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It had been a good year so far, Will had adjusted nicely, and their lives had finally reached the stability they both craved for so long.

The crossing of their paths had been akin to a tornado to each other, and even though Will Graham had chosen him at last, the peace he reached as his eyes laid on him was only reciprocated after a good two years of careful attention.

He had him for himself at last, and this time he made him his in every way possible.

They had been on the run for two years before they settled, so that Will could adjust to this new life, It would have been impossible to do so if he had to worry about the bonds Will was forming outside.

He needed to be the only view to Will's eyes to ensure they'd never stray, the man was unpredictable and he didn't want another surprise from him.

The last one almost killed them both.

His scent reached him before he did and instead of finding solace in it, his mind sharpened like a knife. There was a hint of something clinging to him, a soft scent, he recognized it.

Lily of the Valley.

He pulled him closer by the nape of his neck, kissed him deeply until he got the response he wanted and smirked as he pulled away some inches to let him breath. Will hated sneaky public displays of affection, especially now that they were posing as brothers, yet tolerated them. He gripped him closer and whispered into his ear this time. "Have you made a new friend, Will?"

The surprise on his face didn't last long and after that he chuckled in understanding, "a student of mine got chucked out of class for attending lectures without being enrolled."

"How very rude". He smirked as they started walking towards the car. The shorter man scoffed in response.

"Did you make sure she felt welcomed to your lectures, then?"

"She looked upset, asked me if she could continue attendance" He shrugged.

They were going to lunch together before going back to classes, the scent became slightly clearer as the car doors closed and he could catch a bit more. Youth. It complemented the scent of the white flower nicely, giving it an undertone of freshness only life could provide.

A young girl, too young he suspected. Now he was interested. The shorter man's silence was clue enough though. Abigail remained a sore subject for both of them, but once in a while they got to witness the life they envisioned in others, sometimes even non deserving others. That seemed to anger the younger man particularly, he had asked him once if he believed God gloated in his punishment, and being denied a family while those who didn't deserve one experienced the joy of having one, felt like gloating.

He could see it happening, Will finding someone to complete their dream. He didn't suggest he taught at University just for the hell of it, there was a need in both of them that couldn't be ignored.

Abigail was dead, and there was no replacing her.

They couldn't even if they wanted, the Hannibal and Will who loved Abigail died that day with her, too much had happened after, circumstance and experience made them who they were today and their love wasn't the same.

He never mentioned it but he suspected a part of Will was relieved that she hadn't witnessed their rebirth, it would have destroyed her.

The time to wait for the proper moment to push was long gone, he learned in time never to let Will's mind fester quietly, or soon enough it would be impossible to predict.

"What interests do you think such a young girl would have in Criminal Psychology?" He asked looking at him now that they were at a red light.

"Oh don't start." He huffed annoyed. He only smirked back waiting for an answer.

"What's Criminal is your nose, Hannibal... And I don't know it could be simple curiosity, there are people out there who still want to catch the bad guys, you know."

"The little one wants to be a hero." He stated as he drove along.

He sighed deeply at his insistence, "I wouldn't know, she's not very talkative."

"I thought you despised non participants, what's different?" He asked.

"Her attention" he answered instantly. "And I suspect she has many questions she just... doesn't ask."

"A shy one then?" He asked with a smile.

"Wouldn't you like that", said Will whispered under his breath as he got out of the car.

Yes, he would like it a lot.