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There is an interesting trope in literature and culture which asked itself if monsters and demons fear something. This curiosity is understandable. What did a monster could fear? They are the ones to hunt us and we, usually, cannot protect us from them.
They play with us, consuming us slowly, until they drain us. Drain us of our own humanity and force us to bring the worst of us to the light. Letting us with to options…a decision…Became a monster or die as a victim, a prey.
However, Will knows the truth. He had always known it.
Monsters are afraid of their past and, in a way, of the world itself. They are so afraid that their fear become hate, lust and, in the worst-case scenario, desire of power and revenge. Yes, the world is the one to blame for creating their own monsters, the ones it is scared of and, at the same, victim of. These monster who, even if they don’t admit it, are equally afraid and hurt by the world. Its victims.
All monsters were victims first.
So, clearly, they have fears too. With them, fears and traumas, comes nightmares. The night isn’t just they playground, it’s their prison too. They experience feeling as well…in their own twisted way. Some of them are able to even feel love. Will knows it because he feels it, love, and he, on his own right, it’s a monster.
So, he is not surprised when, at night, he is waking up by Hannibal having a nightmare. His demon and perdition has his own past that haunts him. His family destiny and his little sibling death is something that always returns to him. Not even the great and clever Dr. Lecter is safe from being human enough to feel pain, emotional pain.
Hannibal’s behaviour doesn’t change while experiencing a night terror. He still silent and, in a particular way, calculated. He doesn’t move or make any indicative that he is experienced fear or pain. Nevertheless, Will can tell because his muscles are tense and his breathe is slightly heavier. It had been the last one the reason Will woke up. He had felt the strange change in his breathe patron as he slept surrounded by his lover strong arms.
Without doubting, he lifts a hand and caresses his right cheek. The ex-FBI consultant cannot stop himself of being astonished by the beauty of the cannibal. Despite his pain, Hannibal looks extremely mesmerising under the moonlight that comes from the window.
Will, almost hypnotized, continues to caress his lover until the other relaxes and continues sleeping. This time, Will is able to keep the bad dreams on line and exile them. He isn’t always success but he tries hard to do it. After all, the only one allow to torment Hannibal, it’s him