Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In that morning, Hannibal has asked Will to stay over again - knowing well enough Will had allowed such thing to come, so he would love to take full advantage of the privileges he was being given as much as he can. Such intimacy was everything he ever wanted, from understanding to be loved was all he ever asked for and he was being thankful the young man didn’t deny his desires when he saw it. 

“Jack asked me to consult in his case last night,” Hannibal announced when he first woke up with Will by his side. “You were here so I couldn’t find any appropriate time to talk about it, but I was expected to come once I got the news.” 

Will nodded in acknowledgement, already confirming that Jack also has asked him separately about the new case they got. “Then I guess we are going the same way, Doctor Lecter.” he said lazily with a sheepish smile softly tucked on his lips. 

Hannibal smiles delightfully and closes his eyes to take in the scent of cheap aftershave and the newly sensation in the presence of Will - with his blue eyes and messy brown curls that clings to his head beautifully, accompanying to the sense of soft lavender still lingering in the air that Will got after showering at his house, using his products and cologne and wearing the clothes he prepared. He’s already anticipating the near future, where comforts were present when the guy sat next to him and watch him under the pretense of just looking out the front window when he glances back in turn.  

“It’s my pleasure to have you for company.” then he leans in even closer, drowning in the feeling of warm skin collided to his face, his breath hitched up in satisfaction when Will also reciprocated it with a hand petting upon his head - like a careful lover. “I also would like you to stay longer for breakfast, if you don’t mind.” he mumbled between his teeth that laid calmly just above the delicate flesh, uncaring to move away from the alluring emotion that bubbling up within his chest. 

Will thought for a moment, blue colors rolling under the periphery of his eyes, a shade of green that shines through by the soft ray of light of the morning sun and considering his choices for a minute before nodding his agreement. “Alright.” 

They both moved down from bed after some cuddling, and the good doctor was more than happy to indulge to Will’s demands since he also wanted to stay in bed all the day - if not for Jack and his case to ruin it all at once.  

Will go into shower once more after both of them were down and cleared-head from sleep, changing back his clothes before heading downstairs to meet with a welcoming breakfast and the naked sight of Hannibal Lecter. 

Will’s brows jerked up, questioning. “You’re... not wearing anything.” 

Hannibal just nodded, agreement readied on his expression as he turns around to face Will, his face was relaxed as he put down the meal, skin flushed when he felt the intensity the other man was giving him. “I didn’t expect you to come down so soon,” he clearly does, this is a show-off on purpose. “I was thinking to go change when I finished cooking for us. Would you like to sit down first?” 

It seems Hannibal has become bolder after knowing the fact that Will had a soft spot for him, even in bed he was more demanding for him for embraces and touches, intimate. “Of course.” Will didn’t deny it this time, not anymore. He glances down at the food offered to him and smile tenderly as he sits down. Though when Hannibal nod and bid his way for his clothes, he stopped him. “Sit, Hannibal.” 

“Will?” Hannibal looks back at him, asking the question they both knew the answer to. 

“Sit,” he repeated, motioning his hand to the empty chair next to him and then to the meal in front of it. “You’re not going anywhere until you finished it.” 

The older man didn’t demand any further questions, his eyes full with delight and understanding, grateful even when he obeyed and sat himself down silently, his eyes diligently follow Will’s eating figure. They both start to eat their fill at that, ignoring the way Hannibal’s erection has grown the more seconds passed in between. Will had probably expected it, as well as Hannibal has perhaps anticipated for such thing to happened when he decided it was a good move to stay nude after their morning together.  

They took their time, the command Jack Crawford left unattended to the back of their minds - as if it was not important enough to deemed worthy - so, they eat in a comfortable silence with occasional exchange of glances and smiles to each other, a smile sweetly stuck on their lips. They didn’t touch, but the means bear within their eyes are already have enough affection to it and neither of them complaint during the whole breakfast until they were done and Hannibal was allowed to go change into his clothes and Will wash their dishes. 

Hannibal came back, the familiar piece of clothes clung around his body, a simple of black and grey but still manage to seems extravagant enough, he didn’t use any tie today, a scarf and winter hat, ear flaps long and stick to his cheeks warmly. “Why’re you wear winter clothes?” Will asked, his voice a little confusing when it hitches up as he glances at Hannibal for a second time. 

“Jack has said we would need it due to the low temperature.” the doctor answered simply, an amusing smile slowly perks his lips knowingly. “It seems uncle Jack didn’t spare you that information.” 

Will huffs a breath, “Surely he didn’t,” he didn’t think much about it, Jack always seems to focus on Hannibal more after undergoing with the plan of the lure, desperate to grasp at any possible hope to catch the Chesapeake Ripper. “Let’s go.” he said, turning around and head to the door swiftly, uncaring for the other person as he knew he would follow. 

Will came back to Wolf Trap, walking over to the front yard and silently enter his home before he removed his boots and set it on the side and then his pack of dogs instantly run forwards and jump at him excitedly one by one. “Have you missed me? Good boy.” 

“Do you think it was an animal, Will?” he heard a voice from behind him, but he didn’t turn back to know who it is as he continue to pet his dogs. 

“No,” he replied calmly, face planted upon his pack with a low smile hung loose on his face. “Yes, but not that kind of animal.” he isn’t sure, but the evident are clearly showing the signs that such animal do not exist, not inside his mind that telling him this is a different type of hunt, a test.  

Hannibal walks in slowly, he didn’t pay any mind when some of the dogs came and sniff at him. “What would you do now?” 

Today was not nearly as exhausted and Will had thought he should take some rest, after all, having Hannibal Lecter here in his home would be some kind of achievement and Jack wouldn’t be so proud if he were to say he invited the monster to come and sleep with him in his home. “I’m gonna go sleep.” he come to a stand, finally looks directly at Hannibal after both of them left the crime scene together in separate cars. “You can go back, my bed isn’t actually a good place for two men to sleep in.” 

The other man shuts his mouth, pupils suddenly darken as he eyes Will for a contemplating moment, a heave of breath and he blinks away. “I can rest on the sofa, if you don’t mind.” 

“What?” Will frowns, confusion clear on his tone as he approaches Hannibal, his hand quickly came and held in the solid wrist of the doctor. “Go home, Hannibal. Why would you insist on staying with me when you have a house and an even bigger bed?” 

Hannibal didn’t pull out, but he seems to be reluctant about something as he clenches his mouth and lick his lower lip, hazel color wandered further as he stares at Will. “I want to be with you, Will.”  

It didn’t come as a surprise, but he didn’t think Hannibal would be so demanding. But he was taken aback how his actions seem to created such boldness from the older man. “Fine.” he agreed finally, eyes drag back to the sofa behind him. “Bring that to my bedroom then.” 

Hannibal stood silent, his eyes glancing around appreciatively before nodding and went towards the said furniture. It took quite some time for both of them to reach his room, with Hannibal tentatively walking just behind, footfalls softly descending in sync with him so naturally that Will had thought it was only him inside. 

“Do you... really want to sleep here?” when he finally sat down on the soft mattress, weighing his body down under, as soon as the thought took in roots inside his head, one thing left somehow sat out oddly and coloring concern to his mind. “You could still go home, we will meet again.” Hannibal Lecter is inside his house, walking into his home and presenting himself in his bedroom, all of it were completely allowed with his consent. “Are you sure you want to sleep on that sofa?” he was not even aware how natural it was until this moment. 

Hannibal allowed both of them a minute of stretched silence, following by a brief of inhale and exhale in between conscious choices over his mind and he soon looks back, pleased and peace blended in beautifully as he answered, “Yes.” a simple confirmation, with that soft husky and even tone betraying nothing, showing his mind as clear joy seems to blind its way to Will’s blue eyes. 

Will hesitates for just a second before lying down, sight planted firmly upon the ceiling above and he sigh. “If...” he starts, wondering why he’s even thinking that and why would he even spill it out. “If you can’t sleep, come sleep with me. Simply wake me up is fine, I’ll leave space for you.” 

Hannibal smile, admire the sincerity within the voice and softly placing himself onto the sofa. “Of course, Will. I appreciate the offer.”  

Just like that, they sleep separately - or not so separately. It’s amazing how peaceful they could be, after all of deceives and lies under the tone of forgiveness and friendship, after how betrayed and injustice Will felt towards Hannibal and the vengeance is not at all subtle even now - Hannibal knew, he had told him, yet he did nothing to that revelation. How could Hannibal sleep so soundly with him? He has made such a choice by simply leaving those... gifts for that man because he couldn’t trust himself, how could the Doctor not even wary but accepting over the fact that he could one day die when he asked Will to stay by his side?

Unless this was all in another bigger, grander scheme in order to have him warped around his fingers - and all he could do was to once more blindly believing it to be true, believing that those words and gestures were genuine. 

Will couldn’t sleep a wink that night, rising to the sun among his dogs with his messy state - curly hair slick to the side and his eyes tiredly scans his own room, looking for a specific man. 

“Good morning, Will.” the man in question greeted conversationally, eyes soft from sleep and Will could see the flocks of hair fall easily down his face in such an innocent manner as the older man look back at him expectantly. “Do you have trouble sleeping still, Will?” 

Will met the tone evenly, breathing in the fresh air into his lungs as he answered, “I sleep just fine.”  

Hannibal blinks once, taking in the information as much as he drank in the sight of Will. “I’ll start preparing breakfast, if you’d want?” 

What a bold man. “Go ahead.” he said simply, eyes wandering around for a moment of seconds before landing back at the standing figure of Hannibal Lecter.  

“Then, I’ll excuse myself first.” Will watches as Hannibal’s retreating back slowly fade from his vision, farther and farther from his reach, until every small line reduced to just a slight scent of fresh mint lingering to remind him that there are two people in his home.  

Since when did they have such intimacy to the point of domestic? Will can’t seem to remember what time did he allowed Hannibal to become so... familiar with him like this. It’s strange, the concept of just peacefully being with the good doctor never once made him scared, which make him reluctant now. 

Will descent downstairs, smelling the aromatic feeling of bacon and eggs entered his nose. For a moment there, he hesitates. Fearful for the sight he’s about to see, afraid he’d come to love it even more and would have wanted to ask Hannibal to stay. He’s already aware of his affection towards Hannibal, but not like this, this is too much even for himself to allowed. “Smells nice.” he praised lightly, finally peaking his head to see Hannibal setting down two plates on the opposite ends, though Will’s table didn’t really serve the purpose to be that big enough to stay far away. 

“Thank you,” Hannibal simply looks at him and then smiles tenderly before sitting down his chair, the sound of wood against wood softly dragging themselves closer as the man adjusts his seat. “Please wash your hands before sitting down.”  

Will scoffs, but he did as he was told and head to the faucet. Clinking water dropping upon his palms, distracting his thoughts over for a minute as he couldn’t help but move his legs to where Hannibal had placed his breakfast. But then, “I’m sorry, Will.” 

Will stopped all his tracks, back straighten when he turns around to take in Hannibal - a calm face now painted with something that seems so close to guilt. “What?” 

Hannibal’s eyes flickered, a flash of light went through the illusion of his pupils as he cast down his eyes, avoiding the contact Will was sending his way and he licks his lips. “It seems that my impulsiveness gave you a hard time sleeping last night.” 

“What are you talking about? I told you I slept just fine.” 

“You said you don’t want me to lie to you, does the courtesy not apply to you?” 

Will stood there with his mouth shut, letting the falling sound of water be the only thing to back his thoughts.  

“I would want nothing more than what’s best for you, Will.” Hannibal continued slowly, hazel colors cross back to the younger man. “You said you hate outright lies,” he added. “so tell me, Will... What you were doing just now, was it not a lie?” 

Will clenches his jaw, flinching just slightly at the implication that he betrayed his own words. “Yes.” finally, he breath out, the sound of his heartbeat suddenly grown rapid and he wasn’t sure what’s he even thinking. 

Both men stayed in silent, the moment stretches and stretches to the point Will thought it had been hours and the food has probably been colder than a dead body now. But Hannibal just stands up, approaching him in a slow motion before reaching for the running water to turn it off. 

“Would you like to tell me what happened?” he asked, body goes stilled but the hand that came up to caress his hair was gentle. “I would like to hear it, please.” he’s became bolder, indeed.  

Will sigh, given in finally. “You,” he said, his elbows easily resting on either side of the sink as he glances up, silently admitting his troubles with the old man. “It was you.” 

The other man ponders for a moment and then drops his hand, tilting to the side to see more clearly of Will’s solid form. “Do you feel me bothersome?” 

“Yes.” 

Gaining the information he needed, an emotion flash through his body and bubbling up his blood. Like a needle that is too sharp for its own good, somehow take room and buried itself down to his heart and the feeling of rejection came as something much more painful than he anticipated. Hannibal swallowed for a swift second before straighten his posture, ready to head out. Yet again he paused, because of the unyielding hand that clutches on the hem of his shirt as if begging him to stay. “Will-” 

“How did you do it?” Will asked incredulously, as if he was that one unstable man before Hannibal incriminated him. “I kept... want you, needing you no matter how bad of a monster you are. How did you do it? How did you even make me felt peace?” 

Hannibal frowns, a look of concern soon colored his face as he asked, “Do you want me, Will?”  

Will suddenly pushes him down, moving quickly and pin Hannibal on the wooden surfaces of the table before them, back out front while face firmly planted down the hard material. “I don’t think this is the best time to take intercourse, Will.” Hannibal stated plainly, even though he was as much eager for such thing to happen. “Jack is still waiting for us-” 

“Shut up.” the grips became stronger, and now Hannibal think if he even dared to speak again, Will would surely strangle him to death. Albeit the thought did feel pleasurable to him, he stopped all movement and laid himself out without further provocation, breathing evenly as he let Will maneuver him to his liking. 

Will took in great deal of effort to fix Hannibal’s position, given that the man has now at his demands to do whatever he please. He takes Hannibal hands and placing both upon the man’s clothed back, crossing each other as he made the knot with his own hand to held it there, pinning down just slightly but made no indication of violence onto the skin. “I’m gonna take you here,” he paused, inhaling softly before his remaining free hand pulled tight and rips down Hannibal’s slacks in a swift motion to reveal the flushed skin beneath it. “and you are going stay put and bear with it.” 

“Am I allowed to voice out my concerns in this matter?” Hannibal rolled his head against the table, his eyes searching out for Will’s face underneath the mess his hair has made and obscured his vision. 

“You can,” Will replied, uncaringly as he looks down at the honey-hazel eyes that peaked out under the fallen dirty blonde and silvery strands of the Doctor’s hair. “But I won’t really listen to it, so I suggest you better save your breath.” 

Hannibal - quick as he always does, accepted it without further resistance. “What an infuriating bastard.” Will remarked just as quickly when he swipes down his boxer, though his tone seems to be smiling at it rather than frustrated of the man’s behavior. 

“I only want to accommodating to your needs, Will.” 

“Of course you are,” Will chuckle, his fingers slowly reach for the twitching hole offered for him, contemplating to whether should he do it without preparation or make it more ideal to loosen the man before taking his fill. “I wonder what kind of manipulation is that.” 

At that moment, Hannibal stirs. “I wasn’t trying to-” 

“Then what do you call this?” Will cuts him off soon enough, like a fit of rage before the actual storm arrive, his voice was cold and formless, rasping and low and almost like someone else entirely. “What do you even call... this relationship? You’re not even my friend anymore, Doctor Lecter. And I’m sure you’re aware I don’t even see you as my psychiatrist.” 

The older man thought deeply for a moment, swallowed back and finally asked, “What do you think this relationship is, Will?”  

“We only have sex and-” 

“If we only have sexual intercourse, then why would you leave your affections for me? In the form of gifts and touches, you’ve been accommodating to my needs when you answered for my begs, you chose to stay, Will.” Hannibal almost spat back, somehow Will had thought he sounded hurtful. “Do you think this is just a relationship where we’re only at the level of merely sexual benefits?” 

“Then what? Don’t tell me that you’re in love with me.” he almost laughs at the thought, but then surprisingly. “Why don’t you... say anything?” 

Hannibal continued to kept his silence further more. “Hannibal, answer me.” 

The older man tilts his head back, his sight seems to become blurry by the second, the more he thought about it, maybe it was right. “Perhaps I am. Human being can barely stop the whimsical of our emotion that had been driven to the point of deep affection as much as we cannot control with respect whom we fall in love with.” 

Will loosen his grips, hands almost fall onto either side of his waist as he took a step back. Hannibal all but stay plainly still, unmoving even though Will has given him his freedom. “No one can fully aware of another human being unless you love them,” he said, baring everything of his vulnerable to Will, offer them to his best behest. “By that love, we see potential in our beloved... I see potentials in you, Will.” 

Will didn’t want this, he didn’t want any of this. He just wanted the admission, for whatever monster that lie beneath that mask of flesh and bones, of blood and souls that has been consumed throughout the years but this - he never had thought about it, let alone seeing Hannibal admitting his feelings. Will back away further, hesitates now. 

“Expressing that love, our beloved’s potential comes true,” Hannibal continued nonetheless. “I only wish for what is best for you, Will.” 

“Liar.” Will spat, venom filled to the brim of his mouth like flood, it was too surreal. 

“I only wanted your potentials to become true,” Hannibal glances back, body still laying there flaccid and wholly exposing, vulnerable. And then at last, “I love you, Will.” 

Though at that point, Will has already ran out of the room, running farther away from his own home, farther away from Hannibal.