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“So how are the rehearsals going?”, Louis asks over the phone as he walks from one room to another in his newly decorated Dubai penthouse.
“Oh Louis, it's going brilliant! We just did the final run-through last night and it couldn’t have gone better. I think I’m officially ready to start the tour,” Lestat answered back to him, in New Orleans (now in a small rented-out apartment instead of the shack he once lived in).
Louis couldn’t help as a small smile appeared on his face since a passionate and excited Lestat was always his favourite side to Lestat.
Well, that and the loving and romantic side of him but Louis had to remind himself that him and Lestat were just friends.
They both agreed that while they still cared deeply about each other despite everything that had happened, they were not ready to be back together as lovers, companions, life partners, or anything else close to that.
So for now they were just friends.
And it was surprisingly working well.
They hadn’t seen each other in person since Louis left New Orleans after their reunion but they still kept in touch through technology and talked almost every day.
These days most of their conversations were about Lestat’s upcoming tour. Since what Louis initially thought was just a dream from Lestat who lived in his shack for too long turned out to actually be the real-life plans of his ex-husband.
Louis still didn’t love the idea of Lestat putting himself out there so much, especially with so many pissed-off vampires on edge about anyone else revealing their secrets like Louis did. But he had been with Lestat long enough to know that once Lestat put his mind to something there was no stopping him so the only thing that Louis could do for now was be a supportive friend (and try to protect him from a distance).
“So how big is this tour going to be anyway? I’m assuming it's nothing too big since it's your first tour.”
“Non, Louis. Of course, it's going to be big! It being my first tour means I must go all out otherwise how will anyone take me seriously as the next big rockstar! Big stages, lots of lights, screaming fans, the best opening act I could ask for-”
“Opening act?”, Louis interrupted, too curious to know who else Lestat had roped into this whole thing (plus agree to open for an unknown performer?).
“I can’t believe I haven’t told you, Louis!”, Lestat said, sounding even more excited now, “I met this enchanting man at what is called an industry party and he said he was an artist just like me named Raleigh Ritchie. We chatted for hours Louis and we even played each other our songs, we have different sounds but we thought the other’s music was brilliant. One thing leads to another and-”
“You fucked him,” Louis interrupted again, not being able to help the slightly sick feeling he felt in his stomach as he said the words (even if he knew he had no right to feel that way).
“Non,” Lestat replied back either not hearing the jealousy in Louis’s voice or choosing to ignore it as he didn’t acknowledge it, “I asked him to be my opening act! And he agreed!”.
Louis made a humming sound back so Lestat would know he heard him but it also gave him a second to think since he realized what else was making him feel jealous.
“Wait so even though I have been asking you for months if I can hear any of your music even just a second of it. You played your music for some random guy you met at an industry party that same night,” Louis said.
“Well, Louis that's different. Raleigh is an artist like me and he would be able to understand the rougher cuts that were my songs at the time and not judge as much.”
“I wouldn’t judge your music Lestat,” but even as the words left Louis’s mouth he knew deep down inside he had his mother’s blood still coursing through his veins and if he didn’t like Lestat’s music he wouldn’t have been able to hide it and would have been judgy about it even if he wasn’t trying to come a cross that way.
Lestat must still know him pretty well also since Lestat gives a half-laugh like he didn’t believe Louis’s words either but must decide it's not worth mentioning since he simply just says, “I have to get back to some other stuff for the tour, Louis. Let’s chat later,” and before waiting for Louis’s reply, he hangs up.
Louis takes the phone away from his ear and stares at the now blank screen.
And he realizes what truly made him feel so sick.
Lestat called the man enchanting.
----
“Louis! I’m so happy you’re here!”, Lestat says as he opens his apartment door, weeks later from that phone conversation and ushers Louis inside.
“Well, there’s no way I’m going to miss your debut performance especially when it's in my home city.”
“Of course, there was no other place I could start my tour. Raleigh also agreed that New Orleans was a great opener for the tour. It's funny how we are both from Europe but feel such a deep connection to this place and view it as home. Even before meeting me, Raleigh would come to visit here all the time.”
Louis felt his jaw tighten at that name. A name he has heard way too many times over the past few weeks.
Louis doesn’t know if this is similar to the effect of when you notice a yellow car exists and suddenly you see nothing but yellow cars but now Louis feels like every conversation he has with Lestat mentions the musical artist that would be opening for him soon.
After his initial phone chat with Lestat about the guy he decided to look him up and to listen to some of his music and Louis couldn’t deny…
The guy was extremely good-looking and made amazing music.
A part of him was hoping that Lestat was exaggerating about this man being so “enchanting”.
But even through photos, he knew that Lestat wasn’t. With a complexion similar to his, big brown eyes, and a boyish smile, he could understand why Lestat was feeling this guy.
He looked so much like Louis before he was turned.
This made Louis remember one blood-drunk night in the 1910s when Lestat had confessed that while he loved Louis’s green eyes, there were days he missed Louis’s brown eyes.
And this guy had brown eyes. But also seemed so warm. So human.
And after that, it has been non-stop about Raleigh Ritchie.
Louis could feel the sick feeling in his stomach growing worse and worse each day but he didn’t want Lestat to realize he was jealous.
He knew he didn’t have a right to claim Lestat. Lestat was his friend and single (as far as Louis knew) but it didn’t make Louis feel any better about this situation where Lestat was clearly, becoming more and more obsessed with another guy.
“Really?”, Louis finally said replying to Lestat’s comment, “Raleigh is from the UK right?”, Louis asked, but of course, he already knew the answer, he researched the guy’s whole life on Google.
Lestat nodded, “Oui, I love his British accent but he can actually do a very good American accent and sound like he is from New Orleans. He was actually doing his American accent the night we met and didn’t tell me until hours later that he was actually from the UK,” Lestat said, letting out a small laugh.
Louis attempted to laugh with him but could only manage a small smile.
Attempting to steer the conversation somewhere else finally, he asked, “So where can I put my stuff?”
----
Louis had arrived a week before Lestat’s first concert so him and Lestat could just hang out for a few days before the insanity that would be rockstar Lestat would take over everything for the next few months as Lestat would tour across the country (Louis was only going to join him for the first few shows and the last few shows, going back to Dubai during the in-between shows).
Louis was worried it might feel strange being back in New Orleans with Lestat for longer than a few nights but the two of them fell into an easy routine. Long walks together, chatting together, shopping together, just enjoying the other’s company.
And Louis couldn’t help but be reminded of the months when Lestat was “hunting” (courting) him since before anything else.
Before the trial.
Before the sadness.
Before the anger.
Before their daughter.
Before their vows in the church to spend forever with each other.
They were best friends.
“What are you thinking about?”, Lestat asked softly, breaking the silence they were currently having in Lestat’s living room while some trashy TV was playing on the screen (Louis was pretty sure it was one of the real housewives shows).
Louis turned to look at him and gave him a soft smile.
“Just thinking about how happy I am to be here and that we are in each other's lives again.”
Lestat returned his smile and said just as softly, “Trust me, Saint Louis. No one is more happy about this new chapter in our lives than me.”
Louis opened his mouth again to say something else but a ding from Lestat’s phone made them both pause and turn to look at it.
“Could be my manager? I should probably check,” Lestat said before grabbing the phone and looking at it.
The way that Lestat’s soft smile turned into a full-blown grin, made Louis realize right away that it definitely wasn’t his manager texting him.
No longer smiling, Louis asked, “Who is it?”, already feeling like he knew that answer.
“Oh, it’s just Raleigh. To follow the vampire theme of my tour I am making everyone wear custom fangs for their performances and Raleigh was sending me pictures of how they look. They look so good on him.”
And that was the final straw for Louis.
“Oh so you wanna see how good he looks with fangs before you turn him huh?!”, Louis yelled before rising from his seat.
Lestat looked genuinely startled by Louis’s outburst before looking confused and began saying, “Saint Louis-“
But Louis wasn’t done.
“You think I’m dumb! Testing the waters to see if he could be your new companion. Have you been courting him this whole time before I came to New Orleans. Take him on dinners and pretend like you enjoy the food, take him to plays, or maybe you flew to the UK to have dinner with his family and then eventually came back to the US so you could dick him down-“
“Stop Louis!”, Lestat shouted out before standing up as well. “I have no idea what you are talking about Louis! Of course, I have done none of that with Raleigh! He’s my friend and a coworker, our relationship is good but professional.”
Louis couldn’t help the slightly manic laugh that came out of him.
“Professional? Oh like how you were professional with Antoinette she was technically your coworker since you played at the Azalea together but that didn’t stop you from fucking her for decades during our marriage and then turning her!”, Louis said, discussing things that Lestat and him had silently agreed to not talk about and leave in the past.
But that’s when they were just being friends, and in this moment he was not trying to have a conversation with his friend.
Lestat had a wave of shame wash over his face and Louis wondered if he actually looked more grey than he did a minute ago or if his eyes were just playing tricks on him.
“Louis I can’t say sorry enough for the way I treated you back then. You were more than enough for me but I couldn’t help but let my insecurities about myself and us, make me do awful things than try to justify those things in my head but deep down I knew was wrong.”
“You’re a fucking liar! Even now! Because here I am and you’re trying to replace me again in front of my eyes with this Raleigh guy! So just be honest for once-“
“Raleigh is not gay Louis!”, Lestat finally yelled.
That made Louis stop in his tracks.
“What-“
“He has a wife and child. I met them both around the same time I met him at the industry party,” Lestat said, looking so confused and concerned.
Louis felt genuinely taken aback by Lestat’s words not expecting that at all but Lestat’s words didn’t take away all of his worries.
“Well him being married doesn’t suddenly mean you didn’t try something with him and he could still be bisexual, you guys can still be fucking-“
“Louis I can assure you that I didn’t try anything with Raleigh, and even if I did he’s very loyal to his wife.”
Louis snorted at Lestat’s words. “Must be nice but you really want me to believe that you were around a guy that good-looking and didn’t even attempt one thing. And don’t even try to deny that you think he’s good-looking I still remember how much you were gushing over him.”
Lestat shrugged. “Well, it’s true, Louis. He’s a very handsome man with a heart of gold and a talent that will enchant many,” Louis starts to feel sick again, “and I am attracted to him since he reminds me so much of you when you were human. Especially those warm brown eyes.”
Louis could feel it coming the killing blow.
Seeing him made me realize I don’t need you anymore.
Seeing him made me realize you’re not special.
Seeing him made me realize I don’t love you anymore.
But instead, Lestat said, “But he’s not you, mon cher. I told you more than 100 years ago you had no twin and even now in the 21st century it’s true, Louis. There is no one like you.”
Louis could feel his eyes welling up with blood tears but he didn’t want to cry so instead he said what had been bouncing around in his head for weeks now.
“You still love me?”
Least looked also close to tears but immediately replied. “Of course. I loved you since the day I saw you and I never stopped, my love never lessened not even once.”
The blood tears finally started flowing down Louis’s face and he couldn’t pretend anymore. Like he could just be Lestat’s friend. Yes, Lestat was his best friend but he’s also his lover.
He’s not sure who moved first but Lestat must be feeling the same way because now they were kissing. After almost a century without those lips, it somehow felt like he kissed Lestat just yesterday.
They made out for a few more minutes before Louis pulled away slightly and whispered into Lestat’s mouth, “Will you take me to my coffin?”
Lestat’s grin was extra wide now.
“With pleasure.”
——
It was now 2 months later and not only were Louis and Lestat back together but Lestat’s tour had kicked off, officially making Louis a “rockstar boyfriend,” as Lestat jokingly called him.
But Louis quickly shut down the joke by stating, “I know I didn’t put back on my wedding ring just for you to give me the boyfriend title. I’m your husband plus I could also be your boss let me see how you are running this tour and I bet I can do it better.”
Least looked slightly surprised by Louis’s words but had nothing but love in his eyes as he said, “Why of course mon cher. You are my husband, my boss, my very beating heart. And after this tour is done let’s renew our vows and have a more official wedding.”
Louis honestly couldn’t be happier even when things got slightly rough for Lestat since Raleigh Ritchie could no longer open for him.
“I’m so sorry, Lestat. I badly hurt my leg on my hike today, the doctor said I can’t walk on it for at least a few weeks.”
Louis remembers hearing Raleigh’s British voice say those words from the speaker of Lestat’s phone as they lay in his bed naked having just finished “getting to know each other as lovers again,” as Lestat put it.
Lestat had reassured Raleigh it was fine and wished him a speedy recovery as he hung up but Louis could tell that Lestat was panicking about no longer having an opening act at least for the next few weeks.
Especially when the first thing he turns and says to Louis is, “Do you know how to sing, mon cher?”
Louis almost laughed but realized that Lestat was being serious. “Les, you remember I could barely hold a note when I would sing happy birthday-“, Louis almost stopped himself but knew he didn’t have to pretend anymore, “to Claudia. What makes you think I can sing?”
Louis saw a flash of sadness and fondness at the mention of their daughter before he said, “I don’t know, maybe you got lessons since then and sing beautifully now.”
Louis laughed. “Well I’m not Raleigh Ritchie I’ll just say that.”
So Lestat had to start the tour without an opener but his music was surprisingly a lot better than Louis thought even if the lyrics at times felt…pointed.
Now weeks later Raleigh Ritchie had recovered and was set to open for the rest of Lestat’s shows which made his husband so happy that he was now throwing a mini party for him which he was currently at.
Louis had just been in the corner watching as Lestat entertained the guests like he was still on stage when he heard a voice next to him.
“You must be Louis du Pointe du Lac?”
Louis turned to the voice and was met with big brown eyes and a sweet smile.
Raleigh Ritchie.
Despite being at his party, Louis was surprised to finally be face to face with the man he only knew through Lestat’s words, photos, and songs.
Louis gave a half-nervous laugh and replied, “What gave it away?”
“Well you've been described to me as a most beautiful man with gorgeous green eyes,” Raleigh said in an accent that Louis realized was supposed to be Lestat’s French accent, “you most fit the bill. Plus Lestat is looking over at you every 2 seconds like he wants to eat you so it gave me more confirmation.”
Those words made Louis look over at Lestat. He felt both hot and embarrassed by the look that Lestat was giving him since it probably shouldn’t be allowed with so many other people in the room.
Louis’s eyes were still on Lestat but Raleigh’s words made his eyes snap back to him.
“But Lestat was right, you're hot.”
“What?”, Louis asked, thinking he heard wrong.
Raleigh just smiled and said, “I said you’re hot. Both you and Lestat. Honestly, it should be a crime for a couple to be that good-looking.”
Louis didn’t know what to say for a second before the words, “Your wife-“ started to come out but Raleigh stopped him.
“Also thinks both you and Lestat are hot. And would have no problems with me telling you both that and more.”
Louis was at a loss for words again but Raleigh just gave a small laugh that seemed so innocent before winking at him and walking away.
Louis watched him go with only one thought in mind.
Lestat was right, Raleigh Ritchie is a very enchanting man.