A/N: Hello, people!
I don't own Hannibal.
I have no beta.
ENJOY!
CHECK ME OUT ON TUMBLR, HELLY-WATERMELONSMELLINFELLON. I FOLLOW BACK.
Hannibal had to get his fix. He hadn't been able to spend time with Will like he used to so this dinner had to go perfectly. It had to be something Will would like and Will had requested vegetarian only, lowering dining options.
It was because Hannibal was the Ripper and Will knew it. Will didn't want to sample Hannibal's special dishes anymore, it seemed, and while the thought was devastating, Will had at least agreed to be in his 'former friend's' presence so Hannibal would take what he could get.
All he had to do from now on was convince the surly boy to stay in Virginia and not go back to his home state. Hannibal would follow him of course, but he didn't want to end up pushing Will away. He needed Will to want to be with him and if he kept trying to flee, then there was no point to any of this.
Hannibal refused to allow what was between them, to die out.
Will was the most important person Hannibal had ever known - besides Mischa - and he wasn't about to let go of someone so unique. Someone who knew who and what he was. Even with knowing, he still accepted Hannibal's invitation to dinner, despite stipulations involved. This had to be a sign of good will, from good Will.
But, a small part of him whispered. It could all be a ruse. He could be simply playing with you and you'll be the fool in the end.
Unfortunately, Will apparently felt so slighted because of what had transpired between them, that the possibility of him using Hannibal in order to hurt him was entirely possible. Hannibal really wished that it wasn't, but there was nothing he could do now. All was said and done and he'd simply have to view Will's reactions to the proper amount of prodding and hope he didn't push the empath too far while evaluating him.
Will was on time, something that Hannibal had missed. Craved, to be honest. He was looking positively sinful. There was no horrid, plaid shirt or mismatched coat. It was a simple black ensemble. A pair of slacks, a black, collared shirt with no tie, and his black jacket was folded over his arm already.
Will hadn't done his own hair, obviously. It was much like it had been during his trial and Hannibal knew that Kailani was behind it. She said she wasn't helping Hannibal anymore, but was she helping Will instead?
Will looked charming and Hannibal detested the fact that others had probably seen him while he was looking so irresistible.
"Hello, Dr. Lecter."
Back to the professional terms. Hannibal withheld a sigh and plastered a pleased smile on his face. A smile that wasn't too fake in light of his company.
"Hello, Will. Right on time," Hannibal greeted as if everything was fine, stepping aside and letting the younger man into his lavishly decorated home. He also took the jacket and hung it up before leading Will to the dining room.
"I just finished the alfredo sauce which I made with soy milk and yeast, I assure you."
He'd taken the desire for vegetarian food very personally, but had done as Will wanted. No meat, no dairy, no honey, no eggs, nothing a vegetarian wouldn't eat. He did hope that maybe one day, Will would feel comfortable eating at his table again. Eating the meat Hannibal slaved to hunt for. Hannibal liked seeing Will enjoy his food. The former profile made the most pleasing of noises when he thought he was being quiet.
Will very deliberately made eye contact with him and said in a soft tone, "I'll help set the table."
The last three times they shared dinner, Will had set the table for him after being asked. It seemed that he was taking the initiative this time, but was it to throw Hannibal off guard? Was he simply being polite? Was he trying to ease them into a more comfortable and familiar atmosphere? Hannibal didn't know and not knowing made him anxious.
Will had already gathered the cutlery, wine glasses, and the serviettes and was traipsing to the dining room to set the table properly, leaving Hannibal to his worrisome thoughts.
There was a tense air about them. It was noticeable and Hannibal didn't like it. Will treated Hannibal like he wasn't the man's friend and that he was simply someone he'd forced himself to be around. Will seemed to have really taken everything differently than Hannibal had expected.
Hannibal was trying to prove that it was okay to like one's own inner Darkness. He wanted Will to understand and accept himself. Everything that lead up to that moment was for a purpose. An important one and it saddened Hannibal that Will couldn't see it.
He plated the pasta and took both plates to the dining room, finding that Will had set the table with Hannibal at the head and Will at his right hand. Though he was surprised by it, he didn't pause or even comment, simply placing the food down and smiling genially.
He returned to the kitchen where he retrieved the bread and cutting board along with the chilled wine. Pomerol, a perfect vintage at exactly fifteen years and two days old. He'd been saving it for Will of course. Wanted to broaden his palate but of course, the meal had changed and Hannibal's plan to feed Will a special veal recipe that would have been what the main course was comprised of in order to accent the wine, had been ruined.
Still though, at least he and Will would be eating together.
The man smiled calmly at him and thanked him for the meal, waiting for Hannibal to sit before he started eating. Hannibal had always liked that about Will. He didn't eat until someone else was sitting at the table with him.
Of course when he sat, Will simply cut himself a slice of bread and nibbled on it, not even touching his food. He took a sip of wine, scenting it first, which he had never done before while in Hannibal's presence, before sipping from it slowly. What had Kailani been teaching him?
After a few moment, Hannibal had to finally ask when he realized that Will hadn't touched his pasta at all.
A look of guilt came over his face, which flushed a delicate shade of pink.
"I… I was testing you to see if you'd follow my request to forgo a meal made with your superior culinary skills, that would no doubt have one of your special ingredients in it."
Will sighed. "I didn't think you'd also eat it. I thought you'd make me a salad like you did with Freddie Lounds that one time and that you'd just make your normal food and eat it. But… instead, you made something different and you used soy."
"You do not like soy?" asked Hannibal, frowning at the still full plate.
"I'm deathly allergic to it."
Oh.
Will sighed once again, refusing to meet his gaze as he continued to babble, "I mean, my throat and tongue swell so much when I ingest it, I can't breathe and begin to suffocate. Both times it happened I had to be rushed to the emergency room where they forced a tube down my throat in keep me breathing. It hurt like hell. I also break out into a horrible rash that burns.
I'm sorry. You went through the trouble and now..."
"It's okay, Will. I don't want you to force yourself to consume something if you know that it will hurt you," Hannibal said softly, standing and taking the plate with the offensive food.
Luckily, he had made a blueberry cobbler - vegetarian, without soy - for dessert and it could be eaten like a breakfast dish, which meant it was also good enough to be eaten at supper time.
He placed a large piece of it on a new plate and brought it to Will with a smile.
"Thank you... Hannibal."
It was said so softly, he was certain Will hadn't expected him to hear it. Thankfully, Hannibal had amazing senses and could hear Will perfectly fine. Will had said his name and he reveled in it. Loved it.
This… he felt, would lead them on the right track once more.
Will was smiling a little and Hannibal felt he could breathe easier.
Kailani was simply waiting for it.
Will had very carefully been letting Hannibal back into his life. The brunet was besotted with Hannibal, though still hurt over what he'd done. Kailani was just sitting back, enjoying the show as it unfolded before her. The two were idiots.
However, it was nice to see Hannibal smiling at work and not putting on false platitudes with her.
She did however, make something very clear to him, stopping him from leaving his office by pressing a large hand to his chest. He had to look up at her to see what was the matter.
"Never feed me people again, unless I give the okay for it, got it?" she asked, voice lowering by an octave as she stared him down. "We wouldn't want dear Will push you away again simply because your hurt his friend."
Hannibal seemed to have understood in that moment. Kailani could get away with threatening him and talking back because A.) she was the best secretary he'd ever had, and B.) she was Will's friend and if he didn't want to damage their tentative, repairing relationship, he'd keep his murderous hands to himself.
"Understood."
A/N: Another is done.
How was it? Let me know.
Check out my other fics.
See ya! :D
CHECK ME OUT ON TUMBLR, HELLY-WATERMELONSMELLINFELLON. I FOLLOW BACK.