Kersen.

[whispersoflove]

After Anael had made sure that Alcuin had everything he needed, he set off to do as he had promised him, and reached Kersen's home right as the sun was setting behind the London buildings. He landed in a nearby, small street, then shed the wings and reappeared to the world, to walk on over to Kersen's door. He rang the bell, then said quietly to the door, hoping that Kersen might be listening, and would hear him, "It's Anael."

Comments

[kersen]

Kersen had just woken, and had barely had a moment to throw on a robe and head into the kitchen to get some blood when the doorbell rang.

He might have waited until after he fed, but then heard Anael's voice. So he opened the door.

"This is a surprise," he said, pleasantly. "Come in. I'm afraid I've just gotten out of bed."

[whispersoflove]

Anael walked inside immediately, so Kersen could quickly enough close the door on the last of the sunlight. "I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you," he held his hand out for Kersen's, and wondered where his ward was. "I've got some rather bad news."

[kersen]

Bonnie tended to sleep longer than Kersen, until it was pitch black out. Which was probably good, if Anael had bad news.

He frowned as he took Anael's hand. "What is it?"

[whispersoflove]

"It's about Hannibal," Anael told him, as gently as he could. A brief pause, to let that much sink in, before the angel added, "I'm afraid he's died, Kersen."

[kersen]

Kersen went still. "He..." For a moment, he thought he must have misunderstood. But no, not with the expression Anael had on his face.

"Oh my god." He stumbled back a little, and leaned against the wall, as if he might have fallen over otherwise.

[whispersoflove]

Anael went with him, close but short of hovering. "I'm so sorry, Kersen."

[kersen]

After a moment, Kersen shook his head, though there was sorrow written all over his face. He looked at Anael. "Like you, I've seen many people die over the years. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, of course." He sighed, ran a hand through his hair. "But he was young, still..."

And speaking of young - "Does Alcuin know?"

[whispersoflove]

Anael nodded, his sorrow just as obvious as Kersen's on his face, although his was sorrow by proxy. "He didn't want you to hear it on the news."

[kersen]

Kersen leaned his head against the wall, and sighed. "Yeah, sounds like what I know of him. He's probably dying inside, and manages to think of me. How is he?"

[whispersoflove]

"Devastated," Anael answered honestly.

[kersen]

"Of course he is," Kersen said quietly. "Fuck." He pictured Hannibal's face. Then, unbidden, a slew of particularly good moments with him. "Fuck."

[whispersoflove]

Anael felt for him - literally - and reached out to stroke fingertips down Kersen's forearm. "Is there anything I can do?"

He was, of course, itching to fold the taller vampire into an embrace, but people reacted differently to grief.

[kersen]

Kersen offered him a small, sad smile. "Not really. I'll be fine. It's always difficult to lose a friend, but it will pass. I - would worry a lot about the boy, though."

[whispersoflove]

"He had someone coming over," Anael nodded. "Others will be better at being there for him than me. I can't be here as often as I'd like."

[kersen]

Kersen paused for a beat and said, "Please tell me it's not Eric Northman. The person he has coming over." It wasn't that Kersen disapproved of Eric's interest in Alcuin and vice versa but he could hardly imagine someone worse for this particular occasion.

[whispersoflove]

Anael's eyebrows raised, and then he shook his head. "I don't know."

He also had no idea who Eric Northman might be.

[alcuin]

"Ah," said Kersen.

Recognizing that Anael did not seem to know who Eric was, he added, "You know Alcuin has fae blood?"

[whispersoflove]

"Yes," Anael confirmed with a small nod. Eric Northman did sound like a name a Fae might take.

[kersen]

"Eric is a vampire," Kersen said. "He's kind of... in charge, ever since I stopped being so, thank god. And Alcuin - " He almost said belongs to Eric and then realized how awful that was and stopped himself. "He's under Eric's protection. Which is not a bad thing exactly. But it's likely Alcuin has the impression he's more emotionally attached than he actually is."

[whispersoflove]

"And you think this vampire is only after Alcuin's blood," Anael stated with a concerned frown.

[kersen]

"Um..." Kersen actually gave this some thought. "I'm not sure. But if Alcuin has a habit of falling for emotionally unavailable older men, it could be a problem. On the other hand... I think it's a good thing that Eric is keeping an eye on him. He's been attacked by vampires at least twice." He didn't mention that one of them was Bonnie. Dear god.

[whispersoflove]

"Do you think that I should check it isn't this vampire who's coming over?" Anael asked, his concern still not abated, now that Kersen had awoken it.

[kersen]

"Ah... no, I think it's highly unlikely. But if it is him... perhaps that just means he cares. He isn't a danger to Alcuin."

[whispersoflove]

"You seemed concerned that it might have been him," Anael pointed out, still frowning.

[kersen]

"I was concerned because I don't think he's the best person to help," Kersen said. "But if he's who Alcuin wants in this moment..." He shrugged. "We all cope with things differently."

[whispersoflove]

Anael remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded in acceptance of Kersen's opinion. "All right."

[kersen]

"He's lucky to have you looking out for him, too," Kersen said gently.

[whispersoflove]

Anael shook his head with a small, sad smile. "I don't spend nearly enough time here for that. But he said that he has a few friends he can call on."

[kersen]

Kersen nodded. He was glad. He imagined Hannibal would have worried about him.

Hannibal. Grief rolled over him.

"It was kind of you to come by and tell me in person," he added quietly, and put a hand to Anael's cheek.

[whispersoflove]

Anael felt better for the touch, even as Kersen's grief washed through him. He tilted his head into Kersen's hand and covered it with his own. "It was the least I could do."

[kersen]

Kersen pulled Anael into an embrace, and then kissed his cheek.

"I think perhaps I'd like to be alone for a little while though," he said softly.

[whispersoflove]

"Of course," Anael nodded slightly, although he returned the embrace for a beat longer, before letting go and stepping back. "Did Bonnie know him?"

[kersen]

Kersen shook his head. "She's gaining more control, but I haven't introduced her to my human friends yet, she..."

He hesitated, and then decided that Anael should get the whole picture. "She's the vampire who recently attacked Alcuin."

[whispersoflove]

"Oh," Anael nodded, frowning. "Do you think that I might - see her? She must be feeling so lonely. I can come back later," he added, in case Kersen did not simply want to be alone, but wanted Anael gone.

[kersen]

"I would like that," Kersen said. "I think you'd be a good person for her to meet. Though she's not awake yet - she's young enough that it takes a time after sunset for her to be strong enough to wake again." He put a hand on Anael's shoulder. "Soon?"

[whispersoflove]

Anael nodded. "Pray to me, when you think it might be a good time? If I can, I will come."

[kersen]

"I will," Kersen promised. He and Bonnie had talked a lot, and within the next few days he was taking her to the club to supervise her drinking from a volunteer. Both of them were uncomfortable with the idea, but it was necessary.

"Thank you again," he added quietly, and kissed Anael's cheek again.

[whispersoflove]

Anael raised a hand to stroke his fingertips along Kersen's jaw, a gesture of pure love and care. "Pray to me if you need me," he offered, then ducked his head and turned to go.