Hannibal's home (in which Jono is not having a good day), later Thursday

[sharp_as_knives]

Between his cracked ribs, wrenched leg, and bruised...everything...it took a while longer for Hannibal to get home than usual, even with Jono helping.

Well, at least they had dinner already made, thanks to Eliot. And the time spent wrapped so close to Jono did give him time to soak in Hannibal's calm, which would hopefully help. Along with the aches and pains he was feeling, unfortunately; Hannibal had considered attempting to hide them, but he rather thought Jono wouldn't thank him for that.

Luckily, there was a full bath on the lower level, since that seemed to be where Hannibal was grounded to.

He wasn't bothering to hide his amusement at being grounded, either. Even if he suspected it rather defeated the purpose.

"Am I entitled to towels after my soak?"

Comments

[furnaceface]

//Myself and the cats,// Jono amended as he reached for the shampoo. He didn't mind that idea all that much. After all, nobody had ever pointed a gun at him over Joni. //Because, as we know, they aren't grounded.//

Because really, good luck grounding a cat.

[sharp_as_knives]

"You could try," Hannibal said, well aware of how that would work. He shifted forward a little to make reaching his hair easier.

[furnaceface]

//I could, but what would the point be? They haven't done anything to make me angry yet today.//

Yet. They were cats. He could be patient. And in the meantime, he'd start working shampoo into Hannibal's hair.

[sharp_as_knives]

"There's always time." It was Hannibal's turn to lean into Jono's hands, giving him better access and enjoying the feel of it. He reached up to rub at the dirtiest spot by one ear himself.

[furnaceface]

//I suppose there is.// Jono rubbed carefully but thoroughly at Hannibal's scalp, deft fingers twining through his hair. //Joni's usually quicker to capitulate and get back to sucking up when she realizes she's made a mistake, though.//

He raised an eyebrow at Hannibal, though he didn't stop lathering the shampoo.

//An apology wouldn't go amiss, you know. Bonus points for sincerity.//

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal smiled and caught one of Jono's hands to kiss it again. "I am sorry. I rather thought that went without saying." Since he wasn't protesting being grounded.

"I had no intention of endangering anybody but possibly myself, and I am terribly sorry it went beyond that." He rubbed Jono's hand. "I apologize for my miscalculation that led to this, and I apologize for not taking steps to address it beforehand. And I do appreciate your help, then and now, very much."

[furnaceface]

Sometimes it was just good to hear. Especially while he was sitting on the floor hurting and trying to rein in his more murderous side while lamenting one more wedding attempt down the drain.

//Well... okay, then,// Jono said, somewhat mollified. //Thank you.//

And then, because he was a little shit, he re-claimed his hand and left a dollop of suds on Hannibal's nose with one soapy finger.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal sputtered and made a half-hearted swipe at Jono for that before wiping it off. "You wash my hair, I'll wash my face."

[furnaceface]

//Just making sure you didn't miss a spot,// Jono supplied helpfully. //I imagine most of you counts as 'hard to reach places' at the moment, after all.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Anything involving stretching," Hannibal agreed. "But not my face." He set about cleaning it in demonstration.

"Do you have any wounds that need to be taken care of?" Bruises were bruises, but if Jono needed stitches...

[furnaceface]

If Jono needed stitches, he'd figure it out. He was hardly going to bleed to death, after all. That wasn't how he was put together.

//Nothing disastrous, I don't think. I'll give myself a once-over once you're out of the bath,// he replied, lifting one shoulder in a shrug. //Hell, maybe I'll just soak for an hour, myself.//

It wasn't like it would make any difference if he fell asleep and went under, after all.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Perhaps the sauna later," Hannibal suggested. Once he could get up the stairs.

[furnaceface]

//That is what it's there for,// Jono agreed, and then reached to massage his fingers into Hannibal's scalp again. //I suppose it could only help.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Mm." Hannibal leaned into the touch. "You could carry me up there," he suggested teasingly. "Complete the reversal, after undressing me."

[furnaceface]

//We'll see,// Jono sighed. //I'm still deciding how grounded you are. And whether I can manage lifting you right now, for that matter."

It would be a poetic rehearsal, it was true. If Jono was a little less peeved.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal smiled. "I wouldn't expect you to carry me just now. Although perhaps a hand up would be helpful."

[furnaceface]

//Once we're done rinsing you off, I'll give you a hand up,// Jono said with a nod. //I'm not going to just leave you to marinate in the tub forever. Not unless you give me a good reason to.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Not the best of marinades," Hannibal said. "And it's liable to get cold soon."

[furnaceface]

//Well... then let's get that soap out of your hair and finish up before it gets to that point,// Jono replied. //Shouldn't take much longer, I should think.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"No," Hannibal agreed. He couldn't quite rinse himself very well without straining, but he could get the strands around his face at least."