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

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal covered one of Jono's fists in his own hand and smiled with a bit of fondness and more than a bit of exasperation. "I have no doubt of that; it wasn't what I meant." Though it was very telling.

"I am firmly of the belief that you can learn enough control to keep your body whole should you want to do so," he said quietly but firmly. "I also firmly believe that control will only come once you've come to more acceptance of yourself. But I wouldn't ask anyone with a broken leg to walk without a crutch at first, either."

[furnaceface]

//So...// Jono looked down at Hannibal's hand, tightening his fist for a moment before relaxing his hand, turning it so that he could take the one that was resting on it to hold. //You mean a different sort of control. Not necessarily a restraint, per se. More like a focus. Something in a similar vein, but not... that.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Not a restraint," Hannibal agreed. "More like a chest tube or bleeder valve - something you could trigger yourself at will, to avoid unwanted explosive outbursts."

That was the nicest way he could think of to put "blowing yourself apart".

[furnaceface]

... It was much kinder than anything Jono generally used. Such as, you know, "blowing myself apart."

//While I was with Weapon X, it was an opening in my chest,// Jono clarified with a small, thoughtful nod. //On one of those strange weekends when I was somebody else, it was a similar setup. Apparently that version of myself carved his own chest open before worse damage could be done.//

Jono would have called that boy a lucky bastard, except that as far as he could tell, he lived in the Age of Apocalypse. And. No.

[sharp_as_knives]

"So with something of the sort as a failsafe, a crutch, perhaps you could learn to metaphorically walk again?" Hannibal asked.

He didn't mean your legs, no, but he was still stroking one comfortingly with his free hand.

[furnaceface]

//It... would work,// Jono mumbled. //No fancy hardware even really necessary, I don't think. Theoretically, all I actually need is some way to... er... vent.//

It was such an appealing prospect. Become whole again. Perform damage control. Stay whole again.

//It would probably work.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"A somewhat more literal use of the term than for most," Hannibal said, smiling into Jono's hair. "Would you be willing to try it?"

It was a trick question, Jono. You'd already said it would work. Unless you wanted to admit you didn't deserve it?

[furnaceface]

And the moment Hannibal said it was about the moment Jono realized exactly what had happened, here. His eyebrows twitched upwards for just a moment, and then he was tilting his head just enough so that he could look at Hannibal from the corner of his eye.

//... Sneaky bugger aren't you? I've got absolutely no sensible reason to say no, now.//

There was no malice in that accusation, at least. If anything, Jono sounded at least grudgingly impressed that he'd been so magnificently backed into a corner, and hadn't realized until it was too late to nip it in the bud.

[sharp_as_knives]

"None." Hannibal chuckled. "Not that you still can't refuse, but not sensibly."

He rewarded Jono with a long drink of beer. "I did warn you that I fought dirty."

[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."