Picture Spec: Dance With Me
Addie, September, 1999

Disclaimers; as usual, not for profit etc etc.,
 
 

Louis:- (who else)
 
 

I was feeling almost happy, Lestat was being pleasant to me for a change. We had just spent an enjoyable evening at the movies, then a quiet stroll along the river. The night was warm and still, with a full moon that shone across the water lighting up the small waves that rippled into the embankment. He even clutched my hand at one stage and pulled me closer to him. I loved the feel of his strong muscular body next to mine, and I loved the way his soft golden hair caressed my cheek as I rested my head on his shoulder.
 
 

I pulled away from him after a while, as I needed sustenance, and he understood. He didn't berate me for a change, for not wanting him to join me while I fed. He smiled and waved as I lingered back, watching his form disappear into the darkness. The kill was nothing more or less than usual. Just a hapless soul who happened to wander into my path. Once satiated on the mortal's life giving blood, and my limbs were feeling warm and tingling I continued on my way, hoping perhaps to rejoin my maker.
 
 

As I wandered up the path from the river and into the shopping area I could hear a beautiful melody. It was haunting and sweet and I found myself being drawn to it. The lone violinist was standing under a softly drooping tree, his form half hidden in the shadows, and I watched him. Such passion for one so young, such energy, such purity. His slender form was swaying and so in tune with his instrument that they seemed as one. I lingered, along with several other people and lost myself in a quiet reverie of pleasure.
 
 

His dark hair partially covered his face, and I could see that his eyes were closed and his lips were parted slightly, he was as mesmerised by his music as was his audience. Another was watching now and I realised it was Lestat. I started to move towards him, wanting to enjoy this with him, but he seemed completely lost in his own world, so I stayed where I was and began to watch him instead.
 
 

His face was sad, almost pained, and a few moist tears filled his eyes. I was sure he must have been thinking of his lost lover, and I let him be. Let him wallow in his dark memories for a while, and I turned and left.
 
 

I never heard him come in that evening, I must have been well and truly asleep when he returned, and the next night he was gone before I awoke. I wondered if he would try and find his musician friend again, so I wandered back up to the mall where I had seen him the night before.
 
 

The young violinist was there again, surrounded by a small crowd of appreciative onlookers. He was certainly talented, and now under the glow of the lamp light I could make out his delicate features. Dark almond shape eyes, perfect cheek bones and a very sensuous mouth. Lestat was standing close to him, listening to every note, every echo of sound that emanated from his violin. The young man stopped playing after a while, and I expected Lestat to leave as the crowd dispersed, but he stayed on, striking up a conversation with him. I was about to approach and make them aware that I was there, when Lestat touched him on the arm and led him into a nearby cafe. Curious I followed them. They sat at a table in the corner, so I lingered amongst the crowd waiting at the counter, wondering what Lestat was going to do with him.
 
 

Lestat seemed to be so completely taken with his beauty that he did not notice me standing only a short distance away. I could not quite make out what they were saying, but I felt my heart thud and the hairs on the back of my neck prickle when I saw Lestat lean over the table, take his hand in his and kiss him on the cheek.
 
 

The young man returned Lestat's kiss with a fervour only normally reserved for lovers, and they smiled at each other, a knowing smile.

I spun around and almost ran out of the cafe, hoping that they had not seen me, and hoping that no-one had seen the tears that were welling in my eyes. I wiped them away ferociously and walked and walked, for what seemed like hours. I did not want to return to the flat, but I had nowhere else to go, so I left it until the dawn was almost upon me. He still had not returned, so I went to my bed, foot sore and with a heavy heart.
 
 

He was not there the next night, and David told me that he had not returned at all. That was it. He had taken a mortal lover, and I was also fearful that any night now I would be greeted at the door by another dark brother. I felt cold and lonely, and considered moving out of the flat and finding a place of my own. I had been by myself so much that I would not find it too hard to get used to again. I wished that I didn't miss him so much, didn't need him to hold me, did not need him to tell me that he loved me. But he had never said that had he? How could I have been so stupid to think that our happy time could last. He was a beast and I was a fool.
 
 

Two or three nights later, I saw him again with his violinist. The young man was playing in a cafe and Lestat was sitting in the front row, barely taking his eyes off of him. Lestat saw me and smiled and beckoned for me to join him, but I refused, turning around instead and leaving as quickly as I could. How could he do that to me? I wandered down by the river feeling more alone than I had done in many years. Depression is never very far away with me, and this night it had crept up and taken hold very firmly.
 
 

I decided then that I would leave, and went home to pack my things. Lying on my bed was an elegant white dinner suit, complete with white bow tie and a red rose on the lapel. I pushed it to one side and felt the hot tears streaming down my face. So he was moving in his lover and giving him my bedroom, even before I had been able to move out. How could he?
 
 

Quickly I grabbed my suitcase and began to pack a few clothes and books. I would come back later for the rest, probably finding them lying on the footpath in a heap. That is how I felt now, like something discarded and ready to be thrown out. Then I heard it, the first discordant sounds of a violin being tuned. He was in the flat already, and I considered leaving by the window when Lestat came blundering in. He looked surprised when he saw what I was doing.
 
 

"Louis, are you going somewhere?" he asked a confused look on his face.
 
 

"Oui I am."
 
 

"And where are you going mon amour." he replied.
 
 

"Away."
 
 

"Why?"
 
 

"Because I just feel like it." I said, my voice beginning to crack.

I turned away from him and continued my packing.
 
 

"But Louis I want you come and meet my new friend, his name is Paul?"
 
 

"No Lestat, I do not want to meet him."
 
 

"But Louis I brought him here so you could meet him and I would like it if you would dress for us, please." he said this as he picked up the suit that had been lying on my bed.
 
 

I turned to look at him, then turned away again.
 
 

"No, I do not want to put on that suit, nor do I want to meet your friend. Can't you understand me?"
 
 

"Well then Louis, you leave me no choice, I will have to undress you." and with that he came up behind me and began to strip my clothes off. I spun around as he pulled my sweater up over my head, then began to unfasten my belt.
 
 

"Lestat, please, what are you doing?"
 
 

"What does it look like Louis?" he said as he started pulling my trousers down. He pushed me back onto the bed and yanked them off completely, then slapped me playfully on my naked behind.
 
 

I tried to push his hands away but he had started to pull on the suit trousers. "All right Lestat, you win, I will put on the stupid suit. But I can do it by myself."
 
 

He watched the whole time while I dressed in the white silk shirt and pulled on the suit coat. He came over and did up the bow tie for me and brushed my hair, pulling it back into a black velvet tie.
 
 

He stood back and admired me, holding my arms and spinning me around. "Now just wait for a couple minutes will you please. Now Louis, I am serious, don't you think about escaping out of the window, because I will chase you down. Do you understand me?" and he gave me a mock angry look then disappeared into his room.
 
 

Dam him, I swore under by breath, he even made me dress up for his new lover. There was still time for me to leave but I decided against it, as Paul had begun to play. The melody was enticing, almost surreal and I found myself engulfed in it, my thoughts drifting, when I became aware that Lestat was standing behind me.
 
 

"Come my beautiful one, come and join me."
 
 

I turned to be greeted by an adonis, a creature so perfect in his dark tails and red silk cumber bun that I nearly swooned into his waiting arms. He entwined his arm in mine and led me into the living room. I was trembling, and I wasn't sure why.
 
 

The room was alive with a sparkling light, its ambience was one of warmth and beauty. There were hundreds of candles glittering against a backdrop of red roses, and Paul was standing on a small stage, garbed in a midnight blue suit with a black cape flung over one shoulder. He was watching us as we walked towards him.
 
 

Oh he was stunning and I could understand how Lestat could fall for him. Under different circumstances I believed that I could be attracted to him as well. He held out his hand to me and Lestat lifted mine and placed it into his.
 
 

"Louis, I would like you to meet my new friend Paul." he said to me smiling and with a sparkle of love in his eyes. If only that love was for me.
 
 

"Pleased to meet you Paul" I said, and turned to walk away, prising myself out of Lestat's grasp.
 
 

"Where are you going mon amour? I want you to listen to him play for us." Lestat asked, his demeanour changing slightly, the expression on his face questioning.
 
 

"I thought you might like to be alone." I said to him, and averted my eyes.
 
 

He grabbed me by the shoulders again and looked into my face. "What made you think that Louis? I want you to be here with me when Paul plays, please."
 
 

I agreed, and he put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him. Paul began his nocturne, a soft gentle piece that seemed to entwine into my very soul, it was so elegant, so peaceful, so romantic that I felt that at any minute I would cry. The pace meandered from slow and sensuous to a waltz, then back again to low and soothing.
 
 

Lestat turned to me and held my face in his hands. "Louis, I love you, I have always loved you and I always will. I hoped you would enjoy Paul's wonderful music, because it is my gift to you."
 
 

I looked into his eyes and they were rimmed with tears, I kissed them away then kissed him on his lips that were soft and inviting. I was melting, so surprised that it was me to whom he was offering his eternal love, so grateful and so overwhelmed.
 
 

He then lifted my hands up to his shoulders and whispered in my ear.
 
 

"Dance with me Louis."