Hannibal's face, exposed only to the dark but close enough to Neph that he can phantom-feel the expectation of hair grazing against his forehead, is like an open wound. There's nothing blocking it, even if he isn't the most expression person. His mouth is parted slightly, not that he's aware until he reflexively swallows and his jaw closes with an audible click.
Breath smooths across his wrist and lower palm. Hannibal just blinks at the space barely separating them, a blacker smear on black.
Should he say that he'd happily find out that Neph would hurt other people, hurt him even, to keep him around? That being needed in a selfish way is letting bones slot together smoother in his chest, letting him breathe easier than ever before?
Even he's aware he can't quite say that. Even he's aware that he might, someday, be glad she's willing to give him space if he wants it.
But not right now. Right now, his palm flattens against her cheek, his fingers by the soft spot right at her temple, his thumb nearly touching the side of her nose.
"I do want to be here." That's safer to say. That's equally true. Hannibal considers the darkness between them, the way he wants it to disappear like smoke and leave them somehow closer. He moves his free arm to the side, works an elbow into the mattress so he can lean up. His forehead taps the end of Neph's nose, eyes sliding closed to complete the blackness around them.
"I feel just as selfish as you do, Neph. What you want from me doesn't frighten me."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2017-04-08 11:46 pm (UTC)Breath smooths across his wrist and lower palm. Hannibal just blinks at the space barely separating them, a blacker smear on black.
Should he say that he'd happily find out that Neph would hurt other people, hurt him even, to keep him around? That being needed in a selfish way is letting bones slot together smoother in his chest, letting him breathe easier than ever before?
Even he's aware he can't quite say that. Even he's aware that he might, someday, be glad she's willing to give him space if he wants it.
But not right now. Right now, his palm flattens against her cheek, his fingers by the soft spot right at her temple, his thumb nearly touching the side of her nose.
"I do want to be here." That's safer to say. That's equally true. Hannibal considers the darkness between them, the way he wants it to disappear like smoke and leave them somehow closer. He moves his free arm to the side, works an elbow into the mattress so he can lean up. His forehead taps the end of Neph's nose, eyes sliding closed to complete the blackness around them.
"I feel just as selfish as you do, Neph. What you want from me doesn't frighten me."