Topping from the bottom, William?" he tsked in disapproval. "What a naughty boy you're being. What's to be done about that?"

Pinned against the wall of Hannibal's kitchen, able to feel every inch of the older man's powerful body pressed against his, Will all but vibrated with lust and his mind was dominated by a single thought. He needed more.

"I've already told you what you should do, Hannibal. Bend me over the nearest flat surface and fuck me" he hissed, the desire slamming through his body making the words all but guttural.

Maroon eyes flashed in response to the crudity, but Hannibal merely hummed in response before nuzzling his check against Will's as he whispered directly into the shell of his ear.

"My dear William, if you had just begun the evening with that simple request, the next few hours would have passed much more pleasantly for the both of us. But alas, you did not" he sighed in mock regret. "You chose instead to manipulate, to provoke." Hannibal lowered his voice to a deep rumble, deliberately drawing out the syllables at the end, smiling against the soft skin beneath his lips at the shudder his words induced. Shifting his hand on Will's throat slightly, keeping his grasp gentle for now, he tilted the younger man's chin up so he had no choice but to meet his gaze.

"An unwise choice, to be sure, but one which you have already made. And now, it seems you must make another."

Will swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry with nerves. This is not how he had envisioned the evening proceeding. Hannibal was right; he had come here tonight with the express purpose of provoking the doctor into action, into giving Will what he wanted, but he hadn't intended to actually make the man displeased with him. He hadn't had he? God, he couldn't tell, couldn't get a read on him now that Hannibal had slipped that damned mask of his back into place.

"What choice?" He hated the slightly panicked tone riding the edge of his voice but was unable to prevent it. The idea that he had displeased Hannibal, or god forbid, disappointed him enough that the older man might call a halt to this, to back away and leave Will stranded alone in his desire was definitely enough to start the low roll of panic in his gut. Perhaps sensing the younger man's distress, Hannibal's thumb rubbed against the skin of his jaw in a soothing manner. The gentle caress was in direct opposition to his next words.

"My darling, cunning boy. I'm afraid you've painted yourself into a bit of a corner. You currently have one of two options available to you." Hannibal released him suddenly, stepping back and straightening his clothing with casual indifference, deliberately not looking over at where the younger man leaned against the wall for support, obviously trembling, feeling bereft and slightly abandoned at the older man's sudden withdrawal.

"You may leave now, go back to your isolated little home in Wolf Trap, back to your dogs and your whiskey and pretend that none of this ever happened. Things will go back to the way they were before and we will never speak of it again."

"Or?" Will bit out, starting to get angry. Hannibal was playing with him again, and he didn't like it one bit. The older man had regained the upper hand in their little game with such ease that it left Will feeling a bit foolish for even attempting to out maneuver someone who obviously outclassed him in that field. Maybe this had been a mistake.

"Or….." Hannibal returned his gaze to his and Will gasped at the intensity, the hunger that danced in those dark eyes. No, this had definitely not been a mistake. A poor decision, perhaps, but not a mistake.

"Or," Hannibal continued, "you may choose to stay here, with me."

"And what would happen then? If I decide to stay?"

"Then you will take what I choose to give you."

Oh god, oh god, yes! His brain was howling at him to agree to anything Hannibal wanted if it got Will, more of what he wanted. But Will was no fool. There was too much hunger in the gaze that held his captive, hunger and something so much darker that it had his hindbrain screaming in warning.

"And what exactly would that entail, Dr. Lecter?" Will asked cautiously, despite his body's urging to rush headlong into whatever this was despite the dangers. He was met with a slow smile that seemed to offer pleasure and pain in equal measure.

"Choose, and find out."

Will searched that enigmatic face for some sign of reassurance, anything to give him a clue as to what the other man was planning. All he saw was a careful, quiet patience, a predator calmly waiting to see which way the prey would run.

Licking his lips nervously, Will considered. He could leave now. Hannibal would not make a fuss, simply escort him to the door, help him into his coat and bid him drive safely. And the good doctor was a man of his word. Hannibal would never bring this up again, never use it to embarrass or hurt Will. It would truly be like nothing had ever happened between them. He could go back to his life, his dogs, could carry on with teaching during the week, fishing on the weekends. Helping Jack with cases and keeping his weekly appointments with Hannibal. It would be calm. Peaceful. Safe.

Lonely.

And he would spend the rest of his life wondering what could have happened. Because Will knew, if he chose to leave now, the opportunity would never be offered again.

Or he could take a chance, with all that would entail. Stay here with Hannibal, believe that the other man knew what he was doing, that he would not go too far and would be able to reassemble Will again after he dismantled him. Because whatever the darkness bleeding through Hannibal's eyes was, it promised to take Will apart completely. Could he trust that Hannibal wanted him enough to keep him safely on this side of destruction?

Yes.

"I'm staying." The utter look of satisfaction that spread across Hannibal's face sent shivers down his spine in the most wonderful of ways. Will was notorious for making poor life choices, but in this, Will believed he had finally gotten something right.

"As you wish William" Hannibal murmured, stepping once again into Will's personal space, running his hands up Will's arms to cup his face with his large, warm hands. "Such a brave boy" he offered the praise with a gentle kiss. "Before we go any further, I am going to need a word from you. One that you won't say accidentally, but that cannot be taken out of context. One that means safety to you, one that you will remember no matter what we are doing."

"Hannibal, what the hell? Why do I need a safe word? That is what you're talking about, isn't it? A way to ask you to stop without actually saying stop."

"Exactly, Will. And you will need it because I have every intention of pushing your boundaries. Probably much further than what you will be comfortable with at first." Hannibal all but purred the words.

"And so you will tell me to stop. You will tell me no. But you won't really mean it and I won't listen, regardless. Thus the need for a safe word. It will let me know without a doubt we have reached your limit or that I have put you in more distress than you can endure at that particular moment in time. Until we learn each other better, it is a safeguard against unintentional damage.

Unintentional damage. A shudder ran through Will's body at the sensual threat laced through that not so innocent phrase.

"Lighthouse."

"Very good Will. An excellent choice. Lighthouses have guided sailors and fishermen home to safe harbors for centuries. A trusted symbol of safety in rough seas and in the darkest of nights." Hannibal's eyes seemed to search his, seeking for what, Will knew not.

"And will you trust me William? Trust me not to lead you astray, to be your guide through the darkness, to quiet the storm of your mind and bring you back safely again? Can you do that for me Will? Can you give me your trust? I assure you, it won't be misplaced."

"Yes. I can, I do. I do trust you Hannibal."

Hannibal pressed a kiss to Will's forehead. "Brave, brave boy" he murmured. "Thank you." They stood like that for a bit, Hannibal allowing Will to bury his head against his chest, to lean against him and find comfort in his warmth, in the steady beat of his heart.

Will knew he shouldn't feel so safe, for he was wrapped in the arms of a monster. He may not have a name yet for what lived inside of Hannibal, may not know exactly what flavor of darkness the older man held contained within the tight reigns of his control, but Will knew it was there; knew that if he let the pendulum swing, he would see nightmares screaming behind the doctor's eyes, hungry and unsated. But there was something heady in having that intense attention focused on him. Heady and empowering. Hannibal didn't see him as something delicate and broken, something to be pitied and in need of repair. For reasons that were beyond Will, Hannibal wanted him; wanted him more than anyone else ever had. Not just for his mind or his gift. Hannibal wanted all of him and that was something Will was afraid he was already addicted to. Life didn't give Will Graham good things. But perhaps, just perhaps, he could have this.

So he burrowed deeper into Hannibal's arms and took what comfort he could.

Slowly the long fingers stroking his curls ceased their repetitive motions, curling instead to grip the fine strands in a gentle grip. Will found his head tilted back as once again dark eyes captured his. He could see the want simmering in their depths; the fire had not gone out. It had simply been banked and it sparked answering warmth in Will.

"Tell me, mylimasis, are you ready to begin?"

"Yes, oh yes…..I'm ready."

And the monster smiled.