PSL: Travels outside the Barge (w/Malcolm)

[empathicfault]

Piloting their new ship is a little difficult. It takes reading the (somehow enclosed) manual back-to-front and learning the control panel, now situated in what looks like a little closet on the window side of the living room. It's in the new hallway that leads to the small courtyard, which Will intends to decorate once they get this one chore done first.

Thankfully, the majority of the controls are intuition-based, going off the person who puts their hand on a small orb on the panel. The rest, as it turns out, is tweaking. And luckily (or otherwise), no tweaking is necessary for their first flight.

They're heading to Will's home world.

But Will doesn't specify where, just a year later than he left. he inadvertently brings them to where he'd left. The door opens from a wall of Hannibal's cliffside home, and looks out onto the driveway. The Dragon's wings are still there, staining the cement. They overlook the grey day and the churning seaside.

Will finds himself stuck in the doorway, unsure whether he's compelled to walk out and remember or slam the door shut and take them elsewhere.

Comments

[empathicfault]

Malcolm is still in middle of fitting his arms in when the door creaks open and Will steps out. "Don't give him more than he needs, Malcolm," he says, staring directly at Hannibal.

"And if my needs include your current husband?" Hannibal's eyes are locked on Will's, expression warm and mildly amused.

"He's not ending up as a meal, if that's what you're asking. I'll kill you first." Will's voice is steady as he walks towards the both of them, feet crunching the leaves under him.

"An act you have failed to accomplish numerous times," Hannibal points out. "Even dying in the attempt," he adds with disdain.

Will frowns slightly, but his eyes don't leave the man. They are locked together, at least for the moment. "You seem so very sure of that," he replies, more quietly.

"Never had I tasted divinity before. It would be impossible to forget."

[abrightboy]

“I’ve tasted it,” Malcolm volunteers chipperly, letting the straitjacket drop with a clank. “But I have a different sort of relationship with Will than you did.” He glances at Will, then at Hannibal, gesturing between himself and Will. “I bet we could kill you together,” he offers, like it’s an intellectual debate and he just had an idea. “If it comes to that, of course,” he adds quickly. “I’d personally prefer to let you live, but this is Will’s old life and it’s his choice how he wants to leave it behind.”

If Hannibal spent the rest of his days eating his tall, muscular heart out? That’d be okay with him.

He feels it goes without saying that he won’t let Hannibal harm Will. A promise he feels pretty confident he can keep in or out of the straitjacket.