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

[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."

[anamusebouche]

"Yes, of course," Hannibal said. "I suppose that, in part, is why I never spoke before."

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre nodded. Then she smiled softly and said, "You know, just to be clear, I will be sad if you decide you never want to fuck me again."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal smiled at her. "As would I," he admitted. "But perhaps I will first talk to Alcuin. I wouldn't want him to learn that after I admitted my feelings to him, I fucked someone else."

[phedredelaunay]

"Yes of course," Phedre said, having not thought otherwise. She was actually planning to go offer her gratitude to Willy, not that she had any intention of mentioning that to Hannibal.

"Why don't I leave you to your thoughts," she said. "And let me know if you want to talk."