Hannibal's house (that Jono may be regretting being in tonight), Thursday night

[sharp_as_knives]

After numerous false starts, a (metric) ton(ne) (depending who you were asking) of planning, and only a little bit of veiled threatening of vendors, they had finally gotten to this point, which required manual labor. And Hannibal had no plan of doing it on his own.

So, he set the boxes on his desk, along with a list and two fountain pens, and called, Jono?

Comments

[furnaceface]

//One would think, though if she isn't teaching this summer we might have a more difficult time of it.//

Jono shrugged.

//Not the end of the world, really. It isn't like we haven't had other challenges getting this wedding planned so far.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Considering neither of us had even contemplated it prior to Christmas, I think we're doing quite well," Hannibal answered.

He smiled as he set the next invitation aside to dry for a moment. "Then again, we are exceptional."

[furnaceface]

//And not at all modest,// Jono replied, looking up in amusement from his phone. //Though I'm not about to argue.//

There was nothing in the multiverse quite like the two of them, was there?

[sharp_as_knives]

"I'm pleased to hear it." Not to mention just a bit smug.

He finished another invitation and gave Jono a sly look. "If you call her and finish your part of the invitations soon enough, I've found a lovely recipe for warm strawberries with sambuca and mascarpone."

There was no harm in a little incentive, was there?

[furnaceface]

//... I'm fairly certain that's cheating, Hannibal.//

That was not stopping him from scrolling the island's database a little faster, though. With any luck, her phone would still be working, and he'd score himself some strawberries for his efforts.

It was the little things, really.

[sharp_as_knives]

"It's positive reinforcement," Hannibal answered solemnly. "A psychological technique with a very long history."

It was totally cheating. This was Hannibal. And his part of the invitations was getting visibly done.

[furnaceface]

//I feel a bit like a dog doing tricks for treats,// Jono said, wrinkling his nose good-naturedly. //But I do have to say, you certainly know exactly what treats it takes to get me to do tricks.//

Strawberries. Always cheating. Always.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Positive reinforcement works with any number of species." Hannibal folded an invitation into its envelope. "And I like to think I know you very well by now."

He'd better, since they were getting married.

[furnaceface]

It would be a really awkward marriage if he didn't, true.

//Better than most,// Jono allowed. //Which of the two of us does that work out better for, do you suppose?//

[sharp_as_knives]

Probably Hannibal. "I should think it works for both of us. Unless you don't want the strawberries."

[furnaceface]

Hannibal was certainly much better at using what he knew in order to get his own way, it was true.

//Of course I want the strawberries,// Jono replied, blinking. //I think you'd have to check me for fever if I decided out of nowhere that I didn't.//

Because Jono. Because strawberries.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I believe I can say without checking that you're positively on fire," Hannibal answered wryly.

[furnaceface]

//I will give you such a pinch, Lecter, don't think I won't.//

You could tell how serious Jono was about that by how amused he sounded as he said it. Hannibal was on a very small list of people who could make that joke with impunity. He had better appreciate that.

[sharp_as_knives]

He appreciated it very much.

Not that he wouldn't have said it if he weren't on that list, but it was gratifying to know that he was.

"You could have pinched me years ago," Hannibal answered, a smile playing around his lips. "You're marrying me instead."

[furnaceface]

...

Just for that, Jono made a reach to pinch him.

It was love.