#serenitynerd

Good luck! Also pics of baking?? I love to see baking ������������

audio books are a godsend, but there's still only so much shakespeare i can take without wanting to stab someone.  also here's the fruits of my latest distraction baking:

Happy Belated Birthday @serenitynerd!!!

@fannibalgrowingcircle

A commission by @bayobayo from @electrarhodes and me!

I said I might have a surprise for you in a little while, well, here it is.

This is a Hannibal Cre-Ate-Ive Collab with @electrarhodes (same name on a03) @thewaterisblood aka @hannigram-hell and me @serenitynerd with the theme of lavender and honey. And yes our #ForBothOfUs is a threesome! What? We’re fannibals, we draw outside the lines!  xD

We were going to do roses but then I saw this patch of bee filled lavender (first five pics are mine) and we all got so excited, it just seemed right. I wish I could somehow convey the luscious smell of lavender, hum of the bees,  and the warmth of the sun on my skin as the breeze tousled my hair when it swayed this purple headed sea as I plopped myself down in the garden to take pics. The bees completely ignored me. Apparently I’m not sweet enough for them.

The bees are from hives we have in our courtyards. A few different varieties, mason and honey, plus I did see some bumbles. They are a rare sight nowadays. I couldn’t get great pics of them. They are so fast. The triangle is a home made mason bee home and you can just see the babies in the paper tubes.

The next five pics are from @electrahodes who somehow accomplished the herculean task of turning the pics into knitting. She chose honey lavender, a french variety cause “english lavender is a bitch”. I love electra!! I have no clue how she managed this but is so cool. BUT I think the likelihood we’ll get her to do it again in zero. Lol.

She said her muse whispered to include the moth and roses so I said, yes please! Then @thewaterisblood wanted to do a rewrite and add a moth! I do have a moth in the greenhouse but no way my low end camera would get a good pic, however I still consider it a sign. So our theme became a threesome as well!

At the very bottom you’ll find the @thewaterisblood ficlet. She was such fun to collab with and somehow managed it in spite of a crazy busy weekend. Another creative wizard! Her excitement was infectious. I am very lucky these amazing fannibals wanted to collab with me. What fun.

We are all over at the fledgling @fannibalgrowingcircle where we enthusiastically encourage cross pollination. I do have to admit I rather hoped we would find a hannicook that might want to whip up some kind of lavender honey dish… hint hint… if anyone does do it @ us or reblog it on this post! (or both)

and here is the ficlet by @thewaterisblood (i actually squeed when i read it!

Defend Unto Death

The woods shone from the few rays of noonday sun that managed to pierce the thick trees swaying over Will’s head as he made his way to the log cabin in the clearing ahead. The breeze lifted his curls, grown long over the months in hiding. Four fish were strung up, and slung haphazardly over his shoulder; fishing in the large stream had been successful today.

Brutal light assaulted Will’s eyes as he neared the immense garden at the foot of the cabin, and he put a hand up to shade his eyes. Hannibal, kneeling on a gardener’s mat, was deftly pruning bee balm with small shears. He rocked back on his heels as Will approached, a small smile crossing Hannibal’s face as Will hoisted up the day’s catch.

“I will need you to pick the herbs,” Will said as he squinted at the fish. “And I’ll clean and gut these. We’ll cook them together.”

Hannibal nodded. “Give me a moment. I’m choosing a few scents for the rooms.” A small group of bees began to circle around the balm, and Hannibal murmured to them in a peaceful, low tone. Whereas most would swat at the insects or run away for fear of being stung, Hannibal seemed in his element, and the bees went about their business in undisturbed comfort.

The Appalachian sun above was no match for the warmth this image brought to Will.

After a few watchful moments, he trekked inside to the kitchen, and laid the bundle on the butcher block. The moment his knife cut into the first fish, Hannibal was in the doorway, a basket laden with fresh herbs hanging from his arm. His eyes moved from the knife in Will’s hand to his face, a reflective glint of the forged steel blade passing over Will’s lips.

“A lavender marinade, with marjoram and thyme,” Hannibal said softly as he laid the bundles of herbs next to the fish. “We will need olive oil and honey as well.”

“All herbs that attract bees to a garden,” Will said with a smile. “Is this dinner a tribute?”

****

The aromatic smell of dinner filled the house, seeping its way into the craquelure of the wooden walls. Hannibal poured two glasses of dry Riesling, setting each at their respective place settings. Dinner made its way out not long after, the fish wholly intact and artfully displayed on handcarved pine bowls that had been stained a bright cherry. Will had crafted these when they’d first arrived in order to keep his mind occupied, and Hannibal had insisted on using or displaying all of Will’s carpentry projects.

“Everything we are is a tribute to bees,” Hannibal said, placing Will’s plate before him. “Without them, we wouldn’t exist.”

“But beware their sting,” Will sighed, placing the cloth napkin on his lap. “Well, the females anyway.”

Hannibal placed his dish, and joined Will at the table, his graceful fingers wrapping around the stem of the wine glass.

“If you’re stung, it’s because you’re too close to the hive, or you’ve been rude to them in some way,” Hannibal mused. “They have every right to defend themselves and their home.”

Will chewed thoughtfully, his eyes closing the moment the first bite struck his palate.

“So do we.” Will glanced at Hannibal over the top of his wine glass, meeting his eyes momentarily before taking a sip.

A spark in Hannibal’s eyes was there and gone. “Yes.”

Will laughed suddenly. “Is that why you refer to Jack as the ‘Death’s Head Moth?’ “

Hannibal laughed as well, pausing to rearrange the lemon and bee balm centerpiece in the middle of the table. Will breathed in the wondrous scent caused by the motion.

“The Death’s Head Moth is the enemy of the bee. They mimic their scent in order to raid the hive for honey.” Hannibal dabbed his lips with a napkin. “Jack and the FBI will no doubt try something similar with you and I.”

“Lucky for us that we have more in our arsenal than just a stinger.”

Dinner continued in silence, with the two frequently exchanging knowing looks and secret smiles.

****

Early that next morning, the light that fell across Will’s face woke him from restful sleep. He reached for Hannibal’s side of the bed, his hand coming to rest on the sheets. Will rose slowly, and went looking for Hannibal, finding him outside in the garden. He was encircled by bees, talking softly to them, his maroon eyes following their movements. Will stood in the doorway, his eyes locked on the magic that was the man he loved, and would defend unto death.

@hannibalcreative @winnowing-wind (cause i l know you like collabs)

Hey, if there’s confusion, that’s on me - made a little FAQ on the posts/how it works on game day that’s linked off of the main FAQ page here. And I got you on the tag list, look forward to seeing ya!