[ Pride seems infinitely distant, but Hannibal's anchoring hand is a tangible comfort as long as he only thinks of the last thing he did with them.
It wouldn't be grateful to do anything else. Hannibal let him in when he had no reason to, patched him up even after Krouse made a wreck of his living room, and he's stayed through this whole sodden ordeal of a fucked up teenager snivelling over his sink. He's been patient and gentle for all of it, after everything Krouse said.
He hasn't met many good people since he left Wisconsin. Maybe that's why he doesn't know what to do with it, cringing and awkward and snot-nosed like someone half his age. ]
I'm okay.
[ He does have some pride left after all. Not the kind Hannibal means, but it could be a start. ]
I should go. Get out of your hair. I can get back on my own.
[ That's true. As long as he's standing, he can walk. He breathes through his mouth so he doesn't sniffle, feeling his ribs expand and settle most acutely under the weight of Hannibal's touch. ]
no subject
It wouldn't be grateful to do anything else. Hannibal let him in when he had no reason to, patched him up even after Krouse made a wreck of his living room, and he's stayed through this whole sodden ordeal of a fucked up teenager snivelling over his sink. He's been patient and gentle for all of it, after everything Krouse said.
He hasn't met many good people since he left Wisconsin. Maybe that's why he doesn't know what to do with it, cringing and awkward and snot-nosed like someone half his age. ]
I'm okay.
[ He does have some pride left after all. Not the kind Hannibal means, but it could be a start. ]
I should go. Get out of your hair. I can get back on my own.
[ That's true. As long as he's standing, he can walk. He breathes through his mouth so he doesn't sniffle, feeling his ribs expand and settle most acutely under the weight of Hannibal's touch. ]
Thank you.