[ Oh, well as it turns out, it's a lot easier than talking to Armand. At least Lestat doesn't deny what's as plain as day. Somewhat relieved, Rafa tucks his head back in against his chest, and resumes the patterns he'd been tracing with his hand.

He'd said almost the same thing to Armand himself. Lestat had never rejected him, he just didn't want to tell him who he should be.

He smiles, and presses a kiss against his chest. ]

He thinks you do not love him.

[ More than that. He's absolutely convinced about it. Frustratingly so. ]

In fact he thinks you are not interested, even though you talk about him all the time in those books. I think he is acting because he does not know what you want, and does not think that he would be enough. I think he does not value himself very much.

[ Rafa knows something of how that feels. If he were a kinder person, he would want to help Armand because he empathises with him, because he recognises some of those insecurities within himself.

Instead he wants to help Lestat, because being with Armand would make him happy, and Rafa wants to see him happy.

He turns his head, letting him catch a better hit of the scent rising from Lestat's skin. A strong part of him is afraid that he will lose these moments if he pushes Lestat towards Armand. He tries not to think about it. That Lestat has what he wants is more important than that. ]