Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“How was school today?” Will asked as he glanced at his son through the rearview mirror of his car.

“Good! I want to show Hanbal my picture.” Will nodded his head silently and made sure to keep his voice cheery.

"That's great, I’m sure he’s going to love it.” 

It had been three weeks since he and Hannibal had their pseudo custody discussion, first in his office and then over the phone a few days after. Ultimately, it was agreed upon that Will and Noah would go to Hannibal’s house on Wednesday's, Friday's and Sunday’s for dinner with the possibility of spending the night. Any extra time spent together would have to be discussed beforehand.

Hannibal was less than thrilled with the outcome of course, but Will guessed that he didn’t want to risk pushing the issue with everything being so fresh. He was thankful for that because there was still a lot he was trying to sort through about Hannibal, himself and their former relationship. 

If there was anything to feel grateful for, it was that Noah had been remarkably unphased by Gideon’s break in. Thankfully, he didn’t hear much of what was going on and Will was able to get away with just telling him that a ‘confused man’ had gotten in the house because he wanted to talk to Hannibal and Will. He told his son that the loud ‘bang’ he heard came from the ‘toy’ gun he had brought with him. He agreed with Noah’s assertion that he should not have come to Hannibal’s house uninvited or brought such a loud toy to someone else's house. 

Aside from wanting to sleep in Will’s bed for the first week following the attack, Noah didn’t seem to have any lingering trauma or nightmares. Will was glad for that, but knew enough to keep an eye out for any behavioral changes that may say different.

They arrived at Hannibal’s Baltimore home and Noah pulled Will to the door, barely getting the chance to knock before it opened.

“Hanbal!” Noah lunged forward to wrap his arms around one of the doctor's legs in a childish type of hug. It had remained his customary greeting much to Will’s chagrin. 

“Triušis.” Hannibal smiled widely down at the boy, giving his head a gentle pet through his soft curls. “Please, come in.” The last part was directed to Will as the older man made room in the doorway for him to pass through.

“Hey.” Will said plainly, offering a small half smile as he entered. 

“Hanbal look! I made this for you!” Noah tore his backpack off and ripped the zipper to the side to get to his desired creation. Hannibal took the drawing that was offered to him with a wide smile and intently studied the image before him. 

Noah had drawn the three of them at the stream. Will’s stick figure was on one side with a line extending from his ‘hand’ to represent his fishing rod. Next to him was Noah who was half the size of Will and he was holding Will’s hand in one of his and Hannibal’s in the other. Hannibal stood on the other side of Noah’s stick person, holding a square in the hand that didn’t hold Noah’s. They were all smiling in the picture as the boy remembered them doing the day they visited the stream together. 

“Daddy has his fishing rod and you have your coloring paper. And I drew the trees too.” Both men were able to discern what the drawing represented but they enjoyed Noah’s excitement to narrate the scene himself. Hannibal looked positively touched, looking at the boy with proud eyes as he kneeled down to speak to him.

“You did very well, thank you. With your permission I’d like to put this in my office when I go tomorrow for work.” The small boy beamed at him, delighted that his picture was getting to go somewhere important. He nodded vigorously in agreement.

“Ok!” He swooped in for another quick hug to the side of Hannibal’s body before running off with his backpack to put it upstairs in the room that had been designated as his. Will watched the interaction with the now familiar pit that seemed like a permanent fixture in his stomach.

“Don’t run.” Will called out after him before facing the other man. Hannibal had not put the drawing down yet, and offered it to Will to look at himself. 

“He has a good memory. And the trees are well done.” Will scoffed through his nose as he looked at the picture. Any parent would be proud of their child’s drawings and Will was no different, but he also knew Hannibal was prone to exaggerate any of Noah’s skills to some extent. Still, he smiled as he looked at the drawing. It had been a nice day... 

He stopped that line of thought and handed the paper back to Hannibal. “Thank you for being excited about it, he was even more excited to give it to you.”  

“I’m always deeply appreciative of any token of affection offered to me by either of you.” The older man turned away with his prize, placing it on a nearby table, and Will let the comment roll away unacknowledged. Officially, the agent had ended their romantic relationship, but they agreed to keep up the ruse of their relationship in order to maintain the current status quo between everyone at the bureau and more importantly Noah. They had managed to find a tenuous peace in these past few weeks and Will was loath to disturb it by engaging with errant remarks. 

“Do you need any help with dinner?” He knew the answer was no.

“No, thank you. It will be ready to serve soon if you’d like to get Noah and yourself seated at the table.” Will nodded and left to go upstairs to get his son without another word.

It had been this way since they started this arrangement. The nights they saw Hannibal were Noah’s new favorite days and while Will tried to remain cordial and enthusiastic when the three of them were together, he was distant when it was just him and Hannibal alone. Remaining clinical was the only way the empath knew to handle the situation, and Hannibal for his part made the best of it. He would offer Will a drink after dinner, and engage him in polite conversation regarding his work or Noah’s progress in school. Will was still in the process of finding an after school activity for his son to join, but so far nothing seemed like a good fit. 

At the end of the day, he was just a man nursing a broken heart while doing the mental gymnastics needed to justify allowing his son to remain in the company of an admitted serial killer and cannibal. It was the right thing to do, he knew. If Hannibal were incarcerated and Noah lost the ability to see him in addition to learning the truth of who he was, Will wasn’t sure he’d ever recover. Will was still trying to recover. 

Dinner was a simple affair, during which Noah practically begged his father for them to spend the night at Hannibal’s. Will knew he had no real reason to say no and wanted to save his refusals for the bigger battles that were sure to come. He gave it a final try anyways. 

“Hannibal might have something to do tonight buddy, we can’t just invite ourselves over.”

“Not at all.” Came the swift reply from his left. “I’ll make a breakfast to take with us in the morning.” Will gave a strained smile as Noah cheered from his seat. In no world did he expect any help from the other man in getting him and Noah out of his house sooner rather than later, but he did miss not constantly having to be the voice of reason. 

“Thank you Hannibal.” He said flatly before spearing a vegetable off his plate. The rest of the meal was filled with Noah talking about school and what he wanted them all to do together after dinner. 

He settled on watching Cars after he bathed and the three of them watched it together in the sitting room where Hannibal recently had a TV installed. Besides the small one in Noah’s room, Will guessed this was the only other one in Hannibal’s entire house. It surprised Will when he didn’t fall asleep during the movie and didn’t surprise him at all when Noah lasted less than halfway through it. Will carefully picked up his son from the couch and began heading upstairs with Hannibal following behind them. After settling Noah and Apollo in, both men left the room, and stood in the hallway outside his room.  

“I’m sorry he sprung the idea of us spending the night here, I’ll talk to him about it.”

Hannibal’s face pinched. “Please don’t, I don’t want him thinking he is ever unwelcome here.”

“Alright. Well, thank you anyways. I’ll uh, see you in the morning.”

“Of course. Goodnight Will.” Hannibal gave a polite smile before turning to go in the direction of his bedroom.

“Goodnight.” Will said after him before turning to the only other guest bedroom Hannibal had. At Will’s insistence, they’d slept separately since their intimate relationship ended. It was cleaner this way, he reasoned. Less chance of confusing things, or sending mixed signals. After the first night of it however, Will found that being alone was almost as bad as being in the doctor's company. Despite everything he now knew to be true about the other man, his mind would frequently and unhelpfully provide him with memories of them tangled together, and the phantom touch of Hannibal’s hands on his body was never far behind. 

Banishing those images away, he slipped under the covers of the still strange feeling room and tried to force his previous drowsiness back into his body.

***

“..llo? Daddy, it’s morning!” Will blinked rapidly, his sleep disturbed by the sound of his son speaking directly in front of his face.

“Wha— Noah?” Will sat up, trying to get his bearings.

“Good morning daddy! I went to Hanbal’s room but he said you were snoring soooo loud you had to sleep by yourself.” Noah giggled and Will wiped his face, fully waking up.

”Mmm-hmm, that’s right. I didn’t want to wake anyone up with my monster snores.” Noah smiled as Will pulled him in for a morning snuggle, kissing his head as the boy nuzzled into his chest. After a quick minute of peace, Will released Noah. “Go get dressed and I’ll go say sorry to Hannibal for snoring so much.” Noah laughed as he climbed off the bed and made for the door.

Will quickly changed and cleaned himself up before heading downstairs in search of the other man. He followed the smell of breakfast into the kitchen and Hannibal must have heard his approach.

“Good morning Will.” He stopped what he was doing at the stove to give the dark haired man his full attention. “I apologize. Noah woke up and came looking for you. He came to my room because he thought that is where he would find you. I only led him to your room before taking my leave. I in no way intended to violate our agreement but I apologize for the situation nonetheless.” It took Will’s fuzzy brain a second to understand what Hannibal meant. Clarity came but did nothing to make him feel better.

I’m an asshole.

“Don’t worry about it, Hannibal. I appreciate you showing him where I was, I didn't think he’d come looking for me before I woke up.” 

Hannibal gave the agent a quick once over before he turned away from Will to face the stove again. “It was no problem at all, I’m glad you elected to stay the night. You seemed especially worn out last night.”

Will approached the island and stayed awkwardly standing while Hannibal cooked whatever smelled so good. He had sworn that he never fed Noah anything that wasn’t made with store-bought ingredients and had assured Will that moving forward, his meals would also remain people-free.

“I’m honestly still a little beat.” He muffled a yawn with his fist as Hannibal placed a cup of coffee in front of him.

“Work seems to be demanding again. Jack has been eager to have you out in the field I presume.” Hannibal was clearly trying to tread lightly, not wanting to trigger Will’s skittish tendencies. 

“Thank you, and uh yeah, he’s had me out there lately. I’m trying to fit all my work into Noah’s school schedule but it’s piling up.” Hannibal didn’t reply to that and a minute later Noah was dashing into the kitchen.

“I’m ready! Last night was fun Hanbal, can we watch a movie again today after school?” 

Will jumped in before Hannibal had a chance to answer the question. 

“Noah go get your shoes on, we’re running late.” He made a show of tapping on his watch.

“Ok, bye Hanbal!” He waved at the older man who walked around the counter with containers in his hand. Hannibal’s smile was tight but Will could tell he was trying for Noah’s sake. 

“Have a good day at school triušis. Here is your lunch bag and an egg and sausage scramble for breakfast for you to have once you get there.” He deposited the containers into Noah’s backpack before zipping it back up and giving him a pat on the shoulder.

“Thank you!” He gave a quick hug to Hannibal’s leg before heading to the front door to put his shoes on.

“I’ll be right there.” Will called after him. He quickly rinsed his mug out before turning to head out after Noah.

“Thank you again Hannibal, we’ll see you on Friday.” He moved to leave when Hannibal called after him.

“Will. There is a breakfast and lunch for you as well, if you'd like. Please don’t feel pressured.” Will could have said no and maybe he should have, but he felt that would be too rude, and especially insulting to Hannibal who placed such a high emphasis on both food and manners. He reached for the offered containers. 

“Thank you.” He said. They held each other’s gaze for a second before Will gave him a small smile and followed after his son to the door. The drive to Noah’s school and then work were uneventful and his day passed by with relative ease even though it was just as hectic as the past few weeks had been. Both times he sat and ate his meals, he thought of the man who packed them, and the soft, lingering look on his face Will had caught as he left the kitchen that morning.

***

Will had wrapped up his last lecture of the day and was packing up when a woman walked into his lecture room. She was professionally dressed in a black pencil skirt, fitted blazer and sage green blouse, and her light blonde hair was cropped into a tight pixie cut. She screamed ‘official’ which wasn’t strange considering he was at Quantico, but he had never seen this woman around before. 

“Will Graham, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Kade Prurnell and I’m here on behalf of the Office of the Inspector General.” Will considered her for a moment before putting his glasses back on and stepping closer to offer his hand. 

“How’d you find my lecture room?” Not the most polite, but she already seemed to know his name and where he held his lectures so he’d feel better once she got to the reason for her visit. 

“I got in touch with Jack’s office. I wanted to see if you had a moment to talk about the incident with Dr. Abel Gideon.”

Jack knows she’s here and didn’t call ahead? That struck Will as odd.

“Is there something specific the Office of the Inspector General wants to know that isn’t already in the official report?” Will hadn’t stopped collecting his things once they’d made their introductions and stood in front of her with the bag slung over his shoulder, indicating he was ready to leave.

“Just a few routine follow-up questions, won’t take long.” 

“Actually, that’ll be all for today Mrs. Prurnell.” Jack’s voice came from behind the woman getting both of their attentions. 

“Ah Jack, your office was my next stop.” She turned to face him and her smile was empty.  

“My secretary told me you called, though I would appreciate it if next time I’m your first stop instead of one of my people.”

This told Will two things: Jack didn’t know this woman was coming to speak with him ahead of time, and it had been purposeful on her part. He didn’t know how exactly he ended up in the middle of a bureaucratic pissing contest, but he didn’t have the time or patience to entertain it.

“She’s here about the Gideon case, but like I said, everything is in the official report.” Will wanted to leave and let them figure it out since he clearly didn’t get a say in who talked to him and when.  

Prurnell turned back to him with her fake smile in place. “Like I said, our meeting shouldn’t take too much time. I can have my office contact you to set something up. It will need to be sometime this week or next.” She turned to Jack without further comment. “Nice to see you again Jack, I’m sure I’ll be scheduling something with you as well, so leave some room on your calendar for me. Have a good evening gentlemen.” She left the room and Will turned to Jack.

“What the hell was that about? I thought the matter was closed.”

Jack gave an aggravated sigh. “I did too and believe me I’ve been trying to hold them off, but they’re insistent on talking to you about Gidoen’s death. They’ll likely want to talk to Hannibal too.” This surprised Will though it shouldn’t have. Indignant would be the best part to play, he decided.

“Jesus Jack. The man broke into his home. He essentially held the two of us and my son hostage after kidnapping Freddie Lounds and Frederick— whom he disemboweled. Are they really questioning the necessity of the deadly force I used?”

“I’m not sure what they’re after here either. We can’t refuse to meet with them, but I don’t see what they stand to gain by pressing the issue.”

Will rubbed at his eyes in actual agitation. “Fine. I’ll schedule a meeting with her but if she starts making any baseless accusations I’m walking out of there.”

“Fair enough. Just try to keep a cool head. Answer the questions and be done with it.”

Will nodded and they both exited the room and building together, walking to the lot where their cars were parked. 

“For what it’s worth,” Jack called out to him. “I came as soon as I found out she was looking for you, and I don’t appreciate her trying to go over my head like this.”  

Will gave a small smile. “I know Jack. I appreciate the backup.” Jack had made it known where the lines were, and Will wanted him to know he didn’t take it for granted. Jack waved him off and they each got in their cars, heading in the direction of the respective homes. 

Will thought through what this could really mean. 

Hannibal and Will’s stories had been consistent, and nearly identical. It also made sense from Freddie and Frederick's account. They stated that Gideon had used Freddie’s computer to find Hannibal’s home address and was insistent on speaking with him though he wouldn’t go into the details as to why. Noah hadn’t been able to provide law enforcement much information either due to Will taking away his ability to hear or see anything that occurred for most of Gideon’s stay. Once he had gone upstairs to hide, he said he didn’t hear anything at all and just waited for Will or Hannibal to come get him.

What reason could there be for any additional questions? What were they really trying to find out? Will knew there would need to be a conversation with Hannibal in his immediate future.  

***

“The Inspector General’s office seems to have no small amount of free time on their hands.” Hannibal said as he watched Noah try to wrangle three of the dogs back into the house. They had finished their usual Friday night dinner, and Will used the opportunity to inform him of Kade Prurnell’s drop-in. 

Hannibal graciously allowed a slight deviation to their routine by agreeing to meet in Wolf Trap instead of his home in Baltimore. Will was feeling slightly more on edge than usual and needed the comforts of his dogs and the isolated woods outside his home.

“Lucky us.” Will replied. He gave a sharp whistle and the dogs that were running literal circles around his son snapped to attention and dashed past the men and back into the house. Noah chased after them excitedly, unphased by their refusal to listen to him. Will shook his head as he sank further into the chair he was occupying. 

“I doubt there's much to worry about there. The circumstances around Gideon’s death are no mystery. He escaped from prison custody, and proceeded to commit a handful of additional felonies including a few murders before he was struck down.”

“You’re probably right. I still don’t like it though. I don’t want Noah pulled back in.”

“Nor I.” Hannibal said. “We will do our best to satisfy them so they do not need to speak with him any further.” Will could hear the undercurrent of a threat in Hannibal's tone, and the sentiment was echoed in his mind.

“Additionally, there is something I would like to present for your consideration.” Will turned to the man seated in the chair next to him. “It seems Stuart Landingham and Mrs. Komeda — from the opera— are quite eager to see you.” That caught Will’s attention.

“What do you mean?” 

“When we attended the observatory together it was still under the guise of close friends. Since then, we had made our relationship public and I had no reason not to brag over you or Noah while I was out socializing.” Their relationship status had changed again since that time, but it didn't bear repeating at the moment. “As such, they have both been rather vocal in their desire for the dinner party I promised Stuart I would host as a thank you for his future invitation to the observatory.” 

“You want to host a party.” Will repeated. “With your…menu.” Will's jaw tensed and he stood from his chair, and walked to the railing of his porch, leaning the side of his hip against it and keeping his head turned in the direction of the woods rather than the man still seated across from him. “Isn’t that a bit risky? Should I expect Ripper displays to start popping up again?” 

Will sounded calm as he asked the questions, but too many thoughts were racing through his head for him to settle on a single emotion to feel. Hannibal stayed seated, and watched the agent's facial profile as he answered.

“It will be more of a social gathering than my usual several course meals. Floating trays of appetizers walked through the rooms for people to sample at their leisure. As for the subjects I decide to take cuts from, these won’t be displayed. Their purpose will be singular.”

Will nodded tightly but kept his face turned to the side. 

“Who did you want to invite?” 

“Many within my social circle would be offended if they did not receive an invitation. Stuart Landingham, Mrs. Komeda and her husband of course were my first thought of guests. I thought I might extend the invitation to Jack, his wife, Alana, and our other associates from the bureau as well.” Will didn’t speak for a long moment but his unease reached Hannibal anyways like he knew it would. “Most of them have eaten at my table before, Will. Many times in fact.” It wasn’t accusatory or demeaning, just a fact simply stated. 

“I know.” Will said softly, perhaps more to himself than Hannibal. His eyes fell to the porch below them. This was part of what he signed up for wasn’t it? He couldn’t expect Hannibal to stop being exactly who and what he was. He’d been killing and serving people to unsuspecting guests — including himself — for longer than Will even knew. 

It felt different now though. He would be inviting his friends over and watching as they unwittingly engaged in cannibalism. Not for the first time, and not for the last if his ruse with Hannibal were to continue. 

He’d already made this choice though hadn’t he? When he first offered this pact to Hannibal to guard each other’s secrets. This was only the first of many things he would have to allow and participate in in order to keep the peace in his life and Noah’s. 

He ignored the part of his brain that taunted him with the knowledge that this was far from the worst of what he would be willing to do. A drop in the bucket. 

“Alright.” He said simply. It was silent for a handful of seconds before Will spoke again. “How do you—” Will began before he could stop himself. 

“How do I what, Will?” The agent had a feeling the other man knew what it was he was getting at, and met the challenge head on.

“How do you pick them?” They both knew who the ‘them’ referred to. Hannibal’s victims. The people he killed.

“Whenever possible, one should always eat the rude.” He looked at the younger man with no discernible expression on his face. A question asked and answered. Will let the words hit him and let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

“So what; someone cuts you off in traffic and that’s it?” 

“It’s a bit more involved than that.” He gave the agent an unimpressed look. “I once killed a phlebotomist who insisted on making disparaging remarks and seemed convinced I was diseased in some way.” 

“Because you sleep with men?” Will ventured.  

“Perhaps. Or maybe due to my nationality. Ignorance is an ugly, indiscriminate thing.” 

The agent shook his head, upset that Hannibal had to endure such outdated prejudices. It didn’t immediately occur to him that perhaps he should be more concerned that someone had been killed and eaten for lack of propriety. Or that Hannibal had just admitted to a murder as easily as they discussed a guest list minutes earlier. 

 Neither were his first thought.

“Is it hard keeping track of everyone you want to go after?” 

“I keep their business cards in a Rolodex in the kitchen cabinet next to the recipes I would use them for.” Will gaped at him for just a moment before shutting his mouth. Hannibal’s new forthcoming nature had Will spiraling just a little, so he pivoted instead.

“When did you want to have the party?” 

Hannibal considered the man in front of him clearly looking for something, but Will had no clue what it was or if he’d find it.

“One month or so should suffice. I’d like to have Noah there as well, though his food will be separate from the general fare. Stuart seemed keen on speaking with him about all matters galactic, and once Noah hears of our plans, it may be difficult to keep him otherwise occupied. It’s the most convenient way to fulfill past obligations.”

They looked at each other for a long moment without saying anything. Of course Noah wouldn't accept not being able to come to a party of Hannibal’s. By the sounds of it, anyone Will would trust to watch over him would be at the party anyways. The agent couldn’t think of a good reason to deny him this request.

“You’re right. Thank you. I’m sure they have been bothering you about hosting again. Your opera friends seemed to like Noah at least.” 

“He’s a charming boy. A family trait I suppose.”  

“He definitely didn’t get it from my side, but people say he looks like me so it helps ease the sting.” Will briefly smiled and Hannibal gave a lopsided grin of his own before standing.

“I should be going, it’s getting late.” 

“Right. I have to give Noah a bath still. I’ll call him out to say goodbye.” He walked to the door, pulling it open and calling to his son to see their guest off. He came quickly and Hannibal kneeled down to receive his parting hug. 

“Bye Hanbal, I’ll see you on Sunday. How many sleeps is that?” Since they started this new schedule, they had found that giving Noah a concrete number to focus on helped him understand time the best. 

Hannibal pulled away and held up two fingers for the boy to see. “Two sleeps, dear one. I’ll finish telling you the story of Perseus when you come to visit.” Noah smiled happily, appeased by his promise. 

“Is he going to defeat Medusa?” He asked, which Will guessed had been where they left off. 

Hannibal grinned widely and reached down to stroke his hair. “He certainly must try.” He turned to the dark haired man who had been watching their goodbye. “Goodnight to you too, Will. Get some rest and please give me a call if anything comes up.” Will knew he was referring to Prurnell’s ambush and nodded at him. 

“I will.” They didn’t hug or offer any physical affection but at Noah’s insistence, he and Will stayed on the porch and waved at Hannibal’s car until it drove away from their road. 

A new problem presented itself during Noah’s nighttime routine.

“Is Hanbal scared of dogs?” Will set down the book he had been reading his son, perplexed by the question.

“Uh, no buddy, he’s not afraid of dogs. He sees them here all the time.”

Noah nodded and Will could sense the gears of his head turning.

“Why doesn’t he stay here at night?” An innocent question that Will knew would come up at some point. 

“He needs to sleep at his house, just like we need to sleep at our house.” He said, despite knowing it wouldn't be enough to satisfy the boy.

“But sometimes we sleep there when he makes us dinner.” Will nodded, trying to think of an answer that would make enough sense without revealing the truth.

“Yeah, but I think from now on, we’ll come back to our house and we won’t sleep at Hannibal’s anymore.” A quick test of the waters to gauge how it would be received.

“No! I want to sleep at Hanbal’s house!” Will gently grabbed Noah’s fisted hands that he had slammed against his bedspread during his outburst. 

“We don’t yell.” Will said softly, taking a moment so his son could calm down. “Look, Hannibal is very busy with his work and so am I. It’s hard to spend a lot of time together when you have so much to do. Does that make sense?” 

Noah stared down at his covers, a frown marring his small face. “Does Hanbal not like us anymore? Does…he think I’m annoying?” Will was sure he could hear the audible sound of his own heart breaking. 

Noah had been called annoying before by classmates, and it was something that he never quite recovered from. After that initial incident, he stopped talking to his peers for a while before a teacher called Will in to discuss the decline in his social skills. They had a conversation about it at home later and Will helped him understand that sometimes people aren’t interested in the same things as he is, and that’s ok, but the other kids still should have been nicer about it. Noah eventually made a few friends that liked some of the same things he did, but Will knew home was the only place he truly felt free to express himself fully and ramble about his love of space, dogs, and whatever else caught his eye.

If Will confirmed Noah’s concerns, he knew it would lead to him asking to see Hannibal less; afraid of facing rejection in person. It could be the first step to severing their relationship for good.

But Will refused to do it. Regardless of everything Hannibal had done and concealed in the few months they’d known each other, Will knew the doctor's affection for the young boy was genuine. It was unquestionable that Hannibal loved Noah, cared for him in the same way that Will did, and wanted to see him happy. It was the agent that decided they needed to be separated. He’d seen the fight Hannibal wanted to put up, had felt the devastation brought on by the impending loss. The threat of Will completely cutting off any and all communication between the two was likely the only reason Hannibal had been so willing to concede to all of Will’s initial demands. He wouldn’t betray them both in this way.

“Of course not.” Will pulled his son into a hug. “Hannibal loves spending time with you. He just has a lot of work and his house is too far for him to spend the night here.”

“Will he always be busy?” The words were muffled by Will’s shirt. 

“I’m not sure. I get busy too, remember? It’s not his fault, and it's not because he doesn’t like you. I promise.” Will rubbed his hand up and down the boy’s back, soothing him back into relaxation. He lowered Noah back under his covers and tucked him in for the night. “We’ll give him a call tomorrow and you can tell him about the Mercury special you saw on T.V this weekend. He was asking me about it but you know more about space than daddy does.” That finally pulled a smile from the boy. 

“It was about Jupiter daddy, and it’s the biggest planet in the solar system. It’s so big you could put all the other planets inside of it.”

“I didn’t know that.” He smiled as he bent to kiss Noah’s forehead. “He’s lucky he has you to tell him all this cool stuff. Goodnight buddy.”

“Night, daddy.” Noah said tiredly before grabbing Apollo and turning to face away from the door. Will walked to his bedroom and sat on the edge of his mattress, letting his head fall between his shoulders and digging his hands into his hair. His first attempt to broach the subject of Hannibal’s exit from their lives was a definitive bust.

The idea came to him suddenly, that he could simply…leave. 

It was a thought he often had before Noah had come into his life. Things were different now, but not insurmountable. He and Noah had put roots down in Virginia, but there was no real reason they had to stay there indefinitely. There was nothing stopping Will from packing up himself and Noah to start over anywhere in the U.S or beyond. 

Hannibal would be a separate issue though if he chose to go that route. He could try to make the psychiatrist see reason —ironic— and convince him that they had gotten lucky so far, but it was still wisest to live the rest of their lives in relative ease away from each other. In time, Noah could hopefully forget the other man, and he would be a brief, somewhat fantastical chapter in their lives. 

Could it be that easy? Could Hannibal step aside and let their dealings with each other end cleanly? 

Not a chance. An alternate escape plan began forming in Will’s mind before he had the chance to drop the issue.

He had some savings. Enough to get out of the country and settle in someplace they could blend into the background. Europe maybe. Getting new identities for himself and Noah wouldn’t be easy, but his work had taught him enough that he was confident he could pull it off. Change his name to something Noah could easily remember and a cover story that was close enough to the truth for him to be able to tell his new teachers or friends.

An aggravated huff left him, and he shook his head to clear it from his rapid stream of thoughts. It was a pipe dream and he knew it, but he couldn’t shake his instinct to plan ahead. He went to bed with a headache that followed him into the morning.

Chapter Text

Will was able to schedule his next meeting with Prurnell for the following Tuesday. Alana agreed to cover his lectures so after dropping off Noah, he drove to her office using the address her secretary had provided. 

He was escorted directly to her office where Kade Prurnell sat behind a long, metallic desk. The rest of her office was similarly clinical and impersonal looking. There were no pictures of family or friends on her walls or desk, just a few framed degrees on the wall behind her and a single ball of rubber bands next to her computer monitor. 

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Graham. Like I said last week, this shouldn’t take too long.” Will refrained from commenting on the lack of choice he actually had in the matter.

“What did your office need clarification on?” He asked instead. 

“Your report stated that Dr. Gideon broke into Dr Lecter's home. Do you know how he entered the premises?”

“No. He just…appeared in the kitchen with one hand on my son’s shoulder and a firearm in the other. I didn’t bother asking for the details on how he got in.”

“I’m sorry your son had to go through that — Noah, right?” 

Will wasn’t discussing his son here. Not with her. “What other questions do you have regarding Gideon’s escape?” 

She pursed her lips and continued. “You and Dr. Lecter were able to force the gun out of Dr. Gideon’s hand but you didn’t immediately fire. Ballistics have you across the room from him when you shot him.”

“That’s correct. I gave him the opportunity to surrender. He started rambling about how he was the Chesapeake Ripper and that he wasn’t going to willingly return to the BSHCI. Then he grabbed one of the knives.”

Prurnell nodded. “Is that when you fired at him?”

“No. I repeated my command for him to remain where he was, and he made a move to jump over the counter. That’s when I fired at him.”

“Wouldn’t it have made more sense for him to attack Dr. Lecter? He was right next to him at the time.”

“He wasn’t in his right mind. I don’t think there was a lot of forethought involved in his actions that night outside of the initial escape. He wanted to kill all of his past psychiatrists. He tried killing Frederick, came after Hannibal, and likely would have made Alana Bloom his next stop.”

“But Dr. Lecter was never his psychiatrist, correct?”

“He went to see him once at the prison before the escape. That must have satisfied Gideon’s criteria.”

“You and Dr. Lecter are currently in a romantic relationship, and have been since before Dr. Gideon broke into his home. Do you think that played a part in your decision that night?” 

She’s got nothing she can act on. Will was certain of that now. 

She was digging for a way to hang this on him either because she suspected something closer to the truth, or because she had an obscure bone to pick with Will or Jack specifically. Either way, trying to use his relationship with Hannibal to make a case for Will’s clouded judgement was the wrong move.

“My personal relationship had no bearing on my actions. I saw what he did to his prison escorts, and what he was capable of with his past victims. I was fully aware that if I didn’t stop him, he was going to kill everyone in the home before moving on to Alana. That is the only reason I decided to use deadly force.”

“I spoke with Dr. Lecter yesterday morning. Your accounts of the night’s events are…strikingly similar.”

Will knew this of course. Prurnell attempted to catch Hannibal off guard by calling him on his personal cell phone, and Hannibal made it clear he would not be speaking to her without his lawyer present. They had to schedule something separately after that, and Hannibal had informed Will of his impending interview at that time.

“There’s only so many ways to tell the same story.” Will reasoned.

“He insisted on having his lawyer present to speak with me, did you not also have the same thought?” Hannibal had offered his lawyer’s services to Will, but he had declined. The agent thought that would set the wrong tone in his case. 

“Hannibal has his career as a psychiatrist to consider. It makes sense that he would want counsel. My work is directly tied to the investigation, so it seemed pointless to add a third party just to regurgitate what was already in the official report.”

“I’m hoping to be able to officially close the matter for good Agent Graham. I just need you to be perfectly honest with me. When you shot Dr. Gideon was it out of fear for your own life, or did you have more personal reasons?”

“Such as?” Will asked.

“He threatened the life of your son and partner. It would be understandable if you fired out of anger rather than an immediate threat.”

Will scoffed. “Of course I was angry. My son had been shaking in a chair 10 feet away from me the whole time and Gideon was just mumbling about proving he’s someone he never even was. I followed my training. I cleared the room of any civilians I could which at the time was just my son. I tried to get Hannibal to leave too, but he wouldn’t. Gideon chose to arm himself and try to attack me which is why I had to exercise the only option left to me at that point. I’m not shedding any tears over his death or my role in it, but I had no desire to end his life out of anger. Killing is the ugliest feeling in the world Mrs. Prurnell, even when it’s necessary.”  

He hadn’t realized how much he was talking until he finished, but it hit the important pieces of his cover story and he was satisfied with his performance. If Prurnell insisted on digging any further, it would be a tough sell to her superiors and they both knew it.

She finally nodded her head, clasping her hands together on the desk. “I think that’s all I’ll need from you Agent Graham, and I appreciate your time. My office will contact you once the matter has been officially resolved.” 

Will got up to leave, barely mustering up the civility to shake her extended hand. “Feel free to leave a voicemail.” He left the room without another word and headed straight for Quantico.

He stopped by Jack’s office to let him know that he had fulfilled his obligation to speak with Prurnell and his boss confirmed he had also done the same. “This should get buttoned up quickly now.” He said as he looked over a few documents on his desk. “I'm sorry she wasted your time and made you revisit that night.”

Will waved him off. “I’ll be happy as long as this is the end of it.”

He left Jack’s office shortly after and headed for his lecture room. When he got there, he greeted Alana and thanked her for taking over for him in the morning, assuring her he could handle the rest of the day on his own. 

“I can’t believe that woman.” Alana said about Prurnell. “Where does she get off questioning your actions against a known serial killer?”

“Trying to go over Jack’s head definitely wasn’t her smartest play.” Will agreed. 

“I understand her a little better on that end.” Alana said sheepishly. Will looked at her and waited for her to elaborate. “Before Hannibal found your encephalitis and before your sabbatical…I was really worried for you Will. I was half decided to report Jack for misconduct on your behalf.” Will was shocked. A report like that could ruin Jack’s reputation even if no cause was found. Alana and Jack maybe weren’t the best of friends, but he still couldn’t imagine her taking such extreme actions against him. 

“Alana, I appreciate the thought but I don’t think that would have been for the best in the long run.” She sighed as she picked up her purse and moved to the doorway. 

“In hindsight you’re probably right. I was just so afraid of him breaking you Will. I’m glad it didn’t come to that, and I’m glad you were able to step away from the job for a bit.” She paused for a moment. “How are you and Hannibal doing if you don't mind me asking?” 

Best to start dropping hints now, I guess.

“We’re alright. Work has been keeping us both busy so we don’t get to see each other as often. It’s not ideal.” He shrugged, leaving her to fill in the blanks. She frowned, upset for her friends.

“If you ever need a babysitter to get some alone time together, I’m available.” She offered, and Will felt the lash brought on by being a shitty friend. 

“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.” He gave the best smile he could force on his face and she left his lecture room. He really hated this part of his plan to extricate himself and Noah from Hannibal, but his friends weren’t dumb and they’d soon come to the conclusion Will was carefully steering them to.

***

It was déjà vu later that afternoon when he was finished with his work for the day and had all but stepped out of his lecture room when he felt the presence of someone behind him. He turned his head to the side and saw a woman standing in his doorway.

She was a polished figure, with a stern presence and an aura of refinement that for all the world reminded Will of Hannibal. When she didn’t make a move to introduce herself, Will called out. “This lecture room is closed for the day.” He announced.

“Are you Will Graham?” The woman asked from her place in the doorway.

Will sighed and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know you.” Was Prurnell sending in the ‘big guns’ now?

“My apologies. I’m Dr. Bedelia DuMaurier — Hannibal Lecter’s psychiatrist.” 

What the hell?

“Did Hannibal ask you to contact me, Dr. DuMaurier?” Will took out his phone but there were no new notifications from the doctor. 

“He did not. Please, call me Bedelia, Will.” She walked in Will’s direction until she was only about four feet away. “I wanted to meet with you independently and have my own conversation with you.” 

“I’m not sure I can afford your hourly rate.” His joke fell flat and Bedelia began studying him in earnest. Will prickled at the sensation of being appraised. Whether it was because she was a psychiatrist or because Will felt ill at ease alone with her specifically remained to be seen. He refused to be intimidated though. Certainly not in his own lecture room and not by some woman who was likely breaking several ethics codes in seeking him out. He straightened his spine and gave her a few seconds to take him in.

“Did you have a question? Now that I know you’re Hannibal’s therapist, I’m not comfortable answering anything about him. Just so you know.” 

Weirdly enough, she smiled at that. It wasn’t a warm smile but it was more than Will had seen from her thus far. “No Will, my questions revolve around you. I’ve heard so much about you. I feel I almost know you.” A challenge disguised as familiarity. 

“You don’t.” He refuted.

Will now decidedly disliked this woman. She wasn’t here for a simple conversation, and she was clearly trying to confirm something for herself regarding Will and his connection to Hannibal. He decided to humor her questions for the moment, hoping to figure out what she was really after based on her line of questioning.

“What did you do for work before you joined the FBI?” 

Easy enough. “I was a cop in New Orleans. I got hurt on the job, so I left and took a teaching position here. Jack brought me into consulting not long after that.”

“That’s a long way to travel for a job change. Was there something specific that drew you to Virginia?” 

“Quantico.” Will replied, gesturing to the room around them. “I wanted to be a part of something bigger than just me, and thought a teaching position would be a good use of my skills.”

“Hannibal has told me about your empathy. He calls it a gift. Would you call it a gift as well?” Will bristled at the mention of his empathy disorder. It was brought up casually, but he could tell she was searching for a nerve to hit. Something raw and exposed to poke at to pull a reaction from him. Now that he understood her game, he felt better equipped to play it.

“I see it as a part of me, like the color of my eyes or my hair. Except people can’t see it at first, so for a while they wonder why I give them the creeps or why it feels like they somehow gave too much away.” One delicate brow arched on her face, which she quickly set back into something more neutral.

“You enjoy that feeling of control. Being able to make others as uncomfortable as you are in certain social situations.” 

Will shook his head, pursing his lips a little. “There’s not much to enjoy in that. Seeing the world through the eyes of strangers loses its allure quickly when you are categorically repulsed by what they show you.” Will leaned in a bit into her space. “I enjoy when I get to open my own eyes again and instead of a monster in front of me I see the person, stripped of all the armor their violence and deception afforded them. A bit of give and take in so many ways. Nietzsche said it best, but there are always those who still risk a glance into the abyss just to see if they can spite it.” He leaned away from her, and turned to retrieve his bag off the desk behind him.  

He could still feel her eyes on him as he placed it over his shoulders. “I have to get going. Make sure you sign out at the front desk.” He said offhandedly.

“You recently killed a man named Abel Gideon in Hannibal’s kitchen.” Will stopped short of putting his bag over his shoulder, giving her his full attention. “The circumstances must have been…dire.”

“It was an unfortunate night. Thankfully, things worked out the way they did.”

“Something like that can put a strain on even the healthiest relationships. To be put in a life or death situation can make you see your partner differently. Force you to confront truths about each other you may have otherwise never uncovered. Truths that normally stay hidden behind a carefully tailored person suit.”

Exactly how much did Bedelia actually know about Hannibal? About his relationship with Will? It didn't surprise Will that Hannibal had discussed him during his therapy sessions, but there’s no way Bedelia would be able to make such thinly veiled accusations regarding Hannibal’s true nature unless he had intentionally let her see parts of it. Will gave her a forced smile, and finally put his bag on his shoulder.

“Hannibal and I are grateful things turned out the way they did. We agree it was an awful situation, but we came out of it alive, and stronger together because of it.”

After a moment of study, Bedelia took a step in Will’s direction and leaned forward to speak less than a foot from his face to whisper her parting words to him.

“I don’t believe you.” She stepped away from him completely then, and left the room without waiting for so much as a farewell. Will stood there rooted to the spot for a few seconds. He told himself that the bone deep shiver that racked his body was from a chill brought in from the hallway.

***

“Have you spoken to your therapist yet?” 

Hannibal nodded as he took a sip of his wine. After Bedelia’s visit earlier that afternoon, Will had called Hannibal and explained to him what had happened. Seeing as she had violated their doctor / patient confidentiality clause, Will left it to Hannibal to deal with as he saw fit, though he doubted the other man would seek any professional recourse against her. 

During the call, Will had been convinced to have Hannibal over for a quick dinner at his home in Wolf Trap since they also still needed to discuss their separate interviews with Kade Prurnell. That conversation had been short since Hannibal’s lawyer interceded for most of her questioning. They reiterated that the official report should more than suffice for her needs and Hannibal only had to confirm the reported timeline of events before he was dismissed.

That’s how he found himself sharing yet another drink on his porch with the older man, while an absolutely gleeful Noah was currently inside nursing an overly stuffed stomach from the homemade desserts Hannibal brought. 

“She ended our therapeutic relationship today. She came to my office not long after you called me this afternoon.” This surprised Will. 

“Why did she do that?”

“She thinks I’m dangerous.” Hannibal said simply. “On some level she believes she can see me for who I am, and no longer wishes to associate herself with me.”

“Did you give her a reason to think that? When we spoke, she seemed certain that our confrontation with Gideon should have opened my eyes to information about you. She was right of course, but it left me wondering how much of the truth you’ve allowed her to see during your sessions.”

Hannibal regarded the dark haired man and stayed silent for a long minute. “Over the years, I have shared insights to myself with Bedelia. I was interested in her reactions, and which technique she would use next to pull more out of me. She is a brilliant psychiatrist and I found her entertaining for a time.”

“Like me.” Will spat. “Wind them up, and watch them go. I’d reconsider that approach, it doesn’t seem to be working out how you’d like.” He hated comparing himself to the woman from earlier, and hated the common ground he was finding with her. They’d both figured out more of Hannibal’s true nature, and both had left him for it, though the nature of their relationship to him was never the same to begin with.

He mostly resented how just like Gideon, she spoke to him about Hannibal like she was waiting for him to catch up. It made him itch under his skin even though he knew he had willingly relinquished any intimate claim he had to Hannibal’s current inner workings. They had an agreement to safeguard each other's secrets in the interest of mutual protection. If it weren’t for Noah’s dependency on the other man’s company, Will would likely refuse to see him altogether. At least that's what he told himself. 

“She’s nothing like you. She enjoys playing with her patients, getting them to bring out their dirty laundry and having them sort it into piles at her feet. Digging until she finds the things they most wish to keep hidden in the depths of their closet.” Hannibal did not try to approach Will, respecting the space he had put between them. “Your empathy isn’t a choice, but I’ve never once seen you use it as a weapon against someone who didn’t deserve it. She sought you out because she could not resist seeing you for yourself. A man so above her in principle and capability that it makes her question all she is and failed to become. I imagine she has already spent more time thinking about you than you will ever think about her.”

Will sank into his mind and back to his conversation with Bedelia. Hannibal was sure that she only saw pieces of him, but Will knew better based on what she said to him before she left. He tried seeing their conversation from her perspective, finally coming face to face with the man that Hannibal found entertaining enough to mention in his sessions and have a full blown romantic relationship with. What did she feel in that moment? DIssapointment? Jealousy? Maybe she’d been having a good laugh the whole time. 

Poor Will Graham, so dazzled by this man he was willing to ignore every ounce of the intelligence Hannibal claimed made him so interesting to begin with. His silence must have pushed Hannibal past his comfort zone because he placed himself directly in front of the agent and called his name.

“Will. Come back, please.” The doctor took the other man’s hand and gently squeezed it, pairing the auditory request with a physical one. 

“She said she didn’t believe me.” Will said quietly as he rejoined Hannibal in the moment, letting their eyes meet. “She didn’t believe that our relationship was able to survive Gideon unscathed.” 

“Yet here we are.” Hannibal said, still holding Will’s hand in his.

“But it’s not the same. Before Gideon and after, there’s a clear distinction in our relationship that’s defined by that night.” Will looked away and to the side of Hannibal, moving to take his hand back and put distance between them. Hannibal didn’t allow it though. He adjusted his grip on Will’s hand and moved to reposition himself close to Will again to accommodate for the half step he had managed to move. 

“It’s better that it happened.” He said. “Whatever masks we felt necessary to wear in front of each other have been discarded. There is nothing to hide, nothing that needs to be withheld. We can walk down our chosen path together, keeping Noah safely tucked between us and guarded against anything that may come to trouble us.”

It would be easy, Will knew. To acknowledge and accept what Hannibal was offering. He had battled with himself for a long time. Longer than he knew Hannibal, and longer even than Noah had been around. There existed parts of himself that frightened him, impulses and desires he kept locked away and disregarded as an unfortunate kickback of time spent in the wrong kind of minds. If that were all it was though, he’d be able to walk away from Jack and all the evil that hung over his day to day work. If what he saw everyday was so removed from who he was at his core, he’d never be able to stomach it for as long as he had. 

Hannibal had only come along and encouraged him to embrace those pieces of himself. Showed him that they could be celebrated when they were used in a way that satisfied the more civil parts of himself. Acceptance was too hard though, so he ran towards denial instead, where he had always felt safest.

“I don’t need to save myself from you or anyone else. I think I need to save myself from who you think I am. The idea that if you push hard enough, I’ll finally become who I was always meant to be.”

“It’s not a matter of meant to be or not meant to be Will. It’s who you’ve always been, who you’ll always be. You’ve lived your entire adult life attempting to fit in the singular mold society offered you. Your psyche is water, able to flow and fill any glass placed in front of you, but your core is steel. It was meant to forge its own space to live in, regardless of what shape the world around you has deemed fit.”

Will looked down at their still joined hands that hung at his side. “I want to give Noah a good life, and I want to stop constantly feeling like I’m wearing someone else’s skin. I don’t think anyone is allowed to have everything without concessions.” 

Hannibal came forward and leaned his forehead against the top of Will’s head. “There’s so much I want for you, Will. For us.” Will took a deep breath in from his nose and immersed himself in Hannibal’s scent for a few moments. The spice of his cologne, the food from earlier, and his own natural scent that was known to Will now. His eyes closed and they stood there in their strange hold as the wind blew through the nearby treeline.

The front door opened and Will’s pack came running from the deck and off into the yard. The two men slowly stepped away from each other, careful not to collide with the animals and let their hands disengage. 

“Oops, sorry daddy. Winston had to potty.” Noah looked at his father apologetically, as he knew he wasn’t supposed to open the door by himself. Will allowed it though since he and Hannibal had told him they would be right outside. 

“It’s alright buddy. Hannibal was about to go home, come say goodnight.” 

Noah frowned at that, and his father could sense an argument on the tip of his tongue.

“We’ll still see him tomorrow, one sleep, ok?” Noah huffed and approached Hannibal slowly in an attempt to delay his departure. Hannibal kneeled down and opened his arms for Noah to tuck himself into. “Goodnight triušis. Be good for your father and I’ll bake you something special for dessert tomorrow.” 

Noah squeezed himself further into Hannibal’s space. “Ok Hanbal, I love you.” It wasn’t the first time he had verbalized his love for Hannibal, but it still made Will avert his gaze and gnaw at the inside of his cheek. Hannibal gave the boy a kiss to the top of his head. 

“I love you too, Noah. Sweet dreams.” Noah unclasped his hands from the front of Hannibal’s shirt and headed back inside. Will whistled for the dogs to come back in as well and they stampeded past the men into the house. Will watched them go and followed them to the doorway before turning to the other man still on his porch.

“Goodnight, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Hannibal’s smile was a small one as he said his goodbye. He got in his car and drove away to Baltimore, and as Will closed his front door for the night, it felt like leaving someone behind. 

***

Walking through the parking lot of Hannibal’s office, Will watched as Noah splashed in another puddle, but this particular time, the water landed on the shoes of a woman that had come walking in their direction.

“I’m so sorry!” Will ran up to his son and the woman pulling Noah to his side. The woman smiled down at the pair, tucking her hair behind one ear. She was dressed nicely in a fitted coat, with simple gold jewelry tastefully adorning her neck and ears. 

“Don’t worry about it.” Her bright teeth gleamed at him and Will was unable to do anything but give a small smile of his own. “I’m Margot.” She held her hand out for WIll to shake which he took before introducing himself. Noah quickly stepped up to take her hand next. “Nice to meet you Margot. My name is Noah Graham.” He cheerily supplied. Will still found his recent penchant for introducing himself as beguiling as when he first saw his son do it, but Margot seemed delighted as she took his hand. 

“What a gentleman.” She praised as she took his hand. “You get that from your daddy?” She asked, looking back up at Will. “Your wife must be proud.” 

“Oh, I’m not married. I’ve been told Noah has better manners than me, so I’m really not sure where he gets it from.” 

He didn’t think it would be appropriate to introduce himself as Hannibal’s partner to one of his patients so he didn’t bother to clarify his relationship status any further. He also didn’t think it would matter since they were only ‘together’ for the sake of appearances. “We should get going though, and I’m sorry again about the splashing.” 

Margot shrugged a delicate shoulder at him. “Nothing to worry about. I’m glad it gave me a chance to introduce myself. Have a good evening Will. Goodbye, Noah.” She offered the boy a small wave before heading to her vehicle, and Will turned with Noah to enter Hannibal’s office.

Once inside, Noah hugged the doctor’s side and went about exploring the new space. He’d never been inside the actual office before and was eager to see all it contained.

“Hey.” Will greeted the doctor. “Sorry, we got held up by one of your patients.”

“Yes, I saw from the window. Margot Verger is actually a returning patient of mine. She is the only daughter of the Verger fortune, with her older brother being her only living family.” 

“She was pretty.” Noah said “She said I’m a gentleman and she thought daddy was married. That’s silly though, ‘cause he’s not in a suit.” His smile was wide at being acknowledged in such a way by someone outside of Will and Hannibal. Will shook his head, amused at his summary of the events.

“I uh— wasn’t sure what the protocol was for patients, so I didn’t mention anything about ‘us’.” He gestured between them vaguely with one hand.

“Not to worry, I usually don’t disclose personal details of my life to patients but it would be harmless for her to be made aware of our relationship should you ever meet again.”

“I doubt we will but I’ll keep that in mind. Are you ready to go?” Will had no intention of running into one of Hannibal’s patients again and even less of an inclination to clarify a lie about the two of them that his patients didn’t need to know in the first place. 

“Actually, I have a quick favor to ask of you. There are a few binders I need from upstairs and I was hoping you could help retrieve them so I don’t have to make multiple trips.” 

“Sure.” Will’s eyes flicked to the balcony above them as if he would be able to determine which ones they would be lugging back down.

“I can help!” Noah volunteered.

“That’s so kind of you triušis, but I have another job for you.” 

Hannibal opened a drawer on his desk and brought out a Newton’s cradle before setting it on the desk in front of Noah. He brought one of the balls out to the side before releasing it and beginning the cycle of rhythmic clacks as the balls on the edge absorbed the force and swung out before falling back against their counterparts. “If we are still upstairs when the balls stop moving, I want you to call for us. Can you do that?” 

“Mm-hmm.” Noah hummed as he watched the balls swing back and forth, properly transfixed by the movements. Will had to reluctantly give the doctor kudos. He’d always been good at making Noah feel important and included in whatever task they needed to accomplish.

“Thank you, but it’s very important that you don’t touch it, and let it stop on it’s own.” 

Noah looked up this time as he answered. “Ok Hanbal, I’ll call you when it stops.” His eyes returned to the paperweight and the two men climbed the stairs to reach the second floor bookshelf. 

Hannibal led them down one of the short halls and stopped at the end of it, out of Noah’s line of sight but still close enough to hear the clacking noise from downstairs.

“Which ones do we need?” Will asked.

“I’m sorry Will, I needed an opportunity to speak with you away from Noah. Just for a moment.”

Will couldn’t help the flash of annoyance at being tricked by the older man but did his best to shelve it for now. “Alright, well he can’t hear us up here.” He waited for Hannibal to start explaining.

“The Verger family is a concerning one for many reasons. They certainly  concern me.” He began.

“Margot?” Will asked confusedly. “Are you…concerned about her treatment? Should we even be talking about your patients?” He was a little bewildered by the topic presented and unsure as to what the right question would be.

“No, I believe she is well on her way to meeting her therapeutic goals.” 

“Ok, so what’s the issue?” Whatever dots Hannibal wanted him to connect were completely escaping him.

“Her and her brother Mason are the sole heirs to the Verger fortune but there were certain stipulations put on the inheritance by their father. Currently, Mason holds sole ownership of their estates and funds in their entirety.”

“That’s…unfortunate for Margot.” Will concluded. “How does this concern you?”

“She seemed quite taken with you and Noah. From what I could see from my office window that is.” 

Will snorted. “Noah splashed her with a puddle, I think she was just being gracious because he’s a little kid.”

“I know her well enough, and grace is not something she easily gives unless there is something to be gained. There’s something she wants more than anything in the world. Something she would go to great lengths to attain. She may believe you would be…able and willing to give it to her.”

“Me?” Will asked incredulously. “It sounds like her family has more money than they can spend in three generations, I doubt I have anything she can’t freely acquire on her own.”

“What she wants is a child, Will.” He cut to the chase. “A biological male heir that will allow her to escape the clutches of her brother.” 

Clack.

Clack.

Clack.

The sound of the cradle downstairs marked the long seconds it took for Will to understand what Hannibal was trying to imply.

As realization hit, Will turned his head away from the other man, scoffing in disbelief. “We barely met. That was probably the last thing on her mind.”

“That’s exactly what was on her mind.” Hannibal retorted, his face screwed up in displeasure. “In her session, we discussed how a pregnancy could free her of her current circumstances. Minutes later you walk right up to her, a solution to her plight with Noah at your side as living proof of your virility.” 

“My vir— Hannibal, that's ridiculous.”

“If memory serves, you were able to conceive Noah after only one encounter. I can’t imagine it would be difficult for you—”

“You don’t want to finish that sentence.” Will warned.

“They're dangerous people, Will.” Hannibal implored. “Margot would have no reason to consider such drastic measures if it weren’t for the cruelty she experiences at the hand of her brother. Cruelty that isn’t exclusive to her.”

“I hear you, ok?” Will put his hands up. “I have no intention of ever seeing her again and I’m certainly not starved for intimacy to the point I’d jump into bed with her—”

“That’s enough.” Hannibal said in the same way Will had cut him off earlier.

Clack.

Clack.

“If you’re that concerned, why not just refer her to someone else?”

“Her brother has reigned terror over her for long enough. She’s finally in a position to take back her life without losing all the privileges that come with her family name. She came to me specifically for my unorthodox therapeutic approach.”

Will blinked owlishly at him as the truth of it settled on his shoulders. 

“You’re unbelievable.” He whispered. “What, you had to find a replacement for the toy you lost? Didn’t take too long either.” Will’s expression shifted into a sneer. “You call me up here to warn me off her and in the same breath admit that you’re playing your own game with her life. It’s amazing you still find the time to worry about who I’m getting into bed with.” 

Will turned to leave the small hallway they were concealing themselves in but a hand around his arm halted him. Hannibal’s touch was still almost jarring after nearly a month without it, but more than that, Will was almost offended by it in this context. He yanked his arm free which he acknowledged was only possible because Hannibal allowed it. The older man placed himself between Will and the hall’s exit, keeping his hands to himself for the time being.

“If you think I’m above jumping from the balcony, you’re mistaken.” They both knew his words were not an empty promise.

“I think if we were alone you’d be pushing me over the railing. Would it disappoint you if I landed without injury to myself? How badly should I hurt before you feel justice has been done?”

“You have a knack for coming out unscathed. I’m starting to understand that.”

“Not all wounds are so easily seen Will. Some are left to fester in the dark, tended to only with further twists of the knife.”

“Am I the wound or the knife in this scenario?” 

“You are and always have been the knife, the wound, the perpetrator, and the life-giving salve that staunches the bleed and knits my skin back together. Wholly indefinable and attainable only at the cost of everything I’ve ever thought to be true about myself.”

“Sounds like its own kind of therapy. Maybe Margot and I can have a chat about where I fit in her own therapeutic goals— like some kind of fucked up foreplay.”

Will’s back met the hard edge of the bookshelf to his right, and his pained groan was stifled and swallowed by the lock Hannibal’s lips had on his mouth. The doctor’s hand came up and pinched the sides of Will's nose shut, forcing him to open his mouth to recoup the air that had been pushed out of him when his back had collided with the shelf. Hannibal’s tongue wasted no time reacquainting itself with every corner of the agent’s mouth, searching and sliding against his tongue and catching on his teeth. 

The initial shock forced Will into stillness but he quickly recovered and began using his tongue to force Hannibal’s back into his own mouth. Will contemplated biting the doctor’s tongue clean off, but if memory served, biting would do very little in dissuading the older man’s advances. The wet muscles continued to slip and slide against each other, and after only a few moments it became difficult for Will to remember why he had fought so hard against this eventuality in the first place.

Nearly a month’s worth of repressed desire bubbled to the surface at once and the agent had fistfuls of the other man’s collar clenched in his hands which he used to keep him close rather than push him away. Hannibal gave a muted moan into Will’s mouth, turning their heads at a new angle for a better connection.

When Hannibal finally pulled off from him, Will was once again desperate for air, but one of Hannibal’s hands traveled from his hip to cover his mouth completely as the other gripped his dark curls and craned his neck backwards. A second later, and Hannibal was sucking the flesh of Will’s neck between his teeth making him aggravatingly grateful for the hand over his mouth. 

There were several reasons Will shouldn’t be kissing Hannibal or letting Hannibal kiss him back. Will was trying hard to remember them as their groins rutted up against each other and derailed every train of thought he began.

His mind shut out everything that was too much until all that Will could focus on was Hannibal’s mouth on his skin, and the pressure of his hands keeping them pressed together. A nagging clack, clack, clack, finally pierced through the thick haze of lust that clouded his head and his hands moved from the back of Hannibal’s hair —when had they moved?— to press against his shoulders.

“St-stop!” Will exclaimed in a hushed plea. At once, the mouth on his neck and the body against his vanished, as did the support that was keeping him upright against the shelf. He hurriedly stumbled to the balcony railing and exhaled in relief when he spotted Noah in the same place they’d left him, his head resting in his arms as he slept in front of the noisy paperweight.

Will took a deep breath in and swallowed against the catch in his throat, but the taste of Hannibal fresh on his tongue was more dizzying than the lack of oxygen had been a minute earlier. 

How could he allow himself to act so carelessly? At any point, Noah could have gotten bored, and come upstairs to find them. Will might not have even noticed before he and Hannibal said or did something they couldn’t easily explain to him. 

He took a moment to even out his breaths and collect his thoughts before turning around and facing the other man.

“I’m sorry. That was cruel and immature of me to say.” Will said as he stared at the floor.

“I don’t—” Hannibal moved forward a step and Will retreated in kind, putting a hand up in the open space between them.

“We shouldn’t talk about your patients.” He kept his eyes down, afraid of falling victim to whatever he would find in Hannibal’s gaze.

The older man opened his mouth to speak, but Will cut off whatever he was about to say. “Noah’s asleep down there. We should grab him and head out.” Will turned without waiting for a response and hurried downstairs to his son. “Noah.” He whispered, rubbing at the boy’s arm once he reached him. “It’s time to go home.”

A sleepy hum came from him. “Have to watch the balls. For Hanbal.” The boy blinked slowly as he woke up and his eyes focused on the moving object in front of him, ready to resume his task.

“You did very well, triušis. It’s time to go now, do you want to see them stop?” Hannibal appeared on the other side of Noah leaning down to reach his height. 

Noah nodded and Hannibal took one of his hands in his and lifted it to the cradle, keeping their hands straight like they were going to shake someone’s hand. Hannibal slid their palms between the ball in motion and the waiting set and let the moving piece land against the back of his own hand before he slowly removed his and Noah’s from the rest of the balls The trio watched as the cradle remained still after that.

“We stopped the ball that was moving, so now, there is nothing to move the others.” Was Hannibal’s simplified explanation.

“Would it keep going forever?” Noah asked. 

“Not forever, but for a long time if there is enough force.” Hannibal smiled at his curious nature, and plucked him from the desk chair before setting him back on his feet. “I will need a few minutes to collect my things, why don’t you both head home and I will meet you there.” He smiled cordially, but Will could feel the tension that would only be obvious to the adults in the room.

“Alright.” Will said weakly. “We’ll see you there. Come on Noah, you can help me start dinner.” 

They said their brief goodbyes and for the remainder of the evening through a shared meal and bedtime routine, Will was unable to shake the self-reproach that came with the pull he felt to the other man whenever he met his eye.

Chapter Text

“It’s a color palette.” Everyone in the lab turned to look at the empath. Jack looked over his shoulder at the array of headshots Will had arranged on the table in front of them. 

“He’s choosing them based on the color of their skin?” Jack asked.

“The color of our skin is often politicized. It would be refreshing to see someone revel in aesthetic for aesthetics sake. If it weren’t for the horror.” Hannibal chimed in from the other side of the table. 

“He'll be looking to replace Roland Umber.” Will continued. “He needs somewhere private to do what he does. A warehouse, a farm, someplace abandoned, upstream from where the body was found, but somewhere close to the water.” Will mused out loud more to himself than anyone else.

“What is it you think he’s doing with them?” Jack asked.

Will looked up from the photos and met Hannibal’s eye from across the table. His expression gave nothing away, but Will could see the interest there in what conclusion Will would draw. He kept his gaze on the doctor as he gave his interpretation.

“This killer, he’s not stringing his victims up, he's stitching them together. Each body is a brushstroke. He’s making a human mural.”

“It would explain the careful preservation.” Hannibal said. “They were purposefully selected to fit the killer's chosen image.”

Umber’s body was on the next table over, with the usual trio of Beverly Price and Zeller reviewing their preliminary finds. 

“His body was found in the same river that we fished the rejects from. We haven’t found antying on him that would tell us where he was originally placed.” Zeller said.

“Forgive me, but under the scent of water and resin, our Mr. Umber smells faintly of grass, and…wheat perhaps?”

“You can smell wheat underneath everything?” Beverly asked dumbfounded.

“I discovered at an early age that I had a more sensitive sense of smell than most. It’s not something I can easily shut off, but you’ll understand if around the deceased, I try to ignore most of what my nose picks up.” He smiled at her to show he took no offense to her line of questioning, and she grinned back looking slightly impressed. 

“It’s possible that trace amounts of surrounding vegetation can be found under the layer of resin. It’ll take some time, but we can check for anything that got sealed inside.” Price suggested.

“Do it.” Commanded Jack. “Call me as soon as you find something we can track.”

Jack, Hannibal and Will filed out of the lab, leaving the techs to begin a new round of inspection.

“Hopefully, they can make quick work of this and we can pin down where they’re all being placed before the killer can take a replacement.” Jack said as they walked through the hall. “Will, I’ll give you a call when they have an update and you can meet me wherever they say Umber was placed.” 

“I will be away this coming week for a conference I’m set to speak at. Unfortunately, it’s not an engagement I can get out of.”

“We’ll be fine Hannibal, but I appreciate your notes for the profile. Bella has an appointment coming up so I have to get going. Will, I’ll talk to you soon.”

Jack left them together after that and Will stood in the remaining silence, trying to think of something to fill it with. Their interactions since the ‘incident’ in Hannibal’s office had been business as usual and Hannibal seemed content enough to act like nothing happened in the first place. It was only Will who seemed to struggle with getting back in the swing of things.

He could feel himself growing warm under his clothing, but chalked it up to the fact that he’d been forced to don turtlenecks for the past week thanks to the marks Hannibal had left on his neck. Noah catching them in the act was unthinkable but being poked and prodded by his colleagues about his —currently nonexistent— sex life wasn’t something he was keen on either.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow to say goodbye to Noah before I leave, as we discussed.” Hannibal said.

“I appreciate it. I’ve kept reminding him that you’re going to be gone so he doesn’t feel too caught off guard now that it’s happening.” Noah was still going to struggle with Hannibal’s week-long absence, but Will thought the distance would be good for everyone at the moment.

“Please let me know if there are any developments with the case, especially since Jack expects you to go wherever this field ends up being.”

“I will. See you tomorrow.” They parted ways, and Will promised to make the most of his week free of the emotional whiplash Hannibal’s presence always muddled his mind with.

*** 

“Daddy, I don't think I like soccer.”

“What you mean is that you’ve never played soccer.”

“These shoes have spikes.” 

“They’re called cleats, remember?”

Noah scrunched his nose at the offending foot coverings and Will would have sworn he had brought Hannibal to the nearby indoor athletic field instead of his six year old son.

“Let’s just give it a shot today, and if you don’t like it we don’t have to come back.” He promised.

“Ok, daddy, but in space, if you tried kicking a ball, it would just float away.”

“Fair enough.”

Noah reluctantly stepped on the field surrounded by a dozen other small children, and Will gave him a thumbs up that he hoped portrayed more confidence than he was actually feeling. Noah gave him a wobbly smile in return before turning his attention back to the coach who was showing the kids ‘the right way’ to kick a ball. A few minutes in, Will was checking a message from Jack when he heard it.

There was an ominous ‘bop’ noise immediately followed by a cry that would wake Will from a dead sleep. His head shot up hoping that he was wrong. Noah was sitting on the field clutching the right side of his face, bawling his eyes out in front of a dozen of his peers and their guardians.

Fuck. Will ran onto the field.

The ball had thankfully missed his eye but the entire right side of his small face had swollen up immediately and was only now starting to go down. The clinic they went to had assured Will that Noah did not have a concussion but would have a fair amount of bruising, and gave Noah some children’s Tylenol for the pain and a lollipop for his troubles. 

Will tried his best to soothe his son and assured him that they never had to go back to the field again. He’d made his favorite meal — well favorite of Will’s meals — and put on a movie for them both to watch in the living room after taking his medicine. Noah curled into his side and Will rubbed his back in soothing circles, racked with guilt over his son’s suffering. 

When Noah fell asleep in the first 30 minutes, he decided it was time to take the plunge and make the call he’d been dreading since they left the field that afternoon. Hannibal had left for his conference two days ago, and Will had thought that an introduction to soccer would serve as a good replacement for the change in routine. Now he stood in his kitchen, comforting himself with the thought that the other man might be too busy to take his random phone call.

Hannibal picked up in two rings.

“Will, hello. I was hoping to hear from you and Noah today since we could not have our usual dinner. How is everything?”

“Hey. Noah’s—” 

Fine? Here? 

“He’s resting right now. He had his first soccer practice today and it uh…he got hurt but it’s not too bad.” 

A second too long of silence.

“I’m sorry Will, but I think our connection is a bit strained, what happened at soccer today?”

Will decided to answer directly. “He got hit pretty hard in the face with one of the balls, but he’s here at the house now so—”

“How exactly did this happen?” Will bristled at the accusatory tone before giving him a quick rundown of the story. 

“But he’s fine now Hannibal, the swelling is down and—”

“One moment, please Will.” If Hannibal didn’t stop interrupting him he was going to lose it.

It took him a second to realize Hannibal had hung up. He hadn’t quite recovered by the time the doctor’s name flashed on his screen again moments later. An incoming FaceTime call.

Fuck. Will answered the call, and Hannibal’s concerned face took over the screen.

“Hannibal, he’s sleeping right now—”

“Hanbal? Is that Hanbal, daddy?” 

Will jumped at the sound of Noah's voice behind him. The medicine should have kept him comfortably sleeping for at least a few hours.

“Triušis?” Hannibal called for the boy over the phone.

“Hanbal!” Will had no choice but to hand over his phone and upon seeing Noah’s face through the screen, he watched Hannibal experience a marathon of emotions before becoming pointedly devoid of any at all. 

“Talk to me dear one, what happened?” Noah went through the whole terrible account and Will stayed in the background as Hannibal listened with rapt attention.

“…even though they said not to kick the balls yet.” Noah finished his story and the man on the other side of the screen was full of indignation for the boy. Will made a mental note to ensure the names and faces of the families at the field never made its way to Hannibal. 

“That’s unforgivably rude. I’m sorry you had to experience such savagery Noah. My conference is supposed to end Friday but I can see about leaving early—”

“No!” Will sprang out of his chair and got in sight of the phone where Hannibal could see his face. “Hannibal, stay at your conference. We’ll be fine here and we’ll see you next Sunday.”

“But daddy—” Will held out a hand, signaling Noah to return his phone and he reluctantly gave the device up.

“Say goodnight to Hannibal and I’ll go tuck you in in a few minutes Noah.”

Noah’s face turned a light shade of red before he ran up the stairs, abandoning the conversation entirely. Will watched him go with a sigh before remembering he was still on a call and turning to face his audience member.

“I have to go, Hannibal. I’ll call if anything major happens.” He didn’t quite know what else to say. It seemed Will wasn’t capable of making any good moves today. 

“I understand, thank you for calling. I’m very sorry for the day you’ve both had. Please have a good night.”

“You too, we’ll see you Sunday.”

Will disconnected the call and went upstairs to try and make amends. Noah was predictably uninterested in anything Will had to say regarding conference decorum and declined a bedtime story as well which solidified Will’s decision to cry into his pillow later that night. He was allowed to give him a kiss on the forehead and left Noah to trash talk him to Apollo and the glow in the dark stars on his ceiling.

We’ll have a better week. Will promised himself as he wiped his eyes for a final time later that night in his own bedroom.

They in fact did not have a better week. 

Monday, Will kept Noah home to give him another day to recoup. He wasn’t as angry as he had been the day before, but he was sulky and cranky. Tuesday, he came home crying because the other kids constantly stared at his bruised face. Will held him for an hour while Noah’s sobs rose and fell in their intensity. Wednesday, Will kept him home again, but when Noah realized it was supposed to be one of their ‘Hanbal days’, there was no rescuing his mood. Thankfully, a phone call with Hannibal later that night proved to be the right choice and Noah went to bed after with no complaints. Thursday through Saturday passed them by with raging storms outside and Will contemplated the chances of a lightning strike transforming him into a better parent.

Sunday finally arrived and the two members of the Graham family turned up to Hannibal’s doorstep haggard looking and with yet another storm thundering behind them. Hannibal swung the door open before Will had a chance to knock, and immediately set his sights on Noah and the now faded, yellowing bruise on his face.

“Triušis.” Hannibal said mournfully before bending down and scooping the boy into his arms. Noah went all too willingly, throwing his small arms around his neck and burying his face there. Will followed in after them, petulantly feeling like a bit of an afterthought. 

Hannibal and Noah quickly settled in the sitting room, with Noah seated in the man’s lap as they spoke softly to each other and Hannibal made space for Will to sit next to them. After a few minutes, the group relocated to the dining room where Hannibal had prepared Noah’s actual favorite meal which was the first one Hannibal had ever made them. Complete with his fancy mac and cheese and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert. 

After the week they’d had, Will found that he was reluctant to pry Noah from the other man’s company. Hannibal took out one of his ‘preferred’ opera records and played it for all of them - but mostly Noah - as they sat and ate their dessert. Noah fell asleep to the music gradually and both men watched him drift off from their seats a few feet away.

“You’ve had a long week.” Hannibal’s soft voice reached Will who hummed as he turned his head to respond. 

“Started early too. How was your conference?”

Hannibal waved the question off. “Filled with unimportant people making underinformed claims about their research. To be honest, I only felt like I was half present for the entire thing.” It was silent apart from the music for a few minutes before Hannibal spoke again. 

“Will, I don’t want to overstep, but I don't believe Noah is…athletically inclined.” Will snorted at the polite observation. 

“Yeah, that was a mistake. I should just set him up for a reading program or something. It’s just hard with how shy he gets around other people.” 

Unless you count cannibals or half-feral girls hiding under his bed. Will’s heart sank a little as he thought of Georgia Madchen.

She had been a surprising hit with Noah and they had gone together to see her in the hospital a few times over the past month. She had recently been released into the care of a nearby women’s psychiatric hospital though and wouldn't be permitted visitors outside of family members for some time which took away even that avenue of non-Hannibal socializing.

Hannibal opened and closed his mouth and Will clocked his hesitance. 

“You have your own opinion.” Will raised an eyebrow at the man to prompt an elaboration.

“More of a suggestion.” Hannibal offered carefully. “Perhaps we can revisit the possibility of Noah staying with me during times I’m free and you find yourself called away.” He tried. “It can be in public places. There are plenty of museums and music halls I would be delighted to take him to and I think it would prove just as enriching as…soccer.” 

Will leaned forward on their shared couch and met Hannibal’s eye. “I think I was too harsh when I first set the new guidelines, or maybe I just chose my words poorly. I’m not worried about you being alone with Noah. I’m concerned with him growing too dependent on your company.”

“I would like to reiterate that I have every intention of remaining a part of Noah’s life. In whatever capacity and amount you’ll allow. I want to be his friend, his confidant, one of his guides in times of doubt. He is very important to me. You both are.”

Will couldn’t bring himself to say it to Hannibal in this moment, but Noah had been different since they stopped seeing him so frequently. Noah was more reserved, less likely to tell Will when he wanted to do something or just ramble on about his differing interests as he tended to in the past. He knew that Noah’s love for him hadn’t faltered by any degree, but he also couldn’t deny that his son had somewhat reverted to the reclusive version of himself he had been prior to meeting Hannibal. Will also knew that the same could be said for himself. 

It seemed in all the things he failed to account for, he’d also overestimated his ability to return to his pre-Hannibal self. The old skin no longer served as adequate covering. If Will’s life could be categorized as ‘Before Noah’ and ‘After Noah’, the chapter of meeting Dr. Hannibal Lecter would be littered with bright neon highlights over the text, and copious hand-written notes all along the margins.

He must have been silent too long and his companion knew he had fallen into the pit trap of his own mind, sinking in the quicksand that covered its floor. A hand reached out and a thumb gently stroking the dark discoloration under Will’s eye brought him back his surroundings.

“You need to rest Will. This schedule isn’t healthy for you.” The empath fought against the urge to fully lean his head into the hand stroking his face and close his eyes. It felt good to be cared for like this again and he’d forgotten how easy it had become to sink into Hannibal’s touches. Maybe the other man sensed an opening, because he brought his other hand over and began to card through the dark curls at the back of Will’s head.

Will’s eyes did close then even if it wasn’t a conscious choice he made. Melting into the feeling, Will let himself consider all he had withheld from them both, and the possibility of spending the night in a bed upstairs he didn’t have to be alone in. 

After a minute he opened them and found Hannibal still gazing back at him. He looked tired too, but with a simmering undercurrent of emotion that made Will feel a little gooey inside. 

“Daddy? Hanbal?” A sleepy voice pulled Will’s attention away and he found Noah pushing himself into a seated position, rubbing at his eyes. When had the music stopped playing? He pushed himself out of his seat and away from the soothing hands to go pick up Noah. 

“We’re here baby, and it’s time for bed now. You have school tomorrow.”

“Wanna sleep with daddy and Hanbal.” Noah’s eyes were still closed and Will didn’t have the heart to refuse him yet another thing this week.

He turned to face Hannibal and whispered softly so Noah wouldn’t hear. “Would you mind?”

Hannibal stood from his chair at once and walked over to the pair. “Of course triušis, let’s have your father change you into your pajamas first though.” 

Will gave a small smile in thanks and picked his son up from the ottoman he’d been laying on. The three of them made it upstairs and Hannibal left to get the room ready while Will changed Noah’s clothes and brushed his teeth. He carried Noah into Hannibal’s room and gently laid him on the bed next to where the man was sitting as he waited for them.

“I put your sleep clothes in the restroom, Will.” Will had forgotten they were now usually in the other guest room.

“Thanks.” He whispered before leaving to see to his own nightly routine. When he came out Noah was sleeping on his side, facing Hannibal who was rhythmically patting his back. 

“He woke and asked for you. I assured him you would join us shortly.” Will looked at the older man and realized how tired he looked himself. The conference may not have been overly hectic but Hannibal still had to spend a day traveling for it and with Will and Noah coming for dinner, he was sure the doctor had spent no small amount of time preparing everything. 

He felt a familiar burst of gratitude for the man in front of him as he climbed under the covers to join the two bodies already there. Both men were sitting up, and Will reached over to stroke the skin under Hannibal’s eye as he had done for Will not even an hour earlier. 

“You’re pretty tired too.” He whispered. Hannibal lifted the hand that had been resting on Noah’s back and placed it over Will’s hand. He turned his face into the empath’s palm and his lips pressed to the skin there but didn’t retreat.

Noah’s shuffling got Will’s attention, as he rolled over to face his father, softly mumbling in his sleep.

Will shifted to lie down next to him releasing Hannibal who then slid into his own resting position. They didn’t say anything else to one another, and Will counted 28 of Noah’s steady breaths before he fell asleep.

***

“Congratulations on another closed case.” Hannibal said from his side of the desk. Will had stopped by his office as a favor to Jack who needed the doctor to sign off his consultation notes for the muralist killings. 

After the lab was able to determine where the bodies were being kept, Jack and Will went to stake out the location and were able to apprehend their suspect when he visited the site later that night. James Grey had officially been charged with the crimes and had already made a full confession before Will had even left to come see Hannibal.

“You too.” The agent said. “This will be over quickly now. He waived his right to a trial in exchange for a comfortable setup at Fredericks prison — whatever that looks like.” Will’s hip was leaning against the other side of the desk as he fiddled with some of the art supplies Hannibal had strewn about on it. 

“I’m sure Dr. Chilton is happy to be back upon his throne at the facility. Perhaps his recent brush with death has made him a more conscientious man.”

Will scoffed at the idea. “If he had any sense he would’ve signed his discharge papers from the hospital and been on the next plane to a remote island to live the rest of his days as a wealthy recluse. Tell no one and just…disappear.” 

He thought back to the improbable escape plan he had considered for himself and Noah. How even when it had been just himself he needed to worry about, the idea of vanishing had often been a comforting one as he lay awake in his Wolf Trap home. 

“Many people fantasize about such a thing. Where they would go and who they would pretend to be in order to establish a brand new life.”

“I used to think about it. Disappearing.” Will admits. “Leave a note for Bev and Alana to apologize and ask them to find good homes for the pack if I wasn’t able to take them with me. I never had a specific destination in mind though.” 

“Everywhere to go. I imagine that would be impossible now with Noah though.”

“Not really. I have sole custody, we both have passports, and he’s young enough to be able to adapt to a new place even if it took him a little longer. The two of us could be settled in somewhere before anyone even knows we’re gone.”

“You seem confident in your ability to hide from whatever pursues you in this imaginary scenario.” They both watched Will’s hand roll a charcoal pencil on the desk in a small back and forth path. 

“We wouldn’t be found.” He was glad that he sounded more confident than he felt.

“I don’t think that would be wise.” 

Abandoning the pencil, Will pushed off the desk and walked to the fireplace to stare into the flames. He didn’t hear Hannibal move, but he could feel the man’s presence at his back now as he spoke again. 

“What prompted you to think through this hypothetical so thoroughly?” His voice was low and calm from behind him.

“You never know when you’ll need to pick up and go.” He turned his head slightly, peering at Hannibal from over his shoulder. “Is there anything you’d want us to leave behind for you? Hypothetically.”  He turned to face the fireplace again.

He was suddenly being pulled backwards and both his feet left the floor. He briefly experienced the sensation of a free-fall when his back made sudden contact with a hard surface. The sudden sight of the ceiling lights made him squint until they were blocked by the body of his assailant. Hannibal placed his hands on the desk on either side of Will’s face, and the awkward angle of the desk paired with the solid mass of the other man’s body between his legs made it impossible to force his way back up.

“Hypothetically, you’d leave me no choice but to track you down. I would allow you the illusion of success until I saw it fit to reveal myself. After I finished eradicating the things that forced you to flee in the first place I would be there with you to keep away anything that would pose a further threat.”

“You seem confident.” He parroted back the older man’s earlier words. 

“Fortunately, we will never find out who would emerge victorious. Should you ever feel the need to make an escape I would be there at your and Noah’s side. I have several connections that could make our departure and relocation easier, and we would need to take turns sleeping at first so that someone is always available to Noah as he adjusts.” Hannibal lifted his right hand and stroked the side of Will’s neck. The mark he’d left there had faded but the sting of it was still fresh in Will’s mind. “And who would take care of his father? Chase away his nightmares and pull him from his mind when his thoughts hold him captive?”

Will gave a short laugh with no humor behind it. “You don’t intend to free me from captivity, you’d only swap my mental cage for one of your own making.” 

“Clever boy. But I wouldn't offer you a cage. I would offer you a place at my side that mirrors the space you currently occupy in the palace of my mind. I find you there already, roaming through its rooms and rearranging the furniture. Content and resplendent in the acceptance of your true nature. Noah’s books sit with mine on the shelves while the smell of dog plagues the sitting room.”

“If I’m already there, there’s no need to track me down.”

“It’s an apparition of you my dear. One that taunts me in my dreams, offering all the things I’ve missed so acutely these past weeks. I sit with a figmented version of Noah and recite the Greek myths to him as you scold me for filling his head with tragedies. Later, after we tell him sweeter stories of heroes and princes we leave him to dream and find a sweet story of our own making to tell each other in the dark of our bedroom.” 

He leans in close, and for a moment Will thinks he’s about to be kissed again, but then Hannibal steps away from him and the desk. He turns around and walks away to face the fire himself. “I’m grateful for its company in your absence, but ultimately an apparition is just that. Never to be held or kept.”

Will got to his feet, eyes fixed at the man’s back. 

“Hannibal.”

“My next appointment should be arriving soon. I must bid you goodnight.” He didn’t turn around to look at Will as he spoke, and the sting of rejection cut the agent deeply. He picked up his file from the desk, and walked to the door, grabbing his coat from the rack before slowly sliding it on. 

“Goodnight, Hannibal.” The words felt wrong as he said them. He knew there was more he wanted to say and ask, but neither man had the strength for another conversation. He left the office and that night when he dreamt of a shared meal at Hannibal’s table, he wondered if the real version of the man was dining with an apparition of Will in return.

*** 

Will wasn’t looking forward to this trip. Even if he wasn't running on close to no sleep after his disastrous talk with Hannibal last night, a trip to the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane was never a welcome addition to his schedule. Chilton had been freshly re-instated as director of the prison and Will had to interview their newest resident — James Grey, aka the muralist killer who had been formally admitted as of this morning. They only needed him to positively ID the last of the John Does that were found in his mural, but Will knew Chilton would use it as an opportunity to ‘catch up’. 

Better him than Freddie. Will thought irately as he turned off his car and slid on his glasses.

Will was right when he predicted Freddie would post a tell-all article about  Gideon’s abduction of her and Chilton. She went in-depth regarding his calm demeanor through the ordeal, and his obsessive drive to exact vengeance on his past team of psychiatrists. He talked a lot during their time together, at times claiming to be the Ripper, other times appearing upset at the implication. That part mostly fit into Will’s account that in Gideon’s final moments, he was still claiming to be the Ripper, so he was glad for some level of outside corroboration even if it came from TattleCrime. 

True to form, she painted herself as the enduring heroine who used her wits and ‘extensive experience within the criminal justice field’ to escape the ordeal physically unharmed while also saving Chilton’s life.  

She also managed to slip in that Will and Hannibal were romantically involved as a way of explaining his presence in his home at the time of the break in. Her audience didn’t typically care for romantic subplots, but given that both men were considered high profile individuals, many people showed interest in that specific aspect of her article; some even commenting on the ‘fit’ of them as a couple. It was Will’s greatest hope that he never found out who was responsible for leaking the details of his private life to Freddie Lounds of all people.

He hadn’t wanted to read the damn thing at all, but knew he would have to stay informed on anything related to Gideon or that night in particular for the foreseeable future. 

His intuition about Chilton also proved to be correct as he was greeted by him almost immediately upon entering the main lobby.

“Will Graham, I’ve been expecting you.” For a man who had been disemboweled and clinging to life not too long ago, he managed to bounce back like a rubber ball. Even the addition of his cane didn’t take away from his air of self-importance.

“Frederick. Is James Grey ready to be seen?” The sooner he got out of here the better, lest he give them a reason to finally lock him up here instead.

“He’s in transition now. I figured you and I could have a quick conversation in the interim.” 

The agent managed to stifle an eye roll, but only just.

They walked back to Frederick’s office and Will watched as he set his cane aside and precariously lowered himself into his chair. The agent chose to remain standing against a far wall, already itching to leave the office.

As he watched the scene before him, Will couldn’t help but engage. “I have to ask, why come back? What makes it worth it?” Will wasn’t sure there would be an answer that could justify the other man’s extreme lack of self-preservation.

“A good captain goes down with the ship, Mr. Graham.”

“The prison wasn’t attacked Frederick, you were. If memory serves, they named your replacement before you were even out of surgery.”

Chilton grinned, and leaned back in his chair. “It’s thankless work to be sure, but do you know what I see when I walk these halls?”

“Inspiration for your next book?” He could imagine Hannibal’s amused quirk of the lips in his head as if he were standing next to him now.

Chilton lifted an eyebrow, unperturbed. “An ecosystem. Carefully contained, and constantly evolving with each new arrival and departure.”

“How has it evolved since Gideon's departure?” 

“A reshuffling of the pecking order as per usual. I’m monitoring patient conversations to head off any…sympathizers.” His eyes shifted around the room as if any guilty parties would suddenly reveal themselves, and Will lacked the compassion necessary not to intentionally feed into his paranoia.

“I can see where the concern stems from. Gideon accused you of planting the belief that he was the Chesapeake Ripper in his head. He disemboweled you for it. Conveniently, you no longer have to worry about facing him or a jury of your peers in court to discuss it.”

“Seems like we both dodged that bullet.” 

“He attacked Hannibal and I. What I did was necessary to save us both.”

”I saw the report. Your son was there too, right? Noah.” Chilton’s grin widened as he leaned forward in his chair. “An event like that can prove to be traumatizing for someone so young. I’d be more than happy to offer my professional services to him if he ever needs someone to speak with. Lingering traumas can send most adults into a tailspin, but I can help him adjust before it becomes damaging to him. I’m sure Hannibal would offer his own services if it weren’t for the dual relationship.”

Of course he’d seen the report, and the following TattleCrime article. Will had guessed as much before coming. Still, hearing Chilton use his son's name and insinuate that Will was allowing him to stew in some imagined trauma in the same breath bashed against a part of him that demanded some form of retribution. Throwing Hannibal’s name and professional reputation over the fire only heightened Will’s desire to see Chilton in a less forgiving predicament than Gideon had left him in. It’d be easy; no Freddie to pump his oxygen now.

Killing him here and now would be too obvious though. 

Perhaps his newest patient will be struck with inspiration. That is of course if he doesn’t mind playing with someone else’s hand-me-downs. 

The voice that accompanied the thought wasn't his own. It was rich, accented, and the last time he’d heard it, it was in dismissal. Of all the times his brain had been invaded by whispers of someone else’s desires, this time he could whole-heartedly say he agreed with their assessment — agreed with Hannibal.

“My son is not up for discussion. As generous as your offer is, I don’t have time to flesh out the details. I’d invite you for dinner to talk it over but I believe your recovery diet’s still a little too strict for Hannibal’s table.” The grin on Chilton’s face was replaced with an aggravated purse of his lips at the reminder of his current limitations. Will pushed off the wall and turned to the door. “James Grey should be available, so I’ll be heading out. No need to see me off.” 

He immediately left the office, his hands slightly trembling from the restraint it took not to wrap them around Frederick’s neck. 

His visit with Grey was quick, and after confirming the identity of their last John Doe, Will was met by an orderly to be escorted out of the visiting center. 

“Mr. Graham, please follow me.” The employee in front of him was a pale, thin man with light brown hair. He didn’t have the same dead look in his eyes as most of the other orderlies but Will didn’t care for the subtle strangeness in his eyes that gave him away as ‘other’. Will just hoped he didn’t mean to make small talk. As a personal rule, Will did his best not to socialize with anyone while inside Chilton’s walls.

“I’m Matthew by the way, Matthew Brown. I’ve seen you here a few times, but we’ve never officially met.” The man said, dashing the agent’s hope for a silent transition out. He only nodded in response. Will kept stride with Matthew and they silently walked side by side for a few moments. 

“I heard we have you to thank for the lower census.” Matthew tried.

“You have Abel Gideon to thank for that. A moot point anyways, since the addition of James Grey has evened you out.”

They were now at the final gate before reaching the main entrance, but when Matthew tried the handle, the door didn’t open. He turned to speak to Will directly.

“Bad luck for Gideon though. Breaking into a house expecting a doctor and instead, he gets a trained FBI agent. Two on one. He never stood a chance did he?” 

“Are you at all concerned about losing your job? Obviously you know Chilton records every word that’s said in here.” Will didn’t know whether to be entertained or appalled at his total disregard of any employee code of conduct.

“Who do you think wired the mics? Or un-wired them as they currently are?”

Will looked at the man in front of him, trying to decipher his reasonings for telling him all this.

“I’m guessing you’re also the reason the gate isn’t opening then. If you’re about to try avenging Gideon here and now, I promise that won’t work out in your favor.” He didn’t have a weapon on hand, but he was still confident he could subdue the other man and give the other staff members or anyone watching the cameras a chance to get to them. 

Matthew put a hand to his chest feigning indignance.

“Oh, there’s no love lost on my end, it just makes you wonder.” He didn’t elaborate and Will wasn’t about to encourage any more conversation with him by asking what he meant. The gate buzzed to signal it was back online, and Matthew opened it for Will to go through, not bothering to step aside to give him more room to pass.

Will’s initial opinion of the man was all but confirmed at this point. There was something wrong about Matthew, something broken and jagged about him that wasn’t completely different from Will’s own sharp edges. If he was looking to make a friend, he had picked the wrong target.

“I don't have a lot of free time to wonder. I’ve gotten good at deductions though. For example,” He purposefully leaned into Matthew’s space, keeping his voice low. “I’d bet, if you spend enough time in a mental hospital as a patient, you could pick up the drill. You could pass as an orderly and even get a job doing it when you get out.” Will passed through the narrow space he was given. “Play your cards right and they may never know you were in one.” He closed the gate between them, locking Matthew in on the other side, a silent communication passing between the men. 

He turned to leave without waiting for a response, eager to be away from Chilton and his circus.

*** 

Will was in a notably poor mood, with even the most tenacious students giving him a wide berth. Ultimately, he dismissed the group earlier than usual, slumping into his chair as the last of them filed out.

As he sat in his empty lecture room, he pondered over the events of the last handful of months, and the sharp turns his life had taken. He felt as if his eyes had never truly been open since Hannibal’s introduction to it. He was only just now experiencing the world for what it had always been, and he still was left with a ball of tangled emotions revolving around the man he’d come to tolerate, then befriend, love, and most recently shun.

He thought back to his interaction with Hannibal from just the other day. It was the first time Hannibal had touched him in a way that wasn’t meant to convey a message of comfort or desire. The other man had wanted Will to listen, to understand that the grace he had been given thus far was running short, and that behind his restrained demeanor, there still existed the violent, focused predator that had been the end of countless others. It wasn’t a threat against his life, just a look into his true self which Will had accused him of keeping hidden.

The agent remembered the feeling of lethal hands pinning him in place, the man above him vowing to thwart any attempts he would make at permanently freeing himself from the doctor. His readiness to abandon every aspect of this life that didn’t include Will and his son in order to conceal them all in some far away residence where nothing outside of the trio would ever matter. 

It was the happiest Will had been in a month.

In that moment, he saw with startling clarity what the true crux of the issue was for him. He could accept that Hannibal was a killer, the truth of it coming to him in pieces long before the doctor’s confession. Could accept his violence, flamboyance, and even his sense of entitlement where it related to Will and Noah. He had even begun to find an odd sense of detachment from Hannibal’s…dietary proclivities. 

What he had been struggling to accept was the feelings all these things brought out in himself. He relived the day Tobias Budge had attacked and subsequently been killed by Hannibal in his office. Watched through this new lense the doctor had given him to help him see the truth of that day. Tobias figured out Hannibal and Franklyn knew what he was, and the crimes he was responsible for which led him to believe that killing them was in his best interest. 

Hannibal snapped Franklyn’s neck before Tobias had the chance, because the man never truly mattered and neither did his life. Budge was killed because the doctor thought he had just murdered Will. While the older man may have had arguably better reasons for killing the musician, ultimately it came down to that flawed belief.

Hobbs. Budge. Gideon. 

All killed for reasons Will and Hannibal were able to justify to themselves. Though, Hannibal hardly felt the need to justify anything he chose to do or not do.

Was the world a better place now that those three were gone? Yes. Someone could make the same argument about Hannibal’s hypothetical erasure from the world as well. But Will’s world was better with Hannibal in it. Ultimately, he was glad all the others were dead. He would end them himself for the threat they posed to the life and people that belonged to Will.

Most of his life, Will had been on his own. His father had tried to be a good parent, but Will was always just too odd, too sad, too aware. Understanding Will was beyond his father’s capabilities, just like it was beyond most others’. The agent also wasn’t sure his father had ever gotten over his mother who had abandoned them both before Will could even properly memorize her face. Truthfully, he never had a place or person to call his own before Noah all but fell out of the sky.

He did his best to make sure Noah had the tools he needed to navigate life, but at the end of the day it was usually just the two of them existing in their own world and occasionally joining everyone else in theirs. It wasn’t until Hannibal came along that they found a sense of belonging with someone who didn’t also share their DNA.

The good doctor had busted down the door of Will’s previously impenetrable private life and gained his and Noah’s trust, affection…and love. From their first encounter, Hannibal recognized something in Will that existed in himself and chased it down with focused tenacity. One way or another, that initial `meeting sealed both of their fates, and they were destined to collide and combust into something entirely new, for better or worse.

Hannibal belonged with him and Noah. Belonged to them in so many ways.

Thinking back, Noah had sought him out all on his own practically from day one. That alone should have screamed louder at Will that nothing short of immediately relocating to another state could have stopped the connection that had begun to take root. 

Trying to sever that connection didn’t seem to be doing anyone any good. He could finally admit that none of them were better off for his efforts to minimize their time together. If they weren’t better apart, then the simple answer would be that they should all exist in the same space again without self-imposed limitations or an expiration date. Was the answer to his current emotional untethering also the one that would grant him the ability to create a world where he could finally live in his own skin?

He wasn’t a good man, and neither was Hannibal. They were good to each other and to Noah, but the rest of the world mattered very little if Will was being honest. He’d used his empathy to help complete strangers but maybe that had always just been a by-product of what Will truly stood to gain by participating in the cases Jack assigned to him. Being able to experience a killer’s mind was one thing, his craving for the next experience was another.

Usually, he would come back to himself alone, batting away the lingering adrenaline and disappointment when the blood on his face or knuckles disappeared, never having been there in the first place. Now when he opened his eyes, it was Hannibal who greeted him with a gaze full of anticipation, understanding. First hand knowledge of the freedom and power Will had momentarily tasted, and the absolute belief the younger man could have it for himself if he only gave in to the parts of himself that ached for it.

The empath might never be able to fully embrace the sharp, destructive parts in him that he locked away for so long, or at least not right away. Hannibal could though. More than that, he had spent the past few months actively trying to goad it out of the agent.

Hannibal wanted Will. Had somehow understood the totality of what that meant without Will having to explain it outright. 

Will wanted Hannibal. The unapologetic killer, affectionate lover, and the mirror he best saw himself reflected in. 

If their relationship — romantic or otherwise — had any shot of lasting, they would have to share everything moving forward. Will couldn’t risk Jack or anyone at work finding out information about Hannibal that Will didn’t already have. And vice versa, he would have to allow them both to delve into the darker parts of his nature without attempting to shield either of them from it.

Of course, Hannibal could still reject him. Could decide the empath in his indecision and hypocrisy was more trouble than he’s worth. Or in the future maybe, if he found someone who showed more promise or compatibility. He didn’t seem like a man so easily swayed, but Will had already given him plenty of reasons to leave him behind. 

Their current standing was a mess of his own making, and now it would be up to Will to set them back on track. He exhaled slowly through his nose, tipping his head back and staring at the ceiling as he thought through the best way of accomplishing what he most wanted, and all the ways his attempts could end in success or failure. 

‘What if’s’ and ‘maybe’s’ were for the poets, and Will was just a scruffy man with more thoughts in his head than actual sense. He still didn’t need a poet’s heart to understand the picture that was coming together. Will left the academy and spent the evening at home with his son and their dogs. After Noah was safely tucked away for the night, Will stood in front of his mirror and took a quick inventory of himself. In the past few weeks he had admittedly let himself go to some degree and his hair was notably shaggy; longer than he preferred it to be.  

He was careful to clip his ends into a neat order and trimmed his beard into something more respectable instead of the overgrown patch his face had grown out. How Hannibal had managed to keep a straight face while Will slowly morphed into the wolf-man was anyone's guess. 

After showering and settling in to sleep for the night, Will set his phone down on his nightstand and turned to the empty space next to him. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself the indulgence of Hannibal’s imagined hand sliding through the newly cropped hair and soothing him to sleep. 

Chapter Text

Will called Jack early the next morning, citing an emergency vet visit as the reason he wouldn’t be coming into work that day. He dropped off Noah at school, and turned right instead of left when he exited the school’s parking lot. He arrived at Hannibal’s home 10 minutes sooner than he would have if he were obeying traffic laws and didn’t hesitate to pound on his door loud enough to get his attention regardless of what part of the house he was in.

Hannibal met him at the door, opening it, but not stepping to the side or inviting Will in. It was clear Will had caught him in the middle of getting ready for the day as he had on his dress shirt and slacks, but his usually styled hair was soft and hanging over his forehead. He was understandably surprised to see who had been making such a racket and Will idly wondered if a stranger behaving as he did would warrant them a spot in Hannibal’s kill list. 

He watched as Hannibal took note of his neater appearance and there was a note of appreciation there that Will was sure the other man wasn’t even consciously aware of. Hannibal eyed the agent, looking him over for any clues as to what would explain his behavior. “Will. Has something happened?” 

“I wanted to speak with you and I didn’t want it to be over the phone.” Hannibal did not move from his place in the doorway, leaving Will to remain standing at his doorstep. An unusual social faux pas. Unless he had reason to keep Will outside of his home, or keep something hidden inside. Despite Will's unapologetic presence, it was undeniably too early for polite company to be stopping by.

“Is somebody here, Hannibal?” The possibility of Hannibal already seeking someone else’s company had Will tense, but determined to see his plans through either way. If there was someone else inside vying for Hannibal’s attention, they were the challenger, not Will.

Hannibal’s denial quickly ended that line of thought. “No, I am currently alone, but considering how our last conversation went, perhaps it would be best if we don’t see each other again until our agreed upon dinner later tonight.” 

Lost to the many paths his mind conjured around their impending conversation, Will had completely forgotten today was Wednesday and he and Noah already had a standing appointment with Hannibal. Even if he had realized that before driving out here, he still wouldn’t have waited until tonight to seek him out. This conversation needed to be had without the possibility of Noah or anyone else listening in.

It seemed that fear of furthering the rift between them was what was keeping Hannibal from letting him in. Will could work with that. “If you don't want me here, tell me to leave.” He dared. Silently, the older man stepped aside, finally making way for Will to enter the home.

“I don’t see what is to be gained by rehashing our conversation from the other day.” The doctor said as he closed and locked the door behind him before joining Will in the next room. “Personally, I have nothing further to add or any desire to revisit that discussion. I don’t want to fight with you Will.”

Such a contained mockery of the man Will knew made his skin crawl to interact with, made him want to push and push until Hannibal had no choice but to act out, do whatever it was that came naturally.

He came here fully willing to fight with the other man today. Verbally, physically, he really didn’t mind one way or the other. If it ended in bloodshed so be it. He was positive they’d be able to stop themselves from actually killing one another.

“I’d prefer fighting over the stalemate we’re in. That I put us in.” He corrected. 

“Very well. Please.” Hannibal gestured for him to begin. 

Will took a moment to let them settle, leaning against the credenza that held the older man’s records.

“This isn’t working for me.” He said simply.

“You’ll need to be more specific.”

“I mean it in a broad sense.” Will looked at Hannibal from his fluffy hair and smart clothing and didn’t fight the pang of familiarity that the sight of the man brought on. “I’ve lost the drive to continue living my life as part of the herd.”

“Have you decided to run Will? Is this my formal notification that the chase has begun? If I could persuade you to hold off for a few hours, it will make arranging transportation much easier for us.” Hannibal’s agitation bled into the air around them as his need to jump into action began to take hold.

“A few hours would be generous by FBI standards, but I have no plans to run from this.” He walked to the couch, taking a seat and patting the space next to him in offer to Hannibal who warily walked over and took the offered seat next to him.  

Will smiled as he gave the other man another once-over as if seeing him for the first time after a long absence.

“It’s not a trick. Even if I wanted to leave, those plans would include you now. You and I…we’re conjoined. These past weeks have only proven to me that we aren’t capable of a true separation.” He reached for Hannibal’s hand and the doctor left the muscles there pliable, allowing Will to slide his fingers between the empty spaces and interlock their fingers. 

“I want this, and if this is still something you’d want, I think we should have a conversation about what it could look like, and what we really want and need from each other going forward.”

Hannibal adjusted his grip on Will’s hand to a firmer hold. “I want to know all of you Will. For you and I to fully accept each other and live a shared life of sated desires. A world of our own making to raise Noah in, to watch from the box seats as the performers in the world around us dance to whatever tune we play.”

“I may not be able to indulge in the parts of myself you find so fascinating right away, but I’m open to…exploration. At the very least, I won’t pretend that there aren’t parts of me that share your delight for wickedness. I think we can both agree though that our definitions of who is ‘deserving’ of our cruelty differ by a good margin.”

“What is that you would want, Will? Would you ask me to stop if you felt I was indulging too much?”

Will shook his head. “No, I wouldn't ask you to stop. I’d ask you to adjust. Take a cool off period so that your actions don’t force us into a corner or get us caught before we have time to enact a back-up plan. I want you as you are Hannibal, and that includes everything you hid about yourself when we first met.” 

“May I ask what brought on this sudden change of heart?” He still seemed cautious of Will’s words and the direction this conversation had taken, but that was to be expected. Will was asking him for honesty so it was the least he could do to answer whatever questions the other man had for him.

“I have this picture in my mind. What I want the future to look like for me and for Noah. Before you, it was just us and the pack I saw, living somewhere like Wolf Trap where we could separate ourselves from everyone else and be our own island again. At some point you took your own brush to that picture and added yourself there with us. It wasn’t until I saw the addition that I realized the image in my head had always been incomplete and the empty space that was there was always meant to be yours.”

Hannibal’s eyes analyzed Will’s face, likely for any sign of deception or the self-hatred the agent had always been prone to. 

“I’m still…skeptical about our ability to reshape our instinct to omit and deny certain things, but I need to be able to talk about the hard things with you or this won’t be sustainable.” Will said, but his tone wasn’t in a tone of defeat or frustration.

“What makes you skeptical?” Hannibal clearly wanted to assuage all of the other man’s fears, but he knew it wouldn’t do either of them any good to start withholding truths from each other now.

Will looked at their still joined hands, turning them over as he formed a response. “I think I’m…waiting. Waiting for a final skeleton to fall out of the closet or for someone to catch me off guard with information you could have freely given me. It’s not a fair assumption, but it’s something I’ve considered. It’s not something I can allow to continue if we move forward together.” 

There were likely several things that Hannibal hadn’t been fully transparent about up to this point. The goal of this conversation was just to establish that sometime soon, they would need to find time to discuss the things that had already happened that could affect them in the long-run, and agree to bring any future complications to light as they became aware of them.

He was unprepared for Hannibal’s immediate show of faith.

“I have Miriam Lass.” 

The words didn’t make sense as Will’s brain received them. At his lack of response, Hannibal elaborated.

“Miriam Lass is alive and has been these past two years. She discovered the truth of who I am so I hid her away, keeping her alive in case she might prove useful to me one day.” 

“Miriam Lass is dead.” Will said in a knee-jerk reaction.

“She disappeared looking for the Ripper. She found me, and she’s been in my custody since that day. I removed her arm to send a message to Jack. He wanted a confirmation from the Chesapeake Ripper, so I sent him one. I can take you to her if you’d like to see for yourself.”

“Wait! Just—” Will slipped his hand out of Hannibal’s grasp and held them both out in front of him as he stood and tried to process this new revelation. 

“What…purpose could she serve other than taunting Jack? It’s cruel even by your standards.” Will couldn’t find any feelings of disgust or fear to pull to the surface, just burning curiosity towards the doctor’s train of thought in taking such a risk and keeping her alive all this time.

“I’ve kept her in a suggestive state, slowly chipping away at her mental defenses in order to use her altered memories to establish a new suspect. If you think about it, I’m sure you can guess who I might have named in my place.”

The Ripper profile came together without Will’s permission, its defining elements laid out in front of him, this time with the addition of the details surrounding the apparent abduction and brainwashing of Miriam Lass.

Psychic driving, surgical know-how, advanced levels of narcissism, baseline of sadism.

“Chilton.” Will whispered. “Frederick’s your patsy?”

“All things considered, we both pose no small degree of danger to the public— his greatest weapon being his incompetence.”

An unsteady bark of laughter left the agent, shocked at all he had learned in the past minute, and what it would mean for them moving forward. He fell back on the couch next to Hannibal with his head tilted to the ceiling.

“Where is she?” He finally asked.

“In a concealed room beneath one of my properties.”

He looked back at the older man, shaking his head as he spoke. “You can’t—you can’t keep her down there.” The risk was too great, and by now, Hannibal would have ensured she’d prove useless to Jack in his pursuit of the real killer.

“I’d already begun contemplating ending this charade, and having Jack ‘discover’ her. The enjoyment I used to feel in toying with him has been overshadowed by something infinitely more important to me.” He reached out and carefully laid his palm against the empath’s face, a familiar gesture of comfort for them both.

Will turned his head and kissed the palm as his eyes momentarily closed.

He let the words settle and quickly cycled through several outcomes that could come to pass. There would always be some degree of uncertainty to these plans, but in the future, they would talk them through together, and even if things didn’t go exactly to plan, he trusted that they would be able to find a solution that ensured their continued freedom.

“We set Miriam Lass free, frame Chilton, and then...what?” Will whispered into the space between them.

“Whatever you wish, Will. Allow me to take part in the exploration of the parts of your mind you’ve kept so carefully entombed. We’ll share our thoughts, desires, and life while we raise Noah with all the love he could ever ask for. In time, you can choose whether or not to join me for shared hunts or select those you wish to see face your own particular brand of justice. The three of us can go anywhere in the world or remain here for as long as it suits us.” 

The three of us. In the end, that’s all that mattered wasn’t it? All that Will wanted, offered and waiting for him to take. He could see it behind closed eyelids, the life he was being promised. 

As a child, Will had learnt to ignore the feelings of ‘want’ in himself. There was no place or money for such an extravagant emotion as he and his father moved from boatyard to boatyard. It was as if Hannibal had found the cage Will had locked that emotion in and came with his very own key to it, unleashing this monstrous feeling in his chest once more, taming it, and feeding it pieces of his own flesh for every moment it went neglected. 

‘Want’ tasted like Hannibal now, took on his shape and beckoned Will to its side with hands that never felt like anything short of devotion.

Will looked up to find Hannibal’s eyes already on him, awaiting whatever the agent had left to say or ask of him. “No more lies, no omissions or denials on either side. We have to trust and protect each other.” 

One last assurance before he took the final step and tethered his life to the man in front of him.

“I will have all of you Will, including the parts of yourself you’ve repressed. In return, I will tell you anything you wish to know, anything I plan to do. I’ll live for you and Noah, and everything we build together.”

Decision made, Will nodded his head slightly in assent, and reached up to the buttons of Hannibal’s dress shirt to slowly unfasten the top two. He leaned in and brushed their lips together without being able to call it a kiss, speaking directly into the slight part of his mouth. “I don’t know what your schedule looked like for today, but I’m all yours if—” He was pulled into this kiss just as he'd been pulled into the first one they ever shared. 

Pulled up the stairs and to the hallway in pursuit of the bedroom. They had made good progress as they ascended the staircase, and by the time they reached the top, Will was only dressed in his boxers, and Hannibal had on unzipped slacks that he quickly kicked off before they could trip him. He pressed Will against the wall outside of the bedroom, biting at his lips and neck as the younger man grabbed a fistful of his soft hair.

Will gave serious consideration to stripping them both and letting Hannibal have him in the hallway before his musings were interrupted. “Let me take you to the bed.” Hannibal said. “The sheets lost your scent some time ago.” 

After Will’s breathy agreement, Hannibal lifted him up by the thighs and carried him past the bedroom doorway, slowly lowering him onto the bed. For a few seconds Hannibal only looked at the man under him, his eyes moving over the exposed skin. Will imagined he made quite the picture, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath, the skin of it likely a flushed red that would undoubtedly match his face. Whatever marks Hannibal had already left on him would be prominent against his skin already as well, which he knew gave Hannibal a particularly potent dose of desire to see.

Pulling back, Hannibal removed Will's boxers, and his own, leaving them both completely bare. He reached into his nightstand for the bottle of lube that had gone untouched for the past few weeks and in an unexpected move, he squeezed a generous amount directly on Will’s cock which laid heavy and flushed between them. 

Will gasped at the shock of the cold liquid but the coolness was soon replaced by the heat of Hannibal's hand and the warmth of his own growing erection. Hannibal fisted what he could of them both in his hand and they both watched as their members pressed and rubbed against each other in Hannibal's hand. 

“I don’t want to come in your hand like a teenager. Stop jerking us off and get me prepped, or let me do it.” Try as he might, it was hard to sound authoritative when the words were hardly audible and frequently stuttered between panting breaths.

Hannibal clicked his tongue at that, and begrudgingly released them both from his hold, moving his hand underneath the empath to get to the hidden muscle. His slicked finger was quickly absorbed by Will who was willing his body to stay relaxed and signal that he was ready for more. Slowly, Hannibal added a second finger and moved them in repetitive glides that never increased in speed or force.    

Without being conscious of it, Will’s hips began canting up into Hannibal’s fingers, chasing the sensation of them moving in and out, unable to abide by the slower, more considerate pace his partner was trying to set. 

Not to be undermined, Hannibal flipped him onto his stomach and smacked his left ass cheek hard enough to sting, forcing a shocked moan from Will that came from the very back of his throat. “If you’re going to act like a whore, I’m going to treat you like one.” Hannibal said.

Will chuckled into the sheets below him, unable to temper his impudent nature where it related to the doctor. “What do I get if I act like —hah!” Another sharp swat, this time to the back of his thigh. 

“Are you quite finished? I can think of a better use of our time.” Apparently uninterested in an actual response, he quickly sank his two fingers back inside Will, the glide coming easy as he flexed and and rubbed them against his inner walls. “A shame to see your hair cut so soon.” Hannibal said into Will’s curls where the sweat was starting to form. “More than once, I imagined holding it while I had you under me like this.” A sharp tug to the barely long enough strands accentuated exactly what Hannibal had been imagining.

“Yes, fuck! I can-I can be good Hannibal, I promise.” Will tensed the muscles in his thigh to stop himself from rocking back on his fingers, determined to keep his word.

He took a deep breath in and caught the scent of the sheets below him. They’d been recently washed and it was easy to picture what had happened. Driven into a fit of rage over Will’s scent completely vanishing, Hannibal must have thrown them in the wash to clear the material of any scent that wasn’t an artificial one. He wondered if that made it any better or if the other man regretted washing them immediately. 

Hannibal’s fingers left him completely, pulling a whine from Will who was just beginning to adjust to Hannibal’s slow push-pull movements. 

Placating kisses were placed along his shoulder as Hannibal positioned himself behind Will. He could feel the head of him push past the initial resistance of his body and then inch by inch he took in Hannibal completely until there was no more of him to be fed inside. Will felt like he was choking on the other man and that feeling only increased as Hannibal’s hand came to settle in the juncture between his shoulder and neck while his other hand kept Will’s hips arched.  

In one sharp move, Hannibal pulled almost completely out before filling him again. Will’s shout would have bounced off the walls of the enclosed space if Hannibal hadn’t pulled his head back to swallow the noise with his own mouth. 

“You asked if someone was here with me.” Hannibal said as he released Will’s mouth and began a demanding pace of his hips. “What would you have done if there was?”

“Nothing smart.” Will grit out as he scrambled to steady himself against Hannibal’s assault. “You’d have-ah enjoyed it though I’m sure.” They both knew it was true. Hannibal would take no small amount of pleasure in seeing Will behave rashly — ideally violently — in reaction to a perceived romantic rival. 

“Your jealousy would be beautiful.” 

“You’re no better than me.” Will panted out through a wide open mouth. “You can’t bow out gracefully anymore than I could.” Hannibal couldn’t even step aside to let Will live a reclusive life with his own son, much less a romantic partner. He knew one way another, Hannibal would be his last relationship in this lifetime, and he couldn't find a shred of dignity or self-preservation left to argue that fact.

Hanniba pushed Will onto his back again before quickly fitting himself back inside the younger man, as if he were in physical need of that connection. “You underestimate the volatile nature of the emotions you summon in me. I’ve killed for less.”

He continued moving and sharp teeth nipped at Will’s throat applying enough pressure to teeter on the edge of breaking skin before he pulled him off with a hand firmly clutching the hair at the back of his skull. “Killing me would be killing yourself, and we both know your vanity wouldn’t allow that.” Vanity and other reasons, but neither man comments further.

It was a blur of movements and noise to Will for a while after that. Both their voices taunting then pleading, drawing out different reactions from each other. Will mostly told Hannibal what felt good and moaned at what felt best. Hannibal as was his custom, commented on the empath’s body, the feel of it in and under his hands, and all the things he planned to do with him in the future.  

Will wasn’t under any illusion that he would last very long and Hannibal only had to make deliberate contact with his prostate a handful of times before he felt the coil in his stomach tighten to the point of release. He reached for Hannibal’s hand that was holding his thigh spread open and squeezed it to get his attention.

“Touch me, Hannibal, please.” Will panted out, trying to coax their hands away from his thigh to drag it to his cock instead. 

Hannibal maneuvered Will’s hand to wrap around his own flesh and used his larger hand to control the movements. After a few guided strokes, Will came with a trembling moan in long spurts before he all but melted into the mattress.

Hannibal’s body immediately covered him and his previous rhythm was lost to deep sporadic thrusts accompanied by his arms locking around Will’s shoulders which kept him from sliding up the bed.

Release came quickly for him as well, and a hoarse call of Will’s name was spoken into his ear as the lower part of his stomach was filled with the other man’s heat. Hannibal’s body weight settled on Will, both men catching their breath as energy buzzed through their bodies. The older man recovered first and he lifted himself off his partner, sliding over to lay at his side.

As Will’s breath evened out, a peal of laughter left him, catching Hannibal’s attention. “Something amuses you?”

Will turned his head to look at him, flushed and breathy. “You were so adamant about me stinking up your sheets and now you have to wash them again anyways.” Reaching into the nightstand Will blindly felt for the wipes he knew would be there. He offered one to Hannibal and kept the other for himself, quickly cleaning off his stomach before tossing the wipe to the side and falling back onto the warmed sheets.  

He closed his eyes for a moment while Hannibal watched as he shifted and settled in the bed. Sensing Hannibal’s stare, Will opened his eyes.

A quick shift in position had Hannibal looming over him, who waited to see what he planned to do next. “I should take you now.” Hannibal said contemplatively as he locked gazes with the man under him.

“I’ll need a few minutes before we go for round two.” Will's brain didn't allow for a more clever response than that at the moment. 

“That is not what I mean by ‘take’. I should sedate you, and pack a few bags of our belongings. Load you and your dogs in the car and pick up Noah. I’ll administer something to keep you agreeable, drive until we reach one of my more remote residences, and keep us all there for the foreseeable future. Away from anything that could allow doubt to creep in between us again.” The knuckles of one of his hands stroked the side of Will’s face and he realized Hannibal’s other hand was pinning down his right wrist to the bed.

Will regarded the man above him for a moment and knew he was running through the probability of his plan succeeding even as he said it out loud. He softly chuckled, inhaling slowly before speaking. “I’d fight you. You know I’d have to. It’s not in me to lay down and take it. Well…barring some specific situations of course.” He grinned at his own joke, but the eyes above him remained calculating. “There’s no need for it Hannibal.” He tried again. “You don’t have to steal me.” 

With his free hand, Will reached up to gently stroke the other man’s face. Hannibal’s eyes closed and his jaw ticked against Will’s palm. “Look at me.” He waited for amber eyes to meet his. “I choose you, I choose us. If you want to leave, we can leave — no sedatives necessary. I love you, Hannibal.” It was a cliché thing to say directly after sex but it was still true. Hadn’t stopped being true since he blurted it out over the phone when things between them were great but full of half-truths.

“I’ve loved you for longer than I know.” Hannibal said. “I’ll follow you anywhere, but I cannot allow you to leave me.”

Will slid his right hand out of its confinement and pulled Hannibal’s face closer to his. “I won’t leave. We’ll stay here together, and if we run we’ll do that together too.” 

Like vows at the altar, they sealed their promises with a kiss. And then another and another until the mix of kisses and laughter filled the air around them. They eventually got up to better clean themselves and get dressed but they kept some form of physical contact between them whenever possible. They both needed the connection to wean themselves off the intensity of what had been exchanged.

With the rest of their morning and afternoon free, they passed the time lounging and sharing a simple lunch before deciding what to prep for dinner later that night. They drove to Wolf Trap together to tend to the dogs and then got back into Hannibal’s car to grab Noah from school. 

He was of course delighted to see the doctor and was doubly so when Hannbal explained that his work schedule had finally calmed down and they would be able to see each other every day from now on. Together they put him to sleep later that night, and Hannibal finally got to indulge in his long-awaited promise of being the small spoon.

***

“Tell me, Will.” Hannibal appeared beside him in the snowy field, stopping in front of him on the other side of the mutilated woman’s body. “Have you gathered what you need from here?” He asked.

As the agent lifted his head to answer, his eyes fully opened and the scene around him transformed from the snow covered ground to the warm space of the doctor’s practice, where Will’s body had been while his mind reconfigured reality to lend insight into his current case. Hannibal now sat in a matching chair in front of him, eagerly waiting for an answer to his question.

“This is not rage. It’s something else.”

“What is it?” 

“Instinct.”

“There is no better way to learn our natural limitations than by putting our full strength to the test.” 

“You really think it was your former patient?” Will asked. The crime scenes they’d been at in the past week were all indicative of a savage attack carried out by an animal under the control of a human being. That theory then changed to the perpetrator being a man disguised as an animal and doing the killing themself.

Hannibal had offered up the name of one of his former patients that he thought was a good fit for the profile they had developed, but Will thought it seemed a bit convenient to have such a readily available suspect.

“As I said, Randall’s moment of clarity revealed to him a belief that he was an animal born in the body of a man. This killer has created a suit to fit their own self-image.”

“An animal suit on top of a person suit on top of a recovering identity disorder. That’s a lot to unpack.” Will sighed. 

“He won’t be able to hide himself anymore. Won’t be able to stop now that’s he unleashed his inner-most self.”

“No, I’d say he’s done hiding.”

“Not wholly unlike yourself, now that you’ve made peace with embracing your deepest desires.” Hannibal prodded. Will had promised him that they would explore his ‘deepest desires’ and they regularly sat and talked about what that might look like or any revelation Will may have randomly had while at work or as he people-watched during his downtime. 

“I wasn't hiding the first time I pointed a gun at you.”

“You were hiding.” Hannibal countered. “You were hiding behind the gun when we both know killing me with your hands would have been the only death you would deem acceptable for me.”

Will looked off to the side, conceding his point. He couldn’t argue that Hannibal was wrong. 

“You must allow yourself to be intimate with your instincts, Will. We are granted few chances in this life to truly discover ourselves, and when that moment comes for you, you must not hide.”

Hannibal held his gaze for a long time before rising from his seat. “We must collect Noah soon. I’ll pour you a glass of wine and we can speak on other matters until it’s time to go. A pink for today?”

“Red.” Will called to him out as Hannibal’s steps grew farther and his mind began to even out. 

***

The sound of snow crunching under Will's feet was beginning to grate on his nerves and he was having serious concerns about the fate of his extremities as he watched Buster circle the same tree for a third time at the ass crack of dawn.

He’d been woken by the pitiful sounds of the small dog, whining and scratching at his door to be let out. Usually he and the rest of the pack were good about waiting for Will to rise for the day, but some mornings, they just couldn’t hold it. Will never minded having to take them out at less than convenient times — they couldn’t exactly walk themselves— but it didn’t help that Buster now seemed stage shy about peeing in front of him. 

As if sensing Will’s mounting health concerns, Buster finally settled on a spot and picked up his leg to pee. 

“Finally.” Will breathed out in a shiver, whistling for his companion as soon as he was finished so they could head back inside.

Once the door shut behind them, he immediately took off his jacket and tried rubbing the cold out of his hands before heading to the fireplace to set some logs in and get a good flame going for his pack. His fingers were still a little too numb for some of the more fine motor skills he needed but he was doing his best to push through the discomfort.

“Will, come back to bed. The space heater will suffice until we’re up for the day.” Hannibal called out to him from the bottom of the staircase, still half asleep. Will thought it was sweet that he came looking for him as soon as he realized he wasn’t in bed or the bathroom.

“Sorry, B-Buster needed to go out and it was c-colder than I was prepared for. Could you hand me some of the tinder, my hands are still d-defrosting.” Will tried to downplay the chattering of his teeth but it only served to create an ache in his jaw.

Hannibal came up to him and cradled his hands between his own, his eyes widening at the feel of them.

“You’re practically freezing. How long were you out there?”

“Not l-long I don’t think.” 

“Sit with the pack by the heater while I get this going.” Hannibal ordered, sending Will in the direction of the onlooking dogs with a hand to his back.

Will took a seat on the floor with the pack as instructed and they swarmed him immediately, joining him in his observation of Hannibal’s quick movements.

He grabbed an armful of firewood that Will kept tucked away in a trunk in the corner of the room, setting them into the grate and starting a small flame. He stood in front of it to ensure it would continue to grow before moving to sit on the floor behind Will, pulling him backwards against him and grabbing his hands to warm them between his own. 

Will became aware of the light shivering of his body as it rested against the other man, and he was grateful for his warmth. Hannibal said nothing as he rubbed his hands against Will’s hands and arms, forcing more of his heat into his body. 

“It-it’s colder out there than I thought.” Will said thorough chattery teeth. “The su-sun isn’t out yet.” 

“Don’t speak, you could bite your tongue. Just focus on warming your body.” Hannibal’s tone was curt, which was surprising. Will obviously hadn’t meant to stay out that long, but Baltimore winters were easy to underestimate once you spent enough time living there.

“You can go back upstairs to sleep if you want.” He said without his teeth clacking together this time. “I’ll be fine after a few more minutes.” Will began to feel bad for causing Hannibal to be up so early on a rare day off. He couldn’t blame the man for being irritated. 

Hannibal tensed before winding his arms tighter around the agent, eliminating whatever minuscule amount of space might have existed between them. “We’ll go upstairs together after you’ve warmed up and not a moment sooner. I‘ve seen what frostbite can do to a person and I won’t have you suffer through that.”

Will internally warmed at his words. It was concern, not irritation that had his partner so short. Baltimore winters were likely nowhere near as intense as those in Lithuania would be, but freezing was freezing and the human body cared very little about geography once the weather hit a certain degree.

“Did a lot of people take their dogs out at inopportune times back in Lithuania?" Will joked, trying to lighten the mood. Hannibal’s past was something they never really delved into as he could tell it was an understandably melancholy time in his life.

Hannibal continued rubbing slow circles into Will’s arms and hands as he spoke. “The winters in Lithuania are harsh, and everyone knows to mind themselves during the worst of it. There are always situations that don’t allow for rational planning though.” There was an edge in Hannibal’s voice that caught Will's attention.

“Have you ever been caught in a storm there?”

“Yes. The winter that my family died.”

“You told me they died not too long after each other. How did it happen?”

“I normally tell people it was the winter that killed them, but that isn’t necessarily true. The cold wasn’t the direct cause of their deaths, but more so a catalyst.”

“I’m guessing their deaths came from a more deliberate hand than Mother Nature?”

Hannibal stopped rubbing Will’s arm and wrapped him in a firm hold instead. He laid the side of his face against Will’s and kept his voice soft. 

“War had broken out in the area, but we were far enough removed from it that my parents believed it was safe to stay. One day we were attacked by a group of men. Army deserters, starving and desperate for refuge. They killed my parents and took control of the castle, keeping me and my sister Mischa as their captives. I was eight years old at the time and she was barely three, so they knew we posed no real threat. Within two weeks they had depleted all the food reserves in the castle and began hunting the nearby wildlife. Soon after, there was nothing left to hunt, and the snow was so thick, they couldn’t venture out more than a mile.”

The fire crackled and grew in intensity, and Will’s stomach began a slow drop at the direction of his story. 

“Up to that point, they mostly left my sister and I alone, feeding us scraps every few days. I believe they kept us alive with the intention of ransoming us off once they were able to get word to my uncle. We were always hungry, and close to freezing, but I was just grateful that they mostly left us alone and never came to cause us harm as a way to pass the time. Eventually they finished off anything they could find that was half edible, and they grew mad with hunger once more. It was morning when they came and tore her from my arms. I tried to fight them off, begged them to take me first. A part of me knew what they intended to do with her even if the majority of my brain refused to acknowledge it. The only thing I knew for certain was that once the doors closed behind them, I would never see her again.”

Hannibal laid his forehead down into Will’s shoulder, and his next words were slightly muffled by his shirt.

“It was nighttime when they returned. I don’t remember the day passing me by but suddenly the sun was gone and the castle…smelled like stew. They dropped a bowl at my feet and left again without a word.”

Will knew what was coming next. A defining and horrifying event in Hannibal’s life that would serve as a blueprint for his identity even as he shed the skin of his younger self.

“…I hardly even hesitated. I was devouring what they had left me — devouring Mischa mindlessly, the warmth of the broth and her flesh finally easing the hunger pangs that had racked my body for days. I couldn’t remember a single thing that had ever tasted so good.”

At some point during this retelling, Will had begun to cry. He didn't quiver or whimper with it, and the only evidence of it were a few fat tears that landed on his collarbones and Hannibal’s exposed arm. Hannibal loosened his hold on Will, believing his tears to be a sign of his horror and disgust for him after learning the awful truth, but Will was quicker, grabbing his arm and forcing it tightly around him again. They waited together in silence for Hannibal to continue.

“I could hear them moving all night, shuffling and yelling at one another. They eventually decided to part ways and escaped into the winter to fend for themselves. They likely each came to the conclusion that none of them were safe from the other’s hunger and took their chances against nature instead. When morning came and I was sure they were long gone, I too fled into the woods. I would rather have died out in the snow than remain in the castle a second longer. I was found by a group of military police half a day later and spent the next seven years residing in Lecter castle which had been turned into an orphanage after the passing of my father. I was too young to inherit, and the circumstances around my family's deaths were far too complicated.”

“Seven years.” Will mused. “That’s…unimaginable.” Will’s voice was raspy from disuse and the tears that choked in his throat.

“It shaped me, perhaps more than any other factor of my life outside of Mischa. By the time my Uncle Robertus discovered and adopted me, I was already much of who I am now, only unpracticed in my chosen craft, and susceptible to the mistakes that invites.”

His first kills. Will wondered who they were, and what he learned from those early experiences, but he had a good idea as to which names had remained at the top of his list. 

“Did you ever find the men responsible? Do you know if they were eventually caught?” Will had some ideas if they were still alive somewhere daring to breathe the very air their existence polluted. 

“I’ve already killed them all.” Hannibal whispered over the top of Will’s shoulder. “It took longer for me to locate some of them, but they all eventually were found and given what was always coming for them.”

“Good.” Will turned in Hannibal’s arms, winding his legs around Hannibal’s waist, and seating himself between the other man's thighs. “I’m glad they’re dead. Not that you need anyone’s blessing, but I’m glad you made sure they suffered in their final moments, and that they knew exactly why it was happening.” Will didn’t need any confirmation to know that’s how it happened. His arms went around Hannibal’s neck and as he kissed him, they both tasted like salty tears and a light perspiration from their shared body heat. 

“I’d understand if I disgust you now, Will. If your image of me has shifted into something more monstrous than you might have thought me capable of.”

“Never.” Will shook his head. “I’m only sorry it happened to you and your sister, and that you spent so long alone.”

“I’m not alone anymore. I would commit any number of horrors if it meant protecting you and Noah. I would happily lay down my life to extend either of yours even if by a moment.”

“I know.” Will whispered against his lips. “I’d never want that, and I’d never ask that of you, but I know it’s what you would do anyways. It’s what I would do for you. My only request would be that you lived and took care of Noah if I couldn’t.” Even without him asking, Will had no doubt that should he happen to be killed or otherwise removed from the world, Hannibal would care for and love Noah in his stead.

Hannibal’s lip curled against Will’s. “I never wish to imagine such a scenario.”

“Me either. We’ll do whatever it takes to stay together and whole. Anyone else isn’t our concern — just pieces on the board.”

“Yes mylimasis. You and Noah are all that will ever matter.” He went in for a kiss, but a whine at his side caught his attention; Winston, likely offended at being left out of Hannibal’s list of priorities. “The pack too of course, my apologies.”

Will laughed and they stayed by the fire, murmuring to each other a few minutes longer before going upstairs to steal whatever sleep they could before Noah came to start their day. An hour and a half later when he predictably did crawl into bed with them asking for cuddles and kisses, he was given both in spades by the two men.  

Later that day, they watched as the young boy braved the snow to be chased around by the dogs that he loved so dearly, and Will squeezed Hannibal’s hand in his own as a reassurance that their story would end differently than that of his own family. It would end differently because they had each other. Because now, everything was different.

Chapter Text

“This is new. A little weird if I think about it.” Will rubbed at his neatly groomed face and smoothed down his dress shirt for the fifth time.

“What do you mean?”

“We’ve had plenty of meals together, we practically live together, but we’ve never actually done this.” Will gestured to the space around them. 

In light of their new beginning, Will and Hannibal agreed to venture into a new aspect of their relationship — a date. Just the two of them out for a meal and later a house to themselves while Noah spent the night with Aunt Alana. Noah wasn’t pleased to have been left behind but they promised him plenty of quality time together the following day.

Hannibal convinced Will to come with him to an upscale restaurant that featured an extensive seafood menu. It surprised the empath that his partner would allow someone else to cook for them, but the other man was insistent on sharing a meal out in the public eye. Thanks to Freddie Lounds’ article, most Baltimore social circles now knew the two were together and Hannibal planned on taking full advantage of that. 

He also took full advantage of the establishment’s dress code, and outfitted them both in freshly pressed suits that had made their sudden appearance in his house earlier that day.

“Precisely. This will be a good chance for us to establish ourselves as a devoted couple to those outside of our immediate circles. It may prove beneficial to us in the future to be well known as such.”

“How romantic.” Will jokingly scoffed.

Their waiter appeared then, and Will saw the moment he registered Hannibal’s presence because his smile grew wider and his posture subtly straightened.

And it begins. Will silently grumped. He promised Hannibal he’d be on his best behavior and not openly snark at the posh setting or foods, but having the waiter immediately make eyes at his date set his teeth on edge.

He’d never considered himself a jealous man, but he was undeniably a possessive one. Hannibal more than anyone before had brought out that trait in Will. Under his fine clothing, the doctor was currently sporting several bite marks to his thighs and ass that would be enough to warn anyone that his body was spoken for. He at least wasn’t alone in his need to mark and be marked. For every set of teeth marks Will left in Hannibal's skin, the empath would receive double that from the doctor.

Aside from those more private reminders, the pair spent nearly all their time together isolated in either of their homes. It had been easy to forget about most of the world and everyone else in it, and Will found himself irritated at having strange eyes on his partner on what was supposed to be an intimate night for them alone.

“Good evening. My name is Derek, and I’ll be attending to you tonight. I have a dinner menu for you both, would you care to see a wine menu as well?”

“That would be appreciated, thank you.” Hannibal answered for them politely.

Derek set the menus down and hovered for a second before stepping away. He was about 10 years too young with hair a shade too light to be of any real interest to Hannibal, but the irritation lingered.

As if reading his mind, the older man began to speak. “I chose this restaurant specifically for its broad fish selection. It offers most in season species with their own unique twist. They also keep very high-quality whiskeys in stock that I think you’ll enjoy.” He seemed pleased with himself and Will was feeling spoiled by his show of thoughtfulness.

“Fish and whiskey huh? A man after my own heart. There’s no need to wear yourself out though, I’m all yours.” 

“Likewise.” They grinned at each other over the table before perusing the menu and finalizing their choices.

Derek came and went to take their orders and Will tried not to linger on the fact that he was extra attentive to Hannibal while never looking in Will’s direction. They sat and talked about Noah and their respective jobs while their drinks were silently dropped off and they waited for their food. Somewhere during the wait, it was almost like the rest of the building stopped existing for Will. Just like in their homes, Hannibal’s presence and voice commanded all of his attention and he happily gave into the call.

Their food came not too long after and Derek used up the last of Will’s patience when he turned to fully face Hannibal to ask if he could get him —specifically him, apparently— anything else. 

“He’s all set.” Will cut in. “If we need something I’ll flag you down, thanks.” For his part, Hannibal only kept his eyes on Will through the exchange, a tug of one side of his mouth the only outward display of his amusement. Derek seemed only momentarily stunned before he took the dismissal in stride and went to check in on his other tables. 

“Feeling on edge Will?” Hannibal joked once they were alone.

“Eat your sea bass.” Will chided through a low chuckle.

A serving of salmon wellington and a glass of notably smooth whiskey later, Will was feeling light and ready to get them both home. His date paid their check while keeping Will from getting a look at what he was sure would be an obnoxious price for a dinner, and Derek for all his faults was still tipped handsomely.

They stepped into the brisk night air and Will was almost immediately run into by someone too engrossed in their phone to pay attention to the foot traffic around them. He dodged them easily enough and Hannibal’s hand on his arm would have saved him regardless, but it was still always an annoying experience. 

He looked ready to go after the man and demand a business card from him, but Will wasn’t keen on losing his focus for a second.

He grabbed his bicep and moved them in the direction of the valet, turning his face so they could see each other as they walked. “Leave it alone sweetheart, we’re having a good night.” It was the first time Will had used a term of endearment for Hannibal and he wasn't sure why ‘sweetheart’ of all things was what came out, but he didn’t hate it, and it felt nice to say. Hannibal’s mouth parted slightly in surprise before he schooled his features into something more neutral and cleared his throat as the valet brought his car forward. 

“Very well. It is a good night.” There was a shyness in the delivery that was a stark contrast to Hannibal’s usual tone.

Will decided he in fact very much liked calling Hannibal ‘sweetheart’.

They made a quick call to Alana on the drive back to Hannibal’s and she assured them that Noah was in bed for the night and definitely looking forward to their promised day together tomorrow. They thanked her again for watching him and filled the rest of their drive time talking about little things that had taken place during the week. A hand on his thigh was all Hannibal offered Will for physical contact but he was sure if he tried, he could convince him to pull off to the side of the road and try their luck with local road authorities.

Neither man bothered with pretending they weren’t starved for the other and Will was on him as soon as the door locked behind them. He didn’t have the patience to get them upstairs so he took Hannibal by the hand and led them to their shared office instead. There was an idea that had been floating around his head for awhile now and tonight seemed like the perfect opportunity to see it played out.

After crowding the older man against the side of his desk, he silently praised Hannibal for always keeping a tidy workspace and leaving nothing on its surface that would have impeded his ability to spread him out over it. They quickly removed the clothing from their upper bodies and Will undid Hannibal’s pants before sliding them off his legs and directing him to sit on the edge of the flat surface. The room was dark and cool due to them not having the presence of mind to start a fire before stripping down, but neither man was about to stop what they were doing to fix that.

“I know you love dressing us up in those fussy suits, but I could get us both naked a lot quicker if you'd just wear a damn sweater every now and then.” Will grumbled.

He expected pushback on his criticism of Hannibal’s chosen attire, but a hand came to his cheek instead, stroking the groomed planes of his face. “You looked lovely tonight mylimasis. I received many envious looks from our fellow patrons. I might track a few down for leering at you so openly while on my arm.” Hannibal had shown Will his Rolodex of future kills, and while Will thought it was a ridiculous practice, he was pleased enough no one had been added to the ‘rolo-death’ tonight. 

Will laughed huskily, a smile spreading across his face from the flattery. “The waiter wanted to sleep with you. He was hovering, hoping that our ‘first date’ went bust and he could be there to console you.” Will lifted his eyebrows at Hannibal who only laughed in return.  

“You took care of him nicely. Though I regret that he managed to pull your attention from me even if momentarily.”

Will brushed back a piece of honey colored hair that found its way on the doctor’s forehead. “You have my undivided attention, now Dr. Lecter.” Their noses brushed as he spoke due to their proximity. 

Hannibal pulled him in for a wet kiss, and Will pulled away before leaning him back to lie flat on the desk. He moaned at the cold feel of the wood against his skin and Will removed his own pants before brushing their clothed groins together, canting his hips to keep them in contact. 

“Will.” Hannibal moaned. “Please.”

“I’ve got you, sweetheart.” He reassured before sliding a pair of Hannibal’s ridiculously small briefs off and down his legs. ‘European’, Hannibal had called them. He reached into the desk drawer for the lube he knew would be there, and returned his hand after warming it up with his fingers.

He lifted one of the other man’s legs up and draped it over his shoulder, holding it in place by the thigh as he began a careful exploration of Hannibal’s lower muscle.

Will first circled the ring of it, slicking the outside a few times before carefully slipping the tip of his middle finger past the muscle’s initial resistance. Hannibal sighed at the stimulation, and tried to be patient. He knew Will would prolong this part of their coupling, as he always did. It was his preferred way of teasing Hannibal ever since he found out about the doctor’s…appreciation for his hands.

In the very desk he was currently being toyed with on, there was a journal full of sketches of only one subject. Will Graham in bed, at the kitchen table, surrounded by paperwork he’d brought home for the academy. Charcoal and pencil made out every fine line of his body, and on several pages, his hands were the sole focus of these dedications. Calloused from years of manual labor and tinkering with boat motors and fishing gear, they were pleasantly rough in a way that contradicted and complimented the agent’s masculine beauty.

After Will had found the sketchbook not too long ago, he’d made it a point to touch and stroke Hannibal in random, innocent ways that stole the older man’s attention immediately and burned at his skin. As much as he wanted to feel more of Will, to ask him to remove his hands from any part of his body was sacrilege. He would endure hours of simple touches if it meant getting to feel the rough pads of his fingers and their strength gripping at his flesh.

Once Will was able to drag the length of his finger in a continuous back and forth motion, he added a second finger, checking in with his partner. “How’re you doin’ down there?” He teased. “You’re being awfully patient for me.” The thickness of his emerging accent gave away his struggle to remain unaffected by the sight in front of him. 

Hannibal tried scooting down to further impale himself on the other man’s hand, but was stopped by a hand on his hip.

“Do you think you’re ready for more? All you have to do is ask.” Will kept their eyes locked, cataloguing Hannibal’s reactions.

“I’m ready for more. Are you so cruel to deny me?” He breathed out. 

“You're alright darlin’, keep breathing; just like that.” Will instructed as he added his ring finger to his current movements. It was the second endearment Hannibal had been granted that night and it aroused him to a point of drunkenness beyond what any top shelf spirit could grant him.

“Please mylimasis, give me more of you, all of you.”

“Greedy.” Will said. “I like that about you when it’s me you want.” Will lined up his length and slid into Hannibal smoothly, now throwing his right calf over his shoulder and using his grip on the man’s hip to push farther in. There was a dull ‘thunk’ noise that came from the desk as Hannibal tipped his head back against it. Will reached forward to caress the back of his head, putting space between it and the desk. “None of that, I need you conscious for this.”

“Have you always been such a demanding lover, Will?" Hannibal asked through a dry swallow, staring up at him through half-lidded eyes.

Will snapped his hips up and out in a few harsh motions before answering. “Hard to say. I’ve never loved before.”

Never before you. 

It’s what Will doesn’t say, but both men know it to be true. They have it in common.

At the admission, Hannibal leans up and grabs the hand that was supporting his head and kisses the palm of it. Nearly suffocating himself with the pressure he applies to keep his lips pressed to it. Of all the ways he could picture his death, this one would be an ideal choice.

Will pulls him forward for a heated kiss that turns softer at the end before telling the other man to lay back against the desk.

“Grab the sides of the desk, this won’t take long.” Hannibal smiles at the promise in those words before doing as he was told. Will rewards him by thrusting into him fully, and reaching the deepest part of him he can. Hannibal’s moans and demanding cries of ‘harder’ and ‘again’ are met with brutal obedience and both men reach the crest of their pleasure together, with Hannibal’s spend painting them both while Will’s warms him from the inside.

The cold air of the room sinks into their sweaty skin as they catch their breath and Will pushes himself up from where he’d fallen slack on Hannibal’s chest, slipping out of the tight hold Hannibal’s body had on him. “Let’s go upstairs, it’s getting cold down here.” He said as he hauled Hannibal off the desk, supporting him as blood and feeling returned to his legs.

“I hope you aren’t too tired, we have a rare night to ourselves I plan to take full advantage of.” Hannibal said as they collected their clothes from the floor. Will gave a quick swat to his ass in response and they went upstairs. They first made it to the bed and then much later the shower before they finally were too exhausted to do anything but fall asleep in a tangle of warm, clinging limbs.  

***

While Will would file most of the cases he touched under the ‘awful’ category, there were some that bothered him more than others. There were offenders that picked at more of Will’s flesh in a way that stood out grotesquely in his mind. Clark Ingram was one such man.

He was the worst kind of societal leech. Using the people he was charged to help as shields for his own wickedness. Will gave him the same choice he’d given Abel Gideon, only instead of a knife he was presented with a hammer. The agent still couldn’t bring himself to shoot at someone who was unarmed, but his reasoning had shifted somewhat. Before Hannibal, Will would have said it was due to the injustice of it. After knowing and loving Hannibal, Will would say his hesitation lied with the lack of excitement. 

Unlike deer, fish had to choose to take the bait that would kill them, and Will was a fisherman at heart. 

In the end, Ingram was nothing but a coward, too thoughtless to even present a valid case for his own life. Hannibal watched the show for a time, but when it became clear that Ingram was nowhere near deserving a death at Will’s hand, he intervened and blocked the hammer of Will’s firearm from falling which spared Ingram for the moment. 

Once Ingram and Peter were escorted away by the appropriate law enforcement officials, Will sat and looked out the window of his car as Hannibal pulled away from the scene. The empath was happy to leave it and the case behind him.

‘Beyond me’. That’s what Hannibal had to say about Will’s unpredictable violence and his in the moment decision making. Will didn’t entirely disagree with that assessment, but he would argue it was also because of Hannibal. The older version of himself from a few months ago would have struggled to stifle the urge to creep into Peter’s head and retrieve his pound of flesh from his tormentor. He would have called upon all his better angels to simply get Clark in a police vehicle and see justice be done in whatever form society as a whole deemed fit for him.

The Will he was today pulled the trigger and would do it again if given the opportunity. Clark Ingram was only alive due to Hannibal’s intervention.

Knowledge and intrusion. Caterpillar and its chrysalis.

Leave it to Hannibal to wax poetic about Will almost killing man out of his own disdain for him rather than in the pursuit of justice. 

It didn't escape Will’s notice that Peter and Clark’s ‘relationship’ was a close parallel to what his and Hannibal’s might have become. If they hadn’t fallen in love with each other, and if Will was still holding tight to the false belief that he was capable of living in his previous state of repression.

He’d guess that Hannibal was having similar thoughts as they silently drove to Wolf Trap. It was early enough in the day that even with their encounter at the barn, there was still a few hours before Noah would have to be picked up. 

They walked into the isolated Wolf Trap home and let the pack out to do their business before shedding their coats and hanging them. 

“I’m glad that case is over.” Will said. “Peter can finally get the help he needs and Ingram can’t hurt or abuse anyone else.”

“Yes, that was an unfortunate situation, and without your dedicated work, there would surely be more young women buried in that field.”

“You’re giving me too much credit. People could have pieced it together sooner, but they would rather believe that Peter was responsible for all of those deaths before they even considered an upstanding citizen like Clark. It wasn’t my own personal dedication that got him caught, just an absence of any preconceived notions about who he was or wasn’t.” Hannibal would have been much harder to catch. If Will originally tried having him arrested, he would have had a hard time convincing anyone around them that the ‘good doctor’ was capable of any kind of atrocities. 

“This case became personal for you.” Hannibal asserted. “You saw some of you and I in those two — a path untraveled perhaps.”

Entering the living room, Will pulled them both down to the couch and laid his head in Hannibal’s chest, breathing in his familiar, comforting mix of cologne and aftershave.

“We’re not them.” Will said definitively. They weren’t, not really. Peter was already too broken to try and go head to head with his social worker. His friend. Will had too much to lose even before Hannibal to let himself fall as deeply as he had under his influence if he truly didn’t feel the same tug of madness within himself.

“While it’s true I never framed you for any of my crimes, it was once something I considered. I hardly recognize that version of myself now, and I find it hard to forgive my past self for those thoughts.” The hands that had been steadily stroking Will’s back momentarily lost their smooth rhythm before continuing. “I believe you when you say that you’ve put our past behind us, but are there ever moments when you feel doubt or renewed suspicions?”

Will shifted to face him better, perching an elbow on the back of the couch and leaning his head against his fist. He shook his head at Hannibal's question, already knowing his response.

“There’s none on my end. Even when I think about what might have been, I’ve already realized it doesn’t matter. It should.” Will sighed heavily here, looking up towards the ceiling for a moment. “I’m aware of that, but it doesn’t. Whatever your past plans or motivations were, they changed — against your better judgement and without your permission. I don’t believe you’re capable of intentionally harming me or Noah.” He moved to straddle Hannibal, placing his hands on the other man’s shoulders. “We’re not them.” He repeated.

Hannibal’s hands glided down Will’s ribs before wrapping around his waist. “I’d sooner willingly surrender myself and spend the rest of my life in a cell than place you or Noah in harm's way. The idea of being the cause of your pain or suffering is abhorrent to me.”

“I know. You wouldn’t hurt me because you’re my ‘special friend’.” Will smiled at the term Noah had randomly blurted out to his teacher to explain Hannibal and Will’s relationship during a recent pick-up. Will had been slightly mortified at the time, but now only found the memory to be a fond one. 

Hannibal beamed at the memory as well, much like he had the duration of that day once they all left the school together. “I’ve always known he inherited your intelligence. In time, he’ll be able to accurately discern all manner of human behavior, and use what he knows to favorably shape his world and the people around him.”

Will leveled him with a bland look, unimpressed with his plans for Noah’s future world domination. “How about we focus on getting him through elementary school first? If pattern holds and he follows in my footsteps, he’ll have a hard time staying awake in class. Especially if he thinks he already knows more than his teacher does.” The older man shifted WIll to sit fully on his lap with his legs stretched out on the couch before kissing the side of his head and wrapping his arms around his shoulders.

“Terrible thing.” Hannibal tutted. “My affection for you knows no bounds mylimasis, but there are habits of yours I’ll have to steer Noah away from.”

Will’s mouth found Hannibal’s neck where he left a small kiss of his own before resting against his shoulder. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, what does that mean — mylimasis?” He’d butchered the pronunciation but it was never going to sound as nice as it did when Hannibal said it. “You’re not calling me a dog or anything are you?” Noah was his ‘rabbit’ and he was slightly concerned about being given a similar animal nickname.

“I’ve said it to you in your native tongue before, but I prefer it in mine. It means beloved. It’s something I would often hear the adults call each other when I was a child. I never had the urge or desire to use the term for anyone before, but you have been the exception to many of my long held beliefs.”

A title of adoration and devotion spoken in a beautifully accented tongue, meanwhile all Hannibal got was a few endearments slathered in a southern twang Will had spent most of his adult life trying to suppress. “Maybe I should call you something fancy too.”

“I like being referred to as what comes naturally to you. Sweetheart, darling, they are all special to me. I know they are not terms of endearment thoughtlessly bestowed.”

“I’ve never used them much before.” Will admitted quietly. “Girlfriends, hookups, I usually just used their names, and I didn’t really care one way or the other what they called me. I like it when you do it though. Makes me feel…important.” He lost the battle to maintain eye contact, but he figured getting the words out of him would be victory enough for Hannibal.

He certainly seemed pleased enough and his mood had brightened back to its usual shine. They spent a quiet late afternoon huddled together on Will’s small couch, surrounded by the warmth of the pack and the love they felt in their chests. 

*** 

Due to a rare alignment in their schedules, Hannibal and Will had agreed to meet at his office again before heading to Wolf Trap for the evening. Noah liked spending time there and it gave Hannibal a chance to finish any last minute session notes. Will timed their arrival so they would get there after his last patient of the day, so he quickly parked and unbuckled Noah from his seat before setting him down next to him.

“Hanbal’s outside.” Noah said, staring across the parking lot. Will turned and saw Hannibal exiting his building in the middle of a conversation with a woman and her toddler-aged son. She was likely his patient so Will wanted to keep a respectful distance.

“It looks like he’s busy right now.” Will turned back to his car to put Noah’s backpack inside. “Let’s wait here for him to finish— hey!” Noah had dashed away from his side and was making a beeline for Hannibal and the woman he was speaking to. He reached Hannibal before his father could stop him and ran right into the man’s legs, wrapping his small arms around one pant leg and burying his face in the material. 

“Noah!” Hannibal had seen Will’s car, but had not seen them exit the vehicle. The young boy’s sudden appearance without his father at his side had startled him.

“Noah!” Will exclaimed. He caught up to the group and tried to disengage his son from Hannibal’s leg but was unsuccessful. 

“Has something happened?” Hannibal asked Will who had given up on getting Noah’s attention for the moment to address the others around him.

“No, I’m sorry. I told him to wait but he just took off.” He turned to the woman Hannibal was speaking with. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Don’t worry about it. I take it you two know each other?” She asked. 

“He’s my partner, and this is his son Noah.” Hannibal placed a gentle hand on the head of the boy still clinging to his leg. 

“Oh, how nice to meet you!” A wide smile spread over her face. I’m Monica and this is my son Parker. His dad couldn’t get out of work today so Dr. Lecter let me bring him with me for our session. I don’t think I have to worry about him spilling my secrets later.” Parker appeared to be maybe three years old. He had on a pair of headphones, and had been glued to the screen of his mom’s phone for the entirety of their conversation thus far. He hadn’t once looked up at the adults gathered around him or at Noah.

“Nice to meet you too, and again I’m sorry for interrupting.” 

Monica waved him off, gesturing to Parker on her hip. “Trust me I get it, he’s a runner the second his feet hit the floor.”

Will gave as natural a smile as he could and Hannibal addressed his patient.

“I look forward to seeing you next week Monica. Please call me if you're needing to reschedule.” He gave a polite smile and she echoed his farewell before heading off in the direction of her car. Will waited until they were a good distance away before kneeling down to Noah’s height.

“Hey.” He said softly. “You need to let go of Hannibal so we can go home now.” Noah shook his head ‘no’ and kept his face hidden. Will was surprised by his stubbornness and was about to try again when Hannibal kneeled down as well. This made Noah remove his face from his leg and gave him the ability to speak directly to the boy. Noah kept his eyes fixed to the pavement below them.

“Triušis, can you look at us please?” Noah let his eyes travel up to Hannibal’s chest, lower than his usual spot around his neck or cheek that Noah would usually look at when they spoke. “Are you hurt somewhere? Did something happen at school?” 

Will tensed Hannibal’s line of questioning. Truth be told he was beginning to worry about something like that as well since this behavior was so out of the norm for Noah. It still surprised Will how similarly their thoughts flowed.

“No.” Noah said softly, small fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. The two men shared a concerned look before Will deduced that they wouldn’t get much more out of Noah at the moment. He picked the boy up and spoke to Hannibal.

“Let’s just get him home for now. You can meet us there and we’ll figure it out.” At the mention of separating for the drive home, Noah flung his arms out in Hannibal’s direction.

“Come with us Hanbal! Don’t leave!” He looked close to a panic at this point, prompting Hannibal to step closer to him and grab both hands in his, messaging them softly in an attempt to ground him. 

“It’s alright dearest, I’m right here.”

“Hannibal, can you just ride with us to the house and we can come back for your car later? I don’t know what’s going on.” 

“Of course. Come with me, Noah.” A quick exchange had Noah settled in Hannibal’s arms and together they walked to Will’s car. During the drive, Will kept an eye on his son from the rear view mirror, but the boy’s eyes remained fixed outside the window. When they entered the house, they let the dogs run outside and Will turned to the boy, kneeling down to his height.

“Alright, we’re all home now. You know we have to talk about what happened, right?” Noah nodded silently looking at the floor. “Where do you want to talk? I’m not mad, I just want to know what made you so upset.”

“Wanna talk in my room. Want daddy and Hanbal.” His regression in speech didn’t go unnoticed by either man and they quickly agreed to his terms before they all traveled up to Noah’s room. He climbed onto his bed and the men each sat on a different side of it, waiting for the boy to begin. 

“Who was that lady? And…the boy. Are they your friends Hanbal?” He kept his voice quiet and his eyes stayed on his bedspread.

“No they aren’t my friends, we were just talking when you and your father showed up.” Hannibal’s confusion was evident and Will began to suspect where this was going.

“Do you like them more than me and daddy?” A fat tear fell from his eye and Hannibal’s confusion turned to horror at the sudden outpouring of emotion.

“Of course not triušis!” He wiped at the tears that fell onto the boy's cheeks. “I love you and your father more than anyone, you know that.”

Will stepped in to dispel the last of Hannibal’s confusion. “Is that why you ran away and grabbed Hannibal? You thought they would take him away?” Noah gave a harsh nod, lip trembling now. 

Noah’s words came quickly. “What if…what if they want him to eat dinner at their house and listen to his music and-and—” His flood of speech stopped short and Hannibal gathered Noah up into his arms, quieting him and rubbing his back.

“No one could ever take me from you and your father Noah.” He pulled back to look at him and wipe new tears from his face. “I would never leave you.”

Noah kept Hannibal’s shirt clutched in his fists. “Promise?” His lip wobbled but the tears had at least abated for the moment. 

“I promise. You two will always be my favorite.” He kissed the boy on his forehead, petting his hair gently until his breathing evened out. “You need to apologize to your father for running and scaring him.”

Noah pulled away from Hannibal and turned to Will, reaching out to hug him next. “I’m sorry daddy.” He said after he finished hugging him. “I’m sorry I scared you.” 

“It’s alright, you can’t run away again ok? If something is bothering you, just tell me.” Noah nodded solemnly. 

“I promise!” Will smiled at him and plucked him from the bed, setting them both on their feet. “Let’s get dinner ready and then we can watch a movie before bed.”

Noah asked to sleep with them in Will's bed and despite the tight squeeze, they all were able to get comfortable enough to sleep. Will watched his son sleep and he couldn’t help but feel responsible for their current situation. If he had never separated Noah and Hannibal to begin with, maybe he wouldn’t feel so insecure about their time together. 

A hand reached out and a thumb swiped the skin under his eye, collecting a tear Will hadn’t realized was gathering. He looked past Noah’s head and met Hannibal’s eyes in the dim room. 

“It’s alright Will.” Hannibal whispered. “Noah will be fine. We’ll show him everything is ok.” Will offered a half smile. He was beyond grateful that Hannibal was here tonight. That he had waited out Will’s previous attempts to sever their obvious connection to each other and forced him to confront the truth of who they both were. 

He grabbed the hand that was stroking his face and placed a kiss to the palm before releasing it back to the man on the other side of the mattress. Will settled deeper into the covers and closed his eyes, hoping that tomorrow would bring a stronger sense of stability. 

“I love you, Hannibal.” He said with his eyes still closed, already drifting.

Hannibal’s echoed affection was the final thing he heard before he was fully asleep.

***

“He displaced birds?” Will asked dubiously as he sat up in bed. He and Hannibal had found themselves with a free afternoon, and after a quick greeting and an enthusiastic romp, the doctor took the opening to discuss the next possible Ripper victim with Will.

“An endangered species of songbirds. Which he took great care to have excluded from the environmental impact reports for his newest building.”

“I didn’t know you felt so strongly about avian conservation. Is that really the only reason?” Hannibal helped him slip a shirt over his torso, not allowing the younger man to step off the bed and retrieve it himself. 

“His disregard for nature and general greed are more than enough reason. He was elected to enact policies that benefited his constituents and yet he has done nothing with his gifted authority aside from lining his own pockets. He had no qualms with the idea of wiping out an entire species, therefore I find him to be exceptionally expendable.” The perfunctory delivery of his logic didn’t help it make any more sense for Will.

“Sure I guess, but what’s with the sudden urge? Itching to get back out there?” Will joked. Though Hannibal had been killing for the purpose of his upcoming social gathering, officially, the ‘Ripper’ had been dormant for over a month and kick starting his usual sounder of threes usually had more purpose behind it.

“The investigation of his murder will also serve as the catalyst for Miriam Lass’ discovery. I plan to leave trace evidence on his tableaux that will lead Jack to an isolated property I will transport her to.”  

“Once Jack has Miriam, he’ll want to retrace her steps. Are you confident she won’t be able to name you?” Anxiety twisted at Will when he thought of this part of the plan. Trusting each other was one thing. Involving Miriam Lass introduced an amount of risk that would keep Will secretly on edge until the pieces definitively fell into place.  

“I am sure, Will. She is not the first person I’ve embedded memories into. She has long been up for the task but until now I had no reason to enact this particular plan.” Hannibal was still by the side of the bed, collecting various pieces of clothing that had been hastily discarded.

“When did you want to get the ball rolling then?” They’d have to plan ahead, make sure he could provide an iron-clad alibi for both of them on the off-chance they were ever questioned. 

“Tonight.” Hannibal said. Will’s head whipped to the side, surprised by the timing.

“Tonight?” Will asked incredulously.

Hannibal leaned Will to lie back down and crawled over him, sliding his boxers back over his legs. Will let himself be dressed like a Ken doll mainly due to his shock over what the man was in the middle of telling him.

Lips pressed to Will’s neck and face in a littering of unhurried pecks as more of the plan came to light.

“I’ve been tracking his movements and tonight he has no business to attend to. He will spend the evening alone after leaving a preferred social club of his. Frederick has also become a bit of a recluse since his hospitalization, so he won’t have anyone who can vouch for his whereabouts. Additionally, I have buried several bone fragments and other DNA samples of the Ripper’s victims on his property to further the belief that he committed them all.”

Will blew out a breath, impressed at Hannibal’s forethought rather than appalled at his indifference to it all. 

There was an absolute faith that barring any major incident, tonight would go exactly to Hannibal’s plans just as all his past ventures seemingly had so far. Even though Will had figured him out, he was doubtful that he or Jack would ever have been able to successfully apprehend him. Hannibal was too meticulous, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for investigators to be led straight to whatever conclusion he wanted them to see. 

Hannibal lifted them both to rest in a seated position against the headboard, wanting his full attention. “Are you having second thoughts? Once I put this plan into action, there is little room for alterations.”

“No, it’s a great plan.” Will said immediately. “It’s just a little startling to see what has really been going on around me this whole time. Jack and I could have spent another two months looking for you and still probably wouldn’t be any closer.” His words weren’t bitter or angry and Hannibal couldn’t sense any resentment from the younger man as he contemplated this.

“You would have made things much more difficult for me. Once you knew the truth of it all, if you had decided to team up with Jack against me, my movements would have been much more restricted. I didn’t tell you all of this to make you feel deficient in your abilities. I was only waiting to discuss my plans with you first as I have promised to do.” 

“I’m not offended.” A small laugh left him. “I was the only one capable of catching you, just like you were the only one capable of blinding me as effectively as you did. What matters now is that we make these decisions as a team, to preserve our life together.” He linked their fingers as he spoke, a physical reminder of their partnership.

“Let’s go ahead then.” The empath continued. “With the councilman I mean. It seems like the quickest way to get Miriam free and Chilton will only get more difficult to deal with as he re-enters society.” Will scoffed as he recalled their last meeting. “He had the gall to offer being Noah’s therapist. Tried convincing me he was dealing with some underlying trauma that would mess him up over time.”

“As if his services would prove anything but damaging. He had no right to make such a claim.” Hannibal would sooner cut Chilton down in broad daylight before he allowed him anywhere near Noah.

“I almost strangled him. Really, right there in his office.” Will’s free hand flexed at the memory. He didn’t tell Hannibal about how he’d heard his voice in the moment, amusing himself with the thought of Chilton being attacked by another one of his patients. A smile appeared on his face as he leaned back in consideration. “Maybe someone will kill him in lockup and we’ll get called to investigate it. At least then I can better imagine that I actually did kill him.” Will was a touch forlorn at the thought of experiencing it second-hand, but dead was dead and Will would be happy enough to see him go no matter how it happened.

Hannibal took Will’s hand in both of his, encasing it and stroking the skin on the back. “You astound me beyond measure.” Pride was the largest emotion in his eyes, but Will could also see the mix of love and desire that seemed ever-present in the man’s gaze. The doctor kissed the back of Will’s hand, and the agent wondered if he’d ever get used to affection so easily given. Never in his life had he been cherished so blatantly by a partner—or anyone really. 

Later that evening after Noah had been put to bed, Hannibal was sent out into the night with a chaste kiss and a —ridiculous— reminder to be safe. His cellphone and his partner remained safely at home to secure his alibi should anyone ever ask questions.

Spending the night waiting for Hannibal’s return was a strange feeling. He pondered his circumstances as he sat in the man’s home trying to find ways to distract himself from what he knew was taking place in town. He wondered if it would always be like this. If he’d always be plagued by this gnawing sense of unease and yearning for Hannibal to come through the doorway as if he’d only gone out to the store.

Will had to admit there was more than that though. It wasn’t just that he wanted Hannibal to return safely and tell him everything had gone to plan. He wanted to be there. Wanted to feel the struggle and violence that Hannibal was experiencing. He wanted to share that quiet feeling of power with him as it was experienced in the moment.

At some point in the future, they would kill together.

The truth of it came to Will in a flash and was accepted just as quickly. They both wanted it too badly to never indulge in these shared aspects of each other.

Man had accepted man. Man had accepted monster. All that was left was for monster and monster to meet and complete the courtship that had been long underway. Will shivered despite the room being more than adequately warmed.

A mere four hours after leaving, Hannibal returned and when they crawled into bed together, both already exhausted for the next day, Will didn’t bother trying to conjure up the feelings of regret or horror he knew he would never be capable of feeling. 

Chapter Text

Will didn't know Miriam Lass before she was abducted, but he was sure she’d been a far cry from the trembling, obviously traumatized woman that Jack had recovered from the bottom of a well. 

‘I only ever heard his voice.’ 

It’s what she had said when Jack first questioned her about her captor. It provided a small amount of relief to the empath that at least Hannibal wouldn’t have been immediately recognizable to her by sight alone but still, the plunging feeling in his stomach and bowels persisted. He knew Hannibal would inevitably be named a suspect, due to his profession and renowned capabilities, but he wasn’t expecting Jack to throw him out of the loop.

“You called him in for an interview without even so much as a courtesy call Jack. What the hell is wrong with you?” He stood in Jack’s office between him and Alana after she had called him with the infuriating update.

Hannibal was currently sitting alone in an interview room, waiting to be joined by Alana, who looked as outraged by the situation as Will did.

“We have to follow protocol Will. He fits the profile, and that’s not something I can just ignore.”

“I built the damn profile Jack, I know what it says. Hannibal hasn’t been running around Baltimore for years, displaying corpses only to come investigate the murders himself. You were the one who sought him out in the first place.” Will reminded him.

“I’m aware of that, but based on what Miriam said, we’re now working with a very short list of names of people who could have done all of this. We found pieces of several of the Ripper’s victims on the Councilman’s body, and now know that what we thought was a copycat killer was also the Ripper.”

“I have been telling you that for months Jack!” Will shouted. “I’ve already included that into the profile, and Hannibal still doesn’t fit. I know this is a personal matter for all of us but dragging him in like this was a poor choice, and it’s a bad look no matter how you spin it after the fact.”

Alana finally stepped in. “Will’s right, this is insane Jack. I’ve known Hannibal longer than anyone here, and it guts me to see him being treated like a suspect. Having me interview him is just another slap in the face —to both of us.”

“We don't have a choice, Alana. If it’s not you interviewing him, it’ll be someone the bureau assigns him and then we lose control of this completely.” Jack said.

“We've already lost control!” She shouted in a moment of aggravation before softening her tone. “I’m sorry about your trainee, but she should have been given more time before you started asking her questions. And now Hannibal’s needlessly involved in a way that could harm him personally and professionally. You can’t honestly believe he’s capable of everything we’ve seen. Can you?” Alana shook her head in disbelief.

Will was glad she asked that instead of him. He was eager to hear Jack’s response.

His fist lightly hit the desk in front of him, and he exhaled out his nose in a long breath. “No, I don’t.” He looked back up at the pair. “But until Miriam can definitively rule him out as a suspect, my hands are tied. Please, Alana.” He called for her to follow him out to the interview room where Hannibal was waiting.

Will followed after him but was stopped by Jack at the door. “Obviously Will, I can’t have you involved in this part of the investigation.”

“You’re joking.” At the man’s fixed expression, Will continued. “What reason could you possibly have for stopping me from watching an interview?”

“You two are romantically involved, and you know as well as I do, that it goes against damn near every protocol we have to let spouses and partners watch their significant other be interviewed.” Jack sighed. “I don’t think Hannibal is the Chesapeake Ripper. It doesn’t make any sense and we all know that. We just need to be able to say we left no stone unturned for when other agencies start picking through the investigation.” Without further discussion, Jack marched off. 

Alana remained at the doorway, her arms crossed in front of her and clearly upset by the turn of events. “I hate this too. Jack is out of line this time and he better have one hell of an apology for you both after this is all over. I’m sorry for my part in it.” She looked genuinely distressed, and Will almost felt bad for being the reason she had to interrogate her longtime friend and mentor. 

“It’s alright Alana. Sometimes it just seems like for every good thing Hannibal brings to my life, I repay him by dragging him down.” He forced himself to produce a convincing amount of saliva and swallowed thickly. “It feels like I’ve thrown him to the wolves—abandoned him somehow. I’m the reason Jack brought him into the FBI in the first place; my instability. I keep waiting for him to wake up and realize there are better options for him out there.” 

Alana threw herself at Will and wrapped him in a hug as he knew she would, but he still tensed as if surprised and lightly returned her embrace. 

“Don’t think like that Will. He adores you and that’s not going to change just because Jack lost his good sense. This will all be over soon, I promise.”

With that, she left the room, and Will stayed behind to sink into the closest office chair. His expression remained blank, but his mind provided its own conclusion. This part of their plan to frame Chilton would succeed, and Hannibal would be all but cleared as a suspect. Additionally, they now have Alana firmly on their side, and forced Jack on the outs as the stereotypical cop with a self-destructive grudge. 

One step closer.

***

“You were magnificent, mylimasis.” Hannibal said to him later that evening.

“Using Alana like that wasn’t my favorite thing in the world, but it is more than a little satisfying to see her that pissed at Jack.”

“Their friendship took a hit today, but I’m sure they will be able to recover in time. Unless of course it suits us better to have them on opposing sides. Only time will tell.”

Hannibal’s interview with Alana was short and Miriam told Jack she was certain that he was not the one who had abducted her and took her arm. So far everything had gone as Hannibal said it would and Will could only hope that the pattern would hold. Alana was tripping over herself to assure Hannibal that she never once considered him as a real suspect and only went along with it to prevent Jack from bringing in a stranger who might be keen to smear his reputation or leak his designation as a suspect to the press.

Jack did apologize to everyone for the situation, but was understanding when they all chose to leave his company for the day and retreat to their own homes.

Will still didn’t appreciate that Jack purposely waited for him and Hannibal to be separated before hauling him in for an interview, and he wasn’t sure the sting of that decision would ever fully fade. In retrospect, his betrayal of Jack was already light years ahead of what had been done today, but he still didn’t appreciate being treated like a fretting spouse, unaware of his partner’s misdeeds.

For tonight, he was happy to take the win. Chilton was still on track to be named as The Ripper, and no one would ever know how wrong they all got it. As Will settled into Hannibal’s side on the couch, he allowed himself a rare moment of tranquility and didn’t worry about what tomorrow might bring. 

***

Tomorrow came quick, and Will was grateful when Hannibal took it upon himself to get Noah ready for school and prepare his lunch for the day. Will watched as he packed away the last of his creations into a container for him to take to school.

“I’ll head back here after I drop off Noah since Jack asked someone to cover my lectures today. His way of apologizing for the other day, I guess.”

“Uncle Jack has put himself in timeout it seems.” Hannibal said and Will laughed as Noah came into the kitchen. He was dressed for the day in khaki pants rather than jeans or cargos, likely due to Hannibal’s influence.

The doctor approached Noah and began packing the food he had prepared for him inside his backpack. “There is a brownie in here from last night’s dessert triušis.” Hannibal said as he zipped in the container.

“Yum!” Noah hugged the leg of Hannibal’s pants before walking towards the front door. “Thank you papa, I love you!” 

“I love you too, have a good day at school.” Hannibal lifted a cloth to clean off the counter, but froze mid-movement. His eyes shot up to meet Will’s equally stunned gaze as Noah’s words echoed in both of their heads.

He’d called Hannibal ‘papa’. It was the first time he’d called him anything other than ‘Hanbal’, and the parental implication behind the new moniker wasn't an accident.

Will put his hands up in innocence as Hannibal looked at him for guidance. “I don't know — he didn’t say anything to me about it.”

The agent could hear the wet sound of Hannibal’s throat as he swallowed. “Well. It seems you both are prone to spontaneous declarations. Then leaving me to stew in my own thoughts for the day.”

Will circled the counter and grabbed Hannibal’s face in both his hands before kissing him quickly. “Don’t spiral too far while I’m gone. When I get back we can stew together.” He smiled at the misty-eyed man before heading out to the car. Once on the road, he made it about three miles from the house before he broached the subject with his son.

“So, I uh, I heard you call Hannibal ‘papa’. Is that something you’ve been thinking about?”

“Joaquin at school has two daddies. He calls one ‘daddy’ and the other ‘papí’ so they don’t get mixed up.” He said.

“Ok. So you don’t want to get me and Hannibal confused?” That didn’t really make sense though since Noah usually just referred to him as ‘Hanbal’.

“Hanbal…tells me stories and eats dinner with us. Like daddies are supposed to. He makes you smile, right daddy?” 

“Yeah, buddy he does, and I know he loves you a lot.”

Noah nodded. “Me too.” He said, almost too quiet for Will to hear. “Is it ok if I…if I call him papa?” 

“I think it would make him really happy if that’s what you want to do.” The man was probably doing cartwheels back at the house, or more likely, planning some elaborate celebratory dinner for three of them. Noah finally looked up from his lap, encouraged by his father’s words. He smiled, and spent the rest of the trip telling Will about random things going on at school.

Will hugged him goodbye when they reached his school and silently said goodbye to the period of their lives where they only had each other to call family. The melancholy that used to accompany that line of thought was nowhere to be found, replaced by the knowledge that Hannibal was always meant to find them. As he drove home he managed to only let a few tears fall as he thought about all the changes they’d experienced in a short couple of months. 

He and Hannibal were certainly in it for the long haul. That much was undeniable at this point. To see Noah yearn for that same outcome reinforced the belief that he’d made the right choice in letting Hannibal in and allowing himself the freedom of being with someone who could accept every facet of who he was.

When he saw Hannibal still standing by the counter upon his return, Will knew he’d also been lost in his thoughts. Wordlessly, he walked over to the older man and wrapped his arms around his waist. 

“He loves you, you know. He loves you like he loves me.” Will said simply into Hannibal’s shoulder.  

“It’s more than I could have ever thought to hope for.” Hannibal pulled away to look at Will head on. “Are you truly ok with this? You will always be his first love in this world and my addition to that list in no way diminishes the importance of your journey together before me.”

“It used to feel a little bittersweet as I saw it happening in real time, but now it just feels like we’re finally where we’re supposed to be. I’m his daddy and you're his papa. He recognizes the roles we play in his life all on his own, and this was just his way of letting us know.”

“I will endeavor to deserve the faith he has placed in me—that you both have.”

“I know.” Will said simply, not bothering to remind him that he didn’t have anything to prove to either of them. They stayed in a content embrace for an indeterminable amount of time and when they did pull apart, neither commented on the wetness of their faces.

***

The sound of Will’s doorbell surprised him. Hannibal usually called or messaged him when he was on the way back from his office, and he wouldn’t need to use the doorbell since he had a key to Will’s house. He warily approached the door as the pack barked and ran to the door to greet whoever decided to drop by. Will peered through his window before going to the door and opening it.

“Margot.” Will said as he stood in his doorway. The dogs ran past them both, stopping to briefly sniff at her legs before running off.

“Will.” She smiled brightly at him like she had the day they met. “May I come in?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m seeing your therapist.” There was no reason for her to randomly show up at his home after only meeting once so he was intent on sending her packing.

“I’m also seeing my therapist.” She quipped back.

Will pursed his lips and nodded along. “I think we both know that the way we are seeing him is very different and would make our meeting like this inappropriate.” He briefly wondered how she even found his house, but guessed her exorbitant wealth played a part.

“You’d leave a woman standing outside your door without so much as offering her a drink? What happened to those manners of yours?” She had him there. Between his general deference towards the fairer sex, southern upbringing, and what Alana once called a ‘savior complex’, Will couldn’t simply shut the door in her face and turn her away.

Despite his better judgement, he stepped to the side in silent invitation and she walked past him with an amused quirk to her lips. 

“Is that papa?” It’d been a few days since Noah had switched to calling Hannibal ‘papa’ exclusively, and the thrill had seemingly yet to fade. The boy entered the living room, and his smile fell into a confused frown at the unexpected guest. 

Will could empathize with his reaction, but they had already taken a hit on the manner front today. “Noah, do you remember meeting Margot? Come say hello.” 

Noah walked over at his father’s prompting. “Hi Margot. Is papa with you?” Will held back a smile, Noah’s fixation on Hannibal’s location warming his heart. 

At Margot’s obvious confusion, Will helped her out. “He means Hannibal.” 

Margot looked shocked at the doctor being referred to so intimately. “Hannibal?” She asked. “No, he’s still at his office but he shouldn’t take too long. I just wanted to talk to your daddy really quick if that’s ok?” She pleaded her case to the child who seemed less than impressed with the recent string of events.

“Noah, why don’t you go watch some T.V in your room and when Hannibal gets here we’ll eat dinner.” 

“Ok daddy. Bye Margot!” Without Hannibal, Noah couldn’t be bothered to stay and pretend to be interested in what the adults were talking about, so he quickly made his way upstairs. 

“So Noah calls Hannibal papa and he calls you daddy.” Margot said. “Does Hannibal call you daddy too?” 

Will’s eyes bugged for a second before he could school his expression into something neutral. “I’m assuming you had an actual reason for finding my address? You're Hannibal’s patient and I don’t want him getting into any professional trouble because you’re here.” Will also didn’t want to get into any personal trouble due to her presence.

“I’m not his patient anymore. I just left my final appointment with him, so no need to worry about any professional trouble.” She briefly surveyed the room, scanning over the various picture frames and trinkets he had around the room. The agent couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman in front of him would undoubtedly be the cause of some kind of trouble for him and Hannibal. 

“Ok, so how can I help you?”

“I just wanted to talk one-on-one, I don’t think we’ll have much time to ourselves before papa bear gets home.” She lowered herself into a chair he had placed across from the couch. “I am a little parched though, do you keep anything stronger than water or juice boxes stocked?”

Deciding he could use a drink as well, Will grabbed his go-to bottle of whiskey and held it up, making no apologies for its cheap quality. He poured them both a glass and handed her one before taking a seat on the couch. “Is there a reason you don’t want Hannibal here for this?” 

“We’ve talked a little bit about you. He was quick to drop hints that you were taken after we met in his parking lot. Made it a point to show me a picture your son drew for him. Has he told you a lot about me? It’s ok if he has, I don’t mind. I’m assuming he’s at least told you the details about my father’s will.” Will didn’t give a reply, choosing to wait her out. She sipped at the drink once before continuing. “You’re protective of him. That’s good, he’s very protective of you both as well. Like a real family.”

“Margot, is there something specific you need from me?” He was almost certain she wouldn’t still make a pass at him knowing he and Hannibal were together, but if that was still her play, he’d reject her quickly and do her the favor of getting her the hell out of his house before Hannibal was able to get there. 

“Probably not what you’re thinking but I admire your initiative in bringing it up. You do seem up to the task.” Her eyes made a purposeful up and down motion over his body.

“My son is upstairs, so I’d appreciate it if we kept this respectful. Even if we were alone though, I don’t think it’d be in either of our best interests to test your theory.” Hannibal would skin her alive if she was dumb enough to try anything after knowing they were a couple. He’d make Will watch on principle alone probably. 

“No. Hannibal strikes me as the possessive type…among other things. But I don’t need to go into those details, do I?” It was an obvious question geared towards the extent of Will’s knowledge and complicity regarding Hannibal’s many extra curricular activities. With Hannibal actively assisting her in the plot to usurp her brother, Will knew Margot was in no position to turn him or Hannibal over to authorities. He decided an equally vague response would suffice for now.

“Hannibal and I don’t keep secrets from each other. Our relationship is built on mutual trust and acceptance.” Words that even if played in a courtroom could be interpreted as a healthy foundation for any relationship.

“Ignoring the worst of him to continue enjoying the best?” She asked.

“I’ve never found ignorance to be particularly blissful. We have a partnership.” Margot swept her eyes up and down the agent in a different kind of assessment, adding this new information into whatever image she had of him previously.

“I can picture that. Guess it’s true what they say about the quiet ones. Hannibal has been helping me get past certain issues I have with my brother. I came here because I needed to see for myself that he had as much to lose on this as I do. After seeing all of this,” she gestured to the room around them. “I’d say he stands to lose even more than I do at the moment.” Will didn’t offer his own opinion, not knowing what information could prove to be harmful to them.

Will’s phone suddenly buzzed on the table and the name ‘Hannibal’ predictably flashed at him.

“I’ll need to take that.” He said evenly. 

“I’ll bet you do.” Margot replied as she watched him like he was her favorite reality show.

He quickly accepted the call and kept the weariness out of his voice.

“Hannibal. Everything alright?”

“I had an interesting talk with Margot Verger today, and wanted to give you a quick call. I’ve had back to back appointments otherwise I would have called sooner.” Will could hear the sound of his car engine in the background denoting his impending arrival.

“I’m having one of my own at the moment.” He kept his eyes on Margot as she continued to watch him leisurely in return. 

“I see.” His voice took on a concerning edge that almost made Will fear for Margot’s longevity. “Have you been hosting her for long? She left my office some time ago.”

“No, she just got here a few minutes before you called. Noah was disappointed, he thought it was you at the door.” If Margot felt any offense at being talked about she didn’t show it, and Will wasn't feeling generous enough to care at the moment.

“Were you disappointed Will? Or has Margot’s company proven a satisfactory stand-in?” Will battled against the urge to hang up the phone immediately. 

Hannibal’s jealousy was a worse adversary than the man’s anger in Will’s opinion. Hannibal wasn’t capable of ending Will’s life himself, so his anger towards the agent could only ever go so far. His jealousy however, was a beast that struck with little to no warning and Will was in no rush to come to head with it again, especially with Margot serving as the inciting event for a second time. 

He chose to dodge the question for now by scoffing into the phone. “Stop asking me stupid questions and get your ass home. Noah’s asking for his papa and dinner is getting cold.” He hung up the phone and set it to the side before eyeing what remained of his drink and finishing it in one swallow.

“Good for you.” Margot said mockingly. “It’s almost worth sticking around to see the rest of the show.” She stood up and held out her glass for Will to take, but purposefully released it at the last second letting the glass hit the floor and spilling its contents. Thankfully, the glass didn’t shatter, but Will was still ticked off by the mess. Her quiet “Oops.” was the final straw, triggering a tension headache in the agent’s skull.

“I can help clean that up before I go.” Margot said referring to the small puddle of whiskey that was creeping over the floor. They both knew the offer was an empty one.

“I got it.” Will whispered, afraid to raise his volume any higher in fear he would lose control of it altogether.

“Goodnight, Will. Thanks for the drink.” She looked positively giddy as she grabbed her coat and left him for the night. Will cleaned the whiskey from his floor and readied himself for the next incoming wave.

Hannibal showed up 15 minutes later, brushing past Will, and into the living room without a word. Will purposefully avoided eye contact and wasn’t the least bit ashamed to immediately deploy the biggest weapon in his arsenal. 

“Noah, Hannibal’s here!” Will called out to the boy upstairs, and the sound of rushed footfalls grew louder as Noah descended the staircase.

“Papa!” Hannibal knelt down to receive the boy who ran directly into his open arms. 

“Triušis. I missed you today, did you have fun with Margot?” 

Leave it to Hannibal to interrogate a child.

“I was upstairs.” Noah said. “Daddy and Margot were down here and I was in my room.” While there was no way his son could be aware of how that sounded to Hannibal, Will was acutely aware of the too-still posture the other man adopted.

“Your father must have been a good host.” Hannibal said. He picked Noah up and turned to Will with a foreboding smile. “She lives very far, it must have been important.” Before Will could respond, Hannibal turned away with Noah and headed for the kitchen. “Let’s eat dinner now, your father called and told me how hungry he was.”

Noah chatted happily about his day at school and things he wanted to do with them over the coming weekend, and Will mostly nodded along as Hannibal took the lead for their part of the conversation.

Try as he might, Will couldn’t delay Noah’s bedtime by long, and once the boy was left to slumber, he and Hannibal made their way downstairs to pour themselves a drink of the whiskey Will had out from earlier.

“I wasn’t aware you were capable of hosting company all on your own.” Hannibal said as he put the bottle away.

“Nothing happened Hannibal. She didn't make a pass at me or tell me anything about your ‘arrangement’ that I didn’t already know. There are some things she was able to figure out that I think we should discuss.”

“Did Margot enjoy her drink? I doubt you have anything here that she would ordinarily purchase for herself.” He clearly wasn't going to be letting this go anytime soon.

“She ended up spilling most of it actually, so I don’t know.” Will took a generous gulp of his drink as he sank into the couch, preparing himself for a drawn out interrogation. 

Hannibal hummed, and rounded the couch leisurely with his own glass until he stood directly behind Will’s seated form. Will didn’t want to appear intimidated by his actions so he didn’t turn to watch the other man as he was circled.

“I don’t know what she told you, but there a few things we need—” 

The shock of lukewarm liquid splashing his chest sent him flying from his seat and whirling to face the other man who stood behind the spot Will had just been seated in. A blank expression was firmly planted on his face, and his empty glass remained incriminatingly tilted. The liquid that had been displaced by Will's sudden movement now dripped to the floor, making a similar mess to the one he’d cleaned earlier that day.

“How clumsy of me. It seems this brand doesn’t agree with me either.” Hannibal said without any real remorse.

Recalling an old breathing technique he’d learned in his teenage years, Will took a deep breath in through his nose as his hands flexed at his sides. The now ruined shirt was unhurriedly unbuttoned and dropped to the floor in front of him while his next words were spoken in the same whisper he had sent Margot off with. “I’m going to take a shower, you are going to clean this up, and then we’re going to have a discussion about this like adults.” 

They might also end up in a fistfight far enough in the woods they wouldn’t wake Noah, but Will was willing to try for the high road first.

Hannibal said nothing as he watched Will climb the stairs and pointedly ignored his mutterings about entitled snobs wasting his goddamn whiskey. 

Will weighed his options while he washed the liquor off his body, and came to a decision. They’d obviously need to talk about Margot’s impromptu visit and everything she had somehow come to discover about them, but Hannibal was wound too tightly for that to be a productive conversation tonight. If Will could find a way to wait out his more volatile emotions, they’d be able to have a clear-headed conversation come morning. 

Sex was always a good back-up plan. It was the most sure-fire way to keep Hannibal from making any major moves tonight and would give them both an outlet for their pent up energy. Will came out of the shower ready to offer himself up to the other man, but it felt too ridiculous to put on a whole show, so he simply wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out of the bathroom like he would any other night.

He passed Hannibal who was sitting at the foot of the bed, still mostly dressed. He had shed his coat and tie, and undone the first few buttons of his shirt that remained tucked into his slacks.

“Did you want to shower?” Will asked. Originally, he was going to try and initiate something as soon as he came out, but if Hannibal wanted to clean up, he may as well get out of the towel at least. 

He made his way to the dresser and for the second time that night made the mistake of placing Hannibal out of his line of sight and directly behind him.

Hannibal grabbed him from behind, looping both his arms around the younger man’s waist, turning and marching him to the bed in a strange carry. Will grunted as he was deposited face-first onto the foot of the bed where Hannibal had been sitting a few seconds ago.

He tried getting back into a standing position, but the doctor had a firm grip on the back of his neck and another hand splayed out on his back, keeping him in place. He was startled by the sensation of his towel being pulled from his waist and tried again to stand. Hannibal gripped the back of Will's leg and placed his knee on the mattress to the side of him before repeating the movement with his other leg. Will felt unbearably exposed in this position and it annoyed him that Hannibal hadn’t said a word to him yet.

“Alright, this is—”

“Will, please clench your teeth.” Hannibal instructed. Will could hear the sound of him readjusting, but couldn’t check behind him to see what he was doing. 

In the next moment, Hannibal gripped his buttocks and Will felt the heat of the older man’s hands spreading him open paired with what could only have been his tongue as it circled and licked at his rim. A choked noise left the agent’s throat before he could stop it and he began to reach back for Hannibal’s face in an attempt to dislodge him.

“Agh!—Hannibal, that’s not, you can’t, mmph!” Will did his best to stifle his noises into the bedsheets, but Hannibal’s wet muscle breaching him was making it difficult to find his voice, let alone control the volume at which it was coming out.

Hannibal’s tongue slid just barely inside of the empath and withdrew in slow and measured movements. The doctor’s grip on Will’s thighs remained firm but would adjust as needed every so often. His tongue deepened its exploration in lazy, rhythmic nudges.

None of Will’s past partners had done this to him before— he would never have allowed them to even if they’d asked. It wasn’t that he was wholly opposed to the idea of it, but he’d never been able to leave himself as defenseless as he currently was. Consequently, he was unprepared for the reaction it would garner from him. He’d grown fully erect fast enough to send the blood rushing from his brain and making him cross-eyed which he was glad his partner couldn't see from his position. Precum leaked onto the bed and it took concentrated effort not to rub himself into the sheets to relieve some of the pressure he was feeling.

He reached to his front to stroke himself, but his arm was snatched from behind and he muffled a groan as Hannibal removed his tongue and came to stand behind him. “Patience, beloved.” Will took the reprieve gratefully and tried to slow his breathing as he heard Hannibal undoing his pants, and removing his own briefs. Will could hear the sound of a bottle being uncapped and knew that Hannibal must have already had the lube ready before he even came out of the bathroom. 

The older man slicked his member with the slippery liquid and Will felt as he lined himself up to enter him again. Will's hands fisted at the sheets next to him as Hannibal nearly bottomed out in one quick movement. The prep job he’d done kept Will from feeling any pain but it was still a challenge to take that much of him at once.

Immediately, he snapped his hips back and forward again, over and over as Will did his best to match his tempo. His hands and body were sliding against the sheets, pushed further up the bed by the force of the thrusts, and when his partner decided he'd moved far enough, he pulled him back into place.

Will could taste blood in his mouth from biting into his cheek to stay quiet. Still the noises that did find their way out were high-pitched and desperate, unaccustomed to the treatment his body was being shown. Hannibal’s own noises were a mix of thrown together words about how Will belonged to him and how well his body always took him. Harsh pants in between the praise revealed his own level of exertion.

Hannibal suddenly hoisted him up, pressing Will’s back to his front. The hand that had been on Will’s shoulder moved to gently grip around his throat as he thrusted up inside the younger man. A foot lifted from the floor to plant itself on the mattress affording Hannibal better leverage.

The empath panted into the open air above him, unable to think or move much under the dizzying barrage of arousal. “You’ve gone quiet Will, are you still with me?” Hannibal goaded from behind him.

Gritting his teeth, Will pressed blunt nails into the doctor’s thigh. “Goddamned sadist.” Will squeezed his lower muscle around Hannibal’s length pulling a foreign word from him that Will couldn’t understand but was sure meant something obscene.

A hand reached in front of him and began fondling Will’s sac before gripping his thus far ignored cock in a firm hold. Will cursed and hissed, nails biting  into the other man’s wrist that was around his throat. “Yes, Hannibal—fuck! Keep going.” A warm, wet sting to the back of his neck left Will stunned to realize the other man had bitten him. His stomach tensed, and spasms wracked his body as the only indication that it had reached its limit before a thick stream of cum spilled from him, soiling the comforter under him and coating his partner's hand. 

Usually, Hannibal was careful not to let Will come in contact with his own mess, but tonight seemed to be one full of exceptions. The dark haired man was roughly shoved onto his front and Hannibal climbed onto the bed after him, rocking into his prone figure with no discernible rhythm. 

A few sharp thrusts later, and he collapsed onto Will’s back, his release being pumped into him, though there was nowhere for it to go. He’d pressed himself as far inside as was physically possible, and Will twitched from the overstimulation. Hannibal mouthed at the back under him and pressed his lips back against the bite he’d delivered to the pale skin of his partner's neck, lazily grinding into him all the while.

They laid together catching their breath for a few minutes until Hannibal stood and silently walked off, returning with warm washcloths which he used to clean them both off.

Together, they got rid of the soiled comforter and Will grabbed a spare quilt he kept for emergencies that was barely large enough to cover them both and the bed. Hannibal grabbed the younger man and pulled him in so his back was flush against his chest and his arm wrapped around a tapered waist, clutching him tightly.

“I would have killed her. If she offered herself to you.” Hannibal said after some silence.

Will rolled his eyes in the dark, turning his head back slightly to speak. “It wouldn’t matter even if she had. You’re all I want.”

Hannibal kissed the curls against the side of Will’s head, pulling him in closer. “I would kill her, or anyone else who might try to sway your affections. You’re mine, Will and I won’t allow for any misguided declarations to go unaddressed.” 

“Neither would I — for either of us. I don’t need you jumping to conclusions without letting me give my input first.” Will rolled over to face him, making sure he had his attention. “There’s no one else Hannibal, I’m not capable of loving anyone else after feeling what I share with you. I love you. It’s us or nothing.”

“Those I love have a way of being taken from me. The fear of you walking away willingly has abated, but for you to be taken from me frightens me a great deal.” 

“Margot said she came here to make sure you had something to lose if your plot against Mason went awry. Before she left, she said you had more to lose than she did, and she was right. But that just means we’ll fight that much harder to keep the life we’re building.” Will shuffled closer to Hannibal. “We’ll look after each other.” He whispered against his mouth.

In the dark and quiet of the room, Will’s eyes grew heavy and he pressed his body against Hannibal from chest to thigh, resting his face in the patch of hair on his torso. “Talk to me until I fall asleep. Tell me about your other patients until I’m too bored to stay awake.” Ethics be damned, it was Will’s new belief that Hannibal wasn’t beholden to any guidelines or laws that would ever supersede his own whims.

Hannibal chuckled into his hair, taking a moment to think. “Have I told you yet about the man who dreams of being lost in a different corn maze each night?”

***

Kade Prurnell sat at her desk looking over one of the multitude of files that laid in front of her. It’d been a long time in her career since she was this behind on her caseload, but one particular file kept her later and later in the office and wide awake at night.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her office phone ringing, and she marked her place before picking up the receiver. 

“Mrs. Prurnell.” Her secretary greeted. “Your last appointment of the day is here.”

“Send them in.” She said shortly before hanging up the phone and closing the file that was in front of her. When she initially received the call to meet earlier in the week, she was surprised by who was making the request. They certainly weren’t someone who would be expected to ask for a sit down with her office without a subpoena being involved.

A knock at the door halted her musings for the time being and she called for her visitor to enter.

“Mrs. Prurnell.” They called. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, It’s an honor to meet you, truly.”

“You said you had information regarding the Chesapeake Ripper murders, and had suspicions regarding the mishandling of the case by Jack Crawford.” It was in their mutual interest to keep this meeting short and part ways.

“Not one to mince words, I can appreciate that.” A journal was pulled from a messenger bag and held up. “I have extensive records detailing strange occurrences and deaths surrounding  Dr. Lecter’s patients both during and after their time in his care. That, coupled with the unfortunate occurrences in his past places of residence and employment as well as his intimate relationship with one of Jack’s agents has led me to believe this case is not being conducted to the standards expected of the FBI.”

Jack had been a thorn in Prurnell's side for years and with his pet profiler running amuck and getting himself in situations that created embarrassment for the bureau at large, she needed a way to permanently bench the lot of them. Her bosses were as obsessed as Jack was with catching the Chesapeake Ripper, and her attempts at getting any other agents to take over the case had fallen on deaf ears thus far.

Prurnell considered the person in front of her, and everything their involvement could mean. Their reputation left much to be desired but their ruthlessness was something Prunell could use to her advantage. Either way, there would be no unringing the bell after this. Prunell came to a decision and addressed her potential ally.

“Alright Miss. Lounds, you have my attention.” 

Chapter Text

Randall Tier’s interview was a train wreck. The man had stuttered and stumbled his way through half-baked alibis and clear deceptions regarding the consistency with which he was taking his prescribed psych meds. It didn’t take long for Jack and Will to gather a few statements from his co-workers and some damning ones from his neighbors who all shared the same opinion: Randall Tier was a troubled man, entirely capable of the ‘animal attacks’ that had been taking place.

The next attack could take place at any time, and after striking out at Randall’s apartment, the museum he worked at was the next logical place to look for him.

Warrant in hand, he and Jack raced to the museum and quietly evacuated the few lingering employees that were milling about. They knew Randall was somewhere in the building and with every other exit blocked, they couldn’t have missed him.

“We can’t let him leave the museum.” Jack said in a low voice as he unholstered his firearm.

“I’ll go down this hallway and you can take the other direction.” Will took out his weapon as well, aware that the moment they saw Tier, he would be ready to attack.  

They parted ways and Will slowly walked down the hall, moving his eyes back and forth, looking for the slightest movement in his peripherals. He reached the end of the hall and was met with a door marked as ‘Maintenance’. He opened it slowly and made his way down the staircase into a darkened room akin to a basement. 

This was Tier’s workshop. 

There were several metal tables with skulls and other sharpened skeletal joints strewn around. Will was careful not to touch anything that might end up being evidence. He reached for the cellphone in his back pocket to call Jack when a black figure darted past his side. He spun to face the movement and called out to the man.

“Randall Tier! This is the FBI, come out with your hands up. It’s over.” Will kept his weapon drawn and his back to the wall as he slowly moved around the workshop, listening for movement from the man. “Randall Tier!” He moved away from the wall and further into the room.

Will was shoved against the wall behind him and lifted slightly off his feet. His gun clattered to the floor below him, lost in the impact. Tier was in a full body animal suit, complete with a new cave bear skull that was currently keeping Will pressed into place. The air left his body and pain bloomed across the agent's back but he recovered and grabbed at the skull's tusk like teeth, trying to force the other man away from him. 

Sharp, pointed nails—claws pierced Will’s chest and the agent exclaimed out of shock and pain. He could feel the nails digging further into his skin and knew he had to get out from his vulnerable position before Tier was able to begin ripping out chunks of his flesh.

Bringing a knee up to his chest he used his leg’s strength combined with that of his arms to finally free himself. Tier went stumbling back and Will used that opportunity to reach for the gun that had fallen, quickly aiming it at the man on the floor. 

“Stay where you are.” He instructed. He reached for the handcuffs he kept tucked in his waistband and was ready to approach Tier again when he suddenly jolted up and rushed Will at a speed that should not have been possible for a human being.

Will fired his gun but Tier dropped his shoulder and it lodged somewhere behind him. He ran directly into Will’s waist, turning around and slamming him into a metal table. His spine was forced backwards and his weapon was beaten out of his hand, lost to him for good this time. 

The pain spurred him on, and Will once again grabbed at the skull's tusks. He swung his arms using all his strength, and setting Tier off balance as he was unable to accommodate the sudden shift in weight. Will slid off the table and used his grip on the skull to remove it from the other man completely. Tier immediately swung around, reaching for the agent and snapping his real teeth at him, aiming for the flesh of his throat. 

Will dodged his grasp and gripped the back of the animal suit his attacker was wearing to bring Tier’s face down, slamming his forehead into the side of the metal table with one harsh blow. He released Tier and watched as he immediately fell to the floor like his switch had been flipped off. Blood almost immediately began pooling around his head like a grotesque thought bubble.  

Shakily, the agent grabbed his weapon and kept it pointed at Tier as he leant down to check for a pulse. He quickly came to the conclusion that Randall Tier was no more, the blow to his head proving fatal. 

Will reached into his jacket pocket for his phone, calling Jack and making sure he didn’t disturb what was now a crime scene. 

“He must’ve known he did poorly during his interview.” Will said as the coroner removed the body bag containing Randall’s corpse from the building. Upon Jack's arrival, he had relocated Will to the main lobby so the techs could begin processing the scene. 

“There’s no cameras down there obviously but seeing as he attacked you in the same suit that was used to maul three people, the DNA on it should give us everything we’ll need to wrap this up.” 

Will silently nodded and an EMT worker walked over to them. “Agent Graham, do you need an ambulance?” 

“No.” He said immediately. “I think he cut my chest though so I’ll probably need some bandages for that.” 

“Please remove your coat and shirt so I can take a look.” Will complied but he knew it was worse than he thought as soon as he took off his coat. His sweater was torn from the claws and once he removed it completely, he saw the blood seeping through his white undershirt. He took that off too and was unprepared for the sight of his chest.

There were four distinct gashes on his torso, left there by the claws of Tier’s suit. The exposed muscle had thankfully stopped actively bleeding, but what had already leaked out covered his chest and had flowed down to his waist. He felt tacky from the drying fluid and his back was already turning different shades of bruised from being slammed into the wall and table. 

“Damn it Will, you didn’t tell me he injured you this badly.” Jack said, his face pinched in concern.

“I don’t think it’s that deep. Just bled a lot I guess. Nothing feels broken.” Will wanted to leave, go home and get out of this museum. 

“We’ll need to take photos for evidence.” Jack said before calling over a tech who snapped a few photos before moving on. 

“I’ll get my supplies, you need stitches.” The EMT left and Will ran the odds of him being able to flee the building before Jack could drag him back.

“There are some bite marks and what look like scratch marks on your neck and back.” Jack said once they were alone. “They look…older. Do they need to be included in the report with Tier?” 

“No.” Will said in quiet mortification. “I got those off the clock.”

Jack only nodded, happy to be able to end the conversation there. The two stood in awkward silence until it was pierced by a demanding voice.

“Where is Will Graham? Will?!” The agent recognized Hannibal’s voice as it came closer and closer. He cursed and reached for his shirt to put back on and conceal his injury, but it was covered in blood, useless to him now. 

“I’m going to see what’s keeping the EMT.” Jack said before slinking off. 

Coward. Not that he blamed him.

“Will!” Hannibal called as he reached him, his eyes open wide at what he saw.

Will put his hands up in a placating manner. “It’s worse than it looks Hannibal, I’m fine.”

“You’ve been gouged, Will.” He said pointedly, as if the other man was somehow unaware of his own injuries.

“It just needs some stitches.” He reasoned.

The EMT —Harry came back at that moment and asked for space to take care of Will’s wounds which is when Hannibal took over.

“That won’t be necessary.” He said dismissively. “I will see to his injuries, thank you.” 

Harry was about to offer his rebuttal when Will intervened.

“It’s fine.” He said. “He's a doctor. I’ll sign whatever waiver you need me to.” The EMT left soon after and Hannibal used the supplies they'd left behind to clean the area and thread the gashes closed. Even after the worst of it was wiped from his body, the smell of copper was heavy in the air, and Will could only imagine how strong it was for Hannibal.

He did his best not to flinch as his wounds were carefully treated and dressed. Hannibal was obviously taking great care to touch him as little and as gently as possible, his face frequently contorting between a surgeon's focus and personal anger at what he was seeing. When he circled Will to ensure he didn’t have any additional cuts, he took a sharp inhale at the discoloration Will knew could be found there.

“I’m finished.” Hannibal said tightly as he came to Will’s front. “I’ll tell Jack we’re leaving.” No room for discussion, just the plan ahead. Will sighed and then winced as he pulled on his sweater and coat. It was going to be a long night for a few reasons now.

“Is Noah at home then?” He asked from the passenger seat once they had been driving for a while. The ride so far had been quiet, both men lost in their own thoughts and emotions brought on by the last hour or so.

“Alana is with him and your pack, fast asleep by now. Luckily she was nearby when I got your call so she was able to take him home.” The doctor's eyes did not leave the road, but he kept a firm grip on Will’s thigh which the agent took as a good sign. Hannibal had been Will’s second call right after Jack and he had done his best to prepare the other man for what he would be walking into.

“Thank you for calling her.” When he received no response, Will placed his hand over the one Hannibal had on his thigh. “I’m fine. All of this will heal over.” 

“The wounds on your chest could very easily have become something much more serious. An inch or so more and…” His finger irately drummed on the steering wheel. “Is there a reason you and Jack separated?” 

“It made the most sense. The museum is huge and if Randall was camping out somewhere we needed to be able to cover more ground. It was pure chance that I stumbled on his workshop down there.” Will interlaced their fingers as a way to comfort them both. “I should have called Jack as soon as I suspected someone could be hiding down there, that’s on me. I’m sorry Hannibal.”

“It’s alright Will, my anger lies with the man who will soon be buried. You were Randall Tier’s final enemy. An honor I can’t believe anyone is deserving of.”

“You’re the only person that would think dying by my hand is an honor.”

“I hold great esteem for your hands as you well know.” Hannibal jested. “Will you allow me to draw them as they are now, skin split and bloodied as evidence of your victory?”

“Jesus, Hannibal.” Will’s head thunked back against the headrest. The man he loved was getting off on the sight of his split open knuckles and the lingering smell of blood and adrenaline. Will would be lying if he said he wasn’t having similar thoughts.

A quiet “Yes.” was the last word spoken for the remainder of the drive.

***

When Mason Verger turned up at Hannibal’s office at the beginning of what should have been the start of Margot’s appointment, the doctor had been expecting him. Margot had informed him during their previous session that she caught wind of her brother's plan to end her therapy. He had hoped to catch him off guard by showing up in her stead, but thankfully Margot had informed him of her brother's plot.

Mason strolled around the office, assessing like Hannibal imagined he might do with one of his family’s pigs.

“Margot tells me you are the best psychiatrist she’s ever had, and between you and me—she’s been around the block.” Hannibal ignored the boisterous laugh that left the other man.

“I’m happy to be of help to her, and I hope to continue facilitating her growth.” 

Mason took a seat in the chair across from Hannibal. “She’s plotting something Dr. Lecter, and I want you to tell me what that is.” 

“Margot’s sessions have focused on her experiences as a child in order to work up to how they have shaped who she currently is. We have yet to begin discussing her current circumstances or long-term wishes.” 

Mason looked him over slowly, and Hannibal remained calm as ever. Unafraid and unwilling to play into Mason’s intimidation tactics. “We deal in hogs you know, great beasts produced through generations of very careful breeding. Back at the farm we have this pen, where we train their hunger to respond to certain stimuli. Screams work great to get ‘em going, human ones especially. We have this amazing contraption! Lets you lower a person into the pen. You play the screams when you lower them in and they go wild!” Mason offered Hannibal a small shrug. “The ‘person’ is fake of course, just a dummy sprayed with perfume and dressed in some clothes—sometimes Margot’s.”                    

“You’re very involved in her life.” Hannibal said. “Family is very important, and should be cherished.” They both knew Mason didn’t ‘cherish’ Margot in a way that would be socially acceptable but the doctor knew it would stroke the ego of the off-putting man to hear anyway.

“She’s the only family I have now with papa gone, so I’m very protective of her as you can imagine. That's why I always have her drivers report back to me if they notice any…irregularities in her routine. Recently, they’ve told me about an odd run-in she had in your parking lot with some scraggly looking pedestrian and his little boy.”

Will and Noah. 

Hannibal was able to suppress the tensing of his body, but his blood began pumping faster, and he waited with a controlled breath for his next words.

“It was my duty as her older, wiser brother to do a little research on the two.” Mason reached into his coat pocket and produced a folded piece of paper. He opened it up and made a show of announcing the information written there.

“Noah Jasper Graham. Born on May 18, 2007 to William Joseph Graham and Laura Eileen Holt at Teller-Grace Hospital right here in Baltimore. Of course, as we all know; mom’s long gone. Just pbbt cut all ties the second they cut the cord.” He made a disgusting flatulent noise with his tongue to emphasize the speed of Laura’s departure from her son's life. Mason folded the paper up and placed it back in his pocket as Hannibal imagined shoving it down the man's throat whole and plugging his nose until he stopped struggling for air. 

“Do you think it’s because she knew Will Graham is unstable?” Mason continued. “Afraid of what he might have passed on to the little tyke?”

At Hannibal's non-response, Mason pressed further.

“Seemed to land on his feet with you though, Dr. Lecter. You both have made quite the splash as an oddly matched couple. I’m not judging. Believe me, I get it. The broken ones are always the most fun aren’t they? Willing to do so much more for so much less.” He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees as he spoke, like he and Hannibal were sharing a secret. His smile was an ugly twist of his mouth, and the doctor knew all that it promised.

Margot had disclosed information regarding her brother’s baser proclivities. His cruelty towards defenseless children being a favored past-time of his. The mention of Noah was a warning that he could access the boy's private information, which would likely include his home address and his school. Mason’s wealth would secure him whatever information he desired and even Hannibal knew there were those in the world who would be willing to abduct a child or worse for the right price.

“I’m beginning to wonder if Margot’s meeting with your boy toy was even an accident.” By all accounts, it seemed that Mason was unaware of Margot’s visit to Will’s house a few days ago, and Hannibal intended to keep it that way. Mason brandished a small blade he’d kept in his sleeve, opening it up to reveal the sharp steel edge. “Nothing?” Mason asked referring to Hannibal’s lack of response to his words or introduction of a weapon. “Tell me, just what game of chicken are you and the baby daddy playing?” As Mason spoke, he stabbed the leather arm of Hannibal’s patient chair. 

If his fate hadn’t already been sealed by his mention of Will and Noah, this act alone would have at least ensured a future private visit from Hannibal. He grit his teeth, and stood from his chair, looking down at the revolting man who was still seated. 

“I’m so sorry.” He said through a fit of laughter. “Just send me the bill.” 

“That won’t be necessary, but I must insist you leave my place of business. It has become obvious that polite conversation is not an option available to us.”

“Margot won't be coming back here Dr. Lecter.” Mason stood and closed his blade in the space between them, agitated by Hannibal’s lack of outward reaction. “A word of caution though. Men like you and I, we need to be…selective of who we let in our inner circle. Toys are good and fun but sometimes get to be more trouble than they’re worth. They need a firm hand and a card with a limit if you know what I mean.” 

“Mason, I fear this conversation has strayed into restricted territory. I believe I’ve answered your questions from earlier regarding your sister. I’m only sorry to see Margot leave treatment before she is able to reach her full potential.”

“You are a credit to your profession Dr. Lecter. Let me know if anything interesting Margot’s told you comes to mind after I’m gone.” He put away his knife and left the office immediately. Hannibal shut the door behind him and walked to his now ruined patient chair, running a finger over the broken leather. 

I’ll have to dispose of the set now. He thought forlornly. 

***

The night of Hannibal’s dinner party had come and Will stood in his packed Baltimore home trying not to fidget in the ensemble his partner had set out for him earlier in the day. 

The evening’s host was busy making the rounds with his guests, soaking in their many compliments and appreciation for the glamour of the evening. Will and Noah were an instant hit with the crowd which Hannibal had expected. They were eager to meet his partner, and see what kind of person had been the one to catch the doctor’s attention. 

Noah was still shy around larger groups of people he didn’t know but his bashfulness and valiant efforts at polite greetings only endeared him further to the crowd. Will could almost choke on the smug air of superiority that was radiating off Hannibal as he paraded him and Noah around the room.

He fawned over both of them, gloating about Will’s job and sharing small stories of their earlier days together. Each time Noah called him ‘papa’ in front of others, Will worried the other man would banish his guests from the home to better soak in the boy’s attention. 

The empath had decided he needed a moment away from the barrage of new people and he stepped aside, leaving Noah with Hannibal as the boy was content to remain with his papa for the time being. Will’s hair had been gelled back like he’d done for past events, eliminating the option of running his hands through it as he usually did when he was stressed. 

The stitches on his chest had been absent of any pain thanks to a strict medication schedule kept by Hannibal which also came with a firm two drink limit tonight. Too bad, he could have used his injuries as an excuse to head upstairs early. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to events like this, but being in a relationship with Hannibal all but guaranteed this night would only serve as the first of many.

At least I look like I belong here. He thought, as he contemplated his current attire.

For tonight, he’d been stuffed into a dark gray linen-blend suit paired with a dress shirt made up of thin white and light blue stripes. Last time he was this done-up was for the opening of the observatory. He recalled Noah’s excitement at having a bow tie that matched Hannibal’s pocket square and smoothed a hand down the neck tie he was currently wearing. Hannibal insisted he join them in wearing an accessory of the same color which manifested as a tie in a deep shade of sea blue.

Noah was currently standing by Hannibal and Stuart Landigham who was as charmed by the boy as he had been the night they met. Will smiled at the picture his partner and son made. Noah looked achingly adorable in his white dress shirt and button down waistcoat that matched the same deep blue shade of his bow tie. 

Hannibal himself wore a bespoke double breasted three-piece suit in a light gray which Will thought complimented him more than strictly necessary. His dress shirt was also white and his signature pocket square was the same deep blue as Will’s tie and Noah’s bow tie, completing the set.

“You clean up nice Will, it’s a wonder Hannibal even let you join the party.” Beverly Katz approached him with a drink in hand for both of them. Will took his and thanked her as he took a sip.

“He’s not controlling like that.” Will said.

“Please.” She said in disbelief. “The matching attire? He’s marking his territory and it’s not even a little subtle.” She playfully flicked at Will’s tie.

“Noah likes us to match.” Will weakly defended.

“Yeah sure, blame the kid. Everyone else knows the truth though. He’s been eyeing you all night. Looking back, he always seemed interested in you. I don’t know how you two didn’t end up in bed together sooner.” Will shook his head and took a larger drink than his first sip. It was true that Hannibal was a possessive man and he wasn’t surprised that people had been able to catch on, but he still didn’t feel comfortable discussing the more private aspects of their relationship out loud. 

I guess that’s what the matching clothes are for. He thought. Says everything people need to know without me having to open my mouth.

The clothes did send a message. Here in Hannibal’s house at a party he was hosting. It was clear that the three of them were a set, and everyone else was just a guest they were allowing to peek into their lives before they closed the curtains again.

As he readjusted his tie, Beverly must have sensed Will’s discomfort and pushed in a way only older sisters can.

“Ten bucks says that tie ends up around your wrists tonight.”

Will choked on his drink, the liquid burning his throat and forcing him to cough to clear his airway. Beverly’s laughter was interrupted by the arrival of their host.

“Miss. Katz.” Hannibal said as he drew closer with Noah tucked in a firm carry on his side. “I’m so glad you were able to join us tonight, might I have a word with Will?”

Beverly smiled at him and Noah. “Everything has been great, thank you for inviting me. Will’s all yours, I need to go make sure Zeller and Price aren’t embarrassing us all with their married bickering.” She said her goodbyes before throwing Will a suggestive quirk of her eyebrow behind Hannibal’s back.

“Are you alright? You look flushed mylimasis.” 

“Are you sick daddy? Did you eat too much?” Noah asked.

Will had mostly recovered at this point but gave a final clearing of his throat to be sure. “I’m fine, Aunt Bev just made a funny joke.” Hannibal clearly had a better idea of what had happened but made the smart choice not to comment further.

“How’s Landingham doing?” He asked to change the subject.

“We’ve been invited to a private tour of the observatory. Apparently they go quite in depth with several of their more obscure displays.”

“He said they have a pretend rocket that shakes you like a real astronaut!” Noah exclaimed. 

“It shakes you?” Will asked, in exaggerated bewilderment. 

“I’ll hold your hand if you’re frightened, Will. Don’t worry, I won’t allow you to shake away into space.”

Will and Noah looked at each other and laughed at his promise and the image of Will confusedly floating around in space. Noah tired himself out pretty soon after, and Will quickly saw to his nightly bath before putting him to sleep and rejoining the party. He and Hannibal went about the evening making polite conversation with their guests and talking amongst themselves as the crowd drank and sampled items from various trays.  

Hannibal had discussed with him prior which dishes would be safe for Noah and had them strategically placed exclusively on blue trays rather than the other silver ones going around so Will could easily identify them as they were walked through the room by the hired catering staff. He also made sure the food that was meant specifically for Noah would be dishes he was known to favor, so he wouldn’t be tempted by any of the other items.

Will had thanked Hannibal for the forethought and the older man reiterated his assurance that Will should feel no obligation to partake in anything he knew to be made of his victims of the past few weeks or ‘long pig’ as they had come to call it. Will thanked him at the time, but even then, he knew that he’d already come to a decision regarding his personal diet moving forward.  

He caught sight of one of the staff carrying a silver tray filled with small pieces of gorgonzola-topped beef placed on small disks of toasted french bread. Will grabbed two as the tray passed by and silently offered one to Hannibal, keeping the other for himself. 

Hannibal’s eyes sharpened with understanding at the gesture, and watched Will intensely as the empath brought the morsel to his mouth and enveloped it whole. Will chewed slowly and swallowed before turning to grab two glasses of champagne off another passing tray. He lightly touched his date’s elbow, prompting him to eat the ignored food he still held in his hand.

“People are going to think you have a kink for watching me eat if you keep looking at me like that.” He joked to alleviate the tension as he took a drink.

“They would be correct.” Hannibal responded before eating his own share. Will forced himself to look away, and decided to quickly begin a conversation with a nearby Alana so that they wouldn’t fall back into each other’s gravity.

“It was nice of you to invite Jack.” She said. “He’s probably still feeling a little awkward after the incident with his trainee.”

“It is all forgotten.” Hannibal said. “He had a job to do and I am happy we can move forward without the cloud of suspicion hanging over our friendship.” 

“That’s big of you, I’m not sure I would be as forgiving.” She said. 

“You and me both.” Will said as he took a drink. Hannibal gave him a reproachful look and Will shrugged. “I know, it’s not fair. I’ve honestly mostly forgiven him, the sting is just fresh still. It’ll pass.” He smiled reassuringly at Alana who grinned widely back, happy to hear that all her friends were more or less back on good terms. They chatted about work and the new people Alana and Will had met that night when a voice at their side caught the group's attention.

“Gentleman, Alana.” Jack Crawford joined the trio and Hannibal stepped slightly to the side to make room for him in their bubble. 

“Jack.” Hannibal extended a hand, ever the gracious host. “I missed you as you came in, but I’m so glad you could join us tonight. Did your Bella come as well?”

“No. I’m afraid she wasn’t feeling up to it, but she was adamant I not stay home on her account. She sends her love.”

“I was happy to hear she’s seeing Dr. Arwell, he’s one of the best oncologists in the field.” Alana said.

“I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy to come out while she’s not feeling her best, but we appreciate you showing up. We can have some of the food packaged up for Bella if you’d like.” Will offered. An olive branch publicly offered to show their relationship was back on track and pull him back onto their side.

“Thank you, that would be nice. I was actually about to head out. It’s still…difficult to find joy in the things we usually do together.” 

“You have our complete support Jack. If there’s anything we can do for either of you please don’t hesitate to ask.” Jack nodded along and expressed his gratitudes to Hannibal’s offer.

“Thank you both for a wonderful evening. I know things between us haven’t been as friendly as usual which is my own fault, but I hope I’ll be allowed to make amends. I sincerely consider you all to be my closest friends.” 

“To a long-lasting friendship, strong enough to withstand any trial that may find our humble group.” Hannibal lifted his glass in toast and the others followed suit. Hannibal had the staff put together an array of foods from the blue trays and Jack was soon on his way back home to his Bella, relieved to have preserved their friendships. Hannibal left to see him off as was his perceived duty as host, leaving Will and Alana alone for the moment. A woman’s voice called his name as she made her way over to them.

“Will, it’s lovely to see you again, I was surprised when Hannibal called to invite me tonight.” The quick stiffening of his spine was an involuntary reaction to the memory of what had happened last time Margot had caught him by surprise. If Hannibal had invited her, it was for a specific reason that Will hadn’t thought of himself yet. Alana looked between the two of them curiously and Hannibal’s intentions started coming into focus.

“Margot.” He put on his warmest smile and greeted her like he would an old friend. “I’m glad you could make it on such short notice, let me introduce you.” He turned to Alana and found her eyes fixed on the Verger heiress, a shine in them that Will had annoyingly caught directed at Hannibal once upon a time. Margot’s interest was also evident and Will facilitated a quick introduction before stepping aside to ‘find Hannibal’ as the two women got better acquainted. 

And baby makes three. Will’s mind couldn’t help but slot the pieces together to spell out a very possible future.

An irresistibly convenient solution to all of Margot’s problems in the form of the lovely, available, Dr. Bloom. 

For all of Alana’s finger wagging about his own savior complex, she was no better, and Margot’s plight would undoubtedly prove too much to ignore if they did end up becoming romantically involved. The semantics would have to be worked out, but if things went how Will could see them going, the Verger family could soon see a new addition to its line. If he never had to see either woman make eyes at himself or Hannibal again, all the better.

The rest of the evening flowed easily and after the last of the guests had left and the generously tipped staff was seen off, Hannibal and Will were happy to have the house to themselves again, proud of all they had managed to accomplish in a few short hours. 

Ultimately, it wasn’t Will’s wrists that his tie ended up around that night, but it didn’t seem worth the ten bucks to correct Beverly on the matter.

***

Will stared at the spectacle in front of him, no real feelings other than slight annoyance making itself known. 

“Is there any family we need to contact about this?”

“He had an eccentric uncle in Florida.” Jack said. “His only remaining family member. The uncle paid to have him buried but didn’t hold a funeral or fly up to see him put in the ground. Just wired money over and left instructions.”

Randall Tier’s body had been in one piece when he was buried, but that was no longer the case. His head had been removed from his body and mounted onto a large wooden plaque like a hunter would do with a buck. His hands had been cleanly cut off at the wrist and when the team took a closer look, they saw that each of his teeth had been removed. There was no trace of them in the coffin and they were presumed to have been taken.

“A final indignity.” Hannibal said. “Tier fancied himself a beast but ultimately had his body picked over by a poacher.”

“Poachers usually sell the parts they take.” Jack said. “He dressed up the head and only takes the teeth? Why go through the trouble?”

“Because he tried and failed.” Will supplied. “He failed to kill me and ended up dead himself. Whoever did this is only emphasizing that Tier was never worthy of his status as a predator. They were showing him and us the depth of his insignificance in the food chain.”

“He had a reason for taking the teeth with him.” Hannibal added, looking in the coffin for any other clues. 

“It’s a courtship.” Alana said in disgust. The men turned to look at her, waiting for her to explain. “He used his hands and teeth to try and kill Will in the museum. It’s like they’re trying to show Will that they’ll address those offenses on his behalf.” 

“He dared to touch Will with his filth and was subsequently discarded as such. The mounted head is an offering for Will. A trophy and an invitation.”  Hannibal finished.

“Could it be the Ripper? Maybe they’re impressed with his work and this is them trying to reach out, like a note in your locker.” Alana ventured.

“It’s a bit juvenile for the Ripper, but I can’t definitively rule them out. Either way, I do know them. Or at least they know me, and for whatever reason they think I’m interested in a…partnership.” He roughly scrubbed at his face, agitated by the turn of events and all that it meant.

“Hannibal could be in danger too then. Freddie Lounds has made their relationship public knowledge and you’ve been out in the public eye together. If this person wants Will to themselves, they don’t seem above mutilation.” Bless Alana’s blinded heart, her concern for her friend and mentor was palpable. She had no idea the extent of what Hannibal himself was capable of. Though simple mutilation was beneath him. Where he excelled was in elevation. 

“The official report hasn’t even been released yet has it? How would they even know what happened in that room unless they have some type of influence within the department?” Will turned to Jack for some type of confirmation.

“I’m going to have IT run a list of anyone who has tried accessing the files regarding the attack. Someone either leaked it or read it for themselves, but it’s at least a place to start for now.” Jack turned to face Will with a wary expression. “I can have a team sit outside of your house—”

“No, I don’t want to be put under observation.”

“He clearly knows who you are, Will.” Alana said, reaching for his arm. “If he was able to get his hands on the report, it’s likely he also knows where you live, and about Noah.”

“Having people parked outside the house won’t make him any safer.” Will said. “No patrols. No strangers on my property I have to check in with every time I want to take a piss.”

Hannibal tutted next to him at his uncouth phrasing, but they were in agreement on how they would proceed, and warned Jack against trying to stick any covert details on them.

Last thing I need is Hannibal or I killing one of those guys because we thought they were an outside threat.

They parted ways with Jack and Alana, getting into Hannibal's car and beginning the journey back home.

“I’m going to ask because I have to.” Will said as soon as they were back on the highway.

“It wasn’t me, Will.” Hannibal said at once. There was no offense or anger in his tone. Will nodded in acceptance. He didn’t think it was Hannibal to begin with, but he still needed to hear it. To confirm the truth of the situation they were in now. 

He closed his eyes, let his head fall back against the headrest, and began sorting through names of people he knew that would be capable of pulling something like this off. The rest of the drive passed in silence, with only the pressure of Hannibal’s fingers between his own keeping Will halfway present.

***

Will walked through the dark cemetery, and his feet led him to Tier’s grave without prompting. The ground was undisturbed now, and instead of finding a dismembered corpse, Randall Tier stood upright and whole by his headstone. 

Alive only in his dreams.

“Wasn't sure how much of you to expect this time.” Will said.

“I was often told as a child that I had no sense of humor.” Tier said. “I wonder if your humor is better received than none at all.”

“I don’t have a lot of time to wonder.” The words seemed familiar to Will, and came out of him without conscious effort. “Though, reception isn’t something you have to worry about anymore is it?”

“You’d mock a man you killed? Do you feel no remorse?” It was obvious he wasn’t offended either way, just idly curious.

“You forced me to kill you.” Will reminded him.

“I didn’t force you to enjoy it.” Tier smirked at him, walking to the other side of his headstone, resting a hand on the top of it. “Though I understand the thrill. We came from beasts you know? Whittled down our instincts to fit into the polite society that came with time. That’s the thing about instinct though — we can never entirely lose them.”

“Do you know who cut you up? Put your head on a mount?” Will doubted he’d get an answer but figured he’d try.

“No shortcuts are going to be found here agent. Just what you already know, and what you’re in the middle of discovering. But you did me a kindness, so I’ll help illuminate some things.”

“You weren't suicidal Randall, it wasn’t a mercy killing or death by cop.” Will protested. 

“No, we fought properly to the death—well mine anyways. I was bested by a better predator and that’s that. I’m just grateful that I didn’t end up in that awful prison.” He gave Will a pointed look, waiting for him to come to some conclusion.

“Frederick isn’t capable of digging you up in his current condition, try again.”

Tier frowned at him. “Maybe you aren’t ready for the full picture just yet. Either way, it’s probably best you leave for now. If you’re quick, some of the others may never know you were here.”

The ‘here’ Tier was referring to was his own mind. More specifically, the place in it where he housed some of his more horrific characters and deeds. Who were the others then? Hobbs probably, and Gideon too. Maybe anyone he ever killed would collect themselves here in the graveyard of his mind and take turns filling his nights by airing out their grievances. 

He turned his head scanning over the empty cemetery, feeling the chill even in what he knew to be a dream. As far he could see, they were alone. He turned back to Tier, but was met with someone else. 

Garret Jacob Hobbs stood less than a foot away from him, his unseeing eyes clouded over and the blood on his face as fresh as it looked on the day Will put 10 rounds in his chest. 

“See?” He whispered before pushing Will backwards and behind the gates of the cemetery which he knew should not have been that close to him. The gate swung closed with Hobbs on the other side and Gideon suddenly took his place, shaking the gate for good measure, and demonstrating its inability to open back up to Will. 

“Run along now, Mr. Graham. Take care that you don’t give yourself away to prying eyes and ears.”

Will reached for the gate and gave it a sharp tug, trying to open it himself, but when he yanked it towards himself, a burning pain assaulted his chest.

He woke with a jolt, hands pressing into his arm and shoulder. 

“Will? It’s alright, you’re dreaming.” Hannibal’s accented voice, rough with sleep broke through the fog in Will's mind, and he stopped pushing against the arms he now knew belonged to his lover.

“Hannibal?” Will panted out. “I’m sorry. Shit.” He deflated into the mattress, sweat dampening his shirt and sticking to his skin. Hannibal turned on the lamp by his bed and slightly leaned over Will, watching as his breath evened out. 

“You were having quite the terror. Are you alright?” The agent nodded and swallowed down the thick remnants of his lingering pain. He must have thrashed around while dreaming and agitated his chest wound.

“Just a nightmare. I’m sorry for waking you up, did I hit you?” He hated the idea that he hurt the other man in his attempt to battle his own mind. It had been a long time since he’s had a nightmare that vivid and involved. 

“Not at all, I tried waking you sooner, but you were deeply entrenched I’m afraid.”

Will got off the bed and carefully stripped off his shirt, tossing it to the corner of his room for now before getting back in bed. His body was still incredibly sore and he did his best to breathe through the worst of it as Hannibal laid beside him, smoothing a hand down his shoulder. 

“Am I correct in assuming you don’t wish to talk about it just yet?” Will knew he’d have to fess up come morning, but he was grateful for the brief reprieve. He shook his head, scooting closer to the other man, running his fingers through the thick tuft of chest hair.

“Not right now, it’s ok though. I don’t think it’ll happen again.”

Not tonight anyways.

He gave the other man a small smile, happy that he at last had his company to ease himself back to sleep. Will waved off the doctor’s offer to bring him something for the pain and Hannibal shut off the light before he settled the agent on his back for the night, being careful not to disturb his bandages. He laid himself on his side and draped an arm over the younger man’s waist, rubbing small circles into his hip bone.

“As you wish. I’ll be here if you need my assistance.” His voice carried an underlying disapproval.

“Shhh.” Will soothed. “I’m already asleep.” He whispered.

Hannibal’s low chuckle vibrated against the side of Will’s body where they touched and they both closed their eyes, but neither found sleep quickly.

Chapter Text

TATTLE CRIME EXCLUSIVE:

MURDER, MAYHEM, AND A MÉNAGE À TROIS?

In my last issue, I reported on the interesting and overall unlikely pairing of Baltimore’s esteemed bachelor — and Lithuanian Count by blood —Dr. Hannibal Lecter and the FBI’s notorious bloodhound Will Graham. 

Shortly before their relationship became public knowledge, Dr. Lecter found himself in a fight to the death with Tobias Budge, a known recluse of Baltimore's orchestra community. He reportedly attacked Dr. Lecter after killing his friend Franklyn Froidevaux who was at Dr. Lecter’s office at the time for his regularly scheduled psychiatric appointment. 

That would seem like an unfortunate happenstance if it weren’t for the next victims of association.

Dr. Abel Gideon was a convicted killer responsible for the murder of his wife and in-laws on Thanksgiving Day only two years ago. Readers of this publication will remember that I myself had a harrowing run-in with Dr. Gideon who was plagued with conflicting beliefs that he was and was not the Chesapeake Ripper. That very belief led him to break into Dr. Lecter’s home presumably to continue his spree of violence against all of his past psychiatrists. We’ll never know how that meeting would have unfolded, as Dr. Gideon was shot and killed in the Lecter residence by Will Graham himself.

Another name would soon be added to Graham’s list of thwarted foes, as he most recently found himself confronted by Randall Tier, the man presumably responsible for the recent slayings that mimicked savage animal attacks. Tier was killed in the altercation with Graham and we soon learned of a past connection he shared with Dr. Lecter — as his former patient.

With the connections between patients, suspects, and lovers crossing and blurring, it seems hard to believe that the pair would have much time for romance, but they seem to make do.

They have since been seen out for a night on the town and canoodling at one of Dr. Lecter’s famed parties — held in the very house Dr. Gideon’s life was ended.

As if their love story wasn’t strange enough already, an independent source has confirmed that Margot Verger — of the ancestrally wealthy Verger family — has recently been seen in the company of Dr. Lecter and his lover more than once, even spending time alone with Graham in his home behind closed doors. 

What happened behind those doors is anyone’s guess, but it seems the good doctor isn’t the only one making house calls these days.

While the FBI seems content with their current understanding of the numerous deaths taking place around these two, other agencies are not. I recently got a chance to speak with a source at one of the highest levels of law enforcement and they had this to say:

“The relationship between Dr. Lecter and Will Graham began around the same time as these killings. I’ve had my own doubts about them as individuals in the past, but they are well protected by parties more interested in their ability to close cases than any wrongdoings they engage in along the way.”

It seems that while love may be blind, the world at large most certainly isn’t. 

As always, I encourage my readers to look beyond the ‘official’ reports and consider the facts that only exist in the realm of ‘unofficial’.

***

Alana surprised Will when she showed up to his lecture room at the end of the day. He expected he knew what she wanted to discuss, but he was happy to see a familiar face nonetheless.

“Geographical profiling. I’m sure your students are riveted.”

“I don’t care if they’re personally interested in what I teach, just that they learn it.” He said.

“That article is making you curmudgeonly today Will.” She leaned against his desk, clearly wanting him to engage a little.

Freddie Lounds’ latest attempt at a smear campaign was her most invasive work to date. He didn't appreciate the barely disguised accusations she had lobbied against Hannibal and himself in the recent deaths of those around them. He didn’t like that his fidelity to Hannibal was being questioned with Margot suddenly being brought in to the mix for some reason, and he especially didn't care for the fact that of all the people in the world, Freddie Lounds seemed to be the only one with a clue as to what was actually happening.

Her ‘source’ in law enforcement was also a problem. Someone was talking, and it was someone that had no small amount of information and suspicion where he and Hannibal were concerned. He could rule out Jack since he didn’t come out looking much better than he did, but he would be existing side by side with an impending sense of paranoia until he could figure out who had been reckless enough to do business with Freddie.

He sighed as he joined Alana against the wooden surface and mentally rejoined their conversation. “Freddie clearly has people watching me. That wouldn’t bother me half as much if it weren’t for Noah and Hannibal. If she had posted a picture of either of them to go along with her drivel, I’d be looking for ways to have her arrested right now.”

“She’s always been a pain, but I cannot believe she’s allowed to publish whatever she likes without any kind of repercussions. She’s really crossed the line this time.”

“Hannibal has his lawyer looking into a libel case against her. I’m just not sure it’ll make a difference, or if it would just make him look guilty of something that was never his fault to begin with.”

“The public is entitled to their opinion but I’ll always be on your side, and if Hannibal’s lawyer needs any testimony towards her past misdeeds, I’ll be the first in line.”

“I appreciate the offer. I’m just glad Noah is too young to be seeing any of this. As he gets older, I’m more and more glad I’ve always been strict about his access to technology." Between his own job and the horrors readily available on the World Wide Web, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be fully comfortable exposing his son to all that the internet could poison him with.

Alana scoffed. “He wouldn’t believe it even if he could understand it. The way he looks at you two? Superman wouldn’t even earn the title of ‘hero’ with the pair of you to contend with. Not to mention Hannibal officially being outed as actual royalty.” 

Will scoffed, he and Hannibal had a separate conversation about his ‘noble bloodline’. The doctor had assured him the title was in name only and the custom of nobility had since died out even back in Lithuania. It still gave him no small amount of pleasure to refer to his partner as ‘your highness’ anytime he was acting unusually snobbish about their meals or Will’s less than refined habits.

Alana paused for a moment, deliberating. “I heard him call Hannibal ‘papa’ at the party, when did that start?” 

She was obviously trying hard not to overstep, but Will was happy to share the details of this new development.

“Not too long before the party actually. Just blurted it out one morning before school. I wish I had a picture of Hannibal's face — I’ve never seen him at a loss for words like that.” Will smiled at the memory of that life-altering morning.

“I’ve been thinking about what you told me when Jack had me interview Hannibal. How you worried he might one day go looking for something ‘better’.” She highlighted her last word with air quotes.

“Please, just forget I said all that. It was a tense moment and I just dumped my own insecurities on you. Hannibal has been amazing and supportive of Noah and I since before we were even together. I’m not worried that one day he’ll suddenly wake up and change his mind about us.” He wasn’t worried about it when he told her all that in the first place, but that was neither here nor there. 

“That’s good, and I agree with that assessment.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, framed photo. “Sometimes though, it’s easier to believe something you can see for yourself.” She held it out for him, and Will took the frame from her, curious as to what she was trying to get across.

Turning it over, Will saw a picture of himself, Noah and Hannibal. It was a candid shot taken the night of Hannibal’s party, and Will knew the exact moment it was taken. It was when Hannibal told that ridiculous joke about holding Will’s hand so he wouldn’t get lost in space. Will’s laugh was frozen in time in the picture, mirrored by Noah’s own mouth, open wide in humor. The pair was looking at each other, sharing their laughter, and Hannibal…was looking at Will. His smile was wide and toothy as he looked at the agent, and his eyes were those of a man unmistakably in love.

“Oh.” Will said dumbly. “This is—it’s uh…a good picture of us. Thank you, Alana.” He was unable to fully articulate the breadth of feelings this image conjured within him, but he tried his best to thank her for it anyways. She seemed to understand his true level of gratitude and gave him a soft smile as he continued to look at the scene she’d captured.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you as happy as you are there, and in all my years of knowing Hannibal, I’ve certainly never seen him look at anyone like that.”

A wet laugh bubbled up from him without his permission. “He’s—I mean…we’re happy.” He rolled his eyes at the lameness of his own words, but Alana seemed endlessly pleased, with a light sheen to her eyes.

“You deserve to be. I’ll get out of your hair and let you get home to your boys.” She said, pushing off of the desk.

“I’ll walk you out.” He offered, collecting the last of his things. As they turned to leave, her phone rang and Will briefly caught the flash of Margot Verger’s name lighting up the screen. He raised his eyebrows expectantly at her. 

“I take it you two hit it off?” He asked. Alana’s flush would have given her away even if her next words didn’t confirm it.

“We may have ducked out of Hannibal’s party a little early and gotten to know each other better. A lot better.”

“Alana.” He said scandalized. “What would Freddie Lounds have to say about you seducing my sordid affair partner?”

“Oh, I wish that woman had the gall to ask me anything about you or Hannibal.” Will grinned at her spunk, he’d pay good money to see her tear Lounds a new one.

“Hey.” He called out to her when they were going their separate ways in the parking lot. “How did you get that picture anyways? Developing an interest in tabloid journalism?”

Alana lifted her eyebrows in challenge. “Keep joking and I’ll sell the photo to Freddie for her next article.” Will laughed, his heart light as they got into their cars.

Hannibal had a similarly choked up reaction to the photo when Will showed it to him later that night.

“Our first family photo. I must remember to thank Alana for this gift.” He swallowed wetly as he kept the frame cradled in his hands.  

Family. A concept that used to feel so foreign and ill-fitting, now personified in his son that slept down the hall and the man in front of him. Hannibal was still holding the picture as if it were a delicate, living thing.

Will came up behind him, stroking his waist and kissing his shoulder once. 

“I thanked her for the both of us. Besides, your gift of Margot seems to be very appreciated. Playing Cupid will likely pay off.” 

Hannibal turned to him with a grin. “All in good time, my love.”

***

In the past three days he’d been in rural Arizona, the only thing Will could find himself grateful for was that he was there in the wintertime rather than the summer which had been his first experience almost eight years prior.

The Louisiana heats of Will’s childhood were balmy and sticky, a combination he never thought could be seen as desirable until he stepped off the plane in Arizona and came close to choking on the dry heat.

Just like the first time, he had only traveled here because Jack had called Will in for a case. His boss knew he was lucky that Hannibal was able to watch Noah while they flew it here. Since Will had become a father, he had flat out refused to come out for most of the out of state cases, consulting from home via video calls and face over crime scene pictures instead.

Will stewed in his own bad mood as he reviewed the case files in front of him for a third time. Several people who had gone missing while out biking or rock climbing in a rural area outside of Phoenix. By the time the FBI had been called in, only the bodies of the first and fourth reported missing persons had been discovered which didn’t bode well for those who had been missing for a longer period of time. 

Jack was allowing state police to take the lead on this which left himself and Will to act in more of a consulting role. After seeing the bodies and visiting the families of those still missing, Will offered a basic profile of who they should keep an eye out for. With the area being so small, suspects quickly came to mind for local authorities and they were finalizing who to call in for interviews in the next coming days. Will wasn’t sure how much more help he would be able to provide and was anxious to get home to Noah and Hannibal. Jack shared his desire to return to his own partner and was putting pressure on the local team to wrap this up without them.

Will sat alone at the only diner the town had to offer and fished out his cellphone as he waited for the waitress to return with his card. The line rang a few times before the sweetest voice he could have hoped for called out to him.

“Daddy!” Noah exclaimed. “Papa said I could answer his phone because it’s you. Are you surprised?” 

Will smiled widely as he answered even though no one he cared about was here to see it. “I am surprised, but it was a very nice surprise. I miss you.”

“We miss you too! And so do the dogs. Papa gave them some bacon this morning to make them feel better.”

Will rolled his eyes at that. For all the times Hannibal got after him for giving into the pack begging for table scraps, he was just as weak against them sometimes.

“That was nice of him, but don’t give them anything else today or they can get sick.” They talked for a few more minutes before the phone was passed to Hannibal. He asked about the case and Will was happy to report that they looked close to closing it out and he was hoping to be back home within 48 hours.

Hearing Hannbal’s voice soothed something in Will. Some part of him that still struggled to believe his luck in finding Hannibal, or being found by him to be more accurate. He closed his eyes and for a moment he was sitting next to the voice in his ear, on his couch with a belly full of food made by his partner instead of whoever the diner had stashed away in the back kitchen. Hannibal had fostered a codependency in him he didn’t think himself capable of, and now he was being hit with the resulting consequences of their brief separation.

“I’ll be glad once you’re back home with us. I’ll make a nice dinner upon your return to offset what I’m sure has been a wholly insufficient diet.”

Will’s eyes opened and roved the diner, grinning at what he imagined Hannibal’s reaction would be to someone else cooking for him.

“You’ve definitely spoiled me, I miss your food. I miss you. It’s…hard to sleep by myself now.” He said softer, still unaccustomed to verbalizing the more vulnerable facets of his admittedly lacking emotional wheelhouse.

“I miss you too, mylimasis. Should you get delayed any further I may have to resort to packing up Noah and myself to join you there.”

Will laughed at the thought of that. It was a very Hannibal thing to do to haul a child and himself practically across the country for an expedited reunion. The waitress returned and silently left his card on the table and Will gathered his things, standing from the booth to leave. 

“Don’t book any flights yet, I’ll be home soon. I’m going to call it a night but I’ll call you tomorrow when I’m free. I love you.”

“I love you too, Will. I’ll wait for your call.” Will slid his phone back in his pocket and found the keys for his rental, getting in the car and tossing his bag of files into the passenger seat.

He reached to put the key into the ignition and start the engine, but a stinging sensation smacked into his right shoulder blade and his vision swam as he reached behind him to swat at the source. Within seconds, his hand stopped obeying what his mind wanted it to do, and he began slumping over in his seat despite fighting to stay alert and upright. The entirety of his body began to go numb and he grunted in frustration as a drug-induced drowsiness took hold. In his last moments of lucidity, he felt a hand grab his forehead and tilt his head back to prevent it from hitting the steering wheel in front of him.

***

“…aham? Mr. Graham, it’s time to wake up.” Will heard the words as if he were underwater, and he took several mouthfuls of air in an attempt to clear his head. 

“Mr Graham.” The voice was clearer now, and satisfied in tone. “If I didn’t have enough past experience with paralytics, I’d be worried I gave you too much.” As his surroundings came into focus, the man who was speaking to him also revealed himself. 

Matthew Brown stood over Will, no more than two feet away from his face.

His expression was one of amusement and curiosity as Will fought off the last of the drugs he was guessing had been shot into him. A pen light was shined into each of his eyes as Matthew kept his face still with a hand to his chin. When he was satisfied by what he saw, he backed off again but remained too close in Will's opinion. He recognized the room he was in as his own rented motel room, and after shifting his body, he came to the conclusion that he was seated up against the headboard with his arms spread out, each wrist tied to a separate edge at the top of the headboard. His jacket and boots were making it uncomfortably warm, and the food he’d had at the diner rolled in his stomach. 

The bedside clock read 10:27p.m, and he knew his call with Hannibal took place around eight. If Matthew had wanted him dead, he had been given ample opportunity. Will drowsily blinked at the man in front of him. “You could have asked Chilton for my card.” He was proud his words were only slightly slurred. 

Matthew’s smile widened, delighted by Will’s lack of fear. “I wanted to speak with you directly. We didn’t get to finish our conversation the last time you visited the prison.”

“There are other ways to get in contact with me that don’t include…syringes?” Will guessed, though it mattered very little now. 

“Blow dart.” Matthew corrected. “Couldn’t risk getting too close. I’ve seen what you can do with your hands. Randall Tier was impressive work. You crushed his skull so badly, it almost wasn't worth getting it on that mount.”

“So that was you after all.” He gave a quick tug to his arms as he readjusted his position and they predictably offered no real room to move in. “Why’d you take the teeth?”

“I figured it was the one detail you’d keep out of the papers for now, I planned to use it as a ‘password’ of sorts. I’ve gotten rid of them already though, didn’t really have a use for them other than talking about them. Did you really think it was me or are you just trying to save face?” 

“You were on a short list, but I couldn’t figure out the reason behind you going to the trouble.” 

“I didn’t have your card.” Matthew quipped. “I needed to get a message to you that you could understand. One predator to another.” He gestured between them cordially. He picked up a book Will had brought with him to the motel, flipping through the pages before setting it back down. “Have you seen the way that smaller birds will mob a hawk on a wire? You and me, we are hawks, Mr. Graham.”

“Hawks are solitary.” The man in front of him seemed to enjoy banter, and Will was happy to comply if it meant staying conscious.

“And that’s their weakness. Enough of the smaller birds get together and they chase hawks away. Imagine if the hawks started working together.”

“I’m not like you.” Will said. 

“I’ve been wondering about that.” Matthew took something out of his pocket and Will’s eyes flashed to the movement. He had Will’s cell phone and they both watched as the screen lit up revealing a picture Will had taken himself not too long ago. 

It was nighttime in the photo, and Noah was standing next to Hannibal, peering through the lens of his new telescope. You wouldn’t be able to tell from the picture alone, but they’d already been out there for half an hour, and it would be another 45 minutes before Will was able to drag the both of them inside.

“Put that down.” Will’s voice was quiet, but the underlying anger was evident. He watched as Matthew set the phone down onto the bed and sat at the foot of it, across from Will.

“I’m curious about who you were before the good doctor and your son came into the picture. I think you are like me Mr. Graham. There’s something we don’t have. Or maybe just evolved not to need.” He leaned in closer to Will, his head bobbing from side to side in a way that reminded Will of a snake. “I can ask you yes or no questions, you don’t have to say a word and I’ll know what the answer is. The pupil dilates with specific mental efforts. You dilate, that’s a ‘yes’ No dilation equals ‘no’. Do you understand the rules?” A smile spread on his face as his eyes likely gave away his answer. 

“I just have one question. I understand any love you have for your son. It’s a biological, primal thing — I don’t fault you for it. Dr. Lecter was a surprise though. He’s not the kind of person you involve yourself with if you’re trying to remain under the radar. So that leaves two scenarios. You either feel a genuine love for him or he’s useful in a different way.” Matthew leaned in again, eyes locked on Will’s, and the agent knew turning away or refusing to answer would be as good as answering anyways. 

“Are you using Dr. Lecter as part of your cover?” Will didn’t bother giving a verbal response, and let Matthew interpret what he could from him. A few tense moments passed before a bark of amused laughter left the other man. “You found a great place to hide. Devoted father and boyfriend by day, Chesapeake Ripper by night. You’ve even been hiding in the FBI. That’s talent. Poor Dr. Lecter, in love with the exact personality type he spends his days treating. It must have taken a lot of dedication to pull one over on him like this.” The suggestive lilt to his tone didn't go unnoticed by Will, but he swallowed his indignance for the moment. 

“What makes you think I’m the Chesapeake Ripper?”

“When I first saw the crime scenes you left behind, I felt a sense of camaraderie. It felt good to know somewhere out in the world was someone who saw the world similar to me, saw people the same way I do. Chilton has been keeping close tabs on the case as well. I’ve snuck into his office a few times to look over documents he definitely shouldn’t have access to. Trying to see what he was missing. Those pictures thrilled me in a way I’ve never experienced before, and the only other time I’ve felt it since was when you shut the gate on me in the prison. I’d had my suspicions about you before, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I was on to something after that.”

“You based all this off a feeling?” 

“Chilton keeps tabs on you too, Mr. Graham. You fascinate him as much if not more than the Ripper case itself. He has pages of notes on you, and after spending our short amount of time together, I knew he was on the right track. He doesn’t suspect you’re the Ripper, his interest in you is purely clinical for the time being, don’t worry.”

Was anyone not keeping track of Will? Between Freddie’s tail and Chilton’s diary on him, he felt like a fish in a 5-gallon tank, constantly swimming, but never able to evade the eyes that gathered around his enclosure.

“You never answered my question from earlier. Why Dr. Lecter? What about him made him useful?”

Will tried to come up with an answer that would satisfy the man in front of him. There was no guarantee Will was going to be able to free himself and get word back to Hannibal about any of this. If Matthew chose to head straight to Baltimore after this and confront the doctor, there’s no telling how far reaching the consequences of that confrontation would end up being. 

“I needed someone visible, someone people didn’t have to work hard to like. He was already running parallel to my current social circles. No family or close friends, it was too good to pass up.” His tone was casual despite the bile rising in his throat brought on by his own words.

After a moment of consideration, Matthew nodded, pulling a hunting knife from his waistband. Will tensed, readying his legs to try and fend off an attack.

“Relax. We're on the same side…Will. I’m going to cut down one of your hands, leave and let you do the rest. Cool off and I’ll find a discrete way to contact you again soon. I think you and I are going to be great friends from here on out.”

As Matthew approached, Will deliberated and ran the odds of him being able to disarm Matthew once he had an arm free. But what then? He had no proof that Matthew was here for any insidious purposes and since it could be easily proved that they knew each other from Baltimore, it would only end up looking like a sordid motel meetup gone awry. 

He couldn’t bring that kind of scrutiny or embarrassment to his life with Hannibal. It was too messy and there would be too many questions he wouldn’t know the answer to. Matthew had clearly been involved in criminal acts before, and Will had no way of knowing how good he was at covering his tracks.

“I’d find a way to cover these marks on your wrist though. You’re good but this would certainly raise some questions from your boyfriend.” Matthew cut Will’s hand free and he moved to turn on him without having a real plan in his head. Matthew saw it coming though and grabbed the now free wrist, twisting Will’s torso around to face the wall behind him while still being seated. Another prick to his skin —his neck this time— was a foreboding tell for the impending disorientation. 

“I’d expect nothing less from my partner in crime, Will. Talk soon.” Despite his fury-coated agitation, Will fell under again.

***

The next time Will woke up, he was lying on his back with one arm free and the other still dangling above him, numb and secured to the headboard. He shot into a seated position and quickly found the knife Matthew was kind enough to leave behind for him. He cut himself loose and grabbed his cell phone from where it had been left on the nightstand. It was now three in the morning and Will immediately booked a return flight to Baltimore set to leave in just over three hours. He left a message for Jack and quickly packed his meager belongings before leaving the motel. 

The drive to the airport and returning his rental passed in a blur, and for once he was relieved to separate from himself and let the next few hours pass him by.

After sending a quick text to Hannibal to confirm which of their houses he was currently at, he got the first cab he could find and gave the driver the address to his partner’s Baltimore home. He dropped his bags at the front of the door, locking it behind him as Hannibal’s voice came to him from down the hall.

“Mylimasis! I was beginning to worry if something had happened to you, you didn’t respond to any of my messages. I would have picked you up from the airport.” He reached the agent now and his face pinched in concern. Once he was within arm’s reach, Will pounced. 

Their mouths smacked together and Hannibal’s teeth pressed painfully against Will’s lip before the older man was able to pull away enough to remove the pressure. “Will—” 

Uninterested in explaining himself, Will dropped to his knees in Hannibal’s entryway and undid his belt before pulling it free of the pant loops. Hannibal’s hands came to stop Will’s as he reached for the button and zipper. 

“Will, I need you to talk to me—”

“Hannibal, do you believe I’m doing this because I feel obligated?” It was a snippet of the first time he and Hannibal had ever been intimate in Will’s kitchen, and he threw Hannibal’s teasing words back at him in the hopes of putting him at ease.

“Your behavior has me concerned.” As if Will thought he couldn’t love the man in front of him more, he felt more of it spill into his heart like lava. 

Will stood up pressed his lips across the doctor’s cheeks and chin. “I just want to make you feel good. Let me do this for you.” He continued kissing the other man as he spoke the words softly to him. 

“Let’s at least move somewhere comfortable.” He was still hesitant to let Will do as he pleased, but chose the path of least resistance for now if it kept the agent responding to him.

Will shook his head before the other man was done speaking. “I’m good here.” A final kiss to his neck was all he got before Will lightly maneuvered Hannibal’s back against the wall behind them and fell back to his knees. He quickly divested the other man of his trousers and briefs, spitting into his hand before stroking Hannibal in firm movements as he gradually hardened. A hiss left the man above him as Will finally got his mouth around him, using his tongue to slide against his underside and swiping at the slit of his head. 

Will was flooded with relief at finally being able to touch and taste Hannibal, knowing he was finally in the safe space they made for each other—with  each other. 

Desperate to feel more of him, Will endeavored to wrap his lips around the base despite knowing he wouldn’t be able to take that much of him at once. Tears gathered in the corner of his eyes immediately and he predictably gagged around the length before pulling back and repeating the motion. Going farther than he previously did forced a stronger noise of protest from his throat as it became completely obstructed.

Hannibal gripped his hair and pulled him off an inch or so, looking down at him until they made eye contact. “If you continue trying to harm yourself, I’ll put an end to this.”

Will only rolled his eyes at the other man. He was sure they both looked ridiculous, Hannibal’s face flushed in arousal as he made half empty threats, and Will trying to appear unphased with tears falling from his eyes and his mouth stuffed full of the other man’s cock. Hannibal clicked his tongue at the other man’s impudence, using the grip on his hair to control his pace for the time being. It was slower than Will would have chosen, but they kept their gaze on each other as his head bobbed up and down which brought them both a steadying sense of connection. The strength of it rivaled the intimacy of the sexual act they were currently engaged in.  

In an unusual reversal, Hannibal was the first to break eye contact, his head leaning back against the wall behind him as he panted out his next words. “Will. Mylimasis. I could keep you to myself…for a lifetime, and I would still—still envy the next person to lay their eyes on you.”

Most of Hannibal’s fantasies spoken in moments like these revolved around isolating Will in some way. He was long past feeling any type of trepidation over the thought and a small corner of his mind played with the idea of allowing Hannibal to whisk him away to some remote property where no one outside of their immediate circle existed. After the events of the other night, the idea only increased in its appeal. 

He hummed in approval around the man’s length which stuttered the doctor's gentle thrusts. Will hollowed his cheeks, experimentally suctioning, which was evidently the best and worst thing he could have done. 

Hannibal’s orgasm was upon him immediately and without a chance to warn his partner, Will’s mouth was assaulted with the warm, salty release that immediately flooded the entirety of his mouth. Swallowing as quickly as he could, Will removed his mouth from Hannibal at once, a single cough being all he needed to clear his airway.

The taste of the other man sat heavy on his tongue and he leaned his face against the thigh in front of him as he caught his breath and took in the scent of Hannibal’s musky arousal.

He was hauled up by his jacket and spun so his back was pressed against the wall Hannibal had previously been leaning against. On any other day, this kind of treatment would only garner a response of excitement, but a blow dart to the back had left him especially tender. He winced and hissed at the feeling of his back being shoved against the wall, and Hannibal faltered, all playfulness gone in an instant.

“Are you hurt?” There was accusation in his tone but Will wasn't sure who it was aimed at. When he did not immediately answer, Hannibal ripped the jacket Will was wearing down his arms and dropped it to the ground. He was lifting the younger man’s shirt when Will intervened, grabbing his hands and bringing them up to his chest to rest between them. He wet his lips before bringing his head up to look at Hannibal face to face, quietly giving a small insight to the source of his mounting anxiety. 

“We have a problem.”

***

“Tell me his name again.”

Hannibal sat behind Will in the tub of heated water, gently gliding his fingers over the bruise left by the impact of the blow dart, pressing his mouth or tongue to the discolored skin every so often.

“Matthew Brown. He’s an orderly at Chilton’s prison which is how I met him.” Will said quietly. They both knew Hannibal didn’t need to be reminded of his name. It now sat etched into the stone of his mind where only the worst of personal offenders had the misfortune of residing before their violent, inevitable end. 

Hannibal made a noise of acknowledgement and moved the hand that was tracing bruised skin to the front of the agent's neck, carefully coaxing him to lay his head back against his shoulder. Will allowed himself to be maneuvered without putting forth any resistance, happy to shut his brain off for the moment and let Hannibal make decisions for him.

Hannibal’s other arm had been laying against the edge of the tub, and Will laid his hand over the back of it, stroking a finger up and down the back of Hannibal’s hand from the tips of his fingers and back down to his wrist in a circuit he repeated a few times. 

Will’s own wrists still held a tinge of discoloration from being bound, but he knew Hannibal would see to it that those marks were erased within 24 hours. The bruises on his back left behind from his fight with Randall Tier had just faded and it seemed that the empath was doomed to always appearing battered to some degree.

After a careful inspection of Will’s body, Hannibal got them both out of the tub and dried off before dressing them both in a simple pair of underwear and a robe each. Hannibal made a quick lunch that settled the lingering nausea in Will’s stomach and escorted them both back into bed, removing their robes so they could lie skin to skin.

Will laid on his stomach, tucked into his partner’s side, as Hannibal’s hand traced his spine and for a while neither of them spoke. The events of the past 14 hours had shaken Will and it was only with Hannibal, in his bed and comforted by the weight of his touch that Will could finally relax. Exhaustion hit the agent in one wave, and as he surrendered to it, a promise to wake him in time to pick up Noah together saw him off.  

The day passed quickly once they had Noah, and the excitement in the child’s face when he saw his father was enough to push the last of the dark clouds from Will’s heart. Together, the three of them ate dinner in Wolf Trap and Hannibal brought them a treat of hot chocolate as Noah and Will ran the energy out of their pack. They’d missed Will too and were still getting used to the house being empty on nights they spent at Hannibal’s.

As Will got ready for bed later, he thought about his pack and all of their current living situations. 

“Noah had a classmate ask if his lunch was made by a chef and he told them ‘No, my papa is a doctor.’ He is truly one of a kind.” Hannibal smiled as he got into bed, crowding into Will’s space and kissing him on the cheek.

“I’m sorry the bed here isn’t as big as the one at your place. I know I’m a furnace at night.”

“Nonsense, I enjoy being able to feel you there even if our skin isn’t in direct contact.” Hannibal was still smiling, and Will basked in the soft glow of domesticity as he came to a decision. 

“The back and forth between our houses isn’t ideal though.” Will baited.

“A necessary evil and a worthwhile sacrifice in my opinion.”

“It’s not strictly necessary though.” Will countered.

“What do you mean?”

“What if we didn’t do that anymore? What if we all just lived in one place together, full-time? The pack is comfortable here but if you wouldn’t mind the dog hair and extra bodies, Baltimore is always an option—”

Hannibal was on him in flash, clutching the sides for his face and kissing the words right out of his mouth and brain.

“I can have us packed tonight, just tell me which home you prefer to live in.” Another kiss before Will pushed at Hannibal’s shoulder to keep them arm’s length apart. 

“Not tonight Hannibal.” He laughed. “We don’t have to decide anything tonight, I just wanted to get your thoughts on it.”

“I would have had you all move in the day Noah’s room was complete if I thought you’d even consider agreeing then.” Will wouldn’t have agreed obviously, but of the two of them, Hannibal was usually the one to take the first step into uncharted territory.

“I think your place would—”

“Ours.” Hannibal emphasized.

“Would be better, since there’s more space for everyone.” Will finished. “But only if you’re sure. The pack is well-trained but there’s always the off-chance that being somewhere new causes them to have a few accidents inside or—”

“Or when you inevitably bring home some scraggly stray you found on the side of the road, they may very well chew any number of my shoes or furniture. Yes Will, I am perfectly aware of what I am agreeing to.”

The excitement in Hannibal’s eyes was infectious and Will laughed sharply, and loud enough to have one of the dogs bark from downstairs, startled by the sudden noise.

“Ok, then it’s settled. Tomorrow we can start planning and figuring out how to haul all my crap into your stuffy mansion.”

“Our stuffy mansion.” Hannibal amended. “Our home.” He said sincerely. 

“Our home.” Will repeated, leaning in for a quick kiss. They sat and talked for a minute about their timelines for it all, when the cracked open bedroom door slowly slid all the way open to a half-awake Noah who climbed into the bed and scooted into place between the men.

“What happened, triušis?” Did you have a bad dream?” Hannibal asked soothingly.

Noah shook his head. “No papa, daddy woke me up. What’s so funny?”

Will’s smile was wide and he thought his face could split from the force of it alone. “I’m sorry for waking you up buddy, but I’m glad you’re here.” He grabbed Hannibal’s hand and they shared a quick look of anticipation. 

“Your papa and I have a question for you.”

Chapter Text

It had been a long week of packing and driving back and forth between Wolf Trap and Baltimore to drop off boxes between work schedules. Noah was ecstatic to have everyone in one house going forward and dedicated all of his free time after school making sure the pack was taken care of and occupied so the adults could take care of the packing. 

All their hard work was close to paying off though, and Will planned to rent a U-haul truck for a day to take over the last of his and Noah’s belongings to their new home. Hannibal had offered to hire a team of movers to do all of this for them, but Will turned him down stating that it was a waste of money and packing up his things gave him the chance to finally get rid of the stuff he no longer needed.

Hannibal had done his part, helping Noah pack up his room, and cleared out Will’s kitchen, claiming that none of his cookware would be needed. Wanted was probably a more accurate description but he let it go.

Ultimately, there was no need to sell the house in Wolf Trap, and it was decided that the property held too many precious memories to be parted with even if they only seldom visited. For now it would mostly act as a large storage unit for holiday keepsakes and some of the larger pieces of furniture they would be keeping.

Will went to bed exhausted each night and his hopes for another round of heavy dreamless slumber were dashed when his cellphone rang sharply on the nightstand, pulling him from sleep. He turned on his side to retrieve it, jostling Hannibal’s arm off him and waking him up as well. A number he didn’t recognize glared back at him and he cautiously accepted the call.

“Hello?” 

“Hello, this is Miranda at Teller-Grace Hospital in Baltimore. Is this Will Graham?” A glance at the time revealed it was barely three in the morning. 

“That’s me. Who—What happened?” Only a handful of people would warrant Will receiving a call from the hospital in the middle of the night. One was down the hall asleep, and another was next to him in the bed with an irritated scowl aimed at whoever was on the phone.

“We have an Alana Bloom here with us and she provided your number for us to contact. Do you have a free minute to speak?”

“Alana? Is she alright?” Will got up from bed and began looking for a quick change of clothes. Hannibal was next to him immediately, looking for his own clothes to throw on despite not being privy to the conversation Will was having.

The phone was put on speaker and the two men finished getting dressed as the nurse gave them a brief overview of Alana’s condition.

A car accident. Alana had been driving down an isolated road in the middle of the night with Margot in the passenger seat when they were sideswiped by another vehicle. The driver of the other car had fled the scene and police were searching for them now. Margot was heavily sedated and Alana was only now waking up, asking to speak with Will immediately.

“This is no coincidence.” Hannibal said after they hung up with the nurse. “Freddie Lounds’ article specifically mentioned your ‘rendezvous’ with Margot, and insinuated some type of sordid arrangement between the three of us. She has suddenly turned up gravely injured and I’m sure her brother has paid handsomely to ensure her attacker is never caught.”

“Yeah, I don’t like it either.” Will agreed. “Let me see if Bev can come watch Noah and we’ll head over to see what Alana has to say about it.”

Thankfully, Beverly was able to do them the favor of house-sitting in the middle of the night while they got more information, and Will promised to try and get back before Noah woke up.

When they arrived at the hospital and gave them Alana’s name, the desk nurse pulled them aside and began speaking to them in a hushed tone.

“Dr. Bloom was able to give us more information regarding their accident. It seems her partner had recently had an operation done, and called Alana when she began experiencing some concerning post-op symptoms. A fever and some unusual bleeding. Margot’s incision does look fresh, as if she’s had the work done earlier in the day, but Dr. Bloom isn’t being very forthcoming beyond a basic medical history and Margot is unfortunately still asleep.”

“What operation did Margot have done?” Will asked.

“From the looks of it, it was a standard hysterectomy. There are ways to perform this kind of surgery laparoscopically, but it seems she elected to go a more traditional route. Whoever performed the procedure was…rough about it. I’m afraid she’ll scar more than the average patient.”

Mason. This all but confirmed it for Will. His greatest fear was Margot no longer being under his control, and her ability to birth a Verger heir would always be a threat to keeping her caged. At some point he must have seen the article and decided Margot was getting too close to freedom. 

“I’d like to see both their charts if I may.” Hannibal said. They both saw hesitation take over the nurse's face, as it would be a further violation of her patient’s privacy to allow him access to their medical information. “If there was medical malpractice involved I believe I can help them feel comfortable enough to make a report. We don’t want this individual to continue practicing.”

Will saw the moment Hannibal won the nurse over, and decided he could take care of the rest on his own.

“I’ll go see Alana.” The nurse gave him her room number and Will made the short walk down the hall, mentally preparing himself for whatever he’d find.

The usually bright and vivacious Alana Bloom lay perfectly still on her back, both her legs in heavy casts, and her top half covered only in thin looking bandages. There were cuts that varied in the depth all along her exposed arms and the black threading of recently placed stitches were prominent on her pale chin.

From his spot in the doorway, he could see the goosebumps that pimpled her skin, brought on by the chill of the sterile room. She didn’t speak or otherwise acknowledge Will’s entrance, but as he approached, he removed his jacket and silently draped it over his friend. His only method of supplying some small amount of comfort. She smiled at him then, but it was a weak and miserable thing.

“Hey.” He whispered. 

“Thank you for coming. I’m sorry to have to disturb you.” Her voice was quiet, but steady. 

Will shook his head. “I’m glad you called.”

She took in a deep breath and Will waited in silence as she gathered her thoughts. “It was Mason. He called me after he…was done with Margot. You know what he did to her don’t you?”

Will only nodded and Alana continued. “Before he started, he gave her the chance to write down a phone number. Someone she’d want him to call to come and pick her up. She gave him mine and I went for her as soon as I got the call. It was just a ploy so he could see my face, confirm that Margot didn’t have a man as her lover.” 

“Freddie’s article put her in the spotlight. Obviously she had it wrong but that’s never stopped her from publishing before.” Will said with barely disguised contempt.

“The car that ran into mine clipped us on my side, and my legs got crushed in the impact. The doctors say I’ll be able to walk again after they heal. They also told me a lot of marrow got into my blood and that I should expect to find myself thinking differently. Margot was out of it when I picked her up, I don’t even think she realized she was in a car or that we’d been hit. Whoever did it drove off but I know it was Mason’s doing, Will.” Her anger bled into her voice and Will watched as her vital signs jumped in response to her change in mood.

“We don’t have to talk about this right now, Alana. You need to focus on—”

“He gave her a forced hysterectomy.” Alana said quietly.

“I know.” He whispered. “Mason knows she found the loophole in their father’s will. He was afraid she’d begun to explore her options.” 

“He was being proactive.” Alana hissed out.

“Whoever Mason had watching her must have assumed she was at my house for…explicit purposes. My relationship with Hannibal isn’t a secret so he probably planned to hold my ‘infidelity’ against me in some way before he realized that Margot and I were never involved to begin with.” Will didn’t mention Margot's initial interest in him as Hannibal had explained it. What did it matter now?

She pursed her lips as she struggled to continue through her anger. “She can’t even go to the police. Mason would have them bought and paid for, and have her institutionalized.” 

“I’m sorry Alana.” Will said uselessly. He didn’t have a direct hand in their shared misfortune but he still felt responsible for his perceived part in it. If he had turned Margot away the afternoon she came to his home, would she be any safer for it or would it have only delayed the inevitable?

“It’s not your fault Will.” She reached over to blindly grab his hand in hers and he gently cupped it. “You’re a good man and Margot saw that. She went to you because she thought you might be able to help her. But no one can stop Mason. He’s just…evil.” 

Will squeezed her hand in his as Hannibal entered from the hallway. He briefly glanced at their connected hands and walked further in the room where Alana could see him without straining her neck. 

“When Margot wakes up I’d like to speak with her.” He said. “Though I am no longer her psychiatrist I feel a responsibility to make sure she has the best chances of psychologically recovering from something like this.” 

“Thank you, Hannibal.” Alana said. 

“We have to get going.” Will told her. “Noah will be scared if he wakes up and we’re gone.” 

“I understand, thank you for even showing up.” 

“Please call us if there’s anything we can do for either of you.” Hannibal added. Alana nodded and the men turned to leave.

“Will.” She called out with no clear inflection in her voice. “If Mason thinks you were trying to help Margot, he’ll try something with you too. Please be careful.”  

“I will be. You too, report anything strange to the staff.” The two men left their friend's room and made the long walk through the parking lot. Hannibal had seen Will’s gifted jacket on Alana and took off his own outer coat, before placing it over the agent’s shoulders despite his protests. 

Will and Hannibal discussed their options on the ride home. Alana’s warning wasn’t without merit and Will could only guess at what Mason might be plotting. They agreed to keep Noah home with them for the day and make a long weekend of it. The idea of sending him off to school and out of sight was inconceivable to both men. 

After thanking Beverly, they checked on Noah who was still sleeping peacefully, completely unaware that they had been gone. Will let the pack into the boy’s room, unable to shake the instinct to guard his son against any outside threats.

Knowing he wouldn’t be getting anymore sleep, he started a pot of coffee. “You can go lie down and get some sleep. I’m up for the day.” 

“As am I. Perhaps we can persuade Noah to have a quiet day here with us, make it a fun day of packing.” They both chuckled at the improbability of that and sat close together in the living room as they sipped their drinks.  

Noah eventually woke up and joined them downstairs, slightly agitated that his routine was being interrupted for seemingly no good reason. Hannibal tried to make it up to him by suggesting Noah help him perfect an apple pie recipe he’d been ‘struggling’ with. Will further sweetened the pot by promising they could all go to Landingham’s observatory to cash in his offer of an exclusive tour and Noah’s irritation easily dissolved.

After a quick trip to a snooty grocery store, they had everything they would need for Hannibal’s pie and the dinner he would make for them all later. Since Will’s cookware had been almost completely wiped out by the doctor, they decided to pack up the dogs and head to their now shared home.

Hannibal and Noah went straight to work while Will unpacked their animals and introduced them to the new place. They took to the roomier grounds immediately and promptly began marking a good portion of the backyard as their shared territory. 

Will acknowledged the parallel between them and the dogs. While they marked the outside of Hannibal's home, he and Noah were marking the inside; their photos, clothing and other belongings now taking up space in the former bachelor pad. There would be unmistakable signs of ownership and familiarity in the home from now on and Will was eager to get started.

After a few hours of unpacking, baking, and general merriment, they ate a filling lunch together and set the pie to cool. A recorded video of a recent livestream from a working satellite was put on for Noah who hardly even noticed when his companions dozed off for an hour on either side of him. Hannibal awoke to the feeling of Noah stretching out next to him once the recording ended and together they got Will up as well so they could depart for their promised excursion. 

Entering the observatory, they were almost immediately met by their designated tour guide Tracy. She was a young woman in her early 20’s who seemed genuinely excited to lead their small group through their curated tour of the facility’s less commonly known pieces. She answered all of Noah’s questions with a trained patience and Will only had to remind him twice not to correct her on facts he thought she had wrong. Hannibal very unhelpfully whispered that maybe Tracy could stand to learn a few things from Noah, which earned him a withering look.

The trio even got to ride in the spaceship simulator Noah had mentioned at Hannibal’s party a few weeks ago which was undoubtedly the highlight of the outing for the young boy. Hannibal kept his promise, holding Will’s hand for the entirety of the simulation and as they gently rocked and shook in the small container, Will decided it was his favorite part as well.

After the tour ended, they thanked Tracy and Will pretended not to notice when Hannibal slipped her what he was sure to be an exorbitant tip. He left Noah with Hannibal as neither needed to use the restroom and upon his return, he saw them holding hands in the small gift shop he was certain he told them both to stay out of. 

“This doesn’t look like the lunar phase display I left you at.” He said accusingly to Hannibal. 

“We do seem to have wandered.” He said in feigned innocence, looking around as if he was just now realizing where he was.

“Uh-huh. Let’s go, we have a pie and a pack of dogs waiting for us at home.” 

“Ah, but it seems we’ve kept Noah from a rather important day at school. Apparently, today they were to celebrate Chelsea’s birthday in the classroom. Is that a typical practice in American schools?”

Chelsea was one of Noah’s few friends at school, and she had been a reliable character in his stories throughout the year. Will ignored Hannibal’s question for now, and turned to his son who had been silent up to this point.

“Noah, you didn’t tell me Chelsea was having a party today, I’m sorry we kept you home.” That being said, Will wasn’t sure he still would’ve sent him to school without staying parked outside all day.

“It’s ok.” He said quietly but sincerely. “I wanted to make a pie with papa, and go in the rocket with you.”

“I thought perhaps a small souvenir wouldn’t hurt either.” Being Hannibal’s final justification. Will wasn’t made of stone and did genuinely feel bad for unwittingly forcing his son to miss out on a fun school activity.

“Fine. Noah go grab one thing that isn’t candy and then we’re leaving.” 

“Ok!” He scampered off in search of his prize and Will turned an accusatory eye to his companion. 

“You’re spoiling him.” He accused.

He was met with a small huff. “Hardly. I doubt one toy is enough to undo the years of proper conduct you’ve already instilled in him.”

“If he comes back demanding an actual rocket, I’m blaming you.”

Hannibal only grinned at the thought and a minute or so later, Noah returned with a miniature NASA shirt in hand. 

“Uh…buddy, that shirt’s too small for you. It’s ok though, I can help you find one that’ll fit.” Will said gently.

Noah shook his head. “It’s for Apollo, daddy.” He said as if it were obvious. “Since he can’t come see everything, I want him to have a shirt to wear.” 

Will’s heart clenched at his son’s actions and Hannibal gave him a blatant ‘I told you so’ look. Will could punch him for how handsome he still managed to look when mocking him.

“That’s real nice, I’m sure it’ll be a perfect fit.” Noah beamed as they made their way to the register, eager to get Apollo outfitted. When they exited the gift shop, Hannibal also had a bag of his own that Will highly suspected contained the same shirt— in Noah’s size.    

“Oh!” Noah said as they approached Hannibal’s car. “There’s another tour!” 

“We can come back another day.” Will said.

“No, not here! At the pig farm!” He said excitedly.

Will’s blood froze in his veins and his body went completely still for the space of a second.

“What did you say?” He asked, keeping his voice calm.

“I have a card!” Noah reached into his pocket and Will caught Hannibal’s eye as they waited for the boy to produce the item. “Here!” 

He gave Will a small piece of cardstock that had the name Muskrat Farm embossed on it in thick black letters. Below the name was an address and when Will turned it over he saw a message scrawled out in what he assumed to be Mason’s handwriting: 

Little pigs, little pigs. Stay out of family business or I’ll huff and I’ll puff. 

It was a clear message to Will and Hannibal: Mind your business or pay the price.

“Can we go daddy? The man said we could have a special tour there too.” Will couldn’t form words at the moment, and luckily Hannibal was quicker to recover. He plucked the card out of WIll’s hand and gave it a quick read before addressing Noah. 

“I’m afraid we cannot ever go there, triušis. It’s very far away.” He said simply before grabbing the boy and getting him buckled into his seat. Noah made a small noise of complaint at the news but let the matter drop. Hannibal shut his door and turned to Will who was still standing outside the car, thinking over the warning.

“Will. I know what must be going through your mind but we need to get Noah home now.” He reached out to squeeze his hand and the agent finally looked at him before nodding and getting in the passenger seat.

During their drive home, Will was still somewhat in a daze but managed to get more information from Noah. He’d been approached by a man in the small window of time it took for him to pick something out at the gift shop. Noah described him as a tall, thin man with black hair and an accent that apparently sounded like the Count from Sesame Street. He hadn’t stayed long or said his name, just gave Noah the card and told him to give it to his dad with the offer of a ‘special tour’. The more Will heard, the more his stomach churned and his hands twitched with the need to rend flesh from bone.

The evening was ruined in Will’s opinion, but he tried to remain calm and inject the right amount of excitement into his voice as they ate dinner and the pie Noah and Hannibal had worked so hard on. Once it was time to put Noah to bed for the night, the darkness crept back into Will’s mind and he watched his son sleep for almost an hour before he went downstairs. He found Hannibal waiting for him there with a glass of whiskey.

He put a hand up to reject the drink for the time being and walked over to the lit fireplace, staring at the bright flames as ideas and resolve shifted and solidified in his mind. 

“It was a warning.” Hannibal said as he approached. “When Mason had the surgery performed on Margot, he would have been able to confirm that she was not pregnant after all. He sent you a final command not to involve yourself further with her.” Will remained silent. “We can go to Jack.” Hannibal tried again. “Between Mason’s attack on Margot and Alana and the card he left us, it would be enough for a formal inquiry at least. I can testify that the handwriting on the card is unmistakably his own.”

“I don’t want to go to Jack.” Will said in a monotone. “Mason intentionally had the card delivered to Noah. He wants us to know he can get to him. Even if we’re right there, he can still get to him.”

“I’m sorry. I should've stayed out of the enclosed gift shop.” Will was shaking his head before the doctor finished speaking.

“It’s not your fault. It’s not like we can have eyes on him every second of the day. That’s the point Mason is trying to prove.”

“If you don’t want to involve Jack…what path do you suggest we take?” Will turned his face slightly to meet the other man’s eye and took the glass of whiskey he had previously declined.

He took a drink and eyed his reflection in the glass. “I’m not asking you to be involved or to know anything you don’t want to know.”

Hannibal put a hand on the glass, taking it from Will’s hand and setting it on the mantle. “Mason has openly threatened both you and Noah, I will be there to see an end to that threat. Tell me how we will proceed.” His eyes were intense and a darker amber than Will had ever seen them. 

Will stroked the side of Hannibal’s face running his fingertip from his hairline, behind his ear, and down to his chin, pulling his finger away before answering.

“I’m going to kill Mason Verger.” Mason may as well have handed that card to Reaper himself for all the peril that single decision was about to bring down on him.

There was a chance Hannibal wouldn't want to join him on this hunt. Mason was an extremely high profile target and his death would attract no small amount of attention. He wouldn’t hold it against the doctor if he decided to sit this one out, but he wouldn’t change his mind about killing Mason either.

Hannibal’s response was immediate. “We’ll use tonight to form our plans and tomorrow, we will begin the hunt in earnest.” He held a hand out, palm upwards to the agent in offer. “Come, we have much to discuss.”

Will accepted the offered hand, placing his own in it, fingers lightly curving into the skin.

***

“Margot, I’m glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?” Will followed Hannibal into the room and stood by the corner, letting the doctor take the lead.

“Thanks to my brother I’ve lost a whole pound overnight. With the diet the hospital put me on, I expect I’ll lose a few more before I leave here.”

“A bit late for fashion week in Paris, but perhaps something to aspire for come next fall.” Hannibal threw in.

Will was mildly horrified at their conversation, but Margot’s macabre sense of humor was forged in the crucible of her childhood, under the vindictive thumb of her brother. Hannibal wasn't going to begrudge her her coping mechanisms now, and neither was Will.

They spoke amiably for a minute longer, and Hannibal steered the conversation where they would need it to go for today’s visit.

“We’ve spoken with Alana already, have you had a chance to get any updates from her?”

Margot’s eyes slid to the man before returning to the ceiling. “Yes, the staff is keeping me informed. With any luck, I’ll be able to discharge from here in a few days and I’ll stay with her here until her doctors say she’s safe to leave.”

“‘Safe’ is relative now for you both though isn’t it?” Will spoke for the first time.

“My brother made his point. I’m out of options now, so it's either play by his rules or say goodbye to whichever piece of me he decides to take next.”

“You’ve still got one card to play.” Will said. “You knew the second you met Alana that if all else failed, she could provide an alternative route to accomplishing what you need.” 

“Alana is not an option anymore, I don’t want him going after her again. He’ll just do to her what he did to me. Worse probably.” Margot was clearly in love with Alana if she was willing to forgo her sole shot at freedom to ensure her temporary safety. Alana likely held an equally strong sense of devotion to Margot which led her to drive out to a remote hog farm in the middle of the night after only receiving a cryptic phone call. 

It had all come to pass just as Hannibal and then later Will had predicted.

“He would.” Hannibal agreed. “If he were still around to plague us with his whims.”

Margot was obviously confused, and waited for him to elaborate.

“He had this hand-delivered to my son.” Will gave her a moment to read over the familiar business card and its personalized message in the back. “Our motives may differ, but ultimately we all want the same thing.”

Margot smiled at him as she handed back the card. “I knew I was right about you. It is always the quiet ones.” Her eyes cut between the two men, assessing them for any hint of deceit or uncertainty. In the end, her gaze landed on Hannibal.

“You took me on as a patient because you wanted to guide me into killing my brother. Now you’re offering to do the job yourself?”

“When we met, I thought Mason dying at your hand would serve as a good bit of entertainment. I’m afraid his death is now a matter of necessity. I cannot allow him to make good on his threat against Will or Noah.”

“It’s a threat against you too, you know. If he digs deep enough, he can find anything.”

“The matter of my own discovery is of very little consequence in the place of him harming those I love.” He stepped closer to the bed, and deeper into her space. “It won’t just be us Margot. If Mason were to succeed, after he’s done with Will and I, who will he turn his need for violence and degradation to next? Where will the hardcore fun come from?” 

“Hannibal’s told me a little bit about his preferences. There aren’t enough foster homes in the state to satisfy his appetite.” Will added.

“The most likely scenario is that he will turn to what is familiar. Somewhere he has always been able to reach the heights of sadistic fulfillment. We can ensure he is no longer an obstacle to your freedom while also collecting from him what you need most.” Margot’s eyes widened as she came to understand exactly what was being offered.

“What do you need from me?” Margot rasped out.

“Just information.” Hannibal said. “You know how the manor is run, and your brother's tendencies. We will need a detailed account of both in order to succeed undetected.”

“Your discretion would also be appreciated.” Will said. “I’m not sure how much of this Alana really needs to know at the moment. At least until the dust settles and you’re both too happy with the outcome to be bothered by how we got there.”

Margot nodded once, swallowing the last dredges of affection or pity that may have lingered for her brother. “You have my word. I’ll tell you what you need.”

***

It had taken time but close to three weeks later, Will and Hannibal had planned their hunt for Mason down to the last detail. 

Margot had been essential in helping to set the stage. With one call to Mason, she was able to convince him that she was ready to apologize to him for all the years she’d spent fruitlessly vying for her independence when in the end, Mason had always been the logical choice for her. He was quick to accept her defeat and generously gave her a few hours to return to their home, obedient and finally his.

She, of course, never had any intention of showing up and throwing herself at her brother’s ’mercy’. 

Once their meeting time came and went, and Mason realized he’d either been duped or abandoned, Margot had assured the pair that two things would happen immediately after.

First, Mason would send a team of his hired goons to go after Margot at her last known location. To undermine this, she had taken herself and the still healing Alana Bloom to ground at one of Hannibal’s several properties within the state. They would remain there together until she received word back from Will or Hannibal. 

Secondly, Mason would get drunk. Voitiley and mind-bendingly drunk. When this happened, most of their staff knew it was best to abandon their posts for the evening lest they become the target of his rage or debauched impulses. 

This would leave Mason with only the protection of a sparse security staff and the company of his prized hogs. There would be no better opportunity to be rid of him, and Will made sure his affairs were in order regardless of how this all turned out.

If he was killed tonight, Hannibal would take Noah and be out of the country before his body could be discovered.

If Hannibal was killed, he’d left Will with access to his many bank accounts to ensure an equally speedy getaway.

If the unthinkable happened and they both ended up falling, there was a final contingency that would secure Noah safe passage outside of the U.S and a future in the care of Hannibal’s only friend. 

They had both tucked Noah in that night, reminding him how much they loved him. Will had hugged his son tightly, keenly aware of the monumental risks that would be taken tonight. 

It’s for him. Will reminded himself. For all of us.

In a borrowed car just outside the Verger estate’s property, Hannibal reached out and took Will’s hand in one of his, bringing the back of it to his lips for a chaste kiss. “We will succeed tonight, mylimasis. Tomorrow the sun will come up and it will be a safer place for Noah. We can send him out in the world without having to look for Mason or his people in the shadows.”

Will exhaled heavily through his nose, trying to steady himself. “I know. It’s just hard to put so much at risk all at once.” He slid his cheek against Hannibal’s and grounded himself with the drag of his stubble against a neatly shaven face. A silent reaffirmation of his love and devotion to the other man, and a willingness to equally participate in any act necessary to preserve them.

“Say the word, and we’ll begin.” Hannibal said quietly.

Rather than a verbal sign, Will squeezed Hannibal’s hand once before releasing it and opening his car door. Hannibal’s door opened a half second later and together they slunk into the dark greenery that grew around the edges of the estate.

A side door that the staff always kept unlocked for the sake of convenience was their point of entry and with a final look back, the pair split off to see to their individual tasks.

Hannibal was responsible for anyone in the main part of the estate. That would include most of the security staff — no less than five men by Margot’s account — and any unfortunate other who found themselves roaming the Verger halls on this night.

Will was responsible for locating Mason and dispatching anyone he found along the way. It was nasty work to put himself in the mind of Margot’s brother, but it would be necessary in order to find him as quickly as possible.

It wasn’t long before Will reached the pig pen and could hear Mason’s inebriated hollering grow louder as he closed in. He silently ascended the staircase, and watched as his target loudly ranted and took a swallow of amber liquid from the bottle in his hand.

“Whatdya say Wil—Wilbur? Wanna piece of dear Margot? One of us should—should get a taste! Hah!”

The drunken man was shouting down into the pig pen from an opening on the lift he was standing on. His speech was heavily slurred and stilted by frequent fits of hiccoughs.

Will watched for a bit with a detached interest as Mason unknowingly used his last minutes of freedom to shout at swine. Deciding he’d seen enough, he stepped forward and made his presence known.

“Oh!” Mason gasped delightedly. “It’s the baby daddy! I trust you got my m…message.” A loud burp interrupted his words and Will continued to regard him neutrally.

“Is Dr. Lecter here too? Freddie Lounds would say you two are keeping it in the family— hah! Ya’know, a spot in my b-bed has opened up. You and I can have some good, funny times together.” The combination of his slurring and hiccups made him hard to understand, but Will had no interest in hearing anything more from him anyways. All the better, he supposed.  

“I didn't sleep with Margot. You took her ability to have children and then you threatened mine. That wasn’t very smart.”

“No. No, no, nope.” He said popping the ‘p’ on his last word. “The child was only a…courier of sorts. I’m great with kids. I’d love to meet little Noa—agh!” Will punched Mason in the mouth and dragged him to teeter over the edge of his pen before he could finish his sentence.

“If you say my son’s name ever again, I’ll kill you with my bare hands. Do you understand?”

A nod from Mason prompted Will to drop the man who heavily fell to his knees. As he stood back up, he was met with the cold press of Will’s gun against his temple.

“I didn’t say the magic w-word.” He taunted.

“I said I’d use my hands, remember? I’m not going to shoot you Mason.”

The bleeding man rolled his eyes. “Well are you at least gonna use the the damn thing or are you too much of a pus—”

Will swung the arm that held his gun back and used the butt of the firearm to knock Mason unconscious. Checking his watch, he realized he’d been watching and dealing with Mason for longer than he thought. The fact that Hannibal still hadn’t joined them must have meant that he’d run into a large number of security to deal with.

After securing the unconscious man to the metal railing, Will left in search of his partner.

***

Though Hannibal had already seen to three security personnel stationed around the outskirts of the estate, he had yet to reach the room that the rest of them would be occupying. Most of them had predictably been in the back room, pretending to monitor the different cameras placed around the estate. Thinking only a drunk, belligerent Mason would be present until Margot was dragged back to the estate, the four men inside were foolishly and conveniently relaxed as they played cards and cursed at each other in Italian. Hannibal considered going in and disposing of them all at once, but that presented an unnecessary risk.

He decided to wait for one of them to excuse themselves to the bathroom down the hall. He went down easily enough with a blade to his neck to bleed him out quickly and a hand at his mouth to keep him quiet as he died.

When the first man failed to return, another came to look for him and was similarly dispatched by the doctor. Their short-lived scuffle alerted two of the other men and when they came out to investigate, Hannibal stabbed the first man in his thigh, lodging the blade deep inside the flesh and underlying tissue. The man he came with lunged at Hannibal with a stun gun that he was able to dodge at the last second, tripping his assailant.

Hannibal reached back and pulled the knife from the other man’s body, dooming him to a quick death by blood loss and as he shoved the bleeding man away from him, his accomplice got back on his feet and charged forward blindly, emboldened by his pain and fury. Using all his body weight, he tackled Hannibal to the floor and began pounding his fists into his back and sides, desperate to connect any kind of finishing blow. 

The weight of his body was suddenly lifted from the doctor and as Hannibal turned around to incapacitate the other man, he was met by the sight of Will already on top of him and doing that exact thing. The man under Will made loud spluttering noises as his throat was compressed, and Will released his neck only to grab his head and twist. A loud crack of his neck bones echoed in the hall, and Will stood up from his kneeled position, turning to see Hannibal in a comfortable sit behind him, watching the scene with rapt attention. 

Will walked over and silently offered Hannibal his hand, hauling him to his feet like he would from the living room couch at the end of any regular day.

“I already took care of a straggler in the garden.” He said.

“How good of you to come to my aid. I trust you found Mason.”

“He’s sleeping off a hangover he won’t live long enough to deal with.” Will responded. “I came looking for you when I realized how long it’d been. Is that it then?” He gestured to the bodies on the floor in front of them. Though his general demeanor seemed relaxed, Hannibal could sense the quiet thrum of power and anticipation coursing through the other man. 

Blood from one or more of his past opponents colored his hands and was in the process of drying under his short fingernails.

Never did he look as beautiful as he did fresh from a kill.

After a long moment of study, Hannibal chose to ignore his earlier question to make a request of his own. “Should you ever tire of me, I only ask you grant me an intimate, violent death at your hands.” 

“I’m not dignifying that with a response.” Was Will’s reply as he checked both ends of the hall to ensure they were alone.

“Just Mason then.” Hannibal said as they began walking back in the direction Will had come from.

Entering the room with the pig pen Will once again ascended the staircase with Hannibal at his back this time. 

“The handcuffs, while not strictly necessary, were a good choice. I’d hate for him to slink off and force us into a chase that could become more inconvenient than we originally planned for.” Hannibal said as he felt for Mason’s pulse.

“He avoided being put in cuffs for longer than he should have. It’s not exactly justice, but it’ll do until we send him to his friends down there.” Hannibal’s proud grin was present for a few moments before he stood to his full height over the bound man. 

“Are you sure you don’t wish to wake him and have him experience some of the suffering he has wreaked onto others?”

“Tempting, but no. Let’s stay on track.”

“We’ll proceed with the plan then.” Hannibal knelt over Mason again, grabbing the sides of his head and twisting. “That will do. I doubt he’s capable of waking up, but even if he should, he will no longer have any sensation below the waist and only limited mobility in his hands.”

“Not like he ever did any of his dirty work himself.” Will released Mason’s wrist from his cuff and watched as his limp body thunked against the metal flooring.

Walking to pick up the bottle Mason had been drinking out of, Hannibal picked it up to stop anymore from spilling out, reading the label out loud for Will.

“Tears of Llorona. A high-end tequila best paired with red meats or chocolate depending on the course. It seems Mason has an affinity for tears in all forms.” 

“It’s not even worth mentioning how on the nose that is. Everything I learn about him makes me hate him that much more.” Will bent down by Mason’s feet, reaching for his ankles. “We’ll get him to the edge and then you can play the dinner music.”

“A wonderful plan. First though, there is some indelicate business to attend to.” Hannibal reached to the side of the flooring and produced…a cattle prod.

“What the hell is that for?” Mason was barely breathing, and likely without sensation in most of his body. Torture was a moot point.

“This is how we will collect our insurance policy. Mason may never open his eyes again, but he can still make one last contribution to the world.”

“With a cattle prod?” Will asked confusedly.

“If you stimulate the prostate with a cattle prod you will achieve what is known as a ‘rectal probe electroejaculation’. Our side of the bargain for Margot’s silence. Will you be participating or observing?”

Will was more horrified by what would take place next than he was at all that had occurred in the past hour or so. 

“I’m not touching that thing Hannibal, that’s all you. And no, I don't want to watch, what the hell is wrong with you?” He said quickly.

“You once offered to do the ‘heavy lifting’ for us. I suppose it’s my turn today.” Hannibal sighed.

“Don’t reference our sex lives with a corpse two feet away.”

“He is still alive, though only for a few minutes.”

“I’d like to expedite that if you don’t mind getting to it already.” Will huffed.

“Very well.” Hannibal paused looking up at Will. “Since you have no interest in witnessing these particular proceedings, perhaps you could stand by the door and see to any unwelcome company.” 

“Happily.” Will marched off to the entrance of the room and kept his eyes on the hall as he heard shuffles and the low buzz of electricity behind him. Will would rather kill 10 more security guards than acknowledge what was going on back there.

There was predictably nobody else who would be coming to see what had caused all the carnage on other parts of the property, but Will never let his eyes stray from the open hall in front of him. Hannibal eventually did call Will over, with an accomplished smile on his face.

“For all his misdeeds, it seems Mason was rather repressed. I have quite a large sample for Margot and Alana to make use of.” He was dangling a test tube in his hands and Will nearly retched.

“That’s fucking disgusting, put that away and let’s get this over with.” Will walked back to Mason’s re-dressed body and dragged him to the edge of the flooring. “Alright Hannibal, set the mood.” His partner gave a small bow of his head and pressed a button to activate the overhead speakers. Screams from what sounded like several people began to play and the animals in the pit below began squealing loudly in response, anticipating the meal to come.

“I wish you were awake for this.” Will sneered at Mason’s unhearing form. With a gloved hand he retrieved the half drunk bottle of tequila and poured some down the front of Mason's shirt and mouth before throwing the bottle and Mason’s body down into the pit. The sound of his bones breaking along with the glass were soon joined by the excited crowd of swine below and Will took a moment to watch as they tore the first chunks of flesh from Mason.

Will felt Hannibal walk up beside him and take his hand. “Glorious. You were absolutely glorious mylimasis.” Will took his hand back to slide it against Hannibal’s face, combing through the soft strands of hair by his ear. 

“We should get to work, we still have those guards to get rid of.”

“I have a plan for them already, we’ll just need to get them into the car Margot was gracious enough to lend us for the night. It’s a secluded spot I’ve used in the past that I’m thrilled to be able to share with you now.”

“Our very own lovers lane. You going to try and feel me up in the backseat afterwards?”

“I should be concerned I’m so easy to predict. We’ll have to work hard to keep the spark alive in the future.”

Will wound an arm around Hannibal’s waist, bringing them flush together. “You’re only easy to predict because we think the same. I wouldn’t worry about the spark going out but if routine bothers you that much, I’d be happy to forgo the backseat and climb over the console just to prove a point.”

“I’m sure you’ll make a compelling argument.” Hannibal grinned as they gave what was left of Mason Verger a final glance and began heading into the hallway to collect the fallen guards.

***

They returned home close to five in the morning, and were greeted by the woman who had stayed to watch Noah. 

Chiyoh, Hannibal had called her. 

She was apparently his only friend from childhood who was also completely aware of the doctor’s true nature and loved him like family regardless. Hannibal had assured Will she could be trusted with their son and their secrets. His trust in her so absolute that in the worst case scenario of both of their demises, she was the one they’d appointed to take guardianship over him. 

In the past two weeks, Hannibal had told Noah many stories of their childhoods together, and had several video calls with her to ensure his ability to recognize her should she need to swiftly take custody of him.

It was also smart to leave someone there that nobody else even knew existed. For all anyone knew —Noah included — Hannibal and Will had put their son to bed and spent a quiet night in while Mason Verger met his untimely fate almost two hours away.

“I’m glad to see you are mostly unharmed.” She said to Hannibal in way of greeting. There was a slight stiffness to Hannibal’s movements that would only be recognizable by someone wholly familiar with his usual gait.

“We appreciate all that you have done for us tonight Chiyoh. I trust Noah has not discovered our absence?”

She gave a delicate smile at the mention of the young boy. “He sleeps like the sheep that used to roam your uncle's land.” She turned to Will next. “Your animals are very loyal and have not left his room.”

“They’re a good bunch.” Will said. “Thank you Chiyoh, it was nice to meet you even if the circumstances were a bit abnormal.” 

Her expression remained softly pleasant. “I think we both know Hannibal well enough to say this is not an abnormal reason for meeting.” Will smiled at her sincerely, strangely relieved to have someone he could speak with about Hannibal without having to censor himself.

“Are you sure you can’t stay?” Hannibal asked. Chiyoh shook her head and donned her overcoat, tying it around her slim frame.

“I can be on a boat home by sunrise if I leave soon. I’m eager to get back to Lady Murasaki after leaving so quickly.”

“Thank you again. Get home safe.” Will said as she stepped outside.

With a final nod to them both, she disappeared into the misty dawn and Hannibal shut their front door, happy to conceal them from the world once more.

“It’s done.” Will let out a breath as he collapsed onto the couch. “God I’m tired.” His eyes fell shut and he sensed more than heard Hannibal’s approach.

Gentle hands that were soaked in blood and dirt not too long ago softly pet dark curls. “Unfortunately the worst is still not done mylimasis. We must go about our day as usual, and wait for the news of Mason’s death to reach us.”

“Margot’s turn now.” Will said.

“Yes, she’ll wait until later tonight to return to the estate and ‘discover’ her brother. From there, she will contact the authorities she has working for her and have his death ruled as an accident. At that time, she will receive Mason’s parting gift and her life will become whatever she wishes to make of it.”

Will groaned at the memory of Mason. “I don’t want to think about that. I just want to sleep for a whole day.”

“A day I cannot offer you, but if we are quick about it we can get almost two hours of rest. It would have been more had you not been so insistent on christening the borrowed getaway car. Margot may burn it just for that.”

“You kidding? That’s the most space I’ve ever had in a backseat. Too tempting not to at least try it out.”

“Disreputable hellion. Come upstairs to rest before I demand the list of partners you’ve squeezed into backseats with and we begin the hunt anew.”

Will laughed as he was pulled from the couch and as they fell into the bed upstairs, bone-tired but triumphant, he knew the short sleep they were about to get would be some of the best in his life. 

Chapter Text

“Do you really think there’s a chance Chilton is the Ripper?” Will asked Jack blandly.

“Like I said, it was a short list to work with. We’ll just let Miriam take a look at him, hear his voice, and then let him go.”

We’ll see about that. 

Will knew Chilton would not be leaving that room in anything less than full body chains and cuffs. Based on what Hannibal told him to expect, Miriam would likely accuse him on the spot and provide a convincing enough physical and emotional reaction to trigger a full investigation. From there and in no particular order, they would find the evidence Hannibal had planted in and around Chilton’s property, several damning Tattle Crime articles Frederick unwisely had framed in his office, and his own inability to provide a convincing alibi for his whereabouts on the nights in question.

Will watched as Frederick spoke with the agent Jack called in to handle the interrogation. Special Agent Dana Montgomery plucked fresh out of the academy. For now, she was just holding polite conversation with Frederick — which is to say she was letting him prattle on about his ‘numerous accolades’ and ‘wealth of knowledge’ gained throughout his career. Jack wanted Chilton relaxed and talkative for this so his decision to use a young, objectively attractive woman was a smart ploy even if Will found it distasteful.

Jack pushed a button that cut off the audio from the other room and  pulled down the blind, concealing the people in the next room to ensure Miriam’s first reaction to Fredrick would be easily observed. “I’ll go get Miriam, let her eliminate Chilton and save Dana.” Will let out a snort and the figmented vision of Hannibal that seemed to live in his head these days gave him a look for the uncouth utterance.

Jack and Miriam came into the small room flanked by the officer that had been put in charge of her supervision while she was on FBI property. 

“Hey. Thank you for coming.” Will said as she walked into the room. She was obviously nervous, her eyes shifting from side to side and a slight tremor in her frame. 

“Hi.” She said with a small smile. “You think this is him?” She asked.

“We just want you to take a look. Same as last time, he can’t hear or see you ok?” Will said gently.

Miriam took a deep breath in her nose and let it out to steady herself before facing the window and nodding. “Ok, I’m ready.”

Jack opened the blind and pushed the button that would allow them to hear what Frederick and Dana were saying.

“…obviously he had no chance of getting the position over me, but I thought it was very brave of him to apply all the same.” Frederick was saying.

Will saw as Miriam’s entire body tensed up, and her head snapped up to see who was speaking. Her eyes locked on Chilton and a silent stream of tears started falling from her wide eyes.

“Miriam? Miriam, if you need a minute we can step outside.” Will offered.

Jack answered before Miriam could. “Hold on Will, let her take a look at him.”

As Chilton continued prattling on, Miriam’s breathing escalated almost to the point of hyperventilation. “It’s—it’s him. That’s him!” She shouted, pointing at the window and backing away from it.

“Ok, I think we should take a break now.” Will eyed Miriam warily as he spoke, seconds from having to catch her after she undoubtedly passed out.

“Will, not now. Miriam are you sure—”

How Jack expected her to answer him in between her now heaving breaths, Will had no idea. 

“Jack.” Will started. “She needs a break, just—”

While Will and Jack were arguing, Miriam made a decision. She reached for the service weapon of the nearby officer, shooting once into the interrogation room and hitting Chilton directly in the face, sending him flying backwards in his chair. 

“Miriam!” Will stepped forward for the gun, but Miriam was too deep in survival mode for his actions to be interpreted as anything but a threat. She spun to face him and fired blindly in his direction. Will was blown back against the wall by the force of the shot and his head made a sharp cracking noise against it. He fell to the ground as blinding, pulsating pain became the focus of all his senses.

Through blurring vision he could see Jack disarm Miriam and heard the echoes of chaos around him. Someone screamed for help in the next room — Dana maybe, and Jack restrained Miriam before handing her off to the officer escort and turning back to Will. He could feel large hands pressing against his shoulder, sending a searing pain through him that allowed him to evade unconsciousness for a few seconds more.

“—ay awake. Get me—bulance! Will, you’re g— ok.” Jack’s voice floated in and out, never fully breaking past the fog in Will’s brain. He lost the fight to stay awake and Jack’s face that had been somewhat clear before went as dark as the room around him until nothing remained. 

***

The quiet sound of music filters in first. 

It’s one of Hannibal’s records, Will realizes. He is content to stay resting here with it until he feels a hand comb through his hair, lightly scratching at his scalp. 

“Will.” Hannibal’s voice reaches for him like his hand did, and Will leans into it.

“Hannibal.” He responds back lazily. He’s somewhere warm, and the unmistakable smell of the ocean travels through his nose, but he can’t remember how he would find himself by the coast. He can’t remember anything really.

“This would be easier if you were awake.” Sleeping would be easier if he was awake? That doesn’t make sense. 

There’s long moments of silence and then Hannibal's hands leave and return to his scalp, but this time they bring a new sensation.

“Are your hands wet?” The cool feel of his head becomes more prominent and he realizes his hair is soaking wet. The bed beneath him becomes harder, and the air around him loses its warmth. “Hannibal?” He calls out but receives no response. His eyelids fight to open now, but they’re just too heavy. “Hannibal.” He tries again. He’s only met with silence, and he decides he needs to get up now. Blindly feeling for the edge of the mattress, he grips the edge of it and hauls his body to the side of it before attempting to roll himself off it completely. 

“Will? Will, can you hear me?” Wet hands — Hannibal’s wet hands grip one of his arms and Will is finally able to open his eyes. He isn’t by the ocean or anywhere warm and the bed he’s in definitely wouldn’t have been big enough for him and Hannibal to lay in together. 

He’s in a hospital room. 

He’s in a hospital room with a dull pain in his shoulder and a pulsating headache because Miriam Lass killed Chilton and then shot him in a panic. Hannibal’s here because Will is here, and his hands are dripping water on them both for reasons Will isn’t sure about.

“Why are your hands wet?” His voice is gravelly and hurts to use, but Hannibal looks so happy and relieved to hear his voice that he has to believe he was right to do it. 

“I was giving you your sponge bath. The nurses here would be only too eager to tend to you if I do not.” That makes Will laugh which is decidedly not a good idea due to how it makes his headache pulse a beat harder.

“No one wants a bed-ridden grump but you sweetheart, c’mere.” He tugged Hannibal forward with his good arm and kissed him twice before releasing him. “How long have I been out?” It’s probably almost time to get Noah from school, and he’ll have to find a way to explain his latest hospital visit.

“Three days.” Hannibal says, with an analytical look in his eye as he takes Will in. Will’s eyes widen at that, and he pulls back a little. He didn’t feel like days had passed. His body didn't feel grimy from sitting in his own oils and his mouth felt hydrated and fresh. All of which was no doubt only possible due to Hannibal’s round the clock care he now realized.

“Three days? What the hell happened? Where’s Noah?”

“Calm down please, don’t stress yourself. Noah is at school. You’ve been asleep this long because you hit your head after Miriam Lass shot you. There was initially…swelling, but you’ve been breathing on your own and responding to stimuli so the doctors are content to simply monitor for any lingering effects for now. The shoulder wound was surprisingly superficial though the graze from the bullet did require some stitching.”

“I’m sorry Hannibal.” He says immediately as the full chain of events comes back into focus. “I knew Miriam Lass was too close to the edge which I tried telling Jack but—”

"Don't strain yourself, there will be time to address Jack’s latest misstep later. For now I only want to enjoy the sound of your voice after being deprived of it these past few days.” 

Will scoffed and turned his head, avoiding looking him in the eye as he felt his face heat up from the words. 

“So the Chesapeake Ripper is officially dead, how are you holding up?” He asked. Hannibal opened and closed his mouth, sorting through his words.

“Frederick is likely somewhere in this very building, under a constant rotation of the bureau’s finest agents standing guard.” At Will’s quirked eyebrow, Hannibal summarized the current standings. “His face withstood major damage, but the bullet missed his brain, and he survived Miriam Lass’ attempt on his life.”

“You’re kidding.” At Hannibal’s amused silence, Will blew out a heavy breath. “I guess it doesn’t change much for us either way, but I really thought he was done for.”

“They say cockroaches are capable of withstanding even a nuclear attack, I suppose we can’t expect to be rid of Frederick using only a single bullet.” Hannibal grabbed Will’s hand and stroked it for a few silent moments. “Alana has been by, as well as Margot. News of her brother’s tragic accident has reached every local news outlet and after an appropriate period of mourning, I believe Margot has plans to change the face of the Verger dynasty and continue its line.”

Will wrinkled his nose at his last memory of Mason and Hannibal’s efforts to fulfill their side of the deal they made with Margot. “Better Alana than me.” He said. “I think there’s enough Graham DNA in the world as is.”

“Noah is certainly your greatest life’s work. He’ll be bursting with joy to see you awake.” 

“I want to see him. He must be scared to death. I know you were, and it must have been hard to deal with all of this on your own.” He said apologetically. 

“I actually had very little to do. I wasn't aware you had made Miss. Katz your legal medical authority. I would like to make some changes to that designation.” The look on Hannibal’s face was enough to tell him that they would not be leaving this building until said changes were made, but Will didn’t plan on fighting him on it anyways.

He groaned, shaking his head lightly. When he began working for the bureau they required him to have someone listed as next of kin to make medical decisions for him if he was unable to do so himself. He asked Beverly to be who he named because she was the only other adult he knew that gave a damn about him at the time. He could kick himself for his carelessness now, and could only imagine Hannibal’s reaction to being told there was someone else in charge of Will’s medical well-being.

“Shit, Hannibal, I’m sorry —again. I filled that out years ago; before Noah even. We’ll change it today, I’ll ask a nurse for the paperwork.”

“It was a decision made out of necessity at the time, I was assured as much by Miss. Katz. She very gracefully pulled me aside and informed me that should they need someone to speak in your stead, she would defer to me completely.” 

Thank God for that. Will thought in relief. He had no desire to see her business card added to Hannibal’s ‘rolo-death’. 

“That was good of her.” He said instead. “I’ll have to remember to thank her.”

Hannibal soon left and returned in record time with Noah who was understandably upset by the week’s events. He had to be carefully placed onto the bed and already knew to avoid Will’s left shoulder, sticking firmly to the entirety of the right side of Will’s body like he was superglued to it. He cried for the first few minutes, overwhelmed by the fear of the last few days and the relief at seeing his father awake and mostly healthy. After an hour, he had fallen asleep, and Will stroked his soft hair; a burst of gratitude filled his chest.

“Thank you.” He said quietly to Hannibal who was sitting in a chair next to the bed. He had been content to watch the pair this whole time, their familiar, loving interactions soothing to him as well. “Thank you for getting him through all of this. He’d be a lot worse off if you hadn't been here for him, and so would I.”

“When Jack called me, I immediately knew something had gone wrong. I was confident in my work with Miriam, but I feared Frederick had perhaps attacked you in a last ditch bid for freedom.”

“You think I can’t take Frederick?” Will asked in offended disbelief.

“Anyone can pull a trigger Will, especially in times of desperation.” Will wasn't sold on that, but he thought it was kinder not to say anything for the moment. “I am glad Noah wasn't with me when I got the call. I honestly don’t recall driving to the hospital as clearly as I should be able to.”

“I’m alright, we’re alright. If Chilton is here under lock and key, then that must mean Jack is convinced. For now that’s all we need. I’ll give him a call tomorrow morning so I can give my statement to him.”  

Hannibal looked away then, drumming his fingers against his thigh.

“What is it?” Will asked. “You think he saw through it?” 

“No, he’s thoroughly convinced that Miriam identified and shot her captor, the Chesapeake Ripper.” He paused there for a moment, reaching over to adjust Will’s blanket and place his hand on the man’s leg. “He and I are…at odds at the moment. Or more accurately, I have made it abundantly clear that he is not welcome to drop by for a visit at present.”

Will cocked his head in surprise, his eyebrows scrunching together on his face. “You banned him? He’s not the one who shot me, Hannibal.”

“I’ve yet to personally see the footage of Miriam Lass’s identification and your subsequent injury, but Alana was able to get a brief reencountment from the security officer that was present. The bottom line is Jack Crawford was engaging in an unethical and cruel exploitation of Miriam Lass which led to her injuring two others.” 

“Two years in your basement and she comes out more or less sane, two minutes with Jack and she has a psychotic break. Sounds about right.” Will laughed dryly. “You said we’d both have ended up his teacups, and now we know how he would’ve ended up breaking us both.” 

Hannibal was unamused at Will's conclusion. “I believe my grace where he is concerned has run dry.”

Will placed a hand over the one on his leg. “I appreciate the support, but Jack is still too good of an ally to lose just yet. We’re close, but we still need an official conviction before we’re done. Let him keep digging his own professional grave and meanwhile we’ll be there as the ever-gracious friends he can always lean on. He’s going to be the best source of information during the trial too. It’ll be interesting to see how he explains letting his prime suspect get shot in the face.” 

Hannibal smiled at the man in front of him.

“The mongoose is no longer content to eat the snakes. Now you cage them and watch to see what they will do. You’re evolving before my very eyes, mylimasis.

***

It was almost a week later that Will was formally discharged from the hospital. In that time, Chilton had woken up and been informed of the charges that now stood against him, and had received his first round of facial reconstruction surgery. How they were going to continue justifying cosmetic field trips for an accused serial killer and cannibal wasn't Will’s problem, and he was happy for that at least.

“I do hope he won’t be very ugly.” Hannibal had said once Alana left after giving them the update. Nothing further was said on the matter by either of them outside of going over a few details they’d need to keep straight during his impending trial and Will’s inevitable call to the witness stand.

“I’m glad to be home.” Will said as he stepped in the house. His shoulder was still healing over, but outside of ‘strenuous activity’, He was assured he’d regain full mobility in a matter of weeks. 

“As am I. I’ll start something for dinner, you can go rest in the sitting room and I’ll join you soon.”

Will nodded and headed in that direction, but almost jumped out of his skin when he turned the corner.

“Hannibal?!” He called out, keeping his eyes on the sight in front of him as if it would leap out and attack him.

On the wall of the main room was the photo Alana had taken of them and gifted Will. Except it wasn't the exact photo he’d been given. This version had been blown up to take up the majority of the wall it hung on, looming over the fireplace and assaulting anyone who stepped into the room with its size alone.

“No need to shout, I’m in the next room. What has you in such hysterics?” 

Will made a pointed gesture to the photo. “We’ve been in the hospital together for a week, when did you manage to do this?”

Hannibal looked at the picture fondly, as if it were a statue or monument he’d traveled a long distance to see. “I had it commissioned and installed while we were away. The pack was here to supervise the work in my stead, and I believe the size of the picture actually serves to soothe them in our absence.”

“Why did you make it so big? It takes up the entire wall.” 

Hannibal looked offended by Will’s question. “This is our home, there should be proof of our life and love in every room. As time passes, we’ll add more photos that will let us revisit our most precious memories everyday.” Without further explanation, he left to see to their dinner.

“We’re going to run out of wall space if you can’t rein it in.” He muttered. Hannibal was already too far away to hear him, unfazed by his partner’s grievances with his newest interior design piece.

He took a seat on the couch and let the pack sniff at his clothes and hands before reaching for his phone. Due to Hannibal’s banishment of Jack Crawford, Will hadn't actually seen him since he’d been shot. They’d only exchanged a few quick phone calls in that time and they were polite but pointed conversations mostly about how Miriam’s actions and obviously impacted psyche would affect a trial.

The latest text he’d gotten from him was a confirmation for their agreed upon meeting time in his office next week. They’d need to start gathering all the evidence that was currently being found against Chilton and begin presenting it to the district attorney who would be responsible for trying the case.

After sending a final text to Jack, Will put his phone away and leaned his head against the couch while he listened to the familiar sounds of Hannibal puttering around the kitchen and his pack settling on the floor around him.

***

“I wanted to extend an apology to you, Will. You could see that Miriam was breaking and so could I. I let my disdain for the Chesapeake Ripper — for Dr. Chilton override my professionalism and you were hurt in the process. I want you to know that I fully encourage you to seek whatever censures against me you deem appropriate.”

It was one of the last things Will expected to hear from Jack, but he was able to recover quickly enough and wave him off.

“There was no way to know she’d react so violently to hearing him again. How is she?”

Jack shook his head grimly. “She’s been institutionalized. I’m not sure she’ll ever be ready to face the world again, and she likely won’t be able to testify at Chilton’s trial either."

There was a callousness to Jack that Will couldn't always see before. Hidden under a cloak of ambition and righteous fury was a man who simply wanted to win whatever game he was currently playing. Still, it was important to him that he be seen as an avenging angel of sorts whose sacrifices along the way were only ever necessary in the pursuit of a greater outcome. Will was happy to feed into that for now and play the supportive friend while this resolved itself.

“We’ll get justice for her. We’ll get Chilton.” Will laid a steadying hand on Jack’s shoulder as a sign of camaraderie that he knew the larger man needed to feel at the moment.

Eyes on the prize, Jack. We gave you a warm body, now you just have to find the trail Hannibal left for you to follow.

“Where are we on the trial?” Will prompted.

“We’re calling for character witnesses now, people he went to school with or worked with. There’s an orderly from his prison we can’t track down, but more than a few of them put in their immediate resignation once news broke who their boss really was.”

Will worked hard not to clench his teeth at what he was hearing, forging ahead despite knowing the answer wouldn’t make him feel any better. “Who’s missing?”

“A man named Matthew Brown. His former coworkers didn’t have much to say about him and had even less of an idea where his next job would be. Apparently he gave some of them the creeps, but what can you expect working in a place like that?”

Another problem to deal with. Matthew was convinced that Will was the Ripper, and there was no way to tell how he would interpret Chilton’s arrest.

Nodding past his discontent, Will wrapped up the conversation. “Well he may just be ducking our calls for now and I can’t say I blame him. No one sane would want to be attached to this.”

“I wish Freddie Lounds would take that stance, but the public backlash she’s been getting has kept her pretty busy.”

After news broke that Frederick was officially being charged with the Ripper killings, people came after Freddie in a way only the anonymity of the internet would allow for. She was being called everything from a ‘second rate hack’ to a ‘false prophet’ by her formally faithful readers. They were especially up in arms about the fact that not only had she been held hostage alongside the alleged killer, she had went as far as saving his life and calling herself a hero for it. 

A few threads of conversation on other sites were going as far as speculating whether Freddie and Chilton had been working together from the very start. Chilton gets notoriety and anonymity while Freddie receives tip offs and other pieces of information other outlets could never have gotten access to.

Her subscriber numbers were dwindling by the day and the hate comments were flooding in. Everything she had ever written was now up for debate and there is never any mercy for a fallen predator.

There was still that matter of her ‘inside source’ with law enforcement to deal with. There was a new working list of people who either revered or suspected Will and Hannibal, and the agent was wondering if he should start a Rolodex of his own. He’d certainly have enough names to get started. 

“Let’s hope she uses the time for self-reflection rather than to generate more baseless gossip. She’s already accused Hannibal and I of moral bankruptcy. Maybe you’re due for your own exclusive.” He joked.

“I can not imagine what she’d have to say.” 

***

Sex with Hannibal was never boring, but after Will’s latest hospitalization, their time together had become…predictable.

The knock to the head and swelling Will sustained had worried Hannibal more than the older man had originally let on. Ever since they’d returned home, Hannibal had stopped Will from doing most of his regular activities. If Will wanted to run around with the pack, Hannibal insisted he settle for playing a light game of fetch. If Will wanted to work in the shed Hannibal had installed at the back of the property, the doctor was there at his side ready to bend, lift, or otherwise assist with anything Will wanted to do himself.

His cautious attitude had unfortunately also leaked into their bedroom and the empath once again found himself on his back as Hannibal unbuttoned their shirts and reached for Will’s pants before he had a chance to do it himself. This would usually be followed by Hannibal lowering himself onto Will, and keeping a tight control over their movements until they were both spent and pushed into sleep.

While Will was always appreciative of the effort and the view, he didn’t care for another night of being treated like something fragile.

“My shoulder’s fine, you know.” He tried. “I haven’t had a single headache all week.”

“Yes, I am quite pleased by your progress. Lift your hips for me.”

“I can undress myself. And I was thinking maybe tonight we could try something a little different.”

Hannibal cocked his head to the side, considering for a moment. “Have our recent sexual exploits left you dissatisfied in some way?”

Will gave him a flat look, wanting to get his point across without his partner having his own hissy fit. “You ride me like you were born for it. Trust me, I’m not dissatisfied.” Will sat up, leaving Hannibal to lean slightly away so they didn't bump heads. “The hospital kept me for a week, and you’ve been watching me like a hawk for any sign of lingering head trauma. I’m good and healed sweetheart, we don’t have to be so careful.”

“Did you have something specific in mind?”

He was determined to get his way tonight and opened with a mutually tempting prospect. “It’s been awhile since you bent me over my desk downstairs.” 

“Not since the last full moon.” Will gave him a disbelieving look at his time keeping. “You look iridescent in the moonlight. Forgive me for taking advantage when I can.”

“Come with me downstairs and I’ll let you take advantage of more than the natural lighting.” 

Managing to get themselves downstairs in a quiet and timely fashion, Hannibal propped Will against his desk after they’d hurriedly cleared it of any lure crafting supplies.

“I’ve warned you time and time again against keeping your workspace so cluttered.”

“A hook to the ass would be worth it if it finally got you inside me.” Will tugged Hannibal’s sleep pants off his hips and lifted each leg as his own pant bottoms were removed.

It was dark in the room, nowhere near as illuminated as it would have been the last time they did this under the alleged glow of the full moon. Hannibal’s silhouette was barely visible to Will and it heightened the feeling of his hands settling him on his back and the vibration of his voice as it rumbled through his chest.

“It took more time to prepare you tonight. I fear I have been rather neglectful of you after all.” Will lightly gasped as his nipple was pinched at and large familiar hands trailed over his bare thighs. It chased away the coolness of the room, but touch alone suddenly wasn't enough. 

He wanted the voice in the dark that belonged to the man and monster that followed him in and out of his dreams.

“Keep…keep talkin’ to me.” Hannibal’s hand on his ribcage paused for a split second before pressing firmly against his chest and sliding up to catch his chin. Though Will could hardly make him out in the dark room, he understood the silent command for his attention.

“Is my voice attractive to you Will? In the way your hands are to me?”

It was a question Will expected to come up sooner or later. He hadn’t intentionally been keeping this discovery from his partner, but it was something he himself had only recently fully acknowledged.

Hannibal was a talker, had been since the day they met. Usually going on about some philosophical ideal or convoluted story on the cultural origins of their meals. Will had always known the intelligence behind his words was a strong point of attraction for him, but more and more, the sound of his voice alone had been capable of flipping a very particular switch in Will’s brain. Whether it was whispering filthy promises in their bedroom, or idly informing him of a change in his usual patient schedule, the words reached for Will like a physical touch.

Giving a useless half nod and a dry swallow, the empath offered a quiet admission. “I like when you talk to me. Even if it’s just in my head…it’s like I can feel it.”

“There is very little visibility in here tonight. Perhaps now is a good time to experiment a little.”

“If you’re not fucking me in the next minute—”

Hannibal ignored his grouching for now and lowered his mouth to Will’s ear to whisper his next question. “Have I told you about the first time you came to me in a dream?” 

“No.” Will answered on a controlled exhale.

“You came to my office, and we ended up in a debate over the merits of Freudian works in the modern age. The discussion became heated and the air of friendly conversation turned into something more.” 

There was a shift at the end of the desk as Hannibal straightened out. Will felt himself being folded, his knees brought up to his sides as Hannibal positioned himself and began a slow push into his deepest parts. 

“Han—faster.” Will gave up on calling out his partner's name to make a request instead. A pinch to the back of his thigh pulled a hiss from him.

“Pay attention. The excitement of that first time was still fresh in my mind the next time you visited my dreams. I wondered if you might let me press you against the ladder and tie you down to it.” Hannibal continued to speak to him as he unhurriedly rocked into him, his breaths still coming in an easy rhythm that belied the physicality of his slow pushes. 

“It would be extremely helpful to keep the whole of you supported while I focused on more specific parts.” He chose to pay special attention to said parts that very moment, picking up the pace and forcing Will to steady himself with the sides of his desk. His head was already emptying itself of anything that wasn't Hannibal's voice or hands, and he realized he may have made a mistake in making this personal revelation shared knowledge. 

“Of course, it wouldn't do to be so crude, so I instead made a passing comment about where I thought you may have landed on Freud's theory of psychosexual stages. Just to see if you would entertain my line of inquiry.”  

“Did—did I?” Will asked in breathy anticipation. His breaths were loud in the small room and the surrounding darkness did nothing lessen how exposed he truly felt.

“Not in the least. You continued on as if I’d said nothing at all.” Hannibal’s tone was amused. 

“Coward.” He accused his figmented self. 

“Not at all. The chase has always been a key part of our coming together. There is nowhere to go I won’t follow. For every time you’ve concealed or removed yourself from my company I intend to reclaim those moments and override them entriey.” His movements slowed again, and it hit Will that Hannibal meant to toy with him to fully enjoy the process of his ‘experiment’. 

Despite wanting to protest with words, only a low whine found its way out. His nipple was again targeted; lightly rubbed with the flat of his partner’s hand. One and then the other.

“I’ve had a great many fantasies about you.” Hannibal picked up his rhythm again, shocking Will’s body into small bumps against the desk’s surface. “One day, I will have you against that ladder in my office, and over my desk. When the weather grows warm enough, I’ll see you laid bare in the sunlight by our stream with no one but the trees and water to witness us.”

He felt impossibly full now. Hannibal’s cock taking up residence in Will's physical body while his words clogged up his mind and poked at his overactive imagination. Will wanted this feeling again, and wondered if underneath a thick layer of arousal, Hannibal could scent the endorphins and tranquility that took hold of him. He hoped so.

Hannibal’s breaths grew quicker now and Will could feel the sweat began to collect where their bodies touched despite the colder temperature room. He could have lost himself to the scenes that were being described to him, but he feared whatever punishment might be handed down for allowing his attention to wander even for a second. Likely an intentional challenge secretly issued by the doctor.

Will pleaded with him not to stop this time, to allow them both a release.

“I’ll draw you afterwards.” Hannibal continued as if he had not heard him. “Would you like to see that, Will? See yourself as I do, lost to the pleasure we offer one another? Much like I imagine you look now.”

Finally, he brought a hand to Will’s cock and he could have cried from the relief of it. Nearly coming undone from the sound of his voice and all it promised was a possibility he hadn’t fully considered the weight of. His body tensed and sagged in rushed breaths of relief that didn't go unnoticed. 

“Are you so relieved to not be brought to orgasm completely untouched? Do you think me so cruel?” A smile was obvious even in the dark, and his voice dropped to a whisper barely heard over the noises of their coupling. “Clever boy. I did consider it.” 

With a few final passes of his thumb over the head of his length, Will raspily moaned out his release at a volume that he didn't have a chance to temper. His fight was only made more challenging as Hannibal chased his own end and pressed Will’s knees further into himself.

A foreign curse and a call of Will’s name was spoken into his neck and Will idly wondered how long it would take for the blood to travel back into his legs in order to make the trip upstairs. He just might let Hannibal carry him up there as a thank you.

Afterwards, while he watched Hannibal take in slow deep breaths in his sleep, Will tried to keep the easy feelings of peace and satisfaction. Tried to make it a part of himself and settle it into his bones. He knew it wouldn't last forever, but he was hoping to stretch it out long enough that it would be easy to recall when times got hard. 

He watched Hannibal until he was too tired to keep his eyes open and fell asleep to his even exhales.

*** 3 MONTHS LATER ***

“Pull back and….swing.” The lure plopped into the water, and Will released his son's hands from their guided movements around the fishing rod. Noah watched as the ripples in the water dissipated. 

“How long do you think it’ll take?” He asked as he held the rod.

Will laughed at his son’s impatience. They had just celebrated Noah’s seventh birthday and as part of his weekend-long celebration, he asked to go to their stream again to try out the fishing rod Hannibal had gotten him. 

“There’s no way to know buddy, they’ll bite when they bite.” He laid a hand on his son’s cap before stepping away from him and the water’s edge.

“If you get bored you can always leave your father to the hunt and join me on the blanket.” Hannibal was bereft at losing his sketching partner despite being the one who bought Noah the fishing rod. Will walked over instead, sitting with him as they watched the young boy.

“You’ll have to settle for my company for now darlin’, he’s taken to the water just like I did at his age.” Will’s best childhood memories all involved the water, and while Noah’s childhood memories might be more varied, he still hoped to give his son this shared experience.

“Your company is always desired, I only prefer us all together whenever possible.”

“There’s no one out here for miles, Hannibal, trust me we’re plenty ‘together’.” Hannibal’s desire to remain separate from the world had yet to wane in the almost year of them knowing each other, and it was always an amusing prospect.

“I suppose it’ll have to do for now.” He turned his eye back to the stream, narrowing his eyes at whatever he saw. “Does the water seem like it’s rising? I think it’s farther up Noah’s legs than when we first got here.”

Will stood up and peered at the water line, carefully examining its depth in relation to his son’s small frame. “No I don’t think I see anything different, but we’ll keep an eye out—”

As he turned to sit back down, he was frozen by the sight that greeted him. Hannibal was now kneeling on the blanket, one knee to the ground and the other leg bent at a perfect 45 degree angle. He held in one cupped hand a blue velvet box, with a golden band that gleamed in the sunlight that hit it.

“Mylimasis. I’ve thought of countless ways to ask this of you, and none satisfied the depth of my feelings for you. I can only tell you that I wish for us to share all things, but especially our lives. I love you, Will. Would you do me the honor of becoming my partner in this life?” 

Will’s words escaped him for only a moment before his answer — the only answer — pushed out of him in a breathy jumble.

“Yeah, Hannibal—yes. I’ll marry you.” Hannibal’s smile could blind any plane flying over them, and as he slid his ring onto Will’s finger, the weight of it settled a piece inside he never knew was untethered to begin with. Will crouched down on the blanket to meet Hannibal and they shared a kiss full of promise and gratitude for all they managed to find in each other.

“Is it over? Did I keep the secret safe?” Noah’s voice broke them apart, and Hannibal opened his arms for him to join their embrace.  

“You were perfect, triušis! He never suspected a thing.” Hannibal assured.   

“He knew?” Will asked, shocked that his son was able to hide this from him since however long ago Hannibal had roped him into it.

“Of course he did. I could not ask for your hand in marriage without his blessing, that would be completely unacceptable.” 

Will tried to memorize the moment through the tears that had gathered and pulled his family in closer. 

***

“That’s the most expensive letter I think I’ll ever be involved in.” It was later that evening that Hannibal was sitting at his desk, finishing a hand-written letter announcing their engagement which he apparently intended to expedite all the way to Osaka. 

“It is customary to send a formal notification of such life events. This will be the happiest occasion of my life, and I very much would like Chiyoh and Lady Murasaki in attendance.”

“I’m just saying a phone call would suffice.” Will looked over his shoulder and shook his head at the calligraphy he could see on the paper. It was as if Hannibal waltzed out of a time machine and had spent the better part of his adult life assimilating to the 21st-century sometimes. 

“You should see to any last minute tasks while I finish up here beloved. I have plans for you tonight.” Hannibal began folding the paper to place in a waiting envelope. 

Will watched from his own desk as Hannibal finished packing away and addressing his letter before retrieving a stack of papers that had been burning a hole in his desk for the better part of a month. With purposefully quiet steps, he reached Hannibal’s side and slid a hand to rest on the man’s shoulder.

“You kind of beat me to the punch, but I still think you’ll be happy with my surprise.” Will slid the stack of papers in front of him, and watched as he slowly leafed through them. “I had these drawn up not too long ago, and I was waiting for a good time to talk to you about it.”

“These are adoption papers, Will.” Hannibal said without taking his eyes off the forms, as if doing so would cause them to evaporate from his hands.

“Yeah.” Will whispered. “In light of the day’s events, I figured we could talk about what our married name will be, and then Noah could decide if he wants to keep his last name or change it to whatever we decide to go by. I think we both know how much he likes to match though, so after the wedding, it’s likely we’ll all have the same last name. A family name.”

“I take it Noah has already given you his blessing as well?” Hannibal said in an emotion-thick voice.

“Turns out he’s better at keeping secrets than I thought, we better stay on our toes.” Half joke, half premonition.

“I would like your last name.” Hannibal said decidedly. “We can add mine on at the end if you’d like, but I’ve wanted to be a Graham for a considerable amount of time.”

“Count Hannibal Graham. You’d sound like a cereal. Count Hannibal Graham-Lecter.” Will tried. “Maybe we should just make up a new last name.”

Hannibal stood up and grabbed Will by the waist bringing him in and kissing him once. “You forgot ‘Dr.’, my love.”

Will smirked, pulling back to see his face. “Dr. And Mr. Graham-Lecter.” He watched as Hannibal’s pupils dilated dramatically in response and he would’ve given him shit for it if his own heart wasn’t currently pounding in his ears.

“Say it again.” Hannibal said, coming in for another kiss. When Will felt Hannibal’s hand disappear from his waist without returning, he opened an eye to see what had taken his attention.

“Hannibal.” He said against the other man’s mouth. “Are you—” He pulled away completely and found Hannibal in the middle of signing the very last page of the stack…while kissing him. “You could have waited the extra three seconds.” Will said flatly. 

“I’ve waited long enough. Sign your name and we can take these back to the courthouse first thing tomorrow while we see what is needed for the marriage license.” Hannibal said as he impatiently thrust the pen in Will’s direction.

“We have plenty of time. The rest of our lives if we actually manage to make it down the aisle.” He took the pen anyway, adding his own signature to the document.

“There is no force on this Earth that could prevent me from binding us in legal matrimony.”

Always the dramatics.

Will knew from the moment he accepted Hannibal’s proposal — sooner even if he was honest — that his life going forward would be defined by a combination of Hannibal’s fanciful flight of thought and his own roaring pessimism. He looked forward to each time they collided and found a way to balance the scales.

“On the topic of ties that bind. I’ve got a free day tomorrow and I know for a fact you won’t have any patients visiting until at least two.” Hannibal lightly titled his head, waiting for Will to continue. “You put an idea in my head. That ladder in your office looks pretty sturdy, and I’ve got some rope in the shed that even the dogs couldn't chew through.” 

Hannibal’s answering grin was tempting on its own. “A compromise then. We’ll leave the rope for your pack and make use of the leather cuffs I’ve kept in my desk for such an occasion."

“How long have you had those?” It’d be about a year since he would have had his initial fantasy of Will trussed up in offer to him. 

“Ever since it occurred to me that you would sooner risk severe rope burn before you entered an establishment that specializes in bondage products.”

“You know me well. Tomorrow.” He promised.

Hannibal picked up Will’s hand, laying a delicate kiss to the ring he’d placed there earlier in the day.

“Always.”