looked like a mangled tumbleweed. Daniel tossed him a conspiritorial wink the moment they wrapped for the evening and then did him one more time in the dressing room for kicks.

After Sara, they were colliding with each other lot more frequently in general. Before and after concerts in Lestat's green room, on the tour bus, in the bathrooms of clubs and bars, or in whatever dark corner they could find after hunting, wherever and whenever the mood struck them. They experimented a little with role-play and costumes, tried a few toys, but Lestat never needed such trappings to feel inspired. Daniel only had to give him that hungry and expectant look, or vice-versa, and both of them were ready and raring to go. Keeping it simple wasn't failing them so far and Lestat had no problem telling himself that their proximity and the solidly excellent but definitely still casual fucking was the reason he kept tagging Daniel in. It wasn't his fault that Daniel was always more than willing to go the distance with him.

The night Armand called him was the night he was forced to accept that he wasn't telling himself the truth.

Daniel was out doing an appearance on a late night show. Lestat had the hotel room television on at a low volume, sipping a glass of wine and watching Daniel converse with the host in the smarmy, confident way he did when he was trying to show off. He let out a low chuckle, considering for a moment if the look on Daniel's face was a justifiable excuse to get himself off. Daniel laughed at something the host said and grinned at the audience, winking at them before pressing on. That was enough to at least get Lestat to wet his lips and start thinking about all the things he planned to do to Daniel once the journalist got back.

Good evening, mon frere, came a chillingly familiar voice.

Lestat was so stunned by the sudden contact that he did not reply at first, sitting on the couch completely gripped with an inexplicable terror. Despite having pushed out thoughts in Armand's direction many times over the course of the past few months, less so recently, he had stopped expecting the ancient vampire to respond.

Good evening, Armand, he finally answered back, This is a surprise.

Is it, Armand replied in a nonchalant way, I do not know why. You have been calling to me for some time, though not so much of late.

What can I do for you, Armand, Lestat asked, only wanting to get to the point.

I think it's more what I can do for you, Lestat's old acquaintance responded, I see your tour is about to end and therefore your interview. In the interest of making sure neither you nor Daniel find yourselves at loose ends, it is my intention to reunite with him at your San Francisco concert.

What exactly do you mean by 'loose ends', mon petite demon, Lestat probed, feeling Armand bristle over the connection at Lestat's familiarity.

Surely you do not think I am unaware of your extracurricular activities with my Fledgling, Lestat, was Armand’s response.

Lestat was so caught up in his own affairs, he had not given space to worrying about Armand knowing him and Daniel. In the moment, he realized he was afraid of what Armand might do, knowing what he was capable of.

I have been trying to contact you for the past few weeks, Armand continued, But you have always been… otherwise occupied. It seems you have been serving each other well.

You're not jealous, Lestat asked, flabbergasted by the ease with which Armand was speaking to him about this.

What right do I have to be jealous, Armand sighed, sounding disappointed and, indeed, jealous all the same, He has no reason to show me any sort of loyalty. I may be his Maker, but we are neither Companions nor lovers, there was a bitterness in the way he spoke, I have, however, been unfairly absent and considering that Louis has had his time with Daniel, and now so have you, I believe it is well past time for me to step in. There are some things he will learn better from me.

Lestat couldn't argue that point, though he wished he could. There were many gifts that he and Armand shared, and though Armand could never know why, Lestat was a much more powerful vampire than he could ever hope to be in most regards save maybe one. Still, the privilege of learning from his own Maker was not one Lestat could find it in himself to deny Daniel. As much as he wanted the journalist for himself, he knew, if forced to choose between them, Daniel would go with Armand.

Floor tickets up front for me to pick up at will-call, Armand's voice cut through his thoughts, If I must come to your concert, I expect the best seats in the house. And let's not tell my Fledgling, if you please? I would like for it to be a surprise.

If that is what you wish, Lestat replied, trying to hide his quickly ratcheting nervousness by pressing into Armand's mind instead, I suppose I will see you in a few weeks.

Yes, I suppose you shall, Armand conceded, unable to fully conceal from Lestat's probing a faint glimmer of excitement at the prospect, Bonne nuit, Lestat.

Bonne nuit, Armand, Lestat said, and the thread connecting them dissolved away.

He sat in shell-shocked silence for a while, barely registering the end of Daniel's appearance. The show moved on to other guests, but Lestat was too distracted to turn off the TV. When a knock came from the door not too soon after the show ended, he wandered over to it almost aimlessly, spiraling over his conversation with Daniel's Maker.

"How'd I do," Daniel grinned at him as the door swung open.

In a few weeks, he’ll be gone, the full realization hit him like a ton of bricks right to the chest.

Lestat pulled Daniel past the entryway into the foyer by the lapel of his jacket, immediately engaging his mouth in a rough and involved kiss as the door closed behind him. Lestat's only goal became chasing away his worries about the future by checking off the immediate and more pressing action item of repeatedly joining their bodies. Daniel met him where he was, kissing with as much vigor, if not more. Fledgling libidos were a gift in and of themselves, and having been the fortunate beneficiary of basically all of Daniel's nigh uncontrollable impulses in that regard, Lestat realized that perhaps he was quite spoiled. It would be difficult to find someone as ripe and insatiable once Armand came and took Daniel away.

No. No more thinking of that gremlin tonight. For a few more weeks, Daniel was still his, and Lestat intended to make the very best use of that time.

“You looked very good,” Lestat growled into Daniel’s mouth, “I almost couldn’t keep my hands off myself.”

“Fuck me, you’re wound up tight,” came Daniel’s heated response, “Need me screw you ‘til you’re loose?”

“S’il te plâit,” Lestat nodded, “C'est exactement ce dont j'ai besoin.”

Lestat could sense Daniel considering where he would take him first and Lestat made the choice easy by stripping them both down right where they were. Then he placed his hands on the wall of the foyer and tossed his best come-hither stare in Daniel’s direction. The Fledgling crowded eagerly into his space, big hands roaming over Lestat’s chest and stomach. Lestat captured one of those hands and bit at the tips of Daniel’s fingers before placing them in the necessary location. As though in response, Daniel’s other hand slid down across his body. He bent at the waist slightly to reach his target, hooking a knee. He then pulled that leg up, holding the thigh practically to Lestat’s rib cage, which twisted open Lestat’s body slightly and left him balanced against the wall on one foot.

“You never get tired of this do you, Lioncourt,” Daniel’s voice rumbled in his ear, “You got an addiction to sex or an addiction to me?”

“I could ask you the same question,” Lestat replied breathlessly as he felt two of Daniel’s blood-slicked fingers breach him at the same time.

“And what if I said both at once?”

Lestat moaned loudly and craned his head back for another kiss. The stretch of his position, Daniel’s arm around his waist holding the opposite leg in place, was almost uncomfortable, but blessedly the well-fed vampire didn’t need to worry about lack of flexibility or stamina, and Lestat was always well-fed. He had no mobility in this position, and could only manage desperate gasps against Daniel’s mouth as his gray-haired partner efficiently fingered him open. From the shedding of clothes to the moment Daniel finally drove his hardened mast into Lestat, possibly only a few minutes had passed.

With both hands free, Daniel switched his hold of Lestat’s leg from one to the other, bringing the leg up over his shoulder. Lestat’s entire body shuddered when Daniel quickly occupied the now idle hand with cupping his testicles and then fondling his erection.

“You’re so hard for me, princess,” Daniel whispered, “Touch yourself for me, too?”

Daniel had developed a thing for Lestat touching himself ever since their first encounter. Lestat couldn’t help but think that his penchant for voyeurism would likely delight-

No, no, he chastised himself.

Lestat took himself in hand with a shaky exhale and began to draw over the throbbing flesh. It felt like every drop of blood inside him was pulsing in his palm. Once he set a rhythm in timing with Daniel’s thrusts he looked down to watch as the other vampire resumed rolling his balls between his fingers, gently tugging at them as he did. Before Lestat could think to say anything, the visual of their hands working him over together sent him crashing over the edge.

“Fuck, yeah, baby,” Daniel murmured, his voice filled with pride and awe as Lestat fired off shots of pink all over the wall, Love it when he loses control and makes a complete fuckin’ mess.

The dick in his ass started driving in harder and faster, Daniel now chasing his own pleasure in Lestat’s body. In combination with Daniel’s unexpected use of the L-word, even though it was in thought only, Lestat was beside himself. The leg being held up was released in favor of Daniel’s hands reorienting themselves at his hips. Lestat moved quickly to keep it up himself, burying his face in the crook of his other arm as Daniel repeatedly nailed the exact right spot in him.

“Ah, oui, ah, merde,” he loudly sobbed, “Please, Daniel, donne-moi! Donne-moi s’il vous plâit..”

“Shit, here it comes,” Daniel ground out, his hips stuttering up against Lestat’s backside as he filled him reliably to the brim, “Jesus fuck,” the Fledgling hissed, keeping himself penned up tight inside Lestat.

They breathed together for a moment, Lestat finally letting his leg drop. Knowing how brief his window was, he pulled off of Daniel and turned around, dropping to his knees.

“Fuck,” Daniel repeated as Lestat started licking at him, lapping away every trace of spend before swallowing Daniel whole.

He heard a hand slam into the wall over his head as Daniel’s knees almost gave out on him. Lestat got great joy out of having this particular penis in his mouth. He relished the slight ache in his jaw that only happened when he really gave it his all and didn’t stop until Daniel was feeding him an orgasm. Daniel rarely let him get that far because he regularly interrupted Lestat to haul him up by hair and shove his tongue down his throat instead. Tonight, Lestat would be damned if he allowed that. It was his turn to make Daniel fall apart.

Lestat peered up at Daniel, making hard eye contact as he relaxed his tongue and opened his throat.

I’m going to service you for once, and you’re going to let me, he thought, letting his lashes flutter a bit.

Daniel looked down at him with a blissful expression, five fingers and a warm, wide palm finding their way into his hair. Lestat pushed back a little, inviting more pressure. The hand turned into a fist, twisting Lestat’s curls into a handle of sorts that Daniel could use for leverage. Lestat let his eyes slide closed as Daniel began to pump gently into his mouth, pace and depth gradually increasing. From now on, every time Lestat had Daniel this way could potentially be the last. Every kiss. Every touch. The dreaded last. He was pretty sure he hated the idea.

His hands slid up to grip the backs of Daniel’s thighs, providing another counterpoint of pressure. Daniel responded by holding him down the root. Lestat showed him up, pressing down even further and was rewarded with Daniel’s cock jumping in his throat.

“Shit,” Daniel said in a strangled tone, “Goddamn, your mouth.”

Lestat was confident enough in himself to know he had a stellar head game, and likely the best Daniel had experienced up until now. Until someone else swooped in and proved otherwise, that was a bragging right he could hold onto for a bit. Knowing his competition as he did, though, he didn’t suppose the claim would hold with Daniel for long.

He made a series of sounds in the back of his throat and the length shoved in it jumped again.

Fill me, Molloy, Lestat challenged him and pressed his nose hard to the soft line of Daniel’s stomach.

“Oh, man,” Daniel groaned and Lestat barely managed a pleased smile around him as he slid out and placed the prize for Lestat’s efforts right on his tongue.

Lestat hummed as he slipped himself off the rest of the way, opening his mouth to show Daniel what was inside. Then he made sure Daniel watched him swallow every drop, showing off his tongue again once he did.

Now Daniel could haul Lestat up if he liked, and he did, pushing his tongue into Lestat’s already open mouth.

We haven’t even made it into the suite, Daniel thought to him as Lestat felt arms wind around him, Seeing me on TV got you that hot?

I should have sent you dirty messages, Lestat teased, kissing Daniel back, Filled your mind with my filthiest French and made those cute ears of yours turn all pink.

Maybe next time, Daniel suggested, and Lestat had to repress projecting the sensation of his heart dropping into his stomach.

Tempting, he replied instead and started walking backwards into the suite, pulling Daniel along, But since I have you here now…

Lestat sent Daniel a string of, truly, his filthiest French and when he pulled away from their kiss, the tips of the journalist’s ears were the reddest he had ever seen them. Bright-eyed, he ducked his head around and nicked one of them with his teeth, then suckled at it as the blood seeped out from the blush point. Daniel whimpered and stopped their movement, clinging to Lestat.

So sweet, this blood, Lestat crooned to Daniel, eyes hooded, So very sweet.

He finally pulled Daniel down onto the plush area rug in the living room, throwing a leg over the elderly looking vampire’s back.

“Go slow, Daniel,” he requested, “Take your time.”

“You getting all mushy on me,” Daniel asked, leaning into him.

“Please,” Lestat breathed just as their lips connected in a deep, slow kiss.

The ‘I love you’ he couldn’t speak, he poured into the meeting of their mouths, and hoped that it was felt. To Daniel’s credit, whatever Lestat wished was Daniel’s command. Sometimes Daniel jokingly called him a bossy brat, and then seemed to take extreme pleasure in doing whatever Lestat asked. Lestat wanted it slow, so Daniel gave it to him slow, occasionally pausing Lestat’s steady stream of vocals with another passionate kiss. Though Lestat couldn’t know for certain, there was something in the way the man moved with him that felt like something deeper.

Daniel took enough time that when he finally reached his climax, Lestat was spent and boneless beneath him. The feeling of Daniel fucking his orgasm so deeply inside him triggered a flow incoherent babbling, and Lestat was forced to hold back tears as Daniel’s comforting weight melded over him.

“That was something,” Daniel panted, “Damn. Gotta call time, okay? Can we stay like this for a bit?”

“Of course, old man,” Lestat sighed, “That would be fine.”

“You feeling better,” Daniel asked, “Looser?”

“Hmm,” Lestat pretended to think, “Could still be screwed a bit more.”

“I’ll bet,” Daniel chuckled.

They lay in silence for a bit, Lestat’s dragging the fingertips of a hand up and down Daniel’s spine.

“Can I ask you something,” Daniel piped up.

“Go on,” Lestat acquiesced.

“What are your plans once the tour ends,” the other vampire asked, entirely unaware of the detonator he’d just armed.

Lestat swallowed and willed his body not to go suddenly rigid.

“A vacation, perhaps,” Lestat mused, “Or go home to New Orleans and relax for a while.”

“Alone,” Daniel continued in a leading tone.

“Why,” Lestat questioned, trying not to appear as though he was holding his breath, “Are you hoping to come with me?”

“I mean, it’s either that or go back to New York, I guess,” Daniel shrugged over him, “Thing is, one of those places has you and the other doesn’t.”

“How very forward of you, Mr. Molloy,” Lestat protested, feigning innocence, “What if Armand were to come back, or Lou-Louis,” he stumbled over the name.

“I don’t know,” Daniel considered, “Maybe tell ‘em we come as a set now?”

To keep from bursting into tears at the suggestion of presenting as Companions, Lestat laughed, and he could feel Daniel frowning at him.

“What,” the Fledgling asked.

“And how do you suppose Louis might feel about Armand being involved,” Lestat pointed out, “Or Armand if he discovered he was the only one who wasn’t?”

“Oh, right,” Daniel muttered, bubble successfully burst.

The head of gray hair adjusted a little so it could more comfortably rest against Lestat’s chest.

Another long silence passed.

“We have as much time as we like before this is something that needs to concern us, mon ami,” Lestat said, cloaking the fib in a soothing tone, “Until then, you’re here and I’m here, and I plan to spend that time making it a good one.”

“Damn right,” Daniel cheered him, then lifted his chin to plant a peck on Lestat’s lips, “Gonna love every minute of it.”

The L-word again in relation to him. Lestat’s mind churned over the word, kicking the anxiety back into high gear. Daniel seemed not to notice, holding Lestat there for a little while longer.

“Think I wanna fuck you in the shower next,” Daniel grunted as he moved to stand, “Need help getting up?”

Lestat’s lashes lowered and he reached a hand up to Daniel, “If you’re offering, I’ll always take your help getting up.”

The pink in Daniel’s ears brightened again at the answer to his unintended innuendo. He did help Lestat up though, giving him a crooked smile as he led him to the bedroom.

They wore themselves out with only an hour or two to spare before dawn. Lestat was face down and star-fished over the mattress on bedclothes that were absolutely ruined. The mess they made of each other rendered the shower completely pointless, but Lestat didn’t remotely care, enjoying the feeling of Daniel draped partially over his back, even if it was sticky with blood. Daniel was making a halfhearted attempt to clean some of the crimson away with his tongue, but they were both so exhausted they could hardly move.

I hope whatever comes next for you there’s room for me, came Daniel’s gentle cast into his mind, Things won’t be the same without you.

Lestat didn’t know if Daniel could see his face, but it wouldn’t matter if he could. The tears Lestat held back before were running freely now, despite his efforts to stifle them. For better or worse, the words that passed between them might be the closest either of them got to expressing the true depths of their feelings for each other.

I am sure that San Francisco will not be the last we see of each other, Lestat assured him, Vampires who have come to know each other cross paths all the time. I’ve always thought there is something that binds some of us unwittingly together, something beyond blood.

Never took you as the philosophical type, Lestat, Daniel said, seemingly impressed.

Not a philosopher, Lestat corrected, More like a visionary, or a conceptualist.

Busting out the big fancy words ain’t getting Daniel Jr. back up again, cowboy, Daniel cautioned, All we’re both up for is falling asleep holding you.

Then get up here and do so properly, vieillard, Lestat demanded, wiping his tears away.

Daniel groaned with the physical exertion necessary to properly arrange them in a spooning position. Before he could do that, Daniel needed to kick away the ruined duvet and pull the generic white quilt folded at the foot of the bed up over them. They dozed quietly and comfortably together, Daniel holding Lestat close, until the sun put them under for the day.

Lestat could feel his presence in the air from the wings. He could feel his presence when he was in his green room earlier, too. Daniel told Lestat he would meet him there before the show to send him off, but with fifteen minutes left before the start of the concert, Daniel still hadn’t arrived. This was no surprise to Lestat, because he could feel the presence during his evening shower. Lestat wondered what time exactly Armand arrived in the city.

He could tell he was with Daniel again at nearly the precise moment it happened. Intense flashes of anger, then sadness, then tentative excitement, then peace. Daniel’s emotional transition from rage to elation resolved in a terrifyingly smooth way. Lestat told himself to be happy; Daniel was finally reunited with his Maker.

He walked to the wings when the stage manager called places, and he stood by, doing his best to simply focus on the show.

“Hey, you,” came a thrillingly familiar voice.

Lestat whirled around, unable to believe his ears until he turned and saw it for himself.

Louis de Pointe du Lac was backstage at his show.

“What,” he stammered, completely taken by surprise, “How?”

Louis pulled a ticket from his pocket and waved it at Lestat, “Figured since it was your last show, I should come see it.”

Before Lestat could overthink it, he pulled Louis into his arms and buried his face in the green-eyed vampire’s neck, makeup be damned. He felt his Fledgling melt into him and it set his entire body aglow. Riding the potent mix of relief and adrenaline, Lestat pulled back just enough to lean in and kissed him. When Louis kissed back, it felt like the whole world became technicolored.

“You’re here,” Lestat said happily, “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Louis gave him a crooked smile, “Wish I could say coming was completely my idea, but that wouldn’t be honest.”

Lestat looked down at the ticket in Louis’ hand and it took him a moment, but he eventually put two and two together.

“Armand,” he exclaimed, disbelieving.

“Crazy to ask for tickets when he can just mind fuck everyone between him and whatever seats he wants,” Louis shook his head, “It’s how I got back here.”

Lestat was still gaping at his former Companion, “You actually spoke with him?”

“Almost didn’t,” Louis admitted, “Almost cut him off the moment he called, but then he explained himself and… well, I decided to hear him out.”

“And how did that go,” Lestat asked, unable to stop himself from asking more questions.

Louis shrugged, “‘Bout like you’d expect. We didn’t talk long, but I could tell he was worried about you.”

Lestat’s mouth twisted a bit, “Yes, he- he finally came to retrieve Daniel.”

Louis gave Lestat a long look at that answer, as though running through all the various reasons why Daniel leaving with Armand would worry him.

“You didn’t go and fall in love, did you,” Louis asked smile widening when Lestat shot him a guilty look, “Hey, no judgement here. I got my own soft spot for that boy.”

If Louis said those words to shock Lestat or make him jealous, it didn’t work. If anything, it lit a spark of hope in Lestat that carried him out onto the stage as the lights dimmed. He only turned back to kiss Louis one more time before he made his entrance.

His eyes found Armand among the crowd immediately, the large orange orbs in the other vampire’s face zoned in on him completely. Lestat’s heart flew up into his throat at the sight of Daniel standing next to him, so absorbed with gazing at his Maker that his eyes didn’t even flick up to notice that Lestat was onstage.

You brought Louis here, Lestat said as he began to sing his first song.

Louis brought himself here, I simply implied that it might be a good idea for him to come, Armand corrected him, I think all he was waiting for was someone to tell him it was okay to miss you and to want to see you again.

Does he know you’re here, too, Lestat asked.

No, Armand told him, No, you are the only one who can feel my presence here. It would be better if he did not know.

Alright, I will not tell him, Lestat replied, But I cannot thank you enough for this.

Well, one good turn deserves another, Armand conceded, And you took good care of Daniel. I could hardly leave you lonely.

It was kind to do, and very brave, Lestat added.

Armand had no response for a long moment, before he tentatively said, Surely you know that I would still do anything for you, Lestat.

Another match was thrown onto the quickly building flame of a plan forming in Lestat’s mind.

I will work on Louis, Lestat projected to Armand, And then I’m going to find you and Daniel and remind you that you said that.

Lestat, whatever do you mean, Armand asked, filling Lestat’s mind with a charming, melodic laugh.

Nothing you need to be concerned about just yet, mon ange, Lestat cajoled, I ask that you trust me.

Never and always, Lestat, was Armand’s reply.

Lestat grinned to himself and carried on performing. The entire length of the show, Daniel never looked at him once, eyes full of longing aimed squarely at Armand. Lestat felt a deep twinge in his chest, not jealousy but perhaps his own yearning, knock up right against hope. He sent the closest thing to a prayer he’d spoken in centuries to whatever cosmic entity might be out there listening. If it was meant to be, he and Daniel would find themselves in each other’s orbits again, and if everything worked out as Lestat hoped, they wouldn’t have to give up a thing to be together again.

As fate would have it, sometimes it was simply impossible to predict what might happen next.