The invitation had been strange to hear coming from someone his age. What kind of sixteen year old boy invites another teenage boy to dinner? Yet he couldn't quite refuse those muddy eyes. So the plan was made to dine at Hannibal Lector's and the day soon arrived.
Hannibal Lector lived in Fredrick Hall, another loathsome reference to its laughable patriarch. The dorms here were all occupied by the wealthier students of Chilton's Academy and as such they were often assigned private rooms; some even, as was in Hannibal's case, lived in seemingly 'mini apartments'. Hannibal's room had a desk, arm chairs, a television set, a kitchen and even a dining room. The rich luscious room was so foreign to Will that at one point it even crossed his mind that this reality was a mere illusion; one of his frequent fever dreams he so dreaded. Yet truth was stranger than fiction; so here he was. It was revealed that Hannibal had expensive tastes and this was never so more evident than in the meals he served before Will that evening.
"Are you enjoying your food?" Hannibal asked as he looked across the table, eying the boy before him.
Will smiled politely but nervously, "I'm not used to this kind of cuisine."
Hannibal laughed lightly, "That is apparent. Your body appears to starve nourishment. Are you not fed proper at home?" At this question Will squirmed in his seat. Hannibal noticed the distress and put on his best caring expression. It was the kind a therapist might plaster on their face during a session.
Will caught sight of that face and felt his tension ease, "My mother." he began.
The story of Will's tragic family life was one of woe and Hannibal's heart almost broke under the weight of the knowledge but when he was finished Hannibal felt in himself the ability to reveal his own past.
"My family is rich." he began, "But my parents don't love me. They've told me so many a time, they abandoned me here and perhaps that is why I am so independent." The story flowed out of Hannibal in much the same way as it did from Will's lips. As each story concluded, each felt closer to the other. They bonded over their shared pains and drew closer. As the evening waned the conversation brightened as the topic of leaving was raised.
"I've considered running away." Will confessed, "I've even packed my bags on occasion but I know I couldn't do it. Not because of sentiment or anything; it's just that what little money my mother has, I have even less. I'd never be able survive out on the streets by myself.
Hannibal thought this over for a moment before replying, "You know what is interesting? I too have contemplated running away from this place."
Will eyes widened, "You? Run away? Why? Just look at this place." Will said stretching out his arms.
Hannibal chuckled, "Yes it is indeed extravagant and I would be lying if I said that I don't enjoy this luxury but there is no love here. An added bonus of course of running away would be the disgrace my parents would experience. They so do love their high status, enjoying it when they speak of my 'fine education'."
The idea must have crossed both their minds then at the same time as they jumped from their seats and looked into each other's eyes. Hannibal of course said it first, "We could do it!"
"Together." Will chimed in, "But how?"
Hannibal smiled evilly, "Do you know what would scandalise my dearest mother and father even more than me just running away?"
"What?" Will asked, a tad in the dark.
Hannibal's grin somehow grew larger, "If when I disappeared, I took their fortune with me; or at the very least, a sizable chunk."
The idea was utterly absurd but it struck a chord deep inside of Will and he nodded. The plan had be arranged.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long since a chapter has been uploaded but I actually wrote this chapter ages ago. I've been holding onto it because I'm sure that the characters are OOC. I know with an AU you can go a little out of character but still, I think Hannibal is a tad jolly in this chapter. Well, I guess the final decisions are up to you, the readers! What do you think?