[ once the manic joy had passed, the dread began to set into the pit of lestat's stomach to make a home. rowan had truly assisted in avoiding a fate that honestly petrified lestat, so regardless of the clash of personality that had occurred, the vampire was still eternally grateful that guy was even alive. a few scrapes seemed to be standard, but a bullet. that was far too close for comfort.
so lestat once again sits on his hands, tries to tell himself that at least guy was whole when he skittered away from rowan's offer of shelter. another reminder of just why he shouldn't attempt to snatch the mortal himself to keep him well protected under his care. at least he is able to express his concern to adam, to clutch the small man close at night and try not to think about how fragile mortal bodies were. he is able to keep one safe.
so the proof of life comes sooner than he would have hoped, though it is still achingly long. immediately after spotting the new number, lestat's thumbs fly across the on screen keyboard to respond.] Guy?! I heard from Rowan. Was the wound serious?
You are alive and it is all I can ask for. Thank you for trusting me.
You are whole, still?
When will you be back?
[ a little flood of messages - he's concerned, excited. a little overbearing, but he was a father once and in moments like this, it begins to show.]
[ in spite of himself, it does feel.. good, knowing that lestat is glad to hear from guy. of course, he knew he would be, especially if he heard about the stupid fucking bullet. ]
i'm fine, it wasn't that bad. [ it could've been a lot worse, anyway. ] i don't know what i owe your partner, he didn't say before i left. let me know if you find out so i can send it through you.
[ and.. ah. when will he be back? ]
it's probably best for me to keep my distance for a while. i don't know if shooting at me is the new norm or not. [ and risking bringing that around adam? even if guy wasn't feeling uncomfortably vulnerable, that would be selfish and fucking stupid. ] i've also been looking for someone, and there are some leads i could look into. [ they seem pretty dubious, but it can't hurt to see what comes of them. ]
I am simply worried, Guy. Bullets now? Whatever this is, it is escalating. Is it sustainable, to dart around constantly, alone?
[ truthfully lestat is the most worried about the man's mental state, his mortal fragility aside. the lack of sleep, the constant paranoia - rowan's assessment had been correct, he knew this from his own few encounters with the mortal. now an injury, even with the fae magic sealing it up - the impact of the shock on the body would drain even more resources.] Rowan requires no payment. An apology, perhaps. I hear that you were quite stubborn, little rabbit. I am unsurprised that you make a terrible patient.
Did he surprise you? If there ever was a safe harbour, it would be within his walls.
[ given how long it had taken for guy to even begin to trust lestat, really he should have expected such a reaction to the unknown. lestat could not being himself to be even remotely peeved about it though, not when guy came out alive. that was the desired result.]
[ an apology. of course rowan wants an apology. ] let him know i'm sorry for the way i left, then. i wasn't in a great place emotionally. i appreciate that he fixed my shoulder.
[ and he really, very much would like to not talk about the experience, but he also can't think of a way to change the subject now without it being obvious what he's doing. ]
i guess i'm just not great with strangers and enclosed spaces.
I will, when the time is right. He has not asked for anything, but I believe he was quite hurt by your fear.
Perhaps I should have warned you, before. It was a gambit, in case of an emergency. I cannot help but be immensely grateful to him for ensuring your survival.
I would have you scared and alive than the alternative.
[ a beat before the next message comes:] Are you alright, Guy?
[ lestat doesn’t mean to be cruel here, he knows. he probably has no idea what was said or what happened. and if he does, well, it’s not exactly like guy has been open about his trauma. maybe it really did just look like fear.
his head aches. lately, it’s noisier than it’s been in months. he can’t think through the clamor, so maybe he’s just being overly sensitive. it’s probably just the incessant, inescapable roar of people living their lives that has him feeling so terribly, awfully alone. maybe he’ll pick up the clonazepam again. it would help with the migraine, anyway. ]
yeah, i’m fine. sorry for all the trouble. i’m not scared of him, he just startled me really badly.
[ perhaps even if he had been witness to it, the vampire would not have had the same animal kick of fear. it had been a long time since lestat had been mortal in the face of something larger than him, much less with anything close to a glimmer of hope to survive once he was in the jaws of the unknown.
as such, he does not think too deeply into it, simply chalks it up to the young man's residual distrust and flightiness in the face of the supernatural. not surprising, considering who he had been fleeing from.] There is no need to apologize to me. As I mentioned, I am simply thankful that you have scraped by once more.
I would rather miss your company until we next meet, after all. There are many more film screenings in parks that I wish to accompany you to.
it was a nice evening. [ more than nice. just being able to be himself, more or less, and for lestat to like all those little things about him that he used to push down around other people is still a priceless experience. lestat's bright-eyed pleasure at the simplicity of the date, the feel of his mind meeting guy's, his openness-- ]
hey, have you ever taken adam to a movie like that? not in a theater or whatever, just something out on some university lawn or community park.
[ if adam gets a little lonely being surrounded by the extraordinary so often, maybe something like that would be nice. ]
[.... a wry smile at reading the message, brows raising. odd to bring up the other man directly after mentioning their solitary, intimate little courting. adam had been wriggling his way under the man's skin, apparently. charming little thing. ]
I cannot say that I have. It is not something I have known to look for, admittedly. Until now of course.
I believe the pair of us may be better suited to a drive in, or the private equivalent.
[ not just because of the obvious implication of handsiness - the two of them were especially prone to fits of giggles together, often annoying other patrons. at their most comfortable, the mutual mischief tended to show, much to the detriment of others around them.]
my dating advice would be about as useful as a two-legged stool. [ since he hasn't dated since he was, like, thirteen. gone out to bars or clubs alone or with a group? sure. picked people up for a night? absolutely. but dating--? ]
idk i just thought you two might have a good time doing something like that.
[ god, how fucking fragile is he right now, that his throat closes up at such a little thing like a casual term of endearment? guy knows, logically, that he’s exhausted, under a lot of physical and emotional stress, and his telepathy just adds more mental strain, and all that shit combined is why he can’t seem to be as practical about things as he usually is. knowing that, though, doesn’t exactly keep his eyes dry in the meantime. ]
i do my best. :)
i should pull the SIM card out for a while, so i have to go, but i’ll try to be available as often as i can. say hi to adam for me. oh, and i guess you can give louis my updated number, too. idk why he’d need to text me again, but i guess you never know.
[... louis had been speaking with guy? this was news to him. something to speak about another time, whenever that would be.
selfishly, his heart sinks at reading the message over again. guy was alive. that should be enough to go on. even this courtesy message was more than he had previously.] Naturally. Be safe, Guy.
Reach out when you are able to, yes? I am rather invested in your well being, I'm afraid. :] ❤️
[ in the next day or so, a clip from a recent the vampire lestat concert begins to make the rounds on social media. an unusually dialled down interlude between the usual heated set - a cover of a jeff buckley song, dedicated to a special guy out there, who holds more than he knows. the blond has all of his usual intensity seemingly turned inwards, eyes low and focused on his own vocals and the electric guitar under his fingers. whether guy sees it or not, it is an expression of the vampire's mulling anxieties for the young man.]
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no subject
so lestat once again sits on his hands, tries to tell himself that at least guy was whole when he skittered away from rowan's offer of shelter. another reminder of just why he shouldn't attempt to snatch the mortal himself to keep him well protected under his care. at least he is able to express his concern to adam, to clutch the small man close at night and try not to think about how fragile mortal bodies were. he is able to keep one safe.
so the proof of life comes sooner than he would have hoped, though it is still achingly long. immediately after spotting the new number, lestat's thumbs fly across the on screen keyboard to respond.]
Guy?! I heard from Rowan. Was the wound serious?
You are alive and it is all I can ask for. Thank you for trusting me.
You are whole, still?
When will you be back?
[ a little flood of messages - he's concerned, excited. a little overbearing, but he was a father once and in moments like this, it begins to show.]
no subject
i'm fine, it wasn't that bad. [ it could've been a lot worse, anyway. ] i don't know what i owe your partner, he didn't say before i left. let me know if you find out so i can send it through you.
[ and.. ah. when will he be back? ]
it's probably best for me to keep my distance for a while. i don't know if shooting at me is the new norm or not. [ and risking bringing that around adam? even if guy wasn't feeling uncomfortably vulnerable, that would be selfish and fucking stupid. ]
i've also been looking for someone, and there are some leads i could look into. [ they seem pretty dubious, but it can't hurt to see what comes of them. ]
everything ok on your end?
no subject
[ truthfully lestat is the most worried about the man's mental state, his mortal fragility aside. the lack of sleep, the constant paranoia - rowan's assessment had been correct, he knew this from his own few encounters with the mortal. now an injury, even with the fae magic sealing it up - the impact of the shock on the body would drain even more resources.]
Rowan requires no payment. An apology, perhaps. I hear that you were quite stubborn, little rabbit. I am unsurprised that you make a terrible patient.
Did he surprise you? If there ever was a safe harbour, it would be within his walls.
[ given how long it had taken for guy to even begin to trust lestat, really he should have expected such a reaction to the unknown. lestat could not being himself to be even remotely peeved about it though, not when guy came out alive. that was the desired result.]
no subject
[ and he really, very much would like to not talk about the experience, but he also can't think of a way to change the subject now without it being obvious what he's doing. ]
i guess i'm just not great with strangers and enclosed spaces.
no subject
Perhaps I should have warned you, before. It was a gambit, in case of an emergency. I cannot help but be immensely grateful to him for ensuring your survival.
I would have you scared and alive than the alternative.
[ a beat before the next message comes:]
Are you alright, Guy?
no subject
his head aches. lately, it’s noisier than it’s been in months. he can’t think through the clamor, so maybe he’s just being overly sensitive. it’s probably just the incessant, inescapable roar of people living their lives that has him feeling so terribly, awfully alone. maybe he’ll pick up the clonazepam again. it would help with the migraine, anyway. ]
yeah, i’m fine.
sorry for all the trouble.
i’m not scared of him, he just startled me really badly.
no subject
as such, he does not think too deeply into it, simply chalks it up to the young man's residual distrust and flightiness in the face of the supernatural. not surprising, considering who he had been fleeing from.]
There is no need to apologize to me. As I mentioned, I am simply thankful that you have scraped by once more.
I would rather miss your company until we next meet, after all. There are many more film screenings in parks that I wish to accompany you to.
no subject
hey, have you ever taken adam to a movie like that?
not in a theater or whatever, just something out on some university lawn or community park.
[ if adam gets a little lonely being surrounded by the extraordinary so often, maybe something like that would be nice. ]
no subject
I cannot say that I have. It is not something I have known to look for, admittedly. Until now of course.
I believe the pair of us may be better suited to a drive in, or the private equivalent.
[ not just because of the obvious implication of handsiness - the two of them were especially prone to fits of giggles together, often annoying other patrons. at their most comfortable, the mutual mischief tended to show, much to the detriment of others around them.]
Are you giving me advice on my dating life, Guy?
no subject
idk i just thought you two might have a good time doing something like that.
no subject
[ said girl very much enjoyed being courted by guy anatole, apparently. ]
I will make a note of it. He deserves a little spoiling, on occasion. Thank you, Guy.
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i do my best. :)
i should pull the SIM card out for a while, so i have to go, but i’ll try to be available as often as i can. say hi to adam for me.
oh, and i guess you can give louis my updated number, too. idk why he’d need to text me again, but i guess you never know.
no subject
selfishly, his heart sinks at reading the message over again. guy was alive. that should be enough to go on. even this courtesy message was more than he had previously.]
Naturally. Be safe, Guy.
Reach out when you are able to, yes? I am rather invested in your well being, I'm afraid. :] ❤️
[ in the next day or so, a clip from a recent the vampire lestat concert begins to make the rounds on social media. an unusually dialled down interlude between the usual heated set - a cover of a jeff buckley song, dedicated to a special guy out there, who holds more than he knows. the blond has all of his usual intensity seemingly turned inwards, eyes low and focused on his own vocals and the electric guitar under his fingers. whether guy sees it or not, it is an expression of the vampire's mulling anxieties for the young man.]