Quentin Coldwater (sadkingquentin) wrote in chances_rpg, @ 2023-06-10 15:37:00 |
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Entry tags: | the magicians: quentin coldwater |
Log: Quentin (1) & Louis
WHO: Louis de Pointe du Lac and Quentin Coldwater
WHAT: A couple of friends hang out and talk about vampires and fanfic
WHERE: Louis's Apartment
WHEN: June 3, Night
RATING: PG
STATUS: Completed via GDocs
At 10:05 on the dot, Quentin arrived at Louis's apartment, eager to both meet him face to face and to present him with his latest find.
Well, find was stretching it, since he'd actually researched before he went out and bought it. He'd also decided to go ahead and wear the shirt he'd gotten the night before, which had made him laugh so hard he'd almost fallen over in the store. He was also convinced to get a size smaller than he would have otherwise. The rest of his outfit was fairly nondescript, just jeans and tennis shoes.
He barely waited for the other to greet him before he thrust the planter out to him and beamed. "Hi! It's a spider plant! They don't really need sunlight, just a little time in a brightly lit room."
The evening Quentin had agreed to come over and watch a movie. Louis had gone out and purchased the soda, popcorn and M&Ms that had been requested. It was a bit strange shopping for food of any kind. He was certain he looked weird buying only ‘junk food’ items, but he didn’t care. He was excited about meeting the other man and hopefully becoming good friends. So far he wasn’t doing that well in the friend department, but he knew chances were there weren’t many who would want to be his friend because of what he was. Still, he tried to remain optimistic in this new place.
A knock came on the door and he hurried to answer it. He made himself pause a few moments not wanting to seem overeager. He’d barely opened the door when a smiling Quentin was holding up a plant as he greeted him. “Hello,” he got out before chuckling softly. “It’s lovely. Thank you, come in.” He stood back and let the other come in then closed the door behind him. Louis took the plant and looked it over. He was still smiling widely, touched by the gift. “Sounds like the perfect plant for a vampire.” He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve two gifts from the man, but just as he’d thought, Quentin was kind and generous.
“Please sit down.” He gestured toward the couch then sat the plant on the small dining room table. “I’ll be right back.” Louis went to the kitchen then returned with a tray that held a bowl of popcorn, a soda and a bag of M&Ms which he sat on the coffee table. “There’s more popcorn and soda if you need it later. I couldn’t find a small bag of the chocolate so make sure you take any leftover home with you.”
"I've kind of been on a plant giving kick lately. And I thought it might brighten the place up, since, well, you can't go outside during the day anymore." Q shrugged and took a seat. It took him about 0.2 seconds to go from sitting like a normal person to pulling a leg up under himself and tucking part of his body into the corner of the couch. It made reaching for the food kind of a problem, but that was a later Quentin's problem. For a moment, he studied Louis, not critically or like he was some kind of experiment, more like he was a new interest.
Abruptly, he laughed. "Now I'm thinking you could have kept calling me Quentin with the long hair, just so I could start calling you Louis with the longer hair!" This made him laugh even harder. "Sorry, sorry. I don't know where that came from. So, uh, what're we watching? You said it was a vampire movie, right? How many have you watched since you got here?"
It may have been odd to some, but for Louis when Quentin made himself at home on the couch it gave him a warm pleasant feeling and made him smile. He tended to assume the worst when it came to humans by nature or out of fear, but so far everyone had been nice to him here and here he was making a new friend. “It’s really nice of you to think of me.” He definitely wasn’t used to that. “I’ll get it hung up by the window tomorrow night. How often do I need to water it?”
Louis started laughing, a real laugh, and it felt good. “I like that. Maybe I will keep calling you Quentin with the long hair so you can call me Louis with the long hair.” It was cute and silly. So far things were going well. Hopefully they’d stay that way. “It’s a Swedish movie called 'Let The Right One In' that was recommended by a couple of people as one that I should see. It has subtitles in English. I hope that’s okay with you.” He sat on the couch and got comfortable.
"Just a couple of times a week, except in the winter, when you're supposed to let the dirt dry out some for… reasons that I'm sure are very important to plant life, but… I've now forgotten." Quentin chuckled, but he remembered enough to ask about plant care before he'd left the store.
"Oh, yes! That one's been on my list for a while, but I haven't found time to get around to it. Brakebills, the graduate school I went to, had too much magic basically imbued in every nook and cranny to allow for technology to work very well there. So, no movies or internet, except in this grotty little room that basically only had dial-up." Q paused and glanced over at his newest friend. "You're from the '90s, right? Am I imagining that? It must be wild, just how far tech has advanced since then, huh? If I'm right, I mean."
"I'm not sure you'd make a good plant mother… Father." He smiled then laughed, but it quickly tapered off realizing how that may have come sounded. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid humor isn't my strong suit. One of the downfalls of being a loner. Maybe you can help me practice humor and jokes." He wouldn't want to offend Quentin. Especially when things were going well so far. He didn't sense any tension or real fear. His heartbeat was steady and...well, he wasn't going to think of anything else.
A smile found it's way to Louis features once more. "I'm glad you haven't seen it. I wouldn't want to make you sit through something you'd already watched." The question was one he'd never been asked, but understood why those here would. "I was actually pulled from 1988, but I was born in 1766. I became a vampire in 1791. I've seen a lot of advances in technology, medicine and the world in general. I had seen cell phones and computers, but never used either. They look very different now. I had someone show me how to use them and wrote down the basics, but I'm still learning. They offer classes for those who this technology is new to. I should probably sign up for them," he grinned. "I'm just not sure they have classes after nine." He nodded. “It is wild. I feel out of sorts in that sense.”
"Hey, no, no, that was really funny!" Quentin laughed as he said it, quick to assuage Louis's concerns. "I had my chance at fatherhood once—it's a long story. Point is, I loved my family and my grandkids, but I don't know if I'm there yet. And I don't exactly have the options open to me right now anyway, so it's a moot point. Maybe it'd be safer if I stuck with Plant Daddy for now anyway."
He did the quick calculation from birth to death years. "I guess being perpetually 25 for all eternity isn't the worst fate? And as for classes and stuff, you can definitely find online ones you can take anytime, night or day. I'm sure the friends you'll make here will be happy to share what they know with you. With the advent of the internet, you can do just about anything at any time of day, like attend a conference in Australia on—I dunno—interesting Australian things, I guess? I just mean, things aren't quite as dictated by the concepts of night and day anymore."
The mention of being a father and family was very unexpected. "I was a father once. Not for very long. My wife and child died in childbirth, but I was a father, I am a father, and no one can take that away from me." Then there was Claudia. Louis looked down fighting back tears that threatened to fall. Not because he was ashamed to cry in front of Quentin, but because he did not wish to turn the conversation to one of sadness and regret. "I'm sure you were a good father. You have a kind heart." He paused once more then turned to look at the other. "At least you still have the option." And that was by no means said to make Q feel bad. Louis had made his choices, choices that filled him with regret and many other emotions that he carried with him always. "I guess we'll both be plant fathers then."
No, being a vampire was the worst fate. Eternal 'life' meant you watched everyone around you die eventually. It was a lonely, solitary life, or at least it was for him. "I will have to look into that. I could email Ms. Smith and inquire about it. You're the only friend I've made here. I don't think many people are lining up to be friends with a vampire." Not that he really blamed them. "Why don't we start the movie?" Louis turned the TV on, found the movie then started it. "There's a blanket over on the chair if you happen to get cold. Feel free to stretch out and get comfortable."
Quentin bit his lip and hesitated only for a scant second before he reached out and put his hand on Louis's shoulder, mouth curving into an understanding smile. He'd lost Arielle, but only when Teddy was a little older. He couldn't begin to imagine what it might be like to never know his son. It sent a pang through his chest. "I'm sure you would have been a good father, too, Louis. Dads just know these things." Okay, so maybe that was a stretch, but he really did have a good feeling about Louis. This was a man who'd been dealt a crappy hand over and over again. Q knew something about that. He took his hand back and folded it comfortably across his stomach. "You'll be a great plant daddy. I know that, too."
For just a second, Q thought maybe he'd chosen his words incorrectly, but whatever was going on in Louis's head wasn't for him to know. "If she can't, I'm sure we can find something together." He grabbed his soda and the snacks, and added a few of the M&Ms to the popcorn before nodding at Louis to indicate he was ready. "Let's get our Swedish vampire scare fest on!"
By the end, his soda was gone, but most of the popcorn and candy remained.
Q had abandoned the food itself as the tension ramped up, so that by the end, he was basically wrapped around one of Louis's decorative pillows and staring at the screen. He laughed weakly, slowly becoming aware of just how tense he'd gotten. "Look, I'm not saying those asshole kids didn't deserve it, but they absolutely did in a strictly fictional sense."
The touch to his shoulder had his head turning to look at Quentin’s hand. He wasn’t used to being touched. Lestat hadn’t even hugged him when he arrived then again that was no surprise. The other vampire had his own way about everything. Quentin’s touch was gentle and his smile and kind eyes let him know that he did understand. Someday he hoped they could both talk about their families. Louis hadn’t talked to anyone about them since Lestat. “Thank you, Quentin.” He almost said Q, but he wasn’t quite comfortable enough to call him that yet. “If she can’t, I would appreciate any help.”
The movie ended and Louis found that he’d greatly enjoyed the movie. It was a bit different, but in a good way. He looked over at the other and laughed a little. “I won’t disagree with you. They were assholes. Did you like it?” Truth be told all through the movie he could hardly wait to ask Quentin if he liked it.
"Yeah." His answer wasn't immediate, and he'd drawn out the word slowly. This was the kind of movie that needed to be chewed on for a bit, but as the seconds ticked on, Q started nodding. "Yeah, I did. It's one of those things that kind of lingers, you know? Not in a bad way, just a ponderous one. It's like… you know she's a monster, but she wasn't the villain in this movie. That's some seriously good storytelling right there."
“I’m so happy you liked it,” Louis smiled, feeling oddly relieved that he did. “I know exactly what you mean. There’s a lot of layers.” Monster. He’d never much liked the word when it came describing vampires. Even with there being ones who did act like monsters. “She can’t help it. I mean, she is what she is. She didn’t ask for it.” At least that was his interpretation of the movie. “I liked it. It’s food for thought. A bit heavy, but something that’s different.”
He turned the TV off. “Would you like another soda?” He saw the popcorn and candy were still plentiful. “Oh, that reminds me, will you explain to me what fanfic is now?"
"I like the media that lingers," Q confessed with a smile, and then had the grace to look and feel abashed. "Oh, no, I'm good on the drink, but I kind of forgot about the whole fanfic thing. Okay, so at its very basic, fanfic is short for fan fiction. It's where people take a piece of media and transform it in their own way. And it's not just movies and television, it's real life celebrities and band members and sports teams. Basically, if a thing exists that someone wants to write or draw or sing songs about in their own way, they do. Did you have a favorite author in your time?"
Louis took in all that was said about fan fiction. Writing stories about other stories or people. "So it's writing about other people, mainly famous or movies and such. So you write new stories about them? Do you publish or share them? Or is it just for oneself?" Though he had written down parts of his life, Louis didn't consider himself much of a writer. Even if he'd always wanted to try his hand at poetry.
"Honestly? No. When I read I read what interests me. I did like Dickens, Lord Byron and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Though over time I have read less. I liked to travel." He believed part of that was because it kept him from 'home' where his thoughts tended to haunt him.
"Share, yes, publish, no, unless you file the serial numbers off just enough so that no one can accuse you of plagiarism." Truth was, Quentin had seen a lot of discourse and discussion about fan works over the years. He knew it could be contentious subject, but it didn't keep him from enjoying the fruits of other people's labors. "I mean change your writing enough that it doesn't resemble the source material. Or it does and everyone knows it, but the names were changed and the situation is completely different than the original story. Regardless, people sink a lot of time and creativity into writing and drawing literal works of art, no matter how derivative they are."
He hummed, then bit his lip to keep from grinning too widely. "All your faves? Still have fanfics written about them. Honestly, the bounds of the imagination are as wide and varied as people themselves. I know you said you don't read much these days, but if you ever want to dip your toe into it, I can try to find one or two good ones. And that's not even getting into 'shipping'."
“Of course. That makes sense if you’re writing about established characters and settings. Seems like a lot of work to change everything because you want to publish a story that already exists. If you enjoy it so much that you write fan fiction about it, why change it?” He paused. “I guess if you didn’t like the end or something that happened in the story I could see making changes, but I think for me that would be more of a personal thing and I wouldn’t want it published.”
A look of surprise came over his face. “Really? That would be interesting to read. Would you?” Quentin’s kindness never ceased to amaze him. “If it’s not too much trouble I’d like that. Shipping? I’m going to guess it doesn’t have anything to do with actual ships,” he laughed.
"Honestly, most people who do that—who change their work into something that can be published—do it for the oldest reason out there: money." Q shrugged as if to say 'humans, am I right?', then leaned over to grab his soda so he could drink the rest of it in just a couple of swallows. "But people write fanfics for all sorts of reasons. They don't like the ending. They want the same characters in a different setting. Or a different time. Or to meet the characters from another one of their favorite pieces of media. We call those crossovers, and they are mind-bogglingly diverse. The advent of the internet as we know it now has basically been a springboard for the creative endeavor. Anyone can do anything, regardless of their skill level."
Quentin nodded rapidly in his naked enthusiasm, eyes lighting up just at the prospect of doing research for something other than work or his own amusement. "Yes, for sure, absolutely! I will trawl the interwebs for the finest catches of the day." A snort left him, followed by a rush of heat to his face. "Wellllll, you wouldn't be a hundred percent right about it not being about ship-ships. Because those exist, too. No shame, but also wow. Okay, so"—he turned to face Louis more fully, which freed his hands to really get into things—"shipping is where you take two or more characters and imagine them in a typically romantic or sexual relationship. Shipping-relationshipping, get it? These could be characters who already have an established relationship on screen, but you want to imagine it a little differently, or characters who have only ever interacted as friends or work partners or the barista down at the coffee shop at which the other character is a regular. Honestly, any and everyone can be shipped together—even across universes. Which brings us back to crossovers again, but only tangentially. And… wow, feel free to interrupt me whenever you want to, because I can and will go on about this until well after 2 AM, if you're not careful."
"Humans aren't the only ones who are concerned with money and wealth." Perhaps they needed it more to make their way in the world. "It sounds a little complicated, but maybe fun...to write about characters and places you love. I can see where that's appealing." He wasn't sure he could do it, but reading something about a book or characters he loved did make him a bit curious about the whole thing.
"The finest catch of the day?" He laughed again, amused by the metaphor. "I like that. Thank you. Please take your time. There's no rush." He didn't want Quentin to take time away from work or time with friends and such.
The other was certainly enthusiastic about the subject and he liked seeing him smile and get into it. Oh. "Oh!" He chuckled and looked down for a moment. He'd not been thinking about anything like that. "I get it. I guess it makes sense to write that into a story." The whole subject was almost foreign to Louis at this point. He was capable of the feelings that came with such things, but he wasn't naive enough to believe that anyone would ever have the same feelings for him or want a relationship with him. "No, no, no, it's okay. It's nice to see y...someone so excited about something they clearly enjoy." He couldn't recall the last time he'd felt that way about something. "Do you write shipping in your fan fiction stories?" Damn it. "I mean...." If he was capable of blushing he would have been six shades of red. "What kind of fan fiction do you write?"
Quentin flushed hotter than before; he couldn't say much against the whole capitalism of everything, the kind that clearly crossed species. Species? Anyway, his thoughts were completely derailed by the current discussion surrounding shipping and his own efforts in the fanfic world. "Write? No, no, not me. Not since high school, and even then I'd never show it to anyone. I was way more of a reader than a writer, and that's still true today. I'd write myself going on adventures with the Chatwin siblings in Fillory. It's a book series from my world. I was kind of obsessed, but they got me through some pretty dark times. They were all kids in the books, and I saw myself in one of them while admiring the other two. And if sometimes I imagined myself kissing Jane on the cheek or holding hands with Rupert while we searched for a questing beast, well, that was between me and my journal." He laughed and glanced away, wrapped in the memory for a moment before pulling himself back. Present. He could and would stay present. "Do you mind if I ask about Lestat, or is that a sore subject? Like, are you both from the same world?"
Louis seemed to be embarrassing Quentin more and more. "I'm sorry. I feel like I keep saying or asking the wrong thing. I'll try to be more careful." To be honest though the conversation was interesting and different, the vampire liked that.
"That's a shame. I thought you still wrote it. I was going to ask if I could read some of yours." There was a slight disappointment in the knowledge, but the other man probably wouldn't have shared it even if he did write it. It seemed almost personal on a certain level. "That's a lovely memory. I believe we all have something that helps or has helped us through dark and difficult times." For Louis it had been a locket he gave Claudia and her sketch pad. How he poured over it in the years after he lost her. Now it seemed both were lost to him forever and it added to his grief.
"You're attracted to men and women?" It wasn't a complete shock to him, but was unexpected. Where he'd come from sexuality wasn't as talked about. The change of subject had him falling silent for a few moments. "I don't mind you asking," he finally said. "We're from the same world, but he's further along than I was." Not to mention he had different memories and experiences than him. "He's my maker. He made me a vampire. I asked for it. The dark gift as he calls it. I was in a very dark place at the time and longed for a release from all the pain. We lived as...companions for a long time, but much of it I was unhappy. Until I left him." He couldn't talk about Claudia right now. So much of it was still raw to him even after all this time.
"You're not, I promise," Quentin was quick to assure him and leaned in to tentatively touch his arm before withdrawing. "I swear, if you do, I'll either tell you I don't really want to talk about whatever it is, or more likely awkwardly change the subject in the most obvious way ever."
He tucked a bit of hair behind his ear and gave Louis a dry smile. "Trust me, I'm sparing your eyes and brain. You'd thank me if you knew the bullet you were dodging." Q wasn't so wrapped up in his own head not to see that Louis was obviously going through something, and his expression softened by degrees. "You're not wrong about having coping mechanisms, though. As my therapist used to say: at least it's not hard drugs. Still, first editions are expensive. Maybe it would have been cheaper if it was heroine or something."
It was Quentin's turn to feel like he'd stepped on a conversational landmine, even as he nodded at Louis's question with a quiet, "Yup, that's me. As bisexual as they come." Once that was out of the way, all he could do was listen with rapt attention and grave interest. Everything, from Louis's posture to his word choice left him wondering what the other man was leaving out. "Your family," Q murmured his realization aloud. His gaze drifted from his friend's face to the side of his neck, like he could see some sign of what it must have been like, being turned. "Did it hurt?"
The reassurance helped to alleviate some of the anxiety that he was making a fool of himself. The vampire wondered if Quentin would believe him that this was the most he'd talked to anyone in years. Curly Q and Hope had been to his apartment, but had stayed maybe half an hour at the longest and their conversations had been about specific things pertaining to their visits.
"Doesn't everyone say that about things they create? The whole 'we are our own worst critics'." He'd had his own coping mechanisms over the years. Mostly keeping to himself after the loss of Claudia and everything that happened in Paris. "I can't see hard drugs being cheaper or better than a first edition. At least a first edition won't mess with your health and well being." Of course he didn't have to worry about the same health issues as humans.
Louis shifted to turn more toward Quentin. He wanted to ask more about the bisexual thing, but that would most likely have to wait for another time. If he was brave enough to bring it up again. He felt a soft sting of pain at the other's murmured words and nodded. "I was so happy. I had a good life. Everything can change so quickly." His eyes fell shut for a moment as he collected himself. When they opened a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yes, it did hurt. Sharp fangs buried in your neck and then your body ridding itself of things wasn't pleasant. Lestat didn't even stay with me when I was going through all that. I was so scared. But afterwards? It was like seeing with new eyes. I can't even explain it to someone who has never experienced it. The heightened strength, speed, hearing, sight...There's a lot and a vampire's abilities increase as they grow older. Unless you drink from an elder or more powerful vampire then you will immediately gain their abilities." He stopped and chuckled a little. "I feel like I'm rambling."
"You!" Q beamed. "You get me!" He laughed, but it gave way for heavier topics of his own making and the smile gave way to quiet commiserations.
There was absolutely no way he could understand where Louis was coming from. Sure, Quentin had had a family, but the only thing that had robbed him of it was the natural progression of time, not some great tragedy. Even so, it tugged at his heart in a way that made him want to hug Louis right then and there. He refrained. They'd just met. And sure, Louis was attractive—hot, even—but he could feel Eliot rolling his eyes at him just from the thought alone. Jesus, there really were so many things wrong with him. Especially since he had a very good idea what his friend meant by 'ridding itself' which made Quentin's overactive imagination go to very unhelpful places. Honestly, he should've been given a reward for his non-reaction. His mouth pressed into a thin line. Really, this impulse of his to want to offer his support in physical ways was a new one. "You're not!" he blurted, and immediately went red all over again. "I mean, I babbled on and on to you about fanfic and shipping. What you're talking about is way more fascinating. From my perspective, at least."
In ways he did get Quentin. They had things in common that Louis heard and felt. Maybe not the exact same things, but they were similar. Pain and loss was something he could easily recognize and feel. Though he didn't know the man's whole story, he knew he'd experienced both deeply.
The outburst startled Louis a little and then he laughed. "I enjoyed hearing about it. It's good to learn new things and now I'll have something interesting to read at some point." He smiled at Quentin then leaned in just a touch closer toward him and spoke in a soft tone. "This has been the best time and conversation I've had in years." He wasn't one to always bear his soul. He wore his heart on his sleeve though, he always had.
He straightened back up. "I would think humans wouldn't be so fascinated. More like scared. Vampires are portrayed as monsters after all. I'm really glad you came over. I was afraid you'd say no when I asked, but you've been fairly calm and had an even steady heartbeat since you arrived."
"Ah, the joys of a new project-slash-quest." Q smiled right back, doing his dead level best to ignore the tiniest of tickles in his stomach that came over it when Louis came very close to broaching his personal space. No. No. Louis needed a friend, and they'd only just met, and Quentin's heart was still smarting like a fresh bruise. "Well, now I have to step up my conversation game for next time, huh? Not that it's a chore. You pick a topic, and I'll probably have something to say about it. Even sports—although I don't play a single one of them."
He chuckled and fought the urge to rub at his own chest, even though he was glad his autonomic reactions hadn't betrayed him in the slightest. Maybe it came from completely ignoring Eliot's warnings, or willfully doing so, or maybe it was because he sensed a kindred spirit in Louis from that very first network conversation. He felt momentarily bad for bringing up the 'monster' thing while they were talking about the movie, which spurred him on to try to make amends for the unintentional insult. "I wasn't talking about you. When I said she was a monster. And what's a monster but a matter of perspective? I've done some monstrous things. I've met true monsters. I don't think you're one."
“No. Your conversation game is perfect as is. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed talking with you.” For so many reasons. Maybe he would make some friends here and have a good life or at least a better one. “Maybe next time we can go for a walk or go to a movie or something.” That may have been close to sounding like a suggestion for a date, but friends did those things as well, so why was he worrying it would be taken poorly? Perhaps because good things never seemed to last. They were always taken away or ended. He wanted this place to be different and the hope was still there even if small.
“Quentin, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain that to me. I know what you meant. You weren’t calling me a monster. And even if you did, I'd just sulk and cry after you left.” There was a hint of a grin, but the statement was mostly true. “I’ve met vampires who are monsters and humans who are monsters.” He thought of Armand for a moment and all the evil vampires in Paris. “I wish there were no such things as real monsters. Then again I’ve been told I’m soft and cling to my humanity. Something I don’t deny.” On either count. “It’s better to be kind. Being mean or evil takes too much energy and alienates others. I’ll never understand those who choose to be that way.”
"Yeah? I'd really like that. And since it's summertime, a lot more places are doing later movie showings. I never much got into the midnight movie scene, but it always seemed fun." There went that stupid flutter again, dammit. The one Quentin wasn't going to acknowledge. "And the city is still pretty at night. Have you been down to the beach yet? We could do that, too. Or see if there's a night market somewhere."
A sudden wave of playfulness had him reaching out to poke at Louis's shoulder. "Hey! Stop horning in on my sulking and crying behind closed doors thing." Q chuckled, but it petered out quickly as he leaned against the back of the couch. "No, I don't understand it either. I'll never claim to be a saint by any means, and I can be kind of an asshole from time to time, but I don't think that's my default setting." His mouth quirked upward, but it had an edge of sadness to it. "That's more the sulking and crying gig. I admire you, though, to have lived this long and still able to find your kindness and keep it. It can't be easy, given… everything."
“You would?” There was no hiding his surprise and happiness when Quentin agreed then gave suggestions for other things they could do as well. A wide bright smile lit up his face. He was prepared for the other to say no or give excuses. He should have known better. “The city is beautiful at night. I’ve only been to the beach once, but I’d love to go again. Or to a night market or anything really. I haven’t done a lot of exploring.” It would be nice to do so with Quentin.
Louis laughed out loud at the playfulness. “Hey! I’ve been alive longer. I’m pretty sure I have that trademarked and perfected!” He was amused and liked Quentin’s sense of humor and that he was a bit playful. The poke had him reaching out to grab the others hand which he just as quickly let go of realizing how cold his touch would be. It had been hours since he’d had any blood. “You’re lucky I don’t tickle attack on the first movie.” He grinned to hide the fear and embarrassment he felt. “I think we can all be an asshole sometimes.” Louis’s gaze moved over Quentin’s jaw and down to his neck. There it was. He looked away. “It’s easier to keep when you’re alone.” He shrugged a little. “I don’t see a point not to be kind. I guess that’s part of my default setting. I can be an asshole or mean if anyone were to mess with those I love and care about, but I think that’s most people.”
Louis shifted and leaned back against the couch as well. “If I were the type who kept a journal I’d write about this night.” He smiled. “You really have no idea how much I’ve enjoyed this.” How much I hope we become friends.
"We should fix that. I know I probably haven't been to even a quarter of this city." And not really at night. Q found he didn't mind the idea of losing sleep more nights if he could make Louis smile like that.
Between the barest brush of their fingers and the way Louis's eyes dipped momentarily, Quentin had a very loud and unwelcome thought: if this was a fanfic, this would be the part where we kiss. He drew in a stuttering breath and released on the back of a weak laugh. "Tickle attacks are definitely a second or third friend date activity. There's a hierarchy to these things, you see. I read about it in Miss Manners." Probably not a reference the very cloistered vampire would get, but it made Q chuckle. "Regardless, you seem like the type of person who'd be kind even if you did subject yourself to the scum and villainy of the galaxy." Another reference that might go over Louis's head. Wow, so much of Q's brain really was filled with pop culture and self-loathing. "Somehow it doesn't surprise me that you'd have a protective streak."
He grinned, warm and slowly. "Yeah? Me too. Remind me to bring my laptop next time. I'll show you a few journaling programs, apps, and sites."
"I'd like that. We could explore together." All the true beauty of the city couldn't be seen at night. At least not the way Louis saw it. At the same time he longed to see it and the world in the daylight. Yes, he'd grown accustomed to the nocturnal life of a vampire, but in his dreams he sometimes still walked in the sun. Particularly in New Orleans, his only real home.
"A hierarchy?" He laughed, once more amused. "I learn something everyday. What does Miss Manners say about a first friend date?" He'd never heard such a term. Friends didn't go on dates. Perhaps it was a play on words. He rolled his head to the side to look at Quentin. "That would depend on what the scum and villainy of the galaxy were doing as well to whom. Don't mess with my family or friends." Not that he had any of those here. Not that he'd had either for an age. Lestat was here, sure, he was family in a way, but he was also Lestat. Their relationship would always be complicated.
"I would purchase a journal. I prefer writing by hand," he smiled. "I'm sure that seems rather old fashioned and outdated to most here. I appreciate your offer though. Maybe you can show me some other things on it sometime." He still wasn't very good with the thing. He knew the very basics and generally didn't mess with it too much unless he was on the network.
It was a little distracting, Louis's laugh, and it touched off Quentin's own. "She'd probably say something about not overstaying my welcome." Or getting distracted by certain thoughts. "But those rules of etiquette were also written decades ago, so some of them are a little outdated and never really touched on friend dates. There's a better than good chance I'm just talking out of my ass. It's a habit of mine." He grinned, bright and full; it changed into something dry and knowing. "Protective streak a mile wide, you. I'm picking up on that."
A part of him instantly wanted to run out and buy a journal for Louis the first chance he could get. The louder part told him this was too much. "You can find some really nice ones online. There are tons of places you can find a journal and pen sets. I'm not going to shame anyone for keeping the pen-and-paper tradition alive."
With a glance around at the living room, he tucked a bit of his hair behind his ear. "I should probably let you have the rest of your evening. Unless… there's another movie you might want to watch?"
“Well, if anyone knows about decades old etiquette it’s me,” he grinned, chuckling a bit. “I wish you wouldn’t put yourself down like that,” Louis said softly. It was the second or third time that night he had spoken negatively of himself. “I think you're nice and kind.” He didn’t like hearing it. He heard it enough from himself.
“I don’t know how to purchase items on the computer. I’m not there yet and that’s okay. I’ve lived for over two hundred years without doing so. A little more time not knowing how won’t hurt.” It wasn’t like he had much money anyway. He still had most of the thousand he’d been given upon arrival, but he needed to find some kind of job. Most likely part time to begin with. “I will have to check out some of the local shops if there are ones open late night.”
“I don’t have any other plans, but I don’t expect you to keep vampire hours on my account.” It was late by a lot of human standards. “If you wanted to watch another one we could, but if you want to go home and sleep I understand of course.” The evening had been perfect in his opinion, more than he’d hoped for. Whether it continued or ended now wouldn’t change that.
Quentin had no argument against the gentle chastisement. He'd always been hard on himself, quick to point out his failings before others beat him to it. His head ducked, eyes falling to the space between them and mouth lifting at the corners. "Well, so are you."
He glanced up again, forcing his thoughts away yet again. "I really don't mind being your internet tutor from time to time. I'm sure you'll make more friends than just me who can show you things, too. The people around here are generally pretty friendly, if you give them a chance. But I'm sure we can find a shop or two as well."
It was like mentioning the word sleep aloud made Q aware of just how much it was dragging on him. His mental clock felt like it was pushing 1 or 2 AM, and any caffeine he'd consumed earlier had already been burned through. He barely got a hand over his mouth before he yawned wide enough to crack his jaw. "Well, damn. I guess I have my answer there." With a low chuckle and no small amount of regret, he got himself unfolded from his seat on the couch and pushed to his feet. "Thanks again for a really good night. I had fun, and it was really good to get to know you more. Maybe we can do it again?"
Soon, I hope.
“Thank you, Quentin.” The man was generous with compliments. At least to Louis who wasn’t used to getting them for the most part. “I’d appreciate that, but no urgency. Just whenever you have a little spare time.” So what if it meant he got to see him again? “We’ll see. Everyone I’ve talked to has been friendly.”
Louis stood with Quentin. “I had a good time as well. I’d be happy to get together again sometime. You can pick the movie if we watch one. Oh! Take these.” He picked up the big bag of M&Ms then held them out. “Obviously I can’t eat them,” he grinned as he walked over to the door with Quentin “Have a goodnight and sleep well.” He watched Quentin as he left until he could no longer see him. Locking up he smiled to himself as he went to tidy up.