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Hannibal found himself falling in love every day with Will Graham. He would lose his train of thought as he watched Will's biceps flex as he worked on their boat. He forgot how to speak when Will came into their kitchen and began to sous chef without being asked to.
He had been alone for so long, that living with Will made him feel complete. He had been so distanced from the idea of family that Hannibal cried when Will introduced him as daddy to his dogs. Hannibal found himself loving all seven of them as their children.
Hannibal fell in love with the way Will cared for his pets, the way he nursed them back to health when they were ill, and the way he was fiercely protective of them. Will cared for him in the exact same way. Will quickly caught on that his presence alone was enough to make Hannibal feel loved.
So Will was always around. When they moved into their new home, Will started to rise earlier with him. They took a daily morning stroll on the beach while holding hands. Although he couldn't always contribute, Will joined him in the kitchen and watched Hannibal perfect his craft.
Hannibal thought that over time, he wouldn't feel butterflies in his stomach when those sea-blue eyes met his. However, even two years later, he still feels a blush creep up his cheeks when he catches Will looking at him.
After Mischa, Hannibal didn't think he was capable of love.
After Abigail, Hannibal didn't think that Will was capable of loving him.
But as they dragged one another out of the depths of the roiling Atlantic and tended to one another's wounds, Will had told him that he loved him.
In turn, Hannibal promised Will that if they survived, he would spend every day showing Will just how much he loved him back.
Whether it was cooking for Will, fishing with him, or decorating their home with simpler decor, Hannibal stayed true to his promise and spent every day showing Will just how much he loved him.
When Will felt him memorizing the planes of his back one evening as they settled into bed, Will assured Hannibal he would never leave him. Hannibal wasn't even aware of what he was doing. The one person who was attuned to him most now understood him better than he did himself.
Hannibal's heart ached when they parted for a few days. It was safer to travel separately to keep Jack off their tail. But the moment Hannibal saw Will again, he was instantly elated. As though the very sight of his love sated an ache deep within him.
Every doubt he had about their love disappeared the day Will proposed. Hannibal had always thought it would be him asking for Will's hand. And so, when Will got down on one knee, Hannibal did the same. He pulled out a small box from his own pocket that matched the one Will held.