(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

[from here}

Sinric comes down from his room, still dressed his furs and heavily embroiled tunic but looking fresh and scrubbed.

He smiles brightly to see Hannibal.

Comments

[cook_the_rude]

"You can," Hannibal says. "It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Cherish the feelings, both of them, and keep them in a golden treasure chest for the rest of your life."

[thewidewideworld]

"It that how you see him? As someone to be cherished but briefly."

[cook_the_rude]

"As a free spirit that will touch one for a while, but will ultimately always go his own way," Hannibal says. "To help along the way when he happens to be where I am, and to say farewell to with a kiss after that."

[thewidewideworld]

"You're a better man than I." Niketas says, in admiration more than self-depreciation. "And deserve him better than I. I can only hope I... I can be as clear-headed when it's time for us to part company again."

[cook_the_rude]

"It's the price for the privilege of having him in one's life," Hannibal says, "and it's worth it."

[thewidewideworld]

"It has already be worth it. To hear his voice again, to be reminded of better time. To know he made it." Niketas touches his eyelid, already far less red than it was. "And for this, and your kindness."

Sinric comes back into the hall but is waylaid by a group singing Christmas hymns, the sort that will one day become carols.

[cook_the_rude]

"I'm sincerely glad that it helped," Hannibal says. "At least this way, my visit to this amazing place and time wasn't entirely self-indulgent."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric's voice soars as he joins in with the singing, genuine and joyful. He dances over to them, never missing a note and holds out a hand, beckoning them to join him.

[cook_the_rude]

"He wants us to join him for the dancing," Hannibal says, putting an encouraging hand on Niketas' elbow.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric comes over to Niketas' other side, helping him to his feet.

He takes them both into the open space that has become something of a dance-floor. The song is bouncy and joyous and Sinric's voice carried lightness with it. Not magic, not exactly, but infectious happiness.

[cook_the_rude]

Between them, Niketas is safe to move with the others and dance with the monks.

Hannibal smiles at Sinric and reaches over to squeeze his hand.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric leans them in merry circles, laughing into the melody.

After a while, he gently steps back, his eyes warm as he watches them. He catches Hannibal's eye, beckoning him over with a nod.

[cook_the_rude]

Hannibal steps towards him, reaching for his hand.

"Tell me the abbot is lying forgotten in a corner, dead from apoplexy?"

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric laughs and buries his face in Hannibal's shoulder, hiding his eyes as they turn gold. "He's in the chapel we just defiled, desperately praying to cast the demons of decadence out."

[cook_the_rude]

Hannibal laughs as well.

"To the great amusement of the entity we woke," he declares.

[thewidewideworld]

"We may have cursed that man to years of lurid dreams." He runs a hand up Hannibal's chest, letting out a breathless sigh. "I can still feel it in me."

[cook_the_rude]

"I am still deeply awed," Hannibal says. "And feel that we're not quite done with being nefarious."

[thewidewideworld]

"I am still slightly frightened." Sinric admits with a playful smile. "Which begs the question, what kind of nefarious are you leaning towards? Because the amount of power I feel under my skin, I could turn this room into Bacchanalia with a handful of notes."

[cook_the_rude]

"I am thinking slightly more specific..." Hannibal says, smiling into Sinric's eyes.

[thewidewideworld]

"Tell me?" He asks breathlessly, taking Hannibal's hand. "I want to hear you say it."

[cook_the_rude]

"Niketas, you, me, and his young monk," Hannibal says. "In the morning, they wake up together and never quite fathom what of it was real and what was feverish dreams of wish-fulfilment. If we were there at all."

Plans like this, he can make with Sinric as with nobody else.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric grins and stands up on his toes to whisper into Hannibal's ear. "You are wicked and I adore you." He nips Hannibal's earlobe lightly as he lowers himself down.

"But that I shan't do." His voice turns subtly more serious as he turns to watch the dancing, leaning back against Hannibal, drawing Hannibal's arms around him. "Not for lack of desire or mischief. But out of greed."

"When Niketas breaks his vows and gives over to desire I want it to be with me, and of his own free will. I want to feel him break the yoke Leo forced on him, just to touch me. Hear his first cries of unfettered joy in years. Forgive me, my horned god. But that victory I want for myself."

[cook_the_rude]

"I understand," Hannibal says, remembering the jealousy he felt at Will kissing Alana, sleeping with Margot -- all part of the plan, but something of a sacrifice both times. "Yes -- for that moment, he should be yours alone."

[thewidewideworld]

There is a tingle in the air as Sinric weaves a net around them both, protecting them from notice as he turns to kiss Hannibal deeply. There is gratitude in that kiss, the deep gratitude of one whose nature is recognised by another. The feeling Hannibal craves from Will.

Sinric flashes warm gold eyes. "The others however, I'd rather enjoy seeding with lurid dreams. Like a siren singing delight to the unwary sailor."

[cook_the_rude]

"Make the young monk think, and dream, long and ponder..." Hannibal says, returning the kiss.