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

[sharp_as_knives]

There were downsides to fewer people, but for a vacation, it was good. Hannibal hung his last jacket and brushed it down.

"And you?" he asked. "How are you processing the memory loss?" There hadn't been much time before he'd headed off for Westchester, and he didn't appear to have had much down time in the weeks on his way back.

[furnaceface]

//I'm... doing better,// Jono settled on. That seemed like the best way of putting it. //There's been so much since, it's sort of just been added to the heap of things to process. But... Christ, I could do without weekends like that. It probably wouldn't have bothered me much before, but...//

This wasn't before. 'Before' was a long, long time ago.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Does it help to see the kind of person you are, even without your memories?" Hannibal asked. He came back to put a hand on Jono's shoulder.

[furnaceface]

//Maybe,// Jono replied, after a moment's hesitation. He looked back at Hannibal, and then shrugged the shoulder that didn't currently have a hand on it. //In hindsight, I suppose, it does help a bit. I still don't care for having those memories taken away, whatever the reason.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Of course not," Hannibal said. "And not only because we missed another wedding." He shook his head. "But apart from the unpleasant connotations, I firmly believe you have nothing to worry about."

[furnaceface]

//I am who I am, if a bit less sneaky about how bratty I actually am,// Jono offered. //And apparently I've memorized enough sign to more or less manage a weekend without being aware of my telepathy. That's good to know.//

Also good that Hannibal knew it, too.

//When we get home, we're going to have to write extra notes on the backs of those photos, I suppose. Maybe tuck little cheat cards into the frames.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"I have a cheat card," Hannibal said, "It's in my wallet. Which I am never again leaving somewhere else, even if I will be back there in the morning."

[furnaceface]

//Now there's an idea. I should probably put one of those in my nightstand somewhere. And in other various places around the house. Can't have too many.//

Maybe a big one explaining that he was supposed to be on fire. Unless he wasn't on fire, that was also okay.

[sharp_as_knives]

"True," Hannibal said. "I'll leave one in mine as well." He smirked. "At least one of them should explain the handcuffs, just in case."

[furnaceface]

Jono looked distinctly amused at that one.

//What, you figure handcuffs in a nightstand require explanation? I thought that one was rather obvious.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"We had no problem figuring it out that weekend," Hannibal said, equally amused. "But wait until we both believe we're police, or something similar."

[furnaceface]

//I want to think we're both intelligent enough to figure it out,// Jono noted. //But I've been living on the island long enough to be well aware that one morning we might wake up with no memory and also stupid.//

Because, sigh, Fandom.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal grimaced. "Regrettably entirely possible." Best not to assume anything, really. "I should probably write mine in Lithuanian as well as English. Or in every language I know." He paused. "And possibly pictographs."

[furnaceface]

//Video with interpretative dance,// Jono suggested. //Audio recordings with operatic musical numbers detailing our lives and relationship. Sticky notes on everything.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"No sticky notes," Hannibal said firmly. "Except upon the coffee machine." That had been ridiculous.

[furnaceface]

//Are you sure? Watching you do battle with that thing was a highlight of my weekend,// Jono teased. //That, and you burning your omelette.//

It hadn't been so bad that it was garbage or anything, but this was Hannibal.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I'm lucky I didn't break it," Hannibal said. He gave Jono a look. "I could burn food more often, if you enjoy it so much."

He could burn strawberries if Jono really wanted.

[furnaceface]

//You could,// Jono agreed. //I don't have to taste it if you do, of course.//

He'd be so, so sad about burned strawberries.

//Nah, I think that's one of those things that loses its magic after two or three times. You messing up food is practically a special occasion, I think. You're too perfect in the kitchen besides.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Only when I remember what I'm doing," Hannibal said wryly. "Perhaps my note should include 'be very careful with the kitchen equipment'."

[furnaceface]

//'In case of total memory loss, here is a list of restaurants in town that are acceptable. Don't break anything in the kitchen.'//

There was a pause.

//Maybe include a list of what each thing is worth. At least that way I can flail at you if you decide to take a stab at it anyway.//

Jono was pretty sure his cheapness was a bred-in genetic trait.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Or we could decide to destroy them for the sake of that," Hannibal pointed out. "Besides, we should probably keep the notes to necessities."

He rubbed Jono's back. "So, shall we hike, or sit outside, or simply relax right here?"

[furnaceface]

//Here's nice,// Jono decided, eyes half lidded as Hannibal rubbed his back. Cheater. //I could live with staying here for a little while.//

The hand on his back probably had something to do with that.

//Did you pack any of my bandages?//

He didn't want to wrap up, here, but 'nothing to see here' vibes were difficult to broadcast at all times, too.

[sharp_as_knives]

"One roll, in case you wanted to go further into town," Hannibal said. He moved his hands to Jono's shoulders, massaging. "But we can certainly stay in as well."

[furnaceface]

//Town's tempting too, but I'm enjoying the quiet, for now,// Jono replied, eyes closing. Ah, that felt good. Hannibal was more than welcome to just keep doing that for a while. //Town'll still be there later.//

... Hopefully.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Almost certainly, now that we aren't on the island," Hannibal agreed, amused. He tugged, guiding Jono over to the bed.