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.

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[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."

[alcuin]

Aaron did hear something in Alcuin's voice.

He wasn't really sure what to say. So he only nodded, and took another pastry.

[quitollis]

"We talk a lot too," Aaron said to avoid the uncomfortable silence. "About you, quite often, actually."

[alcuin]

"About me?" Alcuin repeated, uncomfortably. "Well. I'm sure you had a lot to say, I'm glad you had someone to talk to."

[quitollis]

Aaron chuckled. "Yeah, that was good, probably. Couldn't very well confess to my Bishop."

"But it helped to see things from a different angle."

[alcuin]

"I do um... really hope though that he won't say anything to Hannibal," Alcuin said awkwardly. "I mean, depending on what you've told him."

[quitollis]

"Well, I hope do too. I don't think I would have told him much if I'd known he knew Hannibal," Aaron admitted. "Though, it's mostly that I care for you. He knows that, I suppose. He did send you to me for that purpose."

[alcuin]

"That's what you've been talking to Kersen about?" Alcuin said. "Your feelings for me?"

[quitollis]

"Yes..." Aaron admitted. "Was that wrong of me?" He asked, suddenly unclear if he'd betrayed Alcuin somehow.

[alcuin]

“No,” Alcuin said quickly. “No, it’s fine, I just realize that I don’t know how you feel.” Pause. “Not that you have to share.”

[quitollis]

"I thought you read minds..." Aaron said, realising he didn't know how mind-reading worked.

[alcuin]

“I can hear your thoughts,” Alcuin said. Pause. “And your thoughts aren’t always… very direct, ok this topic. Besides.” His expression softened. “I’m making an effort not to pry.”

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled a bit. The effort was appreciated. He returned it with honesty.

"I... care for you. A lot. More than I should. And you're right to say I barely know you but... well, that wasn't changed what I feel."

[alcuin]

"I care for you, too," Alcuin confessed quietly. "Ah... Hannibal rightly deduced that I had a... soft spot for you, early on. He seemed to find it amusing."