Father Figure

by Laritte

Summary:

"We can still ditch this stupid visit." Kate offered. "Say the word and i'll drive us back home, no questions asked."

Nora had to admit, it was a nice offer. She almost wanted to take Kate up on it when the door suddenly opened, their father standing in front of them as if he knew they were about to make a run for it. Fuck.

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Daniel's daughters come by for a visit, resulting in hard conversations, a few realisations and, hopefully, some healing.

Or: a "Armand meets Daniel's daughters" fic and a "Armand realises that Marius is a prick" fic in one!

Chapter 1

Notes:

English is not my first language so please excuse any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

Daniel was pacing. Quick steps from one end of the living room to the other.

Armand watched, his eyes following Daniel's everymove. He was silent, waiting for Daniel to speak first. Armand knew Daniel would, sooner or later, speak to him about his troubles and probing for answers would only lead to Daniel blowing up at Armand. Daniel tended to be mean when he was stressed. He didn't mean to be, but he simply did not have the room to be kind in moments like this, wich Armand understood. So Armand didn't probe.

The silence stretched for minutes before finally being broken by Daniel's voice.

"So you're just gonna stand there, watching me freak out, boss? Very helpful." Daniel didn't look at Armand while speaking and didn't stop pacing either.

"I am, beloved. Unless you choose to talk to me about what is troubling you. But i can wait. Eternity has forged me patient." Armand said dryly, wich at least earned him an annoyed side glance from his companion. Armand leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. Yes, he could wait this out for as long as it took.

Of course Armand was already aware of what was troubling his love. After many months of timid attempts of reconciliation over text Daniel's daughters had finally agreed to meet their father. A conversation, nothing more, nothing less, was what they promised. Not forgiveness.

Daniel was firm in his belive that this promised conversation was more than he deserved form them anyway.

Armand, on the other hand, was of the opinion that Daniel's daughters were stubborn little brats that did poorly in not cherishing their father and his love for them, but he knew better than to share this opinion with Daniel.

Daniel already made Armand promise not to mindfuck his daughters into loving him again and also, though a little insulting, made Armand promise not to kill them. Armand hadn't planned to and, if he did say so himself, had been very supportive about the whole process of reconciliation. So truly there was nothing to worry about.

Armand would play nice infront of the human children and Daniel would win them over again in no time. After all there was barely anything for them to forgive Daniel for.

Everything was going to go smoothly, Armand was sure of it. But of course Daniel could not see this truth in his current state of panic.

"This is a mistake, Armand." Daniel choked out, combing his hair back in a rigid motion. "I mean what was i thinking? I haven't seen them in years and now i invite them over, to the multi-million home my scandalously young boyfriend bought? The last time we saw each other i was still award winning journalist Daniel Molloy, now i am parkinson's ridden, vampire erotica writing, boyfriend having- have i told you that they were not aware of my sexuality before that pesky paparazzi caught us making out at Lestat's concert?"

"Yes, i am aware, beloved."

"Yeah well, way to spring that on them. God, they must think i have gone completely insane. How am i supposed to explain to them that my eyes freakishly change colors and, apparently, i wear acrylic nails now!?" Daniel lifted his right hand, pointetly showing off his claws.

Armand finally stepped closer, taking Daniel's hand in his and placing a soft kiss on Daniel's knuckles.

"You have been receiving experimental treatment for your illness, wich has caused you to have side effects, like the changing of your eye color and only being able to leave the house at night. It's for your health, Daniel, your daughters will understand." Armand assured Daniel softly.

"It's also a fucking lie."

"Wich they are not aware of." Armand smiled. "But i belive it is best not to mention the nails, my love. Unless you also want to argue with your daughters about wearing matching nails with your age inappropriate boyfriend." Armand added with a chuckle.

To Daniel's initiate displeasure the public had been most interested in the next scandalous piece of disgraced journalist Molloy's life and had been more than happy to dissect every detail of his relationship with Armand when said relationship had first been made public. Among the many tweets and comments about how disgusting it was for Daniel to date a man of Armand's preceived age, or just how disgusting it was for him to date a man at all, there were also tweets making fun of their matching nails. It was a small detail, petty Internet drama but Daniel fought with each commentator most fiercely, be it about Armand's and Daniel's relationship or nails.

Armand found the outrage about their age difference most amusing.
It was absurd to him how concerned those silly humans were about it in the first place. What matter had his age? Even with modern sensibilities considered, Armand looked to be in his late twentys, a man under every definition, so the outrage came most suprising to him.

Daniel had tried to explain it to him, had talked about power imbalances and different maturity levels but that just seemed like made up concepts to Armand.

After a while the public calmed down and moved on to tweeting about Armand sharing a name and appearance with the villain of Daniel's book and other banal gossip. Armand did not mind any of it and Daniel seemed to pay no attention to it either.

Daniel let out a sigh.

"I really don't want to fuck this up. Not again." Daniel was desperate for his daughters forgiveness, wanted the chance to have a relationship with them before he had to leave his life as Daniel Molloy behind once and for all more than anything. Armand was aware of this fact and would make sure to do anything he could to make his lovely fledgling's dream a reality.

"You won't 'fuck it up', beloved, i am sure of it." Armand reassured.

Daniel let out a dry laugh. "Yeah sure." The disbelieve was heavy in Daniel's voice.

"I mean it, Daniel. You have grown wiser over the years. You are not the same man they once knew. You are not an addict, you are willing to correct your mistakes and apologise for them, you are putting in the effort. You are doing good, beloved, and they will see that." Armand promised, fixing the collar of Daniel's shirt while he was speaking. Quick practiced movements, smoothing out every wrinkel and imperfection. It seemed to calm Daniel a little, the repetitiveness of Armand's motions. "What you are doing takes courage. Courage and love. You have both, my love, and in my eyes that is all one needs to be a good parent. A great father."

"Since you know so much about parenthood." The comment had slipped out before Daniel could stop himself. "Shit, sorry, that came out wrong-"

"No need to apologise, Daniel. You are right. I have no experience as a parent, and even as a maker i failed you so miserably." Guilt laid heavy on Armand's tounge, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. How could he have ever abandoned his one and only fledgling? Oh, how he wished he could change this one act of cowardness.

Shaking the thought he continued speaking: "But i know about being a child, as i too was a child once, beloved and wild. I know about resentment. I know about forgiveness. If my father would appear before me once more, as remorseful and loving as you are, i would throw myself in his arms in a heartbeat." Armand smiled sadly. After all, such a dream would never turn into reality. Not for him, not for his father. This dream had been burned long ago, leaving Armand with nothing but ashes and memories of a love long gone.

Daniel tilted his head, frowning slightly. "Really? If you could meet your parents again you would forgive them? After they sold you into slavery?"

Armand was startled by Daniel's question as Daniel seemed to have confused the meaning of Armand's words greatly.

"I am not talking about them, Daniel."

"Then who-" Daniel's word broke as he seemed to finally understand who exactly Armand was talking about. "Oh."

Daniel's frown deepened and Armand could practically see Daniel's worry and the distaste he desperatly tried to hide.

Armand sighed. Of course Daniel didn't understand. After all, Daniel never understood, not when it came to Marius and the relationship he and Armand had shared.

They had fought about it a lot in the early stages of their newfound companionship. Daniel had said cruel words, baseless lies, both about Marius and Armand. It had been hurtful to witness the hate Daniel seemed to have for the very man who created Armand, who's merciful worship had saved Armand from certain death. Arrogance had caused Daniel to judge their love under the harsh sentiment of modern times. Calling Marius a child rapist, a slaver and branding Armand a victim, a sex slave in turn.

It almost made Armand hate him. For Daniel, his beloved boy, to twist his past, the happiest time of his life, into something so awful. Even more had it enraged Armand how certain Daniel had been to know the truth, disregarding Armand's words as lies and Illusions. It had almost broken him, made him leave once again, this time for good.

But Armand couldn't abandone his beloved, not again, and Daniel couldn't let go of him either, so they had agreed to disagree. To never talk about it again. Armand assumed it was his own fault for bringing it up now. This time he opened the door himself.

"Do you..." Daniel trailed off as if he was trying to carefully choose his next words. "Do you really see him as that? Your father?"

Armand wished he could take back what he said, to make it like those words never left his mouth in the first place, like it never happened at all. But now it was to late and Daniel wouldn't rest until he had an answer.

"Perhaps father is not the right word. He was my maker. My lover. My saviour. My master. He was a god to me, my everything. And he worshiped me in every roll he took on. Amadeo means beloved by god, a sacred name picked out with care. He was my god and I was his beloved Amadeo. So perhaps he did not love me as a son but he loved me as his child, nonetheless. I was a child of god, graced by his merciful adoration." Armand's face was frozen in a sad smile even as Daniel's eyes seemed to pierce through him.

"Okay." Daniel said slowly like he always did when he was trying really hard to hold back. "Alright, sure. Not your father but your god. Yeah, that's much better."

"Daniel-"

"I know, Armand. No fighting about your maker. I get it, im not trying to start anything. But you brought it up and forgive me for wanting to talk about it. And, to be honest, i am tired of Marius hanging above our heads like some sort of feral bat so, yeah we really need to talk about him one of those days." Daniel didn't even let Armand respond to that before speaking again. "But let's not talk about it now, okay? Nora and Kate will be here in an hour and i really don't think fighting with you about your vampire daddy will make that good of an impression."

Armand swallowed his brewing anger. Daniel was right. This was not the time. This visit was important to Daniel, so it was precious to Armand too. He could argue with Daniel later. Not about Marius, he would never allow Daniel to talk about his maker in such an unsparing way again, but about the fact that, really, there wasn't anything to talk about in the first place. But that conversation would have to wait. Right now was about Daniel and Daniel only.

"I agree. Let's talk about this matter another time." Armand let none of his anger show, practised in feigning compsure. He also took great care in blocking their bond for the time being. Daniel did not have to feel Armand's rage mix with his own anger and overwhelming anxiety.

"Okay, then." Daniel said, breathing out sharply.

"Thank you, by the way. For doing this with me. Means a lot, boss." Daniel added, granting Armand a small smile.

"You are most welcome, beloved." Armand replied, pushing his negative emotions to the very back of his mind and taking Daniel's hand into his own.

"Now, let's wait for your darlig daughters to arrive, shall we?"

Notes:

I already finished writing this fic in full so i'll be updating as soon as i finish editing the other chapters!

Any and all comments are most appreciated :3

Chapter 2

"So we're really doing this." Nora said, standing on the nice porch of the house their father claimed to be living in, her hands pushed into the pockets of her leather jacket.

It looked nice. Expensive, too. Just how in the world could he afford to live in this thing? Sure, his freaky vampire novel was a hit and he had sent both her and Kate a not so small amount of money, wich they had both taken without question, because really, after everything he had put them through, they deserved some sort of compensation for emotional damages. But was vampire smut really so sought after that he could buy a house like that? If the answer to that was yes, Nora really should ask for a little more of that oh so sweet "sorry i was a shit father" apology money.

"We can still ditch this stupid visit." Kate offered. "Say the word and i'll drive us back home, no questions asked."

Nora had to admit, it was a nice offer. She almost wanted to take Kate up on it when the door suddenly opened, their father standing in front of them as if he knew they were about to make a run for it. Fuck.

"Uh, Hey!" Daniel greeted, a little awkward.

He looked good, Nora noticed.
His curles were washed and combed, something that wasn't always the case back when Daniel was still living with them, playing dad between living out his true calling of being a journalist by day and a junkie by night.

He was dressed in a clean shirt too, a band shirt, wich together with the slightly ripped jeans really brought the whole midlife crisis look together. But the shirt was clean and so was the rest of him so at least it didn't seem like he was using again. Or he got better at hiding it. About time, really.

"Hey, Dad." Kate replied, awkwardly offering her hand to Daniel. He took it, shaking it in a stiff greeting. Nora kept her hands in her pokets.

Daniel cleared his throat. "Its good to see you both." He looked at Nora and she gave him a small nod in acknowledgment. "I'm glad you two could make it."

"Yeah, no Problem." Kate said, tyring hard to sound cheerful. Nora knew it was forced but it should convince Daniel. It wasn't like he knew either of them well enough to tell when they were faking.

Daniel's smile wavered for a second. "Well, thanks anyways."

"I belive it is customary to invide guests inside, beloved." A smooth voice called out from behind Daniel. A tall man, dressed in some very obviously expensive clothes, appeared in Nora's field of vision, casually standing himself beside Daniel and offering his hand to Nora. Shit.

Of course she had seen the pictures, had known about Daniel's very public affair with the concerningly young and beautiful man called Armand, but seeing him in real life was a different experience entirely.

He was otherworldly. Smooth in a way that almost seemed alien. His dark curles were shiny and silky smooth and sure to make even the most successful shampoo model jealous. His eyes were big and brown and reminded her of the disney character Bambi. His smile was annoyingly perfect too, all white theeth and charm. But most striking, most shocking was just how fucking young he looked. How old was he? Twenty-seven? Twenty-eight?

"I am thirty-seven." Armand offered, as if he read Nora's mind. "I know i look younger, many people are suprised." He added, smiling his prince charming smile, still offering his hand. Somehow it gave her the creeps, how unnaturally perfect he looked.

Nora took his hand, shaking it quickly. Damn, his hands were ice cold. Like a statures. That's exactly what he looked like too. A freakishly perfect stature.

Armand shook hands with Kate too.

"To be honest i would have estimated you to be younger too. You must have one hell of a skincare routine." Kate joked. "I'm Kate by the way."

"Yes, Daniel's oldest. Then you must be Lenora." Armand said, looking at Nora with an intensity it gave her chills. There was something strange about this man. The way he moved, the way his eyes always seemed completely focused on whatever he was looking at, like a cat about to pounce on it's prey. Or maybe Nora was simply trying to find fault in her father's newest bad decision. Not that he had a track record of good ones. In fact, Nora wasn't sure if Daniel had made a single good decision in his life, including his decision to have Kate and Nora, to have children at all. Because really, Daniel had no business being a dad.

"Nora's fine. Nobody calls me Lenora."

Armand nodded. "Nora it is then. I am most pleased to finally meet both of you. Your father has been talking so much about you."

Nora would be very surprised if that was true.

"Now, would you two care to join us inside? I have prepared refreshments."

With that Armand turned around and disappeared into the inside of the house. Daniel followed, but not before glancing back at his daughters once more.

"He has prepared refreshments." Nora repeated. "Dad enjoys refreshments now. How fancy."

Kate gave her a warning look.

"Be nice. He is trying. They are both trying... I think." Kate said, looking a little unsure if that was a good thing or not. "Let's gossip about his, very much not thirty-seven year old, boyfriend later, okay? Preferably when they can't hear us." Kate added, much quiter this time.

Nora had to bite back a smile while she followed Kate inside. Kate had always played the role of the sweet little goody two-shoes perfectly while being just as much of a messy bitch as Nora was behind closed doors. Freaking liar.

Nora closed the old cherry wood door behind her. Even the door was fancy.

And not just the door. The floor leading to the living room was just as fancy, only to be surpassed by the big living room itself.

Wooden bookshelves, reaching from floor to ceiling, filled with a seemingly unending number of books, many leather bound and antique looking, were lining the walls. Nora briefly wondered how Armand and Daniel were reaching the books on the highest shelves but if she really thought about it most of the books were probably just for decoration anyways.

In the middle of the room was a cozy looking couch and armchair set up, completed by an expensive looking coffe table on wich were multiple ceramic trays filled with cookies and cucumber sandwiches and little fruit covered tartlets. The refreshments, Nora supposed.

Almost everything in the room seemed pulled right out of one of the cliche historical romance novels Kate liked to read. The only modern looking things were the big TV and the multiple gaming consoles hooked up beside it.

"Nice collection." Nora said, nodding towards the stack of games piled up beside the TV.
Armand's face lit up in a way that seemed strangely different from the way he had smiled before.

"You enjoy gaming?" He asked with genuine interest.

"Sometimes. If i have time." Nora admitted. It was clear that Armand would have liked to ask more about Nora's gaming habits but Daniel stopped him from speaking by gently putting a hand on his shoulder.

The gesture made Nora feel a little uneasy.
Like Daniel was subtly telling Armand to shut up.

Nora could relate to that. As a child she had often run up to Daniel, eager to tell him about her day or to info-dump about whatever she found fascinating at the time. Wich probably had been bugs. For some reason she really liked bugs as a child, still did, but Daniel had little care for bugs or Nora so these conversations had mostly been dismissed by Daniel with an absentminded "that's nice, honey." before they could even begin.

"I could speak about my passion for gaming to no end, truly, once i start talking about it there is no way of holding me back." Armand chuckled. "But that's not really what this visit is about, no?"

He gestured to the couch, inviting Kate and Nora to sit down, while Daniel and Armand sat down on the opposite sofa.

Nora plopped down beside Kate and almost let out a little, surprised noise at how soft the cushion was. So that was what money was all about, huh. Rich bastards.

"So how did you two meet?" Kate asked before things could get awkward.

Nora perked up at that because, really, she just couldn't wait for that story. Just why in the world was someone as gorgeous and, more importantly, as young as Armand with someone as... well, someone like her dad.
Her money was on some good old fashioned gold digging. Luckily for Armand, there now seemed to be more than enough gold to be digged.

Daniel frowned, at what exactly Nora wasn't sure. Armand kept smiling but if Nora squinted a little she could almost see his left eye twitching. Maybe their meeting was some sort of sore spot between them. It wouldn't surprise Nora, not with what she knew about her father and his past romances, who had all ended in bitter divorces by the way.

"We met in a bar-" Armand said at the same time Daniel said: "I interviewed him."
Great start. Really, Nora had expected them to at least get their story straight.

"We met in a bar and later i interviewed him." Daniel tried again. Armand nodded in agreement, taking Daniel's hand into his own, staring at him with those big Bambi eyes as if the old man sitting beside him was the most precious thing in the world.

It was strange enough of a scene without having to witness how Daniel practically melted into the touch. Bambi apparently had a tight grip on Daniel. On his money too, Nora assumed.

"Okay, so you interviewed him." Nora said in a tone that made it pretty obvious that she wasn't really buying their story. "What about?"

"His life. His past. Stuff like that." Daniel stated vaguely. The Interview must have been short then since Armand really couldn't have that much past to talk about.

"And you two just fell in love like that? Because Armand's childhood was just so fascinating?" It came out more accusatory than intended, but oh well. If Daniel wanted to fuck a twenty something year old he should expect a little backlash.

To Nora's surprise Armand broke into laughter, the warm sound cutting through the tense air.

"I'm sorry-" Armand gasped between giggles. "I truly didn't mean to laugh." Armand was leaning slightly forward, practically beaming at Daniel, who by now was also grinning.
They were so fucking weird, both of them.

"You must understand, it was your father who fascinated me." Armand explained. "So much so that i almost chased him around the whole globe." He added, still smiling.

"Yeah, he had that whole stalker thing going on when we first met." Daniel said dryly but there was a playfulness in his eyes that made it clear that he was just teasing.

"When you first met?" Kate echoed. "How long do you two know echother then?"

"We first met before the interview. We reconnected after." Daniel answered, giving Kate a very vague reply. Nora wanted to ask some follow up questions but before she could open her mouth Armand was already talking again.

"Reconnecting with Daniel has been the greatest gift. I can not imagine a life without him."

"Well, not to burst your bubble but maybe you should. I mean, no offense, but hooking up with a seventy year old parkinson's patient doesn't exactly promise eternity." Again, harsh, but true. Being brutally honest was one of her more disliked character traits. Something Nora inherited from daddy dearest so why not use it against him? Even if Bambi got caught in the crossfire.

Armand's eyes narrowed but his unshakable smile stayed in place.

"No need to worry. I am very much aware of how much time Daniel has left. He is seventy-one by the way. His birthday passed already, one would belive his daughter would know that." Apparently mister glitter smiles and rainbow farts wasn't above passive aggressiveness.

"Well, i barely remember my birthday myself." Daniel interjected in a pathetic attempt to defend Nora.

"Wich is exactly why it is important for your loved ones to remember, beloved. You deserve to be celebrated." Armand said sweetly, pointetly looking straight at Nora. Bambi was really starting to get on her nerves.

"I am sure he has been a great daddy to you, but he hasn't been to me or Kate so sorry if i missed his stupid birthday." Nora blurted out. Kate went stiff beside her, their shared hope of a smooth reunion now completely destroyed.

Nora felt bad but really what had they expected? Put Daniel and Nora in one room and it was bound to end in disaster. Nora just hadn't expected to get into a fight with the inappropriately aged boyfriend instead.

"You are being disrespectful, child." Armand all but hissed. Nora couldn't help but let out a sour laugh.

"Child? Really? You are younger than me! What, because you are letting my dad fuck you, you think you can talk to me like that? Act like some sort of parent when your sweet beloved over there never bothered to?" She could feel herself getting angrier with every word she spoke.

"You know what? Fuck you! Fuck you and your creepy smile and fancy live! Take Dad's money for all i care! Choke on it, like you choke on his dick, you deserve it for putting up with him!" Nora said while abruptly standing up. "And Dad, fuck you too! You never gave a single shit about Kate and me, not for our whole lives and now you think you can worm yourself back into our lives? Just throw some money at us and it's all forgiven? Yeah, no! You fucked us over big time, ask Kate's therapist or, better yet, ask my sponsor!"

Daniel looked shocked, opening his mouth to say something but Nora didn't let him get a singel word in before she continued speaking or, more likely by now, screaming.

"Newsflash Dad: I am an addict too! Only inherited the very best of your traits. Must be your blessed genetics. But let's be honest, seeing my dad passed out from coke or alcohol or whatever your drug of choice was at the time didn't exactly help either! Funny, right? I should know what addiction can do to you, i witnessed it for the better part of my childhood after all, but that still couldn't keep me away from the bottle!
I'm my father's daughter after all!"

Nora could feel the tears in the corner of her eyes but stubbornly kept them from falling. She wouldn't cry. She had sworn to herself that she wouldn't cry. Not in front of Daniel, she wouldn't give him that.

"So yeah, i think you have no right to hide behind your little twink while he blames me for forgetting your birthday! Wich i didn't, actually, i know exactly when your birthday is because i really want to drink everytime the damn date rolls around. So have a nice life with your little rent boy and don't expect me to pick up the phone when you turn into a care case and Armand over here decides to move on to greener pastures!"

Nora quickly turned to leave when she felt the first tears falling from her eyes. She was already half across the room before she heard Kate gasp a startled "what the fuck!?"

Nora whipped around, anxious to see what had Kate so suprised.

Sitting next to, a by now very obviously angry, Armand was Daniel. His expression was unreadable but his eyes...
They were changing color in quick succession, from the pale greenish blue Nora knew to something else entirely.

Brilliant golden amber, flashig like falling stars, like a thousand suns collapsing into each. Beautiful and frightening and utterly inhumane.

Notes:

I really enjoyed writing this chapter! Writing from Nora's pov is so fun. I hope we see Lenore and Kate in the series too; I'd love to know what their canon selves are like. :3

As always: Comments are very welcome and dearly cherished!

Chapter 3

Nora could feel her heart pounding hard against her chest.

Everything in her screamed to move, to run, to get out of there as quickly as possible. Her ears were ringing, her vision had gone blurry, from the tears or something else she didn't know. All she knew was that she and Kate had to get out of there. Now.

"Kate." Nora's voice sounded small and scared as she stumbled forward, towards her sister who was still sitting on the couch like she was frozen in time. "Kate, we need to leave."

Nora grabbed Kate's arm, desperately trying to pull her to her feet, to make her leave. But Kate stayed frozen, staring at Daniel and Armand with open fear written all over her face.

The lights flickered and Nora let out a startled sob when one of the lights exploded.

"Please stand up Kate, we need to get out of here!"

Finally Kate seemed to shake her paralyzing fear, even if just a little. With shaking legs she stood beside Nora.

"We need to leave." She repeated with a voice just as shaken as Nora's had been. "Thanks for having us." Kate's eyes were still glassy and slightly unfocused.

She was in shock, Nora recognised. Like Kate had been once before, back when she found Daniel passed out in their childhood home. At first they thought he was dead when they saw him lying completely unmoving on the bathroom floor. Nora was the one who called the ambulance while Kate barely even moved. Yet again it was up to Nora to make sure they got out of the situation at hand as quickly as possible and with the least amount of harm done to them.

She dragged Kate by the arm, away from the couch, away from Armand, away from Daniel. They almost made it to the door when a hand wrapped itself around Nora's, forcing her and Kate into place.

"You do not get to leave." Armand growled. He was so close, his beautiful face contorted into a predators sneer.

Suddenly Armand was pulled away, slammed into the nearest wall so hard plaster fell onto him. Kate screamed but Nora could barely hear it over the ringing in her ears.

Daniel was holding Armand by his throat, pressing him into the cold wall with such force his nails were piercing Armand's skin. Nora felt sick at the sight of blood flowing out of Armand's fragile neck, dripping onto the carpet floor.

"You do not touch my daughters. Never. Do you understand me?" Daniel's voice was eerily calm. Armand didn't respond. He didn't fight against Daniel's hold either, hanging from where Daniel had him pinned like a ragdoll. It made Nora's skin crawl.

"Do you understand!?" Daniel shouted, tightening his grip around Armand's neck.

"Stop!" Nora felt the words leave her mouth before she could even think about their meaning. "Please stop dad, you are killing him!"

Daniel's head wipped around, amber eyes focusing on Nora, making her flinch away. She needed to leave, needed to get herself and Kate out of there but she was to scared to even move. Another sob left her body, pathetic and small.

Daniel's face softend. Carelessly he let go of Armand, leaving him to crash onto the floor with a dull thud. He didn't move. Lying motionless on the floor he looked like... like a corpse.

"I'm scared." Kate whispered. Her hand was thightly grasped around Nora's, her nails digging into tender flesh. The burning sensation was the only thing keeping Nora in the moment.

"Oh I know, sweety, i know." Daniel's voice was soft and soothing like it had been when Nora first learned how to ride a bike and promptly injured herself. "I know this is all really scarry. But i promise you nothing bad will happen to you both, okay? You are safe. I am here and i won't let anything happen to you." Daniel stepped closer, his hand reaching for Kate. Nora pulled her back, placing herself between them.

Daniel looked hurt as if it hadn't occurred to him that they could be scared, not just of Armand but also of him.

"Just let us go." Nora pleaded. "We won't tell anyone, i swear."

She wasn't even sure what exactly she was promising Daniel not to tell anyone. That her father had turned into some kind of monster with color changing eyes and superhuman strength? That he killed his boyfriend?

"I didn't kill him." Daniel said quickly. "I promise i didn't. He was already long dead when i met him."

Whatever that meant, Nora wasn't planning to stay long enough to find out. As quickly as she could she spun around, reaching for the door handle. But before she could even attempt to open the door Daniel was beside her, holding the exit closed.

Kate and Nora both stumbled back, trapped between Armand's lifeless body on the ground and the monster in front of them.

"Please," He sounded desperate. "Please, just let me explain."

Nora didn't want Daniel to explain anything. She already felt like she witnessed something she was never supposed to see, knew something she never was supposed to know. She just wanted to leave.

"That won't be possible. As i already stated." Armand's voice disrupted the silence, strained and rough.

With slow movements he pushed himself into a sitting position, more leaning against the wall than actually supporting his body weight himself. One of his hands touched his neck, brushing away the blood and revealing untouched skin, smooth and already completely healed. As if nothing ever happened to it.

Nora felt sick.

"Beloved, would you mind helping me? It seems you have broken my back."

Daniel hesitated for a moment before going over to where Armand was sitting, kneeling down beside him.

"Sorry, boss. I didn't mean to hurt you." Daniel's voice sounded small, like the voice of a child who had accidentally broken their mother's beloved vase.

"Neither did i intend to hurt your daughters. I have not forgotten my promise, my love." Armand's tone was even, if a bit distant.

Daniel winced.

"It's quite alright, beloved. A fledgelings strength is easily miscalculated. You were only meaning to protect your young. I understand." Armand's voice was soft but Nora couldn't help but hear a certain coldness in it.

"Still, i souldn't have-" Daniel was interrupted by Armand's hands gently cupping his face.

"It's alright. Don't worry my beautiful boy, i will heal in no time. But now we have more pressing matters to attend to, wouldn't you agree?"

Daniel's eyes found back to his daughters who were still standing frozen in place.

"Are you going to kill us?" Nora choked out. Whatever happened to her dad, the thing in front of her wasn't him. It wasn't even human. And Armand wasn't either. Two predators, Two monsters. Even if Kate and Nora could manage to somehow get out of the house they would never make it far enough without being caught, Nora was certain.

"Don't be silly, child. We would never harm you." Armand said as if he was stating the obvious.

"We won't, i promise." Daniel agreed. "Even if you don't belive what else i have to say to you, even if you never trust me again, please just belive this. I would never allow anything to hurt you. Never."

Nora wanted to see the lie in his words but she couldn't. Something told her that Daniel was speaking the truth. A strange feeling she didn't know the origin of telling her that even if she couldn't trust anything else, she could trust this: Nothing would happen to Kate and Her.

"Okay." She said slowly, swallowing her fear. "Okay. I trust you."

"Me too." Kate said, her voice still small and shaky.

Daniel nodded, visibly relieved. "Okay, thanks, that's... that's really great." He swallowed hard enough that Nora could see his adam's apple bobbing.

For a moment he seemed to gather himself, brushing one hand through his silver locks before looking back at Armand.

"Mind if i carry you, babe?"

Armand smiled softly.

"Not at all."

Daniel gently placed one hand under the joint of Armand's knees and the other on his back while Armand wrapped his arms around Daniel's neck.

Nora stared in disbelieve when Daniel lifted Armand of the floor as if he weighted nothing. There was no effort in his movement, no flexing of muscles, not even a sound.

"Follow me?" Daniel asked, holding Armand in his arms with an ease that should not be possible for a man of his age.

Still, Nora nodded in agreement, following Daniel back into the living room, Kate trailing behind them.

Daniel placed Armand on the couch opposide of the one Kate and Nora formerly sat on, making sure he was comfortably leaning against the soft cushion before sitting down beside him.

Kate and Nora awkwardly sat themself back onto their spots on the other couch.

Nora's heart was still pounding hard against her chest but for some strange reason she wasn't so afraid anymore. Daniel wouldn't hurt her and neither would Armand. She was certain of that, she just didn't knew why.

"I am sorry you had to witness that. I didn't mean for you to find out this way." Daniel started.

"Find out what? What exactly happened just now?" Kate spoke to Nora's surprise.

Daniel clasped his hands thogether, pressing them against echother in an anxious movement.

"I am a vampire."

Nora blinked. Once, then twice, staring at her father in disbelieve.

What the fuck went wrong in her life to lead her to this moment. Just what had she done to end up in this utterly fucked situation. Sitting one some designer couch staring at her estranged dad and his freaky boyfriend who apperantly had a broken back, wich really, Nora thought, everyone should be more concerned about, and hearing her father utter the words 'i am a vampire.' like some kind of Walmart Edward Cullen and, even worse: actually believing him.

If Daniel Molloy could not only turn into what seemed to be a Multimillionaire and get himself a young gay lover after years of insisting that marriages to woman were totally his thing, but also have scary eyes and superhuman strength then sure, Danniel Molloy could just as well be a vampire.

"Like in the book?" Kate gasped, apparently quicker to figure out just what exactly Daniel was trying to tell them.

"Precisely like in the book." Armand sighed, a little disdain in his voice. At what it was directed Nora couldn't tell.

"Wait a damn Minute." Nora could feel her thoughts practically tripping over echother. "So the book was actually true? That wasn't just some strange marketing strategy or you finally loosing your marbles completely?"

Daniel nodded.

"Everything's true. Well, some things were edited, but that wasn't exactly my choice."

"Oh my god, you are Armand!" Nora almost choked on all the air she was gasping for. "The Armand from the book! Cult leader, ancient vampire, daughter killer, liar Armand!"

Probably not the smartest thing to say to a 500-something year old monster who had a history of murdering his lover's daughters but he had promised not to kill them, right? Nora wondered just how much faith she could put into this promise of his.

"Yes, i suppose i am that Armand. Though i can not claim to ever have been a cult leader. I belive the word you were looking for was coven leader."

"I don't know, boss. Your first coven was pretty culty, if you ask me. Surely you could qualify for the title."

Armand gave Daniel a more than annoyed look.

"Leading a 'culty' coven, as you so eloquently put it, my love, was not a choice of my making. So if you do not have a word for a cult leader who is unwillig in his role i suggest we continue using the word coven leader instead."

Sore spot for Armand, it seemed. Daniel would do good in learning how to avoid poking the ancient vampire where it hurt most.

"Indeed, he would." Armand sighed, long suffering.

"Did you just read my mind?!" Nora asked with equal amounts of amazement and horror.

"I did. It is difficult not to listen in when someone is thinking as loudly as you do."

Even Nora could tell that was a bullshit excuse. There was no way vampires couldn't turn out humans thoughts. Nora was pretty sure there was something about that in the book too. Some scene with Lestat making a point about human nature.

"You actually read the book?" Daniel sounded surprised.

Great, apparently Armand wasn't the only one reading her thoughts. Well, at least Nora hadn't thought about something embarrassing like if the rest of Armand's body was just as smooth as his face was. Oh fuck, of course her mind had to go there of all places. Okay innocent thoughts: bunnies, butterflies, pink fluffy unicorns-

"You truly are your father's daughter." Armand snorted, very un-ancient-vampire like.

Normally Nora would have been offended by that sentiment but the way Armand said it made her think that he considered comparing someone to Daniel a compliment.

"Just to get this straight: you two are vampires, he-" Nora pointed at Armand. "Is, in fact, the vampire Armand from your book, wich is also entirely true, and you two are together for whatever reason, you really neglected to mention that in the book, dad-" Daniel perked up a little at Nora calling him dad. "And you are not only a immortal vampire yourself but also super strong and you can read minds now?"

"Yep, that's right. I am also super fast and can heal much quicker than a human." Daniel added in a tone that made that statement awfully sound like bragging. "Same goes for Armand, so you don't have to worry about his back, Nora."

Nora let out a small breath. Not that she was ever going to admit it out loud but that was a relief. Witnessing how her father smashed his boyfriend against a wall had been traumatising enough without said boyfriend being left with lasting injuries.

If Nora remembered correctly Lestat and Louis slapped each other around in the book too, so maybe that was a sign of affection for vampires. Nora doubted it but still, a girl could hope.

"I wouldn't use Lestat and Louis as a prime example of healthy vampire companionship." Daniel interrupted her thoughts.

"Oh. My. God." Kate suddenly exclaimed. "Lestat is that Lestat right!? He is the rockstar Lestat!?"

Of course Kate would get excited over that, she had been a fan of his since his first song dropped.

"God, please don't tell me that's true, Kate. You're a fan of Lestat?" Daniel looked almost tortured at the thought.

"Well, kinda." Kate shrugged.

"Kinda? You have like all of his merch." Nora interjected.

"Blondie's never going to let me live that one down, if he ever finds out." Daniel winced.
Nora would have laughed at that if there wasn't still the whole dangerous ancient vampire thing hanging in the air. Or, more accurately, sitting across from her.

"You seem to really enjoy spending time with violent vampires these days, dad. Turned into one of em too." Nora stated. Not really a question, more so a fact.

Daniel looked caught of guard.

"He isn't violent, i assure you." Armand offered. "What transpired today was simply due to the circumstances that lead to it. Daniel didn't mean to hurt me, he simply wanted to protect you."

Perfect in for Nora's next question.

"So it was justified then? We need protection from you?"

Armand sighed. Nora could almost see him thinking 'truly his father's daughter' yet again, this time not as fondly.

"I promised Daniel not to harm you. I keep my promises to him, and besides i have no reason or desire to lay a hand on you. Opposing to what you might imagine vampires aren't inherently violent creatures. Most of us only kill to feed."

Not really reassuring but fine, Nora would take it for now.

"So you kill to feed? I assume dad does too then? Kill humans and drink their blood?"

Nora felt weird about asking this question and even weirder when Daniel's eyes once again flashed amber at the mention of blood.

Maybe Nora should try to make herself more unappetising. She wasn't really sure how, but for now she resorted to pulling her shoulders up to hide her neck.

"Don't worry, he won't eat you. Even if he was that hungry, we have blood bags in the fridge." Armand stated casually like that was a normal thing to said. "Neither will i, i assure you. I have no need to feed as frequently as a fledgeling of Daniel's age does. And when i do hunt i certainly wouldn't choose you as prey."

"Yeah, sure. That makes me feel better." Nora crossed her arms, leaning back against the couch.

"Why don't you just drink the blood of corpses? Break into a morgue or something. You know, maybe stop killing humans?"

Armand made a face at that, almost like he was disgusted.

"Vampires can't drink the blood of the dead. I would never allow Daniel to drink something so harmful." He explained.

"Well if it's for dads health..." Kate said, only half joking.

All things considered, Kate seemed oddly calm about the idea of Daniel being a serial killer and somehow Nora couldn't get herself to be appropriately upset about it either.

That probably said something about both of them and their morals but Nora wasn't willing to unpack all of that right now.

"By the way, how come he has those freaky color changing eyes while you got to have cute little Bambi eyes? Doesn't seem exactly fair, does it?" Nora asked.

Armand grinned before reaching up to his eyes and carefully removing what Nora recognised to be colored contacts, revealing a pair of intense amber, almost orange, eyes, matching Daniel's. Somehow they were even more intense and creepy.

"Do your's change color too?" Kate questioned.

"They do not. That is something entirely unique to your father." Armand replied, fondly looking at Daniel.

"They do change in intensity, though." Daniel reported. "Sometimes they shake. But that's not something you'll ever have to see."

Nora couldn't stop herself from immediatly thinking, 'because they do that during sex?' causing Armand to laugh again. Apparently she had a talent for amusing him, not so much for thinking quietly though.

"You do think rather loudly." Daniel admitted. "I'm not trying to listen in, i know how violating it is to have a vampire taking a look inside your brain, but i can still hear some of your thoughts. I can't hear Kate that easily."

It didn't suprise Nora that terribly, after all she had always been louder and more vocal than Kate. But still, it was kinda unfair that her thoughts seemed to be presenting themself to Daniel and Armand on some kind of silver platter.

"So you don't know what i am thinking?" Kate asked.

"I could, if i wanted to. But i mostly try to stay out of people's minds." Daniel said.

Great. So only Nora's thoughts were being exposed to her dad and his creepy boyfriend.

"Moving one from that; how did you two really meet? You kinda dodged the question earlier so i am sure it had something to do with vampirism. Now that we know about that, there's nothing to hide anymore, yes?"

If Nora was being honest she now wanted to know how Daniel's and Armand's little romance came to be even more than before. Like yeah, Armand was hot, Nora wouldn't deny that, but she would have assumed Daniel to be smart enough, or at least to have the decorum, to not hook up with the powerful, evil vampire who orchestrated a lynching on his former partner and his daughter as well as her companion.

Thinking of Louis, weren't Armand and he practically married? Sure, that marriage was an utter clusterfuck but was Daniel really playing boyfriends with Armand behind Louis' back?
In the book it didn't really seem like Louis would have cared that much, didn't seem like he cared much about anything other than Lestat and Claudia, but Nora had to imagine that Daniel had a little more self worth than to be Armand's side piece.

"Our romance was a little more complicated than what you imagine, Nora." Armand stated, with another one of his fake smiles.

Daniel looked a little uncomfortable, shifting on the couch and nervously clasping Armand's hand. Nora wondered if Daniel even noticed doing that.

"We first met in San Francisco back in 1973-"

"Wait, what? 1973? Weren't you like, super young back then?" Kate asked.

"And super high?" Nora added.

Daniel looked even more uncomfortable but seemed ro relax a little when Armand squeezed his hand and offered him an encouraging smile.

"I was. Both." Daniel sighed. "Girls, this story isn't that great of a romance, or at least not what you would imagine to be romantic. It's more so a horror story with a very stupid protagonist who along the way falls in love with his monster."

Armand didn't seem to mind being called a horror movie monster, if anything he almost seemed pleased by that. Nora on the other hand wasn't really sure what to make of that statement. She hadn't expected some sort of fairytale but calling their romance a horror story seemed a little harsh? And hopefully exaggerated?

"I can tell you what happened, but it's not gonna sound pretty. If you two would rather not know, that's okay."

Way to make a story way more appealing than it already was.

"No, i wan't to hear it." Nora said.

"Me too." Kate agreed.

"Alright." Daniel looked at Armand one more time and cleared his throat before he started telling his story.

"I was just starting out as a journalist. At the time i mostly did profile pieces of people i deemed to be interesting, recording the Interviews on tape and transcribing them later.
I wasn't really looking for a Interview subject when i entered the bar but when Louis bought me drinks and insisted he was a vampire i agreed to Interview him. I saw Armand for the first time in that bar too. Louis asked him if he wanted to join us but he declined. I didn't think much of it at the time but really, that was the start of everything.

"I followed Louis to one of his apartments, partly because i was fascinated with him but mostly because he promised me drugs. He followed through on that promise and i was pretty high, pretty quickly. He still wanted me to Interview him and i agreed. To my shock Louis reaveled himself to not just be some crazy, delusional dude but to be an actual, real vampire. I was scared but also giddy from the drugs and adrenaline so i kept recording. The whole night long Louis told me a story about how horrible Lestat was, how violent, how untalented, how cowardly. Louis treated me almost like a friend, and with the drugs and my boyish arrogance mixing into a dangerous combination of bravery and stupidity i ended up asking him to turn me. To give me the dark gift. I asked for it at a pretty intense part of his story too, so really, i can't blame Louis for what happened next.

"He bit me, almost killed me too, but to my luck, or welll... Yeah to my luck, Armand showed up, separating us before Louis could completely drain me, saving my life. But Armand was more concerned about Louis taking another boy up to the apartment than my well being so i kind of just bleed out in the corner while Louis and Armand fought."

"That's where your scar is from, right dad?" Kate interjected, touching her own neck where Daniel's neck had the bite scar. They had always wondered what had happened to Daniel that left a scar like that but any time they asked Daniel claimed he couldn't remember.

"Well it's.. i suppose yeah. It's from that day." Daniel touched the scar on his neck mindlessly. Nora could tell that telling this story was hard for Daniel. He seemed a little smaller than usual, a little scared, too. And yet he continued:

"Well, it got ugly after that. Armand and Louis kept fighting, i was still trapped in this house with two vampires and that kinda stretched out for about six days."

Nora felt her throat close up. It was obvious that there was more to the story, that something happened to Daniel in those six days, something so horrible he didn't want his daughters to know.
Nora could only hope that whatever happened didn't involve Armand all that much.

"After that they fed me more drugs as well as a skewed story about what happened and dropped me of at a drug den. Louis wanted me to live as a testament of his and Armand's companionship. He's a little... well, whatever, i lived and that's what matters.

"You'd think those vampires would leave me alone after that but apperently my frequent drug use and reckless lifestyle angered Armand. He was of the opinion that me endangering my life after being saved by Louis' mercy or whatever was disrespectful and if i was going to die anyways he might as well finish the job himself. So he hunted me down with the intention of ending my sorry life. Well, when he found me i was high as a kite and didn't even recognise him. I don't remember much of that night but i must have done something right because Armand decided on a change of plans. Apperently he found me interesting enough to keep me around for now but if i ever stopped fascinating him i was pretty much done for."

By then Armand looked very uncomfortable too and Nora thought that to be very much deserved. Maybe Daniel should have smashed him against the wall a little harder.

"So for the next few years he chased me around the globe while i tried to hide from that maniac who i still didn't fully remembered. I somehow pieced together most of the memories i had lost and knew that he was the vampire Armand, Louis' companion and my accidental saviour, but still, what exactly happened in San Francisco i only remembered much later.
After a while of playing cat and mouse with him, i somehow got used to the immortal creature chasing me and i started to see him as some fucked up version of a friend or something like that. Armand saved my ass, a few times, actually. From a burning house, almost being hit by a car, among other things. I really wasn't the most careful kid. Sometimes he let me crash at whatever fancy place he was staying at when i didn't have a place of my own. After a while our relationship changed from whatever it was before to one of romantic nature.

"I was madly in love with him. I wanted to please him, i wanted him to love me just as much as i loved him, i wanted to spent eternity with him. I didn't even mind it that much that he was still in a companionship with Louis as long as he kept me around. We were happy for a while. We traveled, he bought me expensive shit, we broke into gallaries and museums, i taught him how to use modern kitchen appliances and telephones and such, Armand developed his obsession with blenders-"

Daniel gave Armand a warm smile.

"Things were good. But i was still an addict and Armand a vampire so we also fought. A lot. Mostly about the dark gift. I wanted Armand to turn me, to be his companion in eternity, but he refused. I wouldn't let it go, pressured him as much as i could without risking to lose him completely. I screamed at him, cried, put myself in danger just to prove how badly i needed the gift. I did whatever i could think of to get Armand to change his mind. Armand had his reasons to refuse me. He loved me just as badly as i loved him but he was sure vampirism would destroy my young mind. Many vampires throw themself into the sun, especially when they are turned young and especially when they are already mentally fragile. During that time i was both. Armand was right, had he turned me i probably wouldn't have made it."

Nora watched as Armand's face crumbled more and more with each of Daniel's words until his eyes were tinted a faint red.

"And Armand had many, many other reasons to refuse my wish. I couldn't see it at the time, couldn't understand his fears and worries, wich were mostly only concern for me, so i lashed out. I would scream at him that i hated him, that he was selfish and that i never wanted to see him again. I would run away, just to call for him again, mere days later. He would always bring me home, no matter what cruel things i said to him."

Daniel's eyes filled with blood, spilling over into crimson tears, falling down his cheeks and leaving behind streaks of red on his skin. Nora could count at the amount of times she had seen her father cry on one hand. Daniel didn't show such a vulnerable side of himself often, especially not to his daughters. As fucked up of a story this was Nora felt like she should be very delicate about what Daniel was telling her. This was important to him, a most sacred part of himself that he was now willing to share with Kate and Nora and Nora would do what she had to, to treasure it.

"My addiction grew worse. I thought that if i put myself on the brink of death Armand would have no choice but to turn me. I overdosed. Almost died too. Armand decided that he, that what we had, was killing me. Not the drugs, not my own stupidity, but he and the knowladge i held. He was certain that as long as i remembered him and our time together i would never get clean. He couldn't turn me but he also couldn't watch me die at my own hands so he did what he thought was best."

Armand was crying now. Tear after tear rolling down his smooth cheeks, dripping onto his white shirt, staining it red. With shaky breaths he held onto Daniel's hand like it was to only thing keeping him from being completely swallowed up by his emotions. Maybe it was, Nora thought.

"He erased my memories. Everything. All those years just gone. I was left at a rehab clinic, that was already paid for, with nothing but a gaping hole of nothingness in my brain. For a long time i thought the memory loss was a side effect of my drug use but as it turns out, most of it was Armand's attempt at saving my life. It worked, of course, but it didn't go as smoothly as Armand imagined. I got the mortal life he wanted for me, and i am glad i did, but i also lost an important part of myself. There was always a piece of myself missing and i am not saying i would have fucked up less if i would have had more of my memories but not having them led me to make some very stupid decisions. Some divorces too.
Before you say anything, i know the divorces were my fault, i am not denying that! But sometimes my mind would fill in gaps that were left by Armand with other people, like Alice. And yeah, turns out dragging Alice to some galerie or ballet or even paris to reminisce on our early romance doesn't work that well when she never was into those things in the first place.

"Armand dedicated himself to Louis and their companionship while i lived my life away from him. I am glad it happened that way, even if it was hard. I got two great daughters out of it, even if i really had no part in how great you two turned out." Daniel said with a lopsided smile before he, more seriously, added: "I regret it a lot. Not being there for you guys, the few times i tried to be too. I know i was horrible and you deserved so much better than me. I am so sorry for everything. If i could i would change it, trust me, i would, but i can't change the past and i know i can't hope for your forgiveness either but i would like to try to earn it."

Kate was sniffling quietly beside Nora and Nora herself was trying really hard not to cry. She was kinda failing at it too.

"You don't have to answer or anything. Just think about it. Whenever your ready, i'll be there." Daniel promised.

Nora nodded quickly, if she said anything right now she would really start sobbing. But she could think about it, building a relationship with Daniel on her own terms. Maybe.

"We'll call you. Sometime." Kate said, cautiously.

"Yeah." Daniel swallowed. "Yeah, that would be great."

For a moment there was silence, only interrupted by sniffling and the whiping away of tears, the red and clear kind alike.

"Your story isn't finished yet." Nora noticed. "You have to tell us the end too."

For a moment Nora thought of her childhood.

One of the few moments shared with Daniel she cherished. Curled up against Daniel in her way too small bed, Kate lying next to her playing with her favorit stuffie, a gray horse called Dodo. Daniel had a book in his hands but it had been long disregarded as Kate and Nora insisted he had to tell them a story they had never heared before. Something completely new.

Daniel had laughed and agreed, telling them a story of two little princesses, brave and strong, living in a fantastical world, fighting against dragons and riding on unicorns. In the story the two princesses found a monster. Ugly and terrifying, terrorising the poor villagers with roaring screams and and all kinds of scary sounds. The princesses had come to kill the poor beast but when they stepped closer they realised the beast had only screamed so much because it was crying. Sorrowful tears filling his big glowing eyes.

Daniel had stopped telling the story, had looked distanced for a moment. Nora hadn't concerned herself with it at the time, she only shook at Daniel's arm insisting that Daniel couldn't stop there.

"You have to tell us the end too, daddy! Come one, the story isn't finished yet!"

Daniel agreed and soon he continuined telling Nora and Kate his story, his smooth voice lulling his daughters to sleep.

The monster was suffering from loneliness. Nobody wanted to play with a monster so scary and now it was all alone, his heart shrinking into a painful clump of grief and pain. The princesses, brave and strong as they were, had no fear of the monster. Together they played, lauged and danced and soon the villagers got curious, realising that maybe, the monster wasn't all that scary after all.

Looking back at the memory as an adult Nora had always seen herself and Kate in the princesses and Daniel in the monster. Now she thought that maybe, the story was about someone else entirely.

"Right. The end." Daniel cleared his throat. "Two years ago Louis invited me to Dubai, to end what we had started back in San Francisco. You already know what happened from there. Most of what is written in the book holds true. Except the ending. Louis did trow Armand against a wall and left to meet with Lestat again, but i never made it out of the house. At least not before Armand turned me.

"I didn't know what was happening, i thought Armand hated me after i essentially blew up his marriage but suddenly he was on top of me, crying and whispering sweet nothings into my ear while he sucked the life out of me. I was dying. I was scared. And i was so confused. But as my life left me and i tasted the fist drop of Armand's blood, memories came back to me, like flashs in my brain. Countries i never thought i had visited before, a love i had forgotten, but mostly; just Armand. His smile, his laugh. How he smelled, how he felt, how his tears tasted. Everything. I didn't know what was happening i just knew i needed Armand to stay, that he could never ever leave me again, but no matter how much i begged him not to leave me in the end he still did.

"When i woke up, safely tucked away in a coffin that wasn't my own, i was abandoned yet again, a few bags of blood in the fridge and a whole lot of memories i hadn't seen in years being all that he left me with. I was so incredibly angry. Armand had left before i even had a chance to understand what had happened to me. The first few days were hell. I didn't know what i was doing or how to contact Louis, let alone Armand. I somehow made it long enough for Louis to find me, bloodied and scared in his home. Louis felt guilty for leaving me alone with Armand and causing me to die so he took on the role of my maker. Tought me how to hunt, how to avoid getting myself accidentally killed by the sunlight, how to read minds, everything a fledgeling needed to know. We are friends now, Louis and i, as strange as that sounds. But even though he did his best there was no way that he could fill the hole that Armand had left in me.

"I searched for him, hunted him practically, but everytime i got close to finding him he fled to yet another hiding spot. It was infuriating.
On top of that came the fact that the vampire community wasn't all that pleased about the release of my book.
Louis and i got many death threats and even some real attemtps on our lifes, Louis way more than i did. At the time i thought that maybe they saw me as easy prey or not important enough to actually kill or perhaps it simply was good old fashioned racisim keeping them concentrated on Louis. Kill the black guy first, why won't you? But Yeah, turns out the reason why i wasn't getting as many unwanted visits as Louis was because someone was cleaning up for me.

"One night i was out hunting when a vampire attacked me. I got pretty good at fighting of over enthusiastic fledgelings but to my misfortune the vampire attacking me was way older and stronger than me. I fought back as best as i could, but really there was no way i could make it. Louis wouldn't make it in time to save my ass so i just tried to at least give that bastard a good fight. Managed pretty well for a one year old fledgeling.
Still, i ended up pinned to the wall with his claws in my neck when Armand finally decided to show up.

"Apparently he usually took care of attemtps like this before they could make it to me, but this time the vampires decided to act a little smarter than usually. It was a pack of about seven vampires, they split up, six of them going after Armand and the oldest of them going after me. Pretty stupid plan if you ask me. They never stood a chance against Armand. They may had been older than me but in no way were any of them ancient. Armand finished them off quickly but that was still enough time for me to get roughed up pretty good. When Armand appeared he wasn't even really hurt just really, really pissed off. Unfortunate for the vampire attacking me but he kinda invited that one onto himself.

"I was lying against the wall, not exactly dying but also not exactly not-dying. So Armand had no choice but to stay with me until i was at least a little okay again. He gave me his blood, carried me to my apartment, wich he had come to known through his stalking sessions, old habits die hard i guess, and took care of me until i was mostly back to full health. He was fully intenting on leaving again but i wouldn't let him. So we fought about it. A lot. And eventually we worked it out. Talked about it like adults, like we should have from the start. He apologized an so did i. And now we are good. Great even. Really, really great. I love him, he loves me, we trust each other." Daniel shrugged "It worked out."

Nora nodded, taking in everything Daniel just said. It really was a lot and she wasn't sure what to make of it yet. Armand and Daniel mostly seemed to hurt echother whenever they were together but somehow they couldn't seem to let each other go. And maybe trying to keep apart had been more painful for them than being together ever had been.

"Why did you leave him though? I get why the first time around, but why again after you turned him? I mean you're his maker. He's kinda your responsibility, right?" Kate asked Armand with genuine curiosity, her head slightly crooked to the side.

Armand shifted. He had let Daniel do all of the talkling the whole time, never giving his side of the story. Maybe they just agreed on everything or maybe Armand preferred not to share his thought about what happened with Kate and Nora. Whatever the case, he spoke up now.

"I was scared. Of hurting Daniel, of changing him more than i already had. I was scared of his rightful anger, too. I was certain he would resent me, like so many fledgelings grow to resent their maker. I did not want to witness his dependent love for me turn into hate, so i took the cowards path and ran. I thought it would be for the best, after all i have a history of destroying the things i love most."

It was vulnerable, the way Armand spoke. And even without knowing Armand outside of the few hours she had spent with him and having read a book that only described a part of Armand, Nora was sure that that him being honest like this was something rare. Something to be cherished.

"And that's our story." Daniel spoke softly, a strange smile on his face, his hand intertwined with his immortal companion. "That's the end of it."

Notes:

First of all: I never watched or read Twillight so i am not actually sure that Edward ever said "i am a vampire." I just remember seeing a clip of him saying "This is the skin of a killer, Bella." While being all sparkly and stuff but i don't really think that would have fit all that well into this chapter. But i would find a sparkly Daniel pretty funny tbh.

Anyways, what i mean to say here; if the reference is wrong i am sorry, i just thought that Edward saying "i am a vampire." At least ONCE was a pretty safe bet. Gosh, i am so uncultured. 😔💔

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter and there aren't too many spelling mistakes (my dyslexic ass is trying it's best but i am highkey struggeling T-T)

Feel free to leave a comment, it is always very much appreciated!! 🫶