Hannibal's house (which Jono won't be in for long), Friday evening

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal marched into the music room to where Jono was playing guitar and held out a bouquet of strawberries. "Happy birthday." With his other hand, he held out Jono's voucher from Portalocity. "I've booked us a portal to Sweden; the standard hotel next to the icehotel is open in summer now."

And it didn't smell overpoweringly of cheese.

Comments

[furnaceface]

Jono blinked up at... both the voucher and the strawberries, really, and then continued turning his gaze upwards still.

//That is possibly the most beautiful bouquet I've ever laid eyes upon. We should consider those for attempt number three.//

He wasn't even entirely joking. He did set his guitar down, flicking off the amp and holding out his hands to take both gifts.

//I'm not going to suggest we just elope while we're there, but there would be some sort of symmetry to it, you know.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"There would be," Hannibal agreed. "But I'm still holding out hope for a true wedding. And some of our friends would still appreciate it." He smiled. "I'm not averse to a bouquet of these, though. We could coat them in dark chocolate with gold swirls, to match the rest."

[furnaceface]

//... Oooh. Yes. Demanding this. When we make it to our third try, we deserve chocolate strawberry bouquets, blast it. It's decided. Putting my foot down. Now c'mere.//

Jono couldn't kiss Hannibal without resorting to powers, no, but he was leaning in for a good nuzzle.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal smiled and leaned in to kiss Jono's cheek, taking a deep breath while he was at it. Jono's scent might not be what most people would consider the most fragrant, but it held pleasant associations for Hannibal, and was strong enough up close to overpower the cheese.

Both those things were important right now.

[furnaceface]

And Jono... was going to raise an eyebrow as he leaned back again, looking faintly amused.

//Did you just smell me?//

He was beginning to suspect ulterior motives to getting off the island, here.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal smirked. "Possibly. I've packed most of your things; you have fifteen minutes to check it and add anything else you'd like."

[furnaceface]

//You know I'll try to cram in two cats and a frog if you give me that much time,// Jono teased, though he was already making his way out of the room to go and check his luggage. //You've arranged for somebody to take care of them?//

He didn't even mind that this vacation was because of cheese. That was love.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Sparkle," Hannibal confirmed. "I've left him instructions for the frog. We can stay all week, barring classes." At least until the island moved again.

Hannibal was so lucky Jono put up with his little quirks.

[furnaceface]

//Well, I probably ought to also open shop tomorrow,// Jono mused, //since I haven't done that in bloody near a month.//

A beat.

//Less time here, granted. And it's my birthday. Maybe the shop isn't so important.//

He was allowed to shirk on his birthday, right? He owned the place, he could do what he wanted.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Weren't you just there, helping Dante?" Hannibal asked. That was enough working for one week.

[furnaceface]

//I was there shamelessly enabling Dante into picking a guitar under the guise of working,// Jono replied, shrugging his shoulders. //Which is almost the same thing if you don't look too closely, I suppose.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"I promise not to," Hannibal assured him. He stood by the door, his own luggage packed and ready, and waited for Jono to see if he'd missed anything he might want for the trip. "I would much rather spend a week in a calm, distant, and beautiful land, exploring with you." Without the smell of cheese.

[furnaceface]

You were getting such a look, Hannibal. An amused one, but Jono was still giving it. Because honestly, now.

//Well, you didn't pack my toothbrush, but I think I can get by without.//

Now he was just being a brat. Possibly he was encouraged by the sniffing.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I couldn't find it; you may need a new one," Hannibal answered. "And you can borrow my mouthwash."

He met that look with one of his own. "They have hiking expeditions, riding, and other things. And we'll have plenty of sunlight."

[furnaceface]

//I'm all for hiking,// Jono decided, //but you'll have to offer me one hell of a bribe to get me on the back of any horse I can't carry on a conversation with. And... I'll reserve judgement on the sunlight until I see it I suppose.//

He and the sun didn't get along. As evidenced by that sunburn he was still healing (and peeling) from.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I've already packed the sunscreen," Hannibal said. "They also have a sauna, bikes, and rafting. Or we can stay in the room or out on the grass. I've also packed books."

[furnaceface]

//Lord, we're all set, aren't we?// Jono's voice was edging into 'impressed,' now. He dusted off his hands, and then closed his bag again. //Well, then I'm ready to go whenever you are. Let's go do outdoor activities. I like those.//

Which wasn't to say that he wouldn't be just as happy staying inside and playing guitar, mind.

[sharp_as_knives]

A guitar was something Hannibal hadn't packed.

He picked up his own bag and waved Jono toward the door. "Shall we?"

[furnaceface]

It was okay. They probably had guitars in Sweden.

//Lead on,// Jono replied, lifting his own bag and nodding. //I'll be right behind you. I don't trust those portals to behave themselves if I step through one first.//

For reasons.

[sharp_as_knives]

"If it takes us anywhere but our intended location, I'm coming back for the employee that booked it," Hannibal promised calmly. Jono had had quite enough of that this month.

[furnaceface]

//At this point, I think you'd have to race me to him,// Jono decided. //I'm all out of patience for that sort of thing, myself.//

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal nodded. "I don't blame you. But this one should take us directly to the hotel."

[furnaceface]

//Ah, direct portals. My favourite kind.//

He actually was impressed. Once again, all it took was for Hannibal to make a phone call or two, and everything fell into place. He knew he couldn't pull that one off.

[sharp_as_knives]

In this case, it had been helped by a very over-reasonable voice and a litany of what Jono had been through and what Hannibal expected not to go through.

"It was the least they could do."

[furnaceface]

//Maybe I will take your last name,// Jono mused, a little smile in his voice. //I don't think they've figured out yet that you have a bit of a vested interest in my safe travels, and for whatever reason, they seem to have a healthy respect of you.//

He was not going to ask Hannibal if he'd eaten any gnomes. He was not. No matter how tempting it was.