Deck, Sunday Afternoon

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

With everything that had gone on recently, Hannibal almost forgot about the picnic he owed Adora. Almost but not quite. And, since it was a nice day today, he let her claim it and did his best with packing a basket.

Cold pizza, potato chips, two cans of soda some store bought brownies seemed the most safe and least cooking intensive for him.

The basket was at his feet and Hannibal was leaning back in one of the deck chairs, just waiting now.

[Hannibal's here for Adora but the deck is always open!]

Comments

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said, grinning. "How are things with you and Eddie? He decked anyone for you lately?"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"No!" Adora blushed, trying to hide behind her pizza. "Though I was worried he was going to go after you again before I could explain the children. You're lucky I was quick."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I would have been prepared this time," he said, shaking his head. "He caught me completely off guard that last time because I wasn't expecting to get hit for being delusional."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"I'll go with the hope that no one will ever have to think of it again," she replied. "We discussed things. I'm sure he will keep his hands to himself. I've never had anyone fight for me like that before. It's odd if endearing."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Chivalry isn't dead," he said, shrugging. "I'd have probably done the same thing. I can't fault him even if I can."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

She laughed. "So, tomorrow's the big day. Our very first final and a show too! But of course, you're not nervous, are you?"

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I don't do nervous." Well, he didn't do it often. "You?"

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"I've never taken a final or been on camera. Maybe a little nervous." At least she only had to worry about it for another 12 hours.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, but I'll be there too," he pointed out. "You're not going at it alone."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Right, and if anything goes wrong I know how to divert attention right your way," she grinned.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I see how it is," he said. "Make me do all the hard stuff."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"That's exactly it," Adora told him, eating more pizza. "It'll keep you on your toes."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"What if I complain to my girlfriend and get her to hit you for that?" Not that Angela ever would. Or could. But...wait.

Wait.

Girl fights were hot.

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

Totally hot, if in his dreams.

"Yes, I'm certain Angela would pick a fight with me," Adora replied. "Especially over that."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"She might!" Hannibal said, snickering. "If I lied about what it was really about. And looked cute."

She still probably wouldn't.

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"If you lied!" Adora laughed. "You would have to lose your mind to lie to your girlfriend." Right?

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I've lied to her before," he admitted. "She knows I have. I'm trying to work on that."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

She sobered fast. "Oh! I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to poke at you on that!"

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"It's not your fault," he said. "You didn't know. Mostly it was about things I knew would upset her. Fights, injuries, things like that. Nothing really super serious."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"Oh good," Adora was relieved. "I mean, not good, but...you know."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I'm working on it," he promised. "I'm not used to relationships."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

"I would've thought someone like you would've dated a lot," Adora admitted, surprised he would say that.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Dated, yes," he said, nodding. "Long term commitments." He shook his head. "No."

[fabulous-secret.livejournal.com]

She blinked. "Is there a difference I should know about?"

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Well, sort of," he said. "I mean, Angela and I are dating, sure. But I'm not used being with just one person. Dating just one person. I'm used to playing the field so to speak."