Armand / Daniel VC fanfiction
Author's Notes; This is my first fanfiction posting here ever. I'm not sure how
to do the livejournal cut, So I'm sorry if this entry is too long. I think
maybe I can go back and edit this once I hit post? I'll find out in a minute.
This is the beginning of a story centered on Armand and Daniel's relationship
in the book Queen of the Damned. I mostly just tried to elongate scenes that
are only mentioned briefly in the book. It's wicked long, so if people like
this one, I'll be posting the rest of it soon. These characters aren't mine and
no infringement intended.
Pairing; Armand/Daniel
From; The Vampire Chronicles
Rating; PG-13
Word Count; 1300
There was a chill in the air. Winter’s approach was making itself known this
evening in London. Daniel’s light jacket did little to protect against the
cold, he supposed it was time to acquire a winter coat, or more simply, to move
to a warmer climate. Maybe Mexico, he’d never been there. His thoughts were on
sandy beaches and tequila as he stood waiting for the bus that would take him
into the crowded town, to the pub, to the tequila. Maybe he would order a
margarita in anticipation of this trip to Mexico. He’d managed to {Def}allude
Armand, his demon stalker, for almost two weeks now. To continue this
successful streak would require a move very soon, surely. But he was never
certain that he really wished to avoid Armand. He found himself longing for a
glimpse of him, but why he couldn’t explain. He was ever aware that Armand
meant to kill him when he no longer held the Vampire’s interest, and the quest
to be ever interesting, entertaining, was a constant pressure for Daniel. He
was fairly certain that a margarita or six would take the edge off, let him
relax. Maybe Armand wasn’t following him anymore after all.
The old bus approached loudly, squealing to a halt to allow Daniel admission.
The driver looked gaunt and mean and he scowled in Daniel’s direction as the
fair was paid. Geez, if you hate your job that much, get another one, he
thought to himself, smiling at the driver regardless of the hostile greeting.
The bus smelled strongly of stale cigarettes, and faintly of human body odor.
It was dimly lit, and Daniel scanned the rows to find a seat. He gasped with a
start as his eyes fell on the familiar auburn curls, the gleaming preternatural
eyes, and the small seductive frame of Armand, who sat casually, staring back
at him, the corners of his mouth raising slightly as he grinned at Daniel’s
obvious surprise. But Daniel recovered himself quickly, realizing to his own
dismay that part of him was glad to see the Vampire there, and calmly took the
seat next to him. Staring straight forward, he gently took Armand’s hand which
had been resting in his lap, held it firmly in his own and began,
“Well old friend, you’ve found me once more, and my question for you is,”
Daniel turned and caught Armand’s eyes, with a squeeze of his hand he finished,
“What are you going to do with me?”
The demon was delighted with this unexpected greeting, and did not try to hide
it as a brief look of surprise flashed across his features and the sly grin
widened, “Why Daniel, is that an invitation?”
“Yes,” replied Daniel with no hesitation, meeting his gaze fearlessly, though
truly, he was afraid. But the fear took a back seat to the frenzied expectation
Armand’s presence drew out of him.
And then, in front of everyone on the crowded bus, Armand kissed Daniel full on
the lips, the slow hard pressure bringing a red blush to Daniel’s cheeks, who
had never been kissed by a man, much less in front of so many strangers. Only
after did it occur to him how completely inappropriate this public display of
affection had been, as Armand looked so entirely young, an eternal 17, and
Daniel was clearly a grown man. But in the moment, he did not have these
thoughts, they came after. In the moment, Daniel found himself returning the
kiss easily, with disappointment as Armand drew quickly away from him, with a
look on his face like he might have laughed at Daniel, but thought better of it
in his infinite control.
“Well then, I shall drag you away from that drab pub you insist on frequenting,
and out to the theatre district instead! I should like to see “Death of a
Salesman,” and would enjoy it much more, I’m sure, if you were to accompany me.
After I will take you to dinner and you will tell me all your thoughts on this
dramatic piece. I shall endeavor to argue with you, certainly, and I will keep
you with me until the first hours of dawn, then tomorrow you will fly to Mexico
and I will follow you there!” He finished, with a remarkably human look of
triumph upon his face.
How could he know this? Thought Daniel, who had only just decided on going to
Mexico himself! Oh he knew Armand was a mind reader, but somehow he did not
expect to be found out so easily. He gave up his dream of margaritas and began
to think of another warm place to which he could flee.
“Daniel, do not be silly, you cannot choose a new place now, while I sit right
next you! I will know it instantly, and what sport is that for me? No you must
lay aside these plans until we are parted by the inevitable daylight, and then
only do you have hope to (def)allude me. Although I do not think you can, at
least not for very long.”
Daniel still had the Vampire’s hand, and noticed now that it was warm like his
own. He thought vampire’s were supposed to be cold, and chose to dwell on this
and heed Armand’s advice of giving up his planning until he was more truly
alone. Perhaps he would go to Mexico after all, and then decide upon where to
go next as he drank those margarita’s that were surely waiting for him. Would
alcohol warm a vampire as it did a human, could Armand even drink anything but
blood?
“My flesh is warm because I have already fed this evening. I thought it best I
kill before we met, so I am not as sorely tempted to take you.” Armand was
deliberately trying to scare Daniel now, to break this quiet companionship
they’d only just acquired before either could grow comfortable in it. Daniel
only nodded. Then he thought, as loudly as he could make himself think, If you
killed me, then what would you do for fun? No, it’s not time for you to take
me, is it? I think I will know when you begin to tire of me, and maybe then I
will try more desperately to hide from you. Or maybe I won’t. I don’t pretend
to know.
“Ah, Daniel, but you are right and you know it. How infuriating you can be! You
never cease to surprise me. You are more safe from me then you know.” Armand
gave Daniel’s hand a little pat, an affectionate squeeze, and this gesture gave
Daniel the courage to reply boldly,
“Conversation with you is ridiculously easy, at least. Apparently I don’t even
need to talk, you just read my mind and respond.” Daniel responded rather more
arrogantly then he had intended. “If I could read your mind, what would I
learn?” He asked more gently, earnestly.
Armand smiled too warmly, “Consider whether or not you truly wish to know
before you ask such prying questions, Daniel. Perhaps I do you a favor by not
answering right away, and I give you now a chance to withdraw that potentially
dangerous inquiry for the time being.” Armand stood, and pulled Daniel up as
well. The bus had stopped and apparently this was their exit, and Daniel
pondered those words as the Vampire guided him from the bus and onto the
bustling streets of the London theatre district. Despite the change in attitude
he’d witnessed from what he considered his own personal demon, Daniel was
nonetheless jovial still and took Armand gayly by the waist setting a quick
pace for their stroll to the theatre. Armand allowed this, and returned the
embrace to which Daniel responded with a grin, hardly noticing the chill in the
air anymore. Off to The Death of a Salesman they walked, Daniel humming to
himself, Armand listening quietly, looking for all appearances rather normal in
the crowded throng of theatre bound patrons.
