Part Five: (David)

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Lestat and Louis tangled together on the bed, coiled around each other like a pair of mortals. It was horrifying. It was also, dare I say it, erotic. I have always found Lestat fascinating and Louis' beauty is nothing short of eerie. I gazed at them in shock as Lestat disentangled himself, and Louis bent his head, letting his hair swing down like a curtain to hide his face. He was too embarrassed to look at me. And I was beginning to feel something of that emotion myself. Despite the instant accusation that had sprung to my lips, I was remembering the movement of Louis' body underneath Lestat. It hadn't exactly looked as if he were fighting to be free. And, as Lestat glared at me like the demon he liked to pretend to be, I wondered if I had unforgivably intruded on their love-making. I had no idea of what Lestat and Louis might chose to get up to together, how they had spent their many years of companionship in the dark gift. Consummation of such a love might be impossible for our race, but there were many other stages before consummation. For all I knew, this could be a regular habit, one I had simply not happened upon until now. But if that was so, surely Louis would not look so embarrassed, and he was. I could feel the shame radiating out from him. Then, just as he had hid his face, he closed off his thoughts from me.

Lestat, of course, was as blank to me as ever. But I didn't *need* to read his thoughts to know what he was thinking. His furious expression, a grimace which drew back his upper lip to expose his fang teeth, left nothing to the imagination. I had come back to apologise for our argument and managed to anger him as I never had before.

"Forgive me," I said hurriedly, backing away. "I had no intention of intruding, believe me."

Lestat was still glaring, like a lioness defending her cub, and I quickly shut the bedroom door. Embarrassed beyond belief I left the house, not slowing down until I was two blocks away. I would find somewhere else to sleep tonight and hope and pray that Lestat would have calmed down by tomorrow evening.

Part Six: (Louis)

This was terrible. I listened as David's footsteps rang loudly as he retreated. He was actually *running* away. The front door slammed and I winced at the sound. No wonder he had been so eager to getaway, the expression on Lestat's face was perfectly demonic. The last time I had seen such a ferocious glare was when Claudia had tried to put him in his grave, hacking at his flesh in fear and anger. I buried my head in my hands, aghast at what had happened. How would I answer David's inevitable questions when he eventually returned? How could I even bear to face him now that he had seen me moaning and gasping beneath Lestat. I felt frozen.

When Lestat touched my shoulder lightly, I pulled away. That touch, that had given me such pleasure, was anathema to me now. I just wanted him to go, to leave me and never speak of this again. I was within inches of running away, just as David had, when Lestat threw himself away from me and buried his head in the pillows. I turned to look at him, my surprise outweighing the shame. His fists were tightly clenched, so much so that his nails drew blood, staining the coverlet as he pounded his hands against it. His whole body was shaking, though whether with anger or passion I couldn't tell.

"I'm going to kill him!" he growled into the pillow. "I'm going to rip his head off and feed it to the rats!" A dire litany of threats ensued and I felt thankful that David had run when he did. He was absolutely enraged.

I smiled. This was for me, I thought helplessly. Lestat was angry because of me. And he was angry at David. I felt a warm glow building somewhere inside of me, and the world seemed an infinitely better place. For me, that is. Lestat was still hissing indistinct curses into the pillow. He wasn't touched by the sudden happiness that flooded through me. But I could fix that. I felt shy about doing it, about inviting a contact like our previous embrace, but what else could I do? This was Lestat. And I felt much better about having him kiss me than I did about having him rip David's head off, despite our companion's unwelcome intrusion.

I took one of Lestat's hands and raised it to my lips, just a taste of the blood I had sworn not to drink. As I kissed the palm, his slim wrist, I saw the cuts closing before my eyes with that incredible speed. Sitting up, he looked at me, his rage disappearing abruptly.

"It wasn't David's fault," I pointed out to him, and he shook his head.

"I was enjoying myself," he protested, his eyes dark as he studied me. "I could kill him, I *really* could!"

"Lestat," I said reprovingly. Then, "Lestat," the barest whisper of his name. I wanted his arms back around me, his weight pushing me to the bed, the hardness of his skin against mine, so that I could dream that it was a human passion that motivated him. I looked at him through my dark eye-lashes, making a conscious effort to be seductive. How I wanted him to hold me!

I saw the smile begin to cross his face with the realisation that I was still here, and still at his disposal. He sat there, facing me, for another long moment. I thought I might die from want of him. And then he pounced, exactly like a jungle cat. The force of his leap carried me off the side of the bed and I ended up on the floor under him.

"Oh!..." I exclaimed, but my protest was cut off. Fierce wild kisses rained down on me.

Lestat was twining himself around my body like a snake. Such ecstasy! I lay quiescent in his arms, letting him do what he wanted to me. His kisses covered my face, my chest, his hot mouth continuing down to my stomach. I only began to come to myself when I felt him bite at the waistband of my jeans. I felt very uncertain, as he began to lick at my skin there, his tongue slithering over my flesh like a snake. He felt me tense and lifted his golden head to look at me.

"Bored yet, Louis?" he asked, with a mocking smile. What could I say?

"No, not *bored*," I said carefully, ready to begin a sensible explanation of what I was thinking.

But he didn't wait. Taking my admission for consent, he lowered his head again and kissed me several times around the buttons of my jeans. I felt disappointed all of a sudden, I had hoped that his touch would ignite a fire in me. But, although, I enjoyed it, there was no flame of desire, no physical evidence of arousal, no matter how much I was enjoying this. But I under-estimated Lestat. He hadn't finished yet. He began to undo those buttons with his teeth, while I wriggled beneath him. The sensation was unbearably ticklish and I was relieved when he finished and began to drag my jeans down my longlegs determinedly. "What are you doing?" I asked from my position, flat on my back on the floor. I could hardly believe that this exquisite creature was stripping me with such obvious curiosity. I think it was curiosity. Though he was enjoying my confusion, I'm sure. Then, a few more tugs, another item of clothing discarded, and I was naked, and I felt very self-conscious. I pulled away from him and stood up, thinking to take refuge under the bedcovers. I hadn't thought of leaving.

"Oh, no!" Lestat said quickly, standing also. Swiftly he caught me in his arms and held me there, until I ceased struggling. But when he took a step backwards, to look at me, I held him still, clinging to him so he wouldn't be able to separate himself from me. I didn't want to be observed with that curious sapphire gaze. Not even when he was acting so affectionately as now. Giving up the attempt, he held me to him. His hands sliding deliciously down my back, gripping my waist. He kissed me again and I sighed with pleasure.

Part Seven: (Lestat)

He was so beautiful, my Louis. I carried him to the bed again and lay him there. And, although he wouldn't let me gaze at him as I so wanted to, he didn't resist when I began to kiss him. He was spread out before me like a feast, perfection. I trailed kisses over his body, lying there beneath my hungry mouth. I wanted to touch him, to stroke him, and my hands explored every inch of him, my mouth following. I bit at his skin, just a taste, little nips, not always drawing blood. I wound my way down to his slender feet and then began to work my way up again, slithering my tongue up inside his thighs. He shook beneath my touch, as a mortal might. But when I rested with my head against his stomach I saw that I hadn't aroused him. I felt almost angry. Hadn't he promised me this? I wondered if I was wasting my time. Only creating needs in both of us that we would be unable to fulfil.

Maybe. But I couldn't stop.

I felt Louis reach down to stroke my hair and smiled against his skin. He laughed a little and I could feel his muscles suddenly contract.

"Lestat, that tickles!" he protested, still laughing and I moved up the bed to lie beside him, putting my arms around his shoulders.

"But you love it," I teased. "Don't you, say you do! Say it!" We were both laughing now and I took him in my arms and kissed him, over and over, until we were both breathless. Our kisses became more intense. I was breathing hard and fast, crushing him beneath me. I wanted to feel his skin naked against mine, but I couldn't let him go. I was relieved when he slid his hands up inside my shirt, trying to remove it.

"Lestat, let me go," he said, trying to get at the buttons, but I wouldn't let him out of my out of my hold. I buried my face in his neck, wanting to taste him. I bared my teeth and he gasped as he felt my fangs break the skin. The blood was hot, spilling into my mouth, filling me with a craving for more. I drank deeply, holding him pinioned there and he spasmed up against me. He was clutching at my shirt, almost tearing it from me and, not daring to take too much, I released him. His eyes were wild, his pupils distended and I felt a sudden rush of concern.

But before I could say anything he had pulled me back down. He was tearing at me with a madness that I could only compare to the blood-lust, stripping the clothes from my body, raking his hands down my back. I couldn't hold him, at this moment his strength was a match for mine. He clutched at me in a frenzy, shaking uncontrollably.

"Your blood!" he gasped suddenly.

"Take it," I said instantly, not wanting to deny him anything, though god only knew what it would do to him, should he drink from me.

"I can't!" He was almost screaming and his hands were talons, clawing at my skin. "You know I can't!"

I was bleeding from a dozen places at once and he was making more wounds with every second, each time he tore at me. Suddenly he hissed and arched up to sink his teeth into my neck. Pain shot through me. But he didn't wait to drink, biting again at my throat. He was crazed with his need for the blood, only his strength of will holding him back from taking it. I felt terribly guilty. If only there was something I could do! His skin was slick with my blood and his own, mingled from my wounds and his sweat, and it was hard for me to hold him. I forced him down with all my strength, kissing his face urgently. I couldn't kiss his mouth, he might try to bite me again, but I kissed him everywhere else I could reach. And then I felt it! His body shook as if an electric current had shot through him and he froze in my arms for a long moment, green eyes wide open and staring at nothing.

"Louis!" I shook him roughly and his eyes refocused suddenly. He moaned, low in his throat, and his mouth closed on mine, kissing me fiercely. I stiffened in shock. He had come alive against me, as aroused as any human male might be. I ran my hand over him in fascination, wondering what was happening to him. But he was incapable of explaining anything. This was insanity! I had no more idea of how to assuage this lust than I did when he had wanted my blood.

He pressed up hard against me, craving my touch. I didn't know what to do and I hated it. I was ready to scream with rage and frustration, unable to give Louis what he needed from me. Instead I bit hard over his mouth, feeling the blood flow into me as he continued to try to kiss me. It swamped me, drowned me. His blood! A wave of pain crashed over me and I screamed. I was in agony. My hardened flesh was waking suddenly at the exquisite sensations that were flooding my body and it hurt like nothing I'd ever felt before. I was being ripped apart.

"Louis, help me!" I pleaded, curling and uncurling, as my muscles corded up into knots. He was sobbing, trying to gain control over himself as all that wild sensation overtook him, his breath coming in great gasps. I was on fire, I was dying, my blood igniting within me. I couldn't even scream any more, the pain consumed me.

And then, suddenly, the pain was gone, and in its wake an insidious pleasure began to steal through me. It built gradually as I lay there on the bed, weak with exhaustion, and it gradually began to revive me. All at once the agony of moments before was nothing but a memory and the most important thing in the world was the pair of anxious green eyes only inches away from mine. Delicious! And exciting as well. I felt giddy, losing control again; but this time the feeling was exhilarating. I gave into it, riding the crest of the wave.

Suddenly we were twined round each other again - just like before. Louis was kissing me with an abandon I had never seen in him. We writhed together almost desperately - and this was not at all like before. Louis had certainly managed to prove his hypothesis! I would have laughed but I didn't have sufficient control of my voice. My tongue felt thick in my mouth as tried to say his name. It came out as an incoherent groan and was answered by a hoarse whisper.

"Lestat...."

Part Eight: (Louis)

All the human desires that I had believed lost were awakened in me hundred-fold then. There was no shame in this awakening, as I seemed to see the world as it truly was. I was aware only of the most incredible aching need for the blond demon who was returning my caresses with an equal violence. To think that this had begun as an *experiment*! But I believe that, even in this moment of newly-kindle desire, he was more in control than I. But Lestat must always be in control. And, while I felt beaten down by the tide of sexual lust that raged through me, he seemed to find revitalising. He said my name in a strange throaty voice and my desire turned up a stage in response.

"Lestat...." I managed to say, wanting to say so much more. To express my wonder and excitement at what had occurred between us. And above all, my complete consuming love for him. ".... love you..... "I managed to choke out as I clutched at him as if he were my salvation.

He was on top of me, pressing me down on to the bed, my arms and legs wrapped tightly around him and my head buried deep in his neck, kissing the rapidly closing wounds. I wanted him to possess me, to have me absolutely. I didn't know if it was possible. But Lestat has always rushed in where angels fear to tread, and I gasped as I felt him hard against me. I was shuddering, wanting this more than anything, fighting against fear, as he began to enter me.

"Lestat! Lestat stop!...... you're, you're *hurting* me!" I cried, unable to stand it any more.

Tears were falling fast and he stroked them away with one hand, the other holding me in place.

"Stop fighting me," he said, in that strange thickened voice. "Relax, please. Louis, cher, beautiful one....."

"But it hurts!," I gasped. "Lestat! Lestat, please!" And then he entered me, invading my body, possessing me as I had hoped and feared he would.

"Am I still hurting you?" he asked, and I managed to shake my head.

"No.... yes....., a little, I'm not sure," I said, my word stumbling over one another as my body responded to the throbbing heat of his penetration. We were both soaked in blood and the scent of it was making me nearly delirious. "Don't stop," I told him, lifting my face to be kissed. He was taking the lead now, turning me into his slave again. And I didn't mind! The pleasure of our love-making was keener than anything I've ever felt. Even better than the blood, though the scent of it tormented me and I found it hard not to drive my fangs into his neck again. And then we were moving together, finding the natural rhythm of our bodies, and there was nothing *unnatural* about it. It was possible! And I loved him. I realised that with a stunned wonder as I strained beneath him, not wanting to fight him any more as I strived towards a different form of release. I loved him, and I wanted him as any human might. To be my lover - mine, and mine alone. It still hurt, but it was a sweet ache and one I welcomed. The pain and pleasure fusing together to create an ecstasy that rivalled anything else.

The movement increased as we streaked towards a height of pleasure, our love-making reaching a dazzling crescendo that blotted out everything else. I threw my head back, he was lifting me towards that height in a tornado of spiralling desire. I screamed then, in the throes of orgasm, seeing stars behind my tightly shut eyes. I was out of time, pierced on a spear of ecstasy, wanting him, needing him, forever in my arms. I didn't need the connection of our minds to feel his climax as I did my own. And in the midst of all that colour and light and the stars exploding behind my eyes, I heard him call my name.

And then I fell, like falling out of a dream, to find myself lying motionless on the bed with him collapsed against me, his hair covering my face as he lay there, equally unmoving.

Part Nine: (Lestat)

Slowly I opened my eyes, surprised to find that I was still alive. Barely able to move dragged myself off Louis, to lie beside him, gradually drawing long breaths. I could have drifted into sleep then and there - my strength had so utterly deserted me. But I forced myself to turn my head and meet his eyes.

He was smiling, ever so slightly, and I cherished the curve of his beautiful mouth. I would have kissed him, had I not been tired almost to death. His eyes were hazy with pleasure and somehow I managed to summon a smile in return.

"That was amazing..." he breathed, gazing at me with such tenderness that I felt my heart thudding within my chest in response. "Thank you, Lestat!"

"Thank you, beautiful one," I corrected drowsily. "It was *your* idea!" I struggled to stay awake. "My beautiful Louis," I murmured. For was he not truly mine now?

"Lestat," he leaned closer, letting his lips brush my face. Suddenly he blinked and shifted to put a hand on my shoulder. "Lestat, wakeup!"

"I'm exhausted," I confessed, looking up at him through the smallest gap in my eye-lashes. "I could sleep for a week!"

"But not here," he said sternly. "Come on, get up. You can sleep when you're in your coffin."

I grimaced, wanting to lie there by his side. But he was adamant and I managed to get to my feet, leaning somewhat heavily against his deliciously naked skin. I felt utterly sated and fulfilled. He was laughing as he led me considerately to my coffin, his footsteps surer than mine.

"Mon dieu! Lestat," he exclaimed, "you are asleep on your feet."

"Mmmm," I replied, leaning my head on his shoulder, savouring the feel of his arms around me. I woke up with a start as I realised he was lifting me into my coffin and grabbed his hand.

"What is it?" he asked, leaning over to look at me.

"Don't leave," I insisted, still holding his hand. I couldn't bear him to leave me now.

"But I have to," he said reasonably. "It's not long before dawn, I'm tired too, Lestat!" I grinned, not letting him go. Even as tired as this I could still be a brat!

"No," I told him. "You're not leaving!" I reached out with both hands and tugged sharply, to feel him fall into my arms with a gasp of surprise.

This was how it should be. Him in my arms, and it had been so long since we had shared one resting place like this. Only the once, the night I made him, had he permitted it. "Stay with me?" I said, trying not to plead, wanting him here with me as I dreamed of what had passed between us. His answer was everything I could have wanted.

"Always," he said softly, making himself comfortable against me.

"I'll have to get a bigger coffin, I sighed as he reached to close the lid.

"I like this one," he said, with the faintest hint of amusement in his voice as he slid the lid across to enclose us in a cocoon of warmth and darkness. He was pressed tightly against me in the confining space, but if he wasn't complaining neither would I. Our bodies melted together as we allowed the death-like sleep to creep slowly over us.

"Do you love me?" I whispered in the darkness, glad that he couldn't see my face.

"Yes," he said quietly. I waited, knowing he would say it. I couldn't sleep until he had. And age passed, slowly. "And do you love me?" he asked finally, curious how vulnerable he seemed then. Our union had been passionate, both of us wild with desire. But Louis still needed to hear it from my mouth. And I, well I intended to prove my love to him all over again when we woke making full use of our discovery! But I needed to say it too, had wanted to say it for so long.

"I love you," I told him whispering into the dark. "For all time, you and only you. My love, my beautiful one...."

"Je t'aime, je t'adore," he replied. "Sleep well, my Prince." And my eyes finally closed, with him in my arms and his name on my lips.

"Louis."