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“Remind me why you selected this place?” Hannibal asked, squinting at the neon red sign of a chili pepper.
Abigail tugged at his sleeve to get them closer to the door. “They have good food. You can get a sirloin, Cajun pasta, soup, or even wings. Dad likes their burgers.”
“Quite an…extensive…menu,” he replied, trying to be polite.
A queue was lining up in the breezeway, but Abigail confidently marched ahead. A pair of exhausted waitresses greeted her. “Party of two?”
“Yeah! I called ahead for a reservation, though. It should be under the name Lecter.”
Relief passed over their faces, and one of them checked their tablet before giving Abigail a nod. “Awesome. I’ll grab some menus. You can follow me this way.”
Hannibal noticed the modern wood panelling and the warm lighting. The air smelled of faint cologne and dust. It wasn't an abysmal interior, but the TVs were an eyesore. The hostess led them to a corner booth. Abigail happily slid herself across the bright red cushions towards the window. Hannibal followed suit.
The hostess set down their rolled utensils and menus. “Your server will be right with you.”
“Thanks!” Abigail replied. In the blink of an eye, the hostess was already halfway back to the front of the restaurant.
Hannibal's brows creased as he noticed the entire pamphlet of a menu was covered in options. “I believe this is the most congested menu I've ever seen.”
“You should probably pick a drink before–”
A young man approached wearing a waist apron. He held a small pad of paper in his hand and gave Abigail a shy smile before he hid behind his curly hair. Hannibal glared at him instinctively. The young man was immediately embarrassed. “W-what can I get you to drink, sir?”
“I've hardly had the chance–”
“A water?” Abigail interrupted with pleading eyes. Spare this one, Pops.
Hannibal sighed softly, eyeing his nametag for safe measure. “A water, Nicolas.”
Nicolas swallowed. “Got it. And for you, miss?”
“A Coke would be great…thanks.” After Nicolas left, she smiled at her dad. “We should get you a real drink.”
Hannibal gave her a humored look. She had a knack for distraction. “It's not even noon.”
“So? I have class, not you. Plus, it's your birthday.” Her eyes glinted in mischief. “Live a little.”
“I have lived more than a little,” he teased back. As he looked at the drinks, he found most of the names to be in poor taste. “I could settle for the Classic Patrón…Marg.”
Hearing Hannibal say “marg” was so unexpected that Abigail's laugh came out as a snort. She immediately covered her mouth and continued to laugh. Hannibal was too delighted by her surprise to scold her for teasing him.
“I…,” Abigail tried to catch her breath, “I wish…I could have recorded you.”
“Fortunately, it will be our secret.”
Nicholas returned with the drinks, and to Hannibal's shock, set them directly onto the wooden table. There was no coaster in sight. He quickly glanced at the pair. “Are we ready to order, or do we need a few more minutes?”
Hannibal had hardly perused anything other than the alcohol. The “fast” in fast food clearly referred to the expectation of knowing the menu. It was infuriating.
Abigail handled the interaction with ease. “Still looking, but I’d love a Triple Dipper, please!”
“Nice,” Nicholas said. “Which three things do you want on it?”
Hannibal noticed Abigail didn’t even look at the menu when she said, “The Southwestern Eggrolls, Big Mouth Bites, and some Honey Chipotle Boneless Wings.”
“I’ll get that started for you,” he said with a smile before turning to Hannibal. “Anything I can get for you?”
Hannibal ordered his drink with a salt rim, and Nicholas gave him a curt nod. “Can do. I’ll check back in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” Abigail chirped. She watched Hannibal relax as Nicholas walked away. “This is the most I’ve seen you act like Will.”
Once again, Hannibal's focus fractured, and his irritation subsided. He smirked. “How so?”
Abigail leaned back in the booth. “Not wanting to socialize.”
Hannibal laughed before taking a few sips of water. He flipped over the menu, skimming his meal options more thoroughly. “Interesting observation. I didn’t realize I’d adapted any of his traits.”
“Really?” Abigail pressed, narrowing her eyes. “You realize you’ve been eating more fish, too, right?”
Hannibal refused to acknowledge he’d just considered the Ancho Salmon entree. He gave her a glance of approval. “You have a keen eye. What else?”
Abigail went on to mention the casual house clothes Hannibal started to wear, including a pair of flannel pants, as the winter grew colder. Just the other night, he’d allowed Will to give him a hot chocolate with a splash of brandy. A lavish life was being infused with comfort.
Nicholas returned with his drink and the tray of appetizers Abigail asked for. The drink seared his tongue with the high alcohol content. He wanted to criticize the pour, but he didn’t want to make Abigail ashamed of bringing him here. He continued to sip between his margarita and water as he tried each of the appetizers in front of them.
They ordered their meals shortly after, and eating became a necessity as the potency of the alcohol permeated his mind. The restaurant around them became a dull heartbeat of sound, and the lights made him squint. As time passed, he started to smile more, and the food tasted better.
He only heard the last part of Abigail’s sentence. “...and this summer, there’s an abroad opportunity, but I’m not sure if I want to go.”
“Where is it?” Hannibal asked, his brows furrowed in concentration. He looked at his empty glass. That had been his second margarita.
Abigail gave him a small squint. “Italy or Greece. I said that already…”
Hannibal was delighted, only able to focus on the mention of Italy. “Did I ever tell you that I lived in Italy? You’d enjoy it.”
“No, you didn’t,” she replied, tapping her fingers on the table as she went back to talking about school. “But the trip abroad is a lot of money, depending on the grants I get. I’m not sure how I’d do either, considering I don’t do well with being…alone.”
Hannibal let out a contemplative hum. “I see. Well, it could be an extended vacation for our family. We could stay near the campus and be there with you. We could even move there if you’d like.”
Abigail nearly choked on her food. “Move there? Pops, you’re drunk.”
“I am perfectly fine,” he argued weakly before his smile widened. “We're problem-solving.”
“We’re getting you more carbs,” she replied before she caught Nicholas’ attention.
“Need a refill?” he asked.
“No, no refills,” Abigail said with a laugh.
Hannibal chimed in. “Actually, I'd like one.”
She grinned at him and lowered her voice to Nicholas. “It’s my dad’s birthday, so I was wondering if I could get him a free dessert? Like the cookie skillet? No singing, though.”
Nicholas mirrored her whisper. “Yeah, sure thing. Anything else?”
She smiled at Hannibal's intrigue over dessert. “Just the check after!”
The skillet was slid onto the table after a few minutes. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top was already melting. Hannibal’s eyes widened in delight as he took his first bite.
“This might be the best part of the meal,” he told her. “I can't say I've had anything like this.”
“The cookie skillet is to die for,” she agreed as she snuck a photo of him scooping another spoonful off the skillet.
“We need to work on your standards,” Hannibal joked.
***
Abigail couldn’t stop giggling as Hannibal leaned on her for balance. She watched the Uber car icon approach the front of the building.
“Must you leave your father?” Hannibal asked with a slight slur to his words. “It is my birthday.”
“I have finals tomorrow. I won’t be able to study at home because I’ll just want to spend time with you and Dad.” A large, black SUV stopped at the curb a few feet away. Abigail confirmed the license plate information on Hannibal’s phone. “Your ride’s here.”
She tucked his phone in the pocket inside his open vest and helped him into the backseat. “Thank you!” she told the driver before turning to see Hannibal futzing with the seatbelt. “Love you, Pops. Happy Birthday.”
“I miss you already, sweetheart. Thank you for brunch.”
Abigail kissed his head, then closed the door and waved him goodbye as the driver drove away. He limply waved back.
She texted Will: Pops will be home soon. He’s in an Uber. Here’s the link to make sure he doesn’t get whisked away
Will immediately texted back in quick succession:
Uber??? he let you get him an Uber?
wow.
thanks, kiddo. come by soon? the dogs miss you, but I miss you more.
***
The world outside was a blur of tinted grays and pops of color from trees, buildings, and other cars. It was dizzying to watch, so Hannibal closed his eyes. He felt each time the driver pressed on the brakes, as well as the turns they took, and found himself thinking that Will would have been a better chauffeur.
Will. He smiled to himself, knowing that Will was waiting for him at his destination.
He thought of the rare smile that now graced him on an hourly basis. Then he thought about how their adopted daughter just got him drunk at a fast-food chain. He felt his head throb.
He opened his eyes, regretted it, and closed them again. He wondered if Will would like Europe, imagining them entangled on a towel on a warm, sunny beach.
“Sir, we've arrived.”
Hannibal wanted to frown at the sentiment. It reminded him of his newly acquired Will behaviors. He opened his eyes and unfastened his seatbelt. “Thank you. Have a good evening.”
“Thanks, you too,” was the tense reply. Hannibal had forgotten it was hardly two in the afternoon.
Hannibal opened the door and sluggishly got out of the vehicle. Once the door closed, he turned to see the small Wolf Trap home waiting for him. His legs felt heavy as he made his way towards the porch. When he grabbed the railing and lifted a leg, it was clear that his balance was off. He wasn't going to make it to the front door alone.
He fished his phone from his pocket and called Will. It rang, then rang some more, and then twice more before it was answered.
“Hey?” Will said, clearly confused. “It says the Uber just dropped you off.”
Hannibal swallowed as shame crept in. “He did. I'm here.”
He heard Will shuffle inside. He only sounded more confused as he tapped on the window, signaling to Hannibal that he was there. “What are you doing? Come inside.”
Hannibal slowly turned to face him, his cheeks pinker than normal. He gave Will a frown. “I fear I require your assistance to do so.”
Will's eyes went wide. “Hannibal...are you drunk?”
Hannibal nodded, keeping eye contact with him. “I am quite inebriated.”
“What?” Will scolded him. His voice could be heard outside.
Hannibal winced, a pang of pain hitting his temple. “Darling, please, not so loud…”
Will drug his hand over his face in frustration. “Just…stay there. Hold on.”
The call ended, and Hannibal briskly texted Abigail. We ar in truble
Hannibal smiled as Will stepped onto the porch. He was still in his light gray muscle tank and a pair of sweatpants. “Hello, my love.”
Will shook his head and met him on the steps. He looped an arm around Hannibal's waist and felt how Hannibal let his weight shift onto him. “I can't believe you. You're actually drunk?”
“No one is as surprised as me.”
Hannibal shifted to walk and quickly redirected to hold the railing again. He laughed.
Will was astounded. “I can't carry you, Han.”
“The thought of you carrying me is…,” he looked at Will and nuzzled his nose to his cheek, "enthralling."
“I can't,” Will insisted, a smirk pulling at his lips. Hannibal braced a hand on his shoulder, clearly dismayed. They carefully made their way inside. The dogs watched from the couch and their beds, wagging their tails.
“We have such lovely children,” Hannibal said.
Will let out a single laugh in surprise. “You're including the dogs now?”
Hannibal nodded, his head leaning more to one side. “You care for them similarly to children."
“Let's get you to bed,” Will said to encourage Hannibal to keep moving. In moments like these, he wished he'd kept a bed in the living room.
Hannibal let out a frustrated sigh as they neared the top of the stairs. “I'm exhausted.”
Will felt his muscles strain as Hannibal made him pull more of his weight. “We're almost there. If you go down…we're both breaking something.”
Hannibal groaned in dismay. “That was almost romantic.”
Will hoisted them up another step. “Pardon me for not writing you a sonnet.”
Hannibal looked at him with adoring eyes. “My love pulls me to our private quarters. On my birthday, the day promises light.”
Will laughed harder, bracing against the wall. He looked Hannibal over. “Don't–”
Hannibal continued, his smile unbroken. “I cannot say our blooming awe respites. He kisses my crown around each corner.”
Will pressed a finger to Hannibal's lips, his laughter threatening to knock them both off-balance. Hannibal pursed his lips to kiss his finger as if Will's lips were in its place.
“We're getting you to bed,” Will said, his tone softening.
“Yes, dear,” Hannibal said with a low hum. He was guided to sit on the edge of the bed. He worked on unbuttoning his shirt and slacks. His uncoordinated motions led to Will lightly smacking his hands away.
“Let me do it,” Will mumbled.
Hannibal let his head roll to the side as he watched Will work. A few buttons took a few extra seconds to slip through the fabric. He made a pleased sound, shifting in place. “I enjoy watching you struggle with this.”
Will scoffed, refusing to look up. “Of course you do.”
Hannibal decided to continue his sonnet. “Crowns come in pairs, and I'm his adorner. My love has a new, evolved appetite...”
Will sighed, his hands tightening on Hannibal's clothes. “I can't concentrate when you say these things.”
Hannibal allowed the interruption. “It's true. Would you kindly remind me what we had for dinner last night?”
“A meal that, in the middle of getting, you nearly bludgeoned me,” Will said, referring to Hannibal's poor aim with a rock. They were still getting used to hunting together.
“You said you forgave me.”
Will grunted, and Hannibal cupped his face in his hands. He remembered the lingering smell of iron and the way he made love to Will afterwards in the bed underneath him.
“Kiss me,” Hannibal mumbled.
Will narrowed his eyes in consideration. “Hannibal.”
“Please, darling,” Hannibal pressed. “I would cross an ocean…”
Will looked up then. “Just for a kiss?” he asked as a smile spread over his face.
“Indeed.”
Will chuckled, sliding Hannibal's shirt off him. “I'm never letting you forget that you let our daughter get you drunk.”
“I'm not drunk,” Hannibal said with a pout. “I'm of sound mind and body. Will you kiss me?”
Will's final frustrations gave way to affection. “How much did you drink?”
Hannibal tugged at Will's shirt. He was insistent. “Some rather large margaritas. Poured very…poorly. Each one was unbalanced.”
“Hannibal,” Will repeated, gently guiding Hannibal's hands back to his sides. “How many?”
“Hardly three.” He slouched his shoulders, leaning closer. “One kiss and I'll be satiated, dear. I won't rest until I know the feeling of your lips–”
Will chuckled, “You are pitiful.” He leaned in to give him a long kiss. Hannibal stole a second one and looked very pleased once Will pulled away.
Hannibal slid off his pants as he lay back. He melted into the mattress as the sheets rubbed against his bare legs and chest. Blankets were securely tucked around him. He admired his partner as they locked eyes once more. “I did not even know you a year ago. Look at us now, darling.”
“We have quite the story,” Will agreed. He rubbed Hannibal's back to lure him to sleep. “You feeling okay?”
“I have had a marvelous day,” Hannibal replied as his eyes drifted closed.
Will smiled. “Well, it's far from over, so we'll need to keep you from having a horrible hangover."
Will lingered by Hannibal's side until his breathing slowed. He snuck out of the bedroom to let the dogs outside.
While the dogs tumbled around in the yard, he texted Abigail.
you let him have 3 margaritas?!? seriously Abigail you had him drinking before noon! I know it's his birthday, but I gotta deal with him now.
Abigail didn't see the text until an hour later and fought back a laugh. How is he?
Will responded immediately. sleeping. I had to help him into the house by the way. please never send him home drunk to me without a warning
I thought the Uber was a decent hint. He was so happy though! Look at him!
She sent the photo of Hannibal eating the giant cookie from a skillet.
okay I'll admit he looks happy. He added another message. you convinced him to go to Chili's too???
Yes. You're welcome for not spending a fortune. Speaking of which, don't let him near airplane tickets today.
what?
I mentioned studying abroad and it gave him ideas about us moving to Italy.
Will lifted his phone to bump it against his forehead. He let out a tired laugh and replied: “only the best for our Abigail” remember? maybe I'll let it happen
You guys say that like it's going to Dollywood! No!
when the moon hits your eye…
DAAAADD
okay, okay. come see us next weekend?
I will. Sorry for sending Pops home drunk
you get a pass this time. love you, kiddo
Love you too Dad
***
Hannibal suddenly woke up in a sweat, confused at his wave of nausea. Will was there with him, ready to give him crackers, water, and aspirin.
“Abigail says sorry,” Will told him with a sympathetic smile.
“I blame Nicholas,” Hannibal replied before rolling over.
Will was once again left horribly confused. “Who's Nicholas?”
Hannibal was already falling back asleep.