Chapter Text
It started out quite innocently.
The vampire bar on Davis was offering two hundred dollars for blood donations and Will just lost his job. He didn’t expect the bar owners to come looking for him after that first donation because his blood was “the most delectable ambrosia our customers ever tasted.”
But they did, and every eight weeks Will became the mystery donor of what became known as Ambrosia. He made good money, didn’t have to do more than bleed, and they promised complete anonymity.
Will did not expect anyone to find him as the owners, very old vampires themselves, promised no one could sniff blood out.
Then some strange things started to happen.
First, his car broke down and the problem was so complicated that he took it into the mechanic. The autoshop said it would be seven hundred dollars and Will, needing his car, said that was fine even though he really couldn’t spare that much cash. When he went back to pick the car up the very next day he was surprised to learn that someone else paid the full amount. The shop owner refused to tell him who that someone was.
Then, two days later, he found two dogs on his porch with bows on their necks. One of them was pregnant and had a litter of five.
He kept them all.
Four days after that he got into a shouting match with a rude driver at a crosswalk, and learned that very same night the same man was found brutally drained of all his blood. Will began to suspect that something was going on, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on who or why.
He called the bar he’d been donating to, Blood Hound, and the owners were oddly nervous to hear from him.
Also they fired him.
“What?”
Dmitri’s voice shook when he spoke.
“Yes, we will no longer be needing your...service.”
“You said that—“
“Goodbye!”
Will stared at the phone and started to suspect interference. He knew very little about vampire hierarchy but there had to be one. His phone just then notified him of his bank account, thankfully semi full from his last few donations with enough to get him through a few months.
Still part of him wondered.
A week to the day after Blood Hound stopped selling Ambrosia that he got cornered walking home.
The whole thing was ridiculous really, he’d gone up to the pet store late when oddly his dog food was way too low for seven hungry dogs. Pet Palace was located very close to the Red Spot, another vamp bar.
Red Spot wasn’t as upscale as Blood Hound but he’d never been near there so late, nor had he ever bumped into a pair of hungry vamps who wouldn’t take no for an answer. The biggest one pushed him against the wall, the dog food falling to the ground and breaking open. Will went for his garlic spray which the other knocked out of his hand.
“Nuh uh, blood bag,” the big vamp hissed, “No toys.”
Will fought hard but they had at least twenty times his strength so he resigned himself, closing his eyes. Maybe they’d drink and leave. Then he could call the V-Unit and report the attack.
He steeled himself for the bite when suddenly the heaviness over him was gone. The choked off screams made Will open his eyes just in time to see the small one being held with one hand high up only to get broken in half. He gasped and shook just as the vampire wearing a very nice suit turned to look at him.
“Are you all right?”
Will swallowed back bile as he nodded.
The vampire dusted off his suit and walked over, stopping halfway.
“You’re frightened.”
“You just—“
“Disposed of two very rude idiots who do not follow the King’s command.”
Will blinked.
“There’s a Vampire King?”
The King cocked his head. “Humans do not know enough. That should be remedied. The human media portrays us in very artificial—“
Will let out a shocked laugh. “The Vampire King.”
“Yes, and I would very much like to apologize for—“
“Everything up until now?”
The King smiled. “And whatever happens after.”
He took the last few steps and held out his hand. “My name is Hannibal Lecter.”
Will took his hand despite every part of him that said not to. “Will Graham.”
Hannibal stepped closer still and inhaled, his eyes turning bright red. Will knew he should be still scared but the sight was nothing but exciting.
“I would walk you to your car, if that’s all right? After paying for your dogs’ replacement meal.”
Will nodded and let Hannibal led him into the store where he got to witness first hand the odd reception Hannibal had, which was the most calm he’d ever seen folks be towards a vampire.
The cashier smiled and blushed when he complimented her neck scarf, even giggling when he touched the green silk. The manager gave Will free treats on the way out and even offered to carry the bags to the car.
“That’s all right,” Hannibal said as he hefted the bag onto his shoulder with ease, “I have no problems with heavy lifting.”
The cashier, who slipped her number into Hannibal’s suit coat, giggled and blushed as they left.
“Is it like that everywhere vampires go?”
“Not all of us, no,” Hannibal smiled, “And certainly not with everyone.”
Their walk to Will’s car was comfortably quiet and when Will opened the trunk he was the one who finally broke the silence.
“You keep inhaling,” he pressed, staring at the vampire, “When you get close to me.”
Hannibal’s smile widened.
“Do I?”
Will had noticed him inhale at least five times already, and he was starting to have a theory.
“Yes. You can smell me?”
Hannibal bowed his head. “I apologize. It’s very hard not to, you smell like....”
“Ambrosia?”
He saw a tic in the vampire’s jaw.
“I did not pay those vampires.”
Will laughed. “I didn’t even think you did, but wouldn’t that be something someone who DID do that said?”
Hannibal closed the trunk and moved in closer to him, the inhaling more blatant now. Will flushed when Hannibal fingers lightly grazed the bottom of his glasses touching his cheek.
“I confess I am quite addicted to your taste.”
Will licked his lips and let out a shaky breath. “You got me fired.”
“Yes,” Hannibal confessed, “I do not want others to taste you.”
Will laughed. “I don’t know what to say.”
“It is not uncommon for a human to become a—“
“Blood Bag?”
Hannibal’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head. “Donator. I have never taken one before but now that I’ve had you I want no other,” he took Will’s hand and kissed his palm.
“You’d pay me?”
“I would give you anything you desire.”
“I don’t know,” he sighed, “I don’t want to offend you but I’ve never heard of blood donating personally and this makes me think you’re just trying to kill me.”
Hannibal took his hand and put it on Will’s jugular. “Why would I be so foolish? Yours is the best blood ever tasted.”
“I really have to think,” Will backed off, “And thanks to you I have many hungry dogs to feed.”
Hannibal reached into his pocket and held out a card.
“Please call me with your decision. Even if it’s a negative one, I will protect you from those who would seek to take your blood without permission.”
Will took the card and Hannibal bowed before he turned to leave. He was only a few steps away when Will called out.
“The time frame would be the same as the bar? Every eight weeks a bag?”
Hannibal turned. “No, I prefer my blood from the source and in smaller amounts. I believe the best course of action would be for you and your dogs to move into my home.”
Will blinked. “Oh.”
Hannibal smiled and the sight of his fangs made Will shiver.
“Goodnight Will.”
“Goodnight,” Will whispered, shaking as he watched him leave.
He bowed again and Will let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding after he watched Hannibal disappear into the darkness.
All of this because his blood tasted good?
Will saw a cut on his wrist and lifted it to his mouth, taking a lick.
“Tastes normal to me,” he muttered, shaking his head.