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The first time it happens feels like a treat.
Will's getting ready to go into class, tired as all hell and really not even up to it, and barely a few steps from his office when out of nowhere Dr. Lecter appears.
"Dr. Lecter, what---"
He holds out a coffee cup and a muffin.
"I was visiting a colleague and thought perhaps you hadn't eaten. Are you on the way to class now?"
Will blinks, caught off guard, and pushes his glasses up on his nose. "Um, yeah I am. This is....you didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to," he says, "Enjoy your lecture, Will."
He just stands there with the coffee and the muffin, stomach growling, and eats the muffin on his way to class - cranberry with so much cinnamon - and it's the best thing he's eaten all week.
Will sips the coffee - more cinnamon - and it helps him get through his class without snapping.
He remembers he has Dr. Lecter's number from his last missed appointment and texts, "Thanks for the muffin and the coffee. Really helped."
The immediate response makes him smile.
"It was my pleasure."
Will doesn't expect it to happen again, a nice treat just the one time is enough, but then two weeks later he's in the middle of class and there he is in the very back row.
To say it catches Will off guard is an understatement, he stumbles a bit describing the Moon River Killer's motivations, but when class ends there is Dr. Lecter with a coffee cup and a bag in his hands.
"What are...."
"I was in the area," he says, holding it out, "I thought you may have not had a decent breakfast."
Will frowns. "You didn't have to do this. I had toast I---"
Dr. Lecter pats his hand. "Please take it. I know you rarely take care of yourself, Will. Let me do this. Please?"
Will nods, unsure, and a warm feeling in his belly comes unbidden as he Dr. Lecter leaves without a word.
Inside the bag is an omelet - sausage, peppers, and cheese - and the coffee still has that cinnamon kick.
Will texts him after. "Thanks, Dr. Lecter. I really needed that."
"Please, call me Hannibal."
And then it begins to happen twice a week.
Hannibal doesn't even make an excuse anymore, just appears like a breakfast guardian angel, and Will can't help his blush as he takes omelets, muffins, protein scrambles, and once even a breakfast sandwich.
He anticipates them eventually, two times a week turning to three, and sometimes if he comes during a lecture Will gives him a look like they're sharing a secret.
It's all really, really nice.
So, when he accidentally lets it slip to Alana when she comes to see the dogs of course it all goes to hell.
"He's what?"
"He brings me breakfast sometimes," Will says, tossing the frisbee, "I forget a lot but now I just don't even bother. He makes the best---"
The look on her face makes him frown. "Will, that's....kind of odd, isn't it? He is your psychiatrist."
Will frowns. "We're---"
Alana then throws the frisbee, her expression sour, and Will's chest tightens.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was flirting with you, and that's really unethical. I'll talk to him."
"You don't have to, it's...."
She pats his arm. "I'll talk to him."
Will pushes her off. "I didn't ask you to talk to him, Alana. I don't need coddling, and I don't need saving from muffins, ok? We're just....having conversations. He's not even officially my shrink. Drop it."
Alana just shakes her head. "I don't care what you call it. It's strange and I AM gonna talk to Hannibal."
The frisbee comes back and Winston puts it by her, but Will snatches it before she can throw. "You should go. I think we're done here."
She looks like she wants to say something but just nods, and Will has an urge to call Hannibal himself but doesn't.
He knows Hannibal has been "talked to" when the following week has no visits, no breakfast, and his anger at losing that makes him go to the man himself. Alana has no right to interfere, and it was just harmless food.
Nothing more.
Will barges in on one of Hannibal's patients, a larger man who looks alarmed, and says, "I need to talk to you," just at the patient says, "We're in the middle of---"
Hannibal nods. "Franklyn. I will reschedule. This is an emergency. Please."
The man leaves and when the door closes Will says, "I'm sorry about Alana."
Hannibal sighs. "Will...."
His chest is tight when he looks at him. "It's just harmless breakfast. Don't listen to her, ok? I....do you know how hungry I was this week?"
Hannibal smiles, looking down. "I....do believe Dr. Bloom had a point to her worry."
"No, it's...."
He looks up at Will and sighs. "I liked taking care of you, Will. I.....it felt like an addiction, after the first time and I....I spent hours on meal plans, meticulously....." he licks his lips, "I had thought to start bringing lunch if she hadn't interfered because I.....I want to take care of you....as more than your psychiatrist."
Will blushes. "Oh."
"I understand if...."
He swallows around nerves and steps closer, their hips touching as Hannibal leans against the desk. "What if...." he takes off his glasses and sets them on the desk, "....I liked it? Liked being taken care of? Liked....seeing you?"
"Will..."
Their hands are close on the desk and Will moves his, fingers brushing Hannibal's. "I want to see you," he whispers, the words shaking, "Every day. I.....I'd like breakfast, lunch, and maybe even some....."
Hannibal grabs hold of his shirt, pressing their mouths together, and Will moans as he leans into the touch. It's so much more than he expected coming here, so much better, and as Hannibal pulls back they both share a laugh.
Hannibal touches his cheek. "Dinner?"
Will looks down, laughing shyly. "I....yeah. Yeah, I'd like dinner."
They have dinner.
It's nice, though he's nervous, and Hannibal makes no move to be subtle, hand on his leg and even his arm, and they share cake at the end.
Hannibal kisses him outside on the front porch, bolder this time, and Will can't remember ever being this turned on with anyone even as they part ways.
"I will see you in the morning."
"The morning?" he blinks, a little flustered.
Hannibal smiles, stepping back into the house.
"For breakfast."
Will just blushes, nodding, and yes Hannibal does come and bring him several muffins the next morning and a whole lot of coffee.
Because they share both together in his classroom.
After a long, very messy make out session on his desk.
"I do not believe I'm fit to be your psychiatrist any longer."
Will smiles. "Yeah, probably not."
Hannibal kisses him again before he leaves. "I will be back for lunch."
Will nods, missing him already,
and later that afternoon Hannibal mentions he thinks he's sick.
Encephalitis.
Will is cared for so much in the hospital he barely even cares when Hannibal admits he's The Ripper three months later.
It almost feels like a treat then.
Just for the two of them.