[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

[damned_devil]

"The sins that a person bears never bleeds into their blood, it's merely the satisfaction of ridding the world of something that blots its virtue that makes us feel so glorious," he opines, eyes drifting closed for a moment for the kiss to his temple.

These soft glorious domestic touches will do him in, if only because he's not sure he'll ever get used to receiving them with such lovely frequency.

Armand smiles winsomely at the ride operator, taking Daniel's hand as he strolls away (with one last wink at those in line), eyeing the beach and the darkness that beckons. "You will show me the message log later," Armand insists. "I want to see your best evocation of a teenaged girl."

[brightyoungreporter]

"Are you flirting with the mortals?" Much as he'd like to sound indignant, he hears his own amused fondness, maybe a little bit of irritation sneaking in-- irritation easily soothed by squeezing Armand's hand and then switching it up so he's got a hand on Armand's ass as they pass the last of them.

"It's not my best work," he says, "but yeah, of course. You haven't tried catfishing for dinner before? It seems like it's up your alley." Gentle teasing, accompanied by the shift to wrapping his arm around Armand's waist. Being able to put his hands on his maker, however and whenever, only makes him greedy for more.

The walk to the designated spot on the beach isn't a long one, but the ocean rolls calm against the sand and the stars shine just as bright from here. It's fucking romantic, is what it is.

Has he always wanted this? He's done shit like this before, with the wives, with girlfriends; it'd been pleasant. Could be that his vampire senses are sharper, and it's much more likely to be Armand-induced euphoria. A small, nagging part of him, however, wonders if he might have enjoyed it more with another man at this side.

As he leads Armand around a natural wall of rock, he sets the tangle of thoughts aside. He is here with Armand, and they're gonna drink some perverts and at least get to third base about it.

His phone chimes. "Any second now," he murmurs, and sure enough, a pair of overgrown frat boys bearing a case of beer slink onto the scene.

[damned_devil]

"I'm simply being polite," he says, as if it hasn't been flirting with them (and yes, that is absolutely what he had been doing, and enjoying himself while doing it, and enjoying seeing Daniel prickle over it). He supposes that he'll have to continue to test the bounds of Daniel's possessiveness later, to see what he can reap.

He raises a brow, cool and calm as he deflects the accusation. "I may have fibbed from time to time in order to arrange a hunt." The truth, though, is perhaps worse. "Most of the time, there's no trickery needed. I simply post my own face. I have quite a few takers."

This, now, isn't to make Daniel jealous, but simply to state facts -- he has never struggled to lure people in with his looks.

The rock wall does make Armand want to pause dinner, pin Daniel to the rocks, and devour him whole, but he truly is hungry. He's been fasting for days to prepare for his next meal and Daniel has done an excellent job providing for them. "Would you like to find out if perhaps their type is flexible?" he suggests, already taking off his jacket and unbuttoning his cuffs to roll up his sleeves, mindful of the mess that's soon to be created.

[brightyoungreporter]

"Yeah," Daniel says, grinning stupidly. "You're a pretty princess and the boys come running when you beckon your unbearably lovely finger. Probably plenty of old perverts too."

Their quarry starts to bitch at each other about whether they're in the right spot. Daniel takes the moment to shed his own jacket, and then reaches out to skim his hands along Armand's naked forearms. "Yeah, that... that does it for me," he mutters, "I like that."

"Do your thing, babe," Daniel says. "If they end up hitting on you, though, I might rip their dicks off."

[damned_devil]

Armand begins to walk away, beckoning Daniel to come with him with one of those unbearably lovely, long fingers before he turns to smile warmly at the two boys. "Gentlemen," he greets them, amiable and warm. "Are you here waiting for someone?"

The two of them give him a disgusted look, even if their eyes linger far too long. They're tempted, Armand can see that, and even when the inevitable begins to happen, he feels a thrill go through him.

"Fuck off, faggot," the one on the right snarls, nudging his buddy. "Hey. Maybe if the girls don't show up, you can fuck this one. I bet he's as tight as them."

Oh dear. Armand's smile widens. "Beloved," he calls over his shoulder calmly. "Would you like that one?"

[brightyoungreporter]

"Awww, babe, you're so sweet. I sure hope you meant what you said about sin not tainting the blood, because this guy's at best a date rapist." He strolls along, letting the assholes start to panic. "Hey, next time, how about I wear a suit and we pull a Dateline, only better because we eat them."

He pauses once he's next to Armand, and then gives him the sweetest kiss he can manage-- with feeling, not just for show.

And then he turns and shows off for his maker.

Daniel grabs the fucking bigot by the throat, turning so Armand can absolute get a look before he opens wide and sinking long fangs into his prey's neck. The blood spurts hot and wet, and Daniel's watching too, to see Armand feed.

[damned_devil]

"It only makes it sweeter, knowing that we're ending it," he vows, using his powers to keep the other one in place, watching his friend be eaten by Daniel. Armand will get to his food, of course, but at the moment, he's enjoying the sheer terror radiating through him as he realises that he cannot feel his body.

He approaches and holds tight to his meal's shoulders, taking great pains to make sure Daniel is watching before he sinks his fangs into his neck to drink, neat and steady, but there is no little drink and control for this one.

No, this is a victim he will drain merrily and send to his knees, pale and losing consciousness. When he's through (careful not to overindulge), he steps back and politely presses his thumb to the corners of his lips, licking the last remnants of blood from his fangs. "You still taste far sweeter," he opines. "But they are wonderfully filling. You've provided well for us, my love." And here, even now, a thrill that someone has done this for him -- hunted for him and brought him dinner.

[brightyoungreporter]

What a fucking sight, and at least as a vampire, Daniel feels a lot less guilty about how hard he gets. His own dinner has dropped to the sand; he hadn't been quite as neat, but being a fledgling ought to excuse that.

"Your love," Daniel says, a little shy, a little quiet, grinning stupidly at his own blood-smeared hands. "Huh."

Disposing of the bodies can wait a little longer, he thinks, as he crosses the tiny stretch of sand between them. He gathers Armand up into his arms, kissing him hard, just as hungrily as he'd devoured his prey.

[damned_devil]

Armand knows they'll have to dispose the bodies. There may not be a coven here and the rules might be relaxed, but Armand has lived his life by those rules and he needs to hold tight to them now, as much as ever. "My love," he agrees, which is close to what he wants to say, even if the words still hesitate on his tongue.

He'll get there. Soon.

For now, he's intent on climbing into Daniel's arms, eager to wrap his legs around his waist as he holds tight, eager to let Daniel hold him and prove his strength as he kisses him, nourished and strong and fed. "What a gracious host you are," he mumbles in between kisses. "Bringing me on a date. And then such delicious dinner. And now, an after-dinner treat."

[brightyoungreporter]

"You bet I fucking am," Daniel murmurs, and he means all of it, but he mostly means, you bet I fucking am your love. He catches Armand easily, preening at being able to do so. "I'm gonna get blood on your nice clothes," he says against that pretty, eager mouth.

The praise, whether he'd like to admit it or not, also has him smug and confident, carrying Armand over to the rock wall they'd been tucked behind earlier. "You can pick what you want for a treat," he murmurs, pulling back to leer, "but I'm not a fan of sand in delicate areas."

He does have an idea or two.

"Unless," he says, biting Armand's jaw. "Unless you just want me to tell you what you get."

[damned_devil]

"We'll pick up my jacket and dry clean the lot," he says, with an indication back to where he'd put his lovely linen cream jacket. Right now, he's too occupied with the feel of Daniel's hips rocking against his, the feel of his strength, and simply giving in.

There's a shy, almost tentative look as he stares at Daniel, hopeful as he brings up the idea of simply being told.

"You're in charge," he murmurs, as close as he can get without whispering 'maitre' even though every part of him yearns to. "Tell me what you want of me. Tell me who you want me to be."

[brightyoungreporter]

It's not just the fresh blood that makes his heart slam against his ribcage-- maybe not very quickly, but it's there. That look on Armand's face, the tone of his voice, the question of whether he'll be into this is answered.

"Yeah, sweetheart," he answers, "I'm in charge right now." Setting Armand on his feet once more, he brushes their mouths together, and murmurs, "Get on your knees. I'm going to hold your head and fuck your pretty mouth. You need me to tell you what to be, you're gonna be mine." A beat later, because he's damn sure he's right about it, "If you need to call me something, you can use sir for now. We'll talk about the other thing later." He finds himself grinning, cradling Armand's face. "Of course, I wouldn't mind Mr. Molloy either."

They really should do something about the corpses.

Oh well.

"Now show me what a good listener you are."

[damned_devil]

Armand takes care to pop open the top button of his shirt, then the next. Finally, the next, until there's a deep v open for Daniel to look at as he sinks to his knees, staring up at Daniel with what ought to be a very familiar look to him.

"In that case, I believe you should call me Rashid, Mr. Molloy," he murmurs, because he knows at least part of the impetus behind this specific request, and he's more than happy to play with it. He wets his lower lip as he waits, patiently, on his knees for further instruction.

He dare not even touch Daniel's zipper, for fear of reprimand. There is only the obedient prostate lover, there is only Rashid now in the sand for his Daniel.

[brightyoungreporter]

"Look at you," Daniel openly marvels. "You know, Rashid," and it's for real, they're really doing this and he thinks he should be more nervous than he actually feels, "I gave you a lot of crap, but god, look at you, kneeling there. Go ahead, take me out, no need to stand on ceremony."

The tone teases, but he can't hide his reverence-- nor does he try.

He presses his hand to the top of Armand's head, rakes his fingernail along his scalp, just enough to make him feel it. "I can tell you're going to be so good. Did you know how much I wanted this in Dubai? Answer, please."

[damned_devil]

The sharp intake of air isn't an act. The casual way he talks to him, and Armand is back in the penthouse, his lip between his teeth, staring hopefully at Daniel like he was nothing more than the dutiful servant to a God, mindful of Mr. Molloy's every want and need.

If only he had been more vocal about his needs, back then.

He does wish he'd had time to find contacts and file down his nails, but this will suit for now. He's careful as he unzips Daniel, staring up at him from his kneeling position the whole time. "I suspected," he admits. "When you caught me in prayer, I believe that there was something more than curiosity in your eyes. I long to serve your every need, Mr. Molloy. It brings me great pleasure that I could be one of them."

[brightyoungreporter]

Holy shit, is this doing it for him. His cock throbs in the night air, and he can't stop staring at that face, the bitten lip.

"I told myself I was being an idiot, and a perverted old idiot, but fuck, I couldn't squash it. I saw how devoted you were. If I'd had any idea... well. You're devoted to me now," and that's still a bit awed to be completely in character, but he can't help it, "and yeah, I need you." He reaches out, stroking Armand's jaw, and then taps at the hinge of it.

"Open, baby," he says, wrapping the command in nonchalance. "Hold onto my thighs, and open that gorgeous smartass mouth for me."

[damned_devil]

You're my master is a phrase that nearly passes Armand's lips. He's glad he has something else to focus on, grasping hold of Daniel's thighs and opening his mouth, slowly as he licks the corner of his lips to make a production of it, taking his time as he swallows Daniel deeply, only to ease back and begin his slow, methodical work.

There's nothing rushed about this. This is a blowjob he'd spent plenty of time on his knees thinking about, and now that he's here with Daniel, he aims for one goal and one goal entirely -- make him weak in the knees, and have him end this night praising his own god -- Armand.

[brightyoungreporter]

"Oh my fucking god," Daniel groans, grateful he doesn't have to worry about breaking character at this point, because he's playing himself getting exactly what he wanted in those early Dubai days. His hand tightens in Armand's hair, and he just barely remembers what he promised.

He holds Armand still and pushes his cock further into the mouth that's as plush and sweet as he imagined. "That's it, you know exactly how to make this so fucking good, exactly what I want," and reminding himself that he doesn't need to account for breathing, thrusts a little harder.

Shit. Should he have made them pick a safeword?

He slows, pulling back with his hand still grasping Armand's hair, enjoying the view but still focused on getting the words out. "You're good, babe? You pinch me or something if we need to stop, and I expect you to tell me."

[damned_devil]

It's a sliver of a moment, barely registering, but Daniel's words bring him back to a time long ago when clients would say similar things, when they would praise him for his skills, praise Marius for his generosity, and Amadeo had been nothing more than a pleasing set of lips. And yet, Armand is not Amadeo or Arun any longer.

He cuts away that memory and devotes himself to what Daniel wants. This is what his current companion needs, and Armand is willing to twist himself into any shape to provide it. So he works his tongue over Daniel's cock and positions himself to allow for his face to be fucked, to be taken, for Daniel to receive what he wants and for Armand to have it too.

There is no pinching, only the pleasure he can deliver to Daniel, turning cat-like eyes up at him, a smug tease, a reminder of how good he can be (and Amadeo, that memory, vanishes a little more).

[brightyoungreporter]

Despite having said it, Daniel in no way actually expects to be told to stop, and he releases his grip to cup Armand's jaw gently. It's awkward, but he drops down enough to kiss him on the mouth.

He wants to say it so bad, to have already said it so he can use it again.

"Any objection if I take you home now? Back to our place. Gotta get rid of the bodies too. I'm not sure I could actually come while they're watching me," he admits. The play had been fun, but his instincts, his Armand-sense, had started tingling.

Or else you freaked yourself out.

Either way, the bodies are starting to look awfully fucking dead and they're in public. He kisses Armand again, firm, tasting himself, making a content little sound-- even if his dick is in the breeze.

[damned_devil]

Daniel pulls away.

The dissonance is whiplash to Armand, who doesn't move. He simply remains on his knees, alarmed that he's done something that didn't please Daniel. Else, why would he stop him? Why wouldn't he allow Armand to continue? The kiss is sweet, but sweet in this moment is a harsh burst of sunlight in a dark room.

He's not done. This is what he's good at, this is what he's good for. His past has shown him that the times he's wanted the most is when his skills are best put to use, and Daniel isn't allowing him to show that off.

Has he lost his skill? His talents? The doubt creeps onto his face now, not reacting to the kiss, a confused shadow washing over his face. "You didn't let me finish," is all he says, ignoring the commentary about the bodies or Daniel's request to go home. "...was it unsatisfactory?"

[brightyoungreporter]

Okay, shit.

Daniel drops himself all the way into the sand, and pulls Armand into his lap. "No, it was-- way more than satisfactory, sweetheart. I know what I'm gonna say isn't very sexy cool vampire, but it's important to me."

He might be holding Armand too hard, but he can't find it in himself to loosen his grip.

"I freaked out because I thought I fucked up. I know you like, uh, a certain level of submission and I want to give it to you. I liked what we were doing, enough that I was just gonna... use you, and it freaked me out, that I could--" He lets out a sigh. "I don't want to be someone who does that to you. Except I really do wanna do those things to you. I'm sorry, I'm not making any goddamn sense."

His voice a little rough, he adds, "You're my love too, you know."

[damned_devil]

Armand allows himself to be tugged, a rag doll that does little more than be pulled around. Then again, is that not what he'd been for so long? Simply a pawn to be used? Yet, when Daniel speaks, he's not like the others. He's entirely different, because this is the furthest thing from what Marius or his friends had done. Even with the coven, there had always been a power element in his desperation to prove that he was maitre.

If it had been satisfactory and Daniel had stopped anyway, then it means he truly does ...

The words have always been there, but Armand suspects he hadn't believed them. How could Daniel have so easily moved on with Alice? And yet, he had destroyed that marriage and another. He had come back to Armand. Could it be that he truly does love him the way that Armand has yearned for? Uncompared, unlike the rest.

It strikes him that he's been silent too long, and he drags his voice from the depths to speak roughly. "I don't know if I enjoy it because I've done it for so long and it's what I expect, or if it's something I truly enjoy," he admits. "Five hundred years is a very long time for habits to form, especially when I haven't been..." His nose scrunches up, uncertainty appears on his face. "You could never use me the way others have," he says instead. "It's not possible. I'm the one who turned you. I'm your maker. There are dynamics at play now that don't make it like the rest."

[brightyoungreporter]

The uncertainty unclenches something in Daniel's chest.

"Well," he drawls out. "I personally like variety. Kinda seems you might like it too, given how well you can boss me around." This, he punctuates by kissing the clean line of Armand's cheekbone. "You change yourself to make people happy, fine. Five hundred years is a long time to be doing it. I'm invested in making you happy. So fuck it, we do what we want and turn into people that make each other happy. Sound good?"

After a few beats, he adds, "I am absolutely giving myself a case of blueballs over this, but that's my own damn fault for stopping probably the greatest blowjob I can remember. You turned an idiot, maker of mine."

[damned_devil]

There is something with Daniel that feels different. Perhaps it had been their first meeting in 1973, followed by the years after. Daniel is the first person in his entire life that treats him the way he does.

Perhaps that means that Armand can change, too.

It's a terrifying idea, especially when he's so good at pleasing others, but even now, he wants to please Daniel. If this is what he wants, he'll do it. He'll do anything. "It's been some time since I've known simple happiness," Armand murmurs roughly, staring fondly at Daniel as he cups his face with both hands, tenderly looking at his fledgling. "Greatest, you say?" he can't help but tease. "You're not simply placating me?"