Aaron

[alcuin]

When Alcuin had gotten a second phone, aware now that Hannibal was using his to track his location, he'd given Aaron the number. And it was on that one that Aaron had texted him to check in on him, and suggested he come to tea.

Alcuin left his other phone in his room at the brothel, and quietly slipped out one evening, and went to the chapel. He felt anxious, still. Guilty. But he did feel better than the last time he'd been here.

Comments

[quitollis]

"Good. That's all I'm saying," Aaron replied.

"Look, I'm not saying I go through the same, but... well, the Church has a tendency to task me with certain jobs because they're aware of my sins and figure I won't mind it if a succubus infects my mind. Just saying I hope the WWS will be a better employer. But I'm sure you'll make sure of that."

[alcuin]

"You shouldn't be coerced either," Alcuin said.

He hesitated, and then added, "And I know I've already apologized for how I treated you, but that might be the part I'm most sorry for."

[quitollis]

"It was wrong, but... some good came from it," Aaron replied. "I'm not sure if it will help, but - in case you need to hear it - I forgive you."

[alcuin]

"I appreciate that," Alcuin said. Then he smiled a little and said, "So have you... been seeing anyone?" He plucked a name out of his memory. "Eliot?"

[quitollis]

Aaron chuckled. Alcuin would be a good asset with that incredible memory. He didn't remember talking about Eliot to him, but he probably had spared the pretty wizard a thought or two. "No, haven't seen him again. I er... have been seeing someone, though. Kersen, actually. Not sure how to describe that particular relationship, but... I'm quite fond of him."

[alcuin]

Alcuin looked genuinely shocked.

He opened his mouth. Then closed it again. Then finally said, "That um. That's surprising."

[quitollis]

"I was quite surprised as well, but... he's very good company and... well, the sex is quite good too," Aaron admitted. It was an understatement.

[alcuin]

Alcuin hesitated visibly. Then finally said, "Did you know he's also sleeping with Hannibal?"

[quitollis]

Oh, Aaron thought. He wasn't sure how to feel about that, or how to react. "Oh. No, I didn't know that."

[alcuin]

"I'm not making assumptions about what that might mean, but you should be... cautious," Alcuin said carefully.

[quitollis]

"About Kersen? Or Hannibal?"Aaron asked, though he could guess.

[alcuin]

"Both," Alcuin said. "I'm not saying that I think Kersen is um - " Doing exactly what I did. "I mean, probably whatever you have with him is exactly what it seems. After all he's older and stronger than Hannibal, I can't imagine him doing Hannibal's bidding..." Unless Kersen himself was simply... like Hannibal.

[quitollis]

"You think Kersen's spying on me for Hannibal?" Aaron asked, frowning. "Are they that close?" It was surprising and somewhat suspicious that Kersen had never mentioned they slept together.

[alcuin]

"I just think it's... not outside the realm of possibility," Alcuin said. "I walked in on them once, it seemed ah, intimate." Kersen drinking from him, to be precise, which Alcuin had found surprising. "But I don't really know how close they are. My understanding is that they only met recently."

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded, thoughtfully. "Well, thank you for letting me know." He'd have to let it sink in, unsure what to think about it all.

"He hasn't asked you to spy on me again?" He asked then.

[alcuin]

"No," Alcuin said. Though he did hesitate, and then add, "But I did promise him after you first came to the brothel that I would ensure that you wouldn't bring the church down on our heads. I told him I would handle you."

Of course, Alcuin... hadn't. Until Aaron found him crying on the street, he hadn't contacted him at all. Instead he'd just trusted that Aaron would keep his word.

[quitollis]

It was implied, and Aaron was thankful for the honesty.

He returned it with honesty. "I've swerved their attention. I've tried to anyway. Not just for you, but for Kersen also. I've... changed my opinion somewhat on vampires." Though not on Lecter.

[alcuin]

Alcuin did think that was good. "I truly have no reason to distrust Kersen," he said. "I've had limited interactions with him, but he seems nice." Gentler than Hannibal.

He smiled a little. "And he's very beautiful."

[quitollis]

"He is," Aaron agreed, a smile on his face. Then quickly he tried to disguise it by sipping his tea. He pushed the team of sweets to Alcuin. "Have a muffin. They're really good."

[alcuin]

Alcuin reached for a muffin, and took a bite, and hoped that hid the flash of expression across his face. Inexplicably, did he feel... jealous?

Did Aaron see?

He told himself that it was the combination of Hannibal and Aaron. It was an unjustified feeling but not an unreasonable one, to feel a little twinge.

"Thank you," he said after he swallowed. "It's very good."

[quitollis]

"It's just fun," Aaron said, unsure why he felt a sudden need to explain himself. "It's not... well, maybe a bit. I don't know." He took a bite instead.

[alcuin]

For a moment, Alcuin thought that Aaron was talking about the muffin.

"Oh, well I think it's... nice," he said, a bit awkward. "If you're having a fun, I mean. You deserve to be happy, Aaron. And... he's lucky to have you, too."

[quitollis]

"I don't know if I would phrase it like that..." Aaron replied. Particularly when most of his conversations with Kersen had involved Alcuin and how Aaron felt about him.

[alcuin]

"Well, you're a kind man and a generous lover..." Alcuin's voice trailed off.

"But if it's just fun, that's fine too," he said quickly. "You also deserve some fun."

[quitollis]

Did Aaron hear something in Alcuin's voice, or was that just wishful thinking? And why did he still wish it? That feeling... was quite stubborn.

"You too," he said. More than a possessive manipulator. "Fun, but also... a good life."