A familiar scent, threading smoke-like through the fading remnants of a dream, so subtly and intimately that at first Hannibal wasn't sure it was real. He opened his eyes, senses stitching together a complete tapestry of the scene before him. A tumble of loose, dark curls spilled almost carelessly across the white of the pillowcase. The gentle, airy sounds of relaxed breathing, almost indistinguishable from the melody of the breeze as it fluttered through the curtains. And that scent…
Will Graham was asleep, sharing Hannibal's bed as comfortably as they had shared so many meals together. Hannibal raised himself onto one elbow, careful to move slowly so he wouldn't wake him. The customary hardness in Will's jaw and the crease between his eyes had been smoothed away by slumber…it was good to know that his nightmares had left him in peace. He was a serene sight, no traces of a frown rumpling his features, and Hannibal realized that he had never seen Will look so calm, so relaxed.
The bare curve of one shoulder emerged from beneath the silk sheets as Will shifted, and Hannibal couldn't help himself—his eyes traveled down, wondering and curious…what had happened last night? He hadn't been drunk, and yet the euphoria rising in his chest like slow-boiling water suggested something like alcohol-induced giddiness. Hannibal's hawk-sharp eyes noted a small ridge at Will's hip and he reached out to touch it, the silk sheet pleasantly warm beneath his fingertips. It was the hem of Will's boxers.
Very well, then.
It was just as well, Hannibal thought, lowering himself back to the mattress and gazing at Will's sleeping face. Sharing a bed like this, sleeping side by side, was far and away more intimate than sex, that primal and instinctual act seeking base physical pleasure. Hannibal didn't want to wake him, but the sunlight was growing stronger and there were things to be done… and yet Hannibal's hand stayed at his side. He rolled onto his back, the silk sheets sleek and warm against his bare skin, deliberating for several long minutes before he reached over and gently shook Will's shoulder. "Will," he said softly. "Will, wake up."
Will gave a wordless murmur and reached out to wrap his arms around Hannibal, snuggling closer and pressing his face against Hannibal's chest. Hannibal's eyes widened in surprise, his heart stuttering not unpleasantly. Slowly he stroked Will's dark curls back from his face, a tenderness coming into his eyes as he let his hand follow the line of Will's neck. He placed a soft, careful kiss on Will's forehead and held him close, a gentle smile curving the corner of his mouth. He could stand to miss a day of work.