tampered | Log: Completed

Log: Completed

When: New Year's Eve
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Gren (

notapreacher) and Lestat (

vampbratprince)
Summary: Mama, can you tell me how vampires celebrate New Year's Eve?
Log: For as long as he can remember, he's been the musical entertainment somewhere on New Year's Eve. Tonight's the first time in years (he discounts his time in the Army and in prison because those were out of his control) that he's not playing saxophone somewhere.

In a way it's a relief, and so is the idea of just staying in and celebrating privately. Oh, he can share the champagne that's chilling in the refrigerator and the exquisite chocolate truffles sitting out on the counter. In fact, he plans to do just that. There's a quiet burn of happiness that goes along with the whole notion and he remembers from the few creative writing classes he took to pass the time back in high school that in fiction they say happiness is boring and it's struggle that's interesting. He happens to be perfectly content to be as dull as possible so long as it goes hand in hand with happiness.

Screw what anyone else thinks about the two of them: he's never given much care for what anybody else might think about any of the things he does. There are really only a few people whose opinions matter to him. One is doing whatever it is she's doing tonight (and he hopes Julia is happy and she knows she's always welcome over here) and the other is already here.

They could join the festivities at Lux, and they just might. Then again, they might just stay right here and hide out together. It wouldn't be the first time.

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His hands go immediately to Lestat's arms, holding him; a surge of absolute possessiveness overtakes him. He doesn't want anyone else even thinking about stepping in to claim some of what they have. He's way too jealous to want to share; it's just his nature and he's not sure why he thought it would ever work out that way to begin with and he's so glad he didn't have to find out it wouldn't the hard way. Really, he might as well be absolutely frank about his feelings, not that Lestat's given him any reason for doubt.

He just wants to make sure.

"Hey. Do you really think you could love me till beyond the end of time?" It sounds so small and sad and a little desperate when he says it aloud, but he wants to know. They've said words like yours and mine and forever and played around at claiming one another with rings and kisses, but he wouldn't mind making his own intentions -- and his own hopes, human and faulty though they might be -- clearly known.

He doesn't have to think about the answer to that. He's known it from the very beginning. Over the years he's loved a good number of people. And still loves them. All of them. That won't change for Gren either. When he gives his heart he doesn't know how to take it back.

"No. I don't think I could." Kissing the side of Gren's face, he smiles to himself. "I know that I will. I have given my love to you and now you will never be rid of it."

He kisses him again as returns his gaze to the fire dancing before them.

"Do not doubt that, Gren."

At that first no, I don't think I could he feels his heart absolutely drop to the pit of his stomach, but then the words go on to reassure and he almost laughs at himself out of pure relief.

It isn't Lestat he doubts. Something Anita said a long time ago's stuck with him and it isn't about her either. It's about the situation when he and Lestat first met, first got involved. Something about no one person being enough to satisfy him. Maybe it wasn't Anita; maybe it was him. He doesn't remember any more, but he remembers the thought or the sentiment, whatever anyone wants to call it.

"I don't doubt you. If there's anything I doubt, it's that I'll be able to hold your interest for that long."

He's only human. How fascinating can that be for an immortal?

"I don't want you to get bored and turn to someone else."

That's entirely possible, and the very prospect of it leaves him colder than ever before. Doubt is, after all, a peculiarly human emotion and it pretty much infuses everything humans do. His hands tighten on Lestat's arms; it's his turn to stake a claim here. "So. Don't do that, okay?"

His laugh is a little full of self-loathing. That's the problem with falling in love and he remembers it only too well. Other emotions always stow away, uninvited, for the ride.

Gren is so human. He will never stop loving that about him. But, these doubts are understandable. Completely. He knows that and that's the reason that he doesn't scold teasingly. Seriously either. The man who is here in his arms has been hurt many times in the past. So has he. These doubts...he understands them.

"I lived with someone who is so dull and depressing that one would think that I should have gone mad. I lived with him for years. You are not boring and I won't turn to someone else because you cannot keep me entertained. Gren, my angel, you are the one I want. Even if more of my world were to show up, those I love, that would not change. You have touched my heart in ways I thought was no longer possible. You. Not some other person. We've each staked our claim. That will stand strong."

Reaching up with one hand, he turns Gren's face towards his own.

This is his human lover. He loves him so completely.

"I never say things like 'I am yours' lightly. But, I said it to you. Do you remember?"

Of course he remembers: it's one of the single most significant things anyone's ever said to him his whole life and beyond. In fact, Lestat's insistence right now brings a slight sting of tears to his eyes which won't, of course, get to spill because that's just stupid. For a long moment he just studies Lestat: his eyes, his gaze, his composure. Then he nods.

"I remember. I said it to you too and I meant it. I don't want anyone else." Softly now, he kisses those lips.

Then he does it again, a little less softly.

"And I can't say I'm not happy that you feel the same way." He's possessive. He's jealous. He's human, and those are human emotions and he can't be any other way.

And Lestat thinks he's an angel. One of these days, he'll start to believe it.

How interesting that he doesn't want anyone else either. His vision of the future showed him that he would have someone else but he doesn't care about that. What he has here is what he wants. The future held nothing that he desires. All of that is right here. In his arms.

"Good. Because I'd be jealous if I knew that you were with someone else. I didn't think I'd ever feel like that again. Now look at me. I think about you always and I feel complete when I am with you. Never have I believed in soulmates." He pauses and rests his forehead against Gren's.

"I think you might change that for me though."

No one who knows him would ever believe that. Well, they don't have to. They don't believe much of what he says anyways.

That's crazy but he loves it. It makes him feel so... he doesn't even know what word to apply to it. It's not smug, not satisfied, not content, but... grateful. He's grateful to be the one to inspire that in Lestat, even if at his core he doesn't believe in forever.

He'd like to. Somewhere deep down inside, the part of him that's still a little innocent and pure thinks there could be such things as soul mates and there could be a relationship that lasts for centuries. But honestly, if he can grab a taste of something with that kind of potential -- even for a little while -- he'll be happy. He knows he won't be around forever.

But while he is, he wants this. More than anything, he wants this. His arms go around Lestat and he holds him tight, the words I love you, I love you play over and over in his head like the lyrics to their very own song.

He holds Gren close as a little smile tugs at his lips again. The fire crackles away and fireworks continue to explode in the sky but he's practically forgotten all about both of them. It feels so good to hold someone in his arms. Someone that he loves as much as he loves this man.

If they could, he'd have them stay out here all night. For awhile they can. The two of them and the fire to keep them warm. Even if only one of them actually needs it. But need and desire can be two very different things.

Quietly, he starts humming. Music is something that keeps them close so he wants it shared in this moment as well. The tune means nothing since it's something he heard on the streets once long ago. In a place he can't even recall.

He almost wants to protest how unfair that is. Lestat either sings because he's got something on his mind or to soothe, and he thinks this is the latter. It's a sure-fire way to make him mellow out and relax. Music is like a switch and once it gets flipped he's transported to a different place, a different time. It's how he got through Titan and it's definitely how he survived in prison: by going to that safe secluded spot in his brain and hiding out there.

This time, he wants to take Lestat along for the ride. He doesn't move, doesn't breathe, doesn't do a thing. He just keeps holding Lestat tightly, listening to the music.

At long last, he turns to kiss Lestat on the cheek. If the fireworks are still going on, he's unaware.

Still humming, he kisses Gren gently as he stands with him in his arms. The bottle and last truffle is grabbed as well. Going to the edge of the roof, he steps off and they float down to the ground. Everyone below is preoccupied so they don't notice. For those who do? He really doesn't care about them. Instead he lets them into their home and locks the window behind them.

To their bedroom and then to the bed. Setting Gren down, he gets in next to him. The animals all sound well so he doesn't worry about them.

"We have one more truffle, angel."

"Insatiable vampire." He says it with the utmost affection, though, and reaches for the box. "My only New Year's resolution is to get more of these." The last truffle (he really doesn't need more chocolate, but he's not about to waste it after such a nice request) is also delicious. "Vanilla malt, I think." He shares this one just as he's shared the others. It's been a great selection of chocolates, a fun way to eat them, and the night's been just about perfect.

Any time they spend together is just about perfect.

One kiss later, he pulls back, takes a sip of champagne, stifles a little yawn. "We can take the dogs for a walk in an hour or two if you want." Right now, all he wants to do is curl up with Lestat and be utterly, decadently lazy. There's no harm in that. Terrible though his French is, he uses it anyway. "Je t'aime, amant. Toujours, je suis à vous. And I hope I said that right."

Even if he's mangled it completely, the sentiment should still translate.

The yawn doesn't go unnoticed. There's no need to comment though. Instead, he holds his lover close to him and closes his eyes. The French makes him smile. "The dogs are fine for now. They can be taken care of later." And they'll guard the door until that time. Such patient animals they are. He'll reward them later.

"For now, you should sleep. I saw that yawn, angel of mine." Running his fingers through Gren's hair, he relaxes into the bed. "You don't sleep long enough. And do not tell me otherwise. As for your French?" He chuckles. "You did just fine."

And, he'll have to teach his lover more French at some point. Have Abby teach him more in sign language too. And any other language.

"Sleep now."

He tells him otherwise.

"Oh, it's just from the champagne." And the chocolate, and from sharing his blood: he knows he doesn't get enough sleep but that's only because he wants to do everything. He wants his nights with Lestat and his days with his friends and dogs and he's dead. He shouldn't need any sleep, really.

No, all he wants to do right now is curl up with Lestat. Just curl up, talk about nothing and everything, draw little figures over smooth ageless skin, play with yellow hair, appreciate everything he's got. He's not tired enough to sleep.

He thinks.

"Just the champagne and the cold." It feels so nice to just wrap around Lestat's body with arms and legs and just... be. His eyes close.

"Very well then. Don't go to sleep." He's fine either way. "I'll hold you whether you do or not." That's already been decided. Before he even mentioned sleep in the first place.

The cold does have a way of tiring humans though. As well as blood loss and alcohol. All three would certainly do the trick. Still, he has a feeling that Gren would think it was all worth it. And the fireworks were beautiful and the other activities perfection.

He does have a feeling his lover may slip away into sleep's embrace at some point though.

But, like he said, he'll hold him even then.

Lestat's hands in his hair are a strong sedative. If he were to start humming now there'd be no escape. It isn't that he's that much of a lightweight about alcohol; he drank plenty on Callisto. It's just the combination of everything and Lestat's right. He really is tired. He really doesn't sleep enough. Four hours, five maybe: that's what he affords himself.

He just doesn't want to miss anything. Not a single thing. Not a minute. Not a second. Not a...

Well, maybe he ought to succumb just for a little bit. Maybe just a few minutes' sleep. Of course, the last time he said that -- it was when Abby was staying over -- he slept all night and well into the next day.

"Don't let me sleep all night. Just for a little bit."

There's a moment's sleepy pause.

"Promise me."

"I promise not to let you sleep all night." That's an easy promise to make. Gren has stayed awake for a good portion of the night. If he slept through the rest then he'd still be keeping his word. It's slightly underhanded but he'll be able to live with himself.

Kissing the top of Gren's head he smiles. "Now go to sleep, ange. I will be here when you wake up."

At some point, he will take the dogs out for a walk. And let his lover sleep through it all. He is one of the most selfish creatures in existence but he still has room to care about the man in his arms.

"If you don't then I will starting humming."

That's so unfair, but all Lestat gets in return is a tired smile.

A very smug tired smile, and he really does intend to sleep only for a little bit. But intentions are just that, and by the time he settles against Lestat, arms around each other, the lure of sleep is just too strong. At least it's not a bad way to spend the night.

Not bad at all.

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Log: Completed

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