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Another end of summer in Southern Italy.
Marius was in the passenger seat and Daniel was at the wheel, driving towards Positano, roof down so the wind carried over the mellow tunes of a late night radio station.
Earlier tonight, Daniel had been right, Armand had to admit.
Armand had wanted to drive when they set off from the small boutique hotel they slept at, part of a chain Daniel owned, but he barely walked though the front doors when familiar footsteps caught up with him in the lobby.
Daniel stepped in his path, hand stretched out expectantly. “I’m driving.”
A pause. He frowned. “You drove yesterday.”
“Yeah and?“ Daniel asked, a smile on his lips.
“And it’s my turn.“
“Technically it’s Marius’ turn, but I think he needs to relax more, being, y’know, his holiday, and driving on that SS163 coast is the opposite of that.“
Armand glanced behind him as his maker was checking them out. “You think?“ he said with just the smallest hint of his usual sarcasm.
Daniel sighed impatiently, still smiling, full of infectious energy so that he didn’t bother with arguments this time and went straight to pleading “Aaaarmaaand, come on.” Trust me.
Marius joined them then, looking like the regular wealthy tourist on holiday, from his designer sunglasses to the red flip flops he bought on a beach a couple nights ago.
He handed Armand his bag and started towards the parking lot. “I think we can all relax and let Daniel drive, love. Andemo?” A hint of fangs in that pleasant smile, too fast for mortal eyes to see.
They planned to drive up the coast and go swim in some caves in the early hours of the morning, and Armand has bought a couple underwater cameras with him.
“Yes yes Boss, andemo, it’s snack time,“ his fledgling laughed, walking beside him with an arm around his shoulders.
“You’re a bad influence on him, I hope you know that,” he deadpanned, flourishing the keys of the convertible out of his pocket and depositing them in Daniel’s hand, a quick kiss on his mouth to hide the amusement in his voice.
Marius chuckled, getting in once the car was unlocked. Armand got into the back and Daniel pulled out and into the street. First, a brief stop to hunt on their way to the highway.
Now, speeding up the Amalfi Coast he enjoyed leaning back against the expensive leather, glad to relinquish his driving privileges in favour of stretching out between his two favourite beings, head resting against Marius’ chest while he had an arm around his waist, and his barefoot feet in Daniel’s lap.
The coastal road they were driving on was famous for its many bends and turns, and both Marius and Armand were more than happy to just admire the scenery rather than focus on traffic. Daniel was better at it anyway, always have been, even when he was alive, being able to follow a map and pay attention to Armand’s many ramblings at the same time.
He was softly singing along to Fleetwood Mac, one hand casually steering and the other resting on Armand’s ankle. Tapping against his skin to the rhythm of the song. His eyes shone in the dark, and Armand envisioned he could still see the very faint fine lines around them, now smoothed over by his transformation. He would turn his head in their direction occasionally, pinning Armand in place with his open expression and soothing voice, violet eyes against the dark violet of the night sky.
Marius’ other arm was reaching over to gently lay against the back of Daniel’s neck, a solid and welcomed touch, his fingers now and then playing with the soft hairs. Daniel liked having his neck touched as much as Armand did, this Marius knew. Beloved blood on beloved blood.
How the sight of it stirred something in him that went beyond hunger, made his dead heart burn in his chest.
How he would do anything for either or them.
How he loved them both beyond reason.
He let his head fall black and closed his eyes, feeling the corners of his mouth turn up. The air smelled like the Mediterranean, and it was warm and pleasant, sea salt on his skin, a long forgotten feeling of home anchoring him in place.
The summer shirt Marius wore felt soft under his cheek and he let himself rub his face against it slowly. Marius intertwined their hands together against his hip. Armand opened his eyes to see him peering down at him with a fond smile.
He reached his other hand to caress his face, the pads of his fingers touching his brow, his eyelids, stroking down his cheek, his neck, trailing down his chest. Daniel’s voice sang over the noise of the highway.
He struggled to remember the last time he’d seen his Master so relaxed. Maybe not in hundred of years. Little he could do for the way his hair was flying all over the place, but he seemed not to have the slightest care in the world. Armand tucked a loose strand behind his ear. The blonde rewarded him with a lingering kiss against his smiling mouth.
When the rain washes you clean, you'll know
You'll know...
In the back of his consciousness, a small voice. It feels too easy. He chose to ignore it for now.
Even if this peace was short lived, he’ll take as much as he can.