[For the second time in so many minutes, Alfred is speechless. There's no hiding the slight widening of his eyes in surprise or the way he colors. He's utterly floored by the fact that he would ever get a term of endearment from anyone, let alone Hannibal.
He tries not to be too flattered or overwhelmed by it. Hannibal isn't making a huge deal out of it, he shouldn't either. In fact, it almost seems like he's trying not to bring attention to it at all. It's only proper that he act normal, ignore it. Time and place. Now is not the time...
He sits quietly back at Hiling's side and takes her hand gently. Pretends nothing was ever said. No need to hang bows off that particular elephant dancing about the room.]
Oh Hiling. I know it don't feel like it now, but I'm sure there's someone out there that'll care for you as much as you care for them. You're still young. You're a sweet young lady. A bit confused at times, but when ain't we all. I can't promise you'll find that today. Can't promise it tomorrow either. [it evidently took Alfred 50 years to get it] but I'm sure it out there. You just got to be patient and think about what you want in a person. And until you find them or they find you, The doctor and I will be here to help you out. Teach you proper so you've got an even better chance at finding them.
[ Hannibal's words hit her hard. She clings to Alfred for comfort but finds nothing. Shaking her head, her whole body tenses. The urge to lash out is hard to fight but she's trying. She didn't know where it came from but it's the sickness taking hold. Finally she grabs Alfred, her eyes wide and lashes full of frost. ]
[She looks in that moment like she's been caught by Victor Fries ... No. That man goes by Mr Freeze now days. He's speaking before he knows it. Likely sealing his own fate. If he says it, he'll never be able to let her go once the three months is over. But he can't. He can't let her freeze.
He hopes Hannibal isn't too disappointed in him for how he traps himself into things do easily.]
I didn't say that. Because you know, there's more than one kind of love. I can't love you the way I love.... [No. He can't say it. Hannibal's right there and he's already ruining everything. He can't say it and ruin that too] but you know how I talk about Bruce. About Regulus. You know I love them more than anything in the world. Same way I love Timothy. They're family. My sons...my grandson. You're my girl, Hiling. You're my sweet lass, so you're family too. Like Regulus. Like Bruce. Just because it's not romantic or sexual doesn't mean I don't love you. And I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry I ever made you feel you weren't here. I've only ever had sons before. Don't really know how to handle a daughter.
My dear Hiling ... I cannot possibly love you. I have known you for all of an hour. [Hannibal gently cards his fingers through her hair, for Alfred is folded around her like a blanket.] Yet I can honestly say that in that hour -- I am growing ever fond of you. I want to, as much as Alfred, protect and hold you close to my heart.
[One corner of his mouth twists wryly.] ... I simply have fewer ... emotional hang-ups, for I have helped raise a daughter. If you truly want me to satisfy some sexual need, I will be glad to oblige. Alfred is right, there are different kinds of love, and my love for you is different than the love I have for my Submissives. [Possessive.] .. or for Alfred. [The Most Possessive.]
[ She feels different. Suddenly she doesn't feel so compelled to violence. Just to hear them say that is enough. Her breathing slows as she starts to relax into his arms. This whole thing took a lot out of her. She could take a lot but this was completely unknown to her systems and most of her body is all too human. Now that she knows that she won't be abandoned she feels like she can rest. If she keeps holding onto them then she'll be warm again. ]
[He keeps the girl cradled close. For a man who had been planning on walking out to leave Hiling and Hannibal to their devices, he's now very firmly entrenched. Alfred is likely to stay here. He'll not sleep. He'll merely sit there, holding her. Watching over her.
He only briefly glances up to Hannibal. He's honored. And grateful. And thankful. And honestly a bit amazed. There's so many things he wants to say, to admit to. But he's got a sick girl and that takes priority. Hopefully Hannibal won't think he's been spurned. Grand confessions come after his girl is all better.]
That's right. Family. You're my family now. I'll look after you. I swear. Just rest, all right. Rest and get better. I'll be right here when you wake up.
[Hannibal leans over to take off his shoes, and curls in close to their other side. Allowing Hiling to sandwich between them for safety and support. She is starting to get color back in her cheeks, so that is good.
He catches Alfred's eye, and then lets one shoulder lift in a sheepish, elegant shrug. It was not how he wanted to admit his feelings, but here they were.]
[There they are. A young lady he's now going to consider his daughter and the man who had promised to help raise her. A family. His family. His family that had nothing to do with the Waynes. It's something all his own.
He shifts Hiling so she can get more comfortable. When he does, he pulls a hand away to kiss his own fingertips to reach across and press lightly to Hannibal's lips. His answer. He feels the same way. He mouths the word "Later" before he's nuzzling Hiling again.
They can discuss feelings and all that later. Right now, Alfred has to focus on his girl.]
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momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2020-04-08 05:40 am (UTC)He tries not to be too flattered or overwhelmed by it. Hannibal isn't making a huge deal out of it, he shouldn't either. In fact, it almost seems like he's trying not to bring attention to it at all. It's only proper that he act normal, ignore it. Time and place. Now is not the time...
He sits quietly back at Hiling's side and takes her hand gently. Pretends nothing was ever said. No need to hang bows off that particular elephant dancing about the room.]
Oh Hiling. I know it don't feel like it now, but I'm sure there's someone out there that'll care for you as much as you care for them. You're still young. You're a sweet young lady. A bit confused at times, but when ain't we all. I can't promise you'll find that today. Can't promise it tomorrow either. [it evidently took Alfred 50 years to get it] but I'm sure it out there. You just got to be patient and think about what you want in a person. And until you find them or they find you, The doctor and I will be here to help you out. Teach you proper so you've got an even better chance at finding them.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-08 02:44 pm (UTC)What you're s-saying is that nobody loves me!
no subject
Date: 2020-04-08 03:33 pm (UTC)He hopes Hannibal isn't too disappointed in him for how he traps himself into things do easily.]
I didn't say that. Because you know, there's more than one kind of love. I can't love you the way I love.... [No. He can't say it. Hannibal's right there and he's already ruining everything. He can't say it and ruin that too] but you know how I talk about Bruce. About Regulus. You know I love them more than anything in the world. Same way I love Timothy. They're family. My sons...my grandson. You're my girl, Hiling. You're my sweet lass, so you're family too. Like Regulus. Like Bruce. Just because it's not romantic or sexual doesn't mean I don't love you. And I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry I ever made you feel you weren't here. I've only ever had sons before. Don't really know how to handle a daughter.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-08 11:34 pm (UTC)[One corner of his mouth twists wryly.] ... I simply have fewer ... emotional hang-ups, for I have helped raise a daughter. If you truly want me to satisfy some sexual need, I will be glad to oblige. Alfred is right, there are different kinds of love, and my love for you is different than the love I have for my Submissives. [Possessive.] .. or for Alfred. [The Most Possessive.]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-09 12:47 am (UTC)Family then. I like that.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-09 06:21 am (UTC)He only briefly glances up to Hannibal. He's honored. And grateful. And thankful. And honestly a bit amazed. There's so many things he wants to say, to admit to. But he's got a sick girl and that takes priority. Hopefully Hannibal won't think he's been spurned. Grand confessions come after his girl is all better.]
That's right. Family. You're my family now. I'll look after you. I swear. Just rest, all right. Rest and get better. I'll be right here when you wake up.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-10 04:31 am (UTC)He catches Alfred's eye, and then lets one shoulder lift in a sheepish, elegant shrug. It was not how he wanted to admit his feelings, but here they were.]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-11 12:33 am (UTC)He shifts Hiling so she can get more comfortable. When he does, he pulls a hand away to kiss his own fingertips to reach across and press lightly to Hannibal's lips. His answer. He feels the same way. He mouths the word "Later" before he's nuzzling Hiling again.
They can discuss feelings and all that later. Right now, Alfred has to focus on his girl.]