interviewee | OPEN RP POST

[I am the night is the last message he sends out into the network of mixed voices that scrape through his mind. However, the moment he does, he can hear claws scraping along the walls of the apartment. Louis stands up from his chair and tunes his ears to the sound of the minds closest to him.

As soon as he does, though, glass splinters around him as several vampires break through the window. Before he can turn away from them, one female vampire is on top of him, clawed fingers buried between his ribs.]

There's no way you're-- [Louis strikes back despite the pain, but it's not nearly enough. The others climb onto other parts of him, his arms, legs, and one grips his head. Louis bucks but the first female vampire digs her fingers deeper into him and he can feel her curling her talons around his ribcage, ready to rip it from his body.

To say blood surrounded him like an ocean would be an understatement. He's losing strength even as he struggles. The vampire at his head digs their claws into his muscles and arteries and Louis knows he has but moments left. There is no more struggle, no more need to fight because this is his end.

I deserve this is the last thought in his head before his vision begins to darken.]

{ They say the definition of madness is doing the same thing and expecting different results. Lestat, by definition, must be mad, because he can never stop this merry-go-round with Louis. Almost eighty years should have taught him better, but, alas, the heart wants but the heart wants.

They always find their way to one another.

And in this case, that's a good thing for Louis. Lestat had heard the voices, too, any vampire could have. The call to arms about his book revealing their truths. Lestat follows his own path to Louis, checking on those closing in on him, and it seems he arrives just in time.

One of the vampires on top of Louis is pulled off and thrown back out the window she came from. Another one gets set alight and screams, backing himself away as Lestat reaches his hand down to grab at Louis' and pull him up. }

Come on, Louis, you're not meant to die this way. I think we should find our way out of here, no?

[Louis expects to have his head ripped off and die instantly. Or perhaps to have his ribcage torn from him and suffer a long, painful death. Distantly, he hears steps and then the claws are gone. Blood follows where taloned fingers once were and someone is pulling him upright.

He hears the voice and he attempts to open his eyes. He even tries to speak, but blood spills from his mouth, splattering onto the stone floor.]

Le-stat. [Louis words are stilted as he tries to stand but fails.] There... more.

[Because Louis has no doubt there will be more coming to kill him.]

I know, mon cœur, but what do you expect when you invite them all so brazenly?

{ Even as they talk, a vampire lunges at them and Lestat's clawed finger nails tear into its neck before he presses his finger to Louis' lips. No point in speaking. }

Now let's see that's fighting spirit of yours, hmm? We both know you're stronger than you like to say you are.

[Louis sees the next vampire approach and then have its neck torn apart in one breath. The bloody finger pressed to his lips tells him not to say anything and Louis is grateful because blood is filling his mouth again and when he tries to stand up proper, he sags against the wall.

Another vampire approaches and Louis exerts the energy he has to set it on fire. It looks like this will be a full on siege of the apartment. They have to get out of here, but Louis doubts his own strength when he's bleeding so severely.

He climbs up the wall with bloodied hands and steadies himself before giving a curt nod.]

{ Lestat smiles, quick and brief because this isn't the sort of situation to smile in. They are in grave danger. Lestat's strong, of that there's no question, and Louis has Lestat's blood in him, but their odds aren't exactly that good.

It doesn't stop him from trying. Imagine having gone through everything he did to save Louis, just to have him die this way?

The moment Louis nods and Lestat smiles at him, Lestat is gone, a blur of speed and strength as the apartment's walls shake under the force of two vampires colliding into them. It does enough to distract some from Louis, but Lestat doesn't doubt that others will pick up on Louis' weak state and try to finish the job. }

[Louis doesn't need to watch to know that Lestat is taking down yet another vampire. He trusts in Lestat's strength, even as Louis feels weaker than ever. He feels like that first night, like he's dying all over again.

They have to get to the elevator and Louis pushes off the wall to trudge through the kitchen. Another vampire is after him and Louis ducks behind walls to turn their strength against them.

With the elevator in view, though, something hits him in the back like a freight train. There's no hesitation in the vicious slashing of clawed fingers, ripping through his shirt and then skin and then underneath. Louis can't get a good look at them to catch them on fire, he can't roll over to protect what remains of his back.

His only chance is to call out to his savior. More blood slithers between his teeth as the hands tearing at his back now clench his innards.

His call for help is little more than a pained whisper,] Lestat.

{ It's enough. Lestat hears it over the sound of everything else, like he'll always hear Louis over all things. He moves through the attacking vampires, taking his own hits on the way, but he's determined to make it to Louis. }

Louis -

{ He hauls the vampire off of Louis, making quick work of him. There's a slight struggle now in his own movements, likely thanks to having sustained himself off the vermin of New Orleans for the decades past in his own sense of self-penance. }

Tell me where to go.

{ Because Louis is almost past the point of no return, Lestat lifts him, hoisting him over his shoulder with ease. It will slow them both done, but right now it's the only option. }

[The hands inside him are pulled free and Louis is hefted up over Lestat's shoulder. His vision is blurred, his body weak, but he can hear Lestat's question.]

Elevator. [Louis is still barely a whisper.] Got... got a car.

[Not that the car will help them outrun vampires pursuing them, but it's better than nothing.]

And a... [He's on the verge of passing out, but he blinks himself awake.] safehouse. Lower Dubai.

{ He gets to the elevator, the doors closing just in time. He can hear the doors above being pried open, he hears them tell each other to try and head them off. No, a car won't out run them, but it might provide a diversion. }

Listen to me, Louis. We will send the car out without us to another direction, and I'll get us to your safehouse.

{ It's the best chance they have. }

[Louis sways between consciousness and unconsciousness. His heart is barely beating, but he hears Lestat clear as a bell. Send the car out without them, then go to the safehouse on their own. He doesn't have the wherewithal to nod or agree, only to write the address with his last non-bloody finger on Lestat's leg.

And then he's out completely.]

{ It's too bad, because Lestat feels like he executed it quite well, and Louis doesn't even get to see it. He manages to slip out of the elevator before the roof of it is ripped off, letting them believe they got off on another floor, and then he slips down to the garage. The driver sets off and Lestat waits until he hears nothing else, then he follows the address written for him.

When he feels they're not going to be attacked, he lets himself relax. He needs to get his own strength back and heal his own wounds, but for now he opens his wrist and presses it to Louis' mouth. A bit of something to help his body weave itself back together.</small }

[The safehouse was only ever meant for Armand and Louis. The colors are muted, newspaper covers the windows, and the single coffin underneath the couch would be just enough room for them. Louis instinctively opens his mouth when he hears a pulse beating beneath skin. He bites down weakly on Lestat's offered wrist and drinks in slow gulps. Once he properly swims back into consciousness, Louis's grip is firmer and he lifts two hands to hold Lestat in place.

Forcing himself to let go after he's awake again is one of the most difficult decisions he has to make. Second behind the decision to murder the vampire standing above him. Louis sucks in painful gulps of air as his eyes rise to his savior.]

Lestat?

{ He lets Louis feed, even as he feels his own energy fading. But he lets Louis keep going, just as he always has, just as he always will. Maybe one day he'll learn his lesson, but it's not today. }

One day you'll have to learn to save yourself.

{ Lestat doesn't sound too upset.

He settles his gaze on Louis, watching him for a long moment before deciding now to move around the little space. }

Is there clothing here?

{ Because they both look like absolute disasters. }

[Louis is still a bit blurry around the edges as his wounds knit together inch by inch.]

Wasn't expecting an ambush like that.

[He'd expected something to happen, but an all-out assault was not within his expectations. He should have expected it, but here they are, regardless. The question of clothing has Louis looking down at himself. His shirt is nearly shredded, hanging on by threads on his shoulders, and his trousers are torn, but moreso stained with blood.]

The tall wood cabinet there. [Louis points to a thin cabinet that runs the height of the safe room.]

Did you come from New Orleans to check on me? [Louis asks, though he's not ungrateful in the slightest. If Lestat hadn't come, Louis would be dead.]

You're welcome.

{ Lestat opens the cabinet, looking at the few options inside. He and Louis and Armand are not all terribly different in size. He can manage with something here until he gets something better. }

They've been talking about you since the book was released. We all heard you put your challenge out.

{ And it wasn't as though Armand would come, would he? }

Thanks. [Louis says belatedly. He still leans back on the couch, eyes watching Lestat move over to the miniature closet and filter through the options.]

I heard them. And I said it to silence them.

[To mark his place as an unrepentant master vampire, ready for any threat. As it turns out, he wasn't ready for any threat.]

We should be safe here for now.

We won't be staying here. I have obligations state side.

{ He closes the cabinet, turning back to look at Louis. }

We'll wait until our strength has returned to us, and dawn will be upon us soon.

{ He'd always tried to teach Louis to keep to himself, keep his head down. Yes, they can have their fun and be dramatic and swan into rooms, but never draw attention to what or who they are. Now here they are.

It's maybe moderately better than the hovel of a home he'd had in New Orleans. }

The tour. [Louis remembers out loud. Lestat is going on tour. He wanted to go see the first stop of the tour, but will he be able to now? Will it be safe for either of them if Louis shows his face?

Maybe he shouldn't care what any other vampires think and go regardless.

The mention of dawn has Louis standing up, wobbling for a moment before he's upright. He lifts the seat of the couch to reveal a coffin beneath. The last time they shared a coffin was before Louis attempted to murder Lestat.]

You can sleep in there. I'll make something work.

I have a single out now. Your visit seemed to have inspire me.

{ They'll both have to suck it up and get in the coffin, it will give them the best option to recover. They can handle it. He starts to strip off his own blood-stained clothes, because God forbid he sleep in anything soiled. }

Louis de Pointe du Lac, you're going to get in that coffin.

Yeah?

[Louis remembers the last time Lestat wrote a song for him. Maybe this time he'll hear Lestat's voice and not Antoinette's.

Dawn is rapidly approaching and Louis stubbornly remains over by the fridge, where he knows blood bags chill. Louis bends down to open the fridge and offers the bag to Lestat.]

I won't. [Not unless Lestat really wants him there.]

Suit yourself.

{ Lestat won't push Louis. Pushing him has never worked before. Not pushing him hasn't really worked out well for him, either, but Lestat's come to learn that Louis will ultimately do the sensible thing on his own terms. The pull of the coffin and its promising rest will call to him.

He drains the bag and settles into the coffin, leaving the lid open. }

[Louis takes the empty bag to the sink and sets it there. Lestat is more than right about the call of the coffin. Every time he looks at it, his body screams to lay down beside Lestat.

But is that what Lestat wants? Would sharing a coffin with him change anything?

Louis sighs and pulls out some fresh clothing from the closet and dresses in silence. And then dawn must have risen because the call of the coffin is inescapable. With careful feet, he steps down into the coffin, laying almost on top of Lestat.]

{ He waits patiently, not moving as he listens to each of Louis' movements. He only moves once Louis is laying with him, reaching up to close the lid an envelope them in darkness.

It's a strange sensation. Lestat had abandoned any hope of being in this situation with Louis again, but their encounter in New Orleans had given some flame to the embers again. Even if they went their separate ways, there was a promise of something there.

But the thoughts in his head give way to sleep, the familiar weight of Louis being a welcome comfort. }

[Louis wakes up a couple hours after sunset, needing additional rest to heal his wounds. They aren't completely knitted shut, but he won't be bleeding everywhere any more. There's a familiar warmth, a smell like home, and Louis opens his eyes to see Lestat with him in the coffin. Louis blinks a moment before remembering the previous night: the assault, the escape, and now the safe house.

Louis shifts to better watch Lestat, not yet moving to leave the coffin.]

Is there something on my face?

{ Lestat doesn't open his eyes, but it's evident he's been awake at least before Louis has been. }

Are you feeling better?

No, nothing. [Louis finds he’s surprised that Lestat is here with him. Louis wouldn’t blame him if he left. There are a multitude of reasons to go and yet he remained in the coffin with Louis, a breath apart.

At the question, Louis does a mental assessment if his condition. Parts of him still feel raw and open, while others scabbed over night.]

Feels like I got ripped open.

Not to be crass, but you were.

{ Lestat should be mad at Louis about it. A part of him is, the way he'd always been frustrated when Louis would ignore sense and do something to put himself in harm's way. Mostly he finds he's just exasperated thinking about it. }

We'll be here another day, no doubt.

I remember that.

[Louis reaches up to open the coffin and his body screams at him for moving. Scabs break and open and Louis hisses in pain as he lifts the lid and begins to crawl out.]

Will that be alright with your tour?

It seems there's no option, is there?

{ He's certainly not leaving Louis to fend for himself. That will only end in disaster, and there's no way Lestat could perform if he's feeling distraught.

He sits up when the lid is opened, giving his hair a shake even though it's hardly messed up, and turning his gaze on Louis. Lestat presses his lips together for a moment. }

I do have some qualms with how your book painted my character. Just in case you were wondering what I thought of it.

[Louis leans against the counter as he tries to absorb the pain as it pulses through him.]

I’d expect you would.

[He knew that Lestat wasn’t dead, that his and Claudia’s attempt to murder him failed.]

I know I lied about the fight. Among other things.

[Louis tugs off his bedshirt and tosses it to the side to get a good look at the damage. His body looks disfigured, nearly glowing purple and blue from what has healed. His back is much worse, not that he can see it.]

Lucky for you I'm not the type to sue for defamation of character.

{ He climbs out of the coffin and closes the lid, resetting it so the couch is covering it up once more. }

And it seems to be doing wonders to launch my popularity with the masses.

{ People think it's some sort of marketing ploy, which is vaguely annoying, but Lestat's not going to balk at anything to help rocket him to fame. He can't let Louis hog all the limelight, can he?

Lestat glances for a moment at Louis, then he looks away again, perhaps out of a bit of shame. Not at seeing Louis in some sort of state of undress, but at the memories of their fight and the way he'd left Louis mottled with similar bruises. }

[Louis doesn’t say thank you as he makes his way back to the closet. He changes into a black button up, leaving his pants on for now as Lestat mentions how the book is launching his career.]

Glad I could help.

[The cost of Lestat’s boost in fame has now been paid in blood and Louis takes a moment to simply breathe as he reaches for a change in pants. Lestat has seen everything multiple times, but Louis hesitates. Perhaps it’s because of the pain and maybe it’s because Louis doesn’t want to be more vulnerable. Whatever the reason, it passes and Louis changes before sitting gingerly on the couch with his eyes half-lidded.]

{ He moves around, exploring what little there is to see around them. Lestat can't even fathom why they had a safehouse to start with, but it does seem to line up with Armand's general Armandness. When there's nothing left to touch or pick up and examine, he eventually seats himself on the sofa next to Louis.

This must be what awkward feels like. }

I'm sorry for everything I did to push you away. Perhaps if I hadn't, we wouldn't be in this situation today.

[Louis lifts his eyelids enough to really look at Lestat, at the face he loved so dearly. He still does, he supposes, but it's quieter, like a flame flickering in a hurricane. The apology comes completely unexpected and Louis's eyes open in full.]

I... [His chest burns and Louis isn't sure if it's the injuries or the emotions that arise.] I have a lot to apologize for, too. I'm sorry we tried to kill you.

[His breath catches in his chest and Louis grimaces.] We both did things that brought us here.

{ He lets out a sigh. Now seems as good a time as any to just admit this. It has been eighty years, after all, no need to hold on to things. }

I knew you were planning on killing me. I could have left at any time, but I suppose I'd hoped you'd change your mind. I do have to hand it to Claudia, the poison was an unexpected touch.

[Oh. Oh. Louis breath catches, his brow furrows and his lips tremble.]

You knew?

[The guilt already clogging his throat multiplies. How must it have been like to walk around knowing that his love planned to kill him. All the while Louis kissed and held Lestat, in many falsities, and yet Lestat lingered.

It breaks Louis's heart and he ducks his head, struggling to keep from crying.

Lestat knew. He knew.]

How could I not? Even if you both weren't impossibly loud about it, even if Antoinette hadn't seen or heard you and confirmed it to me, it was written all over your body language.

{ He doesn't hold it against Louis. He doesn't even hold it against Claudia. }

I always said I wanted to die in my lover's arms.

{ He reaches over to run his thumb gently under one of Louis' eyes, ready to catch any errant tears. }

[Those errant tears make their appearance as Louis can only imagine what life must have been like knowing that his killers waltzed around his home, masquerading as husband and daughter.]

'm sorry. [Louis is still exhausted, still in pain, and the tears and the apologies come easy. 'm so sorry.

[He can't imagine it, the devastation, the realization that must have come on that balcony. When that last cigarette was snubbed out on the concrete.]

I- [He can't catch his breath any more as emotion and pain overwhelm him.]

You, ma foi, did only what I pushed you to do. It's but a blip in our history, and it was better for me that I should die than endure a life knowing you despised me so.

{ His hand moves, stroking over Louis' hair. Lestat's not particularly good at comforting. He has little-to-no practice in such things, having always to take the approach of tough love or not love at all. }

I forgive you. It's as simple as that.

[Louis continues to struggle with this revelation. Even if it was simply a blip in their history, Louis has become even more unable to forgive himself, despite Lestat's offer of forgiveness.]

I don't despise you. [Louis coughs, managing to clear his throat when Lestat strokes a hand over his hair.

Of course there were irritations, his long recovery after the fall, but bringing Lestat back into their house had been one of their better moments. Or should have. He always felt second to Antoinette, like nothing he did could get the attention he wanted. Even more so, with time and distance, any anger toward Lestat has dimmed into guilt.]

Well, no, not anymore. Time has a nice way of putting things into clarity.

{ Though he wonders if Louis hadn't had his revelations about Armand's own lies, would he be so willing to lessen his anger towards Lestat?

But even in that mockery of a trial, there had been something when Lestat turned to look at Louis. They've always been able to communicate so much to one another with simply a look. }

I saw you. [Louis admits quietly despite his heavy breathing.] You followed me around. I- I took a picture of you, but you weren't there.

[Lestat had remained an ever-present figure even after his death as Louis carried him in his guilt.]

I could talk to you if I wanted, but you were there.

[Louis ducks his head again wiping at his blood-stained face.]

Edited 2024-11-12 04:35 (UTC)

{ It sounds eerily familiar. That's how Lestat feels with Claudia. She's there, but she's not. He's had many conversations with her over the years. He used to go by their old home and imagine he could see her up on the gallery, looking down at him. }

I can't bear to see you so distressed.

{ He tries to keep his tone light, but there's a sincerity in it. This is why he loves Louis so much, though, he's sensitive and feels so deeply. He's still so very human despite it all. }

I killed you and you knew all about it. [Louis shakes his head, the guilt worsening.] The one you loved. The one you trusted.

[Louis shakes his head again, raising it to look at Lestat.]

There's nothing I can ever do to make up for that.

{ Lestat smiles, but his expression is flat. }

I'm not asking you to make it up to me, Louis. I let it happen. I was an active participant in my own demise.

[Louis shakes his head again.] And you still saved me last night.

[He starts to get up from the couch, half-bent over with pain and guilt both. He moves to the fridge but before he opens it for a blood bag, he steps back. What does he deserve any more?

Louis feels the same as after Paul died, how the guilt eats him from the inside out, how he feels as if nothing can erase his sins. And there is no confessional here.]

You would do the same for me.

{ Lestat isn't sure if he believes it or not, but he thinks it's true. Louis had ripped his heart out, but he didn't want to see Lestat destroyed. If he had, he would have thrown Lestat in the flames.

And because he's spent almost a century pining and waiting for Louis to come back to him. Why throw it away? }

If you're thinking about not eating, I suggest you reconsider.

[Louis raises his eyes to Lestat at that statement. Does Lestat believe that? That Louis could possibly have remaining good will for him despite what happened? Louis, of course, would indeed do anything to save Lestat, book or no book. He'd listened to the hallucination of Lestat for so long and now he has the real thing here in the safe house.

If Lestat forgives him, then maybe Louis can try to start to forgive himself.

Or maybe after Louis tortures himself first, as he always does.]

Not hungry. [He still opens the fridge and holds out a bag for Lestat to take.]

{ He stands, one graceful and easy movement from couch to stand by Louis. He puts his hand on the bag but he doesn't take it, fixing his unblinking gaze on Louis. He refuses to mother or coddle, to tell Louis that he needs it. Louis knows he needs it, Louis is just being stubborn. }

We'll share it.

{ It lacks the intimacy of biting into the same neck, but Louis clearly didn't enjoy the same things Lestat did back then. Lestat didn't need a book to tell him that. }

Edited 2024-11-12 05:10 (UTC)

Said I'm not hungry. [Louis calms the longer he plans out his own torture. It's a plan to move forward, even if it hurts him. If he does this then maybe his guilt will ease. It's a tried and true method Louis has used more than once.

He thrusts the bag toward Lestat, an insistence to take it.]

[I am the night. It's the last thought he sends out into the world before he closes his mind to it. He doesn't hear the anger that ripples through vampires all over the world, he doesn't hear the warnings issued in response. He opens his eyes and all is quiet.

For a few minutes at least.

Louis is on the way to the decanter of blood on a side table when he notices a shadow in one of the windows. Glass shatters around him and in an instant, he's pinned down by not one vampire, but multiple, baring their teeth and ready to bite down. Louis kicks off one, but the others tear into him without hesitation. The air is scented with his blood even as he fights for his life.

He doesn't hear the extra heartbeat separate from those on top of him.]

[sometimes armand thinks of cassandra and prophecy. melodramatic, he can all but hear daniel molloy scoff at him, his own personal shoulder devil sneering by his ear. still, there is a through line he can see after five hundred years of life. predictions he makes, warnings he offers, always ignored or cast aside. in paris, warning louis of what would inevitably come to pass. in dubai, warning both louis and daniel of what they prodded at with their absurd book.

armand remembers the real danger. not singular vampire, not uppity covens. he remembers amadeo, staring up at his maker so ancient and seemingly untouchable, being bombarded by cultist after cultist until he caught alight. there is the truth, it's numbers that they need to fear. the mob, like the santino and his ilk as they destroyed a vampire born before the death of christ, superior in every way and still lost.

it is why when the book comes out he finds himself back in dubai. daniel is taken care of for the moment, safer than louis, who mocks the writhing hive of the network. armand could leave it be, could attempt to grasp his hurt and petulance, spit 'i told you so' to louis' ashes but-

but he loves louis. daniel will not believe it, louis will not, but they are so young. they do not know what love truly is, the endless, horrific endurance of it. they do not know yet that eternity cannot keep grudges alive. they do not know that in another hundred year's time, another two hundred, three, that even claudia's singing ghost will fade between them.

the group is bolder than he expected. some are old but most are younger than louis, easy prey. the youngest go slack when armand comes through the window, minds pierced into a nearly lobotomized stupor as they fall groaning to the side. a hot, flaring anger pierces armand to see the ones still holding louis, one so close to his throat armand hisses and grabs the woman by the skull, ripping her back in a motion too quick for human eyes and tearing her head from her shoulders.

the remaining pair seem thrown, one still going for louis and the other scrambling to get to the window and away from the ancient creature all blood and teeth.]

[Louis isn't quite sure what's happening. One moment, he's under assault, buried beneath a cadre of vampires. He's struggling to fight back and then one vampire after the other collapses. There's still a fighter at Louis's throat, nails sharper than any scalpel, but with the help, Louis has just enough room to roll with it, to send his own clawed fingers ripping through the vampire's neck instead of his own.

The last of them scrambles out the window as Louis presses a hand to his side and looks up at his savior.

Red-orange eyes, dark curly hair, maple skin. Even while bleeding, Louis can tell who it is. The former love of his life, the liar of liars, the manipulator who put Steins in his photo book, who claimed he saved Louis's life.

Perhaps that's why he's here: to laugh in Louis's face for the interview, for his brashness, for his stupidity in breaking another Great Law.]

Armand. [The name is hissed through a tight jaw as he climbs to his feet.]

[the vampire that flees bursts into flames before reaching the window. armand does not look back, dropping the head of the vampire he's holding to fall on the floor in a wet thump. blood splatter across his clothes and hands, against his chin, so different from his typical methods. louis always did bring out the mess in him.]

Louis. [for a blood stained cryptid he sounds a little too subdued, staring for a moment before taking a step forward. he offers a hand, cautious, as if expecting the injured vampire would bite. maybe not physically, but louis does hold far too much power over him still.] You have lost too much blood, let me-

[a beat.] I can help.

[Louis can smell his own blood as he leaks from too many places to hold. His side is the worst of it as his pant leg is also rapidly soaked red.]

'm fine.

[He's not fine, he's draining fast and he needs some kind of help or he'll likely be face down on the new rug.]

How the hell-- [Louis tries to turn away but there he goes, his body drops to the ground with a wet thump before he can stop it. He's awake, but barely.]

[armand debates several things quickly- does he risk overriding louis' authority for his own good, and if he does should he slip into his mind to try and ease the process? despite what he assumes daniel and louis think he does not make a habit of using the mind gift that way. after all, if he did this interview never needed to happen, or at the very least daniel could be easily controlled through it.

before he can further assess the situation louis falls and armand's eyes widen in genuine concern, at his side in a blink.] Oh Louis. [he murmurs, resisting the very real and aching urge to brush at louis' jaw, cup it like he once was allowed.

the first thing he does is bite his own wrist- his blood will not fix this but it will stabilize. he lets it drip over louis' mouth, ancient blood he is far too familiar with.]

[The rug beneath is soaked with Louis's blood and spreading quickly. He stares up at the ceiling, trying to figure out a way out of this when there Armand is. Louis stares up at him, mouth half open when the familiar taste of his former love's blood graces his tongue. For a moment, Louis is passively drinking, but as soon as he has strength, he reaches up to grab Armand's wrist and drink to his heart's content.

He can feel his side stitching closed, the other various gashes seal, and his strength returning. Sure, he may not be ready for a decathalon, but he can get to their safehouse and heal up there.

Louis will still drain as much as possible, as much as Armand will allow.]

[armand likely allows too much.

how could he not? he's always enjoyed feeding louis his blood. it's helped his companion (former companion) grow stronger, and in turn a piece of armand now lingers in that strength, in louis himself. one connection that can never sever, one part of armand he can never abandon. and has louis not grown beautiful in his new strength? even more so, and armand closes his eyes a moment, only pulling away when the sting of louis' disregard shudders through him in ugly reminder.

even still he lifts louis gently, the good nurse. if he's strong enough to stand on his own just a helping grip on his arms - if he is too weak a full bridal carry.] To the safe house then. There are others still in the city, I can sense them.

[Louis drinks and drinks and drinks before Armand pulls his arm away. He takes a moment to breathe, to realize he's survived the attack before he allows Armand to pull him to his feet. He's practically refilled, but his wounds are not entirely healed quite yet. The safe house is the best place to go while still more vampires flock to Dubai.]

Yeah, fine. [Louis is still drowsy, a little off, but even he knows it would be stupid to shirk Armand's help.] Safe house it is.

[so natural to fall back into this role, the good nurse. he slips it on like a second skin, a worn coat as he leads louis from the carnage around. the smell of louis' blood is still too thick in the air, from his wounds that even armand's ancient blood cannot wipe away quickly. that these creatures got so close is a failure on armand's part, even if the wounded, petty part of him hisses at louis and daniel's foolishness.

petulant, in being turned away and forced to slink back from the shadows. ah, but love is enduring. surely louis will see that eventually, when the wrath eases.

no others come out of the woodwork thankfully, their trip quiet until he can get louis through the door. a pretty little place, another coffin to take to ground, and when the door is closed behind him he ventures to turn louis to face him.]

Let me see the damage. [somewhere between a bowed head request and the order from the nurse. such a strange mix, his low simmering fear and irritation at louis' attack and fluttering pleasure in being able to slip his way back into louis' sphere far sooner than he assumed possible.]

[Louis follows Armand down the winding way to the safehouse, ears open for the sound of anyone else approaching. They get lucky, he decides, when they enter the bunker like structure without running into anyone or anything else. In the smaller space, the stench of his blood becomes all the more pungent.

He sits down on the nearest couch to catch his breath and watches Armand for a moment before lifting his shirt. His abdomen and chest are littered with finger-sized holes or deep gashes that only half healed. A few are still bleeding, rivulets of ruby trailing down his chest.]

[armand's instantly on his knees, examining the damage with the faintest furrow of his brow. irritation wells in him, petulant and tired, turned to the vampires that did this, to daniel for perpetuating this nonsense and publishing the book. to louis for goading them.

the idea of louis' death is intolerable to him, even if he imagines louis would scoff at such a thing now. even he cannot quite put to words what it was to sit in that box, watching the trial, waiting to see what happened next. out of his hands, better not to think what would have occurred if louis was lumped with claudia and his fledgling. if he would have watched it all burn, should lestat have somehow managed to sit idly by as well.

he shakes the thought from his mind, tearing his thumb to press the bleeding wound to one of the injuries.] Your body is overtaxed, the blood can only do so much now. You will need to rest, and to not goad the masses as you have been.

[Well if this position isn’t familiar. Louis’s frown deepens even as he keeps his shirt lifted. There would have been a time not long ago where he would have been thrilled to have Armand on his knees like this. And Armand opens another source of blood, but the healing factor is at its limit.

He tugs off the remains of his shirt and tosses it toward the sink. They have a small collection of clothes in the safe room in case of something like this.]

I wasn’t goading them. [He was, he absolutely was, but admitting his own failings to a vampire that burned his daughter (and almost him) to death is not something Louis is capable at the moment.

He is drained, though, despite drinking deeply from Armand. He’s exhausted and his body aches from his wounds. Rest is not the worst suggestion.]

Why are you here? [Louis asks, brows furrowed.]

So your display before informing them all how to get to you and welcoming the challenge has a different name.

[he glances up at that, unable to keep reproach from his tone despite how shaky they are with each other. his eyes lower again, attempting to coax each injury closed as much as he can manage but getting very little done. he pulls back, hands slick with a mix of their blood.]

You know why I am here. [he doesn't want to say it and risk louis' ire. to protect louis from himself, because despite daniel and louis' insistence it is necessary. if anything this proves it.]

[Armand's response stokes Louis's anger and he's tempted to throw him into another something, but there isn't the room for it. Instead, Louis sets his jaw and tries not to move as Armand sets to attempting to close the remaining wounds with little success.]

Leave it. [He eventually growls and gets up to his feet about the same time Armand leans back. They have a first aid kit, never used, for this exact reason. He pulls it down from a compartment over the sink and starts taping pieces of gauze over the holes and gashes.]

You thought you'd play good nurse and get back in my good graces?

[It's not a good idea to piss off Armand right now. He's stronger in every way while Louis is exhausted and wounded. Nevermind the fact that they'll be in the safe house until it's, well, safe for Louis to leave.]

I can bring you prey. Fresh blood. [which he believes will hasten the healing process more than the animals or the farm. still he simply stands back, watching louis closely. maybe now, with his memories back, armand's watchful stare this way makes far more sense. the heavy history of it, the perceived thread of losing louis to himself again.

he looks to his blood stained hand, flexing his fingers and watching the blood dribbled and dry. louis' comment leaves no mark on his expression, even if he bites back thinned lips and another pointed stare.]

You have never truly appreciated my efforts before, so it would be a foolish way to attempt to appease you, don't you agree?

You mean the efforts to control me? Why--

[Louis sucks in a breath as one of his wounds reminds him of its presence. It's true that Armand can really help him in this moment of need, but with everything he's learned since the interview started, he's stubborn in his desire to avoid him.

But even his stubbornness can recognize that he needs help right now. He won't survive if he kicks Armand out.]

Fine. [His breath comes in short bursts as he regards Armand with glassy eyes.]

(ooc: Continued from here!)

[Once more, Armand reminds him that someone is here, present, after everything. He circles the other arm about Armand's waist and slowly pulls him in closer.]

Maybe both. But I want to finish, even if it means I bleed all over his manuscript.

[He wants Armand under the sheets with him, sharing warmth and comfort over a common trauma. They were both in that theatre and Armand could only watch as Claudia burned and Louis was dragged away. It was Armand who tried to talk him into running away, while Louis was mad with vengeance, talking to the corpses in the dark.]

[ Again Armand hesitates, not wanting to come on too strongly with his attempted persuasions. It would be far too strange a thing to beg for, after all, and regardless, far too degrading, even for him.

Very little is likely to change Louis's mind, besides, short of thinking that it's his idea to end the interview... which is still achievable, Armand thinks. Louis will just need a gentle touch to help get him there, as he's far too stubborn for his own good sometimes. Too prideful to know when to quit, even when it's the best thing he could do.

Armand will circle back. For now, he looms close, delicately working open the buttons of Louis's silk pajama top one by one. ]

You should forget about him, for now. Let me help relax you.

[Louis looks up at Armand, at everything he offers here and now. Louis's hands travel up to Armand's hips, slide beneath the silk there and feel the warmth of the body underneath.]

You're getting pretty good at this.

[His hands travel higher, up the bumps of Aramand's spine.]

[ Armand sighs with longing, and it's not a bit performative, either— rarely, with Louis, does he ever need to be. To Armand, Louis's touch is the closest thing in living memory (so to speak) he's known to peace.

He lets his eyes close, gurgling a soft, hungry noise. ]

Louis, [ he murmurs, lips pressing again to Louis's neck, hands trembling eagerly over flesh. ] Louis.

[ A kiss to his collarbone, now. Then another, slightly lower. ]

It is you who is the good one, between us. You make me better. [ He looks up to meet Louis's gaze, eyes aglow like lanterns. ] You always have.

[As Armand kisses around his neck, Louis's hands are busy hiking Armand's sleep silk shirt up. He pulls it up to Armand's shoulders before his hands wander back down Armand's body to his pants.]

Are you sure about that? [Louis tugs Armand's pants so they sit lower and lower around his hips, so they pool about his slender figure like a drop of oil. And that is what Armand is, he is the oil in the lamp of Louis's spirit that keeps Louis moving, going, living, even when Louis is burning the wick lower and lower.

If he can, he will reach down between them for Armand's cock.]

[ Oh, can he ever— in fact, Armand will even help him find it, groping gently for Louis's wrist to guide their hands clumsily to the slowly stiffening muscle that can no longer hide itself within the silken folds of his clothing. The maneuver requires only a slight position adjustment, Armand now shifted upon hands and knees as he looms over Louis rather than straddling his lover's lap as he'd been moments before. ]

Maybe not, [ His voice is softer now, low and husky like a growl or a purr, and he smiles. ] but I'll be whatever you say I am.

[ His free hand strokes greedily over Louis's newly exposed chest, sharp nails skimming against his flesh like a cat fixing to knead. Leaning closer, Armand teases Louis's nipple slowly beneath his thumb. ]

Maybe for today you can be the angel I’ve corrupted.

[Louis used his free hand to dig around in the side drawer for lube. Just as he has his hand on the bottle, Armand applies his thumb to Louis’s nipple. His gasps soft and takes a quiet moment to absorb it before he lubes up his fingers. He tugs Armand’s pants down and applies his lubed hand to Armand’s cock. Stroking in slow motions, he watches Armand’s face for a reaction.]

[ There are many, many ways Armand could respond to Louis's proposal, but rather than put voice to any, he only smiles now with teeth, tilting his chin upward in an expression that somehow manages to be both beatific and cunning— or perhaps, more simply, it could just be described as coy.

His eyelashes flutter in their practiced coquetry, an impishness coming alive within his hellfire gaze.

He rocks his hips slowly into and against Louis's stroking hand, forward and back at an unhurried pace. ]

And just what sort of devil does that make you?

Edited 2025-01-13 06:03 (UTC)

[Armand is so beautiful like this. Leaning over him, his cock in Louis's complete control. Armand's hips rock in his grip and Louis starts to sit up more in bed, applying more pressure as he does. His pupils widen as his lust surges through him.]

The black devil, the corruptor, the lustful.

[Louis wants more and so he finally pushes back the covers enough to climb up and kneel behind Armand. As Louis grinds behind Armand, his interest can be felt through his silk pajamas.]

[ If having Louis behind him wasn't always in itself so unbearably wonderful, Armand would almost have to mourn the fact they're no longer facing each other— that he can't watch Louis's eyes as they glitter darkly with his building lust.

Breathing in and out, he grinds his hips back against Louis's body and then rocks them forward again in rhythmic motion, seeking the touch from both sides. An angel with black wings, indulgent and unashamed. ]

Louis—

[ Armand turns his head to meet Louis's gaze, if only briefly; his own eyes are glassy and lustful with adoration, and something like regret, as if he knows tomorrow this intimacy will be put back on the shelf in favor of the interview. ]

We could stay like this, you know, [ he says gently, allowing a soft gasp as Louis's cock, beneath the silk, becomes more and more apparent against him. ] Just the two of us within an Eden of our own making.

[Louis kisses up the side of Armand's neck as they rock together until Armand turns to face him. He hates the touch of regret beneath the sparks of lust in Armand's gaze.]

We already are.

[It's not as if Louis plans to leave any time soon. Or perhaps Armand is referring to the proverbial snake in their garden of Eden.]

Unless you mean Daniel.

[ Armand lets them rock together like that, slowly at first, then much less so— longing, though not impatient. ]

I do mean Daniel, [ he says, letting his head loll forward again, heavy on his neck. ] Though I know it isn't what you want to hear.

[Louis sighs and his rocking slows to a stop. He thought they'd been done talking about the interview.]

It's not like he's sticking around after everything. We'll go right back here. Back to our garden. With no Daniel.

I shouldn't have brought it up, [ Armand says quickly, as if in anticipation of rebuke. ] It's your interview, of course. Your decision.

[ Sitting up slightly, Armand turns again, enough that he can cup Louis's face in one hand and kiss him softly. ]

But I'm not sure if he can understand how much all his digging and his pushing has been hurting you. If he even cares. [ More softly, after a calculated hesitation: ] I'm not sure that you understand it, either.

[Louis leans into Armand's kiss, reaching around and placing a hand at the small of Armand's back.]

It's needed. [Louis chases another kiss from Armand's lips.] He's a journalist, it's what he does.

And afterward, what then? [ Armand kisses him back, a desperation now evident in his gaze, his touch. ] Will the wounds not be so freshly bled that you might end up feeling tempted to gouge them back open again and again? Never to heal. If not worse.

[ He lets the implication hang. ]

I can't lose you again, Louis.

[Louis never wants Armand to feel desperate, exposed, needy. He leans over Armand, his hands bracketing Armand's waist.

Louis acutely remembers the last time he wounded himself when he walked out into the sun. How long it took to heal, how he nearly lost Armand and himself to death.]

I never want to put you in that position again. [Louis sucks in a breath and nods.] Let me think about it. Maybe keep Daniel away a few days.

[ Armand's expression softens with relief, his body slowly seeming to release most of the tension it's been collecting. ]

A few days would do us all a great deal of good, I think.

[ He nods, leaning close — nearly forehead to forehead, or as close as he's able to reach from this angle — to nudge Louis's nose against his own. ]

Maybe Mr. Molloy will finally learn that having a poor bedside manner does actually carry some consequences in his profession.

[Louis leans in to kiss Armand, tugging at the collar of his silk shirt.]

He wasn't always like this. [The boy Louis had met had been eager, excited, not bitter and tired and abrasive.]

We'll take a few days. Just you and me and any food we need. How 'bout that?

It's not an uncommon affliction— the perils of old age can make cynics out of even the most bright and promising young dreamers. But if only they could understand that taking out that resentment upon the rest of the world once they've finished with growing up still won't make them any more interesting.

[ His teeth graze Louis's lower lip as his own mouth forms a smile against him. ]

It sounds divine. Like a second honeymoon.

Vampires don't get like that. Well, most of us don't. Why's that?

[At least Louis's cynicism was born from experiencing Lestat and the warfront not long after. He presses his mouth more firmly to Armand's,] Just like that.

To a vampire, the mortal lifespan is little more than a prolonged adolescence. We age a great deal more slowly, one could say, [ he taps a finger to his temple to indicate he means mentally, not physically. ] Yet we mature much faster.

[ Well, perhaps that part might be considered arguable, to some... though not to Armand, who is obviously chock full of ancient wisdom.

He holds Louis closer, affectionately nipping at his lips as he pants into the kiss, pulling them both back down toward the mattress. ]

Guess that makes sense. There's definitely a growing curve.

[Louis witnessed it with Lestat, but especially with Claudia. For now though, Louis tries to tuck Claudia neatly out of his mind so he can focus on how Armand pulls him down against the mattress. Having several days of quiet would do both of them good.

And Armand is so good to him. Louis reaches to hold Armand's jaw in place while he smothers Armand with a heavy kiss.]

OPEN RP POST

for @malicieux

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for @namozi

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for @haram

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