A pile of Scoundrels

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

Something about the little palm looking thing, sitting there in the messy loft still green and thriving, almost had something hopeful about it. 

And then, finally, when Julian was almost going insane from sitting in the car for so long, they made it. He got out of the car right away, taking in the salty, fresh air. Yeah. This was it. If he was going to feel like absolute shit, at least he could be doing it here.

“Will do.” Julian agreed with a playful salute. Thankfully it didn’t seem to be a busy day and Karl had chosen a place that wasn’t as popular. People were the last thing Julian wanted to see right now. He looked around for a bit but it didn’t take long for him to find the perfect spot. A relatively small rock right next to the sea with a bigger one providing some shade and shelter from the wind. There was essentially no climbing involved, perfect for Karl and his ever so present exhaustion. 

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

Julian spent the ride mostly silent, staring out of the window and trying to focus on not getting sick. He only gave the older man a few hums of acknowledgement and then Karl’s hand landed on his thigh, he put his own hand on top. 

They ended up grabbing some food on the way as well but Julian didn’t really want any and he was beginning to feel like Karl didn’t either. It all was happening too fast, Karl was getting messed up too quickly and Julian mentally cursed himself for not knowing any better. For not considering that Karl, in this fragile state of mind, would slip into it even faster. 

“Mhm?” Julian was ripped out of his thoughts then. “Oh. Yeah, sorry.” He put on his seatbelt right here and there, hadn’t even noticed that he had not done so… or the absence of Karl’s comment. What made him even more nervous though was that Karl had not put on his own up until now either. 

“God, what happened to us?” Julian asked barely audibly, although it wasn’t really directed to anybody. This wasn’t how any of this was meant to be, this wasn’t how he had intended any of this to play out! What had happened to movie nights and dinner dates? To holding hands, not because either of them needed comfort but just because they could? To kissing and shitty pizza and having fun hating on Rip together? He hated seeing Karl like this, looking almost broken.

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

Karl didn’t point it out either. 

“I know you want to stick with him.” Julian said, leaning his head against the cold glass. “But that’s alright, I guess... I understand why.” He understood the reasoning Karl was providing but he also knew that perhaps it was a little more complicated than that. As much as Julian had wanted to get away from Rip for years, something kept dragging him back and he was beginning to wonder if Karl felt similarly about the situation? Or maybe withdrawals made him paranoid, maybe it was about the security and discretion he provided. 

What followed was silence, then Karl turning on the radio a little louder to drown it out. It didn’t help the headache that was creeping up on him slowly but he also didn’t have it in himself to complain. Heavy silence was way worse than that. 

“Oh I would just hate it if she locked you inside the house.” Julian said, placing his hand on Karl’s thigh and looking at him in the driver’s seat for the first time in a while. “What would I do without you? I would just bore myself to death… or worse, die from missing you! And then I’d have to send you secret messages and like… throw rocks at your window in the middle of the night! Jesus, you'd have to grow your hair out so I could use it for climbing up to you. I’d rather keep you right here.” Where you belong, where I need you. 

It took what felt like an eternity to finally reach the parking lot of the bank and while Karl went to get the cash, Julian got out of the car and lit up a cigarette as he followed close behind. The nicotine helped only a little bit but at least it gave him something to do with his hands. 

And he watched through his sunglasses how trembling hands reached for a whole lot of money, how the older man barely could keep them steady. He didn’t know what was worse, blaming the illness or the drugs. Both options made him feel uneasy, scared even. 

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

“Of course we’ll make it. We’re badasses after all.” Julian said, hiding his hands deep in the pockets of his jacket after Karl let go of them and he found himself feeling fidgety. He even flashed the older man a little grin, partly to convince himself of the statement and partly to convince Karl of it but there almost was a sense of genuinity to it. It almost seemed a little real. Karl had made the real Julian show just for a second.

Once Karl was ready, Julian grabbed his sunglasses and followed him outside. The air was fresh and nice and he took a deep breath, maybe getting out of that damn apartment until Rip was finally kind enough to see them would help. As the pair made their way down the stairs, Julian attempted to hook his arm with Karl’s, desperately clinging to any sense of closeness he could get. 

There was still something on his mind though. “Your future… it doesn’t have to be that way, you know? You don’t have to get bad, ever.” Julian said, turning to look at Karl. What he was about to say made him nervous, the thought that Karl wouldn’t need him. “You have enough money to last you a long time, at least for yourself… Keep the stash full and you’ll be okay. This goddamn city is full of greedy dealers and while I might have ruined my chances with most of them, you haven’t. They don’t know you’re… his… so why go with Rip if you could find someone who’s actually impressed by your money and way less of a dick?”

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

Of course Karl didn’t intend on leaving him here alone, he should have known that before even making that suggestion. He watched as Karl paced around, most likely considering his options. Or maybe he was still trying to collect himself. “Okay.” Julian decided. Karl wanted him around, seemed to need him just as much as Julian needed Karl and he felt guilty to worry him even further. “Fine, have it your way… I’m coming.” 

Julian had always been weak for that look Karl gave him. He was weak for the man in general. Weak for the way he talked to him, the way he moved, the way he plain and simply was. Weak for his touch especially and when that hand landed on his shoulder, he felt slightly better. 

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

No. They had something special and he desperately wanted to cling to the idea that it was going to last forever. Or at least as long as Karl was… he quickly discarded that thought. And so he listened to Karl explain himself, nodded and put on a faint smile. 

Had it been any other day, perhaps he would have laughed. He wanted to laugh but it got stuck in his throat. “It’s not funny, it’s- ah, forget it, are you really sure, not a crumb left?” Wanting it harder wouldn’t make it any more true though and he could tell that conversation with Rip had really gotten to the man he loved so dearly and it was mostly Julian’s fault. “I’m sorry you had to meet that asshole in the first place.” Julian sighed and finally put a cigarette between his lips and lit it up. Perhaps this would calm him down a little. “Rip has his ways to get into your head, always had. Don’t feel bad about it, he’s good at making you insecure, maybe that’s why his… business… is booming.” 

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

Tonight was going to be fun.

-

Seeing Karl get all flustered by Rip of all people felt really wrong. He had initially hoped that the Karl charm would somehow fix their problems but instead he watches Karl stammer around nervously and give in? No, no this couldn’t be it. Please, no. 

Julian knew all too well what it was like to fall victim to Rip’s games but somehow he had assumed that Karl would be better than that. The Karl he had met was. 

“Shit. Okay. We can deal with that. We can totally deal with that. Don’t you worry your pretty head.” He tried to reassure the other man but unfortunately his voice betrayed him. Instead of comforting, he sounded worried… unsure. And when he leaned over and reached out to touch Karl’s face in order to turn it towards him, he noticed that the color on his cheeks hadn’t quite faded yet. “You’re blushing…?” 

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

“Karl says-” Julian's voice was weak and obviously anxious, like some child trying to settle a dispute between friends. 

“Oh, your little savior is around too?” Rip broke him off.  He’d assumed so but hadn’t been entirely sure if maybe Julian, smart little Julian, had already caught on with Karl’s… well, unfaithfulness. “Give him the phone.” He commanded and heard a little shuffling sound, Julian holding the phone away from himself. 

“Thanks for the kind offer, mhm, let me think-” He started, seemingly actually considering what Karl had said but abruptly stopped himself, his voice getting sharper as he spoke. “No. I think you, my dear, got our relationship all wrong. I’m not your fucking lap dog you can just call every time you two little idiots feel like it and I’ll just come running with my pockets full of dope. No, you come running to me when I fucking tell you to. You can’t buy everything, Karl Grove and I don’t need your extra cash like some cheap whore.” 

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

Those two words were like music to his ears when Rip arrived back at his apartment. He’d met with a business partner over brunch to discuss important matters and had arrived at home earlier than usual. Mostly because he had invited a few people over for the evening and needed to prepare for his guests. 

Once upon a time, Julian was one of those who frequented his gatherings a lot, had insisted it was for making contacts and getting to know people for the club he wanted to open but Rip had always known the real reason he kept showing. 

The drug dealer didn’t call back right away. Instead he took his sweet time to make sure everything was in order, the apartment was ready, drinks were prepared. Only then did he settle down on his couch, whiskey in hand and his phone ready to dial up Blair’s place. 

“You called, darling?” 

-

Karl on top of him, kissing him, adoring him. It should have been the perfect moment but it wasn’t. Something felt off, no matter how hard Julian tried to focus on the good parts, on Karl quite literally sitting on him and his beautiful hands in his hair... They’d been kissing for a while when suddenly a familiar sound shook him to the core.

The phone. It was ringing. 

Julian froze for a second, staring at Karl but found himself barely able to hide his own excitement. He should have been terrified, should have felt sick at the idea of talking to Rip but he found himself in a place where he plain and simply wasn’t. It was the same old bullshit all over again. 

He wiggled free and reached for the phone embarrassingly quickly. “... Yeah?” On the other end of the line, Rip began talking and Julian listened, anxiously playing with the fingernails on his free hand. Then he covered the phone and leaned in to talk to Karl.  “It’s him. Says he’s busy and if we need anything we can come to his place in the evening…” That's too late.

for @karlgrove <3

They had made a movie. A shitty movie adaptation of the book written about their lives and while the book already had its own problems (He’d read it multiple times, even made an art piece out of it. It had been oddly satisfying to rip out the pages for it), the movie was even worse and if he saw Trent that night, he might as well punch him in the face for letting their story be warped into a dramatic feature film length anti drug commercial by a bunch of greedy directors. Of course Trent had used a different name but everybody knew he had written it. And much to his dismay, Julian had contributed quite a bit, too doped up to realize how much information he was giving away back in the day.

Had it not been the good pay and his desire to make people look at his artwork, no matter how uncomfortable it made them, he wouldn’t have agreed to showcase it at the premiere at all. Perhaps if he had known how bad the movie was, he wouldn’t have agreed regardless but now it was already too late. He was here, and so were his paintings.

“It didn’t take a lot to change your mind, huh?” Julian chuckled, “Some wine, a pretty face… but who am I to judge, maybe you have some taste after all.” 

The artist made his way to stand right next to the gallery owner (a little closer than necessary to be completely honest), who was still looking at his self portrait. He put his arm around Karl’s shoulders, feeling bolder by the second. There was something about this moment, having the man who had hated his work here, now seemingly starting to show at least a hint of appreciation. 

@karlgrove <3

He couldn’t tell if Muriel was really his friend or if she used him for a roof over her head while escaping her family but through the blur of substances and loud music and mindnumbing TV it sure as hell felt like it. She shared too, which he could very much appreciate and she only got angry when they ran out. Which was something he understood as well but he’d rather die than go to Rip about… this. He didn’t plan for this go on anyway, a week at most… how long had it been… Regardless, they managed just fine for the most part and whenever the phone rang, he just turned the music up louder.

-

Somewhere in an ridiculously overpriced apartment in New Hampshire, Blair was trying to concentrate on a book but no matter how hard she tried, one thing just would not leave her mind alone. Julian. He hadn’t called to be a sappy idiot or to rant about minor inconveniences or to beg her to come back in a while and not once did he pick up the phone or call her back either.

And it wasn’t like she didn’t trust him, even after all that happened she did but she had also known him far too long to ignore it completely. Blair was getting worried and even though Clay insisted he’d be just fine, her gut feeling told a different story.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to get a hold of the Grove family either way but Julian, not being an idiot for once, had told her the phone number in case something happened. And when the time seemed rather reasonable to her and the nervous feeling became too much, she made her call.

He was more than happy that Karl had decided to kiss him, had shut up that annoying anxiety in his head for a little moment. Of course he kissed back. Of course he let himself be led back down onto the bed. Of course he fell victim to the Karl charme again. 

“I’m glad.” Julian told him softly in between little, gentle kisses. “All I can offer is my company, talking from experience it’s rarely enough.” 

The sound of children’s laughter echoed in Lestat’s dream, the bubbly giggles surrounded by the sound of a kind of music that hadn’t been invented yet and wouldn’t be for 300 years. Lestat tossed and turned in his coffin, memories of another Lestat’s life flashing behind his closed eyes.

And then in his dreams he witnessed the gruesome torment inflicted about another James by Armand. The vicious actions startled him awake, sitting up so fast he hit the lid of his coffin with his head and knocked it off completely. He grumbled in pain, rubbing at his head as he let out a shaky breath while he collected his thoughts. Until a few days ago, Lestat was content with his life, feeding and fucking as was his want.

But then he came across James Norrington…. And a vampire version of James Norrington from a future where they had fallen in love and had children together.

The memories of another life tormented him and he couldn’t escape them, especially since the emotions he was feeling weren’t entirely his own.

He startled when he heard James run into the room, clearly worried after having heard Lestat scream from his nightmares. This James was still human, still a blood doll for Lestat to feed and possibly kill if he wished. But he didn’t know what he wanted if he was being honest.

“I’m fine, James. Just a nightmare.” He whispered softly, running a hand through his blonde tresses.

He let out a loud moan, dragging it out much longer than he needed to. Lestat had a firm grip of his hair and an even firmer grip on his hip, his nails almost digging into his skin and it made the human feel all kinds of things at once. Pain mixing with pleasure, love and desire bleeding into each other.