To Help A Friend

[H. A. Ferenczy]

Hannibal, carrying Whisper's lithe form down the halls, stopped at a door. He opened it, and it led him to his small bedroom he had chosen. He shut the door behind him, and walked to the bed, easily lowering Whisper onto it. Taking a piece of cloth, he soaked it in water. Undoing the sheets, he took the coat off of her and tossed it aside, and looked down at her. He was shocked to see how beautiful she was, just lying there, unconcious, naked. He chided himself, and slipped the covers to cover her. He moved her bangs from her forehead and tucked them behind her ears. Taking the wet cloth, he dabbed her forehead with it, to remove the sweat and an attempt to reduce the fever she had. What a trial. To have to go through that every single month......he felt for her. He stroked her cheek gently, and spoke gently, softly, at a whisper.

"You will be fine, darling."

[Whisper]

Groaning quietly, her eyes flutter open as she feels the wet cloth being dabbed across her forehead. "Hannibal?" She asks quietly as a wave of chills makes her shiver. A smile is bestowed upon him as she closes her eyes and settles in against the pillows upon his bed. She can sleep without fears when he is near her; so she drifts off into a light sleep for a short while.

"I ..thank you." she utters as she yawns once, bringing a shakey hand up to cover her mouth; which only ends up muffling her whispered words. Her hand moves to rest against his thigh, only adding to her comfort just by knowing he is physically there with her.

[H. A. Ferenczy]

Hannibal stays throughout her sleep, watching her. How the thin sheets clung to her naked curves, and how they rose and fell as she took and gave away breath. The slow and steady rhythm of the breathing made him calm, and he began to breathe with her. His hand rested on hers for hours, until she began to awaken.

As her hand moves to his thigh, he rests his hand on top of it. He rubs it gently, smiling.

"No, thank you......."

He leans to her and kisses her gently on her rosy lips. Her lips quiver slightly under his.

"......for all that you've done."

[Whisper]

She smiles to Hannibal when their lips part slowly.

"I haven't done anything, love.."

What did she just say to him? Did she just call him love? Radiant, well-rested eyes shift to look around at the decor of the room. Perhaps he didn't hear that slip from her mouth.

"Where are we? Can we go home yet?"

[H. A. Ferenczy]

"Well, you see, love...."

Hannibal spoke with a smile at her, revealing his eye teeth.

"......this is the Shrine of the Damned......and for me, this is home. It can be your's, too, if you'd like...."