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]

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.

[alcuin]

Alcuin arched an eyebrow and then said, "That sounds a bit as if you're asking me how promiscuous I am."

[quitollis]

"No judgement, just wondering how special I am," Aaron replied.

[alcuin]

That was the first comment of Alcuin's that had just kind of slipped out instead of being calculated. He was lucky it hadn't offended Aaron.

"Ah. Well, honestly... sometimes. But not very often." Alcuin rubbed the back of his neck as they walked and said, "If you want to know what really makes you special, it's that there doesn't feel like an edge of danger to this like there typically would be. Not going home with strangers tends to be a pretty important safety thing."

He said this in part because he wondered if Aaron's thoughts would betray how dangerous he actually was.

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled and thought back to his latest mission, that had ended him in a burning and demon infested hell hole that he had to fight himself to get out.

[alcuin]

Alcuin still felt pretty confident that Aaron was no danger to him.

Well. Maybe if he found out the truth about him. But Alcuin would make sure that didn't happen. And in the meantime, his priority was ensuring that Aaron would want to see him again. Because whatever was happening with the vampires, it was just starting.

"My trust isn't misplaced is it?" he teased, and brushed his hand against Aaron's as they walked.

[quitollis]

Aaron didn't do hand in hand walking, or flirting much. His approach to sex was functional. He just wanted to get off sometimes. Then confess and get on with life.

"No, not at all. I may not be an ordinary priest, but nothing to worry. And...well, this isn't my first time, if that's your concern."