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“He had to spend some time in gen pop at Riker’s, so he did get a jumpsuit for a bit. He also has an exhibit in that serial killer museum in LA. I haven’t seen it, but I do remember my mother yelling at them for calling her, looking for any of his stuff. She told them she burned it all and if they wanted to send over whatever macabre scraps they had gotten their hands on already, she’d happily send those up her chimney, too,” Malcolm recalls.

Will stares at Malcolm for a little too long after he speaks, looking mildly amused. "I don't blame you. I wouldn't have wanted to hold onto those sessions, either. Burning them was more satisfying, in the end."

That had been a good night, even if what followed wasn't. But he doesn't want to think about Bella or Abigail right now. He smooths a hand up over Hannibal's shirt, resting it on his shoulder and just enjoying the body heat. "I'd like to go back sometime, you know. Finish things up," he says, expression moving from amused to mildly entreating.

"...Back? Back where?"

Ooooh he's losing it, my boy. Don't pretend you think he's still talking to you.

"...Will?"

Will drops the hopeful look and his eyes look down at his coffee on the counter. His hand squeezes Malcolm's shoulder before he pulls back a step.

"I know. It's not really conducive to graduating. But I can't help but think Jack's still due some recompense. I doubt I'll ever feel differently about it."

Malcolm watches him cautiously.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting the people who wronged you to face justice or make restitution. Whether that justice is institutional or... karmic."

It's a sad thing to see a perfectly nice young man completely losing his mind...

Malcolm turns towards the fireplace and shouts "SHUT. UP."

Will's eyes fly open in surprise. While Will can understand losing patience with a different that won't leave- Hannibal never yells. Never.

Will looks at his partner with concern and reaches up to place his palm on Hannibal's forehead. "Are you all right? I think these effects are getting worse. I've seen people in the halls go into rages, getting ill. It can hit with multiple things at once."

Ah. He's still here, on the Barge.

It's Malcolm that's not.

"That's probably what it is," he says weakly.

"Sit. I know it goes against all your instincts, but let me take care of you for once," Will replies with a small smirk. He puts an arm around Malcolm's shoulder and walks him gently to the couch. "Where would you most like to be, right now? What says 'soothing' to you?"

Will's going to make some tea. He thinks there's some of that delicate pu-erh somewhere, that had gotten some praise.

"Are you sure we should just sit around if there's a plague of mental illness ravaging the Barge?" Malcolm asks, glancing at him sidelong.

Will is still making eye contact, at least, even if his words aren't entirely making sense.

"Perhaps I want to keep you from poking and proding the temporarily insane for a few hours. Give them a fighting chance, at least, Doctor."

It's gently said, rather than biting. If Hannibal is significantly afflicted, Will doesn't want him at risk.

"Are you worried I'm going to take advantage of the situation to kill people?" Malcolm asks.

"Oh, hardly. I'm worried you'll take advantage of the situation to convince people to kill other people."

He leans over to kiss the side of Hannibal's head, clearly not particularly worried about that, either. "I'll make some tea. Do you have a preference?"

"...But you don't want to do that?" Malcolm clarifies.

Will stops and looks at Malcolm again, furrowing his brow. He's been trying to keep it light, but he's starting to get worried. "You know what I'm about, Hannibal. We run across another Mason Verger or Lestat or Dolarhyde, and I would love to make a masterpiece of them. Until then, I have to make do with you."

He raises his eyebrows and crosses his arms. "You didn't answer my question, you know. Where would you want to be, right now? If you could pick. Back to Florence?" The distraction is clumsy, but Will isn't operating at his best right now- and they both know it.

"There's nowhere I'd rather be than right here with you," Malcolm tells him honestly, though there's a note of sadness in his voice. It's not mutual; that's obvious.

Will watches Malcolm's face, frowning slightly in thought. But it's such a standard Hannibal answer that he decides to just leave whatever it is that's bothering him about it.

"Cop out," he jokes, but it lacks enthusiasm. His tone warms as he adds, "Thank you."

He tries to decide between puttering around in the kitchen and staying here- he ultimately decides to stay. "It sounds like most of the Barge believes this is magic. Maybe a curse. So our resident experts will have it figured out fairly soon, I'm sure."

"It's probably only a matter of eliminating the source. Does anyone know what might be causing it?" Malcolm asks.

"No," Will replies. "Or if they have an idea, they aren't sharing. Sounds like it would have to be something big to affect this many people in this strange of a reality at once. But that's...conjecture."

Will rubs at one eye. "I hate waiting, too, but- this is not our purview. We'll have to wait and see who's responsible, and if it was done with malicious intent or gross incompetence." He thinks about it, tilts his head to the side. "Or both, I suppose."

"What if it's malicious intent? Is that our purview?" Malcolm asks cautiously.

"It could be," Will says, looking from his hands up into Hannibal's eyes. Will isn't smiling, but it seems like he could break into one at any time. He blinks slowly, like a contented cat, and his voice is like velvet when he speaks. "Would you like it to be?"

Edited 2023-10-20 21:27 (UTC)

"Would that make a difference? If I wanted it or didn't want it?" Malcolm asks.

Will tilts his head to the side as he considers. "...it's merely a gauge of interest. No plans yet, but I'll keep you informed." As much as they ever did, with each other.

"That's not what I asked," he points out.

"No, it isn't," Will confirms, with a small frown. And here things were starting to feel Normal again.

His tone takes on a more careful edge to it. "You should know by now that you can't herd me towards any particular direction. But I will take suggestions into consideration."

“I see. But you won’t take everyone’s suggestions into consideration,” Malcolm points out.

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