Vampire Reference in a Minor Key(If you need me...)

by Humanzoul

Summary:

“Why were you drinking his blood? Isn’t that like, cannibalism, or something?”
Spike shrugged in response, “Well, I’m not draining him,” he said, “And he drinks my blood, too.”
“So it’s just a kink thing?”
“…sort of.”

 

Buffy had only just broken it off with Spike when a different vampire appeared, one more powerful than any vampire she'd seen before, one unharmed by the sun, able to fly. One Spike, apparently, already knew and didn't bother to tell her about.

William left the Whirlwind after another conflict with Angelus, only to be found by an older vampire, one willing to teach him his ways, one willing to care for him and take him with him on his travels.

Notes:

Hi I had a dream in which Spike and Armand were together and then I couldn't get it out of my head how great they were together in that dream.
I'm sorry.

The title is the same as that of the Will Wood song.

Chapter 1: Watering

Summary:

Spike chuckled as he finally recognised the vampire speaking to him, “Armand?” He looked around again, then finally found a shadow in the dark, he tilted his head, “Is that you?”
The tall man stepped out of the shade and into the moonlight, he smiled gently, “Hello, William.”

Notes:

Title from the Big Thief song

1881, LONDON, ENGLAND

William ran out of their house, or, what had been the place they had been staying in and made his way down the streets.

“Not good for anything” Well, William would show him, he would show Angelus he could make it on his own without any of them. He smelled blood.

He turned to the alleyway on his right and found a young girl sitting, crying on the floor. He approached her, slowly, “Hello, young girl,” He said and she looked up at him, her cheeks wet with tears, “Can I help you?” he asked.

Suddenly, she stood up and wrapped her arms around him, in his ear, she breathed, “He’s coming.” She was terrified. But well, now was as good a time as any other,

“Don’t worry,” He said, letting his fangs come out, “He won’t hurt you anymore.” And he sank his teeth in her neck.

“Hello, young one,” A low voice said, William flinched, the girl, completely lifeless now dropped to the ground before he turned around,

“The fuck are you?”

Don’t worry fledgeling, he said, at least, William thought he was speaking, I am not here to hurt you . But there was something wrong. The man wasn’t moving his lips.

William’s eyes widened, “How do you do that?”

The man tutted, You were turned by another Fledgeling, weren’t you? Not old enough to pass on the mind gift, sadly. He was French.

William huffed, crossing his arms, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lestat came closer, Don’t you?

William tried to step back, only that girl was lying there, “Stop that.”

“I’ve been watching your little coven for a bit now, William,” said the Frenchman, “It’s almost comical, the way you act. You’re some of the least powerful vampires I know.”

William frowned, “Coven?

The man chuckled, “Oh, have they taught you nothing?” He stepped even closer, only inches away from William’s face, he reached out his hand, stroking a piece of his hair, “Pity, so beautiful, and knows so little.”

William wanted to step away, run back to Dru, only, he found himself unable to move, almost enchanted by the man, for a second, his mind felt clear as he said, “I’m not a poof… what do you want from me?”

The man laughed, “Come with me, William, I’ll show you.” He turned around and walked, leaving William standing there for a second before he followed him,

“It’s Spike.”

 

2022, DUBAI, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

“You're not to touch him. Do you understand? You harm him in any way, I will kill you. Do you understand? I'm leaving now. When I return, you need to be gone.”

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Spike found Buffy, fighting a vampire, as always and looked at her as he leaned onto a tombstone, “How you doin'?” he asked.

“Oh, fine,” said Buffy, “You know, same old same old.” She staked the guy she’d been fighting and turned to look at Spike, “Didn’t I tell you we’re over?”
“Isn’t there still vampire scum to finish?” Said Spike, “Demons to kill?”

“Sure, go ahead.” And Buffy casually staked a vampire that came up to them as she walked, Spike following her

“If you’re so done and over us, why don’t you-” He started, but Buffy interrupted him,

“I am not telling my friends about us.”

Spike stopped walking “...Why not?”

“Why would I?” He didn’t answer, so Buffy continued, “You’re only hurting yourself like this, Spike. I don’t love you, never have, never will, you’re just gonna have to deal with that.”

And she left, leaving Spike alone, pouting to himself.

Must hurt , he heard, or, sort of felt inside his head, he looked around himself,

“What?”

But then, that was always you, wasn’t it? Came the voice again, Falling for the unavailable blonde, at least you’re consistent .

Spike chuckled as he finally recognised the vampire speaking to him, “Armand?” He looked around again, then finally found a shadow in the dark, he tilted his head, “Is that you?” 

The tall man stepped out of the shade and into the moonlight, he smiled gently, “Hello, William.”

Spike couldn’t help but grin, before frowning. Something wasn’t right. “What’s wrong?”

Armand looked away from Spike, his eyes on the stars above them, or, he was just trying to avoid Spike’s gaze, “...I need a place to stay,” he said finally. Spike frowned. Armand had always been rich, manipulating humans into giving him what he wanted, so, why would he need anything from him?

“Why?”

Armand shrugged, “Louis left me.”

Spike had heard of Louis before. So he gave Armand a nod and gestured at the cemetery around them, “I have a crypt,” he said, “Not too far from here.”

“Would you let me stay with you?”

Spike looked at him for a bit, then shrugged, “Okay.”

Notes:

Next chapter:
1881: Lestat teaches William how to access and harness his new powers.
2022: Buffy meets Armand.

I hope you're excited for this story! For some reason when I started writing I just kept on going. I'm in love with both Armand and Spike and if you've ever read my other stories, you know I love shipping Spike with the most random characters, so, it was really a matter of time before this would happen.

Chapter 2: You will have memories because of what we did back then when we were new at this

Summary:

“Drink my blood,” said Lestat and William only blinked at him,
“What?”
Lestat tilted his head, “You wish to become more powerful? I have what you need. Drink my blood.”

Notes:

chapter title from a sappho poem

I used some text from Queen of the Damned for Daniel's memories.

1881, LONDON, ENGLAND

Lestat led William inside of a large house, expensive, much more what had been Angelus’ and Darla’s taste than William’s. He closed the door behind him,

“Come here, William,” said Lestat, but William remained at the door,

“My name’s Spike, by the way,” he said, slowly moving to where Lestat had been standing, “So, what, then?” He said, “are you gonna train me to be like you or whatever, what is it-”

“Drink my blood,” said Lestat and William only blinked at him,

“What?”

Lestat tilted his head, “You wish to become more powerful? I have what you need. Drink my blood.”

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Armand looked at Spike’s bed, his arms crossed, “Do you not have a coffin?” He asked, looking around in search of one.

“Er, I like a little more space to move?” Said Spike, “I mean, the crypt already gives me that enclosed, underground feel, that’s enough for me, to be honest.”

Armand nodded, “I haven’t slept in a coven for a while, either. Haven’t slept a lot at all recently, actually.”

Spike frowned, “Why’s that?”

“The sun doesn’t hurt me anymore,” Armand shrugged, “Well, I do get the occasional headache, but I don’t…burn.”

“Then why don’t you sleep at night?”

Armand looked away, “Louis was awake at night.”

“Louis, your husband?” Said Spike

“Ex husband,” corrected the older vampire, “He left me.”

Spike frowned, “Why?”

Armand continued to avoid eye contact, “I killed his daughter.” Spike decided not to react to that one. “And lied about it for over 70 years.”

“Right,” said Spike, “Completely valid reasons to leave someone.” Which earned him a glare, “So, you’re here ‘cause he kicked you out?”

Armand nodded, “He’s in possession of the penthouse in Dubai,” he said, “Now, I do own an island in Florida, but I cannot stay there right now due to… other reasons.”

“Right. And how did you find me?”

Armand looked at him, his eyes seeming more a darker brown than the usual bright yellow, “I could sense your presence.”

“Lovely.”

The two vampires looked at each other for a bit before Armand broke the silence

“You’ve changed… Spike.”

And the younger vampire couldn’t help the smile that spread on his face at his name being used. He stepped closer to Armand, “So have you,” he said, his hand reaching out to his hair, it was longer than it had been when they'd last seen each other, or, longer than the length he usually cut it to every night when he woke up. “I like your hair.”

Armand smiled, looking at the slicked back platinum blonde “I like yours.”

Spike’s hand slipped into Armand’s hair, to hold the back of his head as he slowly pulled him into a kiss. One Armand immediately reciprocated, his hand pulling Spike’s face close to him. Spike’s other hand slipped down to pull Armand close to him by his waist as he deepened the kiss. But it stayed gentle. 

He’d forgotten what gentle was like.

They pulled away from each other, their foreheads resting against one another as they looked in each other’s eyes.

“I missed you,” whispered Spike and Armand’s eyes fell closed, Spike leaned back, his head off Amanda, “You okay?” he asked and Armand nodded, “It’s okay if you don’t want to rush into this again,” Spike said, “your husband literally just left you, I understand if you don’t want-“

Armand’s eyes opened, dark, deep, “No, I want this,” He said, “Please. I need this.”

And Spike smiled, leaning in to press his lips to Armand’s once again.

 

2022, DUBAI, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

When Louis left, after the interview, Armand and Daniel were left alone. Armand, still on the floor, looking up at Daniel, into his eyes. Leaving? The word he heard directly in his head as he continued to look down at the vampire, not moving. He remembered something. He remembered a wanting, a searching. He remembered himself finding a crumpled up piece of paper in his pocket after leaving a drug den. He remembered the notes he’d written on it. He remembered, again, remembering those six nights with Louis and Armand.

 

1881, LONDON, ENGLAND

William stood outside on Lestat’s balcony, his chest bare as he looked over the city. Two arms slipped around his waist from behind and William felt himself relax into them.

How do you feel? he heard. He frowned for a second as he looked down before replying, out loud,

“...Different.”

“I’m hungry.”

The older vampire grinned, “Then we shall feed, I’ll help you harness your new abilities.”

 

They walked down the streets together, both dressed just like all the other posh men in the street.

You must have gained the mind gift now, he heard.

“And is that how you’re speaking to me right now?” He said, not paying attention to the humans who could only hear his side of the conversation.

It should be easy to do the same. All you’ll have to do is project your thoughts onto me, I should be able to hear it.

Spike frowned, Like this?

And Lestat smiled. Exactly. With humans, you must treat their thoughts as if they are just another bodily sound, the sound of the mind. You can hear their heartbeats, their breathing, this should just be another small step.

 

2022, NEW YORK, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Daniel sat in his room, his eyes blankly looking at the transcripts of his interview as he thought of the last memory of Armand that came back to him. Almost came back to him. All he remembered was Armand dragging him out of bed in New Orleans, shouting about a telephone.

The previous memory he had discovered had come to him in his sleep, at first, he thought it had been a dream, but…

Silence.

“You are strangely defiant and beseeching in the same breath.”

Make me immortal. Give it to me!

Laughter again. Almost sad. Then silence, the water rushing fast in that distant someplace. The room had become visible, a filthy basement hole. And the figure more nearly mortal. 

“It was all true, what he told you. But no one will ever believe it. And you will go mad in time from this knowledge. That's what always happens. But you're not mad yet.”

No. This is real, it's all happening. You're Armand and we're talking together. And I'm not mad.

“Yes. And I find it rather interesting… interesting that you remember my name and that you're alive. No-one alive knows my name. You are the only one.” Armand hesitated. “I don't want to kill you. Not just now.” Daniel shivered at the inhuman sound of the vampire’s voice, the longer he listened, the more it seemed to bother him. “I am going to let you leave here,” Armand had said. So politely, softly. “I want to follow you, watch you, see where you go. As long as I find you interesting, I won't kill you. And of course, I may lose interest altogether and not bother to kill you. That's always possible. You have hope in that. And maybe with luck I'll lose track of you. I have my limitations, of course. You have the world to roam, and you can move by day. Go now. Start running. I want to see what you do, I want to know what you are.”

Go now, start running!

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Armand laid under him as he thrusted into him, erecting breathy whimpers from the older vampire.He heard a door opening. Ignore it , a command in his head, one he followed as he pulled Armand closer to him, burying his head in his neck, his hair, oh, yes, he smelled nice, Spike remembered that. He pressed open mouthed kisses onto the neck, his teeth softly scraping over the skin, teasingly, until another command rang through his head, drink . And so he did, his teeth puncturing Armand’s soft skin and there it was. A familiar taste, sweet, metallic, warm, a strength he could immediately feel returning, coursing through his body when he heard feet fall onto the floor of his underground crypt.

“Spike?!” With a tired sigh, Spike pulled his mouth away from Armand’s neck, who quickly healed the wound himself, he got off the yellow-eyed vampire and sat up on the bed, looking Buffy in the eye, he could feel annoyance at being interrupted radiating off Armand, but decided to ignore that for now.

“Couldn’t knock?” Spike asked, wiping his mouth with his hand when he noticed a drop of blood running down his chin, Buffy was looking at it,

“You have a chip in your head.”
Spike couldn’t help but chuckle at that reaction, “This is Armand.”

“What?”

“Hello,” an inhuman voice said, the owner leaning back on his arms next to where Spike was sitting, “You must be the Slayer.”

Buffy looked at the two strangely, Why would Spike tell his victim… Thoughts Spike managed to pick up with the familiar blood running through his veins once again, “What’s going on?” Buffy eventually asked.

“He’s a vampire, Buffy,” said Spike, calm.

Buffy scoffed and it was as if it was only then she noticed both men were naked under that bedsheet, her eyes widened,“What, were you two…?” Spike sighed as Armand, next to him, only smiled at the girl, What is it that you came here for, Slayer? Words ringing through Buffy’s mind, the voice sounded more human in her head, but the vampire hadn’t moved his lips. “What?”

What was happening only seemed to mildly annoy Spike, as if he’d seen it happen hundreds of times before, “Don’t do that, Armand,” he said, tiredly. 

Armand glanced at Spike before turning and looking Buffy in the eye once again, Do what? And those eyes were only making it more off putting, she looked at Spike, “How is he doing that?”

Spike was turned to the other vampire, “She hasn’t met a lot of old ones before. Or those sired by them.”

Armand chuckled, pulling Buffy’s eyes back to him before he said aloud: “And you call yourself a vampire Slayer?”

Buffy scoffed, crossing her arms, “Who are you?”

And then images flooded her brain, images of Spike with dark blonde hair, tied back with a bow, introducing himself to Armand, images of Spike watching a play being performed while Armand was watching him, images of Spike writing in a notebook by candle light while Armand was asking him to come back to bed with him.

Images of Spike, of William from Armand’s mind, the way this strange inhuman creature saw him. Gentle. Patient. Kind. 

And then the images were gone and she was once again met with those yellow, off putting eyes watching her.

 

1882, ROME, ITALY

William laid in their bed, sore everywhere, as Lestat cleaned both of them up, then watched as Lestat got dressed, rolling himself a cigarette. He put it in his mouth and Lestat looked at it. It lit and William breathed in slowly. “You’ve still gotta teach me how to do that,” He said.

“Yeah,” said Lestat and he turned around.

“Where you going?” Asked William, tapping ash onto the tray next to the bed.

“I’ve got to handle some business in the city,” said the French vampire, the accent slightly annoying William as he spoke, “I’ll be back before dawn.

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Buffy made his way out of the crypt and the cemetery, why did it have to keep getting weirder? Since when could vampires speak before moving their lips and what were “old ones”? And most importantly, how did Spike turn gay… And were his eyes somehow lighter?

“I thought we weren’t together, Buffy.” Speak of the Devil. Buffy turned on her heel and looked him in the eye.

“Armand’s a vampire,” She declared and Spike frowned,
“So am I.”

Buffy shrugged, annoyed, “Why were you drinking his blood? Isn’t that like, cannibalism, or something?”

Spike shrugged in response, “Well, I’m not draining him,” he said, “And he drinks my blood, too.”

“So it’s just a kink thing?”

Spike’s eyes narrowed, “…sort of.”

Buffy looked at him, his shirt unbuttoned and his hair mussed, “Is that why your eyes are… like this?”

Spike frowned, “What?”

Buffy looked at him for another second before turning back around, “Nevermind.”

 

1884, PRAGUE, BOHEMIA

Lestat opened the door, causing William to look up at him,

“We’re leaving,” Lestat announced as he started shoving clothes into a suitcase. “Grab your clothes, the rest will be shipped by my lawyer.”

“Your lawyer?”

“William.” Lestat looked at him, purple blue eyes staring into his soul, “Get your things. We’re going to Paris.”

 

2022, DUBAI, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Daniel looked away from where Armand had been lying on the ground. He knew to leave. He knew there was a car and a plane waiting to take him away from Dubai. He knew he had a book to write.

Notes:

Next chapter:
1884: William and Lestat arrive in Paris.
2022: Buffy asks the Scoobies about telepathic vampires

I decided to post this chapter quicker than originally planned, I hope you guys enjoyed it!

Chapter 3: And pressing his head to my temple, his head was a temple

Summary:

“Since when are vampires telepathic?”
That was what Buffy had said as she stepped into the magic shop.
“What?” Asked Giles, looking up from one of his books, “Why do you ask?”
Buffy walked over to the table her friends were sitting at, “I met Spike’s new boyfriend today…” she frowned, “old boyfriend? He talked to me without moving his lips.”

Notes:

I'm back! Sorry I was on holiday with friends, I didn't really get to writing, but here's chapter 3 now!

Title from Pretty Things by Big Thief

1884, PARIS, FRANCE

William had never been in Paris before and the poet inside of him was looking his eyes out, it was gorgeous, it was romantic and he thought Lestat looked happier than ever here.

They stopped in front of a small theatre, large letters written above the entrance read: “Theatre de Vampyr”. William snorted, he thought they were supposed to stay low key, but Lestat didn’t pay any attention to that as he pulled William inside with him. The vampires who worked there, wearing fake oversized fangs, let them inside after only giving Lestat a look and led them to a private balcony where they had a clear view of the stage.

It was amazing. The play was the greatest William had ever seen and the actors were marvelous. It was wonderful.

“Bonjour Lestat,” The two vampires turned around to the owner of the voice, standing by the door to the balcony.

Lestat smiled, “Armand,” he said and looked at William for a second, who stepped forward and introduced himself,

“I’m Spike,” he said and Lestat shook his head,

“His name is William. William, this is Armand.”

Armand narrowed his eyes at William who was frozen in place, “I smell your blood on him,” He said with a French accent.

“He’s not my fledgling,” said Lestat, causing Armand’s eyes to turn to him,

“Who’s is he?”

Lestat looked at William and smiled gently, “He was sired by a young vampiress named Drusilla.”

“And who made her?”

Lestat turned back to Armand, “Angelus. Liam.”

And Armand sighed, “Right.”

William looked at the two men, his brows furrowed, “Sorry, what’s wrong?”

“Angelus and Darla have been quite a nuisance to most vampires in Europe,” explained Lestat, “Not using a lot of stealth when killing, leaving bodies out to be found.”

Oh. That was something William didn’t know wasn’t allowed. Well, he was here to learn. “…Right.”

Armand stared at him, his yellow eyes completely unsettling, “And you’ve done it, too.”

“Armand, I have…” Lestat started, “I have taken him under my wing, you could say.”

The elder vampire tilted his head, “You think you’re the right person to teach this fledgling?”

“Yes. I do.”

Armand didn’t take his eyes off William, “How old are you, Fledgeling?”

“Thir-“ William scraped his throat, disguising it as a cough, “Er, thirty-two.”

Armand raised an eyebrow, “And a vampire for…”

“Four years.”

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

“Since when are vampires telepathic?”

That was what Buffy had said as she stepped into the magic shop.

“What?” Asked Giles, looking up from one of his books, “Why do you ask?”

Buffy walked over to the table her friends were sitting at, “I met Spike’s new boyfriend today…” she frowned, “old boyfriend? He talked to me without moving his lips. Something about who sired him.”

Xander looked completely taken aback, “Boyfriend?” he asked, “Spike is gay ?”

Buffy only shrugged as Willow muttered, “...I’m actually not too surprised.”

“What was his name?” Asked Giles.

“Armand,” said Buffy, “Didn’t get a last name.”

Though, the name still made Giles frown, “I believe I’ve heard that name before, give me a minute.”

Buffy gave him an awkward smile as he left to his books and she took his chair.

“I’ve met a vampire called Armand before,” mused Anya, “Nice guy.”

Xander looked down at the table, “Spike is gay?”

Anya gently took his hand, “Let it go, sweetie.”

He looked at the rest of the Scoobies, “But he’s so masculine and-” He noticed the way Tara and Willow were looking at him, “I’ll shut up.”

Giles returned, book in hand as he read aloud, “The Vampire Armand. Previously named Amadeo by his sire, Marius de Romanus… He was the leader of the vampire coven in Paris, to humans known as the Théâtre de Vampires. Every show, they would devour a human on stage, without the audience’s knowing. The theatre went up in flames in 1949.”

Buffy looked up at him, “Work of a Slayer?”

Giles shook his head, “No. Previous Watchers think it might have been a different vampire.”

Xander turned to look at his fiance, “Is that the ‘nice’ Armand you met?”

Anya gave him a happy nod, “Oh, yes, that’s him exactly. I spent a while with him and Marius in the late 1400s before he was a vampire. I also met him later in Paris a few times.”

That had not been the answer Xander had expected, “...Right.”

“You met Marius de Romanus?” Giles asked.

“Oh, yeah,” she said.

“Keeper of Those Who Must be Kept?” He continued.

“That’s the one.” She nodded.

“Marius, who bought young boys from various brothels in Venice?”

Anya frowned, “Well, when you say it like that…”

Buffy looked at them, “So, Armand was turned by a pedo, that still doesn’t tell us much.”

Anya stared at no one in particular as she murmured, “I do remember him being sixteen when I first met him in the blue stockings and everything.”

Willow’s eyes widened, “So,” she said, desperate to change the subject, “Telepathic vampires?”

 

1884, PARIS, FRANCE 

The second time William came to watch one of the plays at the Theatre, Armand watched him. Closely. Every move he made, every time he laughed or smiled, every time he leaned closer, leaned away, everything he did, Armand saw and remembered.

And then he saw William take out a notebook and scribble something down.

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

It was easy. Slipping into old routine. Spike hadn’t even noticed he’d missed waking up next to Armand, but now he found himself savouring every second he could watch the man sleep gently, the only time he could see him actually rest. Unless the nightmares came and Spike would gently shake him awake, hold him in his arms and gently soothe him until he fell asleep again. He’d done it many times before, only that had been almost 140 years ago. 

Spike was holding Armand now, softly trailing his fingers up and down his arm as he felt Armand’s breathing slow. And then Armand turned around to look him in the eye and down at his lips. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and leaned in to press his lips to Spike’s. Spike pulled Armand closer by his waist as he deepened the kiss. Armand propped himself up on Spike’s lap and pulled his mouth away from his lips. He looked at the sliver of spit on Spike’s bottom lip and pressed a kiss to his chin, then trailed his kisses down to Spike’s neck as he nipped at his throat. 

When Armand stuck his teeth into Spike’s neck, Spike couldn’t help but whimper before relaxing back in his bed, he stayed like that for a bit before he angled himself in a way his teeth could puncture Armand’s skin and draw blood.

And their blood flowed into each other as they continued to drink and voices started filling Spike’s head, overlapping, unclear.

 

1884, PARIS, FRANCE 

William stood up from his chair and turned around to find Armand approaching him, he was about to speak, but Armand beat him to it,

“What did you write down?”

William blinked. “What?”

“In your notebook,” he pointed at the small book in William’s hand, “you wrote something down.”

“Oh,” He looked down at the book and opened it, “Er, just a line from the play,” he said, “I thought it was good.” He gave it to Armand, who looked at the single sentence on the page and read it over and over again, then, he started leafing backwards through the book.

“Er, those are actually kind of private,” William started, but Armand was already back at the beginning of the book before he gave it back to William.

“Poems,” he said.

“They’re old,” said William as he put it in the pocket of his jacket.
“They’re good.”
William frowned, “You read them?”

Armand nodded, “I did.”

“William.” The two turned to look at Lestat and William wondered how long he’d been watching them,

“Yeah?” he said.

“Let’s go.”

They walked back to Lestat’s house in silence. Lestat opened the door and William followed, closing it behind. And when he turned back around Lestat’s lips were on his, arms pressing him against the door as Lestat worked himself into his mouth possessively.

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

When Buffy approached Spike’s crypt, she heard his voice speak softly to someone she couldn’t hear. She walked closer and saw Spike, his eyes closed, his hands clasped together as he spoke,

“No, I don’t understand what you mean,” he said. “He’s with me.” Buffy watched him frown, “I will not tell you where that is, no.”

“Spike,” said Buffy, and the vampire opened his eyes for a second to look at her, before closing them again and saying,

“You know how to call to me.” And he opened his eyes again, “Slayer.”

“Were you talking to yourself?” She asked and Spike shook his head.

“A vampire,” he said. “Wondered where Armand was.”

“Did you tell him?”

“Nope.” He crossed his arms, “What do you want?”

“What?” That earned her a scoff,

“Well, I’m sorry love, but you usually don’t visit me without a reason, what do you want?”

“Armand,” said Buffy. “Bring him to the magic shop.”

Spike raised an eyebrow, “What for?”

She shrugged, “We wanna talk to him.”

Spike looked at her for a bit before he started, “If you touch him-“

“I’m pretty sure he can save himself,” said Buffy, “Much better than a chipped vampire can.”

“You I can hurt, Slayer.”

“We won’t hurt him,” She said. “We just wanna ask some questions.”

Spike relaxed, nodded, “Okay. I’ll ask him. I don’t make any promises.”

 

1884, PARIS, FRANCE

After another play, William decided to look up Armand again and walked over to his office. As he walked, he read his new poem to himself before he was close enough to the door and he looked up. He froze. Because Armand wasn’t alone. And pulling him close by his waist was Lestat. He stood still, watching as Armand’s eyes opened and found him standing there.

Notes:

Next chapter:
1984: Armand and William meet up and talk many nights.
2022: Armand and Spike make their way to the magic shop.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, too! I've really been enjoying all the happy comments I've been getting :)

Chapter 4: I see you as you see yourself through all the books you read

Summary:

It was the first time William had woken up in a bed instead of a coffin since he’d met Lestat.
And the first time he’d had sex with more than one man at once… Not too bad.

Notes:

Good evening kids, I've been nonstop reading the Mayfair Chronicles which is keeping me in the Anne Rice mindset which I'm enjoying!

Title from the song Vampire Empire by Big Thief.

1884, PARIS, FRANCE

It was the first time William had woken up in a bed instead of a coffin since he’d met Lestat.

And the first time he’d had sex with more than one man at once… Not too bad.

He felt Armand stir awake beside him.

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Spike watched Armand as he slept peacefully, softly tracing circles on his arm to soothe him when the other vampire woke up, light eyes staring into his. “What time is it?” he asked.

Spike looked at his phone and read aloud, “One fifty PM.”

Armand turned to lie on his back and sat up, “We should probably go over to the magic shop, then.”

“Are you sure you want to?”

Armand looked at him, “I don’t mind.”

And Spike nodded, “Okay. Okay.”

 

1884, PARIS, FRANCE

Armand and William walked together along the Seine as they talked. They discussed William’s writing and Armand kept on trying to persuade him to write more as William continued to counter that the writing was something from the past.

“Because what you were before your turning is dead does not mean that is not who you are anymore,” said Armand, they were walking close together and their hands had brushed against each other a couple of times and did a couple more, only causing William to feel more and more awkward with their situation.

“Yeah, but it still feels weird,” he said, “I made sure to leave it behind when I died.”

“You hate that version of yourself.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

William stopped walking and stood still to look at a boat coming into harbour, Armand’s eyes followed and stared. William slowly turned his face to the other vampire and the corners of his lips quirked up into a smile as he watched the large brown-yellow eyes widen in awe at the next boat that arrived. He pulled his notebook out and started scribbling. Armand must have heard it, because he turned back to William almost immediately as he did so.

“You’re never going to stop writing, William. That version of you isn’t gone. And it never will be.”

 

2022, LOS ANGELES, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

It had been a while since Louis had visited California. When in the US, he usually visited Daniel in New York, or the old house in New Orleans, now empty, any sign of Lestat gone. 

He’d sometimes walk to Claudia’s secret room, that had been where he’d eventually decided to leave the journals, where they belonged, where her spirit lingered. And then he wouldn’t visit that room for months on end. 

He would walk around the living room, look at that plank Lestat had been practicing piano on and run his finger over the blood stains and the dirt. 

He wouldn’t visit the graveyard when he was in New Orleans.

When in New York, he was usually in Daniel’s home. Daniel was working on his book, even after Louis had tried everything to make that impossible for him and talked to Louis about memories he newly recovered, memories of Armand that Louis knew nothing about, either.

Louis would be lying if he said his nights with Daniel were entirely uneventful, some nights, after a little more drinking than others, they’d do some things both wished to regret, but didn’t and forget they wouldn’t, either.

But it was good. Louis was his own man and he was happy, he knew who he was on his own and knew who he was with others. He frequently visited vampire cafés and bars, too; the one in New Orleans most, though, one in Londen he quite enjoyed, as well, not only vampires, but witches and different types of demons frequented that bar and Louis enjoyed the diverse crowd.

And now in Los Angeles, Louis knew the bar he needed to visit for the information he was looking for.

God, he hated karaoke.

 

1884, PARIS, FRANCE

Spike was sitting at a small table in Lestat’s tower, a candle was lit as he wrote and wrote in his notebook, noticing he was able to write at a much higher speed now that Lestat’s blood flowed through his veins, his ideas came and went faster as he put them down on the paper. A play. He had ideas for a play for the first time.

Hands appeared on William’s shoulders, slowly, softly, they moved down, feeling up his chest. He relaxed at the touch, his eyes closing as he leaned back on the wooden chair. Lips pressed to his shoulder,

“Will you come back to the coffin?” Asked Lestat.

“In a minute,” said William, as he opened his eyes again and gripped his pen tightly.

“Hm,” he heard Lestat as the arms slipped further down and around his waist, burying his head in William's shoulder, taking a long, slow breath, taking in his scent.

“Hm…” Soft kisses were pressed to his neck, William couldn’t help but hum in response, his eyes closed again, “Les…”

Sharp teeth gently scraped his neck.

“Lestat.”

And a soft kiss was pressed to his cheek,

“Come back to the coffin mon cher,” the gentle voice whispered, lips close to his ear, yellow hair softly brushing against his face. He opened his eyes again and was looking into Lestat’s. He smiled.

“Okay.”

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Spike and Armand were getting dressed when Spike got a text from Buffy, saying she, and the other Scoobies, were waiting in the magic shop. 

Once dressed, Armand turned to Spike once again and frowned, “You’re weaker because it’s day,” he said, holding out his arm, wrist up, “You must feed.”

Spike looked at the wrist, then into Armand’s eyes again as he took it and bent down, fangs out and sunk them in, he drank, just enough for the voices to start again and for him to be able to shut them out. Just enough for his eyes to turn an unnatural icy blue again and for him to hear a voice, directed to this area. 

Armand. Where are you?

 

2022, LOS ANGELES, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Louis smiled. He sensed the young one who had picked up his words, he sensed a pause and a thought, tho of who, or of what that thought was, he had no idea. It meant he was closer than he initially thought, though.

He stepped inside the bar and was met with many different creatures and faces and was quickly found by the face of a green skinned demon who was grinning friendly at him, “Welcome to Caritas, handsome stranger, what can I do for you?”

Louis smiled as he read the demon’s thoughts for just a second before replying, “Don’t worry, Lorne,” He said, “Just looking for some information. Was thinking you might be able to help me with that?” He posed the last sentence as a question, though, he was well aware of the fangs he was clearly showing in an attempt to seem at least a little bit menacing to the demon.

Lorne frowned at him, “You’re an old one?”

Louis smiled, “Got turned by one turned by one, wouldn’t call me that, but, yeah, mind reading came with the package I got.”

And the Host nodded, “What can I call you, then?”

“The name’s Louis, Louis de Pointe du Lac. I hear you know a certain vampire named Angelus?”

Notes:

I hope you guys enjoyed that stuff!

Next chapter:
1886: Spike has written a play
2022: Armand comes to the magic shop while Louis finds himself inside of Caritas.

Chapter 5: Not by human hands

Summary:

“This is Amadeo,” said Armand as they, together looked onto the painting in the Louvre, “This is me.”
William was silent, looking at it, “It looks nothing like you,” he whispered.
Armand took a deep breath, forcing himself from keeping his voice from breaking, “Does it not?”

Notes:

Hiya! School started again so my energy hasn't been great recently. I'm also graduating this year, so posting is definitely gonna be much more irregular, I'm sorry.

Title is a quote from The Vampire Armand.

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The bell of the magic shop tinkled and Buffy turned to see Armand casually walking inside, unbothered by the sun, she frowned and stood up, “Why aren’t you on fire?”

Armand stood still, “What?”

Buffy pointed to the shop window, “That’s the sun over there.”

Armand shrugged and walked further inside, “As we age, the sun loses it’s power over us. What’s a mediocre star to a 514 year old vampire?”

“I’ve never heard of this before,” said Giles as he stepped away from the cash register

“My maker was sired by an age-old vampire,” Armand told him, “who passed his power over to him, he passed those over to me.”

“So, this is Armand?” Said Xander from where he was sitting at the table, the vampire’s eyes flicked down to him and Anya, he smiled,

“Anyanka.”

Anya stood up, smiling at him, “It’s kind of Anya now. I’m human.”
He looked at her in disbelief, “Why?”

“Oh, it wasn’t my choice,” She said, “But I’m happy now. I’m getting married.”
Before Armand could reply, the back door opened and a steaming Spike ran inside, he threw the blanket down on the floor and smoothed back his hair, “Quite flammable day,” He said, “Did you start without me?”

 

2022, LOS ANGELES, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Louis ran a finger over the rim of his glass that was full of human blood as he looked at Lorne, “So you read people?” He asked.

“Only when they sing,” said Lorne.

Louis glanced back at the stage where a strange demon was poorly trying to sing Fool To Cry by the Rolling Stones. “Right.”

Lorne looked at him, “Wanna sing?”

Louis turned back around, his eyes wide in horror, “No, thank you.”

Lorned clasped his hands together on the table in front of his sea breeze, “You’re looking for Angel?”

Louis nodded, “I’d like to talk to him.”

“Do you?”

“I do.”

“Okay.” Lorne stood up from his chair, “He’ll be here shortly.”

“Thank you.”

Lorne looked him up and down for another second, “The drink’s on the house.”

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

“So you can read minds?” Asked Giles.

“Yes,” said Armand, “It’s quite easy, actually,” He looked at Giles with those piercing yellow eyes, “as easy as I can hear your breathing, your heartbeat…” It was as if Giles snapped out of some sort of trance when Armand looked away, “A vampires abilities usually depend on their maker, though some abilities you just gain by ageing.” His eyes flicked over to Spike, “Vampires can also gain power by drinking each other’s blood,” he said. “Like Spike has done, with Lestat, with me. Lestat has also done the same, that of…” he thought for a second, “a vampire he called Akasha.”

Spike looked at him, “That the blood he gave me?”

Armand shook his head, “Not entirely, Louis doesn’t have the cloud gift, either.”

“‘Cloud gift’?” Said Buffy.

“Flying,” said Spike.

Buffy’s head snapped to Armand, “You can fly?”

The vampire sighed, “…Yes.”

Spike crossed his arms, “He mostly just hovers, it’s not that impressive.”

“But, I’ve never heard of this before,” said Giles, “In all the years I’ve spent with the Watchers, I’ve never seen anything about a vampire, other than Dracula who has all these abilities.”

“You watch the vampires.” Armand looked at him again “Tell me, watcher, do you know what the Talamasca is?”

Spike frowned, “What’s the Talamasca?”

“I know what the Talamasca is,” said Giles.

Armand tilted his head, freezing him in his place once again, “Are you in contact with them?”

“I…” the Watcher started, “visited their motherhouse outside of London. Looked through their archives.”

“Did you see the painting? Marius de Romanus.”

Giles scoffed, as if he just realised something he hadn’t ever thought of before, “The Temptation of Amadeo? That doesn’t look anything like you.”

“Most of them didn’t,” said Spike.

 

1886, PARIS, FRANCE

“This is Amadeo,” said Armand as they, together looked onto the painting in the Louvre, “This is me.”

William was silent, looking at it, “It looks nothing like you,” he whispered.

Armand took a deep breath, forcing himself from keeping his voice from breaking, “Does it not?”

 

2022, SUNNYDALE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Scoobies, Spike and Armand sat at the round table as they continued to discuss the old ones and their differences to the vampires usually seen today, when Giles suddenly asked a question Armand hadn’t expected,

“Who set the Théâtre de Vampires on fire?”

Armand blinked, “How do you know about that?”

Giles looked down at his hands on the table, “Watchers are required to keep a detailed diary. I read up on you.”

Armand smiled, Giles felt himself looking into his eyes again, “You did your homework.” Giles looked away, not able to help the soft smile on his lips. “It was Louis de Pointe du Lac,” said Armand.

Giles frowned, “French vampire?”

Armand shook his head, “American. Creole,” he explained. “Of the Pointe du Lac plantation, his great-great-grandfather owned one. He grew up in Louisiana.”

Spike crossed his arms, sitting back in his chair, “You have so much to say about Louis, when am I gonna meet him?”

Armand looked away from him, tired annoyance, “You know it’s too late for that.”

Spike chuckled, “You know, call me crazy, but I actually think it’s fair he left you. On account of you murdering his daughter and everything.”

Buffy’s eyes widened, “You what?”

“Made Claudia would burn to death in front of her father, Lestat de Lioncourt’s eyes. Found his voice among the many, by the way.”

Armand continued to tiredly stare out in front of him, “And what did he have to tell you?”

“Usual. Not to trust you. He didn’t sound like himself, though. Something was wrong.”

Now Buffy was interested, “Who’s Lestat?”

“Oh don’t start about him-” But Armand was quickly interrupted,

“An ex,” said Spike.

Buffy looked at them, “Your ex?”

“Both of us,” Spike relaxed further back in his chair, “Also of Louis, of course.” He turned to Armand, “Lestat was looking for Marius. That’s how I found his voice, calling to him.”

Armand finally looked at him now, “Why?”

Buffy interjected, “Marius is your sire, right?”

Armand didn’t look at her, “Why is Lestat looking for him, William?”

Spike’s light eyes looked into his, “I don’t know, Arun.”

Armand promptly shut his mouth, stood up and walked away.

Buffy looked at Spike, “Should someone-”

“He’s fine.”

 

1886, PARIS, FRANCE

Lestat watched as Armand and William laughed, sat together watching their play. Written by William, directed by Armand. Their perfect co-production. Their perfect creation.

“Do you know what it means to be loved by death? Do you know what it means to have death know your name?”

Notes:

I can never leave a Jennifer's Body reference.

Next chapter:
2022: Louis talks to Angel

Notes:

I'm sorry for any mistakes, English is not my first language

Comments and Kudos are always welcome