The cleaned up tape had captured ordinary shouted voices, two men overlapping, sneering, a wholly ordinary cacophony. And while there is the reflex for Armand to speak just that little bit louder past the alarm, it is like he doesn't need to. A voice that comes from inside Daniel's brain, stereo surround sound heartbreak delivered through a mannerly affect.
The lay of his thumbs on Daniel's cheeks are gentle. A soft stroke of them as he considers the boy, October 8th, 1973, who had so gratefully bent down his head. If there's acceptance there now, it's of a completely different nature.
"How unexpected you have proven to be."
The air will be funneled out of the penthouse very soon. Armand can hear the scurrying of movement through the building. Mechanisms and people. He has never shed a single blood red tear in Daniel's presence, in Louis' presence, and doesn't start now, fire-bright eyes clear as he flicks a glance aside.
And then back. A decision. Panicky, almost, the way it slides into place, and the immediate demand on him to act before there is no more time.
A thumb slides down, gets up under Daniel's jaw, efficient in the way he pushes his chin up and aside. Other vampires probably do this with more panache. The way Armand's jaws close against Daniel's neck first feels almost ordinary, blunt teeth, wet and damp, pressure and then the undeniable and absolutely painful piercing of fangs breaking skin.
He wraps an arm around the other man's shoulders, and when Daniel's legs give, he manages them both to the floor. By then, the pain will be gone.
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The cleaned up tape had captured ordinary shouted voices, two men overlapping, sneering, a wholly ordinary cacophony. And while there is the reflex for Armand to speak just that little bit louder past the alarm, it is like he doesn't need to. A voice that comes from inside Daniel's brain, stereo surround sound heartbreak delivered through a mannerly affect.
The lay of his thumbs on Daniel's cheeks are gentle. A soft stroke of them as he considers the boy, October 8th, 1973, who had so gratefully bent down his head. If there's acceptance there now, it's of a completely different nature.
"How unexpected you have proven to be."
The air will be funneled out of the penthouse very soon. Armand can hear the scurrying of movement through the building. Mechanisms and people. He has never shed a single blood red tear in Daniel's presence, in Louis' presence, and doesn't start now, fire-bright eyes clear as he flicks a glance aside.
And then back. A decision. Panicky, almost, the way it slides into place, and the immediate demand on him to act before there is no more time.
A thumb slides down, gets up under Daniel's jaw, efficient in the way he pushes his chin up and aside. Other vampires probably do this with more panache. The way Armand's jaws close against Daniel's neck first feels almost ordinary, blunt teeth, wet and damp, pressure and then the undeniable and absolutely painful piercing of fangs breaking skin.
He wraps an arm around the other man's shoulders, and when Daniel's legs give, he manages them both to the floor. By then, the pain will be gone.