Alcuin

[thenorthman]

Once Kersen and his progeny were out of his club, Eric finally flew off to Alcuin's home. He hadn't been here since that first night he had met the boy, and now he stood outside his door, wondering what the fuck he was even doing here. Caring about a human, or close enough.

Still, he rang the bell, standing on the doorstep and listening for Alcuin's approach through the door.

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[alcuin]

Alcuin hadn't been sure if Eric would turn up, or just call. Or do anything at all really. He really was fine now, well except for the lingering effects of Eric's blood, which left him... a bit wired, a bit loose. It was a strange feeling.

He opened the door, wearing a pair of red silk pajama pants and a white robe.

"Eric," he said warmly. "Um. Is everything okay with... the girl?"

[thenorthman]

"She's safe now," Eric confirmed, standing outside and taking in the sight of Alcuin. His heartbeat was steady, and if he was slightly flushed, that was only expected after drinking Eric's blood. "She's with her maker."

[alcuin]

"Good," said Alcuin. "Is she, um, new?"

Though before Eric could answer, he opened the door a little wider, "Oh don't stand out there in the cold. Come in?"

[thenorthman]

"Thank you," Eric said, finally able to step inside. He did so, letting Alcuin close the door before he answered, looking around what he could see of Alcuin's home, "A few months old, yes."

[alcuin]

Alcuin wondered if Eric's blood had some effect on him that made the vampire seem so inhumanly beautiful, or if he was really just like that.

"Thank you," was the first thing he said once they were inside. "So much. I... I hate having to be rescued, but I'm so grateful."

[thenorthman]

"There's no shame in needing a little help," Eric replied, frowning as he turned back to Alcuin. "Especially against a vampire."

Especially when Alcuin wasn't supposed to get attacked, not in his city.

[alcuin]

"I feel like I've been rescued a lot," Alcuin said quietly. Then looked up at Eric. "Was it coincidence, or did you... feel me?"

[thenorthman]

Eric nodded to his last words. "Your fear."

[alcuin]

"... thank you," Alcuin said again, and then perhaps against his better judgment, wrapped his arms around Eric in an embrace.

[thenorthman]

The embrace took Eric by surprise, but he returned it all the same, wrapping his arms around Alcuin and breathing in his scent. "How are you doing?"

He was not asking about his physical well-being, obviously.

[alcuin]

"You mean following a vampire attack, or in general?" Alcuin asked, and content to just stand there with Eric holding him. God he smelled good.

[thenorthman]

"The one and the other?" Eric offered, and leaned back so he could look down into Alcuin's face.

[alcuin]

"Tonight, I'm, I don't know, I guess I'm fine," Alcuin said. "It's... not the first time that's happened. I'm grateful you were there. I'm a little embarrassed at having to be rescued again. And maybe a little fearful that it's going to keep happening. But I'm okay."

[thenorthman]

"The way you smell, living in a big city," Eric answered, and nodded. "It will happen again, at what point or another." At least in this one, he could protect him.

[alcuin]

"Then I am glad to have you in my life," Alcuin said. Then he sighed softly and said, "And you may not actually want to know this, but as for life in general... I'm graduating at the end of this semester and have no idea what I want to do with my life. And I'm, I don't know, lonely. Hannibal is distant, lately. I don't know, I'm just feeling a bit aimless. So there you are." He smiled up at him a bit sheepishly.

[thenorthman]

"You're studying psychology," Eric remembered, letting go of Alcuin as they settled into the conversation, although they were still standing just inside his home.

[alcuin]

"Yes," Alcuin said, "I am," sounding a little pleased that he remembered.

He realized then too that they were just standing awkwardly there. "Oh Eric I'm sorry, can I - "

He cut himself off, then looked sheepish. "I was going to offer you something to drink."

[thenorthman]

Eric's lips ticked up into a tiny smile. "I think you've donated enough for one day."

[alcuin]

That hadn't been what Alcuin meant of course, but now that Eric said the words he thought of Eric biting him and flushed a bit.

"You're probably right," he said. "But it's different with you, of course."

[thenorthman]

"I would hope so," Eric confirmed, small smile still playing on the edges of his lips, before it faded. "How did it feel? Her biting you."

[alcuin]

"It was frightening," Alcuin said. "I don't know that it hurt that much, but I was too panicked to feel much of anything but fear."

[thenorthman]

Eric nodded. He guessed he had intervened too quickly; not that he would have done things differently. "I'm glad I was nearby."

[alcuin]

"Me too," Alcuin said. "Will you come sit down? I feel bad that there's nothing I can offer you by way of hospitality." But he found that he really didn't want him to leave yet.

[thenorthman]

"How about a tour of your home?" Eric asked, instead of agreeing. He was curious to see where Alcuin lived.

[alcuin]

"All right," Alcuin said, smiling brightly at him.

He led Eric into the living room, which was small and seemed not terribly used. Alcuin did not spend a lot of time watching television. There were a few paintings on the walls, all of which had belonged to Anafiel, and he had very good taste. "And through there is the kitchen," he said, pointing. "I've become a fairly proficient cook, actually, not that that's very helpful for you I suppose."