Hannibal's house, Sunday

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal set the large glass of home-brewed dark ale on the end table, along with the tiny pork pies and pickle and the remote control for the music system.

And, because he could surf Google and iTunes as well as anyone, and it never paid to be too predictable, he was playing (not too loudly) Opeth.

He was even wearing a comfortable sweater and slacks instead of a suit. He was picking his battles today, and his battle was how greasy not to make fish and potatoes! Since they'd been so rudely interrupted by eels earlier.


[OOC: Waiting on one, but totally open!]

[OOC the second: Specifics of Jono's story NFB, please!]

Comments

[furnaceface]

All Jono could really do was appreciate that beer, relax against Hannibal again, and roll his eyes toward the ceiling. Yes, he supposed he had been warned.

//Well, cheating aside... it is something I'd like to try. Provided it works, it would be... worth it. It would be worth it, in spite of all of my inhibitions. I'm at least self-aware enough to know that they don't all come from a healthy place.//

Not much of his self-image really came from a healthy place. He'd be the first to admit it.

[sharp_as_knives]

Yes, but now he was admitting it out loud; that was lovely progress, Jono!

"I don't expect it will be easy, but I'm certain you can do it," Hannibal said. "And you never shy from difficult tasks when they're for someone that you care about." You just needed to care about yourself as much, Jono.

[furnaceface]

//True enough, I don't,// Jono agreed, still a touch grudgingly. //I suppose this would be easier still to commit to, if I could convince myself that this is for somebody else's good, too.//

A beat.

//... Which I admit isn't exactly the optimal way to approach this.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"No, it isn't," Hannibal agreed. And you were getting a bit of a side-eye for that, Jono. "Although if it helps as a temporary crutch, I would be very grateful to be able to feed you properly," he added wryly.

[furnaceface]

//... I really miss it,// Jono admitted, after a moment's thought. //Though now mostly I'm picturing you with a literal carrot on a rope at the end of a stick to dangle in front of me until we figure this out.//

Yes, he was making his 'I am fully aware that I'm a brat' face, now.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal gave him a scornful look. "A carrot? I would at least make crudités!"

[furnaceface]

See Jono. See Jono make that 'I'd totally be laughing if I had lungs right now' face, and then shift his weight just enough to bump his head against Hannibal's shoulder. Because sometimes, you just needed to bonk somebody affectionately with your head, okay?

//You really know how to sweeten the deal, mate. Sliced carrots at the end of a stick. How can I refuse that?//

[sharp_as_knives]

But soon you would be able to laugh, Jono - Hannibal had faith!

Hannibal sniffed disdainfully, shifting to stretch out his legs as he drank a bit more beer. "My carrots are worth any effort."

[furnaceface]

//I imagine it'd be the first time somebody's re-grown a face for them, though.//

Well, if Hannibal was going to stretch out, then Jono was going to make himself comfortable, sprawling out right up against him.

//It'll be worth it. Just have to keep telling myself that. It'll be worth it.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"For more than the carrots," Hannibal said, smiling.

[furnaceface]

//For more than the carrots,// Jono agreed, and if he sounded a little wistful, there... Well...

//You're still a bloody sneak, though.//

[sharp_as_knives]

You had no idea, Jono.

"By inclination and profession," Hannibal said. "Sometimes you need a good ambush."