Aaron

[alcuin]

When Alcuin didn't hear from Aaron in a reasonable amount of time after leaving that note, he was... annoyed. Mostly at himself, because he wondered if he'd miscalculated. If it had been too soon for such an overt step. Though also he was slightly insulted.

Finally he decided that he was tired of waiting, and he might as well kill two birds with one stone and push things forward. Though he was also a little annoyed at having to get Hannibal's input into this plan because he didn't like admitting that Aaron was ghosting him.

But Hannibal had liked his new plan very much, and was more than happy to help.

Which was how, late one evening, Aaron received a phone call:

Alcuin's voice was nearly a whisper. Weak. "I - I'm so sorry to call you, but I didn't know who else... I think... I think I need help..."

Comments

[alcuin]

"I know they'll probably swallow me whole," Alcuin laughed. "But... ah, this will work." He pulled a pair of sweatpants with a drawstring out of a drawer, and a t-shirt.

The clothes were indeed way to big for him, but somehow he managed to make them look almost fashionable.

"I am very hungry," he added, and came over to the table.

[quitollis]

He was just beautiful and... alright there was appeal in having him wear his clothes, for some reason.

"Oh, good. I've got a bit of everything. I never skip breakfast, but it's usually just bread and sausage or eggs." That seemed a bit too brutal for Alcuin, which is why he'd bought croissants, pastries and jams.

[alcuin]

Alcuin sat down, and picked up a croissant and a knife. "It's perfect," he said. "Perhaps a bit much for the two of us, but I appreciate the thought you put into the variety. And I suppose it's good for me to keep my strength up."

[quitollis]

"That was my thinking, yes," Aaron said, a bit sheepish. He looked at Alcuin. "Tell me a little about yourself. I feel I don't know anything at all about you."

[alcuin]

Indeed he did not.

"Oh, there isn't much to tell," Alcuin said as he slathered jam onto the croissant. "I'm an orphan. No family to speak of... which is why the idea that I might have fae blood doesn't seem so far fetched."

[quitollis]

"What do you do for a living?" Aaron asked.

[alcuin]

"Freelance writer," Alcuin said. "Website and advertising copy, mostly. I do well enough to get by. Though I'd rather be spending my days writing poetry." He chuckled. "But then I'd be living out of a cardboard box."

[quitollis]

Aaron chuckled. "Well, I would love to read some of it, if you would let me."

[alcuin]

Alcuin did write poetry, actually. The best lies were the ones interspersed with the truth.

He'd have to find some poems that weren't subtly about vampires though.

"Perhaps someday," he said lightly. And then after another bite he asked, "Aaron, about last night... do you know it might have been? The vampire?"

[quitollis]

"There's an infestation somewhere near where you were attacked," Aaron replied. "I'm waiting on intelligence on that, actually. So, hopefully you'll be rid of that soon."

[alcuin]

"Near where I was attacked?" Alcuin clarified. "Is that where all the vampires are?"

[quitollis]

"There's a... well, we call it a hive. It's near where you were attacked. There's intelligence that there may be much more going on in London. But these hives are always good places to start. I don't mean to scare you, though. You're safe during the day. Just... be careful at night."

[alcuin]

"Intelligence?" Alcuin repeated. "What do you do now?"

[quitollis]

"There's an ancient vampire, very strong. He's... suspected to be here," Aaron said. "Very vicious and dangerous. Look, you're probably better off not knowing."

"You live near there?" Because if he did he should probably know about it.

[alcuin]

"I don't," Alcuin said. "But a coffee shop I often write at is... I really would like to know everything I can. To keep myself safe."

[quitollis]

"I can highly recommend finding a different coffee shop, really," Aaron insisted. "I'm not in the know about much and I doubt it's interesting for you to know that the vampire goes by the name of Garrett. They're dangerous, Alcuin. A silver knife won't always cut it."

[alcuin]

“You think that’s who attacked me?” Alcuin asked. Which of course was wrong but the specificity was interesting.

[quitollis]

"You wouldn't have survived if he had," Aaron assured him.

[alcuin]

"... I see," Alcuin said, and committed the name to memory. He knew that Hannibal didn't like the hive near there - that was why they'd chosen that location - but he didn't know if it was because of a particular person.

He allowed his face to show concern. "But what about you? You're not going after them are you? Isn't that dangerous?"

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled, touched by that kindness. "That's what I do. It's my job."

[alcuin]

"What is your actual plan though?" Alcuin asked, trying to make sure that it was only concern in his voice. "When is it happening? So I know when you'll be out of danger..."

[quitollis]

"I go where they send me, when they send me," Aaron said. He wasn't freelance like Constantine. "But I should be fine by next week. So... I could call you next week and let you know and... maybe we can have dinner?" He tried to be casual even though this would be his first date ever.

[alcuin]

Constantine. Another name that Alcuin committed to memory.

"That would be nice," Alcuin said. "Though is it silly of me to say that a week sounds like a long time?"

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled. "No... I er... feel the same way. But I can't go out when I'm on call. I have to be sober and ready."

[alcuin]

"Of course," Alcuin said.

Though he did bite his lip and then add, "Though you can fuck me sober. And I wouldn't be offended if you had to leave suddenly."