Work Text:
The cool night’s breeze brushed over Will’s skin as he leaned back against the tree he’d settled under. Releasing a deep breath, he let his head tip back and his eyes fall shut, shoulders relaxing and lips parting.
It was a nice night outside, with cool air and bright stars, and a light fog that had settled over the grass around him. It made him feel safe.
Will had always liked the fog, feeling hidden like he was the only one in the world, secure in the way one would feel with a blanket wrapped around them. It brought him a sense of peace, the stillness settling around him in such a beautiful way.
He basked in the silence and the beauty.
He’d thought the same back in Wolf trap, a past life ago or two. On nights when he’d let his dogs out to stretch their legs before bed, being surrounded by the silence. It reminded him of the waves in the sea, his house like a little boat sailing along, alone in the vastness save for the waves that carried it. With his overactive mind and the dark thoughts he was constantly running from, he savoured those brief moments of tranquility.
He wasn’t running anymore.
The weather had been warmer today, with July just around the corner. That warmth had slowly melted away to a soft wind that barely just moved his hair, rustling the leaves above him and cooling his skin.
He opened his eyes again, tilting his head forward to look towards the cottage. It was nice, one of Hannibal’s many houses across the globe under a fake name. He liked this one.
They had been settled in the German countryside for a little over a year now, on the outskirts of a small village. There was a stream nearby, and naturally it had become Will’s favourite place on the property. The cottage was a decent size, small enough for it to be cozy, and grand enough that it was up to Hannibal’s liking. A combination of the both of them.
They had started making plans to move at some point in the next year, although nothing was official yet. After many long months of healing both their bodies and minds, their monsters had began to claw at their enclosures, ready to come out again. Neither of them were ready to destroy the peace they had found here yet, but preparations were being made.
Learning to live together had been interesting. Will didn’t believe it would be possible at one point, with his desperation to cling to whatever normalcy he could find, Hannibal’s obsessive and intense nature, and all the pain they had inflicted upon one another. They had both made an effort, had both learned. Will couldn’t let some things go, but he’s learned to live with them. Some days, of course, were harder, with bitterness and venom seeping into every word, teeth bared and claws drawn. The wounds were still there, no longer bleeding but engraved deep in their skin.
Will has fully embraced this life, and he wants every piece of it.
The cottage had two bedrooms, and Will treasured his cozy space, already lightly pre-decorated by how Hannibal had interpreted his taste. He’d added to it over the months, replaced things and moved them around to his liking. And Hannibal had done the same. Although these days they tended to end up in the same room, it was still important to have their separate spaces.
They’d done a good job at making it work.
Will had been surprised at how willing Hannibal was to please him, doing his best, or his version of it, to keep him happy. There had been a fair amount of compromise, and many difficult conversations, both about their relationship and their lifestyle. But after all of these years, the trauma, the chasing, the betrayals, and the agonising separation, they needed each other. Will had left everything behind, fallen and embraced this life, and he wants it all, needs it to work.
Will continues to sit there under the tree, his eyes drifting over the landscape in front of him. He’d never felt more like himself. Crickets chirped, and bats swooped, and the crescent moon had just come into view over their home. He felt the hint of a smile tug at the corner of his lips, scar stretching across his cheek.
A light turned on in Hannibal’s room then, and from the angle he was sat he could just see the silhouette of the man, pulling the curtains closed. He shifted slightly, and a sharp stab of pain shot through his shoulder. Although Hannibal had taken the brunt of the fall, Will’s already injured shoulder had suffered even more after the drop.
Will’s mind drifted back to that night briefly. It’s beautiful. The adrenaline pumping through his veins, his mind strangely quiet, killing together as one with Hannibal and revelling in their design. He had fully broken out of his chrysalis then, after years of desperately attempting to pull it back together. Reborn.
He supposed it was like a coin flip, the icy plunge that had come next. Something of an attempt to die in the other man’s arms, ridding the world of the both of them, and ridding himself of his burdens. Can’t live with him, can’t live without him.
The aftermath was hell. Their injuries had been severe enough before he’d chucked them off a cliff, let alone after. The freezing water, the desperate clinging to consciousness as well as to each other, the sudden terror at the thought of loosing Hannibal. It had all come crashing down around him. Will doesn’t know how they made it to the shore.
But they survived, because of course they did. Swallowed whole by the ocean, and emerging once more.
After somehow making contact with Chiyoh and arranging a boat, they were pulled from the claws of death and sailing across the Atlantic within 24 hours. Chiyoh had provided them with medical supplies along with food and clothes, and helped Will with tending to Hannibal’s more serious condition. She had parted ways with them once they reached land, wanting to free herself from Hannibal’s ever present grip, to live her own life. He appreciated her help.
The fall had left both of them with permanent effects, like the nerves in Will’s shoulder being damaged, and his new collection of scars. Hannibal was still struggling too, much to his displeasure. They were lucky though, all things considered.
After a good few months of life on a boat, Hannibal had brought them here. Will almost couldn’t believe how much he delighted in the other man’s company — at last. Here and now, their relationship no longer tainted with secrets or deception, person suits shed, they were finally on the same page. Living together as one and with the space they both need.
Will filled his lungs with the cool air, feeling them almost burn with it, his stomach expanding before releasing. He let his hand fall to the grass beside him, feeling it brush against his wrist.
Their dog came into vision then, she’d been sniffing around the side of their home, pottering around leisurely. He whistled a couple of times and she came trotting over, sniffing at him affectionately before laying her head in his lap. Chloe was a tall and lanky greyhound that Will had seen wondering around in the town alone. Naturally, he’d brought her home and cleaned her up, wrapping her in a nice, warm blanket, and feeding her the overpriced dog food Hannibal had bought. He let his hand rest on her grey-brown head, giving her a few scratches behind her ear.
He hadn’t collected many dogs during their time here, only Chloe. He supposed it was a good thing, not coming across many strays. Hannibal definitely didn’t mind. The two weren’t the bestest of friends, but they had grown a mutual respect for one another. Will loved her. He was unsure of her age, but she truly possessed the spirit of an old woman, with her gentle nature and mannerisms, it was endlessly endearing.
Will looked up at the stars and noted the constellations he could see. Pegasus was above him, almost covered by the leaves and branches, and just to his right was Aquila, stretching it’s wings wide and proud. Both himself and Hannibal enjoyed the nights they’d lay together under the stars, with Will pointing out different constellations, and Hannibal in turn telling him the tales behind them.
It was beginning to get late now, the air nipping at his skin and causing him to shiver slightly. The moon had moved higher into the sky, making his skin glow a pale grey. Will looked down then, remembering the blood that once covered him. It really does look black in the moonlight.
“Cmon, chlo.” He smiled, nudging her gently and encouraging her toward the cottage. He rose to his feet, yawning and stretching, and followed Chloe to the front door, pushing it open. His eyes felt heavy, his body stiff from sitting in the same place for so long.
He kicked his shoes off, leaving them messily on the shoe rack, and carried on past the kitchen and into the living room. Despite the amount of time that had passed, the faint smell of their dinner still lingered in the air. Chloe had made her way to her bed in the corner of the room (once again an overly expensive one, courtesy of Hannibal) and he bent down to give her an affectionate pat on the head. “G’night, girl.” He mumbled, before heading up the stairs.
He got himself ready for bed, brushing his teeth and washing his face, before heading to Hannibal’s room. The door was pushed up but not fully closed, a soft light coming from under the door, and Will gave it a slight knock as he opened it. Hannibal was laying on the bed, half sat up with a book in his hands, a stupid pout on his lips as he read.
“Hey.” Will said softly, walking around to the other side of the bed and lifting up the covers, making himself comfortable. He felt Hannibal’s eyes on him.
“Hello, dear.” Hannibal mumbled, his voice thick and tired. “Are you alright? You were out for quite a while.”
Will laid down, burring himself in the sheets. “Yeah, just thinkin’. Enjoying the weather, it’s a nice night out.”
Hannibal placed a bookmark between the pages and closed it, putting it neatly on his bedside table before laying down properly on his back. “It is, the sky is beautiful.”
Will shuffled towards him and rested his head on his chest, and he felt Hannibal lean over slightly to turn off the lamp. Hannibal’s hand moved to his hair, absentmindedly carding through his curls as he pressed a kiss to his head. Will could feel his heartbeat under his cheek, a steady rhythm that he himself had attempted to stop multiple times. A steady rhythm that he had been so relieved to feel again on that shore.
He moved his head up slightly, tucking it under Hannibal’s chin, and feeling the other man nuzzle against him. He wrapped an arm around Hannibal’s chest and let his eyes fall closed. “I’m glad we’re here.”
He felt Hannibal’s hand falter for a second, his other hand trailing up Will’s arm and coming to wrap around his back before continuing. “As am I, Will.”
Will lifted his head and pressed a kiss to his lips, feeling Hannibal’s smile.
Hannibal had always taken any opportunity to touch him, to let his hands linger even after the most minor connection. It seemed Will had begun to do the same.
He felt Hannibal’s fingers begin to trace patterns across his back, gliding across his skin, much too gentle for the hands of a killer, and yet.
His voice was soft and low, rumbling through his chest under Will’s ear as he spoke, “good night, mylimasis.”
Will felt his body relaxing, melting into sleep and Hannibal’s embrace as he mumbled out a barely audible, “g’night.” His breathing evening out as he let sleep overtake him.
In the morning he would wake to the faint smell of Hannibal cooking breakfast, and perhaps later on, he’d go fishing, and more likely than not, return to sit together with Hannibal in their library until dinner.
He was glad they were here.