Consequences and Repercussions a.k.a. trying the bed out

The entire room was pitch black, save for a single candle in the far corner. A soft, warm breeze wafted through the sheer curtains, not even strong enough to push the candle flame.

Lestat's eyes opened slightly, then grew wider as he suddenly realized that he couldn't move. His arms and legs had been stretched out, spread-eagling him on the four poster bed, with sturdy chains locking him down. He had been drawn so tightly that he could barely lift his head.

"What the--?" he started, but soft fingertips fell on his lips.

"It's all right," Louis' voice whispered in his ear. "I won't hurt you."

"Louis, chere," Lestat smiled, "not that I mind, but why the surprise? I'd have let you if you'd asked."

"Oh, Lestat," Louis brushed his captive's lips with his own, "that's the point. I don't want you to 'let' me. You so completely owned me back in the Island, lorded over me as if I were some prize."

"I never meant to hurt you," Lestat said, wondering if he had.

"I know, and I didn't mind. But now, I want to possess you the same way. I want to have you completely at my mercy, unable to defend yourself, and most of all, I didn't want you to have any choice, just like I never do."

"Louis--?"

"It's all right, you know I love it when you rule me. Tonight, though, it's my turn. I'm glad you bought this metal bed. You might have destroyed a wooden one."

Louis kissed both of Lestat's eyelids, stroking them for a few seconds, then slipped a nightshade of his lover's eyes, blinding him. "Just for tonight, you belong to me."

"And what do you plan to do with your prisoner?" Lestat smiled even more.

"Everything I want," Louis sighed, nuzzling Lestat's throat, then gently kissing the shoulders and arms, surprising his captive by lovingly nibbling on his fingers and kissing his palms.

"Louis..." Lestat groaned. "I don't think..."

"Shh, not a world," Louis laughed. He took out a silk scarf and gently inserted it between Lestat's teeth, behind his fangs so he couldn't tear the cloth. He kissed his prisoner's gagged lips, tying the scarf off. "For once, you can stay silent!"

Slowly, he worked his way down Lestat's helpless body, eliciting little delirious cries of pleasure from his lover. He wound down to the nipples, working them with his tongue and lips and even his teeth, smiling as the vampire strained vainly at the chains.

"Why are you struggling?" he teased. "I've made sure you can't escape. Don't you like this?"

Lestat whimpered unintelligibly. It was the most he could do.

Louis laughed, caressing his face with his hand, then sliding down between Lestat's legs, playfully nipping at the tender skin of his inner thighs. The chains creaked as Lestat tried to pull away, but Louis just laughed even more as he continued to lightly pierce the vulnerable flesh.

His hand drifted down Lestat's left leg, one finger running along the sole of his foot, and then his whole hand on the arch and back of the foot. Then he pulled it back up to his prisoner's side and dabbled+ just beneath the ribs, driving Lestat into a frenzy. Louis could feel his muscles tensing and contracting beneath his own body, and hear Lestat's frantic cries as he tossed his head from side to side, but it only excited him further. Lestat, for once, couldn't get away. His blond hair circled his face like a dirty halo, constantly rearranging itself as he twisted.

Louis smiled mischievously, still biting, then gently kissed the sore marks, ever so briefly darting his tongue across the miniature wounds. Lestat shuddered violently, then lay still.

"Oh, no," Louis said, "you don't get to rest."
He lay his hand's firmly on Lestat's hips and waist, and softly kissed his way up the center of his body. Lestat was trembling when he reached his chest, eagerly anticipating what was coming next, but Louis suddenly broke off and withdrew.

Lestat almost cried.

Louis sat up, taking a deep breath, watching as Lestat tried to move in his bonds. Nothing budged.

"A little frustrated, darling?" Louis giggled, leaning over to remove the scarf.

"Oh, oh Louis," Lestat gasped, "mercy, for heaven's sake, mercy!"

"You're welcome," his captor played on words. "But we're not done yet."

Louis bit down on his fingertip, watched it bleed a moment, then lovingly allowed a few drops to land on his slave's lips. Lestat eagerly licked it up, waiting for more, but nothing came. He heard the bed springs, though.

"Louis?"

"You just stay put," came the reply, "and I'll be back soon."

"Louis?"

No answer.

"Louis!"

Silence. Lestat sighed and leaned back, knowing he could do nothing but wait.

Louis fed quickly just a few blocks away, then checked his watch. It'd only been five minutes, far too soon to go back. Instead, he walked around the city, through the Garden District and then the large cemeteries, admiring the stone work. He strolled through the French Quarter, somewhat amazed the iron work had never lost its appeal for him.

It was a full hour before he started back.

When he arrived at the house he leaped up the side of the wall, landing nimbly on the sill. Silently he stalked inside, staring at Lestat, still bound on the bed. As soon as he was close enough, he lay his fingers lightly on Lestat's exposed abdomen, which tensed as he was touched.

"Louis?" came the worried cry.

Instead of answering, Louis kissed him, then undressed and straddled Lestat's hips with his own. He stole kiss after kiss from Lestat, reminding him who was in charge.

"Hungry?" he smiled.

"Yes, extremely," Lestat answered briefly.

Louis pierced his finger again and allowed a few drops to fall on Lestat's lips, teasing him unmercifully.

"Please," Lestat groaned, begging for more.

Obligingly, Louis bit into his wrist and held the wound over Lestat's mouth, feeding him as if he were his fledgling and not the other way around. Lestat practically suckled from his tormentor, easing the hunger that had been growing for the past hour. Bound down as he was, he hadn't been able to think about anything else.

After a few seconds, Louis pulled away, then bent to kiss Lestat, relishing the taste of blood in his mouth. He moved a bit to nuzzle his throat, then buried his fangs in the hard skin and drew a tiny bit of blood, just enough for a taste, and gave Lestat another kiss, letting him taste his own blood in Louis' mouth. Finally Louis drew back, loving how helpless his lover was.

A moment later he noticed something shining and falling over the side of Lestat's face. He leaned closer and realized it was blood.

"Mon amor," Louis asked, concerned that Lestat was in pain, "are you hurting? Why are you crying?"

"I don't know," Lestat admitted. "I can't stop myself."

"My poor prisoner," Louis cooed, kissing away the tears. "Do you want me to take off your blindfold?"

"Yes, please."

Louis kissed Lestat's lips again. "Not yet, chere."

Lestat moaned and tried to pull his hands away. The chains just creaked. His hands pulled and curled into fists, then released as he resigned himself to his helplessness.

"Louis..."

"Yes, Lestat?"

"Please...I--I don't think that, that I c-can do this."

"But you've been doing it for," he checked the clock, "almost two hours now."

"Beautiful One," Lestat begged, "for God's sake let me go!"

"Not until dawn, darling."

"Louis, please," Lestat started to weep, "I'll do anything you say, please let me up. You don't have to untie me, just let me move."

Louis kissed him again. "No." He caressed Lestat's hair, soothing him. "You are my captive for tonight, my helpless slave. I can do whatever I want to your defenseless body."

"But..." Lestat whimpered, "I'm scared."

Louis slipped the nightshade off of Lestat's eyes and face, staring deep into the sapphire jewels stained red and tinged with fear.

"Don't be frightened, chere," he said reassuringly. "I won't hurt you. I love you."

Lestat gave him a shaky smile. "I trust you, Louis, but I can't help being afraid."

"Because you're not in control," Louis nodded.

Lestat shook his head. "Because I can't escape."

Louis sat up, thinking about what his lover had said. Slowly he ran his fingers through Lestat's hair, doing his best to calm him down. His maker's eyes started to close as he relaxed.

"There's nothing to escape from," Louis assured him. "You're safe with me." He lay his head on Lestat's chest, listening to his soft breathing. The wind blew gently over him, and the blanket were warm and soft beneath them...it was no wonder they both fell asleep like that.

Louis woke up after another two hours had passed. He watched Lestat for a moment, breathing peacefully, then rose quietly and stood by the window. He stared for a long time at the storm clouds hanging ominously overhead, threatening to erupt with rain.

A bolt of lightning flashed in the distance, and he had to look away. He blinked hard over his sore eyes. The sudden light, like a camera, never failed to dazzle his eyes.

"Camera," he whispered as a devilish thought hit him. He dug into a nearby drawer, Lestat's "hobby" drawer, with all of his discarded toys. And there it was.

The polaroid camera. Only one picture had been used out of the roll. Louis smiled, then turned and started. Halfway through, Lestat woke up.

"Chere?" he mumbled, eyes still unfocused.

"Hold still," Louis ordered him, sliding the blindfold back on.

"Louis! What--?"

*click*whirr*

"Louis, what was that?"

The scarf was reinserted into his mouth, and he heard the same sound again. He struggled to speak, but of course he couldn't. Finally after several shots, Louis removed the nightshade and scarf. Lestat glared at him.

"You didn't," he growled.

Louis just sat by him and smiled.

"You did!" Lestat gasped, pulling on his bonds with all his might. The bed groaned under the pressure, but nothing moved. "And they say I'm a brat!"

"You are," Louis laughed, toying with his chest.

"You just wait!" Lestat raged. "Turnabout is fair play. Just wait 'till I pin you to the bed--!"

"Silly little Lestat," Louis sighed as his fingertips ran down Lestat's body. "Telling me that doesn't make me too eager to let you go."

Lestat nearly howled in frustration. Louis grinned, a rare occurrence, and snapped another picture.

"Louis, stop that!"

"Make me!" Louis started to giggle, then laughed louder. Soon he was on his way to a laughing fit worthy of Lestat.

"Damn it, let me up!"

"No!"

Louis bent over Lestat, kissing his entire body and nipping at his skin. Lestat tried to resist, but it was so rare that Louis showed this amorous side that his anger washed away completely. His body relaxed as much as it was able to.

"Just putty in my hands," Louis said, teasing Lestat unmercifully. "You belong to me. My maker."

"Yes," Lestat whispered, surprising Louis by agreeing. "Your eternal slave."

"No," Louis corrected him. "My eternal lover and friend." He reached under Lestat's pillow and pulled out a key, dangling it at his lover.

Louis bent and unlocked his left foot. He gently unwrapped the chain, relishing Lestat's sigh of relief, and tenderly massaged the weary skin. Then he undid the other chain and rubbed his right ankle, remembering briefly the episode after that whole religious debacle, when Lestat had been in chains. Lestat had left out the part where Louis had practically ravished him, helpless and bound, taking advantage of the chains.

"Do you remember that night when you were in chains, after that Memnoch affair?" he asked.

Lestat couldn't repress his smile. "How could I forget? I was tied up, defenseless and disturbed, and you all but raped me."

"You enjoyed it," Louis pointed out.

"It's what brought me back," Lestat laughed.

Louis smiled, gazing down on him, his arms still tied down. With a fond sigh, he sat up and snapped two more pictures. Lestat only rolled his eyes. Louis put the camera away and undid Lestat's wrists, caressing and stroking them, easing the ache in his lover's arms.

Without any warning, Lestat turned over onto Louis, pinning his arms down on the mattress. The chains moved with a will of their own, rattling around his wrists and binding them together above his head. It happened so fast that Louis was shocked into silence.

"I warned you," Lestat purred, lovingly stealing several kisses from him. "Pay back is hell."

"Such sweet torture," Louis whispered, gazing seductively up at him.

Lestat almost wanted to switch positions again. Louis lay before him, his stunning body locked down in complete vulnerability, and yet Louis was tempting him!

"My precious Beautiful One," he whispered.

"But...not just that?" Louis asked hesitantly.

"No, darling," Lestat smiled. 'I've fallen in love with your soul. You are beautiful, but inside as well as out."

"Lestat, love?"

"Oui, ma chere?"

"Untie me."

Unable to resist, Lestat released him, stealing one last kiss before he finished. Louis wrapped his arms around Lestat, pulling him down and rolling back on top of him.

He gazed possessively down at Lestat. "You see, Monsieur Lestat de Lioncourt, you still belong to me tonight."

Lestat put his hands on Louis' sides and forced him to lay down beside him, gently brushing his cheek and hair.

"No, Monsieur Louis du Pointe du Lac. I belong to you every night."

Louis grinned and nuzzled his throat. "Prove it."

Lestat laughed. "I love you so much..." he settled back on the mattress, allowing Louis to rise domineeringly over him. "If you really want proof..."

"Yes."

"You still have me at your disposal for another few hours or so. I'll put up no resistance, Gentle One, no matter what."

"None at all?"

"Well, maybe just a little."

Louis laughed, pushing Lestat down and smothering him in kisses before stealing several from his lips. Lestat wanted to say something else, but he decided it was better to just surrender and let Louis do whatever he wanted.

Late the next night, Lestat walked in unannounced as always into Louis' room, curious to see what was keeping his fledgling holed up rather than downstairs reading the newspaper. Instead of finding him with another book, however, he saw Louis slipping the polaroids of the night before into an album.

"Louis, what are you doing with those pictures?" Lestat demanded, sitting beside him.

Louis didn't even look up. He just kept putting the polaroids into the photo album in perfect lines across the pages. "Just preserving them," he answered. "I doubt that I'll ever get you into this position again." He slid the last picture into place and then looked up. "Besides, it's not as if you don't have pictures of me."

Lestat's jaw dropped an inch. "How--how did you--?"

Louis gave him an enigmatic smile. "Lestat, you're rather careless with your mementos. I found your box in the closet a long time ago."

Lestat leaned back, letting the full implications of that statement sink in. "How much did you see?"

"Well, I found my lost handkerchiefs, several photographs, a lock of my hair, and the diary I thought I had destroyed in the fireplace." He looked questioningly at his lover.

Lestat glanced at the rug. "You...threw it too hard, chere. It landed behind the flames."

"Did you read it?"

Lestat was rapidly turning an embarrassed shade of red. "Only a few pages."

"You mean the few pages between the covers," Louis said, not a doubt in his mind.

Lestat stared at the walls, suddenly very interested in the wallpaper pattern.

Louis chuckled and let it drop. "And the hair?"

"While you were still asleep."

The room was silent a moment.

"What other pictures do you have of me?" Lestat asked abruptly, looking into the book.

"Just those," Louis said too quickly, trying to shut the page. He should have known better than to pique Lestat's curiosity, though. The brat reached over and opened it again. Inside were pictures of him outside in the garden, in the cemetery, on the streets, one beneath a streetlamp and one of him--

"You watched me feed!" Lestat exclaimed. "You never let me watch you."

"But you'd let me watch you," Louis argued.

"You could have picked a better shot," Lestat grumbled. "I look like a leech here. This was definitely not one of my better kills."

"I think you look perfect."

Lestat stared at his fledgling, giving him the rare, insecure pout that always made up for all the mocking grins. "You don't mind, do you, chere? I mean, I'll give them back if you really want me to..."

Louis laughed lightly and lay one hand on Lestat's face, forcing him to meet his eyes. "And what would I do with an old diary or raggedy handkerchiefs? Would I tape that hair back on?" Soft as a feather's touch, he gave Lestat a fleeting kiss. "I don't mind, mon amor. It just surprised me when I first saw them. I never figured you as a hopeless romantic."

"All rockstars are hopeless romantics," Lestat grumbled.

"True," Louis nodded, and the tone of his voice made his lover very suspicious.

"Louis, have you been with any other musicians?" he asked.

Louis smiled secretly. "I didn't have very many friends while you were asleep, mon amor."

"But you had a few," Lestat pressed. "Were any of them singers?"

"Um..."

Lestat knew what that meant. He gently took the album from Louis and set it on the floor, then pounced, throwing Louis back roughly onto the mattress. With one hand he kept him from squirming away, and with the other he started to undo his pants.

"Lestat!"

"Answer me," Lestat growled affectionately. Louis' pants had barely fallen to the floor when Lestat began to unbutton his shirt.

"Just one or two, no one you've ever heard of!" Louis cried, writhing under his maker. "Please, please!"

"Who?" The shirt fell open at that point.

"They were in a band in the fifties! I can't remember their names, they were all boys!"

"Blond and blue eyed?"

"One was a re--" he suddenly broke off, afraid to say anymore.

"A red head?" Lestat filled in. "You little..."

Louis expected to be pinched or kissed into submission. Instead he felt Lestat's hard fingertips pressing against his sides, teasing all of his sensitive spots.

"Lestat, no! Don't tickle me!" he laughed maniacally, trying to edge away. "Stop it!"

"Give me one good reason to," Lestat smiled, moving to his legs.

"I--I--can't breathe!" Louis cried, twisting wildly. "Lestat! I can't--eep!"

"You can't eep?" Lestat laughed, still torturing his lover. "Tell you what. I'll stop if you promise to be my slave for, oh, say a week?"

"A week?" Louis gasped. "Never!"

"Have it your way," Lestat grinned, using both hands now to tickle his sides. Louis tried to beat him away, but the most he could do was do was put his hands on Lestat's shoulders.

"A night, I'll do it a night!" he yelled, struggling for air.

"Anything I say? Promise?"

"Yes, yes! Just stop!"

"Oh...All right."

Louis sat up, still breathing hard. Lestat gathered him into his lap and wrapped his arms around him, holding him as he caught his breath. Louis lay his head on his lover's shoulder and merely relaxed as Lestat stroked his hair.

"This is becoming too much of a habit. So, when must I become your slave?" he asked, looking up at him through his long lashes.

"Tonight," Lestat smiled. "We merely need to get you outfitted."

"Outfitted? Lestat, if you think I'm going to wear something demeaning--"

"Oh, nothing so bad, chere. Perhaps just a French maid's skirt?"

"Lestat!"

"Or a collar, a leash, and nothing else."

Louis just groaned.

Five minutes later, Louis was still naked, sitting on the side of the bed as Lestat brought in a small box and set it down.

"What's inside?"

Lestat grinned. "What I want you to wear, darling." He lifted the lid and showed the contents to his lover, who promptly gasped in disbelief.

"Lestat! There's nothing in there but jewelry!"

Lestat's grin broadened. "Now, hold still, this will take awhile."

"No, I am not going to wear nothing but rocks and metal."

"Oh, naughty, naughty slave," Lestat cooed, kissing his lips. "You promised. Besides, how are you going to stop me?"

Louis growled furiously and looked away. Lestat just smiled and pulled out the first item, a jade bracelet which went around Louis' left wrist. Then a brass circlet for his upper arm, which was matched by another for his right arm. Two or three rings went onto the left hand, but the right was draped in an emerald slave's bracelet, with a wide spread of fine chains over the back of his hand that locked to a ring. Bangles were slipped onto Louis' right arm, and they jangled noisily every time he moved.

"Lestat, I'm going to sound like a broken bell."

"And I'm not even finished yet," Lestat laughed.

Lestat produced an odd earring. The top clamped gently down on the top of Louis' ear with a small chain dangling down and then coming back up to meet the other clamp on the earlobe. A more ordinary earring of just an emerald stone was attached to his other ear. An amazingly ornate necklace of golden chains connected in a web that extended almost a foot around on all sides, set with more green gems of every shade, was draped over him and drawn tight around his throat. Then another, slim chain was locked around his waist and the end left to hang another ten inches. Lestat knelt down in front of Louis and lifted one leg up slightly so that he could attach an anklet made of silver bells above the slender foot. The other ankle was also decorated with a silent, golden band and a toe ring, with two slim chains connecting both ring and band, completing the look.

"Now stand up," Lestat ordered, and Louis had no choice but to obey, rising amid the chime of small bells and bangles. He was self-conscious of his nakedness, but for some reason he was even more fidgety when Lestat put the tan loincloth around him, two narrow swaths of leather hanging precariously in place by a thin strap that barely hung around his hips.

"All right, sit down in front of the mirror," Lestat said, guiding him to the rarely-used vanity.

"Why? I'm already wearing jewelry." He didn't receive an answer, which made him uneasy. Louis watched in horrified fascination as Lestat took out tubes of glittery make-up. "Lestat, how long have you been planning this?"

"Quite a while now." Lestat leaned over him, holding his jaw in one hand and applying pale red lipstick to Louis' mouth. Then sparkly eyeshadow went over his eyelids, and mascara was used to make his lashes ridiculously long. "I think we can skip the eyeliner, chere, it wouldn't do a thing for you anyways."

Now Lestat began to brush his fledgling's hair, turning the dark strands even silkier and softer with each stroke. Louis' body relaxed and he leaned back against Lestat.

"Lean your head forward just a bit," his maker whispered.

It was easy for Louis to comply. He drowsed while his lover worked, relishing the warm fingers in

his hair. He yawned and reached his hand up to Lestat's arm.

"Almost finished?" he asked.

"Mm-hmm. Look up."

Louis spent several seconds just staring at what Lestat had created. He'd thought that so much jewelry would look tacky or gaudy, but instead he looked exotic, and (he had to admit) very nice. Oh, very nice indeed.

"Stand up and turn around, chere."

Louis did as he was told and was immediately blinded by a camera flash. His mouth opened slightly in surprise, and Lestat laughed in delight as he snapped a few more.

"You look perfect, Louis, simply perfect. Now _I_ have some pretty pictures for my album." Finally Lestat stopped and set the camera down. "Come on, I want to see how you look in the firelight."

"Downstairs?" Louis managed to squeak.

"Well, where else?" Lestat smiled.

"No, Lestat, no, not dressed like this!" Louis gasped, backing away. "I couldn't!"

"Why not?"

"It's indecent!" Louis blushed furiously, ducking Lestat's reaching hands and trying to hide behind the bed.

"Louis," Lestat sighed, "the windows are shut and the curtains are drawn. No one is here and no one is going to be here. No one but I will see you, well, there is Mojo, but I don't think he'll really care."

"No, no, no," Louis shook his head stubbornly.

Lestat raised an eyebrow. "Louis, for tonight, you are my slave and you have to do everything I tell you to. And if you don't..." he let the threat hang.

"Then you'll what?" Louis prodded in what was almost a cocky voice, calling Lestat's bluff.

"I'll--I'll--I'll get Mojo's collar and leash and I'll make you come down," Lestat grinned wickedly as the idea popped into his head.

"You wouldn't dare," Louis hissed. If his eyes could have glowed red with anger, they would have been shining.

Lestat cackled crazily and ran out of the room, heading downstairs in glee. Louis heard him fishing around the drawers in the kitchen, and then the garage, and then Lestat was rushing back to the bedroom. In his hands he held the chain collar Louis had once bought for Mojo but Lestat had never let him use, a sturdy but lightweight chain, and a padlock.

"Come here, Louis," Lestat giggled, stepping closer.

Louis' eyes widened as he realized Lestat was serious. He backed farther away, then jumped across the bed, nimbly avoiding Lestat's pounce. "I never should have bought that damn collar," he muttered to himself. Louder, he said, "Lestat, you leave me alone. I'm not some sex toy."

"Yes, Louis, whatever you say, Louis, just stand still," Lestat smiled, ignoring him and following him over the bed. Louis jumped back again, but he had unwittingly put himself in a corner. Lestat crowed in triumph and blocked him in, laughing quietly as Louis pressed against the wall and shut his eyes in breathless anticipation. "Chere, one would almost think you didn't mind this rough treatment."

Louis didn't answer as the cool metal of the collar was locked around his throat an inch higher than the necklace. He heard the snap of the padlock connecting the chain, and then felt the gentle but masterful pull of the leash.

"All right, darling, come on quietly or I'll be forced to lock your hands behind your back."

Louis opened his eyes in mute surrender, following as Lestat drew him down the stairs to the living room. Once they were on the ground floor, Lestat turned and put his hand around Louis' waist while still tugging on the chain, slowly bringing him to the center of the room. The fireplace sprang to life while Louis was stretched out on the couch, bells and bangles jingling. He heard Lestat lock his leash to something behind him, then stared as his temporary master turned and started to walk away.

"Lestat, where are you going?"

"I forgot something, I won't be long," Lestat called back, disappearing back up the stairs.

Louis groaned and lay back, praying the doorbell wouldn't chime or that the phone wouldn't ring. He tried to reach his hands down the length of his leash, to see what Lestat had locked it on, but it disappeared behind the couch where he couldn't reach. All that he could do was readjust himself and brace himself for whatever was coming next.

"I'm back," Lestat practically sing-songed, carrying the camera. Louis just relaxed and waited as Lestat took dozens of pictures from almost every angle, repositioning his fledgling's body for more "seductive shots," as he called it. Louis seemed to change from helpless victim to sexual tempter one pose to the next.

"How much longer are you going to do this?" Louis asked. "I'm starting to get bored."

"Not much longer now, sweet."

"You're not going to show these to anyone else, right?"

"I don't know, I think they'd be fun to send with next year's Christmas cards."

"These photos better not leave this house, do you hear me!"

Lestat smiled and sat beside Louis' prone body. "Don't you take that tone of voice with me, my little captive, or I'll have to spank you, and that wouldn't do much for your dignity, would it?"

Louis gave his maker a look that made Lestat wonder if Louis really didn't care about his dignity. "Lestat, if this is too terrible, I'll lock you up again some night."

"Threats from someone chained to the couch?" Lestat laughed. "You need to be punished."

"I swear, the moment you let me up--"

"Then I won't let you up." Lestat looked around. "Although I certainly don't want you levitating any keys you see laying around. I'll be right back."

Louis rolled his eyes. "Lestat, half of this night is just going to be you rushing back and forth."

Lestat didn't answer. Instead he was gone for several seconds, coming back with two interesting items in his hands. A silk scarf and an odd pair of handcuffs.

"Now, first we take the left hand..." Lestat smiled, seizing the bejeweled wrist. Louis tried to push him away, but Lestat's strength was insurmountable. He locked the hand into the cuffs, then pulled the small manacles up to the leash a foot above Louis' head and somehow managed to attach it at the center of the chain. Then the other wrist was locked in, and now Louis was completely helpless, his arms chained to his leash.

"Lestat--"

"Hush, or I'll make you call me Master."

Louis started to laugh. "I must look ridiculous, Lestat, and yet you are trying to be serious."

Lestat smirked. "Ridiculous is not the word I would use." He took another picture, then let it develop before showing it to his lover. Louis frowned at it.

"I look like some slave in a harem," he mused.

"Not ridiculous at all," Lestat nodded eagerly. "My slave for now. And I want my slave blindfolded!" He tied the silk scarf around Louis' eyes. The material was thin enough to show the eyeshadow on his fledgling, but taut enough to keep them shut tight.

"Lestat, I can barely move," Louis complained.

"You were the one who said we shouldn't be apart ever," Lestat laughed. "And we aren't."

"I didn't exactly mean that like this."

"Do you really mind it so much?" Lestat didn't give him any time to answer, instead taking Louis' left foot in his hand and running one finger down the sole. Louis whimpered and his toes curled involuntarily, but he never told Lestat to stop. Deciding to be kind to his fledgling, who had been remarkably cooperative tonight, Lestat started rubbing each and every muscle, massaging the cool skin between his warm hands.

Louis sighed in bliss. His maker worked his way up the legs and back, avoiding the ornate jewelry as he climbed to Louis' chest and arms. Even the palms and fingers were rubbed until they were pliant in Lestat's hands.

"Enjoying this?" he asked, whispering in his fledgling's ear.

"Just a little," Louis smiled. "Don't forget the back."

Lestat grinned, but rather than turn Louis on his stomach, he reached behind him with both hands, lifting him up an inch or two. His lover groaned as he was pulled into Lestat's arms, his hands drawn back farther. He wanted to hold his maker and return his kisses, but the most he could do was grab onto his leash and hang on.

"You do realize..." he gasped, "...that...I'm going to have to...go out and...feed...soon..."

"What, and let you out looking like that? No, I don't think so. I'll bring you something so you won't even have to move from the couch."

"Lestat, I do not want to spend the entire night tied to the couch."

The blonde vampire considered, then nodded even though Louis couldn't see. "All right, then, hold still." He leaned over the edge of the couch and unlocked the end of the chain, bringing it up so that he could gently ease Louis into a sitting position. The fledgling's hands, still manacled, followed the leash to rest a foot in front of him. Still blindfolded and locked up, he presented such a vulnerable target that Lestat couldn't resist. He tightened his grip and bit down into his lover's throat. When he withdrew, Louis looped his bound hands around Lestat's neck and relaxed against his chest.

Lestat softly took Louis' face into his hands, tilting his head up to his own. Louis parted his lips in anticipation of a kiss and was rewarded with a deep one.

"Louis..."

"Yes, Lestat?"

"You look good in jewels."

"I would love to see you dressed the same."

"But all our jewels are emerald or jade, sweet."

"Then tomorrow we're going on a shopping trip."

"You, shopping? What are we buying, chere?"

Louis smiled beneath the blindfold. "Sapphires, and gold."