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

[quitollis]

Aaron sat up straight in his chair, shocked to hear Alcuin sound like that. "What happened?" No, more importantly: "Where are you? I'm on my way."

[alcuin]

"I think I'm..." He paused, as if looking around, or trying to remember. And then described the surroundings of an alley that was, intentionally, quite far from Nocturne. But fairly close to a vampire hive that Hannibal was not particularly fond of.

Then he intentionally let the phone clatter to the ground beside him, and set himself up properly. On the ground, leaning against the wall. A hand to his neck, staunching the bleeding.

[quitollis]

Aaron listened as he put on his shoes, grabbed a first aid kit and upon hearing the location, decided to pack weapons too. "On my way, Alcuin. Hold on."

The phone fell. Not a good sign. Aaron got out and rushed to the scene of his bike.

There, in the alley, he rushed to Alcuin's side. "Alcuin?" Oh, that looked bad.

[alcuin]

Hannibal had been careful, of course, but Alcuin had insisted that it was important it look real. It wasn't a typical vampire bite, but instead one where the fangs had been ripped away while still embedded in the flesh of his throat. There was copious amounts of blood on Alcuin's white shirt, which made it seem ever worse than it was, and there was also purple bruising around his neck in the imprint of a hand. There was also more blood on the ground around them.

"I think he was a vampire," Alcuin whispered.

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded. "Don't move. Let me take a look."

[alcuin]

"Thank you for coming," Alcuin said, grasping Aaron's arm with his free hand. "I think I'm okay, I'm just feeling a little... faint..."

[quitollis]

"That's a nasty bite..." Aaron noted. "Did you fight him off?" He asked considering the nasty tear.

[alcuin]

"The person who told me I might have fae blood warned me about vampires and recommended I carry a silver knife with me," Alcuin lied.

[quitollis]

Aaron couldn't help but smile a little, almost proudly, that Alcuin had fought. "Good, good. I think it's stopped bleeding, but it may be good to bandage it before we go, just in case."

[alcuin]

"Okay," Alcuin said, and his voice croaked a little. Intentional on his part, as if caused by the bruising. "Thank you."

He swallowed hard, as if holding back tears.

[quitollis]

Aaron felt awful for Alcuin. He worked quickly yo bandage him. When he was done, he spoke. "Can you walk?"

[alcuin]

Alcuin nodded, and took Aaron's arm to pull himself up. "This... this is a lot of blood isn't it."

[quitollis]

"Yeah, it is. But you won't die," Aaron assured him. "You just need a bed and a lot of rest. You'll be okay. Come, I'll take you back to mine. You can rest there."

[alcuin]

"Are you sure?" Alcuin asked, feigning a bit of panic. "I don't want to impose, I thought... maybe you didn't want to see me again."

[quitollis]

Ouch. "No, no, nothing like that. I just...needed some time to think and... work got in the way. I'm sorry. But let's just get you there first, okay. We can talk later." He was surprisingly gentle and open. And... concerned and... wanting to keep Alcuin close and safe. God, he was certainly falling for him.

[alcuin]

"Okay." Alcuin relaxed visibly.

He could also hear his thoughts. Oh thank god this was working. He would have been pretty upset if he ended up with a scar from all of this for now reason.

[quitollis]

Aaron helped him over to his bike. He didn't own a car, bikes were more agile in a city. "Can you hold onto me? It won't take long to get to the chapel."

[alcuin]

"Of course," Alcuin said, and carefully climbed on behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist.

[quitollis]

This was exactly why Aaron had hesitated calling. Even this small gesture, just holding him, was doing things to him. "Hang on," he said as he started.

He would come back later, get some information, and kill whatever vampire had done this.

[alcuin]

Alcuin smiled against Aaron's back.

He'd been proud of this plan. It accomplished multiple things. Pushed forward his relationship with Aaron so that he could find out more about his plans. Got him off of any trail towards Hannibal. And pushed him towards a problematic vampire hive that Hannibal would be happy to take out anyway.

[quitollis]

Aaron felt Alcuin lean in, as if thankful and was pleased and thankful Alcuin was alive still.

They arrived shortly and were inside the chapel soon.

"I'll get you something to drink. You need to replenish."

[alcuin]

Alcuin sat down heavily on the bed. "Thank you."

He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and brought his fingertips to the bruises on his neck by the bandage.

[quitollis]

Aaron felt so bad for him. "Vampire scars tend to heal well," he tried to reassure him as he offered him a glass or orange juice mixed with electrolytes.

"How are you feeling now?"

[alcuin]

“Better,” said Alcuin, and took the glass gratefully. “I really can’t thank you enough.”

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled a little. "Can you explain what happened?" he asked gently.