Hannibal's house and elsewhere, Sunday afternoon

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal was checking his e-mail on his tablet as Jono read. He followed a few links, checked something else, raised an eyebrow, and excused himself, taking his tablet and phone with him. He had a glint in his eyes.

He came back a few minutes later smiling.

Comments

[furnaceface]

//It's the roguish good looks, isn't it?// There was a teasing glint in Jono's eye. //Nobody ever predicts that part. I know, it can be a touch overwhelming...//

Never let it be said that Jonothon could take a compliment gracefully. Though he did relent a moment later, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Hannibal's.

//Then again... you caught me by surprise, too.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Was it the fashion sense or the impeccable taste?" Hannibal teased back.

Or the hobbies - had it been the hobbies?

[furnaceface]

Jono was most certainly not referring to the hobbies.

... Though they had caught him by surprise, too.

//Probably the way you wield plaid like it's a superpower,// Jono decided. //That must be it.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"It's just another pattern," Hannibal observed, amused.

[furnaceface]

//Yes, well, most people can't pull off one type of it at a time,// Jono pointed out.

He knew from experience.

Shut up.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Sheer talent," Hannibal said. He spun them to another section of the light-floor when the section they were in got crowded.

[furnaceface]

//Superpower,// Jono countered. //And you'll never convince me otherwise.//

So far as powers went, at least it was more useful than 'being blue.'

[sharp_as_knives]

At worst, it brought him unflattering comments in the society pages, so yes, Hannibal probably had the better end on that one.

"My world hasn't got mutants," Hannibal pointed out. Nor had he been bitten by radioactive plaid as a teen.

[furnaceface]

//Just makes you that much more uncanny, then, doesn't it?//

Jono. Jono. No, Jono.

//You'll have to do a hell of a lot more convincing before I'll buy that there's anything less than supernatural about your ability to mix and match patterns, anyway.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"My world has no supernatural forces, either." Hannibal was definitely looking a bit smug now. "It's purely natural talent."

And all the x jokes in the world weren't getting him in a uniform hitting bad guys, Jono.

[furnaceface]

Bah, as if Jono wanted Hannibal in a uniform. He'd probably try to make certain it had a plaid X and a fancy necktie or something.

//You think you can convince me you didn't make some devil's pact to be able to pull off three completely different types of plaid at the same time?// Jono squinted for a moment, and then another smile was showing around the corners of his eyes and he was stepping a little closer to Hannibal, laughter somewhere in the tone of his voice. //I'll take your word for it... for now. But I have it on good authority that it's not a bad talent to go with flying, at any rate.//

Look, his first New Warriors uniform had been horrible, but you get in enough fights while wearing it, and see if you didn't get a little protective of the stupid thing, either.

[sharp_as_knives]

"You pulled off three different brocades at once," Hannibal pointed out. "But if you think it wise, I'm happy to wear plaid for my flying lessons."

[furnaceface]

//I pulled it off, but you picked them out,// Jono replied, shrugging his shoulders. //And really, you're welcome to wear whatever you like, just so long as you don't mind potentially crash-landing a few times while wearing it.//

Jono was an excellent teacher! Just... he had never taught anybody how to fly before. It was going to be an adventure, and probably a lesson in madness for at least one of them.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Still my superpower, then?" Hannibal smirked. "And I believe I'll wear something comfortable and cushioning, although I won't rule out plaid."

Pfft. Hannibal had no reason to go mad. Unless it was a strategic legal plea.

[furnaceface]

//Still your superpower,// Jono maintained, stubbornly. //But I suppose you can wear other things besides, if that's what you're feeling at any particular moment. I promise I won't go around telling people about your supernatural plaid skills or anything.//

It was pretty self-demonstrative.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Probably for the best," Hannibal said seriously. "The less they know, the easier it is to shock them into making a mistake."

Whatever sort of mistake that would be. Plaid was a very useful superpower.

[furnaceface]

It was definitely difficult to find a power that was its equal, that was for certain.

//A mistake, hm? Matching argyle with houndstooth or some such nonsense?//

The horror.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal shrugged. "I could make that work, with the right cut."

He'd consider it a challenge.

[furnaceface]

//I have no doubt in my mind that you could.//

It was his superpower, after all.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Would you like to see it sometime?" Hannibal asked innocently.

[furnaceface]

//Only so long as I'm not the one who has to wear it,// Jono replied, cannily. //On somebody else? Absolutely.//

Because the worst he'd have to deal with in that case? Possibly some sore eyes.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal laughed. "I will take that under advisement, then."