Willy

[phedredelaunay]

While Hannibal was gone, Phedre went and spoke to Alcuin. He was in and out of consciousness, though it seemed not to be the injury but more whatever pain medication House had given him. He'd said something about Willy, and Phedre was certain that Hannibal wasn't going to send word to him, so after she left she went over to the inn herself.

It was evening by then, and Willy was easy to find. She ordered a glass of wine out of politeness to the establishment, so that she could wait until his song was over. It wasn't as if there was a rush at this point.

Comments

[phedredelaunay]

"Well I think that if you want that to change you ought to figure out why," Phedre said. "Or do you already know?"

[anamusebouche]

"I said; there is a lot he's going through at the moment," Hannibal repeated. There were others things, too, of course, but he did not say.

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre hmmmmed. Then said, “But… also Willy left him?” So that meant it wasn’t that…

[anamusebouche]

"Yesterday" Hannibal replied. "I suppose that was still fresh on his mind. Perhaps I should not have confessed this morning, but I... didn't want him to leave."

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre looked at him for a long moment and then said, "And until the day before yesterday, he couldn't have. I know how you've felt about him for a long time, Hannibal. But he hasn't. And the timing... you can see how it might seem less like romance and more like a means of control."

[anamusebouche]

"He told me he didn't want to leave my employ," Hannibal replied. "I merely added I wanted him by me side. But I'll arrange flowers. Would that help?"

[phedredelaunay]

"Hannibal...." Phedre sighed.

She didn't want to offend him, but honestly. "Do you love him? Truly?"

[anamusebouche]

"I feel strongly for him," Hannibal said. He wouldn't admit to love until he had him by his side.

"You think I shouldn't have spoken?"

[phedredelaunay]

"I think... I think you didn't think this through properly," Phedre said, honestly. "You must see why, regardless of what he's felt for you, he didn't simply throw himself into your arms."

[anamusebouche]

No, but he stopped thinking of the murder, and he might put things into perspective. And if not.... Hannibal could always kill him, sad though that would make him.

"I don't want to loose him."

[phedredelaunay]

"I'm sorry, Hannibal, but it appears you're going to have to actually make an effort," Phedre said. Then, bluntly: "You waited too long, and now it will e harder for you."

[anamusebouche]

"I could hardly have made a pass while he was indebted to me," Hannibal argued.

[phedredelaunay]

"Then you need to make it clear that's why you waited, darling," Phedre said. "That you've been pining this whole time... that you see him as an equal."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal nodded, once, by which he both conceded to her point and determined the end of this part of the conversation. "Where does this leave you and me?" He asked. "I want your honesty. I am not interested in creating a situation you're not comfortable with."

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre shrugged. "This changes nothing for me," she said. At least not unless Alcuin told her it bothered him, and she trusted him to be honest. "I can see how it might change things for you though."

[anamusebouche]

"I suppose Alcuin will have a say in that," Hannibal conceded. "If he wishes it at all, naturally."

[phedredelaunay]

On the subject of (not) sleeping around, Phedre said, "Have you noticed that Greg hasn't been here recently? I went to him to express my gratitude and offer a night with me, and he declined. I imagine it must have to do with the young man staying with him."

[anamusebouche]

"Things are changing, I suppose," Hannibal said. "Things that were previously frowned upon becoming less so. And it's about time Greg gave into matters of the heart, wouldn't you agree?" He added, fondly.

[phedredelaunay]

"I think he deserves to be happy," Phedre said. She wasn't entirely sure he was, but perhaps he was on his way.

"As do you."

[anamusebouche]

"What would you do in my place?" Hannibal asked, perhaps for the first time showing he was not all-knowing.

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre gave this a moment of the thoughtfulness it deserved.

"He needs to choose you," she said. "And you can't take for granted that he will. You have to woo him."

[anamusebouche]

He should not have any choice, Hannibal added mentally to that. "Very well. And perhaps... you might put in a word for me?"

[phedredelaunay]

"I will," Phedre said, "but Hannibal...." She hesitated. "Are you sure this is what you really want? I don't want to see him hurt. Well. Either of you."

[anamusebouche]

"This is not a new feeling for me," Hannibal admitted. "Nor for him."

[phedredelaunay]

"Just tread carefully, is all," Phedre said. "I care about you both too much to watch it go badly."

Then she looked thoughtful before adding, "He knows he can choose now. I think that's good. You wouldn't have wanted it another way."