Chapter Text
The elegant dining room of Hannibal's house was filled with the tranquillity of a soft clicking of silverware scratching against the fine golden plates meticulously draped on the beautiful tableau in front of them.
Hannibal and Will sat across from each other as they ate their shared meal in silence which was occasionally broken by Will talking about his day. Like they always did for the last couple months now, sometimes at Will's, mainly at Hannibal's house. Dining at his place, fucking at both of their houses. They definitely weren't picky with that. Will would mostly arrive at around 6 pm and bring the meat and Hannibal would prepare it, sometimes with Will together, sometimes with his boyfriend merely watching while feeling Will's lustrous gaze on his backside every time he'd have to bend down to retrieve something. And he so happened to have to retrieve a lot of things when Will was with him.
Tonight, Hannibal, ever the private connoisseur of fine culinary art, had prepared a sumptuous meal for them. They clinked wine glasses, and as they savoured each bite, and the conversation drifted to Will's profession and, more specifically, his latest case.
Hannibal had never been someone to deny delving into Will's hobbies and interests and even enjoyed it discreetly as he savour each minding and complimenting word of Will's regarding the bloody artistry.
Will's eyes would sparkle with an unmistakable fervour as he spoke passionately about the gruesome tableau that was displayed this morning at the church, not even hesitant as he drowned them both in a bewitched description of the masterpiece.
"He was using it as a brush. Her fingertips were soaking red. She was his artistic tool and her blood his paint. Kind of a rebuild of Van Gogh's life, don't you think?" Without expecting an answer Will continue, his hands flying through the air with gestures. "Her heart was pinned against the statue of Christ right above his heart, his arms pinned against the cross the Ripper had placed her guts like a boa around his neck and shoulders." Will took another crusty bite from his ciabatta while staring at Hannibal with pure enthusiasm. "He's laughing at us, at the FBI. And now you'll probably ask, 'how do I know it's him?'. Well, who else could be capable of such a masterpiece if not the Chesapeake Ripper! He's an artist by heart, I can tell. He's a rarity, one of a kind and...."
As he continued to analyse the intricacies of the murders, dissecting the psychology behind the horrific acts with an enthusiasm that was both captivating and concerning, Hannibal slowly allowed himself to zone out for a while. Let it be rude or not.
He had listened intently, torn between his admiration for Will's brilliant mind and the rising jealousy that threatened to consume him for a while now. He couldn't help but wonder if Will's passion for the Ripper's work surpassed his love for him. Technically, he knew he was quite literally THE Chesapeake Ripper Will was talking about, but he still hadn't taken it up to himself to tell his beloved. It simply never came up and he'd very early on noticed Will's joy of being the 'provider' of their small family. Will was the odd one out from the both of them, the one who had kinda held Hannibal hostage (it depends) and the one who'd finally, after three days spent in his house, asked him out for a real date. There was just no right moment to tell Will his boyfriend he had so much as kidnapped six months ago, was basically his idol. Still, the fact that Will didn't know and still fawned over the Chesapeake Ripper in front of his boyfriend felt very out of place. What if Hannibal wouldn't be the Ripper? Would Will just leave him in the believe that he was his boyfriend but never his number one in life? Wasn't Hannibal enough inspiration that Will had to pine after a mysterious unknown killer with a gift for artistry? He was an artist himself in the kitchen and Will was very aware of it! So... was Hannibal Lecter not enough? Was his alter ego, the Ripper, his more interesting side? Hannibal didn't know and he wasn't sure if his feelings were petty or righteous.
Hannibal shook his head with a sight as he took another bite from his steak and swallowed. Unfortunately, his senses retrieve their awareness for his surroundings all too soon and Will's speech of adoration once more honed his ears.
"You remember the guy I brought to dinner last night, that fillet we had? I tried to recreate a scene with the other limps, experimenting a bit, you know." He gestured wildly with the knife in hand, recreating his cuts. "Sewed some ivy onto his forehead that it would look like a crown. Yes," he laughed, "a crown for the Ripper. He really inspired me on this one, and Jack found him the other day. He said it was art. Real art! You know how happy I can get when they complement my art, even if they are oblivious Idiots sometimes."
As Will continued to extol the Ripper's artistry, Hannibal's jealousy only festered, something thick inside him cutting off his airways while filling his heart and lungs with an unknown pressure, and he unintentionally pouted, the corners of his lips downturned with subtle displeasure. This wasn't his beloved's first Ripper inspiration, but it stings every time anew. He was Will's love, or so he thought. Had Will never been inspired by him before? Never created a masterpiece with merely Hannibal on his mind in lieu of his murderous alter ego? Hannibal was trapped in the paradox of loving someone who said he loved him with words, but his uniqueness never showed it.
"... and so, I sat there, the whole night just analysing the Ripper cases of last year. Man, that was som-"
Finally, the strain became too much for Hannibal to bear. He rose from his chair abruptly, the scrape of the chair against the floor, a stark contrast to the atmosphere of their evening. "Will," he began, his voice laced with uncertainty, struggling to verbalise his inner turmoil and chose another excuse, "I find it increasingly challenging to witness your affectionate speeches about the Ripper's creations. I might come up with a fever as I struggle to concentrate."
Will, abruptly pulled from his passionate discourse, looked at Hannibal with confusion and concern. "A fever? Hannibal why didn't you tell me? I'm telling you always that it's no inconvenience for me to take care of you, babe."
Hannibal hesitated, wrestling with his rather pathetic emotions, fearing the consequences of revealing his insecurities. "I know, love." He smiled shakily. "I'll just retire to bed early tonight, Will. But by all means, please, enjoy the rest of your meal."
With those words, Hannibal left the room, his footsteps echoing in the silence, leaving Will with a heavy heart.
Desperate not to let their evening end on a sour note, Will pushed back his chair and ran after Hannibal. He caught up with him just outside their bedroom door, his voice filled with regret and sadness. "Hannibal, please, don't go to bed angry with me. Tell me what's really going on."
Hannibal turned to face Will, his usually composed facade now wavering. "Why don't you just go downstairs again, Will? I know you didn't finish your plate." He smiled half-hearted in an attempt to distract his lover.
Will didn't seem that convinced and only shook his head. He reached out to cup Hannibal's face, caressing his cheek with his thumb and went for a soft kiss.
"Hey... Don't hide from me, Han, yeah? You can tell me."
He took Hannibal's hands in his, looking into his eyes with unwavering love. Hannibal finally broke and a single tear rolled down his cheek, "Am I..." he paused, rethinking but carrying on with what has to be said, " Am I not enough, Will? Not inspiring enough, not creative enough for you?" Soft lips began to wobble, and a husky whimper escaped him. His cheeks slowly but surely heated up due to some tears breaking through every barrier he built. Looking up at Will his gaze met pure confusion which only worsened his condition. Of course, Will wouldn't understand, he couldn't, but Hannibal still so badly wanted him to. He sobbed as more tears fell. "Am I just exotic enough for you to notice me but never enough to ask for more detail?" He ripped himself off Will's touch and opened the bedroom door finally before slipping in. He glanced at Will with bitterness in his eyes, not daring to let more emotions show. "He's great, I understand. He's your idol, I get it. But-" he had to look down before continuing, "but I could talk about you day and night. I create new dishes and flavours in your honour. With you on my mind my inspiration seems endless as you are my muse." His voice shook more with each word. "Maybe I've been mistaken by thinking you'd feel the same." His eyes shut and he turned around as more tears gathered themselves in his eyes. "How could I ever compete with him." A hoarse laugh escaped him at the irony and before Will could react he'd shut the door behind him.
As best as he tried to tune out Will's pleading voice through the thick door. It didn't work. He heard banging against the trusty wood and decided to settle on the bed for more comfort. His hands automatically went to smooth out any wrinkles on Will's side and quickly withdrew it. His head turned to the door as the banging increased. It sounded almost like a boot trying to kick down the door. Bad luck, his doors were massive oakwood.
"Hanni! Hannibal, please let me in! You are more than enough for me!" His beloved shouted.
Hannibal's lips twisted into a bitter smile, "I'm certainly sure I am." It was a rather petty phrase, but Will deserved it. Three week nothing but 'Ripper here, Ripper there' were enough to drive a man crazy.
"I go to sleep every night with you on my mind and I work with you ruling my thoughts! I chose you, not the Ripper, and I would make that choice every time!"
"Don't make empty promises, Will."
"But I do love you for all that you are...." his voice got quiet for a second, breath heaving briefly until he continued.
"Of course, your exoticism lulled me in, but you're more than that! I'm sorry for letting you think otherwise..."
Hannibal's eyes softened briefly, his jealousy and insecurity giving way to the reassurance of Will's words. Quickly he got up to open the door. Outside he was met with a sight to behold. Will looked almost manic with his chocolate curls tousled from running his fingers through them, his face red and wet with tears. He practically leaped at Hannibal the second the
doctor opened the door which caused them both to nearly fall over. His hands tightly slung around Hannibal, holding him close, Will began rocking them back and forth while petting Hannibal's head lovingly. "I chose you, I choose you and I always will choose you, no matter over whom. Always you, you understand that?" He leaned in to capture Hannibal's lips once more in a passionate kiss. After a while they broke apart, gasping for oxygen to fill their greedy lungs.
A lustrous smile spread across Hannibal's lips as he took Will's tie and pulled him on it inside the bedroom. "Show me."
*
As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the tangled sheets, Hannibal lay entwined with Will. Strong arms captured his waist from behind in a strong, almost possessive grip. Although the early hours Hannibal's mind was already whirling with schemes as he traced his fingers lightly over Will's sleeping form, contemplating his next move. His fingertips brushing the pale skin while tracing each pulsating vein on this delicate but deadly hands.
If one were to ask the good doctor's acquaintances one would only hear praise after praise. Some might even appraise him as understanding, tactile, empathic... He himself would, occasionally, use the same terms, wouldn't it be for this starving, murderous blood-thirsty beast inside him taking control over him from time to time. And these times occurred and happened like yesterday's evening. Times where Will would praise someone else in lieu of his dear boyfriend. His sweet boyfriend who'd gone so far out of his way to provide this.... innocent... this meticulously crafted sweetness and shyness with a tad of natural charm to keep his dear Will. All that effort ruined by Will's fretfully wicked proclivity for the Ripper.
"Good morning, dear." Hannibal murmured softly as Will stirred awake, his voice a velvet caress in the quiet room.
Will's eyes fluttered open, and a tender smile graced his lips as he pulled Hannibal closer, enveloping him in a warm embrace. "Hm... Mornin', darling." he replied, his voice still heavy with sleep but tinged with remorse.
A tired hand ran over Will's sleepy face rubbing away any lax feelings of sleep. "I uh... I'm sorry I guess..." he mumbled, eyes avoiding Hannibal's, who merely raised an accusing eyebrow. "Well whatsoever for?"
"Couldn't really sleep, I- I... It was rude of me. The Ripper could never compare to you, sweetheart."
At that Hannibal couldn't help but smile brightly up at his beloved. Oh, how sweet his Will could be at times. Muscular arms pulled him closer, turning his so they were chest to chest as firm lips found his own. When they parted Hannibal was pulled even closer, skin flush against warm skin. One of Will's hand came sneaking up behind him, forcing his head forward for his face to burry in the crook of Will neck. His smile only widened. The profiler knew how to handle a distressed doctor by allowing him the opportunity to freely sniff and smell him at his core. It wasn't only the scent though; it was the feeling of his maw so closely resting against his beloved's main artery pulsating along his neck and for Hannibal to be trusted not to bite and rip apart.
"Hm..." Will purred, "You love that, don't you?" The obviously smug grin in his voice was audible. "Babe, there's no need for jealousy." Will reassured but chuckle mid-sentence due to a hot wet tongue licking at his heated skin. ,"My my... So desperate and greedy."
More sweet things spilled from Will's lips, as he continued to pet his boyfriend softly. Everything seemed fine once more. So fine Hannibal nearly forgot Will's latest misstep, until....
"It was all my fault," Hannibal nodded mentally, agreeing to his profiler's stupidity, "...to blandly assume you'd be able to understand my passion." What? "You can't help but be at a disadvantage here, Han. You must be so scared to hear all this bloody stuff after just overcoming such heavy trauma... That was careless of me." With a compassionate sigh Will gave Hannibal another peck on the cheek. Both hands now cupping the doctor's face a literal rain of kisses broke down on him so he'd barely time to process the former spoken words.
"Will, it's really not-"
"Yeah... I know. It's okay... I'm gonna make it all up to you so you won't have to think about that day ever again." His words carried a mixture of regret and determination.
"After all I can't have you running away from me, being all scared and suicidal again. No, we won't have that." His voice seemed distant for a moment like recalling a sad memory. Sadness and determination glinted in his eyes before they refocus on Hannibal.
"I'm really sorry about last night," he began anew, his gaze meeting Hannibal's with sincerity. "I promise I'll do better. You just can't comprehend the Ripper's importance to me, but that's okay, because I'm still happy with you. You're everything that I'm not and I love you so dearly for it." he added, his tone firm yet pleading.
"I love you too, Will." Hannibal said, voice soft.
Will only smiled sadly in response, his face covered in suppressed agony. "-but sometimes I need the feeling of another soul, equal und understanding, with the same passion for killing that I have." He winced at his next words like the admittance itself hurt his very core, "But don't you ever dare blame yourself for it! Don't blame yourself for not understanding the goddamn monster I am."
Hannibal's lips curved into a gentle smile, masking the complex web of thoughts that churned beneath the surface. "Of course not, my dear Will," he replied, his voice honeyed with affection as he pressed a tender kiss to Will's forehead. "I will always be with you." he assured, his mind already forming a new plan.
It was time to show Will who exactly he'd been bedding and cooing over for the last few months...