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

[alcuin]

Alcuin opened his mouth, then closed it again, and then nodded.

He should say something else, he thought. He should do something. Kiss him, maybe. What was he thinking? Wasn't this what he wanted?

But in the end, he just lingered awkwardly for a moment, the conflict very clear on his face, and then... walked away.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal watched him go. He was aware that it may have been too late and that perhaps he had misjudged Alcuin and that he was less frailt and insecure than he gathered.

He sat back down to finish his breakfast. Halicon had quite a delicious taste; the kill had been swift and the meat was quite sweet still.

[phedredelaunay]

A few minutes later, Phedre walked in.

"Alcuin seems awfully upset for someone who was just saved from the brink of death," she said.

[anamusebouche]

"A lot has changed for him," Hannibal said and without asking if she wanted breakfast, filled a plate for her. "He's a free man, healed, but scarred, Willy left him, I told him I care for him, Halicon has been found dead... it's a lot to deal with." He said, conversationally, filling the bowl with soup and slipping his own confession amidst the summation.

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre blinked at him, trying to decide where to start.

She sat down at the table. Okay, fine, she did know what she was most curious about. "You told him you care for him?"

[anamusebouche]

"Yes," Hannibal admitted. "These past days have made me realise I do while he's no longer near death... The urge to say it remained."

[phedredelaunay]

"Well I take it he didn't throw himself into your arms," Phedre said.

She was somewhat surprised by this, but at the same time... also not really.

[anamusebouche]

"... No," Hannibal said only, feeling quite hurt at that.

[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."