Aaron

[alcuin]

It didn't actually take as long as Alcuin thought it might, to search Hannibal's office and find... exactly the kind of thing that he'd feared he would find. He almost took it with it. It should be in his care. But he knew that would be stupid. So he took photos, and then carefully closed up and left. Even though he knew that Kersen was keeping Hannibal occupied this evening, he didn't want to press his luck by taking any more time than he needed.

He went straight to Aaron's.

When Aaron opened the door, Alcuin just sighed, looking sad, as he went inside.

Comments

[quitollis]

"He told me he enjoys that, yes," Aaron said. "With other men. Doms."

[alcuin]

"Did he tell you he wanted that from you?" Alcuin asked. "Or needs it?" This actually made sense to him, based on his interactions with Kersen, though at the same time - "It could be that the dynamics he enjoys change based on his partner."

[quitollis]

"Well, yes, but... what if it's not enough?" Aaron wondered genuinely.

[alcuin]

“Well one possibility is that you might enjoy it more than you think, unless… I mean, do you think he’s into very extreme things?” Alcuin could not imagine Aaron enjoying inflicting pain.

[quitollis]

"No, he was very open about it. I'm... not sure I understood it, but I think... he likes feeling..." Aaron had trouble saying it. "Owned." It still sounded horrific in his ears.

[alcuin]

"Well, there are... some possibilities here," Alcuin said after a moment. "One is that he's actually perfectly fine not exploring that at all. Another is that he gets what he needs elsewhere. Another is - well, there's always a spectrum, isn't there? I think you could probably learn, Aaron. Think of it as... getting a little bossy." Alcuin shrugged. "I could teach you."

The other possibility of course was that he could dom Kersen himself, something kind of in between those last two options, but he didn't say that.

[quitollis]

"You... do that?" Aaron asked, surprised. He didn't think of Alcuin as bossy, in any way.

[alcuin]

"I've done most things," Alcuin reminded him gently. "And I mean, think of how I choreographed the three of us together that night. It would not have been much of a stretch to have been telling Kersen what to do."

[quitollis]

Aaron was still quite uncomfortable with it. "I just... can't shed thinking it's terribly humiliating. Even if it's not the intention."

[alcuin]

"Then you shouldn't do it," Alcuin said. "Only ever what makes you comfortable, hmm? And I'm sure Kersen will understand. He's never asked you for it has he?"

[quitollis]

"No, no," Aaron assured him. "I just want to be good enough for him."

He sighed. "The whole thing is a bit of a mess in my head, actually. And... he doesn't know how I feel. Probably that would be a start."

[alcuin]

"Probably," Alcuin conceded gently. "Look, maybe just... try not to overthink everything?"

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled. "You're right, as always," he conceded.

[alcuin]

Alcuin turned his head as he heard footsteps outside.

"You should let him in," he said to Aaron.

[quitollis]

Aaron opened the door and was relieved to find Kersen looking well. "It went well?" He asked as he let him in.

[alcuin]

Kersen stepped inside, and nodded. "It was fine." His eyes slid to Alcuin. "And you? Did you find what you needed?"

Alcuin met his gaze for a moment, and then looked down, and nodded.

"He did it, didn't he," Kersen sighed. And shook his head. "Fuck."

[quitollis]

"Slcuin is going to contact the wizards to capture him," Aaron replied. He wondered if Kersen minded, or was hurt by this knowledge as well.

[kersen]

Kersen moved across the room to where Alcuin was sitting, and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I know how hard this is, when I broke away from Garrett..." His voice trailed off. "You're very brave."

Then he looked back at Aaron. "That is a good plan. It's safer than... alternatives."

[quitollis]

Aaron still would gladly drive a stake through his heart. "It's a wise decision," he agreed and got a third glass so Kersen could join in the drinking.

[kersen]

Kersen took it with a nod of thanks.

"Thank you," Alcuin said quietly, to Kersen. "For keeping him occupied tonight. Is he... what's his mood?"

"Tense," said Kersen. "He doesn't suspect anything, he just... fears he's losing you." Pause. "And his temper is shorter than usual."

[quitollis]

Unlike the two men sitting at the table, Aaron didn't see the human side to Lecter. The 'fear' the man might feel for losing Alcuin did not make him sympathize in the least. He only felt for Alcuin, who would probably be hurt by that.

He sat down at the opposite side of the table. "Do it quickly," he advised gently. "Whatever you want to do, make sure it doesn't drag on for too long. For your safety, but also... because it will only hurt more if you move slowly."

[alcuin]

"I agree," Kersen said quietly. And frankly, selfishly, he wanted this to be over, too. He couldn't help but feel his own betrayal, even if he was entirely convinced that Hannibal deserved it. Part of him also wanted to tell them that it would be cleaner and kinder to just kill him. But he knew the risks that came with, too.

"I'll go speak to M tomorrow," Alcuin said. "I'll tell him everything." He had come to trust the man already. Otherwise he never would involve WSS so strongly in this.

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded.

He didn't know if it was inappropriate, but Alcuin had told him to speak his mind, so he did. "Will you stay here tonight? I know you don't want to raise suspicions, but... you can't go back there."

[alcuin]

Alcuin nodded.

And then Kersen hesitated before saying, "Actually, what if... why don't we all go back to my home. I fear that if Hannibal grows suspicious, this is the first place he will come looking for Alcuin."

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded. "Yes, you're probably right," he agreed.