drfeelbad | Hannibal

Hannibal knew everything that went on in his brothel, so yes, he did indeed know. There was a part of him that disliked this; there was a part of him that wanted Alcuin for himself. But he couldn't and he wouldn't. But he did know he felt a possessiveness for the boy that he did not feel for anyone one else, including Phedre.

"Quite," he said. "I may need a second boy to replace Amal. He had quite a clientele."

"Yes, I imagine Alcuin attracts a somewhat different client base than Lysander, for example." Few women, he imagined. And there was also this sort of sweetness about him that really wasn't House's cup of tea. But damn, the boy was talented.

"Alcuin is..." His voice trailed off. "Well, I'm sure you know."

"I'm sure I do, but tell me anyway," Hannibal said simply. He wanted all information.

House arched an eyebrow. He assumed Hannibal didn't want details, but he was also curious about Hannibal's reaction. "He's... talented," he said. And there was a lot in that word. "But also he's smart, isn't he? But unlike Phedre he pretends not to be. Or at least doesn't advertise it."

"Men tend to favour innocence in their boys," Hannibal provided, professionally. "Especially the those who prefer the younger ones. Alcuin knows that well and plays the part that is requested of him." And, after a beat. "You're welcome to invite him to a game of chess next time. He won't refuse."

House smirked. "Do they let you win, when you play?"

Phedre was one of few people who could beat House at chess, and it had taken a while before he could tell she was letting him win and had scolded her for it. He hadn't played chess with Alcuin but had a feeling it might be the same.

"They are trained to please, House," Hannibal reminded him. "But if you tell Alcuin not to let you win, he will not. He understands the pleasure of a true game as much as any other pleasure." Was there a fondness there, shining through?

"You certainly have a type," House said with a snort.

He knew everyone who worked here. Hadn't fucked all of them, obviously, but he'd been a doctor for most of them. There were others who were more clever than your typical whore - he'd suspected for a long time that Hannibal was using them to get information - but Phedre was special, and he could tell Alcuin was, too.

Though Hannibal had never said, and House had never asked, Hannibal suspected him to be one of the few who at least suspected his preferences to be more than just for women.

"I don't like stupid people. I thought you'd appreciate."

"I do," said House.

And he did suspect. He also appreciated that most men weren't like him. He didn't give a rat's ass if anyone knew he had sex with men sometimes. It was the benefit of being powerful and useful and not caring if people liked you. Hannibal, however, had a reputation.

"John seemed pleased enough with Phedre, too," he added. "It's not a bad idea to have a Hellblazer on your side."

Hannibal allowed himself a smile, though he did not answer directly. "I may need to expand on that as well. Phedre's particular field of expertise is quite rare and is in high demand."

House smiled at him. "And here I am with such little appreciation for it." He also suspected, but didn't know for sure, that Hannibal did not have as much of an appreciation for it as he wanted people to think.

"You pay a high price for a game of chess," Hannibal teased, good-naturedly.

House smirked. "The chess comes after." Then he shrugged. "She's amazing. I just have no more interest in her pain than I have in my own."

He also knew that she was pretending regardless. Oh, he thought she liked him. But he had no delusion that she was particularly attracted to him. He could make her come (and he loved doing it), but he wasn't going to hurt her even if it would have brought her pleasure.

"Hmm," Hannibal replied, never answering to reveal his own pleasures. He wasn't interested in her pain either, but she knew not to tell anyone this and he was interested in presenting himself as if he was.

"How is your leg?"

"It is precisely the same as it's been for eight years," House said with a snort.

Though he did pause after a moment and say, "How much would you charge for Alcuin as a masseuse? I don't have to fuck him, but god if he doesn't have amazing hands. He somehow managed to talk me into letting him have a go at my leg, which... I am not typically on board with." Typically he preferred for no one to even see his leg. But the boy was persuasive, and it had actually really helped.

"I will give you a discount if you pay something towards his marque," Hannibal said. "He's... a bit behind, compared to where it should have been."

"That... surprises me," House said, frowning.

"There is a client who refuses to pay him for it," Hannibal explained.

"So don't let him see that client," House said. "Stingy son of a bitch."

"He insists on Alcuin," Hannibal said. He wasn't negotiating it. He had his reasons and Halicon was important.

"Well... sure, I'll come to see him occasionally," House said. Then looked at Hannibal and added, "Though if I'm paying for him and his marque I won't stop at a massage. I'm not made of money."

"I was giving you a discount," Hannibal argued simply, with a smile. "If you want to fuck him, you'll pay in full, my friend."

One size of House's lip quirked up. "You strike a hard bargain."

Then a pause, and he added, "Do you think he's worth it?"

"Every cent," Hannibal assured him.

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