Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Hajimemashite
Will Graham was an opera singer. Some said he was the best in his state, but Will being the nice guy he is, he begs to disagree. He was currently playing Jørgen in En Kort En Lang and currently had a fan by the name of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Every night when the curtain went up Will would lock eyes with the man; it came to a point where he would actively seek him out amongst the other public members in the audience, although he favoured the middle seat in the front row. How apt will thought.
After a while this Mr.Lecter started sending him notes which would be attached to the mirror of his dressing room at the end of each performance. At first Will was baffled as to who these decelerations of gratitude could have come from, but after seeing the grand Hannibal Lecter, a pillar of the community at every show, making his opinions on Will known to all those that were behind the play and others who were speculating on this recent remake of the classic, Will put two and two together. He wasn't as incompetent as his father had once thought. Sure he was in the performing art business but that didn't make him any less of a man, Will scowled thinking back to his fathers unkind words on the subject matter.
The notes in question dictated how Will had done the role justice and did not have to worry about the standard set by his predecessor as he had excelled them. By June these notes had taken a more optimistic tone as Hannibal had taken it upon himself to state his dire need to meet the star that had captured his fixated gaze for the past two months. Will ignored this in favour of being professional. Sure he owed the guy for coming to every single show and taking the time to write him notes of appreciation, but he didn't ask him to did he? After the curtains had lowered and he had taken his bow for what seemed like an age, Will walked back to his dressing room contemplating the contents of the note he would receive once more. A place of meeting perhaps? Or a means of contact? Surely Dr.Hannibal Lecter would be desperate by now? But what Will found was a very large, very expensive bunch of red roses with a note attached in what only could be recognised as 'doctor scrawl' therefore these were from the ever adoring Mr.Lecter.
Will smelt the flowers and smiled. He really should thank the man next time he sees him; which would be very soon based on past data. What would he say upon meeting the man? Would he thank him, although that did not seem enough for someone as dedicated as he. Beverly, Will's friend had seen these notes and endlessly teased him about them, she told him as much as they were a nice thought, that the guy seemed a creep and to stay away. But Will never judged people straight away. He decided he had to meet the man behind the flowers. He would meet him tomorrow, it would be easy seeing as Dr.Lecter always was the last person to leave the premises. Probably hoping I'd stop him, this has been going on for ages though, I've made him wait. That's kinda rude.
After another successful show Will came back to his dressing room to quickly change so he could speak to his admirer, but what he found stopped him in his tracks. A box. Tied with a sapphire coloured ribbon and a note with his name on. Hannibal. This was his handwriting. Will pondered as to what this box could hold before anxiously opening the present to find diamond cufflinks shaped in the form of a deer of some sort. This was too much, surely Mr.Lecter knew he couldn't accept something of such an extravagant nature? Will changed his shirt, but left the stage-pants on in an attempt to catch the man before he left, although with less of an audience. His new shirt was sticking to him as he made his way through the mass of people congratulating him on his performance, his body still sweat soaked from his on-stage antics. Maybe I should have showered first. Will thought to himself as he came ever closer to his loyal fan.
'Mr.Lecter! Sir!'
Will called out as he came face to face to the Lithuanian.
'William Graham. What a pleasure it is to finally meet you'.
Hannibal took his hand, glancing at Will's puzzled face before placing a chaste kiss to the top of his hand.
'Th-thank you sir' Will stuttered, not knowing what to make of this. No one has kissed me on the hand before...is this normal?
Sensing his unease Hannibal begrudgingly let young William's hand fall back down to his side and smiled whilst inhaling his sent. Sweat. Anxiety. Arousal? What?
'You really must change your aftershave William' Dr.Lecter retorted before turning his back to a stunned Will.
'Oh, and Mr.Graham?'
'Yes sir?' Will called back, bunching his brows in an expression of confusion.
'You may call me Hannibal, good day'.
With that he left. Just as promptly as he was there, he had dissipated into the roaring crowd leaving Will looking around for Beverly. She'd know what to do he muttered to himself, he wasn't one for social interactions, maybe this was the norm, he was yet to find out.