week two - thursday night

[sating]

[ This has turned into a more interesting evening than Hannibal expected, but in a way, he's finding he can't complain. As the interesting trio heads to his room, he does give a glance to Xion and Will in turn, seeing how they're finding the situation from their expressions. Regardless, it's not like it would change his own opinion too much. This is actually fairly amusing.

He lets them step inside first, and he dutifuly locks the door after, considering the fact that they're the ones in the possession of the camera. He speaks to Xion first with a light nod. ]

Make yourself as much at home as you can, Xion. You're welcome to the bed for the night.

[ Because that's the polite thing to do, naturally. But then when he speaks to Will, he's slightly less polite because. It's Will. ]

Not that I'm objecting to your company, but was it really necessary for you to join us, Will?

Comments

[ceded]

[ For a long moment she's quiet. She takes a moment as she thinks to shift through some of the camera feeds again, though doesn't get through the whole cycle before she stills, letting her hands fall into her lap.

It might even seem for a long moment that she's not going to reply, or like she's left the subject alone. The truth is, she's just.... thinking. And she lifts her eyes first to Hannibal, and then to Will, and wonders.

What is it like, to feel that way about another person? To understand ... what it means to care for another person that way? Does it ... feel differently, than she feels? About everything? Are their emotions different from hers? Will she ever be capable of feeling the way they do?

Hannibal uses the word "love," and it sounds so ... familiar. She's used it, too. She knows ... that that word is how she feels about her best friends. But the way he uses it, and the way he looked at Will when he said it... she knows she's never looked at anyone that way. She's never felt anything in her life ... that would make her want to look at someone that way. It's the same word, but to him, it must mean something different.

Will uses the words "in love," and that makes less sense. What is the difference between "love" and "in love"? Are they two different things? Are they the same? She doesn't think she's "in love" with her best friends, even though she "loves." them. Argh, this is so confusing!

Xion twists her hands together lightly, looking down at the floor, away from both of them. ]

... no. I've never looked at anyone the way Dr. Lecter looks at you. [ She glances up again, shy and unsure, and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. ] I've had best friends, and I love them, but ... I can tell it's not the same. I still don't really understand it, but ... I think that's just because I've never felt it.

[ She falls quiet for a much briefer moment, thinking. ]

Sorry. I ... guess it's weird for someone my age not to know this stuff, huh? [ There's something there, lurking beneath her smile. Something beyond the awkward smile and the self-deprecation. It isn't bitterness, but it's a close cousin. ]

[sating]

No, I don't believe so. I think it's quite reasonable that someone your age would still be learning.

[ Of course, Hannibal knows that she's only a year old and Will doesn't, so he's not escaping the riddles yet. Though, really, when does Will ever escape them... ]

There are different kinds of love, but that's not something succinctly explained. It's been a topic of debate since the idea of debates have existed at all. So, yes, your love for your friends is different. But it is rooted in the same idea. You find joy and comfort in their company.

[ He inclines his head to her lightly, since he's speaking to what she is, at least partially. He doesn't know if her friends know, but he assumes so. ]

You find understanding.

[ Hannibal had been considering it, but as he looks to Will again trying to drown this conversation in whiskey, his smile quirks again. He doesn't tell him to stop, because that's a losing battle, but his expression does suggest that maybe he slow it down. He probably won't. ]

But, in short, that's why Will is here. He knows me well, and he wouldn't rest easy if he weren't here.

[sweats]

[ There's something terribly embarrassing about explaining this to a teenager. Even with Walter, Will wasn't very good at the heavy discussions. He remembers the weight of his gaze as Molly rested in the hospital bed, accusing him of what he read in Tattle Crime. This is different. This isn't your stepson accusing you of being a monster, this is a young girl who is just curious about something simple -- about love.

Though, he knows Hannibal would likely think the two conversations too similar for Will's own liking. ]

I wouldn't. Hannibal means a lot to me and while I know your intentions are good with having the camera together, it would leave me alone and, well, in a state of panic.

[ His hand tenses around his glass and he resists the urge to just switch to the bottle and chug. ]

The way we love each other is more of a bodily ache. [ He hesitates then, not having yet lumped himself in with love for Hannibal but here he is. ] Being separated for too long or not knowing what the other is doing, it hurts. And being with each other, it's the best feeling in the world.

[ Now, he gives in, taking a long drink from his glass. ]

Not like friendship at all.

[ceded]

[ Xion just kind of ends up looking blown away by all of this. She knew there were depths to emotion that she didn't, maybe couldn't, understand, but this is so far past any of her imaginings or idle questions she never dared to ask aloud before. It sounds so ... intense.

A bodily ... ache? It hurts? Why would you want a form of love that hurts? It's mystifying, but some piece of her feels like she could understand. Memories locked away deep inside her resonate with these descriptions in a way that makes her chest tighten, and she can't understand it.

Sora, you lazy bum. I knew that I'd find you snoozing down here.

Sora, let’s take the raft and go—just the two of us!

I believe in you.

This time, I’ll protect you.

Xion gives her head a shake, feeling strangely far away. ]

Sorry, [ she finally says, looking very sheepish. ] I didn't mean to pry. It just sounds ... amazing, if a little scary. You two are lucky.

[ Even if Will was ... you know, like that (an asshole), earlier, if Dr. Lecter can care about him this much, he ... must be okay, right? ]

[sating]

[ As Will explains, Hannibal watches him. It's unsurprising, considering this isn't actually something they've spoken about so bluntly. Their declarations of feelings came in much more abstract ways. And very often in blood. To hear it stated so plainly in words instead of the actions they've preferred—

The smile he gives Will is quite genuine in its warmth, though it's soft.

His attention turns back to Xion quickly as she speaks, and he nods along as she parses through it. ]

It's no bother at all. I would say you're right, after all. It is awe-inspiring. [ that's not what she said hannibal calm your ass down ] And also terrifying. But it's the combination that makes it something so coveted.

[sweats]

[ And that seems to be Will's limit, if the way he's scrubbing his face is any indication. ]

Yes, awe-inspiring. Coveted. Etcera. Can we stop talking about this now? It's --

[ Well, too much for him considering he's feeling both Hannibal's ridiculous adoration and Xion's confusion. It's a whiplash feeling and he's starting to feel sick. ]

A lot. You understand why I have to be here now, right? I couldn't let -- I always have to be with Hannibal.

[ceded]

[ Ah. Xion blinks, and then huffs a quiet laugh behind one of her hands. "Awe-inspiring," huh... she never said that!

But Will seems to be getting kind of ... annoyed? upset? it's hard for her to tell, but she decides to let it go, just smiling a little. ]

Okay.

[ She seems content to leave it at that.

... hopefully they can find something less taxing to talk about. After all, they're going to be here together all night with no sleep. ]