[i could not decide whether this setting should be inesa and her dad or hannibal with bedelia, so i wrote both and made it two chapters :) do i only write inesa fics around christmas? we will never know... enjoy though and happy saint nicholas day!]
You look so much like your mother (in certain lights) - i. lecter // i. darling bird
summary: inesa and her father attend the grayson’s annual advent dinner.
series masterlist // hannibal nbc masterlist.
warnings: underage alcohol consumption (idk i’m not from the US)
"Inesa, bird, are you ready?" Hannibal called upstairs, adjusting his shirt cuffs.
"Yeah, just a second, dad." Inesa called back as she gathered her stuff into her clutch before rushing down the stairs, her heels in hand.
Hannibal took in Inesa's appearance, from her blond waves to her dress to the heels clutched in her hand. A hint of pride played on his face as he took in her attire. "You look lovely, Inesa."
"Thank you." She stepped into her heels, gripping on the chest of drawers that stood in their foyer.
Hannibal watched with slight amusement as Inesa balanced herself, her hand holding onto the commode. "Need a hand?" He teased, holding out his hand to steady her.
She managed to find her balance, the heels now firmly in place. "Nope, I think I've got it." She replied, her voice a mix of cockiness and slight breathlessness, from hurrying down the stairs.
Hannibal chuckled at her reply, the hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Of course." He said, gesturing with a small wave of his hand. "Come, the driver is waiting." He held her coat for her.
She slipped into it before taking her gloves and her clutch, while Hannibal slipped into his own coat.
Hannibal opened the door, allowing Inesa to exit first. Glistening snowflakes clung to the cobblestone path and the edges of the buildings. He followed behind her, his footsteps punctuated by the crisp crunch of snow beneath their feet. A sleek black Mercedes-Benz S-Class waited curbside.
It was a cold night. White snowflakes danced in the air, illuminated by the dim glow of streetlamps.
Hannibal opened the rear passenger door for her. The interior of the car was warm, a stark contrast to the chill of the winter night. Once she was inside and settled, he rounded the car and slipped into the backseat next to her. The driver gave a subtle nod through the rearview mirror before starting the car.
The Mercedes slid smoothly onto the road, its plush leather interior contrasting with the frosty night. Silence filled the cabin, save for the low hum of the engine and the swish of the windshield wipers.
Hannibal glanced at Inesa. "Warm enough?"
She nodded, a smile settling on her face.
Hannibal nodded in return, a subtle gesture of acknowledgement. He leaned back into the seat, his gaze shifting out the window and then back to Inesa. The city lights flickered past outside, creating a mesmerizing pattern of colors and shadows.
"You're unusually quiet tonight." He observed, his voice soft.
"I'm not quite in the socializing mood yet."
Her father glanced at her for a moment, noticing the slight downturn of her lips and the dimness in her eyes. Despite her attempt to mask it, he could sense her mood.
"Feeling a bit tired?" He inquired, his tone a mix of concern and gentleness.
"Yeah." She shrugged. "I'm sure it'll be fine once we're there."
Hannibal leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs. He observed the subtle changes in her body language and the weariness in her voice.
"It might be a long night." He commented, shifting his gaze to the window as the cityscape continued to pass by.
"Yeah. I just had a few strenuous weeks with exams and all. I can still do the Grayson's Advent dinner." She smiled reassuring.
Hannibal eyed her for a moment, his expression calm and observant. He could see the hint of fatigue in her expression, even though she smiled reassuringly.
"Stress tends to leave its mark." He commented, a hint of understanding in his voice. He knew the toll such periods could take on anyone. "You're certain you're up for tonight?"
"Yeah. The Grayson's are nice, their guests too." The Grayson's were an exuberant, childless surgeon couple, who he and Bedelia had long called Inesa’s honorary grandparents.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Hannibal's mouth. "They are quite fond of you," he agreed, his eyes returning to the window. "They'll likely dote on you all night."
The car continued through the city's streets, the lights of the high-rises and mansions passing by in a blur. The journey to the Grayson's elegant townhouse seemed shorter than usual. As the car slowed, Hannibal turned his attention back to Inesa. "I suppose you'll have your fill of champagne, appetizers and dessert." He said with a hint of wry humor.
The car came to a smooth stop in front of the Grayson's townhouse. Hannibal stepped out, offering his hand to Inesa as he always did. Once she was out of the car, he closed the door and turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Ready?" he inquired, his gaze studying her for any signs of lingering weariness.
"Yes." Her voice was sure.
Hannibal nodded slightly, his hand hovering near the small of her back as they walked up the steps to the Grayson's front door. The house was elegantly decorated, the scent of pines and spices wafting through the air.
The door opened before they could knock, and Mrs. Grayson greeted them with a warm smile.
"Hannibal, Inesa," she said, clasping her hands together as if in prayer. "I'm so glad you made it."
Mrs. Grayson ushered them inside, the warmth and the soft glow of lights inside instantly soothing Inesa's weary state. The townhouse was elegant, yet cozy and very much Christmassy. They hung up their coats as Mr. Grayson appeared from the dining room, his eyes lighting up at the sight of them.
"Ah, there they are!" He exclaimed, striding forward to shake Hannibal's hand before turning to Inesa. "Inesa, dear, you get prettier every time we see you!"
"Thank you." She gave a bashful smile.
Mr. Grayson chuckled, his eyes crinkling in a warm smile. He looped her arm through his own, gently steering her into the sitting room, while his wife linked her arm through Hannibal's, leading him in the same direction.
"Come, come, everyone is eager to see you both." Mrs. Grayson stated, a motherly tone in her voice. A gathering of about a dozen guests, mostly friends of the Grayson's, were already present.
The chatter of the guests filled the room, their voices blending with the soft background music playing from the speakers. A waiter moved through the space with a tray of champagne flutes. Hannibal took one for himself and handed another to Inesa. The guests, both familiar and unknown, turned to acknowledge the new arrivals with nods, smiles, and soft greetings.
Mrs. Grayson led them through the room, making the rounds of polite introductions. Inesa immediately and easily slipped into her usual bright personality.
As they were paraded around the room, Hannibal observed Inesa's interaction with each guest. She effortlessly engaged in easy conversation, her smile and laughter a stark contrast to the earlier weariness he had noticed. It was as if the change of environment energized her.
Hannibal smiled politely and engaged in small talk, when necessary, but his focus was more on Inesa than the conversation. Despite her earlier fatigue, she was effortlessly charming and sociable. Her laughter rang out at one of Mr. Grayson's jokes, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
As the evening wore on, the guests became gradually more at ease, perhaps thanks to the generous flow of alcohol. Mrs. Grayson made sure that Inesa always had a full glass, while Hannibal's glass was perpetually topped up. Hannibal watched how her fingers gracefully held her champagne flute, as she gesticulated mindful of the drink in her hand.
Dinner was announced and Hannibal carefully observed how the evening was affecting Inesa, her flushed cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes. He couldn't help but notice her relaxed state, the weariness from earlier entirely gone. As they moved toward the dining room, he leaned in closer to her. "You seem to have forgotten all about exams and stress."
"I told you I'd be fine as soon as we were here." She smiled, taking a sip of her champagne. "My Christmas holidays have officially started now."
"So, it seems." Hannibal nodded with a subtle smirk. He gently touched the small of her back to steer her into the dining room where the others were already finding their seats.
She took her place at the table, a swirl of conversations and laughter filling the air. Mrs. Grayson ensured that Inesa was placed next to her. She shot a smile to her father as he sat down on her other side.
Hannibal returned the smile, his gaze casually observing his surroundings. He couldn't help but notice the way Inesa seemed to have shed her earlier weariness, her interactions and demeanor now much more vibrant. He took a small bite of food, his gaze flicking back to Inesa, who was engaged in conversation with Mrs. Grayson.
The Grayson's guests were a mix of surgeons, professors and psychiatrists. Conversations and laughter echoed around them, the atmosphere warm and festive. Hannibal took part in the conversation when necessary, responding with his usual eloquence.
Mrs. Grayson turned to Inesa, her eyes filled with maternal concern and curiosity. "Inesa, darling, are you seeing anyone special?"
"Oh, God, no." She chuckled. "I barely have enough time for myself, not to mention a boyfriend."
Mrs. Grayson clucked her tongue, her eyes still fixed on Inesa. "Oh, a young and pretty woman like you should have at least a handful of gentlemen callers." She chided, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Mr. Grayson chuckled in agreement. "She should." He chimed in. "Don't you think so, Hannibal?"
At the mention of his name, Hannibal's attention shifted. He had been quietly listening to the conversation, his eyes drifting lazily to Inesa before he responded. His lips curled into a subtle smile. "Oh, I agree. Inesa has much to offer. She'll undoubtedly have her options, should she decide to date." He took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze not leaving Inesa.
Mrs. Grayson smiled, her eyes dancing from Hannibal to Inesa. "Oh, yes, indeed. I believe the boys are just intimidated."
Inesa rolled her eyes, a small smile on her face. "Maybe I just don't want a distraction from my studies."
Mr. Grayson laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "A woman who knows what she wants." He leaned back in his seat the slightest bit, his gaze flickering to Hannibal. "Your parents met in med school, Inesa, did they not?"
Before Inesa could respond, Hannibal interjected with a sly smile. "Indeed, we did." He confirmed, his eyes briefly meeting Inesa's before returning to Mr. Grayson.
"You are also divorced now, dad." Inesa interjected, humor in her voice.
Hannibal turned his attention to Inesa, his eyes narrowing slightly in feigned annoyance. "That's a very blunt observation, bird. Thank you for pointing that out." He responded, his tone sarcastic, yet his eyes held a hint of amusement.
"You are very welcome, beloved father." She answered, an equal amount of sarcasm in her words.
Hannibal raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and feigned annoyance on his face. "I'm suddenly reminded of one of the less enjoyable aspects of having a teenage daughter." He remarked, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
The rest of the guests chuckled, some sharing knowing smiles.
"He's got to get his grey hair somewhere." Inesa joked and earned even louder laughter.
"Inesa." Hannibal said, in a faux-warning tone. The corners of his mouth twitched, almost fighting a smile. "Careful." His hand found the back of her head as he pressed a kiss to her temple.
She smiled, leaning towards him.
Hannibal's expression softened as he felt her lean into the gesture. He let his hand drop to her shoulder, wrapping his arm around her, drawing her closer. He turned his attention back to the other guests, his hand gently resting on her shoulder.
The conversation continued, shifting to lighter topics as the dinner progressed. He observed Inesa, her eyes sparkling with joy, her face flushed and her movements carefree. She leaned into him, her head brushing against his shoulder.
Hannibal couldn't help but feel amused by the contrast in her behavior. The weariness from before had vanished, replaced by a relaxed and spirited demeanor. He gently squeezed her shoulder in silent acknowledgement, his gaze drifting back to the lively conversation.
As the evening approached the later hours though, Hannibal could see that Inesa's earlier tiredness was gradually re-surfacing.
Hannibal's observant gaze took in the subtle signs of Inesa's weariness. He noticed how her eyes were a tad more unfocused and there was a hint of a yawn that she tried to suppress. He leaned in, his voice a low rumble in her ear, "Tired?"
Hannibal gave her a small smirk, his fingers idly tracing a circle on her shoulder. "Can't keep up with the older crowd?" He teased, keeping his voice low for her ears only.
She rolled her eyes. "I think I had a total of 30 hours of sleep this week, so forgive me."
Hannibal's expression turned slightly more concerned. "30 hours? Inesa, I thought we talked about this." He chided, his voice carrying a hint of reprimand. He kept his hand on her shoulder, his touch firm yet gentle.
She smiled sheepishly. "Oops."
Hannibal's gaze softened, a mixture of sternness and amusement in his eyes. "Oops? No, young lady, that's not an 'oops.' You need to take care of yourself." His fingers squeezed her shoulder again.
He glanced at the dinner guests, taking note of the late hour and how the evening was slowly winding down. He leaned in, his voice lower than before. "I think it's time to get you home."
Hannibal nodded, his hand still resting on her shoulder. He waited for a natural lull in the conversation, then leaned forward to speak with Mrs. Grayson. "I'm afraid it's time for us to call it a night. I need to get the bird home before she falls asleep in her chair."
Mrs. Grayson nodded understandingly, her expression one of mild regret. "Ah, of course. We've kept you far too late, I fear." Her gaze moved to Inesa, a look of maternal concern on her face.
"Not at all. It's been a wonderful evening." Inesa replied, giving an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I'm just not rested enough to keep up with you after my exams."
Mrs. Grayson smiled kindly. "Oh, my dear, no need to apologize. We understand. Exams are a lot of stress." She patted Inesa's hand before looking back at Hannibal. "You make sure she gets some rest, Hannibal." She said, her tone firm but caring.
Hannibal gave her a small smile. "Of course, Mrs. Grayson." He placed his hand on Inesa's back, gently guiding her to stand. They said their goodbyes to the other guests, Inesa engaging in a few more bouts of cheerful but weary banter.
Finally, they retrieved their coats and were soon on their way back home. Inesa leaned her head against the car's cold window, her eyes half-lidded.
As the car navigated through the now quiet streets, Hannibal glanced at her. In the soft glow of passing streetlights, he could see the exhaustion etched on her features. He reached over, his hand settling on hers for a moment, his thumb grazing the back of her palm.
She smiled at him, straightening up a little.
Hannibal observed her subtle shift, how she tried to rouse herself a bit. He didn't comment on it, knowing that tiredness had a strong hold on her. "Almost home." He said quietly, his gaze flickering back to the road.
She nodded as her phone vibrated audibly.
Hannibal glanced as Inesa's phone lit up, its soft glow illuminating her face. "Who's texting you at this hour?" He asked, his voice soft.
"Mom. She was assigned for psychiatric emergency service for tomorrow at short notice, she wants to know if I'll stay with you until she's home."
Hannibal nodded in acknowledgment. "Of course. She doesn't need to worry about that." He said in a casual, almost nonchalant tone.
Inesa decided to call her mom instead of texting her answer. She put the phone to her ear.
As Inesa called her mom, Hannibal maintained a discreet silence. The car continued its journey through the night, the quiet within only broken by Inesa's soft voice as she spoke to her mother. He saw her rub her eyes and yawn again, the late hour and fatigue catching up with her. He smiled faintly to himself, both amused and concerned by her stubbornness.
After a few more moments, Inesa ended the call, a weary smile on her face. "All settled. Mom will be home early afternoon. You're stuck with me the whole morning."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "Oh, joy." He responded with feigned sarcasm. "An entire morning of making sure my sleepy teenager doesn't fall asleep in her breakfast."
In reality, he found a joy in the idea of having her around for a while longer. The house could get lonely at times, and her presence, regardless of her current state of exhaustion, was a quiet comfort.
They pulled into the driveway, the car coming to a stop. Hannibal got out, circling around to open the car door for Inesa. He offered her his hand, a subtle smile on his lips.
"Thank you." She smiled, already walking to their door while her dad gave their driver a tip.
Hannibal followed silently, his gaze trailing after her. The house was dark, the porch light offering the only illumination. He followed her footsteps, his keys jingling in his hand.
She watched as he stepped up to the house, on hand in his pocket, the other playing with the keys.
Hannibal turned as he reached the door, aware of her eyes on him. He noticed the amused smile on her face and the way she tried to stifle yet another yawn. "What's that smile for?" He asked, his voice soft.
"I don't know." She grinned softly.
He raised an eyebrow, a playful look on his face. "Is there something amusing about me opening a door?" He unlocked the door, gesturing for her to enter first.
"No, I think I'm just happy to have you as my dad." She noted as she stepped into the wardrobe.
Hannibal froze for just a moment, her words catching him by surprise. For a man who prided himself on his composure, her candid admission stirred a complex mix of emotions. He followed her into the house, closing the door behind them.
He paused for a moment, his hand on the door handle, his expression inscrutable. Then, clearing his throat, he spoke, his voice a bit rougher than he intended. "Well... I'm happy to be your dad, bird."
Inesa smiled as she hung up her coat and kicked off her high heels.
His gaze flitted over her as she discarded her shoes. The sight of her bare feet against the floorboards was oddly endearing, a simple reminder of her childhood. Hannibal removed his own coat and hung it next to hers.
"I need to go to bed." She kissed her father on the cheek. "Goodnight, dad."
Hannibal felt the soft brush of her lips against his cheek, a simple but meaningful form of affection. "Goodnight, Inesa." He replied, his voice softened. He watched as she followed the stairs up to her room.
Once she was gone, Hannibal remained in the dimly lit entryway for a moment, his mind replaying the interaction. A strange mix of warmth and melancholy stirred in him, emotions he usually kept in check.
He took a deep breath, the quiet of the house seeming suddenly pronounced. He had an early morning tomorrow, yet with her words still echoing in his mind, sleep felt like a distant prospect.
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