Alcuin

[shannonteverius]

The curtain remained closed and the lights brightened signalling that it was time for intermission. Shannon suggested they stretch their legs and find a drink at the bar.

"Is it everything you hoped so far?" he asked Alcuin as they slowly traveled with the crush toward the Royal Opera Houses' restaurants and bars.

Comments

[alcuin]

"Oh, it's really just lovely," Alcuin said brightly, falling into step with Shannon. "How often do you come?"

[shannonteverius]

"To the opera? Not very often," Shannon admitted. "I usually prefer to listen to things in English."

[alcuin]

Alcuin laughed. "Then why are you here? Surely you didn't think you needed the excuse for my company."

[shannonteverius]

"I did say usually," Shannon pointed out. "And the reviews were good enough to tempt me." He smiled.

[alcuin]

"Well, I certainly appreciate it," Alcuin said happily, as he was certainly glad to get out, and he enjoyed the opera, and it was nice to have company other than Hannibal every once in a while. "Plus my usual opera date has a regular box, so I'm getting a completely different view."

[shannonteverius]

"And who would this 'usual date' be?" Shannon asked, curiously.

[alcuin]

"Oh," said Alcuin, and hesitated briefly before he finally just told the truth. It wasn't as if people didn't see him and Hannibal together here frequently. "His name is Hannibal Lecter, he's a psychiatrist here in London." It occurred to him belatedly that Hannibal could have met Shannon at the same place Alcuin did.

[shannonteverius]

"I believe I've met him," said Shannon. It was at the charity function where he met Alcuin but out of the two Alcuin had left a far better impression. "I had no idea you were seeing each other."

[alcuin]

"We go to the opera together quite frequently," Alcuin said, neither confirming or denying anything beyond that. He still felt quite protective of Hannibal's reputation, even though he knew that it likely was no big secret by this point.

[shannonteverius]

"You are fond of him?" asked Shannon, loving the opportunity for a little gossip.

[alcuin]

"Yes," said Alcuin, "very fond." And it was probably clear from the way he said this just how very much he meant it.

[shannonteverius]

Shannon knew what that feeling was like. He smiled, his expression warm and inviting. "How long have you been seeing each other?" he asked.

[alcuin]

Alcuin wasn't entirely sure how to answer; he did know how much Hannibal valued his privacy, though he didn't like lying, either. "I've known him for about a year now," he said. "He's really... been there for me, in a very difficult time in my life."

[shannonteverius]

"I've known my lover for over six years now. It makes things easier when there's someone by your side, doesn't it?"

[alcuin]

Alcuin was still careful not to blatantly confirm, but when he smiled, the adoration was obvious in his eyes. "It does."

[shannonteverius]

They had reached the beginning of the line finally and Shannon called the bartender over so they could order their drinks. Once they had been served he turned back to Alcuin.

"So how did you meet?" he asked.

[alcuin]

"Oh, he sort of... rescued me," Alcuin admitted, and took a sip of the drink. "I was being hassled by a bunch of tabloid reporters."

[shannonteverius]

Shannon could sympathize. "That was kind of him," he said. His brow furrowed, "though I don't recall you in the tabloids."

[alcuin]

Alcuin arched an eyebrow, looking genuinely surprised. "Really? You... don't know?" Here he'd thought that Shannon simply didn't care about his past; he hadn't even considered that he didn't know. Well, this could be awkward.

[shannonteverius]

Shannon read the tabloids. He might have come across the article concerning Alcuin but there were so many stories it was sometimes hard to keep track. "Mind refreshing my memory?"

[alcuin]

And just like that, Alcuin went from surprised to uncomfortable. "Oh, I..." He didn't quite meet Shannon's eyes. "They thought I killed someone. And..."

If he didn't say anything now, then he wouldn't have to see Shannon's face when he found out. On the other hand, when he did find out, or remember (or perhaps he did now, and was just playing dumb), then it would be obvious Alcuin had left things out.

"And they were rather fixated on the fact that I'd been a prostitute." He was glad he still had wine. He drank.

[shannonteverius]

Shannon's eyes grew appropriately wide at the mention of murder. He didn't have to try hard to show his surprise, which was a benefit as his expression completely froze at the word 'prostitute'. For a moment he thought he had misheard but then the memory of the news story came back to him.

He found himself at a loss for words and scrambled to compose himself. He had brought a prostitute to the opera. Making a scene would only bring attention to that fact and he did not want that. Imagine if the press found out, or his brother? He shuddered to think of it and turned his focus to saving what he could of the conversation so as to remain inconspicuous for once.

"I think I remember the story," he said finally. "They proclaimed you innocent in the end, didn't they?" Innocent for murder anyway.

[alcuin]

Alcuin had been taught to read people, and he knew well enough what Shannon was thinking, even if he hadn't said a word of it.

"They never arrested me at all," he said quietly. "No evidence. Just tabloid fodder..."

He waited and beat, and then finally said, "For the record, Shannon, I'm... retired. And it's complicated. But I am truly sorry. I genuinely thought you knew. I just thought..." He'd thought that he didn't care, which had been so nice. "I would understand if you didn't want to be seen with me."

[shannonteverius]

Shannon knew quite well about tabloid fodder. He also knew that he didn't want any to start up around them. If he had known before coming he never would have invited Alcuin out. Unfortunately, they were already here but the boy had been charming up until now. There was no reason to think he would cause a scene or do something uncouth. Shannon was sure he wouldn't want the news of his past getting out any more than Shannon would.

He took a deep breath. "We are here now. We might as well see the end of the performance."

[alcuin]

Alcuin set his now empty glass on the small table next to them, and looked up at Shannon beneath a curtain of hair and large eyes that betrayed the hurt he felt.

But all he said was, "All right, Shannon," his voice quiet.

[shannonteverius]

Contrary to popular belief, Shannon wasn't completely heartless. He sighed. "You're...retired? Truly?"

[alcuin]

Alcuin pushed his hair away from his face and nodded. The reaction still bothered him, regardless. But it wasn't as if he couldn't understand it.

"I'm a university student," he said after a moment. "And I'm here with you because I enjoy your company, and nothing more."

[shannonteverius]

The thought that Shannon would have considered paying for Alcuin's company almost made him choke and his words had a sharp edge when he spoke. "I only invited you for the pleasure of your company, nothing more."

He cleared his throat once and softened his tone. "Perhaps we should start this from the beginning," he said. "And leave the topic of...pasts behind us."

[alcuin]

At the first bit, Alcuin winced. "I didn't think so for a moment."

Then, he sighed softly, and nodded. "Okay."

[shannonteverius]

Shannon looked down and found his glass empty. He placed it on the table next to Alcuin's. "Shall we return to our seats?" he asked.