Archive of Our Own ^beta

December 31, 1988 

The sea was dark. Daniel liked to watch the white caps on the waves but tonight it was little more than foam rolling up on the sand. The ocean was calm, unlike the turmoil in his chest. 

He sat on one of the balconies in the gleaming white villa, the one that jutted off the upstairs sitting room adjacent to his mortal bedroom. He’d spent countless hours out here nursing a beer and smoking cigarettes, waiting for the sun to set. And now he hadn’t seen the sun in over three years. 

The Villa was quiet. Only Armand remained. The others had all left gradually, drifting away one by one until finally it was just the two of them again. Daniel and Armand on their massive island. Alone, together. Sometimes more one than the other.

This week it was alone. They had spent Christmas in front of the fireplace together after each of them had gone hunting on the mainland separately. They’d exchanged gifts and that, at least, had warmed the room. The fact that they could still get thoughtful presents for each other was something. Daniel had clung to that, and clung to Armand that night before he’d passed out in the coffin they usually shared, desperate to hold onto that love and warmth. 

But it was gone when he’d awoken alone and found the house empty. And now Armand was a ghost again, disappearing out onto the waves in his sleek black speedboat, or remaining in his office in the Villa like he had too much work and couldn’t possibly spare a second. 

Tonight was New Year’s Eve, on the precipice of 1989, and they had no plans. Normally, Armand would be throwing a large party for those left in the Villa, but Daniel apparently didn’t count and anyway, he seemed reluctant to invite any of the others back. 

Only Marius had made any noise at all about returning and Daniel hoped he would, if only to break up the miserable tension that seemed to hang throughout the house like a dark, damp fog. Daniel had traveled with Marius a few times and that had been good, not least because Armand always followed him around like a needy cat when he got home, eager to keep him in his sights. He thought about ringing up Marius again, but Daniel worried if he left now, he’d come back to an abandoned house.

He tapped his fingers on the glass table next to his chair. He missed being able to get drunk like a mortal. At least if he could get wasted, he could enjoy the fireworks at midnight and then go pass out. 

No, fuck this, he thought. He wasn’t going to spend New Year’s Eve alone and brooding, while Armand did the same elsewhere inside. 

Daniel stood. He went to his mortal bedroom and put on a suit. Charcoal gray with a lighter gray shirt and purple tie that would bring out his eyes. He combed his short ashen blond hair, though it usually fell automatically into place now that he was a vampire, and checked his face out of habit. No stubble, of course. He’d been freshly shaved before he was turned. He studied his pale skin, his violet eyes that shone with preternatural light. How many nights had he looked into this same mirror, searching his face for new creases and lines, his head for gray hairs, for more signs that old age and death were closing in? 

Now he had what he’d wanted: the body and visage of a young man, dead at thirty-two, frozen forever with the Blood. And he sure as shit wasn’t going to sit around all night and waste it.

Armand was in his office. The door was closed. Daniel paced back and forth a few times, debating whether to knock or just open it. Armand had to have heard him so he opted for the latter and yanked the door open. 

Armand looked up from his computer with mild curiosity. He said nothing. He’d cut his auburn hair short, which he did often these days, and he wore a gray hooded sweatshirt that was too big for him. One of Daniel’s. That was surprising, but maybe he’d merely grabbed something at random. Rings decorated nearly every one of his pale fingers, even his thumbs. 

“It’s New Year’s Eve,” Daniel said. 

Armand blinked. He still said nothing. Just stared at him with those big, amber eyes of his.

“Come on, we’re going out.” 

“No,” Armand said, firmly. “Please close the door.” 

Daniel folded his arms across his chest. “No.” 

Armand’s eyebrows rose and his face screwed up for a second in confusion before flattening out to his usual blankness. 

“What the hell are you doing here in any way?” Daniel demanded.

Armand did not answer but his lips curved downward into the beginnings of a frown. 

Daniel sighed and tugged at his hair. He considered slamming the door and going to the mainland alone. That was clearly what Armand wanted.

Or what Armand was pretending to want. Who the hell knew what he really wanted. Sometimes Daniel wondered which was the act and which was true: did he want Daniel to leave? Or did he try to push him away as some kind of demented test to see what he’d do? 

Daniel growled in frustration. “We’re not going to sit here and haunt our own goddamn house. Go put on a suit and meet me on the dock. You have twenty minutes.” 

Daniel did slam the door then, which maybe wasn’t the best way to implore Armand for his company, but he was fed up. He grabbed the keys to the black speedboat and headed down to the dock, where he lit a cigarette and waited. 

Ten minutes passed. Daniel finished one cigarette, then another, his nerves fraying with every tick of his watch. And then twenty minutes were up. He stared at the front door of the house, willing it to open. What would he do if Armand didn’t come out? Go in and grab him by the hair and try to drag him? He had immortal strength now but Armand was still older and stronger.

The door finally opened and relief washed over him as Armand emerged. He wore a dark navy suit, expertly tailored, and a large gold watch on his pale wrist, fingers still adorned with rings. He looked like a young business man as he came down the stairs and out onto the dock. His expression remained hard but he was here. It was a start.

“Where to?” Armand asked, holding out his hand for the boat keys. 

Daniel shrugged. He didn’t have a destination in mind but parties on the mainland abounded. They could find one. Dance together, hunt together. Anything but staying here in misery and silence like two roommates who loathed each other.

“We’ve never had trouble finding a party,” Daniel said. Armand in particular seemed to garner invitations just walking down the sidewalk. He handed Armand the keys, untied the boat, and got in. Armand climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine, smiling slightly when it roared to life. 

Miami was crowded with drunks and revelers, as it was on any holiday. People spilled out of the waterfront bars and took up almost every inch of space on the beaches, sitting on beach towels and huddled under blankets as they drank beer and waited to ring in the new year with the annual fireworks display over the water. 

 Armand and Daniel moved through the crowd wordlessly, Daniel stopping briefly to dance with a young man on the sidewalk before running to catch up with Armand, who had not stopped to wait. 

Armand moved quickly as if he had a destination in mind, but a few blocks later he stopped suddenly and looked to Daniel, obviously unsure where to go. 

“That dance club over by the Flamingo always has a good vibe,” Daniel suggested. 

Armand made a noise of acknowledgement but didn’t look thrilled about the idea. Daniel swallowed. 

“I’ve been practicing the little drink,” he said. “Clubs are good places for that.” 

Armand perked up slightly. He always loved to watch Daniel hunt. With how damn cold he could be these days, Daniel often wondered if Armand regretted turning him, but when he watched Daniel sink his fangs into someone’s throat, he could always see the love and pride in Armand’s face. 

He needed that suddenly. Maybe it was the only thing he’d wanted from this entire excursion in the first place and he just hadn’t let himself admit it. 

“Actually, I know where these drug runners hang out,” Daniel said. “If you’re hungry.” 

Armand did not need to feed every night, unlike Daniel, but Armand’s skin was ghostly pale, almost translucent, because it had been so long since he’d done so. He’d been denying himself. On purpose? Waiting for Daniel to drag him out? Or just because he hadn’t bothered? 

Daniel had no idea. He hated how closed off Armand had become, how little they talked anymore.

“Lead the way,” Armand said softly. No expression, no tone in his voice. But Daniel was relieved. Anything that wasn’t a fight was a win. 

Daniel took his hand, cold against Daniel’s equally cold skin, and led him to a seedy neighborhood with a dilapidated, condemned apartment building he knew to be full of thieves, crooks, and killers. They stood on the sidewalk and Daniel listened to the cacophony of sounds inside: a radio broadcast, a dozen or so heartbeats, glass clinking, chairs shifting against the wood floor, and a flood of thoughts. Some mundane, some more sinister. Daniel tried to pinpoint one person but struggled to separate an individual from the mess.

Armand put a hand on his shoulder. Daniel jumped, startled. Armand gave him a light nod. And then he closed his eyes. Daniel waited, his own heart pounding in anticipation. A moment later, a guy came out. He was grimy and sweaty, and probably high, and his eyes bulging out of his skull. He looked at Daniel and Armand standing there and swore, demanding to know who they were. 

“Angels of death,” Armand said. There was no cruelty in it but Daniel got the impression this guy wasn’t one of Armand’s usual victims who longed to die. No, this guy was just evil. A killer, like them. 

Now that he was close, Daniel could get into his thoughts and knew he’d killed several people in cold blood, family members of drug dealers who hadn’t deserved to die at his hands. The man was wishing he’d brought his gun so he could kill them . He couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t. Daniel was sure it had something to do with whatever silent call Armand had sent to draw him out. 

“Why don’t we go for a walk?” Armand said.

The man’s eyes were wide and his mouth formed an “o” as if he was trying to say no but his feet betrayed him and he walked toward them and then down the sidewalk and past several abandoned buildings into a dark alley. 

“What the fuck?” the man exclaimed, whirling around and trying to stomp past them, but they were unmoving, like statues, and the man’s eyes went all buggy again.

Armand gave Daniel a meaningful look that said, You go first. 

Daniel stepped toward the man, who instinctively took several steps backward. His heart slammed against his ribs and his blood sang through his veins.

Daniel was on him quickly, turning to angle him so Armand had a good view. He dug his fingers into the man’s arms to steady him and sank his fangs into his throat. His blood gushed into Daniel’s mouth, hot and metallic, coating his tongue. He made eye contact with Armand while he drank and Armand’s face… it was the most expressive he’d seen him all week. His eyes lit up and his lips parted. He looked like wanted to jump in and join. 

Daniel smiled around the gash, blood searing into his veins and rushing through him like fire. The man’s heart strained against Daniel’s as it pulled the blood from him. Daniel closed his eyes and lost himself in the ecstasy of it, in the pounding of their hearts. When he opened his eyes again, Armand had taken a single step closer. 

Daniel tore himself from the wound, panting and buzzing with the blood. He tossed the man, who was now limp, to Armand, who caught him and sank his own fangs into the man’s throat. He drank deeply as he hugged the man against him. Daniel could hear their hearts beating together, drumming against each other as the man’s slowly weakened and finally stopped. Armand dropped the corpse on the ground and flew at Daniel, nearly knocking him over. 

Armand’s lips found his and he kissed him so passionately that it sent jolts of heat through him. His tongue was hot as it probed Daniel’s mouth, and he tasted of iron and salt. Daniel kissed him back furiously, desperate for this connection, this intimacy. But a moment later, Armand pulled away, stepping back. He looked down sadly at the body. 

Daniel cursed himself for not sticking to the plan to try little drinks, because now there was the dead man to deal with. Armand took off his jacket, handed it to Daniel, rolled up his sleeves, and lifted the corpse easily. They made quick work of it and then ducked into a bar bathroom to wash their hands and straighten their clothes. 

Daniel went for a kiss but Armand turned his face and Daniel got his cheek. So much for that. 

“Now what?” Daniel asked, leaning against the sink. 

“You said you wanted to find a party, yes?” Armand asked. 

Daniel nodded. Anywhere they could have some goddamn fun and reignite the passion he’d seen in the alley. 

“Follow me,” Armand said. 

Daniel did, just as he always had and always would. 

The party Armand found was being held in a larger corner penthouse flat down by the water with spectacular views of the ocean. A DJ booth had been strategically placed and the living room had been converted to a dance floor. Music thumped against the walls and shook the windows. People wore glow sticks and neon. Armand always found the best parties.

Daniel ordered two bottles of beer at the bar and tossed a twenty into the tip jar. He found Armand surrounded by a small group of people, all of them engaged in an animated conversation.

It reminded Daniel of a thousand parties they’d attended before. All Armand had to do was walk into a place and he could captivate an audience without even trying. People were drawn to him, to his beauty and youth, to the way his accent rounded the corners of his words, to the intelligence in his eyes. And with the blood he’d just drunk, he looked human enough, his otherworldly qualities simply adding a layer of allure. 

He approached them, edging in between Armand and a guy who’d gotten unreasonably close to his maker. The man scowled until Daniel handed Armand a beer and slung his arm around his waist possessively. 

Armand looked at him questioningly, as if he couldn’t possibly understand what he was doing. Nevermind that Armand did the same thing to him all the time. God forbid someone paid attention to Daniel. Armand would be right there, arm around him, marking his territory.

“This is my partner,” Armand told the others. Given their suits, that could mean a lot of things and most of them would assume it was a business or friendship thing, even with his arm around him, except for the dude Daniel had forced back. He knew the drill and his expression made that clear. Well, he thought he knew. He’d never guess the real depth of their relationship, that Armand had made Daniel into a vampire. That blood bound them for eternity. 

Or that had been the idea. Lately, Daniel wasn’t so sure. 

He brought the bottle to his lips and nearly drank out of sheer habit, coughing as a drop of beer hit his tongue. Armand shot him an irritated look and Daniel felt heat rise in his cheeks. He said something about needing water and walked away, setting the beer on an end table. He looked back and Armand was still absorbed in conversation, not giving a single shit about him.

So much for reconnecting. One kiss in a dirty alley and now Armand was icy again. Frost bloomed in Daniel’s middle. He went outside for some air. 

The balcony, despite its ocean view, was mostly empty. It was cold by Miami standards and most of the party guests clearly preferred to stay inside. He lit a cigarette  and took a deep drag, clinging to the railing with one hand. In the distance, he could see the glittering lights of Night Island. 

Footsteps approached and he turned, hopeful. But it was just some woman. She smiled coquettishly and said he looked lonely. She asked for a cigarette. She had big, soft looking lips and a strapless dress that accentuated her throat. He could see the artery pulsing in her neck, hear the blood rushing in her veins. He licked his lips and handed her a cigarette, lighting it by pressing the tip of his own against hers and letting her inhale. 

She gave him a sensuous look and asked his name. They flirted easily. She liked his suit, he liked her dress. They exchanged the usual small talk. When they finished smoking, he took her hand and led her back inside into a dark corner.

Her mouth tasted like ash, cranberry juice, and vodka. She was a soft kisser but Daniel quickly moved to her neck. He sucked on her flesh, which smelled of perfume and soap. She moaned as she steadied herself against the wall. She worked on unknotting his tie, her thoughts full of all the other things they could do and Daniel smiled against her skin. His dick wouldn’t cooperate with the things she wanted, but he could give her one hell of a hickey. He pierced her throat and she made a little gasp of surprise. Her blood was heady and sweet with an acrid edge of alcohol.  

He forced himself to stop after a few mouthfuls, careful to put a tiny drop of his own blood to seal the wound so the bruise looked only like a hickey, not a bite. 

She beamed at him. “I know it’s not midnight yet but do you want to get out of here?” 

He smiled sadly. “I can’t. I’m here with someone.” 

He watched her face change as she contemplated what that meant. 

“I should go find him,” Daniel added. She relaxed, her thoughts awash in relief that his companion was some guy and not a girlfriend. He had to suppress a laugh at her misunderstanding. She gave him her number and rejoined the crowd.

Armand was still with the same group and the moment Daniel appeared, he gave him another annoyed look. Daniel ignored him and joined the conversation, which was about a new art installation that was opening the following Friday at a gallery he and Armand had been to many times. Armand caught Daniel’s wrist surreptitiously as he spoke, pressing his fingers against his pulse. 

Daniel smiled at him in a flirtatious manner, trying to convey that he’d had a nice little drink from a sweet drunk lady and he wanted Armand to take him somewhere private. But Armand’s fingernails dug into his skin, and not in a flirty way. 

Armand excused them from the group and pulled Daniel into a dark corner. Daniel’s pulse raced and his hope rose. 

Armand said nothing, did nothing. Just stared at him and kept his death grip on his wrist, ignoring the blood seeping into his fingernails where he’d broken Daniel’s skin. 

“That art exhibit sounds fun,” he said. “We should go.” 

“Mm.” 

Daniel glared at him. “What, are you mad or something?” 

“You snuck off to make out with a mortal,” Armand said, his voice so flat and cold that ice ran down Daniel’s spine. 

“I had a quick drink. So what? Don’t tell me you’re jealous. You had that guy practically pawing at you, you could have—“ 

“If you’re not going to behave, we will leave.” 

Daniel blinked. Stared at him. His expression was unyieldingly stoney. There was no levity in his eyes signaling this was some kind of game. 

“Behave? Jesus fucking christ, Armand, I’m not a child. I’m trying to have fun! Remember when we used to do that?” He pulled his arm out of Armand’s grasp, his fingernails scraping his skin. Blood dripped from the wound and he licked it automatically, watching the little cuts heal. 

Armand just stared, blank and motionless like a statue. 

That was it. Daniel was done. He wasn’t going to stand there and endure idle small talk while Armand seethed and Daniel had no idea why he was pissed. If Armand was going to be an asshole no matter what he did, then there was no point to being here. He could be miserable and lonely back at home. His hand darted forward and he snatched the boat keys from Armand’s pocket. Armand didn’t even react. Well, fuck him. 

He left the party and headed for the dock. Armand didn’t follow so Daniel took the boat. Let him fly home or steal another one. Or hell, let him stay the hell away from his island. 

By the time Daniel reached Night Island, the fireworks were exploding overhead, signaling that it was midnight. Another year over. He’d only been a vampire for a little more than three and already everything was crumbling beneath him. 

Daniel sat in the big parlor downstairs, where the Christmas tree still stood, alight with decorations. It should have been cheery but Daniel was tempted to unplug it out of spite. He watched the television as they announced it was now midnight in Chicago. The world kept turning. Time marched on.

Daniel again wished he could get very drunk and stared longingly at his liquor cart in the corner, still fully stocked, the bottles unmoved for years. 

The front door opened and shut. Daniel tensed. He listened, waiting to hear if Armand would vanish downstairs for the night or what. Instead, Armand came into the parlor. He looked surprised to see Daniel there. Shocked, even. 

“Of course I’m here,” he said, answering his unspoken question. “Where the hell else would I go?” 

“Anywhere you wish.” Armand put his hands in his pants pockets. “The world is your oyster.” 

There was a long, tense silence and Daniel could feel the air thicken around him. No one spoke. 

“That’s a weird turn of phrase, isn’t it? What does that even mean?” Daniel finally asked. 

“It comes from Shakespeare, of course,” Armand said. “It means your options are open if you’re willing to put forth effort and possibly violence to get at the pearls.” 

Daniel frowned. “What a lovely sentiment.” 

Armand shrugged. 

“What the hell was that about back there?”

“You were being reckless,” Armand said.

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Like hell I was! I told you I’d been practicing the little drink! I know what I’m doing. She was none the wiser and neither was anyone else.” 

“It was risky.” 

“It was fine! You’d have no problem if it were Lestat doing it, or Marius.”

Armand glared, his pale face hardening back into stone. “Neither of them is my fledgling.” 

“You’re being unreasonable.” 

“You’re being careless,” Armand snapped back. 

Daniel huffed and ran his hand through his hair, tugging at the strands in frustration. Every fiber of his being wanted to walk out the front door and head for the airport. But he remained rooted to the spot, marinating in the tension that surrounded them like fog. 

After a few minutes, he turned back to Armand. His gaze was focused on the television screen. 

Daniel turned off the television. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked. 

Armand jolted. It was a tiny motion, involuntary, but Daniel caught it. “Why would you ask such a thing?” 

Daniel sighed heavily. “Because you’re miserable. You sit alone and brood at home, and when we go out, you get pissed at me no matter what I do. I can’t fucking win, Armand, and I’m tired of playing whatever sick game this is. So if you want me to go, I’ll go.” 

The silence was heavy and hard. No answer was as good an answer as any. Daniel mentally started packing. Maybe Marius wanted a travel buddy again. 

“Do you want to go?” Armand asked, voice so quiet he could barely hear it. 

“I want to be with you. But not like this!” Daniel stood, his voice loud. “I can’t take this anymore. It’s like living with a goddamn ghost. We used to do things! Go places! Explore! Try new things! I wanted that for eternity!” 

Armand dropped his hands to his sides, pressing his lips together in a tight line. He cast about the room as if looking for something or someone. 

Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose, where his glasses used to sit. “Ever since the others left, you act like you’ve been abandoned, but I’m still here, Armand.” 

Armand finally met his eyes. And Daniel could see they were wet and glistening with tears. Daniel’s heart squeezed. He hated seeing Armand cry. 

“Are you?” Armand asked.

“No, I’m a fucking apparition,” Daniel growled. “Good god, what do you want from me?” 

Armand shook his head. The tears started to fall, blood streaks smearing his cheeks. He turned away. Daniel moved toward him automatically, reaching for him before stopping short. Armand looked up at him, face full of anguish. Daniel put his arms around him and kissed his cheeks, kissing away the blood-stained tears. 

Armand pulled away, out of his grasp, wiping away the rest of his tears with his fingers. “I don’t want you to stay out of obligation.”  

“Obligation?” Daniel’s voice rose several octaves. “Armand, what the hell are you saying? Don’t you remember how badly I wanted this?” 

“And now you have it,” Armand said stiffly. “You are not bound to me.” 

“Bullshit. I’m more bound to you than ever. It’s your blood in my veins, your blood that gave me immortality.” He closed the distance between them again and put his hands on Armand’s arms, holding him fast. “I like that we’re connected for eternity this way, don’t you get it?” 

Armand sniffled, his gaze focused on the floor. 

Daniel sighed. “Look, it’s New Year’s Day. It’s a day of new beginnings. So why don’t we make some resolutions?” 

Armand finally met his eyes. He looked distraught, lost. Daniel wanted to squeeze him until he stopped being such a fool. “Resolutions?” he asked, as if he hadn’t spent several New Years Eves in the past demanding Daniel explain the concept. 

“Yeah, you know, promises to yourself about things you’ll do differently in the year to come.” Daniel dropped his hands from Armand’s shoulders and took his hands in his. 

Armand did not speak but he squeezed his hands. It was a small gesture but Daniel would take what he could get. 

“I think we should resolve to travel more instead of living in this house like corpses in a mausoleum,” Daniel said. “We can go around the world and meet up with some of the others when we cross their paths. What do you say?” 

He held fast to Armand, holding his breath as he waited. Armand remained silent for several minutes but Daniel could see him thinking, could see the light in his eyes. 

“You want to travel?” 

“I want us to travel,” Daniel corrected. 

Silence. Armand’s face remained blank. 

“We’re in a rut here,” Daniel added. “We need to get out of it.” 

Armand nodded slowly. “Yes, all right. Let’s travel.” 

Daniel’s shoulders relaxed with relief. He kissed Armand’s lips, just a quick peck. And Armand finally smiled, too. Only faintly but god, what a glorious sight! Relief washed over him. 

Maybe this would actually fix things. Being in new places, moving around erratically like they used to. They could talk for hours about everything and nothing, just like before.  They would pick destinations on a whim and stay for as long as they wanted until a new place called to them or an invitation from one of the Coven arrived. 

“Good. Let’s go pack.”

“Now?” Armand sounded incredulous. 

“Yes, now.” Daniel headed for the door to the cellar and typed in the code on the keypad. “We’ll pack our bags and then tomorrow after sunset, we’ll pick a place and go.” 

“You want to leave immediately?” Armand asked, trailing behind at a distance.

“Why, you have plans?”

“No,” Armand said. “But we haven’t taken down the Christmas decorations yet.” 

Daniel laughed in surprise and it echoed up through the entryway’s tall ceilings. “So we’ll ask the house cleaners to do it.” 

“They are not allowed to enter the cellar. They cannot put things away.”  

Daniel gave Armand a wry look and pulled open the cellar door. “They can box stuff up and we’ll make a trip back in a few weeks and put it away ourselves. Who cares? No one will be here!” 

Armand did not look satisfied with that plan but Daniel was riding the momentum, refusing to slow down. He couldn’t endure another miserable night here stagnating in cold silence. They had to change things up and find their passion again, not only for each other, but for the world at large. 

He pulled out his suitcase and began choosing clothes: t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, one suit. They could buy more clothes as they needed. He just needed a starting place. Armand watched him, unmoving. Once he was packed, he pulled out Armand’s suitcase and did the same, filling it with enough clothes to last a week. Armand came over and took things out, replacing them with his own selections. 

Once Armand was done, Daniel put their suitcases next to the door of their room and took off his suit jacket. He undid his tie and tossed it on top of the dresser while Armand watched soundlessly. 

He started to unbutton his shirt, keenly aware of Armand’s eyes on him. He undid each one with deliberately slow motions until the shirt hung open, exposing his pale chest. Armand moved toward him as if pulled by an invisible force. He put his hand on Daniel’s chest, petting his soft chest hair, hand still a little warm from tonight’s earlier kill. 

Daniel sucked in a breath as his hand moved downward, over his abdomen. His stomach fluttered under his soft caress and Daniel barely dared to breathe lest he scare him off. Armand slid his hand into Daniel’s pants and cupped his cock through his underwear. Daniel closed his eyes as Armand massaged him there, stroking him like he was a mortal who could still get hard. He missed the urgency of his mortal need but the sensation was still powerful, his nerve endings burning under each stroke. His breath turned shallow.

He opened his eyes. Armand was staring at his throat. His pulse jumped.

Armand leaned close and nipped at his neck. He let go of his cock and his hands skimmed Daniel’s sides reverently, as if Daniel were some precious thing. Only Armand had ever touched him like that and it always sent tingles down his spine. 

“I can smell her on you,” Armand said. Daniel froze, unsure if his toneless words were meant to be sexy or admonishing. It’d been such a goddamn roller coaster tonight. But Armand pressed his face to the crook of Daniel’s neck and inhaled, nuzzling against him.

Daniel relaxed, putting his arms around Armand to hold him close. 

“I drank her for you, you know,” Daniel said. 

Armand licked his neck, tongue leaving wet trails on his skin. He waited in anticipation of those fangs piercing his flesh but Armand continued to tease. He sucked on his skin forcefully, pulling at it with the vacuum of his mouth. Daniel moaned and leaned against Armand, who kept at it until Daniel was sure there was a dark bruise. 

His lips found Daniel’s and they kissed, hot and intense. Armand’s tongue swirled around his as it probbed toward his throat. Daniel matched his ferocity, fingers digging into the back of his neck as he pulled him closer, kissing him harder. He wanted nothing but to be this close and connected, mouths moving together, hands roving over each other’s bodies. Armand’s hand glided beneath his shirt, easing it from his shoulders. Daniel helped him out of his suit jacket, tossing it aside, all the while kissing as if they couldn’t bear to have their mouths apart for more than a breath.  

Daniel pulled at the buttons on Armand’s shirt, trying to undo them while they moved wildly around. One of them popped off the shirt and he froze. Armand stopped kissing him and looked down, then back up. Daniel’s heart slammed against his ribs. 

“I’ll have to punish you for that,” Armand said, but his voice was low and guttural, and it set Daniel’s hair on end. 

“Yes, boss,” he said. 

Armand grabbed him by the hair and swung him over the sofa that sat against the wall. Daniel landed hard against it and laughed. He kept telling Armand they needed a bed down here, but only had the sofa and the coffins. He pushed Daniel against the soft velvet cushions and climbed on top of him, straddling him. 

“Now, finish the job,” Armand said. 

Daniel reached for his shirt to undo the rest of the buttons but Armand grabbed his wrists.

“With your mouth,” Armand said.

Heat bloomed through Daniel. He nodded. Armand dropped his hands and leaned back. Daniel bent down, putting his mouth against the first button. He worked it with his tongue, sliding it through the buttonhole of the silken shirt fabric, leaving a big wet spot. But the button came free. Armand pet his head lovingly as he worked the rest with his mouth until finally the shirt was open. 

Armand lifted Daniel’s chin with a finger and kissed him again, so forcefully that Daniel thought he might drown in it. He wanted to drown in it. 

This was what he’d wanted. This passion! The spark of lust in Armand’s eyes. Clawing at each other with unbridled desire. 

He pulled Armand’s shirt off his shoulders and kissed his collarbone. His tongue traveled down, licking his pale skin and soft auburn hair that dusted his chest. His tongue circled Armand’s nipple and he pulled it into his mouth, sucking on it and teasing it with his teeth. Armand stroked his back, one hand threaded into Daniel’s hair, holding him against him. 

When Daniel pulled back, Armand looked at him with so much love and affection that Daniel wanted to weep with relief. It wasn’t gone, it wasn’t lost forever, and if they could go out into the world together, maybe they could rekindle the fire from these embers. He stared into Armand’s amber eyes and willed Armand to see the love in his face. 

“I need you,” Daniel blurted. 

Armand kissed him again in response, his tongue plunging into the depths of Daniel’s mouth, demonstrating his own need. His own desire. God, this was everything! Where had this desire been? How did Daniel make sure it didn’t vanish again like fog? 

Armand pulled back and stared at him. He couldn’t hear his thoughts anymore but sometimes it still felt like he could, especially when he looked at him with that pained expression. He must have sensed Daniel’s hesitation, his fear. He titled his head, short auburn hair shifting to the side as he studied Daniel’s face. 

He stroked Daniel’s cheek with the backs of his fingers, the metal of his rings cool against his face. It was a small gesture but so full of love and admiration that Daniel’s shoulders relaxed and the rest of the tension eased out of him. Armand kissed his cheek, lips still warm, and then traveled down to Daniel’s throat. 

The sharp pain of his fangs was electrifying and the current buzzed through his veins as his blood raced into Armand’s mouth. He held fast to his maker, his heart pounding against him. The connection of the blood burst to life. He showed Armand a memory of them laughing together after breaking into a museum and scaring the security guard. And another of them laughing in an aquarium after the octopus, who’d escaped his tank, had walked right across their path as if it were perfectly normal. Happy memories of them exploring the world and enjoying each other’s company. 

  He came back to the room, his heart beating heavily against Armand’s as it greedily pulled the blood from his veins. He listened to the thrum of the blood in his ears, in their veins, and clung to Armand like a man who might drown. 

Armand wrenched himself from Daniel’s neck and kissed him, his mouth coated in blood. It tasted metallic and hot and Daniel’s tongue swept the inside of his mouth, every drop of blood sending little jolts through him. 

Armand eased him back, hands on his chest, and then lifted his wrist to his mouth. He tore it open with his fangs, as he’d done for Daniel back when Daniel had been mortal and his teeth could not break his skin. Daniel moved from the sofa, kneeling on the floor in front of Armand. His tongue touched the wound and electricity exploded behind his eyes. It shot through his veins. His mouth covered the gash as he drank desperately from the wound. He grabbed Armand’s arm and held it fast, fingers digging into his skin. 

The blood was viscous, salty and coppery. It burned through his veins, setting his nerves on fire. And then the room melted away. He saw a coffin in an old mansion. Armand approached it and opened the lid, staring down reverently inside it. In the coffin lay Daniel, fresh in the blood, skin still dancing with the remains of mortality. And Armand looked down at him like he was the most precious treasure. He reached into the coffin and stroked his forehead and then continued to watch until Daniel stirred, released from the death sleep. 

Daniel gasped, coming back into himself. He swallowed another mouthful of blood and it burned through him. The room in the old mansion appeared again, only now Daniel was awake at Armand’s side, giggling at the patterns in the tile, laughing at the way the air caressed his vampire skin. Armand patiently urging him out of the house, saying they needed to hunt, but his voice was soft against Daniel’s ear, his touch so light and loving!

Armand’s heart strained against him, pounding and pulling as Daniel drank. He could see a slight crease in Armand’s forehead, his eyes closed as he lost himself in the ecstasy of the swoon. In the connection that the blood allowed them. 

I love you, Daniel thought. He was an acolyte worshiping at Armand’s wrist, every swallow an act of dedication, of love. He never wanted to sever this connection between them! But his heart lurched and his veins burned and finally, he tore himself away and  let go of his arm. 

He pressed his forehead to Armand’s thighs, breathless and spent. He could smell the blood rushing under his skin, could feel the heat of his body through his pants. And he could feel the tendrils of sunrise pulling at his awareness. He still had a little time before the death sleep took him, but already his limbs felt heavy. 

Armand brushed his hair with his fingers and then eased himself off the sofa. He pulled Daniel to his feet and helped Daniel’s pants off. Daniel flung his socks aimlessly across the room. Armand frowned. 

“I’ll pick them up later,” Daniel said. 

“You make such messes,” Armand said admonishingly, but his expression was affectionate and Daniel smiled at him. Armand took off his clothes, folding them carefully or putting them in the hamper. 

Daniel opened the lid of the coffin. Another coffin sat beside it—Daniel’s technically, but they rarely ever slept apart. Even when they were furious with each other, they often crammed into the same coffin and slept together, perhaps because they were too stubborn to do otherwise. Daniel climbed in, adjusting his position on his back. Armand crawled in on top of him and closed the lid.

They snuggled, bodies pressed together, Armand’s head on his chest as he curled around him. Daniel threaded his fingers into Armand’s soft auburn hair, his other arm wrapped tightly around him. 

They could have this for eternity now if they tried. If Armand would stop turning to ice. Daniel was optimistic that travel would help. It had always brought them closer in the past. And seeing himself in Armand’s thoughts, in his blood… No matter how cold Armand got, he knew his love for him was still there.

“1989 is going to be our year, boss,” Daniel said. “I can feel it.” 

Armand shifted slightly and looked up at him, and then buried his face in Daniel’s chest. “I hope your instincts are correct, beloved.” 

A little tremor ran through Daniel at the affectionate nickname. Daniel squeezed him more tightly. 

They would be. He was going to make sure of it.