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

[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.”

[quitollis]

"I don't mind that he knows where you are, if that's a concern. Please stay. This... that-" he pointed to the phone. "Is not healthy."

[alcuin]

Alcuin shook his head. “I’ve put you in danger,” he said miserably. “He already… after I told him you’d found the brothel…”

[quitollis]

"What? He wants to have a word?" Aaron said. "I'll have a word." Words with silver bullets to be specific.

[alcuin]

Alcuin's eyes went wide when he heard that in Aaron's head. "Aaron, no." He picked up his phone and put it in his pocket. "I shouldn't have come here."

[quitollis]

"That man - that vampire - has you wrapped around his finger," Aaron said. It was impossible to keep a front as neutral priest. "I don't see love; I see abuse. And if he wants to take that on, I will not hesitate."

In part this was still that Aaron didn't trust and hated vampires. He trusted one (Kersen) and he was willing to admit not all were evil. But this one clearly was.

[alcuin]

Abuse. Alcuin winced.

"That's very brave of you," he said. "But I won't be responsible for that risk. I should go home. It will be fine. I'll speak to him in the morning... hash things out."

[quitollis]

"I won't stop you, Alcuin," Aaron said. "I mean it when I say you should seek agency. I'm not going to tell you what to do. But don't think that it's because I want you to leave. Or because I don't care. Because if I'm now getting to know the real you, then I can assure you I do care."

[alcuin]

Alcuin’s expression softened. He approached Aaron, and leaned in to gently kiss his cheek. “Then I’m glad this happened,” he said. “And I genuinely appreciate your concern. I’ll… call you tomorrow.”

[quitollis]

That soft peck brought back emotions he'd felt for an illusion. It shouldn't, of course. Alcuin was right about that; he'd fallen for something that wasn't real. But he'd really enjoyed the illusion. So it was hard to remain angry with him then.

"Please do," he said only and let Alcuin leave, even though he truly didn't want him to.

[alcuin]

Once Alcuin was outside, he started walking, and sent a text to Hannibal.

I'm on my way home. To go to bed. We can talk in the morning.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal was pretty pleased that Alcuin had chosen to come home. He did wonder why he'd gone to the priest again. He was only meant to ensure the priest didn't pursue any vampires any more. This was unlikely to serve that cause.

He sat down on Alcuin's bed with a decanter of wine and two glasses waiting for them on the side table.

[alcuin]

Alcuin walked in, and froze in the doorway when he saw Hannibal.

"I - said we could talk in the morning," he finally said, not walking in.

[anamusebouche]

"I wouldn't want you to go to bed concerned," Hannibal said, calm and pleasant. He was mostly pleasant because he could smell no sex on Alcuin. It seemed he had not had that much fun with the priest. That much was good, at least.