Trio in Rio

Chapter Six

"Good evening sir, will this be all for you?" Asked the young girl, in perfect English.

"Yes, I'd like to charge them to Penthouse three," Louis answered.

"Yes, sir," she said as she completed the transaction and handed him his bag.

"Thank you," Louis said, signing the charge slip Lestat Mapother Oddbody.

As the girl took the slip, she looked up at him with a smile. "Were you named after that singer?"

"No. I was a little before that," Louis said, smiling, but not wide enough to show his fangs.

"You must get asked that a lot." She smiled back, instantly in love.

"Yes, if only I had been an Elvis," Louis said, winking at David.

The girl laughed, as did David, and they left. David noticed that her gaze followed Louis's back at just under waist level.

"Well, I was of no help," David commented, as they walked to the elevators.

"English is fast becoming the international language of commerce, I believe," Louis said.

"I suppose so. It was a bit different the last time I was here. How did know you they would charge it to the room?" David asked.

"Most do," Louis answered, as they watched mortals stream out of the elevator.

"Yes, but I didn't realize you knew the workings of hotels so intimately," David said.

Louis laughed, "David, I am not a complete recluse, though Lestat portrays me as such."

They stepped into the empty elevator and David punched the button for the Penthouse level. When the doors opened, Louis looked questioningly at David.

"This way," David told him, walking to the right. They arrived at their door and David opened it, visualizing the lock and sliding back the dead bolt. Louis stepped through and held the door for David, hanging the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the outer doorknob, before he closed it.

"Excuse moi," Louis said as he walked to his room. He emerged minutes later, dressed in the sweatsuit. He was visibly more relaxed. "You were incorrect, monsieur," he said to David as he dropped down next to him on the couch.

"I was? About what?" David asked.

"I did not get used to them," Louis answered.

David laughed. "I see. How much more time do you have, before you sleep, if I may ask?"

"Perhaps an hour. I do not feel anything yet. But I knew it would take me quite a while to get through the crowds, even at my speed. I wasn't counting on flying," Louis said.

"Ah, I see," David answered.

"May I ask how much longer for you?"

"Well, it seems I don't lose consciousness until the sun actually rises above the horizon, which will be nearer to two hours from now. Possibly two and a half."

"Then I think you really should return to Lestat, David. You can find him in mortal minds, oui?"

"Yes, I could. But I thought you might like the company," David offered.

"I don't mean to say that I would not enjoy your company, David. But I think that Lestat would rather have you with him."

"I don't know about that. What with all the naked dancers, drunk mortals and such, I doubt he has even noticed our absence." David grinned. Louis grinned back, and tilted his head as if to accept this idea.

"Louis," David said softly. "I feel that you are being terribly ignored here."

"Really David? It was my impression that I've been the center of attention, so far," Louis gave a forced laugh.

"But not the right kind of attention." David countered, he saw something flash in Louis eyes briefly, and then got the impression of it being pushed down.

"What do you mean, David?" Louis asked curiously.

David bit his lip. "I mean, Louis . . .that . . .Well, I know you had been anticipating Lestat's return to New Orleans, as we had discussed. And I know you haven't had much time with him And I feel that, perhaps . . .you may be lacking . . .shall we say, a closeness?"

"With Lestat?"

"With anyone."

Louis smiled, but David saw the blank polite look descend upon his face. David was beginning to recognize this look, he suspected it covered pain. "I am solitary by nature, David," Louis replied.

"Yes, but not necessarily by choice," David said.

"It is a condition of my existence," Louis said, as if that explained it.

"Why aren't you close to the others?" David asked.

"I was close to Armand for a time, but he grew tired of my disposition. I have a disparity of passion. I am not interesting to the others," Louis explained, without animosity.

David found his gaze drawn to Louis's eyes. "I find you both passionate and interesting, Louis."

Louis blushed but was returning David's gaze. "Merci. Monsieur. Lestat has always chosen interesting companions."

"Yes," David answered, drowning in deep green.

"David," Louis said, unconsciously drawing nearer. "I want to thank you for accompanying me here. I didn't wish for you to have to leave the excitement of the carnival."

"Louis," David replied, his voice becoming breathy, "I find your company just as compelling as the carnival."

Louis found his heart was beating faster. "I have thought, since the first night you came to New Orleans, that you and I have compatible tastes. That we . . .could share so much."

"Yes, I have felt the same," David said, their faces almost touching now.

"David . . ." Louis whispered, he was losing himself in David's chocolate brown eyes, drawn to the golden light the vampiric blood had infused them with.

"Yes, Louis?" David asked, drawing closer still.

Louis opened his mouth to speak, but words would not come. After a beat, they both moved to close the gap between them, their lips touching, and then opening to receive each other's kiss. As their tongues touched, Louis grabbed David's arms with both hands, his fingers gripping so tightly he would have bruised a mortal man. He held him as if he were the last lifeline thrown into the abyss, which might be snatched away any second. David reached for Louis and crushed him close to his chest in a mad embrace. He moaned into the kiss. Louis sighed deeply, releasing David only to put his arms around his neck.

But the next second, they both pulled away, each one's eyes widening in shock. They stared at each other in horror for a long silent moment, during which neither even remembered to breathe. Then they both stood up, quickly, turning away from each other. David coughed, uncomfortably. Louis ran his hand through his hair several times, and straightened his unwrinkled clothes.

"Maybe you should be getting back to Lestat," Louis said, neutrally.

David nodded quickly, "Er , yes . . .yes . . .that . . .that would be the thing to do. . . .Can't leave him among his admirers too long or he'll be impossible to live with." David shot a nervous grin at Louis.

Louis was still turned away from David, his hands held behind his back. "Yes."

"Yes," David repeated, and walked toward the door. But as he reached for the knob, suddenly Louis was beside him.

"David, I apologize," Louis said.

"Louis," David said, turning to him. "So do I. God forgive us."

"I don't fear any God but Lestat," Louis said.

David nodded and went out the door.

Louis proceeded to his room. He couldn't help but savor the taste of David on his lips as he lay waiting for the death sleep to descend.

The next night Louis awoke to hear Lestat's voice in the next room. He was obviously on the phone.

"Send, oh three thousand . . .Yes, American . . .Hibernia Bank, New Orleans . . .Howard O'Brien Rice . . .From the Swiss account, not the Chase Manhattan . . .Oui, ma chere . . .Oui . . .the code word next time will be . . ."Lestat looked up as Louis kissed his cheek, "Precious. . . Oui, merci. A bien-tot." Lestat smiled up at Louis as he hung up the phone. "Good evening, Beautiful One."

"Good Evening, Lestat. You are sending Anne three thousand dollars? How long do you expect to be gone?"

"Oh, I don't know. David wants to explore the jungles," Lestat answered.

"Does he?"

"Yes. Don't you think that sounds appealing?" Lestat asked, amused.

"I believe I'll be returning home tomorrow night, once the carnival is over. There are still a few things that need to be done at the flat," Louis answered.

"Really? What?" Lestat asked.

"The chimney needs to be inspected. The water and electric bills will be arriving soon, and there haven't been any arrangements made to have them paid automatically from the account. The new shutters need to be installed. Just minor things, but someone has to be there," Louis answered.

"Haven't you hired a day staff?"

"It was pointless until the construction was finished. I thought you would want to do that yourself," Louis said.

"So you were waiting for me, Louis?" Lestat asked, pulling him down onto the couch with him.

"I thought you might return to see how the renovations turned out," Louis answered.

"I am very pleased. Do you like them?"

"It is a beautiful house, Lestat. It always was."

"I noticed you had already given David a room."

"Of course."

"I appreciate your welcoming him that way, Louis." Lestat paused, looked into Louis's eyes. "He must have given you quite a shock."

Louis remained calm, his voice quiet, controlled and, as ever, polite. "I was surprised, yes. But it was only right to have him stay. He belongs in your house, Lestat. It wasn't within my power to turn him away, even if I had wanted to."

Lestat laughed loudly. "Louis, Louis, you and your damned manners!" He saw that Louis gave him a small smile, but did not laugh. "Did you want to turn him away?"

"No. David is a very personable gentleman."

"Oh, is he?"

Louis did not answer that. "Where is David?"

"He went out to hunt and see some sights. We'll catch up with him."

"Why didn't you go with him?" Louis asked.

"Because I wanted some time with you, my baby darling lover, you."

Louis looked skeptical. "Oh?"

"Yes," Lestat answered, kissing him.

"And what do you want with me?"

"I think you know," Lestat said, coyly.

Louis looked at him blankly. "Non, I don't."

Lestat grinned and poked him in the stomach. "Yes, you do, Louis."

"Lestat, I cannot even guess. With you it could be anything." Louis regarded Lestat with an affectionate look.

Lestat sighed, he sat up straighter. In all seriousness, he said, "Alright, Louis. We need to talk about just what you think you were doing sneaking into my room and defacing my personal photographs!" Lestat produced the picture of himself , Gabrielle and Louis, on which Louis had placed two post-it notes, one covering his own face, the other describing Lestat and Gabrielle as unsatisfactory models for the Pieta. Lestat shook this at Louis, accusingly.

Louis laughed, shaking his head. "Lestat, I told you, it wasn't me," he denied.

Lestat looked shocked, and said with exaggerated disbelief, "Louis! Louis Michel Rene Antoine, you're lying! You are lying right to my face. I can't believe it."

Louis sank back against the couch, and affected a superior air. " Lestat, you are so suspicious. It is really unattractive."

"You happen to have very distinctive handwriting," Lestat said, resting his elbow on Louis's shoulder and looking down into his face.

"I believe, in this day and age, that is called circumstantial evidence. You cannot convict me on that, Lestat Christophe Marie, not even under Napoleonic law," Louis told him.

"Louis, my fledgling," Lestat idly brushed Louis hair from his face. "I do believe I have missed you."

Louis smiled. "I know that I have missed you, Lestat."

"That's good to hear, Lis." Lestat said, reverting to his most private nickname, the one he didn't wish anyone else to know, ever. He didn't write it in his books, he didn't say it within anyone else's hearing, he never wrote it. It was akin to babytalk for the name Louis, though it was also the word for lily in French, pronounced lee. Lestat nuzzled in close to Louis's neck. Louis tensed, but did not push him away. Lestat rested his lips on Louis's soft flesh, to let him know he would not bite him. Louis relaxed and put his arms around Lestat. They sat, wrapped around each other, both lost in their own thoughts for a while, Lestat occasionally giving Louis a soft chaste kiss, Louis occasionally rubbing Lestat's back or stroking his golden hair.

"Lis, why can't we always be like this?"

"Stat-chat, something always happens to pull us apart, you know that," Louis answered, using his own secret nickname for Lestat, which he dared not utter at any other time. It was one of those rhyming names, again, mostly given to babies, like Gar-bear for Gary or Manda-panda for Amanda. Louis had dubbed Lestat this without much thought. It just seemed to fit him, though Lestat claimed to not like cats. Louis, for his part, loved them. He pronounced this without the final Ts, stah shah. "It seems that something always will."

"We simply won't allow it to, Lis. We don't need to let it happen. If we try, we can keep this. I know we can."

"Stat-chat, there are too many problems." Louis ran his hand through Lestat's hair. "Too much history between us, too much resentment and pain. Maybe, MAYBE, if we could resolve all of that, while somehow not creating any more conflicts, then it might be possible. But you know that this can never happen. You know it as well as I." Louis kissed Lestat's mouth lightly, affectionately, and gave him a smile.

"No, I don't know it. I don't believe it either. THIS is us, Lis. The real us, without walls or defenses or petty grievances." Lestat said this persuasively but not in an argumentative tone.

"Non, Stat. This is us as we wish we could be. But we aren't without our dividing emotions. We haven't solved anything. We are simply ignoring everything else so that we can have this." Louis hugged Lestat tightly. "This truce, which will be short, as always."

"It doesn't have to end, Lis-Lis."

Louis sighed. "What of David?"

"Do you mean as a menage a trois?" Lestat asked.

Louis laughed. It was a deep easy laugh, the kind Lestat could never get enough of. "Stat-chat."

Lestat laughed too. He reached to rub his hand over Louis's chest and belly, to feel his laughter. Louis allowed this intimacy, as he always had when they had somehow fallen into one of these rare calm and happy moods. When they could be close without hurting each other. When they could slip easily into their old pet names, and the Creole dialect of years past. When they could speak to one another as what they were; two souls deeply entwined, and steeped in love.

These small confidential moments were exceedingly rare. The first had occurred at Pointe du Lac. One night, a few months after Louis had been made, when Lestat's father was asleep and the slaves were calm and quiet, they had been walking up the stairs together. Louis was going to his office, Lestat heading toward his own room. When suddenly, by some silent mutual agreement, unexplained and unexplainable still, they found themselves in Louis's old room. The room Lestat had come to him in, Louis had not returned to it, sleeping as he had been in the oratory.

They walked toward opposite sides of the bed, each lifting the mosquito netting in silence and crawling in, boots and all. They met in the middle of the mattress and lay in each other's arms. They were quiet. They were comforting each other. Each escaping the tensions of their charade, their families, their own animosity and disappointment, and the horrible pressure which had descended upon them without warning. They were finding support from the only other person in the entire world who understood. They were comfortable with each other and they found they could communicate. Lestat found it similar to the golden moments he had once shared with Nicholas. Louis reminded him so much of Nicholas. But this was more affectionate and comforting, the strong undertone of lust and desire which had existed between himself and Nicholas was not so much a factor as the warm solace of love.

Louis had never experienced anything like it. But it gave him the same feeling of confidence and security that his talks with Paul had. It seemed in that moment that everything had been solved for him. That day they slept together in Lestat's coffin. The next night, however, things had returned to their previous state as mortal and immortal concerns overtook them once more.

It had not happened again until after they had Claudia. During their sixty-five years together it had happened with perhaps the frequency of the new moon. And it was during these times that they had named each other silly names, with the license of mothers, or lovers.

Of course, since then it had not occurred. Not even at the Night Island after the incident with Akasha. But now, inexplicably, it had happened again.

"Let's not talk of David for the moment, Lis."

"As you wish."

"I was so frightened for you, my love," Lestat told him, meaning the burning and the blindness.

Louis snuggled in so close to Lestat's chest that he could feel his breast bone against his head. "I was frightened too."

They rocked together for a time. Louis began softly to sing the old Creole lullaby that Lestat had used to calm him then. It was the lullaby sung to Louis by the young slave girl set to look after him, and his sister and brother once they came. Louis had sung it to Claudia and Lestat had learned it during those peaceful nights. Lestat joined him now, and they sang to each other. When they had finished the song they held each other.

"How could you try to kill yourself, Stat-chat?" Louis asked in a low sweet voice.

Lestat opened his heart and poured it all out. "Oh, Lis, it just seemed all so pointless. Everyone had gone. The coven had scattered. I was lonely, and I saw all the rest of eternity as a never-ending series of abandonments and separations. No matter how many times I try to come together with those I love, always there is the time when it ends and they leave me. I was in pain, Lis. My entire existence was exhaustion and pain."

"Why didn't you come to me?"

"I know." Lestat looked at Louis. There was no judgment in his face, and no pain, just the need to know. "I should have, Lis, I know I should have. But I think it was that I had decided to end it. I thought I knew how and I knew if I saw you, you would try to talk me out of it. I was too tired to argue with you, and I was afraid that you might win. I pretended to think that you would understand. I fooled myself into believing that once I had gone you would be free to go as well, if you wished. But really I just didn't want to face you. I'm sorry Lis-Lis, I really am."

Louis kissed him gently. "I might have followed you, you know, if you had been successful. I don't know what else I would have done."

"I am glad that I was unsuccessful then."

"So am I," Louis said. Then he said, "Stat, when you came to me, when you were mortal-"

"No, Lis." Lestat said, pressing his finger to Louis's lips. "No, not now."

"Don't you think we should talk about it?"

"Yes, but not now. I just want this time together now. Just hold me, Lis, and let me hold you."

Louis kissed his lips in answer. Lestat deepened the kiss and boldly rubbed his hand across Louis's thighs. Louis shifted uncomfortably. Lestat quickly snaked one arm around Louis's hips, gripped the inner thigh closest to him and deposited Louis in his lap. Louis gave a sharp cry into the unbroken kiss. Lestat felt it echo over his palate and laughed. Holding Louis tightly he shoved his hand down the front of his sweatpants. Not surprisingly he found no underclothing to hinder him. Louis pulled out of the kiss, panting for breath. Lestat reached under Louis to find what he wanted, hefted them in his hand, then gave them a gentle upward toss to bounce lightly into the sensitive underside of Louis's manhood. Louis arched his back and almost yelled. Lestat laughed again and fondled Louis, down his shaft and up to his tip, tracing small circles there.

"Lestat!" Louis said forcefully. "Stop this now!"

Lestat caught his mouth in a kiss drowning out any further protest. Louis could get no leverage as his position did not allow his feet to touch the floor. He pushed ineffectually at Lestat. He pulled at Lestat's arm to remove the offending hand, to no avail. In a preternaturally quick movement, Lestat caught both of Louis's wrists and held them in one hand behind Louis's back. Louis was still shouting at him, the muffled angry sounds making Lestat laugh all the more. Luckily, his tongue was an effective gag for Louis, because he knew that Louis dared not bite him, lest he should consume any of Lestat's stronger blood. Louis fought as best he could, turning his head and twisting his body with all of his might. Lestat found this struggle sweet. He released Louis's mouth and pulled his had from beneath Louis to wind his fingers into the hair at the back of Louis's head. Lestat pulled, bringing Louis's chin up, baring his neck. Louis hadn't fed yet, so the threat of Lestat drinking from him made him tremble. Lestat licked at the thin skin over his vein, playing with him.

"Lestat, please, no." Louis whispered his plea.

Ah, this was just what Lestat wanted. He licked at the vein again. He rested his mouth there. Louis's entire body was tensed. He lightly raked his fangs across the skin.

"Lestat! What about David? We cannot!" Louis cried.

Lestat released Louis's head and hands, keeping his arms about Louis's waist. "What about David, cherie?"

"Lestat, this isn't a good time. You and David are lovers." Louis said, changing his defense, since begging wouldn't help. And he was concerned about this "cheating", especially after what had happened between himself and David. But if it weren't for David . . .Louis couldn't think about that now.

"That doesn't mean that you and I cannot be lovers, Louis." Lestat smiled at him, as if he were explaining something to a small child.

"Non? And so David is free to find other lovers as well, then?" Louis asked, combing his fingers through his tangled hair.

"Don't be ridiculous." Lestat pulled Louis to him and kissed his forehead.

"Lestat, you and I can never be lovers in the same way."

"What do you mean, Louis?"

"You and I cannot drink from each other," Louis said softly.

"Louis, that is due to your own stubbornness." Lestat smacked Louis's hip.

Louis ignored that. "Nevertheless, you and he ARE lovers, and you and I are NOT."

Lestat grinned. "Louis! Are you jealous?"

Louis smiled back at him, shifting to a more comfortable position, and unobtrusively crossing his legs. "I hope to live up to your example, Lestat."

"MY example? I fear to ask." Lestat looked down at him fondly.

"I always admired the way you didn't begrudge me my closeness with her. I was always grateful that you were so patient and magnanimous with us. I hope to do the same with you and David."

"Why Louis, I am flattered," Lestat answered with mock humility.

"You should be," Louis said.

"Especially since all this time I had thought it was she and I fighting for YOUR time." Lestat tapped Louis's nose. Louis laughed and shook his head. Lestat stood, lifting Louis with him, and turned to lay sideways on the couch, pulling Louis's legs to either side of him and folding them behind his back, so that they could be face to face. "I take it that you and David got along well?"

"Very well. We share a lot of interests."

"Yes all of the ones I have been trying to break you of." Lestat gave him a stern look.

Louis laughed, "Oui, those would be the ones."

"I want you to come to the jungles with us, Louis. David expects it too."

"Lestat, I told you -"

"Yes, yes, I know." Lestat said tapping Louis's mouth. "But I think we can accommodate that. We'll all return to New Orleans until everything is settled. And then we can all leave together."

Louis looked unsure. "I don't know that David will want to delay your trip."

"Louis, David will do well to realize that I am the leader of this coven." Lestat looked smug.

"Oh the two of you are a coven are you? You may want to inform him of that," Louis said.

"No, the THREE of us are a coven, Louis." Lestat poked his belly, where he knew he was ticklish. Louis squirmed and held back a giggle. "And I am surprised that I have to inform YOU of it."

Louis raised his eyebrows. "And how was I supposed to infer that?"

Lestat sighed in exasperation. "Louis, you are now, always have been, and always shall be a part of my coven. How could you forget such a thing? Is your memory going, hmmm? Can you tell me your name, Benjamin the Devil? How old are you? What year is it?"

"Lestat, stop," Louis laughed.

Trio in Rio - Chapter Seven

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