[armand]

[brightyoungreporter]

Daniel, historically speaking, is terrible at this. He'd been a shitty boyfriend, and then a shitty husband; dates were either the standard dinner and a movie, or more likely, centered around whatever story he was chasing.

The only time in his life that he suspects he might have been any good at romance is the part of his life that's been erased, and no shortage of irony here, by the vampire he's trying to woo tonight.

(He's aware he should give more of a fuck about that, but he just doesn't.)

So he asks Armand to meet him at the Boardwalk, and he uses the power of technology and anonymous dating apps to arrange dinner later, and even though he's got Armand's blood in his veins, he's a little nervous. What memories he's recovered, his turning-- it's not just his health that's returned and sharpened. An emotional component exists, the return of feelings he thought he'd been too cold and truth focused to feel.

Turns out he was just missing most of his heart.

Leaning against the railing, listening to the ocean, he decides not to lead with that.

Comments

[brightyoungreporter]

"Babe," he rasps, "I wasn't blowing anyone after you. You were it, even if I didn't remember." God, his voice is fucking shot.

It's worth it, to see all those shifting expressions as they ripple over Armand's face.

He's already down on his knees, throat raw and face slick with god knows how many fluids, so he doesn't think he can make himself anymore vulnerable as he pushes out a question. "Hold me?"

[damned_devil]

The dream continues. Daniel has alluded to this before, of course, but the notion of his boy belonging to him, and the claim being permanent is a heady and important thing. He's quickly to his knees as he uses a nail to slice into his wrist, offering the droplets to Daniel to drink, eager to heal whatever damage he's done.

"Drink first," he insists, the other hand still stroking and cleaning what he can before he does a proper job. "Allow me to care for you." He always knows how, even if his companions may disagree with him. And yet, he will never stop trying. "And I'll hold you so tightly, you suffocate," is a fond tease.

[brightyoungreporter]

The heady splash of Armand's blood against his tongue, the way it soothes as it goes down, feels as much like a reward as anything else. It probably was, he guesses distantly, when he was young and human.

He'll take all the care and coddling Armand wants to offer right now, and after a few mouthfuls of blood, he pulls his mouth back just enough to press a lazy kiss to the wrist wound. "I love you," he says, the words tumbling out free and easy.

[damned_devil]

Armand soothes his own wound as he rubs his blood against it to seal it, crawling after Daniel to take his hand, pulling him to his feet as he basks in the simple joy of having those lovely three words said to him.

They're in him, too. He knows they are. He hasn't been able to sound them out, for a myriad of complicated reasons, and yet, he wants to. He very much wants to give them to Daniel, but for now, what he can do is settle Daniel in bed, speedily returning with wet cloths to tidy him, pressing fond and absent kisses to his shoulder, his chest, and every bit of him he can access in the meantime.

"I had a lovely evening," he praises. "Very romantic of you, making sure I'm taken proper care of," he continues, climbing into bed with him, resting his chin on Daniel's chest. "Is there anything else you want from tonight?"

[brightyoungreporter]

Maybe Armand doesn't say it back, but it's not something Daniel said expecting a return on it-- and it's not like Armand doesn't say it in the way he bustles around at vampire speed, until they're settled, clean and healed, into bed.

"This is good," he answers. "This is really good. I just want to stay like this, we can head back to my place tomorrow." It's his turn to press his mouth to the top of Armand's head, to his mouth, to his forehead and cheeks. "I like to see you happy," he adds on a yawn.

[damned_devil]

It's an odd thing. Marius had been occupied with taking care of Amadeo, but not his happiness. Louis had tended to Armand's happiness, but in his own way, and in the end, the shadow of their pasts had blotted that out.

Daniel, he has tortured and tormented and obfuscated and lied to. He's tampered with his memory, and yet, he loves him.

How strange he is. How wonderful. How fascinating. "I'll aspire to always tell you when I am," is a vow he believes he can keep. "Rest, Mr. Molloy. I'll wake you before sunrise."