Hannibal - Missed Meeting

[tempting_the_fates]

Halloween had been eventful, to put it mildly, ending with a real bang when he found himself shoved right in front of a moving car. It could have been much worse, but thanks to Eliot's intervention and a few days in the fae lands, Nyx was mostly back on his feet a week later.

It wasn't until he'd returned to London that he realized he'd missed his standing appointment with Hannibal, and so later that day he'd made his way to Nocturne. Lingering at the front desk, he was looking much more like himself than he had in months. He was sober, for a start, his cheeks flushed with colour and body slightly less gaunt. He'd been eating properly and sleeping well- And it showed. He even smelled a bit sweeter, his magic thriving after time back home.

"Only if he's not busy," he told the person at the desk. "Thought I should apologize in person."

Comments

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal valued people who met their appointments. Nyx missing his appointment last Wednesday did not concern him, or cause him to worry for the well-being of the fae. He simply found it rude. He did not enjoy rudeness.

He did appreciate it though, that Nyx did appear at the reception today. He assumed to apologize.

So, he agreed to meet him, in his office.

When Nyx came in, Hannibal instantly registered the change. He smelled differently and the magic of his aura was different as well.

"Nyx. Good to see you," he said simply.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx smiled, taking a seat across from Hannibal and settling into the chair.

"And you," he assured him. "I just wanted to swing by and say I'm sorry I missed you last wednesday. I, ah- Well, I don't know if you saw the photos in the rags, but I had a bit of an accident. Wound up back in the fae lands to recover. Time sort of gets away from you there."

Pushing his hair back with one hand, even that seemed healthier now. A bit thicker, a bit more life in it.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal considered this for a brief moment. Then he nodded. "Apology accepted. Thank you for coming here in person. I appreciate that."

[tempting_the_fates]

"Maybe I was just looking for an excuse to see you after missing our last meeting," Nyx said, an impish little grin on his lips. "How's your week been then? Better than mine, I hope."

[anamusebouche]

"Were you injured badly?" Hannibal asked, ignoring the question for now.

[tempting_the_fates]

"Could have been worse... But it wasn't great," Nyx admitted. "Broken rib, lots of bruising... Ended up in hospital for the night. That was the worst part, I think. They gave me iron, took my magic right out."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal nodded. "Glad to see you have healed. Would you like a drink?" He asked.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx nearly said yes out of habit, then paused.

"Ah- I don't suppose you've got tea or something? I'm actually trying to cut back on my drinking," the fae admitted.

He wasn't ready to let go of his vices fully, but he knew something had to change.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal arched an eyebrow. "Any other vices you're looking to cut?" He asked, wondering now if he'd come to terminate their agreement.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx could read between the lines, and shook his head.

"No, I'm going to just slow down a bit with some things," he assured Hannibal. "Halloween showed me the worst part of myself, I need to learn some control, I think."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal nodded to that. "I'll be sorry if we stopped our agreement, but because I find it very pleasurable. Not to the detriment of your health. If you wish to stop, or change the terms, we can talk," he said, graciously.

Then he rang for tea to be brought up to them.

[tempting_the_fates]

"I don't want to stop, Hannibal. Our arrangement is... Natural. A healthy alternative even," Nyx assured him with a little purr, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward slightly. "I like seeing you, it feels like stepping outside my life for a little while. A treat. ...Unless something has changed for you, that is. I'd like to think we're friendly enough now you'd share if something was wrong."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal wasn't known yo share much, but he had no need for Nyx beyond pleasure. It made talking easier, in a way. No need to keep a front. "My lover has been somewhat upset as of late. Nothing of note, but... it makes for dull nights. He seems to favour moping, in my presence."

[tempting_the_fates]

"What do you think has him upset?" Nyx asked curiously, no stranger to domestic unrest. "I know you said he isn't a fan of mine, but surely it's deeper than that."

[anamusebouche]

"He's young and foolish," Hannibal replied. "He questions his life's decisions. I am involved in many of those decisions and I fear he resents me for it."

[tempting_the_fates]

"Should he?" Nyx asked, not judging, just nosey. "I resented Will for a while, the way he'd kick me down when he thought I was getting ahead of him. It's funny, the moment he let go, I went right back to him. He seemed so genuine when he told me he'd missed me, that he was proud of me... Now I hardly want to be apart. I should have been furious when he dragged me off to the fae lands to heal, and yet... I lingered. I was thankful even."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal smiled. "I would ask you to talk to him; your stories are not dissimilar. But he would know who you are. I wouldn't want to jeopardise your anonymity."

[tempting_the_fates]

"I don't think it would do much good to involve me anyway," Nyx replied with a laugh. "I've learned the hard way that it's best not to let your partner meet your playmate- Unless you get off on jealousy, or you're planning an orgy."

[anamusebouche]

"Neither, I'm afraid," Hannibal admitted with a pleasant smile. "I would have you together, but that is not in the cards. Best keep you to myself."

A girl came in with a tray and two cups and a pot of tea. She poured ond for Nyx, then for Hannibal. "Thank you, dear."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx nodded his thanks as well, then returned his attention to Hannibal as he picked up his tea. "I'm not always fun in a three-way anyway. I prefer to be the center of attention."

Nyx was never shy about how much attention he craved, or his selfish nature. It seemed pointless to pretend otherwise.

[anamusebouche]

"Is that the reason for having two lovers and a...." He thought of a word to name himself. "side-dish," he settled on with a little knowing grin.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx laughed brightly at that, magic flooding the room for just a moment with warmth and joy. Like he couldn't help it, like it was simply pouring from him in his current state.

"Sure, I mean, it's part of it. Nymphs are built to love though, be it romantic, sexual, or just platonic. We thrive on the chance to give pleasure, to seek it. One soul would never be enough."

[anamusebouche]

"I would be the last to object to such approach," Hannibal replied pleasantly. The air filled with joy and warmth and it caused Hannibal to feel quite affectionate towards Nyx. He knew it was magic, though, and that it would dissipate as soon as the fae left. Right now, though, he could simply enjoy the giddy feeling it caused him.

"But your lovers do not know of me," he observed.

[tempting_the_fates]

"They know there are others... They don't ask for details though, and I don't offer them. I won't lie to you, Hannibal, I don't think either of them would approve of me spending time with a vampire," Nyx said honestly. "I might be powerful in my own right, but a vampire is still a predator to a fae."

[anamusebouche]

"Other vampires don't know what they're missing out on," Hannibal teased. "You're too delicious to kill, my dear."

"Speaking of, you are certainly brightening my mood today. Your magic is sweeter today. Less lust, more love and joy."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx purred a little at that,sipping his tea and shrugging one shoulder. "I think being home for a while did me good," he said. Though the truth was, it likely had more to do with being sober for a change. Nyx had forgotten how full of love and life he could be when he wasn't letting his misery win.

[anamusebouche]

"Does that mean you came here to apologise only? Or will you finish your tea and come sit on my lap?"

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx had, actually, just come to apologize. He never just assumed Hannibal had time to see him, and in all honesty, he had so much to catch up on.

...But the offer was right there. Hannibal was right there.

"I could stay for a while," he purred.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal wasn't having as much as usual, since Alcuin was being rather cold. So, he would make time. "Well, if you can, I would certainly enjoy that."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx finished his tea, getting up and pulling his shirt off over his head before perching himself on Hannibal's lap. One arm slipped around the other man, his other hand smoothing down his chest.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal cupped his chin and pulled him in for a kiss, holding him lightly and in place on his lap.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx leaned in to meet him, settling against him as he made a soft sound of approval against Hannibal's lips. His own parted easily, inviting the vampire closer.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal deepened the kiss gladly. "Did you miss me? Or my bite?"

[tempting_the_fates]

"I did. I had a dream about you, actually," Nyx admitted. "It was late and dark, and I'd gone to bed a bit feverish... I imagined you were somehow there in the fae lands, that you'd slipped into the little cottage I was staying in, and then right into my bed..."

The fae was purring as he playfully nipped gently at Hannibal's bottom lip.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal chuckled. The magic was still flowing and he was quite willing to be swept up in that giddiness.

"Oh, that would have been something, I'm sure. Were you naked when I came to you? Perhaps we can enact the scene."

[tempting_the_fates]

"I always sleep in the nude," Nyx assured him, even though that wasn't always true. "You do have a nice bed... Soft. Comfortable. I wouldn't mind getting tucked in," he joked, kissing his way along Hannibal's jaw.

[anamusebouche]

"Then, come, my dear," Hannibal said. "Let's go to my room and I'll tuck you in and bite you until you're dizzy."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx purred a little louder at that, eventually getting to his feet and stretching lazily.

A tiny voice in his head told him this was a bad idea. He'd spent a whole week clean, and while a vampire bite wasn't the same as a line- It wasn't good either.

He ignored that though, the temptation of pleasure and that lovely, dizzying high too much to turn down as he gladly led the way to Hannibal's bedroom. Inside, he started to strip down the rest of the way. "Did you miss me?" he asked. "Were you cross when I didn't come?"

[anamusebouche]

He joined Nyx in his bedroom and locked the door. "Terribly," he said. "I value promises kept. But you're making up for it quite well. Lay of the bed."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx was happy to oblige, settling on the bed and stretching out lazily.

"Like this?" he asked with a purr.