Aaron

[alcuin]

Between rumors that Hannibal had heard and snatches of thoughts that Alcuin had gotten, they had a good idea that the Church was up to something. Something that could be bad for vampires.

The problem with the Church's hunters, of course, was that they were difficult to spot unless they were hunting you. Most of them were priests. A handy day job, good cover. And so Alcuin's background task was being on the look out (and listen-out) for tales of priests acting strangely.

When Alcuin heard about a priest who'd been spotted in a gay bar, Hannibal had been delighted, and Alcuin had asked around. Found out he was more of a regular at other bars in the area. Paid off a bartender to call him the next time the priest came in.

He was easy to spot, at least. It seemed rather careless to Alcuin, for the guy to keep his collar on while he nursed a whiskey at the bar. Though priests were allowed to drink... maybe the gay bar was a fluke?

He came in and stood at the bar not far from the priest, as if getting the bartender's attention. He did an intentional double take as if surprised to see him, and then smiled as if a little embarrassed. Listening for his thoughts.

Comments

[quitollis]

God, he was insanely beautiful, Aaron involuntary thought. "Sometimes a change of scenery helps a bit. And... well, I needed a drink that wasn't the blood of Chirst," he joked lightly, already failing his priesthood.

[alcuin]

Alcuin thought that seducing a priest was one of the more interesting challenges he'd had recently, and he was fairly determined now, especially knowing how pleased Hannibal would be. In fact, he probably would be even if Alcuin didn't get any useful information out of him. He would probably find it highly amusing.

"Well lucky me," Alcuin said lightly. Then - "I thought perhaps you'd had a bad day, too."

[quitollis]

Aaron hummed. "But I won't bother you with Church politics."

[alcuin]

“You don’t have to tell me the specifics,” Alcuin said with sincerity. “But sometimes it can be helpful to talk.”

He wanted to get him talking to get him thinking. Possibly about vampires.

[quitollis]

"A taste of my own medicine?" Aaron wondered with a chuckle. "It's nothing, really. Someone blabbed about seeing me having a drink in a bar."

And the new mission, of course. 'Since you're apparently not opposed to sin, you'll infiltrate the seedier part of London and handle the lowlife vampires there'.

It was beneath him. He was better than that. He was their best. And now tasked with cleaning up the gutter.

[alcuin]

To his credit, Alcuin did not react to this. But the wheels in his head were spinning. He needed more information. A lot more. Which meant that he needed to figure out the right levers to pull to make Aaron think about it. And he also needed to keep talking to him. Because whatever this was, it had just started.

His expression became sympathetic. "That's unfortunate," he said. "I can't imagine how much pressure your job must be. Too much pressure, not to be... Human. But of course you are. And you deserve to be."

[quitollis]

Why did he have to be so impossibly beautiful? "I am..." He agreed.

He always was sent on dirty jobs. He was good at them, but he didn't like being considered low for... being human. "Hence the drink."

[alcuin]

"Well, cheers," Alcuin said, and clinked his glass against Aaron's. "To being imperfect humans, and all the joy that can bring."

[quitollis]

That was a come on, surely. Or was he hearing what he wanted to hear. "Imperfect... That I certainly am."

[alcuin]

Alcuin couldn't help a smile at what he heard in Aaron's head. He'd felt Aaron's attraction to him already, but that... that thought suggested that he was open to it. That drinking wasn't the only sin he'd been caught at, perhaps.

"I'll be honest," Alcuin said, and leaned in a little closer to him. "I'm rather happy to hear that."

[quitollis]

Aaron looked at him. "We're all only human." He smiled. More than just kindness.

[alcuin]

Alcuin just looked at him for a moment, lingering. As if thinking of saying something that he couldn't say. As if he couldn't get up the courage.

Then he looked down, and laughed a little self consciously. "I think I need another drink," he said, and waved at the bartender.

He'd never worked out how to blush on demand, but he thought that was all still pretty convincing.

[quitollis]

Oh, what the hell. "You're very beautiful when you blush."

[alcuin]

Alcuin's mouth spread into a smile, surprise and pleasure at the compliment showing clearly on his face. "It's too bad that not much can make me blush," he teased. And since they were sitting next to each other, he let his thighs fall apart slightly so that his leg was touching Aaron's under the bar.

[quitollis]

"Well, nor me," Aaron admitted and leaned in a bit more. "Am I reading you right?" He asked, straightforwardly.

[alcuin]

"That depends," said Alcuin softly. "Are you reading how attracted I am to you?" And he slid a hand onto Aaron's thigh.

[quitollis]

"Is it because of the collar?" Aaron asked, just in case. He didn't really do men with a kink for priests.

[alcuin]

This would have been Alcuin's best guess anyway but it was good to have the confirmation. "Honestly?" he said quietly, not moving his hand. "Very, um.... in spite of." As if he was actually a bit hesitant.

[quitollis]

"Good," Aaron said. "Want to come over? My place is not far."

[alcuin]

Alcuin looked a little surprised, and it was genuine. Despite being in Aaron's head, this was still rather unexpected. But then he smiled. "I would love to."

[quitollis]

"Oh," Aaron said, taking in Alcuin's surprise. He removed his collar. "Better?"

[alcuin]

Alcuin squeezed his thigh before taking his hand away. "How about the rest of it," he teased, and slid off of the stool.

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled. "Sure," he promised. He paid for his drink and Alcuin's before making their way out.

This was why the Church did not think highly of him, but fuck it. He needed it, so he got it.

[alcuin]

Alcuin kind of liked him for this, honestly. He hoped that his 'fuck it' attitude might extend to whatever horrors the church wanted to impose upon vampires. Plus, frankly, it was kind of hot.

He followed him out. "My day is looking up already," he purred. "I hope yours is too."

[quitollis]

"I'm feeling very lucky, actually," Aaron replied.

"You do this often?" he asked then.