Hannibal

[alcuin]

Alcuin had never done this before, and he realized that it might be a bad idea when one of the girls who worked at the brothel talked to him for a few minutes, then gave the person working the bar a Look and then went down the hallway in the direction of Hannibal's office. Where she informed him that Alcuin had been drinking gin martinis at a steady clip for the last hour.

... he really should have gone somewhere else. Or just gotten a bottle of gin and brought it to his room.

When he heard Hannibal's familiar footfalls behind him he said without looking, "I truly hope you're not here to scold me."

Comments

[alcuin]

"He puts great value in good manners," Alcuin said. "It was not exactly a graceful exit on my part. I was angry."

[quitollis]

Aaron did not see much love here, but he was aware that his view was biased. He still felt something for Alcuin - or the fantasy of him, at least.

"Can you go home tonight?" He asked.

[alcuin]

"Well, I... sure," Alcuin said, but in all honesty he didn't want to.

[quitollis]

"Will you?" Aaron asked.

[alcuin]

Alcuin hesitated. "I suppose so." He managed a small smile. "I promise I will not spend the night crying on a curb."

[quitollis]

"Well... you're free to stay here, if you prefer," Aaron suggested. "I'll take the couch," he hastened to add.

[alcuin]

Alcuin hesitated as he calculated possibilities. What would Hannibal think if he didn’t come back tonight? Though also what would happen if he did? And he also truly didn’t think he deserved Aaron’s kindness.

“I can’t put you out more,” he said.

[quitollis]

"Well, find a place, then. You'll learn more about yourself standing on your own two feet," Aaron suggested, carefully. But if he went back to that Hannibal... then it would be clear he had no agency at all.

[alcuin]

"What like, get a hotel?" Alcuin frowned. "I wasn't - I wasn't trying to run away. It's not like I'm leaving him, I just... I was upset. Doesn't this happen sometimes? In relationships?"

[quitollis]

"Sure," Aaron replied, gentle still. "It was you who said you were unsure who you were. I think that's worth finding out."

[alcuin]

"I don't... my intention wasn't to blow my life up," Alcuin said awkwardly. "I should talk to him."

[quitollis]

"Perhaps you should," Aaron said.

[alcuin]

Alcuin was quiet for a moment and then said, "Perhaps I should wait until morning, though." Pause. "Especially since I don't know what I want to say."

[quitollis]

Good, Aaron thought. "Take your time. And... you can tell me anything. I'll treat it as confession. By which I mean I'll keep it confidential."

[alcuin]

"I know you said you're not judging me," said Alcuin, "but I... it's hard to believe that. Especially given our history. And I can't help but care about that. What you think of me."

[quitollis]

"I do think you're trapped in an unhealthy life," Aaron admitted. "I think you could be much more."

[alcuin]

Alcuin had basically sobered up by now, and somehow still found himself having to resist melancholy.

"Perhaps... could I take you up on staying here tonight after all?" he said quietly. "But I'll take the couch."

[quitollis]

Aaron wanted to insist he take the bed, but, if he preached the young man should have agency, then he should not be yet another old man insisting on doing things his way.

"Of course you can stay here. I was going to make a late dinner for myself. If you want, you can freshen up while I cook."

[alcuin]

Alcuin waited a beat and then nodded. "Thank you."

He left his phone on the table and went into the familiar bathroom.

[quitollis]

Alcuin's phone beeped once as Aaron began cooking a simple pasta dish.

It wasn't until it beeped again that Aaron's curiosity got the better of him.

Two texts. 'Come home'. Followed a few minutes later with: 'Your little tantrum has made its point. Come home.'

Asshole, Aaron thought.

'Have fun with the priest.' Came then.

Apparently Hannibal could track Alcuin too. Possessive, manipulative asshole.

[alcuin]

Alcuin emerged a few minutes later, still in his clothes but with his face washed and hair a bit damp.

He went to his phone, read the texts, and his face fell.

[quitollis]

Aaron wondered what point there was in lying to someone who could read minds, but he still pretended not to have read the texts. "Bad news?" Yes, he thought.

[alcuin]

Alcuin knew he’d seen. He felt embarrassed. “It should have occurred to me that he’d be tracking my phone.”

[quitollis]

"What are you going to do?" He asked, really trying not to judge. But his judgement was for Hannibal mostly.

[alcuin]

Alcuin sank onto the couch. “I don’t know.”