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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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."

"I was careful," Alcuin said, a bit defensively.

Eliot for his part had a feeling that Alcuin could be as careful as he wanted, and there was still a good chance that a woman could fall in love with him in a snap, but he had the good sense not to say that.

"I know, I know," Aaron replied. He really hoped the two never met again, just in case.

"She didn't say as much. 'Charmed', she said and... well, she evidently was glad finally someone paid attention to her."

Eliot leaned back in his chair a little and then sighed, "I wish you could go give Fen a good time." To Alcuin's puzzled expression he added, "My wife. I mean, not that I can't... well. Anyway, I'm certain it's not stellar for her, and she deserves to have someone really go at it, you know?" He took a drink of the wine.

Alcuin cleared his throat, not quite sure what to say. "Well that's very flattering."

"Plus I'd feel less guilty," Eliot added.

"It's not possible at all for her? I mean, I understand the risk of getting her pregnant, but there are other things that could be done," Aaron said, and then self-conciously with a little smile. "I've been told."

"That's a fair point," said Eliot. He sighed. "You know, I suggested a threesome that was all about her, and she was not interested."

Alcuin considered this for a moment and then said gently, "Perhaps she actually just wants you."

Another sigh. "Poor girl."

"Perhaps... if Eliza knows she might talk to her? Might be different if it comes from someone in a similar situation?" Aaron said, realizing that would mean telling Eliza everything, but... he would if it could help Eliot.

"I think you shouldn't move quite so fast with Eliza," Eliot said quickly. "Fen and I... are fine. Hell, had another shot at knocking her up the other night, maybe it took."

Alcuin took a drink of his wine. He felt quite sorry for her, but also for Eliot.

"I think no one could ever accuse me of moving 'too fast' with Eliza," Aaron teased, good-naturedly, to keep the mood lighter.

Deep down this conversation didn't sit too well with him. It wasn't that Aaron was jealous of Fen, but... a bit jealous at Eliot perhaps, for being able to have sex with his wife without too much trouble.

"It's interesting that the two of you ended up with such similar ... challenges," Alcuin commented, then added lightly, "Mine on the other hand are quite different."

"Lecter," Aaron said, and couldn't quite keep a tone of disapproval from his voice. He didn't particularly like the man. And he suspected he must have had some hand in his dismissal from the kingsguard.

Alcuin looked to him sharply. "What makes you think that Hannibal is a challenge?"

Eliot coughed uncomfortably and offered Aaron an arched eyebrow.

"Is he not your lover? I thought you meant him," Aaron said, confused. "I imagine breaking through his cold facade would be a bit of a challenge." Understatement.

"You were both talking about the people you didn't choose," Alcuin said after a pause. "I have plenty of those."

Then - "I'm sorry, that was very defensive. Yes, it has been a bit difficult to break through."

"Ah, right..." Aaron said, feeling very self-conscious about having been a client of his.

"But I'm certain it'll get better for you. We'll, you're a free man now."

"They're already better," Alcuin assured him, relaxing a little.

Trying to lighten the mood a little, Eliot said, "Well I think Hannibal is kind of hot."

Alcuin laughed. "I didn't know you'd met him."

"Just seen him from a distance," Eliot said pleasantly.

Aaron didn't particularly think so, but his type was, well, at this table.

The conversation went smoother from there and they chatted pleasantly. "Oh, but the pastries of Earth are... exceptionally good," Aaron said at some point, looking at Eliot to agree.

"Don't forget the coffee," Eliot said cheerfully. "God I miss coffee."

"It sounds like you had quite an adventure," Alcuin observed.

"You would have loved it, I'm sure," Aaron said. "The freedom was... well, frankly daunting at first, but once I let it go, it was easier getting used to."

"You held hands in public," Alcuin said fondly.

"We did more than that, "Eliot said with a grin.

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