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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"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.

Aaron smiled. Yes, they did. A lot more. And Gods, that had been hot. "Well, we were drunk, but yes."

Alcuin smiled a little, though he also felt a glimmer of guilt, knowing that Hannibal had once watched the two of them without Aaron's knowledge. He had a feeling he wouldn't have been so pleased about that.

"I see you're doing an excellent job at keeping your relationship fresh," he teased.

"I guess it's hard to be in an old married couple rut when you're still having to sneak around," Eliot snorted.

"That's why this place is so nice," Aaron added. "I know it looks dull, but it's nice not to have to look over our shoulders the whole time."

"A long term solution?" Alcuin asked.

Eliot didn't respond to this; he honestly didn't know. But it was rather depressing, actually.

Aaron would have said 'yes' if not for Eliot's facial expression. "A solution. It suits us now."

Alcuin felt like he should offer something. "It's a shame how things are here," he said quietly. "Hannibal is still seen regularly in public with Phedre, but... not with me."

"Who's Phedre?" asked Eliot.

"My very hot sister," Alcuin said with a little smile. "Well, sort of sister. We spent some time in an orphanage together."

"Maybe that'll change? The King is dead; stranger things have happened," Aaron suggested.

Alcuin picked up his glass again and took the final swallow of wine, then said something that he hadn't dared to voice to Hannibal.

"I think that the new king is sleeping with one or both of his advisor and the wizard."

Eliot's eyebrows show up. "Seriously? Now that is some tea..."

Aaron's eyebrows shot up as well. He didn't trust that pirate King, but... well, there were possibilities here. "So, that might be beneficial? Unless he's dethroned. It's a tumultuous time to be King."

"Tell me about it," Eliot muttered. "There was another attempt on my life last week." Which he hadn't mentioned to Aaron. Actually he rarely mentioned any of them. It was just sort of par for the course at this point.

"Does that happen often?" Alcuin asked him.

Eliot shrugged.

"It happens often?" Aaron said, shocked and a bit surprised - annoyed even - that Eliot had never mentioned it.

"It's picked up a bit," Eliot said, not quite looking at him. "Apparently my brief absence spurred some conversation among Fillorians if they ought to try to wrest the throne from the children of earth."

Aaron up until now stil saw Fillory as a harmless place. That seemed to be a misconception. "It's picked up? What- how do they do it? Is it threats or actual attempts? Magic or swords, poison?"

"All of the above," said Eliot. Then managed a small smile and said, "You didn't think I wanted to learn to use a sword for fun did you?"

Alcuin could sense Aaron's discomfort, his worry. "I would imagine you have good people looking out for you," he said to Eliot.

"Well, I'm alive, so that's a good sign as to their competence," Eliot said.

Aaron was a Kingsguard still at heart and he wanted to do something, but he wasn't about to interfere with Eliot's guards. They were competent enough, it seemed, and it really wasn't Aaron's place.

But he didn't like it.

"Alright. That's good, I suppose."

"Well I confess I don't envy you," Alcuin said. "Being king."

"Yeah me neither," said Eliot with a snort. "Though I will say, the clothes are amazing."

"You do good work, though," Aaron insisted.

Eliot arched an eyebrow. “What good work is that?”

Honestly, he tried, but he didn’t really know what he was doing when it came to day to day governing after he’d saved the world.

Aaron honestly didn't understand. "You're running a Realm, surely you're doing something."

"Sure, but whether I'm doing it well is an entirely different story," Eliot said.

"I can imagine it would feel like you're not doing well enough regardless," Alcuin said gently. "After all, there's no way to make everyone happy."

Eliot snorted. "You're telling me. On the bright side, it's not always the same people who are trying to kill me."

Aaron

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