eliot_thespectacular

Aaron

Eliot had weird feelings about being back in Fillory. It wasn’t trivial to go back and forth, and Margo wasn’t even sure how to make it happen again. Eliot has considered, briefly, insisting that Q go back in his place. But no, he couldn’t do that to Aaron. And this was his responsibility. Fen was so relieved to see him, too. They’d had sex the next night; she was ovulating.

He missed Aaron immediately though, and a few days later he went to King’s to spend time with him. Also like… apparently the king had been murdered? Things seemed remarkably peaceful under those circumstances.

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"I haven't really known him that well, I'm getting to know him now," Aaron admitted. He thought a bit. "He...used to work at the brothel to repay a debt. Worked to pay off what is called a 'marque' to be free. So he's a free man now and... Well he chose to stay and is involved with Lecter, the owner of the brothel." It was clear Aaron didn't know what to make of that.

Eliot wasn't sure what to make of that. He certainly didn't want to assume that a sex worker was being coerced in some way though. "You think he likes his work?"

"Oh, most certainly," Aaron said. "I think he likes the sex, but also, the intrigue. A lot of people talk a lot to prostitutes." Himself included.

Eliot realized belatedly that he wouldn't have expected a different answer from Aaron. Of course he thought Alcuin liked his job, whether it was true or not.

But he only nodded. "Huh. Well, better to be doing it for himself, or whatever reasons he has, than to pay off a debt."

Aaron nodded. "Is there anything you'd want to know about... my relationship to him? I don't mind telling, if you don't mind hearing of it."

Eliot chuckled. "I mean, I gather thet you had a lot of sex, and I assume it was exceptionally good. You also got emotionally attached. Is there anything to it beyond that?"

"Well, if you put it like that... no, I suppose not," Aaron smiled self-consciously.

"Don't worry, I'm not jealous babe," Eliot assured him.

Aaron smiled. That was a reassurance.

He heard something outside. "That'll be him." And got up to meet Alcuin.

Eliot followed along behind him, and when he opened the door Eliot looked over his shoulder to see... one of the most ridiculously gorgeous men he'd ever seen in his life. Like, Calvin Klein model turned heart throb actor kind of gorgeous.

Alcuin for his part just smiled warmly. "Hello, my friend." And then saw Eliot behind him. "Oh! You must be Eliot, it is such a pleasure to meet you."

"... same," said Eliot, still a bit stunned.

Suddenly Aaron was worried. For jealousy, for anything either might think. "I'm so glad you could come," he said nonetheless. "Come in, come in," he motioned, letting the two men go inside first.

Eliot offered his hand politely, and Alcuin shook it as they walked in.

Alcuin glanced around, and then teased, “A love nest, is it? I like it. Very romantic.”

“I’d prefer indoor lunging but it will do,” said Eliot. “Wine?”

“Yes, thank you,” said Alcuin warmly.

It was quite romantic, Aaron agreed. "One of Eliot's councilors found it for us," Aaron supplied. "Abandoned, forgotten and far away. It's perfect."

Eliot gestured for them to sit at the table, and he poured the wine.

"Well it's very nice," said Alcuin. Then - "I confess, my knowledge of Fillory is fairly limited. I certainly didn't think I'd be meeting its king, though." And he very much had not mentioned this meeting to Hannibal.

"I assume you I'm not terribly impressive," Eliot said as he took a seat as well.

Aaron had never been very impressed with Fillory before. Eliot had increased his respect for the place and its royalty. "Nor did I. I think I insulted you the first time we met," he said, good-naturedly.

“I remember,” Eliot said with a snort. “You were a total asshole, actually.”

Alcuin arched an eyebrow, and then smirked a little at Aaron. “Didn’t want to let on you liked him?”

"It was a different time," Aaron defended. "I didn't think much of Fillorians." Pause. "Also, yes."

Eliot looked amused, before taking a sip of his wine. "Don't worry, I won't ask where you met," he said. Then wondered if that would be awkward -

But Alcuin laughed brightly. Aaron had already told him that Eliot knew who he was. "I'm afraid I have very little mystery," he said.

Aaron wondered if this was a good idea, not for the first time. But he was determined not to show any awkwardness. "Let's nog dwell on that and celebrate friendship instead," he smiled and took a generous sip of wine.

Eliot's strategy was sometimes to lean into awkwardness, and if it weren't for his fear of making Aaron uncomfortable he would have kept joking about it, probably said something about wanting to watch. But he did not.

So he changed the subject. "Aaron, did you have a chance to tell him about your conversation with Eliza?"

Alcuin looked interested.

"We talked," Aaron replied, honestly. It was uncomfortable, but he had no secrets, so it was fine to talk. "Openly- mostly." With an eye to Eliot, because yes, he was aware he hadn't been completely open to her. "I admitted my heart lay elsewhere. She... understood. Said she guessed it already and that it was alright. She was rather relieved, in fact, that it wasn't her fault - for which I felt appropriately horrible, don't worry."

" We agree to the marriage - though now the King is dead things have been complicated, but... at least she and I are on good terms."

Alcuin looked relieved. "Oh I'm so glad," he said.

He paused. "Though with the king dead... do you even need to still marry? Has that changed things?"

"It may," Aaron said. "I'm not sure I dare hoping. And anyway, I won't do anything that might harm her reputation."

"What if you made her fall in love with you?" Eliot asked Alcuin bluntly.

Alcuin shrugged. "It was only one afternoon."

"No, I don't want her reputation damaged," Aaron reminded. "Or her heart broken."

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