Julien laughed sweetly. To Luis he explained, “Once upon a time being able to swim, or at least not drown, was a sign of witchcraft. That was most often what we got accused of.”
“We don’t even smell like witches,” Karim said with a tone.
“I know dear,” Julien said. Then his expression grew more melancholic. “But when I see new vampires now, it reminds me of our earlier years, how hard they were. I’m glad that new vampires have it easier than we did. The Change is difficult on its own without people around you making it harder. Now you can buy blood at any grocery, stay in one place and work a steady job. There’s a freedom in being out of the closet, being governmentally recognized and protected.”
“Now we just suffer Vitavamp,” Karim groused.
Julien laughed, squeezing Karim’s hand affectionately. “Oh, come now, it’s not that bad.”
“Uh huh,” Karim said, but raised his other hand and flagged a waitress to put in an order for them. Two bottles of blood and a water for Luis.
Then the music was starting up, and all of their attention moved to the stage.
The waitress came back with their drinks. It wasn’t Vitavamp, but Karim still made a face when he sipped it.
“Dramatic,” Julien said fondly.
“Bottled just has nothing on the fresh stuff,” Karim said. His eyes met Luis’s. There was meaning there, and Luis almost choked on his swallow of water.
He wanted to say something, to ask what it tasted like in comparison to the bottled. The dark glimmer in Karim’s eyes held his tongue. It felt like it might cross a line.
Then Karim’s attention went back to the band, and the moment passed.
The band kept playing, going through a handful of punk-jazz songs that filled the whole venue. Luis felt envy rattle in hisbones the longer he watched. To be brave enough to be up there, doing what they loved…
Toward the end of the second bottle of blood, Karim seemed to actually start enjoying himself. He was plastered to Julien’s side by then, stealing indiscreet kisses and tapping his fingers on the table to the beat.
Luis tried not to watch them, but managed to keep catching Karim’s eye anyway. The vampire gave him a toothy, roguish smile each time, like he was daring Luis to say something.
He didn’t.
When the band finally finished and they’d collectively gone through enough bottles that Karim was slurring, Julien got their bill and put Karim’s card down.
Outside, the night air was cool. Luis’s ears were ringing from the music, but he loved the familiar buzz of it. He’d missed this.
“Wonderful, simply wonderful,” Julien was saying as they staggered out to the sidewalk. Karim was hanging off of him, smiling drunkenly. Luis followed but kept a sharp look out just in case.
“I’m glad you enjoyed,” Luis said with a smile.
“A bit heavy-handed on the metaphors, some of it,” Karim mumbled.
“They’re young, just beginning to explore the depths of their new lives,” Julien chided.
Karim snorted. “Well–”
“And as I recall,” Julien interrupted, going on a little too loudly, a little too pointedly, “a very memorable evening once upon a time where you recited poetry below my balcony that was also filled with ‘heavy-handed metaphors’ about my eyes.” Julien made air quotes before he giggled.
Karim tried to pull away, but lacked the coordination. “You said you’d never tell anyone!”
Julien laughed. “What? Are you embarrassed, mon cœur? It wasveryromantic. Don’t you want Luis to know you’re a hopeless romantic?”
“Jules,” Karim hissed. Luis couldn’t read the tone. Was he embarrassed? Irritated?
Julien hummed, squeezing Karim to his side. Karim was the broader one, but Julien was taller and clearly strong enough to keep Karim with him heading toward the car. “So maybe we in glass houses are not throwing stones at young lovers, hm?”
Karim reached up, and it took Luis a second to realize he was trying to cover Julien’s mouth. They went careening sideways and almost toppled over, Julien laughing infectiously. Luis doubled his steps to catch up and get on Julien’s other side to keep them on the sidewalk.
“If you fall over, I can’t carry you,” Luis warned.
