@auburnandamberangel / auburnandamberangel.tumblr.com
This was made by Gilbert Baker, the artist who created the original rainbow pride flag! From the source linked here:
"For New York City Pride in 1994, Baker created a mile-long rainbow flag that was carried down First Avenue in Manhattan."
“I meant why did you find me now, in this time.” Did his deep gaze of askance seem familiar to her, was he so changed then when he was Amadeo to her. The eyes older, shadows in them that weren’t there before, once upon a time in venice. The fact she was here a revelation, it stirred things within him. “But did you know I was here, how long had you been following Daniel?” This was important to him. The finer details.
Thinking on it he nodded, “Central park. It’s vast enough to lose ourselves in.” Frowning a tad more and then adding. “Was it you in Paris? At the theatre?” A ghost of his past she’d seemed at the time, a spectre he didn’t know he deserved to see anymore. “Follow me.” Using his speed to dash off towards the park.
Amidst her dreamy stupor, Armand’s questions didn’t seem to make sense. Why had she found him now? why? There was no need for a why– no need for a reason. Why was he asking that? She looked at him slightly perplexed and then he was questioning her about the mortal, Daniel, which seemed unimportant but at least that she could answer.
“I followed Daniel to the hotel, from this very place– that was how long I followed Daniel” she replied simply “I followed him so he would lead me to you, or lead you to me, and he did. That’s the extend of it” But if she had wanted she could have stalked him for much longer, of course. Was it that what worried him? Was he just now realising how exposed was this mortal for whom he seemed so concerned? Surely he couldn’t have been unaware of such a thing. “…Daniel, have I frightened him much? he didn’t seem so frightened. How long have you been followed, Daniel?”
She followed him to the park, a prominent landmark that had been there already since the beginning of the century, but that since then —soon she realized— had changed just as much as the rest of the city.
“We meet once in Paris, indeed, briefly and unexpectedly… I know nothing of a theatre, I left the city that same night and hadn’t set a foot there before or after ever again.” she hesitated a moment with the memory of that night returning vividly to her “You warned me about others, implied that it wasn’t safe there… I should have stayed anyway, I’m sorry I did not”
"So you being here, in the new world, in the same city as him was purely a coincidence." He said not really thinking it likely. How long had he followed the mortal, well that would be telling. "A few years." Armand stated and let himself smile a tad as he thought how to answer her question. "He's not as scared as he should be most days, that's the truth. Balls of steel I believe is the phrase." Daniel was used to a vampire that loved him. "I usually deal with others of our kind who get too close whenever we settle." 'Deal' was a rather open term for scarying and disposing of any threat to his beloved human.
Armand nodded, recalling that night in his own minds eye. "Paris was by then known as the theatres city. Some passed through, I didn't know it was you until you turned and faced me then disappeared into the melee." He looked away. If he'd known about Bianca back then would his path have wound ahead of him my differently...By that point he knew Marius lived by Lestats own account to him. But not her. "I'm sorry too." Voice quiet.
The world looked more whimsical upside down. Surprisingly comfortable this wooden bench in this position. His hair cascading around him, partially in his eyes. Armand had partaken in more tainted blood than he had in a good while. Thoughts chasing eachother in a circle in his mind. Sometimes he needed someone who had seen beneath his carefully constructed visage, someone who knew him before it even existed. Bianca was one such person. Felt his phone vibrate just as he registered the familiar mellifious laugh.
Eyeing Bianca. “My lady. Beautiful even upside down.” He remarked. Glancing at the image. “Shall I crawl beneath the bench and peer at you like old times?” Reaching a hand out to her.
Bianca approached, taking the hand extended to her and kissing it she sat on the bench at Armand’s side “I would rather you don’t do that, the ground here is not as clean as my the floor of my bedchamber, you would soil your clothes”
She looked at Armand, still smiling. His hair looked wonderful all hanging free in the air, his skin had that subtle warmness of fresh blood in it, he looked very much almost like her Amadeo of old times. She felt a bit nostalgic herself suddenly.
“How are you, my dear? why are we here? have you acquired a new perspective of the world looking at it upside down? will you tell me about it?”
Treasuring the closeness they easily shared. "I do quite like these jeans, I've broken them in well, so shall refrain from ruining them." Noting the minute frown. "Have I passed on my wistfullness Caro?"
"I like to wander amongst nature from time to time, pretend I'm not in a humming city. Pay attention to the predators both animal and human. I went clubbing not nearly as much fun solo." Smiling impishly up at her. "Had plenty to drink though. Bloated like a hedonistic tick. Self indulgent like old times." Laughing mostly at himself.
"I worry about the next disaster we're dragged into. If my sanctuary shall remain peaceful. If my heart shall remain unbroken. Everything and nothing, tesaro..."
👄 + Riccardo
All I needed in one generous soul, as beautiful in spirit as he was in body. Twice the man I was capable of being at the time. Brother, lover and dearest confidant. How I would have fallen quicker without your steady presence and heart.
Catching those darker, yet never cold eyes with his own, the years peeled away. Leaving them as of old. Partners in crime. “I’m flattered you trust me with your aesthetic.” Gladly accepting the kiss. Eyeing the trousers section. “The soft black jeans then, artfully distressed for textured comfort.” Steering Riccardo over there, his chin still on point on familiar shoulder. “A sheer buoyancy shirt, silky mayhaps? With a black blazer, jacquard?” Hands pushing Riccardos to grasp aforementioned jeans and shirt, lastly the blazer. Moving back to the mirror to hook the clothes ready for wear.
Riccardo gave a light smile as he was routed to the articles of clothing Armand had in mind. He picked them up, looking them over carefully before giving an approving nod. “What shall you wear?” He asked, his curiosity perking. “Or shall I get dressed before I’m allowed to know?” His last sentence was offered playfully, his hands quickly pulling his shirt over his head.
"I'll get you dressed first, then I'll do my big reveal." Watching Riccardo pulling on his shirt. A burnt swirled velvet shirt in dark silver, skin right black jeans and black Dr marten boots. With a charcoal blazer it's autumn afterall."
"That question appears to be moot now." A smile in his tone and expression as he regarded Daniel. In the minute time he'd glanced away the hybrid had shed his reindeer onesie. Cool as a cucumber he now stretched out in all his glory. Arms as a pillow for his head. So relaxed in his natural state. Would he himself be just as blaise when it came down to it. It wasn't as if Armand was shy truly, and Rian had seen him nude already it was just the coming off of clothes provided a symbol of vulnerability. But this was different. For them all to be in the bed at the same time was a first, hopefully of many more to come.
"By pants do you mean trousers or underwear? Because I'm wearing one but not both. Silk is soft enough all by itself." There warming to this and feeling himself relax into the flirting, it was second nature to him. "Why don't you take them off then, Wolfie. Whichever way you see fit. You can even use your nails. No harm or foul for ruining the clothing. I have plenty and it'd be a shame to curb raw enthusiasm."
"I feel churlish for being less than flexible with the intimate niceities, control is a well cultivated commodity of mine. But to progress with our relationship I need to lighten up a bit more. Because I really want lots of getting to know each other, blood, sweat and all."
Armand stared at his reflection for the millionth time, his attire for going out hunting didn't usually aspire such dedicated thought and preening. But it wasn't every night he had the chance to hunt with Daniel, a second night in a row in actual fact. So surreal to be worried of such frivolities post crisis. Perhaps the hope of a renewed connection or discourse with his fledgling was just what he needed after the realisation of just how much more he'd had to lose at the whim of yet another ancient. Years of peace shattered.
It made sense to gather his resources closer, re-establish bonds, take chances he didn't think would be possible. Didn't it... Flicking back to the outer present he adjusted his leather jacket, an 80's original over a long sleeved the the top in a mix of greys and blues and violets - he'd bought it as it reminded him of an abstract interpretation of a galaxy from a NASA photograph. Black slim leg jeans and well worn black classic DM Boots. A reflection of old and new. He was meeting Daniel out the front. Taking his own back stair case there.
Rian’s teeth gritted when he was forced to slow down, his hands shaking slightly as he took deep breaths to cool off, slender fingers working to rid Armand of his clothes without ruining them.
Rians feather light touch was noted and appreciated as digits ghosted down his torso via his nipple. The other hands exploration to the dimples of his lower back and start of buttocks not unnoticed either. Shrugging off one shoulder of his silk sleep shirt.
He suddenly couldn’t take it anymore, all the tension that had built for what seemed like years to him, the slow way things were moving along even now when they were so close. His body arched, bucking against the firm form so close to his.
His head tilted back, peering up at Daniel, eyes glazed over “yes, the clothes need to go. Right fucking now. All of them on all of us. Or I will start ripping, and then I will cry because I ruined my own clothes. And that’s just not a turnon.”
He stopped his own babbling by taking action instead, turning viciously on Armand to yank at the man’s clothes “off! Now.”
Armand felt like he'd played on already too taunt strings within the hybrid for too long now. By his standards this was a fast paced state of emotional as well as physical affairs, for one as free spirited and impulsive as Rian it must truly feel like travelling through torturously becoming quick sand. Gracefully moving with the rise and fall of the other male, whose hand was still slid between them.
Internally wincing ever so slightly as Daniels seemingly innocuous statement created a very proactive response in their lover. "Being man handled with this much rushed energy is quite the 'turnoff' too. If I hear a stitch pop, it won't go well." Laying cooling hands over the frantic ones.
"Undress me with haste, but less speed. Savour the unveiling. As this is a moment we may repeat but not quite recapture." Leading Rians digits first to the top of his silk button down shirt.
Soft laughter bubbled up when Daniel used the same ownership rules as Rian himself hadn’t been above resorting to when trying to keep something, people got weird about the licking “yeah, I’m yours too. And you can keep licking me whenever you feel like it.”
He pouted slightly just in case Armand should feel like lecturing before the pout melted into a smile once he seemed to be more or less off the hook. A hand pushed down between them while his head tilted back into Daniel’s hands for more petting, clever fingers finding a part of Armand he would have been shit scared to touch just weeks ago “am I moving in the right direction?” his voice sounded husky in his own ears, another wave of heat washing off of him.
Now that laugh was very encouraging, and tugged more with each day that passed at him. He felt the reverberation of mirth from his resting place on Rians comfortably warm torso. The onesie material surprisingly soft under his hand. "...And after licking we will progress to mouthing, then biting. A full tasting, possessing and cherishing panel of behaviours quite in keeping with both our cultures." His voice at its most low and seductive burr.
Witnessing the pout melting away was very satisfying, not that it wasn't a sight to behold along with that laugh. A twinkle of future pleasing actions in those striking turquoise eyes. His gaze flicked to Daniel still stroking their wolfies hair. The hybrid was taking full advantage of proximity to them both two fold. Purposely not paying any mind to where Rians hands were, he did like surprises - even ones he could visualise occurring - Once upon a time he'd have reacted badly to such a presumptuous intrusion on his body, but they were passed that by this juncture. Both upping the personal space stakes at a daily rate. Quite exhilarating really this new found romance for himself and Daniel.
"You're certainly getting there and very warm yes." Meaning exactly what he said as the werepires hand practically burned through the thin cotton bottoms that shielded his crotch. Idly drawing a ring around Rians nearest nipple through the soft fabric.
The half closed, glazed eyes of the hybrid followed the exchange between the two vampires in the bed closely, his body stretching lazily against the mattress. His clothes suddenly felt rough against his skin and far too warm. A hand lifted to touch Daniel’s cheek, then Armand’s, rumbling deep in his chest in appreciation “mine. Foh sure.”
He cleared his throat, going red at his own brave statement of claim, his lower lip going between his teeth to be worried before popping out again “I hid the chair in a closet. I didn’t repair it. I just hid it. I thought maybe I would just sneak it out at some point.” The lip was abused by sharp teeth again before trying to seek Armand’s once the vampire was closer “how many points does that lose me?” his words hitched, his back arching to meet the cool touches granted.
Armand nuzzled just a tad into the touch to his cheek, so warm their lover. Hard not too bend into the warmth. The bold rumbling wording and then the accompanying blush also difficult not to be charmed by. Gracing Rian with a small smile as he watched his lower lip take more punishment. "Ours too I'd wager." Patting Daniels leg with a knowing glance.
Not moving nearer, nor backing up further. "Five points, as atleast I know it's not out on the streets now. An omition rather than an outright lie. I'm confident you can find a way back into my good graces, if you tried hard enough." Shifting position so he was half laying on Rian now, one folded over as a rest for his elbow on the hybrids chest. Gazing from his resting place at the younger vampire to see what he'd to next to redeem himself.
“Of course you’re shaking with fear! Ain’t no one as scary to you as I am, it’s all about my onesies and my horrible insults” he grinned before giving Daniel the stink eye once again “maybe that works to scare you, but for me an insult I can’t understand isn’t an insult at all.”
His eyes glazed over a bit as he watched the two vampires kiss, wiggling a bit uncomfortably as his core temperature shot up a few degrees. “W-who said anything about repairs?” his voice suddenly sounded breathy, his back arching slightly to push against the cool touches bestowed upon him “I wrecked it, then dumped it. Problem solved.”
"Indeed be merciful in your wardrobe and vocal insults. I'll keep any of mine clear cut and succinct in return." Liking how much Rian was moved by them. Smiling as the hybrid arched up at his touch. Hands stilling on Rians toasty torso. Armands relaxed face pinched slightly at the brows at the last admittance. Suddenly the chair being cast on the streets, wasn't something he was okay with at all.
Leaning up on his elbows to say. "Define 'Dumped it'? But where? I'd rather it was repaired. I can salvage it." Shaking his head. "...Not problem solved but problem started..."
“Ha, you’re just scared of what else I might call you so you feel safe sticking to what you’re used to” he poked his tongue out at Armand before nodding enthusiastically “what we lack in inches we make up for by being way fucking stronger than most of the punk ass bitch faces out there. We look much taller when you’re on your knees” his chest puffed up a bit as he got himself riled up, blood flowing faster through him.
His lips pursed a bit as Daniel seemed to mostly ramble, just half of the sentences actually making it out of the man’s mouth. He still managed to follow, for the most part, a hand reaching out to pat the other man’s cheek.
One brow quirked a bit “you think I would bother with a cover up and leave the evidence there to be discovered? I don’t do that. Much” he shifted slightly “and you clearly didn’t notice the chair missing so it doesn’t matter what I did with it. If I did anything…”
“You believe internally I tremble at what fresh combinations of the English language you’ll use, yes you could be spot on!” Poking his own pink tongue out at Rian. “It is true, so many mistake shorter as weak. A misconception they rarely have time to rue.” Seeing the flush of blood as the younger immortal recalled past conflicts with others prejudices. Differences could still serve to feed others bigoted views, stereotyping.
Leaning down to place a kiss on those now pursed lips of his fledgling, cupping Daniels other cheek and stroking the smooth plane languidly with his thumb. He knew what the rambling had meant. Still touched and wounded by its affect on his lover in equal measure.
“Ah so an out of house repair. Perhaps replaced upholstery rather than wood.” Armand surmised. “A less significant piece, but it can be our mystery to solve.” Feeling the others heart rate still on the high side. “Your bloods still up, there’s far better things we could harness that vim for don’t you think.” Lightly tightening his thighs for enthusis, before he shimmied down Rians body to make kissing the werepire easier. Hand edging not so coincidently beneath cotton top, cool on heated abdominal muscles.
Low laughter puffed out of him at Daniel’s comment “as long as I can get the upper hand back sometimes I’m sure I can handle the little lord” he grinned widely, clearly still in a bratty mood “I could pick another theme for you, Armand. I’m sure you’ll be equally thrilled with whatever I decide on.” He gave Daniel a bit of side eye “we short, but we punch.”
He got distracted by the hair petting, eyes drifting half closed, a content smile playing on his lips as he thought of sneaking in to cuddle rather than to be a pain in the ass “I’m sure it would be much more satisfactory to all parties in the end” he nodded wisely, eyes suddenly wide at the warning to keep the furniture safe “what? Clawing? uhm, no…no damaged furniture. And it was one chair and I hid it well so you won’t ever find it!” he blinked “err…I mean, I would never do that.” His hand moved to cover his eyes “shit.”
“As you say young pup. My hair has always had a notoriety of its own, almost it’s own character. So I feel it’s inevitable this is a theme. Pray continue.” Smiling down as Rian melted under his attentions. “Exactly sometimes physically or verbally we strike.” Warming to the topic
“Daily nap times and pleasurable embraces for all concerned.” Noting with a knowing tilt of his head as a bluff was called. “Did you wax these marks as well as you’re waxing lyrical now, Wolfie?” Wondering if he’d smell any polishing products where Rian had been. Or see as in wolf form a steady drop of white hairs could be left surely…Asking himself about possible werewolf tell tale traces here and there.
