Chapter Text
Crashing into the water below isn’t as painful as Will had thought it would be in the few seconds he had to even think about it. It’s cold and the salt water stings at his wounds but he and Hannibal are still gripping each other tight, he gasps and chokes and he’s blind but Hannibal won’t let him drown. Not after everything they’ve been through to get here.
The waves crash around them and push them brutally against the jagged rocks but Hannibal grabs hold with one arm and keeps Will tight between him and the rock and as soon as the waves recede to try again to smash them to pieces, they’re climbing up and to relative safety. It’s even colder out of the water and it takes all of Will’s concentration just to stay on the rock and not fall off due to the voracity of his shivering. Blood leaks sluggishly down his face, warm on his cheek.
Hannibal’s hand is even warmer against his forehead, then his uninjured cheek, their faces are unbearably close as they huddle together on the rock to share body heat.
“Are you with me Will?” Hannibal’s voice is soft and almost gets lost in the howling wind and lashing waves but they’re so close it’s almost impossible not to hear and Will swears he can even hear their hearts beating in sync.
“I’m with you,” Will manages to get out between his chattering teeth and the searing pain in his cheek, Hannibal smiles just for Will and together they start the careful journey across the slick rocks to their new lives.