Chapter Text
The last sun rays on the surface of the lake give off a tranquil light, perfectly contradicting Wills state of mind, spinning and churning as it is, fueled by hate and fury, fingers itching for cold steel. Emily is beside him, after being freed from the leash she was put on inside the house, watching him, and Will takes grim satisfaction in the fact that she apparently put quite a few scratches on Jack when -they- arrived. Or at least Hannibal told him so in quiet words when he brought her out.
Will sighs deeply, trying to release the anger with it, not quite managing. He rolls his shoulders, sensing Hannibal standing behind him, still waiting, both ignoring their visitors, safe in the knowledge that if -they- wanted the police here, there would be already. Will rolls his shoulders again, feeling Hannibal step up and put his hands on them tentatively, starting to squeeze them softly but thoroughly when Will doesn’t pull away. Will clears his throat, shaking his head at himself.
„I… I anticipated Jack coming here eventually, but it never crossed my fucking mind that he would bring her with him.“
Hannibal hums, waiting, his fingers continuing uninterrupted. Will sighs through his nose, clicking his tongue, tone bordering on viciously amused.
„Guess she won’t go away until we deal with her. So…“
He steps away and turns, raising his hands to Hannibals lapels, gripping tightly.
„So let’s deal with her.“
Hannibal licks his lips, eyes black, the beast behind them reigned in just for Will. Will greets it with his own, the smile on his lips more honest in expression, teeth flashing. He pulls Hannibal down, ignoring their audience, the kiss instantly deep, possessive. Will bites at Hannibals lips for a moment when he draws back and then drops his hands, stepping passed Hannibal and towards their… guests.
He walks slowly, his gaze open on them, secure in this space, their shared home. Each step settles him more, the view of the past refocusing itself into perspective. When he reaches the stairs he smiles, turning into a grin when he stops before the table. He purses his lips, shifting his weight, feeling the silence. It makes him grin wider.
„I… apologize for the holdup, Jack, Clarice. Would you like something to drink?“
Jacks tone is angry and tired, sad and furious.
„Cut the crap, Will. Don’t pretend you’re him.“
Will raises his eyebrows, chuckling.
„Ah, no, Jack, don’t worry.“
He leans closer, bowing down towards Jack, feeling Hannibal come up behind him, his presence burning his soul. Will whispers.
„I’m not him… he’s me.“
Will chuckles and sees the smile twitch across Hannibals lips from the corner of his eyes when Hannibal steps passed him and into their house, no doubt preparing refreshments and snacks. Leaving Will to deal with them for now which would have infuriated him mere minutes ago but just leaves him feeling grounded in their shared security now. Jack follows Hannibals movements, gaze dark before he grinds his teeth and refocuses on Will. There is a fidgeting from the other side of the table and Will pulls up another chair and seats himself, crossing his legs. He breathes in deeply, Emily coming up and sitting down besides him, getting her scratch behind her ears immediately. Will grins at Jack, looking at the scratches on his forearms.
„Glad to see you were clever enough not to harm her…“
Jack snorts.
„I’m surprised there aren’t more here.“
Wills grin turns soft, reflective, softly petting Emily.
„I don’t need a packs protection anymore, Jack. And she’s family. Though she might need a sibling at some point…“
He sighs through his nose and finally turns to the other person gracing their table, hands clamped together on the table, freezing under his gaze. There’s not much left in her of the successful agent these days Will reflects wryly.
„I must say I didn’t expect Jack to bring you along, Clarice.“
Her voice shakes when she answers, fury and desperation tinged, accusatory.
„Tough. You did this to me. You made Jack send me to him. You made him send me away again. You fucking ruined my life.“
She pauses, blue eyes blazing and Will is reminded why he chose her. He waits, knowing she’ll need to get this out, keeping his eyes on her even though Hannibal steps back out with a tray. She almost spits the words out, hands white-knuckled on the table.
„And now you dare to be pissed because I disturb your little hideaway. How high and mighty of you.“
The silence is heavy, Hannibal breaking it after a few moments when he distributes plates and glasses on the table, puts some bread with dips and chilled rose wine on it. Will keeps her gaze, his expression softening though his voice is hard.
„Tell me, Clarice, did Jack tell you that Hannibal and I were already married when he sent you to him?“
Her eyes flicker across the table, a hint of confusion stealing into them before they snap back to Wills. Will smiles bitterly, unsurprised.
„As I thought. It doesn’t matter now though. You’re right. I chose you. I made Jack send you to him, knowing full well the effect it… -could- have.“
He swallows, this truth the first time he admitted it to himself. He feels Hannibal hover behind him, eyes riveted to the three of them, watching like a shark. He forces himself to continue.
„I didn’t think it would go that far, if it’s any consolation. Jack was very pleased to rub it under my nose though.“
He shoots a look at Jack who just gazes back darkly, the deep lines on his face giving away his condition. Will looks at his bloodshot eyes, the white yellowed, breathing labored. Whatever happens, Jack won’t be leaving. He turns back to Clarice, reaching for the wine and pouring it for them all, taking a sip when he is done, the cool liquid soothing in his throat. She follows suit, voice raw when she speaks again.
„Guess I can be glad you didn’t want to share…“
Will closes his eyes for a moment, the jab expected and yet hurting quite efficiently. His tone is flat when he opens them again, honest.
„Apart from other… considerations, I didn’t want to abuse you, too. Because that’s what this was, Clarice, no matter if you were desperate for the attention at first. Or ordered to engage him, or whatever. He drugged you and abused your trust and your mind and your body.“
Will smiles grimly, staring at the bottle on the table, seeing Clarice -and- Hannibal swallow from the corners of his eyes.
„I know what -that- feels like.“
Will closes his eyes again for a few seconds, the echo of their past personified fidgeting in her seat. His voice is a whisper, loud in the breathless silence between them.
„He also freed me. Or he made me free myself. Did you free yourself as well?“
He opens his eyes again, locking onto her wide ones. Her breath is coming in short breaths, holding her glass in a death grip. She doesn’t answer. Will smiles a vicious smile, teeth flashing.
„Mhhh. Not yet then.“
She keeps looking at him, wide eyed, silent. He turns to Jack, ignoring Hannibal across from him, his gaze heavy on Will. Will smiles at Jack, raising his eyebrows.
„Did you offer her some kind of resolution?“
Jack scoffs, squeezing the bridge of his nose before he answers.
„No. In fact, I offered her revenge.“
Will hums, nodding to himself. He shrugs, raising his glass.
„To revenge then. Good luck.“
Will can feel Hannibals gaze on him, proud, sees his smile when he downs the contents of his glass. Will grins.