Chapter Text
Brave, aren’t you? Or foolish.
The third time Daniel had heard the voice of another immortal in his head, beside Louis, after his return to San Fransico, stopped him still as he walked towards his car in the underground parking lot of his editors' offices. He looked around, not seeing the source but knowing that with immortals that didn’t mean they weren’t close by.
Making a dollar, making a dime, my friend. You wanna go next?
Daniel projected his thoughts out, feeling oddly like he was shouting from a rooftop into the void.
Foolish fledging, you expose us all and think we will sit still?
Daniel paused by his car, turning around to the entrance of the parking lot and dropping his fangs.
Try it, motherfucker.
He stood still for a few seconds more, before turning to climb into his car. He pulled out of the parking lot and drove onto the street, still feeling the awareness of being watched as he did so. He drove on autopilot for a few miles before he felt the sensation drop.
He’d been in San Fran for only a year and hadn’t seen or been approached by any other immortals yet. He was goddamn sure there had to have been some in a city this size.He had been so caught up in writing, editing and publishing the interview he hadn’t really left his apartment or had a chance to investigate.
And with Daniels first- and second-hand - knowledge of what vampirism did to the psyche, he wasn’t too sure he wanted to meet any others.
He kept in touch with Louis, communicated predominantly digitally with his work colleagues and then there was the fact of Armand.
Daniel grimaced and swore under his breath as he pulled into his parking garage. Making sure to listen as he entered the building. The sounds of the street below faded away due to the sound insulated walls as he entered his apartment. He laid himself down on his brown suede couch and sighed heavily. Trying (and failing) not to think of Armand. It had been a year and he ached. He wasn’t sure where the fucking bastard had run off too and yet there were times where he was sure he felt the brush of his gaze. He couldn’t call out to him, his mind permanently shut off to Armand. He had hated Armands ability to just drop into his hidden thoughts and finish his sentence, undress him so thoroughly with his unspoken questions and yet now without it he felt like someone has sliced a knife through the rope that connected them. Without Armand near, without being able to taste his blood and reach out to him, Daniel felt surely he would eventually go mad if he let himself.
He wouldn’t fucking let himself. Purely because he couldn’t stand the idea of the smug righteousness of Armand as he confirmed his many warnings about the dark gift and its consequences. Armand had finally turned him, pushed by Daniel into not being a coward and taking his freedom into his own hands. Daniel had told him do what he truly wanted to, regardless of the consequences.
So, Armand had infinitely tied himself to Daniel even after Daniel, memories returned to him, couldn’t conjure up himself being anymore entwined to the beautiful monster he adored.
And then he'd fucked off.
Daniel was gonna punch him in the fucking face when he saw Armand again. He would punch his face and then fall to his knees and su-
Daniel Molloy.
Daniel nipped that thought away quickly and sat up on the couch.
Louis? That you?
You’ve made some friends tonight?
Daniel huffed.
Books barely published and words gotten out already. You sure you ready for this?
Are you ready for this, Daniel?
Daniel laughed and relaxed further into the couch.
I’ve been jonesing to get this out to readers for 50 years, buddy. I'm not letting some butthurt bloodsuckers get in my way now.
Daniel could almost picture Louis’s smirk through the mental link.
Still don’t think you should go through with it anyway.
Now that’s your ex talking right there
Daniel felt Louis’s ire down the line.
Has he come to you yet?
Louis’s question was genuine but Daniel knew he also wanted to move on from the quip.
No, you?
No.
Daniel huffed. He didn’t even know where to begin to look for him. He couldn’t call out mentally and he very much did not want to ask that of Louis.
I appreciate the sentiment, Daniel.
You weren’t meant to hear that, bud.
Goodbye now, Daniel.
Bye Louis, don’t be a stranger.
Connection off, Daniel groaned, running his hands down his face. What could he possibly do now if he couldn't ask Louis for help? The only other vampire he knew of-
Huh. Hmm.
Daniel sat up straight, his face creased in thought.
He could?
No-
But he needed to find him!
Daniel thought a quick sorry and fuck you to his maker before he decided.
Fuck it.
Lestat.
Silence.
Daniel concentrated, his head began to feel like he was scrolling through radio channels. Filtering out chatter was hard but Daniel was fucking determined.
Lestat De Lioncourt.
This wasn’t gonna work.
Lestaaaaat
Oui, Who is this?
Here we fucking go.
Daniel Molloy, Mr Lioncourt. Friend of Louis Du Lac.
There was another moment of silence.
I recently interviewed Louis and he told me his life story, so forgive me for the familiarity but I feel like a know you a bit. I was glad to hear of your recent reconciliation, although Louis is back in Dubai at the moment. I hope he’ll be joining you in the states again soon?
Monsieur Molloy, from What Louis told me I owe you a great deal. I am eternally in your debt for helping my love open his eyes to the truth!
Ok, Lestat was living up to expectation
Yeah well about that debt I need a favor, if you’d be so inclined.
Oui, continue.
I need help finding Armand.
Daniel thought of Armands eyes, of his curls, of the feeling of his fangs –
Ahh, le petit gremlin. Hmm, I see he is your maker, non? 500 years with no fledglings and you are who he chooses to break that vowel on. Fascinating.
Daniel didn’t particularly enjoy Lestat using that word, as it echoed over his mind in the voice of his maker.
So can you help me?
Très certainement, give me several days. You are in San Fransisco, non?
Daniel sat up.
Surely, you don’t need to come here when I asked for your help I meant like giving him a call, you know, mentally ?
Daniel heard the echoed of a laugh through his brain.
Daniel, I do not think he will simply answer me so. Plus I thought, a close brother of Louis I simply must become acquainted with. I believe you and I will be able to call out your absentee maker together, and I can go on feeling like I have repaid you for my Louis.
Daniel sighed.
Also, Lestat added cheerfully, I feel like a holiday!
OK. Alright. But bring your own damn coffin. I don’t have spares.
Merveilleux! What is your address? I shall have my things shipped post haste!
Yeah, Daniel was going to regret it. Of that he was absolutely sure. But if he could find Armand and get the bastard to actually have even a conversation with him, it would be worth it.
He also didn't think it would hurt to have Lestat around, and feeling indebted to him if any other pissed off vampires decided to rear their ugly heads.
He was also morbidly curious to actually meet this guy, after all he'd heard.
This was a great idea.
This idea was fine.
Everything would be fine...