[ Lestat murmurs a sound, because even without hearing him say it and despite being distracted by the sweet things falling from Louis' mouth, it's like he can sense some kind of tenseness in the way Louis kisses him, like there's something troubling him he doesn't want to shed light on. Lestat doesn't have to be able to read his mind to have an educated guess as to what that might be, so he simply kisses him again. ]

I wanted you to come with me, just as I want you by my side.

[ Lestat shifts so that one arm can cradle Louis' jaw while his other resolutely keeps him close by his waist. Their heads pushed into the pillows, the blanket strewn half across them like this, Lestat is sure that falling asleep in this way every morning is something he's dreamt of, in some abstract way. It's surreal to feel this kind of contentedness after the efforts of the City to pull them apart, but if anything it only makes Lestat more determined to keep Louis close and safe, and to be all the more happy for having him here in spite of it all. ]

You are stronger than you think. I know I fell short in making you, [ His expression twitches a little, because saying that makes his heart feel cold for a brief moment, and he wasn't expecting it. ] but you have a strength in you that has nothing to do with the gift, and everything to do with who you are. You pulled yourself away from being lost to hunger because I asked you to. I can't name many who I would confidently say could do something like that.