Chapter Text
Hannibal has been avoiding being alone in a room with Molly for two weeks now. He’s ashamed to say the least, and frightened to say the most, of what might come out of her mouth the moment Will and Walter aren’t around.
By no means would Hannibal categorize that night as a mistake, but he was sure that Molly didn’t share the sentiment. They had both been inebriated, it had been dark, and they both thought the other was Will at first. Hannibal had felt Molly’s hand pushing his chest the moment it dawned on her that she was kissing her husband’s lover, and Hannibal had stumbled back in a wine-drunk haze, not sure what had gone wrong until he saw Molly's shocked face illuminated by the dim light over the kitchen sink. Molly had rushed off without a word, leaving Hannibal confused and leaning against the counter for support.
He told Will the next day when they drove into town for groceries. He wasn’t scared, Will had expressed at the beginning their relationship that if Molly and Hannibal ever became interested in each he wasn’t bothered by it. It had mostly been a joke at the time, stemming from the friction that often arose between Molly and Hannibal on several subjects, but Hannibal knew Will meant it.
The story left Will amused, suggesting Hannibal just talk to Molly, which he immediately refused.
“She ran off without a word.”
“Oh, so you’re giving her the silent treatment because she was rude?”
Hannibal sighs. “No, I’m still speaking to her in the presence of others. I just don’t want to be alone with her and make her more uncomfortable than she already is.”
Will laughs. “Hannibal, you two got drunk and made out, I think she’s just a little surprised by how it went down. She’s not mad at you or uncomfortable around you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Want me to talk to her first?”
Hannibal considers the offer for a moment. “I would appreciate that, yes. Thank you, darling.”
Will rolls his eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“Keep this up and I’ll kick you out of the bed.”
“That doesn’t work, smartass. I’ve got a wife, too.”
Hannibal chuckles. There’s still a nagging feeling in his gut, but he tries to ignore it and focus on Will. The feeling of Molly’s lips on his comes back to him and he hums softly.
“I rather liked it,” he says suddenly.
“Liked what?”
“Kissing Molly,” he replies softly, as if he’s ashamed to admit it.
“Five years and you two finally get along. It’s un-fucking-believable. If I knew this was all it took I would’ve skipped dinner a few months into our relationship.”
“I thought it was you coming home late.”
“But if you had the chance, you’d do it again?”
“A thousand times.”
Will blinks, looking a bit surprised. “You fall hard, don’t you?” he asks.
“Life is too short to not love completely and wholly when the opportunity presents itself.”