Gaining Innocence

Feast of the Dead (CH:30)

CHAPTER 30:

This chapter is the continuation of the previous one, Halloween. And please forgive me if I made a mistake with any of the rituals. Feel free to correct me though.

Hope you enjoy this. Sorry if you see any errors. Oh, and there's Omake at the end.

"Too bad you can't stay."

Hannibal adjusted the position of the plates into a set worthy of the eyes. The tongue was not the only organ that delighted.

Valentine smiled slightly, a hint of regret on his face, as he shook his head. "Well, I can't exactly ignore my dear father's request to have a family dinner tonight." Gesturing with his hands, he continued, "But I have to say, Dr. Lecter, they look absolutely delicious."

"Thank you."

"Henrikas will love it," Valentine added, circling the dining room table with a thoughtful expression. He checked the time. "Hmm, they'll be coming soon. That'll be my signal to go, I guess."

"Thank you again for inviting Herkus, young Valentine." Hannibal nodded. "I hope you have a nice dinner."

The red-haired boy snorted, "I hope so." Stepping forward, he handed Hannibal a square-shaped gift, carefully wrapped with plain dark brown paper and red ribbon. It was thick "Send my regards?"

"Of course," he said, "Herkus would have been delighted with your company."

"Too bad," Valentine said the entire time staring at the three empty glasses on the table.

~ X ~

With one hand gripping the bright orange cube and the other holding Will's hand, Henrikas failed to hide his yawn in time. His mouth fell open, his jaw cracking in protest as he tried to muffle the sound.

"Tired?"

"A little," Henrikas admitted before another tried to slip through his mouth. He shook his head, pushing away the exhaustion that threatened to ensnare him, but his action didn't do much.

Will stopped and crouched next to him, leaves rustling under his shoes, punished by the pressure. Even with narrowed eyes and dim light, Henrikas saw the patented scowl on his face; A familiar image of concern.

"Do you want me to take you?"

Henrikas should decline. Should.

"Aren't you tired too?" Henrikas asked instead, shifting his feet without asking.

The corners of Will's mouth curved into a small smile and Henrikas felt his lips reflect empathy, quickly resolving into nothingness as heat still seeped from the man's hand. Henrikas took a moment to reminisce wistfully that the time he treasured Will for himself was getting smaller with each passing second.

Will placed his hands under his armpits before lifting him up in a familiar motion. Henrikas simply blinked at the sudden change in gravity and sight before his unoccupied hand slid around the man's neck.

"Watch out for the bucket."

Henrikas squeezed the handle hard as Will drove home again. He removed his mask, careful not to let the fake antlers hurt Will in any way.

"Thanks, Will," Henrikas began. "For tonight."

Will hummed in response. "Did you enjoy it?"

Despite the wrinkled-fingered hands trying to pinch his cheeks and a few minor mishaps here and there, Henrikas surprisingly enjoyed his evening. Even with the sudden gain of his memory about his first Samhain, his first birthday, without his parents.